Posted on October 25, 2022October 14, 2022 by Ian Fan — Leave a comment

Hotel Stripes Kuala Lumpur, Autograph Collection

Experience Kuala Lumpur’s energy and rich culture at Hotel Stripes Kuala Lumpur, Autograph Collection.

Also known as STRIPES, it is located in the heart of the Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia’s business district. Stay right in Kuala Lumpur’s business and social hub, near some of the city’s top restaurants, art galleries, shops and legendary landmarks. It is also near to the Stesen Monorel Medan Tuanku, Dang Wangi LRT Station on the Kelana Jaya line, and Bukit Nanas Monorail Station.

KL Tower is 2.3 km from Hotel Stripes. It is also 2.9 km to Petronas Twin Towers and Suria KLCC, while Aquaria KLCC is 2.6 km from the hotel. Kuala Lumpur International Airport is 68.3 km away.

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Accommodations

Stylish urban accommodations in Kuala Lumpur for individual, family, or group stays:

Stripes Suite : 1 Bedroom Suite, 1 King, Sofa bed
Executive Studio : Larger Studio, 1 King, Sofa bed
Studio : Studio, 1 King, Sofa bed
Executive Deluxe Room : Guest room, 1 King, Sofa bed
Deluxe Twin : Guest room, 2 Twin/Single Bed(s)
Deluxe King : Guest room, 1 King

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Dining @ Brasserie 25

Enjoy food and drinks offered at Hotel Stripes.

Brasserie 25 exudes a rustic charm. With its red brick arcades, mid-century copper sputnik chandeliers and dark wood floors, this restaurant and bar located on level 1 provides a dramatic yet relaxed vibe.

Throwback to 2018, when we had afternoon tea with cakes, macaroons, and tarts at Brasserie 25.

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Then, back again in 2020, when we had a Bao-Tea-Ful (meal) at Brasserie 25.

“All it takes to fall in love is a single bite of our bao, made fresh and stuffed with only the best ingredients.”

The baos had different fillings, from lamb rendang to roast duck to salted egg butter prawn to braised beef brisket to with ice cream.

You can choose the bao to go with cendol, bubur cha cha, or red bean soup.

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Posted on October 23, 2022October 14, 2022 by Ian Fan — Leave a comment

Seaside Staycation at Avani Sepang Goldcoast Resort

Honeymoon? Anniversary? Family staycation not too far from Kuala Lumpur City Center? Located along the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and Sepang’s 22 kilometer shore is a secluded tropical hideaway – Avani Sepang Goldcoast Resort.

Located 90 minutes from the cosmopolitan buzz of Kuala Lumpur city, and only 40 minutes from Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Avani Sepang Goldcoast Resort is easily accessible and hassle-free.

Settle into the perfect beachside staycation with gorgeous sunset and celebrate in style with your special someone and enjoy VIP treatment with perks to set the mood.

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Photos shared are throwback to my 2016 holiday in Avani (short for Avani Sepang Goldcoast Resort).

Avani

Avani has a mainland beachfront setting with lush gardens and a palm structure built on stilts which extends over warm shallow waters. The overwater palm features 315 contemporary Polynesian-inspired guest rooms and villas, all with a sea view.

We were welcomed by the Avani-hut building. From the balcony of the main building, you’ve an overview of the resort and the branch straight down.

The resort’s over water palm features 315 rooms and one, two and three bedroom villas for couples, families and friends. Well designed space with essential comforts ease you into a totally relaxing stay. Fresh and contemporary, warm natural tones are splashed with colorful artwork, cushions, throws and flowers. Sleep well in a comfy bed. Drink in views of open water and stunning sunsets from your private balcony or terrace.

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Two-Bedroom Villa

Travelling as a family, we stayed in the two-bedroom villa. The villa was located on a palm. The villa can accommodate 5 adults or 3 adults with 2 children or 2 adults and 3 children.

The master bedroom had a king size bed, walk-in wardrobe, and LCD television. The master bathroom had marble flooring with sunken bathtub and a separate shower.

The second bedroom had twin beds.

There was an extra “room” which had a sofa bed and could be used as a work or study room.

The lounge area was spacious with an LCD television in the lounge. In addition to the television, the villa also had high-speed internet access, individually controlled air conditioning, ceiling fans, mini fridge, and a personal safe.

The villa had a large private terrace with panoramic sea view.

click here to book a room and enjoy a sunset view

Sepoi-Sepoi

For dinner, we tasted authentic dishes and chilled at Sepoi-Sepoi.

Bila-Bila

Next day’s breakfast was a breakfast buffet at Bila-Bila. It is located at the Club House, directly ahead upon the Avani entrance.

Meaning ‘anytime’ in Malay, Bila-Bila is open from early to late with a range to suit every appetite. Dining room or open deck, local or international, buffet or à la carte. Anything goes at Bila-bila. If only all Sepang restaurants were this relaxed.

Bila-Bila overlooked the infinity pool and the sea.

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Posted on October 22, 2022May 12, 2023 by Ian Fan — Leave a comment

These 5 Unique Bookstores in Malaysia Bring You to New Worlds!

Looking for some quiet time, away from the hustle and bustle of daily life? Check out these 5 unique bookstores in Malaysia that you absolutely must visit!

1. Tsutaya Books

Location: Level 2 Orange Zone, Pavilion Bukit Jalil, Persiaran Jalil Utama, Bandar Bukit Jalil, 57000 KL

Operating hours: Daily, 10am – 10pm

Tsutaya Books is one of Japan’s best and most beautiful bookstores, and it opened its doors to the Southeast Asian market, with Malaysia as its first destination.

Located in Pavilion Bukit Jalil, it houses an extensive range of books, a cafe, specialized merchandise, curated gifts, fine writing stationery and more – to put it simply, it’s a book lover’s wonderland. Head over to Tsutaya and sign up for an enlightening experience.

2. Lit Books

Location: P-1-11 Tropicana Avenue, 12, Persiaran Tropicana, 47410 Petaling Jaya, Selangor

Operating hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 1pm – 7pm

Owned by a Malaysian couple who are ex-journalists, Lit Books is an indie bookstore in Petaling Jaya that aims to instill love for reading in both adults and children with their carefully curated collection of books and cute merchandise that you can add to your cart.

Specializing in English literary titles, this bookstore boasts fiction and non-fiction books, classics, new releases and contemporary reads for all ages. The bookstore also has its own cafe, allowing you to browse or relax to your heart’s content.

3. Silverfish Books

Location: 63, Lorong Maarof, Bangsar, 59000 KL (Bangsar Village II)

Operating hours: Monday to Friday, 10am – 7pm

This bookstore is home to a variety of Malay and Indonesian novels, with a collection of fiction and non-fiction books written by local authors.

With rave reviews from visitors, this is your go-to place to find hidden gems – rummage through their bargain bin or the antique bookshelf in the back of the shop, and you might find something worth keeping.

4. BookXcess Pudu Jail @ Lalaport

Location: L1-13A & 13B, Level 1, Mitsui Shopping Park LaLaport, Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur

Operating hours: Daily, 10am – 10pm

Bookxcess’ latest store opened its doors at Lalaport Bukit Bintang, with a unique twist. Inspired by the former Pudu Jail, this bookstore repurposes elements of the penitentiary with an unconventionally eerie touch.

As you enter the bookstore, you will be greeted by an eccentric arch made out of repurposed materials from the former Pudu Jail, as well as a large collection of discounted books in many different categories, allowing you to save on your new reads with prices slashes ranging from 50% to 80% off year-round, plus free shipping with a minimum spend of RM59.90 if you buy from their website.

5. The Ink Library Cafe

Location: EcoWorld Gallery@Eco Grandeur, 42300 Puncak Alam, Selangor

Operating hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 11am – 10pm

Last but not least (and let us cheat here), the Ink Library Cafe is more of a book cafe. Either way, this sanctuary for book lovers boasts ceiling-high bookshelves and a gorgeous interior, with its iconic bicycle welcoming you as you enter.

Located in EcoWorld Gallery @ Eco Grandeur, this container cafe carries indie magazines from the US and UK, a selection of fiction and coffee-table books in English, Chinese and Malay. Albeit the drive out from the city centre, enjoying a cup of coffee or a taste of their delicious dishes while admiring the sunset view makes it a trip worth your time.

Originally published on IQI Global.

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Posted on October 19, 2022September 30, 2022 by Ian Fan — Leave a comment

Toya Kanko Hotel Review

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Toya Kanko Hotel is in Toyako Onsen in Hokkaido, Japan. At the foot of Mount Usu is where you will find most of the area’s hotels and shops, a visitor center, the sightseeing boat pier and the bus terminal.

Toya Kanko Hotel offers elegant rooms. The hotel comprises 131 rooms. WiFi throughout the accommodation is available. Some rooms offer a heating system, a safe box and a wardrobe with views of the mountain. A tub, a hairdryer and free toiletries are featured.

At レストラン「湖畔」 restaurant all guests are invited to enjoy Japanese cuisine. The outdoor bar is a nice spot for relaxation. Boyotei and Sobakura are situated about 200 meters from the venue. A private pool is featured onsite. Toya Kanko Hotel offers sport activities, such as tennis and table tennis.

You’re welcome to use the link below to search and book a room in Toya Kanko Hotel. Do note that I’ll earn a referral from any completed booking made.

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How to get to Toya Kanko Hotel

From Tokyo, you can reach Lake Toya by flying to Chitose City’s New Chitose Airport, and then jumping on a local train from there. You can also ride the shinkansen all the way from Tokyo, a journey completely covered by the JR Rail Pass.

If you’re coming by car, it is:

about 2 hours from Sapporo
about 1 hour and a half from New Chitose Airport
about 2 hours and 15 minutes from Hakodate

Coming from Sapporo, we took the train from JR Sapporo station down to Toya station. It was a 1 hour and 52 minutes, or 163km train ride.

From Toya station to Lake Toya, it was another 15 minutes bus ride. The bus stopped at Toyako Onsen bus terminal, where we continued on foot (4 minutes or 300 meters) to the hotel.

To search for an available room in Toya Kanko Hotel, you can use the link below.

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Private Dinner at Toya Kanko Hotel

At our stay here, we had a private dinner of pork, cooked seafood, fresh raw seafood, desserts, and passion fruit at the hotel.

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Posted on October 15, 2022September 20, 2022 by Ian Fan — Leave a comment

Christ Church Oxford

This is a throwback post to my trip in Oxford in 2016 and photos posted go back to then.

Located at St Aldate’s street on the grounds of the University of Oxford in Oxford is Christ Church.

Christ Church sits in approximately 175 acres (71 hectares) of land. Its grounds contain a number of architecturally significant buildings including Tom Tower (designed by Sir Christopher Wren), Tom Quad (the largest quadrangle in Oxford), and the Great Dining Hall, which was the seat of the parliament assembled by King Charles I during the English Civil War.

Tom Tower

Tom Tower is a bell tower in Oxford, England, named after its bell, Great Tom. Great Tom, housed in the tower, is the loudest bell in Oxford.

Tom Tower is over Tom Gate, on St Aldates, the main entrance of Christ Church, Oxford, which leads into Tom Quad. This square tower with an octagonal lantern and facetted ogee dome was designed by Christopher Wren and built 1681–82.

Tom Quad (Great Quadrangle)

The Great Quadrangle, more popularly known as Tom Quad, is one of the quadrangles of Christ Church, Oxford, England. It is the largest college quad in Oxford, measuring 264 by 261 feet.

In the centre of the quad, there is an ornamental pond with a statue of Mercury.

Great Dining Hall

Christ Church Cathedral

This Medieval Gothic and Romanesque cathedral – Christ Church Cathedral – of the Anglican diocese of Oxford, serves Christ Church college and the local parish. This dual role as cathedral and college chapel is unique in the Church of England.

The nave, choir, main tower and transepts are late Norman. There are architectural features ranging from Norman to the Perpendicular style and a large rose window of the ten-part (i.e. botanical) type.

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Posted on October 13, 2022September 20, 2022 by Ian Fan — Leave a comment

Oxford University Museum of Natural History

This is a throwback post to my trip in Oxford in 2016 and photos posted go back to then.

Located on Parks Road in Oxford, England is the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, or sometimes known simply as the Oxford University Museum or OUMNH. It is a museum displaying many of the University of Oxford’s natural history specimens.

In the main court, you’ll find a parade of skeletons or also known as the skeleton parade, which is one of the Museum’s most photogenic displays. Even just a quick glance at the line-up reveals some of the great diversity of evolutionary adaptations of these large mammals.

In the middle aisle, you’ll see a Sperm Whale Jaw (Physeter macrocephalus), Iguanodon, and Tyrannosaurusrex skeletons.

On the right aisle, there were a lot of exhibits on display which you can touch and you’re encouraged to touch them.

On the left aisle, there were a row of skeletons.

Through out the museum there were a lot of other exhibits.

Pitt Rivers Museum

The Pitt Rivers Museum is a museum displaying the archaeological and anthropological collections of the University of Oxford in England. The museum is located to the east of the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, and can only be accessed through that building.

For more information for your visit to the Museum, below is a downloadable map and guide.

Oxford-University-Museum-Map-and-Guide Download

Normal Opening Hours

Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Entry is free. However, if there is a group of 10 or more visitors (including educational and commercial groups) – booking is required in advance.

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Posted on October 11, 2022September 20, 2022 by Ian Fan — Leave a comment

Radcliffe Camera @ Radcliffe Square in the University of Oxford, England

This is a throwback post to my trip in Oxford in 2016 and photos posted go back to then.

Sited to the south of the Old Bodleian, north of the Church of St Mary the Virgin, and between Brasenose College to the west and All Souls College to the east in the University of Oxford is Radcliffe Camera.

Circular in design, positioned in the heart of Oxford, and separated from other buildings; makes Radcliffe Camera a focal point of the University of Oxford. It was designed by James Gibbs in neo-classical style and built in 1737–49 to house the Radcliffe Science Library.

To the south of Radcliffe Camera is the University Church of St Mary the Virgin. St Mary’s possesses an eccentric baroque porch, designed by Nicholas Stone, facing High Street, and a spire which is claimed by some church historians to be one of the most beautiful in England.

Then to the east of Radcliffe Camera is All Souls College. It is a constituent college of the University of Oxford in England.

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Posted on October 9, 2022September 20, 2022 by Ian Fan — Leave a comment

Oxford Covered Market

This is a throwback post to my trip in Oxford in 2016 and photos posted go back to then.

The Covered Market is a historic market with permanent stalls and shops in a large covered structure in central Oxford, England.

The market is located to the north of the High Street towards the western end between Cornmarket Street and Turl Street. To the north is Market Street. Most of the entrances are from the High Street and Market Street (with four entrances from each street). It is also possible to gain access from Cornmarket via the Golden Cross alley, with its small up-market shops.

The Covered Market is home to numerous traders, around half being food retailers, including market shops selling fresh food such as greengrocers and butchers (including some producing the Oxford sausage). There are also other shops, such as gift shops, bakeries and sandwich shops.

The market opens daily with the opening times stated below. Yet, we recommend checking with individual shops for their specific trading hours.

Monday: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Below is a link to the Oxford-Covered Market and list of traders.

Oxford Covered Market Traders

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Posted on October 7, 2022October 14, 2022 by Ian Fan — Leave a comment

The British Museum in London

This is a throwback post to my trip in London in 2016 and photos posted go back to then.

Explore the British Museum, a public museum dedicated to human history, art and culture on Great Russell St in the Bloomsbury area of London. Its permanent collection of eight million works is among the largest and most comprehensive in existence. It documents the story of human culture from its beginnings to the present. The British Museum was the first public national museum in the world.

The Reading Room and Great Court

Upon entering the main entrance, you’ll be greeted by a big round building in the middle of the museum. The domed Reading Room at the heart of the Museum was completed in 1857 and originally housed the Museum’s library.

The Reading Room is now enclosed by the Great Court, which was added in 2000. Lord Norman Foster designed the space, which transformed the Museum’s inner courtyard into the largest covered public square in Europe.

Explore more than 60 galleries in 5 sections in the museum: Africa, Americas, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece and Rome, Asia, Europe, Middle East, and Themes.

Due to time constraints, I could only cover a few galleries.

Ancient Egypt

The Ancient Egypt section is in Room 4 on the ground floor or level 0.

The collection from ancient Egypt and Sudan illustrates every aspect of the ancient Nile Valley culture from Neolithic times (about 10,000 BC), down to Late Antiquity when Christianity became the main religion in Egypt (around AD 400-800).

Middle East

Next to Ancient Egypt on the ground floor is the Middle East section. Rooms 6 to 10 hold collections and galleries from the Middle East.

This collection covers the ancient and contemporary civilisations and cultures of the Middle East from the Neolithic period until the present. There is a wide range of archaeological material and ancient art from Mesopotamia (Iraq), Iran, the Levant (Syria, Jordan, Lebanon and Israel), Anatolia (Turkey), Arabia, Central Asia and the Caucasus. Highlights of the collection include Assyrian reliefs, treasure from the Royal Cemetery of Ur, the Oxus Treasure, Phoenician ivories and King Ashurbanipal’s library of cuneiform tablets from Nineveh in northern Iraq.

Ancient Greece and Rome

Moving on from the Middle East in Room 6 is Ancient Greece and Rome galleries.

The Greek and Roman galleries display objects from the Bronze Age until the fall of Rome (about 3200 BC to AD 476). They show the expansion of the Greek world across the Mediterranean and beyond the growth of increasingly powerful Italian cultures, and their coming together in the Roman Empire.

The displays of Greek art span over 1500 years. They illustrate the development of sophisticated ceramics, showing scenes from myth and daily life, and the emergence of realism in sculpting the human form.

Greece: Minoans and Mycenaeans in Room 12

Asia

From the North stairs and the lift, we head up to level 2 and 5, where a part of the Asia section are.

The British Museum holds one of the richest collections of Chinese antiquities in Europe, containing many examples of Chinese painting, calligraphy, jades, bronzes and ceramics. The Chinese collection ranges from 4000 BC to the present.

The Japanese collections are particularly strong in paintings, prints and decorative arts from AD 1600 to the present.

Chinese ceramics – Sir Percival David Collection in Room 95

The British Museum in open daily. For full opening hours of the museum, exhibitions, shops, cafes, restaurants, library, archive, and study room – click here.

Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 8:30 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

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Posted on October 5, 2022October 14, 2022 by Ian Fan — Leave a comment

Madame Tussauds London

This is a throwback post to my trip in the Uk in 2016 and photos posted go back to then.

If you did not know, now you know. Madame Tussauds is a major tourist attraction in many cities, displaying the waxworks of famous and historical figures, as well as popular film and television characters.

We visited Madame Tussauds in London, which is on Marylebone Road.

Other Madame Tussauds around the world are in the US, Europe, Asia, Middle East, and Australia.

Zones

Explore the different zones to find your favourite celebrities, role models, or superstars! Here are some of the notable wax figures in the Madame Tussauds London.