Last Trip of 2009 : Part 3 Had Yai

After we left Penang, we headed towards the Malaysia-Thailand border at Bukit Kayu Hitam in the state of Kedah. We parked the car at the Malaysia border, paid the private carpark attendant and hope that my friend's brand new STI will be there when we come back. Below are the photos of our Had Yai trip(Lots of pictures). Enjoy. 

Last Trip of 2009 : Part 2, Penang

Penang. I have fond memories of this place. I came to this little island several times during my childhood. I think thats why I like the place so much, its like travelling back in time for me. Travelling back to a time of innocence and peace. A time when I had no worries, no money, no bills to pay, no burden.

My aunts house is located just at the foothills of the Kek Lok Si Temple. Its like living outside the gates of Haw Par Villa in Singapore. I guess thats why I always felt that my aunts neighbourhood is somewhat magical. Its surrounded by shops leading up to the temple and the temple architecture is a mix of Siamese and Chinese style. Come to think of it, I've never seen a similar styled pagoda in Thailand, Vietnam or China.

As a kid running around here, it felt like a gigantic magical playground, where I can disappear into my own world of mystique and fantasies. Crap, that sounds like escapism.

My Aunts neighbourhood has remained relatively unchanged for the last Thirty years. The same houses are still next door and the same people are still next door, meaning there are no young chicks to check out, zzzzzzzzzzzzzz.......

My aunt has aged a lot in recent years, its funny, when I look at her, I still see her in her 80's face, still young and motherly pretty, I don't know why. She is a really nice person and always asking to forgive her for not bringing me out for a meal when, I, was the one that always springs the surprise visit on her. Infact, my last two trips were both unannounced and lasted less than an hour, this time round was no different, I passed her some snacks and photographs that my mom had prepared the day before I left, then I took some pictures of the house and said goodbye yet again. Before I left, I told her that I will visit her again this year with my Mom, so I look forward to that trip.

It was getting late, so we made our way to our next destination, Hatyai, Thailand. Along the way out from my Aunts house, I took pictures of old houses and shops of a bygone era. Not too long ago Singapore had such architecture too but due to rapid urbanisation all the history and familiar sights of a whole generation has been lost and now can only be found in Malaysia, which itself is going through rapid modernising as well.

I can't help but feel alienated in my own country and that I need to seek a familiar solace in my neighbouring towns.

Next stop, Thailand.

Last Trip of 2009 : Part 1

Well, its a brand new year and a brand new day! Looking forward to more pain and suffering this year! Woohoo!! Masochist!

I will begin this year's blog by reviewing my last trip of 2009.

As you should know by know that I am a frequent visitor to Malaysia, so it should be fitting that I end the year with yet another trip up North. I was just in Penang two weeks ago before this trip and now I am going back to the same place!!

We were planning for a road trip for quite some time now, we were supposed to leave on the 23rd of Dec but in the end due to work commitments we left on Christmas day afternoon instead. We were travelling on Chaidir's brand new Subaru STI, Yes! the man has finally decided to dump the Alfa Romeo badge and go for the 350 horse power, twin turbo, All wheel drive monster!! This beast eats Malayan North-South highways for breakfast!!!!
We took only 7.5hours to reach Penang!! It would have been faster if not for the fuel guzzling stops to top up gas!! You might think that a sports car like this will sacrifice comfort for performance but no, the ride to Penang was very comfortable and it felt safe with the overwhelminglly boxed up cockpit.
Even the back seat passenger was dozing off happily!!

It was a pain in the ass looking for rooms available in Penang as it was the festive weekend. After running a few hotels we finally found one little cosy boutique hotel. The Vistanna. RM$180 per night. It was clean and they have their own carpark.

After check in, we went for supper behind the hotel. You'd be hungry too if you sat in a speeding car for 7 hours!!

Penang-KL 11-14 Dec 2009

My last trip to Penang was about 5 years ago. This time I was passing by for a factory visit. We took an 8hour drive to reach Penang. The GPS took the guess work out of our minds and worked great.

Its funny, when we reached, I had no memory of the roads, having been to Penang a number of times it was an unusual feeling. I came to a conclusion later on that it was because there had been many changes to the roads and Architecture. There are now Big Jusco malls and many high rise condominiums everywhere. Penang is rapidly modernising.

The old town feel was somewhat lost, it was only when I reached the inner recesses of the island that everything I was so familiar with came reeling back.

I dropped by my distant auntie's place for a visit, even her place has changed. The roads outside were packed with cars and was jammed. Apparently, the Kek Lok Si temple was having its unveiling of the new Guan Yin rooftop. We took a short climb to view the temple which always look majestic to me no matter how many times I've seen it. We left quickly as it was getting hot and crowded. I said good bye to my aunt and we left to find the Chendol!!

We had Cha kway tiao, Chendol, lor bak, nutmeg, tau sa pia....etc on our list. We reached Penang Rd and found the infamous roadside chendol, the place was really crowded. The chendol too seems to have lost its usual flavour from my memory. Well, thats what happens when you get well known, you lose quality. Still it was better than most Chendol in Singapore.

Next was Cha kway tiao, unfortunately it was sold out and it was only 1pm!!! Luckily the Lor Bak was available, the retro looking coffee shop helped made the food taste better!!

                                                      

                            

                                                   

Then we grab some pickled Nutmeg and Tau Sa Pia and left Penang. We had to reach KL by evening if we are hoping to grab some more great food.

KL was the same as usual, we went to Petaling St and booked the Malayan hotel which was quite old, later on while walking around I found better hotels at lower prices, next time maybe.

After checking in I went straight to the food!! Glutton!!

First stop, corner of Chinatown black Hokkien Mee, what can I say, it tastes amazing. I was on a mission.
Next Zainal's satay just round the corner, I've had Jakarta's famous satay and Singapore's best satay, but KL Zainal's satay is the best 3pieces of meat I have ever put into my mouth.
By now, 2 large drinks, 1 Medium Hokkien Mee and 12sticks of satay later, my stomach was going to explode. I headed back to the hotel after walking it off a bit at the Pasar malam.

We checked out the next day morning and Mike used the GPS to locate a friends recommendation of Roast Duck and Pork. It was at a street selling power tools, I guess roast pork and hard labour go hand in hand. It did'nt fail to disappoint, the roast pork was really crunchy and crispy and the aroma was to die for!!

We filled our stomachs and left for Kluang.

It was a very rushed trip but we managed to squeezed in lots of eating in between. Not a good thing these days due to my way overweight mass. Still, whats a trip up North without great food.

                                                               

Mutton soup at Kitchener road

28 Nov '09

Today Eddie, Jimmy, Boon Chong and I went for a makan session at Kitchener road juction coffee shop(opposite scissors cut rice). The main draw was the mutton soup. Which I find delicious!! The soup tastes so good but I can't help wondering how much salt and msg was in it! I will definietly come back for the mutton soup.

We had cha kway tiao too but that was very disappointing and I would not recommend it. The fried oyster pancake was much better but because its deep fried in oil that I don't know when was the last time its changed, I would not recommend to weight watchers and health conscious foodies.

I took some shots of the coffee shop and it looks like we are having a meal in a Malaysian coffee shop!! Its one of the last remaining old school coffee shops around and I have the feeling its not going to stay like that for long. Sad.

So if you feel light having mutton soup with the atmosphere of the seventies, please try this place before it disappears!