Malacca Homestay @ Haus Lexsonico

Have a short gathering with my pals in Melaka last month.

In a rush for getting a place to stay and happened to bump into Haus Lexsonico from their advertisement in  http://www.mudah.my/

Haus Lexsonico is run by its owner Nicole, together with her husband. We talk through the phone and she allow us to pay when we check-in on the day as I was booking just 2 days before, which is too late to make a banking transaction as well. We meet at the guardhouse of Garden City Straits Condominium where we meet this nice couple and bring us to their apartment.

The apartment is nicely decorated and we can see the effort they put into, not just business but interest at the same time, like what I always want to do. The place is clean and well equipped with water heater, refrigerator, induction cooker for light-cooking, kettle and complete utensils. It almost able to compete with homestay in Taiwan.

The location of the apartment is their selling point too. They are close to the heart of Malacca attractions although you still need a car to travel around.

Attached with some photos, other than that, everything is exactly the same as what they display on their facebook page. Me and my friend are enjoy staying there.

Haus Lexsonico 

Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Haus-Lexsonico-Malacca-Home-Stay/174100029295402

Rooms: 3 rooms, 3 washroom

Rental: RM300/day (We stay on Saturday)

Tel: +6012-6544492

Location: Garden City Service Apartment

The apartment is near to old Newton food court at Ujong Pasir. Almost right beside Bandar Hilir Police Station.

GPS: N 2 11.134, E 102 15.766 (By GPS Converter)

*Click on the location link at the bottom to view map.

Saturday at Ecco Cafe, Lebuh Chulia

Just a normal Saturday morning, we went into island taking V's sister to catch her flight. We had a short walk in Georgetown, craving for our brunch.

Did some homework and decided to visit Ecco Cafe on Chulia Street. It's quite hard to spot if you are driving, my suggestion is to park your car and walk along the street. If you are coming from Jalan Penang towards Lebuh Chulia, Ecco Cafe is on your left.

Their menu has not much but enough choices for us. The price is average high.

Menu

The environment is quiet with heritage feel...


The drinks were served in a short while after order. You should try their Lassi, not the best but satisfying~

We had ourselves a pizza and pasta. They are both delicious! The pizza is crunchy and juicy and the Pesto Pasta is in strong taste of pesto and herbs. (This is the first time I tasted pesto... and I totally in love with it! shy.... )

I had given Ecco Cafe a quite high ranking in Pasta selection. They are definately taste better and good for value than the overpriced Bella Italia on Jalan Burmah.

After the food, we had a short walk back to next street where we park our car. We went through this alley that really catch our attention.


nice street feel


We then passed by a traditional soya sauce factory. 

Just a good day to share because we had a good brunch and seen some interesting stuff of the day.

*Photo credited to V
Ecco Cafe Information (extract from other site):
Address: 402 Lebuh Chulia Pulau Pinang, Penang
Tel: +604 -2623178
Operating Hour:
11:30am to 2:30pm (Daily)
6:00pm to 10:30pm (Monday - Saturday)

Fun At Langkawi - Landcons-Orkid Ria-Eagle Feeding-Dayang Bunting

A long waited gathering with my pals was held in Langkawi at Jan 2011.
We depart from penang to Kuala Kedah, we drive for about 1 hour plus taking north-south highway. Finally we reach Kuala Kedah jetty, parking fee at RM15 per night, 3 days for RM40 (because 3rd day consider half day).

Bought the earliest ferry ticket that we could get, which is 1 hour later at RM23 per pax. The ferry are fully aircon, we are not allow to go outside of ferry... T_T Only very loud movie was play in the ferry, nothing else can do and I couldn't sleep either. It took us about 2 hours to reach Langkawi Island. I start getting excited when I saw the sea is green and much clearer than before!! Last time when I was here, it was like... 10 years ago? wow~ 

We already had our rented car pre-booked from my friend as he got friend doing the business over there. Advice from locals is that, do not take any offer from Kuala Kedah's Jetty, the price will be much cheaper at Langkawi Jetty. We stay in Hotel Landcons at Pantai Cenang, paid upon check-in, no deposit needed. After check-in, we strike straight to the sky bridge. Been wanting to check it out as seen so many people shoot it before. Sky Bridge cable car ticket cost RM30, very pricey, luckily half price - RM15 with Malaysian ID, MyKad present!

waiting to hop on cable car

 

sky bridge

We then had our dinner at Orkid Ria Seafood Restaurant 真浪花园, although the seafood is not as nice as in Penang, I think it is the best on Pantai Cenang, don't go anywhere else! Hehe... but do try other and let me know if you found a better one. The price is reasonable at RM245 for 12 of us. We had fish, soft shell crab, fried squid, fried egg, vege, hotplate beancurd and soup.

Dinner at Orkid Ria

How can we leave langkawi without having the f*cking cheap beer?? The beer priced ranging from RM1.50 - RM4, you can get them from mini market along Pantai Cenang. Do buy it earlier as they are not 24 hours mostly. 

Landcons hotel is within 5 mins walking distance to the beach. We bring the beer and had it on the sandy beach beside Langkapuri Resort...

Next morning, we took the island hopping package at RM30-40 per pax from our hotel with 3 destination - Eagle Feeding, Pulau Beras Basah snokelling and Pulau Dayang Bunting.
The eagle feeding is indeed worth to have a look, although they are feed by the boatman but not us, it is not 2 or 3 eagles that they are feeding. There are uncountable eagles flying around you waiting for the food!

The beach they took us are not good to swim. Too many stones (or dead coral, I'm not sure), they cut our feet whenever we stop swimmming... T_T

Pulau Dayang Bunting is famous with a freshwater lake in middle of the sea which legend told us that you will get pregnant if you drank the lake's water. Grab a life jacket from your boat if you are allow to do so. You will need it to swim in the lake unless you are a really good swimmer. Rental of life jacket is available at RM5-RM10 on the lake platform.

sc showing off his tricking

pretty gals at the lake

After came back from the tour, we had our lunch at Kampung Siam Restaurant（暹罗村海鲜餐厅）, Thai food beside Underwater World. It's expensive and the food is not nice at all. It cost us RM333 for 12 and I don't bother to mention what food we had ordered.
We had a nap the rest of the afternoon and had our dinner at Kuah Town for steamboat. The shop is behind Hotel Bella Vista, can't remember the name. The steamboat tasted so so as well.

Except for the bad food we had on second day, everything else is fun for us. Don't forget to have a shopping at Duty Free shop before leaving Langkawi. They are located next to Underwater World. 

My true pals always

Accomodation In Langkawi:
Hotel Landcons
Lot 2616,Persiaran Pantai Cenang
Mukim Kedawang,
07000 Langkawi,
Kedah Darul Aman.
Tel : 04-9531101
Quad Room (2 Double Bed for 4 pax): RM150
Note: Some room do not have window and the bathroom is a bit dark. But still consider quite clean for a budget stay. Check out my review on TripAdvisor.

Transportation/Rent a Car In Langkawi:
5 seater car (Hyundai): RM50
7 seater car: RM80
We had them at RM260 for 2 days. Probably the best price in Langkawi since it's from friend.

How to go Langkawi Sky Bridge:
Grab a map from the information counter at Jetty or the Tourist Information Center across the road (beside KFC).
Drive along Pantai Cenang toward Airport, and towards Telaga Tujuh, should have signboard along the way.
Cable car: RM30 (Foreigner)/ RM15 (Malaysian)

Orkid Ria Seafood Restaurant:
Lot 1225, Pantai Cenang
Mukim Kedawang, 07100 Langkawi, Kedah
04-955-4128