Chinese New Year 2011 at Manila Chinatown

A week ago, I took a solo trip to Manila. I was about to cancelled that trip after cancelling a very important appointment. But I had nothing to do with my 3 days off from work and the booked flights would be wasted. It was my first air travel of the year and was quite surprised at one new airport rule where one is not allowed anymore to bring an umbrella on board or inside your carry on luggage. That time I only had a carry on bag but they still want me to go back to the counter and surrender my umbrella. Yes! I had to check-in an umbrella alone. Too much story about my umbrella, obviously I still went on with the trip to visit my brother and his family.

The next day was Chinese New Year. I woke up early after a very long rest. Actually planned to visit Chinatown to buy my partner a present. I also have nothing to do all day, so I decided to go out and headed to Manila Chinatown.

I've been to Chinatown a couple of times before (alone too) but never took any photos of the place. So I brought my camera with me as I knew it would be a great day to take photos in time for the Chinese new year celebration.

One can easily find the place just look for Ongpin Street and that's where Chinatown is.

Anywhere I look at, everything and almost all people are wearing red and gold. There are a lot of them selling lucky charms, fruits and tikoy in the streets. Finally saw what I want to buy for my partner and got it after a bit of haggle. I continued my walk and dropped by at my hopia suki (favorite shop). For me, Baker's Fair is the best when it comes to freshly baked hopia in the town. There is also Eng Bee Tin in every corner if you want varieties of Chinese delicacies.

On my way back, I also passed by a corner where people (mostly Chinese) are offering prayers. That corner is not a silent one either as I still heard some beat of the drums.

At the end of the street, I saw a couple selling personalized key holders with a rabbit figure (it's year of the rabbit) attached to it so I also bought one as a souvenir with my name engraved on it. I can see that some folks are busy preparing for the evening festival.

I was not in my happiest mood at that time for some personal reasons but somehow the walk around Chinatown helped me forget about being upset for awhile.

By the way, it is also best to go there during the night if you fancy to watch the dragon dance and fireworks.

Kung Hei Fat Choi!

                                      

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Batu Ferringhi cafes

Just want to share with you some of the yummy meals that we had at Batu Ferringhi, Penang. We both love and happy to eat any type of dishes. However, I'm not into Indian food (peace to all Indian food lovers) unlike my partner and I really don't know why. Maybe from where I came from, I'm not used to the taste of anything with red or yellow color in my plate.

First stop is at Enca Cafe. I'd never forget this eating place that we found just across the Bayview Beach hotel Penang. They served a very delicious ginger tea which can be partnered with just anything from pizza to rice meals.

How's that for my lunch?

JD's plate-fried rice mixed with chicken tikka masala and veggies

Then, there's the Hard Rock Cafe beside the Hard Rock hotel. It is best to go there during the night to listen to a live band while savouring their yummy and huge burger. I'm not fond of burger but this is one for the books!

They said burgers are unhealthy, so we had some green salads too!

A perfect dessert at hard rock..

a breakfast appetizer at hard rock hotel.. We can't help but tried all of them. lol!

I am glad I took all of these photos. Really the best thing about going to other places is to explore and of course to eat and eat a lot!

I am Fat Rascal!

!

Our favourite take out--Fat Rascal. A comfort food only from Betty's York.

(http://www.bettys.co.uk/product/Bettys-Fat-Rascals,19172.aspx)


[Photo emailed to me from my partner saying he just dropped by at the shop]

Kik Lok Si Temple to Bukit Bendera

It is raining outside and I feel very blessed at the same time while looking at some photos during our holiday in Penang. I remembered that we went to one of the day tours by iTours, a tour group in the hotel where we stayed. Destination: Kik Lok Si Temple to Bukit Bendera or Penang Hill.

The Kik Lok Si Temple or 'Temple of Supreme Bliss' is said to be the largest Buddhist temple in the Southeast Asia.

Bukit Bendera or Penang Hill, on the other hand, compromises a group of peaks in Penang, Malaysia. The most convenient way going up to the hill is through the railway which is sometimes out of service. Lucky as we are, it was in service during our visit. The journey up and down the hill was great that will make one to do it again.

at the kewl tour bus on our way to the temple

We climbed up to the 7th storey of this Pagoda in the background. The view from above was breathtaking.

the seven storey Pagoda of  10,000 Buddhas, completed in 1930.

I was trying to imitate the Buddhas...can't be one of them. 

a huge prayer room for all visitors in the temple

the entrance to Penang Hill



the bridge that connects Penang to Kuala Lumpur as viewed from the hill

this old woody train was the original train they used for visitors to the hill. Amazing!

seen a giant cannon at the hill

we are going back and another train is going up at  the passing loop...

Wow! looks easy for both trains.

According to the tour guide, Penang is known for its coffee and they even surprised as for a free tasting  of coffee and chocolates here.

the many boxes of white coffee... they will let you taste it first so one can be sure on what to buy.

It was the first time that my partner and I tasted a Chilli Chocolate and it was lovely!

Going to these places is always enjoyable if you have someone with you. The train journey to the hill was so worth it while looking at the scenic views. We are both glad that we considered one of the day tours as it was another great moment added to our life's journey.

Thanks for reading!

Memories of Georgetown

Selamat Detang! It's Saturday again. Hope everyone is having a great weekend. I had so much fun browsing the photos I took around Georgetown, Penang when my partner and I had a holiday there. Georgetown is the capital of Penang and a UNESCO World Heritage site. I captured most of the photos below while riding on a tuk-tuk or rickshaw which is a very common transportation around Georgetown. Enjoy!

The Kapitan Keling Mosque built in 1801

The famous Choo Chay Keong temple of Yap Kongsi (Clan House)

some old houses around Georgetown

went to see the waterhouses with Uncle, our rickshaw's driver

passed by Little India, Georgetown

Outside the Sri Mariamman Temple, the oldest Hindu temple in Georgetown

The Guan Yin temple is the oldest Chinese temple in Penang, existed around 1728.

the Queen Victoria Memorial Clock Tower

the Gurney Drive offers a scenic view and has many shopping centres along the road

this street with lots of colorful houses caught my attention

The Municipal Council of Pinang Hall or City hall built in 1903 is a colonial building  which is still well- preserved until today

KOMTAR (Kompleks Tun Abdul Razak) Tower  is said to be Penang's first skycraper.

when in Georgetown, don't forget to drop by at Swensens just around Times Square. You won't miss it.