Long Weekend in Bangkok - Day 1

It was a last minute decision to have you come along. (And a rather expensive one too...). We decided to have you tag along after our visit to BM last weekend. Well, we could not get you a ticket on the same flight as us, so you took your own flight via Lion Air. 

Nanna, Alan Ku-ku and I arrived earlier and headed to the hotel, Rosewood Bangkok. Then we headed out to eat something in the nearby Central Embassy. This was some of the snacks that we had:

Soon we were informed that our (Nanna and I) room was ready. So I headed back with Nanna while Ku-ku hung around and met up with Uncle Jon and his cousin. We rested in the room a while and very soon you arrived (after a bit of a mess over you getting a Grab and the cards being rejected). We quickly headed back to the food court in Central Embassy, since you were hungry (forgot that the no frills airlines means no food or drinks!). You quickly settled down with the Thai Boat Noodles. It came with a good serving of beef:

As we were eating, you spotted the fried oyster omelet. So you ordered a portion for us to try. Daddy said to remember this is Thai and not your favourite Hokkien version! 

Then we wandered around the mall and even walked to the adjoining mall Central Chitlom. Before heading back, we headed to the food court again to pick up something for Nanna and also beer. Turned out that we could not buy beer. The sale of beer is halted between 2-5pm in Thailand. 

Rested abit and soon we met up with the rest (Alan Ku-Ku, Uncle Jon, Alex Ku-ku and Ah Kim) at the Thai restaurant in the hotel. 

Wow! The food was amazing! Only managed to take a couple of photos (and forgot to take a family photo too.. duh!)

Tomyam Kung

Crab Fried Rice

Then we headed out to Jodd Fair with Alex Ku-ku and Ah Kim. First thing Ku-ku bought was crocodile meat on a skewer. He got two.. so we shared one of it between us. Nothing much to see here. 

We ordered this grilled squid, but it was a disappointment as we could see that the grill was not hot. It was mainly cooked using the flame thrower. Worst of all, it was then slathered (too generously) with some spice sauce. The fat and long skewer also made it difficult to eat the squid. Ended up throwing most of it away.

The consolation for the trip was the coconut ice-cream. We got to sit down and enjoy this and chat. 

Then it was time to head back. But before that, we grabbed a couple of local IPA to try. 

Our Grab dropped Ah Kim and Ku-ku home first then dropped us off at the hotel. 
This is the room we were booked in:

Big super king bed

Bathtub with a view 

(for us to look at or other people to look at us.. )

Personalized greeting

There was even a cake for us to eat

Changing Car Tyre

We came home to you telling us: I changed a car tyre today. 

Sounded so nonchalant when you said that to us. Then we later found out that it was a challenging event: from trying to change the spare tyre, to having a flat spare, driving to the petrol station and unable to pump the spare tyre. 

A very long 2.5 hours. 

Ah well, now you know how to change a car tyre. 

Mid-Day Snack

Nothing to do today, ballet has been changed to Sunday. So we all hopped into daddy's car for a drink + snack. Wanted to go to Otto Pizza.. the traffic was horrendous. But daddy persevered and spotted a parking lot along Weld Quay. Gosh, the parking rates sure is sky high. But ok la.. 

A short walk later, we're at Otto Pizza. Ordered the seafood stew and we all settled down with our drinks. 

The seafood could have been a little fresher. Taste was delicious. We added more bread/pizza base to eat with the stew.

We were given a complimentary Panna Cotta, which Mei-mei inhaled quickly.

That was a nice mid-day snack for us.. 

Grade 5 Ballet Examinations

Today is your examination day. You needed to arrive at the center by 8.30am (1.5 hours before your exam time). Daddy had to drop you as I had a meeting and it seems that you were the first to arrive. No teachers were there yet, but the administrator was around. Daddy waited with you until the teachers arrived.

I asked for a photo of you (before the exams). But this was what I got 😡

Nevermind, I managed to get these photos after your exams:

And this from the school:

We had to pick you and then drop you off at school (after a detour back home, as I'd missed out one of the bags for you to bring to school). 

Hope that the examination went well. 

Happy 76th Birthday, Ah Kong

Today, we celebrate Ah Kong's 76th birthday. Luckily tomorrow is a public holiday. So we can have the dinner on his actual day. A week in advance daddy had to do a lot of research as to which Chinese restaurant to go to. Then when it was decided on Maple Palace, more research and discussion into what dishes to order. Right up to this afternoon, we had to add on a soup to the pre-ordered dishes. 

We did not expect to a room, but much to our surprise, the restaurant called yesterday to confirm our booking and to inform daddy that we would be given a room. 

It was as cozy room as it was just the 6 of us. First things first, have a family photo taken:

First dish of the day: Peking Duck

Soup which was added on today: Braised fish maw with crab meat

The trio: Maple trio combination platter consisting of abalone, prawn and scallop

Fish: Cod fish with egg white and truffle

Daddy ordered Ah Kong's favourite: Deep fried prawn ball

Noodle: A must since it's a birthday celebrations - noodles cooked with the Peking duck

We were given this complimentary birthday bun, courtesy of the captain. The wording and drawing was impressive.

Took another family photo with this work of art

We could not leave without dessert:

Mango sago

Peach gum

Chinese pancake with lotus paste

Then we battled the traffic home and continued with the birthday song and cake:

Sleepy Child

Ah Ma sent me this photo taken of you on Wednesday on the way back from school. You're so tired every day and yet you refuse to sleep earlier at night!

Beer Day

Today we dropped Mei-mei at Gurney Plaza after having lunch at Golden Crust. She was meeting up with friends as it's Carolina's birthday. Yup, she's a Merdeka baby.

Then we could not decide whether to hang around town area or head home then come out again later to pick her. Whelp, while debating the big decision, my tummy decided to play up. So we had to detour to Gurney Paragon for me to put a "deposit". As we were driving down Gurney Drive, I needed to make another deposit, so we stopped at a hotel.

Finally, my tummy is ok and we headed to this place called "drafted.". We sure had a tough time getting a place to park. Finally parked near Penang Times Square and walked to the bar which is on Jalan Gurdwara. 

Wow! The cool beer certainly was welcomed after the walk in the sun. 

Luckily by the time we were done, it was cooler. In fact, it rained a little while we were in the bar. 

Then, it was time to pick up Stinky and head home. 

And this was how we spent the public holiday. 

Parent's Day - Ballet

Today is Parent's Day at the ballet academy. As usual, we dropped you off to start the lessons for the day. Then daddy and I went off in search for some stuff at Queens Waterfront before heading back to the academy where we were to observe the dancers going through the exam dances. 

Halfway through one of your dances, your bun started to come undone. And at one stage, one of the u-pin even flew off your head!

At the end of the session, Miss Foo also gave some feedback on your behavior and area to improve for the upcoming examination.

Well, I'm proud to say that you have done very well and danced rather gracefully. Hope that you will do well in your Grade 5 exams. 

Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle

It has finally arrived in Malaysia. We also had to wait a little more as it was impossible to get a good seat in the TGV IMAX cinema.

Today is D-Day. I had bought the tickets one week in advance. We picked you up from school and headed straight to Gurney Paragon. We had a light snack. Headed to the cinema floor and picked up drinks and popcorn to enjoy in the move. 

Wow! The movie is amazing. Cannot wait (2 years... 😭) Too bad Ko-ko is not interested in the show. 

Congratulations on a job well done

One snapshot... and we're so happy. We're proud of the results you have achieved.

Great job, Evan

Chili Beans Day

Today's dinner is prepared by Chef Daddy. We had bought the ingredients earlier this week as we knew that Ah Ma is not around this weekend (she's gone to KL with Uncle Sin Chuan, Aunty Amy, Tou-tou, Bo-Boh Poh and Ian).

So we prepared the chili beans and had it slowly simmer to bring out the flavor. Today's batch was made with 2kg of beef!! Tonight's menu had:

Coney dog with beans

Taco's with beans

Fries with beans

We had homemade salsa, sour cream and also guacamole to top with our dinner options. It's been a long time since we've had chili bean night.. it was delicious!

To the Condo

Kiddies went to the condo today with Ah Kong (Ah Ma is in KL for a holiday). Guess who's the driver today:

Sunday in Batu Feringghi

We had to leave early to eat breakfast then drop Mei-mei at Karate. So we headed to the Tanjung Bungah market for breakfast. We were lucky to find a table quite easily. The foodcourt was rather packed, so while the food arrived fairly quickly, it took us quite a while to get our drinks ordered and served.

Dropped you at the dojo then headed back home. Daddy needed to pick up his laptop as he had something which he needed to work on. Picked you up and found out that our piggy was too lazy to wake up. So Ah Ma and Ah Kong headed to the Astaka Hillside to buy duck rice. 

We also decided to head there thinking we'd join them there (did not realise that they planned to "tar pau" lunch). In the end, it was just the 3 of us enjoying our lunch. You ordered the quesadilla while I tried this hotdog. 

Then we stopped by this place daddy wanted to try out (we should have eaten here had we known that the rest are not at the foodcourt!!). Ordered a sandwich and also the cold cuts and cheese platter.

Ham and Cheese sandwich

You all went swimming later in the evening. Just as we were leaving, we met 4 Teo Kong who had also dropped by the pool. Invited them over for some drinks. 

Then daddy and I headed out with Ko-ko to buy back some dinner. We bought something at Astaka again and also headed to the dumpling shop to pick up more frozen dumplings and some fried rice. 

4 Teo Kong and Ee Poh dropped by just as we were finishing dinner. Chatted a while before they headed back as Ee Poh was just recovering from vertigo. 

Then we had our cold cuts and cheese as well as this white wine before calling it a night. 

Supper!

Imagine, you still have place in your tummy for supper.. I'd say it's more because you were intrigued by the super big fries serving!

Everyone had to help you finish up the chips!

Birthday Celebration

We didn't plan to have any celebration. But in the end, still went ahead since Mr Evan Ban kept asking why no celebration. So daddy found this restaurant "Gourmet & Wine Co." in Tanjung Tokong. It's a good idea since we're staying at the condo this weekend. 

We initially booked for 7.30pm, but since you kids could not swim and were starting to feel hungry, we decided to start our dinner earlier. 
After ordering our food, the manager/maître d helped to take a family photo for us:

The bread came out first. But after that, it was a rather long wait. We ordered a few extra servings of bread while waiting for our mains to be served:

Iberico Pork Chop

Beef Ribeye

Porchetta

Gambas

As we had ordered 2 portions of steak, we were given 1 free bottle of wine and daddy bought another bottle:

The food was quite good, despite the wait. The manager was quite apologetic for the wait. But it was a pleasant dinner with family.

Long Weekend in Bayu

We came up to stay yesterday evening. Packed both cars and headed over. Daddy, Mei-mei and I left first, headed to Jaya Grocer to pick up some stuff for the house while Ko-ko left a little later with Ah Kong and Ah Ma. He's the designated driver nowdays. We were a little early leaving Jaya Grocer, so we even went for a drive to find out about a couple of eating places which daddy had discovered on Google Maps.

We settled down for the night and the next day, daddy left (super) early to have breakfast before going off for his golf game. We decided to try out the new dumpling place which daddy had found. Ah Ma did not want to join us, saying that she wasn't hungry. So it was just the 4 of us. Ko-ko drove us there with me sitting in front to give him directions to the place. The shop is called "饺子掂 DIAN". The specialty is the many different types of dumplings. So we ordered a few and also noodles and fried rice (or else we will need to order 50 dumplings for Ko-ko). 

We were impressed with the dumplings, and so we even bought some frozen ones to bring back home. 

Then we headed home to relax. Ko-ko got bored, and took out toothpaste to clean up the leather seats for the dining table:

Took Mei-mei down for a swim. Unfortunately, the pool was overrun by a bunch of China people. Warned Ko-ko so he decided against swimming. After a while, Mei-mei and I also went back up.