I found the answer to Hawaii’s very own Shave Ice while walking around Melaka (Malacca), Malaysia (same city where Migration Mark tackled the Durian) one hot afternoon with a friend.
The line was out the door at Jonker 88 with locals and tourists from around the world, all lusting for a cold Baba Cendol glorified shave ice treat.
When it was finally time to order I used my little self control I possess and only got two.  One original and one mango covered.
The bowl starts off with beans, and either kernels of …

Throughout my brief stay in Singapore, I willingly indulged in various famed Hainanese style chicken rice platters.  Chicken rice is rather famous in Singapore for being a food to rely upon, something that is made with simple ingredients, but made correctly as a homey comfort dish.
Singapore chicken rice is as far away from regular chicken on top of rice as possible, yet still chicken and rice.  Artfully created by hands that have been making the same style chicken for countless years, boiled or roasted perfectly so the flesh is cooked …

I had no idea Clark Manila airport was so far away from Manila city itself when I flew into the Philippines.  Luckily, I had arranged to meet some friends on Potipot Island in Zambales, which was already in that direction from Manila.

I caught a bus to Olongapo town proper where I caught the Victory Liner Bus heading towards Candelaria, Zambales.   Around 4 hours later the driver woke me up to let me know that I had arrived.  Hot and sticky, I relaxed for a few moments at the …

After devouring 3 meals I asked a lady what the name of this magnificent two story buffet mall was named.  “Oden hawker center,” she replied, and briskly walked away.  I wasn’t satisfied.  I walked around, circulating the premises a number of times, before I saw the sign, “Golden Mile Food Center.”  Without realizing it, I had stuffed myself at the golden mile, what a “golden” stumble upon it was.
I am aimlessly walking around (one of my favorite activities) Singapore with no map, no idea of where I am going, but …

I landed in the semi chaotic and slightly overwhelming, sprawling capital city of Sumatra, Medan. The streets were loaded with hungry motorists, racing for an edge over their competition. Hawkers hustled for the next Rupiah, eating portions of rice along the way, yelling their product for the street to hear. On my first night I met nearly 20 locals who were all extremely friendly, talkative, and loved to help in any sort of way. It was from this moment that I discovered the warmth and hospitality …

“Try leaving cheese and a dead body out in the sun and you’re in the same neighborhood as the smell of durian.” — Tony Bourdain
Durian is easily one of the stinkiest and weirdest natural foods the wonderful world has to offer.  The fruit comes wrapped in a thorny hard shell, protecting the mushy pudding like segments of each pungent piece of fruit.
When traveling in Southeast Asia, there is absolutely no excuse to not partake of this semi-bizarre fruit.  Some find it rather enjoyable, however others find the texture, smell, …

It took a number of days for me to become familiar with the currency of rupiahs in Indonesia. After a bit of confusion, a few days of practice, and getting slightly ripped off a couple times, I was able to become accustomed to the currency and after a couple weeks it was simply natural.
When I first arrived in Sumatra, Indonesia the first thing I needed to do was buy a large bottle of water. The innocent girl selling me the bottle asked for 4000 rupiahs, “4000 rupiahs, are …

Though this might sound like I’m joking even sarcastic half the time, its actually quite realistic.  Don’t take my suggestions as fact but rather use them as guidelines, something to think about when you rent a vehicle.  Don’t let this stress you out, when you get on the road, you will understand and formulate your own ideas.  Renting a car in Indonesia was quite an enjoyable event for myself and can be for you as well.  However, don’t pretend it is going to be relaxing.
You will be presented with various …

This is the pictorial version of the “9 Mandatory Foods to Eat in Indonesia (click this for all the food descriptions).”  All dishes must be eaten with large amounts of sambal (ground chili sauce) to maximize flavors.
1. Hot Plate

2. Nasi Campur

3. Gado Gado
4. Lotek
5. Indonesian Sate

6. Ikan Bakar

7. Soto Ayam
8. Babi Guling

9. Cap cay

This is the “9 Mandatory Foods to Eat in Indonesia,” description of the foods.  Check out the “9 Mandatory Foods to Eat in Indonesia in Pictures,” here.
The normal tourist eats and always orders “nasi goreng,” fried rice with an egg on top.  This dish is good, reliable, and will never fail you, however, there is a lot more in Indonesia.
To save myself the trouble of mentioning sambal (ground chili pepper sauce) with all dishes on this list, I will start out saying that, all these dishes can and must be …