Hua Hin, a town famous for its beaches and royal getaways, is a simple 2.5hours from central Bangkok.
With its iconic red, Hua Hin Station serves as a gateway to other parts of Thailand and has been welcoming visitors since its inauguration in the 1920s.

Relax, zone out and watch the old steam engined trains roll by as time ticks by.

Do not just walk around the train station.

For book lovers, step out of the main station and cross the street to find an extension of the once-used train cabins, now converted into a public library for children and adults. It was much of a heaven and a welcomed surprise. Do not miss it. Take off your shoes and walk around and maybe even grab a book or two?

The exterior of the library

  

The exterior of the main Hua Hin Station

A whiff of nostalgia along the train platform. 

One of the features of the station is the Royal Waiting Room that used to serve the king and his court royales when they visit. 

Prapokklao Rd., Hua Hin 77110, Thailand

I was extremely glad we made the decision to head to 1000 Sook Food and Farm which turned out to be such a fun destination. Prior to that, I did not research much nor had any expectations of the farm but the farm had turned out to be much bigger and interactive than I had imagined. 

There were plenty of interaction opportunities with the farmed animals which were all so adorable! It was not just another typical photo spot with nothing to do. The place itself definitely evoked an instant perk-me-up kind of feeling. 

We seek to connect when we disconnect. Contradicting? Yet true. You know the importance of having data connections when traveling in a foreign country. Be it for checking google map for directions, or for simply connecting with our loved ones. 

How You Can Stay Connected

Once again, this time round, I had my iVideo device with me on my trip to Korea. Though wifi connections are available quite readily in Korea, you can never have it more readily available.
Wifi device rental rates in Korea
Quote "JIAHUIM" for a 10% discount OFF!

 Prices go as low as USD$3++ per day for Korea, offering a 4G LTE coverage which is currently the fastest bandwidth.

Stay Connected. Stay in Control.

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) 20th Anniversary celebration calls for some 7 Instagrammable hotspots in Hong Kong you didn't know of!

From breathtaking night views to hipster local diners at Sham Shui Po and unique Hong Kong landscapes on the southside. There is always something for everyone to Shop, Eat or Play in Hong Kong!

Here's your insider's guide to some very instagram-envy locations! 

One of the earliest developed areas in Hong Kong, Sham Shui Po is seeing an increasing number of creative youngsters injecting new life into this old neighbourhood. The result: an intriguing district where graffiti art, textile stalls, modern cafés and art spaces thrive alongside traditional eateries and shops.

Best Kept Secret: Nam Shan Estate

There is something mesmerising about Hong Kong-style buildings where the blocks are built symmetrically, forming a spectacular view. Nam Shan Estate emits a haunting yellow-green glow at night, and the grid-like units give the building a highly geometric structure. The estate is also home to some fantastic local restaurants and food stalls, including an egg waffle shop called P76 that sees queues every night. 

Who's up for a night walk?

Bustling Causeway Bay is the perfect consumer-friendly district for an epic shopping spree. And when you need a break? There is a diverse range of restaurants, bars and entertainment venues to kick back and relax at. Between major shopping centres like Times Square and Hysan Place, and upscale fashion streets like Festival Walk, take your pick from quirky boutiques, celebrity-run restaurants like Jamie Oliver’s, and rooftop bars with spectacular harbour views like Seafood Room and SKYE.

I was rummaging through my photos when I came across a folder titled 'That lone Tree' and immediately it struck a chord within me. Back in 2015, this lone tree in Punggol caused quite a stir and saw Instagrammers and photographers flocking over to capture their own rendition of that tree. Why?
 It was perhaps rare to find such scenic place in the densely populated Singapore, surrounded by architectures.  Everyone had their own interpretations of what the tree meant to them. The different shots seemed to convey and invoke different senses within us. Sometimes cherry, sometimes gloomy, sometimes aloof. 

Trees are poems that Earth writes upon the Sky- Kahlil Gibran

The photos in this post were taken in August 2015. When I headed to Punggol back then in search for this tree, the seasonal monsoon rain and lightning had robbed its once blooming crown.

What was left were mere weak branches. 

It was, weirdly, heartwrenching to see the tree in this state, even though we were strangers really. 

Be like a tree and let its dead leaves drop - Rumi

By 16 Dec 2015, the tree was gone. It was removed after Housing Development Board's arborists certified its death. 

Once the icon of Punggol, the lone tree had gained so much fame its location was geotagged on Google Map.

 Though short-lived, it had shined while the moments lasted.

Every second was different.

I have an entire forest living inside me and you have carved your initials into every tree. -Pavana

CheCheng Station車埕火车站

Japanese Influences

Caves Where?

For a change away from the hustle and bustle in Barcelona or Madrid, Granada is an excellent choice. Granada is an hours' drive from Valencia and easily accessible. In Granada, there is a province named Guadix which you cannot miss. Why? Because in Guadix lies the highest concentration of cave houses and Troglodyte ( cave dweller) comes to mind and you can spot them at every turn.

The change in landscape as you neared Guadix is amazing. From afar, you will spot from far the plains When you are cruising along the road, 

Instead of a traveller.
 Yes, the locals might be telling you to head for other geothermal baths which are less crowded, cheaper or free for use out in there the wild, but I will still recommend you to step into Blue Lagoon at least once while in Iceland.
Despite its stepper pricings and longer traveling distance, it will be worthwhile.

After all, Blue Lagoon spa is one of the most recognized landmarks in Iceland and you can't go wrong with that.

Get Insiders Travel Hacks

Hoping to meet other awesome female travellers? Planning to go on your next big trip solo? 

With the intention of building a community of solo female travellers that stick and help each other out together, the Bungee Girl app was born and rightfully the brainchild of  Ms Maxine Outerbridge (Read her inspiring stories). The Bungee Girl app is all about encouraging female travellers to take on new challenges, embrace diversity and yet learn about the world in a safe environment.

Be In Control

Tired of waiting? Waiting for someone to join you on a trip? Spouse tied up with work? Friends are busy?  
Wait no more, because you can take control and plan your own travel. Via the Bungee Girl app, you can connect with female travellers of similar interests ( based on 'Travel Personality') and travel destinations; or even meet female locals who live in that city. Connections will be based on the fact that you each want to visit each others city in a future solo trip.

source

I really love the classic and clean interface which is easy to navigate without irritating ads popping up.

Connections/Networks

Safety

Currently only available on Apple iTunes but look forward to their Andriod version soon.

https://www.facebook.com/pg/bungeegirl/

https://www.instagram.com/bungeegirl/

Part of Iceland's culture is its hot dog. When it doubt, simply order with "everything" — ketchup, chopped onions, mustard, remoulade (sauce similar to tartar) — served fresh and piping hot. 

While reading the in-flight magazine on Swiss Air, I came across one such famous hot dog kiosk right in downtown Reykjavik, "Bæjarins Beztu".

This chain was named the best hot dog in town in 2006 and we could not wait to get our hands on Icelanders' favourite. With more than 20K likes on Facebook, you know the brand is definitely to be reckoned with. 

We were right on the dot when the kiosk opens at 10 am but the sky was still dark, during the winter season last November. 

We were not the first in line. A bunch of local girls were faster than us.

Our order appeared within minutes and there. All the goodness. The sausage is a mixed of mainly lamb, pork and beef mixture. Tasted like a party in my mouth with all the spicy-sweet sauce and crisp and raw onions. Paired with the piping hot bun and you have a filing simple meal.

Thumbs up. 

Where To Find Them

https://www.facebook.com/baejarinsbeztupylsur/
Pósthússtræti & Tryggvagata ( located right on Tryggvagata street)

How do you like your Herring marinated and pickled? Pickled herring is a delicacy in Europe and is a traditional dish for Christmas, especially in the Nordic. These pickles are usually accompanied with biscuits, rye bread etc.
See the pink and yellow bowls? Those are strawberry and curry sauce mixed in with the cured herring. Yes, curry ( 'karry' in Icelandic). The curry version tasted very reasonable in fact but the strawberry was a tad too sweet. The original version? It has a stronger fishy smell. 

Give it a try won't you? 

You would have heard Iceland has the freshest seafood and fishes. Access to fresh fish is tops in Iceland. During our trip, we ate plenty of cod and salmon. As a salmon lover I had fully embraced the thick sweet slabs of fatty fish, usually grilled.

Icelanders love their sheep and more so, mutton. Cooked in various styles —smoked, braised, grilled, stir-fried — they are found often in everyday dishes. For me, the lamb smell is always too strong, even Icelandic sheep cannot escape that.  If you have not tasted Icelandic lamb, you have not lived. Or so they say. 

Hangikjöt (smoked lamb), on the right, is a favourite with the locals and is served as a cold dish. We had a go at it and it was not too bad but a tad too salty. 

Iceland's tap water is safe for drinking and is in the purest of all forms, having come from the icebergs surrounding the country. Even if you had purchased bottled water from the supermarts, it tastes exactly the same. Why not save a substantial amount from buying water? Just drink from the tap!
From the tap, the hot water tends to have a very distinctive sulphuric smell as compared to cold water. This may get some getting used to, but the smell is really not that bad once you get pass the first, two tries and the water tastes just as what water does. We drank from tap water for 9 days throughout and felt great, knowing the potential mineral benefits did cheer us up too.

5. Huffer Puffer

For adventurous, go for the horse, whale or puffin meat. Try Dill and Matur og Drykkur in Reykjavik.

6. Skyr Yogurt

Skyr is an Icelandic yogurt brand and there are no reasons why you should miss it. Head to any supermarts and there you can find them easily.  This low-fat dairy is deliciously smooth and creamy, high in protein and other health benefits with lots of flavors to choose from.

This was how Skyr Yogurt is served at our guest house — with caramel sauce and all.
Lovely yummy.

This fish and potato stew looks delicious and is usually served with dark and sweet rye bread. A modern classic.

Source

They are commonly sold at pitstop petrol kiosks and no, looking similar to lasagna. Look out for 'Fish Stew with Rye Bread and Butter' possibly in the menu ( 2200kr = 18 Eur)

Icelandic lamb soup is clearly a regular home-cooked dish served with vegetables. I did not have the chance to taste it though.

Source

9. Where is 'M'?

If you are missing your McDonalds, miss not, for you will not be tucking into cheeseburgers anytime soon in Iceland. I was amazed to discover the lack of the yellow neon sign. Yes, a country with no Mac invasion.
Instead, you will still be able to spot other international fast food chains such as Domino, Subway and Dunkin' Donuts.

Share with me what are your must-eats when in Iceland?
Leave a comment below! Love to hear from you.

Need a pre-paid SIM card?

To stay connected and google locations for authentic eateries or restaurants while on-the-go in Iceland or in other parts of Europe? Purchase a Europe SIM card like I did.


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