Lanna Samui Luxury Resort is indeed one of a hidden gem in Koh Samui Island. It is indeed a very nice boutique hotel that stood out compare to others when it comes to pricing. I was lucky to get a very good rate at only 2750 bhat per night (estimated RM 310). I have no doubht by recommending this 4-star hotel to many of you out there.
Close proximity to Aquapark, Big Buddha Temple, Fisherman Village and Silver Beach just 2.5 km away. It features laundry, dry cleaning and airport transfer as well as a designated smoking area, a safe deposit box and free parking. Parents would be happy as they have kids room for you .
As we arrive, we were greeted by friendly front desk staff. Checking in is smooth and the staff ensure us we are comfortable while waiting the process.
Vanilla – The Art Of Food is also their main restaurant and also is our breakfast area.
Just a simple and relaxing place to chill out for the rest of the evening after our arrival from the long transit to the island.
Room size is decent enough as it is indeed a mini studio room. I never thought it do come with a mini kitchen that is filled with all basic utensils and wine glasses if you need any.
Complimentary drinking water, tea and coffee.
Our room is at level one, as previously I was hesitating should I get with a garden porch. Luckily I did not as I went out most of the time.
It is very comfortable to stay in the room as it do feels like home.
Interesting is the mirror above the bed frame. A mirror that cant see into the bath room when all lights are light up and in the bath room can see clearly out to the room.
Sofa is comfortable.
Cupboard is filled with a beach bag, and safe box.
Breakfast were included in our room and we are able to order 2 ala cart item from the menu and the rest at the counter is free flow.
What can you get from the counter are: free flow juices, jams, fruit platter. . .
Pastries and green counter. .
Move further down you have sausages, oven baked tomato, bacon & hashbrown.
From Ala Cart Menu, we have ordered, Omellete Rustica (Ham and egg), Classic Brioche French Toast, Manhattan Toasted Bagel.
Manhattan Toasted Bagel– Love the bagel texture to my liking as it is toast to perfection with spread of cream cheese and texture is slightly chewy and fragrant. Top with 3 nice pieces of smoked salmon.
This is one of the best Brioche French Toast that I have come across. Perfectly fit in many of the description that I have read across. Pan fried on the top with half portion of the area is abit eggy and soft yet the base is still bread. Fragrant with the cinnamon powder and pineapple jam puree at the side just enhance the flavour.
I ended up having 2 plate of this as another plate also come exactly like first plate. Great consistency.
Arriving here on the first day after a long transit journey from Airport –> Bus –> Ferry –> Van to reach our hotel is indeed tiring. This is what I really need. One of a recommended hotel if you are here.
Location:
Lanna Samui Boutique Hotel
11/85 Moo 4; Soi Kalara; Bangrak ;
Koh Samui, Bang Rak Beach (Koh Samui),
Thailand
Famous Night Market is one of the main attractions for people who are bargain hunters and street food lover. Country like Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand are pretty well known for their signature area. Well, in Kuala Lumpur we do have one of a signature that many locals that know about it. Famous Taman Connaught Night Market.
Pasar Malam Taman Connaught or Night Market in Cheras is already created its signature by being longest night market in KL. This had been a hit since long time ago, even when I studied in KL 12 years ago. For tourist, this is definately one of a place for you to visit and walk around besides China Town if you come at the right time, which is only on every Wednesday night.
Night market is always a variety of mixture from fashion, handcraft and food especially. Since its near Chinese New YEar, this place will be like a warzone and its super pack with people.
For this blog post will be pretty much filled with lots of pictures to give you glimpse of what’s offering in this market.
Lets take a stroll, whereby you usually would spend easily an hour here and if you walk,shop and eat will easily cost you about 2 hours.
Cheap hair accesories
Trendy bag for you to bargain. .
Original DVD that is slightly cheaper than shop operator. .
Sunglasses that is not original . .
Doggie food and snacks. . . that is kinda cheap, I bought a few packs for my dog.
Creative handcraft greeting cards. . .
Books . .
And of course food is a must, that’s most of my content is ..
Local Snacks with Yam Cake
Hong Kong Famous curry fish ball but had localise, taste is not that spicy, tomyam flavour available and of course fish ball texture is different.
Other fried fast food snacks from mixture of fresh and frozen food. . .
In Penang this is know as Leng lui Tong sui, that is also in this pasar malam.
Its a local dessert where you can have all the mixture of ingredient with different soup base or selection of your choice. If you do not know what to have you can pick from their picture menu.
Seaweed Jelly Honey is a thirst quencher or I rate it like Taiwan Ai yi Ping. . Similiar.
Our very first version of Bubble Milk tea before Taiwan milk tea hit our shores. Used to be power base and of course its still very popular among bubble milk tea lovers.
Local drink with ‘Mata Kuching’ that known as a element to cool down your heaty body.
This is something new to me. Passion Fruit Drink consist with fresh passion fruit and sour jelly.
I love this so much that I ended up having 2 cups. Its not cheap tho, is RM4 per glass if I am not mistaken.
Those of you who went to Thailand I am sure you would not have miss this kind of drink.
Fresh young coconut juice and signature of this stall is coconut jelly with slices of coconut being frozen in it. Love the taste as there is strong taste of coconut juice showing its made from fresh.
Taiwanese Pizza. .
Japanese Snacks as I always prefer the wasabi version. This is a cold platter.
Local famous XL fried Chicken, Uncle Bob.
Other fried item also available, from sausages, hash brown and .. . .
Takoyaki, as some stalls are pretty nice, and this stall that I bought so so only.
Our very local mobile steamboat car or what we call it, Lok Lok.
as KL version comes with a bbq grill pit that you can choose some for them to grill and add on spiciness if you want. . .
Taiwanese Sasuage. . .
This special burger is pretty fattening if you stand there and see them cook . .
I don really like it but it seems like a big hit in the night market
HOng Kong hand made candy . .
This is one of a stall that operate by family and brisk business. Decided to give it a try, its a local type of Okoyaki . .
Taste is pretty decent only . .
For local snacks, Steam Nasi Lemak and of course you need to have the special spice chicken along, not the best but still okayla. .
Fried ‘Cempedak’ known as smaller version of Jack Fruit.
This cempedak is very fresh, juicy and sweet. . .
And its one hell of a expensive cempedak. 3 for Rm4 if I am not mistaken.
local dessert tarts. . .
Otak Otak . .
Not so nice ..
SOmething that similiar to Taiwan thatI have eaten is the duck parts.
Local Chinese Pancake ..
There are 2 version with the picture above is thick . . .
The thinnest is know as Apam, and in the tray is the crispy version of Chinese Pancake.
Among so many stalls I walk around, this is the stall that super pack with customers.
Its a homemade cake that is RM6-RM8 per piece and so many of them buy at least 3-5 different flavour. Decided to join the crowd and gotten Cheeze cake which is their signature. Not bad for RM6
An old uncle sell this, and decidied to buy from him.
Love this stall as its used to be in front of Tesco on the Thai food fair and its one of the best street Thai food available. Price slightly cheaper that what I usually have or in Mall food court. Located at the end the road – the other end from McD
another stall that sell Spicy Noodle. .
Not so spicy and add the chili oil, its too oily and not spicy also . .
Another signature stall of the night market is Stinky taufu. .
Deep fried to perfection, stink enough that every one say its like toilet never wash for 4 days or drain got clock with stinky stuff. Well, not as bad as it is and its love hate relationship. Still find Hong Kong & Taiwan taste so much nicer although its much different.
Nowdays to eat snacks in Night Market is no longer cheap as I remember 10 years ago, RM20 enough to eat the whole street and for this round, after 10 years on my last visit, I spend about RM70 for the street snack. This is how much different compare to last time and of course choices of offering had change 50%. One of the best night market in KL.
Food snacks in here rangers from RM3-RM15, drinks from RM0.80 to RM10 and fashion shopping from RM1 – RM100 (depends on your bargaining skills)
Parking at the area will be horrible .. .
Its a great place to hunt for especially travelers, by Taxi it will cost about RM15-RM25 outright from KL, Bukit Bintang or by train , Star LRT to Tasik Selatan station then taxi..
Locations:
Pasar Malam Taman Connaught,
Cheras, Kuala Lumpur
56000 Wilayah Persekutuan
(Opens on Wednesday nights weekly from 6pm till late)
– Look for USCI college or McD drive Thru)
Well, woke up early next day as Goft was already at lobby waiting for all of us, which she mention to us that we are heading to one of a famous restaurant chain from New York for breakfast which is just directly across our hotel which is Dean & Deluca. To head here is pretty easy, just climb up to the SKY Train Station and just walk across which sandwich in between the 2 exits of the stairs.
One of the reason that Goft bring us here is because its famous restaurant chain from New York that have 16 outlets around in US and another 16 outlets out from US and here is one of the outlet that opens its door to public since mid of last year and according to her, its a must try outlet for us. Well, she also did told us that alot people hype about it, and leave the tasting to us to judge. 🙂
Dean & Deluca is well situated in the heart of Silom under the Mahanakton Project whereby will be completed around 2014 that will marks tallest building in Bangkok. It will also share along with Ritz Carlton Residence, Bangkok in it. This area is known as one of a busy business district in Bangkok, so put this place nicely sandwich in between the exit of Chong Nonsi BTS SKY train service.
So here we are early morning for our breakfast and it was only 9am which today is the day of their Queens Birthday. So you can do planking right in the middle of the road where no car will hit you.
Once we open its door and set foot into this outlet, we know that our breakfast gonna cost us a bomb and it was already packed with people.
With interior of high ceiling, concept following back the ambiance of busy cafe in Manhattan, a huge space filled with simple white chairs and tables, share along with minor part of departmental rack right at the corner for you to buy some of their snacks. This place looks like a typical western cafe that smack in high end area to attract those bosses or business people over for lunch or coffee.
A huge board behind the order counter that design with huge slabs of marble and you place your order right at the moment.
Was told that during weekend, they have pretty nice live jazz band that attract many people over to have their wine here and enjoy the music.
Then we head to the order counter which we are already drool with saliva after seeing most of the display rack.
of course the desert area kill us off but in such early morning, most of us do not have the appetite to eat one of this yet, if we are here during tea time, we will be crazy over it.
We were pampered with huge selection of bread and pastries, that get to choose on the spot. Then the girls went crazy, keep pointing, I want this, I want that, please order ahh.. Remember..plz plz. . .
Even bagel were hanging like donuts.
If those bread and deli do not attract your attention, then I believe the sample of main selection display right above on the rack will tempt you on.
At such a nice cafe deli area, it would be wrong if not to order coffee for breakfast and I would say the coffee is well prepared that you would rarely see such a nice smooth froth on the top.
Special brew coffee @ 70 bhat
Cuppucino @ 100 bhat
Mocha @ 110 bhat
Latte @ 150 Bhat
Annie and her Latte @ 150 Bhat , as I would say the coffee taste is quite a let down for us, that the taste is a bit pale end with a bit bitter after taste. Although, did try out a few selections of coffee before, certainly this are not my preferred choice.
Early morning, Tatt already order such a meal that makes his taste bud awake by ordering Lime Prawns @ 275 bhat, 2 prawns that served along with greens and shower with some of its gravy, not a bad choice, for sour and bit of spicy taste in the morning. Prawns are fresh too.
My choice, I start off with plain Meat Panini @ 220 bhat. I find that its too heavy for me, as the serving is huge, good enough to share for 2-3 pax and its quite salty because many layers of hams and cheeze melted on it. The bread is quite dry as I believe its meant to be in this way, and I think its best to order something else.
Next the girls order Double Egg and Sausage Sandwich each for 275 Bhat.
They ordered 2 portion and they are shocked when see the servings of it which is pretty huge. Collen and Nancy were having fun time on playing with the bread as they keep saying, how to go into my mouth, so wide and huge, then Tatt give it a try. . .
Even him also having hard time in biting and chewing as the bread is pretty dry that just smack 2 eggs and sausage along.
Salmon Bagel @ 250 bhat
This was the hit among all of us, with generous slices of salmon given along with bagel and the sour cream is nice, not too sour and creamy which is just perfect, well toast and prepared.
This Bagel & Scott SMK @ 250Bhat, I do not really know how to enjoy this, I gave it a bite and pass but Steven enjoy every bite of this.
The super star among all dish that ordered. French Toast with Bacon @ 250bhat, was gone in seconds when it was place on the table. Well toast and fried along that coated with layer of egg and a layer of honey tat make it a bit sweet salty, crispy on side then eat along with bacon is just perfect! – Recommended~
New York Cheese Cake was served at the end with Tatt order it mysteriously at 145 Bhat. We left it quite a while to eat our mains first then it start to melt that the texture is a bit off, it was very rich in cheeze that we love it, with the crust is crispy just as the cheeze cake as we expected it, best to eat it while it had been served or out from the fridge.
Goft trying to be cheky .. .
Well, the whole experience of New York choice of breakfast is the typical type of western breakfast I would say, with panini, and dry bread that can be expected, well .. if there is a hype on it, I guess maybe you guys can give it a try on their mains that looks pretty good on the display rack, do expect that it will cost a bomb as this is one of the most expensive breakfast we had that cost us 2950 bhat for 6 pax.
It is one of a recommended place from me if you want to try classic western breakfast for the first time but be willing to be pay for the price of it, and the ambiance. On my second thought, I think you can spend the money else where for better breakfast at that kind of price.
-= Ka Ching =-
Food Rating 7/10, you can give it a try~ -Stamped-
–Warning– This is based on my individual taste. Try it at your own risk-
Location:
Dean & Deluca
MahaNakhon Project,
92 Naratiwasrachanakarin Road
Silom, Bangrak,
(right infront of Chong Nonsi BTS Station)
Continuation of my Road Trip to Hatyai , after overnight at Penang for a night for some leisure and food hunting, and next after at the boarder getting stamping and head to a very nice restaurant introduce by Karen and quite well know to a lot of Malaysians too which is a restaurant by the lake side (click here).
This is the kind of queue that you can expect at the boarder but we were there early and a day before, therefore it is not a hassel. Took us about 35mins to get through.
The whole gang sot sot, as early morning already went to the duty free area and hantam beer already as cannot deny that the beer is very cheap with a large can of Heineken for around RM7 if not mistaken and each of them already had 2 cans each.
After lunching, we drive up further north into the city of Songkla to check into our hotel. It took us about 35 minutes drive to reach. With no choice to choose from the list as this trip was a pretty last minute decision, the only hotel left that nearby the city was Hotel Daiichi and the rest in the city center are all fully booked as mostly a lot people from far and local came for this festival.
When we went into the room, I was so shock of the room condition as if the floor had not vacumm for the past 5 tenants as I can see nuts, and it is very dusty, with my barefoot step onto the carpet, this is the first time I feel gross. With charges of RM175 for this festive season, I would say we have no choice but to bare with it for these two nights. Only one phrase would never return back to this hotel again.
One of the most famous transportation in Hatyai or Thailand is this mini car, which they called it ‘Tut Tut’ with a charges of 20baht (= RM 2) per trip regarding on the distance within city area, it is one of the most convenience transport that they have as its everywhere and every corner.
We were exhausted from driving, as for the first thing to do when we reach in Hatyai is to do massage first. They offer one of the cheapest massage.
‘Siam Traditional Massage’ was one of the place introduce by Karen. If you compare the rates in Malaysia, your jaw will drop not only the time frame but with the RATES! RM24 for 2 hours, can you IMAGINE that… for the whole 2 hours for only RM24 as I could not believe it myself. In Malaysia it can be easily RM 80 – RM100.
While we are waiting this is what we do. . .
Madammm . . . and hanndsoommmeeee.. . . . .
If you do need any masseur we do have important with very good energy and inner power which is ‘Sui Mak Mak’ that you can choose from. All the local massuer are not available as they are fully book. We have Karencharak, Kenji Pom Pom, Lingnon and Bokrachak.
This was not the best massage that I have gone but no complain with the rates, would go to another parlor to try out. After the little nap and laughter during the massage, we are now fully charged and going to raid the city.
This is one of the main street that hosting this festival. If you feel you are too dry, then stop by.
Most of the stalls are selling water gun as I have not got mine yet. Still looking for better rates and bargain as what I heard from my friends, they can go as high as RM80 per gun during the actual day, as it was eve of the day, the guns still sell around RM30 for 1.5L tank.
Asking the rates but the gun colour and shape did not interest me. Till now, only me and Jon have not get the gun yet.
walked towards one of the famous landmark in Hatyai is Lee Garden Hotel which is the complete area with food, and shopping paradise.
behind me is all the street food and street shopping that you can get a t-shirt as cheap as RM5.
All of us were very hungry as it is around 4pm after the massage and hit on the streets as Hatyai there are a few street food you must not miss .. . . . .
which is big prawns selling for 100-200 baht depends on the size.
Young coconut. . 10 baht for one.
And three of them are on casting to host for upcoming makan makan channel that introducing what is nice as we going to shoot for fun ourselves. 3 of them pass!
what is next?
Street Shopping. . . .
Since when I was a kid that my parents brought me over to Hatyai for the very first time, I was so amaze with the air gun here and hoping with all my hear that I can actually own a few for my own collection and the price is very cheap, RM45 jus for one piece.
But one of the good thing is that sometimes preventing from people owning one would be a good cause for example case like this, one would be eating too much that cause him to suicide cuz cannot support the input of the other half.
This is the area where you need some drink and prepare used all your bargaining power to buy cheap stuff.
Next as this is one of the market nearby Lee garden which is about 10 minutes walk (about 3 blocks away)
In this area, it is more compact and easy for you to look for the food and stuff you wanted to buy but the alley is just ngam ngam 2 person walkway.
After everyone been happy shopping, and stomach started to play drum, we went for another street food hunting again next to the market and wanted to go for restaurant which is highly recommended by Jonathan( which I will blog later).
‘Fried Chicken’ @ 15 Baht
I don know what is this, but it looks like Taiwan sausages.
unique in taste but of course do not mind to try it out. 10 baht
Next is we head for the fried pork bacon. A pack of full small pastic size only15 baht. Bite till your jaw got numb.
One of the best street food that you must not ever miss is the ‘Mango Sticky Rice’20 baht per pack with one full mango inserted in it.
this stall has unique sticky rice and its very flavourful.
2 minutes walk from that stall we saw this kuih stall with so many people then we also stop by to look at it. My gawd!
So many variety of it and all also look tempting. Then we bought every thing one piece as the owner previously reluctant to sell us in that order as he sold a packet of 3 pieces in it. 10 baht per pack.
If you do eat‘Chai Kuih and Bangkuang Kuih’ in KL or Malaysia, then this is the Thai Version.
They pan fried it till both side of the skin are cripsy and the season ingredient in it are pretty similar.
but it taste awesome that we regret did not buy more.
The street food above are along the road from Thanon Supasamrangsan till junction of Thanon Pracharak.
The night version of the ‘Tut tut’ is very different. This one that we took is lighted with blue neon and one of their favorite song that would blast away is Vengaboys – Boom boom boom. . . if you still remember this song.
Went back to hotel to drop all our heavy load of shopping bags and round back to Lee Garden there to see how their night life is.
With the army team lead by fierce and not so human Karen to the war.
and without weapon we could not go for war and here finally I saw the gun that I like with white and blue colour.
Buy –> store –>> load with water and prepare to go war!
With this very nice guy he is selling us each gun for 250 bhat which is a good bargain so Jon bought one too.
the very yeng seller that constantly shoot by kids.
This is the eve of the water festival and every one is already at war! We went back to HQ (hotel room) to take the rest of the gun and declare war with these people. . . . !!!!!
Food in Hatyai is very cheap cost from 50-500 bhat! with our currency which is RM1 – 10 Bhat
How we go for war? look out for next post!
