From KL to Ipoh and back again...with ETS

Everybody has been talking about the new train service from Ipoh - Seremban and vice-versa.  Finally, I had the chance to use it with this long weekend :)

The train ride back Ipoh was great, maybe due to the lack of passengers taking the late night run.  Anyway, it gave me some opportunities to run around with my cam.

The train sped around 146km max, I guess it could do more but our tracks might not be able to take it.  However, during the journey back, the train operator halted a few times during track interchanges and station stops due to the lack of lanes.  Anyway, it arrived near record time - 2 hours 15 minutes. 

Currently, it is still super clean and with nice seats.  Sadly, they kept on playing the manufacturer's video and the documentary of KTM's process in getting it to Malaysia from Korea - super boring and maddening due to the massive replays.  Surprisingly, the train was manufactured by Hyundai Rotem - it pioneered in trains at the early stage, and now into military tanks.  Who cares if it made bombs, as long we reached where we want to go.

With the price of RM30 per ride, I guess to some Malaysians it would be a wee bit pricey, but overall, I guess its worth the while as you save an hour if taking the older trains with the difference of say RM6-8.  If taking the bus, it might prove hazardous and Bukit Jalil is massively jammed up due to the renovation works at Pudu Station.  If by car, it would be cheap if it was in a group, but still the hazards are there.

I forgot to mentioned.  It's quite silent but you do hear a low volume of track noise, and the air conditioning is great.

Have a go at it :) do place your bookings if you are planning for weekends.

To know more, click these links - KTMB's Website and Hyundai Rotem's Website (Manufacturer).

Fu Chuk Barley Dessert with Ginkgo

Sea coconut is on the low.  Had to resort to barley now.  I guess you all can have this a try.  It's all knocking, peeling, washing, soaking, boiling, and lastly eating :P

Fu Chuk Barley Dessert with Gingko

Ingredients:

• 300gm Barley (depends on you)
• 2 packets of preserved Winter Melon or Rock Sugar (depends on how sweet you want it)
• 300gm Ginkgo Seeds (depends on you)
• 5-6 pieces of Dry Fu Chuk (Dried Soya Pieces....i think)

Steps:

1. Prepare your Ginkgo Seeds.  If you bought those still in their shells, just follow the steps.  If you had yours without the shells, proceed to Step 4.
2. Knock the nuts with a hammer or a nutcracker until there's a small crack.  Peel the shell off.  Put the seeds aside.

3. Boil the seeds in hot water for approx. 15 minutes.  Under a running tap, peel off its skin and it should be golden yellow.  Put it aside.

4. Choose a big pot.  Wash your barley in it.  Wash off the starch and weevils.

5. Put in the Gingko Seeds and Preserved Winter Melon  into the pot.  Fill it with water until its 3/4 of the pot.  Put the pot over a low heat and cover the pot.

6. While waiting for it to boil, wash your 'Fu Chuk' and soak it in water till it becomes beige in color.

7. When the pot is already boiling (approx. 30-45 mins), put in the soaked 'Fu Chuk'.  Only the 'Fu Chuk' and not the water.  Boil for another 15mins until the 'Fu Chuk' is in small tiny pieces.
8. Leave it to cool and you may serve.

Enjoy :)

Sekinchan, Kuala Selangor.

 

First time I joined my friends from my previous job for an outing to Sekinchan, Kuala Selangor.  It is located north of Selangor. It was a great and fun-filled experience of eating, photo-taking, eating, talking, eating etc.  I guess you get the idea.  Why would I say that?  It was because there were so many meals involved that we were afraid of the next.  There was the inevitable breakfast, then to our surprise, another breakfast.  Continued with lunch after a couple of hours, then finally dinner.  Mind you, it was all heavy.

 

It was early morning, we headed to the infamous staff car park to gather.  Then for morning 'Wan Tan Mee' at Ming Kee Char Siew in Glenmarie, Shah Alam.  After filling up, we headed to Kuala Selangor via trunk road.  It was a slow journey due to the fact, our guide was on uncle mode driving.  The other 2 cars in the group sped up to meet us.  It kinda took us around 1.5 hours.

 

We first expected to see paddy fields, as Sekinchan was known for its paddy fields.  However, we reached their small fishing village.  Had a hearty breakfast of fishes, one struck me as odd was a super flat fish!  Then we walked to the jetty, saw net fixing, fishermen having their brunch, and boat making.  I guess we were late for the fish sorting.

 

 

After gotten fish-ied, we went to the paddy fields of Sekinchan.  It was as far as the eye can see, and also scorching hot.  I imagine if I were to work the field, I would be unrecognizable as a Chinese by day end :P A friend fell into a dry ditch, she was graceful enough to fall bum first and saving her camera. [she's gonna kill me when she reads this...]

 

Being in heat for awhile, we attacked the nearest ice stand.  They were selling some sort of flavored crushed ice.  Chilled by the stand for awhile, then the discussion of lunch came up.  We were shaking our heads and giving that OMG (oh my God) look.  Someone said crab, most of the group nodded in agreement.  Oh well, round 3.

 

 

I guess I don't need to describe the meal.  Chomp! chomp! chomp!  We then headed for the Melawati Hill.  Had a hot and very short trip up the hill via a train-liked vehicle.  We spotted wild monkeys there and tourist were feeding them beans and bananas.  It's quite commercialized as the vendors there are selling the food for the MONKEYS!  The one thing surprising was that the vendors placed plastic snakes and miniature lion there to scare them away.  I wonder why couldn't they recognize the authenticity of their predators.

 

 

 

After the hill, we headed for Round 4. We had beggar chicken, duck, pork and vege.  It was another chomping session.  Oh my!  Before settling to end the journey, we made a stop for fire-fly watching at the 'Kampung Kelip-kelip'.  The stretch was super long.  We waited about an hour plus, then sat on this rickety sampan, but the man was super good.  No one fell off :P  The sight of the fireflies were like seeing a Christmas tree with super tiny lights.  The man was good at explanation.  He told us, those in the tree are mating, and those flying to another tree are scouts - on the look out for more babes.  Hahaha...  It was like 15-20 minutes.  Never ever go on a school break!  Oh yeah, he did mention for the best times to watch the bugs is during the start of a new lunar month and around 7pm.

 

Finally the trip was all over, we went back happy - stomach-filled, muscles tired, and skins burned :P