Travel Archives - Decoding Galvin

U Mobile offers FREE Internet Roaming for Postpaid and Now Prepaid Users

Posted on November 18, 2014May 12, 2016 by Galvin Tan

U Mobile’s Vision 2,000,000 is kicking into high gear with the innovative telco moving aggressively into the last quarter of the year with yet another amazing product launch.

U Mobile was the first telco in the market to offer Free Internet Roaming for its postpaid customers in May 2014. Today, they extended this offer to their prepaid customers too. with a top-up of RM50, prepaid customers get to enjoy complimentary FREE Internet Roaming up to 50MB a day up to 30 days in 8 countries including Australia, Cambodia, HK, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand.

So what can I do with only 50MB of data a day? Well, according to the CMO of U Mobile, Ms Jasmine Lee, 50MB is sufficient for your daily social media activities such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp, WeChat, Line, Kakaotalk, and checking your daily emails. Just avoid downloading any heavy attachments and streaming videos.

And what happens if you exceeded your 50MB daily quota? Well worry not as any additional data exceeded will only cost you RM7.50 for every 1MB and upon reaching 4MB and above, it’s a flat rate of RM30 per day for unlimited Internet Roaming.

So if you’re an avid traveller and you’re not on U Mobile network yet, you may want consider switching to U Mobile now. No, I’m not a reseller and I’m not paid for this but the package U Mobile offered is just too good not to share.

You can find out more of U Mobile’s FREE Internet Roaming service at the website – www.u.com.my.

Discover Okinawa

Posted on February 28, 2014February 28, 2014 by Galvin Tan

I haven’t been to Japan and honestly I’m quite ignorant about it except on Sushi, PlayStation and J-Pop. I’ll be honest, back when I was still a teenager, Okinawa to me was just a small fishing island in Japan.

So what do I know about Okinawa and how did I get to know about it? Well, come to think of it now, it was rather silly. You see, I love the movie The Karate Kid, and in The Karate Kid: Part II, Okinawa was featured. In the movie, main actor Daniel LaRusso and his mentor, Mr. Miyagi returned home to Okinawa to visit Mr. Miyagi’s dying father and confront an old rival. Ever since that movie, Okinawa has been on my mind and although my knowledge of that place is still minimal, I did learn a little bit more about that place over the years.

Getting To Know Okinawa

It is only until recently, when I came across Japan Tourism Board’s Facebook page that I get to learn more about Okinawa. After going through the page, for the first time in my adult life, and let me make it clear once and for all, that Okinawa IS NOT just a fishing island as what I’ve learned from the movie. Okinawa Prefecture is actually the southernmost prefecture of Japan and it comprises hundreds of the Ryukyu Islands in a chain over 1,000 kilometres long. Okinawa encompasses the southern two thirds of that chain. Okinawa’s capital, Naha, is located in the southern part of Okinawa Island. Now let me share a little bit of what I know of Okinawa and its attractions.

Mesmerizing Nature

Perhaps the most mesmerizing side of Okinawa is the nature and the beauty of its surrounding. One of such beautiful place is Kabira Bay on Ishigaki Island. The emerald-blue water framed by long stretches of white sandy beach makes Kabira Bay a dream destination for many tourists and one of the most beautiful views in Japan.

Besides the colourful coral reefs, Okinawa’s clear blue sea, deep pink cherry blossom and beautiful blue skies makes it a perfect destination to take a long drive along the beach.

Beautiful People And Fun Events

I was once told that the best experience to a great vacation is not the destination; it’s the journey to the destination. And the journey wouldn’t be complete without the people of Okinawa. Okinawa is only as beautiful as its people and its rich and colourful cultures.

Okinawans are generally cheerful, friendly people and ever with a smile on their face. This is perhaps the reason why they are the most long-lived people in the world, with a higher percentage of 100-year-olds than anyplace else. I can only guess that Okinawans live a healthy and active lifestyle.

Many interesting events take place in Okinawa throughout the year and that could be their secret to longevity. Haaree Festival or the Dragon Boat Race festival is held from May 3 to May 5 every year at Tomari port in Naha city. And if the dragon boat race is not tough enough for you, you can always join the Torii Triathlon. This premiere triathlon is a sporting event held TWICE every year in Okinawa during spring and fall. Here, you’ll have the perfect opportunity to compete against Okinawa’s finest athletes.

People of Okinawa love dancing too. The Eisa dance is one of Okinawa’s traditional performance arts, which is equivalent of Bon odori on mainland Japan. The Eisa dance is one of those performances that will keep you dancing to the delightful and uplifting rhythm of the dynamic beating drums.

Colourful Culture

Okinawa has a colourful culture and even more colourful Bingata. Bingata is an Okinawan traditional resist dyed cloth, made using stencils and other methods. It is generally brightly coloured and features various patterns depicting natural subjects such as fish, water, and flowers. Bingata is worn during traditional Ryūkyū arts performances and historical reenactments.

The Sansen music is rather unique culture of Okinawa as the Sansen, a three-string banjo-like Okinawan music instrument with a snakeskin-covered body.

Nestled on the hill in the northern part of Naha city is the world heritage “Shuri Castle”. It was the palace of the Ryūkyū Kingdom but it was destroyed during the Battle of Okinawa in 1945. Shuri Castle was reconstructed back in 1992 and remained as one of nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Okinawa.

Another unique architectural culture in Okinawa is the Shisa. Shisa is a traditional Ryukyuan decoration, often in pairs, resembling a cross between a lion and a dog, from Okinawan mythology. Shisa are wards, believed to protect homes from evils.

Food To Love

Okinawan unique food and intriguing flavours are easy to love. Try the Sea Grapes and fresh Scampi from the ocean around Okinawa. If you’re not feeling so adventurous, you can always go for the traditional Okinawa noodle called “Okinawa Soba”. Or perhaps you can always go for a good piece of steak, which is also a favorite gourmet among the Okinawans.

Resorts And Other Fun Places

You’d probably be thinking by now that Okinawa is just another scenic tour destination – there’s nothing exciting and non-traditional. If you’re still thinking that way, then you’re up for a surprise. There are plenty more exciting things to do in Okinawa. You can easily book yourself into a nice 5-star hotel or resort by the beach in Okinawa or hold your wedding ceremony in front of the blue ocean. And when you’re finally done wandering around the ocean front, head over to Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, this is one of many popular attractions you must go at Ocean Expo Park. When the sun sets, it’s shopping and eating spree along the International Street, a massive shopping and eating strip that cuts a 1.6 kilometer diagonal across the city center.

Getting Excited Yet?

So much to see and so much to do, Okinawa is definitely unlike the fishing island image I had in my mind for the past two decades. I will definitely plan a holiday trip to Okinawa soon. If you’re due for yet another great escapade, MATTA FAIR will be here soon and Japan Tourism Board (Okinawa) will be there, remember to go check out the great deals.

If you’re serious about another holiday travel to Okinawa, do visit Okinawa’s official Facebook page. Okinawa is currently running a #ILoveOkinawa contest and you stand a chance win some freebies by following these three simple steps:

Step 1: Go to https://beokinawa.net/my and LIKE the page.

Step 2: Fill up all your details (name, email and etc)

Step 3: Choose your three favourite photos from the five categories that I mentioned above and include your comment (don’t worry, it’s optional).

Contest runs from February 10 – March 10, 2014, you must submit your entry in order to win. Once contest period ends, Okinawa will choose a winning photo randomly and 55 participants who choose the same winning photo will be chosen. An email will be sent to winners and the prize will be delivered later on. Yep, it’s that simple.

So what freebies do you stand to win?

1st prize for 5 persons, “Ryukyu Glass”

2nd prize for 50 persons, “Star Sand”

This is a sponsored post. Although this is a sponsored post, my views are based on facts and I DO REALLY WANT TO VISIT OKINAWA in the near future.

Discover the World in 360° Panoramic View

Posted on August 1, 2013August 6, 2013 by Galvin Tan

I’ve always wanted to see the world and discover more things. But back then, the only way see the world is to travel to many places. Little did I knew that today, I can actually do so right in front of my computer screen. I’ve just discovered 360Cities.net.

360Cities is the web’s largest collection of stunning, georeferenced panoramic photos, created by a network of thousands of expert panorama photographers from around the world.

Now you can sit back and visit Hwasun Ssangbongsa in Korea, Kremenchuk beach in Ukraine, the Eiffeltower in Paris, The Laren Mill in GooiVechtstreek, and so many other interesting cities in the world such as London and Tokyo from the comfort of your own room. Check out some of the Panorama photos below.

The Laren Mill in gooivechtstreek

Of course, nothing beats the real experience. So, if you’re an avid traveller and want to see these interesting places beforehand, this is the site to visit.

Five Bizarre and Most Unusual Restaurants in the World

Posted on July 27, 2013August 4, 2013 by Galvin Tan

Ninja New York, New York

Definitely the most unusual and bizarre dining experience. Ninja New York is a re-creation of a hidden 18th century Japanese Ninja village. One-of-a-kind, very entertaining dining experience combined with spectacular high-end contemporary Japanese cuisine. Dishes are created by very experienced Japanese chefs and served by our Ninja staff breaking new ground in service and Japanese cuisine. [Link]

Alcatraz ER, Tokyo

One of the first theme restaurants to open in Tokyo, Alcatraz ER is located in Shibuya and it is styled after a medical prison and you being the patient.

Upon visiting the prison, they will handcuff you, inject you with a giant needle into your rear, and then lock you in a cell.

They feed you will human intestines (OK, it’s an unfeasibly long sausage in a kidney dish), penis sausage on a bed of lettuce (another sausage, suggestively carved) and various impossibly spicy delectable – definitely not for the faint-hearted. [Link]

Tombs Restaurant in Ahmedabad, India

Serving Indian cuisine to over 300 customers daily, New Lucky Restaurant in Ahmedabad has 22 tombs nestled between wooden tables and chairs in this restaurant built over a centuries-old Muslim cemetery.

The restaurant offers about 90 vegetarian food items and is most popular for its tea and white butter-buns. Most patrons here would agree that the milky tea and buttery-buns served here are ‘to die for’. [Link]

Chillout – Ice Lounge, Dubai

The Chillout Café is decked from floor to ceiling with ice accoutrements—all steadily, and expensively, refrigerated twenty four hours a day. This restaurant presents an unexpected blood-chilling spot in the middle of the boiling weather of Dubai.

Chillout can accommodate up to 40 guests and serves cold cuts, barbecued items, soups, sandwiches, juices, ice creams and mocktails. [Link]

El Diablo, Spain

Where else is the hottest spot to have a BBQ feast if not in a volcano at the Timanfaya National Park on the island of Lanzarote off the coast of Spain.

The restaurant operation is smart and fairly rapid when it is usually very busy. Food is well cooked and served at large portions. Most of the menu focuses on the poultry and meat which can be easily grilled over nine layers of volcanic basalt rock which makes the grill. [Link]

Five Beautiful and Unique Dining Places in the World

Posted on July 26, 2013August 4, 2013 by Galvin Tan

Ithaa Undersea Restaurant, Maldives

Ithaa, which means mother-of-pearl in Dhivehi, is the very first undersea restaurant in the world. Set five metres below the surface with 180-degrees of panoramic views of the vibrant coral gardens surrounding it, Ithaa serves contemporary European cuisine in a six-course set dinner menu matched by a wine concept dedicated to Champagne.

Ithaa’s entrance is a spiral staircase in a thatched pavilion at the end of a jetty. The tsunami which followed the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake topped at 0.31 metres (1 ft 0 in) below the staircase entrance, and caused no damage to the restaurant. [Link]

Dining at Water, Tahiti Islands

Dining in the water is perhaps the best way to relax and to clear your mind while you enjoy your meal. This experience is a part of an excursion of a local tour (Haumana Cruises), usually for half day adventure that includes snorkeling, swimming, sightseeing of the island and a full lunch on a lagoon. [Link]

Labassin Waterfall Restaurant in San Pablo, Philippines

Located at the Villa Escudero Resort in the Philippines, The Labassin Waterfall Restaurant offers a unique and memorable dining experience where guests get to enjoy lunch while the water flows under their feet.

One can enjoy the authentic local cuisine and feel the serenity of the almost untouched nature around the area which was once for farm and coconut plantations. [Link]

Gajumaru Okinawa Restaurant, Japan

Located on Highway 58, in Onoyama Park in the South of Japan, recently named Gajumaru sits perfectly on the top of a massive reproduction of a Gajumaru tree (like a Banyan tree) made of concrete.

Gajumaru is 20 feet above the ground and using the spiral stairs or the lift inside the trunk, once you’re top and in the restaurant, you’ll have a beautiful view of the harbor between the branches of this huge tree.

Having a tranquil, elegant and romantic ambience, Gajumaru attracts more couples than families with kids, where you be served the best Japanese – Thai – Korean – Indian and Chinese cuisine in Okinawa. [Link]

The Redwood Treehouse, New Zealand

An amazing pod-shaped structure built ten metres high in a Redwood tree near Warkworth, north of Auckland, the Redwoods Treehouse was commissioned as part of a marketing campaign in 2008.

Redwoods Treehouse is a versatile space as a corporate venue for private functions and events. The pod itself holds 30 guests either at seated tables or casual stand up. Their ‘Fork and Bowl’ menu is ideal for any stand-up function – a substantial finger food selection menu and a canapé with stand-up buffet menu.

However, the Redwoods Treehouse no longer operates as a restaurant and is not open to the general public. The venue currently operates for private functions for 30 people and is not available for individual bookings or for casual dining. [Link]

A Day Trip to Magnificent Malacca

Posted on May 4, 2007August 1, 2013 by Galvin Tan

It was yet another impromptu plan to go down to Malacca for sight-seeing and some good food. Suggested by none other that our favourite Baba, Mr. Damien Yong. One good thing about such trip is that it usually works out.

As usual, we were all late… well, except for poor Farid who had to be over in Subang since 12 noon. By the time I picked up Damien and Amy, it was already 2 pm. We had a quick lunch and off we go.

The trip down south was quite a breeze. By the time we hit the toll, it was around 4 pm. We really took our time driving down. There’s no rush and it was a holiday for us.

The purpose of the trip was for makan, makan and more makan. Our first stop was over at Tengkera. Damien suggested that we should try out the Mee Sup Tengkera and some Popiah Goreng. The Mee Sup was rather good since they use fried chicken meat floss instead of the usual boiled or steamed chicken meat. And the Popiah Goreng, gosh… excellent! Crispy on the outside, juicy and yummy on the inside.

Only the pakcik preparing the noodles. The others are helpers.

The soup is rather plain but tasty. That’s because they use fried chicken instead of the normal chicken meat.

The Popiah Goreng was really crispy and it’s selling like hot cakes!

You can tell that these guys are really hungry.
Since we’ll be having more food, we decided not to over stuff ourselves and head on to the next destination for some desserts. Taking a drive through Malacca town is quite an eye-opener. The colourful and unique century old buildings are quite a sight. It’s really nice to slow down once in a while in your life, to breathe the air and to enjoy sights ancient old history. It’s quite a mesmerizing view, sometimes funny too.

Oookaayyy, I’ve seen plenty of funny convinient stores but this is too much. LOL. Oh ya, only handsome guys are allow to have seafood in this restaurant.
We stop over in town where you can find the fountain, clock tower andChristChurch. The place was flocked with tourists and tour buses. There’s plenty of colourful trishaws too which kinda stole my attention. Trishaws are quite a rare sight especially in busy cities like KL and PJ. While the rest of them are enjoying their Cendol right across the street, I went on snapping more photos around that area.

The posers!

Baba and Nyonyas?
We were quite tempted to go for the famous Chicken Rice Ball but unfortunately it was quite late and the shop was already closed. So we proceeded to thefortA’ Farmosa. Along the way to the fort, we were quite surprised to see the changes in the town ofMalacca. A few new food court and shopping complexes popped up.

After more than a century, part of the fort is still standing strong.

Damien was ecstatic being back in Malacca.

St. Paul Church
It brings back good memories being atfortA’Farmosaagain. The last time I’ve been there was during primary school days. It was a school trip to Malacca and we visited the fort, the crocodile farm and a few other places.

It was getting late so it’s time to leave. We wanted to go for some Popiah with Chu Yau Char (fried pork lard) and some fried lala omelet but unfortunately the stall only opens at 7.30 pm. Not wanting to wait, we decided to go straight for Satay Celup at Jalan Ong Kim Wee. There are a number of restaurants serving Satay Celup but Damien brought us to Restoran Ban Lee Siang. It was my first time trying Satay Celup, although something new, I’m no stranger to food like Lok-Lok in KL.

Similar to Lok-Lok, you cook/heat up your food by dipping it into a saucy peanut gravy instead of hot boiling broth
By the time we got back to KL, it was already 10pm. Though it was a short trip, we were all really tired and we ended up in a foot reflexology parlour. Hehe.

Ahhh… Bliss!

Decoding Galvin

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