As I mentioned in my previous post, I grew up in Kedah and Perlis, where almost everywhere are paddy fields. But despite having grown up at the states that’s known as the nation’s ricebowl, my first time visiting a paddy factory and a paddy gallery is when I’m already a grown up who is well into my early 30s and in Sekinchan, Selangor at that. The visit was organized by Foodilifecious and Potboy Groceries. Funny how life turns out, eh?

Visiting paddy gallery with blogger friends. All hyped up and excited to learn more about paddies and rice.

PLS Marketing (M) Sdn Bhd (or Kilang Beras Rakyat Sekinchan Sdn Bhd) is one of the paddy processing factory in Sekinchan that allow tourists to visit their factory for educational purposes.

We were shown the process of the paddy plantation with a mechanized planting method during our visit.

The process of producing rice, from planting the paddies to packaging the final product; rice is shown.

Types of rice commonly produced in a typical paddy field in Sekinchan.

Apart from the educational session on paddy plantings and whatnot, we were taken to visit the gallery where there’s plenty of interesting exibits.

Items related to paddy planting

Exhibits shows the types of rice a paddy field can possibly produce.

Exhibit shows a traditional Chinese table setting

Exhibit shows a traditional meal setting for a typical Malay family.

Apart from listening to talks and visiting the gallery, you can also buy freshly packaged Pearl Rice at this factory.

For those who are not familar with this term, Pearl Rice is very popular in Sekinchan. The rice is definitely a must buy should you visit this place.

Attractions in Sekinchan, Selangor: The Paddy Gallery

Uploaded by K Network Media on 2017-11-01.

Watch the travelogue I made about our visit to the gallery.

For more info on the Paddy Gallery, please refer to the information below:

Address:
PLS Marketing (M) Sdn Bhd
Lot No 9990, Jalan Tali Air 5, Ban 2, 45400 Sekinchan, Selangor, Malaysia
Contact: +603-3243 6558 / 016-205 6558

I grew up in Kedah and Perlis, where almost everywhere are paddy fields. But despite having grown up at the states that’s known as the nation’s ricebowl, I took for granted the beautiful environments and surroundings that I grew up in.

Having lived in Kuala Lumpur since I was 17 when I pursued my tertiary education, I never thought it’s possible to return to a place surrounded by paddy fields, but life has given me an opportunity to actually experience the beauty of living in a place that’s surrounded by paddy fields again. But this time around, not in Kedah or Perlis but in Sekinchan, Selangor instead.

My most recent trip to Sekinchan with other bloggers were organized by Foodilifecious and sponsored by Potboy Groceries was was only for one weekend, but the experience felt like a small lifetime. And here’s sharing with you all about it.

Sekinchan is a small town located in the state of Selangor, Malaysia. It is about 102 km north of Kuala Lumpur, and 28 km from Kuala Selangor. Sekinchan is in the middle of the main rice-bowl area of Selangor, in the Sabak Bernam district. It is one of the major rice producing areas of Malaysia besides Kedah and Perlis.

Sekinchan in Chinese mean “village suitable for plantation’, the land and weather is suitable for farming of rice, fruits and oil palm trees. It is the highest rice production per acre in Malaysia. Total farming land paddy and fruits is about 4,300 acres. You can see a wide green paddy field on your right when you arrive in Sekinchan. It also popular as a fishing village.  

So, where to stay in Sekinchan should you decided to visit? There are plenty of homestays and hotels around in Sekinchan, but here’s one of the higher end ones; Pearl Rice Garden, One Residence, Sekinchan.

Located on the 15th floor of the One Resident Condominium Pearl Rice Garden offers you 3 types of penthouse apartment for your holiday pleasure; The Cottage, The Japanese and Modern Style.

1. The Cottage

The Cottage features 5 rooms that can accommodate up to 12-16 people. Two Rooms with 1 King size beds. Two Rooms with 1 Queen size beds and 1 single size bed. One Room with 2 single size bed.

2. The Modern

3. The Modern offers 5 rooms that can accommodate up to 12-16 people. Two Rooms with 1 King size beds. Two Rooms with Queen size beds and 1 single size bed. One Room with 2 single size bed.

This penthouse unit also comes attached with a rooftop garden overlooking the Sekinchan town.

Perfect for a picnic or a BBQ night party.

3. The Japanese

The Japanese offers 5 rooms that can accommodate up to 12-16 people. Two Rooms with 1 King size beds. Two Rooms with 1 Queen size beds and 1 single size bed. One Room with 2 single size bed.

All units offers a fully equippped kitchen; with hot & cold water dispenser, electric oven and ventilator. Dining utensils such as forks, spoons and cups are also provided. The living halls are fully furnished with sofa, coffee table, Astro TV and air conditioning. The bedrooms on the other hand offers luxurious five- star hotel experience as well.

Pearl Rice Garden is perfect for both business or leisure.

Especially great for large groups or holiday-goers with family.

Or simply those who likes to keep it close together.

Attractions in Sekinchan, Selangor: Pearl Rice Garden

Uploaded by K Network Media on 2017-11-01.

I had the opportunity to stay at The Cottage style unit, and thought it’s really wonderful. Check out the video I made for a clearer picture of it. More about Pearl Rice Garden, you may hop over HERE.

So what’s the must visit places in Sekinchan? Check out the travelogues below:

1. Visit the Paddy Gallery

Attractions in Sekinchan, Selangor: The Paddy Gallery

Uploaded by K Network Media on 2017-11-01.

2. Chillax at Mango King

Attractions in Sekinchan, Selangor: The Mango King

Uploaded by K Network Media on 2017-11-01.

3. Visit Ah Ma’s House

Attractions in Sekinchan, Selangor: Ah Ma’s House

Uploaded by K Network Media on 2017-11-02.

4. Visit the Wishing Tree

Attractions in Sekinchan, Selangor: The Wishing Tree

Uploaded by K Network Media on 2017-11-02.

Thinking back, it’s quite a shame that I spent most of my childhood and teenage years trying to excell in my studies while I clearly have no talents whatsoever for that. I was always the average student and never the best like I wished I was. But then again, I can’t turn back time and while I took alot of things for granted during my adolescent, life has a funny way of allowing me to experience what I took for granted once again.

Located on the 15th floor of the One Resident Condominium Pearl Rice Garden offers you 3 types of penthouse apartment for your holiday pleasure; The Cottage, The Japanese and Modern Style.

1. The Cottage

The Cottage features 5 rooms that can accommodate up to 12-16 people. Two Rooms with 1 King size beds. Two Rooms with 1 Queen size beds and 1 single size bed. One Room with 2 single size bed.

2. The Modern

3. The Modern offers5 rooms that can accommodate up to 12-16 people. Two Rooms with 1 King size beds. Two Rooms with Queen size beds and 1 single size bed. One Room with 2 single size bed.

This penthouse unit also comes attached with a rooftop garden overlooking the Sekinchan town.

Perfect for a picnic or a BBQ night party.

3. The Japanese

The Japanese offers 5 rooms that can accommodate up to 12-16 people. Two Rooms with 1 King size beds. Two Rooms with 1 Queen size beds and 1 single size bed. One Room with 2 single size bed.

All units offers a fully equippped kitchen; with hot & cold water dispenser, electric oven and ventilator. Dining utensils such as forks, spoons and cups are also provided. The living halls are fully furnished with sofa, coffee table, Astro TV and air conditioning. The bedrooms on the other hand offers luxurious five- star hotel experience as well.

Pearl Rice Garden is perfect for both business or leisure.

Especially great for large groups or holiday-goers with family.

Or simply those who likes to keep it close together.

For more information please refer below:

One Resident Condominium
Sekincan, Selangor, Malaysia
Contact: 012-692 7028
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pearlricegarden/

Local Food Start-Up Launches Bold New Christmas Healthy Snacks Range
‘Tis the season to be naughty…while keeping your spot on Santa’s ‘Nice’ list!

Indulgent. Decadent. Tantalizing. Luxurious dessert….or healthy treat? Local start-up Amazin’ Graze believes you can have both this Christmas with its new range of healthy snacks, cheekily themed “Naughty Made Nice”. This exciting Christmas Specials range, to be launched on 13th November 2017, features flavours that are indulgently Christmassy…but in the form of guilt-free healthy treats!

Festive eating usually brings to mind anticipation, delight, and unfortunately, guilt. It has become routine to gorge on favourite treats that are only available once a year, despite the regret and health consequences that typically follow. But it doesn’t have to be that way, says Amazin’ Graze. Their new Christmas range encourages snackers to celebrate eating ‘Naughty’ through indulgent Christmas flavours packaged in ‘Nice’ natural, nutritious treats. Among the festive snack line-up are Candied Fruitcake Granola, Gingerbread Crumb Granola, and Frosted Cinnamon Nut Mix, all of which are making a comeback after an overwhelmingly positive response last year.

Candied Fruitcake Granola

Gingerbread Crumb Granola

Frosted Cinnamon Nut Mix

Rounding up the collection are the newly innovated Chocolate Fudge Orange Bites and Caramel Pecan Almond Butter. All the snacks in the range are 100% natural, vegetarian, and free of preservatives and refined sugar.

Customers who want to eat ‘Naughty’ but stay on Santa’s ‘Nice’ list can find these treats on Amazin’ Graze’s website and at select retail outlets across Malaysia, Singapore, and Hong Kong.

So, my husband and I were recently invited to participate in ‘Siapa Paling Berani?’ Haunted Hotel Bloggers Challenge, jointly organized by Lomo Pictures as well as Sam Kassim Events and Communications and sponsored by VC Malaysia in conjunction with the newly screened ‘Haunted Hotel’ movie.

‘Haunted Hotel’ is Ryon Lee’s latest masterpiece, starring actor and actresses from 3 countries; Malaysia, Thailand and China. The movie sees Teddy Chin (Malaysia), Alvin Chong (Malaysia), Azman Hassan (Malaysia) and several foreign actors such as Aom Sushar Manaying (Thailand) and Li Chuan (China) works together in a thriller-horror movie.

Watch the Haunted Hotel movie trailer

Summary:

‘Haunted Hotel‘ tells the story of Ling and her boyfriend Jun, who had the opportunity visit Malaysia during a business trip. They happened to have won a lot of money in a casino in Genting Highlands during their trip, but unfortunately for the couple, they could not leave after winning the money as it is already dark and rains heavily. Instead of going home, they decided to stay for the night.Their first choice of accommodation was somewhere near the casino but it happens to be public holiday and the hotels over there are fully booked. The couple then unknowingly booked themselves into Amber Court, a secluded hotel that is known to be haunted.

Strange things started to happen during their stay and they were often disturbed by a woman in white dress. What will happen to this couple? Will they be able to live to tell the tale?

Read my review on the ‘Haunted Hotel‘ movie HERE.

The ‘Siapa Paling Berani’ Haunted Hotel Challenge takes place in Amber Court Apartment, Genting Highlands, the exact same place where the shooting for the movie was mostly done. The challenge is part of Lomo Pictures promotional campaign for the movie.

Amber Court Apartment is located 3 km away from Resorts World Genting, one of the most popular holiday attraction in Malaysia. With a beautiful mountaintop view and soothingly cold weather all year long, it was initially an ideal place for a holiday or a weekend home.

I’ve heard alot of things about Amber Court Apartment. It is rumoured to be one of the Top 10 Haunted Hotels in Asia. It is said to have frequent ghost sightings and a hot location for murder and suicide cases. Sounds impressively dangerous and creepy, no? But then again, I’m not the sort of person who backs out from a challenge. Plus, I don’t believe in unverified news and hearsay. I believe in facts, and if certain news is not verified, then it remains nothing more than just rumours and gossips. So, I decided to take on the challenge and see for myself if the place is indeed haunted. It’s time for some exclusive, inside scoop.

This is how Amber Court looks like from the outside during the day; a little bit rundown-looking with the old paint being all mossy due to the damp weather.The apartment has twin building with 23 storeys high. The apartment units has the interior of a studiohouse and penthouse. The Internet and gossip blogs would have you believe that this place is completely abandoned, but the truth is otherwise. Amber Court is definitely not an abandoned building. It’s actually occupied, just like any other apartments you’re familar with. The residence over here are mostly people who works in Genting Highlands and foreign workers who works in construction sites nearby. There are plenty of shops selling sundries and whatnot at the lobby floor. A shop providing telco service and self-service laundry shop is also available at Amber Court, alongside with a pub and small restaurants.

As per arrangement by the organizers, we’re to check-in and stay for 2D1N at Amber Court. And so here’s sharing with you how our room in Amber Court looks like from the inside. Our room was on the 23rd floor and it’s practically a beautiful and spacious studiohouse, fully equipped with basic amnesties like the kitchen, livingroom, bedroom, showerbooth and a toilet. On a personal level, I think it’s great for honeymooners who wants privacy or holiday-goers with small children and family in tow, considering how spacious it. Unlike other hotels in Genting, cooking is allowed in Amber Court. A plus point, in my opinion. You may read my review on Amber Court HERE.

View from one side the balcony as the sun started to set

Beautiful view from another side of the balcony at night.

After checking-in and dinner at one of the restaurants at the lobby, we’re taken around to visit the ‘Haunted Hotel‘ shooting locations in Amber Court. Most of these places are off limits to both public and residence due to various reasons. One would have to obtain a special permission from the Amber Court’s management to visit these places, so keep it in mind that you can’t go to these places, or you can be prosecuted for tresspassing. Amber Court looks eerie and mysterious from the outside at night. Definitely a perfect place to shoot if you’re producing a horror movie.

View of the building from bottom to top. Looks freaky, don’t you think? Commonly known as the dark zone where people suicide by jumping from the balcony, this is the place where the scene where a character in the movie jumped down to her death were shot.

Dead bodies spotted? No, that’s just us bloggers playing pro photographers, trying to get a good shot of the building by lying down on the floor. Coincidentally, this is also where dead bodies are supposedly found at Amber Court whenever someone decided to jump off from the balcony and suicide.

Heading to other shooting locations

According to the organizer, this unit is where a family of 7 were found dead. It was commonly believed among the residence that it was a murder-suicide case. Some scenes from the movie were shot here.

A closer look at the door of the unit. Some say plenty of paranormal sightings occured here. But whether it’s true or not, remains a mystery as during my visit, nothing actually happens.

The interior of this unit was used during the shooting. Curious on how it looks like from the inside? Well, just refer to the picture of the room we stayed. The interior is exactly the same.

Here’s us, being led to another shooting location

This is where staircase where a ghostly character appeared in the movie while holding a head that’s torn off from a dead body.

Playing a fool with my husband over here at the staircase. Does it look like as if I’m trying to tear his head off from his neck?

Next, we were led to an abandoned toilet in Amber Court. This place was used as the hospital toilet scene in the movie.

Creepy staircase. This is where the protagonists from ‘Haunted Hotel‘ being chased by ghost scene were shot.

Finally, to the parking lot, where escape scene from the movie were shot. It was indeed scary over here, I must admit.

Another angle of the parking lot

An old carwreck spotted at the abandoned carpark area.

One for the album. Group photo was taken before the challenge started.

Below is the list of participants who took up the challenge in alphabetical order:

1. Adam Lau (https://garfield.in)
2. Cyrill Hassan (https://buzzingmalaysia.com)
3. Ellie Toh (https://cleffairy.com)
4. Faizol Hafizi (https://faizolhafizi.com)
5. Khir Khalid (https://khirkhalid.com)
6. Nazlan Nasir (https://nazlannasir.com)
7. Shahful Shaffiq (https://hangat.com)

The challenge took place at an abandoned basement cum parking lot. There’s plenty of empty rooms over here and what we need to do was just find one bottle of perfume placed in one of the rooms in the dark area. Just find the perfume within the time given and the first 6 participants to do that will walk away with a Violet III VC smartphone, sponsored by VC Malaysia. Violet III VC smartphone is the smartphone that’s used by the character in the movie. Sounds quite straight forward, no? But the catch is each participant needs to go alone to find the perfume within 2 minutes time, equipped only with flashlight from smartphones. Recording the entire process is also part of the deal. Personally I think it’s quite tough as you need to race against time while trying your best not to freak out walking around in a dark and freaky place and find the perfume at the same time. Initially we were only given 1 minute to find the perfume, but all participants failed and we were given extended time of 2 minutes to search for it. Nobody found the perfume during the second round as well. It is not until the third round participants started to get what they are looking for.

‘Siapa Paling Berani?’ Haunted Hotel Bloggers Challenge at Amber Court

Uploaded by K Network Media on 2017-10-23.

Here’s a little vlog on the challenge. I was the only lady who took up this challenge and being of the weaker sex, I wasn’t really expecting to even win this challenge, but I managed to win it regardless, after my fourth attempt.

Mission accomplished. Below is the winner’s list:

Cyrill Hassan – 1 minute (Round 2)
Nazlan Nasir – 50 seconds (Round 3)
Khir Khalid – 1 minute (Round 3)
Shahful Shaffiq – 40 seconds(Round 4)
Ellie Toh – 1 minute 20 seconds(Round 4)
Faizol Hafizi – 35 seconds (Round 5)

So, is the place haunted? Well, there’s plenty of articles written about Amber Court on the Internet that will have you believe that the place is haunted and you will experience plenty of paranormal sightings during your stay, but after staying for 2D1N in Amber Court, I can’t seriously vouch for those claims made as I did not experience anything strange or weird during our stay over there, apart from my phone crashing when I attempt to record myself doing the challenge. My smartphone is rather old, and have the tendency to do that occassionally, so I don’t think it’s anything unusual.

I slept better over there in Amber Court than at home and actually missed my alarm in the morning. I guess, while Amber Court inspired plenty of horror and mystery stories due to the paranormal and mystery stories surrounding it but truthfully, it’s just a sadly misunderstood place. Lomo Pictures certainly did a good job in portraying Amber Court as a horrifying and freaky place in the ‘Haunted Hotel‘ movie.

A picture taken the next morning. Won myself a Violet III smartphone sponsored by VC Malaysia for my effort.

Group picture with other winner before leaving Amber Court. There’s a surprise at the end of the event, though. Those who did not win the challenge were also awarded with the same prize, as a token of appreciation for the effort made during the challenge.

Thank you Lomo Pictures and Sam Kassim Events and Communications for organizing the challenge. And of course VC Malaysia for the smartphone sponsorship as well.

If you are a fan of horror movies, you might want to watch the ‘Haunted Hotel’ at your nearest cinema. The movie will be haunting 69 selected cinemas in Malaysia from 19th October 2017. I assure you that you’ll be getting goosebumps all over while enjoying the movie.

Amber Court Apartments is located 3 km away from Resorts World Genting, one of the most popular holiday attraction in Malaysia. The apartment has twin building that’s 23 storeys high.

My family and I in front of Amber Court. We had the opportunity to stay here for a weekend, thanks to the ‘Siapa Paling Berani’ Haunted Hotel Bloggers Challenge jointly organized by Lomo Pictures and Sam Kassim Events and Communications.

I’ve heard alot of things about Amber Court Apartment. It is rumoured to be one of the Top 10 Haunted Hotels in Asia. It is said to have frequent ghost sightings and a hot location for murder and suicide cases.

The Internet and gossip blogs would have you believe that this place is completely abandoned and haunted, but the truth is otherwise. Amber Court is definitely not an abandoned building. It’s actually occupied, just like any other apartments you’re familar with. The residence over here are mostly people who works in Genting Highlands and foreign workers who works in construction sites nearby. Some of the units here are turned into a homestay.

There are plenty of shops selling sundries and whatnot at the lobby floor. A shop providing telco service and self-service laundry shop is also available at Amber Court, alongside with a pub and small restaurants.

A small sundry shop

Another sundry shop at the lobby. This one is similar to a freshmarket where you can not only buy groceries but also meat, seafood and poultries.

A small foodcourt where where you can enjoy both Malaysian and other international delicacies.

A barber shop. There’s a laundrette opposite of this shop.

2D1N at Amber Court

Uploaded by K Network Media on 2017-10-25.

Watch the video to see how our room looks like.

Here’s sharing with you how our in Amber Court room looks like from the inside. Our room was on the 23rd floor and it’s practically a beautiful and spacious studiohouse, fully equipped with basic amnesties like the kitchen, livingroom, bedroom, showerbooth and a toilet.

The livingroom is cozy and spacious

Television set at the livingroom for entertainment purposes

Kitchen and dining area

Bedroom

Huge mirror in the bedroom

Morning view from the balcony

View from one side the balcony as the sun started to set

Beautiful view from another side of the balcony at night.

Shower booth. Now, before you let your imaginations runs wild, that’s not a ghostly apparition. That’s just my husband’s reflection.

Seperate toilet

Toiletries were also provided

So, is the place really haunted? Did I experience strange stuff during my stay? I guess, while Amber Court inspired plenty of horror and mystery stories due to the paranormal and mystery stories surrounding it but truthfully, it’s just a sadly misunderstood place. Nothing strange actually happens.

On a personal level, I think Amber Court is great for honeymooners who wants privacy or holiday-goers with small children and family in tow, considering how spacious it. And unlike other hotels in Genting, cooking is allowed in Amber Court. A plus point, in my opinion.

For room bookings, you may lookup on various online hotel booking sites like Air BnB, Traveloka, Booking.com and many more.