First hike to Bukit Tabur

 

Hey, guys!

First of all, Happy Chinese New Year to those who celebrated it and to those who didn't, Happy Holidays!

I bet your CNY holidays was spent getting stuck in traffic jams on the way home, eating and drinking, having reunion dinners, taking family portraits, house-visiting to collect Ang Pows and wearing red a lot.

As for me, my parents did go back to Taiping to visit my grandparents with my relatives....and left my sister and I behind. As we have a mind-boggling number of cats and dogs, we stayed back to babysit them and the house during the festive seasons. Not that we mind as we took advantage of a very-jam-free-KL.

Bukit Tabur

Bootcamp Tabur hikers (L-R): Sunil, Alex, Cherrie & Norizan.

Cherrie and I also went hiking for the first time in a long time at Bukit Tabur with Sunil, Alex and newly befriended Norizan from bootcamp as well as Yasmin from my swim team days on the first day of CNY. Due to the series of hikes and activities coming up, I got myself a new pair of New Balance trail shoes the day before and planned their maiden vovage to Bukit Tabur.

New New Balance trail shoes.

Our group of six got to the foot of Bukit Tabur at 730am and already, there were quite a lot of cars parked along the side of the road. Apparently the regulars come to the hill at 6am for a good workout.

Still it wasn't as crowded as Gasing Hill but that could be due to it being a public holiday.

Entrance near the Klang Gates Dam.

Bukit Tabur is a limestone ridge located in Taman Melawati, Kuala Lumpur and is part of the Klang Gates Quartz Ridge. Standing at less than 1000m, the hill consists of a few peaks and the most frequented entrance, Tabur West starts near the Klang Gates Dam. For detailed instructions and GPS coordinates, click here. 



photo credit: All about Tabur.

 Baby Steps

 

With the first rays of sunlight peeping out from behind the ridge, we made our way up the hill. The first stretch of forest had me panting and reminded me of Gasing Hill. For the record, cardio hikes are not my forte. However, after good ten minutes of forest hiking, the route became less strenous and the view got more rewarding.



'I am never leaving this tree' - Norizan

At the first peak, we stopped momentarily to admire the stunning view of the Klang Gates Quartz Ridge that divided the Klang Gates Dam and the concrete jungle that was Kuala Lumpur. Behind us were two other peaks, running side by side like camel humps. As the sun continued to rise up from behind these two peaks, the rays broke across the scene and created a surreal sight.

Stunning.

We soldiered on, going higher and further along the ridge. We met several other hikers along the way, many posing for their cameras and some even, picnicking on the rocky flat spaces. During one of our breaks, my friend Shaun caught up with us, having arrived late and was panting and sweating hard by the time he joined us. But then again, he did sprint up the hill, a feat not many could accomplish.

The Climb

We had to conquer seven peaks that morning and each got a little harder and more challenging to get to as we went along.  Tall trees disappeared, replaced by limestone rocks and formations as well as shrubs and mosses. Photo opportunities were at an abundance due to yours truly being a 'capture-the-moment' person and truly every peak and climb had me snapping away.

Yasmin - No sweat!

Of course, Bukit Tabur wasn't as tame as Gasing Hill or Broga. On both sides of the ridge pathway was sudden drops and huge boulders created obstacles to scale around. The hill demanded respect from its visitors and you better give it just that as there has been reports of deaths and accidents on Tabur. People have gotten lost, injured or died due to their over zealousness and for underestimating Bukit Tabur.



Love at first hike.

When it came to the rock-climbing bits, I tucked my cameras away in my backpack to free up my hands and did the climb with extreme caution. I loved it though, despite or maybe because of the element of danger. I often had to rely on my upper body strength to boost me over ledges and if it wasn't for bootcamp, I wouldn't have the strength or the stamina to do it. Good hand and eye coordination also comes in handy when moving along the rocky ridge to avoid falling flat on your face. Being a parkour expert will be a huge advantage.

Midway though, we came across two paths to take around a boulder, one harder than the other. The harder (and scarier) route involved climbing rungs drilled into the rocks while the other requires us to climb down a short but vertical slope using a knotted rope with little foothold space. As some of us were rookies, our unofficial Tabur guide, Sunil opted for the rope and gave us precise instructions on scaling down. It was scary at first as beyond the tiny ledge was another sudden drop and all you had to cling on for dear life was the rope and your own arm strength. But when I actually did it (without making a fool of myself), there was a deep sense of adventure and satisfaction. Must be the adrenaline rush.

A marker flag

That also have me a good burst of energy that carried me through the next few peaks. I decided there and then, I was in love with Bukit Tabur. The greenery at the higher peaks were incredibly picturesque and we were fortunate to have a cool breeze cut through every once in a while.

Past the last peak and the turning point to go back, Shaun showed us a path that continued a little further on and ended in a sudden drop. He got lost here the last time and scaled midway down before the danger of it dawned on him, making him return to the original trail. As beautiful as Bukit Tabur was, its dangers should not be undermined.

Up, now Down

As the saying goes, what goes up, must come down. There were two trails that we could use to return to our cars. Go back the way we came or head down a dirt trail along the side of the hill. Majority headed for the latter although Superman Sunil opted to go through the rocky peaks again.

Time to head down.

The trail downhill was reminiscent of the trails I used to thunder through when I joined the Hash House Harriers but instead of running, we walked. Like normal people who just finished climbing a hill. It was relatively quite an easy, uneventful brisk walk back to the car, although albeit long. Alex lead the charge downhill, doing even the Gangnam Style (briefly) on the way. I did pause to glance back up at the ridge and I felt so tiny and amazed that I was even at its peak.


Are we there yet?

It was about 1030am by the time we reached the car to unload our backpacks and unwind (and to stare at chicks...and hens) while waiting for Sunil. He joined us 15 minutes later, delayed only because he stopped to help a group of girls stuck on the rung trail. Apparently their uncle led them there before heading ahead and leaving them behind. Tsk tsk. Bad uncle.

Due to the lack of human traffic on the hill, we completed Bukit Tabur in three hours with plenty of breaks and photo sessions in between. I really enjoyed loved the hike/climb, my new shoes and most importantly, the company. Really, the company makes all the difference in an activity like this.

Thank you, Sunil for planning this trip and guiding us through Tabur with the patience of a saint.
Thank you, Alex for (not ffk-ing) driving us there and leading us noobs down safely.
Thank you, Norizan for the laughter and jokes up there and for the most rewarding brownies ever.
Thank you, Yasmin for giving up your Sunday to join us and make new friends I hope.
Thank you, Shaun for looking out for my sister and also for helping us along.
Thank you, sis for allowing me to drag you along.
Thank you, adventurous random stranger who followed us all the way down.
And thank you, Bukit Tabur for reviving my adrenaline junkie and interest in hiking once more.

Tabur CNY hikers!

 For more pictures of our Tabur hike, click over to my Facebook album here.

10 Tips for Noobs

1. Invest in a pair of proper hiking/trail shoes, preferably lightweight.
2. Wear gloves for the rock climbing parts.
3. Go with an experienced friend and stick together.
4. Bring two bottles of water or isotonic drink.
5. Use a backpack to free up your hands.
6. Leave your ego at home. Better to be teased than dead.
7. Bring a camera.
8. Always let faster hikers through. But don't be afraid to ask for help if needed.
9. Don't look down! Seriously, watch where you're stepping at all times. Your next step could be a flimsy rock and your last....
10. If it rains, postpone the hike. Slippery trails are not your best friend.

It helps to read up more on other people's experience and on Bukit Tabur itself. I recommend All about Tabur and Vertical Adventure. Have fun and be safe!

Cakes at The Red BeanBag @ Publika

Photo credit: The Red BeanBag

A friend's friend introduced us to the Red Beanbag in Publika after a two hours hike through Gasing Hill in Petaling Jaya recently. The hike was exhausting but fun and we felt that after burning all those calories, we deserved a reward. In the form of cake.



Photo credit: The Red BeanBag

My friend's friend, Sher Lyn mentioned a friend's cafe in Publika that had the most amazing cakes. And that was how we ended up at this adorable restaurant overlooking the Square, near the Bee's and Plan B.


Photo credit: The Red BeanBag

We got there about lunch time and the place was buzzing with people waiting for a table. Fortunately we had the foresight to grab a bite at the food court downstairs which prevented us from salivating over the other customer's food. I heard people would wait 45 minutes to be seated, indicating the popularity of this place.

Pardon the poor quality pictures of the food as it had been an impromptu trip and I only had my phone with me. I had to steal some of the interior shots from their official facebook page here.

The interior design and ambience of the restaurant immediately reminded me of Australia and my friends from there quickly confirmed this, noting the cardboard menus and bottles of water to help yourself to on each table. The entire place, althought crowded, gave off a warm welcoming feeling that just invites you to come in and chill out for the rest of the day. Preferably with a cuppa and a slice of their yummy cake.

As soon as we were seated, I headed to the cake display to check out their cakes. Sher Lyn recommended the Rum and Raisin Mille Crepe cake (RM14.90) which was too die for! As soon as we dug in, we relapsed into silence to fully appreciate the smoothness of the cake and the mixture of sweetness with clear flavour of rum in it. It was slightly more expensive than the crepe cakes at Food Foundry but totally worth it! All of their crepe cakes are home made by Oneatezero and often sells like hot cakes!

 

 

I also ordered the Red Velvet cake (RM12.90) because I have been craving for one ever since trying the Starbuck's version. Sadly the Red Velvet was a disappointment as the cake was dry and crumbly while the layers of cream cheese were too thin and little. Perhaps it was because we had the Rum and Raisin before it which affected our taste buds but the Red Velvet was also lacking in sweetness.  

 

 

While we were there, Sher Lyn ordered a cup of coffee. It smelt divine! And that wasn't the only thing that smelt good there. The table across ours had the Mussels & Clams In Aromatic Wine Broth and the My Crustacean Cousin (Tiger Prawns, Scallops & Pipis Served With Freshly Pressed Tagliolini Pasta) that had us drooling despite our full tummies. We could smell the scents wafting through the air and we promised we would come again for a proper meal.

 

 

Service was prompt and efficient, I have no complains about that. The restaurant decor is just lovely and in the mood of Chinese New Year. The pricing of the cakes are slightly more expensive than what I am used to but the Rum and Raisin crepe cake is worth every cent and considering the location, I believe the prices are justified. I will certainly come back again, this time with a bigger group of friends, my trusty cameras and an empty tummy to try everything.

 

Aw, dammit. I've gotten hungry again just from writing this review. Oh and by the way, the Red Beanbag is also pet-friendly, ringing up another plus point in my books!

The Red Beanbag

Add: Lot A4-1-08, Level 1, (overlooking The Square)

Solaris Dutamas, Mont Kiara

50480 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: +6 03-6211 5116
Hours: Tue-Fri, 10am-10pm;

Sat & Sun 9:30am-10pm,

closed on Mondays

 

Photo credit: The Red BeanBag

 



 *********

To all my readers,

Happy Chinese New Year!

Have a safe journey and happy eating!

Captain America's New Leading Lady

Rumour has it that Emily VanCamp will be starring opposite Chris Evan's Steve Rogers in the sequel of Captain America.

Who is Emily VanCamp you ask? (Have you been living in a cave for the past few years?) You may recognise her from Brothers & Sisters as Rebecca Harper and more recently as Emily Thorne in the hit TV series Revenge. If all talks go well with the producers, VanCamp will soon be making the leap from the small screen to the big screen with the very high possibility of playing Captain America's new love interest, Sharon Carter.

Emily VanCamp as Sharon Carter?

In the comics, Sharon Carter is the niece of Steve's former flame, Peggy Carter who was played by Hayley Atwell in the first Captain America movie. As there's no possible way to bring Peggy back in the fold, it has been confirmed that Atwell will not be returning for the sequel. Sharon is also an agent of SHIELD which is probably where she and Steve will be crossing paths.

Bye, Peggy.

Personally I am thrilled that VanCamp might be starring in the Marvel movie franchise. She has been one of my favourite actresses due to her ability to portray the dual-facade of the elegant and lady-like socialite Emily Thorne and the harden, manipulative Amanda Clarke out to avenge her father's wrongful death. Did I mention she is not only the brains of manipulation but knows how to kick butt as well? If VanCamp can hold her own as the main character in a two-season series, her future is looking bright on the big screen.

I really do hope the directors and producers make Sharon a well-fleshed out character with an important role in the movie plot, not some damsel-in-distress like Mary Jane Watson. Peggy sure wasn't a damsel in distress and it makes no sense if her niece was. Of course, strong women will be plentiful in this movie as Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and Robin Sparkles Cobie Smulders as Maria Hill have been reported to be reprising their roles.

The sequel is titled Captain America: The Winter Soldier which means, (if you follow the comic or the series) Bucky Barnes, played by Sebastian Stan will be making his return. The plot is kind of obvious for fans of the Avengers but it will be interesting to see how it all goes down. 

The sequel will also star Anthony Mackie as Falcon, a winged superhero who will probably be Cap's new sidekick. Now this new addition, I am a little 'um-meh' to accept but we'll see how the writers and director will weave their magic when the movie comes out next year.

That's right! Captain America: The Winter Soldier will only be coming out in 2014. Until then, we'll just have to contend ourselves with Iron Man 3 (May 3) and Thor: The Dark World (Nov 8). So female fans of Chris Evans/Captain America and guys fans of Emily VanCamp will just have to keep it in their pants for the time being.

"I make stars & stripes look cool.'

No biggie. *goes off to download all of Chris Evans' movies*

myBurgerLab @ Seapark review

Hey, guys!

 

I know I haven't been updating as frequently as before. My thesis assignment has begun and I am now mostly overwhelmed with terms like 'conceptualising', 'theory', 'feminist', 'content analysis' and 'methodology'. So please bare with me and I'll try to update as often as possible!

 

Now on to the food review.

~.~.~.~.~.~

I have been hearing a lot about myBurgerLab located in Seapark and decided to dropby to see what the fuss was about. As a regular visitor to Seapark for years, it was surprising that this location was picked for what will become a popular burger joint.

I got there on a Saturday evening at about 7pm and walked out with my burger at 8pm. Yup, it was a one-hour experience of queing up and waiting for the famous charcoal-bun-burger.

The long line outside of about ten people did little to deter me as I quickly found a parking space and joined the queue. The queue weaved all the way into the shop where it was was jammed pack with ravenous people happily munching away at their burgers. I should mention that the line was due to the popularity of the burgers, NOT because of inefficiency because myBurgerLab provides very efficient and helpful service.

Next to the "Order Here" counter was the blackboard menu written out in colourful chalk, like in primary school. Carnivores have the option of either beef or/and chicken while vegetarians can go for the vege burgers. There is apparently a secret menu that offers the Elvis burger. Intriguing, right? If you are uncertain of what to try, there is a friendly staff at hand to make recommendations.

I ordered two burgers, takeaway because there was no place to sit. There was a pickup counter where you'll find an African staff shouting out your names for you to pick up your orders. The diversity amongst the workers and teamwork there was impressive and highly recommendable. Maybe a certain government should take tips from myBurgerLab on how to unite a country.

Through a common love for food.

Speaking of love for food, I ordered the ala carte Say Cheese and the A+.

Say Cheese was practically oozing with sharp chedder. The entire patty was coated in cheese with a bed of lettuce and mushroom. The patty was tender, succulent and juicy. And the buns were fluffy, soaking up the sauce and cheese well.

The A+ was indeed deserving of its grade. The caremelised onions and shikate and enoki mushrooms added a sweet kick to the ever yummy patty topped with sharp chedder. I must say my favourite part was the crunchy cheese bits which I left for last.

myBurgerLab also offers Smooshie, a refreshing juice drink that comes at RM5. I ordered the mandarin orange and lychee drink with wolfberry bits inside, a seasonal special. Yummy!

 

If you order the set, the burgers comes with highly recommended oregano fries and a drink. Drinks are refillable by the way for dine-ins. Despite the one-hour queue, I would like to go back and try their other burgers there, especially the mysterious Elvis burger. But this time, I'll definitely come earlier to secure a seating place and a chance to fully relish their burgers with fries this time.

Details:
myBurgerLab
14, Jalan 21/22,
SeaPark, 46300 PJ,
Selangor.
Hours: Tuesdays – Sundays, 5.00pm – 11.00pm (closed on Mondays)
Contact them at their official FB page: https://www.facebook.com/myBurgerLab



Burgers, anyone?

Pet Project is back!

Mark your calenders and prepare to "get active to help save animals" because Pet Project Malaysia is back!

At a recent press conference at City Golf, BSC, the organisers of Pet Project in association with Expatriate Lifestyle Magazine have officially announced the return of the event with a performance by Sabrina Saw's own little Chicka's followed by a quick golf session with one of their sponsors, City Golf.

Pet Project Malaysia press conference.

 Here are your need-to-know info!

What is Pet Project?

Project Malaysia was founded by Sabrina Saw who wanted to unite her love for dance and animals for a good cause. In 2012, Pet Project succeeded in raising RM23,000 through a series of activities consisting of dance, fitness and sports, which was donated to over nine animal welfare NGOs. Now in its second year, this event aims to raise awareness and funds for animal welfare within Malaysia which can only be achieved with the help of the public.

Sabrina Saw and her event partners

Sounds like fun! What activities will there be?

Pet Project Malaysia will be bringing in the top international and local dance, fitness and athletic names such as Tony Stone and Suzette Ackermann as well as various sport clinics and workshops for football, golf, rock climbing and other sports.

If you're into dancing (like me), then you don't want to miss this event and a chance to learn from Tony Stone himself. Here'a preview of what he'll be bringing to  the table.

But I don't do sports. What other activities will there be?

For those who aren't into getting down and dirty with sweat, don't worry! There will also be a carnival, shopping bazaar, auction, F&B, arts and crafts, animal welfare booths and many more things for you to see and do. So there are plenty of ways for you to spend your time and money for a good cause! NGOs will also be bringing a few animals for adoption so if you're thinking of adding a furkid to your family, do drop by!

Cool! So how much money do I need to bring?

A coupon system will be used at the event for everything. For example, a master class could range from 5-10 coupons per session while a rock climbing is 2 coupons per climb. Coupon books will be available for sale at RM50 per book on the day of the event.

All funds collected from coupon sales will be donated to participating NGOS. Alternatively, you can also drop by the NGO booths during the event to make a donation and to find out more on how you can help.

Okay, I am sold! When and Where?

Mark down these details:
Date: 23 March 2013, Saturday
Time: 9 - 6pm
Venue: The British International School of Kuala Lumpur

What can I do to sponsor or volunteer? 

As Pet Project Malaysia is a non-profit event, they are in need of sponsors and volunteers to help pull off this massive event. If you can help out, do contact them.

Where can I go for more info? 

Check out their website for more details by clicking on the image below!

Last question. Will you be there? 

Definitely! Look forward to seeing you there!

Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters Movie Review

This is a fairy tale we all grew up with. A story about two children, Hansel and Gretel who were abandoned in the woods and came upon a witch living in a cottage made of candy. She tries to eat them and they kill her by outwitting her. Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters continues this classical story with dark humour and lots of action scenes. Not to mention, a plenty of blood and gore splattering the screen almost every ten minutes or so.

Thanks to Nuffnang and UIP, I managed to catch the premiere screening of Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunter.

Gist
After their first witch kill as children, Hansel and Gretel have found their calling in life as Hawkeye and Buffy witch hunters for hire and rather successful ones at that. Although still suffering from abandonment issues, work is relatively easy for the orphaned siblings as witches' spells and curses do not work against them.

When the children of Augsburg, Germany (the country of the Brothers Grimm) are taken by the powerful sorceress Muriel (Famke Janssen), the mayor hires the siblings to find the children and to kill the witches. And from there, the witch hunt commences.

Jeremy Renner as Hansel.

Verdict
Admittedly I was a little skeptical about this movie seeing as there has been a trend of remaking classical fairy tales as movies in recent years. And I don't mean that in a Disney happy-ending-way. Just take a look at Amanda Seyfried's Red Riding Hood and Kirsten Stewart's Snow White. But because Jeremy Renner and Gemma Arterton were the titular characters and the main baddie was the former Jean Grey/Phoenix from the X-men trilogy, I placed Hansel and Gretel on my must-watch movie list for January 2013.

Gemma Arterton as Gretel.

Storyline was fairly predictable but the blend of humour and action keeps the audiences either laughing or flinching on behalf of the characters whenever they take a hit because the action scenes do not hold back on the beatings. Adds a sense of realism to the protagonists I suppose. As for the humour, it's not just in the deadpanned lines delivered perfectly by Jeremy Renner and Gemma Arterton but also in the subtle hints of popular cultural references throughout the movie that may or may not be making fun of other movies (or maybe that's just me).

Here are a few hints:
Edward is a troll.
The Blood Moon was also mentioned in another fairy tale-turned-movie.
A mother's love knows no boundaries (or movie-verse)

Famke Janssen as Muriel

Famke Janssen radiates badass as Muriel although I felt they overdid it with her witch appearence. Famke is a great actress and I think it would have added more dimensions to her character to play a witch in human skin instead of a blue-eyed, wrinkly banshee majority of the time. After all, she did play the most powerful character in the Marvel-verse (also decked out in leather, if I might add).

Would I watch it again?
Rated R for a good reason, Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunter serves up an entertaining dark comedy action movie with eyecandy for both guys and girls. However I did come out of the cinema wanting more as it felt as though something was missing. It doesn't excite me the way the Avengers did nor did it leave me intrigued like Inception. I don't know what yet but when I do know, I'll let you know.

But yeah, I would watch it again because it is not often I come across a movie that doesn't hold back on the blood and gore and that stars Jeremy Renner.

Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters hits the big screen on 24 January 2013.

Chef & Brew@Bukit Damansara

If you're looking for a restaurant for an intimate gathering of friends and family, then Chef & Brew, Bukit Damansara might just be the place for you. My friend, Celine decided to celebrate her xx (shh, it's a secret) birthday there. 

 

As we were there on a Saturday night, parking was no issue. The restaurant itself wasn't full but had a consistent crowd coming in and leaving throughout the night. I guess we were the noisiest group there that night with the exception of a family with a wailing baby.

The restaurant consisted of an outdoor and indoor dining area, both offering a cosy and comfortable ambiance for you to just sit back, relax and eat. Our group was seated by a wall of ingredients, liqour and random items, resembling the backdrop setup of G3, Bangsar (or is it the other way around?)

Celine had worked out a fixed menu with the restaurant to cater to everyone's preference and the menu was as such:

To kick off the dinner, we were served with toasted bread and butter. I prefer buns over bread when in a restaurant and this bread just didn't do it for me too. It was too tough when bitten into, indicating the lack of freshness. The butter was yummy though.

CNB's Chilli Lamb was a letdown because it was too spicy and soaked in oil. It was served on a papadum which had 'masuk angin' and had soaked in the oil from the lamb curry.

CNB's Chilli Lamb

Cheese wanton & deep fried sotong

The cheese wanton and deep fried sotong wasn't too bad although the sotong was a tad too rubbery. The cheese wanton was my favourite appetizer, filled with delicious cheesy goodness.

Grilled Chicken fillet with roast sauce.

I ordered the grilled chicken with roast sauce. The sauce was too salty for my liking but the chicken fillet was perfectly cooked. I liked it so much I stole my sister's share. My mom and dad ordered the fish and chips and the spaghetti turkey ham and wild mushroom olio which were just above average. Nothing really stood out from these two dishes. 

Fish and chips

spaghetti turkey ham and wild mushroom oglio

Once everyone had settled in from the main course, the birthday celebration commenced with cake(s), a lot of picture taking and friendly banter.

Photo time!

We're all crazy people!

 We had many many flavours of Secret Recipe cakes and as usual, their cheesecakes do not disappoint. By the end of the night, we were all so full, rounded and happy....

Thank you, Celine for inviting my family and I for this special celebration and 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! 

The birthday girl and her plate of many cakes!

While we were there, I could smell the sizzling steak from another table which smelt promising. Chef & Brew carries an extensive menu of western and local dishes at reasonable prices. Despite this so-so experience, I wouldn't mind coming back to Chef & Brew to try its sizzling steak and its desserts as I have heard good reviews of their desserts. Any takers?


Details:
Chef & Brew 
1 Jalan Medan Setia 1,
Bukit Damansara, 50490
Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03 - 2095 9799
Hours: 11am-late