Here's to an awesome 2015!

It's a brand new year again!

The year does zip by so fast, doesn't it?

Hope 2014 was great for you. Remember the good, learn from the bad, and most importantly count our blessings.

Remember.. It is ok to fall...

Life sux sometimes and does get low...

But never fear... Rest if you have to..

Back in Ginseng Land..

Back in Seoul after 3 years.

Sure brought back lots of fond memories.

Here are the pictures again from 3 years ago.

Some pictures I have even forgotten about.

Good ol'times...

Baby N's inner thoughts - Thanks Papa..

I can read Nathan's inner thoughts. 
Say real one.
And this is what he wants to say.


Dear Papa,

As you know, I turned one last week.

Time flies, I'm a big boy now.

Though I'm young, I know that you are.. how do I put this respectfully.. VERY careful with money. VERY VERY careful with money. VERY VERY VERY careful with money, as mama says. 

Devasom Hua Hin Resort

If you are wondering which hotel or resort to stay in Hua Hin, you may want to consider Devasom Hua Hin Resort.

Ranked number 2 out of 122 hotels in Hua Hin on Trip Advisor, they must be doing something right.

We visited in Jan and we totally love it..
A really great place to chill and really relax..

And the view is fantastic as well..

The best sun rise I've seen (but I haven't been to too many places...)

Here are some of the pics at dusk and dawn...

đến Việt Nam - Welcome to Vietnam

In Hanoi for a market visit. Always enjoy travelling and seeing the world.
First time in Hanoi (though I've been to HCMC).


Developing countries is always fun.. expect the unexpected...


On the way from the airport to the hotel.. 2 interesting sights caught my eye...








1: The cars on the highway started to brake hard and I thought there was an accident... 


There wasn't...


The cars were stopping because...

Reflecting on 2011

Merry Christmas!


Had an entry Reflecting on 2010 last year, and I thought I should have one again to mark the end of 2011.
Not that my life is all smooth-sailing and happy-go-lucky... but as usual.. I always prefer to spread "positivity"... look back... be thankful.. and count my blessings...




Biggest news of 2011
The biggest news for me this year... If you have not heard yet...

What really goes on behind closed doors between married couples?

Before you read any further... be warned.. this entry is not for kids...
It's about what really goes on behind closed doors between married couples.. when they have been away for some time... and when there is... *ahem*.... URGE....


As you may know... I was away for more than a week recently to Monte Carlo...
(Check out 

Monte Carlo, Monaco and Nice, France

How to get from Nice, France to Monte Carlo, Monaco?

Best picture taken from Monte Carlo during my trip)

So what did I do when I had the "urge"?...

I thought of my Wifey and whatsapp her when I was in the hotel of course...

You've been warned of the content... don't say I'm disgusting after reading...

so here's how the conversation went...

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How to get from Nice, France to Monte Carlo, Monaco?

Transport from Nice to Monte Carlo...


Monte Carlo does not have an airport on its own... the nearest airport is situated at Nice, France.


It's a pretty functional airport... Really basic...
But the view at Nice's airport is nice... real close to the seas...

Airport at Nice, France

There are a few ways to get to Monte from Nice... Train... Bus (I think)... or Cab (expensive)... but the best way to get there?

Best picture taken from Monte Carlo during my trip

This is the best picture from my Monte Carlo trip...

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Much better than the scenery

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Much much better than the posh hotels

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Much much much better than the famous casino....

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You know how easy it is to bump into someone rich and famous in Monte Carlo (or so I heard.. I prob can't recognise most of them...)

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You guessed it....

It's a shot of a famous face!!!!!!!!

Monte Carlo, Monaco and Nice, France

Will be heading to Monte Carlo, Monaco... followed by Nice, France...
Soooooo looking forward to it...


A bit surprised when I first heard... Monte Carlo... the land of the filthy rich and famous... does not have an airport... (Did you know that?!)...
I suppose people there go by yachts??


Anyway, I was told the nearest airport is at Nice..
So from Nice, then you make your way to Monte Carlo...


There are a few ways to travel... from Nice to Monte.. But as everything is sooooo expensive... and in Euros...


I heard most probably I will be travelling by this 

small... 

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compact.... 

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bumpy... 

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loud... 

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noisy... 

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mode of transport

Jump martial arts show

JUMP the martial arts show / performance group from Korea is going to be in town..


I think it is a must watch because they have 3 superstars highly skilled in martial arts!!....






Their poster is amazing!!!......

Be in awe..

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Jakarta Food

If you read my previous overseas entries.. 
You will know that I feel no trip is ever complete without sampling the local food..
Some of the local food from the previous trips...

Beijing 101 - Local Food!

Seremban, Malaysia Holiday Part 3

Visiting Seremban, Malaysia - Part 2

So this time round in Jakarta.. it was the same thing...
Went to a local shopping mall...
How local?...
Look at the last pic...
The cleanliness level is not for the faint-hearted.. to put it mildly...

The most amazing sight ever?

The most amazing sight to me so far...

The wonders of mother nature...

Had the opportunity to visit Toronto, Canada... and made a trip to Niagara Falls...

Thought it is just one of those *yawnz* sight-seeing thing...

But it was amazing!!!

The boat ride was a  really memorable experience when it went close to the waterfalls...

A must visit... and hope to have the chance to see more of the world!...

In awe of mother nature...

In awe of history in Beijing recently as well..

 http://ginsengtonic.blogspot.com/2011/05/beijing-101-visiting-forbidden-city.html

Niagara Falls

Beijing 101 - Visiting Forbidden City, the Palace Museum

What to do in Beijing? Two of the must-visits when in Beijing must be Forbidden City and the Great Wall of China.


This is part two of my Beijing 101 entry on my visit to Beijing...
(Check out the first one on local food that I tried: Beijing 101 Local Food at http://ginsengtonic.blogspot.com/2011/04/beijing-101-local-food.html)

Unfortunately due to time constraints, I had to choose between visiting Great Wall of China and Forbidden City as I only had one full free day to see the city. Well, if you have one free day, you could actually visit BOTH, if you want to. They have tours to do that. 


But if you... like me... don't like the rush of a tour group and visit for the sake of visiting kind... it may be better to take a pick... I actually spent four hours at forbidden city!


Took quite a few pictures.. so looks like I'll be breaking it into a few entries...




Here are some of the views from outside the palace...
The waters were really still at time and it was a beautiful sight watching the reflections...
And it's still the outside only.. you don't even pay anything yet...

Forbidden City exterior - ginsengtonic.blogspot.com

More pictures...

Beijing 101 - Local Food!

One of the must-do things for me when I travel is always to try the local food!...
So it was no different when I visited Beijing earlier this month...


After visiting Forbidden City... (a must-visit!... but will blog abt it later... MUCH later coz there're lots of pics....)... I went searching for food....

This shop caught my eye...

Looked local enough...

Unfortunately my Chinese isn't so good...

Totally regret not studying harder for it in school...

Beijing Food

Local Beijing Food

So what does the shop sell?

Phuket Holiday at Marriott Vacation Club, Mai Khao Beach

Yes.. I'm back to Phuket again for holiday... AGAIN...

Phuket Bike Ride and Waterfall and my Love Bites! - Part 4

Just one of my previous entries on visiting Phuket...

This time round.. We went back to Phuket to try out Marriott...

Let the pictures speak...

Marriott Vacation Club Phuket

Mai Khao Mariott Vacation Club Elephant

Mai Khao Phuket Mariott Vacation Club

If you have been reading my blog... 

Seeing the elephant would have reminded you on this "interesting" incident  on my previous visit...

Seremban, Malaysia Holiday Part 3

What to do in Seremban, Malaysia? Here is the final entry on it..

Check out 

Visit to Seremban, Malaysia - Part 1

Visiting Seremban, Malaysia - Part 2

Here are the pics again...

What else?... But more food....

The original place that Michael wanted to bring us to for beef noodles wasn't open...

Then he told us the Dad of the boss has a shop at the market Pasar Besar Seremban (which translates to Seremban's Big Market)...

We decided to head there and I'm glad we did...

Been a while since I went to a "real" market in Singapore...

These wet markets are fast disappearing in Singapore...

Pasar Besar Seremban - www.ginsengtonic.blogspot.com

Visiting Seremban, Malaysia - Part 2

Visit to Seremban, Malaysia - Part 1


You may know that I visited Malaysia for a short-getaway to visit a friend who gave birth in Seremban, Malaysia.


Here is Part 2... 
The main thing I can remember from my visit to Seremban?.... Great Food!
So the best thing to do if visiting Seremban, Malaysia is to EAT!....


Thanks to Michael... who brought us to eat the Char Siew Wanton Mee... or BBQ Pork Dumpling noodles...
We loved it!!!!


Let the pictures speak....

Seremban, Malaysia - pic from ginsengtonic.blogspot.com

Visit to Seremban, Malaysia - Part 1

Visited a friend over the weekend in Seremban, Malaysia.
She gave birth back at her hometown and is doing her confinement there.
Took it as a short get-away holiday vacation as well to explore Seremban, Malaysia.


Check out the baby pics 
Elysha - Congrats to Mummy Lu Ee and Michael!

This is the hotel that we stayed

Time Hotel - Seremban, Malaysia

A pretty decent place.

It looks clean with all the facilities working perfectly fine. 

Don't expect much but it is only RM$90 a room a night.

That's about only SGD$19 per pax.

After checking in, we paid our friend a visit at her place.

A father's pride

Phuket Patong Beach

What is a trip to Phuket.. A place with Beach Resorts and Spas without a photo at the Patong beach right?

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Question: Should we subscribe to AutoRoam and pay monthly fees just in case we need to make calls on a trip like this?
Find the answer on AutoRoam and Money Saving Tip.

Read about my other Blog Posts on my Phuket Trip

Phuket Bike Ride and Waterfall and my Love Bites! - Part 4

Phuket Dinner at Patong near Deevana Spa & Resort

Deevana Patong Spa and Resort - Phuket + My Conversation of the Day..

Gave away my FIRST time in Phuket

--Ginseng Tonic Maker-- Ginseng to cure sun burns?