Singapore Food Blog - McCafe's Hot Choco Banana

Location: Singapore

I was introduced to the concept of a McDonald's operated cafe in Changi International Airport a year ago when I first stepped onto the island republic's famous airport. The naive me back then thought that it was a concept store operating only in the airport to cater for international customers, but I realized later that McCafe was everywhere in Singapore, with one in almost every branch of the fast food restaurant chain.

A cup of Hot Choco Banana is an alternative to caffeine for a rainy evening.

2012 HK Trip - Wong Tai Sin Temple (黃大仙祠) Part 2

Location: Wong Tai Sin (黃大仙), S.A.R. Hong Kong, China

Images of the main altar were what I saw the most as I researched materials on Wong Tai Sin temple, although I had not an inkling of that. The upturned curve of a majestic roof which is familiar with most Buddhist temples of South-East Asia emulated that of the Imperial Palace, and I felt a kinship to this unfamiliar land with a recognizable slice that was parallel to the place where I originated from.

Wong Tai Sin temple is one of the major tourist attraction of Hong Kong, drawing multitudes of people from various walks of life as well as different part of the world to visit, asking for wishes to be granted.

2012 HK Trip - Wong Tai Sin Temple (黃大仙祠) Part 1

Location: Wong Tai Sin (黃大仙), S.A.R. Hong Kong, China

The temple of Wong Tai Sin is synonymous to Hong Kong, much more so than the Big Buddha despite the fame and sheer size of the latter. All Hong Kongers know about the temple, famed for being able to grant any wish that is requested (有求必應), and no trip to Hong Kong should skip it, if only to just experience the crowd it draws.

Traditional Chinese: 黃大仙祠

Simplified Chinese: 黄大仙祠

Cantonese Jyutping: wong⁴ daai⁶ sin¹ ci⁴

Pin Yin: Huáng Dà Xiān Cì

Pronounced as: wong dai sin cee

Standing in front of the main gates to the temple, it was obvious that that was another crowded day despite it being a weekday. The gate itself is a preview of the Chinese temple architecture expected from my visit. This can be referred to the marking #1 in the map at the end of this article.

Jurong Point's Red Hot Deal Chocolate Sales

Are you aware of a Red Hot Deal Chocolate Sales in Jurong Point? No? Then what are you waiting for?Head on now to that shopping mall on the western frontier and indulge yourself in getting as much of those imported branded chocolates at bargain price.

I wasn't aware of it, seeing that there wasn't any announcement anywhere about it, until I passed the shop front, a temporary setup with lots and lots of chocolate on offer. I had selected a large range of different chocolates which I seldom see in the usual outlets, and now I have myself to blame when I get fatter.

The shop is located on the third floor of the mall, located 2 shops away from Lai Lai Kitchen. To get to the shop, just exit from Boon Lay MRT and turn right once you entered Jurong Point. Go all the way to the end where OCBC rests, then travel upward by 2 floors. 

The sales, as I understood from the salesperson there, will run throughout the month of September.With only another week left before the month comes to a closure, it would be best to head over A.S.A.P. to get whatever chocolates are still available for offer. The chocolates there ranges from a little under $10 to $30 per box, with most of them offered in bundles.

Date:           throughout September 2012

Entry fee:    Free

Location:     Level 3, Jurong Point, Jurong West.

2012 HK Trip - Hui Lau Shan (許留山)

Location: Wan Chai (灣仔), S.A.R. Hong Kong

Note: This article is written base on the experience in the outlet located in 163 Hennessy Road. Experience may differ from other outlets in Hong Kong.

Note 2: This article was written prior to the setup of Hui Lau Shan in Malaysia, and may not reflect the same experience.

The first impression I recalled of traveling in Hong Kong's MTR was a large paneled advertisement, showing desserts featured in vivid tangerine yellow, with mango being the highlight here. It mentioned 'Mango Fiesta', with mango cakes, mango puddings and mango whatever portrayed in mouth-watering arrangements, highlighting the slogan, 'Mango, it must be Hui Lau Shan' (芒果，始終許留山). 

Of course, that was back in April and Malaysia had no local branches of Hui Lau Shan yet, so I could be forgiven for not knowing what that was all about. The fact that these ads were seen across everywhere ensured an ad hoc spot of its visit in our plan.

The advertisement of 'Mango Fiesta" by Hui Lau Shan was seen almost everywhere we went in Hong Kong, and the vivid yellow was quite inviting.

Malaysia Food Blog - Tony Roma's @ The Curve - Ribs, Seafood, Steak

Location: Petaling Jaya, Selangor

Despite claiming myself as a food blogger, I am quite stingy with my own budget for dinner with the exception of celebrations, discounted vouchers, or if I had no choice. Waltzing myself into Tony Roma's when I was visiting Kuala Lumpur was due to none of the above reasons (it was just a random pick), and I am still surprised that I did so while I am typing out this article.

According to official sources, Tony Roma's started out in North Miami, USA, back in 1972 with baby back ribs as its specialty. With its success, it started floating out of the continent and Malaysia was graced with a few of its outlet, with all of them concentrated in or near Kuala Lumpur.

Welcome to Tony Roma's, famous for "Ribs, Seafood, Steaks", none of which I had tried in the establishment. I wonder if I am qualified for sharing my experience here, but what the heck... ^_^"

Having said that, any restaurant which displays "Ribs, Seafood, Steaks" directly under its name surely will not be a cheap choice for dinner. And it wasn't. The price tag on Tony Roma's menu should not be shocking to patrons of western restaurants in The Curve. Unfortunately, I was not one of those. Still, the experience is well worth the price as I found out after I was done with my heartache.

MATTA Fair 2012

Are you aware of MATTA (Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents) Fair being one of the most sought after travel exhibitions in Malaysia? If not, it is still not too late to head over to either Putra World Trade Center (PWTC) in Kuala Lumpur or Ipoh Parade of Ipoh from 7^th - 9^th Sep to get a sense of how popular the exhibition is.

Anyone who will miss this has no fear, as the state of Pahang will be the next stop of the fair, with Kuantan Parade hosting the exhibition from 14th - 16th Sep.

Running a 3-day marathon to showcase whatever travel packages or deals travel agents of different popularity could offer, this is where most traveling Malaysians prefer to buy their tour packages from, what with discounts and offers of all sorts to be chosen from. 

But as SaveMoney.my mentioned in its blog, one should plan his budget properly when it comes to matters of seeing the world. Their website outlined some information about the fair as well as tips of purchasing in the exhibition, advises which are sound and solid, and should be heeded.

Date:            7^th Sep (Fri) - 9^th Sep (Sun) 2012

Admission:    10 a.m. - 9 p.m. daily
Entry fee:     Free
Location:       PWTC, Kuala Lumpur; Ipoh Parade, Ipoh, Perak
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Date:            14^th Sep (Fri) - 16^th Sep (Sun) 2012

Admission:    10 a.m. - 9 p.m. daily
Entry fee:     Free
Location:       Kuantan Parade, Kuantan, Pahang

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