How a local Indian Barbershop celebrates the Chinese New Year

 

See for yourself how it's done.

 

 

 

 

They decided to play safe and put everything lucky up.

Location : Penang



Ridiculous bill

 

 

By right, I should have gotten back RM4,962.70 to be exact for my measly RM37.30 purchase.

Woooo...imagine if I had insisted.

 

 

 

 

Not wrong to daydream eh ? Heh heh

Golden Fortune pizza - Pizza Hut, Giant Bayan Baru

You're probably in for a big surprise when you order this festive meal set. I know, at least I was !

Created in conjunction with the Chinese New Year, we took set No.2 to be exact.
Meaning a pitcher of Mirinda Fizz, a basket of Fortune Platter and the Golden Fortune Pizza was on the way.

Choosing to eat at this outlet made it even better, because the service is absolutely top notch. If I dare say the best in Penang island . I kid you not. Great management, excellent floor staff, cozy ,clean, welcoming environment. Thumbs up !

I knew I had to

Was enjoying a late brunch in Raja Uda, when all of a sudden, this young man stepped in with a huge assortment of woven baskets ( there were so many on both sides of his hands ) as well as a large plastic bagful of thai "minyak angin".
Big laundry baskets, medium sized ones that are good for keeping nappies etc,  small picnic baskets , handbags that were smaller even.

The pile he lugged in was something you couldn't ignore since you'll probably be muttering " What in the world ? "the moment you spot him. 

Baskets made from coloured packing tape.Very creative. Not to mention hard to weave. Yep, my purchase down there.

Bukit Gantang - braving hauntings for a taste of durian

The trip here wasn't pre planned.

Took the old road through Bukit Gantang . So don't mix that up with the R&R on the North South highway.

The drive itself was very pleasant, very cool, with lovely kampung houses throughout, bringing me back to my early childhood days.Then, the first of the durian stalls started to pop up. As I was already stuffed to the brim, had no intention whatsoever to stop.

After the umpteenth stall , I finally spotted one of my own kind. To tell you the truth, when we see other Chinese people stopping to buy something, we also want to go see what's so good about whatever it was he was buying. 

Read : busybody

Reason :our tastebuds are pretty similar, preferences not far from each other and the general mindset is " it must be good "

So, at the next stall, manned by 2 women , I was determined to take a bite.

Her face fell, when I told her I only wanted one. I mean, people buy by the baskets and here, I'm getting just one.

" Mau yang pahit ke ? " ( you prefer the bitter tasting one ? like she knew our preference. I nodded.

Seriously....haven't had a durian as good as this in ages. These kampung species, it's the first break through the membrane that makes you remember for life.

Our conversation is as follows

Short Bosphorus river cruise

This is a picture overloaded post * more than 50 *

If you're not annoyed by that, you're most welcome to come in and take a look. 

That big ship, was not my mode of transport. No sireee...I was on the smaller one which was such a bargain at 10 Lira. Although it was named a short cruise, the route was really far longer than I could have ever imagined

It's November and the air is crisp and fresh, not too cold, just nice, kind and sunny. Ah, I'm looking forward to a relaxing cruise.

Best bait in the world ?

The shiny colour of the bait made me go nearer for a closer look

Bwa hahahahaha

Cheezels, a packet of cheezels can you believe it ?

"This is the last straw ! "

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

Try telling that to these two adorable little ones.

I mean, how not to break into a smile when you get surrounded by kids like these all over the place ? ( Unless of course, you're a fuddy duddy overserious croak to begin with then no one, I repeat, no one, can help you )

 

Creative ways were employed after and during construction. It was a blowpipe before it turned into a "Line " telephone.

Sweet cuteness overload. They're forgiven even if we have to drink from the cup. Haha.

 

View from the top of the Galata Tower

There's a narrow little balcony outside that goes all round the tower top . But since there is only so much legroom, you do have to give and take while jostling for a view

  
While others may lament the cost of the ticket price , me, I have absolutely no regrets coming up here.

BuyingTurkish mozarella at the Egyptian Bazaar

 

 See the pile of noodle like bundle, the bald guy is holding ?
That's fresh Turkish mozarella there. The way he was handling it made it look so fluffy, gosh I knew I had to get some.

 

 

Apparently, the Turks consume cheese like nobody's business, hence you get a couple of counters here selling them by the block. And the cheese men, they're averse to cameras, hence you get shots like this.

Trying out Pide for the first time

There are many Pide shops to be found in this area all the way up to the Grand Bazaar.

As you can see in the picture above, it looks like an oblong pizza

Bird feeding and Bond outside the New Mosque

It's crazy but the New Mosque is not 1, not 10, but 400 plus years old

Located just next to the Spice Bazaar, there is a door within the bazaar ....

The new Penang MPPP parking coupon booklet

Forced and left with no choice but to purchase these coupons that have effectively made the hardworking army of parking attendants , redundant and jobless (who by the way, actually kept car thefts and break ins, to a minimum in areas covered by them,due to their vigilance) , if there's one common word everyone is directing towards the local state government and the MPPP....it has got to be...Park. 

Although the coupon system has been in use in Prai for years already, we simply cannot use those but must purchase these instead. 
 One state, two parking coupon systems. 
Clever. Whose idea was this again ? 

Marc Ma Yu-He ( 馬浴柯 ) - please stay bad forever

Warning : gush post up ahead 

Hell knows how long we've been waiting for a bad ass reckless gangster character to hit the Chinese silver screen.

 

Credit : Yule.sohu.com

And Marc Ma fits the bill to a tee.

Dutch Lady - Sleeping cow keychain

Acquired today, just 3 hours ago.
Sweeeeet....

Was supposed to purchase 2 box packets of their UHT drinks but the nice "Bang" gave it to me, one for one.

Kozde Kanatci Muro - cheapest and most filling

Takes some weaving around the lanes near the Egyptian Bazaar before you can stumble upon this little tuck shop.

I'm just amazed at how much similarity there is to our Pasar Ramadhan's back home. Look at this massive grill and tell me it doesn't remind you of that ? Well, maybe we copied them but who cares, let's sit down and eat.

Breakfast at The Loaf - neither here nor there

I have nothing good to say about this outlet except that this multi nut pastry was scrumptious and that the staff though slow as tortoises, were nice people too.

Coffee tastes stale as the filter it passed through. Bleaugh.

 Breakfast sausage, bland.

Hash browns smell like the inside of the fridge.

Eggs, no butter, meant for dieters.

 Bread not fragrant.

Even the cheese baked on top of the tomato is bleaugh !

Restoran Haji Ramli - peak vs non peak ( U )

Restoran Haji Ramli is immensely popular amongst local and foreign visitors staying near Pantai Cenang, in Langkawi. 

 You can chose to sit outside or in. Makes no difference since some asses don't seem to know how not to light up, seeing how this place employs an open air concept.

Curry Fish head - Hainan Orkid Tropica

Most curry fish head lovers, will know this place.

Under a block of dowdy flats...alllllll the way in Alor Setar.

 We Malaysians, this is how we keep on driving the food industry. Nothing is too far. No zinc roof to lowly,when duty calls for a good eat.

On the 3rd day

Bit by bit they start trickling in.
No safety seal to be found anywhere . Only a company chop and perforated corner.

Small , still I am grateful :)

Tarihi Sultanahmet Koftecisi - Since 1920

Now, don't start comparing this outlet to the fastfood joint, featured a couple of posts before this.
Although they share an almost similar namesake, it comes with an irreplacable old world charm of its own .
 

 

Once inside, I fell totally in love with the place as it reminds me so much of The Coliseum and Le Coq d'Or 
combined.

Italiannies - Gurney Paragon

Our feast resembled the last supper. 
While I wouldn't say that this restaurant is one of the cosiest places I've been to , what I can vouch for is that the food is indeed so hearty , you'd never guess that this was part of a chain outlet.

 

Everyone who's been here have been raving about their pastas and I'm afraid I have to agree with them.

No hype, the carbonara is really, really good with generous portions of bacon bits and enough cheesy goodness to burst that zipper .

Coca-cola fork and spoon set

In the build up to Chinese New Year, Coca-Cola has another very practical freebie for you go ga-ga over.
I'm assuming you already have the free plate from last season, so chances are you'd probably like to add this to your collection.

 Just purchase 2 bottles of the following soft drinks and they're yours

Another safety seal

 

 

Instead of focusing on the contents of the letter...

 

 

 

...I check out the holographic stickers. Gold, silver...fascinating

Here's to 2014

 

 

I never make any New Year resolutions. I don't think it's neccessary because the list always turns out to be a
KIV list.

 Instead I always wonder what the year ahead will be like and what surprises it will hold for me.

 

 

 

 

Here's to 2014 .

Simple as that.

 

 

 



McDonald's gift vouchers

Ever seen McDonald's vouchers up close ? First time for me. As the postman never rings twice, had to go self collect these from the post office today.
Frankly, I'm impressed. 
Glossy and thin, but very impactful. Love the design ! Imagine if they were allowed to designed currency, now that would be interesting indeed.

Back view, comes with a golden holographic sticker. 

Very nice indeed.

Yesterday's news

Many people were anxiously waiting for these results and I only managed to get the hard copy last night.

Nice way to end the year don't you think ?

And thanks to the person who tagged me with regards to this list ya ?

Month end menu

With everything going up,up and up, he handed me this list, on what he thinks we should have for dinner tonight. 

I beg to differ.....

 Sup rambut and Rumput goreng tempura would be much more palatable my dear 

 ;P

Jeruk maman and fist sized prawns - Gurun R&R Northbound (U)

How many times I have passed here, yet only today, I venture in. Wanna kick myself cos most of the dishes are quite good.

Since it's rather early, and there's a lull in the holiday crowd, the staff , though rather busy, can afford a breather to entertain my queries.

Helmet fetish

I love helmets...full faced ones especially.

First was all white, second spat yellow and black hellfire.

Yet the downside is that although they may look so darn good, in our type of sunny all year weather, it's like sticking your head into a kiln, slowly roasting away.

Sultanahmet Koftecisi - Cevahir Mall

Located on level 5 , we made a sweep round the dedicated food floor before deciding to give this chain restaurant a try .

While you'll see their outlets scattered throughout the city, this one's rather compact and small. Yet, although it's almost always full, the service is fast and topnotch from the very busy, but highly approachable and helpful floor manager down to the kitchen help who flashed me a smile .

Cevahir Mall -when taxi is better than bus

Like most seasoned travellers, the instant the word taxi comes up, unless left with no choice, we will try to find another cheaper mode of transport to get to our destination.

So, when the guy at the station told me I could get to Cevahir Mall via tram-bus instead of tram-taxi, I thought nothing of it. Therefore I wasn't prepared to go forth 11 stops only to backtrack via bus, another 11 stops . It's not just crazy, it's insane because the buses are driven at breakneck speed . But I was lucky to find 3 guardian angels, especially the tall, pony tailed, rocker looking guy who guided me till I got down in Mecidiyekoy. Mwah !

That below, is the Trump Towers.

 

Was a bit confusing to find initially, since the area doesn't get much tourists. Frankly, it didn't live up to the hype of being Europe's 2nd largest mall. I think it's small. Get it ? sMall.

Doraemon Santa - makes my Christmas

Yeah managed to get the last Santa Doraemon . Luckily I didn't heed the managers advice to wait for a new batch . 

Have a nice celebration everyone :)

In the Christmas mood

A loved one did this pic up for me. Awww such a sweetheart.

Thought I'd put it up here in appreciation of his effort. Taken 700 metres above sea level.

Thanks bebeh ;)



Baran 2 Restaurant - Divanyolu Caddesi

The last time I made a mistake such as this was in Beijing, but then again, especially when it comes to foreign food which I'm eager to try out, I never learn.

 Won over by the display, which looked so mouthwatering, we walked in since I reasoned, it's been some days since we'd had a hearty plate of rice. 

Of Medusa Heads and the Tear Pillar at the Basillica Cistern

At first I presumed that this was the entrance to the cistern.

But I was wrong... it's at the back street , next to it.

7 hour encounter with a holiday neighbour from hell

Not going to go into t00 many details but this is what happened.
At around 11pm, our neighbour moves in.

Turns out, he and his friends have taken 2 rooms and we are sandwiched between them.These fellas idea of a fun time,are to leave their room door wide open, play loud music,get wasted on the balcony while making phone calls, drinking beer, eating kacang, singing,talking, laughing extremely loudly.

Din goes on till around 1am till I hear someone exasperated yell 
" OOOOIIIIIIII !!!!!!!!" 
"DIAMMMMMLAHHHHHHHH!!!!!"

Drama begins.

The most drunk of the lot starts getting emotional 

He yells back 
" LUUUUUUU  DIAAAAAAAAAAMMMMMMMM !!!!!"

What a bargain

 Mighty pleased with this latest find of mine. Went round comparing till I was finally satisfied with the price,size , colour and quality.

Large luggage bag cost RM102. Impossible to find at this price in Penang. While the small one RM130. Can cost anywhere between RM3oo upwards depending on where you buy this.

Scenes from Taksim Square

When you see this big flag, means you've reached Taksim Square. 

You can hop on the historic red tram which goes into Istiklal Avenue as the starting point is somewhere here.

Starstruck by the Tiger of Jelutong

There I was bugging the girl at the counter to show me the latest cache of freebies. And then, from the corner of my eye I spot something familiar that makes me totally loose my composure.

In disbelief , I stare at the shock of white hair, while he notices my dropped jaw and my eyes that are almost on the verge of popping out of their sockets !

Holy sheeeeeet !!!!!! It's really Karpal Singh !!!!!!!

My insides and brains were scrambled . I was seriously, seriously starstruck or so to put it.

 

Omg omg omg and what do I do next ?

Riding the Funicular to Taksim

From the Kabatas, this is the Funicular you have to transfer to, if you want to get to Taksim Square

Sleek, modern and efficient....

Geranium tea & Teapot soup

Ever tried Geranium tea ? 
Said to be good for sore throat, it can also double up as a diuretic to flush out the kidneys and urinary tract. 

This one here, is an old Penang brand I found stashed away on the upper shelves of a neighbourhood grocer . Jawi writing on the back proves how far back it goes.

A simple thank you

Dear cousin, 

I thank you for today,

It really means a lot to me.

That you don't judge me 

That you have never hurt me.

Thank you for the introductions

For that unexpected hug.

You've been such a bright ray of positivity from the begin,

My cache of crazy memories

You've etched a smile across my heart

And for that, I thank you from the bottom of my heart

Undersigned

The girl who can climb gates haha

Meowzy caturday

One reason why I don't post up much pictures of myself is that most times they just turn out horribly wrong, seeing how I'm totally not photogenic, on the plus size, on top of being a complete klutz at posing.

But yesterday , was such a sunny day, and you know, I'm not getting younger, so let's do this ! Let's snap some 'tos that will serve as my 'when-i-was-young' grandmother stories ( if I ever get there that is ) that I can bore young people with .

Our crazy bus driver takes a shortcut across Taksim Square

You know, all the while I've told you about how nice and hospitable Turkish people are. Well, on the other hand, while stories abound about their maniacal drivers ( fuyoh, can match us Malaysians)  I can show you what happened to me ( us, the whole jingbang of tourists onboard ). 
Our crazy bus driver, on first impression looks like a nice old grandfather. But maigawd, another Malaysian mummy at the back of the bus sums him up in this statement ........ 

" Ohoohohohohooo!!! Bang tengok dia bang ! Terernyer bang ! Dashyatnya bang ! Wohoooo !" half admiring his crazy decision to drive across Taksim Square and get us all on a money cannot buy exclusive tour with him in peh ree zeeen ! Just across is a top secret looking run down police hq ok ?

I give you my experience in 6 blurry pictures of how my life flashed before me.

1. What is he up to this time ? Probably going to park on the kerb and wait for passengers .

2. No wait...wtf ????? He gonna mow them down or what ???

Riding the Historic Red Tram - Istiklal Avenue

Whether you are a kid dangling at the back for a free ride ( won't last long as the driver will shoo you away soon enough)

.....or a full paying adult, there's some magic about these trams.

Favourite exhibits - Istanbul Archaeological Museums

This museum is one of the top ten in the world . There are 3 museums altogether within the same compound and here are some of the amazing exhibits found here

1. The Ishtar Gate featuring dragons, aurochs and lions. Dedicated to Ishtar the Babylonian goddess of love and fertility. Only 3 museums in the world have the sirrush dragon, holy animal of Babylonian chief god Marduk (It's the topmost animal that looks like a stick) and the Istanbul Archaeological Museums is one of them. 

Auroch.

Holy animal of the god Adad

Dogu Mangal Durumevi - Alemdar

Small and unassuming in contrast to glitzy restaurants just round the corner, was where I found this nice little tuck shop.

The sight of a family of four, each finding comfort in a bowl of lentil soup out in the pavement, made me walk in to find a spot for myself.