Melaka, Malaysia Day 9: Aug 14

Most of this day was spent at Melaka, prior to the final journey to Singapore. My dad and I visited the maritime museum as well as the Malaysian Navy Museum, while the rest went for culture museums. Melaka has a very interesting history of Portugese, Dutch, and British influence, all trying to establish Melaka as a prominent port.

Finally before saying goodbye to Melaka, a river cruise was in store for just RM 10. On the cruise, you traverse through the river that glides on the western edge of the city, going near historical Malay villages, shopping districts, wetlands, and Monitor Lizard homes. We saw a grand total of 6 Monitor Lizards. The boats are actually pretty clean and comfortable, and while the river is a bit grimy, it is a great way to see a lot of the city. If you want to get off at a memorable stop, just ask the driver, who will let you off at one of the many other docks on the riverside. On the journey a bunch of Japanese tourists thought some monitor lizards were cuter than others. This provoked a whole ship-wide argument at the back of the ship about which Monitor Lizards were cuter.

Since everyone liked the clean hawker center, we of course had to go again. So for a late snack, more satay, chicken rice, lime juice, etc. was consumed. At the back is a halal section, for Muslims. Finally, after a tiring day exploring the corners of the old town of Melaka, we departed for Singapore, what should theoretically be a short drive.

One great thing about Malaysia is the rest stops along the highways. Since the expressways are tolled, going into the cities is a little bit inconvenient, and rest stops are erected along highways. Some rest stops are boring, while others are stunningly big, fancy, clean, and travel friendly. Tapah is one of my favorites, right before Kuala Lumpur, but on the drive to Singapore we passed another nice one which I have forgotten the name. Containing plenty food stalls, grocery stores, fruit stands, bathrooms, fast food chains, one should not go hungry.

There are two bridges into Singapore, the Tuas one and Woodlands one. The Woodlands was chosen as our route, which was a routine bridge, except for the large pipes along the bridge. These pipes carry unpurified water from Malaysia to Singapore in which Singapore purifies it and sells it back to Malaysia. The border crossing was modern, and pretty efficient except the long immigration forms. Driving into Singapore is a little strange, as you have to get an Autopass card which enables you to park, drive, and exit Singapore. Money is held in the card, and deducted with a scan of the card. Efficient, but confusing.

After another 30 minutes of driving, we reached our final destination-Crowne Plaza Changi Airport to pick up my sister the next day.

Melaka, Malaysia Day 8: Aug 13

Days have accumulated with no blogging. However, most of the time internet was either inaccessible or I just didn't have the time. I'm writing out a couple tonight. Thanks for reading.

Waking up rather early for a swan boat ride on the Taiping Lake Gardens, we all were greeted with disappointment that it was closed. Heading down the green North-South expressway, E1 to Kuala Lumpur, we visited my aunt who lives in Petaling Jaya. At PJ, they have really good chasew bows, and many other pastries at shops. Kuala Lumpur is a dense city, needing one hour to get from north to south in little traffic. An annoying thing about Kuala Lumpur is all of the tolls. Pretty much each expressway is tolled, and most of the highways.

Melaka is a UNESCO heritage city, and was dependent on the ups and downs of colonial powers. Overtaken in port, agriculture, and tourism by nearby Singapore and Penang, Melaka used to be a dying and failing city. However, tourism has really helped turn this place around. Tour buses line many streets. The Eye on Malaysia is also in Melaka, as well as a lot of museums.

After a lengthy sprint from Taiping, the drive finally ended in a surprisingly busy and traffic filled one way town. Old colonial buildings such as churches met our pleasant Holiday Inn.

Dinner was at a very clean hawker center just to the right of the main brick road heading East. This was the first time on the trip that I had satay, and it certainly did not disappoint. Some travel just to go to a hotel that is a mirror of home. Others for food. Or others just for the plain experience of a different, unique town, like Melaka.

Taiping, Malaysia Day 7: Aug 12

The ultimate destination of the roadtrip is singapore and back. At Singapore we will visit friends and pick up my arriving sister from Berkeley. Driving from Penang to Singapore takes about eight hours nonstop. The trip will be broken up into segments. The first segment was Taiping.

Leaving Penang a bit after noon, the drive across the bridge took approximately 20 minutes to get to Butterworth, the mainland. Penang is an island and has a bridge connecting it to the mainland, with another one being built. The drive to taiping is relatively short, taking about 1 hour and 10 minutes. Even though notorious for rain, it was not dashing down when we arrived. Yet. The town of taiping is decently sized with the lakes just down the road from the main city. A string of lights snakes it's way through the main street, charming off a friendly, touristy feel.

After checking in to the hotel (also check out my hotel blog including ratings and reviews of each hotel, along with a flights blog), we had an early dinner at the hawker store or coffeeshop right next to the lakes. Business had yet to pick up yet, but food was pretty good with dried wonton and chicken rice for me. The chicken rice was dissappointing and seemed very fake with plain rice with some sauce over it and mainly bony chicken, whereas the dried wonton tasted good but the chawsew was dominantly fat. Eating was done again after exploring the lake and the giant slides, wide enough for five to sit side by side comfortably. Heading downtown supper was eaten at KFC. Again pretty friendly staff at KFC.

The next stop is Melaka, a former Portugese settlement, the first on Malaysia. Melaka is visited for food, views of the water, and ancient buildings. The day stop will be Kuala Lumpur to visit my grand aunt. Driving time from taiping to Melaka nonstop is around 5.5 hours. Goodnight, it's been a tiring day.

An additional note is that drivers here are very eager and impatient. A small little motorcycle took on a refrigerator truck while a two seater talegated our suv. Much more impatient than Penang

Penang, Malaysia Day 6: Aug 11-Dried Wonton, Peculiar Parking, Fish Balls (Ew), and Massage Chairs

Today was another day of no rains. Penang for now is over for this section of the trip, as Taiping, Malaysia is the next destination for tomorrow. About an hour's drive south in good traffic, but up to two hours if traffic persists over the Penang Bridge. Yesterday I heard from a couple people that they are building another Penang Bridge, slightly north of Bayen Lepas, at Batu Muang. Penang really really needs a traffic solution.

After hanging out at my grandmother's house for awhile, hawker food in the form of dried wonton and white fun noodles was consumed for lunch. Dried wonton is a Penang specialty, basically taking wonton noodles and putting them in a dry soy sauce. Although slightly overpowering with salt, the taste is great. Searching and Kuala Lumpur, or Ipoh, or Singapore for dried wonton is usually fruitless, as it is most well known in Penang.

Subsequent to staying at the air conditioned hotel waiting for the clock to arrive at 6, my family, aunt, and cousin had dinner at a place on Macalister Road, near Komtar, and also near Nyonya Breeze (my cousin's restaurant).

The restaurant is not for luxurious types, or types not willing to experiment. In fact, it's for exactly the opposite. Floors are usually covered with a slight grit, kitchens look uncookable. Food is left in the bug wilderness open air. But never mind (la). It's an experience.

Going to find parking on Macalister Road is no easy feat. While going up Madras Lane, we thought we found a parking spot. However a big gas can covered. In Malaysia that means don't touch. Although not legal, this is pretty much like a mama wolf claiming property. With gas. I watched and silently pitied while laughing at the car behind us who moved the gas can and parked. Later on, there is probably a 100% chance of their car being key scratched. At a red light two cars passed cigarettes to each other. At a bread stall, in the middle of Macalister Road (a main road) a car skidded to a stop to buy his bread in the middle of traffic. Later on he walked across the street to by some Iced Coffee. His car was in the middle for a good 20 minutes. Motorcycles weave in and out of cars, as if on a ski course. One second of hesitation while driving and you are honked. Such happenings can be cllasified as only in Asia or only in Malaysia.

Last year while driving to large limestone caves near Ipoh, we saw cows charging up the road towards us. A big bus overtook us and went right through the cows. Still they charged. Apparently if you kill any cow, the locals will come charge your car with anything they have. Sticks, stones, cow bones, etc. Don't hit cows. I was reminded of such with the gas in the parking spot incident. Some people here are very very protective of their objects-even gas and parking spots.

Sitting down at the partially covered, outdoor New Town Steamboat Restaurant, one should immediately notice large uncovered gas tanks. These are the supplies for the steamboat. For goodness sake, please don't smoke anyone. Immediately workers filled divided pots with half spicy soup and half non-spicy for lack of better words. The food is set out like a buffet, including vegetables, plenty of pre cooked dim sum, fish balls (which I kept on mistaking for tofu, resulting in a gruesome bite), meats, noodles, rice, and finally bread with Kaya (Malaysian jam often filled with coconut). Eating environment is a bit hot, but the atmosphere is quite charming, with multiple conversations going on, steam tossed at your face, and aromas swimming towards your nose. Despite the big explosive gas tank next to me I began to start to like this place.

My like grew, as the variety of the food for a flat fee of RM18.50 grew. Drinks were also on the house, resulting in a more favorable view of the place. If one can stop thinking about hygene, and really enjoy the atmosphere, one should love the New Town Steamboat Restaurant. My favorite was grilling the corn on the foil provided over the soup. Creativity is useful in steamboat, as it will be more fun.

Later on my family got to try out massage chairs at my aunt's house. I absolutely loved it. Especially the neck. However, it is a little creepy how much it feels like hands sometimes, and when it gets to your head, you wonder just how strong this chair could be. Technology is evolving too fast even for me, as I think these things might one day become stronger than humans. For a massage though that I definitely wanted, I enjoy these chairs.

Off to Taiping, Malaysia now-the wettest place in Malaysia, and boasting the famous lake gardens which used to be mine pools.

Penang, Malaysia Day 5: Aug 10-Drains, Lanes, Canes, and Surprisingly No Rains

**A couple pictures are up! More to come. Click on 'older posts' to see posts with picture, or click on the items on the sidebar on the right.**

One of the key parts I have left out is the weather! Nights have been twirled with thunderstorms and lightning while days contain rains mostly, but today there were surprisingly no rains. Having finally caught up on the blog, from now on, each thing i write is current to the day I write it. Hurray. Thanks for reading.

Waking up late as usual, my dad and I had to take my grandmother shopping at famous Campbell Street. Kind of the Pike Place Market of Seattle, Orchard Road of Singapore. Just a bit dirtier. Drains line the small lanes. These lanes are not your average drains though, these are giant sometimes 5 feet deep drains. Hold on to your kids.

Anyway, lunch for me before had been Kentucky Fried Chicken, a good old American fast food chain serving unhealthy stuff around the world. The one and only note about this KFC, was the staff was some of the best I've seen at a fast food restaurant. Since my fish burger took a bit longer, we all got complimentary small cups of coke, and each customer was greeted with a couple lines of unique conversation. Impressive.

For fruit, although there are plenty places to get it at Penang, I highly recommend the fruit shack/stall one street after Campbell Street, driving northwest. The guy is very friendly and fruit is at a cheap price for good fruit. Steamed corn is a bit plain, but very healthy and good.

After hanging around at relative's houses a bit, it was time for dinner. Queensbay Mall, along the eastern coast of Penang, just a touch south of the Penang Bridge, is stereotyped as being expensive and 'no good la'. Well, let's see.

As in most places around Penang, with the hot and humid weather, trotting into an air conditioned blasted room really puts one in a good mood. However, as the night wore on, the air conditioned got colder and colder and really uncomfortable. Picky? Yes. But seriously, Malaysians seem to either hate air conditioning or love it with an obssessive burning passion.

Paddington House of Pancakes is located in the South Zone on the first floor. Business seemed poor, but the colors of the menu are not poor. Never ever, have I seen such a menu. It seems to be more in place at a Borders across the hallway. A giant hardcover book thuds onto your table. I flip a page, flip, flip, flip, and flip some more. If reading the word 'flip' gives you a headache, well then you probably shouldn't go to this restaurant. Dishes can be called out in a 'chicken sausage with salami with egg with potatoes with american pancakes with tomatoes' in a blur, or a simple '406'. (406 is what I ordered and is actually what i stated there.)

Now the exchange rate between the Malaysian Ringgit and US dollar is decent, mind you, but people who live on Penang are stingy, so I am told. In that case, then Paddington's House of Pancakes is a big rip off for Penang standards. Dishes with fish cost 30-40 RM, while specials cost around 20 RM.

Even though the menu can give you a headache, it serves an abundant amount of choices. I never knew pancakes could be flipped so many ways so to speak. Crepes with sugar, crepes with salt, pancakes with salt, pancakes with sugar, buckwheat (?) (Russian Pancakes), Dutch pancakes, French Pancakes, Moroccan style crepes, Chicago styled pancake burgers. What a thrill. Reading the menu is a feast enough for me, as large portrait pictures entice you with larger than real life sparkling reflective entrees. I would buy one of these menus if I could; they are a masterpiece. However since they are soo big, some occasionally zoom in by sugar or salt, chicken or pork...or beef or fish or salmon or tuna or lamb or (fill in your country's meat). Thus zooming in encounters a slight problem.

One has the right to be slightly dissappointed when the food comes, as the pictures as usual look better. And bigger, as my aunt loves to point out. Have nothing to fear, just take one bite and instantly your mind will immediately try to justify the prices. Chicken sausage was the only bad thing, slightly undercooked for my taste, still a bit runny, but potatoes, salami, and pancakes were flawless topped off with a rich gravy. Dessert platters also look enticing, and a special on the menu is suitable for up to 10 people. 10 scoops of ice cream, with mini pancakes, with more pancakes and of course the complimentary scoop of syrup. Overall a great place, if you are willing to foot the bill.

One last thing is during the afternoon we looked for a cane for my relative. We went to a store close to Gurney Drive called PMS (yea), standing for Penang Medical Supplies. People were rather unfriendly and quite rude actually. Wouldn't recommend it.

Getting pretty tired now, so I shall sign off now. Gotta wake up early to meet someone at 11. Grr. Waking up early is hard. 'Night

Penang, Malaysia Day 4: Aug 9-Can do la, Ferry routes in a swimming pool, and Hawkers

Now, I haven't talked much about Malaysia culture or style. This little happening should explain a little bit about the 'can do la' attitude.

Waking up rather early to swim (ok, fine 10 am), I found a 4.5 meter deep pull filled with a border of standing room only. Kids on holidays filled the pool. However, since they didn't know how to swim half of the pull was empty. Except for the occasional ferry of kids. They took life saver inflatables and used them to kick kick kick across the pool. One inflatable could take a 'driver' and two kids. The driver's a kid by the way, using his feet to kick. Once the kids got across, the ferry boat driver would turn around, leaving the passengers clinging to the wall.

Multiple amounts of these shuttles occurre, and boy was it comical. Not wanting to be the only one able to swim and having to save a bunch of kids, I left. Mothers fully clothed lined the pool on lounge chairs snoozing. Just the accident waiting to happen. And using life inflatables to create a little water taxi was completely Malaysian.

Meeting my aunt for lunch, we drove half an hour to downtown Macallister Road, where on a side street is Nyonya Breeze a restaurant which my cousin part owns. Going in one is immediately put in a good mood with a clean atmosphere and strong airconditioning. Dishes had were pickled fish, sweet and sour fried fish, a creamy shrimp dish, fried chicken, potato leaf soup, and customary rice. Each dish was bursing with defined flavor, pleasing the taste buds. Service can take a little bit long for impatient people, as the restaurant flows with people from all races and cultures.

The hotel was made the immediate next destination, as my sister started feeling a little bit strange. Dinner was without her with relatives, while my dad and her stayed at the hotel, at Eastern Wishes, a Chinese/Nyonyan/Thai restaurant. A huge fish was served in the middle with chicken, lo bak (fried pork), broccoli, and egg dishes on the side. The fish was only average without much flavor which seems to be the style around here, expecially when steamed. The sweet and sour chicken was a blessing to the taste buds and was the best dish for me.

Afterwards was spent going to the hawker stall next door for banjangqiu(?), which are fried thin crispy pancakes. The hawker stall was next to B-suites, and filled with life. Hawker stalls are really a thing that I miss in America, as there is something about the quickness, and just a bit below health standard hawker stalls that define Asia, and especially Penang. Gurney Drive is occasionally mentioned as the hawker place in Asia, along the Northeastern coast of Penang.

Trip is sadly 1/3 done, which is very dissppointing. However, home will be nice for sturdy water heaters, non bug filled corn, etc. Like hawkers, there is something you gotta love about Malaysia and the 'can do la' attitude, and the beautiful, burning red sunsets that drop behind the rolling hills of the mainland.

Penang, Malaysia Day 3: Aug 8-Shopping, Sucking fish heads, and Terrimikasu (sp)

**Pictures should be up in the next couple days.**

It was time. For a completely new thing that had never been done before in this trip: shopping. No, we had been shopping pretty much every day since we arrived, actually everyday. But alas, my grandmother needed supplies from Tesco, a Costco type warehouse store. Tesco is what you would expect from a giant warehouse store, with cheap prices, and lots of products ranging from ping pong balls to boxers to coconut oil.

The highlight was lunch at the Chicken Rice Shop, with my family ordering a RM90 Family Fiesta set meal containing 12 things. Fish balls, salad, rice, chicken, assam fish, sprite, fruit cocktail, tofu, vegetables, chicken soup, and some other miscellaneous item. Pretty worth it, with great service, and even better food. Chicken rice is amazing here. The atmosphere is pretty clean and family friendly, so this joint is highly recommended.

Dinner was with relatives at a Chinese seafood restaurant just a bit north of Bayen Lepas. The name I have forgotten already, but the food was pretty decent with a whole fish and chicken wrapped in leaves as the highlights. In Asian/Malaysian style, adults at adjacent tables suck on fish heads til they're bone (or brain), and let out a burp. Chicken was extremely crispy, while the fish was nice and tender. Not bad food, just a bit pricey for Malaysian standards.

Well I have to go now, but thank you for reading. Hope all is well in Seattle, Bellevue, Redmond, and to all who have read this far. Terrimikasu.

Penang, Malaysia Day 2: Aug 7-Bundles of cash, "Western food", and Nokias

After sleeping in, my family decided it was off to another mall this time, Queensbay Mall, which was fine for me as there are American brands that I buy there at a cheaper price. A food court serving mostly Malaysian food and Thai food in a cleaner environment than the outdoor hawkers was hit for lunch. I obtained a Chicken combo which included roasted chicken, chicken rice, tofu, and vegetables. Paying for food is slightly strange, as you order, go to the cashier in the center, and then come back with a stamped piece of paper and get your food. The food was a little bit dissapointing, chicken a bit cold, vegetables a bit too hard. But for RM9, about 3.5 US dollars, its pretty worth it. A pretzel was consumed outside the premises of the food court from Auntie Annes.

Quiksilver, Gap, Levi's, etc. are just a few of the brands around here. Prices are about 5-10 dollars cheaper than the U.S. in general, but to pay you have to bring out wads of cash, as 2 tshirts priced at $15 american cost a bit more than RM100.

After visiting relatives, dinner was at 9pm, because relatives always take longer than expected. This time it was Prangin Mall again, on the restaurant directly above Wong Kok Kitchen, called Homestyle Grill. Still feeling some stomach problems, I had chicken crisps, which were actually extremely delicious. Crispy breaded chicken. However, my family did not like there food, as msg was too strong, and western food was a poor imitation.

For communication purposes, my dad got us a cell phone here in Malaysia. It's the most basic Nokia: the 1202. Cool features include a smooth keypad that is dust resistant, a flashlight, multiple profiles, multiple phonebooks, and an easy grip back. Very basic, but is pretty fun to use with added small touches. Hope all is well in Seattle, and for everyone who reads this.

Penang, Malaysia Day 1: Aug 6-Pay per use toilets, and even more "

The concept of time is fascinating. Being a 3 days behind on my blogs as of right now really throws me off. I will do my best to recount my first half week in Penang, Malaysia. Thanks for reading.

Now 15 hours ahead of Seattle time, breakfast was consumed in the form of oreos. Comfort food. The morning was spent shopping at Prangin Mall, next to Komtar, the tallest building in Penang. Komtar is a sad story, who got overshadowed by Prangin Mall, not by size but by amounts of business. Komtar is dirty and even a little dangerous at some parts, no matter what some tourbooks say of Komtar being a 'must see'. A 'must see' for bugs and dirt perhaps and also pay per use toilets, but not much else is a 'must see'. (Prangin mall also has pay per use toilets too tho. Keep that spare change.)

Lunch was spent at a Hong Kong restaurant, called Wong Kok Kitchen. It's pretty easy to find on the third floor, near the center of the mall, and very visible. Menu contains rice, noodles, chicken, etc. Coming from the U.S. conversion rates are very good, making food cheap. Portions a little bit small, but it wouldn't be a problem to get two portions. BBQ chicken with noodles in soup is delicious, with the meat actually being almost 100% meat. Service was very attentive, much more so than in America which made me a bit uncomfortable, but that is the style around here. Overall, a great place to try for visitors and locals. There is also a small bakery case towards the left of the entrance serving some of the best egg tarts that I have ever tasted.

When the sun went down, so did my stomach. Dinner was skipped lying in bed, suffering through jet lag, as it was 2am at home at that time. I slept until about10 the next morning.

Selamat Datang (Welcome)

Packing up the few remaining essentials, and electronics, i am about ready to go. Blogging should be frequent throughout my stay in Malaysia. However, before heading off to Malaysia, I am going through the Bay Area for seeing my sister. All of my posts in San Francisco and Malaysia will be kept in this blog.

I forgot to mention the purpose of this trip.
Malaysia is to visit my many relatives there. Vacation is made out of it for my family and i.
I hope this will encourage you to go to Malaysia and travel in general.