Toilet post#32

I exclaimed it in my earlier http://tummythoz.blogspot.com/2006/10/toilet-post6_116126058510834421.html post on South West China (near Chengdu ) and now I'll reiterate my statement LOUDLY. My toilet experience in China is 2 thumbs 2 big toes and 1 bum up. *slap bum for effect*

And there we were. July 2009. With clothes weighed down in several coats of sweat. Popping in and out of historical tourists spots within and around the famed walled city of Xi’an. All with seasonal entrance fees, no less. Surprisingly although there were healthy flow of sticky rivers from our pores, there were still plenty leftover from the gallons of fluid we drank which made toilet visits a frequent activity. No complaints from me as these places of relief were all equipped with cool air-conditioning systems. Yay!Xi'an the ancient walled city has many interesting sites but one can only take so many scenic spots standing under the relentless summer heat. As for the shoving crowds, don't even make me go there.Best spot to catch your breath and patience, a well hidden restroom. Not meant to say it's exclusive for special members or need the ability to solve certain secret codes. Most visitors to the touristy spots come in groups with limited visiting time before they are bussed to cover another spot in their itineries, so they are lean on toilet breaks which means rushing in and out at the first toilet they come across. Visitors like us (semi-backpackers) have all the time to seek out further and quieter outlets. Ahh the comforts we chanced upon.
Ahhhh....

Penang Joe Coconut Jelly

Here's a short cool filler post away from my scathing hot China backpack trip series. Come out come out wherever you are!

Smooth. Translucent. Almost. Wombly. Sweet. Slightly. Fragrant. Suggestively.*AHHHMMMMum mum mum mum* while it's cold.Repeat 5 spoonful times.

For you to ask where to mum-mum, please contact joezcoco@yahoo.com.

For me it's a private number. Not to Joe. To a kind friend who travels from the island to KL in a speed machine. Pity not often enough. *sigh*. This luscious delicacy does not keep at all. Must be consumed in 4 hours max, I'm told.

Folks, if you have the chance slip it down your scratchy throat, jump at it!

Cool time out in Xi'an China

So hot my cap was crispy outside, damp inside. Shades dripped sweat.

There's only so much walkabouts in the heat that one can tolerate. When we spied this, I almost thought it a mirage. Not memorably sweet but real juicy. Pity the watermelon was not iced (better if it comes with a block of ice to sit on) but just look at that chopper. Cool huh.

Where to hide, where to hide when the sun doesn't seemed exhausted at all though it was tolling since 6am! Yessiirrreee, that star burns like no tomorrow from dawn till dusk during summer in the good 'ol Middle Kingdom. Everyday. When smiley weather person on the morning news predicts 34-36 degrees celcius, it's considered a cool day. (-_-)"

Unoriginal, uninteresting. But with air-conditioner at full blast, we gladly colonised a 1+1+1 settee here for hours on alternate days. Thank the Power-That-Be for franchises.

We were in Xi'an for 5D4N. Too long a stay for non-history (should it be historic? Historical?) buffs. Guilty. We were there mainly just to see the touristy Warriors. No doubt we went around other sites of interest but the punishing weather made the hours quite laborious. 3D2N would had been adequate. However, the extra days were unavoidable for we wanted to grab a much cheaper flight to Beijing.

Settees were set free dinner time - sunset. A cool 4 hours respite with great company, now that's a holiday.

Restoran LYJ, Sungai Buloh

This is a post i should've done much much earlier.... So delayed this is that since my first visit, i've actually been to this place no less than 4 to 5 times, of which i've bumped into famous people like Ah Xian and Datuk Lee Chong Wei.

This place is at the Sungai Buloh new village which is just a turn away from Sri Damansara. Food is pretty good and here are some dishes we tried the first time we were there.

1) The complimentary peanuts... or are they? I believe a minimal charge is imposed, probably a few ringgit, but these are quite different from the ones we get in KL. It has an extra touch and salt and sugar. Pretty interesting.

2) Fried Fish, "Cheong Ching" style; pretty salty despite my higher tolerance for salty food, but otherwise, it's crispy and goes well with rice.
3) Fried Tofu with Black Beans; something different which i've never tried in KL before, tastes rather well as the aroma from the black beans complimented the tofu well.
4) Paku veg; the one done here is topped with fried and fresh shallots and a dash of lime juice. My favourite dish by far..... until the next one was served....
5) Stir fried pork belly in thick soy sauce and peanuts! The name says it all. The aroma, captivating, the pork was unbeatable and the peanuts were chewy. Words can't describe how good this dish tastes.
This palce is apparently famous for its "Pun Choi" which of course requires pre-booking by at least 24 hours. The total bill for what we had was RM106.00. If you're keen, do try its steamed rice glazed with lard... gosh! It's DELICIOUS, for pork and lard fans like me.
My tummy's verdict: 7.8/10.

Toilet Post#31

Toilet at The Legendary De Fa Chang Restaurant renowned for its Superior Delicious Dumplings.

Not a pretty sight for such a grand named restaurant but then sadly it's usual to find most food establishments, no matter grand or otherwise, give least consideration to this 'lil room. Nevertheless, it has what it counts by appearing clean, dry and reasonably odourless.

Reason for this feature? Note the lever for flushing. It's a step-on.Having sensory auto flush is best but don't you think that this works out to be almost as convenient and hygienic?

Similar to almost all public washbasins we came across in China (including Hongkong of course), the tap was operated on sensors - no touching of the taps to control flow of water = no transfer of germs/DNAs/wateva between users.Hmm if only something can be done about the doors.

In the event you missed, I did eat here. Legendary, I have not lived that long. I'll give it the Delicious but as for being Superior .. blame it on my Malaysianised tastebuds.