Entree Kibbles: September 2024

Tuesday, September 17, 2024

Cruise Down Thu Bon River & Water Lantern Release - Part of Visit to Hoi An Memories Land in Vietnam

Hoi An Memories Land is accessible via land bridges but no, we opted for a unique experience by signing up for a package that included a river cruise and lantern release, in addition to entry to the theme park and a VIP seat for the highly mesmerizing Hoi An Memories Show!

After congregating at the meet-up point, Hoi An Lantern Park, at 5.45 pm, we were brought to the promenade along Thu Bon River where there were quite a few docked boats.

This was ours; fronted with a dragon head that looked more like it was decapitated! Honestly, quite a funny sight and the boat appeared a bit too rundown and plain compared to the rest of its competitors.

Wooden seating that raised safety concerns! A few large waves and I bet a few passengers would be thrown overboard. Thankfully, the cruise would be conducted along the calmer, Thu Bon River, instead of the open sea.

A boat operating as a restaurant! I remember we used to have something similar in Singapore and while it was a unique experience; it's terrible for customers with motion sickness! I went in and was literally out after a mere ten minutes!

Wait, that's Hoi An Memories Land right in front?! Given the supposedly short distance, I wondered if it's easier for me to just walk for about 800-meters, instead of signing up for this slightly pricier package, given my love for walking.

Thankfully, the dragon-headed boat reversed and went towards the opposite direction! This made me felt slightly better since it's more worth my time and effort, instead covering the last leg journey that I could easily achieve with a GRAB ride, or using my pair of legs.

Boats we saw along the way; many appeared to be private charter although I wonder why they were along this stretch of the river, which was wider and not as vibrant as the area near An Hoi Bridge.

View of Thu Bon River, towards An Hoi Bridge.

Boat guide giving some information which I didn't catch as she was wearing a mask, and I was hard of hearing! Maybe I should get the new Apple airpods that I heard could double up as a hearing aid!

One sight that remained etched in my memory on Hoi An was the excessive yet dazzling display of lanterns in front of many shops. They truly mesmerized the eyes.

Wait, the boat turned back towards Hoi An Memories Land!?

That's hardly a 10-minute ride before turning back!

Despite my disappointment, my journey continued with inaudible curses and swears. The bridge on the right would be the other land bridge connecting the island-based Hoi An Memories Land.

The more popular bridge would be the crescent-moon-shaped Impressions Bridge; better connected to the UNESCO World Heritage Site and an easy walk of about a kilometer from Hoi An Lantern Park.

With its ever changing LED lights, it's a beautiful sight to behold from far. If the water were calm, I bet we could even catch sights of a full moon or full crescent, given the reflection.

Time to disembark; ride took only about 15 minutes. After disembarkation, we were asked to step up to Impressions Bridge, where we shall cross over to Hoi An Memories Land. Click here for more photographs!

Night view of Impressions Bridge!

Taken after the Hoi An Impression Show.

We would be taking the boat back to Hoi An Lantern Park! Frankly, I wasn't very willing as I would very much prefer to walk all 2.4 kilometers back to La Charm Hoi An Hotel & Spa.

Main reason why we decided to take the boat ride, again; we could partake in the release of lanterns, without paying a single cent! Now, I may not really like the activity but the stingy scrooge in me couldn't resist when it's already covered in the overall fee.

Engine for the boat was turned off to enable all the guests to take turns lighting up their lanterns and depositing them into the water.

By lanterns, I am not referring to those lanterns more commonly seen in Singapore, which would be held up by a rod. The ones used here float on water and the lights come from a lighted tea light candle.

Bamboo device used to "gently" place the lantern on the water.

Alex and I with our water lanterns!

p.s. donning life jacket is a must on the boat.

Let our worries float away! And hope good luck would come our way. Well, I still haven't won my TOTO first prize. Truth be told, it's an activity that didn't appeal to me. Maybe it's a different story if 0

Manage to make out a full moon?

Looks more oblong than round.

Night view along the river. To put it bluntly, the pictures I took hardly do justice to what I saw using my naked eyes. You have to be there to soak in the atmosphere!

Saying our goodbyes to the dragon-headed boat.

If I am visiting Hoi An Memories Land, I am going to walk.

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Click here for my 8 Days' Itinerary to Danang (The City of Bridges) & Hoi An (The City of Lanterns) in Vietnam

Friday, September 13, 2024

V & You Vegetarian Restaurant near KSL Mall in Johor Bahru in Malaysia

You wouldn't usually catch me seeking vegetarian cuisine when I am overseas but it was different on 18 August 2024, as it was the 15th day of the lunar month, my mom was with us in Johor Bahru and she was insistent on having vegetarian food.

So I found one near KSL Mall; V & You Restaurant. Just a note in case you are unaware of the culture among Chinese Buddhists in Singapore; most tend to go vegetarian on the 1st and 15th day of every lunar month. I am the rare few who don't.

Anyway, the main reason captivating me to check out this restaurant was the availability of the Hakka thunder tea rice which I totally enjoyed for its taste, its varied ingredients and its texture!

Oyster Sauce Mushroom Bun - since there were five of us, I must take the opportunity to buy a carbo-rich bun so that we all can share the fats, together!

Sadly, the dough sticks to my teeth which was irritating but I honestly loved the earthly flavor from the mushroom filling. If only they could improve the dough and if they do, my mom will seriously consider buying frozen ones so that she can steam for breakfast whenever it is vegetarian day.

Petai Fried Rice - the wok hey was there and although a tad spicy, it was palatable and much better than many other fried rice that I tried before.

Char Kway Teow - visually, this looked so pleasing and I couldn't wait to take a bite! Took a bite and it was much sweeter than expected. Beyond the sweetness, the taste was just bland.

Thunder Tea Rice - here come the star!

Let's mix everything up so that joy will envelop me in every single bite as my teeth and taste buds grind and soak in the flavor from the vegetables, the nuts and the tofu!

But before I throw a scoopful into my mouth, it's essential to soak the mixture with the accompanying 'tea'! Yummy it sure was, with the fresh mint tea complementing with the crunch and nice flavors from all the ingredients! Psychologically, this also felt healthier given that it's vegetarian! Okay, maybe I should have gone for brown, instead of white rice.

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Should it be vegetarian day when I visit JB again and my mom were with me, I would likely return given the restaurant's proximity to KSL Mall, where mom usually has her massages!

Address

19, Jalan Serigala, Taman Abad,

80250 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

(near KSL Mall)

Map

As above.

Menu

As above.

Pricing

Total - RM 49.00

Thursday, September 12, 2024

25s Cafe & Brunch @ Hoi An in Vietnam

The weather was warm even though it was still about 1.5 hours to high noon and I desperately needed a place to just chill; a search on my "saved" places on Google Map brought me to the highly rated cafe.

25s Cafe & Brunch which was strangely quite empty but I put it to the timing of just 10.30 am, in middle of two meal peaks. Just for your info, the cafe opens for business at 8.00 am!

Such a pretty corner! No, I am not going to be seated here as I noted a staircase that would brought me to the upper levels of the building, where I could possibly have a great view of the street.

Space on level, which had that chillax atmosphere that materialized after the staff switched on the cooler fan right next to our table! Another relaxing factor was the playing of English songs that I automatically sang along to, since there wasn't other customers beside us.

View of the street from the second floor.

You know Hoi An isn't only for tourists when you can still see residents! Like this topless gentleman who was obviously enjoying the bustling from the comfort of his home.

There's a rooftop level which I presume would be more popular when sun sets as the sun was literally shining on me and I can't wait to escape from its harsh, dangerous UV rays.

Views of the street and the classic, homogenous rooftops of the buildings at this UNESCO world heritage site; looked so cool without the modernity of contemporary landscape!

Going down was more daunting than going up! And this top fence was wobbly, with just a flimsy hook to hold it in place! Imagine if a kid were to just push past me; I bet it will be death in a foreign land.

Vietnam White Coffee - I survived and let's reward with an iced cold Vietnamese white coffee! In Hoi An, I realized that the cafe owners focused a lot on presentation.

Pity I am no coffee connoisseur and this piece of information was literally lost on me. Robusta or Arabica; I can't tell the difference.

Nevertheless, still a nice cup of coffee to finally wake my soul.

And the sweetness was just right, not too over.

Caramelized Apple Toast - this was amazing; the toasted bread was spread with peanut butter and with the slices of caramelized apple on top, it's like having a deliciously homemade peanut butter and jelly toast, with better plating!

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