The Cube

I took this picture this year, don't know why it's not snake though

Chinese New Year or maybe, more correctly Lunar New Year or Spring Festival (probably more politically correct version to it I suppose) is not a public holidays in Australia, unfortunately. However, at least it was on the weekend. Thanks to Little P and family, this year is the most festival new year for me in Australia.

Anyway, here are some pictures of Chinatown in Melbourne on days closed to Lunar New Year. If you are wondering, yes, there isn't much sign of any festival at all...






Side note: Happy Lunar New Year... and yay for the weekend!

I was contemplating of moving some of my old old posts on travel to this blog, just to keep things under same "roof". Was rather disappointed to find that one of the old blog I used to post, very infrequently has been closed down. I didn't get any notification so was not able to retrieve the blog posts prior to it being closed.

Anyway, I happened to blog up a couple of posts on my past trip to Bangkok and even more rarely, managed to make get encourage my travel mate to contribute to couple of posts as well. The information on the travel obviously is dated as of now, considering the travel was back in February 2006, and fairly short, it is more than justified for another visit to the land of smiles again. ^ ^

For old times sake (LOL)...

Lumpini Park

Victory Monument

Grand Palace

Wat Arun

Vimanmek Mansion

Khao San Road

On the way to Chatuchak Market

Side note: Flourless orange cake is hard work!

Ok, Australia Day is on 26th January. So, this post was actually delayed by a couple of days. You must be thinking what has it got to do with the photo above.

Aussies don't call McDonald's as McD, it is known as Macca's (read as: Mac-kers, Mac as in Big Mac) here in Down Under. McDonald's changed their signage in a few outlets a few days prior to 26th Jan leading up to celebrate Australia Day. This unique Macca's signage will remain till 4th February 2013.

Oh, the photo was shot at Swanston Street's Macca's outlet ^ ^


Side note: I had Macca's for lunch today too.. lol, what a coincidence.

This is the last instalment of my over stretch Chiang Mai travel. Anyway, I walked passed this shop every day, it was along Singharat Road, on my way to and fro the hostel. I finally got around to have a meal there on my last night ni Chiang Mai. I love it, though I was rather wary of mosquito bites.

Basil Fried Rice with Pork, 30 Baht

Banana shake, 25 Baht

Not exactly a big glass of shake but tasted good. I don't know the name of the shop though, unfortunately. It was in Thai and it didn't have English signage to the shop, the menu however was in English.



Side note: I love long weekends :)

This is the index page for my 9 days trip in Hokkaido. 


Pre-travel
Overview of trip and some GPS codes
6 layered soft serve ice-cream

Tokyo
Day 1: Arriving at Haneda Airport

Noboribetsu
Day 2: Getting around Noboribetsu, Noboribetsu Onsen, Jigokudani and Porotokotan

Lake Toya / Showa Shinzan / Usuzan
Day 3: Getting around Lake Toya, Sculptures and Lakeside Path, Fireworks, day trip to Showa Shinzan and Usuzan

Sapporo
Day 4: Getting around Sapporo and day trip to Otaru
Day 5: Around Odori Station and Shiroi Koibito

Sapporo / Asahikawa
Day 6: Getting to Asahikawa and around

Asahikawa / Asahidake
Day 7: Day trip to Biei with JR Twinkle Bus Biei Takushinkan Course and Nakafurano for Lavender Farm
Day 8: Day trip to Asahidake

Tokyo
Day 9: Asakusa and Ginza


Side note: Just doing some organisation of old posts

Regretfully I only found this out after I left Hokkaido, that is why I'll have to be contented with putting up a photo on a piece from a free Hokkaido magazine.

No question, I would've obviously greedily pounced on the 6 layered soft serve ice-cream rather than the 5 layered ones. In fact, this was even cheaper than what I paid for the 5 layered soft serve.

So there you go, I missed the chance of getting one when I was there (or get it the next time when I am back in Hokkaido), but if you are planning or going to Otaru, do check it out :)




Side note: Wish they have it here, especially during this hot summer in Melbourne!

I only take the picture, it does not represent my opinion

Bo Sang is one of the famous tourist spot in Chiang Mai fame for its fine products - umbrella, Thai Silk and cotton. It is about 9 km away from Chiang Mai City. I was a little apprehensive on how interesting or exciting the place would be but there are a lot of good reviews on this village and I thought I'll give it a go.

As my attempt in renting a motorcycle was unsuccessful, I was back to public transport. I don't fancy walking the whole 9km under the scorching sun and please don't suggest running to reduce the time, either did I want to entertain the thoughts of hospitalisation due to heat stroke.

So I was back to public transport, or taking a day tour. I was hovering in Warorot Market for a bit contemplating after deciding that renting a songthaew was a little too pricey. I remembered reading the public songthaew could be taken from around the flower market on Th Praisani, near the footbridge.

I found a songthaew heading towards to San Kamphaeng, and there was a Caucasian couple in the songthaew. I confirmed that the songthaew would bring me to Bo Sang and the man was very nice, telling me that it cost 15 baht. When I asked the person in charge (not the driver), I was told 20 baht.

Ok, to get things straight, 5 baht is about 50 cents in Malaysian Ringgit, 15 cents or so in Australian currency. It is obviously not over the top but if another person is charged 15 baht, then I shouldn't be charged 20 baht. I haggled and finally the person in charge asked the songthaew driver, and agreed that I was to pay 15 baht. ^_^V

Main road in Bo Sang

There wasn't much in the village, of course, there are umbrella making centres or homes, heaps of umbrella souvenirs shops and I make the most of the trip. I make sure I checked out every single "red spot" of places on the map, here are the evidence.




 
 


 
Sure the umbrellas are beautiful, but truth to be told, Bosang disappoints me. I don't find it as interesting or fascinating as it was described to be. I was glad and much relieved that I didn't fork out extra on the transportation to Bosang. I would've kick myself if I actually sign up to join a day tour to get there.

Oh ya, the transportation back to the city. So you see, most people either take a day tour or rent a songthaew to get there. If you see an empty songthaew with or even one with a driver standing waiting, it is most probably on hire by someone. To get back to the city, walk back out to the crossroad and wait at the road side, the side with a police station (not police box). I waved down a songthaew, I believed it was a white colour one and it brought me back to Warorot Market area, and the driver charged 15 baht. I didn't even have to haggle for that price.


Side note: The long day time makes me keep on eating = ="