HWA HING SEAFOOD RESTAURANT

There is this small restaurant on Jalan Convent (just across from the Holy Family Church side entrance). It is mom and pops shop but the food is of consistent quality as only the father cooks. The mom mostly does preparation work only. He seems serious about this way. The bad part is service can be slow when there is a crowd.

The signature dish in the restaurant is the fish head. It's spicy and delicious.

This place is also good for its porridge. You can have pork, fish, seafood or even frogs. Sorry, we were hungry and only remembered to take the photo when we almost finished it.

The fried rice and also noodles are also good. They also have this fried "pak kua". The fried rice here is simple and good.

Other good dishes here are the stewed prok leg and homemade tofu with fish.



Go and try it, price is reasonable.

Until next time, cheers.

TAMAN BOTANI IN PUTRAJAYA

Putrajaya (just about 10 km from Kajang) has a number of parks and gardens. Over the years, I have been to a number of them and found them to be worth visiting.

Last Monday being the Nuzul Quran holidays in Selangor (but a working day in KL and Putrajaya), we went to Taman Botani. Being also the fasting month, we expected the park to be deserted and we were right. Even on holidays and weekends, they are not very crowded. Such a waste. That morning, it was cloudy and the weather was just perfect.

The main entrance to the park

Another entrance to the park with a covered walkway. This leads to a seafood restaurant and water sports centre.

The water sports centre where one can hire paddle boats to go around the lake surrounding the park.

The view from the lake is quite beautiful as you can get a good view of the landmark buildings in Putrajaya like the prime Minister's Office and residence.

The hardscape is well designed and built. It also blends well with the surrounding.



Nice views nice various points in the park.










View of the main building as well as logo of the park.



Interesting picture of a water outlet.


A fern garden (paku pakis). Haven't seen this for some time.

There were many workers going about their work. For once, I am impressed with the maintenance.

It is a good place to visit with your family, even with young kids. You can rent bicyles or even a tandem.

Until the next time, cheers.

CHAR KEOY TEOW AND PRAWN MEE

Ever since the the old bazaar people moved to the current location next to the market, it still draws the crowds to stop by and eat. Some of them are still around (for those who remember from the eighties and before.

For me, one of the stalls does satisfy me for her char keoy teow and prawn mee. We normally come here on Saturday mornings as the stall does not open on Sunday. The food is simple and tasty (what more can you ask).

It's the stall with the blue plastic sheet in front (it does not have a name).

It's yummy especially hot from the wok or pot.

Also managed to take some pictures of the surrounding area and stalls. Amongst the older stalls are the chan kei (still have the old steel rice bowls), old man restaurant, ngau lam noodles, curry laksa stall, porridge and some newer stalls like the chicken rice shop (most expensive in Kajang but best also) and others. For the other stall, check out the posting in the near future.

Until next time, cheers.

15 MALAYSIA FILMS

I came across this project which is a collection of 15 short films allowing directors to experiment with various themes or ideas. These films are released one by one a few days apart and you can catch the films at their website, 15malaysiafilms.

You will find funny, sad, serious,heart warming and other types of films. One one aspect is also the segment of "the making of the fims" which will give you further insight of the mind of the directors.

I hope you will enjoy it as much I had.

Until then, cheers.

RAMADHAN MARKETS IN KAJANG

The following article appeared in the Metro section of The Star today, Friday, 4 September 2009. The list at the end of the article will come in handy for those who may wish to visit the markets.

Well-planned bazaar drawing Kajang crowd

Story and photo by GEETHA KRISHNAN

The clearing dedicated for public use within the Prima Saujana township in Kajang has always been put to good use since its opening a few years ago but during Ramadan, it attains a special status.

Dataran Prima, located near the Prima Saujana commercial centre, becomes THE place for the only integrated Pasar Ramadan (Ramadan Market) and Karnival Ramadan (Ramadan Carnival) in Kajang.

The Jenaris Residents Association and the Hulu Langat Malay Chamber of Commerce have combined forces to organise the market and carnival this year with the cooperation of the Kajang Municipal Council.

The Pasar Ramadan is open daily from 3pm to 7.30pm while the Karnival Ramadan comes to life between 2.30pm and 11pm. Opening hours are extended on the weekends.

According to Jenaris Residents Association chairman Zubir Kamaruddin, Dataran Prima was the ideal site for the Pasar Ramadan and Karnival Ramadan as the space was sufficient.

“We are grateful to developer Prima Paramount Sdn Bhd for looking into the needs of the community here. Not only is the location suitable, there is also ample space for parking unlike elsewhere,” he said at the site recently.

Also present was Prima Paramount Sdn Bhd director Wong Sze Meng.

Zubir added that the market and bazaar were popular with the 2,000 to 3,000 residents living in Taman Jenaris and the surrounding neighbourhoods as it was also well-planned.

Aside from the Ramadan events, the weekly night market on Thursdays and for the farmer’s market on Saturday mornings and Tuesday nights are held at the site.

Hulu Langat Malay Chamber of Commerce chairman Saidin Md Ali said the Ramadan bazaar and market had been drawing good response from residents and visitors since its opening.

“We are thankful for the response as it is our ultimate aim to help generate some income for small and medium-scale entrepreneurs. Of the 128 Pasar Ramadan lots available for rental, 102 lots have been taken up while there are 44 carnival lots,” he said.

“During the last week of Ramadan, we will be handing out RM10 coupons to orphans for them to purchase food to break fast so we hope the public can contribute towards this effort. On Sept 12, we will be holding a dodol-stirring programme,” he added.

A trader identified only as Elynn said visitors were happy with the bargains offered at her clothing stall. In anticipation of good sales, the boutique owner based in Negri Sembilan had booked two lots.

PASAR RAMADAN LOCATIONS IN KAJANG Taman Tenaga, Jalan Timur, Kampung Sungai Balak, Taman Kajang Sentral, Taman Zamrud, Taman Kajang Mewah, Taman Ramal Indah, Sections 3, 7, 16 Bandar Baru Bangi, Pekan Bangi, Bangi PKNS Complex, Bandar Seri Putra, Kampung Teras Jernang, Minlon, Bandar Mahkota Cheras, Taman Suntex, Taman Harmoni, Taman Cheras Utama, Taman Taming Jaya, Bandar Tun Hussein Onn, Taman Cheras Perdana, Taman Impian Ehsan, Taman Cheras Jaya, Taman Kota Cheras, Taman Rakan, Taman Cheras, Taman Kajang Prima, Billion, Taman Seri Nanding, Batu 14 and 18 Hulu Langat.

Until next time, cheers.