3D2N in Hua Hin, Thailand

Why Bangkok again? 

Cause there will always be more of new things and places to discover and explore in this City of Angels. But when I went Bangkok for the third times with my friends, I suggested that we should include Hua Hin for our 5D4N Bangkok trip. And so we did. 

Hua Hin is a beach resort city that offer number of attractions and a variety of entertainments to the local as well with foreigners. From sunworshipping at the beach, fun thrilling at the themed parks or to shop till you drop at their outlet malls and even night markets. So many things to do, so many things to see, hence it's impossible for you to opt a day trip from Bangkok to Hua Hin. I would advise to spend at least 2 or 3 nights in Hua Hin to discover all these excitement. 

Kuching Café: Madeleine Cafe & Patisserie

When one mentions about Kuching, can't deny quite number of notable local dishes such laksa, kolo mee, kek lapis, kueh chap and more will instantly hit one's mind and even the mouth too. As I frequently visit Kuching cause it's my second hometown, I have try almost all the local dishes. Plus, I even did a list of what to eat and which shops or stalls are recommended to try for their respective dishes: Food Must Have When Visit Kuching. 

But because I keep going back Kuching and had the same local food over and over again, I want opt for something new, something unique. That's where I stumbled upon Madeleine Cafe & Patisserie, a very classic and cozy cafe with French-inspired design situated at Ground Floor, The Spring Shopping Mall of Kuching. So in case you are tired or exhausted from shopping spree, take a break and relax by sipping a cup of hot coffee or tea pair with heavenly slice of cake without have to travel far away.  

#1: Madeleine Cafe & Patisserie situated at Ground Floor, The Spring Shopping Mall of Kuching

Da Nang, Hoi An & Hue, Vietnam (Sneak Peek)

Kick off the year of 2018 by visiting Vietnam again and this time around I'm covering the Central Vietnam - Da Nang, Hoi An & Hue which I had been eyeing for quite some time. Once again, thanks to AirAsia for another cheap fare cause I'm quite particular and calculative too when come to buying airtickets. It might not be as cheap as the one I bought to Ho Chi Minh before but as long as within my budget, it's consider reasonable and affordable.

1: Da Nang International Airport - very close to the city 

Summary of My 6D5N Trip

Day 1: klia2 to Da Nang. Then we hired a private car to Hoi An which takes almost an hour journey.

Day 2: Hoi An Ancient Town

Day 3: Hoi An to Hue by private car

Day 4: Hue to Da Nang 

Day 5: Da Nang - Ba Na Hills 

Day 6: Goodbye Da Nang

Among the three cities, my favourite would be none other than Hoi An Ancient Town. Noted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the historic Hoi An is the most delightful and atmospheric town in Vietnam. I love the old town is manicured and lifted up with vast array of colourful lanterns. Spending two nights here is a wise choice indeed.


#2: Colourful lanterns everywhere


#3: Japanese covered bridge with my best travel buddy

#4: Colourful lanterns at night 

From Hoi An, we hired private car to Hue which takes about 2 and half hours. We did sightseeing tour in between, which including visiting My Son Sanctuary and Marble Mountains (but I personally think you can skip this). In Hue, we managed to venture the Imperial City, a walled palace within the citadel of the city. Hue formally was an imperial capital of Vietnam and now listed in UNESCO World Heritage Site.

#5: Imperial City, a walled palace within the citadel of the city of Hue

The final two nights we spent in Da Nang and we went to Ba Na Hills, a hill station and resort situated 45 minutes away from the city. This magical resort has been shared virally in Facebook lately and I can't believe finally I left my footprints there. 

#6: 💗 the clear blue sky and cold weather


#7


#8: Magical French village


#9: Dragon-shaped bridge spanning over Han River on last night before bidding goodbye 

So now I done with Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi & Halong Bay as well as Da Nang, Hoi An and Hue, thinking what next for Vietnam?  

2016 Tokyo Trip With Family (8D7N Itinerary)

This is my third trip to Tokyo, after my two previous trips in 2010 and 2015. And again, this is an annual trip I went with my family, just that the number is expanding. Last year, I went Tokyo with my mom and two brothers only. As for this round, I tagged along my sister, brother in law and my cousin.  

Basically, we just solely focus the city of Tokyo without going any outskirt towns throughout our 8 days and 7 nights trip there. Few of the most popular attractions such Shibuya, Harajuku and Asakusa I had been for the third time.

DAY 1: Kota Kinabalu to Tokyo 

• Flying with Malaysia Airlines (again for the second time) to Tokyo, Japan. 
• Touchdown at Narita International Airport from Kota Kinabalu International Airport. 
• Taking N'EX (Narita Express) from the airport heading to Tokyo city center.

DAY 2: Tokyo 

• Kick off our first day by going to Shibuya - taking photos with the iconic Hachiko statue, buying our Tokyo Disney tickets at the Disney store
• Lunch at Uobei Shibuya. My family were indeed enjoying eating here where my family and I can just place order the sushi on the touch panel display in front of our seat, and then all of our orders will be delivered via conveyor belt directly to our seat. Their sushi might not that really great but we ain't complain when each and every sushi is 108 yen only.  
• Visiting Meiji Jingu (Meiji Shrine). This is my maiden visit there. Although there were many visitors but still, I felt calm and serene when visiting the shrine. 
• Continue our trip by heading to Harajuku 
• Dinner at Tenya, a cheapor franchised Tempura and Tendon restaurant in Japan

Shibuya

Uobei Shibuya, where you can place order the sushi on the touch panel display in front of your seat, and then all of your orders will be delivered via conveyor belt directly to our seat. 

Meiji Jingu (Meiji Shrine)

Impressive display of painted sake barrels 

Dinner at Tenya, a cheapor franchised Tempura and Tendon restaurant in Japan 

DAY 3: Tokyo 

• Strolling along Kappabashi Dougu Street for hunting some kitchenware   
• Continue our day by heading to Asakusa. Dropby Tokyo Skytree, Nakamise Shopping Street and Senso-ji Temple. 

Our quick breakfast on the third day in Tokyo

Kappabashi Dougu Street boasts more than 160 shops, offering everything from high-quality Japanese knives and lacquarware to professional grade stoves. 

Add these two into my kitchen collection 

Tokyo Skytree 

Senso-ji Temple

DAY 4: Tokyo Disneysea

• My second visit to Tokyo Disneysea, but it's my family first visit there. As usual, we spent our entire day there, began from morning until the evening. 
• We bought our tickets from the Disney Store in Shibuya so that we don't have to be in the long queue when arriving Tokyo Disney Resort. 

My second visit to Tokyo Disneysea

DAY 5: Tokyo

• Heading to Odaiba again for the third time cause my brothers want to get some Gundam stuff at DiverCity Tokyo Plaza
• Stumbled upon the Giant Ghibli Clock which was installed outside the Nitelle Tower  
• Ended our night by leisurely night walk at Shinjuku 

DAY 6: Tokyo 

• Experience kimono for free of charge at Welcome Japan Support (WJS) Ginza with my mother, sister and cousin while my brothers and brother in law were resting at the hotel. 
• Talking night photos at Tokyo Station 

DAY 7: Tokyo 

• Dropby Asakusa again for Tokyo Solamachi to get variety of Tokyo Banana 
• Visiting Akihabara for Gundam Cafe and Pablo Mini 

DAY 8: Tokyo to Kota Kinabalu 

• Bidding goodbye to Tokyo.
• We took N'EX (Narita Express) heading to Narita International Airport. 

OUR HOTEL IN TOKYO 

My family and I stayed at the same hotel throughout our 8 days and 7 nights trip in Tokyo - Smile Hotel Tokyo Nihonbashi. 

I wish to stay again at Smile Hotel Tokyo Asagaya which we're staying last year but because the room rate shot up dramatically after a year, we had no choice but to select other hotel. Booked another local chain hotel, Smile Hotel again but for this round, it is located at other area which is Nihonbashi. Probably because the location is within the heart of Tokyo, the rooms were signifcantly cramped and tiny. The only advantage of booking this hotel is that it's so close to Kayabacho Metro Station, less than 5 minutes to Tokyo Metro Station. 

Date Stayed: 4th July - 11th July 2016 (7 nights)
Room Rate Per Night: RM400 per night for a double bedroom.
Nearest Station: Kayabacho Metro Station

MY SHOPPING HAUL 

No matter how many times I've been to Japan, I still feel that it's really hard to leave this nation with empty handed. There are so many things to buy and bring back as souvenirs or even as keepsake. For this trip, I bought a handful of Tokyo Banana which come in different flavours.  

Tokyo Banana - Mostly bought from Tokyo Skytree Department store

Shopping haul from Tokyo Disneysea 

My favourite snacks 

Stationery - Some bought from Daiso Harajuku