NICK CHAN DOT NET

Tag: Lifelog

Hello From Shanghai, China

Hello From Shanghai, China – Hello my baby, my friends, my family and my reader! Finally I get to sit down in front of the computer provided at the bar area of Blue Mountain Bund Youth Hostel to do a little blogging. The weather out there is about 3 degree Celsius and it’s feeling warm in the indoor. Today’s weather is kinda nice at about 4-5 degree Celsius and my body is getting used to the temperature already. It was freezing cold in the past few days, it’s rising now.

Today is day 5 of being in China. Arrived in Hangzhou on day 1, then went to Zhouzhuang, an ancient water town on Day 2 and Day 3, then exploring Shanghai since day 4.

I guess I have already covered most of the interesting attractions as introduced by most of the people, the Lonely Planet like the Nanjing Road East shopping street, The Bund, Pudong financial district area, the two awesome Apple Store in Nanjing Road and Pudong, French Concession area, Xintiandi, Xujiahui Cathedral, Tian Zi Fang, Dongtai Road Antique Street (went there late and only a few shops were open) as well as Yuyuan Garden and Cheng Huang Temple. Where else do I miss?

The another two more temple like the Jade Buddha and Jing An Temple are introduced by the Internet, however both of them need an entrance fees which is RMB30 and RMB10. It doesn’t seems to worth it to me. HAHA.

Food in Shanghai is just OKOK, not really my type of food I think. Price is cheap by the road side but doubt about the cleanliness, it gets more expensive in the restaurant. Xiao Long Bao is awesome but imagine eating it everyday. HAHA. Overall, I am not very attracted with Shanghai’s food, I favor towards food in the North e.g. Hong Kong, Guangzhou. The fastfood in China especially KFC is yum-yum though! =D

Shanghai is big, huge. It’s many size of Hong Kong, and Singapore. It has a feel of Hong Kong, but I prefer Hong Kong as it’s denser and more happenings throughout the day. Shanghai gets quiet at night where major attraction closes after sunset. Shopping district and bar areas in Shanghai maybe happenings but that’s all. That’s why I see so many people hanging out in the hostel’s bar area at night.

Well, I’m gonna sign off now and take a rest for the last day in Shanghai. No idea when am I gonna visit yet. But the day after will go to Shenzhen for two days and later Hong Kong for 5 days. Check out my photo updates on Away From Computer and Twitter @nicholaschan

See ya.

December 11, 2011
Nick Chan’s Year-End Flashpacking China Trip

FOLLOW TRAVEL UPDATES @ AWAY FROM COMPUTER

Nick Chan’s Year-End Flashpacking China Trip – Hello fellow friends and readers, I will be going for flashpacking trip to China and Hong Kong in this coming two weeks. Flashpacking is a travel type somewhere between budget backpacking and a normal trip, and still uses a backpack. This is my first backpacking trip – traveling with just a backpack, camera and myself.

Well, not trying to promote AirAsia but since the desktop wallpaper so nice, so I share it up here also. Haha. AirAsia is my flight to Hangzhou (Shanghai).

Zhouzhuang Ancient Water Town – Venice Of The East.

Manhattan-alike of the East – Shenzhen. Photo by defence.pk

The trip basically covers a little bit of Hangzhou, more of Shanghai, a little bit of outskirt Shanghai like the ancient water town in Suzhou – Zhouzhuang, Xi Tang, then to Shenzhen for some gadget and electronics hunting, ending the trip in Hong Kong for some awesome Chinese dimsum.

China blocked Facebook and Twitter, luckily I still have Nick Chan Dot Net and Away From Computer. Follow me on my blog, Twitter and Away From Computer for latest updates! I update more on Away From Computer as I constantly post image to there.

See you!

FOLLOW TRAVEL UPDATES @ AWAY FROM COMPUTER

December 6, 2011
Passed By PenangPAC (Performing Arts Centre), Straits Quay

#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.

December 5, 2011
Bubble Milk Oolong Tea – LOHAS Tea Shop, Bukit Mertajam

#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]

December 4, 2011
Hot Day At Campbell Street, Penang

#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. =)

December 4, 2011
Malaysian-Made PSA On Autism

[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.

December 3, 2011
Driving Through Jalan Pasar, Pulau Tikus

#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.

December 3, 2011
Friday Afternoon On Penang Bridge

#1.

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.

#2. Boring weather.

#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.

#5.

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.

December 3, 2011
Drainage Upgrading And Widening In George Town, Penang

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.

December 3, 2011
KLCC And KL City Walk

#1.

KLCC And KL City Walk – Few weeks back, I went to Kuala Lumpur downtown alone and armed with a camera. I drove to the LRT station, parked my car there and took the public transport to town. I didn’t want to drive to downtown because I am very sick with the traffic congestion and also don’t want to pay for the expensive parking fee, so I went for public transport.

#2. The quiet LRT station – Taman Bahagia.

You know, the week before I went to KL, I drove there, it took me 1 hour plus to reach the Chinese VISA Centre at OSK Tower a.k.a. Bank Of China at Jalan Ampang from Bandar Sunway, from there, it took me another hour to reach Bukit Bintang. It’s really sickening. Only then I know there’s a LRT station right below the place to do the Chinese VISA, so it’s pretty convenient for me to take the LRT.

#3. Taken from OSK Building.

#4. OSK Building and Bank Of China, the place to do Chinese VISA.

Woohoo, I am going to China for travel soon, so I need to do VISA. Because I was in KL at that time, so I went directly to the Chinese VISA Centre to do the VISA. Normally if I am in Penang, I would just drop my passport at the travel agent, of course extra charges will be applied, and take a longer time too. One thing, please don’t go to the Chinese Embassy on Jalan Ampang, they don’t do VISA there, you have to go to 2nd level of the OSK building.

After I’ve done with the VISA thingy, I went to Bukit Bintang area for a little walk and look for lunch.

#5. The real Tong Pak Fu Hong Kong Dessert in KLCC just opened not long. There’s also a dessert shop with similar name in Penang named Tang Bo Fu. Haha.

Although Ampang Park Station (Chinese VISA place) and KLCC Station is just one stop away, but I was so lazy to walk so I take the LRT back to KLCC, alight and start touring around the place.

#6: Lovely KLCC Park.

#7: World tallest twin towers in wide angle!

From KLCC, I started my journey walking from the shopping mall to the convention center, where there will connect me to Jalan Kia Peng to Pavilion shopping mall and then to Bukit Bintang area.

#8. Construction in progress.

#9. Didn’t get a chance to walk on the air-conditioned underpass.

You know there’s actually an underpass from Suria KLCC to the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. The funny thing is the underpass is located in the car park where air-conditioning is not available. And now, they have started to construct a air-conditioned walkway for the underpass. They should have work it out earlier!

#10

#11

Normally, going to Pavilion need to pass through Jalan Kia Peng and you have to walk under the sun and rain. Now they are building a air-conditioned bridge which connects KLCC to Pavilion shopping mall which is very good! They only opened part of it so it’s not fully connected to Pavilion. I was curious, I went on the bridge and see where it’s connected to at the moment.

It brought me to Corus Hotel, I went down the bridge and found a new hotspot in town – the KL City Walk.

#12. Free WIFI available at KL City Walk.

#13. The KL City Walk.

KL City Walk has a many restaurant located in a alley in between office blocks. Originally, the KL City Walk is just a lorong or lane behind office blocks. It’s then converted into a walking street featuring many restaurants for dining pleasure. It’s a very good idea of converting ugly back lanes into place like this.

#14. The KL City Walk is quite shady with tall buildings blocking the scorching heat of the sun.

#15.

The KL City Walk is well decorated with fans as well as some green plants and trees.

#16. An unknown brand bubble tea shop with the price of famous Chatime and Gong Cha. o.O

You can find many office worker dining here during lunch hour and tea time. It’s a hidden spot in town. I wouldn’t have know this place if the connecting bridge from KLCC to Pavilion doesn’t exist. Haha.

#17.

I reached Pavilion and saw construction was going on down there. Seems like there’s many construction are going on in the city. Woo.

December 2, 2011

WP2Social Auto Publish Powered By : XYZScripts.com