Nyonya Okra Sambal

Nyonya me (Vegetarian Nyonya Laksa). Nyonya you (Stir Fried Jicama). Right. Me the home chef who can share my expertise on Nyonya cuisine (Mee Siam Kuah Vegetarian). Willingly of course. As an add-value for my professional as a life coach. Why can't I not or why  shouldn't I by the way? My Nyonya recipes (Ayam Masak Keluak) speaking for themselves and me having belted quite a good number of years to Nyonya cuisine cooking in my kitchen (Nyonya Acar Fish). Obviously, there are no short. No short? That's right. No short of Nyonya recipes (Nyonya Hot and Sour Fish Noodles) in this precious space of mine which, again said, is like a bonus for my clients and anyone for the matter.

Bentong, Pahang (Nava K's Discovery)

Bentong and not Betong. Betong (Thailand Nava K's Tripping). Yep sure. I admit. Honestly, I never knew Betong existed. Not anymore though. I can now confidently tell you the highs and lows or even spill the whole truth to Betong (Betong Episode 3). Bentong on the other hand? Of course. To a certain extent due to Bentong in Pahang is country known fact and also due to me having headed to Bentong. Lets say maybe like 4 to five times so far. However, nothing much really explored because when you head to Bentong for functions and like return home immediately. Regardless, after this weekday trip of mine towards Bentong discovery alongside my two friends. An unhurried, without putting any deadline pressure to driving for a stress relieving trip. Really, we didn't want to rush and we really yearning for, lets take our time in discovering Bentong. No itinerary whatsoever. Neither did we book our overnight stay. Basically, a going with the flow, free and easy trip and we agreeing that we shall decide on the next course of our travelling action once we arrive in Bentong.

Betong, Thailand (Nava K's Weekend Tripping) - Episode 3

End of Episode 2 (Betong Episode 2), followed by? Obviously must be Episode 3 right? Of course. From Betong Hot Spring to Namtok Inthason Waterfall. What’s with waterfall? Because I insisted. Me so loving water seeing and hearing, and water as my healing therapy for cleansing my body, mind and soul. Moreover, since we had to pass by the route Namtok Inthason Waterfall is located, why not? No harm done. Mountainous water cascading from a few levels higher up and flowing at its own sound of music. However, as far as I know, Namtok Inthason Waterfall is not a prominent water figure of Betong (Betong Part 1) and if I am not mistaken, have not been maintained for maybe the longest time.

Maybe that's there was no one was around except us even during this weekend. Can be quite eerie mind you. Then again, for the brave hearts, nothing can or should stop you from picnicking and water dipping. We on the other hand? 10 minutes most to most before heading to Winter Flower Garden. 

Betong, Thailand (Nava K's Weekend Tripping) - Episode 2

Did I? Did I sleep? What should I possibly? Say? Loud knocking and slamming of doors until almost 6am, and me at first like, wondering if Betong hotel devils are playing sparks. Not until later, once I put two and two together conclusively? Oh! The tale of Betong. The prominent tale to alcohol and after effects of clubbing or even maybe? Strip Shows or Tiger Shows taking a toll on human devils. Human devils not as in males only. Even the horrifying giggles of women? Remember, I told you (Betong Thailand Episode 1)? Betong is? The sex land for men. Can Betong be the sex land for women? You figure it out for yourself. Whatever! Hopping out of bed by 6.30am after like sleeping, maybe 4 hours most to most, I showered and down to the lobby. My two friends? They are always the earliest birds. They in fact had already embarked on a mini tour within the nearby area and we later, going with the flow of Betong streets for, where can breakfast be. 

Betong, Thailand (Nava K's Weekend Tripping)

Betong? I went like, where the hell is Betong? Is there such a place as Betong in the first place? Honestly guys, I'm not shy to admit I have never ever heard of Betong in my entire life. In fact, when my two friends, the couple, the husband and wife team I travel with every now and then mentioned Betong and also asked me if I want to join them for a road trip to Betong, for a minute or two, I really didn't know what to say. Of course, how could I have possibly said no (Jogjakarta & Kyoto/Osaka)? Me and my love for travelling and trust me, as long as I am able, there will no bracket to me globe tracking (Kuantan) whether in country bound (Pulau Ketam, Penang & Langkawi) or across the sea. Anyway, once I digested the fact that Betong is actually a town in Southern Thailand, near our Malaysian border, which by the way didn't matter to me, nor I cared too hooks where I will be heading (Melaka, Port Dickson & Sungkai), I quickly and loudly said yes without even checking with my other half-half. 

Surakarta (Solo) - Jogyakarta

The last day. In fact, the finale. The finale to our sightseeing before we permanently bid bye-bye to Yogyakarta. That's right everyone. Our last day to sightseeing which will put a permanent full-stop before we pack our bags and return home next morning. Will I return to "Jogja" again? I don't think so (Jogyakarta Part 3 & Jogyakarta Part 2) because I am one person who seldom travel venture to the same destination again and I think we have to a certain extent already achieved much in terms of Jogja sightseeing. Or maybe, just saying, there are other sightseeing spots we have missed out? Then again, what else can you do in Jogja? (Mount Merapi Tour & Borobudur Yogyakarta)? You tell me. For those of you who have already travel conquered Jogyakarta at the back of your hands, maybe you will be the best person who can tell?    

Yogyakarta, Indonesia ( Day 3) - Nava K Trailed

Buffet breakfast.The first and foremost on our third day. Buffet breakfast, as you know travellers, those of you who travel for business or pleasure so be it, generally is included in our hotel stay Unless otherwise? You have opted out for reasons only you know best? You and your reasons could possibly be? You are not a breakfast person or you prefer to seek your own, your start-up meal of the day? You can. Certainly. But make sure when you book your room, you have made it known. Some hotels do allow, others, sorry to say, I think you have to take the deal. I usually, I grab the deal whenever I am galloping the horizon. Easier, convenient and saves my time. Local inbound tripping on the contrary, well, a different food matter altogether for me. I won’t mind, sure, I am all in for walking my Malaysian ground for food seeking (Kuantan Pahang & Vistana Kuantan City Centre). Anywhere. Literally. Coffee shops or even street stalls. 

Kuantan (Pahang) - Nava K Travel Guide (Part 2)

Where else and what else for us in Kuantan (Kuantan Part 1 & Vistana Kuantan)? Well, food spotting or perhaps better for me to say as dinner hunger tucking in. Food of course is a compulsory matter right, no matter where we are? Whether we have crossed the horizon for out of the country travel venturing or within our own country in-bound? Precisely. Weather in Kuantan on this day, hell-hack of a weather. Rainy day. Rain which started pouring, mind you, one of the heaviest for causing sky darkness as early as 6.00pm and we on the other hand, braving rain for heading to Ana Ikan Bakar Petai. At the suggestion of our Kuantan friend who have been driving us around from the time we arrived in Kuantan. According to him further, Ana Ikan Bakar Petai seemingly is the populous. In other words, the popularity. Ana Ikan Bakar Petai is the one that draws much more customers compared to the rest of the other ikan bakar/grilled fish eateries I bet you will notice while on your way to within this specific long stretch of road. Ana Ikan Bakar Petai and the rest however are simultaneous. Meaning, these are the unassuming, basic, stall kinda concept eateries and most probably, I'm guessing by the way, offering the same kinda food.    

Jogyakarta, Indonesia - Day 2, (Part 2)

What a start for the day. Interesting, trilling, exciting, mind boggling and sweat dripping profusely as well. In fact, I must tell you that its been a promising Jogyakarta so far. First day basically exposing us to our first full blown Jogyakarta meal, followed by the hours, around, all around as far further as we could by walking our legs in and out of Jalan Malioboro (Yogyakarta, Indonesia). This morning on the other hand, anyone for the matter who come this far to Jogyakarta will, must seek and explore Borobudur. Borobudur definitely being the height for sunrise watching and Borobudur Temple by itself the lock, stock and barrel of Yogyakarta travelling porn. Thereafter, we heading to the other packaged together tourist spots (Yogyakarta Day 2) and later, my-my, the other side of Jogyakarta must experience, mountain trailing Mount Merapi adventure (Mount Merapi Jeep Tour), which by far is about understanding and gasping the facts to Mount Merapi and its after effects, fieriness consequences. Up next? Our scheduled lunch brekkie. Badly looked forward to due to jeep tour ending us energy drained, plus, remember, we wee hours jump starting our day? Honestly, once Merapi Jeep Tour ended, food hunger throne had automatically taken charge of our mind until it didn't matter where lunch will be. Neither did we bother checking with our tour guide. Nevertheless, never did we expect in our slightest moment that lunch will be a top notch, on all counts stealer in Restaurant Timpul Roso.      

Kuantan (Pahang) - My Travel Guide

Kuantan and this lady Nava K, seriously, dead serious actually, who want to achieve one of her missions, for the longest time she has been harbouring “To Love Malaysia Is To Discover Malaysia”? She mind you, no doubt been doing good so far, yet, she is not going to pull the brakes to inbound sightseeing (Penang Sightseeing, Pulau Ketam & Langkawi). What about Kuantan, are you asking? Honestly, we were alien to each other. We never ever met at all. This is our first ever time. Strange isn't it? I know. Speak about what else and the things we are aiming to achieve, while knowingly or unknowingly allowing the years to pass by, and then, without us realising, kick the bucket or living to regret? Inevitably.

Mount Merapi Jeep Tour - Jogyakarta, Indonesia (From Nava K To You)

Adventurous exciting one hack of a hack Yogyakarta jeep sightseeing tour. Loved it to every bit of its core until its still memorable till this day as I pitch my this travelling gram. Mount Merapi Jeep Tour, in case you don’t know or you have not heard of, is a must do. No matter what, I suggest you include it if you have come this far to this part of the world. Trust me, you won’t regret because each and every moment you ponder back on your Jogyakarta travel tripping, I can assure you that Mount Merapi Jeep Tour will pop up on your mind. Utterly, my one of the best among the rest of my treasured lifetime experience. Wee hours conquered and broken in Borobudur Temple, followed by other eye catching sightseeing segments (Jogyakarta Day 2, Borobudur & Yogyakarta Day 1), subsequently,  Mount Merapi Jeep Tour wild card pulled out from the rest of the itinerary cards the moment we arrived at the not really a big open space where we hopped into the jeep. Three to a jeep for kick starting our one and a half hours Mount Merapi Jeep Tour. For those of you who will be doing your own free and easy sightseeing instead of like our tour package, you also have to decide between the different jeep tour packages, of course, money paying simultaneously.  

Vistana Kuantan City Centre

Airbnb, no air whatever air home stay, relatives/friend’s house or hotels? Say all you want, say all you like or say none, perhaps better for you not to open your mouth, hotel is definitely our absolute number one pick. Hotel. Yes hotel. Not the budgeted nor low cost hotels though, neither we are free loaders, nothing is free in this world for your information, but a decent hotel we can afford. Of course, given a choice, I want the best among the rest. Maybe if there's 7 star or 8 star high status exclusive hotels, I want it all. Yet, the reality is otherwise. Unless money is sunny, come on people, let's get real. Can we travel within our means? Precisely. 

Yogyakarta Day 2 - From Nava K To You

Eventually and finally. My lifelong, for the years I have been stalling mission, my many years put on hold mission eventually became reality. Borobudur (Borobudur & Yogyakarta Travel Guide) finally, yippee-yeh, listed as an achievement on my travelling wonder lust. What’s the big deal, are you asking me? Excuse me? Of course, it is definitely a big deal for an average ordinary Malaysian like me. Malaysians like me, we not only juggle between our high daily financial commitment and monthly cost of living, we mind you, have to provide for our aged parents and siblings who are money dependent on us as well. Only thereafter, anything extra we struggle to save bit by bit is kept aside as our money revenue for exploring the world.Trust me, unlike our current generation who are money pampered and money handed out in a silver platter by parents, or dolls who hassle money from sugar daddies, for us, in our fifties, its our hard earned precious money. Money by right we should be keeping aside for our old age instead of travel spending because, as I have already said before (Attractions In Penang), expect no much from children who won't hesitate dumping you when you can't fan for yourself, Sadly, this is the reality bullet from our supposedly educated, professional and earning well Generation Y.     

Attractions In Penang - Nava K Spotted

Penang! Absolutely Penang indeed. No, no, not another of my Penang trip-tripping rolled out from my sleeves. It is in fact, the continuity, can you still remember my previous Penang pitching? Remember, I also included my the bitchy me the bitchy side of me? I told you about my long winded family ties and my love getting harder and tougher as the years are heading further in our fifties (Penang Sightseeing Guide, Penang Food Guide & The Wembley Hotel)? Family ties? I think is a never ending hard to shallow reality. Whether from your side of the family or in-laws? Once I start talking, there will be no end to family ties? Even marriage, I reckon over the years can be quite a thing. Travelling together by far is not the same anymore once the years catches up on us. I know. I anyway have been someone who have been travelling on my own. Of course, thrown in our every now and then marriage love rekindling travelling. But the years to marriage can take a toll, trust me, marriage in our fifties is a different kinda phase. Bones lacking in strength, energy already eaten up, in return our lacking in stamina, our patience dwelling down and the years to adjusting to each other for the better or for the worst. I really can't speak on your behalf, I personally find that either we accommodate and respect our spouses decision to staying put in the room or we literally force them, or we do sightseeing on our own. 

Borobudur - Yogyakarta (From Nava K To You)

12am to 3am. 3 hours of Nava K’s cat nap. Fairly fair I suppose. As it is, sleeping is hell for me on most days, sometimes, every now and then, its no doubt an appreciated my bed at home heaven, but no matter what, no matter how many times I sleep alone while travelling, this madness of scary shit sleeping alone is still bitchy. Nevertheless, the few hours of to and fro from Malioboro Street (Yogyakarta Indonesia), forget not I was up from bed so early for catching my flight and trust me, in and out of airports can get tiring as well, I think did justice for sleep knocking me. Jumping out of bed at the ring of my phone almost instantly, worried if I will keep the rest waiting, I showered, I sipped into the coffee at my own service in my room and I came down to the lobby where I collected the packed breakfast. Sandwiches and some cut fruits in a plastic container. No buffet breakfast on this day because we had to depart by 4.00am for Borobudur Sunrise Watching. And so we did. Sharp on the dot, maybe give in and gave, our 45 minutes journey, approximately, to Central Java landed us in Borobudur.