Be aware of AES!

When we send our brother and sister to LCCT airport, we decided to drive to KLCC. On our way backed from KLIA or LCCT, passing through the toll plaza, the road sign clearly indicated KLCC sign on the right hand side, and we decided gave it a try instead of the left hand road which we are normally used.

In the half way, we lose the sign of KLCC and the sign board showed us Seremban. OMG! We are so frustrated and thinking where does this road bring us to? Is there any U-turn available? Then only we realized this road brought us to the Nilai exit which is more further from another road. 

Yes, this is Nilai Utara exit, where when you turn out from the road you can see the memorial park. Then you will continue back to the North-South Express highway. When we passed by the Nilai/ Bangi area, we saw the light flashing from the road side although we only drove 100km/j. Firstly, we thought the Automated Enforcement System (AES) was not flashing at us, but only later we realized the speed at this road is 90km/j.  

I don't understand why 90km/j was instilled in the highway? I still can remember well on one of the radio advertisement mentioned that the changing speed in the highway make people very tension and it encourage us to drink a cup of the "brand" coffee to wake up and noticed it! So creative. How can we not be so tension, if the road sign can be improved! Really hope Malaysia can improve it especially for its tourism business.   

Kuantan, Malaysia

It has been some months I didn't update my blog, therefore, this Chinese New Year I decided to pay a visit to Kuantan when I followed my husband back to his hometown in Gambang. Gambang is located  approximate of 40 minutes drive away from Kuantan city, the most famous tourism spot in Gambang will be the Bukit Gambang Resort.

If you are planning to visit other state in Malaysia during Chinese New Year, please avoid Chinese New Year or Hari Raya eve for traveling, cause most of us (all races) will back to hometown at the same time and the traffic is heavy. 

When we think of Kuantan, normally we will link to the beaches and sunrise where in the west of Peninsular Malaysia we seldom  have the chance to see it. But recently, when we mentioned about Kuantan, we will think of "Stop  Lynas, save Malaysia" campaign. According to news, there is an airborne monitoring system (AMS) installed at the district police station to gauge the radiation level in Kuantan town. But unfortunately, I didn't pay attention when I passed by the town.

Teluk Cempedak is the most popular tourism attraction in Kuantan, and it is located 5 km east from the town. It is facing the South China Sea and due to raining the water sport activities are not allowed during our visit. If not, you can enjoy swimming, surfing, sun-bathing, sailing and jet skiing. Besides, you also can enjoying jungle trekking and observe the rainforest of Malaysia, or enjoying local or fast foods with sea breeze. 

Not to forget your cup of local coffee either in Kemaman Kopitiam or Hai Peng Kopitiam before you leave Kuantan. Due to holiday season, Hai Peng Kopitiam is closed. We managed to drop by the Kemaman kopitiam for a cup of Kemaman white coffee and stuff crab. It was enjoyable.

 

What to SEE in Melaka

Melaka places of interest are very concentrated around the area of Melaka river in Jalan Kota. You can just stay nearby the hotel or park your car near A Famosa. Within walking distance you can visit most of the places of interest below except King's Well and Poh Sang Teng Temple which located nearby Bukit Cina.

1. Porta de Santiago

This fortress was built by Portuguese in early 16th century. It was one of the four main gateways into the Portuguese fortress of A Famosa. The construct of A Famosa was to prevent frequent attacked from Sultan Mahmud's followers, Acheh and Johor over century. But unfortunately, the British destroyed it due to fear of it being used against them after Melaka handed back to Dutch in 1795. Only Porta de Santiago remains till today.   

2. St. Paul's Church

A ruin church situated on top of Saint Paul Hill, originally was a chapel built by Portuguese, also name as Our Lady of Grace. But when Dutch overtook Malacca in 1641, the Dutch converted the chapel to St. Paul Church and the name remain until today. Until British took over, the tower of the church was destroyed, and it became the storehouse for British gun power.

 
3. Stadthuys & Christ Church Melaka

The Stadhuys (red square) was the Municipal Hall in Dutch. It took almost 20 years to complete it, today it is the history, ethnography and literature museum. The maroon colour was not the originally paint of the building, instead they were faced with brick. 

  

Christ Church was built by Dutch in year 1753 to celebrate their 100 years occupation in Melaka. This church took around 12 years to complete, the wooden ceiling beams, each cut from a single tree, to the elaborately hand-carved pews and frieze of "The Last Supper".

4. Cheng Hoon Teng Temple

The oldest functioning temple in Malaysia, constructed in year1673. It is a Chinese temple that practicing three doctrinal system of Taoism, Confucianism and Buddhism. In the central of altar is dedicated to Kuan Yin (God of Mercy), Ma Choo on the left and Kuan Kong on the right. It is located near to Kampung Kling Mosque and Sri Poyatha Moorthi Temple.

5. Melaka River

Melaka river was once an important trading places between East and West during 15th century.You can take a boat ride to experience the previous glamorous of Melaka where the river has been clean up and rehabilitated.

6. King's Well & Poh San Teng Temple

The King's well also known as "Hang Li Po" well. It was constructed during the reign of Sultan Mansur Shah (1458 - 1477) for his wife, Hang Li Po who came from China.The water in the well will never dry out even with severest of droughts and according to folklore, who ever drink from well will return to Melaka. 

Immediately adjacent to King's well is Po San Teng Temple. Some people mentioned that this temple is associated with admiral Cheng Ho, a Ming-dynasty navigator. But there are no evidence to prove that.  

7. Jonker Street
This is the best place for you to buy souvenir in Melaka, you must also tried Chicken Rice balls and Durian Cendol in here.

Melaka, the Historic City

Melaka and George Town was recently inscribed on UNESCO’s world heritage list for being the historic cities of the Strait of Malacca that have developed over 500 years of trading and cultural exchanges between East and West. 

If you browse through Melaka history, the earliest three periods that had great impacted on Melaka especially in architecture where the historical buildings are still remained today is as follows:

Being a strategic location between East and West, Malacca was once a prosperous, civilization city and important conduit for trade during 15th century. But after the fallen of Malacca into the hand of British, Malacca was no longer an important trading port and it was overtook by Singapore's growing opulent and became one of the world international trading port.

Melaka today is the important tourism spot in Malaysia that rich with historical and multicultural. It is located just two hours drive from Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia. This is a place you must visit when you travel in Malaysia.

Where to SHOP in BEIJING

1. Wangfujing
One of the famous shopping streets located in Dongcheng district. Surrounded by shopping malls, shop lots and a snack street in the hutongs of the main streets. Read more... 

2. Sanlitun Village

The combination of leisure, shopping, dining, arts and entertainment in this village provide you a shopping-as-entertainment experience. The playful architecture with cosmopolitan feel stands out this village compare to other more traditional design of shopping centers in the area. You can find famous international brands here. 

3. Yashow Clothing Market

This market is located next to Sanlitun Village, compare to Silk Market, this place is much cheaper if you know how to bargain hardly. Try to slash 75% of the retail price provided by the sellers, because normally they will give a high price in upfront.

  

4. Silk Market

This is one of the Beijing's most famous indoor shopping market for tourist. You can bargain aggressively for stuffs such as garments, shoes, bags, watches and fabrics here... But I still find it more expensive than Yashow Clothing Market.

5. Nan Lou Gu Xiang (南 锣 鼓 巷)
This is one of the shopping streets I like where you can experience the Hutong culture, specialty shops and distinctive foods. Located around the area of Bell & Drum tower. You can try the lamb kebab here... 

What to SEE in BEIJING

You can travel by yourself easily in Beijing where most of the tourism spots are link by their subway. The following are the tourism spots suggested for your visit:

1. Great Wall of China

"He who has never been to Great Wall is not a true man" is a phrase derived from Chairman Mao to describe those who can't overcome obstacle and achieve their goal is not a hero. Now I can understand why Great Wall is used in the phrase. Because to climb up to the Great Wall is not an easy job, the stair is steep and the stone step is small.  

The Great Wall has history around 2700 years and it was build to prevent China against the invaders from the North. You can visit Great Wall at Badaling which is easy to reach by train and bus.

2. Forbidden City

Build 1406-1420 by million laborers. Home of the emperor and his household until 1924. Located in the heart of Beijing. Read more...

3. Tiananmen Square
The world largest square, surrounding by Mao's Mausoluem, History Musuem, Great Hall of the People, Forbidden City and Qianmen St. Near National Grand Theater.

4. Qianmen Street

2km long street located just South of Tiananmen square, now meticulously restored to reflect Qianmen's 600-year traditional shopping history and architecture.

5. Summer Palace

This imperial Chinese garden was included in world heritage list under UNESCO, year 1998. It is an outstanding expression of the creative art of Chinese landscape garden design, incorporating the works of humankind and nature in a harmonious whole (UNESCO). The main garden is dominated by Kuming lake and longevity hills, you can also see the 728 meter elaborately painted long corridor and Empress Cixi's marble boat here.

6. Lama Temple (Yonghegong)

It was the residence of the Prince Yong of Qing Dynasty (Emperor Yong Zheng) before it was converted to Lama Temple in 1744. The three things you must not missed seeing here are: the Niche of Buddham which was carved out of nanmu with three layers filigree; the Five-Hundred-Arhat Mountain carved out of red sandalwood; and an 18 meter hight Buddha which was carved out of one grand piece of white sandalwood.

7. National Stadium

The "hemispherical dome" (天圆地方 doctrine) is used in the architecture design in Beijing's National Stadium where the "Bird's Nest" shape is round and the National Aquatics Centre's shape is square. In between, there is a dragon venture. This signified the important of Feng Shui in Chinese architecture and living.

8. Houhai Bar Street

A happening night life place where you can stroll, drink and eats a long the banks of the picturesque Qianhai, Houhai and Xihai lakes. There even have boat services to ride and enjoy the sightseeing. It is close to Bell and Drum towers.

9. Bell & Drum Towers

The Bell & Drum towers were once the time-announcing center of the capital during Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. But unfortunately, there are only one remaining watchman's drum out of 25 previously.

10. Beijing Hutongs

The word "hutong" refers to alley which is almost disappearing. You can tour on foot, bicycle or pedicab to visit atmospheric alleys and courtyards.

 

Foods in Beijing you should try...

What are the foods you must try when you visit Beijing? 

Dumplings or Jiaozi

You must try dumpling - the common dishes of Beijing, but which one is nice? I have tried dumplings in Wangfujing street, but sad to say that the dumpling skin is hard and the filing is little. We tried the dumplings in Feather dumplings 鸿毛饺子restaurant too, comparison it was nicer. Feather dumplings restaurant  is a franchise store with around 25 branches and the number one seller dishes will be the leek dumpling. A dumpling filing consist of minced meat and finely chopped leek arouse great aroma in your mouth with a dipping sauce made of vinegar. There are even free dumpling soup provided in one of the corner in the restaurant. 

Xiao Long Bao (Steamed Bun)

This is one of the dim sum I like, although it is a common food in the Southern such as in Shanghai, but I would like to try it in Beijing too. When you bite the Xiao Long Bao, the soup in side will split all over your mouth when you bite it. I tried something different type which consists of crab meat as follows.

 

 

Cold Noddles

Korea is famous for cold noodles which also known as Raengmyeon. The noodle is chewier and the cold soup is refreshing. If you like cold noodle, you should also try it in Beijing. Beijing (northern) people like cold dishes where you can see people like to relish cold side dishes such as salad with their wine in the restaurant. What are the difference between Korean and Beijing cold noodles? I can't really tell. But the cold noddle I tried in Korea was hardly bite off and I need a scissor for it. 

  

Beijing traditional snack
Douzhir (fermented bean drink) 豆汁, sheep offal soup 羊杂碎汤, baked sweeten wheaten cake 糖火烧, butter fried cake 奶油炸糕... are all famous snacks in Beijing, but whether you like the local taste will be another question for you. I have tried the snacks in Hugo temple snack, but it was hard for me to accept the taste...Read more

Lamb kebabs
You can easily get lamb or other meat kebabs in Beijing's stall.