Category Archives: Travel

Coconut Sugar Farm & Damonen Saduak Floating Market

June 8, 2012 thammelissa 21 Comments

Continuing from my previous post of Maeklong Railway Market Bangkok, we head over to Damonen Saduak Floating Market. There are few floating markets in Bangkok. But I think Damonen Saduak Floating Market is the popular one. Moreover this place is often published in Travel magazine. From Railway Market, McD driver send us to the jetty which took about 10-15 minutes drive.

The Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is located at Damnoen Saduak District, Ratchaburi Province, about 105 kms (65 miles) from Bangkok. According to history around 1866 King Rama IV ordered that a 32 kms long canal be dug at Damnoen Saduak. This canal would connect the Mae Klong River with the Tachine River.

At the pier, we waited for our chartered long tail boat with engine to ferry us to the floating market. While waiting..we were served with Thai Coconut drink. (Wahh…good hospitality wor)-all inclusive in that 3000 baht we paid earlier.

a group photo with my gfs.

a simple briefing by angmo uncle on our location the places we’ll be visiting next.

Passing by some narrow parts of river/canal with wooden houses side by side plus the discharge just make me feel disgusted with the smell (smelly) and dirty. I tried to avoid whenever there are splashes from the water.

Luckily our ‘motor boat’ has ‘bumbung’. Else I’ll become roasted Mel later. Moreover the seats are with cushion!

We have personal driver too. And he’s good at doing cornering too! ‘phiu yi’

Pit Stop at Coconut Sugar Farm – to see how the locals make coconut sugar.

The place for making coconut sugar. Where it involves boiling and heating.

sample some coconut sugar for free?hmm…ok la..but I feel that our ‘gula Melaka’ taste nicer 😉

For more info, you may refer HERE

We have reached Damonen Saduak Floating Market

Various goods are sold here, along the canal. Food, spices, fruits, cooked food, souvenirs and imitation bags. It requires some bargaining. But since this is a tourist place..I don’t really feel the price is cheap.

The result of getting there during weekend. *Traffic Jam*!

Wanyi bought a pack of ‘Jambu Air’ which is very sweet.

Our time spent on Damonen Saduak Floating Market was quite short. We did not purchase anything pun. Hahahaha…..

Do I ♥ Damonen Saduak Floating Market?? I would say its a good experience to see the culture of a rural place. But don’t think I will re-visit. Or there are other better floating market? You suggest.

How To Get There :

GPS Location : N 13.517462 E 99.952862
Travel from Bangkok via Thonburi-Paktoh Highway to Samut Songkhram Town. Follow the sign to Damnoen Saduak (Highway No.325).

Blog Referral:-

http://www.travel.nizazainal.com/2011/08/damnoen-saduak-floating-market/

Bangkok, THAILAND, Travel

Maeklong Railway Market Bangkok

June 5, 2012 thammelissa 17 Comments

Initially we planned to take risk on engaging a 1 day ground tour when we arrives Bangkok (we did not pre-book any in advanced). And to our surprise, located at Bangkok City Hotel, right near to the hotel lift lobby, there’s a local tour agency by the name of ‘Chen Family Tour’. We planned to go Damonen Saduak Floating Market. And we knew about the traveling distance from our hotel to the floating market is not near. It takes an hour journey on road. Thus, with all the hassle free, we decided to inquire about the fare. We were offered with the price of 3000 baht – Travel by Van to Damonen Saduak Floating Market with additional stop at Maeklong Railway Market Bangkok (petrol and toll fee are all included). Everyone of us agreed with the charges and go ahead with the plan. Since there were 6 of us, so approximately about RM50/person.

We depart as early as 7.30am from Hotel. I would say its not really a tour, more like we chartered a Van to send us to the designated place. Reason was that, there were no tour guide and our driver doesn’t speak English. I doubt he understands English too.

Though our driver is such a nice guy…and I would name him the McD driver. Because he smiles all the time. Just like Ronald. *smile*

We were told to be early because the journey will take an hour (located at south west of Bangkok). Just at the right time to watch the train passes through the market. Have you heard about Maeklong Railway Market?? I’ve not! Therefore I’m curious about it. Maeklong Railway Market or known as Train Market its like a ‘pasar tani’ where all the vendors selling assorted goods (local fruits, seafood and vegetables) along the railway track (side to side). You may walk along the track. Its fun to witness them when the train approaches, all the vendors will be busy pulling back their canopy. Some may still be leaving their fruits on the side of the track. Makes me wonder…aren’t they tired of doing that 8 times per day? Anyhow, out of curiosity it attracts tourist to go there! The train leaves four times and it arrives four times. The track is not part of the national network. It only runs between Samut Sakhon and Samut Songkram.

We arrived at the town of Samut Songkhram.

Everyone seems to get excited and got ready with their camera when the train arrives.

Train has arrived at the station. Departed in another 1/2 hour, if I wasn’t wrong.

So tired! Where’s my train leh?? Where’s McD uncle?? He left us here and disappeared??

Vendors doing their daily business.

My travel mates decided to buy some durian from this aunty.

Unfortunately the Durian doesn’t taste good. The texture is like those semi ripe durian. I think our Malaysia’s durian taste better. Ahh…finally there’s is something I can feel proud! 😀

Squeezing to the side. This guy is getting ready on his phone’s camera? Looks like the train is coming soon.

*dong dong dong* train is alarming everyone. Some are getting ready for some exercising…some are still doing their shopping!

All cleared!

Look! Its so near! Train and stalls.

Train passing by the stalls where the durian was below it. hahaha…

Its an amazing place to visit! Next, we moved on to Damonen Saduak Floating Market.

Blogs to refer:-

Bangkok, THAILAND, Travel

Chatuchak Market in Bangkok

May 31, 2012 thammelissa 30 Comments

On Day 2 we decided to go to Chatuchak Market in Bangkok. Reason is that there would be more stalls operating on weekends. Its also named as “Chatuchak Weekend Market”. From our hotel, the easiest transportation mode is to go by BTS, Phaya Thai Station to Mo Chit for 30 baht.

Another option is to take the subway (MRT) to Chatuchak Park station (exit no.1), then follow the crowd until you arrive at the small entrance that leads into the market (clothing section). For the plant and flower section, get off at Kampheng Phet MRT station (exit no. 1).

machine only accept coins.

We are heading to Mo Chit Station

Looks like our LRT jugak.

After reaches Mo Chit, we crossed over the opposite of the road using the pedestrian bridge. While we were walking towards Chatuchak Market, I saw these beautiful red and big lychees selling for just 25 baht/ kg. OMG!! So cheap! Again…I couldn’t find such cheap lychee in Malaysia *sigh*

Chatuchak Market is very huge (it covers over 35 acres (0.14 km²) and contains upwards of 5,000 stalls). I advise, if you find something you fancied or like..just purchase it (provided that you think its worth buying) else..I worried you may have difficulty in locating the shop.

Map of Chatuchak Market. Its grouped in sections. They are total of 26 sections. From the above photo, you’ll be able to understand better. There are plenty of stuff you can get it here. Please go early! It would be more crowded by late noon. Hence..every purchasing may requires some bargaining.

Imitation goods pun ada..Please dress as light as possible. Its quite warm here.

Beautiful deco lights. If you want to get some souvenirs or handcrafts, its best to get it here in Chatuchak Market. There are more choices and the price is cheaper too!

So many types of currency. Gotcha! Don’t tertipu. These are ‘look-alike-money’ wallet.

While waiting for my friends (beli-belah), I decided to have a coconut drink to quench my thirst. Other than the fragrant and chilling coconut drink, she sells coconut ice cream too. Which taste good too.

Wanyi & Ashley intend to buy a hat for themselves. Unfortunately the bargaining fails. Therefore the ‘jual-beli’ did not succeed.

I then cam-whore with my newly bought sunnies for 39 baht. *good deal*

Notice the lil dress at the background? I bought that for my dearest niece for 150 baht.

The guys just love this shop so much. Its selling various printed tee. Moreover the cloth quality is not bad too. Each of them bought like at least 6pcs. Price less than 150 baht each.

(photo curi from Andrew) Then the gals when crazy over this shop. Purchase 2 pcs and above each dresses are just 160baht.

(photo curi from Andrew) We then had a not so nice punya Chicken Rice for lunch.

Then we left Chatuchak Market at around 3pm by taxi back to our hotel.

These are all my purchases from Chatuchak Market.

A gentle reminder to everyone. Please stay alert and beware of pickpockets. They are really professional! Please keep an eye on your bag, always place your bag in front. Do not bring valuable stuff. My friend’s bag got slit. Without she realizing until she return hotel only discovered the long clean slit. Luckily no loses. (She was carrying a longchamp bag).

Chatuchak Weekend Market is open

WED-THU (Plants & Flowers) 7.00 am – 6.00 pm.

FRI (Wholesale day) 9.00 am – 6.00 pm.

SAT-SUN (Miscellaneous) 9.00 am – 6.00 pm.

Click HERE for more info.

Bangkok, Hotels, Travel

Hotel Review – Bangkok City Hotel

May 29, 2012 thammelissa 35 Comments

Ashley and I were having a hard time deciding on the hotel in Bangkok. We planned to choose a budget hotel since we would not be spending much time in the hotel other than sleep and shower. We asked for recommendations from friends. Each person giving different recommendation. The more options we have…the more confused we got. Though its just a budget hotel, there are plenty of choices in Bangkok. My main problem is I couldn’t recognize those road names and I find it difficult to remember.

Few weeks before our departing date, Vivian visited Bangkok. She commented about this new hotel (less than 2 years old) is not bad. In terms of room condition, room rates, and location. Moreover its inclusive of breakfast. Some ding dong of here and there, finally we decided to go for Bangkok City Hotel.

Then Ashley proceed with the online reservation. Standard Room for 2 (inclusive of breakfast) for just 1190 baht.

Front view of the Hotel.

How to get here from Suvarnabhumi Airport?

The Airport Link from Suvarnabhumi Airport (6:00am-12:00pm) : take the City Line (Blue), cost 15 Baht, from the airport, take off at the last station, Phayatai. Then hire a cab to the Bangkok City Hotel, Petchaburi between Soi 10-12, approximately 1.5 kms = 35-70 Baht

Nearby attractions :

3 km from the Grand Palace, 3 km from the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, and 2 km from the Golden Mount, 1.0 km from the largest IT shopping mall, the Pantip Plaza, and the Siam Center.

Alternatively CLICK HERE

Corridor along the rooms. Please get a room at a higher floor. Else you might find it alil noisy as the hotel is located along a busy road. Our room was at 9th floor…So, it was alright.

The first thing I usually do when I enter a hotel room, is to check out the bathroom. Haha…I like nice nice bathroom ma… ^^

Bathtub

The sleeping place.

Room Facilities:

Air conditioning, Television, Satellite television, In-house movie (got English and Chinese Channel too) , Free Wifi, Bathtub with Hot & Cold water, Voltage 220v using Japanese or US outlet, Safety Box in room, Hair Dryer and toiletries, Kettle without coffee or tea nor cups.

Just before the door, its a cupboard for you to hang your clothes.

Well, talking about breakfast…it was just average. Everyday also serve the same food. Day 1, food on my plate was like Mt. Everest, Day 2 became Mt. Kinabalu…Day 3 decreasing..till the last day..just like the bukit behind my house. *flat* Anyway…for the price we paid..we can’t complain much about the food.

BTS Ratchathewi Station is just within 10 minutes walk. If you are lazy to walk, you can easily stop a cab in front of the hotel. Else you also can get some help from the bellboy to hire a cab. Their bellboy is quite helpful. Even help us check the taxi whether we left anything behind after we got down from the taxi.

Other than that, there’s a 7-11 2 doors away from the hotel.

Food is not a problem here too…especially at night. There are many restaurant along Petchburi Road serving local Thai food.

The hotel location. Travel time from airport to Bangkok City Hotel is about 30-40 minutes drive on road.

(Note: The hotel do provide taxi service to the airport with the fare of 450 baht.)

I am quite satisfied with this hotel. Will I return in future? YES!

For more info, click on their WEBSITE.

Bangkok, THAILAND, Travel

Makan Makan @ Food Hall, Siam Paragon Bangkok

May 25, 2012 thammelissa 18 Comments

We were traveling in a group of 6. After checking in to Bangkok City Hotel, we decided to go to Siam Paragon for our late lunch. Heard that there’s a huge food court there, which you shouldn’t miss. Varieties of food here…felt its even more choices than Pavilion’s food court.

How to get here? From Bangkok City Hotel, take BTS (light green line) to Siam Station, alternatively walk, 1km away from the hotel. However due to the super hot weather, we decided to go by taxi. Choose taxi which uses meter*. Bangkok taxi fare is quite reasonable. Unlike those taxis in KL…”cut-throat”!! Let me do some maths for you. If you go by BTS from Ratchathewi Station to Siam Station, the fare is 13baht. If by taxi with meter, its 50baht. So, if you are traveling with at least 3 person…I think its more cheaper to go by taxi. Nonit to squeeze with people, nonit to wait, you got a comfortable ride summore.

In Bangkok, taxis are everywhere. And its quite new too. (look at the colorful taxis)

walking towards Siam Paragon.

Food Hall has a wide range of restaurants and food stalls. Located at ground floor. It was a tough choice looking at the varieties of food, desserts and drinks.

Grill squids …ask for spicy chili sauce.

Grilled Fish

Plump and juicy sausages.

Ohh….I saw Chatime there too!

The pork ribs section. The price is pretty fair too.

A plate of nicely cooked pork ribs. Savory!! 340baht.

Spicy Chicken Wings. This is superb! Nice crispy wings, with well coated sauce.

fancy some grilled mushrooms?

More skew ~~meat~~ pork.

Assorted Cakes and Thai desserts.

Assorted cakes in cups. Buy 3 free 1 for just 285 baht.

800px-Foodcourt_Siam_Paragon — photo from wikipedia

When you dine at the food court, you are required to purchase cash card from the food hall’s counters. Its refundable.

Thai pancake. Too sweet for me.

Beef Noodle

I like my spicy noodle (tom yam noodle).

Such a nice thing that their food court serves PORK! Moreover the pricing are generally fair..judging from the environment and food quality. Price of each bowl of noodle are average 50baht. Don’t think you can get this kind of price in KLCC or Pavilion food court rite? Sorry, because I couldn’t remember some of the price and couldn’t cover all the food here. Ya..I admit I was too engrossed on my food….that I may have miss out some photos. hehe….

Address: 991 Rama I Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok, 10330
Open: Mon- Sun 10 am – 10 pm

Cameron Highlands, Family, MALAYSIA, Travel

Places I Visited at Cameron Highlands – Part 2 (EQ Strawberry Farm, Boh Tea Center)

November 24, 2011 thammelissa 1 Comment

After the vegetable market, we continued our journey…within the short distance by road, we made another stop at a Strawberry farm which is located just beside Equatorial Hotel. Guess, strawberry farm is a MUST VISIT place in Cameron. – since its grown widely here, due to the weather. Takkan keep eating and buying strawberries..but never know how its grown & how it looks right??

Knowing that time is precious, (as we do not want to reach KL too late) I must say that we did not waste a lot of time on every destination. Each stop were within 1/2 to 1 hour.

4) EQ Strawberry Farm

There are so many Strawberry Farm here. Somehow we just choose randomly. A friend of mine suggested ‘Big Red Strawberry Farm’. Unfortunately I missed that place. Since EQ Strawberry Farm is just a short distance from vegetable farm, therefore we went for it. Its Free Entry here. At EQ Strawberry Farm, you may experience self pluck strawberry. Price is determined by the weight of strawberries you plucked. If I’m not mistaken its RM20/kg. Nahh….we did not go for that..just plain visit.

It’s pretty visible along the road.

Other than self pluck strawberry…there are also souvenirs and light snacks sold here. (ice cream, strawberry dip inn chocolate).

Hmm…looks like Strawberries are planted on pots.

strolling at the fenced up farm. It’s fenced, so that people won’t curi the strawberries…. ^^ Moreover the place looks quite neat too.

The ripe and the non-ripe strawberry.

EQ Strawberry Farm
78, Jalan Kuari, Brinchang, 39100 Cameron Highlands
Tel: 05-4911759

5) Boh Tea Center (open daily 9am-4.30pm closed on Mondays)

There are several tea plantations/ farm in Cameron Highlands. My friend recommended Boh Tea Center located at Sg. Palas. Not just that, she also warned me about the narrow & winding road (which fits only 1 car at certain part) all the way up hill. Ohh My…I’m so worried and terrified. Keeping myself alert all the way up..constantly reminding Alex to ~~move~~ drive slow slow….careful on the sharp bend…

Saw these colorful houses when we were about to reach the designated place.

pheww…reached here safely… walking on the trails to the top for a nice view!

Well, I can see a nice and rather unique building on top hill.

I’m at midway…Don’t worry. It’s not a tough climb anyway…

still climbing for a scenic panorama view

yeah….I’m up here now! Look at the magnificent view…really worth it.

Boh is the largest tea plantation in Cameron Highlands.

The largest producer of tea in Malaysia, Boh was established by JA Russell, an English businessman in the very early nineties. Noting the mineral-rich soil, high rainfall and cooling climate of Cameron Highlands, Russell saw the potential for growing tea – high in demand at that time despite an economic depression. He purchased a tract of land in Habu and set out to produce a robust tea with a distinct flavour, straight from the ground up. Since then, Boh has expanded into a corporate franchise sponsoring nature conservation efforts, producing intense media campaigns, and marketing its products sold across Southeast Asia.

View downhill..foot trail , blue houses & also a school for the villagers here. The villagers are usually the people who works at the tea plantation.

At Boh Tea Center, you can learn about Boh’s operating history, shop for its products, dine at its cafe and view its factory. By the way…the boxes of tea sold here ain’t alot cheaper than supermarket lor…

After we had our tea break at the scenic cafe, we walked downhill by the premix road. Here, you can shoot at different angle.

OK…ending my post with a photo of Me & Alex. ^^

Will write about the Cafe at Boh Tea Center on my next post. Stay tune….

For excellent series of photos…please view this blogger:- ARDEN KHOO

Cameron Highlands, Family, MALAYSIA, Travel

Places I Visited at Cameron Highlands – Part 1 (Brinchang Night Market, Cactus Point, Vegetable Market)

November 22, 2011 thammelissa 8 Comments

Since we arrived Cameron quite late, therefore we did not have much time to visit any plantations. On first day, after a satisfying steamboat dinner we went to Brinchang Night Market. It was a wet evening. Luckily the rain stopped just on time for us to have a brisk walk at the night market.

1) Brinchang Night Market

Brinchang is a town located in Cameron Highlands in the state of Pahang, Malaysia. It is the second tourist town in Pahang after Tanah Rata. One of its attractions is the night market available during Friday, Saturday night and everyday on Malaysian school holidays. Brinchang night market offers a wide variety of products. Apart from vegetables, fruits, flowers, souvenirs and clothes, the main attraction here is their great variety of local street foods. Other than the representative Cameron food like fresh strawberry stick with honey/chocolate cream, steamed sweet potato or sweet corn, fried sweet potato ball, fried fresh mushroom or vegetables, the night market also serves a lot of common foods like pancake, roasted chicken, fried chicken, ice-cream, cake, fried meat ball, Murtabab, Kebab and others.

Getting a car park may be quite hectic here…I would suggest you to pay RM2 to park opposite Hill Garden Lodge Apartment/ Guardian Pharmacy or opposite the police station.

Blogs to refer :-

Strawberries at night market is so cheap..3 boxes for RM20. Its big and juicy. Mixed of sweet and sourish. Not forgetting ‘ais krim potong’ filled with strawberry extract is just RM1.

2) Cactus Point

The following day, after checking out from Strawberry Park Resort, we decided to traveled towards Simpang Pulai exit. The route back to KL. Our first stop was at Cactus Point. You can make any stops along the main road…because most of the tourist attraction (places to visit) are located along the main road.

Free Entry at Cactus Point

How well do you know about cactus? Or probably have you seen cactus before (the younger generations) Here, you can see varieties of cactus. There were so unique ones, ugly ones, beautiful ones, different ages… You can also purchase the cactus with an affordable price.

Different sizes and shapes…

How about some colorful and odd shapes?

Red vs Yellow?

Waahhh….cactus too has so nice flowers?

Not just cactus can be found here…you can also get flowers and plants. What do you think about the pricing? Not bad huh… My mom bought some potted plants back home too…

Do you like Gerbera Daisy?? I like it! I personally feel that Gerbera Daisy gives me the fresh and girlish feeling. ♥♥♥♥

HELLO to Gerbera?

Cameron Highlands Cactus Point

39100 Brinchang, Cameron Highlands

TEL: + 605-4914180 / 0192550068

3) Vegetable Market

Better known as the ‘morning market’. Located at Kea Farm, is one of most popular shopping destinations in Cameron Highlands, located 3km after Brinchang town. While mostly an agricultural district, the center of activity lies in a day market next to the main road, just before Equatorial Resort. Every morning till evening, traders and farmers sell their crops here to visitors and locals alike. Flowers, ornamental plants, souvenirs and handicrafts are other products sold in the market besides fruits and vegetables. On holiday weekends and national festivals, the road that leads past Kea Farm Market may be cluttered with cars parked (or parking) along the sides, causing a massive jam that stretches all the way to town.

You can see shoppers crowding this place, getting goods with the best price.

assorted fresh vegetables sold here. Some are hardly seen in KL.

However Mummy claimed that the Cauliflowers are quite expensive.

These vege looks so fresh and nice too…

Have you seen these in KL? Preserved Guava with Apple flavor. Price are depending on size too..For the size above, each pack is priced at RM8. 2 packs for RM15.

Flowers here are sold at cheap price. Roses here are sold at only RM10/ bouquet. (approximately 10 stalks-bear with the torn..because its still intact with the stem)

Fresh corns are priced depending on the size.

How about grilled corn. A lil char on the outer part, yet the juiciness & crunchiness is still there. However I think I much prefer the steam version. RM3 for a corn, I would say its not cheap.

Varieties of Strawberry souvenirs.

Mummy was so happy seeing all the fresh vegetables..She made huge purchase of vegetables. Big and small bags with happy face.

For more tips & info about vegetable farms & market in Cameron Highlands,

please click HERE

Cameron Highlands, Hotels, MALAYSIA, Travel

1 Nite Stay At Strawberry Park Resort, Cameron Highlands

November 17, 2011 thammelissa 7 Comments

Started our journey from Seremban and exit through Simpang Pulai toll then drove approximately another 1 hour only to reach the resort which is located at a 7-acre hill between Tanah Rata and Brinchang, Cameron Highlands. The entire journey was quite long. Moreover due to the heavy rain which slow us down.

Utilizing the coupon I bought earlier, I decided to bring my family there for a short holiday.

Bought 2 coupons at a good price of RM230 each for 2D1N Stay in a Studio Suite + Breakfast at Jim Thompson Terrace. Recently the resort has undergone refurbishment, with the modern concept rooms. Now it looks so much fresher.

A small waterfall as you entered the resort.

At the Lobby – Minus the late lunch we had…only able to reach the resort at around 5pm to do our check ins. Quite late huh…

Our rooms are located at this block. I like the environment here…the place is rather quite compared to those located along the busy and noisy street. Moreover getting in to Brinchang town is just within 10 minutes drive.

The impression of Studio Suite. Studio Suite measures 8.50 meters x 5.25 meters with floor areas of 44.6 square meters or 480 square feet with a balcony. I like the spacious and cosy room. Unfortunately when I asked for double bed(1 big bed), the reception told me; “Our Studio Suite are all 2 single beds”….Alrite..fine then…not really convincing. Don’t want to argue more, well I just go with it….

LCD TV with in house movies.

Private balcony with chairs, nice place for Alex and I to have a cuppa while enjoying the cool breeze air.

Complimentary Mineral Water & Coffee and Tea Making Facilities.

The very spacious bathroom. Though the bathroom is huge..but the shower area is rather narrow (behind the wash basin/mirror wall).

complimentary toiletries

Strawberry is widely plant here in Cameron Highlands. And its cheaper too. So, why not have a full cup of strawberries before getting into bed. *Bliss….

Strawberry Park Resort
P.O. Box 81, Lot 195 & 196,
39000 Tanah Rata,
Cameron Highlands,
Pahang Darul Makmur, Malaysia.

Tel: +605 491 1166
Fax: +605 491 1949

Location

Website

Food, Sarawak, Sarikei, Sarikei, Travel

Yummy Food I Had in Sarikei

September 20, 2011 thammelissa 10 Comments

Earlier I shared some photos on Sarikei, Sarawak. Now I would like to share some yummy food I had there. Never miss a chance to savor the local cuisine. Some West Malaysians may find that the food here do not suit their taste bud. But to me, I find it no problem at all. Hence I enjoyed tasting different types of food from different places. Apart from admiring scenery, best part about traveling is on FOOD!

Sarikei is popular for “Kam Pua noodles” (干拌面). There are 2 version. It can be either white or black. Black means addition of black soy sauce. The black version is commonly seen in Sarikei. You may say it looks like wantan mee. However the taste is different. Major ingredients are fried onions, shallots, lard, and red yeast wine that make it so unique. (Kampua from Full Tien Cafe, Jln Masjid Lama)

Kolok Mee; another noodle which I never fail to have one. Love visiting the same eatery for this kolok mee. You may be wondering what is the difference between the above 2 noodles. A blogger once explained to me that; “Kam pua noodles are also thicker and less curly than kolo mee. Kam pua’s ingredients are quite standard but kolo mee’s toppings varies from stall to stall.” (Kolok Mee from New Elfa, Bank Road)

Dabai Fruit, is a seasonal fruit. I’ve never seen it here in West Malaysia. The Sarawakian likes it very much. Unfortunately not really my liking.

Look here for more info:- DABAI FRUIT

Wild fern called “Midin” can easily get it here. It is grow wild in swamps or forests. Each bunch are price at from RM1-2. Its crunchy and best cooking method would be stir fry with belacan & dried shrimp or a simpler method with just chopped garlic and ginger with drench of red rice wine. I was told that it turn black pretty fast. Best consume on the same day after purchase. However I managed to bring a few bunch back here to KL.

Know more about Midin HERE

Stir Fried Midin with Red Rice Wine – my favorite!

“Bien Nuik”(扁肉): The local version of the “wan tan” or dumpling stuffed with minced meat. (from Chin San Cafe, Jalan Masjib Lama)

Fried Kuey Teow with Tomato. Similar to “Wat Tan Hor” but taste slightly different.

Mee Goreng with Beef (from Aik Seng Cafe, Wharf Road)

Pig’s Liver Soup. Best accompanied with a bowl of noodle. The pig’s liver were not overcooked. Therefore it has a nice texture. (from Full Tien Cafe, Jln Masjid Lama)

“Zhou Cai Hung Ngan” (糟菜粉干): Preserved mustard cooked with rice noodles soup.

Sarawak Laksa. Usually uses rice vermicelli noodle. It has a base of Sambal belacan, sour tamarind, garlic, galangal, lemon grass and coconut milk, topped with omelette strips, chicken strips, prawns, fresh coriander and local lime. Ingredients such as bean sprouts, (sliced) fried tofu or other seafood are sometimes added.(from Aik Seng Cafe, Wharf Road)

Sarawak Laksa (from another shop) – (near JPJ)

Roti Kahwin. A charcoal grilled bun sandwiched with creamy peanut butter, a slice of butter & spread of fragrant coconut jam(kaya). (from Aik Seng, Wharf Road)

Stir Fried Rice Cakes with minced pork and leek (from Lucky Restaurant, Jalan Nyelong, opposite Nyelong River market)

“Tian Miang Ngu”(鼎边糊): The rice slices soup, cooks cooked around the rim of the wok. Added with mu er (black fungus), minced pork balls and cuttlefish (octopus)slices. Best served with pepper, similar as Taiwan’s 鼎邊銼. The soup stock is made using pork bones and dried squid.(kinda look like min fun kou) – (near JPJ)

Prawn Mee (from Peking Restaurant, Jakar Town). Priced at RM20/bowl. A very expensive prawn mee. However it was very delicious. Using yellow egg noodle, with tasty and fres big head prawn makes a superb soup.

Famous Rojak from Bintangor.

Last but not least, Mother in Law’s yummy Red Rice Wine Mee Suah. Mee Suah or they called as longevity noodle(due to the long strand), commonly eaten here during auspicious day. Example; Chinese New Year, Wedding, Birthday. Its usually practiced by Hokkiens and Fuzhounese.

Photography, Sarawak, Sarikei

Back from Sarikei, Sarawak

September 19, 2011 thammelissa 14 Comments

I was away the past whole week. Together with Alex, we returned to Sarikei, Sarawak – Alex’s hometown. To reach Sarikei, we took 2 hours flight from KL and reaches Sibu Airport. From there, we traveled on road for 1 hour only to reach Sarikei town. I understand that many of you may not familiar with this place. Majority of the Chinese in Sarikei are Foochow dialect. If you ask me, can I speak Foochow language? Hmm…I would say a little. hehe….. It took me quite sometime to grasp part of it.

“Sarikei Division is one of the eleven administrative divisions in Sarawak, east Malaysia, located on the island of Borneo. Formerly part of the Third Division, which included Sibu and Kapit, Sarikei Division has a total area of 4,332.4 square kilometers, and is the second smallest of the administrative divisions of Sarawak.

Sarikei Division contains four administrative districts: Sarikei, Meradong, Julau and Pakan. The total population is 116,290. The population is ethnically mixed, with mostly Iban, Melanau, Malay and Chinese predominating.

The economy of the division is mostly agricultural. Sarikei Division produces more pepper than any other divisions in Sarawak. It is also famous for fruits, especially pineapples and oranges. The timber industry, as elsewhere in Sarawak, is also a major component of the local economy.“ (source from Wikipedia)

Would love to share some photos on landscape, buildings and people.

The first Pineapple Statue in Sarikei town located at Repok Road

Sarikei, better known as the Pineapple town that produces juicy and sweet pineapples.

Pepper plantation

Oranges

Traders selling local fruits along the road. It was season of Durian & Langsat.

An old couple selling Dabai Fruit

Bus Terminal at Bank Road

An old bicycle shop

An old hut located at former Nyelong River ferry jetty, operated for decades.

Sarikei Mosque located at Jalan Masjib Baru. Was told that it was completed since 1979.

St Anthony’s Church at Repok Road

Methodish Town Church at Repok Road

Majority of the resident here are Christians. Therefore you can see many churches.

The government quarters

Wooden Houses

Iban Longhouse at Sungei Minus, Jakar. The Ibans dwell in longhouses, stilted structures with a large number of rooms housing a whole community of families.