Skywatch Friday - Penang Island

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Skywatch Friday - Penang Island

For more skywatch, click here.

My trip to Kek Lok Si Temple, Penang Island

It was the first day of our family vacation in this beautiful, island. We traveled from our hotel by car to visit one of Penang Island's largest and best known Buddhist temples located in hills of Ayer Itam. Kek Lok Si Temple that is derived from the Chinese word which carries the meaning of the  "Temple of Supreme Bliss". During the olden days, the hills of Air Itam was a place for retreat of Taoist practitioners striving to achieve immortality. 

Back during the days of my parents, they used to climb their way up all the way from the base of the hill to the temple. Today, roads were widen enabling visitors to drove all the way up, either to the top of the hill or halfway. We drove halfway up the hill. Upon entry, we were greeted by the majestic temple gate. 

One of the prominent structures in the temple grounds, is the pagoda. This pagoda combines a Chinese octagonal base with a middle tier of Thai design and a Burmese crown, reflecting the temple's embrace of both Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism. 

We walked around and found this mini pagoda at the temple grounds. 

We took a mini tram to the top of the hill. Later in the evening, it started to slowly become cloudy, slightly drizzling. Luckily for us, we are almost at the end of our journey, the top of the hill. 

Hmmmm.... Wondering what are the scarecrows doing here? 

A really cute mini Buddha we found at the souvenirs shops.

According to many Penang locals, the temple is beautifully decorated during Chinese New Year with colourful lights. I sure hope to have to the chance to be here again especially during Chinese festive season. 

Before we left we dropped by for the famous Penang Cuisine and Malaysian local delight Asam Laksa. This is one of the best Asam Laksa that you can find. They had been here for many generations. 

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 We spoke to the boss, and he is very friendly. I am very happy that he is smiling in the camera as well. 

A little sweet, a little sour and add together spicy, combines to make just the right ingredients for a perfect soup base and delicious laksa noodles. It does wonders to your taste buds. 

In the count of 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.....

... and they were all gone... into our stomachs of course! It has been a long time since my last Penang Laksa! We couldn't help to resist ordering a few more extra bowls. We really missed the laksa... left us really satisfied with our lunch. 

Skywatch Friday - Penang Island

It was early in the morning. I took a stroll along the beach before everyone is awake. Enjoyed the calm and cooling breeze. What a wonderful feeling to listen to soothing sound of waves that came gently crashing onto the rocks. Chilly, tinkling sensation of the cold water touching my feet.  


I found some interesting quotes about beaches. 

“Why do we love the sea? It is because it has some potent power to make us think things we like to think.”

~ Robert Henri ~

“Our memories of the ocean will linger on, long after our footprints in the sand are gone.”

~ Anonymous ~

“The Sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.”

~ Jacques Cousteau ~

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Rainbow Spotted!

It was a long time since I see such beautiful skies near the place I live. It was in shades of blue, slightly purplish all over the housing area. A glimpse of a rainbow was spotted on the right. Hiding among the thick clouds. 

Seeing the fascinating colours forget all my worries and feel so good.  It reminds me of the song and the quote said by Lyman Frank Baum, " Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue, and the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true". There's a saying that goes, "There's a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow" and all the lovely stories and wonderful adventures about a journey to find a rainbow. 

It disappeared very soon in a few minutes. I hope you find the rainbow within you too. To live your dreams, to have faith and believe that there's always hope. May you be blessed with a wonderful, beautiful life. 

It certainly had made my day. 


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Chinese New Year Celebration/Decorations @ Mid Valley Megamall

Malls all around Klang Valley were decorated with bright colours to welcome the lunar new year. 

Chinese traditional music performance on the 15-20th January 2011. Beautiful music. 

We welcome the year of the rabbit! 

Wish everyone Happy Chinese New Year. Gong Xi Fa Cai!!

May the year of the rabbit be filled with good health, abundance of wealth, good luck, and happiness. 

May you be filled with the warmth, cheer and love of family members, relatives and friends. 

Skywatch Friday - Dawn at Penang

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Foh San Dim Sum Restaurant, Ipoh

Finally persuaded my parents to come over since the our very last family visit many years ago when Foh San was still in the old restaurant. Gave an assurance that time it had improved. We avoided here most of the time due to the crowd. Difficult to enjoy the good food that time, as customers were waiting beside, indicating you to leave as soon as possible after you eat so that they can have a seat too. Waiters and waitresses were too busy to serve as well.

This time we came during the weekday so it was less crowded. We enjoyed our meal with minimum fuss. My parents absolutely loved it. It was cosy and calm as we sat near the man made water fountain/water fall. Looks cleaner and more hygienic as well. Usually, it would be crowded here in the weekends. Come very early in the morning to avoid the crowd, maybe around 6.30am - 7.30am. Customers will be queuing even before 8 am.

We ordered our all time favourite dim sum dishes. Generally the dim sum was quite good, very authentic and traditional. They are many choices to choose from. The Har Gao (Prawn Dumpling) was the best. Super translucent dumpling skin that didn't break easily. Fresh big shrimps. Sadly, don't have a picture here. All of it disappeared right before our very eyes before I have the chance to take a photo...(giggles)..

Steamed fish ball.

*Based on Personal Opinion, the author did not received any form of monetary or non-monetary compensation. 

Restoran Foh San Sdn. Bhd.

Address: 51 Jalan Leong Sin Nam, 30300 Ipoh, Perak Darul Ridzuan, Malaysia

Tel: (605) 254 0308

Fax: (605) 253 5432

Website: http://www.fohsan.com.my

Location/Map: 

*Map obtained from Foh San Website.*

Bubba Gump Shrimp, The Curve

Our first dining experience in Bubba Gump Shrimp was last year. Great ambiance, good service and food were words to describe our gastronomical feast. Hence, we decided to celebrate the new year in Bubba Gump Shrimp.That day was crowded. The restaurant was fully booked. Luckily we arrived early, we were placed on a waiting list but got our seat after a 15 minutes wait. The inside was full, so this time we sat outside. At the top floor, we enjoyed the soft and relaxing jazz music from ground floor. 

Something that we must not missed are the their restaurant specialty - Shrimps!. We ordered a Set Dinner from the Festive Menu. At RM 69.90, it consist of a drink (Naughty and Nice Margarita), starter (Pear and Berry Salad), main course (Roasted Turkey), and dessert (Special Christmas Dessert). We got a few choices combination to choose from. 

Naughty and Nice Margarita 

My first taste of Margarita. Served chilled with salt at the brim of the glass. It was awesome! A little sweet and slightly sour at the same time. 

Pear and Berry Salad - Fresh Greens, Strawberries, Pears, and grazed Pecans tossed in Raspberry Vinagrette. 

We enjoy our salad very much, especially myself, who's a vege lover. It was really fresh and light, served with delicious salad dressing. 

Bubba's Roasted Turkey Breast

The Turkey was okay but we didn't really enjoy the sweet gravy though. 

Special Christmas Dessert

By the time the dessert arrive, we were really stuffed already! Hardly enough space for more. The Special Christmas Dessert served with strawberries, strawberry sauce, cream, ice-cream and pastry. 

"......Of Course We Have Scampi!" RM 31.90 - Tender Shrimp Sautéed with capers in lemon - Garlic Butter served over a bed of Linguini. 

*Based on Personal Opinion, the author did not received any form of monetary or non-monetary compensation. 

Subjected to 10% Service Charge and 5% Government Tax

The Curve, Lot 145, 1st Floor, 

No. 6, Jalan PJU 7/3

Mutiara Damansara,

 47800, Petaling Jaya, 

Selangor Darul Ehsan. 

Telephone No: 03-7710 9862 and 03-77109863

Fax No: 03-7710 9864

Website: http://www.bubbagump.com/menus

Skywatch Friday - Ampang Lookout Point, KL City Night View

We were at Ampang for dinner in the Korean village. It was an impromptu decision to make a trip to Ampang Lookout Point, the place for the view of the entire Kuala Lumpur city. 

We parked our car halfway of the hill and climbed all the way up. It was a short distance, we managed to reach the top after for only about 10 minutes. Once there, It was mesmerizing. A breathtaking sight that I could never forget.  

"Always have the camera by side" .. . and it did paid well. Unfortunately, we forgot the tripod! It was quite a daunting task taking a photo in darkness. Having little to stabilize the shot with slow shutter release, we used the edge of the fence or pillar for support. 

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A day in Chinatown, Kuala Lumpur @ Pasar Seni/Petaling Street

Bright, colourful and bustling are some of the words to describe this vibrant town. Also known as "Chee Cheong Kai" as fondly called by the Malaysian Chinese. It is an area which never sleeps at the heart of the city, Kuala Lumpur. Being a photography enthusiast, I've took a journey down town to photograph the people and the culture at the streets. We took an lrt to the Pasar Seni station and had a strolled around the streets. It was just like we had imagined it, a town deeply immersed in Oriental culture, heritage and history. 

A tree that grow in between stalls! 

Ever wonder why the street is called "Chee Cheong Kai" by some of us? Looking back at history, the name originated to its roots as a tapioca-producing district. Undoubtedly one of the most popular tourist spots in Malaysia, it is filled with people from all walks of life, different countries and of course the Chinese. 

With Chinese New Year (CNY) just around the corner (February 3rd 2011), stores are quickly filled with red, and other bright and colourful auspicious decorative goods. Streets had just begun the CNY decorations of bright red lanterns. We stopped by one of these stores to stock up decorative items our house in time to usher in the new year. 

All the new year decorative items at Chinatown

More and more creative lanterns this year. Traditionally back then was simple lanterns in red with auspicious idioms or words to blessed the family with happiness, wealth and good health for a wholesome and prosperous, new year. Wording were calligraphy or painted art or maybe printed. Something different this year in some of the lanterns, saw a lantern with peonies and mandarin oranges decorated on it as well as flower prints. 

Peonies

Peonies are the symbol of love and romance for the Chinese. It is one of the purest flowers, the queen of all flowers. 

Love this purple one, it's so vibrant, and huge!

After the new year shopping, we walked further down to the main street of Chinatown.... And it was truly a gastronomic feast! We found so many delicious, authentic Chinese Hawker food and finger foods. We will definitely find time to make a trip down here again. 

Our first stop, Restoren Zhing Kong along Jalan Kasturi. Missing an "I" here at the street signs. The place for the famous and awesome beef noodles as well as other good food. 

Not to forget is the stall we must come every time we go to Chinatown. The chee cheong fan served with the finest homemade, red coloured sauce. 

We came across an old lady selling "mua chi" (mochi). This friendly "poh poh" (grandma) who passion in making these delicious glutinous rice dessert with peanuts had been selling for many years and vow to never retire.  

We bought mixed flavours. Slightly larger than the ones we usually buy from "pasar malam". 


Another delight here is the "Air Mata Kuching", great to quench the thirst and a remedy for heat due to the hot climate here. 

The roasting of chestnuts. 

 Chinese candies. 

Our trip was short but memorable. There's definitely more to Chinatown and its food, recipes of hundreds of years passed on from generations to generations. Unfortunately, we got to make a trip home and cut this journey short. 

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