Up North

I made a trip up north couple of years back. Me and my then travel partner would travel to the further destination first, then slowly travel back down to KL. This was how we normally planned our trips if we were to states-hop.

We first drove to Penang. Need not say more, when we went to Penang, the char keow tiao, asam laksa, and local fresh seafood were the main priorities, and of course to explore the places where the both of us had not been to or since it was ages we last visited.


So, we had some yummy, authentic food along the way. We ate wherever we like and wherever looked appealing to us. That’s what a holiday is all about, right?

One of the places on our list was the Burmese Temple. There, I made a wish at the pond.

What did I wish for?

HAPPINESS.

On the way to Kek Lok Si, we walked pass a narrow and packed- with- stalls- on- both sides pathway. Along the way, I spotted this!!!!

Golden, lucky poo poo!!! Handle with care, in Chinese it wrote.

After the half way climb to Kek Lok Si, we walked back down to the liltle town area. There was this stall selling “Fried Ice”. Yes, you’ve read it correctly, “Fried Ice”, not “Fried Rice”. The seller poured ice on this hot flat wok and started to fry it, literally. Somehow the ice didn’t melt, but turned into slurpee-looking-drink.

No joke!

After a few days stay in Penang, we drove to Cameron Highlands. The sanctuary for both of us. It is our all time favourite vacation destination!

The cooling weather is just awesome. The scene and sight were just amazing. I love it!


We used to walk around all of the flower farms, bee farms, tea plantation and strawberry farm. Cameron Highlands is another place where we feast the most as the cool weather just makes us hunger for food. Imagine yourself soaking in with the cool air, and there is a pot of steamy hot steamboat right in front of you…..are you feeling it already?

Next, strawberries are my favourite!

Here are some instructions to eat the strawberries:

1. Pick it up by the stem gently.
2. Slowly dip it into the pool of icing sugar.
3. Lick off the remaning strawberry’s juice and sugar off your finger.

Ta..Da….!!!! There you go, a sweet way to eat a sweet strawberry.

After saying goodbye, heavy-heartedly to the beloved highlands, we drove to Ipoh with low speed. We practically dragged the gear down..or rather freed the gear; going down hill. While we were on the way down, the car windows will definitely be down and we will be taking in the cool air – to be satisfied with it till the next time we go there again.

Perak- The Land of Grace. Yes, my land; konon. Hahahha…..

When you start to see huge caves with statues, means you have landed in Perak. It is such a wonder how these temples (caves) were structured into the way it is now.

We stayed in Ipoh for a night as there is nothing much to do there except to eat and to visit the temples around town, local museums, sight seeing on the old buildings and architectures . Well, unless you go further outskirts to Kuala Kangsar, Batu Gajah or to see Kellie’s Castle.

What I linked Ipoh with? FOOD.

How can I miss the local, original white coffee and toast with kaya? Yum, yum, yum…..I was drooling all the way there. What else is there installed in Ipoh? Ipoh kuay teow, Ipoh chicken rice, Chinese dim sum, chee cheong fun, and my all time favourite, custard!

Besides eating, Chinese temples were the famous tourists’ attractions. Sam Poh Temple and Perak Cave are not too bad to pop by! You will get to feed the thousand years old tortoise clan too!

That’s all for now on my previous trips up north. My next blog should be going east. Watch out for it, yeah!

Ciao!