Archives for 2011

The Nuffnang Asia-Pacific Blog Awards 2011

… aka NAPBAS. I was there ‘cos I was one of the 5 finalists for the ‘Best Micro Blog‘ category.

The awards was held this past Friday at the Putrajaya Marriott. I’ve been to the hotel before but only during daytime. Plus I left from a new place so I wasn’t very sure of my directions. So I ended up touring Putrajaya city, went on both Putrajaya bridges and rounded the city a few times because Malaysian road signs are: 1) inefficient and lead you to big useless rounds, and 2) blocked from view thanks to massive trees.

Really Kerajaan, thank you. Loved the nearly 2 hours joyride. Really.

Anyway, managed to reach there just in the nick of time.

NAPBAS 2011 programme book

Met many familiar faces, mostly known each other via blogging from a few years back. It’s (still very much so) a fantastic community 🙂

By the way, I’ve to mention Viva Vertical‘s pole dancing show during the awards. It was fun to watch and in KY‘s words, they had muscles where I didn’t know one could have muscles! Nah, link: *click*

Then my category came up. Wah they did this big screen thing:

NAPBAS 2011 - Micro Blog category

Damn shiok man, I felt a tingling down my spine. Quite a thrill really to see yourself on a massive projection like that. And for reasons not related to crime… best! 😛

I didn’t win, Kenny Sia did. So sad, mostly because I would have liked a new digital camera, sob sniff.

Though I’ve to say, I had fun at the awards thanks to the company 🙂 Also, it’s not everyday that you get to pose in a photo like this:

NAPBAS 2011 - Suanie in Micro Blog category

Best ever! 😀 By the way, if you’d voted for me, thanks yah. Really appreciate it 🙂

German-style Crispy Duck @ TJ Haus, SS18

My colleague told me about TJ Haus in SS18, Subang Jaya and recommended that I try their superlicious chilled cheese cake. I googled and found out the exact location, briefly saw that they’re famous for their duck so I decided to have it for dinner.

TJ Haus is on the 1st level of an end lot in a row of shops in SS18. Walking up the stairs, you’d surely see how it’s decorated – quite a cosy and homely feel even from the outside. Step inside TJ Haus and you may feel like you’re at someone’s house. I thought it felt very comfortable and relaxed. As Christmas is upon us, TJ Haus is all decked out in Christmas decorations, very nice.

TJ Haus SS18 - interior TJ Haus SS18 - outside seating

This is TJ: Thomas and Jeffrey. Thomas is the chef and Jeffrey the host. Nice, obliging people!

TJ Haus SS18 - Thomas and Jeffrey

Joyce and I both had the Crispy Duck (German-style) (RM26). Chef recommendation so we wanted to try for ourselves mah! The dish didn’t disappoint though it was a lot of duck. Perhaps you could share this main when you’re here with others.

TJ Haus SS18 - crispy duck

Half duck topped with brown orange sauce, served with boiled potatoes and red cabbage. The skin is crispy on the outside, yet the meat is nice and soft with a slight bite on the inside. According to a newspaper clipping at the restaurant, the duck is stuffed with sliced apples and oranges before it is roasted in the oven, hence the natural sweet and tangy taste.

We were given extra sauce (without having to ask, so nice!) which is a bit heavy so go easy. I particularly like the red cabbage as it is not common here – sauerkraut is usually given in place. Again according to the newspaper clipping, their red cabbage is marinated overnight with vinegar, sugar, cinnamon and shredded apples. Absolutely delicious!

Boiled potatoes are boiled potatoes. Really one.

TJ Haus SS18 - crispy duck German style

Here’s Joyce enjoying her meat.

TJ Haus SS18 - Joyce eats duck

We shared a prawn cocktail and a chilled cheese cake. Both were quite enjoyable but the focus of this blog post is the crispy duck. So go focus.

TJ Haus SS18 - prawn cocktail TJ Haus SS18 - chilled cheese cake

I’ll be going back to TJ Haus to check out other items on the menu. Happiness ahead!

TJ Haus
27A, Jalan SS18/1B, 47500 Subang Jaya
Tel: 03-5636-4508
Click for: Directions via Google Map
Closed on the 1st and 3rd Monday

Benefit b.right workshop/ Guinness @ Hakka/ Don’t Duck It campaign

Just a few things that I wanted to share before the year ends. Sometimes I sit on the photos for too long that I overlook them, which is a bad habit that I need to break.

So here are some fun things that I got down to:

Attended a Benefit Cosmetics workshop where they showed us how the b.right skincare range complements makeup application.

Benefit b.right skincare

I already like the b.right skincare stuff, especially the foaming facial cleanser which I think is good for my face. Smells great too, and got my question answered on the fragrance – all natural and no additional chemical to make it smell nicer.

The fun part for me was to watch the Benefit pro teaching assorted makeup tricks. They make it look so easy but I know that it takes a lot of trial and error to get it right. We got to play around with Benefit makeup which was already a reward in itself: they make such GORGEOUS powder and stuff!

Here’s the Benefit Magic Ink Liquid Eyeliner on Joyce:

Benefit eyeliner on Joyce

— — — — — —

There was a dinner at the famous Hakka Restaurant in KL by Guinness to showcase how well Guinness goes down with local Chinese food. It was quite a fun experiment: eating each item on the menu followed by a drink of Guinness. At the end of the day we learned that Guinness is best enjoyed with salty food. Also the more Guinness you drink, the better the food tasted.

Also, Michael downed a shot of Guinness with fresh oyster + lemon. Apparently that’s how a lot of people enjoy their oysters, something that I’d never find out because I don’t eat uncooked oysters. Ick.

Guinness paired with Chinese food - menu Guinness paired with Chinese food - oyster with Guinness

Here’s just a photo to show you some of what we had that night. Mostly for showing off because Hakka Restaurant’s food is really, really delicious. Mmmm I think it’s time for a family dinner at Hakka 😀

Guinness paired with Chinese food - Hakka restaurant food

— — — — — —

Tock asked me if I wanted to get splashed with paint for a breast + cervical cancer awareness campaign that he was working on. I said ok lor. This is an individual poster of me with the paint et al. Not my exact quote though, perhaps they didn’t have time to edit everyone’s.

Don't Duck It - Suanie

Don’t Duck It was a noteworthy campaign so I should talk more about it. It’s under the Passionately YOU Cervical & Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign, a collaboration between Assunta Hospital, Asia Assistance, Jaya One and PJ Live Arts. The purpose: support the cause for cervical and breast cancer awareness and early detection.

You know lah, people always put off minor irritants and pain until the last minute because “this can’t happen to me”. Or they are afraid of finding out what’s wrong so they leave it until they cannot leave it anymore. Unfortunately by that time, if something really DID happen, it could be too late. Padahal if they’d have early detection, immediate treatment could and possibly would have made them well.

But you know, manusia. Anyway the campaign also helped raise funds for the Community Treatment Program at Assunta Hospital that provides aid to cancer patients from the low income group. At the end of it, a staggering amount of RM 93,082.20 was raised for the hospital. Well done you guys 🙂

*applaud applaud*

Here are some shots from the shoot, it was quite fun being so messy with paint. My only unhappiness with the shoot was that the paint was not easily washable so my favourite denim shorts was totally k.o. Sad, sad 🙁

Don't Duck It - Suanie and Niki

But I get to spray paint at Niki Cheong. Happy, happy 🙂

Don't Duck It - splashing paint

Here’s one with Helenness, Kal and Harinder. Mei Ying wasn’t in the photo, she had to leave early. I had fun messin’ her up with paint though 😀

Don't Duck It - Suanie, Helenness, Kal, Harinder

To Bangkok, to Bangkok

Off to Bangkok in a few hours for…

Yanni Live  on Tour

😀 😀 😀

We only appreciated his genius after watching his Yanni! Live in Concert DVD which was different from his older, more sombre types of concerts. Until today I can’t go through some songs without feeling those goosebumps!

Thrilled as he doesn’t come to our neck of the woods often. Have much faith in the non-flooding in Bangkok, which if my faith was misplaced, my blog goes to ST who’s probably the only one who knows what to do with it…!

You have a good start to the week too! 🙂

Milestone 30

Yeap, turned 30 today. My glorious 20s are officially over.
Can’t you tell that I’m more peaceful already? 🙂

I don’t have anything to share, except a postcard from Berlin of a wall somewhere in the city.

Suanie birthday wall in Berlin

Cuti-cuti Malaysia: Chamang Fall, Pahang

Chamang Fall - 08 Chamang Waterfall I think that Chamang Falls is one of the nicest waterfalls around that requires zero effort to get to. None of those trekking stuff: just park your car, walk a few steps and voila! your eyes will be well rewarded with a beautiful, powerful, cascading waterfall.

Chamang Fall is near Bentong town in Pahang, accessible from Karak Highway. Take the exit into Bentong/Raub and you’ll come upon brown signs directing you to town and subsequently Chamang Fall. This waterfall is quite popular and thus slightly commercialised: they have a huge carpark, and (paid) changing rooms and toilets. Very popular with the locals, gets rather busy on weekends and public holidays.


View Larger Map

There are camping and picnic areas. A couple of wading pools are big and safe for kids. During the rainy season, the current can get strong, no point risking your life trying to impress nobody by doing dangerous stunts. There are a lot of hidden whirlpools near the rocks and some parts are dangerous. There have been a lot of accidents and deaths here, so always be careful and mindful.

That said, I think it’s a lovely waterfall and you should definitely visit it if you can. A suspension bridge connects the two sides of the stream; before the bridge, people use to cross to the other side by stepping on rocks…! Scary because even at the lower levels, the current may still be strong. You’ll know it when you see it.

Chamang Fall - 01 Ryan at the bridge
Little explorer

Chamang Fall - 02 Ryan, Shirley, Yuki
At one of the bigger wading pools

Chamang Fall - 03 Ryan and Suanie
Ryan and his favourite Xiao Yi

Chamang Fall - 04 playing

Chamang Fall - 05 playing

Chamang Fall - 07 Yuki and Horng

Chamang Fall - 06 cascades

Videos:

Suggested day trip itinerary:

10.30 am: Reach the Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary. Register and donate for a yellow sticker.
10.45 am: Drive out to the nearby Deerland, requires entrance fee. Spend some time checking out the animals. Feed the deer and have your photo taken with a sun bear.
12 pm: Get lunch. Either you’ve packed it or eat at the cafe at the sanctuary.
1 pm: Watch a screening of the introduction video at the sanctuary. Chill and relax, hang out.
2 pm: Elephant activities begin, yay!
4 pm: Either go straight to Chamang Falls nearby, OR: go to KFC in Bentong, have a feast THEN proceed to Chamang Falls. OR takeaway KFC in Bentong, proceed to Chamang Falls and have a finger lickin’ good picnic there.

Cuti-cuti Malaysia: Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary, Pahang

Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary - Ryan Shirley the Singaporean came visiting during the long Raya break. Since there’s not much to see in KL, I thought of bringing her to places other than shopping malls. I thought of revisiting the Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary so we went on the eve of Raya along with Horng, Yuki and Ryan the Nephew.

The Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary is near Lanchang, Pahang. It was established years ago to translocate wild elephants that were causing problems for local villagers. It wasn’t entirely their fault as their natural habitat was being weaned off. Wild elephants like any wild animals can be dangerous, especially if they’re scared and confused. The centre also rescues and rehabilitate abandoned elephants, left behind by their herds. Since the late 90s, the centre opened its doors to the public for awareness and public monetary donations to help keep it going.

Getting there by car: From 1Utama new wing to the sanctuary near Lanchang is about 105km, less than 2 hour journey via the Karak Highway. Once you exit into Lanchang, there will be signs directing you to the sanctuary.


View Larger Map

The centre is open daily from 9am to 4.45pm except on major public holidays. However ‘activities with elephants’ start from 2pm onwards, so if you’d like to watch a video about the centre/ see the elephants do basic tricks/ ride on the elephants/ swim with the elephants, then you’ve to be there by 1pm and register yourselves. Only the first 150 daily visitors get to ride on/ swim with the elephants. If it’s a busy weekend or the school holiday season, you may be out of luck if you get there too late. You can still watch the show and feed the elephants but no riding nor swimming. Entrance fees are via a donation amount, don’t be stingy!

I was first at the sanctuary years ago and things have changed. The centre looks bigger, cleaner and nicely renovated. When you enter the main area where the activities are done, you’d see a few pens with baby elephants inside, waiting to be fed with peanuts and bananas by adoring visitors. Enterprising workers had set up a stall where you could buy snacks to feed the elephants.

Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary - getting friendly

They cordoned off the extremely large jungle area where the bigger elephants are kept. Previously it was like in a zoo and the elephants minded their own business from behind a fence. I think the area is still there but it’s now covered by a green wall. Pity, I prefer the open concept.

Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary - Suanie and Ryan

The show starts at 2pm. A guy with a mic stands at the stage, telling you of the different elephants that they have rescued. A few elephants appeared with their minders, did some tricks like lifting their legs. The guy explains that they teach the elephants these things not to make them perform like a cheap circus would, but it’s more for the elephants’ survival.

As I stood there in the sun staring at the elephants, I suddenly felt that they are miraculous creatures. What magnificent looking animals! God made them in his own image, eh?

Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary - rescued elephants

You also get to feed the elephants with fruits that the minders had prepared. The trays of fruits were a mixture of watermelon and bananas.

Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary - happy tourists

If you have a yellow sticker, you get to stand in line and wait to ride on the elephants! It’s without a saddle, apparently the hair is prickly and you just go around a small circle. At least it’s an experience.

Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary - elephant ride

After that, you can go into the water with a couple of elephants. They call it swimming with the elephants but from where I was (dryly) standing, it was a bit of a farce. Basically you get on top of the elephant in the water and the happy minder splashed water at you, while encouraging your friends and other people to do the same. The water didn’t look very clean to me so I didn’t allow Ryan to do it. We went to the nearby waterfall instead.

Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary - bathing with elephants

If you’re thinking of going to the sanctuary for a day trip, here’s a suggested itinerary:

10.30 am: Reach the Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary. Register and donate for a yellow sticker.
10.45 am: Drive out to the nearby Deerland, requires entrance fee. Spend some time checking out the animals. Feed the deer and have your photo taken with a sun bear.
12 pm: Get lunch. Either you’ve packed it for yourselves or eat at the cafe at the sanctuary.
1 pm: Watch a screening of the introduction video at the sanctuary. Chill and relax, hang out.
2 pm: Elephant activities begin, yay!
4 pm: Either go straight to Chamang Falls nearby, OR: go to KFC in Bentong, have a feast THEN proceed to Chamang Falls. OR takeaway KFC in Bentong, proceed to Chamang Falls and have a finger lickin’ good picnic there.

Best itinerary ever!

Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary, Pahang
Opens daily 9am – 5pm, except on the first day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
Info on: TripAdvisor