Konichiwa Tokyo

I took my first trip to Tokyo back in 2017. Before that, I could only identify two things about Japan. They are

1) Suntory's Premium Malt Beer

The gold standard for beer

2) The movie Lost in Translation

The poignant final scene

My wife went ahead as she had a prior meeting in Tokyo and I took a flight by myself 2 days later from KLIA2 via Air Asia. It was a 7 hour flight and for flights longer than 4 hours, just purchase the seats which can recline all the way.

Anyway, it was an uneventful journey and my wife warned me that nobody takes taxis in Tokyo because taxis are notoriously expensive. How expensive ? A 45 minute ride will cost you RM900.00.
45 minutes is the distance from KLIA to Bukit Bintang. Yup, RM900.00

My wife gave me the hotel's location and all I had to do was get to the station nearest to the hotel and meet her there. Train stations in Tokyo closes at midnight. I landed at 11pm. Badabing Badaboom - I got through immigration and headed straight to Haneda's train station.
STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND.
Throughout the journey, everyone kept to themselves and everything was so prim and proper. No punk blasting his movie loudly, no bozo eating or drinking inside the train and everyone behaved.

Subway in Tokyo

Inside subway
By the way, most subways in Tokyo do not have lifts or escalators. If you're lugging a huge Samsonite, be ready for a world of pain.

In order to navigate the subways of Tokyo, I would recommend you to use Google Maps. The AI will provide you live feed of the trains arriving and departing. Just superbly amazing. We went everywhere using the trains.

Food, Food, Food, Food, Food, Food, Food, Food

Brekpes is scallops and Suntory Premium Malt's beer at Tsukiji. Doesn't matter how much, just pay and savour

A Japanese man amused by my Suntory Premium Malt's T Shirt. Sugoi

After years of eating sashimi and sushi in Rakuzen Malaysia, I finally get to taste the real deal in Tsukiji

Prepared by masters

My world has meaning now

Tsukiji's Sashimi = Sex

Don't Mess With Japanese Pancakes/Crepe - out of this world

Japanese beef - Matsusaka

Japanese beef - Wagyu
Let's take a break from food. These are some of the non food destinations we went to. Tokyo Skytower, Golden Gai, Shinjuku, The Robot Show, etc.

T-O-K-Y-O

Pavement at Tsukiji

Hanging out at Golden Gai where the bars only have 6 to 7 seats. A great way to meet strangers

This is how clean the street in Tokyo is. Not even dust

The Robot Show - Very very very insane show

Japan was dealt with a crushing defeat during World War 2 in 1945. In 1970, Japan emerged to become one of the world's super powers. I always wonder how can a nation or someone come back from a major blow like a nuclear bomb dropped on them. Once my boss chided me for overlooking something at work and I didn't even want to go to work the next day. That's how tough Japan is and my oh my, how they bounced back.

Masakichi - Featured in Ugly Delicious. I did not book and took a gamble by just showing up. Boy, was I wrong. It's fully booked and I begged and begged. Letting the Masakichi guys know that it is my last day in Tokyo. They relented graciously and asked me to come back in an hour's time. So thankful to them

Using special bamboo charcoal

So juicy

Suntory Premium Malt's Factory

Last but not least, the tsukemen in the photo below is I would say the best thing I've ever put it in my mouth and I've put a lot of amazing stuff in my mouth.

Rokurinsha's Tsukemen

VISITO JAPANO

Who Will Take Over Penang's Famous Siam Road Char Koay Teow ?

The Legendary Siam Road Char Koay Teow
In 2017, Penang's Siam Road Char Koay Teow was ranked 14th globally in the 2017 World Street Food Congress list. Many local Penangites know this CKT well because they were babies when they had their first bite of this amazing CKT to the point where their own babies also went through this rite of passage.

Mr Tan, who has been dishing Siam Road's CKT is probably about 73 years old. The question is - who will take over ? His male heir / apprentice will most likely be the one. Thank God for this arrangement between father and son.

I reckon the magic in Siam Road's CKT lies in his ever faithful wok ,

The Wok Of Goodness and Happiness
totally coated with remnants of charcoal for 40 years. His son/apprentice is always by his side observing and copying every flick of the oil , every wrist movement of the frying spatula , every scoop of koay teow and most important, every annoyed expression when the customer repeatedly ask when will his/her CKT be ready.

Charcoal Charcoal Charcoal - the cornerstone of every great CKT

The intensity of the fire which is fueled by selected charcoals. 40 years of knowing which shape of charcoals to put in, the quantities of charcoal and when to chuck in these charcoals to produce a gastronomical wonder

He used a manual fan for 40 years (see above photo). In 2019, he changed to an electric fan (2nd photo). Technology and development

The CKT of Siam Road

Finito Bella

Diba Titiu Falls , Kg Kiau, Sabah, Borneo

DIBA TITIU FALLLS
What's the best way to get to the starting point of this hike? First, contact the Diba Titiu person in charge. Ask for the price, group configurations (I went solo becuase je n'aime pas groups), distance, etc.

Second, rent a car, use Waze and arrive there by dawn. I love driving that part of the Crocker Range at the break of dawn. No cars, mist all around and the sun rays peeking out from lush valleys. Head to Kampung Kiau and drive all the way to the end of the road where you will find a settlement. Kg Kiau is at the foothill of Mount Kinabalu. This area is always cold. I have a colleague, JY from Kg Kiau. She says that sometimes, she does not bathe for 3 days because of the cold climate. Such an awesome place. But no matter how awesome this place is, there's rubbish everywhere.

I met with this elderly Dusun who will be my guide. I was told to sign my name and off we went. I wasn't able to see the view because we were at a dead end surrounded by bamboo houses and structures. The start of the hike was at the back of a house and within 10 minutes, I saw this magnificent view

What A View

Crocker Range Valley

One important thing. Get there early because you get to feast your eyes on the majestic Mount Kinabalu in all her glory. By 9am, she will be covered by clouds all the way until 6pm.

REMEMBER, START HIKING BEFORE 9AM

We hiked and hiked. No small talk. Maybe a few words like - If I wanna live by the river with no interaction from anyone , can I ? He just shrugged at my abnormal murmurs. I try to avoid asking the same questions he was probably subjected to by Mickey Mouse hikers ..like "How long does it take to get there ? and " Got leeches ? " I think I did the guide a favor by not asking him those mundane questions nor had any conversation with him. He was grateful, I could tell from his eyes.

MY GUIDE - YODA

As we walked deeper and deeper, the forest became thicker. The canopy gave us a respite from the blistering heat.

TRAIL - CENTURIES OLD

HE WALKED THIS TRAIL EVER SINCE HE WAS YOUNG

ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY BRIDGE

SMALL STREAM BUT WILL TURN INTO A RAGING RIVER IF THERE'S HEAVY RAINFALL UPSTREAM
After a few hours, we finally reached Diba Titiu Falls. According to the guide, the waterfall was previously blocked giant trees and boulders until a recent earthquake in 2015 cleared the way for a sight to behold.

EXCELLENT WATERFALL

ENCHANTING

LOCATED AT THE SIDE OF THE FINAL DESTINATION. TOO COLD TO SWIM. BRRRRR
We started our journey back and by 3PM or so, I reached near the start of our hike and the view of Mt Kinabalu has vanished.

WHERE ART THOU

Salient Points
a) It takes 3 1/2 hours if it's just the guide and you. No meaningless chit chats, just go go go. The guide will appreciate it. He gets to go home faster.

b) Leeches galore

c) Skip the lunch provided by the tour guide. No offence but I prefer the Sinalau Barkas you can find along the route to Kg Kiau or head back to Kota Kinabalu for some splendid seafood. Lobsters for RM15.00 !!!

SINALAU BARKAS-WILD BOAR

GLORIOUS SEAFOOD

Kok Nasi Kandar, Puchong - Phenomenal Chinese Nasi Kandar

Hidden in Puchong there lies a hawker style Nasi Kandar that can rival the 100 year old Nasi Kandar Hameediyah - based in Penang , birthplace of Nasi Kandar.

Kok Nasi Kandar's Chinese chef is from Penang. I spoke to him in Penang Hokkien and he reciprocated in Penang Hokkien. That's when I knew, his Nasi Kandar will be the same God-like level as Anne-Sophie Pic (3 star Michelin French chef). If only Penang chefs were recognized internationally.

What's missing here is the Michelin Man x 2
Kok Nasi Kandar's fried chicken, fluffy egg and curries are what attracts foodies to his humble little stall. Long lines are formed by 1230PM and he only has 3 -4 helpers. It's worth the crazy wait though.

Two kinds of fried chickens - Large sized drumstick ones and the other parts (wing, breast, etc) See upper right corner

Rice drenched in mixed curries

Mr Kok (I presume) knows exactly how much curry should be in the ladle.The flick of his wrist is akin to Salt BAE's flicking technique

The best way to eat this Nasi Kandar is to take away because all the curries, fried chicken batter crumbs, vegetables, oil, etc will be soaked into the rice.The first mouthful is like a brilliant white light that fills your mouth with an angel in armour standing at the tip of your tongue. That's how dramatic the first taste will be I kid you not.
Location : Use Waze

Tall Tall Tall Langganan Falls in Ranau, Sabah

You don't need a group to go to this magnificent waterfall in Poring, Ranau. Do this alone like I did. With Israeli's Waze navigational wunderbar, you can practically find any damn location you want except for the location where they keep the Jimmy Hoffa's body.

Once you reach the gates of the park, inform the ranger on duty. The entrance is RM3.00.

Ranger's hut at the entrance
Don't ask for a guide because the path leading to the waterfall is wide and so so so visible and clear. If you do ask for a guide, get ready to see the ranger roll his eyes in disappointment over how soft you've turn out to be in your life.

Path so wide and clear

Leeches alert!!

At the start of the trail

I forgot to mention that the park also houses a natural hot spring retreat.Every family in Sabah will be there on weekends.E-V-E-R-Y-O-N-E

One of the tribituaries
Start early and take a slow stroll. Enjoy the flora. Look up at the canopy. Sabah has some of the best rainforest canopies in the world.

Rainforest canopy
As for wildlife, there are no wild orang utans in this district. Only in the interiors like Tawau, Lahad Datu and Kinabatangan.
Maybe you can see gibbons.
The first 45 minutes can be quite tough. Uphill is always challenging. You will have to cross a stream in front of a small sized waterfall.

Small sized waterfall.Take a break.Remove leeches.Refill your bottle with this safe-to-drink river water

Sign to Langganan Falls
After that, just follow the path for another hour or so and you will reach Langganan Falls. Easy peasy lemon squeezy.

It's quite impossible to take the full length of this waterfall alone. I used a tripod and place the tripod at a lower terrain, press the timer and went through 43 trial and errors until I got the perfect photo

Magnificent View of Mt Kinabalu At Kg Sangkir, Kota Belud, Sabah

Background of Mt Kinabalu

There is a place in Kota Belud, Sabah called Kampung Sangkir. The entire area is cultivated with padi fields and therefore, you can have an unobstructed view of Mount Kinabalu which can only be visible in the morning.

By 9am until 4pm, clouds would have covered the majestic mountain.

Not knowing the place well, I arrived at 4PM and drove around the padi fields to scout for a place to pitch my tent. I need some alone time. On my own with beatific and insidious thoughts.

Alone

I pitched a tent overnight and little did I know, Kampung Sangkir is also another place for star gazing. Trillion of stars for your eyes to feast on.
There is literally no one in this area except for one or two villagers who will fish at one of the many canals.
Whatever you do, don't swim or take a bath at the canal. It looks inviting but according to one villager I met, he said that rashes will develop all over your body if you submerge yourself into the canal water.

Having a cuppa

Nice right?

You can pitch your tent on the road

Canned sardines and coffee at the break of dawn