The Body Shop Christmas Collection 2019

It's that time of the year and the atmosphere at Fahrenheit 88 shopping malls is looking a lot like Christmas. This year The Body Shop is proud to collaborate with Fahrenheit 88 to take the grand entrance with the theme #DreamBig #F88DazzlingChristmas. This means that the Body Shop has brought in a myriad of its Christmas packages, gifts and three seasonal ranges to suit the occasion. Also as part of their empowerment movement, The Body Shop is helping girls around the world to dream big rather than being what they were told they should be. 

Realme X2 Pro (RM2,399) Now in Malaysia

Officially recognised as the World's Fastest-Growing Smartphone Brand in 2019 by Counterpoint, realme has launched its latest and most highly anticipated smartphone into the Malaysian market - the realme X2 Pro. Equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 Plus processor, it features a 7nm process and Adreno 640 GPU allowing the processor work 15% faster graphics rendering than the Snapdragon 855. It guarantees real visual sense and advanced 3D image rendering for a better gaming experience. 

The Grand Opening Of XiaoLongKan’s Flagship Store, Bukit Bintang

Hidden yet not quite in the heart of the city, the flagship restaurant of XiaoLongKan is located just off the main road of Bukit Bintang, near the crossroads of Pavilion, Starhill Gallery and Fahrenheit 88. Hiding it can be a challenge but that's just half the fun of this hotpot place that just held its grand opening last month.

A&W is Back with More AWesomeness!

A&W has always had a strong affinity among Malaysians who grew up in the 70’s and 80’s. Many of us have grown up with birthday parties at their outlets with Rooty® The Great Root Bear and have spent a lot of time at A&W after school and in the evenings for the yummilicious RB Float. 

More than a year since A&W Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. was acquired by Inter Mark Resources Sdn. Bhd. (IMRSB), the 56-year-old Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) chain brand is well on track to bring awesome-ness back to its outlets. George Ang, Chief Executive Officer of both A&W Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. and IMRSB said this at the kick-off of A&Wesome Festival, which took place at A&W’s first drive-in outlet in Petaling Jaya to thank loyal fans for their continuous support over the years.

[Food Review] Christmas Buffet Spread at Four Seasons KL

Christmas is just around the corner and I bet you must be wondering what special Christmas offerings are out there for that special occasion. Enter the Four Seasons Kuala Lumpur. Right in the heart of the city itself and neighbour to Petronas Twin Towers, Four Seasons is set to offer an extravagant buffet of sorts to grace Christmas.

If you have the perception that buffet meals tend to be lackluster in choice or quality, then rest assured that you will find none of that sorts at the Four Seasons' Curate restaurant. Because ensuring that its spread is simply top notch is the primary concern of their chefs. And I am not saying that because I got to join the Four Seasons team for a sneak preview of their Christmas spread. I am saying it as a genuine lover of buffets and Christmas.

ISETAN The Japan Store KL - Refreshed and Updated

Refreshed, revived and rejuvenated were exactly ISETAN The Japan Store at Lot 10 in the heart of Kuala Lumpur was at its reopening on 28 November 2019. By continuing to combine Japan's best in fashion, accessories and food with a kaleidoscope of categories, the store aims to bring more comprehensive offerings to shoppers, locals and tourist alike. And just in time for Christmas too!

ANA Hello Blue Sale includes Free Domestic Flights

Ohayo, Japan friends! 

I have news! All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan’s largest and 5-Star airline for seven consecutive years, is holding its limited “HELLO BLUE SALE”. The sale will run from 29 Nov to 3 Dec, 2019 and features an addition of free* domestic flight within Japan when purchased with an applicable international ticket.

This means you can make like a Tania and fly to Tokyo to Hokkaido back to Tokyo then to Okinawa and finally to Nagoya! Or something like that. Because that's exactly what I did for my three months in Japan in 2018. 

Starbucks Malaysia Celebrates 300th Store Opening At Bukit Bintang Junction

At what point is having too many outlets in the same vicinity too much? Apparently in Starbucks' case, there is no such things as they have just recently opened its 300th store in Malaysia. 

Located in the epicenter of fashion and culture, Starbucks Reserve Bukit Bintang Junction is poised to connect Malaysians with quality coffee through a unique human experience. This literally means there are three Starbucks in the radius of Bukit Bintang and not counting the one at Pavillion and Berjaya Times Square. 

Kyushu: Kumamoto - Shimabara, Nagasaki by Ferry

If you're planning to travel to Nagasaki from Kumamoto or vice versa, there are several ways you can go about this. The first is by car but as you have to go around Ariake Sea, the drive will take you back up North towards Fukuoka before heading across Saga Prefecture to Nagasaki. With the toll roads, it can take up 3 - 4 hours. The second alternative is by train which follows the same route as the car but requires changing trains in between. And finally, the third method is by ferry which is what I will be talking about in this post.

AirAsia X is flying from KL to Okinawa (via Taipei)!

Starting 22 January 2020, AirAsia X will be flying into Naha Okinawa, the southern most prefecture of Japan. The four times weekly service via Taipei will be AirAsia’s sixth international destination in Japan, after Tokyo (Haneda and Narita), Osaka, Sapporo, Fukuoka and Nagoya (via Bangkok).



I have stayed at Okinawa for three weeks. If I had to describe the island, I would say, if Malaysia and Japan had a baby, it would look like Okinawa. With a tropical climate closer to ours and a food cuisine impacted by Americans and Taiwan, the culture there reminded me ever much of Malaysia. Minus our teh-tarik sea waters. Theirs is pristine blue and absolutely beautiful.



You can read my postings on Okinawa here.



AirAsia X Malaysia CEO Benyamin Ismail says, “Our rapid expansion into Japan continues following the launch of services to Fukuoka and Tokyo Narita earlier this year. Okinawa is an island paradise that offers a different Japanese experience for leisure travellers, including white sandy beaches with clear blue waters, some of the world’s most famous diving spots and unique Ryukyuan cuisine."



Guests from Kuala Lumpur to Okinawa Naha are not required to obtain a visa during their one hour fifteen minutes stopover in Taipei and may return to their seats after clearing a quick security check of their carry-on bags and inflight belongings.



Okinawa is one of Japan’s 47 prefectures comprising 160 islands in the East China Sea. With its unique cultural heritage and local cuisine, Okinawa has long been a holiday destination for the Japanese, while its subtropical climate, coral-fringed waters and relaxed way of life attract throngs of international tourists looking for an alternative to the hustle-bustle of major cities in mainland Japan.


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