Dinner at Cafe-Cafe 31-12-2010

It was the last day of the year 2010 and we have decided to have the last dinner of the year at some place classic and chic restaurant. So we tried out this French cuisine at Cafe Cafe, located near to junction of Jalan Maharajalela, but it can not be seen from the road side as there are trees in front of the restaurant. It just at the corner of the building, beside of BSN Bank, same block with the famous Hokkien Mee.

The pricing over here can be considered middle to high price and some time (if in luck), you might meet some of local celebrities. The atmosphere here was very romantic, classic and is a good restaurant to have dinner with your loved one, for anniversary, for proposal (hehe J), special occasions and etc. Well, it is also good to be here with family and friends for dinner or lunch. I have the set menu, Gourmet 1, which cost RM79, two of my friend have this Gourmet 2 (RM99) (mainly because the Escargot, which I do not like to eat), and another have salad, penne and duck confit. So, we were give the bread & butter to start off our meal....

Wild mushroom soup

Special chef of the day

Lamb shank cooked in red wine with coriander seeds and orange

Cheese (with set menu)

Lemon tart/Chocolate tart

Baked escargot with butter and parsley

Baked Portobello with ricotta cheese

Duck confit with sauté potato served with du puy lentils and onion confit

Penne with bacon and mushroom in cream sauce

Wild rocket with parmigiano, pine nuts, pear and foie gras reduction

Beautiful letter written by a father to his son! This applies to daughters too. Use this in your teachings to your children.

The father wrote this to his son;-

I am writing this to you because of 3 reasons

1.Life, fortune and mishaps are unpredictable, nobody knows how long he lives. Some words are better said early.

2. I am your father, and if I don't tell you these, no one else will.

3. What is written is my own personal bitter experiences that perhaps could save you a lot of unnecessary heartaches.

Remember the following as you go through life;-

1. Do not bear grudge towards those who are not good to you. No one has the responsibility of treating you well, except your mother and I. To those who are good to you, you have to treasure it and be thankful, and ALSO you have to be cautious, because, everyone has a motive for every move. When a person is good to you, it does not mean he really likes you. You have to be careful, don't hastily regard him as a real friend.

2. No one is indispensable, nothing in the world that you must possess. Once you understand this idea, it would be easier for you to go through life when people around you don't want you anymore, or when you lose what/who you love most.

3. Life is short. When you waste your life today, tomorrow you would find that life is leaving you. The earlier you treasure your life, the better you enjoy life.

4. Love is but a transient feeling, and this feeling would fade with time and with one's mood. If your so called loved one leaves you, be patient, time will wash away your aches and sadness. Don't over exaggerate the beauty and sweetness of love, and don't over exaggerate the sadness of falling out of love.

5. A lot of successful people did not receive a good education, that does not mean that you can be successful by not studying hard! Whatever knowledge you gain is your weapon in life. One can go from rags to riches, but one has to start from some rags!

6. I do not expect you to financially support me when I am old, either would I financially support your whole life. My responsibility as a supporter ends when you are grown up. After that, you decide whether you want to travel in a public transport or in your limousine, whether rich or poor.

7. You honour your words, but don't expect others to be so. You can be good to people, but don't expect people to be good to you. If you don't understand this, you would end up with unnecessary troubles.

8. I have bought lotteries for umpteen years, but I never strike any prize. That shows if you want to be rich, you have to work hard! There is no free lunch!

9. No matter how much time I have with you, let's treasure the time we have together. We do not know if we would meet again in our next life.

Your Ever loving Dad.

Christmas Lunch (cooked by me)

Christmas at Home 25-12-2010

It was another Christmas but this year was special to my family because one of our member gone backed to God. We still felt the missing part althought it has been 4 months half gone but the living are still living. We just celebrate this year's christmas in low profile, no invitation to other and just between my mon, sis and brother (who cant make it as he is in Tengganu and only able to come back a week later).

As usual, i am the in-change person to decide what to eat on every christmas, of course with they opinions in the preparation. This year, i will be cooking pork ribs in grilled style with wine sauce.

Next, mashed potato and this time i using australia potato, as the texture is more smooth and light, just nice to mix with mushroom sauce and pepper.

First time trying to make cheese cream white sauce angel hair with seafood, including salmon, squid & mussel. Its turn out very creamy and nice, will try the same cooking style with other ingredients in future.

Ah, i am good in chinese style spaghetti with meat, vegetable and any ingredients that you may think of, for this dish, we need a strong fire to have the "wok" taste.

As for the drink, i prepared the sangria cocktail with vodka, orange juice and lime, wine and soft drink.

It was another christmas celebration with family and it would be more merry (especially for my mother if my brother is around). May we have this great time together often and God blessed.

Day 15 Hat Yai to Malaysia

Day 15 Hat Yai to Malaysia

From Ko Phi Phi, I took boat ferries to Krabi, from 1100am and reached around 130pm. From there, I took the bus to Krabi town and exchange buses to Hat Yai.

I just managed to walk around places nearby the bus station as I do not want to miss out the bus and the last bus from Hat Yai to Malaysia depart on 730pm (please note that from Krabi to Hat Yai requires 4-5 hours travel journey).

circle in red, broader of Thai-Malaysia

Once I get on the bus, I fell happy going back to Malaysia but wish to stay longer in Thailand, well, who do not want holiday right…. (Please see the red circle… the broader line of Thailand – Malaysia). The journey to Kuala Lumpur will take around 8 hours and reached in KL sentre around 500am. It was the end of my begpacking in Thailand and I can not wait for my next trip (do not know it would be la…)….=>

***The end***

Day 14 Ko Phi Phi

Day 14 Ko Phi Phi

I was happy with my trip to Ko Phi Phi and it was, the most beautiful island I have visited (so far la). This island is actually joined by two islands by a narrow isthmus flanked by the stunning Ao Ton Sai and Ao Lo Dalam, forming two beautiful beaches. The main deck is located in Ao Ton Sai, with most of the facilities in Ton Sai village.

I wanted to stay at some place far from the main spot location, and I choose Viking Resort (highly recommended in future la). This resort has two own beaches which really nice. Since it was low session, I have the beach for myself, with other 2-3 tourists, felt like my own beach…=>

the resort has boat to pick you up but we need to pay when return to the harbor

beach view just in front of my room...

I do nothing but sleep, relax and swimming…. Was a nice way to enjoy my last few days in Thailand.

Day 12 & 13 Phuket

Day 12 & 13 Phuket

Phuket’s beating heart can be found in Patong, which located halfway down the western coast. But I decided to stay at the southern beaches, Karon, just between Patong and Kata (both chilled places for tourist).

I have engaged a local tour together with some foreigners and tour some places including Big Buddha (hilltop of Chalong with the view of half of the island, some said is the best view point of the island), Wat Chalong (with 36 Buddhas that are seated, reclining or meditating), Wat Phra Thong (or called temple of golden Buddha) and some souvenir shops like jewelry, bird nest, local products etc.

At night, I just walk around Karon street area and Kata street area… well, what else I can do because I was travelled alone (after my friend flight back to Malaysia yesterday). I believe many have been in Phuket Island, so I just post some photos and less wording explaining what is Phuket…

The next month, I took boat ferries to Ko Phi Phi (830am, 130pm or 230pm and cost 350-400Baht).

Day 11 Chatuchak Weekend Market – Phuket

Day 11 Chatuchak Weekend Market – Phuket

One of the must-visit market during weekend is this, Chatuchak Market or the local called it JJ Market. It was consider as the largest market in the world and trust me, one day here is not enough. You can find anything you wanted, just name it and you will find it in this market, from clothing, furniture, house deco things, plants, massage, foods, vintage sneakers, baby things and many other items. We spend half day till 1200pm and only managed to walk around clothing section only.

We have to head back to hotel, checked out and head to airport. My friend heading back to Malaysia and I heading to Phuket island.

Arrived in Phuket around 430pm and took the local bus to town centre (around 1.5 hours and cost 50Baht only, but if you take taxi, you can reach Patong or Phuket town less than 30 minute).