Food food food.
Penang is the Unesco World Heritage Site, but it should be classified as World’s food heaven.

Like I mentioned earlier, our mission is to EAT only. Thanks to Chanlilian, the famous Penang blogger, she introduced us to wander around our hotel, as there are lots of good foods somewhere around.

Noted.

After we check-in Tune Hotel, take a rest, and we are off to Jalan Selamat. Hmm, watch out for the tune hotel review.

At first we thought to have our lunch at Old Town Cafe, but it would be a waste if I did not try the local foods. From my research, I understand that Jalan Selamat is just somewhere nearby our hotel. I must get the famous CKT for my dear, he heart CKT so much.

Passing through Jalan Selamat, a row of old shops, mostly are not operating.

There’s also some other eatery shops and medical centre.

Kafe Heng Huat – The most famous Char Kuay Teow in Penang.

Our luck is pretty good. The good smell lead us to the roadside stall along Jalan Selamat. Although there was just about 10 stalls operating, but we found this!! The very famous Char Kuay Teow aunty, with her very stylish head and wearing a crocs sandals frying her very expensive Char Kuay Teow.

The stalls are just located by the road side.

This is the CKT aunty. The only conversation I heard is , Ai Heam or Mai Heam. Its pronounced to be spicy or not spicy.

The Char Koay Teow come in 3 sizes. Prices vary from the portions and numbers of prawns.

Kafe Heng Huat is actually just a normal coffee shop, but the main attraction mainly come from this CKT stall.

The aunty is assist with a girl for taking orders and a few aunty who will deliver the CKT to the customers.

Big Fire, Big Wok.

The truth that makes the CKT nice is due to the Charcoal Fire burning underneath.

The Charcoal was ignite by a fan.
Caution, Its HOT~!!!

Did you notice that her Crocs’s sandal was burnt by the Charcoal too?
Don’t play play, she’s wearing  a genuine Crocs la!

Ok, at the mean time lets take a look at the shop. See, it was Monday evening, but everyone seems so free, rushed here just to eat the CKT~!!!!

Regardless of Age, people are coming in and going out.

Its too delicious, and heartwarming, to see the mom is actually feeding her daughter a mouthful of CKT. Sweet.

30 minutes over.
I was so worry that the Aunty has forgotten our order. No… She’s not, she even remember that we ordered 2 BIG plates of CKT.

RM8.50 , spicy CKT with big PRAWNS.
It is really delicious…i was nicely fried, strong fire burnt smell~!

Anyway, this is a hot weather, do served with a glass of Fresh Ice Longan.

Other than the CKT, we can actually have the side orders from the road side. Hence I asked Alex to check out what else is edible. Ahem~

This is yet another PoPiah stall nearby.

My popiah in preparation progress.
RM 2.60 for 2 pieces. (min. order)

It’s actually a little but watery from the ingredient. Alex is not a fans for Popiah, he said Popiah is tasteless. But I’m the opposite, I love popiah so muchie!

Not to be missed, the Penang Asam Laksa.

Indulging?
I never know Sardin can be so tasty with Asam Laksa….

Yum yum, its spicy, its soury…

Although I hate the celery smell, but never mind, i can still ignore it and continue the yummilicious Asam Laksa.

Thumbs up for all the food from Jalan Selamat!

Another CKT stall, but not as popular as the Heng Huat.

Sorry boss, I’ll come back to you next time..

This complete the Jalan Selamat food hunt. Coming up next, New World Park , Penang.

Alex and I were away for a short vacation again last week. We only have 5days 4 night, hence we opt for a short trip to Penang.

I’ve been to Penang roughly about 5 years ago, that was when I had my graduation trip with a bunch of friend. So this is my second visit to Penang, definitely our mission is only aiming on FOOD.

Alex got the bus ticket earlier from LCCT. We took TRANSNASIONAL express bus from Pudu (KL) to Penang the next morning.

Bus fare: Rm35 – business coach, with 3 seats per row.

The 5 hours journey is not so long as compared to the journey from Miri to Sibu or Sibu to Kuching. This is much more comfortable, as we have so many gadget on the go. It so easy to kill the time.

We have internet 3g on the go, can update facebook. Ipod for music, and my spider web-Nokia 5800 fitted nicely on the seat, just for us to watch Fast and Furious 4.

YAY, this is the first time Alex cross the Penang bridge, must capture it down.

We reached Sg. Nibong bus terminal, Penang around 1.30pm. As a backpacker, we prefer to wait for a local bus that connect us to TUNE hotel downtown Penang. The truth is, we can save the taxi fares and allowed us to eat more local delicacies.

We went to ask one of a Rapid bus driver on where to get the T304 bus to our hotel. From his kind advice, we were asked to go to the opposite way, and the bus will pass by there.

After an hour of waiting for the Rapid bus T304, we start to frown!!

Why? Why? Why don’t we get a taxi and direct reach hotel? Why should we trust that driver??? Why don’t we just wait at the bus terminal?? Why do we want to wait by the roadside?

Thanks so much to the shed.

I don’t care, I trust with my research, its impossible that we will missed the bus.

Buses and buses pass by but there’s still no avail.

We almost gone crazy…and finally.. the bus is here.

Rapid bus:  T304
Destination: Jalan Burma (Tune Hotel)
Fare: RM1.50

To be honest, the bus driver are very helpful and friendly towards the tourist. We reached our hotel safely without any hassle. Tune Hotel Downtown penang has a great location that is easy to reach.

I heart tune hotel!!

Coming up next. Are you ready to join us for food hunt????

More info on Penang.

Warning: If you are on diet, don’t read this post. I myself also out of control, but to blog this out!

Kuching, people name it as Cat City, but I prefer to name it as Food Heaven. I spent my Gawai Holiday in Kuching and went for food hunt almost everyday. That is what we always say , “Jiak Bui Bui“.

My brother-in-law, who is born in Kuching, but live in Miri bring us around based on his 10 years ago memory. Although the city is growing up rapidly, but the good food in Kuching will never fade away.

There’s too much to eat, too many places to cover, so I’ll just summarize out what I’ve hunt over the days in Kuching.

1. Kuching SioBee

Location: Open Air

Location: Green Hill coffee shop

2. ABC

Location: Open Air

3. Beef Noodle

Location: Green Hill coffee shop

4. Kuching Laksa

Location: Green Hill coffee shop

Location: Golden Arch

5. Sambal Bihun

Location: Cemetery

6. Seafood

Prawn (3rasa)

Oyster Pancake

Location: Top Spot

7. Popiah

Location: Golden Arch

8. Kolok Mee

Location: Open Air

Wuwuwu, Food Hunt was over…
I want some more, Can I???
Ok I know the answer, I’m fat, gotta control the food intake.

Today I’ll be here featuring the 6 days home of us in Gold Coast.

It would be a wise choice if you choose to explore this little town by your own. Everything is convenient which is truly can be called as Free and Easy.

Our Hotel : Backpackers in Paradise
Yen had pre-booked the hotel thru their website, we go for the One Room Apartment, where its air-conditioned, complete with toilet and kitchen.

We arrived in Gold Coast around 8am Australia Time. The airport transfer dropped us right in front of our hotel and we’ve waited eagerly for the check-in. 3 of us feels collapsed but its not due to jet lag , its just that we could not get a good rest in the plane.

Blame AirAsiaX for giving us such a discomfort seat!
Sigh!What to do, you get what you pay!

This is the Apartment that we’ve booked earlier. We got one unit upstairs.  It looks more like my grandma’s kampung house. That’s my very first impression.

The check-in procedure makes me feel that Gold Coast does not welcome Asians. The receptionist are mostly young people. They don’t really entertain us, the Asians. From their service attitude, its proven, they are quite racist.The big boobies ladies only entertain those beach boys visitor, while looking at us the yellow-ish skin people, they don’t even give a glance!

The poor thing is we felt like cheated as they told us its now the Peak Season, okay, it’s Easter Holiday, so they have to increase the room rate. They have no right to call the rate without notifying the customers in advance. We have all our booking confirmation, but we are just tired of argument, so just don’t give her a damn! It will just spoil our holiday mood.

Before we could go out and explore this little town, its better for us to get some rest in this kampung house. See, this is the bedroom of Yen & I.Ooops sorry I forget to clean up the bed.

The toilet seems to be very simple, which at first I feel its a little bit unhygiene. Okok. Kampung House, cannot compare with 5 star hotel.

This is the living room, which the sofa was turned into a bed, which is for Eet. Poor boy… but its equipped with TV and Aircond. While we in the room don’t even have airconditioned.

From the other corner, there is the Kitchen equipped with all the kind of utensils. Even if you want to bake a cake also can! At least this makes me feel worth for paying so much.

This is the balcony view, hmm, just the other residential suite next door.

Life in Gold Coast is real bored. I feel myself like an old nanny here.  We don’t have internet access in our room, so we have to entertain ourselves everyday. Hmm…

Their TV programmes were mostly news during the day time, I could only catch up good movies at night.

What else, reading my readers digest to kill time, while Yen crazy about her Sudoku..

How about him? He is the TV operator all night long. Getting bored.. getting bored..

One good thing about renting this Apartment, at least we can cook at home. We do have home meal almost everyday!

Tada! This is the best meal , Eggs + Ham, Vege + Maggie Curry (Made in Malaysia). Hmm, don’t play play, at least it saves us a few bucks!
Hey, wait a minute, we do have visitors here in Gold Coast.

Hi, this is MeoW meoW! ~ haha, she didnt tell me her name la..

She is fury and fat! The cats are even friendlier than those receptionist downstair.

Meow Meow trying to peep us, seeing what’s cooking inside. Sorry la, no fish today! We only have Maggie Mee…

Although from the first impression, it was quite disappointing. But after the 6 days stay here, I feel that I’ve get used to it. Although the receptionist are not friendly, but why do I have to bother so much. Just take it easy..

Coming up, I’ll be cover up my visits to the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and also the exciting Theme Parks!

This is where I wait for my pre-booked shuttle bus service everyday, but everyday we also miss the bus!

Look, the weather seems so good!

Bah! Catch me soon.. I’m going to catch my bus before it rains!

Budget list:
AUD $ 554 for 6 night accomodations.
AUD $ 185 per person.
Food: Got it from local Supermarkets. Prices are more or less the same in malaysia, just that they are in AUD $. :p

I’ve been idle for quite sometime, still the same old reason, I’m freaking busy. Perhaps, I have many things to say here, but just to make it short,  make it easier.. maybe  you should add me to your facebook?! –> marytingsc@gmail.com

It was again the last minute decision that I have to come back to Sibu for Qing Ming. Its the once a year thing, hence it is a must. So talk of this last minute decision making, I have crack my head to get myself a ticket to Sibu. Thanks to my customer Mazlim who work at MAS, he texted me at 6.15 am and tell me there’s one more seat available at 9.10am. RM216 spent, and here you go I’ve reached Sibu yesterday.

The flight was full, I got the very last seat, 14F. It’s never been an enjoyable ride whenever I’m flying in a Fokker50. But what to do, that’s the only most efficient way for me to reach Sibu by Friday.

It was quite a gloomy day, little bit of dark clouds, with little bits of rain, making me getting panic over the pressure. Luckily it was only a 55 miniutes flight, and yet I got to enjoy a glass of Apple juice instead of packet Milo.

Here and then, I’ve contacted my relatives and visited my grandparents graveyard this morning, as early as 6am.  Broom, brushes and pail are the essentials. 2 bouquet of flowers, one for grandpa and one for grandma. I can see many many families are crowding at the cemetery. Like I said, its a once a year thing.

Ah Gong and Ah Ma.. see you again next year.
I think I shall take a good rest, will update again soon

I was in KL doing my last minute shopping for my new year clothes. This has been my practice over the years, although it don’t seems to be very practical, but somehow… Many Sarawakian is still doing it!
Reason? Cos there’s more choices in KL and it’s cheaper than what we can get from our hometown.

See, its FULL FLIGHT!!!

So let’s go through my Budget Shopping Guide.

1. You need to buy your air ticket in advance, how advance? At least 3 months and above. My air ticket cost me RM 280. Quite reasonable price, if say this is the peak season. If your time is more flexible, than take the weekdays flight, at least you won’t be the Sardine Fish, and less possibilities to face flight problems.

2. You need to get the cheapest accommodation, such as Tunes Hotel, or if  you got friend’s house to tumpang that’s even better!!!  *I always have a free hotel to tumpang*

3.  Now talk of budget, the above ways are the initial step to go. Then you must now know where to shop. I’m not a shopaholic, but which ladies do not love buy new clothes at affordable prices? I’m not really Brand Concern for clothings, as long as the fashion looks nice and comfy, I’ll go for it, janji its “BUDGET!”

So where is my best shopping spot?
I’ll always go to both Times Square and Sungei Wang Plaza. No other options, but they are the best!
Its really the heaven for fashion, the heaven for me… and may be you.

Berjaya Time Square

What? Pavillion? Sunway? Lot 10? KLCC? The Curve? One U? $$$$
NO! NO! NO! Those place is too expensive for me.

4. Set your time, and be the early bird.
Make sure you are ready at the shopping mall around 10.30am. Not too early ok? That is KL, not the Pasar Tamu. Like what we did, we will be there on time, and go to the designated shop, which we always go. If you are late, then you gotta squeeze in the sardine crowd..

Must go:
PS – level 4 time square
G2 – Level 1 Sg. Wang
ALL RM25 shop in Time Square and Sg.Wang.
Licci – level 4 time square (they have nice shoes)

Time is gold, don’t waste your time to those expensive shop, even they put SALES but after 70% you only manage to get some old fashion clothes for your cny. What’s the point?

This is TeamGd and PeiPei who is also shopping at Time Square.

5. Get yourself a shopping list or keep in mind, how much things you wish to buy then set your budget.

Honestly on the first day, I set my self RM400 for my own cny year clothing including shoes and accessories. Somehow, on the 2nd day, I found that there’s some little tiny things left out, so overall I spent around RM500. Wahahaha… but hey, I’ve done my shopping list. That is within my budget.

I’ve got myself 8 sets of clothes, 4 pairs of pants, 2 pairs of shoes and some accessories. Cool?

6. Mix and Match.
You gotta be creative, mix and match your own. Then you can actually make up a few sets of clothing. Some cheap jeweleries might looks good, as the fashion fade out very fast, there’s no point to buy too expensive diamond, buy the ciplak one is good enough.

That’s the end, I’m pretty satisfied with what I got. I believe everyone else also feel the same.

See…

Ming Kang is enjoying carrying stuffs for his laopo da ren.. hahaha..

Overall spending:
My airticket : RM280
Accomodation : Free
Transport: Free by ShiekWei and Willy
Meal: Less than RM50 most of the time belanja by Willy and Eunice.
Shopping: Less than RM500 not include buying for others la…

So I estimated I’ve spent RM800 for this trip. Budget or not ley? For me its very budget lo

Last but not least, enjoy your last minute shopping too and happy chinese new year!!!
Mooooo!!!!

It took so many times for me to re edit this post, thanks to the slow connection and my sotplug wordpress, now everything should be back to normal and hopefully it can be successful this time without facing much problem. Supposedly, the entry is going to be long, but i think I’m gonna cut the crap and straight to the point!

Let’s get back to my Manukan Travelogue, the second day of my visit to Sabah.

It is just repeating the same steps as yesterday, that we have to get to Jesselton Point by 8am to catch up the earliest boat to the island. While waiting for the boat to arrive, we get our breakfast from the food court. Okay, this time i go for the Nasi Lemak. Hmm it taste better and hotter than the bihun yesterday.

Anyway, the travel mate for Manukan are slightly a change, those who went to Sapi the earlier gave up Manukan as they were all exhausted and some of them need to do their last minute shopping. I am supposedly not joining them too, but what can i do if i don’t join them? Its going to be a big waste to stay at hotel only.. so My Kiasu spirit tell me, I must go else i will regret.

Hence, only Yen and I join the turtle couple. Ooops i mean Ming Kang and Wanfern.
The boat ride cost RM17 per head to Manukan. Another RM3 for the tax as well. I insist saying that I don’t want to join them for the snorkeling due to the sun burnt of yesterday.

Sempat lagi, i camwhore before we depart to the island.

Finally the boat is here.. and happily 4 of us get on the boat and arrive Manukan Island 15 minutes later. The boat ride was a bit bumpy due to the rough sea.

This is goolooloo, arriving Manukan Island. There’s many many fishes on the Jetty, ya, its more than Sapi. And of course, I will start shooting pictures of the fish… without wasting any second.

There’s people who directly start sitting by the Jetty and start feeding the fish.

Personally I feel that Manukan Island is more commercialized. Just right after we pass through the entrance. I can see nice built chalet by the beach side. Oh well. that’s for rent for sure, and its not cheap, the lowest range start from RM380 per night. Oh My God…..

The beach are well maintained, it is clean and life guard houses are available along the beach side. Facilities wise, they are well equipped, there’s a small booth renting snorkeling equipments.

My friends, Yen, Wanfern and MingKang get the snorkeling shoes from there. Ya, we learn from experience of yesterday, with a snorkeling shoes it is much more easier to swim and you wont get cut on your legs like i do !!!

While the friends go for the first round snorkeling, I become the nanny to take care of everyone’s belongings. Of course, I wont be sitting there day dreaming, I go for beach strolling and take nice pictures.

Talk about the beach. I still prefer Sapi. Although Manukan is bigger, but Sapi tends to give more natural feel.

Never forget, to pimp my blog.

The crystal greenish water do make me have the urge to jump down for a swim, but too bad i can’t swim… so i can only walk around and take pictures. The weather is pretty hot, and its blue sky isn’t clear enough for photo shooting. The pictures turns out to be flare, which is totally out of my expectations!

Manukan Island

I bumped into a bunch of young men trying out the scuba-doo water sport. I try to peep them how it works, unfortunately, the mini submarine only work out when you to dive into the sea. So of course I cant see anything on the ground. Hahaha…

It was just 10am, still early… The little devil in my heart says I will regret if i didn’t dive in to see the corals. Thanks to MingKang being my snorkeling driver this time, patiently guide me along the snorkeling. I know its pretty tired for him to take care of someone who totally dunno how to swim. Some more, an oversize baggage. Grrr!!!

The fishes and corals here are slightly more than Sapi, but somehow the most I’ve seen are dead corals which is a bit of disappointment. Poor corals, who are the one so evil to pollute your home.

Yay, the group photos. That’s the end of the Manukan Trip.

We have to leave the Island before 11am, but its almost time. So we have to rush before the boat left us behind on the island.

Another cut for souvenir. Wuwuwu..

We manage to get bathed, get changed and get on boat on 11.30am. The boat was there waiting for us for half hour, please do not practice this, its bad example. Luckily the boatmen did not grumble.

Once again we reach Jesselton Point before 12noon. The weather is killing me, once again my skin tone increase another level. Wuwuwu.. but its okay, there’s one word call Hitam Manis – Black Beauty! Wakakakakaka…

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That’s conclude my Island travelogue. The next entry should be on some food hunt that we had in Sabah. I know STP sure waiting for it. Hehehe…. Sorry to keep you waiting. Its gonna be up very soon!

I had to wake up at 7:30am to catch the 8am boat to Manukan Island. The boat ride takes about 15 minutes and it costs RM17/person. The island’s scenery is simply breath-taking! But there isn’t much that we could do there other than snorkerling and photo shooting.

After coming back from the Island, we then head down to 1Borneo, Borneo’s largest lifestyle mall – the one that costs RM1billion!

Okay, I know this blurry picture doesn’t tell the whole story. Certainly doesn’t look anywhere like a BIG shopping mall here. But, if you wanna see more,  you can check out this forum.

So, this is where we had our lunch in Manhattan Fish Market. 1Borneo is pretty far away from the hotel where we stayed. We were about to take a taxi cab, but the hotel told us that there’s free shuttle bus service to 1Borneo!!! Hurray! RM25 saved!

There’s a lot of big name anchor tenants under 1Borneo. Even the Tune Hotel is there and they have their own departmental store too! One downside to the mall is that, most of the shoplots are still empty! Not enough for me to shop okay!!!

Whops, the bus is almost here! Time to get back to the hotel for a nice bath and sleep!

That’s all for now. Once again, this post had been brought to you by the slow and steady, DiGi EDGE.
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I’m turning into a Bangla!