Hong Kong (Part 1)

It has been a while since I wrote here. 

I've been lazy and unmotivated to update this space, but recently, I met someone who pretty much inspired me to blog again.

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Anyway, I just returned from my Hong Kong trip and now I'm down with slight fever and flu 

*sobs* what luck I have.

It was an impromptu trip. How? So it goes like this...

I was having dinner with a friend, Hong Hao, at this Cantonese restaurant Mitzo somewhere in Somerset. Every dish there was SOOOO satisfying which made us crave for more (or even the actual cantonese dishes in Hong Kong). So crazy me suggested that we should probably fly to Hong Kong to eat. And TA-DA! Within the next few days, we booked our flights and accomodations and YAY! WE ARRIVED IN HONG KONG!

Yes yes, I like steady friends. I like people who love to travel as much as I do.

It's a pretty chill trip as we both have been to HK before. So actually, we didn't explore much. Basically everyday, we EAT, SHOP, SLEEP, REPEAT.

(hahaha, many people are complaining that I've been snapchatting too much food during the trip :'))

Anyway, if you haven't follow me on Snapchat, add me! @kerrqi

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And the following are some visuals from the trip, without edits.

Whee! New console, new system!

Last minute crash course some simple cantonese dialogues :')

Yung Kee Restaurant

Famous for: Roast goose
32-40 Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong

5 minutes walk from MTR Central Station (Exit D2)
Price: $$$

I didn't even had time to digest that roast goose, and was dragged to the next eating place.

Mak's noodle was closed, thus we settled for this.

(I forgot the name but it's just opposite Mak's noodle, hehe) 

AND IT TURNED OUT TO BE SOOOOOO FREAKING FLAVORFUL!

Had a few drinks at Lan Kwai Fong before heading back to our hotel's sky bar.

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Photos are taken from Casio Ex 10 and Sony Camera

Till later, xo

Bangkok Travel Log (Part 1)

My first YouTube video up! 

Sorry for the long wait! Video editing is still new to me!

Subscribe to my channel for more travel logs! *loves*

2015 Travel Plans

A quarter of 2015 has passed just like that. Time flies, doesn't it?

Have you been enjoying 2015 so far?

Have you worked on any of your "2015 new year resolution"?

Have you done anything that made you a better person this year?

I guess, it's a wake up call for me.

"Time changes everyone"

Since January, I've been away from home. From Thailand to United Kingdom, and now in Scotland. Everyone thought I must be having the time of my life, but I beg to differ. Nonetheless, I'm thankful for sure.

Many things happened lately, and its hard for me to explain my true feelings. Those inner voices I hear everyday, decisions I have to make, and people I have to please. They contradict but I kept mum anyway because I really have no idea how should I make things better - for them and for myself. I wanted to pen down my thoughts for the longest time, but I couldn't,

In this short 3 months, I've lost count of the number of times I cried in secret. I was stressed, dejected and lost. I was afraid that I would make a mistake, but what if not trying is the mistake? 

I want to be free. I don't want to be restricted in any way. I want to be myself, the me I knew and not someone I almost couldn't recognise. If such freedom will cost someone's happiness, should I still fight for it?

I told myself to give it another try, and I did. But again and again I found myself back to the same question, why bother? It has become tiring for me to "fake" a smile even though I may not meant to be. Every day I have to carefully "draft" my speech just so I wouldn't hurt anyone and at the same time hide my true feelings.

"If stress burned calories, I'd be a supermodel now"

I did share a little with a few close friends, some advice me to settle it asap, while some advice me to try again and see how. Sigh, I wish I could settle everything once and for all, as I don't wish to hurt anyone including myself any more. Prolonging this problem doesn't do anyone good. Why did I even... ugh

I prayed about this every day, asked for God's sign and all. In fact, like the past, I do believe that I saw those signs in 4 consecutive nights. Just that I wasn't sure if I interpreted them correctly, so I waited again. 

What else can I do?

Dear stress, let's break up.

All in all, I would say it's my personal problem. I don't know how to say it but I just don't feel the same any more. How long more should I wait? 

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On a positive side note, the following are my rough travel plans for this year!

April: Iceland, Switzerland, Germany, Czech Republic

May: Ireland, Scotland and UK

June: France, Italy, Croatia, Greece, Turkey, Romania, Hungary, Austria,

July: Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Netherlands, Japan, Korea

September: Bali? Phuket? Krabi? Maldives? Just somewhere chill maybe!

December: Maybe Australia again! Round trip? :D

The second half of 2015's trips are not confirmed, but I'm open to anyone who is interested in travelling with me. Hehe. Or probably, I will just meet random travellers on the way ^^

Anyone up for Korea say end July/ early August? :)

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Lastly, sorry for my late night rants and for not updating this space for a month as I've been busy with assignments and ... dramas :') Guess someone was right about me being 三分钟热度 HAHAH. Sometimes I'm just plain lazy la :( Sorry, I'll improve on that. 

BANGKOK (Part 5)

Been away for some time, sorting out my "new" life.

Let me quickly wrap up the last bit of Bangkok!

Chatuchak Weekend Market, also known as JJ Market, needs no introduction.

Shopping, eating, anything you're in Bangkok for.

*Flights are more steep during the weekend, but it'll be worth it to visit Chatuchak during your Bangkok trip!

All prep for Chatuchak!

Auntie Beh shows her true self :*

Challenge me to eat this everyday?

I wouldn't mind!! This is thus far my favourite dish in Thailand.

I like to add the chilli spice in my soup to add flavor :D

Some locals add sugar!

I found my favourite food in Chatuchak. 

Garlic toast (I chose condense milk - yes I've a thing for it!)

IT WAS HEAVENLY! 

And Beh followed and bought the same one, hehe.

It was only 20 or 25 Baht if I didn't remember correctly!

Then we saw many people holding cute-looking ice cream and tada! 

We found it too and thought we should give it a try.

Nothing fascinating, but eating an ice cream on a hot day wouldn't hurt!

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Authentic Thai Massage, another reason to visit Thailand.

Our accommodation boss recommended Health Land, as we were quite a big group and it is said to have rather good reviews.

Advance booking is required.

(Anyway, it is quite atas so prices are steep)

It is located near our accommodation, and walking distance to Terminal 21.

Be sure to be on time! 

If you're 15 minutes late, they will cancel your booking!

And we ended the trip with a not very nice mookata :(

Cause silly us didn't check and just went in.... and after eating, the famous one "Family mookata" is just next door.

*sobs*

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Photos are taken from Casio Ex-10 and GoPro Hero 4

Working on the Bangkok video, a book review and my current UK trip and 2015 travel plans!

Till later, xo

BANGKOK (Part 4)

Water adventures!

None of us expected ourselves to be visiting a water park during the trip, but it happened and I'm glad I went for it. Travelling to Bangkok isn't just about eating, shopping, clubbing and visiting massage parlours. There are actually several theme parks around, though I went one 2 years ago and was utterly disappointed because it was hell dead quiet during a weekday. It could be due to wrong timing, or perhaps that particular water theme park I went was close to shutting its doors. HAHAHA.

Nevertheless, when Mave initiated to visit a water theme park, we were all hyped! However, this water park isn't in Bangkok itself. It requires a 2.5 hours to 3 hours drive to another small city, Hua Hin.

We rented a van with the help of Mave's connections, and it cost us approx 26SGD per pax (for 6 persons). Only Minni, Mave, Qi Jin, Dex, Nana and I went. The rest went shopping instead (what a waste though!)

Vana Nava, Hua Hin Waterpark

http://www.vananavahuahin.com/

1st opened in last December, it has attracted many to try out the biggest slide in Thailand!

photo credit: http://www.vananavahuahin.com

Entrance fee for the water park is 1000 Baht (approx 40SGD) + 100 Baht deposit.

Other than the water park itself, there are other activities available at additional cost. The following are part of the adventure attractions: Flow rider, rock climbing, rope climbing etc.

And yes, we were all very excited and I even prepared my gopro for some videos and pictures.

However....... we were stopped at the very first attraction.

NO CAMERAS ALLOWED.

(like seriously whatttttt?)

I believe it was for safety reasons, where they expect us to hold on to the handles of the floats at all times, that's why we shouldn't have any extra hands to hold a camera (unless you are an octopus of some sort)

Neither did we want to leave the camera with the lifeguards, nor did we want to go back to Bangkok without a single picture/video... thus, we smuggled a gopro up all the rides.

Yes, it was kind of stupid, clumsy and all because we could only flash out the camera halfway through the rides (when we were busy screaming away).

After many tries, we have well mastered the art of hiding a camera up, taking it out during the ride and hiding it right before we reach the end of the ride where there are (life)guards around.

If you ever thought of visiting Vana Nava, you have to try the following!

Abyss

Boomerango

Freefall (Purple slide) + Aqualoop (Blue slide) 

Hahaha I'm not so courageous to try out Freefall and Aqualoop (but I played the same like Aqualoop in Wild Wild Wet last year!) 

I'm sorry qj :/

After N tries, Minni finally mastered the Buddha jump hahaha

I almost drowned in the wave pool because 1. I was too short and couldn't reach the ground, 2. I wasn't even 50% confident in myself treading water and 3. my very-nice bestie kept pulling me to the deepest end wanting to drown me

-___- "

I sure did enjoy myself despite getting sun burns and feeling nausea

:D

After washing up, we got our photos printed and headed to a seafood restaurant in Hua Hin that our driver recommended.

It was so delicious! Now I do trust local restaurants whose menu are in their own language (which also meant the restaurants are not targeted to tourist). They tend to be more authentic and food are yummier!

No pictures tho :')

Photos taken are from GoPro Hero 4
The more professional group shots are by Canon photographers :)

BANGKOK (Part 3)

22nd Birthday!

feels like I've just aged 5 years

Firstly, I want to thank my dear friends for a super advanced birthday present (which I received a month ago)

GoPro Hero 4 Silver!

Minni, Shannen, Nitro, Qi Jin, Milly, Leon, Zhi Ying, Lian Cheng, Jun Ming, Jin Han, Wen Jie (I'm sorry guys if anyone of you were "forced" hahaha), Brenda, Gina, Jie Ying, Winson, Jasmine, Cheuk Yiu, Yan Ling, Wei Jie and hopefully I didn't miss out any!

And, everyone who wished me through instagram, facebook and whatsapp!
Sorry I haven't been sociable ever since don't-know-when, as I personally would prefer to keep close friends closer, rather than being a social butterfly.

If you feel neglected by me, or we have been close previously, let me know how can I make up to you *hugs*

Not forgetting my family who are 9659.5 miles away, thank you for keeping me in your prayers everyday! And, my mom who likes to send me pictures of me, telling me how much she misses me :*

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Many asked why I didn't throw a big 21st party last year.. 70% reason being I'm socially awkward, 30% I didn't want to disappoint myself if the party didn't go well.

If it's my party, I shouldn't be awkward right? Since everyone invited are my friends.. (True that)

Or rather, I didn't want to end up just hanging with my closest friends and neglect anyone at the party. I know how awkward it is especially at someone else's party. So, nope!

In fact, I love small celebrations individually or in groups. A simple dinner or meet up will do just fine.

This year, it was different. I knew it the moment I decided to come UK.

But who knows

...

...

My dear friends decided to throw me a surprise party during our trip to Bangkok.

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I was directed to a dark room, and they started singing the birthday song... 

There were balloons, decorations, and a big birthday cake.

I was stunned.

I was socially awkward, fidgeting and speechless for a good 10 minutes. 

Inside me was like "O.M.G. What am I supposed to do next? What do you want me to say!"

I was quiet, but I wasn't disappointed by the surprise guys! 

(Don't worry, 我是有被感动到!)

The hotel boss and the kitchen staffs prepared a sumptuous dinner for us. Really thankful!

Big loves to:

 Minni who initiated this surprise party, getting the rest involved and preparing games (which didn't happen cause we were all too tired hahahaha)

Mave who liaised with the hotel boss for the booking of a room, dinner menu and all!

Dex who knows I love Haagen Dazs, and decided to get me a 1kg HD ice cream cake worth $100 sgd. (So thankful for my manager to be my friend HAHAHA, yes the cake is on him)

QiJin, Nana, Jon, Shan and Milly who kept it a secret (though someone almost spilled the beans, oh Milly bean hehe)

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Photos are taken from Casio EX-10 and GoPro Hero 4

Today is my official birthday, and I'm going to do something different. 

Till later, xo