Play: A day in Sekinchan, Selangor, Malaysia! (May 2015)

Sekinchan is a small town located in the state of Selangor, Malaysia. Once you spot the vast paddy field, you would know that you have reached the correct place.

Sekinchan is about an hour drive from Kuala Lumpur and during our recent rest and relax trip to Kuala Lumpur, we decided to bring the kiddos to learn "Where do our rice come from?".We are glad that we make the trip up to Sekinchan, both adults and kiddos learnt something new. 

When is the best time to go?

The best time to go will be either mid-May to June or mid-November to December as these are the harvesting period, thus the paddy field will be displaying a huge patch of yellow paddy and you can see the "rice" hanging from the plant as well!

Paddy field starting to turn yellow

Close up of paddy

Loving the scenery!

Take your time walking or cycling around the paddy field (free) and visit a rice factory.

This is the one that we visited:

PLS Rice Factory

Entrance fees is RM 5 per person (less than 2 years old is free). There will be a short explanation of the rice planting process and a video. Before you leave, you can redeem a small packet of rice worth RM 5 from the ticket counter.

Some of the display at the rice factory:

Mini paddy plant ready to be transplanted into the field

Cute maskot!

Olden days equipment

Rice grinding tool in olden days

Close up of rice grinding tool

3D picture for fun picture taking

We all learn something new that day... Kiddos now know where does the bowl of rice at their meal time come by.. and as for hubby and me, we just realise that brown rice comes from the same type of rice, with different processing methods. We used to think that brown rice is a different type of rice altogether. Indeed a fulfilling trip for the whole family!

Optional:

One could stop by Kuala Selangor for a lunch at one of their seafood restaurant and catch a boat out to watch Eagle Feeding(Multiple trips between 3.30pm-7.30pm) or Fireflies (7.30pm) at the mini jetty next to River View Seafood Restaurant. Ticket can be purchased at the restaurant itself and boat departs in the evening time. Do check with the restaurant for the departure time.

River View Seafood Restaurant

Kuala Selangor Tours to see eagle or fireflies.

If you like dried seafood such as anchovies, salted fish, prawn crackers etc, there are many shops around the area for you to "shop" these items at reasonable prices :)

Salted fish

We did not manage to catch the eagle feeding as time is not on our side and the kiddos are tired... but we did have a great lunch time! It is a great day out from the hustle and bustle of Kuala Lumpur city centre and a great learning opportunity for both kids and adults!

Happy Lunch time!

Play: KL Getaway October 2014--- Colmar Tropicale and KidZania (Part 2)

13th October 2014

Today we will be hitting KidZania. I have heard many great reviews about this place and now that my kids are a little older (2 years old and 3 and 1/2 years old), it is time for us to bring them to visit.

After a quick breakfast of biscuit, milk and cheesecake (leftover from yesterday), we are on our way to KidZania.

Located in Petaling Jaya, just 10-15 minutes drive from our hotel, we reached KidZania at about 11.30am.

We were greeted warmly by the Air Asia check-in counter where we bought our "tickets". We were then given a wrist watch which is our ticket to a fun-filled day.

When we scanned in, it is like how we check in for flight. The counter will take note of how many people go in a group (e.g.: 2 adults and 2 childrens) and you can only check out with the same amount of people, this is to ensure that kids doesn't leave the building on their own.

Our wrist watch for entry

The kids were also given a cheque with the amount of 50 kidzos (currency in Kidzania). First stop is to cash in the cheque at CIMB bank for kidzos.

Cashing cheque

Main concept here is that with the kidzos, the kids can enjoy some services (manicure, make up, learn painting etc) and by doing so, they will use up their kidzos. Once the kids ran out of money, they have to work to earn them (working as fireman, police, lawyer, doctor etc).

If you earn enough kidzos, can even buy toys in "kid's only departmental store", adults not allowed to go in.

Each "shop" has a board outside and will indicate the duration of the activities and how many kids they can accommodate each time. Will also indicate the age of kids who are suitable for that particular activity. So parents and kids can choose which activity they wanna do.

Court

Fire engine full of mini fireman

First activity is as builder. Kids help to build sponge-like blocks....

Listening to instructions

Start working

Their first hard-earned money!

Kids were happy with the money they earn and they even gave me part of their money to me as they promise to reward mummy once they started earning money. So sweet of them!

After some hard work, time to pamper ourselves with a makeover and manicure...

Makeover

Manicure

But little boy didnt really want to play anymore... probably a little scared, only want to stick to me and wait for jie jie outside the glass door.

Jie jie happily proceed to painting class...

Little artist at work

Proud of her work

1.30pm--Time for lunch. We ordered some food from the mini stall inside KidZania and while waiting for food, girl girl took the chance to make a mini pie ...

Little chef

After lunch, time to make some pill....

Wearing gloves

Vitamin Institute

Pharmacist mummy and pharmacist girl girl

Listening tentatively.

Earn kidzos and get a bottle of Vitamin C too!!!

By 2.30pm, little boy already a little tired, almost time for his milk and nap. So, i bring him to play in toddler's play room which he enjoyed a lot (played for 45 minutes or so).... i guess for kids 2 years and below, they are not so suitable for the activities as parents are not allowed inside the activity room. They prefer to play with toys in playroom and parents can rest too as they are quite a number of comfortable sofas around.

Didnt manage to take pics in the children's room but the children's playroom is well equipped. There are a super huge kitchen with lots of utensil, some toys in the living room with some soft toys, a huge pool of balls and a huge air bed for kids to jump. 

While boy boy is playing, girl girl continue with activity.

Making vitagen.

Becoming surgeon for a day

3.40pm--After playing and drinking milk, boy boy fall asleep soundly on the couch.

Meanwhile, jie jie busy learning cat walk.

Superstar in the making

Learning catwalk

After modelling, jie jie is exhausted already. Decided that she doesn't want to do any more activities.. so we went for face painting and she loves the cupcake pic...

Love it!

And make herself a bracelet.

Paying full attention

By now, it is 5pm and time to check out from KidZania :) The kids had fun. Hubby and me are exhausted but it is all well worth it,

5pm-time to check out

Meet my friend LM for lunch at Mamma Mia Restaurant near our hotel. Food is reasonable good. Had good conversations and catch up over dinner.

Reached hotel at 8plus and after shower , the kids fall asleep a while after that. Must be exhausted after playing the whole day.

14th October 2014

Final day and it is time to go home. Woke up at 9am and after a quick breast fast (biscuit and vitagen), we checked out. 

Will be having brunch at "The Good Batch". Saw this brunch place at Facebook .. i think something like 10 Best Brunch Place in KL, so decided to give it a try. 

Parking is difficult to find as there are many eateries along the road.

Inside the restaurant

Coffee machine

I had a cup of cappuccino to start with...coffee is good but not fantastic.

Cappucinno

Cheers.... 

Kids had Ang Moh... Scrambled egg, grilled mushroom, grilled tomatoes, sausages, potatoes and baked bean. This is quite good and the kids ate quite a bit...

Ang Moh, RM 24.90

I love my Portobello Road. Soft and runny poached egg and a huge grilled juicy portobello mushroom on top of crispy hash brown... perfect combination.. I love how all the eggs are perfectly poached... sinful but good!

Portobello Road, RM 22.90

Hubby love his Norwegian Salmon but he commented that it is a little too small for him. Smoked salmon and perfect poached egg on top of this super soft bun, served with a bed of salad....another win!!!!

Norwegian, RM 21.90

Enjoying their meal

Food is good, but on the pricey side. Spend about RM 110 for 3 sets and 2 coffees...

After brunch, we drove all the way home.

Great trip!!!!