Biweekly Favourites

Hello there, it's time for another Biweekly Favourites! I thought I was not going to update it on time with all the Chinese New Year busy-ness and stuffs, I was surprised that I could actually still keep it up! So far so good :). 

Check out my favourites for the past two weeks!

Favourite Quote:

A great reminder for myself, for playing different roles in many fields. I always find it very struggling with jobs, study, piano practice, blogging and even house chores. I couldn't split myself like Naruto and do so many at one time. I get the inspirations from this quote, "discipline" is the key. 

Favourite Article:

Full article - http://yourmusiclessons.com/blog/how-to-memorize-music-5-times-faster/

This is an article for memorization, the whole topic is about how to secure our memorizations. I find it very helpful to me. Even though it's for musicians especially pianists cause we've tons of music to be memorized, but I guess it's helpful for those who're studying or trying to improve their memory too.

Favourite Snack:

To be honest, I think no one will ever resists this Once A Year CNY snacks. Pineapple tarts and peanut biscuits are my favourite! I've gained some weights from this, well it happens every year. :(

Favourite Drink:

Influenced by Xiang, this Chrystathemum Tea is my favourite! It's not as healthy but it's still better than soft drinks, hmm...at least it's less sugar, and no preservatives.

Favourite Hair Product:

I've been using quite a lot of dry shampoo for the past month, when the weather started to turn to broiling hot! Sometimes I sweat more than usual so dry shampoo is my rescue. I'll still shampoo off at the end of the day because I don't like the feeling of hair product sticking on my scalp. 

Favourite Food:

Well it's not exactly my favourite food cause pork isn't my thing. Xiang and I had our Valentine's Day lunch at Ante, and he ordered this pork steak. He was so excited over the amazing taste of this pork steak and kept on asking who recommended me this restaurant. I had only 1 bite it's very juicy and meaty taste hahaha! Well it somehow taste like beef steak if I've to say. 

Xiang's verdit: It's better than most of the regular beef steak; tender, juicy and chewy! 

Favourite YouTube Video:

Watched quite a few of organization and cleaning video to get some inspirations and tips for spring cleaning before Chinese New year, and this is my favourite one!

Favourite Music:

That's all for today's favourites, may the new year brings you prosperity, joy, health and wealth! ♥♥
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Amarin Resort Chiang Rai - More Than Just A Budget Hotel

Since our stay in Chiang Rai is very short, we picked our hotel stay with a lower budget. After days of research and reading reviews in agoda web (the only website I love reading hotel review!), I finally chose this hotel - Amarin Resort.

In my opinion, I think Amarin Resort is between a regular hotel and resort, not exactly a hotel, not exactly a resort.

Its location is considered a little isolated, and hard to search with GPS. It looked like residence houses from the outside. 

Ample of parking space!

Where we parked our rented car

Love the tranquility of how the rooms are surrounded by trees

The reception counter

The hotel lobby

I love the concept of Amarin Resort! Their cottage-style room give some extra privacy with the small distance between houses. Not as crowded as in the hotels and we get more space for ourselves. 

Xiang opening the door. 

Tons of pics of his because he wasn't willing to be a photographer of mine! :P Well see the bench outside each rooms, very thoughtful. Perfect to chill in the morning/ evening but sadly we didn't have the time with our less than 24-hour schedule.

The Room:

Very cozy and spacious

The reason why I picked this is the cleanliness and big space of the room. Many of the reviews from agoda mentioned the room is clean, cozy and quiet. In fact, most of the reviews are "there are only tress and rooms", but that is more than enough for me. 

Cozy bed

The comfort level is way beyond my expectation for the price we've paid! I'm more than satisfied. :)

The snack area

Immediately bought snacks and cup noodles from convenient store because we try not to spend extra for food in the hotel room. Thailand snacks and instant noodles are irresistible!

Two complimentary drinking water

Tea & Coffee

The room is very spacious (32 s.q.m.) ! 

Bathroom is simple. No bath tub, floor is a little slippery after shower in the shower area and the toilet bowl is too low. Not too suitable for elderly. 

The only weird thing is the wardrobe, it's in the bathroom! Things provided are bath robe, a small safety box, 

and room slipper.

Our stay comes with the complimentary breakfast.

 

Those are all the foods provided

Fruits

Tea & Coffee

Toast

Very basic breakfast with limited choice

Pros:

1. Cheap

- we booked via Asia Travel at the price of RM 122.11 with complimentary breakfast, tax inclusive (MYR currency wasn't good during Oct/Nov 2015). 

2. Spacious

3. Clean, comfortable bed and quiet

4. Free wifi
- internet speed wasn't stable


Cons:
1. Location isn't great for those travellers who're not driving

2. Breakfast choice is very limited

3. No swimming pool and facilities like gym etc.

Address:

179/1 Moo 20, Koktoong Road, T. Robwieng, A.Muang, City Center, Chiang Rai, Thailand 57000

 Map:

Biweekly Favourites

Hello there, I'm going to start something new on my blog this year, which is Biweekly Favourites. I really hope I could keep this up, and I think this is one of the motivations for me to at least switch on my laptop once every 2 weeks. Well, I really don't work with computers a lot, my daily routine mainly only involves piano and books. 

Favourite Gadget:

I got the Samsung Note 5 before Chiang Mai trip and only get the casing recently. This phone is amazzinggg....The reason behind picking this phone is because of my Note 1, I've been using it until Note 5 was released! Imagine how long my phone could last, I couldn't believe myself to when I told my friends about it. "Hey I'm switching my phone from Note 1 to Note 5!". Well, my Note 1 hasn't died yet and Xiang is using it as his backup phone. I hope my new phone could last me as long too!

Something amazing for the phone case: I could answer calls without flip open the case! 

Favourite Quote:

Read this on twitter, immediately I was connected to it! I was trying to find which book is this from but to no avail. On the pursuit of my music dreams, there are tons and tons of people trying to stop me, judge me, despise me, and whatsoever. Well, that is not their lives, I don't have to waste my energy trying to convince them. Do what you think it's right, do what you think it's your true calling,

"Keep facing your true north"

Favourite Book:

Paulo Coelho became one of my favourite author ever since I read his book "The Alchemist". This book is about 4 different characters; how much they're willing to sacrifice for their own desire, obsession, and fame.  

Favourite Planner:

 

This beautiful Starbucks planner serves as a monthly and weekly planner to me.

Favourite Music:

Favourite Skincare:

I've been using this for a while, bought this at SASA during sales at the price of RM 59.90/ box, buy 2 free 1. Each box contains 7 pcs. 

To be honest what's written on the back "beauty-salon formulation and money-back guaranteed within 14 days" caught my eyes. Well they're quite good for my sensitive skin, very moisturizing and is considered one of the cheaper choice for silk mask.

Favourite Drink:

I've been making this drink - Honey Lemon for quite some time now. It's my all time favourite! 

Ingredients:

1. Honey

2. 1 lemon, thinly sliced

How to make it: 

Fill the glass jar with a base of honey, top with 1 slice of lemon, then top with honey. Repeat the process. Refrigerate for at least 3 days. 

Pour some honey lemon onto the cup, add cold water and ice, a drink to be enjoyed on these scorching hot days!

My Top 4 Things To Do In Chiang Rai

Spending time working on my blog post on a relaxing holiday is quite therapeutic to me, how I wish my everyday are like these...more time for myself, and more time to manage my blog. Xiang and I visited Chiang Mai/ Chiang Rai on mid October this year, read my first post here - http://emmz-s.blogspot.my/2015/10/chiangmai-arrival.html. 

We drove all the way from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai and spent less than a day there, so we didn't get to visit all the tourist attractions that we intended to. Below are my top 4 things to do in Chiang Rai, given our tight schedule.

1. Wat Rong Khun (White Temple)

First place we went after arriving in Chiang Rai, at about three in the afternoon. The weather was scorching hot but it was all worth it when we caught the first glimpse of this magnificent white temple. This is the icon of Chiang Rai city, and the reason why Xiang willing to ride up north. 

It is a Buddhist temple privately owned by Chalermchai Kositpipat. He designed, and constructed himself. He's a great artist, undeniably.  

It was still under construction at the time of our visit, but still the temple look as great.

This tree startled me before entering the temple!

Still...a quick shot with "them"!

Entering the bridge of "the cycle of rebirth"

Hundreds of outreaching hands that symbolize unrestrained desire!

There's a saying not to look at those "hands" when you passed by, if you look at them those hands might pull you down to the hell. How we captured this photo? Camera behind and eyes looking to the front hahaha. 

At the bridge

It was burning hot, don't forget your sunscreen!

Opening Hour: 8.00 am- 6.00 pm

Entrance Fee: FREE

2. Black House (Baan Si Dum)

After visiting White Temple, we went straight to the Black House. We've been told that this is not a temple, but a private place owned by some rich guy and open for visitors. Since I know some basic Thai, it's easy to recognize from the name too. Baan means house whereas Wat means temple, "ok this is a black house, not a black temple", I told myself. Some calls it a museum.

 

The compound is so huge, all the houses are designed in black and only parts of them are open for visitors.

Besides black houses, there are lots of animal skeletons and animal skins too. This place is full of the signs of death, but they were all too creepy so I chose to ignore them, and only focus on the impressive arts and designs.

Follow me to find out what's behind the door. No we're not allowed to enter any houses.

There is an art gallery in the house behind this rock too, but it was so quiet. As a sign of respect I didn't take any pictures of the paintings.

Opening Hour: 9.00 am- 12.00 pm/ 1.00 pm- 5.00 pm

Entrance fee: FREE

3. Thaweesin Hotspring

This is a random spot that we chanced upon when we were driving back to Chiang Mai. We spotted the sky-scraping water splashing from the hot spring well and we decided to make a stop.

Some Thai ladies selling hot spring boiled eggs!

The water isn't very clean, we didn't soak our foot in here.

What we found at the back!

The ancient and forbidden temple, just right outside the hot spring.

Entrance fee: FREE

4. Thai Food

Thai food is much cheaper in Chiang Rai compare to Chiang Mai! We had a satisfying Thai dinner at Moommai Restaurant.

Tomyum Plaa

Seafood in coconut

Fish with lemongrass

They provide outdoor and indoor seats.

Cute dolls everywhere inside and outside of the restaurant!

A cute restaurant to dine in at night, not so sure about day time. There're only fans and no air-conditioner available in this restaurant. 

Travel Tips:

1. Avoid Chiang Rai Night Bazaar as it's really nothing much to discover and very limited food stall. I wasn't too sure about weekend but on a Thursday, it was nothing much to buy or eat.

2. Use Google Map instead of Waze if you're driving.

3. We bought data plan from AIS, it works everywhere even in the rural area! Superb data coverage!

4. White temple is too exposed to the sun, prepare yourself with full sun protection.

5. Other tourist recommendations to discover: Long Neck Village and Golden Triangle.