Ipoh-a dead city at night?

I'm quite 'amazed' to the fact that there weren't any street lights along Yau Tet Shin Street heading to Onn Jaafar Street, in fact the whole stretch of Onn Jaafar Street from Sultan Iskandar Street were not light up. Driving through these streets I come to wonder what actually happened? It couldnt be due to the auto-timer that wasn't working as there are a few lights that were lit on. And to assume that those bulbs could possibly be defused; we are talking about rows and rows here. So, what possibly be? Ipoh city centre were not properly light up..is it because the authority prefered Ipoh to remain as dead-city?
Sent from my iPhone

multi ethnic cafe at Padang Ipoh

If you love local food especially known as 'rojak pasembur', this would be the place you should come if you are in Ipoh. Of course, some people would say, there are better version in Penang, but for people like me who wouldnt care to go as far as Penang just for the sake of 'rojak pasembur', this place would be a solution. The stall is located at the entrance of a chinese kopitiam - kedai kopi fatt kee of a row of shop lots facing Padang Ipoh, but prepared by mamak which is similar concept to the famous 'nasi ganja' in Ipoh.

But getting there is a little bit tricky if you are not familiar with the traffic route leading to this lane. In fact, I have to make a loop around Padang Ipoh and get into the lane from the Magistrate Court. It would be easier if you are on foot. The landmark would be HSBC Bank and of course the Padang Ipoh. So, give it a try!  ;)

'Ciggar lady' you would be deeply missed..

I've been putting off this entry as it was written in another notebook and it wasn't available until today..

So, this would be a monologue dedicated to the 'ciggar lady'...

country view

Waking up in the morning to a country view is so much more different as an adult compare to when I was a young child. Adding on to that fact, we all woke up to the morning which definitely turn out to be different than any other morning in our lives, and it would never be the same anymore, so much more different than before.

To that particular morning of October 11th, 2011, even though it seems to be a glory day with the sun shining brightly and reflecting upon the watered padi-field, it would somehow cast a gloomy shade to all the faces especially my dearest cousins as it would be the last morning that we would be giving beloved mother and aunt a ‘visit’ as she had already left us the evening before and we will be sending her off where she will be laid to rest and meet her Creator Allah Almighty. It is such a serene day for me and my family, and I believe she did leave with a serene mind and at peace. I am sure my mom would miss her sister the most as my aunt is the only sister she had! 

Reconciling the moment, I think I had a good memory of her when I was a child. It was her place where we used as our hang-out place every time we goes back to our grandmother’s place. I remember back then, I had always wakes up to a good aroma of morning coffee or something being cooked over the traditional charcoal-wood stove or the cigars that my aunt puff-away every time she had her betel. Back then, I would be having such celebrated holidays breakaway enjoying myself with my cousins doing stuff only country kids do and I would seem so aloof compare to the rest, but hey, it was all FUN! It was something that I look forward to every school breaks.

However, that was a good time of yesteryear's. When the rest of my cousins who mostly older than me started getting married and I was in my teens, we get far apart as they were no longer there each time I went home to my grandmother’s place and we no longer share the same interest in life. The FUN was all gone. And my visits have became less and less frequent when I reach my college days and later when start a family on my own.

So, on that particular day, even though I was surround with beautiful panoramic country view before me, I was hit with such melancholy by just looking at it. The thoughts of everything would not be same anymore hit my logic sensuous. So, I tried snapping away some photos, hoping that it would always remains close to my heart. I know, things have change compare to the good old days, and somehow I believe it will continue to change and keeping the memories of today being the last day for my aunt, I hope I will be able to cherish it later as one of the fond memories in my life.

Zaman berzaman being Restoran Zaman

'Zaman' literally would mean 'time of the decade', so to name a restaurant by that and to remain strong for a record time of nothing less than 30years is a pure success. So, if you google 'restoran zaman' it will always lead you to Kuantan or if you ask around 'name on of the famous eatery in Kuantan', people would list this restaurant as one being in the list.

Despite being known as being such hit among patrons, it always strike me a question of  'how good is their food?'. So far, I have tested their famous nasi lemak, roti canai and mi kari, and my summary of those 3 menu(s) would be just 'plain average', as I've tasted a far better somewhere else, even though not in Kuantan. Perhaps, it could be one among the best in Kuantan alone, or perhaps it is simply because it's more of personal preference. Therefore, don't let me stop you from going there, and have a taste of those famous menu, who knows it will suit your palette just as fine with the rest of the world, as I don't mind being different! But, let me warn you this, do not go there after 9am, you'll either goes home frustrated with hunger because everything is all gone to other people's tummy or you'll need to be part of the long ques, for the food or for a place to sit or for a place to park your car! Whatever it is, enjoy yourself!

*The restaurant is located not far away from the Airforce Base if you are exiting the east coast hiway via Gambang exit, or just after the exit from the Airport along Jalan Gambang.

Murtabak Mengkasar

Murtabak is sort of fried, spicy lasagna which is filled with lots of minced beef or chicken but with no cheese but lots of eggs. It is usually accompany with pickled onion. 'Murtabak Mengkasar' is named after a place in royal town of Pekan which also known as Mengkasar and it is famously known as being tastily good and thick (of course being so thick than the normal murtabak, it'll come with' thicker price')   ;)

So, if you couldn't make it to Pekan, (like me) you could find your treat here in Kuantan nearby the East-Coast Mall. It taste as good.

Weekend getaway-our style with the help from Zenith

I'm glad my children are enjoying themselves with the 5-star facilities that we are getting from Zenith Kuantan compare to what we are getting at Suria Cherating. We have specifically strategized it this way so that we could get the best of 'both world' and the children experience it all - a weekend getaway, our style!!

Zenith would be the first 5-star rated hotel I’ve stay during this millennium era. I did not know or rather did remember much of other 5-star hotel/resorts that I’ve ever stayed with my parents during my young childhood days. So in comparison to other 3-4 star rated hotels/resorts that I’ve stayed so far for the past 10 years, Zenith would definitely be on top of the list especially for its ambience,  food & facilities but on the other hand, it is a definite a suicide-attempt for my wallet! ;)

Zenith Hotel up close

view from our room

Zenith, is just a few months old and it stands tall in the middle of Kuantan city centre, fronting the East Coast Mall with a convention centre under its wings. If you were driving around Kuantan city centre, you would definitely see the tall building from afar as it would be among a few 18 over storeys building in Kuantan. I would say, having a Convention Centre is giving this hotel an added advantage as I don’t really quite into the idea of staying away from the beaches while you are in Kuantan which is so famous for its beaches and sea-side resorts, unless you have other specific itinerary to do like a seminar or meetings or conventions which being held away from the beaches. So, here I am at this hotel for the latter reason ;)

So, what can you expect from this Hotel? For a start, your arrival is welcome with free-flow welcome drinks at the lobby instead of the typical of just one short glass. The lobby is a huge triple volume space with quite a simple contemporary modern approach to its design, and I have nothing to complain about the ambience that being created by the design but I do prefer a better segmented spaces in the lobby rather than you-can-see-everything-through once you popped out from your car at the porte-cochere. It would also be good to have a more secluded lounge area if you were to hang out at the lobby rather than the existing openness. Also, I would prefer not to be kept waiting to be serve for the check-in process at the reception as I think the counter is big enough to accommodate more than 2 attending personnel at any one-time or did my expectation of 5 star treatment is rather over-demanding? However, getting yourself to your designated floors for your room is fast with 4 lift-cars to serve you and you don’t have to worry for your safety as you could only get onto the designated levels with your key-card being swiped at the panel. And if you have problems about it, there’s a phone call away for the rescue at every lift-lobby of the hotel.

The deluxe room that I chose, is comfortably basic of soothing beige-colour scheme, and the king-size bed is plush with 4+1 pillows (I love the idea of having all those pillows for myself) with LCD TV, internet connection and bed-side control panel for the air-condition (which I don't have to get up from my bed in the middle of the night to adjust the temperature).The room has a full-height glass wall facing the city-view and you could catch a glimpse of the South China Sea far ahead of the view. Nice!! But, don’t look down – if you happened to get a room facing the central podium, all you could only see is the ROOF!! Ouch, quite upsetting though, so shut your blind, and get freshen up, the room has quite a bath room and it’s clean (but the door has no specific lock, so if you need to share your room with somebody, make sure you share your room with somebody trustworthy..hehe)

There’s only one restaurant for the Hotel at the moment and it’s located at the ground floor. The ambience is ‘appetising’ and I don’t have any complain on the design. On top of that, I would say the quality of food served was quite scrumptious for a hotel standard, which usually turn out quite bland.

If you prefer to stay in-door, you may hop into the hotel’s gym or its spa or you could bring your children to its playroom located within the same level. The pool is rather small to the ratio of this hotel and the spaces around it rather tight as well. And I think, by having an infinity pool but were not allowed to be at the edge is rather impractical. However, if you prefer to feel the city, you can always do so. A quick shopping or quick grab for your cuppa at the Starbucks would be just a few steps outdoor by crossing the road in front of the hotel to the East Coast Mall. Or if you have your own transport, you can always drive around and I don’t think you’ll ever get lost in Kuantan. ;)

Weekend excursion @ Kuala Kemaman

Kuala Kemaman

Where we get our 'keropok lekor' supplies

local delicacies - otak-otak, sata & pulut panggang 'kemaman style'

where we whine down for morning break for the taste of local delicacies 'kemaman style'

bakery - traditional way

Weekend Getaway @ Suria Cherating

Suria Resort Cherating is dilapidating. I've been here before in 2005 and six years later it look a little bit rundown. However, for a 3 star resort, it is cheaper compare to other resorts in this area of Cherating (a standard twin bed room cost me RM150) which explain why others were full house despite the price. SO, if they dont do anything to refurbish the resort in very near future, it would be the last time I step foot here, and I think it would be the same with the rest of the people. Plus, I dont like the idea of having only ONE pillow per bed!

Satay Zul: talk of the town

Arrive in Kuantan around 930pm and the journey leave us stark hungry. So we decided to give 'Satay Zul' a try. Word of the mouth says it's one of the famous satay in Kuantan. The service was fast, however when it comes to taste of the food, I would say that I have my personal preference as it is a little too sweet for my taste bud and with that, I would not patronize it more than once, but you should give it a try before you decide.

Another round of Kuantan

I just got back from Kuantan on recent thursday, but am scheduled for another meeting on monday morning, very early that I could only possibble to make it on time if I were to leave home no later than 5am. 5am is way to dark for me to drive alone, and we are talking about quiet east-coast hiway here. Therefore, I have came up with a brilliant idea, get everybody to tagg along with me and treat them for weekend getaway. However, the children got to be genius by suggesting an extra day ahead for a full leisure day on sunday! So, here we are, making our way to Kuantan.. ;)
Enjoy your weekend too!!