On the trails of World's UNESCO Sites

Lok Kawi Wildlife Parkg

2011-09-04T22:33:00.000-07:00

Actually, we meeting real life orang utan were our main itinerary on this trip. But, the best place to meet one is in a forest reserve that requires another domestic flight plus some treacherous tracking up hill. Of course subjecting my 73-year-old dad to this task would mean a selfish daughter. So, we compromised with a visit to Lok Kawi, hopeful that the visitors bay were not that far off from the beloved primates.

Sheltered walkway, how thoughtful.

A canteen with a wide to the pygmy elephant camp.

Mom, dad taking a rest.

Malaysian sun bear.

Ever heard of 'bear cat'? No? Me too. Here is Malaysian bear cat. Looked like a wolverine to me.

Finally, we met the orang utan, alas, it was 20-feet away. And sad-looking. Who wouldn't, if stayed confined in day in and out, right.

Meet the Malayan Prosbocous monkey.

Kota Kinabalu Green Connection

2011-09-04T22:18:00.000-07:00

It was actually a small aquarium cum marine cultivation cum swamp forest preservation educational center. This place usually comes up top in google search for KK top spots, and i think its a good place to include in your itinerary if you ever visit KK.

The humanized-instinctive sting ray eating from the hand of its handler.

The cheeky and very domesticated greenback turtle. Oh, by the way, this handler is a young and pretty girl.

Say hi to this gentle breed of giants of the sea.

Horseshoe crabs. And to all Chinese, it's not for food please.

The guide adamantly championed saving the marine exotic species from the Chinese dinner tables. I couldn't agree with him more: don't let your daughter marry the guy who fancies grand chinese 8-tier menu that has sharkfin in its course.

Touch the star fish, if you dare.

A walk amidst the manmade swamp forestry.

And take in an educational trip with the fresh water fin-species.

Spectacular life coral cultivation. For your information, it takes more than 10 years to grow a coral to 10cm. So have a care for our seas, Malaysians.

Eating @ KK city

2011-09-04T22:04:00.000-07:00

What to eat in KK? Of course it's seafood, seafood and seafood. This is Medan Selera, just a 5-minutes walk from our hotel. We didn't know; took a taxi that charged RM10 for it.

The coconut custard was the best desert.

Wow! my first ever 7-star-grouper - literally in Cantonese - steamed.

Aaaaand.... my first lobster! Texture? Ar, chewy. I'd prefer prawns.

These are not just oysters, but super size oysters. The largest i've ever eaten. And it quite pukey to eat it raw...excuse me.

Our taxi-turned-charttered guide recommended this fish noodle. Full-house @ 9am. Imagine!

My verdict: Just like fish head meehoon in Kuala Lumpur, just different assortment of fish parts.

Our cheery Muslim-Chinese guy also recommended this pork noodle place. Very surprised then. He was such a liberal guy whose attention his customer's comfort came first. My verdict for this noodle: too much lard. Bad for the heart. Ok for once in a long while.

But this chicken rice is fabulous to the eyes.

Stuffed tau-fu puffs. Verdict: great. Very homey taste.

A seafood restaurant by a lake; our last stop after being turned away by 5 over-booked and over-crowded restaurants. No kidding. Seafood restaurant business in KK city is a buzz.

Quite disappointed with this restaurant because all they have was a ridiculously short menu of 4 styles for each dishes. Despite its luxury ambience, food was below average.

Short breakaway @ Kota Kinabalu City

2011-09-04T21:48:00.000-07:00

2011 parent's day was the cheery, sunny morning when i sat in a Firefly plane - that surprisingly, took off from KLIA - with my hubby and my dearest mom and dad on the journey to Kota Kinabalu - the only place mom and dad have not visited in Malaysia.

Wow! the smallest hotel we'd ever tumpang - KK Cititel.

But i like it. It's contemporary, visible efficient planning at every corner without sacrificing basic fundamental. It even provides ironing & hot-cold water dispenser.

Our window has the view of the sea. On the far end of the right side is Wawasan Square (we didn't know until we checked it out the next day).

Note the company's name.

An aerial view of KK city center taken from the viewing hill.

Seafront prominade.

Wawasan Square.

The Philippine market

Dried jelly fish.

Dried sea cucumber - hey! i thought it's illegal to sell sea cucumber in Malaysia??

Macho men on the sew

Hill exploring @ Baan Tong Luang

2011-08-29T01:36:00.000-07:00

At the Akha village

An Akha 'commercialized' woman

An Akha sales manager.

An original Akha woman playing with her puppies (hopefully not food).

A Lisu grandma.

Drying onions

A good-for-cover face Karen' (pronnounced as Kariang) girl.

Karen woman in their traditonal costume

The Baan Tong Luang, a hill tribe cultural preservation village.

And, lastly, we finally met the long-necks a.k.a. long-neck Karen.

The Yao (Mien) woman.

The Thais 'barbie'.

Chiang Mai tiger kingdom

2011-08-29T01:17:00.000-07:00

Tiger pool next to the restaurant.

Tiger cub: "Sigh.... 3rd world foreigner"

Tiger cub: "watch your hand, mister."

tickle, tickle, tickle

Nothing beats an afternoon nap with my cub

Tiger -talk

What we ate in Chiang Mai

2011-08-29T01:09:00.000-07:00

Chicken broth soup noodle - ball-listic!

King-size chicken satay

Chiang Mai night bazaars

2011-08-29T01:06:00.000-07:00

Best ever Songkran experience

2011-08-29T00:59:00.000-07:00

splash!

pale load!!!

mat salleh!!

please don't jump off the truck!

"OhhhH!!!'

My girlfriend: "Yeeeeehh"

"Spot ya! Take my splash!"

"Not so fast dudes!"

"We will take on the guys on the left, you guys on the right." "Roger, coropral!"

"Anyo-hasei-yo so har-pee in Thei-land! Yeh!"

Even Lucifer rode in.

And his gay-partners!

Never mind how we look. The target is to shoot the hell out of people...yeyeye.

"Peace," said Mr. pot-belly Babe.

A day I can get officially wet, and you can get officially high!

Osama Bin Laden retired to Thailand to shoot girls wet! Jealous of his new job.

War of the wet

Cool as arse

Jakarta City

2011-07-17T01:52:00.000-07:00

Hopped off skytrain KLCC.

This was the first time we were in this section during the day. And some leisure hours before take-off. Hence, some moment to take in KLCC's bring-in-the-nature architecture.

Jakarta Mangga Dua wholesales and retailing district.

Directly opposite is the Mangga Dua digital mall.

Both malls is connected with a three-storey bridge with air-conditioning retailing spaces inside.

Jakarta version of tut-tut named Bajaj.

Mangga Dua wholesale mall foyer.

Toyota Vios is the preferred brand used for taxi.

Mangga Dua morning market a.k.a. wholesale retailing mall too.

Lifestyle contrast next to the malls.

Peddlers and hawkers ready to weave through traffics for their sales. Between slow-moving or traffic standstills, these guys sell almost all sorts of things: cigarettes, reading materials, foods, some even sell household items.

Inside Mangga Dua digital mall. Eyes blur blur already.

Jakarta historial monument.

The heart of Jakarta city.

Sawadee-kap in Chiang Mai

2011-06-02T02:28:00.000-07:00

Lunch at the Imperial Lake restaurant

2011-05-27T03:13:00.000-07:00

Seafood pot.

Claypot herbal chicken.

Mushroom supreme vegetable

Wat Shwedagon

2011-05-27T03:10:00.000-07:00

Entrance fee USD15 per person. Very huge compound and has 4 entrance: North, South, East and West.

Burmese called it The mountain of gold. Seemingly, it sparkled under hot sun and at night it brightens the city with its glitters of million lights.

Seriously, it's really that reflective.

Built 2,500 years ago by King Okkalapa to honor Buddha - the enlightened one.

Myanmar street foods

2011-05-27T02:59:00.001-07:00

Old Bagan city

2011-05-27T02:51:00.000-07:00

Bagan Archeology Museum. 15USD entrance fee for foreigner.

Rescued relics and historical values saved from tombs and ruins.

Ayeyarwaddy river side reataurant.

Surprisingly, Burmese cookings are quite like Chinese.

Wat-hoping.

Ayeyarwaddy river seen from the top of a Wat Bupaya (gourd-shape pagoda).

Wat Bupaya. Though very sunny, but the breeze was very cooling. The floor felt chilly to our bare-feet as we threaded across the wat.

Stopped for a cup of tea under a shade and mesmerize the breeze of Ayeyarwaddy river. This is life.

There are not refugees. Just villagers hitching a ride to the town or the next village.

Inside a wat Thatbyinnyu.

On the road to another wat.

Village huts.

Eat also eat beside a wat. This is the city of 4,000 wats.

Night fall was romantic.

Food - ok lah. Can tahan.

"Sure or not?"

Second night dinner at a upper-class restaurant nearby our hotel.

Mount Popa

2011-05-27T02:28:00.000-07:00

Don't miss Mount Popa if you are in Bagan. Its a dead volcano 1518m above sea level.

The attraction is the Popa Taungkalat monastery built atop the summit. Though it was almost 11am, and the sun shinning brightly above, the temperature was generally cool at about 18-degree celsius.

Main entrance at the foothill.

Get ready to climb 777 steps. Great! I didn't even realize i was 5 weeks pregnant.

Up, up we climbed. Getting steeper the higher we climbed. Note: Must climb bare-feet. Not a pleasant climb as we got to stay weary of monkeys' land mines.

Almost there...

There!

At this time of the year, Bagan is generally desert-like, a dry zone of Myanmar.

360-degree panoramic view

Free drinking icy water; minus the ice.

Time to get down back.

Yangon City

2011-05-27T02:09:00.000-07:00

Bogyoke Aung San market, a.k.a. Scott Market - the shopping center of myanmar precious stones and silver jewellery.

Inside Bogyoke Aung Sang square.

This is where you start your hunt for precious stone and metal jewellery bargains. As far as we could tell, the jewellery sold here are genuine.

There are easily more than a thousand shops and traders here.

Bird nest farming Myanmar style.

Strawberry castle Myanmar style.

Fresh fruit juices stores

Burmese street food. Try only if you have a strong stomach.

A painting made out of broken stones and marbles. After conversion, its about MYR400 per painting.

It was Chinese New Year day one in Yangon.

Bogyoke Aung Sang Road

The Traders Hotel Yangon.

Balloon Over Bagan

2011-05-23T01:43:00.000-07:00

The actual time in Bagan - when we were picked up from the hotel - was 06:10am. The temperature of this morning was 12-degree Celsius. And we were puffing vapor when we speak. Wow, what an experience.

Believe me, it was really this dark when we arrived at the take-off site. Though shivering in cold, the USD250 fee made us warm with choices of coffee or tea, plus mountainous supply of croissants and cupcakes, while we waited for the balloons setting up.

A bit slow... isn't it? We waited in disappointment; the balloons were all still flatter than pancakes when the sky brightened. Our objective catch photos of sunrise over Bagan seemed colder than the chilling morning.

Here i looked brave in short-sleeve, but inside, i was knocking knees (didn't know Bagan gets this cold in the morning).

Briefing for the flight by our handsome pilot Richard.

Get on board, people.

One for the album - our most expensive photo ever.

Surprise! surprise! Sunrise shots! Not too late!

Our pilot, Richard, and his passenger. Say cheez, everybody!

Ladies, warning: No dress for this trip.

Champaign and croissant. What a combination for breakfast.

Time to go back to our hotel.

Ancient city of thousands pagoda

2011-04-08T03:56:00.000-07:00

Bagan Nyaung-U

2011-04-08T03:19:00.000-07:00

Day 2: pack up to fly to Bagan. But, got stranded at the domestic airport due to heavy fog for 2 hours.

Looking from inside of the terminal. Pretty dense fog indeed. Can't see a thing from the bus onward.

Lolling around and spotted this skincare named "Now How"???

After a grueling 2 hours, we'd finally touched down in Bagan. Yay!!! But one got to walk quite a distance to reach the terminal. Similar to airasia's.

Ya Khin Tha hotel - our place for 2 nights. Our driver-cum-guide was an incredible young guy - pampering us with 7-star open-close-car-doors service, making us feeling shamefully handicapped. But he insisted. Well.......

Homey-type of interior. No plush chandelier and red carpet. Notice these girls in sweaters? They may look petite, but they are STRONG; they can carry two luggages at one go. And they were always in sweater, although the clock said 11.30am. Because the temperature was a lovely 20-degree.

Handcuffed room key. How crafty.

Great! Got one extra bed in this room. Yay!!

First stop: The Nagakyit day market.

Thanaka face powder - a distinctive feature of Myanmar people. Made from grinding Thanaka wood bark. They said is to be used as sunblock, to remove acne formation and to promote smooth skin. It is said to be brought down from generations of over 2000 years. They said it smelled sandalwood-nice.

2nd spot: The Shwezigon Pagoda

Main entrance

The walkway leading to the yard. No shoes allowed from this lane onward. If we had known, slippers or slip-ons are the best feet-dress for Myanmar travel.

This was used to be the capital shrine in the whole Burma before Shwazegon was erected in Yangon. That's why the close resemblance - and the name too.

First night in Yangon

2011-04-06T23:14:00.000-07:00

It was a late afternoon flight. The sky was beginning to grey when we touched down. The Yangon international airport - which opened its door for business only in 2007 - impressed us quite admirably the moment we stepped off the aero-bridge.

It's a modern architectural airport with extensive use of glass panels throughout its interior. Perhaps we were harboring images of bus-station-liked type of airport in our heads during the strenuous journey here when we were stucked in those back-hurting-head-spinning air asia seats. Fortunately, the funny sight of Myanmar men clad in sarong over office long-sleeve shirt everywhere we turned our heads were distracting enough to lift our headaches upon arrival.

This is Yangon night life seen from inside of the taxi.

This is the real Yangon taxi taken within a horrifying taxi - that shook and convulsed violently throughout the taxi-ing experience on our way to dinner. One of its back door suddenly flipped opened half way in the journey and banged into a car's rear that was parked by the roadside. The driver just laughed, stretched a hand to the back to close up the door and continued driving.

We checked out this place that had been given quite a handful of positive recommendations on the web. But, uh..... my comment? Eat here if you have a strong stomach. Or a longer trip duration.

We went for a safer choice. And ended up in a 'quite' posh chinese restaurant - in Yangon standard - recommended by our 'quite' good English-speaking taxi driver.

Oh, when they say Chinese food, they'd really meant chinese food. But better. Probably the chili padi added into even the blandest of stir-fried cabbage had made all the difference. Or probably the clock was showing 9pm when we finally get to shove food into our mouths.

It seemed Myanmar people love vegetables. Even our sweet sour battered fish topped with so much vege. Just the way we like it (70% vege-people here). The price? Mind you, its equivalent to having a chinese 2 veges, 1 soup and 1 fish dish plus fresh squeezed fruit juices in Tai Thong restaurant in Kuala Lumpur; only difference - but quite commendable - was the portion of dishes were larger and that the Myanmar table services was a 5-star experience.

Panaroma hotel, booked through air asia - skip it. Our comment: shocker location - with its facade situated one-lane away from a direct four-tane flyover - and a deplorable neighborhood. Ai.... regret didn't check the map properly before ordering this hotel.

On these streets, you can see many nostalgic-value things of the 50s or earlier.

Hatyai Chicken Rice & Grilled Cray Fish

2011-03-04T02:31:00.000-08:00

Passed by a seafood restaurant in Hatyai town, been warned by our driver of the expensive menu. But we still went in - we needed a change of scene after coming here too many times. No regrets, our seafoods were fantastic. Look at this BBQ crayfish. Big and succulent, served with thai sauce. Even the legs were meaty.

Never go for seafood without ordering some fresh oysters. Here, do the thai style - crowd up the oyster with the spicy pace, fresh-chopped garlic slices, fried onions and a dash of lime. Yeah, thai style with a kick.

Also, the meal will not be complete if you missed out the tomyam and the salted fish kailan.

Haytai Tungloon chicken rice. Very famous chicken rice to the locals. So, we'd decided to give it a try (chicken rice is never high on our fancy list). Verdict: Above average. I liked the pork balls served in seaweed soup. The soup base tasted home-cook chicken broth. Didn't taste much of aginomoto.

Ok, here is the much talked about chicken rice. Verdict: Rice - so-so. Chicken - so-so. Tough kampung chicken, though. Not fat factory chicken. Thumbs up there, but tough meat in the mouth. It always does, when it comes to eating free-range chicken. What was best, the sauce. Thais love their sauce 4-season tastes; hot, sour, sweet and pungent with fermented bean sauce all mixed up to the perfect level. If you prefer spicy stuff like me, you will find this sauce making the chicken rice its uniqueness. If you don't, then chances are you will go back to Hainanese.

Chicken looks dry here. That's because you need to go with the spicy fermented bean sauce. But the roasted pork above - foooo-lamak.... best best best. The skin thick and roasted to the crunchiest as one can make it. Finger licking good.

It was a day before 2011 new year eve. All rooms were taken up, and we were given the last one. Never ever did we imagined to be given the top floor room. Wow, see Hatyai pararoma view.

Fifteen century Peranakan Cuisine in Malacca Unesco Heritage Site

2010-09-14T00:21:00.000-07:00

If you are here strolling the streets inside the Unesco Site, you may want to complete your visit by having an authentic Peranakan food. Try this one; Restoran Peranakan Town House

No. 107, Jalan Tun Tan Chen Lok, Malacca. Tel : 06-284 5001

For vegie dish, i recommend to always go for things with 'salted fish'. Here, we have choosen the most humble of all vegie: Taugeh ikan masin (RM6).

Before we go for other dishes, i just must introduce the Chendol kacang (RM2.50) clockwise 11pm - first! Maybe we were thirsty after a long walk in the sun. Maybe it was over our regular lunch hour. Whatever the reason, the Chendol tasted like heaven!

This Udang lemak nanas (RM12) should be making an eight out of ten if it was not the slightly over watery styled gravy. Maybe this was the owner's own style. But a thickier-gravy version that we had at other Peranakan was much preferred. And with the prawns opened at the back and de-veined.

Arrhh... this Ayam buah keluak (RM11) was nice. If you don't mind the excessive oil, you would actually like this dish - the keluak made the dish fragrant.

Note of caution from The Dinos: You could over-eat with heavy-gravy dishes like these.

10.000 monks

2010-09-07T02:02:00.000-07:00

When we bought our RM4-air ticket to Hatyai at AirAsia.com, we thought we were lucky. Little did we realized that we had gotten even luckier when this trip coincided with the International Alm Offering Day.We didn't know about this event until our Thai driver told us about it. Yahoo!

We got up at 6am, monkey-washed our faces, put on our street-ware and then headed down the Novotel lift. Most hotel guests were still snoring in their rooms when we joined the early pilgrims at the wet market, observing their preparation for this event.

Numerous flower stores with happily blooming flowers.

The yellow chrysanthemum flowers seemed to be smiling the brightest on this morning.

Breakfast or the meal-of-the-day for the monks. At up-close, they looked like variety of white rice topped with simple chicken cubes or diced meat and vegetables with fried eggs. Oh yeah, Buddhist monks in Thailand are allowed meat diet.

The center stage of the event.

Cadets were in position - to do what? We've no idea. Thai people have poor command of English.

Monks from Buddhist temples all over Thailand arrived. With their alms.

If you were not there personally, you wouldn't be able to literally 'feel' the "seas of monks".

Ok. This is what matches the famous Cantonese proverb: "people-mountain-people-sea."

Even a newborn!

After two hours of speeches, the ceremony came to an end with monks rose from their seats in lines to reap offerings from devotees.

Devotees can give anything: dry foods, clothings, toiletries, stationeries and etc.

Devotees were seen kneeling barefooted when they made their offerings to the monks.

After the throngs of senior monks, followed behind were the teenage monks.

Okay. Some devotees preferred to donate cash.

Hilltop Restaurant and Pork Knuckle Treat

2010-09-07T01:17:00.000-07:00

Deep-fried pork knuckle - Hatyai's top recommendation for tourists. Must try. Very crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Served by pickled ginger slice and kale.

Top: salted fish kailan (kale) is good. But the bottom salted egg prawn was a total let down. Tasteless and blend. Maybe they forgotten the salted egg.

BonKhao Hill Top Restaurant, Hatyai Municipal Garden.

Hill top view. A grand change for our dinner venue in our numerous Hatyai trips.

Pumpkin custard for dessert.

Shredded turnips wrapped in rice-skin served with fresh mustard greens and chili padi.

Sugar-ed steamed tapioca cakes.

Grill chicken chop with a new twist!

2010-09-06T07:55:00.000-07:00

After you have tasted this chicken chop, you wouldn't want the done-to-death-mushroom-sauce-chicken-chop served anywhere else, unless they are as refreshing as this gem here - Mustard grilled chicken 27.80, really really crispy on the outside, soft on the inside and fats gone (don't know how)!!! Put on a bed of super fragrant buttered mashed potato and fresh vege, the signature attractor is the mustard sauce

Dig in!

Must go along with this super star green apple mint salad RM8.90. Perfect balance of fragrance from the mint and the sour from the apple. Best appetizer.

Friend's Kitchen

No. 19-G, Blk C, Jln Tiara 2C/KU1, Pusat Perniagaan Bandar Baru, Klang. 010-246 7631.

Best street vegetarian food

2010-06-16T03:11:00.000-07:00

Even if you are not a vegetarian - me too - you wouldn't deny that this vegetarian asam laksa tastes so close to the real thing. Minus the fish, this laksa does not loose it 'kick'. Wow, just when you thought vegetarian food couldn't get any better, you'd find that prove you baffled.

Vegetarian dumplings - just the type of zhung that i can eat without counting calories. Not to say its oil-less. Not to say it's not fattening. It's free from animal fat and it's definitely a lot less oil compared to the regular meat zhung. I couldn't pinpoint the actual contents - as i was too busy eating them - but i think it mainly consisted of variety of nuts. Served warm - heavenly.

Last but not least, the lunchtime favorite of most lunch crowd - the vegetarian char kuey teow. Again, less oil, less salt but not less in fried flavor. This guy really knows how to stir up a char kuey teow.

Location (vaguely but sure can find if you stay a little patience);

Jalan Tong Shin, Off Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur. A corner coffee shop hidden behind high-rise building. Ask for the local landmark Blue Boy's Mansion.

Paris - the city

2010-06-15T02:31:00.000-07:00

Palace of Versailles

2010-06-15T02:07:00.000-07:00

The Louvre

2010-06-15T02:03:00.000-07:00

Authentic French food bon ap·pé·tit

2010-06-15T02:00:00.000-07:00

Avenue des Champs-Élysees

2010-06-14T02:43:00.000-07:00

Notre Dame

2010-06-14T02:36:00.000-07:00

Onboard Eurostar to Paris

2010-06-14T02:26:00.000-07:00

Bonjour Eiffey!

2010-06-10T02:10:00.000-07:00

Freshwater delights in Dengkil

2010-04-03T01:28:00.000-07:00

Another food venture had turned fruitful - in Dengkil town. The lady boss had recommended all -things- freshwater and we thought we had had just about enough of all-things-saltwater.

The freshwater grass prawns, famous for its big-head nickname. They were so big, we ordered only one prawn for each person. Chef recommendation: Spicy Sauce. The cooking result: perfection - deveined, sliced half to sook up the gravy and legs chopped to chewable sizes.

Next recommended was the Gobi freshwater fish (RM12 per 100g). Though pricey but all worth it. The meat rivaled saltwater cod fish. From now on, if i have to spend to indulge in cod fish, i can always choose Gobi instead - if only the restaurant stock them. Its rare to find restaurant serving Gobi. I'd learned Gobi is classified as premium freshwater fish for its crawling growth that make breeding process expensive. Chef recommendation : pure steam. My recommendation: all thumbs up. Please never fried the fish.

So call them, if you want to try all-things-freshwater. They also serve other freshwater kings such as the Sultan fish (if you don't mind the hassle of picking bones), the Empurau, the umur-umur and the bamboo fish. But my recommendations for this restaurant are still the big-head prawns and the Gobi fish. happy trying!

Quaint and delicious Hatyai

2010-02-25T18:43:00.000-08:00

I was surprised with the turnout of this shot caught using my Nokia E66. No retouching added and its just stay picturesque - rustic hues against the backdrop of a perfectly crowded sky. We strolled down the streets idly wasting time away while awaiting Robinson to open its door for customers of the day when this row of quaint pre-war shop-lots captivated our sight. If anyone didn't pay attention, this short row of pre-war shop-lots would have been just another rundown builders qualified for demolition in line with new township development plan. The clicking of my phone-camera had sort of inspired some western tourists passerby on my subject of interest and they too, pulled out their thousands-worth Nikons/Canon and started clicking away. I was happy to note that.

I'd always forgot to take some pictures of our dinner whenever we were in Hatyai. Too hungry, i guessed. This time, i remembered. Kam Ying restaurant, a Thai Chinese descendant owned family restaurant. Situated just a few rows away from Hotel Novotel - a short ten minutes walk if you preferred to appreciate the hustling of night buzz - this restaurant has always attracted throngs of tourist coming in tour buses. Clockwise: fried asparagus with shrimps with fish sauce, pan-fried oysters egg (sort of similar to o-jien but crunchier oysters and crispier egg) and lastly red sauce garupa cuts.

Pay attention. The look of this dish may be implying the all-too-common sweet sour fish. But it's not. It tasted almost like the tiga-rasa Malay style back home but minus the peppery hot. The balance of sweet, sour and saltiness hang in balance. Each bite savored the aroma of spring onions and ginger. Don't forget the oyster mushrooms in it - it was a bom!

Wash down dinner with cool sips of freshly squeezed sugar cane drinks - a top choice of beverage for meals in Hatyai.

Roast goose @ KL

2009-12-14T06:52:00.000-08:00

Goose anyone? No? Once in a while, indulge in this bird for lunch. Don't order big portion. Maybe just the drumstick, you know, its always good to keep our intake of meat portion checked. And, to entertain the hunger for this crispy golden red roast goose. Wei Kee restaurant's all-time speciality - the roast geese. Served with honey sauce and grounded red chili paste.

Though there are a few side dishes such as curry chicken, the my all-time-favorite sour-spicy mustard green soup (shown above), braised pork and others, most patrons choose the geese as their first main dish. The goose roast to perfect with crispy-crunchy skin on the outside and tender meat on the inside. The roast is done so well that the fat is melted away during the process. Healthier. RM15 for a portion of roast goose for 2. RM5 for the sour-spicy mustard green soup.

Restoran Wei Kee : 50, Lorong Yap Hin, Off Jalan Pasar Pudu, Kuala Lumpur. Tel : 03-9221 8428.

Best Thai styled petai prawn

2009-12-14T06:35:00.000-08:00

Nestled in a far left corner of an unattractive Chinese coffee shop along Jalan Cantik, off the MRRII Cantik roundabout, a dai chao store named 泰小吵 (Thai Xiu Chao) manned by a Thai aunty and her Tha family members. She has been running her business here for more than 10 years. Though most of her dishes have incorporate local flavors (for the Chinese majority neighborhood), i find she has a magic touch in her petai prawn. Unlike others, it has quite an exquisite balancing of 'Thai meets Chinese'. Generous petai and prawn (maybe for us only...hehe), this dish has never failed to make me go a second helping of rice.

Don't miss out the mango fish too. Not too sour and not too sweet. Just the way i called "Thai meets Chinese". She has the touch, i always say. And we always must have the salted fish kailan and fried bak choy, cooked with not just any basic stock, but 'the' basic stock that make even plain veggie so exotic. Oh, she serves grilled see-hum (cockles) too. Next visit, i would introduce you to her signature paku-veggie.

Best Hokkien mee in Subang

2009-12-14T06:32:00.001-08:00

If you allow your body to take leave once a while, you can consider Kwai Lum Restaurant for their signature fried Hokkien mee cooked using charcoal fire. Warning : it's lard-laden and top with crispy deep fried lard croutons!! That's what make the Hokkien mee original. White rice is alien on the menu. All patrons would choose to have fried hokkien mee/mee hoon, wat dhan ho, or fried rice to go with dishes. The greens are cooked with lard too.

Don't mind the rustic set-up. Don't mind the shabby appearance. Give a shut-eye to the sandy roads that'd turn into mud after rain. But make sure to be early. By 6pm, the restaurant could be half-full already, unless you do not mind waiting because each dish takes a little longer in between to arrive. While waiting, savor the fried chicken wings (only wings, no drumsticks or other parts). Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. After eating this, you would want to throw away KFC's beavily battered fried chicken.

The grilled talapia is great. Simply marinated and cooked over charcoal and to go along with the homemade red chili sauce with vinegar The gist is in the complimenting of dishes with hokkien mee...yeah!

End the meal with sea coconut drink. For 2 persons with one fish, 1 vege, 2 pieces of chicken, one hokkien mee and a pot of chinese tea would cost not more than RM40. Enjoy!

Direction : Take the Sultan Aziz Shah Subang airport road heading towards Sungai Buloh. Pass the airport and runway (on left side of road). Turn left before reaching the first traffic light. Drive straight till a T-junction. Turn left and Kwai Lum signboard is on the right hand of the road.

Wesak Day 2009

2009-11-29T01:09:00.000-08:00

Wesak (Pali : Vesakha, Mandarin : Fo-dan) is an annual public holiday in Malaysian traditionally celebrated by Buddhists. Wesak marks the day Gautama passed away and attained Buddha-hood in forever out of the cycle of rebirth. To celebrate Wesak, some major roads in the city will be condoned off for long parade walks by devotees and charades. Ever year, there are a few designated parade routes in Malaysia but the biggest of all that has received endorsement by Malaysian Toruism Board this year was the Bricksfield - Jalan Bukit Bintang route.

It was 6.30pm. Thousands of Buddhists and non-Buddhists crowding the Brickfields Maha Vihara Center. Polices and FRU were taking up strategic positions to maintain order for a successful and peaceful event of the year.

The wax lotus. Sold at RM1.50 each. Devotees carry it throughout the walk to signify lighting the journey.

Plenty of food stalls. Mochi. Oven-baked rice cakes. Herbs hard boiled eggs.

Majority of the food stalls were selling vegetarian-base foods. Apparently this lok-lok fella was being insensitive to the devotees.

Some unique antiques.

For the kids.

Lovely hand-made table lamps.

Parade started around 7.30pm and devotees were taking up positions aligning with respective associations or grouping. This year, it seemed there were about 30 floats took part in this parade. Each float was flanked and followed by its devotees. Some numbered to more than 200 devotees.

Wow, this one has got a white elephant model. New design indeed!

This float carried talented devotees singing songs of peace.

Here is a hand painted long banner of the Maitreya Buddha.

Here is a replica of the young boy Buddha at birth after taking seven steps with lotus blooming out of each step he made.

Bath Hop-On-Hop-Off

2009-11-23T07:58:00.001-08:00

Last in Bath, what's better to see the city other than hopping onto this big reds. Here's one coming round.

Its was 9.30am. Good to go on top! But not for long. Summer in UK is as hot as in Malaysia.

Poor birdie.

The river Avon (pronounced as e-ven). The river is as still as mirror providing crispy sharp reflection. There are river cruise packages but not enough time for one. Need to catch bus back to the London city by 3pm.

All walkways are paved.

The Roman Baths - UNESCO Site

2009-11-23T07:30:00.000-08:00

This is it - the heart of Bath's UNESCO World Heritage Site - the world famous Roman Baths. A well-preserved Roman site built for public bathing....hohohoho....some 2,000 years ago. A magnificent temple with a bathing complex comprised of hot pool (with natural hot water still flowing today), warm pool, the cold pool, sream rooms, massage rooms, pump room, the King's and the Queen's. Isn't it amazing to witness the marvelous display of architectural and engineering display in such an early time in history!

But this morning we were joined with hundred of graduating freshies next the Roman Baths.

Entrance fee 11 pounds per adult. With audioguides in 8 languages, i've learned this is called The Great Bath. Romans once bathed, swam and relaxed in this pool believed to be filled with hot waters fed directly from the 'sacred hot spring'.

This morning got lucky - few visitors only. But don't even try to swim in it. Not for fear of security but your life. The Wikipedia reported that a girl died five days after swimming in this pool in 1979 from amoebic meningitis. Only look, no touch. But websites advocated the aqua coloured spa water valued for its health and welbeing properties...huh?

A fantastic shot borrowed from wikipedia.org. Really professional work.

This is 'the' Sacred spring where the hot water used to feed from.

The cold bath a.k.a The Circular Bath or The Frigidarium. This is my shot.

Another fantastic shot borrowed from wikipedia.org. Really professional work.

On the east outside the Roman Baths. Well landscaped. Flowers blooming everywhere.

Needless to say, this did not come from my Nikon. Credit goes to a Uspookkayil posted at wikipedia.org.

Bath Abbey - where earth and heaven meet

2009-11-23T07:08:00.000-08:00

From the east, we now see the landmark of Bath city - The Abbey Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul.

Founded in 1499, ruined in 1539 after the dissolution of the monasteries by order of King Henry VII but rebuilt to completion in 1611. Today The Abbey is still standing tall and proud and an active Christian church situated at the heart of the city.

The bathabbey.org quotes "Whether you visit for a service, a concert, or an exhibition; to admire the building, to study the Abbey's story of faith, or simply to spend time in quiet, we pray that you will experience something of God's grace - of earth and heaven meeting in this place." And today, its closed for university convocation.

The hall is packed with proud parents coming from all over the world to see their child receiving recognition seal of achievement, including our family - yeh! All seated facing the High Altar

According to bathabbey.org, this is the West Window. A masterpiece of glass work depicting scenes from the old testament, from the birth of Eve, in the bottom left hand corner to moses addressing the elders, depicted at the top left hand corner.

Restoration work started in the 1860s. Great work must be credited for recapturing the vaulting ceiling original design. Its the major masterpiece in the nave.

Photo by Toby Hudson (from Wikimedia). I can't resist borrowing this photo. Its too magnificent. Featuring the 17th century royal coat of arms on the ceiling inscribed with the motto "Honi soit qui mal y pense" (literally translated by wikipedia "Shame be to him who thinks evil of it"). Sigh! wish i can afford this camera.

Mom and dad at the west front entrance of the Abbey. It was almost 6pm in the summer of July 2006.

The Royal Crescent, Bath

2009-11-22T06:42:00.001-08:00

I know, i know, looked like The Circus but not it. I was confused too. To us Asians with very limited western history knowledge, they all looked a liked. And the 'curve'!! The Royal Crescent, built between 1767 - 1775 by John Wood's son. John Wood built The Circus. Drawing inspiration from his dad, The Royal Crecsent forms a semi-eclipse architecture comprises thirty townhouses surrounding half a huge field. The Royal Crescent Society of Bath deemed it to remind people of The Versailes of Paris (Nepoleon's home).

It now houses a hotel (The Royal Crescent Hotel) and a museum, maintained by Bath Preservation Trust. Inside the museum illustrated samples of the wealth extension by the owners of the seventeen century. (Now regretting for not willing to pay the entrance fee Quite a number of these townhouses are now being used as office. But most units are privately owned (Imagine the property nett worth now! kaya-la.)

Photo by Wikipedia, showing an aerial view of The Royal Crescent. The signature monumental semicircular sweep of these residential houses at this angle is simply marvelous. The form is almost palace-liked.

(Photo by Wikipedia)

The Circus, Bath

2009-11-22T05:02:00.001-08:00

A showcase of achievement in urban planning dated back to the Georgian period between British King George I 1714 to Georg IV in 1830. Designed by John Wood, the Elder in 1754 and completed in 1768.

The name Circus derived from Latin means a ring, an oval or a circle. The Circus comprised of three terraces of townhouses in curve alignment surrounding a central circular open space. The townhouses are equally divided into three segments. Each segment faces the classical circle facade whichever way you stand.

The Circus was part of John Wood's grand vision to recreate a classical Palladian architecture landscape for the city. Wood's inspiration was the Roman collossuem. Though i've learnt that there's lot of classical Greek elements used in this archecture, good for those into history of art, the Circus i see today exudes less essence of history. Perhaps the Peugeot/Saab/Picasso/VW cars running about the circus made it hard for me to enjoy the its original significance. Or perhaps the reconstruction work on part of the Circus, which was demolished by a bomb in 1942, had added modern facilities. Well, of course, silly me, the Circus of today needs to be catering for today's Bathians.

The center of the circus has a few century-old trees. The landscape is well maintained with paced stone walks surrounding the green.

The earlier artist impression of The Circus.

(Reference. http://www.buildinghistory.org/bath/georgian/circus.shtml)

City of Bath - Unesco World Heritage City

2009-10-28T06:52:00.000-07:00

At the Victoria coach station waiting for our bus ride to the City of Bath.

It was a near three hour journey from London to Bath. Now leaving London city.

A typical London town houses converted to commercial units.

We are here! (Photo by cityofbath). The city of Bath - another Unesco World Heritage City and i stress again - city! not just a site but a city. Rich in historic Gothic and Roman influences. I had to borrow this amazing pararama view (by cityofbath.co.uk) of Bath's grandiose Neo-classical Palladian crescents , terraces and squares spread out over the surrounding hills and set in its green valley are a demonstration par excellence of the integration of architecture, urban design and landscape setting (unesco.org). Stupid me for missing out such an eminent shot during my trip here. Next time must do sufficient research first.

The best way to sight-see is to get on the hop-on coach. Pave roads the whole city streets, magnanimous British government!

Put on walking shoes or sandals and start walking. Though not like London size, this Bath shopping streets enough to cripple my legs for Malaysians are used to drive up to the door steps when we shop.

I guess the Bath folks appreciated the summer more than Asians. They were al-fresco-ing while we hid under shades and re-applying sun-block cream again and again.

Sales time too. A pair of genuine Ralph Lauren jeans was only RM150 (after conversion)... yeepee!!!

Marc&Spencer and Salisbury seemed to be take precedence in Bath for grocery shopping during our stays here.

This shop does everything, it seems.

By 6pm, the street almost deserted. Felt gloomy at heart.

hey! so early retire?? I swear i will never get used to living here. The ghostly evening sends chills down my spine. In Kuala Lumpur, night-life starts at 7pm and peaks at 10pm or later.

So boring we ended up looking at real-estate ads.

The McD shop is so small compared to KL's. The price to be in England.

Graduation Ceremony At The University Of Bath

2009-10-26T06:57:00.001-07:00

The University of Bath. Established in 1966 by Royal Charter (shy shy... no idea what's that) and Dino sis's springboard to the world of chemical engineering.

Dino sis's graduation day = a mighty proud day for parents. Dad busy scanning the hall to absorb the moment while waiting in line for photography session just an hour before ceremony began.

Ok, its time. Let's head down to the Bath abbey for the graduation ceremony. The Summer July morning air was crispy fresh and cooling.

The Bath Abbey - the last Gothic church in England. This magnificent 1499 structure is one of Unesco heritage site. It was my first wonderment with thing's-westerned....

Magnificent ceiling workmanship. I observed the grandeur of the service hall with mouth gap in a wide-O. First time mah, pardon my Jakun-ness. It was simply awesome.

According to bathabbey.org, this is the West Window. A masterpiece of glass work depicting scenes from the old testament, from the birth of Eve, in the bottom left hand corner to moses addressing the elders, depicted at the top left hand corner. I wanted to zoom closer for a closeup shot but...

... bag pipes sounded and enters the big-wigs....hehehe. Ceremony began.

This day, i saw parents cried, especially dad, who survived the near-death experience some ten months back to be able to presently witness his youngest child receiving her degree scroll.

Photo time for the families of these high-achievers. "Err...ma, (pink lady on the left) let them picture first. We'll have the next one arr."

Like it always was in the movies, the hat-throwing tradition must be observed for those deserved. Well done, baby sister. Next, we go Manchester for your Master program.

Maimoon Palace Medan

2009-10-25T00:51:00.000-07:00

Almost all web-search pointed to Maimoon palace. So what else, go see see la.

Located on Brigjen Katamso street, Medan. There wasn't an allusion of grande and my chauffeur just drove into the courtyard without stopping for security check. I guessed i was anticipating a 'palace' from the perspective of the Buckingham palace or at least Malaysian Istana Negara. Silly me.

Entance fee was by donation. This was the first time i use rupiah and all dollar notes carry huge sum and i need to be on constant mental calculation. So i gave 20,000 rupiah and was granted entrance by this guy, some sort of a distant descendant of Sultan Makmum who now resides in this royally-dysfunctional palace and carrying out restoration work from time to time. I wonder do they get any subsidy from the Indonesian goverment since it is earmarked as top tourist spot in Medan by their tourism ministry.

It looked rather small at close range compared to photos saw at other websites.

Main entrance.

No shoes allowed. Ok, i can agree to that because its one the key observation of preservation in restoration work. There were less than 5 tourists. Lucky day for me cause i was having a field day with my camera.

This was Maimoon palace at its glory period in 1888.

The owner of this palace: Yang maha mulia Tuanky Sultan Ma'moen Al Rasid Perkasa Alamsyah, born on Monday 13, 1853 and enthroned in 1873. Passed away in 1924.

A nostalgic photo of the days of glory in the balairung (the throne room).

The throne.

Yellow was the royal choice of color. Today still is. Even adorned by the royalties in Malaysia and ancient Indian royalty. Don't know why, perhaps i should run a search on this later.

I was told by the guardian this crystal lighting chandelier is as old as the castle. Well done to the restoration work, guys. I do love this chandelier.

Looking at the balairung from the perspective of the Sultan. The chandelier takes precedent of center stage awe. I was told that the high windows was Spanish inspiration and the curvy arches were of Persian influence.

Is this the princess whose body radiated green aura according to one of local legend? Such well cared long and shinny radiant hair. I am sure Photoshop was not even conceived by Mark Hamburg then.

It was said that the building is made entirely of wood and to find it still erected proudly and strong today in a tropical climated coutry where termites called home, is simply an amazing celebrated work of restoration. For their descendants' effort, we can still admire this awesome historical marriage of European and Islam tradition architecture. If you missed paying attention to the ceiling, you may have missed the core of your visit.

Original Italian imported floor tiles remained intact. It was said almost all tiles for flooring, ceiling and walls were sourced and imported from Europe. Arrr....that shows the Sultan was a well travelled person with lots of international connections and he probably spoke English or Dutch too.

Persian arch, it was called. An Islamic culture inspiration.

An artifact....it must have been looked upon like Versace by the locals in the eighten century.

Another piece of historically valued piece of woodcraft.

The adjourning wings but entry denied. Now living quarters for the guardians of this palace. The palace opens for visitors at 8pm (Malaysian time is 9pm) and closed at 5pm. My closing word woud be its a shame to the Medan government for lack of effort in gettying this tourist spot earmarked by Unesco Heritage Organization.

Maha Vihara Cemara Asri Medan

2009-10-24T01:08:00.000-07:00

I was certainly traveling like an elite member of the society - me alone chauffeured in a black toyota innova. The next itinerary was the famous Vihara Cemara Asri - temple of the Maitreya Buddha. In Medanese, cemara means temple or worshipping places. At the entrance to this cemara were two rows of high-end commercial with pavement road. It was a sight of relief after being stucked in a horrendous stretch of traffic jam for nearly one hour.

I'd templated cancelling this trip. Fortunately this chauffeur could only understand so little of our Malaysian Malay language and i, on the other totally felt his language was alienated. Finally, this wonderful view appeared in front of our car.

The vihara was as gargantuan as our KL Tian Hou temple or the Fo Guang Yuan in Banting.

Magnificient embellishment entrance.

The Buddha sits in the middle flanked by Guan Yin on the right and Guan Gung (general of heaven) on the left. The floor is superbly polished to reflect liked mirror. No shoes allowed inside. Seemed like i was the only few visitors today.

Facilitated with lots of kneel-stools. Like duck drawn to water, i paid my respect to all divinity.

I love this dual image Bodhisatva shot.

On the left side of the vihara was a man-made koi pond decked with beautiful landscape.

Well fed kois. Good life here.

Opposite there is a indoor yoga center.

Self-shot. Bad shot. Over-exposed.

This is an up and coming vihara in progress. It located right in the heart of the city. Perhaps it will be completed when i come visiting later years.

Recommended hotels in Haadyai

2009-10-23T08:54:00.000-07:00

You'd be surprised that a decent 3-star hotel room rate can fetch up to RM90 per night during peak seasons. Novotel, a 5-star grade, with room rates start from RM150 per night. Its quite worth it because it is located right in the heart of Haadyai. Saves up some tut-tut fares.

The Mayflower Grande Hotel was next recommended to us by our private guide, Ah Fa. He got us in with special rate at 850 baht a night. Normal rate starts from 102 baht. Newly refurbished in 2007, we were just the first hundred patron. The hardwood flooring still looked new and polished.

Where and what to shop

2009-10-22T08:41:00.000-07:00

The Suntisook Market, of course. If you are interested to drag home bags of dry foods, there are all kinds of nuts, crackers, preserved foods and BBQ stuff.

Oh, pre-packed for you. Bundled and waiting. Very attractively priced especially to Malaysian groceries business owners.

Apparels

... and apparels. Remember to bargain. You may get as high as 50% discount.

Bags - all kinds of brands; LV, GUCCI, Armani, Chanel, Coach etc. Good quality man, real and pure leather, soft, hard, polished. They even proof to you by burning it. Well, if you are not mind...um...replica, you should be able to appreciate the superb workmanship by the Thais. If you take away the logo, you will have a grade A quality bag for sure.

The Suntosook indoor market is believed to house some 500 stores, selling all things from apparels, personal cares, food stuff to households utensils.

The verandas are not sparred. Row of stores selling food stuff and fruits lining the parameter of the market.

See the green fruit-hill on the right side of this photo? They are the Thai oranges. Ask the boss to squeeze you a glass of the Thai orange. You will want to come back for more.

T-shirts starts from 100 bahts. Bermuda pants starts from 50 bahts. Bathing towels three pieces for 100 bahts. If you can negotiate like the aunty next to you, i am sure you will be smiling home with bundles of goods.

Medanese Street Food

2009-10-22T00:59:00.000-07:00

This was Muslim's fasting month. Most eateries did not open until break-fast at 7 pm. At 9.30am during the ramadan month there weren't much choice in Medan. So this shop seemed inviting (out of thin choice).

Don't play-play, this shop had uniform for all workers.

Mee pancit = Malaysia's wanton mee. Only much lesser original and oiler than our version. All in all, still can accept. Probably i wasn't judgemental and touched down in Medan with an open-mind to absorb new experience.

At lunch, our hospitable host's husband Eddie brought us to this Chinese restaurant. Quite packed with school children.

Dino dad had mee pancit only this time its tastier. And the chili paste was great as an accompaniment to the blend mee.

Our host had dry duck beehoon served with a duck soup. Shreds of duck meat and cilantro topped the dry meehoon. I wondered why the Chinese Medanese didn't prefer the dark soy sauce for their dry variety?

I had the roasted chicken rice glazed with sweetened dark soy sauce. Hey, here they even gave half an hard-boiled eye. The rice is ok but the chicken is too dry. Sauce too little. I still prefer Malaysian chicken rice with plenty of sauce and layers of cucumbers below....yum!

Pulut (glutinous rice).

Now it was almost time for break-fast. Most Muslim stalls started bringing out dished. This is the signature nasi padang, meaning wide spread of mixed dishes, similar to Malaysian Kayu and chap-fun.

It has been a very long time since i last remembered seeing food on double-decked dishes. I last seen such display was in my childhood years back at my hometown Bentong some twenty over years ago before the fad of stainless steel trays took over the food stalls. It was nostalgic momentous for me. Look at earthen bowls, the type of rooster drawings on it.

Ihsssssssss...... this fish can burn holes in our tongue. No worry, the Medanese can handle. See how there is always another plate turned upside down? To pile the food higher for better palatable presentation? Perhaps to drain the oil?

Isn't your mouth watering right now? Medanese food are often heavy in rempah (spice).

Jeruk = freshly squeezed mandarin orange juice. Refreshing. Quite cheap, about 4,200 rupiah (about RM1.20) per cup.

Satay kerang. At first, i didn't want to try for fear to be food-poisoned because we were eating at this street stall. The kerangs were huge in size. Knowing that cooked kerang would reduce size significantly, this kerang obviously were fresh ones. My house Lina was munching happily on them and labeling it as a landmark dish for Medan. That was it, i had to try sink my teeth onto the local signature. Toilet rush later. And whamp...boy, it was good satay. The rempah on top was actually coconut rendang sauce. Never thought it taste this good on see-hum, other than beef and lamb. Most recommended. But precaution required.

Another magical dish by this street stall - soup kambing. Usually this dish i ignored back home. But my Chinese Medanese was slurping away this aromatic lamb soup. Of herbs taste. Very fragrant. Love that generous cilantro. A must-try if you happened to be in Medan near Merdeka Walk.

Deep fried tapioca slices and banana strips. Street snacks.

Roti peddler.

Take home a box of their signature souvenir dessert - bika amboon. Tapioca cake. Sold like it was our Penang's heng hiong beng or Malacca's Tan Kim Hock. Even at the Medan airport too.

Where and what to eat

2009-10-21T08:28:00.000-07:00

Street food is abundant, almost everywhere. When eating in Haadyai, one has to put away hygiene and brave the food for there are many wonderful F&B to uncover.

Sugar cane. Very popular. Freshly squeezed. As regularly served as our syrup back home.

The Thais have extreme taste buds. Always needed to add seasoning. Sugar. Pickered green chillies. Finely pounded cili padi and red chili paste.

Just like this one. Clear noodle soup with fish balls are just no-kick. Must add the freshly pounded dried red chili to get the tongue burning sensation. Otherwise, the noodle would be plain. No doubt the soup is rich enough to ensure a good slurp to the last drop.

The clear noodle soup with barbecued meat slices and fish balls are the most commonly found street food in Hatyai. You can have this exactly in dry version.

Here's one posh Thai restaurant located on a hill-top. It was dark but we could see the terrane leading down to villages while we dine. Wow... speaking of luxury breakaway, this is it, for us.

Back to street food. Here is the 'chap fun' (Cantonese for assorted meal). At up-close the dishes looked very much Cantonese style. But sorry, dare not try. Toilets are not convenient in Haadyai.

Oh, look! deep fried edible flowers. Are those in rose on the middle tray?

Plenty of Thai-muslims selling deep fried chickens, quails and huge sotong (squaids). Again, advised to see with precaution, unless your hotel is just 2 minutes away.

Teluk Pulai Kuan Yin Temple

2009-10-20T09:05:00.000-07:00

Its one of the best ornate Taoist temple found in Selangor. Remarkable carving workmanship donated by worshippers.

The inner entrance is equally elaborately decorated.

The exceptionally high ceiling is impressive with detailed painting of the gods and motifs. Every inch covered in meticulous work of art. Even the lantern is embellished in extravagance of abstract labyrinth.

The main praying center sits the goddess of mercy - Kuan Yin Pu Sa. Plenty of kneel-cushions for praying. Floor is highly polished to reflect at high degree clarity.

No incense burning allowed inside. Hence devotees can offer at the veranda before adjourning inside for private communication with Kuan Yin.

Magnificent sand stone carvings. Strongly recommending you for a visit regardless your religion background. Opens daily. Warning : The temple would be exceptionally crowded on the first and fifteen day of the lunar month. So, if you wish for peaceful observation, avoid these days on every month (Checking on lunar calendar is advised).

Haadyai Municipal Park

2009-10-19T10:05:00.000-07:00

On Kanchanawanit Road, 6 km from the city center. Now at the hilltop viewing point overlooking Haadyai city.

Scenic view with a jade statue of Guan Yin goddess of mercy. The statue measured at 9.9 meter high and is said to weigh some 80 tons.

Phra Buddha Mongol Maharaj, means The blessing Buddha, is said to be the largest in southern Thailand, measuring 19.9 meters high and made of 200 tons of brass.

The 4-faces Buddha - Lord Maha Dewa Pak Pom - sits on the mountaintop of the park. The sleeping baby has the Buddha watching over him.

Devotees paying homage to the 4-faces Lord.