Showing posts with label Pedestrian Street. Show all posts

[PLACE] 20151111 Walking Street @ Koh Lipe, Thailand


Koh Lipe is a relatively small island and the locals cleverly developed the Walking Street in Koh Lipe is the centre of attraction of tourism for the whole island, creating lots of commercial value to sustain the economy for the island.

It stretches from the Pattaya beach front until the middle of the island, which connects to the main road. You can basically find everything you need on this island from the Walking Street from convenient store, pharmacy, clinics, street food, restaurants, massage parlours or even night bars.

While the main activity starts in the night, the Walking Street during day time is still active with basic needs such as convenient stores and clinics opened. Some restaurants are also opened for breakfast and lunch. You may also book your island hopping or diving tours via the various travel agencies at the Walking Street.

There are a few interesting bars with very unique characters which opens until late. Food option are abundant with selections from authentic Thai food, Western, Italian, BBQ. Halal food are also available with a few stalls and restaurants operate by Muslims. The one and only 7-11 store is also located at the Walking Street.

The shops in Koh Lipe seemed to have a mutual agreement and a fixed price policy whereby everything (souvenirs) sold here are fixed price with no discount. Yes, no "wholesale" here. However, you may try your luck for some "free gift" instead which some stalls are kind enough to give. Prices of massage services are also fixed with typical Thai and oil massage at 300 Baht. No discount even if you come in group.

Koh Lipe Walking Street
Opening Hours: 6:00pm until 12:00am

TO GO


Koh Lipe is so small that you basically don't need a map to travel around because theoretically you won't get lost in this small island. Besides, you definitely won't miss the entrance of the Walking Street as it's fronting the Pattaya beach or the main road of the island.

Tip: Do remember to get a local tourist map from your hotel or travel agency as it will have the latest map with ads and promotion for various services.



ATTRACTION



The walking street during day time is rather quiet which most shops and stalls were closed.


On and off there are some interesting decorations along the walking street that offers a photospot for visitors.


Koh Lipe's very own garbage truck. What's special about this truck the engine is modified from a boat's engine and is exposed directly. A very simple and straight forward design that serves its purpose.


One of a few clinics available on the island. If you are having any illness or food poisoning, you know where to head to.


While most of the stalls are closed during the day, there are still a few stalls opened with some mouth watering street food.


The coconut ice cream is surprisingly good and cheap with option to choose from small to big. 5 big scoops of the ice cream cost 60 Baht. The ice cream is very flavourful compare to those in Bangkok. Not as creamy and bit coarse but the strong coconut flavour overcomes the shortcomings.

The Pattaya Beach fronting entrance arch

Night time is where all the fun starts. Most restaurants and shops open at 6pm, welcoming the crowd especially during the peak season from Nov to May every year.


Many interesting bars and cafe around, like the one in the picture above known as Maya Bar.


Each bar has their every own style and design to attract patrons. Some have interesting bartenders, while others might have live band, some even have live performance to keep us entertained. While the interior and design plays a big role, the most important is the feel and atmosphere that counts.


The one and only 7-11 on the island, with prices slightly more expensive than Bangkok as expected. The dogs here are very clean and obedient. 


Some Halal restaurants around serving Malay style ayam percik for Muslim tourists.


The yoohoo aunty who operates a pancake stall (roti canai alike) who will keep "yoohoo" to attract people to patronize her stall.


The big boob Ms Aiwa statue in front of a souvenir shop is another photospot. Many people like to, erm, you know, pose with Aiwa.


Some travel agencies around that offers island hopping or diving packages which are very affordable in my opinion. You wouldn't want to miss out snorkelling in such crystal clear water, so it is a must do in Koh Lipe.


We booked our tour earlier in the afternoon this agency called Dayatravel which located next to Limoncello restaurant near the inner entrance. Mahadee is able to speak decent English and is very friendly and kind to explain the difference of the trip. We booked the highlight tour which covers most of the key spots for a day trip and managed to negotiate a good price due to travelling in a big group. Free advertisement for Bro Mahadee for him and his staff's hospitality and service during the trip. Their facebook address: https://www.facebook.com/daya.travel.koh.lipe/


SUMMARY


A very interesting street that has all to offer. Some very good restaurants around like the Rak Lay Seafood is one of the must try around. The bars and cafe are good place to hang out after dinner to catch up with your friends or family, or even to know new friends. One minus point will be the price fixing for souvenirs and massage, which can be a good or bad thing, depending your point of view.


Attraction
very lively and interesting street
Cleanliness
Sandy but overall clean
Entrance Fee
Nil
Opening Hours
Night life starts 6pm until late
Wifi
Selected outlets
Parking
N/A
Website
N/A

GPS: 6.487026, 99.304568

[FOOD] 20150113 Pratunam Food Street (near Big C) @ Pratunam, Bangkok


If you are staying nearby Pratunam area and looking for breakfast after your comfy sleep in your hotel, why not head down to the food street at Ratchadamri Road, nearby Big C supermarket if you have already tried looking around Pratunam Morning Market.

The food street mainly caters for office workers who are off to work early as I observed most of the customers are mostly locals who are buying breakfast along the way to work. The food street stretched from the bridge at Ratchadamri Road down to the Big C Supermarket. You may also find some clothes vendors along the streets as well.

There are more food choices here compared to Pratunam Market as the later mostly cater the clothing market. You can find variety of food from staple rice and noodles, or street snacks and food like sweet potato balls, fish cakes, pandan kuih etc. You can even get a quick fix with a cuppa from the cafe or road side coffee stall, or a milk tea as an alternative.

This post will mainly introduce the morning session of the food street. When the sky turns dark, there will be another shift of food vendors that will gather in front of Central World.

Ratchadamri Road (both sides, from bridge until Big C)
Nearest BTS Station: Siam Station
Telephone: N/A
Opening Hours: Morning

TO GO


Just take a walk from your hotel location towards Big C supermarket or Central World Mall. If you are taking a cab, just head to Central World will do. Alternatively, you may walk from BTS Siam Station (all lines) from Siam Paragon towards Central World direction.


SPECIALITY


Staple food like rice, fried or soup noodles and vermicelli are common breakfast for South East Asian countries. You may find these food commonly available around streets of Bangkok.

Sweet or Savoury Crepe - 20 Baht for 3 pieces (RM2.20)

Different flavours of crepe from the sweet to the savoury. The fillings includes grated coconuts, cereal, nuts or fruits. 


Came across this fish cake stall which sell deep fried fish cakes. The fish cake will then be cut into slices and then topped with special green chili sauce which is sour and spicy and some cucumbers. 

Deep Fried Fish Cake - 20 Baht for 1 packet (RM2.20)

It may look like normal fish cake from the outside but it taste surprisingly good until the extend that I purposely went back the next day to look for it but found out it was not there. Probably on alternate days or free for all basis. It has a texture of tofu but flavour of fish. Coupled with the sour and spicy chili sauce makes a delicious and appetizing combination.


Next will be the coconut crepe or kuih like. Not sure what is it called in Thai. It's actually a batter with coconut milk and then pan baked till cooked with toppings like corn, yam, chives or original flavour.


The stall is manned by an old lady, constantly preparing batch and batch of the coconut snack.

Coconut Milk Kuih - 20 Baht for small packet

The old lady will randomly pack the different flavours for you and it's available in small portion (20 Baht for 16 pieces) or big portion (30 Baht for don't know how many pieces). This coconut snack is savoury with the strong presence of coconut milk. I personally like the corn and yam flavour, but it tend to be a bit too salty for me. Grab some water after that!


Not forgetting the delicious pork satay (skewer). It is much cheaper here that each satay cost only 7 Baht. The uncle handed me 3 pieces fresh and hot from the grill and offer me for 20 Baht. I obliged. Locals tend to pair the pork satay with sticky rice. Very friendly couple.

Thai Milk Tea - 25 Baht (RM2.80)

After so much food, it's time to get something to quench my thirst. I noticed many locals went to this stall at the side of the alley instead of the ones at the main corridor. It must be either cheaper or better in quality, or maybe both. I pointed to the old lady for a milk tea and she understood. The tea here in Thailand is different from ours in Malaysia. It's a kind of red tea which is literally red in colour when brewed. Hence the milk tea is more to orange colour instead of brown colour like our teh ais. The flavour is also different from our Cameron Highlands Teh Boh, and I should asked for a kurang manis version instead as the sweetness level is pretty much like our fellow mamak stall.


Local snacks like crackers and fried anchovies are also available in this market. I asked for a sampling but didn't like the flavour.


Not forgetting the famous Thai Fried Chicken, which can be found every where around Bangkok. There's a famous one at this location, in front of Central World during the night shift. The fried chicken here has a harder curst, which I believe they have add glutinous rice flour in their batter prior to the frying.


Everything can be grilled, even the stick rice and eggs are not exempted!



Yes, even bananas can be grilled.


Found my sweet potato balls in front of Big C. I asked for a 20 Baht mixture of both types and the vendor happily agrees even though his normal price is 50 Baht for more because I told him I'm very full from all the previous samplings. Nothing much to shout about the sweet potato balls as the night market in Malaysia has better ones.


Last but not least, I found the Pandan Kuih in front of Central World. It taste like Pandan Pancake but lack of a wow factor. This packet also cost 20 Baht, as it is pretty standard pricing for street food in Bangkok.

SUMMARY


What a filling food hunt along the food street and you need to come back in the night for the second round of hunt. However, the food quality here maybe a mix of high and low. Hence, hunt your food diligently!

Taste
Huge variety of local street food but the quality might be hit and miss
Value
Most of the food are priced at 20 Baht
Service
Most of the vendors are very friendly to tourists
Cleanliness
by the road side
Opening Hours
Everyday
Wifi
N/A
Parking
N/A
Website
N/A

GPS: 13.747701, 100.540810

[PLACE] 20141223 Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street 上下九步行街 @ Liwan, Guangzhou


Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street 上下九步行街 or also known as Xiguan (西关) consists of upper nine street and lower nine street, hence the name "shang xia jiu" which literally mean upper and lower nine (streets).

Similar to Dongmen that I went in Shenzhen, Shangxiajiu is the centre of attraction for various commercial activities. You can find things to buy or to eat here and the merchandise here are usually to cater for the middle-lower class groups.

You will notice the unique architecture of the surrounding buildings that have a slight European shadow.

The pedestrian street is most accessible via public bus.

广州市荔湾区西关的上九路
Nearest Metro Station: Yide Lu Station
Telephone: Nil
Opening Hours: Daily

TO GO


Disclaimer: Google services are barred in China. You need to either bypass the "Great Wall" or use a VPN. Alternatively, you may use their domestic sites such as Baidu Map.

Unfortunately, there's no direct access of Guangzhou Metro line to Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street. However, the area is very accessible via public mini buses. I particularly like their bus because it goes through many small alleys where you are able to see the hustle and bustle of local lifestyle.

Dexing Road Terminal: Take Bus No. 17, 79 or 79A
Shangxiajiu: Take Bus 530
Baohua Road: Take Bus 5, 6, 15, 61 or 530


ATTRACTION



I took the Bus 17A (A for Air conditioned) after my visit at Chen Clan Monastery at the opposite side of the road to Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street. I got off at the Dexing Lu Terminal where you are welcomed with rows of shops and street food.


Competition is stiff in China if you want to get noticed by the population in billions here. The bigger the signboard, the better; the more also the better; the popularity of the ambassador is also directly correlated with the popularity of your products.


Rows and rows of street food, some of which selling "imported" street food from Taiwan and Korea. However, nothing here beats those in Dongmen, especially the one I tried in Kiyomi. However, I could be wrong as I didn't try every single stall here.


There's a square located right at the middle of the road, which is known as the Shangxiajiu Square (obviously). 


There are various offerings here with majority in fashion and accessories (the fashion and clothing street is just next to the pedestrian street). Other than that, toys and handicraft items are also available here.


There's also this very old cinema (research after trip to find it was built back in the 1951) that is still operating. Very interesting building indeed as Shangxiajiu was the main centre of commercial activity back in the older days. Just notice the hint of European architecture.


SUMMARY


Overall Shangxiajiu pedestrian street has a lot to offer in terms of shopping and food, but street food lacks authenticity. Do come in night time as the streets will be filled with neon lamp sign boards.

Attraction
very busy pedestrian street with lots of activity
Cleanliness
Entrance Fee
Nil
Opening Hours
Daily
Wifi
N/A
Parking
N/A
Website
N/A

GPS: 23.114951, 113.248861

[PLACE] 20141220 Dongmen 东门 @ Luohu, Shenzhen


Dongmen 东门 (East Gate), or also known as Laojie 老街 (Old Street) is a popular shopping area in Luohu District of Shenzhen. Established more than 300 years ago (hence the name old street), Dongmen encompasses a few pedestrian streets and is closed to traffic since 1999.

There are various merchandise for sale, from the cheap counterfeit products, to the luxurious fashion and jewellery. There's also a new shopping mall which offers a more comfortable environment. The blend between the old and the new have been keeping Dongmen alive along the years, where you are able to see people from different age and generations along the streets.

When there's people, then there's definitely street food! Dongmen offers a variety of street food, from the locals, to the chain franchises. There's definitely something to fill your stomach along the way. You may read about some of my street food posts like the Kiyomi outlet, Ba Ge Noodles and Chen Ji Noodles.

You will find some part of the area reassembles HK especially with the old shopping malls named after famous places in HK such as Kowloon and Mong Kok. However, as time goes by with trends evolved over the years, Dongmen is now moving towards Korean style with the opening of the some new shops that trying to mimic the Korean fashion.

Pedestrian Street, Dongmen, Luohu, Shenzhen
深圳罗湖区东门步行街二横路
Nearest MRT Stations: Laojie station, Exit A

TO GO


Disclaimer: Google services are barred in China. You need to either bypass the "Great Wall" or use a VPN. Alternatively, you may use their domestic sites such as Baidu Map.

Travelling in Shenzhen is not as convenient as Hong Kong, with destination distanced away from Metro stations. I would recommend taking cab or public buses if you somewhat able to communicate in Mandarin as it will be the most convenient way to commute. The cab and buses are fast and reliable in comparison to our lousy Malaysian buses. If you are taking bus, just drop off at Dongmen 3 (东门3) stop or Dongmen Pedestrian Bridge (东门天桥) stop in front of MOI Department Store. Each bus ride is about RMB2 (RM1.20) or max RMB3 (RM1.80). 

However, if language is a barrier, then your only option will be taking the Metro. Take the Longgang Line (Blue) or Luobao Line (Green), and drop off at Laojie station, you may take Exit A or G, and then walk your way along the streets as there are much to offer.




ATTRACTION




Kowloon Sqaure and Mong Kok Shopping Centre situated just opposite of each other. Despite being a weekday afternoon, the pedestrian street is still filled with people.


There are many types of products available, but clothings and apparels consists of majority of the offerings here. You will find cheap shirts as low as RMB4 (RM2.40) and be sure you know how to negotiate for a better price.


With the clothings and apparels as the main business, then there will be supporting business such as alteration services for the clothes that you purchased. There's an alley full of small stores providing alteration services, with various prices and services. Mostly women are seen busy sewing at the side of their sewing machines.


There's a square somewhere in the middle of the Dongmen area, where you will see many people gathering around. There's also this bronze wall of a imaginary scene (as supposed by the name) of the old Dongmen street. 



There is also this huge bell in the middle of the square but I have no idea on the relevance or meaning of its presence.


Competition is stiff in China, every possible way of promoting your brand/product/shop will definitely help you to stand out among the rest.


Some of the old buildings are very unique in shape as it reassembles the Chinese Pagoda. 


Initially I thought it was a temple from afar (maybe it is?) but actually is just another shopping arena along the pedestrian street.


Street food are seen every where, from the local delicacies to the imported snacks from aboard.


The prices are really cheap in comparison to Malaysia. Imaging 5 scallops for only RM5! Oysters are as low as RMB20 (RM11.20) for 7!


The oysters looked really tempting but I'm somehow sceptical and don't want to end up in the toilet next day!


The better your location, the better your business!


The entrance from the other side if you are coming via Metro.


The three pillars of Dongmen at one of the entrances.

SUMMARY


Dongmen is a must visit if you are in Shenzhen. It has a lot to offer from shopping to street food that you will definitely find something.

Attraction
Crowded with variety of offerings
Cleanliness

Entrance Fee
N/A 
Opening Hours
Daily
Wifi
N/A
Parking
N/A
Website
N/A

GPS: 22.545795, 114.117797