Nestle right in the middle of the banking district in Georgetown, Penang’s Little India  is in a world of it’s own. If you have never been to India and you want to experience what India is like, this is a good place to start.

I’ve backpacked all the way from the south of India, starting from Chennai (formerly Madras) to Srinagar in the north, and everywhere in between, in my younger days. It took me almost 2 years to make that journey. I love India. That’s why I love to scroll down the streets in Little India whenever I have the opportunity. It brings back such fond memories of the good old days.

Tabla and sitar chanting music blasting at full volume on side of the road, and pop Hindi music on the other side. Jasmine or Rosewood scented incense fills the streets. Noise, people, lights, music, traffic, crowded streets, little roadside stalls, large textile shops, jewelry shops, spice shops, restaurants, ginger tea, tosai, parota, and everything India…,  are all here.

Little India

- A World Of It’s Own

(Click on image to enlarge)

(Note: Photos are taken with only a mobile phone camera)

Malaysiakini reports:

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today said Umno had offered to share power with PAS in Selangor after the general elections as it was within its right as the incumbent state government.Asked if PAS was also offered the position of Selangor menteri besar, Abdullah replied: “What are you talking about? (This has) nothing to do with what I’ve been talking about.”"Maybe at the early stages when it was undecided on who would form the government at that time because Umno had the highest number of seats in Selangor,” he added.Abdullah explained that Umno did not discuss the matter with Pakatan Rakyat as the latter was not a single entity.”Of course, in our case we represent the Barisan Nasional but for their parties, although they are the opposition there was nobody that had surfaced as a formally registered political party that has the three component parties, the way we have in BN.”So, at that time Umno felt that it has a right to seek the opportunity to form the government and to negotiate with any party to form the government,” he told reporters after the Academicians Award ceremony in Putrajaya.

Nothing wrong about it

The prime minister also said there was nothing wrong about the process as the state government had not been formed yet.

“Umno felt that as the party with the highest number of seats, it had the right to seek cooperation or alliance or coalition with any political party.

“If they (Umno and Pas) had enough seats, they would have been able to present the Sultan of Selangor with a proposal to form the next state government. But it never happened.”

However, Abdullah did not elaborate on whether this cooperation was extended to DAP or PKR, who together with PAS form Pakatan Rakyat.

Previously, Umno leaders said the talks were limited to the subject of Malay unity and Islamic matters and not political cooperation.

This is the first time that Abdullah, who is also Umno president, had admitted to the possibility of a political alliance with PAS on the subject of Selangor.

Former Selangor MB Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo was the first Umno politician to admit that the offer was made shortly after the March 8 polls.

Here is another lie. First, they said that the dialogue was about Malay unity and Islam issue. Now they admit that it was with a political agenda. How can we ever trust what they say! Just like DPM. First he said he had never met Saiful, but then after a few days he admitted that he met Saiful in his residence. I guess he must have amnesia at that time.

Of course there is nothing wrong when you do it. But let Pakatan Rakyat do it and hell will break lose. There is nothing wrong, it’s just like sleeping with the enemy. Or committing khawat. So desperate that they have to negotiate with PAS and the best part was that PAS rejected the proposal. Malu lah! Read the rest of this entry »

Leaders should lead by example. Badawi should lead the way. After all he was the one telling us to”change our lifestyle!”

So we suggest that Badawi and gang should car pool when going to work. Try our new Proton Saga, it’s economical and save on petrol. Reminder: Back seats’ passengers should buckle up!

Fly Air Asia or Firefly when on domestic business. Overseas no problem, we have Air Asia too, and MAS low fare deals. Visit the Matta fair more often to get good deals. This will help saves the tax-payers’ hard-earned money.

As for us, well - we will get horses or cows to pull our cars.  Just need to feed them grass, cheaper mah!

(Above photos taken at exactly 11.58pm at Shell Station along Jalan Mesjid “Green Lane” Penang)

It’s like waking up into a nightmare, One minute you are struggling with the high cost of living and the next you are choked with it. We expected fuel to rise maybe in a couple of months but this has caught us by surprise. If the price has gone up by, say 10 or 20 sen - well, we can manage it, but 78sen! That’s humongous! And the worst part is that it came too fast too soon. We were caught off handed.

And like a typical Malaysian, especially from Penang, I tried to fill up my tank after hearing the news. But then every petrol station I drove by, there are like thousand of cars queuing to do the same. The “Kiasu arise” So I thought I’ll forget about it. So I went for dinner with a friend. And after dinner, on my way home - thats around 11.30 we saw this petrol station with a very short queue. So we drove and joined the queue. As we slowly eased into the petrol station, there was this guy telling us, sorry, the petrol was all sold out.

So we drove on and was about to head home when we saw another station with just a few cars on the other side of the road. We quickly made a U-turn, and by the time we got there there were like another 20 cars that went ahead of us. But then it didn’t take us that long for our turn. And half the pumps were closed - emptied! Yep, so I managed to pump RM50 into my tank. In another 30mins I would have to pay another RM20 more! Yep, 40% more. This is crazy!

Anyway, on my way home, I saw a couple of stations which normally operate 24hrs were closed. Sold out! Wiped out! Cleaned up! Then, I saw this Shell station along Green Lane and there were still along queue of cars waiting. The time 11.58pm! I managed to take some pictures with my phone camera. Yes, these are the last group of cars that get to fill up their tanks for RM1.92! History makers!

What a gloomy day for all motorists. Tomorrow many will be rushing to the bicycle shops. Yes, back to the good old push-bike! Down up  paddle, down up we go!

Related Articles:

Fuel hike: 78 sen more to RM2.70 per litre - Malaysiakini

Electricity tariffs to raise by up to 20% - Malaysiakini

PM takes major political risk in slashing subsidies - Malaysiakini

This is surely one of the best hang out place for me. I spent plenty of my time here, blogging, enjoying the view and food. Mr Pot Cafe is located along Penang’s famous Gurney Drive. And to be precise, it is right smack in the middle of Gurney Drive, just next to the prestigious Silverton Condo. Great sea-front view overlooking the mainland. In the daytime you get plenty of sunshine and sea breeze. And on a clear night, the moon and the stars hoover above you. What else could you ask for?

Tell you what else! They served the best coffee in town with a very reasonable price, anything from RM2.60 to RM4.20 depending on your choice. Try it, if you are not happy, it will be on me. I usually go for the ‘kopi’ - strong and not too sweet, either hot or iced! Beats Starbucks or Coffee Beans anytime - in taste and value for money.

And if you feel like a having breakfast there are plenty of choices, from French Toast with Kaya to Ham sandwich to the good old Garlic Bread. Or simply have the soft boiled eggs with just plain toast. And if you prefer the heavier local breadfast, go for Fish or Chicken porridge or the famous Penang Nasi lemak. And of course there are plenty more from the menu to choose from.

For lunch or dinner they served local favourites to western delights. Try the Nasi Lemak Rendang Chicken or the Singapore Beehoon. And from some feedbacks from friends, the Laksa is just great too. If you prefer western food - I recommend Linguini Olio Vongole or Cajun Chicken. Prices are very reasonable, ranging from RM7.80 to RM12.80. And you get a good portion of it too.

And how about some snacks for weight-watchers? Curry chicken with rice, Jolly Bee (homemade) chicken burger or Chicken Spaghetti. And that’s for weight-watchers - hehehe!!!

Thirsty? No problem. Plenty of fruit juices and iced-blended drinks with names like - Kiss of the Dragon (fresh dragon fruit with sweet dates), Mocha Banana, Strawberry Fizz (yummy!) and the list goes on.

Mr Tan, the owner is usually there - always with his cheerful smile acknowledging the customers. And he seems to know many of the customers by names. Many expatriates frequent this place too. Mr Tan will come around to ask you whether the wifi connection is good and make sure the fan blowing on you.  Besides Mr Tan, Joanne, Yao and the friendly staff are always there with a big smile, ready to serve you.

 Really a great place to hang out and relax. Great view, great coffee, good food and drinks. Great taste. Clean and friendly environment and prices are reasonable (and no service charge, so remember to leave a good tip!) Good wifi connection. Great place to surf. And great team of friendly service staff. It’s all there at Mr Pot Cafe. Everything is just GREAT, lah!!! Everything you want, you got it. Truly Penang! “Ho Liow!”

Yep, you heard it right. This Mercedes SL600 is completely covered with DIAMONDS!

Owner: Prince Al Waleed from Suadi Arabia.

Price tag:  US$4.8 million!!!

Just follow the car from behind and if it is your lucky day, one or two of the diamonds might drop off. I think that could be a good way for the prince to distribute his wealth; drive around and let the lucky ones pick up the fallen diamonds. Can you imagine if he parked his car at the mall while he goes shopping? Hehehe!!! Or going through the car-wash? Or a head on collision?

Well, I guess you will never see this car on the road. Probably it will be parked in his palace as a symbol of wealth and power. But who knows, if he can be so crazy to order a car like this, he might probably drive it around too. So be on the lookout. It might be your lucky day. hehehe!!!

The Burj Al Arab. (About it)  Dubai sail building. There are no crosses allowed in Dubai because it is an Islamic state. But the architects made a booboo and the front of this building forms a huge cross, the largest in the world, facing Jerusalem and Mecca. Which was actually a prophesy about Dubai a number of years ago. You will never see a photo of the front of this building in Dubai . It was quite an embarrassment to them and they couldn’t remove the cross because it was a fundamental part of the structure. (Here-is-a-story-about-it)   Everybody arriving by boat sees a huge cross.

This is the view that you will never see in any tourist shots. Because of the huge cross facing Mecca and Jerusalam

 (This is unhealthy for children! If you are 18yrs and below, get your parents permission!) 

And did I, the Lord God create Helen and Eve?  NO!  NO!  NO!

I, the Lord God created Adam and Eve, man and woman - not Helen and Eve. Adam I know. Eve I know. Steve and Helen? That I don’t know! Who are they?