Pathumwan Princess Hotel (Bangkok, Thailand) - Part 1

Goodness me! Like a hero I took a ride from my bestie's colleague to Bangkok (Chonburi & Pattaya) and this kind soul insisting on helping me out in booking a room. I in return didn't want to trouble her and after thanking her, I walked into the hotel across. Can't remember which hotel specifically because the moment I was told rooms are not available and that I have not prior book a room in any hotel, I almost shed bricks. The adorable hotel staff, I think noticed me panicking. Another kind soul who wrote down Pathumwan Hotel name on a piece of paper and telling me to show it to the taxi driver. Alright. To the main road for flagging down a cab and prior to getting down in front of the hotel and then, me standing in front of the reception counter on the first floor. Thank god. I managed to book a room for two nights (RM800). Oh-what a joy! Next of course, heading to my room I think on the 15th floor. Swipe card mind you. Dang! My safely ensured. All the way most probably and till into the lift and to my room. Only that if I have to smoke, I have come down to the smoking room on the ground floor or I can also puff, if I am not mistaken, on the 8th floor where the open air bar is. Fine. 

Chonburi & Pattaya (Thailand) - My Solo Travel Trail

Lessons I picked up from my holiday to Malacca (Philea Resort & Malacca Part 2) or even from my first ever, over the sea trip (Rome & Milan)? Travelling with friends is not as sunshiny or rosy as it may seem to be or as others share on social media. Furthermore, for indication that perhaps I should start travelling alone. Solo travel? The thought of it? Quite scary and frightening initially mind you until I was in two minds. I wasn't even sure if I can do it. Then again, unless I try? Of course. But getting the green light from my other half-half? God! This Indian husband of mine who behaves as though he is the most liberal male gender in this world. Debated over and over again until he finally said yes. How did it all start for my first ever solo travel? Thanks for the encouragement from bestie who was based in Amata Golf & Country Club Chonburi for a golf tournament project.  

Malaysian Chili Crab

Malaysian my and mine again? I can't help it guys (Pandan/Screwpine Cheesecake). Seriously, what else can you expect from me. Its always been, my background, I have been cooking Malaysian dishes and each time I cook again, I can't seemingly break free from Malaysia. Basically, because our local produce is the reason. Cheaper pretty much for keeping my cost to cooking low (Malaysian Lamb Curry Noodles, Malaysian Fried Mee & Malaysian Spicy Sour Fish Soup Noodles) and we, no matter what, we generally fancy our style of food. We basically love our big, bold flavours and must I include chillies for all Malaysians? I reckon I should. No chillies, I guess, we feel we have not had a complete mouth packing meal (Chilli Aloo, Grilled Spicy Prawns, Stingray Sambal Sauce, Sweet Chilli Chicken & Chilli Soy Fish). Chillies. Whether over-loaded or a tiny bit, but it must be chillies in some way or rather (Chilli Lime Fish, Sambal Tumis Ikan Bilis, Spicy Fried Wings & Sichuan Chilli Prawns). What about, how of much chillies are you now asking me? How much you should add for this Malaysian Chilli Crab? Up to you. As you wish for these spicy tangy Malaysian Chilli Crab (Indian Crab Soup & Crab Curry) which I bet is already tickling your taste-buds. 

Malacca (Malaysia) – Travel By Nava K (Part 2)

Day 1 was pretty much exciting and friendship sightseeing happily together (Malacca - Travel By Nava K Part 1). Day 2 on the other hand? Nonsense and really an irritating start. After breakfast (Philea Resort),  I really can't tell you what got into the couple. They arguing and refusing to budge from Philea. My-God! These are the people I chose to travel with? The things you find out about your friends once you travel with them? Anyway, I was not keen in needling neither I cared less. I completely ignored them and after enquiring from the staff of Philea what can I do, I walked for like 10 minutes before arriving at Malacca Butterfly & Reptile Sanctuary. Entrance fees and paying for my camera as well, and into Malacca Butterfly & Reptile Sanctuary where you can easily spend at least half a day if you are not rushing. 

Nasi Goreng Ikan Bilis (Anchovies Fried Rice)

Don't we Malaysians love our rice? Anytime, any hour, practically for any meal and whenever we wish? Of course. Undeniably. Me too being the number one rice lover. I basically love rice to every bit. Rice is my sincerity. Cooked white rice, paired alongside side dishes, and sometimes elevated or heightened to another level spiraling level in regards to a few ingredients or generously (Nasi Lemak, Ghee Rice & Nasi Dagang) or how about leftover cooked white rice? Effortlessly converted to fried rice (Malaysian Fried Rice, Tom Yum Fried Rice, Lamb Fried Rice, Chinese Fried Rice & Kampung Fried Rice). No. No. Not the exact previous Anchovies Long Beans Fried Rice though. Never. Never will I repeat showcase the same recipes over and over again. This Nasi Goreng Ikan Bilis notably is the other, another version to nava-k's making fried rice. Perhaps a couple of similar ingredients, has to be right? We can't do away with the customary ingredients right? I doubt. I don't think-tank we can. This Nasi Goreng Ikan Bilis (Anchovies Fried Rice)? Anchovies, mushroom, eggs, peas and spring onion. Keep this recipe on stand-by, you should, just in case it will be your turn to a lazy Sunday or any day cooking.    

Malacca (Malaysia) – Travel By Nava K (Part 1)

Where can our sightseeing in Malacca possibly begin? If you are asking me, I will suggest you start in Jonker Walk (Philea Resort & Spa). Why? Because Jonker Walk is supposedly the star attraction. We paying RM70.00 for our taxi ride from Philea Resort due to the distance and prior to walking amongst the hundreds. What can you expect in Jonker Walk? Eateries of course and also shopping, plus if you are willing to walk from one end to the other, you can do some sightseeing. We on the other hand started off by buying a packet of the “Gula Ketuk”. Remember gula ketuk? If you are around my age, I bet you can recall. Gula Ketuk we bought from the trader who comes by aound our housing area? This gula ketuk from Jonker Walk? Such to waste to our couple of dollars. In fact, after tasting a few pieces of this hard as rock and tasteless gula ketuk, we had to threw the balance.  

Kah Heong Chicken Rice Restaurant - (SS14, Subang Jaya)

Kah Heong Chicken Rice Restaurant. Two of them in Subang Jaya (SS14 & SS18). Both seemingly popular in their own category and the one I dined in is across the overhead bridge we walked to from SS15. We making our way in by 12.15pm for an early lunch before being swarmed by the rest of the customers. To order? No.no. Not asking and checking. Instead menu calling. Honestly, I didn't except in this coffee style eatery. I suppose I was wrong and trust me, pretty much quite a lengthy selection of dishes from which we opting for Ipoh Hor Fun (Chicken Kuey Teow Soup), Curry Laksa, Roasted Chicken Rice and Bean Sprouts Soy Sauce.