A few days in the forests of Thailand…
I’m in Thailand to spend about 4-6 days at the Sakaerat Environmental Research Station in Nakhon Ratchasima Province. It is a few hours bus ride northeast of Bangkok (about 300km).
Last time I was there, I didn’t get to stay very long or see very much. I’m glad to be able to spend several days in at the research station, which is in the dry dipterocarp and dry evergreen forest! Although I’m admittedly a newbie at outdoorsy things, I think I’m really going to enjoy this time here. It is nice and cool at night, and not too hot during the day. Continue Reading
[Review] Authentic Japanese ramen at Menya Musashi in Star Vista
Earlier this week, I went to Menya Musashi at the Star Vista (Buona Vista MRT station). It had been a while since I had a good bowl of ramen. I didn’t even have ramen when I was in Japan a few months ago in June, but finally got my fix.
I ordered the tomato tontoro (see photo)! It’s a new menu item that features a tomato based broth. It also has a scoop of mashed potatoes, slices of tomato, 2 slices of meat, half an egg, a sheet of seaweed, and scallions. I’ve only had broth this tasty in Japan, so I was really happy with my choice. The noodles were good, but nothing too outstanding. The real story is in the broth! It is thick, but not so much so that it is too rich to sip from the spoon and not feel gross. The rest of their menu is based on their 3 main broths: black, white, and red. The white is a tonkotsu broth made from pork bones, giving it a deep flavor. Next time, I think I would try the black. Continue Reading
[Review] Trip to 40Hands cafe in Singapore
40Hands is a coffee shop in a pretty neat neighborhood (Tiong Bahru), and I would like to live there if I can afford it someday! The neighborhood is known for all the small hipster cafes, bookshops, and bakeries. If you have time, wander around the neighborhood and you’ll find a few places to try. Here’s what I had at 40 Hands cafe. Continue Reading
Side trip from Tokyo! Lake Ashi in Hakone, Japan
When I was in Japan in June, I took a 2 day trip to Hakone which is in the nearby mountains. Lake Ashi is a crater lake surrounded by mountains. Going for the lake itself is worth the trip from Tokyo! I went in June for 2 days, 1 night, and enjoyed the ferries from dock to dock. It takes a few hours by train and other transportation to get from Shinjuku to the lake, but totally worth it! You can get the Hakone Pass for 2 or 3 days which allows you to take the train and then the cable car, ropeway, and the main ferry company. It is beside Mount Hakone which is a volcano that last erupted 3000 years ago, when it formed a caldera that has gradually filled with water over the years. The lake was really the main draw for me. It was relaxing to just be on the water and breath in the fresh air. It got a bit breezy and chilly, but I didn’t mind. It was glorious to be on a boat on a beautiful lake and see green mountains all around! I spent most of my free time taking the ferry from dock to dock, and had just enough time to check out the Hakone Shrine (箱根神社, Hakone Jinja) before catching the last ferry back to where I stayed.
Fun stuff and a quick lunch at Tokyu Hands Department Store in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan! And possibly the best mechanical pencil ever!
Tokyu Hands is a department store in Japan that has sections of floors dedicated to various things you might need. I swear that half a floor was filled with pens, pencils, and other writing implements. Another half of a floor was dedicated to paper and paper goods. They also have DIY, kitchen, model planes and vehicles, and several other categories. According to their website, sushi goods, health related goods, train related goods, hot/cold insulated boxes for food, and grooming goods are the top 5 most popular among customers. But they do seem to have a bit of everything!
Update: They also have 2 locations in Singapore now.
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My aunt and I had some congee for dinner one night at a small small shop in an alley in Bangkok. It was right outside the hotel, which was in a neighborhood just north of the Mo Chit BTS station. Fresh Congee in Bangkok
My aunt and I had some congee for dinner one night at a small small shop in an alley in Bangkok. It was right outside the hotel, which was in a neighborhood just north of the Mo Chit BTS station. Having grown up eating congee, usually the plain kind, I can really appreciate a nice hot bowl of congee. This isn’t your typical Bangkok street food, but it’s delicious and healthy! I had never thought to get congee in Bangkok, but it’s a nice alternative to fried food options. Continue Reading
We bought 2 mangoes, with a package of warm sticky rice, and small bag of coconut milk. We brought them back to my hotel room to cut and assemble for a delicious dessert. A trip to Or Tor Kor Market for fresh mango with sticky rice, my favorite Thai dessert!
If you have never had Thai golden mangoes, then please feast your eyes on this photo of delicious fresh cut mango with sticky rice and coconut milk! I went to a famous Bangkok food market to get some.
A few weekends ago, I was in Bangkok, Thailand for meetings, but had some time to hang out with my Aunt who lives there. She took me to this market where they sold the best quality of every fruit or traditional Thai food you could think of. It is called Or Tor Kor Market. This is the place to go for the freshest and best tasting fruit and produce you can find in Bangkok. It is a bit pricier than other markets, but all items have made the cut to be presented there. They are definitely worth the extra money for the occasional splurge! These mangoes were so delicious that I don’t think I can eat mango in Singapore (or possibly anywhere else) ever again. Really! Continue Reading
First press conference, Fall Out Boy at the Butter Factory!
Fall Out Boy was one of my first favorite rock bands, and I think they just might become a favorite again. Tonight I got to seem them in the flesh at a press conference for their 2013 album titled “Save Rock and Roll” at the Art Bar in the nightclub Butter Factory here in Singapore.
Press conference for “Save Rock and Roll” at the Art Bar, the Butter Factory, in Singapore.
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Moving to Singapore from USA: general tips and best/worst
Moving to Singapore from USA was a big deal for me, since the climate is so tropical and it is really far from home! Here are some general tips and my list of best/worst decisions I made when making the move. Hopefully they’ll be helpful for your move if you are planning one! You can find more resources on this page. (Updated 09 November 2016)
If you are instead interested in moving to the USA, check out my other post on that topic. You’ll also find more general tips on my resources page for moving to Singapore. Continue Reading
Reasons why I’m not living on campus
I chose not to pursue on-campus housing at National University of Singapore (NUS), mostly for personal reasons. I could probably get by living in dormitories, but I feel like I have already outgrown it a bit and below are some reasons why I’m so happy living off campus. I do have to pay a bit more for rent, but I think for me the benefits outweigh the costs. Continue Reading
Hey, I'm Chewy! I'm a science journalist currently living in New York. I'm an introvert who likes to see new things and learn. Here I write about my travels and musings about food, places and cultures. Check out my photos, reviews, and random thoughts!