Losing Calories At Rancho San Anthonio

KIDS' STUFF... no more shopping or city tours for me...

It is all about kids, one kid, the Boy... 

He goes daycare during the weekdays and when weekend comes, we think of some place he loves to go.  No more I love but he loves and he likes to go to see animals and that was what we did on the first weekend I was there.

Rancho San Anthonio is the place we went to, other than a farm, it also provides activities for jogging and hiking.  Nice walk for families with kids too.  We parked our car some distance off and walked for around 15 minutes before reaching the farm.  I heard the farm is operated by volunteers, not many animals cos most of them are in the wild fending for themselves.

We spent a couple of hours there before making our way out, it was a tiring walk for me, at my age... LOL... but good exercise.  After that, we had a scrumptious lunch at a Chinese restaurant and I only managed to take one picture!  Imagine how hungry I was.... then.

Parking area....

A long way in to the farm.... 

Feeling very fresh initially.....

Must remember the name of the ranch....

And the walk begins.... 

Stopped for rest room... 

After 15 minutes walk, we reached the small farm....

The kid is let loose.... 

Ducks and geese....

Where is the other leg?

The big fat hairy pigs.... 

The kid likes to look at them...

Chickens/hens..... too...

I get to lose weight chasing him around.... 

My lunch among other dishes...

So yummy I could finish both of them at one go!

 

Olive Garden For Italian Food

ON LEAVE... 

My daughter-in-law took me out for lunch since she was taking two weeks off work.  We went window shopping at the Great Mall, yes... just window shopping cos everything seems to be very expensive, the prices are not within my expectations, no more like even a year ago where the stuff were worth buying.  So window it is, just walking around and then when it came to noon, we had our lunch at Olive Garden within the same vicinity.  

The entre in the menu was still pretty much the same, the prices, thankfully, were around there though other places have increased a few dollars or so.

As usual, one main dish comes with free soup or salad, we opted for the soup and both of us like Minestrone which could never go wrong with us Asians, no cream, no cheese in it.  LOL... Free cheese stick bread were served and they could be endless if we could finish them all.  

One of my favourite spots to visit.... 

As usual, we were one of the early customers.... 

I took one helping whereas the young lady took two.... 

Cheese stick bread on the house.... 

Her Lasagna.... not a big portion...
Just nice for us.... 

My angel hair with shrimps and asparagus.... 

Nothing fancy but something Italian for a change....

Both of us with the three course lunch cost RM27++

How I Pass Five Hours At Changi Airport

TWO FLIGHTS IN A DAY...

I started flying with SIA in 2019 and ever since, I always go for this airline for my own convenience.  Sometimes there are offers but most times, it is a bit more expensive than other airlines.  I like to take SIA because it stops over in Singapore and after that, all the way to San Francisco direct.  Furthermore, I don't feel so "alien" in Changi airport, after all, we are neighbours, right?  LOL....

My flight from Penang was at 11.50am and I reached the airport around 9.30, I had ample time to check in.  The flight from Penang to Singapore is around 1 hour 25 minutes and by the time I reached Singapore, it was almost 2pm.  I was very hungry by then and I quickly took a skytrain to terminal 1 where the plaze premium lounge is located.  

My next flight from Singapore to San Francisco is around 7pm plus, and that is more than 5 hours for me to rest and relax.  I went into the lounge, chose a nice private cubicle to myself, took some food and watched a movie on my iPad.  Food and drinks are free flow and that is one of the reasons too, I like to layover in Changi!  

At around 6.30pm, I walked to the gate which was just below the lounge, to my surprise!  I remember the last time I had to walk quite a distance to my gate.  No flight delay... and I always forget to take pictures of my seat and the aircraft food which have nothing to shout about really.  Even though they serve Asian noodles or rice, I just could not finish them except for the Haagan Diaz ice cream cup.  In the end, I always end up eating more snacks than snacks.  Watched a couple of movies  on and off while dozing in between with music in my ears to ward off the airplane noise.  

Landed in San Francisco at around 8.15pm and I quickly made my way to the immigration, overtaking as many passengers as I could to avoid the long queue.  *kiasu me*  Surprisingly, the foreigners line was not as long as the citizens/PR line and I was cleared to go within 15 minutes.  Another surprise, the trolley was free this time!  Cost me $8 to get one for my bags the last time...  

Anyway, Thank God I have a smooth journey and immigration process was fast.... I will be here for a couple of months, not so much to travel but to be homebound!  LOL.... 

Checked in my two big bags...

And only settled for the backpack on my back... 

Bye Penang... for now....

Singapore, here I come....

My private cubicle at the Plaza Premium Lounge... 

First round... Chicken Rice...

Small portion just nice for me...

Then my second round..

Noodles soup and some condiments.... 

No third round... I was full by then... 

See you again in a couple of months!

Brings Back Childhood Memories At Gou Lou Hong Kee, Penang

PACKED MY BIG BAGS AND ONTO NORTH.... again to Penang. 

Stayed in Penang for a couple of days before flying off for a 15 hours journey to my son's place in San Jose.  

Before I left, I stuffed myself with Penang food again, I went to the Air Itam food hub to try something new.  

The Lor Mee Penang style.... 

Some come with dark sticky gravy but I prefer this style....

I ordered the special with lots of toppings for RM11....

Taste not bad... can order again next time....

The Wok Hei Fried Koay Teow is a must here... RM7.50

Come evening, we explored Campbell Street not knowing what to eat, getting a parking space is a hassle.  To our delight, there was one empty lot just right in front of this shop which we had not tried the food there before.  So might as well..... 

We noticed the chairs were blocking the entrance...

So ... to go in or not to go....

While we were contemplating, one lady rushed out to open the door for us....

After we entered, she blocked the entrance again... 

Seems like the tables were all occupied... 

so I guess they did not want patrons to walk in to wait....  

When the food came, the portion was just the right size for me.... 

First bite.... wow... I was so happy!

The taste reminded me of my childhood yesteryears...

I thought I wouldn't get to taste like those times again anymore.... 

Ordered the Hor Fun mixed with Meehoon...RM8.50

I definitely will order this again the next time!

Another plate to share is the oyster mee.... RM9

Not too bad too but this one has no childhood memories taste ...

Cos in Ipoh then, oyster mee was unheard of..... 

Anyway, the food here must be good otherwise the door won't be blocked.. LOL... 

Then I also noticed that the staff are as senior as I am... 

So I guess the chef too must be senior too!

I better come here more often before the Chef goes on retirement....

Right?

Ipoh Famous Nga Choy Kai In Kg Simee

FOOD HUNT FOR DINNER ENDED up at a corner coffee shop in Kampong Simee.

The shop is called Sun Heng and together with my neighbour, the three of us went there to have Ipoh's commonly famous for... Steamed Chicken and Bean Sprouts also known as in Cantonese, Nga Choy Kai.  

This menu is a familiar sight everywhere in Ipoh, outskirts, in town.... this is so common that I seldom go for them unless it is for the first time.  

We went early as usual, only one table was occupied and I heard by 8pm, the owner would close the shop.  I think it was be most likely since I did not see much chicken there on that particular evening.  

We ordered half steamed chicken, one plate of bean sprouts, six wanton in soup and two bowls of flat noodles which were very silky and smooth, the soup has the fragrance of the chicken broth.  I certainly would come by again.... no crowds, not a tourist spot for certain!

Credit to my neighbour for the photos.... 

I noticed I photobombed one of his pictures too!

The chicken making its entrance.... RM35

Free range chicken it was....

Ipoh famous spring water bean sprouts...

I wonder whether they are still the same like those days....

I love the prawn dumplings too... RM1 for each... 

The noodles and soup which I like a lot....

Ginger to go with the chicken...

Our meal for dinner....

We shall go there once again some day!

Round Table At Master Tai Canteen

RECOMMENDED BY A FRIEND... but her taste is definitely not the same as me... but she did not give a good review though on the table seating though...

Four of them went into the Master Tai Canteen and they chose a round table instead of a squarish one.  Then they were told to sit at the square table instead because the round table was meant for five people according to the staff.  That made them unhappy because they prefer round than square.... perhaps the round marble table looks more home feel than a wooden square table?   LOL.... On the other hand, the food made them satisfied so all well ends quite well for them. 

Then... my turn came, I went with two other friends to this restaurant.  Upon entering, I noticed only two tables were occupied and I purposely chose the round table for the three of us.  Not really purposely, I just like being on the round table, easier to share the food and eat at the same time.  I was waiting to be accosted to the square table.... but no, the lady was nice, she led us there.  Maybe the early birds can get to choose where they sit... LOL... I must tell my friend that....

As for the food, I do not find them as tasty as my friend did... good that I shared the bowl of noodles and dumplings otherwise there is no way I could finish them all.  I like the ending better, desserts!  I ordered the affogato ... ice cream with expresso!

The deco on the wall...

Round table at the side....

Famous for the beef noodles....

My friend ordered this.... he said very nice!

I ordered bursting balls with soup....

And Gaozi as sides.... 

Got to share my bowl of noodles....

Desserts need not to share... hahahaha...

Affogato.... so it is called..

And in goes the expresso coffee.... 

The coffee should be thicker... 

but then it might keep me awake the whole night!