[TRAVEL] 10 Reasons To Visit Khao Yai, The Secret Town Just 3 Hours Away From Bangkok ft. TRAVELOKA

Planning on travelling to Thailand? I am sure it is no secret that Bangkok is an absolute heaven for wanderlusters who love cheap eats, good shopping and intriguing culture. However, if you are looking for something different, then you have come to the right place! Three-hour drive from Bangkok lies a city filled with wineries, farms, and beautiful floral fields. Wait what? That exists in Thailand? Yes it does, and you can find it all in Khao Yai. At the beginning to 2018, I kick-started the year with a trip to Thailand. Instead of the usual route, we added a road trip to Khao Yai to the itinerary before settling in Bangkok for the remaining days.

Here are 10 reasons to visit this hidden gem the next time you head to Thailand.

Read till the end to see how you can get best flights from Kuala Lumpur to Bangkok!

#1 Sunflower dream came true!

The sunflower season in Khao Yai starts in the cooler season, which is November and ends around January or February, before they are eventually harvested for their seed and oil. My visit to Khao Yai in early February coincided nicely with the blooming of sunflowers in their Pak Chong district. We were really lucky to have caught the last blooms! I always love sunflowers because of its symbolism of warmth and positivity. Therefore, coming to the sunflower field is my ultimate goal of visiting Khao Yai. So it is like a dream come true for me!

Look at all the sunflowers smiling at us!

Can you believe it? We spent the whole morning here just admiring these blooms. If you enjoy basking in the sunshine and walking among the vibrant flowers under a sunny blue sky, you will definitely love it here.

Tips: Be here early! We were the first in the field and it felt as if the entire sunflower field belongs to us.

#2 Feed sheep, alpaca and donkeys at this Italian escape

If you can’t go to Italy, let Khao Yai bring Italy to you in this Italian themed square. Thanks to Primo Piazza, you no longer have to fly halfway across the world to get a taste of Italy.

Tips: Instagram addicts, get your camera ready, because every corner here is insta-worthy!

They even have their very own farm and you can feed sheep, alpaca and donkeys here too! They are incredibly friendly and adorable, and especially so if you lure them close with a handful of grass.

#3 Be teleported to mini Italy at Palio Village

Yet another beautiful Italian-inspired place, there are more photography spots here! Add some colours to your Instagram feed with vibrant colour buildings as background, with a market square reminiscent of those in Europe.

If you have time, there are some souvenir shops and fashion boutiques for you to shop.

Tips: Admission is free! Yayyy

#4 Living the farm life at Farm Chok Chai

Farm Chok Chai is another famous tourist attraction in Khao Yai. We joined the Farm Tour which covers several stations that will allow you to see the different functions of this very big farm. The farm has over 3,000 head of exclusively bred dairy cattle, which is a cross between Holstein-Friesian and a native Thai species. They also have their very own brand of dairy products called Umm!.. Milk.

Personally think the farm is especially fun and educational for kids! You get to milk a cow, try their ice cream, hop on their tram truck and they will bring you around. There are also cowboy show and animal showcases at the end of the tour. Very windy and chilling afternoon!

Tips: I bought yoghurt and fresh milk before leaving. Cheap and delicious!

#5 Indulge in a wine-tasting session at PB Valley Khao Yai Winery

They say your trip to Khao Yai will not be complete without a visit to PB Valley Winery. I never know Thailand produce its own wine, but apparently PB Valley in Khao Yai is one of the very first large scale and high professional wineries in the tropical country and was well established since 1989.

Heard a lot of good reviews regarding their winery tour, but we did not join the tour because we were there late. We chose to dine at the Great Hornbill Grill Restaurant to try their wine. It was a fantastic dinner, with the restaurant overlooking the beautiful vineyard and mountain. Although we missed the tour, but we did not regret for this visit.

Tips: Pre-book your tour online if you intend to visit!

#6 Secret Art Garden Discovered

We wanted to look for a place for lunch, and who knew we would discover this hidden gem.

Secret Art Garden is a café and art house perfect for people who love arts, crafts and gardens. The café itself is located in the middle of a tranquil, undisturbed garden surrounded by big trees and colourful flowers. We took some time to wander around the garden after our lunch. As we walk further into the garden, there are many different themed zones showcasing different sculptures and art pieces. You will love how quiet, calm and comfortable the place is, as you breathe in the fresh air and marvel at the lovely greenery.

I wish I could stay here longer!

Tips: Allocate more time this place because there are so much to discover, it will surprise you!

#7 Experience fine dining in a castle at Midwinter Green

I have never been fine dining before. This is a night to remember because I totally felt like a princess dining in a castle!

Look at that white buildings resembling German castles! They are inspired by Shakespeare’s play. The outdoor dining area is very spacious, overlooking the magnificent view of mountains behind the green fields.

Not only the outer building looks elegant and mysterious, the interior design is impressive as well. Chandeliers hanging from high ceilings, pretty dining tables, bar with wide selection of wine. I had to pinch myself to remind me that I was not anywhere in Europe, but in Thailand!

We asked for outdoor seats to enjoy the cool evening breeze, live music while dining with a view of the castle. We ordered a pizza to share because we have already dined somewhere before this. Food was a little pricier than most of the other places but worth the price considering the food and setting.

Tips: If you come early, you might get to witness beautiful sunset!

#8 Have High Tea At Thames Valley

Inspired by the Thames River in London, Thames Valley is a unique hotel in Khao Yai with a touch of English countryside elements. We didn’t stay here but we came here for The Castle Restaurant & Tearoom, which opens for their hotel guests as well as public.

Spacious room with high ceiling, stone walls, large glass windows and beautiful European-style furniture - I fell in love with the place immediately. Taking pictures is almost effortless because of the wonderful decoration and background, not to mention the generous exposure of natural lights!

Tips: Try their strawberry mille-feuille! Every bite tastes like heaven!

#9 Café Hopping at The Birder’s Lodge

The Birder's Lodge is one of the few hipster cafes in Khao Yai. After spending a long day under the sun, we decided to chill at The Birder’s Lodge. Just want to show off the pretty pictures. #sorrynotsorry

#10 Special add on… Rak Na Khao Yai

Last but not least, just want to highlight the place that we stayed because it is so picturesque as well! Highly recommended!

I really love how peaceful and beautiful Khao Yai is :)

Next time when you visit Thailand, why not explore this secret town of Khao Yai just three hours north of Bangkok? Travel with ease with Traveloka Malaysia and start planning a truly extraordinary trip now!

Promise Myself, On My 22nd

To be so strong that nothing

can disturb my peace of mind.

To talk health, happiness, and prosperity

to every person I meet.

To make all my friends feel

that there is something in them

To look at the sunny side of everything

and make my optimism come true.

To think only the best, to work only for the best,

and to expect only the best.

To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others

as I am about my own.

To forget the mistakes of the past

and press on to the greater achievements of the future.

To wear a cheerful countenance at all times

and give every living creature I meet a smile.

To give so much time to the improvement of myself

that I have no time to criticize others.

To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear,

and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

To think well of myself and to proclaim this fact to the world,

not in loud words but great deeds.

To live in faith that the whole world is on my side

so long as I am true to the best that is in me.

Happy Birthday, to you.

[FOOD REVIEW] Union Fashion Bar (UFB) @Taman Sutera Utama, JB

At the flourishing area of Taman Sutera Utama, we are spoilt for choice when it comes to meeting up with old friends over a good brew, or brunching during laidback weekends. However, the moment I stepped into Union Fashion Bar (UFB), I know this is not the kind of usual cafes I've been to. 

''I believe culinary is like an art,'' said Mr Yap, the executive chef and the mastermind behind UFB. It is where fashion meets culinary, combining Bakery Cafe, Full Dining and Bar perfectly. There is a seasonal theme to make sure customer always get different and exciting feel. From a great feast to some delicious desserts or good wine, UFB provides the best of it to satisfy your cravings for delicacies.

Union Fashion Bar

Passionate Dining in Fashion Style

Ma Cherie girls were honored to be invited over to UFB for food tasting on one fine afternoon. Greeting us at the entrance was Mr Yap with a big smile on his face. We had the opportunity to chat with Mr Yap while waiting for the food to be served. From our brief interaction, I sensed that Mr Yap is very ambitious and courageous in pursuing his dream. He had a dream back from his days in Indonesia to own his own cafe. And now, UFB is the fulfillment of his dream. But this doesn't stop him from exploring new menu and being creative in the presentation of food.

That's how that saying goes. In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different.

Cold Pressed Juice RM11.90-RM13.90

From left: 

Dragon on The Sky, Classic Orange, Veggie Booster, 

Apple Magic, Strawberry Paradise

The latest in-vogue way of drinking juice - cold pressed it is! By cold-pressing the fruit and vegetables, the highest amount of nutrients possible is retained, giving an overall better and tastier juice. I really love Apple Magic, which is a combination of two of my favourite fruits - apples and grapes.

Mojito RM20.80, Lychee Martini RM15.00

What's the perfect way to capture summer all year long? A well-mixed Mojito, of course. Or a glass of lychee martini.

Healthy Choice - Salad

Smoked Duck Salad RM10.90

Prawn Pesto Salad RM12.90

A salad does not have to be just lettuce, tomatoes and cucumbers. At UFB, you can either enjoy your salad with thinly sliced smoked duck or pan seared basil pesto prawn.

Mama Crispy Waffle Chicken Sandwich RM14.90

THIS. Just look at this.

The combination of salty, crispy chicken with sweet, crispy waffle is seriously one of the best combinations in the world. I have never had such evenly cooked, mega crispy waffles in my life. It's one of those things that's hard to describe... But just trust me. It's very good.

Main Course

Grilled Butter Fish RM22.90

Grilled Chicken RM17.90

For main course, there are plenty of choices. Here I would like to highlight the two that I like the most. Grilled butter fish is smooth and buttery, the homemade tomato sauce has a tinge of spiciness in it, which I really love. The second is Grilled Chicken with my favourite reduction balsamic dressing. The chicken is tender and juicy!

Pasta

Vongole Pasta RM18.90, Salmon Pink Penne RM23.90,

Duck Confit Pasta RM21.90, Tuna Pasta RM16.90

Even more choices for pasta! Vongole pasta has white clam in white wine butter sauce. The amount of seafood in it is generous! No kidding. Salmon Pink Penne has pan seared salmon steak serve with tomato cream sauce. Duck Confit Pasta has spaghetti tossed in duck fat, looks tempting just from the presentation don't you think? :) The crispy ebi on top of Tuna Pasta gives that irresistible fragrance and Asian touch to the pasta.

Asian Menu - Fried Rice

Salmon Fried Rice RM21.90

Classic Indonesian Fried Rice RM16.90

I don't eat black olive, but this black olive pesto fried rice with pan-seared salmon steak totally won my heart over. Every grain of rice is fragrant and chewy, I just couldn't resist to have one spoon after another. The bottom picture is the Classic Indonesian Fried Rice. The chicken satay is well seasoned but it seems a bit over-grilled. Both fried rice are served with a pretty sunny side up.

Tortilla Pizzas

Tuna Pizza RM16.90

UFB Chicken Pizza RM16.90

Egg on top of pizza? Yes, only in UFB! You can enjoy dipping your pizza in the yolk of a half baked egg. Talk about creativity!

Valrhona Chocolate Soufflé RM15.90

It's time for the highly anticipated dessert time. Soufflé is a famous French dessert and the way to describe it? Sugar crusted and crunchy on the outside, soft and airy in the middle. The moment I had my first bite, I felt like a woman happily in love. Oh. My. God. It was so fluffy it just melted in my mouth! Ah pure happiness :D

Valrhona Chocolate Lava Cake RM16.90

This chocolate lava cake looks simple on the outside, but when you dig into the center, the richness of the Valrhona chocolate is extremely satisfying. Served with vanilla icecream, orange confit and seasonal mixed berries.

The perfect indulgence to conclude our dinner at UFB.

And don't miss out these edible works of art ❤

Thank you Mr Yap for the great feast for the Ma Cherie girls!

I am definitely going back for more, how about you? :)

Union Fashion Bar (UFB)

24, Jalan Sutera Tanjung 8/4,

Taman Sutera Utama,

81300 Johor Bahru.

(next to Papa Rich)

Tel: 016-719-9809 

Email: unionfashionbar@gmail.com

Opening Hours: 

Sunday - Thursday: 12pm - 12.30am  

Friday - Saturday: 12pm - 1.30am

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/UFB-Union-Fashion-Bar-629727313794241/timeline/

Instagram page: https://instagram.com/unionfashionbar/

[FOOD REVIEW] Dream Cafe @ Taman Mount Austin, JB

Do you ever feel like you are too afraid to live your dream? We would all love to live our dream but sometimes we allow our fear of failure to limit our ability to achieve them. But there's this one young man who follows his heart and strives to make his culinary dream into reality. He owns a cafe of his own only at the age of 28, and what's a better name for the cafe other than ''Dream Cafe''?

Patrick is the proud owner and chef of Dream Cafe. His passion for cooking has taken him to work in kitchens at hotels in Singapore and also restaurants in JB before starting his own business. Starting a cafe from scratch is not easy, especially with so much competition these days. He shared with us his determination to change the cafe atmosphere in Malaysia where there are not many cafes serving good and authentic western food.

''I put in effort in every food I serve to ensure the quality.'' Patrick said, with determined look in his eyes.

It must be a wonderful feeling to see how your cooking made people happy.

Thai Style Salmon Salad RM15.90

A colourful and healthy start for the night. Bits of almonds were sprinkled on top to add crunchy taste to the salad. Be surprised by the chunks of salmon you will find in between the greens.

Cauliflower with Spicy Sour Cream RM8.90

I love cauliflower, but have never eaten cauliflower soup - I know I must give this a try. At first glance I thought it was a pumpkin soup, but it was actually the carrots which give it a bright orange colour. The sweet taste of the carrots and creamy texture of the cooked cauliflower, I swear there's nothing more comforting than this.

Fried Oyster with Homemade Tartar Sauce RM 13.90

Dream Cafe's fried oyster is crispy outside and tender inside. A great starter with homemade tartar sauce for dipping. The sauce had a tinge of spiciness to it which totally spiced up the dish. My favourite of the night!

Herb Butter Dory with Raisin Rice RM15.90

The main courses Dream Cafe served were equally impressive as well. Herb Butter Dory with Raisin Rice has dory fillet which was drizzled with melted butter and a squeeze of lemon juice before serving. The fragrant rice was sure to please the tastebuds and leave you yearning for more.

Beef Bolognaise Pasta RM22.90

Patrick proudly recommended his Beef Bolognaise Pasta, in which he spends four and a half hour daily to make the sauce all by himself. He revealed to us his recipe which contains onion, celery, carrot and tomatoes. I am not a big meat lover, but I love every bit of it because it was a dish cooked with sincerity.

Salmon Steak with Herb Crush RM32.90

Who doesn't love salmon? Rich in omega-3 fatty acids and protein, salmon is a healthy option for many people nowadays. This salmon steak was cooked to perfection with fresh herb and bread crumbs on top to add extra flavour to it.

Milk Pudding with a Scoop of Ice Cream RM11.90

..........not forgetting a perfect dessert to end the night. :)

Patrick reminded me of my dream. I always find it hard to free myself from destructive fears and doubts about my ability to achieve my dream. But you know what, life starts with a dream. Add faith, it becomes a belief. Add action, it becomes a part of life. Add patience, hope and time, it ends with a dream come true. Thank you Patrick, for showing me how lucky it is to live my dreams doing what I love and loving what I am doing. To waking up each day with excitement at what the day may bring. I will hold on to my dream.

''Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die. Life is a broken-winged bird. That cannot fly. 

Hold fast to dreams, for when they go. Life is a barren field, frozen with snow.'' 

Langston Hughes

What is your dream?

p/s: Check in on fb next time when you visit Dream Cafe to enjoy a 10 percent discount!
(promotion ends at the end of June)

Dream Cafe

Address: 

No.27, Jalan Austin Heights,

Taman Mount Austin,

81100 JB.

Tel: 07-3641052

Operating hours: 12pm - 11pm (Mon-Thurs)
                      12pm - 12am (Fri-Sun)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dreamcafeaustin

[FOOD REVIEW] B.E Cafe @ Taman Molek, JB - Part Three

I love indulging in lazy weekend evenings with a book in the hand and sipping a cup of cappuccino for hours. One of my favourite cafes in JB has got to be B.E Cafe, not only for the coffee but also the amazing atmosphere. (You can read about my previous experience here and here) This time round, Ma Cherie girls were invited to their old branch, also at Taman Molek. Let's see what they have for us this time!

1. Atlantic Salmon Salad RM 19.90

What's for appetizer? Here we have freshly cut atlantic salmon, lightly grilled, which then carefully laid onto fresh greens. The salmon was beautifully carved with simple yet exquisite details. Topped with their homemade lemon dill dressing, it is no ordinary salad. Tasty, nutritious and filling!

2. Creamy Pumpkin Soup RM 13.90

I love pumpkin. This beautiful soup is hearty and comforting, with fresh pumpkin softened in the chicken soup, which then puréed to perfection. It was so smooth and creamy that it will make you fall in love with pumpkin, too!

3. Classic Eggs Benedict RM 20.90

I love eggs - I don't know what I would do without them! They are delicious any way you cook them. So needless to say, I love egg benedict. B.E Cafe's poached eggs were tender on the outside and creamy inside, topped with the buttery hollandaise sauce. The egg was then served on daily baked muffin and ham. 

4. Wild Mushroom Rosti RM 18.90

Not many cafes in Malaysia serve rosti, so this makes B.E Cafe stand out. A simple rosti has well-seasoned grated potato, fried until golden and crunchy on the outside and remains soft on the inside. Best to eat with the homemade sour cream at the side. As always, I love B.E Cafe's mushrooms!

5. Club Sandwich RM 15.90

Also called a clubhouse sandwich, B.E Cafe ensures the quality of their sandwich by using only daily baked and toasted bread. The delicious combination of ham, tomato, cheese, lettuce, cucumber and scrambled egg is hard to resist. Sided with fat fries to satisfy you even more!

6. Triple Royale Cake RM 9.90

A delicious dinner is great, but dessert makes it better. With the combination of chocolate cheese, creamy mascarpone cheese and soft chocolate cake, this triple royale cake is as pleasing to the eye as it is to the sweet tooth. Sweet, rich and sinful.

7. Carrot Cake RM 9.90

This carrot cake was moist and delicious - often carrot cakes are dry. The addition of coconut adds a sweet and delicate flavour that you are going to love. Cream cheese frosting elevate this carrot cake from ordinary to extraordinary. Totally to die for!

8. Granola RM 12.90

I love how B.E Cafe present granola in this small, little cup. Contains yogurt, walnuts, berries and crunchy cereal. The sourness of the yogurt goes well with the sweetness of the berries.

9. Cold Brew RM 12.90

Before ending the night, we had this cold brew. It is light, refreshing and incredibly smooth, definitely an appealing alternative to hot coffee. And the best part is it captures the essence of coffee. 

Time flies when you are having plenty of good fun. Thank you B.E Cafe for the awesome service, and Jack who invited us over and being so helpful and understanding all these while. Here's a picture of Ma Cherie girls to express our gratitude to our fellow readers. We hope to produce more good food reviews for you in the future! Hope you find my reviews helpful. Thanks for reading! :)

Click on the link below to read more about B.E Cafe! :)

B.E Cafe #1 New Branch - Drinks

B.E Cafe #2 New Branch - Food

B.E Cafe #3 Old Branch - Food and Drinks

B.E Cafe

(New Branch):

2, Jalan Molek 1/5C,

Taman Molek,

81100 JB.

*Below Molek Garden Hotel*

Tel: 07-3503128

Operating Hours: 8.00am - 11.30pm

B.E Cafe Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/becoffeetmnmolek

B.E Cafe Instagram: http://instagram.com/b.e.cafe