Onsen Heaven - The Unforgettable Hot Spring Experience @ Dai-ichi Takimotokan in Norboribetsu [Hokkaido, Japan]

What's the most unforgettable activity for my inaugural Japan trip (to Hokkaido)? My answer will be the amazing hot spring experience at the onsen heaven in Dai-ichi Takimotokan!

As photo-taking is disallowed in the onsen, i could only rely on this scaled down model that's pretty accurate on the different baths i encountered in my two visits.

Before you step into the respective male / female onsen, collect the towels from the main counter in the middle of onsen heaven. As Takimoto Inn is the sister accommodation of Dai-ichi Takimotokan, you just need to show your room key to exchange for the towels and gain access to onsen heaven.

The men's area - right side is the changing area although i do remember a line of lockers where we can lock up our valuables like mobile hands, wallets. Section in the middle would be the washing area before you enter the baths; do pamper your body and hair by making use of the luxurious horse-oil shower gel and shampoo that were provided for free!

For details and benefits on the seven bath types available in onsen heaven, click here. Temperature for most was acceptable except for the demon spa (arrow red) - i can feel that my foot were being slowly cooked when i tested the water which was piped directly from hell valley; if i recall, the temperature was about 42 degrees celcius although it felt way higher!

There's also another level before with an outdoor area. It can be quite chilly if you go at night, as we did on our first visit. Pity we didn't thinking of checking out the next morning as i have the feeling we might be able to soak in the scenery of hell valley.

After cleaning up at the washing area, you may dress up quickly (the female housekeepers prowl the area without a care of whether you are fully naked) and take advantage of the dressing counters where you can find hair tonic, hair dryer, disposable shavers, toothbrushes etc. I basically can throw myself into bed without a final wash!

Body and mind were satisfyingly relaxed after the onsen.

To further cleanse the soul, step into the traditional Japanese garden of Dai-ichi Takimotokan and soak in the soothing outdoor environment! 

Super shiok! 

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Location

Dai-ichi Takimotokan,

Noboribetsu-onsen, Noboribetsu, 

Hokkaido, Japan 059-0595

Website

http://www.takimotokan.co.jp/english/

To read more about our 8 days, 7 nights' itinerary to Hokkaido in summer, click here.

The Famous / Infamous Soi Bangla - Before The Sun Sets @ Phuket [Thailand]

Think of Phuket Island and Patong Beach is likely going to pop up in the minds of many seasoned travellers! However, it's not just the beach that people remember; the walking street pretty close by has gained quite a reputation too! 

Technically, Bangla Road will only be converted to a walking street after 6pm and before then, please exercise caution against the vehicles that continue to take priority.

In the daytime, when i checked out the place on the very first day of my Phuket trip, it didn't appear any different from a typical busy street in Bangkok; except for maybe that large TV screen placed across the street.

Even though the night had yet to start, some were already gearing for the party! Those with kids appeared to be more in a hurry to go back to the comfort of their hotels before the vices took over. 

A lot of pubs and clubs flanked both side of the street and that's merely a visual attraction for someone like who don't quite enjoy drinking. I don't think i should also since my very decent dad was with me too!  

There were shops other than bars and pubs and clubs. 

I should have purchased a cigar to get a feel of how it tastes like! As i was busy with photo taking, i actually didn't realise she was offering cigarettes and cigars in one basket! 

Fruits for sale - i don't dare to buy them as food handling is always contentious when it comes to street food and my tummy is known to be overly sensitive.

Moulin Rouge - its design was an immediate drawer and the name reminded me of a same-named movie with an extremely catchy song; "Lady Marmalade". By the way, reviews were not fantastic and it's ranked #64 out of 70 Nightlife in Patong on TripAdvisor.

In many nightlife establishments, i noticed bars that ran from floor to ceiling and thought they were for decorative purposes until i saw what they were used for, at night. 

You may find the answer in my posting for Bangla street at night! 

Street hawkers in case the hunger bug pesters you. Interestingly, you can get packs of fresh looking vegetables in such a touristy place. 

Tattoo parlour - i was tempted to have a body tattoo during my rebellious teenage years but now that i am much older, i don't really care much for it especially if it's more difficult to enter the onsen when i am in Japan! 

Knowing that there were likely families with kids who would visit Bangla Street out of curiousity; it does make sense to have commercial activities appropriate and suitable for them. Guess some high individuals would likely pay it a visit too since it's open till the ungodly 3am! 

The huge screen showing advertisements, messages, announcements and i think a speech by the current prime minister in Thailand. No indication of any height restriction for vehicles. 

CCTVs mounted below the huge ass television! 

Tiger Night Club - you can never miss it and it would probably stopp you in our tracks. The tiger statues were larger than real ones and i am glad they were not animatronics.

They looked more fearsome in the daytime. 

Although i am not into partying, i do enjoy the occasional beer to lighten the mood and the promotional price during happy hours was only 80 baht a bottle! 

Day was still young but the street peddlers were already in position to sell you the eye-popping ping pong show! I have read online that a lot of them were scams with astronomically priced drinks; hence, i didn't even bother. 

Coming to the end of Bangla Road with Tai Pan night club just across the main road.

A picture of dad and Alex to show that we were there! p.s. not so much an eye opener for us as there's a stark difference in atmosphere between day and night. Check out my posting for Bangla Street at night! 

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Location

Soi Bangla, Patong, Kathu, 

Phuket 83150, Thailand

Click here for my 5 days Itinerary to Phuket.

Ah Di Durian Stall in Ang Mo Kio - The Secret Place Where I Satisfy My Durian Craving @ Block 347, Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3 [Singapore]

There was this durian stall that i have patronised no less than four times since December 2017 and it's about time for me to share its location with everyone on this blog!

Those familiar with the famous hualong fishhead steamboat would find it a 'chicken feet' to locate the store as it's literally right next to the coffee shop housing the popular fishhead steamboat stall.

Why am i obsessed with this particular durian makeshift store? For the obvious reason that the durians i purchased so far from the boss were all satisfyingly good!

Another key determinant is that Ah Di 阿迪 (that's the name of the boss, i think, and not to be confused with another durian seller, Ah Di 阿第, who is based in Dempsey) is friendly to its customers and unlike some of the durian sellers, you can feel he's not out to cheat your money; and he appeared to have a lot of regular purchasers!

It's only slightly past 6.00 pm and i can see only about 30 durians on the table! Darn, i shouldn't have taken my dinner first; i.e. satay from soon lee heng and white beehoon from hualong. :(

Our favourite golden phoenix and cat mountain king were already sold out; as evidenced by the empty baskets. Actually, i am not very particular when it comes to the species but my mom enjoys the two aforementioned durian species and as the filial son, i tried to accommodate to what she likes.

We didn't have much of a choice as the craving for durians was unbearable and had to make do with D13 which is also known as red prawn (ang hae / 红虾). Pricing was cheaper for D13 at S$10 a kilogram.

Using the blade of his trusty parang knife, Ah Di gave the durian spiky husk a few hits to determine its quality and placed two on the weighing machine; about 2.5 kilograms!

Most customers would either request for the whole durians for takeaway or for the seeds to be removed and placed in a styrofoam box; for my family, we like to eat the durians on the spot! As it was drizzling, Ah Di kindly allowed us to use the empty overturned basket that he used to display the durians!

The yellow meat surrounding the seeds was fleshy and not very fibrous and while the seeds were not as flat and thin like cat mountain king (as forewarned by Ah Di) , it surprisingly didn't taste as sweet as i thought red prawn species would typically be.

Two weren't sufficient and we got a third durian! So much for complaining that i was bloody full and the maximum we should have mustn't extend beyond two! 

In less than fifteen minutes, the store's durian stock had dwindled to less than 10; with one regular customer purchasing eight durians in one go!

Now, a piece of advice from me - do call Ah Di at 9003-7928 beforehand if you decide to go to his store as i was left disappointed once when i dropped by, thinking i would be able to indulge in some durians; only to find it closed.

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Location

Block, 347, Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3, #01-2134

Singapore 560347 (Next to Hualong Fishhead Steamboat & Tze Char)

The block isn't long but if you need detailed location, just note that the durian store is outdoor and opposite the Aoska Unisex Hair Styling Salon.

Map

As above.