Hin Bus Sunday Market

It's been a while since we went to the Hin Bus Depot and when we heard that there's a weekly Sunday pop up market, we went over for a peek. It operates from 11am - 5pm but to be on the safe side, you might want to try going at 12 noon for all the stalls to be fully open.

Hubs moseyed over to a rad looking truck that offers rescue in the form of caffeine. Coffee Rescue, is a coffee truck that goes around Penang offering awesome coffee with carefully chosen beans and a seriously passionate plus friendly owner. He took the time to explain the difference between the beans he uses and the different nuances in taste. Hubs was more than impressed with his flat white (RM8) and is already talking about hunting down the truck for his next caffeine fix.

The grounds were filled with thought provoking art, such as this one. Alabaster-white statues of chubby children were prancing around while one lone figure sat perched in front of an electronic device, its wire-mesh head considerably larger than its peers and a black "ewwww, squishy" - as Bubs described it - brain visible.

He was also interested in this brightly painted mural of 2 boxers.

We were a bit too early for all the stalls to be open which was a pity as the nasi kerabu looked delish in photos. The market area was breezy even with the burning rays of the sun beating down. Hubs had quite a merry time sitting down at the edge of the raised platform, nursing his cup of coffee while Bubs and I explored the few stalls that were open.

The brains behind silkscreen designer and printer, Dirty Donuts, was more than gracious enough to explain how silkscreen printing worked. He let us observe how he was cleaning his blocks - silly me thought that they were glass paintings - and Bubs was more than fascinated with the cool, hand drawn Star Wars figures.

Postcards of Penang art on sale at the quaintest display ever.

We love the chilled out vibe at the Hin Bus Depot so much that we're already planning a return trip pretty soon!

Chill

It has been a mentally and physically draining week: my inbox has been crammed full with issues and I'm still recovering from a nasty cold. It's gotten to the point where I wake up 7.30am even on weekends, my mind already frantic with the list of tasks and I'm unable to get it to shut down for a while.

It was good to just recharge over the weekend and to remind myself to breathe.

Bubs has been on a colouring kick again and he enjoys it even more when we sit down and join him. Don't knock it til you try it, colouring for adults is gaining popularity now ;) If you are interested to take it up, Faber Castells are surprisingly really good, these beat the Colleen colour pencils that were hugely popular back in the 80s.

Beach Street on a quiet Sunday evening without the hustle and bustle of heavy traffic is one of my favourite streets in Penang. Whenever I stroll down there, I get the feeling that the ornate, majestic buildings have witnessed so much and I hope that even after we're long gone, they will still be there, silent but still awe inspiring.

China House is chock a block full of delicious desserts and beautiful, quiet corners alike. Bubs was in love with this place because of the giant roll of paper and crayons provided. I just wished that the smoking section was decently sectioned away from the non smoking side as we could still smell ciggies at our area.

Here's to a better week ahead!

Team Building!

Usually our team buildings are very tepid affairs with buffets and a movie. This time around, Siew vetoed anything that was sedentary and decided that she wanted to spice things up. This was what we ended up with ...

We went on a cycling adventure around Georgetown! Ok, this is the part where I've to admit that my team is truly the nicest and best people in the world because they rented a 4 wheeled bicycle just because I can't ride a bike *blushing tomato red* I knowwww .... they all stared at me in disbelief when I said I couldn't balance on one and I could probably only just go in a straight line but don't ask me to slow down or stop. After giving me a sigh and rolling their eyes, they agreed to stretch the budget a little and rented the special bikes.

To top it up a notch, Siew decided that it shouldn't just be any slow, admiring the scenery as you cycle - it would be a competition between the gals and the guys. The first team to take as many selfies as possible with the Georgetown street art would win. I was secretly terrified on the bike because of all the heavy traffic on the main roads: it was a Friday morning and we are cycling smack in the middle of bustling city traffic!

The weather was perfect: it had poured heavily the night before so the air was crystal clear and the canopy shaded us from the sun's rays. We found tiny gems around as we pedaled around the heritage area, such as this sidewalk that doubled as a mini Hokkien dictionary.

We took heaps of photos at our own pace, confident that the guys (one's from Ipoh, the other can't speak Hokkien) would get hopelessly lost around the area.

Bruce Lee was a random, quirky find. If you're interested, it's the wall just behind the Boy on a Motorbike. The area was a little deserted though so best to go in a crowd.

Remember the Soo Hong Lane Minions? The concrete pole has been repainted over now as Marge Simpson. A very kind elderly gentleman got his first introduction to a smartphone by helping us take this photo :D

We had some time before lunch so we squeezed in a mini trip to Escape at 1st Avenue. Remember the movie Saw where the characters were locked inside a room and they'd to solve clues to break free from the room? It's exactly like that but minus the crazy psycho killer (I hope!). The puzzles were TOUGH and so random. Plus there was a digital clock that kept flashing out the time left in red, ominous looking numbers. With only 45 minutes to escape, we kept buzzing the assistant for help and even though she patiently and very generously gave handy hints, at the end of it, we ...........

Lost miserably!

After working up quite an appetite, we headed over to the E&O for a very decadent buffet lunch. I'm talking fresh prawns, mussels, chunks of fatty salmon sashimi ... and those are just the starters ;) Pretty sure we piled back on the pounds that we burnt off during the morning cycling!
 

Art is Rubbish

We had the chance to view the intriguingly titled Art is Rubbish solo exhibition by Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharevic. Most Penangites have a very warm liking for his street art works (titled as Malaysia's answer to Banksy) as he's credited to making the inner city centres of Penang become alive. Drive past some of his popular pieces and you'll see locals and tourists alike patiently lining up to take photos and interact with the artwork.

I like how he used his special touch to make the old Hin Bus depot come to life with young and old flocking to marvel, talk  about and yes, interact with the artwork. Isn't this what art is about; to inspire and provoke reactions from people? :) The exhibition was filled with so many people and boy, it was a sizzling hot day. Be prepared for an unconventional art exhibition and ladies, stilettoes are not recommended here.

A couple of his so-called controversial pieces, i.e. the Lego mural that drew the ire of the Johor city council are reproduced life size here as sculptures, much to the delight of visitors. I spotted a young guy impaling himself on the robber's knife to pose for a photo ;)

Evidence of Ernest Zacharevic's knack for brilliantly transforming the mundane and the broken into tongue in cheek artwork is everywhere. From the crumbling, dilapidated brick walls that, worn out doors to even an open pot hole on ground (blink and you'll miss it) framed in gold gilt.

 

I was trying to figure out what was that in the chest. Hubs says it looks like a carburetor. Anyone knows?

Cash Cow made out of thumbtacks. My fingers feel sore already just by looking at it.

 

This was one of my favourite piece: a kimono clad little girl playing with a rubber band.

Traditional chick blinds become an unconventional and evocative canvas for his art. Waste not, want not. Look closer and you'll see the them of Art is Rubbish reinforced subtly.

Sneaking in an outfit of the day here - vain puss that I am ;) 

Spot the Hubs hard at work.

An eyesight test: do you see a little girl bending backwards? If you're viewing on a mobile device, it's going to be a heck of a test! I'll give you a clue: she's wearing a red belt.

Colourful scenes of children clowning around form the basis for the large murals outside.

 Run, don't walk, this is an art exhibition not to be missed, folks. If you're visiting during the sun scorching hours of the afternoon, sunnies, a hat and flats are recommended. The exhibition is free and you can take all the photos you want but I'd recommend bringing some cash in case you need souvenirs. Postcards start at RM15, along with T-shirts, signed paintings for sale. My wishlist includes the pair of coloured sketches of the Lego figures at RM600.

Address: Hin Company Bus Depot, Jalan Gurdwara, George Town, Penang
Opens daily until Feb 14th
12 noon - 8pm

Vanishing Memories: Candy Coloured Houses

Loving all the fun colours the owners chosen for their beautifully restored heritage houses in Kampung Malabar. That electric blue one with chestnut coloured wooden windows and doors is calling out my name!

 An abandoned, crumbling building against a gorgeous sunny sky.

The shop where the Jimmy Choo trained as an apprentice at Muntri Street.

A Heritage Walk and Ais Tingkap

After a heavy lunch where Fairy Godma was tempted to just sit and relax, I insisted we do a mini heritage walk much to her protests. "It's hot and stuffy ... people in KL walk in air conditioned malls, not under the hot sun ..."

Pfffttt ... to think that just moments ago she was proudly telling me that she's still a Penang lang. I waved her complaints off and dragged her around.

I always find crumbling bits of old buildings with exposed brickwork really pretty.

We walked past these two really old, grungy looking shop houses that I didn't give a second glance to until Fairy Godma pointed out that this was the famous Sekeping Victoria.

Look at the gem we found: Step by Step Lane with two kids on a swing wall mural by artist Louis Gan. It's in a little back alley at Chulia Street opposite the old Kwong Wah building close by the jetty.

All that walking about under the scorching sun calls for something icy and refreshing. Fairy Godma took me to the famed ais tingkap (window sherbet, literally) stall at Tamil Street. It is a concoction of shaved ice, herbs, rose essence, basil seeds and coconut slices.  This is a Penang classic as the stall has been in business since the 1920s and is still family owned.

There is a slight medicinal tang to the sweet, rose scented drink and among slurps of the basil seeds, I've to admit I've never tasted anything like this before. For RM1.20, this is a steal compared to fancy bubble milk teas! Who knew there are so many hidden gems amongst the tiny, dusty streets here?

China House Revisited

A friend told me that China House's service had improved so even though I had misgivings, I grudgingly followed Fairy Godma there for a leisurely long lunch.

China House boasts of a gorgeous, gorgeous decor with each dining nook completely different from the other. It also has a massive shelf of good reads (I spotted the Book Thief and Five Quarters of the Orange there), board games and you could always ask for boxes of crayons and blank paper, guaranteed to keep you occupied for a loooong time.

The sparse, lopsided branches of the Christmas tree was oddly beautiful, I was more drawn to it then any of the lush ones I've seen. In case you're wondering - the tree is artificial. I know because Fairy Godma gave it a good tweak to see if it was real ;)

The eclectic eating areas.

Fairy Godma showing me her wonderfully festive mistletoe earrings.

Eying the rows of delectable cakes on display.

The wait staff were friendly and the nice waiter we had helped us narrow down our choices. Fairy Godma's pick was the Big Breakfast - 2 fried eggs, sauteed mushrooms, lamb sausage, beef medallions and a rack of toast. The beef medallions were absolutely stellar! Mine was the mushroom bruschetta. Comfort food at its best, though a little pricey.

Along with the lime sponge cake. I thought it was so-so, like a green lime squeezed over a normal, bakery style sponge cake but Fairy Godma loved it and said it reminded her of sugee cake.

What is amazing about China House is that at every corner you look, you can always spot a piece of thought provoking art.

In fact, the top floor is an art gallery by local artists.

I don't usually understand modern art but thought that this piece was insanely cute. Anyone has a spare RM10,000 to buy this for me? ;)

Chew Jetty Part II

Since the last time we were at Chew Jetty and we only took a few photos before it started pouring cats and dogs, we went there again this time to take more. Bubs had a whale of a time tearing up and down the weathered wooden planks though I admit every time I heard a creak, my heart skipped a beat.

There are little convenience shops selling anything from cigarettes to bottled water.

Old fashioned bicycles for rent.

Wooden houses with Chinese calligraphy on red banners.

Another piece of street art by Ernest Zacharevic. Somehow the weathered paint seems to add more character to it.

All that walking about meant that we deserve a yummy treat for breakfast. Everyone (excluded Bubs) had a banana leaf wrapped packet ... or two ... or three ... of the famous Beach Street nasi lemak. If the scoopful of tear inducing spicy sambal and steaming hot coconut rice aren't enough to sate your hunger, you could always opt for extras like fried chicken and curry squid.

Met up again with the glowing and 8 months preggers Glam Girl. That girl doesn't let pregnancy cramp her style at all, gorgeous, I tell you.

Have I ever mentioned that it's near to impossible to walk into Daiso and come out empty handed?

These Hello Kitty face towels and dish cloths were practically screaming my name. I wisely showed restraint.

Though I couldn't say no to some pieces of Japanese crockery.Did you guys have a good weekend?

Rainy Day at the Chew Jetty and an Icy Dessert

Ching, Hub's sister, is a huge photography enthusiast so I sweet talked her into taking a family portrait at the Chew Jetty.

There are a handful of century-old clan jetties left in Penang on stilts in the sea. The pier, jetty and houses are all primarily made from wood, forming tiny clusters on narrow, well weathered walkways. On the outside, the houses remain untouched by time but look a little closer and you'll spot modern amenities like LCD TVs, Astro satellite dishes, fridges and air conditioning.

I was terrified that, Bubs who's a whirlwind on two chubby little legs, might fall into the muddy sea.

Me: "What if he falls in?"
Hubs: "You jump in and save him."
Me: "But I'm a poor swimmer. I only know how to swim in a pool, not the open sea!"
Hubs: "Same wan, it's all water right?"
Someone remind me again why did I marry the useless fella?

We only took a couple of photos before it started pouring down so heavily that we decided it'd be better to stay put under the awning and wait for the rain to stop. Bubs had a blast - it was like an adventure for him. Playing in the rain with an umbrella, reaching out to touch the rain drops, strong wind blowing in his face, thunder and lightning crackling above us. Glad that at least one of us had fun that day!

After that wet and muddy ordeal - pot holes, rain and cars splashing are never a good combination, I figured we all deserved a sweet treat at Tong Pak Fu, Gurney Plaza. Asian dessert bars are mushrooming all over in Penang which the sweet tooth in me is rejoicing.

We had a plate of black sesame sticky rice balls. Not a huge fan of this as it tasted slightly bitter to my uncultured taste buds (to me, lots of sugar = GOOD) and it was served steaming hot. We left this to Hubs who polished this off.

The durian icy desserts are touted as the must have and subject to availability. There were two types offered: D24 and some other durian type which they ran out of so we had the D24 durian snowy ice something. I was fascinated by the shaved ice which was served in intricate lacy folds - sooo pretty! The snowy ice thingy was nice for durian lovers (Ching, Bubs and me) but a turn off for Hubs who took one mouth, scrunched up his face and pushed the plate away.

Birthday Lunch & a Stroll Along Love Lane

I'd planned in my mind what I thought would be the perfect birthday ever for Hubs this year.

Plan: Wake up early. Decorate the place with Happy Birthday banners that I'd make the night before. Babysit Bubs so Hubs get to sleep in longer. Pay the delivery guy that will send the birthday cake to our place.Wait for Hubs to wake up so we can surprise him with perfect decorations + cake.

The night before, we went out for a pre-birthday dinner, got back late, Bubs went to bed late so the handmade birthday decorations were scrapped.

It's ok, I reasoned, I can still wake up early to babysit Bubs, get the cake from the delivery guy and still surprise Hubs.

Reality: I woke up to Hubs chasing Bubs around the place trying to get his diaper changed (Bub's diaper, Hubs is toilet trained already). The phone rings and Hubs asked if I ordered a "surprise birthday cake". Ooops. I ran to my wallet and realised I didn't exactly had enough cash for the cake either. Begged Hubs to go down with Bubs, pay for the cake first and then bring the cake back.

"You want me to pay and collect my own birthday cake?" Hubs looked incredulously at me.

'Errrr ... yes, please? By the way, happy birthday!"

Bubs was soooo eager to sing the birthday song though his version went "eh-pee burf to youuu" and I was equally eager about having cake for breakfast.

We went to Steak and Frites again for lunch. This time around, I asked for extra salad instead of the fries and a glass of house wine to go with the steak which was a fantastic combination. The steak was done to perfection and I cannot stop raving about how tender and juicy it was. Bubs, on the other hand, looked longingly at the fries and the glass of vino.

Since it was a nice day, blue skies and fluffy clouds, we decided to head back to Lovelocks for more coconut ice cream. We spotted lots of people taking photos of these cool metal rod artwork describing Penang road names. I'm nothing if not a joiner ;)

I found this little souvenir shop - 41 Living Story at Love Lane selling kitschy and one of a kind stuff. The fabric bunnies in white and blue were my favourites but too bad Bubs isn't that interested in stuffed toys.

Not too sure if these pair of slippers were for sale but then I'd probably need the matching door as well to make our place look this old school!

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream ;) The deliciously creamy dessert was such a welcome treat on a hot, sunny day.

Happy Birthday, Hubs, I promise I'll pay you back for the cake!

Wandering About Town

Have you all been enjoying this recent slew of public holidays? So have we!

We wandered about one of my favourite areas in town: the colourful heritage area near Little India after dinner at Woodlands. This is me dressing the part in my white boyfriend-ish kurta-like top complete with heavily jeweled sandals.

 An old school pedal bicycle plus a pay phone: two things that you don't see often nowadays, let alone together!

Spotted this incredibly cool vintage Morris Minor complete with a green rubber horn at the side of the car. I was so tempted to squeeze the bulb just for the heck of it.

Bits of crumbling paint on an old house. If you look closely, you can see a small plant beginning to grow on the top of it. It struck me that this house was probably brand new during my grandparents time but might not last through when I become a grandparent myself. This is why I love snapping photos of these areas, to preserve whatever memories there might be left of Penang long gone by.

It was a beautiful evening. This building houses both the Eng Loh kopitiam and a budget motel. Mum told me that before swanky hotels were commonplace in Penang, visiting relatives would stay a night or two at these motels.

The Baba Nonya mansion nearby is a gorgeous and vivd hue of mint green. This was filmed for the Singaporean hit series Little Nonya.

And if you're looking for even more colourful treats as cheap as chips, try the Indian costume jewelry shops around the area. They have rows of rainbow coloured bangles, bindis and other accessories.

Vanishing Memories: Downing St + Beach St

I've always loved this bit of junction where Downing Street meets Beach Street. Though I'd hate to admit that banks can be anything but bloodsucking, the HSBC and Standard Charted buildings are elegant works of art deco style. Did you know that these two are the first banks to arrive on our shores in Penang, making them the earliest banks in Malaysia? I've seen quite a few wedding shoots at this location.

Vanishing Memories: Islamic Council Building

The Islamic Council Building was originally used as part of the government offices during the British Administration. Most of the original buildings were destroyed during the bombardment in Wolrd War II.  There's just something about the peeling paint and cracked bits of plaster that adds character to this.

Vanishing Memories: the Peacock House, Bayan Lepas

I've to confess, this isn't the original name of this house and I've no idea what road this is called but it's the main road leading from Bayan Lepas to Teluk Kumbar. Most of the shop houses there have been modernised into sundry and bicycle shops so I was happy to spot this one with all of its original fixtures still in place: from the painted tiles on the front wall (can you spotted the gorgeous twin peacocks?) to its geometrical patterned tiled walkway.