yes you are not seeing double. I'm doing another travel entry cause I hoped on the plane the next day when I returned from boracay to HK with the parents.  HK .. hmm this is the 2nd time i'm there this year. First for work, the 2nd is for leisure.  This time round, did a lot of sea travel. Guess its a continuation from my sea travels in boracay .. hahaha

Did a day trip to macau. So how is the city of casinos ? well lets just say, a day trip for HK is good enough for me.  Everywhere you go, you see nothing but casinos.  Immediately when you step out of the port, you are surrounded and bombarded by all things casino related advertisment.  The different casino even provides free transport to the casino from the port . My take, just ignore those pesky tour operators and just hop on the free bus to any of the casino. Explore a bit and than take the taxi or public bus to the city entre (they wanted to charge us HKD1000 for 3hr use of the transport, and another HKD 200 each for each person for the tour guide and they bring you to the places which are free to the public !).

The next day, we took the ferry again, this time round to cheung chao for a half day trip.  Taking ferries are easy in HK.  Just get your self to central and make your way to IFC, its just a stone throw away from the ferry terminals.  Cheung Chao .. its a getaway for people in the city.  It has a very releaxed feel , there are no cars. You either bike around or use your legs.  As all things in HK, freshness of food is highly required and so off we went to the market, loaded up on our seafood and than off we went to hand it to the restaurant to be transformed into delicious and lip smacking dishes !

it was a pretty short trip, but it was good cause apart from eat and shop, eat and shop, i saw what HK has to offer other than eat and shop.

Next round to HK, i'm going to visit lantau island .. but of course not forgetting to eat and shop too ;) 

Boracay .. where is it ? some of you may ask.  Well its the philippines of course ! its listed as one of the top 1oo beaches in the world .. and so it was decided that in the need to breathe some compress air after being off it for the last 1.5 yrs, and the need to get some sun and sand between the toes .. it was decided . Boracay it shall be.  The quest to enjoy the island life along the way, breathe some compress air and to provide a first hand view on the truth on the legend of boracay .. with these in mind, both me and SH packed our bags, booked our tickets and away we go not before having to constantly check the internet on the weather (as philippines were into the typhoon season).  I was at the point, considered the weather expect of manila and boracy ! hahahaha..

In order to get to boracay, one could either :-
1. fly to caticlan (from either manila or cebu), hop on a boat and be boracay in less than an hour
2. fly to kilbo, than a 2hr journey by road to caticlan and than hop on the boat.

I would suggest option 1, although its more expensive and currently only seair services the route to caticlan (the other airlines all fly to kilbo due to the shorter runway at caticlan airport) the price of the airticket (its about SGD250ish), does include the transfer from caticlan airport to the port and the boat ride to boracay (both ways) and the flight from manila to catilan is only (35 mins if you are flying on the doner plane, 60min in the smaller plane).

From caticlan port, just hop on the trishaw and away you go to white beach (that's the popular spot where most of the resorts dive shops are). Just make sure you hold on tight while in the trishaw and close your eyes (at times).  the traffic can be quite terrible and the way the drivers drive, lets just say the sticker which says something along the line of " Lord please grant me and my passangers safety as I drive them to their destination" .. just don't bring much comfort. But hey if you have taken the tuks tuks in thailand .. man this is nothing.  I survived, all four limbs intact and all ..

White beach, its a 9km stretch so i read on the net (its really long, I tried walking the whole stretch but its endless!)  filled with sand, sun and beautiful sea beautiful sea.. the colour of the sea .. its amazing and it just draws you to it.  I've spent time just sitting and floating happily in the sea, just enjoying the sun and the cool sea water.  So what is the weather in boracay ? its hot hot hot .. you sweat tons just sitting there doing nothing!   End oct nov is the inbetween season of the low transiting to the high and super high season (which starts in end nove, early dec).  As such, we still do experience the tail end of the rainy season.  The strange thing of the weather is that although the waters looks absolutely clear at the beachside, but the visibiliy at the dive sight are just far from between (its till visible, just that if you expecting crystal clear waters , just don't). the best time would be year end, but that would be the high and super high season, where you basically deal with the immense crowd and super high surcharges.  Anyway, the dives in boracay are easy, so it suited me and SH just fine, as it was a good way to get us back into the groove of being a diver again and yes i did manage to squeeze into my wet suite without any problems ! hahahaha ;)

On the night before halloween .. the winds started to pick up and boy did it picked up. Apparently, somewhere (Think its luzon), typhoon 2000 was raging.  So in a way, we experienced a fraction of what a typhoon feels like, and how was it? Not a good night to eat outdoors (unless you want to eat sand), but its definately good for one to dry your clothes and hair in a jiffy .. but regardless, the crowd at white beach continued as usual, business as usual.  The next day, we could see that the sea were rougher , and it was decided by the costal guards that no boats or water sports are allowed (although there was no typhoon storm signal 1 raised anyway at all).  And so, it was decided, we shall go around to the other side of the island to dive. Its calmer there, and so, we all suited up and hoped on the trishaw and made our way there  and along the way, i discovered. My underwater casing for my camera kaputted !! oh well, at least i disovered it on land than under sea ! when we arrived, it was clam and beautiful .. but than knowing how things work, we waited but no news of approval from the coastal guards. Sorry folks, and so we made our journey back to our dive school again .. oh well at least the trishaw ride was nice .

So, how is boracay one might ask.  Well from what we found out when talking to the dive shop owner and our dive guides, they (they are germans)  have been there for like 20+ years.  They were there when it was just fishing village, huts and lamps and just a shop selling rice and fried fish .. to where it is now.  All bustling and touristy.  I suppose it still does have a certain amount of charm, for people to want to stay and stay for good.

As for me , i think i will be bored out of my skull after a while.  Its a nice place to go, its a beautiful place to go for a break, for the sun and the  sea (unfortunaly I didn't made it to the legendary pukka beach when I did my island hopping trip.  Rain got in the way and we had to turn back as the sea was too rough).  Is it a good place to dive ? my answer would be no if your main aim is to dive dive dive.  Boracay offers a in between, for travellers like me, who wants to see and enjoy on land activities and along the way do some dives, stress free.  Would i go back there again .. i would, not for the dives, but for the beach, the sea, the sun and the legendary sunsets and also for the fun of shopping for the freshest seafood at talipapa market and bringing it across to the restaurant to whip up a delicious lip smacking meal !

Yes! Am  back from my HK business trip.  Stayed for the weekend and managed to see parts of HK which I missed from my previous stop over trip.  Well much has happened in my one week there in terms of weather and all .. I survived being dropped off at the wrong office by the taxi driver on the first day of work, having to endure a Typhoon 8, amber rainstorm, moving hotels and having jaw ache (talked non stop in my one week here .. need to provide training and stuff) ... and surviving the heat in HK ..and causing massive damage to my wallet (yes shopping is fabulous !! )

I managed to explore a bit on the kowloon side of things, managed to get myself to the avenue of stars .. pity the weather wasn't great, if not the view would have been really good.  Got myself to Ocean Park and my verdict .. its has more activities than disney land.  Disney land is where you go to have a magical , surreal experience , whereas ocean park has a more practical and real feel to it and its huge as well .. and I happen to go on a day where the weather shot through the roof .. so apart from the crowd, the heat, I had to jostle for distance between the brollie gang.  Brollie gang, mainland tourist (not that i have anything against them), its just that everywhere they go, they carry the umbrella and if you are not careful, just turn your head to look at something and next thing you know you are ducking for cover!! man I tell you, somebody should issue them proper ettiqute of using the umbrella. Like umbrellas are for outdoors (not indoors!) umbrellas can poke people's eye!! lucky I had my sunnies on .. too many near misses of being poked in the eye by these brolly gang (gender and age makes no difference) ..
So how is ocean park ? Well they have the panda bears (which i like cause they have aircon!) , the rides are okay, the cable car rides are fun, the aquarium is good (I miss the feeling of breathing compress air, the aquarium and jelly fish display helped) and they had this interesting gold fish display .. I saw goldfishes which i never knew existed!

Getting around HK was easy, the MTR are easy to navigate and what I liked is that its all connected (but of course sometimes having to navigate through exits A - P can be a nightmare) taxi are plenty .. tip to remember, please remember the name of your hotel in cantonese (it helps heaps when you get in the cab)

I even managed to experience protest being held at the building next to my HK office and of course you see the banners, people with loud hailers, policeman (i took some pictures but was told not to post them as I could get into trouble ) but I must say the protest are all done in a very orderly and peaceful manner (apart from the loud chants)and yes, of course I had the essential dim sum experience while in HK!

Hi People

Am back from my one week planes, trains, automobiles, ele, bamboo raft and the chao phraya river trip.  The motto of the trip was " I will survive, which lead to " I will buy".. " "I want to buy" .. platinum (5 storey building cramped pack with stores selling all kind of things at wholesale prices. It  located opposite Amari Watergate) is calling your name .. platin ....num..num..num ..and than your legs will go numb..numb..numb...

The three of us set of for our thailand trip on a hot sat afternoon .. looking forward to our adventure trip in the land of elephants.  Thailand , a country where its easy to get around with little thai (basically you can get around with just "sawadeka - hello" and " kar pun car - thank you" and a smile on your face . Its a country where you see contrast of  modern times and the old co-existence of the old together.  A place where the traffic is horrendous (at all times of the day), where shopping centers are huge and exciting and where people eat round the clock and yet they are still so slim!

The scene at the airport was "people mountain people sea" and the queue to check in at "air asia" counter was horrendous! the queue just snakes round and round .. but thank God the pace which the "snake" moves was quick.  A total of about 20 mins later, we were on our way to board the plane. So what was the plan you may ask for our one week adventure trip. Well, touch down on sat, sunday night take the sleeper train up to chiang mai, fly back on wed, eat shop explore till our legs were numb numb numb till sat.

First thing first, when we touched down on sat, checked in , put our bags and off we went to look for the Hualumpong train station which is at the fringe of china town (you can take the underground to reach there) walked around, ended up eating dinner at the armpit of china town (it was cheap and good), some how or rather stumbled (with the directions of a kind fellow dinner) onto the main belt of China town, where neon lights fills the skys and signboards advertising  shark fins and bird nest jostle for space .   Sunday morning, where else, but chat chu chak market! (mecca for all who visits bangkok over the weekend!) before we head on up to Hualumpong to catch our 1935 sleeper train to chiang mai on the northern line.  Take note, the Humpalong train station only services the northern line. For the southern or south east line, its different train stations.  You can book your train tickets on line (but note, you can only do 2 tickets at a time and you cannot choose the lower or upper berth.  The lower berth cost a little more cause its a little bit more spacious than the upper berth).

We took the 2nd class sleeper train (its good enough. First class each have two sleepers in each cabin and private toilet). There are no cabins in the 2nd class, but what you do get is curtains for privacy, guards patrolling the sleeper cabin through out the night.  Come around 8pm onwards, the PIC will come around to transform the seaters in the trains into bunk beds for those who wishes to retire early for the night. Since we are stuck on a 14hours train ride,what did we do to entertain our selves. Play Uno, which progressed to betting with the lychees that we bought from the fruit and vegetable market opposite chat chu chak (you can take the underground there).  Loser, must eat one lychee, and the final score for the night? michelle, 5 lychees adrienne 4 lychees and wendy 3 lychees .. but than in the end, it was the person with the least score who ate most of the lychees!! (there were yum, big and juicy and of course yours truly carterd back like 3 kgs).  Just take note to bring some string with you to secure your luggage on the luggage rack on the train (they tend to run out.  I had to use my carry on bag strap to do the job).  The train ride is all right, it was most therapeutic to wake up at dawn and enjoy the sunrise as the train slowly snakes its way up the mountain to chiang mai.  Come morning at around 7am onwards, the PIC magically appears to assist in folding the beds back to its original form of seats and the table magically appears and you return once again to the seater seats. (the sleeper trains provides fresh linen and comes with a pillow as well).  The toilet is okay, just don't expect plush seat warmer kinds that you get in japan.  What you get  is a clean functional with no smell toilet, which shows the train tracks as you stare down the toilet bowl as the train chugs along, and not to mention the great greenery view from the window (just don't go when the train stops )

After a 14hours ride, we finally reached Chiang Mai. We have survived ! Once you disembark, you get bombarded with people hawking their services for transport and hotels.  The best is to head to the tourist information both (its right smack in the middle when you come out) and they can get you all sorted out (they speak good english).  Chiang Mai is divided by the moat (which is the legacy of the old fort).   You get asked, so do you stay at the inner or outer moat .. I'm, like ah.. we stay near the river ? The concept of inner and outer moat somehow just doesnt register to me.  We stayed in this nice hotel called royal princess and thank god, we got upgraded to a junior suite with no extra charge! wohoo! Royal princess (under the Dusit princess group), doesn't have  a grand entrance, but the inside is nice. Its rather new and the rooms are way okay.  Location, very convenient, its on the night market belt with shops and amenties all within walking distance.  There are plenty of guest houses but do, do your research as the prices of some guest houses are not much different from the hotels.  There are decent and cheap guest houses, but they are a little way off, so if you can ride a bike (as in scooter) than you are all set for transport.  Transport cost in thailand are not cheap I must say. Cause we had limited time in Chiang Mai, it was toss between doing " flight of the gibbons, which is basically you are zipping (flying fox style) across the jungles or the trek, elephant ride, water fall and karen village .. in the end we ended up with the trek.  Cause since we are in chiang mai, lets go visit the karen.  Cause there were 9 of us in the group, I had the luxury of having a whole ele to myself and it came with a baby elephant as well (I rode the mama).  We rode through the jungles, crossed the rivers and crashed through bushes and trees.  Enjoyable ride. Next it was the bamboo raft ride , its like riding the sampan down the rider, just that you are sitting on bamboo stringed up together to form a raft and they dismental the bamboo raft, load it on the pick up when you reach the end.  Next it was off to a real karen village (short neck not the long neck one) to see how they still lived before doing a short hike (about 20 mins) to reach the waterfall. Our guide was Mr Pan, the bai tribe, who speaks good english and mandarin as well. On the way back we asked to be dropped off at Chiang Mai largest shopping centre and there you have , three dirty girls, with equally dirty pants traversing across the huge shopping comples.  Thank God for Aircon! Dinner was things we picked up in the food court before taking the free shuttle songtew back to our hotel. So morale of the storey, always pack some utensils with you when you travel. Luckily we had to ferret the plastic fork and spoon from the plane ride into bangkok and together with my travel chopsticks , hotel coffee spoon, we somehow managed. Hey, if you ever need chopsticks, just use the cocktail stirrers provided in the hotel room, thats call improvising my friend. :)

We decided to fly back to bangkok instead (to save time only one hour). We took nok air (its thailand version of budget airlines).  Its good, the seat are spacious (bigger than air asia definitely)and I would definitely be taking them the next time I travel inter thailand. Back in bangkok, the original plan was to make our way to see the railway market (which you can find in U tube. do a google search for rail way market thailand.  Its a market located on the railway tracks itself, the vendors will keep their wares and when the train passed through, they immediately unfurl their tent age and start hawking again. As if nothing happened). We abandoned the plan, cause the journey was too long and the timing of the trains were just not right. So we decided, lets do the waterways of Bangkok instead.  But before we hit the waterways, we made our way to Ayutthaya.  From the trusty information found in my LP on thailand, we decided to take the bus instead of the train (although train is cheaper).  Cause the bus interchange is nearer to the Ayutthaya unesco site (the train station is outside of town, you had to take a short ferry ride to get to fringe of town). And so, we checked with the tourist information booth, take the bus from the moh chit bus interchange.  Okay, ah how do we get there ? look at map, not very far what, just need to take the BTS to moh chit, walk across the park and viola !

After was crossed the moh chit park .. eh where is the bus interchange .. no have ? oh well, we are here for adventure right ? so we just walked and walked , until we saw another park (can't remember exactly the name, its queen skr something).  Come we ask security guard " take bus where" .. follow the finger .. and so onward we went on the yellow brick road.  Thank God for shade (by the trees) if not we would have fried under the Hot sun. Walk walk walk .. still no sign of anything .. until we came out of the park .. its a road, turn left, hey got buses parked under the highway! we are near! so renewed with the sight, onward we went .. went in to check, " you want to take bus to Ayuthaya ? not here. In front " .. and so the three once again, set foot on the yellow brick road... when .. yes! I see the bus station!! So after walking around for like 30 min or so (I think), we finally made it to the moh chit bus station.  After this, the dirty word for the trip was "walk". We have survived! legs were  numb..numb..numb..  after we bought our tickets, sat down to wait for the bus (there is a bus that leaves for Ayuthaya every 20 mins, coast 50bht) did we realize that the print out that the tourist information booth gave us was that you can take local bus 159, 529 to the moh chit bus interchange and not bus no. 159, 529 to Ayutthaya from the moh chit bus interchage!!  Oh well, it was an adventure we wanted and we got an adventure just looking for the bus interchange!

When you get off at Ayutthaya, you can strike a bargin with the tuk tuk drivers who will bring you to the ruins . Cost is charged by per person and the time limit.  we paid 300bht each for 2 hours, but in the end it become 3 hours but with no extra charge.  When we landed in Ayutthaya, we were all prepared to do some cycling (which the guidebook describe as possible to get around the historical site)... nobody cycles in Ayutthaya lah !  I had this vision stuck in my mind that the ruins of Ayutthaya ancient city ruins were all found in one place .. but I was wrong.  Its dotted across the city and the reality of it was, the city was built around the ancient ruins and not away from it.  So it was a little weird for me at first.  You see modern buildings just next to a plot of ruins.  Too many ruins, but because we had limited time and also after a while, all the ruins start to look the same, we visited 3 ruins and the museum  (can give the museum a miss, unless you are a big fan of buddhist artifacts and buddha images).  The ruins were beautiful, I can imagine in its original glory, it was magnificant and the wonders of what man can do brick by brick. So after spending lie 3 hours in Ayutthaya, we made our way back to bangkok.  Did we go back to our hotel rooms to rest ? of course not! must maximise our time, and so it was off to platinum centre to explore .. platinu..num..num..num. Legs numb..numb..numb..

The next day was a slow and easy day.  Headed towards the chao phraya river. The river ways of Bangkok is a nice way to spend your day traversing the muddy coloured waters at very cheap prices.  We took the BTs to Saphan Thaksin, which will lead you to the central pier. We saw the prices, 120bht for unlimited ride for the day. " execuse me where you going?" . We going to grand palace ? .. "quick quick get on the boat! the boat is leaving!!" .. and so somehow or rather we stumbled and landed ourselves on the river express, which cost us only 18bht to get to the grand palace (its stop no.8 The Tien)instead of 120bht.   The grand palace area is rather interesting, with many shops, market, traffic (come on in Bangkok, how can you not have traffic).. when we reach the grounds, we were told, sorry Bermudas , shorts, sleeveless all cannot enter.  We looked at each other , we are all in bermudas how ? no fear, no fear. The Thais thought of everything.  You can borrow clothes (100 bht deposit, you can get your money back when you return the clothes)to 'decent' your appearance.  To enter the palace, its 350bht.  We decided not to cause,  pay so much and its not the first palace that we have seen in our lives, so we just visited the grounds outside the entrance, walking daintily in our wrap around skirts and flip flops.  After that we took a 3bht boat ride across the river to this place called 'wong lang" to visit the local market, eat walk shop before taking the 18bht express boat back to the central pier.

This trip, allowed me to see more of thailand.  This was the first time (in all my numerous trip to bangkok) where I visited and traverse  the waterways of the chao praya river, saw the temple of dawn (from the boat), and visited places where locals go to eat and shop.   Bangkok, spend a little more time there (not your usual 3D2n trip), can you get to experience a lot more of the country.  The markets are fun, the food wonderful and yummy and plentiful, the shopping centres interesting (i recommend the supermarket at Siam paragon.  excellent service, they can pack for you your fruits and buys in a box so that you can either check it in or hand carry on board the plan all only for the grand price of 18bht extra for the box), the flight there are cheap and short (2.5hrs). So what more can you ask ?

I survived the plane, trains, automobiles, ele, bamboo raft and the chao phraya river in  thailand! ooh and my lychees survived too!

Wendy

After a frantic time of calling the airline to rectify airticket issue  (yes someone booked the airticket but to the wrong destination!!! it wasn't me) , this aunty and the two rascals (niece and nephew) and their parents + helper tow, made it to Phuket for a 4D3N trip on Sunday (29 mar09).

 

Hmm .. how is Phuket one might ask ? Well I have not been there before and frankly I was interested to see how the place had reconstructed after the Tsunami incident.  I must say they had pulled themselves on their feet very well . There is now a big morden shopping centre (called jungcelyon) which is a place that I visted everyday (not to shop but to escape the heat!) The weather there was Hot! Hot! Hot! and i mean it in the weather sense (no eye candy, but than again I could be too preoccupied by the two rascals to have time to survey the people landscape!)

Home for the next three nights was with "the ourtyard by marriot", its located just next to Holiday Inn at Patong and when the extension is fully down (which should be soon), it will come complete with Hard Rock Phuket.  The hotel was nice and the location pretty convenient.  Its just one street away from Patong beach (about 5 min walk) and just outside of the hotel are shops and restaurant galore!

Things in phuket are not cheap, in fact its more expensive than Bangkok and the funny thing is, I couldn't find a shop that sold thai beef noodles!! They had tom yum goong, pad thai etc just no thai beef noodles ?!  Didn't managed to get anyway other than to the beach (which we went early in the morning and didn't stay very long, cause the niece was complaining that it was too hot! and its hot! the sun at 8am is like our 10 am and come noon, walking out to get lunch is a mammoth affair.  Short distance okay, more than 10min walk, we take taxi! one would just melt(literally) in the sun!) But when the children were napping in the afternoon, this aunty and her sister managed to hop on next door to holiday inn and signed on for cookery class! yes most fun and interesting, they make it so easy to prepare and cook those thai dishes ! plus the fact that the coordinator of the class thought I was the same age as her (late 20s) hehehehe .. needless to say I was beaming ear to ear lah .. hahahahaha

Patong beach is not the best beach in terms of sand etc, but its still a pretty sight in the morning when the waters are blue  but on the other hand, its also rather scary where what you see on the beach (apart from sun burned people walking around with min clothing etc), you just see rows and rows of beach chairs!  its too crowded for me .. beaches to me must have a certain zen to it, patong beach is too cluttered.

I went during shoulder season and I cannot imagine it being peak season, all the deck chairs on the beach would be filled so are the shops, streets and restaurant!

Phuket although a very short plane ride away (1.5hrs) its the most commercialised (in terms of price and touting etc) place in thailand that I have been to, would I go back there again .. hmmm .. most probably not. There are nicer place in Thailand to go than Phuket, unless one is hard pressed for time and just want to get away for the weekend.  

 

 

well it all started with .. eh .. we should go try out our camera something leh ... you see Audrey and I , we both have the same camera.  But me being the kind that will just use everything on the auto setting decided that all right, since I have a something of an SLR camera (actually up to day, i still haven't figured out if my camera is considered as an SLR or not.  I am not a camera techie, but I just basically like to take photos.  People who know me knows that I return with volumnious shots even on a short trip)  I should at least go toy with it right ? And so, the journey of attempting to shoot on the P mode and adjusting things like aperature, shutter speed was in the making ...  After enduring a "human sardine " train ride (yes I have to endure such sardine cramp environment everyday on my way home from work .. even on a weekend, the "sardine syndrome" doesn't cease .. sian ..)  we made our journey to the train station.   Hmm .. the train station .. how can i describe it. Well its basically looks and feels like a train station in Malaysia (technically you are stading on malaysia in the train station), the signs are in malay and the feeling is kinda laid back .. the kind of feeling that one would get if you are in a train station in malaysia it self.  It was interesting to see, well among the darbness, they had some nice murals on the walls  .. i like most are the public telephone.  Bright fire engine red .. screaming out for attention on your right when you enter. It has this nostalgic feel to it ...and of course I couldn't resist not taking a picture of it.

Next it was to china town .. or rather parts near china town.  It was most interesting to see that in all the morderness , there stilll exists rows and rows of shop houses, in its royal regal, standing among the high rise buildings, injecting its charm from a time of our ah ma and ah gong.  I was most surprise that you can still find such buildings in singapore! Although most of it has been renovated to house cafes, spas, offices and small enterprises.  I had a most enjoyable time, trying to figure out the manual settings of my camera, looking at the sight and trying to figure out where and what to take.. . for a moment, I was like a tourist to a country where I had lived for the past 30 odd years.. most interesting way to spend a saturday afternoon.

I would definately pick up my camera and go on one of these walk about again.  It definately give me a new perspective of the place which you thought you knew very well ... suprises are everywhere . However big or small .. you just need to go explore and look for it.

Camera trigger happy ger

Hi folks
yes the gang of four survived  the ardous journey across the sea to and fro  Batam and survived to tell the tale .. It was the saturday after christmas that the gang of four embarked on the journey ...

The sky cleared after rainy christmas weather to reveal clear blue skies on the morning of our departure ...which was a great start.  For those who are looking to do a weeken trip to batam or bintan and do not want to face the hassle of waiting for a cab, have no fear, the open air car  park at seah im (its next to the hawker centre opposite harbour front) to the rescue.  It costs only 4 to park the whole day .. its cheaper than the cab!

The ride to batam was smooth and calm .. and as we arrived before the check in time, we threw our bags with the hotel, hopped on the transport and made our way to the shopping centre and while the day away until it was time to head on back to the hotel after dinner .. Well when you are only in Batam for one night, so get your self to the local mall and explore ...

We stayed at Holiday Inn Batam.  The place was nice .. I liked the pool and breakfast is good .. verdict .. hmm can come back again if you are looking for a short break with no hassle ..

 Hi Folks

Am back from Sarawak, the land of paradise so as touted by the Sarawak Tourism Board and so rightfully so (not that my parents are from there, but have a visit and you will see why and nope, am not on the payroll of the Sarawak Tourism Board)

I made it to Kuching on Airasia not without much prayers , not that I don't trust the skill of the pilots but because someone I knew made it all to the way to the airport, only to be told by Airasia that the flight is cancelled! I say its because they didn't have the min required passangers!  The trip was a R&R trip with the mission of paying a much beloved dear friend a visit. So touristy things/ideas were thrown out of the window and what I got in return was a truly R&R trip, doing and experiencing the life of a person staying in Kuching, buying food from the wet market, stay at Sematan (beach side frequented by the locals), made sambal chilli, went cushion cloth hunting and helping assemble a huge throw cushion (well I do have to "sing" for my free lodgings you know), visited a hospital which you normally would not and wouldn't want to while travelling,  (nope nothing was wrong with me or friend), hang out at cool place (I highly recommend this place called "the living room") and hang out with friend's friends which put my hokkien capability to good use (nope, was not in the company of any ah bengs or lians. Hokkien is the common dialect spoken in kuching), visited the pottery and of course ate coupious amount of kolo mee!

Sematan is about 2 hours drive from Kuching.  Its a beach side which is rather popular with the locals and it has a different feel as compared to Damai beach (which is very commercialised and touristy).  What you get at Sematan is a vast beach  surrouded by lush nice greenery.  Stayed at this place called " Palm Beach Resor".  Decent resort with nice clean rooms and decent food.  We rented a bike and a rough drawn not to scale map provided by the resort, started our adenture of exploring the place.  It was a beautiful ride, you get to cycle through villages, paddy fields with view to kill.  Imagine, mountain clouds in the background of lush vegetation.. and at the end of the trip (if you choose to do one full round as we did), you end up in Sematan town (small typical town) where you can park your bike, out up your legs and enjoy reprive from the heat/sun and have a nice glass of beer.  Round trip takes about 1.5 to 2 hours.  Heineken beer were going like 3 cans for RM 10!! and they are the real stuff (tried and tested) ;)
Sematan beach is huge and the sea is definately rougher as compared to Damai (which is calm) which made it even more fun for one to dive and jump into/avoid the waves. 

After 2 nights stay it was back to Kuching, for another adventure. I must say I was rather impressed with myself for driving around kuching and making it to my destination relying on just verbal instructions, and sense of directions all by myself.  I made it to Bau Town, about 1.5 hour drive from Kuching to visit the caves (fairy and wind) and to Semongog wildlife sanctuary to have glimpse of the highly intelligent and protected orang utan.

Bau town  , Bau in Hokkien means smelly. Accordingly to the guide, it was called smelly, because during the japaese occupation time, the caves located at Bau were used to dump dead bodies, and the smell of rotting corpses filled the town air. After registering my self with the park office, paid my enterence feeds, I marched up the stairs with  a torch light  in hand and hiking boots on my feet. I thought to my self, its only a cave (and I have been to one before) and there are walkways bulit so, exploring the caves should be chicken feet.  Upon approaching the enterence, you will first hear the squeaks of the numerous fruit bats living in the cave and the immense darkness that welcomes you  ... so I switched on my torch light and head on in.  After a couple of steps .. okay I admit, I chickened out. So I hightailed my way out and headed down to the parks office.  When the rangers saw me, they had this smile on their faces as said " you okay ? why the cave too dark is it?". Which I replied " Yah .. very dark.  I think I will hire a guide". So with a guide in tow I took a deep breathe and ventured into the darkness again.  On the hindsight, taking a guide was wonderful.   Interesting facts were ponted out to me, like the different formation in the caves on how its formed, on there are two types of bats living in the cave.  The fruit bats which are very noisy and live in groups and the solidatory and exceptionally quiet insect bats (which I like, cause they keep the mosquito population down to zero and best of all, quiet and low maintenance, mosquitoes are free!)  I also saw swallow nests with swallow in tow with their eggs, which was interesting to me cause the swallow nests that I have seen are those packaged in boxes or bottles (AKA bird nests).

Semongog Wildlife Centre is a rehabilitation centre for Orang Utan.  The Orang Utans there are allowed to roam the forest,  so it makes it all the more appealing to see them swinging in the trees with not a care in the world.  Unfortunately, at the destinated feeding time, after 1 hout wait no orang utans came to the feeding station (which is a good sign, as it means they are able to find enought forage and food in the jungle but not so good news for us visitors).  So what to do, if they don't come, we go to them.  After a 15 min hike into the jungle (and muddy too) lead by the park rangers, we were greeted by 2 juveniles and a mother hanging happily in the trees.

Life in kuching is definately at a much slower pace as compared to singapore.  You can afford to take the time, sit down drink a cup of coffee have a bao and just enjoy the sunset. A much needed break from the hustle and bustle of Singapore .. sigh ..

Wendy

Awoke to a cloud filled sky on a saturday, got ready and headed out to pursue a exploratory journey on the latest green project in singapore called the park connector.  The park connector is a series of walk paths/way/bridges which aims to connect the different parks in singapore together.  So technically speaking, the aim was to allow one to walk around singapore on a single yellow brick road!  It was a wonderful get away, its amazing that even in this concrete filled country called singapore, you can actually have a pleasant walk among the greenery, enjoy the view and get away from the concreteness of buildings that we are so acustomed to see.  We started from the bus interchange opposite Vivo, harbour frront, made out way through the forst trail and emerged victorious at the top of mount faber. Than its onwards to the famous "Henderson wave " - a suspension bridge which has the wave design and is located on top of henderson. It was filled with people and as you take every step, you can feel the bridge bobbing up and down and you start wondering.. erh ? Do they actually have a limit on the number of people ? cause  its a long hard drop (its the road beneath), most unglam to go if anything were to happen (not that I say it would , choy choy choy!)

Not long after the suspension bridge you reach hort park .. unfortunately its concrete .. but its rather nice as they filled it with lots of plants and flowers.. colours.. a welcome break from the mono colour scheme - green that you see throughout the walk. From Hort park we finally emerged to Kent Ridged park  after about 2.5 hours.. thank God we managed to get a taxi down,cause if not its another God nows how long before we can emerge into civilisation (the neares being science park).  Of course after all that exercise, it was off to a wonderful yummilicous meal at Kurnus, the curry fish head is Shiok (and yes its makansurtra certified).  so if you are ever in town or is thinking of doing the park connector, go do it.  You will find it pleasantly wonderful (not to mention the walk is good for health too!)     

The transaction where I am no longer 1. classified as being early thirties to mid thirties, 2.able to tick on the box that say 26 to 34 age group on survey and application forms and 3. finally fully recognised by the Government that I am now fully independent and trust worthy to buy a roof over my head on my own without having to be chaperoned by another (co owner) from HDB has been completed today. (as for point 3, actually I still don't qualify leh cause I Malaysian mah)

In my journey from my early twenties, to my mid twenties, to the big 30 and now to middle thirties, I realised that :-

a. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak and late nights(or should I say "early" nights) in a row over the precious weekends reduces me to a walking lethargic   freak. No more fast and fury lifestyle not that I was ever in that league .. me is good girl you now .. muahahaha

b. Topic of conversation amongst friends now includes and revolves around family, kids and career. The kind of ailments that one is having, what is the latest health issues etc

c. I give this weird look to teenagers along the street doing stupid things and you go like alamak, shake head. But than later on I realize that I too was once their age and I probably also did those stupid things (and probably top them at it) too ! .. and I go I was like this ???? cannot believe .. cannot believe ...Actually even as I sojourn into my mid thirties, I still do stupid things. But I learn to be better at it, do stupid things only when you travel abroad as nobody knows you apart from your travel mates, which either you make them participate in the stupid act also and adopt the one die all die mentality or make them swear to complete secrecy or just put a price tag on their heads if they ever spill ...

d. I become (or rather do a pathetic attempt at being) more health conscious and I would really take time to read the information on food /products at the supermarket .. especially on the fat content .. but than again, it didn't help in my weight control leh .

e. No matter how I diet or be health conscious (or attempt to be) , my metabolic rate just keeps going downhill .. and I could literally gain weight even when I live on air !

f. On one hand I try to be more heath conscious, on the other hand I am like " Come on, you only live once and when you are of this age, its don't care, just eat lah! " Oxymoronic issues when it comes to food and health .. sigh .. how like that .. that's why my dress size and weight never goes down hill.

g. I am have a heighten sense for issues and possess the power to better handle issues and pain in the ass people at work (and in the process kill some people) and learn that hey ! I am not some "yang mao xiao ya tou" leh ! You don't dare to bully me ah .. as my saying goes, the older one gets, the wiser you are at amassing self defence skills. No more blur queen !

h. I now am in the stage where I am more economically independent and can pamper oneself more and not have to constantly watch the dots move forward and reducing my front number(s) in my bank account balance.

g. I have learned to have immense patience with my parents . As they age, things/process go in a slower pace for them in all areas and I must learn to walk in the same pace with them

h. I tend to become more cautious and tend to do an in depth battle of thoughts (be it monetary or personal). I basically become more kiah su ? as in no more chong ah ... lets go! no need to think so much one. No more the young and the restless and the gung-ho ..

I. I start to yawn and go into that huh ? sleepy not exactly that mindset of brain by 11pm .. no more sleep at 5am and be at desk at 9am thing..

j. I start to look at skin care product which helps in addressing wrinkles and spots .. must maintain that youthful look what to do ..vain mah..

k. My memory (long or short term) capability seems to have more holes as in there are times I thought of something at work but when I stand up I actually forgot what I wanted to do ! Sigh .. sign of old age

So far this is what I realised. So after the above observations of me entering into the middle age realm, how do I feel ? Well I feel just fine ! I have arrived to the next stage of my life and I look forward to having more adventures! : ) I may be middle age , but hey that is not going to slow me down one bit (except for the sign of old age part on my body).

To those who will be making this same journey later on in the year .. enjoy the transition . You only live your new age once !

Middle age newbie
Wendy

 

Muse on the latest trip .. Sydney ..

After a 6hrs drive on the Alpine highway, driving past Canberra , many fields of grass (dotted with cows and sheeps )  and wineries (surprisingly) and rainbows!  Wonderful sight for a driver whose eyes are peeled on the road, you would have finally arrived at Jindabyne, the gateway to the snowy mountain region. Stay at Jindabyne was in a 5star self contained apartment called Torino (with full facilities, cable (all channels!), heated floors! located on a slope facing the lake, which was  a wonderful sight when one  is brave enough to defy the cold and make it to the balcony.

From Jindabyne, its about a 20 mins drive (with road kill along the way, we had to stop a car once because a deer jumped out suddenly) to the Ski Tube , which is located at the foot of the mountain.  From there, you take the ski tube (its like the mrt of sorts) and than its a 15 mins ride up the mountains to either "Blue Cow" - which is the lower slopes good for beginners and to Perisher Blue - which is where the ski resorts are located with steeper slopes.  On the first day that we arrived, the weather was not exactly beautiful, it was windy, cloudy cold and wet.  But that did not dampen our spirits.  We happily went to get ourselves fitted with the essential ski boots and poles.  Anyway by the time, you get your ski boots and ski jackets/gloves etc  on, one is already sufficiently warmed up and than you have to clonk (cause that is exactly the sound it makes when you walk on ski boots)  out with skis and poles in hand to get to the snow.  That  added to the warm up session.  Took lessons for ski, and as the instructors says so, it is not easy.  So it was a lot of laughter as we took turns to slide down the slope on our bums !   The 2nd day's weather was beautiful.  The sun was up and it was bright and sunny and needless to say, we were all sufficiently roasted at lunch (the place is all glass!).  As you ski/run/snow flight in the ski outfit, it really gets very warm very fast, so it was really an exercise to have to continuously take and put on your ski jacket/neck warmers etc.  Machiam like fashion show ..  
 
So how was my initial introduction to skiing ? It was good and I would definitely would like to make another trip to the snow, but this time, I think I would want to try snow boarding cause it looks way cooler than the on skis, got less things to lug to the snow and the snowboard boots are so much nicer and make less conking noise .. kekeke

breakfast in hk
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the essential nia cha ..
one of the fav drinks in HK

noodles .. ooldles ..
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and more noodles
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market near my sister's place
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people mountain people sea
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fruits anyone
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greeny .. green
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vitamin c
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an apple a day keeps the doctor away
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vege vege
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lime anyone
check out the pretty peel

and you have the protein
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unexpected guest
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vitamin c galore
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ointment for all ailments
thought the different colours looked very pretty

live flapping fish
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and the not so live flapping fish
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lup cheong .. galore
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salty salty fishy fish
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waxed silky smooth duck leg
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nice ..
this came out pretty ..

HK icone .. one of them
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fluffy white bao
essentially dim sum

xiu bah ..another HK icon
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the hoover craft to macau
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check out the sign .. seat belts in a boat ??
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but there is none !
think they used the ones meant for aeroplanes ..

the happy travellers
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skylight of macau port
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the free bus to venetian
one of the icon (apart from sands) of macau

the venetian facade
ah heard so much about it but when you see it .. its ..ah .. so very the so so only

the sign
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the interior
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check out the sky line
the interior of the venetian .. trust me photo looks a whole lot better than in real life

changing skylight
the sky light changes .. so it actually made one feel sleepy as it dims ..

macau curry chicken
the must eat in macau .. and its yummy although it not spicy

che par bao
pork meat bun famous in macau

ox tail something
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interior of the venetian ..
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pretty ceiling
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gamblers in action
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wah ...
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gondola in action
and they actually sing as they row !

the all famous canal
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feels like venice?
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gondola up front ..
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pretty lights
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feels like in europe .. but we are indoors
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streets of macau
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nice buildings
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walk about in macau
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chest nuts anyone ?
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the m every where
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church
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liked the plaster work
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street sign in spanish still
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advertisment for the pork bun
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egg tarts
cannot leave macau without eating these .. yummy !

too big, need help to prop it up
although i do pity the lady, she has to prop this up the whole day

me feet in macau
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lost ?
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the famous facade of the burned down church
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majestic view
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guess what this is ?
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me again .. haha
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street where we were
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guess correctly ? its the mailbox !
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wild boar seasoned meat
its pretty tasty i must say. Not cheap but its nice !

choices .. choices ..
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town municipal building
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really nice ..traditional spanish building
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path the court yard ..
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check out the tiles !
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love the blue !
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the courtyard ..
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pui .. pui .. pui ...
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courtyard view
a welcome reprive from the bustling street outside .. feels just like spain !

god of fortune ?
well you are in a city of casinos ..

yummy yummy dumplings
these are to die for!

walk about
old part of town ..

street ..
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tailor shop still in practise...
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hungry .. hungry
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lights .. old ..street
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i liked the sign ..
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ode to the cow .. moo!
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view from the bus ..
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at the jetty to cheung chau
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our ride
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refugees ???
nah actually its people waiting at the gate to get on the boat !

check out our sea ride
we took the slow boat , its about 55 min from HK central to cheung chao. fast boat is about 35 mins.

slow and steady
slow boat may be a bit slower, but its bigger , you get to go out to the deck, and its stable

up and away
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backend of the ferry
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on the way ..
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ride the waves ..
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hmm ...
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it was good weather ..
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hoover crafts we saw along the way
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hoover crafts speeding towards macau
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three legs ?
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cheung chao port
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streets of cheung chao
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goods of cheung chao
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dried goods
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star fish ???
apparently they use this to cook soup

cheung chao market
where we bought our seafood for lunch

upside down live fish
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cuttlefish and kangong ..
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essential market tool
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chicken wing
people do bbq in cheung chao

fish to be dried
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instant bbq stuff
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crabs .. swimming ..
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scallops
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some kind of hum ..
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tai ping bun.. icon of cheung chao
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on the way to our restaurant
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ocean east rest..
place that cooked our lunch .. and the result of the food ..

red lantern everywhere
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i just like the blue contrast
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the rest kitchen
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snacks while you wait for lunch
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kueh something
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check out the blue
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the kueh i bought to stop my hunger
don't know what they were.. but they were nice

check out our lunch
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its finger licking good
too busy eating that i gave up taking picture of the food after 3 dishes.. hahaha

crab galore
i'm not a crab person, but man i tell you, the flower crabs were sweet natually and it was yummy!

blue blue sky
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interesting sign
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cheung chao beach
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cheung chao beach
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walk about in cheung chao
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cher zhai noodles ..
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lost ? no fear map is here
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sign
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waters of cheung chao
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our ride back to hk central
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so very the early ...
we finally made it to the domestic airport at manila for our flight to boracay ..

caffaine ! plenty of it !
come on its 5ish in the morning !! i need caffine.. but i must say coffee in phlippines are strictly restrcited to nesca

our ride to borcay
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check out the interior
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our ride in full
not to bad, the flight price includes the transfer and boat ride to boracay from caticlan(both ways)

runway of caticlan
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the airport of caticlan
we are only a boat ride away to boracay !

the water transport
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yes safety is very important on the boat
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our barang barang ..
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scene from the boat
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our resting place for the next 6 nights
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one of our fav hang out place
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scene from the top
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check out the blue !
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wah ! that was what i could only say
trust me you just cannot take your eyes off the blue of the sea

coconut .. abc ..
coconut is one of my fav picture subject lah .. go island how not to not take coconut tree

fueling time
our breakfast after we checked into our accomodation in boracay ..

om..mer ... lete ..
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w....a.....h...
source of magazine cover

air tanks at attention
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scene form the roof top of our accomodation
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lunch refueling ..
local joint .. its CCGGPP (cheap cheap good good plenty plenty)

sisingang .. local soup.. yummy
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swing anyone ?
swings infront of the mexican bar , bolerao where we had free drinks on the house

hick ... hick ..
the drinks made by them are sure mighty potent i must say!

colours from the beach stretch
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bamboo for ??
nope its not for sitting. Its for people to walk especially so when the roads are flooded !

humpback whales ??
lobster on sale at talipapa market ..

scallops
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crab ... crabby..
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oosters ?
declicious when baked

kids playing in the market
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its market .. what do you expect
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shy kid
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even the ang moh shop here
check out the basket the guys is carrying ..

if you are ever in need of a slipper
giant inflatable slipper we found at the market

here fishy fishy ..
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nanan anyone ?
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packet of .. stuff ..
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instant red eggs..
interestingly .. its salted eggs!

lazing by the beach
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sailing ..sailing home ..
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slabs of meat on the beach
masage services provided along the beach

later afternoon scene
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me on the beach.. glam toes
decided to take my feet while waiting for friend who is getting a leg massage done ..

night scene ..
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wreck dive ..
some part of the boat ..

thing that keeps the boat moving
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nudi branch
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star fish with
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hatch
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lonely .. so lonely pole
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proof that i went wreck diving
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wait .. don't breathe must take picture
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ghostly ..
picture of the hull .. most ghostly i must say

ini machiam ?
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ah dunno which part of the wreck this is
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cooking service
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almost famous
if you are ever at the talipapa market please go to this res. don't know the name but just look out of theposters by cus

clam soup
more clam than soup

fish soup
DSCN6643.JPG 2009-09-30

steam fish
yes it was fish overload that day

locak vege
its similar to what have in singapore, the star shape vegetable

after math ...
DSCN6646.JPG 2009-09-30

burp ...
DSCN6647.JPG 2009-09-30

in the spirit of halloween
white beach went full blown in decoration..

not that scary in day time lah
DSCN6649.JPG 2009-09-30

halloween spirit in the air
DSCN6651.JPG 2009-09-30

in the spirit of halloween
DSCN6755.JPG 2009-11-01

in the spirit of halloween
DSCN6756.JPG 2009-11-01

in the spirit of halloween
DSCN6757.JPG 2009-11-01

in the spirit of halloween
DSCN6690.JPG 2009-09-30

i tried to play the devil
but you know I am such a good girl .. it jsut didn't work .. hahahaha

aw... ooh ...!
moon on halloween night ..

white beach
DSCN6652.JPG 2009-09-30

beach..beach ..
DSCN6653.JPG 2009-09-30

almost a magazine cover
DSCN6654.JPG 2009-09-30

sun , sea and the beach
DSCN6655.JPG 2009-09-30

lets go canoeing
DSCN6657.JPG 2009-09-30

endless beach stretch
DSCN6658.JPG 2009-09-30

painter
DSCN6660.JPG 2009-09-30

t-shirt hand painter in action
DSCN6661.JPG 2009-09-30

d"mall
DSCN6665.JPG 2009-09-30

lemon tart from lemon cafe
DSCN6669.JPG 2009-09-30

coffee !
for once i had proper brewed coffee in boracay. .. no nescafe ..

ferris wheel in action
DSCN6671.JPG 2009-09-30

grilled chicken ..
yummy ..finger licking good !

sisig
sorry anthony b.. this is just not my dish regardless what you said on your show "no reservation "..

scud missles
man they are HOT ! my lips burned away ..

sand castles
they are made everyday .. and yes its alwasy the same design..

night scene on white beach
DSCN6679.JPG 2009-09-30

windy night
DSCN6680.JPG 2009-09-30

eric, our dive master leading the way
heading to the other side of the island

scene from our trishaw..
DSCN6695.JPG 2009-10-31

view of the driver
DSCN6696.JPG 2009-10-31

all clam and nice
DSCN6697.JPG 2009-10-31

the other side of boracay
DSCN6698.JPG 2009-10-31

boats galore
DSCN6701.JPG 2009-10-31

view not from white beach
DSCN6702.JPG 2009-10-31

one of the nicer resorts
DSCN6703.JPG 2009-10-31

scene from white beach
DSCN6706.JPG 2009-10-31

scene from white beach ..
DSCN6707.JPG 2009-10-31

kite flyers out at play
DSCN6711.JPG 2009-10-31

base camp of the kite flyers
DSCN6712.JPG 2009-10-31

heat quencer
DSCN6713.JPG 2009-10-31

mystery package
DSCN6714.JPG 2009-10-31

reminds me of doremon's redbean bun
the shape that is

inside .. inside
you have vegetables and sausage!

plastic model
that was what we saw from the shop front

plastic model
okay the real thing came close to the fake one i must say .. in terms of looks

wedding at the beach
we chanced upon a wedding at the resort next to ours

wedding at the beach
the groom looked very dazed i must say..

market at night
DSCN6725.JPG 2009-10-31

cafe del mar
DSCN6728.JPG 2009-10-31

flapping in the wind
DSCN6731.JPG 2009-10-31

solitude
DSCN6732.JPG 2009-10-31

bolero
mexican place.. friendly staff at the bar and its not because we got free drinks

in need of ?
DSCN6744.JPG 2009-10-31

local breakfast
DSCN6751.JPG 2009-11-01

pretty tasty i must say
DSCN6753.JPG 2009-11-01

some brain activity while you eat
DSCN6754.JPG 2009-11-01

our boat .. island hopping
DSCN6758.JPG 2009-11-02

check out the blue..
DSCN6759.JPG 2009-11-02

our boat man at work ..
DSCN6760.JPG 2009-11-02

view from the boat
DSCN6765.JPG 2009-11-02

dark clouds approaching
DSCN6767.JPG 2009-11-02

crystal cove..
DSCN6768.JPG 2009-11-02

crystal cove cover
DSCN6769.JPG 2009-11-02

pretty clouds
DSCN6770.JPG 2009-11-02

the t bar enterance
DSCN6771.JPG 2009-11-02

conference ?
DSCN6773.JPG 2009-11-02

walk about on crystal cove
DSCN6775.JPG 2009-11-02

passage to the sea
DSCN6776.JPG 2009-11-02

down the stairs and
DSCN6779.JPG 2009-11-02

look out to the sea
DSCN6780.JPG 2009-11-02

walk about on crystal cove
DSCN6781.JPG 2009-11-02

look out tower
DSCN6782.JPG 2009-11-02

so inviting !
DSCN6783.JPG 2009-11-02

wohoo!
DSCN6784.JPG 2009-11-02

walkway covered by the sea
we had to hold on to the rails and walked through thigh high waters..

climb though this passage
for tall people like me, it was pretty knee buckling cause i had to squat and walk through the tunnel. Thank god it was

and emerge to see
DSCN6790.JPG 2009-11-02

crystal cover beach
DSCN6792.JPG 2009-11-02

on the way
DSCN6793.JPG 2009-11-02

coconut peddler
mobile peddlers .. peddling coconut

the three stooges
DSCN6796.JPG 2009-11-02

can you see my feet?
DSCN6799.JPG 2009-11-02

i absolutely love the sky
DSCN6802.JPG 2009-11-02

hhhmmm ....
DSCN6803.JPG 2009-11-02

wah ...
DSCN6804.JPG 2009-11-02

yum .. garlic butter prawn
our meal at the famous shop at talipapa market

steamed crab
DSCN6806.JPG 2009-11-02

clams .. baked with cheese
never did have it this way, interesting and nice

fibre is a must for all meals
DSCN6808.JPG 2009-11-02

condiments
the holy trinity of garlic, lime, chilli and soya sauce

satisfied customer .. burp
DSCN6810.JPG 2009-11-02

ice lime tea
my fav drink on the island

evening at the beach
DSCN6812.JPG 2009-11-02

sunset
i have always said and will say again, sunset in the philippines are by the far the prettiest and best in all my travels

sunset
DSCN6815.JPG 2009-11-02

sunset
DSCN6549.JPG 2009-09-28

check out the hues ..
DSCN6550.JPG 2009-09-28

aw...
DSCN6551.JPG 2009-09-28

oh man ..
DSCN6606.JPG 2009-09-29

DSCN6601.JPG
DSCN6601.JPG 2009-09-29

morning pick me up at 6.30am.JPG
coffee my good friend in the morning ..

Royal garden -tsim sha place.JPG
not bad leh .. room at royal garden -tsim sha place - arrived afternoon on sat

The hard liquor stash ..
counted there a total of 14 bottles in all!

Royal Garden
HK0003 - view from my hotel room door.JPG 2009-08-10

food place
HK0004 - royal garden.JPG 2009-08-10

beef noodle
yummy noodles from Maxim using my broken cantonese .. they thought I was PRC!

the sign
after refueling at maxim i made my way to the PEAK

follow the sign
not difficult to find, out from the mTR just follow the signs if all else fails, just follow fellow tourist

no traffic ?
HK0010-rare sign of no traffic.JPG 2009-08-10

how much ?
prices for the tram rides

the old
old mechanics of the tram of the past while you wait to get on the tram

history at the peak.JPG
history at the peak while you wait for the tram

peak first glimpse
the initial peak of the road to the peak

the tram the tram
after the wait, the little red tram appears

the bench
the comfy seats in the tram

spak interior
interior of the peak tram

HK0018-steep rails.JPG
the climb up to the peak.. i can yes i can goes the little red tram

up close and personal
the little red tram up close and personal

defunct cousin?
a defunct green cousin of the little red tram..now as a restaurant at the top of the peak

icon of the peak
iconic peak building .. loos like a rubber stamp to me

rich and famous
the rich and famous on the peak

look out
one of the look out point at the peak

attention!
view from the peak .. buildings everywhere

view from the peak
HK0026- view from the peak.JPG 2009-08-10

peak car tracks
check out how steep it is

walking tracks
walking tracks on the peak, which i obviously did not attempt at all

peak view
HK0030- peak view.JPG 2009-08-10

peak view
HK0028- peak view.JPG 2009-08-10

art gallery
make shift art gallery at the peak

guardian of the peak
HK0032-guardian of the peak.JPG 2009-08-10

HK0033- dinner rickshaw noodles.JPG
refueling time.. its din din

Ocean park
people mountain people sea

directions
getting lost ?

mascot of OP
i mean the seal not the ballon

OP amazing animals
HK0043-OP amazing animals.JPG 2009-08-10

black and white
no guessing.who the stars are

sudeo panda?
HK0046-OP red pandas.JPG 2009-08-10

ain't i cute?
HK0045-OP red pandas.JPG 2009-08-10

panda panda
HK0053 - introduction.JPG 2009-08-10

panda fever
HK0048-Panda fever.JPG 2009-08-10

ahhh ...
HK0124-ahhh ....JPG 2009-08-10

panda fever II
yummy these leaves

Panda knowledge
check out the skulls

panda knowledge
check out panda food

panda knowledge
pretend you can hear .. actually I also didn't hear cause the recorder no battery! so i can only imagine grunt grunt mea

a little help please
lets us do our part for panda conversation

Panda Galore
the shops are filled with what else..pandas!!

goldfish pavallion
HK0060 - goldfish pavallion.JPG 2009-08-10

goldfish categorisation
never knew they had categorisation .. goldfish are goldfish mah

goldfish pagoda ?
wannabe pagoda

eat my butt
HK0066-eat my butt.JPG 2009-08-10

bumper head
HK0063-bumper head.JPG 2009-08-10

slimming advert candidate?
HK0062 - slimming advertisement.JPG 2009-08-10

googly eyes
HK0064-googly eyes.JPG 2009-08-10

just the two of us
HK0071-just the two of us.JPG 2009-08-10

panda overkill
no i checked, they don't serve panda..

erh a bit old
HK0074-erh a bit old.JPG 2009-08-10

eight legs
HK0076-eight legs.JPG 2009-08-10

glass carriage
mordensation of the pumpkin that cinderella has

bubble trees
HK0042-OP bubble trees.JPG 2009-08-10

the journey to never land
HK0080- the journey.JPG 2009-08-10

enviro help
HK0084-enviro help.JPG 2009-08-10

brolly gang
syndicate members of the brolly gang

fish fish.
HK0087-fish fish.JPG 2009-08-10

sunbathing
HK0088-sunbathing.JPG 2009-08-10

going to nemo land
HK0091-the atoll.JPG 2009-08-10

we are on our way
HK0092-entrance.JPG 2009-08-10

baby shark
HK0094-baby shark.JPG 2009-08-10

sambal stingray
HK0098-sambal stingray.JPG 2009-08-10

therpy
doesn't it give you that feeling of calm ..

dragon seahorse
HK0099-dragon seahorse.JPG 2009-08-10

watch me roar
HK0103-watch me roar.JPG 2009-08-10

-papa shark
HK0104-papa shark.JPG 2009-08-10

shark fenzy
reminds me of sipadan

the rides
HK0086-the rides.JPG 2009-08-10

the big wheel
HK0107-wheel.JPG 2009-08-10

red red
HK0109-red red.JPG 2009-08-10

carnival
HK0108-carnival.JPG 2009-08-10

scale down
scale down version of the ride

music
entertainment while you wait for the show

the stage
HK0112-the stage.JPG 2009-08-10

jelly jelly
off to see the jelly .. jelly fish that is

you know you are in jelly fish land
HK0115-jelly fishes.JPG 2009-08-10

transparent
interesting

upside down jelly fish?
HK0116-jelly.JPG 2009-08-10

bloob
HK0119-bloob.JPG 2009-08-10

glow
HK0122-glow.JPG 2009-08-10

mongkok lunch
decided to hit mongkok for late lunch after ocean park

cooling
just what I needed from the heat and the crowd! its scary

yummy
beef noodles .. yummy is the word to describe

also yummy
HK0131-also yummy.JPG 2009-08-10

hai yak
u know you are at avenue of the stars..too bad weather was no good

iconic
i recognize this person

iconic
HK0134 - iconic.JPG 2009-08-10

avenue of the stars
HK0141-avenue of the stars.JPG 2009-08-10

film
HK0143-film.JPG 2009-08-10

LV
LV was having an exhibition at the arts museum

museum
so the outside was plastered with LV

the grammies.
HK0145-the grammies.JPG 2009-08-10

graffiti
HK0146-graffiti.JPG 2009-08-10

Quarry Bay Park
sat morning walk

QBay park
HK0150-QBay park.JPG 2009-08-10

qigong
HK0152-qigong.JPG 2009-08-10

ssshhhhh ...!
put your finger over your lips .. and zip!

fisherman
HK0176-fisherman.JPG 2009-08-10

all alone
HK0154-all alone.JPG 2009-08-10

yellow brick road
HK0156-yellow brick road.JPG 2009-08-10

model
HK0159-model.JPG 2009-08-10

dry dock
while at QBPark, chanced upon an abandoned ship ?

the sign
its actually fire fighting ship museum

underbelly
that's how a hual of a ship looks like in case you are wondering

cut out man
fatter version of stick man

paddle .. paddle
HK0164-paddle.JPG 2009-08-10

peeking
nothing to peek except me myself and I

toilet
in case you wonder, they do have toilets on the boat

choices
didn't know they had so many choices for nozzles ..

xiao fang
lets all learn mandarin

3 headed
reminds me of a 3 headed monster

wheel
the wheels on the bus go round and round

har?! what you say
in case you are preparing for old age..

now you know
HK0179-now you know.JPG 2009-08-10

on lai
the famous fish ball noodle shop at shau kei wan

offerings at on lai
come weekend, the place explodes with people

the famous fish ball noodle
tried and tested,good but I wouldn't queue like 30min for it

on lai -beef
this is good my friend ..

butter galore
i could feel my hear clogging just looking at the butter ..but it was delicious!

the station
heart of on lai magic

signs of Hk
thought it was rather interesting

to Stanley
road to stanley market

sea view
i like stanley, its open more space, relax and not so crowded!

asian games mascot
HK0190-stanley mkt.JPG 2009-08-10

directions
no fear of getting lost

pub
how can you not have a pub?

broadwalk
HK0191-broadwalk.JPG 2009-08-10

to market to market
HK0195-stanley market.JPG 2009-08-10

entrance
HK0197-entrance.JPG 2009-08-10

sights
HK0198-sights.JPG 2009-08-10

sai kong
dinner was at sai kong (not the one in vietnam but some parts of hk)

refueling station
HK0214-refueling station.JPG 2009-08-10

seafood market
choices ..who will be sacrificed for my tummy .. i wonder..

HK0202-clams.JPG
HK0202-clams.JPG 2009-08-10

HK0205-razor clams.JPG
HK0205-razor clams.JPG 2009-08-10

HK0207-spots galore.JPG
HK0207-spots galore.JPG 2009-08-10

HK0206-more clams.JPG
HK0206-more clams.JPG 2009-08-10

HK0208-geoduck.JPG
i think that's what they are called

HK0209-snap snap.JPG
HK0209-snap snap.JPG 2009-08-10

HK0210-ee eeel.JPG
HK0210-ee eeel.JPG 2009-08-10

HK0203-trapped.JPG
HK0203-trapped.JPG 2009-08-10

HK0204-more clams.JPG
HK0204-more clams.JPG 2009-08-10

HK0220-food.JPG
HK0220-food.JPG 2009-08-10

HK0221-escargot.JPG
HK0221-escargot.JPG 2009-08-10

garfield crab.jpg
yes i checked with the waiter, that's what they are called

abalone.jpg
abalone.jpg 2009-08-08

greens.jpg
something to munch while we wait

nuts .. going nuts!
HK0212-nuts.JPG 2009-08-10

HK0213-duck tongue.JPG
eh ..texture which is very sponge like

HK0217-sacrifice.JPG
our crab.. yum

HK0223-garlic galore.JPG
vampires beware!

HK0225-victims of my meal.JPG
the sacrifices that was made for my meal..satisfying i must say...

dim sum.jpg
dim sum.jpg 2009-08-10

curry fishball.jpg
curry fishball.jpg 2009-08-09

choices.jpg
choices.jpg 2009-08-10

feet.jpg
guess whose feet...

braised beef.jpg
looks gross but its actually yummy

food.jpg
this is just only the first part, when all the food came, the table was like filled! burp..!

huh.jpg
fresh human faced olives ???

dessert.jpg
red bean somthing..can't remember

what.jpg
eye shaped chestnut ??

dessert - mango.jpg
the ice had a very nice texture ..

dessert-guava.jpg
i had it for two nights

salmon something
its salmon layered with rice .. nice and yummy!

ju par pao.jpg
don't know if it can compare to the famous macau one ..but this is good.

shrimp ..greens
poka cafe.jpg 2009-08-10

breakfast fare
looks okay but taste good

weather
weather was cranky, sunny hot one min, next min this ..

touch down at Bkk
Photo0208.jpg 2009-06-20

the sight that greets you
buy buy buy ....

our house in BKK
ambassador hotel .. rather convenient , near to NaNa BTS.

welcome welcome..
welcome gift as by the hotel ..

so what is the first thing we did ..
after checking into the hotel ? everybody put money on the bed ..

put money into the trip kitty!
and you thought we gambled ! hahah the uno cards were for added drama effect ..check out the faces of the gamblers.. in

next we hit chat chu chat !
The next day, we made our way to chat chu chat and the fruits and vege market opposite .. check out the hairy fruits ..

chec out the size of the lychees !
huge and delicious .. w bought some for our train trip and yes I carted some home too!

sights of yummy delicious things ..
scene from the the fruit and vege market ..

durians .. durians !
scene from the fruit and vege market

green .. green
scene from the fruit and vege market

I like very much!
the must buy and eat dessert in thailand for me !

the infamous china town symbol
made our way to china town for dinner before hitting hualumpong train station ..

phone booth
no doubt about it, you are in china town

cheena .. cheena..
DSCF0928.JPG 2009-06-14

what china town is famous for ..
check out the menu ...

even the door handels
are in the shape of shark fin!

glimmer of light ..
china town at night

Photo0080.jpg
Photo0080.jpg 2009-06-13

crab any one ?
DSCF0935.JPG 2009-06-14

sze menu ..
DSCF0937.JPG 2009-06-14

dinner menu before leaving for chiang mai
sharfin and fish mah soup ?

condiments for the dishes ..
i like the green .. not the parsley which i call smelly chai. I like the spring onions .. the more you eat the more you

the crab meat fried rice
it was crab meat galore

check this out - abundance !
even the fish moh soup was chock a block with crab meat!

something sweet to end the meal
the amount of ginko nuts in the bowl was ..i lost count .. conclusion is that gingko nuts are free in thailand ..

the place for our choo choo ride
after dinner we headed back to the choo choo station

the facade of hualumpong
you can take the underground direct to hualumpong very convenient

the interior
DSCF0910.JPG 2009-06-14

yak any one ?
DSCF0911.JPG 2009-06-14

the choo choo platform
place where you get on to your train

train in stationary motion
Photo0070.jpg 2009-06-13

where is my train ??
Photo0071.jpg 2009-06-13

listen .. listen ..
briefing that too place .. to the station officers..

normal day trains
DSCF0919.JPG 2009-06-14

check out our ride ..
finally we made it to our carriage .. ladies getting comfy ..

interior of the train carriage
DSCF0947.JPG 2009-06-14

scene from dawn
woke up at dawn .. scene from my bed..

greenery along the way
scene from the train

track ..
scene from the train

look at me , i'm yellow !
scene from the train

can't read thai .. but I suppose we are somwhere high up ?
scene from the train ..

quaint little train station
scene from the train

yum seng !
our breakfast. the cling wrap is free .. they had so many layers around it !

our 100bht breakfast
nothing to shout about, the sausage was the size of my pinky seriously !

scene from ...
guess where this is taken from ...

the essential ..
yes welcome to the loo. very steel like cause everything is steel .. staring down the bowl, you get the train track. cle

state of the art washer ..
DSCF0974.JPG 2009-06-15

size of the toilet
its not exactly big, me alone is enough to fill all of the space!

after 14 hours ..
the train finally came to a stand still ..

quietness before ..
everybody disembarked .. moment of silence

head of the train
DSCF0982.JPG 2009-06-15

relief ..
much reliefed from the 14hrs train ride..

we survived !
DSCF0976.JPG 2009-06-15

scene from our taxi ride to hotel
taxi is at the back of a pick up truck ..

royal princess ..
our junior suite , for the price of a standard room. Thank god for free upgrade ! i like!

hunt for food
the hunt for food led us to this coffee shop ..

cooking station
place where our yummy food appeared from ..

the must eat in chiang mai
the curry noodles .. yum!

giam chye
the accompaning side for the curry noodle .. it taste better than it looks actually ..

nasi briyani
it was yum ..taste like our briyani but they call it a different name ..

spring ... rolls..
DSCF1001.JPG 2009-06-15

enticement ..
before we left, we were enticed by the food and stuff that the shop was selling ..

walk about - 150 yrs
150yrs building that we came across from our walk about in chiang mai

doesn't look 150 yrs old
DSCF1007.JPG 2009-06-15

the steep stairs
DSCF1008.JPG 2009-06-15

150yrs building in full glory
DSCF1009.JPG 2009-06-15

map of chiang mai
DSCF1014.JPG 2009-06-15

walk about
scene of chiang mai from my walk about

walk about
scene of chiang mai from my walk about

walk about
scene of chiang mai from my walk about

walk about
scene of chiang mai from my walk about

nice cafe
which we went to rest out weary legs and fulfill our caffine needs.. in the end none of us drank coffee !

name of the caffe - coffee bug
they serve organic coffee, which was produced under the royal project - kings project

coffee bug - menu
reminds me of a cafe in the sixties

check out the table leg
its made from a old sewing machine

check out the retro looking nurse brand
its for cocoa powder ..local brand of thailand..of course I carted one tin back to singapore for the novelty of it..

yello .. yello
nice yellow thing that i spotted on someone's gate in my walkabout of chiang mai

blue .. something
decoration of a dancer ? (i think or its a guardian) on someone's gate

pigeon everywhere
we made our way to the central of town ,the moat ...

the wall ..
famous landmark of chiang mai

old city gates
DSCF1039.JPG 2009-06-15

what is the gate ?
DSCF1046.JPG 2009-06-15

psst.. i tell you secret
DSCF1040.JPG 2009-06-15

blue skies
to show how clear and hot the weather is plus apart from taking coconut trees, sky and clouds are my fav too!

the moat of chiang mai
around the moat at night, its food vendors galore!

tuk tuk anyone ..
if your legs are numb from walking

hungry ..
no fear of going hungry

hungry ..
everywhere you walk, within 10 steps you find food

round sausages
DSCF1062.JPG 2009-06-15

durian ..
DSCF1063.JPG 2009-06-15

dim sum anyone?
DSCF1065.JPG 2009-06-15

market ?
we chanced upon a local market in our walk about

unidentified fruit ..
some fruit we bought to try. Texture of sweet potato, taste a little like gigko .. it was something that we were used t

lychees everywhere ..
and they were going like 30bht per kg!

light shop in the night market
chiang mai is land of night markets .. you can walk and turn and suddently you come to another night market

pretty soap carvings on sale
DSCF1072.JPG 2009-06-15

heads ? lights ?
DSCF1073.JPG 2009-06-15

pretty lights on sale
DSCF1074.JPG 2009-06-15

glow in the dark heads
DSCF1081.JPG 2009-06-15

green curry soup
our dinner at the night market .. that's what they say don't look very green to me

tom yam soup
cannot don't drink tom yam when in thailand !

the fried rice paradise ..?
actually no leh ..the crab meat fried rice in BKK chinatown was fried rice paradise

pad thai
another cannot when in thailand. Tom Yam soup and pad thai essentially thailand in my books

dessert..
being foodies.. we asked for whole mango instead of the usual half that they serve

mama and baby
the next day we headed for our ele ride, bamboo raft and trek adventure

ta ta!
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my view on the ele
i had the whole mama ele to meself!

my view on the ele
dung dung .. my how big they are!

my view on the ele
check out the butt

my view on the ele
forest forest everywhere

baby see baby do
baby having a go at the tree bark like its mama. They tear off the bark like its nothing!

my company on the ele
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my view on the ele
such nice greenery. Nature is indeed beautiful

friends
two american students we met and we continued to bump into them in BKK

give me give me
after the ride. Ele trunk looks like a worm as it searches for its fav on the deck

bamboo raft
short ride away .. its bamboo rafting time . ours are single layer bamboo raft tied up and can be dismentaled at destina

see i can balance ..
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me good rower ..
adrienne our rower at work .. she row me and michelle sit and enjoy view ..

our river taxi driver
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scene from the bamboo raft
ele by the riverside

shade anyone ?
scene from the bamboo raft as we go down river

i like the contrast of sky and grass
scene from the bamboo raft as we go down river

ele bathing
scene from the bamboo raft as we go down river

ele bathing
lucky ele was not releasing its bowels in river while we went by ..

hanging bridge
anyone wants to cross the river ?

scene from bamboo raft
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moneky chips
it was refueling time after our bamboo ride .. monkey chips ?

soup soup
simple but yummy lunch .. some vegetable soup

vege is good for you
vegetable dish that formed lunch .. simple and nice

the hills are a live
at the real living short necked karen village ..

rice terrace
at karen village

resting hut
can pass off for some resort ?

planting rice is never fun
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stand from morn to set of sun
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got wheels can travel
set of wheels parked in front of the village entrance

huts of the karen village
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check out the roof
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its made from leafs !
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silk scarf anyone ?
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weaver at work
karen lady at work on her loom

here piggy piggy
pigs were under practically every house in the karen village

house in the karen village
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house in the karen village
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washing line
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flutter in the wind
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ah ma at work
check out the parang she is welding .. don't play play ah

outdoor cooking
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wash line ..
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what you looking at ?
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loom
unfinished work on a loom beneath a villagers house

one little two little
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where is the baby ?
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here i am !
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the waterfall
after the karen village we took a 20 min hike to reach the waterfalls

water water everywhere
it was raining, so quite a struggle to have one hand hold the umbrella and the other the camera and take a picture

bye bye chiang mai
on the plane as we leave chiang mai to head back to BKK

scene from the plane
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scene from the plane
check out the clouds

sky view
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nok air
budget airline in thailand (like airasia but their seats are wider). We had aunty anne's free on the plane

refueling on the street
sight that greeted us when we went to hunt for lunch after touch down in BKK from chiang mai

hunt successful
our food hunt at the foodcourt in MBK.

see the fish ?
interesting decor at the cafe we stopped to have coffee at siam discovery basement.

to good to eat
its edible ! little salad cones

street food at its best !
our late dinner at a road side store which we tau pau back to the hotel room. chicken rice and fried maggie noodles. Sed

finally! we survived
after what seems like endless walking we reached the moh chit bus terminal

scene at the bus terminal
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our ride to ayutthaya
1.5hrs from bkk. no fuss at all

inside the bus terminal
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off we go to ayutthaya
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our ride in ayutthaya
choices choices choices

we finally made our choice
0007 it shall be

check out the interior of our ride
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smiley face right ?
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map of ayutthaya unesco site
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the great chedi chaya mongkhol
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white sleeping beauty
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me mediating .. don't disturb
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reminds you of angkor wat ?
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coome we all sit together
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up and away
check out the wear and tear .. middle of the steps are almost gone !

down we go ..
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guardians ..
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saffron robe
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wat mahatat
wat means temple ..

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look ma no hands !
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guess who am i
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view from the back of the tuk tuk
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wat chaiwattanaram
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climbed
i had to climb on my hands and knees up the steep stairs to take this view ..

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wat yai chaimongkhon
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its real gold leaf on the buddha face
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common sight of the ruins
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BTS on the way to sapan thaksin
next day after ayutthaya .. we went on our river journey

sapan thaksin - central pier
way you take the boat at chao phraya river

chao phraya river way map
too confusing!

express boat
cost only 18bht

scene of chao phraya river
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scene of chao phraya river
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scene from chao phraya river
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passangers on the express boat
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temple of dawn
which we passed by on our way to the grand palace ..

grand palace market
the market that awaits you when you disembark

food sizzling
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soup in the pot
dunno what soup it is

sausages growing from a pot
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the famous traffic of BKK
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on the way to grand palace
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warning .. warning ..
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all decked out
borrowed clothes at grand palace entrance to decent yourself before entry

grounds of grand palace
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entrance to the grand palace
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exit of grand palace
reminds me of an amusement park somehow

students on excursion
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lunch at
quaint little shop ran by three ah ma where we had lunch after the grand palace

check out the interior
menu on the wall are in thai

check out the interior
lucky they had a english menu after we went like yi yi ah ah ..

egg ..
filled with crab meet

vege and beef
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thai beef saad
conclusion of lunch. It has that home cooked taste and feel .. we were reminded of our grand mother ..

decor of the place
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that how our boat looked like
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to wong lang
after lunch, we took a 3bht ride across river to wong lang

basket of fish
wong lang, a market where you only see locals. So its authentic market

food
looks good! the fish cake was only for 30bht!

wong lang market
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wong lang market
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wong lang market
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wong lang market
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refueling time again
we decided to eat again ..this time we tried the wan tan mee and soup

refueling time again - wan tan mee
nice ..

thai fish cake
we were rather shocked that it came with the clay pot too. we thought the seller would scoop it out ..but no. You buy f

coffee shop
coffee shop by the pier

the pier ..
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nice view while you eat .. last day in BKK
food court at siam paragon

our final meal at BKK
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what is this? strange concocation
its pei dan wrapped with thai fish paste. Strange but very nice ...