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. 

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.

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. 

Day 1: Dubai, UAE

It was quite an unplanned trip. I was thinking of going to Laos, or even Vietnam. But, it's mad to be going alone there. I know everyone will be like, don't be crazy! I know! I know! That's when SP said, come to Dubai! Fate fall upon me. MAS was having a promotion, for that 2 days. After I bought it, it increased to 3K plus. Insane.

That's when in March, I flew over to Dubai, all alone. It has been so many years I haven't flown alone.

The moment I reached to Dubai, left my luggage in SP's house, then we headed over to Dubai Mall haha. Had dinner at Desperados and omg, this is crazy. I had currency shock, with Buy 1 Free 1, we still paid 100 each.

That's the skyscrapper, Burj Khalifa, tallest man-made structure in the world. The main contractor was from Samsung, South Korea haha.

This is just at Souk Al Bahar which means market of the sailor due to its stones and architecture of the building. There are restaurants, shops, bars, cafes here. Of course, there is a musical fountain here. It's actually located between Burj Khalifa, Souk Al Bahar and the Dubai Mall. It's actually a dancing fountain that plays every half an hour after 6 PM with variety of songs. I enjoyed this!

Then, we headed over to Dubai Mall with the giant aquarium!

Of course, it's then time to head back to SP's place in the Financial Hub and it's about 15 minutes walk to the Metro station haha. Oh when you talk about the Malaysians there, somehow you meet people from the hospitality industry. That happened to be working in the same hotel as me before. haha.

UK: Bath & Stonehenge

After we left Cardiffthe day after,  we went to Bath and Stonehenge before crossing the English Channel.

That's the Red Crescent. Maybe, justice is not done through pictures.

This is Jane Austen's exhibition in a street called the Gay Street which she's an English romantic novelist and has the most widely read novels in English literature.

The town in Bath. Ignore that face.

Bath Abbey

Canal again

Then, it was another few hours drive over to Stonehenge. This is actually in the UNESCO World Heritage back in 1986. Even after having visited the monument, I don't see it why.

It's a monument in the middle of nowhere. It's a prehistoric monument. I don't get the whole idea of this. It was some solar, some sunrise, and when you stand at a certain spot, you see something. In conclusion, I don't get this whole thing. I don't know how to appreciate things like that. Give me the mountains anytime haha.

So, the distance of the entrance and where the Stonehenge actually is quite a distance away. You need to take this ride there.

In the end, I enjoyed seeing this more. Haha.

My Euro & UK trip has come to the end. We have gone back to Morden, London and just that few more days, I flew back to the reality, KL. It was a great trip, despite missing out to meet some I wanted to. There will be another chance, maybe not so soon, but there will be another time. It was amazing and what I like about traveling, it's the experience that comes with it.

I don't travel just because I wanna see things and all that, but the most important part? Really, it's that experience that cannot be bought. I love to see from the architecture of the buildings, to the people, and how people live and all that. Of course, the history of the place too. Not to forget, going back to the place I once was for studies, it was really great except, I didn't get to go to Luzern. It's too bad, but who knows, next time.