School's Off

My boys had been celebrating since the announcement were made around lunchtime that school would be closed both tomorrow and Tuesday. It looked like their weekend was extended to 4 four days courtesy of the haze.

It was pretty bad when I drove for my morning rounds at around 9, but it had brightened up considerably even since. In fact, Anita and I went out for dinner at the stalls earlier and it appeared to have improved a lot.

I felt sorry for the Ministry since as soon as they announced the school closure, the haze tended to improve. Last Sunday, it rained almost straight after the announcement. At the current rate, we might have bright blue sky tomorrow ....

Mum's Birthday

My Mum turned 67 today. She had been blessed with good health the past year after her heart issues from 2013. She was keeping active with friends and all and in the last had done some traveling as well.

So, my Sister and I brought her out to lunch, taking the whole clan along. The revolving restaurant was the one on top of the KL Tower, called Atmosphere 360. It was a great occasion although the thick haze and poor visibility took away the gloss off the venue somewhat.

The place had changed since we last been there. The menu seemed different and the place had undergone some make-over since. After dinner, we had a quick look at the observation tower - but again, there was not much to observe due to the haze!

Next we stopped at the aquarium and a mini zoo at the bottom of the tower. A real day out for the kids, Mum was happy that everybody was there.

Lunch Stop

Taking five children around the farm really worked me up an appetite. And there was a small cafe right in the middle of the farm which serve snacks. Idlan especially remembered the nice fries it served, and duly finished a whole plate. The others had some sausages and waffle while looking around for other things to do.

There was also a few small stalls with birds and snakes should you fancy taking a picture. Nana and Suraiya did while the boys decided to get on with their lunch.

Again, the facilities there was clean, and very well maintained. I just wished that there were more to offer for lunch rather than some light snacks. Luckily, should you be really hungry, there were plenty of restaurants near by in the Gohtong Jaya town proper.

Next came the walk amongst the flowers while walking through some survenir shops.

Lavender Garden

This is something novel. The last time I visited a lavender farm was in Cheshire, back in 2003. The smell in the air was unmistakeable, let alone able to take a nap in the surrounding area in the cool early summer breeze!

Not quite a nap this time, but the aroma was definitely there. Not as strong and not as fresh, but it was not too bad. Definitely worth the admission fee alone!

This must have been a new addition to the Genting Strawberry Leisure Farm as it was not yet opened the last time we were there. The garden was situated just at the end of the rows of strawberries, and it was something not to be missed.

The place was not really big, but enough to give you an idea what it would be like in the South of France! Even asthmatic Idlan enjoyed the smell and it did not trigger his wheeze.

There were a few benches if you'd like to sit, and of course the customary gift shop. After taking a few snaps, it was already time to head to the next part of the farm. Plus it was already time for lunch ....

The Strawberry Farm

Compared to when we were there last, the number of trees had definitely at least doubled. The strawberries seemed fresher and there were plenty to choose from. It cost RM8 per 100g which I thought was pretty steep, especially when we had five pickers going rampant like maniacs along the rows of strawberry, armed with scissors and baskets.

It got a bit warm in there towards the end as the sun came out. But I was impressed at how well maintained the whole place was.

Got the strawberries in order in the baskets, got them weighted and then we were off to the next leg - the lavender garden!