Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge

Just got back from SOH (Sydney Opera House) not long ago, tired, tired. I'm all flat out after touring the city all day by foot. My gorgeous pair of new boots definitely ain't helping at all. Well, I should be thankful actually, because despite their weight, they were not hurting my feet when walking.

*Looks at the system time on desktop* Oh crap, it's 12.39 already and I still haven't taken my shower yet!!! Sorry guys, I'm gonna make this a real quick one. Shall I just skip to the pictures and let them speak for themselves? Hehe, enjoy =)

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Echo Point Lookout, The Three Sisters and Blue Mountains

We made a quick stop at Echo Point after visiting Jenolan Caves the other day, the very same day that Adelaide confirmed as the hottest city on the planet Earth.

It was a devilish hot day indeed here in New South Wales. We woke up super early in the morning, 6 a.m. to be precise (3 a.m. MYT) to get ourselves ready for the almost 3 hours road trip. With barely 5 hours sleep I survived, but tired to the max!

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Bondi Beach Sydney: Beachwalking Bella

So, we revisited Bondi Beach again this afternoon, took Bella out for a beachwalk. The little white fur ball was all over the moon when Mr. Choo hooked her up with a dog leash. She looked absolutely adorable standing by the front door, ears up, tail wagging, patiently waited for our instruction. "Come on, Bella! Let's go!!!" we cheered, and there she went rushing down the stairway and into the car.

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Bondi Beach / Bondi Bay Sydney

Woohoo, I made it to Bondi Beach, F-I-N-A-L-L-Y!!! How exciting!!! *hops around the room*

We got there a quarter to 5 in the afternoon (yesterday's afternoon). Everything was heavenly beautiful by the beach. Blue skies, white sandy beaches and turquoise sea under the wonderful warm and breezy summer weather.

Guys, if you're expecting to see me in sexy two-piece bikinis, then I'm sorry to disappoint you. Hahaha~ I've got nothing flashy on but a cheap piece of casual dress I picked up from Darling Harbor the day before. Only $9.99 that cheap! =p

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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.

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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, I shall just brief you through a little history of Wat Maha That, written on one the notice boards there.

"Wat Maha That is located to the east of the grand palace. It is the royal temple and most sacred in Ayutthaya during the glorious time. Buddha relics were enshrined in the Mahathat Chedi (the principle pagoda). This monastery was once the residence of the Supreme Patriarch.

According to Ayutthaya chronicle, Mahathat Chedi was starting to be built in the reign of Phra Borom Rajathirat I (Khun Luang Pha -Ngua) in 1374 and completed in the reign of King Ramesuan.

In the reign of King Song Tham, the principal pagoda collapsed through the foundation but it was restored later in the reign of King Prasat Thong.

This monastery was destroyed and had been burnt in the last war between Ayutthaya and Burma in A.D. 1767 and was left ruined."

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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 watch my sodium intake from now on. You better, Christina!

We joined local tour again on day 4. First stop of our marathon temple tour was Bang Pa-In Palace aka the Summer Palace located in Bang Pa-In district, Ayutthaya Province. Approximately 60km away from the Baiyoke Sky Hotel we stayed in Bangkok. It was a great honor to be able to visit the facilities once utilized by the royal family, despite the blazing hot sun that cost us so much sweat and strength.

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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 on the weekends, cycling and snapping pictures that they've become so mainstream.

On one fine and sunny weekend, my sis and I did not miss out on the chance to partake in such mainstream activities (there's nothing wrong with being mainstream on some things sometimes =p). We visited the home of an affluent Baba, built by the Kapitan Cina Chung Keng Kwee at the end of the 19th century. Admission was RM 20 per adult and it's subject to change without notice as stated on the brochures. Not cheap, and I personally think it's unfair to simply increase the rates whenever they feel like it.

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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. People from the big cities, on the other hand, would find such country outdoor recreation rewarding.

After parking your vehicle (no personal vehicles allowed beyond the car park), you may choose to either hike / walk, cycle or simply pay a small amount of money for them to take you up the valley. Transportation fee is RM10 per person unless you're getting the RM35 package which works out cheaper with meals, entrance and transportation fees included.

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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?
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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 super early that morning just to get myself ready and to enjoy the complimentary buffet breakfast which started from 6 to 10 every morning. My restless body wished to stay in the bed longer but my mind opposed, "Come on, girl. It's your first morning in Bangkok!!!"

So minus all the time spent to wait, ride and change elevators (only certain elevators get you to certain floors *smacks head*), we had merely half an hour to eat or less. In that case, "gulp down" is the more appropriate way to describe the situation.

After quick breakfast, we came down to lobby to find that our friendly tour guide was already there waiting with a big smile on his face. Some of the Thai people are genuinely really friendly and soft-spoken. He led us to a mini shuttle bus parked not far from Baiyoke Sky Hotel. Departure time was sharp at 6.45am as scheduled.

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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. THANK YOU.

I take it as an opportunity and freedom to rot at home and grow mushrooms on my head do things I wanna do and go places I wanna go. Bangkok was one of the destinations on my travel list.

We went through a 23-hour exotic train ride from Butterworth, checked in into our accommodation, did some shopping and street food hunting at the Chatuchak Weekend Market before returning for a seafood buffet at the Bangkok Balcony Crystal Grill.

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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.  

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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 that my sis brought grapes, breads and some other tidbits and my brother-in-law brought Steve Jobs, the book. LOL. Oh well, I'm easy. As long as there's a socket for me to charge my phone, I'll be more than happy. Even happier if there's internet access on my handheld device. I was born a social media addict!!!

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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.

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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 injection.

The only drawback is, it weaken my wrist the following few days after each visit. Extra care has to be taken to avoid hurting my injured tendons again. Well, you better don't disappoint me 'cause I'm really counting myself on going to ESCAPE soon!!!

Back to today's topic. We toured the Camera Museum downtown on the same day's afternoon. We were a bit reluctant to go in at first as the entrance fees are not cheap and they were four of us altogether. But guess what? Money well spent on an eye-opening experience.

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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!!!

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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.

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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 so many tourists cycling and strolling around the heritage area, there's no doubt one would have to queue to take photos. Even longer queue during peak hours on both weekends and public holidays. And we did! Gosh, how I wish we had winter here in Malaysia. That way, I wouldn't have to pose with my greasy hair and clammy body under the steaming hot sun =/

Person tips: Don't ever come here at noon! But if you really insist, do come with shades and sunscreen on. Casual clothing recommended.

 

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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 I hope. And don't worry guys, we did not break up, in case that's what you're wondering.

I spent the long weekend dating my sis. Sisters can date too! She's like my tour guide cum nanny whenever I come back to Penang. We drove around town that afternoon, then visited Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi, one of the city's major historic attraction before meeting up with my bro.

As stated on Wikipedia, the grandest clan temple in Malaysia includes an association building, a traditional theatre and the late 19th century row-houses.

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