Balik Pulau Asam Laksa 浮罗山背亚三叻沙

Half the day was gone after my Balik Pulau nutmeg farm visit, it was time for lunch! A Penang friend said Balik Pulau is famous for durians, nutmeg and asam laksa. I have eaten durians and nutmeg, so it was time for a bowl of my favourite asam laksa! yum yum....

The driver drove us back to the small town .... but alas! The famous asam laksa stall was closed that day. She brought us to another shop, Cafe Ko Cha Bi Balik Pulau (浮罗古早味).

The shop sells Asam Laksa and Lemak Laksa. I ordered both to have a comparison of the soups.

The Asam Laksa (RM4) has a distinctive sourness because tamarind and ginger flower are used to prepare the soup. We could see the other fresh vegetables used in this dish as we watched the staff prepare our noodles. There are mint leaves, cucumber, pineapples, onions and lettuce. I was given a small saucer of shrimp paste to add to the soup.

The Lemak Laksa (RM4) uses coconut milk and some aromatic spices to prepare the soup. The coconut milk was not too overpowering, it was appetising but I still prefer the asam laksa.

The thick rice noodles used for both dishes are springy in texture. It absorbs the soup well.

Ecstatic to find Ice Ball being sold here! Ordered one and asked my Chinese companion to hold it while I snap a photo. He was complaining that the ice ball was freezing his hand. hahaha....

Enjoyed sucking on my ice ball ..... so nostalgic! This is my childhood memory.

After lunch, it was time to bade farewell to my Chinese companions. I was on my own to explore the quaint little town.

I crossed the road to take a picture of the wall mural, Balik Pulau Old Fisherman by Julia Volchkova.

Then I took a stroll to the main Chinese temple in Balik Pulau, Hean Boo Suah (玄武山). Worshippers from the Chinese community which comprise workers from the Hokkien, Hakka, Teochew and Hainanese dialect groups would converge in the months of March and July to pray to the deities. The temple grounds would be immersed in a festive mood.

Located on Lorong Bukit Penara off Jalan Balik Pulau, the temple was all quiet and there was not a soul in sight! I couldn't even take a peek inside the temple as the doors were locked. Took some pictures and left as the place was too deserted.

Visitors can board Rapid Penang bus 401, 401E, 403, 404, 501 and 502 to get here. The nearest bus stop is along Jalan Tun Sardon, it is about 10 minutes' walk to the temple.

I walked along Jalan Balik Pulau, stopping frequently to snap some pictures. The extreme hot weather was getting into me. I didn't have an umbrella to shield me from the scorching sun, I decided to call it a day and asked for directions to the Balik Pulau bus terminal.

At the bus terminal, I asked a commuter for the correct bus number to get me to Komtar. It took more than 90 minutes to get to the city.... I enjoyed the sights during the long bus journey.  

槟城友人说浮罗山背最著名的食物有榴莲、豆蔻以及亚参叻沙。吃过了榴莲和豆蔻, 午餐时间应该品尝亚参叻沙。嘻嘻。。。

浮罗山背最出名的叻沙当天没有开门营业, 司机就载我们去小镇上的浮罗古早味亚参叻沙。他们卖亚参叻沙和椰浆叻沙。。。 我两种都试吃, 个人觉得还是亚参叻沙好吃。

槟城亚三叻沙是用鱼熬出来，加入罗望子和姜花, 浓汤略带酸味, 但是我喜欢。椰浆叻沙没有太浓的椰浆味, 挺不错。

意外惊喜 - 是雪球!! 赶快叫了一粒来吃, 充满了童年回忆!

吃过午餐与中国游伴们道别, 独自一人在镇上逛逛、拍照。找到了镇上的招牌壁画和最大的华人寺庙 - 玄武山。虽然来浮罗山背旅游之前有做足功课前来，但是公共交通不方便, 加上酷熱天气, 让我放弃参观其他的景点。问了问当地人, 找到了巴士终站, 搭巴士回市区, 告别了这个朴素乡镇。

Nutmeg Farm @ Penang 槟城豆蔻园

After the visit to a fruit farm to eat durians, the driver drove us to our next destination. I truly enjoy such excursions except for the extremely hot weather. I was perspiring profusely when we reached the nutmeg farm.

An employee of the farm offered me a cup of chilled nutmeg tea, so thankful for the thirst quenching drink. I asked for a refill. hehe.....

I took a few photos of the nutmeg trees and the trays of nutmeg drying in the scorching sun. After a brief rest and everyone had cooled down, she proceeded to explain the numerous health advantages of nutmegs.

My late grandmother liked to use nutmeg oil and nutmeg paste. She would rubbed some nutmeg paste on my throat and nostrils when I was a child down with flu. I dislike the smell then.

But I have always like eating preserved nutmeg, especially the nutmeg strips coated with sugar. yum yum....

I was fascinated with the fresh and dry nutmeg fruits. The smell was intoxicating.

The hard brown seed of the nutmeg tree has a spicy sweet flavour. The dried lacy red membrane that envelops the nutmeg seed is called mace. It greatly enhances the colour, flavour and taste of dishes. I will attempt to use it in my cooking.

Just adding a little grated nutmeg into soup or rubbing nutmeg oil on your skin, it will be good for your health.

My Chinese companion was offered a small cup of concentrated nutmeg tea. I saw her face all scrunched up after taking her first sip. I asked her to describe the taste. She challenged me to drink it.

Oh my! It was spicy and slightly bitter, hard to swallow at first! But it is loaded with medicinal properties.

Bought some spices, nutmeg oil and paste to bring home.


参观一个家族式的传统豆蔻园, 去了解豆蔻的制造过程, 体验不一样的生态游。豆蔻是很多外地人来槟城旅游，必购买的伴手礼之一。职员给我们喝清凉解暑的豆蔻水、品尝新鲜还未加工的豆蔻、还介绍豆蔻的用处。豆蔻除了可以吃入肚子，还可以外敷, 总之浑身是宝。

Balik Pulau Day Trip 槟城浮罗山背一日游

Balik Pulau Old Fisherman Mural by Julia Volchkova 

Met a Chinese family of three who were also staying at the same guest house as me. The young couple and their seven-year-old daughter were on a 7-day holiday in Penang. It was not their first trip to Penang though, they came specially for the durians. I was surprised that the Chinese appreciate durians so much. haha....

Owner Jason suggested I travel with the family to Balik Pulau when he found out that I was travelling there on my own. Jason helped them book a car for a day trip. I could hitch a ride to the village and also join them for a durian farm visit for a small fee. The family and lady driver were happy to accommodate me.

After breakfast on the second day of my trip, we commenced on a journey to Balik Pulau or "Back of the Island", a charming village on the other side of Penang.

We had to drive over a hill to get to Balik Pulau. The driver stopped to let us take a few pictures of the village from the peak.

There were a few make shift stalls selling "branded Balik Pulau" durians. We were advised by our driver not to buy from them. haha.....

The journey from our guest house to the village took a little over an hour. Our driver spent some time looking for the durian farm because she got lost. Finally we found the farm but there were only a few durians left. It was "take it or leave it" because these were the only available durians for the day.

I had wanted to go to another fruit farm but was dissuaded by the driver because she had a packed itinerary for the Chinese family. So I settled with two not-so-good durians for RM45.  *upset*

The Chinese family bought some mangosteens and rambutans and shared some with me. It has been a long time since I had rambutans, they were so crunchy and sweet.

I thought of buying a few kilos of it to bring back to Singapore ..... but on second thought, I would be on my own after lunch. The image of lugging a few kilos of hairy fruit around Balik Pulau was one of suffering, so I had to give up the idea. arrrgh.

After our durian "feast", we took a walk around the farm. I pointed out starfruit trees, durian trees, mango trees and nutmeg trees to the family. We then watched a couple of farm workers sort and pack eggs.

The driver was going to a nutmeg farm next and asked me to tag along. It was located not far from the durian farm. I was glad she offered me a ride. The nutmeg farm was quite some distance from town, it was an extremely hot and hazy day for long walks.


我在旅馆认识了一家从深圳来槟城旅游的中国人。这一家三口特地飞来槟城吃榴梿! 他们比我早到三天, 也吃了三天的榴梿。没想到中国人也这么爱吃榴梿!

在槟城的第二天早上, 他们租车去浮罗山背一日游。我付了司机40马币, 搭上他们的顺风车去浮罗山背。

第一站去有机榴梿庄园吃榴梿。因为去迟了, 没剩下多少榴梿可选择的了。我勉为其难付了马币45块钱, 买下“红虾”和“D14”两粒味道平平无奇的榴梿。那家中国游客付了马币100多买榴梿, 还买了山竹和红毛丹; 分了几粒请我吃。

吃完榴梿带他们认识我们的热带果树, 也参观并了解在农场一角的员工们怎样把鸡蛋分类、装盘。

接下来他们要去附近的豆蔻厂参观, 司机邀请我同行, 我欣然接受了。

Solo Trip to Penang 重游槟城单人行

I flew back to Penang for a short trip one morning. Getting used to travelling solo. I boarded public bus 401E after arriving at Penang Airport and enjoyed the one hour ride to Komtar bus terminal in the city.

I chose to stay at the Rainhill Guesthouse at Lebuh Presgrave again as its location is convenient and accessible to lots of good food. Also I like the company of owner Jason who is helpful and has lots of stories to share.

my Giraffe room  :)

There was a tinge of regret on my last day of stay though. Due to the convenience of yummy street food that's just a stone's throw from my guesthouse, I overindulged. Agonising over the excess weight now. hahahaha.....

But I enjoyed my food hunt this time as Jason has many good food recommendations.

After a quick wash up at the guesthouse, I went for a late lunch meeting at a nearby Japanese restaurant. Not feeling particularly hungry, I opted for some light snacks and a cute drink called My Babychino.

We had almost ended our meal but my drink was nowhere to be seen. My Penang associate was annoyed with the slow service but the cheerful waitress calmed him down with her patience and smiles.

After the meal, I returned to my guesthouse for a nap as I woke up very early that morning. Woke up around 5 in the evening, showered and went out to meet a friend for dinner.

Passing by the Hokkien prawn noodle stall on my way to Georgetown, I saw the irresistible crispy roast pork..... OMG!

I braked and detoured for a bowl of delicious prawn noodles with roast pork and a bowl of icy cold cendol. Bliss. haha...... would I still have room for dinner?

On the way to the meeting place, I saw this crowded coffee place in an alley. People were eating toasts at this hour!?

This was the old Hainanese coffee shop I was looking for on my previous two trips to Penang. It just popped up when I was not looking high and low for it. ish.

I went inside the alley, found an empty table before ordering coffee and toast. There was a queue so I had to wait a while for my order. I made use of the waiting time to snap some pictures.

Watched the workers toasting bread in this old fashioned charcoal stove which consists of three compartments.  A worker squatting in front of it, was toasting bread at the bottom compartment. He explained that the top compartment was for steaming bread and they burn the charcoal in the middle. What a clever idea!

After a cup of thick aromatic Hainanese coffee, I met up with a friend at a nearby coffee shop to pick up some purchases. This particular coffee shop has a strange rule that visitors must order at least one drink or else they cannot sit within their premises.

My friend wanted to bring me for a feast but I chose to try the lobak (braised five spice pork wrapped in a beancurd skin). The stall owner didn't have much items left, so I chose a few and shared with my friend.

Of course we ordered drinks or else we would get kicked out by the coffee shop owner who was watching us like a hawk. LOL

I took a stroll back to my guest house after the meeting.


单身一人重游槟城, 自己搭公共巴士四处游。住在当地的家庭式旅馆, 位于三条路的雨山旅馆是我的最佳选择。主人很健谈, 会介绍好多好玩、好吃的地方。

放下行李就和友人聚餐。因为早上很早起身, 没什么胃口, 吃了一点简单的食物就回旅馆睡午觉。

休息一会儿, 出门会朋友时经过三条路大牌档。看到福建虾面档刚烧好的香脆烧肉, 忍不住停下脚步要了一碗福建虾面加烧肉和一碗煎蕊。。。 哈哈 。。。

前往目的地途中, 眼睛又坏了。。。无意间看到了我找了很久的地方 - 多春茶室。非常简陋的茶室。。。不管了, 进去看看!

要吃晚餐的时刻还有这么多人在吃炭烤面包! 来到这个经典的海南茶室, 不为别的，就为了尝尝这里的传统炭烤面包和香浓醇厚的海南咖啡。终于尝到了60几年的老字号海南咖啡, 我要的古早味。

托朋友帮我买东西, 与他一起吃饭, 他还请我吃槟城卤肉。吃过晚饭, 自己慢慢走路回旅馆。

Vanishing Trades in Penang 槟城消失中的行业

As we walked around Georgetown, we were delighted to see several traditional craftsmen at work. Most of them are elderly men, their shops are old and messy.

We were walking back to our guesthouse when I noticed some bullock cart wheels at the entrance of a blacksmith shop. I took a peep inside the shop and an elderly man beckoned me to enter.

He was hitting a red hot rod with a worker assisting him. Mr Ku (in his 70s) has been a blacksmith for almost 60 years. He still uses charcoal to fuel his furnace. He has 3 children but they do not want to take over his business. There are only 3 blacksmiths left in Penang.

孤老先生(70多岁)是槟城最老的打铁匠, 现在槟城只剩下3家打铁店。

After leaving Mr Ku's shop, we saw this beautiful heritage house which is in the process of renovation. Was shocked to see a man tiling the roof without a safety harness. What a risk he is taking!

Over the next 2 days, we met a rattan furniture maker who was weaving a chair seat. I quietly watched by the side as he worked, not once did he lift his head to look at me. I didn't want to interrupt him so I left quietly.

手工编织藤家具

This sewing machine repair man was also absorbed in his work. I noted the different types of sewing machine in his shop. It seems that there are still many people using sewing machines in Penang.

I see these traditional craftsmen working hard whenever I passed by their shop on the way to my guesthouse.

They are making paper effigies for the dead. The Chinese believe that the dead should be provided for in the afterlife, paper effigies imitating the appearance of objects used by the living are burnt as offerings to their ancestors.

制作传统纸扎祭品的老师傅与儿子

Although I was given permission to take photos of the paper effigies, I dare not venture further as the paper servants look eerie in the cool, dark room. hehe...



发现槟城还有一些即将消失的行业如 : 打铁匠、修理缝纫机匠、制作传统纸扎祭品师傅、手工编织藤家具师傅等等。老师傅们最大的遗憾，也许就是没能让他们的手艺传承下去。。。。

"Happy" Penang Assam Laksa "开心"槟城亚参叻沙

Found a tasty Penang Assam Laksa (RM5) by chance. The cheerful elderly uncle works together with his wife in this newly opened eatery. He approached us when we stopped to look at their chalkboard outside their eatery.

He claimed that their Penang Assam Laksa was cooked according to a 40-year old recipe of the owner's grandmother and if I didn't find it tasty, he would refund me the money. Since it was not expensive, we stepped inside and hubby paid for a bowl of assam laksa.

There was another couple who were from Johor Bahru. They both shared a bowl of assam laksa and commented that it tasted yummy.

The equally cheerful wife started preparing the ingredients for uncle to cook. When I brought out my camera, uncle enthusiastically made several poses for me. We laughed as his wife commented that he has "so many patterns (ways of cooking the noodles)".

The couple waited with abated breathe while we tasted the noodle. I like the thick, flavourful gravy, which has a balance of sour, sweet and spicy flavours. Relieved, the couple broke into smiles and the wife shared her home cooked century egg porridge with me. We spent a delightful hour chatting with one another.

We were interrupted abruptly when the young owner came in and pointing to my used tissue on the table and a small thrash bin, told me curtly, "Used tissue in here." I did as told. Then seeing my backpack on a chair next to me, he pointed at it and said,"Bags in the shelf underneath the table." No please and thank you.

I just picked up my stuff .... and walked out. Uncle came out to send us off. When I took out my camera to take a picture of the eatery, uncle posed for me again. haha.....


巧遇一位卖槟城亚参叻沙的老先生和他的太太。他们在一间新开张的小吃店打工。开朗的老先生要我品尝他的亚参叻沙, 如果不好吃他不收钱。因为价钱不贵, 我就应酬一下。

老先生很好玩, 我一拿起相机, 他就姿势多多, 逗得我们笑哈哈。他煮的亚参叻沙还不错吃。我们和他夫妇俩有说有笑地度过一个多小时的欢乐时光。老太太还请我吃她煮的皮蛋瘦肉粥。我们离开时, 老先生送我们到门外。我拿起相机要拍店面时, 他摆好姿势给我拍。哈哈。。。

Kafe Ping Hooi @ Penang 槟城槟园茶室美食

It was my fifth trip to Penang and I had fun hunting for food. I have my favourite Penang food that I would never grow sick of eating. Penang food is sold in Singapore but they taste different.    

We weighed ourselves on the day we flew to Penang, allowing ourselves a 2 kg weight gain. Despite having a diet meal plan to adhere to, hubby and I just caved and satisfied our food cravings for the 3 days. LOL

On this trip, we were staying on Lebuh Presgrave which is within walking distance to many good food and my favourite hawker stalls. My Penang friends recommended some new hawker stalls in that area for me to check them out too. 

We walked a lot, and even climbed hills, after eating to burn off the calories.

I miss Penang loh bak (five-spice pork roll) very much when I was in Singapore. I went to Ping Hooi coffee shop on Lebuh Carnarvon as soon as I could to satiate my cravings of loh bak and Hokkien Prawn mee.

The loh bak stall sells an assortment of deep-fried pork, beancurd, braised egg, prawn rolls, battered fish and squid. One early morning, I had the battered fish which is really tasty. It's usually sold out in the afternoon. Freshly cut cucumber is served as a side with starchy braised sauce and chilli sauce. I ate loh bak for two consecutive days at the same coffee shop.

Like this old coffee shop which has one side of the wall lined with wooden cubicles. Hard to get a table as it is always crowded during breakfast and lunch.

We also have several choices of noodle at Ping Hooi : char kway teow (fried flat rice noodles), the starchy loh mee (braised pork noodle) and spicy Hokkien prawn mee.

Besides their thick and aromatic Hainan coffee, we like their 3-colour milk tea and iced nutmeg drink.

Kafe Ping Hooi
Lebuh Carnarvon


到了槟城, 只想吃我朝思暮想的槟城五香卤肉卷。这次因为住靠近槟城光大一带, 我们每天都步行到沓田仔街的槟园茶室吃饭。这间传统老咖啡店集合了大部分的槟城美食，像福建虾面、云吞面, 炒粿條、卤面, 还有我喜欢吃的槟城五香卤肉卷。这里的海南咖啡好喝, 我比较喜欢他们的冰三色奶茶和豆蔻果汁。

Icy Cold Desserts on a Hot Day in Penang 冰凉甜品在槟城

The three days we were in Penang, the weather was extremely hot and humid. We had to drink lots of water and icy cold beverages to cool ourselves down. These icy cold sugary stuff are harmful to our bodies but we really need to cool down fast in this hot weather.

We walked in the scorching sun to Jalan Penang and seek out the Penang Road Famous Teochew cendol. Despite the hot sun, there was a long queue for the famed dessert.

We were fortunate to find an empty table at their air conditioned outlet nearby. We placed our orders of cendol and fruit rojak. Very soon, the air-con outlet was filled with customers wanting to escape from the heat outside.

Hubby loves the Ais Tingkap on Lebuh Tamil (off Jalan Penang). It is a red coloured drink with young coconut flesh and basil seeds. Not too sweet, it has a nice fragrant and pleasant taste.

We were early as the stall opens at 2 pm, so we walked around the area and returned to the stall twice. On our third try, we just sat on the chairs next to the stall and wait for them to start selling.

When the stall owner was ready, we placed our orders but was dismayed to find out that their regulars have placed more than a hundred orders before us. We had to wait as the stall owner fulfilled orders of ten, twenty or more packets before us.

My hubby was a happy and satisfied man after he had his Ais Tingkap (RM2). haha....

As we were heading back to our guesthouse, hubby lamented he has not had his ice kacang. *slap forehead*

It was really too hot to return to Jalan Penang so we went to a Penang Road Famous Teochew cendol at an air conditioned mall near Komtar. The ice kacang (RM4.90) looked more presentable and it was more cooling to sit in an air conditioned environment. ahhhh......


在槟城那几天, 炎热的天气真让人受不了! 我们无时无刻都得喝冰水补充水分, 也幸好有好多消暑清热的冰凉甜品和饮料。 我们喜欢槟城律驰名潮州煎蕊, 红豆冰和 源自斯里兰卡的 Ais Tingkap。

Lebuh Cecil Market @ Penang 槟城七条路巴刹美食

Our Datuk friend planned a durian plantation trip for us on our last day in Penang. His driver came to fetch us and when told we had not eaten our breakfast, he brought us to this market not far from our guesthouse.

Took a walk through this old market, there were quite a number of stalls with queues. Was told that many locals come here to do their marketing and eat at the hawker stalls. few tourists know this place. I chose to eat a light noodle soup as there might be a durian feast later. haha...

The Duck Meat Koay Teow Th'ng here seems popular. I ordered a regular bowl of noodles (RM4) which has slivers of duck meat, tiny pieces of coagulated duck blood, intestines and 2 meat balls. Bland broth, probably because it was too early as the broth was not flavourful enough.

There is a selection of ingredients you could add-on to your noodles - meats like pork balls, sliced pork, minced pork balls etc.

The driver bought a special dish for us to try - stir-fried sago. And he said this is the only stall that sells it in Penang. The sago slices were too thick and starchy. Cooked using a spicy sweet sauce, the slippery noodle was cold because they pre-fried it and store in a huge pot. RM2 per plate

He also bought us chilled luo han guo (monk fruit) drinks. Not too sweet, it has dried longans and agar agar in it. Like the taste. RM2 for a cup.

Old hawker stall that has been operating for more than 30 years here, they are famous for Lo Han Kuo drink. Great for quenching my thirst!

槟城七条路巴刹, 一个结合菜市场和小贩中心为一体的巴刹。这里通常都是当地人才知晓，听说游客一般较少来到这里。

叫一碗鸭肉粿条汤吃, 没有鸭腥味。除了鸭肉之外还有鸭血、粉肠、肉丸等，价钱也不贵。我把鸭血、粉肠挑出来, 我不敢吃。

槟城目前只剩下这唯一一档有卖炒硕莪了。口感是软软QQ的, 不粘牙，辣中带一点甜味。

炎热的天气, 喝一杯冰凉的饮料。已经经营了30多年的罗汉果饮料档, 罗汉果凉水里有燕菜、龙眼肉。

Good Food on Presgrave Street @ Penang 槟城三条路美食

I stayed in a guesthouse on Presgrave Street when I was in Penang for 3 days in June. I was not far from good food, it fact it was so easy to find good food that I was worried I might indulge too much and put on weight  -_-

Right at my doorstep were these night hawkers selling delicious street food. They start selling at 5.30 pm daily.

Some of our hospitable Penang friends brought us around and we didn't have the chance to taste the food nearby. On the second night, after a sumptuous dinner, hubby insisted we should taste the street food as we would be returning to Singapore the following day. We bought these food to our guesthouse.

**  888 Prawn noodles' rich broth is to-die-for, we finished every drop of the soup. They added crispy fried shallots, their chilli sauce is so spicy but delicious. We opt to add a portion of crunchy roasted pork, can opt for pig skin, pig intestines, fish balls, braised egg too.  RM6.30

This stall also sells Loh Mee, noodles braised in a starchy gravy filled with all sorts of ingredients. Option to add vinegar.

**  springy wanton noodles with savoury black sauce, two types of pork dumplings, char siew.  RM4

**  chendol was sold out, so we ordered ice kacang which has attap chee, grass jelly and red beans in it, not enough evaporated milk.   RM2.70

** oyster omelette was soggy because we had it takeaway. Small oysters, I don't like this oyster omelette.  RM8

There are also stalls selling satay, fried chicken wings, roast meat rice etc
Presgrave Street Hawker Stalls (三条路)

We had an aromatic duck egg char kway teow (fried flat rice noodles) for supper at a coffee shop to the left of our guesthouse. Their fried rice is good too. There is a good porridge stall and a chicken rice stall. Good Hainan coffee and milk tea.

Kedai Makanan Bee Heong Wooi (美香园咖啡店),  Jalan C. Y. Choy


在槟城, 我住的民宿门口就是乔治市著名的三条路大牌档。

临回国的前一晚, 打包了888福建虾面, 云吞面, 红豆冰, 蚵煎回民宿吃宵夜。

福建虾面的汤底浓郁, 源自虾头熬出来, 加上特制辣椒, 好好喝! 这里另一个特色，就是任食客选择加料，配料有烧肉、粉肠、猪皮、卤蛋、排骨、鱼丸、猪脚等等。我选择加料 - 是脆脆的烧肉。一碗黄面加上配料, 淋上辣味的汤, 洒了猪油渣和炸葱头, 好吃极了!

Jalan C. Y. Choy的美香园咖啡店有好喝的海南咖啡和奶茶。那里有一摊鸭蛋炒粿条好好吃。

Black Thorn (Ochee) Durian @ Penang 槟城“黑刺”榴莲

On the second day of our Penang trip, while having a late lunch, we received news that a Black Thorn (Ochee) durian has been found. Hubby was all excited and couldn't wait to see the coveted branded fruit which was the champion durian in 2013 and 2014 in the Malaysian Agriculture Department's durian competitions. Our good friend Angel offered to drive us there. She called the durian seller and reserved the fruit.

The durian seller immediately knew we were not locals from our accent. He told us that a group of Singaporeans came to his stall unannounced the day before and he didn't have many durians then. (could hear the sharpening of knives.... LOL)

He brought out the durian and weighed it.... 1.92kg. He quoted us 1 kg of Black Thorn durian was RM70 (price was higher than what I read on my Penang food blogger friend's blog). My initial response was "reject" but my hubby had made up his mind on getting his hands on this branded Ochee. He was prepared to be slaughtered. His reason was : we had come all the way to Penang for the durian and he waited two years. OK lor.

Was it a fake? Ochee experts will know. Photo shows the bottom of the durian and a characteristic longkang (drain) running down the middle of the fruit.


Hubby had a photo shoot with the Black Thorn before officially opening it. LOL

The shape of the durian is round and there were 10 pips inside. The durian flesh is orangey, creamy, sweet and has less fibre ... a fine texture. There was not much aroma.

It was an anti-climax for me once I tasted the sweet durian. Taste is subjective because I prefer bitter durians.

Later that night, because we had a mission to accomplish. We contacted a Datuk in Penang to help us find some good Ochee durians. He arranged a durian plantation trip for us the following day.

We went to the mountains where I received a crash course on the variety of good durians and how to select them.... got some mosquito bites too. Hubby got to eat more durians and some takeaways .... very good durians. A fruitful trip. LOL

As for the VIP, he received his Ochee durians plus 3 more excellent varieties.



赢得冠中冠的双料冠军 - 马来西亚槟城爆红的“黑刺”榴槤!

亲身飞到槟城, 终于给我找到, 吃到了传说中的“黑刺”榴莲！

期望越高、失望越大! “黑刺”榴莲形状浑圆, 果肉呈奶油状，几乎不含纤维；色泽带有明亮的橙色。 但是一入口, 味道很甜 (不是会腻口的甜)不带苦, 我兴味索然。我喜欢苦涩的榴莲。

其实要吃好吃美味的榴莲, 未必一定要吃那些名牌榴莲, 好像猫山王、葫芦、红虾、黑刺这些榴莲只是因为曾经得奖而变得卖价高。我吃的一些甘榜榴莲味道不错啊!

Kek Lok Si @ Penang 极乐寺

Early morning on the second day, we took bus #204 from Komtar bus station to Kek Lok Si, the biggest Buddhist temple in Southeast Asia. The bus stopped opposite the Ayer Itam market. so we walked towards the temple which was quite a distance away.  

Kek Lok Si is built on a hilltop and we need to climb many flights of stairs to get there. I have been to Kek Lok Si many years ago but it was my hubby's first time and he insisted on going up. I dread climbing stairs so hubby suggested I wait for him at the foot of the hill. I didn't want to be alone so I went with him. It was a tough climb. *fuming*

Both sides of the sheltered stairways are lined with shops. There is ongoing construction and we have to be very careful as we climbed. When we reached the above pagoda, there were many beggars sitting around begging for money.

Temples are built on different levels of the hill, all the way to the top. We rested between temples as we climbed. I took pictures while hubby offered prayers. It was an extremely hot and hazy day, the pictures didn't turn out well. *disappointed*

There were many visitors that day, I had to wait for them to move away before taking photos. The temples have a picturesque setting against the mountains of Penang. My pictures would have been better if there were clear, blue skies. ish.

I saw some children hanging colourful ribbons on this tree. I went closer for a look and burst out laughing. The wordings on the ribbons read "Be obedient to Father", "Be obedient to Mother", "Be obedient to both parents", "Study hard" etc. Each ribbon costs RM1.

Fortunately for us, we could ride a cable car to the apex of the hill. A return trip costs RM6. As there were many visitors, we had to queue for the ride both ways.

When we reached the top of the hill, we saw a huge bronze statue of Guanyin (Goddess of Mercy) looking out to the city of Penang. It is the tallest Guanyin statue in the world.

Many visitors were taking pictures in a beautiful garden with pagoda and a koi pond. There were also stone statues of 12 zodiac animals lined up beside the Guanyin statue.

When hubby finished paying his respects to the deities, we were both perspiring profusely from the warm weather and needed some cold drinks. We rode the cable car down to the middle of the hill and walked down the dark stairway again.

My legs were wobbly after 3 hours of climbing and walking. Before I could have a drink, a friend came to pick us up for a late lunch.

在槟城的第二天早上, 我们搭公车去槟城极乐寺（Kek Lok Si）。极乐寺位于亚依淡, 建于1893年，寺庙依山而建，占地12公顷。据说是东南亚最大的佛教寺庙。看到要爬一串长长的楼梯, 我只想拍几张照就走。老公坚持要上山拜拜, 我勉为其难陪他上山。

我们走过一个有遮蔽的蜿蜒通道，整条通道上都是商家在售卖纪念品。我们一直走到半山腰的庙内。 接着坐缆车到山顶看巨型青铜观音圣像和八角亭宝盖。山顶景色怡人, 但当天天气太热, 我们不敢久留。