[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!

[FOOD REVIEW] Makan Place, Taman Molek, JB

When I tell people I am a vegetarian, they often say ''That must be so challenging for you!''

Well, I have to say, eating out can be a challenging experience. Some restaurants are not vegetarian friendly at all, or they may not highlight their meatless options. However, more and more restaurants are actually adding or expanding vegetarian menu options. Believe it or not, there are more vegetarian options than ever before. 

I was really delighted to discover a few vegetarian dishes in the menu of this restaurant -- Makan Place at Taman Molek.

Mushroom Soup RM6.90

Simple and rich cream mushroom soup, served with a drizzle of cream and crouton to start off the meal.

So cozy, so comforting, so creamy.

Golden Pumpkin RM6.90

Another smooth and creamy pumpkin soup made from scratch.

Vegetarian Pasta RM13.90

My main course of the night, prepared with homemade tomato sauce, eggplant, zucchini and mushroom.

Mixed Salad Pizza RM22.90

Pepperoni Pizza RM23.90

The owner prepared a mix so that we get to try more! I only tried the mixed salad, of course.

I think the key to a mouthwatering pizza is a crispy base and cheesy topping.

And yes they have both of them! Even when it turned cold, it was still very crispy and delicious!

Hot Chocolate RM5.90

Makan and share!

Be rewarded with a mango pudding when you snap photos of your food and share it on Facebook/Instagram.

Remember to #makanplace@Molek!

I enjoy my food as much as anyone else.

Thank you, Makan Place! :)

For more information:

Makan Place's Address:

No. 59, Jalan Molek 3/10,

Taman Molek,

Johor Bahru.

Tel: 07-351 8482

Makan Place's Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/makanplace.molek/

[BEAUTY, SHOPPING] Sephora Malaysia Online Shopping ft. Shu Uemura

My love-hate relationship with foundation.

I have a love-hate relationship with foundation. Some days I absolutely love the way my foundation looks on my skin; and some days it seems to go on patchy and I really hate it. However, we know that a good foundation creates a flawless face canvas, so no doubt it is the most important step in creating beautiful make-up finish. I desperately need a good one. So when I got the invite to try out Shu Uemura products available on sephora.my, I decided to invest in a good foundation.

Shu Uemura has two well known foundation: Face Architect and The Lightbulb. Both have good reviews online, promise reliable coverage and a wide selection of neutral shades that match real skin tones. I decided to give Face Architect a try :)

Shu Uemura Face Architect Smooth Fit Fluid Foundation, as its name suggests, takes the architectural approach to analyze bone structure, skin thickness, and facial features. Shu Uemura believes that with deeper understanding of human face, one is able to layer and sculpt the foundation in the best way to enhance the beautiful features of each individual. There are multiple shades available to answer individual needs of various skin. Found my shade 554 Medium Sand.

Click here to check out Face Architect!

My verdict? The foundation feels pretty light and pleasant on the skin. The amount of coverage was fine, not to the extent of flawless but it certainly covers flaws. Use Shu Uemura Face Powder Matte (here) to set your foundation after application.

You can shop more of Shu Uemura products here.

For more information, please visit:

Sephora Malaysia official website: http://www.sephora.my/

Sephora Malaysia Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sephoramalaysia

Sephora Malaysia Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sephoramy/

@sephoramy  #sephoramy

[EVENTS] TWC Concept: Your Finest Living Experience

TWC concepts are not merely design, but an expression of life.

When we talk about bathrooms, it is about functionality. Bathrooms are a place for cleansing oneself, for taking our private time to relax and wash away the stresses and strains of the day, emerge feeling refreshed and ready to take on anything life throws at us. However, have you ever thought about injecting a little hotel glamour into your own bathroom? A place you'll be happy to spend time in? TWC concepts had a press conference at their new showroom recently, and it totally opened my eyes to how an ideal home is like. Read on to find the inspiration you need to create a luxury bathroom of your own.

COTTO Italia Collection

Introducing COTTO Italia Collection! As a leader in the tile industry, COTTO has journeyed across the globe in pursuit of beautifully designed ceramic tiles with truly exceptional surface texture. The search has brought them to Italy, and that's where the collaboration kicks off. Under the concept "100% born in Italy", it will surely answer the need of high-end homeowners and designers who appreciate the value and beauty of Italian design.

COTTO Italia #1 Bianchezza

Marbles are beautiful

Yes, marbles are beautiful. A charm of marble has always been irresistible in human history. It is a symbol of class, luxury, and purity in every architecture and interior design. Inspired by three of the most acclaimed white marbles --- Calacatta, Statuario, and Arabescato, this new marble collection of COTTO Italia will transform your ordinary bathroom into a five-star luxurious, elegant hotel bathroom. Also, with this new marble collection of COTTO Italia, you do not have to worry about problems of staining, yellowing, scratches, and also high maintenance cost because it's marble-look porcelain.

COTTO Italia #2 Woodland

The beauty of the wild

The emerging trend of wood on walls is a good way to balance refined and rustic looks. It adds depth and character to your bathroom, don't you think? COTTO Italia Woodland presents woods in different climates, from the North Pole to the South Pole, from the tropical to the arctic. It is an ideal interpretation of indoor area and outdoor space with a touch of natural elements. Available in two finishes, natural and grip.

Cotto Italia #3 Neo Basalt

A classic of natural stone with a sense of modern living

On the other hand, Neo Basalt series is a distinctive texture of basalt with earth-tone colours of the 21st Century. It is inspired from a revival of ancient Pompeii which was devoured by layers of volcanic basalt from a legendary eruption of Mont Vesuvius. The selection of six colours, three sizes and three surfaces of Neo Basalt creates a balanced space of simplicity and flexibility.

Fima Carlo Fratinni Texture Collection

Picture taken from Jubin BMS Facebook
Featuring 3 textures | 4 finishes | 6 covers 

No luxury hotel bathroom is complete without a designer tap. Now with Fima Carlo Fratinni Texture Collection, it offers you freedom to create different looks. The 3 textures, 4 finishes and 6 covers that you see in the picture above gives you the possibility to to create an infinite number of combinations. You can always come up with a final product that you like!

Endless possibility of customization

From the left: Horizontal (H), Vertical (V), Cross (X)

COTTO Tunio Series

Where technology meets comfort

Choosing the right toilet is more complicated than you might think. And this - is not your typical toilet. Tunio toilet is specially designed, its elongated seat whose slim shape offers ultimate comfort for people of all sizes. It also has Automatic Flushing Sensor, Self-Nozzle Cleansing, soft close toilet seat, and UV nozzle sterilization after each use. There's also LED Night Light that automatically illuminates the bathroom at night, best for preventing elderly falls in the toilet at night. Although the price is slightly at the higher end, but I guess the quality of it will worth every penny that you spent.

Thank you Agnes for the detailed explanation!

Thank you TWC Concepts for your warm, wonderful hospitality :)

#selfie

Give your bathroom a fresh look!

For more information, kindly visit:

Jubin BMS Official Website: http://www.jubinbms.com.my/

Jubin BMS Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JubinBMS/

Jubin BMS Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jubinbms/

TWC Concept Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twcconcepts/

Jubin BMS Johor Bahru (HQ)

No 7, (PTD 140224),

Jalan Kencana Mas 2/1,

Kawasan Perindustrian Tebrau III,

81100 Johor Bahru,

Johor, Malaysia.

Phone: +607-360 8888

Fax: +607- 360 8800

Email: enquiries@jubinbms.com.my

Business Hours

Monday to Saturday 8:30 am – 6:00 pm

Sunday 10:00 am – 4:30 pm

[FOOD REVIEW] DIY Matcha Latte ft. The Dawns Tea

Happy Monday! Here, have a cup of Matcha Latte.

Let's make some Matcha Latte today.

1. Add a small amount of hot water into your favourite mug with matcha powder.

2. Use the back of the spoon to stir to make a smooth green paste.

3. Finish by filling your mug with warm milk.

Your Matcha Latte is ready! As simple as that :)

Do you know? 

One cup of fine Matcha tea has more nutrition than 10 cups of normal green tea. When you drink green tea, you consume only very tiny little part from the tea which extracted out during infusion, the tea leaves are being thrown away afterward. Matcha basically is the powder form of green tea leaves that diffuse into water. When you drink Matcha tea, you literally consume the whole tea leave. That means you receive 100% of the nutrients in the tea leaves! What's not to love?

Read more about the benefits of matcha HERE.

I got my matcha powder from The Dawns Tea to begin making Matcha Latte at home. The Dawns Tea is an online premium tea store, selling tea products from all around the world! Their matcha caught my attention as they are pure matcha from Japan, 100% natural with no additive. From making matcha tea to matcha latte or baking dessert, it's a big good news to all matcha lovers out there!

Now let me enjoy my read with my Matcha Latte. :)

For more information, please visit:

The Dawns Tea's Official Website: http://www.dawnstea.com/

The Dawns Tea's Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/dawnsteas/

The Dawns Tea's Twitter: https://twitter.com/DawnsTea

P/S: Worldwide Shipping! :)