Cameronian Raya - Request for Update

Dear Family,

About our proposed Cameronian Raya...

Bala's Chalet is situated in a gorgeous location, but the reviews on Bala's Chalet is quite horrifying. However, I've not been there, our Aunties have and seem to be in love with it.

From the reviews, I understand that the staff are absolute snobs. What worries me is that they would not put up with our Dinnie antics - Aunties hauling periuk nasik, packets and packets of Gardenia bread, the odd durian (God forbid)...well you get the picture. Am I wrong?

Another concern, how much will it ultimately cost?

Would like to know who the assigned person is for this project - Ze One who will negotiate good rates for us if all decide to stay there. I for one need to see if I can afford it.

I see that they may choose to levy surcharges when it suits them. I assume Raya would suit them very well. So how much would that be? Need to bargain na? If Pak Sumen remains in charge, someone needs to communicate the progress to us lot.

I know that silence on the blog is not reflective of whats going on the ground. You lot in KL probably have a better gauge of everyone's keeness on this proposed expedition. So how keen is everyone?

I found Bala's Rates posted on the resort's site. I've decided to post it here so that all can view and evaluate accordingly. One last question, do we have alternative accomodations?

I really do believe that renting a bungalow that can accomodate us all is ideal. But then again, I am far away here and out of touch. Anyways, here are the room rates:-

Room Types
Number
of Pax
Rates (RM NETT)
Per Room Per Night

Superior 2 pax RM 120
Deluxe 2 pax RM 180
Raffles Room 2 pax RM 220
Raffles Suite 2 pax RM 250
Family Triple 3 pax RM 180
Family Quad 4 pax RM 220
Family Suite 4 pax RM 280
Family Suite 5 pax RM330
Executive Suite 4 pax RM 350
Executive Suite 6 pax RM 380

Rates shows above are "weekday" rates.

Room Rates are quoted in Ringgit Malaysia (RM)

As we have rooms to cater for the different categories, the hotel has a strict policy on number of pax occupying rooms. Kindly make bookings accordingly.

Check-in time : 12 noon Check-out time : 11 am

Extra bed or Extra person surcharge - RM35.00

The Management reserves the right to impose a surcharge on weekends, eve of public holidays, public holidays and school holidays.

Prior room reservations is required with deposit for peak periods.

Only MasterCard and Visa credit cards are accepted.

A 72 hour notice is required for all cancellations. Deposits are transferable to another date subject to availability.

Let's go to Cyprus!

Hi everybody

I know I've been bad for not keeping you guys updated on our latest going-ons. I've been busy at work and also being packing and unpacking for our holiday. Tomorrow we're off to Cyprus for 14 nights - can't wait! I can almost taste the sea air and the endless sun - a short supply over here for the last couple of months, not with all that rain, wind, hailstones and sometimes sleety weather. I'm just glad to be away for that long length of time. We've been pondering whether we would come down for a visit but fiscal economy stated that we would not have been able to enjoy our holiday to the fullest as we need more than 2 weeks to make it all the more worthwhile.

Anyway, I'll be updating my little blog "The Lyttle Times" if I could find an Internet cafe but then again I ask myself "Why do I want to bother going to the Internet cafe when there are millions of things to see and do..." scenario and perhaps I'll do them whenever we get the camera and take millions of shots and then come home and update the blog and yourself.

So without further ado... I bid all "Happy Fathers' Day", "Congratulations to those who have given birth" and "Have a fantastic summer" - the good news is that you may never know that I may return home with "a bun in the oven" :)

Love,

Julia, Stephen & Jasmine

Emeri's and Noreen's, Nadeen. (The Newest Mini Dinnie)

My dearling (that's a combo of dearest & darling he he he) family,

I'm happy to say that tonight I will be updating my 'Mini Dinnie's' album on Facebook to add another picture to it. It's a picture of little Nadeen, Emeri's and Noreen's beautiful baby girl. If I am not mistaken Nadeen was born three days ago. Now she is lying in the arms of her excited parents.

I managed to chat with Noreen on Skype and had a view of her lying down next to Nadeen. The minute Nadeen saw Noreen lying next to her, she actually shifted her body to turn towards her mother. That was so beautiful to see, and certainly a promise of even more beautiful moments, inshaAllah.

Emeri, Noreen, congratulations on the birth of your daughter, Nadeen. Danial and Ijas, as much as you may feel yourselves lucky to be blessed with a little sister, remember that she is just as lucky to have two big brothers to love, care and protect her. Most of all, may you all find great joy and happiness with each other.

The above is a picture of Nadeen that Aisha has so kindly took and decided to share with us on the blog.

Can't wait to see her!

With much love,
Nina

Balas Chalet (Hari Raya 2009 option 2)

Hi there Hanna & Family,

The Bala's Chalet, Cameron Highlands seems like an interesting alternative. Have to concur with Ahmad on this. Not only is it logistically less challenging, it would probably garner higher participation?

Read interesting reviews on Bala's Chalet on tripadvisor (check it out). Sounds like an eccentric place, that might run hot and cold at the rather bohemian antics of us Dinnies.

What do the rest of you think?

Anyways, to tantalise y'all thought I'd post a link to Bala's Chalet so you can have a look see at pictures of the place and its rates. Can negotiate for better rates surely?

Click this link or the picture to check Balas Chalet out.

Love,

Nina

p.s. Rizal, did you know that Muna's family hotel is listed on tripadvisor, but no reviews yet! Soon to come I'm sure. :)

Hari Raya 2009

• Pak Su Men is planning a trip to Lombok (2nd day of raya)
• Criteria- flight only- no boats etc. because we have young kids
• We are probably getting 2 villas for the family, with a cook and cleaner each.
• There must be beach- with possible diving for the divers. Lombok is known for diving as well.
• Idea is just to chill and be with family- we need to lick our wounds and no one wants to really be in KL.
• Commitment fee- is so that Pak Su Men doesn't waste his time (his phone calls and time spent).
• Someone should pester Pak Su Men for details. Cause knowing the family- nanti two hours before pun tak tahu where we are staying.

Pictures - pictures

Calling all photogs in the fam.. *ehem* Arip.. Hussein..

Please share pics of what gatherings we had on the blog ok!!! I'll list them down here if there's anything i missed out.. do add on:-

1- Layang2 Trip
2- Janda Baik Picnic
3- Mothers Day do
4- BBQ at Sg Buloh?

Cheers me dears!

Lombok Raya Trip 2009

Hey there Dinnie Clan,

Just got a posting from Yakmin infoming us all that the clan is planning a trip to Lombok to celebrate Raya together.

Known details thus far:
RM 50 is the commitment fee (how much more? To come.)
Paksumen is the main organizer.
10 couples have already booked (Who huh?)

Keep your eyes out for this thread to know more.

Love,
Nina Bobo

p.s.
Try to reply on the blog na kha. Thanks!

Spring Cleaning on 'Who Let The Dins Out?!"

Hi Tia,

I love your idea of a general blog clean up.

I have a suggestion which is a little bit time consuming and unfortunately requires some effort from each Dinnie. Always a very dangerous option.

Anyways, I think we need to post an e-mail to each e-mail address on our blog, requesting that the Dinnie it is addressed to, to press 'reply' and send the e-mail back to us as confirmation that their e-mail address is valid. No-replies, denote that the e-mail is no longer active and should be deleted from the blog.

Can you think of a more effective and efficient way? Something that doesn't require effort from the rest of us?

Tell me what you think, and I can get started on it.

Love,
Nina

A Warm Welcome to Newly Arrived Dinnies.

Hi there Family,

Let us all give a warm welcome to the Dinnies that has just joined the Dinnie ship.

Hi there Feisal (Hanna's hubby) - thanks for gracing this blog with your long-awaited presence. Hoping to hear a squeak from you soon. :)

To the Mini Dinnies...who are not so Mini anymore, glad that you've joined us. Fawwaz and Kamiliya, do enjoy yourselves by blogging actively here. Would love to hear your updates, comments and even more so, stories of your daily adventures.

Most of all, we hope that all of you will amuse yourselves reading the silly back-and-forth that goes on here, you must most definitely partake in it.

We're still waiting Deena and Rifdi to join us. Rifdi - I am really hoping will start sharing with us his incredible writing. This is one talented fella!!!

We're trying to get everyone to post their replies on the blog versus posting a 'reply' to a thread via their e-mail box. God willing, in time we'll get there...it does require an effort.

To All, enjoy the BBQ/Tahlil. I'm missing out enjoying the fruits of our 'fruit bearer' aka Rizal. Also on the thirst quenchers that will brought by our official 'water girl' 'Min. And of course, Nana with something fishy.

Lastly, can someone pretty please post pictures of THE event on the blog. There are Dinnie voyeurs here who live vicariously through precious moments such as these through photos. God bless the kind soul who will do this. Do you think to use the plural 'souls' would be a tad too optimistic?

I thought so. He he he

Love you all,
Nina Bobo

Second Level Dinnies Coming Up!

Hi ya there familie,

There were only 'Yay's and no 'Nays', and I will also make the assumption that silence from the rest also denotes a 'Yay'. With this, the voting has come to an end and it was a resounding 'go ahead'.

I will then proceed to invite all the second level dinnies aka mini dinnies to join in the blog.

If there are any objections, this is the time to voice it out or 'forever hold your peace'.

Love ya all,

Nina Bobo

p.s. and enjoy the BBQ!!!