Actually not so much of the entire hotel in itself because let's be honest, there is nothing to shout about their swimming pool and buffet breakfast.
23 March 2021
2D1N Lone Pine Boutique Hotel by the Beach, Penang.
Actually not so much of the entire hotel in itself because let's be honest, there is nothing to shout about their swimming pool and buffet breakfast.
19 March 2021
Island Problems at Campbell Street, Penang.
We still try not to bring the kids out to eat (and to shopping malls) because hello, coronavirus is still here and vaccine pun not everyone get yet.
One of the restaurants that I have been wanting to try is Island Problems.
When I first heard the name from Adrian, I corrected him because it sounded a lot like Adrian had a problem telling me the 'real' name. So funny, please. He looked so confused because I was in disbelief. I remembered very clearly that he had to say a few times to convince me that the restaurant is indeed called Island Problems.
He went there once and since then, I have been seeing IG stories and posts where people share their food and reviews of this place and I just had to try it.
That day came and I finally get to try on a few 'famous' items on their menu but since we did not manage to try all this time, surely we will go back to try more okay - maybe dinner time next round. Who wants? Let's go together!
Till next makan, bye now.
17 March 2021
Goodbye WhatTwoEatHere!
We started WhatTwoEatHere because back when we were still not married, we both enjoyed eating, and doing reviews on them makes so much sense and it was fun.
Well, we still enjoy eating but now with two kids to handle, there is just no priority whatsoever to take photos at all. We usually just dig right in.
But shutting it down brings a certain kind of sadness to me because of all the hard work there leh - all those words and photos. We decided not to continue paying for its domain (.com) and return it to .blogspot.com which is still absolutely fine.
There are 170 posts on WhatTwoEatHere, but we will no longer be posting food reviews there, because it is a lot easier (and practical) to do all kinds of reviews here, since this is my main place.
Moving forward, we will do our food reviews here - those that we can stop and take photos of before we jump right into eating it of course. Again, we are not food experts but we know what we like and what we don't. We don't represent everyone, but I would like to think that our tastebuds are same-same but quite different so some of you may be able to relate.
Like, you like it but your other half does not like it.
Trust us, we've been there, done that.
Maybe for the sake of the many years with WhatTwoEatHere, here are some facts.
- The idea to start a food-blog together happened when we were having lunch at Kampar Fish Jelly Restaurant at Sungai Nibong.
- Yes, our first post was on Kampar Fish Jelly.
- We started on 22 February 2012.
- Many of you did not know this, but I wrote every post - yes 170 posts, but the "He says" was written by Adrian himself - using his own words and style.
- Some posts were sponsored by the restaurants but most of them were on our own.
- We did not say good things because we were paid to review their food - it was all honest opinions.
- We were once invited to a hotel to do their food reviews but we had thought that it was on their buffet line so we went ahead and ate their buffet foods - then, they started bringing out their special 'Raya' meals. We were of course a little embarrassed and so full after that. In our defense, they should have communicated clearer on what they wanted us to review, instead, they left us seating there waiting, and we were hungry. Hah.
- Le Roy helped us with our "logo" and we even made name cards to give out - shameless us. Hah.
- Few months after launching the food-blog, Hooi San helped created a cartoon us.
- We even printed a WhatTwoEatHere banner - we were so into the food-blogger idea. Hah.
- Most of the food photos that we took were from my iPhone and some with Sony's camera.
So yeah, watch out for this space for more yummy food reviews and travel stories (hopefully) and maybe some other babies-related posts.
Thank you for staying with us all this while and reading our nonsense. Hah. Hope you are entertained and you get the information that you need.
Till next time, bye now.
16 March 2021
3D2N PARKROYAL Penang Resort.
We had initially booked for a night at Angsana Teluk Bahang for a quick staycation with Adrian's family but we canceled it when the Government announced the MCO 2.0 - then, we booked for a 2-night holiday at PARKROYAL Penang Resort when the MCO was lifted and people can go outside again.
PARKROYAL Penang Resort was chosen because they have a few attractive promotions ongoing and we decided to go ahead and book with the hotel directly through their website.
We booked the 'Rediscover Your Penang' promo and decided to take the bigger room to accommodate more of us.
There were a total of 5-adults and 4 children (under 6yo) and we booked a Premier Seaview Room (RM655.60 for 2-nights) and Family Seaview 1-Bedroom Room (RM743.60 for 2-nights).
Then, I sent an email for additional requests like a baby cot for each room, rooms to be connecting (if possible), and to be on a non-smoking floor - which turns out all rooms are non-smoking at Parkroyal, and for any complimentary room upgrades.
A few days later, they emailed back and confirmed all the abovementioned and upgraded both our rooms to a higher room category.
The Premier Seaview Room for Joe Sern, Jaryn, Jacob, and Joash was upgraded to a Family Seaview 1-Bedroom room, while our (Adrian, MIL, Alex, Sofia, and myself) Family Seaview 1-Bedroom Room was upgraded to a Family Seaview 2-Bedroom Room.
We could not get the connecting rooms but we were on the same floor.
The Family Seaview 2-Bedrooms Room comes with a King-sized bed and two single beds - no bathtub and no trundle bed - huge balcony space and huge bathroom space and we have got 2 TVs.
The room was clean but there was a funny pee-like smell when we first walked in but the housekeeping team quickly came over and sprayed air freshener all over the room. I did not really smell it but Adrian did and it was bothering him a bit too much.
There was also no minibar, the fridge and 'pantry' area was hidden in the cupboard - which honestly was not very smart because we had to boil our water (using the kettle provided) on the work desk which was quite far from the pantry cupboard - what a funny not practical placement.
The bed and pillows were okay, and the bathroom is a win, please. I love (so much) the big vanity area with plenty of space to put our things. The lighting was amazing to put makeup on or to pinch pimples etc. It does not feel crowded in there, so for me, that is a huge plus.
The table and chairs on the balcony was another plus for us - because it is our new 'staycation thing' to do (not that new lah actually) - to bring our drink and put on some songs and chill outside. Sometimes we converse, and sometimes we just do our own things, together.
They have 2 big swimming pools (one with water-slides) and plenty of beach chairs for you so no need to go earlier and 'jom' seats. Heh. They also have grassy areas to play futsal, badminton, and ping-pong, and hammocks.
Entrance and exit to the beach also equipped with a place to wash your feet (or your body if you want heh).
Buffet breakfast is a-okay - quite a lot of choices. The original price per adult is RM70 but our promo comes with a 50% discount so we paid RM35 per adult. Let's just say that I would not pay RM70 for the buffet breakfast, but RM35 okay can.
We spent close to two hours in the Koko-Nut Kids' Club on our check-out day and I was honestly very impressed with it. You have to book your clots in advance because they are usually fully-booked - but really if you have children, you would want to send them there to play a while. Super fun!
If not mistaken, you can leave them there to play if they are 5-yo and above or something, and free of charge okay - for in-house guests only.
Overall, I can (and probably will) come back for staycations here. The rooms are newly renovated (if I am not wrong) so it is really nice.
For now, let you all have a virtual feel of the room for 13-seconds first. Heh.
Till next staycations, bye now.
09 March 2021
Dreaming of Holidays.
19 February 2021
Sofia's First Birthday Party!
Sofia turned one last year in December and fortunately, we were able to have a small party outside of our house because our house cannot fit more than 20 people, please, and since her birthday is 3 days away from Christmas, we thought of just making it slightly bigger to celebrate Christmas as well - sort of. So, we expanded the invitation list and before we know it, 100 people responded yes.
This party-planning was very different from Alex's time because, for Alex's party, I had months of preparation for decorations and stuff but with the current pandemic, we were quite sure that we will not have the luxury to celebrate with family and friends because of the SOPs implemented.
It was (I think) the end of November only we decided that we are able to go ahead with the planning and for me, the hardest part of it all was finding the right place. I called a few places that are kids friendly and SOP-following that could cater to about 100 people and it was tough. Many places could only cater up to a maximum of 40 people because of the social distancing.
Rachel suggested Heily Monroe Garden Bistro by the Sea, and since I have not been there to taste the food, we organized a last-minute
family dinner to do a taste-test - macam like do wedding pulak.
I fell in love with the place the moment I got there because not only was it big (in space, it was also very windy and dreamy. We ordered and ate and we were quite happy with the food.
Long story short, we took a few days to think about it, and we were very hesitant to say yes to that place because of the price but when Adrian said, "But the place is no doubt very nice" - I was 100% sold and we booked that entire place for the evening.
Once the venue was confirmed, everything else flowed right in, and with the help of my sisters and Adrian's sisters, it was a success!
For me at least. Hah.
The theme was 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star' because this is the first song that Sofia responded to and we sing this quite often to her, and Heily Monroe fits this theme really well.