Kek Lok Si

Kek Lok Si, also known as Temple of Supreme Bliss is one of the famous temple in Penang island. The temple is especially crowded during Chinese New Year, as devotees offer prayers for the new year and take pictures of the surrounding with the Chinese New Year ornaments. Lit with thousands lanterns, the temple looks stunning and can be seen from afar at night.

At the highest ground of the temple, the statue of Guan Yin stands majestically, overseeing the whole island. I love looking at the statue of Guan Yin, she makes me feel calm and serene.

Galeries Lafayette

Gallery Lafayette (pronounced as La-fah-ette) is a famous department store in Paris. Located along the Boulevard Haussmann, you can find many brands of clothing lines, accessories, shoes, chocolates, perfumes, cosmetics... and the list goes on.

I was first introduced to perfume when I was in this department store. It's not that I never seen or smell perfume before. Mum feared that the spritz would cause some allergy to my skin, therefore abstained me from using it at all...

Until one of the French ladies at the Dior/Lancome (can't recall which of these two brands) perfume promotion came up to me and passed me a white long paper bearing sweet smell, I immediately got hooked to it! The parfum was newly introduced to the world, so I was keen to get it. However, mum firmly said No.

We didn't have much time to explore the store. Walked on the Ground floor, looking through the things that we would love to buy but couldn't because of the high exchange rate.

Badaling Great Wall, China

I had the honour of walking on the Great Wall of China few years back during a trip to Beijing, China. Great Wall of China is one of the Wonders of the World and to be walking on top of it, gave me a sense of pride of being Chinese.

Climbing up the stairs to get to watchtower wasn't an easy feat for me as the stairs are rather steep (not as steep as Angkor's though) and the surface are uneven! I got 'cold knees' while climbing halfway that I immediately sat on the stairs, not moving an inch. The elders who walked passed me, greeted me and coaxed me to move on - which I felt so embarrassed for they have the courage to climb the stairs while I chickened out! Bravely, I stood up and went up to the tower and I was so proud of myself that time!

Like they say, "Not a lucky hero until one reaches the Great Wall"

I've made it. Have you? :)

snow sledding

Snow sledding is a fun, adrenaline-rushed sport I got to try when I was in Korea few years back. I was a small cow, I never knew how to play nor know how to land. All I knew was to quickly run up the small snow hill, queue, take the green sled and go WOOHOO! All for the 5 minutes excitement!

And because of the excitement, I got cold. I shivered so badly and even few layers of shawls won't warm me up. Thank god for the open chimney/warming area - dad spotted that and quickly asked me to 'warm' myself there.

Ah... suddenly I feel like snow-sledding. Why there's no snow here? :(

Tuk tuk

A cheaper mean of transportation, auto rickshaw or commonly known as tuk tuk is a 3-wheeled cabin cycle. I had the chance to sit on one when I was in Cambodia last year. The experience : priceless. However one need to bargain and agree on the price before boarding the tuk tuk to avoid being scammed by the tuk tuk driver. My friends and I encountered this on the last day in Siem Reap where the drivers asked us to pay double when we reached our destination. Luckily, after few row with them, the drivers reluctantly agreed to accept the amount set earlier before boarding.

Tuk tuk is the best way to get around the town. One can rent tuk tuk for a day, hopping from one destination to another or even book them for the entire trip. They can act as your personal guide, chauffeur and translator too!

Redang

Situated off the East cost of Malaysia, Redang is a popular island escapade for Malaysians and foreigners; well known for its white sandy beaches, crystal clear blue sea, amazing underwater world. Consists of 9 islands - (Lima Island, Paku Besar Island, Paku Kecil Island, Kerengga Besar Island, Kerengga Kecil Island, Ekor Tebu Island, Ling Island, Pinang Island and the main Redang Island), Redang is an ideal place for snorkeling, diving and canoeing; tho the latter is doable only at certain part of Redang for safety reason. Plenty of resorts/chalets are found on this island - ranging from budgeted to luxury ones.