Travel Updates: Malaysia & Singapore

July 2017

I gained 3 kgs in 10 days only! FML 😢
I shall blame you, Penang food - for being too delicious! It was my first visit to Penang so naturally there's a long list of local delicacies I wanted to taste. Oh well, I guess 3 kgs is nothing compares to the unimaginable amount of food I had been nomming.

always window seat for me

Planned everything on last minute since Mom has been feeling unwell the previous weeks that we decided to take her for a health check up in Penang and Singapore. First destination was Penang then we did a road trip to Cameron Highlands via Ipoh then to Kuala Lumpur before heading to Singapore as the final leg. After all who needs an apple a day if you could travel everyday to keep the doctor away, right? Never mind, I created that one, lol 😜

Western Road Christian Cemetary

I managed to do a little research before departing about must visit place in Penang. I instantly fell in love with the pictures of the Old Protestant Cemetery and the Western Road Christian Cemetery. Both are very old and have some artistically beautiful gravestones and statues. But there's one specific grave that I was looking for which has a dog sculpture on it. The story behind it made me tear up. It's the Malaysian version of Hachiko.

Legend has it that the dog kept coming back to this grave after his beloved hooman passed away, and continued to stay at the grave. After the dog had died, symphatisers erected a statue of the dog and placed it on the grave. A loyal furry friend of Andrew who died on 7 July 1931 at the age 43 years old 😢

Reclining Buddha temple

Only a brief visit to both temple in Pulau Tikus which are Dhammikarama Burmese Temple and Wat Chayamangkalaram is a Thai Temple famous for its large Reclining Buddha. Too bad I couldn't really explore both temples because it was nearly the closing time.

best place to eat like a local

Eat where the locals eat. I couldn't be happier to meet Mr. Kim, our new local friend in Penang. Upon finding out that my family are a huge fans of food, he steered his car to this eatery on a narrow street in the heart of Georgetown. I wouldn't be able to find this place myself! There's a group of stalls that serve some authentic Penang food such as Lam Mee, Wonton Mee, Char Kway Teoy, Sui Kow and else. It's good to mingle with the locals since I honestly think the people in Penang are generally more friendly than in KL. They would casually greet me and ask which nationality I am. Some of them were curious because I don't look Chinese nor Indonesian enough. One of them even thought that I'm an American. Whatttt! Perhaps it's my hair colour or my physique, lol!

Wonderfood Museum

If you are a food lover like me, the Wonderfood Museum is a must visit while in Penang. Not only there's numerous of gigantic-but-oh-look-so-real food replicas to take picture with, visitors can also learn the history of Malaysian food. It's fun and educational at the same time! In some parts of the museum, I was stunned and came to realise that our eating habits may have huge impact on the environment and wildlife. Such as the cruelty of shark hunting for the shark fin soup, etc.  

Penang delicacies, so sooo yummy!

Only few from tons of food I got to taste. And of course 3 days in Penang is not enough, I barely scratch the surface! There are more food I'd like to try but my tummy couldn't take it anymore, lol. I loved almost all the food I tasted specially Lam Mee, Prawn Mee, Wonton Mee, Ai Yu Bing Jelly dessert and the local Black Thorn durian. Oh! And the Chinese pastry in Ming Xiang Tai is soooo heavenly. I regret it now that I didn't buy more Trishaw Egg Tart and Ko-Cha Siew Pao before leaving Penang. Boohooo 😢

heritage trishaw ride

I wanted to tell you that the 1 hour heritage trishaw ride was an awesome experience, unfortunately the heat was way too harsh for me. It was so soooo hot that it felt like I was being burnt alive (got some serious sunburn after). If you don't suffer heat intolerance like me, I'm pretty sure you would love the trishaw ride. The route passed by the heritage part of Penang including several stops at the famous Penang street arts, Chew Jetty and bakery shop.

St. Anne church

my super awesome new friend, Mr. Kim

Anyway special shout out to Mr. Kim who had been really helpful to accommodate our interests. He even took us to durian farm where we tasted probably the best durian in our life! He knows Penang so well, inside out and will give you some honest recommendation about which places are the best to visit and to avoid tourist traps. If you ever plan to visit Penang, do look for Mr. Kim and you may rest assured that you will love your trip so much. You can contact him through Penang Taxi Service. You're welcome! 😁

durian farm

crossing the Penang bridge

Kek Lok Tong temple in Ipoh

On the way to Cameron Highlands, we had a lunch stop in Ipoh city for their famous Bean Sprout Chicken aka Taugeh Chicken. Also had some takeaway of Ipoh's Salt Baked Chicken which had a long queue in front of the vendor. Since we already visited the Kek Lok Si temple in Penang, Mr. Tan, our chauffeur suggested us to visit Kek Lok Tong temple in Ipoh. Didn't regret it at all because the limestone cave tempe is sooo pretty!

the Lakehouse in Cameron Highlands

Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur

solitaire class bus 

It's been ages since the last time I went for a road trip and border crossing between Malaysia and Singapore. Probably more than 15 years ago. Out of curiosity I thought I would give it another shot and see how it looks like nowadays. Booked Transtar First Class Solitaire, the Ultimate 18 individual seater double decker coach with the massage couch, tray table, tv and all. A bit dated but comfortable nonetheless. It was a pleasant trip until we arrive in Singapore border and had to face a crazy long immigration queues. Took us more than 2 hours to get through. So lucky the bus was still waiting for us. Phew!

front seat for me, yay!

Singapore!

cute yet sinful pastries 

Spent my 2 days in Singapore mostly in the hospital but still managed to stuff myself silly with all those pretty and scrumptious patisserie from Tiong Bahru Bakery and Chateraise. I'm back home now and have to endure physical tortures from my personal trainer at gym to shed all those excess fat I gained. God, please have mercy on meeee! 😭😭😭

PS: I'll be back soon and write more blog post when this soreness of muscle has subdued a bit. Tchusss!