El-Azzhar Camp, Morib

Kem El-Azzhar

Lot 1103, Taman Harmoni,

Batu 28, Jalan Morib,

Banting.

(603) 3198 2393

It was my second stay in El-Azzhar Camp in Morib, Selangor. The first was years ago during a camp with fellow scholars. When dad suggested this place for a one-night extended family gathering, I was curious. Dad told me that they have a new building housing nicer hotel rooms than the dormitory I remember. 

Dormitory building on the right

Most people would know this place as a venue for motivational camps or company trainings. I heard that they are branching out to cater weddings, family days, and other sorts of (legal) gathering as well. There is no swimming pool yet but I believe that is in the future plan to make the camp more family-friendly.

So, while the rest of my family members were staying in the huts, I got one of the new rooms!

Triple-bed Room

View from room

I think that's the pond I went into during one of the camp activities years back. Evil training facilitators would love this place. There's so many punishing activities they can concoct here.

Chalet hut interior (max 6 pax)

A small field for activities like morning aerobic and games, the surau and halls/training rooms

Tables near the chalets

Restoran D'Bagan

There is a restaurant in the camp. It is open to public but you might want to call ahead and check their operating hours (and promotion). It has a small stage and plenty of space and can be rented for private events.

BBQ place with mangrove view

Booking - No online-booking available (that I know of). Phone the camp directly.

Rate - Fair. Call to enquire.

Location - Acceptable. No beach but there are shops and restaurants within walking distance. Need transport to nearest public beach.

Dining - Good Malay food*

Service - No room service (it is first and foremost a training venue) but staff are polite and helpful.

*I went for iftar promotion at the D'Bagan Restaurant. Can't comment on food provided for training/wedding/other events.

I recommend El-Azzhar Camp to companies, clubs, schools and other organisations looking to hold gathering/camp/training and families for family day. Tourists with own transportation might also consider this place as a basic but comfortable short-term accommodation in Morib/Jugra/Sepang area. The camp is about 41km away from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).

Check out their website here. It is in Malay language only though.

Hammam Tearoom, Publika

Did you know that right next to Hammam (spa) there's a Hammam tearoom? 

Operating hours: 1200 - 2300 daily

Phone #: (603) 6201 0882

They opened last year (I think) and I finally had the opportunity to visit. The tearoom. Not the spa. It is almost impossible to get a session if you walk-in at the spa but it is a different story in the tearoom. My girls were waiting and only one other table was occupied when I arrived.

Taste - Love the tea & baklava. Hate the detox juice.

Price - Fair. Some expensive.

Ambiance - Cozy Moroccan-style decor.  

They serve main course as well but we all had lunch and was there literally for tea. So I can't comment on the food. I ordered a dish (forgot what) but they didn't have that. 

I am not sure if having a meal here is a good idea (unless you're craving for Moroccan food) but it is a nice place to escape to when you're tired of the crowd in Publika. I can also see a theme-party here but you might want to check with Hammam if they can cater your guests. 

If you don't know where Hammam Publika is, find the MPH bookstore and take the escalator next to it to 2nd floor. I call it the red area because the wall is red.

Tim's Teapot Terrace, Taman Melawati

Tim's Teapot Terrace

9128 Lorong Perak,

Taman Melawati,

53100 Kuala Lumpur.

Operating Hours

1100 - 2200 on Tuesday - Sunday

Phone #: (603) 4106 2043

(6012) 234 8850

To find this place using Waze, search "Tim's Teapot Terrace" and choose the Foursquare icon.

Parking can be a nightmare if you're not familiar with the place. The cafe is situated along a one-way street and there's limited parking spaces nearby. I visited in the morning so finding a nearby parking spot was relatively easy although traffic was already congested and shop was filled with a lot of people.

This is a pretty cafe, suitable for catch up sessions with friends or quiet dates with loved ones. I won't recommend bringing boisterous kids here as the whole place have this fragile china vibe. In fact, I heard crashing noise from the inner dining area while I was there. You can always tarpao their delicious offerings and enjoy them at home.

Taste- Delicious with a local taste.

Price - Fair

Ambiance - Pretty!

Due to limited seats available, it is advised to call ahead for reservation especially if you come in  a big group.

<3<3<3<3 lasagna. A bit spicy to cater to Malaysians' tastebuds

Mac & Cheese

Since I arrived quite early on a weekend, they were still waiting for many of the popular cakes and desserts to be delivered. So I didn't get to photograph the gorgeous cakes. A BEAUTIFUL and classy-looking rainbow cake arrived while I was leaving but I totally forgot to snap a picture!

Check out what's in store on their Instagram.

 

Malaysian Food Street, Resort World Sentosa

Taste - Decent

Price - Fair. Cheaper than most touristy places in Malaysia even after convert

Ambiance - Clean, a bit dingy. Classy cafeteria like.

Most of the stalls here are NOT certified halal so ask before you order. We bought from 2 stalls in particular, the Kampung Nasi Lemak and the Roti Canai & Nasi Briyani. Drinks were in disposable plastic cups so don't worry.

Papadom was not crunchy :(

We went there for an early lunch so there was plenty of tables available near the halal-certified stalls. I don't know how pack the place can get at peak lunch hour. More info on Malaysian Food Street on Resort World Sentosa webpage.

Sentosa Island & Universal Studios Singapore

I don't know about other people but I've been to Universal Studios Singapore at least 3 times but I never did explore the island. So I made it a point to set aside some time to see the rest of the island. We left the hostel quite early but 1 hour wasn't enough to see everything. 

  After taking the MRT from Bugis, we changed train at Chinatown and alighted at HarbourFront. Initially, we planned to walk but we had no idea where to go and (un)luckily saw the Sentosa Express signs instead. P.s. we got lost in shopping malls and MRT stations quite a lot so if you're unfamiliar with the locations of stops and stations, factor in some "sesat-sesat" time in your itinerary.

  So we took the (cramped) monorail and got off at Waterfront Station to leave our bags in the lockers at USS. Then, we got stamps for re-entry and took the Sentosa Express train to check out the other 2 stops. There are 4 stations:

1) Sentosa Station in Vivo City

2) Waterfront Station (Resort World Sentosa- USS, casino, S.E.A Aquarium, etc.)

3) Imbiah Station (Sentosa Merlion, cable car, etc.)

4) Beach Station (Palawan & Siloso beaches, skydiving, shopping, dining, etc.)

Operating hours: 0700 - 0000

Fee: SG$4/person (we used our ez-link cards)

Note: I forgot to buy the Singapore Tourist Pass at the airport and paid cash when taking the bus from Changi Museum to hostel. So I only needed a card on 2nd day and decided that normal ez-link card + SG$10 top up is a more worthwhile option than the 2-day Singapore Tourist Pass. I didn't travel much so I still got balance in the card by the time we left Singapore.

Sentosa Merlion

people...

no people but D got into frame (-.-")

a whole family now...

There were not many people when we arrived. It was still quite early in the morning and the sky looked as if it was going to burst anytime. Still, getting a picture of the sentosa sign (without other people in it) is almost impossible. 

FINALLY! Well. There's still us in the pic.

From Imbiah Station, we rode the train to Beach Station but didn't alight. Then the train went back and brought us to Waterfront Station.

Universal Studios Singapore

Passes for USS was purchased online at earlier date. Mine was a season pass and my partner's a SG$64 one-day pass (n.p. SG$74). They claimed that they have a limited number of passes daily but you can try your luck and buy from the counters near the entrance.

Main areas in the USS:

• Hollywood (street entertainment, meet & greet with characters)
• New York (plenty of photo op)
• Sci-Fi City (Battlestar Galactica & Transformers rides, meet & greet)
• Ancient Egypt (The Mummy ride, meet & greet)
• The Lost World (Jurassic Park rapid ride, rock climbing, Waterworld show, dino meet & greet)
• Far Far Away (Shrek 4D adventure, Donkey LIVE, Enchanted Airways, street entertainment, ice cream!)
• Madagascar (merry go round, crate adventure, street entertainment)

Sesame Street show

I don't know how often they change the show but last time it was Monster Rock. Much more fun!

The Rockafellas

Hello!

Waterworld show

Shrek 4D

and the latest ride...

PUSS IN BOOTS GIANT JOURNEY! 

A one-day visit isn't enough. The season pass (6-month validity) is SO worth the investment if I live nearby. Since I don't, I had to be contented with 2 separate visits using the season pass. Still cheaper than buying 2 one-day pass!

***

Taking the monorail back to Vivo City at 6ish seemed like a nightmare. It was Monday but the queue was so long, it extended out of the station. So, we decided to go downstairs where the buses are and get a cab to the airport.