Saturday, 27 October 2012

Today was another rainy day as the rest of the week, woken up by Liyi to have lunch together. Boring with Chicken Rice, Fried Rice, we decided to have some noodles @ 兴旺板面 located at Damai. I still remember Pan Mee is one of my favorite food in during my childhood. Whenever someone brings me to food court, i will order this. The chewiness of the flat noodle in your mouth makes me feel the satisfaction. Adding in fried onion, fried anchovies, and shredded pork, brings the combination of texture and taste. 

This restaurant is always busy with customers. It have a very systematic ordering methods, you will have to order your food at the cashier, then they will pass you a number, then the food will serve shortly. Similar to 富源, besides you don't have to worry about your number, there will be someone to serve you. Chillies and Garlic are readily made at a corner, as well as the chopsticks and spoon. 

         Panasonic Lumix GF1 + Lumix 20mm f1.7 @ f1.7
                   Panasonic Lumix GF1 + Lumix 20mm f1.7 @ f2.8

This is my first appearance in this blog, with my face. Liyi said my skin is terrible, so i try fix it in Lightroom. So now i have good skin!

         Panasonic Lumix GF1 + Lumix 20mm f1.7 @ f2.8


Food served within 10minutes, comes with Wanton (云吞）, shredded pork (肉碎）, and an egg. I would say that the flavor is more to sweetness, compare to Klang's, is overall richer in taste. The best damn thing about a good Noodle is they have to serve boiling hot, but when this was served, its not hot enough IMHO. Overall, i still enjoy my noodle here, because they have free flow of Chillies & Garlic, just have to take it yourself.


         Panasonic Lumix GF1 + Lumix 20mm f1.7 @ f2.8


We had some noodles for our dinner as well. We had this Hamen （虾面）@ 大利茶餐室 located at Gaya Street. Just across Agro Bank. I'll strongly recommend people to visit this place as they really serve authentic Penang food, such as this. The Wan Tan Ho （滑蛋河）is very delicious too. But we were a little bit disappointed with the Fried Kuey Teow （炒粿条）. Taste not that great, but better than many local hawker stall stating 正宗槟城炒粿条, the taste of the chilly paste (Sambal), is a plus to all their food. Big thumbs up.

         Panasonic Lumix GF1 + Lumix 20mm f1.7 @ f3.5


If the photo of the food didn't appear to bring appetite to you, i apologize. Please bear with me, i'm in the process of learning food photography by myself. Constructive advise will be highly appreciate.
byUnknown
in , , , , , , , ,
08:24:00

Noodles Day - Moment with Lumix

Today was another rainy day as the rest of the week, woken up by Liyi to have lunch together. Boring with Chicken Rice, Fried Rice, we deci...
Read More

Friday, 26 October 2012

This was my second experience on a foreign train after Bangkok - Aranyaprathet. When i boarded to the train, i saw most of the locals sitting in a group relaxing. Perhaps most of them travel in group with family or friends. As soon as the train started to run, i saw a family taking out their stuff from plastic bag, from drinks, to Bread, Cheese, Ham, and fruit. They were really well prepared for the long ride!

The train officer sell food and drinks on board with slightly higher price, but was acceptable. Things that amazed me is that no matter what they eat, the waste will directly throw from the window to outside. Well, i don't practice this so i kept the rubbish and passed it to the officer, but what happen is that they receive the rubbish from my hand and throw them directly through the window. Immediately i was stunt. Well, since I'm in their territory, so i think should follow their culture so i got used to it very soon. *Its a bad habit!
A lovely women slept on her husband's lap after many hours spent in the train. They must gone through many things in their life together, Happy, Sorrow, Tears, and laughter. Im envious at them, wonder if i can be like them one day, holding my partner's hand, walk around the beach every evening, with my kids running around us, share the joyful moment everyday. Throughout the journey, i met some friendly Vietnamese offer me fruits along the journey, and i also met a Vietnamese who speak Malay to me and letting me know when i arrived at my destination.

Stepping down from the train station after 20hours on wooden hard seat is really killing me. Finally i arrived in Huế, the historical city of Vietnam. At 3AM in the morning, I quickly flash out my iPad and figure out the way to my hotel. It wasn't far from the Train station to the place i heading to, approximately 20minutes by walk. Along the way there were many motorcyclists offered me riding services but i rejected them all. Soon later, i arrived in the hotel, "Than Thien Hotel" (Friendly Hotel). The receptionist was sleeping, but notice my arrival soon after i rang the door bell, he greeted me with singlet and short pants, and said he was waiting for my arrival, thats pretty awesome hospitality!



I booked a superior room via Agoda but they upgraded the room to deluxe room due to the unavailability of superior room. The room is super clean and look modern, its simply elegant. They even have wooden floor! For $10/Night, i have nothing to complaint about!



The next day, i was lucky enough to be in Huế on 2nd of September, which is their National Day. I met my CouchSurfing friend -Amy Nguyen in my hotel and she brought me to the Imperial Citadel just across the Truong Thien Bridge. Admission was free because it's Vietnam National Day. The spectacular Citadel was surrounded by local crowds from around Vietnam. 


Walking around this place gave me a feeling like time-walking to 80's and 90's, as u can see from their outfit, it gave me sort of retro feeling. Everyone is in group with big smile on their face and non-stop talking. *Vietnamese people speak really fast.


Huế Imperial Citadel has more than 200Years of history when Nguyễn Phúc Ánh took control over Vietnam and proclaimed himself as Emperor Gia Long. He chosen Huế as central headquarter to built this Palace. More than thousands of workers involve in the building of this Citadel. 

 A young lady look totally lost in the busy streets. 
The best delicacy in Vietnam require you to be down-to-earth and squat down to wait them to serve you. Guarantee tip top satisfaction for your tummy. Spring rolls with fresh vegetables and meat are typical Vietnam street food.


I have no idea why they put flower on the lock. I found this place on my way to visit some of the Emperor Tomb, the place is locked up, and flowers attached with the lock were shriveled. My local friend told me they put the flower with purpose, but even her don't know the exact reason why.


 Vietnam flag flying as the people celebrating National Day. It is one of the emperor Tomb in Huế. 



Personal Experiences in Huế. 
1. Expenses can be relatively cheap here, with $10 you can get a pretty comfy hotel room!
2. Vietnam Local cuisine, you have to be down-to-earth in order to get delicious and affordable Meal!
3. Bargain, even a bottle of mineral water from local grocery store.
4. Local tend to say hi when you pass by. In their language, Hi refer to "Hey, you are foreigner, i want to earn some money from u". *Not all but majority i'd say.
5. Friendly local friend be my tour guide, showing me around and have fun time in their unique local coffee shop.


In sum, Positive experiences beyond negative, definitely will come back again.
byUnknown
in , , , , , , , , , , ,
10:33:00

Huế - Vietnam Experience

This was my second experience on a foreign train after Bangkok - Aranyaprathet. When i boarded to the train, i saw most of the locals sitti...
Read More
Me and Liyi were invited by Teddy and CW to have lunch @ Bella Italia Restaurant situated at Jesselton Hotel, Gaya street. Me and Liyi were very excited and we have high expectation toward the food that gonna be serve.


                   Panasonic Lumix GF1 + Lumix 20mm f1.7 @ f2.8 ISO160

The restaurant is quiet, and relaxing. When we arrived, there were not many customers beside us. Jesselton hotel is a historical building. It is Kota Kinabalu’s city’s first post WWII modern hotel built at 69 Bond Street (now Gaya Street).  The name Jesselton Hotel referred to the town’s quaint timber and tin roofed Government Rest House, located on a bluff behind the city’s present Kota Kinabalu Police Station.



         Panasonic Lumix GF1 + Lumix 20mm f1.7 @ f2.2 ISO100

                   Panasonic Lumix GF1 + Lumix 20mm f1.7 @ f1.8 ISO100

This is little bit explanation and acknowledgement about the deal. We bought groupon for the meal and it cost around RM40/ Person for 4-Course Meal included Main course ( Chicken RM50/Lamb Shoulder RM76), Appetizer (Greek Salad RM36), Soup (Creamy Lentil Soup RM24), Dessert ( Mango Crepe RM16), and Drink (Iced Lemon Tea RM13).

Sources: http://www.groupon.my/deals/sabah/Bella-Restaurant/716362208

After everyone have arrived, Creamy Lentil Soup were served. It doesn't taste like mushroom soup or cream soup, it has a distinct texture as there were blended tea leaf in the soup. Frankly, we don't enjoy the soup, neither of us do.

          Panasonic Lumix GF1 + Lumix 20mm f1.7 @ f2.2 ISO400
Later, the greek salad was serve to us, the main course and salad is shared among 2 person, and i weren't satisfy with this because it never stated it only come in 1 set, instead of 2. If you have time, compare the picture provided by them on the salad, and the actual picture of Greek Salad taken by me.
You can hardly find cheese on top of the salad when it serve. Pictures tell the story.
*This salad cost RM36? you judge.

          Panasonic Lumix GF1 + Lumix 20mm f1.7 @ f2.2 ISO400
Here comes the worst thing, some part of the lamb is not cooked, not even medium. It looked like raw meat when you see them in the fresh market. Red in color, and you notice blood in the meat. Worst of all, you chew them before you notice, and once you notice, you don't know whether to eat it or spit it out. Eww.. The taste, So so, i'd say "Satay Kambing" @ Tanjung Lipat taste much much better than this.
          Panasonic Lumix GF1 + Lumix 20mm f1.7 @ f1.8 ISO400
Interestingly, the chicken taste good, beyond my expectation after the experience with the lamb shoulder. Only the portion is too small for 2pax, as you might see the mashed potatoes filled up half of the plate and the proportion of chicken is so tiny.
          Panasonic Lumix GF1 + Lumix 20mm f1.7 @ f1.8 ISO400
                    Panasonic Lumix GF1 + Lumix 20mm f1.7 @ f2.5 ISO400
Mango Crepe! Some says sweet, some says sour. I have no idea, i just want to finish them all and get out of the restaurant. Obviously, I'm dissatisfied with the deal, and i strongly not recommend any of my friends for this deal. Looking at the price, the quality of the food, totally no deal.

         Panasonic Lumix GF1 + Lumix 20mm f1.7 @ f2.5 ISO400

In Sum, Bella restaurant have good environment for dining experience, the staff were helpful as well, the only thing that bother me is the quality of the food doesn't match the price tag. I would not bother to pay more for good food and good service, but Bella restaurant is still not up to the expectation.


byUnknown
in , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
02:26:00

Bella Kota Kinabalu - Moment with Lumix

Me and Liyi were invited by Teddy and CW to have lunch @ Bella Italia Restaurant situated at Jesselton Hotel, Gaya street. Me and Liyi were...
Read More

Thursday, 25 October 2012

Me and Liyi overlooked this place when we drove up to Likas Hospital to testify whether or not it actually connect roads from Kingfisher to Kota Kinabalu town centre as we noticed there were pretty much vehicles enter the road from Kingfisher 2nd roundabout (the one near to Kingfisher plaza). 


However, the result turns out negative, the road only lead us to Hospital Likas, and thats the end of the story. Though, as i mentioned earlier, we saw a long path lighten by street lights and it look nice with various light source around it, and we decided to check it out.


The path is going to Dewan Undangan Negeri Kota Kinabalu (DUN) which located near to Kingfisher entrance roundabout. The exact location extracted from Google Maps as below:

View Larger Map

Tonight me and Liyi checked them out to see if we can capture some nice night landscape photo but unfortunately its too dark to see anything from the place. Then i decided to take some photograph of Liyi with the empty-road atmosphere. 
                   Panasonic Lumix GF1 + Lumix 20mm f1.7 @ f1.7
The flare from the street lamp might look distracting but i do like the shine coming out from it, i boost my ISO to 800 to get acceptable shutter speed @ 1/25sec. Liyi seem to be enjoy the session as she posed naturally to the camera.
#Or is it because GF1 look friendlier than ordinary Black chunky DSLR?
         Panasonic Lumix GF1 + Lumix 20mm f1.7 @ f1.7


         Panasonic Lumix GF1 + Lumix 20mm f1.7 @ f1.7

It located just right next to the South China sea and it have good view over the city and the sea. Somehow it has good scenery with trees around. Maybe you can see a better view from the DUN building itself, but I'm not sure whether we can enter without specific task or not. You should try it out yourself?


         Panasonic Lumix GF1 + Lumix 20mm f1.7 @ f1.7

I really like the dynamic B&W of my Lumix GF1 using the pancake lens, and if u can realize the Bokeh is pretty smooth as well. For a hobbyist like me, a 4/3 camera really doest shines considering it's size and price! If you know how much i bought the camera and lens, you will think that I'm lucky to have it at that price !
byUnknown
in , , , , , , , , , ,
10:51:00

Emptiness Road - Moment with Lumix

Me and Liyi overlooked this place when we drove up to Likas Hospital to testify whether or not it actually connect roads from Kingfisher to...
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