A Mysterious Tree in Nalgonda (Andra Pradesh-India)

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

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

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

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

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

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)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.