Catching Up In Penang

Whenever I go on a work trip to a locale where I have friends, I always try to make it a point to meet up, either for a meal or even if it is only for a quick coffee. One can always find some free time if one really wants to. So I ended up having supper with Suan Bee, C Hun and Andy when I was in Penang last month.

Without fail, Suan Bee and C Hun will always bring me to a 'Hokkien Mee' stall that I have not been to before and this time was no different. I can never remember the names of the places, and I leave it to these buddies of mine to keep track. This time round, we were joined by Andy and we adjourned for coffee and cake after supper.

Great conversations are the hallmark of great friendships. Effortless bantering and multiple topics of interest make such catch-ups much enjoyable and refreshing after a day of work meetings. Indeed, such gatherings make work trips that much more pleasant.


Andy, C Hun, Suan Bee and I at China House in Penang, Malaysia.

Appreciating Good Friends

Suan Bee and C Hun always make it a point to catch up with me whenever I am in Penang. For a number of years now, they've been taking me on a tour to discover the best 'Hokkien Mee', or as we know it in KL, ' Prawn Mee', that Penang has to offer. It's a pilgrimage of sorts, and there are still many more to sample and taste.

 

To make the pilgrimage a little more interesting, we've recently added cafes to the list. This photo was taken at Budan's Brew Coffee Bar, right after having enjoyed a bowl of 'Hokkien Mee' at Jalan Kebun Nyior, a couple of weeks back. Don't ask me directions to all these places as I totally rely on these two good friends of mine. All I need to do is enjoy the food, and most importantly the companionship.

 

Here's to more trips to Penang in 2015!

 

 

With Suan Bee and C Hun, enjoying a late morning cuppa.

Mother's Day

Suk Harn and I celebrated Mother's Day last Sunday with Mum with lunch at Reunion at Bangsar Village. I come from a large extended family and whilst big family gatherings to celebrate special occasions are always enjoyable, sometimes, it is nice to have a quiet celebration on a smaller scale.

With Mum's birthday coming up in a few weeks, I decided to do a double take on the celebrations. Unlike last year in Turkey, I did not go on a holiday for my birthday this time round. Instead I am using the funds to take Mum on a trip to Seoul. My mother is a die-hard fan of Korean dramas, so this would be an apt destination for a quick jaunt. Some sightseeing, some food, some shopping, meeting up with a friend or two. An easy-going trip I hope it will be.

Some friends have lamented the fact that I seem to be traveling almost every month this second half of the year. I reply with a response that I learnt from my friends Suan Bee and C Hun ... 'if not now, when?'.

Photo courtesy of my sister, Suk Harn.

Little Pleasures

The little pleasures during a business trip is what makes the trip an enjoyable one. True, I am pleased when I get to close deals; they are the raison d'etre that I go on such trips in the first place. But when I find time to squeeze in some leisure, that makes it even more worthwhile.

Lucky are those who get to experience something new and I make sure that I do on every business trip. Such an experience can take many forms. A new place to eat. A new attraction to visit. New acquaintances.

Making an effort does yield new experiences. The question that begs to be asked then is 'will you make the effort?'

Photo of me having drinks with Suan Bee, C Hun, Hai Liang and Mong Ling at Yeng Keng Hotel, Penang, Malaysia.

Relaxing Dinner

Going up to Penang for work is always a treat. Not only do I get to catch up with friends from the wedding industry as well as from my university days, I also get to sample the culinary delights that Penang has to offer.

I am a creature of habit and always go to the same places for 'makan'. This past weekend however, Suan Bee and C Hun, proprietors of Touching Hearts and Chymes, brought me to this place by the beach near Queensbay for dinner. The relaxed setting, the sea, the view of the Penang Bridge and Pulau Jerejak, the good food, great company including Kee Sitt and Sharon of Wedding Story, what more could one ask for?

I am bound to return to this haunt ... creature of habit you see.

Photo of where I had dinner whilst in Penang.

Chymes

C Hun, Desmond and Suan Bee are friends of mine from the wedding industry. Together with Kevan, they've recently realised their dream of opening a boutique bed and breakfast. It's called Chymes and is located in Tanjung Bungah, Penang.

I had the good fortune of being invited to stay whilst I was up in Penang for an event this past weekend. I run out of adjectives to describe the place ..... cosy, intimate, creative, chic, quirky, homely. I like the deft touches like the cookies, the mint pillow, the lamps, the rainshower. There are some rough edges but what's there to complain, they've only just opened, so there's much time for further improvements. I for one am looking forward to the path towards the beach!

I could sit the whole day working on the verandah and it would be bliss.

Photo of C Hun, Kevan, Desmond and Suan Bee in The Living Room at Chymes.

Biz Trips To Penang

Penang is a place that I always enjoy visiting, even when I am there for work rather than a holiday. It is relatively compact enough for me to include some r&r in my itinerary, be it visits to the Siamese and Burmese temples on Lorong Burma for prayers, savouring Hokkien Mee at Lorong Bangkok, an evening swim at the hotel pool or supper on Gurney Drive followed by a late night stroll.

Of course one of the best reasons to stay a night when on business trips to Penang is the opportunity to have dinner with friends and industry colleagues. The good food is a given and the great company elevates the experience.

I suppose that's why I always find a reason for a business trip to Penang.

Photo of me with Ms Chew, Andy, Aires, Suan Bee and C Hun shot at Northam Beach Cafe in Penang, Malaysia.

Penang Gang

Suan Bee, Beatrice and C Hun of Touching Hearts Wedding Concepts are in town from Penang and I had dinner with them last night. Desmond of Confetti joined us too. Considering the vast amount of time that Desmond spends in Penang, I guess he qualifies to be termed the ‘Penang gang’ as well.

It is always a pleasure getting together with industry friends from interstate. Apart from exchanging news on the respective wedding scenes, it is also refreshing to share new ideas and banter about the goings-on in our lives. Whilst Facebook and email certainly help us keep in touch, they can never measure up to conversing in person.

Good food, sinful desserts and great company, a wonderful Friday night out indeed.


Photo of C Hun, Beatrice, Suan Bee, yours truly and Desmond, shot at Alexis in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.