bliss in Japan!

Look what I found!

One of the fancy shops in Omotesando Hills. snaps!


More photos and stories of Japan to follow... just need time~

signs

signs that you have been all about work since counting down on 31 Dec 2009.


1) You have very bad skin
2) You look like you are suffering from malnutrition/could have more nutritious foods
3) You are putting on weight in the wrong places
4) You suddenly find yourself making regular appointments for reflexology and neck and shoulder massage
5) You look like you could use some sleep
6) You ache for a holiday (heeeelllppp)

I am at point 6 now (and all of the above). Ache.For.Holiday. and it is not even mid year yet!

soooo need this. right now.


and the list continues to more drastic side effects..7,8,9... but that shall be kept for another day. Let's see how I, little potato in need of some sand and sea, survive till June then.

It could be

It could be...

... that I'm SO busy

... that I'm SO uninspired

... that I'm SO caught up with this thing called life

... that I'm SO freaking turning mid-twenties this year

... that I'm SO supposed to be doing something else right this moment

... that I'm SO over-exposed on Facebook

... that I'm SO spending more time researching Blackberries and Iphones

... that I'm SO daydreaming

... that I'm SO in need to stay away from computers (!!!)



It could be these reasons that I'm not updating my blog anymore. Nonetheless, I still feel the need to pen. Look out for my book in your friendly neighbourhood bookstores this summer.






Not.



:D

camerons : in touch with nature

Just about 2 weeks ago I went to Cameron Highlands! It was pretty much impromptu and I love impromptu trips! I love the whole Just Go spirit! So here we gooo... on a healthy diet and fresh air trip!

winding

winding...

oh the roads are so curvy... getting dizzy... my butt is moving from left to right... my head is swaying! help!

Luckily, everyone survived the whole ordeal. Some resorted to drugs but I just ate some pringles and went to sleep. Haha.. whatever works.


First stop: Strawberry farm!!

So cute!!!!!!!!

My first time seeing strawberries and I was very happy. Though it was pretty sunny and hot too.

"wtf. Why is it so hot?"

Being the youngest and first time in Cams, I asked the most questions.

"Why the strawberries so small one?"

because the big ones are protected in the other gated areas.. haha!

And then we went to Kea's Market!

They have sooo many stalls here selling fruits, flowers, corn, vegetables, mushrooms, strawberries strawberries strawberries.

Somehow those aunties keep on trying their selling pitch on my guy colleague and it works all the time..
"Come la leng chai! Buy la.. u buy 4, I give you cheaper!" ok la ok la..

then suddenly she pulls out this huge gigantic packet from the back of the store,

"ah, since you buying so much, why not buy this whole bunch!! cheap only..."


Suddenly, we have like 2 dozens of corn. Suddenly, we have like 20 bags of vege. Suddenly, the car is filled with flowers... oh boy..

Wah! Big eggplant!

Finally we checked in!
Bala's chalet.. do not be deceived by its name because it is actually very English..

Beautiful, quiet and gives us the Smokehouse experience without having to stop by the Smokehouse.


I want to own this place!!!
Our chalet which opens out to the courtyard with lots of chilling spots..There you have 5 hoteliers coming up with brilliant ideas to spruce up this place and market it.. damn I want this property.

Anyways, we decided to drive to the "atas" Equatorial for a look and yes, beautiful view...
but boring rooms...

Then we went to look at all those flower shops along the roads.. Here they sell everything in pots - flowers, chillies, cactus, strawberries...




Then we headed to the night market which is only available on Fridays and Saturdays...

Lotsa food on offer!Strawberry ice cream too!
But I still prefer Verry Verry Strawberry at BR.. :D

We had steamboat which was very regular but one thing great is the vegetables are free!!! just top up as much as you want.. it is freeeee!

We even had durians.. but too excited so no photos here.. haha..

At the night market, they sold everything that they offer such as fruits, flowers, vege and strawberries.. but also a lot of merchandise with strawberries on it. It is funny how Cams have strawberries as its icon. Even pyjamas bright orange pyjamas with strawberry prints! I told my friend that wearing that will totally spoil anyone's love life.

It rained in the evening (bummer) but the next morning, we woke up to a beautiful morning!!

Cold and misty... just the kind of temperature we need. Like, it was hot yesterday and we were like, wtf??

So cold! I like!!! See :D it's like I can imagine the scene in Twilight here up in the mountains...


And just the right setting to visit my favourite place of them all!!


The tea plantation!!
Chan!

That's where we're going to have breakfast!! coming up!!
On the way... hungry... but want to take photos like no tomorrow...

I'm sooo impressed with what I see here..
Beautiful architecture and design...

Loved the whole semi outdoor atmosphere and well taken care facilities...

We had breakfast right at the edge itself!

Partly due to my whining...

"Don't want to sit here! must sit outside!!!"

because it was full outside where the view is the best but lucky lucky... some uncles were leaving...
we had the obligatory scones with butter and jam.. delicious! and the tea was of course gold blend... and then there was a little squel from me "I want nasi lemak!!"

Eating nasi lemak here is so nice. It's cold and the sambal is hot.. can only be described as "shiok".

Beautiful! I want a weekend house here!!!
If only the roads are not so windy..

The whole Tea Centre is filled with history of Boh and it was artfully done..


And I find Mr Boh adorable! How come I never knew about him... hmm Comms not strong..
We also had a tour of the tea factory... oh.. cannot tahan the smell here... The strong tea smell as the leaves are crushed and rolled..
Finally, we left with a very satisfied tummy of scones and tea...

I'll miss you!

But not before stopping by Kea's Market for more strawberrys and vege shopping...

Macau and Hong Kong!

Story-telling time!

So for my year end time-out, I went to Macau and then Hong Kong!

Macau first... lots of big hotels and casino!

This is MGM's interior:
Then we went to the city square... Christmas decorations were still up and carols can be heard everywhere!

At the Grand Lisboa:
I couldn't resist taking a photo in the streets.. the streets in Macau are mostly very narrow. The roads are narrow and you rarely see tar roads! Lots of stones and marble flooring...
And we finally came to the little coffeeshop which they normally call Char Chan Teng in Macau and Hongkong. This one specializes in steamed eggs and steamed milk pudding. Very eggy and milky to me.. haha.. and I tasted the pork chop bun for the first time!
Another pretty alley..
The next day, I finally understood how common the pork chop bun is. Everyone eats pork chop bun! Breakfast, lunch, dinner, supper.. always available! Like nasi lemak. And it usually goes with milk tea. I love it! We're talking about a piece of pork fried to perfection... not minced meat with what-nots.
and then, after walking a while, it was lunchy-teatime! What else but Portugese egg tart! yummers... and after lotsa heavy taste, it all washes down very well with this fave drink of mine-chrysanthemum with honey and lemon.soon it was night time and we went to the ruins which is the icon and memorial of Macau!
and for a taste of Portugese food to complete the trip, we had these for din din! whoa! Pork ribs!
View from my friend's house. The buildings here are pretty much old and small but fetches premium rent rates.
Look what we saw at a bus stop! Furry Friends' Toilet. No more digging required and loads of privacy.
Look what they call Guardian there in Macau and Hong Kong! Manning! I found this so amusing...And then we went to The Venetian. A hotel cum mall cum casino with Venetian theme.

They have little boat rides and the lady who rows it can also sing beautifully. This is what I call multitasking!

The ceiling of the mall is purposely elevated and painted to emulate the look of the skies. Very real! well, when you don't notice the shadows... o_oI don't know what you call these entertainers but they stand there and don't move for a long time. Some rich tourists actually threw money at him to get him to move for them... hmm. I don't think I will want his job...

Jesters too!
Me and Weilynn! We took this photo to make a thank you card for Shiowling and Chris for letting us bunk in their love nest. haha... Moving on to HongKong!
Before that, Jen jen brought us around before taking the ferry to HK. We went to the Fisherman's Wharf for some photo op!
They have gingy there!
While waiting for the ferry. Overlooking the Sands Hotel.
After an hour's ride, we see land!!
Ah, we're here! Welcome tea set at Kowloon Shangri-La...
We got lost! So we took photos. Haha...
We found ourselves always at these zebra crossings. The buzzing sounds of the traffic lights made us so kan-cheong! It will go tick-tick-tick then when it is time for pedestrian to cross, the ticking will go faster and faster! Like ticktickticktickticktick!
We walked so much that we decided that this is why there are not many fat people in HK.
In the MTR! We bought the Octopus (Pat Tat Tong) card and it can be used to go anywhere on the MTR. And if you actually top up money into it, you can use it for tram rides, ferry rides, and even use it to buy things in 7elevens.
Avenue of Stars which is just behind our hotel. At night, the lights are just preeeetty!
Look, the carpet in the lifts of Shangri-La actually shows the day. They change it everyday. How convenient! We'll never lose track of the days now. haha!

First stop will be City Hall to eat dimsum which is highly recommended by so many friends.
At Maxim Palace!We had to go early to avoid long queues and we actually ended up there at 10.15am. The place opens at 11.00am. Yup, we were the first. Hungry and impatient, we took photos!
That's Weilynn doing research for our next destination. The City Hall is so well designed and modern.
By 11.00am, there was already a big crowd outside Maxim Palace. We're in!

On a full tummy, we walked and walked around Central till we found Stanley Market. Very hilly place this Central.

And then we saw an escalator which will bring us to Mid Levels. Where is that? Whatever, let's go!

After about 20 over escalators, there were still lots more to go. Photo time!
We reached Mid Levels and then realise it was really just the mid levels. We either go up to The Peak or go back down. Up it is! We took a cab because... we got lost!!

So we reached the peak and decided to go up The Peak Tower which gave us even better view of HK than the ordinary ground of the peak. So it was the peak of the peak! Costed HKD20 though. haha...

Whoa.
Whoa.
The Peak Tower also houses an EA games station. Probably to keep the kids appeased while the parents take a romantic stroll on the tower. But then again, I spot many big kids too...
Astro Boy at Peak Gallery! This shop is so cool!
We took the tram back down to Central. It was the best and fastest way back and indeed an experience! So steep!!We went around Central and went to Times Square. This place is huge! Can't resist posting this photo. A Carrie Chau Gallery in Times Square. Very cute!
The next day we decided to explore The Avenue of Stars and Tsim Sha Tsui!

Beautiful view of the island from here...

There were a few tin men shaped after calafares in a movie set. This one is or a director. Retro director.So many Hong Kong stars! I took a photo with Tony Leung. Remembering the Infernal Affairs trilogy which I watched before setting off.. haha..

Calefares!
At Tsim Sha Tsui, we took a ferry across to Central to explore the IFC and IFC mall. The IFC is that tallest building you see on the island. Probably the most filmed building too!
Star Ferry! Very cool and only costs HKD2.20 for upper deck. Lower deck is only HKD1.70.

We took an MTR back to Kowloon and then headed off to the airport. Time for bye bye! sobs!

The view of HK from the plane was amazing! This is a lousy shot but you get the idea...
I'm gonna wear the "I Love HK" tee shirt now and mean it!