Bereket Doner - Istiklal Avenue

There are dozens of doner establishments in Istiklal Avenue, so many, you won't even know which one to choose from.

For me it was easy. I settled on Bereket Doner not because I knew that it was part of a famous franchise but because I'd taken a quick look at the meat . And it was juicy mind you, not dried out like most. Focus on the kebab skewered at the back, not the eye candy in front please, girls.

 Once, over here, I find out that a sit down plate costs more than a takeaway wrap. But I'm ok with that. And he, proceeds with my order.

Cadbury Dairy Milk - bar container

Couldn't resist picking this up from the supermarket today. So obvious that I have a weakness for cutesy plastic wares such as this. 

While the top is the same, the bottom comes in a few shades.....red, blue and purple. Naturally I went for the purple one since that's the colour associated to this brand. 

Mister Potato mascot plastic plate

Will you just look at how many designs there are for you to collect ? Various musicians, snowman, balloons, party props, etc etc etc. Huhuhu. That's not all , because this sort of takes up a lot of shelf space, some places ( again ) have removed the plates from the double promotion pack. Bummer.

And just as I was checking my pictures, someone took one design which was the last one by the way. Gawdamit. 
So, is this hot or what ? You be the judge of that.

Tip : look out for the 2 pack with plate attached 

Hunt for the broken Serpent Head - Istanbul Archaeological Museum

This is the Serpent Column. Situated between the Walled Obelisk and the Egyptian Obelisk in the Hippodrome of Constantinople , it's a trophy made to commemorate the Greek victory over the Persians in Platea and is dedicated to the god Apollo. 

 Stretching back thousands of years , my goodness, I am not leaving Istanbul without seeing whatever's left of the original 3 heads, with my own eyes.

See the inscription....4th A.D........ is this awesome or what ?

Baklava and Lokma - Tatlici Safa

Take a short stroll around the Spice Market, and you will surely stumble upon this busy Lokma and Baklava shop. 

 

 

The selection is bewildering for a first timer like me.

Look to one of the counter guys for a recommendation. " Is it very sweet ? " I ask . And he points out a selection which he thinks that I can probably settle for.

Cheap, cute and timely

My handphone has been hanging on the last tethers of its life. My mistake of dropping it...just once and the damage was done .

In fact, it's the only phone that can switch on and off 2 to 5 times a day, depending on its mood. Yeah, happened during the cooking class in Starhill, pretty embarassing with the exotic Moroccan beat going on and all. If you heard it, shrug.... it came from muah. 

Fish on Brick - Fenner Fish Restaurant, Kumkapi

Some say that one must never leave Istanbul without dining at one of the many fish restaurants , since the fish here is super fresh.

But as a tourist, though we may be at a disadvantage price wise, in getting a better deal, only a local would be able to recommend you a place like this, which by being way off the tourist belt , costs more reasonable. Thus it boils down to whether you can trust whoever it is you choose, to do the booking and recommendation for you. In my case, again it was thanks to the very handsome Ismail

Daddy's Bodyguard

I like to engage in small talk with total strangers. No obligation to be held accountable for whatever I may say .

Yup, so, if you're not in the same line as me, and you chat me up in public, I'm not gonna look you up and down like you're a pervert. I'm gonna yak along and liven up our fleeting encounter.

So happens that I was standing outside CIMB the other day, that make believe real bank inside Kidzania, when this macho looking older guy standing behind me, decides to open his mouth.

Mr Macho : Huh, macam betul ajer kan ?

Me : Oh yeah, haha. Kalau boleh kan, I pon nak join in. Sronok betol tengok dorang main kan ? Heh heh

Mr Macho : ( warming up ) bla bla bla bla bla

A Jolly Christmas session - Starhill Culinary Studio

We interrupt my entries on Istanbul, Turkey, about the Thanksgiving and Christmas, Turkey. 
Yeah, while I can cook Chinese , Turkey and Yule Logs are something that leave me utterly baffled. This bird down below, weighs a monstrous 7 kilos by the way.

So luckily, I got on the rollcall for a short lesson, at the Starhill Culinary Studio, where I was greeted most warmly, by Paula Conway, the Operations & Marketing Manager, who looks like the next Estee Lauder covergirl contender .

They like to juice it, juice it

Pomegranate juice stalls can be found in almost every corner in Istanbul ! Highly regarded in this region, you don't have to hunt high and low, if you're looking for a quick antioxidant fix.

Hodjapasha Dance Theater - Whirling Dervishes

When I enquired about the performance at the hotel desk , I realised that here,they refer to it as " Sufi " performance and not Dervish Dance . Booking confirmation number in hand , I went upstairs to this counter where the cute little dervish dolls and Dervish hats are.  

Although most were foreigners, you could sense the urgency in the air. Most wanted a front seat and I too thought that by being one of the first few in line , I could get myself in front, but no , your seat number has already been reserved for you beforehand, the instant you asked your hotel desk, to do it.

Second row, sigh..

Woman against the machine - Istanbul

If you believe what's being said on the net, then you'll never believe what I saw just outside the Dolhambace Palace.

The lady driver in the grey sedan and the truck driver, are both coming down from the hill. They take the corner and wham, small scratch I think, nothing serious.

She comes to a complete stop.

 

Mavera Cafe & Restaurant - Camlica Hill

This was one of the times where I really wanted to kick myself for not bringing along a better camera, still, I'm gonna go ahead and post my dark, blurry pics up because I ended up really impressed with both the food and service . The restaurant is on Camlica Hill, in Uskudar, the Asian side of Istanbul. Many restaurants dot the area, this one seems a little more 'up' than others, judging from the make of cars parked outside the premises.

Besides the stunning view of the Bosphorus Bridge, highly visible from the dining room, personally, I just love dining here. If there were such a place in Penang, I'd probably be a regular.There are hill top restaurants in Penang , but the food, um...well, you know,no need to elaborate.

Fish sandwich with Turkish tea on the banks of Karakoy

These are the famous floating golden fish sandwich boats , found in Eminonu. But I wanna try what the locals are having so I'm going across the Galata Bridge over to Karakoy.

Short walk later, I come face to face with a small wet market. Check out the variety of fishes on display.

24/7 anglers on the Galata Bridge

This is the Galata Bridge. The Kabatas or tram plies both ways but the main attraction,besides the stunning view, is really the anglers themselves .

My Istanbulkart tuition teacher

 

 

Here's another example of how I got help,on how to use this travel card, from a carpet dealer and card trader, whom others will tell you, never to trust.

Bollywood movie shoot outside the Blue Mosque

 

 

As we made our way towards Sultanahmet, I secretly wished that I could see a Bollywood film being filmed in the area. Oh my gawd, would you believe the sky has ears, that so " ngam ngam " ( coincidentally ) once I turned the corner, my heart stopped when I saw this crew before my very eyes ....

 

 

A lesson learnt in Istanbul

When I landed in Istanbul, because of my prejudice formed from reading material posted by travellers on the web, I spent the first 2 days behaving like a typical moron of a tourist, so cocooned in my own safety net, just afraid to engage and make eye contact, and ending up letting these nice people down. 
Self preservation. Or so I thought.

Until I somehow got caught up in small talk with a young trader.

My first Turkish breakfast

Ever wondered what a Turkish breakfast looks like?

Well for one, it's got succulent zucchinis and lotsa juicy ripe tomatoes on the menu. Together with cheeses, jams,hams and yogurts.

 They consume a lot of olives, around ten pieces per person hence the 3 varieties in the corner. There's grilled bittergourds (delicious!) brinjals and even chillies , devilled eggs, shredded carrots, beets, cucumber with yogurt.

Those white bowls in the background are homemade jams like Rose Petal jam, Cherry etc

Qatar Airways - KL / Doha / Istanbul

This time , we flew with Qatar because the fare was so incredible.

 Thing is, when the fare is low or when you get a sponsored ticket, most times, it involves a transit. And now it seems, there's a new colour coded system in Doha , hence you should receive the transit ticket with a coloured jacket

Travel myths about Istanbul

 

 

Well, I'm back after a wonderful week where the weather was kind ( it only rained one day ). And I have to admit that I was at first influenced by travellers entries on the web about the city being not safe, full of scammers and pick pockets, carpet men that'll chase you down the street or human traffickers out to spike your drink and sell you into the sex trade ....omg, lemme tell you , it's all rubbish !

Especially if you see that there was no way my Oriental looks could help camouflage my existence as a tourist and help me blend in with the locals. I just stuck out like a sore thumb with my slitty eyes and all .

 

 

 

The little red book

This little red book has served me well.
Now it's time to take it out and put it to good use again.

Made your year end travel plans yet ?
Anyway, ta ta for now, will only post ,once I get back.



Paul Frank's Julius makes its Happy Meal debut

 

 

Need I say more ?

Ladies and gentlemen , if you're interested, well, here is your schedule

 

 

Week 1. That's today ! Yep, got yours already ?

I haven't ....muahaha.

Cheapo looking watch. Magnets.

Pass.

Julie's - Baked With Love mug series

 

 

Well, well, there seems to be some sort of war brewing between a few biscuit and coffee companies.

Which is such great news for us customers actually.

Coming to this new entry by Julie's, hot on the heels of the Gemelia limited edition tin, comes a mug series which in three colours.

Pink is the first. A cute family caricature adorns it .

 

 

 

Purple. What happens after the kids leave the nest .

Midnight supper at Carousel Restaurant

 

 

Just before midnight, only did we manage to pull ourselves away and saunter downstairs to the coffeehouse for a snack.
Or so it seems...

 

 

 

So why settle for Nasi Goreng with curry chicken, you may wonder ? For one , hotel fare tastes different from what one can get in the hawker stall and occasionally, it's nice sitting in the still of the night, attended by hush hush staff and stuffing yourself silly with a favourite Malaysian dish.

Nice and fluffy. Curry is quite hot, but very addictive. Can't stop once you start.

Sleeping on a bed of feathers - Palace of the Golden Horses

We initially had plans, but the instant we got on the VIP floor, all that went poof ! Plush carpetting, organza curtains, soft lighting, in total privacy with no disturbance. Oh man, this was bliss !

Yep, out the balcony door our plans went .

Instead, we spent the day holed up in here. 

( U ) Daud Cafe Corner - ice kacang

Daud Cafe is located just next to the city stadium .

The fact that there's a massive thieves market nearby which operates from late morning till the afternoon, puts off more people from coming to this quarter more often than they would like . Actually, it's not that bad, you just have to apply common sense and keep an eye on your belongings and vehicles when you're in this area.

Presenting to you, a motherload of freaking creamy goodness. Omg it's been soooooo long since I've had ice kacang as good as this. In fact it's so good, I'm rating the taste...Class 1.

Washington Apples - ceramic mug

Today, I received a nice ceramic mug in exchange for buying some juicy red apples. 
Awww how nice of the lady.

Not just any apples, but Washington Apples .

There, here's the logo. Different from the usual red. This one comes in gradual tones.

Prego - pretty pasta sauce box

Chef Riz looks set to disarm you with a plate of pasta. 

Seeing how there are red and green ribbons, I suppose it's meant for Xmas.

Try not to tell the doctor you're afraid of needles

My GP is in her 70s . Hale and hearty as an ox. When she suggested that I get jabbed, I just had to open my big mouth and tell her my aversion to needles.

Well, that did it. 

GP : " Why ? Are you afraid of the sight of blood ?"

Me : " No, it's just that, I have a tendency to black out after that "

She's giving me a funny look at this point

Me :"  I mean, it won't happen instantly, but when it does, it comes without warning . I'll just drop and the last thing I hear is people screaming .....Aiyooooo....Amoi ! Amoi ! "

She pauses to think

Extreme petrol saving technique

Still panting, he holds onto the traffic light for support.
But he's happy, since he's found the most low maintainence vehicle, with a 100percent petrol free technique anyone in Malaysia has ever thought of.

"Wheel "anyone  wanna emulate him ?

( NH ) Royale Burger,main courses and other memories - Mediteca

 

 

 

They didn't name this the Royale Beef & Cheese Burger for nothing.

 

 

 

 

Two thick slabs of extravagant meats sandwich the freshest salad leaves and most sinful cretches of cheese meant to pop your drawer buttons open.

( NH ) Appetizers & Salads - Mediteca

 

 

I just love how the sun seeps through the balustrades to light up the quaint but chic little atmosphere inside. The appetite is immediately worked up as we gingerly navigate our way through the  simple display counter.
 

 

 

 

Much thought has been given to lend simple dishes such aplomb and character. The potato gratin in the foreground is the most marvellous thing I've had in eons ! Finely sliced, lovingly baked with careful layers of cheese,omg, I'm in heaven.

Weeks later....

All it took was a short phone call, before 2 eager men lugged this 30 minutes later

 Wasn't neccessary as it is light enough to be lifted with one hand.

Now just where am I gonna put this ?

( NH ) Cold cuts,pickles & cheese - Mediteca

 

 

It's been a long time since I've seen someone pour so much love,dedication and pride into his craft. That's part of the reason why people are raving over Mediteca. Chef Riccardo is the secret ingredient.

Entirely approachable, he's downright serious when it comes to getting the art of making delicious food, just right, for each and every customer that walks through the door. 

The machine you see here is what he uses to personally slice cold cuts as the customers come... one platter at a time.

No precuts left out in the open to dry.

 

 

 

 

Fact is, most Malaysians ( me included )  have never actually been that fond of cold cuts and hard cheeses . Last items to be finished at the buffet table if you ever noticed . But ah,wait, this is where he works his magic.

Max Steel - Ultra Blast

 

 

 

The Max Steel range of toys have evolved from what was initially a sporty Ken wannabe into this cross between a star trooper, power ranger and thundercat.

Yank his leg and that big black nasty looking gun called the Quick-Draw Blaster,immediately comes up in a knee jerk reaction to counter thy folly.

 

 

 

The missile on his backpack shows he means ultragalactic business.Shoots out so care must be taken with smaller kids....if not Pew pew ...I can handle it.

1st Tab3

 

 

 

Untold effort and time , went into acquiring this gadget.

 

 

 

Good way to start my November, don't you think ?

Don't play with fire

To whoever it is who keeps looking at my Minyak Dagu post (every public holiday without fail )

If you're having trouble with your hubby or boyfriend, please don't resort to this method. If he doesn't love you anymore or has found someone new , learn to live and let go. Let it be. 

You cannot cage someone this way. It's not fair to you or to him. In fact it's just wrong of you to entertain such thoughts. 

Thought of the side effects ? What about the consequences? 

 Don't care ? What if someone did this to you instead ?

I'm writing this open letter to you because frankly I'm worried about you. You just need to learn how to exude more confidence by first learning to love yourself. If you can't get him to love you back no more, always believe in second chances. If he wants out , there's a whole life out there ok ? 

Life is too short . Love cannot be bottled . Happiness cannot be put on a shelf. Sometimes marriage is not longlasting. It takes two to tango.  And in your case, maybe the music just died. Think it over before you take this path of no return . 

P&G / Tesco - Hand luggage

 

 

In a departure from the norm,there are no forms for you to fill and send. In fact, they were even advertised in major newspapers this time round.

 

 

 

For purchasing RM$80 worth of products , you get the option of the RM$100 handcarry bag ( really?) in maroon or....

KFC Chicky Meal Magic Drawing Book

Before the age of tablets, this is what some of us played with.

Of course until the top plastic layer gets screwed up somehow or other

 

 

 

For those of you who remember what fun this used to be, it comes in4 designs.

 

 

 

 

 

Whether you give it to the kids or stash it for yourself, as in all KFC premiums get it quick before its gone

 

Location : KFC outlets in Malaysia

 



Sweet guess

 

 

There's something about Badiuzaman, a phenomenon in the comping circle.

His name is spelt with one Z not 2 Z's. The guy in the picture below, who works in Penang, is not him, just using this as an example.

 

 

 

Happens that a couple of days back, he held a mini contest for his facebook friends. It was so earnestly yet hilariously contested at the time (mind you , it drew almost 200 guesses )....

that when this arrived through the post today , you should have seen me grin.

What's a few more months

 

 

 We got to know Mehmet 20 years back .

He was just a humble chef,flown in by a local gourmand, who made the most delicious kebabs and grilled vegies I've ever had in my life. He didn't speak much English, but we all got on fabulously, us and that big moustached man . Made a huge impression on me and I've always wanted to come here ever since.

 

 

 

 

 

Fast forward, we've lost contact, but what's a couple more months to wait, as I patiently bid my time to visit the homeland he so missed during the time he was here.

 

Sofy Body Fit - 3 tier jewellery box

 

 

Forget about the huge Sephora box which I missed out on. This earns a place right on the dressing table straight away.

 

 

 

 

Especially love the antique looking handle and clasp.

Sorry Faizah.....

Yup, this nice reporter sent me an email yesterday, requesting for interview,and I feel so bad for replying in the negative. Yeah, I'm such a paradox of conflicting signals. One minute I have a public blog, next I run away like a coward from a media interview. Sheesh, no, I can't even understand myself.

 Of course , while I know that such massive exposure in the mainstream newspapers would bring a flood of visitors, at the same time , I don't think I'm prepared for such publicity.Or maybe I just never cease to be amazed that people out there actually bother to read my stuff, the things I like , collect and care about.

So sorry Faizah, maybe I'm not prepared to do this just yet. Hope you understand. K ?

Warung PGK - everything celup tepung

 

 

This stall has been visited by Jalan-Jalan Cari Makan, the tv show, so I guess it has to be good right ? I mean judging from the line ?

 

 

 

 

On the menu was fish, sweet potatoes, mushrooms and a whole variety of other ingredients. Squid is rare so I guess we were kind of lucky to be able to get some on the day we visited .

One thing worth taking note of is the white board. Spot the big order from the state palace,mind you.

( NH ) Midnight queue- Air Itam Duck Rice

Update 16th August : 
this is why Penangites are reluctant to recommend their favourite haunts to outsiders. There are too many customers now. It makes the traders head grow very big. Quality is compromised. Standards have dropped. The other night I was here, the pork was not fresh, the meat very salty, I got a hard boiled egg that already went bad, plus the rice was too soggy.

---------

And so, I finally went and did it. Joined the queue for the famous midnight duck rice in Air Itam, that is.

Look carefully at the picture and try to spot the 3 boys in pyjamas. Nothing unusual except for the fact that they're full grown Teenagers !

Have always been very fond of Air Itam because of all it's quirky familiarness but this stall certainly takes the cake.

There are just so many patient people , united in the still of the night , awaiting their turn like a congregation of confessioners at a chapel of food.

Dear Pok Mat

Pok Mat has been working at this resort since the day it first opened. I'm sure that in his heyday, he too must have been as popular as Benny and the other fabulous beachboys.
But when he bragged that if I had followed his boat * yes, he's a boatman *, I would not only shed my fear of the water, I would also be able to snorkel like the rest,swim freely even, I just laughed my head off.

Turns out he, had the last laugh because somehow, that was the day I momentarily put aside my phobia.
" You must believe in your lifejacket" " You must believe that when you put it on, you will never drown"

Give Me Back .... Boleh ?

Some bafoon credited $5 into my phone last night and called me 6 times to retrieve it. I'd left my phone in the car and when I finally got back in, he rang again. At first I couldn't make out if he was trying to scam me or made a genuine misake.

Bangla : Hello, can you give me back

Me : Give you back what ?

Bangla : The $5 I put in just now

Me :  What $ 5 ? Where got ?

Bangla : Give me back ...boleh ?

Me : Excuse me, I am not a shop, you have the wrong number

Bangla : Are you, Malay or Indian ?

Me : Chinese, why ?

Bangla : ( pauses ) Can you give me back ?

Me : Dei !!! I am not a shop. Wrong number, wrong number...goodbye !!!!

And only then I check my messages . Holy sheet, someone did top up $5 into my phone

Embarassed, I call him back ( read : again without checking some details )

Me : Eh, really got wor. 

Bangla : Give me back... Boleh ?

Me : ya, ya, wait let me try first

Bangla : Give me back

Me : can you wait, I need to figure this out first

Bangla : ok

And then only after putting down the phone do I discover his number is not the same telco company as mine. Sheesh...call back time ( wai em ai soh setupeed ? )

Legendary $45 Burger - Hard Rock Cafe Penang

 

 

 

Depending on the accomodation package you book , this gigantic snack could be yours to enjoy for free .

Otherwise, you'll have to fork out RM$50 ++ for this platter.

Even if you have to, it's worth every ringgit just splashing out on this treat.

 

 

 

 

The fun part is there are not one but 4 sauces to choose from with one very nice and cool salad mix in the middle where the glass cup is, with plenty of olives to munch on.

Tupelo Chicken Tenders were meaty and good, Santa Fe spring rolls were delightful,

and Onion rings were just the way I like it .

But we had to fight for the Hickory smoked wings as well as the Potato skins with bacon bits.