Cool Definition

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Do you know that in IT language, the word "chips" refer to computer hardware whereas "salsa" refers to software?

Ahem, I am not showing off here, just want to share this info.

So next time, when you encounter problems with your computer, do not think the computer tech person is pulling your leg if he says to you, "Well first, we have to figure out if the problem is in your chips or in your salsa."

Mango Pudding

The weather lately has been unbelievably hot, especially around sunset. My kiddos have thus lost their appetite and I couldn't bother to prepare proper dinner, just cooked up some fish porridge for mom. Good excuse to lose some weight.

I still have some chokunan mangoes in my fridge, so I decided to make something cooling, ummm... a mango pudding.

It was easy peasy. Dissolve a packet of mango flavour jelly crystal in part water part evaporated milk and bring to boil. I poured in 3/4 can of evaporated milk. Dice the mango and place them on the jelly. Leave it to set in the fridge.

And there you have it, a smooth, milky fragrant dessert to coooool you down.

Taiwanese Soya Milk in Ipoh

While in Ipoh, took a short cut home through these new row of shophouses in Medan Ipoh Bistari, a shop with a big red sign caught my eyes: Yong He Soy Milk 永和豆漿. Wow, bravo!!! At last, a Taiwanese snack house in Ipoh!

永和 is actually the name of a suburb of Taipei famous for its breakfast foods, notably soya milk and there are hundreds of eateries in Taiwan bearing the same name eventhough they are not really affiliated. I am not sure how authentic the food here compared to the streets of Taiwan (haven’t been to Taiwan yet), but the prices were shockingly cheap. The drinks cost RM2+ and the snacks RM2.50 - RM3.50.

They serve their soya milk either hot, warm or cold. You can opt for either sweet or sugar-free. Their signature beverage is The Rice Soya Peanut Milk, a grounded peanut drink, very similar to our blended peanut soup (fah sang wu) but in a more liquid state.

The soya milk and the rice soya peanut milk

The snacks were generally tasty. To enhance the flavour, there are garlic sauce, chilli oil, and their signature spicy sauce as well as other condiments.

The radish cake (RM2.50) pan fried to crispiness, texture so-so.

The egg crepe with fillings (RM3.50). I can't remember what I have ordered. You can choose from either ham, bacon or pork chop.

Sticky rice roll with meat floss (RM2.50). A crunchy and savoury combination.

Twisted bun and egg (RM3.00)

Other patrons seemed to be all tucking into this Salty Soya Milk (RM 2.50). Besides the salted soy milk, there were more ingredients such as fried Chinese fritters (yau char kway), chopped spring onion and a dash of sesame oil. We ordered some meat buns (RM2.00) which mimicked the filling of Xiao Long Bao minus the soup.

Greed, greed! Due to the reasonableness of the price, we over-ordered and were bloated! But, will definitely return. Yong He is at the row of shops behind the MacDonald Drive-thru along Jalan Tasek (near Tesco), same row as Serai Sate Kajang.

Wat, Wat, Wat... What Next? Wat!

Continued ... Cruising along Chao Phraya ...

We got off at Tha Tien Pier, walked through a small open market selling food and souvenirs. As soon as we stepped foot out of the pier, we were ambushed by people trying to pull the most common Bangkok scam on us: Telling us that the Grand Palace was closed and they could take us to some other temples or shopping. Has noboby told them that all tourist books warn of this scam? These crooks were not aggressive though, so we just smiled and continued walking. With temples housing Buddha statutes just feet across the fence, one would wonder how could these crooks lie in front of the God that they worship?

While walking towards the Grand Palace, we saw a sign showing Silpakorn University on the left and we just gave it a peek. At the Grand Palace, the entrance ticket cost us 250B each. If you are Thai, we can just walk pass the barrier without having to pay a Baht.

We were given a booklet about the Grand Palace but I prefer picture with short and simple words. Just to let you lot know: The Grand palace complex was established in 1782 and it houses not only the royal residence and throne halls but also a number of government offices as well as a renowned Temple of the Emerald Buddha - Wat Phra Kaew. By the way, Wat means temple in Thai.

The building in the Grand Palace is divided in two structures. One is the modern building and the other half is the old Thai building structure and I think it is quite unique though.

There was a horde of snap-happy tourists and our hopes of good photos or even looking around in peace were quashed.

The King no longer lives there but you can admire the architecture and watch the changing of the guards.

The temple of the Emerald Buddha Wat Phra Kaew houses a very small emerald statute of Lord Buddha that was originally covered in clay and during a lightning storm the clay gave away and emerald was revealed. The statute has travelled around a bit, most shuttling between Laos and Thailand until the founder of the Chakri Dynasty (Rama I) brought it to Thailand. There is also a replica of Angkor Wat that is built to scale.

Around Wat Phra Kaew, there was 3 other temple buildings that are closed to public. One of them is golden (real gold leaf), built in Sri Lankan style. The other 2 are used for special ceremonies by the King a few times each year. Both these temples have beautiful cravings of the Buddha on them. There are also cravings of serpents with five heads, but the heads are of humans. Such depictions of nagas are very rare.

This is the very first scene when you enter.






This beautiful gold coated building definitely can't be missed.












The Guardian Angel?










Beautiful and breathing-taking architecture.

Strange looking creature.

Workmen around the temples to restore the mural.

The corridors of Wat Phra Kaew are murals with lots of gold leaves on them.

Under the scrorching sun, we haven't the mood to explore more. We were seriously dehydrated and just wanting to leave as soon.

My girl resting her worn out legs under the corridors of the temple.

My son was caught dosing off at the kaki lima. Poor baby.

Streamyx SUCKS!

Argh! The broadband TM Streamyx in my place is down again! Was last connected on Thursday morning, then I went out, returned at 3pm, tried to log on but failed. I have carried out all the troubleshooting, the ADSL light seemed stable, but I could not open any webpage. I called their Customer Care Support Hotline 1300-88-9515.


Making complaint to Streamyx is ALWAYS an EXTREMELY FRUSTRATED process.


The machine on the other end answered and instructed you to press the necessary buttons in order to proceed to the next step. Then, have to hang on to the line listening to the so boring music until a human would speak to you. The pre-music announcement from Streamyx goes like this : "Your call is important to us. Sorry, all our agents are currently engaged. Please hold while we try to connect you."


But, this time round, I have been listening to their music for two whole days and I did not get to speak to any human AT ALL. I then sent a complaint via email, telling them to call me instead.


It took their agent more than 24 hours to call me. Went through the same old troubleshooting procedure and filed a report. Now, have to wait for 2 to 3 working days for them to 'find out' the problem. Note: Not fixing it, merely to find out what went wrong.


This is what Streamyx's agent said to me : "We will lodge a technical report regarding your internet connection issue to our Technical Department for further action. Our personnel will contact you in 2/3 days time regarding this matter."


It really sucks! Paying the monthly broadband fee, and not getting the service, is MOST FRUSTRATING. I have been looking for other Broadband ISP provider. Was attracted to the new P1 Wimax, but my condo tower just happened to be foot away from the coverage. Damn!


Really spoilt my weekend, Wesak Day holiday and Mother's Day!!!

Cruising Along Chao Phraya, Bangkok

A trip to Bangkok wouldn't be complete without cruising along the majestic Chao Phraya, the "river of kings" - the longest river in Thailand stretching hundreds of kilometres. Memories took me back to my geography class during my primary school days where it was known as "Menam River".

The Chao Phraya runs through the city of Bangkok. River taxis, be it express boats, mini cruisers, long-tail boats, freighters, barges, etc provide an important mode of transport along/across the river for both the locals as well as the tourists.

As the most visited Bangkok sights, i.e. Wat Phra Kaew, The Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun are all situated along the Chao Phraya, we decided to take the river express boat to our planned destination.

After breakfast, we took the BTS from Siam, and got off at Saphan Taksin station. There are signs that lead you to the Central Pier. Boats with blue flags are tourist only boats and cost much more coz they come with an English speaking tour guide and stop at every pier. Boats with yellow or orange flags are alright, but might not make stops at each pier. We intended to get off at Tha Tien pier and one with orange flag came along and we jumped on.

The boat was empty when it came coz Central Pier is the first stop. We managed to grab seats at the front part of the boat and got good view while we cruised. After the available seats were full, people stood and hanged on to the grabrails. A Thai woman, with fantastic balancing skills on her tiny feet, armed with a cute metal ticket dispenser, went round selling tickets on board. The ticket cost 13 Baht each irrespective which pier you intend to alight. Even with people almost squashed together, there was someone going around inspecting tickets.

Passed under a bridge.

Splashes of water in front of the boat. At the same time, got cleansed in Chao Phraya?

Five star hotels along the riverbanks, the Sheraton. Millenium, Shangri-la, Mandarin Oriental, Peninsula, etc.




Mandarin Oriental's private boat. Hmm ... next trip must go to their "Author's Lounge" to have English style hi-tea.

Historical monuments and architectural buildings.

Wat Arun - Temple of Dawn

It was refreshing commuting on boats, for a change. Experienced Bangkok from a different , yet very interesting perspective. At the very moment, I just wished the sun would not be that strong. It was absolutely roasting!!!

Beautiful Flowers

I received this bouquet the week before last.

I received this flower basket last week.

Lovely, are't they?

It was actually my daughter 'showcasing' what she has learned from her floral arrangement classes.

Well done, sweetheart.

And, thank you.