Temple on the mountain

Continue from my previous post.

Our destination on the top of Matang mountain was this Hindu temple. Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, built in 1897.

About 2500metre, we reached the 2nd shrine. A short stop before we continued the remaining 500metre trail.

Along the way we saw this sign telling us how many more metres to reach the temple. 

After slightly over an hour, we reached the foot of the temple.  Wasn't it a lovely sight! Look like a mini Batu Caves, with the red-coloured stairs. We didn't count the stairs, but it took us around 2 minutes to reach the temple on the top. It was not very long walking up those stairs.

The original stone structure as can be seen from what was left. 

The temple was clean and well taken care of.  The caretaker wasn't around and we hardly see anyone. 

Out of respect, we took off our shoes and have a quick look around. Most structure was maintained like the roof and the wooden structure.

This metal donation box right in the front attracted the kid. One pull to insert the money. A push and then a pull, the money was gone. 

The view on the top overlooking the mountain was mesmerizing. We were glad that we visited this temple and did the jungle trail. It was slightly over 2 hours for our overall adventure. A tiring hike but it was worth it. A hidden gem right at the back of our own backyard!

Green trail

On Monday, we went to this place for a morning trail hiking.  Everyone was up early before 7am, and we set off immediately to Matang. It was not a long ride to our destination but the road was pretty jam as it was a working day.

When we saw this road side, we turned into this narrow village road to the designated parking space. After paying RM5 parking fee, we started off our trail.

Before we started, reading the sign and rules was a must.  The Beccari Discovery Trail was recently launched. Odoaedo Beccari came in 1865 during the Rajah time, resided in Matang and studied and described the forest.  Today, Matang forest was recognised as one of the richest palm habitats in the world. Beccari's discovery was turned into a book, Wanderings in the great forest of Borneo, which was published in 1902.

Our journey of 3000metres up the Mount Matang started slightly before 8am. The trail was good and nice for hiking. Not so steep initially.

But it getting steeper along the way, on certain parts, and we took few water break to recover before we continued the green trail.

The first Hindu shrine we passed was at the foot of the mountain. No, we did not go and check it out; I just took few shots and then off again.

The shrine from the back view (below).

Although it was a warm morning, but the tall trees and their leaves shed us from the glaring sun. Along the way, there was descriptive and educative signs, which we read and let the kids learnt about the nature.

It was learnt that the Indian labourers were brought over to work in the tea and coffee plantations.  So there was a Hindu temple and a St Mary shrine on the mountain.  However, no trail was found on the latter, which they restored the temple. I will blog about the temple in my other post.

 No more coffee plantation but we could see the fern landscape covering it in this part.

How long it took us to complete the 3000m Beccari Discovery Trail?? Slightly over an hour. Everyone was puffing and breathing hard to reach the top. A physical challenge and oh boy, we were proud of ourselves for completing the trail.  More in my next post!

 

Drenched

It was early Saturday morning, when both of us woke up around 630am.  Hubby was going for his overnight fishing trip so we went for an early breakfast that day.

 

Our breakfast choice was Y. Y. Cafe which was few minutes drive away.  It was early, but few tables were occupied.  We found a decent table after checking in.

 

I felt like having something strong so I went for the fried stall which was at the back of the shop.  Tomato crispy noodle for me while hubby had the kolo mee from the kolo mee stall.

Soon my noodle arrived! In a presentable way. I usually opted for tomato kway teow but I wanted crispy noodle since it has been a while I had it.  The crispy noodle was fried well and it looked like a nest settled right in the middle of the tomato gravy.

Firstly I drenched the crispy noodle in the tomato gravy so the the noodle soaked the gravy and soggy but still have that slight crispiness to it.  Then I dug into my tasty breakfast.

RM6 for this plate, and it is truly one of the best tomato crispy noodle that I have tasted around.

A break

It was last Friday; the weather was rather nice but warm. Morning was busy as usual with kids busy doing school works at home.  By afternoon, everything was done and I even managed to take a short afternoon nap.

Hubby was at home, not working.  He suggested to have an afternoon tea break at Song Kheng Hai Hall in Padungan after I woke up from my nap.  The idea was enticing as it has been ages since we went there. So together with him, we drove over to the city area. It wasn't that jam as it was afternoon and everyone was still at work.

Hock Hai Hall was also not so packed as it was already after lunch time. Luckily there was few stalls still opened.  Both of us weren't so hungry so we ordered a few dishes to share.

We had char kueh, fruit rojak and meat stuffed kompia from 3 different stalls. I mostly had char kueh and rojak while we packed the kompia when hubby ate only 1.  

The char kueh was salty version, which I enjoyed most.  Not a fan of sweet char kueh.  As for rojak, I wish I could had more of those peanut crush topping. A very addictive snack, don't you agree?

It was a delightful afternoon break; both of us were very full and we had a late dinner that day.  For the kids, we bought back a pack of fried kway teow and kompia home.

Binge-worthy brunch

We drove all the way to Bako on Hari Raya Haji after picked up my hubby's niece who is furthering her study here.

Bako village wasn't so packed as it was early, before 10am. After found a nice parking space, we walked to this well-known seafood place by the river. 

Bako Seafood Restaurant, right in front of the jetty, next to this sundry shop. We were having our brunch in this place. 

The very first customers were us, so the food came out pretty fast after we placed order. Highly recommended by the waitress, it was our first time order this fish vermicelli soup. It was something like the fish head vermicelli soup which was spicy, sour and sweet. A very appetizing and tantalizing starter to our binge-worthy brunch!! 

Mee hoon with fresh fish balls, fried fish chunks, few clams, tomato slices and mustard vegetable. The broth was so flavourful. Everyone enjoyed it very much! 

Next came the stir fried mani cai with egg. It was very flavourful with the wok hei, no fault detected. 

One of its signature dishes and must have was this seafood beancurds. I loved it with or without its special chilli sauce., but be warned. HOT! 

Another signature dish was its deep fried oyster balls. Never fail to impress the kids and adults alike, it was crispy outside and moist inside.

The king po squid was as good too but mostly hubby and I took it as the kids can't enjoy the mild spiciness. 

Lastly but not least, its steamed prawns were fresh and tasty. 

 

It was an enjoyable brunch, binge worthy once in a while!

Newly opened

Since this food court was burnt down few months ago, we did not know where the Bishopgate mixed pork soup and vinegar noodle has relocated to. 

It just happened that one of hubby's ex-colleague opened up an eatery recently and was told that the noodle guy moved to her newly opened food court. 

Abundance Food Centre at Bormill Commercial Centre (across the road from Kak Bedah Cafe). The lot was previously occupied by Eco-Fresh Market. Distinctive yellow painted food court, you wouldn't miss it!! 

We drove over to check it out on Sarawak's Day. As it was a state holiday here, the place was pretty packed but we were fortunate to find an empty table. 

Renamed as Fat Aunty Pork Soup, this noodle stall enjoyed a good business over here. Most tables were having its well-known vinegar noodle and mixed pork soup. 

As the guy told us we needed to wait for at least 30 minutes, so we ordered this RM6 5-pieces stuffed kompia from Ding Bian Hu stall to fill up our tummies. Just hubby and I that morning, so each of us took 1 each and brought home the remaining 3 pieces. 

As we were waiting, few policemen were there to inspect the food court. The owner was warned on the table arrangement and SOP. But nothing serious as the policemen left soon after. 

And our food arrived just in time. The soup and noodle were still as good as we remember it to be. 

RM19 for 2 sets of noodle and soup. That was our brunch. We bought takeaway for the kids as we rarely brought them out during the RMCO. They did not mind either!

Check out Abundance Food Centre at their FB Page.

Just the two of us

This used to be Expert Kopitiam but they changed new owner last year. The coffee shop was renamed Wang Seng Heng Kopitiam. 

The stall operators were mostly the same. Although it was near my house, I seldom came here. However when my girl was studying in primary school, I used to go here to buy packed economy rice but that was 2 years ago. Since then, I hardly come here. 

With the new management, the shop was much cleaner and tidier. Glad to see the improvement when hubby and I dropped by sometime last month. 

Just the two of us; the kids had kampua for their brunch so they weren't too hungry. 

We ordered Sarawak laksa for our lunch. The same operator who happened to be one of Jan's ex-primary classmates' mum that mend the stall. I bought her laksa for takeaway once. 

Surprisingly her Sarawak laksa has improved and tasted so good after all this while. RM7 for our special order. Big portion, so much ingredients. We were full to our heart's content that afternoon. I thought this was one of the best that I've tasted so far in MJC.

I will definitely drop by when I am craving for Sarawak laksa. And give a friend a support as well. 😊