20 October 2008

Hui Lau Shan Dessert Store is a chain store which can be seen everywhere in Hong Kong especially when you are roaming around the main street of Mongkok.

A lot of choices are available here, and you won’t get cloy with them. Desserts you have to taste are Sago with Coconut Juice and Harsmar, Egg White with Harsmar and Bird’’s Nest and Mango Pudding Mixed with Fruit, all of them are at a price of HK＄20-30.

When I was in Hongkong for 5 nights, I had my nightly dessert in Hui Lau Shan before I went to bed.

I’m so sorry that I can’t even remember what I’ve called. I only know they are awesome desserts!!!

It’s just the “Pure mango Madness” that I simply couldn’t resist!

WHERE IS MY MANGO PUDDING NOW????

16 October 2008

Almost everyone is talking about the global recession. What if it hits badly in Malaysia? Well, if it does, we just have to be prepared to face it.

I would suggest some ways to stretch your hard-earned Ringgit during the crisis. I will illustrate at least two examples for a comparison and better imagination too.

1. Say Bye-Bye to ‘R’ estaurants!

Instead of splashing our cash in fancy restaurants, maybe we should visit our nearby hawker stalls if you are not into cooking.

Example A: 3-course menu RM39.90 in TGIF (if you’re a small-eater, you’d probably share with a friend and ended up paying half the amount) and Bottomless Ice Lemon Tea for RM6.90. Total Bill will cost RM53.80 inclusive of 5% Government tax and 10% service charge (For the small eater, you will pay RM30.90).

Example B: A bowl of Wanton Mee cost RM4.00 and a glass of iced chinese tea for RM0.50, thus you only pay RM4.50 for a meal.

If you love cooking, it would be even better.

Example C: 2 eggs for RM0.60, vegetables for RM1.20, chicken fillet for RM5.20, garlic for RM0.50, 1 yellow onion for RM0.40, 2 cups of rice for RM1.00 (depending which brand u’re using) and you will be cooking for two pax. Total Bill would be RM4.45 per pax (exclusive of electricity & gas). But I am sure it will be healthier to dine at home.

2. Say Bye-Bye to Starbucks or CoffeeBean!

Example A: Ice-blended Mocha (Venti) would probably cost you RM14.00 and you would only drink it once. Even a mug of coffee in Starbucks would be draining RM8.00 – 9.00 away from you.

Example B: For a big packet of Nescafe that cost RM12-RM15, you will find 30 mini packs of 3-in-1 which you could drink for 30 times!

3. Say Bye-Bye to Cinemas, Hello to DVDs or downloads!!

Example A: A movie ticket in GSC 1-Utama would cost you RM9.00 on a weekday and RM11.00 on a weekend. For GSC Midvalley, weekend tickets are sold at RM13.00. Unless you’re free on a Wednesday to get the supersavers ticket at RM6.00 in 1-Utama or RM8.00 in Mid Valley.

Example B: If you have a strong broadband connection at home, download all you can. And exchange with friends!

Example C: Get DVD’s and do DVD’s exchange programs with your friends! In a way you save money and you probably enjoy watching lots of movies at home (without driving your car out).

4. Say Bye-Bye to Clubs & Pubs!

Example A: A bottle of beer in a pub would cost you RM28 while a glass of Jack Daniels or Vodka would probably rob you RM30. If you drink more than a glass, you can do the math yourself. Not forgetting that some clubs do ask for cover charge per entry.

Example B: For those who are living alone without families, you can always offer your home to be a host for your friends. You may get a bottle of Absolut Vodka (Duty free from Airport) cost RM40 and then share it with the amount of friends. Put on some hot music and dim lights. Yea, a Liquor Party at home would definitely save some cost! (Unless you crave for dirty dancing, example B would not be practical to you)

5. Limit Your Phone Calls and Sms

Example A: Depending which telco provider network you’re using. However most of the text messages would be charged at 5 cents per sms while your calls would be charged at 10 cents per minute. Apart from urgent and important calls, limit the chit-chatty conversations as every minute is cashing out on you.

I understand how hard it feels not to keep in touch with friends and relatives.

Example B: That is why the INTERNET was born in the world, to allow us to e-mail our loved ones. I am sure most of your friends these days check their email accounts daily. MSN or Yahoo Messenger or even Google Talk allows you to connect with your friends online. This will help to save your phone bill!!

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In fact, I would go and on and on regarding ways to stretch our Ringgit. Maybe I would love to hear from you.

What will be your ways in stretching your Ringgit?

Tell me now. I would love to compile your ideas!!

15 October 2008

On the 3rd day of my recent holiday in Hong Kong, I visited the ever famous Ocean Park.

You cannot visit Hong Kong without dropping by at the marine-themed Ocean Park which is located at the Southern District of Hong Kong Island.

In September 2007, Ocean Park Hong Kong increased its ticket prices to HK$208 per entry.

This theme park currently has over 14 rides and other attractions such as aquariums and flamingo pond.

You would even find lots of mini stalls such as Mine Train Hot Dog in case you are hungry. 

However, it is advisable not to have a full stomach when you take a ride of roller coaster. You wouldn’t want to vomit the sausage or burger in the rides.

With 3 mini dives only, I would say I prefer Genting’s Cork Screw as compared to Ocean Park’s Mine Train. I couldn’t scream.

I ended up laughing every time the train dives! Am I mad?

Not satisfied with their Mine Train, I decided to take a ride with The Dragon.

There were no dives at all. I was basically having a windy ride with this roller coaster.

The only thing about The Dragon is their loops. Yes, no dives but a few loops! At least Genting’s Corkscrew has 2 dives and 3 loops. This means The Dragon is nowhere to be scary.

I want more dives!!!

This was rather exciting and it reminded me of Starlight Express’ The Ship located in The Mall shopping centre KL.

Now this Crazy Galleon at least created some “diving” feeling in me. With that, I would call it a thrilling ride!!

Ocean Park has a smaller Spinner compared to Genting’s. Well, it was such a blardy sunny day, we just hoped on to the Spinner for some ventilation!!!

They call this The Abyss. Genting calls it Solero Shot.

It is similiar and yes, The Abyss gave me the “diving” feeling!!!

Having said that, my dearest 3 friends were bored to the max!

Please do not take this ride if you are prone to dizziness! Flying Eagle seriously makes you dizzy!!

Ocean Park Tower allows you to catch a bird’s eye view of the entire park.

This is View #1 from the tower.

For your information, besides housing two roller coasters, Ocean Park also features a Giant panda exhibit, a jelly fish and shark aquarium, as well as a four-story aquarium displaying more than 2000 fish.

This is View #2.

Ferris Wheel is found everywhere in the world. But, I just wanted to catch another view when I am up there.

This is one of the views from the Ferris Wheel. You can see the Ocean Park Theatre in the centre.

The amount of visitors in Ocean Park is frantically crowded with madness. Even as recorded by Wikipedia, Ocean Park was ranked 16th in the TEA/ERA Theme Park Attendance Report 2007 with approximately 4.9 million visitors, higher than Hong Kong Disneyland at 21st place with 4.1 million visitors.

Just look at the amount of homosapiens in this theatre!

This is absolutely crazy! 5 million visitors a year! Wow! I wonder how did Genting Theme Park fair???

The Dolphin Show is worth every penny and pound paid for the entrance fees. I enjoyed the Dolphin Show tremendously. You cannot visit Ocean Park without watching the Dolphin Show. Remember this.

Ocean Park announced a redevelopment master plan to redevelop the park into the world’s best marine-based theme park, doubling the amount of attractions and firmly establishing itself as a world-class, must-see destination that will further strengthen Hong Kong as a premier tourist destination.

In the next few years HK$ 5.55 billion will be spent on refurbishing Ocean Park with new rides being installed so that it can compete with Disneyland. (At the same time, Disneyland is moving on with its expansion stage too! Looks like we’ve more competition. However, when there is competition, it will be beneficial for the tourists and visitors!)

Are you ready to visit Hong Kong’s Ocean Park now?

13 October 2008

For all those men who say, “Why buy a cow when you can obtain milk for free?“.
Here’s an update for you through a forwarded email.

Nowadays, 80% of women are against marriage. WHY?
Because women realize it is not worth buying an entire pig just to get a little sausage.

1. Men are like Laxatives.

They irritate the crap out of you.

2. Men are like Bananas.

The older they get, the less firm they are.

3. Men are like Weather.

Nothing can be done to change them.

4. Men are like Blenders.

You need One, but you’re not quite sure why.

5. Men are like Chocolate Bars.

Sweet, smooth and they usually head right for your hips.

6. Men are like Commercials.

You cannot simply believe a word they say.

7. Men are like Departmental Stores.

Their clothes are always ½ off!

8. Men are like Government Bonds.

They take sOoOoooOoOooo long to mature.

9. Men are like Mascara.

They usually run at the first sign of emotion.

10. Men are like Popcorn.

They satisfy you, but only for a little while.

11. Men are like Snowstorms.

You never know when they’re coming, how many inches you’ll get or how long it will last.

12. Men are like Lava Lamps.

Fun to look at, but not very bright.

13. Men are like Parking Spots.

All the good ones are taken, the rest are handicapped.

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Now tell me, out of 13 mentioned, which category of men do you belong to?

P.S. Hahahaha…thanks guys for the great email. I hope you readers have a good laugh today.