As my previous blog post introduce about St. Giles Wembley Hotel, Georgetown Penang , the restaurant inside the hotel, which located at 2nd floor, serves decent dinner buffet with more than 100 choices of food.
Wembley Cafe of St. Giles Wembley Hotel provides wide variety of cuisine all day long, with a very unique rotational theme based dinner buffet every night. This means everyday they serves different dishes based on the theme. I visited on Monday and the theme of the day is Spice and Herb Penang buffet.
Theme Buffet Dinner start at 7pm, until 10pm. In this 3 hours, you can enjoy different cuisine of food in a very pleasant environment.
Most of the food are keeping warm, with the cover to ensure the hygiene of the restaurant. The variety from the salad with variety of dressing & condiments, cold cut, marinated salad, seafood on ice, sushi and sashimi, soup, breads & cheese, Chinese barbeque & dim sum, etc....
The main course from mussels, vegetables, prawns, crabs, lamb, pasta, fish, chicken, noodles,etc.... you may not like all the dishes, but for sure there are some that you like.
Spices of penang~~~ as with theme, there are series of food related to spice of Penang.
Not forgetting the dessert , it is something you must try in your buffet dinner. Keep some of the space of your stomach for more than 20 different kinds of cake, pudding,pastry, kuih, fruits and ice kacang. Besides that, there is ice cream with different flavors and the chocolate fountain.
Overall , I tried most of the food served in Dinner buffet. The food variety are so much until I can't try for all. I walked around to have a glance of all the food served in buffet before I eat. Personally I like the sashimi. I took few pieces and it's fresh. I like the cold soba noodles too. You will need to add the ingredients and soup on your own.
I tried the Chinese barbeque, which is freshly served by a chef once you make an order. For the main course, personally I tried the mussels, stir-fried prawn and crab. Taste are good overall.
As a dessert lover, I tried most of it. The cakes is good , sweet without too much of cream. To special mention, the ice cream served is good in quality and unlike other buffet dinner which may use a very normal brand ice cream. Really feel like a kids when I dipped some marshmallow with chocolate fountain.
To be honest, the theme of the buffet dinner is not very strong, with few dishes follow the theme. Without the list of the menu for "Herb and Spice" , I might not notice the dishes which is specially for the day of "Herb and Spice". Overall, I can still see some trend of main courses using different herbs and spice to cook .
If you think a dinner buffet is boring and serves the same food everyday, you are totally wrong. One week 7 days, Wembley Cafe serves different theme dinner buffet. You will see different kinds of cuisine on other day than Monday. Do come and try the dinner buffet with affordable price.
For more information :
Address : 183 Jalan Magazine, 10300 Penang, Malaysia
Phone for reservation: +60 4-259 8000
Website: http://www.stgiles.com/penang-hotels/the-wembley-hotel/
FB page: https://www.facebook.com/StGilesWembley
Penang Hop-on Hop-off
The St. Giles Wembley Hotel located very near to Komtar, shopping district. You may take Hop-on Hop-off and stop at Stop 8 . From Komtar, in less than 5 minutes walk, you will see the hotel .
Penang Hop-on Hop-off Website : http://myhoponhopoff.com/pg/index.php?pageid=1
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As most of us live in busy bustling city, sometime we forget to give ourselves a break and discover the beauty of nature. The ambient sounds of a busy road, hazy environment and the sky without the stars is what we have everyday in a big city. Can you imagine how our ancestor life look like?? The life without air-conditioning, hot shower, Internet.... etc....
Here come to the great idea from the founder of Hakka Village, who create an environment in hill for people who want to experience the simplest life ever like our ancestors. Hakka, one of the main dialect among Malaysia Chinese, which spoke by Hakka people. These people are said to have migrated south from Northern China over the centuries.
In Penang Island, beside the well known Heritage city,Georgetown, there is another small town, Balik Pulau, which offering a laidback kampung lifestyle. As its name "Balik" "Pulau", the town located at the west coast of Penang island, which is an opposite side of Georgetown. Hakka village located in Balik Pulau. It provides not only accommodations, the village also promote the food, culture and history of Hakka in Balik Pulau. The Hakka village also divided into 2 locations; the restaurant and museum are at Balik Pulau town area, the accommodation and the activity areas are located at the hill.
Thanks to the friendly staffs from Hakka village, who fetch me from Balik Pulau Bus Terminal up to their hill, to visit the Hakka village. The road up to the hill is quite narrow, and on the way, I can see some fruit farms. The weather at the hill is quite comfortable, with very refreshing air. As I come to the common areas of village, I saw some introduction of Hakka cuisine.
There are quite a few of tents in the hills, and as I see, you can really experience how to survive in the hills with most simple thing given ever. This is definitely one of a good place to have team building and bonding for a group.
Each tent given a very unique name with a Chinese proverb.
Besides the tents, you may choose to experience high quality room facilities in the hill too. As their concept is like a homestay, you need to put the cover sheets by yourself.
While you are in the hills, you may not able to connect internet or have a signal to call, you will have plenty time to think about your future. The village is quite creative to create a "Dream" wall, which you can write down your dream to fulfill in your life.
Besides, the Hakka village's host of recreational offerings such as karaoke, projector screen,etc... to ensures the guests can have plenty to do with your group during your stay in the hills. The guests normally can have their own activities here and it's like a common area for all the guest to communicate with each others.
A nice view of sea and forest from the hill.
Next, come to another location of Hakka village, which is at the town area of Balik Pulau. The rows of red lantern really attract me a lot. Very catchy for those who pass by here.
You will notice there are a lot of wall painting throughout the village and all are nicely designed. I don't see any "blank white" wall in this village. There are restaurant in the village, which serves wide variety of Hakka traditional cuisine.
Here to the entrance of museum about the Hakka culture and history.
It's not a big museum, but quite informative. I learned more about Hakka in Malaysia after visiting and amazed with the collection displayed by the museum. Here's come to the beautiful founder of Hakka village. She is not only the founder of the village, she is also a successful businesswoman.
Inside the museum, all the collections are related to the thing used by the old Hakka in Balik Pulau. From the cooking utensils, living room, bed room,etc. The museum has totally displayed the lifestyle of old Hakka. For your information, most of the Chinese who live in Balik Pulau are mainly Hakka.
Overall, I quite impressed with Penang Island, with a very bustling, Heritage city of Georgetown in the east, and the totally opposite side of Balik Pulau in the west, preserving the beauty of nature and kampung living style. Instead of staying in a luxury hotel, if you visit Balik Pulau, you should follow Balik Pulau style, experience as simple homestay in Hakka village.
You may read their recent feature in Expat Magazine
e-magazine link: http://en.calameo.com/read/003393572a663240f162f
To forget one's ancestor's is to be a brook without a source, a tree without root.
- CHINESE PROVERBS
More information about Hakka village aka BALIK PULAU LODGE :
Address: 61, Jalan Bukit Kebun Kha, Pulau Betong, MK 7, Balik Pulau, Penang, Malaysia 11020
Phone for reservation : +6016-411 6666 / 04-2829666
Email : info@balikpulaulodged.com
Website : www.balikpulaulodge.com
FB page (Mandarin) : https://www.facebook.com/balikpulaulodge
How to get to Balik Pulau from Georgetown??
Rapid Penang's bus 502 and 401 do travel to Balik Pulau. You can get the bus from Jetty Terminal. The fares for single trip is RM 3.40 (August2015).
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ESCAPE is one of the new theme park in Penang. It's somehow categorize as theme park, but it is more about adventure games hosted in a natural environment. ESCAPE re-introduces the play and values of yesteryear so to inject reality into a world overdependent on an isolation-inducing electronic lifestyle.
Since the ESCAPE launched, I heard mostly positive feedback from my friends. It's also become one of the favorite spot for the school and corporate for team building.
An adventure games not only give you an exciting feeling and unusual feeling, it's also trained you on how to face the fear and to conquer it.
I'm glad to have a chance to visit ESCAPE for this Penang trip.
The wristband is specially design so that you can play without worry about carry a paper ticket. This wristband is like your prepaid card, as you can reload the credit and spend inside the park.
p/s: You are not allow to bring any outside food and drink into the park. ( Even the drinking water is not allowed, Hmm... )
There are quite a few interesting sentences to remind you to enjoy the park. Some are quite creative. Here is one of it. Having fun in ESCAPE is not only for kids, but "big kids" like me can enjoy a lot too.
Basically, the rides and games in ESCAPE are designed for a wide range of age groups, abilities, and energy levels. There is no age limit to have fun and challenge yourself in ESCAPE.
Before you start the games, normally you will need to watch a video on the instructions and safety measures. As ESCAPE emphasize on self-directed and self-powered play, therefore it's important you watch the video, and know how to play later.
As you stepped in to the park, you may amaze with the challengers who finding the ways to cross from one platform to another platform. With different climbing obstacles, you may need to think out the ways to make yourself safe, and in somehow you will feel thrill and exciting, but in the same time, you are still safe . You may fall down, but once you tried for few times, you will successfully conquer it. The obstacles are in series, not like other adventure park. Therefore, once you start the games, you have to finish all obstacles to end the games.
There are about 20++ adventure games in ESCAPE park. One of the most popular games in ESCAPE- Monkey Business.
Another popular games in ESCAPE, which test your braveness to try the free fall.
There are some games specially designed in consideration of age. Like this climbing maze, it's mini size and lower if compare to the climbing obstacles for big kids.
Safety belt is very important for all the games you play in ESCAPE. The friendly staffs will double check on your wearing of belt and adjust it if need.
Personally I tried flying trapeze on the day. It's a games like flying fox, and fly across the park and jungle. I tried flying fox before, but the most special thing about flying trapeze in ESCAPE is it is not just 1 time you will fly. You will fly in series, for 4 times; and you need to change the pulley and rope by yourself when you come to next platform in order to continue the whole "flying journey". This is something I never try before, which make me a bit nervous.
Besides the games and rides, there is some wooden small house which is quite suitable for team building activity such as treasure hunt. All this small house is well spread throughout the jungle in ESCAPE. You may stop by and rest at any small house if you are tired. Some houses have chairs and fans for rest.
The park provides the locker, which you can keep your belongings safety. To lock and unlock, you will have to scan your wristband.
Come to the " Grass-shopper" and you will find variety of souvenirs that you might like to bring home. Don't forget to return your wristband and get back your leftover credit and deposit here too before you leave.
Overall, ESCAPE is fun to play for those who love adventure activities. Anyway, visiting ESCAPE is like doing the sport, as you will sweat a lot while doing the fitness activities and games. The games are mostly interesting with physical challenges. As you pass all the challenges, you will feel satisfy once you step out the park. Besides doing those challenging activities, ESCAPE also want to inspire the visitor to love the mother nature and preserve our environment.
I would strongly recommend to come to ESCAPE early morning to avoid extreme hot weather at noon. Bring insect repellent and apply if necessary.
Have a look on the park map before having fun~~~
"To adventure is to find yourself whole"
More information about Escape Penang:
Address: 828 Jalan Teluk Bahang, 11050 Penang, Malaysia
Phone: +60 4 8811 106
Email: info@escape.my
Website: http://www.escape.my/
FB page: https://www.facebook.com/escape.my
Opening Hours : Tues - Sun, 9am - 6pm. ( Closed on Mondays, unless it is a Public Holiday.)
Penang Hop-on Hop-off
You may take Hop-on Hop-off beach routes line, and stop at Stop 31
The ESCAPE is just in front of the stop.
Penang Hop-on Hop-off Website : http://myhoponhopoff.com/pg/index.php?pageid=1
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What gives that "unique" to Southeast Asian food?
I still can remember when I studied overseas, one of the thing I miss the most is the food. Southeast Asian food uses wisely on different spices to give the flavoring of the cuisine. This is something you can't find in other cuisine.
Some common spices we used in daily cooking – like lemongrass, chili, ginger,tamarind, pandan leaves, turmeric, curry leaves and many more. All of them give those superb flavors and aromas to an unparalleled diversity of cuisines.
Well, in Penang, there is a garden where its main theme is spice. Tropical Spice Garden opened to the public in November 2003, showcasing over 500 varieties of exotic fauna and flora (with an emphasis on spices), spread over 8 acres of secondary jungle.
To explore the garden, you may chose either Live guided tour (with scheduled time) or Audio Tour. The ticket price is normally included the audio guide with various languages to select such as English, Arabic, Mandarin, Japanese, Malay, German & French.
With a map of garden and the audio guide, I started my journey to explore the garden.
p/s: The map also provides a express route for those who have limited time to explore the garden. The express route will bring you to the most important parts of the garden.
The garden provides insect repellent at the entrance too. Just apply some before enter the garden.
As you stepped in from the entrance, you will see the lake with giant water lily. The leaves are large, floating on the top of the lake. I was not so lucky as I didn't see any lily flower.
The garden divides into several parts. Heart of the Garden is one part of it, which mainly shows the tropical flora. The canopy of towering trees provides shady sanctuary for a fascinating array of flora.
In this part, don't forget to sit on the giant swing and enjoy the greenery of the garden.
I found another beautiful flower in the garden-- Bat Lily
Come to next part of garden , the spice terraces and spice globe.
You will not only know the look of each spices, but also some Penang's history and contribution to the spice trade; from an uninhabited island to a bustling centre for cultivation and trades of spice.
In this part, I can feel light aroma of some spice. There is wide variety of spice displays in this part.
In addition, the garden displays some simple tools for processing the spice .
Use your audio guide smartly by pressing the number that you are interested. Let say you are interested in this plant, just press "39" to know more about the spice.
Next, come to the Bamboo garden. It's easy to recognize, with very tall, black bamboo.
There is a tea kiosk, which you can enjoy a refreshing herbal tea after a long walk. The tea I drank on that day is Revitalising Misai Kucing Tea. Good taste and it's quench my thirst.
While walk along the path back to the entrance, I looked up to the sky, have a deep breath of the clean air in the garden. It's amazing and bless to see the beauty of nature. The garden need people, need money, need time to take care. The ticket we paid is a just a small part of the contribution in order for this garden to maintain its beauty. If you are nature lover, you will definitely love this place.
Before the end of your journey in Tropical Spice Garden, you may browse through the gift shop and find some souvenirs to bring back , especially the spice powder!!!
Life is more interesting when you gain many different experiences through travel.
"Variety is the spice of life " - William Cowper
More information about Tropical Spice Garden
Address: Lot 595 Mukim 2, Jalan Teluk Bahang, 11050 Penang, Malaysia.
Tel: +604 – 881 1797, +6012 430 7795
Website : http://tropicalspicegarden.com/
FB page : https://www.facebook.com/TropicalSpiceGarden
Open 9am to 6pm daily. Last admission at 5.15pm.
Additional facilities:
- Exclusive venue hire for weddings, private functions, meetings & team building
- Gift Shop
- TSG Cooking School
- Nature Education Programs
- Slides & Ladders 3D Board Game
- Tree Monkey Restaurant
- Night Walks
- Concession Rates for Groups & Schools
- Commercial Photography/Filming
Penang Hop-on Hop-off
You may take Hop-on Hop-off beach routes line, and stop at Stop 27
The Tropical Spice Garden is just in front of the stop.
Penang Hop-on Hop-off Website : http://myhoponhopoff.com/pg/index.php?pageid=1
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