Day 4: Oh my Penang Hill!

Finally, the day to step out and enjoy my holiday is coming! After so much work during majlis doa selamat, on 26 November (the day I'll never forget), Penang Hill welcomed us with the coldness of rain. I mean, really...it was a cold and wet day. The pouring rain was unstoppable. But it can't stop us to step inside the Penang Hill's train and ride up to the peak of the historical hill. Come on, one chance to see the beautiful sight of Penang, you think I would step back because of the rain?

Around 4 p.m, facing difficulties to get a right direction, the road was a bit slippery because of raining. As soon we arrived there, there were many tourists (local and foreigners) inside the building. The previous visitor of Penang Hill is already check out, wandering around the merchandise and goodies area. My nephew and niece is out of control, their hyper energy battery is fully charging so I can't let my sight out of them. So I thought, I will buy some goodies after visiting Penang Hill. While waiting my sister bought the ticket (family package so it's cheaper than buying individually and of course, IC is important before buying tickets), we sat at the corner and watching people come and go.



Already inside the train, the turbulence inside the train reminds me with the situation inside the flight. My ear got dumb, I have to blow my noise to clean the air out of my ear. My attempt to get a nice shot inside the train met its failure because of the turbulence. Plus, the hectic and very noisy school trip inside the train is troublesome. Can they be quiet for a while? I know, going up to Penang Hill is very exciting but they don't have to talk so loud.





Finally arrived at the Penang Hill's top, the green scenery after raining welcomed us with such a tranquility. After facing noises, this is what I need the most. T.R.A.N.Q.U.I.L.I.T.Y~

Okay, it's time to eat before walking up and up to the hill. We need energy. The food price is kinda pricey so, I bought just enough for myself- a small RM 3 bowl of French fries, RM6 of chocolate strawberries, RM2 mineral water...and bite a bit from other's food. Yes, I am brilliant-yet-thrifty customer...ha3

Oh, please don't be surprised about my evil appearance
while eating ayam goreng. Free food from my sister, I bite
it with eagerness.

Finish with food and stuffs, it's time to walk around the hill and enjoy the scenery with new experience. For RM30, we ride buggy car to the other part of Penang Hill. I recorded my buggy car experience with my Xperia and to know about the rich big house owned by Englishman, tauke 4D Magnum, relatives of Sultan Pahang and the restricetd site of TUDM is fascinating. Plus, our buggy car driver is coincidently, a chinese man from Matang, Kuching. Kuching people gathered on the same ride. What a small world.

The buggy car journey continues at the anjung of Penang Hill, the pitstop for visitors taking pictures, leisurely watching the upside of Penang and breath in and out some good and fresh air. This trip will never make you exhausted, but for those who facing trouble with sore throat, itchy nose and dumb ears like me (I was in not very healthy during this vacation), you might throw a bit. 

I leave that bad memory behind. Let's move on.

Finish with buggy car, we walked again with our own feet, climbing stairs to the next area. The Penang Hill masjid. There's a masjid here, I didn't know that before. To be honest, this place is clean. The toilet is good too. 

Okay, okay, let's proceed to another photos. Emm, what else?
Owh, yes. There's more....

I gained weight in this photo. Eating outside is not good for
my health, I guess. BTW, I look good with the 'pinjam'
camera. Thanks, bro~

My nephew try to shoot me with this historical cannon
(dear nephew, don't you dare....)

The kuil Hindu at Penang Hill. They was chanting and praying
when we came here. 

Taking photos at the staircase. As you can see, the old
building of police building remains there, still in good condition.

My niece riding the stone-cold horse. She's so naughty,  I tell
you. Always make me headache.

With those big periuk kera, together with my sister, my nephews
and my angry niece. Well my niece, keep angry~

Watching the trail of the train. I can't believe my
own eyes. This is awesome.

Before heading down, taking photos with my mother is must.
My mother's look is a bit Japanesey, isn't it? Ha3!

Already at the downhill, standing at the archway. The time
was around 7 pm, all merchandise and goodies store had
closed. I regret I didn't bought souvenir earlier.

Photo souvenir from Penang Hill, cost us RM35. But
the position is odd, my dad is almost disappear from
this photo. Anyway, memory is still a memory.

At the end, we stayed and eat at Medan Renong Padang Kota Lama,
near Fort Cornwallis. As soon we sat down, 5-6 people came to us
and asking our food order. I got shock for a second. But tell ya
the truth, I like the big sotong inside my nasi goreng sotong. I loved it!

Well, the journey is still not finish maa~
@themagi2014

Day 3: Bendang Village

Day 3rd, 25 November 2014. Still at Kedah, somewhere at Baling and staying at Bendang Becah Village. Preparation for majlis doa selamat has completed. It's time to proceed to the next part. To be honest, the way majlis being arranged at here is somehow a bit different. I got confused sometimes. Anyway, it's not the main thing I should talk about. I just wanna share photos during the preparation and the simple majlis itself.

Mak cik is smiling when she suddenly realized my
brother took her photos.

All ingredients are ready to be part of dishes.
My index finger got scratched after peeling too
much onion and garlic.

Masak kawah is famous at here. But the process, I admit that,
too much energy being delivered. I was exhausted.

Got my eyes to this little girl. Isn't she sweet?

Her name is Amni. The nice baby I ever made. She doesn't
 make a lot of noises. And she's cute too.

Berkhatan is already done, so it's time for majlis doa
selamat. One talam of dishes equal to 4 people. The dish is
ayam masak merah, daging+batang pisang masak gulai,
jeruk petai, ulam2, ikan masin, acar timun and acar limau.

Snap a bit; candid action of people while eating. Free food
 is lovable, I guess.

@themagi2014

Day 2: Baling Time

Continue from the first entry, the next day was Monday 24 November. The weather was nice, yet the last night sleepy was a horror experience. I fought like hell with mosquito and other tiny bugs. Not blending well with a new environment, I guess. Okay, about the next day, my sister said that we supposed to help her preparing a majlis for her son (which is, my nephew). Since my nephew was already berkhatan 4 days earlier so all we need to do is buying groceries, chopping oniions, garlics and lemon grass and cleaning stuffs. I think, I don't need to explain a lot about 'berkhatan', right? One simple explanation: berkhatan is reconstructing the male's weapon. Yup, that's it.


Around 10 a.m, we moved to Baling. There's a big complex there, called Plaza Baling and that's my first experience at Baling. I did visit Kedah before (at Jitra and Alor Setar in 2008) but I never went to Baling. So, my review is...this place is very humble but complete with anything needed.

Okay, about Plaza Baling. There's a big market called Billion. And Billion is somehow, a combination of Grand Supermart+H&L Supermarket. Everything is there. From groceries to wardrobe, to decoration, toys et cetera. While my sister is busy with minyak masak, kari Babas, more onions and other stuffs, I did my personal shopping. Of course, a nice T-shirt is must and a fluffy fat pillow attracts me....I must buy that too!

Oh, before that... before I came to Plaza Baling, we stopped at OKN Tan, the RM2 shop and suddenly found RM10 on the roadside. What a weird and happy day. Then I thought I want to buy something memorable with that RM10 but then, I just let my dad pay my stuff. On the second day, I didn't cash out any money from my wallet. I want to keep it for the other day. Penang is waiting for me. I have to keep patience in shopping.


Well, moved on the next part. After shopping, we must filled in our belly. Laksa Penang, nasi kandar is very-very-very famous at Penang and Kedah. Both places are sharing the same delicious dish, I admit that. Since it's lunch time, I bet nasi ayam is more suitable for my belly, while others decided to taste laksa Penang. So, my sister choose Kak Tie Restaurant, near to Plaza Baling. Well, firstly, for a sunny day, we need ABC. ABC is my mom's favorite. No matter where, my mom always looking for ABC.

Well, ABC is everyone's favourite. Tell me, who hates ABC? I don't care haters anyway. Haters gonna hate.



Later, my nasi ayam came to me like a gold (because the colour of rice is bright yellow). And it tasted good too. Even the hot soup...the taste is awesome. The service is also faster than I thought. Good for me, I can eat first.


Then, the ori Laksa Penang is served on the table, for my mom and dad. The smell, oh, what a smell. It triggers the hungriness. When I sipped it a bit (my mom shared her laksa with me), I said to myself..."It must be good to mixed it with my nasi ayam.." When I did that, I can't believe it. The mixture of kuah laksa Penang and golden nasi ayam is sooooo good.

Sorry Mr. Colonel, there's other food that suitable with your phrase... "finger licking good."





As soon we finished with food fiesta, it is time to moved on. Watching Gunung Baling under the hot weather, the green thingies look mesmerizing and majestic. Well, no matter where I went, I always like to see mountain, sea and the clear blue sky. It makes my day bearable.






@themagi2014

Day 1: Going Penang

One week traveling, starting on Sunday 23 Nov, after so many years keeping myself inside my room and stepping out around my hometown only, my sister bought me a ticket. Two ways flight ticket of Air Asia (as they say- Now Everyone Can Fly!). Since I don't have to pay the ticket price (thanks for the sponsor, sisters!), I packed my bag, dig some money for shopping and as you know...

It's time for flying on air.

However, the flight was delay on Sunday. The boarding time was supposed to be around 6:25 p.m but then it changed to 7:45 p.m. It took my boredom to a higher place. I don't have any desire to take any photos. I was sleepy in waiting.

Then, before 8 p.m, the calling appeared on the screen. Me, my parent and my brother hurriedly inside the queue, check in our boarding pass together with the IC(because we're legal citizen)and we walked along the passageway with few kilos on our shoulder, seeking the tight seat inside the belly of airplane and hoping for a better night.

But, that night was not better...the weather was cloudy and windy, the turbulence was quite dizzy, the airplane was landed with emergency brake and it sounds like a howling dog or something like that. It was scary but thank God, everything was okay.

Around 10:15 p.m, my sister with her husband (they were already there, one week earlier) came to invite us with someone's Alza. It was already late, and the journey was not finished yet. The real destination is at Baling, it took few hours to go there. So, before that...my sister said: "Mai pekena nasi kandaq..."

The delicious-yet-heavy dish in midnight.

Okay, that was my first experience with nasi kandar at Penang. I ate it around 11 p.m at warung...that was really 'a late nite snack'.

Later, we continued the journey and I saw Jambatan Pulau Penang at night for the first time. It is really inspiring and wonderful. But I don't take any photos. As I said before, I was tired. As soon as we reached the village, which is Kampung Pendang at Baling...all I need is pillow and a good night sleep.

The end, for this short entry. To be continued...

@themagi2014