Ipoh is not the same anymore - Part 2

Ipoh Old Town is no longer old anymore, it is now filled with new life. The dead has awaken, especially at Kong Heng Square. Besides the famous Kong Heng Kopitiam amongst the local residents, the site also houses Sekeping Kong Heng, a boutique retreat by Ipoh-born landscape architect Ng Sek San, Plan B Ipoh (yes, it is an outpost of the Plan B we know in KL), and the pioneer of Aussie-style cafe concept in Ipoh, Burps & Giggles.

It has now become a tourist spot where you can get plenty of cafes with rustic concepts and photo opportunities. I went there during the evening instead of daytime, so there's only much details I could capture.

But still, it's beautiful:

I really love this picture

Young girl x Old building

Helping out local artisans is part of the Burps & Giggles philosophy. Many of the murals found on their walls, including the saucy Marilyn Monroe stencils, were commissioned from a local painter.

I went back to Kong Heng Square the next morning (Sunday) to find that they have a flea market. With all these "new" hipster place stirring in Ipoh, Ipoh is really blooming opportunities, and I want to be a part of it...

Ipoh is not the same anymore - Part 1

It's always nice to be back to my hometown for a weekend to treat myself to some of the famous delicacies and scorching sun.

However, this time was a bit different. I had my tourist hat on.
Ipoh is like a mini Penang now, cafes with concept mushrooming, boutique hotels blooming. I just had to check it out for myself.

One of the hit boutique hotel is M Boutique Hotel, and just like it's tagline, I was pleasantly surprised by the smallest things. And they certainly well-deserved to claim themselves as "Ipoh's most unique Boutique Address". 

I'll let the pictures do the talking:

Architectural style - Straits Eclectic

One sunny day in New York, no?

They have their own shop that carries all the products like soaps, towels etc you get to use in the room

MYTH Eatery & Bar

Urban Vintage lobby

Urban Vintage decor 

The room we stayed in is a Suite Room. Absolutely loving the Safari concept.

I secretly decided to copy this for my own house's renovation in the future

Pardon the eyebags

Beds are super comfy, 12” thick mattress with a comfortable duck down plush top, topped off with dual density pillows and a crisp duvet

And not to forget about the pretty little details :)

My 2 cents of thoughts, if you're not gonna stay in the room for long then don't bother staying in this hotel, coz you'll need to relax and enjoy, take in all the little details / design they have in house for us.

Siem Reap, Cambodia 2014

A discovery trip to the Great Gate of Angkor to celebrate +reema bhullar's 25th birthday in early January.

Did you know the name Siem Reap translates literally to the 'Defeat of Siam' - today's Thailand, and refers to the centuries-old conflict between the Siamese and Khmer peoples. Maybe it's because of the old war conflict greatly affected them, Cambodians tend to have this peaceful friendly characteristics, it's like a PEACE NO WAR aura surrounding them. It's a different type of friendliness compared to the Thais.

We loved this peaceful little town albeit it's dusty air and bland taste of Khmer food. Khmer food is neither spicy nor sour, doesn't suits this Missy's taste bud here ;)

And we are very surprised to learn that some of the elder locals can speak French due to the acquisition of Angkor by the French in 1907, jakun us.

For a 5 days 4 nights trip, i only brought USD250 for accomodation + food + drinks + transportation. Not to forget the Angkor temples visitation and an elephant ride up to the mountain to catch the sunset. I was literally trying to find things to buy on the last 2 days as I still have money leftover. The only thing I managed to "forced" myself to buy was some scarfs and handmade notebooks.

Very important tips: DO NOT give money or let the children / young mother carrying baby pull you into convenience store to buy food / milk / slippers for them. They usually sell it back to the store again to get the cash.

Our crib - ApsaraCentrepole Hotel, very good service

Happy Pizza - i still feel like puking when i see this photo, it's the green thing with pizza, better off smoking it

Birthday girl looking out to see if there is any hot guys in the  jungle

Me just trying to rest my legs and nose coz it's so dusty i sneezed non-stop 

The only spot you can capture all 5 towers and the lake into 1 frame

The lost & found Khmer Kingdom temples

Simply simply amazing architectures 

Scary shit ride, look how narrow the road uphill is

Sunset at Phnom Bakheng hilltop -  need to come up around 330pm 'chop' a good seat and sit under the hot sun and wait

Where we hang out every night

Floating Village - where people bath drink eat shit at the same place

Can't imagine how I could survive in this kind of environment

Women's job - take passenger on the boat around the mangrove area

Selfie on the boat

Reema trying very hard not to rock the boat

And spent the last day by the hotel's gazebo sun-tanning and reading novel

A Weekend to Singapore

Tumpang-ed Cindy's glamour, I set on an impromptu weekend trip to Singapore last month.

There really isn't a lot to write about Singapore, it's either new mall / new eateries..boring stuffs like that. But this I have got to post - it's the newly renovated Pan Pacific Singapore we stayed in. 

Being a 5 star luxury hotel, they have been nominated for the Seven Star Global Luxury Award in April 2013. It is a luxury lifestyle award showcasing only the pinnacle in lifestyle and hospitality from around the world. Nominees in all categories are selected and approved by an International Luxury Panel comprised of high profile, well travelled individuals who have experienced the best in hospitality, lifestyle and luxury products.

One of the hotel's highlight is Atrium - an eclectic collection of seating pods floating over a reflection pool, also consists of a dramatic 22 metre long bar, featuring a wide range of curated beers, boutique wine and spirits.

Took this picture from the lift, see the floating pods

View you would get if you look up from the Atrium, cute bullet lifts

Spacious and light-filled Deluxe room and bathroom

Spacious and light-filled Deluxe room & bathroom

Pool view we get from our room, opposite is Marina Square and Suntec (really really very near)

Comfy King size beds as well :)

Will definitely come back for a stay again, not to forget the food quality is really good here (all award winning mah..)

Check out their e-brochure for more info.

My 25th Birthday - An Important Halfway Point

To me, 25th birthday is an important milestone signifying stability and foundation.
As i reflect back on my past 24 years, I'm glad I've achieved something in my life.

1. Lived a great 8 years exploring the world on my own since mummy left when I was 18
2. Lived a torturing 2 years of traveling to-and-fro (JB-SG) everyday just because I made a promise to myself I must gain the experience of working abroad
3. Despite the madness of traveling and self-centered employers I got myself into, I mastered the event skill and work/life surviving poker face skill (not too bad of a 2 years I guess)
4. Understood a little more in-depth on Singapore and Singaporean
5. Came back to Malaysia with a renewed state of mind & a new job that I'm absolutely loving it now
6. Got a new car
7. Got a not-so-new house 

To be able to list all these down at this point, I must say Ashley Phua, you've done well.
And to commemorate my achievement, I threw myself a little party at Mezza9 as a reward :)

Theme of the night - Occupation

Okay I gotta admit my bf looks kinda hot in those vest LOL

BFFs

More BFFs

More than BFF

Thank you for being a part of my important halfway point

The usual custom which  I seriously hated it the most. I rather do GraveYard

Best Dressed - Female Racer

Best Dressed - Male Diver

Theme party is really fun. I promise myself to throw another theme party when I hit my big three-0, provided my friends are still cool enough to do it for me lah..