My Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 (GT-N5100)

My Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 (GT-N5100) is an Android tablet with 3G and WiFi function.

The unique selling point of Samsung Galaxy Note range of products is their S-Pen, which is a button-enabled and pressure-sensitive digitizer pen (up to 1024 levels of pressure sensitivity) that enables us to do handwriting, drawing, sketching, rubber deleting, air viewing, issuing commands, and some other tricks. This is something you can't find in its sister products of Samsung Galaxy Tab series.

Another unique feature in this Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 (GT-N5100) is multi-windows, which enables us to split its screen into two for two different apps operating on the screen at the same time. (This feature is also available in some other Samsung Android devices running the Jelly Beans OS.)

Its 8" size is about the same size as an exercise book. When it is covered with my rotatable book case cover, it just looks and feels like a book. Just like the Apple iPad Mini, this size is easy to hand carry as well as store in a bag.

Interface wise, I still feel that HTC Sense UI is better than Samsung TouchWiz. It is really the S-Pen features that make the difference for this Samsung Android device.

I obtained this Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 (GT-N5100) as part of the package of The Edge 3-years Subscription bundle. It is a good bargain. I only need to pay a total of RM1,163.60 over a period of 12 months for the entire package, after getting RM250 cash back from CIMB credit card promotion.

Well, there is some hassle in registering for the 1 year warranty for this device, as I have no "vendor" to do the SMS e-Warranty registration. Instead, I managed to register the product with Samsung Cyber Service Center.

One bonus of using this Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 (GT-N5100) is that my Dropbox account gets an additional 48GB of free storage for 2 years after I linked the tablet with my Dropbox account.

A family trip to Lost World of Tambun, Perak

My family just have a one day trip to Lost World of Tambun, located at the outskirt of Ipoh, Perak. It is an adventure theme park built and operated by Sunway Group, which I would describe it to be wilder, larger, and closer to the natural than the famous Sunway Lagoon in Selangor.

If you want to visit to Lost World of Tambun, I would advise you to spend a full day there, because the theme park is really big in area with many places to visit and have fun with. This means you have to reach there around 10am, or else you might not have enough time to visit all the attractions inside.

The entrance fee is RM48 for adult and RM41 for child. You can get a cheaper rate if you buy the ticket online from their website at http://www.sunwaylostworldoftambun.com/.

You will first reach a souvenir stall after entering from the entrance. Then, the water park is in front of you. I would advise you to have fun in the water park as your last schedule, otherwise you might be too tired to visit the rest of the park. In addition, the sun is not too hot at evening time.

There is an amusement park beside the water park, which you can take free ride on Giddy Galleon, Dragon Flight, Perak Parade, Storm Rider, roller coaster, etc.

There is a petting zoo with small animals and lots of snakes. Take the Rainforest Trail to have closer contact with the animals.

There are some small animal feeding shows between 12pm and 3.30pm here.

There is also a swan lake with swans and koi fishes. You can feed the swans and fishes there. You can also ride the water bicycle, which the fee is not inclusive in your entrance ticket (need to pay separately).

Outside food and drink is not permitted to be brought into the theme park. They actually check for your items when you enter. Food and beverage is available at the stalls and food court near the amusement park. The price is not cheap though.

Don't forget to watch the tiger feeding show at Tiger Valley at 3pm. The show is not just about tiger. Before the tiger show, you can see the performance of some other animals and birds as well.

Some other attractions include:

The Tin Valley, with a gallery which you can see an ancient monochrome CRT TV that is still working well.

Kepura Caves

And something erected...

The Lost World Hot Springs & Spa is opened at night, which needs a separate entrance ticket. We haven't visited this yet, probably will be in our next visit to the Lost World of Tambun.

Watching movie in TGV Beanie Hall (Beanieplex)

This is my first experience watching movie in Beanie Hall of Tanjong Golden Village (TGV) cinema.

Beanie Hall is relatively small compared with normal Cineplex of TGV, with limited number of couple seats. It makes a difference from normal cinema halls with its beanbag seats which are spacious, relaxing, comfortable, and really make you feel at home.

This kind of premium seat also comes with a premium price, much higher than ordinary seat and even the twin seat. The ticket above cost me RM45 (RM44 for the ticket, plus RM1 for online booking). After all, it is a good experience for my family.