Gone Miniature

We did that on the last visit and this time around, Idlan insisted on doing it again. A quick stop by the miniature golf course in the middle of town, with Irfan on tow of course.

The course was maintained well and everything was prepared for you for a small fee.

We only did a couple of rounds because it was threatening to rain. This was followed by push-bike session around a circuit, before calling it the day. The bed and scones at the hotel was so inviting ....

This entry was part of my trip to Fraser's Hill last December.

Happy New Year

Wishing all my friends, regardless if they are celebrating or not, a Happy Chinese New Year. Gong Xi Fa Chai. Hopefully the new year if the Monkey would bring happiness, wealth and health. Time for me too have a quick rest - although I was expecting an admission later tonight - as I will be on call tomorrow.

Wishing that tomorrow would not as much of a disappointment compared to when I discovered that there were no live telecast of the Superbowl in Malaysia this morning. Kinda spoilt my day although I was happy to YouTube the half time show and learning that Peyton Manning got himself another Superbowl ring.

Around Town

There had not been much change with the town center since our last visit. If anything, it had gone quieter. And we were talking December here, at the peak of the school holiday season.

At lunch, I spoke to the store owner. Apparently, business only picked up during weekends and even then it was pretty modest. During weekdays, she only served a la carte. Compared to last year, business had really suffered.

Visitors tended to stay only for the day, not spending the night. After all, you could reach KL in under 3 hours from here. Those who came, tended to bring their own food and had a picnic, skipping lunch. Business at night depended on those who stayed and on one of the evening when we went out for dinner, the food court was practically empty.

Visitors also spent less, only coming for photographs and then head off home.

We drove around the smaller roads up the hill where the corporate holiday bungalows were. They were either empty or not maintained. Some of them were in really sad state. Even the roads were not paved well and clearly lacked maintenance. The golf course also looked empty.

One would expect that with the economic downturn, those who usually spent their holidays abroad would try something closer to home. Clearly that has not caught on. For a place which depended solely on tourism, this was worrying. It would be a shame should the situation deteriorate further as it would start a downward spiral .....

Heading Towards Holidays

Chinese New Year holidays this year stretched the weekends to Tuesday - although I will be on call on the Tuesday. As for my boys, they will only go back to school on Thursday, with exams coming along the week after.

Irfan would also be turning 10 on Tuesday, but with the holidays and all we decided to only celebrate after his exams. Anita had been planning his party for the last couple of weeks, with the theme already set.

On standbyAs for me, it would be a couple of days of chilling out. A few of my friends had already started planning for a photography day out on the Chinese New Year Day. Should the timing be right, I might be joining them. So, time to chill out tonight.

Time for some Morning Snaps

There were not that many flowers this time around. Maybe it had something to do with this being December. But still there were a few blossoms to enjoy.

I spent the morning walking around the hotel compound and the road downhill from it. Just around the corner, there was a small playground and barbecue area which was opened to the public. The weather was very changeable. It was sunny one minute and cloudy the next. And with the breeze, you could feel the chill. Best to wear a jumper or a coat.

With the hotel having a renovation, there was not much attention being put on the garden. Hopefully the renovation would bring something good for the years to come.