Mount Kinabau, Sabah August 2010 (part 2)

Okay, now we have reached the summit, the next question was "HOW DO WE GET DOWN?!?!?"

We set off again after breakfast at 1100HR.  It was another 6km down, and on average of 1km 1 hour, we needed another 6 hours to get down!!!  To make matter worse, it was drizzling when we were about to set off.  Lesson learnt:  To be specific in your prayers.  I prayed that it would not rain at night so that we can do the night climb, but i did not ask for no rain on my way up & down!

Going down was tougher than I imagined.  Partly my legs were already very exhausted, and going down the stairs had imapcted my knees, making them wobbily.  The rain did not make it easier, as the steps and rocks were slippery.  I slipped and fell again, thank God it was not serious.

This time, we were fighting to beat the sunset, so that we can reached our destination before the sky turned dark.  This trip, I finally realised what i meant by "Psalms 105Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path" 

I finally reached the foot of the mountain at 1900Hr, wet, tired, cold and hungry, but very happy to reach my destination.  I felt like a mission accomplished.  The next bad news was "another 2.5 hours drive back to town" which means my toes had to soak in my wet socks for another 2.5 hours.

Finally reached and checked into our fake shangri-la, spelt without a 's.  Hot shower never felt so good, and after that, I was revived and I went supper with Aw and Teck while the rest slept.

Day 4:

We have decided to take a city tour with Anson, the guide, as all of us were tired, and did not want to walk too much.  Since the city tour would bring us to most of the attractions in KK, and dropped us at the entrance, we decided to go for it.  At RM70 per person, we thought was reasonable.

My lunch: Hor Fun

 

Our first stop:  The clock tower

The city mosque

City View from Signal Hill:

We went to aqarium at the Univerity of KK, Sutra Habour before finally reaching Tanjong Aru beach to wait for the sunset.  Very happy to see the rainbow. 

Dinner time:

We finished the day with the movie Expendables.  Movie was good, except that I had problem getting out of my chair after the movie, and I hate the steps in the cinema!!!!!!!! Urghhhhhh

Mount Kinabau, Sabah August 2010 (part 1)

Day 1:
It is finally here!  The long awaited climb!  We booked it in April, after a few changes in the dates, and we were finally fixed on 20-24 August 2010.  First time i was on a trip whereby i did not plan anything, only pack my bag and go! 

We flew from JB Senai airport as it was cheaper, and also 2 of them were staying in JB, so it was more convenient.  We touched down at Kota Kinabalu airport around noon, and the guide picked us up to the town for lunch, before embarking on a 3hrs journey to Mt Kinabalu.  Lunch was at a local restaurant, 7 courses, decent food, though nothing to shout about.

KFC Nasi Lemak - My breakfast at the airport.  There is something special abotu KFC in Malaysia, it just taste different.  Either it is the air, or the food that the chicken eat!

Sambal Prawns

Braised Tofu

Calarmari

Look at how clean my shoes were before the climb.

After lunch, we started our approx 3hours drive to Mount Kinabalu (Mt KK).  We finally reached our destination, the foot of the mountain, and we need to register at the visitors center.  We saw this young woman, who was walking as if she has sprained her leg..So we started to wonder if we would walk like that 2 days later!  After registration, we checked in to our hotel, more like resort.  Each hut has 3 rooms, so 7 of us shared to hut, very spacious.  It started to rain in the evening, and we had to brave the rain to walk to the restaurant.  But it was quite satisfying to have steamboat dinner on a rainy night, whereby the temperature was about 17 degrees!

Day 2:

The challenge has began!  We woke up at around 0615Hr so that we could get ready for breakfast at 0700Hr and the set off at 0730HR.

I was so happy to get 007 as my number :-)

Some of the bags.  The main one will go to the porter, we will just carry our day pack.  My bag came in 2nd at 8.5kg, the champion was Tee's bag at 10kg, partly because of his tripod! Really admired the porter for their strength.

The map.  We took the Mesilau trail, it was a 8km trek to the rest stop.

The group just as we began the trek.  The walking stick cost RM$3, and it was the best thing that RM$3 can buy! Without it, I probably could not make it to the top!

0830HR:

We started the trek.  I was wearing another fleece jacket, but after 15 mins walk, it was getting so hot that I had to take it off.  Nice weather for 2 hours, and it was a nice trek.

1030HR:

It started to drizzle and we had to stop to wear our rain gear.  One hour later, it started to rain more heavily.

1230Hr:

We finally made it to our rest stop to break for lunch.  It was a nightmare to walk through wet jungles, slippery stones and rocks, puddle of muddy water.  My pants wasn't water proof and the poncho was not that great.  I got my fleece jacket back from the porter to fight the cold.  Packed lunch was simple far:  Sandwich with a piece of cheese like looking thing, two hard boiled eggs and a piece of fried chicken which taste as hard as stone.  However, i realised that i can eat anything as long as i am cold, wet and hungry!

1300HR:  Ah Teck and the rest set off, while Tee, Helen and I waited for a little longer for the rain to stop.  However, it did not seem possible, so we set off 15 mins later, in the rain.  It was much tougher than i imagined to trek in the rain.  The road was slippery, and there was mud everywhere which made the road more slippery.   As we progressed, I was finding it tougher and tougher, because my heartbeat was going faster, and I was finding difficulties in breathing.  To make matter worse, I was having a terrible headache.  Tee was having difficulties breathing too, his gf helen was very nice to accomodate us and we made quite a number of rest stops.

1730Hr:  The rain finally stopped, and we were able to appreciate the scenary around us.  It was breathe taking (Partially i was also out of breathe).  And we managed to take some photos, though I was not the one taking, as I was too tired to bring out my camera.

1855Hr:  We finally reached the Laban Rata, with multiple rest stops and many prayers.  Laban Rata was where dinner  was served.  Dinner was buffet style.  Rice was hard, roast chicken was even harder.  I wonder if the chickens did a lot of exercise that they have so much muscles.  Vegetables were soaking in oil, only the noodles were acceptable.  Nonetheless, i just piled up my plate with them, and had the 100 plus which the porter has helped me to carry up the mountain.  100 plus was cold (Imagine the weather), and it never taste soooooooooooooo good.

2000Hr:  We finished dinner and have to walk another 100m to our dorm.  The dorm was a non heated one, as the only heated dorm in Mt KK was Laban Rata, which was already fully booked.  The non heated dorm was really COLD, and the temperature was 8 degrees!!! Urghhhhhhh  the water was freezing cold.  I really hats off to Alison, who still can shower and wash her hair.  The rest of us boiled water and use towel to wipe ourselves.  The towel went cold less than 1 minute after I soaked it in hot water, and I went to bed at 2100Hr, with a headache.

0130Hr:  Woke up with 4.5 hours of rest, with a splitting headache, and aching legs that i felt did not belong to me anymore.  No much appetite for food, but I needed it for energy, so i stuffed a bread, with my coffee.  Thank God that i brought my starbucks tumbler, and I could have my Ipoh white coffee.  I popped 2 painkillers to ease the headache, wore my warm clothes, and I was ready to trek again, with legs that had mind of their own.  I also asked if the porter could help me with my camera, and he readily agreed!  Very kind of him, was so touched.  It was pitch dark outside, and we had to depend on our headlights again.  A trail of lights from fellow trekkers made the surrounding brighter.  It was a difficult climb, and some parts, I had to depend on my arms to pull myself up, and the toughest part was fighting against time, to reach the summit by 0530Hr to wait for sunrise.  Towards the last part, the porter was helping me up.  On his left hand, he was holding me, and on his right, he was holding Helen..wow!

0630Hr:   Finally we reached!! Pant pant pant...Scenary was breathe taking, though we have missed the sunrise (Except for Aw, who was the fastest)

Going down was scary, I slipped and fell and hit my elbow..ouch!  It was very steep, and at one point, i was so scare that my legs refused to move at all.  The porter had to help me to move my legs :-S  So embarassing

Franco in town - Jumbo Seafood

Franco & Silvia were finally in town!  I was so happy to see them.  The last time I was them was in July 2008 when I was in Italy.  They were so nice to host me and brought me around.  I was supposed to attend their wedding in Castelfranco, Italy this June, however, due to so many changes, this did not materialise :-(  Thank God that they were on a round the world 2.5 months honeymoon, and they made a stop in Singapore before going back to Italy! 

I was helping to look for their hotel.  Did not realise that it was such a challenge because of the YOG.  I finally booked them at a hotel near Little India.  Franco requested Chilli crabs, he said he missed them so much since he last tried it in Sep 2006.  I did not realise that he has been telling Silvia this since then, and Silvia was very much looking forward to them..LOL

Scallops Yam Ring as appertiser.  Crispy and fresh scallops.

The man playing with his video cam.

The guy that they missed soo much

The man working very hard, for his wife.

Wife enjoying the fruit of his labour

Since I could not eat crabs, I had my greens with Spinach Tofu.  My fav :-)

One of the best seafood dinner I ever had (Though I could not eat crabs).  Good food, great company, what else can i ask for?  I told Franco that everytime he is in Singapore, he will get his crabs.  That's a deal! :-)

Jumbo Seafood (Riverside Point)
30 Merchant Road #01-01/02 Riverside Point Singapore

Tel: +65 6532 3435

Dim Sum Lunch @ Royal China

Finaly brought my parents out for lunch on National Day.  I had not done that for a while, not because i did not want to, but mum always said that she ws tired to go out.

We decided on Dim Sum, since they did not know how to appreciate western food, be it French or Italian or American.  I brought them to Royal China in Raffles Hotel, since that I thought Royal China is the best Dim Sum and they have tried Lei Garden.

Royal China was very crowded on a public holiday.  You could see old folks at many tables, and mum commented that it was quite pitiful to be old, because could only wait for holiday for their children to bring them out...Hmmm

We started our lunch with the heavenly egg tarts.  Other than those in Hong Kong, the egg tarts in Royal China would be the best that you could find in Singapore.  I thought that the egg tarts today were a little less warm, maybe they waited a while before they served, unlike weekdays, where they served it to you immediately.

Char Siew Can Pao.  Special of the Day

Har Kaw.  I think they are one of the best haw kaws in Singapore.  Thin skin that melt in your mouth, fresh and crunchy prawns, served steaming hot!

Chives Dumpling.  Can taste the chives freshness and fragance, the skin is thin and smooth.

Zha Leong - Fried Fritters wrapped with Chee Cheong Fun.  Crispy in the inside, smooth and soft on the outside!  Yummy!  Not many places had this, so if you are here, must try!

Siew Mai.  Somehow they changed their Siew Mai's look everytime i come.  The last time i came here, the top had a big prawn as a decoration.  This time the prawn was missing, replaced by a Guo Ji Zi..

Special Royal China Chee Cheong Fun.  It has 3 ingredients, scallops, char siew and prawns!  Very tasty, though i find it a bit salty.

Wu Kok.  Fried Yam Balls.  Usually the fillings were meat and some green peas.  For Royal China, they used scallops!  Love the combination.

Fried Beef Hor Fun (干炒牛河).  A bit oily, but it was very tasty.  The beef was tender, and the hor fun was smooth, and you can taste the generous portion of bean sprouts, which took the oiliness away.

Overall:  9/10
Royal China
1 Beach Road #03-09 Raffles Hotel Singapore
Tel: +65 6338 3363

The Battle of the Pork Knuckles

I did not think that it was such a good idea afterall, so please do not follow what I did- I had German Pork Knuckles and beer for 2 consecutive nights!!!  Yes, the deep fried, crispsy, oily, dripping with excess and unwanted calories, yet super duper yummy, German Pork Knuckles.

Let's compare the 2 pork knuckles that I had.  The first one was from baden Restaurant & Pub in Holland V, and the second one was from Brauhaus in United Square.

Both were served with Sauerkraut, which means sour cabbage.   The process of making was similiar to making pickled cucmbers and kimchim using lacto-fermentation.  I think it complemented the pork knuckle very well with the little sourish flavour, take away the oiliness from the knuckles.

Both pork knuckles were fried to golden brown, with crispy skin.  And under neath the skin, you could see the thick layer of fats...

The difference was in the potatoes.  Baden's potatoes were baked, while Brauhaus's were boiled.  I prefer the boiled version.  However, the Baden's version had salad to go with it, made you less guilty haha..

The main difference that separate the 2 was the beer.  In Baden, they served German light lager, while in Brauhaus, you can order from a wide selection of beer, and I chose the Belgium fruity beer.  Their beer were pricy, each beer (about 330ml) cost between $10-$13.  Well, I guess you have to pay a price for choices.

Price wise, Baden would be a better bet.  We had 8 mugs of 500ml beer, 1 pork knuckle and the total damage was S$100; While in Brauhas, 4 bottles of fruity beer, 1 pork knuckle and 1 dozen of escargots set you back by $131.  So i would definitely recommned Baden if you want a fix for the pork knuckles and beer without damaging your pocket.

Ambience. 
Baden is the typical pub ambience, and Brauhaus supposed to have a better ambience since it was neat the fountain.  However, I was visited by 2 roaches that totally killed the mood!!  I don't think i will return to there soon..

Baden Restaurant & Pub
42 Lorong Mambong Holland Village Singapore

Tel: +65 6463 8127


Brauhaus
101 Thomson Road #B1-13/14 United Square Singapore

Tel: +65 6250 3116

Gunther's (without flash!)

Gunther's belongs to the same group as Garibaldi, which is just next door.  It seems to be a notch higher than Garibalid from what I have heard a lot about Gunther's.  Friends who have tried, food reviews and food bloggers had mostly given rave reviews about it.  Most of them said that Gunther's is a must try, served good quality food.  Of course, it is almost very expensive, and they recommended lunch, unless your pocket can afford it.

Finally it was my turn to try Gunther's!  And i chose to go for lunch instead, since it was quite a value at $38+++, and also i did not want to burn a big hole in my pocket.  I made a reservation for 1230pm lunch, and they called the same morning to confirm my reservation.

Upon entering the restaurant, S & I were greeted by friendly staff, and we were shown to our table.  And the table stood there to help you to pull out your chair, and also with your napkin.  Ok, service pass.  The next question was the standard question that you would get in any upmarket Italian or French restaurant "Sparkling or Still?"  When i am in the mood to spend $10 for water, I will say "Sparkling".  If not, I will usually pass, and asked for "Ice Water" later.  You get the same kind of sparkling water for $2 in super market, not sure why I need to pay 5 times more in a restaurant. 

When the water was served, the captain pushed out a trolley with the "Special of the Day", which include a live lobster, a musk melon from Japan, an huge Japanese Oysters, among many others weird looking fish.
We skipped all these, and focused on the set lunch instead.  I was not happy with my photo this time, as I forgot to bring my external flash.  The place was just too dim to have proper lightings for the photo...sigh
Set lunch includes a starter, a main, dessert and coffee/tea.

For starter, you can choose from
Ravioli foie gras, bordelaise

Scramble egg, smoked salmon
Chilled gazpacho

Main:
Gunther’s creation - Today's creation was grilled fish

Coquille pasta, summer vegetables, Scarmoza cheese
Grilled striploin, béarnaise

Dessert of the Day:
Yogurt Raspberry icecream

We went for Ravioli foie gras, bordelaise and Chilled gazpacho as we thought that smoked salmon was common available elsewhere.

Chilled gazpacho.  Tasty, the black thing which taste salty gave the soup a nice flavour.  Chill and smooth, good way to start your meal.

Ravioli foie gras, bordelaise. 

Today's creation:  Grilled Fish.  The skin was crispy and not oily.  There was not any hint of fishy taste or smell.  However, I thought that the display was a bit messy.  I was expecting more creative display since it is Gunther's.

Grilled striploin, béarnaise.  The beef was tender and the display was more interesting in terms of colour.  The strip of corns gave the beef a bright yellow look. 

Dessert

The canelé that looked like a cylinder had a soft and tender custard center and a dark, thick caramelized crust. I found the crust a bit too hard for my liking.  The financier was a bit hard too.  Probably i just loved my dessert soft.

Coffee.  The coffee was served in a traditional Belgium cup.  Coffee was fantasic, strong and nice aroma.

Overall:  8/10 for the value.  I expected more from Gunther's, but well, maybe it was lunch, and the best was saved for dinner.

Recommended for romantic candle light dinner.  Not recommended for photo taking of food.

Address: 36 Purvis Street #01-03 Talib Centre Singapore

Tel: +65 6338 8955