Ancient China Hack and Slash with Three Kingdoms

Published by simon on February 21, 2011

I’m watching the super-long series “Three Kingdoms” on DVD, currently also showing on Astro on Demand. There are 95 episodes (yes, NINETY FIVE) and I’ve only passed episode 13 so its a long, long, long way to go.

I’d thought I would have given up after 1 or 2 episodes since my Mandarin (listening and speaking) is rudimentary at best, but actually the series isn’t so difficult to follow. Of course, I definitely need to pay close attention and have the Chinese dictionary on standby on my Android phone (this awesome app). And after every episode I usually have to go online to read up a little on the story synopsis to fill in the gaps where I don’t follow the dialogue (and trust me, this series is REALLY heavy on dialogue…). With all the research my wife says its like I’m taking an exam.

Considering I’ve never watched a Mandarin series in my life, why am I watching this? (No wait i think i watched that weepy Koo Sin Lian on Sunday afternoons back when I was a kid).

Well, back when i was in uni, my friends were really crazy about this game called Romance of the Three Kingdoms II by Koei. It was a strategy game based on the Chinese classic text, and as we spend long nights conquering the Middle Kingdom on our PCs, my roommate who has read the book before would tell me about the story. That’s where I heard all the fascinating tales about Liu Bei, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei who swore their brotherhood in a peach orchard, the genius of Zhuge Liang, the Machiavellian Cao Cao and his clan and Lu Bu, the greatest warrior in land.

Of course I realize for me to read the Chinese classic would be impossible, and over the years I’ve seen the 2 English translations available. Both are difficult to read, with much of the beauty and nuances of the original lost.

So back to the series. It’s amazing how these ‘unofficial’ versions can cram 95 episodes into 4 DVDs. But beats watching the jerky online version anyday.

CNY Travels: Cendol in Pasir Pinji, Ipoh

Published by simon on February 18, 2011

It’s been awhile since I’ve been here, was back in Ipoh for 3 days for my father-in-law’s funeral.

During CNY in Ipoh, I went looking for a cendol guy who purportedly makes the best stuff in town. Finding him was a little difficult, though, I had only sketchy instructions like ‘just before the Padang Kilat in Pasir Pinji’. If you’ve been to Pasir Pinji in Ipoh, you’d know there are many roads with even more stalls everywhere.

Finally found him matching the description. Yes, his stall is located under a tree in front of a row of homes, just before the Padang Kilat. An old blue tricycle cart, a few worn plastic stools, and a couple of old (presumably TNB) cable rollers for tables.

So here’s the cendol. It doesn’t look much, but its quite good, not as sweet as the usual stuff. Could have been colder, though.

The guy is really friendly, when i was rummaging thru the pockets to find 20 sen (RM1.60 per bowl, so two was RM3.20) he kept saying “tak payah, lain kali pun boleh…”

CNY Travels: Part 1

Published by simon on February 9, 2011

Happy Birthday, everyone. I’m actually on medical leave today, the cough and sore throat i’ve had over a month has finally caught with me this morning.

Anyways it was a pretty subdued CNY for us, but it was enjoyable nonetheless. The weather was cool (for once!) As usual we took our time to taste some of the famous foodstuff around the city, mostly through recommendations. It was a bonus that we were in Ipoh one week before New Year, everyone was still full swing in business.

This is one of the best kaya puffs I’ve ever tried. My brother in law says the lady boss was very arrogant, but she was very patient with us. On the wall behind the cashier, you can see the pictures of the owners (an elderly couple) travelling the world – Egypt, Paris, US, etc. I guess they know how to enjoy the fruits of their labour.

Across the shop on Clare Street / Jalan Mustapha Al-Bakry, is an unassuming art supplies / stationery store.

Outside it looks no different from the dozens in Old Town, but this shop has the cheapest fine art supplies I’ve seen, and they stock watercolours/oil/acrylics. Managed to get 4 new colours at an unbelievable RM2.30 each.

Sunday night we drove down to Menglembu again, this time for the famed streetside wantan mee.

For about RM2.00, you can swallow everything down in two gulps. But you can always order, another, and another, and another…

Of course no passing up the fried chicken there.

Every year we get our yee sang from Tuck Kee. The original shop in Pasir Pinji has undergone renovation, they look like an upmarket restaurant now. But the food is still as tasty and popular.

Sunday brunch… where to go? Tired of the usual dim sum places with their crowded tables and unfriendly staff, we went for an old-timers favourite – Ying Fa.

I’m surprised why there aren’t more people here anymore. The food is great (not changed much since the 70′s) and the people are friendly.

Most of the time I was at home playing mahjong or watching the Australian Open. My daughter had a great time with the cutest baby in the world.

To be continued…