[Hotel Review] OYO RG Heritage Boutique Hotel, Penang

If there is one tip I will given you when in Penang, is stay in a heritage hotel. Trust me. It's quite an experience being able to appreciate the architecture and design of these old shoplots or house turned accommodation. These hotels are also often more affordable and strategically located within proximity of the good food that Penang is known for. 

Case in point: my recent stay at OYO RG Heritage Boutique Hotel. 

Not One But Two Don Don Donki to Open in Malaysia by 2021?!!!

So yes, everyone is hyped up about Don Don Donki coming to Malaysia for the first time and right smack in the middle of Kuala Lumpur.  But...it seems that, Don Quijote isn't just opening up one outlet in Malaysia but rather TWO outlets.

BE STILL MY HEART AND GOODBYE MONEY.

Nagasaki, Kyushu [Day 5 Part 1] - Suwa Shrine and Dejima Island

The itinerary for Day 5 of this trip was one of the most pack and so I will be breaking it up into three blog posts for each prefecture visited on this day.

Nagasaki, Kyushu [Day 4 Part 2] - Meganebashi Bridge

One of the places I've heard so much about when researching Nagasaki was Meganebashi aka the Spectacle Bridge. It runs over Nakashima River in downtown Nagasaki, near China town and against a backdrop of the hills and slopes, makes for a very pretty sight. 

The bridge got its name from its double arches when reflected in the calm waters of the river will look like a pair of glasses from the neighbouring bridges.

My Thoughts on AirAsia Unlimited Pass

Updated 12 May 2020: Pass Validity has been extended until 30 June 2021! 

I bought the AirAsia Unlimited Pass on its launch day and have used it already so I think that alone puts me in a greater authority to comment on it than half the "analytical" netizens out there. Initially I had no intention of doing this post but the more misinformation I saw on the Internet, the more triggered I became.

For an understanding of what the AirAsia Unlimited Pass is, go to the announcement post here.

AirAsia Unlimited Pass RM499: all you can fly for a year!

AirAsia guests can now take unlimited* flights for a year with the AirAsia Unlimited Pass at only RM499 nett, available for purchase on airasia.com/deals or AirAsia mobile app for seven days only starting today. 

“As the travel period spans across one full year, AirAsia Unlimited Pass holders can decide when best to travel and choose between exploring all available destinations or keep going back to the same favourite location over and over again in different seasons, the choice is yours!” said AirAsia X Malaysia CEO Benyamin Ismail.

Nagasaki, Kyushu [Day 4 Part 1] - Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum and Peace Park

I started out this post as the usual day-to-day re-account of my trip there but as it progressed, I felt that the museum and the tragedy of which it served as a reminder deserved a post of its own. So here it is.

It was pouring cats and dogs on our fourth day in Kyushu, the tail end of a storm that has been plaguing that region for the past couple of weeks. There were reports of landslides and flooding in the center part of Kyushu but thankfully none near us. But boy, did it pour that morning.

Nagasaki, Kyushu [Day 3] - Shimabara

When people ask me about my Kyushu trip, they often ask me: Why Shimabara? What's Shimabara? Where's Shimabara? Well, let me first answer by putting this photo here.

Yes, Shimabara first shot to fame in 2018 when social media picked up on three very peculiar resident dogs that would stick their heads out of the three square holes in the walls, thrilling passersby and travellers alike. The holes in the wall were initially cut in to allow airflow to the garden but upon noticing his dogs' odd behaviour, the owner added more. Now the holes have come their own little viewing window to the outside world. Too cute!

OYO Hotels and Homes' Top 10 List and Milestones for 2019

OYO Hotels and Homes closed 2019 by announcing its Top 10 lists and milestones for its operations in Malaysia.  

●  Starting in Malaysia in 2017 with just under 5,000 rooms and 121 properties, OYO had 17,474 rooms and 270 properties by late 2019.

●   East Malaysia was a key growth segment, with Sarawak recording 51x growth in the number of OYO properties.

●   Cities in Sarawak led in the growth of room numbers from 2018 to 2019:

o   Miri recorded the largest increase with 571 rooms

o   Kuching came second with 567 rooms

o   Bintulu was third with 381 rooms

●   In Peninsular Malaysia, tourist favourite George Town saw the biggest increase in the number of properties at 5,710% comprising 346 rooms.

●   Interestingly, upcoming destination Manjung saw the highest growth in rooms in West Malaysia at 3,750%, with a total of 375 rooms in 2019.

6 Travel OOTDs under RM100 from Jalan Jalan Japan

I am a huge advocate of preloved/bundle shopping. There is always something so thrilling about finding something of value for a steal. I first learnt of the concept during my magazine days nine odd years ago from our beauty writer but never imagined I would be so into it like I am now.

[Miyazaki, Kyushu] Takachiho Beef at Nagomi [高千穂牛レストラン 和（なごみ）]

When I was doing my Kyushu homework, one name popped up consistently and that name was Nagomi - a restaurant/butcher shop in Takachiho that specialises in Grad 4 Miyazaki beef. I was intrigued and hungry because each article and vlog kept describing the beef as melt-in-your mouth delicious.

So naturally I planned an excursion out to Takachiho on my recent Kyushu trip and pencilled Nagomi in for a 12pm lunch for fear of the crowd. Mind you it rained the whole day when we were there so my morning plans around the Takachiho Gorge were cut short and we headed to Nagomi as soon as it opened. Plus I was exhausted from the 2 hours drive so a break was needed. 

Kumamoto, Kyushu [Day 2] - Kumamoto and Miyazaki in One Day

Let's face it. When travelling, there will be the sunny days when everything goes as planned and there will be rainy days when everything just falls apart and leaves you soaking wet on the sidewalk. The second day of my Kyushu trip was the latter. Quite literally.

This day was the wettest day of my entire trip and it was also the one day when we had the most outdoor activities in the outskirts of Kumamoto and Miyazaki. I could have cancelled everything but decided ya know what, we have the car, let's just head out and see how the weather holds up.

Fukuoka, Kyushu [Day 1] - Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, Starbucks and Ichiran Ramen

With a car, the skies is the limited when it comes to exploring Kyushu. After a red eye flight into Fukuoka, I quickly bundled my family into our rented car and was cruising along the highway to our first stop of the trip - Dazaifu Tenmengu Shrine.

There was ample parking in the vicinity but can be hard to find even with Waze and the GPS. Our GPS took us down a tiny path that our car could barely pass through. But in the end, I parked at a lot that was JYP 500 per entry and just a short walk away to the bus station. Amazingly, the parking lot operated on a honour system and I only had to drop the payment into the unguarded metal box provided. Japan was amazing.

The Life Hostel and Bar Lounge, Fukuoka review

Picking a place to stay in Fukuoka was surprisingly harder than I thought. I was initially torn between staying in Hakata, Nakasu or Tenjin area as all three were busy areas with easy access to the subway stations. There were also many nice hostels in Fukuoka and even a hostel with cats! But ultimately, I had to remind myself of the whole point of the accommodation and after much debate with my mother, settled for the Life Hostel and Bar Lounge, in the heart of Hakata.

Nagasaki Washington Hotel review

Truth be told, Nagasaki Washington Hotel wasn't on my immediate radar for accommodation in Nagasaki. I was eyeing a cheaper aparthotel nearer to Nagasaki Station as I was initially planning to return the car and take the train back to Fukuoka. As plans went, we opted to drive back to Fukuoka and so I had to source for a hotel location that was centralised AND had parking. And that was how I decided on Nagasaki Washington Hotel and it was one of the best hotels I've stayed at throughout my entire trip there.

Nest Hotel Kumamoto review

My initial plan was actually to stay overnight in Takachiho, Miyazaki before heading to Kumamoto. But a month before the trip, I got a message from the host saying that due to unforeseen circumstances, he was unable to accommodate my group for our dates. So with a heavy heart, I cancelled my booking at his place. Anywhere else in Takachiho would have been too pricey and so I decided to change my plans and stay an extra night at Kumamoto.

8D7N Kyushu Japan Itinerary (Kumamato - Nagasaki - Fukuoka)

When Airasia announced their new route to Fukuoka and thus to the rest of mainland Kyushu, I was probably one of the first in line (online) to book my tickets as soon as they launched last year. And so began half a year of planning for my first visit to Fukuoka.

Ipoh Road Yong Tau Foo review [NEW LOCATION]

I have heard about the famous Ipoh Road Yong Tau Foo but rarely had a chance to venture out there until recently when my mum suggested we head there for brunch. It was then she also discovered that they had just shifted from their shop house to a bigger and more visible lot just after the flyover road.

OYO Celebrates Independent Malaysian Women Travellers

It is true what is said, “To travel is to live”, and more so now where more and more people find a way to lose themselves in their travels. A surge in people globetrotting has been seen owing to awareness and accessibility of newer destinations. You’ll discover places beyond your imagination, experience new cultures and find an inner nomad that you never knew existed. People travel with their own distinct purposes - to discover new frontiers, pursue business opportunities, or simply to unwind and relax. Travelling solo allows you to set your own pace, have an intimate contact with foreign cultures, and meet new people and broaden your horizon. On the other hand, travelling with a companion could allow you bond over shared experiences, excitement and newer things to explore in addition to safety. 

In the spirit of International Women’s Day, OYO Hotels Malaysia spoke to some female travellers on their take on travel.

Fly to Fukuoka, Japan with AirAsia X!

As many of you may know, it's my quest to visit different prefectures and cities of Japan each year. Next year, thanks to AirAsia X I can soon tick the Kyushu prefecture off that list as AirAsia X has announced its new route from Kuala Lumpur to Fukuoka!