Bus from KLIA and KLIA2 direct to Paradigm Mall

Taking the bus is one of the cheapest options in Malaysia. Next to our world famous low cost flights of course. 

However, getting out from the airport can be quite a pain in the azz especially if you're prone to counting your pennies.

So unless you manage to hitch a free ride from one of the many friendly Banglas ( who are friendlier than us Malaysians these days and so much proud of the country not to mention more welcoming to foreigners , they make me take many looks at my grumpy self in the mirror )...yeah, it's ok..you can take the bus.

There are buses that go direct to KL Sentral , to Bandar Utama and I think to Ipoh even from the airport....and now, Paradigm Mall. However, I don't like to take the direct bus to KL Sentral due to some highway robbery reports way back ....still can't shake off the risk in my head. 

No , don't write Paradigm Mall off as just a shopping stop.

There's a feeder bus that can take you to the nearest LRT station which will take you to KL Sentral too. 

I've done this route before. It sounds crazy but it beats getting stuck in a cab especially if you are rushed for time.

Best part is, it goes vice versa. I've gotten my purse nicked before in KL Sentral therefore , I hope that explains why I much prefer to use this stop.

  

Kuala Lumpur is the no.8 travel destination in the world !

According to the annual MasterCard Global Destinations Cities Index , Kuala Lumpur has emerged as a top ten global destination in the world !

Yes ! Top ten....which puts us on the same footing as London , Bangkok , Paris , Dubai, Istanbul , New York and Singapore !

Our tourist arrivals and spending have even beaten Seoul and Hong Kong !

Happy King's Birthday everyone ! Enjoy your Cuti- Cuti Malaysia and treasure it ! 

Malaysia Boleh !

Chanel No.5 - sometimes a better deal can be struck at department stores

Perfumes are sold at duty free prices here in Malaysia so go ahead, join the throngs , treat yourself and buy it on a whim. The best thing is, since Xmas is such a tremendous sales booster, yes even in snowless, sunny Malaysia, experienced shoppers can really use this adrenaline pumping period to their advantage. 

Think about it. Competition will be stiff. If the sales personnel refuses to throw in a freebie, walk away. 

Learn to expect a free gift. Be assertive. 

The companies here have provided their counter staff with so much freebies as a sales aid / incentive /tool, some even engage in trade offs with staff from other counters . They can indulge in that side hobby, because they kept it from you since you didn't ask for it.

Remember that.

Aerodynamic riders

These two were in the oddest position I've ever come across. 

Have seen groups of boys do the " Superman " stunt, something like planking , with their stomach flat on the seat of the bike, and their hands and feet positioned straight out like they were free falling, but so far I have not been able to capture that on camera.

Batu Feringghi - Ya Habibi it's Arab season 2014

In Penang, there's durian season and there's Arab season .

Here at Lebanon Restaurant for the umpteenth time,it WAS hard to find a seat. But we did so eventually. 

Lebanon is so popular amongst them , that I had to wriggle my way through clouds of fruity shisha, hairy bermuda legs and billowy black head covers with dainty mouthpieces . 

 Peering out at passerbys, the little beach strip looks more like a village Souq than a Malaysian night market.

Yes, Batu Feringghi has awoken from it's lazy slumber. Everyone stays open for far longer than usual, when the Arabs, Yemenis , Qataris etc etc etc and etcs roll into town. 

So why am I showing you kebabs and lamb ? Well look, if they eat behind curtained partitions, would they want to be featured on my blog ? I don't think so.

The pros and cons of being trilingual in Malaysia

Ever wondered what are the pros and cons about learning 3 languages in Malaysia ? The pro is there are fewer pros at the language and the con is there are more cons. I'm kidding.

Most times , no matter what they say, most of my people ( I am only bambuing my people because I no wanna get raya invite from perkasa supporters ) ,can only manage one. No doubt, they may be able to read and write the other language but when it comes to perception and understanding, now, that's another subject altogether. Pronunciation wise, even mine is not up to par. I know where I stand.

Kovil Sri Maha Mariamman - Fire Walkers on the pit

The heat was already unbearable from where I was standing, thus I couldn't possibly imagine how people would be walking barefoot across those hot coals. Yet later on, men, both young and old would be doing exactly that without skin peeling off their soles

Entourage for a Hindu Goddess

Looking at the tiny umbrella and elaborate flower structure on a sedan from the back, one might be inclined to think that they were in Bali rather than Penang.

In the run up to the actual firewalking event, the Goddess was taken on a walkabout to invite and escort a bigger entourage back to the temple grounds

Firewalking festival - amazing scenes from Tanjung Bungah

If not for the banner proclaiming the firewalking event, I would have thought that I had walked right smack into a mini Thaipusam street carnival.

Still, I almost fainted when I turned around and saw this man wielding a huge blade / sickle with a lime at the tip

Sushi Tei - Set Lunch revamp

The darnest thing about this place, is that it remains open even during the odd hours, when other restaurants have gone on break shift . So yeah, while I said I might not return the last time, in the end, I had to eat back my own words .

This is exactly the same set as we ordered on our last visit, on an overhaul.

Learnt to eat Cha Soba noodles while in Japan, as I am absolutely and completely NOT ....a fan of Ramen. When I returned, I taught shortie and that's how you always see on our table, whenever we go Japanese. 
Basically, it's a cold dish that's an acquired taste.

Farmhouse Drink & Redeem 2013

 

 

 

For freebies kakis who haven't noticed this promo yet, it's time to drink more milk.

 

 

 

 

 

Crabtree & Evelyn luxury sets, thermos flasks and a cute cow soft toy !! up for grabs in exchange for ...well...check out the point system below

GE13 - 5.06pm Jln Kelawei , can do chacha

 

 

Got someone to drive me around.

This is what Jln Kelawai looks like at 5.06pm today.

 

Very, very unusually quiet ok ? This is not normal.

 

 

 

 

More photo updates later

Oral-B Flipper Toothbrush holder

This was the last one at the shop.

Very popular and cute premium.

There're also having a facebook contest where you can win 3 mini iPads. To enter, you'll have to purchase above a certain amount, post up a picture and....I didn't read, cos I'm not into fb photo contests.
Too much drama there.

Jade Buddha tour - Penang Times Square

You have until this Sunday to come and see this in Penang

Crafted from an 18 tonne Canadian jade boulder by Chiang Rai and Nepalese artisans, and consecrated by the Dalai Lama in Sydney, it's one hefty globe trotter with plenty of airmiles !

Great views from All Seasons Place

To tell you the truth, I've never liked coming to this area, as both sides of the road are surrounded by large tracts of cemeteries.

The most stunning part after passing those grounds, is this opening .

What you should look out for.
 Go straight when you see this sign. Only turn left at the furthest end.

The Manhattan Fish Market - All Seasons Place

Update Nov 2014  : sadly the place has closed down. One of the reasons from my own observation is that the locals here treat this long walkway like an airconditioned Gurney Drive 

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Sit in the afternoon sun and soak in the hills in the distant. The view here is just gorgeous !

Been open for some time, but it was the buy one free one coupon, featured on a flyer that brought us here.

Air Putih gluttons corner ( NH ) - largest portions on the island !

Air Itam is the new city centre if you ask me. Practically teeming with life at all times of the day. Whereas Air Putih is just before it.

Popped in here for an after dinner snack.

Maybe we shouldn't have, because what they serve here is real value for money unlike other places in Georgetown.

The portions are so huge, those with big appetites should seriously consider putting this on their map of must eat places.

See the picture above, featuring oh chien (oyster omelette ) ? Countless fresh oysters inside ...for the most minimum order. Unbelievable.

Char Koay Teow - Sin Tatt Garden ( NH )

The hawker centre has recently gotten a makeover.

Everything looks much brighter now with a slightly higher roof, lighting and ceiling fans in a row.

While they've got some quirky stalls here that are worlds apart from what's sold on Penang island, I really got to salute this foreigner.

Her Char Koay Teow is THE BEST ! 
Class 1 !

How to spot Lim Guan Eng in Penang

If you see a crowd of onlookers and gawkers, in a market area or hawker centre, like the picture below, chances are it's him.

To be positively sure, look out for any

 Mercedes Benz that ends with the number 1.

Bingo !

Noor Bee Nasi Melayu ( U )

Because they churn out some really fine foods,

I sometimes wish they were located somewhere far better than here.
 

It's a small family run business, well known amongst the islanders.

Comfort foods, so typically Tanjung Tokong style, yes that's what they serve here.

That means a great, winning hodgepodge mixture of Mamak , Pakistani, Penang and Kelantanese Malay, all mixed together, producing very unique ( but no less delicious ) curries with a hint of bitter.