Poland | Air BNB – Krakow (Review)

Hey, I’m Gosia!

Kraków, Poland

A photo-showcase near the Old Town.

She’s my Air Bnb host in Krakow, love her to bits. Very clean apartment, friendly (but you will need to start the conversation first) and accommodative. Her apartment is located 3-5 stops from the Central Station/Old Town via the tram which is simply perfect.

She prepared a few Krakow brochure in the room, spare keys was given, called us to ensure we are okay, their home is very clean, their bathroom is superbly clean. No issues with the washing machine as it is located in the bathroom. Her kitchen is well equipped and clean too, basically they are pretty much a minimalist. Simple layout and mostly white.

As for the neighbourhood, it is quiet and safe to our liking, there’s security guard as you enter, password or key is required for you to go up to her floor (for safety reason). Oh yah…. There’s a small sundry shop 5 mins walk from the apartment, so you can get your grocery there (if you feel like cooking that is) and there are also a small toy/Lego shop just next to the sundry shop. You will see a girl selling fruits and vege just 1 min walk from the sundry shop… fruits are reasonably priced.

One tiny problem if you don’t like animal, she has a dog (of which she stated in her profile). Chico is so friendly and obedient, he won’t come near you unless you call his name. Gosia was so kind and thoughtful as she send Chico to her parents place while we were there. Sweet kan.

Gosh, I can’t find a single thing not to like with her place. To me it’s perfect, perhaps I should migrate there. Hemmm…

Temerloh | Silver Catfish Town / Centre of Paninsular

Located about 130 kilometres from Kuala Lumpur, at the junction of the Pahang River and the Semantan River, lays Temerloh district; the second largest town in Pahang after Kuantan. And here is where Patin fish or Silver Catfish; one of Malaysia most prized freshwater fish have made Temerloh their home. Hence, Temerloh has been rebranded as "Patin Fish Town/Silver Catfish Town" on April 16, 1999 by the then Culture, Art and Tourism Minister, Datuk Sabbaruddin Chik. Not only that, it is also known as "Titik Tengah Semenanjung" or "Centre of Paninsular".

Temerloh town is reputable for their 3 types of ikan patin or patin fish, namely ikan patin sangkar, ikan patin buah and ikan patin muncung. It is said that an ikan patin muncung can fetch up to RM280-RM300 per/kg, one of five most expensive fish in Malaysia.

Masak Lemak Tempoyak Ikan Patin

A research by the Agriculture Ministry in 1993 found that Sungai Pahang was suitable for patin fish breeding project, four cages was set-up to test at Kampung Lubuk Kawah, Temerloh. It is said that the patin fish can be grown for commercial purpose, the likes of talipia and keli fish (catfish species) and approximately more than 2,000 patin fish breeding cages own by commercial breeders in Temerloh.

Being a country famous for local delicacies, it is no surprise that the 'Masak Lemak Tempoyak Ikan Patin' or 'Silver Catfish in fermented durian with coconut milk' curry dish has also put  Temerloh in the foodie map, and is a must try food when one makes a trip here. However, many did not realise that the silver catfish can be cooked in various style and would taste as good (if not better)....such as Patin Fish Pumpkin Porridge, Steam Patin Fish, Curry Patin Fish with Noodles, Grilled Patin Fish, Patin Fish Asam Pedas and Patin Fish with small sour Starfruit Soup and etc.

Silver Catfish in fermented durian with coconut milk

Not only that, the other interesting fact that many are not aware of is that these catfish has a few health benefits

• It can boost Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids intake
• Low in mercury and it also equals to 40 percent of the daily recommended vitamin B-12 intake
• Its vitamin B-12 is critical to aiding your body in the breakdown of the foods you eat into usable energy. Insufficient of vitamin B-12, the nerve function suffers.

Puan Suhaya Elly Rosli giving the welcome speech on behalf of Dato' Sharkar.

Rest assure that when in Temerloh, Patin fish/food is not the only activities for us to indulge, below are a few activities for you weekenders.

Pekan Sehari Temerloh

Happened every Sunday at Lurah Semantan from 7:00 am until 1:00pm. Produce solder here are those from local villages such vegetables, fruits, local delicacies, fresh water fish, ulam and etc.

Homestay Program

Experience a homestay programs in Temerloh. Live like the locals do, visit the orchard, the ikan patin breeding cages, the morning market and etc.

Gunung Senyum Recreational Forest

Gunung Senyum Recreational Forest was opened on the 14th of July 1989 as public recreational park, covering an area of about 794 hectares of forest in Jengka (in the district of Maran). It is managed by Temerloh District Forestry Department ( Jabatan Perhutanan Negeri Pahang), it also provide facilities such as chalets, dormitory / hostel accommodation and a campsite for tents, toilet and washing facilities and a surau.

So what are you waiting for. Come visit Temerloh now!

Pesta Pelancongan Ikan Patin Bandar Temerloh, Titik Tengah Semenanjung Media Trip

is in collaboration with Malaysia Inbound Tourism Association (MITA).

How I fell in love with P…

As I was saying earlier…

I fell in love with Poland.

Baffled? I shall explain.

So yeah. I feel in love with Poland. Love at the first sight I’d say. ‘It wasn’t plan’ as how the movies love to put it. And as cliché as it may sound, it wasn’t Poland, it was me. Ahaks… *cheeky smile*.

Thinking of the worst for whatever reason beyond my own understanding, I was still in doubt upon arriving in Krakow (a #UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1978), Poland. Was this a good idea? What if it’s dangerous here? Scam? 1001 things played in my head, I even toyed with the idea of cutting short this country (from 4 days to 2 days, so yah… it was that bad). Arriving at our Air BNB changes everything (for Anna, I bet Chico changes everything). Let’s save the Air BNB apartment to later, an entry on traveltips shall we.

So we gather our courage (ni drama jer lebih) and head to town a short while after resting and sorting out. 3 stops away and 15mins later (plus waiting for tram time), we arrived at the station; below the mall, connected to the airport train (perfect right). Torn with shopping in mall or going to the Old Town we decided to O-som to decide, leaving it the fate, to god almighty (korang percaya ke my crap nih?!?)… Seriously! We concluded that we shall go to the Old Town to get my HRC shirt and shop at the mall on our way back. Get the most important thing out of the way (HRC short that is. Priority check!). Off we walk to the Old Town, probably a 10 mins or less walk with a few stop looking at bakeries, eyes lingering at souvenir shops, danced at the sound busker playing their hip-and-happening local song (waima I tak tau sepatah haram pun, tapi takpe, blend it with locals… so they say kan).

Maintaining my focus and setting my objective straight, I saw the sign saying HRC Krakow “this way”, ‘AHA! Turn right’ harmoniously we shrieked. We walked (practically skipped and hopped excitedly), entering the cobbled street enveloped by a fortress wall with watch tower and all, Renaissance style rows of shops checkered on the outer ring; circling the Old Town Square. Not wanting to take any chances of getting lost which is highly unlikely (drama itu penting dalam setiap plot) we asked around while checking-out the souvenir shops. Clear direction was given, walk towards the St. Mary's Basilica of which Anna translate as ‘that pointy thing’, HRC is located just next to it. We reach there within few mins, how irony I thought to myself, a Hard Rock Café right next to a basilica. Hemmmm…. And its right in front of a square where the smell of eateries captivate your nostril and the sound of music emblazoning the blue hour sky, not to mention people lepaking and enjoying the autumn breeze and beautiful sunset.

I settled my HRC within a few mins and we agreed to split and meet right in front of the basilica, and this is when I fell in love. Suspense dak?

I entered the most recognizable and notable building there, the Cloth Hall; where the textile trade used to take place. Now, this Renaissance style building is the most popular place for souvenir shopping and I, Lily Riani got so confuse of what to buy, for whom, how many and etc.

#TravelTips 1 : The exchange rate during my trip was 1:1, making maths failer like moi feels like a pro (seringgit duit kita, seZloty duit diarang. Sonang).

# TravelTips 2 : Even with 1:1 exchange rate, some of the stuff it is still cheaper than Malaysia and better too (dah lah murah, kualiti bagus, exchange rate best pulak tuh).

I got myself a few souvenirs for family and friends and decided to check-out the surrounding and snap some pictures. This is when I saw a few lovely, dainty, sweet looking souvenirs that I felt like buying. The. Whole. Shop.

#TravelTips 3 : You know how Amsterdam is face for the white lace and blue embroidery, so is Poland, except that the embroidery is bright and colourful.

#TravelTips 4 : So  this bright and colourful embroidery souvenirs are reasonably priced. Memang rasa nak borong. Sumpah.

Just outside at the Main Square, you’ll see buskers singing, dancers performing and guess what, I was lucky to witness a couple of stranger get together impromptu-ly and perform a rendition. How cool was that. Lalalalalaaa…. I can’t resist but to capture it on video. And to add the icing on the cake – is the horse carriage that will take you around the Old Town with a nominal fee. Of which I didn’t take lah (tetiba kedekut).

#TravelTips 5 : If you are worried on halal food, fret not as you’ll kebab, and kebab, and plenty kebab stall everywhere. Well, almost everywhere lah. Janji tak mati kebuluran lah.

#TravelTips 6 : And the people are awesome, very friendly. Or at least I was lucky as I met only nice people during this trip. Keh keh keh….

#TravelTips 7 : English is spoken widely in Poland especially by the younger generation.

I have to warn you though, the dessert here is yummilicious. A must try. Even if you can’t sample them all, do take pictures as it look so beautiful and nice to look at (tetiba terliuq).

After all this bragging, how could I not fall in love right? (ni belum cerita tempat-tempat yang I dah pergi and tempat-tempat yang I nyesal giler tak pergi lagi).