Re-discovering Penang

        Penang has always held a special spot in my heart so when hubby included Penang in our Visit Malaysia 2014 itinerary, my heart leapt with joy. Two gracious hosts, Jason and Alex, also played a part in making this visit a huge success.

         Jason, hubby's cousin, is the right person to take us to good Penang food as he has lived in Penang for more than 10 years. We were introduced to New World Park, a modern food court in Georgetown, bordered by Burmah Road, Hutton Lane and Swatow Lane. According to Jason, the food stalls that used to operate at Swatow Lane have all moved into New World Park, hence you get all the divine street food under one roof. Hubby predictably zeroed in on his favourite prawn mee. I threw caution to the wind and indulged freely by ordering assam laksa, or chien (oyster omelette) and ice cream pancake! The following morning, Jason took us to the Super Tanker Food Court at Lip Sin Garden, Sungai Dua. Upon his recommendation, I tried the tasty fried mi sua. Any guesses for hubby's pick? Bingo! It was prawn mee again!                          

Ice cream, bananas and peanuts on crispy base

Succulent oysters in fried with egg and starchy batter…yum!

                                    
        Alex, another photography aficionado, took hubby to Teluk Tempoyak, a quiet Malay fishing village on the southeast tip of Penang island, for sunset shots. Until recently, Teluk Tempoyak was truly off the beaten path and it is in rustic sites like this that a photographer is often rewarded with pictures of great depth.
 

Bridging the Gap at Teluk Tempoyak

Alex, hard at work at Teluk Tempoyak

Two Friends At Sea

Taking You Out To The Sun

Fruits of my shopping spree

While hubby was engaged in his photography pursuits, I conveniently walked from Eastin Hotel to Queensbay Mall  for some retail therapy. 

         After they were done, Alex picked me up from the hotel to join his wife and son for dinner at the famous Pak Hussin Tomyam Restaurant in Sungai Ara. It was heart-warming to see Malaysians of all races dining under one roof. Ever the gracious host, Alex extended dessert to more photography opportunities for Derrick. We were taken to a spot under the

Penang Bridge from below

first Penang Bridge, a firm favourite with anglers, photographers, BBQ enthusiasts and dating sweethearts. Braving the infamous Penang traffic crawl, we moved on to Gurney Drive close to midnight. Night owls were everywhere!

Gurney Drive at midnight

        





        We changed hotels the next day as Derrick wanted somewhere closer to the city centre for different photography sites. With a colleague's recommendation in mind, I chose to stay at Chulia Heritage Hotel,

Ideal location, affordable rates, clean rooms

centrally located in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Penang. 

Tourists at Chew Jetty

        This new location enabled us to explore the nearby clan jetties. These water villages are over a century old and are each named after a certain clan. We managed to visit three of them ---  Tan Jetty, Lee Jetty and Chew Jetty (which is the one attracting most of the tourists). 

Bloggers have been raving about the prawn fritters at Tan Jetty so it made sense for us to try some. I must have looked like a hungry tourist, wandering around the jetties under the hot sun, poking the stick into the plastic bag of tasty delights, popping them into my mouth without any decorum and occasionally sharing them with Derrick!

Happy to find the prawn fritters stall

Tasty delights sizzling away in the hot wok

        The bustling Chulia Street, where our hotel is located, has gained a reputation for good food. There were positive Internet reviews of the several chicken rice shops and we chose to eat at Restaurant Goh Thew Chik, where long queues were forming in front of the two shoplots. Derrick, who is a chicken rice connoisseur, proclaimed the food to be very tasty but still loses out to his favourite chicken rice shop in Ipoh.

        In the evening, Derrick was once again whisked away for more photography. With the harsh afternoon sun slowly setting, it was comfortable enough for me to venture around, seeking the much talked-about murals around Georgetown. With a tub of warm

Sticky rice balls coated with brown sugar, sesame seed & lots of ground peanuts

muar chee in hand, weaving around the streets to locate the wall art was part of the fun. Feeling carefree, with all the time in the world, I also took a breather at a cafe to enjoy the thirst-quenching drink of lemongrass, lime, lemon and sour plum soda...bliss!      
                                                                              

Boy on Motorbike at Lebuh Ah Qwee

Ernest Zacharevic's famous Siblings on a Bike

Boy Reaching Up (for Starbucks?) and Children Reaching Out for Pau

Interesting street art in Penang

        That night, Derrick and I roamed Chulia Street for street food. As cautioned by Jason, Chulia Street at dark becomes a rather notorious area with men and women in the flesh trade coming out to prowl. But with lots of tourists and locals around, it was still safe enough to hunt around for food. We did not have to look far, as there were plenty of hawker stalls around. And we had the tastiest koay teow th'ng ever...so good that Derrick had a second helping!

Look for this stall at Chulia Street

A bowl of goodness!

        My mum, who used to work in Penang, has fond memories of Campbell Street's dim sum. So the next morning, we ventured there to seek out Tho Yuen, an old Cantonese restaurant that has been around for more than 5 decades and still commands a loyal following. Perhaps our expectations were too high, but the dim sum served there were a notch below Ipoh's. Still, it was a nice experience eating at such an old establishment.

Dim sum from the steam array

Fried snacks for dim sum

        Before bidding adieu to Penang, we drove to Eaton Kuih Centre at Jalan Tan Sri Teh Ewe Lim. I am extremely fond of their green cakes as well as their rendang.  

Red and green ku from Eaton

        As always, all good things must come to an end. Our short Penang trip was over. But as Penang has so much to offer, the Pearl of the Orient beckons us to return, in the not too distant future.

Appreciating the Meaning of Christmas

C is for the Child born in Bethlehem

H is for Hope that Jesus brings

R is for my Redeemer, who has paid for 

   my sins

I is for an Invitation to follow in His 

   ways 

S is for my Saviour, whom I love dearly

T is for being Thankful that I belong to 

   Him

M is for a Meaningful season that is not

   about presents and partying  

A is for His Amazing love for All

S is for Spending time with my Special

   ones on this Splendid day

Wishing everyone a Blessed Christmas    

Sighting Treasures in Sekinchan

        Always on the lookout for landscape photography opportunities, Derrick suggested spending a weekend in Sekinchan. Approximately two and a half hours away from Ipoh, Sekinchan is a small town in Selangor. The name in Chinese means "village suitable for plantation" and this explains why Sekinchan is one of the major rice producing areas in Malaysia.
        Sekinchan is fast becoming a magnet for tourists. We were lucky to be able to secure a room for the night at the Harbour View Hotel, a modest but clean hotel right smack in town. Despite the name, it does not offer any view of the harbour or beach. But we chose this hotel because of its proximity to the paddy fields, the reason for this trip.
        We city slickers were excited to see the golden yellow paddy fields. We had arrived at the right time as the paddy was ripe for harvesting and we were able to catch the harvester tractors in action. Derrick donned his boots to trudge into the fields for closer shots while I was content to enjoy the sunset and the rainbow in the comfort of the car.

 

 

"I'm coming for you!"

The paddy, the machine and the rainbow

        Besides paddy planting, Sekinchan is also a fishing village, hence the abundance of fresh and cheap seafood. Visitors are spoilt for choice as there are numerous seafood restaurants. We decided to have dinner at Ten Tian Lai and were not disappointed. Both of us agreed that the steamed grouper in a sour spicy sauce, steamed la-la with ginger and wine as well as the butter fried prawns were ooo-la-lla indeed.
        Our hopes for peaceful slumber were dashed as a bus-load of schoolkids had also checked into the hotel. They were shouting, rushing in and out of their rooms and banging the doors. I seriously considered barging out into the corridor, demanding to know which school they were from and threatening to lodge complaints to their principal. In the end, I did nothing of that sort but some vicious kicking on the room door by Derrick stunned and scared them a little.
        With seafood aplenty, enterprising villagers have churned them into various types of crackers. 

One of the many brands of crackers in Sekinchan

Besides the mundane fish and prawn crackers, there are sotong and la-la crackers as well. Every crunch reveals freshness but the la-la crackers get my vote.
        If fruits are your cup of tea, Sekinchan is the right place to be. Orchards are in abundance, as are roadside fruits stalls. We dropped by at Wah Chai Mango King, which is a village house selling all types of mangoes. 

Take your pick of the mangoes at Mango King

To cater to lazy bums like us, they also sell cut, ready-to-eat mango slivers in packets. Big thumbs up to those sweet and juicy mangoes!
        Another tourist attraction in Sekinchan is the Redang Beach, made famous by "Outbound Love", the TVB romantic comedy serial starring Ruco Chan and Aimee Chan. The seaside itself is nothing to shout about but the many colourful tree houses

The famous red tree house at Redang Beach, Sekinchan

that dot the beach make it a unique experience. And it was in one of these tree houses that Aimee spent the night with Ruco (in the drama serial, of course!).
         After this visit to Sekinchan, I am convinced that treasures can indeed be found in one's own backyard. Sekinchan, you have not seen the last of us!
       

Being Mesmerized By Mirror Lake

     A truly hidden gem, serenely tucked away in an idyllic spot, lovingly embraced by limestone hills...Ipoh's Mirror Lake.
   Mirror Lakes abound worldwide, so-named because of the well-defined reflections on a lake's crystal clear waters. Ipoh's version of her Mirror Lake is found in a most unlikely place. Travel towards Gopeng along the busy and dusty Jalan Simpang Pulai, be on the lookout for an Isuzu factory on your left, turn in there, navigate along a sandy and pebbled path, venture through a stone quarry and park near a tiny cave entrance.
    If you are there before 10 a.m., brace yourself for pitch darkness as you tread gingerly through the 50m long cave. Soon you will reach the end, which opens out into a breathtaking sight...a tranquil lake framed by shrubs and limestone hills.
    Metal planks and benches have been constructed to enable you to safely walk out further and admire the  awe-inspiring scenery. Peer closer at the lake and you are bound to see fishes darting around or even a tortoise playing hide and seek with you. Spend some moments of solitude to soak in the wonders of God's creations, right at the doorstep of us Ipoh lang.

Enter via this small cave entrance

 

Hold your loved one's hand as you walk through this cave

The end of the tunnel draws closer

As you catch a glimpse of what there is to offer, you hasten your steps

This gorgeous sight greets you as you step out of the cave tunnel

With hardly anyone around, it's bliss to enjoy some quiet moments here

Fancy a ride across the lake?

A photographer's haven

Stumbling upon sights, adventure and lip smacking food

        After an extremely stressful academic year, hubby dearest has lined up a string of holiday activities for me. We kicked it off by exploring Kuala Kubu Bahru, a small town in Hulu Selangor. Not many would give this old mining town a passing thought, dismissing it as a sleepy hollow to pass through en route to Fraser's Hill. And that's where they are wrong.
        We had a most enjoyable day at this quaint little town and its surroundings. Leaving Ipoh at 4 a.m., it took us one and a half hours to drive to Kuala Kubu Bahru, well in time for sunrise shots at the famous Masjid Darul Quran. Surrounded by rolling hills and a peaceful man-made lake, the mosque is a favourite among photographers. Always striving to be different from the mass, Derrick was immensely pleased when lightning illuminated the skies as he was poised to take sunrise shots of the mosque.

         

After that, Derrick rewarded his patient wife with a most delicious Hainanese breakfast at the famous Sun Sun Nam Cheong,

The interior of the Hainanese coffee shop

a coffee shop that has been around for more than 60 years.There are many Internet reviews of the food served here, prompting us to make a beeline for this eatery located at Jalan Mat Kilau, right in the town center. We shared a plate of French toast with hotdog and a plate of the most divine chicken chop. 

The most succulent Hainanese chicken chop

Yes, this was for breakfast! And the chicken chop was so tasty that I could have easily succumbed to gluttony and ordered another plate! The French toast was also very nicely done. 


        With our tummies filled, we ventured around the little town with its colonial charm and moved on to locate Empangan Sungai Selangor, which was completed in 2002. The Splash information centre offers exhibition and information about the facility and is the best place to view the huge hole in the lake where water drops in to feed the supply pipes.

The mighty Sungai Selangor Dam

        The dam is situated on the road leading to Fraser's Hill but we decided against going on to the popular hill resort as the road features many twists and turns. I was not equipped with my motion sickness pills. But we did venture a little further, past a small iron bridge to reach a hidden gem in Malaysia...the Sungai Chiling Fish Sanctuary. It was a stumble upon unspoilt nature as this place has not been accorded much publicity. This picturesque nature trail is managed by the state fisheries department. Visitors register themselves at the office and pay a small entrance fee of RM1. The 1-hour trail starts by crossing the suspension bridge and then turning left, traversing over streams and puddles, passing through verdant jungle and admiring the gushing river that flows below. To reach the waterfalls, you need to cross 5 fast-flowing rivers which reach up to your waist...truly an adventure in itself. We wisely decided against proceeding because we had not brought a change of clothes. I certainly did not relish the idea of making my way back to Ipoh in a pair of wet jeans. But we promised ourselves that we will be back!
        Before heading back to Ipoh, we decided to have our lunch at Kuala Kubu Bahru town. Although I was keen for another round of Hainanese chicken chop, we decided to try another place. And boy, are we glad we did! Ninety Eight Seafood Restaurant serves such delicious food that we vow to return. We ordered steamed taufu with mince patties and prawns fried in soya sauce; both dishes being extremely tasty.

Slices of taufu on one side, minced pork on another side, splash a beaten egg over, steam the dish and garnish with lots of fried shallots and ginger strips

I can detect some tamarind juice and spot some black beans...which made a world of  difference in this platter of prawns

        Reviews on the Internet also pointed us in the direction of Teng Wun Bakery & Confectionery, a very old and unassuming place. Their kaya puffs come highly recommended and so do their butter cake, hence I grabbed both. We tried them during our drive back to Ipoh and I can testify that the raves were justified. I usually turn up my nose at butter cakes sold at shops because I believe they can never be as good as the one my mother bakes. But one bite of this super soft Teng Wun butter cake has me drooling all over it. The kaya puff, which comes individually wrapped for freshness, has layers of crisp flakes enveloping a not-too-sweet kaya filling...mmmm....

     Kuala Kubu Bharu for sights, adventure and lip smacking food...we will be back!

Falling under its captivity

     I first heard about it from a colleague, who treated his wife to a four-course dinner with it. It stirred my interest but I was rather skeptical about it being too good to be true. Then a good friend waxed lyrical about it and that spurred me to give it a try. And now there's no looking back. I admit to falling under its captivity.

        Yes, Groupon's the "it" that I am referring to. Named after a city in Switzerland famed for selling discounted tyres, Groupon is a deal-of-the-day website featuring discounted gift certificates. It was first launched in November 2008, targetting Chicago shoppers. By October 2010, Groupon had 35 million registered users and had spread its tentacles to Europe, South America and Asia.

        If a certain number of people sign up for a particular offer, then the deal gets the green light. But if the predetermined minimum is not achieved, then the deal is not viable. Approximately half the money paid for the deal is kept by Groupon. Sounds like the merchants are getting the short end of the stick? Absolutely not. They get advertised and it helps to induce consumers to try them out. This is especially helpful when the merchant is new in the market.

        My e-mail account is checked constantly for the latest Groupon deals. And when a deal sparks my interest, I usually spread the word to my two "partners-in-crime" (namely my mum and my good friend) to see if either wants to join me in grabbing the gold nugget. 

        To date, I have bought Groupon deals for meals, body massages and hair treatments. There is an unending list that catches my eye, but I do caution myself to be prudent in shopping. After all, it is incredibly easy to get caught up in such a convenient and rewarding manner of shopping. Did I mention "rewarding"? Yes, Groupon recently "rewarded" my loyalty with an incentive --- a RM25 discount on my next purchase (for purchases that are RM50 and above).

Thanking My Very Special Teacher

        On Teacher's Day today, many will take the opportunity to show their appreciation to the host of men and women who have dedicated their lives to educating the future generation. As a teacher, I know how gratifying it is to be remembered and appreciated. 
        And on Teacher's Day today, I think it is fitting to pay tribute to That Very Special Teacher who has played such an important role in my life, who has moulded me into what I am today, who has empowered me incessantly and who continues to enrich my life every day. She was my very first teacher, who taught me the letters of the alphabet, who read with me all the books in the Ladybird Peter and Jane series. She was the teacher who taught me arithmetic and drilled me in the multiplication tables. Throughout primary school, she learned all that I learned in school, just so that she could guide me through my schoolwork. She gave me "Ejaan" after "Ejaan" and bought me "Kuntum" magazines (and later "Dewan Siswa") to ensure my Malay Language is up to the mark. This very special teacher of mine searched for workbooks, assigned me worksheets to practise on and tirelessly marked them for me. She was not a teacher by profession but she is the most effective and efficient teacher for me. She imparts wisdom, instils values, infuses enthusiasm, ignites passion for learning and inspires me to reach out to others.
        So on Teacher's Day today, I thank you, Mummy dearest, for being the world's best teacher. Thank you for teaching me to be what I am today. Thank you for teaching me to believe in myself. Thank you for never doubting my capabilities. Thank you for touching my life in all ways possible. Thank you for being my teacher.