Tokyo After 5 Years

#1: Direct flight from Kota Kinabalu to Narita Tokyo with Malaysia Airlines 

I never thought I will going back Tokyo again after 5 years. Initially my plan is flying to Hokkaido which from the research I found, July will be the perfect time to visit there but because this is annual family trip and two of my brothers have never been to 'Land of Rising Sun' before, re-do, re-route and re-change my plan from Hokkaido to the capital city of Japan, Tokyo.

#2: Narita International Airport for the very first time.

Honestly speaking, I can see there is slightly changes of Tokyo five years ago and five years later. First of all, language barrier is no longer an issue as majority of Japanese can speak at least simple English nowadays. Whether we were taking buses, in restaurants, in convenience store, train ticket offices and more, unlike 5 years ago. 

But somehow there is one major issue which I didn't enjoy Tokyo is overcrowded almost everywhere. Even more crowded than Shanghai. I'm kidding not. Three trains approached but we didn't manage to jump in cause it's overpacked with working people especially. What a nightmare!

Talking about my 8 days trip to Tokyo with my family, there are number of places I went for the second times such as:

#3: Akihabara Electric Town - My brothers spent more than 7 hours here.

#4: Shibuya - For crossing street, Hachiko statue, Disney store, best ramen and more 

#5: Tokyo Tower - Came here twice but never got the chance to go up. Came here just for One Piece Store

 

#6: Asakusa Senso-ji Temple 

and even including Harajuku, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro and more. 

As for the following, it's my maiden visit to:

#7: Gundam Statue in Odaiba Park 

#8: Rainbow Bridge and Statue of Liberty

#9: Yokohama - Second popular city after Tokyo which less than an hour away

#10: Tokyo Disneyland 

#11: Hakone for Mount Fuji but unfortunately, the weather wasn't on our side

And of course, by end of this trip eventhough we're tired and exhausted, my family and I were really enjoyed each and every part of Tokyo. No wonder people said, "Once Went Japan, Almost Every Year Feels Like Going Back". This is my third times to Japan and I can't wait to look forward for another Japan Trip - prefecture such as Nagoya, Okinawa, Hokkaido and more.

#12: Look what we found in Tokyo - Super-sized soft ice-cream with 8 different flavours

Oh wait! I haven't start to blog about my 2013 Japan (Kansai Area) yet. So many outdated travelogues!

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Foodie Friday: Food Around Ipoh Town

Right after we done with the food adventures in Medan Selera Kampar, my friends and I drove to Ipoh which is less than half an hour distance away. As it was still early to check-in into Le Metrotel, we didn't waste any longer of our time but for another round of food adventures. That's what suppose to do when one in Malaysia - Jalan-Jalan Cari Makan!  

Ipoh Mali

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Foodie Friday: Medan Selera Kampar of Malaysia

Date Visited: 28th May 2015

Travel and food are interrelated, it's hard to separate them apart apparently. And when travel in Malaysia, hunting for food has always indirectly been part and parcel of the itinerary. So when my friends and I were in Kampar last month, my local friend's parents brought us to Medan Selera Kampar (Kampar Food Court) for breakfast.

#1: The bustling of Medan Selera Kampar

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Hotel Review: Le Metrotel of Ipoh, Malaysia

Staying in stylish, chic and trendy boutique hotel has always been part of my travel wishlist, provided still within my budget. Initially before going to Ipoh, I plan to stay in M Boutique Hotel Ipoh but unfortunately it couldn't fit in three of us. And after looked into few factors, we finally chosen to stay in Le Metrotel of Ipoh Town.

#1: Beautifully decorated in the lobby of Le Metrotel

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Art of Old Town, Ipoh

I may sucks at arts and don't even understand at the sophisticated art but that doesn't stop me from loving arts especially the art street. I have to admit that I admired the beautifully painted art street by London-trained Lithuanian artist, Ernest Zacharevic which I found they are exceptionally meaningful and interesting, especially across the heritage area of George Town city of Penang. You can't imagine how much fun and trilled I was for hunting down all these colourful art street and wall paintings within the inner city two years ago right after I attended my best friend's wedding in Penang (click here for Penang's Art Street, Wall Paintings & Steel Sculpture)

So when I was in Kampar, Perak last month for another best friend's wedding of mine, besides hunting for the best food in Ipoh town, the first thing to do in my mind was scouting for another art street collection by Ernest Zacharevic himself in Old Town of Ipoh. 

Collaboration together with OldTown White Coffee which is the leading white coffee manufacturer in Malaysia, currently there are 8 unique murals within Old Town of Ipoh:

#1: An Old Uncle Drinking Coffee

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Summary of My 5D4N Hatyai, Thailand (2013) Travelogue & Travel Expenses

Here is the compilation for all the post relating to my trip to Hatyai, Thailand for 5 days and 4 nights. Plus, by end of this post, I also share on how much I spent throughout my trip.

Day 1: 21st June 2013

Stay: Centara Hotel

From Hatyai International Airport to Centara Hotel, we took taxi which cost 320 baht per ride.
As for the hotel room, the rate per night is RM192.10 for a superior queen room inclusive breakfast.

Shabushi by Oishi at Lee Gardens Plaza 

We had our late lunch in Shabushi, a Japanese restaurant serving shabu-shabu and sushi in a buffet style. It cost 345 baht per head. Each patron is given 75 minutes to enjoy their meal, or else additional cost will be charged.

Day 2: 22nd June 2013

Klong Hae Floating Market

We took tuk-tuk to this floating market and it cost 420 for a return trip. The driver agreed to give us 3 hour to venture around. Most of the time these tuk-tuk drivers would eventually approach you everytime step out from the hotel, especially if you are staying nearby Lee Garden Plaza. Klong Hae Floating Market is only open from Friday to Sunday. Generally, the vendors start to operate from 3pm to 9pm.

Day 3: 23nd June 2013

A Day Tour Around Hatyai

We got the best price of 1,000 baht for our day trip around Hatyai and Songkla. Normally, the tour starts from 9 am until 4 or 5pm at least but we ended earlier cause the weathers was unbearable hot. Throughout this trip, we managed to visit Wat Hat Yai Nai, Hatyai Ice Dome (Admission Fee: 300 baht for adult and 200 baht for children), Chang Puak Camp, Songkhla Aquarium (Admission Fee: 300 baht for adult and 200 baht for children), The Great Serpent and Golden Mermaid Statue.

Day 4: 24th June 2013

Big C Supermarket, Fuji Japanese Restaurant, Sky Buffet & Gelate

A day before leaving Hatyai, my friend and I decided to go Big C Supermarket for local snacks. And as usual, we took tut-tuk. Expecting to pay 100 baht per ride cause it's located quite distance away from the city center. After shopping, we had Fuji Japanese Restaurant for lunch. Not just they served great and delicious Japanese meals but the prices were pretty attractive and reasonable. As for our dinner, we had the famous sky buffet dinner located on the highest floor of Lee Gardens Plaza in Hatyai. Imagine for the price tag of only 169 baht, it's no harm for us to try before leaving this place permanently on the next onwards.

Extra Feature:

• Keep Calm & Travel to Hatyai (Sneak Peek)

And the following is the details of my travel expenses that I spend for my 5 days and 4 nights trip in Hatyai, Thailand:

(The exchange rate by the time I changed; RM10.42: 100 baht)

NOTE:

1. The cheapest airfare I ever bought! When can I get this kind of fare again? 
2. 15kg baggage allowance for my flight from Hatyai to Kuala Lumpur.
3. Stayed for 4 nights throughout the trip, which including the breakfast as well. Highly recommended hotel to stay when in Hatyai. 

My shopping hauls from the floating market 

My food hauls from Big C Extra Supermarket 

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We Eat, Shop & Sleep in Hatyai: Day 4 - Big C Extra, Fuji Japanese Restaurant, Sky Buffet & Gelate

Date Visited: 24th June 2013

I know that my friend and I had spent too many days in Hatyai alone but frankly speaking, we really enjoyed our laid back trip. As it was our last day before leaving Hatyai on the next day, we decided to shop for local snacks and after searching from the net, we took tuk-tuk to the nearest Big C Supermarket.

#1: Big C Extra

Big C is one of the biggest supermarket chains in Thailand selling quality products at affordable and low prices. It's not just visited by the local but by the foreign visitors as well, especially the one in Bangkok where you will be surprised that majority of the customers there were eventually foreign visitors.

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Things To Do & See in Tamparuli

Tamparuli is a small and quaint town located 40 minutes away from Kota Kinabalu city center, depending on the traffic conditions and how fast your driving speed. It's a town you will passby before making your way to the Kundasang, Ranau, Sandakan and even Tawau.

 Besides serve as a stopover town, there are more than a Tamparuli town can offers.  

1) Confuse Yourself in Upside Down House

The Upside Down House, or Rumah Terbalik in Malay translation is the first of its kind in Malaysia as well as in Southeast Asia and also among the seven upside-down structures built in the world. Inside this 140 square metre of traditional Sabah kampung house, it is technically built just like any other houses, features a living room, kitchen, bedrooms and bathroom with unique features of Sabah decor and design inside the house. Just that everything inside the house, from the household items to furniture is viewed in a new and different perspective, actually upside down except for few items such as air-conditioner and CCTV. Each and every visitor would be guided by a tour inside the house. However, bear in the mind photography inside the house is strictly prohibited.

among the five upside-down structures in the world

among the five upside-down structures in the world

Opening Hours: Daily from 7am to 7pm (including public holiday)
Admission Fee: Malaysian - RM10.60 for adult and RM5.30 for child
                        Non Malaysian - RM19.10 for adult and RM5.30 for child

2) Satisfy Your Hungry Tummy with Tamparuli Fried Noodle

Named after the town where it was originated, Tamparuli Fried Noodle (Tamparuli Mee) is a freshly handmade egg noodle and usually served with roasted pork, egg pork rolls and scrambled egg. You can request for seafood if you want. Some people said it looks similar to Tuaran Fried Noodle (Tuaran Mee) but I personally think it's more springy than the latter one. A plate of Tamparuli Fried Noodle cost RM5.

There are two coffee shops serve the best authentic Tamparuli Fried Noodle; Keng Swee Hing Coffee Shop and Restoran Wun Chiap. [You can refer this blog for more info about the location]

3) Embrace Yourself Walking Through Tamparuli Suspension Bridge

The most famous landmark in Tamparuli is the long hanging bridge, which is immortalised in the song Jambatan Tamparuli, a favourite folk song of the Kadazan Dusun people of Sabah. Tamparuli Suspension Bridge is very important to the local as it was built in order to help people to cross the Tamparuli River.

4) Understand The Local Culture in Chanteek Borneo Gallery

Chanteek Borneo Gallery is Sabah's first ever miniature gallery showcases an array of exhibition to preserve our Sabahan cultural heritage in a size of a “playdoll”. Here, one can see hundreds of playdoll wearing the traditional costumes of the over 40 ethnic groups of Sabahan local people. This is the best spot to see the beautiful and colourful costumes of the past and present of Sabah as some of the costumes are hardly seen nowadays except during festivities such as the Harvest Festival which is celebrated this coming end of May.


By the end of the tour, my friend and I have the opportunity to play the traditional musical instruments. It was exceptionally fun and interesting.

Opening Hours: Tuesday - Saturday from 9am to 6pm
                             Sunday from 10 am to 4.30 pm
                             Closed on Monday. 
Admission Fee: RM15.00 for adult and RM10.00 for child and senior citizen.
Camera Pass: RM5.00 is charged for each gadget

It's real! Sakura in Sabah.

We're lucky while driving along the Tamparuli road, we saw a row of trees with glorious of white and pink blossoming flowers early of this May.

One of the best way to visit all the above in Tamparuli town is by renting a car for a day. Or before going up to the Kundasang and Ranau, plan your trip earlier.

Before I end this blogpost of mine, I would like to wish 

Happy Harvest Festival & Happy Gawai 

to all fellow Sabahan and Sarawakian readers!

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We Eat, Shop & Sleep in Hatyai: A Day Tour Around Hatyai

Date Visited: 23rd June 2013

Initially on the third day in Hatyai, my friend and I decided to continue shopping but not until we were approached by a almost middle aged lady for a day tour around Hatyai. After haggled for almost ten minutes, we finally agreed with the price offered of 1,000 baht travel around with her tuk-tuk. Be make sure to do research of the market price beforehand, or else you will likely being ripped off with with absurdly high prices. I always do my research earlier at least, by reading blogs, TripAdvisor and so on.

Wat Hat Yai Nai

Not far away from the Hatyai city center, we started off by visiting Wat Hat Yai Nai, which known as Temple of Wisdom. This temple is well-known for a gigantic statue of sleeping Buddha, named Phra Phuttha Hattha Mongkhon. With the measurement of 35 metres long, 15 metres tall and 10 metres wide, Wat Hat Yai Nai is claimed to be the third largest reclining Buddha in the world. No admission fee is required, just a small donation would be appreciated.

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Bangkok & Hua Hin Version 3.0 (Sneak Peek)

I just came back from my recent trip to Bangkok and that's explain why I didn't update my blog recently.

This is my third visit to Bangkok, after two years and I'm looking forward to go again. See, I told you that Bangkok has indeed put spell on me. I just can't help myself from going back over and over again.

Not just Bangkok, this time we managed to go Hua Hin as well for 3 days 2 nights.

Hua Hin is getting more attention and popular lately, especially among foreign visitors for its interesting and charming theme parks such as Santorini Park, The Venezia, Swiss Sheep Farm and more.

#2: A day tour around Hua Hin cost 1,800 baht

That is one of the reason why I choose to be back Bangkok, instead of other cities. The other reasons:

#3: Shopping around Pratunam area

I admit that I shopped a lot when I was in Bangkok cause they were freaking cheap, from the top to the bottom. I could get a nice and decent top plus with good quality for only 120 baht (approx. to RM14) and a dress for 200 baht (approx. to RM23). I can't deny that Bangkok is indeed ladies shopping paradise.

#4: Aroi mak mak! (means very very delicious in Thai)

Besides shopping, a trip to Bangkok and Hua Hin is about food, food and food. Tom yam gung, Thai fish cake, pad thai, coconut milk sticky rice with sweet mangoes, fresh seafood - I just love Thai cuisines.

#5: Thanks to AirAsia for the cheap fare

Cheap shopping, delicious food and cheap massages - that's explain why Bangkok always my favourite city to be. Anyone love Bangkok as well? 

[Note: Just when I wish to go Bangkok again, I received another invitation to there but I rejected due to work commitment. So sad]

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