The Battle for WondLa - Review

Author: Tony DiTerlizzi

Title: The Battle for WondLa

Publisher: Simon and Shuster (HBK)

Published: 2014

The future holds a mysterious world and Tony DiTerlizzi wields the full extent of his imagination to bring us on a spell-bounding adventure. What we knew as Earth is now Orbona and it is no longer ruled by the humans who are fighting for a place in this new world filled with alien immigrants.

12 year old heroine Eva Nine and her reluctant companion, Hailey Turner, are on a quest to stay alive long enough to stop the powerful and sinister Arsian being, Loroc, from overthrowing the Ojo royal family and claiming power. Each page turned brings you deeper into a compelling story filled with hope, betrayal, friendship, and a fight for survival for Eva Nine and her friends against seemingly impossible odds.

The artistic brilliance of DiTerlizzi is conveyed not just through his words but with illustrations with each one providing a visual glimpse of the unusual characters and the strange world that Eva Nine and her companions are navigating through. The book also contains a glossary, a map, and even the Orbonian alphabet.

The Battle for WondLa is the third instalment in Tony DiTerlizzi’s WondLa trilogy and it is highly recommended that you read The Search for WondLa and A Hero for WondLa before preparing for battle. Despite the available glossary, to fling straight in will leave you initially struggling to come to terms with the commonplace terminology but once you do, prepare to be captivated in Eva Nine’s engrossing adventure in this modern day classic.

One Night in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

 

Planning to explore South East Asia before finishing off your travels with Australia? For many people who are set to embark on or finish up this particular adventure, they often have to spend a night in Malaysia's capital city, Kuala Lumpur, due to having to catch a connecting flight. As the question is often posed to us – ‘how should we spend our one night in K.L,?’ we’ve come up with a few suggestions of things to do in Kuala Lumpur.

Changkat

If you want to kick start or end your travelling adventures with a bang, head to Changkat. Located just off Bukit Bintang, the street is simply alive with people who are blowing off steam. It is the expat’s weekend retreat (we miss it so much!) and is often the destination for visiting celebrities with plenty of food and drinking options available all along the bustling street.

Our recommendation: It’s hard to choose where to go in Changkat but if we could, we would go back to Pinchos Tapas Bar for food and drinks in a heartbeat. This was our favourite place to go. It gets very busy after 7:30pm so you may want to reserve a table if you're going to be venturing out after then. If you want to get your dancing shoes on after, then head across the road to Havana Bar& Grill for more drinks with a nightclub located on the second floor. For the Irish who want to experience an Irish Pub in Malaysia, several bars down the road is the popular Healy Mac's.

Shop

Kuala Lumpur wasn’t named by CNN as one of the top shopping destinations in the world for nothing. Some of the largest and most prestigious shopping centres can be found in Malaysia’s capital city. Kuala Lumpur also offers tax free on many items, making it the ideal shopping haven for many.

Our recommendation: Start off with a stroll around the luxurious Starhill Gallery, which houses award-winning restaurants and prestigious brand names that include the world’s largest Louis Vuitton. Across the road from Starhill Gallery is Pavilion where there are over 450 high-street retail outlets and eateries. If you still have the time and the energy after that, continue your shopping expedition with a walk along the suspended bridge walkway which will lead you to Suria KLCC, which not only offers more upmarket retail outlets but is situated beneath The Petronas Towers.

The Petronas Twin Towers

Once the tallest building in the world, this magnificent structure is worth a visit and the landmark has to go down as a must see. Pictures do not do this building justice. It is beautifully designed and you will get a creak in your neck from staring up in awe at Malaysia’s iconic towering towers.

Our recommendation: Stroll around KLCC Park, which offers a view of The Petronas Twin Towers from every corner. It gets dark in Malaysia every night around 7pm so try and time your visit so you can see The Petronas Towers in daylight and when it’s lit up at night. At every turn of the hour, there is a water display which becomes a show of vibrant colours at night for you to enjoy.

Fine Dining with a View

It may not be noted for it but Kuala Lumpur is a foodie’s city of heaven with so many different options available to explore. If you would like to wine and dine for your short stint in Malaysia, you couldn’t have picked a better city and there are some which even come with a stunning view.

Our recommendation: Cantaloupe at Troika SkyDining. Located on the park, this French restaurant serves delicious food with a view. It is located on the 24^th floor of The Troika. Floor to ceiling window panes overlook the park and The Petronas Towers. Troika Sky Dining is segregated into Cantaloupe (French restaurant), Strato (Italian restaurant) and Claret (wine bar). Each offer a stunning view of KLCC Park and the city but you can only see The Petronas Towers from Cantaloupe.  

If you have the foresight, book in advance to make sure you not only have a table reserved but one with a view. You even have the option of dining on the balcony, which can be very romantic and pleasant but this will leave you exposed to the humidity and segregate you from the restaurant’s atmosphere.

Sky High Drinks

If you want to unwind with a few drinks but can’t find the time to fit Changkat and a visit to The Petronas Towers into the one night, don’t worry, you can combine the two experiences. There are several establishments located around the park which offer a choice of drinks, including wines and cocktails, and a skyline view of The Petronas Towers.

Our recommendation: The Skybar. Winner of the best bar award numerous times, the Skybar is located on the 33^rd floor of the Traders Hotel Kuala Lumpur. A casual place to visit by day, after sunset it becomes a vibrant venue as the cocktails are on the flow and a DJ sets the tone. Book in advance if you have the foresight and ask for a booth with a window view of the towers. With happy hour deals on every night of the week, the Skybar is a great place to go to. Smart casual is the dress code so try not to look like a fish out of water by falling into the pool located inside!

Whether you're travelling around South East Asia, going for a holiday to Australia or even looking for things to do in Malaysia, we hope our list of suggestions allows you to make the most of your visit to Kuala Lumpur.

Discover Ireland's Copper Coast

Are you planning on doing a Kimye and discovering Ireland?

Ireland is a very popular tourist destination with its rolling hills covered with different shades of green and sparkling surrounding ocean often located just a stone’s throw away from quaint villages and towns. It is a serene country and every time I return after being gone for a while, I feel the same sense of inspiring awe that instils an adventurous urge to explore. 

There was a pleasant Australian couple who I met in London who were very enthusiastic about visiting Ireland for the second part of their trip. Almost as excited as finding out that I’m a Kelly (and yes Australia, you can stake a claim to me if you would like). What they were really looking forward to was “feeling the grass between their toes and stepping barefoot on top of the soil where their ancestors originated from”.

Fortunately Ireland isn’t that big and most tourists can hire a car and explore most of the country in the space of time that they have. But one particular route that often gets overlooked which I recommend for anyone visiting, or any Irish residents themselves who are unfamiliar with it, is the Copper Coast drive.

Located in Co. Waterford, the Copper Coast stretch is recognised as a UNESCO Global Geopark. It’s about an hour’s drive from Waterford City to the town of Dungarvan which diverts off the main road (N25). If your destination from Waterford is Cork then don’t fear, this route will keep you on course while only adding an extra twenty - thirty minutes to your journey.

The Copper Coast drive is a wealth of scenic beauty as you take a road which runs along the Southern coastline and through several villages. There are the required photo ops available all along for the perfect selfie where you can stand on top of a cliff with the stretching ocean or the Commaragh Mountains as your backdrop. There are also spots to have a peaceful picnic, whether next to fort ruins or a secluded cove. You can discover more of Ireland's Copper Coast on foot with several different Heritage Walking Trails.

The end of your drive will see you arrive back onto the N25 and into a quaint town known as Dungarvan. This beautiful town is often noted as one of the most beautiful towns in Ireland. Worth a visit if you have the time and you can read more about Dungarvan in a later review.

Malaysia's 'One Island, One Resort', Pangkor Laut Resort Review

Everyone seeks an occasional escape from reality and if that’s what you’re desiring for your next holiday, then escape the world and relax in a tropical paradise by traveling to the luxurious ‘One Island, One Resort' property, Pangkor Laut Resort. The stunning Pangkor Laut Resort is YTL Hotels’ flagship property and is located three miles off the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia.

We cannot speak fondly enough of our holiday getaways to this beautiful five-star resort having stayed there several times. The Malaysian resort provides a truly unforgettable experience from the moment you step foot upon the 300 acre private island.

The beginning journey, it has to be said, is not a pampering experience for international visitors. You can arrange with the resort for one of the resort’s taxis to pick you up from the airport. This is highly recommended if you’re planning on going straight from the airport because the tropical island paradise is an approximate 3.5 hour drive away, which when combined with your flight, is a lot of travelling! But it’s worth it.

The resort try their best to make the transition from airport to paradise as smooth as possible with spacious, air conditioned vehicles equipped with water and fee WiFi. At the end of your car journey, you’ll find you’re not quite there yet. But nearly! Problem is you’re on the mainland still and your final destination is a tropical 300 acre island.

You can either get to Pangkor Laut Resort from the mainland in style via a helicopter ride or on a stunning yacht. Most, including ourselves, go with the traditional option of a speedboat which jets off from Pangkor Laut Resort’s designated reception office on the mainland. This leaves at set times throughout the day or you can arrange private transportation for an extra fee.

After fifteen minutes of speeding across the waters, where you might even catch sight of a school of jumping dolphins if you’re very lucky, you will start to see the verdant island which looks almost untouched. It’s at this point the Jurrasic Park theme should be playing in your mind as you pull into the pier but any overactive fears of a T-Rex bursting out of the jungle is quickly brushed aside by a warm welcoming party.

You have arrived at Pangkor Laut Resort.

As soon as you step foot onto the pier, your relationship with the resort staff begins as they offer you a cool and refreshing welcoming drink. They are forever smiling and are extremely helpful and accommodating, willing to do whatever they can to craft an unforgettable experience. You will quickly find yourself amazed during your stay that everyone working there seems to know your name and will often surprise you by going that extra unrequested mile to make your stay even more memorable. Their attention to detail is an important part of why Pangkor Laut Resort has been recognised as one of the best places to stay in the world.

Only a fraction of the 300 acre private island has been developed and due to everything being spaced out, there is a real sense of seclusion and exclusivity as you walk through the resort. The island’s luscious natural landscapes has a choice of different accommodations available located at different sections of the island. This includes the Hill Villas, the Garden Villas, the Sea Villas and the Spa Villas. Each accommodation comes with their own perks; the Garden Villas are in close proximity to the dining and recreational facilities; the Hill Villas offer breath taking views of the island’s grounds and surrounding sea; the Sea Villas are situated over water allowing you to drift off to sleep with the gentle sound of the sea to listen to; and the Spa Villas are also built over water and are located within the very private Spa Village area of the resort. I’ve been lucky enough to stay in them all and it really is down to a personal choice what you prefer. I prefer the Hill Villas because I love an amazing view while Siobhán is partial to the Sea Villas.

With plentiful Malaysian wildlife orchestrating the daily sounds without another soul often in sight, you can often be forgiven for believing for a moment that you’re the only ones there. You can get more in touch with the lush two million year old rainforest with the aid of the resident naturalist who offers a daily nature walk which will guide you through the abundance of flora and fauna which inhabits the island. The walk takes roughly an hour to complete and concludes at Emerald Bay.

Ah Emerald Bay. What I wouldn’t give to be basking there now.

You will more than likely spend most of your time at the island’s private beach, Emerald Bay. The beach was once selected as the world’s most beautiful beach and for good reason. It is the perfect place to have a picnic which the resort is happy to specially prepare. What we hadn’t counted on was that we would be joined by an uninvited guest to our picnic who wasn’t very big on sharing once he got to the table. Naughty monkey indeed! Nevertheless, it all added to the experience.

There is a private dining option also available on Emerald Bay. Imagine a candlelit romantic meal just for two set up with your own personal waiter on hand to serve your dinner as you gaze into each other’s eyes while watching the sun set fire to the sky as day transcends into night. The perfect setting to ask a certain question or to celebrate your honeymoon.

The dining options available at Pangkor Laut Resort are fairly extensive and offer all sorts of different cuisine, from Malay to Western to Chinese to Japanese. There are seven world class restaurants on the island to choose from though I believe only Fisherman’s Cove, Uncle Lim’s Kitchen and Feast Village are open for dinner. Be aware to anyone reading with kids that Fisherman’s Cove operate a strict ‘Over 16’s’ policy and a proper dress code is required to dine there. With a terrace which overlooks the sea as the water crashes on the rocks beneath you, the setting and the delicious food is worth the extra effort to make it that little bit more special.

Breakfast is served at Feast Village in a buffet style with so many different options available, you will be full to bursting after trying everything. For lunch, your options are either at Spa Village’s Japanese Jamu Bar, Emerald Bay’s Chapman Bar and the Royal Bay Beach Club which is located right by the public infinity pool. The Royal Bay Beach Club is almost the heartbeat of the resort as it is located right next to the reception with a tennis court, a gym and water activities all a stone’s throw away. So kick back, relax and lounge out by the pool while giant hornbills and peacocks strut around you.

Other than swimming at the pool or lounging at the beach, there are a range of different activities that you can partake in, from kayaking around the island to an all-day chef’s experience, but there are two standout activities I highly recommend. One is the sunset cruise. Ask when you arrive when this is and sign yourself up for it. It leaves on a scheduled time from the pier on certain evenings and will take you out with drinks and food served on a cruise around the island so you can view a stunning sunset.

The other activity that you have to put aside some time to do is be pampered from head-to-toe in the award-winning Spa Village. It would almost be sacrilegious if you didn’t book yourself in for a spa treatment at the four acre haven of serenity. The whole process is a unique and therapeutic experience, even the initial part of walking through the chilly water (This part will certainly rejuvenate you)! This is not just for the ladies to do by the way. Couples can enjoy this experience together and if you’re a guy who needs some coaxing, get the Warrior Spa Treatment and prepare to melt in the hands of the dainty expert spa therapists. I'm not joking when I say that you will probably wake yourself up with a snore because the treatment was so relaxing. My advice is to get your spa treatment early into your holiday so you have enough time to get another if you want to!

There are some small things you need to be aware of before going.

Do be warned that when you’re on the island, you’re on an island. This means there are no shops to wander to for a snack, utilities or different restaurants to visit other than the resort’s own. Grab a few non-perishable snacks from the shop at the airport (I don’t mean ready-made dinners, but chocolate bars or crisps) and a bottle of wine or two so you have the option of sitting out at night on your own veranda and creating your own tranquil experience.

The other thing to be aware of is the monkeys. Maybe I have a small bit of resentment against those sandwich stealing, picnic gate crashers but those furry critters are inquisitive by nature. If you leave your room unlocked, chances are you will return to find garments of clothing hanging from the nearby trees.

Getting around the resort is easy, everything is within walking distance and if you’re not inclined to walk or trek through the jungle to get to Emerald Bay, there are shuttle buses which routinely travel around the resort to take you to whatever section you’re looking to get to.

Any other problem or inconvenience that arises is more than capable of being fixed by the extremely competent resort staff.

You will always look fondly on your stay at the award-winning Pangkor Laut Resort if you decide to go. I say this because I know I will. The Malaysian resort has created some treasured moments that I will cherish for years to come and I hope sharing my holiday experience will create some for you too.