Top Commentators For The Year 2015

Like I always did for the past few years, it's time to reward my blog readers who leave the most comments in my blog as a token of appreciation. Here are the list of name for this year top commentators: 

Top Commentators For The Year 2015
1) Twilight Man from Twilight Zone
2) Small Kucing & Mamarazzi from Small Kucing
3) J-Mei from Interesting Corner of Me

4) Cubie from The Cube (I still owe yours last year, I remember. Sorry for that. Will figure out how to send to you)

5) Agnes from Precious Moments
6) Ng Choi Yen from Mimi's Dining Room

Unlike what I did previously, this year I decided not to reveal what are the gifts I will be giving away so that you be intrigued with the unexpected surprises. So for the six readers mentioned as above, kindly please comment below as acknowledgement. Plus, remember to leave your name, mailing address and contact number to my new email address: dtdianateo@gmail.com within 14 days from the date of this blogpost posted.

Once again from the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for the wonderful comments and lovely notes you guys left at this little humble blog of mine. I'm truly appreciate each and every comments as it serves as a feedback for me to improve better for the coming days. 

Before I end my final and last blogpost for the year 2015, I wish all my blog readers

2015 Christmas in Hong Kong & Macau (Sneak Peek)

Last year when both mommy and I were in Shanghai for Christmas, my mom watched a TV programme and she said she loves to go Macau someday. So I decided to give her another surprised, a Christmas trip to Hong Kong & Macau. 

The trip was relatively short - we went for 4 days and 3 nights only. We stayed 2 nights in Macau and a night in Hong Kong as my mom been to Hong Kong twice. It was indeed rush and quick trip but I want to fully utilise the two days of public holidays and the weekend. 

Here are the recap of our 4 days and 3 nights trip in Hong Kong & Macau:

#1: Once we landed in HKIA, we took Turbojet to Macau directly (HK$254 per trip) 

This is my maiden experience of taking ferry from HKIA directly to Macau cause previously, we departed from Sheung Wan Station. It's obviously hassle-free as passengers do not need to get through any Hong Kong immigration procedures or reclaim any baggage. Just show the baggage tag to the counter and they will do the rest for you. Remember to claim your baggage when arrive in Macau Ferry Terminal. 

Effective 28 December 2015, this is the revised sailing schedule:

11.00 am, 1.15 pm, 5,00 pm and 9.15 pm

#2: In Macau, we stayed in Sintra Hotel with its excellent location and impeccable services. 

Why we love Sintra Hotel?
1) Great location with a walking distance to major tourist attractions such as Senado Square (5 minutes away), Ruins of St Pauls (less than 10 minutes), not far from Casino Lisboa and Grand Lisboa
2) The famous Margaret's Cafe e Nata with Portuguese egg tarts is just one block away
3) Free shuttle service to and from Macau Maritime Terminal is provided
4) Shuttle service to City of Dreams and Shuttle City is just located in front of the hotel


#3: I brought my mom to watch The House of Dancing Water. Although it was pricey, but my mom enjoyed it so much. One of the spectacular shows much watch when one in Macau. 

Showing Time for The House of Dancing Water: 5pm and 8pm daily
Ticket Price: Starts from MOP580 (approx. to RM320)

#4: MGM Macau Grand Praca 

A trip to Macau is incomplete without a visit to any casinos. Both mommy and I went quite number of casinos such as The Venetian, City of Dreams, Wynn, MGM Macau and etc.


#5: Ruins of St Paul's for the third time. We woke up as early as 6am and yet, we still can't beat those Mainland China tourists. 

#6: Christmas set up in Senado Square was exceptionally impressive and amazing. 

After spending 2 lovely nights in Macau, we proceeded back to Hong Kong by taking Turbojet again (HK$166 per trip). We bought the 9.30 am trip but they allowed us to board early. 

#7: Jenny Bakery in Sheung Wan branch 

The first thing we did once we got back to Hong Kong was queuing for the famous home-grown butter cookies, Jenny Bakery. The butter cookies that cause visitors from various countries queued up more than an hour just for these. These butter cookies are even made themselves so exclusive that each person is limited to two cans only. Verdict? Famous cookies are much more better than these. Sorry, Jenny Bakery. 

#8: Le Prabelle - The hotel we stayed in Hong Kong 

#9: Mongkok for the fifth time and I still can't get enough of it

#10: On our final day, we went for Ngong Ping 360 and Tian Tan Buddha. 

We glad that we made a smart move by booking online a day earlier cause by the time we reach, we shocked with the super long queue. Imagine queue to purchase the ticket, and then another queue again for the cable car. It's insane!

Remember to book your ticket for Ngong Ping 360 in advance - Online Booking Ticket

Before leaving Hong Kong permanently, we did quick shopping at Citygate Outlets. We were so surprised to see few international brands such as Coach, Michael Kors and Kate Spade required customers to line up and wait before could officially went in for browsing their items. From Citygate Outlets or to be specific Tung Chung Station (Exit B), we took S1 bus directly to bus which cost HK$3.50 and the journey took less than 15 minutes.

#11: Despite all the crazy crowd, celebrated Christmas in Macau is really amazing and lovely. Wish to be back again. 

WOLO Bukit Bintang Hotel

I love to stay in boutique hotels, that's pretty obvious.

And I love to stay in Bukit Bintang whenever I went Kuala Lumpur.

Combine both of these, WOLO Bukit Bintang Hotel certainly suits my preference and taste.

#1: It's easy to spot WOLO - Just next to Tous Les Jours

One of the main reason I chosen this boutique and chic hotel is because of its strategic location - situated right in the heart of Kuala Lumpur's Golden Triangle. Less than 5 minutes walk from the 

Bukit Bintang Monorail Station, this hotel is easy access to majority of the famous and popular spots such as Jalan Alor, a haven for hawker and street fare, numerous of shopping malls such as Sungei Wang Plaza, Lot 10, Pavilion KL, Fahrenheit 88, Berjaya Times Square and more. 

#2: The hotel lobby is located on the second floor 

#2: Colourful and artistically decorated wall behind the front desk 

#3: The key to our room

#4: Our room theme with two single beds

Stepped into the room, both my friend and I were absolutely being "wow-ed" by its chic concept and interior design of the room. We were underestimated the size of the room and we're totally wrong about it. The room was pretty huge and spacious. The two single beds were surrounded by a wooden platform which I found it's unique and special. 

#4: Free drinking waters were provided

Wide range of amenities are available within the room such as free WiFi, mini bar, LCD/plasma screen, work desk, telephone, iron, iron board and more. 

#5: Black coloured marble bathroom - Love this concept

The bathroom is divided into two partitions; the toilet and shower room. The interesting about the shower room is the glass covered by the blind and if don't mind showing off your sexy and fit body, you can open up the blind and enjoy the beautiful scenery outside of the room. 

#6: View outside from our room - Intersection of Bukit Bintang road and Jalan Sultan Ismail

The room that we booked inclusive of breakfast. And guess where we had our breakfast? None other than the notable authentic French bakery, Tous Les Jours. I dined in here before and frankly speaking, I love the bread and pastries here. 

Breakfast was served from 7.30 am until 10.30 am at the first floor, which mainly catered for the hotel guests only. By the time we were there, it was quite packed and crowded but luckily we found a table for us. The breakfast consists of Western meals such as sausages, ham and numerous of breads and pastries, fruits juice, coffee and tea. There even has live egg station (my favourite) where the guests can order sunny side up, scrambled egg and mini omelette. 

#7: Breakfast served at first floor

#8: Western breakfast which consists of bread, pastries, sausage, hams and fruit juices

#9: Tous Les Jours on the ground floor

With its perfect and convenient location, WOLO Bukit Bintang hotel is definitely one of the hotels I'm looking forward to return again when I back to Kuala Lumpur. 

Date Stayed: 29 May - 30 May 2015 (1 night)

Rate I Paid: RM274.81  per night for a "Our Room" twin bed including breakfast (Booked via Agoda)

Disclaimer:

This review is truly based on my own personal experience and is my genuine and honest opinion of this hostel, and that I have no personal or business relationship with this establishment.

Follow me on Twitter | Instagram | Dayre cause I'm currently away for Winter Wonderland! 

Mystical Myanmar (2014) Day 2: Awe-Inspiring & Magical Sunrise View of Bagan

Date Visited: 10th January 2014

It was cold and dark. We were awoke at ungodly hour by the bus driver as we were almost approaching the Bagan Ngaung U Station right after more than 8 hours long bus distance from Yangon. I still remember vividly, it was almost 5 am at that particular moment. 

Once we stepped down from the JJ Express bus, we were surrounded by few bunch of men approaching us to provide shuttle service to our hotel. Some even offered to provide day tour excursion. After negotiated in such a hurry as it was relatively chilly and cold while we were in our normal hoodie, we came to agreed price of 50,000 kyats (approx. to US$51 or RM168) for the 6 of us. 

Before the driver decided to drop us at our hotel, he politely suggested to bring us to a temple for sunrise viewing. Unclear the name of that particular temple we went cause there is no signboard or maybe I wasn't too aware of it, but I think it wasn't that far away from the bus station we arrived. 

We're required to climb up the staircases with limited of lights, or should I say we were fully dependent on our smartphones' light cause there is no street lights around. I was so worried I might tripped off but for the sake just to view the legendary Bagan sunrise, I glad I managed to climb safely with the rest of my friends.

After waited for almost an hour, finally the huge and bright golden ball arose beautifully with plenty hot balloon. Armed with our camera around, we were never stop from keep pressing our camera button.

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Frankly speaking, I have seen plenty of sunrise and sunset throughout my travel adventures and up to date, Bagan is one of the most mesmerising and awe-inspiring sunrise view I ever witness. I barely remember the rest of the sunrise I ever witnessed but Bagan sunrise truly amazed me with the layer of the mist and hot balloons flying over abundant of small and medium temples - it's so magical!

P/S: Notice I changed my blog header? I try to keep it simple and basic. 

Mystical Myanmar (2014) Day 1: Mingalabar Yangon & Shwedagon Pagoda

Right after we did mini college gathering to Siem Reap, Cambodia last two years, my friends decided we should go and explore Myanmar. Myanmar is very mysterious to me cause what I know about this isolated country is Aung San Suu Kyi only. Luck was on our side when we managed to grab the best deal which cost as low as RM138 for return flight to Yangon, Myanmar eventhough it was consider the peak season. Amazingly a great deal and how we could ever resist that, right?

With the visit of Myanmar, I unofficially unlocked all the 10 Asean countries - Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and last but not least, Myanmar itself.



There are few things to take note before one enter Myanmar:

Visa Required For Malaysian
Unlike the rest of the ASEAN countries whereby visa is exempted, an advance tourist visa is required before entering into Myanmar. In Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur), this visa can be applied at Ever Fine Services (M) Sdn Bhd located in Masjid Jamek LRT Station area (between 7-Eleven and Burger King). Total visa cost  is RM141.80, which included RM110 for visa and RM31.80 for service fee. Don't forget to bring along two passport photos with white background, a photocopy of valid passport and return ticket for visa application.

For more info about visa application, check out from one of my favourite Malaysian travel blogger - Kaki Berangan: Myanmar Visa Application (blog in Malay language)

Alternatively, you can apply through E-Visa which cost US$50 for a single-entry tourist visa.

Currency Exchange 
Myanmar/Burma's currency is known as Kyat. It's not commonly found in any Malaysia's local money changer, hence it is advisable be prepared with US dollar. But then, ensure that your USD dollar is extremely clean with no marks, stamps or any ink, undamaged, fresh, crisps and as close to brand new as possible. There are number of times whereby our US dollar were being rejected.

US$1 (approx. to RM3.30) = 978 kyat

Wear Slippers or Sandals Rather Than Shoes
Of course in terms of dressing, decent wearing is required whereby miniskirts, sleeveless shirts and shorts is not allowed in religious places like pagodas, temples and monasteries. However before entering into any of these religious places, one is required to remove footwear entirely including stockings, which I found to be irritating and annoying somehow. I totally lost count of how many times I need to remove both of my shoe and socks especially temples hopping in Bagan. Hence it is highly recommended to bring and wear those footwear that can easily be slipped on and off such as slippers, flip-flops or sandals.

Flying In Myanmar
Malaysia Airlines only serves direct flight from Kuala Lumpur to Yangon International Airport whereas AirAsia is flying into two different airports, Yangon International Airport and Mandalay International Airport. We flew with our favourite budget carrier and we chosen to fly into the first one, Yangon International Airport .

Once we arrived in the airport, my friends and I decided to change some of our US dollar into kyatt as we worried that we unable to find any money changer in the downtown. Right after we got out from the arrival hall, we were surrounded by numerous of taxi and van driver until a decent and young looking guy approached us to bring us around Yangon which a charge of US$10 each. After discussed among my friends, finally we agreed and he will bring to the places we want to venture upon.

We took a risk by not reserved any accommodation on the first day arriving as we had decided to take overnight bus for a long journey to Bagan. Therefore, the first place we assigned the local driver to bring us was to the bus ticketing office to purchase the bus tickets. I couldn't remember the exact location for the bus ticketing office but it's situated right in the city center whereas for the bus terminal, Aung Mingalar Bus Terminal is located out of the town.

The bus ticketing office. We bought the JJ Express VIP bus tickets.

We had traditional Myanmar cuisines in Aung Thukha 

Food wise, we found out most of their food tend to be oily and salty. As Myanmar has been isolated for almost half of the century and only recently opened up to the tourists, foreign investment and development aid, it makes sense there were limited of choices when come to food cuisines. Don't expect for any sushi or kimchi to be found there.

No matter how rush we were, one of the famous landmarks must visit in Yangon is Shwedagon Pagoda. This impressive gold plated pagoda contained the relics of the four Buddha who had attained enlightenment, hence it was known as Shwedagon, which means the Reliquary of the Four.

With my favourite group of travelmates 

We were so surprised to find out that there is a free WiFi connection within pagoda. Without waiting a second, all of us instantly connected it to our smartphone for check-in, Instagram, Whatsapp and so on. The whole area of the pagoda is vast, complex and pretty huge too and ended up, we spent almost two hours here just to take thousand of photos at almost each and every corner.

Opening Hours: 6.30am to 10.00pm
Entrance Fee for Foreigner: US$8 or 8,000 kyat

Our local driver also brought us to few places but I personally think these can be skipped literally. The only thing we ashamed off was we couldn't made any visit to the Karaweik Hall which is well-known for its impressive and amazing modern architecture because we're eventually rushing out of times.

Time flies like in the blink of eyes and it's time to get board on the bus for a long journey to Bagan, a city is known to have more than 2,000 Buddhist temples, pagodas and monasteries. But what we're looking forward from Bagan was to catch the most beautiful and mesmerising sunrise. Will we able to make it? So, do stay tune for the upcoming post.

This is how their bus looks like - It's pretty cool!

A single trip from Yangon to Bagan (Ngaung-U) with air-conditioned VIP bus cost 18,000 kyat (approx. to US$18 or RM60) and the journey takes about 8-9 hours long. The bus fare including some small snacks such as cakes and biscuits, a bottle of drinking water, toothbrush and toothpaste. How attentive they were?  

Foodie Friday: Festive Cheer Review at The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur

What I didn't expect of was to receive email from the prestigious The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur early of this month for the exclusive invitation to review their new launch of Christmas Eve, Christmas and New Year dinner menu. Initially, I decided to reject the invitation as I wasn't able to attend but then, I was thinking why not asking my blogger friend, Sherrie Pui aka Cutebun to attend on behalf of me. It's not like this golden opportunity would come every single time, right?
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The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur has recently launch Christmas Eve,Christmas and New year dinner menu at their colonial cafe. 

We were thrilled to be invited as replacement for Diana's invitation on 4th December night. Our menu that night is a mix of Christmas Eve and Christmas day menu. This is considered my first ever fine and luxury dining in Kuala Lumpur and the feeling is quite grant to be reviewing food in a luxury hotel like The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur.  

#1: There are only few tables set up there, roughly around 6 round tables and few long tables.

#2: Christmas set up and decoration

#3: Live music playing when dinner service starts

#4: The design of the cafe is mainly following colonial style and kept as heritage

#5: Round table settings of Christmas and lights

#6: Pretty set up in the mood of Christmas

To start off, our prelude is Laurent - Perrier Brut Champagne.

#7: Champagne to get the night rolling

Followed by Amuse - Bouche - Chicken Liver Crostini .

Chicken liver is not my preference however the crust is crispy and chicken liver is served cold within the bread

Starter - Wood smoke infused blue mussel, scallop and salmon avocado puree, micro cress and creamy honey mustard dressing. the pairing wine is Dourthe N°1 - Bordeaux Blanc. 

I like the mussel,scallop and salmon pair up in this plate. The seafood are fresh and the puree and sauce as just nice. 

Soup - Cock a leekie

We had a typical scottish chicken and leek soup which is quite common for me. It is delicious but not much of a presentation on the plate.

Orange Sorbet - sweet and cooling with orange taste. 

As for the main course, we were served with two distinctive type, one of each.

Trio's King - Turkey breast, sausage in a blanket and herbs stuffing, served with creamy mash, minted mushy pea and red wine gravy. 

The steak is cooked quite perfectly with red wine gravy complementing the dish. The sausage is in a pastry with crispy crust and savoury sausage within. The dish is paired with Red wine - Dourthe N°1 - Bordeaux rouge . 

Baked salmon with lemon and dill sauce - accompanied with seasonal vegetables and dauphinoise potatoes.

  

As my preference of salmon is raw, this baked version of salmon is ok. However I like the lemon and dill sauce with the crispy pastry on top of the fish which is quite delicious. I would recommend to try this dish if you love baked salmon.

Here come the dessert part, Christmas pudding, vanilla sauce and served with white chocolate ice-cream

Cute and lovely presentation

I like the ice cream, vanilla sauce and the presentation. The pudding is moist however it is a bit too sweet and sour for my liking. If you have a sweet tooth, you must try this dessert.

Petit fours

Homemade christmas cookies and chocolates 

I love these chocolate melt in my mouth. As for the homemade cookies, I only took a bite as I was pretty full from the courses before. 

Besides that, the menu also including freshly brewed coffee or tea.

My Verdict:

The service in The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur gets my A+ for always attending to all the guests' needs with waiters walking around to check every few minutes. 

Overall we were satisfied with the dinner and it is a great experience to have fine dining at the colonial cafe. 

Press release :
Festive Joy at Colonial Cafe

You can also treat your loved onesto a culinary indulgence in a classic setting as Colonial Cafe presents a special 5-course wine-paired menu. Indulge in classic festive cuisine with dishes such as Lamb Loin Au Gratin, Grilled Barramundi Fillet, Traditional Roast Turkey, and delicious Valrhona Chocolate Indulgence Pudding while The Solianos serenade you with their renditions of classic holiday jingles.

Colonial Cafe’s Christmas Eve Dinner menu is priced at RM280 nett per person or RM 380 nett per person with wine pairing and Christmas Day menu is priced at RM220 nett per person or RM320 nett per person with wine pairing. Additionally, Colonial Cafe’s New Year’s Eve Dinner menu is priced at RM350 nett per person or RM480 nett per person with wine pairing.

This is special guest blog post from a fellow lifestyle blogger Sherrie Pui aka Cutebun who attended this exclusive invitation on behalf of me. Don't forget to check out her blog about photography, travel, food and more.