Guilin - Yangshuo - Guilin (China)

Note: 1) Exchange rate as of 2016 RM 1 = 1.605 yuan

Recommended travel period and cash to bring(minimal shopping): 

1) 5D4N (Guilin - Yangshuo - Guilin) RM 1,000 ~ 1,600 yuan
2) 7D6N (Guilin - Longsheng - Yangshuo - Guilin) RM 1,300 ~ 2,080 yuan

Travelling mode, time and cost:

1) KLIA/KLIA 2 to Guilin:
- 4.5 hours flight
- RM 899 / pax inclusive of hotel (Air Asia Go promotion)

2) Guilin North Station (Guilin Bei) to Yangshuo:
-30 mins high-speed railway
-21 yuan/way/pax ~ RM 13.12

3) Guilin Liangjiang International Airport to City/ Town area:
- 1 hour shuttle bus
- 20 yuan/pax  ~ RM 12.50

4) Hotel to Guilin Liangjiang International Airport:
- 50 minutes
-140 yuan/taxi (I would recommend you to book the taxi from your hotel as they will charge a fixed rate of 100 yuan only.)

Accommodation: Jinjiang Inn, Guilin, Qixing Road

You can easily locate this hotel and its pleasant reviews on famous hotel reservation websites. This hotel although not centrally located, it is definitely a great hotel. It comes with full amenities including daily bed room slippers and hair dryer. It takes roughly 10-15 minutes by bus to town/attractions area.

Transportation in Guilin (Specifically for Jinjiang Inn):
Bus stations are very near the hotel with direct buses to and fro the hotel to city / attractions at 1 or 2 yuan depending on the bus route you taking.

From city/attractions to hotel: Bus 14 (Di Liu Gong Shi)
From hotel to city/attractions: Bus 2(Fu Bo Shan, Die Cai Shan), Bus 100 (City)

Always asks and confirm with the bus drivers where you want to go because there may be more buses that travel to the places you want to go with different stations names. Anyhow, buses are quite frequent here.

I do not recommend the usage of taxi in China unless short distance or you are really urgent / no buses goes that area. You either book a car for a fixed rate(Do ensure the fixed rate is reasonable. It is approximately about 100 yuan/day to visit attractions in city/town area) or take the bus and walk. We had bad experience with taxi drivers whereby one of them did not appear when we actually reserved him for a ride to Guilin Bei station. Another bad experience is when we booked a taxi from our hotel to the airport whereby the driver took us to pump gas and charges us for the meter fare  (It was about 15 mins minimum in and out from the gas station)

Visa:

YES, MALAYSIANS DO NEED VISA. 

Apply online through http://www.visaforchina.org and print out the application form. Also, prepare the following documents so you won't have to pay 50 cents per copy at there:

1) Photostat passport front and back (A4)
2) 2 passport photos
3) Your flight and hotel reservation

Normal visa process usually takes 3-4 working days and costs you about RM 80+ while instant visa can be issued the following day but it will cost you RM318.++

This trip was suppose to be 7D6N but as I was not aware the need to apply for Visa, I was not allowed to board the plane hence, my trip was shortened and I missed Longsheng. Also, it costs me almost double of what I've originally paid for the immediate visa and fare difference from Air Asia. Loads of disappointment as a traveller as I did not plan this trip and trusted completely on someone that I really trust. Lesson learnt as a traveller.

Personal remarks:
Always check the rates of attractions online prior to reservation with local tour to ensure you are not getting squeeze for being a tourist. Also, China attractions are not cheap although food and drinks (especially beer) are. Remember, there is always an intention to sell everywhere and it's all about the $$$$$.

Day 1 ( Attractions: Reed Flute Cave - Solitary Beauty Peak - Guilin Night Market)

If you take Air Asia, the flight is early in the morning and you will reach Guilin about 10:00 AM. By the time you check in and settle down, half day is gone.

Reed Flute Cave (芦笛岩)
Entrance Fees: 110/yuan per pax
Operation Hours: 8: 00 AM to 5:30 PM (Also depends on crowd if you ask me)
Transport: Rented a car for 100 yuan. You can also go there by bus route 3,13 and 58
Remarks: You only need to go either one of this caves in Guilin/Yangshuo is good enough. It's pretty much the same natural beauty and limelight. Also, if you pick this one, DO NOT ENTER THE 5 yuan tortoise place. It's all some gimmick and lies to earn more money from you.

 Natural limestone cave lighted up with fancy lights.

Additional 5 yuan to see the so-called thousand years tortoise which thereafter, they will "force" you to donate for the tortoise. Well, of course I did "donate for charity".

Solitary Beauty Peak (独秀峰)
Entrance Fees: 120/yuan per pax
Operation Hours: 7: 30 AM to 6:30 PM
Transport: Rented a car for 100 yuan. You can also go there by bus route 1, 22, 30, 99 and 100 (Lequn Crossing 乐群路口).
Remarks: This place is worth visiting. It will tell you the history of China's emperor and the palaces that they stay (besides the Beijing strongest empire). Also, gives you an idea on how the infamous scholars take their examination and how lucky you are now. You can also do some hiking to the peak (about 20 minutes) to kill the guilt of over-eating.

 Tour guide and performance included.

 Taking a scholar's exam in a confined cubicle.

 The peak!

 The empress's lane.

Guilin Night Market (Xicheng Pedestrian Street, 西城路步行街)
Entrance Fees: All the food you can eat!
Operation Hours: 7:00 PM onwards is the best time to visit! It gets merry at night.
Transport: Walk for 10 mins from Solitary Beauty Peak. You can also go there by bus route 16, 23,1 and 100  (Lequn Crossing 乐群路口 or a station before it that - Shi Zi Lu Kou).
Remarks: MUST VISIT. You will find the greatest street food and my favourite Mango Bang dessert here.

 4 fresh oysters for 10 yuan ~ RM 6.25

5 to 6 long sticks for squid and lamb roast for 10 yuan ~ RM 6.25

My favourite Mango Pudding at Mango Bang for 8 yuan ~ RM 5 (芒果帮) 

Day 2 ( Attractions: Yangshuo - Bamboo Rafting, The Yulong River - Big Banyan Tree - The Assembled Dragon Cave)

Transportation from Guilin:
Guilin North Station (Guilin Bei) to Yangshuo:
-30 mins high-speed railway
-21 yuan/way/pax ~ RM 13.12

Accommodation at Yangshuo: Bamboo House Inn & Hotel

Price: 150 yuan ~ RM 93.75 (We booked in advance through Agoda and only did the payment when we are there)

Remarks: This inn was newly renovated and relatively cheap compare to other hotels at West Street (Xi Jie), Yangshuo given it is a well-known tourist location even for locals. The rooms are decorated with classic Chinese interior. However, amenities in the room are not complete (No shower cap, bedroom slippers or hair dryer). I will only recommend this for a night stay if you are the kind of person that will need a comfortable environment to sleep at night (That's me).

Bamboo Rafting at The Yulong River
Fees: 110/yuan per pax incl. land transport to and fro The Yulong River [From the most happening street at Yangshuo - West Street (Xi Jie)] for about an hour of bamboo rafting ride
Operation Hours: 8: 00 AM to 5:30 PM
Transport: It is recommended for you to take a local land tour for this as the river is quite hidden. Alternatively, you can rent an electric scooter (you don't need a license for this) with a China map downloaded in your phone(You will need to be able to read Chinese characters) as Google map will not work in China unless you find ways to break the firewall of their WiFi or data)
Remarks: Do not visit during rainy season as the water will be milky brown which totally spoils the whole experience. Upon arrival, many locals (tour guides and drivers) will recommend you to take the bamboo rafting from Guilin to Yangshuo which I DO NOT RECOMMEND as it is expensive and the view at the Yulong River is pretty much the same. If you take the 3-4 hours bamboo rafting to Yangshuo, you will get bored of it and not appreciate it as much.

The polluted water as it was flash flood the day before :(

A photograph from the peak by their photographer cost 20 yuan ~ RM 12.50

The Big Banyan Tree
Entrance Fees: 20 yuan ~ RM 12.50 (incl. transport)
Operation Hours: 8.30 AM - 5:00 PM (depends on crowd)
Transport: Electric scooter or follow a local land tour.
Remarks: Pretty much a big aged banyan tree with a free short distance rafting ride to a cave. There was an aunty selling the traditional (and according to her, handmade) 'gui hwa liang fen' with honey at the cave after taking the raft, it's good and it only costs 2 yuan ~ RM 1.25! They have lots of animal photography too (with peacocks, with monkeys) but as an animal lover, I do not encourage such practice as behind the pretty images you get, they are tortured in ways beyond imagination.

 The Big Banyan Tree

 The cave.

It also has a little park to stroll around. Lilies :) 

The Assembled Dragon Cave (Alternative if you did not visit Reed Flute Cave)
Entrance Fees: 90 yuan ~ RM 56.25 (incl. transport)
Operation Hours: 8.30 AM - 5:00 PM (depends on crowd)
Transport: Electric scooter or follow a local land tour.
Remarks: Natural limestone cave which is correlated to dragons. The best spots are all all taken by their official photographers along the way hence, you will need to buy them if you want one. The difference from the Reed Flute Cave is that this cave has several boat rides to complete the cave journey. I will say this cave will be a better option as compared to Reed Flute Cave as it has water reflection which makes photography prettier. Also, it's cheaper and it comes with free boat ride (and free witnessing of 'thousand years' tortoise instead of paying an additional 5 yuan)

The interior of the cave. 

To the entrance and boat ride.

West Street (Xi Jie)

Entrance Fees: As much as you eat and buy!
Operation Hours: Whole day. The later it is, the merrier it will be!
Transport: Electric scooter or walk from wherever you are. Bamboo House Inn and Hotel is located at Xi Jie so I can conveniently visit the street during its peak.
Remarks: There is a supermarket across the hustle bustle\ (across the  bridge) where you can get your cheaper mineral water and BEER. Do grab a cup of instant noodles for your lunch the next day if you are taking the high-speed railway back as there's hot water provided at the terminal while waiting for your train. (It's a norm!)

This is how bad the human traffic is at night. (It gets worse)

2.5  yuan ~ RM 1.56 (P.S I bought Budweiser for 5.5 yuan ~ RM 3.44)

The instant noodle feast is actually quite comforting.

MUST TRY: 
1) Da Shi Fu Beer Fish (大師傅啤酒魚)

 One of the best food I had in China.

They have multiple branches so you'll see it everywhere.

Price : 334 yuan ~ RM 208.75 (For one +/- 2kg famous local river fish, fried lotus root and celery and one jug of banana milk) Note: If you have it during lunch or early dinner, the restaurant serves a set which is relatively cheaper compared to you ordering the whole fish and other dishes if you are in a small group.
Remarks: If you only plan to visit Yangshuo once, this is definitely a must try although the price is slightly on the high side.

2) Mango Bang (芒果帮)

My favourite dessert shop. #mangolovers

Price : 8 - 30 yuan ~ RM 5 - 18.75 (Price in Xi Jie, Yangshuo is actually more expensive than their branch at Guilin Night Market as they first originate from here. Mango Bang has hotel, restaurant which I've missed so do research on it if you are as keen as me!)
Remarks: The most authentic and healthier side of juice and dessert you can find.

3) Green Bean Ice Cream

Price : 3 yuan ~ RM 1.88
Remarks: Something you will not get back home although I must say, it's slightly sweet. They are sold by teenage girls dress in military uniform so if you would like to support their part time job, just grab one. Perfect for summer!

Day 2.5 ( Attractions: Yangshuo - Wanda Plaza, Guilin - Guilin Night Market)

We took the afternoon train back to Guilin (Best option if you ask me) and visited Wonda Plaza. 

Wanda Plaza

Entrance Fees: As much as you eat and buy.
Operation Hours: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Transport: Walk for 30 mins from Jinjiang Hotel or bus number 100.
Remarks: Do visit the hypermarket at Basement. Wanda Plaza has one of the most establish hypermarket I've visited at China. It's always good to explore and you'll find the unique ways they actually sell their products compare to your home.

MUST TRY: 

1) Roast Duck Meat / Neck

Price : 2 sticks of roast duck meat for 10 yuan ~ RM 6.25.
Remarks: You can find this shop at the food floor (4th Floor) of the mall. It's at the corner and you'll see a queue.

After that, we went back to Guilin Night Market again using bus 100 and stopped at Shi Zi Lu Kou or Lequn Crossing to have more desserts and food.

Guilin Night Market: Mango Bang - Mango fruit juice + Roast Pork Ribs

Day 3 (Attractions: Fubo Hill - Die Cai Hill - Guilin Night Cruise)

Fubo Hill
Entrance Fees: 25 yuan ~ RM 15.63
Operation Hours: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (depends on crowd)
Transport: Bus 2(To the designate hill station), 14 (Lequn Crossing and walk in for about 15 minutes) or local land tour.
Remarks: To view the city at the peak, Die Cai Hill has the best view. I will recommend to just visit one these 2 hills.

 Pearl Cave before you climb to the peak of Fubo Hill.

The peak.

Die Cai Hill
Entrance Fees: 36 yuan ~ RM 22.50
Operation Hours: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (depends on crowd)
Transport: Bus 2(To the designate hill station), 14 (Lequn Crossing and walk in for about 20 mins, 10 mins from Fubo Hill) or local land tour.
Remarks: To view the city at the peak, Die Cai Hill has the best view as it has the highest peak, It also has a slide down from the peak for 20 yuan ~ RM 12.50. I will recommend to just visit one these 2 hills.

 Die Cai Hill also has a temple inside it and a huge park to walk around.

The peak.

Pitstop - Lunch

Remarks: On your way from Fubo Hill to Die Cai Hill, you will pass by a stretch of shop lots. At the end of the shop lot, there is one shop that is decorated with lots of bamboos. This shop sells various dishes and serve rice in bamboo. It is fully packed at lunch hour. Food is good and price is reasonable. I couldn't get the name of the shop as there is no signboard for it.

After Die Cai Hill, we visited Guilin Night Market again (the shops are still running even though it's just 3 PM) to grab my desserts!

 My daily dose of happiness at China! Mango Ice Cream with Mango Yogurt Juice.

Local tong yuen with black sesame filling. This can be found at the food court.

MUST TRY: 

1) Pitstop - Dinner at Chun Ji Goose Restaurant
Remarks: Prior to our night cruise, we visited this restaurant which is about 10 mins walk from our hotel. This restaurant is very well-known for its roast goose, durian puffs and 'lao sha bao'. We went there around 5.30 PM but it was fully-packed 30 minutes later. A lot of reservations in advance so go early or reserve to avoid disappointment especially if you are in a big group. They will serve you within 35 mins and if they don't, your dish that arrive late are FOC. Awesome service!

Price : 140 yuan ~ RM 87.50 (Ordered 1/4 roast goose, half dozen of lao sha bao, 2 piece of durian puffs, 1 plate of local vegetable, 1 bowl of shuet yi and 1 glass of corn milk juice)

 Awesome. Well-known for its crispy skin. 1/4 Roast Goose is good for 2.

 I do not know the name of this vege but it's recommended by the waitress and it actually taste good. 

 Lao Sha Bao.

 The best durian puffs EVER!

 Highly concentrated shuet yi. Do try one!

Although it's recommended by the waitress, this corn milk doesn't taste good at all. It's probably not to our taste.

Guilin Night Cruise - 4 rivers, 2 lakes
Fees: 190 yuan/pax ~ RM 118.75 (incl. transport to and fro from hotel)
Operation Hours: 6:00 PM onwards.
Transport: Local land tour is highly recommended for this one as you will not know where to buy the night cruise tickets in advance.
Remarks: A simple stroll around Guilin city at night and realise how much you actually have missed.

 30 yuan ~ 18.75 for an official photograph at the significant pagoda on cruise. (incl. frame and FOC passport size photo)

One of the lighted buildings along the night cruise.

We ended our trip with a relaxing night cruise as we believe the night cruise will bring you to parts of the city that you've missed. Indeed, it did. A wonderful way to end a trip!

For full itinerary and convenient travelling needs: jessyleemeyling@gmail.com

Travel like someone who knows, whom travelled.

Sg. Lembing, Kuantan, Pahang

Recommended travel period: 3D2N / 2D2N (if you would like to save on accommodation)

Travelling time from Klang Valley: 4 - 5 hours

Accommodation (Click for more information): Lembing Riverview Resort (Rooms are relatively clean, available in twin, triple and quadriple which comes with attached bathroom, air-conditioning, fan, towels and hair dryer. Main living room and main hall is available to use for all. Free facilities of ping pong, mini football arcade game and bicycles.) - RM 96 for 1N stay, inclusive of transport to Rainbow Waterfall and breakfast (Maggi Cup and Milo) at Rainbow Waterfall.

Personal Review: I'd highly recommend the stay at Lembing Riverview Resort. The uncle is really friendly and nice. He also recommended us places and restaurants to visit.

We picked the latter (2D2N). We traveled on Saturday early morning (2:30 AM), had a pit stop at Petronas around 4 AM and reached Sg. Lembing around 6:00 AM. Mind you, the driver must really have loads of rest prior to starting your journey.

Attractions: 
1) Bukit Panorama

The journey:
We started our hiking journey with countless steps (on stairs). It's about 1 hour journey hiking up and way faster hiking down. Wait for the sunrise and the scenery will make the hike up worthy. We manage to save a dog then stumbled down a hill after much effort and that is our true success story from this hike up.

Food:
Subsequently, you can walk to the morning market and eat at the food court. Nothing much especially nice there if you ask me (I'm very picky when it comes to good food). Perhaps the best will be the brown sugar soya drink.

At night, we had a really good Chinese 'dai chow'. That restaurant is beside a Buddhist Association, opposite the one and only Bak Kut Teh Restaurant but the shop itself does not have any signboard. It is manage by a relatively old couple. Their signature dish that I've tried is the tofu and it is definitely one of the best. Others such as steamed fish tilapia and marmite pai kuat are relatively good too.

2) Rainbow Waterfall

 Reference: Picture 1

The journey:
You will need to pre-book your transportation to enter the Rainbow Waterfall. You can usually pre-book it through your hotel (incl. Lembing Riverview Resort). The journey to Rainbow Waterfall must be done using a jeep (Picture 1). It's quite cold given that your journey will start around 5.30 AM and highly recommended to take the outdoor seat, it's an indifferent experience although it's bumpy. If your driver is nice, you will usually stop at "Sunset Hill" to witness sunrise. After an hour of jeep ride, you will need to hike for another 45 minutes before reaching the peak of Rainbow Waterfall.

Food:
Maggi cup and Milo / Nescafe are prepared by the tour guides. We commenced our journey back to Klang Valley without having any lunch as we are all too tired from the late night drinking games we had. (Best time to do that if you are going in a bunch of friends)
___________________________

Recommended attire/ To bring:
1) Sports attires
2) Towel
3) Sufficient water and snacks to munch

Always challenge yourself to live boldly (and differently).

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.