Thailand - Bangkok

4th visit to Bangkok - first time on official business trip. Feeling like a seasoned Bangkok traveler knowing the ins and outs of this city. Having already been to all major attractions, this post will mostly be about food.

First meal in Bangkok, went to the usual Pad Thai stall near Thong Lor BTS for the egg omelette, good for supper but a little oily. The oysters are a little overwhelming so this is better for sharing instead of eating alone.

Look at the sheer number of oysters

Day 1 - Thursday

Woke late for breakfast as the event only start at noon, typical hotel breakdown, not much to show.

After a long day of sitting, ready for some yum yum Thai food for dinner. Thailand colleagues are treating us for traditional Thai food at a nearby restaurant. Haven't seen some of the food before.

Forgot what is this, probably thai fish cake

 

                              This is wrapped chicken                        Desert banana, quite special

Day 2 - Friday

Early morning for me since 2nd day of meeting starts at 9 am. As omelette the previous morning was disappointing so i turned to poached egg.

Salmon poached egg, safe choice

After a long morning of meeting, heads to hotel restaurant for buffet lunch again...still quite full. Not too much to show for lunch, except for desert below - mini stick rice XD

Mini stick rice (no mango)

Meeting finally ended and some of the colleagues left to catch Friday night planes home. For dinner I strolled to the nostalgic Soi 38 to relive some CAPAP memories, although Soi 38 doesn't really exist anymore. There are no longer stalls along the streets, and a few stalls who stayed shifted under the building.

Mixed chicken rice, only 60 bahts can you believe it, really full

Day 3 - Saturday

Wake up ready for a day of action, mostly shopping. For hotel breakfast, managed to receive the perfect omelette. Cooking time was just right, with spinach, ham, mixed pepper, onion.

Did a bit of work and slacked the rest of the morning away. Famous Pad Thai is near my hotel (same stall as first night's oyster omelette. Somehow eat in is 120 baht and takeaway is 100 baht, so no choice takeaway back to hotel.

Famous Pad Thai, yum yum (10/10) perfection

Supposed to head out after lunch but ended up napping, so close to wasting the entire day. Hurried to National Stadium station - MBK mall for shopping of underwear. But look what I found upon entering, After You Cafe! Food again!!

Mandatory After You Toast, after you please

Didn't eat this, but these pancakes look so nice

After securing  my mandatory underwear in MBK, walked to Siam area for some final peep at CentralWorld. Unfortunately street food outside CentralWorld is gone so need to think of alternate dinner plans. Final decision is to head back to hotel for dinner.

Dinner - 50 baht Wanton Mee (7/10)

Supper - 100 Baht Mango Stick Rice (9/10)

Day 4 - Sunday (Home Sweet Home)

Home sweet home, shall not show anymore omelettes since it's the same everyday. But managed to get more Mango Stick Rice on the plane...although portion not so worth it.

                                   Expectation                                       Reality, literately one slab of mango 

Canada - Montreal

Drive to Montreal

Canada - Toronto

Short trip to Toronto

Canada - Calgary

Summer trip to Canada to visit my grandparents, along with me are Kaixin, Sharon and Mother-in-Law. Flight will stopover at Vancouver for short transit before taking a domestic transfer to Calgary.

Australia - Melbourne

2nd Trip to Australia, but first trip to East Australia

Overnight flight to Melbourne, via SIA. Whole night of no sleep on the plane.

Day 1 - 24th Feb (Sat) - Melbourne City

Reached Melbourne at 8am and loaded our luggage at le hotel. First day's plan was to rest and recover. First thing we saw out of the terminal was this Hungry Jack's restaurant - apparently it's just Burger King with a different name.

We bought some Macs back to hotel for check-in and rest, and napped until evening. Not feeling too refreshed, we walked out to chinatown area for brief stroll, and we (I) chose Xiao Long Bao for dinner huehue. We then continue heading to river area of Melbourne for some night view. Night was spent roaming around river area of Melbourne and some Casino.

Along the river

As usual, our favorite game is Craps again. Low stake, low reward.

Day 2 - 25th Feb (Sun) - Melbourne City

Woke late and headed towards Victoria Market for Brunch. Passed by some random street protest.

Dinner was back at the river at a famous Steakhouse. Order tenderloin steak, ribs, and onion rings. Their ribs and onion rings are pure goodness.

Pure goodness

Day 3 - 26th Feb (Mon) - Brighton Beach

Took Uber to visit Brighton Beach. It's really not that accessible I guess Uber or self-drive is the only way to get there. The place is alright good for photo-taking but gets boring after awhile.

Dinner at famous Steakhouse again. This time the ribs are a little overcooked and dry, slight disappointed. Casino once again.

Day 4 - 27th Feb (Tue) - Great Ocean Road towards Apollo Bay

Picked-up car and head towards Great Ocean Road, final destination Apollo Bay. Quite a tiring drive, although not as bad as Grand Canyon to LA.

Carpark of our hostel, facing the ocean

Windy beach, romantic vibe

Day 5 - 28th Feb (Wed) - 12 Apostles towards Yarra Valley

Great Ocean Road drive continues, head to final destination of 12 Apostles

Picture perfect and strong wind

When it starts raining and no shelter in sight

In the afternoon, we departed Great Ocean Road, and started our journey to Yarra Valley, another long drive.

Haunted-looking road into our cottage

Day 6 - 1st Mar (Thu) - Yarra Valley

Yarra Valley day touring wildlife sanctuary and wine valley

Healesville Sanctuary

Lunch and afternoon was spent at wine-tasting restaurant. The entire Yarra Valley region has good scenery.

Yarra Valley wine tasting, great scenery

Day 7 - 2nd Mar (Fri) - Yarra Valley back to Melbourne

Feed the goat and drive back to Melbourne. Final day in Melbourne, headed to Victoria Market again for more fresh Oysters. Afternoon was spent outlet shopping with Kaixin.

Day 8 - 3rd Mar (Sat) - Melbourne City back to Singapore

Afternoon flight back to Singapore. Generally a pretty tiring trip as I never totally recovered from 1 night of no sleep, and my tummy didn't treat me well.