Happenings in September - CeraVe Event

Saturday 14/9/24

I joined GF at CeraWorld event held at 122 Mackenzie Road, a collaboration with CeraVe to raise awareness and provide support for eczema care.

During the event, we heard from industry experts on the latest in eczema care and explored CeraVe’s product range. Their selection is ideal for home care, offering nourishing options to support skin health.

There were also interactive games designed to convey messages. For the bowling game, the goal was to knockout dehydration using CeraVe products.

Saturday 21/9/24

We went for our regular Japanese food fix at Ichiban Boshi. I love exploring their variety of set meals, and I have almost tried all the ones that caught my eye. Each visit brings something new to the table.

I had the set that consists of mini Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowl, Salmon and Tempura, Miso Soup, Chawanmushi and Fruits. The portion was generous, I especially loved how the salmon had absorbed the rich essence of the sauce, giving it a savoury flavor. The tempura was coated in a light batter and fried to crispy perfection.

Sunday 29/9/24

I met up with my cousins (V, KP and SC) for lunch at BBQ Box at Bugis. It was KP and my first time trying the Chinese style barbecue experiences. After the lunch, we went over to Yat Ka Yan Dessert, located just a few stores away from BBQ Box. Shortly after we came in, it was full house with queues forming outside. 

The four of us each ordered a different dessert and I had Chendol ($4). The shaved ice was balanced by the rich sweetness of coconut milk and gula melaka syrup, while the jelly noodles and red beans added a delightful texture. It was much better than the chendol I had in Penang, making it a satisfying treat.

Penang (Malaysia) Day 2 and 3: Armenian Street + Chew Jetty

Sunday 8/9/24

We took a Grab to Chulia Street which was about 25 minutes ride at RM15 (or S$5) and reached at 4.05pm. We wanted to explore the different streets in George Town.

It turned out there was nothing much to see at Chulia Street besides food and drinks. So we wandered around, soaking in the culture and history of George Town.

We stumbled upon the Central Fire Station 1908, a beautifully well preserved structure dating back to 1908, the year it was first constructed.

George Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with the streets overflow with rich history and culture, transporting us back 40 or 50 years ago where the past meets the present.

Most of the attractions in George Town are free to explore except for entering museums. The side of the fire station is an interesting street lined with Malaysia flags hanging overhead, creating a festive atmosphere as we walked by. 

The street was enhanced by the mural art on the walls, showcasing George Town's street art scene. These works, created by both local and international artists, are scattered throughout the town, drawing tourists from around the globe to witness the city's heritage.

10 minutes walk away was Armenian Street which was a more lively walking street lined with array of cafes, local craft shops and souvenirs, and popular street arts where people queued to take photos.

I got my mum a small cloth bag here at RM10 (or S$3.33) as she loves carrying these small bags when heading out to market or gathering.

I went over to this cute shop selling all kinds of souvenirs, I picked up a few items for my friends and myself, something to remember from this trip.

We found a picturesque alley with nicer street art, every corner of Armenian Street has something different to see. The vibrant murals and shops kept us occupied as we explored.

I bought a packet of sesame biscuits and peanut sesame biscuits for my grandma at RM15 (or S$5). I only picked two because my baggage was already full.

By the time we reached Chew Jetty, it was already 5pm and the sky looked gloomy. We hurried our way through the wooden stilt houses along the village walkway, which looked like the 19th century, a piece of history slowly fading away in the modern world.

The wooden stilt houses were built over water, giving insights into the kelong past. It was a fascinating place to visit, steeped in history. Several clans still reside there, preserving this unique way of life.

Chew Jetty offers a glimpse of the fishermen’s way of life. The simplicity and charm of this place awakened my senses, brought me back to a time when life was slower and more connected to nature.

Being so close to the sea, it was quite winding here so we had to be careful over here as there was no barrier along the edge. While taking photos, I felt droplets of rain starting to fall, so we hurried back to the main street. It was a pity that I only had about 10 minutes there and did not have enough time to fully explore the other Clan Jetties.

As the rain got heavier, it took us awhile to cross the road due to the heavy traffic and lack of traffic light nearby. We had to embrace the downpour and crossed over to the coffeeshop before hailing a Grab ride back to our hotel, which cost RM10 (or S$3.33).

We reached hotel at 5.45pm and took a 45 minutes rest before heading out again. Here's a glimpse of my shopping haul from the afternoon.

We went back to 1st Avenue Mall since it was still raining. After 50 minutes of walking around, we settled for Daseo Mini at 7.20pm, a Korean restaurant with variety of pork-free menu. I had Ice Honey Citron at RM8.37 (or S$2.79) and Buldak Chicken Rice Bowl, featuring boneless chicken leg with teriyaki sauce at RM21.09 (or S$7.03) after tax.

Daseo Mini

LG-06, 1st Avenue Mall, 182, Jalan Magazine, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

Operating hours: 11.30am to 10pm daily

We just chilled in the restaurant until 8.30pm, taking our time before a final round of shopping around the mall. By 9.20pm, we were back at the hotel, wrapping up the day.

Monday 9/9/24

It was another restless night but slightly better than the first night. I went to bed after midnight, woke up around 2 plus and stayed awake until after 3 plus. Then I woke again at 5.45am and remained up until 7am, when I started getting ready for the day.

Our 3D2N short trip to Penang was coming to an end. It was a fulfilling one as I managed to tick off most of the places I wanted to see and even shopped more than I did in Kuala Lumpur. My ideal vacation need to have both sightseeing and shopping.

After checking out of the hotel at 8.40am, we hailed a Grab ride back to Penang International Airport, which cost RM55 (or S$18.33) for 25 minutes drive.

After collecting our air tickets, we headed to McDonald for breakfast. I tried something that was not available in Singapore, Omelette Wrap with Hash Browns and Crispy Chicken and Hot Chocolate at RM16.41 (or S$5.47). I enjoyed the simple yet delicious breakfast.

This was no delay and we were seated in the plane by 11am on schedule and took off at 11.25am.

I got my favourite window seat. With no in-flight entertainment, I just immersed myself in the view outside the window. We touched down at Changi Airport at 12.33pm. Though our vacation felt like we had been a world away, we were just an hour's flight from home.

We landed at Terminal 3 and decided to head to the nearest restaurant for lunch, which happened to be Swensens. A familiar choice to end our trip.

Penang (Malaysia) Day 2: Penang Hill + Sky Terrace

We took a Grab to Penang Hill Lower Station which was about 20 minutes drive from our hotel for RM14 (or $4.67) and reached at 12.15pm.

We purchased the round trip tickets online at RM30 (or $10) per pax but needed to exchange them for physical tickets at the counter. The station was very crowded on a Sunday that even after getting our tickets, there was a 35 minutes wait before calling our batch to join the queue, followed by another 40 minutes queue before it was finally our turn to board the funicular train.

The funicular train ride was about 5 minutes and run on a steep track that reminded me of the Peak Tram in Hong Kong.

I was filled with excitement as I stepped off the train and was greeted by the breathtaking view of Penang from a height of 833m above sea level. This stunning view of Penang Hill was definitely the highlight of my Penang trip.

Penang Hill is a hill resort  made up of several peaks on the island. It is the oldest British hill station in Southeast Asia, dated to the late 1700s and known by the Malay name Bukit Bendera, which actually refers to Flagstaff Hill, the most developed peak.

It was hard not to fall in love with this spectacular view which looked like it was straight out of a dream. The bird's-eye view of the city and the sea surrounding Penang was so serene that I did not feel like moving at all.

The view was worth the one hour wait to come up, but if we knew of such situation, we would have purchased the express pass ticket. Time is an opportunity cost, especially since we were only here for the weekend.

There were various viewpoints scattered across Penang Hill, offering breathtaking panoramic views of Penang, alongside with the multiple peaks and Straits of Malacca.

Penang (Malaysia) Day 2: Roti Bakar Hutton Lane + Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul

I did not manage to sleep well for this trip, tossing and turning until 4.30am, awoke again at 6.30am. I just continued staying on bed until 8am to prepare myself for the day ahead.

While waiting for my turn in the bathroom, I caught a bit of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 playing on the television.

The rain has stopped, allowing us to proceed with our plans. Georgetown is quite a unique area, filled with red-tiled roof shophouses that gave a sense of history. From where I stood, I could catch a glimpse of the sea at the far end, just beyond the tall buildings.

By 9.15am, we were done with preparation and ready to go. I applied some sunscreen before heading out for breakfast, eager to start the day.

The walk from our hotel to the breakfast spot was 13 minute walk. We took this opportunity to take in the sights of George Town and admired the historical charm of the neighbourhood.

Crossing the streets in George Town can be quite a challenge, especially at places without traffic lights. The flow of cars seemed never-ending, making it difficult to cross safety. Whenever we spotted an overhead bridge, we will use it to cross over despite the longer route.

We reached Roti Bakar Hutton Lane at about 9.40am and it was crowded with people. We managed to find an empty table at the far end of the lane. I wanted to try one of their local specialty from street food stall as George Town is known for its street food scene, and I found this local's favourite breakfast spot.

The queue to order food was quite long, it took us 20 minutes queue for our turn. Oh well, good things are worth the wait.

I had R.B Telur Goyang at RM5 (or $1.67), a simple dish featuring crispy toast spread with butter and two soft-boiled eggs. The eggs were still runny, and when the yolk burst, it soaked into the toast, adding a creamy texture to each bite. It reminded me of traditional kopitiam breakfast, but with a twist.

 The roadside stall was bustling with locals enjoying breakfast with their families. We did not stay long and left once we finished breakfast as people were streaming in.

Roti Bakar Hutton Lane

300, Jalan Phee Choon, George Town, 10050 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

Operating hours: 5am to 1.30pm daily

We crossed over the overhead bridge to the opposite street for dessert but chanced upon Ding Tai Yuan, selling local snack specialties. I went in and picked quite a handful of snacks for my family and relatives, spending a total of RM97.30 (or $32.43).

Along the same stretch as the snack shop was Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul. Another humble roadside stall that has been around for years.

As the name suggested, their chendol is very popular, drawing a queue of customers. The queue moved quickly as the staff scooped the ingredients in an impressive speed.

We walked back to the hotel to off load our loots and toilet break. We spotted Hotel Jen and continued toward the direction. We reached hotel at 11.10am and had a short break before our next adventure.

The amount of snacks that I gotten from the snack shop earlier. 

After packing them in the cooler bag I brought, my bag was officially full.

After half an hour break, we were ready to head out again. I slipped into my new Skechers Bobs Squad shoes. I started to wear comfortable footwear with thick cushioning even when overseas, so that my feet feel comfortable even after hours of walking.

Penang (Malaysia) Day 1: JEN Penang Georgetown by Shangri-La + 1st Avenue Mall

Penang has long been on my travel list, a destination I wanted to explore. I was supposed to visit five years ago, but an unexpected incident just few days before the trip forced me to forgo. Five years later, I finally make that long-awaited trip to Penang.

While we were on the air nearing Penang, raindrops began to hit the plane window and heavy rain blurred the view entirely for awhile.

We landed at Penang International Airport at 3.35pm ahead of schedule and cleared the custom in 25 minutes.

We went to the pickup point and called for a Grab. The drive from the airport to our hotel in George Town took about 45 minutes due to some congestion on the narrow lanes and the fare was RM70 (or $23.33). We reached our hotel at 5pm.

The bathroom had a minimalist design with enclosed sliding door for the shower, toilet bowl in the center and basin on the right. I liked the shower gel and shampoo use which has a relaxing lavender scent that was calming.

This was the view from our window on level 11 with St. Giles Wembley Hotel opposite us and rows of shophouses lined the streets of George Town, transporting us back to an older era. Penang makes a good destination for a weekend getaway, two nights felt just nice to explore the town’s key highlights.

Since it was still raining outside, we rested in the room for about half an hour before heading to the nearby shopping mall. Rain always accompanied me during travel, but luckily, the hotel is near to my indoor plans.

Just two minutes walk from our hotel was 1st Avenue Mall, the best shopping mall in George Town in my opinion. The pathway was not fully sheltered so we embraced the light rain while crossing the road and entered the mall through H&M.

It was nearly 6pm and we were feeling hungry so our first stop was to the basement to hunt for food. We settled for Coco House 可可屋 for Taiwan fusion cuisine with mix from Japanese and Korean influences. The restaurant's interior was simple and minimal.

I had Signature Milk Tea at RM11 (or $3.67) after 10% service charge. It helped to quench my thirst, with a distinct tea aroma that lingered with every sip.

We ordered a variety of dishes to share. The Taiwan Egg Crepe Roll was a bit plain with just egg, should have ordered the one with ingredients. The Gyoza was glistening with golden crisp. The Taiwan Fried Chicken was fried with a light crispy coating and sprinkled with seasoning.

Last but not least was Takoyaki at RM14.30 (or $4.33). The bite sized balls were packed with flavour, drizzled with sauce and mayonnaise, enhancing the overall taste. The total bill was RM73.70 (or $22.33).

Coco House

105, Jalan Magazine, George Town, 10300 George Town, 1st Avenue Mall, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

Operating hours: 10am to 10pm daily

We began shopping after the dinner and I gotten a t-shirt at RM19 (or $6.33) from here that was right outside the restaurant.

I picked up two tops from Brands Outlet for RM49.80 (or $16.60) which is part of the same company as Padini Concept Store. The tops are from the brand Garage, offering a wide range of styles from casual to formal. 

After finishing our shopping at Ist Avenue Mall (except for supermarket), we walked over to Prangin Mall which was besides the mall. However, it was a disappointment, there was nothing much and we walked back to 1st Avenue Mall within 15 minutes.

Since the time was still early to return back to hotel, we walked around Ist Avenue Mall trying to look for a place for dessert but the options were quite limited. After some time, we finally settled on Pacific Coffee at 8.30pm for a sweet treat.

I had Butterscotch Muffin at RM9.90 (or $3.30), served warm after being microwaved. The muffin was moist and buttery, with a subtle butterscotch aroma. We relaxed here for 45 minutes, enjoying the calm atmosphere.

We saved Village Grocer for our last stop as supermarkets are usually where I tend to stock up on my snacks. I got 4 items at RM51.75 (or $17.25), which was lesser than what I usually get on other trips. Many of the items were quite similar to what I can find in Singapore, so I did not buy much.

We returned back to hotel at 9.50pm and it was still raining.

Packing up my loots for today. A rare time where I bought so many shirts for myself in just a day. Time to update my wardrobe and get rid of the old ones.

The snacks I gotten from the supermarket might be able to find in Singapore, but they were definitely a bit cheaper here.

Here marked the end of day 1, hope for better weather tomorrow to outdoor exploration.