Street Fiestas

We were in Hanoi last year for a short get away. I must say that this place is magical and one of a kind. Seriously an absolutely beautiful place! I fell in love not just with the place but with the food. My hubby and I had such a wonderful time just eating and exploring this lively city by foot.

While having lunch and chilling in this wonderful little café called the Paloma Café on Lý Thuong Kiệt (highly recommended!!! They serve one of the best spring roll I’ve ever tasted) we saw things we’ve never seen before in our entire life. (I will try to write all about the food in another post)

We were on the roll, naming everything we saw outside the café’s huge window. We felt as if we were trapped in a fish tank… just looking at the world passed by. We were enthralled by all that’s happened. At one point, we started writing down things we saw.. mainly the happenings on the main street.

However, when observing even more while walking down the aisles of these quainty streets, we saw even weirder stuffs… We thought it would be amazing penning some of these down. And these are what we have written down but gee, this list probably will never end. Here are some to start with:

1. people playing cards

2. people drinking tea

3. people pouring tea

4. people deep frying food on stools

5. people knocking and bending steel

6. people selling clothes

7. people recycling rubbish

8. people sitting in the middle of the road selling balloons

9. people selling bread

10. people selling drinks in glasses

11. people shaving bamboo

12. people stood by the side of the road sending test messages through their blackberry

13. people pulling their mustache using a twizzer

14. people having their hair cut

15. people selling flowers

16. people selling vegetables and fruits

17. people having their meals on mini stools and tables less than 60cm in height

18. motorcycles carrying ladder

19. motorcycles carrying 3 gallons of water

20. motorcycles carrying a box of plasma tv

21. motorcycles carrying two dogs

22. motorcycles carrying 25 kilo sack of rice and it fell off on the middle of the corss junction, and the motorcyclist had to stop his bike to pick up his sack of rice

23. motorcycles carrying stand fan

24. motorcycles carrying cages

25. 3 adults and a child on a motorcycle

26. old grandmas chasing kids while feeding them dinner

27. a man walking at night

28. a man jogging at nigh

29. a topless man jogging at night

30. a group of men playing cards in the dark

31. couples moonlighting in the park
32. a bike with Gucci leather skin seat

33. a bike with leopard leather skin seat

34. people asking if you’d like a rent a bike

35. bikes bike and more bikes!

36. people cutting chicken

37. drivers sitting in an expensive car (with legs up on the dashboard in an e-class)38. cars parked on a three way divider

39. people pumping air into the motorcycles

40. people sitting down seeing the world pass while fanning themselves 

41. … and the list goes on...

My conclusion, I love Hanoi!

18-21 July 2009

Hanoi, Vietnam

His first outstation trip

My sister, Yvonne recently got herself baptized in a catholic church, the St. Francis Xavier Church. Prior to her baptism, she had to attend a pre-baptismal retreat in Melaka, a 3 days 2 nights stay in retreat.

Naturally, by being her sponsor, I was looking forward to going to the retreat with her. The night before the retreat, I was trying to get Ethan to sleep in our bedroom. He didn’t want me to put him to bed and was struggling for almost a good one hour. And finally, mommy instinct told me that I had to call my maid up to the room to put him to bed. Sure enough, when the maid turned up and took him in her arms, he quieted down.

I was perturbed.

I couldn’t really fall asleep that night thinking if I’d to leave Ethan at home the whole day with the maid, he’s so not going to want me anymore.

Biting my lips hard, I told hubby that we will have to cart Ethan to Melaka and the maid was not going to sleep with my little boy. My other sister, Angeline was compassionate enough to understand what I was going through. So, she braved her horrible cough and cold in an hour car journey enroute to Melaka.

It was good seeing my son after one night of not seeing him. This was one time which I thought that motherhood thing has actually seeped into me. Nice!

Since it was a pretty last minute decision, we decided to book a room in the Majestic Hotel, Melaka, though the YTL Platinum Plus. (I must say that this club this the only one community which takes special care of it’s member. To top that, I have gotten invitations to watch a couple Malaysian musicals/stage plays but never could make it.)

Hubby was really excited about the whole idea of getting away, near or far. As for him, the induced thought of the Melaka Chicken Rice Balls drove his will for the one hour drive. However, I had to sneak out of the retreat sessions to check if things were fine with Ethan. I felt really bad about it, but lil sister was really cool about it, assuring me that she understands and told me to make sure the little boy was alright.

It was a great weekend for the family. Not to mention that it’s even better with Ethan behaving himself and enjoying himself in the hotel.

Check out the Majestic Hotel room and you will know why. By the way, that night when we all slept in the hotel, my little champion fell asleep in my arms. I was so overjoyed.

That's Ethan's yiyi preparing for his bath in an open concept bathroom in the hotel room!

This hotel used to be a mansion, dating back to the 1920s. The YTL decided to erect a new building in next to this mansion with it’s facade remains at the heart of the hotel mirroring the original architecture.

I remember reading an article on how the restoration team had to work on the hotel’s renovation by ensuring that the original porcelain flooring remains untouched. I seriously wonder how can that happen.

I must say that the hotel’s design integrates the old with new making it an experience. Lay man term, it feels like staying in a 6 star modern kampong.

Hubby swore that he is definately going back again. My verdict? A MUST! Frankly, the YTL Hotel Properties have never failed us. They might not be the biggest and most grandeured facade hotel, but I just love their so very intimate and unpretentious service, and their very personalised touch. If you are looking for a quiet hideaway with easy access to local food, this is the place to be!

bintang beer ad

Bintang Beer Ad
Starring: Canon Ling
Directered by: Adrian Chong & Tracy Ho
Photography by: Michelle Loh

Ad 1
Venue: In front of Kuta Beach
For the heat and sun

Ad 2
Brand Recognition: To introduce the "Bintang" brand by showing hints of brand name in the Ad.

Ad 3
To appeal: By having the model drink his Bintang passionately

Ad 4
To emphasize: Model to squint a little to highlight the superb taste of the beer

Ad 5
To have fun: Model to post naturally to promote fun in drinking Bintang

check out Bintang Beer

So, what do you think about the ads?

kuta beach

Bubbly brunch at PJ's

PJ's
Four Seasons Resort Bali
Jimbaran, Bali

We had brunch on the deck while soaking in the waves of Jimbaran Bay.
The view was astounding while the food, top notch!



The mood at PJ's is always upbeat and casual.

Seating on two decks and at the bar provides a clear view of the beach and Jimbaran Bay.

Smoked Salmon with Scramble Egg, Bagel, Cream Cheese, Capers and Sautéed Mushrooms

Eggs Benedict and Mini Caesar Salad

After 2 glasses of Mimosa
yipeeeeeeeeeeee... pretty happy at 12 noon!

That's Jen and I

one of the many Hindu temples

Gua Gajah
Ubud, Bali
Indonesia

Check out Announcement 1: Women during menstruation are strictly forbidden to enter the temple.

Actually, pets are not allowed as well.
That is why we took a photo right in front of the entrance to the temple with Miko because he is not allowed in.

Ancient belief that when you was your face with the water flowing out from this statue of some goddesses?, you will look younger?
All I was thinking then was that, I don't think I want to risk my face with some water that will have me go back to the dermatologist asking for more acne cream.
To sum up: I gave that a pass.

These colourful sarongs worn by us (tourists) are actually to cover our legs as a sign of respect in this place which is considered sacred by the Balinese.
We thought they looked cool and colourful instead!

A shot of us admiring the sacred tree from a view from above.

Remains of a temple which once stood in this area.

A view from above.

Adrian thought these stones were used for idol worship like on Mount Kinabalu!

our room

Room 1508
Tanjung Jara Resort

This is the room we stayed in.
It's funny how the whole resort's concept is so much like staying in the traditional Malay's homes. The whole architecture reminds us of the "rumah kampungs".
We even had the original "Bunga Manggar" in front of our door to welcome us as the newly weds.
We thought that was really thoughtful of them to prepare such detail.

bunga manggar (palm blossom)

Apparently,these traditional bunga manggar placed just in front of the door are to mark the arrival of the newly weds to the resort and resort staff knows they must accord extra special treatment to the couples. It’s also a sure way of saying “Do Not Disturb”.

Peeping out from our room.

The rooms opens up to the beautiful South China Sea.
Waking up to the sounds and the sights of the shore is definitely one of the highlights of our escape here.

spa village, tanjung jara

Spa Village
Tanjung Jara Resort






World's Most Innovative Spa Award

tanjung jara