#TravelTips | Overland Backpacking Route

I bumped into this overland backpacking/travel route in Asia, Australia, Europe and Eastern Europe which I decided to share with you fellow travelers. I don't think much explaining is needed for this entry... have fun traveling!

Credit : Pinterest, Google and Student Universe Tours.

#TravelTips | How to Choose and Fit a Backpack (Infographic)

 

 

 

Sharing this tips I got from REI.

Globetrotter No More?

Have you ever thought of changing your blog name?
Or your profile name?
Your own name? (Kidding.... but seriously?)

I was toying with the idea of changing my header picture and then it hit me, maybe I should just change my blog name too since 'Globetrotter' is so so so so soooo general. Really, try googling it, mine won't be the first flagged up; not even on the first page. Oh wait! Not EVEN on the first 10 page. Sigh...

A few names came up but one which I kinda like was 'Thornberrys'. You must be wondering what, why, who, right? I got the idea from one of my favourite cartoon (still) of which inspired me to travel. The series is about a nomadic family of four and a chimpanzee name Darwin, Eliza's parents is a famous documentary filmmakers that televised wildlife studies and their mode of transportation is a.... Commvee (communications vehicle). The great the great this is that Eliza can talk to animals!

Anyway, after giving it some thought (more like 4-6 months worth of thinking time), I decided to NOT change my blog name, after all; all my followers and friends know me by this name and site. Oh well....

On another note, I would like to wish all my Muslim friends a blessed Eid-Fitr wherever you may be. Maaf Zahir Batin.

Day 4b | Searching for Morning Sun [YwaMa Floating Market & Kella Village)

Inle Lake was planned with sunrise and sunset in mind.

We start our day as early as 7am waiting excitedly for the boatman to come and pick us up from our hotel. The great thing about Inle is that most hotels provide this service - sightseeing. One need not go far nor hunt high and low searching for activities or operators.

Asking the hotel staff on weather, expectation, distance, duration etc; we figure we should start packing (sounded big trip huh) the night before. Few tips that I would like to share with travelers : SUNBLOCK (crucial unless your intention is to get a beautiful tan *smile*), jacket/cardy (if you plan to take the sunrise excursion), cap, sunnies, water and snacks (aside from camera [and spare battery!]).

We stayed for half an hour or so taking the sunrise pictures with Inle's famous leg rowing fisherman of Intha tribe from Intha Tibetan-Burmese ethnic. The experience was breathtaking, as seen HERE. If you plan to visit Inle, sunrise would be the best time as it is Inle Lake signature attraction.

Not long after, we arrived at the Ywama Floating Market where most houses is on stilt including their public toilet (don't worry, I shall elaborate later *cheeky grin*). 

The first ray of morning sun shines over the market where locals busy putting up their stalls, cooking simple snacks to sell to morning dwellers, boat owners hoping for business and then; there's us 4 silly girls in need to do our 'small business' urgently.

Similar to Malaysia cucuq rakyat/sayur.

We asked our boatman the where about of little ladies room and he pointed to us (top picture), I believe the first impression of the first sight was "WHAT???" (sungguh orang bandar!), followed by "ERR....". Few things I was trying hard to phantom, can the stilt withstand my weight? (Haha...) Will the wall collapse? Is there water inside? Tissue?... No easy task I tell you that.

We managed to complete our 'small business' with some rare taichi skill and strong 'kuda-kuda' as what P.Ramlee would say. 'Hey guys, the market view is great from here but my camera is with you guys' and 'I can see you pee-pee going into the drain' were the conversation we had (sharing too much maybe?). Hahhahaa... If it is not because of the queue, I would have taken a second 'helping' together with my camera! And I would have more stories to write in this blog of mine.

Somehow I love how the sun hits every decorative stalls, every happy faces and all the sacred temples that morning. It felt like 'Here you go Lily, it's your day today' moment... Everything was perfect down to the locals asking Fie whether she wants to purchase 'you know what'. Epic joke that one!

Marketing. Where it all starts.

Visiting local markets and being among them are probably one of my quirks or perhaps all travelers favourite past time too. Not to mention browsing thru the decorative ornaments which is at abundance here... One thing I realised is that the ornaments here are similar to those of their neighbouring countries but anyway, my first target is fridge magnets, lame I know.

Here is a piece that fascinates me, according to the local this headgear is made of buffalo tooth.

Kela Village was our next destination, a quick one but memorable one as this was the first time I met with a long neck tribe. As much as I am impress and intrigue I was actually scared, I didn't even dare to go near. Serious.

I wasn't sure which to focus, the person or the weaving skill. A tough one.

They are very quiet, shy perhaps.

Fridge magnets - wood and mother of pear(?).

Yes, you fridge magnet lover out there, this is one of the place where you can get them, abit expensive though but it comes with nice pouch.

I manage to roam and wander behind the showcase area, truly mesmerise with the area and what caught my eyes was that it is very clean, very. The stilt house was built in an orderly and grid manner, I was hoping to see kids running around for me to catch a few shots but it was a quiet little village, too early perhaps?

Parking.

I guess I am beginning to fall in love with this country every minute, even while writing this. The next destination is quite interesting as it requires us to do a little trekking.

My other Myanmar entries :
Visa : Myanmar Visa Application
The Beginning : #Myanmar. How I Remembered It! ( #Myanmargang ) 
Gadget : #Myanmar | In Black & White - #Olympus E-PL3
Gadget : #Myanmar | In Dramatic Tone - #Olympus E-PL3
Myanmar Costing : #Myanmar Costing
Day 1 : Yangoon to Bagan Train Ride
Day 2 : Temples in #Bagan Myanmar (Part 1)
Day 2 : Irrawaddy Boat Cruise, #Myanmar (Part 2)
Day 2 : Majestic #Bagan At Sunset - #Myanmar (Part 3)
Day 3 : Inle Town at Sunset, #Myanmar
Day 4 : Inle Lake at Sunrise

Vote for #MITBCA2013

I realised I have been nominated last week (or was it before that?) in Malaysia International Tourism Bloggers Conference & Awards in 2013 or #MITBCA2013, thank you to the 2 kind friends whom nominated and believe in me. Really thankful you appreciating me blogging or in this case micro-blogging as well.

As a person whose passion is traveling and now a Social Media Addict (realised this a couple of months back [slapforehead]), I felt honored and grateful for this nomination even if I don't win anything, I am still happy and contented. Friends advised that I should have this blog up in respect and appreciation to my nominator (you know who you are) and friends/followers alike, and I agree.

3 simple steps
1. Visit MITBCA website (vote is via Facebook account)
2. Click at Micro Blogger of the Year category
3. Vote for http://lilyrianitravelholic.blogspot.com/  (it'll turn red once voted)


Thank you TravelholicAwesome for everything. Heart!

Myanmar #VISA Application

This is my second entry on #VISA Application tips and I shall make it short, simple and sweet. 

Address
Embassy of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar
No. 8(C), Jalan Ampang Hilir
Kuala Lumpur
Tel : (603) 4251 5595, 42514455, 4251 6355

Direction
Located off Jalan Ampang (heading towards Ampang town). You will pass Embassy for China and Victoria Station Steakhouse (Yeah! The train restaurant) on your right. Turn right at the traffic light (50m after the Steakhouse) where you will see Lanson Place on the right.

Turn left at the small roundabout and Myanmar Embassy should be on your immediate left. You will see large crowd waiting at the gate (hard not to notice).

Operational Hours
VISA Application : 9:30am to 12:30pm
VISA Collection : 4:00pm to 5:00pm
Close on weekends and public holidays

Requirement
1. Passport (6 months validity)
2. Application Form - download HERE (or drop a comment and I will email you)
3. 2x passport photos (This is a bit weird though because they only took 1 photo [the one appended on application form] and return the 2nd photo upon visa collection). Dimensions 4.5cm H X 3.5cm W. 
4. Front page copy of the passport
5. A copy of Air Ticket (Return)
6. Visa Fee - RM110 per person (as of 2013)

Crucial Info

- Parking is limited (outside the embassy ie by the street)

- You can try to park at Sayfol International School or at Victoria Station (walk safely please)

- The TAT is 1WD (subject to approval) 

- There is no interview required

- Queuing take a long while, my suggestion is to get an agent/runner to do it for you.

- Travelers can stay up to 28 days per visit (please double check)

- VISA is valid for 3 months (please double check)

- The VISA is IS NOT FREE

The rest is pretty straight forward, I will include some pictures tomorrow :)



#MyanmarVisaApplication #Myanmar #Visa #VisaApplication #MyanmarVisa

Penarik Beach at Sunset, Kuala Terengganu

Before I rant on my second fabulous trip to Kuala Terengganu (which I have been doing so successfully and with flying colours via Tweet & Instagram!), I want to share this beautiful beach that captivated 4 of us (Andrea, Bahija [Song Seng Nim], Adam & I). We were basically awestruck, well... we actually went "Oh My God! Oh My God! Oh My God! MasyaAllah! Subhanallah! numerous times. It was love at the first sight ok!

We touched down at noon and went for lunch soon after, not knowing what to do next; we decided to head straight to our secret hotel (will share with you in next entry). As we arrive at Penarik area, we begin to look out for our hotel signage while enjoying the scenery but there was no sign of the hotel (panic mood ON). We drove and drove and drove right till the END of the coastal road (kid you not!!) and up on the untarred road (kid you not AGAIN), still no sign of our secret hotel (agak risau di sini ok, Adam dah gabra dah! *wink*). Then we saw this high-wall-kampung-house-area and decide to slow down to ask the owner for direction, finally.... we found our secret hotel (ulu tobiaq jauh giler ok!).

Well, after we checked-in, dumped our luggage, performed our solat, we ran out to take some beach photos and waited for the sunset, patiently... drama dak! So, here's Penarik beach at sunset for you.

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Santorini Park in Cha-Am, Thailand!!!

I WENT TO SANTORINI and it's in Cha-Am, THAILAND!

Well..... kinda, I went to Santorini Park located in Cha-Am, a 3.5hrs ride from Bangkok City. Cha-Am is a beach resort town situated in south east of Thailand.

Earlier entry on Thailand trip :
Hua Hin Railway Station, Thailand
For more pics, please click HERE

I found this place by accident after blog hopping while doing my 'research' for the Bangkok trip I recently had with my sister. After visiting Bangkok/Thailand for the umpteenth time, I came to a point of close to boredom and decided to visit outskirt of Bangkok during each visit instead.

Bangkok will be my base before I 'relocate' myself. Hence, if I say; am going to Bangkok, you know I will be venturing out of state. I feel that Thailand have so much to offer aside from shopping & message *wink wink*.

Santorini Park is basically a theme park with an open air mall that resemble Santorini Island in Greece. Recently launched in July, it has drawn many local crowd. I also learnt that the locals love to visit thematic parks just to take pictures and have some fun (playing the rides I mean), don't believe me? Check out the pics below, not only that; my NEXT entry will be on a Swiss themed theme park located in Thailand, by then; you probably will trust me heh?!

I would not describe much, but let the pictures talk for itself. 

What were you thinking? Hahhahha...

 The Theme Park

HEY!!!!

View from top 

Fish and chips restaurant available, there are many more of course...

#TravelTips

Courtesy of Ema Travel

#TravelTips : Bring sunblock, sunglass, cap, umbrella etc etc whatever that can shield you from the SUN. It is VERY VERY VERY HOT! I got sunburn, like bad sunburn... because I came unprepared lar, silly me!

Open : Monday - Friday at 10.00 – 20.00 hrs. Saturday-Sunday and holidays open at 09.00 - 22.00 hrs. 

Entry pass : Free pass on Monday - Thursday.  On Friday, Saturday, Sunday and holidays with a 50 Baht pass per person.

For more pics, please click HERE

For more information, please visit www.santoriniparkchaam.com, www.facebook.com/SantoriniPark, www.twitter.com/santorinipark