Pak Tong Koh

After visiting the herbal tea stall, most people will then walk to the next stall to buy either the pak tong koh and hum cheen pang. They operate only in the evenings and could be as old as the herbal tea stall - 60 years!

Famous herbal tea in Penang

This herbal tea stall is another gem of Penang, operating at this same spot for more than 60 years - Cintra Street Penang. If I'm not wrong, it was operated by 2 sisters but only 1 elderly lady remains here and I think the other sister now operates another shop in Kimberley Street. But I still prefer to come back here. Apart from the herbal tea, try their cooling and thirst quenching 'chuk chea' drink. They packed this drink in plastic bottles and are kept n the freezer. It's sold at RM4.00 for the big bottle (2009).

My school badge - St George's Girls' School, Penang

My school badge! I found it in one of the drawers in my Penang house. It's still in 'good condition' - the color has not faded. Not bad quality considering I'd left school so many years' ago! If I'm not wrong, it was 50 or 60 sen those days. And you'll be fined 10 sen by the prefects if you did not wear it in school.

Best Roti Canai - Transfer Road, Penang

This is still the best roti canai for me. This roti canai stall has been operating at this spot since I was a little kid. But if I'm not wrong, I started eating the roti canai when I was in Standard 2. At that time, the curry was too hot for me, so I will just buy the roti and eat it with sugar. But after a while, I started to take it with the curry and never stop since! But this stall is not for the 'faint hearted', it's location is just beside a covered monsoon drain and some times, there's extra 'flavour' coming from somewhere else!

My favourite Nasi Kandar

This nasi kandar stall is located in a kopitiam at the corner of Argyll Road and Transfer Road, opposite the abandoned Kowloon Hotel and Caltex station. If you want to sample delicious nasi kandar, this is where you should head to. It operates only in the mornings and there's even a board to ask you to queue up. But I'd forgotten to take a picture of the stall as I was too eager to sample the food. Look - how delicious!

Famous Char Kueh Kak - Macalister Lane, Penang

My Penang trip is not complete without visiting this 'Char Kueh Kak' stall located at Macalister Lane. They are open for business only in the mornings. This stall has been operating for many many years, since I was a kid. At that time, if you 'tar pau', they will wrap the kueh kak on a piece of banana leave and newspaper, in a triangular shape with a long toothpick but nowadays they will place the kueh kak in a plastic bag!

My Favourite Laksa stall - Kek Seng, Penang Road

I was back in Penang on 20th November and on reaching Penang Island, I headed straight for my favourite laksa stall at Kek Seng Coffee shop in Penang Road. This coffee shop is very old, more than 60 years I think but still thriving.

My father used to bring us here when we were kids for their home made durian ice cream. They still serve this durian ice cream and is delicious. It's not too sweet but full of durian flavour.

I'm just wondering why the notice shows NOW AVAILABLE when it was available since we were kids, many moons ago!

There is a Lobak stall here too and not too bad too.

Lizard in my hair!

Yesterday, as I removing the table cloth from the knob, I noticed something jumped into my hair. Instinct had me using my hand to vigorously brush off whatever it was that has stucked there. Oh my god, it was actually a lizard. I didn't know it until it jumped onto the floor and escaped through the back door. I noticed the lizard was without its tail. I remember the tail of the lizard will come off when it sensed there is danger, and it will help them to escape. What if the tail is still stucked in my hair. I quickly used my hand to close my right ear. Then to my relief, I noticed the tail was on the floor still moving.

So the lizard was actually hiding behind the table cloth. And don't know for whatever reasons, it was trying to hide somewhere else but guess I was too quick and the lizard was to slow to react, it jumped blindly and landed in my hair. I remember some one told me before that the lizard has got to rest on a hard surface, luckily it didn't land on my neck or else I would have screamed my head off!

Road Ranger

Daily, I will have to pass Menara MAA on my way to work. Currently, there are ongoing road works around this area but thank god, traffic is still smooth until a few days ago, I noticed traffic slowed down when crossing an unlevel stretch. I believe the construction workers have dug a shallow ditch to lay cables and (as usual) did not level or tar back the road after completion.

Two days ago, without realising how 'deep' the ditch, I heard a sound from the left side of my car when crossing. I still did not do anything to 'correct' this situation even though I was cursing inside. Until yesterday! I was early to work and passing that area at 7.10 am. To my horror, I saw this jam in front of me - all caused by vehicles slowing down due to this 'ditch'. I told myself I have to do something about this. So when I reached the office I called Lite FM and reported this matter and hoped that they will highlight it to the authorities.

To my pleasant surprise on this beautiful Friday morning, the 'ditch' was levelled and tarred. Thanks to Lite FM! Great work!

So to all road users, if you see a problem, please call Lite FM at 03-95438880 and they will help us to solve the 'road' problems!

Sardines for dinner

Do you know that it's quite easy to 'spice' up a canned of sardines. Yesterday evening, I decided to have sardines for dinner. I cut up some shallots, about 6 of them, 4 chilli padies, 1 big red chilli. Opened the can of sardines, have the bones removed. First I add a little oil, just half a teaspoonful to a non-stick pan. I didn't wait for the oil to 'get' hot, I put in the shallots, lightly fried it for a little while and added in the sardines. Next the chilli padies and red chilli. Poured in more tomato ketchup, 1/4 cup of water, a pinch of salt and half a teaspoon of sugar. Stirred a little and let it boil, and yummy a spicy bowl of sardines to go with white rice. Should have taken a picture of the end product. I'll try to next time!

Cross stitch embroidery

One of my hobbies is doing cross stitch embroidery. I have completed quite a number of pieces. I'll have them framed and give it to my friends, colleagues as gifts for Christmas, weddings, house-warming, etc. These are the balance that I still have with me. I haven't got them framed up yet. A little lazy on my part and also it is quite costly too. But I think I should do it soon.

Day 1 - blogging

I have been trying to create my own blog ages ago but just didn't bring myself to do it. Finally, today - Saturday - 18th July, 2009 I did it! There are so many things that I want to share so this will give me the opportunity. Give me a little bit of time, I will dig up what I have stored and share with anyone who would like to visit my blog.