Ipoh Old Town - Bringing back childhood memories

On my way back from Penang, I stopover Ipoh for a night. Ipoh had became one of my stopover points in Malaysia after I visited two of the most impressive cafes last year - Burps & Giggles and Buku Tiga Lima. 

This time round I found even more things in Ipoh! The mural paintings that brought back my childhood memories~ We totally enjoyed our mini reminiscing session at this alley where all the paintings are! hehehe. Some photos to share! =)) 

The highlight would be visiting another cafe by the same owner - MISSING MARBLES! At the same time, introduce SLT to these cafes that got me going back Ipoh again and again! hehehe. I really must say the cafes are an art themselves. You have to see it for yourself!! hehehe.

As this road trip ended, I am in preparation of my next BIG trip. Stay tune! 

Purposeful Traveller - Memories made

Art in Georgetown, Penang.

Finally I can have a breather, wanted very much to share the photos from my Penang & Ipoh trip! 

The art and creativity in Georgetown always inspire me =)

Doodling in a cafe~

Waited pretty long for this "art" to be done!

Love the doors and mosaic tiles I saw in Penang.

This door deserves some attention.

Ending off with this quote I saw in The Camera Museum that impacted me.

Purposeful Traveller - So many things to explore~

Two Cafes in Thomson V Two

It's been awhile I blogged about cafes I went. Most of the updates I did it through instagram instead. =)

Anyway just want to mention this 2 cafes I went because they are so near to each other and I feel that these are alternatives to the already crowded Upper Thomson eateries area. Visited OZ Specialty Coffee as we were around Bishan area. A small cafe with only 5 interior seats, the rest are outside, lucky it was at night and pretty windy. hee.

Ordered a cappuccino and waffles and chit chatted with the young owners. I was pleasantly surprised when I was given a latte on the house! =)

Cappuccino and the free latte!

Belgium waffles with frozen berries and ice cream. A slight twist to the usual waffles~

I get to know November 8 through OZ's instagram! We went November 8 on 2 separate occasions. This cafe is much bigger and definitely a good place for gathering. =)

Tried their waffles on both occasions

I will be going Penang in March! I hope to do some cafes in Penang entries then!

Purposeful Traveller - Updates done! 

When you can't have a vacation....

I rarely do staycation because personally I think with the same amount of money I can go for a 2D1N holiday somewhere nearby in Malaysia. 

Nevertheless, I tried it out for the first time and I really enjoyed myself! It was supposed to be a birthday celebration cum "holiday" for 4 of us! My friend managed to bake a strawberry shortcake the day before upon birthday girl's request and thanks to lunnieah, the birthday cake box was beautifully decorated! =))

Anyway after some research, I booked Dorsett Hotel for $175++, the location was awesome because it is within walking distance from the MRT and the CNY market, yet it is situated slightly away from the buzz so it was relatively quiet at night! 

We got a room on the 7th floor!

We figured that was a door bell! Cool!

Cozy looking room with fluffy beds and pillows!

We watched 2.5 movies on the HBO channel. LOL. Slacking our day in the room!

View from our room!

View from the roof top garden~

Another PLUS point about Dorsett is that there are plenty eateries around the hotel! We went down and there is a cafe there! We walked around the hotel and spotted this Irish Pub serving affordable set lunch and we had our lunch there!

Potato & Leek Soup~ Yum

$12.80/$15.80 nett for main course, drink and soup!

<

I pretended I was overseas. Hahaha.

We headed to Cityhall by MRT to visit Public Garden before going to supermarket to buy our dinner! We randomly decided to Lou Hei (we bought the Salmon Yu Sheng for $33.80, not bad!) and have a sushi dinner! =)

Then of course we celebrated the birthday, the prank with inextinguishable candles nearly freak us out with the smoke they produced! We panicked for awhile, thinking if the smoke will activate the smoke sensors!! LOL! 

We headed to CNY market only at 1am! The streets were much quieter and I could take a good picture of the CNY decorations (I was tempted to stand on the road to take a closer picture, tempted.)

Love the colours of CNY!

Because of the awesome location, we were able to have our brunch at The Plain cafe the next morning (@ Craig Road) which is nearby the hotel too.

This staycation was awesome and memorable because of the people and I must say that the location is fantastic especially during pre-CNY season! =D

Purposeful Traveller - A staycation to consider......

Travel - Lobong Cooking Class in Ubud; Don't miss it!

Have you tried a cooking class in Bali?

I just did one in Ubud for my holiday and it totally blow me away! At first I was quite worried that we need to cook 7 dishes! *swallow saliva* But with the guidance of the chef, all was good and I felt like a pro at the end! hehehe.

The tour started with a local market tour, and from the tour I learnt so much more about the Balinese culture as the guide explained to us!

This is the locals' fast food. Solid.

The traditional Warung, like a food stall cum provision shop!

Below are some pictures of the market and I find them so colourful that I did a series in my instagram - Colours of a Balinese Market!

The guide brought us around to show us what were the ingredients needed for our cooking.

The veggie stall

The spices

Fruits stall

Flowers for Balinese ceremonial rituals.

They have huat kueh for offerings too!

The Auntie in red was jokingly telling us she blended in with the flowers. hehe. Friendly souls we met!

My thoughts: To know one's culture, one should visit a local market.

After a good tour, we proceeded to the owner's house for the cooking class but before the start, the guide brought us around the house and explained to us some interesting things about a traditional Balinese home!

]

Rocks outside the Eldest house, which is situated in the North of the compound, it represented the number of children they have!

This (rice) storage represented wealth in the olden Balinese culture. 

We witnessed the making of coconut oil!

Then, cooking begins!!

The ingredients!

Making of peanut sauce.

Making of Kare Ayam, braised chicken leg in coconut sauce.

The boiling of the soup - Cram Cam Gedag Mekuah (Papaya, mince chicken, crispy shallots)

Sate Lilit Ayam, to go with peanut sauce which we made!

Jukut Urab (Mixed vegetables, grated coconut garlic chilli dressing)

The dessert - Dadar Gulung

Not to forget, we spent 1 hour 15 minutes to cook the sweet potato rice!!! *gasped*

After ALL the cooking, we were even showed how the Balinese will have their offerings done before a meal and I followed the owner's mum into their family temple and took a look! =))

After we were done, our food were presented to us beautifully! OMG!!

We were guided to our seats while they served us the fruits of our labour!! I felt as if I was in a fine dining restaurant!!

The souvenir is a bottle of coconut oil! So nice of them!

I really really enjoyed myself and I think this cooking class is definitely worth a try when you are in Ubud men!!! It was one way that made me know Bali more (than just a beach/diving/sea activities vacation)!

Website: http://lobongcooking.com/

The cost of the class: Rp 412,500 (S$44) and it includes everything!

Purposeful Traveller - Good stuff must share!