Japan 2014: Yume Nomad Guesthouse, Kobe review

For my recent trip to Kobe, Japan, I opted to stay at the brand new Yume Nomad Guesthouse in Shinkaichi. The hidden on-a-hillside little guesthouse was barely a year old and already it was a popular choice for foreign tourist, my group of four included. I booked a room for four about seven months ago on account that I was traveling there at peak period and got a quick reply from cafe manager, Bunn, confirming my booking.

Location-wise, Yume Nomad is three stops away from the main transportation, entertainment and shopping hub of Kobe which was Sannomiya. To get to the guesthouse by train, there are two train lines you can take which are the Seishin-Yamate subway line or the Hankyu line where you get off at Minatogawakoen station or Shinkaichi station respectively.

Japan 2014: Osaka on a Budget

Contrary to popular belief, Japan is actually not an expensive country to visit. "But but but but, it's expensive! Hotels, food, getting around! They cost a bomb!" you may protest.

But they really don't. And I am going to share with you my tricks to traveling cheap and cheerful in Japan.

1) Stay: When in Japan, live as the locals do. 
If you can forget 5 star hotels or even forgo the word 'hotel' in your mind, you will find hostels and guesthouses that will serve you just as well as your home away from home. Hana Hostel in particular is a popular and well-known chain of hostels or hybrid inn, all around Japan.

 

Most of these hostels also provide free wifi, complimentary coffee and tea, free use of their kitchen and has laundry facilities at a small price. You will also get to meet travelers from all around the world in the kitchen, living room and lobby of these hostels and it is great fun.

Malaysia's Largest Clothes Buffet is Back!

It's no secret that clothes and buffets are most Malaysian girls' favourite words. But what happens when you put these two things together?

Madness issues.

That's right. Malaysia's Largest Clothes Buffet is back and this time it will be taking place for three whole days from 25 - 27 April 2014 from 10am - 6pm at the Syopz Mall, Taylor's University Lakeside Campus.

Indonesia: Bali Day 3 (Part 4) - Al Dente anyone?

After a whole day out and on our feet, we felt that we deserved a good meal to mark our last evening in Bali. So after much debate, we agreed on Al Dente, an Italian restaurant and bar that was right next to Flapjaks and also under the same parent company as Flapjaks as I discovered later. To be honest, I wasn't expecting much from this place... and boy, was I glad to be proven wrong.

Because holy crap, what a jem this place was!

Indonesia: Bali Day 3 (Part 3) - Kuta on Foot

 After Flapjaks, the friends and I spent the rest of the day exploring Kuta. Having already planned to get a massage, my friends took a cab to Seminyak to try out the famous Jari Menari massage parlour while I stayed in Kuta and continued to explore it.

Rakuten Super Sale!

Ironically as I was writing this post about Japan fashion trends, I was also packing for my trip to Japan.

Rakuten Malaysia has spotted several Spring/Summer 2014 trends from Japan and anticipates a flourish of pastel and vibrant colours that draws the eye to the fine detailing of elegant lace or illustrated with floral prints.

BluMed restaurant, the Gardens New Menu review

Strangely enough, no matter how many times I have been to Midvalley and Gardens, I never once thought to step into BluMed Ristorante e Bar for a meal or drinks. It might be because I was intimidated by the elegant and posh exterior and interior of the two-leveled restaurant that sits between Midvalley and Gardens.

Recently, I was invited by Ivy of Food Malaysia to try out several dishes from their new revamped menu (available 17 March onwards0. Upon entering the outlet, it turned out it wasn't at all that intimidating as the entire restaurant was warm and inviting with an open kitchen concept, a bar and a dessert display. 

Indonesia: Bali Day 3 (Part 2) - Waffle, Crepes and Pancakes at Flapjaks

After a disappointing early morning excursion to Lovina, a two hours drive from Kuta, we were starved and after the tour van dropped us back at the hotel, we hopped into a rather pricy cab (I suspected that he just overcharged us) and headed to Kuta in search of Flapjaks based on a friend’s recommendation.

 

Indonesia: Bali Day 3 (Part 1) - Lovina Dolphin Cruise

The night before, we stayed in the hotel and watched American Ninja Warrior. We were in bed by 10pm and this was why. We had to be up by 2am to catch the pickup van that took us up North to Lovina beach where a boatman greeted us in his odd looking boat.

 We gave up our sleep (actually we slept on the way to Lovina which resulted in the worst sleep of the trip) for a chance to see dolphins at sunrise. Marketed as a dolphin-watching sunrise cruise, we bought the deal over Groupon months in advance at about RM90 per person and it included transportation to and fro Lovina from any hotel in Kuta.

Singapore: Men's Health Urbanathlon 2014

It was another mad weekend in Singapore at the start of March and this time, the OBC gang and I were there for the Men's Health Urbanathlon 2014. Along with several other friends, my mom and my sister, I stayed at the same hotel as my previous trip, Fragrance Hotel - Riverside as it was a 20 minutes walk to the Float at Marina Bay which was also the start point of the race.

Singapore's Urbanathlon has been hailed as one of the best obstacle races in the region and having caught the obstacle race bug last year, I wanted to try it out for myself. The race was a 14km course around the city's riverside and had 9 obstacles for us to look forward to and tackle. My auntie asked me which obstacle did I dread the most and I answered, "The running. I just want to try out the obstacle but I don't want to run from obstacle to obstacle."