Lin Yu Mei Sarawak Kolo Mee @ Haig Road Food Centre

I am a bit slow with updates for the month of September because Haig Road Food Centre is too inaccessible for me. It is even further than Golden Mile and I could feel my energy draining simply by thinking about the journey.

Anyway, after two weeks of procrastination, I have finally dragged myself back to the food centre to check out Lin Yu Mei Sarawak Kolo Mee.

My last bowl of kolo mee was way back in 1992, when I was in Kuching. Suffice to say, I could hardly remember how it tasted so it is about time for me to have another bowl now.

Hakka Lei Cha @ Volcano Coffee House, Kelapa Sawit, Kulai, Johor, Malaysia

In my previous post, I mentioned that we were at Kelapa Sawit checking out the wall murals. Before that, however, we had our breakfast at the local coffeeshop. 

There were a couple of very old coffeeshops offering the usual wanton noodle and porridge fare but, we were actually on the prowl for a very special dish associated with this Hakka neighborhood - the Hakka lei cha.

The word "Lei" （擂） refers to the action of grinding the tea but it sounds the same as the word "Thunder" （雷） so this dish is also known as the Thunder Tea.

My Mum is a Hakka so she got to have her bowl of lei cha which is actually a bowl of plain or brown rice topped with different vegetables and a bowl of soup made by grinding different types of herbs and tea leaves together. 

Wall Murals @ Kelapa Sawit, Johor, Malaysia!

Last week, the folks and I made a trip to Kelapa Sawit (otherwise known as 26 miles) which is a small village located at the north of Kulai. The name, meaning Palm Oil in Malay, is in reference to the plantation nearby that the villagers depended on for their livelihood in the early days.

The village used to be called "Chang An Village" and had a population of about ten thousand people made up predominantly by the Hakka community.

In 1949, the British, who are the Colonial master of Malaya at that time, relocated everyone living between 24 miles and 27 miles to 26 miles which is heavily guarded and barricaded with barbed wires. 

The move is to cut off any form of aid that the villagers might have been giving to the guerrillas who are hiding in the jungle. And that, is how the Kelapa Sawit New Village came about.

Back to the topic, we were there to visit the wall murals which is an initiative started by a local art group as part of Malaysia's birthday celebration in 2014.  

Actually, this is just one of the "attraction" for our one day tour to Johor. The other places, like Stingless Bee Farm, YOYO, Fuzhou noodle and biscuit factory have been blogged before in my earlier travel posts so I will not talk about them again.

You may read more about my previous day trip to Muar and Kluang.

One Day Trip To Muar, Johor, Malaysia

It was a chilly Sunday morning. 

While most people are still warmly curled-up in their beds at 5.45am, a small congregation had already gathered at a dark, secluded corner of the neighborhood. 

My Aunt's department had organized a one day trip to Muar, Johor, Malaysia and she has asked my parents and I along. It was considered a 'blind' trip for me because I do not know the itinerary nor know where we will be going to. 

We set off on board a luxurious coach heading for Tuas checkpoint and were met with by our Malaysian tour guide after clearing the Malaysian side of the customs. 

One Day Tour To Rustic Kluang, Johor, Malaysia

Wanton Mee RM 5

Last Saturday, I went on a one day trip to Kluang, Johor, Malaysia with my folks. The trip was organised by Dad's friend, the same uncle whom we went to Malacca with two years ago.

Just like the previous time, we dropped by Gelang Patah for breakfast. There were several coffeeshops here and we chose the one furthest away located under Hotel Linkway.

I ordered Wanton Mee but it was no where in sight after 20 minutes despite not being very crowded. I was just this close to beating up the hawker when I found out that his helper is serving those who ordered after me first. Well, I have a coach to catch and we only had 40 minutes for breakfast.

When my order finally came, what struck me first was the small bowl and its even smaller contents. Next would be the mee pok. Isn't Wanton Mee usually mee kia by default?

Nonetheless, the sauce coating the noodle is pleasant - the kind that I like, although the puny wantons and char siew are quite generic.

End Of ICT With Marrybrown At iFly, SENTOSA!

After a grueling two weeks high key ICT (which gave me a very nasty blister), it finally ended this morning with a unit cohesion at SENTOSA. What luck it was for me, as I lay in bed last night and read the news about Malaysia's fried chicken franchise, Marrybrown, setting foot in Singapore at SENTOSA's iFly!

I loved their fried chicken so much that I try to have some whenever I visited City Square at JB.

So, after the cohesion ended, everyone out pro-ed and I happily made my way to iFly. The fast food restaurant was officially opened just a week ago on the 1st of October.

I reached there 30 minutes before 11am and being the only customer, had the whole place to myself and all the privacy I needed to take photos.

Life Liberation @ Ulu Tiram, Johor Bahru

A week after returning from my Malacca trip, my folks and I were once again heading to Johor Bahru with Dad's friend (yes, that same uncle we went to Malacca with).

We are going there to take part in this "Life Liberation" (fangsheng/放生) event where we will be releasing animals into the wild. It is my first time attending such an event and as a Buddhist, while I applaud the cause, I am at the same time thrown into a dilemma.

I believe the purpose of liberation is to rescue animals from a live and death situation (eg, live animals saved from being slaughtered for food) but, what if the animals (eg. birds/fish) are intentionally captured/trapped from the wild for the sole purpose of selling to us to free them, then what is the point?

UPDATE: This is exactly what I meant but unable to summarize in a few words!

2D1N Malacca Trip - Hang Tuah Well, Jonker Walk, Chicken Rice Balls, Christ Church, Klebang Coconut Shake, Peranakan Dinner & No Toilet Bowls!

I went for a two days and one night weekend getaway to Malacca (马六甲) with Dad and his friends two weekends ago. To be precise, it was his friend and this friend's other friends.

We woke up super early that morning to meet up with his friend (and this friend's other friends) then, we board a chartered coach heading for the customs.

Malacca (a UNESCO World Heritage site) is a few hours drive away from Singapore and thankfully, I managed to catch some much deprived sleep. Along the way, we stopped for breakfast at Gelang Patah before continuing our journey towards our first destination - the Hang Tuah well.

Perak 2013: Ipoh And Pangkor Island *Photos Intensive*

*中文版*

Hello!

A few weeks earlier, a kind neighbor has undertaken the task to organize a trip to Perak, Malaysia and had invited some of us neighbors to come along.

The big day finally arrived after much anticipation. We woke up in the wee hours of the morning to board a chartered coach which brought us across the causeway.

Everyone spent much of the journey catching up on much deprived sleep until we arrived for breakfast at Batu Gajah.

Mum's breakfast

Does anyone know what this palm-sized packet is called?

It is wrapped like Nasi Lemak but the content is just rice with shrimps and gravy and not the usual ikan bilis, egg and peanuts.

To be honest, the taste of the rice with the sauce is quite nice actually.

视频：My Astro 《开心过年》

《开心过年》

春风吹到你的家
健康快乐带来啦
小朋友呀都听话
学业成绩顶呱呱
情侣今年结婚啦
快快生个胖娃娃
这个世界有多大
最重要过的开心啦

给你一个红包说好话开心笑哈哈
换上新衣戴新帽新鞋和新袜
时间滴答答带着梦想慢慢发芽

举起手唱啦啦啦啦
没烦忧来开心过年
生活里有苦辣酸甜
人总要学会快乐一点
举起手唱啦啦啦啦
向前走来开心过年
祝福你天天是好天
走过了从前才懂得珍惜每一天

视频：My FM 《团圆饭》

《团圆饭》

一阵阵米饭香 在飘扬 装满新年带来的温暖
那遥远的家乡 那扇窗 还留着儿时的模样
转运的风车 转呀转 一转眼我们都已成长
我把所有祝福 大声讲 朋友啊祝你新春吉祥
一人一个梦想 一人一个愿望 慢慢变成满天的星光
再刻一个梦想 再许个愿望 别怕我有宽大的肩膀

一顿团圆饭 心里藏 数十年温馨都一样
欢迎你共聚一堂 齐聚这圆圆的桌上
团圆饭 加碗热汤 就像有我在你身旁
化作一双大翅膀 带你飞越重重难关

一阵阵米饭香 在飘扬 装满新年带来的温暖
那遥远的家乡 那扇窗 还留着儿时的模样
转运的风车 转呀转 一转眼我们都已成长
我把所有祝福 大声讲 朋友啊祝你新春吉祥
一人一个梦想 一人一个愿望 慢慢变成满天的星光

再刻一个梦想 再许个愿望 别怕我有宽大的肩膀
一顿团圆饭 心里藏 数十年温馨都一样
欢迎你共聚一堂 齐聚这圆圆的桌上
团圆饭 加碗热汤 就像有我在你身旁
化作一双大翅膀 带你飞越重重难关

一顿团圆饭 心里藏 数十年温馨都一样
欢迎你共聚一堂 齐聚这圆圆的桌上
团圆饭 加碗热汤 就像有我在你身旁
化作一双大翅膀 带你飞越重重难关

视频：My Astro My FM 《大团圆》

《大团圆》

说一声恭喜贺新年 迎接美好的新一天
人人在门前贴春联 欢迎春降到人间
游子们想念回家园 老老少少庆团圆
围一个圆圈在庭院 诉说每一段思念

新的一年 你我许心愿
期望新一年 会是丰收年
每一个人都身康体健 天天笑容满面

大团圆 大团圆 不管距离有多远
好朋友 在身边 我们约定这一天
大团圆 大团圆 手牵着手心相连
祝福你 福寿全 恭喜恭喜乐无边

视频：My Astro 《天天好天》

《天天好天》

记得那一年 那一段岁月
一个小小的家园 天天都怀念
一杯白开水 也可以很清甜
一碗热情汤面线 是一种思念
心若能放开一点 路就宽一些
财富和幸福之间 还有知足作界线
啦。。。

一天天 一年年
天天都是好天
不管天多高 路多远
祝福你快乐一万年
是晴天 是雨天
天天都是好天
知足常乐开心一年
我看见艳阳天

记得那一年 那一段岁月
一个小小的家园 天天都怀念
一杯白开水 也可以很清甜
一碗热情汤面线 是一种思念
心若能放开一点 路就宽一些
财富和幸福之间 还有知足作界线
啦。。。

一天天 一年年
天天都是好天
不管天多高 路多远
祝福你快乐一万年
是晴天 是雨天
天天都是好天
知足常乐开心一年
我看见艳阳天

一天天 一年年
天天都是好天
不管天多高 路多远
祝福你快乐一万年
是晴天 是雨天
天天都是好天
知足常乐开心一年
我看见艳阳天
我看见艳阳天

视频：My FM 《庆祝》

《庆祝》

绽放了你的笑 来庆祝新年到
传统的佳节 你别忘了
在妈妈的怀抱 她哼的新春歌谣
每一字一句 还在耳边绕 

不管男女老少 接过了大红包
恭喜你祝福你 少不了
年初一到元宵 处处都是好预兆
吃口年糕 你我会步步高

春来到 画个圈圈做记号
每年都来团圆 好不好
相约好 从今以后直到老
我们都要记住这一朝
 

来庆祝 来祝福
所有思念来倾诉
一年又一年
不管多忙碌
家中有等你回家的父母
就是最大的财富 

来庆祝 来祝福
老朋友一起欢呼
经过这些年
重逢就满足
前尘和往事都历历在目
原来已经值得庆祝

Namewee: Thai Love Song

泰國情哥

词: 黄明志 Namewee

曲: 黄明志 Namewee

来 美丽的女孩
Oh my pretty Thai girl
虽然我是大马的Bluechai (男孩)
Though I'm not a handsome Malaysian boy
但我爱吃Tomyam(东炎汤) 喝喝椰奶
I'm in love with tomyum and your coconut milk
我很愉快 因为约会你出来
I'm really happy that we're dating today

Kop Kun Kap (谢谢) 你是什么Cup?
How are you? What's your cup?
Sawadeecaap (您好) 就算是A cup
I don't mind even it's only A-cup
只要你能证明你不是Krak toei (人妖)
Just as long as you're not a man
看不出来 希望不要太见怪
Sorry but sometimes its hard to tell

但是我 不太会说Thai (泰语)
I can't understand Thai
只是偶尔 会跑去Hatyai (合艾-泰国地名)
But I love visiting Hatyai
如果你跟我谈情说爱
So if you'd be my girl
我让你SameSame (一样) 每天都精采
I promise to make you happy everyday

你是我心中最Shuai Makmak(美丽)的女孩
You're prettiest girl in my heart
送给你Rajapruek(金链花)代表我的爱
Here's a Rajapruek as sign of my love
带你到Pratunam(水门市场)你想买的我都会买
I'll take you shopping at Pratunam
买完了就去佛庙拜拜
After that we'd pray at the temple for good luck

无可取代最Shuai Makmak(美丽)的女孩
You're prettiest girl in my heart
对你的真心希望你会明白
Believe me that my love is real
我也会Massage(按摩)纯正的泰国的Style
I can even do Thai massage for you
会让你身体健康Ao mai? (要吗?)
We can stay healthy together ok?

来 美丽的女孩
Oh my pretty Thai girl
虽然我是大马的Bluechai (男孩)
Though I'm not a handsome Malaysian boy
但我爱吃Tomyam(东炎汤) 喝喝椰奶
I'm in love with tomyum and your coconut milk
我很愉快 因为约会你出来
I'm really happy that we're dating today

Sabai...(舒服)
So chill

Video: Long One Or Short One?

Which one do you want?

http://www.facebook.com/Jinnyboytv

Namewee: Last New Year

Namewee's new year song "Last New Year" reminded me of my own maternal grandparents.

My Ah Gong was already gone way before my birth while Ah Ma followed suit not long after I was born.

The only impression I had of them is through a yellowed photograph which Mum has kept in the photo album.

As I have never experienced being doted on by them, I would be so envious whenever I see my classmates having a Ah Gong or Ah Ma to come pick them up from school.

Isn't it a bliss to have a grandparent to throw little tantrums to?

If your grandparents are still around, do learn to appreciate them before they are gone.

I know I will.

Short Film: Ka Fan 加饭

This is the story of a Mum who single-handedly raises her son by washing laundry for others.

Despite how busy she is, she would always make it a point to have her meals with her son everyday.

All she wants is just being able to spend more time with her son.

"Ka fan"?  she would often ask.

As years gone by, the child grew up.

With work and social life, it became his turn to be so busy that he hardly returns home for dinner.

Mum is then left to have her meals all by herself.

When the son returns home for the Lunar New Year, much to the delight of his Mum, he finally realised the meaning behind "ka fan".

Now, when was the last time you had dinner with your Mum?

Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi, Penang

Penang is a melting pot of cultures with east-west influences. Apart from its exotic food, what piques me the most would be their heritage.

The Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi (龙山堂邱公司), or simply, Khoo Kongsi for short, is a clan association in Penang that was built by the immigrants from Sin Kang village in the Hokkien province of China for the purpose of looking after the welfare of their fellow clansmen.

Before my visit, I wonder why many have commented on the elusiveness of its location? It was only when I was there in person that I truly understood what they meant.

The main entrance at Cannon Street bears no clue as to what might be inside as it looked just like any of its neighbors along the entire row of pre-war building.

Gurney Drive, Penang

Gurney Drive

Mention Penang and what comes to mind?

For me, it's the iconic Penang Laksa and Char Kway Teow (Penangites spell it as Char Koay Teow). And where better to enjoy Penang hawker fare than Gurney Drive - home to Penang's most popular street food?

Well, just think of it as Penang's equivalent of our very own Newton Circus.