Dongzhi in Ipoh: Where I Wish Time Would Stand Still

Today marks my 11th day back in Ipoh, and honestly, I wish I could stay here forever. There’s something deeply comforting about being home with my parents — the familiar rhythms, the unspoken understanding, and the quiet joy of simply being. Life here feels slower, softer, and more intentional. I wake up without rush, eat…

Choosing Simple Joys in Ipoh

Today was one of those quietly meaningful days — ordinary on the surface, but deeply grounding. I accompanied my parents to the bank to settle some Safe Deposit Box matters. No rush, no stress, just the three of us moving through errands at a gentle pace. After banking, we stopped by a furniture shop, browsing…

A Smooth Ride Home: Back to Ipoh With My Soul Cat, Haru

The drive back to Ipoh on 10 December 2025 felt… different this time. Maybe it was because I went home without any of my daughters following me, maybe it was the familiar comfort of going home, or maybe—just maybe—it was because my little shadow, Haru, handled the entire journey like a seasoned traveller. For the…

A Heartwarming Encounter

During my recent trip back to Ipoh to celebrate my parents’ birthdays, Cass and I had a heartwarming encounter with a kind and generous old man that left a lasting impression. This encounter warmed our hearts and rekindled our faith in humanity. In the evening, Cass and I took a long walk to the roadside…

Exploring the Charm of Qing Xin Ling Leisure & Cultural Village in Ipoh

Nestled within the majestic limestone hills of Gunung Rapat in Ipoh, Qing Xin Ling Leisure & Cultural Village is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. This remarkable cultural park offers a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural experiences, making it a must-visit tourist spot for anyone exploring the vibrant city of Ipoh. During…

Ipoh Trip (13 – 15 March 2023)

I’ve not had a chance to celebrate my birthday with my parents for the last few years because of the darn pandemic. This year the timing was right – It was Sherilyn’s last day of SPM and Cass still had a few more days of school holidays, so I booked two train tix and hopped…

Ipoh Trip (13 – 15 March 2023)

Day 1 – Monday, 13 March 2023 My trip to Ipoh to visit my parents was only confirmed on Saturday, which was pretty last minute. Luckily there were still tickets available on the KTM booking app. But we were seated separately (separated by the aisle), though Cass was just on my right side. Too bad…

Ipoh Trip (8 – 10 June 2022)

After 2 years 4 months I finally made a trip back to Ipoh with Cass. We took the 8.47 a.m. ETS train from KL Sentral to Ipoh. Traffic was super duper bad and we really thought that we would miss the train. Gawd, I was so so tensed throughout the journey from our house to…

Nancy Chong’s Butter Icing Butter Cake

A good friend of hubs went to Ipoh and got him the much raved about Nancy Chong butter icing butter cake as Christmas gift.  I’ve heard and read so much about Nancy Chong’s cake but never had the chance to try it until today.  And it’s really delicious, although we find the icing too sweet….

Movie Animation Park Studios (MAPS), Ipoh

After lunch at the celebrated Thean Chun kopitiam, followed by a walk down the famed Concubine Lane, we went on a jaunt around Ipoh city, with no specific destination in mind. There were 9 of us in the MPV.  Whenever we’re back in Ipoh together, hubs and I love going for a spin in the…

Trip Back To Ipoh (16 – 18 June 2018)

Our stay in Ipoh during the mid-term school holidays this time was a short 3 days 2 nights trip. We couldn’t go back at an earlier date as mum, papa and Roy were still in East Europe. When they returned, it was already the end of the first of two weeks of  school holidays. We…

Tour Of Gua Tempurung, Gopeng

Today papa drove us to Gua Tempurung, one of the largest limestone caves in Peninsular Malaysia.  Ever since the North South Highway was opened over 20 years ago and  Gua Tempurung made visible to all who travel on the highway, I’ve been wanting to visit this magnificent cave with a breathtaking view. We left the…

Pancakes And Hakka Noodles To Die For

And these are available right smack in my hometown of Ipoh, a few minutes drive away from my parents at an unassuming coffee shop named Kedai Makanan dan Minuman Taman Timur. Whenever we are back in Ipoh, we, especially the hungry big man often gorge ourselves silly like a glutton. It’s as if our metabolic rate…

Deepavali Holiday (Ipoh – 20 Oct 2017)

Activities on the 3rd day in Ipoh: Cass helped around the kitchen. She peeled a pile of pink Barlotti beans for making soup… … and helped her granny  bake an Ogura pandan cake. It was the first time my mum baked Ogura cake in pandan flavor and it did not turn out as well as…

Trip Back To Ipoh (18 Oct 2017)

I got up at 4:45 a.m. on a very lovely Wednesday today. We have a mission and that’s to reach the KL Sentral station by 8 a.m. to have breakfast before catching the 8:30 a.m. ETS to Ipoh. After 2 rounds of laundry and some house chores, I woke the girls up to get them…