Sunday, May 31, 2009

So called Traffic Offense @ Sg. Bakap

The Police Station where I paid up my summons.
There another story tale regarding my trip to Penang. On the day i met with Mr. Teoh the school IT administrator as he was guiding me the way to the school. Out a sudden, a lorry almost hit my car and i avoid it. And then i try to enter the lane which Mr. Teoh  car are in, this stupid lorry driver don’t give a chance at all till the traffic light. In my mind, why does Penangnites driving so offensively. Is it because my car plate number is a Wilayah plate num? At the traffic light, my day come to worst. A proton perdana patrol car was there. You guess what happen, my car was been asked to stop by the road side and a summon ticket was issued out. The reason i still can’t accept, driving in the wrong lane. Mr. Teoh the IT administrator from the school also stop by the road side and approach the police as well. And tell the story that i was avoiding the lorry and was push to the other lane. Even i told the police the same story but you know lah, being an outsider driver to Sg. Bakap area, who am I rite. So without argue, i just gave them my IC and my license and gave to one of the officer seating behind of the seat of the patrol car. To issued one summon take more than 30 mins. In my mind, do they want duit kopi aka bribe them. For me, i rather pay the ticket rather giving them the duit kopi. While i was waiting, i saw few cars drive also on the lane which i drove and be said driving on the wrong lane, the same route as mine. They are not been stop and issued any ticket. Just because the plate number is a Penang plate num. WTF!!! I was really pissed off that the mentality of some local authority still treats other as outsider although we are a Malaysians. I ask one of the officer after returned me my IC and driving license, what is my fault and the same answer given, i was driving in the wrong lane and the road have a record of most fatal accident. I told them, why the other car was not been stop, they just keep quiet. Since i don’t want to brag, i paid my ticket on my way back to KL at Sg. Bakap Police station. Total damage is RM50.00. If i paid late or other places, it will be RM100 or 30% less depends which come first.

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Feng Shui Painting @ Gurney Plaza Penang

Gurney plaza


I went to Gurney Plaza one of the biggest shopping mall in Penang Island. I was told that the plaza is become larger after the new wing completed.

I parked my car at Gurney Drive in front of the mall.
Gurney Esplanade where young and old gathered.

Gurney Plaza Main Entrance.

Gurney Plaza located at Gurney Drive and usually to find a parking here is hard as this place is having an esplanade where young and old people gather enjoy the night sea breeze.

Canon Promotion Carnival at Centre Court.

Since I’d never been to Gurney Plaza, I decided to go in there to check it out with my SLR. What a surprise that there was a promotion on Canon DSLR. I was approach by some sales person from canon to upgrade my lens and camera body to Canon 500D. Trade in accepted. Since I’m not ready for the upgrade, I turn down the offer as I’m still noobs with SLR world. As I walk around the shopping mall, seems like only me carrying bulky camera hang on my neck. Look like tourist sesat. Hahahahaha.... And then I stumble on a crowd gather around a shop so I’m also curious with it.

One of the flyer of Feng Shui painting near the shop.
Some of the Feng Shui Painting artwork.

What a shock, it a fengshui master in painting. Without further ado, i start snapping some of his art work and his action. He do not use brush or what but use his hand. Believe me, he make the thing look so easy. For the price, it is not that cheap.

The master at work. Drawing using his side palms.

Some curious onlookers also amaze with his work.
The master is creating his art.

The master pose for my camera with his finish art work. Marvelous.

Lucky for me, since he saw me snapping his photo, he consults me for free on fengshui by looking on my palms. And from his reaction, he ask me to place a water flows such as aquarium or fountain inside the house to generate prosperous and good fortune in years to come. I can’t understand his mandarin as it was so pekat (China Mainland Mari aka CMM) so there was a translator around to translate for me. He was glad that i able to take his photo and hope i will promote his art.

Friday, May 29, 2009

The Assumption Church Penang


The Assumption Church


The Assumption Church

I went to The Assumption Church in Penang Island which I thought there will be a mass in the evening as on that day was a special mass was held which is Ascension Day mass for Catholics followers. But when I reach the church which is The Assumption Church, it was empty. I ask some of the people there which at the church compound told me that there is no mass in evening as the mass had been held in early morning. 


Mother Mary Shrine.


The tainted glass on the shrine


Since I was there, I just pray to myself in front of Mary shrine which located in front of the church. This church was built in 1786 and located at Lebuh Farquhar. 

The Infamous Betul Nut Orange Penang Ferry

Penang Iconic Betel Nut Orange Ferry.


In Penang, once should not miss go to the Penang island. You have 2 ways to go to the island either by using the bridge or using the ferry. Usually if i go to Penang island, i will be using the Penang bridge. Since i have never been using the famous iconic ferry, i decide to choose the ferry to go to the island. It's amazing that Penang ferry which started the maiden journey back in 1920s is still making its daily round along the busy water of Penang. Currently manage by the Penang Port, the ferry was the only mode of transportation connecting Penang Island and the Mainland back then.
Kids always enjoys the sea breeze and riding the ferry.


Queuing at Butterworth Ferry terminal.


Everyone enjoy the scenery view of Georgetown which located in Penang Island.


Komtar building in Penang Island.


Georgetown sunset view from the ferry.


Arriving at Weld Quay Ferry terminal.

Today, the betel nut orange Penang ferry has became an iconic figure to the historic Penang and has made news in many travelogues and brochures all over the world. It took 15 minutes rides from Butterworth Ferry terminal to Weld Quay Ferry Terminal.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Penang Working Trip Part 1

I was assigned to go to Penang to conduct training to user on using the company product. The training was schedule for 21st to 22nd May 2009. I decide to drive my car up north to Penang to the school. The school located somewhere in Sg. Bakap Penang which is not well known like other parts of Penang such as Butterworth, Batu Ferrighi, Georgetown and Bukit Mertajam.  It took me 3 and half hour drive from KL to the place. I just stop twice at the rest stop just to empty my bladder. When i reach there, the place remind me of an old town where you can still see old ppl seating at kopitiam wearing shorts and the shop just a walking distance from home.
SMK Valdor Sg. Bakap, Penang.
The host for the training is SMK Valdor. Valdor is a words from French which means valley of gold. This area is well known for sugar cane plantation. Some of the folks tell me that when during the old days, when the sun set to dusk and shone over the plantation, the entire Valdor district will turned golden in color. It was as if the land was basked under the sun.
Once i have sent the server the school and set up the network, the next one is the accommodation. The teacher in charge in the school suggest me better find a better accommodation as most motel and inn Sg. Bakap are not that good in safety reason especially me is totally an outsider. So I decide to stay in Butterworth instead of Sg. Bakap.
The place where i stayed for 3 days and 2 nights was Pearl View Hotel. I used to stay in this hotel previously for my 1st training in Penang. The room is not that bad and the price were reasonable at RM125 without breakfast. Additional RM20 you will get a breakfast but i don't take the breakfast package due to the breakfast start at 6:30am till 10:30 a.m while i need to be to the school by 8 and need to drive 40 mins from Butterworth to Sg. Bakap. With free WiFi which i need the most, it’s suit me rite.

Hotel New Wings Aisle


My rooms for 3 days and 2 nights



Monday, May 25, 2009

Banana leaf rice @ Sri Nirwana Maju Bangsar

When come to Indian cuisine, first come in our typical Malaysian mind is mamak shop or banana leaf rice. Since I move here in Key Ell, I was exposed to Indian food which is either rarely or can't be found in East Malaysia. Last week before my Penang working trip, me and my wife treated my cousin for dinner at Bangsar.
View of Bangsar at night.
Usually when people talk about Bangsar, first come in mind is expensive as most of the high class people always hang out. They are some food you can afford here like a middle income earner like me. If I go to Bangsar, i will go either for the Pasar Malam or Night Market on Sunday, pay my utilities bill at the post office (close at 9:30p.m during weekdays), go to makan at mamak and the famous banana leaf rice.
Bangsar village shopping centre just rite in front of Nirwana's


Destination we were heading was Sri Nirwana Maju @ Bangsar. This shop is one of the famous banana leaf rice in Key Ell. The shop always full with patrons and sometime you might need to wait or compete with others to get a place to seat.  That day, luckily we don't need to gone through with the hustle as it was mid month (Salary yet to masuk for certain people) and we manage to get a seat. Why the shop called banana leaf rice coz they offer any food, they will give you a banana leave as a plate on whatever food in the menu either fried mamak mee, fried rice, briani rice, canai, tosei and etc. Each time me and my wife visit this place, we will order chicken briani or mutton briani. But usually, this briani rice always finish fast as most patrons will order briani rice. That day was unlucky for 3 of us as the shop finish selling all the briani’s. We still take the banana leaf rice with a plain rice.

You can ask for more of this stuff to be add such as salads, fried vege and etc.
See how big is the portion of rice given include with the side dishes for banana leaf rice.


Banana leaf rice with curry gravy. Yummy isn't it?

Here you will not believe me, you can ask more and more scoop of rice when the waiter scoop the rice from the bowl to your banana leaf plate. They will add until you said stop. Even the side dishes such as the vege salads, fried vege, the cili kering masin and which side dishes gave by the waiter, you can add more and more ask you like. You can ask them to add your rice for the second time and the side dishes. But make sure you finish your food. Don’t be greedy. For the third time you ask for additional rice and side dishes such as those vege, you will be charge. For the gravy to pour on your rice, you may choose either to have chicken curry, fish curry or dhal. I order some side menu which is fried mackerel and fried squid in masalla style.  So, if you have the chance to come to Bangsar, remember do come to this banana leaf rice shop. You won’t be regret.

Maps and Location:

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Shopaholic Paradise, Nilai 3 Wholesale Centre

Are you a shopaholic, like to bargain, looking for good quality and yet cheap? If yes, Nilai 3 Wholesale Centre aka Pasar Borong Nilai 3 is the right place for you.  It’s the largest wholesale market town in our country Malaysia. It’s located in Nilai Negeri Sembilan. You may use the KL-Seremban Highway and exit at Nilai toll plaza. It may take you 45 minutes drive from KL. The toll rate for a trip is RM 4.70.
You will find a lot of stuff here such as door gift, handicraft, handbag, shoes, textiles and etc. Just name it and you got it. Cheap and good quality product is everywhere but you need to survey and bargain around to get a good price.
Nilai 3 Eiffel Tower version.
Most of the shop here are selling textiles, wedding preparation gifts, teaks furniture, house decor and car accessories with the price that you will be amazed with. It totally cheap!!!!

A row of shop houses selling variety of goods.

The place opens up from 10:00 am to 8:30pm on weekdays. For Saturday and Sunday, the place will open up from 9:30a.m till 10:00pm as more people come for shopping on that day.

Variety of textiles can be seen and sold here in Nilai 3 with cheaper price.

If you into interior design, variety of carpet and mats are sold here.
Artificial flowers and wedding preparation shop can be found a lot at Nilai 3.
Fountain are sold so cheap here in Nilai 3.

Monday, May 18, 2009

Naili's Place Offers Beach Astmosphere in heart of KL.

       Naili's Place Entrance.
Last week, me and my wife brought my houstemate and my cousin for dinner at Naili’s Place in Sentul. The atmosphere here is like you had been transported to the beach when actually you are in the heart of KL. As you make your way in, you’ll notice fishing boats, surfboards and palm trees that make up the surrounding, creating the laid back ambience of a seaside chalet at night. It is hard to believe that this place is located in Sentul. This dining place can accommodate with a seating capacity of 450-500 pax, offering a wide variety of Malay, Chinese and Western dishes.

 
A tree house sitting for those who wish to find different.
 Japanese style sittings.
 
Ambient environment for lovely couple .
The aisle lead to diffent sittings style.
A lot of lighting light up the place.
Nice enviroment.

There are a number of things that sets Naili’s apart from other eating places. The most unique about this place is because it offers many types of seating styles. Customers have the liberty on whether to choose the ala-Japanese seating style on a bamboo floor, or to dine up on one of the two tree houses at the venue. Diners can also opt for a table overseeing a large, almost life-size ‘sunset on the sea’ backdrop or have an intimate candlelight dinner beside a colorfully lit water fountain surrounded by lush greeneries. Another thing that’s unique here is that the kitchen is situated right after the entrance, open to all curious eyes (and noses). The food is great and it a good place to hang out with your friend. The only disadvantage of this place is the mosquito. So if you go here, please wear proper attire such as no skirt or those color attract mosquito.

 
Temasik Fried Rice
Naili's Special Fried Rice
 
ABC for deserts.

Saturday, May 16, 2009

My wish come true!!!!

KLCC shots. My first shot from my new 1000D
Lately, my wish to have a SLR camera finally came true. I'm glad that my colleague follow me which is Choo which willing to walk me to Sg. Wang to "see" and "test" the SLR camera and spend our lunch hour time to try 2 DSLR entry level camera which is Canon 1000D aka Rebel XS and Nikon D60. We spend 45 minutes for testing and ask more details from the aunty regarding the both camera. Even she can't help much as both camera have its own pro and con. Finnaly i decide to get Canon 1000D as the function is much more user friendly for me. Choo was shock when i tell him I'm gonna buy that time. Hahahaha... I'm waiting for my other colleague to upgrade the camera to SLR as well. I'm planting "racun" on their brains and now i think the poison have spread to some of them. Some people say, take a good camera for photo such as SLR and take a good video cam for video. Do not combine 2 in one as you will regret in the end.
Thunder storm view from my apartment balcony
Genting View from my apartment

Me and my SLR