Day 4 @ Hippo x Turkey < Sultanhani Caravanserai . Saratly Underground City >

When travelling in Turkey, we spent a lot of time travelling on road from one city to another.
The average travelling time from one place to another was about 1 1/2 to 3 hours.
And, on the 4th day, we had the longest time sitting inside the bus.
Unlike in Europe countries, you can see beautiful views while driving along the highway.
In Turkey, there are more deserts covered on the outskirt areas.
Lucky me that I had prepared my book, MP3, and movies to help me pass the time in the boring ride. #nyeknyeknyek



Well, getting to Cappadocia took us about 6 - 7 hours drive from Pamukkale.
This was the longest ride among the other locations around Turkey.
My leg, my neck, my hip, my whole body were so uncomfortable after sitting too long in the bus.
Thanks to our driver, he must be more tired than us!



Sultanhani Caravanserai (Sultan Han) is the first stop after 6 hours drive.
This Sultan Han was built in year 1229 by Sultan Alaeddin, and it is one of the most famous Caravanserai in Turkey.
I was with the beautiful carved main entrance of the Sultan Han in this picture. #hehe



At Sultan Han, you can experience the life of the caravans during their silk road journey.
This is the place for the travelers to stop for a rest where the caravans spent their night, put their camels at the appointed sections, upgrade their equipment, resting before their next journey.





Again, the building is very impressive and leaves you wondering how long it have taken to design and build this big structure, also how the ancient people were able to built it so strong and durable without the advanced technology from the modern society.
It's so unbelievable!



It has a huge courtyard which surrounded by rooms for merchants, mosque, kitchen, bathrooms, large vaulted hall for camels and so on.
The small mosque is situated in the center of the courtyard.
While the big space with few divisions that be situated behind me in this picture is the administration room, kitchen, bathrooms, and rooms for merchants.



This is the square stone kiosk-mosque of Sultan Han.
You can climb up to the stone building, and put your head out from the roof window. #canyouseethelittlehead


 

The last building situated behind looks pretty worn and old.
It looks actually quite dim from inside, but with the helps of the natural lighting from outside, it reflect the dome naturally.



It is a small place, and not as spectacular as the structures you can see at Ephesus, but it's worth a stop.
At the same time, you can across the street, to get a pay bathrooms, a cafe for tea and snacks, and get some cheap souvenirs like postcards, silk scarfs, magnets, etc at the merchandise store.
Btw, loving this shoot from my dad; he was such a pro photographer for me during this trip. #lol



Another 1 hour plus, we finally arrived at Cappadocia.
The first attraction place to visit in the late afternoon was the Saratli Underground City, located at Saratly town at Cappadocia.
There are many underground cities in Turkey, and Saralti is one of the famous one.



For the old people, be extra careful with your footsteps inside the cave because it is dark and the stone walk isn't the smooth. 
For people who have back problems, you might feel very uncomfortable because you have to bend your back while walking throughout the cave and the cave are really deep down. 


The Underground City believed that it was established for defensive purpose during the war-time.
It was used to protect themselves against the war, attacks and persecution. 
They built this underground city as their living spaces and added secret tunnels to connect with each other and the ventilation system.
Total 7 storey which include kitchen, bathrooms, bedrooms, chapels, garages and others. 



There are many steps and ladders to go from one floor to another, and the passage was very narrow and slippery like in these two pictures.
Anyway, the tour inside the cave wasn't that long, whereby you can finish the visit within 15-20 minutes (depends how fast you can walk and how much time you need inside the cave).



After all, it was a nice experience especially seeing each corners were carved out of the rocks.
Do make a short stop here if you have extra free time in your itinerary!



Yea! Mission completed! #letsbeer



From this picture, you can imagine how narrow and deep the cave is.
You probably will start wondering how small size the olden people were. #haha





At the exist there, you can see many women selling hand-made dolls.
If you are interested in such hand-made dolls as a souvenier for yourself or others, you can give your support to them.
If I am not wrong, I didn't see these hand-made dolls again at the other souvenier shops I been to.



Alright, that's all for day 4!
Coming up next with the beautiful Cappadocia, another favourite place of mine in Turkey!
So, see you again soon!



My outfit of today:
Top: Korea
Jumpsuit: Korea
Scarf: Hong Kong
P/S Taken this picture at the cave hotel which we stayed for two nights; I will cover this extraordinary experience on my next post too!

Tsubohachi Hokkaido Izakaya @ Publika

When we get offered too many choices, we shut down.
The same thing happens whenever I go to Publika, I've always wonder what to choose to have since this place is overloaded with many good restaurants and cafes.
Ya right, I do have a serious phobia of choosing or making decisions. #lol
Anyway, today's post is about a new authentic Japanese restaurant located at Publika which just opened like 3 months ago. #claphands #welcome





Headquarter in Hokkaido Japan, Tsubohachi Izakaya Hokkaido finally landed in Malaysia.
It is a popular Japanese restaurant in Japan with more than 300 outlets, a very huge number isn't!?
At here, customers not only can taste the authentic Japanese food, they can also gather for various types of drinks on their menu.
Read till the end of the post to discover what are the delicious drinks they have. #hehe



There is an indoor and outdoor dining area, with the style of the Japanese ambiance feel.
The indoor dining area has painted with earth-tone colours, meanwhile the space is decorated with wooden normal chairs and tables, and red lanterns on the ceiling.



There are more and more restaurants embracing the open kitchen concept, so does Tsubohachi!
 

One of the interior decoration caught my attention is the three wooden bathtubs located in the middle of the restaurant.
It looks so adorable and definitely stand out from the crowd!



Besides, Tsubohachi also owns a few traditional Japanese-style rooms with tatami mats on the floor.
For any gathering purpose, you may book these rooms in advance to enjoy your privacy moments.



So, are you ready to nom with me? Let's get this started with the appetizers.
Nankotsu Karaage @ RM18.90; these look like french fries, indeed they are deep fried chicken bone.



Eihire @ RM12.90 is a grilled ray fin, dip with mayonnaise sauce.
Very chewy texture and I suggest you to munch it together with alcohols. :)



Tsubohachi has it's special salad named Ramen Salada @ RM16.90.
It includes noodle, lettuce, onion, slice fried egg, cucumber, bacon, leek, carrot, cherry tomatoes and drizzles with sesame dressing.
Don't you think it looks like the Chinese Yu Sheng?! #hehe



At first, I thought this is a kind of dessert, but I was wrong.
Poteta Mentaiko Yaki @ RM13.90 is the Hokkaido style mashed potato.
It is a bit disappointing because it's too oily for me, probably because it is a deep fried dish.



Ontama Tsukune Teppanyaki @ RM12.90, is grilled minced chicken with one half boiled egg, and serve in a hot pan.
The texture is like the classic Cantonese style steamed pork patty.
It can be one of my favourite if it serves without the half boiled egg (I don't take any half boiled eggs) . #lol 



Poteto Mentaiko Yaki @ RM13.90 is another potato dish in the restaurant.
It also serves in a hot plate as well with a mixed of potatoes, seasoned cod roe, cheese and mayonnaise.



There are many Yakitori choices at Tsubohachi, while I will only highlight 3 of them for today.
Negima @ RM7.80 for 2 sticks which includes the chicken thigh and onion.



Torikawa @ RM7.80 for 2 sticks.
They grilled the chicken skin until crispy and tasty, awesome!



Seseri is chicken neck meat, which also cost RM7.80 with 2 sticks.
All the grilled Yakitori are very juicy, and smelled heavenly!



Tsubohachi has some traditional grilled seafood all the way from Japan to you too.
Karei Karaage @ RM42.50 is a fabulous deep fried flounder.
No worries about the fish bones, because the bones can be eaten as well.
For a big fish lover like me, I almost can eaten the whole fish by myself! #nokidding



Another grilled seafood is Hokke Hiraki @ RM52.90.
This grilled Atka Mackerel is better and suggest to eat with alcohol, or else you will find it tastes way tooooo salty!



Tonpeiyaki @ RM12.90 is my most favourite because it has all my favourite of omlett, sliced pork and cabbage. Thumbs up for this!


Sake No Chanchan Yaki @ RM21.50, looks like Teppanyaki because it has vegetables at the bottom of salmon on a hot plate.


Ishikari Nabe @ RM19.90, is another salmon dish but cook with Miso soup.
The soup is very clear and it is more like a healthy food to have. 


Kamameshi is a special pot rice that is cook in front of you.
It takes 20-25 minutes to cook it, yet I am sure you will wait impatiently when the smell comes out from the pot. 
 

There are 3 types Kamameshi and this is Hokkai Kamameshi @ RM36.90, which includes salmon, scallop and king crab.
This dish has no doubt to be one of the highlight from the restaurant!



Nagashi Somen Setto @ RM27.90 is the most fun dish to try.
You may tried many soba noodles at the other Japanese restaurants before, but Tsubohachi soba noodle is something that will create a new kind of dining experience for you.





Whenever you are ready, dunk in the cucumber, cherry tomato, mandarin orange and soba noodle, and let it flow with the ice-cold circulation.
The ice water that goes around in circular motions will keep the chilled temperature of the dishes.





Grab the soba noodle with your chopstick and add a little bit of shredded cucumber, onions and wasabi in the chilled mentsuyu (noodle dipping sauce).
Oh man! This really tempted to have more and more!



Buta Hakusai Nabe @ RM29.90 is another favourite of mine in Tsubohachi.
The claypot like that comes with only pork belly and cabbage which has arranged nicely by layer.
The soup is so flavourful with it's natural sweetness.
I would recommend you to order one pot for sharing, or else you are eating way too much meat.



Sugar cravings strike after the heavy meal?
Here you go, Yuzu ice-cream @ RM9.90 per scoop with a bit of taste like lemon.
This will help to cleanse and refresh your palate after all the heavy dishes.



Matcha De Roru @ RM14.90 has 5 pieces of green tea crepe which rolled with red bean, rice cake and vanilla ice-cream.


Shiratama Matcha Kurimu Zenzai @ RM12.90 has rice flour dumplings with green tea ice-cream and red beans.



Kakurenbo Aisu @ RM14.90 is a combination of rice cake, red bean with vanilla and green tea ice-cream.



As promised, Tsubohachi has a huge drinks menu.
From the wide range of beer, sake, cocktails, wine, Japanese whisky, mocktails, soft drinks and tea.
Asahi Sub-Zero @ RM25.80 (2 pints) is the first draft beer in Malaysia that serve -2 below freezing point at -2℃.


Wanna have the sake in a traditional Japanese way?
Try this which they serve with a square wooden box.



Whisky on the rock or me?! #lol



Ginger Highball (suntory whisky with ginger ale) @ RM20, is a Japanese popular drinking style with it's alcohol and non-alcohol mixtures.
If you do not like the strong taste of alcohol, this probably would be your great choice because it has a bit sweet in taste.



Grapefruit Liquor @ RM11.80 is one of the sour drinks which let your squeeze your own grapefruit for yourself.
Once you finish squeezing, you then pour it into the soda drink.

 

Tsubohachi aims to provide the most unique yet relaxing and fun dining experience to you.
It is a casual place for you to enjoy authentic Japanese food, plus for your social drinking after-work.
Will I visit again? The answer is definitely YES! YES!
#1 Ontama Tsukune Teppanyaki, #2 Karei Karaage, #3 Tonpeiyaki, Kamameshi pot rice, #4 Nagashi Somen and #5 Buta Hakusai NabeSetto, are all my favourites!



Tsubohachi Hakkaido Izakaya
A2-UG1-9, Publika Solaris Dutamas,
50480 Hartamas Heights,
Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 603 8206 5526
Website: http://www.tsubohachi.com.my/
FB: Tsubohachi Malaysia
Opening hours: Mon - Sun 1130am - 3pm, and 530pm till closing


Bye 2015 @ Hi 2016

While everyone were planning for their new year countdown, I am sitting in my room, having a glass of white wine and typing this post.
1 more hour before we say goodbye to 2015, are you guys ready for the brand new year?
Time flies too fast! To be honest, I am not ready at all!
I have too much challenges in 2015, and I really wish my 2016 will be better and more successful!
Same as the previous years, I would like to reveal my highlights from 2015 for today.



#1 I went to Bangkok, Vietnam and GuangZhou for my last business trip in my previous company.
All the trips were very good although it was tiring for sure, but I really enjoyed the process of meeting new people, talking to them and sharing each experiences together.



#2 I visited Kuching 2 times in this year for the best friends' gathering.
Friends come and go, but what we need is those who are sincere to accompany through ups and downs, and I am glad to have them in my life!
Even though we do not meet each other so often, but distance don't fade our true friendship!
Quote said: True friends are like stars, you don't always see them but they are always there! #thisissotrue



#3 Finally I am not single and available anymore!
Me and Lik got married in February 2015.
This year is our 4th anniversary celebration, and next year we are going to have our wedding ceremony.
We are excited to build a family of our own together. #wishusluck



#4 I quit my well-paying job in my previous company.
Making such big decision is not easy since I have been with the company for 7 years plus.
To be honest, it was hard in the beginning, but I am glad that I found the courage to move on!
Thank you so much for always supporting me! You know who you are!



#5 There is a big change in my blogging life.
I have been invited to different events and reviews in this year, and I felt great to be recognized in this industry.
One thing I know for sure is that I really enjoy blogging, it makes me feel absolutely satisfying!
Once again! Thank you very much for all the opportunities!



#6 I can do my own Vlog now!
I feel so proud of myself that I learnt every steps and solved each errors all by myself.
Though I am not as good as the other youtubers, but I believe practice makes perfect.



#7 Couldn't believe that I will fall in love with the K-pop bands until I met Big Bang at their world tour of MADE in 2015.
The concert was the best I've ever been to!



#8 In my 2015 new year's resolution, I said that I want to visit Korea again.
I made it happened in October with my secondary school friends.
Thanks so much for the beautiful trip!



#9 I went to Turkey with my parents right after the trip in Korea.
Turkey trip was really a spiritual experience for me, and it was more excited when I got to explore and uncover the new country together with my parents.



#10 Call me lady boss!
I started my own business which supply all types of uniforms.
Yea! If your company is looking for any uniforms, please do not forget to contact me!



2015 is over!
I am happy to meet everyone in 2015.
I surely have gained something from you all either it is positive or negative which has enforced and reinforced my life.
My new year's resolutions for 2016 are:
#1 My business will grow bigger and faster.
#2 I get more readers and followers to my blog.
#3 I want to travel around the world!
#4 Peaceful world!
#5 All families and friends stay healthy and happy!


Lastly, I hope you all have a blessing and successful 2016!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!