Travel Tips: My Favourite Top 10 Things to do in Australia

,I'm looking back at my photo albums tonight and I really miss the Land Down Under (Australia). Hence, I decide to share my list of the Top 10 Things to do in Australia. These are the things I missed the most and I will definitely go back for it. 

#1 Hot Chocolate Drink 

I miss Max Brenner! It is a must try because till now, I still hardly find hot chocolate that satisfy my taste buds. Drinking hot chocolate in the middle of the night is so sinful, but I did that! Cold weather and hot chocolate -- such a perfect match! =)

#2 Drink alcohol

There are so many types of alcohol here and how could you not try them? I even tried drinking alcohol in the afternoon XD

#3 Have a Fish & Chips by the sea
Pack your fish and chips and have it at a beach or somewhere near the sea. The feel is there. But beware of your food because the birds will attack! 

#4 Explore the small lanes and you will find nice graffiti
Artistic people love to express themselves and they turn small lanes into beautiful graffiti lanes. There are people who come and take wedding photos at these lanes. As a tourist/backpacker, how can you miss this place?

#5 Oysters

Have some fresh oysters when you're in Aussie! You can get them real fresh at Sydney Fish Market/Queens Victoria Market/etc etc.... And... The price is quite reasonable! Don't miss the chance!

 #6 Visit "typical" tourist spots
Definitely cannot miss them because they are so beautiful. Visiting them everyday wouldn't bored me. Nice architecture.

OPERA HOUSE

TWELVE APOSTLES 

#7 Enjoy the scenery
I enjoy the blue sky a lot. Not to say that sky in other countries look nicer, but it may be because of weather there. Cold weather make me feel more keen to enjoy looking at the blue sky. 

 #8 Visit their historical sites/small town
They have nice architecture and it is possible to know more about Australia's history and culture. May have chance to meet aborigines too! 

 #9 Explore cities nearby
I've the chance to explore Tasmania and it was a really great experience. Small town with beautiful views. Totally worth a road trip there. If I have a chance, I would like to go back and explore more places. Adelaide, Perth, Alice Springs, etc etc.... Australia is not just about Sydney, Melbourne and Gold Coast XD

#10 MUST EXPLORE Coles or Woolworths
I love shopping at Coles/Woolworths because they have great offers to surprise me. Cheap Tim Tams. Cheap Coffee. They sell a lot of things that we can't find in hypermarkets in Malaysia (if it exists, it will cost a bomb!). If you are in Australia, don't miss your chance to pack your luggage with your favourite snacks/coffee/whatever. Oh! Just a tip.. Coles sells nice muffins! =)

There are actually more things that you can and you should do while in Australia. I'm just listing my favorite things here. What else? You should definitely enjoy their coffee culture. You should at least see a kangaroo and koala bear once. You should go to the parks because they have a lot (especially in Melbourne). What are your top 10 list? Mind to share?

Kedah: Kasumi Japanese Cuisine

There are a few Japanese restaurants in Alor Setar area and I've decided to try them all before I get my posting to (maybe) other places. I've went to Ginza Japanese Restaurant for a few times and also Kaede Japanese Restaurant. Of course, not to forget Sushi King for once or twice. There's nothing much to write about Sushi King as it can be found easily. I want to write about something more local. =)

To read about Ginza Japanese Restaurant food review, kindly click HERE.

To read about Kaede Japanese Restaurant food review, kindly click HERE.

Last week, I asked my friend out for dinner as I haven't seen her for quite a while. Erm... about a week or more. That means, I've been eating dinner alone for a week. Thinking of that make me depressed a bit and hence I texted her and asked her out. Luckily she is free to meet up for a dinner. To make it special, we decided to try something new. There's a Japanese restaurant I saw when I went to UOB bank at Jalan Gangsa. Always wanted to go there but forgot about its existence when I need ideas for dinner place. This time, it came into my mind and decided to try it out. 

The restaurant is located at first floor, right beside UOB bank.

Not hard to find it but I'm not too sure if it is searchable with Waze or Google Map. If you can't search the name, perhaps try search for UOB Bank =) Great minds think alike as friend and I reached the place at the same time. Good timing! =D

The restaurant is quite spacious and we are the only few customers for the night. We spent about 2.5 hours there talking (most of time just me grumbling about life) and they are very kind to refill our drinks. The environment makes me feel comfortable and the lighting is bright enough. I don't quite like restaurants with dim lighting as it makes me feel a little emotional. *emo kids nowadays... haihhh...*

Let's talk about food! 

I just used "great minds think alike" right? Yes, it happened again in the restaurant. We aimed the same sushi platter. ^_^ 

It has my favourite inari, tamago nigiri, salmon nigiri and least favourite cucumber maki. 

I enjoyed eating the salmon nigiri but one is not enough. haha.. Me want more salmon! XD This platter cost us about RM10. Roughly that price.

Apart from sushi, each of us ordered a small bowl of don. I ordered a Chicken Terriyaki Don because I think I always order Chicken Katsu Don. Fried stuff is no good. NO!

Ok! So this is how my Chicken Terriyaki Don looks like. 

Pretty appetizing from the photo but a bit dry as there isn't much sauce or gravy on the rice. But the chicken is nice, my type! Not oily and a bit crispy.

After finishng all our food, we are so full. Talked for a while and we decided to get some dessert. Asked the workers if they do serve desserts because we didn't notice any on the menu. And yes, they do serve ice cream -- Vanilla, chocolate and matcha. Both of us (matcha lovers) ordered 1 scoop Matcha Ice Cream each. 

Exotic food - is it a culture?

Why do people eat exotic food? 

Exotic food, in fact, refers to culinary items which are considered unusual for an individual's culture. (Reference from this website). So for us, Malaysians, don't be shocked that people from other countries think that Durian (our favourite fruit) is an exotic food. And seriously, a lot of people cannot stand the smell. Some Malaysians dislike it too. So well, if something is odd to you, it can be considered as exotic. So exotic food categorization is a very personal thing. You think it is, it can be one. 

Click here to read about the 10 most exotic food I found in a website. Which isn't exotic to you? 

It is very shocking for me to find out that people actually eat spider, crickets, water beetles, cats, dogs, etc etc... Because of my YOLO mindset, I did try some exotic food like worms, snake and crocodile meat. It was a terrifying experience and it should be ONLY ONCE kind of experience.

I think that it is one's culture or lifestyle to eat such kind of delicacies. Or thinking that those people who eat are very brave and maybe, special?! I do think that way until my tour guide asked me a question, "If our people has a choice, do you think we will eat these things? We eat to live during war." And I felt very guilty, with my previous naive thoughts about them. 

During war, they have no access to food. So they just grab anything to feed their stomach to continue their living. They eat to live. They have no other choice. They aren't brave to eat tarantulas. They are afraid that tarantulas are poisonous too. But they have no food but with some tarantulas around. What choice do they have? Nothing.  

I feel bad. And I respect them. They struggled so hard to live. We misunderstood them. I feel thankful that the war is over and it is time to build a world filled with love and happiness. May everyone in the world be well. Let's build a better world and not destroy it again. Cheers.

Penang: Sushi Tei

FINALLY, I can say goodbye to TDM oncall. Third week of oncall makes me very nervous because I have not touch the machine for months. I was so afraid that I could not perform well. On the first day of the oncall, I hardly sleep because I was nervous. If there's any toxic case during midnight, I might freak out. Luckily luckily, I finished it peacefully. 19 days of TDM oncall in total. It's over! Hopefully don't have anymore this year. Please Please....

Ok, back to topic on my visit to Sushi Tei last weekend. Went there after work on Thursday to meet up with sister at Queensbay mall. FINALLY... Time for some sushi! =D Japanese food! I've been craving for nice Japanese food for a very longgggggggg timeeeeee.

I was really hungry when I reached Queensbay Mall at 6pm. Had 2 pieces of bread for lunch as I have lunch call that day. So, I've decided to feast for dinner. Hopeless diet plan. Failed again.

Ok, photo time to make your saliva start dripping. *evil smile*

Salmon Sashimi! I MISS THIS SO MUCH.... *tears dropping while eating*

And then sushi-s were all served first before my main.

Inari, soft shell crab maki, tamago sushi. Nom Nom Nom... If you think these sushi for 2 people seem alright, you are wrong. My sis did not eat much as her lunch was at 3pm. I consumed 70% of them XD (Erm... I think I shouldn't tell this out and spoil my image. >.<)

And then my main was served hot stone bowl soba. Very very special.

Oh, this photo is just to show my tired but happy face. Le after-TDM-oncall face. Horrible. 

Take a close up of my soba. Taste very special. It is a bit spicy though. Can't describe the taste because I never have such taste in my life. Worth trying. =)

Kedah: New Regent Hotel

#throwback

Today, I'm gonna share my favourite restaurant in Alor Setar (again) with everyone! =D There's a restaurant at New Regent Hotel which serves really nice western food. I've posted about this restaurant before last year when I went there to try Grilled Salmon with Lemon Butter Sauce. 

This time, due to cravings and also in conjunction of a bestie's farewell, I have the chance to try my favourite dish again. Because of GST, the price went up a bit and hence I ordered Grilled Fish with Lemon Butter Sauce (RM15+), instead. Then, I also ordered a bowl of mushroom soup, served with bread bowl, to share with my friend. 

Look at this mushroom soup in bread bowl (RM11.90).

The soup is really nice. Not canned soup, hence very satisfying. And the bread bowl is not something to be missed. It is very fresh, Soft with crunchy sides. Yumzz...

Friend's Grilled Hawaiian Chicken. Looks appetizing. 

Kedah: Tiffz Coffee Gallery @ Simpang Kuala (Take 2)

#throwback

I posted about Tiffz Coffee Gallery before in December 2014 (click here for the link). Last time I had their cakes and this time I am gonna blog about their food. Actually, I visited Tiffz several times and hence this is gonna be a combination of those visits.

Recently, I have a lot of alone time, which I have to settle my dinner on my own. Often, I will just simply grab some food in the town, but my cafe cravings still come on and off. I have no idea why I always thought about Tiffz Coffee Gallery in Simpang Kuala. It is actually quite far from my place, but it has good lighting, spacious, nice service and simple menu (which makes my life easy as I always have hard time choosing =P ).  Taste wise? Let me tell you more when I show the photo.

Alone. Empty seats. Good place for me to do some reading and enjoy my own sweet time.

Ordered green pasta with chicken.

Yeah. It is called 63 degree pesto pasta (?) (can't remember the name. fail blogger) as it is served with a poached egg.

Close up!

I find this combination is awesome as the crispy chicken melts with the egg yolk in your mouth. Yumzz... Though I do find the pasta a bit too dry and portion too small XD Big appetite monster.

During my visit to try out their green pasta, I tried their green tea latte! SO GREEN~~

I think it is newly added to the menu because both items I've never seen during my previous visit. 

Green tea latte is nice if you are someone who like the bitterness of green tea. If not, I don't think it will suit your taste buds. 

After a week or two, I visited Tiffz Coffee Gallery again. This time, again, alone. To go there to settle some work and also enjoy the dinner. This post totally make me sounds like a loner. How sad. 

This time around, ordered their carbonara as I'm craving for something very cheesy. 

And yes! This fulfills my cravings. =D Though the bacon is a bit too salty for me, I like the overall combination. Thumbs up.

Trying to take some hipster photo. It looks really weird taking hipster photo of food when you're alone. XS

And! I ordered a cup of latte too.

That time I was a little emo and this cup of coffee comes on time. 

Beary nice latte art makes me beary happy =) THANK YOU BARISTA.

[SURVEY] Trip or Bag?

Hello readers, I'm doing a survery for this week. Mind helping me to answer the poll on the right?

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Need some inspiration for my next post. <3

Thank you!!!

Travel is part of my life

Travel needs time, money, and energy. 
But it is a MUST in my life. 

Believe me or not, I started traveling in 2010. I've never taken a flight before 2010, but since then, I am addicted to it. From Korea, to Kuching, to Melbourne, to Miri and Brunei, to Taiwan, to Kota Kinabalu, to Taiwan. I flew a few times to East Malaysia and the scenery there really attracts me, especially beach at Kota Kinabalu.

Although it is quite tiring to travel, which you have to pack, take flight, walk, explore, come back, unpack, and do the forever undone laundry. But the process, the moment, when you are in a different place, I believe you can feel your happiness. Even though under hot sun, even though eating awful food, you will just pissed off for 5 seconds. Why? Because you are doing something different from your routine life. It is something special. 

For me, travel domestically or internationally does not matter much. As long as you have the chance to explore and experience new things, it is worth a trip. 

Don't complain about how boring your life is. You are the one who make the decision. Either sleep at home whole day or pack your luggage and go have a walk, it is your choice!

Don't jealous others who can go travel very often. You can do it too! Money? Find ways to earn it. Time? Squeeze out some from your schedule. What else to hold you back? =D 

Plan. Book. Go! Vroomm Vroommm..... 

Kedah: Langkawi Trip Part 4 -- Dayang Bay Resort, Lagenda Park, Breakfast Bar, and Eagle Square

Continue my Langkawi short trip in mid-April. Last part!

This part, I'm going to share my experience staying in Dayang Bay Resort, my first visit to Lagenda Park for World Kidney Day, lunch at Breakfast Bar and last minute photo at Eagle Square. Ready......... GO!

Dayang Bay Resort is a very nice resort, with comfortable rooms, awesome view and a pretty swimming pool. The swimming pool looks like an infinity pool. Too bad I didn't bring my swimsuit along to get some nice photos with the infinity pool >.<. 

Dayang Bay Resort is located at Kuah, which is near the jetty. Location wise, it is quite far from the happening Pantai Cenang, but we chose that because it is near Lagenda Park, which we have to go there early in the morning. Nice experience. We paid around RM390 for 2 rooms. One of the rooms has balcony and a living room with sofa bed. So it fits 7 of us very well. =)

While some friends are enjoying the pool, the rest of us stroll around and took photos. 

The bench and the sea. So relaxing. ^_^

The view from another angle. The resort! Looking very nice right. =D

Random shot taken by friend. The infinity pool at the back.

Close up the pool and the sea. Beautiful isn't it.

The sea. Not stunning but it calms my mind.

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After wash up, we decided to move out for dinner. 

Our Langkawi friend recommended a place for us to have seafood dinner. Yes, we trust locals. So we ended up our dinner at Teo's seafood restaurant. Waited for almost an hour for the dinner. Duh.... almost die of hunger. haha... Hence.... The food tastes so tasty. I think it is because we were all too hungry. Price is quite cheap. Each of us paid RM20 for the dinner with 6-7 dishes. 

The group.
OS: WHERE IS OUR FOOD??? 

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Lagenda Park: World Kidney Day

The next day morning, we went to volunteer at World Kidney Day event at Lagenda Park.

This park is surprisingly pretty. We were there in the dark at 5.30am until noon. 

The mysterious park in the dark becomes very beautiful when the sun comes out. It is a very nice park to jog. Really jealous those langkawi peeps. haha....

Huge and beautiful park with lots of flowers... Oh! I can't get enough of flowers.

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Second last stop before going back to Alor Setar at 4pm -- Pantai Cenang for lunch and souvenir shopping. 

We were all very hungry because our breakfast was just a pau at 5.30am. At 1.15pm, finally we have our lunch at Breakfast Bar. Took a while to choose our lunch place and this Breakfast Bar which looks so Angmoh-style became our choice. 

A decorated wall beside the breakfast bar. Artistic. *like*

At the entrance of the Breakfast Bar.

Go green! The menu at the back isn't applicable anymore. They don't serve pastas now. *Disappointed*