Saturday, August 27, 2011

Malaysia - Johor Bahru (Pulai Waterfalls, Tesco & Jusco, Restroan Asli)


Malaysia: Johor Bahru

Pulai Waterfalls


Though the entrance may indicate closure, this much neglected beauty can still see you can see lots of families and the elderly commuting in and out by walking around this gated structure. Malaysia "Boleh!(can)" Its about a 400m up-slope walk from this gate to the pools pictured.



 
A beautifully tucked away waterfall for a leisurely morning hike up to the top of the hill or down the gentle rapids.

Yo
u'll be able to catch a refreshing swim in the tranquil pools, with little fishes giving you a free fish spa service to boot.

Be careful with your belongings as curious monkeys used to having freebies from left over bbqs and picnics near the pools aren't shy for a closer look.
GPS Navigation:N01 35.55' E103 32.01'

Tesco & Jusco At Tebrau City
Built side by side, this is a great shopping destination a little aways from the main Johor city. All major brands are available with a great selection of food eateries to choose from. Nandos too! Furthermore, at Tesco, they accept Singapore dollars at a better exchange rate than you would just across the causeway.

P.S Everyone will be trying to park in Jusco itself and it'll be a huge queue just to get in and an even longer one to get out. Parking at Tesco just across the road is easy and it's free!
GPS Navigation: N1.55061 E103.79670
Abba Map To: Jesco & Tesco at Tebrau City

TO EAT:
JB - Restoran Asli
No menu, no prices. Just order. Located in between the first and second links to Singapore, Restoran Asli seems to be the most successful of the seafood joints in the same cluster. Food was decent and so reasonably priced that you'd think they missed out on items after paying the bill.
GPS Navigation: N1.46064 E103.70506
ABBA Map to Restoran Asli
What was ordered:
 Salt and pepper Fried squid RM?
- *pictured left*
Ti Huang Chai (Emperor vegetables) RM6- In picture clockwise from top left 
4 small white pepper crabs RM40
- A little on the starchy side with the corn flour
but over all a good alternative to black pepper crabs.

*recomended* Prawn done Indonesian style RM20
- A mix between curry and laksa prawn in clay-pot broth.
Prawns steamed RM20
Sambal Kang Kong RM6
La-las RM?
- Nice big clams which were prepared nicely.
*recomended* 3 large fresh local oysters RM5 each
-
Goes very well with their vinaigrette *not pictured*
Rice, tea, hand wipes RM6Total about: RM114
p.s Special mention goes to their Or-ni (Yam dessert) with pumpkin which was really good as well on a previous visit.

Monday, August 8, 2011

Malaysia - Malacca



MUST DO:
Staying at The Baba House
The Baba House is one of the few retrofitted Baba Nonya structures which comes with the comforts of hot running water, air-conditioning, FREE Wi-Fi and even complementary breakfast to boot. Guarded hotel parking spaces are available for weekend warriors.

Staying in this hotel in itself is an experience of historic architecture and beauty, plus, its only steps away from Jonker Street!
*Direct phone booking was easiest*
The Baba House: +60 6281 1216/2168
Click here for Price Check @ The Baba House GPS navigation: N2.19653 E102.24494







Malacca Main Square & River Boat RideBeing a heritage site, the main square is the main focal point of everything that is to do in Malacca. All tourist attractions pretty much centers around this in a 400m radius.

A special mention goes to the river Malacca boat ride @ 10RM/Adult. It offers a good 40min ride up and down the meandering Malacca River, plus frequent sightings of large monitor lizards basking under the sun along the river banks or going for a tip.
GPS Navigation: N2.19235 E102.24766
Jonker Walk *NIGHT*
Definite a must go! Set-up starts at about 1830hrs and most stalls would be open by 1900hrs.

Watch as the streets are blocked off and turned into a feasting adventure of street foods, *from fried assorted pastries, Dim Sum, Laksa & Sushi just to name a few variants* and shopping of trinkets and varied products.

Starts at approx 1900hrs and Opens till late, defiantly a 2 night affair to cover ALL of the make shift stalls and shops which line the street.
GPS NavigationN2.19679 E102.24637









TO EAT @ Jonker Walk

Chicken Rice Ball*Jonker Walk:As informed by a local, Hoe Kee chicken rice indicated in map below is the original chicken rice ball stall. Though I didn't get to try the original, Oloiya chicken rice ball, yellow signage, located left of it wasn't too bad either.

All in all 35RM for lunch. Note that the chicken rice balls are about the size of fishballs, so ordering a few/person at 30cents a piece is a must.
ABBA Map To: Original Chicken Rice Balls

Nyona/Peranakan Food*Jonker Walk:
In Jonker you'll be spoiled for selection of traditional and street foods. I tried a meal at Anak Nonya which seemed famous based on their poster, showcasing their various TV appearances.

Good tasting nonya dishes overall but in relative terms, was a bit pricey. 4RM for condiments such as Sambal Blachan/Chin Chalok. The fried chicken alone was going at 4Rm a wing. Note, last order is at 2130hrs
ABBA Map To: Anak Nonya

Satay Chelok*Jonker Walk:
It's various meats, seafood and vegetables on a stick that's cooked and served in a spicy satay sauce. Its one of those must eat things, that which is synonyms with Malacca. Each stick goes at about 70cents.

The new trend apparently are swirly fried potato chips on a long stick in varied spices.

Although about 2.7km from the main Malacca Square this place is accessible by foot or taxi at about 10RM. A must try for foodies are the devil's curry RM16 and baked fish RM35 done Portuguese style. Be forewarned, its not called Devil's curry for nothing.

Mainly open at night are the seafood eateries. However, the main attraction I feel are the shellfish orders from the side stalls. Fresh horse shoe crabs, various shell fish and succulent oysters await your choosing.

Oysters ranged from 5RM to 10RM a piece pending size, as did the large clams going at 10RM/piece. Restaurant opens till late.
GPS Navigation: N2.18361 E102.26704 ABBA Map To: Portuguese Square

Taman Buaya Crocodile Farm
Much upgrading has undergone since I last came to this place and I must say for 8RM/Adult you'll be treated to an aviary, a small reptile selection and lots of crocodiles. There was a crocodile show thrown in but no performances during Ramadan period.

Not a bad stop on the way in or out of Malacca with a mini go-kart track and a McDonalds on either side of it.
GPS Navigation: N2.27669 E 102.29741
ABBA Map To: Taman Buaya Crocodile Farm

CAN DO:

Jonker Walk *Day*
Antique make shift stalls, which you wouldn't otherwise have seen much of at night, line a street along Jonker Walk.

Perhaps limited to the weekend, it is worth a look for trinkets and various memorabilia at a bargain. Stalls set up @ 1000hrs.
Along Jalan Hang Lekir junction, east of The Baba House.

Cheng Hoong Teng Chinese Temple
Located parallel to Jonker Walk, this is the oldest functioning temple in the country. Along that stretch are various Batik Stores and Chinese Prayer/Dieties supplies.
GPS Navigation: N2.19759 E102.24697

Around Malacca Square
- St Paul Hill
- A Famosa (On top of the hill for a great view and historic site)
- Istama Melaka (Replica of the Sultan's Istana) 2RM entry
- Muzium Samudera (Maritime museum that looks like a ship) 3RM entry
- Church of St. Fracis
- Various other museums (To beat the heat)
- Dataran Pahlawan (Mega mall, good shopping)


Basic 3D2N Itinerary:
Day 1
Afternoon Check in
Antique shops along Jonker.
Malacca Square museums
Istana Melaka
Dataran Pahlawan
Night 1
Jonker Street

Day 2
Kui Cheng Hoon Temple
Maritime museum
Portugese sqaure *thankfully a restaurant was open*
River boat ride
Dataran Pahlawan
Night 2
Jonker Street
Portugese sqaure

Day 3
Jonker Street Day Antique street sales
Taman Buaya Melaka
return journey...