Loof erm Rooftop Bars

I like roof-top bars. There is something to the idea of seeing the city from a different perspective. Usually, stepping into a roof-top bar, one also leaves a lot of noise behind. The rush of the streets and the hectic stays at the bottom of the lift. The wind in the hair, closer to the elements, I like a drink in these places:

- Above 11 - Bangkok. On top of Fraser's Suites at the end of Soi 11 Sukhumvit, this is one place I cannot resist. I think it is a combination of being rather relaxed about reservations and not being overly posh and the amazing food

- Brewsky - Bangkok. This one has good beers and is facing in a direction different from most. Sitting at the edge, the view is that of a flatter, less skyscrapered city.

- Loof - Singapore. Not an obvious one, but I like the cosiness, the fact that this is a relatively small place. Hidden a bit, one would have to know it is there. Service is good since the crowd is not that huge. Well, at least not when I go.... Could be cos I am in bed by 10pm.

- Cedar on 15 - Malaysia Not strictly a roof-top bar, but I like the feeling of it. Set back a bit, and not way up, the 15th floor gives an nice high and full-width view of the Twin Towers. There are some others nearby, but I feel that the view is not as grand as one is too close and only gets a cut-out.

- Sala - Malaysia. Their opening promo was a shot of Jameson for RM 1 with a RM 1 beer. Now, that got people hooked. Stunning view towards the eastern side of the Klang valley with easy access to the place make it still a good spot even if prices have changed. If you have your marriage registered across the street, this is a phantastic spot to spend the night (and stay in the Sheraton) so you just lumber over to ROM at 7:45am.

I know, I know. There are more than these and some might be "better". Being a creature of habit, I typically stick with the places I find and like when I first try them.

Breaded

Nope, you CANNOT make this up:

https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/517819

GARDEEEENIA !!! So good you can even steal it on its own!

Mongolian What?

The food equivalent to the Swiss Navy Boots: Mongolian Fish. If there is one thing that don't sound right, then it is a fish speciality from a land-locked country. However, it surprises more than with just a name.

Superlatively spicy AND tasty, this thing rocks! Not very common, it can be found in 2 places that we know of. One in Setia Alam and the other is in Yishun. Yes, that Yishun in Singapore. Who would have thought that the suburb is home to some amazing stuff like this?

If you can get your hands on one of these, I recommend it. However, you have been warned: It IS spicey in a way that will leave you numb, yet craving for more. I am wondering if they put something in it to make you addicted...

Toast - Post

Over the years, my breakfast toast-posts (on Facebook) have been commented on by many, oftentimes poking fun... Apparently, a Gardenia delivery truck has been hi-jacked in Malaysia. Wasn't me and I am now assured that I have always opted for the most sought-after product. Nom Nom Nom...

Enchanting Penang - An Educational Read

During my last stay in the Eastern & Oriental Hotel (https://www.eohotels.com/) in Penang, I stumbled into their gift shop. Besides many items that are not kitsch like you may find in other places, they have an impressive collection of books on offer. I couldn't help but getting a copy of the "Enchanting Penang" from David, who happens to be a friend. Yeah, THIS fella: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009323454686

Penang is a world-renowned holiday destination, famous for its soft sandy beaches and regarded by many as the food capital of Malaysia. Many visitors check into one of the first-class hotels and spend a wonderfully relaxing holiday chilling out on the beaches. But as Enchanting Penang reveals, there are many other attractions to explore. Parts of George Town, the state capital, are listed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. Here many of the traditional buildings are being restored, fusing the old with the new, to become cafés, restaurants, boutiques and hotels.

There are also many other sights around the island. Take the scenic and historic funicular railway to the summit of Penang Hill, for example, and revel in the view from the top. From here you might take a walking trail down to the expansive Botanical Gardens at the bottom of the hill. Other sights to discover include a tropical spice garden, a butterfly farm, a remote national park, Kek Lok Si Temple and a snake temple with live vipers. Penang’s beautiful beaches include the strip of bays and headlands stretching from Tanjung Bungah to Batu Ferringhi. All resorts have restaurants, bars, spas and an extensive list of watersport activities.

Be it stunning beaches, ornate temples, unique heritage buildings or scrumptious cuisine, Enchanting Penang introduces all of the must-see delights on what will be a truly exotic holiday.

In this book, I found a lot of interesting historical fact and new facettes of the island. Easy to read, yet highly informative, I can only recommend it to anyone that either wants to keep it as memory or to widen horizons.

The book is published by John Beaufoy Publishing, an independent non-fiction book publisher based in Oxford, England, specialising in the fields of natural history, history and travel. Within these categories, we have a strong subsidiary focus on publishing books about the Indo-Pacific region, including South Asia, Southeast Asia and Australasia. Their books are available from good booksellers around the world. You can see their other titles here: https://johnbeaufoy.com/

David Bowden is a freelance journalist based in Malaysia, specializing in travel and the environment. While Australian, he’s been living in Asia longer than he can remember, and returns to his home country as a tourist. When not travelling the world, he enjoys relaxing with his equally adventurous wife Maria and daughter Zoe.

Keeping tabs

This is how they keep track of beer consumption at the food court near me. What an awesome, yet simple way to gauge if the evening was a busy ($$$) or a slow one.

How Are You Today?

Might be a valid question after 12 days of restricted movement (STAY HOME!)...