Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Goku Raku Ramen @ Midvalley


Goku Raku Ramen is a new food outlet inside Midvalley Megamall which was recently introduced by a friend of mine. It is located at Level 2, next to Jaya Jusco.

The staffs here are friendly and helpful. The ambience is nice and there is even dedicated seats for a single patron. This is something I don't get to see a lot in restaurants in this country.

It has a transparent kitchen and one can actually observed the whole process of how Ramen is actually been prepared.

The Ultimate Tonkotsu Ramen (RM 20.90) is a rich broth noodles topped with Char Siew, flavoured egg, black fungus, spring onion, leek, bamboo shoot, seaweed and fragrant garlic oil.

 
There is actually an "instruction manual" on how to eat ramen and this can be found in their menu. Kind of interesting to find how the broth just got tastier as you tackle the ramen along the way. I also find out that the care should be taken when stirring the ramen initially, so as not to damage the seaweed as it might spoil the overall taste.

The Kushi Yaki Moria (RM 13.90)is the Japanese type of skewered grill food. It is made up of onion, chicken, leek and pork. It tastes great and definitely a decent side dish or snack to go with the ramen.

I must admit this is my first time I try a ramen and with it I discovered a whole new way of eating this noodle dish. Goku Raku Romen offers a various types of ramen and definitely worth a visit.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Lembah Azwen Resort


Lembah Azwen Resort is quite a new establishment located at Hulu Langat, some 35km away from Putrajaya.

There are signboard to show the direction to this place when reaching Pekan Batu 14 Hulu Langat.

 
The word "Resort" is kind of misleading as this is not a place for a leisure holiday as it is built mainly for team building event and training camp.

Lembah Azwen Resort has lake, river and surrounded by virgin forest which provide the right elements to conduct any team building exercise here.
Most of the obstacle facilities are already readily available here and they appear to be in sound condition. Some of the outdoor activities offered here are obstacle courses, jungle trekking, resort explorace, rope repelling, resort treasure hunt and water sports such as water crossing, water floating exercise & water rafting.

There are 4 lecture/function rooms of various sizes for motivational talk and lecture.

The dorm room (RM 78 per person per night with meals) here is kind of compact but immaculately clean and air conditioned. The dorm could accommodate up to 60 person at a time.

For a more comfortable, there is an option for chalet (RM95 per person per night including meals). The chalet can accommodate up to 5 person and there is hardly any room to move about.

 
The dining place is spacious and located by the river. The food served here are moderate and I notice the freshness of their ulam as the resort plant those greens at the premise. 

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Viribright 11W LED Light Bulb

LED Light bulbs might be a new thing for most people especially Malaysian. I guess not many people are aware of its existence and the benefit of it. I came across Viribright LED Light bulb a couple of months ago from a kiosk at Level 2 in Midvalley Megamall.

It costs RM50 for 1 unit of 11W bulb (with 1 year warranty) and it might appears expensive but actually it's not. Most branded LED light bulbs I came across will come with a price tag from RM70-RM170, depending on the wattage.In other words, Viribright LED Light is about 50% cheaper than the other branded LED lights I know.

Viribright is designed and manufactured by Matrix Lighting Inc, based in the USA. For the record, Matrix Lighting already start phasing out the 11W version and in the process of replacing it with a 10W version.

There are many benefits of LED Light compare to the incandescent or CFL bulb. The main advantage is the energy saving by switching to LED. It saves about 80% compare to incandescent bulb and close to 40% compare to CFL bulb.

Unlike the CFL bulbs, LED contains no mercury or any hazardous materials or chemicals. One can simply throw the whole unit for recycling purpose without any fear.

Viribright LED light bulbs also has longer lifespan, roughly around 25, 000 hours. The packaging claims that the light can last 6 years with average 8 hours use per day. However, peeling the sticker, it originally claimed to last for 6 years based on 5 hours use per day. Either way, I am sure the bulb will last for a long time. The only thing notable would be the light intensity after it has reached its lifespan.

Viribright 11W LED Light bulb is actually a direct replacement for the 60W (about 81% in term of power saving) incandescent bulb and 18W (38% in term of power saving) CFL bulb.

This is the size comparison between Viribright LED light bulb with incandescent and CFL bulb. It's not much of a size difference. The LED Light bulb just looks like any normal light bulb we usually came across.

Viribright light bulb is mainly made of plastic with some light metal on its body. Hence, it won't break or shatter if one accidentally dropped them.

It's emitting diodes are arranged in such a way so it can provide 270 degree light distribution.

This is basically the heat sink for the heat generated when the light is operated. It won't feel hot when the light bulb was touched on the surface as most of the generated heat is transferred to the heat sink and dissipated to the surrounding. Having said so, there are just mild heat produced at the heat sink when the light is on and it is still safe enough to be touched

Due the heat, it is advised not to be used in totally enclosed recessed luminaries

The LED light is made in China and has CE marking. It draws only 0.1A of current according to it spec.

Viribright LED lamp works wonder in my room and house. My room has never been more brighter. It gives up about 400 lumen which is equivalent to the light intensity produces by a 60W incandescent light and 18W CFL light.  However, it produces some noise which can be irritating. It won't be much of an issue if it was fitted high at the ceiling though.

The light had some limitation though as it is not to be installed into any dimmer and a wet or damp location.

I had set my eye on LED tube light (cost about RM 120 in Malaysia) as it would  further save cost as it did not require ballast and substantial energy saving for the same performance.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

The Dutch Graveyard @ Malacca

Dutch Graveyard is another historical site in Malacca. It is located at a secluded corner at the foot of St. Paul's Hill and one will need to be adventurous enough to spot its location.

This graveyard was first used at the last quarter of the 17th century. Presently 5 Dutch and 33 British graves are sited within its compound. This cemetery was used in two stages that is between 1670-1682 (by the Dutch) and later between 1818-1838 (by the British).

When the British took over Malacca in 1795, they initially used St. Paul's Hill as their burial ground (and still visible until this very day nearby St. Paul's Church) and only in 1818 did they began to make use of this cemetery. The first British person to be buried here was Captain John Kidd, Captain of a ship while the last British person to be buried was the wife of a British army officer in 1838.

Most of the British buried here were army or naval personnel. A number of wives of army officers were also buried here.

The grave that attracts the attention of most visitors is the one that has a tall column on it in which two army officers, who were killed during the war between the British and Naning in the interior of Malacca in 1831 and 1832, were buried.

This is the plan layout of the grave and the complete name list of the British who were laid to rest here.

Monday, September 12, 2011

My Mid Autumn Festival 2011

This year I did not celebrate the Mid Autumn festival with my wife and family. Partly due to my mistake as I get the date wrongly and unable to purchase the air ticket home earlier.

Either way, the show must go on. To re-create the atmosphere here, I get myself with a lantern and moon cakes.

The moon cake prices had gone up since and 4 pieces of these cost me RM43.

The highlight of the celebration will be at night where children will light up their lanterns. I already miss the lantern procession at home.

At night, I just stare at the full moon while thinking of the loved one and family back home. Sometimes I just admire how accurate the Chinese calendar is. It is definitely a full moon on this very night.