Xmas eve at Colmar Tropicale, Bukit Tinggi

I had booked a room for Christmas eve since months ago, luckily there is no surcharge apply for reservation during festive sesson. We enjoyed our stay here with a suite room facing street view during our last visit. My mate requested for a deluxe room this time, facing the green lush. His command was successfully executed by me (deluxe room is even cheaper ~) Hotel called to inform that we are invited to the Xmas gala dinner with RM208nett per pax. As due to this dinner, only 1 restaurant will be available until 9pm. I'm not fancy about gala dinner, so does my mate. Hence, we made ourselves a quick shopping on instant noodles and drinks to bring up to the hill. 

We started our journey slightly later this time, 9:30am I supposed. Traffic was kinda smooth at the beginning, yet turned a little hazard while we exiting Karak's toll. Genting must be having a very busy day. We continued our journey without massive traffic till we reached Bukit Tinggi. Parking was almost full! We drove to the highest level at car park and got ourselves a slot. Colmar Tropicale is having a busy day too ... ... 

the new chateau

We carried our belongings and waited in queue in front of parking's lift. This is crazy! At the meantime, we do enjoyed the cold air here. Year end is a good choice to come since the weather is quite cold. It was drizzled and stopped and drizzled again. 

 a shoot while waiting for lift

We walked to the lobby and without any surprise, 12pm is a peak time for reception's counter. We were in queue again for check-in. Room is yet to be ready, we can only get our room latest by 3pm. Oh well, fine then, my mate walked back to put down our foods and came back with an umbrella. We shall just proceed for our lunch and wait for the room confirmation call. 

Xmas deco at counter

We planned to dine in at Ryo Zan Tei near the botanical garden. Again, we were in queue awaiting for the shutter bus sending us there. Front desk actually dropped me a call while we were up there informing our room is ready. OK, at least we have a room once we came down from Japanese Garden then. 

Ryo Zan Tei

Shutter bus just dropped us at the bottom. We need to walk a 45 degree steep to reach the entrance for Japanese garden and Botanical garden. We did not enter neither Japanese or Botanical garden due to it was still drizzling. We walked to Ryo Zan Tei, decided to have an outdoor seating for the cold breeze. 

We have a breathtaking view from our seat, seeing the greenish forest covering by mist. We enjoyed the scenery while waiting for our food to serve. My mate ordered for a mackerel set while I ordered for a beef soba.

The mackerel set came with a bowl of rice and miso soup. It tasted fishy at first bite. I was like yeerrr ~ at first and asked for more after that. The meat was chewy and skin was roasted crispy. My mate loves the fat and soft white rice.

Beef soba! This noodle actually came with option of either udon or soba. I have choosen soba for its firm texture. A bowl of hot soup is what I needs during this cold weather. Soup taste awesome, my mate finished till its last drip. 

With a satisfied tummy, we walked to the souvenir shop to buy an ice cream. Cold weather is a nice time to have ice cream, hot weather too.

flower shoot in front of souvenir shop

Room 7002

We came back with a full tummy, where I proceed to join the queue in front of reception's counter and my mate went to the car to grab our stuffs. With shorter waiting time, the reception handed me with room key and breakfast voucher. Finally, we can have a short escape from the crowd.

The room is GREAT! We opened the window letting the cold breeze ventilate the room. Both air-cond and fan are fitted in room. To be honest, we just turned the fan to minimum speed only.

We both have a good evening nap, good night sleep and a good morning nap throughout our stay. Love the room to max. The bed is fantastic too.

La Flamme

After a short nap in the cooling room, we decided to go for a tea break at the only pastry shop in Colmar Tropicale. Although we were aware only La Flamme will be available for dinner, but ... at 5pm, it is really the only left over. No choice, we walked in to the only available restaurant.

Since we are going to have our own instant noodle as dinner, we had then placed an order for a hot chocolate. The hot chocolate here, is non-sweet! Kinda plain and a little bitter in taste.

I was attracted by the special pizza only available during certain time frame (for Xmas and New Year). So ... we having pizza on our desk as ... .... pre-dinner meal? You know, instant noodle not very filling right? Can move it as supper instead ... ...

just a small pizza only ma ~

We were back to room continue lying on bed watching advertisement. I can't recall what was the last time I update myself on recent advert on tv. Our house of course equip with tv, just without channels (lol~) I was knocked off before 10pm while my mate was still switching around channels.

- the end -