TANKS Travel Tales - a travelogue.......

This trip, almost exactly a year ago, was part of my annual travel up Malaysia's North-South (NS) Highway from Singapore to Ipoh to celebrate the annual Chinese New Year holidays. The NS Highway actually extend further north but the furthest drive up north for me is always up to Ipoh.  One of the many colourful wall murals in and around the vicinity of Old Town, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia (2024) This trip in February 2024, was no different. It typically took about 7 hours for me to get from Singapore to Ipoh, with one or at most, two stops in-between for washroom breaks and meals. The 7-hour journey only accounts for total drive time and does not take into account the time needed to clear immigration and customs on departure from Singapore and arrival at Johor, via the land bother points between both countries. Depending on traffic conditions, it can take up to 2 hours to complete the immigration and customs processes at both departure and arrival checkpoints. Waits of up to 3 hours are...

After a whole day of walking, sightseeing, eating and shopping, my favourite way to wrap up a hectic vacation day is to relax with a warm cup of beverage.  In Busan, head to the Jeonpo Cafe Street. Packed with hip cafes offering a myriad of themes and different ways to enjoy one's favourite cup of coffee, this is a haven for coffee lovers like myself. Cafes at the famous Busan Cafe Street a.k.a. Jeonpo Cafe Street, Dongcheon-ro, Busanjin-gu, Busan, South Korea (2019) Getting There Jeonpo Cafe Street is easily accessible.  It is located just minutes walk from the Seomyeon Metro Station. Tips Walk around, soak in the cafe culture and atmosphere, choose a cafe that appeals to you most, head in, order you favourite roasts, grab a seat, relax and enjoy your cuppa. What if there are more than one cafes that catches you fancy? Easy solution. Patronise them all! A warm cup of my favourite roasts made my vacation day a much more enjoyable one, Jeonpo Cafe Street, Dongcheon-ro, Busanjin...

Over the past 10 years or so, quaint and lovely Ipoh has become more like a second hometown to me. I loved everything about Ipoh, from the unhurried pace of the life here to the delicious food that only people of Ipoh can somehow whip up with the simplest of ingredients. Common yet unique. Myself posing with the wall mural of a Tiger, Old Town, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia (2023) This abandoned shophouse being reclaimed by nature shows the rustic charms of Ipoh, Old Town, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia (2023) And in the last decade or so, many cafes had sprung up here. Most of these are of the local, owner-operated type rather than the international franchise varieties. These are all usually located in the Old Town area of Ipoh where weekends saw tourists, both domestic and international, arriving in their hundreds to enjoy Ipoh as a destination of choice. Cafe chilling sessions aplenty by myself and also with friends, Old Town, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia (2023) A delicious serving of pancakes, Old Town, I...

The year-end holidays coupled with the festive period typically see many people taking that long deserved vacation break after a year of working hard. During these overseas travels, there are always the obligatory and must-see tourist spots or iconic places to visit for that instagramable photo to share with family and friends on social media. Besides famous places and spots, there are always that familiar icon. And none more than the world famous Hello Kitty character. Produced and copyrighted by Japanese company Sanrio, Kitty is instantly recognisable around the world. In Kitty's home base of Japan (as well as many cities around the world), there are lots of merchandise and products featuring this famous character.  While in the city of Himeji to visit the famous Himeji Castle, I chanced upon a Hello Kitty Cafe while walking from the train station to the castle. Being a Kitty fan myself, I made a mental note to stop by for a coffee and some desserts after my castle visit...