Wonder.Food.Travel

I totally forgot about this eatery until i searched for a place midpoint between my friends and me, Publika area. I have not been so i thought this was a good opportunity to try. The Red Beanbag was crowded when we arrived on a public holiday. We waited more than half an hour for an indoor seating. After the necessary SOP for entry, we were ushered to our table, activated our gadgets to scan the QR coded menu and placed our orders with the friendly waiter. Like a true latte lad, pretty neat art on top and correct cup. However, i wasn't too fond of its taste- it leaned towards the bitter side. The Kraken was among the favourites at the cafe. I can't agree more! This legendary squid conquers the wet, spiced sea. The inked pasta was cooked al dante, complementing the bouncy meat. Recommended especially for spicy and seafood eaters. Pricewise was standard cafe pricing. The ambiance was laidback, barnlike decor, creating a comfy space for us to catch up. Will i return? When i crave ...

The world sometimes works in mysterious, funny fashions. Perhaps an incredible coincidence or a sudden jackpot-like luck. Or simply, the powerful law of attraction, if you believe so. I thought about a villa over water, even to the extent of researching for dates and rates for a stay. But i didn't proceed to select any and swept this thought under the carpet. Then came a travel photo contest that i didn't know what the prize would be. I participated in the contest anyway because i loved that photo, i wanted to share it, and it matched the theme. I submitted and won. Guess what- the prize was a night stay in a villa. OVER WATER! Ecstatic, almost unbelievable, when i read it. I read it over and over again. So it began, the rediscovering of Port Dickson with this Journey, where the villa is located. Gazing to the horizon with the villas in sight. Port Dickson is not an unfamiliar name when it comes to beachside destination. However, i remembered that i didn't favour...

Kuala Sepetang in Perak is a testament to a place that has nothing much to do yet so much to learn and experience. Irony, yes, but that's the truth, or at least that's what i felt after spending a lovely evening in the charming coastal town. Since i developed an interest to visit less known places, this town shone brightly under my radar. My family came along on this retreat- that's how i call it. Kuala Sepetang is also known as Port Weld, named after a former Governor, Frederick Weld. Familiar? Perhaps from our Sejarah (History) textbook. This multilingual signboard , something you don't see often today, is a landmark of the town which once had a railway in 1885 linking this port to the Larut tin-mining quarry. It is claimed to be the first railway station in the country.

I sat next to a couple while waiting for the Sinh Tourist bus to Da Nang. They spoke in Cantonese, intermittently in English, and i understood their conversation (i wasn't eavesdropping, i promise; they were close enough that i had to hear). It wasn't any interesting topic but i was interested in knowing where they were from. They could be a country-mate. So, when they paused chatting, i quickly asked if they were Malaysians. The shook their heads and in unison, replied "Hong Kong". Instinctively, i replied in Cantonese, bluntly witnessing the surprise on their faces. And the usual follow up question was regarding how i could speak in that language. I enjoy surprising others with such fun fact of Malaysia- we can speak more than one language. Unmissable, the Cau Rong  (bridge) is a sight to behold. Our conversation was short-lived as the bus soon arrived. We got out bags, boarded onto the bus and settled into our individual sleeper seats. Slightly uncomfortabl...