*I’m now writing my recollection of our trip to Malaysia so I can always go back and read them whenever I want. They are going to be long posts, so if you feel like it’s too much, you may skip them.*
Both Db and I had a very enjoyable vacation. The start of our vacation, the day we left Minneapolis, was way too stress. Read here and here for on our hellish experience trying to get transportation to Ipoh. Lesson learnt – never trust those Malay buggers telling us this and that. The best thing to do is, call up my folks and have them mail us bus tickets from this bus company call YOYO. YOYO, you rock!
Once we got to Ipoh, to my parents’ home precisely, we were both so relieved. I’m sure the cab driver was happy to unload us off with all the heavy luggage that barely fit the trunk and also the back seat. I paid RM280 for that taxi ride which includes his tips. Once inside the house it was lunch time. Mom was prepping Kerabu Meehoon. It was so good. DB had two heaping plates, plus we had coffee, pak kor yee mai (gingko with barley) and nyonya cakes. Mhmmm, so yummy. Didn’t take any pictures of these food bcoz of the damn camera konked out on us.
DB took a nap but I didn’t, Mom and I were yakking away and I brough out all the stuff I bought for family and friends. Mom had the first choice of what to pick first! While mom was looking through the loot, I was looking around the house. So much changed – good thing my sis took some pictures of the house for my preview. I sure like the air-conditioning in every room, living room. Make’s it really cool and so relaxing.
When mom and I sorted out what and who gets what, it was time for dinner. Yeah, that’s what vacations are for and coming back to Ipoh and not eat?? Never! We got ready and left for Wooley at Ipoh Garden. It was so like a parking lot. The cars were not moving. Are they giving away free food?? Wooley looks nice, more presentable, unlike the old Wooley that looks so dreary, dark. Dad had to drop us off to look for a table.
Found a table and started ordering food but I told mom not to order too much as I was still a little full from lunch and jet lag too. We had our first dose of char kuey teow and rojak (M’sia style fruit salad), lobak (fried tofu, fishballs, shrimp) and ABC – ais batu kacang with gula melaka. So good.
Once we got home, I hit the sack and the light was out in a heart beat. I wanted to make phone calls to my friends but I was too tired. My eyes needed toothpicks to keep them opened.
The following days in Ipoh were so relaxing. No rush of any sort. Called up Stef, whom I have known since we were 13 years old at Main Convent. She is such a sweetheart, very thoughtful, so caring, loyal, and just a god-send friend. She even comes to my parents’ home to visit them. That’s what I say god-send. She and her hubby, Patrick, together with Stef’s mom brought me along to Cameron Highlands (Nov 24). The last I was at Cameron’s was in the early 90s’ maybe? Or late 80s. I will post some of the pictures up later as they are all stored in DB’s laptop, especially pictures taken in Ipoh. Db brought along his laptop hopefully to be able to connect to someone wireless network, but no luck.
Anyway, Stef took DB and I to see the temples in Ipoh. I being in Ipoh for so many years forgot that there are so many temples that existed in the town, or I should say city now. We went to the Kuan Yin (Goddess of Mercy) temple along Jalan Gopeng; another temple which her MIL goes near Gunung Rapat, I think; Perak Caves which I tried to climb to the top but I didn’t coz it stank so bad and there was water all over the place; Thai temple along Jalan Kuala Kangsar that has the sleeping Buddha, and finally to another Thai temple on Jalan Tambun, the temple that sits opposite SRK Marian Convent and Tambun Inn. The day we went temple visiting was a hot day. Click here to read here rendition of our temple trip. Thank goodness for air-conditioning. Stef also took us to this restaurant where everyone seems to know her. I forgot the name of this restaurant. So, Stef, if you are reading this, please chip in!
DB didn’t come with us to Cameron as he had fallen ill. Must be the
We both spent a fair amount of time at IMAX in Ipoh Garden East. IMAX is an internet cybercafe thingy. I don’t mind that place but it’s just too many school kids cursing and swearing (in Chinese) every second we were there. Even a Mat Salleh was able to figure out what the kids were swearing about. It cost RM2.00 per hour and the computers are in good condition with speedy connection and wide flat screen monitors. Both DB and I were so lost without the internet. We rely so much on the internet that without it, it’s like we lost a limb!
(Will continue later….)
