Ipoh Mali, Ipoh Ipoh Mali

Before I talk more about Ipoh, let's have a look at the video below by Point Blanc titled "Ipoh Mali". Yeah baby, that's my hometown, the best in Malaysia.



Ipoh is best for its food. The white coffee, "hor fun" noodle, chicken rice and bean sprout are the trademark of Ipoh which the rest of the world tried to copy. There is no other place to taste the best other than having it in Ipoh. This city is also known for its pretty girls. If you ask me, I'd say pretty girls are everywhere but Ipoh girls stand out for being down to earth. There are some nice and exotic places to sight see in Ipoh; especially if you like old rustic buildings which is perfect for portrait photography; or you can explore the many natural limestone caves. Don't get the wrong idea that we stay in caves. We do have quite a number of modern hang out places for the teenagers. If you have the money to buy a cramped apartment elsewhere in the world, then you'd definitely be living like a king here in Ipoh. The same amount of money will get you a huge bungalow and perhaps with 1 or 2 Olympic size swimming pool included.

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Related link: Perak Cave, Ipoh
Related link: St. Michael's Institution, My Alma Mater
Related link: Chinese New Year '09: Ipoh

Mini Travel Log: Waitomo + Rotorua, New Zealand

While many people are fascinated with the Lord of the Rings movie and its location of the movie shoot which is located on the South Island, they did not notice the hidden beauty and treasures that are on the North Island of New Zealand. The glow worm caves hidden in the region of Waitomo for example awe tourists more than any other plain mountains of the Lord of the Rings. Inside the pitch dark caves, you can imagine yourself floating in the vast darkness of space with millions of bright universe stars shining brightly above your head. Why is that so? This is because of the rare glow worms found only exclusively in New Zealand live inside the caves and emit lights to attract other insects for food. If you find fireflies are cool, this is ten times cooler. Next up, destination Rotorua. This city is known for its hot springs and geysers. There is also a big beautiful lake named after Rotorua as well. With so many geysers spurting and big sulphur deposits, the city smells of rotten egg and earned the nickname Sulphur City. The Pohutu Geyser in the area is a main attraction and it spurts almost every hour up to a height of 100 feet (10 storeys).

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Mini Travel Log: Beijing, China (3)

Spring time in Beijing can be as beautiful as the over-rated sakura season in Japan. If you are looking for a bargain holiday to enjoy the spring blossom, then China is your destination. Food here is fantastic, lodging is cheap and the surprisingly convenient and modern public transport only costs around 2 yuan per trip! For a more comfortable ride, you can always take a cab which is very cheap as well. Jingshan and Beihai Park are located just behind the Forbidden Palace and they offer great panoramic view of Beijing city. During spring season, you can also view beautiful flower blossoms inside the park.

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Related link: Mini Travel Log: Beijing, China (2)
Related link: Mini Travel Log: Beijing, China (1)

Mini Travel Log: London, UK (3)

The Queen must have loved me so much, for I was summoned back to the UK after I left in less than a week. Thank you for your invite Your Majesty, for if not, I would have left rotting in the house for a week. But so sorry that I did not pay you a visit at Buckingham Palace this time, for I had a date with your ancestor King Henry VIII at his Hampton Court Palace instead. Boy, I have to say his castle gardens are much bigger and more beautiful than your St. James Park. I had fun getting lost in the Maze Garden but bollocks, for the exit was actually the same entrance. Ahh...what a trick.

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Related link: Mini Travel Log: London, UK (2)
Related link: Mini Travel Log: London, UK (1)

Mini Travel Log: London, UK (2)

Even though I return to the same places I have visited last time, London still has its charm. I had a wonderful time here with my fiancee. We were blessed to be able to meet in London out of the so many flights around the world. This is the first of the many more honeymoon trips to come. I am looking forward to that.

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Related link: Mini Travel Log: London, UK (1)

Mini Travel Log: Munich, Germany (2)

What will a person do on a cold day? Snugging beside a fireplace and sipping warm coffee would be perfect. Unfortunately for a restless person like me, I just couldn't sit still. On a freezing cold morning, I got out from the hotel to brave the cold. Bad decision. I couldn't stand it and ended up in a warm restaurant. I had one of the best Bratwurst for my lunch. Feeling warm and comfortable now, I decided to change my sight-seeing plans into indoor activities. So I headed to the BMW showroom and museum for some fantasy shopping. If I cannot afford one, at least I was there to touch and smell the leather seats.

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The BMW Mega Challenge: To all the Beemer fanboys out there; it's time for you to prove your worth. See if you can identify all the models in this album. =D

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A very cool show from moving balls.

Related link: Mini Travel Log: Munich, Germany (1)

Mini Travel Log: Salzburg, Austria

Flying on my birthday is not cool. And arriving to a foreign place alone on Valentine's day makes it even sadder. Since I couldn't sleep and missed my fiancee badly, I decided to take some fresh air outside and hopped on a train to cross the border from Germany to Salzburg, Austria. This small romantic town was where the classical movie "Sound of Music" filmed. If you grew up in the 80s, you'd probably be able to recognize many places here from the film as you've watched it countless of times while singing along to the music of Do-Re-Mi. In this town too, a great music composer was born by the name of Mozart who brought wonderful music to this world. Along with him, another great scientist by the name of Doppler was born and lived here as well. Comparing to many other places in Europe, this is one of the romantic town that you must visit with your loved ones or for your honeymoon. The charm of this town will definitely melt the hearts. Visit during the summer for the best view and to relive your "Sound of Music".

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Mini Travel Log: Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo has become all too familiar to me. I've been there for the past 3 consecutive years. Knowing this complicated metropolitan city inside out is a big bonus. I can now walk without maps nor even need to speak to the majority of Japanese who don't want to speak English. Without prior planning, I can now just hop onto any train and go to where my heart desires. While shopping in Shinjuku, I decided to bring my colleagues for sushi. Among the hundreds of Yakitori pubs in the area, we managed to find a secluded sushi restaurant which serves fresh sushi on conveyor belts. We had the best meal on a bargain price. You don't have to pay premium price for good sushi if you know where to find it. Nor you need to wake up 4-5am for Tsukiji Fish Market sushi.

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