Amateur Model Photoshoot at Citadines ApartHotel, Kuching

Here are a few shots of my favourite photography model, Florina Michael. She has featured here before. I've known her and watched her grow up since she was 9 so it's very easy to photograph her. She simply says, "Duncan, take my photo like this," or "Duncan, take my photo like that," and I snap away. Occasionally I put forward an idea for a shot, but it's very free and easy.

She was even kind enough to take a photograph with me!

Holiday Villa Beach Resort & Spa, Cherating, Malaysia

Pulled up the Maps & Navigation app on my phone as we passed the industrial estate of Gebeng on our journey from Kuantan to our destination: Holiday Villa Cherating.

The app showed we were just 20 minutes away, making it roughly a 40-minute drive from Kuantan town. Holiday Villa Beach Resort & Spa Cherating lies just before The Legend Resort on the right hand side of the road, as travelling from Kuantan.

The entrance to Holiday Villa Beach Resort & Spa Cherating

Entering the lobby at Holiday Villa Cherating

The warm and inviting lobby

View of the lobby taken from an adjacent waiting room

We were really impressed with the warm and inviting lobby and waiting area with smooth wooden furniture and neatly decorated walls, with a range of books, magazines and newspapers to browse through.

Our chalet

We were soon escorted to our chalet. A very comfortable sofa in the living area awaited us as we relaxed for a while upon arrival. The bed was fantastic! We had one of the most comfortable nights sleep we have had when compared to any hotel in Kuantan. The one piece of advice I would give is to take some mosquito repellent as there were one or two mosquitos flying around while we were sleeping.

My wife sitting on our chalet porch

The living area of our chalet

Bathroom featuring toilet and shower

Mirror and sink with a nice big rubbish bin!

The bed, with Leah busy chatting on the phone!

After a little rest, my wife indulged herself at the spa with a facial. Eastern Pavilion is attached to the main resort where spa treatment is available and separate chalets are located with private pools!

Beautiful scenery at Eastern Pavilion

We also took some time to look around the resort to discover what was there and appreciate more of this stunning scenery

Took this lovely family photo amidst the nature at Holiday Villa Cherating

Swimming pool

And of course, the main attraction is the location: right on the beach front!

Putting my feet up at the beach

Chillin' out at Cherating

Plenty of activities to do at Cherating!

Here is the Beach Restaurant where we had our dinner and breakfast the next day. The food was good. Very thankful to Mr. Leslie, the Hotel Manager, for the free dinner! A plus point is 24-hour room service delivered from this restaurant.

The hotel arranged for us to go and see some turtles laying eggs at a nearby beach. We drove about 15 minutes into Terengganu along the highway where we met a 'Pak Su' at an Esso station. We followed him to the beach around the corner where we met a large group of other people. This was at 9pm so it was dark, the moon and stars shining brightly in the night sky. We had a trek along the shore before we arrived at the nesting site.

Initially our guides divided us into groups of 10 to go and see the egg laying, but it soon became a free-for-all with no order. It was quite disappointing really as those at the front were not moving away. Eventually my wife and I had to ask people to let others come and see too. Far too many people!

Finally, I have to say thank you to Rina (pictured below) who assisted us with our reservation and everything else we needed (including towels in our room!) during our stay.

We really enjoyed our stay at Holiday Villa Cherating. Very satisfied with the beautiful surroundings, the beach, and the comfortable bed!

Celebrating 8th wedding anniversary at Swiss Garden Resort & Spa

Family photo by the pool at Swiss Garden Resort & Spa

We never get bored of this place. Swiss Garden Resort & Spa Kuantan is like a little piece of heaven on earth. This occasion was to celebrate our 8th wedding anniversary. And we keep coming back here because the rooms are nice, the pool is great, and the beach is right there.

Never get bored of this view at Swiss Garden Resort & Spa Kuantan

This time we decided to push the boat out a little farther and go to Samsara Spa, just beside the pool, for a massage. There are a number of options to go for; we opted for the Samsara Touch package including a one-hour full-body massage at RM180++

The two masseuse gave some short instructions and left us in the room until we were ready. For a few moments I began to feel like I was Karl Pilkington from the British TV travel show "An Idiot Abroad." It was my first time having a professional massage and I was worried about having my face in the hole of the bed for an hour. Then we were given these disposable blue . . . knickers (the most suitable word that comes to mind) to wear. They were baggy and I looked stupid. I shall not be sharing the photo of me wearing them! Anyway, the massage was great and very satisfying. It was worth taking the time out to do it.

It was my turn to go swimming with the girls

Our girls made friends with these 2 waitresses during our buffet dinner. RM60++/person, the children, free

Enjoyed a night stroll around the resort before getting the children off to sleep...

Went for our customary morning stroll on the beach the following day, but it was so strikingly hot, we soon went back inside.

Poolside scene at Swiss Garden Resort & Spa Kuantan

Thank you, Swiss Garden, for another great stay. We'll be seeing you soon!