Euro Travel & More

If you are in Malaysia during the month of August – you are in for a feast – because it’s Ramadan month and with Ramadan month – it can only mean one thing – food !  and more food.  During the ramadan – the muslim will go for a fasting period for a month from dawn to dusk and when they break their fast in the evening – you can see lots of food stall all over malaysia – selling all kinds of food – in their food bazaar and they choices are endless.  If I go to Malaysia during Ramadan month – I have to have lots of appetitie suppressing ideas because you can bet on it that I would eat any kind of food I come across.  The food are not only delicious they are so color and so fragrant – no one can resist it.

From curry to popiah – and sweets and even drinks – they are absolutely delicious – so if you are on a diet – do not think of going to Malaysia during the Ramadan month – for I can assure you that after 5pm – food and its stalls are all over the place in Malaysia.

Some people confirmed that they put on more weight during their fasting month than they do during the entire year – because they eat a lot more of the good food offered after fasting for the entire day.

The variety of food offered are endless and they are really reasonably priced because they are targeted for the average family – who are out working and have no time to break their fast properly by cooking for the entire family.

Yummy coconut dessert are to die for!  i can eat 10 of these at one go.

My girlfriend came back from Asia – and asked me about certain food that she had tried when she was there.  One of the places that interest her a lot was KL – as in Kuala Lumpur.  Kuala Lumpur is in Malaysia – and one of the most vibrant city in Malaysia.  They say that things are relatively more expensive in Kuala Lumpur than other places in Malaysia – but that’s because Kuala Lumpur is a more advance and a business district – but compared to different countries in Asia – they are still very affordable.

Street restaurants like this are common in Kuala Lumpur and they have cleaned up the street restaurants a lot to entice the tourists – and food is definitely more authentic and cheaper in this kind of restaurant than the air -conditioned ones. Plus, you get a taste of the real food here.

The king of fruit is a must try – you may not like the smell – but it’s awesome after you’ve tasted it.

These food on sticks are for dipping them in a pot of chicken stock or tom yum stock.  Some also use peanut sauce for dipping as well.   And they are very cheap to eat – but remember to leave the sticks on the table – so that they can count how much you’ve eaten.  Food are very fresh here.

Street fruits are just as cheap in KL – buy them fresh and eat them on the spot.

Have some claypot rice while you are there – they are rice baked on charcoal fire – with chicken and chinese sausages and mushroom.  The black color in the rice is a sweet soya sauce – and they are yummilicious.   So if you are in Asia – please try out their street food – it’s an amazing experience.

I had always wanted to go to Sabah – so when an opportunity arose – for a work trip – I told my boss I would go – even if I had to fly economy – haha!  darn desperate right? But I was only there for 2 days so I didn’t get to see Mount Kinabalu that I had so wanted to.  But nevertheless, KK as it is so often and fondly called is beautiful and quite a paradise – with virgin coral reefs and marine park.

It wasn’t expensive at all going to KK  – in fact I think it was one of my cheapest ever overseas trip.   The beach was beautiful – white sand and clear water. We stayed at the Villa Lodge – and it was kinda a resort – we did visit some hot spring but I can’t remember what it was called now.  KK is a pretty small and quaint little town – I would love to go back one day – and spend a week there.

The girlfriend from Toronto just came back from a visit to Malaysia – home.  She shared some pictures taken in Malacca – one of the most historical town in Malaysia.  I’ve always love Malacca – you can go there by a bus – or you can take a flight there from Penang.

The girlfriend had taken a bus from Penang and it took them about 8 hrs – she said the place was as beautiful as she can remember and it is really a historical place.  The hotel that she stayed in was an authentic Baba  and Bibi place.  They went to historical sites like Stadthuys, A Formosa, St Paul’s hill, St Francis Xavier’s Church, St Peter’s Church and Chen Hoon Temple and many museums.

The famous Jonker Walk of course !  who could miss that right?

Heritage Room – more and more of us go back to Malacca to appreciate the many beautiful buildings – they bring back memories of how our forefathers and how they lived and where they came from.

For those who have never been to Malaysia – the rustic part of Malaysia is usually the best part – not only do you really get to feel and experience the real culture of the Malaysians – one get to try out the famous durian – king of fruits – by the roadside.  You don’t see this very often in Kuala Lumpur but if you travel further into Malaysia like Batu Ferringhi – you will see many of these stores around – and these are the most awesome places to eat.  Don’t be deceived by the dirty looking environment – because they are not only cheap but they have the best durian here.

Some awesome view after taking the windy and spiral road up to Batu Ferringhi.

The Sutera Harbour Resort is located in Sabah, Kota Kinabalu – it is a huge property with wireless internet surrounding the entire resort.  The resort is located about 15 mins away from the airport and it’s is so central – i like it that I can get out of the resort and go to the heart of the city within minutes.

The resort was very crowded but surprisingly – people leave you alone to do your own thing – like sitting in a cabana and enjoying a view.

Love all the island – surrounding the resort – look how peaceful it was.

Yay!! a sunset bar !! for those who needs a cocktail!

Love the surrounding ! so peaceful!

I’ve only been to Penang like 15 times in total and each time I visit Penang – whether it is for work or vacation – Penang never fails to amaze and amuse me where food is concerned.  Food is cheap!!  and when i say cheap – i mean really cheap – of course – one should visit the touristy places but one place you should go to is Gurney Drive in Penang.  The above picture reminds me of Clark Quay in Singapore – this open air vast space of eateries – you do not get here in the Canada.  I was on www.toprateddietpills.com when I was reminded of all the many wonderful eat trips I had made up with my friends and co-worker – eating in Penang is not for the weak hearted – i mean it in the real blood clotting way.

Penang is in Malaysia – further north of Malaysia with great food and lots of food – good and cheap.  One can experience all sorts of food – but make sure you have a local friend to bring you around because they really know where to find the best assam laksa or dim sum.

But of course – it’s not only street food  you can find in Penang – Penang has many good cafes and restaurants too.  And don’t forget to visit Hard Rock Cafe for that t-shirt or cap for souvenir.

A trip to historical Malacca is a must if you are in Malaysia – look at thisruins of a Famosa Portuguese fort – located at the heart of Malacca – you can’t missed this place.  A girl whom i did  ab workout with – had told me all about the food in Malacca – but you see – Malacca is not only about food – it’s about the rich history with it.   I know a girl from the Telephone Department where I used to be trained in one hotel – who actually was from there – and she had invited us all the time to visit Malacca and visit her – she went home to work.

The Red Square hotel is one of the many small hotels one can find in Malacca – I love the look of this unique looking hotel – all red -  but you see they have a place called the Red Square center as well.

The famous dutch church of Malacca of course – called the Christ Church. There were trishaws too when I visited Malacca some 20 yrs ago – and they were quite decorated and had music box playing while you get a tour of the town for like half an hour.  Just make sure you know what price you are paying for before jumping onto one of them.

The famous Jonker Street @ nite – where you can shop for all the good antiques or buy gifts for friends and family – and also remember to beware of the prices too.

The yummy satay from Malacca !  only at 10 cents a stick then.

More yummy food in Malacca.

This is the famous Penang food street that they also called the Hawker Center there. Penang food is cheap and good.. it is not only one of its kind .. but at this hawker center.. you can find any kind of delicacies here. I haven’t been to Penang for alot of times.. but the times.. i was there.. you can be sure i would be visiting these Hawker.

Penang’s Fried Kway Teow is so famous .. that everyone knows this special sisters. with cooking hats.. who are said to be quite cocky. But there is a line up everytime i am there.. and it is a good half hour before i can get my fried kway teow.

This is the Malaysia Airline Lounge in Melbourne Tullamarine.  i was actually quite surprised that the Malaysia Airline Lounge was quite a pleasant experience.  But don’t forget your boarding ticket before heading over to the lounge.  If you are flying business class, you are entitle to the facilities of the lounge .. like any other businessman.

Cozy and quiet .. not many businessmen around at this time of the morning.

Eating and drinking area.

No liquor for me.. but the bar is definitely full as you can see here.  My overall impression of the Malaysia Airline lounge was quite impressive, i really like that they are not intrusive.. and let you do your own things.