Malacca And Jonker Street

That's the photo that I took from the front door of my house in Melaka one day in March 2009. I don't know why but I find the weather is, generally, so humid and hot than Kuala Lumpur everytime I go back to hometown. The sun was big and shone with all its might on that day and I remembered I wasn't able to open my eyes while taking the photo.

The air conditioner was working in full force to fight the heat and helped me remained sane. For a while, I thought I was still living in Bahrain. As her heat resistant level is lower than me, Ah Chuin took the best place under the air conditioner while frantically clicking her mouse in her quest of championing the whatever PC game she was playing.

Suddenly, mom shouted "Dinner's ready!" and I woke up from my dream.

Mum's cooking has it unique taste no other chef in this world could re-produce. It is the taste we are familiar with and grew up to like. I could always tell by my instinct which one is hers from different dishes put together by different people. It's the colours, presentation, smell, and you just know.

We had an early dinner. After shower, me and Ah Chuin were on our way to Melaka town. Despite being born in Melaka, I did not know the place well. I did not grow up in this place and I did not have many friends here. I grew up in Sandakan and I was there for 11 to 12 years.

Being a little adventurous, I took a detour from the usual roads and guess what did I see. Eyes On Malaysia in Melaka!

I like this photo. The gigantic wheel stand erected magnificently in the evening sun. We only looked at the wheel from far (From the flyover actually). It would be nice to take the ride and see the whole of Melaka from the top of the wheel!

Continued our journey, we ended up somewhere near Taman Bunga Raya. My oh my, I would say that Melaka has noticeable developments since the declaration of World Heritage City by UNESCO in July 2008. I think there are more and more tourists in Melaka compared to years ago. I hope the State Government would be able to bring more tourists to Melaka. Melaka is unique and deserves to be promoted for its uniqueness in history, culture, food, and people.

The photos were taken somewhere along the Taman Bunga Raya river. I combined them but I did not know that it could become so small after uploading it to the blog. Click on the photo for a view on original size. By the way, the smallest is yet to come!

One of the places that you should not missed in Melaka is Jonker Street. My favourite kind of place and very tourist friendly. It is a vast difference between Jonker Walk, Melaka (Heaven) and Chinatown, KL (Hell). I would spare you with horrible stories about Chinatown, KL. As a Malaysian, I would not recommend any oversea friends to Chinatown and I think the Tourism Ministry should not be promoting Chinatown, KL untill it is properly 'cleaned up'. Just my opinion.

A new landmark in Jonker Street is the newly opened San Shu Gong (三叔公) at the end of the Jonker Street and I think the business has been good since its opening!

That's a lot of things that you can buy there, biscuits, snacks, white coffee, sweets, bottled juices, and whatever.

We were told the best cendol in Melaka is this small shop at the Jonker Street. We tried but not as good as we expected BUT the shop is unique and worthy of mention. In the shop you will see one huge collection of Coca-cola!

It is huge collection because the whole shop, every corner of it, is decorated with nothing but Coca-cola. It is what I call a shop-sized muzieum of coca-cola and they are everywhere on the tables, counters, shelves, and the auntie was so kind to let me photograph the place. If you have an opportunity, pay this shop a visit. It is near the end of Jonker Street. Wait, could there be a Pepsi shop nearby...

The Geographer, as always, filled with people and tourists. The cafe was completely dark and light-off at that time in support of Earth Hour.

So was this association which is famous for its line dance performance and always attracts a big crowd of onlookers. People are just curious animal, aren't they?

The best cendol in Melaka has to be this one right here: The stall on the left selling cendol whereas the right one selling noodles and snacks. There are always people queing up you won't miss it!

Not only you get to enjoy the food and cendol, eating in the restaurant is so nostalgic as you could see the decoration is old-fashioned and full with antiques: old posters, old lanterns, old telephones, old calendar, etc.

Cendol and corners of the restaurant. Let me warn you it is hard to get a table at peak time!

So many of you know the famous chicken rice balls of Melaka and guess what, you would find one in Jonker Street too. I am not too sure if this is the original shop.

One thing that I like about Jonker Street it gives you mixing and stimulating colours. I don't know about you but I like a place that is colourful and everywhere you see, different colours fill in every corner of your eye. I do not find the stuff here worth buying but those cute little things in sharp and bright colour attracts me greatly. Key chains, hair pins, toys, t-shirts, backpacks, shoes, slippers and etc. You would find a number of antique shops too.

I like these shoe bags but I am too old for this!

Who would miss this Orangutan House! Unique and creative design t-shirt. I did not know that photographing is not allowed but I did it and nobody stop me. Ha!

Jonker Street is a place that is pulling a lot of locals and tourists on the weekends or any given day. There are just so many people everywhere you go.

Lots of snacks and local foods to satisfy your gastronomical needs!

Cuttlefish anyone? Tried the crispy crabs and honey-coated cuttlefish. Not bad really. Have not seen it in other places in Malaysia.

Jonker Street is special because you get to see old and trendy things together. The building and architecture are just beautiful beyond word.

These photos were taken at the bridge and I remembered when I was very small before moving to Sandakan with my parents, the river was dirty and smelly but now it becomes one of the attraction as tourist could take the river boat to tour the Melaka town.

Across the bridge is The Red House but it was late so we did not continue our exploration. Anyway, I woule find another time to get more photos and introduce Melaka to the whole wide world.

The Day You Left Me Heartbroken

It saddened me that you left me without saying a single word.
After all these years we were together.
Thick and thin, ups and downs, goods and bads.
How could you do this to me?
What have I done wrong?
You left me so sudden I was speechless and dumbfounded.

I remembered watching the vital signs gone out one by one.
It killed me deeply to see that.
My hand was shaking and my mind was crying out loud QUICK... DO SOMETHING!
I held you gently and whispered to you Don't fail on me.
There must be something worth living in this world!
Wait! Remember how we met?
In an exotic country, we fell in love.
We were inseparable since the first time I laid my eyes on you.
The world belongs to just you and me.
No one can come between us.
Only fool to think that he can take you away from me.
So many good memories together!
We witnessed so many things together.
My job in Bahrain.
My disappointment with politics.
My many trips.
We walked the Bangkok town, remember?
1st diving licence.
1st laptop.
Many and many more!
You made me stay connected!
You made me laugh, sad, disappointed and now... you made me heartbroken.
Resuscitation was futile but I refused to see it ended this way.
But I could not do much.
How I wish there and then I have a hand of God.
I touched, I pushed, I shook, I slapped you but you were motionless, lifeless, without a slightest response to me.
Horrified... I was not ready to lose you not yet.
When it is time to go, it is time to go.
I sighed but I have to accept that you are forever gone in my life.
Thanks for your faithfulness all these years.
Rest in peace - my Sony Ericsson K800i.















All right, this is not intended to be written this way. I was just going to blog about my mobile phone went dead on me plain and simple but when I sat down and write, it turned out this way.

I know! I am just long-winded.

New Rice Bowl

This is my new rice bowl (Job).

I was being asked on the first day of work: Would I be seeing you until next year?

My reply: Until your retirement!
In my heart: Who can say for sure? Maybe I won't see you around here next year?

In times like this, being superficial is absolutely necessary.

Anyway, wishing me happy and productive employment in the new company.

Joanne Wong - Start From Here

I need to tell you about this album that I bought last year.

When I started this blog, I knew there and then I got to have a post about this album but I keep postponing it until now. I meant it to be the second post of this blog but somehow I just could not start. I tried a few times but I stuck in the introduction and it did not come out right.

Right now, I am taking it casually and at this very moment, I am listening to the album and working on the post wonder where it leads me to at the end.

...... I've never been the one to open up But you have always been the voice within The only one for my cold heart...... (Let's Start from Here)

Joanna Wong. What an ordinary name. It just like the average girl next door kind of name but her voice is anything but ordinary and the album is one of the best albums that I have in years. If you haven't any clue who is this girl, click here now to listen to her singing Moon River in Youtube which just blow me away.















I know that it might sound strange But you made my seasons start to change It happened so suddenly Like heaven has waited up for me...... (Lost in Paradise)

Very seldom I find an album that hooks me up immediately on the first listening and keep me playing it for the next few months without skipping any track in the album! If my memory serves me right, the albums that really did that to me are: David Tao's first self-titled and I'm okay album, AhMei's first self-titled album, Jay Chou's first self-titled album, Mariah Carey's first (Vision of love), second (Emotion), and third (Music Box) album, and er... yeah... the list can be long and that's all I can recall at the moment. It has been quite sometime now since I have this kind of addiction. It's just cool!

...... the cold and silent walls my stifled heartbeat oh it's best to leave the tv on...... (As Love Begins to Mend)

Her voice does not match her age. It is hard to connect the way she sings and her look! For a 20 year-old, she sounds like a veteran smooth jazz singer who would surely blow you away with her voice. Her voice is delicate, mellow, tender, and so smooth to listen to. She sings so effortlessly and unpretentiously. It is just impressive the way she tells the story through her songs.

The rustling leaves and the chilly midnight wind I wonder if it's your car pulling into the driveway Baby do you know what it's like to wait...... (Bada Bada)

Just when the mainstream singers are making waves and noises with entertainment headlines and spice up the image in order to sell more albums, Joanna is just low profile and let her talent / music speaks of her. Nothing complicated, just simplicity. This girl got class and style of her own that no other artist can easily emulate.

I'll be raising cattle And then some sheep Play the conga And then some sleep...... (Lost in Taipei)

What do I like in this album and which track? Well, let me see, I like every track in it! It has 2CDs: One in English and another one in Mandarin. Somehow I find the English one to my liking.












Two shadows talking but they don't make a sound Words have lost their meaning now...... (The Best Mistake I've Ever Made)

Ironically, she wasn't happy with this album despite it launched her career successfully and won her mountain of compliments from music critics and admiration from the fans. To her, the album is too commercial I read it somewhere. Go easy girl! Lot of people out there love this album. Doesn't that's means something significant already?

Hey let's start running For no reason Let's start laughing Without any jokes When did we need excuses, to do what we do...... (For No Reason)

Click the above to listen to the song For No Reason at Youtube. Isn't her voice just... beautiful. I just don't know how else to describe it. It's just kind of sooth you and such a pleasant to ear. I mean you don't find her singing like Christina Aguilera whom has a great voice no doubt but when she sings live, she would strain and shout and simply show off her high pitch powerful vocal rather than singing the song. I remembered my ear bled watching her performance. No, I am not anti-Christina and she sings way better than Beyonce and Britney in my view.

Does nostalgia grow along the way Seeing your house far behind, far behind...... (Stages of Flying)

I miss home listen to this song. Feel like going home. The images of my old parents appear. That's exactly how powerful music can be sometimes. It connects with you innerly. That's what my next post is about: My home town.

The future's an illusion Don't fall for empty vows All we have is now...... (Now)

I think listening to this album it is like enjoying a cup of hot coffee with a very rich aroma. The smell of it immediately arouses you and you don't even taste it yet. It relaxes you and make you calm and be yourself. Music is just wonderful. Who would live without it?















Some folks like to get away Take a holiday from the neighborhood Hop a flight to Miami Beach or to Hollywood...... (New York State of Mind)

This song reminds me just about time I plan for an Island break. The blue, white, away from city noises, gentle sea breeze, a glass of lemonade, and Ah Chuin.

Arisu Korean BBQ Restaurant

I love this post. I have not finished it yet. In fact, I am just started tying it down but I am doing it with a smile on my face already.

This week, God has been kind to me. Life has been worth living. Khir Toyo looks like a saint to me. Everything looks downright positive to me because I have discovered a place that I would go to whenever I crave for Korean food.

About a decade ago (correct me if I am wrong), our part of world here didn't find Korean things particularly interesting or hip and trendy. Suddenly, the Korean craze came to us like a big tornado swept us all off our feet. It started with love-worshiping, tear-inducing, heartbreaking Winter Sonata and then immediately followed by the equivalents. Soon after that, the Korean music, fashion, language, cosmetics, kim chi, and all things Korean were all around us. The craze went on and on showing no sign of waning. While everybody talked and did Korean things fervently, I was the one outside of the craze radar. Little did I know it wasn't for long.

I was hit the hardest when The Jewel Of The Palace （大长今） started its run on the television. Damn, Korean food never look so heavenly delicious before and I make sure I had my dinner before watching the drama because it would be torturing to me watching the display of Korean foods on television with an empty stomach. Suffice to say that right after that, I contributed my part in the growing of Korean food business around Klang Valley.

I would go to the extend to say that if you like to eat Korean food, go to those restaurants owned and run by Korean like Arisu Korean BBQ Restaurant. The restaurants that offer original Korean taste is much better than those trying to be Korean. Your chance of disappointment would be minimized. Feel free to disagree with me on this.

If you have been to Kota Damansara, you know this area is like food heaven. Arisu doesn't have a website, so I am going to tell you how to find the restaurant. It is located at the 2nd floor above The Red Bistro which is above Restaurant Fortune Garden. Look for Toyota Showroom then you should find Fortune Garden. Here is a photo for your reference.

How did I discover this place? Well, through a good friend's recommendation who shyly admitted to me that she eats there alone sometimes not because she is socially inapt but she really really enjoys Korean food far better than I do. Oh yes, she has a very popular name as well. What do you think about Pepsi for a girl's name?

Anyway, due to my lousy photography skills, I have recently learnt up photo-editing software. These photos have been enhanced so that they are closer to the original colours and hopefully, they make you drool like a baby as you read on. Ho ho.

I was there last week with Ah Chuein and we were to meet up with Pepsi for a dinner after a few weeks no-show due to work commitments.

Took the lift to 2nd floor. Out from the lift there is a signage on the right.

Soon as we walked in, the crew greeted us affectionately and courteously. This place is spotless! Look at the photos. They were taken at the time when all the other customers had left.

What do you think about this place? The decoration is nice if you ask me. We ordered a Pepsi drink while waiting for Pepsi, our friend, to arrive. Ho ho.

You know in Korean restaurant, you will be served with 5 to 7 side dishes together with the main course. As soon as we completed our order, it did not take long for the side dishes to be arranged nicely on our tables and my oh my, they were... just one word: Delicious! I usually finish up side dishes pretty quickly and normally get no or limited replenishment. This is the first Korean restaurant that keeps on replenish the side dishes and the waiters observe you closely. They observe how do you like your side dishes and replenish accordingly. For instance, our Kim chi, which was quickly eaten up was replenished generously for several times before we finally had enough. Here you go for the photos that I took on site dishes.

Damn it! I just realize that I miss out the kim chi photo. The pickled cucumber as shown in the last photo is my favourite. It wasn't too pickle-ish or should I say it did not taste too sour. Just nice. I love it.

We ordered a Korean soup. It is called Woo Gu Gee Gal Bi Tang. It sounds like Mandarin but I can only tell you that it is beef soup and not my personal favourite. The taste is alright.

It was fun reading the Korean menu. Do you know what is Tuk Bok Ee? Anyway, I don't think I spelled it right but definitely not a Chinese's name! It is Korean rice cake in thick spicy sauce and my heart melt at the very first glance of it!

This is Korean steamed egg and given free to us by the owner. Eat it while it is steaming hot. Don't let it gets cold.

Nak Ji Bok Eum. Noodle with fried octopus in special Arisu spicy sauce. It comes in big portion good for 2 to 3 persons. That was a lot of HOT green chili in it. I was speechless. Just eat it!

What do we do with lettuce and why do they serve us with lettuce? We are not here for salad... just as I get a little bit confused. The waiter...

brought out a big hot plate with mixture of meat and vegetable on it. It's Osam Bulgogi. I have no idea that Korean food can have an exotic name. Anyway, Bulgogi is barbecue beef. But this one has no beef in it. This dish is unarguably the best dish of the night and at the price pf RM35.00, I would just say it is taste-worthy! There are sliced pork (with thin layer of fat just the way I like it) and cuttle fish in special spicy sauce.

You take a lettuce. Spread it out on your palm. Place the mixture in the centre of lettuce. Wrap it up and pop it in your mouth! The vegetable and the mixture just... beyond word description.

Complimentary fruit from owner. The nice way to end our meal.















I know Korean food tends to get pricey but I would say that the money that we spent was worthwhile given the level of service and attention that we received and there are other items in the menu that I would like to try when I come back next time! I do notice that the restaurant serves customers with the fresh ingredients.

Damn, I feel so hungry now looking at those photos.