Kedah: Fried Porridge @ Serdang

~~Short Trip to Serdang, Kedah during Friday Lunch Break~~

If you read my previous post about Explore Selama I (click here to read), you would know that I am currently working in Selama, Perak. During a Friday long lunch break, I drove to Serdang, Kedah to hunt for food. From Perak all the way to Kedah?? Don't be too surprised as Selama is being divided into Selama (Perak) and Selama (Kedah). So crossing the border to Serdang, Kedah, isn't too far. It was just a 15-20 minutes drive. ^_^

Here's the map! Look how near it is between Selama and Serdang.

I wanted to try the famous Fried Porridge but they only open in the evening. So I simply stop by a restaurant for lunch. Surprisingly, they sell fried porridge here too! Due to my curiosity about fried porridge, I ordered one to try. Fried Porridge, is it similar with Fried Rice? Let's see..... Let's see.....

This is the restaurant I stopped for lunch. Just opposite the restaurant with famous fried porridge.

Pretty historical restaurant.....

Waited for 10 minutes and fried porridge is finally here!

This is how fried porridge looks like. It is still of porridge texture, but fried with soy sauce, cuttlefish, pork, vege and eggs. This stall's fried porridge is salty but overall it's nice. =P

After lunch, I went to explore Serdang Lake Garden, which is 2-3 minutes away from the restaurant. Great scenery here! Although it is not as beautiful as Taiping Lake Garden, it still able to give me a sense of peacefulness. 

Simple and nice scenery.

They have a playground too!

Perak: Kellie's Castle

It has been decades living in Perak and I never explore it. Hence, I decided to explore one of the famous tourist spot on a sunny day --> Kellie's Castle.

Kellie's Castle is located on the way to Batu Gajah town at the Kinta Kellas Rubber Estate, which is about 30 minute drive (14km south) from Ipoh City. It is very easy to find, especially with the help of Waze (my favourite navigator, though sometimes it will make you lost direction XD). 

I heard about this castle long time ago, about the mystery. Kellie's Castle seems to be meant a home away from home for Scottish Planter, William Kellie Smith in the 20th century. Kellie desired his new residence to be reminiscent of his home back in Scotland, the castle is perched on top of a hill in what used to be a rubber estate. Construction of this unique castle began in 1915. However, it came to an abrupt halt with Kellie's sudden death in 1926. The solitary castle, looks almost surreal in these wild plantations of Perak, it projects a strong personality and an aura of mystery. Besides being haunted, the castle is believed to have hidden rooms and secret underground tunnels. (Read more here)

I reached Kellie's Castle around 9.30am and it was really sunny. Blue sky with beautiful forbidden castle. Such a great combination.

I parked my car as directed by the signage and it's free! Friend parked his car at the entrance and he was charged RM2 per entry. It was just a short walk from entrance to my car, so I would suggest to save that RM2 for your entrance ticket. Entrance ticket costs RM5 per person (for MyKad holder)

Group photo of us. This is the main entrance to the castle. 

Ticket counter is just right beside these huge words. 

It is such a waste that this is not completely constructed. Such a beautiful building.

Living hall.

There are also a few narrow spiral stairs that leads you to some secret rooms. And the top of the castle is accessible with stairs too. But be aware if you are bringing kids as all these places are not being fenced. 

View of the entrance from top of the castle. On the left is the walkway from entrance to the castle.
Very beautiful isn't it.

My favourite photo of the trip.

Explore Selama Part I: Restaurant Country & Refuel Cafe

5 months working in Selama, Perak. To be honest, I haven't really explore much of Selama. Most of my lunch were home-cooked or buns. So I'll rather stay in the office rather exploring myself to the hot sun. XD If I were to go out to hunt for lunch, I seriously don't know where to go.

Whenever people ask me what Selama has, I don't know how to answer as I never explore. So, I've decided to explore Selama town more in this new year of 2016. Hmm... It is one of my new year resolution, which I think should be quite achievable. Haha... 

So....... What I've explored so far?

I found a chinese restaurant which serves nice coffee. Restaurant Country (家乡饭店) is where you can find seafood and various chinese dishes. They also offer some friend noodles, such as Wat Tan Hor (滑蛋河). I've tried their rice and also Wat Tan Hor, not superb but they are quite nice. Then there is one day that I ordered Iced Coffee as I was feeling really sleepy in the afternoon. Surprisingly, the coffee that they served is of good quality. Coffee Kao Kao (very thick texture). 

This is the Iced Coffee. 

Very tempting isn't it? And it isn't expensive. I remember it is around RM2+.

Last week, I wanted to look for a place with air-conditioning for lunch as the weather is burning hot. Then I thought of a cafe near Caltex and hence I drove there for a try. Refuel Cafe is located beside Caltex and the Dobi. It is quite easy to locate. 

At first I thought Refuel Cafe is the kind of hipster cafe which I could have my cuppa coffee. I didn't visit hipster cafe for a very long while already. But yet, this disappoints me. This is not hipster at all, but it provides a wide range of food. From waffles, to sandwiches, to chicken/fish chop, to Nasi Lemak and noodles. 

This is how it looks. Pretty simple layout.

I ordered their Peppery Chicken Chop (RM8.80), which serves with fries and baked beans. I ordered something local as beverage -- Iced Neslo. Both of them costs me RM12 in total. I think the price is quite decent for a such a big portion of chicken chop and the drink is nice too. 

Looking forward to find some good food here. Please look forward for Explore Selama Part II. =D

Langkawi: Island Hopping

Langkawi is an archipelago made up of 99 islands in the Andaman Sea. If you are here for an island getaway, please don't miss out island hopping in your itinerary. I had missed Island Hopping for the past years and I am glad that I did it in Dec 2015. I love the lake so much -- Dayang Bunting. Let me briefly tell you my island hopping experience in Langkawi. 

I didn't do any research for this trip and hence I thought I would need to go Kuah jetty to get on board for Island Hopping trip. But I was wrong. I read some blogs on Langkawi Island Hopping trip and found out that there is another jetty, which is at Pantai Tengah, where we start our Island Hopping trip. 

I booked my trip via hotel receptionist as I have no idea how to get one in 2 hours time. Luckily there are availability for 3 of us. Each of us paid RM35 for the trip and it includes hotel pick-up. Awesome! Save our energy to look for the jetty. ^_^

At the Jetty. Saw the sign board of Dayang Bunting and felt nothing about it. 

Going to a lake? Seriously? Taiping has lake too. Well, I'm looking forward for beach. Will just drop by this for a good look. That was my first impression and I was so wrong!

The weather is so sunny in the morning! Hello blue sky! Hello blue sea! =D

Here we go! Off to the sea! Hello bright sun!

Saw a cruise on our way to Dayang Bunting. Hmm... I need to plan for a cruise trip. =D

Does this looks like a pregnant lady?? 

Upon reaching Dayang Bunting.... The water becomes greener. 

Here we are! At the port!

A short walk to the entrance. 

Malaysians need to pay RM3 for conservation fee (This doesn't include in the RM35 that we've paid earlier).  I am not too sure about international fare. >.<

Here we are! The Legendary Lake! 

I was amazed with the view. Can't believe with my own eyes. Gosh, this place is so beautiful. You can choose to have a boat ride to enjoy the view. 

They have children pool for kids to enjoy the water. 

Panorama view of the whole place. So beautiful isn't it. 

I tried jumping in the lake for a swim but I was so afraid to let go and swim freely. It has been too long since I last swim in a pool. Fear overcome my excitement and I was holding the rope all the time! Very embarrassing. XD

Let me elaborate a bit on Dayang Bunting Marble Geoforest Park. The biggest attraction of the Dayang Bunting Marble Geoforest Park is the developement of a large doline originated fresh water lake named as Tasik Dayang Bunting (English: Lake of Pregnant Maiden), side by side with the natural landscape sculpture of the said mythical pregnant maiden resting on her back. The local believed that the lake water has some magical ingredients that could fulfill wishes of unfortunate childless couple to gain fertility. Apart from that, the Dayang Bunting Marble Geoforest Park also featured karstic landscapes, but from a mixture of those developed on marble of Chuping formation and limstone of Setul Formation. This park has some very fine cave such as those at Pulau Lima and Pulau Dua, sea stacks and other wave related features. (information from here)

Last few photos before leaving this amazing place. 

Group photo of us! Similar shades, similar smile. Heart these 2 girls to the max! 

Let's go to the next stop! Eagle feeding.

Selfie time with the blue sky =D

How to Save RM10,000 in a Year

Hey guys! How's your day?
It's 7th day of 2016 and how's your plan for 2016? Done? Holiday well planned? Goals of the year set? How about your saving plan or financial management plan? 

If you are like me, who love to travel and eat good food, I have something to share with you today. Ever thought of saving for upcoming trips in the past years and it often fails? Piggy bank methods work? Coin saving methods work? I am going to share a systematic way to save RM9600 in a year. Yes, it is almost RM10,000. 

Let me show you the calculation. It seems very feasible. Join me for Saving Challenge 2016! I think it is a great way to save for upcoming trips or to buy any dream gadgets. 

Saving Challenge 2016

This is how it works. In Week 1 (1st Jan - 7th Jan 2016), you save RM1 a day, so you get RM7 per week. In Week 2 (8th Jan - 14th Jan 2016), you save RM2 a day, so you will save RM14 per week. The calculation goes on until Week 52. I already printed this out and put into a glass jar (which will be my travel fund bottle). Come join me to achieve your dream in 2016! It doesn't seem hard and you still have spare money to use monthly. 

Who's in for Saving Challenge 2016? =D

Top Destinations in 2016?

From Dec 2015 onwards, I have read so many articles about "Must-Go Places in 2016", "Top Destinations in 2016", "Where to Go in 2016", "XX places to go before you die", etc etc.... These articles are really exciting to read and you will definitely be keen to book a ticket for 2016. 

LonelyPlanet has their own version of Top 10 Countries for 2016. Let me list them down:

1) Botswana

2) Japan

3) USA

4) Palau

5) Latvia

6) Australia

7) Poland

8) Uruguay

9) Greenland

10) Fiji

Bingo! Two of my target destinations for 2016 is in the list -- Japan & Australia! Well, if yours isn't in the list, I don't think it matters. 

Travel is about explore and experience. For a SEA (Southeast Asia) traveler, to go to all these countries listed above, it requires a big amount of fund and time. It might not be feasible for us, though they are in the so called Top Countries to Visit in 2016. We can slowly explore countries nearby, then only explore further after saving enough of travel fund. Flight tickets to those places aren't cheap though. For travelers who are living nearby, where these countries are quite accessible, please don't hesitate to explore them. Greenland is so attractive to me! XD

In this new year of 2016, I hope everyone can travel to dream destinations, either you are traveling solo, with travel mates, or with your loved ones. May everyone be safe, happy and make more friends! 

Photo credit to: es.klear.com