Holidays – HEALTH FREAK MOMMY

Camera Crumbs

A dump of my camera crumbs to document the joyful moments here.

There’s Pang Cha everywhere in Bangkok but mind you, their signature shaved ice dessert is pretty steep (around RM30+ after conversion). I don’t mind paying just to try the delicious-looking cold dessert from this MICHELIN-recommended tea boutique but it looks really sweet too, which made me reluctant to buy.
I told myself that I must try their milk tea or dessert but alas, I had to give it a miss as we didn’t have enough time. Another reason is there’s no one to share it with me. Alycia is lactose-intolerant and I couldn’t finish the entire bowl of dessert or entire cup of tea myself. The serving is huge.
This photo was taken at the airport on the day of our departure.

Throughout our 3 nights in Bangkok, Alycia had late night supper of junk food in the hotel room while playing with her phone while I was in lalaland. This is what holidays and happy memories are made of – fun and junk food, all rolled up into one happy ball!

Next to go on a holiday with me will be Sherilyn!

I love the buffet breakfast at Novotel Platinum hotel. They have a good spread of quality healthy foods for health freaks like me. Every morning, I went to the coffee house to have breakfast at 8am while Alycia was still asleep. I started my day with some fresh fruits, cold pressed fruit juice, and a bowl of plain Greek yogurt topped with fresh acai berries, cut fruits, seeds, and nuts. This would be followed by the mains of eggs, greens, meat and some desserts. And not forgetting my must-have cuppa coffee. I tried their pulled Thai milk tea but it was too sweet for my liking.

Coconut balls (onde-onde) are one of my favorite desserts at Novotel.

Mushroom pasta with caviar, by chef Sherilyn during her semester break.

Carrot cupcakes made by Sherilyn for Cass’ 16th birthday on 9 April 2024. The orange color on the carrots was made from real carrot juice while the green color was from matcha powder.

Happy Sweet 16, Cassandra! May all your birthday wishes come true.

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Bangkok Trip With Alycia – Day 2, King Power Mahanakhon SkyWalk

Ticket price > RM132.35 per pax, pre-purchased from Klook.com

Package Type > Mahanakhon Skywalk + 78th Floor Rooftop Ticket

Participation Time > Sunset Time (16:00-19:00)

After a day of shopping, we reached the King Power Mahanakhon for our much-awaited walk on the glass floor on the 78th floor rooftop of the building at 4pm. It never struck me that I would chicken out until I was at the edge of the observatory deck, where the glass floor was beneath 🥶

King Power Mahanakhon is a supertall skyscraper in Bangkok. The skyscraper was built in 2016, and became the tallest building in Bangkok, standing at 314 meters (1,030 feet) tall.

Alycia using a QR code to open a locker (free of charge) to keep our bags and shopping loot. Water bottles are not allowed too.

The below picture almost didn’t materialize. Alycia my daredevil jumped right onto the glass tray without an ounce of phobia but for me, the moment my foot almost touched the glass tray and I looked down, I chickened out and retreated. I told Alycia that I wasn’t sure if I could do it and she said “you paid so much for it and don’t want to do it now? You’re wasting your money!”

After braving myself to do it, I put my both my palms on the edge, then feet down (like how a toddler would go down the bed), and finally stood up. Then posed a bit for the camera. The trick is – just DO NOT LOOK DOWN. 🤪

Everyone waited at the observatory deck under the hot sun for almost two hours for the sunset view. Though very hot, it was very breezy.

Sun finally going down after hours of waiting.

Tourists from all over the world scrambled to get the best sunset view.

After the Skywalk, we took a Grab car to TOOKPAK – ถูกปาก Stadium One for a sumptuous dinner of Thai food.

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Thai Desserts

During my recent trip to Bangkok, my sweet tooth was thoroughly satisfied. Thanks to Alycia’s research and guidance, we embarked on a whirlwind tour of Thai street food bazaars found in different shopping malls, sampling a plethora of mouthwatering desserts that showcased the vibrant flavors of Thailand’s culinary heritage.

Our adventure began at some of Bangkok’s bustling shopping malls, where we stumbled upon Thai street food bazaars held in conjunction with the Songkran festival. As we navigated through the maze of vibrant stalls, we were greeted by a tantalizing array of not only delicious Thai food but also sweet treats that beckoned to be savored.

Despite having already indulged in brunch and dinner most of the time, we couldn’t resist the temptation to sample some of the most iconic Thai desserts. From creamy coconut-based delicacies to aromatic Thai pancakes, each dessert offered a unique blend of flavors and textures.

One of the highlights of our dessert escapade was sampling the king of all Thai desserts – the famous mango sticky rice—a beloved Thai delicacy that combines sweet, fragrant mangoes with sticky rice drizzled in coconut cream. The creamy texture of the rice, paired with the juicy sweetness of the mangoes, was a match made in dessert heaven. Other desserts that I am still craving now are the assorted Thai pudding with creamy coconut milk and crispy Thai pancakes with grated coconut.

One thing is for sure—Thai cuisine never fails to tantalize my taste buds and leave a lasting impression on the palate.

I was ecstatic when I saw this Thai kuih stall outside the BTS station, connecting to the Terminal 21 shopping mall. I wanted to try all the desserts but was still full after our buffet breakfast at the hotel.

Luk Chup (made from mung bean paste), which is quite similar to our Malaysian Angku kuih. My older brother told me to try this dessert.

Rich and creamy Thai pudding dessert with coconut milk.

More sinful and mouthwatering desserts from the same stall.

I bought a punnet of Luk Chup to try. Not bad.

We found a bench at the Terminal 21 food court and sat there to eat our desserts before we walked to EmSphere mall for more shopping and then for lunch.

Secret Recipe, a Malaysian cake brand is found at the Terminal 21 shopping mall. And they have so many variety of cakes and cup cakes, which our Malaysian Secret Receipt outlets don’t have.

Spoilt for choices at the Bangkok’s Secret Receipt outpost.

But nope, we didn’t try them as we were saving the space in our tummies for real Thai food 😀

Waiting for our BTS skytrain that takes us to Terminal 21 mall.

Alycia got excited when she saw Hokkaido Ice Cream at Emsphere mall and bugged me to get her a matcha flavor on cone.

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Souvenirs and Snacks From Bangkok

I hadn’t intended to buy too many snacks from Bangkok because Thai snacks are not the healthiest of snacks – they are mostly deep-fried, very salty or sweet, or contain a lot of food additives. But I succumbed to the allure of Thailand’s culinary delights, resulting in a delightful collection of savory snacks and sweet treats that served as mementos of my time in the Land of Smiles.

One of the highlights of my snack haul was the irresistible dried mangoes that I discovered at Big C supermarket. Tempted by the tantalizing aroma and delectable taste given out as free sampling, I bought several packets. The dried mango snack was a hit among tourists as I saw many of them stacking up their shopping carts with this snack. Unlike their Filipino counterparts, Thai dried mangoes boast a unique mango aroma and a perfect balance of sweetness and texture (not too hard), making them a must-have for any snack enthusiast.

In addition to dried mangoes, I couldn’t resist indulging in some crispy seaweed—a well-known Thai snack renowned for its flavorful crunch and irresistible taste. I also stumbled upon a worker cutting freshly made coconut candies at Big C and I tried the sample. Thai coconut candy is a unique twist on the traditional dodol found in Malaysia. Wrapped in a mysterious plant casing, these delightful coconut candies offer a tantalizing blend of sweetness and texture that left me craving more, thus bought a packet to bring home.

On our second last day in Bangkok, during our shopping mall hopping adventure, we were greeted by food fests, held in conjunction with the Songkran water festival. Alycia and I were blown away by the different types of Thai snacks and street food. We wanted to try everything as every dish and snack looked alluring and delicious. The free sampling was the final straw and I ended up with more snacks. Some snacks are so fragile that I would have to hand-carry them back to Malaysia!

On our final day in Bangkok, I seized the opportunity to stock up on last-minute souvenirs and snacks at the airport, just to make the most of my remaining Thai Baht notes and coins. From crispy coconut chips to Thai peppermint inhalers and soothing hand lotion from Boots, each item served as a tangible reminder of my journey and a cherished memento of my time spent exploring Bangkok with my eldest daughter.

Delicious puffed rice crackers, pandan egg rolls, sweet potato chips and banana chips.

Young coconut chips, bought from the airport on our last day.

Crispy flavored seaweed snack. I find some of them overly sweet.

Thai peppermint inhaler. These are so popular in Thailand that they are sold in every pharmacy, supermarket, 7-11 convenience store, and even in the airport. I saw many foreign tourists sniffing it and out of curiosity bought two sticks to try (one for Alycia, one for me). We both liked it and then on our final day in Bangkok, bought two strips (8 sticks in each strip) from the airport to be given away as souvenir. The inhaler smells quite similar to our Malaysia ‘minyak angin’ but it has peppermint essential oil in it.

Snake brand prickly heat cooling powder is another popular item sold in Bangkok. It’s sold everywhere and even in the airport. I bought a can to try. It’s perfect for cooling down in our current heatwave.

You can read about our Chao Phraya river cruise on board the Royal Galaxy Cruise here.

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Fill In The Bag – My New Quilted Handbag from Bangkok

During my recent trip to Bangkok, I found myself on a quest for the perfect handbag—one that seamlessly combines style, functionality, and comfort.

As someone who values fashion, comfort, and practicality, I’ve always been drawn to quilted handbags for their lightweight construction and timeless elegance. Their ability to alleviate the strain on my shoulders (I have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and stiff shoulders), coupled with their versatility and on-trend appeal, made them an ideal choice for everyday wear. Quilted bags are also currently in vogue. They’re being sold everywhere in Bangkok and almost every fashion-savvy girl on the street was seen carrying a quilted shoulder bag.

On the second day of our Bangkok trip, I stumbled upon a local designer boutique called Fill In The Bag at the Siam Discovery mall—a haven for quilted bag enthusiasts like myself. As I perused the shelves adorned with an array of chic designs, one particular bag caught my eye. With its sleek silhouette, adjustable strap, and abundance of compartments inside and outside, it was a perfect blend of style, comfort, and functionality.

The bag costs about RM270-280 (I can’t remember the exact price).

What struck me most about this Fill In The Bag creation was its versatility. Designed to be carried crossbody or on the shoulder with an adjustable strap, it offered the flexibility I needed for my travels and shopping. With ample space to store my essentials and more, it proved to be the perfect bag for someone who carries many things in a handbag.

As I embarked on my return flight to KL, my new quilted handbag accompanied me every step of the way. Its lightweight, soft, and puffy design and thoughtful compartments made it a breeze to navigate through airport terminals, while its elegant silhouette added a touch of sophistication to my travel ensemble.

The night before we left Bangkok, Alycia helped me pack all the delicate snacks that I bought from Bangkok into my old handbag. They were a packet of super fragile egg and pandan rolls, sweet potato chips, banana chips, crispy fish snack, and puffed rick crackers. These were hand-carried into the aircraft.

More than just a fashion statement, quilted handbags embody comfort, versatility, and effortless style. With its ability to elevate any ensemble and ease the burden on my shoulders, it’s a testament to the power of fashion to marry style and comfort seamlessly. Here’s to embracing elegance and comfort, one quilted handbag at a time. And now I have four quilted handbags in my collection 😁

My new Fill In The Bag on the right and old shoulder bag on the left, which was used to lug all the fragile snacks back to Malaysia.

Thank God these hand-carried fragile snacks survived the flight back and were still in perfect condition when they reached home 😅. By the way, all the snacks that you see here are very yummy!

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Shopping And Eating in Bangkok

Day 2, 16 April 2024

After our Mahanakhon Skywalk adventure, Alycia and I took a Grab car to Tookpak at Stadium One for dinner. Tookpak, with a Google Review rating of 4.8, was recommended to us by hubby’s second sister in Hong Kong.

Fish paste with coconut shoots green curry – we requested for the green curry to be only mildly spicy as Alycia cannot stomach spicy food. The fish paste was superb – it reminds me of the fish balls that my late maternal grandma made from mackerel fish.

Fried rice with generous amount of real crab meat.

Tookpak at Stadium One. We enjoyed our dinner thoroughly.

1,054 Bhat or about RM136 for only 3 dishes. Pretty costly but worth every Bhat as the food was very good.

Alycia’s first experience on a tuk tuk while I had ridden on them many times before during my trips to Hatyai with my parents.

Initially the tuk tuk driver wanted to charge us 300 Bhat (about RM39) for a 20-minute ride but when we complained that it was expensive, he lowered the price to 250 Bhat (about RM32). It was still expensive but we jumped on it anyway as I wanted Alycia to experience it. Our verdict – better stick to Grab cars as it was very hot on the tuk tuk 😅

Snack of pandan croffle and strawberry smoothie before going up for our Skywalk.

After dinner at Tookpak, we walked to a nearby 7-11 as Alycia wanted to try the sandwiches while I bought some Thai toiletries. While walking along the street, we chanced upon this dessert shop and went in to have a look.

And we ordered a bowl to try. Yummy and refreshing but too sweet for health freak mommy 😜

At Siam Square. We managed to shop for some clothes here.

This building at Siam Square resembles a tin. So cute.

Mango-sticky rice dessert again. The heart shaped thingy is coconut ice cream.

Clothing stall at DD Mall. We took the 250 Bhat tuk tuk to this mall just because Alycia wanted to get a t-shirt that her bestie has that was bought from DD Mall last year.

Very tempted to buy these crew socks for Cass but I wasn’t sure if she would like them. Crew socks are now in fashion, and worn with chunky platform Crocs. I saw many tourists spotting this trend in footwear. What a fashion 😂

Alycia finally found the t-shirt (not the one in this pic) that her bestie has and she bought it in a heartbeat. It’s not cheap though at 490 Bhat. She’s a very happy camper now and we could only leave the mall after she hunted down the tee.
Our next destination – another mall, by Grab car this time.

To be continued…

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Our Pleasant Stay at Novotel Platinum Bangkok

Our recent stay at Novotel Platinum in Bangkok was nothing short of extraordinary—a perfect blend of comfort, convenience, and culinary delights that left a lasting impression on Alycia and me. From its prime location to its delectable buffet breakfast and massage, every aspect of our stay surpassed our expectations and added a special touch to our Bangkok adventure.

The decision to book our accommodation at Novotel Platinum was a result of thorough research. I told Alycia that I wanted to book a hotel that is located at a prime location, must be clean (I’m OCD), and must have good Google reviews. After scouring through Google reviews and considering our priorities, we found ourselves drawn to this modern hotel nestled in the heart of Bangkok’s bustling city center. I paid RM2,118 for 3 nights stay.

One of the highlights of our stay was undoubtedly the daily buffet breakfast at Novotel Platinum. As a self-professed breakfast enthusiast, I was delighted by the wide array of dishes and culinary delights that awaited us each morning. From sumptuous Thai delicacies to international favorites, there was something to tantalize every taste bud. Healthy options were wide and delightful too – from slow-pressed juices to freshly cut fruits, Greek yogurt, low-fat yogurt, a wide array of salad and cheeses, nuts, seeds, healthy hummus, oatmeal, and much more. The scrumptious Thai food, eggs cooked in a variety of styles, Indian and Middle Eastern cuisines were just a few of the many delights that made each breakfast a memorable affair. It’s safe to say that the buffet breakfast at Novotel Platinum was a highlight of our trip—an experience that we still reminisce about fondly.

Beyond the comforts of our hotel, Bangkok itself offered a vibrant tapestry of experiences waiting to be explored. From bustling markets to iconic landmarks, and modern shopping malls, Alycia and I immersed ourselves in the rich tapestry of Thai culture, bonding over shared adventures, culinary discoveries, and shopping excursions. While Bangkok’s bustling streets and vibrant atmosphere may bear close similarities to Kuala Lumpur, its abundance of modern shopping malls, tuk tuk cars, and the Songkran water festival added an exciting twist to our trip.

On the downside, due to our continuous currency depreciation, we discovered that things are more expensive in Bangkok compared to our homeland.

As we reflect on our time at Novotel Platinum and our adventures in Bangkok, we are filled with gratitude for the memories made and the moments shared. From the warm hospitality of our hotel to the vibrant energy of the city, our breathtaking experience of stepping on the transparent glass tray 314 meters above ground (on the 74^th floor) at the Mahanakhon Skywalk, and our very first experience dining on a cruise ship, every aspect of our stay left an indelible mark on our hearts.

To be continued…

Day 1 – as we could not get out of our hotel area due to the Songkran crowds, we ventured to Let’s Relax spa at our hotel for massage instead. I did a 1-hour back and shoulder massage while Alycia opted for a foot massage, which she didn’t enjoy 😅.
Upon arrival, we were served a refreshing chilled pandan tea and after the massage, we were served Genmaicha tea and a packet each of coconut egg rolls.

The Thai Pulled Tea was a crowd favorite, although I found it a tad too sweet.

The gong will be sounded at around 8am every morning and this staff will showcase her skill in pulling Thai tea.

One of my favorite counters – salad bar.

Another favorite of mine – slow-pressed juice counter

Another must-have of mine every morning – acai berry bowl with Greek yogurt, lots of mangoes, soaked chia seeds, dragon fruit, seeds and nuts.

Fresh juice enzyme served to us at our table in a push cart every morning.

Condiments for the porridge. I love the crispy fish salad.

Chicken satay. On our last morning, there was Moo Ping (Thai grilled pork skewers), which was very delish.

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Bangkok Trip With Alycia (15 – 18 April 2024) – Day 1

Hey peeps, I’m back from Bangkok!

Alycia and I survived our first DIY overseas trip without a guide and without her dad with us and I’m glad to say that everything went smoothly. Both our Air Asia flights were on time, despite warnings from my hubby, parents and other friends who had bad experiences of flight delays and cancellations with Air Asia. I thank God for blessing us with an enjoyable and trouble-free trip.

I’m also proud to say that Alycia is such a superb travel organizer. Her regular trips (local and overseas) with her uni mates have groomed her to be a travel-savvy and street smart girl. I just told her the dates that I wanted our trip to be, the time of our flights, where I wanted to visit, find a good and clean hotel and she did everything… with my credit card of course. She booked our hotel accommodation on booking.com. For our visits in Bangkok, purchase of Thailand SIM cards and transport cards, she booked them on Klook. She collected the SIM cards and transport cards at the Klook booth at the Bangkok airport.

We pre-paid our visit to the Mahanakhon SkyWalk and Royal Galaxy Chao Phraya river cruise via Klook. For our meals and shopping, Alycia googled for the most happening shopping malls and eateries and we covered at least 10 shopping malls in three days. We moved around mostly by Grab, BTS, Tuk Tuk car, and walked a lot under the scorching sun. I’m now a few shades tanner.

Alycia even wanted to try Grab motorbike but I was strongly against it for safety reasons. I thought that Sherilyn and Cass are dare devils who dare to try everything dangerous to get the adrenaline rush, but I discovered during this trip that my eldest is another fearless and daring young lady. She has transformed a lot from a timid and shy girl to an adventurous and sociable young lady ever since she went to university three years ago.

A day before our trip, Alycia found out that our dates in Bangkok coincided with the Songkran water festival. She warned me that we would get wet but I didn’t give much thought or worry to it. But I was wrong. We were both caught right smack in the middle of the festival and there was no way we could escape it as our hotel (Novotel Platinum) is located in a prime location, which was where the water fights would be held!

It was our very first time immersing in such a festival and we both had a culture shock. Everything that I had read from the news about Songkran in the past was now right in front of my eyes. We were both squirted with water and our faces were swiped with powder by strangers, who would target anyone with dry clothes and clean face. We had to cross an overhead bridge to get across to the other side where all the shopping malls were. The bridge was jam-packed with revellers and we could not even move. People were shooting water everywhere and at everyone. When we saw that the crowds were even bigger and more rowdy at the opposite side, we made a U-turn and returned to our hotel. We had our dinner at the hotel coffee house and then indulged in massage at the hotel.

To be continued…

Alycia collecting our SIM cards and transport cards at the Klook booth at the Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Revellers on a truck and tuk tuk cars shooting and splashing water on anyone that they see.

The crowd on the overhead bridge from our hotel to the other side. The crowd was even bigger towards the end of the bridge and on the opposite side.

The first thing that I bought in Bangkok – a 250ml bottle of pandan coconut water which cost about RM7. I soon discovered that nothing is cheap in Bangkok, no thanks to the depreciation of our currency.

We tried to cross the bridge again after dinner and massage at the hotel. The crowd had petered out a little but when we were approaching the shopping malls, both Alycia and I got swiped on our faces with powder. A young girl about 7 years old greeted me “ni hao” and then swiped my face with white powder. Then a young man did the same to me. I was shocked, culturally shocked.

The crowd outside a shopping mall opposite our hotel.

I bought this coconut candy (in Malaysia, it’s called dodol) at the Big C mall. It’s unique coz it’s wrapped in some kind of hard leaves, while our Malaysian dodol is wrapped in fresh pandan leaves.

Bic C is a supermarket where one can find a wide array of snacks. It’s a great place for tourists to shop for Thai snacks. But again, due to our currency depreciation, the things are not cheap at Big C. I’ve not seen anything that’s really cheap in Bangkok. Things are cheaper back home. Nonetheless, I bought a big bag of snacks and had to lug them back to KL on my hand-carry bag as some of the snacks are very fragile.

Our dinner at Novotel Platinum – Pad Thai and crab meat omelette. Yummy and expensive (slightly over RM100 for just two dishes).

I had a relaxing 60-minute back and shoulder massage while Alycia had foot massage, which she didn’t enjoy.

Our first meal upon arrival in Bangkok was McDonalds as we could not go anywhere due to the Songkran crowds. Alycia wanted to try the pork burger which her friend said was delicious but she didn’t really like it. After McD, we randomly entered this cafe called After You and ordered a pandan kaya and coconut cream bun, a signature dessert of the cafe.

According to Alycia who did a Google search on this dessert, Jay Chou (famous Taiwanese singer songwriter) ate this dessert too in Bangkok. It’s delicious but a tad cloying as the buns are slathered in a thick layer of coconut cream with a generous amount of thick aromatic pandan kaya on the inside. This dessert must be shared by at least three people.

Alycia’s all-time favorite strawberry bingsu, from After You Cafe too.

We both clocked in at least 17,000 steps every day.

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Planning Our First DIY Trip to Bangkok

Last week has been a whirlwind of many tasks to accomplish as my eldest daughter and I embark on a new adventure—planning our first-ever DIY trip to Bangkok. With Alycia’s semester break soon coming to an end, we seized the opportunity to have a short holiday in Bangkok, taking on the challenge of organizing every detail ourselves.

As someone who has frequented Thailand numerous times in the past, I thought planning this trip would be a breeze. However, diving into the nitty-gritty of trip planning proved to be more complex than I anticipated.

From scouring the internet for the best airfares with convenient departure and arrival times to securing a nice hotel (with good Google reviews) at tourist hotspots, there was no shortage of tasks to tackle in the span of less than ten days. Gone were the days of relying on travel agents and my parents to handle the logistics—this time, it was up to us to navigate the intricacies of travel planning.

As of today, I have paid for the air tickets and booked the hotel (Novotel Platinum Bangkok).

In addition to booking flights and accommodation, there were several other essentials to take care of before our departure. Making trips to the banks to activate overseas usage for credit and debit cards, online purchasing a SIM card for Thailand use, online purchase of BKK transport cards, exchanging currency and booking entrance tickets (via Klook) to the places that we are planning to visit in Thailand were just a few items on our lengthy to-do list. As the countdown to our departure date dwindled, the pressure was on me to ensure that everything was in place for a smooth and seamless journey.

Alycia has been traveling pretty regularly lately and she’s no stranger to booking tickets and hotel online. She’s also adept at using Apple Maps to bring me around.

However, amidst the excitement of planning our trip, a new challenge emerged—a recent requirement stipulated by the Thai Embassy mandating travelers to carry a minimum of 15,000 Thai Baht (around RM2k) per person in cash upon entry into Thailand as proof of financial ability. This unexpected hurdle added an extra layer of complexity to our preparations, prompting concerns about compliance and logistics. I have since checked with friends who had just returned from Bangkok and all of them told me that they were not checked by the Immigration staff in Bangkok on the amount of cash that they brought in, which was less than the stipulated amount. It seems that the Immigration staff would conduct random checks on travelers.

As departure day draws near, my thoughts turn to my youngest daughter, Cass, who will be home alone when she returns from school in the afternoon. If hubby is busy with work, Cass will have to settle lunch on her own. Cass will also have to learn how to operate the washing machine and do other house chores during my absence. Being the youngest and not one who would willingly do house chores, I hope that she will learn to shoulder responsibilities during my absence.

On top of all these, my other big worry is Haru. Sherilyn is tasked to feed Haru breakfast and Cass has to take care of the dinner. Sherilyn will have to wake up earlier in the morning to feed Haru before rushing off to college. And both of them will have to take turns cleaning the litter box. I hope that these two busy girls will remember to feed Haru and take good care of their fur sister. I am surely going to send them lots of reminders when I am in Bangkok 😜

Despite the uncertainties and challenges that lie ahead, I’m filled with a sense of anticipation and optimism for the journey ahead.

With faith, determination, and a spirit of adventure, I have no qualms that Alycia and I will navigate Bangkok with ease and return home with hearts full of cherished memories. Here’s to new beginnings, unexpected challenges, and the joy of discovery that awaits us in the Land of Smiles. Wish us luck!

Snacks that Alycia bought from Hong Kong last week.

These are all for us while the rest is for her friends and colleagues. Everyone at home loves chocolates. The matcha is also for me, my favorite kind of tea.

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Exploring the Charm of Qing Xin Ling Leisure & Cultural Village in Ipoh

Nestled within the majestic limestone hills of Gunung Rapat in Ipoh, Qing Xin Ling Leisure & Cultural Village is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. This remarkable cultural park offers a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural experiences, making it a must-visit tourist spot for anyone exploring the vibrant city of Ipoh. During my recent visit with Cass and my parents, we were captivated by the serene surroundings, picturesque scenery, and the touch of nostalgia that this village evokes.

One of the first things that struck me about Qing Xin Ling was its breathtaking location. Set amidst the famous Ipoh limestone hills inside a residential area in Gunung Rapat, the village offers visitors the chance to immerse themselves in the splendor of nature.

As we strolled through the park, we were greeted by a massive pond teeming with fish and cute ducks. The tranquility of the setting provided a sense of peace and serenity, making it an ideal escape from the bustling city life. Outside the entrance of the park, there’s a huge replica of the Titanic and under the ship is a little farm with running chickens, roosters, ducks and turkeys.

For a mere RM12 per entry for Malaysian citizens and RM20 for non-citizens, Qing Xin Ling offers outstanding value for money. Once inside, visitors can explore a wide range of activities without any additional charges. One of the highlights of my visit was the opportunity to ride on tandem bicycles, traditional rickshaws, and trishaws. It was a delightful experience to pedal through the village and take in its picturesque views.

I paid the entrance fees using my Grab Pay eWallet. You don’t need to bring a big wallet with lots of cash stuffed inside. All you need is your phone (and eWallet), a small bottle of water and a little cash. Don’t forget to apply your sun cream, bring along your sunnies and a hat if you wish. It can get really hot.

Visitors can pay a nominal fee of RM3 to get a red ribbon, write down your wishes on the ribbon and throw it up the Banyan Wishing Tree.

If you’re a photography enthusiast, Qing Xin Ling is a dream come true. The village boasts numerous Instagram-worthy spots, each more enchanting than the last. Whether it’s the intriguing limestone hills and greenery or the serene ponds, there’s no shortage of captivating scenes to capture with your camera. The village’s rustic charm and natural beauty make it a paradise for photography enthusiasts.

Papa pretending to pull mom who’s seated on the rickshaw.

One of the most memorable aspects of Qing Xin Ling is the replica of vintage stores from Ipoh’s past. As I walked along this street, I felt like I had been transported back in time to the old Ipoh town that I grew up in the 1970s through 1980s. The attention to detail in recreating these vintage storefronts was impressive, and it allowed me to reconnect with the city’s rich history and heritage.

Down memory lane – bus tickets from the 1980s through 1990s.

My mum and late granny used to have these potties under their beds back in the 1970s – mid 1980s as there were no attached bathrooms in the bedrooms back then.

For those seeking adventure, Qing Xin Ling offers the option to climb uphill to the peak. Lined with replicas of vintage stores as you go uphill, this jungle-walk not only offers a nostalgic journey but also breathtaking views of the limestone hills and jungle. However, I must caution that the climb can be challenging, with steep and slippery steps at certain spots towards the peak. It’s advisable for those with difficulty climbing or health issues to take precautions or opt for other activities within the village.

Vintage stores lining up the jungle walk path, all the way to the peak. The jungle walk uphill is my most favorite part of the entire park.

Jungle walk up to the peak. Some of the steps here are pretty wet and slippery from the water droplets dripping down the limestone hills.

At the peak. The walk uphill reminded me of my camping and jungle trekking days back in my carefree teenage years.

A well with water inside and an outdoor toilet from the olden days.

While Qing Xin Ling offers an abundance of natural beauty and cultural experiences, it’s important to note that there are no cafes or eateries inside the park. However, you can enjoy refreshing drinks, ice creams, and light snacks from vendors. Exploring the village is bound to work up an appetite, so be sure to plan your meals accordingly.

Our visit to Qing Xin Ling Leisure & Cultural Village in Ipoh was an unforgettable experience filled with natural beauty, cultural immersion, and a touch of nostalgia. For the affordable entry fee of RM12, visitors can enjoy a variety of activities and explore this picturesque village. Whether you’re an avid photographer, a history buff, or simply looking for a peaceful escape into nature, Qing Xin Ling has something special to offer. I wholeheartedly recommend this charming cultural park to anyone visiting Ipoh—it’s a journey you won’t want to miss.

No. of times viewed = 605

School Holiday Movie ~ Aladdin

On the first day of the recent school holidays, I took the girls and the mil to the cinema to watch Aladdin. I had read about the 2.5 to 3-star rating and reviews on Aladdin by some movie critics before watching the movie but undeterred by the poor reviews, I went ahead with the movie. Aladdin used to be one of my favorite childhood Disney movies and still is.

Aladdin is a classic story exquisitely made with an immensely talented cast. For me, watching this was like watching one of my favorite childhood films come to life. I left the theater feeling like a kid with a silly grin on my face while chatting non-stop with the girls on the movie. Disney never disappoints and this time, Aladdin has aced it.

The verdict: Aladdin is everything a remake should be. Absolutely stunning and colorful cinematography, talented actors, amazing musical numbers, beautiful vocals and show stopping choreography. Will Smith is just naturally hilarious. Mena Massoud and Naomi Scott were perfect as Aladdin and Princess Jasmine, and Will Smith pulled out a fabulous performance as the genie, making the role his own without copying Robin Williams. Aladdin is a complete triumph.

After watching the movie, Alycia and I are now even more obsessed with A Whole New World!🤩

Our lunch at House of Pok just before the movie:

The prices of the mix and match set meals are very affordable and food is pretty good. But be sure to be at the restaurant early to secure a table. We had lunch at 11-ish a.m. and got a table without waiting. Other times, there’s always a bee line outside the restaurant.

After the movie we went shopping at Mr DIY. While I was looking at some stuff, Cass was checking out some note books at another aisle. After we left Mr DIY, Cass told me that whilst she was at Mr DIY, a teenage girl came up to her and asked her if she’s going to watch a movie, to which she replied that she had already. When we were on the escalator, Cass suddenly realized that her Harry Potter book wasn’t with her. She checked her bag, I checked mine, checked with the mil and the other 2 girls and none of them had her expensive Harry Potter book.

I suspected that the stranger who came up to Cass may have errrr… ‘charmed’ Cass and taken the book while chatting with her. Not overreacting here but the mil’s good friend got ‘charmed’ by an unsuspecting woman at the PJ wet market recently and when she woke up from the spell, she realized that all her money was withdrawn from a few banks! Mother of all nightmares! But Cass was convinced that it wasn’t the stranger who stole her book. “Mum, I was NOT under a spell. I know what was going on ok!” Cass kept telling me 😆

We went back to Mr DIY and checked all the aisles that Cass went to, we checked the floors, the escalators and then went back to the cinema and asked the staff to help us check the cinema that we were in to see if the book was there. And the book was indeed left behind in the cinema. It had dropped onto the floor! My careless girl! But we couldn’t get the book back immediately as a movie was ongoing.

The funny thing is that before we left the cinema, I had checked the seats that we sat on to ensure that nothing was left behind. I have a habit of looking back at the seats and floor whenever I leave a restaurant or just anywhere. But this time, I had overlooked the floor. We couldn’t see clearly anyway as it was still pretty dark inside the theater after the movie.

I only collected the Harry Potter from the cinema staff yesterday, i.e. two weeks later. Aladdin will be one movie that Cass will remember for life because of this particular episode after the movie. She loves all her novels, especially the Harry Potter series and was devastated when she realized that she had lost one of her most treasured books. I believe my scatterbrain girl has learnt a good lesson!

No. of times viewed = 35

J’s Gate Dining and The Tokyo Restaurant @ Isetan, Lot 10

We spent half our day at Lot 10 on the first day of Hari Raya on 5 June 2019. My bon viveur hubs has been wanting to bring us to J’s Gate Dining @ Isetan, Lot 10 to savor the best of authentic Japanese cuisine since their launch early last year but only has the time to do so today. All his staff are on leave and his kitchen will be closed for a few days before they all work on full steam again next week.

J’s Gate Dining is the Japanese food lover’s one-stop haven to enjoy 17 of Japan’s best authentic cuisines featuring superior Japanese ingredients and hospitality. Depending on what your liking and cravings are, you can pick any of the outlets to appease your appetite.

With so many outlets to choose from, we were really spoilt for choices and it was pretty hard to settle on one or two. Finally my gourmand hubs settled for Umai Sushikan (for sushi and tempura) and Osaka Kitchen (for teppanyaki).

Umai Sushikan
Umai means ‘’delicious’’ in Japanese and sushikan is sushi. Only fresh ingredients handpicked by the team from the fish market (air-flown from Japan) are used. The sushi and fish that we had were indeed very fresh and these don’t come cheap either! The bill came up to over RM300 for only 6 dishes that came in small portions!

Below: Grilled premium cod fish flown in from Japan and this piece of cod the size of half my palm (or maybe smaller) costs almost a hundred Ringgit! So expensive that I ate the super sour pickled spring onion 🤣

This is one restaurant that we’ll probably only try once. It’ll cost the hubs an arm and a leg to feed our 3 hungry piranhas (with a bottomless pit) till they’re well fed and satiated at this restaurant. Even with two teppanyaki sets ordered from Osaka Kitchen, the girls were still hungry!

Osaka Kitchen
Osaka Kitchen is known for their popular signature Osaka dishes, including okonomiyaki and yakisoba which features food cooked on an iron griddle in front of diners. The ingredients are also sourced from Japan, including the finest quality wagyu beef.

Osaka Kitchen is situated just opposite Umai Sushikan. For orders above RM200, patrons at Umai Sushikan are allowed to order food from other outlets. Thus, we ordered a beef teppan set and a pork teppan set. Each set comes with a meat, stir-fried pea sprouts, salad, appetizers, grilled avocado with cheese and ice-cream (matcha and yuzu flavors). The bill at Osaka Kitchen is over RM200.

After lunch we segued into The Tokyo Restaurant for their signature cheese cakes. Hubs has been wanting to try the much raved about “best burnt cheesecake in Malaysia” (it seems) available at Tokyo Restaurant and finally he has the time today. And indeed, one spoonful of this super smooth and creamy, oh-so cheesy cake sent me to cake paradise! If not for the price, I would have sent in another order for the Classic Burnt Cheesecake and Matcha Cheesecake.

The original famous Classic Burnt Cheesecake @ RM 20 is Tokyo Kitchen’s signature 6th Avenue Cheesecake. The cake is served with a scoop of silky smooth whipped cream.

The Yuri/Macha Cheesecake @ RM21 is the bomb for matcha lovers. It’s over-the-top delicious, like heaven in my mouth!! Both Sherilyn and I are matcha lovers and couldn’t get enough of it. The cake is made with artisan 100% stone-ground aromatic macha powder sourced from Niko Neko, the matcha powder specialist.

Gateau Chocolate cake @ RM18 is rich, very chocolaty and surprisingly not cloy and sweet. Very nice!

Classic Tiramisu @ RM18 looks perfectly executed and tastes just as perfect as the other cakes.

The next time the hubs brings us to Lot 10 again, I think I’ll skip the main course and jump right into cakes at Tokyo Restaurant. I’m willing to sacrifice gaining a pound or two for these killer cakes and then go on a diet and workout extra hard for the next one week just to get my cake fix!

The Macha Latte is one of the best I’ve tasted besides the one we tried at Sunbather Coffee recently ~ the milk to macha ratio is spot on, I don’t get the heart palpitation and tea drunkenness that I usually do after scarfing down half a cup of it and it’s not sweet. Love it to the max!

I now know what cake I want for my next birthday 😊 😋 Thank you darling. I know you secretly read my blog posts 😉

No. of times viewed = 472

Movie Animation Park Studios (MAPS), Ipoh

After lunch at the celebrated Thean Chun kopitiam, followed by a walk down the famed Concubine Lane, we went on a jaunt around Ipoh city, with no specific destination in mind. There were 9 of us in the MPV. Whenever we’re back in Ipoh together, hubs and I love going for a spin in the car traipsing the roads of Ipoh to see what’s new in town and to go down memory lane in our beautiful hometown.

After buying pomelos at Tambun, I casually mentioned to the hubs that since March this year, entrance fee into the Movie Animation Park Studios (MAPS) in Meru has been free. And he said OK, why not have a short visit to MAPS then since we are now on holiday and there’s nothing to rush?! The girls were thrilled! What was supposed to be lunch has now turned into a fun-filled half-day adventure at a theme park. We were all so NOT prepared, wearing only slippers and sandals with no sunscreen lotion and all.

Poised as Asia’s First Animation Theme Park built at the cost of RM520 million in Ipoh, Perak, Movie Animation Park Studios (MAPS) was set to be the most exciting dream destination for everyone. With over 40 attractions in 6 thematic zones, MAPS was opened in 2017 with an initial entrance fee of over RM100 per pax. Due to the choking entrance fee and the fact that not all the attractions are opened yet, the turnout was tepid, resulting in the entrance fee being scraped off effective March 2019. However, you’ll need to buy coupons for all the rides in the theme park.

On the day that we were there, which was a Sunday, we had expected a mad crowd like Sunway Lost World Of Tambun. But there was surprisingly no crowd. Just moderate number of visitors but not crowded. If you’ve been to Universal Studio Singapore and you’ve given it a 5-star rating, you can expect to give MAPS a 3-star rating. This is a place where you’ll only give it a one-time visit unless all the attractions are open and unless it’s more ‘lively’. The place is very clean and spacious but it just lacks the animation, vigor and oomph factor.

The very first ride that attracted the girls when we walked into the theme park was the electric bike. At RM15 for 15 minutes, the girls went on the electric bikes many rounds. But for noob electric bikers, the girls found it hard to maneuver the bikes initially.

Koong koong teaching Sherilyn where to place her foot on the bike when she first shared the bike with Alycia.

They just couldn’t balance themselves on the bike and finally they got a bike each and problem solved!

Sherilyn performs a hand stand in front of the upside down building.

The girls and I got excited when we saw Tealive in the theme park! Boba tea (sans the pearl jelly for me) is one of my guilty pleasures currently 🥤😉

MAPS entrance

Our RM150 worth of coupons were not fully utilized though the girls went on umpteen number of electric bike rides, roller coaster rides, fun rides, bumper car ride, game stalls, etc and we had to give away the unused coupons to two lucky visitors when we left the park. Again, we were caught in the rain towards the evening and had to leave abruptly. This seems to happen to all our theme park visits from Ocean Park Hong Kong to Sentosa Island Singapore, Gardens By The Bay Singapore and Lost World of Tambun! It just had to rain on our parade every.single.time. 😟

No. of times viewed = 97

Guang The Movie 2018

I can’t remember when was the last time I watched a movie at the cinema. I think it was Avengers a few years back. And I slept half the time in the cinema. I always snooze off partway during the movie, especially if the movie is a fantasy movie or a cartoon. Movies like Star Wars, Harry Potter, Avengers, BumbleBee ALWAYS lull me to sleep! I remember sleeping through the Harry Potter movie many yonks back 😴

On Tuesday I brought the girls and the mil to the mall for a movie marathon. After lunch, the 2 older girls and the mil watched the cartoon Ralph Breaks The Internet: Wreck It, while I went shopping with Cass. I joined them to watch Guang later.

I did not even know that movie tickets are now bought from e-Kiosks stationed outside the cinema.

And instead of having tickets printed out, only two receipts are printed out from the e-Kiosk, no matter the quantity of tickets bought. At the entrance of the cinema, one of the receipts with the bar code will be scanned.

So canggih now!

I am really living in the dinosaur age! What do you expect from a middle-aged aunty who has no interest in movies, right? 😆

Guang is perhaps the only movie that I’d watched in a decade that managed to make me stay awake from start to the very end.

Guang tells the story of Wen Guang, a young man who struggles with autism. His brother keeps coercing him to find a job so that they can share family expenses, and he does go looking but it’s an extremely difficult process fraught with a lot of stumbling blocks. Unknown to anyone, Wen Guang who has perfect pitch, has a gift for music. The film is loosely based on the real life director’s brother who is autistic and is musically gifted.

Source: 'Guang' The Movie Facebook page.

Be warned that this movie is a real tear-jerker, so do bring lots of tissue papers. Some scenes are hilarious though. Guang is an excellent movie with an excellent cast.

Guang was nominated in four categories at the Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) Asian New Talent Awards – Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress .

Source: cinema.com.

Guang is a well-crafted debut that goes beyond the telling of the intimate struggles of a familial relationship. The plot presents a platform that questions on the issue of the treatment towards people of different abilities especially in the working environment and further mirrors the society’s approach on the matter.

Our girls loved it, especially Cass, who says that she does not mind watching it again. We are all hoping that a sequel will be in the making soon to tell how well Guang is doing at his new job at a piano shop and whether his loving younger didi will be in a relationship with Sue Ann, the kind-hearted kindergarten teacher at a special needs school.

Here’s another activity for your kids this school holidays. Go watch Guang with your kids and support our local film industry. HFM says you’ll love this movie as much as she does! ☺️

No. of times viewed = 41

School Holidays Activities

While Alycia hibernates in her bedroom revising for her trial PT3 exam, Drama Queen spent her time baking in the kitchen and Cass did what she loves most ~ burying her face in her novels and making a ‘Massage Coupon Book’ for me 💖

Other than working out at the gym for 1-2 hours daily and taking short 10-15 minute breaks every hourly, the big girl is cooped up in her room revising. She even stayed home while the rest of the family went out for lunch yesterday. Hope she does well in her coming exams!

Three more days of sleeping in and lolling around in the house and it’s time for the girls to go back to school, to face the toughest part of the school year ~ final exam for Drama Queen and Cass and two major exams for Alycia. And then it’s the school holidays again. I. Can’t. Wait.!!!!

As I am typing this post, It’s 12 noon and there’s nothing much to forage in the pantry but I am SO lazy to drive out to get food for my brood and the queen. It looks like we will just reheat all the frozen food or toast some bread and fry some eggs. I just don’t feel like exposing myself to the hot afternoon sun and haze and shower again. But somehow, I will still need to drive to my favorite bakery to get a loaf of banana olive bread and resume my driver duty later in the day.

The Cookie Monster with 2 batches of chocolate chip cookies which she baked last night. While everyone else were in bed, she continued with moping the kitchen floor and washing up all the baking utensils. That was my condition to her before I bought her all the ingredients ~ MUST wash up, clean up and leave a spanking clean floor free of flour and ants!

My coupons for massages from my baby girl. It’s a good start for her to start earning her pocket money 🤣

No. of times viewed = 22

Trip Back To Ipoh (16 – 18 June 2018)

Our stay in Ipoh during the mid-term school holidays this time was a short 3 days 2 nights trip. We couldn’t go back at an earlier date as mum, papa and Roy were still in East Europe. When they returned, it was already the end of the first of two weeks of school holidays. We could only stay in Ipoh for 2 nights as Alycia had a dental appointment for her braces to be fixed. But the 3 days were precious. We had a great time bonding and it was the first time we could celebrate Father’s Day in Ipoh on the actual day with papa and the hubs together. Really wished that we could have arranged for a short trip to somewhere near. My wish and plan now is to organize a holiday together during the year-end school holidays to Langkawi, Thailand or some neighboring states or countries. I’m full of hopes that this holiday will materialize.

On our last night in Ipoh, we had dinner at Tung Koo Teng (Mushroom Hut) food court @ Ipoh Garden. The hubs is happiest when he is back in his hometown digging into all his favorite childhood hawkers fare. Who is not? I’m happiest too when I am back at my parents, being a princess again, for a short few days before my princessy days turn into long Cinderalla days and nights 🤭

Our favorite picks:

Curry laksa (SO yums!) and Hong Kong style chee cheong fun:

Ipoh style ‘kai see hor fun’ and popiah:

Chicken and beef satay; grilled curry stingray fish:

Ice kacang and ‘wan tau long’ jelly (aka Aiyu jelly):

Aiyu jelly is rarely seen in the Klang Valley or other parts of Malaysia. It is only in Ipoh that we get to savor our favorite childhood dessert. Writing this post is already making me miss all my favorite food in Ipoh. I can’t wait for the next school holidays for our next trip back to home sweet home ❤

No. of times viewed = 99