Restoran Wan Li at Taiping (万里中西饭店）

Hainanese have been running a long history of business in food and beverage industry, ever since the Colonial times, where they served as cooks for the British or coffee shop operators. Authentic Hainanese restaurants are not easy to find these days, however Wan Li is one of them which are still operating today, ever since the year of 1997. 

1). Situated in the middle of Jalan Kota, same row with the famous Kok Beng Chicken Rice & Taiping Magistrate Court, easily missed the signboard if you're not closely looking on your left.

2). As lunch time approaching, the restaurant starting to be filled with local folks taking the economy rice from the front stall at the restaurant, makes you wondering whether you're in the right place for Hainanese food.

3). Looking closely at the menu at the side of the restaurant, there's the food we are looking for! You can have a choice of Chicken Chop or Pork Chop in Hainanese style or black pepper, at an affordable price!

4). The best drink to have in a hot sunny afternoon, is a cup of Iced Mocha Coffee, priced at RM2.00 per cup. The overflowing foam definitely excites your taste bud! And indeed it was simply nice but ordinary.

5). The highly anticipated Hainanese Chicken Chop has been served! It was topped with a brown gravy, filled with sliced onions, peas, carrots and not forgetting the potato fries. The meat itself doesn't tasted special, however it was marvelously paired with the gravy, which bring out the flavours, especially taking together with the sliced onions.

6). The chicken chop is made out of boneless chicken thigh and drumstick, marinated with herbs and spices, then pan fried into golden crispy and lastly topped with the signatured Hainanese gravy. Priced at RM7.00 per plate, and the portion was generous and it's a steal at such an affordable price!

7). The second dish we ordered was the Pork Chop in Hainanese style. The presentation was exactly resemble the chicken chop, except there were two thin slices of pork chop. In comparison, the pork one tasted a bit dried and the the portion was rather small. For the same amount of money, I'll rather place my bet the chicken.

8). Lastly we try out the traditional Spring Rolls, priced at RM2.50 each. The spring rolls were stuffed with minced meat, carrots and Chinese turnips, which renders the chunky taste; and there were wrapped around by a deep fried bean curd skin, which gives it the crunchiness. The rolls was served hot and crispy, freshly made from the oven. The other specialties at the restaurant which you can give them a try are dumplngs, lamb stew, and assam fish as well. It might not worth the drive to Taiping just for the chicken chop, however there are no better place around to try some authentic Hainanese cuisine.

Restoran Wan Li at Taiping (万里中西饭店）

Address : No.48, Jalan Kota, 34000 Taiping, Perak.

Tel. : 05-8086092, 019-5774616

Business hours : 8.00am - 3.30pm, 6.00pm - 10.00pm
                         (Closes on every fortnight of Tuesday)
GPS coordinates : N04 51.161 E100 44.557

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Arsenal vs Malaysia XI 2011

Arsenal, the English football club which I have been supporting since the arrival of the Arsene Wenger in 1996. As a supporter, I have been through ups-and-downs, live the life together with the beloved football club throughout these years. Finally, the time is right for me to fulfill the boyhood dream of watching Arsenal live in action, having missed it 12 years ago when they visited Malaysia for a friendly match, which Arsenal won 2-0.

1). Purchased my ticket online through Ticketpro, as soon as the tickets released on the midnight of 28/5/2011. The ticket for the match was received few days later, together with the training pass, which is held on the 12/7/2011.

2). This is a grandstand ticket for the match on 13/7/2011. The seat allocated is 6 row from the front, hope I can get some clear view of Arsenal players.

3). Here I am, in the venue Bukit Jalil National Stadium, where the match between Arsenal and Malaysia XI take place later on at 8.45pm. It took me an hour just to reach the car park, ouch! The security was tight too, been scanned right at the entrance for 3 times by 3 different persons. Come on, we ain't gonna bomb our heroes!

4). Counting down the moment when history unfold itself, as Arsenal kicks off against Malaysia national team for the third time in history.

5). An Arsenal mascot arrive onto the scene to bring the spirit and atmosphere to the ground.

6). The first Arsenal man to hitch out the stadium is none other than the Arsenal manager, Mr Arsene Wenger himself, a.k.a. The Professor. In Arsene We Trust!

7). One and a half hour before the match, several Arsenal players suddenly emerged onto the field to greet the thousands of fans out there, namely Jack Wilshere, Vito Mannone, Emmanuel Frimpong and Theo Walcott.

8). Right before the kick off, both teams were out of the tunnel for warming up. Arsenal team was led by Thomas Vermaelen, the stand-in captain in the absence of Cesc Fabregas.

9). The players are warming up in groups. 

10). The players returning to dressing room after warming up, with Marouane Chamakh and Andrei Arshavin seen in the picture.

11). The starting line up for Arsenal (from left to right) : Thomas Vermaelen (Captain), Wojciech Szczęsny (Goalkeeper), Ryo Miyaichi, Aaron Ramsey, Marouane Chamakh, Kieran Gibbs, Laurent Koscielny, Carl Jenkinson, Jack Wilshere, Alex Song, and Theo Walcott.

12). Just look at the reception of the hungry fans in the house!

13). Jack Wilshere (No.19) winning a penalty as early as 4th minute in the first half, after he was tripped by a Malaysian defender.

14). Aaron Ramsey (No.16) scores from the spot kick, to give Arsenal a 1-0 lead in the 4th minute of the game. The first half finished 2-0 to Arsenal, where Theo Walcott doubled Arsenal's lead with a beautiful volley over the Malaysian Goalkeeper.

15). The second half kicks off with Arsenal substituting almost the whole team. Players who came on were Vito Mannone (Goalkeeper), Carl Jenkinson, Sebastien Squillaci, Johan Djourou, Armand Traore, Tomas Rosicky (Captain), Denilson, Emmanuel Frimpong, Aaron Ramsey, Ryo Miyaichi and Carlos Vela. 

16). The Malaysia Tigers were awarded a free kick inside the penalty box. Thanks to the substitute goalkeeper Vito Mannone, who was penalized for time wasting. But the Malaysian failed to capitalised the only chance to score that night.

17). There are four players still not appear onto the field, which are Robin van Persey, Samir Nasri, Bacary Sagna and Andrei Arshavin (from left to right), who had been warming up on the side ever since the second half kicks off. The score was 3-0 to Arsenal, after Carlos Vela beautifully chipped into the Malaysian net.

18). This is it! The moment we all have been waiting for! With 20 minutes left in the game, Arsene finally made a quadruple substitutions, which delighted the fans after waiting for the whole night. Player who came off were Carl Jenkinson, Denilson, Aaron Ramsey, and Ryo Miyaichi. In which Denilson furiously stormed into the tunnel after he was substituted.

19). The final score was 4-0 to Arsenal, where Rosicky scored in the stoppage time after blasting home from a fine pass from Arshavin. A scoreline which would cheer the Arsenal fans, as well as Arsene Wenger, where his team won the match easily and no player was injured during the match.

20). Thank you Arsenal and the players for giving us an unforgettable and memorable night for the visiting fans, from all across the South East Asia. We love you all and hope to watch you guys again in near future, please don't let us wait another 12 years. Live to be a fan of Arsenal, die to be a ghost at Emirates!

23 Men Arsenal Squad

Goalkeepers                                                           Midfielders

53). Wojciech Szczęsny                                        14). Theo Walcott

24). Vito Mannone                                                   17). Alex Song

                                                                                16). Aaron Ramsey

Defenders                                                               19). Jack Wilshere

3). Bacary Sagna                                                    8). Samir Nasri

5). Thomas Vermaelen                                           7). Tomas Rosicky

6). Laurent Koscielny                                              15). Denilson

28). Kieran Gibbs                                                    35). Emmanuel Frimpong

25). Carl Jenkinson                                                 42). Ryo Miyaichi

18). Sebastien Squillaci 

20). Johan Djourou                                                 Forwards

30). Armand Traore                                                10). Robin van Persey
                                                                                29). Marouane Chamakh

                                                                                23). Andrei Arshavin

                                                                                11). Carlos Vela

Arsenal vs Malaysia XI
Date : 13/07/2011 (Wednesday)
Venue : Bukit Jalil National Stadium, Kuala Lumpur.
Time : 8.45pm

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Fai Kee Restaurant (辉记小食馆)

1). By the name Fai Kee, it sounds like any other ordinary Chinese Kopitiam. However, not many people know that Fai Kee has been a family restaurant inherited for three generations. However, the main reason that kept the customers coming back is their signatured Fish Head Rice Noodles.

2). Originally Fai Kee was selling stir-fried noodles, porridges and fish head rice noodles. However, fish head rice noodles is the only dish they are selling now, when it was taken over by the third generation of the family.

3). Traditionally Fai Kee used deep-fried the fish head and make into fish head rice noodles. The restaurant uses Groupa Fish, deep-fried into golden crispy while maintaining its texture. Finally, either a freshly made sweet, sour and salty broth or a rich milky white soup is poured into bowl to complete the fish head rice noodles. 

4). Besides the signatured fish head, Fai Kee also has a wide variety of fish meat available for customers to choose. Customers can always add-on Groupa fish meat or fish belly. In order to satisfy the taste buds of a wide range of customers, the owner has been added in the bland milk cooking, Dory fish, etc.

5). The Cantonese believed that the essence of the fish bones can only be extracted when a fish broth is boiled into milky white colour. Therefore, the milky colour has become an indicator of the fish broth. The reason behind the sequence of deep-frying the fish head first, then only cooked into the fish head rice noodles, is due to the shortening the boiling time of the fish broth and at the same time minimizing the fishy taste of the bones to make the fish broth to retain its freshness and tastiness.

6). You can have a choice of Fish Meat Rice Noodles, which gives you bite after bite of fresh meat.

7).  Or the all-time favourites, Fish Head Rice Noodles, if you're not much of a carnivore.

8). On the other hand, I don't think there is a choice, when it comes to the selection of noodles available.

9). Usually, tomatoes and pickles, even orange juices will be added into this type of milky fish head rice noodles.The sour and salty taste not only will increase your appetite, it will also reduce the blandness of the milk in the soup. However, the fish broth is still not up to my standard, in terms of milkiness, as compared to the other compatriots in KL.

11). The originator of Fai Kee Restaurant was the current owner’s grandfather, which has been running the business since 1919. Even though the grandson has just taken over the business from his father 11 years ago, he has never neglected the century old traditional, which is the heart, effort and time to sturdily boil a fish broth worthy of an heritage that lasts for generations to come.

Fai Kee Restaurant (辉记小食馆)

Address : 28, Jalan Seenivasagam, 30450 Ipoh, Perak.

Business hours : 7.00am - 4.00pm

Tel. : 012-4546111

GPS Coordinates : N 4°35.931'    E101°5.228'

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Unboxing Fujifilm Finepix X100

After making my reservation on the most highly anticipated camera of the year, I finally received my order in three weeks time. I couldn't be more happier!

1). The camera comes with a mysterious black box, which is abnormally large for a non-DSLR. The word "Finepix X100" is printed awesomely onto the box. Can't wait any longer to open the box!

2). Inside the box, there are two separate smaller boxes, I presume one is for the camera and another one for the accessories.

3). The first box to come out is a leather-like nicely finished box, with "Fujifilm" logo labelled on top of it.

4). Once opened up the box, you will find a polystyrene wrap around the camera, and a "X100" embedded on top of the box.

5). After opening the wrapper, the range-finder look-alike camera will appear sexily in front of you. The lens is covered with a metallic cap with "Fujifilm" wording.

6). (The Front View) After opening the lens cap, the Fujinon f/2 lens immediately popped out in front of the camera. The optical viewfinder is located on the top right of the camera; the built-in flash in the middle of the camera; a viewfinder switch leveler and AF illuminator on the left; and two microphones located inside the two black hallow dots.

7). (The Rear View) A large 2.8" LCD screen on the back of the camera; the optical viewfinder on the top left corner; playback and view mode selector on the left; while menu and quick access buttons on the right.

8). (The Side View) The Focus Selector is the left side of the camera, where you can select from manual focus, AF-S or AF-continuous. In manual focus mode, you can do so by just grabbing the focus ring at the front of the camera and rotating clockwise or anti-clockwise.

9). (The Side View) There are 2 connector ports on the right side of the camera. The upper one is a Micro USB to USB port connector, which allows you to transfer your photos to your computer; where as the lower one is the HDMI connector to any output source such as TV. 

10) (The Top View) The upper part of the camera houses the Hotshoe at the middle; Shutter Speed selector, On-Off Button, Function Button and Exposure Compensation Button are located on the right side. The Aperture Ring and Focusing Ring located at the protruded lens.

11). (The Bottom View) The Battery and Memory Card Chamber is located at the bottom of the camera, as well as the Tripod Mount Connector.

12). The second black box from the packaging contains all the documentation and accessories.

13). The accessories included are (from left to right) Charger Cable, Camera Strap, Battery Charger, NP-95 Battery, Strap connector and Micro USB to USB port connector.

14). The documentation included are Warranty Booklet, Warranty Card (valid for one year international warranty, world wide service centre location, user manual and a CD-ROM for transferring photos and RAW file convertor.

Barely used it for 10 days or so, but from my limited usage I found the X100 is a pretty user friendly camera (if you have previously used a DSLR before). Once you got the hang of it, there's nothing to stop you from shooting at the street, which is what it did best. Just like what a popular reviewer said, "It's a camera you buy with a heart, not your head!"

More X100 reviews here. here. and here.
Here is the official X100 page from Fujifilm.