2018 Highlights and Recap

If you have been following my blog for a while, you would notice I have been inactive for most of 2018.  I see it as a good thing - it means I've got too many things to do - and if you also follow my IG, you would easily see why...  17 trips, 10 countries, countless cities in a mere 52 weeks!

15,000 feet @ Airlie Beach

2017 Highlights and Recap

What can I say?  2017 has been hectic (in a good way).  Traveled to places beyond expectation for sure.  Keeping the post short for the sake of both of us.  Just some highlights.  For more photos, you can check out my Google Album or follow me on my Instagram. :)

Bedouin Camp @ Wadi Rum, Jordan

Surviving Seoul

Just returned from Seoul for another business trip.  Korea has to be one of the very few countries I constantly feel lost even after a few visits.  So, I decided to put a few pointers that hopefully will help travelers who don't speak Korean to get around (outside the typical tourist spots).

Trip to Middle Earth (aka New Zealand) - South Island

Continuing on my post on New Zealand, focusing on the South Island this time~  As everyone else who has been to NZ will tell you, South Island is worth more of your time.

Trip to Middle-Earth (aka New Zealand) - North Island

It's been over 2 years since I returned from New Zealand so why bother talking about it now.  Well, my baby brother told me he wants to go there with his girlfriend after Easter 2017.  You have no idea how worried my mom and I have been since he dropped the news!  According to my brother, New Zealand went from a "10" to an "8" every time he comes and asks me for trip tips.  (My mom never felt that way about me traveling and I am planning a trip to the Middle East... LOL)

Auckland

Nishimuraya Honkan Kinosaki Onsen (城崎溫泉 西村屋本館): the food

So, here's the post on our dinner and breakfast at Nishimuraya Honkan.  When I can still describe how the food taste after all this time, you know it is a very memorable meal!


The most memorable of all~
Grilled kani-miso!

Nishimuraya Honkan Kinosaki Onsen (城崎溫泉 西村屋本館): the ryokan and surroundings

Another year, another crab season.  Did you know the Matsuba Crab is only available from November to March every year?  I had an unforgettable experience at Nishimuraya Honkan in Kinosaki.  It was a splurge but it is worth every penny!  We were definitely spoiled by the food and the hospitality.



Garden view from main entrance at Nishimuraya Honkan



Kagiya (鍵屋) @ Ine-Cho ( 伊根町)

When I really love something, my friends would hear me talking about it non-stop.  Kagiya (鍵屋) in Ine-cho is one of those places.  It is not the easiest to get to  but it was so worth it.  I have been keeping it hush-hush on the blog but I always think about my experience there every year around this time.  If there is a next time, I will need to at least spend 2 nights there, with one day fully dedicated to fishing. :)

 

Ine is sometimes referred to "Venice of Japan" but a lot less known and much quieter. 

Seoul Impression

Seoul is the perfect mash up of the old and the new, divided by the Han River.  Work brought me here earlier this year and because of the complexity and issues encountered on the project, I felt like I was here a very long time.  (Indeed, I was working and living here for a total of 5 weeks… in the dead on winter no less!)

Spring Scream (春吶), Kenting, Taiwan (April 2015)

For some reason, attending Spring Scream in Kenting (墾丁) has always been on my bucket list.  It's like Lollapalooza in the US, Clockenflap in HK.  It so happened Spring Scream was happening the same week as Easter, which means, I only need to take 1 or 2 days off to enjoy a short trip!  Found cheap plane tickets with Cathay, booked my hostels, and off I went!  (Not to mention Yayoi Kusama was having an exhibition at the Kaohsiung Cultural Centre at the time!)  Taiwan is always a no brainer for me when I only have 4 or 5 days of vacation.

Night Markets of Taipei (4): Raohe Night Market (饒河街觀光夜市)

Raohe Night Market (饒河夜市) is a very lively night market located towards the northeastern part of Taipei.  It used to be the easiest to get to via taxi u.  Now, it's super convenient to go to Raohe Night Market by metro: just get off at Songshan Station (Xindian/Songshan line).

Night Markets of Taipei (3): Shida Night Market (師大夜市)

Another night market I find myself going a lot is the Shida Night Market (師大夜市).  Compared to the other night markets, there are less food stands but it's a great night market for the ladies who love to shop!  The limited number of food stand doesn't mean the food here is bad.  In fact, quite the contrary in my opinion.

Uluru 3D2N Camping Tour with Emu Run

I have been incredibly busy since 2015 started but hopefully if you followed my Instagram you can still see glimpses of my life.  Very behind on my blog updates but I haven't given up.  I will try my best to catch up and let's start with my most recent camping trip to Uluru, Australia with Emu Run.  (More photos to follow!)

Night Markets of Taipei (2): Huaxi Street Tourist Night Market (華西街觀光夜市)

Another market close to the Taipei Station.  Just by telling from the name, you can see Huaxi Street Tourist Night Market is catered towards tourists.  It is actually well-known for the exotics (e.g. snakes) but there are plenty of choices for non-exotic folks like us as well :)

Huaxi during the day

Night Markets of Taipei (1): Ningxia Night Market (寧夏夜市)

I love going to night markets when I am in Taipei.  There are at least 6 night markets (Ningxia 寧夏, Huaxi 華西, Shida 師大, Tonghua 通化, Shihlin 士林, Raohe 饒河) and each of them is similar yet different.  In the next few posts, I will walk you through each of the night markets I've been and some of the shops I went or peaked my interest.  Hope you will find this helpful and enjoy!

Ningxia is the nearest one from Taipei Station.  It is also my favorite.  It offers a wide variety of Taiwanese snacks and most of them are very tasty.

Hotel Double One (倆人旅館)

I want to switch gears and tell you about a hotel I stayed in Xin Beitou last February 2014.  Again, apologize for the untimely update but if you follow me on Instagram (@letstalkfoodandetc), you will know I have been quite busy these days... hahaha!

Inner Mongolia: The Experience (5): The Food

Finally, no post from me is complete without talking about the food.  (You really think I would miss this, huh?)

I miss the milk, the blueberry soft serve, fresh lamb meat, and all the local dishes I tried there.  I will never look at lamb and mutton the same ever again.

If I can choose one thing and one thing only from this trip (food-wise),
this would be what I missed the most.

Inner Mongolia: The Experience (4): Meeting the Locals

We met a lot of great locals during our trip.  First and foremost, our drivers and guides on this trip. They took great care of us during our entire stay in Inner Mongolia.  We didn't have to worry about a thing.  I can't say it enough that a good driver is very important when you are planning a trip to Inner Mongolia.  Not only they are your driver and guide, they also pick your accommodations, restaurants, etc.  They are your person when you are there. Without them, we probably won't end up in Qi Qian and we probably won't enjoy ourselves as much in Inner Mongolia.  Thank you!

Mr. and Mrs. Cheong
If you want to contact Mr. Cheong for his service, click here!
(Sorry, his website is Chinese only but his wife can assist.)

Inner Mongolia: The Experience (3): The Picturesque Mongolia

During my one week trip in Inner Mongolia, we have definitely see a lot of beautiful places.  Basically, you pull out your camera, take a shot, and it will be postcard ready.

One of the most beautiful sunset I have ever seen in my life

Inner Mongolia: The Experience (2): Qi Qian, The Last Frontier

The most memorable place I went this trip is arguably a tiny town called Qi Qian (奇乾).  It is a border town next to Russia (we were told we may get shot if we try to go into the water) and there are only six households (including one household of livestock).