Holidays To Malaysia:- Day 2 Port Dickson

Holidays To Malaysia:- Day 2 Port Dickson

Day 2 of our Malaysia trip to Port Dickson found us waking up late and just taking a leisurely day making full use of the Admiral Cove Avillion Resort Port Dickson, being one of the latest Malaysia resorts to have sprung up. Taking up the role of a Malaysia tourist and looking through the various Malaysia attractions that were not too far away, we decided to visit one of the ostrich farms and had a chance to snap some beautiful ostrich picture and discover some interesting ostrich information.

Breakfast was served in the coffee house from 0700 hrs – 1030 hrs. Consisting of mainly a variety of local dishes including nasi lemak (coconut rice), fried noodles and porridge, it made for a filling breakfast. There were also bread, fruits, cereal and chicken nuggets. We had a late breakfast and thus did not get caught up with the main crowd.

Breakfast - Nasi Lemak ...

After breakfast, we took a short walk around the hotel as well as to the beach close by. Beautiful breeze and nice waves made it an idyllic spot to spend a few hours there and laze around.

Swimming pool with the sea in the background

The beach ...

And the banana boat ...

Check out time was at 1200 hrs. After checking out, we were recommended by some friends to try the Port Dickson specialty, pandan coconut, coconuts with juice which has the flavour and aroma of pandan (a type of leaf used in South east Asia for its sweet and unique flavour). As such, we were looking out for coconuts and stopped by a shop that had coconuts. Costing RM3 (USD0.85), the coconut water did not taste any different from other coconuts we had tried before. However, the flesh was very thin and light and tasted refreshing.

Fresh coconut

We then followed the old coastal road to Malacca. This route allowed us to see many plantations and traditional houses. At the same time, we could see some of the Malaysian lifestyle, something we could never do if we were to follow a package tour as a Malaysia tourist. We also passed by some small towns along the way. There were also quite a number of food stalls by the roadside, an interesting sight.

We made our way to PD Ostrich Showfarm, one of about four ostrich farms in Malaysia, about 25 km from Avillion Port Dickson and 1.5 hrs away from Kuala Lumpur. Entrance fee cost RM8 (USD2.30) and we managed to get RM1 (USD0.65) discount with our Jusco card.

A picture of a loving couple of ostrich birds at PD Ostrich Showfarm, one of Malaysia's ostrich farms

A nice and rustic looking place, there were not only ostrich birds but other animals as well as such as goats, geese, chickens, turkeys, an iguana as well as monkey. There were not as many ostriches as the ostrich farm we saw in Desaru although you can watch the ostrich birds race at 1500 hrs every day in PD Ostrich Showfarm.

We managed to get quite a few ostrich picture in their natural surroundings and being quite mischievous. See the slide show below for more pictures of the ostrich birds.

Port Dickson Ostrich Show Farm

After touring the area, we had some ostrich satay which cost RM10 (USD2.85) for 6 sticks. It tasted a little like minced meat as it was soft and the marinade was nice and tasty. Just like the normal satay, this was served with peanut sauce.

Interesting ostrich information:-

1. Ostrich birds are the second fastest animal in the world
2. They can run up to 70 km/hour
3. They can accelerate 0 to 70 km/hour in less than 3 seconds, which makes them almost as fast as Ferraris
4. The ostrich egg can withstand up to 120 kg

After leaving the PD Ostrich Showfarm at 1420 hrs, we headed to Malacca and went to Tesco to do some Malaysia shopping. You can either shop at the Tesco hypermarket or from the various shops in the building selling all kinds of everything.

We had dinner at Kluang Station in the same building and ordered the Hainanese Chicken Chop, sweet and sour Hainanese sauce over battered fried chicken, as well as the Inchikabin Chicken, whole chicken deep fried with traditional Hainanese marination. The Hainanese Chicken Chop tasted good and the flesh was nice and tender. The Inchikabin Chicken however was touch and chewy. A great letdown. The kaya (coconut jam) on toast was fresh and crisp.

Hainanese Chicken Chop

Inchikabin Chicken

Toast with kaya

We left Malacca at 1900 hrs and headed back to Singapore. Traffic was smooth and although there was a slight queue at the Malaysian side of the causeway, we managed to make it home before 2300 hrs. Great timing!

If you are looking for cheap holidays, Malaysia has quite a bit to offer as their admission rates to the various Malaysia attractions are quite inexpensive as compared to other countries. If you are interested in animals and nature, do visit one of the ostrich farms and you will not only be able to get great ostrich picture but interesting information as well. A great trip! Not to worry... As a Malaysia tourist, you will be warmly welcomed.

Holidays to Malaysia:- Port Dickson 1st May – 2nd May 2009

Holidays to Malaysia:- Port Dickson

Avillion Port Dickson lobby Sitting area

and the staircase

Continuing on our short holidays to Malaysia, we decided to try out some of the Malaysia resorts this time round. As it was a long weekend with 1st May, Friday, being a public holiday, we left home at 0710 hrs on the 1st of Mayto make our way to Glory Beach Resort Port Dickson.

We got through the Singapore Tuas checkpoint by 0740 hrs but were unfortunately caught in a 2 ½ hour jam at the Malaysian end of the Second Link. By the time we cleared the Malaysian checkpoint, it was already 1010 hrs. It was a good part of the morning that had been wasted.

The traffic along the North South highway was generally smooth although there were many cars. As we drove past the exit to Malacca, we could see a long row of cars stretching more than a kilometer waiting to get into Malacca.

Fortunately for us, getting into Port Dickson (120 km south east of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) was pretty smooth and we just followed the instructions from our Garmin Global Positioning System (GPS) Receiver. We have found the GPS to be of tremendous value to us especially when we become the Malaysia tourist.

Along the way, we kept calling Glory Beach Resort Port Dickson as we had not received any confirmation for our accommodation from the online travel site that we had booked with as we had done it at the eleventh hour. It took us more than an hour before we finally managed to speak to the relevant personnel who informed us that they only had 3 bedroom apartments available. What on earth were we going to do with the other 2 bedrooms since there were only two of us? We declined the offer and left it to the Universe to bring us to our destination.

We drove around checking on the room availability of the hotel. Port Dickson, being a popular destination with locals and tourists alike, seemed quite full and it was tough getting a hotel which had rooms still available.

We finally stopped by Avillion Beach Hotel Port Dickson. This hotel was also fully booked. Getting a little tired by now, we asked the staff if they knew any hotels which had available rooms and they directed us to their sister hotel, another Avillion Port Dickson. This hotel which goes by the name of Avillion Admiral Cove is located at the 5 ½ mile of Port Dickson’s coastal beach on the West Coast of Malaysia.

On the way to Avilion Admiral Cove, we stopped by the road and tried Watie’s Beach Café which specializes in ‘ayam panggang’ or grilled chicken. A whole bird costs RM16 (USD4.55) whilst half a bird costs RM9 (USD2.55). Very nicely marinated, the grilled chicken was served with soup and 2 kinds of sauces, one of which was really spicy and went so well with the chicken. It was delicious and we were tempted to go back for more. The service was super friendly and prompt as well.

Watie Beach Cafe ...

Grilled chicken

Opened just about a year ago, the Avillion Admiral Cove is adjoined to the world class marina, Admiral Marina & Leisure Club.

The Admiral Marina ...

The Admiral Marina & Leisure Club lobby area

Fortunately we called the Avillion Admiral Cove whilst we were at their sister hotel 15 minutes down the road. When we informed them of our current location at that point of time, i.e. at the other Avillion Port Dickson, they immediately told us that they had rooms available and that we could just arrive at the hotel anytime after 1600 hrs when the room would be ready. When we reached the hotel to check in, the receptionist informed us that the hotel was full that there were no more rooms available. It was not until we mentioned the name of the staff whom we had spoken to earlier that we were offered a room at RM327.75 (USD93) nett inclusive of 2 breakfasts.

Sitting area of bedroom with pantry ...

Daybed

The rooms come with a very modern and unique design. Set in a modern and contemporary setting, the bed area can be partitioned off leaving a third person to sleep on the sofa that is big enough to be a bed. Coffee and tea making facilities are also provided and you can enjoy the 32” plasma TV mounted on the wall. Recreation facilities include adult and children swimming pools, 2 tennis courts, gymnasium and children’s playroom. Complimentary parking is available for hotel guests.
From an open and spacious bedroom

To an enclosed area ...

Avillion Port Dickson gymnasium

Children's pool ...

Adult pool overlooking the marina and the sea

Currently the hotel has some ‘3 days and 2 nights’ promotional packages which are value for money, valid till the end of 2009.

1) Kiddies Treat – RM510++ (USD145)
a. 2 nights stay in deluxe room
b. Breakfast for 2 adults and 2 kids
c. 1 daybed
d. Banana split for 2 adults and 2 kids
e. 1 basket of chicken nugget
f. Kiddies goodies for 2 kids

2) Breakaway Treat – RM580++ (USD165)
a. 2 nights stay in deluxe room
b. Breakfast for 2 adults and 2 kids
c. 1 daybed
d. Milk shake for 2 kids
e. Cocktail drink ‘Pina Colada’ or ‘Virgin Vina Colada’ for 2 adults
f. 1 basket of French fries
g. Kiddies goodies for 2 kids
h. 1 round trip of banana boat ride for 2 adults and 2 kids

3) Romantic Interlude – RM610++ per package (USD173)
a. 2 nights stay in Straits Studio Room
b. Breakfast for 2 adults
c. 1 candlelit dinner for 2 with a bottle of wine or sparkling juice, 1 box of chocolate & flowers

Grounds of Avillion Port Dickson

The adjoining Admiral Marina & Leisure Club

Just outside the Admiral Marina ...

In the evening, we made our way to the local shopping area, the Oceanic Mall and PD Walk. Located just next to each other, PD Walk is more an open air shopping area made up of various small retail and food outlets. Oceanic Mall is an air-conditioned building comprising a department store and supermarket.

Oceanic Mall

PD Walk ...

For dinner, we stopped by Medan Selera Food Centre aong Jalan Pantai, just a stone’s throw from Watie’s Beach Café, and had satay, various kinds of meat on skewers which are grilled or barbecued. A very popular delicacy, the satay prices range from RM0.60 (USD0.15) per stick for chicken and beef to RM0.90 (USD0.26) for mutton to RM1.60 (USD0.45) per stick for rabbit and venison.

Sate Kajang ...

The satay stall seemed to be quite popular and we had to wait almost ½ hour for our satay but it proved to be something worth waiting for. The portion was large, well cooked and the peanut sauce gravy was served with separate chilli for you to add accordingly. The mutton and chicken were better than the beef as the beef tended to be a little tough.

Mutton, beef and chicken satay

This little Malaysia trip was turning out to be one of the memorable holidays to Malaysia that we have had. We thought it was good that we did not get to stay in Glory Beach Resort Port Dickson as the beach from Avillion Port Dickson seemed to be much closer.

The surroundings of Avillion Port Dickson