Wonder.Food.Travel

It is quite impossible to deny that Sri Petaling is a hive of eateries- hawker centers, cafes and restaurants, bakeries and ice creams parlours, bubble tea shops and beer houses. Thai Chala sits in this crowded area and to stand out, it has to offer something different. Fortunately, it did. Branded as an urban rustic Thai shop, this vibrant shade of orange struck attention along the Jalan Radin Tengah. Upon entering the eatery, i was quickly drawn in by the hip vibe and casual decor. Then, colourful menus spread across the table before i surfed on one. The waiters were friendly but rather shy, probably due to language barrier. Colorful art commands a wall in the eatery. A flat lay of what we had. The popular Pork Leg Rice was delicious. The meat was well cooked and tender, easy to tear and chew. The accompanying sauce added flavour to the meat and white rice. Tom Yum Fried Rice is a common Thai dish that can fall into being a standard entry, but it wasn't here....

The world sometimes works in mysterious, funny fashions. Perhaps an incredible coincidence or a sudden jackpot-like luck. Or simply, the powerful law of attraction, if you believe so. I thought about a villa over water, even to the extent of researching for dates and rates for a stay. But i didn't proceed to select any and swept this thought under the carpet. Then came a travel photo contest that i didn't know what the prize would be. I participated in the contest anyway because i loved that photo, i wanted to share it, and it matched the theme. I submitted and won. Guess what- the prize was a night stay in a villa. OVER WATER! Ecstatic, almost unbelievable, when i read it. I read it over and over again. So it began, the rediscovering of Port Dickson with this Journey, where the villa is located. Gazing to the horizon with the villas in sight. Port Dickson is not an unfamiliar name when it comes to beachside destination. However, i remembered that i didn't favour...

First things first, i like the name of this eatery. I learned that the chef is Chef Kom and if i could hazard a guess, it could be a playful word choice of Kom's passion for food or compassion. Either way, this place served Thai fusion food and i was happy that it delivered. Sandwiched among shops in the Damansara Kim area, this eatery was crowded during our visit on a Saturday night (customers came til closing hours). Still, we got a table once entered. Service was average. The menu was exciting to read because of its fusion content and modern twists to familiar favourites. Not long after, we placed our orders and relaxed in its cozy ambiance. Paku Vege was fresh and tasty. It is hard to find good paku dish around and here did it justice. My brother ordered this pasta with duck and it came mixed with bean sprouts. Unique, definitely, so much that my brother didn't enjoy it. But my mom and i did. I couldn't quite put a taste to it. My plate of Lemongrass ...

The long-tail boat left Railay and as i saw it diminished from a distance, i saw buildings and more mangroves, indicating that i am closer to the town. The boat dropped the family off at the resort's pier, leaving me alone with the coxswain. Not long after, i arrived at Chao Fa Pier. I paid him and started walking, with my map in hand, searching for Chaofa Road. It is less than a 5-minute walk. Pak-Up Hostel I checked in and showered- oh, the feeling of being clean again after the rock climbing done earlier. This hostel is strategically located at the center of town. It is clean and neat. However, the mattress was rather hard and there was no free water. I purchased my water bottles at the nearby 7-Eleven (and there are plenty of 7-Elevens around). There is a rooftop bar but it was closed on my visit, and a Playground Bar at the back where travelers hang out for a drink and games. I had a free Free Black Cock cocktail (yes, i still find it weirdly catchy, but weirdly wrong whe...