4D3N PENANG CAMERON TRIP -PART 1

We took off from KL at 7.30AM on the 2nd day of CNY. Traffic on the NS highway was smooth flowing. By 9.15AM we were already in Ipoh buying pomelos and looking for a place to eat breakfast. There was a big crowd at the popular Nam Heong coffee shop when we arrived. We had to jostle our way in and hustle for a table. On a positive note, the Sar Hor Fun and Ipoh white coffee did not disappoint and helped to make up for the minor inconveniences.

Continuing the journey north after breakfast we discovered through Facebook the bad news. My B-I-L’s house in Sibu was broken into the night before. He and the wife decided to fly back immediately. So the first destination in Penang was the Airport. Fortunately, they managed to get tickets for all the connecting flights home on the same day. The group of 10 was thus reduced to 8. The holiday mood was somewhat dampened especially for the children.

It was a scotching hot afternoon as we negotiated through heavy traffic to the Bay View Resort in Batu Ferringhi. After resting for a couple of hours in the comfortable family suite we went down to the beach. I have been to nicer beaches in PD. Nevertheless, ML and her cousins had a whale of a time perfecting the jump for the photo shot and the earlier gloom soon dissipated.

The trip from Bay View to Gurney Drive for dinner, which should takes 15 minutes, took us more an hour. It was a nightmare to drive through the gridlock and a true test of patience. The traffic situation was probably made worse by Ah Jib Kor’s just concluded CNY open house at Marina Bay. The Hawker Centre in Gurney Drive was also packed to the brim. There were long queues at the more popular stalls. The much talked about Penang Hawker food of Assam Laksa, Fried Kway Teow, Rojak, Pasembur, O Chien, Chendol, etc were actually not such a big deal. One can easily find the same dishes in KL that taste just as good.

By the time dinner was over it was 11pm but the traffic had not eased up. Having heard so much about the lights of Kek Lok Si Temple, we decided to make our way there. Unfortunately, the quirky Garmin GPS had to screw up at the most inopportune time. We ended up lost. Going around in circles we finally decided to call it a night. By the time we arrived back to the hotel it was already 1.00AM.

Early next morning, despite the huge crowd, we managed to ride the funicular car up to the Penang Hill or Bukit Bendera. At 800M above sea level, even though the sun was shining brightly the breeze was actually quite cool. Still in a festive mood we decided to get some tattoos. The tattoos were painted on with indelible ink and last up to 10 days.

The 45 minutes long conducted tour of Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion or more commonly known as the Blue Mansion was quite informative and entertaining. The guide started with a brief biography of the Chinese tycoon and explained in detail the Feng Shui considerations in the layout and design of his house and what each artifact and deco meant. By contrast the visit to Khoo Kongsi was a disappointment. As part of the World Heritage site, the buildings there were by no means historically less significant. What was sorely missing is a well informed guide to take visitors around.

After 2 rounds of Assam Laksa and fried Kuey Teow no one was keen on more hawker food. The Ship Restaurant in Batu Ferringhi was within walking distance from the hotel. Surprisingly the service was prompt and I loved the warm bun they served for starters. After dinner we took a stroll around the busy night market.

We headed out to Kek Lok Si Temple again after 11.00PM. Traffic was slightly better and we did not get lost this time. We were surprised that we could actually drive right up to the temple on the hill. The temple ground and buildings were all beautifully lighted up and was a sight to behold. After about 20 minutes and before we could tour the temple grounds, the monks started locking up the place and switching off the lights and we had assumed that it was open 24 hours. Luckily we were there just in time otherwise it would be another wasted trip.

simon 2 feb 2012

CNY 2012 PHOTOS

A COMMENT ON THE CNY EVE DINNER

The idea of eating out was mooted last year. It was the easy way out. No cooking and no mess to clean up. It was a good idea but the feel good experience fell short.

The food at the restaurant was above average and the price reasonable. Unfortunately instead of having a relaxed ambience to enjoy the food you feel harassed. The exceeding hurried pace that the dishes were served was geared to get you out for the place before the next batch of customers arrived for the 2nd session. Eating dinner at 5:30PM (tea time) is neither here nor there. Within half an hour all the dishes were served. There was no time to savor each dish and digest the food. Dinner was over in record time. The sun was still high up over the horizon. It was a weird experience not quite befitting for a reunion dinner.

Comparatively the dinner at home on the 1st day of CNY had a much more relaxed family atmosphere. The dishes might not be as fanciful but the effort put in was much appreciated and enjoyed. We definitely need to rethink next year dinner.

simon 30 jan 2012

A WEEKEND DRIVE

According to the Google map, the journey from Subang to Betong is about 400km and will take about 5 ½ hours. However, with light traffic and the good road condition, the actual driving time was only about 4 ½ hours. Starting off at 6:30AM with an hour lunch break at Bidor, we still arrived at the Thai border checkpoint before noon.

Betong is a small sleepy town just across the border from Pengkalan Hulu. Compared to Phuket and Hat Yai, Betong seems to be crawling along at snail pace. Although there were bus loads of tourist at the hotels, the usual touristy haunts are somewhat lacking. There is no central food court to savour all the unique Thai delicacies. No night market to sell the colorful trinkets and t-shirts that are seen everywhere in Thailand. Hunting for a place to eat lunch on a rainy afternoon turned out to be a wearisome task. Most eating stalls and restaurants are either sold out or closed by 1pm. There is a restaurant recommended by a blogger that we wanted to try but it was either closed, sold out or packed to brim for the 2 days we were in town. For first timers in Betong, hunting for food you want to try is an adventure by itself.

As border town, Betong too has its seedier side. There are many small bars and karaoke joints. Old uncles walking hand in hand with young “working girls” in town and hanging around the hotel lobby is a common sight.

For people who have never been there, the Piyamit tunnel would probably be rated the No. 1 attraction of Betong. Well, the saying goes that a picture is worth a thousand words. Hopefully the photos below will do justice to that.