Toilet post#21

I have very low expectation of touristy spots in my beloved country. Maintenance was, is and high probability never be our forte. Yes, I’ve been ‘brainwashed’ since my early post diaper years by my elders. Remember Mimaland? Aka Moneyland? My elders christened it as such due to the high entry fees charged. That’s what I’ve been told and yes, they still reminisce about that place today in err.. disgust.

My dearest confused teenybopper readers, that theme park was way beyond your production days but let me tell you, it was THE theme park in my days of yore. Better than Zoo Negara. *sigh*

This is what it is today.

*sigh* Even Zoo Negara survived, though gangrenous and limping. (i_i)

Happy thots happy thots. Look look! A 3-years old public theme park that is proudly open and IS MOST (choking with emotion) impressive! There are well mannered uniformed AND knowledgable staff stationed at every attraction spot in the park to guide, brief and answer visitors' enquiries intelligently. 2 thumbs and 2 big toes up up and away! =D

A water feature with 110 degrees celcius water and steam. Almost scalded my lense.There is a warm water swimming pool and several hot, hotter, ouch-ouch hot dipping pools in both al-fresco or chalet (private party) style environment.As usual in a hot spring area, egg boiling facility is provided. BYO eggs else, just buy them from the park's canteen. Other foodwise, err satisfaction guaranteed with much lowered expectation.
Ahem. This is a toilet post so here is the clean, airy and every-tap-works (choke again) subject matter:- Entry fee: RM10 per adult to theme park. Free multiple toilet use included but as Malaysians are familiar, BYO paper/tissue.

I say worth it! One of my favourite foodie said no. I still say yes!

Go here for driving map. Otherwise, just turn off at the Sungkai exit from the North-South Expressway and follow the signboards. Ecpc.Sungai Klah Hot Springs aka Taman Rekreasi Air Panas (TRAP), I’ll be back!

Top tip: Best during fasting month. Less crowd.

Sin Eng Heong Kaya Puff, Ipoh

J2kfm, whom I’ve nicked Other Ipoh Mali (YB) is Kayakok in my mobile phone.

When we met a few months ago, he was singing heartfelt high octave notes of the level of droolicious Kaya Puff found in an obscure shop in Ipoh. I was sceptical. Afterall the shop Phitoy frequents which is located across the street from my favourite Salted Chicken shop produces good Kaya Puff. At least that’s what Phitoy proclaimed. I’m no fan of this confection but always need to buy loads to appease family members and friends.

It was a long Raya weekend. Other than this, I managed to tick off another item from my As-Flogger-to-do-list that is to check out Kayakok’s fervent claim.

Upon entering Ipoh, I interrupted Kayakok’s afternoon (siesta-ing?). Hello hello so where’s the world’s best of the best Kaya Puff shop? Same row as Foh San Dimsum Restaurant? Signboard in bright yellow?

Trust me. Its exterior looks much more impressive than its interior except for the waft of freshly baked puffs.

Only 2 customers were in before us. One was juggling to carry off 15 boxes while another was waiting for 60 pieces of Kaya Puffs to be packed! Then another elderly lady rushed in to remind the shopkeepers that her order of 150 pieces should be ready for collection later in the evening and another 100 the next morning. While we stood there gawking, the phone rang. Another order for an obscene number of Kaya Puff. And rang. Another order. And rang. Another order. Lucky for us shop is not big so the shopkeeper noticed us. Automatically he asked for the name our order was. Huh? Walk-in get to buy? Yes but strictly 5 pieces only. We grabbed.

Cost:- RM 3.50 for 5 pieces

Namecard:- MUST order minimum 1 day in advance.

It was a blistering afternoon but for the world’s best of the best Soya Bean Curd and Drink, we braved the scorching sun and dashed across 2 streets to Funny Mountain Soya Bean stall. Only to be greeted by this:-

No, we did not join the queue. We have outdone our waiting for the day. We just bought cold mineral water from a shop nearby and drove off.

Kayakok advised to eat them fresh. We only did it 3 hours later when we arrived at our destination and shared them with a couple of family members. Crumbly crust, fragrant and moderately sweet coconut & egg jam. We SHOULD had had them in the privacy of the car during the journey. Less squabbling for remaining pieces.

Abuzzed over Foodbuzz & Freebies

Call me old fashioned but I adore mails (not bills). Physical mails (not males .. not for this post). Opening mailboxes can induce quite an adrenaline rush. Especially when the door is bulging with the tip of a big envelope sticking out like a jeering tougue. Not the season for tax forms so must be a surprise gift!*clasp palms hoping*

Tada!

A cheerful looking paddle and a pristine white apron from Foodbuzz! Nice or not?

Frankly, I ‘sayang’ (err not eager or is shy an appropriate description?) to use the apron. So clean so pure so white. Yes, I'm a clutz. Period. So I presented it to kusahi_keat. Me nice friend or not? He (yes, a single available kitchen wizard HE) is in a baking / cooking / desserting frenzy. Too engrossed in trying out recipes, no time to update his blog.

Had an impromptu meet with a few buddies to catch up just now.Most brought juicy gossips. A few grumbling tummies. He came with a homebaked Marble Cheesecake. =D

Oh thank you Foodbuzz! More to come? *rubs hands in glee*

Hey, did I pique your interest on the Foodbuzz community? Go click on the link on the top left corner and take a peek. Drop me an email if you want to join ok? Once my name pops up as the one who sent you an invite I may be eligible for more freebies. Muahahahaha and more vigorous *rubs hands in glee*.

National Service

Just a follow-up informative post. That's my national service part. =P

I raved about my newly discovered local fruit here but was stumped when it came to telling all and sundry exactly where I bought them. A few weekends ago I made a trip up North of the Peninsula again and hunted down this elusive (to me that is as obviously it never went anywhere else) stall.

Avocado fans, thank me in fruits please for I have scored the ultimate interface instrument since discovery of the earth is round and now flat again . . . . . . . the NAME CARD.

Stall no. 7 at Tapah Rest Area on the North South Expressway .

Please note that it's on the side one travels from South to North. NOT when you travel back down to Kuala Lumpur from say, Penang.

Do use it wisely. Call in advance. I left empty handed in September. According to Mr Ooi the harvesting is done in certain months only. “Come back in October or November”, he suggested. Else just get a pomelo which I did. RM12.00 it was! It was easily smaller than my head minus all the bangs and wild wild hair. Things are getting superficially pricey Itelu and don't you get me started on our freshly minted Finance Minister proclaiming about no recession-lah, solid resources-lah, strong reserves-lah when the rest of the world is bracing for the worst and dishing out rescue packa ... blah..blah..blah.

So anyone travelling this coming Deepavalli weekend?

Green & Black's Organic Chocolate bars

A post dedicated to a thoughtful Welsh. Look what came flying across the ocean! Organic GINGER chocolate.Yes I was surprised. Ginger tea, ginger cake ok. But ginger choc? Do note it's ORGANIC. Hmmm. I gave it a good sniff before I gingerly (of course pun very much intended) took a bite. Followed by a big greedy chomp! It was gooooood! The ginger taste was subtle although there were bits of the piquant root vegetable (or is it fruit?) in the bar.If I have not known earlier, I would not be able to pinpoint the mysterious ingredient.

Organic Orange (Maya) chocolate.No wow factor here. Big mistake. My bad. My buds were still hitting the high notes with ginger choc when I broke this. *smack own hand*. Lucky I still have half a bar in my fridge. Saving for .. this weekend! Yes yes yessirree Saturday's the day! And I have just secured great company for it. Judith McNaught! Yes I am brilliant that way .. sometimes. Oh thank you Allan and most definitely a special thank you goes out to you too, sc, for it’s because of you I get to savour such treat. Psst. The group photo posted by sc and I look similar simply because it's the same copy. It was taken with Allan's camera and he kindly sent us copies.

For the just-enlightened-ones (moi), here's an excerpt printed on the wrapper on how the organic chocolate is produced:-