Chocolate Cats: holidays

I'm currently tanned after my sunny trip to Golden Palm Tree Resort. After spending so much time under the sun it's impossible for me not to tan and you know what, I'm loving it! I love having a healthy glow and getting some colour on my legs is always great. Call me strange but I'm not one to run at the sight of sun light. When asked Team Edward or Team Jacob, well that's an easy one, I'm for the werewolves! A shirtless Jacob strutting around under the sun is so hot!! How did I get into this? *sniggers*

Lucky me I don't get sun burn which I've been told is quite an uncomfortable experience. I made sure I put on tons of sunblock before the outdoor activities to protect my skin from those killer harmful rays. Regardless of sunblock though I still tan easily but as long as it protects my skin, I'm good to go. My choice of sunblocks are:

1. Kiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defense - I noticed my face didn't tan all too much than it normally would with long periods of sun exposure. Plus it's light! Review here.

2. Clinique Sun SPF 50 Body Cream - Slightly thick but non-greasy. Did a great job.

At the risk of sounding vain I had some makeup on despite being on a 'break'. Hey I wasn't about to look dull and colourless just because I'm suppose to be on a beach trip. What I was amazed with was that the products I had on didn't melt away. It stayed on my face despite the heat, sweat and oiliness. I just thought I'd share with you guys the products I had on and brought along that worked for me under almost extreme conditions.

1. Lancome Maqui Miracle Liquid Foundation - This did not budge from my skin! It's amazing! Review here.

2. NARS Blush in Gilda- It stayed vibrant for hours!

3. Lancome Hypnose Doll Eyes Mascara - This mascara isn't waterproof but despite the sweating and oiliness it did not smudge or run. Made my eyes look fab throughout! Review here.

4. Laura Mercier Lipstick in Healthy Lips - For a hint of colour for photos. It looks great stained!

5. Carmex Cherry Lip Balm - One of my faves, it goes with me everywhere.

There you go, products I relied on for a hot sunny trip and they never failed me despite being outdoors for hours!!

Read about My Getaway at Golden Palm Tree Resort Part 1 and Part 2. Also my outfit shoot at GPT.

Tomorrow's post: Will it be Desserts or Shoes? I can't decide. You'll just have to check back tomorrow then. :)

My morning started with a view of the sunrise. I was waiting for a beautiful one but it couldn't beat the sunset though. I recall napping at the balcony while waiting. It was just so peaceful. My semi-healthy breakfast was at BilaBila Restaurant by the poolside. Yes the one overlooking the sea. Nice hey? The cool morning sea breeze really gets the appetite going. It's crazy.

I also did an outfit shoot for this mint green and pink combo minus the flip flop. It's coming soon after this post. :)

Image courtesy of Golden Palm Tree Iconic Resort and Spa

The plan for that morning was a Mangrove Tour. The last time I cruised the mangroves was ages ago, when I was in school. I remembered it being loads of fun and you get to learn loads about nature. This trip brought back wonderful memories and was just as educational. Greated by an adorable little monkey at the pier I couldn't help but get distracted but more on that a bit later. Mangroves first. In the sky that morning just as we started the boat ride, were a pair of eagles with wing spans so vast they really do look majestic. Talk about luck, the eagles said hi. I had a very knowledgeable tour guide who explained about the mangroves and its habitats. During the boat ride I got to see big healthy monitor lizards I think they were stuffed from breakies, mudskippers, various colourful tiny crabs and a small tribe of monkeys who were on their morning walk in search of food.

The highlight of the boat ride was getting to see Golden Palm Tree's Royal Suites which can be seen from the Malacca Straits. It was so windy! According to the tour guide the boat can actually get to the suites at high tide. Imagine if you're a vip or celeb staying at the royal suites and want privacy you can just get there by a private boat. Fancy! The highlight of the Mangrove Tour was the Lokan Hunt. Lokan is a shellfish that can be found in the muddy base of the mangroves. I told myself I would join in but after looking at how deep it got, I decided to just watch and cheer on the rest of the group. The guys, who were taller than me, were knee deep in mud. I figured if I went in I would be thigh deep in mud, see why I gave it a miss and stayed on the boat. Or that could just be an excuse not to get all dirty with mud despite being told it can make your skin feel really soft. *winks* The hunt wasn't very fruitful but they managed to find a few.

The highlight of that trip for me, or shall I say the icing on the cake, was getting back to the pier seeing Comel the monkey and the cat having a play date. I can't help it, I'm an animal person. Well it was more like Comel being happy to have people around and the cat ingnoring him and letting him do as he pleased. Maybe that's how the cat became whiskerless. Whiskerless! Comel the monkey plucked out all trace of whiskers from the cat. I'm serious, a whiskerless cat and a mischievous Comel! He also tried to run off with my bracelets and earrings. The both of them were beyond adorable. I did ask how come they kept Comel on a leash and why can't he be released into the wild. They have had him so long that if he were to be released, he might get killed by other monkeys. They are tribal lot after all. Hope the two will be alright and the cat won't be losing anymore of himself.

My trip was fast coming to an end. After a quick shower I headed for a dim sum lunch. Sorry guys, no photos for this one, was starving so food disappeared in a flash. A few more quick photos, it was time to head home. I didn't manage to try the spa as it was fully booked over the weekend. Perhaps I'll plan another trip for that. *smiles*

Although it was a short getaway, I really enjoyed myself. I tried things I've never done before, manage to catch a gorgeous sunset, got to meet some super nice people, an adorable monkey and a whiskerless cat. I love the fact that it's like a one stop vacation resort where you can do anything and have so many acitivities planned out and you are bound to have a great time with friends and family. I feel to fully experience what Golden Palm Tree Iconic Resort and Spa has to offer, you have to want to try new things, go wild under the sun, not afraid to sport a healthy tan if not it will just be boring, be able to be one with nature because there are just loads of things to do there. Plus if you live in KL it only takes you about 2 hours to get your friends and family to a perfect vacation or just a short break away from the traffic jams, malls and cinemas. It's brilliant!

Thanks loads to the awesome team at Golden Palm Tree Resort for having me over.

I had a blast!! :)

Click here for Part 1.

To find out more about Golden Palm Tree Iconic Resort and Spa visit http://www.goldenpalmtree.com/.

Golden Palm Tree Resort & Spa Sdn Bhd | facebook

No. 67, Jalan Pantai Bagan Lalang,

Kg Bagan Lalang,

43950 Sungai Pelek,

Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.

Telephone: +603 3182 3600

Fax: +603 3182 3700

*Note: Photographs in this write up are taken by MRZ Photography for the exclusive use of Chocolate Cats.

Now that my short trip has got you all excited to go on a break, I feel like going on another one myself, I'll fill you in what IVC and RCI are about. The Iconic Vacation Club (IVC) membership allows its members annual holidays at the Golden Palm Tree villas or you can choose a holiday through RCI, a vast network of timeshare holidays which includes more than 4,000 exotic destinations all over the world in almost 100 countries.

The membership entitles you to vacations over 20 years which can be reaped within five years. During the first two years of having enrolled as an IVC member, you can opt for the totally irresistable All Inclusive Package - For seven nights a year over two years, you can enjoy super luxury accomodations and an almost never ending host of activities tailored for you.

IVC offers interesting and flexibility in its membership packages of 20 years for Gold Membership and 25 years for Platinum Membership where you can join more than 3.8 million RCI subscribing members and their families with flexible vacation options, enabling you to enjoy and explore new places. RCI has been around since 1974 and has sought to affliate resorts that adhere to high standards of product quality and service delivery.

All membership packages are transferable and is payable via easy payment schemes. If any of you guys are interested in this kindly contact their hotline +603-3182 3636 or visit www.iconicvacationclub.com or www.facebook.com/IconicVactionClub.

Just when I needed a break this came along. I received a wonderful surprise in my inbox, an invitation to experience what Golden Palm Tree Iconic Resort and Spa has to offer. I heard about Golden Palm Tree when it first opened two years ago, the resort with villas sitting on a palm tree shaped base on the sea. Reminiscent of The Palm Jumeirah in Dubai but this one with a simple and clean design. I have always wanted to go for a visit but never got around to it until last weekend. I was looking forward to it ever since I hit the send button accepting the invitation and I was well excited!

A little bit about Golden Palm Tree Iconic Resort and Spa first. Situated on the longest coastal paradise in Asia, 22 km of sandy beach and 17 km of riverine mangrove sanctuary, it offers so much for those looking for an escape for the city. It has 392 villas available in five disctinctive types. Depending on which villas you go for, it has high and exposed alang alang-alang roofing, tall wooden panelled glass doors which opens to a private deck. It has various dining choices serving local and international favourites. When it comes to activities, there's just too many things to do! Endless outdoor activities like watersports, beach sports, mangrove tour, the spa, things you can enjoy with friends and family. It's a a place that can thrill your senses as well as give you blissful relaxation. It is also a part of the Iconic Vacation Club (IVC) and RCI, more about this later.

Image courtesy of Golden Palm Tree Iconic Resort and Spa

The trip to Golden Palm Tree is about a 2 hour drive from KL, depending on how fast you drive but keep in mind drive safe. I was super excited by the time I reached the entrance. Greeted by staff dressed in either traditional or beachy outfits standing by the entrance, I couldn't wait to get the trip started. The reception was spacious and despite the heat, I could feel the wonderful sea breeze passing through. I was quickly served the signature thirst quenching lemon grass welcome drink which my photographer rather enjoyed. What I kept wondering was, where is this palm that I'm here to see? After the check in I was whisked away by buggy to my room and there it was. I was travelling on the trunk of the palm on a buggy with rooms on either side and the sea view peaking through the space in between. So cool! I timed it, it takes about 1 minute to get from the lobby to the centre of the palm, which is 1.2km.

My room was on the first stem, it was the Travellers Villa which is so cosy. It's well designed and cleverly thought off with quality furniture and finishings. It has a balcony where you can lounge around which over looks the sea. Nice!! Actually the shower was also overlooking the sea but that would mean you would be showering with an audience. I think I'll leave the blinds down.

Then the afternoon began.. a guided bicycle ride around the area with a small group. I haven't been on a bicycle in ages and I was keeping my fingers crossed I didn't fall off or head straight into a bush. That would be embarassing. *eekkk* The group stopped at a spot to admire a side view of the resort.

After an hour long ride, it was time for water sports. The thing was the weather was crazy hot and after the bike ride everyone in the group was feeling a tad drained. So instead I found a hammock and lazed around enjoying the sea breeze while watching some other people try their hand at windsurfing and kayaking. That was so relaxing!! Dreaming of that hammock right now. *sigh* Wished the weather was more forgiving though, would have loved to go kayaking or windsurfing.

But the Extreme Park pretty much made up for it. It's run by the same people as the Sunway Extreme Park but on a smaller scale. It had go karting, ATV ride, archery and paintball, none of which I have ever tried. Where have I been right? No better time to give everthing a try. I started with the ATV ride, which was so cool! The circuit is really very short and not really that challenging, more of a beginners course. Though I was hoping it would have been longer because I was having fun once I got the hang of it. *weee~* Archery is another one of those I have been wanting to try. Kevin Costner in Robin Hood comes to mind. Gosh I'm old. *shakes head*I got one bulleyes!! Considering it was my first time I was pleased with myself. Paintball for me however was a bit all over the place but exciting nonetheless. Last on the list, go-kart. Sorry go kart but I think the ATV stole my heart. Don't worry if you are walking around in your flip flops, they have shoes you can change into for the ATV and go karting.

Now there was one thing that I really wanted to do at Golden Palm Tree. If you are thinking try out the spa, well that's the second thing. It was to watch the sunset. Cheesy as it sounds, I live right smack in the middle of KL, no view of the sun setting there. Only dull concrete around. Rushing back to Golden Palm Tree, I managed to get there just in time for a spectacular view from the deck. I wish I could do that more often. Perhaps I should consider moving. *wonders*

Well as the sun went down I had to rush off and get ready for dinner. Dinner was at the Hai Shang Lou chinese restaurant. Joining the group for dinner was William Chen the Assistant Vice President of Golden Palm Tree. It was a great oppurtunity to have a mini interview with him on the resort and its concept. Feted with delicious dishes and fresh seafood I ended the wonderful meal with mango puree with black sesame ice cream. *yummsss*

Hai Shang Lou Restaurant in the day

(Image courtesy of Golden Palm Tree Iconic Resort and Spa)

I was taken for a visit to the Escapade Spa after. The view from the spa's balcony that evening was beautiful as it overlooked the resort. If you see from the photos, underneath each villa unit there are lights illuminating the bottom part. With countless stars in the clear sky coupled with the lights from the resort it looked amazing. That was the beginning of the free and easy evening. After that I continued exploring the resort and I ended the evening with mocktails, the GPT Virgin Sunset and Clear. :) Wait, have I mentioned the swimming pool overlooks the sea? That's another awesome sight especially at night.