Bon Ton Resort, Langkawi 浮罗交怡的邦塔恩度假村

After breakfast on the second day, we checked out early and Amir brought us on a tour of Bon Ton Resort which is located not too far from Temple Tree Resort. Bon Ton Resort is built on an old coconut plantation.

That explains the warning signs on the coconut trees. LOL

The resort is surrounded by padi fields and sugar cane fields with a lake in a corner of the estate.

This resort resembles a Malay village because of the traditional houses on stilts.

The interior of the houses are tastefully furnished with all the modern comforts.

There is their signature vintage bath tub .....

Guests can choose to relax or have their breakfast on the balcony which overlooks the swimming pool.

Besides an indoor bar overlooking the beautiful lake, there is an outdoor bar at the swimming pool.

You get a view of the lake while you enjoy your meal at Nam Restaurant ....

or alfresco on the deck overlooking the lake.

The alfresco area when the sun is setting .....

Here are two types of their single room traditional houses.

For the overseas visitors like us, it is an amazing way to experience the richness of Malaysia's cultural heritage.



邦塔恩度假村 (Bon Ton Resort) 就在树下神龛度假村 (Temple Tree Resort) 的旁边。位於浮罗交怡最热闹的珍南海滩, 这两家度假村属于相同的公司 。

我第一眼看到这马来甘榜和传统的房子就深深被吸引。度假村里的传统甘榜房子外表看来很旧, 但内部房间非常干净、舒适, 均备有空调、吊扇、保险箱、热水淋浴、吹风机、电视、冰箱、拖鞋、驱蚊剂、免费矿泉水、咖啡和茶冲泡设施等一切必需品。

房子拥有可俯瞰泳池的独立阳台; 浴室设有泡澡的私人空间; 还可以免费在整个度假村上网（Wifi）。

这里的餐馆提供当地特色美食和西方料理。餐馆前面是湖, 可以一边吃饭一边欣赏美丽的风景。晚上除了度假村住客, 还有好多人来这里享用餐点。

住客可以体验当地文化, 这是一个非常奇妙、特別的经验。

Kampong Glam Ramadan Street Bazaar 2016 甘榜格南斋戒月集市2016年

Our Muslim friends invited us to join them for their break fast meal one night. We were early, so before joining them for dinner, took a stroll in Kampong Glam with my hubby.

We first walked through Haji Lane and found many changes. Some of the shops which I used to patronise were gone. There were more eateries. The colourful rainbow cakes in a display shelf whetted my appetite and I really looked forward to our dinner.

We noticed there were more foreign visitors and Asians dining in the hip eateries in Haji Lane.

We visited the Ramadan street bazaar, which will be available until the first week of July, in front of Masjid Sultan mosque.

I like to visit the annual Kampong Glam Ramadan street bazaar for the traditional Malay food. There are some traditional Malay food that is available only during Ramadan bazaars.

We were looking for a bee hoon bryani, but it wasn't available.

There were the usual traditional cakes, snacks and spicy Malay dishes sold at the stalls. This year it seems that there are lesser food stalls and not much exciting discoveries as in the bazaar in Geylang Serai. I presume more people are visiting Geylang Serai Ramadan street bazaar.

After our dinner, I bought some traditional Malay cakes and snacks.


到昔日马来皇族居住的甘榜格南，友族马来朋友邀请我们共享斋戒月的开斋晚餐。白天，穆斯林禁止进餐喝水，日落后，他们则与亲朋好友聚在一块，共同用餐。

傍晚放工时间, 这里好热闹。 因为我们早到, 就逛逛甘榜格南斋戒月集市, 体验文化和节日气氛。斋戒月期间到这里，发现坐落在甘榜格南的苏丹回教堂前张灯结彩并举办热闹的集市，都是小吃摊位, 吸引了本地居民和外地游客。集市在夜间热闹起来, 晚餐后我买点传统的马来糕点与甜食回家。

Geylang Serai Ramadan Bazaar 2016 芽笼士乃斋月集市2016年

So happy to visit the annual Ramadan bazaar at Geylang Serai on Tuesday evening. I alighted at Joo Chiat Complex bus stop and walked towards the bazaar. Missed the Hari Raya Light up ceremony but like the beautiful festive lights this year. Hari Raya bazaar at Geylang Serai was officially launched by PM Lee Hsien Loong on 4th June.

This is the time of the year for my feast of Ramly burgers, vadai and ayam percik. But wait.... I couldn't believe my eyes!

I noticed a long queue at this Thai fried ice cream rolls stall. I watched the stall owner fried a few ice creams before moving on. Further down, more queues at a Churros stall, a Thai iced tea stall, a Thai coconut ice cream stalls, a fried Oreo biscuit stall and a stall selling rainbow bagels!

Whoa! So cool! These new generation stall vendors are so hip and creative! They just took the annual Ramadan bazaar at Geylang Serai up one level! Instead of the usual Ramadan treats, I now have more choices of delicious eats.

The crowds were bizarrely large! I had to pushed my way through them and whenever I stopped to snap pictures, I got pushed forward. ish.

It was no easy feat to buy any of the popular eats, due to the long queues. I abandoned the thoughts of buying these latest offerings. I had arranged to meet my hubby for dinner at 9 o'clock at a mall, but it looked like I would be late trying to get through these crowds.

Fortunately, I was able to buy my favourite vadai (S$2 for 3) and a Ramly burger (S$4). I queued for a deep fried squid (S$7) too. haha...

Meet up with my anxious hubby at 9.35 pm before going for the popular fried chicken dinner at City Plaza. Bazaar ends on 6th July.



前往芽笼士乃逛斋月集市，吸引我的是七彩的灯饰和摆设各式各样美食的摊位。最大魅力还是美食。。。呵呵 。。。

今年的集市发现好吃好看的精彩美食。。。也有好几个摊位卖泰国各式小吃。虽然是集市，但是食品价格也不是很便宜, 热门摊位大排长龙。 芽笼士乃斋月集市庆祝活动会一直持续到7月6日。

Making Ondeh-ondeh 学习做椰糖椰丝糯米球

Accompanied several Teochew girlfriends, who are avid cooks, to learn how to make the Malay kueh (cake), ondeh-ondeh from a Malay sister on a Sunday afternoon.

Kakak had already prepared the ingredients. We watched and made notes as she showed us the steps.

A bite-sized piece of palm sugar is wrapped with glutinous rice flour, boiled and coated with shredded coconut. When you take a bite of the chewy rice ball, the coconut sugar oozes out,..  that's fun to eat for both adults and children. *laughs*

I already know a more traditional way of making this classic kueh. I use sweet potatoes for the skin instead of glutinous rice flour. And I like to use a particular thick. aromatic gula melaka (palm sugar) from Malacca. My family loves my homemade ondeh-ondeh.


Back to the class...., so the ladies were taught a simple recipe of making ondeh-ondeh. After the dough was made, some of them helped to wrapped the rice balls and some rolled the cooked ones in shredded coconut. Very quickly the dish was ready to eat.

Next we watched another home cook made her lemongrass ginger beverage. The entire classroom was filled with the scent of lemongrass... so relaxing. haha...

While waiting for the food to be ready, we shared tips on cooking and shared recipes. I am always happy to meet new friends who share the same interests.

友族同胞与我们几个潮州姐妹分享做椰糖椰丝糯米球和生姜香茅饮料, 很容易煮的茶点。我们吃着美味的传统小吃, 喝着生姜香茅饮料, 渡过一个轻松周日 。 

我的家人很喜欢吃这经典小点心, 我自己已经会一种更传统的方式做这粿。我是用番薯和糯米粉做的皮, 馅是来自马六甲的特芳香椰糖。煮好的番薯椰糯米球沾上椰絲就可以享用嚕！一口咬下去，噗吱，会爆浆耶 。。。

Geylang Serai Hari Raya Bazaar 2014

Geylang Serai Hari Raya Bazaar light up was held on 27 Jun 2014.

Every year I look forward to tasting the yummilicious street food sold here. There are a few regular food stalls that I would buy from. There are usually long queues.

A must is the crispy wadeh (Indian prawn fritters, 3 for S$2), my husband and I love them! My son and I would join the queue for Ramly burgers :) Watching the young men making our orders are always fun and enjoyable.

This year there is a stall selling Turkish BBQ meats and seafood. I bought half a roasted Turkish chicken (S$6) to try.

In recent years we see new food items being sold here. Found 3 stalls selling the popular Thai coconut ice cream at the Bazaar this year. I tried the coconut ice cream ($4) sold by a Thai young girl near Singpost (corner stall nearest to Singpost building).

You can see Mama Coconut from the main road, it's at the former Malay Village side. Istanbul ice cream guy can be found opposite Tristar Hotel, Haig Road side. Enjoy and have fun hunting for them. :)

Geylang Serai Hari Raya Bazaar
27 Jun 2014 - 28 Jul 2014
early afternoon until 11 pm daily

Yummy Eats at Kampong Glam Bazaar - WW

More yummy food found at Kampong Glam Bazaar. :)

I love Nasi Bryani but I discover a new dish - Bee Hoon Bryani! I ordered one packet for takeaway and it was very delicious! I'm going back for more!





Colourful traditional Malay kueh-kueh (cakes). 3 for S$1. I just love these cakes. The green bean cakes (front, right) are my favourite. Can someone give me the recipe for it?

Prawn vadai - it's an Indian snack which my hubby loves.

Durian and Kaya Rolls (S$13 for 2 rolls) from the famous Rich and Good Cake Shop. I prefer the Kaya Roll. 24 Kandahar Road Tel : 6294 3324

*looks at increasing wasitline in dismay*

Local Aphrodisiac - Mas Cotek

female species with 3 black dots

Nature is truly amazing..... and thanks to the wisdom of our elders who discovered the many cures in wild plants when modern medicine was not available.

In Southeast Asia, this Mas Cotek (Ficus Deltoidea) is used in traditional Malay healing preparations. As a drink, it is believed to be good for reducing blood sugar level, regulating blood pressure. It also reduces joints and nerves pains; cholesterol and removes toxins in our bodies.

For the women after birth, it aids womb contraction.

The next function makes our eyes grow big : Increasing and recovering sexual desire

It's an Aphrodisiac. A local version of viagra or tongkat Ali. lol


This plant has male and female versions. The female species is characterised by its larger leaves and by the presence of three black dots on the back of its leaves. The male species has only two black dots on the back of its leaves.

Every one became interested in mas cotek. :D

I'm not sharing the prescription here..... in case the wild Mas Cotek in Singapore go bald. lol

First Commenter - sgshortstories

Rediscovering Plants in Malay Cuisine & Culture - WS

Almost a hundred participants gathered at Fort Canning Park on a Saturday afternoon to rediscover and sample the rich Malay culture through a guided tour of its sprawling 2-hectare Spice Garden.

Split into 4 groups, we got up close and personal to plants that play an important role in both the cuisine and culture of the Malays.


We were introduced to plants commonly featured in Malay cuisine, tradition and ceremonies. The walk was very tiring for me as it involved some climbing up and down steps and slope. Due to lack of regular exercise, I was not as fit as some of the elderly participants. :P

The fascinating tour lasted more than 2 hours.

The guide explaining the uses of the plants.

We were told the early Malays led a semi-nomadic way of life. In the early days, there was a scarcity of food. They sourced around their surroundings, looking for edible plants. They found many ways to prepare and cook them. Most of them have medicinal values.

These old wisdom were passed on from generation to generation by word of mouth. Although known to be laced with superstitions and sometimes containing very little logic and science, these beliefs and practices have assimilated in the Malay culture and traditions and some are still practising them until this day.

This leaf tastes sour!

We got to taste some of the leaves plucked from the edible plants and trees. It's amazing how we thought some of the plants were weeds can be eaten! We learn some interesting ways to use these plants. I'll write about it in my next posts.

Thanks to NParks for this interesting tour of Spice Garden.

Note : Jemput is a term often used by Malays to invite guests into their home, start of a meal or just about any activities.





weekend-snapshot

First Commenter - Gran