Road-trip to Ipoh

This Ipoh road-trip is specially planned for my mum who is with us in KL and so happen that Karen is still having her long break from work and hubby flew in for the weekend, it's like a jigsaw puzzle which just fits in perfectly right!

We started our journey from KL at about 8.30 in the morning.  Mum seem to enjoy the longest car ride she have ever had ~ smile ~  

Our first stop is at Bidor, arrived at about 10.15 and enjoying our first meal of the day.....

After a yummylicious meal we continue on with our journey, passing through Tapah, which is 55km to Ipoh, then Kampar and Gopeng.  It's nice to take a view of these small towns.  Karen made a turn and drove us to Kellies Castle, a site where she have her shoots for Asian Ghost Stories.....

We moved on to Taiping, passing through the Sg. Perak Bridge.  All of a sudden Karen remember the yummy Lo Bak which she have tasted.....

Stopped by at All Saint's Church, a small cozy Church which is more than a century old and being declared a Heritage site!

A new one is being erected just next to this century old Church, with modern architectural design......

Our next stop is Taman Tasik, Taiping, enjoyed the beautiful surroundings and gorgeous scenery......

So much for Taiping, and we made our way to Ipoh, our stay for the night @ Ai HOME, a beautiful home-stay in a two and a half storey detached house which we get to stay on the highest level - the one and a half storey which accommodate four persons.....

After settling down and have a good bath, we went for dinner at Restoran Ong Kee, Jln. Yau Tet Sin for Ipoh's famous Taugeh Ayam, which is a must have if we consider yourself been to Ipoh.....

after dinner, we stop by at Ipoh Railway Station....

Ipoh Town Hall (opposite the train station)

Just before we call off the day, we went for desserts......

Mum needs something warm - red bean soup

It's a Saturday morning, the first day of a new month, March.  We are earlier than expected, so we checked out at 7.40am, drove to Ming Court Hong Kong Tim Sum to have our breakfast of yummy Tim Sum, which we can't get it in Kuching.  

 Made a stop at St. Michael Catholic Church.....

As it's said that 'been to Ipoh but haven't tasted Ipoh's White Coffee' is as good as not been there.... so we stop for a round of Ipoh White Coffe and can't resist the delicious roasted pork either.....

Karen drove us to Funny Mountain Soya Bean and Tau Fu Fah shop which sells yummylicious soya bean and tau fu fah, then moved on to visit the two famous Temple.....

We then left Ipoh and stop by at Kampar for lunch, the much talked about curry chicken in bun by Karen..... something which I've never tasted before but it's indeed YUMMY! It's a 'must-try' food in Ipoh @ Restoran Roti Ayam Kampar.

 With a full tummy, we then made our way home. .....

It's another great road trip, most of all great companion!! Thanks to Karen for being our driver and most of all our personal tour guide!

Golden memories [1]

How many have fond memories of this simple game set or how many knows of it???

This game set comprises of four games 1) Steeplechase 2) Draughts 3) Ludo, and (4) Snakes & Ladders. These popular games of 20 to 25 years old are not a one-time-favourite of my children but also myself, especially.....

Steeplechase

Draughts

Snakes and Ladders

Many years ago myself, hubby and our children gets to play these games quite often in the evening during our free time and even during weekends.  Today, these game set are being stored away safely in one of the cupboard and we only gets to play them once a year, which is during the Lunar New Year, if our children come home for the celebration. We  still enjoyed the fun of this game as much as 'once upon a time!' 

Just seem like yesterday.....

It just seem like yesterday that all Chinese families are in the hustle and bustle of preparing for the Lunar New Year celebration. Everyone are so happy, despite the hard work of course, couldn't wait for the family members who are studying or working away from home to get home to usher this yearly festival, and not to mention the REUNION Dinner!

"Time really waits for no man!"  The celebration flew without our realization, the many things which we've planned doesn't really come to materialise ~ sad ~   Come to think of it, I really miss those good old days when the children are studying in their Primary and Secondary years, where we have all the time to spend with each other.  

If only, at a click of a button we are able to rewind time, like an Astro program which I've watched recently- just curious "why can't human come up with such a device, with all the new technologies???" ha...ha...... What an imagination!!

My family get to kick-start the celebration with loud "BANGS" (a reunion lunch in the heart of our beautiful-sweet home AND a reunion dinner on a grander scale with the Kuek Family at a local restaurant).  With Alex, Choulyee and grandboy Brendan leaving after a week holiday, our closing of the celebration Chap Goh Mei is a quiet one.  The four of us decided to enjoy our favourite dinner of Crabs at Padungan Seafood Bay!

Memories of the past will always be well treasured in our hearts, let us look forward to each new day with great joy, happiness, love and cheers as each day is a gift from God.  Amen!

The instant increase in prices.....

As the Lunar New Year is approaching, prices of most items are being jet-up!  I was at the Stutong Wet Market this morning and all of a sudden lots of big prawns, fishes, sea cucumbers, etc are being put up for sell, whereby in early January I have been trying to buy some prawns but couldn't get any good and fresh ones.  

As usual, months before year end many fish mongers are stocking up their seafood and keeping it till before the Lunar New Year as that would fetch very high prices.  The prices of those items will increase each week until the eve of the festival.  

I am very much interested to see how much those sea cucumbers would cost, so with some patience myself and Janet are standing behind some customers who are intending to buy.  To our surprise one sea cucumber, roughly the length of 1 foot, after sitting on the weighing machine comes up to RM39.00!! My! My!!

I used to wonder?????  During this season every year, businessmen will just increase the prices of their items according to their whims and fancies.  Many a times, it really caught us by surprised as the same item on sell in two different places (supermarkets, wet markets, stalls, etc) will fetch a totally different price!  Why can this be???  I thought we have the authorities with rules in placed to control the prices of items??? Something must to be wrong somewhere!  

My Voice [6]

It is a common sight these days to see road users breaking traffic rules as if "traffic rules are meant to be broken!"

The situation in Kuching City seem to be getting from bad to worst - rushing through traffic lights even when the lights already turned RED; driving on a lane but suddenly turn either left or right without giving the vehicle next to it the opportunity to move first; vehicle stopped right in the middle of a YELLOW BOX; many reckless drivers are driving at very high speed especially drivers with big powerful vehicles; irresponsible drivers driving on the motorcycle or emergency lane who then make sudden turn out taking no heed to other vehicles who are queuing to move out of a junction and others.....

With the implementation of the new Traffic Lights at certain areas, we thought that road users will be more discipline, as there is an extra feature counting down the remaining minutes from 10 to 1 BUT sadly it doesn't really work that effectively, to be precise the traffic light along 3rd Mile, Laksamana Cheng Ho and Rock Road.  The authorities have spent money and time to change those traffic lights but still the situation remain the same ~ sad ~

One worst problem when we are approaching a traffic light is that, we must always look at our rear mirror to make sure that the vehicle at the back of us are at high speed or not, if not we can slow down and brake when the light turn amber to red, BUT if the vehicle are at high speed, we are to follow them breaking the traffic light's rules, why is it such?? Well, that's simple, because if we slow down and brake they will give us a LOUD HONK and even might end up knocking our car!!  I've experienced such a situation whereby the vehicle behind me is screeching due to emergency braking of the car as I made my stop when the traffic light already turned red.  Further more I didn't make an emergency stop, I slowed down then stop.  Mind you, the driver behind is scolding with his hands up and down inside his car!! What a reckless driver!

If only the authority is strict enough to implement all Traffic Rules seriously, then such a situation won't have to happen. Road Safety is everyone's responsibility, thus if there are few who did not abide by these rules the safety of other road users will be at stake.  That is why road accidents are always on the increase.... where does the problem lies?????  I think we all know the reason behind it!

My Voice [5]

Some of us might have great achievements last year, but is aiming for more in this new year, while others are on the average and are satisfied with it but for those who didn't do well they really need to work harder!

The new year 2014 has just begun, I trust that each and everyone are trying to work towards their aim and goal in life.  Setting goals is not only for those who are holding a post in some offices or working people so to speak, but it applies to each and every individual being - parents, grandparents, children who are studying at all levels as well as housewives! 

Whatever we do, commitment is very important!  To be committed we must always put our mind into the things that we do and do it seriously.   Success doesn't come knocking on our door or rather, nothing can just come to us on a silver platter!  Many people fail just because they don't have the passion in the things that they do, why??  For some they just do because of money or either with the reason having to take care of their small children, in the case of some working mothers who have to quit their job after their child is born.  Many young women prefers to have a career outside than being tied down to taking care of their small children at home.  With such thinking it is hard for them to be successful when situation forced them to quit their job and be a housewife.  For those who have the passion to stay home then they are able to be a committed housewife and a responsible wife and mother.

This all depends on the interest and passion of each individuals in order to be successful.  Let me share this meaningful phrase and picture which best explained my write-ups......

Preparation for the Lunar New Year.....

With the Lunar New Year coming much earlier than usual, our preparation to welcome this festive season started way before the year 2013 ends.  In two weeks time the Chinese will be celebrating this auspicious occasion.

Its a thrilling feeling to welcome this great celebration for both young and old.   The spring cleaning is the most tedious task! Since when I am a young child, my mum have set good examples to me and my siblings that we should have a cleaned house and surroundings to welcome the Lunar New Year as its a start of another year.  That is where we learn our Chinese customs and cultures, the do's and dont's of before and during the Lunar New Year.  We are indeed blessed to have our parents inculcating such precious information to us.  Its something which we have to treasure and pass down to our children and grandchildren. But then again, will the younger generation accept such cultures???? Whatever it is, I've done my part in imparting these useful information to them and its up to them as individuals to do the rest.  

Hoping for the best of the Year of The Horse, pray that this New Year will brings my family abundance blessings, good health, joy, peace, happiness and prosperity ~ CHEERS ~

My Voice [4]

Product Advertisements, though its vast and covers almost every single product that are on sale at any supermarket shelf and even at small shops are something which we rarely can trust!  Back in school, many years ago, I learned that advertisements are very exaggerating.  Indeed it is!!

Thus as consumer we are made confused by the advertisements and ended up buying and using the product which are not suitable for each individuals.  To overcome such a situation, consumer must be smarter and sensitive in knowing the product well and ending up purchasing the right product for our use.

Last Sunday morning I came across an advertisement in a local newspaper showing a long list of items with promotional prices.  An item caught my attention, so I drove to the particular supermarket and went around searching for the item.  To my surprised the price of the item are not as advertised??? The price tag showed RM6.90 but the advertisement showed RM6.50!!!! 

That is just an item, what about the rest of the other items???  Is this the way to steer customers by putting an attractive price on the advertisement???  I believe that many customers are still blinded by such an advertisements, never to be aware of the fact that they have been cheated.  Whereas, there are also some who knew it and will never trust them any more in the future!!

Well, this seem to be the way many businessmen do their business these days, but do not count everyone in, there are still some who are sincere in running their business - nothing is 100%!

My Voice [3]

How many of us still remember this sweet song??

A Smile

A smile is quite a funny thing it wrinkles up your face,

And when its gone you'll never find its secret hiding place,

But far more wonderful it is to see what smile can do,

You smile at one, he smile at you,

And so one smile makes two.

People of our age are definitely a 'singer of this song!'  Who dare to disagree??  We are thought to sing this song during our Primary School days and it's a song which captures many people's hearts, all because of it's meaningful wordings.

Whenever we meet people, including those whom we doesn't know, we will normally put a smile on our face rather than a frown, except of course if we happen to be in a moody state of mind at that particular moment or is unhappy.  Let's see what Max Eastman has to say:

"A smile is the universal welcome"

A warm smile can also change a serious argument between two persons or any misunderstanding that arise, why is it so??  William A. Ward is there to confirm....

"A warm smile is the universal language of kindness"

SMILE is indeed a powerful weapon, so let us put a smile on our face wherever we go so that PEACE will prevail.  Let's all......

My Voice.... [2]

One fine morning, as my hand work wonders in the kitchen, all of a sudden the sweet tune of an old school song swiftly flows from my vocal chords......

"I love your rivers

By ferry nipah boarders

I love your hills

In necklaces of clouds

My land Sarawak

To you I will be faithful

My motherland......."

I couldn't help repeating the lines despite some lost words or even sentences in between.  To me, the song still sounds lovely as before.  

This meaningful song reminds me of my school days some 45 years ago.  Though we are of different cultures, customs, religion, age and colours we are all able to study and get along well with each other - classmates, schoolmates and teachers alike.  What makes me missed out most is the fun we get to enjoy during the festive seasons, especially Hari Raya and Chinese New Year.   No matter what race we are, we will gather in groups to visit each other be it rain or shine!  Everyone, including family members are so happy to welcome each other into their homes.  As long as I can recall, nothing related to sensitivity of the different races and religion ever arise, except peace, harmony and unity!  How I wish that today we are able to live in unity, peace, harmony, respect, care and concern for each as we've had in the days of our grand parents and great grandparents.

Malaysia, being a multi-racial country have long shown it's ability to live in peace, unity and harmony with each other, and I believe that we can all continue to pursue our future as such.  Being responsible Malaysians, who would want to see chaos, disunity, hatred, unjust among each other???

So, let us ponder........