Genting Highland Premium Outlet & Awana SkyWay

Genting Highland Premium Outlet

69000 Genting Highland
Pahang Darul Makmur


Hours
1000 - 2200 daily

Parking Rates
Weekdays: RM5 per day
Weekends: RM8 per day

I don't have a lot of photos of GHPO because on both visits, I was too busy shopping. Finding the place should be no trouble. There are sufficient signs and once you arrived, there should be plenty of indoor parking spots available. Even on weekends.

  GHPO is located just after Gohtong Jaya so you don't have to drive all the way up to Genting. If your main objective is to shop, you can opt to stay at one of the hotels or homestays in Gohtong Jaya. I think the drive from Gohtong Jaya is shorter compared to downhill drive from Genting top.

  There are a lot of popular premium brands in GHPO and their deals are pretty good as well. Restaurants and cafes are plenty; aside from the food court, they have a whole street just for eateries. I saw a playground for kids at the Low Street (food & beverages area). Prayer room and wheelchair are also available. There's a masjid just down the road anyway. Exit the roundabout, go straight instead of taking the u-turn to GHPO. The mosque is at the end of the road.

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Awana SkyWay Lower Station

Next to the premium outlet is the Awana SkyWay station, connected at High Street. I couldn't find the parking (if any) at the station so your only option may be to park at GHPO. From the station, you can get to Chin Swee Temple and go further up to SkyAvenue.

One-way ticket for standard gondola is only RM8 per adult. Return tickets are valid for 72 hours from date purchased. Tickets can be purchased from the self-service kiosks and counters.

  Visitors will have to go through metal detector. One carry-on baggage is allowed. The security check isn't as strict as at airport but the usual dangerous and sharp items are not allowed. So check the notice board. Wheelchair and cane aren't allowed in the glass floor gondola (RM40 per pax).

I took the SkyWay on Sunday morning so the crowd wasn't too big. I imagine it might get quite busy on Saturdays and school holidays. Fret not, you can pay extra for express passes.

So yeah. If you go shopping up in SkyAvenue and plan to return via cable car, consider the baggage limit :) Even if you don't want to go up to the hilltop shopping mall (why not? There are Sephora and Uniqlo and Burger & Lobster up there!) there are shops and eateries in the Awana SkyWay Lower Station that might interest you to hop over the road.

  You can find Kenny Roger's, bak kut teh restaurant, shops selling local/Asian snacks, Family Mart (try their cheesecake ice cream if you haven't), a gadget (and other trinkets) shop, bakery and many more on the station side. 

  Oh, Thai Odyssey is over on this side as well :) I mean, all those shopping walking, right?

Khareyana Spa, Petaling Jaya

Khareyana Spa

36 Jalan Selangor

46050 Petaling Jaya

Selangor Darul Ehsan

(+603) 7958 6219

Operating Hours

1000 - 2130 

(last appointment at 1900)

Khareyana Spa is a popular venue for small events like launch party and bachelorette party so be sure to call ahead and book your appointment to avoid disappointment. This is the kind of spa that is best to visit with a group of friends.

They offer extensive spa menu and you can choose value for money packages or ala carte treatments that suits your budget. Check out their menu here.

I tried their face massage and cream bath/scalp treatment and I love both! My girlfriends took their massage package and they said it was divine. I'll try that next time and let you know :)

My treatment started with a face massage here. The nice therapist cleaned my face, then applied scrub before gently massaging. It was relaxing and my face felt soft and clean afterwards.

Then, it was time for hair cream bath. The therapist asked if I wanted avocado or aloe vera mask and I couldn't make a decision. So she mixed them both and the result was heavenly! My hair smelled so nice for days!

After treatment, we were served tea and some biscuits. The staff were all friendly and welcoming and they didn't rush us at all.

Note: Deposit is required for 4 pax and above. The staff will advice you the bank details.

Teratak Spa, Bayan Baru

Teratak Spa

31 Jalan Tun Dr. Awang

Taman Bayan Baru

11950 Bayan Baru

Penang

(+604) 638 3821

(+6019) 404 3131

If you have a couple of hours to spend in Penang and in need of some pampering, call and book a slot with Teratak Spa, Bayan Baru. The spa is only about 15-minute drive from Penang International Airport. You'd be able to find the direction to Teratak Spa in Waze or Google Map.

I've been there twice. The first time was good and the second time was even more relaxing.

As I entered the traditional Malay gate, I walked on 'floating' stone over a pond filled with fish and tortoises. 

A staff welcomed me and asked me to sound the gong. Then, I was given a foot wash (siram kaki) like the Malays in olden days used to do before entering a house.

Siram kaki

During my first visit, the staff gave me a tour and showed me all the treatment rooms in the spa. They have 3 gorgeous treatment rooms but unfortunately, no couple room. Also, if you want a male masseur, you'll have to tell them in advance. 

They served me their special welcome drink while I chose a treatment and they processed the payment. I think the drink was tamarind.

Shower

The first time, I tried a treatment which was on promo.

Citrawarna Signature 

(RM199)

* Ginger Drink

* Foot Ritual

* Body Polish

* Kaffir Lime Scalp Treatment

* Tun Teja Massage (full body)

Ginger drink

Then, I tried the Puteri Santubong 3-hour treatment during my second visit.

Puteri Santubong

(n.p. RM460)

* Bertangas

* Bertungku

* Traditional Holistic Massage

*Kaffir Lime Scalp Massage

* Body Scrub

* Herbal Bath

Bertangas - sit on that smoke & do the Kegel! 

Herbal bath with rose petals, pandan leaves and (I think) camphor wood

Provided at the end of the sessions

Spa packages from n.p. RM350 for 2 hours. Other packages and ala carte treatments available here.

Note: Their published price may be a little pricey but ask if they have any promo on. Members get special discount and other perks.

Massage Corner: The Best Massage Place in Ao Nang

If you're looking for a decent massage place in Aonang, look no further than Massage Corner. To get there, get yourself to the halal street food area. Across the road, there is a junction going up a small hill. Walk up the hill until you find the signage above. 

Turn into the parking lot and you'll see iRest. Massage Corner is tucked at the corner on your left. 

Massage Corner

Massage & Body Scrub

(+66) 081 271 5399

Operating Hours

1000 - 2300 daily

Note: Cash transactions only

Look at the oh-so-affordable-rates!

On my first visit, I chose 1-hour back and neck massage for 300 THB. We were given cold water to drink while selecting a treatment and it wasn't a long wait before the treatment room was ready even though we didn't do any booking. 

When I visited again, I chose a 1-hour foot massage for 250 THB. This time, we were taken to another room with massage beds that have hole. I wish I had this type of bed during back and neck massage earlier!

But no matter, I enjoyed both massages. The masseurs are well trained and know what they were doing and the massages helped to relieve my aching body & feet.

Treatment area

Treatment area

Massage bed

View outside massage room

After treatment, they served ginger tea before customers pay and go off on their way~

Highly recommended!

Hatyai Overview

Hatyai (Songkhla)

Date: 13 - 15 August 2016 (Saturday to Monday)

4 pax

Saturday (13 Aug)

1200 - 1300 : Meet at airport. Lunch

1555 - 1705 : KUL - Hat Yai (1605 local time)

1630 - 1700 : Check-in @ Red Planet Hotel

1800 - 2200 :

• Central Festival Mall
• Khlong Hae Floating Market (didn't go)
• Dinner

Dinner at Hamid Restaurant

• Shop in Hat Yai town

Central Festival Mall

Sunday (14 Aug)

0700 - 0800 : Breakfast (we skipped)

0830 - 1300 : 

• Nang Ngam Street Art

Mermaid of Samila Beach

• Samila Beach 

Naka of Songkhla

• Songkhla Lake
• Lunch

1400 - 1800 : Return to town. Surprise birthday spa!

2000 - 2200 :

• Cake at E.P's Cafe Patisserie
• Dinner
• Shop

Monday (15 Aug)

0700 - 0900 : Breakfast & pack

1000 - 1035 : Check-out. Leave for airport

1235 - 1445 : Hat Yai - KUL

Expenditure

Flight & 3D2N hotel  = RM362 per person

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As usual, we each give 1000 THB to the persons in charge of meals and another 1000 THB for transport. Therefore, PICs each held 4000 THB (1000 THB per person).

The numbers below reflects meals and transport spending average for 4 pax. We deduct the total spending then divide the balance equally for return

Transport = 1900 THB (475 THB/person)

Spa = 7000 THB (1750 THB/person)

Food = 2000 THB (500 THB/person)

Sim Card + top up = 189 THB/person

Souvenirs = 50 THB

Total Expenditure in Hat Yai = 2964 THB/person

Personal cash brought = 4760 THB*

*Actual spending is slightly more because it's a birthday trip so things like flight, hotel, spa and cakes we divided between only 3 of us

So 3 days 2 nights all inclusive in Hatyai should cost you about RM700 per person.

Notes

• Airport transfer - 200 THB/person
• Tuk-tuk within town - between 20 to 50 THB/person
• Day Tour to Songkhla - 1400 THB/car (we got 1000 THB for half a day)

I must say Hatyai is one of the cheapest destination I've been to. It may not be for everybody but if you love food and Thai massage, you should visit. Nightlife in Hatyai can be as wild as the crazy stories you've heard but it can also be as lame (I mean, tame) as you wish. Go with likeminded fun people and enjoy!

and friends <3