Denmark | Nyhyn & Chilling at PapirØen (The Paper Island)

Second DIY trip with Anna.

We decided to venture places ‘unventured’ before (no, there is no such word exist).    

I was sincerely impressed with Anna, knowing that she is very much a city girl, trolley dolly and tour group type of traveler. The first time she agreed to travel with me is to the Balkan countries where we covered Slovenia, Croatia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as Austria and Germany (Frankfurt). To be honest, I was a tad worried as everything was not pre booked and these countries is not as modern as London, Paris or US that she frequented. But I was surprised that she coped really well and don’t mind all the long tiring walk (after all, I am the type that absolutely love to walk and wander around the city, especially old town). In fact, she wandered alone in Frankfurt, Vienna and in Sarajevo. Tabik spring…

I can’t recall how we plan, decide, or whatchamacallit… all I remembered was Anna whatsapping (or was it a call?!!) me saying we going to both Iceland. As we are flying via Copenhagen, that smart woman did the math and said we can actually extend our transit in Copenhagen for a few days with an additional RM600 (IF I remembered correctly). And so we did.

1 month later, we were in Denmark.

The only thing we did was book a flight and our 1^st city location, we plan to book the stay in Reykjavik the day we arrive Copenhagen. Smart huh. NOT.

We figure we shall learn to travel spontaneously. Since I was able to do the same in South India, I am sure we will fare well in this trip. We did bump into a few hiccups when we were in Iceland, kinda panicky one.

Anyway. Copenhagen is super easy to navigate oneself. Really. Super. Easy.

Stay in the city and your life is a bliss. Even if you don’t stay in the city, the city itself is pretty straight forward. You can even do your own walking tour. In fact, ‘get amazing lost’ in the city… you’ll find your way back in no time. Trust me (and all we have is a paper map). We stayed a walking distance from the stay, roughly a 10 mins walk or so, and this 10 mins walk is very pleasant and we will be walking by bakery shops, canal and old churches. There are a few ways to get to the city and my favourite is the route where it takes you through Nyhavn or New Harbour… it is the icon of Denmark.

Nyhvn

Almost everywhere can be done on foot, Nyhvn, Tivoli Gardens, Hard Rock Café, The Little Mermaid, Christiansborg Palace, The Radhus or Town Hall and etc. That is, if you up for a walk lah, a very very loooooong goooood walk. Hahhahaha…. As you walk into the street of Nyhavn, you’ll see the 17th-century colourful waterfront buildings, canal with boats docking, cafes and pubs blasting soft music in the evening sunset. Been to many cities in my travels, yet only Nyhvn gives me this ambience hence I always have the urge of going back, reliving my memories.

Papiroen or Paper Island

In one of our walks, we heard music by the warehouse at the rivedbank, people enjoying the sun, breeze and snack. We check the map and found out this place is called Food Market on Paper Island or Papiroen. We knew it’s a place we must venture…

This is the place where you sample Denmark street food. Yup!!!! Street food.

Opening Hours (Autumn / Winter)

Monday – Wednesday 12:00 – 9:00pm

Thursday – Saturday 12:00 – 10:00pm

Sunday 12:00 – 9:00pm

Copenhagen Street Food

PapirØen/The Paper Island

Warehouse 7 & 8

Trangravsvej 14

Copenhagen

Kuih Jongkong - A Mandailing dessert

Jongkong.

My favourite dessert that is synonym to the Mandailing ethnicity.

Background

The word 'Mandailing' is derived from the word ‘mande’ which means 'mother' and hilang; 'lost' hence, the name Mandailing is associated or meant - ‘lost mother’. I learnt that ethnically Mandailingnese are actually part of the Batak people, where the Bataks are mostly Christians, whereas the majority of the Mandailingnese are Muslims.

The Mandailingneses are known as the great travelers hence the migration of the Mandailingnese to Tanah Melayu (now known as Malaysia) in 1803 and 1845 was during the Padri War came as no surprise. Later in 1860s the overlord of the Mandailings was entangled in the local Klang War (Selangor War) which led them to fled to Perak; Belanja and Tronoh, while some decided to stay in Hulu Langat area.

Ingredients

Rice flour

Cups water

Pandan leaves

Pandan colouring a extracted from pandan leaf

Coconut milk

Caramelise palm sugar (gula Melaka)

Salt to taste

Parched banana leaves

Mix rice flour, water pandan extract, pinch of salt and pandan colouring into a bowl and whisk it. Gently the stir/cook it over low heat and until the mix thickens.

Fold leaf to one side forming a pouch, put floor mix.

Add + coconut milk + Caramelise palm sugar (gula Melaka).

Seal pouch and secure with a toothpick.

Steam for approximately 10 minutes.

Final and ready dessert.

This dessert is best eaten cold in my opinion, especially in Ramadhan. 

Yum Yum...

Will Travel For Food 8 - Eat Travel Write Selangor 2019 Media Fam Trip is in collaboration with Unit Perancang Ekonomi Negeri (UPEN) Selangor and all its sponsors with #GayaTravel Magazine as media coordinator.

All about pastries in Krakow, Poland

I never knew that Poland has such a wide spread of pastries choice and I don't even have time to try them all. So I did the next best thing I know how, I decided to post all the pictures in my blog so that if I ever do a repeat (of which I know I will), I can easily refer to it and sample them. Pandai tak? *wink*

So here are those temptatious pastries.

For more pictures on my Facebook Page, please click HERE.

For more stories on my Poland trip :
Poland | By chance… It was Iceland’s fault!
How I fell in love with P…
Poland | Air BNB – Krakow (Review)
#TravelTips | Warsaw Day Trip
Auschwitz Concentration Camp / Nazi Death Camp, Poland
Harry Porter Graduation Tower. NOT! It’s the Wieliczka Salt Mine Graduation Tower

My favourite, bought it a few times.

There's more but I was to shy to kept snapping them pictures. Hehheheee.....

Oh yah! The exchange rate at that point of time was 1:1 hence I shop like crazy lah.

Oakwood Kuala Lumpur | The perfect staycation hotel

Sometimes, the best vacation is a staycation.

A foreign activity or/and name for some yet it is pretty common now.

Staycation has received a few urban definition these past few years, a few of the popular ones found are:

• A vacation that is spent at one's home enjoying all that one's home environs have to offer.
• A reprieve from daily activities of work and chores; taking personal time.
• A  vacation spent close to home.

And everyone’s favourite choice will be ‘A Vacation spent close to home’.  I got the chance to enjoy this experience at Oakwood Hotel & Residence off Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur. Everything is perfect to the T; the room comes with a decent and well equip kitchenette, a living room and bedroom.  A few thoughts ran into my mind as I walked in the room, this is a suitable place to hold a small gathering or reunion among close friends, family weekend getaway in the city and perhaps a home away from home for those who wants a different from home yet close enough to attend any emergency issues (if need be).

I have to admit, it was a much needed staycation cum holiday as I get to focus on my work (need to complete my 2017 plan), backlogged blog post, rest while enjoying the pool and gym facilities (obviously).... not only that, I also managed to go for an acupuncture cupping therapy. AND that's a big YEAY for me.

That is not all, a few of the services and facilities I noticed and impressed with are the:

• Doctor on-call
• Complimentary Daily Shuttle Service
• Internal Laundry Facilities (self-operated machine is available)
• 10-minute drive to MaTIC, Kuala Lumpur's one-stop Tourist Information Centre, Suria KLCC, Petronas Twin Tower, KL Tower, Lot10, Lake Titiwangsa, Istana Budaya and etc. Aside, shopping malls along with the financial district within a stone’s throw.
• 5 minute drive away from the world class medical centre; The Gleneagles Hospital
• Situated in a well-connected, accessible and within the popularly known "Embassies Hub” area thus providing guests with a comfortable and hassle-free stay.

Oakwood Hotel & Residence Kuala Lumpur is located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, making it the perfect place for me to have a great staycation. Accessible to KLCC, Avenue K, Pavillion and etc makes it convenient for me to shop or attend any event.

The TrEat Restaurant & Bar offers light and simple meal for guest. Craving for a pasta meal since the last few weeks drive me to sample what TrEat Restaurant has to offer. Flipping thru Oakwood Hotel menu (thank goodness for the simplicity else I have an even tougher time picking a meal), I saw a section dedicated to pasta. 'Hemmm... Gonna get myself an Aglio Olio pasta' I said to myself satisfactorily. Few minutes after placing my order, the most anticipated pasta arrives. Doesn't look that appealing, I remembered telling myself. I took a small bite (doubting)...

It was spicy. Very spicy in fact.

But strangely, I kinda love this new and interesting fuse of Italian food with cili padi. Fit my Minang taste bud. Definitely.

So far so good, love my room, great food and now I set to hunt for recreational activities which sums up to gym and pool. Finding the pool site was easy as it is situated by the TrEat Restaurant of which one can dine while watching the kids playing by the pool at the same time, I believe this is called good time management and great multi-tasking skill *wink*. As for the gym, it is located just next to the restaurant overlooking the pool. I guess the management really think through on everything.

Looking for a great Oakwood Hotel Kuala Lumpur promotion? Click HERE to know more.

Fact :

Oakwood Worldwide® is the premier provider of corporate housing and serviced apartment solutions through its well-known brands, Oakwood®, ExecuStay® and Insurance Housing Solutions™. With a presence in all 50 United States and more than 85 countries, the award-winning company provides move-in-ready furnished accommodations to meet the needs of global organizations, individual business travellers, insurance clients and leisure travellers alike. Oakwood Worldwide was founded in and continues to base its corporate headquarters in Los Angeles and operates regional headquarters in London, Phoenix and Singapore.

Oakwood Hotel & Residence Kuala Lumpur

222 Jalan Ampang

50450 Kuala Lumpur

Tel : 603.2720.3888

Website : https://www.oakwoodasia.com/kualalumpur/oakwood-kualalumpur.php

Harry Porter Graduation Tower. NOT! It’s the Wieliczka Salt Mine Graduation Tower

Looks pretty mighty and weird at the same time eh!

We found it by chance, not knowing what it is.

Mind my ignorance when writing this as I will share my experience.

It started with both Anna and I wanted to cover the famous UNESCO site Wieliczka Salt Mine, after looking at the entrance price, I decided to be kiam siap (stingy) for whatever stupid reason. Occasionally I do this during trips despite I told myself not to, after spending a bomb on a trip, I should just close my eyes and pay for the entrance fee (of which I now regretted not visiting [padan muka Lily!]). So we decided, to do a self-discovery trip Wieliczka town, rather quaint seriously.

#TravelTips 1 : I would highly recommend for you guys to do an overnight trip here here, the country site is awesome and calm to look at. And do check activities you can do at the meadows, farms or country site.

We departed during the midday and arrive just before noon I think, or perhaps at noon. Upon checking out the Wieliczka Salt Mine plus mapping and ticking those attractions we covered, we noticed that there is thing called Graduation Tower which we were curious of. We obediently head to the tower direction, while looking for any place interesting for us to look-see look-see or perhaps drop in and get some souvenirs. There was almost none. Sigh….

It was pretty easy actually, as we got down from the train and cross the main street (a rather small street), within 50m or so, you’ll notice an Information   Booth/Counter, just go right in and get a map, they will be able to point you the right direction to whether you should start your walking excursion. Yup! You practically can walk to most of the attractions.

#TravelTips 2 : Depart as early as possible as the queue can be super long.

#TravelTips 3 : Where a proper walking shoe and bring a bottle of water

Our first point of interest was the Salt Mine, of which we later head to the Graduation Tower, here, we decided to stay abit longer due to the health benefit…gitew.  It is one of the most interesting structure I’ve seen and coupled with the health benefits, I guess I am more impress with how the Polish able to combine this 2 element and build this tower.

Graduation Tower

Also called a Thorn House, the graduation tower wall is made of bundles of brushwood/blackthorn against a wooden wall-like frame. You will see salt water dripping on the brushwood from the top and partly evaporates; it is said that some of the minerals from the solution are left behind on the brushwood twigs. This mineral-rich water droplets are regarded as having beneficial health effects similar to breathing in sea air. Hence, it is often visited for health reason.

Who and why should visit the graduation tower?

Inhalations at the graduation tower are recommended for persons suffering from recurring and chronic ailments of the respiratory system. Thus patients with rhinitis, sinusitis, laryngitis and during the period of post-therapy of acute infections of the respiratory system will feel a relief. The brine aerosol also helps patients to remove mucus during such ailments as, for instance, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and bronchial asthma.

The benefits of inhalations at a graduation tower are well known. The salutary effects can be observed especially with patients suffering respiratory system disorders. Inhalations at a graduation tower have a positive impact on the mucous membrane of our nose, throat, sinuses, trachea and larynx, confirms doctor Magdalena Paciorek, Assistant Health Treatment Consultant at the “Wieliczka” Salt Mine Health Resort. The microclimate of the area surrounding the graduation tower is also serves as a preventive measure for healthy persons cleansing their respiratory tract and improving their body defence system. This allows to protect oneself, at least to a certain extent, from recurring infections.

The best treatment effects can be achieved while standing not closer than 30 meters from the tower while the recommended duration of a single visit is 15 to 30 minutes, twice a day. It is also recommended to have a brisk walk after the visit to the graduation tower or take a stroll along the park avenues. You can also enter the roofed platforms or the tower from which you can admire the magnificent view of the surroundings. But, if you just want to relax and take a deep and healthy breath in the area of the graduation tower there are plenty of benches to sit on in the area.

Source from http://www.wieliczka-saltmine.com/the-wieliczka-salt-mine-graduation-tower

#TravelTips 4 : The brushwood twigs are usually changed every 5-10 years.

#TravelTips 5 : Prepare to spend longer time at the Graduation Tower.

The place is rather scenic I must say, in fact I think the whole town is scenic, quaint and full of history. I fell in love with it immediately.

#TravelTips 6 : For those whom love to take ‘creative’ memorable photography, bring your graduation robe and take a picture here J *wink*.

Oh! This ain’t over yet for Wieliczka town, I have more to share in my next entry. Stay tune.

Villa Kontena | Paving the market trend in Malaysia

Paving the market trend on container eco-friendly home.
A trend setter.

Settling with architecture experience doesn’t goes well with Port25; the company that showcased Villa Kontena at the recent Camping in the City event held a Lanai Matic, Jalan Ampang.

Hungry for challenge and craving for green building excellence, Port25 aimed to create a different in Malaysia tourism industry. Understanding the concern that hoteliers have, the pain that small time guesthouses encountered and coupled with the travellers need of a decent and affordable accommodation during ones journey, makes Port25 craft Villa Kontena. Villa Kontena is an affordable accommodation that focuses on necessity and carbon footprint while meeting demand-supply from both parties; hotel and guesthouse owners and guest. 

Villa Kontena is not a typical container home like what we see trending now in Malaysia, Villa Kontena is a realization and vision of Port25, where it minimizes the reconstruction of the shipping container while leveraging on existing space, at the same time, providing the guest with experience of staying in a eco-like hotel. Embarking in container hotel helped to recycled more than 3000kg worth of steel, not only that, it also contributes in saving the building materials such as mortar, bricks, wood and etc. Aside, it’s fast construction helped to save cost from both the contractor and the hotel/guesthouse owners.

For each recycled shipping container we are reusing around 3,500kg worth of steel. We are also saving all of the traditional building materials (such as bricks, mortar and wood) which don’t need to be used.

Whilst you could argue that melting down the shipping container and recasting the steel into something else is more environmentally friendly, you would be wrong. Recasting steel requires an incredible amount of energy and it isn’t financially viable- this is why there are so many abandoned shipping containers in the world.

Embarking in yet another great project in Perak, Port25 is set to pave their path in this wondrous state, starting with container  villa, equipped with base necessity and eco-friendly built ups, giving guest and travellers alike a pure sense of being and surrounded by nature, yet still feel comfortable and secured.

Background

PORT25, being the acronym for People Of Remarkable Talent, is a design collaborative based in Malaysia. With the aim to forge broader inter-disciplinary creative collaborations, PORT commune was created by repurposing an old factory/warehouse into a space where like-minded creative types would gather and share discourses or exhibits.

Aside from building container home, Port25 also specialises in Architecture Design, Urban Design/Intervention, Interior Design, Furniture Design and Exhibition Installation.

Port25

Studio A, No.3, Jalan 51/201

Seksyen 51

Petaling Jaya

Selangor

Tel : 03-7781 2228

This #CaraCamp Camping in the City event is with supported by #MITA and #NBQS in collaboration with #MaTiC (venue)

Semarang | 3 Must Not Miss Attractions

We were introduced to Semarang where we get to experience some local delicacy (blogged HERE) and covered a few amazing places. Semarang is the 5th largest city in Indonesia, and its harbor is at the heart of central Java, making it a regional center of commerce for Java Island.

Semarang history dated as far back as 1678 when Sunan Amangkurat II promised to give control of Semarang to the Dutch East India Company (VOC) as a part of a debt payment, this sets the beginning of the Dutch colonial era in this city. It was made official in 1705 when Susuhunan Pakubuwono I made another deal to give extensive trade rights to the VOC in exchange of wiping out Mataram's debt in which prolonged and empowered Dutch to have full control of Semarang. This is when the VOC establishes tobacco plantations, and build roads and railroads thus making Semarang an important colonial trading centre; similar to the British colonial administration in  Asia as well as India.

Most of the Chinese settlements existed in the north coast of Java, and most of them are traders and merchants, this is way before Dutch arrive in the 17^th century.

The skilled Chinese artisans assisted the Dutch in the construction of Batavia (Jakarta), making Batavia the home to the largest Chinese community in the archipelago and remains so in the 21st century. As a result of this, several Chinese temples emerged which includes Sam Po Kong, built in honor of the Chinese Great Admiral Zheng He and Tay Kak Sie Temple.

Due to Dutch colonial and oriental influence, Semarang boost as a city of architectural and culinary wonders, yet always fall under the radar. Few Semarang attractions that we visited during this 5 days trip covering Semarang and Jogjakarta are as below. A must visit place if you plan to drop by in this beautiful and wondrous city.

Gedung Batu Temple or Sam Poo Kong Temple

Also known as Gedung Batu Temple, Sam Poo Kong Temple is the oldest Chinese temple in Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia. It is said that this temple was built in honour of Admiral Cheng Ho; a famous Chinese Muslim explorer in the 15th century who visited the Semarang in 1405.

Ambarawa Train Station

Once a military city during the Dutch Colonial Government, Ambarawa now has a unique museum focuses on the collection of steam locomotives. The construction of the new railway is to enable the transport of troops to Semarang. In April 1976, this Ambarawa Railway Station was converted into the Ambarawa Railway Museum.

The heritage railway between Ambarawa-Bedono is currently operated by steam locomotive. Aside from this, there is also a tourist railway servicing Ambarawa-Tuntang.

Lawang Sewu

One of Semarang landmark is the Lawang Sewu or Thousand Doors; a headquarters of the Dutch railway company. Famous for being haunted, this Dutch colonial has gone thru few attempt of unsuccessful rebranding and repositioning by the local council.

Japanese occupied the building and used the dungeons for interrogation and prison during the WW2, where else the basement was used as a killing fields of the indigenous population, young Indonesian and Dutch troops. Lawang Sewu complex was completed in 1919 and later seized by the Japanese in 1940s. It was initially used by the Nederlandsch-Indische Spoorweg Maatschappij, the first railway company in the Dutch East Indies.

Obviously there are many more that you guys can visit aside from this 3, hence a 2 days 1 night trip is highly not advisable *wink*. Spend abit more time here and am sure you will love it, not to forget, Semarang is also a food heaven.

Semarang-Jogjakarta Fam Trip is in collaboration with Tourism Indonesia and all its sponsors with #MATTA as Fam Trip coordinator.

Local delicacies from Semarang and Jogjakarta

This entry would be a short, simple and sweet.

As that is how I feel about food.

It shouldn’t be complicated and lengthy.

After all, I am no food connoisseur.

After trying a few delicacies that charmed Semarang and Jogja during our fam trip, I have settled to showcase the below 3 as a must try despite almost all food I’ve bumped into is a must try. But this sets apart from the rest, if tak try, nyesal some have said. Katanya lah…

Rule of thumb, semua must try but the 3 below is a must MUST try. Gitew.

Let’s start.

Lumpia

Popiah in Malaysia, Lumpia in Philippines and Indonesia, Gỏi cuốn or Vietnamese Spring Roll in Vietnam (they have summer roll as well), Yaw Dip from Lao and Poh Pia in Thailand; a popular afternoon snack in S.E.A.

Lumpia or spring roll is a snack or an appetizer that is often made of thin crepe pastry skin called "lumpia wrapper" and the fillings varies, usually consist of vegetables such as carrots, cabbages, green beans, bamboo shoots and sometimes meat such as minced chicken, shrimp and beef are added.

Beef Rib or Iga Sapi Bakar

Beef ribs using Balinese spices is what makes Iga Sapi Bakar famous and highly seeked after food when one is visiting Jogjakarta. Often eaten with rice and its special sauce.

The fact that this special recipe at this extraordinary restaurant is located at a well hidden place, and still receives never ending patrons plus numerous compliments and positive ratings is truly one of Jogja's best hidden secret.

Gudeq Telor

Popularly known as 'City of Gudeg', Jogjakarta has always been associated with Gudeg; a traditional Javanese cuisine that is often made from unripe jack fruit (gori/nangka muda) that is boiled for several hours with palm sugar and coconut milk.

It is usually served with white rice, chicken, hard-boiled egg, tofu and tempe, and chili crisp beef skins (sambel goreng krecek).

Have you sampled any great Semarang and Jogja food, feel free to share J

Semarang-Jogjakarta Fam Trip is in collaboration with Tourism Indonesia and all its sponsors with #MATTA as Fam Trip coordinator.