24-11-2024 Bong & His Twelfth Post in 2024 - Winter is here

Finally, 

our Christmas cactus (November cactus) bloom while we are at home!

Have a nice winter everyone!

XOXO

-Bong-

 

09-11-2024 Bong & His Eleventh Post in 2024 - Malaysia in December!

Our journey in Malaysia this time

began with a stressful search for a means of travel from Kuala Lumpur to Sungai Petani, 

immediately after we landed.

Since I also had to attend some meetings, 

we couldn't take a flight. 

Additionally, 

the train seats for individuals with disabilities could not been sold to us and were rather left empty. 

As a result, we ended up taking a 7-hour bus trip!

**Yes, the picture showing that I was working could look a bit better! 

Bad photographer!**

Days in Sungai Petani passed quickly, 

filled with work, and good food,

and of course, my lovely family!

Since we had a "not-so-proper" Christmas celebration the year before,

and this time we arrived much earlier,

**Arne started his pensjonist life as well**

I made very proper plans for our Christmas celebration!

And of course,

it had to be in George Town,

Arne's favourite city in Malaysia!

We stayed at a "new" hotel that we had never tried before,

Hotel NEO+ Penang...

even the area was kinda new for us.

And for Christmas eve dinner,

we went to Vouk for Christmas buffet!

The food was so-so,

but given the price, the choices

it was quite OK!!

Some sight-seeings on Christmas days...

and of course,

good Penang food

(with salmon breakfast)!

And the next time we turned back to Penang,

it was for my work,

and then our trip to Singapore

before we flew back...

 

To be continued....

XOXO

-Bong-

29-09-2024 Bong & His Tenth Post in 2024 - First time tasting Porn Start Martini!

Day 12:

We booked a boat trip

where we were supposed to be able to see sea turtle up close,

visit Marathonisi Caves,

and then ended with a tour at the turtle island.

We came back to Agios Sostis Harbour,

and "hunt" to see our sea turtle started here!

Yes,

we managed to see one giant sea turtle to begin with...

somewhere not too far from the harbour.

and then

all of a sudden the boat tour guide

started began steering the boat back to the harbour again!!

So what happened was there were more sea turtles

around the shore as the fishermen were feeding them with small fishes

that they wanted to throw away!

So the tourists that did not pay for anything,

walking around the harbour

gotta see the sea turtles UP CLOSE and FREE of charge,

with good space around them, 

so on and so forth!

While we that already paid for the boat trip,

had to fight for the perfect stop

on the tiny boat to see sea turtles!

Lol!

After around 30 minutes of sea turtle "show",

the tour continued with visiting Marathonisi Caves!

The water was crystal clear,

and the caves were really narrow.

So we were super impressed 

with the boa tour guide's skill in steering the boat!

Marathonisi Caves are actually

on part of the turtle island...

So after visiting the side of island with caves,

the boat tour guide dropped us at the side with beaches!

On that island,

there were a few big boats selling drinks and food.

We went to a quieter spot to enjoy the rest of day there,

as we could decide ourselves when to return.

Suddenly,

we noticed that there were people gathering around...

and of course,

I had to figure out what was going on!

Ah,

we did see sea turtle baby on the turtle island!

Great that someone actually noticed that,

and tried to help out the baby to head to the sea....

After spending almost 2 hours there,

with swimming and sun-bathing

(of course, what else!!),

we returned to the main land again!

This time,

as we had better time,

we decided to visit the Cameo Island...

We crossed that very pretty bridge,

climbed up a bit and the trip stopped there,

as it required entrance fees :(

Day 13: 

Third last day at Zakynthos, 

we had a very chilled day!

We had jacket potato with tuna,

and omelette for brunch...

then went for a very last visit

to Laganas beach!

**Not much could be done with a day when I had meetings**

Day 14:

Same as the day before,

we had a brunch at Panos Greek Restaurant

**They claim themselves serving authentic Zakynthian cruisine**

So we ordered gemista and gyros,

and as always...

starters and desserts were on the house :)

For the very last day,

we decided to spend some time at Kalamaki beach again :)

And on our way back,

we managed to dine in at this restaurant

Paulo bar

that we passed by once,

and were mesmerised with its bougainvillea plants!

However, not just the bougainvillea plants were impressive,

the painting on the walls,

the food (very juicy souvlaki chicken),

and not to forget,

the very special drink

"porn star Martini" was NAM NAM too!!

Overall,

a super great day at Kalamaki with

a nice first time!!!

Day 15:

Time to leave Zakynthos!

Originally we could just stay at the hotel

until we checked out and took a taxi to the airport.

But we really wanted to see more of the city....

So we went straight to 

the main "tourist street" again...

This time around,

Arne had much better time

looking at souvenirs lol!

Then from there we walked to Solomos Square,

visited the Church Agios Nikolaos of Molos,

and The Statue of Liberty of Zante.

With our big luggage,

we walked from Solomos Square

to Saint Dionysios Zakynthos Holy Orthodox Church.

It was interesting to follow

different models of yacht and how these "rich" people lived their lives!

Lol!

Of course,

in addition to that,

there were local fishermen selling all kind of seafood as well!

After a 15-minute walking trip under the sun,

we needed something to chill us down a bit...

If I remember correctly,

I visited the church inside alone

as it was too much to have both of us carrying the luggage

and walking inside the church with it.

And I did not take that many pictures inside as well,

because it was prohibited (I think...)!

**Not easy to recall everything

when this trip was almost one year ago!!

After visiting the Orthodox church,

we continued our sight-seeing,

exploring other streets in Zante Town that we had not seen ^.^

With our very relaxing sight-seeing,

we managed to even follow

the local ferry coming in :)

Then,

for our very last meal at Zakynthos,

we dined out at this Kati Psinete restaurant...

We ordered pita club,

and the food portion was BIG!!

For dessert,

**This time not on the house**

we had Banoffee pie!!

After the extremely filling meal, 

we decided it was time to skip any further walking 

and head straight to the airport by taxi."

That's all about our 15-day trip to Zakynthos!

XOXO

-Bong-