Out of Norm Travels

The famous "old" town of Malacca (or Melaka as others prefer) is an interesting place for a photo shoot. A truly Unique PeR aN aK aN (mix of Chinese and Malay heritage) architecture, food & people awaits the traveler who spends some 3-4 hours on a bus-ride from modern Singapore to the "sleepy" town. Of course, if you are brave enough to venture on the roads yourself, it's definitely faster to travel by car. Here's a collage of some of the photos taken in my recent March 2011 visit: FOOD GALORE! Here you have the " dim sum", wanton noodle and roasted chicken on display A look at the architecture....you will not be able to find similar houses in such a pristine order...at least not in Singapore even though some of the houses in Katong or Joo Chiat still bear some resemblance of these 'old' places but unfortunately, although many still try, quite a few of the houses in Singapore no longer bear the truly orna...

This is my 1st post - set this up cos I tend to blog more about my Travels out of my home country & being the "compartmentalise" me, I want to keep my travelling separate from my regular blog " Meus Sensa ": Travels - so far has been just around the corner in Thailand : Vineyard in Hua Hin Farms outside Bangkok Nostalgia in Hua Hin Kachanaburi outside Bangkok Floating Markets Most memorable recent travel in 2010: Bhutan

Who would have thought that a memory trip can be achieved in Bangkok - in no less than a place called " Plearnwan " in Hua Hin , just outside Bangkok. This place is frequented more by local Thais than tourists as almost everything is in Thai (that's the usual practice outside of Bangkok). What makes this place special? Well, imagine a slice of 60s-70s re-created from the music, food and the furnishings. The entire place is constructed in wood, just like the ol' days. Here's a pic of the amazing entrance: There are food stalls lines up waiting to satisfy your hunger pangs - although the food are still made in the traditional hand-made way (which means you have to wait a while for the food to be ready): Sit-down eateries along the walkway also satisfy the taste-buds and stomachs of hungry travelers - this dish is essentially fried eggs (fried to crisp): Memorabilia from the 60s dot the entire place with old promotional screens jostling for pre...

[transferred from my other blog, http://mty-sensa.blogspot.sg/2010/07/farewell-to-bhutan.html ] When I wrote this, I was sitting in Paro airport waiting to board the only flight out of Bhutan to Bangkok ETD 1150am.   My room-mate asked me this morning if I am happy to leave Bhutan . I replied that I am neither happy or sad to leave as although I have enjoyed my 8 full days of travelling in Bhutan , I am grateful for the experience yet thankful to be back home soon in Singapore .   My most memorable experience in Bhutan is the sight of Tiger's Nest or Taktshang Monastery in Paro . I opted for a horse ride up to the holy place which is some 45mins-1hr by walking. It was an enjoyable albeit sometimes nerve wreaking experience as the horse tended to trot along the cliff edge as it goes up the mountain side.   What was special for me to lay eyes on the monastery is that it has come to represent Bhutan to me. In almost every literature about Bhutan , a...

Transferred from my other blog, http://mty-sensa.blogspot.sg/   The guidebook said that trekking in Bhutan offers the best opportunity to experience the “real Bhutan ”. I cannot agree more although it was definitely the most challenging part for me personally for the whole trip. I think the altitude didn’t help with the “mini expedition”. I could hear the thumping of my heart throughout the entire 7 hours or so trek on the 1st day and will totally agree with my pre-trip assessment that this part of the trip is and will be a “once in lifetime experience” for me.   The trek started at Haa valley . This place is, according to the guidebook, only opened to tourists on 2001. We arrived in Haa valley after a drive through the Chele-la Pass from Paro which is also the highest drivable road in Bhutan at 3810m.   The town of Haa is essentially a training camp for Bhutan army by the Indian army. Wheat is grown here instead of rice as its elevation is higher than P...

[transferred from my other blog, http://mty-sensa.blogspot.sg/] Frankly, my 3rd day in Bhutan passed by in a blur. I recall visiting the Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten (Stupa ) on the morning after a 1 hour or so hike. After that, we stopped over at the Punakha Dzong , reputedly one of the most famous dzongs in Bhutan before heading down to a temple dedicated to Drukpa Kunley , popularly known as the Divine Mad Man that spread Buddhism through unorthodox methods. People in that area usually have phalluses adorn their walls as a means of reminding themselves of him. My fav shots for each of the sights for Day 3: 14Jun10_Punakha_KhamsumYulleyNamgyalChorten 14Jun10_Punakha_KhamsumYulleyNamgyalChorten_WayUp_Padi 14Jun10_Punakha_Dzong 14Jun10_Punakha_Dzong_Monks 14Jun10_Punakha_ChimeLhakhang 14Jun10_Punakha_ChimeLhakhang_OntheWayUp_Lady 14Jun10_Punakha_DivineMadman_Shop_Way Up Day 4 was not any better for me as I think I am still adjusting to ...