Saturday, August 30, 2014

postcard from Milan, Italy
"...you've got a postcard from Milan, Italy.." my mum uttered as soon as I got home today.

Seriously, this came unexpected although I have been receiving updates from my friends that they have received my postcard that I sent during my trip at overseas.
To recall, I was struck with this random thought and posted this as my Facebook status earlier:

[Postcard Giveaways] At this internet age, sending postcards may seem old-fashioned. Yet personally I feel that this quaint, traditional postal method is still a charm (yes, for both sending and receiving it). It's definitely more delighting that it often resonate on a personal note, showing a degree of effort on the part of the receiver. Emails & PMs are not pretty; but postcards are. So now, while sending postcards are diminishing in this digital era, I'd like to play this:
Send me your house/ office address (via inbox message, NOT 'like' this status) & I'll send you (regardless of which country you're currently located at) a postcard when I'm at overseas (wherever possible).
Not sure how many people will notice this status but I'm thrilled to get this started! Cheerio~

I was doing it merely for fun and not once did I think of the reciprocity.
It was truly delighting and thank you my dear Crystal!

Today was supposed to be a tiring day as I only had around 4-hour sleep in the morning due to the band practice at night.
However, I was glad that I manage to get up on time from my bed and headed to my university.
It was a 1.5 hour journey, only for a 10-minute matter.
settled my graduate convocation fee
Up next, meeting my buddies whom I didn't meet for real long.
So yeah, we've jumped on the bandwagon of having meal at the hyped restaurant: Boat Noodle.
usie (with half of my face shadowed by my phone.. lol)
the same is lame.. haha
fruit salad (a tad spicy though)
iced thai coffee.. (opps, once in a blue moon)

there were only 4 types of noodles in the menu
Thai dessert which taste like kuih talam!
Checked on our last message, our last hangout was about 1 year ago before Teng Hooi was back to the United States.
Oh yeah, we had Thai food in last year too.
How time flies!
postcard from Japan! 
After that, we headed to Mid Valley as I have another meeting with my siblings...
I am not a fan of Jay Chou but it happened that he was at Mid Valley too.
So we waited for some while before he appeared after his meal at Amarin Thai Restaurant.
Actually we have some tasks to do during this hangout - to visit the IT fair and register for the Burst Asia 2014.
I don't really like pink - I'm having it to match with my favourite colour
I got these 2 power banks at really low price!
20,000 mAh x 2 units + one sports mp3 at only RM100.
The lowest price that I've seen in the market by now.
This promo came with a RM30 cash voucher which I then redeemed it for a yellow-coloured mp3 player.
They are national brand, manufactured in local with 2 years warranty (ah I feel a lot of safer to utilise it upon hearing cases of power bank explosion or fire case due to poorly-manufactured goods which often labeled as "Made in China").

got our tickets for the Burst Asia 2014 at the Rock Corner!
we were lucky to have this early bird rate!

At night, I had this homemade cheesecake prepared by my lil sister..
Although there are rooms for improvement in refining its texture but every bite is a taste of happiness :)
homemade cheesecake 
One of the best things in life come at the most unexpected moments.
And, one the best moments in life is spending time with your favourite people.

Thank you to all of you who made my day!

Lots of 

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

7th August 2014 (Thursday)
Itinerary:
Click to enlarge/ download
'Please note that this is just a rough guide. Best to have the respective address and a map (or mobile map with internet connection) when you're getting to the destinations.

Back to the city and the day had arrived, finally!
Instead of having the hot soup and rice again, I had a rather simple breakfast of meiji milk and cereals in the hotel room.
Packed my luggage and headed to the van/ mini bus station to return to the city.
It was a 2 hours+ journey.
Here I am - Terminal 21!
Thanks Tshewang (my first ever Bhutanese co-worker) for the recommendation, Terminal 21 is a must-visit.
They have different theme for every floor, including the washrooms too!
Some may feel like visiting the washroom, on every floor. Hahaha
The food court offers myriads of local delicacies at a reasonable price with a systematic payment system.
Highly recommended!
vegetarian lunch to detoxify my body
I have been consuming lots of meat lately, so I've got myself vegetarian meal to sort of detoxify my body.
The mixed rice with 3 vegetables was merely 30 baht and the raspberries juice was 35 baht.

papaya salad - 30 baht
Sour and spicy!

Liu De Hua - sounds like Andy Lau's chinese name
banana milk! I like the cute bottle on top
However, that was a small coin box which serves as a gift upon purchase. So far I can only find the original bottle packaging as shown in the photo at Korea.


hmm... the photo of kitkat and M&M's cakes that I use to see it on the Internet were in front of my eyes... Seems easy to make the "cake"! haha

It was raining heavily when I wanted to go to my scheduled destination so I changed the schedule of exploring the attractions in the vicinity of Terminal 21 and went to the Emporium for the Thailand Creative & Design Centre (which was linked directly from the BTS Phrom Phong station).
one of the luxurious cinemas in Thailand
until the emergence of the luxury theatre - Paragon Cineplex (which offers the best value to the audience) in 2006.
Thailand Cultural & Design Centre
tunnel to the heaven
No joke, how I wish I can spend my whole day long over here in this library with top-notch facilities and yes, total silence (one can hear the needle drops!).
Don't get confused with the name of TCDC, you can find a vast collection of books ranging from literature to business.
TCDC is in fact the country's premier learning resource centre.
Basically, you can get all genres of book over there.
Cafe, multimedia lounge, auditorium, cafe... you name it, they have it.
Oh well, words can't describe the exclusive experience and photos definitely couldn't tell a thousand and million words here.
This is because photo-taking was strictly prohibited upon passing through the walkway.

So there was this Ploy Saeng 12 Festival: the Chili Business exhibition underway at the gallery, portraying Thailand's "hottest" commodity from its history to its business opportunities and networks.

Ploy Saeng 12 Festival: Chili Business

anti-drowsiness chili spray - I want it!
chili heat chart
entry pass to the paradise
The rain stopped about an hour later and I returned to the Asoke station to continue my planned schedule: Soi Cowboy which was located at the opposite of the Terminal 21.

red-light district with plenty of sexily-dressed girls
Entrance by visitors under 18 is forbidden.

Up next, settled my dinner at a unique restaurant with a bizarre name - Cabbages & Condoms Restaurant.
Don't get me wrong, it's a healthy restaurant conceptualising on family planning, aids awareness and prevention which serves great food too.
What's more, they channel part of the profits to the development activities of the Population and Community Development Associations (PDA).
"Our food is guaranteed not to cause pregnancy.
Tofu & Meat Soup 150 baht
Ah, I have been missing tofu a lot and finally found this tofu dish in their menu!
Well, I couldn't get to order much food as I was feeling quite full thanks to the previous meal.
Trust me, they have very high occupancy.

this was hung on the wall just next to my table
complimentary gift upon settling my bill
 Okay, I admit this is the first time I am receiving it. LoL

the art of condoms
how creative!

After the late dinner, it was time to go back to the hostel and get some rest...
I need to get up very early in the morning on the next day for an exciting tour!
(to be continued...)

Saturday, August 23, 2014

6th August 2014 (Wednesday)
Click to enlarge or download
Note: It's recommended to rent a car or motorbike to visit these attractions as accessibility could be problematic at this small town. If you're not on tight budget, opt for the one-day package (often provided by the taxi or private car driver) that will cost you about 2,000 baht for like 3-5 destinations.

Woohoo.. It was a hectic day with lots of attractive destinations to be visited.
Yes, I headed to Greece followed by Swiss!
Classic white-washed building portraying picture-perfect town!
Santorini Park cheered up my day.
Amusement park is not my thing but I really love the architecture and the colour presented.
entrance fee: 50 baht





Next stop: Swiss Sheep Farm
A European-themed farm with sheep, horses, pony, alcapa, rabbit and more.
entrance fee: 120 baht
view from the lavatory haha

sheep feeding
say "mehhh"

feel the wool .haha
say "cheese"
travel, come back home and live in new perspective
let's take an usie!




Contrasting photo. I was melting due to the scorching sun!
3rd stop: back to Chat Chai Night Market area and had lunch at random restaurant before returning to hotel and cool down myself.
I don't like to eat instant noodle...
 but when I do, it is a must-try!
Thai King & Queen just came to Hua Hin!
 4th stop: Plearn Wan Vintage Village


bbq banana (it was hard :O)

garlic chives (reminded me of Evelyn!)
seriously, there were over 30 flavours!
The cream of this crepe (alright I don't know what is this called) has the scent of lotus and coconut. Sweet.

Last but not least, the Venezia!
Oh well, it closed as early as 8pm (contrary from what I've researched from the internet and the Hua Hin Pocket Guide which stated the closing hour at 9pm).
But anyway, I walked around while most of the lights were turned off.
oh Cinderella's pumpkin carriage!
spot the weirdo!
night view of  VENICE


My second day ended with a late buffet dinner.
No, I refuse to take photo of myself bingeing on food.
LoL
look at the huge Coke bottle! retro
Opps.. Did I tell you that I was at Thailand throughout the day? :P
(to be continued...)