CW's Food & Travel

Phuket - Impiana Cabana Phuket Resort

noreply@blogger.com (Borneoboy) — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 04:41:00 +0000

Another resort right next to Patong Beach is the Impiana Cabana Phuket Resort. This resort is managed by the Malaysian Impiana hotel group. The accommodation are mostly in single-storey terraced blocks arranged around landscaped courtyards and walkways. It has a relaxed village-like atmosphere about it which is quite charming.

The obvious attraction of this resort is the location. Design-wise it is kind of ordinary, nothing unique. The lush landscaping is the main draw here.

Phuket - LaFlora Resort

noreply@blogger.com (Borneoboy) — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 04:18:00 +0000

If you prefer to stay in Patong where all the action is, there are plenty of options there. LaFlora is a small resort that is right next to Patong Beach. It is also a member of the Small Luxury Hotels network, giving it some international cache.

The design is very contemporary, understated and attractive in an unfussy way. Most of the rooms and villas are arranged around the central swimming pool. There are also ocean villas facing the sea. At night the atmosphere is quite enchanting. This is the type of resort that I personally like - small, intimate, stylish and conveniently located. It's definitely on the top of the list for my next visit to Phuket.

The reception is right off Patong Beach Road.

The pool-view villas.

The view at night.

Eating in Phuket - Lunch at the Sala Resort

noreply@blogger.com (Borneoboy) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 16:13:00 +0000

Like any resort which takes itself seriously, food is an important part of the equation. At Sala Resort I was told that they have an imported chef from the USA. The food is Asian Fusion, mixed in with some Spanish Tapas concept which is de rigueur at the moment.

The Sala Restaurant is at the seaside, near the main pool. Like everything else here, the design is very minimalist. It is essentially a pavilion which is open on all sides, providing great views all round. However, strong wind posed a bit of a problem, such as when I was there and it started to rain and gush quite heavily. The staff had to roll down the clear PVC blinds to block the wind and rain, which spoilt the atmosphere somewhat.

The menu offered some Thai, Western and Tapas selections. The prices were surprisingly reasonable for a resort of this caliber. I decided to try a bit of everything – ordering a tomato gazpacho, a Tapas Taster, and a Yam Talay (seafood salad). A selection of bread sticks and chips was served before the main meal, with 3 different types of accompaniment – vegetable pickles, a curry dip, and mashed olives. They were all very good and needless to say I pigged out on the delicious bread sticks and chips.

Next came the Tomato Gazpacho – which was very refreshing and packed full of flavours.

The Seafood Salad came garnished with some beautiful raw vegetables. You could eat them if you want, but they are there mainly as a visual treat. The dressing was very light – just a hint of lime juice and fish sauce. The fresh and sweet seafood doesn’t need much else.

The highlight was the Tapas Taster which came with 5 items – Tuna Tartare, Pan Seared Scallop in a Curry Sauce, Deepfried Spring Rolls, Deepfried Thai Money Parcels and a Spicy Fish Satay. All were delicious, and I couldn’t believe this beautiful dish cost only THB 220.

The food at Sala Restaurant is delicious, beautiful presented and reasonably priced. Highly recommended.

Phuket - Sala Resort

noreply@blogger.com (Borneoboy) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 15:14:00 +0000

The Sala Resort Phuket is one of the new generation of resorts which focus heavily on style and the “Cool Factor”. Located at the northern end of Phuket Island, this resort is quite far from the rest of the attractions. Privacy and exclusivity are the keywords here.

Since opening in 2008, the Resort has received quite a buzz in the travel circles. It was on the Conde Naste Hotlist for 2008, and have also received rave reviews in many travel mags.

The Resort itself is Minimalism taken to the extreme. The reception buildings are actually completely open pavilions with no walls. Between the entrance porch and the reception is a large reflecting pond with 2 trees in the middle. There is a small lounge area at the reception with blood red cushions. It is all very cool and understated.

Unlike most resorts at the seaside which try to capitalize on the views, the accommodation at Sala Resort are completely hidden away. Even the individual villas next to the seaside are enclosed in high walls to provide total privacy. While wondering around the resort, I did not see any other guests. Either the occupancy was very low, or everyone was hiding in their rooms.

While the architecture is a bit boxy and cold for a resort, the landscaping is really nicely done. The landscaping provide the key design elements here, with the buildings serving more as the backdrop.

The PR Manager kindly let me view their duplex villas which are rooms in 2-storey semi-detached blocks. The lower units have its own swimming pool and grass lawn. The colour scheme is all white and grey, again very understated.

If you are looking for a place to chill out, relax and hideaway, Sala Resort is the perfect spot for you. Plus it’s cool and stylish to boot !

Phuket - Amanpuri Resort

noreply@blogger.com (Borneoboy) — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 10:53:00 +0000

The World is lucky to have somebody like Adrian Zecha - a rich person who has the vision, means and determination to create extraordinary projects. I'm a bit biased of course - as an architect we are always dreaming about landing a client like him. Instead of just kicking back and enjoying life, he chose to take on the challenge of creating some of the most interesting resorts in some of the most unusual places in the World. Every Aman resort is a unique and visionary creation.

Amanpuri was the resort which started a whole new trend of travel and lifestyle. Not many people thought a small ultra-exclusive boutique resort - one charging more then USD 1,000 per night, would be able to survive. Aman resorts proved that it could be done, and now there are even "Aman Groupies" who would only visit a destination if there is an Aman resort there. We are talking about mostly millionaires here.

For mere mortals like me, a visit is as close as I would ever get to an Aman experience. In Bali we managed to visit Amandari and Amanusa, both very beautiful resorts in stunning locations. They were also much more accommodating and we managed to visit the villas to see what it's like to stay in ultra-luxury. Here in Phuket, I only managed to get to the reception and the main pool deck. Amanpuri is located at Pansea Beach, sharing an entrance driveway with The Chedi.

Immaculate landscaping.

The beautifully crafted stone walls - a signature at all the Aman resorts.

The villas nestled on the hill sides.

The architectural design for Amanpuri was based on traditional Thai architecture which has been stripped down to it's most basic. At the time when it was built, it was a revelation. 20 years down the road, trends have moved on and most of the exclusive resorts now are minimalist in design. Compared to that, Amanpuri looks a bit old fashion, but it's charm is still undeniable.

Phuket - The Chedi Resort

noreply@blogger.com (Borneoboy) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 04:40:00 +0000

The Chedi is a luxury resort located at Pansea Beach, a secluded corner just North of Surin Beach. It is part of a chain of luxury resorts managed by the exclusive GHM Hotels, headed by Adrian Zecha - the visionary hotelier behind the Aman group of resorts. The Chedi brand is a few notches below Aman - which is an ultra high-end concept. The rates are quite cheap compared to other resorts of similar standard - averaging around USD 120 a night.

The design of the resort looks a bit dated now. Though the minimalist tropical approach is copied from the Aman style, the execution is not as refined. A low-key entrance porch is connected to the reception area by open walkways flanked on both sides by small lily ponds. Though the overall ambience has an air of understated luxury, there are some laxes here and there in terms of design and maintenance.

The design is a pared down modern Thai style - with lots of warm timber tones and natural stone.

Rooms are hidden among the trees and landscape.

The main pool.

Overall I wasn't as impressed with The Chedi as I had expected to be. It is no doubt still an attractive property due to the exclusive location and reasonable rates, but the competition is getting tough at this end of the market nowadays.

Phuket - Patong Beach

noreply@blogger.com (Borneoboy) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:26:00 +0000

Patong Beach is in a bay tucked between hills on both sides. This 2 km stretch of sandy beach is on the Western side of Phuket Island, and faces the Andaman Sea. It is the most popular and developed beach in Phuket.

In 2004, Phuket Island was struck by a tsunami caused by an Indian Ocean earthquake. The tsunami wreaked havoc on many parts of the island, including Patong Beach which was one of the most badly hit. Many people were killed. Walking down the beach front now, there is completely no sign of the destructions cased by the tsunami. Patong Beach has completely rebuilt itself, which is a testament to the resilience of the Thai people and the community here.

Patong Beach Road by day. Kind of like Kuta in Bali, don't you think ?

For nicer views of the beach, take a short drive to the Northern end. Here the sea comes right up to the shore, which is protected by a stone wall. Go further up the hills to get even better views. From here you can feel the wrath of the sea which can cause such great destructions.

Phuket - The Tique Hotel

noreply@blogger.com (Borneoboy) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:55:00 +0000

I like to seek out smaller boutique hotels when traveling. They are more personal, have more character, and usually offer much better value compared to the branded 4 or 5 star hotels. It pays to do your research before the trip to find the best accommodation for your money. I find that 2 of the best Internet Hotel Booking Sites in Asia are Agoda and AsiaRooms. The rates are usually quite similar, but Agoda has an edge in some great special offers. Both sites offer lots of information and pictures on the hotels and resorts, and very useful user reviews.

I found this small boutique hotel in Patong through Agoda. It is my favourite type of boutique hotel - small, modern, and fuss-free. The hotel design is contemporary and minimalist, but very well decorated with the owner's collection of antiques and artifacts.

The hotel is quite tiny - it only has 22 rooms in a 5 storey building. The lobby is small but functional. This is also where the breakfast is served on a communal table. On the roof top there is a plunge pool with great views of Patong Town.

The room is quite basic, but is has everything you need. It is also very big for a boutique accommodation. There is even a large flat screen TV.

The pool on the roof top with views of Patong Town.

I enjoyed my stay at The Tique. It is stylish and conveniently located, just 5 min walk to Patong Beach. The rate is around USD 70.00 a night inclusive of a simple breakfast and free Wifi. Highly recommended.

(A bit of update: Just found out this hotel has changed name to The Album Hotel. I thought Tique was a better name. Rates are still the same, but seems a bit difficult to book.)

Phuket - Patong Town

noreply@blogger.com (Borneoboy) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:26:00 +0000

Patong Beach is the most popular destination on Phuket Island, so naturally Patong Town is where you find most of the accommodation and tourist attractions. The town itself is quite small - just 2 main streets running parallel to the beach and lots of smaller lanes in between. The Patong Beach Road is sort of like Kuta in Bali - with lots of small hotels and resorts, pubs, restaurants, shops, tattoo parlours, etc. Most things are quite cheap in Patong, but they are not necessarily the best quality.

During the day Patong Town is kind of quiet. You start to wonder where's everybody ? It only comes alive a night - when tourists come out looking for food and fun. The crowds generally come out around 7.00 p.m., and most places are open till midnight.

Patong Town during the day. Where's everyone ?

Patong Beach Road at night. There are lots of pubs and restaurants along this long stretch of road next to the beach, but be warned that they are mostly tourist traps and prices are quite steep ! I found the seafood pricing generally much higher compared to back home in Malaysia. However the quality of the food is generally very good.

Lots of small shops and street stalls for shopping. Mainly T-shirts, souvenirs and faked goods.

I don't find Patong Town particularly interesting. It is basically a base for exploring the rest of Phuket Island, and some of the smaller islands around.

Got Issues

noreply@blogger.com (Borneoboy) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 04:21:00 +0000

I can't help interrupting my Phuket posts for this little aside. Have you heard the song "Issues" by British girl band The Saturdays ? Lately I've been hearing it on the radio everyday on the way to work. It's one of those songs which sound catchy at first, but gets annoying really fast. When it gets to the chorus, I always can't help making up my own lyrics for it. The original lyrics are :

Me and my heart we got Issues

Don’t know if I should hate your or miss you

Damn I wish that I could resist you

Cant decide if I should slap you or kiss you

Me and my heart we got issues (Issues, Issues)

We got issues (Issues, Issues)

Here's my version:

Here in my car I got tissues

If you sneeze I’m not gonna kiss you

Get yourself one of those tissues

And wipe that silly grin off or I’ll hit you

Here in my car I’ve got tissues (tissues, tissues)

We got tissues (tissues, tissues)

What do you think ? What's your version ?

Eating in Phuket - Floyd's Brasserie at Burasari

noreply@blogger.com (Borneoboy) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 23:43:00 +0000

After visiting Phrom Thep Cape I made my way to Patong Beach where I had booked my accommodation. There are several ways to get to Patong Beach from Phuket Town. There is a shorter way which cuts across the island, or you can take the longer drive around the island. I decided to take the longer route as I wanted to enjoy the views.

The drive to Patong Beach is nice and scenic, though the road can get a bit small at some places. Good thing there wasn't much traffic. You pass through several small towns, and get glimpses of beaches along the way. It takes around half an hour to get to Patong Beach from Phrom Thep Cape. By the time I arrived it was late evening. Time for dinner !

I decided to go to Floyd's at Burasari, Celebrity Chef Keith Floyd's first outpost in Thailand. Keith Floyd is one of my favourite TV chefs, his colourful character and tongue-in-cheek approach always make very entertaining viewing. As he had passed away in September, about a week after my visit, this meal was like my personal last tribute to him.

Floyd's Brasserie is located in the Burasari Resort.

The man himself beckons at the entrance.

Inside the restaurant.

Keith Floyd always claimed he could cook Thai food better then the Thais, so I decided to try the Thai dishes. Having had quite a heavy lunch earlier, I just ordered 2 dishes - Thai Fish Cakes for appetizer and Whole Grilled Sea Bass with Thai Chili Sauce for main course.

The meal started with some bread, olive oil and sun-dried tomato spread. The spread was really good - packed full of flavours.

The Fish Cakes were really nice - crunchy, savoury, spicy. You can taste chunks of prawns and squid inside the fish cakes, beside the fish paste.

The Grilled See Bass was quite big for one person. The crispy golden brown fish was topped with a generous serving of Thai chili sauce and garnish The fish was a bit overcooked, with the meat slightly dried out. The sauce however, was very good - a nice balance of sweet, spicy and sour.

The restaurant itself is quite nice and cosy. I could imagine if Floyd was around, he would be floating around from table to table, a wine glass in one hand and cigar in the other. The food is not spectacular, but flavourful. I would go back to try some of their other dishes.

Phuket - Phrom Thep Cape

noreply@blogger.com (Borneoboy) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 23:03:00 +0000

After leaving the Evason Resort, I made my way to Phrom Thep Cape - reputedly the most scenic spot in Phuket to watch the sunset. The Cape is at the southern-most tip of Phuket island, and takes around 20 minutes drive time from Phuket Town.

When I arrived there were not too many people around, this being the low season. I like visiting during low season to avoid the large crowds which can sometimes spoil a travel experience.

The Cape is definitely scenic, but I am not sure about the "most scenic" moniker. I think there are other spots in Phuket with nicer views. There is a lighthouse at a plaza which is the main viewing platform. There is also a monument of Prince Jumborn, who was the 28th son of King Rama IV. He became a naval cadet in England at the age of 13, and later returned to Thailand and built the first naval base in Phuket.

The lighthouse at the main viewing platform.

The Monument of Prince Jumborn.

At the plaza there is also this interesting elephant shrine. Many devotees had left offerings of elephant statues at the shrine.

There are some small shops selling souvenirs near the car park. Prices are quite reasonable.

Phuket - Evasan Resort and Spa

noreply@blogger.com (Borneoboy) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:24:00 +0000

I have read so much about the Evason Phuket Resort and Spa that it was right on the top of my must-go list. It houses the famous SixSenses Spa, is in a 60-over acres tropical garden setting, and even has its own island !

Like many high end resorts, the location is deliberately obscure. It took me a few rounds to find the right turning. The road leading to the resort is quite tiny.

I must say I was a little bit disappointed when I first arrived at the Evason. The design looks a bit dated now. The reception which is housed in individual pavilions inside a large reflecting pond is a novel concept, but the structures and wooden finishes looks a bit run-down. The place could use a bit of sprucing up.

You go through this tunnel to reach the reception area.

These pavilions are where guests are received.

There are many types of rooms including standard hotel accommodation and individual chalets. The signature design seem to be based on a rustic Mediterranean villa concept. The ceiling of the rooms are actually finished in untreated timber strips.

The club house.

Although the Evason wasn't what I had expected it to be, it is still a few notches above many of the resorts in Malaysia. A visit is recommended, especially if you are prepared to pay for a spa treatment. I am still waiting for my winning lottery ticket !

Phuket - Vijitt Resort

noreply@blogger.com (Borneoboy) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:49:00 +0000

Being a popular International tourist destination, Phuket has its share of great resorts. Some of them are truly breath-taking. Like this all villa resort on the south-eastern side of the island called The Vijitt.

In keeping with most high end resorts nowadays, the entrance is decidedly understated. The main reception is in a separate pavillion facing a circular garden. On one side is the spa entrance, and next to it is the entry point to the villas.

The villa design is based on quite a common concept of vernacular pitched roof design with lots of sliding glass partitions. The roofs are finished with wooden slates, and some of the villas have it's own private pool. The resort is on a hilly site which slopes toward the sea. This provides an interesting undulation in the landscape, giving it a nice village-like atmosphere.

The view looking down towards the restaurant which is in an old Colonial residence.

The multi-tiered swimming pool.

Wish I could stay here, but the rates are from USD 170 to USD 1,600 a night. A bit beyond my budget.

(Note: I have made some edits in the Post after receiving some feedback from the Resort. They even offered to give me special rates for my next stay ! How nice.)

Phuket - HomePro and Plaza Dracaena

noreply@blogger.com (Borneoboy) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:11:00 +0000

While Phuket Town seem to be caught in a time warp - albeit in a nice way, as you drive out of town you begin to see some new developments. The good thing is Phuket is still not over-built, unlike many other tourist destinations which are ravaged by unchecked developments. There is a certain relaxed low-key vibe about the island which is really attractive.

As I was driving from Phuket Town to my next destination, I came across this interesting shopping centre called HomePro Village. It looks brand new - probably open for only a few months. There wasn't much of a crowd when I was there, mostly expats and yuppies. The shopping centre is actually anchored by HomePro - a huge home improvement shop. You can get everything inside - TVs, furniture, lighting, tiles, linens, curtains, etc. It is really nice, and I could have spent a whole day there. Unfortunately I was in a bit of a hurry. At the front of HomePro are some food outlets, art galleries, and a premium supermarket on one side.

The road out of Phuket Town.

HomePro Village.

Opposite HomePro Village is another brand new development called Plaza Dracaena. It is so new that most of the shop lots are still unoccupied. The design is very modern and minimalist - something which I really like. In the middle is a landscaped courtyard and parking space. There is a shop at the front which sells designer outdoor furniture - KenKoon. The furniture designs are really cool !

The KenKoon shop.

Phuket Town - Colonial Architecture

noreply@blogger.com (Borneoboy) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:00:00 +0000

There are some really nice Colonial buildings in Phuket, some of which are very well preserved. Take this Phuket Thai Hua School Museum. It was a private Chinese school built in the 1930s, in a European-Sino-Thai style. A very handsome building, the details are really intriguing with it's blend of Western and Eastern elements. I was especially captivated by the detail on the pediments which uses a bat motif. Today the school has been converted into a museum for the Chinese immigrants in Phuket.

As is typical of old Colonial mansions, there is a courtyard in the centre which allows natural light and ventilation into the building.

This other handsome Colonial building now houses the Phuket office of Thai Airways. Both the exterior and interiors have been beautifully restored.

Another old mansion which is currently being restored. I think it will be converted into a restaurant and entertainment complex.

This building is another nice example of functional Colonial architecture. The play of shades of green on the facade is really delightful.

This clock tower is a famous landmark in Phuket. You will not miss it as you enter Phuket Town.

The care with which many of the old buildings have been restored bodes well for the heritage of Phuket Town. I hope to go back and see Phuket Town again in it's full glory after all the major restoration works have been done.

Eating in Phuket - Lunch at China Inn Cafe

noreply@blogger.com (Borneoboy) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:07:00 +0000

I've read so much about China Inn Cafe & Restaurant before I went to Phuket that it was right on the top of my "must-go" list. I went there for lunch on my first day, not long after I touched down. The cafe is located on Thalang Road, one of the most popular old streets in Phuket Town. Naturally it is in an old shophouse.

The old building has been very nicely restored. I read that the restaurant is run by a husband and wife team, but didn't get to meet them. At the front just after you enter is a gallery selling Asian artifacts. There are some nice collections here. In the middle there is a light-well like in typical old shophouses, and next to it is the cafe. The dining area is at the back, just before the kitchen which is in a separate out-building. The al fresco dining area faces a small garden. It is really nice and cozy.

The menu offers traditional Thai dishes and some eclectic Western dishes. Since I was in Thailand, I decided to go for Thai. I ordered a Prawn and Green Mango Salad, Green Curry and Tom Yum Soup - you could say these are the triumvirate of Thai cuisine.

The Tom Yum Soup came first. It was very good - a nice balance of sour, hot and saltiness. The seafood was extremely fresh.

Next came the Prawn and Green Mango Salad. Again, very nicely done. The prawns were sweet and crunchy - cooked just right. The dressing was a near perfect combination of sweet, salty and sour - it was also very light and did not overwhelm the taste of the fresh ingredients.

The Green Curry - one of my favourite Thai dishes, did not disappoint. It was a bit mild, probably tuned more to a tourist palate, but still very flavourful. you could taste the freshness of the ingredients, like they were probably just picked in the morning.

The food at China Inn Cafe is very good. Pricing is on the high side, but you do have to pay for quality. I would highly recommend that you give it a try.

Phuket - Street Food

noreply@blogger.com (Borneoboy) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:47:00 +0000

Phuket street food is not as varied as in Bangkok. I only came across some road side stalls near Ranong Road. Unlike in Bangkok where grilling seems to be the preferred method of preparation, here in Phuket they prefer deep frying. Almost everything is deep fried and covered in a thick batter. Under the hot sun, it was a bit too much for me to try them out.

I did try some of these grilled bananas slathered in a thick caramel sauce. Very sweet and quite delicious, though sinfully full of calories.

I also couldn't resist trying these sausages. As this was a Muslim stall, the sausage was made of beef. It had a nice smoky taste, but a bit too salty. It would have been better grilled rather then deep fried.

A typical coffee shop. Not unlike those in Kuching. This one sells noodles with seafood. There is a large Chinese Hokkien population in Phuket, so Hokkien noodle is common here.

This shop sells conveniently packed lunch take outs. They all look quite delicious.

Just like in other parts of Thailand, food is plentiful in Phuket. If you have a few bucks in your pocket, you wouldn't starve here.

Phuket - Market at Ranong Road

noreply@blogger.com (Borneoboy) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:26:00 +0000

Regular readers of my blog would know that I like to check out the local markets where ever I visit. I like to see what the locals buy at the markets to get an insight into their food culture.

While walking around Phuket Town I bumped into this wet market at Ranong Road. I later found out that this is one of the most frequented wet markets in Phuket, though it is not very big. What they sell here is not very different from Malaysia. Lots of fresh vegetables, meat is mainly pork and chicken, lots of chili, herbs and spices, and lots of fish since Phuket is an island surrounded by the bountiful sea.

Just like in other parts of Asia, in Phuket they love their durians.

Lots of herbs, spices and anything you need for the kitchen.

You can also get cooked food at the market. This stall looked like one of the most popular here.

Phuket - Old Town

noreply@blogger.com (Borneoboy) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:40:00 +0000

Phuket Town itself is quite low key. There are not many big buildings here - mainly shophouses. The most interesting part of town are the old steets around Thalang Road, Debuk Road and Rasada Road. They are all connected and not far from each other. It is quite nice spending half a morning just wondering around, and then stop at one of the many restaurants or cafes for lunch.

Due to the Chinese, Portuguese and European influence in the early days, the Old Town here is populated mainly with Sino-Portuguese/ Sino-Colonial shophouses. These are the same as the ones you find in Penang, Malacca, Singapore and Kuching. There are many variations in the architectural details, but the basic design is a two-storey shophouse with a "five-footway" - essentially a multi-functional verandah serving as a covered pedestrian thoroughfare. On the ground floor is usually a shop, though in some of the units it is actually the living area. On the 1st floor is usually the living quarters. If you want to know more about Phuket heritage, go to this excellent web site - Phuket Heritage.

Old shophouses along Thalang Road.

Shophouse facades - quite similar to those in Penang, Malacca or Kuching. The variation is in the details. I think the old contractors or builders probably moved from place to place, bringing the designs with them.

These shops wouldn't look out of place in Kuching or Penang.

An interesting cafe on Thalang Road.

Evidence of Chinese and Muslim culture.

A must-have in any Asian home - a gas stove. Don't forget the rice cooker as well.

One thing I noticed in Phuket which is quite different are these gold shops. They are usually decked out to the nines in garish red and gold decors.

Phuket - Phuket Town

noreply@blogger.com (Borneoboy) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 23:43:00 +0000

Phuket is a small island towards the Western side of Thailand. It used to have a burgeoning tin mining industry, so the Europeans had long made their presence felt in this part of the World. Much of the tin mining was carried out by Hokkien Chinese immigrants, and you can see their legacy in the older parts of town. Today the main business in Phuket is tourism.

I hired a car, which is the best way to get around Phuket and it is very affordable. You can hire a Toyota Vios for around THB 1,000 per day. The landscape from the airport to Phuket town is very familiar to someone coming from Malaysia.

Phuket Airport is around 30 km from Phuket Town - about 40 min driving time. There are only a few major roads so driving around is not a big problem. All you need is a good map, and I had GPS on my phone which was a great help.

As I entered Phuket Town, I got a strange feeling of deja vu. The 2 and 3-storey buildings are very similar to the ones in smaller towns back in Malaysia. As you enter the older parts of town, you could be in Penang or Malacca. The old shophouses look exactly the same - with their Sino-Portuguese/ Sino-Colonial architecture which is common in many South-East Asian towns.

Entering into Phuket Town.

Phuket has a large Chinese and Muslim population. You see many Chinese temples around, as well as mosques - often on the same street.

The monument at Phuket Town Centre.

These buses converted from trucks are quite common in Phuket. They come in small, medium and large sizes. It is difficult to imagine enduring a long trip on these "buses", but the locals don't seem to mind.

Special school delivery.

One thing really great about Phuket traffic system is the traffic light. They actually have count-down meters which show you exactly how many seconds left before change of light. I think this great idea should be adopted everywhere.

Phuket

noreply@blogger.com (Borneoboy) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 04:53:00 +0000

Starting tomorrow I will be posting on my recent trip to Phuket. It was a short trip, but I managed to pack in a lot as usual. Phuket has amazing resorts, and the food scene is as exciting and diverse as any resort destination. So stay tuned !

Eatin in Kuala Lumpur - Prego's at The Westin

noreply@blogger.com (Borneoboy) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:10:00 +0000

I have saved the best of this segment of posts on KL for last. Prego's at The Westin Hotel is reputed to be one of the best Italian Restaurants in Kuala Lumpur. I have eaten there a few times and always come away quite happy. Our recent visit was another satisfying experience.

The restaurant is located at the lobby level of the hotel, directly off the sidewalk. There is an al fresco area outside which is now more of a sisha corner, catering to the many Middle-Eastern tourists who flock to KL between June to August to escape the unbearable Summer heat back home.

The interior of the restaurant is modern and contemporary, with a lot of timber and earth tones giving it a warm and cozy touch. There is an open kitchen, and a wood-fired oven takes it's pride of place in one corner. The look is very similar to many of the modern restaurants around KL, but the food is what we came here for.

The test of a good restaurant is often in the bread. If they take the time and trouble to make good bread, you can be sure that the rest of the kitchen would have similar high standards. The bread here is really good. With a crispy crust and a spongy soft centre, it goes really well with the tomato dip. I also asked for some olive oil and balsamic vinegar, which was even better with the bread. We asked for more and they gladly obliged.

For starters we ordered the Caesar Salad and Crab and Arborio Rice Cakes with Almond Aioli. The salad, with a poached egg and beef bacon, was really good. The Crab Cake was crispy on the outside and creamy smooth on the inside. It was basically a crab risotto which is breaded and deep fried. The crab filling was sweet and subtly perfumed with herb and spices. Very yummy !

For soup we had a Caciucco alla Livornese - a freshly cooked seafood soup. This was the best seafood soup I've ever had in KL. Sweet, rich and well-rounded flavours - perfectly balanced. Definitely my favourite on the menu.

With a wood-fired oven, you can bet that the pizza would be good, and they are. We ordered the Quottro Stagioni as I like to have lots of different flavours. This came with artichoke, turkey ham, mushrooms and olives. The pizza crust is thin and crispy and had the burnt bits which I love. Even though this is a Halal restaurant and they can't use the usual pork produce like salami and prosciutto, the chefs managed to coax some wonderful flavours from the ingredients.

A bit over-ambitious, we also ordered a pasta Frutti de Mare. It was really delicious, but we were so stuffed after the pizza that we could hardly eat the pasta.

There was absolutely no more room for dessert, so we decided to call it a night after the pasta. After so many years, it is good to see that Prego's has managed to maintain it's high standards. This place is highly recommended if you are looking for great Italian food in KL.

Kuala Lumpur - Nonya Colours at One Utama

noreply@blogger.com (Borneoboy) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 23:18:00 +0000

While wondering around the One Utama Shopping Centre recently I came across this really attractive stall called Nonya Colours. I'm a sucker for attractive colours in food and couldn't resist checking it out. They specialize in "Nonya Kuehs", and they have a huge array of these delightful sweet and savoury cakes. I totally regret the big breakfast I just had at the hotel. Otherwise I would have gladly sampled most of what they had on offer.

"Nonya Kuehs" are very popular all around Malaysia. The "Nonyas" are females descended from Chinese migrants intermarrying local Malays. Therefore "Nonya" or "Peranakan" culture is a mixture of Malay and Chinese traditions, and the Nonya cuisine benefits from this cross-pollination. Today you will find the Nonyas mostly in Malacca and Penang. Due to the popularity of Nonya food, nowadays you can enjoy this unique and delicious cuisine all over Malaysia.

One of the most popular Nonya Kuehs is this savoury yam cake. Fresh yam is cooked with some flour, usually mixed in with some minced pork to keep it moist give it extra tastiness. This is then steamed and topped with a mixture of dried pickled radish, chili and dried shrimps. Really delicious !

These are another popular kueh called Putri Ayu or Kueh Nonya. It actually originated from Indonesia, and is a steamed cake flavoured with "pandan" extract, topped with grated coconut. The texture is like a sponge cake.

The huge selection of other kuehs.

Besides the cakes, this stall also serve other hot and cold dessert such as Pulut Hitam (Black Rice Pudding), Hong Tou Soi (Sweet Red Bean Soup), Bubur Cha Cha (a sweet dessert soup with cubes of sweet potato, yam and sago pearls - one of my favourites), Ice Kacang, etc. I must return to this stall on my next visit to KL !

Kuala Lumpur - Bukit Bintang Street Performers

noreply@blogger.com (Borneoboy) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 12:32:00 +0000

The streets around Bukit Binting really only come alive after 10.00 p.m., when the shops and shopping centres are closed. This is when the street performers come out to entertain the crowds, and there are usually several groups of them in the area. One of the most consistent and entertaining is a group of percussionists who perform in front of the Maybank at the junction. The size of the group seem to shrink and grow from time to time, and there are always new "members" joining the group. They never fail to rouse up the crowd, and some of the more enthusiastic ones would even join in the fun.

On a recent visit I came across this bald men with a python and a tiny monkey. I have never seen him before, he seems to be new in town. The kids were really taken with the monkey, and it was a wonder that the python never swallow the monkey when the man wasn't looking. The monkey was always bugging the python behind the man's back !

If you are looking for more sedate entertainment, there are many masseur offering a relaxing foot massage on the street. They are really cheap too !