Happy!

Its been a while since I last use my DiCAPac casing for underwater shooting.
All thanks to the non-stop earthquake and tsunami warnings, hardly got chance to go snorkelling at island or sea side.

Pity my DiCAPac casing for sitting in the closet for so long, today I brought it to my sis swimming pool to capture human pictures, instead of the usual fish and objects pictures.

This is my cute nephew
 
captured using Canon Powershot A610 Underwater mode, raw picture.

Take a breath DiCAPac, it could be a long while until your next appearance.

In conjunction to mum’s birthday, the whole family drove up to KL for outings.

First stop: Lunch at Pan Heong Restaurant located in Medan Batu Caves. Open from 8am-3.30pm.

Star dish: Big Prawn Wat Tan Hor (滑蛋河 or Sang Har Hor Fun). Viscous broth with high concentration of eggs, prawns with size of appx. 13cm, sweet and juicy.
Other dishes like Indian style mee mamak goreng, deep fried bean curd rolls and wide varieties of porridge are also recommended menu.

Second stop: Batu Caves. Its time to do some stretches and exercise


climbed up the 272 steps and be holy.

Children having fun blowing bubbles at Batu Caves.

Third stop: Look Out Point at Jalan Ampang, Hulu Langat.

KL view from highest deck.


Very hazy KL city centre.

Basically, we were there at wrong time and wrong day.
Reached there around 4.30pm, too early, no crowd, some stalls not open yet.
No rain in the morning, very hot, very hazy, no wind, no mist.

Forth stop: Went back to Klang for dinner
Final stop: Back home to watch Diamond Club on CH317 :)

Well, I can’t. I really can’t believe that i have to pay extra 30 cents on ice for my Iced Milo, which already cost me RM2.70.

Ok. I know i suppose to blog about my Daidamon meal during Hari Raya.
But that was soooo long ago, already off steam. And i got more interesting things happened today. Haha..

I bought a new clutch bag today.
No. its not the clutch for car, indeed is a lady accessories, a bag that categorised as clutch.

For those who know me, you will know that i am a bag fetish.

 
From Vincci, RM69.00. 10% discount with HSBC Credit Card.

Its a slim pouch. But my flip Nokia phone fits in alright.

Its not a expensive labels, and that’s the whole point, cause it’s comfortable and going easy to carry around without worrying too much of smudge.

Last week during Hari Raya, Bee Geok came to visit.
Thanks to her visit, I did some interesting things around KL. It’s not anything extraordinary, but it’s been a while since i have such good time and activities.

Interesting #1 – Actually parked my car and take picutres at Dataran Merdeka

 
Dataran Merdeka with Proton Saga producing since 1985

 
National flag – Jalur Gemilang

Didn’t know there is such nice library in KL at Dataran Merdeka

Very old St. Mary’s Church next to Dataran Merdeka (Since 1894, that’s 115 years old)

Went to Muzium Negara (last visit was 20 years ago). Unfortunately it was closed for Hari Raya.
What’s the odd of hitting one of the 2 off days from 365 days. Ha!

Went to Aquaria KLCC as the weather turns bad.

 
Greeted by this not-so-happy-face stingray

Then the other friendly-face stingray

For supper, we went to New Boston in Klang for Boston Lala with it’s signature 1 hour waiting.

Then on the 2nd day of Raya. We did something holy.

Went to Batu Caves.
Climbed all the way up of 272 steps before entering the main temple.

After all the exercise, we went Shabu-Shabu in Bandar Puteri, Puchong.

On the 3rd day…

 
Went to Thean Hou Temple (天后宫). Didn’t realize it’s just right opposite Mid Valley City and so easy to reach :p

Really nice view at the first floor – KL tower and KLCC Twin Tower in background

Dragon as if he is flying off into the clear blue sky.
Yupe, that’s right, there is no haze. The sky is so clear that it’s freaking hot.

 
God blessing you long live!

Then we wrap up Bee Geok visit with Daidamon BBQ Buffet, that will be cover in the next blog entry, cause it will a detail one. hee…

Stay Tuned.

You bring us joys and happiness
We will always love you
May you rest in peace

(Rico Boy, 1994 - 18/9/2009 2.22pm)

The No.1 Chinese Radio Station in Malaysia is celebrating their 11th Anniversary.
In conjunction to the celebration, they have plenty of activities for the celebration.
Among all are the 星光11同乐会 with Proton Persona.

Their last station was held in AEON Bukit Tinggi Klang on last weekend 8/8/09.
Being a klangite and supporter to MY FM, of course I went for the event. (especially knowing Jason is gonna be there)

 
You may catch his session 贾森夜航班 on weekdays Mon-Fri 8pm to 12am

Almost the whole team of DJ were there, except 菲比 and 卓卉勤

Happy Birthday to MY FM, wish you will always be No.1 and bring us more excitement and entertainment.

Bought a CD today in Speedy. It’s been a while since I last purchase a CD :p

 

It’s Sodagreen latest album Spring, Glow (苏打绿-春，日光）that i bought.
I got to know this band since I saw them winning last year Best Band award (2008年第19届金曲奖「最佳乐团奖」)
It was the song 无与伦比的美丽 that get my attention back then.
Soon after that, 小情歌 caught my attention again in early 2009, especially the vocalist 吴青峰, he got one-of-the-kind voice.

I started to google about Sodagreen, and found out more news and their talents.
Thanks to youtube, i got to know more of their songs and  MVs which are quite creative and nice.

All this formula add ups to my decision to buy their latest CD today.

 
Left to right: 青峰, 家凯, 馨仪, 阿龚, 阿福, 小威

The CD packing looks simple, yet special.
I was quite surprised about a blank CD printing without label.

Then as I watch carefully and slightly tilted…

Voila, the secret imprint label.

They just keep surprise me, just like their music and performance.

Wondering if its possible to watch their concert in Taiwan 蘇打綠2009日光狂熱小巨蛋演唱會?
H1N1, please stop spreading….

This entry was inspired by a song titled Man In The Mirror sang by late King of Pop Michael Jackson (1958-2009).
Written by Siedah Garrett and Glen Ballard

 

“I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I'm asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you want to make the world a better place,
take a good look at yourself and then make a change“

As we all know that he is a remarkable singer that holds multiple legends in his career and life.
I’m not an expert on music, but I’m sure he is very committed to deliver only the best.
Watching his replay concert on cable TV last weekend make me realized that every achievement comes with a price.

 

He gave 110% in every of his performances without fail.
To achieve his goal, he put up a lot effort, he made all the necessary changes.
His willing to change has been a great factor for his success story.



It’s a pity though the changes were a bit over the top.
Too many plastic surgeries, too complicated to sustain.
At the end, the whole system collapsed.

Nevertheless, he will be always remembered as a legendary music icon which cannot be replaced.
Rest in peace.

Keroro and Tamama i get from Penang Trip back in April 2009 has officially moved to new house together with other 3 permanent residences. Hope they like they like the new place.

First row left to right: Double Decker from London (KC), 366 day bear Key Chain from Genting (Mum), Keroro from Penang
Second row (left to right): Painted crystal glass ball from Shanghai (Mum), Tamama from Penang
Display box from Daiso (RM5)

For those who has called me recently, must have get frustrated by my “hello? I can’t hear you. hello? hello!!!?”
Yes, my flip phone has faulty on speaker, occasionally (especially on important calls), real darned.

I’ve been studying around on a few phones, me as loyal user of Nokia has even consider to switch brand like
i.   Sony Ericsson – Hong Kong drama influence, great option for slim candy bar phone
ii.  HTC – attracted by it’s Touch 3G, nice screen, running on Windows (means can have better choice of applications)
iii. LG – well… not so much, though Ice Cream is cute, Cookie is sweet, function wise is not that impressive.
iv. Apple – ho.. iPhone, need no further descriptions.

Juggling in dozens of phones alluring in the market, I’ve sort listed down to 2 finalist

              VS             
                  iPhone 3G                                                                    Nokia E72

Both equally elegant, features packed, beautiful.

Which will you choose? Please vote.

Confirmed case of A(H1N1) is no longer the only number we follow these days.

API (Air Pollutant Index) became the highlight ever since the fire started in neighbour country.
For the past 2 weeks, folks in Klang valley and Port Klang have been “smoking” and hiding under the shed.
Sunshine were blocked by thick smoke. Sunshine is so thin that a vampire could walk freely on the street in day time.

(taken on Friday, 12 June)

And then, there was a pouring rain on last Saturday.
Rain water washes off all the haze, we finally regain back healthy API (<50).

Friend, long time no see - Clear blue sky with thick clouds

(Taken on Monday, 15 June)

Let’s see how long we can sustain this blue sky and sunshine.

We heard a lot of news about Swine flu to H1N1 Influenza A for the past 2 months.
From educational articles about symptoms for early detection to updates on confirmed case and deaths.

We change our travel plan on where can go, where cannot go to avoid being infected.
But when come to Air Asia sales, can you resist?

For example, this ad – Come play in the snow in Melbourne, and get H1N1 for free!

Can anyone please tell me, the objective and standard operating procedures on how to use the second toilet bowl?

 
From Shangri-La Hotel, Surabaya, Indonesia.

Alrighty, Now we had reached Day 3, the last day of Penang Trip.

First we check-out from hotel, and have breakfast at a very old restaurant next door.
From the chicken rice stall, we ordered steamed chicken, roasted pork and BBQ sauce pork.

Right after this breakfast, we walk to get the food we missed in Day 02.

The pan fried carrot cake covered in Axian788 阿贤人情味!


Though it looks normal. the special was at the cake, and pork lard the auntie use.
The carrot cake is soft and Q. Put it in your mouth, and it gets melted and slip down the throat.

The chef auntie non-stop cooking for her customers.

Look at the amount of plates been used in just 2 hours of business.
 

I feel so privileged to have tasted it. Remember to drop by this place when you are in Penang.


Apparently they have other nice delicacies too. Others are sold out, we only get to have the last piece of this
 
Nicely shaped, half transparent, nice filling, nicely served.

After the satisfying secondary breakfast, let’s proceed to Penang Road for some refreshing cendol.
This is my second bowl for this trip, the first one was on the first day, but were too rush to take picture back then.

In the evening, many will stop by on their way home from work for Teow Chew Famous Cendol.
 

Then, we went to do something that every tourists in Penang would do.
Yes, we went to buy Tambun biscuits.

After that we go 2 more mission in our menu that hasn’t been accomplished yet.
So, waste no more time.

First, is the yam cake.

Oooh, the yam is so well-blended with flour, the ground dried prawn paste is exquisite and topped with crispy fried onion.
They even have special packing to let customers bring home on plane.

As for lunch, is Curry Mee with everything – by the word everything, they literally put everything in it.
There’s squid, taupok, pig blood, cockles and noodles. Got a shock when it was served.
The soup was relatively lighter compared to KL’s, put some sambal in it, it’ll a perfect match.
This place is about 10mins walk to Tune Hotels.

That’s a lot of foods there for the past 3 days, its time to do some sightseeing.

Old British building – currently government office (i guess)

Very old clock tower, the time is still correct though.

QE II at port


A little chinese temple on jetty (i was standing at Chew Jetty), not sure what jetty was that.

And, the artistic namely “A Celebration of Our Blue Sky” at the promenade


officiated by Lim Guan Eng, Penang’s Fourth Chief Minister
 

Well, that’s the end of my Penang trip. Looking forward to go again to finish one business….the Nasi Briyani Beratur!

Today is the Chinese will celebrate DuanWu festival (端午节), which happen every year in 5th day of 5th month in Chinese calendar.
Is also call Dumpling Festival, because we must have Dumpling to eat. Well, at least that’s what happen in my family.

Introducing my family dumpling!!!!!!!!!!

Our house dumplings are made from sticky rice, 3 layer fat pork, mushroom, medium dried prawns (中虾米) and chestnut (栗子).
All the ingredients were half cooked before it was wrapped in the leaves, which will then cook in boiling water for 3.5hrs.

The finished product has salty & seasoned taste, juices from pork fat lubricate the biting and prevent the sticky rice from sticks on the leave – 100% satisfying.

Hi, I’m back with sequel of 2nd day route for my Penang food trip.

In the next day morning, local Penang colleague brought us to eat Hokkien Mee as breakfast.
(* In Northen Hokkien Mee = Prawn mee = Har mee in Klang Valley & Southern)
This Hokkien mee is located somewhere in the middle between Georgetown and Kek Lok Si.
This shop sells only Hokkien mee and drinks (which also serving toast and half boiled eggs).
They open from 7am in the morning, sold out around 10am.
Gotta have pre-booking before go there, unless you would wait at the shop before 7am.
It took quite a while to get serving after sit down
(that’s when toast and half boiled eggs come handy to keep our sugar level balanced and not getting fainted).
Well, its worth to wait, worth for this “heavy weight” hokkien mee.

Check out the big prawns!

Warning: the original soup is fragranced and spicy enough. Mixture of the sambal from spoon will bring those weak-tongue rocket flying to sky with eyes full of tears.

After exhilarating breakfast, we proceed our journey to Kek Lok Si (极乐寺 – Temple of Supreme Bliss).

 
Very well preserved and maintained. Really enjoyed the serenity sitting in the garden.
Everything seems peaceful, all the troubles fly away above cloud 9.

However, the beggars sitting at corridor does become eyesore of the place

On the way up, don’t forget to stop by to feed the tortoise.
They are extremely hungry since the low tourist season and bad economy.
Spotted a couples of young tortoise body floating in the pool, uncertain on cause of death.
RM1 for a small bunch of vege is really expensive though.


During the time, there was construction going on to build a roof for the big Buddha statue.

The administrators were seeking for donations by selling pieces of roof at RM30.
They still short of many roof to complete the project. Please support and sponsor if you happen to be in Penang.

We could write our name on it with blessings.
Visitors from Thai, Japan, Australia, India, Korea, Europe had sponsored too.

The accomplished project will look like this from the poster.
My name will be on one of the thousands roof, cool huh.
 

After a few hours touring in Kek Lok Si, its about time to have lunch.
Just right at the bottom of Kek Lok Si, there is a famous Asam Laksa stall located at the busy T-junctions.

 
Well, the taste……. hmm…. its not my preference type.

Must order the hot-N-freshly fried popiah and fish balls from the neighbour stall Uncle.

We head back to Georgetown by bus after the simple lunch (not really satisfying).

Once we reached Georgetown, first thing to do is quench the thirst with 100 Plus.
Then walk around town for mini shopping before landed at a restaurant for Wantan mee.

Then, in the early evening around 5pm, we went to New World Park located just next door to Tune Hotel.

Friend want to shop for shoes, but I spotted some white coloured boxes queue in front a toy shop.
Yes! It’s Gashapon. I gotten a huge Keroro head and a huge Tamama head. Each head could have 2 expression face. Happy!

Must try in the hawker centre in New World Park is the Ice Kacang King served with fruits namely banana, mango, papaya and a scope of peanut butter vanilla ice cream.


And the second must order item is Yam Cake. Dumpling is so so only.

The yam cake is soft, yam well-blended, served with medium size crispy fried dried prawn (虾米)
Stall that sell this yam cake can be easily spotted, cause they are the only stall with long customers queue.

After “light” snacking, we proceed to search for the expensive fried kuey teow in Lorong Selamat
(from New Park World’s main entrance with Starbucks – cross the road then walk straight for about 500m)
You will find the Auntie with her unmistakable red hat.


A plate of Fried kuey teow like this selling at RM6.50
With 2 giant fresh prawns, fat si-ham, crispy fried pork fat and tasty soft kuey teow, Definately worth it.

Be there early, they close around 6pm.

Then I spend a night resting in hotel reading Crayon Shin Chan i bought from 7-Eleven at lobby of Tune Hotel.

Will be back with Day 03 menu. Stay tuned.

This is a backdated blog about my Food Trip in Penang about a month ago in April.
Gotta warn you, it’s going to be a long blog entry with lots of photos. (of course, mainly saliva inducing delicious food)

I went with Air Asia flight because Ann got vouchers due to be redeemed.

I’m not sure if this is river in klang valley, its beautiful.
 

Well, the aircraft and stewardess still the same, you know…
And this is the famous Nasi Lemak, served steaming hot.
 

We arrived just the minute we finished the flight meal.
Then we checked in to Tune Hotel located right in the center of Georgetown, very strategic.
 

Its a new hotel opened for couple of week ago when I stay there.
The room looks clean and new, facilitated with basic necessities.

The room is great though its a bit small. Security controlled, non-smoking building with safety deposit box.
Air-conditioning, in-room WiFi, towel and toiletries are available on request with charges.

After settling down and refreshed ourselves, we took a walk down to Upper Penang Road end at E&O Hotel.
This is a place with all the happening lounge and bars. Mostly Guinness and Tiger outlets.

The classy E&O Hotel.

After a night of beers, turn to Mamak’s at corner for a bowl of hot Sup Kambing or Roti Canai, Teh Tarik, you name it.

To be continued with my day 02 route with more food.

On a recent trip with MAS flight, encounter this particular article.

Its so true, sometimes I really wonder how we find so much room in our stomachs.
Or actually in the other way round, maybe we digest faster, therefore we need to eat sooner.

High five Elaine Tan!

Birdie birdie… I missed you. How are you doing?

Got recommendation from colleague about this restaurant Daidomon offering BBQ buffet at RM68 per person for their Washoku and Yakiniku Buffet. Located in 3rd floor of Great Eastern Mall, Jalan Ampang, KL.
Tasted it on 1st March 2009 with KT and June.

Its really nice. Following is my review for the food we ate. slurpsss…
Pictures are courtesy from KT.

 

First dish – Sashimi of salmon, octopus, tuna – freshly prepare upon order
 

Ordered some California rolls and avocado rolls

Then is the beef sushi, it was raw beef, first time ever.
It is so raw and hard to chew that, we have to cook the beef first before we can eat

Before cook                                             After cook

Then Ebi sushi and Unagi sushi. The Unagi is so big piece that over cover the rice.

Of course we have BBQ cooking along, sushi are to keep our mouth busy while waiting for BBQ stuffs to get cook

We ordered 3 plates of Tender Belly, 1 strip loin, chicken sausages, prawns, 2 times scallops
  
raw oysters and butter                               Cooking oyster with butter in cup

Butter fish and salmon for BBQ. It is so delicious that we have to order 3 of plates!
 

Also tried venison (deer meat)
 

To even out the acidic meat, we ordered Shitake Mushroom and sweet potato
Warning: must cook carefully with slow fire
 

Some Ebi tempura and deep fried vegetables


Green tea is free flow.
They also serves salads and variety of soups and rice (gohan).
For dessert, they have ice cream and mixed fruits.

May order a la carte or set meal if you don’t fancy buffet.

Overall, i rated it as 4 stars out of 5.
The missing star is for not installing ventilation fan.
Though the food is nice, i don’t like my hair and clothes smells like BBQ-ed

Go have a try.