China - Wuhan

1 week trip to Wuhan to visit my grandparents. It has been 8 years since I been to Wuhan so I'm actually pretty excited.

Day 1 - Arrived at Wuhan airport in the evening and had quick dinner at the airport. Afterwards, took the Metro to my grandparents' place which took me 2 hours. Yes, Wuhan is really huge.

Day 2 - Wuhan is famous for its breakfast thus first thing is to have my favorite breakfast of all-time Re Gan Mian (Hot Dry Noodle). The noodle looks ordinary but it is actually extremely delicious and addictive - made up of sesame sauce, sesame oil, chili oil, carrot crumbs, veg crumbs.

Strolling along the old streets where I grew up, basically look exactly the same as 20 years ago except the there used to be no shopping mall (left).

Day 3 - Took cab with grandparents and cousin to the East Lake (one of the largest lakes in southern china) for a walk. The boat tours were closed due to rainy weather.

Instead, we took a stroll along the walking/shopping street where there are lots of shops and food.

Day 4 - Decided to switch things up today for breakfast. I went for my 2nd favorite breakfast food - Dou4 Pi2 (Toufu Skin) - it is made up of omelette, glutinous rice, dried tofu, dried mushroom, pork crumbs.

At night, I took a walk to the Yangtze river (I lived 20 minutes walking away from the river). Yangtze river is a largest river in China and the night view is amazing.

Day 5 - Took the ferry to opposite side of the Yangtze river to Han4 Kou3 - this is actually where the main Wuhan is. Did some window shopping and experiencing the vibe of downtown Wuhan.

Day 6 - I decided to embark on an amazing race today (not the bad decision due to the boiling weather approx. 35 degree). I planned to visit the old house of my paternal grandparents where I used to live 20 years ago. Have no idea its exact location but I roughly know which district it is at within the city. In order to make things more interesting, I did not take bus (I used to take bus 20 years ago so I might know where to stop) and opted for Metro. The Metro system was only built few years ago so I can only estimate where to alight.

Apparently, there was no Metro station that was close to the place so I just alighted on a stop based on my gut feel. I walked approximately 1.5 hours under the scorching sun until I finally see some resemblance of the place. Eventually, after 2 hours+ of walking plus short follow-up bus rides, I found the place - it looked exactly the same as 20 years ago.

Day 7 - Night at Wuhan, another night of exploration. The ancient tower was closed to visitors so I could only take picture from afar.

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.

Thailand - Changmai

First trip to Chang Mai ~ with Kaixin and 2 of her friends

Day 1 (4th Nov) - Early morning flight to Chang Mai, via SilkAir. Landed in Chang Mai at 10:30 and the Airport was pleasantly near the city area: Old Town. As it was too early to check-in, we left our luggage at hotel reception and headed out for lunch. The Old Town is a little larger than we expected, and it took us almost 20 minutes to walk to the central area, where we hungrily looked for authentic Thai food.

Somehow caught their annual lantern festival

Day 2 (5th Nov) - Rise at 9am to catch hotel breakfast, then go back to bed for rest. Close to noon we were pondering over where to go, and eventually decided on a half-day tour outside the town.

Resembles grand palace

View from top of the hill

Day 3 (6th Nov) - Really early day to prepare for our 8:30am pick-up for day tour.

Their supposedly traditional village, there's absolutely nothing to see

Day 4 (7th Nov) - Last chill in Changmai before home-sweet-home. Generally Changmai is a pretty boring place with more expensive massage. Bangkok is much more happening in terms of activities/food and crowds.

China - Dalian

First trip to Northeast part of China. It's going to be a week short trip visiting Dalian factory with 2 other colleagues. Flew alone via Xiamen Airlines and it was a dread, transit, waiting, squeezy plane.

Reached Dalian in the evening and thankful company arranged a chauffeur to pick me up directly to the dinner place. Had I would say the best quality steamboat of my life. The chicken is literately the most tender steamboat chicken ever eaten and even better than Hai Di Lao.

Shangri-La Hotel was luxurious, fantastic room.

Day 2 (Tuesday):

Headed down early for hotel breakfast, not enough sleep. But the breakfast food was not too bad.

A long and tiring day spent visiting and understanding the Da Lian factory. After work, followed one of the manager for some local restaurant, which was alright. Finally some free time at night to roam around Da Lian city centre, and snapped some pictures.

Day 3 (Wednesday): Full day of factory assessment, forgettable day. Da Lian team treated dinner again, and this time was at Peking Duck restaurant. Learnt a new way to eat Peking Duck, dip in sugar.

Day 4 (Thursday): Full day of assessment again, tiring and forgettable day, but assessment finally concluded. Had to entertain Dalian colleagues for BBQ dinner again, but the food was really good.

Day 5 (Friday): Had to go office for half-day of wrap up session. Finally was able to conclude in the afternoon at about 3+pm. Finally, time to explore streets of Dalian!

By following our driver's recommendation, I took a 'casual stroll' towards the coast. The stroll turned our not so casual as it was around a 45 minute walk and I was definitely under-dressed. The wind was gushing so strong at the coast.

Paid a visit to the fake Venice which was alright and then had KFC dinner before hailing a cab back to the hotel. Almost died from the cold, should have wore a jacket.