Penang in December

Another backdated post. 

We spent a few days up north in Penang during the school holidays in December.  The drive up and down was pleasant without much jam, but that's also thanks to hubby's careful planning in timing.  It was another makan trip for us, with the first stop at Ong Cheng Huat Restaurant in Sungai Dua, Butterworth.  Vic loves the deep fried little chickens which we initially thought were pigeons.  Timing to arrive at this restaurant has to be just before the office crowd floods in but have no worry because the food is served fast and hot. 

We ordered and ate all their signature dish again.  Here are some of them...

Steamed lala - yumz!

Deep fried little chickens

Cauliflower with dried chili and mantis prawns

Steamed fish - always very fresh and steamed to perfection, no matter what fish you call or how big your group is!

Another place we went to - which was new to me but I totally love it still... forget five star hotels and waiters in uniforms or carpet flooring... hubby brought us to this place that allows pond fishing (they will buy your catch back) and fresh seafood!  Name of location?  Sorry, dunno wor... haha!

Inside this hut is where your seafood gastronomical cravings are satisfied!

One can opt to sit outdoors overlooking this pond

Huge prawns in captivity waiting for their destiny

My darling hubby ordered this dish all for me!  They cook it so well, the antennae is even cracked perfectly for your convenience to eat the meat inside.  Everything to love about this dish!

Deep fried patin fish!  It's a huge fish for only four of us but we finised it anyway.  Tummy no space also have to make space because this is very delish too!

And then, there was the shopping...

Amazed at how this boy shops... try on spiderman shoes and checked out a favourite character tee shirt.  No, I didn't buy any of these for him. 

And more food... how can I step foot into Penang island and not eat my favourite...

Char kuey teow with extra big and "gar liu" prawns!  Hubby knows my heart and my stomach well, hehehehe

And wan tan mee

We spent a night at Northam Beach Cafe too, which overlooks the sea which gives us some sea breeze. 

Attended church service in the morning at Wesley Methodist and met up with a former pastor and his wife there.  Was entertained by the choir singing (and missed these choirs in robes... remind me of childhood).

Just before we left the island, we had lunch at Song River Cafe along Gurney Drive. 

Claypot pork ribs with yam

Beans beans beans

Spicy chicken wings

Steam fish

In the car along the way home, this boy was so engrossed with his Transformers book.  See the way he sit?!!  *roll eyes*

Special visitors from America

Uncle Julian and Aunty Winnie came back to Malaysia for holiday, and this time it's not just the two of them.  Baby Joshua (then 20 months old) made his maiden trip overseas and back to Malaysia too, after a short holiday stopover in Hong Kong to visit relatives from Aunty Winnie's side.

We're so excited to see Joshua in person for the first time and I totally forgotten my "manners" and etiquette when I wanted to carry him without allowing time for him to warm up!  How seemingly unexperienced of me!

Joshua looks smaller than in picture, but he is still so charming especially when he smiles.  His eyes would turn an inverted U!  Vic loves playing with him, I think she just enjoys babies.  William is cool, but he relates more to the older kids and kids his age.

Here are some pictures of the cousins together when we made our visit back to Seremban a week after returning from Melbourne.  For that few days, Popo Gong Gong had all 6 grandchildren under one roof.

Now this is the MUCH awaited family photo shoot... we initially toyed with a professional outdoor shoot, then simplified it to just a professional photographer, and then simplified it even more to just DIY shots at a family holiday outstation, but that did not materialised due to health reasons, so we ended up (without shortchanging ourselves) with a good meal together, all 14 of us... still with loads of fun.  The carton of Chardonnay from Australia was opened here too!

Hard time getting the 6 kids to pose for the camera.  One wants to walk, one wants to run, the other want to sing, and another wants to play and yet another is tired of smiling and only one is posing!  Haha...

We had dinner at Silver Dragon Restaurant in Seremban 2.  It's like the default restaurant that we'd go for any big celebrations and Yi Yi is already a familiar face to the Captain there. 

Garden time with the two younger ones... Sharon (then 19 months old) and Joshua (then 20 months old)

Vic enjoyed spending time with Uncle Julian... got chemistry, I guess

We couldn't send Uncle Julian, Aunty Winnie and Joshua off at the airport as we had to return to PJ so the kids can attend their classes (already skipped some during the Melbourne holiday) so we bade them farewell a couple of days before they flew back to America.

It was emotional, at least to me, because not knowing when you will see your loved ones again gets to me.  Maybe in a year, or two years' time.  Joshua would know how to walk and talk by then.  Vic would be more self conscious then.  As I drove away, I realized that it is for this one reason that I'd want to stay back in Malaysia - FAMILY.

Pictures from CNY 2014 - Other Days

On Day 3 evening (2nd February), we had a simple steamboat reunion dinner with Popo Gong Gong at our house, and also invited 3rd Grandaunt and 3rd Granduncle to join us.  After dinner, Tai Gong and other relatives dropped by for a chat and to join in the fun of our "annual" firecrackers. 

Reunion dinner.  Not in this picture is the pig stomach soup

Giving a hug to Popo Gong Gong.  Curious to think what Tai Gong was thinking since hugging is not from his generation?  Haha

Receiving ang pow from Popo Gong Gong

Relatives from Popo's side

In action.

The deco at Pavillion KL where we drove there with only one purpose - to catch the lion dance.  Paid a hefty RM10 for parking alone!

Bou bou gou sing!  Nin nin yau yue!  San tai gin hong!  Ma dou gou sing! 

My two lion dancers-wannabe

My beloved Grandpa and I.  He is 96 this year according to the Gregorian calender but in Chinese calender, he is a year older.  Wishing him many more years of happiness and peace and may he reach 100 and beyond!  This is my grandpa who brought me for evening walks around his house to see the neighbor's pigeons and whom when I was a toddler, I pulled at his long hair growing out of his mole on his neck.  He still remember that for years!

Lou Sang prepared by 4th Grandaunt at her home. 

Lion dance at Solaris Dutamas

Last year we watched the 24 drum performance.  This year we watch the 8 drum performance.  Both are great and it's amazing no matter how many drummers there are, they sound like ONE and their stamina and focus and rhythm is commendable.  One of the things that make one proud to be Chinese : )

The lou sang provided was surprisingly good - fresh and with quality.  It came with some salmon pieces and fresh vegetables - not everything was preserved.  Sadly, not many people ate and there were many packed into containers for the public to take away.

7th February

Lou Sang with the cell

Pot bless at Beatrice and Jim's house for our cell CNY gathering.  We have a special and surprise guest - Kelvin - who came all the way back from Melbourne for a visit.  Missing EC and her kids.

An experience - cycling along the streets (under the watchful eyes of the adults) outside Bea's house, after dinner and fellowship, and watching the fireworks from far.

Going for a bike ride on the street with friends

 

Pictures from CNY 2014 - Day 1 and 2

Friday, 31st January 2014

We recce-ed the surrounding area near our hotel and found a decent 24hour mamak restaurant where we had our breakfast for today and the next two mornings.  No point looking for Chinese food during CNY when all the shops are closed.

Heading across the causeway was a breeze with light traffic, but the opposite direction was well... opposite.  Traffic was heavy for those heading out of the island both yesterday evening and this morning.

Taken before our "pai nin" with Mama Yeh Yeh at their hotel room in Hotel Ramada. 

Gong xi gong xi.

Bored.  No ipad allowed.  So they either borrowed or be an on-looker.  OK, actually it was a few minutes of iphone too.  ; P  So at one time Vic and the two boys played AEIOU along the corridor.

At night we had dinner at Aston's at Terminal 1, Changi Airport.  Food was reasonably priced and taste good, portion is sufficient even for the men I suppose.  The garlic bread is soft and fresh.

Saturday, 1st February 2014

Morning breakfast.  This time the girl had tosei, whilst the boy called his usual roti telur, after his first choice roti pisang was unavailable again.

2nd Lou Sang in Singapore with relatives - HUAT AAAHHHH!!!

Kids saw their second lion dance at the mall next to Ramada Hotel.  It was not planned but a pleasant surprise.  We heard the familiar drum sounds from inside and all ran out to join the crowd towards the last 5 minutes of the performance.

Lunch at the famous Muthu's Curry in Little India

Hubby and I had a night walk downstairs the hotel.  Was breezey and romantic.

Pictures from CNY 2014 - Pre

This year we spent CNY Eve to CNY 2nd Day in Singapore, commuting daily from Traders Hotel in Puteri Harbour where we stayed.

Thursday, 30th January 2014

Our spacious room - king size bed, sofa bed with pull out bed underneath.  Love everything about this room, even the timber flooring so less dust. Many storage space so I took down some ID ideas ; )

Yacht dock

Adult pools - can see Singapore from here

Looks like she's a swimmer but don't be fooled with the cap and such, haha!  Note to self:  must stop procastinating on swimming lessons

She loves this!  But the brother thinks it's too ticklish and can't stand more than 5 seconds here

There was no one else at the pool when we arrived.  We headed to the pool after check in.  Water is cold.

My little helper. Always ready and willing to lend a hand in the kitchen.  But we didn't have to do much, honestly, as Taipo prefers to be in charge of the wok and spatula and we did the "ka le fe" job happily.

Does the picture make you salivate more?  Well, this is 5th Aunt's specialty. Her "ng hiang" basically it is pan fried beancurd skin with minced pork and other ingredients wrapped inside.

Another one of Taipo's favourite and signature dish - Mushroom and "fatt choy" stew

This was pre-cooked by Mama.  Her signature dish which the kids love because of the black sauce. 

Sesame soy sauce chicken.  I stoodby to take mental notes on her recipe, hehe.

Ha ha ha!!  This is the same pronunciation as prawn in Cantonese.  My favourite! 

Vegetarian curry cooked by 5th Aunt.  Her presence may not be around, but we still get to enjoy her cooking

Lou sang

Champagne and sashimi for dessert.  Fresh chilled, vacuum packed salmon courtesy of Yi Ma

After reunion dinner, we did the annual routine of bringing Taipo out for a drive to admire the night view.