Snapshots

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2009-01-10T15:15:00.001+08:00

Please visit http://malaysiansnapshots2.blogspot.com or click here, for new posts

S60 Handphone - Understanding its limitation and advantages

2008-12-25T15:15:00.022+08:00

Nokia N82 use S60, (Symbian 60) soft ware, which is a open software. It seem that this software has a lot of users, Major Handphone company use this software, Nokia, LG, Samsung etc as oppose the traditional computer company's use Window Mobile to power their PDA/Handphones/ Smart Phones. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . As a open software, it is also supported by alot of independent, these people, company, produce themes / skins , various applications, games, that can be use by all these handphone or devices, THE NOKIA N82 which i intend to get is one of such hand phone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . These applications, games, themes, are available to be downloaded either Free, or as Shareware where by you pay a bit, or as full fledged software where you have to pay a fair bit, to use it. and is available from many websites or blogs. (See my earlier post on downloading games and themes) . .. . . . . . . . . ................. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . Browsing through the web, this Christmas day, i found this web, http://www.s60.com which is all about symbian 60 software, they even have what they call S60 Ambassadors, People which promote S60, in return of getting the latest updates, information, software, on the S60, which they write about and weekly/monthly there are prizes (games, even use of handphones, s60 of course) for being the best story teller or promoter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . Well, "this look interesting" i said to my self, I will have to join up, as i believe in this, If you are spending your own hard earn money, on a product, use it to the fullest, to get the maximum for your money worth. Many Devices out there especially electronic gadget are being underutilised i believe. The Site to join is

http://www.ambassadors.s60.com/

I will do so as soon as i get my hand on the Nokia N82, to keep in touch with what new out there as compared with my Sony K750i after the initial downloads, i did not do any thing at all. .. . . . . . .. . . . . . . . I am thinking can i read my E - Books, on the Nokia N82, it seem i can, it can open txt, words, and also PDF files, I do have those e books, but the majority of my e books are in LIT format or shall i say Microsoft Reader format. Checking the web, unfortunately there is no support for this format, but there are a few person asking for it already. . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Well, Getting a S60 handphone is easy, just go and buy, utelising it fully will be a task, you have to be computer savvy to handle it to download applications, and istalling them. You also have to be web savvy, to find out place where to get the applications and so on. . . . . I will take me time i believe to get to know this handphone / device well, as to use it to the fullest capability. GPS will be a new thing. There will be others ................................................................ Well, Happy holidays every one, I will not be around for a few days ;-)

Anticipating the arrival of the N82

2008-12-25T08:49:00.006+08:00

I am waiting for the Nokia N82 to arrive, which due to my Finance and the Holiday period will be some time on the 29th of Dec 2008, In anticipation I have been browsing the web, . .

to get to know the Handset Better
to see what Free Games is available and to download a few to try it out
to see and download the Free skins or theme available and that is interesting
GPS applications , various Maps
What free and possible useful application are out there to down load

. Here are some of the web sites that were useful in my research. . . Theme Websites .

http://www4.ownskin.com/index?&r=1

http://forum2.mobile-review.com/showthread.php?p=739008

http://gallery.mobile9.com/c/nokia-n82-themes_1592/

http://www.onsmartphone.com/themes-for-nokia-n82/

http://www.symbianthemes.us/nokia_n82/p,29.html

http://axthemes.extra.hu/new.html

. . . I downloaded a bunch of theme which i would like to try out. More on those later once i have installed and started using them. . . Games Websites . .

http://www5.ownskin.com/games

http://www.freesymbiansoft.com

I also got a bunch of games, more on those later after i get the handset, install them and play around with the games a bit. . . . Other Web sites / Blogs . .

www.symbian-freeware.com

quite a bit of software here, themes, application, games, just that you have to register and login, this is one site where you will find almost everything you may required and down load direct. quite a bit of those application i read about is available here.

http://www.then82blog.com

a very informative blog on N82, and on the S60 devices in general, Tip on how to use your device , links to themes, applications, games it all here. etc its all here.

http://www.n82blog.com

also a very informative blog. in general almost the same as the above

Changing My Phone Carrier! From Maxis to Digi

2008-12-24T17:14:00.021+08:00

I had use Digi Prepaid for may years (5 years or more ), then i change to Digi Post paid due to my increase bills, and the offer they made, New Hand Phone Free in return for a 2 year contract, 15 cent a min per call anywhere in malaysia, monthly fees of RM30. When after the contract finish, I move to a new job in the outskirts of Penang,. . . Bad / No Signal when i am in the building, When I want to make call, I have to move to certain areas to get signal. And the best is, I am the only guy using Digi in my Work Place. ;-) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . So I change to Maxis for better coverage, 2 year contract with a rebate, of RM20 per month for a Year, and another RM10 a month for another year, With Month Charges at RM30 and RM0.30 per min, initially the Sales man said it was RM0.15, but after is sign up it was RM0.30, i said never mind lah, what i wanted was the coverage. I also got my wife a supplementary line at RM10 per month. . . . . . . . . . . . Coverage was better, but there are still spots where i cannot get any coverage at all. Now it is after 2 years, and with the number potibility thingi comming in, i am thinking of changing back to Digi, Coverage have improve, though most staff here still use Maxis or Celcom, Some are thinking of going U Mobile, for the free calls. . . . . The Post Paid Easy Plan, The lowest, It now RM20 per month, and RM0.20 per min, No rebate, No Free Phone etc but seem to have a bonus if you spend a certain amount you will get a rebate, So I am thinking of setting it up together with my new phone, new carrier! Lower Monthly Charges, and even Lower Call Charges. Why not, I should be able to save say about RM20 a month or thereabouts. . . . . Have ask the Local Phone Shop guy to set it up! .. . . .. . and i am having problem controlling this blog!!!!!

Nokia N82 Website

2008-12-24T09:55:00.002+08:00

There seems to be a good number of specific N82 website and Blog out there, very informative and helpful.. . . . . http://n82-download.blogspot.com/. . . . http://nds1.nokia.com/tutorials/support/global/phones/n82/english/index.html.. . . . . http://www.n82blog.com/. . . . . http://www.then82blog.com/. . . . . Nokia N82 seems to come in 3 colour, Black, Titanium and White, I am eyeing the Black, Look like my finance is working out. target date, 30 Dec 2008 ;-).

Time for a New Phone! I hope a S60 Smart Phone

2008-12-23T08:20:00.002+08:00

The Price of this new model smart phones are way out of my reach, however reach i may want them, so i started listing down what i want, A Smart Phone that have wifi and able to open words, excel and power point. Why Wifi, its because it is now so common, even at the Kedai Mamak, the Humble Coffee Shop, Restaurants, Hotel you have Free Wifi, and the Dap State Govt of Penang want to blanket Penang with Free Wifi ;-). Any other feature will be a added benefits.

Sony P1, Initial the P1 look attractive, as a colleague use one, i manage to lay my greasy hands on it and play around, did some research, and hey it look nice, touch screen, open and edit words excel, 3.15 camera with zoom, Qwerty input, why not i said, Cost around RM1400, which is the same with new model G900 said the salesman, then i heard that the op system is being stop, Is this true?

S60 device, Friends introduce the S60 range of Smart Phones, they say lots of software out there, to customize your phone, and lots of New Model Handphone use them, not like the sony op system, Nokia, Samsung etc use S60.

Nokia N82, After a bit of net research, I opted for a Nokia N82, its "boaring" candy bar look good to me, I am a bit of a conservetive person, dont like flip / slide etc as i am also a butter fingers, and Being a gadget freek, i think i will love the GPS, TV out capebility, 5 MP camera. Xanon flash, Cost = RM1280 (for a new AP set) but getting in the assecories like, car holder, car charger, case and Gamin map will cost me more. Not Cheep, but when compared to the P1, giving up the "not so functional" qwerty key board and the touch screen, for the extra goodies . Its not a new model, that why its cheep! and its a proven model, that being conservative again.

I did think to get a 2nd hand set, but when comparing the phone only price of around RM900, then getting in the original accessories, plus what i want it will come up to the same as a new one, so no point. Time to start putting the money to one side, as long as there are no emergencies, i am thinking early Jan 2009

Now i am already wondering what free software is out there that i should put in. Calling N82 / S60 handphone users out there, any suggestion and where to find this free software?

Bagan Ajam Beach

2008-11-23T11:56:00.002+08:00

After finishing work this fine Sat, (6am till 3pm) i decided to take my 3 kids out for a drive, My intention is to scout for a location with good view of Penang Island, so i can take some night photos.

View of Komtar from Bagan Ajam.

I found it, and i also found a decent beach not to far from Butterwort at Bagan Ajam along the BORR highway at the BORR Bagan Ajam Rest Stop. Click here

Beach, Nice Sandy, just like what you will get in Penang Island, only with view of Komtar

Close Up View of the Ships

"The 4 fingers" at Tanjung Bungah on the Island, A Controversial condo Project

the Beach, with view of the Port at the Back

A Speeding Sampan

If some one put their heads to it, this area can be the Esplanade, Gurney Drive and Queensbay of Butterworth,

Birthday @ Corner Club

2008-11-23T10:01:00.004+08:00

Happy Birthday Mom!

It was mom birthday, and we started looking for a wheel chair friendly restaurant to take her to. Having that in mind, I suggested Corner Club, as it was pretty wheelchair friendly and the food is good.

As it was quite some time we have been here last, I was surprise to see the ramps at the restaurant entrance have vanished. Still it is easy for my mon to step out of the car, and manage that one step up in to the restaurant.

That when we notice that the restaurant have undergone some extensive renovation, it bigger, brighter, neater, and that i begin to get worried on the food quality.

To cut the story short, the food quality remains, it's still as good as before, even with the new management, the renovation, all the usual menu items remain, and now you can even get tim sum at night here.

They dont bring the tim sum in carts any more, you order from a photo menu, and they steam them fresh and bring it out. I like that, many time i have to eat soggy tim sum due to oversteaming in the carts.

Price wise it remain the same. Any way we enjoy our lunch here! and will be back for more

Water Tap Display

2008-11-23T09:23:00.003+08:00

Normally when you enter a shopping center wash room you will find that all the taps are similar, well not this shopping center wash room, it also serve as a tap display showcase! Every single tap inside this place is different!

What is Street Food to a Penangite?

2007-03-21T14:19:00.000+08:00

What is Street Food to a Penangite?

Well to me, it must be affordable, and without airs. With “New” Hawkers having entered Penang Street Food scene bring along with them exotic and jazz up cuisines from Hotels, (Well most of these hawkers were formally cooks working in the hotels) it is a pleasure to have the New World Park Food Court offering True Street Food.

Not only are the food good and affordable and down-to-earth, you get to enjoy the food in a clean environment. (Well not as clean as a hotel but much much cleaner then the usual coffeeshop) The cleanliness, the good food, affordable pricing, and not having to line up to purchase food coupons, will ensure that Penangite, Local and Foreign Tourist will come in doves of Tours Bus to enjoy the food here. In fact on a Tuesday the Food Court is near full, but still with tables and chairs available.You may not get every verity of Penang Street Food here, what you get is a pretty good representation, with most favorite’s items (to a penangite) available.

What surprising with this Food Court is the car park security guard are duty conscious gives good direction, and are extremely helpful with the car parking. The Car Park it self is well laid out. The Food Court is also wheel chair friendly, with out any steps. Tables and Chairs are normal coffeeshop like tables, not those like those you find fast food joints, with the table and chairs fix to the floor.

Origin of Hawkers at New World Park Food Court?

Just a couple of Months Back in 2006, Majority of New World Park Food Court Hawkers, were Actual Street Food Hawkers at Swatow Lane operating from carts, Next to a Coffeeshop and were there from years back, This Food Street is well know to true blue penangnites as well as foodies was a bit hidden from the main road. With the Redevelopement of New World Park, those hawkers along the road side were place in this Enormous Food Court (140+ tables) right next to where they were and were given a big boost in publicity. Those Hawkers that were operating from inside the Coffee Shop remain where they were.

This changes results in you having to make a decision, Eat at the Original Coffee Shop, or Eat at the New Food Court. It all depends on what you want to eat, and how you want to eat it, or what time you want to eat it…..

Pro for the Food Court Security Guard / Car Park Attended, Wheel Chair Friendly, More Verity with 26 stalls, Big Car Park (for now), Airy & Breezy, Widely space tables, Clean Place, Clean Toilet, Open from 10am to 10pm.

Pro for the Coffee Shop Air Con Section – (Hidden at the back),

Majestic Rojak Stall,

Original Ice Kacang with durian ice cream

What Good Where? It all depends on your taste buds! What you like? The saving grace is in Penang, 80% of the Food can be rated Good to Excellent. Either Place should satisfy you. But in case some one was raving about a particular dish at Swatow lane, and when you try it out, it’s just ok, try the other location…

One of the Example are the Majestic Rojak at the Original Coffee Shop, While being a quite resent addition, (less then 10 years if I am not mistaken) This must be one of the best Rojak in Penang. A Humble serving of this, topped (NOT MIXED) with it’s secret recipe of Prawn Extract, Chilies, Peanuts and who know what, will cost you almost double then a Plate of Chicken Rice. Not exactly affordable, but it’s worth it, especially those from out of town. While the Secret Sauce is available for you to purchase to take home, it just not the same having it right at the coffee shop. Some thing is just missing.

Rojak: Usually A mix of rough cut Fruit Salad (Crunchy & Raw), usually of Mangoes, Cucumber, Turnips, Pineapple, plus other fruits, with some cripes, slices of brown squid, usually mixed with Prawns Paste, Sweet Sauce, with lashing of Chilies Powder, Powdered Belachan (Dried Prawn Extract), Sesame Seed, Pounded Peanuts. Exact ingredients will differ stall to stall. Cost Per portion, anywhere between RM 3/- to RM6/-.

New World Park, Food Court.

Location : Beside Swatow Lane, Burma Road, Getting There : Burma Road from Komtar, Drive Past Prime Plaza (To be Tune Hotel, Penang in the Future) and turn left in to the New World Car Park, To get to the coffee Shop, turn left after the pedestrian traffic light at a row of shop house into Swatow Lane, Original Coffee Shop is on the left.

Operation Hours : 10am to 10pm daily,

Location Map at this Link http://malaysiansnapshots.blogspot.com/2007/03/swatow-lane-new-world-park-food-court.html

Penang Char Koey Teow

2007-03-22T17:27:00.000+08:00

Penang Char Koey Teow

A Penangite favorite, Char Koey Teow is available from the humble street hawker to the 5 Star Hotels in Penang, and it have been exported all over the world. This is one of the key dishes that identify Penang Street Food and you will find it in almost every coffeeshop.

What Char Koey Teow? Basically it Rice flat noodles fried with Chillie Paste, Soya Sauce with cockles, prawns, beansprouts, and ku chai, with or without an Egg in it. Various Stalls will have their own individual ingredients, and presentation. It is fried over a Charcoal fire, Wooden Fire or Gas Fire.

For more details,

www.waisikkai.com (written by a penangite residing in KL) have a pretty good details on this dish, and where to find it in the Klang Valley, further this site clarifies on the what makes a good Char Koey Teow, such as banana leaf lining for the plate, pork fat crotons……

One of my regular spots for Char Koey Teow, is in Tanjong Bungah at pretty affordable pricing operates at Jalan Sungai Kelian in the afternoon’s, this stall is convenient for those staying at the Penang Beach Hotel Belt.

Jalan Sungai Kelian, Street Hawker. Rating 90%

What Special Here?

Fried over Charcoal Fire Alfresco Sitting

Park Halfway down Jalan Sungai Kelian, in a Hawker Cart, that offer Char Koey Teow and Koey Teow Th’ng. This cart have been operating from this spot for the past 15 years +, and offer a special home delivery to the Hillside / Concord area. Just call the Handphone number provided, will get you the Char Koey Teow delivered at no extra charge. Much Better then other Fast Food that Delivers.

Next to this stall is a Coffeeshop, recently open, for those who wish to eat their Char Koey Teow in Fan Comfort, My self, I enjoy it alfresco at the tables and chairs provided enjoying the breeze and shaded by the surrounding trees. Per Portion starts from RM3.00.

It’s version of Char Koey Teow, is fried over Charcoal fire, and includes Pork Fat Crotons, Slice Red Chinese Sausage, which I rate in the top 90%.

Location: Jalan Sungai Kelian, On the way to Tanjong Bungah From Town, Turn left immediately at the Tanjong Club at the traffic lights, Turn Left, Turn Right, Straight down Jalan Sungai Kelian. It’s on your left. On the way to George Town, Turn right after Tanjung Club, follow the same instructions Note: Late Lunch / Tea Time only, Wed or Thu (Not too sure).

Sony Ericsson K750i Frist Impression

2007-03-25T07:56:00.002+08:00

Sony Ericsson K750i First Impression

The Sony Ericsson K750i has arrive, delivered by the friendly neighborhood handphone dealer, who waited long enough for me to transfer my sim card over for my old nokia. Having been use to Nokia for years (5 Nokia handphone including, N2100 & N3120) , the K750i interface feel funny. But having formerly use a Motorola, and a Siemen, I am sure I will be able to puzzle it out soon. As it is an “Old” Model, I believe that most of it major bug should have been work out, and being a “Smart” phone, there is a large number of software, games, application, groups on the web.

First Impression, A dull Black , slightly wider then the N3120 but it feel a lot wider, and have about the same thickness and height, weight seem to be about the same. Screen is larger. When inserting the chip in, there was a short set up wizard guide to set up the phone. The Phone came with a 64KB memory card, Charger, Manuals, CD, Ear phone, USB transfer cable. I will have quite a bit of homework to do trying to figure how the phone works tonite, especially on the camera.

Food Map, Tanjung Bungah, Penang

2007-03-25T11:49:00.000+08:00

Food Map of Tanjung Bungah

For the convenience of those not familiar of Tanjung Bungah, I have created a Food Map of the area. Those comming to Penang, especially those staying at the Batu Ferringi, Tg Bungah, Tg Tokong Hotel Belt can now savour what locals savour without travelling a distance. Have Fun enjoying the food.

Click on the Picture for a larger Map

K750i Macro Mode

2007-03-27T07:46:00.000+08:00

K750i Macro Mode

The camera in the K750i in the macro mode is quite good. See attach Picture. This photo was taken at night, with the aid of a Florescent Light, with the camera not more then 3in away from the watch. The camera was set on fine at 2Mp size. This watch fill the entire frame, and the focus is very sharp, in my opinion in consideration of the distance it was taken. Bad point is that the photo seems to be a bit grainy when view on the computer.

This is one of the K750i strong points and make this a well worth purchase. The watch in the picture is a BREITING 1884 Navitimer WATCH, Digital Analog Model, which I purchase off

www.lelong.com

, Malaysia answer to E-Bay. I must say that this handsome watch is another well worth purchase, especially after a malfunction digital analog casio from a “friendly white ghost” and an “OK” Lady Polo watch for my wife.

Purchasing Items through the net carries it own risk especially with the many items available, Buying from reputable sellers is an answer, but some time one have to take risk. However it is the only way to obtain bargains. It will be interesting to obtain bargains for a Bluetooth Headset, a 2G Memory card for the K750i.

Snapshots with the K750i

2007-03-28T09:14:00.000+08:00

Snapshots with the K750i As i will be using the camera phone K750i, for Snap Photos for this Blog, I decided to take photos without adjusting the camera settings, or by using the flash to see the camera capability. This the results

Close Up shot, in a building, with Natural Lighting, camera about 3 ft away, RESULT: Clear and In Focus Photo.

Outdoor Shot, in Bright Sunlight, RESULT: In Focus, Clear

Night Shot 1, RESULT: In Focus, Quite Sharp, Grainy

Night Shot 2, RESULT, In Focus, Grainy, Lights, over expose

Shot "IN TO THE SUN" It was a Hazy day, RESULT: Not too good, Under Expose, no details

Shot taken from Moving Car, RESULT, In Focus

Jalan Sungai Kelian, Char Koey Teow

2007-03-29T08:30:00.000+08:00

Jalan Sungai Kelian, Char Koey Teow. Photo of Char Koey Teow. Enjoy Refer to Blog posting http://malaysiansnapshots.blogspot.com/2007/03/penang-char-koey-teow.html and for location http://malaysiansnapshots.blogspot.com/2007/03/food-map-tanjung-bungah-penang.html

K750i Zoom Mode

2007-03-29T08:30:00.001+08:00

K750i Zoom Mode Today I tried out the K750i, Zoom Mode. For your information, the camera zoom do not work when set at the maximum setting of 1632 x 1224. It give a maximum of 2.5 zoom when set to the middle setting of 640 x 480 and the maximum of 4 zoom at the lowest setting of 160 x 120.

Photo at setting 1632 X 1224, No Zoom

Photo at setting 640 X 480, Zoom x 2.5

Photo at setting 160 x 120, Zoom x 4

Comments: When view on the computer (not on the blog), At the 640 X 480 setting, there is a noticeable difference in the size of the building, though the sharpness is loss, as it is digital zoom. However the 160 x 120 setting photo, the building look the same size, however the sharpness is about the same. On the Blog, with auto reduce size photo, there is a difference.

Verdict: Zoom Photo is hopeless, as you cannot zoom at maximum setting, and not much difference in the zoom in my opinion in a small picture, however I will not be using this function (much) as I am going for snaps, or candid shot, where I will not have time to set the camera. Having a worth while zoom would be nice for those shot where I have plenty of time.

Next will try out the “Light”, & the Night Mode, & the manual adjustment for Night Photography.

Tanjung Bungah Mee Mamak

2007-03-29T12:09:00.000+08:00

Tanjung Bungah Mee Mamak

Mee Mamak, Goreng or Rebus, is basically Indian Style Noodles, Fried or Boil and serve with a sauce. This dish I believe was created in Malaysia. And is serve with cucur, yellow bean curd, boil potato, and in some case dice mutton or brown cutter fish is added (Expect to pay more.

Photo of the Fried Mee Mamak serve with Kuah (Gravy) added

Location Tanjung Bungah Village. Corner Coffee Shop (No Name) Lunch time only. From RM3.00 per service Dark Blue Dot on the Food Map of Tanjung Bungah The Mee Mamak serve here in my opinion is good, and is of the common verity. You can smell the aroma when you walk into the shop.

Photo of the Shop, Corner Unit without name!

Photo of the Stall

Pulau Tikus Market “Wai Sik Kai” type Food Court

2007-03-29T12:09:00.001+08:00

Pulau Tikus Market “Wai Sik Kai” type Food Court

Wai Sik Kai is Chinese for Food Street, at Pulau Tikus, Penang at the Pulau Tikus Market there is a Food Street of various old style Street Food. It operates only at night from 6pm onwards to around 11 or thereabouts, and offers a wide verity of street food from carts. It was transferred, to this location around 15 years back. In general all the food here is in the OK category.

Why do I call it Wai Sik Kai type of Food Court. It is basically located on a tar road, and the adjacent pavement, with various food carts including Coffee Stalls and various food. It offer alfresco seating, with mainly old style aluminum tables and chairs with some canopy’s and umbrellas for shelter when it rains.

Photo Taken: Early Evening, around 6.30pm

Location: From George Town, along Burma road after passing the Pulau Tikus, Turn Left at the traffic light, and turn left at the next junction. Map Below

Location Map, Click on Map for bigger Image

What good here: Most of the Food here is good. As at 2007, what excellent here are the Koey Teow Th’ng, and Char Koey Teow, which are operated in different stalls. The Koey Teow Th’ng, is basically Flat Rice Noodles, serve in a soup, with various garnish added. What special here is the taste of the soup, and its garnish of boil duck meat, pork spare parts (the intestine, the blood pudding, the heart), pork fat crutons and special fish ball which is “crunchy.” This stall is considered on of the top Koey Teow Th’ng in Penang by Rasa Rasa Penang Food Book, and make sure you find the right stall, There are many competitors around, Look for the Rasa Rasa Penang, sign which is place at this stall. Price from RM2.50 per bowl

Koey Teow Th'ng

Penang Style Curry Mee / KL Curry Laksa

The Char Koey Teow Feller is from a family of Char Koey Teow Sellers from way back 25+ years. Our Family use to patronize this stall from way back then. What special here is squid is added in the dish. Expect a long wait, min 20 mins, From RM3.00 per bowl

Char Koey Teow Stall

Koey Teow Th'ng Stall

Other notable items at the area: Satay, Lok Lok The Satay is special because it is produce by a Chinese man and offers Pork Satay, and Pork Intestine Satay among others. When ordering Chicken Satay you will get the usual sauce. When ordering Pork Satay you will get a special satay sauce which is Chinese base, less spice, but taste about the same but starch.

Pork Intestine Satay & Chicken Satay with the Usual gravy.

Lok Lok, is basically steamboat, except that the food is on skewers, there is a pot in the center of the table (there are specific tables for this), you cook the raw food by plunging the skewers in to the hot water in the pot, and dipping it into your own sauce. Note: of late there seem to be lesser and lesser hawkers offering this dish try it while you can.

Swatow Lane, New World Park, Food Court Location Map

2007-03-31T08:08:00.000+08:00

For those not familiar with the New World Park Location, Here is a mini map to make thing easier for you.

There is a earlier post on New World Park, Click on Lable "New World Park" to see that posting

Click on the Map for a bigger Image

Ching Ming, The Chinese All Souls Day

2007-04-01T08:07:00.000+08:00

Ching Ming, The Chinese All Souls Day The Time of the year to visit our ancestors grave, at least for the chinese is here again. As in the Chinese custom, we have around 20 days to do so, as such those who wish to beat the rush have begin visiting their ancestors graves at various location in and around Malaysia. Unfortunately for my self, due to work (i need to work during weekends) and my daughter schooling we cannot go early but on the actual weekend it self, next sunday which is the only time i can take leave.

The Chinese believe that if our ancestors grave are well kept, the living descendants will prosper, as such it begin customary during this time of the year to offer prayers, and to spring clean our ancestors grave. Photo taken here are from the a Village Grave Yard, in the State Of Penang. Such scenes are not common, and are not witness by the City folks who have started to use crematoriums due to the lack of place.

Further it is also customary for the Entire Family, from Grand Parents to the Grand Children to visit, to burn offerings from Paper money, Paper Cars, Paper Servants, Paper Credit Cars, Paper Hand phone and many more, as such you will notice smoke in most of the pictures.

Its also a custom to go early at first light to avoid the Malaysian hot weather, especially at grave sites which presents a challenge to any camera, as it is a low light condition, with out any adjustment in settings, to add to the challenge i decided to take the photo from my car, while driving by. So please excuse the quality of the photo's you see here. It is meant as a test for "Snapshots" Photos in Low Light / High contrast situations.

Ching Ming, The Chinese All Souls Day, Part 2

2007-04-01T15:25:00.000+08:00

More Photo's from Ching Ming at the Village Grave Yard. These Photo's was taken on my way to work on Sunday 1st of April 2007. Due to the Traffic Jam, I have plenty of opportunities to snap away with my K750i.

Ching Ming Traffic Jam

2007-04-01T15:44:00.000+08:00

Ching Ming, The Chinese all souls day usually cause a traffic jams near grave yards and crematoriums, This year due to my new place of work, the 6 km from my house to my workplace have 3 grave yards on the side of the road. What took daily a 10 min drive, today took me more then 1 hour. As usual Malaysia Drivers, will "break" all rules just to be "Faster" or is it just "Kiasu" or just to avoid walking that one feet further. Here are some of the photos taken of the antics of the drivers.

K750i performace in Function Conditions

2007-04-02T12:33:00.003+08:00

Testing out the K750i in a Dinner Function Environment, with out any adjustment in the settings. Results are fairly good with a little grainyness in the photo. There are a little shakyness due to camera shake and people movement. But Fairly Decent photos, Wont win any prizes though for the photoes

Overall Verdict : Decent Camera, Poor photo is due to position, camera shake, etc. One Have to hold the camera phone as a camera, securely and properly and if using a housing be carefull when pressing the camera release. Lighting is improtant. Make do with what one can and I will have to get a flash for those low light contition to improve photo quality

Chye Koey at Sungai Bakap

2007-04-06T16:48:00.000+08:00

What is Chye Koey?

Chey Koey is basically cook jullian turnips encase in rice dough which is similar to those use in Har Kau a type of shrimp tim sum, another variation is with Ku Chai, a type of green vege similar to spring onions.

In a small town of Sungai Bakap (a 2 street town) on Penang Mainland (Seberang Prai Selatan), there are two restaurants where this simple dish is serve. So well know is this dish here that patrons from Bukit Mertajam and Butterworth (a distance of 50km one way) will travel here to have this dish for breakfast.

Well due to this recommendation, I have to give this dish a try. As inform there are two restaurant. On Wednesday one of them was close as such which restaurant i am to try was already chosen for me.

On the Northern end of the Old Town, along the Main road, (Note : if you see the hospital, reverse to the other end of the town. is the area where the Chye Koey is Located. The Restaurant is Named : Soon Lee Hou. Picture provided, and can be easily identified by the extra tables put out. The other Restaurant is located opposite this one and seen not to have a name.

As it was a wednesday morning, it was quite and my family was quickly attended to on our arrival. Our Tea order was taken, and we were ask if we wanted to order any soup, fish, noodles or not. Mind you this is a 8am in the morning. Looking around we realise that most of the table have indeed order this items along with some tim sum.

I ordered a Hokkian Char, the Penang version, not the KL version and ask them to bring out the Tim Sum, and the chye koey. What came out were not what you will get in big city restaurant. The tim sum here is not dainty pieces. What you get however are tasty pieces of food and limited to only a few dishes.

First off there is the stuff crab, we took 2 plates as my eldest daughter love it.

The there were the Chye Koey, we ended with 4 plates, 2 plates the Ku Chye type of chye koey, 2 plates of siew mai, and 2 plates of fried tim sum.

and one plate of Hokkian Char,

Interior shot of the Restaurant, the cooks were busy preparing more chye koey.

The Food is fresh and tasty. Total bill came up to RM27 for the 3 of us + one baby. The Chye Koey, well It is nice, especially the "Ku Chye" Chye Koey, which to me was excellent and aromatic. My wife prefer the standard chye koey, But I find it too mushy (soft).

Would i want to travel 50km one way for this only? Well no.

Would i want to drop in if i am travelling this way? Yes I would.

Who come here for Breakfast? Well i was inform that businessman from Bukit Mertajam, Butterworth, Local, and Golfers (Playing at Krystal Golf, and Bukit Jawi Golf Resort) will have their breakfast here.

In addition I notice one thing here at Sungai Bakap, of the 10 chinese base restaurant / coffeeshop in the area, 5 were selling roast duck at 8am in the morning. I am sure that there is a story behind that as well.