Happy Chinese New Year 2018 - Year of the Dog

It was the ushering of the year of the dog and it going to be the 5th dog year for me. As usual it's time to go back Penang for the celebration. This year it was only Xiang & Zu Yi following me as Jo had to stay back together with her sisters & brother while Shou has a project to be done.

Nothing like mum's cooking and the boys truly missed Ah Mah's food. It has been a eating spree since we landed on the island as expected.

Lunch at my mum's place with all my brothers and sister back home with a reunion dinner another 3 hours away. We went to check into our regular homestay near to my mum's place.

Heng ah, Ong ah, Huat ah as we lousang-ed together at Restoran Elite House.

What a great Chinese New Year eve and wishing everyone a good dog year ahead.

The young ones are slowly learning, the tradition continues and wishing them good health and wealth in the coming years.

One for the annual family album and a wonderful Dog Year awaiting for everyone.

Each year passes by so fast and time really flies, my mum is 18+my age which is 78 years old this year.

On the first of Chinese New Year I decided to visit Penang Hill and I think the last time I went up there was in 1973 with my friends from Padang Serai. I cycled from from Farlim, stopped by at this Oversea Chinese Anti-War Memorial at Air Itam for a shot of the monument.

The funicular train have changed several times, maybe at least twice since the last I was here. My folded bicycle placed in front of the train in a carriage box. I enjoyed the senior citizen fare of only RM5.00 for a return ride. For your information the normal fare is RM10.00 for MyKad holder where RM30.00 for foreign visitor.

The ride was pretty fast it took slightly more than 5 minutes to reach the top with a mid stop in between. I took the first train up so that I could see the early sun rise and Georgetown from Penang Hill.

The response was good it was packed on the first trip up and I reckon more were still queuing to visit Penang Hill. The sun rise was awesome I zipped to several corners of the hill for different spectacular views.

Checking out the places like the old Balai Polis, Bellevue Hotel and enjoying the beauty of this cool atmosphere.

I was happy to be able to bring my Brompton up to the top of Penang Hill and enjoy the cool morning ride. The last trip to Penang I tried it but it was closed for maintenance due to some slope erosion.

The cannon with the letters inscribed "GR" for King George III found at the park between a mosque and an Indian temple. Ironically two of the similar cannons were recently found at Fort Cornwallis by archaeologists from Universiti Sains Malaysia.

Penang Hill Hindu Temple also known as Sri Aruloli Thirumurugan has been in existence since the 1800's.

Penang Hill Mosque is sited just next to the Indian Temple and was built in 1966.

One of the several old colonial bungalows around the vicinity. I felt like being in a country side of England.

Have fun catching the sun rise from several spots.

The monkey cup garden was still closed so no coffee for me.

I had my coffee at last in a food court before taking a train back to the foot.

On the second day of Chinese New Year I was out hunting food for the boys. Some of the kopitiams have opened but not all. I managed to buy some local street food back to the apartment.

Later in the day we went out to the heritage area of Georgetown hunting for more foods. At the kopitiam once the home of their mum.

One more photo at Ah Mah's house.

We left Penang around 9.00 in the morning and it took us about 5 hours to reach Kuala Lumpur. Our lunch at Lieong Kee Bak Kut Teh at Jalan Development, Kepong, the boys were excited with this delicious KL food and mentioned that it was the best CNY food so far.

The celebration continues ..... and more eating and drinking awaiting...........

First Day of Chinese New Year - Ride to Genting Peras

This year we celebrated Chinese New Year in Kuala Lumpur, family members came as far as from Penang, Kedah and Singapore and I had to be the host. Reunion Dinner is always about the same every year and we had steamboat in my house.

The most interesting part was that I created an event at facebook to invite a last minute ride at Hulu Langat as both my brothers are keen riders. We were thankful that the last minute invitation was able to get 4 friends to join us. 

These are my younger brothers (both are keen mountain bikers) on my folding bikes. 

So on the first day of Chinese New Year we loaded 3 folding  bicycles and headed to Pekan Batu 18 Ulu Langat. As we unload our bicycles, a local said to us "Tak ada raya kah?" "Aren't you celebrating CNY, why are you cycling during CNY?"

The road to Terkala Waterfall was closed and it has been closed for the last 2 to 3 months since a landslide occurred. We decided to ride in to have a look at the collapse.

This was the first time my brothers rode in Klang Valley and this was how we celebrated CNY in 2013 with other cycling buddies. Thanks to David Ong for taking this picture.

A stop for a good view of the beautiful scenery and enjoy the fantastic fresh air.  

Riding up this route was always lovely and the weather was excellent cooling & breezy. 

We rode to a limit that we can not ride any further, anything further means trouble.  

The man (at the extreme right) was trying to salvage his car from the bottom. Apparently his son drove into it a couple of hours ago when the place was in total darkness.

Unfortunately Fortunately the son was alright, he was able to climb up and walk back home to inform his family. We could see 3 cars down there and that sort of accident is uncalled for, the road has already been closed and yet there are people who just couldn't bother about the danger.

Let leave the place and head for Genting Perez.

I noticed that though it was barricaded but it is still passable by vehicles. I hope the Authority can tighten this blockage to avoid any further tragedy to happen. 

One for the album at the scene of the landslide.

The magnificent 7 that rode on the first day of Chinese New year. Gong Xi Gong Xi..

Komplek Jetty Merbok, Sg Petani

Another experience for the family where we were able to take a joy cruise along the River Merbok.

The boat.

We had light refreshment before the boat cruise.

It was a good experience for the young ones to take such a ride in this Merbok River, eventhough my mother was skeptical about it initially.

The ladies sitting obediently and enjoying the breeze.

Yong Lim & Family.

Yen Aik enjoying the ride.

Hin Hoe & his son, Chin Siong.

We were able to see the beautiful mangrove vegetation along the river and the long legged white birds (bagau).

The jetty complex which is still under extension.

Visiting a platform rearing fishes was another fantastic experience we will treasure this forever.

Walking on narrow timber pathways was interesting, if you are not careful you might fall into the water.

Beautiful sun set as we cruised down the river.