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3rd of January - First Day in Malaysia

Lunch time: First day of my expedition, probably an attempt to run away from a lot of things. Now, I'm waiting for Jean at the Parkway bus stop. Man the heat and hunger - not a good combination.

Anyway I'm quite excited that I'm going to Malaysia. I'm also surprised that the plan (to meet the gals, my housemates, for a holiday came through. In fact I'm going to different parts of Malaysia to see my babies! I can't wait!

5pm: Had lunch with Jean at Bakers Inn in Raffles City. I have to say that..............................the service really sucked. At times like these i wish that i were back in Australia.

hahaha one of those self-portraits taken with my baby - JEANNIEEEE BABYYY =)))

I met Mr Lai at the Fu Lu Shou Complex to take a bus to Johor. We're on our way to Larkin (in Johor). I also have to say that we experienced horrible service at the Malaysian check-point. This particular man who accepted money, in exchange for 'helping' people fill in the immigration forms, kept making us walk to and fro. He was also exceptionally rude to Lai and I. Damn it. If I had a gun, I would shoot him. hahah!

in the bus, on our way to Larkin. I almost got lost because I was distracted by the rood side stalls. ahhh food makes the world go round!

Anyway I'm excited because we're meeting a friend in Larkin, Chiang Wey (a former associate from MUISS). He stays in Johor so we decided to call him out for a meal.

Hello Cheap food!!! I hope i don't get any bad cases of diarrhea that accompanies the latter!

5.30pm: We're in Maccas and Lai's taking a damn long time to order a coke. We're waiting for CW before we make our next move - which shop we should actually buy the tickets from. Upon arrival there were so many people touting and making us offers. I really hope CW can come quick so at least we wouldn't be/get 'cheated' because we're obvious tourists.

Renee! Welcome to the land of Malays and Malay-speaking Chinese and Indians!

Close to 8pm: We're waiting for 8.30pm so we can board the bus. We had MarryBrown and now we're in Maccas again. I'm quite dreading the bus ride. The thought or the prospect of 9 hours in the bus, not being able to do anything is quite daunting. Sigh, the other time with kenneth almost killed me AND it was only a close-to 3-hour ride.

hahahahha taken in MarryBrown. I got a little disgusted in that restaurant because i saw a couple of nympts (shit i can't spell for nuts) scampering around. ulgh!

Waiting for time to pass in Marrybrown, disgusting Marrybrown.

Waiting makes you as crazy as my dear ol' friend here, Mr Macdonalds.

Argh! God save Renee!!!
(for more photos, click here)

4th of January - Still travelling.

Early Morning @ Butterworth: We're finally at Cheng's place. After a torturous 9+hours, the bus finally shook its way to Butterworth (Penang). Cheng was nice enough to pick us up from the Interchange. We'll be heading back to the same place to try to get a bus to Perlis to see our other dearest housemate, Susu!

Breakfast at Cheng's, before leaving for another bus ride!

9am: Yeap, we got a bus time slot to go to Perlis! Yay!!!Next stop, KANGAR!!!

In the bus - look at my constipated i-hate-sitting-in-long-bus-rides face!

11.40am: We're here in Perlis (town:Kangar)! It's so nice to see my darling, Susu. I guess the constant bumpy journey was worthwhile!

1.30pm: Lunch was good! We had yummy fish and little dishes. What's more, we had great chilli sauce. *drool*

This was where we had our first lunch for the trip

hahah our first shot together. The reunion shot. We all looked so happy. It must be me. =)))

ahhh food, glorious food. We had our first meal with Susu's dad, a really interesting person to talk to.

more food!!!

We passed by a few limestone mountains. Susu's dad (I'll call him 'Uncle' in this blog) also showed us the sugar cane plantations. He explained to us that there were about 300 variations of sugar cane but Perlis housed 3-4 of the lot for commercial use. Another thing that i noted was that they used fires to aid the cutting down and harvesting of the sugar cane crops.

BURN BURN BURN!!! Yeap... we were that close to the fires.

Up close and personal - actually we were MUCH closer to the fire.

One of the limestone mountains. there are holes where the birds shit in it. Apparantly people climb the mountains for the droppings. If I can remember correctly, Uncle told us that those particular droppings have medicinal value. *shrug*

Uncle also brought us to the quarters for the Thai workers (both male, female as well as children). Anyway Uncle is going to bring us to the actual factory where sugar cane is processed into sugar =)

6.50pm: We went to Uncle's workplace - the sugar factory. Then we drove around the plantations, picked up a few canes before heading to Susu's place for tea and snacks. I swear Susu's parents are on a mission to fatten us up because just before dinner time, they offered us cake (which we promptly finished in an hour), fruits and some other miscellenous snacks. hahah!

In the factory, while having the tour, we were occasionally treated to taste the pure sugarcane juice. We also tried the impure residue of the sugarcane.

One of Uncle's colleagues brought us to the storage place for the sugar. Funny, you don't see ants infesting this area of the factory.

I must say, the weather was superb that day!

Uncle also brought us to pick sugarcane!!! Click on the next image to view video!



Mucking around back at Susu's place

We look so happy there!

We had to walk back to the house where we were staying when... (i happen to like this shot very much)

...we passed by this watch out =)

Argh! We're going to have dinner soon, we're going to gain weight!

The housemates preparing to go out.

10.45pm: Dinner at the seafood place that Susu's family often frequents was SOOOO good! We ate so much! I'm stuffed. Anyway we dropped by Susu's other house before heading back home. Think I am going to have an early night. I'm going to bed a contented girl.

hehehe waiting patiently for dinner.

the fish, which was the speciality, was my highlight for the night.

Next stop tomorrow: Thailand!

(for more photos, click here)

5th of January 2006 - My first time in Thailand

Morning : We just had breakfast at Susu's place and we're on our way to Thailand! (note no1: Susu's place is almost at the border of Thailand and Malaysia; note no2: we passed by many plantations yesterday. From starfruits, dragon fruits to tabacco, mini yam, and pumpkins).

a nice little watch-out. From where we were we could see the border already (the black shade in the background is where Thailand is already).

Late Morning: We're at Bordertown (That's what they call it. It seems pretty obvious why it's named that way). It's also called Padangbesang. According to Uncle, there are quite a lot of businesses from Thailand. I'm starting to see a couple of Thai cars here.

Later part of the Late Morning: (Hahaha I know! It sounds almost lame) We're at Kompleks Bebas Cucai C'le Duty Free Shopping Complex. Haha! We are in between Thailand and Malaysia - no man's land. Sniffles. The officer in the Malaysia Check-point thought I was a Thai. =((( Anyway we're going in to get ourselves our Brother Chivas =)

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Occupation: Student
Country of Residence: Singapore
From/Port of Embarkation: Padang Besar
Next/Port of Disembarkation: Hatyai

hahahahha taking one of those tourisy shots. Anyway we actually needed to pay money for the Thai's "overtime" sheesh. Like WTF. Thailand is still that corrupted. I'm almost disgusted.

10.30am (Thai time: it's one hour behind Malaysian time) Sawadika! We're in Thailand already! =p The land of smiles. Just an observation- There are so many more motorcycles here. Where are the vehicles?? Where are the notorious jams?? Unfamiliarity sets in. Even their license plates look different. Hmm somehow I'm reminded of Fon. Wonder whether she's in Thailand.

Anyway we're probably on our way to Hatyai. Passing by forests with occasional delapitated single houses. Did I mention that Susu, Cheng, Lai and I are squashed behind? Well fitting in real well. It's a good start to the day.

squashed. we were enjoyin the ride nonetheless =)

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It's amazing to see families squeezing in one tiny motorcycle. To think we Singaporeans complain about our cars and the lack of space. =p

Anyway we're in Sadao, another small town in Thailand. Uncle told us we may have dinner here. Haha! He also let us in on another snippet of Information - alot of businesses here are owned by PRCs.

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We passed by Patini, another town where 5 million Muslims reside! Susu told us this gruesome story where some of these Muslims killed a few monks! Scary!

Just like Malaysia, Thailand gives a totally different feel. I'm not too sure whether it's a good feeling. I've certain mixed feelings about this place.

11.15 am (M'sian time: 12.15am):We're at Hatyai! First stop: a buffet lunch! We're going to get fat! We're going on a tuk tuk (for the next video, click the image)

click the image to play the video

taking a tuk tuk to the hotel for lunch

nice view from the hotel (Lee Gardens Plaza Hotel) where we had our buffet. The buffet cost only S$10!!!

my gals looking stuffed. hahahahha the problem with the 3 of us - no control =p

walking around after lunch.

as usual i got a little distracted by food.

i couldn't help taking this photo. hahah i was reminded of how 'pirated' their goods are. =P

after a looooong day of shopping and haggling in the main market and shopping centre, we were in another tuk tuk on our way back to the car =p

click on the image for another video of a tuk tuk ride.

we went to the vicinity of "happy new" (as stated in lai's phone)

another satisfying meal! thanks Uncle and Aunty!

ahhh we topped up the meal with Singha. Yummm...beer and good food - a good combination!

Night time: We went from the hotel to shopping centres (Odeon and Diana) to the market to dinner. It was a long and tiring day. I spent quite a bit in Thailand. It's more than enough for the day.

I really enjoyed myself today, Susu's parents' company and well everyone who squeezed in the car with me.

(for more photos, click here)

6th of January - Food, glorious food!

(warning: the contents that you see may be too overwhelming for the heart - there's just too much good food!!!)

After another hearty breakfast in Susu's place, we made our way to the bus terminal to grab tickets to Penang, Butterworth to be more exact. On the way to Butterworth, I finished up my book because I couldn't sleep. As a result I got even more restless. Did i EVER mention that I hate bus rides, and plane rides? sigh... On a lighter note, the book (shucks I can't even remember the title of the book already) was not too bad. Very digestible =) One of those love stories...ANYYWAYYY...

thanks aunty for having us! dang! i forgot to take photos with the two of them. sigh..

We finally arrived at Penang! We squeezed behind while Cheng's mum brought us to Nidong Tebal to have crab porridge. It was a pity we all were still quite stuffed from breakfast. Either that we were just too tired to truly appreciate the food placed in front of us.

We were greeted by the wide array of raw food. You'll never be able to see such a sight in Singapore.

Cheng's mum ordered as Susu looked on.

Sotong with some sweet spicy sauce (with Cheng looking very happy in the background)

We made our way to the Penang island by car. Cheng drove. It was then that I noticed that Malaysian drivers are quite scary. I wouldn't say that they are reckless but somehow whenever I'm sitting in the car, I find myself praying! =p I didn't manage to pick this up in Perlis, probably because there weren't that many cars that the drivers had any reason to be aggressive.

On the bridge to Penang. On my way there I kept humming the tune "London bridge is falling down" for some reason. hahaha!

For some reason, this stretch reminded me of Chinatown in Singapore. *shrug*

Cheng drove us to Prangin Mall where I treated myself to shopping. Shopping really does wonders I tell you. I was a happy girl when i left the Mall. I was an even more happy girl when I got to meet up with Von-von, my colleague, my friend from MUISS =) We arranged to meet at this hawker place in Gurney. She brought along her boyfriend as well. It was quite a rackus because everyone kept insisting on paying. Lai and I didn't manage to pay for much. Tsk... on a separate occasion he finally realised why he didn't manage to pay for the food - he had a "poor command of the hokkien language"...excuses... Anyway as I was saying, it was quite a hilarious sight, watching everyone almost screaming for the hawker's attention, defaming each other's notes, saying that the other party's notes were fake. =) Imagine what the hawkers might have thought!

The night view from Prangin Mall. Even though it's nothing spectacular in some people's eyes, to me it was quite a special view. It could be because it's just different. I was in a foreign land, but I was surrounded by my friends =) I dunno how to explain that feeling.

As i said, I met up with Yvonne. =) It was good to see her again!

click on the image for a video of some of the hawker food we savoured

We had quite a bit to eat. From Lor Mee to Chinese Rojak to Assam Laka... Fooooooooood! Now you see it......

Now you don't!

My malaysian pets helping themselves! =)

We then headed to this cafe called Segafredo for a few drinks. Here's to (I always quote from Alvina) "beauty, peace and harmony!"

The lot of us in Segafredo. From left: Yvonne, ME, Lai, Susu, Cheng, Pek Kei.

It's sooo fun to tease Pei Kei because she can't play that Die-game.

So that was my first day in Penang.

(for more photos, click here)

7th of January - Officially a Pig.

We woke up early, well not that early, to start our day early. Okay that didn't make sense. Chengy, our ah mad (hehe...jk jk) for this stretch of the trip, brought Pei Kei, Susu, Lai and I to this restaurant in Butterworth called Weng Sang (WS). We had a feast in WS. My highlight for lunch - suckling pig!!!!!!!! Man I haven't had that in ages so that made me a happy girl already.

On our way to Weng San - Lai, reading in the car.

This was where we had the cheap suckling pig.

Like I said, CHEAP FOOD.... =))) The suckling pig was going at close to S$55!!! I called Mum there and then and she burst my bubble. She said that it was the market rate in Singapore. *&^$#&@*$@ Okayyyy..to me, I associate Malaysia and Thailand to cheap food, so don't mind me!

Chengy and I waiting patiently for the food.

click on the image!

The pig looks awfully.......roasted!!! hahahahah! I did feel a little intimidated because it seemed as though as it was staring at me.

After much deliberation, I ate it anyway. It was satisfying, almost orgasmic. The fat oozing out, the succulent meat....who could ask for more?

After lunch, we made our way to the Penang Island again. This time, we were ferried across, in our cars!!! Up till now, I haven't been ferried across in this manner. Or maybe I was too young to even remember details like that. Either way, it was refreshing.

Waiting to go into the ferry.

Driving into the ferry.

We alighted the car and enjoyed some fresh air. From left: Pei Kei, Me, Susu and Chengy. BAHHH i can see the stains on my nice green shirt. Stupid suckling pig sauce!!!

The best friends enjoying a moment together. Man these two girls are hilarious!

Susu and I, looking like little kids peering out.

A view of the Penang Island from the ferry itself.

There were two levels of the Ferry, so I went down to check it out.

We had a coconut each before walking up to this Kek Lok Si temple. Here you see Chengy, preparing her money. I'd like to call this the Paying-man Syndrome: the attempt to be the first person to pay for everyone.

The shops on the hill that lead to the temple

Almost at the peak of the hill laid this pond filled with turtles. If I'm not wrong (and correct me if I'm wrong), the people like to feed the turtles for good luck. So here we see Chengy stuffing the poor turtles with bunches of vegetables.

After the peeps visited the temple, we found ourselves eating again.

This time round, it's assam laksa again. For those who are interested, it's located at Air Itam. It's really famous and it's damn good! Try it without the black sauce.

On our way to buy the famous Him Heang biscuits, I found this motorist really amusing. hahaha.

We ate SOME MORE at Lorong Selamat, actually just the Char Kuay Teow and Ice Kachang.

And if you have a to-eat-before-you-die list, this HAS to be one of them. YOU HAVE TO GO TO PENANG'S LORONG SELAMAT TO TRY THIS STALL'S CHAR KUAY TEOW. I tell you I don't usually like Char Kuay Teow but this, mannn i wanted some more!

The picture speaks for itself. For this dish, I rate it a 10 out of 10.

Why am I not surprised I finished up the dish!

Right after that, we went in search for durians. After like close to 6 years, I decided to eat durians again. We found this stall at Jalan Macalistar.

We walked around Gurney Plaza (to shop) after the feast. We then found ourselves at the coast. There was this road side stall which Chengy recommended so...we ate again! It was actually just pork floss and bak kwa in a bun but it still tasted good!

Enjoyin my friends' company outside Gurney Plaza. It was soothing and peaceful to watch the waves crashing until...

I saw a dead fish. (kinda reminds me of.......EAST COAST PARK!!!)

After mucking around in the coastal area and shopping for a bit in Gurney Plaza, we met up with Yvonne. We met her at Gurney Drive. We were supposed to go to Gurney Drive the day before but because of the rain, we had to find another drier place to eat. Anyway speaking of Gurney Drive, it resembles Lau Pat Sat, only that it's an open concept. You see more than hundred stalls selling various hawker dishes. Whatever you need or want, you can find it here. I love this place so much that I almost hate it because in here, you are almost spoilt for choice. And i don't like too much choices. Haha...I'll end up being a pig and buying EVERYTHING i want. We ended up buying different dishes and sharing.

Here you see and may have an idea of how big this place is. It's situated in a huge carpark, next to a cemetary. haha!

While waiting for Yvonne - a nice housemate shot!

Some dishes that we ordered.

Other dishes that we tried.

Satisfied faces smiling for the camera

Smiling with Yvonne for the last time. I'll see you when you come to Singapore!!!

So that was how I spent my last night in Penang. We spent our first part of the day devouring a pig, and at the end of the day, I felt like a pig because of the phenomenal amount I consumed. How ironic isn't it?
(for more photos, click here)

8th of January - Meetings galore!

Ride to KL
After another pretty sleepless night (and hilarious incident that happened between Steven and I at 2am) and yummy breakfast with Cheng's family, I'm back in a coach to KL with Cheng, Susu, Pei Kei and Mr Lai. Did i ever ever mention that I hate coach rides? Wait or well, transportation in general. It always makes my back hurt and I'm confined to a certain space. I simply can't move!!! And neither can I sleep. Whoever said holidays were relaxing? I always tire myself out during holidays. Man I'm one wierd gal.

The road seems more windy and the landscape, more forested. Maybe I couldn't see the other time on my way to Penang - that was at night, and it was pitch black (Malaysian roads are like Australian roads to a certain extent. Especially on highways, there isn't, in my opinion, sufficient lighting on the streets). I still want to complain about bus rides. Bah! (Song in my head at the moment: I WANT TO BREAK FREE...hjahahhahaa)

Did I mention that I hate long bus rides??? sighh...

Breakfast with the Lor family - laksa, the so-called "lemak" kind. I miss the food in Penang!

Waiting in anticipation for the bus.

Taking random shots because I was bored...

3.27pm
I'm now in KL!!! FINALLY! And after a somewhat seemingly L-O-N-G walk to the hotel, we settled down and now everyone, well almost everyone, is in my room. We're meeting for lunch. Hungry... I'm excited! I'm meeting Sze Min and Chen Hoe later! Whee!

Horsing around in the hotel room, waiting for Christie and An.

Lunch at this restaurant next to Keith's hotel =) And i had....*Drum roollllll* HOKKIEN MEE, which didn't taste all that good.

Night
I finally met up with SM and it was a good time meeting up with her, eating at that famous place where different stalls dominate the whole street (which I can't remember already.Think it's called Jalan Alor). Right after that we decided to go clubbing. MK fetched us to this place along Jalan P. Ramli. It's called the Thai Club...yeah... It was quite an enjoyable night, from an amazing malay group singing cantonese songs to ah pehs drooling at the gals dancing on the platforms right in front of me. I swear if I looked hard enough (which I so do not want to do), they probably had well, an erection. ULGHHHH!!! (too much of a visual for me, I've lost my appetite for the next few days!). Apart from those disgusting leering idiots, it was quite a happening club. I must try the other club opposite the Thai Club next time =)

PRETTY WOMAN!!! hehehe my chio friend, Sze Min! =) Hahaha...

In the Thai Club - MANNN I look horrid in photos. The only decent shot is with Lai probably, even so, I think I look like piss because in the photo, I'm acting like a retard.

Some random shots of us. We seem to be having fun! =)

Did i mention that I love my housemates?

Click on image for video of this amazing malay group.

(for more photos, click here)