Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan - Seremban.

A mere 1.5 hours drive from central KL is Port Dickson, famous for its sun and beach nearest to the hustle and bustle of city.

General:

1) If you are not a local, you probably need a rental car(with GPS / local SIM with data plan) to get you around as public transport is less convenient here.

2) Please do not put high expectation on the beach.

3) Grand Lexis and Lexis Hibiscus are the two luxury hotels which comes with private pool in every room. A great hotel for couple!

Port Dickson

Accommodation: Premium Sea Tower, Lexis Hotel. (Photo Credit: Google Photos)




My room is exactly like these pictures above, facing the sea. You will probably feel as weird as I do when you first stepped in as the luxury bathroom comes first before your comfy bed. Overall, it is a great hotel with full amenities


You can also look out to a number of water chalets and a pathway leading you towards the middle of the sea. Definitely a better view of the ocean and a beautiful place to grab a picture when the sun is out!

Wan Loong Chinese Temple

This temple is famous for its lucky tortoise which apparently, predicts the 4D number. If you are a cultural person, head on there for a look. 

Port Dickson Public Beach

On your way to and back from the temple, you will spot this public beach with many mobile vendors nearby. It's best to go there during the sunset! While the beach is just ordinary, the beautiful sunset gives the sky pretty colours!

Seaview Restaurant

I will highly recommend this restaurant for dinner! While there are no outdoor seats, the window seats look right out into the ocean is a perfect place for dinner. It also has great Chinese delicacies at a reasonable price. Seafood lovers, you wouldn't want to miss their shells-off salted egg prawns!

Seremban

Empayar Seremban Siew Pau

On your way back to KL, you will spot this super huge signboard writing Empayar Seremban Siew Pau by the highway. Well, yes, that is what Seremban is famous for. A local MUST-TRY! Besides selling freshly baked siew pau, you can also find Dim Sum for breakfast and Chinese Seafood Cuisine for lunch. (Photo credit: Google Photos)



There goes your weekend escapade!

There will never be too many road trips as there will never be enough!

Bangkok: Phrom Phong - Talat Rot Fai - Chatuchak Market - True Love Cafe - Chocolate Ville - Pratunam Market - Siam - Hua Lamphong(China Town)

General:

1) It is easy to move around in Bangkok with Airport Rail Link, BTS, MRT, taxi, the famous tuk-tuk and if you are travelling solo like me this time, motor sai is available. Tuk tuk is often being charged higher as it had became a touristy thing. As for taxi, it is best if you download the Grab Taxi app as the price range has already been stated before you confirm your taxi. Otherwise, insist in using meter as it is always cheaper than the one that the drivers offer. Lastly, motor sai per trip of the same road usually only costs 20 Baht so don't even bother bargaining or asking the price.

2) The 2 major supermarkets in Bangkok is Big C (which is my personal favourite as it is easily found whereby the mini version of it is known as Mini C) and Tesco Lotus.

For more information on Bangkok, you can refer to my older post here.

Phrom Phong

As my cousin is working nearby, her condominum is situated at Phrom Phong which I was lucky enough to get free accommodation. Easily accessible by BTS, Phrom Phong Station attracts many foreign tourists of lavish background. Mostly selling top notch brands such as Louis Vutton, Emporium Mall has more foreigners than locals if you ask me but you will be glad to know that Naraya is one of it located in this mall.

Transport: BTS Phrom Phong

Exit 2 of Phrom Phong Station - Emporium Mall.

If you would like a good classy massage, Asia Herb Association offers the 5 class service at a rather reasonable price. From Exit 2 - Phrom Phong Station, just walk straight along the Naraya shop or if you are alone, just grab a motor sai and pay 20 Baht. You can sign up for a free membership and will be entitled for an immediate 5% discount. To find out more about their
packages: http://www.asiaherbassociation.com/en/


Suki - A local dish of fried glass noodle with pork. This shop can be found upon Exit 2 of BTS Phrom Phong (opposite Naraya, walk slightly further up and turn right into the next lane where you see a hawker shop). Otherwise, I will recommend you asking locals around where is the shop selling Suki as this is a shop only famous among locals. 

Talat Rot Fai

Translates to the Old Railway Station. As this place is not accessible by BTS, the only way you can reach this place is through taxi as a tourist. This night market was huge and this is where my shopping spree begins.

Transport: Taxi

A classic building which has something for the antique fans.

Chatuchak Market

One of the largest market in Thailand, Chatuchak only opens in the weekend. Divided into sections, which you may want to get a map from the tourist information centre around the market, this is the place you will never be able to complete. I had been to Chatuchak for at least 3 times but I highly doubt I ever completed it.

Transport: BTS Mo Chit Station

I always prefer to visit Chatuchak in the morning as it is less sunny and crowded. Please note that Chathuchak only opens at 10am.

The famous coconut ice cream. You can get it for 30 Baht if you walk further in the market.

While this meaty shop may attract you, I find their roast pork to just be ordinary. Well, I can find much better ones in KL.

After a long day, I always love to head on to Doi Tung Cafe hidden behind the central food place in Chatuchak, this is place where you can enjoy a good cup of coffee with air-conditioning and high speed WiFi.

True Love Cafe

Famous with animal lovers, this cafe attracts tourists and locals altogether. You would like to visit here if you just want to chill out after too many days of crowded market.

Transport: BTS Ari Station - Motor Sai / Taxi / Walk (15 minutes)

Always PM their Facebook page to get their operation hours or it will be a waste for you to travel all the way but not see their cute little fluffies! I personally find their cake really delicious.

Official Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/neverlandsiberians

Too much love in one picture.

Here is where I met my travelling partner for half of the day! 

Chocolate Ville

This is place recommended by my cousin. It's like Europe in Bangkok which is a place I will highly recommend. However, not to be cheated by its name, this place does not sells much chocolate besides their dessert. My personal wild guess is probably chocolate brings joy hence, its name. Once again, this is not a place accessible by BTS.

Transport mode: Taxi

If you have a large group, do reserve in advance as their restaurant is usually fully packed. Official Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/chocolateville/

Indeed, a beautiful place for dinner!

Meet my new friend from Singapore, Mr Ernest. :)

Just be prepared to be mesmerised by this place.

Pratunam Market

While many may recommend you Platinum Mall, it is now being so commercialised that is no longer worthy of going. On the other hand, located right opposite Platinum Mall is a morning market which is my personal favourite shopping destination in Bangkok. This is the area I will recommend you to stay if you are a tourist and you do not have free accommodation which I've previously recommended - Centre Point Hotel Pratunam. Once again, you can refer to my older post here.

Transport: BTS Ratchathewi - Exit 4 - Motor Sai / Walk (15 minutes)

Siam

This place is basically the central of Bangkok with many shopping malls. As I am not a fan of shopping malls, I only went to Central World to try out a cafe recommended by my cousin. Indeed, was worth the try.

Transport:

Siam Paragon / Siam Square: BTS Siam

Central World / Erawan Shrine: BTS Chit Lom

Either way, these places are all connected by a sky bridge. You just need to walk a little further.

Matcha Toast at After You Cafe. Be prepared to wait if you are going during peak hours.

On the way to Chit Lom Station, you will notice Erawan Shrine. Yes, the place that was being attacked by terrorists.

Hua Lamphong (China Town)

I visited this place as I've missed out the evening market - Sampeng Lane and the famous T&K Seafood the last time I went there.

Transport: MRT Hua Lamphong - Walk (15-20 minutes) / Bus / Taxi

Sampeng Lane is located at Soi Wanit 1 where shops usually deal in bulks. A perfect place for cheap souvenirs hunting such as accessories and textiles. Please note that this market only opens till 4pm-5pm in the evening as when the night takes over, you will experience an entirely different version of China Town.

 

Yellow curry crabs.

Tom Yum Goong.

Finally, able to try the famous T&K Seafood(Green shirt). Right opposite this restaurant is of course it's competitors known as R&L(Red Shirt). I find their seafood really fresh and the curry crabs that I ordered tasted really good. Definitely worth a try! Operation hours: 6pm onwards.

Bangkok is definitely one of my favourite Asean city!

Travelling is worth missing, worth the money and most of all, worthy of your time!

New Zealand (North Island): Hamilton - Matamata - Waitomo - Taupo - Te Awamutu - Rotorua - Auckland

You can find my South Island post here.

I only spent about 5 days in North Island but it seems like I've traveled to so many places as my schedule was quite packed. You can too if you wish to explore more just like me!

Hamilton

Hamilton is a city like Auckland but only less hustle bustle hence, a perfect place to live in if you ask me. We were so blessed to have our host family in Hamilton, not only is the location central hence, we do not have to shift our stuffs around so much while travelling but our host family treated us so well and warm. They even prepared us dinners every night we were there!

We did not spend much of our time here besides strolling around the park and city at night. 

Matamata

Attraction: 

Hobbiton and its hobbit holes. Personally, I felt that Hobbiton is overpriced at NZD 80 which comes with a drink at the end of the tour. Unless you are a big Hobbit fan, there really isn't much to crazy about here.

Food:

Green Dragon Inn is a famous hobbit hang out spot. The warm and classic interior is something that I truly enjoy. Unfortunately, you can only visit this place if you take the NZD 80 tour. 4 choices of free drinks to choose from: Black Stout, Apple Cider, Beer and my personal favourite is their Ginger Beer.  They are very famous for their Beef Onion Pie too which tastes good. On the other hand, I do not really fancy their Cold Pork Pie.

Waitomo

We traveled from Matamata to Waitomo which takes about an hour journey and we never regret it.

Attraction(s):

Waitomo Gloworm Caves. I wish I could show you the beauty inside the caves but unfortunately, no pictures are allowed inside the cave. For NZD 50, you will experience a chilling walk around the limestone cafe and be transported out through a boat witnessing the beauty of gloworms. Fun fact: The whole cave business is being managed by the founder's family descendants. Great tradition isn't it? 

Waitomo Walkway. There are several walking tracks which you can hike after your tour at Waitomo Caves. We picked one that took us about 30 mins(one way) to hike up to Waitomo Look Out Point. It was a nice walk surrounded by cows (and dunks!) Still, the weather was great and the dunks doesn't affect the walk at all.

Taupo

As you already know, Taupo is famous for it's bungy which I did not went to as my mum was screaming her lungs out just by seeing others doing the jump.

Attraction:

Taupo Rapid Jets does not allow camera on board hence, no pictures of the ride. Basically, it's a speedboat which does stunts on this beautiful lake! For me, I wish it was a little more adventurous and exciting but overall, it is fine.

Taupo Water Damp was 5 minutes from where I was. The water release 'show' has became a tourist attraction as it fills up the nearby lake really quickly and hence, more adventurous water sports can be done. You will want to be there slightly earlier before the water releases to get a nice spot.

Taupo Water Damp (Release Hours):

Summer release hours: 10:00am, 12:00pm, 2:00pm, 4:00pm

Winter release hours: 10:00am, 12:00pm, 2:00pm

Te Awamutu

My brother had a friend at Te Awamutu who owned a farm and Pop 'n' Good popcorn factory. The owner was nice enough to show us around his farm but as we were rushing to Rotorua, we did not manage to visit the factory. However, the farm itself was amazing!

Up and close with Mr Friendly Cow. His farm does not operate for meat but for dairy. The business was so high tech that being a milk and cheese lover, I am glad to know that female cows here are so lucky! This is because they will slaughter male bulls at 4 days old for a meat known as veal.

Attraction:

This popcorn cannot be found at just any supermarket as they only supply it to New World and even that, it is limited. Hence, you may want to drop by the shop if you ever passes by Te Awamutu. Besides popcorn, they do sell a whole lot of other varieties. You can check them out: http://www.daviesfoods.co.nz/

Te Awamutu Shop Operation Hours:

Tuesday - Thursday,

10am - 12pm, 1pm - 5pm

Rotorua

Here's the place where sulfur apparently stinks but I didn't quite felt that way. We spend most of the time here meeting friends hence, there isn't much updates about this place. All I know that Zorb and Hells Gate is famous here which is something I will be back for!

Attraction:

Redwood Forest. This is a free hiking trail made known for its Redwood. A nice place to walk around on a sunny day!

Food:

Picnic Cafe. I did a search for a spot for brunch at Rotorua and this came up. They do serve some good food but still, Governor's Cafe back in Dunedin is the best! Nearby this cafe, there are several restaurants around so you might want to survey other places nearby before coming here as this is not something you MUST TRY.

Auckland

The capital city of New Zealand! Well, there aren't as many high rise over there due to earthquakes but there is one Auckland Sky Tower.

Attraction(s);

Auckland Sky Tower. We did not went up for the tour as my brother did it once but do not find it fancy. However, we did went up to Sky Tower for dinner at Fortuna Buffet Restaurant. One of the most well-worth food I ever ate in New Zealand. For about NZD 50+ pax, we had a very fulfilling buffet of many good food such as lamb shank, pizza, Japanese food, desserts, free flow of caffeinated drinks and many more! Also, as you can see, the tower is definitely more outstanding at night.



Viaduct Harbour is basically a place where the rich and famous dines and stay, where superior boats and cruises park at the harbour, where people like us(tourists overall) go and take pictures! Not forgetting, it is a spot for fishing! However, do bear in mind that fishing in New Zealand requires licensing.

And finally, you can just take a stroll around the city. It is the capital so there is something, somewhere for everyone! We manage to spot this purple tree somewhere there too!

Overall, New Zealand is one of the nicest country I've been. Not only that I do not have to worry(much much less worried) about my safety, the people were ever-friendly & less judgemental and weather was also pleasing although I have to admit that I do not like the extreme cold back in Dunedin. I felt so blessed to be able to travel there! I will definitely be back as there are so many other reasons for me to.

In the end, we only regret the opportunities we did not grab.