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

View Penang Chee Cheong Fun in a larger map

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 

View Penang Solok Slim Wan Tan Mee in a larger map

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

View Penang Padang Brown Pasembur in a larger map

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

View Pulau Tikus Char Koay Teow in a larger map

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!