Standard Chartered Half Marathon 2014: Running for a Reason

I have a confession to make. Well, several actually. 
1) I wasn't going to sign up for the Standard Chartered run (taking place 12 October 2014) in the first place
2) I have never done a half marathon in my life
3) I don't really like running. I prefer obstacle races.
4) I am pretty sure I was doped up on cough mixture when I did sign up in the end.

My first half marathon was supposed to be at the Malaysian Women's Marathon run in March 2014 but due to the haze, I ended up cutting the distance by half for health sake. After that, the thought of having to retrain myself and go through the running part again grounded me to the lazy sofa once more. And my running shoes hasn't seen daylight since.

Then the Standard Chartered KL Marathon registration rolled up and everyone I know seemed to be joining it. It was THE race to run and my initial thought was 'pfft. I am not going to run in a sea of thousands of people in KL!" I joined the 10km last year and the heat nearly did me in. But somewhere along the line, I realized that if I was to complete my first full marathon next year, I had be able to run at least 21km and still walk back to the car after that.

Signature Cafearo by Yves, 1 Shamelin Cheras review

In this unpretentious mall in Cheras called 1 Shamelin shopping mall, there is a hidden jem of cafe and it is called Signature Cafearo. Signature Cafearo has a bright future as a crowd-bringer due to its wide range of scrumptious food, drinks and desserts. And what a crowd it was with 18 bloggers heading there for a food review.

Much like finding the mall, locating the cafe can be quite tricky but as Isabel told Elie and I on the day of the review, "just look for Share Tea and Ipoh White Coffee." The entrance to Signature Cafearo is just down the corridor next to a Japanese cafe.

Japan 2014 - Day 3: Kyoto - Fushimi Inari Shrine

After two days in Kobe, I was ready to move on to the second leg of my trip which was Kyoto. I was glad to be going back to Kyoto because during my first trip there, I barely scratched the surface of what the ancient city had to offer. There was only so much one could do in half a day and having learn that lesson, I allocated three nights to Kyoto this time. 

We left Kobe in the morning via the the Hankyu Kobe line from Sannomiya and disembarked at Juso station to transfer to the Hankyu Kyoto line that took us to the center of Kyoto. After one more train transfer, we arrived at the main Kyoto station and walked about five minutes to our Kyoto accommodation,  Hana Hostel Hybrid Inn. (Review here)

Japan 2014: Hana Hostel Kyoto review

When I was researching for accommodations in Kyoto, the name Hana Hostel Hybrid Inn popped up a lot and after reading up reviews on the place and checking its prices, I was sold.

Whether you are traveling in a group, in pairs or alone through Japan and on a budget, Hana Hostel and its sister hostel, J-Hoppers have the dormitories and private rooms to suit your needs. For my group of four, I booked us a private bunk bed room that came up to about 8,400 yen (RM270) per person for three nights. 

Japan 2014 - Day 2: Kobe - Rokkosan Pasture, Mount Rokko

Mount Rokko was a must visit when in Kobe due to its 'million dollar' night view of Kobe and of the Osaka Bay if you are lucky. I wasn't but I will get to that later.

The plan for our second day in Kobe was pretty much chilled with plenty of time to get lost and wander around. The initial plan was to hike up Mount Rokko but due to the chilly spring weather, we decided to forgo that plan and instead just ride the cable car up to the mountain. But first, we had to get to the foot of the mountain and even with our maps, Kobe was still a perplexing network of public transportation.

Psst, if you get lost in Japan, it is okay because their transportation system is so complex that even the Japaneses themselves can get confused and lost.

Japan 2014 - Day 1: Kobe - Kitano Ijinkan & Harbourland

Ohayo!

As some of you may or may not know, I visited Osaka, Japan last year for the first time ever and was so in love with the country (read: acting on adrenaline from the trip), booked my next flight there once I got back.

And this time, I dragged along Sister, Friend and Cousin for a 9 days trip through Kobe, Kyoto, Nara and Osaka. Given that we were, most of the time, broke, the challenge of this trip was to travel on a budget of RM5000 and I dare say it is possible as you can read about it here.

We flew by MAS this time as I managed to get return tickets at only RM900 per person. As soon as we reached Kansai International Airport, we purchased two Kansai Thru Pass, an Osaka Unlimited Pass and a ticket for the Kobe-Kansai Bay Shuttle Ferry at the Travel Desk at the information counter at the airport. (You can read about the perks of the two passes in my previous post)

Aussino Stock Clearance Sale!

Hey, heads up peeps!

Super expensive and high quality home decor brand, Aussino will be having their Stock Clearance Sale next Saturday! Which is also on the same day, time and place as Malaysia's Largest Clothes Buffet! 

Missed out on the deets? Well, here they are again!"

Date : 25-27 April 2014

Time : 10am - 6pm

Venue : Syopz Mall, Taylor's University Lakeside Campus

I definitely got my eye on this set of sheets because it reminds me of Japan and also because it is such a steal since there is discounts up to 80%! 

So see you there! 

For an idea of designs and products they have, check out Aussino's facebook page.

Indonesia: Bali - Grand Mega Resort and Spa, Kuta review

While Sri Ratih Cottages had been heaven away from home, the next hotel stay of our trip in Kuta was a vast disappointment. We made the mistake of being drawn in by the cheaper rates on Agoda, forgetting that we would eventually have to make up for it in additional transportation cost as the hotel was about 10 minutes from the city center by cab.

Grand Mega Resort and Spa hotel is located along a massive hallway/road where across was Galleria mall that was loaded with food and shopping. To cross the ever busy road, guests would need to get the hotel security guard to help them. From the road, the hotel was a flashy sight with a silver and purple front.

Indonesia: Bali - Sri Ratih Cottages, Ubud review

This review is way overdue, mainly because I forgot. Sorry!

On my Bali trip in January, I stayed at Sri Ratih Cottages while in Ubud for two nights. My flight got in very late and by the time I arrived at the accommodation, it was well past midnight. Fortunately, the open-air lobby was opened around the clock and the receptionist quickly sorted out my luggages and had a bellboy deliver them to my room where a friend had already checked in.

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.