Big Ben of KL

This is Kuala Lumpur's Big Ben. It is part of the Sultan Abdul Samad Building. It onced housed our High Court, that has now moved to Jalan Duta. I love the Moorish architecture of this building.

Do you have a big clock tower in your city too?

Sky Watch Fri - Nature & Development

It's nice to have some coconut trees within the city centre. It makes one feel that nature is just nearby, despite the fact that one is stuck in a concrete jungle! And more and more development of huge buildings are going on around you!

What do you prefer? Nature or development?

Happy Sky Watch everyone. Feel free to pop by at the
Sky Watch portal for more photos of sky around the world!

Confluence of Klang & Gombak River

This is the confluence point of 2 muddy river, i.e. Klang River on the right and Gombak River on the left. The dome belongs to Masjid Jamek. I was standing at the Lebuh Pasar bridge as I took this shot.

It is at this spot that Kuala Lumpur, the city of Malaysia, got its name in 1860s, where a band of prospectors in search of tin landed here, and named it Kuala Lumpur, or Muddy Estuary.

ABC Wednesday - 'F' is for Fresh Coconut

Fresh coconut is one of my favourite drinks. It's very refreshing and the coconut flesh is a great delight too.

There are many benefits to drinking coconut, as I have said in my previouse Coconut Stall posting.

When I had dengue fever, a friend suggested that I consume coconut water from 9 coconuts on a daily basis. I thought that was an overkill!! I didn't follow her instruction but I believe the little coconut water that I had then did help to improve my immune system.

This is my posting for ABC Wednesday's meme.

Go-Go Ball

I discovered this game with some friends on last Sat. It was at a children's indoor playground in Bukit Tinggi's Jaya Jusco Mall. It was meant to be played by our friend's daughter. Instead all of us joined in to play. It was so fun that we continued to play again and again.

The machine called Go-Go Ball will give player options to choose from. We picked this option where we are given a target amount to knock off using our rubber balls within a time limit. If we are able to achieve or exceed our limit, we can move on to the next level.

On a stressful day, Go-Go Ball can indeed help to reduce the level of stress. Just imagine those bugs on the screen is your boss, who is the cause of your stress, and take those balls and slammed into those bugs again and again!!! Ha ha ha.....I bet it would bring you lotsa delights and stress relief!

What do you do to relieve your stress?

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This is my participation in My World Tuesday's meme.

Coiled Incense

I once heard the belief of this coiled incense. It says smoke from the incense will bring the wishes written on notes hung on the incense to heaven. The wishes will then be granted by the god and goddess who receive those wishes.

Have you heard of this belief before?

This is my participation for Monochrome Monday's meme.

My Fave Recipe - Durian Coconut Tart

I have made these delicious and nice-smelling tarts recently. They turned out very well. Hope those of you who loves durian can try it out!

Ingredients
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Pastry:

• 200g plain flour
• 1/4 level tsp salt
• 120g cold unsalted butter, cut into 1cm cubes
• 1 cold egg, beaten

Filling:

140g unsalted butter

180g fine granulated sugar

3 (grade A) eggs

220g durian flesh

180g freshly-grated coconut (white part only)

1/4 level tsp salt

3 tbsp thick coconut milk

Method:

TO make pastry, sift flour and salt. Place in a food processor with the cubed butter. Pulse until mixture forms fine crumbs. (If you don't have a food processor, keep the butter cold and in one piece and grate on the coarse side of a grater, directly into the flour. Mix with the fingertips until mixture forms fine crumbs. Avoid overworking.)

Add beaten egg, a little at a time, until pastry starts to bind together. (Depending on the size of the egg and dryness of the flour, you may or may not need all the egg. However, if mixture looks a little dry, add a few drops of cold water.) Knead pastry very quickly and lightly until smooth. Wrap with greaseproof paper or cling film and refrigerate for 15 to 20 minutes before rolling out.
Roll pastry out thinly and evenly on a lightly floured working surface and line a 20cm shallow tart pan or 15 to 18 tartlet tins. Trim and fluke edges and prick the bases with a fork. Chill pastry in the fridge for 15 minutes.

Preheat oven to 190°C. Line the pastry with greaseproof paper and fill with dried beans or (uncooked) rice. (This prevents the pastry from rising and bubbling.) Bake in the preheated oven (15 minutes for the large tart, 8 to 10 minutes for the tartlets) before removing the greaseproof paper and beans. Return to the oven for another 5 to 7 minutes to dry out the bases, before spooning in the filling.

While the pastry is in the oven, prepare filling. Cream butter and sugar together, stir in the eggs, one at a time (if it curdles, it isn't a tragedy!).

Add the durian flesh, grated coconut, salt and coconut milk, stirring well. Fill the partially-cooked pastry case (or tartlets) with the filling. Turn the oven temperature down to 160°C and bake until the filling of the tart or tartlets is golden brown (about 15 minutes for the tartlets and 25 to 30 minutes for the large tart).

Recipe by: Amy Beh of The Star

Lotus in Bamboo Grove

I caught this photo while visiting Kayangan last Sun. Trying to be creative by adding the Ikea candle holder in the photo. This lotus was planted in a huge pot within the bamboo grove. The Bamboo Grove is a site within Kayangan. It has a very soothing surrounding and meditation is being carried out here.

Another photo of the lotus against the blue sky and green bamboo trees. They are so refreshing and soothing.

Which photo do you prefer? Wish you all a great weekend.

Sky Watch Fri - Urban Lanscape

I just saw this photo in my archive and love it. I like the orange tinge on the horizon that is caused by the sunrise. Sadly, one cannot capture similar photo like this in Lake Titiwangsa again. Reason being the Eye on Malaysia (EoM) has been moved to my hometown, Melaka. It's good news too because now I can see EoM every month when I go home. :o)

Happy Sky Watch and wish all of you a good weekend ahead! To see sky in other parts of the world, please visit Sky Watch Friday portal.

1) More photos of Lake Titiwangsa can be viewed HERE.

2) Photos of Eye on Malaysia in its new location, Melaka can be viewed HERE.

Bukit Bintang - On Track for Success

Another street scene at Jalan Bukit Bintang under the huge billboard of ING insurance, taglined 'On Track For Success', with 2 famous F1 drivers.

Unfortunately, I am not an F1 fan, so can someone tell me who are these 2 gentlemen F1 drivers?

ABC Wednesday - 'E' is for Entertainers

A scene from the busy junction of Jalan Bukit Bintang & Jalan Sultan Ismail showing street entertainers. If you have seen yesterday's posting, My World Tuesday - Valentine's Crowd, the crowd in that photo was enjoying the performance of these entertainers. This shot was taken as the musicians were doing their set-up before their performance.

This is my participation for the ABC Wednesday's meme.

My World Tues - Valentine's Crowd

This is a scene at the junction of KL's Jalan Bukit Bintang on the evening of Valentine's Day. Check out the numbers of revellers hanging out here.

This posting is my participation in That's My World Tuesday meme.

Crimson Bromeliad

It has been awhile since I went to Kayangan. Yesterday was a close friend's birthday and one of our usual practice is to offer a dana. So off we went to Kayangan (a meditation retreat site in Klang) to offer dana. As usual, I would also capture photos there, especially beautiful plants and flowers in the compound. This photo shows a bromeliad in full bloom.

Aren't the rich crimson colour beautiful? Reminds me of a luscious red lipstick!! Hope you like it!

Is RED your favourite colour?

For all my past postings on Kayangan, please visit here.

Concert at Bukit Bintang

We were at a street concert organized by the newly launched radio station One FM (transmission: Klang Valley FM88.1) at Jalan Bukit Bintang on the evening of Valentine's Day. One side of this busy street was closed to traffic, where a stage was built. It was amazing to see the large crowds hanging out on this street for the special day. The concert presented local and international Chinese artists from Malaysia and also Taiwan. Will try to share more photos that I took in the next few postings.

Have you attended a street concert before?

Love Was In The Air

This is a street scene taken at Jalan Bukit Bintang this evening. There was a street concert organized by our local 8TV station. Revellers were aplenty. There were many flowers and balloons sellers too! The St. Valentine's celebration can be felt at every nook and corner of the street. Love was certainly in the air!!!

Happy Valentine's Day to all!!! Hope you would spread universal love to your friends, relatives and strangers on the street too!

Sky Watch Fri - Chap Goh Mei's Moon

There was lotsa excitement about the eclipse that took place on the last day of Chinese New Year celebration, i.e. Chap Goh Mei (9 Feb 2009). I took this photo in my garden. Didn't manage to take any eclipse shot. Gotta try to take more photos of the moon and improve on it.

Happy Sky Watch Friday everyone! Wish you a good weekend ahead. Wish all our Sky Watchers and Daily Photo Bloggers a memorable Valentine's Day too!!

Mamee Mee

Mamee Mee is one of the more popular instant noodle brand here. We always keep some packets in the pantry. It's the best solution for me when I find myself hungry and yet do not want to go out to buy my food! I love curry flavour or sometimes the Korean instant noodle that come with kimchi seafood flavour! Slurrrpp....yum, yum!

What is your favourite instant noodle brand & preferred flavour?

ABC Wednesday - 'D' is for DiGi

'D' is for DiGi Telecom. This is my mobile phone operator.

DiGi advertised aggressively. Befitting it's tagline of "Always with You", it's advertisements can be seen everywhere!! The bright yellow theme of DiGi's adverts are painted on ferries going to Indonesia (I posted "The Cheapest Ride to Indonesia" during my trip to Pulau Ketam), trishaws (check out my previous posting on "Beca in Melaka'), cabs, buses and as seen here on the pillar of a monorail underpass. And I also like DiGi's mascot, Yellow Man!

Who is your favourite mobile operator? Is it because of its reliable mobile network, cheap call rates or other reasons that you choose it to be your favourite?

Ferris Wheel

Took my niece & nephews for a ferris wheel ride during the CNY holiday. Here's the outcome of my ferris wheel shot!

Happy Chap Goh Mei

Today is Chap Goh Mei and it marks the last day of Chinese New Year for 2009.

I am glad to share another photo of lanterns decoration at KL's Thean Hou Temple. Not a very sharp shot but I love the rows of lanterns and would like to share it with all of you.
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The 51st Grammy Award is being shown on TV now. I love Jennifer Hudson. She looks great! I am glad that Coldplay won awards for Viva la Vida! I like that song. I have posted videos of Coldplay's Viva la Vida to be shared here with all of you.

Are you watching? Did you favourite singer/group win any award?
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Music Video of Viva La Vida by Coldplay

Viva La Vida by Coldplay
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I used to rule the world
Seas would rise when I gave the word
Now in the morning I sweep alone
Sweep the streets I used to own

I used to roll the dice
Feel the fear in my enemy's eyes
Listen as the crowd would sing:
"Now the old king is dead! Long live the king!"

One minute I held the key
Next the walls were closed on me
And I discovered that my castles stand
Upon pillars of salt, and pillars of sand

I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing
Roman Calvary choirs are singing
Be my mirror my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field

For some reason I can't explain
Once you go there was never
Never an honest word
That was when I ruled the world

It was the wicked and wild wind
Blew down the doors to let me in.
Shattered windows and the sound of drums
People couldn't believe what I'd become

Revolutionaries Wait
For my head on a silver plate
Just a puppet on a lonely string
Oh who would ever want to be king?

I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing
Roman Calvary choirs are singing
Be my mirror my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field

For some reason I can't explain
I know Saint Peter won't call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world

(Ooooh Oooh Oooh)

Hear Jerusalem bells are ringing
Roman Calvary choirs are singing
Be my mirror my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field

For some reason I can't explain
I know Saint Peter will call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world

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I also like this live performance of the same song!

Shops Decor During CNY

These are some of the decorations of shops in Melaka. Aren't they beautiful? The retail outlets are always innovative in creating new looks for their shops on every festive celebration!

Today is Thaipusam day. I would like to wish all Hindus in the world a Happy Thaipusam!
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Tomorrow would be the last day of Chinese New Year. I am feeling a bit low that good times do not last! Sigh! My friend was laughing at me coz she find that I am behaving just like a child. However, I find that time flies too fast! I am a bit slow at catching up. And now we are already into the 2nd week of Feb! Aaarrggh....I have better buck up or else I would never be able to catch up with all the happenings that flash through my life! Now I find that the phrase 'time and tide wait for no man' is very true! And I am experiencing it now!!

CNY Eve at Cheng Ho Teng Temple

I took this photo at the early hour of CNY at Melaka's Cheng Ho Teng Temple! Look at the large crowd!

On New Year eve, it is a common practice of my family to visit Cheng Ho Teng Temple and a few other temples at Temple Street after the clock struck midnight, signalling the arrival of Chinese New Year.

There is a belief that if the children stay up late to usher the arrival of New Year, their parents would have long lives. I don't know how true this is. Have you heard of such belief? And do you practise it?

Picture 2: A view of Cheng Ho Teng temple from across the street.


Picture 3: An arch just around the bend leading to Cheng Ho Teng Temple.

Sky Watch Fri - Lanterns at Thean Hou Temple

The CNY decorations in Thean Hou Temple is so beautiful!!! Check it out before the CNY celebration comes to an end on next Monday. In the background, you can see the KL Tower and Petronas Twin Tower.

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Wanna see the sky in other cities? Please visit the Sky Watch Friday's portal.

Red for the House

During Chinese New Year (CNY), most Chinese houses in Melaka will have red banner hanged over their doors. There would be auspicious words written on red paper and placed side by side of the door too. Some would even have 2 red lanterns, like this house here. And one would know that this house owner is a Hokkien (whose ancestors originated from Fujian province in China) as there is a bunch of sugarcanes placed outside the house, next to the window.

The red banners are usually hang by Chinese in other parts of Malaysia during weddings. Many of my friends from other parts of Malaysia would ask why there are so many weddings taking place in Melaka during CNY as they are not aware that Malaccans (even Penangites) will hang the red banner during CNY & wedding.

Do you have such practice in your city?

Dragon by Melaka River

Happy Chinese New Year to all!! I am back to regular posting as of today! The festive holiday is over real soon. I have been moaning that we would have to wait for another CNY celebration next year!!! Yup, next year! That would be a long wait!!! Sigh!!!

My posting for today is a beautiful dragon placed by the Melaka River during the Chinese New Year celebration.

The site attracted many visitors and the Melaka government is considering to retain the exhibition for the whole year. That would be good as the government had invested RM1.8 million to run this exhibition. So it would be a waste of fund if it is only held for 2 months.

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My apologies for the 'no photo' posting on Theme Day. Due to the Chinese New Year holiday, I have returned to my hometown in Melaka and thus didn't manage to post any photo on. Will choose a suitable photo and post it later.

Bukit China - Theme Day - Paths and Passages

Delayed posting for theme day done on 4 Feb 2009:

This is a jogging/walking path cutting on a hill of cemeteries in the heart of Melaka city, called Bukit China. This is an old Chinese cemetery site. It has been used by fellow Malaccans for their daily jog or walk for more than 20 years.

I used to walk up the slope to reach the top of the hill during my teenage days. It can be rather eerie to walk among these old tombstones alone. It gets worst when I found myself being left alone during sunset.

Do you have a similar path / exercise spot in your city?

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