Bukit Bendera

It must be about 25-30 years since I went up Bukit Bendera, Penang. And why not, the last train that was used in my previous journey up the hill is now in the museum (see photo). Nice place, windy but not necessarily hot.

There were performances as it was a holiday break and many tourist were expected up the hill and yes we had to wait for 2 hours before we board the train mind you. Udin had his hand in trying to be a magician's assistant. He was quite pissed when he found out some of the tricks were not not magic at all.... hehehe....."dia tipu la abah, Udin nampak" was what he said.

Then there was a performance by the son of the late Malaysian Ali Khan Samsuddin who was known as the "King of the Snakes" until one ferocious cobra decided it was time for a coup. His son performed some dangerous tricks including kissing the king cobra.

Some facts about Penang Hill:
Also known as Bukit Bendera, Penang Hill is the highest peak on Pulau Pinang. At 830m above sea level, it is one of the best places to catch a bird's eye view of the island's expanse, including the panorama of George Town, the Penang Bridge and the Straits of Melaka.

One of the peaks on Penang Hill called Flagstaff Hill, is accessible via a healthy hike up via several hiking trails, including one from the Penang Botanical Gardens. Alternatively, visitors may also opt for a more leisurely trip up via the Penang Hill Railway which stretches just over 2km long and departs from the station at Air Itam, a mere 10 minutes' walk from the Kek Lok Si Temple. The 30-minute ride on the funicular railway takes place every 30 minutes and makes its way up a thrilling, at times near-45 degrees angle, with spectacular vistas along the way before reaching the top hill station at 701m above sea level.

x-mas shopping at Mid Valley

Wowie Malaysia got snow meh... that was the impression I get when I was at Mid Valley. You see people in fur lined coat and we are not talking about Santa here. So the complex was redecorated ushering in X-mas and new year. I wonder if there is really that many Christians in this country because the celebration and decoration is like so 'over' or is this just the ugly hands of commercialism rearing its head.

Cukur jambul

I went to my cousin's place for the "Cukur jambul" ceremony for her baby. It is a Traditional Malay Ceremony celebrated for a new born baby.

This occasion is celebrated by Malay Community with a "Kendury" of "Aqiqah" . In this celebration if the baby is a boy, 2 goats will be cut while only one goat for a baby girl. In that ceremony the parents of the baby will invite all neighbors from the village for Quran recital and sumptuous feast.The peak of the celebration is whereby the baby will be pass from one person to another in their arm cradled cutely in the big circle and the baby will be sprinkled with holy water with "bunga rampai" , a certain portion of the baby's hair will be cut (cukur Jambul). While the above occasion is taking place, there will be a singing of " Marhaban" (singing praise for prophet Muhammad pbuh). After that, all invited guests will be invited for brunch or high tea and these guests will be given "Bunga Telur "as a gift while leaving the occasion.

Kopi Tiam - Uncle Lim

Another Kopi Tiam at Sunway Pyramid - Uncle Lim.

Uncle Lim’s Cafe is a modernized Kopitiam bringing you the best wholesome and traditional homegrown fare. Uncle Lim’s is also about nostalgia; it is about extending history and it is about preserving our unique culture. Kopi Kau in thick porcelain cups and sucers with the green floral motif, charcoal toasted bread with fragrant kaya and butter, half-boiled eggs, fragrant nasi lemak, laksa are some of the specialty available at Uncle Lim’s Cafe.Customers can enjoy Uncle Lim’s kopi in different ways, i.e. thick (kau), thin (pok), black (O), with condensed milk, with evaporated milk (si), iced (peng) or even mix it with tea (cham)!

Not bad but personally this can't beat Chong Kok kopi tiam in Klang. (read my earlier blog on Chong Kok)

Sg Kelah again

After the wedding my family went to the Sg Kelah resort again.. this time we went to both the mountain spring and the hot water section. We stayed at the Trolak Country Resort... well the facilities are OK lah for Trolak, good enough to sleep in.. clean room, air-cond and clean shower with hot water.

Just an insight to what is available: web site

Hot Springs Swimming Pool, Cold Pool & Therapeutic Pools -make full use of the natural Hot Springs Swimming Pool or the classic Cold Pools swim alone or with family and friends. Try the Giant Octopus Water Slide and the pools are Large and spacious, the pools offer an entertaining diversion from the hustle and bustle of your everyday routine.

Water Reflexology Course & Natural Hot Springs Boardwalk - unique experience on its own. Reflexology is known to mainly improve and enhance blood circulation in the body and improve overall general health and well-being. As you walk the path of smooth stones, the hot springs water that runs the course provides warmth and greater relief to aching feet and joints. Feel a new sense of fresh and rejuvenation after your relaxing walk.

Family Baths & Hot Springs Egg Boiling Activity - try out the family baths and enjoy the privacy of this special treat. And try the hot springs egg-boiling experience. Many come to the park, some with baskets full of eggs which they then boil in the natural hot springs for its therapeutic properties. The world’s egg-boiling world record was achieved at this very park! 50,480 eggs were boiled here in the hot springs over a span of 43hours in 2006!

There are exclusive villas available in the Sg Klah resort and come with the choice of one-bedroom or two-bedrooms ready with facilities that include a natural hot spring jacuzzi tub, but with a price lah kan.. I think its about RM 800 a night.

Directions to Sg Klah: Drive about 1 ½ hours North on the PLUS highway and exit at Sungkai. This is in Perak, after the Tanjung Malim, Behrang and Trolak exits.

From the Toll Plaza, turn LEFT onto the trunk road. Proceed down the road until you see the first left turning at some food stalls. There will be signs for “Sg Klah Hot Springs Resort”. Turn left and follow the road and the signs. You will pass through a FELDA kampung etc etc but there are sign leading to the resort. From the toll plaza it will take about 10-15 minutes.

Wedding in Sungkai

Laila invited us to join her family for her sister's, A Teh, wedding in Sungkai. Oh I can't say NO to the prospect of having Kok-Kek (large prawn with tempoyak) on my plate, oh so yummy and the beef in the black sauce, I don't know the name but I do love the taste, yum yum. We gave the wedding cake as a present, look at the cake in the pic.... not the normal cake you can find at the cake shop ok. Really beautifully done with all the deco.

Oh not to forget the night before the actual wedding they had the bersanding ceremony accompanied by the local 'band', I think its called 'hadrah' singing Quranic verses.