Before my Floral Hokkaido Honeymoon blog

Before whatever I’m going to write for this Hokkaido trip, I must note down this biggest surprise first.

She is same age as me.
She has same surname as mine.
She is also going Japan for honeymoon.
She took package from Fables too.
She had her wedding banquet at Grand Straits Restaurant too.

We have too many similarities
And there is more..

We have known each other since year-7th.
We have not been seeing each other for 15 years?

And I only recognized her during our first lunch in Otaru!!

Gosh.. I never expect to have this surprise during the trip!!
Yeah.. She is my primary classmate
For those in class 1M, 2M and 3M .. remember her?

me: "hm.. 你是不是凤婷 ? "

she: "是啦! 你是奕绮嘛 ! "

Since then, she is my hot spring companion.
Her husband is James’s companion of course!
We help each other to take photos..
Chit chat around and..
We both couples were also kena sabo to have kissing session in the bus!
Mainly becos we are the 2 newly wed couples in the tour group!

Like the japan coins 5-yen.. (pronounce as go-yen)
That’s 有缘.. la!!

再次验证我到哪里都会碰到认识的人, 不过这次真的是太夸张了啦 !

上上周末的事

在极度忙碌的工作之余
我们去HK疯狂地
买东西，吃东西。。。
。。。买东西，吃东西

Summary一下

发记甜品的芒果pancake, 芒果糯米卷很特别咯
并不会因为吃太多甜品而感到罪恶的。



除了去茶楼吃点心外，
也尝了很普通的通心粉，公仔面，猪扒包，
还有“世上最好味的旦挞”
晚餐也吃了烧鹅，但不是那排长龙的镛记。



路走很多，脚很痛
天气很热，人很多
衣服很美，买不多
但买的东西却很够力
回程大家都满载而归
飞机坐的很不舒服，头很痛
凌晨3点躺在床上
脑袋是累的，但是脚板的细胞却超活跃！
塞利啦！想睡却睡不了

总结下来
罪恶至极的。。。
就是它啦！！
这是初体验，感觉很深刻。
这样的店，女人多到数不清
情形就像上市场买菜一样
“我要看这个，我要看那个”
那种环境下，你是整个融入没有价值观的世界中
不管价钱多少，只是一个没有感觉的figure
然后非得挑一个满足地走出店外

自我反省中。

台北第三章

这天要到台湾的北海岸线, 去那里看大自然著作下的景观.

先介绍一下个人最爱的早餐, 就是蛋饼加热红茶. Cheese蛋饼, 火腿蛋饼, 香肠蛋饼种类很多, 普通的早餐料理店或档口就是卖蛋饼, 三文汁, 豆浆之类的. 红茶从没喝过热的, 现在是回味无穷.

9点钟来到国道客运总站, 向国光买了到金山的票 (NT92, 发车时间每20分钟一趟), 约70分钟的车程, 于野柳下车. 沿路可以看见海峡与台湾北部的海岸线. 我们的所在地是个高地, 必须沿着路旁一条小道向下走. 往下走后看见的是渔港, 渔船很有规律的在港边摆荡, 一股远离城市喧嚣的舒服感油然而生. 这里不是旅游巴士的路经之地, 所以没有大招牌指引我们, 这样很好, 原有的环境却不因观光区而商业化起来. 向几个闲聊的阿嬷问了路, 就饶过渔港向对面的方向走. 过了保安宫, 看到了很多旅游巴士, 对面的海鲜餐馆殷勤的邀您入座.

野柳风景区是一个从海岸边延伸出去的沙岩区, 经风化海蚀与地壳运动后的岩石形成了各种奇特的景观. 人气明星就是颈部日趋变小的女王头, 仙女鞋, 烛台石. 缴了NT50的入门票, 沿着路走进全长1700公尺的岩岬, 隔壁不远的海洋公园正播放热情奔放的音乐, 和这里海浪澎湃的沙岩区形成对比. 挨近女王头, 必须找到Right angle, 确实像个高贵的女王, 孤傲地远视前方. 这天早上没有太阳, 海风呼呼吹得很感冒. 本想尽量走到岩岬末端, 从介绍册看来末端还有二十四孝岩可看, 但越走越远后就没有很好的铺设路可以走了, 而且感觉海浪就在咫尺, 风很大, 有点怕就倒回头了. 总得来说, 整个地质公园维护的很好, 我们才有机会在经万年后的今天, 欣赏大自然的杰作. 若待它日消失, 也是因为日趋的海蚀, 而不是今日的人为破坏.

午餐很道地, 在港边的街上, 走进一家小吃馆. 第一次吃沙茶板面, 好吃得很!! 看看别桌子都在喝汤, 也跟老板娘要了一小锅. 蚵仔汤, 只用姜丝和葱花调味, 新鲜嫩嫩的蚵仔, 吃得非常鲜甜美味.一路回到之前下车的地方, 误信便利店的老板娘, 以为到金山会有更多公车可转去淡水. 结果嘞, 约15分钟到了金山, 也就一部淡水客运,而且在野柳就可以搭了啦. 时间关系, 得在太阳落幕前到渔人码头! NT100的车资, 一小时的车程, 换来的是一路上的海景(有点像Great Ocean Road) 然后是疲惫之后的小睡.

淡水站, 仿佛是红砖砌成的建筑. 老街非常热闹, 一条街一直往下走, 看到 “阿婆铁蛋”的店后往左走进巷子, 来到搭船往渔人码头的地方啦. 浪花卷起, 老街渐渐远离, 不多久, 白色尖角的情人桥渐渐趋进. 在码头甲板上静静的享受落日的余辉. 入夜的情人桥更添浪漫, 在寒冷的风中, 为爱恋中的人抹上丝丝情意.

淡水有名的就是鱼酥和铁蛋. 在之前说到的“阿婆铁蛋”店买了5包各NT50的鱼酥, 往回走后, 发现其他店标着买5送1 (价钱牌子一样的咯!), 真是百密一疏, 在百家争鸣中也没赚到便宜! 吹了那么多的冷风, 喝上一碗阿给鱼丸汤, 真是满足饱暖啊!! 其它景点如红毛城, 龙山寺等就时间关系没办法去咯.

这晚约好和两位朋友到主题餐厅五角船板晚餐. 豫婷和琳慧是在中学时期, 通过阿牛留言版认识的网友, 陆续联络至今, 初初见面, 多多指教. 说不完的话题, 也稍微留意这艺术洋溢的餐厅. 水池中独奏小提琴的男生, 倍感寂寞. 饭后晃到美丽华, 抬头望望青青大轮美丽华摩天轮. 觉得啊, 当年贪玩之余, 也有幸认识了一些有意思的朋友, 不同背景更碰出不同的火花. 初到贵境, 多谢照顾哪.

台北第二章

接下来台北的3天都会住在西门町. 在出发前上网寻找饭店时, 就发现台湾的饭店网页做的很专业, 所有资料都很详尽, 照片都介绍的很漂亮. 饭店都会注明预订饭店3天后必需缴定金. 但对于外国游客, 都是以互相信任来保留房间, 那费用就当天再缴就可以了. 建议网上定房后, 再在住宿几天前电话确定. 西门町的饭店比较popular, 还有提供休息服务, 所以再次确定到达时间较安全.

我们都有一个习惯, 就是喜欢先走走看看, 熟悉整个地理环境. 我们先到台北车站对面的国道客运总站询问野柳的车票与时间, 就怕有开车的时间表. 走回台北车站, 看见了大大的 “怀宁饭店”招牌, 是我们在台北的last accommodation.

台北火车站靠西3出口, 有一间很有意思的店. 发起人因为喜欢火车, 喜欢铁道, 创作了许多关于铁道之类的纪念品. 我在这里看见了木质明信片, 是人气商品, 店长还贴了告示: “不要问了, 真的可以寄!” . 店外准备了很多盖章, 选了两个明信片, 就加入盖章行列咯! 店长有代寄服务, 把地址写好, 要寄到东南亚, 店长跟我收了两个明信片共60元的邮票费. 台湾回来后, 终于收到了, 看了邮票, 结果一个明信片只要两张12元的邮票叻!

白天里有太阳的台北感觉蛮温暖的, 可是台北女生都穿得很东京. 虽然不冷, 但身上的冬装是一应俱全, 美~到我也很想买几件外套! 不行, 今天才第一天, 不能那么败家.. 我忍..

中正纪念堂是个大广场, 一个超大的 “大中至正”的牌坊, 大意盎然的守卫着正前方的纪念堂, 左右坐拥音乐厅与戏剧厅. 这时候的中正纪念堂都在维修当中, 安全网遮盖了建筑外观, 少了原有的气势. 中正纪念堂的展览馆存放着许多蒋介石的文物, 述说着蒋公一生的辉煌事迹. 一个历史知识的殿堂, 竟然不收费的, 营运成本哪里来?

磨了一大半下午, 得赶紧到别地方去了, 11月的台北, 下午4点多就不大见太阳. 因为这样, 觉得每天都过得太快! 到了国父纪念馆, 还赶的上5点钟的交兵仪式. 问几位当地人都不知道这仪式在哪里!! 最后还是问保安咯! 就在纪念馆的正前厅, 有一个很大的孙中山铜像高高坐立着, 左右两旁站着一位宪兵守卫着. 5点钟就是这两位人兄换班的时候啦. 上下接班的宪兵会耍枪, 步操还有敬礼. 蛮特别的, 体现国人对国父的崇高敬意.

从国父纪念馆可以看见台北101. 步行过去, 经过市政府大厦, 短短10分钟, 天很快就暗下来. 在交通灯前碰见5个娃娃, 2008北京奥运的 “北京欢迎您”. 台北101亮着蓝色的灯, 抬头看, 又怎样呢? 好吧, 你是世界第一, 过不久你就要被打败了, Dubai Tower将会比你高哦.. 又怎样呢? 我也只能俯首看着你. 还好还有个经典LOVE icon给我们照像.

今晚就在华纳威秀看色戒, 对面的新光三越周年庆打着折, 走走而已, 没有花钱啦! 本来嫌戏票贵不想看的, 但既然都来了. 3个小时后从影院出来, 有小小的后悔.. 我想ah dear也是看得不太懂的咯!

近午夜12点的信义商圈还很热闹. 两个人很假厉害的想自己走到市政府站, 以为捷运站就在市政府大厦下面(this is Singapore theory吗?), 过了几条街, 屁啦, 人影都没有, 就连街上的车也少的可怜. 19度的午夜, 风刮着地上的落叶唰唰响. 果然, 兜了一圈, 市政府站的入口竟然在远处一个建筑工地后面.. 谁~知道啊! 这么冷清的市政府区却有两个迷途的人.

台湾! 我来啦~~

久等了.

先介绍一下. 8天7夜台湾游, 14/11/07 ~ 21/11/07.
新加坡 - 台北4天 - 日月潭2天 - 台北1天 - 新加坡
8天说长不长, 说短不短, 并没有环岛走透透, 就选了近台中的日月潭. 留点遗憾, 其他地方就留给下次的旅程咯.

相隔一天, 又跟Jestar see you again了. 下午1点10分的班机, 估计5点40分抵达台湾. 4个小时后, 从小窗看出去, 是一条没有终点的橙黄平行线, 在这浩瀚的云层上, 我们仿佛才是静止的, 静静的感受太阳瞬间的落幕, 让平行线一点一点的缩小, 让灰蒙覆盖橙黄.

桃园中正机场(CKS Airport)在这时候并不繁忙, 入境厅只有我们的班机搭客, 不多时间就办好手续入境了. 走到游客中心, 拿了些资料, 顺便申请了青年旅游卡. 虽然没什么用的着, 就留个纪念. 注意哦, 所谓的青年, 就仅限至30岁.嘻, 还不老, 还不老. 走向 “市区巴士”, 向国光客运买了往台北车站的票 (NT125), 步出机场, 仅6点多天色已很暗, 冷风擞擞地吹来… hey, Welcome to Taiwan ~

一路上的桃园好暗, 没能看见什么, 一小时后, 窗外景色开始绚丽, 五彩招牌让人目不暇接, 是台北了. 远远看见 “台-北-车-站” 安稳地靠在一栋建筑物顶端, 那就是我们接下来8天台湾行的起点了.

走进台北车站, 偌大的厅人来人往, 台北车站是火车站, 我们还得跟着指示牌往underground的台北捷运站前进. 指示牌有够多, 真的要认清走好, underground的世界真的四通八达, 一个不小心, 会走错出口的咯! 买了NT500悠游卡(same as Sg Eazylink card), 企图老马识图的融入人群中, 但是身上的大包包还是掩饰不了自己是观光客. 而且老是笨拙地站在电梯左边, 台湾是和新马反方向的咯. 贴心哪, 捷运站还设有夜间妇女等候区.

由于往日月潭的行程编排在星期天, 担心车票问题, 我们就直接到忠孝复兴站附近的丰荣客运. 从出口出来, 天啊~ 东南西北往哪个方向啊? SOGO百货, 十字路口怎么看哪个方向都有可能, 只有地址没有图标, 还是问保安员最快捷. 丰荣客运是唯一提供每小时一趟往日月潭的客运, 来回票NT900. 搞定车票后, 就往旅馆check in.

以上是连环图。。请自行参考内容 ^_^

第一晚的住宿选择了Steffi大力推荐的凯微精品旅馆, 真的很不错哪! 虽然从捷运站(双连)要步行10分钟, 地点也不是在景点区, 但真的不错啦. 之后到最近的士林夜市, 这个夜市不是在士林站下车哦, 而是在之前的剑潭站. 剑潭站有个特色, 就是建筑外观是一个龙舟, 你注意了吗?

已经9点多, 本应很饿, 但食欲so so. 士林这个夜市有室内和户外的woh. 逛逛夜市, 成衣店, 抓抓乐店, 小吃店, 小地摊热热闹闹.东吃西吃的如像鱼翅汤的螃蟹羹, 油饭, 又贵又不好吃烤珍珠玉米, 像猪肠粉汤料味的甜不辣 (好吃! 可惜没拍照), 碎碎肉的卤肉饭, 不敢恭唯的生炒花枝, 酸酸甜甜的莓蓝汁.. 小兵立大功, 乱吃一通也差不多饱, 这些小兵花费也得NT400呢!

Hey, Cambodia ~

Why are the kids selling souvenirs & beg for money?
I read the article of Cambodia and knew that those kids can earn up to USD100 by selling the stuff to tourists which the parents only can earn USD30 from a full time work. Therefore the kids attend the school in order to learn English in the morning then work for the parents in the afternoon. Then, it’s up to you whether wan to give yr empathy to the kids.

How to tour ard Angkor?
Basically, Siem Reap is a tourist friendly town, tuk tuk driver will taken care of your route to Angkor Wat, what u need to do is bargain for the price. Standard should be USD12-15 per day. Personally feel that 12-15 is pretty high for the price. Food stalls inside Angkor are much more expensive than town, we usually brought light snacks for our lunch.

How to spend yr time in Angkor?
Other than the time spent inside the Angkor, you would find lots of free time afterwards. You may get yrself a reading book, sat yrself into any café for a casual evening. I see lots of western tourist do so, some with notebook. Are they here for long vacation? -_-

The food ~
Restaurant listed in the guidebook is always full of tourist, may the food is tasteful or the atmosphere is cozy. But the local restaurant without any recommendation should be worth for a try too. We had our pizza in a local small pizza restaurant and it turn out to be a good choice! The aroma of fried noodle by the motor stalls along the road was so tempting that we finally taste it!

The tourmate ~
There were 3 of us for this trip. The tuk tuk can be shared at most 4 people. Having tourmates in Cambodia is much cheaper in terms of sharing the transportation and guesthouse. Meals can have more varieties and shared as USD5 per person. Sharing of stories while climbing up & down in the shrine/temple is much more enjoying.

The great Angkor Wat ~
To learn the majestic building arts and the beauty of bas-relief then left with a pleasant experience. That’s my 8D6N adventures to Cambodia with jx and ekit. Hurry!!!

Cambodia – Siem Reap – Last 2 days

Sunrise & Banteay Srei (5am – 10.30am)

Sat into the tuk tuk to Angkor Wat before dawn to catch the sun rise. Should be happy to have a Pierce-Brosnan Tuk Tuk driver? The speed of our tuk tuk thrills through the chilly mist, the wind like piercing through the skin. That’s cold! Again, the cloudy sky didn’t give the crowds for the best shot of sun rise.

We left the crowds and head to Banteay Srei (女皇宫), a long journey from Angkor Wat which took more than 35 mins? We fall asleep on the tuk tuk!! That’s dangerous ~

Banteay Srei is one of the protected sites famous with her finest carving on the pinkish sandstone. The people believed that they were carved by skillful female (this is what I overhead from the tour guide). Impressive fine carve, even a corner, even the eyes and nose. The whole temple is unique for the different theme of carve, the best carve other than the Angkor Wat galleries.

Way back to the town, we took the last glance at the Angkor Wat, human being is really tiny in front of this majestic wat and unbelievable human skills in the ancient century.

Tonle Sap Lake, Floating Village (2pm – 4.30pm)

After a short nap, we take the tuk tuk with USD2 per pax and the boat ride ticket of USD10 to floating village. The villages mostly are Vietnamese, Cambodian & Muslim. School, shop, church, hospital, police station almost everything floats! Poor mum taking kids begging for some donation can be seen as usual over there. An hour of boat ride didn’t impress me much and personally feel that this is the most unworthy expenses.

We spent our last day strolling around Siem Reap town. Happened to know the Siem Reap National Museum having the opening ceremony, but not open to public yet. The building was design based on Angkor Wat’s tower theme? as I can see the corn-shape tower. With an administration fee of USD12 for tourist, would u give it a try?

Bought some souvenirs along central market and old market, having a rest after a long walked, we took an hour of body massage for USD5. Cambodia traditional massage is not much different with Thai massage.

We had our last dinner at our favorite restaurant, Soup Dragon at Pub Street. We shared our views and moments in Cambodia with a tasteful and content Vietnamese Hot Pot meal.

Cambodia – Siem Reap – Big Circuit

Big Circuit (8am – 5.30pm)

Start with Srah Srang (皇家浴池), the royal bathing pool facing the east, a real big pool. Opposite of it is the Banteay Kdei with lots of Apsaras bas-reliefs on the columns. Then we came to the highlight of the day, the Ta Prohm, which we can see lots of giant roots clinging on top of the walls. You may say the roots had spoilt the structure of the temple however, the roots might actually performing as a support to the temple from collapsed.

Follow by the Pre Rup (火化场) is a place for cremation, which we can see the burning stains inside the towers. It was built using pink bricks and looks different from other temples. On top of the Pre Rup can see a wide land of paddy fields. East Mebon is another similar cremation place as Pre Rup.
We need to walk a long path to see Neak Pean (龙蟠水池), 4 square pools at each side with a round statue in the middle. With the guide book on hand, we found the 4 spouts with the head of elephant, human, horse and lion.

Preah Khan (圣剑寺) with two statues holding a sword each at the entrance. Most of the passageway and corridors are badly collapsed.

We get ourselves on top of Bakeng at 4.30pm expecting to see another sunset but it didn’t turn out to be a beautiful show. Since when sunset and sunrise become another highlight and must see list in Angkor?

We went straight to Dead Fish tower for dinner, a set meal with USD5, and a short performance of Apsara dancing. Silence was among 3 of us during the dinner, perhaps we were too hungry and tired by the whole day walks.

Cambodia – Siem Reap – Small Circuit

Tourists as us need not to worry about how to visit the whole Angkor. Every tuk tuk driver will introduced the route with us using a map. It is mainly divided into 3 routes: the small circle (Angkor Wat & Angkor Thom), the big circle (Banteay Kdei, Sras Srang, Preah Khan..etc) and the most far route to Bantaey Srei.

Transportation will be taken care by the tuk tuk driver, some tourists will hired a tour guide for explanation, heard that it is USD25 per day. Ho, along the visits, lots of Cambodian guides speak in different languages!! The most heard language is French. Impressive!! For the backpackers like us, the guide is the travel books!!!

Small Circuit (8am – 3pm)

Angkor Wat (吴哥寺)
The sunlight was so dazzling that we hardly can lift our eyes up to see a clearer picture of the tower. The most significant of this wat is the 5 corn-shape towers (but me & jx felt that the tower look like a few layers of lotus) and the bas-reliefs （浅浮雕） galleries which surrounded the whole Angkor Wat as the most outside enclosing walls. The bas-reliefs tell the stories of ancient battle, the Vishnu god..etc. We took the guide book for self-story-telling. So funny that a Chinese couple approach us and asked us few question on the bas-reliefs and would like to join us touring around. Another Vietnamese Chinese passed by and gave us an “impressive” compliment. Well, all these have to be thanks to jx that done the reading while doing explanation to us. Keke.

Angkor Thom (Bayon 巴戎寺, Terrace of the Elephant, Victory Gate.. etc)
Bayon is famous with the 54 towers, total 216 nos of faces. Unlike Angkor Wat, the layout of Bayon is not in order. Really impressed by the skills at that time.. how can the faces be repeatedly look alike? It was noon and the sun was extremely hot, we are tired after walking along the terrace of Elephant with bas-relief of elephants and others sites.

It was 3pm when we back to town. Without hesitation, we went into the Blue Pumpkins for a drink. Another tourist hot spot with free wireless internet, cozy sofa and drinks. We have plenty of rest time before our dinner at Khmer Kitchen for the Amok dish. Our dinner always end as early as 7pm, and we start to have our 2nd round of beer session which others still searching for dinner! Can’t believe that both juices and beer are selling at same price! That’s indeed good news for jx & ekit!!!

As usual, both my tourmates could sleep soundlessly easily, is it becos of the beer? I have to wait for the hair to dry b4 I could sleep.. lucky there’s plenty of tv channels entertaining me.

Cambodia – Way to Siem Reap

Previously, I mentioned that Angkor Wat was announced officially as one of the 7 wonders, but it was incorrect ~ -_-. Angkor Wat was not in the list that announced on 7th July 2007. Instead, Angkor was one of the World Heritage Site under UNESCO. Anywhere, who cares abt what nomination? As long as I had step onto the land of the world wonders!!

Along the narrow road to Siem Reap, could see the simple built house along the main road scattered around with an endless view of paddy fields or just a swampy land? Apart from the tourism as financial income from Angkor Wat, agriculture and handicraft should be their next income?

Clockwise from top left: the paddy fields or swampy land, yq on the bus, the small hut & piles of grass for cows, hardworking jx

Siem Reap is a small town, the central was full of tour agency, guesthouses, souvenior stalls and western style bar & restaurants. This is a city developed for tourism. Restaurants and bars are decorated in order to suit western tourist?

Red Lodge & Golden Temple guesthouse was FULL, such a hot pick guesthouse, then I realized that whatever restaurant or guesthouse being introduced in lonely planet, they will have good business. In the end, we settled our accommodation in Be Quest guesthouse (USD13 for a double bed room) which near old market (pub street). We hired the tuk tuk with USD50 for 4 days traveling.

We need to purchase an Entry pass in order to get into Angkor site. 3 Days pass with USD40. Only can bought at 5pm and it’s FOC for the first day, 3 days start from next day. Got the pass, set into the tuk tuk, we are on the way to ANGKOR WAT!! After a few mins of forest road, we saw the quiet pond.. then we saw the significant towers.. and finally the long passageway! Such an amazing complicated feels.. The first sunset on top of Bakeng (the best sunset location) did not give us a nice one, but I start to feel the crowds! And there we start to Climb..climb and climb. The sunset did not impress me but some kind of excitement was filling up me!

Clockwise from top left: the crowds on Bakeng, ekit in a tower, jx with a V, the sunset at Bakeng

Cambodia – Phnom Penh

B4 check in at Changi Airport, saw a group of ppl that I believed to be volunteers or some organization, moving lots of big packages writing stationery, clothes..etc. A clear picture and realization that the place I’m going is a country that needs help, for the donation and needs for the children. The poverty of country haven’t come to my mind till I saw it with my own eyes.

The capital – Phnom Penh

Most tourists will miss this capital and go to Siem Reap directly but we chose Phnom Penh as our first stop. Airport pick up is USD7 as per standard, fetched by the guesthouse owner, head to our first night at Top Banana Guesthouse. Along the way saw lots of big hotel written in Chinese words, probably for the Taiwan & China tourist. Top Banana is unique with his cool decorated lounge and paintings on the walls.

The next day, we spent the whole day travel ard Phnom Penh, by walking and tuk tuk. With the guide map prepared by jx on hand, we highlighted a few must see location and here we start our exploration in Phnom Penh.

As Top Banana is at the south side, we planned our route north-wards. The first worth taking picture that welcomes us is the Independence Monument. We thought it was in concrete color when we saw it the earlier night, but it was in red color. Surrounding was decorated with flowers and only few days later we found that their Independence Day was ard the corner and there will have a formal celebration ceremony there.

Royal Palace is really a big site containing fabulous palace and graceful pagodas, admission fee is 25,000 Reils (abt USD6.3). The Throne Hall used for the royal coronation ceremony is gorgeous! The Silver Pagoda is named because of its 5329 nos of silver floor tiles. We didn’t notice the silver plate at the beginning as the floor was covered by carpet!! The moment we left the exit gate, the kids can’t wait to step forward selling tour guidebook and drinks. I can only the big contrast between the Royal life of government and the poverty life of residences, especially the kids.

Though National Museum is just beside the Royal Palace, but we didn’t give it a chance to enter this dark-red sandstone building. Walked towards Wat Ounalom, another important site in Phnom Penh, from there we walk towards the riverside, the Tonle Sap River, before heading back to Top Banana to check out.

Clockwise from top left: Royal Palace, Independence Monument, National Musuem, Wat Ounalom.Taking a tuk tuk in Phnom Penh is a standard charge of USD2 per trip. We hired a tuk tuk for a few locations with USD6. Went to Russian Market for shopping, didn’t buy much stuff, it was stuffy and crowded. Didn’t stay for too long, the tuk tuk driver bring us to have lunch at the Buddhi Tree guesthouse, just opposite Toul Sleng Genocide Musuem. We rest at the restaurant under the lush garden like shade, wait for the museum to re-open at 2pm. With admission fee of USD2, we see the former high school turned out to be a prison under the Khmer Rounge where detention, interrogation and torture took place. One may not feel comfortable seeing the tortured pictures, room with iron bed, building with wires around and the bricks-made tiny prison cells. A place that you walked out with a sense of heavy mood and grateful to what you have now.

We check into another guesthouse which is nearer to the quay side and central market. We learnt a lesson after we check in at Angkor Chay. The room was old and not clean, moreover no hot water, with insects at a corner. We went out to source for another guesthouse and decided to return the room, it was less than 15 mins but the staff said they can’t return the fees to us. In the end we need to pay half of the fees and leave that guesthouse immediately. Lesson to learn is always take a look at the room before any payment.

Continue to walk to Wat Phnom (with USD1 fee), I saw kids without any clothes playing at road side, with dusty body and dropping snivel. The golden color Central market is another landmark with lots of local stalls selling silks products, silver products and food. After a long waited service dinner, we bought the Phnom Penh-Siem Reap express bus with USD8 and ready to set off to ANGKOR WAT the next day.

Clockwise from top left: The iron bed, the wired building (Toul Sleng Genocide Musuem), Central Market, Wat Phnom.

你怀念的

继上一个post只有数小时, 都还没坐稳hot seat呢, 又赶紧追加一个. 自己难过事小, 毕竟我不想折磨自己太久. 但个性始然, 尽点绵力让别人开心能让我感觉更踏实一点.

当时短短的10天旅行, 拍了很多照片, 还是film相机. 一直把这些珍贵的相片好好收藏在一大本相簿里, 有空就拿出来回味一番. 虽然现在都是数码相片, 也就不过是拍了看了就存档在电脑里, 少了一份亲切感.

这一次, 抽了几张合照, scan了一下, 没有很sharp的quality, 可是就像当年我们所说的, 照片, 是为了留住当时的阳光, 当时的欢笑. 希望这一组花了点心思美化的照片, 能让你开心起来．

那年attachment之后, 乘假期只身飞到澳洲去投靠留学海外的你们. 里应外合, 住宿, day trip很快就搞定. 我的行李, 带了两位小姐的爱心妈妈包裹, 穿着cher出手相借的寒衣, 勇敢地飞往墨尔本.

住她们租的屋子, 去她们逛的supermarket, 是一种体验对方生活的平实感. 每天都会遇到人, 不是很熟的或认识又很久不见的, 从我一下飞机就开始给我惊喜. 行程很紧密, 精彩, 用短短的几天, 和很多朋友聚会, 尤其是悉尼的蓝山之旅, 简直是另一场同学会. 住过住家, 住过赌场大酒店(托Ah pek的福, 免费的), 也住过YHA (Youth Hostel Accommodation), 更踏足每个赌场（也是托Ah pek的福) .. 刺激!!!

美好的回忆, 文字并不能完全表达.
就用照片来细嚼慢咽当时的阳光与欢笑吧!!!
非常怀念... 当年的旅程
感激... 一路上有你们呀!!!!!

看着看着, 真是受不了!! 当时都已经是大学生的我们, 为什么看起来还那么的幼齿??!

更多照片

Phuket trip - Day 4 Spa

Without any rush, we enjoyed our breakfast slowly, trying to get the most pleasure to have every bite and sip.. Took a few last photo ard the resort.. time to pack and ready for check out. Got the chance to browse others' blog before our SPA centre driver came to pick us up.

I got no idea where is that spa centre located, I only knew it's a 35 mins long journey which got us passby Karon beach (Karon beach is less crowded and not as Busy as Patong beach). Finally.. we reached and were welcomed by lots of thai humble young lady.. I chose Coffee Body Scrup & Orange oil massage. Hiak, no chance to try the sauna & Jacuzzi. Frankly, this is my first time of SPA lo.. before the massage, shower first.. then they gave me sarong to wear (everything take off, only sarang).. haha.. there go my 3 hours SPA session.. another naked experience.. back and front.. arrhh.. Shy lah!! Total shower 3 times.. the service include wash and blow of hair.. after the SPA.. I felt myself so COFFEE !!

We requested the driver to drop us at Patong central for dinner. That's really hungry after the massage!! Think the blood circulation or digestion really effective?! Had our last dinner at Phuket at Sabai Sabai which we went during previous trip. Think it owned by an Aussie but cook by local as I can see lots of Aus posters on the wall.. arh.. going to miss the local thai food here...

The sun begun to set and the wind is chilly.. maybe going to drizzle again? We took our last stroll along the beach (with luggage leh), beach chairs are kept .. the beach lovers have gone for dinner.. only left a group of ppl awaiting their parasailing.. It's the time ~ we took tuk tuk back to hotel and wait for our transport to Airport ..

Phuket trip - Day 3 Phi Phi Island

Thing wasn't work well on me on the 2nd nite.. I was thinking.. huh? What?? Now?!?! Arh.. strike 4D also not so lucky.. we ladies really don't expect the antie visit during the vacation.. Feeling so sad and disappointed.. I can't go for snorkeling tml.. and I keep praying that better don't give me stomach cramp during my phi phi cruise!!

Woke up very early to have breakfast and set off to the jetty for cruise.. yes, we are having Phi Phi Island day tour today!

Woaw.. the traffic in phuket city is really busy.. motorbikes are swerving around and between the vans & cars.. very daring. Finally reach the jetty for the cruise.. lot's of tourist going there.. tummy started to give me funny tricks.. I cover my face with my cap and sleep~

After an hour.. everyone seems energetic and starting moving to the side to take photo.. ha.. saw the mountain rocks with unique cliff that had battered by the waves and storm. Few mysterious caves were formed in between the cliff.. we cruise through the island shore and was shown from far the Maya Bay where Leonardo Dicarpio filmed "The Beach" years back. I can see lots of ppl on the Maya beach.. too bad cruise can't go further in .. only speedboat allowed. Nvm.. took a few photos.. we changed into another smaller ferry for snorkelling.

Though snorkeling is not the first time for me.. but this is his first try!! He went into a fish aquarium in the ferry.. trying to feed the fish with bread.. warh.. the fish is very garang and snatching with each other! Sitting at the side of ferry... I can see shoal and shoal of fishes swam through.

Sun is still hot, time to head to phi phi island for lunch. Lunch were included in the package at phi phi resort. The phi phi town is really small.. only can see one main street with mostly souvenior stalls and diving centres. Diving centres mostly owned by foreigner, putting a TV at front door to show their best found location for the amazing underwater world. The beach at Phi Phi island is a nice scenery too

Back to resort is about 6pm alr.. after the shower.. I have some snacks & drink at the balcony.. looking at the cloudy sky .. it's going to be another drizzling nite again ~ hm.. where shall we have the dinner tonite?

Bcos of the rain.. I prefer to have meal indoor. Chose the Tiger Inn restaurant bcos of their special renovated café. All the columns were diverted as a tree trunk and all chairs & tables are cottage style... feel like having meal in the forest eh ~ We had a mix European & Thai food .. very nice food and environment ya !

Phuket trip - Day 2

We had our fabulous breakfast buffet at the hotel cafe. The food was very nice and we had our fill. Looking out from the café, the scenery is really chill out, u can see a green playground follow by beautiful swimming pool with beaches and sea as the background. There’s another sky pool with Jacuzzi on top of the café overlooking the beautiful beach too.

After breakfast, we began our expedition again that is to walk the whole patong beach area since we got one whole day to do it. It’s windy but it’s hot too! Along the beach street, I noticed a lot of new shopping bazaar, lots of new & significant restaurant & bar. I think the most changes here are “Tsunami Evacuation Route” signboards were seen everywhere and the road became one way direction. If wan to take tuk tuk, it need to turn a big round which mean the rate are almost standard regardless your destination is only mile stone away as they said “200 baht standard, we need to make one round come back here”.

The beach was full of tourist having sun tan & books reading on their beach chair. The ang moh really can just spend their day sun tanning under the sun. The street was full of stalls selling clothes, bags etc.. tourist counter selling different tour package.. massage centre with thai gal calling “massage ~ massage~” at front door.. lots of arties drawing the portrait.. lots of tailor shop.. wah piang.. who wan to tailor made costume there oh? Phuket is still the same & familiar in my eyes!

The kids Q-ing for drink. they have a outing at playground.

The sky is cloudy .. it's HOT!

the shophouses filled with tailors, massage & restaurant

parasailing is 700 baht per trip.. less than a minute lo..

Tuk tuk along the street awaiting passengers

Bar street with lots of Aussie bar and sexy thai gal

We spend our evening with an hour of thai massage and beauty nap on the beach chair.. gosh.. got sunburn in the end.. but it’s very soothing to fall asleep with the whisper from the waves..

We were attracted by the giant tiger prawn and can’t wait for the charcoal grilled prawn to fill our tummy. We have a thai meal and of cos my favourite tom yam soup! Yummy.. it started to drizzle again after the dinner.. arh.. don’t wish to go back so early.. we hide into starbucks for a cup of ice mocha.. the live band restaurant beside starbucks let us enjoy free show too!

There was a small surprise before my dinner when we walk pass the seafood stalls.. the world is really small.. I thought only Genting stands the highest chance to bump into frds.. who knows?? We met !!!

WOOHahaha ~~ Ah Wan ~~~~~ ^_^v

Phuket trip - Day 1

It was our first time to take Tiger Air and fly off from budget terminal.. though the craft is small.. the flight attendances are sweet, take off and landing by ang moh pilot is great.

It was drizzling lightly that nite when we reached Phuket international airport. We walked towards the tour agent and he greeted us with a warm and friendly smile. Learnt from the guide that it's monsoon season and consider low tourist season for phuket now. Immediately, memories of the beautiful phuket scenery flashed our mind since we were in phuket two years ago. In my heart, I was thinking how was phuket like after the tsunami? Will it be the same as two years ago?

We then board the tour agent bus and we were the only passengers (like 霸王车). The agent was very funny and his name is Rambo (that's cool!). He took out a few leaflets to introduce to us what are the local attractions in phuket. There are many options available and we finally shortlist two main events that is the "Phi Phi Island Day Tour" and "SPA at Island Herbal".

Along the way from airport to patong beach, we peep outside the bus and looked around the streets. There were actually not much changes to patong beach, original stalls were still at the same places. In fact, phuket is more beautiful now. Many hotels are upgraded and renovated very nicely. The street is as usual crowded and noisy. After about 35 min ride, we finally reach our hotel "Phuket Graceland Resort & Spa" . The hotel is at the right end of Patong beach and it is about 10-15 min walk to the bustling centre part of patong.

Feeling very happy, I tipped the bell boy who carried our luggages with 100 baht. Gosh so generous of me! The room was very big with one queen and one single bed. The shower room has a big bath tub and a separate shower area. The TV not only have korea, Thailand channels but it also have Chinese, French, Spanish channels. Hmm, this resort is catered especially for korea, austrialians and Chinese tourists.

to be continued...

Phuket trip

Great trip

More photo?

Wait

逃离计划 #1

说走就走
不是一直想要的吗?

我要重游普吉岛
有人说.. 海啸之后.. 重建的岛屿更美丽..
我想看看之前之后的分别

说走就走
13/06/07 晚 - 16/06/07 晚

Back from Rejuvenate weekend

Batam Turi Beach Resort was indeed a getaway location for those who like to have a quiet and lazy retreat vacation.

Only 35 mins away from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal and you can reach a totally different view of lifestyle.. Batam is definitely less crowded than Bintan.. and the price of food at Batam also lower than Bintan!! And amazingly.. it's cloudy and windy .. Not sweaty hot at all !

I felt ease when I saw the sea.. heard the waves.. and smell the fragrance of indo food from the café. We didn't make any arrangement for wat should do over there (actually also no where & nothing much u can do over there).. it's just purely walk ard, lying ard and spent your time there!!

The wooden deluxe villa with balcony facing the sea, the hut around the pool and the Indo traditional massage beside the pool ~~ Cool.. I even had my own-prepared mask done beside the sea!! hooo..

听海风, 看本书, 凉风习习的露台... 太舒服了










人很少吧?! 难得悠闲...











有备而来! 不会太夸张啦....











Few observation to share:

1) Whenever there's beach and pool.. there's Ang Moh. The difference is.. the Ang Moh here was engaged with local Indo lady.. with kids having a vacation. Doo shite?? A wedding was held at the platform at the sea walkway there.. also Ang Moh with Local

2) Not a Japanese at all! unlike bintan... I can see a few groups of Korean visitors walked ard the pool side and beach to take photosss.. No idea wheather they stay overnite at the resort or not

3) Lots of mosquitos attacking in the hut at nite.. bring mosquito repellent? yes you can.. but actually the resort is very caring, they provide two small pack of repellent lotion in the bathroom! and the white curtain with the bed is actually 蚊帐