Road Trip - Day 1

Despite the fact that we were all supposed to be undergoing ‘internship’, for some reason we all seemed to take it easy and even took time to plan for a holiday. So we planned to embark on a Road Trip. Initially, the people supposedly to go for this trip were Shawn, Kantha, Wan San, Apple, Mimi and Crystal. But once again, somebody decided to ‘take the plane’ instead. So as we had 1 place left, Shiao Teng managed to join us.

26^th May 2008, 6.30am Monday morning, transport had arrived at Shawn’s house before beginning our journey. By the time everything was sorted out like appointing Shawn as the ‘Financial Controller’ we left around 6.45am (first thing in the morning already had to feel like a loan shark…haih).

“Good morning ladies and gentlemen, welcome aboard flight 7887 departing from Kuala Lumpur to Penang. Estimated time of arrival to Penang is eleven hundred hours and we will make a short transit at Ipoh town. The weather looks calm and fine. We hope that you will have a pleasant journey and thank you for ‘flying’ with Toyota”.

The drive north-bound to was not too bad as it was a weekday but there quite a lot of road works going on which at one point or another gave us a few scares and surprises (for the ones who were still awake at least). There were some hard breaking and even…workers throwing cones in front of you…while you’re driving past! But nonetheless, we reached Ipoh town in approximately 2 hours. In Ipoh, we made our way to one of the coffee shops to have breakfast. So what’s famous here? None other than their Kai See Hor Fun. The bowls of noodles we had were really nice with soft and smooth kuay teow, fat and crunchy bean sprouts and wonderfully flavoured chicken and prawn broth garnished with chives. Not only were they delicious but cheap too. Kantha and Wan San had Wan Tan Mee but they commented that KL makes better noodles. Having finished our ‘petit dejeuner’, we wasted no time and headed straight for Penang.

It took us about another 2 hours to reach the Penang Bridge and thank goodness for Smart Tag otherwise we would have been caught up in the queue along with everybody else. I think I’ve made this comment more than once on the trip. We are like some ‘super-saavy’ travelers who need no maps no matter where we’re going. Conclusion – we think we know where we’re going but…in the end still need to ask for directions. What a joy-ride. Anyway, we had to make our way to Sri Sayang Hotel and Condominiums which is situated on the north-east side of the island directly opposite the Shangri-La Rasa Sayang Resort.

When we got there, we were in for a little predicament. We booked a condo online the day before and hoped that our request had been processed. Upon arrival we were told that our reservation was not conformed and that the hotel was fully booked. Reason…SCHOOL HOLIDAYS!! With the bad news, we left the lobby and decided to search for another place to stay. As we were about to exit the parking lot, as if he was a drug dealer, the security guard discreetly gave Kantha a piece of paper with some numbers on it. For a moment it all seemed a little fishy. But the truth was that some people had condos for rent and he was the middle man. So, we rang the land-lord and in 20 mins we had a place to stay. Lucky us and thank you Mr…drug dealer?? By the time we went up to our rooms and rested for a little while, our stomachs were telling us what to do next. As we had no clue where to go, we just headed to Gurney Drive to see what was there. As they say, Peneng is another Foodies Galore of Malaysia. It was quite late for lunch but we managed to find somewhere to eat. We had some Char Kuay Teow and Lobak. Let’s just say we weren’t ‘wowed’ by the Penang food. I guess the best of Penang are already all in KL.

Just before dusk, we went to the beach along the Rasa Sayang Resort. The sea was not exactly what you call clear and the sand was very rough. Quite disappointing actually when you’ve been to better beaches like those in Langkawi. It started to drizzle and we went back to the pool at our hotel for just a little while. Fast forward, after everyone showered and got ready, we went to Gurney Drive again to have dinner. By this time, the corner of this road transforms into a night food court with a wide variety of stalls to choose from. We decided to order and share. Of course we had to have some Asam Laksa. We also ordered dishes like rojak, oyster omelet, grilled fish and grilled cuttlefish as well as chee choeng fun. Penang food is usually accompanied with prawn paste of ‘har koh’. We weren’t ‘wowed’ by the food here either.

The night was still young, so we went back to our hotel after walking around Gurney Plaza for a little bit. Oh…just to let you all know that to get in and out from our hotel to the city takes a 15 minute winding drive. So…here’s a question. What can’t a holiday trip do without? Due to the cost factor, we opted for the ‘not-so-premium’ stuff. Some drinks, cards and money. Simple way to end the night ain’t it guys?

7 Months

Man!! It took approximately 7 months for this blog to be updated. But you guys who are reading this would understand that a lot....and I mean A LOT has happened in the past months that explains the reason this blog hasn't been updated since. Anyway, marche-marche cherecher manger finally gets it's update. Despite the name of the blog, I would like to think that the primary subject of the blog has changed. Instead of a foodie blog, it is more of an account of our holidays...which I am sad to say may not happen again . But not to worry, life has to take it's course and I will try to feed this blog whenever I can. Cheers.

Just For Fun

Hey guys!! Take a look a these pictures and have a laugh.

Ain't she just cute?? Someone was watching too much Transformers...now he's TRYING to be a shark.... Doesn't he look like a Japanese tourist? Hmmm...she must have really held a grudge against Gan... She's trying out for SOME magazine...what do you think...good enough?? She must have eaten something REALLY bad or just doesn't like the food. He went to Mother Nature's Hair Salon. Equipment: 1 Hair dryer! Amazing! Aren't they COOL! Even HE couldn't resist the temptations of Langkawi Island!! Eventually, Kimmy and Nicole managed to steal Shawn's IC and the 4 had to leave without him.

Langkawi, We're Leaving

12^th July 2007. Day 4 and the last day for 5 of us. We had so much fun, we weren’t ready to leave for home yet. Anyway, for this day, we had island hopping planned for us. We woke up as early as possible. Some managed to have breakfast. Everybody was somewhat hung over. At about 10, we started our Island Hopping. First stop, Tasik Dayang Bunting. Arriving at the starting point of this lake, we found ourselves having to walk quite a bit to get to it. This lake is pretty large and is supervised. Life jackets can be rented to swim at the lake. Paddle boats for 2 could be rented as well.

Fun as it was, we had to leave. There’s a time schedule to keep to. Next stop, Beras Basah Island or literally translates to Wet Rice Island. This beach seemed rather commercialized as there were lots of people on this beach. On this beach, those seeking fun and excitement can test and feel the adrenalin from the water sports offered on this island. There were activities like the banana boat ride and paragliding to choose from. Food and drinks could also be purchased from a small shack. Apart from being commercialized, I’m sure everyone would agree that this was the cleanest and clearest seas to swim in as compared to the other beaches we visited. Adhering to the time regulation, we headed back to the main island. Along the course of the island hopping, we were taken to see the eagles of Langkawi and the famous ‘Perempuan Mengandung’.

Back to our rooms, 5 of us started packing up. When we arrived back, we found Jamie already checked in to our rooms. The packet rice we had the previous day was so good that everyone agreed to have it again for lunch.

Next on the agenda…time to spend MOOLAH! Shopping for chocolate and liquor. We went all over town or all over the island rather, to buy our stuff. From Underwater World to Kuah Town, from Langkawi Parade to Teo Soon Huat, we spent the whole evening shopping. Earlier when we got back from island hopping, we were hailed with good news. This is the only time and place you would be pleased that your flight is delayed. Our flight was scheduled for departure at 8.45pm but delayed till 10.30pm. We were so glad we had some extra hours to spare. 5 of us had a hard time dealing with temptation but we had to put a limit to our shopping spree. Satisfied, we rushed back to Fat Mum’s again to have our last meal together as 13.

Before we knew it, we were at the airport saying our good byes as though we were leaving for another country. The remaining 8 people stayed on till the 14^th of July. Before 10.30, we boarded the plane and that marked the end of a very memorable trip for all of us. THANKS GUYS and Thank You Langkawi!!!

Langkawi, We're Still Here

Oh MAN!!! So fast it’s day 3. OK. So, the day goes like this. As many were feeling that they were losing out on their complimentary breakfast (whose asked them to be such sleepyheads!), they requested for my wake up call. Judging from what happened earlier in the morning, I wasn’t expecting too much but at least 5 people joined me for breakfast this time. Having had our breakfast, we headed back to the rooms. Some while later, everyone got up, washed up and got ready to go to Underwater World. So, we drove, drove, drove and we drove. We drove some more and we parked the car…(underwater world was only 2 mins drive from where we stayed…hehe…:p)

At underwater world, there was a lot to see and not a lot to see depending on how much you like to look at FISH! Entrance fee was RM 20 with student card. There were other animals as well like flamingoes, otters, snakes and penguins. Other than that, just fish, fish and more fish. After making our round through the place, we headed to a beach on the other end of the island, Tanjung Rhu. This was the day we had the most inexpensive but delicious lunch. Along the way to Tanjung Rhu, we passed by a stall selling packet rice, ayam percik and barbecued chicken gizard. Rice, RM 1. Ayam percik, RM 2. Total, RM 3. Cheap!!

Anyway, we took our lunch to Tanjung Rhu beach. This beach has one of the nicest sea level to play in. You could swim way out but still be standing straight with the water at waist to chest level. Unfortunately, someone had to spoil our fun telling us to come out of the water claiming that it was dangerous due to uneven seabed. Party Pooper!! But just as well. We ate our lunch and just as we finished, it began to rain on us. Nice timing actually. So we packed up and left to another destination.

On our trip to Langkawi the previous year, it was the dry season and the waterfall we were going to was trickling with water. It was so miserable. It was as good as a waterfall with NO water. But this time, lucky us. Air Terjun Temurun ADA air. Although it was a small area but the landscape was nice with the water flowing down a 30 foot tall cliff. However, the pool was not as clear as the previous two waterfalls we visited.

As soon as another group of people came, we left. We went back to the Best Star Hotel beach just to relax. Feeling relaxed just sitting on the beach, some of the girls found that there were small LaLa (no...not small ah bengs and ah liens) on the beach . Claiming that it could be eaten, they soon got most of us digging for this LaLa. How ‘Malaysian’ of us. Free food = Dig as much as you can. In the end, there was about 10 of us ‘menggali’ for the small shellfish as if we were digging for gold. “Dig more!!” “Dig faster!!” These were the words said repeatedly.

Back to our rooms again WITH the LaLa in hand, we were all fired up for a hearty meal. We cleaned up and soon found ourselves at a table at Fat Mum’s Restaurant, once again, on Middle Beach…Pantai Tengah.

The amount of food we had for dinner was really like having a feast. No, no, not a feast…more like a Banquet! As always, we ordered a soup, Tom Yam Soup which was more on the sour, tangy side. The notable dishes of the place was the Steamed Red Snapper, Fragrant Tomato Chicken, Homecooked Tofu, Sambal Sotong and Butter Cream Chicken. Other dishes were quite normal. At Fat Mum’s, all the dishes were very satisfying. We even asked them to cook the LaLa we collected. At the end of the day, they couldn’t be eaten as the shellfish still contained a lot of sand. Haih!! After picking them like hooligans, cannot eat 'pulak!' But on the bright side, we had loads of fun picking them.

What was in store for the night? Needless to say, with all the alcohol, beer and liquor, it was Party Time!! Ever heard of the expression of ‘Drink and Be Merry’? Well, let’s just say as the last night for some of us, we drank and got VERY merry. This was till the point that even the wake up call guy couldn’t fulfill his duty. That’s how the night went.