Eleven Bistro & Restaurant

It's quite hard to find a restaurant within the heritage area of Malacca which serve Portuguese food. The only one I came across was Eleven Bistro & Restaurant which is conveniently a stone throw away from the Jonker Street.

The interior is tastefully decorated with modern art on the wall. The restaurant is a bit small and don't seems to be able to cater a large crowd.

Interestingly, the chopsticks here are made of metal. I hardly see metal chopsticks except in some Korean restaurants.

This appetizer is a complimentary from Eleven which consists of pickled fruits topped with ikan bilis.

Orange juice (RM 8) 

 

Eleven also sell foreign beer such as Leffe (RM 20). The staffs are knowledgeable in pouring the beer and I was pleased with it. Unfortunately, draught beer is not available.

The mushroom soup (RM 8) looks a bit darker than any ordinary mushroom soup but it is rich and equally tasty.

The main dish of the day is the Portuguese Special Curry Dable Chicken (RM 12). The chicken is cooked with special spices, onions, red chilli and vinegar. The taste is rather unique and goes well with the rice.

The black sauce squid (RM 12) is also equally impressive. The squid is cooked with thick soya sauce, onions and chili

The Fried Kangkung (RM 8) is not too bad either. It is fried with garlic, chili and prawn paste.

My dining experience here was not too bad. If you fancy a comfortable and nice place to dine while in
Jonker Street, this is one of the place.

Eleven Bistro & Restaurant
No. 11, Jalan Hang Lekir,
Malacca

De Palma Hotel Ampang

 

De Palma Hotel Ampang is located just outside Kuala Lumpur border in the state of Selangor at Ampang Jaya, just off the notoriously congested Jalan Ampang.

The hotel has been around for sometime now and is probably the biggest hotel in Ampang Jaya. The lobby is spacious and the service rendered is fairly satisfactory.

The hotel is a favourite venue for government agencies and GLCs to conduct functions, events and training. Expect it to be busy from time to time.

 

 

The room looks impressive at first glance with generous area, Toshiba 42" plasma TV and pleasant sitting area. I reckon most of the rooms had just been refurbished recently.

However, not all is perfect as I had an issue with one of its single bed as it is kind of bouncy and rather uncomfortable. The pillows provided are not ideal also.

 

The room view is great. I had a clear view of the Petronas Twin Tower and Telekom Tower.

 

 

The main coffee house here is the Rumbia Coffee House at the ground floor. The food here is alright but I got a bit bored with the food selections after a few days over here.

The hotel is just a stone throw away from Ampang Point, one of the better and bigger shopping complex in Ampang Jaya. There ain't much to see around here beside a "Korea Town" opposite the hotel, around the One Ampang Avenue apartments.

8 months Belly

This is the belly of my wife who is already pregnant for 8 months. Its really amazing how it grew from the beginning until today. We had gone through a lot for the past couple of months and I started to understand what my mother had to go through when I was still in her tummy.

I hope all will turn out well on the delivery day as the last scan indicate that the umbilical cord has wrapped around the neck of our son twice. That definitely created some anxious moment but after reading a few articles online, I guess I worry myself too much.

God willing, we will be having a healthy baby boy next month.

Kronenbourg 1664 Blanc

Kronenbourg starts to make an inroad to this country since last year. At certain outlets, one could get 3 pints at RM 48++ during happy hour.

The brewery originally started its operation in Strasbourg, France before been located to Cronenbourg and hence the birth of the brand itself

 

The beer pours to a cloudy, pale straw coloured brew topped with a generous head that settles  down within minutes. The aroma is surprisingly pleasing with floral smell.

The taste follow the nose very closely with lots of fruit and not a lot of spice. The beer is brewed with a hint of citrus and coriander spice which makes it sweet and unique flavoury modern taste among all other wheat beer.

It is rather watery (5% alcohol content) and it is more like a flavoured wheat beer. A good refreshing drink during the hot day.

Ain Arabia

Ain Arabia was created as a sanctuary for the Middle Eastern tourists in the heart of KL. The arch in way of Jalan Berangan leads to the park.

 

 

 

This small plot of green area is dotted with concrete benches and a few Middle East themed structures. A lot of those structures seem to be vandalized and the place is in pretty bad shape.

 

The most prominent structure here is the teapot which once serve as a water fountain which no longer in operational

Our King Exhibition

Our Kingg exhibition is held as a way to introduce and foster closer relationships between His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Almu'tasimu Billahi Muhibbuddin Tuanku Alhaj Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah and Her Majesty the Raja Pemaisuri Agong Tuanku Haminah with their subjects.

The exhibition lasted for only 2 months, 15 April - 15 June 2012 from 9am - 5pm at the old Istana Negara at Jalan Istana. Although the entrance is free, there is still a RM 3 charge for those who wants to take photo using still camera.

 

 

 

 

The public will have an opportunity to get a closer look at the old palace and I must admit, it is truly a spectacular sight.

 

The interior of the palace is even more captivating with its beautiful chandelier and decoration.

The system of Parliamentary Democracy and the concept of a Constitutional Monarchy are also on show. It is hoped that this exhibition will benefit and enlighten all on the importance of preserving this concept for future generations as a symbol of the nation sovereignty, an umbrella that protects and shelters everyone of us in this country.

 

On the surface of the Ruler's Seal is the coat of arm of 9 Malay States and inscribed with the words "Ruler's Seal of the Malay States" in Jawi. The 4th meeting of the Conference of Rulers on 31 August 1948 agreed on the design to be used on the Ruler's Seal which continues to be used to this day. The Ruler's seal was made in England in 1949.

 

The original copy of The Federation of Malaya Agreement 1957

 

 

At the centre of the exhibition hall, is the Bunga Emas of Kedah which we read very often during our history lesson. Kedah used to send bunga emas and bunga perak (gold and silver flower) to the King of Siam once every 3 years. The act of sending bunga emas created 2 different interpretations. The British and the Siamese interpreted it as tributes and acknowledgement to recognizes Siamese overlordship. Meanwhile the Malay Rulers interpreted it as an act of alliance and friendship.

The Keris Panjang Diraja is the Keris of the Government and symbolizes authority and power. This keris from its hilt to its sheath is covered in gold while the crosspiece is engraved with the crest of the Federal Government and that of the 11 states of Peninsula Malaysia. Its blade is tempered from the steel of 11 keris from the 11 states. The hilt of the keris is shaped like a horse's hoof with decorations resembling the "jering" fruit.

The Sword, Long Keris and Royal Sundang are the three traditional Malay weapons forged from the blade of the long sword and Sundang from ancient times that have become a part of the Royal regalia. The Long Keris and Sundang meanwhile are covered in silver and engraved on the hilts and sheaths.

 

The Cokmar or Maces comprise two short shafts with dome shaped heads and were used as a weapon of war in the older days. These maces are made of silver and measures 81.32cm

 

The Cogan Alam (The Sceptre of the World) is made of silver and measuring at 162.66cm is an orb found mounted on a long shaft. The orb has a crescent and a gold star sitting on it. Around the orb are the crests of the 11 states of Malaya embossed in gold. The orb is supported by 4 standing tigers while the handle of the sceptre is decorated with 6 padi stalks carved in gold.

Among the royal garments is the Tengkolok Diraja or Royal Headress. For centuries, Malay rulers have won this silk embroidered fabric folded in various styles as part of their regalia. The style of folding and its colour vary from one state to another.

The Kain Ulu is known as "Tengkolok" and the Tengkolok Diraja worn by His Majesty the yang di-Pertuan Agong during his installation is made of black fabric woven with gold thread. The style of the fold is known as "Dendam Tak Sudah" (unfulfilled longing), which originated from negeri Sembilan. Affixed at the front of the headress is a 14 pointed star made of platinum and at the centre of it is colourful crest of the Malaysian government.

Muskat is the official attire of His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and of the ceremonial officials of Istana Negara. This royal dress originated from Muscat, Oman. The Muskat is the official attire of Kedah's government officials. This formal dress began to be used in 1960 during the installation of the third His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Inspired by Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj when he become the first Prime Minister of Malaysia

The Muskat is made from black wool embroidered with gold threads, in the pattern of awam larat and the hibiscus, Malaysia's national flower. The dress is thigh length and has long sleeves. It is normally worn over a pair of embroidered trousers and a tengkorak during ceremonies in conjunction with the installation day of His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, His Majesty's birthday, His Majesty's official visits to the states throughout Malaysia and the convening of Parliamentary session.

 

The throne serves as the symbol of the sovereignty of the nation where the Rulers who reigns sits at the apex of society. The throne is made in its own norms and standards to reflect a structure of fine Malay artistry, in accordance with His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong duties as head of state. The throne is decorated with a combination of carved motifs, mainly awan larat (the unending, recurrent spiral design) and other motif from Sabah and Sarawak as a testimony of national identity. The carvings are plated with gold to enhance its aesthetic and sacral values.

 

To complete the throne  is the chair that was used by His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah in conjunction of his installation.

 

Some of the awards presented to His Majestry Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah are on display here.

 

 

 

 

Interesting enough, some of the commemorative issues and personal documents of His Majesty and Her Majesty are shown for public viewing.