Dr. Fox's Tearoom | Weston-Super-Mare

If you read my post on '30 hours road trip to somewhere', you will know how we got to Weston-Super-Mare. Although not knowing where we were, we managed to get some local tips for the best breakfast in town. Dr Fox's Tearoom was immediately pointed out to us. They even got awards for their food.

Dr Fox's Tearoom (image via Geograph)

Off we went, getting lost in town and doing things we don't normally do. Have sweets and fudge at nine in the morning, played all the nostalgic arcade games and receiving those tickets we used to collect tons of just to get a free doll. It was such a fun morning remembering the childhood fun times. Pacman and Pinball were one of them. Too bad they didn't have Street Fighter where I used to fight my brother with Chun-Li over his Ken. Those were the times where iPads or games on the phones were non-existent.

Playing arcade games

Once we were done being a child again, we got ourselves some grown up breakfast on the seafront. The breakfast was great. Omelette were cooked well. Better yet, they sell their own jams which we did buy one for when we get back to London. Our time having breakfast in the sun was very pleasant.

Full English breakfast and cheese omelette

Dr Fox's Tearoom
Knightstone Island,
Seafront, Weston-super-Mare,
BS23 2AD, UK

Tel: +44 (0)1934 707411 
  

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30 Hours Road Trip to Somewhere

A spur of the moment weekend road trip is always fun. I love the spontaneity! Well it is not just all smiles. I do get a little grumpy at times when we get into distress of getting lost in the middle of nowhere. But the smiles float to the surface again, after a little quick release of angst. Thank God P’s patient with me. Before I get into this little distress it was all happy and exciting. Let's start the journey.

BRISTOL

On a late Saturday afternoon, we thought lets go on a little road trip to somewhere. Yes, somewhere. We weren’t sure where we were heading until just minutes before entering the town on the Sat Nav. Bristol it is! It wasn’t too far from London so it’s very doable for a short weekend break. When we arrived at Bristol, we came across many interesting things even though only for a few hours. There were mismatched architecture in the newer part of the city, the Old City being our favourite with more character. Lots of Street Art were everywhere. We even spotted a few Banksy. Our dinner restaurant find was a romantic cosy little Italian Restaurant called Sergio's (review post to come).

Tips: Make sure to wear flat shoe if you are planning to explore Bristol on foot. It's pretty hilly.

Bristol's oldest pub, The Hatchet Inn

WESTON-SUPER-MARE

When we left Bristol, we were not sure where to go except somewhere along the coast. Then we decided to head to.. I can’t remember where.. But the Sat Nav stopped working mid-way through a narrow dark alley with no sign. What was worse, our iPhone battery were dead! Great! What a timing. This was when our instincts were put to test. Luckily we end up in some small town (Weston-Super-Mare) by the coast. It was practically dead at 1am. Found a Premier Inn and hoped they have a room to shelter us, two lost souls. Fully booked!! Why? It didn’t seem like the most interesting of towns to be. Oh well, what do we know. The receptionist was kind enough to let us charge our phones and wait in the lobby for a little while. They did sort of ask us to leave when my phone was charged to about 80% cause they had to clean the area. Okay. Never mind. We parked the car in some grassy open parking space and slept in the car. Yes, we slept in the car! Best thing was, we weren't the only one. There were about 3 people in their sleeping bags on the grass.

By morning, we found out why they were sleeping on the grass. There was some concert where Jessie-J will be there. The queue to the concert got longer and longer as the hours past. Well, all we wanted was to walk along the beach. Curiously, it was almost empty then we saw a danger sign that says ‘Sinking Mud’! First time to come across this on a beach. Better not walk too close to the sea then. We asked around for the best breakfast place and was recommended the award winning Dr Fox’s Tea Room (review post to come soon). 

BURNHAM-ON-SEA

Next stop! Again, somewhere along the coast was our plan. We found Burnham-on-sea on the map so we headed there. It seems like a nice place and we spent a few hours soaking up the sun on the beach. Just where we were parked was what looked like a quaint little Tea Room / Café called The Long Parlour (review post to come soon). We had an afternoon tea break there and was pleasantly surprised with it. The roast smelled really good but too bad we had a big breakfast and only wanted something light. The traditional Somerset tea came with scones with clotted cream and jam was really lovely. If I ever come back again, I am sure to try the appetising looking food too.

SIDMOUTH 

Later, we headed southwards. Sidmouth is a charming seaside town beneath the red cliffs. It is also on the Jurassic Coast, a World Heritage Site. Besides its natural beauty, it is enchanting with its attractive independent shops, and the town itself exudes calmness. It is no wonder 60% of the residence are over 65 of age. A relaxing town perfect for retirees. Even though we are far from being 65, we still enjoyed its serenity and beauty. Dinner was in The Black Horse Pub (review post to come). 

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Famous Penang hokkien mee (prawn noodles) for breakfast | Penang

What's for breakfast on my first day back in Penang? Hokkien mee (prawn noodle) of course! The broth is made with lots and lots of shrimp shells and pork ribs so it is packed full of intense flavour. The chilli paste gives it that extra kick. Factor in eating this in a tropical weather with no air-conditioning but fan, it makes the experience a lot more exciting! That's just me, probably. You might think otherwise. Luckily the hokkien mee is sold only in the morning. Remember to come here early too as this flavoursome bowl of goodness sells out by 9:30 / 10am.

'Hokkien mee' that is spicy and packed full of flavour

Apom balik (an indian version of thin eggy pancake), so simple yet so good with soft centre and thin crispy edges. Do try this too while you're here.

The making of 'apom balik' with charcoal and clay pot, served on banana leaves.

'Ban chang kueh' (pancake with peanuts) is a sort of pancake with spongy honeycomb texture that is so unique, it's hard to find one like it elsewhere.

Swee Kong Coffee Shop


319 Jalan Burma 
10050 Pulau Tikus
Penang, Malaysia

(intersection of Jalan Burma and Solok Moulmein, near the Pulau Tikus market)
GPS Coordinates: N5 25.828 E100 18.757

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Satay and Roti Bakar at Joo Leong Cafe | Penang

I’m back! Yes, I was away in Penang (Malaysia) and Lombok (Indonesia) for a well-deserved break. That was why my weekly posts have been missing. Now that I am back from my holiday in paradise which all seemed so short, I will try my best to get back to my routine of writing and giving you highlights of my great finds. 

PENANG! Well well, if you've read highlights about Penang prior to travelling there, you know food is the ultimate highlight. Of course eating is not the only thing to do here. There are so much more to see here but you have to know that eating is almost like a hobby for most Penangites.

Toasted bread with soft boiled eggs

So my advice for your arrival at the Penang International Airport, go to Joo Leong Cafe for breakfast or dinner or even supper to satisfy your hunger after a tiring flight and surplus of plane food. This cafe is only about 5 minutes from the airport, on your way to town.

A good dunk in the eggs

This cafe is known for it's breakfast of toasted bread with butter and soft boiled eggs. I have my toast topped with granulated sugar, soft boiled eggs with ground white pepper and light soy sauce, and a Milo to drink. It's an ultimate breakfast combo.

If you arrive later in the evening and will be missing out on this breakfast, don't worry. They are open for dinner serving their famous noodle soup or rice porridge with freshly caught fish and seafood. I've been coming here for years. Please also order satay from the stall at the entrance. This satay served with peanut sauce will be a great way to open up your tastebuds for more deliciousness that will come your way while in Penang.

Cuttle fish

'Ju hu eng chai'

Enjoy yourselves and drop by again for more posts on Penang!


Joo Leong Cafe
179-H, Sungei Tiram
11900 Bayan Lepas
Penang, Malaysia

Tel: +6 (0)10 412 4865; +6 (0)12 498 4865
Opening hours: 06:20-11:30 (breakfast); 18:00-23:30 (dinner). Close Mondays.

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Les Deux Magots for best hot chocolate | Paris

When I was promised that Les Deux Magots makes the best hot chocolate, I was doubtful. As I uttered, “That was a big statement” giving him my unconvinced gaze, I did not have high hopes. I would think they will serve a good cup of hot chocolate. The best!? Is that really possible? 

As we entered, we were shown to one of their tiny tables with only a hand width apart from the next table. The two Parisian ladies had their eyes on me, staring up and down. Who knows what was going on in their heads; either I had some sort of mud all over me or that they were in awe of my stunning self. I will like to believe it is the latter.

So here came a pot with two empty cups. As we poured the silky chocolate liquid that was thick with a perfect consistency, the alluring smell wafted through my breathing tubes. So far, it has captured many of my senses. Then came the ultimate form of judgement, taste! I lifted the cup close to my lips and couldn't help but took a long inhalation to soak up all there was to smell. One sip, and my eyes went “ding!” wide open, sat up straight, smiled, sip again and then the sound of jackpot hits every part of my senses! It was one memorable courtship with this extraordinary warm chocolate liquid.

Smile..

I have had a fair share of good hot chocolates and well, this has been the best so far.

This is one famous cafe, where the likes of Pablo Picasso and Ernest Hemingway were patrons of.

Frown..

It's not in London!! :( 

Will I return?

Oui Oui Oui!!

Les Deux Magots

6 Place Saint-Germain des Prés,

75006 Paris, France

Tel: +33 145 485 525

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Hot Air Balloon Ride | Cappadocia

The entire experience from the drive to the perfect spot, to getting off the mini shuttle bus with dozens and dozens of hot air balloons laying flat on the ground, then watch them slowly ballooning to stand up proud and float into the sky so gently and effortlessly.

Everyone eagerly hopped into the basket with the biggest smiles and eyes wide open trying not to blink too much as to maximise the time gazing into one of the most magical scenery and experience of our lifetime.

"It was breathtaking and magical, neither words nor pictures are able to describe the feeling."

The lovey dovey hot air balloon couple :)

Directly on top of the fairy chimneys

How often is anyone able to view a tree from above it

Thanks to the many experienced crew and pilot, the entire experience was smooth and seamless. As you can see, we have been served some sparkling wine as a tradition to mark a successful flight.

Tips:

• The Hot Air Balloon Ride can be quite expensive especially during peak season. The cheapest time is in December during off-peak where there are less tourist. Also, it is possible to get it for a reasonable price if they have done their quota for the year. We booked our flight from a travel agency in Istanbul a day before we left for Cappadocia.
• December will be very very cold so wrap up! It was -10°C when I was there.

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My first night in Istanbul

I have only been back for less than two days and already, I am missing Turkey. At least I am lucky enough to be able to share all the sweet memories of the past two weeks with you here.

My first night in Istanbul was so exciting! There were lights everywhere, and everything was so colourful! Everything was new to me; people, culture, language, food and many more. Armed with my new camera, I was taking pictures of almost everything I encountered with. This excitement only subsided well, at the end of the trip just as we were about to leave. Turkey is such a big country and every part of it is so different from the other, it feels different every time. Who wouldn't be excited.

The first very interesting thing that I had to get used to was the many looks of everyone surrounding us. I know we look different but whoa trying to ignore them took some time. Also, the overly friendly and inviting men took a little adjustment for us girls to handle but at the end of this trip, we grasp hold of it pretty well and made some good friends along the way.

So here's a short tease of my first night in pictures and captions while I write more of my two weeks Turkish adventures in the next few posts. 

 

The Blue Mosque at night

Sultanahmet at night

Sahlep sold everywhere during winter

Colourful Turkish lamps everywhere

Some cute hotels at Sultanahmet:

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