Sunday 13 November 2011

农家乐之金马伦高原 Agritainment in Cameron Highland



趁周末,我和一群友人到金马伦高原去避一避署,并体验下住在菜园小屋的感觉。这一次的行程和以往有些不一样,我们并没有到任何旅游观点去,而是到菜园去享受那悠闲的周末。

My friends and i went Cameron Highland   for a short holiday during weekend. Different from previous holiday in Cameron Highland , this time we decided to stay in a cottage in the vegetable farm, get a farm stay experience and we are not including famous tourist spots in this trip.   

我们第一站就停在 Ringlet 的苏丹阿布巴卡湖。这里除了湖之外,还有一间很英式格调的旅馆, The Lakehouse Resort。

Our first station is Sultan Abu Bakar Lake which located in Ringlet. There is a classic English country style Resort,The Lakehouse Resort opposite the lake. 

                                   
                                                        就是这旅馆,很有英式田园风格吧!
                                                      Here is the Resort, with country style design. 

                                    

旅馆对面就是苏丹阿布巴卡湖。这里有山有水,形成了一幅漂亮的风景图

( 只怪傻瓜相机及我的烂技术无法完全拍下这美丽的景色)

Lake and hills have formed a beautiful scenery in this place
(but with my weak photography skill and digital camera, i failed to capture the real scene in  a beautiful way)    


在湖边散步,吹着徐徐的冷风,让人精神一振,所有的烦脑都抛在脑后了!
Walk along the lake, with breezing air plus beautiful scenery, so refreshing, all stress and tension have gone away.  
             
                             

逗留了一会儿,我们继续驱车到 Tanah Rata, 并在那里喝下午茶— Teh Tarik (拉茶)。这里的拉茶味道香浓,比起早上在吉隆坡喝的香浓可口多了。

Then, we continue our journey from Ringlet to Tanah Rata. , and have our Teh Tarik in a small stall near Tanah Rata. The Teh Tarik here is  more aromatic than Teh tarik in KL. 


                           

由于从Tanah Rata 到 Kampung Raja 的路段蛮塞车的,所有到达Kampung Raja 时已接近傍晚了,于是我们便到关帝庙旁的餐馆去解决我们的晚餐。

The traffic was a bit heavy from  Tanah Rata to our destination, Kampung Raja. When we reached Kampung Raja was already late evening, so we went for dinner in a restaurant beside "Guan Di" Temple. 


这就是我们的晚餐-有炒菜胆,炒菇类,豆腐,扣肉 和酸辣汤。 这里的菜胆很脆很新鲜,而我的最爱就是炒菇类,各式不同的菇类一起炒,味道并不冲突,反而好吃。

This is our dinner,vegetable,mushrooms,braised pork and spicy sour soup.  The vegetable here is fresh and delicious. My favorite is stir fry mushrooms, mix of different mushrooms ,the taste wasn't weird but delicious.



接着,我们便去所谓的菜园小屋。 这就是菜园小屋内,简简单单,仆仆素素 的设计,另有一番风味。大伙儿坐在客厅,看看电视,聊聊天,加上天然的冷气 ,新鲜的空气,舒服极了。

不过,,半夜时这木板屋格外的冷,我用了三件棉被才足以让我温暖的入睡。 

After that, we went to the cottage in vegetable farm. This is the how the cottage look like, very simple design. Sat in living room, chit-chatting, plus fresh air and the natural air-con , it's so comfortable.

But , this wooden cottage is super cool especially during mid-night, i have to use three blankets to keep myself warm . 


                               
                                                                           
                                                                    早晨的景色
                                                                   Morning view  


准备出发到菜园了,虽然我们住的地方后面也是菜园,不过 uncle 说要带我们到另一个在山内菜园。好期待哦!为了要霸后面开蓬的座位,我第一个爬上车....哈哈哈!

出发了!

We were preparing to go to vegetable farm. Eventhough there is a farm behind the cottage, but uncle said he will bring us to another farm that located a bit inside the hill.   I was the first to get into the car because i want to sit at the  back of the car. Hahaha!

Let's go!


要到达这山内的菜园,我们必须经过崎岖的小路,站在四轮驱车的后方,经过这凹凸不平,弯弯曲曲上山下山的路,总觉得一松手,整个人就会飞出车外了。不过,这路程还蛮刺激,超爽的体验。

To reach the farm, we need to pass through narrow and rugged path.. Stand behind the uncover seat in  Toyoto Hilux, it's so bumpy and i feel that i will fell from the car anytime if i didn't hold tightly. But, i enjoy this bumpy ride so much, what a wonderful and exciting ride.    


终于到达了菜园。
Finally, we reached this vegetable farm


                                            

  绿油油的菜,一排排的排列着!美吧!
                      Greenish vegetables planted accordingly ,  formed another beautiful scenery in the farm.


看,这位先生很“卖力”的在学习翻土种菜,不过我看还是算了吧,感觉像是在摆“埔士” 多过要体验农家乐。

Look, he said he want to experience the farm life, learn to plant vegetable, but i think just forget it. He is like posing rather than learning to plant vegetable.  hahahahaha



这是小番茄园,我直接採下小番茄来吃,很鲜甜!好吃!
This is cherry tomatoes farm, i picked the cherry tomatoes from the tree and eat on the spot, it's so fresh!  




                                   
      接下来,我们也到Kampung Raja 的新村去走走。几乎每家都有一辆类是这样的Land Rover. 很可惜,这次我们没有坐这车进菜园,不然我相信会更刺激。

Our next destination is village in Kampung Raja. Almost every house  has a land rover here. But we didn't manage to get a ride on Landrover this time, if yes, i think the journey will be more exciting .
  

                                                                猜一猜,这是什么?
  这是芋头,这芋头重达五十公斤,整整一个人的体重,神奇吧! Uncle 告诉我们这巨大芋头是在他的菜园发现的,还上过报纸呢。

Guess, what is this?
This is a giant yam, weigh up to 50kg, almost equal to weight of a normal lady. So amazing!  Uncle told us this giant yam was found in his farm, and been published in newspaper before.

                             

 叮咚,午餐时间到。 Uncle 介绍我们到一而茶餐室去吃咖哩面 。不失所望,这咖哩面还不错。    如果下次你到这里,不妨试一试当地的咖哩面。

Ding dong, again time for lunch. Uncle introduced us to give a try to curry mee in Yat Yee Restaurant. The taste of this curry mee was not bad, worth to give a try if you are here.


就是这咖哩面,外表普普通通,不过味道还不错
                                      This is the curry mee, it's looks common, but taste not bad.






Saturday 5 November 2011

小村落里的包 Bao in a small village  


包,一个再熟悉不过的词,一个极为普遍的食物,随处都可以看到和吃到。但是,要找到有古早味的包已经是越来越难了。今天,我要分享的是来自一家经营了将近半世纪咖啡店的包。这家咖啡店坐落于吉打南部的一个小村落,店名为甘泉。老板的父亲早年从海南岛飘扬过海到这来经营咖啡店,(早期马来西亚的咖啡店多数都由海南人经营),从摸索,改良,融合当地人的口味,到今天,这包已传承了两代人。

Bao (Bun)  , a very common food, can easily find it almost in every place. But, now it is getting harder for us to get  bao in an old style coffee shop.Today, I would like to share about  bao from a coffee shop that run for nearly half century,Kam Chuan Coffee shop. This is  a traditional coffee shop , located in a small village at southern Kedah.    The shop owner's father came from Hainan,China( in early days, most of  Hainanese run coffee shop as their business).  From trying,adapting, and fused with local favor, this bao has "goes through" two generations. 



这里的包与我们常在外头看到的有些不一样,它的外皮较偏黄,并带有稍微的 Q 感。而内层带有质地感,一口咬下去这包的感觉就是适当的蓬松中带有多层次的口感,第一口吃下去,并不会顿时爱上他,而是在过后 慢慢一口一口吃的过程里发现它的特别之处。面粉,盐与糖,加上内馅,多么普通的组合,店家却能让它融合成为一个好吃的包。

The Bao here is slightly different from other Bao. Its outer skin is a bit yellowish, and slightly chewy. While the inner part of the Bao , you will feel the suited spongy feel and multi-layers taste when bite on it. You will not really in love with this bao in first bite,but after that you will  slowly discover its specialty.  With flour,salt, sugar plus filling, what a simple common combination, the owner still able to integrate all and come out with a tasteful bao.




这里的包有三个内陷可以选:红豆沙,咖瑘 和椰丝。值得一提的是咖瑘,其特别之处是老板没有加椰奶,但混合了鸡蛋和鸭蛋来做出这咖瑘,老板说这样咖瑘的味道会较香,颜色也比较好看。我个人最爱红豆沙内陷的包,红豆沙加上炒过的白芝麻,香!赞!

There are three options for the bao filling: red bean,kaya and coconut. What unique here is the Kaya, the shop owner doesn't mix  coconut milk in making Kaya like others usually do, and  he uses both chicken and duck eggs in making the Kaya. According to him , this will improve Kaya taste and at the same time let the colour of Kaya look brighter and more beautiful. I personally prefer Bao with red bean filling. The red bean here is mix with white sesame, thumb up ! 


这是蒸包的炉。由于,村里的人数越来越少了,所以老板做包的数量也减少了。如今大概每个月只做三到四次,或是在特别酬神的日子才会做。如果你刚好经过或在双溪吉舌以列,那不妨到甘泉咖啡店,然后问老板:你今天有做包吗?幸运的话,你也许可以尝到这满古早味的包哦!

This is the stove used to steam bao. Villagers are getting less now, hence the shop owner also reduce his frequency of making bao. Now, he will only make bao three or four times a month  or during special occasion. If you pass by Sungai Kecil Ilir, do go into the shop and ask the boss: Do you make bao today? if lucky, you might able to get a taste of it.


地点: 甘泉咖啡店,双溪吉舌以列(吉打南部)
Location:   Kedai Kopi Kam Chuan, Sungai Kecil Ilir, Bandar Baharu.
   

Thursday 3 November 2011

Kerachut Beach 可拉竹海滩

Have been thinking which location should i write as my first post here. And finally i decided to blog about one of the famous beaches in Penang Island, Kerachut Beach.  This beach is really a good place to go during weekends for Penangites, and for tourists , you can include this beach in your trip other than Batu Ferringgi beach, i am sure you will have surprise on this. This beach located in Penang National Park, Teluk Bahang.

想了好久,我的第一篇文章到底该选那一个地方或景点来写呢,于是我决定先由槟岛的其中一个著名的海滩写起,那就是可拉竹海滩。对于槟城人,这海滩是不错的周末之选,而对于游客,除了巴都丁宜海滩,也可以考虑将这海滩列为旅游的其中一个景点,说不定会有意想不到的惊喜哦! 可拉竹海滩座落于槟岛直落巴巷的国家公园。


Now let's us have a peep on Kerachut Beach.
现在 就让我们一同看看可拉竹海滩:


Here is the entrance to Penang National Park ,remember to register at the counter before enter the national park. It is free of charge. We have taken around one hour jungle trekking before reached Kerachut Beach. There is a ready trekking  path provided along the way, so it is not hard at all for this jungle trekking. You also can enjoy the beautiful scenery of jungle on the way to the beach  and listen to "symphony" of ocean waves and insects.   

这就是国家公园的入口处。记得进去之前到柜台去填写资料.值得一提的是,这国家公园是没有收费的。 我们大概走了一个小时左右 ,才到达可拉竹海滩。沿途都有完善的徒步径,所以一点都不难走。同时,沿途可以欣赏森林的美丽风景,及聆听海浪和昆虫的交响曲!




Here is the view of  Kerachut Beach, with blue sky, clean sea and beautiful  beach . There are camping sites and some other facilities provided here. ( but we are not allow to stay overnight on the beach during the turtles nesting season -you have to double check with the park office)

这就是可拉竹海滩的景色,蓝天,清澈的海  和美丽的沙滩。可拉竹海滩这儿还设有露营区及一些设施。(不过,如果遇上海龟下蛋的季节,人们是不能在这里过夜的,关于这,你可以 询问园内的工作人员)



Look, what is it? Yup , it is baby turtle. There is a Turtle Sanctuary Center on Kerachut Beach. The Center is actually very small and only in charged by few workers. After ask for permission from "Abang" in the center , he let us entered and also allowed us to take photo with this cute baby turtles. ( turn off flash when you capture photo inside the center) I'm so excited when look at this baby turtles, they are so cute.    "Abang" told us that it is Green Sea Turtle, and they are becoming less and less nowadays, they will come to the beach to lay eggs around April to August .

Apart from Turtle Sanctuary Center, Another attraction in Kerachut is Meromictic lake    ( but i forgot to capture the photo of the lake).    Meromictic lake is unique because there is two layers of water, upper layer is cool  while lower layer is warm, these two layers do not mix up. And, this Meromictic lake in Penang is  one of the two Meromictic lakes in the world, another one in Australia. During  our visit to Kerachut Beach in May, the lake still dry , what we can see was just a "muddy" lake. So if  you want to see a beautiful meromictic lake, do come during moonsoon season, either March and end of the year.  

看! 这是什么?对,这就是海龟宝宝。在可拉竹海滩上有一所海龟保育中心。这中心的规模还蛮小,只有几位工作人员。获得他们的许可后,我们便进去保育中心,并和小海龟们拍照。(记得关掉闪光灯)我非常开心可以看到这些小海龟,它们好可爱哦!工作人员告诉我们这些都是绿海龟,如今这种类已日益减少了。通常绿海龟都会在每年四月到八月份左右会到可拉竹海滩来下蛋

除了海龟保育中心之外,可拉竹的另一个卖点就是半对流湖(meromictic lake) (不过我没有拍下这湖的照片)。 半对流湖的特色是 它有两层的水;上层是冰冷的,而下层是温的,这两层水是不会混合的。还有,这可拉竹的半对流湖可说是世上其中两个半对流湖之一,另一个坐落在澳州。我们去时是五月份,所以那湖是干干的,所见的是一片烂泥。如果,你想欣赏美丽的半对流湖,可以季风季节前往,大概是在三月份左右及年尾。

 
How to get there:  
如何前往此地:     

You can take Rapid Penang B101 from Jetty  to Teluk Bahang, the journey takes about one  to one and the half hour, only get down from the bus  when you reach the last bus station in Teluk Bahang. Less than 10 minutes walking distance, you will reach the entrance of the National Park. You will pass by a fishing village, which is just next door to the park.  

If you do not want to go to the beaches through jungle trekking, there is another option, go to get a boat ride from local fisherman  , remember to bargain the price. if you are lucky you may get a boat ride around Rm 50 per boat . The usual price for boat ride is from Rm50-RM100 per boat.

你可以搭 Rapid Penang 101 的巴士,从码头去直落巴巷,路程大约是一个到一个半钟,记得在直落巴巷最后一个的巴士站才下车。过后,大约步行少过十分钟,你就会到达的国家公园
入口处。途中你会经过一个渔村,这渔村就在国家公园入口处附近。


如果你不想走路到达可拉竹海滩,你可以到渔村里去搭船,记得要商量价钱哦!如果幸运,你可以大概用五十零吉就可以雇一艘船。通常一艘船的收费是从五十 到一百零吉。


For more information,   
欲知更多详情,  


or

Department of Wildlife and National Parks Penang
40th Floor, KOMTAR Complex
Penang Road
10000 Pulau Pinang,Malaysia.
Tel.  04 - 2613039 Fax.  04 - 2610330
E-mail:  jphltnpp@tm.net.my