Pastries, The Local Way @ Ming Xiang Tai

One cannot talk about Penang and not have food come up as a red hot topic. There is something for everyone here, be it Chinese, Malay, Indian, Peranakan, anything ranging from the humble hawker fare to restaurants, cafes, coffee shops. The options are just mind boggling if you are a keen foodie (and have the stomach space for a sampling of this and that). Unfortunately I do not have a bottomless pit for a stomach and I can only consume so much (so many more I've yet to sink my teeth into), and also, unfortunately, with age hurriedly catching up with me, the waistline is also rapidly expanding with every mouthful of food I consume, and every gaspful of air I breathe.
I discovered this yummylious little shop just next to the where the famous Chendol stalls are, and a quick visit there yielded me some extra kilos in weight after succumbing to the wonderfully aromatic local Chinese pastries freshly baked in-store.

Rara And Reddy Goes To Penang - Muntri Grove

Penang! It was a short 1.5 hour of drive from Alor Setar, after dozing off for a snooze in the taxi we hired, the next thing we know, Penang Bridge has come in sight. It was somewhat a surreal experience, as the only time I have seen the bridge was on the telly, or from school textbooks from (obviously) many years ago. Penang is located almost way up north (northwest to be exact) of the Malayan Peninsula. It shares its borders with (the other small) state of Kedah and Perak. Despite being the second smallest state (by land mass) in Malaysia, it is the second largest city by population. Yup , that is how dense this little state is. Penang also holds the esteemed recognition from UNESCO as a World Heritage Site (the other 4 in the country being Lenggong Valley in Perak, Gunung Mulu National Park in Sarawak, Kinabalu Park in Sabah and the historical town of Melaka). Can you believe that this is my first visit here! So close to home and yet it took me many years to find myself landing in this fascinating place steeped in years and years of rich history. I am such an ardent fan of anything old, and judging by the sheer amount of "oldness" within the vicinity of where I chose to bunk in for a 2 nights, I am thrilled beyond words and cannot wait to share what Rara and Reddy been up to in the city also known as the Pearl Of The Orient.

 
What more appropriate a choice than a charming boutique hotel housed in a compound of refurbished old shophouses. Simply lovely :)

Best Dim Sum @ Land Of Rice Fields

Looking back at the past few posts about this nondescript corner of Malaysia, it would be safe to assume that food was the biggest, if not the greatest highlight of the trip to Land Of The Rice Fields. Well, that's one perfect way to be in touch with the local culture so to speak - through food. For me, traveling is about experiencing new things, new sensations, new food, new sights. Shopping is usually last on the agenda on my list of "must-dos", sometimes, it doesn't make it on the list. But food, that is one thing that I cannot overlook. So here I am, on another foodie adventure, this time a hearty breakfast of fabulous dim sum, in one of the most unlikely of places - a Chinese temple (well kind of, they share the same building).

The dim sum restaurant is located at the front of the building complex

Well this is a improvised version of the traditional pushcart.

Display windows definitely made life easier for a Mandarin illiterate hehe.

On The Prowl For Street Food @ Alor Setar

The mere mention of Malaysian street food puts me in a culinary sensory overdrive. There's just something different about how they make it, perhaps it's the air there, or the water they use, perhaps the chickens are happier there, the cows too. I don't know. Whatever it is, Malaysian street food will always be the go-to for comfort food whenever I pay a visit across the border. Like street food the world over, hygiene standards can be questionable (most times), think cooking right next to a gutter or smoggy road side, or having ingredients exposed wide open to the stirrings of dust, flies, bugs. Well, ya, you get the picture. If you can look past the often questionable standard of hygiene, the food is, in all it's glory, glorious. Go with an open mind, and you may just find yourself pleasantly pleased. Our adventure in the Land Of The Rice Fields continues...

RaRa and Reddy Goes To Pasar Malam, Malaysian Style

We were fortunate enough to be able to visit a Ramadan (makan) bazaar during the fasting month earlier this year in June. Nothing beats a visit to a local market, especially if it's a food market! The sights, and sounds, and smells.. teased the tastebuds with every step we took. A typical Ramadan bazaar comes alive about a few hours before break fast time. Everything happens at a frenzied pace, everything must go, no leftovers. Well it's food, so you kinda get the idea. So here you go folks, this was what we experienced..
Promise not to drool :)

 

RaRa and Reddy Goes To Potato Head Bali!

I should learn to not procrastinate. In a blink of an eye, it's been 12 months since our vacay to the gorgeously awe-inspiring Bali. Well this has to be the longest trip for us.. 9 days was it? Armed with a list of to-go-places (which unfortunately was not even close to half the list checked off) and enthusiasm to the max, we embarked on our long delayed vacay. And what visit to Bali is complete without a trip down to the mother of all Bali beach clubs - Potato Head Beach Club! So here we go.. Or rather, read about how it went down that day, 12 months ago. Haha. Better late than never I would say :)

Here's the gang chillin' by the pool. And oh, the awesome backdrop is da bomb.

Reddy Goes To Biku @ Bali

There's something truly magical about this place. Island Of The Gods they call it. To most people, it is simply known as Bali. I've been here a few times, and yet I feel that I've barely scraped the surface of what this place has to offer. Bali is a land of enchantment and mystical magic. I feel myself so drawn into the beauty of the place that I find it challenging to leave every time. This visit, I've vowed to at pay homage to some of THE institutions that I've lusted over on Instagram. And being such a fan of all things pretty and cakes/pastries/food/all things yum, I've found myself lured into the enigmatic draw of Biku.

For those who love being under the warmth of the sun, there are also outdoor seating options. 

So Instaworthy!

Magical Evening @ Cuca Flavor Restaurant, Jimbaran, Bali

It's been so long, since I have had actual time-out as a Mom. And we are talking time-out in a foreign land here! It has been a very trying of late, so many things going on in the background. What should I do with the evening that was miraculously gifted to me courtesy of a very dear friend (where the kid was spending a sleepover at)... With some very quick homework done a few hours to dinner time, Cuca Flavor was decided upon for dinner. The concept? Tapas style food given an artistic fine-dining updo while maintaining the traditional flavors of local Indonesian cooking.

Roasted Pork Buns @ IDR60K

Honey glazed BBQ pork held together with soft pancake bun. Utterly delicious.

Project Adhoc - Alor Setar, Kedah

Off to the northern state of Kedah, Negeri Jelapang Padi, as it is known in Bahasa Malaysia, to a little town named Alor Setar. Last I was here was probably 20 years ago. This time round, RaRa and Reddy will make the trip up to this little known town in Malaysia. This is one of those places that make people go "Where?" Well, for the less informed, Alor Setar is located along the main travel route between Malaysia and Thailand. One can drive up to the Thai border (Sadao town) just a mere 48km north, about 40 minutes away from Alor Setar.


Typical view of a small nondescript Malaysian town (or any small town for that matters)