Sharing Saturday: 4 Different Seasons

Experienced 4 different seasons; Spring in Melbourne (Australia), Summer all day long in Phuket (Thailand), Autumn in Berlin (Germany) and Winter in Launterbrunnen (Switzerland). My favourite would be Spring and Autumn. Mainly because I love to see places manicured with myriad of colourful and vibrant blooming flowers and also mixture colours of the autumn foliage. Another reason I love spring cause literally my Chinese name means spring. How about you? Which is your favourite and why?

P/S: Again, I'm away at this moment for another Cuti-Cuti Malaysia. Being invited to a state that I'm waiting for so long. Finally, complete one of my wishlist which is to visit all the 13 states of Malaysia.

If you wanna know where I am travelling, follow me on Twitter and Instagram.

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Flashpacking

When I on board, I am not those type that would bring books along while travelling. I tends to prefer to read the inflight magazine instead. So, as usual when I went Ipoh for a non-organisation formal functions last May, once the flight took off, I grabbed the AirAsia inflight magazine from the seatback pocket. While browsing through, I came across this article which caught my attention. Hence, I decided to share it here:

Flashpacking might sound like a made-up word but it's actually a hip travel term. Flashpacking is essentially a mode of travel that involves technology. Flashpackers - the people who indulge in flashpacking - are techno travellers who never leave home without their iPad, iPhone, laptop and other technological wonders and, need WiFi or Internet facilities wherever they roam. Although flashpacking and flashpackers might sound suspiciously like backpacking and backpackers, they are not the same. The key element that sets them apart? Flashpackers, unlike backpackers, tend to have a more flexible budget that allows them to indulge in a meal at a good restaurant or a stay at a boutique hotel. - 3Sixty AirAsia Inflight Magazine.

Frankly speaking, I never heard of flashpacking before. But then I recalled that one of travel blogger, Lily Riani did blog about this too (click here). Guess, this flashpacker terms suit me more instead of backpacker. Why?

1. First and foremost, I am not those type that able to carry on a large internal frame backpack on my back - cause my shoulder easily get hurt. Hence, I prefer to travel with trolley dolley just Lily Riani too, unless for a very short period of travel, let's said 1-2 days. I know that backpacking is much more convenient and flexible than bring along trolley bag, but what can I do. Really hope that someday I can learn how to travel with super duper light.
2. I am more towards a flexible budget when travelling especially in choosing accommodation where I ever experienced staying in a mixed dorm with 10 people in London (where I saw a Caucasian guy wore nothing but just underwear around the dorm - oh dear!) and even stayed in a backpacker lodge in Philippines for less than USD6 but then my friend and I had a worst nightmare where both of us bitten by bed bugs. But sometimes I would love to indulge myself to stay in more comfortable place especially when I have more disposable income such as staying in one of the luxury hotel chain in Shenzhen, China - Sofitel Dongguan Human Oriental.
3. Last but not least, I can't live without tech gadgets. Blame all the social media network for that. Therefore, no matter how high and low of the cost of accommodation I am going to stay, I will make sure there's a free WiFi connection. Not just a smartphone and camera, I also brought along my notebook. It's a must especially in order to transfer all the photo into the hardisk to avoid from running out of memory and also at the same time, to transfer all the photos that took by my friends. Below are DT's Tech Gadgets that I'll definitely bring along while travelling and each of them had their own unique name as well (based on my favourite places and cities):

HTC Desire HD - Maldives

Reason to bring along: To check-in in facebook, twitter and foursquare. Don't tell me that you guys never did like what I did. Please don't bluff! Like I will believe.

Asus Eee PC 1015PW - Australia

Reason to bring along: As what I mentioned earlier.

Canon Ixus 130 - Hong Kong

Reason to bring along: Of course to take photos! This compact camera is much smaller than my smartphone as it has the size of credit card. Travel along with me to more than 10 countries and overall, I quite satisfied with the performance. However, on the con side was not performing well at night.

Sony Nex 5N - Santorini

After doing sufficient research and asking plenty of professional advises from my fellow friends and some bloggers, finally welcoming this as my new toy. Did a lil bit of testing within these few days, but from a long-term point-and-shoot camera, suddenly shifted to semi DSRL, oh boy, for sure I have many things I still need to learn.

So, now you know what is flashpacking and can you define yourself in which travel element you are? What and how many tech gadgets that will you bring along while travelling? Anyhow, regardless whether backpacking or flashpacking, we all are towards the same motive - travel with heart and soul, right?

By the way, if you are reading this at this moment, I am currently flashpacking at somewhere (after hibernate from flying for more than 2 months). Have a great weekend ahead.

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My #7SuperShots

I was reading My 7 Super Shots post by Fie-nuts not until when I read until the end, she tagged me to do the same post too. I was so surprised but thanks for the tagged, Fie and giving me the chance to participate in this HostelBookers 7 Super Shots. Well, like everyone said, "A photo speak a thousand words by itself" and I believe that photo plays important role too when comes to travelling as it creates and brings spectacular memories of all the beautiful memories that you'd been through from the journey.

Hereby, I share my own list for the photo that...

#1. Takes my breath away

Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia (2011) - Who can image the aerial view photo that I took from hundred feet above the sea it likes telling me, "Smile and the world will smile to you". And even you'll get to see a love shape island on the left-hand side of this look-like-face aerial view.


#2. Makes me laugh or smile


Jeju Island, South Korea (2011) - Everytime when I browsing back especially this photo which I took in "Love Land" and reminiscence all the statues I seen, I feels like can't stop laughing on how this place demonstrate especially the newly wed couple of Korean how to make love. I'm kid not!

#3. Makes me dream

Kyoto, Japan (2010) - Dreaming that I could revisit Japan again someday and manage to wear kimono in Japan itself as I experienced wearing "hanbok" in Korea and even the Chinese dynasty princess costume  in China but never got the chance to wear kimono.


#4. Makes me think

Manchester United Stadium, United Kingdom (2008) - Got the chance to visit this spectacular and glory Red Devil's stadium but I was thinking if I got the chance to watch the live football match, how will the crowd with thousand of audience would be? Not only holding the banner, shouting for "GOAL GOAL" until my lung will come out from my body but also making a wave with the crowd together which I never got the chance to experience before.


#5. Makes my mouth water

Hong Kong (2010) - Just like it literally means, "touch your heart", dim sum is always my favourite local delicacies which not only I love to enjoy in Hong Kong itself, also as a brunch (the combination of both breakfast and lunch) with my family together. 


#6. Tells a story

Verona, Italy (2008) - Looks like everyone is writing their love wishes, make a sincere wish and stick it on the wall so that he/she could be together with his/her other half could live happily ever. "Till death tears us apart"


#7. I am most proud of (aka my worthy of National Geographic shot)

Phuket, Thailand (2012) - Waiting with passionate but almost got sunburned just to witness the magnificent and famous sunset view from Promthep Cape. Totally no regret!

Now it's my turn to tag 5 other bloggers to do the same things too:

1. World of Travels, Enviro, Photography - http://hcvv.blogspot.com/ 

2. Hannah Pearson - http://www.hannahinmalaysia.co.uk/

3. Shirley Tay - http://luxuryhaven.blogspot.com/

4. Travels - Ballroom Dancing - Amusement Park - http://filipdemuinck-kristelpardon.blogspot.com/

5. Jeff's Travel -http://jefftravel88.blogspot.com/

All you need to do is pick your own photos for each of the above categories, write a short description for each image and not forgetting to tag 5 other bloggers too. For more info, check out here. Have fun everyone!

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Sharing Saturday: Aerial View of Kota Kinabalu

Everytime when I'm about to boarding, unless going to Kuala Lumpur (since I'd been there many times) the first thing I will do is definitely to request for window seat, or I will pick a window seat through online booking. I love to stare the aerial view from hundred feet above the sea. Maybe due to my deep love towards blue colours, hence I love to view the clear blue sky with the puffy clouds too.

Among all the places I came across within Malaysia, proudly to say Kota Kinabalu has the awesone aerial view compare the others. I'm kid not! If compare the other places, mostly you will get aerial view of a vast of oil palm plantation, a bustling looking cities but none of these can be compared with the gorgeous and awesome sea view of Kota Kinabalu city.

You can even witness some of the beautiful underwater island. I always recommended my friends to book the flight on noon time when visiting KK and trust me, you won't feel regret for doing so.

On some random day, on my way back to Kuala Lumpur, I was given a window seat by Firefly Airline last August. (Firefly had terminated their route from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu and Kuching lately). And as usual, I took out my camera to snapshot the aerial view of my beloved city. Without realise it, one of the photos really stumbled me for few minutes.

This is exactly what I took from my camera. No edited, no changes made at all.

I can't believe from my naked eyes when seeing this photo. It likes telling me, "Smile and the world will smile to you". Do take note too on the left-hand side of the look-like-face-island, you'll get to see a love shape. See! I told you that Kota Kinabalu has the most beautiful aerial view among the others.

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Sharing Saturday #02: Japan Plastic Food Displays

Short Note: Actually I am trip-ing around currently and this place located somewhere nearby Japan. ^_^. So here is another scheduled post.


When you come across to any restaurant or cafe that you are not familiar with, how to determine what type of foods are they served? Some of them do printed in a huge poster and display outside their shops and some even put a stand menu for you to browse it. But sometimes I do find it is irritating when the waiting table person come and non-stop persuade you to go dine-in in their restaurant.

Decorated and heavily fancy menus is one of the way of most restaurants around the world can do to let the customers know what they could have, but not for Japan.

The art of displaying the looks alike real foods are so popular throughout Japan and you can see that at most of the restaurant in Japan. (P/S: Currently I do found out minor of Malaysian restaurants do follow Japan's trend.)

Now, let me share with you the photo I took while travelling around Japan last year.

Japan Plastic Food Displays - The Mouth-Watering Fake Foods Model

Japanese lunch set display in Kyoto.

Desserts and crepes in Kyoto.

Even ice-cream also playing role in displaying themselves.

Not forgeting, dim sum and pao too. (A shop located at the train station)

Harajuku street crepes (I guess many of you saw this in KL shopping mall but Harajuku serve more flavours and taste)

All of them looks so tempting and seriously, I almost going into the restaurant after seeing all of these display in window outside their restaurant. Some of them look real, don't you think so?

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Sharing Saturday #01: Glenfinnan Viaduct

Small Note: I always would like to create segment like #Sharing Saturday or even #Snapshot Sunday to share some of my hidden photo and trips which I never share before this in my blog.

Had you ever heard of this place before? If you never heard of it, don't worry because I'm gonna share it here.

This post is specially dedicated to all those Harry Potter fans out there (doesn't matter whether you fans of the books or movies but for me, it's the movie I am chasing about), finally it comes to the end after after eight movies that spanned more than a decade.

Glenfinnan Viaduct is a railway viaduct located on the West Highlands of Scotland. It came to prominence in the Harry Potter films, the first being "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" (the second series of Harry Potter), when the Jacobite Steam Train became transformed into the Hogwarts Express and was filmed crossing this viaduct.

Exactly at 3.15 pm, the Jacobite Steam Train will passby this viaduct.

Now waiting for it to transform into Hogwarts Express (Neh, I'm just kidding)

It also appears in two subsequent Harry Potter films, "The Prisoner of Azkaban" and "The Goblet of Fire".

Loves the vivid colour of the sky and scenery.

One of the Harry Potter Film Location.

There are tons of Harry Potter's movie screenshots but I just found two. Probably someday when I visit United Kingdom again, hopefully can spots all those Harry Potter film location.

So, have you watch the final epic of Harry Potter? I had watched it last Thursday midnight and I am gonna said this is most probably one of the final series filled with thriller and most importantly, it ends with good ending or else I'm gonna !@#$%^&* after all had been chasing for almost a decade.


[Credit to: Wikipedia, Moviesblog.mtv.com]

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