Maui Island 5

The final post! 

It's a beachy day, final one before we flew home the next day. 

A selfie for the last post. We went to Black Rock beach. It's crowded.

As the morning sleeps in and the afternoon comes, it got really hot. Would you rather have scorching hot weather or really cold? I would have chosen cold over hot in the past but Lord, I don't know anymore.

Yes, it's lunch time!

Then, the food.

This feels like a really Premium area. The beach is located just right in front of the hotel. This is the Kapalua Bay Beach. 

As we walk further, the path becomes rocky with lava rock formations. It's definitely a very scenic view. Also saw some interesting creatures while walking.

Next up, whale watching at Calypso Whale Watching in Wailuku where they offer snorkeling to Turtle Town apart from the whale watching excursion. We obviously did just the whale watching. I think it's about $60 per adult.

Managed to see some whales. The excitement while watching Free Willy is real.

Finally, as we approach the finishing line, the rainbow appeared. A perfect day to end the trip with, of course, we had really good food after that albeit overpriced.

Maui Island 4

It's another year, and this time I'm spending it at home. Not home home (Malaysia) but home. Since Maui Day 3, I still have a couple more to share. So, bear with me. Never have I thought that I would be going to Hawaii. It's just something I used to watch on tv, or hear about it. All the pictures below took place in Haleakala, an active shield volcano that forms 75% of Maui Island. The peak is at 10,023 feet above sea level. The most recent eruption was an estimated 600 to 400 years ago.

Anyway, Haleakala is known for their sunrise. Only limited numbers of vehicles are allowed to get in between 3am to 7am. Tickets are open 60 days prior. We tried a few days consecutively but it was all fat hopes. The window is at 5am but it's gone in minutes. It's cheap just $1.50 per vehicle, but it's impossible to secure that ticket haha. Anyway, it's not like we could get up that early to see sunrise. Since we weren't able to get the tickets, we went for sunset instead. There is no restriction or tickets for sunset, just go. But to be mindful of the crowd that's going to appear there. We went there early, got a fairly nice spot for the family. Don't forget the coat and jacket as you'll be out there for hours before the actual sunset takes place.

This was on the way up, look at this, so heavenly, like paradise.

There's me haha

Not sure if this is clear enough, look at the humans camping witnessing the beauty of nature during sunset. It's just beautiful. I have a soft spot for sunset.

Different feel but still as beautiful.

After sunset, from a different camera. If you live in a city, it's rare to see so many stars. The days when I get to see stars are long gone.

We went walking about and there is a trail, we stopped by and look at this, geez. 

 If there is an opportunity to do this, do it and don't skip. It's an experience you don't get to see everyday. Oh btw, since when do we have emojis on blogger? haha. ✌

Maui Island 3

So much has happened since my last post. US Presidential Election, the fall season came, the gray sky, as well as even South Korea's emergency declaration of martial law which was then called off a couple of hours later. It is crazy to think that something is always happening in some parts of the world at every given moment.

Since the world is going though such stressful moment, let's take a moment to go back in time, one year ago to Hawaii.

We went to the aquarium on Day 3. Spent a couple of hours there. My entire life, I was taught pronounced algae the British way. I learned from Maui Ocean Center that it is pronounced as "al-gee" lol. Location, Wailuku, Maui. Ticket priced at $45 per adult. 

Check out the deep blue sea where the sharks are. So many sharkies in here. 

All the fishies

It was rather warm in Maui. It was a really relaxing vacation. One thing to do is to book the accommodation with a beach walking distance. This beach was opposite our Airbnb. All we have to do is to cross the road. Kinda cool huh? It is to me, haha. Location: Kaipukaihina.

Selfie at the really hot beach, when the sun was right above. Isn't the smartest thing to do when your skin gets tanned really easily. Nobody believes me when I said my skin tans like the ice melts under the hot weather. 

My turn to buy dinner. This is the most creative restaurant name. It's called 'Da Kitchen.' haha.

It's been a year since, but I remember it being good, located at Kihei. Casual dining restaurant. Until next time. 

It's about 'me'

I have met way more people in the past. As I got older, my circle is getting smaller and smaller and eventually, I think it will all fizzle off. Have you ever come across someone who talks all about themselves and nothing else? I have, more than I would like to in both genders.

I am currently watching Later Daters, it is about a show of people between the ages of 56 and 70, have been single for awhile and would like to get back into the dating world but do not how to. Some of them have been single for 15 years, so it's been a long time. How do people even date anymore?

I have been on dating app before, have been around people from my circle too. There are people out there who just love to talk about themselves, how great they are, the world revolve around them. There was this lady who did not ask any question during the date, so by the end of it, she does not know anything about her date. That's her coping mechanism when she is nervous. Well, I can understand at a certain point people act this way, but not all the time.

There are people who act like that because they suffer from insecurities, or they have some sort of inferiority complex. Looking back at the friendships I had, there are those who have gone wrong due to character, or some were just prioritization. I knew this one guy who had to boost himself, from how much he earned, right until his travels. They are either lack of confidence, they have no value that they have to resort in doing this, or they have underlying problems. But, that isn't my concern.

I had some female friendships too, who I knew a lot about them but they do not know much about me. All because I kept asking the questions, and they happily talked about themselves, including things that are supposed to be private and personal.

Perhaps, regardless the stage they are in, whether in the 30s or 40s, they had enough time to know themselves better and to know how to navigate through life. However, knowing the Millennial generation being like this, it is just sad to know they are lack of self-awareness and the general awareness. It is a crucial part of self-discovery to reflect of what happened, what went wrong and what can be done better. That is how we improve as human beings. Throwing all your emotions to your friends isn't the greatest idea, knowing that they are not a therapist, yet them trying to be a good friend to listen to your problem, yet taking advantage of doing it all the time, isn't the best thing one can do.

We are different, but when I have a problem, I do not throw this burden on a friend to listen to me all the time. I process the problems and feelings on my own, whether in my own thoughts, or by written expressions. It is vital for anyone to find their own ways to express, without burdening much on others. Unless, you engaged a therapist, then sure, do all you have to do because that's their profession. Listening to problems everyday would eventually bring negativity to you. We are surrounded with energy, so it is pivotal to remain positive energy around you. Having the negative vibe will just drown you one day. That's what I learned, and today, we are no longer friends because we have different belief systems, different values, and I realized, I was drowning. I should not carry a burden that is not supposed to be mine.

Maui Island 2

 It's been awhile since my last post on Maui Island haha.

We went to some beaches in Kihei and I saw a real big turtle right at the shore as I stood up.

Escaping the winter and enjoy the warm climate here in Maui

It is a quiet beach here, but they do not have bathroom too.

We went for lunch after that because it is time for lunch. It is apparently has good review.

Not very good lol, but if you're hungry yes lol

Did some window shopping, they have some nice stuff right there

Look at this, I think it's so cute

We had this shaved ice thingy because it's hot and humid there just like KL though not as bad. It isn't really good but that's because I came from KL. 

Dinner is a time to hunt down food, a night market kinda thing. Ah I miss going to pasar malam back home. It's the same kinda vibe but this has very limited options. It would be better if they have more.

Maui Island 1

It's year end in 2023 and everyone's traveling out of city, state or country. For us, we've decided to escape the cold and fly to Maui Island, Hawaii instead. The fire a couple of months prior was brutal, but here we are. Malaysia is too far, flight ticket was expensive. So, Hawaii it is! My skin is used to tropically hot weather (though I will still complain when it's the Malaysian hot). Yet when it's cold, I still do the same because it's too cold haha.

A very domesticated airport. The car rental was downstairs, got a car and off we went. It was late when we got back to our accommodation, or at least it's late for Seattle time (they are a few hours behind us) which makes it 19 hours time difference between Malaysia and Hawaii. haha.

Our first stop of the day is Tinroof, a take out kinda place. People can be seen waiting outside, and many of them before us. It was quite a long wait due to the amount of people so let's see if it is worth waiting. Chicken was good, shrimp was good but noodles was just okay. Portion is generally smaller and pricey though.

Venue: Tin Roof, Maui Kahului

When one goes to Hawaii, the first day itself has to include a beach right? haha. I honestly can't remember the beach name for this. 

Then, of course this, for no reason.

Without forgetting a Hawaiian drink. Well, it supposed to go with some food, poke bowl but, the pictures came out terrible due to the exposed sunlight as we were just outdoor having our lunch without any covered or shaded area. Sad.

How I lost weight and fats

For the first time in my life 10 years ago, I went for a health check-up conducted by a former company I worked for and I was told that I was at borderline high cholesterol. Initially, I thought, it was my lifestyle I led for my entire 20s. It was of course. I gotta admit that I took advantage of being young, and being in the hotel industry for 2.5 years didn't help. On top of that, I ate whatever I felt like eating, I was also at the mamak during my college years and never will it cross my mind that, it wasn't just purely my lifestyle, it was in fact hereditary too. I was asked to reduce fast food and red meat intake, and I attempted by cutting down my fast food to a month once. Did that help? I maintained my lifestyle, but reduced my fast food intake and they came back the following year. Instead of showing improvement (but it's not possible by doing that nano step, I was too naive), the result came back with a jump from borderline to high cholesterol, skipping another level of slightly high. I was officially high risk at the age of 31.

I continue leading that unhealthy lifestyle. Reducing by that little in such a small scale will not make a difference (and without working out). Alcohol was a big chunk of my life too in my 20s. 

Fast forward to late 30s, I have the habit of eating when a really bad event befalls on my family to avoid family members worry. I shove food to my mouth just because I did not want others to be worried. 

Finally, I started meeting new people and making new connections. I have always been told I was too thin. Fact is, nobody knows that I am skinny-fat, a condition where I look thin on the outside but the fats are all hidden between all my organs as what people call as visceral fat. 

What did I do? I have to do something before I hit my 4th decade on Earth. I was in a lose fat program for 90 days. My lifestyle had 180 degrees change, with supplements and meal replacement. After going through that program, I now identified what food are considered unhealthy. People go for no carbs, no sugar, but is it sustainable? It's not. If low carbs and low sugar, it's do-able. The program was like this:

Low sugar

Low sodium

Low carbs

No processed food

No dairy

High protein

This means I was sacrificing all my desserts, switch my coffee from dairy to plant-based milk, vegetables, certain types of fruits, avoid deep-fried food with one cheat day. I'm a carb lover, so I would binge (but not to the extreme) on that day, sticking with 3 meals (binge on one).

The result after 90 days?

 

Nothing comes easy, no pain no gain. This was my pain, but also my gain. It was difficult kickstarting but if I wanna improve my overall health by 40, this was what I gotta do. That has been a very transformative journey as I have permanently changed my lifestyle

I weighed 56kgs when I first started, and 47 kgs when I completed the program with 3 visceral fat, reduced to 1. Body fats from 33% went down to 23%. Do I still munch and snack, and everything? Yes I do. Almost 2 years later, I am between 49 kgs to 50 kgs and have been this weight for the past 1 year. I have incorporated workout as part of my lifestyle. So, I would say, this is for the best.

Part 3: Bangkok Trip

Happy New Year 2024! It has been such a rollercoaster ride in 2023, with many big decisions, big changes and challenges made in 2023. Phew, what a change. What's interesting is that the monks I went to in the past said there will be a major change each time our age has the digit 9 in the second digit. How interesting! Indeed, it has for me in 2023. The older you get, the less interested you are with celebration, which includes New Year. It's just another day, another night.

Often times, I heard about Sukhumvit and finally, I'm in the area. This is a really eccentric and trendy Japanese-inspired cafe. They have gone into merchandising with coffee accessories like coffee machines ranging of different prices, coffee products etc. A great place to hang out for sure!

Met a Bumble friend who happened to be in Bangkok the same time as me. Yay!

Of course, without a doubt, I met my uni friends, where the mixed Teochews gather. I don't have many friends with Teochew blood but I came all the way to Bangkok to meet them. haha. Jokes aside, we had a really good time, reminiscing our uni days! Those times were good. 

Then, they brought us to this dessert place. Dang! My favorite - mango!

A mandatory photo with these 2. Not sure when is the next time I'll be meeting them again. I should honestly do it more. The fact that I do once in 10 years is beyond sad.

The next day, spent some time in an Australian cafe instead - Toby. Ah that's my late dog's name too! I love scrambled with coffee. So here I am. 

I don't remember Chatuchak to be like this, I guess it has changed, or I have memory problem I am not sure. Haha. Dropped by for more coffee but of course, how can it be good, just for the sake of I guess. Got some good deals from there though, so no complaints. Department stores are not meant for me, I wouldn't spend so much on clothes.

Next up, I went to this dessert shop, the Thai version of ABC in Cheng Sim Ei, located within the Chulalongkorn University district. I guess similar to University District in Seattle, Ewha University of Hongdae.

Not long after he went back to Bangkok, he got to see me again. Haha. 

The local food is a must! Cheap and good. Hainanese noodle thailand in Bangkok.

Small-scale, a little run down and dodgy, is my kinda vibe for good food. This place checks all the boxes.

Second round? Sure. I can't remember the name of the restaurant and bar, but here for some French pastry with cocktail before we call it a night.

Of course

Since Bangkok is named the most visited city in 2023, I visited as a very supportive neighbor. It was a good trip catching up with really old friends and a new friend. Vibrant, lively city as what I have known Bangkok as and it never disappoints. Perhaps, next time I should consider going with someone who has the same mentality as I am then it's way easier. Everyone is different, but to make things easier, let's stick to the people I am familiar with or people that travels the same way as I do. That's the takeaway. 

Part 2: Bangkok Trip

 Since I am on school break right now, here comes Part 2 from last year's trip.

From Icon Siam, we caught this boat to Chinatown (Yaowarat Road). It's like a mini cruise in a boat, it's not bad at all.

Here comes Yaowarat. When you see chaos, it means you're at a right place. The more chaotic it looks, the better it is. 

We were there early, even then, we had to line up. Amazingly popular with decades of history. I'm not a fan of this, so I couldn't tell if it's THAT great or it's nothing special.

I guess if you're a normal chinese, you would like it. But, I don't take spare parts and I forgot to tell them. So, haha.

The night comes, so does the life.

As a tourist, I like doing this wherever I am, Thailand, Cambodia, India, Vietnam. I have done those. And I will continue to do this. 

BTS.. they have upgraded their infrastructure and it's so great! But, this is actually expensive. For the well-connected line and not having to go through the traffic, I guess it's okay? The best part is it's all shaded. Locals there actually even do their workout there. Saw people jogging stations after stations. Damn!