Phuket Weekend Nightmarket

Date of Visit: 7th January 2012

We never know about this night market in Phuket until we were being told by our driver and also the guesthouse's coordinator. Guess we were lucky cause this night market only happen on every weekend. You will know how much I love to visit this especially when comes to night market.

This weekend market is runs on every Saturday and Sunday and is start from 4:00pm until 10:00pm. We hired the taxi driver through our guesthouse and he charged approximately 800 baht for both return trip to and from nightmarket. The taxi driver gave us 2 and half hour to wander around the night market.

There are literally hundreds of stalls and each selling their own unique style of wares; from foods to clothings, accessories, souvenirs and more.

#1: Our saliva drooled when we saw this - Mango Sticky Rice and instantly bought this

#2: Another sort of Thai famous desssert 

#3: The first few stalls we came across were mostly on foods. How can you resist on these huge grilled squids?

Sometimes the reason behind I love to visit the night market was because I could find something unique and yet cheaper than what being offered in the shopping malls - especially on clothings and fashion accessories.

#4: Clothing sections

Majority of stalls here are selling more towards on women's goods - clothings, shoes, handbags, accessories, jewellery. But for the guys, fear not, cause there are still plenty of men's clothing shops available here. I managed to find and bought a cool and beautiful design T-shirt that cost for 200 baht only.

#5: I ♥ Phuket T-shirt anyone?

#6: Ladies shoes for just 100 baht. Absolutely great bargain and look how cute were these shoes?

#7: T-shirt for the little one

#8: Looking for souvenirs such as fridge magnets, keychains and local made items, here is the right place.

#9: Stumbled upon another food sections. Gosh! Looks at the seductive wide selection of cakes and sushi.

#10: These fruits juice is so refreshing and rejuvenating and they cost 20 baht only per bottle.

#11: Another foods temptation. Sinful but they are absolutely tasty

Although this market is not as huge and large as Bangkok's famous Chatuchak Weekend Market, but for me, it is still can consider pretty large because eventhough we were given 2 and half hours, we still unable to cover at least all. Generally speaking, the floor is mostly cemented over so you won’t get muddy underfoot like at other local markets.

#12: Haul from night market and photo frame from Phi Phi Island trip

Except for the pink dress and my Boyfie's white T-shirt on the right side cost 200 baht each, the rest cost 100 baht each and for the hair clip cost roughly around 20-50 baht.

[Credit To: Into Phuket, Phuket.com]

Phi Phi Island Day Trip

Date of Visit: 7th January 2012

Like they said, if you didn't visited any islands of Phuket, means you never been to Phuket before. Phuket is renowned for its island studded bay of haunting natural beauty. Whether you travel to Phuket or even Krabi, the ultimate reason to touchdown in either Phuket or Krabi or even both is to visit the surrounding spectacular islands. And among of them, the most popular hopping island tours which mostly offered especially for the first time visit would be Phi Phi Island and Phang-Nga. I really wish to cover both but because of time constraint and also due to some of my friends are limited in their budget, hence we chosen the Phi Phi Island Tour.

Just when we decided for Phi Phi Island Tour, we were so surprised that actually this hopping island tour came with many different kind of packages. And of course, the price would be vary as well. We almost got chocked when we saw the pricelist printed on the brochures given by our guesthouse. Thank goodness, we got a very good deal with just 1,100 baht for a day trip to Phi Phi Island including lunch buffet. 

As usual, the package we bought included shuttle transfer and we ready for the pick-up at 7am. Once we arrived the pier, briefing on safety especially were given by a guide which he claimed himself as a "ladyboy". Besides briefing, he suggested to buy breads which are not just for feeding the fishes and the monkeys, but also to feed ourself when hungry. What a funny tour guide!

As for this hopping island tour, there are 7 pit stops:

Viking Cave

#1: Our first pit stop - Viking Cave

The name of Viking Cave is given due to the painted on the walls are ancient colour paintings resembling Viking boats. According to the tour guide, Viking Cave is filled with bird's nest. For some unknown reason, we were not allowed to enter this cave and most of the boats were allowed to stop nearby for photo opportunity only.

#2: Absolutely stunning view around Viking Cave

Phileh Lagoon

#3: Phileh Lagoon with huge limestone rocks as background

#4: Enjoy Phileh Lagoon view

Maya Beach

#5: Clear blue waters with hills and blue sky as backdrop in Maya Beach

Maya Beach is known to be one of the world's most beautiful beaches and best place to relax in with silky soft white sand, underwater colourful coral and exotic fish exceptionally crystal-clear water. In addition to all, this beach got the world-wide attention when one of Hollywood movie, "The Beach" which starred by Leonardo DiCaprio was filmed here back in 1999. Doesn't know who is Leonardo DiCaprio? He is the young boy famous for the movie "Titanic".

#6: Long boats at the port of Maya Beach

#7: This is what happens when it became a famous spot - Overcrowded and too comercialised

We were given a very short period in this beach. Kinda disappointed with that cause didn't get to spend much time here. But among all of the stops, Maya Beach is my favourite as it makes me felt like I was in paradise - especially stepping on the silky soft white sands and surrounded by impressive limestone cliffs and stunning sunlit crystal water, only if this place is not overcrowded with tourists I could wish.

Monkey Beach

#8: Photo opportunity with the monkeys

No doubt that the name of this beach were so called as you can see clearly that the monkeys were everywhere. These monkeys were not shy and scare of human, hence beware of not getting too close with them as one of my friend's hair being pulled from behind by one of big and fierce monkey.

Phi Phi Don Island

#9: Stop at Phi Phi Don Island

Before move on to the next stop, it's time for lunch buffet at the Phi Phi Don Island. You can request for vegetarian food if you are and for those who is Muslim, don't worry cause all the foods are halal.

#10: The lunch buffet comes with rice, spaghetti, meats, seafoods, vegetables, fresh fruits and even soups. 

After the lunch, we were given longer period break to enjoy the beach here. Although it's not as stunning and beauty than Maya Beach, but we saw many of the tourists were doing sunbathing. It's time for eye-washing. There are even souvenir store located here but of course, it's tends to be more expensive.

#11

Loh Samah Bay

#12: Snorkelling time

The boat stopped at Loh Samah Bay for some snorkelling time. It's been a while that I didn't snorkeling in the deep water after my Lang Tengah Island trip with my college friends. Most of the time when I went island hopping in Kota Kinabalu, I just snorkelling somewhere nearby the island. The life jacket and snorkelling gear is free of charge and if wanna attract more fishes, please do bring some breads, like what the "ladyboy" guide said before. We didn't brought nor neither bought the breads, but one of the guides given us the breads for free.

#13: More and more fished surrounding us

Khai Island

# 14: Quiet and peaceful little island

This island seems to be less comercialised and crowded compared to the others. Or probrably because we arrived quite late. Nothing to shout about this island but we had a great and sweet time to swim around and quenched our thirst with sweet and fresh coconut juice before going back to the pier.

#15: The sunnies, the benches, the sea

Well, if more time were given, I wish to go back to Maya Beach again but what can I ask for more when my friends and I had experienced another kind of amazing and stunning island hopping in our life. 

Phuket Fantasea, The Ultimate Cultural Theme Park

Date of Visit: 6th January 2012

Talking about nightlife in Phuket, it offers more than what you can ever think. You don't have to worry that you might get bored when the day turns to night cause there are plenty of things you can do and see. You can either watch Simon Cabaret, the lady boy entertainment show (click HERE), Muay Thai Boxing or even party all night long in the hot spots such as Soi Bangla. Since the first night we had watched the Simon Cabaret, therefore on the second night we opted for Phuket Fantasea, which claimed to be the biggest show in the island.   

We booked the package from our guesthouse which cost 1,550 baht for both of the show and also the buffet dinner. The buffet dinner is optional but my friends and I thought that why don't we give a try, since it is kinda cheap and plus, we won't need to think what should we had for that night.

The package included shuttle transfer from our guesthouse to Phuket Fantasea. It's located in Kamala beach and the journey seems to be quite long, roughly an hour ride. Upon reaching, we went to the counter tickets to redeem our tickets using the voucher given by the guesthouse.

#1: Welcoming all the guests with smile

#2: Another photo of "I was here"

#3: Vibrant and colourful "Welcome" sign

#4: Palace of the Elephants - the theater show

 #5: Picture of us in front of the Palace of the Elephants

Just like Simon Cabaret show, all type of cameras and even including those handphone which have camera and video are strictly prohibited from entering the theater. They were quite strict with that and you have to deposit them in the counter and collect after the show done. No worries, cause they will calculate exactly how many camera, recording devices and gadgets before you pass to them.

Exactly at 9pm, the "Fantasy of Kingdom" kicks off in grand and huge stage. Well, to be exact, my friends and I didn't even understand what was the storyline about. Kinda confusing for us but we were thrilled and entertained with so many animals featured on the dazzling stage especially starring a row of huge elephants, trapeze artists where they swing high up in the sky wearing glow-in-the-dark costumes, and even blast with fireworks at the end of the show. One thing that amaze me during the show was the part where the chicken running in line on the stage without getting lost. How did they managed to do so?

Source

Once the show ended, we then proceeded to the Golden Kinnaree Buffet Restaurant for the buffet dinner.  No worry of the seats unavailable as this dining hall can accommodate up to 4,000 diners at a time. Although, there were two long buffet counters served wide spread of a mix of Thai, western and international foods but these can't overcome the long and slow queue. Overall, the foods were so-so only but at least we managed to fill up our hungry tummy due to the late dinner.

#6: The foods and the hall of Golden Kinnaree Buffet Restauran

Besides the show and buffet dinner, Phuket Fantasea is one great place for phototaking. All the shops and grand buildings inside Phuket Fantasea such as souvenirs shop, arcade, jewellery were beautifully built and decorated. Most of them were heavily influenced by Thai culture and architecture making them look so majestic and impressive.

#7: Photo with Thai golden boat

#8: Some of the amazing and colourful shops and grand buildings

If you are going to Phuket, you should visit this mesmering Phuket Fantasea at least once as it is can be consider a pretty good attraction spot and offer tons of attractions especially for the kids.

[Credit To: Phuket 101, Phuket.com, Jamie's Phuket Blog]

My Birthday Celebration 2013

A lil bitsy piece of my personal post but still, it still relate to my travelling life (for some).

Whether the celebration was celebrated with full of blast or even a happening and lively celebration, it doesn't matter to me cause I felt more grateful and blissful surrounding by my beloved family and friends for the past few days before and also during my birthday itself.

But among all my birthday celebration for this year, the most unforgettable was my early celebration in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Seriously, I never thought that my collegemates will eventually went and look for birthday cake with the help of our driver without my acknowledgement. And when I posted the photo below in Facebook, they told me how difficult to buy the cake and at the same time, trying hard to hide the cake so I won't found out. It's indeed so touching but at the same time, I laughed non-stop for their silly actions.

#1: Thank you so much my friends and looking forward for our next trip.

#2: Dinner treat at the newly opened The Glass Grill & Bar by my crazy besties

My dearest crazy bestie will never miss out to celebrate this meaningful day with me almost every year. It's kinda hard for us to catch up with each other nowadays due to our busy schedule especially myself, who always busy with globetrotting here and there but I glad that night, we laughed and talked like no other business.

#3: Dinner treat by my daddy in MK Supertanker on the night before my birthday

[Pic: Source from Google]

#4: Brunch with my family in Japanese Dream House Restaurant on the day itself

I guess celebration with my family is exactly the same like every other year, filled with foods. This year my family celebrated my birthday a night earlier cause my dad is going outstation on my birthday itself. Plus, my aunt from Kuching was also around KK for business trip that. Thus, we went to my family favorite restaurant at MK Supertanker Restaurant. This restaurant is quite famous and almost full house every night. Thank goodness my mom managed to reserve in advance, or else it will be a long queue.

#5: Travel Fashionista on Birthday Night

Blue tops & pink handbag from Bangkok, skirt & choker necklace from Singapore and earrings from South Korea.

Last but not least, a celebration with dearest Boyfie is what I'm looking forward. For this year itself, seriously I ran out of idea where to have our dinner. Just had Japanese cuisine for the past few days and for sure, I banned fast food as my birthday treat. Ended up, we went Secret Recipe which also we celebrated there back in 2 years.

#6: Birthday dinner in Secret Recipe, Suria Sabah

As for the surprised gift from Boyfie, since I had received a bouquet of lilies from him last year, I told him not to waste money from buying flowers again as it doesn't last long. Received once is seriously enough for me. He even plan to buy me a camera, Samsung Galaxy Camera cause I did told him few times that I wanna have that but at the end, I declined cause I just had Sony Nex 5N as my new toy last year August. So at the end, he made me this:

#7: A blue origami bear which he made by himself for almost 2 days. ♥♥♥

Blue is my favourite colour and he know I used to like teddy bear.

I realised sometimes we don't have to value our gift in monetary terms but this one specially handmade by him is something that money can't determine at all. This is what I call "PRICELESS GIFT". 

Once again before I end this post, I would like to thanks everyone for the wonderful & lovely birthday wishes. Yesterday was the one and only day of the year where my Facebook, Twitter, Whataaps, SMS even Instagram was showered with the tons of best birthday wishes from you guys. Thanks to all of these bloggers too; Wern Hong, Lily Riani, Dan Arif, Helmi Yusof, Ren/Janggel, Fienuts, Hilda Milda Teo, Charmaine Pua Li Ping, Adam Eben, Aemy Nadira, Caroline Ng May Ling, Sherrie Pui, Daniel Chiam, Nathalie Blue, Wendy Wong, Rayyan Haries, Jeff Chuah, Eudora Priscilla, Fish Szehui, Ivan Chan and many more. (For those who I miss out, I am so sorry cause there are more than 200 birthday wishes I didn't managed to see at all). Till then, may all the wishes and blessings fall upon you guys too. Have an awesome day! Oh ya! I just found out that 10th March is "The International Day of Awesomeness!" What's a coincidence.

Siem Reap, Cambodia 2013 (Sneak Peek)

Have anyone of you organise a gathering trip with your school/college/unimates after graduated? Yes, I did and I think I did almost every year with different group of friends of mine. Most of my trips since year 2010 until now were either gathering trips with my secondary classmates, collegemates and even my UK unimates. Since ever all of us graduated, it's is so hard and rare to hang out together and in my own opinion, one of the best way is to have a gathering trip. However, it's not easy anyway cause sometimes it's difficult for us to find the suitable date for us to gather for a trip. Take for example for my last year Bali trip, it was supposed to be a gathering trip with my collegemates but turns out to be only 3 people were joining.

Luckily last year I managed to secure airtickets to Cambodia for 7 people at least. Actually this suppose to be my first trip for this year but turns out I went Johor Bahru and Singapore early of this year and also to Bangkok with my family last month for Chinese New Year holidays. Hence, I didn't spend much time to plan well for this trip as I was busy with closing account and setting my own business at the same time. But I glad that everything turns out well despite the scorching hot weather throughout our visit.

So, here's what my friends and I did during our 6 days trip to Siem Reap, Cambodia:

#1: Witness the mesmerizing sunset at Angkor Wat

#2: Bayon Temple, one of famous landmark of Siem Reap 

#3: Ta Phrom, this is where Angelina Jolie stood for the film Tomb Raider

#4: Sunset moment at floating village in Tonle Sap Lake

#5: Watching Aspara dancing show while enjoy our buffet dinner

#6: Bought some souvenirs such as postcards, fridge magnets, T-shirt for memento at Old Market 

#7: Almost every night we went Pub Street for dinner and also for night market which is nearby.

#8: Despite their poor living standard, I was so surprised that Cambodia people tends to be more friendly and love to smile to the tourists. 

For this trip, I really enjoy myself to the fullest - laughing non-stop and talking with my friends and this reminds me of my young, free and bold college life. Now, we are looking forward for our next trip. Wondering where should we heading next? In between and out of my expectation, my friends gave me a huge surprised by celebrating my early birthday in Cambodia. I was so shocked and my tears almost shedding cause I never ever thought they will purposely go and find birthday cake for me. Thank you so much, my friends!

#9: Celebrated my early birthday while having Chinese cuisine somewhere nearby Pub Street

Oh well, I am feeling kinda exhausted and tired now cause except for November last year, I had travelled abroad every month since last year August until now. But all of these paid off when I received this kind of message:

Looks like I need to change my course to Tourism and become tourist guide. Don't you think so?

So without looking any further, Cambodia concluded as my third trip for this year and also marked as the 27th country I'd visited up to date. 

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