Gift Exchange Christmas Dinner 2013

Weeeeeeee, first post of 2014!!! Times flies, it sure does. Glad that I had been enjoying my freedom to the fullest since the very day I touched down in Malaysia. No regrets. Life's too short to live with any regrets.

I spent my emotional past few days reviewing my old blog entries, only 72 in total for year 2013. Yeah, a lot less productive compared to the year before. So much ups and downs to endure in the journey of finding myself and what I wanna do with my life. Forgive me, for not being able to share every single detail with you.

 2013 was a nightmare yet full of excitements and wonders.

• February: Dyed my hair brown for the first time.
• April: First golf experience.
• May: A luxurious birthday celebration in Brisbane.
• May: Had Dequervains Tenosynovitis aka repetitive injury on my left thumb.
• June: First whale watching experience on the Gold Coast.
• July: Farewell-ed friends in Queensland, moved down to Sydney.
• August: Family road trip to Tioman Island.
• September: Started using WeChat and got hooked up ever since. 
• October: Diagnosed with dengue and admitted days in the hospital.
• October: Met up with an old "new friend" and attended friend's wedding in KL.
• October: 23 hours train voyage to Bangkok.
• November: Experienced the worst food poisoning that lasted days with abdominal cramps.
• Months of never-ending exploring the Pearl of Orient.

I had three gift-exchange Christmas dinner last year. LOL, "last year" sounds far, far way but it was merely less than two weeks ago. One with newly met friends, one with family, one with badminton buddies. Gift exchange with family was indeed the most unforgettable as it was never our tradition to celebrate Christmas.

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VIA.PRE Italian Restaurant: Christmas Eve Dinner

First of all, Happy New Year's Eve and Happy 2014 in advance to my dearest family, friends and everyone who reads my blog out there!!! 2013 has been a tough year for me, tougher than I could ever imagined but I made it through alive and kicking. It's all good, Christina. It's all good.

I was not in mood that night on the Christmas Eve. Damn emo as Mr. Choo wasn't here with me to celebrate. Just like today, counting down on the loneliest and most hollow New Year's Eve. #ForeverAlone Been using this hashtag way too frequent lately =(

Due to time and work issues, we changed plan to dine out at VIA.PRE in Weld Quay instead of busying ourselves preparing Christmas Eve dinner at home. Pretty good feedback I've heard about the Italian restaurant and hence the visit. Reservation was made earlier before we left the house. It's disappointing how reluctant they were to set up our table until we got there.

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Pesta Chingay, Lion & Dragon Dance Parade 2013 at Esplanade Penang

It was a happening night last night along Jalan Padang Kota Lama and in front of Penang City Hall. There was this annual Pesta Chingay, Lion and Dragon Dance Parade going on between supposingly 7.30pm to 11pm, but it got delayed somehow.

The carnival hasn't even started by the time we arrived -________________-

We arrived late and the time was almost 9. So we decided to walk around a bit, picked up some fruits from the nearby hawkers where my random, silly act sparked everyone into laughter *burst out laughing*, luckily there were only three of us. Then tardily, we strolled back to witness the opening of the carnival.

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Gala House Restaurant & Cafe: Girls Gathering

Gala House is one of the latest addition on Muntri Street downtown. On a not-so-busy Wednesday evening, we came with a bunch of girls, they're my sister's girlfriends, technically. With the intention to celebrate one of the girl's birthday. Eating, chit-chatting and exchanging lame jokes. LOL. It was fun indeed although I couldn't quite catch-up.

We walked in to be seated on this table outside the cafe, it was drizzling a bit and the acoustic duet version of Miley Cyrus's "We Can't Stop" was forever looping in the background. Grrrrrr, I guess they really do love that song A LOT. *pulls hair*

We later requested to move to a warmer spot after placing our order. I mean, I wouldn't mind sitting outside if it was warm and breezy but definitely not when it's chilly and rainy. Furthermore, it has better lighting and dining ambiance inside. Friendly staffs, and lovely presentation and plating are also a plus.

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Pinang Peranakan (Babas and Nyonyas) Mansion

My heart has been continually overwhelmed in the past few months of my stay in Penang, joyfully overwhelmed to see the myriad of heritage buildings, street arts, wall paintings, museums, themed cafes and restaurants emerging on this historical little island I'm falling for all over again. More and more tourists, both foreigners and locals are flocking the town area, particularly on the weekends, cycling and snapping pictures that they've become so mainstream.

On one fine and sunny weekend, my sis and I did not miss out on the chance to partake in such mainstream activities (there's nothing wrong with being mainstream on some things sometimes =p). We visited the home of an affluent Baba, built by the Kapitan Cina Chung Keng Kwee at the end of the 19th century. Admission was RM 20 per adult and it's subject to change without notice as stated on the brochures. Not cheap, and I personally think it's unfair to simply increase the rates whenever they feel like it.

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Balik Pulau Lodge (浮罗山背客家山寨)

We were taken on a little adventurous trip to Balik Pulau Lodge aka Hakka Village last last Sunday. I went unprepared. No mosquito repellent, no sunblock. I honestly did not expect the Hakka heritage to be situated on top of a mountain in the middle of nowhere. It felt pretty much like visiting my grandparent's orchard back in my hometown. Nothing impressive to me really. People from the big cities, on the other hand, would find such country outdoor recreation rewarding.

After parking your vehicle (no personal vehicles allowed beyond the car park), you may choose to either hike / walk, cycle or simply pay a small amount of money for them to take you up the valley. Transportation fee is RM10 per person unless you're getting the RM35 package which works out cheaper with meals, entrance and transportation fees included.

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Bangkok Trip: Train from Butterworth

Spending 23 hours in a train from Butterworth to Bangkok may be one of the wildest and craziest things I ever imagined myself doing, and I did it!!! Yay to my virgin cross-country train voyage! Would this considered backpacking without traveling with an actual backpack? Hahaha, forgive my silliness.

I went without preparing anything to keep my tummy and mind entertained. Glad that my sis brought grapes, breads and some other tidbits and my brother-in-law brought Steve Jobs, the book. LOL. Oh well, I'm easy. As long as there's a socket for me to charge my phone, I'll be more than happy. Even happier if there's internet access on my handheld device. I was born a social media addict!!!

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Friend's Wedding + Visiting "Old" Friend Trip

Hellooooo, Penang! I missed ya, HEAPS!!! Some of you might have mistaken that I already flew back to Sydney but truth is, I'm still here peeps! My 6D5N visiting KL plus attending friend's wedding trip was indeed very rewarding, both mentally and emotionally. As a matter of fact, I was in desparate need of one like this.

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Camera Museum Georgetown Penang

My journey to explore the Pearl of Orient continues. Needless to say, I am referring to my second home, Penang, not Asia's World City. Hehe.

I had my third visit to the Chinese Medical Practitioner (highly recommended) in Bukit Mertajam last Sunday. It's a huge relief that my thumb is actually making very good progress within the past three months without the need of depo-steroid injection.

The only drawback is, it weaken my wrist the following few days after each visit. Extra care has to be taken to avoid hurting my injured tendons again. Well, you better don't disappoint me 'cause I'm really counting myself on going to ESCAPE soon!!!

Back to today's topic. We toured the Camera Museum downtown on the same day's afternoon. We were a bit reluctant to go in at first as the entrance fees are not cheap and they were four of us altogether. But guess what? Money well spent on an eye-opening experience.

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Ferringhi Garden Restaurant Penang

Times flies, it's been almost 10 weeks since we parted from each other. How badly I wish Mr. Choo was here by my side when we were at the Ferringhi Garden Restaurant last night. Sob *teary eyes*

The tranquil, friendly and warmth atmosphere the garden themed restaurant has to offer, apart from deliciously quality fusion western and Chinese cuisines. I would have complimented my dinner with a sweet bottle of fruity white wine but uh, I'm not much of a drinker to be honest, not even on a social level.

So just forget about the drinking part, since it's practically impossible without numbing myself and waking up with a hangover next morning =p Good food acts way much better in relieving stress and anxiety, don't you think?

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Penang Hean Boo Thean (玄母殿) and Lee Jetty (姓李桥)

Lee Jetty, alternatively known as Seh Lee Keo in Hokkien, is the fourth clan jetty from the north, situated between Tan Jetty and Mixed Clan Jetty. There was a karaoke competition going on last night, when we swung by this place. It brought us a very bright and Mid-Autumn feel seeing all those colorful lights and lanterns. Happy Mid-Autumn in advance, everyone!!!

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Kek Lok Si Temple and Sushi Zanmai Gurney Paragon

What?!! What?!! Happy Long Weekend to all my Malaysian readers out there!!! When I first heard about Malaysia Day I was like, "Oh, I never knew it ever existed!" and it's on this coming Monday! Yeah, the 16th of September, in case you haven't heard of it too. Haha.

It rained a bit today, just like last Sunday. There was a quick shower in the morning, then the sky swiftly shifted from grey towards light blue with wisps of white clouds. How fortunate we were, to be able to shoot some painting-like pictures at Kek Lok Si Temple that day. Thanks Kwan Yin for her blessings.

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Penang Murals / Street Arts / Wall Paintings

MURAL HUNT: MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!! Well, not quite yet.

Only some of them have been successfully captured thus far. "Some" could possibly mean 1/3 of the total murals / street arts / wall paintings in Georgetown, Penang. I'm truly amazed at this point how much time and efforts these artists had to spend to create each and every single piece of them. Simply priceless and unique.

With so many tourists cycling and strolling around the heritage area, there's no doubt one would have to queue to take photos. Even longer queue during peak hours on both weekends and public holidays. And we did! Gosh, how I wish we had winter here in Malaysia. That way, I wouldn't have to pose with my greasy hair and clammy body under the steaming hot sun =/

Person tips: Don't ever come here at noon! But if you really insist, do come with shades and sunscreen on. Casual clothing recommended.

 

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Pik Nik Cafe Penang

Tenpin bowling was fun last Saturday! Although I could barely score 80 per game. LOL. Thanks my sis and bro for bullying me into buying them meals. It was so unfair as I haven't really bowled in ages!!! Hahaha! But that's okay, at least I won one of the pool games against my bro xD

I suspect we were given a crooked pool table. No kidding. Else, it's impossible to be that hard to get the balls in right?! *shifty eyes* Three and a half games in one hour, just imagine...

Anyway, here's the dinner I shouted at Pik Nik Cafe downtown.
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Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi Temple Penang (槟城龙山堂邱公司)

It's Monday today! The replacement holiday of National Day last Saturday. Yes, I'm talking about Malaysia's National Day aka Independence Day. As reluctant as it is to say, I'll be staying for a fair bit longer this time. Consequently meaning more future posts concerning Malaysia in my blog.

Love it or hate it, I'd have to dwell without Mr. Choo by my side. Just momentarily I hope. And don't worry guys, we did not break up, in case that's what you're wondering.

I spent the long weekend dating my sis. Sisters can date too! She's like my tour guide cum nanny whenever I come back to Penang. We drove around town that afternoon, then visited Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi, one of the city's major historic attraction before meeting up with my bro.

As stated on Wikipedia, the grandest clan temple in Malaysia includes an association building, a traditional theatre and the late 19th century row-houses.

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Snorkeling Trip to Tioman Marine Park and Renggis Island

Our snorkeling trip to Tioman Marine Park and Renggis Island!!! Yay, I mean, finally!!! I'd be a dumbass to not share these pictures with you, after forking out 70 bucks just to rent a waterproof camera from a Chinese rental store, which doesn't provide any soft or hard copy of the photos taken.

Damn funny right? How do they expect us, the customers, to get our hands on the photos, if we didn't so happen to have a laptop with us during the trip?

Furthermore, the staff (who's also the store owner, I assume), left us speechless when he came and knocked on our door, in the middle of the night, merely to make sure we wouldn't vanish into the thin air with his camera *smacks head*

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Tioman Island: Paya Beach Resort and Tomok Island

From Penang to Mersing, Johor, the journey was about 8 hours. Totally insane!!! I know. With the same amount of time, I could've flown myself to Sydney instead. But it was worth it, a fun family road trip I longed for in a long time.

We took off 11-ish that night, had a few food and toilet stops in between. Arrival time was one hour earlier than our ferry departure time, which is good. At least we got to have a quick breakfast fix in town before going on a slow and rocky ferry ride to Tioman Island.

Upon arrival, we checked-in into our 3D2N accommodation in Kampung Paya. Bathed and recharged ourselves with expensive meals at the resort's restaurant. We took a cat nap in the afternoon, then followed by a sequence of free activities as the day 1 tour package includes a buffet dinner only.

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Touring Around Ipoh

Back from holiday, back to reality. Our 3D2N trip to Tioman Island was indeed very fun and relaxing. Gosh, I already miss it so, so much!!! But I'm gonna have to repress and suppress my emotions and feelings right now, before I'm able to write about this road trip with my family.

A week ago, I visited few of the major towns in Perak with mum. Taiping, Ipoh, Kuala Kangsar and several other small ones. Despite the tiring long drive, I was rewarded with absolutely delish meals and breath-taking discoveries around the state I grew up in.

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Ipoh Kellie's Castle / Kellie's Folly

Why is it always so muggy in Ipoh? It was stifling HOT, HOT, HOT that afternoon when we visited Kellie's Castle near Batu Gajah. My sis has been here before, that explains how I got to know about this tourist attraction and the reason why I was there.

For your viewing pleasure, vertical images have grown a little bit bigger today. Any thoughts? I intend to do the same to my future posts. It's just a teenie-weenie bit more scrolling, if you must criticize =___=

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Ipoh Murals / Street Art / Wall Paintings

When in Ipoh, we've came across a colorful spread of wall paintings located at the lane in between Jalan Masjid and Jalan Sultan Iskandar (previously or more commonly known as Hugh Low Street). All thanks to Ernest Zacharevic's murals and inspirations, street art has become a visible presence not only in Penang, but the capital city of Perak too. Hooray! Another to-do when you come to Ipoh next time!

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