Sunday, December 21, 2025

Kulai Star Fish Farm | Floating House | Kampung Vibe | Water Challenge | ATV | Christmas Celebration

Brayden 8Y9M27D
Bevlynn 4Y6M20D

Next holiday destination - Kulai Star Fish Farm Johor. 
A gathering for 5 families.

A few months earlier, it all started from a simple Instagram video shared and we all agreed to pick this location as our next group travel destination. And so, the planning started - choosing good dates for everyone and booking the location. 

We had a choice of Kampung Chalet, Floating House or Glamping. In the end, we chose the Floating House as it would be a nice experience for the children (and some adults who had never stayed in one before including me). 

There was not much plans needed because the 3D2N package already included meals and activities. 

Day 1 : Arrival from various locations. 

The car ride took approx. 1 hour from the Malaysia customs. In the last 10 mins, the car had to pass a remote area; with train track on the left and forest on the right. Good thing it was broad day light. I don't think anyone unfamiliar with the route will attempt to find their way through this remote area in the dark. Half way through we were greeted by two slow moving cows and one man on a bike trying to guide them around. 

Finally, we arrived at the Kulai Star Fish Farm entrance. We were guided to our Floating House. It was a blue double story wooden house at the corner of the center lake, unique and stand out amongst the rest of the chalet homes. 

The children wanted to feed the animals. We bought some animal feed at RM15/each. We could feed the rabbits, ducks and we were given milk bottles for the fishes too. Yes, they were "milk feed" for the fish! The children loved feeding the fishes.

They played the playground, trampoline, the bubble area and congkak. 

We also tried the bumper boat with water guns (RM30 /15 mins). The adults were soaked from the bumper boat ride. They were the easy target for the children. Since they children were wet, they went in the small swimming pool for a nice dip. 

Dinner was steamboat and Supper was BBQ. It was fun since there was not much crowd; we almost had the whole place to ourselves.  The weather was perfect. It was dark enough that the whole sky was filled with twinkling stars, not much clouds too. We played with the sparklers and glow in the dark. The children enjoyed them. 

The Daddies enjoyed BBQ-ing while the rest of us played and ate. They surprised me with a birthday cake, it was a nice surprise. As we slowly walked back to the Floating House, the night breeze blowing was refreshing. This really adds to the kampung vibe. 

Oh, we had to take cold night showers after returning. We quickly wrapped ourselves in the blanket to keep warm. The girls all stayed in one room, while the boys stayed in the second room. 

Good night everyone! 

Day 2 : Team work and Hard work
 
We woke up early to enjoy the sunrise. Sitting at the front porch, enjoying some nice warm chocolate. The parents started to prep the children; while the children looked cute in their blur "just woke up look".

Time for breakfast. 

After breakfast, we decided to have some small team activities in the morning since the sun was scorching hot. 

Game 1 : Shrinking Island. Families had to fit in the small shrinking newspaper
Game 2 : Throw ping pong in the can. It was an easy game even for the 4 year old. 
Game 3 : Rock-paper-scissors route. The children were excited and nervous to win for their team.
Game 4 : Blind Pirate Treasure Hunt. It was confusing when everyone shouting instructions at the same time but very fun indeed. 
Game 5 : Water balloon. This was the highlight of the games. Everyone's laughter can be heard around. Almost everyone was all wet from the game.

After water balloon, the children once again went to the small pool for a dip. Again and they still loved it!  
 
After lunch, we decided to do some fishing. We were given fish rods (RM10/each) and fish feed (RM5/each). The children never fished before. They don't really know how. There was no fish for some time. We changed location and tried waiting patiently. Then the first bite came, the fish was as big as my palm. 
Then after awhile, more catch.... 

Out of a sudden, a crocs sandal was floating in the waters. It was Bev's. Over excitement had her dropped her shoes in the waters, we were not quick enough to catch it. We let it slowly float to the other side of the pond before we managed to catch this wandering "crocs". We had a good laugh. 

After catching a few more fishes, we had to release them back into the pond. 

By this time, it wasn't so hot anymore, and we moved to the next activity: the main water challenge. The children were very brave, attempting to cross the challenges by themselves. They had their life vests on, so whenever the challenge got too difficult for them, they just jumped into the water and swam to the next challenge. The adults, on the other hand, looked more clumsy and fell into the water more often. We stopped trying after 1-2 rounds. The children went for more than 3-5 rounds. 

Next, there was kayaking and the team water challenge. 

Bev had a small boat that can fit a child, and she had to pedal rotate with her hand. She got too tired and requested to jumped into the water instead. She floated around and said "This is the best in my life ever". 

By the time, they closed the water challenge area. We took a shower and went for steamboat dinner. 

We took some of the steamboat ingredients and had them for BBQ instead. 
The BBQ hall was decorated with Christmas deco and northern lights with stars. 

We had Secret Santa for the children and adult. Everyone smiling from ears to ears when they received their presents. 

After having filled our bellies, we decided to have a short walk around in the dark. We explored with the children under the beautiful night sky, it was just a short walk but one which was mesmerizing. 

Then back to the Floating House for another cold shower before we rest our heads. 

Good night everyone! This night we slept better (tired).

Day 3 : Last Day

SR had to leave early to catch the train. 

The rest decided to have a go on the ATV. Every ATV had an adult + a child (RM150/ATV). 
It was the first time for all the children.

The ATV felt heavy and hard to maneuver at first. After same getting use too, we went faster going up and down the rough terrain. The terrain was quite challenging for some areas; going through muddy puddles, sandy areas and a small route between palm trees. 
(The special palm tree route was a bonus because there was a lorry blocking our path along the way. We went through a more difficult path, an almost 45deg drop and rise again. We then came back to the same path we did earlier).

Woohoo for the parents. Bev and Bray almost falling asleep behind the wheels. The bright, hot sun and bumpy ride triggered the "nap mode". Good thing the ride ended before they K.O. 

We were given some time to take a shower before checking out. 

Goodbye Star Fish Farm.   
It was a great moment for the children!



 















 


 




 







Sunday, December 14, 2025

Q2 Waterfront | Gurney Bay Park Playground | Macallum Coffee

Brayden 8Y9M18D
Bevlynn 4Y6M11D

We went to Unknown Cafe at the Q2 Waterfront for brunch. The sea breeze gently brushing our skin as we enjoyed the food variation. There was something unique with the recipes; they had special unknown ingredients which tickled the taste buds.  

In the late afternoon, we went to Gurney Plaza and Gurney Bay Park. This is our first time there but the playground seemed to be in a sorry state. The slides and some parts were closed off. The children found it boring, so I decided to create a ninja warrior challenge with the remaining part of the playground. They had to climb, jump, crawl, hop, go through tunnel, and reach the last part at the trampoline within the shortest time. 

Off they went.... One round. Then suddenly, more children wanted to join in too. Second round, even more children volunteered to be a part of it. Now with 7 children trying to outrun each other. It became a spectacle for the rest of the parents at the playground. It was fun. 
(Sometimes things may not turn out as expected, but we can turn it around and make it into a good lasting memory)

We walked over to Coco Island for dinner - grilled stingray, fruit rojak, western food, fried rice, satay,.... 

It's coming to the end of our 3-week holiday in Penang (north of Malaysia) & KL (central of Malaysia). I'm already missing the fun time together and the good food (See how Bray's big round tummy was "obscenely" protruding in one of the photos)

Next week, we are heading to Kulai (south of Malaysia) for the next holiday destination. My heart was thrilled, my body was starting to feel the need for "a holiday" after these holidays. Yet, as soon as I think of the joy in the childrens' faces, I am lifted again. I really loved living in these moments and building more memories. 





 




Thursday, December 11, 2025

Pesta 2025/2026 | Majlis Perasmian | Miss/Mister Little Pesta Memories | Fun Fair

Brayden 8Y9M17D
Bevlynn 4Y6M10D

We chose a day and went to Pesta Pulau Pinang. The 59th edition is the last to be held at Tapak Pesta before the festival goes on hiatus for 6 years. Children under 12 years old enter for free. 

As we entered the main gate, a group of teenage girls dressed in traditional Malay costumes were waiting. They were welcoming the VIPs at the entrance. That day was coincidentally the Majlis Perasmian Pesta Pulau Pinang 2025/2026 (opening ceremony). 

"VIPs? Who could they be?" I thought. We happily took some nice & silly photos at the entrance. As we walked inside, a grand dinner setup was seen in the center stage of Pesta. Then on the big screen, we saw the VIPs arrival; Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, Penang Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Ramli Ngah Talib.

We took some photos in front of the dinner space's red carpet. 

I was fondly reminded of the Miss/Mister Little Pesta competition back in those days. I remembered my Mom who brought Bro Gene (4 yr old) and me (6 yr old) at that time to the tailor shop and she requested for custom-made costumes. I had my bulky princess white dress, and Bro Gene had a cowboy costume. Although she did not have much money, she still insisted on having the best costumes for us and spent quite a lot on them. Our family was very supportive, and we practised our walk in the living room of our old home. I did my signature princess wave; Bro Gene did his excited cowboy jump. 

When the day of the competition came, my Mom put on make-up on us, she was pretty good at it. There were many little competitors. I was having butterflies on stage. I did my walk stiffly and I couldn't lift my lips to smile, they felt hardened under the nervousness. Bro Gene on the other hand, did very well with his jump. 

He won third runner up, I did not win that day but I got the best memories of Pesta. 
Aside from the compeition. we also often visited for the fun fair. I wanted these fun times and memories for my children too. 

I brought my children to the fun fair after having dinner at the stalls. Each token was RM5. We played the duck game, bingo, mini roller coaster, mini round swing, mini race cars. I can see the smiles and happiness of the children when Bev and Bray were driving their own mini race cars and when the swing was going up really high. (Bev always have this funny look when she try to hold back her smile and not show it. That's when we know she's really happy) They wanted to go into the haunted house too but I thought it would not be a very good idea. 

We played the snake and ladder near the entrance instead. It was almost closing time for Pesta but the children wanted to continue playing.

When we were about to leave, the VIPs were leaving at the same timing too. Such coincidence again. We stood there waited and waved at them when they walked passed right in front of us. They returned a friendly wave.

What a great way to end the visit to Pesta. Hope to see you again.   

 


 

 



























 

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