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Foot Massager Vending Machine - The Cheap, Electronic Way @ Platinum Mall [Thailand]

September 6, 2014, 8:30 am
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The above cluster at the basement attracted my attention after an hour of walking around Thailand's premier (just because it was air-conditioned) clothing wholesale market; Platinum Mall! 

Known also as Health Chair, its function is unlike the electronic body massager we can find in some shopping centres in Singapore. The machine focuses only on one aspect of your body. Your feet. 

With just a rubber plate for you to place your feet, i am wondering on its effectiveness until Alex gave it a thumbs-up! At only 10 baht (less than S$0.50) for a 10-minute session, i guess it would be well worth the money!

Essentially, the machine touches on two aspects; the vibration and your feet acupoints! Upon inserting your money, the pointy plate would start to vibrate gently before increasing its intensity.

For a more 'shiok' experience, stand up and hold the steel metal bar using your hands! Your weight will contribute to the 'pressure' on your feet and make them more 'comfortable' after the ten minutes are up.

The screen might occasionally tell you what to do, in somewhat broken English. Sometimes, it would be a video of the great nature although its relevance is questioned; a video still of birds flying would not help to reduce the discomfort!

Nearing the end of the session, the vibration would stop and an outlet would start to blow hot air! I have no understanding what the magic for this step was but it sure did relieve the stress on our feet while we continued with the never-ending shopping! 

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Location
Basement, Platinum Mall,
Bangkok, Thailand

Price
10 Baht per Session
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Bornga Korean BBQ Restaurant @ City Square Shopping Mall [Johor Bahru, Malaysia]

September 7, 2014, 7:37 am
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The very first time i heard of Bornga, it was a negative review; not so much about the food but on the terrible customer service that my colleagues faced at their Vivocity branch.

I personally don't see the point of supporting dining establishments, especially restaurants, with bad customer service and was only mildly keen when friends suggested travelling to Johor where Bornga had another branch. Of course, Johor is in Malaysia with a likely different management.

Without further ado, let's start with the side dishes that often accompanied main Korean dishes and are usually refillable (at least in many Korean restaurants). Nothing spectacular except for the spicy strips of radishes which came with a fresh crunch.

Tray of fresh vegetables; a healthy necessity for any Korean BBQ!

Nothing beats charcoal as the fuel for barbecue! Please be assured that there would be minimal smoke and even if there is, a device would help to reduce the greasy stench on your clothes!

The smoke funnel - a helpful equipment that acts like a vacuum to suck in the smoke! Although quite common nowadays, i am embarrassed to say that it was my virgin experience with it..

Woo Samgyup
Bornga's signature meat - thinly sliced beef brisket in a pool of specially concocted sauce! Given its reputation (and that we have a total of six persons), it's a must to have at least two servings! 

They might look as if there were quite a bit of the meat.

Truth was, the slices shrivelled rapidly in the presence of heat and you should have seen the aghast expressions on our faces; one serving was hardly sufficient to feed even me! 

Whatever the case, it was indeed delicious with a marination that didn't taste as heavy as expected from most barbecued meat in Korean restaurants yet addictive enough to almost entice us to call for a third serving! 

Yangnyum Dwaeji Galbi
Change of grill pan in order to prepare for the grand arrival of a pork based BBQ item. 

Pork ribs marinated in yet another special sauce! Frankly, their dark appearance gave one the impression they were beef rather than pork! 

They were more yummy than the slices of beef brisket; maybe because the texture was chewier and every bite was an automatic generation for more of that delicious meat juice!

Mansinchang Samgyupsal
Bacon is bacon; even if you sprinkle bits of parsley on it. 

I was proven right when i took a bite. The parsley did add to the fragrance but was overall pretty negligible for easygoing taste buds like mine. 

Jap Chae
This was seriously so good that i almost wanted to ask for one plate just for myself! What's amazing was the palatable yet subtle flavour released as i chewed through the noodles; coupled with sesame oil, this should honestly be the signature dish for Bornga!

Budae Jigae
Want to guess what this is?

The popular army stew which came into existence after the Korean War! Ingredients that would give this Korean-American dish away; luncheon meat, baked beans, hot dogs and a slice of cheese! 

Do keep in mind that you might have to wait for around 10 minutes for the stew to come to a boil. 

The taste wasn't as weird as i thought it would be; the broth was darn spicy although the cheese helped by mitigating the spiciness and enhancing the flavour! The Western ingredients in fact went very well with the kimchi and spicy taste! My only complaint? Can we request to add in more ramen?! 

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Wait! Don't leave your table until you are given your complimentary bowl of cold vinegar-based fruit tea! Nowadays, even Ju Shin Jung serves this which was a tad too sour for me. Bring back the sweet rice tea please!!!

Location
106-108, Jalan Wong Ah Fook, MF-23, Level 3, 
City Square Shopping Mall, Johor Bahru


Website (Korean & Chinese)

Price

Woo Samgyup (150g) - RM42
Yangnyum Dwaeji Galbi (250g) - RM33
Mansinchang Samgyupsal (200g) - RM30
Jap Chae - RM30
Budae Jigae - RM65
[Subject to Goods and Services Tax]

Additional Information
Since our dining experience is in Malaysia, the question on many Singaporeans' mind is whether the food at Bornga is cheaper than its Singapore counterpart. 

Answer: it is! As a comparison, Woo Samgyup is S$28 a serving while Budae Jigae is S$42. Based on the current exchange rate of roughly S$1 = RM2.50, the saving to dine in Malaysia is about 39%. 
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Fuji Japanese Restaurant @ Platinum Fashion Mall [Bangkok, Thailand]

September 8, 2014, 7:31 am
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With over ninety branches in Thailand alone, the reputation of Fuji Japanese Restaurant cannot be undermined and even i made it a point to visit every time i am in the Land of Smiles! 

Four long years; that's exactly how long it has been since i last stepped onto the top floor of Platinum Shopping Mall! As usual, i marched straight to Fuji where i am going to have my late lunch and our very first meal after touching down in Bangkok.

California Roll
The taste of UFO Maki  at Megumi was unforgettable in the mind of Alex and he thought this would be a great substitute. 

Pity they were not even half the standard and were, in my honest opinion, as normal as those you can find in takeaway sushi counters.

Tamago Yaki
For a person with a sweet tooth, i found these to be a tad too sweet and deviating from the norm, juicy too! It's like having a piece of tofu that has been over-saturated with too much sweet sauce. 

Fuji Bento Tempura Set
This was a must-order whenever i patronised Fuji and i knew i wouldn't do it much justice if i am not going to blog about this super worth the value bento set! 

I am now wondering if my taste buds have changed in the past four years. I was honestly unimpressed with almost everything you can see in the bento; tempura came warm and not crispy hot; grilled section was not amazing with a weak flavour;  those deep-fried breaded items were slightly better but failed to contain my disappointment over the whole set. 

Worst of the lot was the sushi; some parts were mushy and absolutely unpalatable. Even the "safe" inari turned out to be dry and wrinkly! :(

Watermelon Frost
Frankly the best of what i had at Fuji! The frost was sweet and didn't appear to be filled with artificial sweetener. By the way, a fellow friend had a meal in Fuji at Don Muang airport a few days later and he commented it was pretty nice! So i am keeping my fingers crossed that the bad experience i had is limited only to the branch at Platinum! 

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Location
Level 6 of Platinum Fashion Mall
[Right next to the food court]

Website

Price
California Roll - 230 Baht
Tamago Yaki - 80 Baht
Fuji Bento Tempura Set - 320 Baht
Watermelon Frost - 70 Baht
[Subject to Service Charge]

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Hao Wei Xuan Seafood (豪味軒海鮮) @ Chong Pang [Yishun, Singapore]

September 10, 2014, 9:00 am
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Many people assume i must have been earning a lot of money given the amount of food i seem to enjoy on a very frequent basis. The truth is less glory; i am often the recipient of treats by kind friends / family members and this visit to Hao Wei Xuan Seafood is no different. 

It's an invitation by the paternal grandmother of Jovyn and Jerald to have dinner together (thank you auntie)! The call was on us (the Teo family) to decide on the location and mom suggested Hao Wei Xuan after receiving favourable feedback from her Chong Pang kakis. 

Hot Plate Beancurd (铁板豆腐)
Well, this is one item on the tze char menu that seldom gets me waxing lyrical about it. To make matters worse, i was quite put off by the weird tasting egg beancurd served here. 

Broccoli with Scallops (西蘭花帶子)
The simple way to review this is using the two-prong approach; firstly, the broccoli must be cooked to the right optimal crunch without having to taste raw and secondly, the scallops must be fresh. In all, i am quite satisfied with this dish. 

Mummy Pork Ribs (妈蜜香排)
My love for sweet stuff is well known and i must admit i totally dig the caramelised surface of the pork ribs which was delicious to bite into. The only problem rested with the meat; it was tough to chew!

Red Grouper Steamboat (红斑鱼炉)
Personally, i don't usually order fish steamboat when i am outside as the price is likely to be high and it would be more worth my money to place it with the steamboat restaurants along Liang Seah Street.

There is of course a difference in the freshness of the fish and the type of fish your stomach would eventually be digesting. My key issue is more with the broth. 

No doubt the red grouper was fresh but the soup had a fishy aftertaste that wasn't anyone's cup of tea! Okay, i am not really a boiled / steamed fish lover so do take my comment with a pinch of salt.

XO Crab Bee Hoon (XO螃蟹粗米粉汤)
My dining experience with XO Crab Bee Hoon has so far been quite positive; there could be problems with the crabs yet seldom with the broth itself. 

This would be the rare exception; the broth tasted thin, lacking the richness many look forward to and the flavour was just not up to par! Using the XO to compensate the lackluster flavour is just not acceptable! 

Dry Salted Egg Crab [咸蛋蟹 (干)]
Offering both dry and wet versions, we eventually went with the order taker's favourite; the dry one. Boy was i disappointed! It was salty with a dash of spiciness while i like mine to be a balanced amalgamation of sweetness, saltiness and spiciness. In addition, the very essence of salted egg failed to penetrate the crustacean's shell. 

Fried Four Beans (四大天王)
Surprisingly, i am most impressed and satisfied with the fried four beans (namely ladyfingers, petai, brinjal and french beans) stir fried in belachan; the taste was absolutely marvelous and great with plain rice! 

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Location
Block 101, Yishun Avenue 5, #01-101 
(Yummy 101 Coffeeshop)

Price
Hot Plate Beancurd - S$15
Broccoli with Scallops - S$30
Mummy Pork Ribs - S$20
Red Grouper Steamboat - S$50
XO Crab Bee Hoon - S$43 a kilo
Dry Salted Egg Crab - S$43 a kilo
Fried Four Beans - S$15

Menu
As above.

Additional Information
Hao Wei Xuan has actually taken over the tze char premise of S99 Seafood that i blogged on last year! S99 has now moved to the next block which was literally right across the street less than 30 meters away.
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P2 Boutique Hotel - 10-Minute Walk from Platinum Shopping Mall @ Bangkok [Thailand]

September 12, 2014, 8:30 am
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I am still contemplating if i should post the itinerary for my recent Bangkok trip but i guess it shouldn't hinder me from starting on some "detailed" postings like accommodation! 

P2 Boutique Hotel may sound familiar to some of you, especially those who are attracted by the many travel deals to Bangkok offered by Groupon and deal.com.sg; it was usually listed as one of two hotels included as part of the travel package.

Now, i am skeptical when the deal was packaged so cheaply with airfare, airport shuttle and accommodation thrown in and the first question on my mind was the hotel's proximity to the city. For all you know, it could be a 20 to 30-minute DRIVE! 

More on that later - let's talk about the initial impression. I wasn't expecting such a reception area for a supposed 3-star accommodation! The counter staff sounded friendly enough though and to be honest, i am more concerned with the room. 

Laid with parquet flooring, i have no complaint about this superior room which was relatively clean. However, the "stylish" element in a boutique hotel seemed to be missing and the furnishing did appear a bit dated.

Oh well, i don't really mind that much so long the rates are affordable, the place is tidy with air-conditioning and the bed sheet is clean. And a television with more English channels please (for this, P2 needs to improve on)! 

Although we were assigned the top floor, please manage your expectations for the view beyond the drawn curtains; i was unlucky as my side faced a rooftop carpark! My friend's room overlooked another building right opposite; again, nothing spectacular.

The usual; after the amazing stay at CityInn hotel at Taipei, i think it would be a great idea for hotels to include free snacks in every room! Come on, it would not cost that much, at least not in Thailand! 

Free wifi was available and for those who bring along their laptops, you may use the LAN cable. The network at P2 was comparatively better without the delays / lags i often faced in other hotels. 

Bathroom was clean (no bathtub). I faced a similar issue with one reviewer on agoda.com; the shower-head was permanently veered to one side, resulting in the water spraying to the toilet bowl area and soaking the floor mat! 

Corridor was bright without the eeriness found in some hotels. This would be helpful for those who have the same fear as me when it comes to overseas stay.

Breakfast the next morning was at the restaurant on the ground level. Frankly, i have given up on complimentary breakfast (for hotel stays) in Thailand; spare your stomach and eat out instead if you have the choice. 

I was eating my own words that day as the breakfast in P2 was quite good! By the way, I don't mean the eggs and toast as they are the standard everywhere.

The stir-fried tang hoon was nicely flavoured while the broccolis were cooked perfectly without being overly salty! Even the fried rice was a lot more palatable; put it this way, i had second helpings! 

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Location
1091/213-216 Soi Petchaburi 33, New Petchaburi Road, 
Makkasan, Rachathavee Bangkok, 10400 Thailand

Map
As above (a 10-minute WALK to Singaporeans' favourite Platinum Shopping Mall and a direct road down to Chit Lom BTS; fortunately, the hotel wasn't in some far-fetched location)!

Website

Pricing
I didn't pay although i understand it was lower than S$40 a night via Agoda.com. Truthfully, how to "hiam" for that price?

Additional Information
A massage salon is situated within the hotel; do keep in mind that operating hours are till 10pm daily.

Airport transfer and tour packages can also be arranged (at a price). Maybe i should catch those lady boys or tiger shows the next time i visit! 

Print the above if you are staying in P2 Boutique Hotel; it would give the taxi driver a better understanding of its actual location! 
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Kamlangsib Fried Chicken Rice @ Asiatique The Riverfront [Bangkok, Thailand]

September 13, 2014, 7:47 am
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With all the food scares nowadays, it's unnerving to have a chicken rice stall proudly proclaiming that it is more than just chicken rice! It also didn't help with a name that sounds like a profanity in the hokkien dialect. 

The truth is less complicated; what the food establishment at Asiatique (a waterfront mall in Thailand) meant was that it served other stuff beside chicken rice (for example, tom yum kung).

I am still more interested in chicken though and ordered the fried chicken set at 109 Baht (which included soup, vegetables and two slices of watermelon. 

Rice was aromatic (wasn't oily too) but the flavour slowly tapered off as we chewed further. The chopped up fried chicken tasted juicy with a crispy crust although the seasoning was pretty light; resulting in a piece of chicken that didn't leave much impression, sadly. 

Add the Thai chilli sweet sauce; it did enhance the palatability of the fried chicken.

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Location
Warehouse Six, T11,
Asiatique The Riverfront, Bangkok

Price
Fried Chicken Set - 109 Baht

Menu (Limited)
As above.

Additional Information
Go for the chrysanthemum tea at only 25 Baht; a refreshing drink to have after a hot day of walking all over Bangkok! Note: it can be a bit sweet for some of you. 
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Asiatique The Riverfront - A Modern Night Market @ Bangkok [Thailand]

September 14, 2014, 7:49 am
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I might have been to the Land of Smiles countless times but it has been a few years since i last visited and with that in mind, i thought of making full use of the three short days in Bangkok by visiting some new places; one of which was Asiatique The Riverfront!

Getting there by public transport wasn't a pain in the ass; take the BTS to Saphan Taksin station and follow the crowd by walking towards the river. Look out for the sign to Asiatique Shuttle Boat and be prepared for a long queue for this free shuttle service! 

Located south of Bangkok, you may choose to take a cab although i would prefer to beat the notorious traffic jams and save the money for my return journey back to the hotel instead.

After that unfortunate ferry incident in South Korea, i am wondering if we are facing the same issue with ferries in Bangkok. So many people were standing and it felt more like a packed bus travelling on water!

The boat docked safely at Asiatique in around twelve minutes! Phew! Pity i didn't manage to be seated or else i could have taken a better picture of the purpose built night market from a far-off angle. Hm... Maybe not.

A picture of the shuttle boat for your reference. 

Open from 5pm till midnight daily, Asiatique The Riverfront was one of the few replacements for Suan Lum Night Market which closed down a couple of years ago even though i thought it was way more modern with trendy boutiques, fanciful restaurants etc! 

To a certain extent, i felt it was more like Clark Quay, albeit a much bigger one! 

Banking on the location's historical heritage as a trading post, the buildings were refurbished to reflect the architecture from 1907-1947. A number of warehouses were also converted into retail and dining spaces; you may even find live Muay Thai and a cabaret show! 

I was more keen in the 60-meter high ferris wheel (known as Asiatique Sky) and the shopping as i didn't have sufficient time for anything else (we arrived at around 8pm)! 

Talking about shopping, it wasn't the same as in Platinum Shopping Mall (where there is a wholesale price if you buy more than three pieces) or Chatuchak Weekend Market.

Both aforementioned shopping destinations popular with Singaporeans would close by around 7pm and what are you going to do when the night is still young and you are beyond the clubbing age?! Actually, i don't mind having a few hours of massage at night.

However, shopping fanatics would still be able to pick up some good deals at Asiatique although it would be worth noting that rentals at this elaborate lifestyle hub would not likely be as cheap as other areas. 

My friend managed to get a fake yet supposedly good quality Rolex watch for only S$80 after slashing S$120 off the quoted price! Alex was looking upon him like a discount god after this incident. 

I am totally not into paying for fake branded products; for me, i have gone past the phase of hard bargaining and prefer to relax in the comfortable environment. If only i have time to bum out in a nice cafe. 

Decided to check out Asiatique Sky while the rest were busy choosing another Rolex watch. Shining like a beacon of fun in the dark sky, i contemplated on forking out the 250 baht ticket for a short ride up! 

It started pouring!!! :(

I took refuge in the retail shops right opposite the landmark wheel and chanced upon quite a few unique shops; one sold his wares under the "Mr Moustache" label and another (above) offers products with cat images for sale. 

Befitting its past image as trading post, there were sculptures related to the trading industry like this gigantic cog in the middle of the walkway. 

With the rain continuing to be a hindrance, we opted to call it a day. I would have loved to stay longer for more photo taking but i was really exhausted!! So, let make another trip to Asiatique a possibility! 

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Location
2194 Charoenkrung Rd, 
WatPrayakai, Bangkoleam, 
Bangkok, Thailand

Website 

Map
As above. 

Additional Information
I had my dinner at Kamlangsib Fried Chicken Rice. 
Click here for my review!
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Mom's 60th Birthday 2014!

September 15, 2014, 7:01 am
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For those who still couldn't believe it, my mom has indeed reached the diamond landmark of 60 years old (oops, am i even allow to divulge her age?). 

In line with my family's low profile spirit (ya, right), we decided to keep the celebration simple and choose to have the birthday cake right at home after a fulfilling lobster porridge meal in Orchid Live Seafood.

Long time readers / followers should have realised by now that it was once again a delicious strawberry cake from Pâtisserie Glacé! The Japanese owner should consider opening a bakery cafe so that i can chill out while digging into a slice of their soft yet creamy cake! 

Let the singing began! Is there a Tamil language birthday song? The two kids would have perfected all four local languages for birthday songs if there's one! 

Jovyn had positioned herself correctly this time; this time round, she shall be the winner for the candle blowing session. Wait, shouldn't it be the birthday girl who has the greatest honour to do that!? 

Even the birthday cake had to be cut by three parties!!! hahaha. Oh well, as i mentioned before, it's because of the two hyperactive monsters that my family makes it a point to prepare a cake for every family member on their birthday. Before them, i don't even see the need to celebrate my birth!

No matter what, happy birthday my dearest mom! You are not likely to hear me say i love you but deep in my heart, you know i always do. 
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Four-Faced Buddha (四面佛 Erawan Shrine aka Thao Maha Brahma) @ Bangkok [Thailand]

September 16, 2014, 8:30 am
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Mention a visit to Four-Faced Buddha and you would likely get questions from friends if you have been to Bangkok although the worship of this Hindu god exists in Singapore too! 

Such was the fame of Erawan Shrine which is touted as a must visit by some of my friends who believe praying at the shrine would bring to them good luck, fortune and protection.

Many are not aware of its history and the skeptical ones thought it is merely a temple built for tourism purpose (just like our merlion). The truth is more superstitious in nature and related to a government hotel that was built in the 50s. 

During the construction phase of Erawan Hotel (not the current Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel), there were numerous mishaps and an astrologer (a rear admiral in fact) attributed them to the miscalculated timing when laying the foundation block. 

A shrine honouring the four-faced Buddha was hence built upon his advice and strangely, the construction proceeded smoothly after that. 

A mere coincidence? Maybe but we cannot deny its popularity with devotees who thoroughly believe in the powers of this deity! Apparently, some Singaporeans would even travel back to Bangkok annually just to thank and pay homage to the god. 

The richer ones would even donate statues of wooden / gold plated elephants, national animal for Thailand, to the shrine! Not exactly a good move as the temple has very limited space compared to other prominent temples in the capital! 

Pious devotees might even tear while praying! Kidding as my friend happened to be wiping her cheek in the above picture. Haha. However, there are indeed instances when people display extreme affections when it comes to religion. 

Each face of the Buddha (technically, the god is not a Buddha as it falls under Hinduism) is said to represent a different thing; success, love, fortune and health. From what i can see, the worshippers seemed to go around in one circle to cover all four faces. Bet most humans can never be satisfied with just the fulfilment of one wish! 

Not sure if anyone remembers the news in 2006 when the statue was smashed by a man who was later found out to be mentally unsound. This new statue was installed two months after the event.

Garlands of flowers, incense sticks and candles were often placed as offerings and they are readily available in the long row of carts outside the shrine.

Most offerings are available within the shrine and you may refer to the price list as above. By the way, worshippers are required to abstain from meat for three days; a day before the praying, the actual day and a day after. 

You may even make merit by buying these poor birds caged in small enclosures and then release them! Awww, so nice of you right? Not really! Your actions would only fuel the demand and this would only make the operators more motivated to capture more birds for you! 

End your visit by washing your hands / face with the supposed holy water from the golden urn! I wouldn't be surprised if anyone drinks it using the silver cups. 

More photographs for your viewing pleasure; sorry, i had too much time as i was waiting for the rest to complete their praying. 

We happened to pass by at night and i could not resist taking a few more pictures! For those who wish to see the shrine in its full capacity (and maybe even beyond) consider visiting on the ninth of November each year!

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Location
Ratchaprasong intersection of Ratchadamri Road,
Pathum Wan District, Bangkok
[Near Chit Lom BTS]

Opening Hours
6am to 11pm

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Platinum Fashion Mall - Building A @ Bangkok [Thailand]

September 18, 2014, 8:39 am
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Taking photographs do eat into precious time and my short three days two nights trip to Bangkok translates into even lesser time for me to take as many pictures as i would love to! 

The above sentence shall be a valid excuse for me to follow up with my next declaration; i have very few pictures of Platinum Fashion Mall, a shopping centre that any leisure traveller to the Land of Smiles would know. 

As an avid visitor to Thailand, i have been to Platinum Mall countless times although my last visit, as i mentioned before, was four years ago! Things remained unchanged, except for the temporary flea market right outside and a NEW extension (known as Building B) right next door! 

Bloody me got to know of it too late and hence, didn't manage to check it out. According to friends, the extension offered more than just clothes and featured a good selection of shoes and bags.

Oh well, i didn't even have the luxury to cover all the floors in Building A (the original building) which are renamed as reputable shopping districts in the world like Ginza, Soho, Camden, Nathan, Oxford and even Orchard (the top floor is just known as food centre; how unoriginal)!

Our lady friends were very aware of the enormous amount of clothes and accessories they can buy, often at a fraction of cost back home. In case you are unaware, there are often two prices quoted; the original and the wholesale price. 

The latter means you have to purchase at least three pieces and depending on the shop owner, it can be different items with the same price. Wholesale price is roughly about 30% cheaper! 

My lament a few years ago was that the duty of guys in Platinum was to accompany their girlfriend / mother as there was nothing much for us! 

Things seemed to have improved markedly since then; there were ample shops catering to us men! No doubt i had a great time going through the different shirts, tee shirts, polo-tees etc.

Sadly, i no longer command a slim figure and most of the Thai sizes are either too tight for me or too long!!!! Darn darn darn darn; i need to slim slim slim down!! :(

By the way, there was another reason why i didn't take many photos in Platinum; was scolded for snapping the above items (it works like a hairband). Well, my fault for not asking for permission. 

But it sure dampened the mood and made me more careful too. Many of the retailers also displayed signs to say "no photography". 

So it would be more of the above view which was totally boring! I believe most readers would be more interested to see what can be found in those shops rather than a whole bunch of shoppers cluttering the lanes. 

Unless there is a cool babe standing right in the middle.

Your feet are too tired after a shopping spree? Hobble down to the basement level (Ginza) of Building A where you can find two massage parlours (under the same operator);a Thai massage is 300 Baht, foot massage is 250 Baht while neck and shoulder massage is also 300 Baht an hour. 

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Location
Petchburi, Ratchathewi (next to Pantip Plaza),
Bangkok, Thailand 

Map
As above. I personally thought it is within walking distance from  Siam and Chit Lom BTS although some of the websites did recommend taking a taxi / tuk tuk. 

Opening Hours
The official hours on the website are not really accurate according to my personal experience. For me, the timing between 10am to 6.30pm would be the safest (most shops would be open for business). 

Website

Additional Information
My lunch was settled at Fuji Japanese Restaurant on level six of Platinum. For my review, please click here. 
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Wawawa - Bistro by the Reservoir: Their Weekend Brunch (11am to 4pm) @ Bedok Reservoir [Singapore]

September 20, 2014, 12:04 am
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A bunch of fun loving colleagues and myself were famished after a session of hysterical laughter (with one who could not stop herself from spewing vulgarities in front of innocent children) and excitement at Forest Adventure! 

Although the Eastern side of Singapore is known for its heavy concentration of good food, we decided not to anger our stomachs further and chose a place that is just a javelin-throw away in Bedok Reservoir; Wawawa Bistro. 

Said to serve German-influenced cuisine that is moderately priced, the non air-conditioned bistro overlooks the peaceful looking reservoir that used to be a sand quarry. 

Although the place wasn't packed with four staff manning the space, service was really sluggish. We initially thought it was because of the lack of service charge (that's what we heard from a staff in Forest Adventure) but our final bill has that bloody addition! Darn!!!

Six hungry women and one forever-hungry man = very angry and pissed off group! The service staff really have to thank the kitchen staff for the delicious looking food that was eventually placed on our table (after 25 minutes, if i may add). This is the luxurious Wawawa English Breakfast; i stole a small bite and found the brioche bread to have that lightly toasted softness with a butter-ness to it! 

Bangers & Mash; Ms Lau is going to hate this but i could not help comparing the bangers to something she would know what i am referring to! Wahahha. The portion was incredibly generous and the taste didn't disappoint. 

My order was the best seller on the menu; Four Flavour Mini Burgers! 

Even though the portion paled in comparison with the other two, i am not complaining as i prefer to eat lesser. Okay, not exactly a sound argument and especially not when my tummy was gearing for a filling meal! 

To be honest, i personally thought my order wasn't as nice as the other two; the burger buns were really nothing to scream about and i am not the type who read too much into ingredients like ham, smoked salmon and scrambled eggs. 

The grilled bacon, however, was a rendition of perfectness; it wasn't dry and salty like many on the market. Instead, what i had was tender, grilled flavourfully and good enough for me to regret ordering the mini burgers. 

I should have gone for the Wawawa English Breakfast! 

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Location
901, Bedok Reservoir Road, 

Contact Number
+6562858038

Location Map
As above.

Opening Hours
Monday to Thursday - 5pm to 12 midnight
Public Holiday (PH) - 5pm to 12 midnight
Friday & Eve of PH - 5pm to 1am 
Saturday - 11am to 1am 
Sunday - 11am to 12 midnight
[Note: Weekend Brunch is only available from 11am to 4pm on weekends]


Menu
As above.

Price
Wawawa English Breakfast - S$15.80
Bangers & Mash - S$12.80
Four Flavour Mini Burgers - S$16.80
[Subject to GST and Service Charge]

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Whimsydale - The Colourful Cartoon World for Diablo 3

September 20, 2014, 8:30 am
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Diablo 3 is known for its devilish gore and bloody horror and i would never have imagined that an entirely different world exists beyond a rainbow portal (activated by a dead rainbow treasure goblin).

The manliness associated with the game was entirely disregarded in this place known as Whimsydale; everything was so cheerfully coloured and it seemed like a happy place where i can get rare weapons, precious stones and loads of gold coins! 

Remember what you can find at the end of the rainbow? A pot of gold! Actually i don't need gold coins as my character has ample; i need more legendary items! There were around three pots i found although the items inside were not very rare.

For a place that was so kiddish, the least i expected was to find out that the cute characters (purple unicorns, teddy bears and walking flowers) were as murderous as their counterparts outside the rainbow realm! 

Reality set in; i had to kill them before they kill me!!!! This is surely a nightmare for children like Agnes (Despicable Me) who treats unicorns as the friendliest and cutest being in the whole world! 

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Map.
As above

Additional Information
This is said to be similar to Whimsyshire although entry to the latter requires five unique ingredients and the Staff of Herding plan.
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Yacht Charter in Singapore - An Amazing 4-Hour Getaway for 10 Persons via Deal.Com.Sg!

September 21, 2014, 8:53 am
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I was just sharing with my colleague last week that i have been attempting a lot of new things this year; threading, forest adventure, first visit to Taiwan etc. The one event i missed out was a yacht trip i embarked with former colleagues around two months ago! 

Rewinding back to the day before the start of the hungry ghost month, all seven of us arrived on time at ONE°15 Marina Club (Sentosa Cove); prepared with loads of snacks, bottles of soft drinks and a pack of ice (you are allowed and encouraged to bring along your own food).

The yacht that would service us for the day; SZH1227H! 

Entering the off limits area under the marina club. Unlike in the past, there is now a retail and dining section within Sentosa Cove which is accessible to everyone; so do not be overly worried about "security clearance".

Outdoor, sheltered area where we deposited our belongings! Time to check out the rest of the yacht, which wasn't big yet comfortably sized for even more than the maximum of ten persons allowed in the deal purchased from deal.com.sg. 

Helm of the boat - well, given i have no technical knowledge unlike Alex, the ex Navy sergeant who was featured on Navy Newsletter, i think it's better i don't mention anything in case i embarrass myself! 

Additional seating near the helm that was better protected from the weather elements.

If you need more comfort, check out the cozier seating at the bow, in front of the helm! I am very prone to motion sickness, especially when i am housed in such contained areas! So it's a no no to keep me inside! 

I did make a mistake of visiting the tiny water closet (WC) when the boat was travelling to its destination; the constant motion caused me to have a minor headache! 

Second level - partially shaded and accessed via a ladder. Another no no for miserable, motion sickness prone individuals like me as the seats were placed against the direction! Bloody! 

Another helm. 

Back view from the second level. Notice the floats? More on that later even though i was totally expecting a boring boat cruise to nowhere.

Time for the engine to roar! Cruising past the The Pinnacle Collection; an establishment with over 300 premier units and marketed as the tallest buildings in Sentosa Cove.

See, all the others all short short ones. Having said that, the short ones (namely the bungalows) commanded a price tag of over S$30 million each a few years ago! 

Crew for the day! There were three in total and the person in charge is this Mr Alex Yip! Shall share his contact details later so that you can liaise with him directly for yacht charter.

A cloudy morning (our reservation was from 11am till 3pm).

Incredibly sad to see all the water... because i forgot to bring along any extra clothing!! I was in a haste to leave the house and didn't even bring along my snorkeling gear! :(

Let's go back to explore the yacht again; there's a sink, an induction stove and even an electric kettle! We should have brought along cup noodles for a slurping competition! 

Two large ice boxes were available for your usage. We didn't check beforehand and i had to lug along my classic Kentucky Fried Chicken ice box! That thing still works okay!

There was even a barbecue pit! You may of course bring along your own items although you may arrange beforehand with the yacht; top up separately with a bit of money for a BBQ session! I am already thinking of arranging another yacht session with my family (p.s. most of them hate the sun though). 

I believe this is a good luck charm to ensure good weather and a smooth sailing journey. 

We were supposedly allowed to anchor at the island of our choice (Pulau Tukukor, St. John Island, Kusu Island, Sisters' Islands, Pulau Seringat or Lazurus Island) or even island hopping but i guess we were not even sure what we were in for except for a yacht cruise.

Nevertheless, it was company that really matters and our companions that day were great! A pity Kaijing, Xiangrong and Alex couldn't join due to last minute commitments. By the way, the two islands above are the Sisters' Islands.

I maybe good in directions when i am on land. On the water, i am just lost most of the times. According to the photos i took, the yacht anchored shortly after going past the above sign that clearly indicated St. John Island.

Chanced upon another yacht which was quite similar in design with the one we were on. The people there were clearly having a fun time! 

From memory, i think we were anchored somewhere at/near the "red star"; a lagoon that was only recently formed when a connecting route was built for Lazurus Island and St. John Island.

Our fun would be beginning shortly!

With a splash, the rectangular float was first to hit the water! We were hesitant as i guess most of them are not strong swimmers and we know how different swimming pools are compared to the sea and ocean! 

Besides the floats, there was also a kayak! Although i can swim, i have never attempted kayaking due to a fear for deep waters (thanks to the movie series; Jaws).

KJ had the balls to jump off from the second level! One wrong move and his balls shall bear the responsibility of enduring indescribable pain that only a man can empathise with! Anyway, it was a successful jump!

Lovebirds trying their best to navigate in that super tight position! Eventually, it became a battle of sacrifice as they veered too far off course. 

Restricted view (hence the mosaic) as i was goofing around with a person who is as an equal nutcase; Mr Lock Li! Correction: i am mild compared to him!

A surfboard that doubled up as a kayak! They were having so much enjoyment; i decided to attempt the kayaking and boy was it fun despite soaking my pants (with seawater, not pee)!

As expected, there were loads of splashes! Come to think about it, Lock chalked up the best record for constantly getting into the water; there was once he even attempted to jump across when i was kayaking! Seriously, that was frightening as i could not afford to be thoroughly wet! 

He also doubled up as a one-man rescue team! 

Water skiing! I often see people doing this near Seletar dam. Since i have been trying quite a few new things this year, maybe the next one would be water skiing! 

Bloody hell; isn't this the flying fish?!!?!? Thought this happens only in places outside of Singapore like Bintan and Batam Islands?!?! By the way, the aforementioned two activities were not conducted by us. 

The connection between Lazurus Island and St. John Island - after close to two and half hours, it's time for us to leave the lagoon.

Anchor was so small; how did it manage to keep the boat from floating away?! Never mind, i would leave to Alex, the guru, to explain the rationale to me. 

Another yacht (looks like a catamaran) - this time, with a weirdly designed float! Is that supposed to be a dining table concept?! 

On the way back; after all the energy sucking water activities, everyone were snoozing except for the crew and myself. When life gives us opportunities, grab them! Haha.

Kidding! I only have Lock in his incredible sleeping mode; this man can sleep literally ANYWHERE! Anyway, i was mostly on the second level taking picture after picture of Singapore's skyline. 

Private yachts of the super rich in Singapore - some even came with personal jet skis! Envious? Should i be? A rich person may not be always happy and a poor person may not be always sad. Be contented with what we have and we will be happy too! 

Reaching the private pier of ONE°15 Marina Club. I am not sure about the rest but for me, it was an amazing getaway where i can have a good time with a big group of friends without burning a hole in the pocket! 

-The End-

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Location
Embark / Disembark from the private pier of the club. Meeting point shall be the arrival plaza of Sentosa Cove, where 7-11 convenience store and cold storage are located.

Booking
You may contact Mr Alex Yip at 9382-2720 for more details on the chartering rates. We paid S$350 nett for our 4-hour session with a S$100 top up for weekend charter. Food can also be arranged. 

Mr Yip was recommending a 12-hour overnight charter from 8pm till 8am which comprises visiting some of the offshore islands at low tide for spectacular viewings of marine life. If i recollect correctly, the cost would be S$900. 
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Jerald is now 7!

September 22, 2014, 8:36 am
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The month of September is never kind to my wallet with three birthdays just for my immediate family; Mom, Jerald and the upcoming one for Dad! This also happened to be the month when i am super sick of cakes! 

As anticipated, there is the usual bickering between Jovyn and Jerald; the former won the battle with her tears although she eventually relented when we reminded her once again that it's the brother's birthday! 

I do feel sorry for Jerald sometimes as Jovyn can be so unreasonable and bossy; traits that were likely picked up when she was staying with us!! It's a blessing that Jerald has always been very forgiving, especially towards his little sister. 

A clearer picture of the birthday boy and the brat. Tsk tsk tsk; those who have seen Jovyn before would remember her angelic, super adorable expression. Those who KNOW her would have a vastly different picture of her! 

Awwwwwww they made up pretty fast though with just a kiss. 

Time for the birthday song in four versions! As i mentioned before, it would be in the traditional English language, Bahasa Indonesia / Melayu, Mandarin ending with a Christian one!

After competing to blow out the candles, it was another tiring session of Jovyn demanding to hold the knife to cut the cake! Jerald, ever the sweet and nice brother, gave in. 

Happy Birthday, Jerald! 

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The strawberry cake was purchased from Lavender Confectionery in Malaysia! Taste wise, it felt healthier with cream that wasn't overly sweet. If i could have my choice, it would still be Glace! 
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Drivers Who Don't Know How to PARK their Vehicles!

August 22, 2014, 8:30 am
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Drivers cutting into my lane without signalling; no problem. Drivers who didn't check their blind spots; no complaint so long they don't hit my car. Drivers who park their vehicles badly; now, this pisses me off especially when i am parking right next to theirs! 

I am no perfectionist myself but if you don't know how to park head in; don't embarrass yourself and create additional inconvenience to others! 

You don't even have the decency to right yourself! Besides me, there are numerous other passersby who also took out their phones and likely post a similar picture on social media laughing at your stupidity. I believe they were laughing at me as well; for being so unfortunate to have parked next to you. 

Guess i have to thank my lucky stars that no one was parking parallel to the divider and i could manoeuvre out after a few turns. You have to thank yours too because if i could not get out, i am calling TransCab. 
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Ice Cream Frenzy @ Rochester [Near Star Vista]

September 24, 2014, 8:21 am
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The original branch of Ice Cream Frenzy at West Coast Drive had one serious problem despite its popularity; the pretty much inaccessible location! Hence, it was a nice surprise to find a second branch so conveniently located near to Buona Vista MRT Station.

Let me introduce to you Ice Cream Frenzy @ Rochester Mall! 

Shop's concept was rather normal, playing on vibrant, practical colours that were not as appealing as the homely setting of its original branch. Of course, decor would always be secondary so long the ice cream is good. 

Waffles with Double Scoop Ice Cream
A single scoop of premium ice cream (durian for example) would set you back by S$5.50 and i would strongly recommend you go for the waffles with double scoop ice cream at S$13.90 if you are going to get two scoops of premium ice cream!

Departing from my usual style of reviewing the waffles first, i would like to begin with the Swiss Chocolate and Passion Fruit ice cream; the former was rich enough for me to imagine a sore throat the next day if i decide to indulge any further! Don't be too worried; balance out the heaty richness with the sour yet sweet passion fruit ice cream which was still peppered with their original seeds! 

Now on the waffles; too soft, too gooey and lacked a flavour that would make me return again. I was puzzled as the one at its West Coast Drive branch was definitely way better! I actually felt guilty to post this negative review for the waffles as the female staff was so sweet and friendly! Even though it was a one-person operation, she served everyone with a wide smile and even took the initiative to pass us cups of plain water! 

That's one bloody good service staff i would love to have if i ever have my own cafe! 

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Location
31, Rochester Drive, #01-01,
Rochester Mall [Near Buona Vista MRT Station]

Price
Waffles with double scoop ice cream - S$13.90

Menu
As above

Additional Information
Free WiFi is available! 
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Happy Birthday, Father!

September 26, 2014, 8:30 am
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Birthdays in my family have always been a low key affair; a meal followed by a birthday cake back in our house (or my sister's). Hence, the photographs taken look familiar except for the ageing faces, the change in waistline and in the case of the two brats, how much they have grown! 

Despite the above, I still make it a point to post an entry here. I believe in time to come, when both Jerald and Jovyn are way older and i have likely made it to heaven, it would be nice to reminisce the moments we had together. 

Both kids, for sure, are going to beg me to remove some of their photographs in the many posts under the category of "family". I shall consider the requests then. Wahahahaha

Lit the candles and let's sing the birthday song for dad's 62nd birthday! Even though he was happy, i could not help recalling his birthday two years ago when we had a heated argument over the tour package in Chengde (China). Till now, i still feel pangs of guilt. 

Oh well, life goes on and i just have to remember to keep my tempers in rein whenever i am overseas with my parents. It's only a few days; learnt from mistakes and make sure it doesn't happen again. The next time i go on a tour to China, i shall sign up for a factory shopping tour package! Oh, and no way am i going to buy a package from Hong Thai Travel (康泰旅行社).

Jovyn waiting for the cake to be cut so that she can have the chocolate bits! Contrary to Jerald's birthday, she was less competitive this round and respectfully left the cake cutting to her Yishun Gong Gong.

Do you know that she is really good at making funny faces?! To take attendance, her childcare centre would take a photograph of her everyday and upload it the website. You should see the many hilarious, exaggerated expressions she has! 

More photographs of her having the red velvet cake from Cedele which was surprisingly quite good; moist with lip smacking good cheese cream that wasn't over-saturated with sweetness. This is coming from a guy who doesn't appreciate red velvet cake. 

A number of feedbacks were received from friends who complained that Jerald has been severely neglected in my blog! To counter that, look above for the pictures of the boy who has brought us a lot of joy with his good natured-ness and much frustration with his never-ending questions!

Now, i haven't bought my dad any birthday gifts.
Shall i bring him to Cameron Highlands again? 
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Purr Cat Cafe @ Bangkok [Near Thong Lo BTS Station] #purrcatcafeclub

September 27, 2014, 6:40 am
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It's hard not to get my heart fluttering when i was going through a Facebook photo album of a friend who was in Bangkok a few months ago. The appearance of so many gorgeous looking felines in a cat cafe was just too irresistible and i knew i had to pay it a visit!

From the google map, it seemed quite straightforward; take exit 1 from Thong Lo BTS station, right turn at the first lane and walk all the way in till you see the cat cafe on your left. I timed and it took us roughly about 11 minutes to reach the cafe from the BTS station. 

Singapore has a number of cat cafes and it was kind of funny that i had to travel all the way to Thailand to have this first experience! To add on to the sarcasm, i didn't even have sufficient time in Bangkok! 

No shoes allowed - be prepared to remove your shoes and wear the hideous looking slippers provided by the cafe. Recommendation: please wear socks! 

Unlike dogs, cats are well known for their aloofness and most dislike to be handled as if they are soft toys. Cafe rule number one: please don't attempt to hold the cats. If you are really a cat person, the kitty would willingly jump onto your lap. 


The high and mighty position given to the felines in the cafe was best portrayed in the two cat portraits at the cafe that would otherwise be replaced by pictures of the president / first lady, king / queen in normal households. 


But, no cat leh! Have i been duped by my friend!?!?!?!?!? Rest assured this was one of two sections within the cafe and given the lazy afternoon on a weekday, only the inner section was open.

Slide the glass door and be overwhelmed by over twenty pedigree cats slacking in the fully air-conditioned cafe that also came equipped with a thoughtful air purifier!  

Since i had to endure the heat while walking in, having a cuppa drink and a cake would be fair rewards for my effort! And of course i shouldn't be shocked to find a cat guarding the cake / dessert display!

Decided to have hot cappuccino instead as i didn't have enough sleep, as usual. The coffee art was a good attempt to reflect the theme even though that doesn't really matter to me. I missed my Singapore / Malaysia-style kopi! 

I was caught off guard by the size of the beef lasagna; in case you are still wondering, it was indeed housed in a soup bowl slightly bigger than the cup holding my cappuccino! Thankfully, it tasted really delicious with a comfortable dosage of melting cheese hiding a generous splattering of hot minced beef!

Earlier, i mentioned the "no attempt to hold the cat" rule. However, there wouldn't be any difference from being in a zoo; can see yet no touch! Here comes "Purr me milk" to the rescue! 

Trust me - this would tremendously help to enhance your relationship with the furballs! As with all milk for pets, i think this should be lactose free.

The expected interest among some of the kitties! 

Check out the tabby cat! Instead of drinking from the bowl, it first dabbed its paw into the milk before licking them off the paw! So kawaii right?!?!?!

For a closer, more intimate experience, take your place at this area with low lying tables! Do note that the cats were free roaming and they might jump onto your tables / chairs anytime. Those afraid of cats should just stay away from this cafe. 

Remember, they are the bosses; we are merely the guests. 

In addition to the first house rule, there were seven more for you to take note! Click the above photograph to have a better look; do keep in mind the fine of 1,000 Thai baht for each offence! 

I absolutely love this cat-only staircase and platforms! It's hard to control humans' inconsiderate behaviours sometimes and it might help to have this as a hideout.

See how secured this kitty felt; she was in total bliss! Without further ado, more photographs of the felidaes for your indulgence! 

As expected, they were sleeping most of the times! They didn't mind the occasional stroking though. Personally, i thought this cafe would not be suitable for hyperactive children (like the two brats in my family). 

She was just stunning; a beauty in the cat world. 

Want to spend your entire afternoon in this cafe and flood your instagram / facebook with tonnes of photographs? Wifi is available! 

There might be kitties hiding in corners unnoticeable to guests; so keep a keen eye! This ginger cat was so cute but i could not coax her to get out of the box for a clearer picture!

Got to leave for a visit to the Chinatown of Bangkok, Yaowarat! 

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Location
Soi Sukhumvit 53 Sukhumvit Road, 

Bangkok, Thailand 10110
[Near Thong Lo BTS Station Exit 1]

Opening Hours
Tuesday to Friday - 11am to 10pm
Saturday to Sunday - 11am to 11pm
Closed on Mondays

Menu
As above

Additional Information
This piece of information would not be useful for foreigners; grooming services for cats at 450+ baht for short haired and 500+ baht for long haired felines. 

There is also a retail section where you can buy cat-shaped, related products for cat-loving friends. Cat owners would also be able to purchase food / accessories for their feline charges. 
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PappaRich & his Super Rich Combo Nasi Lemak @ Star Vista [Singapore]

September 28, 2014, 5:52 am
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With such an "atas" sounding name, i should be forgiven for assuming this restaurant served only Western food at astronomical pricing! If you have been to any of its six outlets in Singapore, you would have known by now PappaRich offers Malaysian cuisine! 

Darn, that's honestly embarrassing! 

Anyway, i would not have stepped in if not for a group of colleagues who decided on it as a dinner venue for unknown reasons. I think it could possibly be its remote location at a corner of Star Vista.

Order taking via an order form; i prefer the old ordering method where an order taker would come to your table and you could even solicit recommendation (which i admit, might not even turn out good)! However, the shortcoming of taking up too much time in an industry with a manpower shortage has made it extremely crucial for dining establishments to use the order list instead.

Super Rich Combo Nasi Lemak
First thing - attack the crispy papadum before it gets soft! Nasi lemak sellers should consider adding this Indian snack as a staple to the Malay dish for that alternative texture just like nasi briyani!

At first glance, the image was definitely one of richness (for ingredients of course) and i could count a chicken drumstick, braised beef, squid, curry potatoes and basmati rice! Beef was tough and i thought mutton would have been a better substitute while the squid would have benefit from a better marination. 

The rice, despite its intense star anise essence and peppered with raisins, was in a sorry state of dryness! Rescue came in the form of the three types of curry / spicy sauces! 

In the competitive realm of nasi lemak, the chilli sauce makes / breaks it and even though this (including the juicy chicken drumstick which came with a thin crispy skin) was quite good, it was still not comparable to Mdm Kwan's and Grandma's signature nasi lemak. 

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Location
1 Vista Exchange Green, 
#01-43, The Star Vista, 
(Next to Buona Vista MRT Station)

Website

Pricing
Super Rich Combo - S$16.90
[Subject to GST and Service Charge]
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Chatuchak Weekend Market in 2014 (aka Jatujak Market) @ Bangkok [Thailand]

September 30, 2014, 8:01 am
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Close to four years have lapsed since my last visit to Thailand's largest market and i figured there would be a lot of new things for me to see in my recent vacation! Four years might be a short span for some but in the dynamic retail industry, things never really slow down.

After that last shopping episode with Alex in Taiwan, i am so worried he would be extending the same type of shopaholic attitude in Bangkok by buying 40 pairs of socks! 

Guess he was too tired that day. In addition, we only had about three hours to shop before dashing back to the hotel to check out. Anyway, those adventurous enough to try street food in Thailand can consider buying the fruits, especially the pineapples. Don't blame me if you get the runs! 

At this time, we were still along the street from Mo Chit BTS to Chatuchak Weekend Market. I personally felt that the vendors seemed to be really "sensitive" when you want to snap a shot; this contrasts with Taiwan where retailers welcome you to take pictures.

Knitted toys for sale. These photographs were secretly taken! I am not really looking forward to my Korea trip; the ahjummas there are said to be downright rude and incredibly loud! Darn, i am missing Taiwan already. 

T-shirts with cute images of dogs! I had the intention to purchase a few pieces for friends but chickened out after a while; what if they dislike the design, what if the size is wrong? It would be a waste of money if they don't / can't wear it! 

Stepping into Chatuchak proper via a small gate. 

Classic wooden signage; sometimes i hate to take so many photographs. Many a time when i run through the photographs, i would kick myself in the ass for not buying an item / items that appeared in it! 

We started very early and reached the market at around 9 am! Since the official operating hour starts from 10 am, not all stalls had pulled up their shutters and open for business! 

Stacks and stacks of towels! 

Wrappers for all occasions! There are generally two types of items i hate to bring back from overseas; paper products and breakable stuff (i could fondly remember that time when i had to haul back a good-sized piggy bank from Bangkok a few years ago). 

Who can forget the clothing retailers in Chatuchak!? There were usually quite a number of budding designers and you might be able to find nice, unique wear in a few of them. Do check for the quality!

An artist pondering about his concept. From far, it does look like scribbling yet when you look closer, he was drawing out the silhouettes of passersby.

Looks like something i would put on the lawn for a wedding! Do you know Singapore house-owners would purposely travel to Bangkok, purchase their furniture and then export it to the little red dot? Design was said to be better at a much lower price. 

Coconut ice cream in Chatuchak! As it was only about 9.15 am, i decided to leave this for a later timing when the weather would be much hotter! 

Fake flowers - dad loves to buy them although i find them to be very diligent dust collectors! My new house, if i get one next year, shall have the minimalist style! If there are flowers, they would be fresh (and likely wilting)! 

This "main" road of Chatuchak has shops lining on both sides and often features a lot of activities; be it clearance sale, performances by street buskers, brands booths and even sales of live animals like puppies / rabbits towards the end of the day! 

A crying dog; likely the result of a manufacturing defect.

I commented to quite a number of friends that clothes (at least for men) seemed to be a lot cheaper compared to a few years ago. Most shirts cost slightly a bit more than S$10 and in this instance, two for less than S$17! 

Another item i regretted not buying; hats and / or caps!!!! My recent hair style required additional styling which i am seriously not interested in doing when i am already facing lack of sleep! 

A landmark of Chatuchak; the clock tower is often the meeting point for friends given its visibility from most sections of the market as it is located right in the middle. 

The clock was spoiled though when i was there! Nevertheless, it could be a big headache to navigate the market in big groups; my suggestion would be to break up and then meet at the clock tower at a specific time (Bangkok or Singapore time, i leave it to your group). 

Hanging owls; reminded me of the time when i was in Sun Moon Lake at Taiwan where there was an owl workshop that retails products with images of owl. 

Toddler in a makeshift playpen while the dad worked. Given the heat, the boy was really cranky and poor dad had to try his best to pacify him! Haha.

Leather products - for those who have yet been to Chatuchak, the market is divided into a number of general sections and although not strictly adhered to, there is still some level of conformity in the products that are being sold. 

For example, stalls selling jean usually congregated at one section. The same goes for leather products; there would just be a higher incidence of spotting them at one section.

Maybe i was too early; i recollected encountering quite a number of human jams when i was there a few years ago. Hm... is Chatuchak slowing losing its charm?

This would be one stall that Walt Disney Inc would love to sue for copyright infringement! 

Time for my coconut ice cream! They were as yummy as i remember! This would be one thing you must have at Chatuchak weekend market; i like mine with corns and peanuts!

Friends visiting Bangkok nowadays always buy this brand of peanuts back to Singapore! Like Tao Kae Noi seaweed, Koh-Kae peanuts come in a number of flavours popular with the masses.

'Main' road again. 

The activities have yet to start as vehicles continued to stream it! Do look out for vehicles; the drivers are usually quite safe but pedestrians often assume the road is off limit for vehicles. 

Couple t-shirts!

Additional random pictures of clothing retailers along the main road. 

I think i have bought a similar tee shirt with an elephant design for Jerald when he was younger! Doubt he can fit into it now; oh well, Jovyn could always have the hand-me-down. 

My friend was stuck in this 100-Baht shop! At less than S$4 a piece, even my mom would pop by to take a better look! 

Who in the right mind would pay money for this outrageous bag featuring a feathery eye design?!!?! Likely a person who would be going for a costume party or a performer for a getai! 

Having mentioned the above, i might just go for this yellow sleeveless tee. Quite cute mah although well beyond the suitability of my age. 

The famous duck drumstick noodle at Chatuchak! I had when i first travelled to Bangkok and could not remember much except for the flavourful broth.

I am not sure how this would gel with a house ID; they were rather carnival like yet with elements of religion (maybe Thai, maybe Tibetan)! Anyway, my usual nonsensical rant just to fill up the description for each photo. 

The tees here had really special designs and were also priced a bit higher than those conventional ones found in MBK! I have had a bad experience with tees in Bangkok; cheap ones tend to shrink the length and expand the width!!!

Notice the army bag that the man had on his back? Isn't that the bag from Singapore Army!? Frankly, you can spot a Singaporean quite easily; our dress sense and of course our Singlish.

I was famished and was craving for the paella by this Caucasian gentleman!! But i had to leave because we only had half an hour to get back to the hotel and as all of us know, traffic in Bangkok can be atrocious!! 

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Location
Kamphaeng Phet 2 Road, 
Chatuchak, Bangkok, Thailand

Map of Jatujak Weekend Market
As above. Please click and save as a picture in your hard drive for the higher resolution.
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