Foodie Friday: Sunny Hill Ice-Cream @ Kuching

Date of Visited: 08th September 2013

Life is sweet when I have my ice-cream. I can't deny that my favourite dessert of all time would be ice-cream, besides pudding. So when I went back Kuching last few weeks, I kept telling my dad that I can miss out all those famous foods in Kuching but definitely not this one. I had this ice-cream number of times when I was young but ever since I went college, it's been ages I didn't have this and now I'm craving for more. Thank goodness my flight back to Kota Kinabalu was at night, and therefore we had spare time to visit this ice-cream parlour.

#1: This looks alike old school canteen is situated in front of Sunny Hill Secondary School

#2: There are plenty of choices on how you want the sundae to be served; either in cone or with cup, served with pudding or in sandwich style, or even banana split to choose from. However, if you opt for take away, extra 20 cents will be charged.

However, there are only certain of flavours will be served on the specific days and most of the time, only two flavours are served; strawberry flavour on every Monday and Tuesday, pandan or corn flavour on every Wednesday to Friday and chocolate flavour on every Saturday and Sunday. Whereas for vanilla flavour, it will be served on every single day. So, no worry for those who love Vanilla.

#3: Sweet treat for 6 of us and the total damage was less than RM30

#4: Our ordered: Banana split, sandwich sundae, pudding with sundae and the rest were sundae topped with nuts.

#5: One thing I love about this sundae is that it was not that too sweet and the texture was very smooth and soft at the same time. Simply perfect to cool down my body in such scorching hot weather.

This famous and legendary ice-cream parlour has been operated for more than 50 years and my daddy told us that, when he was in his teenage year, he went and had this sundae if he happen to pass by this area. I can see that the local keep coming in to this ice-cream parlour for non-stop and full with crowd especially on weekend. No doubt that this simple but sweet local delight has brings so much joy and happiness to the local especially to those Kuching people who grew up with the companion of this ice-cream shop.

Business Hours:
Sunday - Thursday: 8:00 am to 10:00 pm
Friday: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Saturday: 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm

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Cuti-Cuti Malaysia 2013: Kuching & Penang

The first two weekends of this month is like Cuti-Cuti Malaysia for me. I went Kuching on the first weekend to attend my cousin's wedding and for the following weekend, I went to Alor Setar & Penang for my very best friend's wedding. But of course, besides attending the wedding was my ultimate purpose, I also took this opportunity to stay for few more days to explore and wander around - especially for foods and street arts hunt in Penang.

I will not blog so details like I did for my other travelogues. Only focus on few main things which I think is worth to share throughout my trip to Kuching and Penang, such as:

#1: Sunny Hill Ice-Cream (post here) - The legendary and famous ice-cream parlour in Kuching

#2: First time stayed in Tune Hotel LCCT Airport (post here)

#3: We stayed in Old Penang Guesthouse where the location is so strategic, cheap, clean and comes with air-conditioner and free WiFi connection in the room. (post here)

#4: One of the things I'm looking forward in Penang - street art, wall painting and steel sculpture around the heritage area of George Town. (post here)

#5: It's a sin for not hunting foods around Penang. Thanks to my friends for brought us to Pulau Tikus Hawker Center and also thanks to a Penang blogger, C Wern Hong for bringing us to Gurney Drive Hawker Center and also to the best yong taufu. 

So, my this year Cuti-Cuti Malaysia not just to Kuching and Penang, I also went to Johor Bahru early of this year. Next year Cuti-Cuti Malaysia? I am planning for Ipoh (for the 4th times) and Kota Bahru (never been before).

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Post The Card (Part 3)

In case you miss out my first two posts of "Post The Card" - click here and here. 

You know how much I love to receive postcards from my fellow friends as well as from the kind and friendly bloggers eventhough I only know them via online.

Hoi An, Vietnam from Dan Arif

Postcard from another member of #travelholicawesome, who is soon going to step into another new stage of life. Congratulation to him and his pretty bride-to-be, MasZuber. By the way, Hoi An Ancient Town is one of the cities in my travel bucket list that I wish to go.

 Athens, Greece from Boyfie's Best Friend

Boyfie's best friend went Athens for company trip and when he asked Boyfie whether want a postcard or not, instantly Boyfie told him that I want. I really wish to go Greece for it's serene and mesmerizing Santorini especially.

Jogjakarta, Indonesia from 

Kaki Berangan and Janggaltrekker's Life

Both of them knew through blogging and because of sharing the same passion, they're constantly travel together.

Laos from Lily Riani

She never fails to send me a postcard whenever she travelled. Too bad until now I never get the chance to meet her when she came to Kota Kinabalu for media trip with Malindo Air. She went Laos during Christmas last year.

Taiwan Wooden Postcard

Among all the postcards I received, seriously this is the most special and unique one and so far as I know, it only available in Taiwan. This wooden postcard was send by my best friend's sister who was previously studying in Taiwan.

South Africa from Hannah

A collegemate of mine who went South Africa alone for two weeks. Gosh, how I wish I have the courage to travel alone just like her.

Kota Bahru from Lily Riani

See, I told you! Even within Malaysia she is so kind to send to me. Thank you so much, Lily! Don't make me fall in love with you. xP

Finland from Joan Tang

My unimate friend who went honeymoon around Europe for 50 days and this is their second visit to Europe after theirs first visit last few years for 35 days. She even has a blog to blog mostly on her travelogues but she wrote in Chinese. [Even I need to rely on Google translate to read her blog] This is the most valuable postcard with Santa Claus stamp.

Belgium from Jack

Not one but two postcards send by this close friend of mine. He went Belgium, Netherlands and Ireland for his company trip.

Hong Kong Disneyland from Tracey 

& Jeju Island from Kaki Berangan 

Not just Lily Riani, but I also received almost all the postcards from Kaki Berangan whenever he travelled. Check out his award-winning travel blog that provide lots of helpful and detail information. As for the Hong Kong Disneyland postcard, send by another close friend of mine who went Hong Kong for the very first time and travel alone.

Dubai & South Africa from Dr. C Wern Hong

He went South Africa for working holiday and before that, his stopped by Dubai for transit. During his transit, he managed to visit Burj Khalifa, a skyscraper of Dubai.

Actually there are plenty of postcards I received recently but got no time to take a pitcha of them. So stay tune for the part 4. If you're interested to exchange postcards with me, just leave a comment. Cheers!

P/S: Again, this is another scheduled post cause I'm currently away for another short weekend getaway. Cuti-Cuti Malaysia again and this place is famous as food haven!

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7D6N Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Complete Itinerary (2012)

Here is the compilation for all the post relating to my trip to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam last year for 7 days and 6 nights. 

Day 1 (1st April 2012)

Alone to Ho Chi Minh City & Stayed in Thien Xuan Hotel (Accommodation)


Day 2 (2nd April 2012)


1. All Under One Roof in Ben Thanh Market
2. Reunification Palace Saigon - Admission fee is 30,000 VND
3&4. Notre Dame Cathedral & Saigon Central Post Office  

Day 3 (3rd April 2012)

One Day Mekong Delta Tour

One day Mekong Tour cost 210,000 Vietnamese dong or USD$10 per person (aprox. to RM30), which includes air-conditioner tourist bus, English speaking tour guide, boat trips (for both motor and rowing boats), entrance fees, 1 water bottle, some fruits and honey tea as well as lunch. On top of that, it includes pick-up and drop-off from where you stay. 

Day 4 (4th April 2012)


Top: War Remnants Museum - Admission fee is 15,000 VND
Bottom: Saigon Square

Day 5 (5th April 2012)

Cu Chi Tunnel & Cao Dai Temple

It cost 180,000 Vietnamese dong or USD$8 per person (aprox. to RM24) which includes pick-up and drop-off from where you stayed and English speaking tour guide. However, admission fee and lunch is not provided and we have to bear on our own.

Day 6 (6th April 2012)

Coffee, KFC, Night Market & Random Photos


Day 7 (7th April 2012)

Ho Chi Minh City Hall, Saigon Opera House & Goodbye Ho Chi Minh City


Extra Features

• 2012 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (Sneak Peek)
• Travel Haul & Expenses
• Foods Around Ho Chi Minh City 
 

Tips when visiting Ho Chi Minh City

1. Highly recommended to stay in District 1 cause there are lots of famous attractions around such as Ben Thanh Market, Reunification Palace, Saigon Square, Saigon Central Post Office and more. And if you are looking for backpacker area, the intersection of Pham Ngu Lao and De Tham streets is the place. There also plenty of ground packages, restaurants, cafes and bars are available there.
2. Remember if you plan to take taxi, just find MaiLinh or Vinasun.
3. Change few Vietnamese dong before arrive because not all shops accepted US dollar.
4. The best place that I think is worth to change Vietnamese dong will be inside Saigon Central Post Office.

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Foodie Friday: Foods Around Ho Chi Minh City

Travelling Period: 1st April - 7th April 2012

Whenever I travel abroad, I will not purposely go and hunt for those famous eateries or restaurant of that particular places or cities cause I believe everyone has different preference and taste. What might be best for others but may not suits my liking. Plus, some of those highly recommended seems to be overrated and taste so-so only. What worse was most of those recommended restaurants or eateries only filled with foreign tourist, not the local. One of the travel tips that I came across is discover where the locals eat. Therefore when we were in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), most of the restaurants or eateries we visited were patronized by the local.

#1:Cơm Tấm Cali. This small little restaurant located not far away from our hotel and the plus point, it comes with free WiFi connection. The staffs spoke very little English but no worry, there is English translation in their menu.

#2: Bun Cha Ca Nuoc (Noodle soup with fish paste) - This bowl of noodle is so flavourful with the mixed of tender and soft fish paste.

#3: Nhà Hàng Ngon - One and only grand and fancy restaurant we visited when in HCMC. This two floors open-aired restaurant is recommended in Lonely Planet and almost all the seats occupied by both locals and foreign tourists.

When we browsed through the menu, it was filled with wide selection of foods but then, it was kinda pricey for budget travellers like us. However, it worth every value we paid where not just that we can enjoy the authentic Vietnamese food but the buzzing and delightful atmosphere as well. These were what we ordered from Nhà Hàng Ngon:

#4: "Ngon" special fried rice

#5: Salad roll with shrimp and pork

#6: Steamed banana cake with coconut milk

#7: Grilled pork

#8: Pork porridge

#9: And on the other night, we decided to have our dinner at the open air stall outside the Ben Thanh Market

#10: Crunchy fried spring roll

#11: Fried rice

#12: Scrumptious sweet and sour pork

Last but not least, when in one's country, experience like the local. A visit to HCMC wouldn't be complete without experience Vietnamese local and Asia-Europe fusion foods on the sidewalk of a busy street. This is the real culture of Vietnamese people do everyday - eat streetfoods. 

#13: This is how food vendors prepared the foods on the sidewalks

#14: Crispy rice paper mixed pork

#15: Fried bun - crispy on the outside, delicious on the inside

#16:Crystal clear spring roll with mixed pork and veggies - This one taste kinda weird. Not recommended.

#17: One of Vietnam's famous cuisines - Pho

#18: How can you miss a cup of coffee when in Vietnam? It's a sin if you missed out.

Although I didn't get the chance to try baguette in HCMC but luckily I got to try in other Indo-China countries like Cambodia and Laos. As for exotic foods, I try my best to avoid cause I have a weak stomach to absorb those foods. And I was being asked whether did I try dog meats, hell no I will have those cause I am dog lover. Don't you think it is so cruel to eat dog and cat meats?

P/S: This is another scheduled post cause I'm currently away for another short weekend getaway. It's Cuti-Cuti Malaysia! 

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My Travel Haul & Expenses of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (2012)

When my parents went Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) a year before me, they bought plenty of souvenirs for me and I did blog about it - click here for more. So when it's my turn, I just bought those necessary for my dearest family and friends only. The following are my hauls throughout my 7 days and 6 nights trip in HCMC, Vietnam:

#1:Overall of my haul from HCMC

#2: Those two in packets bought from Highlands Coffee outlet whereas in the box, it's Trung Nguyen Coffee - the number 1 coffee in Vietnam which I bought from Ben Thanh Market.

#3: Coconut candy from Mekong Delta day trip

#4: Always and forever my favourite travel collections - keychains and fridge magnets. All grabbed from Ben Thanh Market.

#5: Hand painted bookmarks and postcards

#6: Grey envelope bag bought from somewhere nearby Ben Thanh Market which cost less than RM50

#7: Silk nightwear - My mom requested me to buy this for her cause she only bought one before and she said it's nice but regret for only bought one. So I bought more for her.

#8: Vietnam embroidered art tote handbag which I bought from the port leaving to Mekong Delta and it cost USD$5 for 3 and also embroidered silk pouch from Ben Thanh Market for USD$1 each.

And the following is my sharing of the full details of my travel expenses that I spend throughout the 7 days and 6 nights trip around HCMC, Vietnam:

(The rate as at the time I changed; RM1.00 : 6,680 VRN whereas RM3.00 : USD$1)

NOTE:

1. Return airfare for just only RM12 but I burned the one from KL back to KK. At the end, I booked another last minute flight from KL back to KK. Don't get it wrong. It's not that I miss my flight, just I wanna return back home earlier.
2. Baggage allowance for flight to HCMC was 15 kg (RM40) and flight from HCMC was 15 kg (RM40).
3. Stayed for 6 nights throughout our trip. For more information about this budget hotel which comes with complimentary breakfast, click HERE. 
4. I was travelled alone on the first day. Hence, I need to bear this cost alone.
5. Taxi from hotel to the airport cost USD$10 and divided among three of us. 
6. Including air-conditioner tourist bus, English speaking tour guide, boat trips (for both motor and rowing boats), entrance fees, 1 water bottle, some fruits and honey tea as well as lunch. On top of that, it includes pick-up and drop-off from where we stayed.- post here.
7. Including pick-up and drop-off from where we stayed and English speaking tour guide. However, admission fee and lunch is not included and we have to bear on our own.- post here.
8. Actually this is just based my estimation because I lost my travel notepad which I always keep track of all my travel expenses and I left in Melbourne, Australia before I managed to key in all into Excel form. Clumsy me! 
9. Same goes to this too but I remember overall I only spend three pieces of USD$100 throughout the trip. Most of my souvenirs and shopping haul are as photos above. Also including postcards and stamps.

 

 #9: My Vietnamese dong leftover. Save for another Vietnam trips, perhaps?

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