October 2014 / Rolling Grace

My First Taste of Bangkok

Friday, October 31, 2014

I finally witnessed for myself Asia’s most notorious city.

Throughout the flight, I couldn’t help but to picture Bangkok the way The Hangover has portrayed it to be – treacherous and very chaotic. Being the world’s top tourist destination, there is no way that it should be sidelined in anyone’s travel list, however dangerous it is claimed to be.

My First Trip to Bangkok

Love it or hate it, people just can’t stop themselves from traveling to this fast-paced cosmopolitan city. Moderation is hardly the word used to describe its people and the activities here. Instead, extremity and intensity are all that fuel the city.

Majestic temples of infinite sizes, immeasurable glistening lights stretched along the streets, ceaseless surge of traffic that brims the freeway, adept drivers vigorously maneuvering their tuk tuks through the crowd – this city provides an atmosphere so distinctive from the rest.

Rush hour traffic

Lively and hectic, this city is a melting pot where many global citizens call home. With an escalating number of capitalists permeating the local economy, it is only a matter-of-course that luxurious high-rise office towers and residences are copiously beetling from the grounds of Bangkok. The skyline looks especially stunning when the sun is about to go down, while the lights emitted by the skyscrapers after dark gives the city all the lofty glory it deserves.

Night view of the famous Sukhumvit Road

Pampered with awesome food at a rooftop bar and restaurant

Good shisha is abundant too

This trip to Bangkok was solely for shopping and food, and although I am very tempted to upload pictures of all my hoards, that would, however, make this post a very lengthy and boring one. Ending this post with a few pictures taken throughout the trip:

"Laughing Gas" or nitrous oxide sold at Khao San Road

Wise words by Grey Hound Cafe, Siam Center

Entrance to Siam Paragon

Fried insects, anyone?

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Tuaran Mee at Tamparuli, Sabah

Friday, October 24, 2014

Tuaran Mee

To better understand a culture that is foreign to you, always have it done through your taste buds.

Recipes of local food are something that has been passed down for generations. They consist not only of a timeless heritage, but each rich, flavorful bite will unfold a compelling story of its people, the mores, and their way of life for over the centuries.

My strong belief that food is a culture’s best preserved heritance has contributed immensely to my years of cultural exploration, allowing me to appreciate unfamiliar customs by using not just sight, sound, and touch, but also my sense of taste and smell as well.

This time around, I had the chance to savor the much acclaimed Tuaran Mee when I was at Tamparuli, a sub-district of Tuaran located on the west coast of Sabah.

But first, let's have some adventures driving across this renowned two-way single-lane road built right above a river. Well I guess it's better than having to swim across.

Here, people still live a quiet, reserved and uncomplicated life. This place offers the kind of tranquility we all seek for.

Yes, this much bragged about dish may look ordinary or even unappetizing. This is where your sense of taste comes into play.

Made from pure egg yolk and flour batter, each mouthful yields a mild and pleasant egg aroma which flavor oozes out gracefully with each chaw. You’ve never really tasted eggs until you give these noodles a try. Springy, chewy, and saturated with egg essence, Tuaran Mee gives eggs the glory they deserve.

Completed with Hakka egg rolls, pork strips, Char Siew (sweet BBQ pork), fish cakes, and vegetables, this Tuaran-originated dish is a must-have when one visits Sabah!

*Tuaran noodles can be found in most part of Sabah, although the most authentic one would, well, be those made in Tuaran.

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Malaysia Travel

Bukit Tinggi, Pahang

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Good food, adorable animals, and a vast, endless stretch of encircling greenery – What more can a nature enthusiast ask for?

It must have been about a year ago when I visited Bukit Tinggi, one of the closest getaways for those living in the city. The trip also marked my third time being there.

One can easily relive the stately French experience here at Colmar Tropicale, Malaysia's very own French-themed village.

A brief drive to the upper part of the highland will lead you to the Zen-inspired Japanese Village. The trick to visiting the attractions in Bukit Tinggi is to take things slow. Take your time and immerse yourself in the tranquil and placid surrounding and let the unruffled ambiance help you achieve the much needed alleviation after a long week at work. Nature is always the best healer. Regardless of the problem, immersing yourself in the lush creation of nature will always give you the solace you seek.