VIA.PRE Italian Restaurant: Christmas Eve Dinner

First of all, Happy New Year's Eve and Happy 2014 in advance to my dearest family, friends and everyone who reads my blog out there!!! 2013 has been a tough year for me, tougher than I could ever imagined but I made it through alive and kicking. It's all good, Christina. It's all good.I was not in mood that night on the Christmas Eve. Damn emo as Mr. Choo wasn't here with...

Pesta Chingay, Lion & Dragon Dance Parade 2013 at Esplanade Penang

It was a happening night last night along Jalan Padang Kota Lama and in front of Penang City Hall. There was this annual Pesta Chingay, Lion and Dragon Dance Parade going on between supposingly 7.30pm to 11pm, but it got delayed somehow.The carnival hasn't even started by the time we arrived -________________-We arrived late and the time was almost 9. So we decided to walk...

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...

Bangkok Trip: Wat Maha That / Monastery of the Great Reli Ayutthaya

The sun shines so much brighter this morning, when I woke up. The flowers smell sweeter and the grass look greener. Hehe, I'm in a cheery mood apparently. Little things make me happy =)Today, you're lucky enough to get to lay your eyes on one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Thailand, Wat Maha That aka "Monastery of the Great Reli". But before showing you the actual images,...

Bangkok Trip: Bang Pa-In Palace / Summer Palace

Sipping on a tall Chocolate Cream Chip as I'm writing this post in Starbucks, one word - YUMMEH! It's the only coffee-free drink I enjoy most from the coffeehouse chain stores so far. Yeah, speaking of the miserable life of a gastric sufferer. Bangkok seems distant now. I hardly remember the details about our Bangkok trip anymore. Blame my prematurely aged brain. Argh! Gotta...

Pinang Peranakan (Babas and Nyonyas) Mansion

My heart has been continually overwhelmed in the past few months of my stay in Penang, joyfully overwhelmed to see the myriad of heritage buildings, street arts, wall paintings, museums, themed cafes and restaurants emerging on this historical little island I'm falling for all over again. More and more tourists, both foreigners and locals are flocking the town area, particularly...

Balik Pulau Lodge (浮罗山背客家山寨)

We were taken on a little adventurous trip to Balik Pulau Lodge aka Hakka Village last last Sunday. I went unprepared. No mosquito repellent, no sunblock. I honestly did not expect the Hakka heritage to be situated on top of a mountain in the middle of nowhere. It felt pretty much like visiting my grandparent's orchard back in my hometown. Nothing impressive to me really....

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...

Bangkok Trip: Palm Sugar Making and Orchid Farm

For years, I've been using palm sugar in my cooking, and I wasn't aware what exactly it is made of or made from until my recent trip to Bangkok two weeks ago. Well, it never occurred to interest me, so yeah. Fortunately, our third day tour package covered the topic pretty well. We were exposed to the process of palm sugar making and a little hands-on experience. I woke up...

Baiyoke Sky Hotel Bangkok: Buffet Dinner and Night View

Another month has passed by. Time is just slipping away through my fingers like sand, I realize. There's only eight weeks, exactly 55 days left of 2013. It does not feel good, awful indeed, living in a luggage that I was unsure whether to unpack or not in the past few months. But I made it through alright. Having my family and friends who have been kind and supportive to me....

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....

Bangkok Trip: Train from Butterworth

Spending 23 hours in a train from Butterworth to Bangkok may be one of the wildest and craziest things I ever imagined myself doing, and I did it!!! Yay to my virgin cross-country train voyage! Would this considered backpacking without traveling with an actual backpack? Hahaha, forgive my silliness.I went without preparing anything to keep my tummy and mind entertained. Glad...

Friend's Wedding + Visiting "Old" Friend Trip

Hellooooo, Penang! I missed ya, HEAPS!!! Some of you might have mistaken that I already flew back to Sydney but truth is, I'm still here peeps! My 6D5N visiting KL plus attending friend's wedding trip was indeed very rewarding, both mentally and emotionally. As a matter of fact, I was in desparate need of one like this.Expand this post...

Camera Museum Georgetown Penang

My journey to explore the Pearl of Orient continues. Needless to say, I am referring to my second home, Penang, not Asia's World City. Hehe.I had my third visit to the Chinese Medical Practitioner (highly recommended) in Bukit Mertajam last Sunday. It's a huge relief that my thumb is actually making very good progress within the past three months without the need of depo-steroid...

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...

Penang Hean Boo Thean (玄母殿) and Lee Jetty (姓李桥)

Lee Jetty, alternatively known as Seh Lee Keo in Hokkien, is the fourth clan jetty from the north, situated between Tan Jetty and Mixed Clan Jetty. There was a karaoke competition going on last night, when we swung by this place. It brought us a very bright and Mid-Autumn feel seeing all those colorful lights and lanterns. Happy Mid-Autumn in advance, everyone!!!Expand this...

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...

Penang Murals / Street Arts / Wall Paintings

MURAL HUNT: MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!! Well, not quite yet.Only some of them have been successfully captured thus far. "Some" could possibly mean 1/3 of the total murals / street arts / wall paintings in Georgetown, Penang. I'm truly amazed at this point how much time and efforts these artists had to spend to create each and every single piece of them. Simply priceless and unique.With...

Pik Nik Cafe Penang

Tenpin bowling was fun last Saturday! Although I could barely score 80 per game. LOL. Thanks my sis and bro for bullying me into buying them meals. It was so unfair as I haven't really bowled in ages!!! Hahaha! But that's okay, at least I won one of the pool games against my bro xD I suspect we were given a crooked pool table. No kidding. Else, it's impossible to be that hard...

Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi Temple Penang (槟城龙山堂邱公司)

It's Monday today! The replacement holiday of National Day last Saturday. Yes, I'm talking about Malaysia's National Day aka Independence Day. As reluctant as it is to say, I'll be staying for a fair bit longer this time. Consequently meaning more future posts concerning Malaysia in my blog.Love it or hate it, I'd have to dwell without Mr. Choo by my side. Just momentarily...

Hatyai Stainless Steel Temple / Chedi Traiphop Thaimongkhon

Hatyai, sometimes being spelled as Hat Yai, Had Yai or Haad Yai, is the largest city of Songkhla Province in southern Thailand. On a broiling hot Saturday, we traveled more than two hundred kilometres up north to Chedi Traiphop Thaimongkhon aka the Hatyai Stainless Steel Temple on Ko Hong Mountain. By the time we arrived, it was already past two in the afternoon, Malaysia...

Snorkeling Trip to Tioman Marine Park and Renggis Island

Our snorkeling trip to Tioman Marine Park and Renggis Island!!! Yay, I mean, finally!!! I'd be a dumbass to not share these pictures with you, after forking out 70 bucks just to rent a waterproof camera from a Chinese rental store, which doesn't provide any soft or hard copy of the photos taken.Damn funny right? How do they expect us, the customers, to get our hands on the...

Tioman Island: Paya Beach Resort and Tomok Island

From Penang to Mersing, Johor, the journey was about 8 hours. Totally insane!!! I know. With the same amount of time, I could've flown myself to Sydney instead. But it was worth it, a fun family road trip I longed for in a long time.We took off 11-ish that night, had a few food and toilet stops in between. Arrival time was one hour earlier than our ferry departure time, which...

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...

Ipoh Kellie's Castle / Kellie's Folly

Why is it always so muggy in Ipoh? It was stifling HOT, HOT, HOT that afternoon when we visited Kellie's Castle near Batu Gajah. My sis has been here before, that explains how I got to know about this tourist attraction and the reason why I was there.For your viewing pleasure, vertical images have grown a little bit bigger today. Any thoughts? I intend to do the same to my...

Ipoh Murals / Street Art / Wall Paintings

When in Ipoh, we've came across a colorful spread of wall paintings located at the lane in between Jalan Masjid and Jalan Sultan Iskandar (previously or more commonly known as Hugh Low Street). All thanks to Ernest Zacharevic's murals and inspirations, street art has become a visible presence not only in Penang, but the capital city of Perak too. Hooray! Another to-do when...

Alma Park Zoo Brisbane: Kangroos and Koalas

Alma Park Zoo - Part 2!!! You never miss the water till the well runs dry. Indeed! I really miss the chilly winter days in Australia now. Malaysia's warm and humid climate drives me nuts, overly warm and humid if you were to ask me. It's annoying how much it reminded me of the sweaty and sticky feel every time I come back, feeding my delicious blood to those nasty mosquitoes...

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 =pOn the weekend after I had...

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...

Alma Park Zoo Brisbane: Wombat and More

Gloomy day with periods of rain and drizzle sounded like the worst time to do any sight seeing or touristy things, especially visiting the Alma Park Zoo in Dakabin, north of Brisbane. We arrived before midday with our pre-purchased half-price entrance tickets. $52 in total for 3 adults, $18 for a single pass and $34 for a double pass.If you haven't been to Australia or any...

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.Expand...

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...

Farewell Dinner at Ni Hao Chinese Restaurant

My last two weeks in Queensland have been insanely hectic and fun. A lot of catching-up to do besides exploring more of the Sunshine State before we move. YES, WE'RE MOVING DOWN TO SYDNEY!!! How exciting! Yet sad at the same time, as I'll be leaving my job and friends here *sniff sniff*Yesterday, after a plentiful lunch at the Meringandan Pub with a bunch of workmates (former...

Korean BBQ at Hong Depot West End

After shopping in Harbour Town, mainly shopped for Mr. Choo's work attire *ahem* We came to join in the fun of having Korean BBQ with the rest. We walked in, sat down on a table, a friendly wait staff later approached us to briefly introduce their menus.I, well, basically everyone of us had no clue that the minimum order for Wagyu Combination ($30 per person) is at least two...

Spirit Of Gold Coast Whale Watching

Last weekend was a bless. On Friday, we spent a night at Bestie's, then left for Mariner's Cove Marina the next early morning. Thanks my dearie for the awesome hospitality ♥ The weather was beautifully sunny with light blue skies after few rainy days, absolutely perfect for a whale watching cruise on the Gold Coast.Expand this post...

Sick, Tired and Nearly Dead

I've been feeling very sick since the past few days. Sore throat, blocked nose, headache, sneezing and coughing constantly *rubs sore nose with tissue* I'm down with a terribly bad cold!!! Or flu I'm not even sure. Aww, how I hate all these pains I'm feeling right now. The flu shot I had earlier this year is obviously no help in protecting my body against influenza virus *frown*...

Bamboo Basket Chinese and Wagaya Japanese Restaurants

Last post of my pre-birthday trip of 2013.Realizing it's the month of June already causes me to pause and acknowledge that time really does fly. Here I am, standing at the crossroad where there are life-changing decisions to be made. I hesitate, I panic, I feel utterly helpless and stressed. You know things got out of hand when you're having tough time to get a good night's...

Rydges Southbank: Buffet Breakfast at Bacchus Bar and Restaurant

We received complimentary buffet breakfast meals during our two-night stay at the Rydges Southbank, available between 6 to 10 a.m. at the podium level. As we made our way into the restaurant, there was this friendly wait staff standing by at the counter, ready to allocate table for us in its warm and cozy dining area.Expand this post...

Pre-Birthday Trip: Tsuru Sushi Cafe West End

On the same day after we checked in into Rydges, we took a short walk around the South Bank area in search of a decent Japanese restaurant to dine in. Apparently, the walk didn't turn out to be as fruitful as we thought it would be. We found no restaurant that interests us, and thus, had to drive ourselves to this Tsuru Sushi Cafe in West End, which Mr. Choo came across while...

Sunday Afternoon's Picnic

I'm gonna keep this post real short today, as I have a few errands to run in the city. You know, it's one of those days when time is at a premium and there are so many other things to be done. Alright, alright, just stay calm and keep writing, Christina. What I'm about to show you now is the lovely picnic we had with friends last Sunday afternoon.Expand this post...

Paniyiri Greek Festival at Musgrave Park Brisbane

We made appearances at the Paniyiri Greek Festival held at Musgrave Park, South Brisbane two weeks ago. It was a two-day celebration and the weather was perfectly sunny and warm that afternoon. $10 entrance fee for adults, free for children.Expand this post...

Pre-Birthday Trip: Menya Mappen Noodle Bar Sunnybank

Ouch, my injured wrist and thumb! I have problem typing on my keyboard now. Basically, I have problems performing my daily tasks (except taking shower) with this gigantic piece of splint wrapped around my wrist and thumb. Poor me, but don't worry, I'm doing absolutely alright apart from that. It's just a matter of time until I fully recovered and live like a normal person...

Pre-Birthday Trip: Rydges Southbank

Yay!!! Here's an inside scoop of my pre-birthday trip down Brisbane!!! We first stopped by Sunnybank to get my hair trimmed and colored (just touching up the roots), had Japanese for lunch, then Mr. Choo surprised me with a Deluxe King Suite with river view at Rydges Southbank *teary eyes* Honestly, it was the most luxurious room I ever stayed in in my 2X years of life.Expand...

All You Can Eat Buffet Lunch at Pizza Hut Toowoomba

Not long after the reopening of Pizza Hut Restaurant on the corner of Ruthven and Stenner streets (opposite K-Mart), we joined the crowd to have all-you-can-eat buffet lunch along with Tan's family. We arrived around noon and had our cars parked across the street. Parking could be a real issue here especially during lunch and dinner hours.Expand this post...

Dove Pure Anti-Perspirant Deodorant

I'm honoured to be offered another Product Talk by Nuffnang. Thank you, Dove. Thank you, Nuffnang. It is Dove's newly launched pure anti-perspirant deodorant, ladies and gentlemen! And I get to have a little hands-on experience on both roll-on and spray. I've been using roll-on deodorants for as long as I could remember, considering that aerosol sprays are extremely flammable...

Best Korean Drama of 2013 (Must Watch)

My Current Favorites and New K-Dramas of 2013***Note: Some reviews may contain spoilers and are highlighted in black. Happy watching!!!The Heirs (继承者们)Ratings: ★★★★★★★★☆☆Review: Mad, mad love!!! I'm so madly in love with "The Heirs", as if my heart's beating in the rhythm of the plots. A bit exaggerating, I know, but you'll get what I mean once you start watching the first...