Travelog for: Mandy Sheep

Hello everyone!
I'm soooo sorry for the late update on this blog. There were some problems here with rains and flooding but everything is OK now

I just got back from the amazing trip in the south of Thailand. Here is my story...

The destination is Phuket province which is the largest island in Thailand situated in the south of the country as you can see here in the map.



Our journey started in Bangkok. We went to Phuket by our own car because it is cheaper than by plane, faster than by train and we can stop anywhere or anytime we want along the way. My host's brother and her friend were the one who drove. It is about 860 kilometres and it took us about 10 hours to get there.




*Our helpful assistant GPS*



We arrived there around 11 pm and stayed at my host's friend's house. We were all very tired...let's see where I have visitted the next day

Every year during the first nine days of the ninth lunar month of the Chinese calendar, there is Vegetarian Festival in Thailand. The origin of the festival is unclear, but it has been passed from generation to generation that it originated in the south-eastern part of China near Fujian Province. The festival was celebrated to make merit and save animals from being killed for food.

In Thailand, the most talked - about vegetarian festival is in Southern Province of Phuket where the ceremony is held in a grand celebration. During the 9-day period, the devout Chinese Buddhists dress in white, convert to vegetarians and observe the ten rules in order to purify their minds and bodies.

Today my host took me to sightseeing around town and participated in the famous Phuket Vegetarain Festival This year the festival took place during Sep 29th to Oct 7th. So Today is the last day of the celebration.


*we have vegetarain food for breakfast *

In the picture you can see the Street Procession, which is the most spectacular event of the Vegetarian Festival. The processions offer the opportunity for the general public along the streets to receive the blessing of the gods possessing the spirit mediums. They set up altar in front of their houses, decorated with Chinese embroideries table apron, placing on them lit candles and incense sticks, flowers, fruit, sweets and tea.



The processions were proceded by a vehicle of the shrine association, followed by school children carrying flags and banners with the gods names in Chinese characters, several Chinese percussion bands. Sedan chairs with the gods are carried in the center of the processions. The explosion of firecrackers over the Gods reaches a climax. It is held that the louder they are the better, because the noise drives away evil spirits.


*The God possessing the spirit mediums....they were quite scary to me *






*The firecrackers over the Gods...the louder the better! *


*After the processions were gone *

My host then took me to one of the Chinese shrines in town to pay respect to Gods and make merits. There are lots of people and the sound of praying and firecrackers was still in the air, making it such a sacred place


*At the shrine gate*


*With the big Chinese tiger statue  *

It was noon already and we looked for something to eat just outside the shrine. We were so stunning with so many vegetarian food shop along both side to the end of the road and it was very crowded. Let's take a look at some delicious food...









Actually there was a lot of food that I wanted to show you but a lot of people and just a small walking path, made it inconvenient to take a photo. So this is the best my host and I can do

In the afternoon we went to Wat Chalong which is one of the most famous Buddhist temple in Phuket. It was built in the pure Thai style and dedicated to two highly venerable monks, Luang Pho Chaem and Luang Pho Chuang who with their knowledge of herbal medicine helped the injured of a tin miners rebellion in 1876.





*Beautiful Pagoda of Wat Chalong *

Walking outside I saw people selling small pieces of paper. My host told me it is Thai Lottery. Lottery is taken quite seriously as it is the only kind of gambling allowed here in Thailand. Usually, lottery tickets are drawn twice a month, which are the first day of the month (the 1st) and the 16th. Every ticket costs 80 baht which is the standard price. My host said that she doesn't have this kind of luck so she never buy it


*Thai Lottery...feel any luck  *

Next stop is Phromthep Cape which is the headland forming the extreme south end of Phuket. Up there we enjoyed the very wonderful view. Let's have a look


*The Famous Phromthep Cape *








*Enjoying the view *

And of course, the beaches!!! We're on the island, right?? Phuket beaches are very famous and beautiful with the white sand and crystal clear water. We've been to about 3 well-known beaches, Karon, Kata and Patong Beach.







The last stop at Patong beach, we were waiting to see the sunset there. And it was worth it.






*Sunset at Patong beach*

We started our new day with Dim Sum, a Chinese cuisine that people here in Phuket usually have for breakfast. It was probably the most fun breakfast I've ever had. They served a huge variety of different dishes, all in small portions, enough usually for a couple of bites - all delivered in small bamboo containers or a small bowls.



Then we went to Khao Rung Hill to catch a scenic view at the hill top. Up there I can see the whole town of Phuket!


*Phuket town's view from Kao Rung*

After that we came down and took a walk in the Phuket town. Passing one beautiful antique shop, we stopped and took pictures...







I noticed some colourful flowers in one shop we walked pass. My host told me this is the Orchid flower which usually grows in the tropical area like in Thailand. They are so beautiful so I took some pictures with them

In the afternoon we got on the long-tail ferry to Koh Yao Noi. It is a large beautiful  island in the middle of Phang Nga Bay, near Phuket and the Krabi mainland. About one hour, we arrived at our destination.


*On the boat  *

Here is where we were staying tonight, a small bungalow up on the hill near the beautiful beach. The owner said that it's high enough and safe from the Tsunami wave!



Now it was time to enjoy the sunset again!

We woke up early to catch the sunrise.... less than one minute walk from the bangalow and here it is! I still felt a little sleepy, but when I saw this stunning view...my eyes were wide opened




*Hello Sunshine, how are you?? *


*Walking on the sand*

We rent a motorcycle and rode around the island..then we stopped at the fresh market and looked for something to eat. The market was quite small and nothing much, but finally we found a little Hainanese chicken rice (rice steamed with chicken) shop...so here was our breakfast!


*On the ride*




*Also had some noodles*

Riding slowly around the island one more time for sightseeing..I can see the way of life of people here on Koh Yao Noi. Most of them own the rubber tree orchard as the rubber is the main agricultural product here in the south of Thailand.


*Rubber tree*


*One old lady who own the orchard was kind enough to show us the rubber tapping...how great! See the sap pouring down? *

Since the tragic incident "Tsunami" on Dec 26th, 2004 which also affected Koh Yao Noi, along the road there are signs that show the way to escape if the tsunami should hit again.

At noon we were back on the Phuket island and then headed to Surat Thani province. My host told me we're going to stay at Ratchaprapha or Chieo Lan Dam tonight. It is located some 82 km from the provincial capital. This rock and clay dam is 90 m high and 761 m long and its function as a dam covers an area of 6 valleys. 

It was around 5 pm when we left the pier in a long-tail boat. We headed to raft houses where we're going to spend the night.





Along the way we enjoyed the fresh air and the spectacular views of tall limestone mountains, vertical slopes, caves, the emerald colour water. It made me feel like in a dream!! 







About one hour and we arrived at the raft houses, take a look! It's my first time staying on a place like this...so excited!

This was our last day of the journey. We say goodbye to Surat Thani and drove back to Bangkok. We dropped by at the famous Amphawa market in Samut Songkhram province near Bangkok to find something to eat.

Actually the market wouldn’t start until late afternoon, however, as we walked towards the canal, we could see that some vendors had already set up their foodstalls. So many things to eat and see..just have a look!!








*Thai sweets and desserts...so pretty and colorful!*


*Sweet Grass jelly*


*Sour pork*


*Dried seafood  *


*This is called Meang, wrapping them with those leaves and then eat!*




*There are also some beautiful clothes shops...this is Thai style pattern*

Finally the this wonderful journey in Thailand was ended... I had so much fun seeing many things, people and places I have never seen before. It was such a great experience for me. I hope you all enjoy my story

Now I'm ready for my next host...
Goodbye Thailand...see you in Malaysia!

Hello mummy! I've reached Malaysia! Boy it sure is hot here! I've heard from my new host, Elaine, that there are no 4 seasons here, just like Thailand! I'm pretty exhausted from the journey so I won't be uploading any photos tonight!

Elaine is bringing me to the historical town of Malacca tomorrow! I'll be there with her for the weekend so if you don't see any updates from me until then don't worry, okay?

I love you!

Hello mummy! I've went to Malacca with my host, Elaine, and now we're at a small town called Kuala Pilah, in the state of Negeri Sembilan.

Let me show you what I did in Malacca!


This is me with her son, Hiro in the car on the way there! He's a very friendly hippo!


The first thing we did upon reaching was to go have lunch! We chose to eat the famous chicken riceballs! It's the specialty of Malacca so all the shops are very crowded!


While waiting for the food to arrive, I drank some delicous herbal tea!


Look, mummy! The white balls are actually rice! Aren't they cute? The black sauce on top is called black sweet soysauce. It's really delicious.  The brownish round thing on the right is braised egg, cooked for hours in herbs.


After that, I had some delicious Malacca pineapple tarts for dessert. Yummy!

The restaurant was very beautiful so Elaine took Hiro and I for a stroll, and we discovered many beautiful things!


We found a traditional cart used to transport luggage in the olden days!

We also found a beautiful golden staircase that goes all the way up!




And a mysterious corridor that looks like a Chinese palace! The images on the wall partitions were handpainted and decorated with gold!


I even got to sit on the emperor's throne! I look very small on it though!

After that we went on our way to visit other places in Malacca!

After eating lunch, we went looking for other interesting things to look at in Malacca!


I found a Malaysian postbox! It looks cute!

After that, we went to visit a temple called San Po Temple!


In front of the temple

There is a famous legend here regarding the Sultan of Malacca. He had a wife from China called Princess Li-Po and he loved her so much that he built her a personal well. Even during droughts, the water never ran dry and until today, those who drink the water from this well was said to return to Malacca again and again!


The well is now called the King's Well.


We're not allowed to drink anything from the well, so all we did was take pictures!


Don't I look cute? These are called "egg flowers" in Chinese! I think they're called plumerias in English, though. I took a picture with these flowers in India too, mummy!


Elaine also insisted on me taking a picture at the Orang Utan House! It's her favourite place in Malacca, where you can buy T-shirts that feature the paintings of a local artist called Charles Cham. It's really too bad that I'm so small - the shirts are all too big for me!


Before going back to the hotel, we visited the Christ Church Malacca. It's also called the Stadthuys! It's a big,  beautiful church that was built in 1573 by the Dutch missionaries.

It sure was a fun trip! I'm really tired now so I'm going to rest for a day or two before Elaine brings me anywhere else. I hope you enjoyed looking at my photos!

Malaysia is really unique, mummy. Elaine told me that Malaysia is a multi-racial country where everybody lives in harmony. She'll bring me out for lots of authentic Malaysian food after we get back to Kuala Lumpur.

Missing you lots!

Hello mummy! It's been a long time since I updated! Elaine has been busy with her finals at university so she couldn't bring me anywhere, but now that she has a break, she's going to bring me out to visit Malaysia again!

Tonight I will be visiting the state of Perak! Elaine's mother was born in a small village called Banir so we shall be seeing lots of greenery and local village sights!

I'm looking forward to visiting the countryside!

Take care,
Lots of love,
Mandy Sheep

Hello mummy! I had a fun weekend but I'm a bit sorry because there are no pictures of me at the state of Perak! (Elaine's father was having the camera and he wasn't around so she couldn't take any photos)

It was really fun there, though it was really really hot! It's even hotter than her home here in Klang!  There are many stray cows, chickens, cats and dogs here - it's just like the real countryside!

I've learned some words in the national language of Malaysia, the Malay language!!

Emak = mother/mum
Ayah = father/dad
Saya = Me/I
Nama saya Mandy = My name is Mandy
Apa khabar = How are you?
Khabar baik = I am fine
Terima kasih = Thank you
Sama-sama = You're welcome

Tomorrow, I will be following Elaine to her university, because she is having an exam tomorrow! If we're lucky she'll be able to take pictures of me with some nice buildings in Kuala Lumpur!

Lots of love,
Mandy Sheep

^O^/ Hi mummy! I went out with Elaine to her university yesterday. I was looking forward to taking pictures with the buildings in Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia, but it was raining so we couldn't do that. I was a bit disappointed but there's nothing we can do huh?

On the way back, I took pictures with the sunset! I hope we go out again today!