Short Getaway at 27 Ah Peng, Bentong

People who are very close to me know that I have been a great fan of Airbnb, the first online accommodation platform that I would go for whenever it comes to travelling. I have heard of several negative reviews about Airbnb from friends, colleagues and the online community. I am always careful when selecting an accommodation via Airbnb, and my experiences with Airbnb in Malaysia, Australia and Taiwan have been wonderful so far. My impromptu trip to Bentong, Pahang with Don was no exception.

Initially, we were being indecisive about where to go for a short weekend getaway. With no specific destination in mind, I tried my luck with Bentong on Airbnb and came across 27 Ah Peng, a spacious 2-bedroom loft designed in retro style by Paula and Richard. Located along the main street of Bentong and above an old bookstore, 27 Ah Peng is within walking distance to the town’s popularly known restaurants, shops, markets, etc. and has plenty of street parking spaces around. Read on to find out more about 27 Ah Peng!

Disclaimer: This blog post is not an advertisement. Everything stated and shown below is purely based on my personal experience at 27 Ah Peng.

Entrance of 27 Ah Peng

A long flight of wooden stairs leading up to the loft

Open the classic door that has been repainted in blue, you will be greeted by a flight of wooden stairs that leads up to the living area of the loft. It isn’t steep at all, but elderly and young children may still need a helping hand to get to the upper floor.

Shanthi, a housekeeper of the loft, walked us through the loft with simple briefing upon arrival. Paula and Richard who were stuck in a horrible jam arrived approximately 15 minutes later to say hi and for a more detailed briefing about the loft. I’m truly amazed at their effort in welcoming guests to their loft!

Cozy and spacious living area facing the main street

Street view from 27 Ah Peng

Street view from 27 Ah Peng

Street view from 27 Ah Peng

During the day, Don and I spent most of our time in the living area repeatedly listening to the songs of Barry Manilow and doing nothing at all. Noises from the street and the glowing sun in the afternoon may be of interruption, but having lived in a wooden shophouse for two whole years back in Melaka, I’m immune to such condition.

My favourite; a corner to dine, chat, chill, work, or study

Right next to the living area is my favorite corner of the loft. The design, the furniture, and everything shown here are of visual enjoyment. While Don was taking his nap in the second bedroom in the late afternoon, I sat here listening to the songs of Tim McGraw as I worked on this blogpost.

A rack with WiFi modem router and brochures

There’s also a wooden rack where brochures can be found. Unfortunately, most of the brochures were taken by the previous guests and only those of Bentong Gallery were left. According to Paula, more brochures can be found at Bentong Gallery too, which is only about 5-minute walk from 27 Ah Peng.

Corridor to the pantry, conversation corner, second bedroom, and bathroom

Speaking of an old house, some people may be terrified by the thought of being at a historical place that usually appears to be dim and ghostly. Fear not, 27 Ah Peng has ample sunlight throughout the loft during the day, and as the sun sets, simply turn on the lights and you will get a brightly lit loft.

Pantry with retro style mini fridge, kitchen towels, electric kettle, instant coffee, biscuits, eating utensils, plates and bowls

Conversation corner with complimentary drinking water and some flavors of yesteryear

Walk past the living room, my favorite corner and the master bedroom (read on for information), you will come to a small area with a basic pantry and conversation corner. The mini fridge, oh the mini fridge! I wish I could bring it back home!

Corridor to the bathroom and an old cabinet filled with cleaning tools

The classic “kik-kok” shoes

Spacious bathroom with water heater and quality toiletries, shampoo and shower gel

Spacious bathroom with retro wall hangers

At the end of the corridor is the one and the only bathroom in the loft. If I were to travel in a bigger group, I might need to be the last person to take shower as I tend to spend almost 30 minutes in the shower. The water pressure was considered okay, although I prefer it to be stronger. Washing off the conditioner is a killer! Besides, unlike any other hotels and accommodations that provide toiletries of unknown brands that are usually a little too harsh for my skin, the thoughtful Paula and Richard go the extra mile to prepare those of better quality for their guests, including Naturals by Watsons Marula Oil Shampoo and Marula Cream Bath and Kleenex bath tissues.

27 Ah Peng comes with two air-conditioned bedrooms that can accommodate up to six people. Paula and Richard were very surprised to hear that Don and I were the only guests in the loft over the weekend, the first couple-only group that they have ever received so far. This place caught our attention on Airbnb, so why not? Albeit being a little pricey for a weekend getaway for two.

Master bedroom with a double bed

A comfortable extra mattress in the master bedroom

A retro dresser in the master bedroom

View from the master bedroom

The master bedroom is entered from my favorite corner of the loft, and has a window with view of some roofs and the back of other shop lots. It is closer to the main street where cars, motorcycles and other vehicles pass by day and night. Although the noise has become significantly lesser at night, this room may not be a good option for any light sleepers. However, it will not be an issue if you are immune to such condition like me.

Second bedroom with a double bed and an extra mattress

The second bedroom is located in between the conversation corner and the bathroom. No matter where I go, I insist on a rule that applies to my bed; never sit or touch my bed until after shower, including Don. Therefore, we fully utilized the loft by using this room for our afternoon naps. That’s the benefit of having an entire space to ourselves, no?

And by the way, dear light sleepers, this is the room for you!

To pick 27 Ah Peng as your accommodation for a getaway in Bentong, there are a few things that must be considered:

• Noise: Noises from any vehicles or loud people that pass by, people from the grocery stores moving goods around, etc. are unavoidable for it being on the main street of Bentong. Besides, the small town wakes up as early as 4.00am, so you can literally hear the iron grill of the old bookstore below the loft being dragged and things will start to be moved around by the shop manager.
• Parking: The loft comes with street parking only, which could be quite an issue during the weekend. It took us a good 10 minutes to finally find a parking lot nearby. However, Paula said that if she were to reach earlier than us, she could’ve secured a parking space for us. How sweet of her!
• Wooden floor: Having a wooden floor is expected in an old loft, and that means you will constantly hear people moving around in the loft. Certain parts of the loft can also be a little sandy. According to my experience of working in an old wooden shophouse in Melaka, this cannot be helped no matter how frequent it is vacuumed and mopped.
• WiFi connection: WiFi is provided in the loft, but speed may vary depending on device. It didn’t work quite well on both of our iPhones, so we ended up using our own mobile data instead.

Interested in 27 Ah Peng? Click on THIS LINK and check on their availability! Do not have an Airbnb account yet? Sign up now using THIS LINK to enjoy RM 105.00 off your first trip with Airbnb! Ever wonder what you can do in a small town like Bentong? Stay tuned for my next post!

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An Update a.k.a A Warm-up

Hello! Guess who’s back in action after a long hiatus? This time, with much better internet connection, I really hope to be actively blogging like how I previously did.

Life hasn’t been hectic for the past two years. I started my very first permanent job at Layang Layang Guest House in Malacca Melaka since January 2015 and left as 2016 ended. I spent most of my time working and sleeping in the guesthouse (don’t get me wrong; I lived in the guesthouse itself during my employment), and had little gatherings with friends occasionally. Two years of being away from the beloved ones is more than enough. Now, I am back at home with my family and Don the boyfriend, working 9 to 6 from Monday to Friday like any other office ladies.

Anyway, instead of picking up where I left off, this post will just be an update about what I have done since I returned home from Melaka. It’s basically a warm-up!

I have:

Taxi at Koh Lipe, Thailand

Common area of Wave Rest House and Café, Selangor

Travelled together with my ex-Manager, Stephanie, to Koh Lipe in Thailand (it was wonderful albeit the frightening boat journey back to Langkawi Island), Langkawi Island (mainly as a stopover), Penang Island, and Wave Rest House and Café at the countryside in Selangor to end the trip.

Scouts of China (Taiwanese) and Scouts of Malaysia at Baden-Powell House, Kuala Lumpur

Committee members and helpers at Tsung Wah Private Secondary School, Kuala Kangsar, Perak

4D3N Survival Camp at Templer Park, Rawang, Selangor

Cycling with the young scouts at Shah Alam National Botanical Park, Shah Alam, Selangor

108 Years of Scouting in Kuala Lumpur Camporee 2017, Victoria Institution, Kuala Lumpur

Been and am still actively participating in several scout activities with Don and our close friends, Darren and Mandy. I can’t deny the fact that I always love and enjoy outdoor activities. Thanks to my fellow mates, I got to get in touch with a lot of new friends from various places, including a group of wonderful Taiwanese (the Scouts of China).

Blood donation at Pusat Darah Negara Donation Suite, Mid Valley Megamall, Kuala Lumpur

Blood donation at SJKC Choong Wen, Kuala Lumpur
In support of our Seputeh District Scout Blood Donation Campaign 2017

Done something meaningful; donated my blood twice to date and ticked off my wish list! I am always afraid of being poked by needles. Despite having donated twice, the fear does not fade. Not in the least bit. Honestly, my second blood donation was one hell of a painful experience, that I ended up making friends with the gigantic bruise I had on my arm for WEEKS. It’s the will to help those in need that keeps me going. It means I am a healthy person and able to be part of the community to GIVE. And I know I will keep doing it.

Me and Don at Shifen Old Street, Pingxi District, New Taipei City, Taiwan

Our accommodation from Airbnb at Xinzhuang District, New Taipei City, Taiwan

The shopping district of Ximending, Taipei, Taiwan

Travelled to Taipei, Taiwan together with Don, Darren and Mandy in March 2017. I LOVE TAIWAN! Needless to say, almost nothing disappointed me. The people, the culture, the local delicacies, the attractions, etc. are perfect. We were warmly welcomed by our group of Taiwanese friends from the beginning of our trip until we departed from Taiwan, just as they were here in Malaysia to visit us. Spending more than a week in Taipei alone may sound ridiculous but trust me, it isn’t when you travel with the locals. I have not seen the whole of Taipei still, not kidding! I am pretty sure I will return to the beautiful country soon.

Famous Sarawak Laksa at Golden Arch Cafe, Kuching, Sarawak

Sea view at Sematan, Lundu, Sarawak

Visited my dad in Kuching, Sarawak together with my mum and spent days doing nothing at my dad’s house simply because we have no transport to travel around while my dad was away for work. This short getaway was for me to take a break from work, in a small town, and spend some time with the beloved parents. Flying back to Kuala Lumpur from Kuching all alone was a killer though.

Most importantly, I have:

New office with new working environment at Menara Summit, USJ, Selangor

Started my new job at Circlic Interactive Tourism Sdn Bhd since March 2017! It is a start-up company to operate a virtual shop on Fliggy, formerly known as Alitrip, Alibaba’s online travel platform.

Global Day of Discovery by Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hotel, Kuala Lumpur

And was lucky enough to have won my very first lucky draw in my life; a 3D2N stay at Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon, in a Deluxe River View inclusive of breakfast for two! I can’t decide who brought me such luck, which I am truly and extremely thankful of. This means that Don and I will be travelling to Vietnam soon. Can’t wait for our honeymoon to come!

I guess that’s all for my update a.k.a warm-up. I am really hoping that I can be actively blogging from now on. Just hope that I can keep my passion burning. Stay tuned!

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Laos Coffee at Rocky Café, Malacca

People should definitely stop addressing me as “Jia” when I always state clearly that I am “Jia Min”. “Jia Min” is my name. That’s my given name. “Jiamin” is fine too if this is what you prefer. How many times do I need to repeat the same thing over and over again? It’s extremely disrespectful, I swear, especially when I have corrected you properly. I’ll repeat again; stop addressing me as “Jia” or “Jay”, because my name is Jia Min. Stop being ignorant and show some manners!

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UPDATE: Rocky Café can no longer be seen by the seaside.

If you happen to drop by Malacca and are looking for a good place to chill with a cup of coffee, Rocky Café is where you might not want to miss. Practically, it is a mobile coffee shop that travels in a uniquely designed black beetle car, and it claims to specialize in Laos coffee. It does not have any fixed business hours and locations, but it can be easily spotted by the seaside near Taman Kota Laksamana during night times. Here is my first and the only experience to date, on my birthday, together with Don, Darren, and Mandy. It was a surprise visit from them!

Along the dimly lit road was a little unusual-looking car with bright light on by the seaside and surrounded by people. With its exaggerated exterior, one’s attention will be easily caught. We stumbled upon this “coffee shop” while I was squeezing my brain juice to decide on a good place to kill time, so we pulled our car off the road for something rather extraordinary.

Rocky Café is so small in size, but completed with coffee making equipment, very limited number of ridiculously small stools (yet another advantage of being a shorty like me), and a mini table filled with plenty of cup noodles for the hungry people. Pick your coffee and grab a stool for yourself as you wait for your coffee to be served, and indulge in the sound of ocean waves crashing into the rocky shore. It was so soothing and enjoyable, albeit lacking some natural sea breeze.

It could have been better, though, if the group of people fishing nearby could be more considerate and turn down their music. I mean, who in their right mind would hold a loud party while fishing?

Don and I shared a cup of Kopi Bing Laos, which was Iced Laos Coffee in Malay, at RM 4.00. Frankly, I would prefer my cup of coffee to be much, much, much stronger than what I had. Like what Stephanie said, I should have gone for one without ice instead for its original taste, because the ice might have diluted the coffee. Maybe next time!

This little “coffee shop” may not serve the best coffee in town; it certainly has one of the best dining environments that no other cafés can offer but nature. Care less about the uproars caused by the speeding cars. After all, it is a place that provides its customers with some of the most interesting coffee experiences that you can hardly get elsewhere. Here, I am referring to when it is by the seaside near Taman Kota Laksamana.

Good luck locating this mobile Rocky Café!

Rocky Café
No fixed location, often spotted by the seaside near Taman Kota Laksamana.
Facebook: Rocky Cafe
Business Hours: No fixed business hours

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Some of My Daily Breakfasts Around Jonker Street in Malacca

One morning, when I was paying full attention on preparing for my breakfast at the common area of Layang Layang Guest House, I suddenly felt as though I was being watched over from somewhere near my seat. I raised my head to find one of my Chinese guests looking at me from afar, with his hands in his pockets, and his face filled with curiosity. Puzzled, I asked if he needed any help, only to be told that he found my breakfast quite strange. So I thought to myself, perhaps it’s about time that I talk about how I survive as a temporary resident of this tourist attraction (I stay in the guesthouse itself, for your information), where dining out around this area could easily cost a bomb, or at least that is what people think.

I certainly don’t starve myself, because it is never a necessity when I have the ability to feed myself well, and I don’t want to risk suffering from gastric pain. I don’t cook, because there are no cooking facilities in the guesthouse, but only a refrigerator and a kettle. Each night before bedtime, I have to decide on a place to settle my breakfast the next morning; make my own breakfast or dine out, cereals with milk or toasts with tuna, et cetera. Here are merely some of what I had throughout the past three months. This particular blog post is not intended, so it will be very brief, just sharing. More detailed information will be provided next time!

Noodles.

There are plenty of places for different kinds of noodles just less than five-minute walk away from the guesthouse. Some are ancestral but not popularly known, some are there for the locals, and some are unreasonably famous among the tourists. One of my favourite has always been 大姑云吞面 (dà gū yún tūn miàn) located along the Heeren Street, also known as Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock today.

Western breakfast.

I don’t usually go for western breakfast, unless if I have the urge for something really filling or when I think it’s time to spend a little bit more in a classy café. To date, I have only chosen Ola Lavanderia Café and Kaya-kaya Café for a good western breakfast, for they are the nearest among the many cafés in town with people that I am more familiar with, as well as their operation hours that best fit my working hours. Open as early as 9.00am, and I might be one of your first customers of the day, provided that you serve quality food too.

Home-made breakfast.

Once in a while, I do grocery shopping together with Stephanie to stock up cereals, milk or yogurt drink, toasts, cherry tomatoes, vegetables, canned tuna, et cetera. Sometimes, we also buy some raw ingredients like chicken breasts to be cooked and served as lunch or dinner in the guesthouse. Cooking is done at Kaya-kaya Café, of course.

Here, I want to give a big shout-out to Farm Fresh Original Natural Yogurt Drink! I love it with a bowl of cereals like Corn Flakes or Honey Stars. Perfect combination! Either that or some toasts with canned tuna topped with cherry tomatoes, which is what my Chinese guest found strange. It could be the different cultures that we have; the difference between Chinese from China and Malaysian Chinese. I truly wish that I could share a piece of toast with canned tuna with him then, but it was just enough for myself, so I had to brush it off.

Traditional breakfast.

This is simply the best among any types of breakfasts I have ever tried in my life. Lung Ann Refreshments is my top choice, to the extent that I don’t mind eating the same food, including a set of toasts with kaya and butter (frozen and cut into thin pieces), half-boiled eggs and a cup of local coffee or tea, seven mornings a week. Lui Chiu Coffee Restaurant is also my top priority, but it is approximately 15-minute drive away from the guesthouse.

These are basically my selections for breakfast every morning that I managed to take a photo of them before I gulped them down. I have personally tried some of the food that are highly recommended by everyone on the internet, but many of them don’t give me a reason to waste my precious time on long queues for another time. In my opinion, it is sometimes better to live like a local, because that is how you truly experience the local lifestyle. Following the crowds will only lead you to what everyone has told you online.

Stay tuned for more interesting stories about my life as a foreign local in Malacca!

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Layang Layang Guest House, A Home Away from Home

Um, hello?

Here are some slight updates about my life recently. I had visited Paris and Toulouse in France in May as part of our syllabus before I completed my final semester, followed by an awesome summer school program in Incheon, Korea that lasted for approximately three weeks in July and August and a short trip in Seoul before I came back to Malaysia. It's not the end of my adventure just yet.

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I had recently completed my final industrial training at Layang Layang Guest House, Malacca. I'm majoring in international tourism management, and had previously completed three of my industrial trainings at three different travel agencies. This time, I decided to be slightly adventurous and go for something different. It did not take me long to select a place that is far away from home, my beloved family, and him. It's an excuse for me to sort of travel on my own, I guess, albeit being just two hours away from all of them.

Anyway, let me give you a complete tour around this beautifully decorated guesthouse in a pre-war building, with the greatest people on earth.

P/S: Some of the photos are credited to Layang Layang Guest House.

Views from the outside and along Jalan Tukang Besi, the street right in front of Layang Layang Guest House.

Before I forget, bicycles are available for rent (for guests only) at only RM 5.00 per bicycle per day, from 9.00am to 9.00pm. This is one of the best rates you could find within the area!

The lobby area and the reception counter. During my final industrial training, I spent most of my working hours here waiting for people to check in and check out, chitchatting, eating, and taking my nap. When the temperature reaches as high as 37°C (I'm not even kidding, Malacca can be THIS hot), this is definitely one of the best places to go, with soothing background music and strong ceiling fans as the additional advantages.

For your information, due to certain circumstances, WiFi is only accessible here at the lobby area.

Walk further into the corridor, you will then be greeted by another door added for security purposes, with more wall paintings on both sides. It is opened during the day and closed after 6.00pm. You will be given an access card upon check-in to go in and out of this part of the guesthouse.

Many people find this very troublesome, for having to bring along their room keys whenever they leave their rooms. Who to blame, though, if something valuable goes missing someday?

Here comes the main part of the entire post. My awesome little heaven throughout the 3.5 months!

I felt extremely lucky to be given one of the guestrooms, Standard Room without Window, to be my "hostel". It's windowless (obviously), comes with a queen bed, a coffee table, and an air-conditioner. It's very small and has limited space for walking with my huge luggage occupying most of the space, but it's indeed more than perfect for two people. You don't really spend time walking in your room during a vacation after all, right?

On a side note, I really loved how they indicate each of the room numbers using a mini kite that matches the name of the guesthouse, Layang Layang Guest House.

Other room types include Standard Room with Window, Deluxe Room, Triple Room, Smaller Family Room, and Family Room. These rooms are all air-conditioned, come with at least one window each, and a coffee table. Some of them that are bigger in size have two chairs and a ceiling fan as well.

If you are unsure of which room type to choose, give them a phone call or send them an email and the staff will provide you with the best suggestion to fit you and your people comfortably. :)

When you are in need of a comfortable and relaxing view or when you feel the need to sit down and do nothing, there is a courtyard in the centre of the guesthouse with water feature. You can even take your breakfast or lunch or have a cup of tea by the fish pond, provided that you do not feed the fishes without asking for permission from the staff.

The well is real! If the building has been at least a hundred years, the well should age the same too. According to Boss Hong, the depth of the well is at least 8 feet if he didn't remember wrongly. :O

At the back of the guesthouse is a shared pantry where you can get alkaline water, coffee, tea, and biscuits for free. FREE! Water boiler, cutleries, cups, bowls, plates, and even wine glasses are well-prepared for you who pack outside food to be eaten in the guesthouse. You can also store your food and drinks in the refrigerator to keep them fresh and cool.

Mind you, all 8 bathrooms are shared! They are well-equipped with quality toilet amenities, including hair and body shampoo for your conveniences. If you are a clean freak like me, I would say that there is nothing much to worry about the cleanliness of the bathrooms. They are regularly cleaned and maintained by the staff.

It's the quality of the guest(s) that would often affect the cleanliness of the bathrooms, according to my personal experience as a staff of the guesthouse. You don't expect the staff to check and clean the bathrooms even during midnight, right? Get it?

Last but not least, isn't washing your face with some of the best views accompanied by morning breeze the best way to start off your day? :D

All in all, Layang Layang Guest House is literally a house, where everyone has their own rooms while the facilities such as pantry, lobby area, and bathrooms are shared. The only difference is that you will meet people from all over the world who may speak different languages and have different cultures. Come and give it a try, and you will be surprised! :D

I have to say that I loved my wonderful life here, for having met plenty of great people worth appreciating; my bosses, Hong and Daphne; my manager, Stephanie; my foreign colleagues, Rohman, Roj, and Robbin; one of the chefs of Good Friends Restaurant and Café and owner of Kaya-kaya Café, KC Choong (for introducing good food to me); manager of Kaya-kaya Café, Ms. Pak (a mum of everyone); head chef of Kaya-kaya Café, Ong Yong Zong; the boys of Kaya-kaya Café; and many other friendly locals and our lovely guests.

See you again real soon, Layang Layang Guest House! ♥

Layang Layang Guest House
24 - 26, Jalan Tukang Besi,
75200 Melaka.
Tel: +606 292 2722
Email: booking@layanglayangmelaka.com
Website: Layang Layang Guest House
Facebook: Layang Layang Guest House
Business Hours (Monday to Thursday): 10.00am to 7.00pm
Business Hours (Friday to Sunday): 10.00am to 9.00pm
Check-in Time: 2.00pm to 9.00pm only
Check-out Time: Before 12.00pm

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