TravelSS
Where do you normally got if you have long transit hours (>4hrs) ? Shopping? Finding a bench for a “not-so-comfy” sleep? or try to keep yourself occupied by playing your tablets etc? If my budget do not permit, I will normally find a long bench with an electrical sockets and of course in a hidden area.
If you travel with friends, try to take turn to rest or if you need to take a natural break. Do Not leave your belonging unattended or the airport security will think you are leaving a dangerous stuffs such as BOMB! .. That is the reason why you should not bring a lot of hand-carry..
Recently, I have to endure a period of 7 hours of transit in Doha airport. Luckily my budget permits for me to travel in Business Class. The whole idea of it is not to burn my money but to ensure I have a peaceful place to rest for the next 7 hours. Mom says I am crazy but I think it is well spent.
This is the entrance to Business Lounge (completely different terminal if you travel on economy class)
Nicely decorated entrance to greet you with water features.. 
wonder if this is feng shui stuffs?
Just to emphasize the labels.. kekeke.. this is to show-off to my relative..
If you wanna look classy, you can sit here for 7 hours.. but this spot is not for me..
Or looks busy like a so called business man style.. this place also is not my spot..
This one looks OK.. kinda comfy chair but again, too noisy.. really spoil the ambience
I ended up spent few hours here .. all because it is the closest to food corner 
Feels like in Elementary School Canteen that I have to queue up for food. Or more like prison-style-buffet ??
What I love most is the free flow tea corner..
And sweet candies corners for those with sweet tooth.. ehem.. well, my kind or food
If you are a drinker, you get a free flow of hard liquor.. Too bad.. I am allergic to alcohol and it is against my religion.. 
Salad and pickles Corner.. if you follow my Twitter @tikkoss.. this is the place that makes me kills hundreds of prawns in one night.
All sort of “picklish” food for all you can eat
And dessert corner.. like a lot a lot a lot of dessert, this is just a section of it
Another section of dessert section..
AGAIN, another dessert corner..
And my whole experience in this lounge is ruined by this idiot who snores like nobody business in a public area. Guess what, he has been scolded by another guy who is trying to sleep beside him.
So, did I get comfy sleep? I only get a well fed stomach but still get a “not-so-comfy” sleep afterall. I nearly want to put salt in his mouth but mom managed to stop me. Arghhh.. I should bring my slingshot next time..
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Stone Age is the earlier known period of human culture, characterized by the use of stone implements. Please don’t confuse with Ice Age as it is a period of time during which glaciers covered a large part of earth’s surface although both are considered pre-historic period.
I can only experience Ice Age in the cinema but in reality, I get to travel to ancient archaeology site to witness Stone Age leftover, a place where it reminds me on how lucky I am in modern world, living under the shelter of roof instead of dry leaves.
My mom became my companion when visiting Qorbustan Rocky Mountain. The temperature is about 48 deg C, dry and sunny day. Without umbrella, your skin will be burned out regardless of what sun block you apply. The feeling is like living in a big oven roasting yourself with dripping fat oil.
Beside the weather, the place is actually quite nice. Many tourists will drop by at this place to enjoy the stones that used to lay under water for hundreds of years ago. If I am not mistaken, the entrance fees is 2 AZN which is about RM 8 per adult.
The local authority tries to preserve the authenticity of the site with various signs and barriers. If you walk along the walking path, you are not allow to touch the stones as most of the stones are the only remains from ancient world. If you are lucky, you get to see some odd plants around that area.
Please pay attention to the rock and if possible, use some imagination as you get to see some wall drawings. I did not notice this rock until my mom hinted me that I am missing some important sign. Maybe my imagination is not so good, I still cannot figure it out what exactly is that on the rock.
The scenery is quite calming but definitely not romantic. My mom enjoys it so much although both of us got bad sunburn afterward. I made my mom my model in most of the photos and she loves it. The walk took about 1 hour to complete. In other words, I turned out to be a “well done” steak.
Some of the ancient leftover are quite confusing. For example, the 66 hole. I don’t quite get what it is and why it is made in such a way. If the power of my imagination is right, it looks like an ancient toilet bowl? Hahaha..
Somewhere near that area, they built a museum collecting all the artifacts, drawings and sculptures. We felt so good when we arrived here as the place is fully air conditioned. Oh yea.. it feels so good after a hot bath.
Most of the drawings are quite creatively drawn. Despite I do not know how to appreciate ancient stuffs but I think they filled this area with a lot of beautifully made sculptures. One that attracts me is the stone man and rain deer. Overall, this place is super amazing and gave me a brand new experience.
Qorbustan Rocky Mountain
GPS: Somewhere near Caspian Sea
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Did u know that volcano is the only miracle that flow hot magma below the crust to surface? Please don’t think of stuff crust from Pizza Hut when I talk about crust else you are making yourself hungry.
This volcano that I am about to show you is not flowing hot magma and guess what, you will only see this if you are following TikkoSS’s Blog. Just because you are where you are now, doesn’t mean you can’t see the world.
If not flowing magma, what do you think it flows? I know you are going to say mud as it says in the post title but that is only half true. The right answer is free cosmetic product!
Girls, if you re reading this post, you can start planning your trip here. The mud is friendly but Mr. Sun is not. Please make sure you fully cover yourself in sun especially on your critical areas :p
This is my first experience with volcano in such a close distance. Many might ask, since that place is so hot, why not just go in the evening or during winter. I am no expert in geological stuff but you just have to make the sacrifice.
If the temperature drops, you will miss a chance to see the mud exploding out from the rupture. I’m honest when I say this. Quite lucky in my case as I get to see the miracle with my own eye.
Oh.. I am not alone. My mom happens to join me in my recent trip. As much as we are adventurous, we are actually not. We did not dive in the volcano for sure and we don’t need those artificial facial product.
Both me and my mom got skin as smooth as baby buttock. Ops.. I should not say it aloud else my buttock skin.. I mean my soft skin will be expose to molestation.. Hehehe
Qorbustan Mud Volcano (PaLciq vuLkan)
GPS: Somewhere near Caspian Sea
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Long long before my time, Shanghai Bund is kind of famous and once housed numerous banks, trading houses and consulates from various countries.
Besides being a well known place for both cultural and popular Bund centres, Shanghai Bund also famous with 52 buildings of various architectural styles. As many might know, TikkoSS is not a person who admire the past but this time, TikkoSS about to stay in 70 years old hotel.
The hotel is still well maintained and looks a lot older than TikkoSS at the age of 70. Don’t ask me how I know how I look like at the age of 70 because “I just know”. The entrance is as grand as before and I was greeted with old yellowish chandelier lights.
As creepy as it may look from the outside, the hotel is like isolated from civilization and even the greeting hall is slightly like a haunted mansion . Well, as least that is how I felt at that time.
It is actually not that bad. The walkway to my room is actually quite decent. Please don’t expect a 5 star doorway as this hotel is just rated 3-stars. Ohh.. I get to know that this hotel is actually a 9 stories mansion.
Yes!! Finally I get to stay in a mansion but this is nothing like the mansion in my dream. If I am not mistaken, this hotel did not have swimming pool but has health club like many other decent hotel. With a distance from bund about 0.9 km, you can actually jog there in the evening.
This is a 70 years old building, so I didn’t expect much from the room but surprisingly, the room comes with flat TV. Hmm.. this is a lot better than most that I visited recently. Security? No problem, you have safe box to keep your important documents.
You might notice the photos are terrible. All because I did not use my baby cam to take it but used some compact camera instead. The room also comes with complimentary broadband which makes it close to perfect for the 880 yuan per night.
For that amount of money, I get to sleep on a comfy not so springy bed. I don’t know how many people sleep or “play” on top of it for the last 70 years.. Ok.. I should not go far from there.. let’s just say it is really old.
Toilet on the other hand is tip top. If you ask me where I spend most of my time in this room, I would say the bath tub as you have a transparent glass that you can watch TV while you are enjoying warm bubble bath. OK la.. I still survive from the stay.. no creepy things or uninvited friend .. so good laa..!
New Asia Hotel, Shanghai
422 Tiantong Lu,
Hongkou District, Shanghai, China.
GPS:
WEB: http://www.newasiahotel-shanghai.com
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Yuyuan Garden is a famous classical garden in Shanghai. Although the existence of this garden is about 400 years now and undergoes multiple reconstructions, this place still remains as a famous tourist spot in Shanghai.
Sometime I felt amaze on the architecture of ancient times. It seems like they really spend a lot of time building, reconstructing, refurbishing and try to preserve the crisp of the culture. Technically, we should embrace our history but the remains turn out to be so good for photography.
Maybe I sound a bit melodramatic but as a newbie in the world of camera, ancient buildings turn me on. This is just one of the many buildings in this garden. If you have good stamina, you can walk the 20 000 square meters park, within a day. I am fit (or I wanted to believe that), so, no problem for me.
There are 6 main scenic areas that you must visit: Sansui Hall, Wanhua Chamber, Dianchun Hall, Huijing Hall, Yuhua Hall and Inner Garden. I went there twice and I don’t think I ever visited those places or maybe I did but forget the names.
To me, the main attraction is not those scenic spots. I have discovered Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant, the most famous and authentic siu long pau. Now, I also discovered the best dumplings in Shanghai called Ning Bo Dumplings (don’t know where they get the name from).
This restaurant is usually congested and probably you need to spend some time queuing to get seated and queuing to order and pay the bills. Maybe this place is the most affordable as compare to others? To me, crowded means good.. hehe..
As you might notice, they do serve big pau and some other dim sum too but the highlight is definitely the rice ball dumplings. Instead of ordering one, the long queue makes me order additional bowl. The sesame and crab roe dumplings.
In Singapore Chinatown, you can get this with almond or just plain sugar water soup. Over here, they only serve with plain water as the soup. In that case, the soup is like drinking hot water. On the other hand, the dumplings taste very nice and the texture is just perfect.
Two bowls are definitely not enough for me especially on good food. As soon as you walk out from the restaurant, you will notice that they also sell take away dumplings. I did not get it but I think it is a good deal. According to the lady, it can last about 3 weeks without fridge.
I am not leaving that place empty handed. I bought myself herbal bean curds with pigeon eggs. No, it is not stinky bean curd. This also taste good except a little spicy. Gosh, you should try to drink the soup too. Now, my floor is wet coz I can’t stop drooling when I write about this.
Ning Bo Dumplings
Yuyuan Garden, Shanghai
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In conjunction with Dragon Year, I feel a bit uncomfortable if did not blog anything about this celestial or maybe mystical creature but I am not an animal lover as well. The only two creatures that I keep as pets are house rodentS and cockroachES in my store room.
If you know me well, I will travel thousand miles to relate myself with this creature. Well, not a suicidal mission but to see if I can get hold of the Dragon Ball. I attempted to locate dragon ball on top of the roof in imperial hall (Forbidden City) but I only found ball instead with no dragon?
This time I am quite lucky in Yuyuan Garden, Shanghai. Ohh I didn’t say I found the dragon ball but I reunite with favorite small dragon pau (小龙包). No balls, pau also ok laa..Eh this task is not so easy to achieve, k? You have to literally queue up almost an hour to get seated.
Then you have to make the toughest decision to choose between the cheaper or the expensive sections under the roof. The difference is, the expensive one has more variety to choose from and obviously queue is longer on the other side.
Their history go all the way back to 1900 when Nanxiang is called Changxinglou (Giraffe? ) but the restaurant is no antique. The ambience is well lighted with electric light and not candles, with aircond and not paper fan.
Ohh and the menu did not make from bamboo. It is printed on colorful menu with pictorial dishes photos. IF you are Chinese and don’t read Chinese, you can still order as the menu is in English BUT you will be labeled as banana in TikkoSS’s terms. Hehe..
Most of the food will be served in within few minutes. Some fried dim sum will take slightly longer. The service is quite efficient except sometimes, they speak no so fluent English but hey, you are in China. IT is good enough if they serve you what you want..
I ordered big siu long pau … er.. I think as I just pointed at the menu. Oh yea, I don’t read Chinese too! Hehe. Nothing to be embarrass about right? I still get some delicious dim sum which I don’t know what its name and also another deep fried balls which I also don’t know the name
Even with limited ability to communicate, I still manage to order the highlight of this restaurant, the siu long pau. As much as I always thought there is only one type of siu long pau but they actually serve variety of it and some with crab roe too.
Although I pay RMB 143 (~RM74), I get to try the most original and authentic siu long pau from Shanghai. No regrets tho. I get food and I get to write post about something related to dragon in Dragon Year. Hahahaa…
Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant
Inside Yuyuan Garden, Shanghai.
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What do you do when you see someone collapse in front of you? If pretty girls, I bet the first thing that come to your mind is CPR. If you are not a biology student, you might think CPR is kissing the helpless one but it is actually Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation.
I am not here to give you some medical lesson here but telling you how important to have a basic knowledge of first aid. Not everyone can be first aider. First you need to not afraid of blood, disgusting scary wound, fracture bones etc.
Of course that are pre-requisites, then you have to enroll yourself in First Aider Course to train and qualify yourself. Now, you are certified. Is that it? NO, not really.. You need another gear, the first aid box.
This is the part where I really want you to know how important it is to have one. Many asked what I brought with me when I go on vacation and why is it overweight sometime. Oh yea, I bring my life support with me all the time. I’m not paranoid but it is cheaper this way than seeing a doc.
By the way, I am a certified first aider. If you travel with me, you should feel slightly safer. I am not only knowing Paracetamol or Aspirin but I know a whole list of medic gadgets and using them in right manner. Does is sounds cool if I told you what to do with hypo-allergenic tape or octenisept spray?
Ok.. I am not trying to show off what I know but to let you know there is this list acts as a guide to re-order the expire medication or bandages. So, you don’t need to get the whole brand new first aid kit but only replace the one that is run out.
Let me be honest, you don’t need to be first aider to use the first aid kit. That is just to resonate your brain to learn more new things. World will be a better place is many of us are first aider, don’t you think? You can be my vacation partner if you are first aider for sure.
The first aid kit comes with the first aid guidance and quick step by step to equip you with sufficient knowledge in the event of emergency. At least sufficient until you call 911 for help or 112 on your cell phone but I really hope you don’t need to use this kit at all!
ISOS First Aid Kit
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Did you know that the production of Finding Nemo lead to the reduction of real life aquariums? As much as we consider ourselves as creatures with higher intelligence, we are meant to protect the weaker one, right? At least that is what the textbook of Animal Right says.
I am not much of a diver, so in a way, I am physically challenge to intrude wild marine habitats which already supplementing my part as the “intelligent” one to protect the stupider species. Also, be thankful that I am not one of the seafood-eater type oh yea..that helps too !
Instead of invading their home, I decided to pay RMB 160 (~RM80) to say hi to them. Yes, you can do that in Shanghai Ocean Aquarium, situated not far from Oriental Pearl Tower. The opening time is from 9 to 5 but try to schedule your visit during the feeding time.
Some say a hungry man is an angry man. Same applies to animals and fishes, I guess. So, buckle up and get to see them in real actions. Don’t expect too much as you don’t get to feed them literally. All you get is to watch some professional divers do that. Kids, don’t try this at home!
Once you have entered the entrance, you are greeted with ancient fossils which have nothing to resemble an aquarium. Not only that, you get to see real Beijing Duck, as in the “breathing” version as well. I felt as if the quacking sounds signify the word welcome in duck language.
I find it a little odd as there is a crocodile in salt water aquarium? If you have limited knowledge in animal kingdom, crocodile is a fresh water creature. My adrenalin rush gives me a great gut to ask a stranger if it is real but it turns out to be just a sculpture.
Guess what, there are also some other weird marine species there too!
That includes jelly fish. Personally, I am not fancy with brainless fish and I bet Dory will agree with me as well but modernize lightings make the transparent creatures more attractive. This is the time I bring out my big bulky camera to snap few photos in low light condition.
Marvelous isn’t it? Have you hear about Lion fish? It is a cute deepwater fish with venomous spikes. Amazing isn’t it? Sometimes, I really enjoy seeing the miracle in this world that makes me wonder, I really don’t know anything, do I?
I hope before I see the tunnel of light I get to see more. Eh..wait a minute, there is also another tunnel of light over here and it is underwater! Please don’t ask me what are those fishes name because I seriously have no clue.
What I do know is I did enjoy to the max when I paid a visit to this aquarium. Although I paid high ticket fee, this is really cheaper as compare to go for real diving to see marine life, right? AND I do not need to spend more on water proof camera casing to take great photos Don’t you agree?
Shanghai Ocean Aquarium
No. 1388, Lujiazui Ring Road, Pudong New Area,
200120 Shanghai, China.
Web: http://www.sh-aquarium.com/en/
GPS:
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What is it all about, looks? Looks will determine everything. You want people to judge you by your character, what you feel inside, people don’t care. What they care about is your look. If you have good look, you are going to have a good life but if you look bad, you better work on it.
The uglier you are, the smarter you better be. For every 10 pounds that you are overweight you better pick up a book or you better get two books and get a computer wire at it. I was at the nick game. When I look at the seat, the higher the seat got the ugly the people got. I don’t need ticket. I just look at faces. Ohh you gotta go up top!
Ohh..That is just a lame joke that came across my mind when I placed a booking on “ERA Intersection of Time” stage performance. I did not go all the way up, I choose the middle seat instead because I am neither ugly nor pretty.
What exactly is this? This is the Shanghai version of Cookin’ Nanta – Korean Best No. 1 Performance and MISO – Original Korean Musical. I would like to call it a circus because it was held in Shanghai Circus World, but really, this is a combination of modern + traditional musical show with some extreme and impressive live actions.
I spent about 30 minutes to get there (included some “lost” time) and when I reached, the place was already congested with people. It is quite easy to locate as the venue is approximately 5 min walk from the subway station and you will not miss the big giant porcupine building.
Ohh, it is not as simple as you go there and get the ticket. You need to pre-book your ticket and collect it a day before the showing time. I can tell you it is a hassle considering the ticket collection counter is not at the same place. I made it, which shows that how determine I am to watch this show.
I have experienced real time circus, musical show, stage comedy, extreme games etc. Believe it or not if I tell you, this is the combination of all that. All the stage performers are multi talented that for sure will keep you occupied for about 1.5 hours.
At first I thought this is just another stage performance but when I was there, I know I made a right choice. IT started slowly with soft music and some acrobatic acts, then gradually shift to musical, comedy, some impressive hanging stunts and last but not least the SPACE SCOOTERS (8 motorcycles in the big giant steel globe)
Many might ask me what exactly happen in there.. but hey, sorry, I cannot tell you more details than that. You have to go and try it yourself. The performance shows nothing is impossible and I am quite amaze with all the stunts that they put up.
Imagine 5 girls fit in small vase.. that is just a slice of fascinating things happen in there. Ohh if you want to know more, maybe you can ask Mr. Tom Cruise because he watched this show before too!
All I can say is.. WOW … I can still recalled the thrilling moment even after the shows end. The seat cost me about RMB 380 (~RM 190) and honestly, it is worth watching because for a second, I felt my heart was stop pumping.
ERA Intersection of Time
Shanghai Circus World
HOTLINE: +86 21 6652 5468
GPS:
Ticket Price: USD 16, 34, 51, 68, 102
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An apple a day, keeps the doctor away . I believe that phrase is still valid until today except if the doctor is in super hot uniform. Did you know a cup of coffee a day will also keeps the doctor away?
Recent studies show that coffee drinking can protect your liver especially liver disease caused by alcohol damage. Oh yea, alcohol is evil this case. I don’t consume alcohol, not because I am liver friendly but because it is against my religion. Er..Don’t ask me what is my religion..:P
The downside of it is, the studies also bring some detrimental effects on me. What the study did not conclude is that coffee drinking will make you slightly poorer, potentially lead to diabetes and Starbucks will automatically turn out to be your must visit friend.
Starbucks in Shanghai is no difference than Starbucks elsewhere in the world. The Caramel Frappuccino and black coffee still taste the same despite I am few hundred miles away from home. Knowing that coffee can protect livers, Starbucks is never cheap.
Many health conscious customers will not just go there for coffee, typically me. Most of the time, I will either put on few calories extra by ordering some dessert such as deliciously tempting cakes, muffins or cookies. Don’t ask me if my pancreases can take it but it makes me feel good.
This time I did not order muffins or cakes but I go for strawberry pastries and strawberry lollipop instead. I can tell you it is not cheap and it is addictive. Believe it or not, the tastes blend in nicely with the coffees I ordered.
Like I said, sometime I do take care of my liver but at the same time, I do sacrifice my pancreases too. (FYI, pancreases produces insulin to control sugar level in your body). Well, it is hard to resist on sweet stuffs right?
To certain extend, I consider Starbucks as my best friend and the time that I spent here is considered as quality dessert time. So, it is not purely for coffee but for pastries, candies, and oh ya for Low Fat Blueberry Yogurt Cup too! I am sure we share the same friend too right?
Starbucks, Shanghai
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WEB: http://www.starbucks.com/
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