Abu’s 31st Birthday – Sekeping Serendah Retreat

This post is dedicated to a dear friend whom I’ve known for 6 years now. Planning his birthday was a challenge considering we have not been in very good terms lately (it’s a cycle- like every other thing) and I’m not very good at planning events. Nevertheless I wanted to see this through because I told myself at the beginning of the year, no matter what happens, I am going to make his surprise birthday happen. 

Thank you for our wonderful friends who took the effort in making themselves available and contribute to the celebration. It wouldn’t have been anything without you guys! Thanks guys! 

We stayed in Sekeping Serendah Retreat – Warehouse 1. It accommodates 10-14 people. BBQ facilities provided including BBQ pit, charcoal, skewers, tongs, plates, cutleries, fridge. It’s a perfect place for a so-called-glamping. All beds come with mosquito nets. You get to just sink your body in a comfortable bed and drown your senses with the sound of the forest (mostly crickets) 

The retreat is just an hour away from KL City Center and the drive there is quite straight forward if you follow the GPS coordinates in their website. And you can literally drive up to where you are staying to unload your luggages.

A lovely swimming pool is just walking distance from Warehouse 1. So don’t forget your swimming gear and sunblock please. 

Here are some photos of the birthday boy with his troops at his glamping party. Happy 31st Bu! 

Also here are some Pre and post birthday photos. Thanks to Shannya of BlackBurlap for the lovely herbs Bouquet and for getting birthday wishes from his friends. Thanks to Dave and Faris of NightMorning for a surprise Birthday Cake. Thanks CKrabu for the delicious nasi kerabu that we bungkus-ed into the retreat. 

Balloons from – BalloonBuzz

Decorative items – Typo 

Sekeping Retreats Website <here>

Herbs & Fruits Bouquet – BlackBurlap

xoxo

@amiramnoor

Nepal Adventure (Day 3)- Nagarkot

We didn’t know what to expect from Nagarkot. We only decided to go because this place is known to have a spectacular view of the Himalayas which promises a beautiful scenery at dawn and dusk. Plus, our taxi driver, Visnu, said that he is well acquainted with people there and could help us find a good deal.

Situated 32km east of Kathmandu and on higher grounds (also closer to Mt Everest), it is definitely THE place for panoramic views of the Himalayan range, specifically the Langtang range. The drive up a rocky uphill winding road takes approximately two hours. And let me just tell you, the view high up in Nagarkot is indeed magical.

We spent a night in Unkai Resort which is a cozy little resort with direct view of the Himalayan range. If you are racing with time, a night spent in Nagarkot is enough. Just enough to catch the sunset on the day of arrival, and to witness the most beautiful sunrise the following day. It’s not a commercial area so do not expect a lot of activities.

Things to look forward to:

1. Meditation and some quiet time facing The snow capped Himalayan range.

2. Ideas & inspiration.

3. A little bit of adventure!

4. Beautiful sunset.

5. Epic sunrise – Standing on the lookout tower, you get to see a 360 degrees view of snow capped mountain over the horizon. The moment you see the sun pop out from behind the mountains, you immediately understand why the ancient used to worship the sun. A ray of light, a ray of hope, that today is going to be another day, that the heat would warm our shivering bodies (yep, i forgot to wear socks so the picture of me here is me freezing my socks off)

Silly me forgot to wear socks in freezing temperatures.

Stars! – I know you see stars everyday but have you seen the entire sky filled with stars?! What about the milky way? This was definitely a feast to my eyes. Lucky enough to see a shooting star 🙂

My travelogue 😉

Felda Residence Hot Springs, Sungkai, Perak

If you are looking for a short getaway trip from the hustle and bustle of KL city, why not take an hour and a half drive to get steamy (literally) in some natural hot spring. Situated a few hundred kilometers North of KL, this a perfect place for you to spend your weekends in. You can make it a day trip or spend a night there.

Natural hot springs

We figured that the place would be crowded during weekends so we chose to go there on a Sunday, spend a night in Felda Residence Hot Spring with hopes that Monday we would wake up to a hot steamy hot spring all to ourselves. And our prediction = spot on! Plus, you get to enjoy low peak rates if you check in on Sunday.

Sunday evening by the hot springs

Monday morning calmness

So , we got there on Sunday, checked in and headed straight to the hot springs. We took an innocent looking bridge to get to the main attraction because it seemed more adventurous at that time. Little did we know, the bridge stretches out to quite a distance and half way through, I felt really uncomfortable with the heat. I thought it was from the blazing sun but later found out that the heat was actually from underneath us..Underneath the bridge!! The whole bridge is a natural walk-in open air sauna! Interesting indeed *wipes-sweat-off-face* .

Felda Residence Hot Springs _ Location Map

Funny enough, you are welcomed with this: “Welcome to TRAP.” and you immediately go “What?! What trap?!” See the picture below for what the abbreviation is for.

Taman Rekreasi Air Panas _TRAP

The attraction there also includes a hot spring pool (my favourite because the temperature is just nice. slightly above 30C), mountain water pool (normal temperature) with water slides – suitable for family with kids, paid private hot spring jacuzzi (recommended for those in large groups), therapeutic park (more like reflexology, walking on hot stones) and egg boiling area.

Hot spring pool to chill

Therapeutic park

 

Oh, they sell lots of eggs at reasonable prices with kicap included. The only thing you need to worry about is your cholesterol level!! Mine is of course towards the higher end of the scale -_- . The food there is quite pricey so it is best that you pack your own food. We had a plate of nasi ayam which was way too much than what we would normally pay but we didn’t have a choice. It was edible, so no complaints there.

Eggs anyone? Boiling point!

Ok now let me tell you about the buffet breakfast on Monday morning! It was like we were the guests of honour because of the following :

1. We were the first if not the only ones there.
2. The food selection was quite impressive. Choices of bread & toast, cereals, fruits, juices ..gah! I could have spent the whole day there!! Eggs & roti canai upon request. Thumbs up to the work force in Felda Residence Hot Springs, Sungkai.

Here is the link to the resort and room rates if any of you are interested–> Felda Residence Hot Springs

I leave you with my faithful “model” who feels right at home and also a picture of a beautiful butterfly(insect?) which kept on following us.

“Home.” says he

🙂

Keep an eye out for my next post _ Nepal Adventure.