Archive for Travel

Bangkok – last day

October 7, 2008 · Filed under Asian, Travel

No activities for last day. Although our flight is scheduled at 330pm Bangkok time, we just did our last minute shopping at Pratunam area. At first i really thought of going to Chatuchak market, but i worried we would be too rush for to and fro market – hotel – airport.

But something unlucky thing happened to me this morning when i was on my way to Platinum. :-( With everyone packed like sardine while walking down the street, my bag being cut without my notice. I just realised when i reached Platinum and wanted to take something from my bag. Ooouuchhh!!! It’s so hurt, because it is my new Naraya bag!!! I was so sad. But i consider lucky because the thief got nothing from my bag. I just lost my bag. :-( I tried to get a replacement bag from Platinum but none of them caught my eyes. At the end, we walked to Central World, Naraya to buy back the same design, same color bag. Haha… I just love it so much. I hardly buy bags or shoes, but once i eyeing on them, means i will definitely like it so much and buy.

We had our lunch at Central World foodcourt. But it was still early, about 1pm. As we had our full breakfast this morning, so we just share our lunch. Aimlessly walking round the foodcourt until i noticed this stewed pork leg rice again! I quickly asked hubby if he wants to have last stewed pork leg rice before we go back Malaysia. Then we shared this stewed pork leg rice. Haha. I just wonder why nobody selling this stewed pork leg rice in Malaysia, because it is just yummylicious and i believe would get support from Malaysian chinese. :-D If i have capital……hmmmm…..i would…

Then we took taxi back to Suvarnabumi Airport at about 1.30pm to avoid any traffic. But when we reached airport, i on my handphone only i received SMS from AirAsia informed us that our flight has been delayed 430pm. OMG!!! Means we have to stay in the airport for more than 2 hours. (O_o). So after checked-in, we walked around the airport. Then we went to have a cup of coffee at Black Canyon Coffee again. haha…you see… there are so many branches of Black Canyon Coffee in Bangkok.

Arrival of our flight, AK883.

Loading out the cargo from the plane.

So, basically my Bangkok trip is more to free and easy, no rushing. So it is quite relax, free and flexible. But i still got few places wanna go such as Chatuchak market, Suan Lum night market, Wat Pho, and Wat Arun. So i will definitely come back again to Bangkok. :-)

Leave a comment »

Bangkok – Day 3

October 6, 2008 · Filed under Asian, Travel

As usual, we had our breakfast in the hotel. I don’t understand why hubby loves to take hotel breakfast although it is not so nice and the food is repeated one. But as we are not really picky on foods, so we doesn’t mind much also. Furthermore, we can save more for shopping and eat better food. :-D

I told hubby this morning i can walk up to Siam Paragon. So, we slowly walk and walk along the streets passby Central World, walked up the overhead bridge and we reached Siam Paragon. Siam Paragon is just like Pavillion in KL.

We saw lion dance outside the Platinum Fashion Mall. The culture here is very likely like chinese in Malaysia. They do have lion dance for opening ceremony too.

Outside of the Central World.

Finally we reached here….Siam Ocean World, largest aquarium at Southeast Asia. The entrance fee to Siam Ocean World is very expensive. Just entrance fee alone cost 850Bath. 990Bath if you take the package which includes 4D movie and ride at a glass bottom boat. So we ended up with paying 990Bath x 2 pax = 1980Bath. It’s super expensive. Imagine i can buy so much things with 1980Bath. My friend told me it is worth to visit even though it is expensive, because she told me there is souvenir given too. Trust her. We went in. But we get nothing but a voucher of a glass of pepsi and popcorn (O_o). Sigh….But nevermind, we did enjoy ourselves inside the Ocean World.

Fishes will following the boat we rode with the hope that we can feed them some food. Too bad, we did not buy the fish food to feed them, it costs 100Bath leh.

Not missing to ask the girl to snap a photo for us after riding at a glass bottom boat. We rarely take couple photo togather in this trip. Sigh… Luckily this ride is included in the package, if not i will suggest not to buy this package separately as it is really not worth. Just 5-mins ride with nothing.

What fish is this? Don’t ask me. I also don’t know. :-P

Little nemos around…So cutie…. Don’t you think so?

What fish is this? This fish is very ugly. :-( I think it is stone or wolf fish if i’m not wrong. He trapped in a lubang.

I like this ball ball fish tank. Not exactly fish tank. The fishes here are all being “awet”  to dry already. Some of the species here yet to be classfied.

Two of many ball tanks i taken. The fishes’ look here are all weird weird one. :-s

How’s the feeling touching the star fish dear? I dare not touch. Hehe…

Little fishes in this washing machine. They turned the washing machine into fish tank! What a creative idea!

Chevy fish tank!! haha…Hubby so excited when seeing this. His beloved car turned into fish tank!

TV tank. See hubby’s head inside? Haha…Hubby having lots of fun here. :-P

Fridge fish tank. I really salute Thai people. They can think all sort of ideas. Fuhyoh….

There were two tourists having fun diving with the sharks around. In fact, there is no sharks approaching them, unless you have some food for them. Then, i think the sharks would approach you. The kindy’s child were having fun saying “hi” with the people inside the big shark tank.

The kids are doing some activities…drawing the sharks!! So cute and adorable of them. :-)

Now…feeding time!! Feeding the giant turtles.

Baby turtles need to eat too. I want…i want…!

Feeding little penguins. The penguins are smart. Once they eat enough or full, they would not go and grab the food anymore, they will swim away, letting other penguins to eat.

Feeding big stingrays. The size of the stingray enough to cover them. Haha…Imagine how big it is. After looking this feeding stingray session, only i know the stingray eat cockles. (O_o)

Last one, shark feeding time. Besides shark, there is some stingray and other fishes too. But our focus point is sharks of course. Other fishes are so irritating to grab the food from sharks. You can see these two workers were being surrounded by big fishes such as stingrays and sharks!! All over them.

So after seeing this fishes had their lunch, our stomach also start to hint us. So we went to Paragon Foodcourt.

Stewed pork leg rice. It is so yummylicious i tell you. Must go and try if you go Paragon Foodcourt. Add exra egg with total cost of 650Bath only. Can you get such a good meal with such price at Pavillion KL? I’m missing this so much now. Hehe..

Hubby said wanna try chicken rice in Bangkok. Haha…i think he must regret because it is not nice at all. Dear, my stewed pork leg rice better. hehe

After our lunch, we walked walked around in Siam Paragon. You really can see the different classes of people here compared to MBK and Platinum. After that, we crossed the road to the opposite and noticed that there was some function held there. There was music band playing on the small stage at the street, people selling souvenirs, little cupcakes, ice-cream, t-shirts, hair accessories, etc, just like expo.

Only managed to ask hubby to take at least one photo here. Our battery is dying. >_<

I quite enjoyed walking around here. Seeing local people having fun indirectly makes me happy too. There are shoplots around here too. We took our time exploring here as we did not have other plan going any other place, as hubby not really interested to go shopping or market which selling all clothes again. :-( I so wanted to go Suan Lum Night Market dear…next time k!!

Our dinner time at Platinum again if i’m not mistaken. Hehe. Finally, i ordered this, sticky rice with mango. A must try food in Bangkok too. But it is not cheap. Costs us 900Bath. But taste wise, not bad, sweet sweet de… :-)

As we were not feeling hungry, so we ordered this seafood hotplate. As i said, as long as there is squid, hubby is very happy. :-) Besides squid, there is prawns, oysters, and kupang as well. But taste wise, exactly like the fried oyster we tried at the first day. :-(

After had our dinner, we did our last round shopping at Platinum, our shopping heaven lah. ;-) This time hubby bought a lot t-shirts oh, all are 3 pieces at 450Bath. Cheap leh.

Leave a comment »

Bangkok – Day 2

October 6, 2008 · Filed under Asian, Travel

Our itinerary for 2nd day was visiting Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew temple.

After taken our breakfast in the hotel, we took taxi to Grand Palace. The taxi fare costs us 65Bath. I was so excited in the first place because i can see the place is so beautiful even from outside, with lots of tourists buses, taxis, tuk-tuks flooded outside the road. We went to the wrong entrance. Before we wanted to go in, there was a man approached us, showing us his authority pass and told us that we are not allowed to go in now as there was monks praying ceremony held inside. Only can enter at around 2pm. Looks friendly, asking us if we go Marble Temple and any other temples before. Without hesitate much, we said no. So very quickly he offered us 100Bath for bringing us to Marble Temple, Golden Mount Temple and another temple (i forgot what temple name) and coming back to Grand Palace before 2pm. We really thought it was quite a good deal since we cannot enter Grand Palace at that time. So, there is one tuk-tuk quickly come forward and fetch us to Golden Mount Temple. On the way going to Golden Mount Temple, i felt something wrong. Yes!! We were being cheated. :-S But nothing we can do already. So we just followed the plan, go to those temples, at least we went to some temples lah.

Two monks were praying at Golden Mount Temple. Actually there is nothing to fancy about of this Golden Mount Temple. Very simple temple, just one thing is you need to climb up long staircase up to the hill. You can see the Bangkok city scenery from the top hill. But i was a bit exhausted when reached top the hill. :-S

Lucky Buddha temple, just beside Golden Mount Temple.

After that, the tuk-tuk driver said can he brought us to gem shop. What can we say? Can we reject? He kept telling us we are not necessary to buy, just spend sometime there to enable him to get free petrol voucher. WTF!!! Okay…okay…to fulfill his requirement, so we did. We went in and see see one round. That’s it. Then he said another gem store. I know this would not the only store. True enough, he brought us to another gem store. Okay, one round, then we come out. Then he said another last one. I nearly scolded him. So i told him, last one, no more. So he agreed. After the third one, he said he wanna brought us to silk shop. (O_o) You broke your promise!!! You said last one. He kept persuade us to go the silk shop although we kept told him that don’t waste our time anymore. I cannot stand anymore and told him, no more. That is the last one. No more. I insisted with my strong tone. He noticed that, so he had no choice to brought us to the Marble Temple. We know that he was not happy. His attitude also changed.

When reached Marble Temple, he timed us said we only have 10minutes time. WTF!!! Before that, he was so kind, saying that he would wait us outside the temple and take our own sweet time exploring the temple. Now totally changed!! He really spoilt my mood.

Marble Temple. We did not enter to the temple as there is 20Bath entrance fee charged. So we just simply took some photos of the temple.

Then the tuk-tuk driver brought us back to Grand Palace. Paid 100Bath and bye-bye. We happily went to Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew then. :-)

Entrance fee for Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of Emerald Buddha) are 300Bath. Just increased from 250Bath recently.

Wat Phra Kaew from outside. I love the green field outside the temple. Very clean and nicely maintained.

Closer view of Wat Phra Kaew from outside.

Somewhere in the temple….

Golden pagoda. All in yellow golden color. Stood up elegantly.

Outside of the Emerald Buddha Temple (Wat Phra Kaew). The wall of the building is not painted, but with marbles, red, blue, green emeralds. Very stunning and pretty. Feel it with your bare hands, you won’t feel hot even under the sun, it’s cooling.

I must admit that the temple is very clean and well maintained by the authorities. So it is worth to pay 300Bath to pay a visit here.

I was stunned with the wall. All in golden and emeralds. One piece one piece plated to the wall. Amazing.

The house which houses the Emerald Buddha. Actually we are not allowed to snap photo inside. But this photo was taken outside, before we enter. Thanks to the powerful 18x zoom of my Panasonic Lumix FZ-28. *wink wink* I was more stunned when i enter in. Everybody is sitting infront of the Buddha statue and praying. I joined the crowd. Sitting down quietly and enjoy the peaceful feeling and atmosphere inside. It was beautiful inside. All in golden colors. The wall is beutifully painted with sceneries and stories behind it.

In one of the hall/temple. Actually we are not allowed to take photo too. But hubby secretly pressed the button of the camera hanging at his neck. haha. A small golden boat. I do not what this golden boat resembles for. :-P

Somewhere in the temple. All the buildings here are nicely built and maintained until today.

One of the building inside. I do not know the name of this building. Sorry. But is is quite pretty for me. We are not allowed to enter here, this photo was taken before the gate. 

Oh…oh…oh….i love this building. Chakri Mahaprasad Hall, a building in a style influenced by the Italian Renaissance. Don’t you think it is so beautiful. You can see eastern temple combined with western style building here. It is unique to me.

Garden and path just right infront of the Chakri Mahaprasad Hall. Very western style right?

The guard infront of the hall, prohibiting people to go inside. Standing fiercely without any single move. But i’m pity of them, have to stand straight, no move under the hot sun. :-(

Outside of the museum (The museum is in this big Chakri Mahaprasad Hall). Included are all the weapons used by the soldiers old days. Not really interested, so i just walked walked and enjoy the scenery outside this hall, while hubby went inside to the museum.

We spent about 2-3 hours exploring here. Actually our original plan was to visit Wat Pho (Temple of Sleeping Buddha) which is just nearby (we do not know the exact place thou), but both of us were tired after been rode in tuk-tuk this morning. So we gave up our Wat Pho plan and took taxi to Central World.

I was surprised when i see Central World, because it is such a huge shopping malls. The shopping malls are as long as one street. Togather with Central World are Zen and Isetan. We straight went to Foodcourt to take our lunch.

Foodcourt system here is slightly different with Platinum Fashion Mall. Here, you are given a card in order to buy the food at the entrance to the foodcourt. You are only required to pay after you returned the card to the cashier when you go out from the foodcourt.

I went round the foodcourt so many times, yet i could not decide what to have for my lunch. Obviously no more tomyam goong for me! :-P

Here is my lunch. Erm…what is this…pork thai noodles in spicy soup. Yes. It is indeed spicy after i added on more chillies. hehe…

Hubby could not take too much spicy food, he finally ordered this. Japanese kabayaki fish rice. People here are so generous with the dishes. The fish here are so big in portion compared to we have in Malaysia.

Finally hubby could has his favourite street food at this Central World, pork hotdog. Look how happy he was before eating. But the taste wise, we really not used to it or maybe we chose the wrong flavour. It seems like got garlic inside. Both of us can’t even finish one. :-(

After our lunch, we walked walked around Central World aimlessly. Why? Because the shops here are quite high class and branded one. I’m not go for branded stuff if you know me. So, Central World is not our place. Hehe… Just walked walked and see see around. But i did go to Naraya!!! My friend told me so many times that i must go Naraya. I did go Naraya website to see what is all about. The uniqueness of this shop is the fabric they use to produce their products. When i got into the shop, i saw everybody shopping like no tomorrows (O_O) I thought of joining the fun too. But i round so many times, even though the things are cheap, but i could not find something that i really like and usable for me. Finally i bought a handbag, square size, white color, at 320Bath. The only bag that i see i like at first sight. So i bought it. :-) Hubby also round so many times in order to buy something, do not want to be empty-handed going back mah. At last, hubby brought 5 pieces of flowery door knob cover to me and saying that he wanted to buy this for our new house. I was like…what? New house? oh…ok…haha….He brought to me all 5 different design. But i changed all to one same design. hehe…Dear…i prefer one same design for one house, so would not looks so messy mah, don’t you think so? *wink wink*

After that, we walked to MBK mall, knowing that it is just nearby, so keep asking for direction. We skipped Siam Paragon, Siam Centre knowing  that both of these malls not our cup of tea too. MBK is very similar with our Sungai Wang mall in KL.

Ice cream fondae from Swensen. My leg was so tired of walking. Once i see ice cream, i nagged nagged hubby saying wanted to sit down to have ice cream. hehe

After having enough ice cream and rest, we continued to walk. Finally, i able to buy a bag at 199Bath. It is dirt cheap. I saw the similar bag at 1-U last time and so tempted to buy. The price at 1-U is RM49.90. But now i able to get it at 199Bath!! Hubby bought a buddha faced wall decoration thing at 300Bath. The salesgirl quoted 450Bath initially. So i asked for 300Bath. She refused initially and offered us 350Bath. We walked away but she pulled us back and said OK. Yes, this is the price we are willing to pay for this. Again, for our new house huh, hubby? Haha… I kept looking for fridge magnet but the price here is quite expensive and no one fridge magnet that attracts me. Finally i able to buy some small cute coin purse cum keychain for some of my friends. Sorry guys, i used up most of my cash, do not exchange much cash, so hope you guys don’t mind if you don’t get my little souvenir. :-S

Pork samurai burger from McD. Yeah…finally i have the opportunity to try this, pork samurai burger. We were still quite full, so we just bought one set and share. :-)

Our dinner, Tomyam goong with rice at MBK foodcourt. Again, we shared this. But i still prefer the tomyam goong at Platinum. More yummylicious. :-)

After the dinner, we took taxi back to hotel, even though we know that our hotel just two streets down. But my leg was not permit me to walk anymore dear. So we took taxi back hotel, which costs us about 500Bath.

That’s all for second day.

Third day is Siam Ocean World visiting and shopping again. Stay tuned… :-)

Leave a comment »

Bangkok – Day 1

October 5, 2008 · Filed under Asian, Travel

My long-awaited trip to Bangkok. As the main purpose for this trip is shopping, thus very few photos taken for this trip compared to last trip to Angkor Wat. We took 8.25am flight to Bangkok. We reached LCCT at about 7am. Just right time for us to have quick breakfast at McD.

I don’t know why i still want to take photo before going up to this AirAsia plane although i have took this similar photo before. :-P

 

Fill up the petrol tank before fly. This is my first time seeing plane filling up the petrol.

We reached Suvarnabumi Airport at Bangkok. It is a big airport. You have to walked quite far for custom clearance and baggage claim. But the Suvarnabumi Airport is much bigger and pretty than KLIA.

After check-out, there are some ladies will ask you if you want taxi services. I believe they are under airport staff because price quoted by them is very expensive, 1100Bath. We immediately walked away until we about to reach the gate. There was a lady approached us and claimed that she is airport staff and help us to taxi. I told her that i wanted to take public taxi and she told me she is here to help me to translate the hotel’s name to Thai language so the taxi driver knows where it is. I asked about the price and she told me the price would be around 300-400Bath. So i agreed as i know this is the reasonable price after searching info from the forums.

Queeing up to buy ticket for public taxi. We need to pay surcharge of 50Bath and pay any toll charges incurred too. But the toll charges only 25Bath. So it is okay for us.

End up, we only paid 300Bath for taxi fare from airport to Pratunam area (First House Hotel) which included surcharge and toll charge. We were quite surprised as we were prepared pay 400Bath as mentioned by the lady in the airport just now. The taxi driver is very honest as he used meter to charge us, so he would not charge us extra.

Actually i quite dissappointed with the hotel. It is because i expected the look as what the hotel website photos especially the room photos. But end up, the actual room looks so old and everything is quite aged already. But never mind lah, cheap room with good location, who cares. I’m not coming here for staying long in the hotel, so i don’t really mind actually.

After checked-in to the hotel and put our luggage, we immediately walked to Platinum Fashion Mall to shop.

The traffic in Pratunam area. My friend told me Bangkok is reckoned as worst traffic (always jam) in Asia. Is it true?

Bangkok taxis are all in pink!!! Don’t you think they are adorable in pink? (^_^) Besides pink, also got other colors like yellow and blue. But mostly in pink!!!! So they are very eye-catching. Don’t you think so?

My lunch at Platinum’s Foodcourt, 6th floor if i’m not mistaken. It is glass noodle in tomyam goong. I told myself i must have tomyam goong in Bangkok. I must reckon that the tomyam goes very good with glass noodle instead of meehoon. The taste is sweet, spicy and sour. There are two to three big prawns. I believe seafood in Bangkok is cheap? As they able to give two to three big prawns for this glass noodle tomyam goong with only 800Bath?

Pad Thai for hubby. He has no idea what to eat, so i suggested him Pad Thai, after i read some forum saying that must try Pad Thai in Bangkok. :-P Actually it is like our local fried kuey tiaw, but Pad Thai’s taste is very sweet. However, there is two big prawns too!! hehe… But this Pad Thai is too sweet for me. :-(

After having our lunch, feeling excited, we started our shopping spree. Actually i wanted to snap some photos of the mall, but there is a guard when i entered the mall and told us we are not allowed to take photo in the mall. I just wonder why. So we behaved ourselves as we were at other people’s country mah. hehe

Rest a while and have a cup of tea at Black Canyon Coffee. You can see this, Black Canyon Coffee everywhere in Bangkok, as if like Starbucks or Coffee Bean in Malaysia. They even have three branches in this Platinum Fashion Mall!!! (O_o) Try their Black Canyon Coffee Frappe. It is really good….!!!

Although the mall looks not promising from outside and quite packed inside as every shop is very small and no fitting room for you to try, but you are not surprised if you see lots of foreigners or tourists here. Also don’t be surprised if you see people pulling big bags of stuff as i believe most of the boutique owners get their stocks here. My favourite line here is “how much”, “wholesale price how much”. Yes, there is different price if you buy one piece, two pieces or three pieces. Three pieces consider wholesale for them already. So the more you buy, the cheaper you can get.

After few hours here, we decided to go back hotel to rest awhile.

Grilled prawn. Hubby was so tempted when seeing this grilled prawn. But he not dare to try at the end. He is quite regret by now everytime seeing this grilled prawn photo because he is saying that all the virus should be totally killed already by grilled them like this.

Another hubby’s favourite. He just loves grilled squids so so much. Again, he was not dare to try. So just snap some photo to kill his emptiness of his stomach. :-D

Some of the street food. Grilled/fried food.

Grilled fish and chicken. The grilled chicken is just like our local ayam golek. hehe. But the grilled fish is really not good looking thou. :-( Do you dare to try ?

This lady is selling tomyam maggi mee at one of the small lane. See the cockles, prawns, squids, pieces of hotdog at left side? I guess the tomyam maggi mee must be very nice. But i think we are able to cook the same thing at our own too. hehe…

We went back to the Platinum again at about 7pm something. By then, we noticed that most of the shops going to close at that hour. So, we just straight went to the foodcourt again to have our dinner.

My dinner, grilled salmon bento. I don’t remember the price, but i guess around 60-80Bath. So it is quite cheap for me. Comes togather with a bowl of soup too. The taste, okay okay.

Hubby seafood fried rice. He just simply loves squid. As long as there is squid for his meal, he is satisfy. :-)

Fried oyster. We ordered this after seeing the oysters are big and fresh. Fried togather with egg. But this fried oyster don’t have taste at all. Maybe we need to add on the sugar, chillies at our own. Other than big oysters, this fried oysters don’t have taste…. So, please do not order this at any foodcourt in Bangkok, unless you know how to blend the taste at your own with the sugar and chillies provided lah.

Hubby has not enough with his seafood fried rice. Ordered this japanese tako. Taste wise, so-so loh. Hehe…

Oh yea….i forgot to mention that we need to buy a card before we can order any food at the Platinum Foodcourt. You can buy at any value you wish. Any unused credit can be refunded. So you can use the card when ordering your food. You will use the card as credit card and the seller will swipe your card and give you a receipt stating your meal value and the balance of your card. :-)

Pratunam at night.

We went back to hotel after our dinner to rest, as we need to get up early for temple visit tomorrow.

Leave a comment »

Penang – Last Part (070907)

September 23, 2007 · Filed under Chinese, Hawker food, Mamak, Travel

The last day in Penang. We tried to look for breakfast around. Finally we decided to go Macalister Lane. Recommended is Char Koay Kak. When we arrived, we spotted a coffee shop and there are few stalls right infront of the coffee shop. Yes. Kedai Kopi Seow Fong Lye, the coffee shop that we had our last breakfast in Penang.

Char Koay Kak. It is called “luo bok gao” (carrot cake) in Melaka. What makes this different with Melaka one are, they have bean sprout fried together and the shape of the char koay kak is in longer shape (Melaka one is cutted into small pieces). This stall also been recommended by Rasa Rasa Malaysia book.
Chee Cheong Fun again!! Why we ordered this? Because this stall been featured in Ho Chiak! 8tv programme. But sad to say that yesterday Chee Cheong Fun at New Lane (which featured in Rasa Rasa Malaysia book) is much more better than this.
We also ordered Penang prawn mee as we yet to find the best Penang prawn mee during our visit this time. We did not put so much hope on this actually. But it turned to be average good!
Lastly, we also ordered curry mee. Why? Because curry mee been highly recommended in Penang too, but we were unable to find the good one yet, opppsss…sorry, I should say that we were unable to try any yet! We were surprised because the curry base is in whitish color, looks very mild. But when you taste it, the curry taste was quite good, not mild at all.
With the food sitting nicely in our stomach, we departed to Him Heang Biscuits at Jalan Burma to buy tau sar peah. We choose Him Heang because Him Heang being highly recommended by the local people and lowyat.net forum.
We reached Him Heang at 930pm. Only able to buy the tau sar peah, qing tang bing, but not able to buy the beh teh so because beh teh so not ready yet. I spent RM50 for tau sar peah and qing tang bing. But the staff here are quite arrogant, not willing to entertain us.
At about 10am we departed back to Melaka.
We stopped by Ipoh to have our lunch. On the way to the Ipoh town, we accidentally passed by Perak Cave. So we stopped by and have a short visit.
Perak Tong (Perak Cave) is located at Gunung Tasek and houses over 40 Buddha statues. There is a steep, tall staircase in the interior of the cave rising up to the top of its hill, where one is greeted by a beautiful and panoramic view of Ipoh and its surroundings. The statue of Buddha in Perak Tong is the tallest and largest of its kind in Malaysia. Both Perak Tong and Sam Poh Tong temples have decent vegetarian food. Perak Tong was built in 1926 by a Buddhist priest from China.
We spent approximately about half hour in Perak Tong. After that we proceeded to find our lunch.
We decided to go Kong Heng coffee shop, the coffee shop recommended by TSE’s friend on the first day. Recommended food here is the “kai shi hor fun.”

Ipoh kai shi hor fun (rice flat noodles) serves in clear chicken soup base with chicken shreds, prawns and spring onions. No doubt, it is good! I managed to finish one bowl alone without sharing.

We also ordered Ipoh steamed chicken rice. At first we wanted to go Lou Wong restaurant (famous for Ipoh beansprouts chicken rice) but we not able to find. So just had this at Kong Heng. Basically, not really that bad. But the beansprouts not really that fat and short compared to first day one (Thean Chun Coffee Shop).

Besides, we also ordered popiah. Ipoh popiah a bit different from Melaka one, whereby they put the chili and tomato sauce above the skin. One popiah costs us RM1.50 and this popiah considerably good!
This chicken satay really not good! The meat is very hard.
Fruit rojak. I don’t really fancy of this fruit rojak actually.

After the lunch, we went to one of the Soon Ann Biscuits to buy some beh teh so after not able buy any at Him Heang. I also bought Chicken flavoured biscuits (kai-chai beng).

After that, we continue our way back to Melaka. We reached Melaka at about 630pm.

Our NBD 2222, the car that contributed the most for our Penang trip! ^_^

Leave a comment »

Penang – Part Three (060907)

September 13, 2007 · Filed under Chinese, Hawker food, Indian, Mamak, Travel

We departed from YMCA to Kheng Pin coffee shop at junction of Jalan Sri Bahari and Jalan Penang. Recommended food here is lor bak.

The crowd in Kheng Pin coffeeshop in the morning.
The lor bak. No doubt, the lor bak is really nice. Not oily and the skin is thin and crispy. I love the fried soting the most. But small plate like this costs us RM7!! We had no choice because only RM7 per plate only can get the fried sotong, as per the boss, a cocky boss.
The cocky boss, saying that “ no RM7, no fried sotong, my fried sotong is the best”. OMG…I really feel like …eeeerr….what?? However, we got no choice lor…wanted to try his fried sotong ma…

Char koay tiaw , lam mee and penang prawn mee. My preference are, char koay tiaw, penang prawn mee and lastly lam mee.
The boss asked me whether want in mee or meehoon when I was ordering penang prawn mee n lam mee. I asked my friends, TSE said mix.
After all only we realised that actually all of us do not like mee, but meehoon. What –lar…
After that, we departed to Penang Hill. But we saw the Kayu Restaurant open. We were so excited, because I had tried to come here twice yesterday! We quickly stopped by. Erm…what is so special about this Kayu Restaurant? I have longed for their tall roti tisu.


The crispy roti canai.

The tallest roti tisu I ever seen!! How long is the roti tisu? It is equivalent to three banana leaf plates! Creamer and honey covered the roti tisu. It’s sweet and crispy. The staff here so friendly, even willingly to take photo for us. This roti tisu costs us RM4.

After had our roti tisu, we departed to Penang Hill. The way to Penang Hill is quite easy. Just follow Ait Itam sign board. We reached Penang Hill at about 1010am. TSE quickly went to buy the ticket. RM4 per person. She managed to buy 1020am ticket.

Originally Penang Hill is called Flagstaff Hill by the British Administrator. However, the locals have always affectionately referred it as Penang Hill or Bukit Bendera. According to history Bukit Bendera got its name from the flag fluttering from a flagpole on Bel Retiro, the home of Penang’s governor during the British rule. The flag was used as a beacon to Fort Cornwallis. Bel Retiro and some other colonial houses can still be seen standing majestically on Penang Hill.

Visitors can take the cable train up to Penang Hill with a charge of RM 4 per ticket. It will take about 30 minutes to reach the top of Penang Hill. The cable train is one-of-a-kind in Southeast Asia. The construction of the railway was completed in the year 1906.The train was going through the tunnel.
The operating board in the train.
Finally we reaching …top of the hill…..

Few sceneries photos taken from the Penang Hill. But the it was cloudy on that day. We able to see the long Penang bridge, but it was quite blur. In fact, for me, there is nothing in Penang Hill.

The only thing is we took the train going up the hill. Up the hill, there is nothing except admiring the Penang view, but it was hot snny day, the air was not cool, but hot, also the sceneries were not promising also. We spent about one hour there.

Group photo taken at Penang hill.

After Penang hill, we continue to Kek Lok Si Temple. Of course, we looking for the recommended asam laksa near Kek Lok Si.
We found the asam laksa, so as usual we look for parking. There was a man trying to guide us park at a small lane nearby. We did not know whether we could park there. He demanded RM2 then. No choice, got to give him.

Here it is….the “bestest” asam laksa I tasted so far!! The uncle was so kind and generous to let me take photograpy. He even asked me if I need to go in to take photography. I just told him that the asam laksa is very nice, we come over after recommended by other people. Cut the crap…here we go….
The asam laksa soup base. The minced fish meat already included inside the soup base. Two big pot to cater the good demand.

The asam laksa is so yummy! At least, this is the best asam laksa I tasted so far and till now, I still miss this!. Only RM2.30 per bowl. The soup are spicy and sour. I felt in love at the first scoop. OMG…I really miss this…
Everyone of us were so happy and satisfied with the asam laksa and the boss also not arrogant even though he is asam laksa been recommended in Penang Rasa Rasa book and local newspaper.
When we on our way to our car, we saw few men standing near our car and there was a big lorry at the roadside. Once we reached our car, a lady from the coffeeshop scolding us for simply parked the car and resulted the lorry could not go in the lane. We explained that we did not know as there was a man collected RM2 from us and directed us to park here. The lady even scolded us that the man who collected the money from us was a drug addict and scolded us why we gave him money. Hey…hello…how we know that he is a drug addict? His face did not write “I’m a drug addict”. Then why not you stop or tell us when you saw us giving him the money? We were all very angry with this lady!! Luckily the men were reasonable and understand the situation.
After that, we continue our way to Kek Lok Si temple which is just about 5mins drive up to the hill.

The Temple of Supreme Bliss, or better known as Kek Lok Si temple, stands majestically on the hillside overlooking the town of Ayer Itam. It is the largest and best known temple in Penang and also one of the finest Buddhist temples in South-east Asia.

The chief monk of the Goddess of Mercy Temple in Pitt Street is the one that conceive the Kek Lok Si project with the support of the consular representative of China in Penang. The project received the sanction of the Manchu Emperor Kuang Hsi, who bestowed a tablet and gift of 70,000 volumes of the Imperial Edition of the Buddhist Sutras.

The construction of the temple started in 1893. In 1930, the Pagoda of Rama VI, named after the Thai king who laid the foundation stone was completed. The Pagoda is also known as the Pagoda of 10,000 Buddhas. This pagoda features gardens, a turtle pond, shrines and beautiful sculptures. There are many souvenir shops leading up to the temple which offers good bargains. The Pagoda is built in tiers and it combines a Chinese octagonal base with a middle tier of Thai design, as well as a Burmese crown, reflecting the temple’s embrace of both Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism.

I was so busy admiring the beauty of the carvings, craftsmanship, the statues, sceneries until I took only so little photos from Kek Lok Si Temple. After Kek Lok Si, we visited the Pagoda of Rama VI. The entrance to Pagoda is RM2 per person.

Me, PL and TSE successfully climbed to the highest level of the Pagoda. The photo was taken from the highest level of the Pagoda. I forgot to count how many level as I was a bit dizzy and tired climbing the spiral staircase!! Haha…

Next, we visited the 30-m (100-ft) bronze statue of Greatly Compassionate and Sagely Kuan Yin Bodhisattva. We followed the signs and get into the lift. The lift costs us RM4 for two way for each person.

The lift take us to a spacious deck with great views of Georgetown.
The beauty of Kuan Yin with a bottle of holy water. The bronze statue Kuan Yin already completed. But they are building a shade for Kuan Yin and it is in construction.
There is a average size temple and serene garden on top the hill. Along the way to the temple, there are 12 animals statues. I took photo with dog (my year) and dragon (hubby’s year). The environment here is so peaceful.
The time was around 5.30pm. We quickly got down the hill as we planned to go Bukit Tambun to have our seafood dinner. We worried to lost our way as we never been there before.
The only Penang bridge photo that I managed to shot. ._.”’

The sky getting darker, it was started to rain. Luckily it was not heavy rain and just few minutes. We crossed the bridge and we entered to Seberang Perai and Bukit Mertajam. But this is not the right way. I remembered I saw Bukit Tambun signboard when we were on the way going to Georgetown from Ipoh. I was pretty sure that we must go in to North-South highway in order to reach Bukit Tambun. We turned and turned inside the town for about 30mins before we able to find our way to the N-S highway. Once we reached Bukit Tambun tol, we asked the operator how to go seafood village. We showed him the address. Turn right and go straight, his instruction. We followed. But seems not right after we entering a village, whereby there are two rows of houses on your both side. We stopped by and asked the local people there. Yes, we were right. He directed us to go straight to the end. Within 3mins, we found the restaurant.

This is the seafood restaurant we are looking for. I found out this restaurant from Rasa Malaysia (http://www.rasamalaysia.com/2007/02/seafood-fest-bukit-tambun-penang.html (blog, recommended the food here good and cheap. Word just could not judge how delicious the seafood is. Let the photos judge….


Fresh scallops on the half shell; steamed with only soy sauce, garlic, bird’s eye chilies and shredded garlic @ RM11.
Tom Yam Stingray. It is so sourish and spicy.
Mantis Prawn @ RM30. The flesh is so sweet. It is unexpected big! When it was served infront of us, our eyes like O_O. I never see such big mantis prawn! My fav among all.
Oyster egg @ RM8 only. It is darn cheap because there is quite a lot big oysters inside.
Mix vegetables with “luo” @ RM20. This is so sweet and heavenly good!

Total for the meal was only RM90.20 included rice and Chinese tea. This was really under our expectation.

We were so happy with tonight’s dinner. Happy and full…we departed back to Georgetown at 7.30pm.
As the time was still early, we decided to hunt for shop that selling local products. We went to a shop at Lebuh Leith, just right opposite of The Chocolate Boutique. I spent more than RM50 there. OMG…I really overspent.

After that, while we was driving, we saw the New Lane hawker centre. It was so many people and stalls there. No wonder so many people recommended New Lane hawker centre.
One side of the hawker centre. Another side just opposite the lane.
The “Chu Cheong Chuk” stall. (Pig’s intestine porridge). The intestine just hang up in front of the stall. I just can’t help myself from take this photo!

Honestly, I did not eat that full in Bukit Tambun because I only take half of my rice. But my friends all were full already. So we just have a walk there. By the way, at some times, I really could not resist the nice food especially when I see the stall been recommended one.

TSE and LML said they are very full. Unable to eat anymore. But I was so wanted to try this chee cheong fun. Finally, PL agreed to share with me. I was so happy. We ordered small plate at only RM1.70.

What makes Penang chee cheong fun so special? Okay…Melaka one is plain chee cheong fun with white sesame seeds and chilli and tomato sauce. KL one with yong tau foo, but Penang one is also plain chee chong fun (also with whilte sesame seeds on top), but they got extra paste, which is Shrimp paste (hae-kor)! I think it would taste better if we mixed all the sauce and paste together with the chee cheong fun, which we didn’t.

After had our chee cheong fun, we back to YMCA. This ends our day.

Comments (3) »

Penang – Part Two (050907)

September 11, 2007 · Filed under Asian, Chinese, Hawker food, Travel

0820am: Departed from YMCA. We look around for breakfast. We wanted to find a coffee shop name Hai Oan Coffee shop at Burma Road. Finally we stopped by to ask a lady. She was very kind to guide us to Hai Oan Coffee Shop. She told us that she also just had her breakfast from Hai Oan Coffee Shop. She also very generous to ask we park at her parking lot because she said no need to pay. We were so happy after found the Coffee Shop.

Koay Teow Th’ng. It looks so normal, but it tastes really good! The fish ball are so nice (I don’t take fish ball normally). The pork slices are very very thin but it taste good. The soup, looks so “qing tan” but it is so sweet. The best koay teow th’ng I tasted so far.Nyonya Lorbak. The more dark in color one is more nicer. On the right are the chilli and tomato sauce.

Taken with the lady boss infront of her Koay Teow Th’ng stall.

0920am: Went to Fort Cornwallis and Clock Tower. Admission fee to Fort Cornwallis is RM3 per person. We only able to stay here until 1030am because we got to go Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion before 1100am as the tour guide started at 1100am.

The penang Clock Tower. Melaka also has one clock tower but in red color.
The Victoria Memorial Clock Tower at King Edward Place was commission in 1897, to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria. It was built by a local Penang millionaire, Cheah Chen Eok. However, by the time the tower was completed in 1902, the Queen had died. The clock tower is situated at the junction of Jalan Tun Syed Sheh Barakbah and Lebuh Light.
The tower is sixty feet tall with each foot of the tower representing a year of the Queen’s reign. It is divided into four tiers. The first tier is octagonal shape, followed by a square base. The second tier has balconies with horse shoe arched openings and battlemented parapet. The clock is placed on the third tier. The design of the tower is Moorish which incorporate elements such as the dome and arches. The clock tower looks more like a minaret of a mosque from a far.

The Francis Light statue.
Scenery from Fort Cornwallis. It looks so nice isn’t it? But i tell you, it was freaking hot morning!! One of the earliest structures in Pulau Pinang, Fort Cornwallis was erected in 1786, not long after he acquired Pulau Pinang for the East India Company, from the Sultan of Kedah. The site where the fort was built is actually the first place where Light disembarked from his ship in 1768. Fort Cornwallis was originally built of nibong palms, but was replaced in 1804 with a sturdier stone and brick structure.Although built for defense by design, throughout its existence, Fort Cornwallis served more as an administrative centre for the British, having survived without much threat of enemy attacks. Fort Cornwallis was once surrounded with a moat roughly 9m wide and 2m deep. Along the perimeters of the fort’s wall, several canon bays were strategically placed overlooking the harbour in the north and the port activities along the eastern waterfront. In the 1920’s due to a malaria outbreak in the area, the moat surrounding Fort Cornwallis was filled in.
The chapel located on the south-west corner of the fort is the first chapel ever built on Penang island and was used by the British and Europeans living there. The first-ever recorded service, however was in 1799 when John Timmers wedded Martina Rozells, the widow of Francis Light.

1030am: We quickly departed to Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion. The mansion is in blue color and it’s near to Fort Cornwallis area. So we keep our eye look for blue mansion. Yeah….we found it! The entrance to Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion. Admission fee is RM12 per person include a bookmark. Not allowed to take photograph inside the mansion.

This majestic 19th century Chinese mansion belonged to Cheong Fatt Tze, a Hakka businessman from Tai Pu in the Teochew district of China. Cheong Fatt Tze left China when he was only 16 years old, fleeing from the civil war that broke around 1856.
Establishing a base in Indonesia, Cheong Fatt Tze managed to attain success and accumulate wealth with his trading company. His business grew over the years and by 1886 expanded with trading in Penang. Through hard work and perseverance, he became a powerful Chinese trading and shipping tycoon in the late 19th century.
In 1890, Cheong Fatt Tze moved his base to Penang, upon his election as the Chinese Consul in Penang. At the end of the 19th century, Cheong Fatt Tze built the famous mansion on Lebuh Leith where he resided in between his travels around the region. The mansion was constructed over a seven-year period from 1896 to 1904.
“One of China’s last Mandarins and first Capitalists”, such was his aura and fame that Dutch & British authorities ordered that flags be flown at half mast throughout their colonies when he passed away in 1916.
The quarters just opposite Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion. It was staff quarters and for those unfavoured by Mr. Cheong were stay in the quarters. The kitchen also in this quarters.
The guided tour lasted for about one hour. The lady told the us about Cheong Fatt Tze’s history, how he arriving penniless from Guang Dong, province of China, how he started his business and came to Penang to raise his sons and family. The Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion dubbed “La Maison Bleu”, this flamboyant masterpiece of 38 rooms, 5 courtyards, 7 staircases and 220 windows took a very special man to create. Every part of the mansion has its very own good fengshui.

After Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, we stopped by The Chocolate Boutique, just located next two doors to Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion. The Japanese lady was very friendly. She very kind enough to let us try many of the chocolates. At the end, I bought espresso coffee chocolate and dark chocolate.

Taken with the nice Japanese lady promoter.
The weather was very hot, we decided to look for cendol. Yea…I have been looking for this coffee shop, Kek Seng Coffee Shop because their ice cendol and durian ice cream has over 30 years history. Kek Seng Coffeeshop located nearby Komtar. We found it. We parked our car at one of the lane. Ice cendol and the homemade durian ice-cream. Yummy yummy!!!
Besides ice cendol, we also ordered asam laksa. The asam laksa is so-so only.

Then we continue our way to find Teochew Cendol as we know it is nearby here. We asked a lady selling food in the Kek Seng Coffeeshop. She guided us to cross the bridge on our left side and walk straight until we meet a lane called Keng Swee Lane. We followed her instruction and we found!! So happy!

RM1.50 per bowl. We shared one bowl two persons. The red bean is big and sweet. But in terms of gula melaka quantity, Melaka sellers are more generous. But overall, not bad!

0130pm: We continue our way looking for Wat Chayamankalaram and Dharmmikarama Burmese Temple. We took so many wrong ways until we stopped by at the road side to ask an Indian newspaper seller. He guided us the way to go until we will see a pagoda on our left. Yes! We found it. In fact, Georgetown area is very small and we kept going the same way again and again. Also, Georgetown has a lot one way street!!!
Before we visited the temples, we look around for lunch because we only shared two bowls of asam laksa for four people just now in Kek Seng Coffee Shop. Initially we wanted to go Bee Hooi Coffee Shop at Pulau Tikus. We asked the boss selling Chinese medicine (a shop) and he told us the Bee Hooi Coffee Shop only open at night. Four of us quite disappointed. However, the boss recommended a coffeeshop nearby his shop, Swee Kong Coffeeshop. He recommended Indian mee goreng and mee berkuah.

Mee berkuah and mee goreng. Personally, I prefer mee goreng because it taste better than the mee berkuah. Each plate costs us RM3 each.

PL still felt hungry. She bought apom. One is with egg (the one whole egg been put inside) and another one is peanut flavour. While waiting, i kept take photograpy until the auntie asking me, “miss, are you a reporter?”. :-P

Noticed the white hair auntie? She was the one asking me if I’m a reporter. :-P

We waited more than 10mins for our apom. It’s a bit slow because the boss did not use gas, but charcoal fire to cook.
Rather than waiting, we told the boss that we would come back again later to take the apom. We visited Dharmmikarama Burmese Temple first.

The first Buddhist temple in Penang, the Dhammikarama Burmese Buddhist Temple was consecrated in 1805. One of two major Buddhist temples located within the Theravada Buddhist (mainly of Thai and Burmese origin) enclave surrounding Burma Lane, the Dhammikarama temple was built on land donated by a Buddhist devotee known as Nyonya Betong.
The beautiful murals depicting scenes from the journey of Prince Siddharta before he finally became Buddha and reached the state of Nirvana along the entrance.
One of the many statues of Buddha in different poses of meditation, donated by temple devotees. Each silver pot represents different wishes and blessing. Just drop few coins into each pot that you like.
One of the most notable features found in the temple is the pair of Panca Rupa, or ‘Guardian Protectors of the World’, standing over a replica of the world globe. These mystical beasts are said to be the masters of water, land and air, with appendages of various animals – the head of a lion with a trunk like an elephant, body of fish, wings of the mystical Garuda, ears and hooves of a horse and horns of a deer.

Penang’s first Buddha temple, which houses 8.3m (27ft) standing Buddha.Of note are two rows of smaller Buddha statues behind it, which are from different part of the world.
After spent about 45mins here, we went to Wat Chayamankalaram.This Buddhist temple of Thai architecture in Lorong Burmah houses the 3rd. largest reclining Buddha in the world. The statue measures about 33 metres or approximately 108 feet. Behind the statue are niches where urns containing the ashes of the dead are stored.

After visiting two temples, I personally feel that I much more prefer Dhammikarama Burmese Temple. Why? The carvings on the wall are so impressive! I also love the standing Buddha statues which represents different part of the world.
At about 4pm, after back to the uncle there to take the apom, we quickly rushed to Toy Museum, which located at Tanjung Bungah, on the way to Batu Ferringhi. The way to Tanjung Bungah is easy because there is only one way to go. Along the way, we could see a lot luxury bungalows, condominiums and hotels around. I really started in love with Penang!
0430pm: We reached Toy Museum. Entrance fee @ RM10 per person.

The Bruce Lee collection

The Beatles collection

Famous Lord Of The Ring character. But i do not know what is the name. haha…
Life size Stich! It’s so big and cutie!! The only Hello Kitty collection. My Hello Kitty collection is much much more than this owner!!

We spent about one hour in the Toy Museum. After that we continue to Batu Ferringhi beach. The way to Batu Ferringhi is windy and narrow. Like a snake. Must be extra careful when driving. PL’s trick is to horn at every each corner. Good idea isn’t it?

We parked our car at the Golden Sand Beach hotel. Straight we went down to the beach. It was damn hot under the sun. Once we arrived, there were two malay guy approached us promoting their sports water activities. Also directed us to their booth where got a shade for us. PL went to the changing room to change her clothes. She was the only one brought extra clothes. After bargained and bargained over the price, we managed to cut the para sailing – tandem (two persons) for RM60 each person. Initially was RM80 per person. I was afraid to do the para sailing alone, so we decided to play the tandem one. So PL would be at the back pulling the tough string.

Ready to fly!! I was so scared.
Landing….the scariest part. PL used all her energy to pull the string in order to make we land on the land, not the sea. I was so scared that we would land on the sea.

Honestly, after landing, my knees still felt weak. I did not let go my hand from holding because I was just too worried that the safety belt would be loose, I would drop to the sea. I know there is life jacket on me, but I was still worry because I do not know swimming! Just right after our turn, there was a couple, which was quite big size, they really drop to the centre of the sea! OMG! They must be scared to death!! Imagine, centre of the sea and if you do not know swim, this is the worst!! I must be fainted!!
After that, PL continue to play speed boat. I kept take photography for her. PL smart enough to drive the speed boat near me in order for me to take her photo. But at the same time, there was a guy in the water kept asking PL to come over, to give him a lift. At the same time, there were few man wearing casual come near me and kept waving to PL asked her don’t. PL smart enough to drive her way. The guy when he land over the seaside, these men took out their curb and hold the guy. He is a drug addict!! OMG!! I can’t imagine how the situation it could be if PL give him a lift!! I’m still in fear everytime thinking of this! After 15mins drive of the speed boat, PL changed back her clothes. The time was 0645pm. The night market just started to open.
We parked our pack at one of the hotel lobby and quickly ran off from the car before caught by the bellboy.
Batu Ferringhi does really has very very long night market along the main road. It’s quite happening here as there are Chinese hawker centre and also western food, Indian food or Arabian food.
Most of the stalls are selling handbags, accessories, souvenirs, clothes and shoes and dvds. The dvds here damn cheap and even very latest drama or movie is available here! At only RM4 per piece. I bought two movies, Contract Lover and Blood Brother. At about 0800pm, after tiring walked the night market and all of us were hungry too, we decided back to Georgetown to have dinner.

Initially we were looking around for New Lane hawker centre. We were so happy when we found the lane, because the hawker centre just located same lane as Cititel. We were so excited as we were so hungry, starving for food. We saw a small hawker centre there. We asked an uncle if this is New Lane hawker centre that very famous one. He told us he also not sure. We were like…”huh..what? you don’t know?” Then we asked the lady fruit seller, then she told us that the hawker centre is closed on every Wednesday. Ooo….. we were quite disappointed. I really don’t know that this New Lane hawker centre is closed on every Wednesday when I searched for the info in the internet. So…everyone, please remember NEW LANE HAWKER CENTRE CLOSED ON EVERY WEDNESDAY!! Ok then…the uncle saw our disappointed look and asked us what we want to eat actually. We said look for good food as people recommended New Lane Hawker Centre. Then he suggested us to go Lorong Selamat because he just came back from Lorong Selamat for dinner. He directed us how to go as it is quite nearby also. We were like…so thankful to the uncle because Lorong Selamat also in our food list!! Yahooo…!!!!!!!

Here we go…the food we ordered at Lorong Selamat corner coffeeshop, Yi Garden Coffeeshop.

The “rou chuok mee” and the stall. It is very nice. The boss was generous enough because the minced meat and the mushroom is a lot. The mee is handmade mee and it tasted a bit like Indian curry taste. The teochew fried oyster. This stall is run by a Chinese old lady. Initially this stall was run by her husband. After her husband passed away, this old lady took over. She also using charcoal fire to fry the oyster. We only ordered the smallest size, which is RM5 plate, but the old lady really put a lot oyster and the oyster were all quite big!! Very nice too! Conclusion, Penang and Muar fried oyster are both better than Melaka.

Another recommended stall is Pork Porridge. The stall seller also using charcoal fire to cook the porridge and mee sua. We ordered mee sua.
This turned out quite disappointed, especially for TSE. The soup is too much until covered all the mee sua and the ingredients. Personally, I feel it is still ok. Not really that bad.We also ordered sar hor fun.

Penang sar hor fun. It is different with Melaka or KL. In Melaka or KL, we called this “wa tan ho”. This Penang sar hor fun also without egg whereby Melaka or KL wa tan ho do have egg. Overall, it is ok.
We were still not feeling full yet, hence we ordered “pan mee” from the same stall as “rou chuok mee” as all of us very satisfied with the “rou chuok mee”. But the “pan mee” just average if compared to his “rou chouk mee”. Maybe we put so much expectation after the tasted the “rou chuok mee”.
While looking around for other food, I noticed that the “wan tan mee” stall’s wan tan is real big! Exactly same size “siu mai”. Then we ordered 3 “wan tan” and 3 “sui jiao”.
“wan tan” as big as “siu mai” as there is prawn inside, and “sui jiao”.
All of us were very satisfied with today’s dinner. Travelling and good food are our mission in Penang! Back to YMCA after that.

Leave a comment »

Penang – Part One (040907)

September 8, 2007 · Filed under Asian, Chinese, Hawker food, Travel

0815am: Departed from Air Keroh tol, Melaka.
I’m the first one to drive the first journey. From Melaka to KLIA. TSE continue to drive from KLIA to near Ipoh.
1115am: Reached Ipoh town. Lunch @ Thean Chun Coffee Shop.

Mushroom Chee Cheong Fun

Curry Chee Cheong FunIpoh Kai Si Hor Fun

Ipoh beansprout (big and fat type).

0100pm: Departed from Ipoh town to Penang.
Stopped by Bukit Gantang and LML took her turn to drive up to Georgetown.
0230pm:Reached Penang Bridge. Penang bridge is the first and only road link to the island from the mainland. Completed in the September 1988 it stretches 13.5km from Seberang Prai on the mainland to Gelugor on the island. This architectural wonder is officially acclaimed the longest bridge in SEA region and the 3rd longest bridge in the world.
0300pm: Stopped by @ Cheah Kongsi.
This clan house was founded in 1880’s by Cheah Yam. Members of the Cheah Kongsi (Cheah Si Hock Haw Kong Kongsi) clan house originally came from a village called Sek Tong in the Hokkien province. Cheah Kongsi was the first of the five great Hokkien clans to be established in Penang, with possessions which includes a large group of early 19th century rentable properties.

0330pm: Continue to Khoo Kongsi (Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi).
The Boon San Tong Khoo Kongsi or better known as Khoo Kongsi is the ancestral temple of the Khoo subclan known as the Hai Kee Kak, or “Sea Edge Pillar”. It is one of the most magnificient temples in Penang. It was built in 1906 by the descendants of Khoo Kong Oon, a fifth generation of the Leong San Tong Khoo Clan. When the first immigrants hailing from the Sin Kang clan village in the Hokkien province of China arrived in Penang, one of the first things they set out to do was to build one of the most magnificent clan houses in Penang. Work began on the clan house in the 1890’s which resulted in what was said to be a palace which rivalled that of the Emperor of China’s. As the story goes, this extravagance incurred the wrath of the Gods and on the 29th night of the clan house’s completion, an unexplainable fire broke out and burnt the house down. It wasn’t until 1902 that the current clan house began construction.
Admission fee per person is RM5, which comes with 2 postcards for each person.Taken at the entrance of the Khoo Kongsi temple. One of the grandest clan house in Penang, where Khoo Kongsi features tall thin columns supporting a gently sloping, red tile roof, topped with carvings of dragons, phoenixes, animals and various scenes from popular Chinese legends.

The beauty of the architecture and goldish color painted. The scholars’ name and qualification board of Khoo Family. The board has been reduced to smaller size after the number of scholar getting more and more.

0430pm: Next stop, Dr. Sun Yat Sen Penang Base. Dr. Sun Yat Sen, known as father of Modern China, he was the leader of the Chinese revolution against the Manchu government. The shop at 120, Lebuh Armenian used as the meeting venue for the supporters of his movement between 1906-1911. On 13/11/1910, Dr. Sun Yat Sen planned the Penang Conference, which resulted in the canton uprising of Spring in 1911.

Infront Dr. Sun Yat Sen Penang Base, located at 120, Lebuh Armenian.

The door was locked and we are unable to go in. Just have the chance to peep from outside. Thus, we decided to check in hostel.

0530pm: Finally reached YMCA hostel after took so many ways, after asking a lady for direction. Initially I booked double bedded room for RM60 per night and two extra mattresses at RM10 per night each mattress. The Indian lady said she would give us four bedded room then. Subsequently, her head came out and talked about 5-10 mins to her. She did not tell us what is going on. She charged us RM267 on PL’s credit card. PL and me kept calculating how she derived with RM267 as this is more than what she promised to give us. The invoice or bill only stated RM267 and no breakdown for the fees. We asked for the breakdown on how she derived with RM267 because I was pretty sure she calculated wrongly. She showed us black face and her bad attitude, not willing to explain, and simply told us that the room is at RM95 per night for four-bedded room. ‘Huh, I thought you saying that my room is RM60 with RM20 for 2 extra mattresses should be RM80 in total for a night?” However, I was lazy to argue with her and we just let go of this as long as they do have four bedded room, then it’s enough.

0645pm: Headed to Gurney Drive to have dinner.
Gurney Drive is one of Penang’s upmarket residential areas facing the sea. There are so many 4 to 5 stars hotels located along the Gurney Drive. Not only that, we also could see few luxurious condominium and bungalows around. Each bungalows have its own design of the house structure and different from each other.

One of the tourist’s favourite hawker centre, Gurney Drive foodstalls. The mua-chee.The Indian Pasembur costs us RM12! After that we only realised that it is expensive because there are fried cuttlefish, and it is not only one but more than two we guess. Fruit rojak.Fried oyster. Both fruit rojak and fried oyster are so-so only. But I personally like fried oyster in Penang than Melaka just because the oyster is bigger and the egg is more rather than the flour. Asam Laksa. We added two fishball for asam laksa. The taste for this is so-so only.Char Kuey Tiaw. the char kuey tiaw is good! Penang char kuey tiaw do not has “si-ham” but prawn, which is different from Melaka. PL was still not full and she ordered apam balik. The apam balik stall, according to her, been on tv before. So we decided give it a try.The first one is apam balik. The second one is I do not called what, but it is thicker than apam balik and there are banana slices inside. The apam balik is really good, very very thin and crispy!! The banana one, a new thing for me because I never try before. It smells good with banana inside.

After had our lunch, we walked to Gurney Plaza which situated beside Gurney Drive foodstalls. There are about 5 levels if I’m not wrong. I managed to buy two pirated Anna Sui’s small mirror at total cost of RM15 and hair pin accessories at RM19.40. It was my first time to buy such expensive hair pin!

0930pm: Went back to YMCA as all of us felt tired for the long hour drive, except LML, no tired at all as she slept at 1am!!

Comments (1) »