Bali

Made a trip to Bali for a few days around August 2019 when James came to visit. This was my 2nd time in Bali but this time I spent much longer on the island and the days were centred around surfing all day and trying out different restaurants at night. Didn't manage to do any nature walks or trips to the mountains this time because we wanted to spend most of the day surfing and by the time we were done it was close to sunset and time for dinner. Some of the places we went to:

Ku De Ta 

The first night we arrived we had dinner at Ku De Ta which was in Seminyak itself and not too far from the hotel. They had an infinity pool overlooking the beach and huge plush bean bags and side tables with heated lamps next to it. Probably one of my favourite restaurants in Bali because it had such a chilled out vibe to it. The had music playing but not loud enough that it felt like you were at a club. I had the best lamb and olive pizza with mediterreanean dips.

Potatohead Beach Club 

The second night we had dinner at the Potatohead beach club which is probably the most elaborate restaurant set-up I have ever been to in my life. Its about 4 different restaurants in a dome shaped building with an infinity pool in the centre. The food here was so good, we had ayam berempah and terung belado with sambal belacan. I still get cravings for terung belado now. It gets quite cool at night and much less humid whereas its scorching hot in the day with so much humidity.

Finn's beach club 

Finn's was probably my least favourite of all the places we went to. Very much more of a club-vibe. People were literally bouncing of the walls and they had the music blasting. Food was really nice though, and they had everything from pizza and pasta to sushi. Would have definitely appreciated this place more when I was younger. I'm too old for the rave life now.

Motel Mexicola 


This was one of the best restaurants I've ever been to in my life! If you're ever in Bali you have to come here! It's based in Seminyak which was not far from our hotel. The food here was to die for. They serve tapas and there's so many options to choose from, but between the 2 of us we finished about 6 plates. We ordered the calamares, taco de pollo, empanadas, quessadillas and a few other tacos that I can't remember now. Everything was so good! Slightly dissapointed that we only came here for the last night because I probably would have gone here twice if I had known how good the food was going to be. It had the most beautiful art deco walls meet Coco furniture, tiki lamps outside, and overall very 60s glam but with tropical fluorescent lights. This was definitely one of the highlights of Bali.

One of my favourite holiday spots and definitely affordable if you plan ahead. Bali, we'll be back!

Les 3 Vallées

After Christmas and over New Years this year I went skiing for the first time. We had a chalet in Les 3 Vallées in France which is also the largest ski area in the world. I was super excited because I've never gone skiing before, my family had gone skiing without me in South Korea a couple years earlier and I always felt that I really missed out on that trip. The journey there took a whole day because we had to get from Leeds to London and then get the Eurostar to Paris central station and then an internal Paris metro to get to another station to catch the connecting train to the Alps. It was such a journey and James and I wanted to try French McD's whilst waiting for the connecting train which took so long that we almost missed the train and didn't even manage to find the McD's. Paris was having strikes at the time so the Metro wasn't running properly and there was so much traffic because they had closed roads for the strike. It was pure chaos getting to the Alps. Once we got off the last train we got in a mini-van which took us up the mountain and this took almost 2 hours. Then we didn't know how to get the keys to get into the chalet and we were struggling with the passcode until this Russian group opened the (safe?) which had the keys. Got to the chalet and the air was so thin that I struggled to breathe a little bit. 

Day One 

The chalet is midway up a hill so to get down to the base of the mountain you need to ski down a blue. The difficulty of the slopes started off with easy greens, blues, reds, and blacks which were the hardest. That first day I could barely manage to stand on the slopes long with skis. Skiing down was a nightmare. Looking back I must have been awful to teach, I cried so many times and had multiple breakdowns. Skiing is honestly so difficult when you're first starting out. And I felt like I was slowing everyone down since everyone else in the group had been skiing for years. James was so patient throughout my many fits but when we got back he said I definitely needed private ski lessons tomorrow.  Skiied back up to the chalet and went down this monstrous slope called Purdue which is a green but for some reason incredibly hard. I just kept falling and basically rolled down the mountain. I fell down so many times and when we got back I couldn't get my ski boots off and cried about that on the stairs before going in the chalet. Got in the shower and realised I had massive bruises all over my hips and red welts on my back where the snow had rubbed up against when I fell. Took pictures to send to the family group and they said it was normal. If I'm struggling this much I have no idea how they managed South Korea. 

Day Two 

Had my first ski lesson today which was so much better than day one because we practiced on an easier slope. My ski teacher was this really chilled out guy who brought me down some easy greens that were Frozen themed. Learned how to snow plough, how to stop, how to balance on one leg, how to turn. Honestly ski lessons made learning so much easier. Came back and had lunch at this burger restaurant that took about 2.5 hours (not exaggerating!) to get our orders out because it was peak ski season and many of their staff had ski injuries and were off work. Skiied back up to the chalet and went down yesterday's Purdue. Fell down alot still but not as bad as the first day. 

Day Three 

Last day of 2019! Didn't have any ski lessons today but did some greens with James. Had such a bad fall here that my knee was throbbing the whole day. Only did half a day today and came back to the chalet for lunch and then drinks at this bar with the girls. The boys needed pro ski time and the break was needed for me. Prosecco evening girls time was probably the highlight of this day. Got back to the chalet, had dinner and then played board games and cards all night. Everyone was asleep before the midnight on New Years which isn't new for us because James can't stay up past 11pm. 

Day Four

New Year's Day and more lessons for me with my french ski instructor. Met with the same ski instructor again and we practiced on some greens and blues. Told him how difficult Purdue was for me and he brought me up and down a slightly different path which was so much easier. After the lesson I tried to navigate back the same path but I'm so bad with directions we ended up right back at the start of Purdue. It was not bad at all today! Managed to get all the way down without falling down even once. Purdue was the hardest thing on day one and two but manageable now. I think its harder for me to ski when I'm with James but when I'm with other people I just get on with it because pride and also they might just leave me on the mountain. 

Day Five 

Skiing in a group again today. I wish I remembered the names of the slopes that I went down a bit better but I'm horrible at navigating and just followed the group. Went down mostly blues today which were super icy and diffiuclt to turn. Didn't fall down once even thought whilst I was skiing all I could think about is I'm going way too fast and I can't stop and shit if I break something how will I get anywhere. Super pleased that I managed to keep up today. My knee was still throbbing and turns were getting harder but skill wise I was improving which made skiing fun at last. Craziest thing that happened was right before we broke for lunch Beth had a fall which didn't look too bad because she got up and skiied down not long after but after lunch she couldn't walk anymore. Had to call the emergency ambulance and be taken down the mountain in what looked like a mobile coffin. It was so horrible and painful and her knee was so swollen it was twice the size of the other leg.

Day Six 

Went skiing behind the mountain today so it was so much colder. Went down a slope called Jerusalem which had the most amazing views and barely any people on it. People were dressed so stylishly on the slopes in cute overalls or matching rainbow stiped top and bottoms. Had dinner out for the first time in a really good Italian restaurant. The desserts at this restaurant were really good and I had so much wine that walking back was such a struggle. We decided to walk back up the mountain on the snow instead of taking the steps and the air was so thin because it was late at night that I had an asthma attack and had to stop. Everyone else went up the mountain like they were walking up a flight of stairs even though the incline was ridiculously steep. Including James mum who was in her 60s. Had to make a detour and find the steps up and an hour later we were back at the chalet. 

Day Seven 

The end of the ski trip! Travel back to Leeds was again a whole day affair because the trains were cancelled so we had to take a 2 hour drive to get us to a different train station so we could get a connecting train to Paris Gare du Nord. Metro was running again so got on that in good time. Got back to London at around 7pm and then stayed over at Nottingham to have Annie's breakfast and then back to Leeds the next day.

This was such a nice trip skiing was amazing and definitely something you can pick up as an adult. Before I go the next time though I need to train alot more because you can't ski very well without strong leg muscles... and I am not as fit as I could be. 

Pictures from the Trip 

Part 3 of Tokyo

I keep starting and not finishing this post and now it's the 17th of February and I can only remember snippets of that last day. I'm going to try and finish this today before I forget completely. 

Our last full day in Tokyo!

Akihabara 

Started the day at Akihabara which was not too far from the hotel. This is where most of the outrageous things you hear about Japan are located like maid cafes, sex toy souveneir shops, owl cafes. It was quite close to the hotel, only a couple stops on the overground train that we had access to with our JR pass. Right as we were walking out of the train station I spotted this small little cafe, conveyor belt sushi! It looked like a chain restaurant and not as authentic as those stand alone ones would be but we had already made two attempts at going for conveyor belt sushi and the first time the queue was way too long and the second was when we got separated in the Tsujiki fish market and Ma and A went but E, Baba and I didn't. It was quiet and we were the first ones in seeing as it was only 9 am. Caused quite a ruckus when we first got in as ma thought she had lost her phone and we were frantically searching for it before realising it was in her coat pocket. 

Conveyor belt sushi 

The restaurant was set up like a bar and there were two chefs in the centre slicing and dicing and serving up the sushi right infront of you. There were also little taps that ran across the bar where you could get steaming hot water to make your own green tea. Everything you need was already set infront of you, soy sauce, wasabi, chopsticks, little bowls and plates, green tea powder to make the tea. 

A very happy E 

Green tea on tap

Tried eel sushi for the first time and definitely won't be trying it again. Slimy and no real flavour. I did try something else for the first time that's changed my view on sushi forever, shrimp with pesto! One of the best sushi I have ever tried in my life. You think it doesn't go but then you try it and wonder how no one else does it because its so so good. I'm going to be looking for pesto shrimp in every place I go to now. 

MY FAVE PESTO SHRIMP

Ueno Park 

After brunch we got back on the train and headed to Ueno Park. There were cute little pagados, lakes with ducks, autumnal trees, vendors selling ice cream. Cool but not freezing, super clean walkways surrounded by huge willowy trees, little prayer temples every so often, and a starbucks smack in the middle of it. Reminded me a little of Central Park in New York as they had an art musseum attached to the corner of the park like the MET. Tried a green tea latte which tasted awful, like spirulina mixed with hot water. I don't think I'm a fan of green tea infused things. 

Temples in the park 

5 tiered pagoda temple feat A 

Harajuku 

Went back to Harajukku because A wanted to go to the Nike store. The main feel of Harajuku was that it was a high end flea market. Vintage clothes, pre-loved Balenciaga's, nitrogen ice cream. Ma and E spent a good hour at a charm making store where you could pick and design your own charms. They were really pretty, and Ma does have an eye for designing things, she's also probably the most trendiest person I know. I didn't make one because it's pretty in the moment but I rarely wear these things.

Nike store

Pandora ain't got nothing on this place

Pre-loved is re-loved

Had dinner at this restaurant near our hotel after trying and failing to get a table at about 4 other places. The queue took ages because everyone was out for new years eve. 

Carnivourous 

Definitely going to miss Japan. Tokyo and everything about it was just magical, it's in a league of it's own. Till we meet again Japan, sayanora! 

Signing off, 2018

Part 2 Tokyo

Started this post but it's been so incredibly difficult to get back to it for some reason. I keep starting and stopping and before you know it it's already been 3 weeks and so much has happened since my last carefree holiday. I'm supposed to be working right now, it's Sunday (20th Jan) but procrastination strikes and here I am so back to Japan it is! 

- - - 

Something I wanted to talk about is our morning routine. Usually on family holidays me and E share a room and stay up late watching movies, making a mess, waking up late, fighting over who answers the door when ma comes in to yell at us for being late in the mornings. This time though, there were three of us sharing a room and it's probably the fact that we've all grown up a little but it was so easy! No morning fights, everyone gets up and does their own thing in their own time, all of us getting ready around the same time and we're ready to leave by 8am! This would not have been possible a few years ago. Truth be told, E and A are alot more organized and disciplined and easy to manage then I was at their age. 

Fish market (Tsujiki)

Started of the day at Tokyo's famous fish market. Tsujiki's fish market is right by a harbour (or port?) and the fisherman unload their day's catch and take it straight to the market, slice it up right in front of you, pack it in ice and it's ready for sale. Restaurants send their chefs to buy the fish daily and so do the locals. Quality is so important here in Japan, and it doesn't get any fresher than this. There's also tons of quaint little sushi shops around the area, as well as tiny speciality stalls that do finger food like shrimp on sticks or fried squid for you to snack on whilst you're doing your shop. There's also a tuna auction that can go up to the thousands for the most premium fish at 5am! They take their product very seriously. 

The only issue I have with the fish market was the crowd! I don't know how they fit that many people in such a confined area. It felt like you were at a fish concert. That being said, there was absolutely no fishy smells and the whole area was so clean. The Japanese take organization to another level. No surpise that this culture produces the likes of Marie Kondo. There was even a tourist information centre in the market.

The crowd at 8.30 am. And it doesn't die down all day!

Fresh shrimp, salted and torched to perfection. 

Lunch! Got separated in the crowds and couldn't actually find each other so me, E and baba had lunch here and Ma and A went for conveyor belt sushi. 

Got coffee and coffee coffee-custard ice cream at the littlest cafe before we left. It was divine. 

Shinjuku 

Next up, we went to Shinjuku which I'd describe as a techies haven. Five storied tech departmental store buildings with all the latest gadgets and whatnots. A and Baba were super excited and we spent about 2 hours in one shop looking at cables. Thankfully they had a beauty floor right above so me and E got cheap facemasks. Quite excited to try the lot out when I'm back home.

Another thing they're known for here are their arcades. I'm not that into arcades because it's so easy to get sucked in, and they're designed in such a way that you think you have a chance but really you don't. (clearly I'm still bitter I didn't win that wreck it ralph plushie i spent 20 bucks on). One thing that was quite cool was their photo booth stall in the arcade. OU used to have a similar one ages ago, not sure what it was called, that you could go in and take a picture with your friends and then design it adding stickers and what not and then it prints as tiny little pictures that you could keep in a locket or in your wallet. Didn't want to try it but ma made us, and it turned out so nice. You could add all kinds of edits and the end result turns out to be a cross between a insta filter and a manga character. 

Got on the train with our JR passes and a couple stops later ended up at LUMINE in the Ikebukuro district. Walked around Lumine a couple times, Ma wanted to check out Japanese boutiques (she is honestly the most fashionable person I know), E wanted to check out the stationary, A wanted to see sporting goods, and Baba just wanted out. Shopping is his least favourite activity and I can only be in a shop for so long before I get antsy. 

Wandered into Kate Spade, I always liked browsing but never bought anything because it felt way out of my budget. I love their designs because it's the right mix of classy and young, but not too out there and 'runway' that it looks tacky. They were having a massive christmas and new years sale at the time so bags that were in the thousands were discounted to a couple hundred ringgit, and tourists got further tax discounts but I'm so picky when it comes to anything above myr 50 so I was a little unsure about getting anything. But then I saw her! This beautiful leather, navy-blue and beige mix satchel bag and I was in love. It's so practical and most importantly, it's something I would never have bought normally. 2019 Sarah's motto when it comes to buying things is what would ma buy and what would I normally avoid because looks need to evolve and I don't think anythings changed in the last 10 or so years. 

There she is!

Henry's @ Shibuya 

It was getting pretty late at this point so we headed to Henry's Burgers for dinner. Ma had seen this somewhere years ago and was like we need to try this! It was a basic burger joint, only one thing on the menu, cheeseburger with chips and a drink. The Japanese wagyu patty was so light and meaty at the same time. 

Headed back to the hotel and sleep time! 

Facemask count: 4 (Lululun Blue for hydration) Okay definitely not a placebo because even in the super drying weather my face feels hydrated. In love with Japanese skin care. 

6 floors of loft

First full day of Tokyo today! Planning our Tokyo itinerary was tricky because it's so much bigger than we thought it was going to be. There isn't a single tour you can take that covers all of Tokyo because there are so many different areas and within those areas most of the sights are narrow streets you need to walk through branching out into many smaller streets. So we picked a few highlights and decided to go about it on our own.

Shibuya 

After grabbing a light breakfast at a nearby bakery we got on the subway and 8 stops later arrived at Shibuya Station for our first stop, Shibuya Scramble Crossing Road. The crossing has been featured in many movies, postcards, and is known to be the one of the busiest streets. Four streets converging in the centre with thousands of people crossing at the same time, magnificiently organized chaos. 

Shibuya Scramble Crossing

Right after a crossing craze, you can already see people lining up on the other side. 

Round the corner from the crossing was the famous Hachiko dog statue from it's namesake movie about a loyal dog who waited for his owner even after he passed away. 

The queue to take a picture with this was ridiculously long.

Next up was Shibuya Loft which was a department store with 6 floors filled with anything from electronics, toys, humidifiers, japanese tea sets. Spent about two hours here because there were just so many interesting things to see even though the packaging was mostly in Japanese and we didn't know what exactly the things were. We found Su a bonsai tree set that he could grow himself since he's into terrariums now, face masks for me, and stationary for E. I really loved the skincare section, they just had so many products most of which you couldn't find anywhere else. Moisturising face spray, jelly face masks, Tokyo really is a shopping haven. 

Japanese drugstore makeup 

Cute polaroid cameras & disposable ones 

Skincare products

The streets of Shibuya are all brightly lit, big signs in neon lights with a million people rushing around. If you're in a group it's easy to get separated and we had to keep looking around making sure everyone was still following. Baba had the map, the rest of us were quite quick, and then Ma trailing behind.

Shopping district of Shibuya

Harajukku 

Early winter sunsets

Didn't manage to catch the Studio Ghibli studio tours but we did find this massive toy land which had a little bit of Studio Ghibli merc but not much. I didn't get anything but it was nice to see. 10 year old me would have been so excited, I was obsessed with my neighbour totoro and especially spirited away. E was still so traumatised (I made her watch Spirited away when she was about 5) and refused to touch the No-Face doll haha.

No Face

Started to get really cold at this point, the temperature dips at night and the wind doesn't help. Walked through the heart of Harajukku which are made up of tiny little streets with smaller shops than Shibuya but just as lit up and busy. Saw the cutest little owl cafe but E didn't want to go in because the baby owls were tied to their handlers and it was quite sad for them to spend their lives in a cafe for our amusement.

US minus A huddled up in the cold.

Burlesque ice cream parlour 

Matcha kitkat anyone? 

The main attraction here for me were the Japanese crepes! They had them on every corner, and they all looked identical; a few people operating out of a van handing out tens of crepes with the toppings of your choice every few minutes. They were delicious! I stupidly said I'd just share with everyone but no one wanted to share with me except ma and then I understood why. I finished hers and she went back to get more. They're super thin pancakes piled with ice-cream, almonds, drizzled chocolate sauce or nutella and a fruit wrapped into a tortilla looking wrap and then piled high with whipped cream. A thousand calories probably, but worth every single one.

You could choose from about 50 diff types of crepes

Lush just opened up in KL a few months back but Tokyo already has... Lush cafes. Apart from the flagship store near Shibuya we found a Lush cafe which had a conveyor belt sushi-style set up which had Lush bath bombs shaped like sushi! You could also customise your own bath bombs and they had Japanese insipred ones that you could only get at this shop. I don't have a bath tub at home thankfully, so it wasn't too hard to resist. 

Only got a section but they had it in every colour gradient

Sushi bombs 

Quickly rushed back to the hotel after this because A was meeting his friend from school who had moved back to Tokyo earlier this year. His family came to meet us and they were so nice, bringing us cute little Japanese treats. Went for a beef cutlet dinner where they set up these mini bbq pits infront of you and you cook your meat cutlets. Came with miso soup, potato salad, the most amazing cabbage salad (tastes way better than it sounds). After this trip, Japanese food is never going to be the same again. 

The Spread

Face mask count: 3. Tea tree oil and green tea to curb the breakouts!