"Here you go Ray....it's YOURS!!!........"

Ever since Devi and I got married 4 years ago, it was just this one small Kelisa that me and Devi share to go about with our own work/business/project etc. So it"s A+++  for both of us in resource management!

Anyway I have this feeling that this gonna be over as our business now is expanding (sandwich bar with delivery, cooking classes, event projects, tourist guiding and law studies)

So I decided to look around for our 2nd car. I love TRUCKs.....love love love it....but the prices are getting crazy.....RM100k for a brand new truck is just not my cup of tea. Some even up to RM150k.....MATI

Used trucks, most likely trashed and it'll cost a bomb for repairs (based on my buddies who bought 2nd hand trucks). Even with a 9-year loan for a brand new one, monthly installments is close to RM1k......YIKES!!!

Then 2ND try......medium-saloons like Honda City, Toyota Vios, Nissan Almera. Lately lots of articles mentioning about car companies like Honda, Toyota and even Volkswagen calling back their respective models due to faulty issues especially concerning gearbox and airbags. Monthly installments of RM700 (7-years loan) and this is the quality I'm getting.....PASS

Talked to Devi about this (venting out my frustration actually) and she simply advise me to just put this idea aside for awhile and carry on with what we have.

Watching youtube one day about Fifth Gear crushing the day lights of an old Mercedes Benz, W124 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQSLwcUrPXM), I felt a gush of new found HOPE...streaming through my blood veins. Why not I get myself a W124 benz?.....Hell why not???....in fact that was THE car that made me fall in love in the first place and became a true blue fan of Mercedes even till today.

Do you know W124 is the last hand-made Benz? After that machines have taken the main roles in building cars....stuffing loads of electronic stuffs inside.....and the one single word that I love hearing about the W124....OVER-ENGINEERED.....plus it is a rock-solid tank. This is proven by seeing this model still on today's road....going strong....since 1985!!!....what else la can I say???

So off I went and browse through the Internet......Happy, Excited, Smiling, going Gila....I could imagine myself finally driving my very own Benz....my very own "Tiga Bintang"...I decided to buy one cash (around 10-15k). Day by day I looked around and finally narrowed down a few units......not so soon....CRASH!!!! KANTOI!!!! MAMPUI.....GST kicked in and business came crashing down. Some of my projects have been pulled off, sandwich biz hit the breaks and the rest of our work almost went to a halt

So......here's my big SIGH.....like a wounded lion now, I'm just licking my wounds and waiting for the next chance to leap. For now I'm still browsing for one with a small gleam of hope that someone would sell his car with a crazy-out of the world-cheap price.....but very unlike la

I did freak out some uncles in the streets of Penang when I see them driving pass me with this legendary classic Benz. My eyes locked to their cars and I caught a glimpse of these uncles looking at me with curiosity, confusion and terror.....Sorry ya uncles...I mean you no harm

Worst there are some units being sold because none of the uncles' kids are interested to drive this "ol'man's car"......SERIOUS ah guys????!!!! Wished I had someone just passing me the keys saying..."Here you go Ray....it's YOURS!!!........"

Till the next one...CHAO

Return of the Mack!

Gosh.......has it been this long???!!!

Lots of things happened these past years and here's a quick sum-up

First, I'm officially a tourist guide!

Second, Devi has picked up what she left off in Law studies

Third, we have our own breakfast bar serving home-made sandwiches (since 3 years ago) and we just started our own delivery

Fourth, I'm still running my company

Fifth, we finally have set-up our own cooking class

So there it is :) .......5 reasons why we were missing

It is very fulfilling running our sandwich biz but BOY, sandwich business is tough!

Back again soon....Cheers!

PS: Here's our link (http://devinadarajan.wix.com/breakfastonthego), please give us a try ok. Thanks!

Our Japanese Spot

I can say me and Devi are blessed with cravings everyday. I have come across people that just fill their stomach and eat just for the sake of it. There’s no longer a “special” moment where one would just enjoy a good “makan”...To me one of the best time with Devi is to have some good “makan” while catching up with the day’s happenings...

Well anyway, today we had a craving for some Japanese food. Our favourite spot would be the AJI NOREN JAPANESE RESTAURANT. This spot was introduced by Devi when we were dating la...good food...good service and the price pretty reasonable...The owner recognise us probably because we’re the only Indians who go there...ha ha ha ha...but seriously, so far we’re the only Indians!

The restaurant is located at Prima Tanjung (along Jalan Persiaran Lengkuas) facing the Tanjung Park Condominium. Should you stumble upon a restaurant called “No Eyed Deer” (YES that’s the name...don’t ask me why)...this Japanese restaurant is located at another block behind...It's open during lunch and dinner and as all other good restaurants, expect a crowd

So should you be there are looking for some Japanese “makan”, why not just pop-in there...Take note that right at the Prima Tanjung area, there are 3 other Japanese restaurants so make sure you remember the restaurant’s name... AJI NOREN JAPANESE RESTAURANT

My little Ipoh

Ok la...Ok la...sorry for my long absence...these past few months I was pretty tied down...On top with work, I was busy getting my tourist guide license as well as attending several tourism related conferences.

So today I’m gonna share with you my favourite spot for “Hokkien” Mee. Despite my busy schedule, I have this constant itch to sneak out from my schedule and enjoy a hot bowl of this prawn head simmered soup with spicy paste which will blow you out of the roof!...yah yah...I heard it...prawn head...YUCK...but for your info folks...prawn head has a explosive pack of flavour...you can ask your friendly neighbourhood chef...in fact I have seen in some TV shows where the hosts were sucking the daylights of their prawn’s head...so what can I say people...SUCK it?

I usually have “Hokkien” Mee with a hot cup of locally brewed coffee. I have my favourite spot which is a table under a “Angsana” tree where right on top of me, I could hear the birds chirping...hell...even if the bird dropped a poop or two, I’ll still dip my face in the soup!

The shop is located at Teluk Bahang, Penang, right opposite the Esso Petrol Station (which is next to long abandoned Mutiara Hotel Penang) and Khaleel Nasi Kandar. It is a self-built structure under a “Angsana” tree (along a row of pre-war shop houses). The shop is right before the Teluk Bahang roundabout (that has a sculpture of Pitcher Plant / Monkey Cup).

The price for a bowl is MYR3.00 but if you have a bigger appetite, add another 50 cents and you will get some extra amount.

Another reason why I like to have my “Hokkien” Mee there is...it’s Teluk Bahang!...maybe it’s just me (I’m from Ipoh) but whenever I’m there, I kinda get the old “kampong” feeling where everybody knows your name and everybody starts their day with a “killer” local coffee and hot discussion about current affairs while you hear “aunty” shouting out orders from one corner...

It’s an old cute aunty that sells this hot spicy bowl but nowadays, it’s quite common to see her daughter taking in charge of the shop...of course...no one beats old school but the daughter still hits the spot la...so who knows maybe when you’re there, you’ll see me at my favourite spot

Also I would like to take this opportunity to say a heartiest thank you for all your calls and emails asking us to have new write-ups in our blog. It is quite inspiring to hear that our blog is a huge success and thanks for the support and encouragement..so...to a continuous success, good fortune and health to all our readers out there...Merry Christmas and a very happy New Year from me and Devi...  

Translation:

Kampong - Village

Come Toddy Come

When people especially those who are clueless about Toddy, once have a sniff of it, will most likely look for the nearest exit....well the closest way for me to comment about the smell is....it’s like durian....smells like Hell, taste like Heaven....yes Heaven!!!

Over the years now, it is quite common especially for me to encounter negative remarks/opinions about Toddy. This drink is usually associated with “bums” who go home beat their wives, gamble, jobless and spend their mornings/afternoons sleeping.....and of course the smell which is repulsive for many

“eeeee yeeerrr....why smell like vomit?.....yuck!!!”.... and soon after that a vomit gesture follows.....

Those who drink Toddy will have the after-smell but hey!!.....Durian remember?

While I see people gauge and dunk their face with durian (GOODBYE thousands of ringgit spent for make-up and facial care), I don’t see that kind of treatment for Toddy....believe it or not....ladies and gentlemen....Toddy is actually a HEALTH drink....it cools down your body, helps with your body systems and enhances blood flow and metabolism....

Unlike durian which after eating it, will make you burp, fart, piss Durian....Toddy while still makes you smell (just a little) but it helps your body to become healthier....only downside I heard so far is that it can give you a belly but HEY!!!....Beer does that too!!!....you see where I’m coming from here folks???

I have my doubts that Toddy will be one of the drinks served in nightclub and pubs....frankly speaking....I wouldn’t want it to be that way....I just love being in a coconut plantation with plastic chairs surrounded by coconut trees whacking some good ol’ fashion wild boar and monitor lizard, drinking Toddy and taking a step back enjoying the sweet life gracious Lord has given me....

Dad introduced me mixing Toddy with Guinness....and after I took that “voyage”....there’s was no turning back...it was like getting sucked into a black-hole and entering into a new dimension....and best....it kills off most of the smell!!!.....so what you wanna complain now????

Oh yeah about the smell, if you go directly to the source...coconut plantation at the countryside, the smell is quite light....unlike those you will find in town....so when you have a chance to try Toddy....gather your strength, bring your “minyak angin” if you want....be a man....and try it......

PS: I tried Toddy from Banting, Selangor which was to DIE for and Devi and I will be going to Pangkor in a weeks time with the whole family so I’ll be dropping by at Setiawan to try Toddy there....YUMMMMMMYYYY......

Translation

Toddy: Palm tree wine

The Green Kopitiam

Hi Folks.....

Sorry for our absence....Devi was in the Philippines and I had programs the whole last week....

Today another spot we love to go for breakfast.....The GREEN Kopitiam

Well it does not take a genius to figure out why I call it the Green Kopitiam....Officially it is known among Penangites as KAFETARIA DAN HOTEL ENG LOH....It’s one of my favourite kopitiam situated in Penang’s UNESCO Heritage Site. It is located at the intersection of Church Street and Penang Street....not hard to find since there’s about 2 green building along the Penang Street stretch....

I usually go there for a typical Malaysian breakfast....”Roti Bakar Kaya Butter” and local coffee....This is also the spot for an excellent “Char Keow Teow” as it is cooked using charcoal. Also this kopitiam sells a really good chicken rice and the Indian “makan” here tastes like home-cooked so what else to say but EXCELLENT!....I brought a group from KL here and saw some tears of joy and the look that clearly says “I can die happy now”....The Green Kopitiam is a highlight as part of my teambuilding amazing race/scavenger program which has become a huge success....

I usually go for lunch here if I’m looking for an alternative for Indian cuisine....So after I enjoyed some glorious Penang food, I usually end my “gala” lunch with some good ol’ hot coffee....

See you guys at the Green Kopitiam.....!!!!

Translation

Roti Bakar – Toast Bread

Kaya – Coconut Jam

Char Keow Teow – stir-fried flat rice noodles. Using high heat, it is fried with light & dark soya sauce, belacan/chilli paste, prawns, cockles, Chinese sausage, chicken or duck egg, fish-cake, bean-sprout and Chinese Chives. 

Sea Contact

Here’s our Fish Anneh, our weekly seafood supply fresh from the sea. When you’re at his joint, you can actually smell the sea....I kid you not.... When you’re at Fish Anneh’s spot, keep an open mind about what you’re gonna buy because everyday features “Catch of the Day”....Options offered here will be local fishes like “Tengiri”, “Garupa”, “Siakap”, “Bawal Emas”, “Temengong”, “Pari-Pari” and so on....not forgetting few species of crabs and prawns....Sometimes if you’re lucky, you will come across unknown fishes that looks a little freaky and weird....

Prices are very reasonable and what we get from Fish Anneh is plain luck down right honesty....He even recommends you how a fish should be prepared....yup....he can tell you whether the fish should be deep fried or steam or cooked with curry....only thing you won’t get from Anneh will be wine recommendation for each fish....We’re Malaysian Ladies and Gentlemen....we usually have our meals with “Ice Kosong”....

Extra service our Fish Anneh will provide will be cleaning the fish and cutting the fish they way you want it....He does a good job and all you have to do is go home and start cooking....Fish Anneh can speak Malay, English and Tamil so you’ll have a smooth flow communication with him....

Fish Anneh’s place of business is situated right before Tanjung Bungah Post Office. Close by at the Post Office’s gate entrance. It is under a tree along the main road so keep a close look out....opens everyday around 2.30pm but suggest come around 3.30pm as the stock comes in around that time....

Oh yeah we learnt that in order to keep the fishes fresh, do not wash them before storing in the freezer. Only wash them before it heads to the stove...

check out some of our fish recipes posted in benjisgulpfiction.blogspot.com
http://benjisgulpfiction.blogspot.com/2012/09/nyonya-style-fried-fish.html

http://benjisgulpfiction.blogspot.com/2012/09/south-indian-fish-dish.html

http://benjisgulpfiction.blogspot.com/2012/08/fish-curry-blast-from-past.html