Cafe 1511 at Heeren Street (Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock) of Malacca

Cafe 1511 (N2 11.736 E102 14.784) is located at Hereen Street (Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock) next to the Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum in Malacca. It's just a street next to Jonker Street.

The Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum & Cafe 1511

They serve Nyonya Delicacies and Western Food. The Peranakan Decoration is nice and cozy, we felt like walk into a Time Machine...

The front dining area

The second hall after the dining area

The Counter

There was a nice fish pond beside the counter, and the antique bicycles...

The Fish Pond & the Antique Bicycle

Anyway, the cafe also A Museum to us. Full of antiques, and histories...

Mixed with the antique table and today computer...

Malacca was conquered by Portuguese - Afonso de Albuquerque with 1200 men and eighteen ships in the year 1511, maybe this is the reason the owner use 1511 for his cafe! :)

This was a Totally different dining experience for us! Awesome! Having our tea break in the Museum! Great! Even we were quite hungry that time, but we don't wanna filled up our stomach yet...because we planned our dinner at the Portuguese Seafood Village at Portuguese Settlement.

Our purpose here is to taste some of the Nyonya foods here so I ordered a plate of Nyonya Popiah, Pai Tee and the Nyonya Laksa.

Nyonya Popiah

Pai Tee (Top Hats)

Nyonya Laksa

We were very satisfied with all the Excellent foods! I like the Nyonya Popiah very much especially the dark sweet sauce! The Pai Tee were crunchy and tasty, the Nyonya Laksa was flavourful! We enjoyed the foods and the environment Very much! Definitely need a second visit! :)

The Damage : MYR18.50 included a cup of Tea & watermelon juice. It's reasonable price!

Rated : 4.5/5

Highly recommended Cafe, it's worth the visit!
We planned to visit the cafe again  for dinner and also the Museum.

Cafe 1511

52, Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock,

75200 Melaka,

Malaysia.

Tel : +606-2860150

cafe1511@gmail.com

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Hallmark Hotel at Malacca (Melaka)

Hallmark Hotel (N2 12.002 E102 14.808) is located along Jalan Portugis of Jalan Kubu main road in Malacca Town. And it's also stone throw away (about 300 meter) to Jonker Street. There are many nice restaurants around the area. This was our first visit to Hallmark Hotel.

Hallmark Hotel, Malacca

I made the reservation before we drove to Malacca. The standard room rates was MYR105.00 for 2 single beds (with 2 breakfast), the twin bed was fully booked that day.

We were quite impressed with the facilities in the room. Beside the necessities, they also provide Free Wifi to the room and A DVD player with the 32" LCD TV. This was the first time I saw a DVD player in the hotel room! But we didn't utilized it and we were not intend to spend the time in the hotel for movie?!

The LCD TV, DVD Player & the Mini Fridge

The room was spacious enough for 2 of us and it was well maintain and Clean! My wife was surprised there was a hair dryer provided in the room too!
Once we check in the hotel, we went for tea break at Cafe 1511 and not really have time to look around the hotel.

The bathroom

The Big shower head

I like the hot shower, the hot water was Very hot once you turn the tap!

The only 2 comments we had :
1)  The loud water sound from upstairs bathroom, it was not well isolated.
2)  Vehicle parking difficulty!

OH NO! We received  a parking ticket (RM30.00) on the next day morning after we check out from the hotel, I asked the guy at the reception counter on that night before I parked, and he said it's ok to park my car beside the lane. Too bad we got the fine ticket! I show to one of the gentlemen at the reception, and he said he will pay the fine for us, still yet to receive any notification from them. (Cross my finger and pray...)

The room rates was reasonable at MYR105.00 per day and we were satisfied with the staffs at the front counter and also the hotel environment. We will visit again the Hotel again in our future visit to Malacca and hope they will have a better parking area for hotel guests in the future. :)

Hotel Hallmark

68, Jalan Portugis of Jalan Kubu,

75200 Melaka,

Malaysia.

Tel : +606-2812888  Fax : +606-2813409

www.hotelhallmark.com

enquiry@hotelhallmark.com

Grand Hallmark Hotel (Taman Molek)
32 Jalan Molek 2/2 Taman Molek 81100 Johor Bahru Malaysia
Tel: +607-357-2288
Website: www.grandhotelhallmark.com

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O'REILLY'S Irish Tavern & Grill at Taman Molek, Johor Bahru

O'REILLY'S Irish Tavern & Grill (N1 31.779 E103 47.535) (next to RHB Bank) is located at Jalan Molek 2/2, Taman Molek - Johor Bahru which is facing the newly opened Bank Of China (Tmn Molek). I had been attracted by the menu few months ago but finally we had chance to test the western food serve by the restaurant.

O'REILLY'S Irish Tavern & Grill at Taman Molek, Johor Bahru.

This restaurant had a Rich Irish deco and cozy atmosphere. The front and back are drinking area where you can have your draught beer and also the smoking area. They don't allow to smoke in the dining area, that's Great!

The Front area of the restaurant

Once we stepped in the dining area, I like the Excellent Ambience very much! It was not really crowded on the Saturday evening. A 3 pieces Live Band was playing some soft music and suddenly my daughter attracted by their nice voice! :)

The long Bar Counter, one of my favorite!

The dining area and the Live Band.

Nice band accompany you and your meals

I had the O'REILLY'S Ribeye, my wife had a Lamb Chop and my daughter ordered the O'Reilly's Fried Rice plus a Mushroom Soup.

The O'REILLY'S Ribeye

The Ribeye (close up)

The O'REILLY'S Lamb Chop

The Lamb Chop (close up)

The Ribeye and the Lamb Chop were served in the same amount of salads and mash potatoes. I like they separated the sauces from the meat! Perfect!

The Salads and the Baby Tomoto

The O'REILLY'S Fried Rice

The Mushroom Soup

The Flavourful Ribeye & the Lamb Chop were Well marinated and perfectly served with the sauce. The Chef Grilled it just Nice for my medium well Ribeye. But both of them were a bit salty so we had to enjoyed it with the Beer...
We tested the Fried Rice and it was un-expectedly delicious! Surprised! Mushroom soup was rich and tasty! We really enjoyed the Fabulous dinner especially with the Christmas Decoration and the Carols played by the band!

The Damage : MYR120.00 for 2 adults and 1 child included the drinks and taxes. Beside the Western Food, it's also a Nice place to drink with friends!

Rated : 4/5

Well, I think it's worth for the meal and we will be back again! Hopefully next time the Chef will prepare the foods with less salty! Haha!

O'REILLY'S Irish Tavern & Grill

54, Jalan Molek 2/2,

Taman Molek,

81100 Johor Bahru.

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Northam Beach Cafe at Penang Island

The Northam Beach Cafe (N5 25.695 E100 19.368) is located at Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah (Northam Road) of Penang Island. And it's also situated beside the Famous Gurney Drive.

We visit the Northam Beach Cafe (actually it's a food court which beautify with the name Cafe) often because of the environment and we can taste all the Penang Delicacies in One food court. The foods might not the Best in Penang, but it's save a lot of our traveling time to visit the individual food stall spread around in the island. Maybe this is the reason that make the place Always crowded! (we waited for almost 15 minutes for table)

Look at the Crowded food court

There are many tables just along the seaside is our Favorite area! But it always FULL! The line of lights in the background was from the mainland - Butterworth.

Our favorite dining area, along the coastal

Beside the local delicacies, you can also find some delicious foods from Italy, France and other places in this food court. You name it, they have it!

The Food stalls at Northam Beach Cafe

We will definitely won't miss the local foods and we did tried on the France Bread. It was Yummy! All the foods sell here are just normal price like other area in Penang.

The France Bread

We intended to stay more longer at the food court but too bad...the rain chased us away that evening...

Do drop by if you happen in that area, you might like some of the foods in the Cafe. :)

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MyWebfon - The VOIP Provider in Malaysia

Most of us carried our cellular phone when we travel or business trip out of home country, what type of phone service you always use?

Yes, I was using the mobile phone roaming services everytime when I'm away from Malaysia, but it's costly when I call home! I remember I called my wife's mobile phone from Indonesia and the airtime charges was MYR4.20 for 3 minutes! Wow! Until I found this Malaysia VOIP phone service call Mywebfon and the charges was ONLY RM0.13 per minutes! That's really save a lot money and provided with excellent voice quality! I like to call Singapore via MyWebFon without worry because it's ONLY RM0.07 per minutes! That's really save! Haha!
I can also apply a local DID number for MyWebFon VOIP account, but I ignore it because of the monthly charges and it does not really serve my purpose.

You can check the rates from the official website here : http://www.mywebfon.com

I use the third party application called Nimbuzz in my Nokia E71 to make call via MyWebFon with a Simple configuration through 3G or Wifi, all you need is the internet connection. Nimbuzz also provide application software for Iphone, Blackberry, Android and Windows Mobile platform. No matter what mobile phone you are using, you can find the suitable application in Nimbuzz.

The Pros :-
*  Super Low rates
*  Good voice quality
*  Easy to use
*  No roaming & monthly service charges
*  Real time call record
*  Multiple lines with One account

The Cons :-
*  Must use 3rd party application on mobile phone (Troublesome!)
*  Have to monitor the credit everytime because no immediate top up. (It takes 1 to 2 hours after my credit card charge)
*  Cannot receive call via VOIP. (doesn't matter to me)

I will definitely recommend my friends (frequent traveler) to use this service if they can bear with the 3 disadvantages above. And it's just as easy as fill the form from the official website and charge your credit card for the minimum MYR30.00, then wait for your account to activate! And now if you mention 'Egotravel' when you purchase, you will get additional 10% airtime! Hurry! Grab it before the offer expire!

Beside mobile phones, they also provide SIP Trunk for Corporate Office which utilize their IPPBX Telephone System. Or you can install the ATA directly to your Keyphone or PABX System. They do supply the nice looking stand alone IP Phone - Yealink T20 for those small office without a Phone System. I suggest you contact the Sales Rep if you interested to have the VOIP services in your office.

Four (4) Course Dinner at Thamara Cafe, Taman Bukit Indah - Johor Bahru.

We had been visiting the Thamara Cafe many times but this was our first time trying the Special Four (4) Course Dinner,  it was because my lovely wife birthday dinner...

I had discussed with the Chef - Mr Mani one day before and agree with the special arranged menu.

The First Course was the appetizer :-

Smoked Duck Breast

With orange glaze and brown jus. (For Adult)

Smoked Duck Breast

Cream Of Carrot Soup with Honey Drizzle (For kid)

This was the BEST Duck Breast I ever have before! Superb Delicious! Well Done!
I also tasted the Carrot Soup and it was Nice!
After slowly enjoying the meal for 20 minutes more...we called for the Second appetizer...

The Second Course was also an appetizer :-

Seared Tuna Slices

With trout roe on a bed of lemon and green olive pasta (For Adult)

Selection of Chicken, Salmon and Tuna Mayo on Crackers (For kid)

The Seared Tuna Slices were melted in our mouth! The taste was just match perfectly with the little spicy ingredients! I had one of the kid cracker and it was Nice! My daughter like it very much! Both were Excellent!
We took our own sweet time to finished the second meal and next will be the Main Course...I had a bad news...I'm almost Full. But I can't resist the Main Course! :)

The Main Course of the night:-
Pistachio Crusted Lamb Rack
Served with baby tomato confit, arugula leaves and cauliflower puree 
Balsamic and red wine reduction (For adult)

Pistachio Crusted Lamb Rack

Grilled Dory Fish
With tomato concasse and garlic mashed potato (For kid)

OH MY!! It was Delicious and can't describe by words! The flavorful Lamb Rack was well marinated and taste Marvelous with the Pistachio!
During this time, my daughter was totally Fulled and cannot take the Dory Fish anymore. She passed it to her cousins, and they finished in less than 5 minutes! :)

The Fourth (4th) Course - Dessert :-
Tiramisu (For all of us)

The Tiramisu

The Italian cake was Fantastic! Everyone started to grabbed the second piece after they tasted the Tiramisu of Thamara Cafe. Haha!
I'm only realized that the Tiramisu was made from biscuit since that night...

All of us were really enjoying the Four Course Dinner of that night with 2 Thumbs Up! I will definitely introduce all my friends to visit Thamara Cafe for the Four Course Dinner. But I will select the Three Course instead of Four Course next time because the portions were to much for us. :)
Please order it Two days in advance.

The Damage of the Four Course Fine Dining : MYR200.00 (For 2 adults and 1 child)
It worth for the meal!

Rated : 5/5

Related post :-
*  Thamara Cafe at Taman Bukit Indah - Skudai, Johor.

Thamara Cafe
14, Jalan Indah 16/7,
Taman Bukit Indah, Johor Bahru.
Tel : +6012-7373103 / +6016-7171343
Business hour : 11AM - 10PM (Close on Monday)

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Mid-Autumn Mooncake Festival 2010 @ Macroview Care Centre, Taman Daya - Johor Bahru.

Macroview Care Centre was celebrated the Mid-Autumn Mooncake Festival on 2nd Oct of year 2010.

Nice Poster which sponsored by parent.

It was crowded with children & parents when we reached there about 6.30pm.

As usual, everyone was filling their stomach before the performance start....Nice foods by the parents and the care centre. I took twice! :)

Foods provided by the centre and the parents.

Before I could finish my foods, the performance started. Same as every year, the show was started from the youngest children from the Centre, and not to forget the Magic Show...

Follow by the popular Guitarist - Mr Marc from Macroview who participate every year to provide his Best of the Best for the everyone!

Marc did the fine tune before the performance...

Marc with his guitar!

Marc brought up the atmosphere surround and I heard Screaming everywhere! Wow!

During that time, the area was packed with peoples! But it was well manage by the Centre.

The Special Encouragement Award for the children and others...

The Encouragement given by the Macroview Care Centre

After the session, the Show continue...

The Band Of Tomorrow!

They got the Style! Haha!

The Special Guest of the night - Ms Wong, who had a Beautiful Voice!

Everyone was attracted by her voice

The performance session was ended after this cheerful young lady's dance! She was Hot! :) (It was the joyful moment of the night!)

After all the performances, it came to the session I like the Most! Every children started to light up their candles...
It was really heart-warming to see the children & their parents lighting the candles together!

Thanks to the teachers of Macroview Care Centre who made the event successful! Kudos!

The teachers of Macroview Care Centre

I like the atmosphere Very much and that's why I attend the event every year! Especially the innocent smiling faces everywhere in the Centre! :) One of my friend - Ben was with me that night, and you can view his photos here - Macroview Care Centre.
We left the Centre about 11pm, and some of the candles still lighting the place...Peace!

The Location map of Macroview Care Centre at Taman Daya, Johor Bahru.

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