Photo: Pan Pacific Orchard

Some hotels are just places to sleep. Others are experiences.

And then there’s Pan Pacific Orchard, which feels like stepping into the future of luxury travel.

Recently crowned the World’s Best New Skyscraper, Pan Pacific Orchard isn’t just a hotel—it’s a vertical resort, a piece of living architecture, and one of the most visually striking places we’ve ever stayed.

From the moment we arrived for our little staycation, it was clear this wasn’t going to be an ordinary city stay.

Set along Singapore’s iconic Orchard Road, Pan Pacific Orchard stands out instantly—but not in the typical glass-and-steel way.

Instead, the building rises in layers of lush greenery, open-air terraces, and cascading gardens, making it feel more like a vertical jungle than a high-rise hotel.

Each “layer” of the building represents a different landscape—Forest, Beach, Garden, and Cloud—and somehow, it all works seamlessly. Walking in, there’s a sense of calm that’s rare for such a central location.

The city noise fades, replaced by water features, greenery, and natural light pouring in from every angle.

The Room: Elevated, Literally and Figuratively

Look at those smug faces

Our room was everything you’d expect from a luxury Pan Pacific stay—spacious, beautifully designed, and incredibly comfortable—but with a fresh, modern edge.

Think: Floor-to-ceiling windows with sweeping city views Soft, neutral tones that let the architecture shine Thoughtful details that make the space feel both luxurious and livable

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Waking up to the Singapore skyline, wrapped in crisp white linens, was a highlight on its own. It felt indulgent, but never overdone—the perfect balance of comfort and style.

Our kids, Seth & Nadine were just in awe of the whole experience and they just did not want to leave the hotel.

The Pools: Resort Living in the Sky

Photo: Pan Pacific Orchard

One of Pan Pacific Orchard’s biggest showstoppers? The Swimming Pools.

This isn’t just one rooftop pool—it’s multiple elevated pool experiences woven throughout the building’s layers.

Each one feels distinct, surrounded by greenery and open space, making it easy to forget you’re in the middle of a bustling city.

Whether it was a morning dip with the sun filtering through the trees or an afternoon spent lounging poolside, this was resort-style relaxation taken to a whole new level.

Dining & Atmosphere: Sophisticated, Yet Effortless Dining at Pan Pacific Orchard follows the same philosophy as the rest of the hotel—refined, intentional, and effortlessly stylish.

The spaces feel social without being loud, elegant without being stiff.

The breakfast buffet offers local and international fare and it made us feel perfectly at home.

Why It Deserves the Title Calling Pan Pacific Orchard the World’s Best New Skyscraper isn’t just about how it looks (although it is stunning).

It’s about how it reimagines what a city hotel can be—blending sustainability, luxury, architecture, and nature into one unforgettable experience.

This isn’t just a place to stay.

It’s a destination in itself.

If you’re planning a trip to Singapore and want a hotel that feels iconic, immersive, and truly special, Pan Pacific Orchard should be at the top of your list.

It’s bold without being flashy, luxurious without being intimidating, and unforgettable in the quiet, lasting way that the best travel experiences always are.

The post Pan Pacific Orchard - Our Stay at the World's Best New Skyscraper first appeared on Fat Starfish.

Rather than flying, we opted for the flexibility and fun of driving, and the journey turned out to be just as memorable as the destination.

Our trip began in Johor Bahru, where we arranged a rental car through TM Holiday. The process was refreshingly convenient. They picked us up right from Singapore and accompanied us through the border checkpoint. Once we cleared customs, the car was officially handed over, and just like that, our journey began.

We took the fastest route north to Kuala Lumpur, where we spent two nights soaking up the city’s vibrant energy and sampling its incredible food scene. But that chapter deserves a story of its own. After a short but satisfying KL stopover, we hit the road again in the early morning, heading east toward the tranquil coastline of Kuantan.

We made a few stops along the way for quick sightseeing—charming roadside towns, lush stretches of greenery, and local eats—but truth be told, we were eager to reach our destination:

The Kasturi Resort Cherating.

Tucked away along the unspoiled shores of Chendor Beach in Pahang, The Kasturi is a secluded five-star beachfront resort that instantly took our breath away. Designed as a harmonious blend of land and sea, this hidden gem offers panoramic views of the South China Sea to the east, with the forested headland of Tanjong Geliga framing the sunrise. Behind the villas lies a verdant rainforest, giving the entire resort an almost dreamlike sense of isolation and serenity.

The resort itself is intimate and exclusive, with only 23 villas and suites spread across 15 acres of beachfront property. It’s designed with luxury and sustainability in mind, creating a space that invites you to disconnect from the chaos of daily life without sacrificing modern comforts. Every detail—from the architecture to the landscape—feels thoughtfully curated to enhance the natural surroundings.

One of the most enchanting features is the stretch of 800 meters of private beach, backed by gently forested dunes. To the north, the beach continues for nearly another kilometer, all the way to the estuary of Sungai Pak Siak—a perfect trail for morning walks or peaceful evening jogs.

It was there, in those quiet morning hours, that Shahrom managed to get a few photos from his camera. Overhead, sea eagles soared gracefully, while at night, fireflies flickered along the winding walkways of the resort.

The beach holds its own stories too.

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Locals come here for fishing, and the area is a known nesting ground for endangered green turtles.

We booked ourselves a three-bedroom Forest Villa—one of the newest and most spacious additions to The Kasturi. Nestled within the lush greenery of the rainforest just steps from the beach, these double-storey family villas offer the perfect blend of seclusion and luxury.

Designed with families or groups of friends in mind, each villa features three well-appointed bedrooms and three elegant bathrooms, ensuring plenty of space and privacy for everyone.

The villa comes complete with its own private pool and a generous outdoor dining deck—ideal for long, leisurely meals surrounded by nature. Inside, the open-concept lounge area is both stylish and inviting, a comfortable space to unwind and connect. The interiors are a celebration of refined Asian design, with carefully selected natural materials and textures, complemented by exquisite artworks that lend a sense of warmth and authenticity.

Whether you’re traveling with family or sharing a getaway with close friends, the Forest Villa offers an exceptional retreat—where comfort, beauty, and tranquility come together in perfect harmony.

We spent two serene nights at The Kasturi, fully embracing the opportunity to rest and recharge. Our mornings began with peaceful walks along the quiet beach, followed by a delightful à la carte breakfast buffet that offered both local favorites and international treats.

One of the highlights of our stay was releasing turtles by the shore—a truly special and memorable experience for all of us.

Seth and Nadine were absolutely thrilled with the entire stay, from the villa’s private pool to the wonders of nature just outside our doorstep.

It was a getaway that checked all the boxes, and looking back, we couldn’t have made a better choice.

• Check out: The Kasturi Cherating Rates

Till next time. Safe travels.

The post Our Quiet & Serene Stay @ The Kasturi Resort Cherating first appeared on Fat Starfish.

Ann and I have been dreaming of a Campervan holiday for a very long time. We did a lot of research on campervan holidays in countries like New Zealand and South Africa, and most of them were ridiculously expensive and out of our budget.

• Related: South Africa – Bungee Jumping off the Bloukrans Bridge

Ann chanced upon campervan holidays in Japan and began researching. And with Flyscoot having promotions to Japan. We thought why not. We pre-booked all our flights and campervan months ahead and got away with some incredible deals.

We also managed to partner with Changi Recommends to provide us with a wifi router with unlimited data to stay connected with friends and family back home as well as to connect us to our GPS.

Find out more at our link below.

• Related: Enjoy Unlimited Data For Your Next Travels With Changi Recommends Wifi Router

Friends and family have been asking us about our Campervan adventures. So here are some highlights of our Japan Campervan trip.

Tokyo

As soon as we landed at Narita International Airport, we made our way to the train station and bought tickets to our campervan provider, JapanCampers. We have pre-booked with them months ahead and they were expecting us.

Check out the link below for more info on our Campervan.

• Related: Explore The Land Of The Rising Sun With JapanCampers

We stayed the night at the guesthouse not before stuffing ourselves with delicious Japanese cuisine and stocking up snacks from the local supermarket.

Mount Fuji

We really did not have any itinerary for this trip and just wanted to go with the flow. But one thing is for sure, we would like to visit Mount Fuji. After settling our paperwork with JapanCampers, we set our GPS and off we go.

Most of the time, we would try to avoid toll highways as they can be very expensive and take our time to soak in the beauty of Japan via the small or countryside roads.

How to make your kid look like Mount Fuji?

We spent most of our first-day drive checking out Mount Fuji from various spots as we drove along the eastern coastal route and took many photos along the way.

Sagara Koumare Onsen Kaikan

One of the activities that we wanted to do was to visit an Onsen. Our friends at JapanCampers downloaded an Onsen App on the Ipad provided to us and it shows more than 3000 Onsens or bathhouses scattered around Japan.

We could not believe that for as little as USD$5, you can spend the whole day at an Onsen scrubbing yourselves clean and dipping in the geothermal pools. We never knew finding a place to bathe while Campervanning was this easy!

These onsens also have restaurants to cater to the visitors.

Every night without fail,  Ann and I would end up in an Onsen. And we would have our meals there too! You have to experience it!

Sagara Koumare Onsen Kaikan was the first Onsen in Japan that we stepped into.

It is situated in the middle of nowhere surrounded by trees. We thought we were going to be disappointed.

We stripped to our birthday suits and it was a pleasant eye-opening experience.

The in-house restaurant here too had one of the best deep-fried calamari.

• Tip: There are rules to follow while you are in an Onsen. Learn about them before you enter one.

After our bath, we drove towards Omaezaki where we slept in a parking lot specifically for Campervan drivers like us.

Best of all it is free.

You just need to download one of the many Japan camping apps available on your smartphone to find them.

Omaezaki

Omaezaki Fish Market

The next morning we drove to Omaezaki Fish Market and checked out their daily catch.

There were not many people as we expected, so we had the whole market to ourselves checking out the fish as well as the workers doing their business.

We saw tons of pacific ocean fish and how Bonito flakes were made here at this market.

Omaezaki Lighthouse

One of the highlights of the Shizuoka Prefecture is the Omaezaki Lighthouse built in 1635 at the extreme end of Cape Omaezaki.

The lighthouse was built by British engineer Richard Henry Brunton due to the frequency of marine accidents on the rocks off the coast of Tōtōmi Province.

For a small fee at the entrance, you can walk up the Lighthouse and enjoy the scenic views of the Pacific Ocean.

Hamaoka Sand Dunes

Hamaoka Sand Dunes is a tourist attraction near the coast.

It is a naturally occurring dune brought by winds over a very long period of time.

We did not do much there except to snap some photos and just chill on the windy beach.

Takoman Atelier

After the long walk up the lighthouse and Hamaoka Sand Dunes, we wanted to grab a bite.

We saw a signboard to a fruit farm and as we followed the directions, we saw a cafe in the middle of a cemetery.

Yes, a cemetery!

We ordered coffee and a Margherita pizza.

To our astonishment, the simple plain looking tomato-based pizza tasted deliciously out of this world that we ordered a 2nd pizza and had lunch instead!

The thin-crusted pizza was very chewy and together with the tomato base and herbs, it created an explosion of flavors in our mouths.

We seriously recommend this cafe.

They have several outlets in Japan.

You can check them out at this Link.

Hamamatsu Air Base

Hamamatsu Air Base is a military airbase which includes a museum at the premises.

There are a constant take-off and landing of several Japanese fighter jets and self-defence aeroplanes at the strip where it is open to the public to view.

It is a great place for kids who love to watch aeroplanes fly by and landing.

We saw many families here enjoying an afternoon stroll with their children.

Entry to the museum is free, however, most of the explanation videos and signboards are in Japanese.

Raku Hot Spring

To sum up the day, we retreated to an Onsen with a Hot Spring and had our meals there too.

The hot spring really helps to clear the knots in your body and makes you feel relaxed.

After every Onsen bath, we would sleep in our Campervan like a baby.

Ann even said that I snored the night away too!

Denpark Anjo City

To end the night, we checked our app and found a place to sleep. The location is outside “little Denmark” known as Denpark in Anjo City.

There are many activities, Danish landmarks as well as a tulip farm in the park but we did not go in as we had to pay.

We would rather go to Denmark and see the real thing.

Nagoya

Bulan Bali

We left early in the morning and headed towards Nagoya city. We ended up at a Balinese restaurant called Bulan Bali.

We rarely eat another country’s food outside of the host country but we were already too tired from the driving and a bowl of mee soto could do no harm.

Surprisingly, the meals here are as authentic as you get them in Bali. However, the prices aren’t.

The restaurant is Halal too but they do serve alcohol.

Yamagoya Restaurant – Matsusaka Yakiniku

I have been watching documentaries on steaks and one of the most sought-after beef in Japan is known as the Matsusaka beef.

The beef is from the Japanese Black Cattle (wagyu) reared under strict conditions in the Matsusaka region in Mie.

The beef has one of the highest fat to meat ratio and it would melt in your mouth like pieces of butter when you grill it.

Only a limited number of cows are slaughtered each year and the beef commands a very high price and rarely exported overseas.

As we had no plans, Ann and I drove to Matsusaka in search of the beef.

We ended up at Yamagoya Restaurant which serves Matsusaka Beef Yakiniku (bbq) style.

The beef was one of the best highlights of our trip. Ann keeps dreaming of the beef until today.

• Tip: Order the chocolate ice cream here too. A sweet end to the meaty dinner.

Julie, the co-owner and wife of the chef who runs the restaurant is a Filipino and she speaks English well even though she says she has forgotten the language after more than 15 years living in Japan.

Do check the place out if you ever pass by this region.

watching our clothes dry

After our hearty Matsusaka Yakiniku meal, we went for a bath at an Onsen and parked our Campervan outside a laundromat.

The next day we took it slow, did our laundry, chilling out watching our clothes dry and head to Nara.

Who knew even a visit to the laundromat can be therapeutic.

Nara

Farmers Market in Iga

soaking in the sun

As we head to Nara, we stopped at a farmer’s market in Iga where Ann bought oranges and snacks.

We had a mini picnic as we basked in the sun in an empty field near the market.

Sun is up and a packet of oranges, what more can you ask for.

Nara Park

 

Ok no more #japan #travelfromsg #narapark #deerpark #vanlife #travelstories

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Nara Park needs no introduction.

They are best known for the free-roaming deers where you can feed them.

I had loads of fun here feeding these gentle creatures.

Not for Ann though, she’s constantly worried about deers creeping behind her.

This park, however, can be very packed with tourists, especially on the weekends.

Jinniyah Nara

We got tired feeding the deers at Nara Park and we decided to feed ourselves. Jinniyah Naramachi is a Halal eatery located within walking distance of the park.

The menu is limited and they only serve Ramen and Chicken Teriyaki bowls.

I had the Ramen while Ann had the Chicken Teriyaki bowl.

The Ramen was ok to us but the star of the show would be the Chicken Teriyaki bowl.

Tender, juicy marinated chicken cooked over charcoal had us drooling for more.

It was so good that they stopped selling the chicken by itself without the rice.

Higashimuki Shopping Street

Higashimuki Shopping Street is a popular covered shopping street in Nara.

After our meal at Jinniyah, we had a little stroll here window shopping as well as gorging on street food.

There is a small booth that sells one of the best-tasting Takoyaki we ever had.

Just follow the smells and we assure you will find it.

Osaka

Konami Sports Club

The first place we went to upon arriving in Osaka was to find an Onsen.

Konami Sports Club is an onsen cum sporting facility in the city.

By now, visiting an Onsen has become second nature to us.

Something, we look forward to at the end of our day.

We bathed and scrubbed ourselves before feeling hungry and drive out to look for dinner.

Matsuri

We had been informed by our friends of a little Japanese Halal Restaurant in Osaka called Matsuri and decided to check the place out.

They sell Halal Kobe beef rice bowls to teh tarik located in the heart of Osaka.

Ann ordered the Okonomiyaki while I ordered the Dry Curry Rice with Chicken Karaage.

The Chicken Karaage was tender, juicy on the inside and had a nice crispy outer coating.

It was so good that we ordered additional servings of the chicken.

One of the guys working there named Yuki is able to speak multiple languages including Bahasa Indonesia and we had a nice chat with him.

A must-visit place if you are in Osaka.

Family Mart aka Famima

Look out for this signboard if you want to sleep for the night outside Famima

In Japan, as long as you legally park your vehicle, you can sleep in it.

We realised that many Japanese who are travelling across the country usually sleep at a Michi no Eki, (rest stops at a highway) or convenience stores that allow overnight parking.

For us, we prefer sleeping outside 7-11 or another convenience chain store called Family Mart aka Famima.

Why do we like to sleep outside Famima?

Apart from clean toilets and dim lighting for us to have a good night’s rest, Famima has a variety of snacks and their caramel latte in the morning is the best wake up call for the long drives ahead. We can never thank Famima enough for their wonderful hospitality.

Nakanoshima Fishing Port

We found a fresh seafood place known as the Nakanoshima Fishing Port where you can get fresh sashimi, hot pot and various seafood tempura.

This place is still under the radar that even the locals did not know about it.

• Related: Nakanoshima Fishing Port – Live Seafood Market in Osaka Minus The Tourists

You can choose the live seafood yourself and the chefs would cook it accordingly.

During the night, there is live music, outdoor BBQ and many activities here.

We didn’t stay until late and only had a wonderful seafood lunch here.

Highly recommended!

Dotonbori

Ann & The Glico Man

Since it’s been awhile that we have been away from civilisation, we headed to Dotonbori a famous shopping belt in Osaka.

It is a super touristy place and it can get very very crowded with shoppers.

Ann and I were not looking forward to any shopping but we decided to stroll around and eat some street food and just enjoy the city sights.

Gram Pancakes

You have probably seen it on your Instagram feed, the jiggly pancakes from Japan.

It is rated as one of the must-eat snacks while you are in Japan.

We decided to try it out and while there is a waiting list to eat this sweet pancake, we managed to get a slot.

The souffle pancakes come in 3 stacks and as you shake the plate, the pancakes will jiggle.

The pancakes are very light, with an airy texture and have a creamy taste.

The pancakes are only available during certain time slots as they take quite some time to make this sweet dessert.

So do book your slots in advance.

Luke Lobster Roll

As we walked around the Shinsaibashi area (covered street mall) we came across a lot of people with lobster rolls in one hand and the other with their phones taking a selfie.

So we got tempted to try it!

We have tried lobster rolls in Singapore before and decided to give Luke Lobster Roll a try.

• Related: Pince & Pints: A Must Try Succulent Lobster Restaurant in Singapore

While it was not as good as the Singapore version we had, it was a fraction of the cost compared to the Singapore one.

Calbee Plus

Calbee Plus is a cafe run by the popular Japanese snack brand Calbee.

Here you can get freshly fried chips on-site, dipped in Royce chocolate and other flavours too.

We tried the octopus flavoured chips and after stuffing our faces the whole day we proceeded to an Onsen and later managed to find a 7-11 to end our stomach fulfilling day with a good night’s rest!

Kyoto

Asakusa Shrine

We then drove to Kyoto and headed to the city known for its many shrines.

Asakusa Shrine is one of the most famous shrines in Kyoto. 

The shrine honours the three men who founded the Sensō-ji.

Asakusa Shrine survived the Tokyo air raids during world war 2 in 1945.

Because of this rich history, it was designated as an Important Cultural Property by the Japanese government in 1951.

Fushimi Inari Shrine

Lucky Shot with No Tourists

Fushimi Inari Shrine is another important Shinto shrine in Kyoto.

It is famous for its thousands of orange coloured vermilion torii gates, which connects a network of trails behind its main buildings.

The trails lead into the wooded forest of the sacred Mount Inari, which stands at 233 meters and belongs to the shrine grounds.

The shrine is mostly visited by Japanese businessmen and the orange torii gates are mostly donated by them.

Narikaya Ramen & Yakiniku

Narikaya Ramen and Narikaya Yakiniku are 2 different restaurants on the same street but they are from the same owners.

So while one restaurant can be closed, you can still eat both Ramen and Yakiniku at either restaurant.

They are one of the few Halal restaurants in the area and we tried both the Ramen as well as the Yakiniku.

It can get very crowded as it is near to the touristy Asakusa Shrine.

Hanami-Koji Street

Ann was going on and on about how much she wanted to see the Geishas since she was in her teens.

So that evening we made our way to Hanami-Koji Street which is famous for the Geishas.

While we managed to get glimpses of the Geishas, there were signboards that advised tourists not to take a photo or harass them.

Trying to abide by the law, I took photos of Ann instead.

We then left and had our daily dose of Onsen, dinner and made our way to Biwa Lake where we parked our Campervan for the night.

Biwa Lake

 

Sunrise, coffee & stretches every damn day #japan #lakebiwa #travelfromsg #travelstories #vanlife #campervanjapan

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Biwa Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Japan and it is known to be more than 4 million years old!

There are many activities to do at the lake but it was just a lazy morning for us.

We decided to shake up our routine a bit and after a round of laundry, we had a midday Onsen at a place called Hiratopia near the lake.

Hiratopia is so empty and quiet that after our bath and lunch, we decided to have a nap in the parking lot. It was our quiet day!

Napping after a warm dip in a hot spring never felt so good!

Hiratopia address below.

 Shirahige Shrine

Shirahige Shrine is another Shinto Shrine located in the waters of Biwa Lake.

We managed to drive there in time to catch the sunset and it was a nice scene with the last rays of the sun setting in the background.

We continued our drive towards Gifu and it began to snow!

As we did not know where to head to, we opened our Onsen app and ended the day outside Yamato Onsen Peace Museum so that we can have a warm shower the next morning!

Yamato Onsen Peace Museum

Yamato Onsen Peace Museum was by far the best Onsen we have been to in Japan.

The Hot Spring bathing facilities has huge indoor baths as well as an open-air bath with amazing views.

And as it was snowing, it added to the amazing feel of Japan like those we only watched on the hit TV show Japan Hour.

We spent a few hours here immersing ourselves in the geothermal pools and soaking in the wintry feel.

We had one of the best croissants here too.

Flaky buttery goodness made by hand by a bakery aptly known only as Handmade Bakery.

Do check out this place if you are in the area!

A must visit place and definite must try croissants!

Hida Folk Village

We made our way to a common tourist spot known as the Hida Folk Village or Hida No Sato.

It is an open-air museum with more than 30 well-preserved farmhouses illustrating the traditional architectural styles of the mountainous regions of Japan.

Some of the houses are already more than 500 years old.

We did not stay long here as the weather was getting too cold for our comfort.

We then headed to Takayama Old town in search of dinner.

Takayama Old Town

Hida Beef is another highly sought after and coveted beef from Japan.

We had a Hida Beef Yakiniku dinner at Takayama Old town but it was not as good compared to the Matsusaka Beef we had earlier on our trip.

Nevertheless, I had one of the best company with me in Japan.

After our dinner, we walked around Takayama Old town for a little sightseeing.

Shirakawago

We decided to drive to the well known Shirakawago Village.

However, as it was snowing heavily, the routes we took were closed as the snow was too heavy.

We then diverted towards Toyama Bay where we heard and read that they have one of the best seafood there.

Toyama

Toyama was probably the best highlight of our trip and we did not even plan to come here if not for the closed roads to Shirakawago.

After an Onsen bath and lunch by a scenic valley and river, we drove towards Toyama Bay, known for one of the best seafood places in Japan.

We parked our Campervan by the bay and had a little nap first before we had one of the best sushi dinners in our entire lives.

Sushi Kuine Toyama

Enter Sushi Kuine, a sushi train restaurant which has several outlets in Japan.

However here in Toyama Bay, the restaurant procures their seafood from the nearby bay and only the best and freshest seafood is served at the restaurant.

Sushi served in Toyama have a bigger cut of fish and smaller pieces of rice making it a very filling meal.

From the poisonous Fugu (pufferfish) to the fatty tuna bellies, we were stuffing our ourselves with smiles on our faces.

I was smacking myself silly and a little angry with myself because I could not eat more!

This was the best sushi Ann and I have ever tasted and it was not even at an expensive high-end restaurant! Given a chance, we would love to return to Toyama Bay again and devour all seafood and sushi like it is going out of fashion.

Website: Sushi Kuine Toyama

Shinminato Kitokito Market

The next day, we decided to check out the source of all the fantastic seafood at Toyama Bay and that lead us to Shinminato Kitokito Market.

Upon arrival, you will be greeted by a ‘Big Red Crab’ as its icon. Once you enter, there will be a variety of seafood to choose from.

After making many rounds in the market, we had Snow Crab, grilled fish and tempura for lunch.

We devoured all the fresh seafood we can, before leaving for Tokyo.

After our fantastic Snow Crab lunch, we took the scenic coastal route back to Tokyo, whereby the route cuts through the mountains which are known as the Japanese Alps.

We had a slow drive and were feeling quite down that our adventure was ending soon as we reached the fringes of Tokyo.

Tokyo

Shinjuku

Back in Tokyo, Ann and I headed to Shinjuku as it was one of the many sites recommended by our friends.

As we have been mostly to the countryside for the past 2 weeks, our senses were overwhelmed by the noise, neon lights and crazy crowds of Tokyo that we did not enjoy our night.

• Tip: Parking in the city can be a very expensive affair. Plan your routes and if possible park your campervans outside the city and take the trains instead.

We did not stay here long and after a disappointing sushi dinner, we retreated into our campervan and found a quiet Famima for the night.

Tokyo Photographic Art (TOP) museum

W.Eugene Smith, one of my favourite American photojournalist had a show at TOP museum and it was a chance not to be missed.

There was an exhibition on his early life photo essays and we had an enjoyable time at TOP viewing the black and white film prints.

The museum is great for photography enthusiasts as well as a place for a quiet retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city of Tokyo especially with Christmas around the corner.

Shibuya Crossing

Shibuya Crossing needs no introduction. You have probably seen it on TV many times the busy intersection whereby pedestrians can cross in all directions.

Touted as one of the busiest intersections in the world, Ann and I crossed the intersection a couple of times with tons of many other tourists just for the fun of it.

This area is also a shopper’s paradise and while I was busy capturing street photos, Ann made some last minute shopping buying souvenirs for her favourite sisters.

We concluded that we preferred the quiet rural areas more than the cities and we need more of these quiet holidays.

End of Our Japan Campervan Adventures

On our 2nd last day in Japan, we drove back to Narita, had one final Onsen bath, a wagyu steak lunch and cleaned up our van with a wash and deep vacuum.

Last wagyu steak dinner…Yums!

After more than 2 weeks transversing Japan with our Campervan, we were feeling sad that our holiday is coming to an end.

We returned the Campervan to JapanCampers and checked in to a hotel for the first time on this trip!

Hotel Welco Narita

We spent our last night in Japan at Hotel Welco Narita. The hotel is situated right in the heart of Narita city and is a stone’s throw away from the train station.

As it is situated in the city, there are many amenities and restaurants available around the hotel.

The hotel has a couple of in-house restaurants too.

A buffet breakfast is provided and to top it all off, there is a free shuttle service to the airport daily.

View Hotel Welco Narita Rates.

So here are the highlights of our Japan Campervan adventure.

We could not believe that it was so easy to do a Campervan holiday in Japan that we might have problems if we were to do it in another country.

We had high expectations before coming here and Japan has more than doubled that.

Japan has set the bar very high.

From the easy access to onsens and bathing facilities, campervan parking, easy roads, friendly people and of course delicious food everywhere, we had one hell of a good time Campervanning in Japan.

We will definitely do it again! Ann has already begun her research and bugging me.

• Check out: Our Darwin to Melbourne Campervan Adventures

Special thanks to Changi Recommends for partnering with us on this trip!

Till then safe travels wherever you are.

*This article contains links to Affiliates in which Fat Starfish receive a percentage of sales with no additional costs to you. Help us maintain this website by buying from our links. Thank you for your support!

The post Our Japan Campervan Adventures first appeared on Fat Starfish.

All 4000 kilometres. No itinerary.

We partnered with Mighty Campers and got away with some great deals. As usual, friends and family have been asking us about our campervan road trip.

Below are some of the highlights of our trip!

Darwin

We flew via Jetstar direct to Darwin which we booked via the widget below and got away with some amazing deals.

We reach in the early morning and proceeded to Mighty Campers to pick up our Britz 2 Berth Venturer which is an upgrade to one of their sister’s campervan companies.

The staff took their time to explain to us the in and outs of the vehicle, and after feeling very comfortable we strapped our seatbelts and away we went.

• Check out: Explore Australia with Mighty Campers

We headed to the nearest supermarket in Coolalinga to stock up on our necessities and it is highly recommended you buy all your needs here as prices can triple in the outback!

Kakadu National Park

Bowali Visitor Centre

We drove towards Kakadu National Park and the first place we visited was the Bowali Visitor Centre in a town named Jabiru. Here you can find information and tips to navigate the national park.

• Tip: You can get your Kakadu National Park passes here too!

The staff would let you know the sites that are open for the season to make your planning a breeze.

Kakadu Lodge

We googled for campervan parks with powered sites and we found one with a huge swimming pool in the sweltering heat of the Northern Territory of Australia that we just had to make a booking at Kakadu Lodge.

It is a 3 min drive from Jabiru town centre, boasts tropical landscaped gardens in the heart of Kakadu National Park with many places of interests nearby.

For us, the lagoon styled pool was the deal clincher in the heat of summer! We had a dip in the pool, cooked dinner and rested for the night after the day’s drive.

View Kakadu Lodge rates Here

Ubirr Rock Art

The next day after a good night’s sleep, we headed out to Ubirr early in the morning to avoid the summer heat. Ubirr consists of a group of rocky outcrops where the highlight of this place would be the Aboriginal Rock Art found throughout the area.

The Rock Art here is known to be one of the best in Australia and it depicts life in the outback when the Aboriginal people first encountered Europeans!

If time is on your side, do stay for sunset at the top of the rocky outcrop!

Warradjan Cultural Centre

After viewing the Ubirr Rock Art, we drove to Warradjan Cultural Centre, a must-see museum of the way of life of the Aborigines.

The museum consists of informational videos, as well as artifacts and stories the traditional owners of the land, want to share with the visitors.

It was a very educational and informative place to start our Northern Territory adventure.

Both Ann and I were pleased that we made the trip to this place.

Katherine Holiday Park

We continued our journey and headed towards Katherine Holiday Park where we stayed the night.

There are many caravan parks in this town but we chose Katherine Holiday Park as it was one of the quietest and away from the main road.

We grilled a steak dinner. Washed up and just rest from the driving we had done. It has been an amazing road trip so far and we cannot wait for more adventures to come.

We did a little research to find out more about the places of interest and happily slept in our campervan under the stars!

You can view more on Katherine Holiday Park Here.

Mataranka Hot Spring

The next day, we headed to Katherine town centre where we stocked up on our groceries and away we went to Mataranka Hot Spring which is about an hour’s drive.

We have seen this place many times on our Instagram feed and felt that we just needed to see the place for ourselves and have a dip in the clear water pool.

We spent most of our day here at Mataranka as the weather was way warmer than the hot spring which is a relief from the sweltering sun.

Midland Caravan Park

We planned to drive to Tennant Creek for our next sleep stop but as we were too tired from all the fun we had at Mataranka, we decided to rest at Midland Caravan Park in Elliot which was in the middle of nowhere and pretty much away from civilization.

However, we had one of the best nights here as the owner of the Caravan park allowed us to have an open fire to cook our meals and have a mini BBQ. I collected some dry wood, started my mini BBQ fire to the rolling eyes of Ann.

The park is also very quiet at night and we had one of the best sleep.

The only downside though would be the diesel prices at the attached mini-mart. Petrol and diesel prices are double away from the big towns and cities.

Karlu Karlu aka Devil’s Marbles

The next day we headed towards Tennant Creek, had a mini pit stop and planned to visit the Aboriginals Heritage Centre but it was closed when we reached.

We then proceeded to drive towards Karlu Karlu aka Devil’s Marbles. The Devil’s Marbles are natural rock formations which are of great spiritual and cultural significance to the Aboriginal people of the area.

Like its name, the area was hot as hell when we came but the Devil was nowhere in sight. Nevertheless, Ann and I had some fun snapping photos and learning a thing or two about the place at the information centre.

Tropic of Capricorn

We passed by the Tropic of Capricorn line and we were amazed that no one stops here to check it out. However, being a Capricorn myself, we parked the van and snapped a few photos.

There was nothing much there anyway except for the Tropic of Capricorn marker. We then proceeded towards Alice Springs.

Alice Springs

We googled a few places and decided to head to Wintersun Cabin & Caravan Park. The caravan park is gated and has a pool. The front desk staff we met were very friendly and gave us tips for our campervan adventure.

We did not do much in Alice Springs except to stock up on groceries, rest and hang out with some grannies from the Netherlands who were doing a campervan trip too. We are amazed that you are never too old to go on a road trip adventure in Australia.

Check out Wintersun Cabin & Caravan Park Here.

Uluru Ayers Rock

The next day, we drove to Uluru Ayers Rock Campground and checked in to the only Caravan Powered Site in the area. As this is a hot tourist spot, prices for anything and everything is quite steep.

• Tip: Plan and buy your groceries in Alice Springs as well as fuel up the campervan too before heading to Uluru Ayers Rock

That afternoon we headed to Ayers Rock to catch the spectacular sunset and we were not disappointed. Finally, after only seeing the Uluru Ayers Rock on TV and magazines, Ann and I get to see it in person Rock!

Words failed us.

You have to visit Uluru Ayer Rocks to really immerse yourself in the beauty of this place.

Ranger Guided Mala Walk

We stayed another night at Uluru Ayers Rock and the next morning we headed back to the rock for the Ranger Guided Mala Walk.

A park ranger took a group of us for a complimentary walk along Uluru Ayers Rock, telling us stories of the Mala people who used to live at the rock. We learnt a thing or two about the Anangu Culture, Rock Art and other personal stories from the Park Ranger.

A highly entertaining and informative guided walk that we highly suggest you not to miss it.

That afternoon, we went to the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural centre (just beside Uluru Ayers Rock) to deepen our knowledge and understanding of the magnificent place. We drove to visit Kata Tjuta too for sunset but it rained heavily when we reached.

Nevertheless, we still had an enjoyable time here.

On a side note, do carry some cash with you for emergency purposes. While we at Uluru Ayers Rock, there was a storm which knocked out the telecoms. There was no phone network, no data, ATMs and credit card machines did not work.

Many people were stuck at Uluru Ayers Rock because they got no cash to pump their petrol as well as get groceries. And they could not call anyone for help either.

As for Ann, she immersed herself with a book while I stared into thin air after a round of laundry.

Coober Pedy

Our next adventure stop was the world-renowned Opal Mining Town of Coober Pedy.

We stayed at a popular family-run caravan park named Oasis Tourist Park.

The park is clean, with shaded parking for our campervan which is a blessing, and has a pool plus many other amenities.

The owner even gave us a BIG4 discount even though the park is not affiliated.

• Note: BIG4 is a network of caravan holiday parks in Australia. Mighty Campers drivers receive 10% off for staying at any of the affiliated parks.

Coober Pedy is known as the Opal Capital of the world for the opals found there as well as the underground attractions/residences that scattered the land which was built due to the hot scorching daytime heat.

Pitch Black’s Spaceship

@vindiesel left his spaceship behind #pitchblackmovie #mightycampers #cooberpedy #roadtrip #southaustralia #campervan #travelblogsingapore #vanlife #travel

A post shared by Fat Starfish (@fatstarfish_) on Dec 3, 2018 at 3:53am PST

Coober Pedy was also one of the towns that were used as a location for the Pitch Black movie starring Vin Diesel.

The remnants of Riddick’s spaceship is still there for an Instagram-worthy photo.

Many of our Sci-Fi loving friends were in awe as we shared this photo via our Instagram.

Do follow us too!

Umoona Opal Mine & Museum

We decided to learn more about Coober Pedy and headed to Umoona Opal Mine & Museum.

It is the largest single underground tourist attraction and a must-visit place in Coober Pedy. The museum offers group tours, underground accommodation, an opal shop as well as photos and artifacts of Coober Pedy yesteryears.

Eric, the Pliosaur fossils are also found here at Umoona.

Every morning at 10 am, Rudy, a former miner of Coober Pedy will give a one-time-only guided tour of the museum after which he will be done for the day. We highly suggest going for Rudy’s guided tour as he gives insights into the life of an opal miner back during his time.

You can ask questions and Rudy will answer to the best of his knowledge.

Rudy was the shining gem of the museum with his vast knowledge of Coober Pedy.

We had a very informative and personalized tour as there was no one that morning to join us.

Adelaide

The Lochiel Monster on my all-boys road trip in 2003

The next day we drove towards Adelaide, passed by Port Augusta, and reached Lake Bumbunga just after sunset.

This is the first time on our campervan road trip that we did not check in to a Caravan Powered Site as I wanted to show Ann the Lochness Monster named Lochiel, an art installation made of used car tires at Lake Bumbunga during sunrise.

I have seen it before during a road trip with my friends.

However, to our disappointment, the Lochiel Monster has been vandalized and it is no longer there.

We then proceeded towards Adelaide where we bought Lamb Chops to cheer ourselves up.

We did not stay long in Adelaide as the city was bustling with cars in the early morning rush hour and both Ann and I have been to Adelaide before so we decided to skip it.

Pink Lake

We took the scenic Southern Ocean Drive instead of the direct route and passed by Pink Lake.

The Pink Lake is the result of high salinity combined with the presence of an algae species known as Dunaliella salina and pink bacteria known as halobacteria.

It was like our own huge strawberry shortcake and we would want to gobble it all up!

Mount Gambier

Pine Country Caravan Park

We reached Mount Gambier just before sunset but many of the Caravan Powered Sites were already closed.

We drove around and the husband and wife owners of Pine Country Caravan Park welcomed us with open arms even though they were closed for the day.

We were very grateful to Nathan and his wife Emma for welcoming us and even gave us tips on Mount Gambier as well as sharing his favourite places to dine in the area.

Pine Country Caravan Park is undergoing a facelift but all is well when we there.

The park is clean, very spacious, pet-friendly and we hang out with some of the permanent residents there. One permanent resident, named Rudy even invited us fishing. If you are looking for a personal tour guide or fishing buddy, just look for Rudy on house 37!

Check out Pine Country Caravan Park rates Here

Umpherston Sinkhole

Spot Ann in the photo

The Umpherston Sinkhole is a spectacular Sunken Garden formed by the dissolution of limestone.

The sinkhole was formed when the top of the chamber collapsed downwards.

James Umpherston created a beautiful garden in 1886 and it is now one of the must-visit places in Mount Gambier.

Ann and I spent a few hours here soaking in the flora and fauna as well as the possums that have made this place their home.

Blue Lake

Another top attraction in Mount Gambier would be the Blue Lake. It is one of the many crater lakes created many centuries ago by volcanic activities in the area.

Scientists till today have not figured out the exact cause of the Blue phenomenon.

There are many activities to do here such as cycling, having a picnic or just have a stroll. We spent our afternoon here strolling by the parks and snapping photos.

The Main Corner Complex

If you are really interested to know more about the geographical history of Australia, head to The Main Corner Complex in the heart of the city in Mount Gambier.

Here, the hour-long Volcano documentary features the history of Australia and the various tectonics movement of the country.

The complex also hosts several art exhibitions throughout the year so you can enjoy a little bit of history as well as view some works of art.

Best of all, it is all complimentary!

Great Ocean Road

A road trip in Australia is not complete without driving the Great Ocean Road.

Ann and I have been to the Great Ocean Road countless times but this is our first time together.

We visited the London Arch, 12 Apostles and many other limestone formations along this popular coastal route.

We highly suggest that you visit this place at least once in your lifetime as the constant erosion of the rocks is causing many of the features of the Great Ocean Road to diminish over time.

The 12 Apostles, although started with 9, is only left with 8! And the others getting smaller by the day.

NRMA Port Campbell Holiday Park

We drove along the coastal route and ended up at NRMA Port Campbell Caravan Park. Here, we went for long walks along Port Campbell River and beachfront which is just opposite the park.

It is also 10 mins drive to the 12 Apostles and 3 hours away from Melbourne. We spent our afternoons lazing around, watching the greenery as well as the birds that flock to the river to feed.

If only life is this simple.

Check out NRMA Port Campbell rates Here

Lorne Beach

We have been driving the coastal route the past few days that we decided to have a dip in it.

Although it is summer in Australia and the weather is hot, the waters off it are extremely cold to our Asian feet.

Nevertheless, Ann and I changed to our swimming suits had a little swim and picnic at Lorne Beach.

We had an enjoyable time here away from the busier beaches along the route.

Apollo Bay Fishermen Co-op

Apollo Bay Fishermen Co-op is renowned for its Fish & Chips and it did not disappoint us when we came with our grumbling tummies.

It is situated overlooking the Apollo Bay Harbour where the fishermen will deliver their freshest catch to the shop and battered deep fried to perfection.

Ann and I had the Fishermen’s Basket for 2 as well as half a dozen of fresh oysters and of course not forgetting Australia’s owned Bundaberg Ginger Beer.

Great lunch, great views and of course great company! Nothing more I can ask for.

Melbourne

Big4 Melbourne Holiday Park

We finally made our way to Melbourne and could not believe that our Australia campervan road trip is ending! We checked in to Big4 Melbourne Holiday Park in Coburg which is about 20 minutes away from the city.

• Tip: Don’t forget to ask for your 10% discount if you are driving with Mighty Campers

The holiday park was one of the best we had stayed throughout our trip. It has many facilities such as gym, swimming pools and even an entertainment centre with movie screenings throughout the day.

Check out Big4 Melbourne Holiday Park rates Here

Places to Eat in Melbourne

We have been to Melbourne countless times that Ann and I have a motto we live by, “We never plan for Melbourne, Melbourne will plan for us.”

Every time we are here, our phones will keep on ringing with messages from friends and relatives in Melbourne who are always eager to meet up and we are very thankful for that. Therefore, our schedule for Melbourne is always very packed and busy.

However, we would like to share some of the restaurants and cafes we checked out on this trip.

Lune Croissanterie

Voted as the best croissants in the world, Ann and I just had to check this place out.

Situated in a huge warehouse in Fitzroy, we came early in the morning to try out their best selling croissants that get sold out very fast every day.

Flaky, crispy, and buttery goodness and shaped to perfection like an OCD person making croissants, we were in awe of this French pastry by Lune Croissanterie.

It was so good that Ann even bought some to take away that comes in a cool-looking box.

Highly recommended and we suggest you get the plain butter croissants as well as the Pain Au Chocolate.

Makoto Sushi Train

Tuna Kuro Tobiko Rose

We were having some sushi cravings and fate brought us to Makoto Sushi Train situated at Melbourne Central which is highly accessible to many.

Makoto Sushi Train has an array of sushi, great friendly service and the prices are reasonable for a restaurant.

My personal favourite sushi is the Tuna Kuro Tobiko Rose pictured above which they used a piece of tuna sashimi to wrap the rice instead of seaweed and topped with fish roe!

Laksa Bar

Last but not least, one of our favourite places to visit in Melbourne would be the Laksa Bar on Little Lonsdale Street. We have been here a couple of times and it rarely disappoints.

Our fave dishes to order here would be the Soft Shell Crab Laksa as well as the Char Kway Teow (stir-fried noodles). Laksa Bar has always been our Go To place for lunch in Melbourne or to meet up with friends.

Do check it out if you are into Asian cuisine or craving for some great Asian food.

Update: Laksa Bar is permanently closed. 

End of Our Australia Campervan Adventure

So here are the highlights of our itinerary-less campervan road trip adventure from the top end of Darwin to Melbourne.

We could not believe that 16 days just passed by us in a flash.

Nevertheless, we still had tons of fun, learned a lot about Australia, and had experiences that no amount of money can buy.

After driving down Australia from the north to the south, we were informed that driving from the east to the west or around Australia is a longer route and another adventure we should check out.

Probably another campervan adventure for another time! And we will definitely do it again.

Special thanks to Mighty Campers for making this adventure happen.

Do check them out for your Australia or New Zealand campervan road trips.

Till then, Safe travels wherever you are.

This article contains links to Affiliates which Fat Starfish receive a percentage of sales with no additional costs to you. Help us maintain this website by buying from our links. Thank you for your support!

The post Our Darwin to Melbourne Campervan Adventures first appeared on Fat Starfish.

Phuket Wheels Car Rental is a reputable and reliable car rental service provider located on the beautiful island of Phuket, Thailand. Whether you’re a tourist visiting Phuket or a local resident in need of a temporary vehicle, Phuket Wheels offers a wide range of cars to suit various needs and budgets.

With Phuket Wheels, you can choose from a diverse fleet of well-maintained vehicles, including compact cars, sedans, and SUVs, ensuring there is an option for everyone. The cars are regularly serviced and undergo thorough inspections to ensure they are in excellent condition, providing customers with a safe and comfortable driving experience.

We decided on the cheapest car available and got ourselves a Nissan March for our adventure in Phuket.

Renting a car from Phuket Wheels is a straightforward and hassle-free process. Their friendly and professional staff are dedicated to delivering exceptional customer service and are ready to assist you in selecting the ideal car for your needs.

Booking is as easy as 1, 2, 3.

1. Book without a credit card and receive a confirmation email within the next few hours. No prepayment – No obligations!
2. Meet their representative at the airport or at your hotel and check if you like your car.
3. All good? Pay for your rental and start exploring Phuket.

They accept THB, USD, AUD, EUR, SGD.

As soon as we landed in Phuket, we gave Ms. Apple a call and she soon brought out a Toyota Vios for us. She upgraded us to a bigger car with no additional fees.

A great start to our Phuket Holiday!

Exploring Phuket and its surrounding areas becomes a breeze with a rental car from Phuket Wheels. We had the freedom to create our own itinerary and travel at our own pace, without relying on public transportation, unscrupulous taxi drivers, or guided tours.

We visited the stunning beaches, explore local markets, discover hidden gems, and enjoy the natural beauty of the island at our convenience.

Seth and Nadine had a great time at Elephant Jungle Sanctuary and for us, we had a nice time checking out cafes and going out for brunches all at our own time.

Phuket Wheels also offers additional services to enhance your rental experience. They provide free pickup and drop-off at the airport or your preferred location, making it convenient for you to start and end your trip.

Extra services added to your car for free that you would normally pay for are all FREE.

• 1st class car insurance
• Free Unlimited kilometres
• Free Roadside assistance
• Free Airport delivery & return
• Free Additional driver
• Free Cancel or amend anytime

Customer satisfaction is a priority for Phuket Wheels, and they strive to exceed expectations with their high-quality cars, competitive rates, and exceptional service. Their positive reviews and testimonials from satisfied customers are a testament to their commitment to excellence.

When planning your visit to Phuket, consider renting a car from Phuket Wheels Car Rental. With their reliable vehicles and top-notch customer service, you can have a memorable and convenient travel experience on this enchanting island.

You can check them out at their website Phuket Wheels or the Facebook page below.

Till next time. Safe travels wherever you are.

The post Explore The Enchanting Island of Phuket with Phuket Wheels first appeared on Fat Starfish.

I had a photography exhibition which took a huge chunk of my time, moving to our new apartment and after waiting for many years, we are expecting a baby soon!

• Related: I Remember It All and Entah Tak Tahu Exhibition

 

 

 

 

 

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Waiting for the arrival of a lil fatstarfish #pregnantbelly #fatstarfish #forfun #pregnantlife

A post shared by Fat Starfish (@fatstarfish_) on Dec 21, 2019 at 7:41pm PST

As we managed to squeeze some time off from our work and responsibilities, we decided to go on a little road trip up north to Ipoh in Malaysia.

We did not want to fly as Ann is already quite late in her pregnancy, therefore we rented a car from a good pal of ours, Derrick Motor Rental, who owns a fleet of cars for rent.

We have never been to Ipoh before and was really looking forward to this little adventure. We picked up the car, a Kia Cerato, packed our bags and away we drove in the early hours of the morning up the North-South highway just to avoid the traffic.

We did not make any plans or booked any of our hotels.

We took our own sweet time and just enjoy the drive up the North-South highway. We made many pit stops and finally reached Ipoh in the early morning just as the shops are about to open.

We picked up a SIM card, google a few hotels and one hotel caught our attention.

M Boutique Hotel Station 18 Ipoh

Situated in Taman Pengkalan Jaya, M Boutique Hotel Station 18 offers modern and hipster styled interiors with a well-renowned in-house Japanese restaurant in the whole of Ipoh!

• Read more: Our Stay at M Boutique Hotel Station 18 Ipoh

The rooms are comfy enough for the 2 of us. Toilets and Bathrooms are sparkling clean and we had a great meal at the in-house Japanese restaurant too.

Check out M Boutique Hotel Station 18 rates Here.

Things to do in Ipoh

Visit Concubine Lane

Concubine Lane in Ipoh is a must-visit area for tourists and foodies. Situated in Ipoh old town, the row of shophouses has more than a century of history and stories.

Rumour has it, those rich tycoons in the past used to keep their second wives, or concubines in this streets away from the knowledge of their first wife.

Check out Street Art

History aside, now the streets are littered with murals and street art. Ann and I spent a day at Ipoh old town and Concubine Lane checking out the street art.

I brought along my camera and did a little street photography too.

Cafes, street food and of course souvenirs of many kinds from trinkets to the well known White Coffee of Ipoh are all available in this area. Concubine Lane can be very packed with tourists, especially during the weekends.

We highly recommend heading there early in the morning to avoid crowds and tropical heat.

Tau Fu Fah

Ann and I were not really interested in the souvenirs but we were informed to check out the Tau Fu Fah or soft bean curd dessert which are aplenty at Concubine Lane and the whole of Ipoh

I really love soft bean curd and I would say that Ipoh has one of the best bean curd I have tasted. Soft, velvety texture and had just a nice sweetness for me.

The one pictured above is from Concubine Lane itself. There are many more stalls that serve this dessert but there was just not enough time for us to taste them all.

Yasmin @ Kong Heng

Yasmin @ Kong Heng is a commemorative museum displaying the works and legacy of acclaimed film director Yasmin Ahmad. Ann and I love watching Yasmin Ahmad’s films and we decided to check out this museum.

Entry to the basement museum is free. However, we felt that it was lacking in memorabilia as well as items that display the works and life of Yasmin Ahmad.

Nevertheless, it is situated in a book store and you can enjoy checking out books after the museum walk.

Kellie’s Castle

A trip to Ipoh is not complete without visiting the popular tourist spot, Kellie’s Castle. Scottish William Kellie-Smith started building the mansion in 1915 believed to be a gift for his wife.

However, he died of pneumonia before he could complete the mansion and the land and building were soon sold off after.

• Fun Fact: Kellie’s Castle was one of the locations used for the movie Anna and The King!

Kellie’s Castle is now a popular tourist attraction and some believed that is currently haunted. We saw no ghosts and spent half our day there snapping photos of the castle.

Tanjung Tualang Tin Dredge No. 5

Tanjung Tualang Tin Dredge No.5 or better known as TT5 is a former tin mining dredge in Ipoh. If you are fans of the comic book The Kampung Boy by Lat, we are sure if you have seen tin dredges in his book.

Tin mining is a foregone industry in Ipoh due to the falling international prices. TT5 is currently a tourist spot and there are hourly guided tours of the dredge.

We went for one of the tours and had a fun time learning about the history of the once magnificent beast of a machine with our hard hats on.

Do check it out if you ever travel to Ipoh.

Places to Eat in Ipoh

Char Kuey Teow Abang Sayang

The Char Kuey Teow from Abang Sayang is one of the most popular dishes in Ipoh and we just had to check it out. The location was quite a distance from our hotel and we drove quite a bit in the peak hour traffic just to reach Abang Sayang.

The difference between the normal Char Kuey Teow and the one at Abg Sayang is the way it is cooked and comes with gravy instead of the charred dry “normal” Kuey Teow.

It was something our palate was not used to but it was indeed very tasty. I had the beef version of the Char Kuey Teow and truly enjoyed every spoonful of the gravy and noodles.

Another highlight of Abang Sayang would be the Chubby Satay and a definite must-try. Chubby Satay gets its name from the thick cuts of juicy succulent skewered meats grill over a fire and served with savoury peanut sauce had our minds blown away.

The thick cuts made it Chubby and hence the name. Ann and I were wondering why no one in Singapore tried to copy this Chubby Satay.

Hmmm?

We were truly impressed with the food at Abang Sayang. Definite must try if you are in Ipoh.

Address below.

Restoran Hj Sharin Low Grand

If you are into Halal Roasted Duck and Chinese cuisine, then Restoran Haji Sharin Low Grand is a restaurant you must check out while in Ipoh.

Situated at the heart of Ipoh, this eatery serves Halal Chinese cuisine with affordable prices in a restaurant setting.

Ann and I looked through the extensive menu and we ordered the Salted Fish Fried Rice, Stir-Fried Kang Kong, Sweet-Sour Sliced Fish and of course their signature Roasted Duck.

• Our Christmas in Hong Kong

After all those indulgences, we were quite surprised that we did not tear a hole in our pockets.

Do check this place out.

Japanese Restaurant @ M Boutique Hotel Station 18

On our last night, we decided to stay in at our hotel and check out the No. 1 Japanese restaurant in Ipoh.

Situated in M Boutique Hotel Station 18 Ipoh, the in-house restaurant serves amazing and delicious Japanese cuisine. As Ann is pregnant, we had to give all the raw sashimi a miss.

I had the Beef Gyu Don (above) and I was surprised that it was as good as the ones Ann and I had in Japan.

Ann opted for the Beef Udon and here we were in Ipoh reminiscing our unforgettable Japan campervan road trip from the swathes of aromatic savoury beef broth that was coming from the Udon.

• Check out: Our Japan Campervan Adventures

Although the restaurant was filled to the brim with year-end parties and Christmas dinners, the restaurant manager managed to squeeze us in and we were really thankful for their hospitality.

We had a great dinner here and I just spent the night quietly back in the hotel room rubbing Ann’s pregnant tummy. We cannot wait for the arrival of our little Fat Starfish.

Overall we really enjoyed our quiet time in Ipoh checking out all the tourist sites and food eateries. There are many other places in Ipoh that we would like to have checked out but we had limited time.

• Check out: Betong – A Motorcycle Road Trip to Thailand Yala Province 
• Read more: Our Motorcycle Road Trip to Cameron Highlands

Looking forward to another road trip to Ipoh…with our little one in tow soon.

Till next time. Safe travels.

This article contains links to Affiliates which Fat Starfish receives a percentage of sales with no additional costs to you. Help us maintain this website by buying from our links. Thank you for your support!

The post Our Road Trip to Ipoh first appeared on Fat Starfish.

Cameron Highlands is located about 590 kilometres from Singapore. The easy part is the North-South Highway where our BMW R 1200 GSA zooms through easily. The challenging part, however, is riding up the twisties and corners up to the highlands on our big motorcycle.

There are 2 routes to ride up to the Cameron Highlands. One is the easy Simpang Pulai Route while the other is the challenging route with the hairpin loops and twisties via Tapah.

And of course, we just had to take the Tapah route.

We reached the base of Cameron Highlands at Tapah just before sunset. It was getting dark but that did not deter us from riding the twisties.

Tip: Try to avoid riding up to Cameron Highlands via Tapah at night. It can be very challenging.

The Bala’s Holiday Chalet

Hours later, we reached Tanah Rata, the town up at Cameron Highlands. It can get very chilly up there but we were loving the weather!

We did not have any hotel plans and we decided to google some hotels. We agreed upon The Bala’s Holiday Chalet as it was one of the nicest looking hotels as well as the English influence on the architecture. The hotel also has a long and colourful history as it was used as a boarding school for European children in 1934!

They are known to serve the best tea and scones too. The rooms are comfy and we just simply love the ambience and mood of the hotel.

View Bala Chalet Rates Here.

BOH Tea Plantation Tour

We rested our battered bodies from the night before and the next day we booked a tour with our hotel to discover the highlights of Cameron Highlands. The first stop was to the BOH Tea Plantation tour.

The BOH Tea Plantation tour at Sungei Palas features an exhibition hall, a souvenir and tea shop. It is one of the “must visit” places in Cameron Highlands.

The tour will give you a first-hand look at how Malaysian teas are made using traditional processing methods at the factory.

You can also hop over to BOH Tea Garden, the largest garden in Cameron Highlands, and savour a cup of fresh highland tea at BOH’s original tea shop while immersing in the amazing views of the plantation.

Opening Hours: 9.00am – 4.30pm Tuesday – Sunday
Closed on Mondays

More info Here.

Strawberry Farm Tour

*image: Flickr

Along with tea plantations, Cameron Highlands is the centre of Strawberry farming and production.

The highlight of visiting a strawberry farm in Cameron Highlands is that you can pick your own strawberries and eat them too!

Ann had loads of fun choosing our strawberries and we enjoyed munching on the fruits as we continued our tour.

Fun Fact: The disappearance of Jim Thompson was at one of these Strawberry farms 

Sam Poh Temple

*image: Flickr

Hidden away in Brinchang stands a temple on a little elevation. The Sam Poh Temple was a great escape from the tourists at both the tea and strawberry plantations.

There was nothing much to see but just to appreciate Buddhist influenced architecture as well as soak in the calmness of the temple.

Cameron Highlands Butterfly Garden

*image: Flickr

The Cameron Highlands Butterfly Garden was established in 1990 and started out as an hobby by its founder who is passionate towards a breeding house of the beautiful creatures.

Various species of butterflies, reptiles, insects & amphibians are featured at this garden and Ann loves playing around with the insects. As for me I have a little phobia on this creepy crawlies and leave it to Ann to enjoy this one.

Ee Feng Gu Bee Farm

Bee Houses

Last but not least we ended our tour at Ee Feng Gu Bee Farm. This apiary is one of the biggest and popular bee farms in Cameron Highlands.

You can view the bee’s houses as well as learn about them through the educational tour. There is also a souvenir shop located in the premises where you can load up on your honey.

Overall it was a great weekend ride up Cameron Highlands. We love the cool weather the most and had one of the most educational road trips.

As we rode up to Cameron Highlands via Tapah, we usually suggest our fellow riders to ride the easy Simpang Pulai Route back down to enjoy the different scenery and “smoother” fewer twisties road.

• Related: Betong – A Motorcycle Road Trip to Thailand Yala Province
• Related: Our Himalayan Motorcycle Adventure of a Lifetime
• Related: My Epic Motorcycle Road Trip in India

Drop us a comment below if you require more info on our road trip.

Ride safe.

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The post Our Motorcycle Road Trip to Cameron Highlands first appeared on Fat Starfish.

Flights to India are very expensive and when Ann found out that FlyScoot is opening cheap flights to India, we jumped on the chance right away.

We got our flight tickets to the Punjab region of Amritsar where we will start our Himalayan Adventure of a lifetime;

no support vehicles, just the 2 of us.

Amritsar

At Changi Airport, the check-in lady at FlyScoot upgraded us to Scoot in Silence without extra charges.

Thank you FlyScoot. What a great start to our adventure! T

here were only just the 2 of us in the area and 5 hours flight was a breeze.

We went on this trip in June and so when we reached Amritsar, it was insanely hot!

We immediately check in to our hotel as soon as we landed.

Ramada Amritsar

*image: Ramada Amritsar

Ramada Amritsar is one of the better-known hotel chains and it was the nearest to the Golden Temple. It has beautiful interiors and the rooms were comfy.

It has all the facilities like WiFi and swimming pool.

The restaurant serves Indian, Continental, Chinese, Italian, Mexican and Thai dishes.

And we had a great stay there. We believe that it is one of the best hotels in the area which is close to facilities as well as places of interest.

Do check out their rates Here!

Golden Temple

We went for a walkabout to Golden Temple in the blistering hot weather. Ann could not stand the heat that she turned red like Sebastian the lobster in The Little Mermaid!

She insisted on staying in the hotel after Golden Temple while I went out to shoot some street photography.

So staying hydrated is a must!

• Tip: Bring a scarf/bandana to cover your head when you are in the temple. You can also buy them at the street market near the temple.

Flag Lowering Ceremony

One of the tourist highlights of Amritsar is the Flag Lowering Ceremony at the border between India & Pakistan.

We booked a personal taxi and made our way to Wagah Border.

The ceremony takes place every day before sunset at the border.

The parade starts with soldiers from both sides of the border. With their feet kicking up high and stamping hard, the fast marching is a choreographed routine that ends up with the simultaneous flag lowering from both nations.

This daily routine attracts thousands by the day. So do be early to get a seat.

Even before the ceremony starts, an emcee would engage the visitors with music and dance.

• Tip: Book a personal taxi who would wait for you till the end of the event.
• Tip: There are 2 lanes at the Wagah Border. One for locals and the other for tourists. Bring along your passports to get to the faster tourist lane.
• Tip: Bags are not allowed at the border. Leave it at the hotel or request your personal taxi driver to hold it for you.

Manali

Manali is the starting point of our adventure. We booked a taxi the day before, all prepped and ready to go.

The 400 km journey will take about 8 hours according to Google Maps.

However, we only arrived in Manali after 14 hours with lots of Bhangra songs on repeat!

The mundane taxi ride and a skillful Indian driver was worth it!

Manali is in High season and there were tons of tourists and locals

we also joined in an impromptu Bhangra session!

Quality Inn River Country Resort

*image: Quality Inn River Country Resort

We booked Quality Inn beforehand as it was the high season and we did not want to be stuck in Manali without a room. T

he rooms were very comfortable and they even serve wood-fired pizzas at their in house restaurant. They have standard facilities and the staff were very friendly.

The weather is the total opposite in Amritsar. It was cooler and staying in bed was the order of the day…..

but every morning this happens…

#funfact: the bird is actually feeling amorous and looking for love. It thinks that its reflection is a potential mate.

• Tip: Manali is a valley and is at an altitude of 2,050m. Staying here a day or two to acclimatize is necessary.

Update: Quality Inn have been renamed to Palchan Hotel & Spa

Epic Moto Tours

We went with Epic Moto Tours because it was the only agency we could easily find. They are situated along the main road heading to Roh Tang Pass.

The other agencies we researched either have moved, were located in hard to find locations or would not do the necessary paperwork for us.

The owner Karan Thakur was very helpful in providing information as well as suggestions for hotels, pit stops and the timings we needed to clock to ensure we reach our destinations safe before sunset.

He also did the necessary permits for Roh Tang Pass (which many agencies did not want to do for us because of the long queues) even though we did not get a package tour from them.

The bikes were in good condition.

Competitive pricing.

And overall we are very pleased with the level of service provided.

At the end of the trip, Karan Thakur returned the balance amount as we reached Manali 2 days earlier.

Altitude Sickness

Altitude sickness is the most important factor to take note of before taking on this journey as you will be travelling to areas of high altitudes.

We stayed in Manali for a few days to acclimatize (please do!) and ensure that you are physically fit too.

Fellow riders also recommended us Diamox pills which we bought at a pharmacy in Manali.

We got ourselves oxygen canisters that look like air freshener bottles just in case. In the case of emergencies, you can head to the nearest army camps situated along the route for medical help or just stop fellow riders.

Since it’s the high season, there will be lots of people travelling on the route.

Tip: Go for morning or afternoon walks to regulate your breathing. Avoid taking naps in the afternoon as your body needs more oxygen to sustain itself.

Gear

Do bring proper riding gear and thermal wear for the trip as temperatures may drop and extreme weather changes are common.

It can be sunny one moment and hail storm the next minute in the mountains.

It is unpredictable!

Gear includes:

1. Thermal riding jackets with inner liners
2. Riding pants
3. Full Faced Helmet (hail storm on your face is not a nice feeling)
4. Woollen Socks
5. Thick Riding Gloves
6. WATERPROOF Riding Boots

I did not bring my riding boots but instead wore my beloved Red Wings.

It was something I regretted as there would be many stream crossings and your boots and socks will get wet.

With the cold weather, your toes are going to get frozen!

Roh Tang Pass

Roh Tang Pass is a very popular tourist spot for day trippers, especially for the locals.

Do start your day early as the roads up will be congested quickly.

This is the only pass that requires a permit to ride up.

So do make sure you have the proper permit done or it will be a long way ride down to the permit office.

Tip: Roh Tang Pass is closed on Tuesdays from Manali. Do plan your trip accordingly.

Tip: Plan your way back to Manali on Tuesday to avoid the crowd.

Padma Lodge, Jispa

*image: Padma Lodge, Jispa

One of the pit stops for acclimatization Karan suggested was Jispa, he recommended us to stay at Padma Lodge.

He advised us to avoid the busy Keylong district and we were delighted to have followed his advice.

The lodge is situated in a quiet and serene valley.

It was very peaceful.

We also had one of the best meals here -garlic naan and finger licking butter chicken! (the butter chicken will linger on your fingers despite many washes with soap!)

• Tip: Keep your extra petrol jerry cans in a safe place. Ours got stolen when we left it outside with the motorcycle.

Zing Zing Bar

We continued our journey early the next morning after a hearty breakfast.

The roads starting from Jispa were not as good from Manali.

There are no bars in Zing Zing Bar, only body battering zig zag and hairpin loops.

We passed by lakes as well as stream crossings.

We made it to the other side safely only to be blocked by a fallen rider.

Unfortunately, we fell too.

However, here in the Himalayas, fellow riders are very helpful and ever willing to help if you are in need.

We made a couple of new friends here.

One is named Lakhi (in the brown leather jacket).

We decided to call him Lucky instead.

 Sarchu

After many stream crossings, we had lunch at a Sarchu Dhaba with Lucky and friends.

It was not a “proper” restaurant but we had a good lunch.

Ann doesn’t look kind of excited though

Pang Camp

Karan suggested to us to stay a night here.

However it was still early, the weather was perfect and Lucky suggested we continue the ride with them.

So we agreed.

More Plains

More plains was probably the most scenic of all rides we had.

It is situated at 16 000 feet above sea level!

The smooth straight road was something we never imagined to have at such a level.

The flat plains was an easy ride compared to the Gata Loops we encountered before reaching here. If only we brought along a camera drone.

Is anyone willing to sponsor us?

Lucky and The Gang

Tag Lang La – 2nd Highest Motorable Road 17 500 ft

We reached Tag Lang La after a long ride up.

There is a Dhaba up there.

We had a drink and quickly continued our journey as we were not feeling well due to the altitude.

Suddenly out of nowhere, the weather started to change and dark clouds formed. It began to rain heavily with the strong winds and it got icy cold!

• Tip: Even the locals advised us not to stay more than 10 minutes at the top, due to low oxygen levels.

As I was wearing an open-faced helmet, it was an uncomfortable ride with the strong winds and rain splattering onto my face.

The effects of the altitude sickness also got to me. My right eye became very blurry and it affected my riding.

Lucky and his friends got ahead of us and before we knew it, we were all alone in the rain and cold winds.

Rumtse

When we reached Rumtse we were drenched but found a guest house.

It was only $10/a night so do not expect any luxuries.

Ann and I could not breathe well that night and my blurry eye worsens.

I thought we might not make it to Leh.

We rested here for the night and lucky for me, everything got better the next day.

When we rode off, we found out that Lucky and his friends stayed just a few km down the road.

The weather was looking promisingly good.

Leh

Hours later…we reached Leh and found it eerily quiet. T

he shops were closed and there were guys playing street cricket in the market.

We went up to one of the guys and realised that Leh was on Strike! Which rarely happened in Leh.

What a piece of luck!

We managed to find a guest house and as all the shops were closed, we stayed in and rest instead.

• Tip: There is no meat available on a full moon, new moon and half moon days in Leh. So do plan your meals if you are a big meat eater like us.

Khardung La – Highest Motorable Road in the World

Ann bloat up like a pack of chips in high altitudes

I have to say that the road up to Khardung La is the most challenging/ shittiest ride, among all the roads we went through to get to Leh.

The lack of oxygen wasn’t helping either for both humans and the bike.

Even the bike was having difficulty moving. But hey, that’s what an adventure is all about. So we strive ahead and persevere to get to the top!

• Tip: Have a few puffs of oxygen from the canister before reaching the top, to fight the altitude.
• Tip: If altitude sickness strikes, do not panic. Descend or approach the army personnel.

When we reached the top, it was the best feeling ever! Having to achieve a goal was truly indescribable.

The view was really amazing. But that happiness didn’t last when Ann started to feel breathless and was vomiting.

So we quickly snapped a few photos and descend.

We ended up on our hotel bed like a Fat Starfish and scrolled through our photos of our Himalayan Adventure.

We cannot wait to share it with our friends.

The next challenge; we have to ride back to Manali and take a taxi back to Amritsar!!

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Hence, we concluded to take on this trip for our honeymoon. We have planned for this epic journey more than our wedding preparation.

It was our trip of a lifetime to seek nothingness.

Trans-Mongolian Railway

We departed Beijing in the early morning to catch our train at 8.05am. As mentioned in our Beijing’s blog entry, public transport is very reliable. So we took the public train from Chongwenmen Station to Beijing Railway Station.

Hop on Subway Line 2 towards Xizhimen, dark blue line.

• Tip: It is advisable to arrive at the Railway Station earlier as there will be a few security checks. Expect a large crowd as the local use the train to travel back to their villages. Also, the service counter staffs do not speak English, so be sure you have ample time to sort the language barrier.

• Tip: Book your train tickets in advance and request it to be delivered to your hotel.

After conquering all the chaos, we finally got to our train platform. We got some snacks to survive the 33 hours train ride. It’s more than a day’s worth in the train.

It’s one of those things, we needed to have after the hectic wedding, which was to be on our own and of course catching up on sleep. (if you think 33 hours train ride is boring, we will fill you in on what to do on the train…)

met some Singaporeans on the train

So while waiting for the train to arrive, we bumped into our fellow Singaporeans who have been travelling around the world for a few months. They will be ending their journey in Moscow. So we caught up a bit, exchange experiences and tips on travelling. Nonetheless, it’s always a pleasure to find your fellow countrymen with similar interest.

The train arrived, we hopped on, found our cabin and settled down. Don’t expect too much from it. Space is small and it is supposed to fit 4 passengers. Well, if you would like to have the privacy of your own, you can purchase the first class tickets. But of course with a price! We got really lucky on our journey to Ulaanbaatar as there wasn’t anyone in the cabin with us.

So the whole space is ours. Lucky us!

Honestly, we didn’t expect the train to be so comfortable. Before the train starts its journey, the train conductor will ensure that we have gotten our pillows and blankets. A blanket? The temperature will drop when night falls and that thick blanket comes in handy.

A lot of our friends have been asking us about the train ride. Here are our answers to all the questions.

1. What can you find in the cabin?

• Bunk beds: Shahrom took the lower bed
• Pillow with its casing and a super awesome thick blanket
• Tiny fan: For air circulation during the day
• Lights
• A folded table: where you can have your meals while enjoying the view
• Hooks: to hang whatever you want
• Lockable door: you can sleep with your doors locked at night
• Cabin window: it can be opened in case you stink up the cabin

2. Is there a toilet and shower?

• Yes, but don’t expect a proper flush-able one. Whatever you dispose of will be released on the track.

• No, you can’t shower. Hence we packed shit loads of wet wipes. We bought biodegradable ones just to do our part to protect the environment.

3. Should we buy lots of bottled water?

• We only bought 2 big bottles of water and thermal flasks to survive the 33 hours. The cabin provides hot boiling water. They boiled it using coals. Not too worry if you’re worried about bacterial contamination. We are pretty sure they are all dead.

4. What sort of food to pack?

• We bought cup noodles since the train has hot boiling water. Chips, nuts and chocolate for dessert. Don’t bother getting soft drinks because there’s no fridge. If you crave for one, just walk to the train’s restaurant.

What to do in the Train

1. Of course SLEEP!
You will be amazed at how comfortable it is to sleep in the train. The sound of the train chugging simply calms your soul and falling asleep is very easy. Shahrom snored out loud!

2. Read a book; catch up on your all those time you were too busy to read.

Tip: I downloaded e-books on my iPad mini, to save some luggage space. Not too worry, the train has a power socket to charge your technology. We also packed solar portable charger since we have decided to live like a nomad in Mongolia.

3. Switch off your mind
The best time to daydream and let your mind wander. The ever-changing scenery and landscape are too beautiful and it will leave you speechless.

4. Cuddles
Since we got the cabin to ourselves, why not right? Or Shahrom would say “Join the Mile Wide Club!”

5. Don’t know what else to do?
Walk down to the restaurant cabin and grab a drink or have some snacks. Or join other travellers and have a chat. We met a few people from all walks of life.

Enjoy boredom and let your mind wander. That’s the whole intention of this journey.

Changing of Boogie

After countless stops, naps and snacks, we finally arrived at our pit stop to get the boogies changed.

Well, one of the highlights of this journey was to witness how the boogies are changed.

The reason why the boogies needed to be changed was due to the different track size.

Mongolia has a Russian gauge 1,520 mm (4 ft 11 27⁄32 in) while China has 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in).

So we have reached Erlian, the border into Mongolia. At this point, we needed to go through immigration and get our passport stamped.

On the bright side, we were not required to get off the train instead the immigration officers will go cabin by cabin to check our passport and identification.

Do not be alarmed if they take your passport away, as the officers will collect all passports and have it stamped at their office.

Be patient and they will return the passports accordingly.

• Tip: Be sure to check if you have received the correct passport and they got it stamped. Just in case, they might overlook it.

Erlian – China Mongolia Border

There’s NOTHING to do in Erlian.

Since we had 3 hours to kill, we thought we could get something to eat.

We walked out of the train station and explored the area. It was really dark and we didn’t venture out far because we were afraid that we might not make it to the train on time.

Not knowing what to do, we went into the only restaurant there and wanted to order a meal.

So we sat down and got the menu. Everything was in Chinese and the only thing we can read was Coca Cola and a sad face for food hygiene preparation.

Thankfully Coke was universal and we were afraid to get food poisoning even before we arrive in Mongolia. So a drink was all we had. When we were done with our fulfilling drink, we went to the provision shop beside it with all hopes to get something to munch for the train ride.

But everything was in Chinese and we couldn’t ask the shop owner to explain it to us. So we gave up and went back to the station to wait for the train to be ready.

• Tip: Prepare a warm sweater before stepping out of the train as it was quite chilly at night. Don’t bother eating at the restaurant.

3 hours later…

We got restless and itching to leave Erlian, they loaded more locals into the train, got back our passports and off we go. We were relieved. Shahrom and I went into our cabin and had one of the best sleep.

Unknowingly we were chugging into Mongolia…

Mongolian Cabin Restaurant

We had difficulty waking up due to the chugging of the train that serenades our sleep. (Trust us, the chugging really helps) Waking up to a great landscape we had our morning stretch and walked down to the restaurant only to find a beautiful interior, in comparison to the Chinese restaurant.

It’s one of the experiences we recommend!

We sat down on one of the booths and requested for a menu- in all hopes to get a warm hearty meal.

So we called the waitress and to our pleasant surprise, she spoke to us in English! (oh god! You have no idea how happy we felt).

We ordered our meal and two cups of tea, with a first-class scenery.

It’s one of those moments we felt truly blessed. Great service, breath-taking views and of course the company.

Ulaanbataar

33 hours later… we finally arrive at the capital city of Mongolia. The land of Chinggis and the blue sky.

Seriously, the sky is so blue! That you don’t need edit filters for your photos.

Not knowing what the city is like, we pre-booked our stay at Golden Gobi, and arranged for a pick up from the train station.

Golden Gobi is a reliable guesthouse and tour group.

They are run by a family and will reply to your email/queries promptly. Our needs are well taken care of and there’s nothing to worry. (Yes, they speak fluent English.)

Going around Ulaanbataar was very easy. The city is pretty small and there’s one major store, State Department Store that sells everything.

I loved the supermarket so much that I hoard choco

lates before going on our nomadic stay.

Shahrom also bought some groceries like sugar and salt as gifts for the nomadic families we are going to stay with.

The city is also walkable, everything is within reach. There are loads of bakeries and restaurants.

Hallyu wave is prominent in Ulaanbataar and if you’re into Korean cosmetics, you can get it there too.

• Tip: The currency of Mongolia is Tugrik. Most money changers do not carry this currency, so our advise is to change your currency to USD and get it changed in Mongolia itself. For us, this is to ease our confusion as we are travelling to 3 different countries (HK, Beijing and Mongolia).
• Tip: Change your USD to Tugrik at the bank itself. As for us, we didn’t change much, it’s just enough to sustain our 2 weeks nomadic stay.

Nomadic Stay

Mongolia is a big piece of land. It is massive and the amount of space is endless. We

were truly amazed by the size as there’s nothing like it in Singapore. We were psyched up and all ready to go v

ure out in the open even though we do not know what to anticipate.

But who cares, it’s just us and the wide open space.

a view with a toilet

Shahrom and I have been watching a lot of documentaries on nomadic living and travel. This got us wanting to visit Mongolia even more. Since we only have 2 weeks to play around, we got Golden Gobi to plan our itinerary.

We were opened to suggestions on which area to go but Gobi Desert is a must go. So Gobi here we come.

• Tip: Settle all your payment with the tour before departing for your epic trip of a lifetime. It also saves the headache of carrying a lot of cash.

So what to prepare?

• Warm clothing, loads of it! According to the weather forecast, it was the end of Spring and entering Summer but it was still cold especially at night. Pack thermal wear as Mongolia’s weather is pretty intense.
• Chilli sauce: Being Asian we need some spiciness in everything we eat.  Don’t get me wrong, the food is good. But chilli sauce just goes well with everything.
• Open mind and enjoy the tour. Expect no proper sanitation and shower.
• WET WIPES: LOADS OF IT

When you booked a tour with Golden Gobi, there’s no fuss and frills.

Everything is well taken care of.

Food, bottled water, lodging (including the stay in local Gers and camping tents), transportation, petrol and fluent English speaking guide.

Leaving Golden Gobi

Knowing that Shahrom and I are on our honeymoon, Golden Gobi was very thoughtful to plan this trip just for the both of us.

Even though we paid slightly more for this tour as there’s only the both of us (price will be cheaper if there’s more people going, max 6).

We were thankful for their kind thought.

Golden Gobi provided us with 3 tour guides (2 trainee guides and 1 head guide) and 1 ever capable driver. We got lucky again!

We checked out from the guesthouse, got our camping essentials, food and backpacks loaded in our ride.

The Russian Van

It is the most durable and versatile van we have ever been in. Our ride is spacious and the legroom was sufficient.

Chinggis Khaan Statue Complex

This was our first stop after we left the city. The statue of the mighty Chinggis Khaan riding on his horseback was erected on the bank of the Tuul River at Tsonjin Boldog, 54km east of the Mongolian capital. He was known for his fearsome battles and the founder of the Mongol Empire.

Till today, the people of Mongolia respected his honour and the stories of his battles live on.

When we got there, the amount of space and the size of the statue was jaw-dropping. Genghis Khan’s was 40 meters high and he is made from steel. Everything was large!

When we entered the complex we were greeted by two of his warriors.

In this complex, visitors are allowed to climb up and walk to the head of the horse through its chest and neck, where we can have a panoramic view of the area.

It is so magnificent!

Once we have admired the view enough, we went down to ground level to learn more about his empire.

The attached museum exhibits, archaeological cultures in Mongolia relating to the Bronze Age and Xiongnu.

The displays are mostly artefacts such as utensils, belt buckles, arrowheads, knives, war relics and many more.

Baga Gazriin Chuluu

After feeling all historic and inspired, the driver brought us to the Baga Gazriin Chuluu.

It’s a mouthful uh.

Well, Baga Gazriin Chuluu is a huge granite rock formation in the middle of a dusty plain. The highest is 1706 meters above sea level.

The Rocky Mountains are spread out from west to east covering about 30 km.

It was a tedious hike up the formation and we had to squeeze through some tiny spaces.

From our travel journal, after the hike, we stopped for lunch at a nomadic home.

The food wasn’t that satisfying but we needed something to sustain ourselves since as you can read, it was a hectic journey.

met up with some backpackers

Mongolian boys are dressed up as girls to prevent them from being taken away by spirits

Terelj National Park Monastery

As we needed to kill some time to wait for our English speaking guide to be on her way from another trip.

We were so bored and our trainee guides decided to take us for a walk up the monastery. It was so challenging! Or maybe being city bums, we are just unhealthy.

As much as our trainee guides tried to speak fluent English, at times we simply couldn’t understand.

So we tried to communicate using drawings and gestures.

It’s hilarious but we didn’t want the language to hinder our trip. Well, at least to learn more about the place but we failed! Haha.

As you can see, we can’t even remember the name of the Monastery.

Horse Riding in the Wild

Since we have more time in our hands, the nomadic family has a few horses for “rent.” Of course, we took the opportunity to hop on it. And it was the best and memorable ride we ever had. It felt like we were transported back to the time when we were kids riding ponies in the zoo.

But with an awesome view!

There wasn’t any time limit or any fancy gears to wear.

It’s all raw and real!

It is a norm for families to own horses and cattle. But do not take these horses for granted as they are wild creatures and not tame. So we always have to be vigilant and gentle with them. Horses have feelings too!

As always Shahrom wanted to feel like the Mighty Chinggis.

He wanted his horse to gallop. But… failed!

After horsing around, our head guide finally arrived!

We introduced ourselves and head to our next destination, where we will be spending a night.

First Nomadic Stay with a Kazakhstan Family

I apologized for not knowing what is the name of the villages we went.

As they are constantly moving around, they have no specific home address.

When we arrived at their home, a shepherd dog welcomed us.

It barked, like as though it wanted to attack us.

I was so scared and didn’t want to get off the van.

But our guide assured us, that the dog just wanted to smell us. So after the whole drama, we unload our things and packed food into the guest Ger.

This is to avoid attracting foxes or unwanted guests. Hence, everything has to be inside the Ger.

For this nomadic family, they have a few Gers as there are a few generations staying together.

Yup, children too! And they are so adorable!

While our hosts were preparing dinner and snacks for us, I fell in love with this toddler named Tima.

He is such a heartthrob. Shahrom and I tried to lure him with our iPhones to attract his attention.

Once we have all settled down, it was almost sundown.

We offered ourselves if we could be of any help.

Anyway, the whole objective of this trip was to learn and experience the nomadic lifestyle.

The host was kind enough to allow me to feed one of their kid (yes I am referring to a baby goat).

laundry hung flat to dry

Nightfall, there wasn’t anything much to do.

No television or Internet, so we got our sleeping gears ready and prepare ourselves to bed.

While resting to get to slumberland, the hosts and children prepared for us a sing-along session.

There wasn’t much light in the Ger, hence we can’t capture their sincere performance. And, we fell into deep sleep.

The next morning after breakfast, we bid goodbye and continued our journey towards the Gobi.

• Tip: Do not expect a comfy bed, ensure that thermal wear is worn before sleeping as the night can get really cold.

First Lunch in the Middle of Nowhere

Along our way towards Gobi, we stopped in the middle of nowhere to have lunch.

Our guides were very efficient.

They are truly living up to their Mongolian blood.

While Shahrom and I were resting at the corner, (we offered our help but they refused) our guides made us a simple yet fulfilling meal which was pasta with tuna.

Once lunchtime was over, we packed up and ready to move on to your next destination.

• Tip: Respect the environment and clean up the area. We bring our trash with us.

As it was our honeymoon, our guide decided to bring us to a fertility rock for good luck. We did not expect it to look like the photo above.

Refuelling?

Well, we stopped at a nearby town before heading somewhere deeper Mongolia.

The driver knows his route accurately, without a physical map or GPS.

Shahrom and I are truly amazed by their sense of direction.

As there wasn’t any proper itinerary, the driver decided to bring us to his sister’s house as we were nearby.

With great Mongolian hospitality, they offered us salted milk tea (a staple Mongolian drink) and lamb jerky (you eat it off its bone).

At the same time, his sister cooked a warm lamb soup for all of us.

First Camping in the open…

As it takes a few days to drive to Gobi, we stopped by a National Park to spend our second night.

By the second night, it sank to us that we are really in Mongolia.

Before the sunset, our guides helped us with our tent.

Coming from an urban country, this was our first ever camping out in a tent.

I was so excited but Shahrom couldn’t stand the cold.

The night passed by so fast and before we know it, it’s time to pack up and move off to our next destination.

White Stupa

Tsagaan Suvarga (White Stupa) is located in Ulziit Soum, Dundgobi province.

Scientists believe it is more than 10 million years old.

The cliffs were created by erosion and the different coloured layers of rock represent different eras of time.

We hike down and explored the cliffs and enjoying the vastness of the place.

Second Nomadic House Stay

After a whole day travelling in the van, we arrived at Dolma and Dorjo’s Ger. We were greeted by a dog named Bear. In fact, he is just a puppy.

I was so terrified.

a dog named Bear

We did nothing much, had dinner and went to our Ger to get an early night.

Shower Never felt so Good

It has been 3 days since we last took a shower.

We were lucky that our tour guide needed to shower as the last bath she had was 1 week ago. S

he brought us to a nearby mining town with a public bath and of course, we took the chance to clean up!

Oh heated running water, how we missed you so!

small town market

can you spot our 2 guides looking for handphone reception?

After cleaning up, we went to a market to get lamb for dinner.

So we drove to our next stay, which was the most beautiful place I have ever seen. We camped in the valley! Hot lamb stew for dinner, campfire and sing a long session.

What more can I ask for? It’s the BEST honeymoon, I ever dreamed off.

Yolyn Am

Yolyn Am is one of the main attractions in the Gobi for its stunning vistas.

Lucky visitors may see Ibex, Argali (wild mountain sheep), and Tas (Scenerious Vulture).

It is a deep and narrow gorge in the Gurvan Saikhan Mountains of southern Mongolia.

It is a notable place for the deep ice field which is available all year round even during summer!

we were lucky to see a mountain goat up close

Yolyn Am deep ice field

The Gorgeous Gobi Desert

Finally, we arrived in Gobi. It’s been a long and wonderful journey!

We were reunited with backpackers. All we did was rest.

The next day, we got to ride the camels to the sand dunes.

Shahrom and I thought camels were cool animals but after riding them, they actually have bad breaths; so not cool.

But the experience was indeed surreal. It felt like we were living our documentaries.

Haha.

To further challenge our mental and physical endurance, our guide brought us to climb 200 meters high dune. And it was so physically and mentally draining!

We wanted to just give it up! Thank god, we didn’t.

The view on the top is worth the challenge.

We head back to the Ger by sliding down the sand dunes (which was more fun than going up) and later played few games of basketball to end our night.

Flaming Cliffs

Flaming cliffs is known for its spectacular red fiery colours.

The first dinosaur eggs were discovered at this site by an American palaeontologist headed by Roy Chapman Andrews in 1922.

We explored the area by foot, in all hopes to find any fossils. Of course, we didn’t!

there were more humans than fossils…

kids selling rocks

Wild Asses

While animals roam freely in Mongolia, our driver tells us that some wild animals are difficult to spot nowadays.

So when he spotted some wild asses while driving, he was very excited to show us.

Shahrom was, of course, thinking of a different kind of ass.

spot the asses?

We spent the night at another ger and this time we helped out by herding together the goats for milking.

Shahrom got whipped by this little kid to work harder

Our Last Night

Our last night being nomads and there’s a mixture of feelings.

Knowing that our trip is coming to an end but at the same time, we can’t wait to have a warm shower and sleep on a comfortable bed.

So our last night was spent in a Ger.

I got acquainted with a little boy named Mogh Baht.

We held hands and went for a walk in the open fields.

He is so adorable!

Chinggis Khaan Hotel

*image: Chinggis Khaan Hotel

Back to civilization, buildings and roads.

We checked in to Chinggis Khaan Hotel and showered.

Sorted our dirty laundry and had our night’s rest.

On this day, we felt so blessed and thankful for having to experience untouched Mongolia.

Given a chance, we would definitely visit Mongolia again.

Mongolia, you’re beautiful!

Do drop us a comment below if you require more information on our trip.

We would try our best to answer all queries.

Share your Mongolia stories with us too.

*This article contains links to Affiliates which Fat Starfish receive a percentage of sales with no additional costs to you. Help us maintain this website by buying from our links. Thank you for your support!

The post Our Great Mongolia Honeymoon first appeared on Fat Starfish.

And I love it even more if it is on 2 wheels.

When one of our pals Yazid, suggested a motorcycle road trip to a little town called Betong in Southern Thailand Yala Province, we packed our bags, started our motorcycles and off we went.

My Beloved BMW GS Adventure & Yazid’s Honda GSXR750 in the background

We started our trip in Singapore.

We travelled to Malaysia via Tuas to the North-South Highway.

We exited the highway near Ipoh and rode the Gerik Highway to Pengkalan Hulu where the Malaysia-Thai border is situated.

The overnight ride with three pit stops took us more than 10 hours.

• Related: Our Himalayan Motorcycle Adventure of a Lifetime
• Related: My Epic Motorcycle Road Trip in India

If you are riding to Betong do bring the necessary paperwork for your vehicle such as insurance, log card and of course your passport too.

Fill up the arrival form at the checkpoint, and prepare to pay RM2/person.

There is also someone at the border counter who can also fill up the forms for you if you are feeling lazy.

Malaysia – Thailand Border

History of Betong

The word Betong is loosely translated to Bamboo in Malay.

The district is the Southernmost point of Thailand and is situated in Yala province.

The distance from Singapore to Betong is about 740km.

Clock tower in central Betong | image: Flickr

Betong is surrounded by mountains which results in a cool climate in the city!

The high rainfall and frequent fog in the province gave the nickname, The City in the Fog with Beautiful Flowers.

As of 2005, the city has less than 25 000 inhabitants but surprisingly they have many tourist attractions that are in the record books!

Mandarin Betong

image: Flickr

Mandarin Betong is situated right smack in the city centre and it is the tallest building in the city that you cannot miss it.

It offers one of the best accommodation in Betong backed by reviews from fellow riders.

VIP Parking

The rooms are comfy, have great views of the city and they even have an outdoor pool. When we checked in, the Hotel Manager even gave us a parking spot right in front of the hotel entrance! That is what we call great service.

The hotel has everything you need to make your stay a pleasant one.

Check out Mandarin Betong rates HERE!

Things to do in Betong

Piyamit Tunnels

After the long ride, we rested and the following day we hired a personal tuk tuk driver to bring us around Betong. The first location was the Piyamit Tunnels. This tunnel was built by the Malaya Communist Division 2 in 1976, winding through the mountains for more than 1 kilometre.

It is used to store food, ammunition as well as to protect the Communists from air raids.

Currently, it is being used as a museum.

There is an exhibition of the way of life of the Communist soldiers back then which is open from 8 a.m till 4.30pm daily.

The museum is a great location for war history buffs.

Betong Hot Springs

After the long day at the Piyamit, our driver brought us to a Hot Spring.

We soaked our sore feet.

It is believed that the hot springs can cure many ailments from muscle pain to skin irritations.

Some of the tourists also bought quail eggs to boil them at the location.

At the hottest spot of the hot springs, the eggs can be fully cooked in under 7 minutes!

our pal Yazid soaking his feet and wandering away

World Largest Mailbox

mail order babies anyone?

As we said earlier, for a small town in Thailand, Betong holds many records.

One of them is the World’s Largest Mailbox.

It was built in 1924 as a communication post where a radio is placed on top of the box and mail slot below it.

The mailbox attracts tons of tourists every day and of course, Ann and I just had to pose a photo at it!

The Largest Bronze Buddha in Thailand

image: Flickr

The second record Betong holds is the Largest Bronze Buddha in Thailand.

It is located on a hilltop at Betong city centre on the grounds of a temple named Wat Phutthathiwat, Thanon Rattanakit.

Although it is made of bronze, the Buddha is covered in gold colour.

It is about 40 metres high built to commemorate the 69th birthday anniversary of Her Majesty the Queen.

Yazid at Wat Phutthathiwat, Thanon Rattanakit

Betong Mongkhonrit Tunnel – The First and Largest in Thailand

image: Flickr

The 3rd record is the first and largest road tunnel in Thailand.

It is a curvy tunnel that connects the city centre to a town in the South East.

The tunnel is 268 metres long and opened on 1st January 2001.

The tunnel is used for vehicles but many tourists would walk in and take photos.

Siberian Swifts

image: Boleh Bokeh

One of Betong iconic symbols are the Siberian swifts that escape the cold weather of Siberia to migrate to Betong during September to March which is the cool season.

The swifts would fly all over the city at dusk to rest on electricity and telephone lines as well as the houses.

One of their favourite spots would be near the clock tower and the hustle and bustle of the birds make a great Instagram worthy photo!

Massage

For a small town, Betong has many massage parlours scattered all over the city.

After a long day of walking, a foot massage is the order of the day.

Prices are cheap too! And do tip your masseurs.

It goes a long way for them.

Thai Pancake

A trip to Thailand is not complete without eating the Thai Pancake.

Although it is not common in this part of Thailand, we manage to find one street vendor selling the pancake.

Ann, of course, goes crazy buying her fave banana Thai pancake and ended up stuffing our faces throughout the trip.

Seafood Stall

For a province that is landlocked and far from the sea, Betong has one of the best seafood stalls.

From oysters to shrimps and lobsters cooked in Thai signature style the seafood was simply mind-blowing.

The food was so good we kept topping up new dishes.

And don’t forget to order the home pressed sugar cane juice too!

We are not sure of the name of the stall, but it is situated near the clock tower beside a sleazy bar.

Wet Market Beef Noodle

Betong Market

One of the best breakfast foods you can find in Betong is the Thai Beef Noodle Soup.

We found one situated at the Betong Market at level 2.

The Beef Noodle was so fantastic that we had two bowls each!

Do come early as the market closes by midday.

• Related: Our Motorcycle Road Trip to Cameron Highlands

All in all the 3 of us truly enjoyed our motorcycle road trip to Betong, the small city in Thailand with many record holding attractions and great food as well as cool weather.

We will definitely return here again given the chance but I already sold off my beloved BMW GS Adventure bike.

Maybe it is time to get another motorcycle, Ann?

*This article contains links to Affiliates which Fat Starfish receive a percentage of sales with no additional costs to you. Help us maintain this website by buying from our links. Thank you for your support!

The post Betong - A Motorcycle Road Trip to Thailand Yala Province first appeared on Fat Starfish.