Tea Secret - Queensbay Mall Opening

On 11.11.2011, Tea Secrets had their Grand Opening in Queensbay Mall. It was a happening affair as many were invited to participate in this special occasion. The public were treated to an opening special in which the drinks were sold at only RM1 each. This caused quite a long queue as many were eager to give it a try.

I would like to congratulate them on their opening and of course we got to sample a drink from them for the opening. But their menu is so varied, that definitely many more visits will be needed to go through their menu. I had on that day, their Japanese Brown Rice Green Tea with some pearls added. The brown rice were brewed with their tea brewing machine and then added to make the tea. It had a earthly tone to the taste and was very happy with it. 

So keep reading as I took more of their photos! Comments welcomed!

Ding Ding!

The eager crowd queueing up 

Thai Bayok Restaurant

I recently had the opportunity to be invited for a food review at Thai Bayok Restaurant which is located at the Heritage Club of Penang. This Thai restaurant has opened for awhile but I guess its not that well known since its not easily seen from outside the compound. So its really great that we get to sample some of their signature dishes here. Do continue reading to know more about this place ya!

Tel : 04-2278308

Address : Restaurant Thai Baiyok , (inside Heritage Club, opposite Penang Sports Club)

2 Jalan Scotland, Penang.

Website: http://thaibaiyok.webs.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thai.b.restauran

GPS : N5.419202, E100.304216

Sign board for Heritage Club

Entrance to Thai Bayok Restaurant

Hong Kong 2011 ~ Tsui Wah Restaurant

After a tiring day, we decided to have dinner after witnessing the light show. Got recommended to try out this place called Tsui Wah Restaurant. It's a place that has lots of branches everywhere and they are slightly more expensive than the norm. The choices are not that much and kind of limited and expect about HKD100 per person including your drinks.

The green sign of the place

Glass door entrance

One of their signature is the toasted bun with condensed milk. At first we thought it will be a pork bun. LOL

Had a coffee with ice cream as I was really thirsty and hot

Tea or Lai Char.

Hong Kong Sui Kow with  wan tan noodle. Their noodles are still way better than many of those found in Penang. The soup its served in is very good too.

This is what I call a Sui Kow. The size and texture. Just like how its made at home.

This is Garoupa fried with bitter gourd. This is really a nice dish though abit pricey. I think its like HKD65. I guess we should not have ordered so many dishes, forgetting that the portions here are much bigger than in Malaysia. But you do get lots of chunks of fish

The last dish is garoupa with king prawns in a egg batter. Its abit like wat tan hor with fish and prawns. Again, pricey and not as taste tantalizing as the bitter gourd one. Very suitable for kids but again, portion is enough to share.

Hong Kong 2011 ~ Light Show

This post is about the infamous Hong Kong Light Show at Tsim Sha Tsui which is on every night of the year. We went to witness this after we went to The Peak. The place to gather is where the Avenue of Stars is located. The time, 8.00pm sharp daily. So from The Peak, we took the bus again to Central Pier and then took the ferry into Tsim Sha Tsui. The ferry was fun and a quick journey across the waters and I was glad to still see many people using it. 

Hong Kong 2011 ~ Madamme Tussauds

Visiting The Peak in Hong Kong, I guess as a tourist, Madamme Tussauds wax museum is an obvious choice for a place to go. Surprisingly, they have quite a number of Asian stars here but I was really disappointed that Jacky Chan wax statue is the only one that is not allowed to be photograph. I'm not sure this is Jacky Chan's fault or Madamme Tussauds trying to milk money out of tourist already spending on tickets, but this is just ridiculous. If it's Jacky's choice, then I'm not sure you can be called "Tai Kor" as this is not something I hope to role model. If you read this ever, I hope you will do something about it.

Anyway, all in all, I guess its a worthwhile place to spend the afternoon. My daughter was really enjoying herself too.

Our own Malaysian superstar! Dato Michelle Yeoh

Hong Kong 2011 ~ Victoria Peak

We were really lucky as my wife got some tips from her friends about taking an open top bus to the Peak tram station from Central Jetty! So for those looking a a fun way to Peak Tram Station, do try this out!

The bus is 15C. Its located infront of Pier 8.

There is a bus every 15 minutes. Didn't get a shot from the front as the queue was getting long and worried of losing our front placing!

Gorgeous clear blue skies

Hong Kong 2011 ~ Apple Store, Central Jetty (Day 2)

After my walk around the Central district and the Dried Seafood Street, our next stop was Victoria Peak. But to get there, we needed to hop on a bus at the Central Jetty. Lo and behold, as we were walking there, we passed by the Apple Store! Apples first and flagship store in Hong Kong. It spans 2 floors and even have the signature glass staircase!

This is the Apple Store famous glass staircase. Its pretty interesting, like you are walking on something so fragile! But also like you are floating

Hong Kong 2011 ~ Around Central!

Well, I guess this post is about some street photos of bustling Hong Kong life. These were mainly taken in Central Hong Kong and there are even the trams still operating here. Its called Ding Ding, as when the tram arrives and leaves, it will ring the bell with the sound of Ding Ding!

So keep browsing to see whats in store as I walkabout this area of Hong Kong!

Pedestrians crossing the many busy road

In between the skyscrapers, there are many many old buildings like these.

Hong Kong 2011 ~ CHE's Cantonese Restaurant

So this is the 2nd day I was in Hong Kong and what a bright sunny morning it is. Finally get to see better where we were staying and the scene out the window was just WOW! I'm 45 storeys high up and surrounded by blocks of building! Just kind of amazes me that these kind of construction is able to take place so closely to each other. Then its off to breakfast or brunch with Dim Sum on the menu today! Read on.

Liberte Apartments in Lai Chi Kok!

Lighthouse Coffee

There is a coffee place which is where coffee lovers hang out in Penang. This place is called Lighthouse Coffee and its located in Logan's Heritage building along Bishop Street. Its where all the banks are as most people would normally say. What makes this place so special is that they are real coffee lovers who started this place. I haven't introduced myself before to them but have just visited and have some coffee before but you can find them on Facebook. They are always in competitions or judging for competitions so I'm very sure the owners know their ins and out about coffee. But most importantly, the coffee here is really good and even their limited food is also nice. Only quirks is their operating time but I guess I myself am to blame for being a night owl. Good thing is that they open on weekends and prepare for the place to be packed!

This is how they look from the outside. Its not a very big entrance but you should not have issues locating it.

Chalk board with their sign on it :)

Little Cottage 2 - Just a simple buffet

I'm sure most foodies in Penang would have heard of Little Cottage before and so happened I was invited for dinner hosted by my wife's friend at Little Cottage 2. This is at the old Waterfall Restaurant and this place is slightly bigger than the premise at Jalan Burma. The nice thing about this place is that they serve buffets on the weekend and they even does special bookings like what I had on this evening. The place was reserved and they have a buffet spread which I find a decent value for money. So for those looking for a nice meal at a good price, check out this place.

Their card so you can have the contacts and hours :)

Some decorations, makes it look like a old cottage :p

Wall deco which are just lovely

Tau fu Fah ~ Jalan Tengah

For those who stay in Bayan Lepas, the mention of Jalan Tengah Flats foodcourt should be of no surprise for good and affordable food. Today I'm sharing about a Tau Fu Fah stall that I really enjoy. The tofu is smooth and flavorful and the soya bean drink with grass jelly (cincau) is another of my favorite. You will sure be surprised with the generous helping of the grass jelly and the fine texture it presents. Do give this one a try for those that enjoys their tau fu fah!

I have been here numerous times and its opens about 10.30 till 1.30pm (depending if there is any left)

GPS : N5.318713 E100.285832

A bowl of their tau fu fah!

Soya Bean with Grass Jelly!

Kek Lok Si Temple and Penang Hill

Recently on Deepavali holiday, my family and I took our relatives who came to Penang to Kek Lok Si as well as up to Penang Hill. It was really enjoyable time and moreover, it was not too crowded during this time. Thus just something to share to you all ya.

The Goddess of Mercy Bronze statue at the top of Kek Lok Si. The canopy is currently under construction thus visitors are not allowed to go right up to the status like in the past.

 Close up view. Still a sight to behold

 This is the original statue made from stone/cement. It was said that during the 1988 Penang Ferry Jetty collapse tragedy, the arm of the Goddess of Mercy here broke in order to prevent more people from perishing. She sacrificed her arm to save all those in need!