Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Fire at the end of the Port Klang - Klang Shapadu
As I was travelling along the Shapadu Highway, 24th Feb 2009 evening, I was surprised to see this towering plume of smoke!
the Social, Bangsar - Starter platter
It is no secret that I am a big fan of the aromatic crispy duck with pancakes served at Bangsar's the Social! Seems they have other good dishes too :-)
Thanks to S and Lil Jo for the "starter platter" treat! RM$30 for fresh spring rolls, delicious chicken drumettes, decent prawns, outstanding otak-otak and woo-tau ko (carrot cake) too!
Thanks to S and Lil Jo for the "starter platter" treat! RM$30 for fresh spring rolls, delicious chicken drumettes, decent prawns, outstanding otak-otak and woo-tau ko (carrot cake) too!
Curry Chicken ala Yanna
Curry Chicken ala Yanna ... More comfort food :-) on a rainy weekend!
I love the minced-prawn tofu that Yanna cooks too ... Yummm!
The steamed fish looks like a pomfret but seems it is a pricier variant of the common fella! Delicious :-)
I love the minced-prawn tofu that Yanna cooks too ... Yummm!
The steamed fish looks like a pomfret but seems it is a pricier variant of the common fella! Delicious :-)
Monday, February 23, 2009
Honda City - Launched in Malaysia, Rear-view
In the City's fifth generation, Honda has come up with yet another winner!
Overall, I have to say that Honda's design and imagination trumps Toyota in all the key classes, City v Vios, Civic v Altis and Accord v Camry!
Honda Accord 2.4 VTI-L Modulo Test Drive
Honda Civic 1.8S close-up
Ooops, thanks to Jeff for pointing out that my information below was for the PREVIOUS generation Honda City!
Honda City 1.5L i-DSI
SOHC, 4 cylinders, 8 valve water cooler / 1496cc
Max Power: 88 bhp @ 5500 rpm
Transmission: CTV (Continuously Variable Transmission)
Price: RM $79,800 (OTR)
Or get the higher-specced Honda City 1.5L VTEC (A) @ RM $84,800
Here's the latest reincarnation of the City, prices are valid for Peninsular Malaysia as derived from Honda.com.my
Engine Type: 4 Cylinders, 16 Valve, SOHC i-VTEC
Fuel Supply System: PGM-FI (Programmed Fuel Injection)
Displacement (cc): 1,497
Maximum Horsepower [PS(Kw) @ rpm]: 120 (88) @ 6,600
Maximum Torque [Nm (kg•m) @ rpm]: 145 (14.8) @ 4,800
Grade S
OTR with Insurance: RM$ 84,980
Grade E
OTR with Insurance: RM$ 89,980
From what I could derive, the Grade E or higher-spec City has extra goodies with no additional performance (Paultan.org and Honda.com.my):
The high spec car’s paddle shifts are easy to work and just plain works, but this isn’t a quick shifting DSG box so there is a noticeable lag between you pressing the paddle shift and the gearbox actually doing something. If you engage paddle shift mode in the S mode, you will be in the M mode which means the gearbox will not shift even if you go past the redline, after of which the revcut will kick in and prevent you from over-revving the engine. The gearbox will also never downshift on command if it detects that the engine will be over-reved on a downshift.
Other key cosmetic differences:
Fog Light
Door Mirror with Turn Light
Exhaust Pipe Finisher
Alloy wheels (16" instead of the Grade S' 15")
ps - Here's the "controversial Optimus Prime styling" on the front of the City, I think it's good! Photo courtesy of Paultan.org
Overall, I have to say that Honda's design and imagination trumps Toyota in all the key classes, City v Vios, Civic v Altis and Accord v Camry!
Honda Accord 2.4 VTI-L Modulo Test Drive
Honda Civic 1.8S close-up
Ooops, thanks to Jeff for pointing out that my information below was for the PREVIOUS generation Honda City!
Honda City 1.5L i-DSI
SOHC, 4 cylinders, 8 valve water cooler / 1496cc
Max Power: 88 bhp @ 5500 rpm
Transmission: CTV (Continuously Variable Transmission)
Price: RM $79,800 (OTR)
Or get the higher-specced Honda City 1.5L VTEC (A) @ RM $84,800
Here's the latest reincarnation of the City, prices are valid for Peninsular Malaysia as derived from Honda.com.my
Engine Type: 4 Cylinders, 16 Valve, SOHC i-VTEC
Fuel Supply System: PGM-FI (Programmed Fuel Injection)
Displacement (cc): 1,497
Maximum Horsepower [PS(Kw) @ rpm]: 120 (88) @ 6,600
Maximum Torque [Nm (kg•m) @ rpm]: 145 (14.8) @ 4,800
Grade S
OTR with Insurance: RM$ 84,980
Grade E
OTR with Insurance: RM$ 89,980
From what I could derive, the Grade E or higher-spec City has extra goodies with no additional performance (Paultan.org and Honda.com.my):
The high spec car’s paddle shifts are easy to work and just plain works, but this isn’t a quick shifting DSG box so there is a noticeable lag between you pressing the paddle shift and the gearbox actually doing something. If you engage paddle shift mode in the S mode, you will be in the M mode which means the gearbox will not shift even if you go past the redline, after of which the revcut will kick in and prevent you from over-revving the engine. The gearbox will also never downshift on command if it detects that the engine will be over-reved on a downshift.
Other key cosmetic differences:
Fog Light
Door Mirror with Turn Light
Exhaust Pipe Finisher
Alloy wheels (16" instead of the Grade S' 15")
ps - Here's the "controversial Optimus Prime styling" on the front of the City, I think it's good! Photo courtesy of Paultan.org
Audi A6 Abt Sportsline - Bangsar, Malaysia
The Audi A6 in standard guise is a beautiful piece of machinery, but after it is tuned and nip+tucked by Abt it becomes even more handsome!
Wikipedia.com on the C6-generation A6
The new A6 (C6) was released in 2005. Designed by Walter de Silva, the new model is visually an evolution of the C5, but is longer (492 cm), incorporates the new Audi trademark single-frame grille, and features more sophisticated technology.
Worldcarfans.com
The handwriting from Kempten is most noticeable on the rear of the A6: the characteristically wide track with the flush wheels on the outside is additionally emphasized through the Abt rear skirt inset. The four chromed Abt end pipes set a clear signal for the power capacity of the vehicle. The Abt rear spoiler on the boot makes sure of a sportier look and moreover an increased negative lift on the rear and connected improved driving characteristics. Just like all body add-on parts by Abt Sportsline it is manufactured in top quality and is seamlessly incorporated in the contours of the standard vehicle.
The designers set individual focuses with a discreet front grill and front spoiler lip. The handwriting on the side of the body is equally discreet: beside side skirts which underline the dynamical line management from the front to the rear, for the Essen Motor Show Abt Sportsline equips the A6 with Abt sport wheels SP1 in the dimension 8.5x19 from the range of wheels reaching from 17 to 20 inch. The classical five-spoke wheels are manufactured in titanium-look and equipped with tyres by the partner Continental.
Abt.com
112 years ago, Johann Abt from Kempten founded a blacksmith’s with a famous idea: to convert carriages, so that they could even be used in the harsh Allgäu winter. Since the time of its foundation the company has continued to develop and even maintained this policy in hart times. In the meantime the fourth generation of the company are now in charge with Hans-Jürgen and his brother, the former DRM pilot Christian Abt.
Wikipedia.com on the C6-generation A6
The new A6 (C6) was released in 2005. Designed by Walter de Silva, the new model is visually an evolution of the C5, but is longer (492 cm), incorporates the new Audi trademark single-frame grille, and features more sophisticated technology.
Worldcarfans.com
The handwriting from Kempten is most noticeable on the rear of the A6: the characteristically wide track with the flush wheels on the outside is additionally emphasized through the Abt rear skirt inset. The four chromed Abt end pipes set a clear signal for the power capacity of the vehicle. The Abt rear spoiler on the boot makes sure of a sportier look and moreover an increased negative lift on the rear and connected improved driving characteristics. Just like all body add-on parts by Abt Sportsline it is manufactured in top quality and is seamlessly incorporated in the contours of the standard vehicle.
The designers set individual focuses with a discreet front grill and front spoiler lip. The handwriting on the side of the body is equally discreet: beside side skirts which underline the dynamical line management from the front to the rear, for the Essen Motor Show Abt Sportsline equips the A6 with Abt sport wheels SP1 in the dimension 8.5x19 from the range of wheels reaching from 17 to 20 inch. The classical five-spoke wheels are manufactured in titanium-look and equipped with tyres by the partner Continental.
Abt.com
112 years ago, Johann Abt from Kempten founded a blacksmith’s with a famous idea: to convert carriages, so that they could even be used in the harsh Allgäu winter. Since the time of its foundation the company has continued to develop and even maintained this policy in hart times. In the meantime the fourth generation of the company are now in charge with Hans-Jürgen and his brother, the former DRM pilot Christian Abt.
Club twenty.one (21) - Changkat Bintang, KL
Add: twenty.one kitchen + bar , 20-1 Changkat Bukit Bintang, KL
Tel: +603 2142 0021
Previous visit: Photo of the exterior
A bottle of Black Label and 42 Below vodka ... RM$600.
The latter went down nicely with Cranberry juice.
Despite the 1st floor club being packed on a weekend, the service was really good, and the Groove Armada - Tiesto type tunes kept our heads bopping all night :-)
Tel: +603 2142 0021
Previous visit: Photo of the exterior
A bottle of Black Label and 42 Below vodka ... RM$600.
The latter went down nicely with Cranberry juice.
Despite the 1st floor club being packed on a weekend, the service was really good, and the Groove Armada - Tiesto type tunes kept our heads bopping all night :-)
Spag Bol - True comfort food!
Home-cooked Spag Bol or Spaghetti Bolognaise is one of my fave things, alongside a really good Hainanese Chicken Chop and something simple like baked beans with minced meat !
L's version includes the addition of minced carrots, leek, onions, garlic, premium minced beef and juicy button mushrooms that seem to explode in my mouth! Gorgeous :-)
ps - This is such a common yet legendary and well-loved dish, that Wikipedia even has a nice write up on it! Bolognese sauce (ragù alla bolognese in Italian, also known by its French name sauce bolognaise) is a meat-based sauce for pasta originating in Bologna, Italy. Bolognese sauce is sometimes taken to be a tomato sauce but authentic recipes have only a small amount of tomato.
The people of Bologna traditionally serve their famous ragù with freshly made tagliatelle (tagliatelle alla bolognese) and their traditionally green lasagne. Less traditionally, the sauce is served with maccheroni or other durum wheat short pasta.
The recipe, issued in 1982 by the Bolognese delegation of Accademia Italiana della Cucina, confines the ingredients to beef, pancetta, onions, carrots, celery, tomato paste, meat broth, red wine, and (optionally) milk or cream. However, different recipes, even in the Bolognese tradition, make use of chopped pork or pork sausage, while chicken or goose liver may be added along with the beef or veal for special occasions, and today many use both butter and olive oil for cooking the Soffritto of small amounts of celery, carrot and onion. Prosciutto, mortadella, or porcini fresh mushrooms when in season may be added to the ragù to further enrich the sauce
L's version includes the addition of minced carrots, leek, onions, garlic, premium minced beef and juicy button mushrooms that seem to explode in my mouth! Gorgeous :-)
ps - This is such a common yet legendary and well-loved dish, that Wikipedia even has a nice write up on it! Bolognese sauce (ragù alla bolognese in Italian, also known by its French name sauce bolognaise) is a meat-based sauce for pasta originating in Bologna, Italy. Bolognese sauce is sometimes taken to be a tomato sauce but authentic recipes have only a small amount of tomato.
The people of Bologna traditionally serve their famous ragù with freshly made tagliatelle (tagliatelle alla bolognese) and their traditionally green lasagne. Less traditionally, the sauce is served with maccheroni or other durum wheat short pasta.
The recipe, issued in 1982 by the Bolognese delegation of Accademia Italiana della Cucina, confines the ingredients to beef, pancetta, onions, carrots, celery, tomato paste, meat broth, red wine, and (optionally) milk or cream. However, different recipes, even in the Bolognese tradition, make use of chopped pork or pork sausage, while chicken or goose liver may be added along with the beef or veal for special occasions, and today many use both butter and olive oil for cooking the Soffritto of small amounts of celery, carrot and onion. Prosciutto, mortadella, or porcini fresh mushrooms when in season may be added to the ragù to further enrich the sauce
Tong Yuen (Glutinous rice balls) next to Econsave, Port Klang
Add: Jalan Raja Muda Musa, Port Klang
Located: Next to Econsave
Opening hours: 8pm - 11:30pm (Closed - Sundays)
I can't wait to try this out!!
Located: Next to Econsave
Opening hours: 8pm - 11:30pm (Closed - Sundays)
I can't wait to try this out!!
Divine hokkien mee and Pepper soup, Tanjung Malim
Located: Not far from the old road that leads from TM town to the PLUS TM toll
Delicious Hokkien-fried Kuay Teow ...
The secret? Charcoal fried individually in a hot wok!
L's favourite, and understandably so, the Hokkien Mee. Wet, tasty, and full of "wok-hay"!
SY's fave ... Yes, I tried it out! Sure packs a kick with an abundance of white pepper, this is TM's famous Pepper Soup.
Finest Gado-gado and Nasi Lemak, Pak Din - Tanjung Malim, Perak
Located: Hawker centre in front of the Balai Polis, Tanjung Malim town centre
L insisted I try her favourite Gado-Gado, and she was right... It's awesome! Simple, full of flavour, like so many things in Tanjung Malim.
The nasi lemak in TM needs little introducing ever since I ranked it as my favourite nasi lemak anywhere! RM$2.30 for a large portion, magic!
Found a nice writeup about this collection of stalls in TM, on langgas.blogspot.com .
L insisted I try her favourite Gado-Gado, and she was right... It's awesome! Simple, full of flavour, like so many things in Tanjung Malim.
The nasi lemak in TM needs little introducing ever since I ranked it as my favourite nasi lemak anywhere! RM$2.30 for a large portion, magic!
Found a nice writeup about this collection of stalls in TM, on langgas.blogspot.com .
Blog entry is titled "Jalan Jalan Cari Makan Tanjong Malim"!
Nasi lemak, Pak Din - Stall No. 18
Mee Rebus - Stall No. 19, Warung Mangga
Gado Gado, Mee Rojak - Stall No. 20
Mee bandung, Abdullah Kamil - Adjacent stall to No. 20 (Evenings only)
Also mentioned were the following:
Mee Kari (Curry Mee) - Stall 15, Warung Juita
Nasi ayam & Sate (Chicken Rice and Satay) - Stall 7, Warung Lee (Evenings only)
Bebe and Bambi - Poodle and Labby
Waiting for the return...
This is Bebe, L's poodle :-)
Cutey!
What suspicious eyes!
This is Bebe, L's poodle :-)
Cutey!
What suspicious eyes!
Ah... finally zzzzzz!
Heh heh, who do we have here...
Heh heh, who do we have here...
This gentle giant is Bambi, a 3 year old labby :-) with a heart of gold!
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Tanjung Malim Komuter Station - New KTM terminal
Couldn't resist nosey-ing around the sparkling new Tanjung Malim, Perak, Komuter Station one weekend.
Wikipedia.org
The new Tanjung Malim railway station will become the new terminus of the KTM Komuter network.
The 179 km (111 mi) Rawang-Ipoh electrification and double-tracking project will ultimately allow the KTM Komuter service to be extended to Tanjung Malim on the Selangor-Perak border, nearly 100 kilometers (62 mi) from Kuala Lumpur.
The project has suffered several delays due several reasons, but has seen limited revitalisation. The first phase of the extension, which includes 22 kilometers (14 mi) of rebuilt railway lines and three new stations became operational when a shuttle service from the Rawang stations was launched on April 21, 2007.
The service was extended to Kuala Kubu Bharu on January 5, 2008.
Shuttle service to Tanjung Malim and Ipoh will begin by December 2008.
Here're more piccies of the new station, guess UPSI and Proton City has indeed brought development to TM!
Lucky us! A train heading to Kuala Lumpur was about to arrive...
Wikipedia.org
The new Tanjung Malim railway station will become the new terminus of the KTM Komuter network.
The 179 km (111 mi) Rawang-Ipoh electrification and double-tracking project will ultimately allow the KTM Komuter service to be extended to Tanjung Malim on the Selangor-Perak border, nearly 100 kilometers (62 mi) from Kuala Lumpur.
The project has suffered several delays due several reasons, but has seen limited revitalisation. The first phase of the extension, which includes 22 kilometers (14 mi) of rebuilt railway lines and three new stations became operational when a shuttle service from the Rawang stations was launched on April 21, 2007.
The service was extended to Kuala Kubu Bharu on January 5, 2008.
Shuttle service to Tanjung Malim and Ipoh will begin by December 2008.
Here're more piccies of the new station, guess UPSI and Proton City has indeed brought development to TM!
We got there just before the rains arrived
Brand new signage, in an all new station. Fabulous!
Lucky us! A train heading to Kuala Lumpur was about to arrive...
I was caught in action, thanks to L and her Canon G10.
More close-ups
And the train departs...
Hmmm, this made me chuckle! I guess Photography and Breathing is allowed!
ps - Photos shot with my Nikon D80 and Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 which will be with my dad on his China trip for the next month, I shall miss the Tammy!
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