From Sydney, We Headed To Brisbane!

From Sydney, we flew to Brisbane, the capital city in the state of Queensland and we will staying there for 3 days 2 nights. When many people commented that nothing much can be done and seen in Brisbane, I tend to ignore that and went with my friends to see what Brisbane can offers.

Day 5 - Brisbane 01
#1: Flew off to Brisbane with Jetstar. Their check-in process were so efficient, fast and hassle-free. 

Day 5 - Brisbane 02
#2: I always assigned to get the window seat cause I just love to witness the aeriel view

Day 5 - Brisbane 03
#3: Kick off our Brisbane adventures by visiting Queen Street Mall

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary Australia
#4: Look ma! I'm cuddling koala bear this time around.

Day 5 - Brisbane 06
#5: Kangaroo feeding in Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

Day 5 - Brisbane 04
#6: Sushi roll - my favourite. It's everywhere in Brisbane and I can have these almost everyday.

#7: Just when I thought staying in South Bank is not a wise choice, I was wrong. This South Bank Parklands is amazing structure.

#8: Ended our day by taking Wheel of Brisbane 

And now we are wandering around Brisbane city centre once again before leaving this beautiful and peaceful city permanently to another city again. 

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G'day Sydney!

G'day everyone! I'm currently in Australia for my short vacation, after not flying anywhere for almost two months. You know for someone who being bitten by travel bugs, the addiction of travelling would getting worst if not travelling for a certain period. This is my second time to Australia but it's my maiden visit to Sydney.

Day 1 - Sydney 02
#1: My third experience flying with AirAsia X, after Seoul and Melbourne.

Day 1 - Sydney 07
#2: Once we settled everything, we went Paddy Market for souvenir hunting, as always

Day 1 - Sydney 09
#3: One of my favourite photos. Nope, we didn't rent any bike here but instead we walked a lot

Sydney 08
#5: We took bus to this mesmerising and awesome Bondi Beach

Sydney 09
#6: Seafood platter for lunch in Sydney Fish Market

Sydney 10
#7: Finally one of my travel wishlist accomplished - Seeing Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge

Currently, I am blogging this from the domestic airport while waiting for another flight to another city. 

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Siem Reap, Cambodia (2013) Day 2: Angkor Wat at Sunrise

Date Visited: 2nd March 2013

On the second day of our Siem Reap trip, we woke up as early as 4am, before the sun appeared. Luckily for us, Cambodia time is 1 hour behind our Malaysia time and technically we had to wake up and be ready before 6am Malaysia time. Our driver was ready earlier and picked us from the guest house for the main highlight of this trip, none other than the sunrise at Angkor Wat.



Tip Before Going To Angkor Wat
Despite how rush you are especially when you wake up late in such an early hour, make sure you bring along your Temple Pass before heading out or else, it will waste your time to go back to your lodging again and take your temple pass. Worst to worst, there would be possibility you might miss the sunrise.

Once we arrived the destination, it was really dark. Using our smartphone, we turned on the flashlight to lead us into Angkor Wat. Just when we thought we were the earliest one, we were so surprised there are almost hundred of tourists gathered before us. Almost all of them prepared and ready positioned their camera to get the best shot for the sunrise. Therefore, I would advise you to be there by 4.30am Cambodia time, at least.

Waited for more than an hour, here's the time that everybody waited for;

Siem Reap, Cambodia Day 2 - 01 Angkor Wat
#1: Sunrise at the world heritage of Angkor Wat with the reflection of the entire temples

Honestly speaking, it's not easy to take the above shot cause beside being short, everyone was holding their camera so high up. Thanks to a friendly Caucasian who was eventually standing in front of me, he gave his best spot for me. 

#2: Group photo. Credit to Kming

Siem Reap, Cambodia Day 2 - 01 Kid at Angkor Wat
#3: Local kid with selling postcard for US$1 only. So young but he can speak different kind of languages; English, Mandarin and even Japanese and Korean.

Right after we done with the sunrise shooting, we spent few hours ventured around Angkor Wat.

Siem Reap, Cambodia Day 2 - 03 Angkor Wat
#4: Aspara and devata statues are characteristic of the Angkor Wat style

Siem Reap, Cambodia Day 2 - 04 Angkor Wat
#5: 

Siem Reap, Cambodia Day 2 - 05 Angkor Wat
#6: Part of Angkor Wat structures

Siem Reap, Cambodia 52
#7: One director, two photographers and two actors. "Lights, Camera, Action!"

Siem Reap, Cambodia Day 2 - 06 Angkor Wat
#8: Final glimpse of Angkor Wat before leaving 

Siem Reap, Cambodia (2013) Day 1: First Day in Siem Reap

Date Visited: 1st March 2013

Since ever my collegemates and I graduated 6 years ago, we always wanna have a gathering trip but it's not easy anyway cause sometimes it's difficult for us to find the suitable date for us to gather for a trip. Finally, like finally we managed to arrange our hectic schedule for a gathering trip and for my part, I managed to secured airtickets to Siem Reap, Cambodia for 7 people, at least. Although not many of my collegemates able to join this, but at least I managed to gather few of us. And here we are to the "Kingdom of Wonders".

The flight to Siem Reap from Kuala Lumpur was as early at 6:50 am. As usual, I reached LCCT one night before the actual flight as I had to fly over from Kota Kinabalu. Two flights in a row was extremely tired and exhausted but I can't wait for our adventures around Siem Reap. The journey took almost 2 hours and finally we reached the destination we've been waiting for almost a year.

Siem Reap, Cambodia 01
#1: Siem Reap International Airport, second largest airport in Cambodia and its modern architecture is based on the traditional Khmer style.

Siem Reap, Cambodia Day 1 - 01
#2: Welcome to the Kingdom of Wonders signboard

Once we got out from the arrival hall, we were greeted by a friendly local driver which we hired directly from the guest house we reserved. His name is Sao Titan and we called him, Sao. He is very good in speaking English and he always told us many kind of jokes, including some dirty jokes as well. He dropped us in our guest house before starting our tour at 5pm of their local time. By the way, Cambodia time is 1 hour behind our Malaysia time.

Siem Reap, Cambodia Day 1 - 04
#3: MotherHome Guesthouse

We booked 4 rooms and three rooms were ready by the time we reached. We even allowed to check-in earlier. More review of this guest house will be in the next upcoming post.

Once we done with everything, we went out for lunch hunting. Can't wait to explore more of Siem Reap city.

Siem Reap, Cambodia Day 1 - 02
#4: Motordop which commonly known as tuk-tuk

Siem Reap, Cambodia 09
#5: KFC? Perhaps next time

Siem Reap, Cambodia Day 1 - 03
#6: We settled down in a small eatery which served most on local foods - especially Khmer dishes. 
[Clockwise from left: Fried Rice Loklak, Rice with Chicken, Coconut shake, Angkor Premium Beer (local beer) and Bread Omelet with Vegetables]

Siem Reap, Cambodia Day 1 - 05
#7: From there, we took tuk-tuk to Old Market for another souvenirs hunting. So many things can be found here - fridge magnets, keychains, T-shirts, handicraft and silks which are incredibly cheap.

Right at 5pm of local time, Sao, our driver picked us up from guest house to purchase the 3 Days Temple Pass.

Siem Reap, Cambodia Day 1 - 06
#8: For more info about the temple pass, refer above.

Siem Reap, Cambodia Day 1 - 07
#9: Paid directly and on the spot, they will snap photo of you directly. Must keep this pass properly cause any time, they will do investigation or checking before entry to certain temples.

Done with passes, we went to Phnom Bakheng for sunset viewing.

Siem Reap, Cambodia Day 1 - 08
#10: What a long queue before can go up to Phnom Bakheng

Siem Reap, Cambodia Day 1 - 09
#11: Before back to the guest house, we requested Sao to drop us at Art Center Night Market which similar to Old Market but its only open during the night time.

Hotel Review: The Everly Putrajaya Hotel

The reason why I didn't update my blog for almost two weeks is not because I was travelling or busy but I was too lazy and procrastination most of the time. Prefer spending my time with my family and Boyfie instead.

Date Stayed: 8th June - 12th June 2014

I was in Putrajaya last few months for Girl Guides National event and the event was held in The Everly Hotel Putrajaya. We even stayed in this hotel throughout the 5 days and 4 nights event. This hotel is quite well-known by the worldwide cause this is where the families and relatives of the passengers of the missing MH370 airplane gathered here.

The Everly Hotel Putrajaya 01
#1: Situated in Precinct 1, The Everly Hotel Putrajaya is connected to the Alamanda Shopping Centre making this hotel absolutely an excellent and strategic location. 

Travelled alone by myself, I took taxi once I got off from Putrajaya & Cyberjaya KLIA Transit Station and when I thought that the travel distance would be less than 5 minutes, I was completely wrong. The journey took more than 10 minutes.

The Everly Hotel Putrajaya 08
#2: Gracefully designed lobby with plenty of seats for the value guests

By looking at the lobby, I know that I can't wait to look at the hotel room. Funny thing about this hotel was there are two lifts, one directly to all the rooms whereas the other one to the function hall and most guests, including me got confused right after the check-in procedures. I guess, the hotel need to train their staffs properly on how to assist and give clear direction to the guests.

The Everly Hotel Putrajaya 02
#3: Colourful and well-designed deluxe room twin sharing furnished with comfort carpet

This spacious and cozy room is equipped with Wireless Internet access, LCD television, coffee and tea maker, ironing facilities, mini refrigerator, hairdryer and in-room safe. The room given to us was directly facing the view of Alamanda Shopping Centre .

The Everly Hotel Putrajaya 03
#4: Not just leisure, perfectly for the business group of people for them to keep track and do their work.

The Everly Hotel Putrajaya 04
#5: I personally love the couch area with plenty of cushions. 

The Everly Hotel Putrajaya 05
#6: Hand towels, bath towels and basic toiletries are available in the spacious and moderate clean bathroom.

The Everly Hotel Putrajaya 07
#7: As our room comes with complimentary breakfast, this was where we had our hearty breakfast every morning in Fuze Restaurant which located on the ground floor.

Comparing to the rest of the hotels I stayed before, honestly to say the breakfast provided here was much more better which comes with plenty of selection from Asian to Western meals. For Asian, one morning with nasi lemak, fried noodles and so on and the other morning served roti canai. As for Western, they served sausages, ham, toast, red beans and more.
The Everly Hotel Putrajaya 06
#8: Swimming pool with the Putrajaya lake view

Overall, I was indeed enjoyed my stay here and whenever there were break time between the event, I just spend my time staying in the room instead of going to the nearby shopping complex. So comfortable that I don't even feel like wanna go back home at that period of time.  

The Everly Putrajaya Hotel 
No. 1, Jalan Alamanda 2,
Precinct 1, Putrajaya, 
62000 Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia.

Foodie Friday: Excapade Sushi @ Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam

Date Visited: 17th February 2013

In order to fly to Bangkok directly from Kota Kinabalu, we don't have many choices and all required transit, either in Kuala Lumpur, Singapore or Brunei. And since we flew with Royal Brunei Airlines, we had to transit in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital city of Brunei for almost 8 hours before reaching back home. Luckily my relatives are staying there, hence we decided to get out from the airport instead of stuck inside the airport and doing nothing for the whole long 8 hours.

Again, the thing that my family and I love to do in Brunei is definitely to satisfy our crave towards the cheap, huge and fresh sushi in one of the famous Japanese chain restaurant in Brunei. That would be none other than Excapade, which has quite number of outlets all over Brunei and this time around, we went the one in Gadong area, not so far way from the airport.

Excapade Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei 01
#1: Ready for the foods?

Excapade Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei 02
#2: Kani Maki and California Maki - My favourite kind of sushi

Excapade Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei 03
#3: Sushi

Excapade Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei 04
#4: Mentai salmon sushi

Excapade Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei 05
#5:

Excapade Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei 06
#6: Tamago sushi and inari - Another of my favourite

Excapade Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei 07
#7: Chicken Katsu Curry

Excapade Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei 08
#8: And more sushi

Well, actually we ordered more than the above cause my family and I were separated into two different tables but guess what, the total damages for almost 20 people of us was $170++ (roughly around RM425). Surprisingly cheap, right?

Excapade Sushi (Gadong Branch) 
Abdul Razak Complex, 
Bandar Seri Begawan BE3519, 
Brunei Darussalam.

Couldn't get enough of Excapade's sushi and more? Check out my first post of Excapade Sushi in Kuala Belait Branch.