15 March 2009 - The second hunt of the year. Angie finally managed to get Chuah to join and we just pay RM100 per car for using a Honda car. For those using non-Honda cars, the fee is RM150 per car. The fourth member is WK.
The COC - Michael Pang. Our first hunt with Michael Pang was the Earthquake Relief in 1/1/2006 (if memory is correct). After the hunt, we vouch never to go for another of Mike's hunt. Of course later, teaming up with Fong, we went for TB hunt. After that, we did not go another of Mike's hunt. Both killer hunt, as far we are concerned.
This hunt was no exception. Answered 10/35 route questions, 1/5 treasures and the 5/5 giveaway Honda Prestige bonus questions.
But I like this hunt for some reason. I like the way the questions are crafted with the definition given. We were able to crack some of the crytic clues, but observation to find the answers failed us. To me, the most horrible was the treasures. Crafted in only 1 sentence, it was a killer to us.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Makan trip to Penang
8 March 2009 - Thought I go back to Ipoh this weekend, as I may not be able to go probably until April. As my sister is unable to go back, I drive back alone after work on Saturday (as usual). Anticipate a weekend of lazing at home or may be a day of mahjong.
But my aunts and cousins already planned a one-day trip to Penang on Sunday. My eldest cousin said this would be a makan trip to Penang. And yes, what a day of makan.
First stop, Sg. Bakap. We left Ipoh about 9.45am and reach Sg. Bakap at about 11am. We exited at Jawi Interchange and continue slightly north to Sg. Bakap for breakfast. Breakfast is like a bit of dim sum, which a slightly different bak kut teh, fried noodle, and 'chai kueh' - which is supposedly their signature dish. The shop is in front of the main road, but tables are placed on the walkway and the frontal road. Food is OK, but we were accompanied by lots of flies.
Then off to Bukit Mertajam to visit a relative and then to Saint Anne's Church. After we took the bridge and reach the island for lunch. I do not the name of the area, but been here with my hunters gang. Lunch consists of fried kueh teow (with salted duck egg), apom, chee cheong fun (with har-kou - not for me), lor-bak, prawn mee, laksa for some and popiah. After a full lunch, its off to Air Itam for the fame tau-sar-piah. From there, a few steps down for the Air Itam Laksa. Written on the card board and pasted on the wall, is Air Itam Laksa - RM2.70 a bowl. Was told this is also known as Toilet Paper Laksa. It appear to unhygienic to ask why Toilet Paper then. Well, I think the laksa is over-rated. I have tasted much better one else where.
After that a debate was on, (well, how could we not have a debate within the Tan family). At the end, a trip to the Batu Ferringi beach won over whether we should leave the island then to make a stop at Taiping. From the beach, we passed through Gurney Drive to access to the Ferry Terminal. A crazy strecht of road, where the traffic was at a horrible jam. Thanks mainly to people driving slowly to find a parking spot, or waiting for a car to reverse and leave.
Dinner was at Bukit Tambun. We reached there about 8pm, but still a lot of people still there. I suggest going to another restaurant (the last one along the strecht of road) in favour of the one we usually goes (the second last one), because this second last one was already very full. If we ate here, it will probably took us 2 hours. A good decision though, as the other restaurant served faster and the food is better than OK. What's for dinner - fish - ikan hantu, fried sotong, lala, vege, prawns.
That's a day of makan trip up north. And we reach Ipoh at 11pm. More than a 12-hours trip.
Who's who in the trip? - Big aunt, 2 aunt and family minus Wee Chong, 3 aunt and Emily, 4 aunt and family minus Ah Chu, 5 aunt and family plus Desmond's GF, And our family - everyone except Ce, Ed, & Ja.
And oh yes, what's the story of the toilet paper laksa. My sister-in-law said later in the car after eating, rumours had it the owner actually mixed toilet paper into the laksa soup. After it was boiled the toilet paper were torn and made to look like fish meat normally found in laksa. Believe it Or Not.
But my aunts and cousins already planned a one-day trip to Penang on Sunday. My eldest cousin said this would be a makan trip to Penang. And yes, what a day of makan.
First stop, Sg. Bakap. We left Ipoh about 9.45am and reach Sg. Bakap at about 11am. We exited at Jawi Interchange and continue slightly north to Sg. Bakap for breakfast. Breakfast is like a bit of dim sum, which a slightly different bak kut teh, fried noodle, and 'chai kueh' - which is supposedly their signature dish. The shop is in front of the main road, but tables are placed on the walkway and the frontal road. Food is OK, but we were accompanied by lots of flies.
Then off to Bukit Mertajam to visit a relative and then to Saint Anne's Church. After we took the bridge and reach the island for lunch. I do not the name of the area, but been here with my hunters gang. Lunch consists of fried kueh teow (with salted duck egg), apom, chee cheong fun (with har-kou - not for me), lor-bak, prawn mee, laksa for some and popiah. After a full lunch, its off to Air Itam for the fame tau-sar-piah. From there, a few steps down for the Air Itam Laksa. Written on the card board and pasted on the wall, is Air Itam Laksa - RM2.70 a bowl. Was told this is also known as Toilet Paper Laksa. It appear to unhygienic to ask why Toilet Paper then. Well, I think the laksa is over-rated. I have tasted much better one else where.
After that a debate was on, (well, how could we not have a debate within the Tan family). At the end, a trip to the Batu Ferringi beach won over whether we should leave the island then to make a stop at Taiping. From the beach, we passed through Gurney Drive to access to the Ferry Terminal. A crazy strecht of road, where the traffic was at a horrible jam. Thanks mainly to people driving slowly to find a parking spot, or waiting for a car to reverse and leave.
Dinner was at Bukit Tambun. We reached there about 8pm, but still a lot of people still there. I suggest going to another restaurant (the last one along the strecht of road) in favour of the one we usually goes (the second last one), because this second last one was already very full. If we ate here, it will probably took us 2 hours. A good decision though, as the other restaurant served faster and the food is better than OK. What's for dinner - fish - ikan hantu, fried sotong, lala, vege, prawns.
That's a day of makan trip up north. And we reach Ipoh at 11pm. More than a 12-hours trip.
Who's who in the trip? - Big aunt, 2 aunt and family minus Wee Chong, 3 aunt and Emily, 4 aunt and family minus Ah Chu, 5 aunt and family plus Desmond's GF, And our family - everyone except Ce, Ed, & Ja.
And oh yes, what's the story of the toilet paper laksa. My sister-in-law said later in the car after eating, rumours had it the owner actually mixed toilet paper into the laksa soup. After it was boiled the toilet paper were torn and made to look like fish meat normally found in laksa. Believe it Or Not.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Movie 9 - Love Matters
4 March 2009 - Love Matters
This is Henry Thia. More popularly know as 程旭辉 or 辉哥.
The first time I saw this guy was in the Singapore TV, then Singapore Broadcasting Corporation (SBC), daily Mandarin variety program at Channel 8. He was just a 'Ke-Le-Fay' (extra) on the Monday show (if not mistaken) together with Mark Lee (李国煌), where the host for the evening was Jack Neo and Moses Lim. I remember him best as the guard standing next to the magistrate in ancient Chinese courtroom (衙門), shouting one line dialog. Certainly not the man for any leading role in any movie. Not only he lacks on look, but his acting sucks too. But he hanged on to Jack Neo, and lucky stars seems to shine on him and Neo. Jack Neo had moved on to become today, probably, the biggest name in Singapore movie making.
In this latest offering by Neo, where he is not starring in it, Henry Thia was made one of the leading actors, together with Jack Lim, a radio deejay, and an unknown Alex Leong. This site gave a lovely review of the movie. I was puzzled initially as to why was the movie given a PL18 rating, but after watching it, the reason was obvious. Certainly a big departure from the normal Neo's fare with its sexual jokes and innuendos.
One of the best line, delivered by Yeo Yann Yann who portrayed Henry's wife: 沒有性, 就沒有爱.
This has always been the difference between most men and women.
Rating: 4/5
This is Henry Thia. More popularly know as 程旭辉 or 辉哥.
The first time I saw this guy was in the Singapore TV, then Singapore Broadcasting Corporation (SBC), daily Mandarin variety program at Channel 8. He was just a 'Ke-Le-Fay' (extra) on the Monday show (if not mistaken) together with Mark Lee (李国煌), where the host for the evening was Jack Neo and Moses Lim. I remember him best as the guard standing next to the magistrate in ancient Chinese courtroom (衙門), shouting one line dialog. Certainly not the man for any leading role in any movie. Not only he lacks on look, but his acting sucks too. But he hanged on to Jack Neo, and lucky stars seems to shine on him and Neo. Jack Neo had moved on to become today, probably, the biggest name in Singapore movie making.In this latest offering by Neo, where he is not starring in it, Henry Thia was made one of the leading actors, together with Jack Lim, a radio deejay, and an unknown Alex Leong. This site gave a lovely review of the movie. I was puzzled initially as to why was the movie given a PL18 rating, but after watching it, the reason was obvious. Certainly a big departure from the normal Neo's fare with its sexual jokes and innuendos.
One of the best line, delivered by Yeo Yann Yann who portrayed Henry's wife: 沒有性, 就沒有爱.
This has always been the difference between most men and women.
Rating: 4/5
Monday, March 2, 2009
HRU Hunter's Challenge
1 March 2009 - HRU Hunter's Challenge
The first hunt of the year.
Every one in the treasure hunt fraternity could not have not heard of Hunters-R-Us. They are probably of the best team around. And they have decided to embark on a new challenge for themselves and the rest of the hunters. As the hunt got closer, one of their team maters was seriously ill and the intention of organizing the hunt has shifted to dedicated the hunt to that team member.
I would always want to hunt if it falls on a Sunday. When the hunt was announced, I tried to get my team to hunt, but unfortunately, 2 of them were unable to make. When it announced that the hunt would be for the benefit of the ill HRU team member, I got in contact with the organizer, whom 'match-make' me and my other team member with 2 of his colleagues to form a team. So for the second time, hunting with 2 strangers (the first being last year Sun Hunt).
I was not in my best mood that morning, and it affected my performance and probably the team. Surprisingly, we finished at position No.14 with 43 points - scoring 10 route question (30points), 2 treasures (10 points) and 1 3-Blind-Mice (3 points). I contributed 3 of the 10 route questions.
There are much discussion on the hunt by the 'Kutuk King' of the hunting community. I felt that he is really dissatisfied with the whole hunt - every single aspect of it.
BlogCe5nt of the HRU, whom the hunt was dedicated to has something to say in their blog. And I strongly believe Mr. Kutuk needs to open up his heart and mind and acknowledge that the hunt is theirs and it their perrogative to make it their way, either you love it or not.
Take a cue from Mr. Mike Pang:
Quote from Mike's Blog: "Now, every CoC is free to pitch their hunts in what ever way they like. They don’t have to follow a set formula. So having said all the above I don’t mean to say that HrU is wrong. I’m merely reviewing the 2 areas vis-a vis to their publically stated goals for this particular hunt. If moving forward HrU chooses to be known as a CoC with tough questions and tight timing, so be it. Nothing’s wrong with that."
Mr. Kutuk, move on, please.
The questions for the hunt and the explanations to the answers are in HRU blog and will not be repeated here.
The first hunt of the year.
Every one in the treasure hunt fraternity could not have not heard of Hunters-R-Us. They are probably of the best team around. And they have decided to embark on a new challenge for themselves and the rest of the hunters. As the hunt got closer, one of their team maters was seriously ill and the intention of organizing the hunt has shifted to dedicated the hunt to that team member.
I would always want to hunt if it falls on a Sunday. When the hunt was announced, I tried to get my team to hunt, but unfortunately, 2 of them were unable to make. When it announced that the hunt would be for the benefit of the ill HRU team member, I got in contact with the organizer, whom 'match-make' me and my other team member with 2 of his colleagues to form a team. So for the second time, hunting with 2 strangers (the first being last year Sun Hunt).
I was not in my best mood that morning, and it affected my performance and probably the team. Surprisingly, we finished at position No.14 with 43 points - scoring 10 route question (30points), 2 treasures (10 points) and 1 3-Blind-Mice (3 points). I contributed 3 of the 10 route questions.
There are much discussion on the hunt by the 'Kutuk King' of the hunting community. I felt that he is really dissatisfied with the whole hunt - every single aspect of it.
BlogCe5nt of the HRU, whom the hunt was dedicated to has something to say in their blog. And I strongly believe Mr. Kutuk needs to open up his heart and mind and acknowledge that the hunt is theirs and it their perrogative to make it their way, either you love it or not.
Take a cue from Mr. Mike Pang:
Quote from Mike's Blog: "Now, every CoC is free to pitch their hunts in what ever way they like. They don’t have to follow a set formula. So having said all the above I don’t mean to say that HrU is wrong. I’m merely reviewing the 2 areas vis-a vis to their publically stated goals for this particular hunt. If moving forward HrU chooses to be known as a CoC with tough questions and tight timing, so be it. Nothing’s wrong with that."
Mr. Kutuk, move on, please.
The questions for the hunt and the explanations to the answers are in HRU blog and will not be repeated here.
Movie 8 - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
25 February 2009 - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The second Oscar nominated movie for Best Picture to watch.
Story line - Good
Directing - Good
Acting - Good
Make-up - Excellent
This is the first Brad Pitt starring movie I watched after Mr. & Mrs. Smith. He deserved his nomination for Best Actor. And I think he fully justified his Sexist Men alive tag in this movie. I am really a fan of him, but can't deny his appeal here.
Cate Blanchett did a great part as the dying woman in the hospital, telling her story to her daughter, and revealing to her daughter her real father. But of course, the make-up is excellent. If not for reading it somewhere, I would have thought the old lady was another person and not her.
It deserved the three Oscars won in Art Direction, Makeup and Visual Effects.
But then again, my complained is on the length. My butt felt numb at the end of the movie. It is too detailed that I felt pace was too slow.
Rating: 4/5
The second Oscar nominated movie for Best Picture to watch.Story line - Good
Directing - Good
Acting - Good
Make-up - Excellent
This is the first Brad Pitt starring movie I watched after Mr. & Mrs. Smith. He deserved his nomination for Best Actor. And I think he fully justified his Sexist Men alive tag in this movie. I am really a fan of him, but can't deny his appeal here.
Cate Blanchett did a great part as the dying woman in the hospital, telling her story to her daughter, and revealing to her daughter her real father. But of course, the make-up is excellent. If not for reading it somewhere, I would have thought the old lady was another person and not her.
It deserved the three Oscars won in Art Direction, Makeup and Visual Effects.
But then again, my complained is on the length. My butt felt numb at the end of the movie. It is too detailed that I felt pace was too slow.
Rating: 4/5
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