#1.
Brand New Island Plaza Coming In 2012 – Seems like there’s many developments are going on around Penang, residential, commercial block and more! The once a glory Island Plaza has been through down time for several years and it’s under renovation to revamp into a brand new mall, opening in 2012.
Woohoo! Means there will be more shopping malls to shop in Penang already and I believe the renovation is needed to compete the opening of Gurney Paragon in 2012! Looking forward or not?
#1: Located on Level 4 of Straits Quay.
Passed By PenangPAC (Performing Arts Centre), Straits Quay – Kuala Lumpur has the KLPac (Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre), and now Penang has our very own PenangPAC – Performing Arts Centre of Penang. Oh yeah! Now I can get to enjoy some nice stage act, musical drama and show here in Penang.
It was opened on the 11th of November 2011, the 111111 day. I went to the Popular’s Book Fair few days ago and passed by the PenangPAC, so I went in to check it out.
#2: Wall of photography, illustrations and paintings.
Obviously, it’s a lot smaller than the KLPac. but then it’s looking spacious and nice with a simple decorations at the lobby. They have two halls which named Stage 1 and Stage 2. There’s also a wall that showcases the good print artworks like photography and illustration.
#3: I see they have a very nice looking interior office for their admin. Really like the workspace so much.
I think PenangPAC is a good platform on promoting performing arts to the local and also act as a stage to gather all the performing arts lover together. Will definitely go check out some show later.
Char Koay Teow Basah (Wet) @ Sungai Rambai, Bukit Mertajam – When we talk about Char Koay Teow, the place “Penang” came into mind, and then it came the huge shrimps, and the dry flat noodles with beansprout, a little bit of hot chilli paste, cockles the the flat noodle pan fried with special soy sauce – Penang’s Char Koay Teow.
Have you ever wonder what it is when Char Koay Teow is fried by our local Malay friend? It turned from dry to to wet. Malay-style of Char Koay Teow is basically has a special salty and sweet wet sauce which pour onto the flat noodle and is believe that it’s from the little town of Bukit Mertajam.
With the absence of pork lard, it still however brings another type of surprise to you. It’s a whole new experience of Char Koay Teow.
On one of the road connecting into Bukit Mertajam town – Jalan Sungai Rambai, lies a Malay-style Char Koay Teow that provides delicious dinner and supper for the locals. It’s located in front of a furniture shop and you can easily spot the place when you see the AIA building, where the stall is just right opposite of it.
At RM3.00 per plate, you will see a bowl of waterish wet dark brown sauce which half flooded the flat white noodle. Beansprout, cockles and small shrimps are accompanied with the little dish. The sauce is special as it’s cook with egg and tasted salty, and a little bit of sweetness.
Ask for “udang kopek” which actually means for removing the shell of the shrimp when ordering to ease your eating experience. The little Penang’s street food by our local Malay friend is special, nice, yet I found the portion is rather small. It went in my stomach in just a short period of time.
Nevertheless, it’s something that should be try. I’ve read that at Alma, Bukit Mertajam has another stall that sells this kind of Char Koay Teow and I would like to try it one day.
Char Koay Teow Basah (Wet)
Jalan Sungai Rambai
In front of furniture shop.
Opposite of AIA building.
Bukit Mertajam
Opening Hours: 8pm to midnight.
[googlemaps https://maps.google.com.my/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=215278323465761497274.000469feb8850ec72b675&ie=UTF8&t=m&vpsrc=6&ll=5.364844,100.453244&spn=0.005127,0.006866&z=17&iwloc=0004b3414d8f13fea2770&output=embed&w=640&h=480]
#1.
Bubble Milk Oolong Tea – LOHAS Tea Shop, Bukit Mertajam – Chinese loves bubble tea very much, so do I! I am a super bubble tea fan, it’s so much better than Starbucks Coffee although they are two different category of beverage. With the rise of famous international brand like Chatime, Gong Cha, Share Tea and more, local bubble tea shops are trying very hard to compete with them as people tend to go for a more famous brand.
Despite the many brand of bubble tea in town, e.g. Chatime, Gong Cha, Each A Cup, Fresh (Penang), LOHAS (Penang), Cool Blog, I realised that people are still trying to create another bubble tea brand.
#2: Clean and simple interior.
Recently, my dearest Hueisean introduced me a less known to the Penang-island people bubble tea brand – LOHAS Tea Shop, which is located in Bukit Mertajam. LOHAS is quite well-known at Bukit Mertajam before the arriving of Chatime and has been a hangout spot for the young for some times.
#3: The menu in Chinese.
The cafe has a simple decoration, yet it brings out a minimalist and warm sense with the illuminating panel. I like the brand name too – LOHAS, which actually means Lifestyle Of Health And Sustainable in general term. Looking at the menu, it offers bubble tea just like any other typical bubble tea shop, but at a lower price and they do serve little snack food too. This is what makes it stand out from others.
#4: Wifi is available in the cafe.
#5: Simple packaging.
I ordered a cup of regular size Bubble Milk Oolong Tea with Pearl (RM4.00 + RM0.50 for pearl). I quite like the price for the cup of bubble tea as normally, I have to pay RM5.90 – RM6.90 for a similar cup of bubble tea at the well-known brand.
#6: The bubble tea.
The bubble is quite chewy in my opinion, and the oolong tea taste is there, however it would be better if the essence, the taste of the tea can be stronger. Overall, it’s OK-good, I like it because of the price, as well of the not-bad-ness.
If you ever to be in Bukit Mertajam, do pay a visit if you are a bubble tea fans.
LOHAS Tea Shop
3202-G, Jalan Maju
Pusat Perniagaan Maju Utama,
1400 Bukit Mertajam,
Penang, Malaysia.GPS: N05 21.146; E100 28.313′
Business Hour: Mon – Fri / 12pm -12am (Sat – 1am)
Raja Uda Outlet
5023, Jalan Raja Uda,
12300 Butterworth,
Penang.Telephone:+ +6016-4960500
[googlemaps https://maps.google.com.my/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=215278323465761497274.000469feb8850ec72b675&ie=UTF8&t=m&vpsrc=6&ll=5.352966,100.470926&spn=0.005127,0.006866&z=17&iwloc=0004b332b276b2ed05da9&output=embed&w=640&h=480]
#1: Bicycle road guide on the road of Campbell Street.
Hot Day At Campbell Street, Penang – I think developer or the state government should revamp the Campbell Street to become a happening shopping street like the Hong Kong’s Sai Yeung Choi St, Malacca’s Jonker Walk or Guangzhou’s Beijing Road, or even something like the Kuala Lumpur’s Petaling Street. This street has a great potential of turning into a good hangout spots in Penang as there are already good pavements, nice road and colonial style shop houses.
#2: The coin operated parking meter. You know in Hong Kong, they have a similar parking meter, but then it’s not coin operated, instead you pay with their “Touch N’ Go”, the Octopus Card.
#4: The famous old Chinese restaurant – Tho Yuen on the right. Old, yet still many come to visit the restaurant for breakfast and lunch.
The street is full of history and culture, yet it doesn’t has the glory as it had back then. The things that bring the people onto the street are a few of the old restaurants and the nearby Chowrasta Market. The shop houses are occupied by many boring wholesale shop right now.
#5: Signboard of a tea shop.
#6: A new boutique hotel turned from a typical 3 floor colonial style heritage shophouses – Campbell Hotel.
I feel it’s a waste that this beautiful street doesn’t shows it glory and bring tourists and locals onto it.
#7.
#8: Locals shop at some of the store on Campbell Street.
#9: The five foot path a.k.a. walkway outside the old shops.
#10. Construction work going on in town.
Hopefully this street will wake up and become a hot and awesome spot in Penang one day from day to night. Another thing, if you are a tourist, you must not miss Campbell Street in your visiting list too. =)
George Town Festival 2012 Teaser Website – George Town Festival is an annual event that happens in Penang to celebrate George Town as a UNESCO World Heritage city ever since the year 2010. The 2011 George Town Festival was a heat in Penang and many came to Penang to enjoy the month long celebration.
The George Town Festival 2012 website is up as a teaser website and the planning for the 2012 festival has already started. You can fill in your name as volunteer, as well as sponsor for the festival. If you have tip and idea to make the festival even greater, you can contribute too!
Check out the teaser website here.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9COn6kM6WZo&w=640&h=360]
Malaysian-Made PSA On Autism – This video is a Malaysian-made Public Service Announcement on the awareness of Autism. The video is in Chinese language and has English subtitle. It’s really professionally made with all the editing, BGM, photography and filmography so well in placed. Good job to the director Quek Shio Chuan.
#1: Roadside car park always get full because of cheap parking rate at RM0.30 per half hour.
Driving Through Jalan Pasar, Pulau Tikus – Jalan Pasar is where the Pulau Tikus Wet Market is and it’s get crowded and happenings in the morning. This post showcase a few photos taken a few days back when driving pass this road.
#2: Fruit seller by the roadside working on his fruits. An apple a day, keeps the doctors away.
#3: Roadside car park fee collector from the local municipal council. I think they should implement some sort of electronic payment system because at some times, you will not be able to find the fee collector to pay for your parking and that’s where you get trouble.
#4: Grandparents carrying grandson to go shopping at the morning market. The boutiques near the market do have good business.
#5: Went to park at a private open air car park at rate of RM3/entry on weekend and RM2/entry on weekdays. Hmm.
Friday Afternoon On Penang Bridge – I am not a frequent user of the Penang Bridge which connects the Penang Island and the mainland – Seberang Perai (or less known as Province Wellesley). Have been away to study in Klang Valley, only now I realised that the traffic congestion in Penang is getting as worst as like in Kuala Lumpur, Klang Valley.
#3. Slow moving at entrance road of the bridge.
Penang Bridge get congested everyday in the morning and during 5pm-7pm where workers are going back home to the mainland, it gets even more congested on Friday with the additional of students and people who are from the mainland.
#4. Soon, when The Light, the new town in Penang is open, more and more people will come to Penang.
Yesterday was just a typical Friday to me, but the traffic get slowed, not congested yet at about 5pm. Travel time extend 9 minutes to 20 minutes from the normal 11 minutes on the bridge and the traffic started to build up by then.
I’ve heard that it takes an hour to pass through the bridge during the peak hour. Hopefully the new Penang Bridge link 2 opening next year will solve part of the congestion and I truly support the build of the 3rd link which is a sea tunnel conecting Gurney Drive and Butterworth. Nevertheless, the state government must look into public transportation system too to reduce the vehicles on the road.
Drainage Upgrading And Widening In George Town, Penang – If you are driving or walking around town, you will see many of this digging and constructing work going around by the roadside. It’s the upgrading work of the drainage by widening it for a better flood control in the city.
I don’t know why some of the NGOs (Non-governmental organisations) are so stubborn and troublesome. They complain that the this upgrading work by the Penang state government should not be done as the drains were part of Penang’s heritage.
Funny right? It’s very ridiculous and since when the UNESCO classifies the drain as part of the heritage element list? Come on, it’s just a drain. If there’s flood, who’s gonna blame? Some, I mean some, NGOs is some times No Brain Organizations, their jobs is just to complain, without looking into the matter seriously.
