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Day 1 – QuadBike in SiemReap
The trip to SiemReap was very different from any of the other trips I’ve been to because its filled with so much enlightenment and adventrous. The closest travel that was as tedious as this was probably Krabi where MrSmallface and I sign up for a kayaking trip into the OPEN SEA ! Our arms went lame after the trip obviously, after battling the waves -_-
Arrived at SiemReap International Airport at about 8am their time, GMT +7 after staying awake the entire night at LCCT. It’s one of the passenger friendly airport I’ve been too. Not hectic and confusing like LCCT. Out from the plane, short walk to efficient immigration check. Then once you collected the luggage, it’s the pickup point. No one stopped me from doing this 
We arranged for Quad Biking on the first day with SR Quad Bike, a new establishment G found online. They pick us up at our hotel on time, just that we were waiting at the lobby area, the guy was waiting at tour desk causing us to lose about 20mins -______-
We were given a straight-to-the-point briefing session before we go for a short run to test our skills out..
All of us passed the test but Teong ! haha ! Experienced bike rider had to ride with an instructor lo… 
It was really easy to handle once you get the hang of it. Just accelerate and brake. Everything else are automated. We booked the 2 hours ride (USD25 per pax) which bring us through the local village trail, and vast paddy field, stopping for an amazing sunset. The photos does no justice to how beautiful the actual view was. Fits the definition of breathtaking.
Some of the kids from nearby villages that followed us. So friendly and cute. They are the children that I don’t see much in Malaysia anymore, the ones that Waves and greets without demanding for ipad or iphone to play afterwards.
Fascinated over the photos we took of them.
Throughout the 2 hours and for the following few days, we find ourselves waving to random kids and strangers ALOT! They are like the friendliest group of people ever. WY’s “kim jong ill” moment.
I think they spend their days waiting for tourist to go by their villages so they can wave and shout HIiiiiii !!!! at us. There’s one time, where we were drove past a house quite fast and the kids couldn’t run up to us in time, so they just screams Heellloooooo 
at us … -______-
Just a few tips for those who would like to try this.
1. Dont wear white as it will turn to orange or beige at the end of the trip. This is how the towel looks like after wiping our face. There’s practically no proper tar road, just dusty red earth all the way. So i think it’s really thoughtful that the bike company provided mask and helmet with eye shield for us
2. try to wear long pants to protect your calf from the heat of the engine.
Truly enjoy the experience of quad biking through siem reap and will definitely do it again if opportunity arises!! A photo with the owner.
Whirlwind 2011
Seems like the year passes by in a blink of the eye.. cliche, i know.
If i were to sum up this year in one word, it would be changes.
Believe this year is where people around, including myself make drastic decision and big changes in their life. I believe and live by the motto, change is the only constant in life, so true especially for this year. Friends getting married, friends moving on with their life, career leap, relocation and much more.
As for myself, I decided to quit my job in KL and moved my base back to my dear hometown with has the worse traffic that I could have ever imagine. Probably one of my wisest decision this year. For now, I am enjoying my career. Very fresh, very new, very exciting, schedules are like a roller coaster ride with crazy work hours when nearing dateline but full of flexibility to be independent.
It was such a Fun year for me! For a start, i went to 4 concerts, which is once every quarter 
Maroon 5, swooning over ever sexy Adam Levine. Eason Chen and Zee Avi was equally awesome with different feel. Cherry on top of it all was realizing my dream of watching Jacky Cheung!! Undeniably i grew up listening to his songs, naturally i become a fan. Sadly i couldn’t make it to any of his previous musical or concerts and was sooo happy that he made a stop in Malaysia again! He does not disappoint and will definitely be part of the audience for any of his future show in Malaysia. Biggest regret in terms of concerts was not able to attend Jason Mraz’s Asia stops :(((((
Then there was the Hot Air Balloon Festival and Orbing experiences.
Favorite past time for the 2nd half of the year. Red times with Kimmies ^_^
Addiction for 2011 was unmistakable Snowflakes and Chatime. Surely i am not the only one, the first one or the last here.
Earlier in the year, i ticked off another “want to/must do” in my life. Something inspired by this little cute guy here. never had regret
Now that I’ve passed a certain age in life, invitations to weddings are coming by the throngs. This year alone I’ve attended 8 weddings to be exact.. probably this trend will continue for a couple more years, then I’ll start attending baby showers and children’s birthday..haha. Not complaining though, i love to attending weddings, a celebration of love, a good excuse to doll up (^_^) and meeting up with friends and absolutely having some great fun!
From all the weddings, this was one of the most moving. Meeting up with so many of my old pals for the entire day, recreating the ending dance pose from our scout/guides days back in 2000. Most beautiful wedding overall still was Eunice’s wedding in Melbourne. Amazingly perfect!
What is a life journey for me without a splash of travelling involve? I got myself a new camera this year or rather MrSmallface got it for me ^^ Loving it till today, Sis even brought it to Nepal and Mt Everest. talk about journey.
Went to Hanoi, Vietnam for the first time with my family. A first after more than 1o years. Loving the beautiful place, would love to revisit someday!
Then it kinda seems like tradition for me and MrSmallface to go away for our anniversary. Last year in Sabah, this year in Taipei.
Revisited Bali again with some old and new folks, still the same old Bali. Would love to go again, well, I would love to go anywhere anytime again But come on, who can resist Bali ? Still so much left unexplored. I still want to go to the Rock Bar!! Unfortunately previous trip, i was just soo close but still failed :( Must GO!
Short weekend trips
- Hadyai
- Pusing, Perak. Kellis Castle
- Weekend getaway in a bungalow we rented in Taiping. Was suppose to sekeping serendah but they are so booked out, until next year!! Too much! Eventually decided Taiping was a great midpoint to meet for the folks from KL and Penang.
2011 has been good to me. Full of new start, new challenge, new experiences in life. Learn alot, laugh alot, weep alot – probably for movies -_- Grateful I had my family and friends around me for whatever reasons. Grateful I am still able to do what I want (well, most of it)
Come what may 2012. It may or may not be the end of the world, haha, life still goes on until its realized. For me, who live each day to the fullest, Mayan’s prophecy doesn’t matter. whatever happen, happens
My Resolution for the coming year is to stay grateful for what I have, and be more forgiving towards others.
Year 2007
Taipei 2011
This will conclude my postings on Taiwan for 2011. after almost 5months.
Coldstone is yummy
Random cafe with wifi in Taiwan, Dong Chu area. with plenty of lomography photos stuck to the wall, random mismatch table and chairs. Even complete with a shy french bulldog roaming and hiding around.
Nice latte stirrer. With wifi around, anti-social mode on, bbm mode on.
Very nice strawberry milk drink introduce to me by my cousin. I think i bought it 3-4 times during my stay. so yummy <3
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Din Tai Fung – never leave taiwan without trying it if you are a first timer. In this case, Mrsmallface. We went to the Sogo Mall Branch as we do not want to miss our flight. Famous for the crazy long queue, we are no exception to that.
In Taiwan, I believe it’s quite sexist as you can witness how business will usually “exploits” women. For example, there is no waiter only waitress working. According to my uncle’s theory, at least when people get frustrated of waiting for their table, a nice female voice will calm people down better than a male. =.=
Famous soup noodle and fried rice to share . Uncle says dont bother with the noodle, everyone comes for the soup
Ever famous Xiao Long Bao !!! Its really super awesome
The skills of the sifu must be there as the basic standard to meet for each of the dumplings is to have 18 folds, when you pick the bao up, the skins is transluscent yet able to contain the soup inside the dumplings.
Final goodbye to my cool uncle before heading to the airport.
Boarding
Leaving with a heavy heart. :(
Taipei – Ay-Chung Mee Suah
Bonus photos from our day in Ximending. Probably one of the main reason WHY so many people throng here 
Taipei -Ximending
A day before we leave Taipei. And a day spent only with MrSmallface.
It was probably one of the best day of our trip and the schedule is empty. We just do whatever we want. Particularly it wasn’t so hot compared to the other days and such a great place to people watch(my fav past time!!) MrSmallface like it so much we spend the ENTIRE day there. We went back to the hotel to drop our stuff and went back again.
Ximending Red House Theater (紅樓劇場) house to shops that sells plenty of interesting trinkets. I love these kinda stuff. Small and cute stuff. Plenty of opportunities to spend money without realizing it. Danger! Danger!
This shop sells lots of things I would buy and I did buy! hahah
CKCS as pillion rider ! So cool to have such cart attached to a bicycle. The entire family was biking around..
After loitering around, MrSmallface buying some shoes – we went back to drop the stuff and return to Ximending again! The Starbucks is really huge and people were queuing up all the way until the pavement. Hype -___-
Main reason we went back is to dine at Arashi which was highly recommended by Yao. It was indeed one of the best Ramen we had! Not expensive, robust enviroment in restaurant, friendly waitress/waiter who reads everything off the Chinese-only-menu to the two banana ..
YUMMY!!!! No wonder so highly recommended and super packed!! Waited for almost 40mins for a table for 2.
Ramen Kagetsu Arashi: らあめん花月嵐
http://www.kagetsu.co.jp/index.html (Japan)
http://www.gbj-tw.com/ (Taiwan)
We actually went to the famous Ahchung Mee Suah but thats for another post.
Perfect dessert for a hot and humid summer night!
The very elaborately decorated MRT stations
Being the last night in Taipei, we decided to roam the streets of DongChu, hoping to bump into any artist that might be singing in one of the cafe [ we met 神木与瞳 - Yuming Lai one of the nights when we were out with my cousin. But too bad the cafe was too pack we have to leave :( ]
Tired, we just settle down in a very cozy looking , homey cafe in some lane.
MrSmallface always have the nicest portrait photo because *I* took them. Can’t say the same for myself :(
Anyway, it was a very nice evening, spending “connected” to BBM and whatsapp as our phone came alive with the free wi-fi in the cafe. Main reason why we stopped there anyway -_____________-
The trip was to celebrate our 3rd year being together. We had our fair share of ups and fierce down in the time together. BUT to get through all that, always remember
Things fall apart so better things can fall together
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