A moment with See Teck

Caristales River - The Most Colourful River in the World

2010-09-02T16:53:00.005+08:00

A friend emailed me these pictures:

The river shown in the above photographs is the CARISTALES River, located near the town of La Macarena in Colombia, South America.

The river, world famous for its colourful display, has been called,

"the River that ran away to paradise";

"the most beautiful River in the world"; or

"the River of five colours".

During Colombia's wet season, the water flows fast and deep, obscuring the bottom of the river and denying the mosses and algae that call the river home the sun that they need.

During the dry season, there is not enough water to support the dazzling array of life in the river.

But during a brief span between the wet and dry seasons, when the water is just right, the many varieties of algae and mosses bloom in a dazzling display of colours. Blotches of amarillo, blue, green, black and red, and a thousand shades in between, coat the river.

The part of the river where the colourful blooms occur is quite isolated and is not accessible by road. Adventurous tourists can now fly into La Macarena and then make their way to the river site on foot as part of a guided tours. The site was effectively closed to tourists for several years because of guerrilla activities in the region along with concerns about the impact of unregulated tourist traffic. However, the site was re-opened to visitors since 2009. The tours will follow four clearly marked and authorised paths and one is no longer permitted to stay overnight or cook!

Cave Homes - Mount Sahand, Kandovan, Iran

2010-05-31T09:10:00.006+08:00

Received a email from my friend contained the following pictures of cave homes, some of it more than 700 years old, located in the north east of Iran at the foot of Mount Sahand, Kandovan.

The cave homes were carved out of volcanic rock!

Burger King now in Ipoh

2010-05-17T09:04:00.004+08:00

Thank you, Burger King, for your opening of a restaurant in Ipoh, at De Garden, opposite Jusco Kinta City. We, Ipohites, no longer need to drive down to Kuala Lumpur to taste your delicious flame-grilled to perfection 'WHOPPER' sandwich.

My favourite is still 'BK Double Mushroom Cheese!

Lunch @ Citrus Wine & Dine

2010-02-09T17:53:00.004+08:00

Citrus Wine & Dine @ Laluan Ipoh Perdana

Citrus Wine & Dine is a well known fine-dining restaurant in Ipoh operated by a relative of the famous Lee family from Ipoh. Food offered here are delicious and affordable.

I visited Citrus again as my boss give us a CNY luncheon here today.

Caesar Salad with Smoked Salmon Bits

I have Caesar Salad with Smoked Salmon Bits as Appetizer. I like the salad as it was salted with some melted cheese and the smoked salmon bits are smokey and tasty.

Cream of Pumpkin Soup & House Bread

The cream of pumpkin soup came next with Citrus house bread. The pumpkin soup was creamy and the house bread was moist and fluffy. The soup helping was big.

Pan Seared Salmon with Sautee Vegetables

As for the main course, i ordered my favourite salmon dish with sautee vegetables. However, for this round, the salmon is a bit overcooked and the salmon skin was not crispy. A bit disappointed as i always like Citrus's pan seared salmon!

Warm Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Ice-Cream

For dessert, i ordered Citrus's famous Warm Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Ice-Cream. Contained inside the cake was some warm rich chocolate. The chocolate flowed out upon small bite on the cake. As i have been told, the cake must be baked at the right temperature to melt the chocolate.
After dessert, followed by brew dark coffee to end the lunch!
Total cost for this menu is RM70++.

Ma Jie Curry Mee @ Kedai Kopi Nam Kew

2010-01-30T17:33:00.004+08:00

Ma Jie Curry Mee is one of my favourite curry mee stall in Ipoh. The stall is located inside Kedai Kopi Nam Kew, at the junction between Jalan Leong Sin Nam and Jalan Raja Musa Aziz.

My usual order is the dry curry mee with roast pork and char siew only. I always patronise the stall in the morning around 7.45 am to get fresh & crispy roast pork. The curry is lemak type with santan. The curry mee comes with mint leaves and lime. The price at RM3.50 only! The normal serving include chicken meat and other specials you may request like chicken feet and cockles. Service is fast even with the morning crowd.

Brother Wah ("Wah Koh") (on the right) and his able assistant!

Giant is Coming to Ipoh Parade

2009-10-14T09:14:00.003+08:00

Giant is coming to Ipoh Parade, occupying the basement floor where previously operated by Cold Storage. Opening on Deepavali day i.e 17 October 2009.

Yik Kee Restaurant @ Karak

2009-08-06T16:43:00.010+08:00

I was driving to Kemaman with my colleague on Sunday, 27 July 2009. As we were taking the Batang Kali old-trunk road, we have to go up to Gohtong Jaya at the basement of Genting hill and down hill to Karak highway.

As recommended by my colleague, before entering East Coast Expressway to Kuantan, we got out and turn to the old trunk road to Karak town for dinner. We stopped at Yik Kee Restaurant, an old established restaurant famous for its pastries (especially the Durian Bomb) and Sang Har mee.

The Sang Har Mee is tasty and the prawn is big and fresh! The gravy coloured by the prawn roe is sweet.

We were also recommended to try its fried Yee Wo Wan Ton, i.e deep fried wanton in soup. The wanton is big and the filling contained a mixture of minced prawn and meat.

After the meal, I was looking at the famous 'Durian Bomb' placed inside a heated pastry rack and packed some for my supper.

This is my first time testing the 'Durian Bomb' and it is good!

Yik Kee Restaurant has several branches, one at GohTong Jaya and one in Petaling Jaya.

RM0.80 for Roti Canai & Teh Tarik @ D'Sungai

2009-08-06T16:06:00.005+08:00

The best deal in Ipoh for a set of 1 piece of roti canai and 1 cup of teh tarik at RM0.80 only!

The special deal is available only from 4 pm to 6 pm at D'Sungai located at Kinta Rivefront, behind St Michael school and beside Kinta River.

Kinta Riverfront is a commercial riverfront project by the Morubina Group.

How is the roti canai? For that price, we should not argue whether the roti canai is good or not.

Wonderful Kinta Riverfront views from the restaurant.

Be fast, the special offer will be until the start of Puasa!

2009 Wesak Day

2009-05-11T16:20:00.001+08:00

This year Wesak Day, was celebrated on Saturday, 9 May 2009.

I brought along my mum to the Siamese temple "Wat Siribunya Maggarama" at Jalan Tambun, Ipoh for early prayer to avoid the crowd.

As a norm in Wesak day, all devotees will bathe the Buddha!

Then we went over to the Tibetian temple "Enlightened Heart Buddhist Centre" at Tambun, Ipoh to pray and to participate in the "Carry Buddha" ceremony.

This is Mum first experience and she was glad that she participated in the Carrying Buddha ceremony. As the ceremony needs to walk around the Budhhist Centre, i'm worry whether Mum can finish the ceremony. However, she did it and commented that even though she was tired but did not felt the Buddha behind her back!

After the ceremony ended, we joined the Devotees for some vegeterian food and wait for the next ceremony scheduled at around 12.00 noon.

There are some devotees offering small bottles of oil for burning to get Buddha's blessing, while some offering candles.

At around 12.00 noon, the ceremony to bring out the South East Asia biggest Buddha Mural (60m by 12m) for the Sun ' bathing' has begun. The mural was heavy and needed a minimum of 20 strong guys to carry it out from the temple to the temple outdoor carpark. Yours truly in one of those strongman to carry the Mural. Children and ladies are prohibited to carry the Mural.

Upon taking out to the carpark, the Mural was slowly rolled out and to soak in the Sun. According to the practise, the Mural will draw power from the Sun once a year. Devotees will run under the mural to receive Buddha's blesssing. After 15 - 20 minutes out in the Sun, the mural was rolled back and carry back to the temple.

Farewell Uncle Kah Yong

2009-04-07T22:21:00.004+08:00

Uncle Kah Yong, my father's brother, has passed away on Tue, 31 March 2009, evening in Kampar Hospital due to old age.

My cousins performing the prayers before sending Uncle Yong off.

The grand sent off! Farewell, Uncle Yong.

Hor Hee @ Kedai Makanana Lok Wee Koi

2009-03-31T13:48:00.004+08:00

Kedai Makanan Lok Wee Koi, located at the junction of Jalan Raja Musa Aziz and Jalan Mustapha Al-Bakri is one of the old established restaurant in Ipoh new town. I remember going to this restaurant with my grandparents during the 70's and the 80's. My favourite drink during that time was 7-up float i.e 7-up with syrup and a scope of vanilla ice-cream.

I still patronise the restaurant and one of the stalls there selling Hor Hee is my favourite. In Penang, there is Koay Teow Thyn (Koay Teow soup) but over in Ipoh, we have Hor Hee (Hor Fun with soup). The Ipoh's Hor Hee has slices of fish cakes, fish balls and 'fish wanton' while the penang Koay Teow Thyn has the normal pork or fish meat.

However, my favourite is not the Hor Fun in soup but dry yellow mee with soup. Seldom people order this but trust me, you have to try it. It is good. The soup is a bit sweet due to the cutter fish added in as the base stock while the slices of fish cake are the best that i have ever tasted! It is cruncy on the side and tender on the meat! The fish meat wanton is different from the normal meat/prawn wanton with the thicker skin.

You have to order the big bowl (RM4.30) of the dry version to get a bowl of soup else they will just add all the fishballs, fishcake and fish wanton into the dry noodle.

Restoran Yum Yum

2009-03-26T15:31:00.005+08:00

My office colleagues and I went to Restoran Yum Yum for lunch today. We selected this restaurant as it serve 'halal' food. Dishes ordered were Nyonya Gulai Fish (RM52), Vietnamese Garlic Chicken (RM23), fried Brinjal with sambal (RM13), Yau Mak with garlic (RM12), Claypot Japanese Tofu (RM13) and Thai Style Egg (RM14).

The dishes are nothing to shout about as my colleagues complained quality of food drop and expensive.

Last minute we were informed that today is our colleague, Weng Kiang's birthday.

Happy birthday Weng Kiang, from all of us in 7th Floor!

Restoran Korea Yea Won

2009-03-26T15:28:00.002+08:00

Took my family to Restoran Korea Yea Won at Medan Ipoh Baru, Ipoh behind Tesco to experience Korean food.

We ordered Mo Dem barbeque pork set with enoki mushrooms and big thinly sliced onions. The set comes with spread of kim chi and side dishes i.e dipping sauce and condiments to go with the barbeque pork. As some of the side dishes are spicy, it did not go well with my children.

As for my wife, she is a health freak and as expected did not appreciate the barbeque pork as it consist quite a lot of fat!

The barbequed pork was tasteless as it was not marinated but it goes well with the vegetables, kim chi and the side dishes!

Earth Hour 2009

2009-03-25T14:31:00.005+08:00

My family and I are supporting Earth Hour 2009!

My commitments:
1) create awareness by putting up an Earth Hour 2009 banner in my blog;
2) will switch off all lights in my house from 8.30 pm to 9.30 pm on Saturday, 28 March 2009;
3) ensure all electricity consumed appliances (including fridge) will be off from 8.30 pm to 9.30 pm on Saturady, 28 March 2009; and
4) signed up with Earth Hour 2009 so that they can achieve their aim - to get 1 billion people in 1,000 cities around the world to join them

If you have not join them, please do so!

Sunway City Ipoh Boleh!

2008-11-18T21:11:00.002+08:00

Sunway City Ipoh, the best gated community in Ipoh and with the best infrastructure eg water supply as per above picture.

Lukiest Sports Toto Outlet in Perak

2008-11-18T21:02:00.003+08:00

It is located in Ipoh! This is the best branding or product differentiation that i ever encountered. As we are all ware, all Sports Toto outlet is the same. This outlet advertised itself as one of the luckiest in Perak with RM1.56 million has been won here. As a gambler or should i put it a 'habitual gamer' will definitely be attracted by this advertisement. It is working, and the outlet is full of people.

Wanna put your bet at this outlet, drop me a mail and i will tell you where is it located in Ipoh and if you win, don't forget to award me!

My Exercise Equipment

2008-11-03T22:02:00.004+08:00

My doctor advised me to slim down. I'm obese, a bit on the fat side, but i'm exercising. Need to change my lifestyle, my food intake (huh?) and do more exercising, beside taking my regular medicine to lower down my blood pressure (Micardis 40mg), to reduce my cholesterol (Lipaco 20mg) and to protect my liver (Livolin). My blood pressure is at 130/80 while my sugar level is at around 6 (after food). Not bad!

To catch up with my few years back, New Year Resolution, to exercise more, i've bought the following sports equipment, a training shoe, Nike Xccelerator TR (RM199) and a 26' mountain bike, Nexus XDS 1.0 with front suspension (RM500). The cheapest option for me instead of joining a sport club or gym with personal trainer.

I believe in my own will power! I will go for an hour walking/bicycling around my area daily at 8.00 pm and will go for a 2 hour round on every Sunday, morning.

Wish me best of luck!

Happy 12th Birthday Ernni

2008-09-21T21:17:00.002+08:00

Happy 12th birthday, Ernni. May all your wishes come true!

The birthday cake, an ice cream cake from Baskin Robbin. It was Ernni and Ernnes first time eating ice cream cake!

The birthday meal, ice cream cake and Ms Donalds!
The birthday present, a new Philip hairdryer.

MP Steamboat Restaurant @ Ipoh Parade

2008-08-30T10:33:00.008+08:00

Friday, 29 August 2008, after shopping with my family at Ipoh Parade, we went to the new MP Steamboat Restaurant located at the Ground Floor near the concourse area. The restaurant was just opened, sometime in June 2008. The restaurant is operated by Movenpeak, a leading steamboat restaurant chain based in Ipoh.

The restaurant have set menu, i.e economy, chicken, seafood, lamb and beef set. We ordered the chicken set @ RM11.80 and chicken soups. They recommended MP Exotic Chinese Herbs (RM1.00) to be added to the chicken soup to give a delicious herbal soup. We have also added a side dish, fresh salmon sashimi (RM18.00) to go with the steamboat.

Chinese teas (cold and hot) are served immediately, while waiting for the soups to arrive. The electronic controlled steamboat boiler is a bit sophisticated. You have to learn how to switch it on, to increase/decrease the heat and to wonder which control is to control the steamboat boiler. On our table, there were 4 boiler and we were guessing which switch is controlling the boiler. However, instructions are available inside the menu, which we did not know in the first place!

The soup came and follow by the chicken set which i think is adequate of a small family like us, 2 adults and 2 children. There were chicken meat, vegetables, one egg, one noodle, bean-curd, meatballs, fishballs, taufu pok and mushroom in the set. The food and especially the salmon sashimi were fresh! Not forgetting the tasty chili-paste to go with the food.

The specialty of this place is that they have a conveyor belt (just like those Japanese sushi restaurant) with plates of all food, i.e vegetables, meat, noodles, fuchuk, bean-curd and etc for you to try the rest of the food. The price based on the colour of the plate, ranging from Rm1.00 to RM4.00.

Total bill, RM57.55, inclusive of 10% service charge. Overall, i give a high rating for this place for good fresh food, reasonably cheap prices and good service. I'm also happy with the restaurant hygiene as you may know that some steamboat restaurant, especially those old restaurant is not that hygienic.

Special Merdeka Day Promotion from Telekom Malaysia

2008-08-30T10:33:00.005+08:00

Telekom Malaysia is offering FREE TM fixed line calls all over Malaysia from 0000 hrs to 2359 hours on 31 August 2008.

Wall E

2008-08-23T21:44:00.002+08:00

I took the opportunity of the school break to bring the children to watch Wall E at TGV cineplexs at Kinta City Ipoh.

Petrol Price Reduced By 15 Sen/Litre

2008-08-23T21:42:00.003+08:00

Hooray, with effect from today, RON97 petrol price will be reduced by RM0.15/litre i.e from RM2.70/litre to RM2.55/litre.

A Mysterious Tree in Nalgonda (Andra Pradesh-India)

2008-07-08T10:09:00.004+08:00

A friend email me the following pictures on a mysterious tree in Nalgonda (Andra Pradesh -India).

At a glance you may be confused the above tree with a massive trunk with a 'Baobab' tree (which is renowned to possess the largest tree trunks of the world) but, this is yet another unknown species which is seen in the close proximity of a hermitage deep in the dense forest in 'Andra Pradesh' in India.

Now take a closer look at the bark and experience the unbelievable figures of creatures engraved in the surface of the entire tree trunk!! Absolutely real!!!

Cash Rebate from Government of Malaysia

2008-07-03T21:05:00.002+08:00

The Malaysian government announced recently that eligible private vehicle owners will get their disbursement of cash rebates from any post office in Malaysia. As i have just renewed my car road tax in June 2008, i'm eligible for the cash rebates. However, i can claim the rebates from 1 July 2008 onwards under Phase II implementation.

I went to Ipoh General Post Office after work on Tue, 1 July 2008 and noticed a long queue and collected the claim form but did not bother to line up for the rebates. However, today, after work, i went to the post office in TESCO, Ipoh and managed to get my rebates of RM625.00. The processing time to get the rebate is fast, less than 5 minutes.

Well done, Pos Malaysia!

Day trip to Penang

2008-07-03T21:03:00.001+08:00

Wed, 2 July 2008, woke up in the morning and received a friend's sms on the demise of his beloved father. As i am indebted to my friend, i took emergency leave and went for a day trip up to Penang to pay my last respect to my friend's father. At the same time, dropping by my old office to say hello to my ex-colleagues.

Well, i really miss Penang!

Serai Sate Kajang @ Medan Ipoh Bestari, Ipoh

2008-06-29T13:20:00.002+08:00

I was anxiously waiting for its opening.

It was opened 2 weeks ago and on Sat, 28 June 2008, i took my daughter, Ernni with me to taste the Sate Kajang from this Serai restaurant.

The satay is bigger than the normal satay, ala satay kajang! They have the normal chicken and beef satay and the not so normal, rabbit, liver and etc.

Each satay stick cost RM0.60.

They give a bowl of peanut sauce and additional chillies sauce in a separate bowl.

We had the beef and chicken satay. The chicken satay were good, the meat was juicy while the beef is too cooked i.e not tender.

Be warned that you must have strong teeth to eat the beef satay. I have complained to the cashier/boss but she answered the satay-boys could have over grilled it!

Anyway, i will still patronise this place as i loves satay, even though the satay is not from the famous Kajang Haji Samsuri shop!

Kluang Station Cafe @ Bandar Ipoh Raya, Ipoh

2008-06-29T12:51:00.002+08:00

I just discovered that Kluang Station Cafe has opened a branch in Bandar Ipoh Raya, Ipoh opposite Nationwide Express office. I went to Nationwide to collect a parcel on from Alterni on behalf of my wife. As the despatch boys were not back from its round, i took the opportunity to try the Kluang Station Cafe's coffee and toasted bread. The Cafe has been opened for more than 2 years!

The restaurant occupied 2 shoplots and has a decent crowd on a Friday, late evening.

I ordered the famous coffee and the toasted bun.

Well, the coffee tasted ordinary and the small toasted bun cut into 3 pieces with crispy crust. Total cost only at RM2.40.

I am wondering whether is this the real famous Kluang coffee and toasted bread opened a branch in Ipoh as claimed by the restaurant operator?

Public Bank Bhd's Gold Investment Account

2008-06-25T08:58:00.003+08:00

In view of the world food crisis and the increase in inflation in Malaysia's economy, I have recently sold all my investment in shares listed on Bursa Malaysia and use the sale proceeds to invest in Gold. The gold fineness is 99.9% and it is a good hedge against inflation.

The invesment in gold is by way of a Gold Investment account with Public Bank Berhad. A minimun initial investment of 20 gram is required to open the account and subsequent investment of 5 gram. However, the account must be maintained with a minimum balance of 2 gram. You will be provided with a passbook to record your investment and divestment.

The daily gold price is available from Public Bank website and as at today, Wed, 25 June 2008, the prices are :-

Selling : RM95.52/gram; and

Buying : RM92.52/gram.

Please note also, Malayan Banking Berhad has also a similar product called Gold Savings Passbook and their pricing as at today are as follow :-

Selling : RM97.87/gram; and

Buying : RM90.63/gram.

Please also note on the different of the spread between the selling and the buying price, Public Bank RM3/gram and Maybank RM7.24/gram!

Trusting that the appreciation in gold prices will offer me a good hedge against the rising inflation in Malaysia.

Cheque Truncation and Conversion System (CTCS)

2008-06-24T08:36:00.003+08:00

Bank Negara Malaysia is introducing a new cheque clearing system, Cheque Truncation and Conversion System (CTCS) to replace its old system which required physical exchange of cheques for clearing. The new system will electronically capture and transmit of cheque images and data between the banks and clearing house. Customers will benefit from the speedier and more efficient clearing system especially the availability of funds for outstation cheques.

All cheques will be standardised using 3.5' x 7' format. Old personal cheques with a smaller size will be invalid after 30 June 2008 and those with unused personal cheques, you may return to your bank for refund of stamp duty. However, Public Bank Bhd, advised its customers to try to use all the cheques before 30 June 2008 and after that destroy the unused cheques as they will not refund the stamp duty!

The FAQ on the CTCS are available on BNM website.

On my own experience, I've banked in a local cheque in CIMB Bank, Ipoh Garden Branch on Sunday, 15 June 2008. As at today, the cheque has yet to be cleared. Various enquiries to the CIMB Bank, did not help as the Bank official response is that due to the new implementation of the CTCS, cheques banked in on Friday, 13 June 2008 until 18 June 2008, were not cleared!

However, the Bank promised to rectified the problem and will credit/reverse whatever interests earned/charged for the period from the date of banking till the cheque is cleared.

Hope the bank will keep its promise!

Bomb in Tambun

2008-06-20T08:34:00.003+08:00

Excavator pouring sand and sand-bag to cover the 1,000-pound live World War Two bomb found on 14 June 2008 at the riverside of Sungai Pinji in Tambun town.

Police has advised the resident staying nearby Tambun town to evacuate on tomorrow, Sat, 21 June 2008 to facilitate the Bukit Aman Bomb Disposal Unit to destroy the bomb. Tambun town area will be out of bound from 8.30 am until 2.00 pm.

Scott & Anne's Wedding

2008-06-02T19:41:00.001+08:00

Congratulation to Mr Leong Sea Fook and Irene for the wedding of their eldest daughter, Anne to Scott.

Attended the wedding dinner on 31 May 2008 at Hee Lai Ton Restaurant, Ipoh. A gathering of relative and friends with warm and overflow happiness!

Kizuna Japanese Restaurant

2008-06-02T19:40:00.003+08:00

Took my daughter, Ernni to Kizuna Japanese Restaurant at Medan Ipoh, near Tesco, for lunch on 1 June 2008. Wanted to try this Japanese restaurant much earlier but does not have the opportunity to do so until now.

Ernni ordered Mix Fried Bento (RM24.80) which comes with deep fried seafood, shashimi, fruits and salad.

As for me, i ordered the Tori Teriyaki Bento (RM26.80) which is a mixture of teriyaki chicken, deep fried tempura prawn, shashimi, fruits and salad.

We also ordered a plate of Soft Shell Crab Tempura (RM20.00). No picture as when the dish came out, Ernni and I finished the tempura crab in a matter of less than 5 minutes. The crab were good and crunchy with tempura mix, while for the teriyaki chicken, the chicken meat is tender and not over cooked. As for Ernni's mix fried bento, no comment from her as she loves deep fried dishes.

Overall, the environment and the nice setting of the restaurant give a very good ambience for diners to eat. As for the crowd, since we went on a Sunday afternoon around 2.30 pm, the crowd is started to thin away.

Curry Mee @ Restaurant Xin Quan Fang, Ipoh

2008-05-31T08:24:00.003+08:00

Restaurant Xin Quan Fang (aka Opposite police station curry mee) is rank one of the best curry mee in Ipoh. The location has moved from its old place, opposite the new town police station to its current place along Jalan Sultan Iskandar (just opposite row of the previous shop).

I always prefer the dry curry mee which comes with barbeque pork, 2 slices of prawn and a few pieces of chicken meat. Normally, i will ordered together with roast pork. The curry to my liking, not so spicy and a bit sweety. The total cost with roast pork is RM5.00 per bowl.

Please be warned that the place is always full and packed, and be prepared to wait at least 10 minutes for them to take your order and another 20 minutes for the curry mee to be ready!

Wesak Day @ Enlightened Heart Buddhist Centre, Tambun

2008-05-30T21:59:00.003+08:00

19 May 2008 was Wesak Day, a public holiday in Malaysia. Buddhist throughout the world including Malaysia celebrating Wesak Day, a day to commemorate the birth, the enlightenment and the passing away of Gautama Buddha.

For this year, i was at the Enlightened Heart Buddhist Centre, a tibetan temple located at Tambun, Ipoh to celebrate the Wesak Day.

Devotees carrying little Buddha waiting for the ceremony.

High priest in costume and mask performing the prayer.

Tibetan monks playing the ceremony instruments.

'Drying Buddha' ceremony i.e devotees unfurling a giant canvas measuring 60m x 12m, the longest canvas painting of Sakyamuni Buddha in South East Asia, out in the sun to dry.

Devotees entering the Dragon head to get rid of all sins.

The Royal Bank of Scotland

2008-05-30T21:31:00.002+08:00

I had the privilige to attend 'An Evening with The Royal Bank of Scotland' held at Indulgence Restaurant, Ipoh, this evening. The Royal Bank of Scotland ("TRBOS") just acquired ABN-AMRO Bank and Malaysia is the first country in the World that the existing ABN-AMRO Bank assumed the name of TRBOS. There is a TRBOS branch in Sitiawan, Perak.

Do you know that TRBOS is the first bank in the world, introduce 'overdraft facility' in 1728?

Guardian Pharmacy & 7-Eleven in Bidor

2008-05-04T21:43:00.002+08:00

When i went back to my hometown in Bidor on 1 May 2008, i noticed that Guardian Pharmacy and 7-Eleven has opened in Jalan Persatuan! Well, not bad, for a small town. My children will not miss their 'slurpee' anymore!

Brewsterlane Kitchen @ Ipoh

2008-05-04T21:21:00.003+08:00

I recently invited one of my colleague to join me for lunch at Brewsterlane Kitchen located at the junction of Jalan Sultan Idris Shah and Jalan Raja Musa Aziz. The restaurant serves fusion food i.e Chinese mix with Japanese.

I ordered a Japanese grilled chicken set which comes with a bowl of rice, soup, chawanmushi (steamed egg) and fruits. Nothing special on the taste but the price is cheap.

The main attraction of the place is to admire the renovated old building. Looking for car-park is a major problem as the restaurant is located at the junction of 2 busy streets.

Big Apple Donuts & Coffee @ Kinta City Ipoh

2008-05-04T20:50:00.005+08:00

The passion of donuts is finally in Ipoh!

Big Apple Donuts & Coffee opened an outlet in Kinta City Ipoh, on 3 May 2008. Opening promotion, free half a dozen donuts for the first 100 people.

As usual for any new outlets opening there will be long que of Ipohian trying the new products, in this case the freshly baked donuts!

Variety of donuts available in Big Apple Donuts & Coffee outlet.

The donuts are prepared in an open kitchen whereby you can see the team dedicated working together to prepare the gastronomical delights that tantalise the taste-buds of all ages of their customers.

Best Deal from McDonald's

2008-04-30T13:49:00.003+08:00

On the first day of every month, McDonald's Sundae Cone and McDonald's ChocoTop at RM0.50 and RM1.10 respectively! This promotion is ONLY available at all McDonald's restaurants, Drive-Thru restaurants and Dessert Centers.

Only at McDonald's!

A Poem about East and West

2008-04-29T10:33:00.004+08:00

I received a meaningful poem from an old classmate which i need to share with you. :-

A Poem

When we were the Sick Man of Asia, We were called The Yellow peril.

When we are billed to be the next Superpower, we are called The Threat.

When we closed our doors, you smuggled drugs to open markets.

When we embrace Free Trade, You blame us for taking away your jobs.

When we were falling apart, You marched in your troops and wanted your fair share.

When we tried to put the broken pieces back together again, Free Tibet you screamed, It Was an Invasion!

When tried Communism, you hated us for being Communist.

When we embrace Capitalism, you hate us for being Capitalist.

When we have a billion people, you said we were destroying the planet.

When we tried limiting our numbers, you said we abused human rights.

When we were poor, you thought we were dogs.

When we loan you cash, you blame us for your national debts.

When we build our industries, you call us Polluters.

When we sell you goods, you blame us for global warming.

When we buy oil, you call it exploitation and genocide.

When you go to war for oil, you call it liberation.

When we were lost in chaos and rampage, you demanded rules of law.

When we uphold law and order against violence, you call it violating human rights.

When we were silent, you said you wanted us to have free speech.

When we are silent no more, you say we are brainwashed-xenophobics.

Why do you hate us so much, we asked.

No, you answered, we don't hate you.

We don't hate you either, But, do you understand us?

Of course we do, you said, We have AFP, CNN and BBC's...

What do you really want from us?

Think hard first, then answer...

Because you only get so many chances.

Enough is Enough, Enough Hypocrisy for This One World.

We want One World, One Dream, and Peace on Earth.

This Big Blue Earth is Big Enough for all of Us.

2008/4/28

BY :

Duo-Liang Lin, Ph. D.Professor Emeritus of Physics

University at Buffalo

State University of New York

Flood in Jalan Tambun, Ipoh

2008-04-28T17:22:00.002+08:00

After a heavy downpour in the evening, the road leading to Sunway City Ipoh from Tambun, near the junction of Taman Perpaduan Indah was flooded, causing traffic jam queing from Tambun town!!!

Ipoh Hong Kee Egg Tarts

2008-04-10T13:36:00.004+08:00

When i blogged on Ipoh Nam Fong's egg tarts in February 2008, my colleagues recommended that i should try Ipoh Hong Kee egg tarts. Hong Kee Confectionery is one of those old established bakeries in Ipoh. I was told that the tarts will be fully sold by 10.30 am.

I've forgotten about the tarts until this morning when i was passing by Jalan Cockman in Ipoh. I stopped my car beside Kedai Kopi Weng Seng, which Hong Kee Confectionery is located inside the coffee shop and buy some egg tarts for my office colleagues.

The tart cost RM1.20 each. The crust is creamy and thick while the egg mixture filling is smooth and soft. As a comparison with other places, the egg tarts here is slightly bigger and heavier. Definitely voted by me as one of the best egg tarts in Ipoh!

The boss informed that that the tarts are halal and he has a lot of Muslim customers!

Bidor Waterfalls

2008-04-10T10:28:00.002+08:00

Not many people aware that Bidor, Perak, beside the famous Pun Chun Restaurant for its duck drumstick noodle and chicken biscuit, has another attraction, i.e the Bidor Waterfalls also known as Gepai Falls in Jalan Paku.

This is the place where i learn to swim during my childhood. My dad will take the whole family here for swimming every weekend until the place has been designated as a black area (during the communist insurgency in the 70s). Since then, i have not been to the waterfall until last Saturday, 5 Apr 2008, when i went back for the Cheng Beng festival. As my father's grave is near the waterfall, after prayer, i took the opportunity to visit the waterfall.

The above is the view of the waterfall and the 2nd pond for swimming.

The above 2 photos showing the 3rd pond which is just right below the bridge.

Rumours were that this waterfall is haunted and every year there will be swimmers drown here. There were also photos taken with images of Japanese soldiers behind the background.

2008 ACCA Members Dialogue

2008-03-16T11:26:00.001+08:00

Every year ACCA will organise members' dialogue throughout Malaysia to get feedback from its members. I've been attending all its dialogue in Penang but for 2008, since i have attended the Ipoh session held on 13 March 2008 at Impiana Casuarina hotel, Ipoh. Glad to meet some old friends and meeting up and networking with fellow ACCAs in Ipoh. Of course, not forgetting the 8-course dinner and the chance to meet up with the distinguish guest, Dato' Khalid Ahmad.

Makkal Sakthi

2008-03-16T11:02:00.002+08:00

Went back to my hometown, Bidor for polling. See the power of DAP & PKR asking for support! Well, the result was out. Tanjong Malim (P77) Parliment seat, won by MCA, Datuk Ong Ka Chuan, with 21,016 votes and Sungkai State seat, won by opposition, N. Sivanesan of DAP, gathering 6,323 votes.

The Perak state fell to the non-Barisan component parties i.e DAP 18, PKR 7 and PAS 6 seats with a combine seats of 31 seats. BN, however manage to get only 28 seats. For the first time in history, the opposition won by 3 seats!

The State of Perak, therefore fell to the opposition.

DAP rocket in Bidor

2008-03-16T10:48:00.000+08:00

Post-election date : The great DAP rocket in my hometown, Bidor, Ipoh, surrounded by Barisan banners.

Malaysia Decides 2008

2008-03-06T19:05:00.001+08:00

I feel so honoured when i received a letter from the ex-prime minister of Malaysia, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. I put ex-PM due to that technically after the dissolution of the Malaysia's Parliament, he is no longer the PM. I'm so impressed by the content of his letter, quoting the Malaysia's economic achievement and lastly requesting me to support him and Barisan Nasional on polling date, 8 Mar 2008 to continue with his progress policy!

What is my decision?

Still thinking!

Chan Siak Chee 1937 - Mar 2008

2008-03-06T18:48:00.001+08:00

Another sad news, when my primary school classmate, Rita Chan informed me that his father has passed away on 3 Mar 2008. Went back to my hometown, Bidor on yesterday evening, Thu, 6 Mac 2008 and together with Wong Win Yew, Yean Chee Seng and Loke Swee Weng attended the wake. There, we met another of my primary school mate, N. Devan, whose family is close to Rita's family.

Lam Kong Yow Feb 1935 - Feb 2008

2008-03-06T18:36:00.001+08:00

It was so sad to hear that my former boss, Mr Lam Kong Yow, passed away on Fri, 29 Feb 2008. I thank god for the opportunity to work under and with him for more than 5 years. I had never met another fellow with such a humble personality. He was a helpful boss and can get along with his staff. However, due to the financial crisis, times are bad for him and thereafter suffering from depression and his health deteriorated. Before the 2008 chinese new year, he has called me and we talk on old times and I promised to take him out for dim sum after new year but ...... it is too late now!

Goodbye, Mr Lam.

Chicken Noodles @ Thean Chun Restaurant

2008-03-02T00:55:00.001+08:00

Thean Chun (also known as House of Mirrors) restaurant in Jalan Bandar Timah at Ipoh old town is famous for its Chicken koay teow. Can safely say that it is the best in Ipoh! You must have patience in order to try the chicken noodles. Normal waiting time is around 20 to 30 minutes. The chicken noodles are served in soup with, of course chicken meat and pieces of prawn cut in half. The speciality of this dish are the smooth hor fun and the soap.

Beside the chicken noodles, the restaurant is also famous for its herbal tea with egg, egg custard, pork satay, and chee cheong fun. The pork satay is all you can eat style and will be replenished until you say stop. You only need to pay for those you have taken!

Essence of Chicken from America Chicken Essence Ltd

2008-03-02T00:19:00.004+08:00

These are the photos of old chicken essence from America Chicken Essence Ltd that i found in my Bidor house's fridge. I believed it has expired long time ago. Note that the chicken essence are in ampule form and not like the normal Brand Chicken Essence that you and I are familiar with.

Anybody wants to bid for it?

Les Chang Eng Keong 13 July 1968 to 18 Feb 2008

2008-02-19T13:29:00.005+08:00

It was saddened to read that Les Chang has terminal illness and passed away on yesterday, 18 February 2008.

Les Chang was one of my close buddies in mypdacafe and we had fun during those beamfest, fotokrazy fest and not forgeting the durian fest at his homestead in Balik Pulau. He was such a great guy and helpful to all new pda and camera users. He is a great photographer and well respect by those who know him. You may find some of his great photography work here.

Les Chang - A tribute in photos forum in fotokrazy.com.

We will definitely missed you, Les!

May his soul rest in peace!

How To Increase Your Chance To Win the Weekly Prizes from the Shell Contest

2008-02-04T08:38:00.001+08:00

Shell Malaysia is organising a contest for all its customers who purchase RM30 worth of petrol/lubricant from them. The contest is running from 7 January 2008 until 2 Mac 2008. The weekly prizes are :-

RM25,000 x 2

RM1,000 x 10

RM200 x 250

RM100 x 800

100,000 Bonuslink points x 10

How can you enhance or increase your chance to win the weekly prizes?

I believed they are ten of thousands of contestants submitting the forms every week. This reduced the chance of stricking one of the prizes.

Say, if everyone, hold back their form and submit it only on alternative week, then, they will increase their chance by 50%! How? Say, for those people with their ic no, individually add up to a single old no, they will submit it on every first and third week, while those add up to a even no, will submit it on every second and fourth week. Eg. IC no. 700205-07-8643 = 7 + 2 + 5 + 7 + 8 + 6 + 4 + 3 = 42 = 4 + 2 = 6. This contestant should submit the contest form on the second or fourth week.

The idea is to reduced the no of contestants every week and to concentrate your submission of your forms in a week.

Spread the word, i think it will work!

My best wishes to you!

Ipoh ECHO

2008-02-02T09:00:00.001+08:00

Not many people aware that there is a free fortnightly community paper serving the people of Ipoh, Taiping, Kuala Kangsar, Gopeng and Kampar. The IPOH ECHO is published on the 1st and 16th of every month. The Ipoh Echo's primary intent is to contribute, in whatever way possible, to enhance the quality of life of the citizens of Perak.

The above 'The Way It Was...', is a republication of a page from the Perak Pioneer newspaper, 100 years ago, this forthnight. The newspaper established in 1894 and the oldest and most widely circulated newspaper in the Federated Malay States (FMS).

Nam Heong Egg Tart

2008-02-01T07:59:00.001+08:00

Beside white coffee, Ipoh old town is also famous for its egg tarts. You may find it at Kedai Makanan Nam Heong in old town. Costing RM1.30 each and if you buy 10 you will get 2 free. The tarts are crispy and creamy! However, i find it a bit sweety.

Kedai Makanan Nam Heong is the original restaurant which started the francise for the Old Town White Coffee throughout Malaysia.

This is my first mobile blog thru my Sony Ericsson K610i phone.

My hometown, Bidor

2008-01-23T13:08:00.000+08:00

A satellite picture of my hometown, Bidor, located in the state of Perak in Malaysia, with courtesy from Google Earth.

Micardis 40mg for hypertension

2008-01-20T14:24:00.000+08:00

My company's panel doctor has prescribed Micardis 40 mg to treat my hypertension with effect from 17 January, 2008.

Successful by Melinda Gates

2008-01-17T16:01:00.000+08:00

Melinda Gates picture from CTV.ca

Fortune, 21 January 2008

"If you are successful, it is because somewhere, sometime, someone gave you a life or an idea that started you in the right direction. Remember also that you are indebted to life until you help some less fortunate person, just as you were help"

Melinda Gates, valedictory speech, Ursuline Academy, 1982.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is the world largest philanthothropic partnership with assets of US$36.7 billion.

Gout

2008-01-10T14:34:00.000+08:00

I can't go to work on Wed, 9 Jan 08 as i have been attacked by GOUT! My left leg's big toe and my sole near to the big toe were swollen, red and hot! It is very painful and i can't walk. Gout occurs due to built-up of uric acid in my blood and my body unable to eliminate the extra uric acid. Maybe i have eaten too many foods contained purine. Went to see my Company's panel doctor near my home and was prescribed famotidine and diclofenac sodium to reduce acidity and inflammatory. I was given a day off by the doctor.

Later, in the evening I went to seek a licensed Chinese traditional medicine practitioner and the treatment he gave me is quite straightforward. He just pricked on the area which were swollen, and use a suction cup to suck out the blood which contained uric acid. After completion, i was so relieved that the pain has gone! But you have to bear the pain when he pricks on the swollen toe.

Happy New Year

2008-01-01T00:03:00.000+08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2008!

Ruban Saloon @ Ipoh Garden East

2007-12-31T18:16:00.000+08:00

My son, Ernnes having his haircut at Ruban Saloon at Ipoh Garden East. Getting ready for school re-open on Thu, 3 Jan 2008. Most of the school children will have their hair cut during the end of the holiday season.

Maxis 3G in Sunway City Ipoh

2007-12-27T19:31:00.000+08:00

Hooray, at last, Maxis 3G service is available in my house, in Sunway City Ipoh!

2007 Christmas Reunion Dinner

2007-12-27T08:57:00.001+08:00

My primary school classmate, Rita is back for a holiday in Malaysia, together with her son, Darryn. I took this opportunity to organise a primary school classmates Christmas reunion dinner at Indulgence, Ipoh.

Indulgence was voted 2007/08 the Best Western Cuisine Restuarant of the Year at the recent Hospitality Asia Platinum Awards for Execellence.

My primary school classmates, as in the above photo, from left, Swee Weng, Wing Yew, Cheong Yuen, Chee Seng, Kaliamah & daughter, Shasineemalar, and our guest of honour, Choy Har & son, Darryn.

Thank you to all for attending and making it a lovely gathering which brought back a lot of memories of those old school days.

Hoping to see Choy Har and family again for their next visit to Malaysia, maybe in three years time.

And not forgetting Chee Seng for picking up the bill.

Thank you, Chee Seng.

We will be having another gathering in our hometown, Bidor, Perak during Chinese New Year.

Merry Christmas

2007-12-24T23:59:00.000+08:00

Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year

Christmas Eve 2007 @ Jusco Ipoh

2007-12-24T23:54:00.000+08:00

Christmas Eve 2007. No special dinner nor special place to celebrate Christmas. Just a simple dinner at Sushi King @ Kinta City Ipoh. After dinner, walk around Jusco and take some Christmas photos.

Scenery around my house

2007-12-24T23:26:00.000+08:00

Christmas Eve, 2007.

Came home from office around 4.45 pm.

Went out to the lake garden near my house in Sunway City Ipoh, for jogging.

How can i resist to jog in such a natural surrounding with lakes and small rivers around my home.

The famous 'Pencil Rock' in Tambun, is located within my vicinity!

Christmas Eve in Office

2007-12-24T13:44:00.000+08:00

Today is Christmas Eve and I'm still working.

Take the opportunity to take a few photos in office.

The above giant christmas tree located at the Ground Floor lobby.

Inside the lift, there is a Christmas greeting

Back in Penang

2007-12-02T22:24:00.000+08:00

I was back in Penang on Sat, 1 December 2007, to return my ex-company's car, the Nissan Cefiro, PFF1638. Upon arriving the bridge, the famous Penang bridge jam welcome me! Struck there for about 20 minutes and another 20 minutes to cross the bridge.

Picketing On The Street

2007-12-02T22:15:00.000+08:00

I took this picture on Fri, 23 November 2007, on my way home from work. I don't understand why some people are so un-contented. Working in a bank which provide annual increment and bonus is better or more secure than working in some companies, whereby you don't have any increment or bonus for some years....

Peter & Jennifer's wedding dinner

2007-12-02T22:07:00.000+08:00

Congratulation to Jennifer, on your big day!
My whole family attended Jennifer's wedding dinner at Xin Cuisine Restaurant, Concorde Hotel, Kuala Lumpur on Mon, 26 November 2007, evening. Enjoyed the 9-course dinner very much!

AGE 1638 Toyota Camry 2.4V

2007-12-02T21:58:00.000+08:00

Thu, 15 November 2007, the day i took delivery of my new company's car, a Toyota Camry 2.4V with registration plate AGE1638.

My Childhood Neighbour

2007-11-18T12:35:00.000+08:00

I visited my mom in Bidor, Perak, this morning, Sunday, 18 November 2007, to pick her to my house in Ipoh for her medical check-up. I took the opportunity to take a photo with my 90 years old neighbour in Bidor, whom she seen us growing from a 4 years old kid!

Company Cars

2007-11-18T12:25:00.000+08:00

My previous Company's car is a Nissan Cefiro Excimo 2.0. My ex-boss is generous and i'm grateful to him as he allowed me to use the Cefiro until my new Company's car arrived.
My new Company's car, a Toyota Camry 2.4V arrived on Thursday, 15 November 2007. I've to say sayonara to my old faithful Cefiro as I'll be making a trip back to Penang to return the car back to my old Company.

Tambun Bypass

2007-11-11T12:32:00.000+08:00

The narrow and winding road from Tambun town to Sunway City Ipoh is congested due to the increased in population of that area. The government is building a new dual-carriageway to bypass Tambun town to Sunway City Ipoh. The bypass near the Sunway City Ipoh site has been completed but the other end near Tambun town is pending due to an old bungalow house sitting in the middle of the proposed new road. The contractors is now demolishing the bungalow in order to finish the road. Another heritage building will be gone in a few days time. However, traffic will be very smooth from the junction of Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, near Pantai Hospital to Tanjung Rambutan with the completion of the whole dual-carriageway. I think sometime in order to progress you may have to sacrifice something!

Deepavali lunch @ Manjit's House

2007-11-08T19:21:00.001+08:00

http://www.flickr.com/photos/47997523@N00/1917292596/, originally uploaded by See Teck.

Today is a public holiday in Malaysia for all Malaysian to celebrate Deepavali festival, a festival of Lights.

We were invited to our neighbour house to have Deepavali lunch.

Wantan Mee @ Yi Garden

2007-11-08T18:42:00.000+08:00

Another of my favourite haunt for tasty wantan mee in Penang is at Yi Garden located at the junction of Macalister Road and Lorong Selamat.

The wantan mee comes together with char siew (roast sweet pork) and cost around RM3.00 per bowl. The different between this wantan mee and others is due to the big wantan! Each bowl of wantan mee comes with 3 big wantans. You can really taste the prawn inside the wantan.

The big wantan bring back memory to my hometown in Bidor, whereby the famous Pun Chun Restaurant also serves big wantan.

A father's duty

2007-11-08T18:16:00.000+08:00

Ever since i came back to Ipoh, it is my duty to pick up my son from his school every evening from Monday to Friday, except when i'm sick, outstation or scholl holiday! I've joined the 'Parents-picking-up-children" club!

Koay Teow Thng @ Kedai Kopi Seng Thor

2007-11-04T12:34:00.000+08:00

Kedai Kopi Seng Thor, located at the junction of Kimberly Street and Carnavon Street in Georgetown, is famous for its Lor Mee and Fried Oysters. However, I prefer the Koay Teow Th'ng (Cooked Koay teow with soup) stall.

The soup is totally different from others in Penang but quite the same as those in KL i.e boiled pork noodles.

The stall is one of my favourite Koay Teow Th'ng stall in Georgetown and patronise it for the last time before returning to Ipoh.

Raining Season in Ipoh

2007-11-04T11:55:00.000+08:00

In Malaysia, we do not have 4 seasons but only 2 i.e wet and dry seasons. During end of September to November each year, we always experience rain almost every day.

The above is a view from my new office in Ipoh. Dark cloud appearing and will be following by heavy rain. Will be a wet late evening. Very accurate weather forecast!

Back to Ipoh

2007-11-03T23:50:00.000+08:00

I'm no longer working in Penang since Sep 1, 2007. Accepted a job offer from a long established public listed company in Ipoh and joined them with effect from Sep 10, 2007!

Hmm, glad to be home with my family and is with them all the time!

World Coldest Ice Cream

2007-11-03T23:36:00.000+08:00

Took my daughter and son to Ipoh Parade to try the world's coldest ice cream i.e

-40 degree C! We ordered strawberry, mint and grape favour. Each cup size 4 oz cost RM4.90 each before government service tax. Taste? Nothing special!

Ernni's 11th birthday cake

2007-09-21T23:10:00.001+08:00

Ernni's 11th birthday cake, originally uploaded by See Teck.

A low key celebration for Ernni's 11th birthday at home. No birthday party but a dinner treat at Sushi King, Jaya Jusco Kinta City. After coming back from dinner, everybody is waiting for her to blow the candles and cutting a 2kg tradisional Indian butter icing cake!

Happy birthday!

Gunung Semanggol Rest & Service Area

2007-08-21T19:27:00.000+08:00

Another Rest and Service Area (RSA) that i always frequent when i travel back to Penang is the Gunung Semanggol RSA. It is located at KM190 of the North-South Expressway, 500 metres away from the Bukit Merah interchange exit no. 150.

The place is Wi-fi enable!

However, please be careful when you order the food. The food at the RSA might be cold and stale!

You can see from the picture that the RSA has been heavily decorated with Malaysian flags in conjunction with the celebration of 50th anniversary of the independence of Malaya!

Wantan mee @ Restaurant Sai Lam

2007-08-17T12:58:00.000+08:00

Restaurant Sai Lam is situated at the junction of Carnovan Street and Chulian Street, in Georgetown, Penang. At night the junction is alive with famous hawker stalls like fried fishhead mee-hoon, porridge, fried yee mee, curry mee and fruit juices. And not forgeting the satay with sweet potatoes sauce!

Penang is not famous for its wantan mee. But there are a few exceptional places where i like the wantan mee. One of it is located at Sai Lam Restaurant. Beside wantan mee, they also offer beef soup mee. The stall open throughout the day and night.

The wantan is great filled with pork filings but no prawn. While for the dry wantan mee, it is a bit crunchy but perfectly cooked! There are some pieces of chicken and char siew added to the mee. The soup contained beef stock but they are quite stingy on it. You will not get a bowl of soup if you do not order additional wantan. For RM3.70, i get the wantan mee with 7 pieces of wantan.

The Nuffnang Community Goes Green

2007-08-15T18:51:00.000+08:00

Today Nuffnang community goes green and fulfill a dream by using its influence to help an environmental organisation, WWF and Honda project i.e Honda - WWF Rhino Rescue Project.

This project with a pledged of RM5.00 million over a period of 5 years to save the Sumatran Rhino.

The Sumatran Rhino (Dicerorhinis sumatrensis) is one of the most endangered of the rhinoceros species!

As influenced by the Nuffnang community, I do my small part by contributing this little blog and embedded the cute little green rhino icon on my Blog!

Flaming Platter for One @ Manhattan Fish Market

2007-08-15T17:23:00.001+08:00

Manhattan Fish Market, originally uploaded by See Teck.

I was with my doctor friend having dinner at Manhattan Fish Market in Penang, Queensbay Mall.

The picture showed how the flaming of the prawn when you ordered Flaming Platter for One, one of the Manhattan Fish Market specialty.

This platter consisted of one large grilled catch of the day and 3 pieces of the awards winning flaming prawn.

Totally agreed that the flamed prawns are good!

The Gift of Life (Malaysian Donor Card)

2007-08-15T17:00:00.001+08:00

I hereby announced to the world at large that on September 9, 1999, i've pledged to donate after my death, all organ and tissues, including of kidneys, heart, liver, lungs, eyes, bones and skin, may be removed for the purposes of transplantation.

I was 34 then and healthy!

After 8 years later, now, i'm, scare and worry that all my organ and tissues may not be that healthy anymore to be donated.

My Blood

2007-08-15T16:44:00.001+08:00

This is a digital image of a drop of my blood magnified under a microscope. I took this sample during one of the Bio Young campaign in Ipoh Parade on one weekend.

My blood type is under ABO Group "O" and Rhesus (D) Positive.

Must get my doctor to analyse it.

Australian Wagyu Beef @ Maria, Ipoh

2007-08-13T13:54:00.001+08:00

Last Saturday, August 11, 2007, i brought my family together with my mother-in-law to have western lunch. An occasion to celebrate MIL coming birthday. Though my MIL dislike western meal.

Having read so much of Maria Restaurant, an uptown western restaurant located at the Greentown, Ipoh, we decided to patronise the place.

MIL ordered Grill Salmon, my wife ordered set lunch i.e grill chicken in traditional herbs while my daughter, Ernni ordered Pineaple chicken chop. As for me, i always wanted to try kobe/wagyu beef. Looking at the price list, Japanese Kobe beef cost RM165/100 gm and Australian Wagyu beef cost RM75/100 gm.

I ordered a 230 gm Australian Wagyu beef, grill to medium well done. Recommended to eat the beef either medium or medium well done.

How is it taste? Grainny, juicy and tender. I like it despite the price! The cost, RM172.50 for a 230 gm piece of Australian Wagyu beef! I couldn't wait to try Kobe beef.

I'm featured in The Star Biz on August 7, 2007

2007-08-07T09:57:00.000+08:00

Transocean to meet RM40mil capital requirement

Tuesday August 7, 2007

By SHARIDAN MOHD ALI

PETALING JAYA: Transocean Holdings Bhd, a Penang-based logistics company, will comply with Bursa Malaysia’s requirement to increase its minimum issued and paid-up share capital requirement to RM40mil to remain listed.
Bursa decided to grant an extension to Transocean until Aug 18 to submit a proposal to comply with its listing requirements.

Financial director Chong See Teck said the company was trying its best to submit the proposals to the relevant authorities before the deadline.
He told StarBiz that Bursa had granted the extension in view of the agreements signed with Kumpulan Kenderaan Malaysia Bhd (KKMB) and Usmeta Manufacturing Sdn Bhd, both wholly-owned companies of Nadicorp Holdings Sdn Bhd.

In the first agreement, Transocean agreed to sell 12 million of its shares at RM1 each to KKMB. This exercise, which will boost Transocean’s current paid-up capital of RM28.9mil to over RM40mil, is expected to be completed by year-end.

Chong See Teck“KKMB will have a 29% stake in Transocean and the proceeds will be utilised to acquire the total equity interest in Usmeta for RM8mil,” Chong said, referring to the purchase of Usmeta in the second agreement.

“The remaining RM4mil will be useful to enhance our tight cash flow and working capital.
“Going forward, the company is seeing ia reduction in its gearing,” he said, adding that as at March the group’s total borrowings stood at RM17mil. He also stressed that Transocean had been disposing of its non-income generating assets since 2003.

To date, the group has sold its land in Sungai Petani (Kedah), its land in Balik Pulau, old head office and a double-storey shop lot in Seberang Perai Tengah (all in Penang), and a double-storey shop lot in Pasir Gudang (Johor) for a total of RM6.2mil.
“We expect to see improvement in our financial performance by the end of our next financial year,” Chong said.

He said Usmeta, which manufactures and rethreads used tyres, would boost the group’s cost efficiency in tyre usage after the takeover.

Transocean, which has been in the red since 2002, was suspended from trading since Nov 28 last year due to its failure to comply with the minimum paid-up share capital requirement.

It posted a loss of RM3mil on revenue of RM43.8mil for the financial year ended May 31. In its third quarter ended Feb 28, it recorded a cumulative loss of RM1.1mil on revenue of RM32.2mil. But Chong was confident that with the improvement of its cash flow, the company would be able to focus on its core activity in providing bonded land transportation and haulage services between Penang and Singapore. Currently, these business segments contribute 70% to the group’s revenue.

“The recent liberalisation of haulage tariff and one-box rate for both 40-footer and 20-footer containers are improving our operational costs,” he said.

Grill Salmon @ Soba Yoshi

2007-06-12T17:56:00.000+08:00

Soba Yoshi Japanese Noodle Restaurant is located at Krystal Point, Bayan Baru. It is one of my favourite Japanese restaurant which i always patronise with my private physician, Dr Chan CK.

Picture here is Dr Chan with his choice of Salmon Teriyaki.

This is my choice of Grill Salmon in butter sauce!Both the salmon dishes cost RM18.00 each.

Ang Saik Keng's Wedding Dinner

2007-05-29T18:00:00.001+08:00

Ang Saik Keng & wife, originally uploaded by See Teck.

Attended the wedding reception with cocktail and dinner, of Mr Ang Siak Keng & wife, Lee Wai Ling, at Pinang Ballroom, Traders Hotel on Saturday, May 26, 2007 (the date is corresponding to the 10th day of Chinese 4th moon).

A 7th course dinner were served with entertainment and speeches from friends.

Siak Keng, is a lawyer by profession and he is currently attached to a large lawyer firm based in Penang. I known him since a few years back when he joined the lawyer's firm.

Congratulations! and blessed you with many offsprings!

Coconut drink @ Lorong Abu Siti

2007-05-25T13:21:00.001+08:00

Coconut drink @ Lorong Abu Siti, originally uploaded by See Teck.

During the hot weather in the afternoon, it is best to go for a coconut juice to cool down your body heat!

There are 2 shops located side-by-side, famous for its coconut juice at Lorong Abu Siti in Georgetown, Penang.

Woodlands Vegetarian Restaurant

2007-05-25T13:09:00.001+08:00

Woodlands Vegetarian Restaurant, originally uploaded by See Teck.

There are a lot of Indian restuarant along Penang Street, Georgetown. Some are vegetarian some are not.

One of my favourite is the newly renovated Woodlands Vegetarian Restaurant. Not to have vegetarian food, but to get my dose of Madras coffee for RM1.20 which taste and had better value than the local kopitiam, Starbucks or CoffeeBean.

Hokkien mee @ Ah Beng

2007-05-25T13:04:00.001+08:00

Hokkien mee @ Ah Beng, originally uploaded by See Teck.

One of my favourite Penang dish is hokkien mee (known as Prawn mee in KL). Of all the places that i've tried, i like the most is from the Ah Beng shop located at Wisma KGN, Weld Quay, Georgetown. Costing only RM3.00 per bowl.

The speciality of this hokkien mee is the soup i.e beside the normal prawn shell, they also added in the pig bones as stock for the soup!

I normally will clean up the whole bowl including the soup.

In view of the high colestrol, i'm restricting myself to 1 visit per month!

My hypertension medicine

2007-05-25T12:59:00.001+08:00

My hypertension medicine, originally uploaded by See Teck.

I'm on 5mg of Lisinopril and 50mg of Atenolol to control my hypertension.

Sake Teriyaki Zen @ Miraku

2007-05-24T14:14:00.001+08:00

Miraku Restaurant is the latest Japanese restaurant in Georgetown, Penang. It is situated at First Floor of the latest hotel in town, G Hotel. The restaurant is own by Texchem group which based in Penang.

Miraku in Japanese language simply means a great place for customers to enjoy good food.

Yes, i do agreed with it. Miraku has a nice environment to have good Japanese food. All the staff there greet you welcome upon stepping in and great you thank you, upon leaving!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/47997523@N00/511806236/, originally uploaded by See Teck.

Sake Teriyaki Zen @ Miraku

The Salmon teriyaki cost me RM28.00, a bit pricey for Penang standard but I am not complaning due to the good ambience of the restaurant. However, my complain is that the salmon fish is a bit small!

G Hotel

2007-05-24T14:05:00.001+08:00

g Hotel lobby, originally uploaded by See Teck.

G hotel, is the latest hotel in Georgetown, Penang. Located at Gurney Drive, the hotel building is linked to the ever-popular Gurney Plaza, a leading shopping centre in Penang.

The hotel is decorated in homage to a modern and contemporary design.

The lobby is awashed with interior light effects and with designer furniture for customers. A good place to meet up with friend for chi-chatting or business meeting!

The Edge Financial Daily

2007-05-22T18:17:00.001+08:00

TheEdgeFinancialDaily, originally uploaded by See Teck.

A new financial daily in Malaysia was born on today, Tuesday, May 22, 2007. It is available from Monday to Friday and priced at RM1.50 per issue.

The paper is published by a PLC co, Nexnews Bhd. They are also the publisher for The Sun, the nation's FREE newspaper and the weekly financial paper, The Edge.

Nexnews are controlled by Tan Sri Vincent Tan and Mr Tong Kooi Ong. Pursuant to the announcement on May 9, 2007, they are taking the company private by offering to acquire all the shares hold by the minority in the PLC.

By the way, today is also the 10 years of home-going of Mr Tong Kooi Ong's father!

PFY1877

2007-05-22T10:12:00.001+08:00

PFY1877, originally uploaded by See Teck.

An accident happened this morning at the junction of Gat Lebuh Armenian and Victoria Street, behind my office. You can see from the photo that the cargoes carried by the truck has came out to the front. The windscreen of the truck was smash!

As usual, in Malaysia, any kind of accident will attract people. The reason, they will look for the truck registration number and bet the number with Sports Toto, Magnum, Pan-Pool and etc!