YeinJee's Asian Journal » Travel and Living

Strelitzia, the bird of paradise flower

Yein Jee — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 13:50:26 +0000

Strelitzia, commonly known as the bird-of-paradise flower due to its resemblance; also known as the crane flower in South Africa, its country of origin. Photos taken at the Butterfly Farm in Cameron Highlands, Malaysia, during my July trip…

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Strelitzia, the bird of paradise flower from YeinJee's Asian Journal

EQ Strawberry Farm, Cameron Highlands, Malaysia

Yein Jee — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 17:03:09 +0000

Being a tropical country, it’s not easy to grow strawberries in Malaysia. Cameron Highlands is probably the only place which mass produced the juicy fruit in the country thanks to its higher altitude and cooler temperature.

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EQ Strawberry Farm, Cameron Highlands, Malaysia from YeinJee's Asian Journal

Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennial, Japan

Yein Jee — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 14:49:01 +0000

The 4th Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennial, dubbed the world’s largest outdoor art festival, is currently held (July 26 to Sept 13, 2009) in the Echigo-Tsumari region, encompassing Tokamachi City and Tsunan Town in Niigata Prefecture, Japan.

Artists from 38 countries collaborated with local residents and urban supporters to create over 350 artworks in rice paddies, abandoned houses, and closed schools etc. Check the event’s official website for more pics and details.

Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennial, Japan from YeinJee's Asian Journal

Bharat Tea Plantation, Cameron Highlands, Malaysia

Yein Jee — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 09:43:46 +0000

The Cameron Valley Tea House was the first stop of my Cameron Highlands trip on July 11. Located beside the main road (between Ringlet and Tanah Rata) and overseeing the Bharat Tea Plantation, the tea house is a perfect place for tourists to have a first glance of what Cameron Highlands has to offer…

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Bharat Tea Plantation, Cameron Highlands, Malaysia from YeinJee's Asian Journal

Aya Ueto in ao dai

Yein Jee — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 04:59:20 +0000

Japanese actress Aya Ueto in áo dài, an iconic traditional Vietnamese dress for a photoshoot in Vietnam. I think the pics are released by Image.tv [Jp/NSFW] in April 2009 as part of her “Treasure of Asia” collection; looks great ain’t so?

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Aya Ueto in ao dai from YeinJee's Asian Journal

Cameron Highlands holiday and blogging break

Yein Jee — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 09:13:44 +0000

Will be having a short vacation at Cameron Highlands in coming weekend. CH is a popular holiday destination in Malaysia, famous for its cool weather, lush green, tea plantations and strawberry farms etc.

Will take the chance to have a blogging break as well; the blog will not be updated until July 20, CU all again then… [image courtesy of Sykez]

Cameron Highlands travelogue

Next: Bharat Tea Plantation, Cameron Highlands, Malaysia

Cameron Highlands holiday and blogging break from YeinJee's Asian Journal

Tokyo is world’s most expensive city (2009)

Yein Jee — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 18:06:12 +0000

Tokyo has knocked Moscow off the top spot as the world’s most expensive city for expatriates, according to the latest Cost of Living Survey from Mercer.

Currency fluctuation is the major factor for the ups and downs; London, Seoul, and Sydney etc. are dropped significantly because of weakened currency.

10 most expensive cities in 2009 [2008 ranking in brackets]

1. Tokyo, Japan (2)
2. Osaka, Japan (11)
3. Moscow, Russia (1)
4. Geneva, Switzerland (8)
5. Hong Kong, China (6)
6. Zürich, Switzerland (9)
7. Copenhagen, Denmark (7)
8. New York City, USA (22)
9. Beijing, China (20)
10. Singapore (13)

Tokyo is world’s most expensive city (2009) from YeinJee's Asian Journal

New Restaurant Ipoh Chicken Rice, Sri Petaling, KL

Yein Jee — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:47:18 +0000

Dined at the New Restaurant Ipoh Chicken Rice in Sri Petaling, Kuala Lumpur last weekend. It’s a branch of a famous restaurant (in Gasing, PJ) which has been operating since 1977; this one was opened a couple of years ago.

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New Restaurant Ipoh Chicken Rice, Sri Petaling, KL from YeinJee's Asian Journal

Philippines roasted pig parade

Yein Jee — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 04:53:05 +0000

Roasted pigs in costumes were paraded on the feast of St. John the Baptist, a hundred-year-old practise in the Philippines. Festival goers also got to sample the roasted suckling pigs (lechón), a famous Filipino delicacy, for free…

Philippines roasted pig parade from YeinJee's Asian Journal

K10 claypot chicken rice, Bercham, Ipoh

Yein Jee — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 04:00:38 +0000

Dinner a couple of weeks ago at K10 claypot chicken rice restaurant in Bercham, Ipoh. K10 is one of the Malaysia’s most famous restaurants specialises in claypot chicken rice, a simple yet tasty Cantonese delicacy.

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K10 claypot chicken rice, Bercham, Ipoh from YeinJee's Asian Journal

Life-size Gundam in Odaiba, Tokyo

Yein Jee — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 04:53:45 +0000

A life-sized 18m Gundam model was assembled at Odaiba Island in Tokyo to mark the 30th anniversary of “Mobile Suit Gundam”, the very first Gundam anime series which evolved into a highly successful franchise over the years…

The real scale Gundam can do a few simple tricks, no big deal… but the details of the model itself is still pretty impressive.

The Gundam is going to be displayed for only two months unfortunately, it could turn to be Tokyo’s new tourist attraction if it’s kept for a much longer period.

Video via Akibahobby; check out some of their pics [Jp] as well.

Life-size Gundam in Odaiba, Tokyo from YeinJee's Asian Journal

Taiwan offers The Best Trip in The World

Yein Jee — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 17:54:22 +0000

Taiwan tourism bureau is trying to emulate the buzz of the Best Job in The World with their very own Best Trip in The World contest.

The participating teams (of at least two) will have to create a money-saving, yet creative four-day itinerary for a trip in Taiwan.

50 teams that come up with the best itineraries will be selected to execute their travel plan and share their stories with approx. $850 USD allowance provided. The teams will then stand the chance to win the $30,000 USD grand prize.

The idea is pretty much the same as their 2008 campaign, albeit a bit different with the prize money distribution; and off course, a new BEST blah blah theme.

Expiry date on June 30, contest opened to all nationalities if not mistaken; check its official website for details.

Taiwan offers The Best Trip in The World from YeinJee's Asian Journal

Ford Models’ Delphine travel in China

Yein Jee — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 08:14:19 +0000

Two short travel videos, presented by Ford Model Delphine… cute with some interesting off-track China tourism stuff. The first video covers Shenzhen, while the second covers her visit to Guangzhou and Shanghai…

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Ford Models’ Delphine travel in China from YeinJee's Asian Journal

Thean Hou Temple, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Yein Jee — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 03:07:04 +0000

Thean Hou Temple in Kuala Lumpur is one of the largest Chinese temples in Malaysia. Dedicated to Goddess Tian Hou (Heavenly Empress), the temple was opened in late 80s and has became a popular tourist destination known for its beautiful architecture as well as numerous cultural and festivity events.

Sharing a few photos during my visit last week; was attending a friend’s marriage registration ceremony, a popular sub-service provided by the temple…

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Thean Hou Temple, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from YeinJee's Asian Journal

How you hold your glass reveals your personality

Yein Jee — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 06:53:33 +0000

The way you hold your glass can reveal your personality, according to Dr Glenn Wilson, a consultant psychologist in UK…

Dr Wilson, who carried out a research for the Walkabout bar chain, has observed the body language of 500 drinkers and divided them into eight personality types… the flirt, the gossip, the fun lover, the wallflower, the ice-queen, the playboy, Jack-the-lad and brow-beater [more details on BBC]

Quite accurate in my case; how about yours? Or are you old enough to drink yet?

How you hold your glass reveals your personality from YeinJee's Asian Journal

KFC’s Colonel Sanders fashionable in Japan

Yein Jee — Mon, 11 May 2009 17:18:51 +0000

Statue of Colonel Sanders, founder (and mascot?) of KFC franchise, gets a bit of fashion makeover in Japan; some are cool, but mostly bizarre…

Valentino Sanders? [photo by Patrick Bolduan]

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KFC’s Colonel Sanders fashionable in Japan from YeinJee's Asian Journal