2 days in 文昌

First round island trip cycling is Hainan. We left Haikou and start cycling to 文昌. 90km away we cannot finish the whole trip so have to break into smaller pieces. We cycle 5 hours for around 50km and reach a half way point and stay in the small town 大致坡 for 2 days. We damn relax. I think we can take us 1 month to finish the island if this is the speed we are going. 

What 大致坡 had in store for us? Actually only 2 things that is memorable there. First is the 上央视的包罗粉. Super nice like beef noodle and a small little aunty shop that sell great bakery. 

The whole small town only have 2 cafe which is cotti and luckin coffee. And what we eat every evening is 猪脚饭. Stay 2 days leave for 文昌 soon. 

Next we travel to 文昌。one of the 老爸茶 is really good and we even can eat crab for lunch. At night we go to harbour and buy fresh seafood and get them to cook grouper fish for us. Now we are very tired. Tmr might have new place to go. 

Went to Himeji for Tuna sashimi and Fugu hotpot

You can see Himeji castle all the way to the back of the street

As the host is still not around as we heard from Hannah that he is working in Osaka and the farm house was just left open for volunteer to come and go as we wish. Since he isn’t around and yesterday we had done the heavy lifting of arranging the log for the farm, Hannah decided to let us go for a day break at Himeji. She will be heading to the Himeji castle but we plan to go out just to do some retail therapy.

The train station outside of Niino station

We have no jaw line in Japan due to the rice we ate

Hop on the JR train 10 station to Himeji will cost us $5.10 one way each. So today our transportation on MRT along is $20. Sianz. 

We are agreed with lots of small shopping mall just around the Himeji station and they are small enough for us to finish all these shopping and street walking using one day. So other than these handful of small shopping mall, the Himeji castle is just 15mins walk from the train station. 

We had curry rice for lunch and shop a bit till tea break where we drink coffee at one of the old cafe that use siphon coffee filter. Japanese do not really like using espresso machine to make coffee and they love to use drip coffee and siphon coffee filter which all these vintage shop had in common is the old fashion design and the rusty looking wood carpentry. 

Highlight after that was that we went to a Japanese sashimi shop Totto to had the tuna and some sashimi at a very affordable price. It is very popular among local Japanese. It make me realise that sashimi don’t have to cost a lot if you are eating it from Japan itself, maybe there are over supply in Japan itself.

Special tuna $22 and assorted 5 type sashimi for $9 cheap!!

We are happy with the down jacket we bought at second hand shop

We walked around till it gets dark in the evening and Japan sun set as early as 5pm where the sky get dark every early and we are able to get a nice view outside Himeji station. Oh ya, the sky are very clear in Japan and we can see stars in the sky so vividly and clear!! How long was that since I seen such clear sky? Since when i was in the army time?

Night view in Himeji station is breadth taking 

So after walking not long we went to take our dinner cum super at Fugu restrauant. Fugu is Japanese puffer fish which is deem poisonous to fisherman around the world but Japanese get to eat them as Japan had strict rules in cleaning the fish and removal of those parts that is poisonous. Only certain restaurant is given permit to run fugu and heavy penalty if process are not strictly followed. Therefore Japanese people feel safe to eat them and so am I. 

Tomorrow we are receiving a new guest in the house and we are meeting Taiwanese guy in the village who will want to bring us around town.

Went shopping in Kobe centre

Lunch at a soba place which looks different by picture

Today wake up early to have home made breakfast below the hostel. It is mayo egg with butter bread which we bought at family mart yesterday at a discount. We had decided to do shopping at Kobe today. So we doing our walk to Motomchi and then to Montbell at the city centre.

I thought Kobe is much quite like nothing to do. But I was wrong. It was still a good retail area just not as crowded as Osaka. At Motomochi street we saw a couple of hand made leather shop, we went in to research on new ideas. And Jackie bought a pink leather for $8. Leather hide isn’t expensive in Kobe. Which I could have the ability to communicate with the owner which only speak Japanese. 

Weather had drop to 10 to 6 degree for the day. It was too cold and clothes start to feel cold to touch like a fridge. No choice have to go to Montbell to see what choice we had to bring temperatures up. End up in saw a last piece of the widely popular pocketable sling bag. As it was the last black (medium) piece. I took it and pay it. Waste money again. 

Kobe city centre has lots of branded that is isolated in a whole building one. Near Daimaru. All the sport brand, like north face, patongonia are too expensive to buy. Although their cutting is really nice. We are looking for something like a 羽绒服. Then we headed over to Uniqlo to see. 

The heat tech is something I like to buy but the fitting isn’t the nicest. Also wanted to buy the lightweight down jacket at a discount of $49 but I feel women’s cutting and the feature is better. Still thinking if I should buy the logo park (counterfeit) or not. As tomorrow we need to go mountain to do volunteer already. End up I brought a green cargo pant just to add layer for my bottom. 

Today night was funny. We went to a fried chicken rice store to eat. And we find $11 a meal is too expensive for us to eat 2 set. Therefore we try to order a large set and share a rice or order extra rice if they allow. Then the waitress knew that we are sharing. So she place 6 piece chicken into 2 set and gave us each 1 more extra chicken. With 2 rice / soup / prickles. So end up we had 2 set of small fried chicken bento at the price of a large set. Very kind owner and stuff. We eat till a last drop and left a good google review. 

Kobe beef meal and 2 person we met on the road

Selfie with Shen Ge and Karen

Today our second day at the hostel and we saw the male owner Shen Ge from China, Wuhan. He had been a teacher / coffee enthusiast / author and he shared with us a lot of wise experience. 2 points I want to share is:

1. people waste too much money to do decor or interior design on their house. As a decoration will need to display item that resonate with your identity and best is a piece that you have a story behind. Instead of buying decor to just purely beautify your house. 
2. He shared that his inspiration idol is 王小波. He credit that he gain a lot of knowledge and world view from reading his book and other author that he mention in his book. End up he can become an author of many books himself. “Why Kobe” and “I am a virus” is written by him. 

Another fun person we met is Karen from USA who had relocated to Japan to teach for 3 years. To do a proper closure for her chapter in life, she went on a pilgrimage trip in Japan. Visiting all shrine in Japan by foot. Covering 1200km by walking over the span of 60 days. That’s crazy. The whole of Malaysia from Johor to Penang is 800km + she had basically walked from Singapore to Thailand in under 2 months. Super crazy. And I don’t understand why American can quit their job so easily and just take gap years without feeling anxiety for the future. 

When ask her how she kept her expenses low, she told her that she can hitch a ride all over Japan along as a lady as Japan is a relatively safe place. She also recommended me to do couch surfing and apartment swapping in Japan. This is something we like to try up coming. 

$150 Kobe set. That is the last good meal for year 2024

Lastly, something highlight of the day is that we when to eat our Kobe beef for $150 tonight. That so long before I spend so much on food. The beef is so tender and juicy it had moved me to tears. The meat is great with just pepper and salt. Every month should go with a mouthful of rice. Very godlike. Worth it bro. 

Nanning uploaded

Letting it happen vs making it happen

 

Splurge on puffer fish in shinimazato

Today we walked > 32k steps from Namba to Shinimazato. That’s 5km apart and 1.5hrs away. Walk until my leg going to give. 

The reason is that our hotel is fully booked on Friday. When we search online all hotel is either fully booked, do not accept foreigner, or price surge which triple the price. All above $300 and even so these hotel are not in convenient location and far apart. We are desperate as we search thru all platform like Airbnb and the price is really crazy on Friday and Saturday. We had decided that we will check in to overnight spa to pass the night already. 

Fortunately, last minute that we people cancel one of the hostel and we able to grab it at a last minute discount. So we able to get 2 bunk bed at $58. So our next destination is to get from sunplaza 2 annex to woodon in shinimazato. 

We could have taken the public transport for $4.50 each and will take us 30mins. But we opted for walking will is free and will take us 1.5hrs. Initially Jackie was hesitated to do the walking. But later agreed as she thinks she had sat too long today. 

We are so glad we took the path less travelled. Or many people will think that’s a waste of time as they time would rather be spend on getting there instead of being on the road. They might even justify themselves that they time is worth more as they could have earn more in that one hour compared to the cost of transport ($4.50). It is literally the saying it is not about the destination but the journey. 

Along the way we get to see the real Japanese street, the well beaten and ugly side instead of those touristy place where they want to build an image that japan is vibrant, clean and polite. Well, off those local street, there are still trash on the floor, businesses are shut down due to poor business and some places are like dead town. I even witness 2 old uncle fighting each other and throwing vulgar along a back ally of a slot machine shop. 

Beside able to see the authentic Japan. We are happy that we can get to see other interesting and busy street along the way. We enjoy walking the street which are quiet and looks and feel like Australia. Every corner is a new surprise for us and our senses are left open wide and alert to enjoy the 一期一会。embracing what the world throws at us and letting things happen to us and around us. 

I feel if you open in the faster route like taxi or train, you mind are hard wired into goal setting as if you need to rush thru the race to get to the finish line (meaning reaching the hotel faster). Along the way, the crowded place will kinda piss u and spoilt your day and mood. Although you making it happen and we reach the place earlier but the whole journey is like pointless. 

I mean life we should be like wondering around and not be like arranged to do things at certain age like school, work la. Marriage and save for housing mortgage and then hit target after target. It should be like exploring and enjoy life as it unfold itself. We are glad we had opt into this trip and Japan happen to our last minute impromptu decision. 

On the plus note, Jackie suddenly and point to a fagu shop which sell puffer fish, initially the place is full and they required advanced booked but I think one customer let the table go and we are so lucky to have gotten the chance to eat the puffer fish. It is so nice and chewy. Good food are cook in pure water so that we can savour the taste o the food naturally. We end up ordering another portion as it is too good. 

We settled Friday night, Saturday will still be fully booked, we might try for spa overnight tomorrow. Stay tuned. 

Nice condotel and food around Anrizon hotel

 Today is the 2nd week. I rented the ebike for the second time in Nha Trang. 140k per day at motor4free. The service was fast as usual, got it in less than 10mins since I have the old record. 

Today we explored a new food for tea break banh beo, banh nam and banh hoi. The location is at Banh Beo Be Tu. Very cheap serve by local aunty, 3 dish for only 90k ($5.5SGD) in total only.

Then we went back to Anrizon side, north of the Nha Trang centre. Anrizon side is a condotel which we booked for 280k per night. Which is around $15 per night. The hotel is very clean and looks like a service apartment with daily room services. We reckon that we can stay here long term as per month rental work out to be only $450 SGD which most HDB room rental are able to cover with some positive cashflow. The cost of living is around 30% cheaper than Nha Trang centre. 

Anrizon condotel is 30% cheaper than Nha Trang Centre

iphone alarm to remind us to blog for the day

In case you don't know we are still 3rd day doing our daily blogging. You can find jackie's blog over here. 

For dinner we bring Xavier to eat Oc at Oc Zang 96 which is the local shell seafood which we recommend due to the cheap price for local. Cheap but good for of course which we had endorse for people who wants to come visit Nha Trang. 

Lastly, after dinner, we went to Anrizon hotel to drink the 1L Bia Tuoi a local beer brewed in Nha Trang. For the price of 29k for 1L. Like OMG. $1.80 SGD where can you find.

Wendy is like super impressed with Vietnam, she comment if not for us, she will never get to Vietnam in the first place. Let alone try "Street Food" or snail as she thinks it will be very unhygienic. Well we can definitely be a local tour guide or Vietnam ambassador.

To end the day, we throw a last final touch for supper. Our favorite Hu Tieu around anrizon. It cannot be found on google map as it is a night vendor like a pop up store which doesn't have any online presence. She operate just in front of bakeboy only after 10pm. I believe it is not legal to do business there? But damn, Xavier and Wendy was super impressed with our recommendation. 

If you stay around Anrizon, after 10pm at night, drop by bakeboy bakery, the vendor aunty is there. Don't forget to ask to have the pork rib. It is super tender. You will not miss it as the smell of radish pork soup linger at the vacinity.   

I can cook so can you

Gordon ramsay is a inspiration to me and i had been watching his hell kitchen, kitchen nightmare and masterchef. This new year is a stay home for thru 1st day till 4th day. Took 2 days MC after 2nd of chinese new year to "regroup" myself. For the highlight is I started cooking. What put me off cooking so long is because its damn expensive if you do not cook often. 

Invited some friends over to try my home cook meal, 酸菜鱼，洋葱蛋，炒香菇，老干妈辣椒虾 and 酱油鸡翅。simple, delicious and favorful. I had got positive reciew that i cook better than some mums and maids. 

Endosement for my good food. I am going to elevate to western cusine soon. Going to explore steak and some western spices in near future. 

For the simpliest. I tried salad. They are easy to do but they do cost me hand and leg. I didnt know veg can be so expensive they have the organic version which is like double the price. 

My prepare my own salad lunch box with canned sardine as my protein and french source as dressing. First attempt and the source is too acidic to my liking. So i try again with home made salad dressing. 

Fresh greens with nice japanese cucumber and red chilli. 

Pan fry my own crutons with bread crumbs and garlic infused olive oil. 

Its good seasoned with ground pepper, parsley and home made mustard lemon dressing. Better this time round. 

I tried simple western receipt with garlic prawn. They are one of the easiest to cook. 

Using excessively on garlic and it make me have a bad gas day. Fart like crazy. I went to read up about gasing problem from over indult in garlic. 

Raw garlic is difficult to break down at the stomach and went the garlic got pass down to the large instestine, the bacteria broke down the garlic and release methane and a by product and usual accompanied with foul pungent smell. I know its disgusting reading in conjunction with food post. Haha

I also make some french toast. This time i nailed it. 10 years ago i tried cooking for someone using just eggs and bread. Didnt turn out right. Now i got it with eggs, milk and brown sugar for the sweet after taste. They are just great. Just need some maple syrup and they can pass of as restruant quanity. 

Some honorable mention of my mums cooking thru this new year. 

PL sneak out her mum home cook meal for me during lunar new year. Loved the prawns. 

Knowing to cook is certainly a plus point on so many different level. Cooking for some one you love and feed them to a full meal is nothing less of a sweet things to do. It will be a rewarding endevours :)

Epicurean Market at MBS

Whoa 2 things I like to share with you all in this post. First one will be one of my favourite road show so far. Epicurean market at MBS where all the celebrities chief host their menu in bite size and reduced price all at one place. The hall is big and its general split into 2 session. There is one side which is the dining area almost close to 20 different restaurant had their kiosk servicing their signature dish. The other half of the hall generally is the take away session where you can take home top class ingredients and wine, cheeze and oyster!!

You know I like Gordon Ramsay and although he is not physically here, I am so excited to try out all the good stuff that he got to offer at his kiosk.

Price wise is steep, for my spending capacity, Prepare to set aside a $80 - $100 per person to even get your stomach 3/4 full. First killer is that the entry fee is $28 just to have access into the Epicurean market. So before you even start eating you are already $28 poorer. Usually for me I will not even bother to come into this place to start with.

Dickson convinced me on a quite valid point. This food you not going to try that often maybe even not at all you had the chance. I heard that one of the restaurant that he went with his GF for reservation 2 person set dinner is $700 each. This are the food that are offered on sampling at a fiction of the price and portion. Hence that could be the only time that you can try out.

Royal 2 on Billy ang wedding briefing

Time flies, already 7 years since ORD. Bobo we and ADF mates had known for 10 years already. Recently so long than got a chance to meet with with the ex HQ drivers because of Billy Ang's wedding. I will be going to be a brother for the second time. Billy brought us to tries out of brother shirts. Saw Andy Lim, Vincent Ang, Billy, Neville, Qing He.

Bring them to Lao Sishuan to try the best China food I ever put into my mouth. Drink like a China man. So many bottles of beer until I was drunk before reaching the next station.

And all the people in the restaurant had not been seeing me for a long time, so all of them came out to welcome us. Even treat us a bottle of harbin.

Vincent ang, neville and andy lim

billy ang, me and qing he

After lao sishuan, we went to royal 2 with qinghe's friends and all of us stood around due to the house is fully packed. A tower after another after another like 10 plus over towers. I can't recall how many people is there. Last part saw two ladies dancing like on drug like that, unknowingly just ask them to join us to supper and realise they were dancer from taiwan. 

3 pots of thai hot pot and all standing around to get a piece of it. I even stand on the road side to eat while standing. Crazy lots of peoples. Some singer and dancer from Thai just followed qinghe to eat, don't where he got to know so many people. 

V2 with Nguyen thuy trang 阮翠庄

As much as I do not believe in suan ming (fortune telling) but it do get me upset why am I always getting bad result instead of good one. Why is fate always putting me down? Can't I have one good time fortune telling me I can do it and yes this is the time to venture to the option that I want to go.

Before I reveal my result I want to introduce trang from V2. She is the singer from V2 and she is the actual singer type of singer. Not those come to work and label as singer kind of singer. She is so pretty and sexy. Wanna share some of the song she sing during competition at Vietnam. Honestly, I do not know what the hell she is singing.

She recorded 2 chinese songs in my chang ba. Go listen and rate is she professional okie.

没那么简单 2:29sec

错的人 5:01sec

Anyway, I met 阮翠庄 at Bugis temple. She brought flower to pray inside the temple while I can't be bother because I always do not believe in any religion at all. But for the fun of it, I decided to go and try out.

 I ask about my result if changing to property agent is good. then the result is basically saying it fucking bad idea. How demoralization right. It say my life is meant to be hard and tedious. fortune is bad, blockage in my deal. How relevant to the question I ask right. It more or less affect me a little, but I don't care about the result remember? It is the process and I had already went so far taking the wrong step, so fuck it.

That day went with Qing he to V2 again to watch soccer, then he went back early, so I a bit drunk so I went to 山瑞之家, eat turtle soup and crocodile tail, one person eat, totally to 60plus, damn expensive loh. But I think it is really worth it. So tender and smooth. I believe the money was well spent. A little bit disappointed that I did not prepare my platelet due to drinking too much beer already.

Collaboration of the past May '11

You know what? I going to call it the "collaboration" from now on. Its getting harder to keep me with my blog, so I am going to blog using the "lump sum" basis. It will be labelled as "collaboration". Now, I will keep it real short and sweet;

Didi, Ethan's GF came to town



Ethan's GF all the way flew from Korean to Singapore, and they are now travelling to and fro each other country on a 3 month basis. This time around Didi is sticking around for 1 and a half month here. We are please to show her around Singapore.

First trip, we travel her to JB, Liping having breakfast at Woodland center and latter they took picture at the custom check point.

Taken in City square's starbucks where we had our donuts as tea break.

Second trip went up to MBS for shopping. It will be the very first experience for all of us. And basically, its like shopping at Paragon. We can only do window shopping. I remember I had tea break at one of the cafe and it costs me 20buck for a cup of coffee and some cakes :(

Third trip, went to long beach at East coast, to fix my craving for crabs.

The crab is around 800g that costs us $46/kg. The claws are big. However, I recommend the coffeeshop near Ethan house. Their crab there is almost as big or not bigger than long beach :)

When to Tawandang, Didi is an extreme drinker. Being a Korean, its no big deal since their sake there is cheaper than water.

Smile the two love birds

Unviersal studio with LIping and her SH colleagues

JP Morgan Corporate Run

Couple's Lab Rings