Japan 2014: Day 2- Nara Deer Park, Todaiji Temple & Kiyomizudera Temple, Kyoto

Continuing with Day 2 of the Japan 2014 posts, if you haven't read, here's part 1:

Day 1: Osaka, Osaka Castle, Shinsaibashi, Dotonbori, Universal Studios, Shinsaibashi & Osaka Takoyaki Museum

Woke up bright and early for breakfast buffet at Hotel Keihan Universal Tower. It was a good spread, I had tamago (egg) whenever I spotted the dish at breakfast. It's quite funny how fried food in Japan isn't oily or greasy. So yums! Also we noticed every Japanese couple with a kid would be feeding the child natto (fermented soybeans) which is very nutritious at breakfast.

After that, we travelled East towards Nara to visit the Nara Deer Park and Todaiji Temple. The deer were really cute and tame, there were even a few curious ones who kept sniffing our bags for food. We decided against buying crackers (sold at the park) as we saw a few people getting ambushed whilst trying to feed them.

Japan 2014: Day 1- Osaka Castle, Universal Studios Japan, Shinsaibashi...

Japan was everything that I imagined it to be, and even more! 2014 marked my first trip to the country and I will most definitely be back to explore again.

We visited in late January and it was still quite cold, I enjoyed every bit of the holiday- amazing food, scenery, beautiful architecture, and the hospitality, not to mention Japan is the land of all things cute and pretty. We went with a tour group so everything was arranged and planned, all we had to do was just show up. There were so many pictures taken with my iPhone 5 and Canon Powershot S95, I'll let them do most of the talking..

Day 1: Osaka- Kansai International Airport, Osaka Castle, Universal Studios Japan, Shinsaibashi & Osaka Takoyaki Museum

Outside Osaka Castle

Main tower of Osaka Castle, now a museum

Travels: Singapore 2014

Was in Singapore a few months back, it was a short trip and we mostly ate, strolled along Orchard and spent a day at Universal Studios.

Every restaurant and cafe we ate at was excellent, would love to visit again just to have the same dishes.

KL's street food and local delicacies wins my vote but for cafe style food and breakfasts, Singapore takes the cake.

My 3rd visit to Universal Studios, this time with my sister and Mama...

Travels: Melbourne, Sept 2013

Melbourne, a city which will always hold a special place in my heart.

A friend asked why I would revisit Melbourne over and over again, why not spend the money and time exploring another country? There is only so much I can see and do this lifetime, and I am contented revisiting this beautiful place which I once called home. 

I understand the whole idea of a holiday is to travel to places unseen, discover and revel in all that it has to offer, but sometimes I just want to get away and enjoy the familiar things I have come to love. It's like when people who live in the city travel back to their hometowns for some relaxation; a little extravagant but Melbourne is that special happy place for me.

I am forever thankful that my parents gave me the best they could, and gave me their support when I decided to spend those years abroad. The essential years I spent growing up between 18 - 23, discovering who I am and moulding myself were all spent in Melbourne. So many memories I hold dear, places which have stories to tell, experiences which can never be bought.. perhaps it is nostalgia which keeps me going back.. but as long as I have the time and finances for my yearly trips, and as long as it still makes me happy, I will go.

Months overdue, but here are some snippets of what I did my last visit...

I always miss the convenience of trams and trains..

Shopping for a friend..

A week in Melbourne..

I left years ago because I felt the lifestyle was too routine, and the nights were so quiet.. compared to Kuala Lumpur where you'd find a mamak or 24-hour establishment aplenty, plus my friends and family were there.

So I made my choice to move and be closer to the people and things I thought I loved. It's been a few years now and I have visited Melbourne without fail every year, sometimes twice a year.. and it might be that I've mellowed down, or that my interests have changed but I like routine. I like knowing at the end of the day, I have a few hours to myself to catch up on reading and things which interest me.

My solitary trip about 2 weeks ago further confirms that Melbourne is a beautiful place to live in; I mean it in whole- scenery, facilities, convenience, everything. Perhaps I say it with a tinge of nostalgia, having lived there for years.. regardless, I want to live here again...

안넹! Winter in Korea

Back in February, my family visited Korea during the Lunar New Year holidays.

It was already the end of winter but it was still snowing lightly in Seoul.

Some people say that winter is the most dull/sad of all seasons in terms of fashion but I think it's just a matter of accessorizing and wearing a pop of colour instead of just black/gray/navy.

The temperature was below zero daily, the day we landed it was -19 Celcius, one night it was -25. I LOVE the cold! Here's what I wore to keep myself warm and toasty throughout the trip:

At Incheon Airport, in comfortable plane-wear

Sneakers for sight-seeing days

Collar necklaces instantly transform an otherwise blah outfit

Wooly snood and balaclava

Loving my sister's cape

Snoooowwwwww! The wind was really cold at the ski resort and we had to cover our faces as we walked

Cute papa

Removed our face-covers for a pic. So cold that my nose, lips and cheeks were turning raw

Checking out headgear in the shops

More sightseeing at Mount. Sorak; beautiful views

Family!

Showing us whats under her cape

Lotte World! It's been 10 years since my first visit!

One of the not-so-cold days

The first thing we did was get kitty-ears to wear

My most favouritest (is it even a word?) cape-jacket!

Underneath my cape...

I brought 3 jackets with me for the week (too little? too many?) but they all kept me very warm. I need fashion that functions, but if I had to choose comfort over looking good- I'd definitely pick looking good.

Life is too short to dress down; or eat crappy chocolate.

*There have been no edits to any of the pictures above except for adding frames.