Learning Cantonese: Recent Comments

Comment on Penang: At the Cathay Hotel

Tony — Wed, 07 May 2008 06:51:38 GMT

Hey Daisann-la!

Tony from the Total Wine Bar here! Finally found your blog! I have stayed in Georgetown twice myself, in 2000 and 2003, and unfortunately I can't recall the name of the hotels I stayed in, but the first time it was definitely a confirmed dump, although it had character galore, although in more of a minimalist vein. The second hotel was slightly less dumpy but was in one of those old classic Chinese-style Penang buildings and the lobby/bar was right up on the street so you were heartily entertained by the over-abundent street life in Penang, which was great until you tired of the motorbike fumes!

My friend and I found this fantastic Indian restaurant, incidentally, the last time I was there, but not being a travel writer of course (at least not yet) I sadly can't help out with that!

I remember I found this wonderful tea-house there the first time that served this delicious apricot tea, and whenever I looked for the place again it was nowhere to be found! I swear I searched exhaustively.

Georgetown certainly has a special place in my heart, such character, and the closest I've been to being in China. I went there both times as a jumping-off place by ferry to Sumatra, the most wonderful place I've been to date. Therefore Georgetown is not simply special in it's own rite, but also as the tantalizing gateway to the 'exotic' (sorry) and amazing.

The first time I was in Penang at all I stayed with my friends at this resort in Batu Ferringhi - but that's another story altogether. Nice place, even luxurious, but somewhat wanting for character.

Comment on Penang: At the Cathay Hotel

YTSL — Thu, 01 May 2008 08:50:07 GMT

As a Penangite, I'm happy to see a glowing piece by you on Penang. OTOH, as a transplanted Hong Konger, I'm wondering when you'll have a new piece on Hong Kong... ;b

Comment on In Bangkok: A Perfect Meal at the Source of Fortune

Mila — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 13:41:25 GMT

The prawns look tasty blanketed by the sauce, I can imagine how you saveured them.
Found your blog through my search for Penang food.

Comment on In Bangkok: A Perfect Meal at the Source of Fortune

Ruby — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:53:23 GMT

Wow, great shot of the food. Now I'm so hungry. Hope you don't mind, but the characters in the sign are the name of a company that either sells, produce bird nest soup, a highly priced delicacy; known to keep Asian women's skin soft and youthful. Just FYI. Thanks for the blog.

Comment on Guest Blogger: Inspector Ma Lau Jai of the HKPD

Ruby — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:37:39 GMT

Very funny.. I truly enjoy it. Although I had to do a double take on the cantonese. Excellent writer... thanks. By the way, he is inspector monkey??

Comment on Twin Ducks in a Teacup

chaxiubao — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 12:22:12 GMT

Nice work Daisann! Just wanna say that Tsui Wah in Wellington St. doesn't open for 24/7. It close on 4am in the morning, quite a let down when all the bars and clubs around LKF are closing in the wee hours. The branch in Causeway Bay is.

Also, the thing about milk tea brew in ladies' stocking is a myth. It's just the likeness of two, not the real thing.

Comment on Penang: At the Cathay Hotel

Anna — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 20:36:01 GMT

That is an fabulous hotel! I currently live in Shanghai where it's also full of these kinds of historical buildings.I actually have an apartment in an old 1930's flatiron building here..It's always a great pleasure to get home again!
I adore reading your blog and always feel homesick when you write about Hong Kong. It stole my heart and I want to go back someday.

Comment on Penang: At the Cathay Hotel

shwe — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 22:51:23 GMT

what a wonderful find! I do love Malaysia because it is full of places like this, as if time had somehow stood still. Ipoh is wonderful for that too.

Comment on Brushstrokes of Spring

readandeat — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 19:45:57 GMT

Belated greeting: gung hei faat choi!

I just went back to HK in November and January. After I came back, I've been sick . sigh. lauh nihn bat leih (my luck in the Year of Pig must be bad!!)

Wish you all the best this year!

Comment on Penang: At the Cathay Hotel

dm — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 16:44:24 GMT

Hi Vixen!

I'm not sure that the Malaysian Chinatowns have been maintained because of any conscious effort. More like benign neglect. That's why Penang is so astonishing. It is like walking into an old turn of the century photograph of Hong Kong, that has magically become three dimensional.

The Cheong Fat-tze is a lovely building, and I'm glad they restored it. But it feels museum-like, even though it has guestrooms. Much rather stay with my buddies at the Cathay.

I never stayed in the Coliseum, I just drank in the bar...and it felt to me like it might be a place that would challenge my grottieness meter (which is rather generous, but....)

There's a very thin line between a "magnificent pile" and a "dump" sometimes.