Climbed Up to Penang Hill, Down With Funicular Train

An adventurous Wednesday morning with a group of my high school friends climbing up our way to Penang Hill started from Botanical Garden where we met up each other. It took us around 2 hours to reach the top as we took our rests at stations throughout the journey. The entire journey going up the hill was fun yet enjoyable, I enjoyed the conversations a lot.

Despite the 2 hours of great conversation, climbing up the hill at that moment was getting more and more exhausting especially when we bumped into the very slopes on the halfway. As we climbed a numerous steps towards the peak, the temperature does gets cooler and cooler until we reached our destination, Penang Hill.

The climbers of the day starting from your left. Simon, Arron, Chien Chern, me, the 2 famous bloggers Alvin and Nicholas, Maxie, and Xiang Foong taking our group photo at resting station number 46 where it was not really even half of the journey towards Penang Hill.

We got our companies climbing up to our destination, the monkeys! I guess we would have an experience of bumping into a fierce adult monkey when I think it was just trying to protect its infant that came confronting towards one of us. Glad that the adult monkey did not attacked us that morning.

It was like FINALLY, we had reached the peak, Penang Hill. There were quite numerous of people visiting Penang Hill that day as most of them were tourist who went up the hill by the funicular train. After loitering for a few moments, we decided to have our "ice kacang" in the food court nearby but we had fried noodles, koay teow, and rice instead to fulfill the empty stomachs.

It was sort of hazy that day in the view of the Penang's Georgetown. Despite the poor editing skills, here I share the fantastic view of the entire Georgetown. It was such a grateful adventure we had climbing up towards Penang Hill, we at least accomplished what we intended for. We took funicular train down the hill and had another adventure in catching for rapid buses before we could take our rests at home in the afternoon that day. An awesome climb we had!

Sushi Tei Japanese Restaurant Gurney Plaza

It is the year of 2012 getting its turn on the years' queue and also Chinese New Year that falls in the January in 2012. Everyone is shopping for new clothes to welcome both of the new years in shopping malls. Here, my family and I came across this Japanese restaurant named Sushi Tei located on the 2nd level of Gurney Plaza's old wing that is two levels above the main entrance of the mall. We had our lunch-dinner there to give a try in this restaurant.

The main entrance of Sushi Tei Japanese Restaurant, a level below the ToysRUs. The interior design of this Japanese restaurant is simple yet beautiful, decorated with simple lightnings with the Japanese lanterns with the "tei" word on it that means pavillion in English well arranged in the wooden cupboards. It is almost like the entire restaurant is made of woods and Japanese lanterns only. The feeling you get when entering this restaurant is as if you are now having your meals in Japan, sort of. Dazzled by the choices in choosing what dishes we desired, we finally made up our mind.

Chirashi Don, raw assorted seafood with rice as my meal.


Ika Sugara Shio, one of the must have dish on the table.


The most famous and being welcomed by localists, Teriyaki Chicken.


Sukiyaki, a kind of Japanese hot pot.


A plate of Soft Shell Crab Maki.


Yakitori Don, also one of the most popular Japanese dishes served with tasty ginger and rice wine marinade on meats.

The Japanese dishes served on the table as we ordered that day were so amazing despite the dazzlements, indeed they were all satisfying! All the dishes were really great especially the Yakitori Don and Chirashi Don, both of them really really do fill up a person's stomach who has a big appetite. They were delicious in short. Just that if the slices of beefs in Sukiyaki dish can be more thinner will be the only feedback I have. Go and have your try people, it is worth it!

Christmas Eve Until Countdown In Strait Quay '11

What was the date for last Saturday and what day was it in the year of 2011 that is being repeated on the same date but different days in the month of December? It is Christmas Eve that falls on the 24th every year! A day when most of the people gather with their friends and families usually after the sun is set below the horizon. Nevertheless, I was one of them who hung out with my family in the noon and gathered with my friends at night for Christmas countdown in Straits Quay.

The Flea Market was held in Straits Quay in the afternoon, selling arts & crafts, antiques, accessories, foods & drinks, fashions, fruits, home decos, toys, and so on. The Flea Market was held since 17th until the 25th of 2011 on the weekends, starting businesses from 10:30am towards 10:00pm. Christmas decos was able to be found in the home deco department even it was Christmas Eve on that day, anyone here decorates their Christmas trees on the last minute? Ps I need no decoration as I already had one big decorated Christmas tree in the photo above as I was celebrating it there. Cheers!

On the promenade, Rhythm Beats Band was performing a mixture of seasonal songs and pop songs. Everywhere was so lively yet so crowded as the crowds dissolved in slowly in Straits Quay as the time was getting later and later. Chitchats, laughters, camera flashes, and all sort of activities can be heard and seen as the crowds were gathering in the seafront. The spaces in the "U" shape seafront was filled with people who enjoyed the band.

After meeting up with friends who were waiting in Starbucks, we loitered around the mall hunting for food then we decided to stop by at Oh Sushi Japanese Restaurant. The Shabu Shabu Set, steamboat-like Japanese dish should be meant for 2 persons instead. The awesome dish with thinly sliced beef were so lovely! The slices of beef were as thin as a paper, w.o.w!

The pubs were full especially the Library so we headed to Finnegan's Irish Pub & Restaurant located next to the Library, almost. My buds and I together with his friends had a great conversation and laughters while waiting for the time to lapse onto the 25th, Christmas! As the time lapsed onto the 25th, it was Christmas Day! People were shouting in excitement, cheering, making noises with parties noise makers, small party poppers, and whatever noises they could make to enjoy the countdown and also brought up the atmosphere of countdown celebration. The atmosphere was great, people were truly celebrating the countdown in a former way I would say. MERRY CHRISTMAS YO, PEOPLE!

Penang Food Paradise #16 : Penang Famous Chee Cheong Fun

Have you tried Macalister Lane famous Chee Cheong Fun? I have numerous plates of Chee Cheong Fun since I were just a kid here and until now, the aunty is still selling it in the exact same place. To your surprise, I met a person who was taking away packs and packs of Chee Cheong Fun to Singapore. What makes it so nice anyway? Well, this Chee Cheong Fun Stall serves the plates with shrimp paste, sesame seeds, sweet sauce, and rice noodle rolls where the paste, sauce, and chilies can be optional as you order.

The Famous Chee Cheong Fun! 

This stall with 56 years of history, more than half of a century who started their business since 1955 can be found outside Seow Fong Lye Coffee Shop located in Macalister Lane off the Burma Road. Why not try taste of this plate of Chee Cheong Fun yourself instead in a lovely weekend morning with your family? 

Detailed Information:
Chee Cheong Fun Stall ( Seow Fong Lye Coffee Shop )

Lorong Macalister ( Off Jalan Burma )

Morning

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Penang Food Paradise #15 : Solok Slim Wan Tan Mee

Other than Penang Beef Wan Tan Mee and Beef Soup Mee, there are many traditional yet famous Wan Tan Mee across Penang Island that I personally think they are being awesome to be shared. Let start them with this Wan Tan Mee Stall situated in Ee Hai Coffee Shop in Solok Slim. It is somewhere nearby to Heng Ee High School along the main road called Free School Road. This Wan Tan Mee Stall in Ee Hai Coffee Shop serves its Wan Tan Mee with slices of char siu, leafy vegetables, wan tans, and mushrooms. The difference of the Wan Tan Mee from this stall from others is the slices of mushrooms added into each of the plates it sells.

A plate of Dry Wan Tan Mee.

A bowl of Soup Wan Tan Mee.

Detailed Information:
Wan Tan Mee Stall ( Ee Hai Coffee Shop - Corner )

Solok Slim ( Nearby to Heng Ee High School Along Jalan Free School )

Morning Until Noon 

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Penang Food Paradise #14 : Penang Padang Brown Pasembur

First of all, what is Pasembur? What are the ingredients to be filled into your hungry and taste craving stomach? Pasembur is a Malaysian Indian salad consisting of cucumber (shredded), potatoes, beancurd, turnip, bean sprouts, prawn fritters, spicy fried crab, fried octopus or other seafoods, and served with a sweet and spicy nut sauce. Following on the title, you are able to locate this stall selling Pasembur in the same hawker center with the Penang Famous Padang Brown Popiah in the previous post. This Pasembur stall is situated in Padang Brown Hawker Center in Jalan Perak. The hawker center is located next to Rumah Kelab. So, if you are to have either your lunch or tea time and you do not know where to go for, here is the place!

An orange plate of Pasembur with orange chopsticks.

Detailed Information:

Padang Brown Hawker Center

Jalan Perak ( Jalan Perak - Opposite Penang Buddhist Association )

Closes on Thursdays

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Penang Food Paradise #13 : Pulau Tikus Char Koay Teow

In Penang, we have Char Koay Kak, Char Hor Fun, Char Mee, and some other delicious char dishes. Today, there is one Char Koay Teow Stall in Sin Hwa Coffee Shop located opposite the Pulau Tikus Pulau Tikus Police Station. I had this Char Koay Teow since I was in the high school until now and still loving it. The Char Koay Teow stir-fried by this specific stall in Sin Hwa Coffee Shop is served with prawns, squids, and cockle which is best to be eaten while it is hot.

A plate of hotly stir-fried Char Koay Teow.

The Char Koay Teow were once stir-fried by an aunty and now being replaced by her son if I am not mistaken whose ability is still similar to the aunt's. Unlike other Char Koay Teow stalls who sell crazy prices, this plate of Char Koay Teow in Sin Hwa Coffee Shop is reasonably charged. It is great to have a plate of Char Koay Teow once in awhile. 

Detailed Information:
Char Koay Teow Stall ( Sin Hwa Coffee Shop )

Jalan Burma ( Opposite Pulau Tikus Police Station )

Afternoon

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Photos & Videos Taken With Samsung Galaxy S2

Wondering how are the photos' and videos' qualities taken with a Samsung Galaxy S2? An 8 megapixel camera with full HD recording that captures any pleasurable yet unforgettable moment of yours seems to be very very promising. After a month of usage in taking both photos and videos, i personally love it as an alternative device for taking photos for my mini blog as I travel around.

Sample Photos

Sample Videos

All photos and videos are taken by me personally except for the second video sample. So, what do you think about the photos' and videos' qualities taken by this awesome device? What will the camera and video comparison between this device and the new iPhone 4S be? Voice out your comments!

The Best Android Handset : Samsung Galaxy S2 GT-i9100G

Couple of weeks ago, I got myself the best Android handset in the recent market, Samsung Galaxy S2, after days of consideration that includes the comparison of iPhone 4 and this handset to which both of them met my budget line at the same price despite looking forward to the release of iPhone 4S in Malaysia. This handset I purchased was the Samsung Galaxy S2 GT-i9100G model which was the model after the GT-i9100 that came with hardware differences as in the processor and GPU that each of these units run. The GT-i9100 run on 1.2GHz ARM CortexA9 Exynos 4210 and ARM Mali-400 GPU while GT-i9100G uses Texas Instruments OMAP4430 CPU and PowerVR SGX540 GPU. It does not really matters me in a way as mine, GT-i9100G is working like a charm and I would say it does runs a little bit smoother than the GT-i9100 unit as compared with my friend with no offense.

-Why Galaxy S2? -Why Android phone?. These are the common questions being asked by your friends and also those who prefer an alternative yet popular smartphone. Despite any other influences and factors, the simplest reasons are I love going against a norm or something that is very common on the other hand as you would probably seeing 8 out of 10 people on the same street are indeed using the same device which you will probably got a right guess on what I intended to point out. The following reason is, I would prefer at the liberty of customizing my own device with all sort of awesome yet cool tiny little or big widgets in the home screen of the device instead of a fixed user interface. And, the last simple reason is, I got no phone.. 

The front view of the Galaxy S2.

Back view of Galaxy S2. The back cover can be bent however you want and it will not broke into two.

The speakers are located together with the antenna on the lower end of the device.

It comes with 8 megapixel camera with full HD video recording and a LED flash.

Samsung Galaxy S2 is durable than the iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S from which the demonstration of drop testing video. So far, I have not encounter any issues with it such like lagging or whatsoever and I love it! The only thing that annoys the users most of the time is the pop up notification of "Unable to use flash" for both photo shooting and video recording when the battery is at 15% and below. Photos and videos taken with this device can be viewed here!

The lockscreen of Samsung Galaxy S2 running on the current version of 2.3.6 Gingerbread.

The home screen of the handset with customizable widgets, lovely.

Software updates can be done OTA ( on-the-air ) via wi-fi or 3G networks. The battery life seems to improve drastically after the update to 2.3.6 Gingerbread comparing from the previous version of 2.3.5. The touch respond does not delay your gesture commands, it works as fine as the iPhone. Besides, the experience with typing and words suggestions on this handset is very pleasing without the auto-correct that gets naughty sometimes in the iPhone. An alternative of an iPhone? Yes, it is. 

Looking for the photos' and videos' samples? <CLICK HERE>

Penang Food Paradise #12 : Penang BBQ Chicken Stall

Ever wonder where to have supper when you visit Penang or a place to hang out for supper besides those fast food restaurants? There is one of the great place where you can have supper at night. Although there are various stalls available in within the coffee shop, the one I would love to have as my supper will be the Barbecue Chickens. The stall, Barbecue Chickens Stall, situated in Song River Cafe on Birch Road connecting towards Gurney Drive, sells barbecued chicken thighs, wings, and also spring chickens. You would probably enjoy the superb taste of these sweet and crispy on the outside while soft and juicy inside barbecued chickens after a few rounds of rolls of barbecuing above the charcoals! I bet you would love it a lot.

A plate of Barbecued Chicken Thighs! 3D enough?

Detailed Information:
Barbecue Chicken Stall ( Song River Cafe )

Jalan Birch ( Corner Coffee Shop - Connecting to Gurney Drive )

Nighttimes

 
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Penang Food Paradise #11 : Penang Larut Cafe Koay Teow Th'ng

There are various kinds of Koay Teow Th'ng or Koay Teow Soup available in Penang but as for today, I am going to introduce you the Koay Teow Th'ng Stall in Larut Cafe that is located at the corner of Larut Road and Bawasah Road where my family and I usually have our weekend breakfast there. The Larut Cafe is located next to Sharaton Hotel which is at the opposite of KFC ( Kentucky Fried Chicken ) building. A usual bowl of Koay Teow Th'ng is served with fresh flat rice noodles in a clear soup broth, topped with fish balls, slices of pork, chicken, golden brown garlic bits and chopped scallions. A condiment of sliced fresh red chilies in soy-vinegar usually accompanies the dish. You may add on additional ingredients for your bowl of Koay Teow Th'ng here which they include pork intestines, stomaches, meat balls, and so on.

A normal bowl of Larut Cafe Koay Teow Th'ng.

The soup broth was so nice in every slurp that goes into your mouth, that is one of the main reason I love the Larut Cafe Koay Teow Th'ng while the second reason is the soup broth itself is not as oily as some other stalls' outside if and only if you are a health concern person. For your information, this Koay Teow Th'ng Stall was moved to Larut Cafe from Argyll Road years ago which was referred as Argyll Road Koay Teow Th'ng in those moments.

Detailed Information:
Koay Teow Th'ng Stall ( Larut Cafe )

Jalan Larut ( Corner Coffee Shop Connecting to Bawasah Road )

Mornings

 

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Penang Food Paradise #10 : Penang Famous Padang Brown Popiah

Relating to the previous post of Penang Famous Hokkien Mee that is located in the same area and is directly opposite of this, Padang Brown Hawker Center, to where the Penang's Famous Popiah Stall is situated at and to be introduced in this post. So, where to find the best tastes of rolls and slices of Popiah to fill your stomach during teatime or maybe your lunch in Penang? Yes, you were not wrong! Penang's best yet famous Popiah can be found in Padang Brown Hawker Center in Jalan Perak where it is next to Rumah Kelab as shown in the Google maps below. Inside a roll of Popiah is filled with some cooked fillings that consists of yambean (jacama), crab meats, diced beancurb, and finally the springroll skin that wraps the fillings. Every single bites or slices of these Popiah is perfect yet they are indeed so flavorful until that they will satisfy your desire of wanting to give it a hit if you have not tried it before.

2 rolls of delectable Padang Brown Popiah.

The cooked fillings wrapped inside the Padang Brown Popiahs with springroll skins.

Detailed Information:
Padang Brown Hawker Center

Jalan Perak ( Jalan Perak - Opposite Penang Buddhist Association )

2PM - 7PM, Closes on Thursdays

View Penang Famous Popiah in a larger map