Tai O Fishing Village (大澳) Hong Kong

Tai O is the oldest fishing village located on the western side of Lantau Island in Hong Kong. It was part of our schedule on day 2 to visit here before exploring Tian Tan Buddha and Po Lin Monastery in Ngong Ping. Approximately 20-25 minutes bus ride back and forth between Ngong Ping and Tai O. We chose 1.30pm as our departure time.

Cameron Highlands: Strawberry Moment Dessert Cafe and Strawberry Farm

It's officially one week since I started this new job of mine. Everyday of my working life is filled with nothing but more and more unfamiliar terms and abbreviations. Lots of self-studying going on for sure, and I'm fighting hard to load them all into my brain at once.

Working life is never easy, so is starting over from rock bottom, venturing myself into the world of EMS or CM they call it. New job, new life, new challenges.

As the quote goes, “For everything you have missed, you have gained something else, and for everything you gain, you lose something else.” I have lost my freedom and the luxury to travel in my case. What could I possibly gain? White hair and wrinkles  -____________-  Let's hope not!

On the way driving up Cameron Highlands, we stopped by at the Strawberry Moment Dessert Cafe for some sweet treats. Here's pictures of me while my hair is still brown. They better stay brown.

Ipoh Old Town: Sekeping Kong Heng and Plan B Cafe

Ipoh Old Town is as happening as ever, specially now during public holidays and long weekends. With its ideal location situated in the heart of most major cities and tourist attractions, it would be a good call to stop by to taste some local specialties and to do a little bit of sight-seeing before traveling further up or down the peninsular.

We were heading down south that day, in our case, from Penang to Cameron Highlands for a 3D2N trip. Speaking of Ipoh, we'll be there again tomorrow for dim sum breakfast, feel free to wave and say hi if you happen to bump into me =)

Bali in June: Tegallalang Rice Terrace and Bebek Tepi Sawah Restaurant

Growing up in a small town on the border of Thailand and Malaysia, it's not uncommon to see a sea of paddy fields on the sides of road in the Rice Bowl State.

When I was briefed about our schedule of visiting Tegalalang Rice Terrace on day 3, the picture that first came into my mind was mountains and mountains of terraced rice fields which I imagined would be spectacular to be looked at.

So after almost an hour drive from Tirta Empul Temple, we eventually reached Tegallalang Village located on the north of Ubud. It was a huge blessing to have a tour guide to drive us around in Bali, honestly speaking. The roads are so narrow and winding that it was exhausting to even just sit in the car doing nothing.

And in the end, we settled for a scenery not so spectacular yet nice enough to click some snaps.

Bali in June: Blue Ocean Seafood on Jimbaran Bay

Jimbaran Bay was mesmerizing. It was the most beautiful that we encountered in Bali thus far.

Initially, there were more places such as Nusa Dua Beach and Blue Point Bay to visit on the second day of our schedule, but it just seemed like mission impossible considering the average time we spent to travel from one place to another and the road and traffic conditions during this festive season.

We gave up the rest just to be here to witness the sunset that everyone claims to praise and one of the must-dos in Bali. The experience, nevertheless, was very much worth it.

Bali in June: GWK Cultural Park and Iiga Warung Special BBQ Ribs House

What our tour guide heard me grumble the most throughout the entire trip was, "Saya sudah lapar" literally means "I'm hungry". LOL. Can't blame me as most activities on our schedule were really energy-consuming. Even laughing burns calories, let alone the continuous partake of several water sports and beach actitivies in Tanjung Benoa.

First Autumn in Sydney: Food Indulgence

Hello Sydney! Hello Aussies! Excuse me if I freaked out any of you with my close-up. LOL. Things are sailing smooth here down under, despite the excessive amount of rain we're getting during the change of season. Honestly, it's far more colder than I imagined it would be. Or perhaps, I'm already acclimatized to the heat and stifling humidity in Malaysia that I almost forgot how chilly it can be in the autumn days.

On Ramen Haymarket and Ichi-ban Boshi Bondi Junction

Been actively blogging these few days. Yeah, I'm trying my best to write as much while the memory is still fresh in my mind, and before the photos start piling up on my hard drive.

When I was in Malaysia, I tend to skip breakfast to have brunch instead in the afternoon. It's a bad habit, I know, but I just couldn't help sleeping late at night and waking up late the next morning. I was struggling... Blame my sleeping disorder.

Miraculously, I sort of getting back into the habit of having breakfast again since I came back to Australia. I would say it's the environment and weather which affect me. Our room has plenty of sunlight, specially now in the summer when days are longer than nights. It wakes me up early every morning like an alarm clock without fail.

For breakfast, I've been making toast and fruits (bananas / strawberries / blueberries / mangoes) and vanilla yogurt for myself after workout. Sounds healthy huh?

There are times we cook lunch or dinner at home, grilled chicken, barramundi, salmon, banana prawns, pork belly and oven-baked veggies like sweet corns, carrots, potatoes, sweet potatoes with olive oil and herbs. But there are also times we enjoy dining out in the local restaurants. Well, most times actually. Below are just two out of the many we visited in a week.

A Walk to Darling Harbour Sydney

Hey, hey! How's everyone been doing in the past two weeks? As most of you know, I'm in Sydney and it's my 5th day here already. Jetlagged. It was plain exhausting and I didn't sleep well although the time difference between Sydney and Malaysia is only three hours, three hours ahead of Malaysia time.

Anyway, my intention today is just to make a quick post to update you on the happenings yesterday. Nothing wordy or too fabulous. Despite the fact that it is summer now down under, it still gets a bit chilly in the evening and at night when the temperature drops.

Gift Exchange Christmas Dinner 2013

Weeeeeeee, first post of 2014!!! Times flies, it sure does. Glad that I had been enjoying my freedom to the fullest since the very day I touched down in Malaysia. No regrets. Life's too short to live with any regrets.

I spent my emotional past few days reviewing my old blog entries, only 72 in total for year 2013. Yeah, a lot less productive compared to the year before. So much ups and downs to endure in the journey of finding myself and what I wanna do with my life. Forgive me, for not being able to share every single detail with you.

 2013 was a nightmare yet full of excitements and wonders.

• February: Dyed my hair brown for the first time.
• April: First golf experience.
• May: A luxurious birthday celebration in Brisbane.
• May: Had Dequervains Tenosynovitis aka repetitive injury on my left thumb.
• June: First whale watching experience on the Gold Coast.
• July: Farewell-ed friends in Queensland, moved down to Sydney.
• August: Family road trip to Tioman Island.
• September: Started using WeChat and got hooked up ever since. 
• October: Diagnosed with dengue and admitted days in the hospital.
• October: Met up with an old "new friend" and attended friend's wedding in KL.
• October: 23 hours train voyage to Bangkok.
• November: Experienced the worst food poisoning that lasted days with abdominal cramps.
• Months of never-ending exploring the Pearl of Orient.

I had three gift-exchange Christmas dinner last year. LOL, "last year" sounds far, far way but it was merely less than two weeks ago. One with newly met friends, one with family, one with badminton buddies. Gift exchange with family was indeed the most unforgettable as it was never our tradition to celebrate Christmas.

Gala House Restaurant & Cafe: Girls Gathering

Gala House is one of the latest addition on Muntri Street downtown. On a not-so-busy Wednesday evening, we came with a bunch of girls, they're my sister's girlfriends, technically. With the intention to celebrate one of the girl's birthday. Eating, chit-chatting and exchanging lame jokes. LOL. It was fun indeed although I couldn't quite catch-up.

We walked in to be seated on this table outside the cafe, it was drizzling a bit and the acoustic duet version of Miley Cyrus's "We Can't Stop" was forever looping in the background. Grrrrrr, I guess they really do love that song A LOT. *pulls hair*

We later requested to move to a warmer spot after placing our order. I mean, I wouldn't mind sitting outside if it was warm and breezy but definitely not when it's chilly and rainy. Furthermore, it has better lighting and dining ambiance inside. Friendly staffs, and lovely presentation and plating are also a plus.

Bangkok Trip: Chao Phraya Floating Market

Hey, hey! How's everyone been doing? I don't feel very good still. Been down with food poisoning since Monday. Vomiting, headache, nausea, diarrhea, fever, stomach cramp...

I AM SO GLAD I SURVIVED!!!

Apart from visiting palm sugar factory and orchid farm, our day 3's itinerary also consists of a trip to Chao Phraya Floating Market. It's a bit remote from the Bangkok city to my surprise, approximately two hours or more by car. Transportation fees, both land and water were all included in the day tour package, except meals. Why need it when food is just at the reach of our hands?

Bangkok Trip: Chatuchak Weekend Market and Baiyoke Sky Hotel

Our first day in Bangkok was free and easy. We wanted it that way actually, so it wouldn't end up like our Hong Kong and Shen Zhen trip back in 2011, overly packed schedule that involved lots and lots of walking. I enjoy a leisure trip better, personally.

Upon arrival, we faced the dilemma to choose between train, tuk-tuk and taxi. Communication was really an issue in Bangkok. The people there don't speak foreign languages or dialects as good as those in Hatyai and Betong. After going through some discussion that required body language, LOL, we came to the conclusion that taxi is the fastest and most convenient way to deliver our exhausted bodies and baggage to where we stayed.  

Ferringhi Garden Restaurant Penang

Times flies, it's been almost 10 weeks since we parted from each other. How badly I wish Mr. Choo was here by my side when we were at the Ferringhi Garden Restaurant last night. Sob *teary eyes*

The tranquil, friendly and warmth atmosphere the garden themed restaurant has to offer, apart from deliciously quality fusion western and Chinese cuisines. I would have complimented my dinner with a sweet bottle of fruity white wine but uh, I'm not much of a drinker to be honest, not even on a social level.

So just forget about the drinking part, since it's practically impossible without numbing myself and waking up with a hangover next morning =p Good food acts way much better in relieving stress and anxiety, don't you think?

Kek Lok Si Temple and Sushi Zanmai Gurney Paragon

What?!! What?!! Happy Long Weekend to all my Malaysian readers out there!!! When I first heard about Malaysia Day I was like, "Oh, I never knew it ever existed!" and it's on this coming Monday! Yeah, the 16th of September, in case you haven't heard of it too. Haha.

It rained a bit today, just like last Sunday. There was a quick shower in the morning, then the sky swiftly shifted from grey towards light blue with wisps of white clouds. How fortunate we were, to be able to shoot some painting-like pictures at Kek Lok Si Temple that day. Thanks Kwan Yin for her blessings.

Touring Around Ipoh

Back from holiday, back to reality. Our 3D2N trip to Tioman Island was indeed very fun and relaxing. Gosh, I already miss it so, so much!!! But I'm gonna have to repress and suppress my emotions and feelings right now, before I'm able to write about this road trip with my family.

A week ago, I visited few of the major towns in Perak with mum. Taiping, Ipoh, Kuala Kangsar and several other small ones. Despite the tiring long drive, I was rewarded with absolutely delish meals and breath-taking discoveries around the state I grew up in.

Meringandan Pub: Farewell with Besties

It feels like months since I left Toowoomba, even though it's been barely more than a week until now. I really miss my friends and everything back in Queensland. In fact, I missed living and working in a small town very much. Not the job but the friendliest people I worked with. Haha! Can't blame me as I'm already so used to the lifestyle there =p

On the weekend after I had farewell gatherings with my workmates, we dragged our feet to Meringandan Pub once again for another farewell lunch. It's a popular country pub located in the middle of nowhere. Well, not nowhere but 19 kilometres somewhere out Highfields.

When in Sydney: Dining Out

Driving in the city of Sydney could be traumatic. It drives new-to-town people like us insane as we really have no idea where to park. Parking in the malls are expensive!!! We spent more than $50 just for parking alone on our first day. Absolutely no clue which routes to take or avoid. No left turn here, no right turn there, blah, blah, blah... It makes you feel like abandoning your car and walk to the destination instead! *pulls hair and screams*

Mr. Choo and I always wanted to try out Noggi Frozen Yogurt, when its first branch opened in Brisbane CBD, the Myer Centre opposite Queen Street Mall. In the afternoon, after having Japanese cuisine at the Sushi Roll Japanese Restaurant in World Square, we made space in our stomachs for some icy-cold desserts.

Fiveways Hotel: Farewell Dinner with Smorgasboard

We had a reunion cum farewell dinner with a long-lost friend last Monday. Finally! I mean, after trying to accommodate each other's schedule for months. It's always been, mainly because of me as I was a "devoted" shift worker (very much devoted to money =p) who worked 6 days a week. My bad, I feel terribly sorry, and sad that we are parting to fulfill our own destinies.

Farewell Lunch at the Meringandan Pub

 

Chan kinda planned a farewell gathering for me and few other workmates last week. Well, it was a last minute thingy and I carried on to invite more people, pretty much most of the people I worked with on my last day to join us.

I've made a booking for a table of 20 at the Meringandan Pub. On Sunday, I managed to find my way there (thanks to the GPS on my iPhone). More than half of them actually turned up, which is good enough. Thanks to those who came. Thank you guys so, so much for your time and effort! *joyful tears*