deep conversation brings you closer to one another
Spent a night with my girl friend at Awanmulan in Negeri Sembilan during my short trip back to Malaysia.
Why Awanmulan?
So my dear friend threw me a list of 9 retreat places in Malaysia, and told me to pick one.
There are all over the peninsular. Pahang, Penang, Selangor, KL, Negeri Sembilan.
Selangor and KL are out because that's too close to home. Lol.
Pahang and Penang are kinda too far.
Out of the 3 options left for N.Sembilan, I randomly chose Awanmulan.
She went like, 'Ok. I'll book it tomorrow.'
We are similar in a way where we dislike being dilly dally on our decisions. We tend to decide promptly and let 'come what may' take care of the rest.
So when the owner Mr.Teng asked how did we come about Awanmulan, did we hear from family/friends/news/blog?
I said we saw online and picked it randomly. Haha.
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| entrance which looks kinda dodgy. |
The road leading to the estate is narrow and seems to fit only one (non-standard) traffic lane at a time. Fret not, cos Malaysians are known to be able to survive any road/traffic conditions - especially traffic jams and flooded roads. Lol. One-lane road is just a small potato.
It's only about 1.5 hours drive from Klang Valley area.
We arrived about 2.30pm at the gate.
The gate was locked. The 'guard house' was empty and looked creepy. Haha.
After a few missed calls, Mrs.Teng finally picked up the call.
Apparently, you would be asked to describe the 3 signs on your right before they come down to unlock the gate for you.
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| 3 signs - Dusun, Cabinz, and Shorea. |
Being a Tuesday, we were the only guests that day.
Mr.Teng happily showed us around the different cabins in the estate.
He is one proud father whose architect-son designed all the cabins in the estate.
We didn't have our phones with us during the introductory 'tour' so no photos were taken. What a shame.
We booked the Sasterawan for RM550 a night.
There was supposed to be wifi provided but I couldn't locate any during our stay.
But it's ok.
Wifi isn't one of the reasons we came here for.
Phone network was pretty unstable too - duh otherwise it wouldn't be called a forest right. Haha.
Room wasn't air-conditioned but ceiling fan was provided.
Being in the middle of a forest, the night air was cool so you don't really need an aircond.
I wouldn't even use the ceiling fan if I were on my own - but I guess my friend would suffocate without it. Lol.
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| the bed |
Very clean toilet and shower.
Towel, sarung, and shower gel were provided.
For ladies especially: no hairdryer.
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| the toilet. wallpapers are from magazine/newspaper cuttings. |
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| open-roof outdoor shower. |
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| the verandah |
Forgot my swimmers!
Since there were only us that day, Mr.Teng allowed me to go into the pool with sarung.
He also humorously said, 'Make sure your sarung don't float up when you jump in.'
Hahaha. Ok noted, uncle.
Please make sure you have your swimmers with you if you intend to swim.
Alternatively, you could join the hiking trip (at some costs) provided by the 'locals' of the forest.
Of course, you'll need sneakers for that which we don't.
We dipped in the pools for about 3 hours until sunset.
Dip. Not swim. Haha. The sarung will be floating everywhere if I swam.
There were mosquitoes everywhere, even when we were in the pool.
Involuntary blood donation of some kind.
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| the smaller pool |
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| the bigger pool. hardly any blue sky in Msia. |
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| the bigger pool |
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| sunset from the pool |
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| one of the cabins |
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| garden outside the owners' home. |
The cooking facilities were quite complete - induction cooker, kettle, microwave over, steamer, fridge, etc.
And also a mini BBQ pit, charcoals, fire starter, and matches!
And also a mini BBQ pit, charcoals, fire starter, and matches!
The only things missing were the ingredients - BYO please.
Clean drinking water was also provided.
There were only two sets of everything - two bowls, two spoons, two forks, etc etc.
No chance of sneaking in an extra guest.
We were not supposed to move the furniture around. *woops*
But we wanted to have dinner the 'steamboat' way. So we shifted the table a little but also 'carried' it back to its original spot after.
Yes. To protect the flooring, carry the furniture. Don't drag them.
Don't expect 5-star housekeeping or whatsoever. Wash after yourselves.
Thanks to the dedicated housewife who thinks instant noodle is too saddening on its own.
Our supposedly camping-style instant noodle dinner turned out to be a luxurious korean noodle with kimchi, mussels, octopus, enoki, and oyster mushroom.
After sunset, the insects come out to play.
They come in all shapes, forms, and colours. At least they don't bite nor sting.
Initially, we were busy shooing them away.
After a while, we got accustomed to it.
The insects are 'calmer' if you don't try to flag them off. So I decided to sit still and be treated like part of the nature. Lol.
The iron-housewife didn't forget fruits from the to-bring-list. Must salute her!
The surroundings were pitch black except for the light from our verandah.
In other words, you can't do much here.
You're partially disconnected from the outside world, with no wifi, and surrounded by nothing.
The only 'thing' that could possibly entertain you is the person in front of you - that's if you went there with a company.
We actually joked that if we spent longer time there, we might get too bored and end up fighting.
We spent the night talking and talking, sharing stories and views on life while the insects accompanied us through.
Breakfast was provided and delivered at 8am - nasi lemak with instant coffee, boil your own water.
Rice was too wet but we're not fussy on food. So it's ok.
We checked out before 12pm.
Had a little chat with Mrs.Teng before we left.
She's nice and friendly.
She told us to visit each time I'm back in Msia.
Hmm. Need to do some budgeting before that. Lol. It's not the cheapest place for a short getaway.
But I must admit, we did spend quality time there.
The first thing we did when we were out of the forest was to head to a saloon and have our hair washed and blown dry.
It's totally the housewife's idea though I'm starting to feel uneasy with my not-so-fluffy hair too.
Then we headed to Seremban for some beef noodles.
Nothing so special about it, except for the price.
RM8 for a bowl of clear soup noodle with beef.
RM8 for 10 beef balls which didn't taste beefy at all.
RM6.50 for a mini pre-packed coconut!!!
RM33 for this meal.
OMG!!!
And I thought bahkuteh was the most expensive meal. I was so freaking wrong.
I had to demand for a receipt with the breakdown of prices to be sure that we pay for the right items.
Seremban clear soup beef noodle - just noodles with beef slices, some shallots, and chilli sauce.
I repeat.
Clear soup with noodles, beef slices, shallots and chilli sauce.
RM8.
And not tasty.
You made my jaw drop.
Not coming back and not recommending it to anyone.
Coin meter parking still exists these days - at where a bowl of clear soup noodle costs RM8.
Technology isn't picking up with inflation.
We then stopped by at the Majestic Hotel KL for hi-tea before going home.
Luckily, we had our hair washed and blown prior! Hahaha.
Can't imagine us walking in with greasy and sticky hair.
It was indeed a 2D1N well-spent.
We don't need it often.
Just need to do it once in a blue moon with the right person.
Thanks for your time and company!
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| our dinner |
After sunset, the insects come out to play.
They come in all shapes, forms, and colours. At least they don't bite nor sting.
Initially, we were busy shooing them away.
After a while, we got accustomed to it.
The insects are 'calmer' if you don't try to flag them off. So I decided to sit still and be treated like part of the nature. Lol.
The iron-housewife didn't forget fruits from the to-bring-list. Must salute her!
 |
| vitamin C booze |
The surroundings were pitch black except for the light from our verandah.
In other words, you can't do much here.
You're partially disconnected from the outside world, with no wifi, and surrounded by nothing.
The only 'thing' that could possibly entertain you is the person in front of you - that's if you went there with a company.
We actually joked that if we spent longer time there, we might get too bored and end up fighting.
We spent the night talking and talking, sharing stories and views on life while the insects accompanied us through.
Breakfast was provided and delivered at 8am - nasi lemak with instant coffee, boil your own water.
Rice was too wet but we're not fussy on food. So it's ok.
 |
| breakfast |
We checked out before 12pm.
Had a little chat with Mrs.Teng before we left.
She's nice and friendly.
She told us to visit each time I'm back in Msia.
Hmm. Need to do some budgeting before that. Lol. It's not the cheapest place for a short getaway.
But I must admit, we did spend quality time there.
The first thing we did when we were out of the forest was to head to a saloon and have our hair washed and blown dry.
It's totally the housewife's idea though I'm starting to feel uneasy with my not-so-fluffy hair too.
Then we headed to Seremban for some beef noodles.
Nothing so special about it, except for the price.
RM8 for a bowl of clear soup noodle with beef.
RM8 for 10 beef balls which didn't taste beefy at all.
RM6.50 for a mini pre-packed coconut!!!
RM33 for this meal.
OMG!!!
And I thought bahkuteh was the most expensive meal. I was so freaking wrong.
I had to demand for a receipt with the breakdown of prices to be sure that we pay for the right items.
Seremban clear soup beef noodle - just noodles with beef slices, some shallots, and chilli sauce.
I repeat.
Clear soup with noodles, beef slices, shallots and chilli sauce.
RM8.
And not tasty.
You made my jaw drop.
Not coming back and not recommending it to anyone.
 |
| quinn seremban beef noodles |
Coin meter parking still exists these days - at where a bowl of clear soup noodle costs RM8.
Technology isn't picking up with inflation.
Then we went to get some siewbaos and egg tarts.
Apparently, the egg puff was the famous one. But the wait was too long so we decided to ditch it.
Luckily, we had our hair washed and blown prior! Hahaha.
Can't imagine us walking in with greasy and sticky hair.
It was indeed a 2D1N well-spent.
We don't need it often.
Just need to do it once in a blue moon with the right person.
Thanks for your time and company!
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