The rainbow is a bridge between heaven and earth, between your earthly self and your higher enlightened self. Rainbow symbolises good news, hope, redemption and the ending of gloom. Does it mean that the gloomy market crisis will be over soon?
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
When there is color, there is hope...
Captured these double rainbows at around 6.30pm today.
The rainbow is a bridge between heaven and earth, between your earthly self and your higher enlightened self. Rainbow symbolises good news, hope, redemption and the ending of gloom. Does it mean that the gloomy market crisis will be over soon?
The rainbow is a bridge between heaven and earth, between your earthly self and your higher enlightened self. Rainbow symbolises good news, hope, redemption and the ending of gloom. Does it mean that the gloomy market crisis will be over soon?
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Discover this wondrous herb…
Whenever you mention lemon grass, most people will connect it to Thai food such as tom yum soup. But do you know that lemon grass have immune-boosting and disease-fighting power?
Above left: the leaves
Above centre: the stem
Above right: cut into pieces and boil in water
Lemon grass is a perennial, aromatic tall grass with a light lemon scent used for culinary and medicinal purposes.
Since ancient times in Chinese medicine, lemon grass has been used for the following conditions:
Above left: the leaves
Above centre: the stem
Above right: cut into pieces and boil in water
Lemon grass is a perennial, aromatic tall grass with a light lemon scent used for culinary and medicinal purposes.
Since ancient times in Chinese medicine, lemon grass has been used for the following conditions:
- Helps detoxify the liver, pancreas, kidney, bladder and the digestive tract.
- Helps boost the immune system.
- Helps reduce uric acid, cholesterol, excess fats and other toxins in the body.
- Helps alleviate indigestion and gastroenteritis.
- Helps reduce menstrual problems.
- Helps reduce blood pressure and improve blood circulation.
- Helps reduce cellulite.
- Act as sedative for the central nervous system.
- Help prevent color cancer and stomach problems.
- Help reduce fever, headache, fight flu and cold (which is why tom yum soup is so good at relieving cold & flu symptoms).
- Relieves arthritic pain and rheumatism.
Herbalists believe that lemongrass helps to improve the skin by reducing acne and pimples and acts as a muscle and tissue toner. Lemon grass is also used as an insect and mosquito repellent.
Doctors in Israel advise their cancer patients to drink fresh lemon grass drink on the days that they go for radiation or chemotherapy treatments. Ben Gurion University of the Negev researchers made a discovery that the lemon aroma in herbs like lemon grass kills cancer cells in vitro, while leaving healthy cells unharmed. In a fascinating article published in the Health section of Israel21c, it states that the study found the citral in lemon grass causes cancer cells to commit suicide.
Just boil some water and some lemon grass leaves, let it cool for a while and drink the liquid. It tastes like drinking plain water just that it has the aroma of lemon grass. You may sweeten your health drink with honey, should you so require, or a dash of fresh lemon juice may also enhance the taste.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
CNY holidays in Malaysia (3)
Taiping / Penang / Malacca (3 days)
Taiping is a quiet pensioner's paradise with century-old trees lining its roads. However, Taiping is famous for its cheap and delicious food. Some of the famous Taiping delicacies are: chendol, char kway teow, popiah, nasi lemak, etc...
Places of interest include:
Taiping Lake Garden was built in 1880. It is the oldest and certainly one of the most beautiful lake gardens in Malaysia. The tranquility, beautiful lake view and misty mountain scenery are something that you will never forget.
Above right: look at the water lilies in the lake...
The drooping branches of ancients raintrees are familar sights that never fail to attract visitors' attention.
Above: Taiping downtown is a collection of pre-war houses many dated back to early 20th century. Most of the buildings are 2/3 storey and still bear a lot of old world charm.
Above: The Clock Tower is the iconic landmark building of Taiping. Located in the middle of Jalan Kota, which is a major road so you can never miss it. The clock tower section is now used as a information center.
Maxwell Hill (Bukit Larut), the local Chinese called it “Kopi Sua” or “Coffee Hill”, is the oldest hill resort in Malaysia, having been founded over 100 years ago. It is 1,250m above sea level and is about 13 km with temperature of 15-25 Celsius at day time.
The hill is still rich with the tropical nature and is also one of the oldest and smallest hill resort in the country. At the hill top, you can see the whole Larut plain. There is absolutely nothing you can do at Bukit Larut except for a quiet and relaxing moment from hustle and bustle city.
Recognise this bridge and you would know we have arrived at Penang.
This place is another food paradise... penang laksa, penang char kway teow, lor bak, ban chiang kueh, chendol, lok lok etc. Now it's time for some leg exercise...
This is Penang's famous Kek Lok Si Temple (Penang Hokkien for "Temple of Supreme Bliss") and one of the best known temples on the island.
Above right: a view of Penang town from Kek Lok Si Temple.
The funicular at the railway station took us to the top but got to change trains halfway. On the way it passed several small stations where the local people got off. There are some small hotels and guesthouses on this stretch. The railway was built in 1923 and it takes about 30 minutes to reach the top. At the top of the hill, there is a tea kiosk, restaurants, souvenir stalls, a mosque, Hindu temple, and the old Bellevue hotel. The summit offers a magnificent panoramic view of Georgetown, the mainland and Penang Bridge. However, it was rather hazy thus couldn't see very clearly.
Taiping is a quiet pensioner's paradise with century-old trees lining its roads. However, Taiping is famous for its cheap and delicious food. Some of the famous Taiping delicacies are: chendol, char kway teow, popiah, nasi lemak, etc...
Places of interest include:
Taiping Lake Garden was built in 1880. It is the oldest and certainly one of the most beautiful lake gardens in Malaysia. The tranquility, beautiful lake view and misty mountain scenery are something that you will never forget.
Above right: look at the water lilies in the lake...
The drooping branches of ancients raintrees are familar sights that never fail to attract visitors' attention.
Above: Taiping downtown is a collection of pre-war houses many dated back to early 20th century. Most of the buildings are 2/3 storey and still bear a lot of old world charm.
Above: The Clock Tower is the iconic landmark building of Taiping. Located in the middle of Jalan Kota, which is a major road so you can never miss it. The clock tower section is now used as a information center.
Maxwell Hill (Bukit Larut), the local Chinese called it “Kopi Sua” or “Coffee Hill”, is the oldest hill resort in Malaysia, having been founded over 100 years ago. It is 1,250m above sea level and is about 13 km with temperature of 15-25 Celsius at day time.
The hill is still rich with the tropical nature and is also one of the oldest and smallest hill resort in the country. At the hill top, you can see the whole Larut plain. There is absolutely nothing you can do at Bukit Larut except for a quiet and relaxing moment from hustle and bustle city.
Recognise this bridge and you would know we have arrived at Penang.
This place is another food paradise... penang laksa, penang char kway teow, lor bak, ban chiang kueh, chendol, lok lok etc. Now it's time for some leg exercise...
This is Penang's famous Kek Lok Si Temple (Penang Hokkien for "Temple of Supreme Bliss") and one of the best known temples on the island.
Above right: a view of Penang town from Kek Lok Si Temple.
Bt Bundera (Penang Hill) is 830m high and it's much cooler than in the city below. We arrived at Air Itam to find out that cable tickets were sold out for the next 3 hours. We went ahead to buy the tickets. After 3 hours of food spree, we returned to Air Itam.
The funicular at the railway station took us to the top but got to change trains halfway. On the way it passed several small stations where the local people got off. There are some small hotels and guesthouses on this stretch. The railway was built in 1923 and it takes about 30 minutes to reach the top. At the top of the hill, there is a tea kiosk, restaurants, souvenir stalls, a mosque, Hindu temple, and the old Bellevue hotel. The summit offers a magnificent panoramic view of Georgetown, the mainland and Penang Bridge. However, it was rather hazy thus couldn't see very clearly.
...
Our last stop was Malacca. We have been here so many times. Get sick? Of course not... the FooooD...
Our last stop was Malacca. We have been here so many times. Get sick? Of course not... the FooooD...
...
By the way, Malacca has a latest addition - Eye on Malacca. It is situated on the banks of Melaka River, just opposite the old Cathay Cinema near Jalan Hang Tuah bridge. Standing 25m high, Eye on Malacca is expected to be bigger than Taman Tasik Titiwangsa’s Eye on Malaysia, as two other attractions have been added on to it – a trampoline bungee and a pirate ship.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
CNY holidays in Malaysia (2)
Swiss Garden Golf Resort (Damai Laut)/Lumut/Pangkor Island (2 days)
We checked out of Pullman Hotel and headed for Damai Laut in Ipoh. After 4 hours of driving, we arrived at Swiss-Garden Golf Resort which is located in the peninsula of Lumut. Spread out majestically on 400 acres of land & surrounded by green hills, the resort is a haven for those who crave leisure activities or total R&R. This almost paradise-like resort offers comfort, tranquility and sheer indulgence. The wonderful sights and traditional Malaysian hospitality amidst centuries-old natural forests and sandy beaches confirmed that we have found the right place.
We started off to explore the amenities of the resort. The following day, we island hop to Pangkor.
In and around Swiss-Garden Golf Resort...
Above left: our room - no. 438
Above & below: all within the resort...
The green (below) & the 'blue' (above)...
Having dinner here (above) while the sun set (below)...
is our greatest moment in life...
In and around Pangkor Island...
Above left: ferry terminal to Pangkor Island
Above right: locals' past time
beautiful sights at Pangkor...
We checked out of Pullman Hotel and headed for Damai Laut in Ipoh. After 4 hours of driving, we arrived at Swiss-Garden Golf Resort which is located in the peninsula of Lumut. Spread out majestically on 400 acres of land & surrounded by green hills, the resort is a haven for those who crave leisure activities or total R&R. This almost paradise-like resort offers comfort, tranquility and sheer indulgence. The wonderful sights and traditional Malaysian hospitality amidst centuries-old natural forests and sandy beaches confirmed that we have found the right place.
We started off to explore the amenities of the resort. The following day, we island hop to Pangkor.
In and around Swiss-Garden Golf Resort...
Above left: our room - no. 438
Above & below: all within the resort...
The green (below) & the 'blue' (above)...
Having dinner here (above) while the sun set (below)...
is our greatest moment in life...
In and around Pangkor Island...
Above left: ferry terminal to Pangkor Island
Above right: locals' past time
beautiful sights at Pangkor...
Monday, January 26, 2009
CNY holidays in Malaysia (1)
KL / Putrajaya (1 day)
We set off at 6am this morning and arrived at KL at noon. Traffic was smooth as most people have already set off last Saturday to enjoy the long weekend. It was then shopping and food. Later noon, we drove to Putrajaya where we spent the night.
Putrajaya, located about 25km south of KL, is the new federal administrative centre of Malyasia. Several government offices have relocated there to gain relief from the overcrowding and congestion of KL which is Malaysia's largest city. However, KL still serves as Malaysia’s national and legislative capital for now. Putrajaya is a Federal Territory just like the city of KL and the island of Labuan.
The city has a number of bridges spanning an artificial lake, Putrajaya Lake. It has only been established recently and it is still undergoing massive development.
We put up at Pullman Putrajaya Lakeside Hotel for the night. The hotel is within easy reach of most tourist attractions and business addresses. This yet to be opened hotel comes with WiFi & LCD TV not the usual CTV. Goods views and good choice for business trips as well as R&R.
The Hotel...
Our room - no. 3801
Above: The centre of the 4 wings of the hotel features a clock tower.
Above: The neighbouring Water Sports Complex to hold international waterski and wakeboard series.
We set off at 6am this morning and arrived at KL at noon. Traffic was smooth as most people have already set off last Saturday to enjoy the long weekend. It was then shopping and food. Later noon, we drove to Putrajaya where we spent the night.
Putrajaya, located about 25km south of KL, is the new federal administrative centre of Malyasia. Several government offices have relocated there to gain relief from the overcrowding and congestion of KL which is Malaysia's largest city. However, KL still serves as Malaysia’s national and legislative capital for now. Putrajaya is a Federal Territory just like the city of KL and the island of Labuan.
The city has a number of bridges spanning an artificial lake, Putrajaya Lake. It has only been established recently and it is still undergoing massive development.
We put up at Pullman Putrajaya Lakeside Hotel for the night. The hotel is within easy reach of most tourist attractions and business addresses. This yet to be opened hotel comes with WiFi & LCD TV not the usual CTV. Goods views and good choice for business trips as well as R&R.
The Hotel...
Our room - no. 3801
Above: The centre of the 4 wings of the hotel features a clock tower.
Above: Excellent views of the lake & bridges from the hotel.
Above left: Extending out to the lake is a al fresco dining resturant and a bar.
Above right: the hotel’s 250-seat open air amphitheatre located on the lakefront.
Above: The neighbouring Water Sports Complex to hold international waterski and wakeboard series.
In and around Putrajaya...
Above left: The Perdana Putra, the Prime Minister’s office
Above right: Putra Mosque at Putrajaya Lake
Above left: Seri Wawasan Bridge
Above right: Perbadanan government complex
Above left: Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC)
Above right: Palace of Justice
Above right: Palace of Justice
