Travel is the only expenses I never regret spending

In life, one cannot run away from the big ticket items spending.. It can be a house, a car, gadgets, travels and what nots..

I am not a gadget person.. In fact, I am contended with whatever works.. I don't need the latest phone or the latest tablet.. I don't need the most fancy car, one that suffice in doing what it needs to do with the least amount of upkeep (if I stay within Klang Valley in the entire month, my fuel consumption is only an average of 100 litres.. or 2 tanks' worth.) but enough for me to not even consider a local brand for it's infamous problems and milo tin quality..

When it comes to travel, I pay for the experience.. I don't just become a tourist (of course I still do touristy stuff), I go to a place and I experience life..

Nudity permitted yo!

Like going nude in Sydney's nudity permitted clothing optional Obelisk Beach.. I am not sure why many have not been/heard, won't you want to try it?

After all, it's PERMITTED! Let me tell you, the awesome possum experience is far greater than there is to be shy about.. Go alone, if going with friends isn't your kind of thing..

Uh.. I'm actually gonna go Australia again for Chinese New Year next year for family holiday.. so no nude and 357 :(((

12 Apostles helicopter ride

If there is a helicopter ride and it will be a life time opportunity to get on it, I will, and I did (at 12 Apostles).. If there is a super cool roller coaster, in fact most roller coasters are super cool, I will get on it..

I've had amazing travel experiences that I never regret spending for.. and it'll not stop here, it will continue to be something I will continue to spend on..

And having said that, I am going on my 16th Bangkok trip this weekend.. my last trip was 2 years ago, it's about time again yo lol! Although I have been contemplating on taking on a cooking class while I am there, I am still unsure if I would want to, mainly because the menu isn't something I can't make..



I guess I'll just leave Bangkok as what it should be - a "gay city"..



:)

Japanese galore

I had dinner in Minori in Royal Bintang Damansara Hotel recently with the bf.. I did not know of this place mainly because it's a little of out of my "affordability" scale.. but since he suggested we should try it, I agreed..

Mind you, it does not come cheap..

These are my portions cos I didn't take photos of his portion lol

My verdict:

Food quality: 5 thumbs up

Service: 4 thumbs up (cos they weren't very attentive)

Price: $$$$

Overall: 4/5

Sushi Tsen

A little less than 15 years ago, I swear off Japanese food cos I don't eat.. But once tried now I'm hooked onto Japanese cuisine! 

Like every week I have to eat something Japanese lol!!

Tonight I tried Sushi Tsen in Atria Shopping Gallery.. 

I dined by myself cos the boyfriend is in Amsterdam at the moment.. And I ordered 5 kinds of sashimi, oyako don and soft shell crab.. Here's what I think.. 

Oyako don at RM11.80 before GST looks just like any where else, portion is big and it's okay.. No comments whatsoever..

Next is soft shell crab.. A very far cry from the "illustration purposes only" menu.. At RM16.80 before GST, it's pricey and not tasty at all.. Too much batter and hey, why did they use tempura batter again!??

The 5-kinds of sashimi.. It's good and worth the RM29.80 before GST.. The pieces are thick and fresh..

As I finish off my meal, I can't help but notice this..

For a long time, that piece of cloth and the soap spray lies on the floor.. And this the is the same cloth that is used to wipe the tables "clean"..

I don't know what to think..

But I think I just proven the 5 second or 3 second rule don't apply anymore.. Let's just say, while you dine in Sushi Tsen, any food that drops onto the table, please throw it away..

My verdict:

Service: 5 thumbs up 

Food quality: 3 thumbs up

Portion: depends. Sushi plates are tiny but you can't complain for the price of RM1.80/RM2.80/RM3.80 a plate.. I'll give it 3 thumbs up. 

Price: depends. Some are worth it, some not. I'll give it 3 thumbs up also..

More Cancellations at Malaysia Airlines

Malaysia Airlines drops Istanbul service (MH30/MH31) effective 24 August..

With this, its European destinations remains for London, Amsterdam and Paris while flights to Dubai looks safe for now, all flights intended for Istanbul is rerouted via Dubai as we learnt.. Paris will be downgraded from Airbus 380 to Boeing 777-200ER, thus putting 2 Airbus 380 into extra (which is said to be sold/leased or going to Sydney - nothing is cast in stone yet as of now)..

Aussie Specialist

Finally one of the most valuable certification I have, is now in physical certificate form!

The framed certificate arrived today to my office in the mail, and after more than a year of me passing the course.. an annual recertification is required to keep the status active..

In the Aussie Specialist Program, there are 23 modules to sit for and attain a minimum of 90% pass to graduate.. each module is a pre-requisite before moving on to the next one..

Destination

• Module 1 About Australia
• Module 2 ACT & Canberra
• Module 3 New South Wales
• Module 4 Northern Territory
• Module 5 Queensland
• Module 6 South Australia
• Module 7 Tasmania
• Module 8 Victoria
• Module 9 Western Australia

Niche

• Module 10 Australia's Big Cities
• Module 11 Aboriginal Australia
• Module 12 Nature in Australia
• Module 13 Australia's Outback
• Module 14 Aussie Coastal Lifestyle
• Module 15 Australian Journeys
• Module 16 - reading -
• Module 17 Meetings & Incentives
• Module 18 Accommodations
• Module 19 - Itinerary Planning (assignment) -
• Module 20 Group Tour Planning
• Module 21 Group Tour Managing
• Module 22 Experimental Luxury - Aussie Lifestyle
• Module 23 Restaurant Australia

In each module, there are examinable questions from as little as 7 questions to as many as 30 questions.. 

At the end of the course, I have to submit my assignment which the questions (I was told) can be random.. you are given a scenario and work out the itinerary planning for the question, by applying all that is learnt in the course.. 

After that, one is deemed to have passed and is certified Specialist.. As a specialist, I attend each of Tourism Australia's events be it by the national tourism board or the respective state tourism branch.. 

And that is how this came in the mail :) 

So who's up for Australia?