Showing posts with label backpackies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label backpackies. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Cheap! Good! and Big Budget hotels in Penang! @ www.backpackies.com

Ok! here is the deal. Whenever you are visiting big cities where the cost of transportation has already eaten half of your budget, the last thing you want is to do, is to pay through your nose for some decent accommodation. Im not talking fancy butler, soft goose feather duvet sheets and a buffet breakfast here. I mean lets face it. Most often when we are traveling, we only need a decent, clean, comfortable, safe room to put up in. Anyway, 80% of the time is all spent outside on the road sides an in shopping malls.
Hell the only time i ever see the room is when i check in, get drunk and pass out, and when i check out!
So where do i find such a place without having my pocket holes enlarged.

When visiting Penang, unless you can get some good deals off the internet for places like Tune Hotel, or if you have a rocking fetish that for some reason you must stay in Hard Rock Penang. Then here are some options that i suggest.


For you budget seekers, options are:

1) Old Penang
This place is pretty chic and has gone big on the renovation and looks. Its ultra modern look combined with its hint of heritage flavour makes it one of the most ideal guesthouses to stay in.
They have chosen to go with the dark wood furniture mix, and have managed to create a very stylish out look for their rooms, lobby and common area. Plus they serve breakfast! A recommended stay! Pity they only have 14 rooms....so book fast.



2) Starlodge
Now this baby here is a one off class along Muntri Street. It is very near to Chulia Street and also walkable to all the other coffee shops, clubbing areas (UPR), and bus stops. Rooms are fairly clean and comes with attached bathrooms. It is hard to find a match for such value.
3) 75 Travelers lodge
Budget travelers should have a go at this. The rooms available here is off the budget radar compared to the other choices given here. The guesthouse also provides free wifi.
4) Hutton Lodge- This place is a good deal to stay in. The rooms are clean, people are friendly and its location also ideal. Rooms are resonable priced.
5) Ali Feringghi House
This is the only guesthouse that is not in Georgetown. Located 5 mins from feringghi beach, this is a good place to put up, if you like the beach. The rooms are clean, and comfortable. Drinking alcohol is not allowed in the guesthouse as it is muslim operated. There is a bar where you can hang out tho, just in front calle Sunset Bistro. It is one of the most recommended beach side bars around Penang.

If you are looking for something different on the more heritage side.
Try hooking up with heritage 1926.


What we have to say?: this is one huge mother freaking mansion! The corridor is so long, and with the hanging chandeliers, honestly it looks like im one of those really important royal...back in the colonial days. The floor is wooden and because its old (they dont call it heritage hotel for nothing) it gives out a kinky squeak when you walk around the room. Room is spacious and clean. The room is pretty standard with the usual, aircond, hot kettle and coffee and tea making facilities. Staying here is very different and it is an experience especially you like it quiet. (The place is so big, that noise cant travel that far).

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Police Bribing in Asia

You know whats ironic about the whole situation of "police is out in force" because of increased snatch thief cases on the roads? its because it is an opportunity for them to earn extra cash!
Bribery and corruption is something the governments of Asia aren't particularly proud of, but the worse thing is, they don't acknowledge that it is a problem to them! Its so deep rooted into the whole countries administration system, that any force to weed it out, would be deemed as a threat against the very people that takes money from the system.
so here we are, not sure weather to feel safe or scared that there are more police out, patrolling the roads.

I was really pissed off when i got pulled over by the Malaysian police after doing 110km's/ hr on the highway.Well the speed limit was 110! well it was raining and i think maybe the camera couldn't snap properly.
He insisted that i was speeding, and pretended to look at my number plate. It took him like 5 minutes to just look and hint to me that he wanted something. He kept telling me that, i needed to go to the police station to sort things out. And like that would take me 2 weeks.

So ok, i asked him if there was any other way to solve. I cant prove that i didnt go past 110km/hr, and i cant argue that he is bluffing. So i innocently i asked ...and he just nodded and asked me straight in my face if i wanted to be his friend. Errr i said, yeah ok. What do i have to do?

RM 50 bucks to be my friend. Straight up, thats the minimum price of bribery nowadays. Well of course ive heard cases of begging to the policeman telling him you dont have cash, and he will do away with 10 bucks....or even a packet of noodles. (I would have done that, if my mum wasnt by my side) - Pity she already took up a few tens....to show the police man.


So ultimately unless you follow the law straight and straight, then you wont need to worry. But if you happen to get into a tight spot. Remember the golden phrase " is there any way to settle this"?
Then bargain like its friday night in Patpong!

The other case was when i was in Indonesia. Man i tell you, bribing in Indonesia is like first nature to them! Well the police caught me doing an illegal turning on my scooter to the main clubbing area. Checked my "VALID" licence and all and told me straight up. "Jalan Salah!" (Wrong Road), You need to pay 200000 Rp.
I didnt have so much cash with me at that time, and no way in hell am i going to get suckered into paying that much. Latest price list for bribery is (20000 for locals, and 100000 for foreigners)
OK this is what you have to say:
You:I left my wallet in the hotel
Him: ok ill hold your vehicle registration and you go get it.
_______________________________
YOU STALL AND PRETEND TO THINK

Next you say, sorry sir. But i scared ill get caught by the police on the next corner for not having my vehicle registration. Ill pay you what i have now. Is it ok?

Then you start to negotiate.
Important point here is to stall as much time as you can. This makes it look like you regret what you did.


All the best! And thank god for bribery. If not, the world would be square!


















Thursday, October 29, 2009

Mee CRC @ Larut Road, Penang



I must admit, when i do have the craving to feed on some nice mee goreng/ mee rebus, 3 places comes to my mind. And one of it is here at the corner of Larut Road Penang. Its famously known as Mee CRC (because the stall was formerly @ CRC- Chinese Recreation Club).
Mee Goreng (Fried Noodles)/ Mee Rebus (Boiled noodles with gravy) is usually cooked by indians or mamaks (indian muslim).Hence the other name : Indian Mee!


Well Mee CRC along the corner of Larut Road (near hotel Royal), is very much different from the normal type of mee goreng found else where.
The difference?
When you mention Indian Mee in Malaysia, its a choice of either FRIED- mee goreng or WET- mee rebus. The normal indian mee, is reddish in colour due to the dye and also the amount of chilli and tomato sauce used in the gravy mix.

Mee CRC - If you are ordering the goreng (fried) version, its minus the red dye. The noodles are fried with some light seasoning, chopped vegetables, and the usual squid, egg, and soy bean curd. Its different because, instead of the tomato and chili puree taste, you get fresh stir fried tomatoes, chillies and fried tofu, so there is a bit of sweet juicy and raw texture to the side ingredients of the noodles. Making it a surprisingly crunchy, fresh and tasty chew every time you munch down.

Mee Rebus (wet) on the other hand sees a very significant difference. The cooking style is different, as the gravy used in the normal version is very thick and red (with puree, like mentioned above). Mee CRC is splashed over with semi clear egg drop soup, green vegetables, fresh tomatoes, cooked squid,bits of chicken meat, potatoes and bean curd. The soup makes the whole dish really light. It doesn't leave an after thick taste in your mouth.
*Like i said, its a different way of cooking it*


The noodles -whether wet or dry is served with a side dish of chopped up green chillies, and a slice of half a lime.

Some say the lime must be squeezed in before eating, to give it the tangy taste. But i say its optional. For the rebus (wet) version, i prefer it without the lime.




Thursday, July 9, 2009

BULLSHIT EDUCATION SYSTEM- what a joke!

Read this first http://news.my.msn.com/regional/article.aspx?cp-documentid=3443271 before you continue.
Imagine i was just having a chat with my friends in thailand yesterday when they suddenly popped the question on why my home education minister decided to change the teaching language of science and maths to Bahasa Malaysia. No offence here, but being a science student and i say this representing most of my friends, that most of the terms in these two languages (especially when you go to higher levels) are all in english! so why the hell are we teaching our kids science and maths in malay? Im not saying that malay is not a good language, but im saying that by teaching our kids english, they have a better chance of finding a job next time when they come out and work . (unless they are happy being a farmer or a fisherman).
It pisses me off that these people dont see beyond whats infront of them. If students are failing because they changed the education system from BM to English, then we know whats the problem! its either the teachers arent proficient in English or ...we need to really buck up on teaching the students english especially in rural areas. This will give them a chance to jump out from the "rubber estate" life and have a better standing chance to get a better job elsewhere.
The government is only promoting the people to opt for international schools rather than government schools.


Is this the new governments reforms? ....damn

Sunday, May 31, 2009

No more boring showers alone! Bath with a friend!


Sick of boring routine showers? After a days walk either exploring or shopping, you are at least entitled to a certain degree of pampering. But when your backpacking, your on a budget.No sweat. Get your very own fun colored bath buddies. Sized slightly bigger than your hand, they come in vibrant assorted colors,e.g white,sky blue, lime green, lavender purple and many more. Massage them against your body to create lather, giving you a good scrub down.Works especially well with fragrant shower creams or bath soaps. So why wait!? Get one for a pampering great time. Each for RM 25

"Who says backpackers cant be pampered"
 
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