The Tram in Penang- Its History

Penang once had trams as a means of transport for the inslanders. The line ply in the city centre and I can remember had the opportunity to ride on when I was a little boy. It was electrically powered with overhead electrical cables vertically above the tram lines. I am not sure when the tram was stopped but its was an unfortunate move. Should it be retain, the tram can be one of the attraction for tourist. Just like on Kowloon Island, Tram still freey passengers across the island.

Venice Beach, LA

I visited Los Angeles in 2003 and stayed at Los Angeles Adventurer All Suite hotel. True as it says. Took the opportunity to visit Venice Beach since complimentary transport is provided daily to the beach. Venice Beach is one of the popular beaches in LA and once in a while we can watch it on TV. The serial Pacific Blue was shot on location here in Venice Beach.

Since the beach stretches for quite a distance, I rented a bicycle to travel along the trail constructed and cycle up to Santa Monica Beach.

Venice Beach, California is a desired destination for travelers from all over the world. It is unlike any place on Earth, well known for its artists, street performers and funky atmosphere. It is a virtual carnival running year round with free admission. This web site will always be a work in progress due to the constant input and creativity from Venice residents and visitors. Join us for a tour through the many bizarre and interesting scenes that make Venice truly unique.

Beca in Penang

I had written a blog about the thrishaw in Malay called beca in Malacca. There is not much different between both of them which was once a popular mode of transport. Its a three-wheeled vehicle powered by who else, human of course. Nowadays when mostly everybody have their own transport beside cheaper public transportation, the services of these trishaw peddlar is not much needed anymore. However their life must go on. They have families to support and must survive. So, now they turn the trishaw as a tourist attraction vehicle.

Not every city has trishaws. Even in Malaysia only a few towns still have them. Trishaw can still be found and in Penang, Alor Setar, Kelantan, Kangar, Kuala Terengganu and Malacca.

So, when in those towns in Malaysia, don't miss the trishaw ride.

"Beca" waiting for tourist at Penang Road. It is just in front of the Cititel Hotel.

Tourist get the feel of a "beca" ride

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Switched to Beta-blogger

29 August 2006
Today I switched my blog from blogger to beta-blogger. Not a new blogwebsite but the upgrade of the previous blogspot. I hope this switch will be able to make my blog more attractive.

Selamat Menyambut Hari Kebangsaan ke 49

Penghargaan: masthead dari utusan online

Penang Rojak

If we speak about Penang and its food what comes in ones mind is nasi kandar. However there is more than nasi kandar when it comes to food in Penang. Pasembor is another must have if you visit Penang. Its a mixture of processed seafood including prawn balls, fish balls and cakes, crabs etc. It is topped up with grated cucumber, 'sengkuang', 'kangkong' and spread with nuts gravy. The taste is a mix of sweet and sour.

The Tawau Series - II

Hotel North Borneo situated at Jalan Dunlop. Its a budget hotel with a star rated hotel facilities. Rate offered was RM 60 nett. Streamyx broadband internet access is provided in all rooms and the best thing its Free of charge. Therefore I was able to be connected to the internet 24 hours. I think all hotels should follow them. Everoom has a private balcony and mine was a corner room and therefore the viewing range is wider.

To contact 089-763060

The Tawau Series - I

Aerial view of Tawau Town

The first time I set foot in Tawau was in 1979 when I attended the Majlis Sukan Sekolah-sekolah Sabah Track and Field meet. All I could remember was I stayed at the SRK Pekan Tawau, sleeping on classroom tables. Then I was one of the coach for Pantai Barat Utara.

In 2005 I step foot on Tawau ground again and stayed at Oriental Hotel also at Jalan Dunlop. During that visit I conducted a course at the navy base, KD Sri Tawau. Well, I was not into blogging yet and therefore have written nothing about the visit.

August 2006 I came to Tawau again for the same reason but at a different place, Institut Perguruan Tawau. This series is about my latest vsit to Tawau.

21 August. A friend took me and Ong to a restaurant which he said serve something special. It is Ah Bang Restaurant situated on the first floor of a shop house at Sabindo. The row of shop is near the Bank Pertanian Malaysia and opposite Mahkamah Tawau. Food served is just plain white rice and fish in gravy. I ordered the amut (not sure the name is correct) fish (picture below). A set is priced at RM 6.50 and chinese tea is free. My friend Samson who is a local and became our unofficial host took the Ikan Bulu. It tastes nice. Worth trying whenever you visit Tawau.

Lorong Kulit -Pasar Karat

Lorong Kulit beside the Penang City Stadium is where you can find new and old items on sale at cheap price. From modern day shirt including jerseys of your favourite EPL teams or Serie A to jeans and pants, fruits, cakes, pirated CD and VCD and DVDs to antiques and discarded items, you can find it here. The daily open market is open daily from morning till noon.

According to a friend this open market was at Rope Walk in the city centre but was moved to the present place which is more convenient for locals and tourist alike. Antique hunters can visit the market daily and hunt what they need. On one visit there was a second hand Nissan Sunny on sale.






HOW TO GO

The market is located at the vicinity of the Stadium Bolasepak Pulau Pinang between Lorong Kulit and Jalan Perak. It is reachable from Komtar if you drive along Jalan Datuk Keramat. Upon reaching the junction of  Jalan Perak turn left onto Jalan Perak and then turn right onto the Stadium car park. Just park your car there because you might find it hard to get a parking space along Lorong Kulit.  The Google Maps below might be of some help.

Penang August 2006 Part II

Soup Ekor (Oxtail soup)
Went out for an early dinner and a must for me when visiting Penang is the mamak's oxtail soup. The difference between the mamak's ox tail soup and the Malay 'sup ekor' is the thickness of the soup. The mamak cook a thicker soup compared the Malay. The soup can be taken with bread. Just dip the bread into the soup and eat it that way. I don't know other place whether there is a more tastier soup. I only knew of the Hameed's Nasi Kandar Soup just in front of the hotel where I stay (Continental). To be more exact it is opposite Hotel Malaysia next to where I stay.

What's so special about oxtail soup? Well, it is related to men who wants to improve his libido especially his male organ. The rationale? I don't know. Just guess, the tail of the ox wiggles non stop, so if a man eats it, his organ can wiggle non stop too. Thats my theory. LOL.

A bowl of oxtail soup at Hemeed's is RM5.50.

Penang August 2006

6 August 2006
Left my house fore Penang at 5.25 p.m. As usual entered the highway through Bukit Lanjan Toll and exit Tanjung Malim. Toll is just RM 9.50. There was a road block manned by the police at Behrang which is very unusual (for me) . Usually there are no road block at the place after travelling the stretch since the last 5 years.

Stop for dinner at a restaurant in Tapah (near the masjid). There are two reataurant at the building opposite the Masjid Jamek Tapah. I took the wrong restaurant after being deceived by the rows of dished on the rack. The food is a bit stale. Usually I eat at the other restaurant, nearer to the masjid. Food is better over there.

Entered the highway again with the intention of stopping ar Tapah R&R to log on to the internet since there is wireless connectivity. However I made the wrong entry since the R&R is before the Tapah exit towards the North. Stop at Sungai Perak R&R and there is also Broadband wierless connectivity there. I tried to surf from my car but to my dissapointment, there is no signal. Maybe the terminal is at the food court and is not reacheable from the car park. Hope the operator can increase the signal strength so that surfing can be done at the car park. The best thing (from the advert) it is Free and 24 hours.

On the way slept at the Gunong Semanggol R&R till 5.30 a.m. After my Suboh prayer, took off and reached the Peang Bridge at about 8.00 a.m. Oh, my god. jam..... the traffic snarl started jst before the toll plaza. One of the reason is the construction taking place where part of the lanes were closed and created a bottlebeck. The jam continues after the toll plaza and traffic is slow moving until the middle part of the bridge. Now the reason being an accident that happen on the other side of the bridge.

Went straight to Majlis Sukan Pulau Pinang and begin work.

Checked in at Continental Hotel on Penang Road. The room rate is RM 80.50 nett for a single standard and on the old wing. Rate for the new wing is RM 98.00 nett. The two pictures is the room that I stayed.

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Memories in Hong Kong III

Memories in Hong Kong Part II

One of the subway station from Shat Tin to Mongkok

I know you wish the background is a bit clear

Coca Cola souvenir shop

The night market

On board Star Ferry

At The Peak

Memories in Hong Kong Part I

I first visited Hong Kong to attend a High Altitude Symposium in 2004 held at Hong Kong Sports Institute. Hong Kong is my second oversea destination on official assignment. Visiting a country where not many people speak English is a bit of a problem.

At The Peak

Hong Kong Ripley's Believe or Not

Hong Kong Island in the background