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Archive for May 2011

>Unrevealed Trip

Posted by: dianateodt on: May 28, 2011

In: Goin' Places | Greetings | Travel
4 Comments

>Note: Another scheduled post again and this will be my final post for this month!

Exactly 5 months after my Taiwan trip, now I’m on holiday again. Vacation! Travelling! Trip! Whatever you name it but what I know is I am going to shopping like mad but will not make myself shop till drop.

Which country this time around? Hint: I had been to this country before but just different city and I never blog about it.

Make a quick guess which country am I right now

Before signing off, I would like to wish every Sabahan

“Kotobian Tadau Tagazo Do Kaamatan”.

>Tokyo House Ikebukuro

Posted by: dianateodt on: May 24, 2011

In: Accommodation | Asia Trip | ✿Japan✿ | Goin' Places | Tokyo | Travel
9 Comments

{Note: Air Asia is having BIG SALE currently and the fare is incredible cheap for just as low as RM0.10. Did you manage get the ticket you want? As for me, after trying for 7 hours and 10 minutes, I just managed get 1 while one of my friend within 2 hours after the sales start, he managed to book to 3 places. I wonder how he get through the irritating waiting room}

Tokyo is well-known to be one of the most expensive city and finding an affordable and cheap accomodation is not an easy task. So for those who are going to Tokyo soon after bought the most cheapest ticket I ever knew (imagine just RM330 for return ticket), here I would like to share the place where I stayed during my last year autumn trip to Japan in an affordable price that would not burn a hole in your pocket during your trip there.

Tokyo House Ikebukuro is conveniently located in the heart of Tokyo area, Ikebukuro. Its located 5 minutes from the Ikebukuro Station and if you take the C1 exit of the station, it just take less than 2 minutes walk to this guest house (we only realised about this on the last 2 days of our stay ==”). Not to worry about the language barriers as this guest house are managed by the Taiwanese.

There are two types of room;

1) Japanese-Style – 16 japanese-style rooms featuring Japanese tatami and matress. No bathroom or toilet attached but there are 4 separate public bathrooms with shampoo, conditioners and shower gel. It is so damn clean and sometimes I almost fall in love with their toilets. Inside the room, there are heater or air-con, TV, alarm clock, hair dryer and closet.

2) Annex Suites – 6 suites with private bathroom/toilets. There even has a mini living room, refrigerator, water boiler and microwave oven inside the suites.

Nicole and I opt for Japanese-style room to experience the living style of the Japanese.

Cosy and warm room for two guests cost ¥6,000 per night.

Ignore the messy things and bag.

The super duperb clean bathroom.

There’s even an open kitchen for you to cook your food and enjoy your meals.

THREE MAIN REASONS I love this guest house are:

1) Free breakfast provided (bread, fruits jam, butter) at 7 a.m. But the lady is so kind when she heard that we are leaving as early as 4.30 to the Tsukiji Fish Market (click here), she prepared and put on the table for us.

2) Free 3 minutes call to call back home – During our 8 days trip in Japan, we were unable to call back home. Don’t know what is the problem with Digi and Maxis line (not sure for Celcom). The only way to connect back home is through net. But thanks God! The lady told us that we can use the phone which located at the front desk for free. So, immediately call my mother and told her I am OK.

3) Not only free wireless Internet in the room, but they even allow us to use the Internet PC for free. I almost need to pay ¥50 for the usage of half hour of Internet PC during the stay in J-Hoppers (click here) but luckily I hold on my plan to do so. The reason why I need PC is to transfer all the photo from our camera to the external hardisk which I brought to there. You know how life could be miserable while you are taking photo during travelling and your camera is showing this, “MEMORY FULL”! Gosh.

The free PC which I conquered most of the time.

I’m almost forgot. There are coin-operated washers and dryers available. But the lady (the management of the guest house which I refer to) told us that we could use the washing machine which located at the back of the guest house for free. I guess there are more than three reasons I love this guest house.

Highly recommended guest house for those who travel with budget that comes with good amenities and facilities and great location. There are two 24 hours convenience store such as 7-11 and even McDonald nearby the guest house.

For more details, check their website www.housejp.com.tw/englishindex.htm.

>Chatime – Good Tea Good Time?

Posted by: dianateodt on: May 21, 2011

In: Bits 'n' Bites
5 Comments

In Kota Kinabalu, bubble tea is a common beverage to everyone here since the opening of the local pearl milk tea bar called Yoyo Cafe back in the year of 2000. From that onwards, bubble tea cafe is springing up like mushrooms after rain and can been seen anywhere around Kota Kinabalu town.

During my study life of 4 years in Kuala Lumpur, it’s hardly for me to hunt any bubble tea or pearl milk tea around Kuala Lumpur. And even if I found it, it only can be seen in a small and tiny stand shop in shopping centre or in night market.

Not until recently I came across of few bloggers who blog about the opening of Taiwan’s beverage franchise called Chatime which is famous for its bubble tea. So, I put this on my list as “The Thing I Must Search For” during my short visit to Kuala Lumpur last few days.

So before I’m going to KL, doing some research where can I get a cup of this famous bubble tea around KL city. Thanks God that I can get it either from Times Square or Pavilion as I can only lepak around these 2 places during my 2 days visit in Kuala Lumpur.

Located at Lower Ground Floor, Berjaya Times Square.

They even offer variety of Winter Melon Tea.

The signature drinks.

Long list of the beverage products to choose from.

However, when comes to price, honestly to say it is much more expensive compare to Yoyo, Easyway and other bubble tea in KK town area. The price range from RM4.00 and above. Anyway, I was given a choice to choose the level of ice and sugar that I want for my drink; either less or more of ice and sugar.

And I choose Mango Green Tea.
It is so refreshing and rejuvenating especially to cool down my body in the hot hot weather of KL.

>Lake Kawaguchi of Mount Fuji

Posted by: dianateodt on: May 18, 2011

In: Asia Trip | ✿Japan✿ | Goin' Places | Travel
5 Comments

{Note: Actually this is my scheduled post as I am on my way to KL for 2 days to attend one of my coursemate’s wedding. Never thought that when I was small, received tons of invitation card to attend for friend’s birthday party but now receiving invitation card for friend’s wedding party. Oh ya! There is a tremendous changes in my blog. Find out what had I change.}

Without noticing, we were almost closed to the end of our Japan trip. During our second day in Tokyo, we went to one of the infamous Japan’s Holy Mountain, Mount Fuji.

Mount Fuji, a dormant volcano is the highest mountain in Japan and its perfectly symmetrical volcanic cone is well-known as Japan’s symbol. But do you know where is the best places to view Mount Fuji from a close distance?

As there is no direct access to Mount Fuji by train, the most nearer staging points are either Fujiyoshida or Kawaguchiko. Both of us opt for Kawaguchiko instead.

Food vendor machines are everywhere.

Saw the temperature?

Lake Kawaguchiko is the easiest to access and offers more things to see and do among Fuji Five Lakes. The other four lakes are less developed and not as easy to access by public transportation.

However, the mountain is not always visible to view due to the clouds and poor visibility. OK! We are unlucky one to see the world most beautiful mountain and perfectly shaped volcano.

I am dog lover.
If I see dog everytime I’m on going, sure won’t miss out any opportunity to snap them.
For example, during my Wales trip, few photo with dogs which I took (click here)

We will come back to visit you again, Mr Fuji!

Anyway, I got myself to grab this – Blueberry Cheese Cake Kit Kat (limited edition).
Only available at Mount Fuji train station.

There are more varieties of Kit Kat in Japan.
Want to know more? Stay tune for my never ever finish Japan post.

[Credit to: Wikipedia, Wikitravel, Japan-Guide]

>Shibuya

Posted by: dianateodt on: May 16, 2011

In: Asia Trip | Goin' Places | Japan | Travel
13 Comments

Check out my ♥My Travel♥ page. Upload lots of edit photo which never seen before.

Now back to the post.

Besides Harajuku (click here), Shibuya is also one of the most colourful and busy district packed with tons of Tokyo youngsters. It’s within walking distance from Harajuku but since Nicole and I had the unlimited railway pass, so we utilised it by taking the railway instead of walking.

Shibuya is a center for youth fashion and culture and it is popular for shopping and entertainment area. Shibuya is famous for its five-way scramble crossing, which just located once you step out from Shibuya Station.

Scramble crossing [Pic credit to Nicole]

Too bad it’s raining and we can’t find the perfect spot to shoot the perfect pic to explain how is exactly scramble crossing looks like. So credit to google for the pic below.

Over a dozen major of Tokyo large department and fashion stores located at here too.

Seibu, one of the largest department stores

As we moved on, we spotted this:

Disney store.

If you are planning to go Disneyland and in case unable to purchase online, it is advisable to purchase the admission ticket from here. Or else you might regret once you reach Disneyland.

Look! Drop dead gorgeous looking model at the pink lorry.

What Shibuya notable for is Hachiko.

Hachiko Statue

This is one of Tokyo’s famous meeting points, which located just outside the station. I guess most of you know what is the story behind Hachiko. But unfortunately for me (NOT AGAIN!!!), I can’t found this statue because of the rain. Everyone is holding the umbrella and blocking this statue, I guess!!!

More Japan post to come: Mount Fuji, DisneySea and accomodation I stayed when in Japan.

[Credit to: Wikipedia, Wikitravel, Japan-Guide]

>The Red Devils of United Kingdom

Posted by: dianateodt on: May 14, 2011

In: Goin' Places | Life in UK | Travel | UK Trip | ~England~
10 Comments

Had you watch the match last Sunday between the Red Devils and Chelsea in the English Premier League? The Red Devils scored a goal within the first minute. OK! Now I sounds like I gonna blog about sport report. I am not gonna blog about what happens during the match and what is the final score but I am gonna blog about the Red Devils

Again, this is my backdate post and suddenly I realised before this, I ever said want to post about this (click here) but then again, blame my worst sickness, “Short-Term-Memory (STM)”. Not until last Sunday, accompanied TTM watched this match at my home together with my dad, while waiting for the second half match, I showed my picture to TTM. From there, I only realised that I never blog about this. And now, I’m taking this chance to bring you all to the Red Devils’s stadium.

The Red Devils is the nickname of Manchester United and the name of the stadium is Old Trafford. During my study in UK, the uni organised a day trip of the virtual tour to Old Trafford Stadium, the home of Manchester United Football Club. So without thinking too much, immediately I signed up and registered for this day trip. My uni organised lots of day trip on every weekend for summer students like us.

Here we come to kick the ball (Neh, I am kaki bangku=P)

The journey from my uni to Manchester took almost one and half hour.

Finally, I got the chance to see the glory and great stadium right in front of my eyes

The place where the roar of 76,000 fans came from.

Reserved for the players and also here where Fergie keep shouting “GOAL! GOAL! GOAL!”

I’m not a big fan of MU but to show to my dad, who is absolutely big fan of MU.
He never ever miss each and every MU match.

During the virtual tour, we were also got the chance to visit player’s dressing room. This room contains a spa pool, six showers, two small baths and video facilities which can accomodate up to 22 players.

Smell Ronaldo and Rooney’s soaking sweat =P

The spa pool.

Did you spot what I spot? Our own Malaysia’s budget airline on the sponsored board

Spotted the former MU superstar player.

Players’ autograph book.

Guess who is Brooklyn?

Although can’t take pic with the real player, but this already makes me feel satisfy for it.

Before we ended the tour, we were giving a special certificate to serve a souvenir of remembrance for the visit.

“During this virtual tour you’ll get a taste of the history of Manchester United, and move a little closer to understanding just why the club has touched the hearts of so many. Enjoy your visit.” – by Sir Bobby Charlton.

[Credit to: Manchester United Official Website, Wikipedia]

>A Lil Surprised to My 51 Followers

Posted by: dianateodt on: May 8, 2011

In: DT Give-Away
12 Comments

Here this is: My first ever blog tag away for my 51 followers to show my appreciation for those who following my blog. And for this, here is a tiny and little but sincere “APPRECIATION AWARD” for the lucky 51 followers.

This blog tag award is created and designed by myself with the help from my assistant, Miss Adobe Photoshop. I love the stamp brushes (the plane, the luggage, the passport and the camera) which served what my blog is all about. No contest or requirement needed in order for you to get this blog tag award as long as you are one of my 51 FOLLOWERS!

Anyway, I will be more delightful when you are doing entry for this, please state what do you think about “DT in Da House – Pisces gal who blog about travel, foods & life“. After that, kindly please link back to me by leave a comment. Who knows I might give-away again another blog tag award? But this is not compulsory. Just for fun!

How to put your image on your blog:

1) Right click on the image and select “Save Picture As”.

2) In your blog, create a “New Post” and click on the “Insert Image” tool in the toolbar

3) A window will open. On the left hand side of the window, click “Browse” and insert the image that you save.

4) Post your blog and check it’s worked.

Once again:

Guess you miss out to become one of my 51 followers? No worry. As I still continue to do so. So what are you waiting for? Just click and become my followers. Cheers and have a great day!

>A Day With Queen of My Heart in Green Connection

Posted by: dianateodt on: May 6, 2011

In: Around Malaysia | Family | Goin' Places | Greetings
10 Comments

>Mother’s Day celebration is this weekend. So how is your preparation to celebrate for the one who sacrifice everything just to provide the best and love for you?

Every year, my siblings and I will bring mommy for dinner and we also will buy a gift for her. Instead of doing the same celebration every year, I decided to bring my mom to Green Connection on last Monday, which was the replacement holiday for Labour Day. When she knew that I am going to bring her there, she is so exciting (like a litte kid). Hahaha…

The Green Connection is an aquarium and ec0 theme park of Sabah. In a nutshell, Green Connection offers eco-treasures of Sabah which featuring over 500 species of animals.

Green Connection is also a rescue centre for the endangered and rare marine animals of Sabah.

Start your journey by walk through the cave when you can see creepy creatures such scorpion, tarantulas and etc.

The turtle is so smart. Both of it stop swimming just for me to take photo of them.

Meet the Snakes Zone: Dare to grab the chance to take picture with the huge pythons.

The highlighted area will be the huge aquarium tank where you can see the rare of guitar shark, leopard sharks, sea turtle, bat fishes and even the ultimate underwater predator, SHARK!

Here is the guitar shark, leopard sharks and bat fishes.The everyone waiting moment.

The fish feeding time which took place exactly at 11.30 am (everyday).

This sea turtle is the star of the day. It caught everyone attention during fish feeding time. Do you know what is it name? Called it “Gangster”. Want to know why? Just heading to Green Connection and you know why.

It is so entertaining and fascinating.

“Say No to Shark Fins Awareness Campaign”

Do you know that actually shark fin does not bring any nutrition to human body but content mercury which may cause sterility in men if consumed in extremely large quantities. Shark fin may also harm pregnant woman too.

After the show, mommy and I continue to the other zone where you can touch and up close with the marine species.

Puffer fish or ikan buntal (in malay).

I called it “balloon fish”. By the way, this fish is not edible and don’t simply eat it if you go for fishing because it believed to be the second-most poisonous vertebrate in the world.

Green Connection is not just served as a center for you to get up-close and see the animals, there even got a “Science and Life Dome” where you can learn and play at the same time.

Not forgeting before leaving Green Connection, there is souvenir shop for you to grab unique and cute gift for your beloved family and friends.

T-shirt, soft toys, postcards, books and lots more is available in their Souvenir Shop.

Mommy and I took a pic before we leave.

In conjuction with Mother’s Day, why not taking this opportunity to bring your mom and family and even friends to this informative and interesting aquarium and eco theme park.

“More than just an aquarium, not quite a zoo, and a discovery centre that’s fun for the whole family.” – The Green Connection.

Location:
Badan Sukarelawan Complex,
KM2, Jalan Tuaran,
Likas Sabah.

Opening Hours:
10 am – 6 pm (Last entry 4:30 pm)

Fish Feeding:
11.30 am and 4.00 pm (Mon – Fri)
11.30 am, 1.30 pm and 4.00 pm (Sat, Sun and Public Holiday)

Ticket Price:
RM25 (adult), RM15 (child from age 2-16) and free for baby

How to get there:
Walk to Karamunsing complex.
Take Jalan Tuaran away from town, at 2nd mile turn left by Wisma Wanita.

For more info, please do check out their website The Green Connection.

Before I sign off, I would like to wish every mother on earth;

“HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!”

[Credit to: The Green Connection homepage, AquaticaKK homepage, MySabah.com, Wikipedia]

>DT’s Poll

Posted by: dianateodt on: May 4, 2011

In: Crap-ing | Memories | My Life | Sharing Moments
4 Comments

In case you never heard , “Poll” is some kind of voting or even survey which you ever done when doing your research or assignment in your college or uni life. It is a very easy task; whether you pick from the best to the least or put a tick or cross mark.

And if you can see, I served under NuffNang. But hey, don’t worry I am not forcing you to click so that my earnings will be increased. That does not serve my main purpose of blogging. Yesterday, I just noticed that actually I can amend or customise the poll in the way I want. Gosh~ I am really slowpo.

Here is DT’s Poll which I just customised or amended few minutes ago:

Do feel free to click on it especially on the second questions so that I can know what do you like as the give-away gift.

As you can see, I start to blog since 2007 but not really active as currently. I’d been blogging in friendster before this (that time friendster is damn famous and no one knows the existence of facebook) and I plan to blog in blogger just for one reason, to express and confess my love on a guy. Yeap, on a guy which I fall for. If TTM find out this, sure he ask me to delete it.

There is no privacy in friendster and everyone especially my friends can view it. Really damn pai seh. So, I ask one of my junior besides friendster, where else can I blog and he recommended blogger or blogspot. So, this is where I met blogspot. That time nothing much to blog. Blog about student life? I rather finished my unfinished assignments and do last minute study.

But then, I start to active in blogging again when I further my study to Sheffield, United Kingdom. What makes me to continue to blog? My University organise blogging contest and the award is so rewarding. Try you imagine first prize for blogging you can get £300 which if you convert back to Malaysia, it will be around rm1,800. Kid I’m not. Too bad I didn’t join because once again the word of “confidence” is lacking within me. But from there, I realised I love blogging especially sharing on my travel experience and adventures around UK.

Not until 2010, something bad happens and I have lost interest in blogging. Really almost gave up in blogging. But then, you will ask how I gain back the interest of blogging? Simple: TRAVELLING. I travel to Hong Kong and Macau with TTM and my friends and I would like to share the adventures and tips of travelling once again.

From the statistic above, maybe for some of you will think that there is nothing much differences to you but for me, it means a lots to me.

So before I end my super duperb long post, I would like say

“MILLION THANKS TO ALL MY BLOG READERS especially to The Followers, who FOLLOWING my blog and COMMENTS which I received”

What are you waiting for? Click the poll above in order for me to improve my blog and decide what gift should I give-away to those who follow my blog and constantly comment on my post. Don’t just be my silent reader ooo. For those who comment on my post but not yet become my follower, I got gift want to give one but too bad, I can’t or else it is unfair for the follower. So, you should know what you should do =P

On behalf of my owner, I would like to Wooff~ woff~. It means THANK YOU EVERYONE!

>Su Ra Sang, Korea Restaurant @ D Junction

Posted by: dianateodt on: May 2, 2011

In: Bits 'n' Bites | Family | TTM
18 Comments

Happy Holiday everyone! Never thought we are almost in the middle of the year. Can’t imagine that time really fly so fast. Ok, right now I gonna bring you all for “Bits & Bites” time. By the way, I am not a good food reviewer but I love to share my food post with you all. Happy reading!

Su Ra Sang, located on the first floor of the D Junction, not only served Korean cuisine but they do served Japanese cuisine recently.

Initially, I thought they only served Korean dishes even thought my brother told me that he saw there is salmon and sashimi printed on their promotion banner but still hard for me to believe. Not until I read Shin Chan post, ok so i made up my mind and inform my family and TTM to go there to have a try. And now they are having buffet promotion. For just RM30++ for adult and RM15++ for childen, you can eat as much as you can until you full but remember, unfinished foods will be charged.

Su Ra Sang means King’s table in Korean language

Korean dolls that welcome you to the restaurant

Their menu for the buffet promotion

For your information, this is not a normal and typical buffet style. Instead of table placed in public area filled with various of foods and where you can pick and select foods you want (at first, this was what in my mind), but Su Ra Sang served in different way. You need to order the foods from the menu first and they will serve it to your table later. What I do for this? I request for a piece of paper and pen, then I wrote down all the list of foods I want. You can order as many times you want and there is no limitation. But I would like to stress here again, leftover foods will be charged as there are 2 ladies experience this on the night we dined in there.

Ebi Tempura

Potato croquette

Sashimi; salmon, maguro and butterfish.

My favourite – SUSHI

Temaki

Korean dishes which recommend by the Captain. Taste nice

So next time if can’t made up your mind whether to have Korean or Japanese dishes, now you can enjoy both at the same time. Good idea, right?

Su Ra Sang Korean Restaurant
Location: D Junction, 1st Floor, Jalan Penampang, 88300 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
Opening hours: 11.00am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 10.00pm (open daily)
Tel: 088-703103

DT: Travel & Living Journal