Keeping It Fresh

I am not refering to the vegetables that's available in the market. Don't be alarmed! I guess that the first thing that crossed your mind is that "Is this the right blog?" Yes! You are... The only thing that change was the cover but the content remained the same. I've tweaked lots of stuff mainly to get the settings right. As of now, the new outlook is still under construction as I'm still trying to figure out some of the codes in there.

Never the less, I hope that my fellow readers enjoys the new look. Like I said earlier, just to keep things fresh once in a while.

Letting It Go

It has been a fantastic ride for me to be driving it. To let it go, it has been unbearable. Uncle Charlie mentions that if I don't let it go, the maintenance cost for keeping it will increase as well as the reselling value will be low too. It has been giving me a lot of problems the past few weeks, so I guess it's asking me to finally let it go. What am I refering to? My car... the Mazda RX-8.

I had to take it for a ride the night before I sold it off. My dear had a ride with me, being my observer so that I don't over push the car but it continues to serve me well and I'm deeply sad that the time has come for me to eventually let it go.

I don't normally talked about cars on my blog but this will be a rare case. The car has been with me since early 2007 and it's been a wonderful 3 years (I've rounded up the months). Performance wise, it has never let me down. It purrs down the road when I was on a normal ride and it roars to life when I floor the accelerator. On the road, I was challenged several times by smaller cars as well as bigger cars. The most memorable race I had to put up with was with a Honda Civic, it was tough but it was fun. This car was never caught in a speed trap or received any summons during my tenancy, which I felt it was a good thing.

The car was red in colour, came with a full body kit, a sun roof and also a GPS!! Of course, I've never manage to figure out how to work out the GPS as the entire program came in Japanese. This car was re-conditioned and shipped to Malaysia for sales and I bought it.

The RX-8 was available in various models in different markets around the world. Standard models include:

• 6-speed manual "High Power" with a claimed output of between 170 kW (231 PS; 228 hp) and 184 kW (250 PS; 247 hp) and a 9,000 rpm redline. This model was equivalent to the "Type S" trim in Japan.
• 5-speed manual "Standard Power" tuned to 141 kW (192 PS; 189 hp) with the redline reduced to 7,500 rpm. This powertrain combination was not available in North America.
• 4-speed automatic tuned to 141 kW (192 PS; 189 hp) in some markets, while the U.S. automatic is stated to deliver 158 kW (215 PS; 212 hp) .
• 6-speed automatic (available in the U.S. market after 2006) developing 158 kW (215 PS; 212 hp) and 159 lb·ft (216 N·m) of torque with a redline at 7,500 rpm. This was the revised standard RENESIS, now with two extra intake ports like the high power version.

The one that I was driving was a 4 speed automatic. Although that it states automatic, I can still shift my automatic gears to a 4 gear manual drive. Surprised? Haha! Not only that, it's a four seater and I remembered that my colleagues kept telling me that riding at the back, it's like sitting on an airplane seat!

As of 2006 alone, the RX-8 has won at least 37 international motoring awards including 2003 International Engine of the Year, the 2003 Japanese Car of the Year, the 2004 Singapore Car of the Year, the 2004 U.S. Best Sports Car, and several UK Best Car Awards. Talk about having a job well done for the manufacturer.

Lots of pro's but the con's... Oh my gosh! This baby can burn fuel, spending around RM110+ per week as I travelled rather far from home to work and back. The breaks were squeaking and squealing when I received the car and those car dealers are not doing a single thing about it. Mechanics mentioned that the brakes and wheel alignment were off. I left it as it is and then, the engine starts to eat up the oil lube. It requires more frequent service and handling than any other normal cars. Tyre wear is high because of the wheel spin that I've put on for the car (my fault). Never the less, it is still a fantastic car to drive! I wouldn't have let of this car if I am able to maintain it (which is something rather ridiculous at this time of my life).

I'll let Jeremy Clarkson of Top Gear to do the final review. For me, it has been the best ride ever and it shall be one of the most memorable car for myself, I've been humbled to all ends by this one car.

Fong Lye Taiwan Restaurant

This Taiwanese restaurant was introduced by Chuah Hui Koon, who has been a frequent visitor into KL. She loved the city so much that she's rather updated with the city in and out better than those who are staying in KL itself. When she heard of that I am making a stopover in KL and where I was staying, her eyes "Bling-ed!" and without hesitation... she introduced me to this restaurant which she thinks its really nice to eat.

Fong Lye Taiwan Restaurant (Tel: 03 2282 8699) is located on 3rd floor of the The Gardens shopping mall Midvalley, its just opposite Borders Bookstores. You won't miss a huge crowd waiting outside for their turn to have a taste of what the restaurant has to offer. So... the very first thought that cross my mind was "Isn't it's just another typical taiwanese restaurant?" I was wrong!

This restaurant has already made its mark in KL for quite a while now and the very first store was actually opened in Plaza Prisma Ville in Desa Sri Hartamas (Tel: 03 6201 7998). Now the one opened here in The Gardens aren't as bad as the one opened in Sri Hartamas, so you can take note the crowd gathered outside actually meant that this place is really worth the try. A full house on the evening that me and my dear went. Let me give you a quick tour of what's being served inside instead of all these chattering.

The list of yummies that we've ordered.

They call this the Sweet Potato Balls.My eyes were actually plastered to it when I looked at the picture that was shown on the menu but it turns out to be nothing much a very gluey, hard to chew potato ball. A disappointment... so I won't be ordering this again in the future.

Instead, the Fried Spinach looks more tastier than the Sweet Potato Balls when served.

The Deep Fried Chicken Taiwan Style is super nice and it tastes awesome. It's a must try!

My dear presents her dinner set... the Fresh Tomato Fried Egg with Fish Fillet. It looks awkward at first because the tomato sauce is really icky but when you put it into your mouth, it tastes heavenly.

One of the normal dishes Spring Roll. Oh! For those who still don't get how the meals were distributed, I was actually ordering all the smaller dishes as I was not in the mood to order set meals like my dear did that night. She didn't manage to finish her dinner either, so I had to push myself to help her finish it off in the end.

Me with the Iced Lime Juice... tastes really sour and its really refreshing. I like it! Definitely!

And the Pudding Milk Tea's for my dear. The milk tea tastes different from the normal tea that we drank at Kim Gary. Most probably its the caramel pudding that was added into the tea that makes it tastes differently.

My dear really likes her cup of milk tea.

Overall, this Taiwanese Restaurant is really worth another visit in the nearby future as the food tastes really good and the damage for the order was around RM60++. So if you happen to be dropping into The Gardens Shopping Mall and looking for a meal, you may consider this one for a start. I'm giving this place a rating 8.5 out of 10. A happy meal for a happy person.

Our Little KL Trip

Kuala Lumpur... a city filled with high crime rate, bad traffic and people (every single corner you go, there's people although its not as bad as New York City or Tokyo), it is still THE capital city of Malaysia. My dear loved to shop in KL, as for me... going to KL is always a bad idea. I don't know my way around, there's so many highway's flying all over the places which requires money and the air quality can suffocate you almost instantly during peak hours.

It's not that I don't like KL, I have no grudge against the city. I had no choice but I had to pop into KL once more as we are headed north after a short visit to JB. The drive was smooth until we reach the Bukit Jalil Stadium area where it starts to get a bit crowded on the road with hooligans. Yes! Hooligans! Kelantan vs Negeri Sembilan for the Malaysia Cup finals. Plenty of psychos and nutjobs on the road.

We stayed over at the Boulevard Midvalley. It's our first and I guess it won't be the last. That's because the friendly concierge checked us in to the executive level. WOW! Talking about of good services for new customers. The room was rather spacious. The table were filled with 2 bottle of water and apples. Yes! Apples. Free of charge. Bathroom came with a bathtub and a shower. Me and my dear dipped our sore feet in the tub filled with hot water after a day of driving and walking.

We've had plenty of walking around Midvalley and also to the brand new shopping area called The Gardens. It's brand new to me as I have never been there before. With so many feedback that the place is a high class place where all branded stuffs are being sold, I had to see it for myself to see to what extend for this place to be called expensive. Can it be compared with The Pavillion?

The interior structure of the building is rather long but the decorating is really nice especially at night where you could see the ceiling is lit with blue lighting. The Gardens didn't offer that much of branded goods and I guess the crowds are only hording all over Coach store than any other stores that's available there.

We had our dinner at Fong Lye Taiwan Restaurant... which will be covered on the next post.

After dinner we continued to stroll around The Gardens.... and my dear can't hold herself back from taking a poke at this dogs nose.

One of the most ridiculous thing that I've noticed at The Gardens is that you need to pay RM5 to use this so called Premier Washroom. I know I won't be going in there because with RM5, I can have a good lunch with it.

We took turns in posing in front of the fountain which looked really nice at night.

And of course we did go around the shopping area around Midvalley itself.

Hang on! I did! I did get something from Kiehls... a body scrub. Haha!

The stuffs that we bought on that night.

The following day, I've got to hunt down Krispy Kreme's doughnuts before we head home.

The doughnuts were simply irresistable. Dead honest! And guess what? We bought 1 and a half dozen back to Penang.

My dear presents the buyoff from the shop.

The trip was very short and sweet. We did stop over in KLCC before we eventually head back to Penang on that very same day. KL is fun when you made a short stop but you can't stay for too long because... you tend to overspend and KL is not that cheap either.

Lock Ann Snack Shop

A long and tiring trip from Kampung Beliong makes me craving for something tasty.

Located at the junction between Green Road and Rubber Road, Lock Ann Snack Shop is another option to have afternoon snacks other than Boon Khai Delights. Mom and Uncle Thomas prefer this one as it serves Belacan Bee Hoon.

My order of White Lady... creamy coconut milk with a mixture of fruits top off with shaved ice.

Uncle Thomas's favourite Cendol.

And of course my favourite deep fried prawn crackers and sweet potato.

Sorry that there are no pictures taken for the Rojak and Belacan Bee Hoon as they devour it as soon as it arrives the table. I guess my next posting would be the long awaited return to my grandparents home...

Crossing The River

From the last post, we left Kampung Beliong around 2pm. The clouds are beginning to gather and the northern sky were pitch black. Now the evening rains has been consistent that you could easily predict the rain will start around 5 to 6pm itself everyday. Enough with the weather forecast... back to the main line. With the river currently having the water tide, crossing the river will be easy with the ferry rather than taking a rather big circle around to get back to the city.

Of course everyone wants to have a quick ride to the other side of the river... so the queue will always be there during this time of the day.

These ferry services only will be available during high tides and services will be suspended when low tide. Myself and Uncle Thomas had to get out of the car to walk down the long queue to take a look if we are in the right spot to be on the next ferry.

Well... well... well! The ferry has arrived... however we are not able to be on this one. Had to catch the next ferry.

Now... wherever there's a river crossing in the Borneo island, there will be definitely squatters making their profit from the queuing transports. You could see the locals selling barbeque chicken wings, local produce or you can even get drinks that was prepared (I just wonder if the water that they get are from the murky river water? It's best not taking the risk of diarrhea). Their patrons? Normally will be their own kind.

I've counted the ferry load and it can take a rough number of 20 to 24 cars per run, depending if there's lorry or vans on board. It costs RM1 per car or people can travel by foot for free.

Finally it was our turn.

There will be a ship attendant attending to the cars on board the ferry and of course to collect the fees. The ferry ride takes about 8 minutes to reach to the other side of the river. Kota Samarahan awaits but we ain't stopping there because the rain is coming for us. Will come back with a new post on what we had for lunch once we got back into the city.

Kampung Beliong

Located roughly about 2 hours drive from Kuching city, Kampung Beliong is a rather remote place from any other village that I've visited in Sarawak. As you may see from the map, its rather secluded and it's unaccesible by road (highlighted in square). That place could be reached via a boat and the area that we are headed to are determined by the water tide. If it's the low tide time, the place would be unreachable and it's only best to visit during high tide. High tide on that day was about 11am and we headed out from Kuching city around 10.30am.

At first I was rather worried that the place were so secluded that getting a mobile phone line will be rather impossible, so I called my dear to inform her up front on the place that I was about to visit. The road going to Beliong can be taken the long way or the short cut. However, the short cut is not available due to the low tide river and the ferry (highlighted in circle) to help us cross that river are not available because of that. We had to take the longer route which requires an hour drive around it (how stupid it is for them to build a road that's rather far).

So by the time we reach the little port of Beliong, the river are starting to flow. That's the place that we are headed to across the river.

We had to take these little boats across the river and it costs RM1 per person for the ride. Imagine how much these boat handlers gained per trip?

The river was rather muddy because the tide just began to flow carrying murky water.

That's mom and Aunt Tsai on the boat anticipating our arrival to the other side of the river.

The boat ride from on side to the other side takes roughly about 10 minutes as the engine of these little boats are rather small.

The reason for all the hassle and the trip is to reach this newly refurbished temple that has provided many with good fortunes and health that it started to prosper with donations poured in by the temple worshippers.

The main entrance to the temple.

The goddess Kuan Yin were placed up inside this towering pagoda.

The entire place looks rather new as it was only completed early October this year. According to the caretaker, people would normally flood this temple during the first and the middle of the chinese calendar month. I guess news spread fast and Kuching people travels to outskirts more often.

As you can see, most of the statues that is placed around the temple grounds are still uncoloured, or perhaps they are planning not to paint any?

The inner shrine.

More outdoor scenery.

You got to climb up the pagoda to reach the Kuan Yin shrine. So... up I go!

The view from the top of the pagoda.

And of course the inner Kuan Yin shrine.

The walls on top are beautifully painted with all the chinese gods that you could possibly name. Snapping these photos aren't that easy either.

Cute little piggy isn't it? Well... you can basically find this all over the pagoda as a build in stool.

The 18 monks (Lúo Hàn) statues.

The 8 immortals (Bā Xiān) statues.

Before leaving the temple, I just had to rub the happy monk's tummy for good fortune.

If you ask me if the trip was worth it? Definitely. Seeing new things and experiencing it is the main goal for this trip anyway. A snap of myself on the boat.

This fisherman are hard at work. Good luck catching...

The boat man is just letting the engine putting away as we cruise the river slowly.

It was a rather hot but windy day. Luckily there's plenty of wind that came with the sunshine... cold winds are blowing as we are bracing for another day of rain in the evening. Do come back soon as I will be travelling on the old style ferry back to Kuching instead of making a long journey around.