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Ernest’s Mural At Chew Jetty – Boy On Boat

Ernest’s Mural At Chew Jetty – Boy On Boat – Went to Chew Jetty last week to check out the mural by Ernest Zacharevic which is about a boy with fishing rod on a sampan. I’m so outdated already because it had been there for like a month. Anyway, I still want to go check it out and capture photo because it’s cute.

Weather wasn’t that nice that day, it was hazy, humid and hot! Argh. I couldn’t spend a long time under the hot sun, it’s very uncomfortable as I was unprepared. Just went there spontaneously and did not expect the weather to be so hot.

Here’s Hueisean with the mural. It’s drawn on the wall of a homestay wooden house at Chew Jetty.

July 31, 2012
Bangkok: Grand Palace

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Bangkok Trip: Grand Palace (Day 4) – Grand Palace is a historical site in Bangkok, Thailand where many years back, it’s the palace of King of Thailand. In year 2006, I went there once, and 6 years later, I went there again! It hasn’t changed a bit, but there’s some renovation going on in the Grand Palace. The tourists are more than before and the weather was hotter than before.

Although Grand Palace is located right next to Wat Pho, but then the main entrance is very far from Wat Pho! OMG. It took me about 10 minutes walk from Wat Pho to Grand Palace’s main entrance under the scorching hot sun. It’s really very very hot. I suggest starting the trip at Grand Palace first only go visit Wat Pho and Wat Arun, visit in the morning will be the best as it’s not that hot yet.

Looks pretty and like a Thai girl right? Hehe.

I have heard about the Grand Palace scam which is that the tuk-tuk taxi driver will approach you and tell you that Grand Palace is close at that time, and will instead bring you to other temple like Lucky Buddha and shopping at the gem shop, only you completed the “tour”, they will bring you back to Grand Palace. They charged only about 100-200Baht for the trip. Sounds good right? But it’s actually a scam and it’s a time wasting tour. Grand Palace is in fact opens daily. When they bring you to these places, they actually receive commission.

However, I did not approach with any of such tuk-tuk driver. I’ve read on the Internet, it’s better to beware. If you are approached by them, just say no, or in Thai, ‘Mai Owl Rock’, which means I’ve been here before.

Going in to the Grand Palace is pretty troublesome because one needs to be properly dressed. I have shorts, and Hueisean has shorts too, so we have to rent something to cover up. 200Baht per piece and you will get back the deposit when you end the tour. I got myself a wear on pants and Hueisean got a piece of sarong-liked cloth. 3/4 length pants and skinny jeans are also not allow in the Grand Palace, and spaghetti straps too. What a strict place, but since you get to rent the cloth for free, so why not checking it out?

Entrance fee to Grand Palace is very expensive at 400 Baht (RM40) per person! Since we have already there, no point getting back already, so me and Hueisean bought the ticket and went in. We only have about 1.5 hours to tour the whole Grand Palace because it closes at 4pm every afternoon. The weather was really very very hot, perspiring drops were all over the body and the pants they lend were hot.

We started off the tour at the temple area which is the Temple of Emerald Buddha – Wat Phra Kaew. I think this is the most beautiful part of the Grand Palace compound and with most things to see. Other than that is just no-photo’s Throne Hall which is just normal.

The Italian Renaissance-style of Throne Hall and King’s Residence is pretty cool. It’s a blend of Thai and Western architecture. When you are at the ground level, you can see Renaissance-style architecture, but when you look at the top of the building, you can see the Mondop-style roof. Pretty cool.

Actually Grand Palace is not as big as you seen from the outer wall. Many parts of the Grand Palace are prohibited from enter. It’s just maybe a small little part of Forbidden City in Beijing. However, if you haven’t been there before, I think this is a good place to tour on. Not big, but still good. We returned the pants and got back the deposit that we’ve made then we went to look for a cab to go back to hotel. Unfortunately, cabs around the Grand Palace just don’t want turn on the meter, so no choice that I paid 200 Baht for a 30 minutes trip back to hotel.

[googlemaps https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=215278323465761497274.0004b80a852f7e1d51867&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=13.751234,100.492201&spn=0.005002,0.006866&z=17&iwloc=0004b80a8e04219919a3f&output=embed&w=640&h=480]

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February 21, 2012
Bangkok: Chatuchak Weekend Market / JJ Market / Jatujak

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Bangkok: Chatuchak Weekend Market / JJ Market / Jatujak (Day 2) – I am sure many people have hear about the Chatuchak Weekend Market in Bangkok. If you haven’t, HOW CAN YOUU??

Nevermind, if you are first timer, Chatuchak Weekend Market, also known as JJ or Jatujak is a famous weekend market in Bangkok and it’s a MUST-VISIT if you happened to be around Bangkok during the weekend as it’s fully open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

But what if you are on there on weekdays? Actually there’s still stalls open on weekdays but then it’s not 100% perfect wonderful like on the weekend.

On my 2nd day of Bangkok trip, a Sunday, I went to the Chatuchak Weekend Market in the morning (I went here before, this is my third time), about 10am Bangkok time. Took a cab to there and it costs us 150Baht withou meter! On our way back was only 98Baht with meter. OMG. If you are near to BTS, you can stop at Mo Chit Station, if you are near to MRT, you can stop at Kamphaengphet Station or Suan Chatuchak (Chatuchak Park). Very convenient to reach there.

Since we were not near to any MRT or BTS station, we took the cab instead. It was still early at that time, many stalls were only started to open their stalls. I thought Chatuchak opens as early as those wet market in Penang. =D

There’s many coffee stall like this. Very cool.

Heart shape toilet sign.

As we started touring and shopping, more and more people, tourists, shoppers, locals flocked into the market. Do you know Chatuchak Market is very very very super duper big? There’s many sections, and parts in the market and you can hardly explore every part of the market in one day.

In case you want to split up with your friends, remember the section number and gather back at there.

You can find a lot of orange juice in this kind of packaging like this. 20Baht only!

Although the market is organized into different parts which sells different thing, but then we explored the market randomly without checking out at the map at first, which was so wrong as mom couldn’t find the stuff she wanted. Hahaha.

Well, in Chatuchak Market, you can find stuff like, furniture, home decor, super cheap clothing, lots of Thai street food, paintings, households, kitchen utensils, stationery, Thai gift, and even pet! There’s a pet section where you can find many pet stalls. Though, I couldn’t find that section, it’s just toooo BIGGGGG.

Not enough hand to carry your stuff home? You can find many delivery service at there too! I don’t know the price is affordable or not, any of you know the market rate?

Try the coconut ice cream, it’s nice! You get various topping and cheap too!

A little tips for you is that wear light at Chatuchak, shorts, singlets, slippers would be best. Don’t bring heavy stuff, travel with a light camera, get yourself a mini fan, handkerchief & FACE TOWEL (Haha, packs of tissue paper will do too). Yes, I think face towel is a good bring as Chatuchak is really very very hot! Perspiration will break out non-stop as you explore around Chatuchak.

Worms and insects! WT…ftttt. I tried before, not very nice. Very powderish inside.

Pork! Siu yok! Sio bak! Shao rou! Didn’t dare to try. Haha.

Chatuchak Weekend Market is very fun but then dad was not feeling well so we stopped our exploring and shopping in the afternoon. I was so sweaty and sticky at that time and wanted a bath so badly. Though, if there’s chance, I would love to explore the WHOLE Chatuchak Market, it’s just so big! I think I’ve just visited a small part of it. Anyway, I will visit it again, next time, yeah! Want sponsor me? =D

How to go Chatuchak Weekend Market?

Chatuchak market is adjacent to the Kamphaengphet station of the MRT Bangkok Metro Blue Line, or about a 5-minute walk from the Mo Chit station of the BTS Skytrain Sukhumvit Line and another MRT station, Suan Chatuchak (Chatuchak Park).

[googlemaps https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=215278323465761497274.0004b80a852f7e1d51867&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=13.803002,100.549128&spn=0.005001,0.006866&z=17&iwloc=0004b80a9925dbc700b6b&output=embed&w=640&h=480]

Click here for more posts about my Bangkok Trip.

February 10, 2012
Go To Eat Penang Road Famous Cendol

My brother, Yikhung who is studying in Singapore came back to Penang for holiday and I had my wonderful time spent with him for the past few days but unable to do so now cause I am now back to school. Last Saturday, after fetching him from the airport, we went to Penang Road to eat the famous cendol.

Cendol, chendul, chendol, I don’t know which is the correct spelling. I don’t really care where the delicious and mouthwatering cendol comes from, but I am pretty sure that our Penang’s is uniquely awesome.

We parked our car behind Chowrasta Market and took a walk to the cendol stall.

And we saw tourist strolling along Penang Road and a weird man lying on the road. Really homeless and crazy. It’s so dangerous and take the road as a bed which is so uncomfortable. Come on homeless, get yourself wash up and get a job.

It’s really thirst quencher on a super hot weather. Icy cold dessert running down the throat to the stomach make the day fresh and happy.

Then I played with my brother new lens all along, it’s a Canon EF 28mm f/1.8 lens which is a very sharp fixed lens with wide aperture. Love it a lot.

August 3, 2011
ADV: SOX 2011 Drum and Dance Updates!

The recent SOX 2011 Drum and Dance in Penang and Kuala Lumpur were hot! Many cheerleading and drumline pros of many many high school participated in the two days workshop and audition event.

Oh man. I wonder why I didn’t join the drumline during highschool, it would be so shiok hearing people cheering from me from the stadium and win prizes. Haha.

The best part of the workshop and audition for final is the famous duo Ean and Cher are there to cheer for the team! So nice.

AFTER THIS WORKSHOP AND COMPETION, THEN IT’S FINAL TIME. Can’t wait for the final in 4th June, will be there to check it out. Hot hot. =D The next workshop and competition will be at Miri and Johor Bahru, do mark your calendar if you are near to these location! Happy cheering and druming! =) Check out SOX official page for more.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JqbbLGWmkg&w=640&h=527]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGKNsMyu5SA&w=640&h=527]

Rocks! =D

April 22, 2011
Hard Rock Hotel And Beach With NS Friends

This is part of my Penang trip with Hornet (the squadron I was in during National Service) NS friends. Many of them were not from Penang island so I was so glad to bring them around and this Hard Rock Hotel visit was during the last day of our 3 days Penang trip.

Very surprise that Chuan, Khang and Weng who was from the mainland Penang didn’t know about Hard Rock, the name. They were pretty excited of visiting the hotel for the first time. This was not my first time, 2nd or 3rd already, but this should be my first proper visit with friends of that many people, and during the day time.

No idea what event or gathering was there. There were so many BMW cars with Singapore’s plate at the hotel.

It’s just like a museum or galleria full or artwork, artist’s costume, guitars and many many more. I like going there although I have already been there before, inside is really pretty and cool.

For the first time, I went to the swimming pool area because normally it’s close during night time and there’s a saying that this is the longest swimming pool in Penang. And swimming in the pool need to have a tag on the wrist just like going to a theme park.

So nice seeing the kids playing water, there’s slide too, which reminds me back when I was small and I so wish I could get into the pool at there. Before getting into the pool, I need to get a room there! You see, there’s room right in front of the swimming pool, damn cool man. It’s like can get into the pool anytime you want.

It was almost sunset, but it’s very hot and I was sweating like crazy.

Out of the pool is the beach. The beach is for everyone and it’s so happenings and so many people playing by the beach. Water sports, sand castle, swimming, horse riding, para sailing and so much more to play!

I wanna try para sailing so badly, it seems like so fun to be in the air!

We thought, why not our Penang trip’s accommodation be at Hard Rock Hotel? The simple reason, $! It’s expensive, and hopefully someone would sponsor me to stay at there, for a night or two. One night should be cool already. Hehe.

Took many photos and Hard Rock Hotel rocks. I am still looking for Hard Rock’s t-shirt with Batu Ferringhi or Penang printed on it. Have anyone seen it at the night market already? I am so not going into the Hard Rock gift shop. Hehe.

July 4, 2010
Throw Coconut on Thaipusam Day at Datuk Keramat

Oh hello, I am back again and now I am going to talk about the Indian’s big Thaipusam Day that happened two weeks ago. I am so lucky to be in one of the states that has big celebration for this big Indian/Tamil/Hindu festival. As far as I know, Penang and Kuala Lumpur are the two places here in Malaysia that have it big.

Last year, some friends did invite me to go to the festival to do some photoshooting, but because I couldn’t wake up so early in the morning, so I missed it. This year was different, I didn’t plan to go photo shooting too, but it’s just that on the day before, Thaipusam’s Eve, the procession has already started and I was going no where after the Chung Ling Memorial thing, so Chien Chern, my friend decided to go visit a friend at Datuk Keramat Road whose his dad’s shop is just right in front of the Thaipusam thing.

So what they had that afternoon was the coconut throwing and some procession take place and people pays respect to the Indian god by contributing prayers thing like fruits, candles.

Till now, I still remembered it’s a very hot day, the sun was hanging high in the sky, shinning down, with the heat radiating the ground. I didn’t care because I wanted to shoot the festival and share it up.

The coconuts were bought by people mostly have their business along the road, they throw the coconut on the ground, break it, is to clean the road for procession, as a respect to god, a prayer, for wealth and health. It’s said to be good luck to throw the coconut. I did try before long time ago when I was small, when my dad had a furniture shop at Datuk Keramat Road, it’s now moved to Gottlieb Road though.

Arron and his family.

At the time 2.30pm sharp, “piak piak piak” sound can be heard and coconuts were everywhere on the ground with the juice splashing out. The scene was epic. Try not to stand near to them because the coconut can be rebounded. Hehe, just like a basketball.

Part of the road was block for this thing and people who bought coconut were at the middle of the road while me and other people like me who see for fun and takes photo were on the other side, hoping that did not get hit by the coconut.

These coconuts although are hard, but it’s actually kinda easy to be squashed. At some time, some un-squashed will roll to my place and I will pick it up and join the fun too!

Chien Chern, Me and Arron.

The whole thing was like 15 minutes. The aftermath was cool with a wet coconut juiced road and coconut every where.

The MPPP people were very efficient, when everything stopped, they quickly come and swept the coconut to a side and let the real procession began and don’t want to stuck the road.

The next thing after the coconut throwing was the procession thing, with devotees paying respect and offerings.

They walk with their bare feet and I believed the road is not hot already because it had been juiced.

I don’t really know how to describe this, so I’ll let the photos speak. =)

Happy Thaipusam, super belated!

February 13, 2010

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