Kampung Food
There comes a time in every urbanite’s life when you grow sick and tired of the burger and fries, the instantly prepared mee goreng from the mamak, and the quick pizza delivered to your home in less than 30 minutes. There is simply a craving from your taste buds for more, a longing for an elaborately prepared dish, spiced with that personal touch and effort that only a home-cooked meal can offer.
This is why I’ve come to relish Raya holidays and the rare opportunity it provides for me to indulge myself in a myriad of culinary experiences back in my hometown in Sabah. Every Raya holiday, my mother would cook a huge batch of food for the benefit of guests, and this Raya proved no different. My hometown retreat this Raya was stocked from the more typical hallmarked foods such as ketupat and rendang, to the more atypical variety such as the lada putih & kacang panjang, ikan sambal, and other sugary Raya treats like the kuih makmur.
CITY OF DIGITAL LIGHTS
daytime at i-city
i-City is the latest tourist spot in Shah Alam, Selangor. Dubbed the City of Digital Lights, it is reputed to be the first lightscape tourist destination in Malaysia.
Berbuka puasa with Starpoints Hotel, Kuala Lumpur
This Ramadhan, try out the berbuka puasa spread at StarPoints Hotel Kuala Lumpur. Just a stone's throw away from bustling streets, shopping centers, and stunning historic landmarks in the city centre.
Offering a tantalising feast of International Ramadhan delicacies, prepared by StarPoints Hotel guest chefs from Pakistan.
A Steamy Affair In Tambun
It's not something you expect to see, but on the walls of one of the limestone caves deep in Tambun, Perak, are some markings that might be dismissed as careless graffiti at first. A closer examination reveals that they are actually Japanese characters that link to Tambun's past. Apparently, the messages, mostly names in Japanese and expressions of homesickness, are believed to have been written by the Japanese soldiers who were in Ipoh in the 1940s.
Winners’ of MyEscapades contest – Malaysia Truly Asia fan page
Eunice Chin Huey Weei of Shah Alam, Selangor won herself an Apple Macbook in the MyEscapades online contest. The contest, organised on the Malaysia Truly Asia fan page is part of a promotional effort to encourage visitors’ to become fans of the recently launched Malaysia Truly Asia fan page.
Tanjung Piai National Park
“Congratulations! You are now standing at the Southern Most Tip of Mainland Asia.”
The signboard beamed widely at me as I peered towards the vast landscape. As winds blew gently over the confluence of the Strait of Malacca and Strait of Johore, the sun beat wildly upon the skin.
Whew! Despite the intense heat, the view of huge tankers docking in international waters was a sight to behold.
A short stroll: The Quaint Barber Shop
The sharp, steel barber sheers lay unattended on the tabletop. Bottles of hair cream arranged neatly besides it. Several plastic combs bunched loosely in a container.
Medium sized- posters of men sporting short hair cuts were pasted symmetrically on the walls, decorating the barber shop. There were even new ones of famous Bollywood heartthrobs.
The red, stainless steel Takara barber chairs purchased in 1966 are still in good condition. The chairs were first purchased by its founder, the late P.A. Thangayah whom was a highly respected figure and ex-chairman of the Indian Barber Association.
Situated along busy Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock (previously known as Foch Avenue) in Kuala Lumpur, this quaint barber shop is hard to miss. With its bright red signage, the Stylo Hair Dressing Saloon was first established in 1940.
Short stroll in Chinatown- Guan Di Temple
The Taoist God of War, Guan Di, watches defensively over the temple entrance. Standing majestically in his resplendent uniform, his eyes fixes fiercely upon you.
Known as one of China’s greatest warriors, Guan Yu, also known as Guan Di or General Kwan is also worshipped widely outside China.
If you take happen to take a stroll along Jalan Tun H.S. Lee in Chinatown, Kuala Lumpur you will find a quaint temple built in the great warrior’s honour.
The Guan Di temple, built in 1888, makes it one of the oldest temples in Chinatown and is housed in the premises of the Kwong Siew Association.
It’s a Local Motion – Kluang Rail Coffee Station
‘Tap, tap, tap…’.
Several gentle taps on the half-boiled egg with a spoon, and the warm egg cracked open landing with a splash into a small, orange plastic dish. Adding just a dash of white pepper and soy sauce, it was ready to be eaten.
Accompanying it, I had ordered two slices of kaya toast and bubbly teh tarik. Sinking my teeth greedily into the soft toast, I could taste the thick slice of butter melting away in the mouth.
Tastes excellent!
Even the loud chatter of patrons at the small, unique canteen at the Kluang Rail Coffee Shop (Railway Canteen Kluang as it also known) couldn’t distract me from appreciating this meal.
Thaipusam – A divine Hindu celebration
Ancient mythology has it that, in the month of Thai in the Hindu calendar (January 15 – February 15) at an astronomically significant point of time, namely Pusam, Lord Murugan (also known as Lord Subramaniam) taught his father (Lord Shiva) the meaning of the word Aum.
Aum is a highly potent terminology in Hinduism that signifies the primeval sound of creation. The significance here is based on the moment when a son turned teacher to his father.