Gurney Drive Hawker Centre, Penang

Previously:

Eastern And Oriental Hotel, Penang

This Gurney Drive street food stalls in Georgetown is for me the biggest I have seen in Malaysia.  

It is the largest and most well-known hawker centre in Penang.  Here, all Malaysian cuisine that you probably can imagine, you can find it here.  We started to walk from Gurney Plaza side and had been WOW by the fact that how crowded and by how much food stalls in there!!!  We quickly grabbed the table to sit.  Apparently the table is run by the drinks stalls owner.  They will allow you to sit on their territory as long as you buy some drinks or dessert from the specific seller.  With that many people, of course we need to secure our table first before go for food hunting.  With only a quick stroll, we got a few foods already in hand, such as nasi lemak, char kway teow, rojak (mixed of fruits and fried tofu topped with sticky sweet spicy peanut sauce) and chicken satay.  Then we also tried their Apom (thin crepe-like snacks).  By then we felt very full and decided to go for a walk.  Then we just found out that the stalls take longer than we thought.  That's why at first we were wondering why the food most of them only Chinese-influenced dishes, whereabouts the Indians and Malayu cuisines!!!  They are all located further inside.  We were disappointing that didn't get to try more dishes from Malayu and India food but what we had before they were all delicious as well.  I'm Indonesian myself and I'm totally fond with Indo-Malay food and when I saw that beef tail soup, my mouth was watering but my tummy can't handle any more food. One day in Gurney Drive is definitely not enough.  

Char kway teow

rojak

nasi lemak

chicken satay

apom

Musang King durian

On the way back, before we catch taxi back to our hotel, we stopped at this busy durian stalls to get some yummy Malaysian Musang King durian.  When we first came he still had a lot of durian on the table.  However, around 8.30pm, it was nearly nothing left, but luckily we can still get 1 whole Musang King Durian.  We asked him to open them on the spot and ate them straight away.  For you durian lover, Musang King durian has slightly bitterness taste but that's what I prefer.  It was good and I'm totally satisfied

Gurney Drive Hawker Centre
Georgetown, Penang


Stay tuned for the next blog still in Penang:
Nattukottai Chettiars Temple and Penang Hill

Eastern And Oriental Hotel, Penang

This time was our first time in Penang and we wanted to spoil ourselves for a bit.  We stayed at the best colonial-style hotel in town, named Eastern & Oriental Hotel.  This hotel is renowned for a reason.  Luxury with touch of colonial decorations with five-star cleanliness standard.  The good friendly services.  Of course, not forget to mention their superb and delicious breakfast buffet.

We stayed two nights in the suite connecting rooms.  We felt very private and peaceful here.  As we booked the suite room, we can as well get the complimentary afternoon tea in the club lounge located next to the swimming pool.  Free flowing of wines and soda accompanied with light yummy snacks.

Suite room in the Victory Annexe side

Spacious bathroom with colonial style bath tub

Balcony with nice looking view

club lounge

Swimming pool

This infinity pool wasn't crowded at all.  That's what I like.  There were noone swam with us at that evening.  It was just like our own pool.

enchanting sunset view from our room

Penang is a town where Malayu and Indian life happily together.  Therefore, Indian food in this town are great.  In the afternoon, the first day we arrived in Penang, we had Indian food at Kashmir restaurant.  It is quite pricey compared to any other Indian restaurant, However, the ambiance and food are pretty fine.  They are all delicious especially those tandoori chicken and butter chicken.

After that we catched the traditional tricycle decorated with colorful flowers.  It kinds of a-must thing to do in Penang.  Bargain is needed before you jump in to this tricycle.

Eastern & Oriental Hotel
10, Lebuh Farquhar, Penang
Ph: +6 04 222 2000


Kashmir Restaurant
105, Jalan Penang, George Town
Ph: +6 04 263 7411


Stay tuned for the next blog still in Penang:
Gurney Drive Hawker Centre, Penang

Le Banneton Cafe, Luang Prabang

Previously:

Tamarind Restaurant, Luang Prabang

Today is our last day in Luang Prabang.  We spent our time in the city and relaxed sitting down at the one busy cafe that we had an eye of since day one.  In the morning as breakfast is included so we went for the authentic fresh spring rolls and noodle soup.  Then around mid-morning, we went straight to Le Banneton Cafe on the Sakhalin Road, not too far from our hotel.  I really can't miss this cafe, they seem always busy with customers. 

Pistachio raspberry tart and chocolate eclair

grilled chicken baguette with fresh salad on the side

hot chocolate

Their drinks were superb, especially that hot chocolate.  For their sweets, it was a good combination of pistachio and sour raspberry tart.  Chocolate eclair is pretty average.  But, that grilled chicken taste wonderful although the bread is a little to hard and chewy.  I didn't manage to try their croissant as much as I want it but my tummy was extremely full by then.
 

Le Banneton Cafe, Luang Prabang
03/46 Sakhalin Road, Ban Killy Luang Prabang
Ph: +856 30 57 88 340

Tamarind Restaurant, Luang Prabang

Previously:

Kuangsi Waterfall Park, Luang Prabang

We like the food in Tamarind Restaurant until we came back for the second round in just a matter of three days in Luang Prabang.  The food in here is a fine and authentic Luang Prabang style food, ranges from khai pen, ok lam, and lemongrass chicken.  For the second time, they still never disappointed us.  Then after lunch, we just sat in the one nice cafe over looking the Mekong river and sipping the cold iced coffee.  What a pleasure afternoon to spend on the beautiful day like that day.

dinner at nearby restaurant

Stay tuned for the next blog in Luang Prabang:
Le Banneton Cafe, Luang Prabang

Kuangsi Waterfall Park, Luang Prabang

Previously:

Kuangsi Waterfall Park, Luang Prabang

For breakfast, we had Lao style pho accompanied with some western omelette and croissants.  Their breakfast are outstanding.  After that, we went to Kuangsi waterfall park.  It is located outside the city, about one hour drive.  Therefore, we booked the private van to go there.

Once you enter the park area, you will see the bear conservation.  The original idea of this conservation is purely for protecting the bears.  The bears there have a good life.  They are all just lazily sleeping on the woods.

From the bears park, you need to walk for another a few kilometers until you reach the magnificent greenish waterfall. Very tranquil and clear.  I'm not too sure whether you can actually jump down in the waterfall area.  However, there is one big nature pool on the foot of the waterfall, some people do swimming in there.  My husband did but he said the water is absolutely freezing cold.  And there are little fish that will bite and poke around your skin.  It is not hurt just ticklish and little annoying.  But overall, it was a nice experience.

Variety of grilled food, such as fish, pork and chicken

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Luang Prabang:
Tamarind Restaurant, Luang Prabang