*Invited
Now this kinda invite is right up my alley - I get to review an awesome car and travel somewhere new? What's not to love?!
8 bloggers were chosen to be part of the Honda Hybrid Family for a road trip up to Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia last weekend - on Friday the 13th no less! (For those of you who don't know, Friday the 13th happens to be my favourite date - because I am a witch. (Some people like to spell that with a B, but potato, potahto! ;p))
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Nizam & Ishak - Honda Jazz Hybrid Syukri & Elwyn - Honda CR-Z (Automatic) Hybrid Farid & Farisya - Honda CR-Z (Manual) Hybrid Henry & Calista- Honda Civic Hybrid |
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Photo credits to Henry (aka Clever Munkey) who shot this when he picked up the car the day before! =) |
Our Honda CR-Z (Manual) Hybrid came in Violet Purple |
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The Honda CR-Z (Auto) Hybrid in Milano Red, outside of the Istana gates in Kota Bharu |
We reached Stadium Sultan Muhammad IV, Kota Bharu at 2.10pm, just before the Honda Hybrid road show reopened at 2.30pm. Two pretty (and super friendly!) representatives took us around The Honda Hybrid Home before it reopened to the public, allowing us to explore the whole place before the crowds started pouring in.
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Honda's Green Technology Milestones |
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Hybrid Discovery: The Power of Two |
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Video shown inside the Hybrid Home Theatre, by our very own Malaysian Youtuber, Jinnyboy! |
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Build Your Own Hybrid Challenge - I won a pen made out of recycled material cz I'm so smart! Lol. |
Well, simply put, a hybrid vehicle is a vehicle that uses two sources of power to drive the car: a small, efficient petrol engine and an electric motor. With the electric motor helping out, the petrol engine doesn't need to work as hard. And that means cleaner air, and enhanced fuel economy. [Source: Honda UK]
The interior of the Honda Civic Hybrid. Notice the green Econ button on the right? That's all you need to push to get from KL to Kelantan with a single tank of petrol! |
Other than the 4 cars previously mentioned, I also got to test drive the Honda Insight (which I had a small part in its corporate video!) at the road show itself.
Literally blink-and-you'll-miss-it at 1.35. No laughing, this was shot almost 3 years ago! ;p
To test drive, all you have to do is go over to the Ignite Zone, LIKE Honda's Facebook page, register your name and details, test drive your dream Honda Hybrid, and receive your mystery gift at the end of the drive!
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Yes, in Kelantan most places will separate the guys and the gals. |
My mystery gifts - exclusive Honda t-shirt and keychain! |
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Clockwise: Clowns twisting balloons, Bouncy castle, Row of stalls, Book donations, Sand art. |
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Official Honda merchandise - I think girls especially would look sexy in this t-shirt! |
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Part of the group! =D |
Kelantanese dinner at a nearby pasar malam-type place:
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Tom Yam Soup, Laksam, and my ultimate favourite: Nasi Kerabu (only RM3!) |
**Wasnt such a big fan of Laksam, it tastes a bit like 猪肠粉, mostly flour with some sauce. Only RM1.50 though.
***Nasi Kerabu a traditional Malay dish, consisting of blue-coloured rice, with some kind of chicken floss (which I initially thought was powdered peanuts), vegetables and fish crackers. Usually eaten with fried fish or chicken, I had it with sliced beef and it was oh-so-fantastic!
The next morning we were up bright & early to get the most out of the day and see some Kelantanese heritage sites.
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Pintu Gerbang Kota Sultan Ismail Petra (Sultan Ismail Petra Arch) |
Built back in 1855 by Sultan Muhammad II for his grandson, the Jahar Palace used to be the royal residence of Kota Bharu. Nowadays, it has been preserved and houses the Museums of Royal Traditions and Customs of Kelantan.Looking at the luscious greenery surrounding the Istana, I was glad we were in equally green Hybrids!
Built in 1867, the state mosque of Kelantan is famous for spreading knowledge of the holy word of Islam and is known as the Veranda of Mecca.
We also made a stop at the Handicraft Village, where we got to see one of Malaysia's most recognised symbols - the Wau Bulan. Usually decorated with floral motifs, the crescent-shaped kite is usually large, strong-coloured, and flown by Kelantanese men.
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Art Class in the Handicraft Village |
One last thing I just had to do before hitting the road back home (I drove all the way from Kuantan to Genting - through a crazy storm as well!), was checking how spacious the boot of each car was! Ready?
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Honda Insight |
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Honda Jazz Hybrid |
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Honda CR-Z Hybrid |
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Honda Civic Hybrid! |
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Visit the next road shows - you have 3 more chances to get that merch! |
Now, I wonder when Honda will let me test drive the all-new Accord for a road trip to my seventh Malaysian state, maybe.. Langkawi island..? I can't say I'd mind test driving from Kota Kinabalu to Kuching either! ;p
*Check out my wacky Instavids taken during the trip on my Instagram (@CalistaLeahLiew), or other photos I posted on my facebook page! =)
**You can also check out Elwyn's post for some random I-had-no-idea-he-was-shooting shots of me =.="
Til next time,
Calista xx
driving honda hybrid is a great experience
ReplyDeleteIt was! Wish to drive it again.. Hahaha
Deletesuka sangat dudu dalam bonet..hahahaha
ReplyDeleteBest seat in the whole car! ;p
DeleteI admire your artwork on the batik. That's one of the nicest batik painting I've ever seen :P
ReplyDeleteYou damn sarcastic riggghhhhhhtttt.. Hahahaha..
DeleteCan put Calista in the boot anywhere XD
ReplyDeleteI'm space-efficient! =P
Deletetime to kidnap you into my car boot. or maybe henry's car boot. see whether you fit.
ReplyDeleteExcuse me, I am a lady of luxury.. Only spacious, comfortable car boots may apply.. LOL!!
DeletePictures of being able to hide you in the car boot is seriously amusing ~~ hahaha
ReplyDeleteNow to hide this post from all the wrong people =O
DeleteGreat...... Looked like a fun trip in some classy cars..
ReplyDeleteIt was a fun trip! So glad I got to see Kelantan, in comfort! =D
DeleteWow, fantastic blog layout! How long have you been blogging for?
ReplyDeleteyou made blogging look easy. The overall look of your web site is fantastic, as well
as the content!
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