A few weeks earlier, a kind neighbor has undertaken the task to organize a trip to Perak, Malaysia and had invited some of us neighbors to come along.
The big day finally arrived after much anticipation. We woke up in the wee hours of the morning to board a chartered coach which brought us across the causeway.
Everyone were sleepy and spent much of the journey catching up on deprived sleep until we arrived for breakfast at Batu Gajah (or was it Yong Peng?).
Mum's breakfast
Does anyone know what this is? It is wrapped like Nasi Lemak but inside is just rice with shrimps and gravy and not the usual egg, fish, peanuts. This packet is only palm sized.
It tastes quite good to me. I do like the texture of the rice with the sauce actually.
Dad's Wanton Mee
The Wanton Mee is satisfactory except for the disappointing Char Siew. I prefer Char Siew that is caramelized on the outside with bits of fat on the inside. This is too dry for my palate.
My Kolo Mee
Tried my first Kolo Mee but I do not like the instant mee styled noodles. Same problem with the Char Siew here.
After breakfast, we arrived at Loong Thow Ngam Temple (龙头岩) which has a history spanning more than a hundred years.
There are several natural-occurring rock formations inside the cave that resembled dragons, toads, elephants and even a claw and a fist.
I guess when you are stuck in a cave for too long, you become imaginative.
After breakfast, we arrived at Loong Thow Ngam Temple (龙头岩) which has a history spanning more than a hundred years.
There are several natural-occurring rock formations inside the cave that resembled dragons, toads, elephants and even a claw and a fist.
I guess when you are stuck in a cave for too long, you become imaginative.
The temple is seeking donations for expansion
Interior of the Taoist temple
The ceiling was blackened by a decade of incense offerings from the devotees.
A ladybug flew onto me
This ladybug reminds me of my primary school days spent catching ladybugs in the school field before morning assembly.
We boarded the coach and was barely settled when we reached our next destination - Gunung Lang which is just a stone's throw away from Loong Thow Nam Temple.
Gunung Lang
Magnificent lake hemmed by majestic limestone hills
You could pay for a RM3 (RM1.50 for senior citizens) boat ride to the park opposite where a beautifully landscaped garden and mini zoo awaits. You can see the observation Tower in the photo above.
We did not cross over due to time constraints as we still need to check into Kinta Riverfront Hotel for the night.
The hotel seem pretty new and high tech for we need to scan our card keys in the lift to go up to our level.
We did not cross over due to time constraints as we still need to check into Kinta Riverfront Hotel for the night.
The hotel seem pretty new and high tech for we need to scan our card keys in the lift to go up to our level.
Our tour guide liaising with the front desk
Room 1018
Scan your card key to enter the room. If the door is left unlocked, it will, in Mum's own words, "cry" which is actually the security function.
Switches for the lights
Interior
Beds are comfy but the pillows are extremely flat
Since we are only staying for one night, I did not bother asking for one more pillow. The extra pillow in the cupboard was given to Mum while I folded mine in half.
TV reception for room 1018 is bad and all channels were in black and white
Complimentary beverages
Loved the high tech feel
The bathroom could get pretty cold with
the air convent directly above the W.C
the air convent directly above the W.C
The showerhead
Breakfast at the hotel on the second morning.
First round: Nasi Lemak
The taste is ok except that the egg and rice were cold (taken out from fridge and not properly reheated).
Round Two: Plain Porridge and Beehoon
Round Three: Prawn Mee
After breakfast, it was time to check out of the hotel and head for Pangkor Island!
At Lumut Jetty
"S'kius me, Stewardess coming through..."
Do take note that the ferry will be making two stops.
The first stop is at Sungai Pinang Kecil Jetty while the second stop is at Pangkor Jetty. You do not want to disembark at the wrong one.
The first stop is at Sungai Pinang Kecil Jetty while the second stop is at Pangkor Jetty. You do not want to disembark at the wrong one.
The first thing we did after disembarking is to go for a round-the-island tour.
First stop, Dutch Fort!
No picture of the Dutch Fort because soon after alighting from the van, I tripped over a porthole in the road.
Left ankle had a slight sprain while my right knee and knuckle had lacerations but my ego suffered the most as it was witnessed by so many people around (yet no one came to help me up).
Next up, to Fu Ling Kong Temple!
Left ankle had a slight sprain while my right knee and knuckle had lacerations but my ego suffered the most as it was witnessed by so many people around (yet no one came to help me up).
Next up, to Fu Ling Kong Temple!
福临宫
There is a mini Great Wall and more things to see inside that involves a bit of stairs climbing but because of my sprain, I decided to just stay around the front of the temple where the stalls selling knick-knacks are.
I am not sure is it due to the scorching weather but I find this Ice Kachang exceptionally refreshing and delicious!
Moving on, we are then brought to this local produce shop.
We bought many bags of ikan bilis, some local produce and tidbits for my siblings.
Our last stop ends at Lin Je Kong Temple (灵慈宫) where the statues of Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse welcomes visitors within.
(You can see Donald in the photo below right in the middle near the steps)
Leaving Lin Je Kong, we finally checked into our resort at Coral Bay. We have only one day in Pangkor and will be returning to Ipoh the next day.
Yay to double pillows!
We wasted no time in making our way to Pasir Bogak Beach which is about 2 - 3 minutes walk from the resort.
We went island hopping and visited some strange rock formations that looked like an apple, crocodile's head, etc and even passed by Pangkor Laut Resort (a neighboring island) where Malaysian International star Angelica Lee held her marriage.
It was quite sad when we had to leave. I still have not had enough fun yet. There is not much photos here as we were in the water.
Time to invest in a underwater camera!
Dinner at Restoran Pasir Bogak (高佬海鲜饭店).
Time to invest in a underwater camera!
Dinner at Restoran Pasir Bogak (高佬海鲜饭店).
Breakfast at Coral Bay Resort next morning.
Is Nasi Lemak a national dish of Malaysia? It is served at both Kinta Riverfront Hotel and at Coral Bay.
See that Omelette above? I had to wait almost 10 minutes for it! I saw only one makcik waiting there at the egg station and happily queue behind her. In the end she ordered eggs for her entire village.
See that Omelette above? I had to wait almost 10 minutes for it! I saw only one makcik waiting there at the egg station and happily queue behind her. In the end she ordered eggs for her entire village.
After breakfast, it is time to check out and head back to Ipoh.
Our next destination is headed for Tanjung Tualing (督亚冷) to have freshwater prawns for lunch.
That's them dead
Below are some of the other dishes we had for lunch.
The julienned vegetables on top of the fish are very appetizing
Midin Fern - I last had them in Sarawak!
After lunch, we saw many people crowding this stall.
They are selling freshly made Sak Kei Ma
We were next brought to this shop selling soya bean curd and soya bean milk. In Malaysia, soya bean curd are known as "tau fu fah".
With a long queue in front of it, business is really brisk and I could feel the tension inside. There was absolutely no time for chit chat as the staff were busy taking orders and fulfilling them.
Funny Mountain Soya Bean Curd and Soya Bean Milk
奇峰传统古式豆腐花豆精水
Apparently, their "tau fu fah" is said to be one of the best in Malaysia. They are so popular that they even have a drive-thru for vehicles!
A staff will take your order then bring them to you where you can eat your "tau fu fah" in your car and someone will come to collect the bowls when you are done.
I did not have the "tau fu fah" but opted for the soya bean milk instead.
According to my parents, the "tau fu fah" is smooth and rich but quite a small bowl with only "two mouthfuls".
My soya bean milk
The cool, refreshing soya bean milk provided some temporary respite from Ipoh's harsh weather! It is smooth and fragrant with the sweetness just right. I would recommend Funny Mountain to anyone who visits Ipoh!
Ling Sen Tong
灵仙岩
We were brought to yet another built-in-the-cave temple. This temple contained several folklore statues which bear some uncanny resemblance to our very own Haw Par Villa.
Built right next to Ling Sen Tong are another two temples - Sam Poh Tong (三宝洞) and Nam Tin Tong (南天洞) which we did not visit as the heat was getting to us real bad.
Aun Kheng Lim Salted Chicken (Ayam Garam)
宴琼林盐焗鸡
This Salted Chicken was highly recommended by the tour guide and we ordered one to try out.
Throw all dining etiquette out of the windows when having this salted chicken. The chicken, which is the size of a spring chicken is best enjoyed with your bare hands! Just pull and tear off the flesh to eat.
Not very appetizing looking, I know because the paper sticks to the skin
The chicken is wrapped in paper then baked with salt and angelica (dong guai). I love how flavorful the chicken tastes and even the normally tough and tasteless chicken breasts tastes tender and succulent.
These chickens fly off the shelves real fast as customers buy them by the boxes. We had to call and order in advance to "chope" our chickens.
We checked back into Kinta Riverfront Hotel. This time, we are at Room 1003. The power socket near the TV is spoilt while the water pressure in the shower is wonky.
I realized that in both room 1018 and 1003, there are similar strange stains at the bathroom entrance that looked like wax. A coincidence or some mark left behind after performing certain rituals?
Jeng! Jeng! Jeng!
We checked back into Kinta Riverfront Hotel. This time, we are at Room 1003. The power socket near the TV is spoilt while the water pressure in the shower is wonky.
I realized that in both room 1018 and 1003, there are similar strange stains at the bathroom entrance that looked like wax. A coincidence or some mark left behind after performing certain rituals?
Jeng! Jeng! Jeng!
Lou Wong Tauge Chicken/Nga Choi Gai
老黄芽菜鸡沙河粉
Believe it or not, after having Aun Kheng Lim Salted Chicken in the afternoon, we had Lou Wong Nga Choi Gai for dinner. The number of people waiting to get a table is sheer madness!
Luckily we had reserved our tables in advance.
Luckily we had reserved our tables in advance.
Tauge
I don't think you could tell from this picture but that is a humongous plate of tauge seasoned with pepper and soy sauce.
The plump and crunchy Ipoh tauge that grew on water from limestone hills
The Ipoh chicken with skin yellow-er than Singapore chickens
My first time having chicken feet with dong guai!
Chicken gizzards
The entire Lou Wong Tauge Chicken affair
So, what is my verdict after trying out this Tauge Chicken that Ipoh is so famous for? To be honest, I felt the chicken is over-rated. It is not that special except for its yellow skin.
However, I do enjoy the Dong Guai Chicken Feet and the kway teow soup which is particularly tasty.
After dinner, we had a short shopping at The Store before returning to Kinta Riverfront Hotel to retire for the night.
Last morning at Ipoh!
Love the sea of mist in the mountains opposite my room
Came here for White Coffee but it was too crowded so end up having none
Next destination on the itinerary is yet another temple-in-a-cave.
Kek Lok Tong
极乐洞
Pretty spacious inside
The other end of the cave revealed a world of unparalleled beauty
View of the entrance taken from inside out
Magnificent!
Macaques gathered near where the coach was parked
By now, we must make our way back to Johor Bahru but we stopped by Tambun along the way for their Pomelos.
Tambun Pomelos
打扪柚子
Some Quay Nee too
What do you call these green mangoes? We like to put the unriped ones in the rice bucket and the kitchen will permeate with the fragrance of the mangoes.
I found Vanilla Coke!
We stopped by Gopeng (务边) roadside for kampong durians without pesticides
Om Nom Nom!
We also stopped by Kampar for lunch at this restaurant famous or its "Golden Pillow".
The shop front
The famed "Golden Pilliow" - what secret does it hold?
Curry Chicken!
From Kampar, we made a really long journey back to Yong Peng where we had our dinner before returning to Singapore.
Although this is just a short 4 days trip, we enjoyed ourselves tremendously and I hope there will be another trip to Pangkor Island soon.
I wished to have the opportunity to feed and take photos of the wild Hornbills that roost on the island which was not included on the itinerary this time.
Till then!
More photos here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152158631211155.1073741832.162588896154&type=3&uploaded=241