Merry Christmas 2014

On the Christmas eve. Mum and I went out and had some good time in the local shopping mall. The beautiful day was ended with nice home cooked dinner with candle light in my own balcony. A very warm and special way to enjoy this festive season. 

Foodie new endeavour

Foodie me has tried out a bold endeavour after a long time, a not so strict south beach diet. Am off rice, noodles, potatoes, bread, cereal for 14 days. At the beginning of stage, having to live on cold salad in the morning was not so easy. However, i gradually developed love towards the cold crunchy breakfast, of course it must be followed by my hot morning coffee. After a week, the sugar craving was under controlled. Even the Lays potato chips was on great sale (3 bucks cheaper), still, i managed to walk away from it. A tiny victory 😊.

As the diet continues. Creativity hits. I managed to create several type of salad dressing with what available in my kitchen at that time and i totally love them. The balsamic vinegar that my brother gave, which i thought i would never finish is vanishing at a steady rate. I feel great that for people from a rice nation, i am able to keep my meals with totally no rice and noodles and bread, and it is not much of pain and fussiness l. 

Something cool to kick up a different healthier life style.Sharing some of my diet meal photo.

tomato, iceberg lettuce, purple cabbage and wild rocket

Mushroom, cherry tomato and wild rocket

Pan-grilled eggplant with cherry tomato and emmental cheese

Fresh green salad with balsamic vinegar and emmental cheese

Salmon flakes, boiled egg salad.

Organic bean sprout soup with meatball and baby romaine

The Palace

2012, At Royal Palace in Bangkok, Thailand

Walking inside the glory compound of Thai Royal Palace, hovered by utmost heat and crowds. Seeing the beauty of "East Met West" in the architecture, hearing the whisper of the olden day glories, I stood out from the crowd, with my loyal orange backpack and my orange scarf that blessed and infused with great love.  

Looking back at the photo taken back in 2012, I felt lost. I realised I have lost many things in life. They slipped away silently, leaving me sulking quietly tonight. 

--- --- --- --- 

We were once a loner, in the journey that we decided to walk on. 

We walked without carrying any emotional burden, 

We walk with the lightest weight of heart.

[Food] St. Presso

Had night coffee at St.Presso, Elite Avenue someday in September. Ordered a latte and shared with my mum. Coffee served in nice, warm, thick cup with striking colour.

They offer various types of pastry (XL size Croissant, Apple strudel, almond bar, banana bar etc)  and cakes (blueberry cheese cake and apple cheese cake).

Cozy place, a nice place to hang out, have some cakes and take a sip of coffee.

Cafe latte at St. Presso, Elite Avenue, Bayan Baru

A place in Singapore called Botanic Garden

On a beautiful sunny day in the month of May. I visited Singapore Botanic Garden. Bus is available directly from the Blk 54 Bendemeer bus stop which is very close to my auntie's place. You just need to see which bus will stop by Botanic Garden as it will drop you directly in front of one of the entrances. Or, the easier way is, you can take MRT (Circle Line) and stop at Botanic Gardens Station.

I had wonderful memory with Singapore as i was there as a kid. I attended kindergarten there. My parents used to work there. However, even with my long history with this country, I had never visited this Botanic Garden. I was determined to visit this place as part of my Singapore solo trip adventure.

No entrance fee is charged. The garden is lush green. Pavements are all well maintained. I arrived at midday, nevertheless there were still quite a lot of people jogging and enjoying the lovely weather. The bus I took stopped at Tangling Gate. I was greeted by the beautiful Swan Lake.

Swan Lake

Me, admiring the peacefulness offered by Swan Lake

The dreamy gazebo that I fell in love first sight. 

After walking the park in the hot sunny day, what's more attractive than a cup of Joe surrounded by such greenery? The aroma of freshly brewed coffee from the cafe was what I could never resist. I managed to get a seat and really enjoyed every ticking moment, sitting there, not hurrying for next destination, not checking my watch and my handphone. A simple cup of coffee, nothing fancy, gave colours to my day.

A freshly brewed coffee in Botanic Garden, accompanied by beautiful palm trees and the sound of  gushing water. 

After a rejuvenating coffee. I visited National Orchid Center. Wonderful orchid collection they have. Worth to pay 5 dollar if you are entering for the first time.

One of my favourite orchid in the National Orchid Center. 

Then, the Symphony Lake captured my attention.

Symphony Lake

Tan Hoon Siang Misthouse.

Exited the garden at Cluny Park Gate and before I headed off to my next destination, I indulged myself with the Durian "Ice"-cream that sandwiched with thin wafer. Ice literally as when you bite it it was like bitting finely crushed ice. And, all the childhood memory, triggered by my extra sensitive tastebuds,  flashed back while I was savouring and waiting for the bus. Once a foodie, Always a foodie.

Durian favour, "ICE" cream

[Food] English afternoon tea at Suffolk House, Penang

When mint meets buttery creamy butter on scone

Mint Tea that I ordered for my English Afternoon Tea

Environment in Suffolk House is wonderful. Peaceful and close to nature. I walked in and ordered half set of English Afternoon Tea. For the choice of tea, I chose mint. I was sitting at the table where I can see the garden through the cloister. 

The paper table mat that advertising 32Mansion was flaw number 2 as it was quite distracting, the number 1 flaw I would say was the dirty spots on the "supposed" white table cloth. I am not a very particular person, but can't they at least use only the spotless clean table cloth?

For the afternoon tea, mint tea was perfect without sugar, not too strong but the taste of mint was great. The two tier tray was served moment later. With a mushroom tuna pie, 2 scones, 3 sandwiches (2 egg mayo and 1 smoked salmon). On the top tier was a bite size of sponge cake and a chocolate moist cake, along with 2 biscuits. Cream, butter and 4 types of jams were also served. I liked the scones in particular, with a luxury amount of cream, butter and jam that I piled on. A bite of that i heavenly. Crisp  outside, soft and warm inside. One bite of scone and a sip of the hot mint tea....calmed all my nerves. 

The sandwiches were normal, so was the cake and the biscuit. Tuna pie was filled with chunks of tuna. What I enjoyed the most was no doubt the scone. 

The half set of English Afternoon Tea was priced at RM35++. It comes in perfect portion.  

The Half Set of Afternoon Tea at Suffolk House. 

[Place] Suffolk House, Penang

Photo taken at the entrance of Suffolk House at Jalan Air Itam, Penang. A beautiful mansion that once owned by Francis Light. Today, it is the finest Anglo-Indian mansion outside India

Little drive to town and was attracted to the brown colour signboard written Suffolk House. I have heard of it years ago. Finally have got the chance to see this beauty in my own eyes today. The location is not beside any main road, but it isn't hard to get to if you follow the signboard. There is an open space outside the mansion gate. I parked my car there, and saw a couple taking their wedding photo there. The environment was just lovely. It was a warm day, sky was clear when i reached there around 2.30pm. 

Bridge, out side of Suffolk House Penang.

The entrance fee for non-guided tour is RM10 per person, RM15 for guided tour. I opted for non-guided as I wanted to walk around in my own pace. The video presentation on the first floor showed the story behind the restoration. Thanks to the funding of HSBC Bank, Penang Heritage Trust and Penang State Government, we finally get to see this beautiful mansion restored in close to its glory time.  

The hall, in front of Suffolk House Office.

The veranda and the ballroom on the first floor is very beautiful. I can only imagine back in those days, the government servants and their wives, in fancy dresses, danced across the elegant ballroom accompanied by light music and scent of perfume and wine. 

Suffolk House, Penang, Restaurant side.

[Place] Temple of Goddess of Mercy, Penang

Temple of Goddess of Mercy in Penang..... 广福宫

Temple of Goddess of Mercy (Guang Fu Gong 广福宫)  is one of the oldest temple in Penang that has been reopened after months of restoration. After the restoration, no burning joss sticks are allowed in the temple anymore. The interior before the restoration was damaged by the cruel smokes from the joss sticks that were once allowed inside the temple. Now, all the joss sticks are only allowed to be placed on the joss sticks pot prepared in front of the temple.

This temple is crowded with people, especially the 1st and the 15th day of lunar calendar, or during the examination season. The temple has 2 sections, one at the front and one at the back that you only get to see after walking through the small doors on both sides.

This is the place that i will enter and pay my respect whenever I am nearby.

[Place] St George's Church, Penang

St. George's Church on Lehuh Farquhar, Penang

One of the places I like in Penang is the St. George's Church located on Lebuh Farquhar. It is a peaceful place even though I yet to have chance to enter it. I like the building. I like the gigantic tree in front of the church. It gives a sentimental touch to church. Once, i lay down on the green green glass under the tree, with my orange colour backpack as pillow and had a peaceful sweet moment with my God Sent Dad, who was also lounging beside me. 

Photo above taken after months long of dry season in Penang. Months of rainless weather have given the once greenish luscious grassy field a heartless blast. Hoping the rain that has started few days ago will restore its glory soon.