hide-out at the heart of Georgetown

well, since I am publishing this...it will not be a hideout anymore :( The location? can walk from KOMTAR/Lower Penang Road...it's just behind GAMA complex, 5 mins walk from the big screen in front of KOMTAR.

it's a great place for enjoying Chinese tea, having snack/real meal in a quiet and peaceful environment, and even for few puff (at the far end corner, see the 云烟厢signboard from inside as shown in one of the picture attached)...it's perfect for some real talk/conversation or just simply playing with the tea set inside an colonial era town house/bungalow (could be dated back to late 19th century), with two small gardens at both sides. Yes, you don't have to go to Melaka old town area to find one...there are still many in Penang, in good condition too...just look at the tiles...this is real. 

One does not have to kneel or sit on the floor to have all the fun. Food is good too at reasonable price. Had only tried the chinese tea 兰贵人(made from 高山茶) so far...pretty good and the 甘 taste will stay within one's mouth for a while. I am not a real tea expert, but do enjoy having this chinese tea. Had stayed for >2hrs in one occasion, and the owner or waiters didn't kick me out :) The decor is good with some bamboo outside, right beside the windows, yeah, good for window light shots of people. And another thing I like...I can park my car right in front of the cafe. Which is pretty rare in this part of the world...

View Larger Map

breakfast in CNY?

haha...this was what I had for breakfast today, after CNY in Ipoh. Though in a rush, I haven't forgotten there must be alcohol for meals, even for breakfast...why? just like the feel of it, especially on a weekday, not working, and CNY. First I had ordered the usual kopi-ice (iced latte for you "gourmet coffee" suckers :) , then I realized I haven't had the Carlsberg Gold for many days...not bad, prawn mee with beer, plus all the curious eyes from other "patrons" of this "kopitiam" ...

It's Chinese New Year time, enjoy, have fun, and spend more time with family and friends...恭喜发财！

the other side...

where do all these freakin' vehicles come from? it does puzzle me when I was in massive traffic jam during a drizzling morning in weekdays - working days at 0630. The congestion usually occurs near the T-junction that my little hideout linked to the outside world-the main road. According to my "theory" and with some suggestions from others - they are mainly from Balik Pulau (in English - Return (to) Island) to avoid the dangerous road from Balik Pulau to Relau/Bayan Baru/Paya Terubung. It's located on the western side of the island and scarcely populated on the "other side"...was pretty surprise, I was driving average 60 to and fro as there were not many vehicles and everybody seems so relax...it's like I was in Kuala Kubu Baru (if you been to Fraser's Hill then you will know this little town). The pictures taken may not be revealing all - especially the laid back feel, but there are some real good spot to shoot the western shoreline with the town right under your foot...

Food: "Chee Cheong Fun" at Penang

many not-from-Penang would be surprised there is a good "Chee Cheong Fun" in Penang. In fact, I was, and still is :) But this another type of "chee cheong fun" with "prawn sauce gravy" and sweet sauce (brown sticky sauce), with sesame sprayed on top, and of course, chili sauce (as in most Penang food). It's great to find a place in Georgetown these days so packed in the morning, I am sure there are others hot spot...but just not this part near Komtar where many businesses had moved away. Lots of decent Penang food at this 2-unit merged "kopitiam" (Hokkien for coffee shop), and but have to look for parking...

View Larger Map

Food: 怡保旧街场天津鸡丝河粉

Many know one of Ipoh food goodies is "chicken slice noodles" (鸡丝河粉). If you are looking for 鸡丝河粉at Ipoh, go try the "authentic" stalls at Ipoh Old Town. OK, not really linked to the popular Oldtown White Coffee or Cafe, even though both shops located on the same street in old town.

Most people treated as the best (me too) is at Tian Jin coffee shop at Ipoh Old Town 怡保旧街场天津鸡丝河粉. One of the critical ingredients is the noodle "hor fun" or 河粉 if pronounced in Cantonese. It is the smoothest I have tried and the soup is excellent. First tried in the 80s where whole bunch of us (in high school uniforms) after school, stopped over for lunch, on the way to a friend's house a Kg Tawas. I had the 鸡丝河粉 and a sweet dessert Custard. More than 20 years later, this duo is still as good. Of course, I had been there many times in between.

Other goodies: satay (got to try it, haha) located at the alley in between the neighboring coffee shop 光兴and天津. Soup noodles w/ fried stuff at front entrance is another Ipoh goodies too.

View Larger Map