Dine @ Peppers Cafe

Few days ago I went to Peppers Cafe at Tanahmas Hotel for a dinner to celebrate a special occasion. I have not dine here for a very long time and in fact this is my first visit here in 2009.

The ambience is nice as before. It was given a new face lift not too long ago.

A few changes were noted in my recent visit here. One of the changes is the introduction of the wireless paging system on every table which made life a lot easier for the employees and guests here. Just press the appropriate buttons when you are ready to order food, pay for the meal or simply request for a glass of plain water. Very efficient and I like it.

I believe this is one of the cost cutting measures implemented by the hotel management as fewer people are required to man this cafe with this system.

Mushroom soup (RM6.50) served with butter and bread. Strangely no butter knife was provided for me to slice the bread and spread the butter on it. The mushroom soup could have been better.

Mixed Juice (RM 11). One will be given 2 combination choices and I tried pineapple with apple. It might be a weird combination but it still works out alright.

One of Peppers Cafe signature dish is its cheese cake. Chocolate Coffee Cheese Cake (RM 7). Delicious as usual.

Fettucine Carbonara (RM 16.50). This is the first time I ever try a pasta dish here and I was rather disappointed. The pasta is supposed to be topped with mushroom sauce but it turned out to be rather plain.

Sizzling Lamb Chop (RM 27). Even the quality of the cooking style had drop for this dish. Still respectable but not as great as before. The mash potato used to be good but this time around (it tasted so good back then it reminds me of my ex warden in Manor Hall).

Some of the X'mas decoration here. Peppers Cafe has been a popular place for romantic X'mas dinner over the years.

I have to admit the quality of food here have dropped (hopefully, this is not part of the cost cutting measures) and I will probably be reluctant to come back here to dine again.

MASK: Rhino

Rhino is the iconic symbol of the MASK cartoon series. In fact, this vehicle is selected to be the MASK team's logo throughout the series and the toy's packaging

Rhino is basically an ordinary looking tractor rig .........

which converts to mobile defense unit with all terrain vehicle

Matt Trakker, the leader of MASK team with Ultra Flash Mask. His mask fires a blinding flash of light to disorient the enemies.

Matt rarely piloted Rhino unless his main vehicle, Thunder Hawk was out of commission or on special missions which require Rhino's specialties

Bruce Sato, a mechanical engineer and design specialist. A toy designer by profession. His Lifter Mask fires anti gravity beam. Bruce is of Japanese origin and often speaks in Confusion riddles that only Matt seems to comprehend.

Bruce mainly piloted Rhino in the series with Alex Sector in the series

Alex Sector is a computer, communication and zoology expert. A veterinarian by profession. His Jack Rabbit Mask allows him to fly

Alex Sector figure do not come with Rhino toy. He originally came with Boulder Hill playset. In the series, he often serves as the co-pilot and Rhino's system commander. Hence, it is in my opinion that Alex deserves to be featured together with Rhino

Rhino has some awesome fire power packed into it and let's have a closer look at the details.

Power Ram Front Bumper which can smashed a big rock into pieces.

Smokestacks becomes high powered laser cannons. Useful for land and aerial defense.

Wind Deflector becomes a radar scanner. The radar scanner can swivels at 360 degree.

This is the computer command center inside the sleeper unit. Rhino is well equipped to be a mobile command center.

Alex Sector manning the Rhino's computer system which also house the missile launcher

An ejection seat to surprise unwelcome passenger onboard Rhino.

The rear part of Rhino is a detachable all terrain vehicle with dual suspension.

The all terrain vehicle is armed with front mounted vibration cannons

Bulletproof shield to protect the all terrain vehicle's driver

Bruce and Alex on Rhino's all terrain vehicle.

I have own this Rhino unit since I was 9 years old and manage to surprise many people with its current condition. My father bought me this toy at RM89 more than 20 years ago.

Sibu Chritsmas Trees 2009 @ Night

Sibu Town Square Phase 1 come alive at night and so as the Christmas trees on display here. I had shown the trees in detail in broad daylight and let's see how they fare at night.

KTS Tree

Kingwood Tree

Subur Tiasa Tree

Delta Tree (a.k.a 1 Malaysia Tree)

Sugar Bun Tree

Farley Tree

Sing Kwong Tree

Pansar Tree

Tanahmas Tree

Zoo Bee Garden Tree

Daesim Tree

Ta Ann Tree

Many people throng this place at night and the children seems to have a great time admiring those trees. It's an amazing atmosphere but the annoying thing is the organizer seems to blast the X'mas songs here. I hope they tuned the volume down a bit.

Sibu Christmas Trees 2009 Part 2

These are the remaining 6 Christmas trees for the 2009 Sibu X'mas tree decoration contest. I believe this half are much better and interesting than the first part I highlighted previously.

Sing Kwong Tree. This tree mainly made up from LED lights enclosed in rubber hose which surround the tree. Should be a spectacular sight at night. Its base is decorated with a few cute penguins.


Pansar Tree. This is another conservative tree design. I believe Pansar is not trying to win this contest. Instead they are trying to create brands awareness where they are dealers for Yanmar, Deutz, Kansai Paint, Carrier and etc.

Tanahmas Tree. Neat but not an outstanding tree. Basically it is covered with green clothes and decorated with the traditional trinkets. Reindeer can be found at the base of the tree.

Zoo Bee Garden Tree. This is their second consecutive participation in the contest. Neat presentation with the highlight on the 3 snowmen structure.

Daesim Tree. This design gives me the impression of a Santa Village. It has snowman, toy soldier statues and Santa on the chimney. There is also a mail box which depicts letters sent by the children to Santa. I believe this is one of the trees in contention to win the contest. It manages to incorporate most of the X'mas elements into it.

Ta Ann Tree. This is probably one of the most elegant tree on display here. Mostly draped in white clothes and surrounded with a golden stripes. A church structure at the base of the tree.

So, having show all the 12 trees, which is your pick? For me, it is either Farley, Daesim or Ta Ann Tree. One of the reason for it as I can see children enjoy to be around those trees. Maybe we should let the children to vote for the winner