Travel Blog 2022

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LAND OF SMILES -Nov to Dec 2022
While venturing into landscape and macrophotography, where to eat and what to eat also became my focus.

Ms Phawini was was most obliging at the Insect Sanctuary at Pak chong. Featured are leaf insect, Fire knee Tarantula and Dead Leaf Mantis.

Dead Leaf Mantis devouring a cockroach, Leaf Insect and Black Widow Spider.

HOKKAIDO STYLE FLOWER FESTIVAL IN KHAO YAI

Taking leaf from the Furano in Hokkaido, the attempt in Khao Yai pales when compared to the exquisite landscaping by the Japs. However, the floral display still a colorful event and attracted a number of tourists. Unfortunately, the sunflower display ended two months ago

CURRY MANGROVE SNAILS – tonnes of snails with the shell meticulously removed; I never had it so good before.

After the macro shoot, we had dinner at Yungkhaow Khaoyai. The highlight was the curry mangrove snails. We also had a fried Thai vegetable (Liem vege), crab omelet and soft-shell crabs.

BEEF DELIGHT

One of the best beef noodles I tried was in BangNa, a shop located between 55 and 77 Lasalle. Tripe, spleen, intestine, tendon and succulent pieces of beef. 9/10

Another beef noodle stall was hidden in a non-descript road which opened up a restaurant set in a pond with water fountain. Location Nong Khae Saraburi18230. Also serves pork balls if beef is not your meat of choice. 8/10

DUCK GALORE

Fabulous lunch at Nakhon Pathum – famous for its braised and roasted duck. Have not eaten coagulated duck blood and fallopian tubes for a long-time. Also famous for its sweet pomeloes, they are much sweeter than the much publicised Ipoh ones.

THAI FAVOURITES

Meal at the Savoey Restaurant (Terminal 21)
Fried Sea Bass, Crab curry, Oysters omelet, Dessert- consists of Chendol strips (called Singapore noodles, haha), taro, cantaloupe, ice-cream and love-letters), Prawn pan cake and Pineapple fried rice. Heard the place is a popular hang-out among the Thais.

Smiling in the Land of Smiles (Siam Paragon)

IN MEMORY FOR THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO PERISHED DURING WWII
AT CHUNGKAI WAR CEMETERY (Nov -Dec 2022)

The Bridge over River Kwai and the trains that used to ferry the POWs. Japanese flags flutter over the memory of Japanese brutality during the war. A lesson never ever learnt.

Each rail spike represents 500 deaths in Malaysia, Burma, the POWs of British, Javanese, Australian, Dutch, Singapore , American, Indochina, Korean.

30 Nov- 2nd Oct 2022
Raub, Pahang (Malaysia)

Requiring a 4 WD to manoeuvre through the undulating trails in a vast durian/ rubber plantation in Raub, Pahang, Malaysia led us to the roosting area of the lovely Blyth Frogmouth couple. It was so well camouflaged that i missed it even it was quite near me. Male have white blotches on its breast and females are a warm brown with white blotches on its breast resembling a necklace. The terrain was hilly and the rainy weather did not help. Fortunately, we had our boots. I heard a few had slipped whilst carrying their heavy gear.

Blyth Frogmouth

The Banded Kingfisher (male) is a forest bird but this fella was found in the plantation – likely, a ready food source of insects and reptiles is easily available there.

Where to Eat

Had an excellent lunch at Sentosa, Raub. A must stop-over for meals. We had Steamed Patin fish, luffa tofu, herbal kampung chicken, braised brinjal. The Patin fish was freshly caught and not bred and it tasted excellent.

Another must try is the Fish Farm Thai Restaurant at Ulu Langat. A huge area with a large pond and food is often transported by boat. It is popular hangout as it is a short drive from KL. We had Steamed Garoupa, fried clams, 4 angled beans, fish cake, fried crab rice and mango sticky rice.

On the way back for a nightcap at Sojourn Guest House at Ampang, we even managed to stop over at Bukit Tinggi for the Whiskered TreeSwift.

Where to Stay -Sojourn Guest House – my favourite boutique hotel when I am that area.