boon's log 2009.01: Randoms - Free Gas, Ab's dim sum again, and "amazing" Perak

IL and I were out lunching with our colleagues last week (think it was Tuesday), but the moment we climbed into the car, the "gas indicator light" toggled indicating that we needed gas. But EY suggested that we gas up after we makan. So we met up with the rest of the folks at McD SunShine Square for their lunch promotion.

So, after filing up our stomachs, it was time to fill up the car's "tummy". The nearest option was the Shell down the road. Abandoning the remaining 5 in the car, I went over to the pump. I was about to stick the Bonuslink card into pump register, when I noticed, to my surprise, the LCD screen showing "Lift nozzle and start filling" - I was expecting something like "Insert Bonuslink card or Credit Card". Stunned me for a little bit as I looked around for Candid Camera or You've been Punk'd crews around! I turned to EY who was also shocked. I lifted the pump and shoved it in and started filling (as indicated by the LCD screen). And it was working! At that point of time, being the Asian as I am, I scolded myself for not lifting the V-Power but the normal unleaded instead. But just before that thought left my head, the pump stopped and the digital screen showed 30.00 - it was then I was thankful that I did not lifted that V-Power pump in the first place - ;).

Went back into the car and EY went, "Act normal and let's get out of here!" Haha! The person at the register must have mistakenly keyed in RM30 to that pump and forgotten cancel the transaction. Well, it is not everyday that you can get free gas, right?

So, look at the LCD screen FIRST, the next time you are at the gas station before you stick in your credit card.

Oh, and we (kinda) bumped into Mithz while driving back to work - he was enjoying his sweet juicy papaya at fruit stall by the FTZ guard post.

***

My parents returned from their S. Africa trip on Thursday and were staying over the weekend in Penang. And as usual, it's dim sum for breakie when the grandparents meet grandchild. So, it's Northam Suites for dimsum last weekend. They serve up a pretty nice spread and delicious dim sum. Plus, with a Citibank (or HSBC) credit card, you get a 50% discount off. It was a nice time catching up with my parents on the happenings in Ipoh and also about their trip. Sounded like they really had a good time.


Dim Sum at Northam Suites, Penang


Ab enjoying her egg tart at Northam Suites, Penang

***

By now most of you must have heard about the High Court's ruling that Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin is the legitimate chief minister (menteri besar) or Perak. It is truly refreshing news indeed, especially after what happened in the State Assembly last Thursday - an incident that was reported in many international media/press - imagine, a Malaysian state's assembly making its way into the international media. It is truly "amazing" and somewhat embarassing at the same time.

But the question that still rings in my mind is that we needed to go all the way to the High Court to fully comprehend the Monarch's powers? We need to have a high court judge to clarify what the ruler's real powers are? Did someone also mention that he was Lord President before (1982-1984, according to Wikipedia)? Well, we may never get the answers to these questions, if you know what i mean.

Well, an interesting turn of events indeed. Oh, and SO coincidentally, the Ruler is not in the country, and Mr Nizar will only meet up with the Prince tomorrow. So, looks like there ARE still some signs of democracy in this country and that the judiciary can still be depended on. Let's hope that what happened in the last 3 months will be learnings for our leaders and not to be soon repeated (if not at all). I guess the policital saga in Perak is far from over, but with this ruling, it truly does turn the tables for the National Front.

boon out...

boon's log 1809.02: Randoms - Foodie update, Bohboh in Ipoh, Gifts from Beijing

We were back in Ipoh 2 weekends back. As usual, the ever-spoiling grandparents treated Ab to dimsum, while IL and I just tagged along (haha!). Oh, IL once held the title "DimSum Queen" in the family - the name given by Ed, our relative from Singapore. But I guess the title has been passed down to Ab, our little DimSum Princess...

The grandparents decided against FohSan because of no air-conditioning and tighter spaces. So we ended up eating at Yoke Fook Moon, along the east side of Jalan Leong Sin Nam, Greentown, Ipoh.


Yoke Fook Moon Hong Kong Dim Sum, Greentown, Ipoh

The food quality used to be better compared to our recent visit 2 Saturdays ago. It is not entirely bad, just used to be comparitively better. Yoke Fook Moon - the restaurant itself has been around for quite a long time - as far as I can remember, at least ~20 years, known by different names - I remembered it used to be called Biscuit Seafood Restaurant (but serving dim sum in the morning).


DimSum at Yoke Fook Moon

YFM will be facing her biggest challenge yet - just a few doors west of YFM, down Leong Sin Nam Street. The sparkling new FohSan DimSum will be opening her doors soon to the DimSum aficionados and connoisseurs from Ipoh and all over Malaysia. Yeah, people actually drive all the way from Penang and KL just to get a taste of FohSan's dimsum.


New FohSan, Ipoh

Of course, with the relocation from the pre-war building along Jalan Mustapha Al-Bakri, to the new location, somethings will never be the same again - e.g. the atmosphere. But I am sure that nostalgic feeling will soon fade away and drowned by the hustling and bustling of the dimsum carts and the waitresses' shouting and not forgeting the mother-load of people standing by your table, waiting for you to finish your food quickly... Typically, FohSan... Let's hope that the move will not impact the quality of food.



Ab's Panda Variety Show - gifts from Beijing

Apart from the eating, Ab was also spoiled with gifts from grandpa and grandma's recent trip to Beijing. More panda toys! But as with most kids, there can only be ONE toy that she loves the most, and that is her BohBoh. CL bought it from Adventist Hospital long time ago and both Ab and BohBoh stuck to each other like glue the moment they met! It's funny, we tried buying "replacement BohBohs" -i.e. same looking ones - but she can tell the difference even when she was 1+ yrs old and expressed that she only wants the original (!!!) and not the "replacements". So we got to make sure that we guard BohBoh with our lives and not risk losing it... or else.


Boh-boh

Last weekend, we were invited to the Parkroyal's Seafood Buffet at the Tamarind Brasserie. It was actually our second visit to Parkroyal in less than 7 days, actually - we were there on Sunday to celebrate our cell member, Jo's birthday.


Parkroyal Seafood Buffet

The food at the Tamarind was just mediocre. Nothing to shout about, really. Apart from the fact that they serve you a whole fish cooked to your liking (Oh you get to choose your own fish from the counter, as well), and slightly bigger sized prawns and lobsters, the rest of the food was just so-so. The spread was rather disappointing while the frequency of replenishing the spread was almost unbearable. Not forgeting some of the waiters were also somewhat ill-mannered. Oh and it is open air with no air-conditioned room/lounge option, unline the competition down the road.

I was told that the price per/pax is ~110 ringgits. Honestly, I would not pay that amount for that quality. I would rather pay a little bit more and head on over to Rasa Sayang's Spice Garden International Buffet on Sundays, and if you are a Citibank credit card holder, you'll even get a 20% discount (They have the air-con option :)).


FengShui at ParkRoyal?

No doubt the refurbished Parkroyal looks good, but I guess they needed a good reno pretty badly also. A whole lot of wood-bamboo-zen-feel in the interior, which is very typical these days, expecially if you are a beach resort. Anyways, nicely done.


Parkroyal Penang Lobby / Coffee Lounge

All in all, it was okay. Will most probably not go back there again, or recommend it to anyone. Seriously for that price, I have many other (better) options to chose from.

boon out...