Tokyo For 5 Consecutive Years

"Once You've Been To Japan, You Will Feel Like Going Back Every Year" - I never thought this applies to me. 

#1: Back to my favourite country - Japan

For the past 4 years, I've been visiting Tokyo every year since 2015 to 2018. Just when I thought this year I might not be going back, something came unexpectedly and here I am again back to Tokyo for the 6th time. Probably it's a sign I need to go Tokyo every year. 

My Previous Posts on Tokyo:

2015 Tokyo

2016 Tokyo

2017 Tokyo

2018 Tokyo

It was indeed another impromptu trip where I was informed about my trip to Tokyo a day before I was about to leave to Maldives. Everything was done and booked at the very last minute; from airticket to hotels. And for the first time ever, I have no well-prepared itinerary on hand since I've been to Tokyo several times before. It sounds like I'm so confident, right?

Here's a quick recap of my recent trip to Tokyo:


#2: If I was given option, of course I prefer to fly directly from Kota Kinabalu to Tokyo but as I need to fly with my guest, so I need to fly to Kuala Lumpur first before flying to Tokyo.


#3: Coincidentally, my handphone casing match this trip


#4: Tot it's last minute but luckily I managed to find a hotel within the budget given. Plus, the location is smack right in the middle of Shinjuku - hotspot area.
In total, I experienced staying in 1 Japanese inn, 1 capsule, 1 hostel, 1 AirBnB and 5 different hotels out from my 6 trips to Tokyo.


#5: Godzilla in Shinjuku area - Finally I spotted you


#6: My trip to Japan is incomplete without savouring their scrumptious ramen


#7: At last I got to see the Great Buddha in Kamakura, less than an hour south of Tokyo. Another wishlist ticked off


#8: Mount Takao, less than an hour from Shinjuku is an easily hikeable 599m mountain - but we cheat, by taking cable car.


#9: Onsen with a stunning view. Just that Mount Fuji seems to be shy shy when we're in Kawaguchiko.

Oh boy! I really wish I have more time to catch up and blog all my backlogs especially for my Japan travelogues, cause my upcoming trip is coming soon. Very soon! 

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4D3N Maldives Trip On Budget Below RM2,000

Maldives, one of those countries I never thought I could ever travel to someday. The ultimate reason why holding me back from visiting Maldives is because of the luxury and overly expensive resorts and water villas which believed to reserve for the rich and famous only. Not until the boyfriend bought me a round-trip airticket to Maldives and he told me it's possible to travel to Maldives on a budget, I thought he was kidding at first. Only to find out he's been to Maldives for 4 times before, guess he's not fooling me. He was right - it's possible to visit Maldives without the worry of burning a big hole on your wallet, or maybe your bank account.

FLYING IN MALDIVES

From Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur), so far AirAsia is the only airlines flying directly from Kuala Lumpur and arrive at Male International Airport, located on Hulhule Island sits next to the capital city of Male. The flight duration takes approximately 4 hours and 40 minutes. Time difference wise, Maldives is 3 hours behind Malaysia. 

As for visa, don't worry about it cause visitors with valid travel documents will be given a free 30-day visa on arrival. Bear in mind being a Muslim country, Maldives prohibit and ban items like alcohol, pigs and pork products, pornographic materials and public observance of non-Muslims religions.

LANGUAGE & CURRENCY EXCHANGE

The official language of Maldives is Dhivehi but fret not, cause English is widely spoken in business and tourist sectors. We have no issue with the language barrier at all. As for the currency, their official is Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR). However, majority of the resorts and most local islands accept US dollar as payment and because of that, we don't even bother to exchange for any MVR at all. 

US$1 = 15 MVR

We didn't buy any local simcard cause our trip is pretty short and brief. Plus, almost all the hotels, inns, and guesthouses and even eateries do provide free WiFi. In case you are interested to get their local simcard, you can buy at the airport once get out from the arrival hall.

ACCOMMODATION IN MALDIVES
Generally, there are two different type of islands in Maldives; the private and public. The private islands are mostly dominated by the luxury and expensive resorts whereas for the public islands, also known as inhabited island, there are local people living there. Being a budget-conscious traveller like me, I would rather to save up my money staying in the public island instead. Besides giving more affordable options for the independent tourists exploring the atolls, there are plenty of tour agencies, restaurants, shops available here. We chosen to stay in Maafushi Island in South Male Atoll - which I found quite popular among the budget travellers.



In Maafushi Island, there are numerous hotels and inns within the island, ranging from USD50-USD100 per night. The popular one are like Arena, White Shell, Kaani and more. The boyfriend pick to stay in Kaani Village & Spa that cost RM260 per night includes free breakfast.



AIRPORT TRANSFER TO MAAFUSHI
I unable to share the info regarding the airport transfer to Male Island cause I don't have the chance to visit this main capital city. Right after we arrived Maldives at night (around 8pm), immediately we head to Maafushi by taking scheduled speedboat - one way takes approximately 30 minutes ride and costs USD20 per person. These schedule speedboats only run 4 or 5 times per day (normally 8am, 12pm, 5pm, 7pm and 10pm - it's wise to ask the hotel you book from regarding the latest timetable). You can also opt for public ferry which of course, it's more cheaper but then, it's kinda slow as it takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes, infrequent and no public ferries on Friday.

SUMMARY OF MY 4D3N ITINERARY 
Day 1: Arrived Maldives at night. Took speedboat to Maafushi and rest.
Day 2: Full day snorkelling
Day 3: Diving / Excursion to private resort
Day 4: Half day snorkelling. Leaving Maldives

Basically, the things to do in Maldives are snorkelling and diving - the primary activities. Besides these, you can also go for fishing trip, water sports like kayaking, jetski, parasailing and more, or even splurge on a private island excursion.

After scout here and there, I found that those water activities offer by Arena Beach Hotel is the cheapest one. So, here is the price list I got from the excursion desk:

Excursions	Details	Price
Fishing (Traditional hand line fishing equipment and bottled water)	Morning Fishing Trip Freshly caught fish will be served for lunch service Time: 5.30am – 8am	USD35/pax (min 6 pax)
	Sunset Fishing Freshly caught fish will be served on dinner service Time: 5pm – 8pm	USD25/pax (min 6 pax)
Half-Day Adventure 10am – 3pm	·     3-point snorkeling (turtle, colourful fishes) ·     Lunch at sandbank ·     Dolphin watching cruise ·     Underwater photograph	USD25/pax (min 6 pax)
Shark Point Snorkelling 10am – 4pm	·     Snorkelling with buddle of nurse sharks ·     Visit one local island ·     Light lunch	USD50/pax (min 6 pax)

As for our day 2 full day adventure, we booked from our hotel cause we found out the package offers is more interesting and fascinating where we got to snorkelling with manta rays (these can't be seen in Malaysia)

Full-Day Adventure - USD65 per pax (Booked from Kaani Village & Spa)

• 3-point snorkelling (manta rays, nursge sharks and shipwreck)
• Lunch at sandbank
• Dolphin watching cruise
• Free underwater photograph and video

Snorkelling with manta rays

Shark!!! Fret not, cause this nurse shark is actually very friendly and won't bite one

Up-close with stingrays. Sorry but I can't help myself from keep thinking sambal


50 shades of blue at the sandbank

Shipwreck

Private Island Excursions 

Can't afford to stay on the water villas but would love to pay visit at these luxury resorts? Oh well, you can do so cause there are few private islands are open to non-guests who are not staying there. Since I unable to join boyfriend for diving, therefore I made up my mind to splurge myself on a full day private island excursion. To be honest, it's really hard to pick which resort/private island I should go cause almost all of them look exceptionally stunning and awe-inspiring. At the end, I chosen to visit Adaaran Prestige Vadoo, a 5 stars prestige luxury resorts. The package included a buffet lunch, unlimited drinks, as well as access to swimming pool and private beach. We even got to see fish and shark feeding by end of the trip before kiss goodbye to the resort.    

Excursions	Details	Price per pax
Full Day Resort Visit Inclusions: Round trip boat transfers Buffet lunch Unlimited drinks* Pool access* *unless stated wise	Adaaran Club Rannalhi   (No swimming pool access)	USD100
	Fihalhohi Island Resort (No swimming pool access)	USD 100
	Embudhoo Village Resort (Non alcoholic drinks during lunch time only)	USD 110
	Olhuveli Resort (Unlimited drinks during lunch time only	USD 120
	Adaaran Prestige Vadoo	USD 125
	Centara Ras Fushi Resort	USD 135
	Club Med Kani	USD 165

FOOD IN MAAFUSHI

Since our breakfast are provided by the hotel as well as our lunch already included during the excursions (snorkelling and resort visit), the only thing we need to settle is the dinner. Be prepared that an ala carte meal costs as low from USD6 and the widespread of buffet at the price of USD15 (after tax). We didn't get to try the buffet dinner cause we felt not worth for us since we are not big eater and therefore, we settled our dinner at Hot Bite (the location is very close to the Bikin Beach)

Not just Hot Bite serve both Western and Asian meals, they do serve Maldivian food too. 

 BBQ Dinner Buffet at Arena Beach Hotel for the price of USD15 per person

TOTAL SPENDING 

This is my total damage cause I took the full day resort visit package on Day 3:

PARTICULARS	AMOUNT
	USD	RM
Airfare AirAsia KL – Male Maldives - KL Accommodations Kaani Village & Spa – 3 nights Transportation Speedboat airport transfer (USD20/trip) Excursions Full day snorkelling – Day 2 Full day resort visit – Adaaran Prestige Vadoo Half day snorkelling – Day 4 Food and drinks Hot Bite Souvenirs Postcards – 2 for USD1 Stamp (1 piece) Magnet (1 unit)	- - 40 65 125 25 13 1 1 3	390 390 165 269 517 103 54 4 4 12
TOTAL (RM)		1,908

And this one is the boyfriend's total damage since he went for diving:

PARTICULARS	AMOUNT
	USD	RM
Airfare AirAsia KL – Male Maldives - KL Accommodations Kaani Village & Spa – 3 nights Transportation Speedboat airport transfer (USD20/trip) Excursions Full day snorkelling – Day 2 Diving – 2 dives* Half day snorkelling – Day 4 Food and drinks Hot Bite *Diving package he took from Arena Club - the package including diving equipments and lunch	- - 40 65 70 25 13	390 390 165 269 289 103 54
TOTAL (RM)		1,660

USD1 = RM4.135 as at June 2019

Conclusion, it's possible to realise your dreams to Maldives with the budget under RM2,000, as per what the boyfriend told me earlier. If not due to unfavorable exchange rate of US dollar, I think I might be spending less than what I calculated as above. 

Maldives, you are undoubtedly one of the most beautiful islands in the world but you also make me 50 shades darker. 

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10D8N Silk Road Trip of Lanzhou, Dunhuang, Jiayuguan & Zhangye

Three China trips within half a year.

Second desert experience in a year, after Morocco trip February this year. 

All these never within my plan until the boyfriend came across a news of AirAsia is commencing a new route to Lanzhou and without thinking any longer, he booked immediately. Guess what, he even tagged me along as well. It seems like I can't run away from travelling every month for this year.

Both of us just came back from our 10D8N trip to Lanzhou last week and without wasting any time, now it's time for me to share our travel experiences and adventures to "The Mecca of China".

DAY 1: KUALA LUMPUR → LANZHOU

Not just that AirAsia X is the only carrier serves this route from Kuala Lumpur but surprisingly, it is also the only foreign carrier that fly-in into the capital of Gansu Province. Bravo and good job AirAsia! 

Because it started to commence on 1st May which less than a month only, hence this route is consider new among the Malaysian travellers. We're quite shocked to find out that only 4 passengers (including both the boyfriend and I) are Malaysian whereas the rest 300 are Chinese (China tourists) on the board. Our flight from Kuala Lumpur to Lanzhou departed at 5.20pm and arrived at the Lanzhou Zhongchuan Airport around 10.20pm. Probably due to 4 of us were the only foreigners, their immigration verification and clearance process tend to be relatively strict. Sort of questions were asked including our profession, the purpose of visiting and the whole itinerary. I was a bit nervous until I forgot how to write my own Chinese name. Dang! 

#1: Flight from Kuala Lumpur to Lanzhou with AirAsia X

Similar to our two previous trips to China, we booked hotel nearby the airport because we intended to fly out on the next morning. 

DAY 2: LANZHOU → DUNHUANG 

With the free shuttle transfer provided by the airport hotel we booked, we back to the airport again on the next morning. Then, we catch the next flight with China Eastern Airlines to Dunhuang, a city in northwestern Gansu Province of China. 

#2: The ultimate reason why I choose the window seat - exceptionally beautiful aerial view


#3: Dunhuang Airport

The first tourist attraction we went is Mogao Grottoes/Caves. From Dunhuang Airport, we took DiDi (China's Grab/Uber) which takes less than 20 minutes drive to the digital exhibition center first. At there, visitors can enjoy two amazing videos "A Thousand Years of Mogao Caves" and "Splendor of Buddha's Place" before taking the free shuttle bus service to caves. 

#4: Mogao Grottoes/Caves, also known as the "Thousand Buddha Caves" is a legendary home to thousand of Buddhist art, sutras, murals and sculptures in the world. 

As they limited the total number of visitors to 6,000 per day, it is advisable to reserve a ticket in advance especially during the high season which falls between May to October. For those who can read Chinese, you can reserve the ticket online via the official website 30 days in advance. Too bad for those who can't read Chinese like me, the English version isn't available yet. There are more than 700 caves but only 8 caves are opened to public and each tour will be guided by their staffs. 

#5

If you want to know more about this so called "Thousand Buddha Caves" - check out here including their interesting and fascinating history, the opening hours and admission fee. 

After spending almost 4 hours, we then proceed to our next agenda. We took public bus from outside of digital exhibition center to Dunhuang downtown (the last stop and it costs 3 yuan per passenger). From there, we waited for the pick-up cause we're going to experience a night camping in the desert. Yes, camping! I enjoyed camping since I was Brownies (a member of Girl Scout & Guide) at the age of 10 until now. I was genuinely shocked when the boyfriend told me his plan cause like finally I found someone willing to accompany me to camp, especially in abroad. 

#6

So besides camping, what did we do in the desert? We got to play sandboarding and ride on the ATV and you know what - all these activities are my first time ever experience and I was indeed having tons of fun. Too bad due to the cloudy weather, we're unable to view the sunset and stargazing but the organiser never let us down anywhere. We were served with "mala" steamboat, great performance by the dancers and singer and ended our night with campfire.

#7

DAY 3: DUNHUANG

We were asked to wake up before 7am in order to catch the free bus provided, or else we need get Didi ourselves. Boyfriend requested the bus driver to stop at one of Dunhuang's top tourist attractions - Mingsha Shan Mountain (鸣沙山) and Crescent Moon-shaped Spring Geo. 

Located on the Silk Road, Mingsha Shan Mountain literally means Echoing-Sand Mountain in Chinese and it claimed to be one of the Eight Great Landscapes of Dunhuang. It believed that when there is a wild wind, the sands will be blown up and create loud sound, while the sound seems like being produced by some ancient musical instrument when blew by breeze, hence the name derived from.


#8: Mingsha Shan Mountain

Nestled in the vast desert for thousand years, the Crescent Lake is in a natural shape of half-moon and had been commonly considered as one of the Eight Great Landscapes of Dunhuang along with the Echoing-Sand Mountain in early of Western Han Dynasty. In order to get full panoramic view of this Crescent Moon-Shaped Lake, both boyfriend and I hiked up to the peak of Mingsha Shan Mountain. Oh boy, it was indeed tough and steep but glad we made it. 

#9: Crescent Moon-Shaped Lake

Mingsha Shan Mountain (鸣沙山) and Crescent Moon-shaped Spring (月牙泉) Geo
How To Get Here: Bus #3 from Dunhuang
Opening Hours: 8am to 5pm (Depends on different seasons)
Admission Fee: CNY120 during peak season; CNY60 during low season.

We then heading to the hotel where we're going to stay for three nights. I can't remember the exact hotel's name cause the boyfriend in charge of doing the booking but from what he told me, one night only costs RM60 - that's dirt cheap! Even the location of this hotel is excellent too - very close to the night market.


#10: Our hotel in Dunhuang for three nights costs only RM60 per night


#11: Dunhuang Night Market


#12: One of the local food you shouldn't miss in Dunhuang - Yellow noodles and exotic donkey meat


#13: The famous statue of Dunhuang - Flying Apsara

DAY 4: DUNHUANG
It's going to be one long day on the 4th day of our trip. The boyfriend signed up a ground local tour which began from 8.30am and ended almost at 12pm. Why it ended so late? It's because the tour includes a sunset viewing experience and the sunset time in China at that hour was approaching 9pm. By the time we done with the sunset, the journey back to Dunhuang downtown took almost 3 hours and that's explain why.

We were taken to a handful of tourist attractions situated outskirt of Dunhuang; including Dunhuang Movie Set, Yangguan Pass, Yumen Pass and ended with sunset viewing at Dunhuang Yardang National Geopark. In between the tour, we had a lunch break with the additional charge of CNY40 and we were served with 12 distinctive dishes. That's freaking a lot.


#14: Dunhuang Movie Set - More than 300 movies have been shooting here including Jackie Chan's movies. Entrance fee is CNY20


#15: Yangguan Pass


#16:

DAY 5: DUNHUANG
Cause we were genuinely exhausted with the long day tour we took yesterday (imagine more than 15 hours), hence we decided to have a free and relaxed day on our third day in Dunhuang. We went for a short stroll around the city, shop at the local supermarket and indulged ourselves with cheap shabu-shabu as our dinner.


#17: Mosque in Dunhuang. There are few halal restaurants nearby the mosque.


#18: Had shabu-shabu for dinner before leaving Dunhuang on the next day 

DAY 6: DUNHUANG → JIAYUGUAN → ZHANGYE
Goodbye Dunhuang! It's time to move to the next city, Jiayuguan. We flew with China Eastern Airines again to the northwestern city of Gansu Province. On this particular day, I felt like we're joining "The Amazing Race" cause once we landed in Jiayuguan Airport, immediately we rush to visit all the popular destinations of Jiayuguan by taking DiDi. Totally no break for breakfast at all.


#19: Jiayuguan - the third airport we flew into

The city culture of Jiayuguan is a combination of both Great Wall and Silk Road. It boasts many historical relics referring to these two great wonders. The famous ones we managed to visit are Jiayuguan Pass, the Overhanging Great Wall and the First Fire Tower of the Great Hall.


#20: Jiayuguan Pass (Jiayuguan Great Wall)


#21: The Overhanging Great Wall


#22: First Fire Tower of the Great Hall

After covering all the three above attractions within four hours, we took DiDi heading to Jiayuguan South Railway Station to catch bullet train to Linze. Bear in mind, Jiayuguan has two; one is South Railway Station which I mentioned earlier and another one is Jiayuguan Railway Station mainly operates for non-bullet trains to/from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xi'an, etc.


#23: Catching bullet train from Jiayuguan South Railway Station to Linze

The bullet train ride was indeed fast that the journey from Jiayuguan to Linze took less than an hour only. How I wish it could be longer cause I love to ride on the train especially for the bullet train. Once we got out from Linze Railway Station, we took visitor bus (white colour big bus) heading to Zhangye Dangxia National Geopark (the last stop and it costs CNY8). But because by the time we arrived the time is approaching to the closing time, we decided to check-in the hotel we booked nearby. And this is my most favourite one throughout the trip. It's newly opened hotel and the room rate per night was approximately RM80 only. Thanks to low season.


#24: Danxia Photography International Hotel - only costs RM80 per night.

DAY 7: ZHANGYE 
We woke up as early as 4.30am to catch the sunrise at Zhangye Danxia National Geopark which expected to greet us around 6am. Luck was on our side when we were told that entrance fee on 18th every year is free due to celebration of International Museum Day. The only thing we need to pay is the sightseeing bus costs CNY20. The sights are widely distributed. The tour route is very long with no proper walkways. Hence, visitors are advise to take the sightseeing bus.


#25: Zhangye Danxia National Geopark


#26:

To get to Zhangye city center, we took minivan from Zhangye Danxia National Geopark and the ride took more than an hour. And once we reach Zhangye, we walked to our hotel which we booked for two nights.


#27: Our hotel in Zhangye

Zhangye city seems to be slightly unexciting and uneventful for me. Though there are quite number of shops where you can have a leisure shopping but I don't find anything interesting and we went back to the hotel earlier. We spent most of our times in Zhangye by watching Chinese Dating Show - really addicted to it.


#28

DAY 8: ZHANGYE → LANZHOU
From Zhangye we head back to Lanzhou again. There two available options to travel between these two cities; either by bullet train or plane and we chosen the latter one cause the fare for both means of transport are almost the same. For this round, we got to experience another new airlines again - Chengdu Airlines.


#29: Zhangye Airport


#30: Chengu Airlines

DAY 9: LANZHOU 
Before leaving Lanzhou, we try to check out what this city has to offer. The boyfriend prefer to book the hotel nearby at the airport rather in the city center. In order to reach the city center from the airport, one can opt for the airport shuttle bus (CNY 30) or by taking train (CNY20).

Lanzhou attractions:


#31: Lanzhou Waterweel Park


#32:


#33: Panoramic view of Yellow River in Lanzhou


#34: Statue of Mother Yellow River of Lanzhou, regarded as one of the best sculptures


#35: Finally I got to try the famous hotpot brand - Hao Di Lao. Luckily the queue wasn't long. We waited for more than an hour and we got the table.

DAY 10: LANZHOU → KUALA LUMPUR
Our flight back to Kuala Lumpur to Lanzhou was scheduled to depart at 11.55pm, almost approaching to midnight.


The new route to Lanzhou by AirAsia might be new but I personally think it's worth to experience. It's completely unique, fresh and fascinating to be able to experience this so called "Silk Road" trip. Initially the boyfriend intend to visit Tibet but then he decided to reroute to Silk Road and by end of our trip, we never regret with the decision we made. Just that probably the duration of the trip can be shorter to at least 8 days. 

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