[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/

[ANNOUNCEMENT] Valentine's Gift by Uber!

Left your Valentine's shopping to the last minute? You are not alone. If you are out of Valentine's Day gift ideas - or can't even think of one! - I have you covered. Uber is all ready to send roses and chocolates to your loved ones to their doorsteps today, for FREE! Make this year an Uber special Valentine’s Day.

HERE IS HOW IT WORKS! :)

Date: 14th February 2015, Saturday

Time: Between 11am to 9pm

1) Download the Uber app on your smartphone.

2) Slide left to Valentine’s view. Refer slider at bottom of app.

3) Set pin to delivery address. Type address in to be accurate.

4) Confirm with driver. Call driver and to provide recipients contact details. You will receive an email receipt upon successful drop off.

5) Be surprised! Look forward for the response of your loved one.

Share the love! Remember to share your experience on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter with #littlethings #uber_jb.

P/S: If you have not tried Uber, enter promocode: UBERJBCHOCS for 2 Free Rides OR take a ride with my code: 4HJ94 to get RM15 credits!

Here's wishing all my readers a Happy Valentine's Day :)

Eunice xoxo

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

Who doesn't love cafe-hopping, especially with so many new cafes sprouting all over JB? In recent years, there has been a surge in the popularity of coffee. As we log on to Instagram, it is common that we see a whole string of photos of cafes that people are visiting. But do you know, or appreciate what it takes to brew that perfect cup of coffee? Ma Cherie girls were invited to the newly opened B.E Cafe branch in Taman Molek, and here we witnessed how the baristas combine their passion, skills, knowledge, and artistry to prepare not just a cup of coffee, but a work of art for every customer.

B.E Cafe - Be yourself

Taste the food, enjoy the coffee.

B.E Cafe boasts a homey, cozy atmosphere. It is the kind of cafes that I like - laid back, not overly designed, very friendly, where the focus is mainly on coffee. It was rather quiet for a Sunday but I guess that is also what makes the cafe comfy for a nice chill out place.

Selection of good magazines to relax and recharge, or to gain inspiration.

Barista of the day - Ah Sam was all focus making our coffee.

1. Rose Latte RM10.50

The very first cup of coffee immediately captured my heart. Girls love roses - so there's no doubt that this is going to be a love at first sight. Served with some rose petals on top, the rose latte tasted really good with that light rose aroma, yet the whole taste is not overpower by the caffeine. A perfect house blend of coffee beans from Columbia and Sumatra.

2. Caramel Macchiato RM10.90

The whip cream combined with the caramel sauce made this caramel macchiato sweet and incredibly rich and creamy. Satisfy my sweet tooth with minimal effort.

3. B.E Cappuccino RM8.50

One of the most popular espresso drinks, one can never go wrong with a cup of cappuccino. A cappuccino done right should be equal parts espresso, steamed milk and foamed milk. B.E cappuccino has the smooth and milky texture with a lingering coffee taste. I think they've got it right!

4. Syphon Handbrew Coffee RM15.00

Other than the standard espresso-based drinks, B.E Cafe offers hand-brewed coffee as well. This manually-brewed coffee requires skill and patience. In B.E Cafe, single origin coffee beans from Kenya were used to retain and perfect the beans' distinct characteristics. A clean, refined cup of coffee. Not my cup of coffee, but recommended to those who want to try something different!

5. Iced Latte RM11.50

When you are in the mood for iced coffee, try B.E Cafe's signature drink - iced latte. It was not as creamy and sweet as the hot one. Tasted fairly plain to me initially, but the more I drank, the more I liked it. A nice coffee aftertaste.

6. Vanilla Affogato RM9.90

Vanilla ice cream drowned in espresso - this is what makes up an affogato. The espresso melts some of the ice cream, creating a bittersweet, creamy sauce. This is a heavenly combination. So simple, yet impressive! Love this. And don't you think it looks extra elegant in that tall cocktail glass? :)

7. Citrus Chocolate RM12.50

The last two drinks I am going to introduce here are non-caffeinated drinks. Just look at this - another beautiful piece of art. I expected some fresh citrus aroma in this citrus chocolate but to my surprise, it tasted just like ordinary hot chocolate. So rich it tasted almost like a melted chocolate bar, a little bit too sweet for me. To all the chocolate lovers, I swear you would love this.

8. Baby Chino RM7.50

The moment this drink was served, all the girls went crazy - OMG LOOK AT THIS! It is so irresistibly cute! I stared at it in admiration and I really couldn't bear to drink it. Frothed milk topped with marshmallows and chocolate sprinkles, this is a cup of cuteness with the taste of heaven. Lovely!

With the opening of so many new cafes nowadays, those who want to survive in the market need to offer something special to distinguish themselves from their competitors. Beautiful drink presentation shows your customers that you strive for perfection in your operation, and I think this is really a plus point for B.E Cafe. They serve good food too, stay tuned for my updates. :D

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)

46, Jalan Molek 1/28,

Taman Molek,

81100 JB.

*Behind OCBC bank and Lavender*

Tel: 07-3643128

Operating Hours: 9am - 7pm

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

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

[FOOD REVIEW] Moonlight Cake House @ Taman Sutera Utama, JB - PART 2

Welcome back to my blog! Have you been anticipating for my second post on my dining experience at Moonlight Cake House? In my previous post (click to read if you haven't!), together we explored Moonlight's cheesy yummy finger-licking potato wedges and the fresh-from-the-sea fish slice bee hoon soup and so many more. Wondering what we had afterwards?

And yesss! We had cakesss. I still remember when I first heard about Moonlight it was about how good their cakes were. And given a sweet tooth like me, how could I miss this? :D

Rainbow Cheese Cake RM12.90

Brighten up your day with a slice of rainbow! This colourful, cheerful-looking cake immediately caught my attention the moment I walked into Moonlight. It usually comes in six layers of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple. What I liked was that Moonlight's Rainbow Cake came in pretty pastel shades which mean less coloring! The cream cheese frosting had a subtle but pleasant tinge of lemon that offset the richness of the cake. I had the urge to happily sing ''Somewhere over the rainbow.....'' :D

Red Velvet Cake RM12.90

The Red Velvet cake is also one of Moonlight's signature cakes. At first bite, the cake was a little rough, but the moistness and the signature light chocolaty red velvet taste came through as I chewed. It was smooth and sweet but not so sweet that it overpowers the cake like some cream cheese frosting tend to do. If you are worrying about the artificial coloring, fret not! Edward, Moonlight's pastry chef behind all these beautiful cakes, told us that they replaced artificial coloring with natural food coloring called beetroot. A little pricey but worth it!

Brownie Cheese RM9.90

This Brownie Cheese tastes just as good as it looks! A delicious combination of two of my favourites - rich cheesecake and a dense chocolate brownie with almond bits. The cheesecake mixed perfectly with the brownie that when you're chewing, it just melted into one amazing flavour.

Peach Mille Crepe RM9.90

We all love crepe cakes. But do you know that each layer of a crepe cake is handmade, hand-layered? It's actually time-consuming! As you can see, there are peach slices in between, hence making this mille crepe more airy, lighter and less creamy. The overall result was very pleasant and light. We’d absolutely want to eat this again! However I was a little disappointed because they used canned peaches instead of fresh peaches.

Drinks of the day:

Top left: Hot White Coffee RM4.90

Moonlight special made 4 in 1 white coffee - Collagen (oh wow!), milk powder, coffee and sugar!

 Top right: Honey Wolfberry Tea RM6.90
Wolfberries, dates and honey - for the ladies :D

 Bottom left: Dragon Mango RM12.90
Refreshing and healthy!

Bottom right: Mangorange soda RM8.90
Perfect balance of fruity and fizzy.

Moonlight specializes in custom made cakes for any kinds of celebration, birthdays, anniversary, weddings and so on. You can even order beautiful 3D fondant cakes to make your celebration a memorable one! Do not hesitate to contact them for more details. It is very convenient as they have branches in Sutera Utama, Pelangi, Johor Jaya, Permas Jaya, Taman Gaya, Mount Austin and Bukit Indah.

Moonlight has always been one of my favourite choices of dining place and I am sure with the new menu, I will visit here more often! :)

Moonlight Cake House (6 branches)

HQ:

77B, Jalan Sutera Tanjung 8/3, 

Taman Sutera Utama, 

Skudai, Johor Bahru.

Google map: click here

Tel: 07-558 3322

Operating Hours: 

9:00am to 2:00am

Email: info@moonlightcake.com

Moonlight's Official Webpage: http://moonlightcake.com/

Moonlight's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/moonlight-cake-house/211583785762?sk=timeline

Tell me what you think of my review as I am still learning and improving! 

Your comment will make my day. :D

Thanks for your time!

Love,

Eunice.

[FOOD REVIEW] Passionfood cafe & Bakery @ Taman Pelangi, Johor Bahru.

What comes to your mind first when you hear the word ''passion''? It is a word of strong emotion, and that's when someone loves food so much that she decided to turn her passion into a business.

Thanks to my bff's recommendation that I get to know of this hidden gem in Taman Pelangi.

You can easily spot the shop from the distinctive pink and white signboard. :)

Passionfood cafe & Bakery - the 'pink cafe'

......where all food are made with love and passion! That's their tag line in their menu. They serve French and Western fusion cuisine, premium cakes and coffee.

There are two dining sections - indoor (which is air-conditioned) and outdoor. I personally love their interior design. The theme colours are pink and white, which most of the girls couldn't resist!

The macaroons and cakes displayed at the counter are so colourful and they just caught my eyeballs right when I stepped into the shop. If you enjoy tea-for-two, they have a mini High Tea set served on an elegant two-tier plate, with a pot of tea, plus your choice of a cake slice! Didn't get to try it, maybe I shall make another visit for it? ;)  

They were featured by newspaper before!

Fresh brewed tea - Earl Grey RM7.90

Signature Chocolate RM8.90

Haha looking at it just put a smile to my face. :) How thoughtful of them. But what I really like about this is that it contains bittersweet chocolate sauce, which gives a very rich chocolate taste.

Eggs Benedict RM15.90

Alert alert! HOT FAVOURITE dish among regular customers. It is listed under Breakfast-All-Day menu but it is available for the whole day. (Yes!)

In fact wanted to take a picture of the egg yolk oozes out but I failed. -.- But trust me, the moment when the egg yolk flowed out and spreaded all over the toasted French white bread and turkey ham, I literally screamed! *screams* The specially made Hollandaise sauce drizzled on top of Eggs Benedict has a creamy, buttery and eggy taste with a hint of lemon. The poached eggs are so heavenly nice even until now I am missing the taste of it. I really wanted to lick the plate lol. I secretly rate it five stars. Must try must try okay people!

Carbonara Ala Funghi RM18.90

The linguine (a form of pasta) tossed in white sauce is superb! There are also turkey ham and mushroom in it, with a little bit of cheese powder sprinkled on top. Yum yum.

Chicken Roulade RM23.90

I ordered this right away when I first saw it on the menu. Passionfood's very own version of French chicken thigh roll with turkey bacon, asparagus pine nuts, and melted cheese inside! However, it kinds of disappointed us, probably because we ate it last, and it turned cold already. Oh, the asparagus pine nuts caught my attention! Tastes like beans. I love the sweet potato sauce surrounding it, and dipping the wedges into the sauce, what a combination! I love! :)

Apple Crumble Pie RM8.90

Ordered this to satisfy my own cravings for dessert. Haha. And what's a meal without a sweet dessert to mark an end to it? Apples are my all time favourite so this dessert for sure has won over my heart! The scoop of vanilla ice cream also complement well with the pie.

With my love.

Thank you for spending the afternoon with me!

Overall, I think Passionfood has some good main dishes. Although not up to the standard of fine dining (as they are still considered a small cafe), but good enough for an enjoyable and satisfying meal. Some of the dishes are pricy, so make sure you know which is worth to try before you come!

My ratings:

Food: 4/5

Service: 4/5

Cleanliness: 4/5

Ambiance: 3/5

Price: 3/5

Passionfood Café and Bakery 

14, Jalan Perang, 

Taman Pelangi, Johor Bahru.

07-331 5330

11:00am to 10:00pm (Monday to Thursday); 

11:00am to 11:00pm (Friday); 

10:00am to 11:00pm (Saturday); 

10:00am to 10:00pm (Sunday)

Closed on Tuesday

No pork, no lard, no Halal cert

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/passionfoodcafe

How do you find my food review? Tell me by commenting below!

I am still learning. Promised to give you better and better posts in the future. :)

Love,

Eunice.