Miri, Malaysia

07 (Fri) - 10 (Mon) Aug 2015

Lodging: May's house

It's my first time traveling to East Malaysia, stepping onto the land of Borneo, the 3rd largest island in the world. It's always been great when you're traveling with a friend who's a local there - save money on accommodation and time on planning itinerary. :)

The best part is the day trip to Brunei, a visit to a new country!

The Grand Old Lady

We're traveling with a new Japanese friend, his name is Taichi.

As time zone is still GMT+8, you may expect earlier sunrise and sunset due to it's relatively eastward location.


Our flight details
07 Aug 2015 (Fri)
Changi Airport Terminal 1 - Miri Airport
Flight No: AK762
12:25PM ­- 2:30PM

10 Aug 2015 (Mon)
Miri Airport - Changi Airport Terminal 1
Flight No: AK763
10:00AM ­- 11:55AM

Fare: S$362.72

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Day 1

Rojak

Miri Airport is a pretty simple one, considering its annual passenger movements of 2.4 million last year. Despite that, what one is looking forward to at the airport is nothing but the reminiscence with family - May was back to her hometown and her dad was at the airport picking us up.

Her dad brought us to Sin Wan Rojak & Delight Cold Drink Centre at Jalan Bintang Jaya 2 for an afternoon snack, before May going for her dental appointment.

The irony, I don't usually eat ais kacang or rojak, or rather, in the past 15 years, I've never ordered rojak myself. But of course when I'm traveling, my appetite is more open to variety of food.

We ordered this so called "Special Ais Kacang" @ RM3.80. It was delicious.

Having scheduled a dental appointment in the afternoon, Taichi and I were left alone at home. :(
That's alright, we needed to unload and unpack our luggage at her house.

The two dogs at her house are always so excited when the gate someone's back home, warm greetings much appreciated, but they really need to learn how to give way to the car. Haha...

Brunei

Menara Cendera Kenangan, Kuala Belait

This post is a sequel of Miri, Malaysia.
Read more.

Visiting a new country never fails to be the utmost pushing factor for me having travelled.

Ever since young, when I heard the name of the country "Brunei", an image of a castle with all gold plated rooms and accessories flashes through my mind, thus leaving me an impression of a small but wealthy country, surrounded by Sarawak on the north coast.

Kuala Belait

May's dad drove us to this neighboring country. Crossing the boarder brought us to the nearest neighboring town called Kuala Belait along the coast, and there's specifically where my current roommate was born.

That's where we took some time strolling around while waiting for May's dad settling some matters at a bank there.

Despite the size of the country, it took us a while to arrive in Bandar Seri Begawan, it's quite particular to me because that's when I held my pee for very long along the way, totally an unforgettable experience...

We had chicken rice for lunch at a coffee shop which seems to be popular in Kiulap, called Thien Thien Restaurant 天天餐室.

Chicken rice @ $3.20

Ma Maison @ Bugis Junction

Ma Maison

Located at a humble corner in Bugis Junction, Ma Maison マ・メゾン (lit. "My Home" in French) serves Japanese fusion cuisine.

The classy atmosphere owing to its dimly lit ambience is something one wouldn't expect from the exterior.

I wouldn't say this is some affordable restaurant, but the food quality is definitely above average.
And if you don't mind paying for the environment, it's surely worth your visit.

For ladies, you get 20% off ala carte items for on Monday nights (their Ladies Night).

"SUKIYAKI" Omu-Rice 洋風すき焼きとろとろオムライス @ $18.80++
Omu-Rice with Braised Sliced Beef and Vegetables
This was May's order, and I couldn't help but to kope the sauce... ❤❤




Beef Stroganoff Butter Rice オムライスビーフストロガノフソース @ $16.80++
Butter rice wrapped in omelet with sliced beef and brown sauce
If you enjoy eating steak, the sauce delivers the standard.
And the rice was fantastic, it was literally fragrant.


Your key to success...... no.
Bring this key to the cashier and pay for your food. LOL~

200 Victoria Street
#02-51 Bugis Junction
Singapore 188021
Opening hours: 11:30am - 10:00pm

Milk & Honey Gelato @ HomeTeamNS

Milk & Honey Gelato

Occasionally on a Friday or Saturday night, Jason or Claire would drive me out to HomeTeamNS just for desserts at Milk & Honey.

A pastry shop located at HomeTeamNS Bukit Batok, it's known for their hot, crispy and tasty waffle... and of course, gelato. They do have a flavor called "Milk & Honey".

Prior to that we're playing golf at the Bukit Batok Golf Range for the first time, with my housemates and ex-housemate. And so I recommended to them this pastry shop (don't be confused with another Milk & Honey café which serves yogurt parfaits).

There's always this high table where they place a physical figure of Olaf (from Frozen). Today we finally got to occupy that table.




Cookie Monster | Koni-Tea-Wa


Milk & Honey | Choc-A-Baby

We ordered 2 sets of Buddy Meal Quaffles Set (each set comes with 4 quaffles, 2 Gelato and 1 lemonade) @ $14.50/set.

Shy Green Nut | Salted Caramel
$6/set of scoop & quaffle


Peppermint | Brownie the Bear | Nutty Hazelnerds
Hazelnerds... LOL...

HomeTeam NS Bukit Batok
2 Bukit Batok West Ave 7
Singapore 659003

Opening hours:
Monday — Thursday & Sunday: 10am — 10pm
Friday & Saturday: 10am — 11pm

Victor's Kitchen 點心皇 @ Sunshine Plaza

Victor's Kitchen

I felt yellow for the day - having a Happy Meal at McDonald's in the morning with a free minion papoy and a movie session (Minions) at The Cathay and we met the Minion mascots there prior to watching the movie.

I thought it was a damn cheerful day, until I found out that I was having fever after movie.

While it was still early for dinner, we had a break at The Mind Cafe at Prinsep Street before having dim sum for dinner at Victor's Kitchen at Sunshine Plaza.

I heard that their custard buns are really good. I wished I could have had a better appetite that day to enjoy more of the delicacies.

香港夏日冰鎮奶茶 H.K. Summer Iced Tea @ $3.20
Ice cubes are placed outside of the drink - you can tell that it's pretty authentic


密汁叉燒腸粉 Char Siew Cheong Fun @ $4.80


湯浸小籠包 Xiao Long Bao (Soup Dumpling) @ $5.20


黃金流沙包 Golden Egg Yolk Lava Bun @ $4.80
There's room for improvement for me to bite a custard bun more skillfully


美味蟹皇燒賣 Tasty Queen Size Siew Mai @ $4.80


家鄉潮式蒸餃 Teo Chew Style Steamed Dumplings @ $4.80


香菇菠菜餃 Spinach Dumplings @ $4.30


超級蝦餃皇 Victor's King Prawn Dumplings @ $5.20


XO醬干貝臘味蒸蘿蔔糕 Scallop, Sausage Carrot Cake with XO Sauce @ $4.80
You don't always eat carrot cake this way


香港特色XO醬煎腸粉 H.K. Style Pan Fried Cheong Fun @ $5.20
This gives a new flavor to Chee Cheong Fun!


楊枝甘露 Mango Pomelo Sago @ $5.20
Better order quick before they run out of this

Overall, I think it's a great dim sum place in a hidden place in Singapore. If you're wandering somewhere downtown, try it!

91 Bencoolen St
#01-49 Sunshine Plaza
Singapore 189652
Opening hours: 10:30am - 8:00pm