Christmas Day 2008 @ Makan Makan, Coronade Hotel KL

This wonderful day started with John and I attending church in the morning to celebrate Christ's birthday, welcome Him into our heart, mind and home and to thank our Heavenly Father for the precious gift of baby Jesus and His countless blessings.

Then, onward to The Coronade Hotel at Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur at noontime to enjoy luncheon with family members and relatives at Makan Makan Coffee House.

The Christmas Day halal high-tea luncheon was from 12.30-5pm at RM48++ for adults and 50% discount for children below 12yrs and senior citizens above 55yrs. The hi-tea spread was supposedly to include halal stuffed turkey, seafood pilaf rice, oyster, prawns and mussels on ice, satay, roasted whole lamb and a variety of cakes and other goodies.

But what a disappointment! Food was definitely not up to standard nor value for money! Crowd was too large and food was insufficient! It's a case of demand exceeding supply!

To top it all, the long queue and waiting, especially for grilled fish, satay and turkey really spoilt our appetite! Also, less than 2 hours later, there was no more servings of roasted turkey! Some late-comers did not even get to eat the turkey! Can you beat that...and we came here specially for it? Service was slow and unsatisfactory. Aargh!! For sure, we won't ever patronize this place again!

Nonetheless, I do feel blessed and am thankful to be able to afford such luxuries and pleasures...so, stop complaining...??

Entertainment included Santa Claus and the Magical Clown. So, fortunately our grandchildren were kept fully thrilled by them and playing with whatever were inside their party packs, which each diner received! Incidentally, Renice and Renee, our twin-grandchildren were 3 years old on Christmas day. Yippee and happy birthday, darlings!!

By 3pm, we decided to leave Makan Makan and return to the coziness of our home. Here, Christmas presents were delightfully exchanged, with laughter, fellowship and family bonding continuing until about 9 in the night. Of course, the twins received their birthday presents too and the night ended with a simple home-cooked dinner! Just noodles, nothing elaborate! ;)

Without doubt, it was a joyous and enjoyable day, well-spent with family members and relatives!

Posting some photos taken by our elder son, David! Humph...my Canon camera had some hiccups...what a day to show its tantrums!! :-D

Christmas Greetings 2008

Wishing one and all,

"A Very Merry Christmas
A Happy New Year
The All-encompassing Light of Jesus Christ
And God's Infinite Love, Grace & Mercy Always"

P/S: This is a snapshot of the explosive Calliandra emarginata 'Red' from our garden.

Trip to Chamang Waterfall, Bentong

November 25 - John and I, together with two other couples went on a day's trip to the Chamang Waterfall in Bentong, Pahang. Carpooled in two cars, reaching there in less than 2 hours from Kuala Lumpur, in fine weather which prevailed thoughout except halfway through on our return trip when it rained heavily.

Lover's Waterfall as it is sometimes known, with its cascading waterfall over the steep and rocky hillside is enticingly beautiful, especially when nestled amidst lush tropical rainforest. I was a little disappointed though, as I have expected to see the cascade of gushing water covering a broader area of the rock surfaces which does occur during rainy seasons. Nevertheless, its splendour is undeniable and I do cherish the opportunity to be able to enjoy such natural wonders of God's awesome creation.

Beauty has its pitfalls too! Rock or boulder surfaces are slippery and powerful currents have created dangerous spots, with turbulence and whirlpools that have claimed lives tragically. Hence, beware and do read the clear signs of danger set around for visitors!

On the whole, it is a great place for picnics, family outings and recreation, splashing, bathing or wading in shallow waterfall pools, or just to get away from the hustle and bustle of city stress.

The surrounding place is clean and well maintained by the staff of the Pahang Forestry Department, Hutan Lipur Sungai Chamang (Chamang River Recreation Park). There are sufficient parking bays, rest areas, toilet and bathing facilities for the general public.

Read more, especially how to get there at Nature Escapes.









Two and a half hours later, we headed towards Bentong town at around 2.15 pm for lunch at the Golden Court Restaurant (I think that's its name?). Food and service there was excellent. We had rice with steam 'Pak Su Kung' fish, pork ribs with yam, steam kampung chicken with a great dipping sauce, fried kangkong with belachan and fried miniature french beans. The food was so good that we just had to try their noodles too, so we ordered a plate of Cantonese fried noodles with a mix of kway-teow and meehoon for 4 pax!
Hehe...the best part was eating for free! Steven, the birthday boy sprung a surprise and treated us all. How generous! :D

And, not to be missed at Bentong is another of its specialty, the best home-made ice-cream and ice kachang at Kow Po Coffee Shop. So, we headed there (the shop is located opposite the Bentong bus-station and next to Hong Leong Bank) and had our fill to our heart's content. What glorious indulgence! Funny that our stomach is so expendable!! :-D