England, Revisited

Never have I imagine that I could go back to England so soon when I just left the country in 2011. So, using my brother as a valid reason, my family and I boarded the flight by KLM from Penang all the way to Newcastle upon Tyne.

It was a pleasant and smooth flight. The cabin attendants were all friendly and generous. So, apart from not being able to sleep for long time, everything else was fine. The flight experience with KLM was good.

I was not prepared for what my family and I had to go through at the UK Border immigration counter at Newcastle airport. We were held back for awhile because I used to live in the UK for some time and when they checked my passport, a little history of my past appeared in their system.

Back in 2009 after my BVC studies, I applied for the post study work visa. It was not a smooth application in that it was rejected the first time due to my graduation date. The Home Office could not verify my graduation or completion of studies date. At that time, i had to resit two papers and therefore my graduation was in December instead of July like everybody else in my class.

So, fortunately, after all my explanations, the immigration officer kindly told me to bring my old passport along as it contained all my travelling history in the UK. The new one was literally brand new and so it didnt help much. Neither do my old passport number or my British National Insurance number would be able to tell the immigration officer of my travelling history.

I was never deported nor refused entry in the United Kingdom or any parts of the world and so this was quite a traumatic experience for me. I am glad that the officers in Newcastle airport believed in me and had recommendation submitted to the Home Office for the deletion of the appeal application back in 2009.

So, a lesson learnt when visiting the UK was to always bring your old passport along with the new one for verification purpose.

Kai Curry Bar by Umai Kitchen @ Jalan Phuah Hin Leong, Penang

I got to know about this place through a friend's post in Instagram last month and I thought, hey this is new. We have plenty of Japanese restaurants in Penang but not a curry bar! Before visiting the BBW2015 at Times Square, we decide to have lunch first and off to Kai Curry Bar we go. 

From Jalan Burmah (coming from Penang Plaza / Larut Road direction), Jalan Phuah Hin Leong is on your right just after the Ears-Nose-Throat (ENT) clinic on your right. If you missed the turning to this, you can also reach this place through Jalan Tavoy, Jalan Chow Thye and Jalan Servis. Jalan Phuah Hin Leong is a two-way street, so be careful of oncoming cars when turning in. Then, don't drive too fast otherwise you will miss this curry bar on the left. You may park in front of other people's businesses/houses just few doors down from the curry bar (if lucky). 

 A simple introduction

 It is closed on Sundays to Mondays. Do take note! 

Not sure if they take reservations because they have only limited tables for parties of more than 5. 

 Their mascots are dinosaurs drawn by Kai Oliver Furukawa, the little boy of the owners. 

You get to see his drawings first hand at the cashier's counter. 

If not, all over the place. All too adorable. 

Complimentary side dishes - potato salad and pickled lotus root vegetables and complimentary refillable drink - Roasted Barley Tea (Mugi Cha) to go with your rice and curry. 

 One of their signature curries. 

 The front part of the curry bar. 

 More of Kai's drawings on the ceiling

Their menu, neatly written and nicely decorated and plenty of variety to choose from.
Seafood, poultry, fish or meat. 

Cutlery and napkins will be placed in here depending on how many pax. 

Complimentary side dish - potato salad with wakame and black sesame seeds

Complimentary pickled vegetables

My sister ordered the Pork Hamburg. The meatballs are infused with Italian herbs and goes really well with the pork based curry. 

Whereas I had Pork Katsu (Breadcrumbs) Curry with vegetarian based curry. I liked the vegetarian based curry as it contains chick peas and green peas to compliment the curry sauce and the dish as a whole. 

Overall, we love the place. A nice family run curry bar and we were serenaded with J-Pop while enjoying our meal. We will definitely go back again and this time with the rest of my family. 

Kai Curry Bar by Umai Kitchen

No. 15, Jalan Phuah Hin Leong,
10050 Penang
Tel: 04-226 0322
Opening hours: Tuesdays-Saturdays (11am-3pm & 6-11pm only)
Umai Kitchen's Facebook page

G&L in Dubai 2015 - Day 3

Day 3 - itinerary
City Tour
- Dubai Museum
- Bur Dubai & Meena Bazaar
- Jumeira Mosque (watch n go)
- Jumeira Beach
- Burl Al Arab (at a distance)
- Souk Madinat Jumeirah
- Gold Souk
- Dubai Mall
- Dubai Fountain Show
- Marina View

I'll let the photos do the talking. Overal, the whole city is painted in just one shade - gold. Hence, the city is a really good place for photographs. Wear bright and striking colours and it would be great.

The city of gold. Living the dream. 

The whole city is clean, neat and posh. 

Yet to see the poor side of the city. 

First stop, the Dubai Museum to learn about the history of the city. 

With Mei

The kitchen used to be like this last time

This was where the locals use to sleep 

Air-conditioner looks like this in the past

The almighty abra, a very important mode of transport until today

Their mosque have really tall arches

Bur Dubai Meena Bazaar, very near to the Bur Dubai abra station. 

Jumeira mosque. 

It's a shame that we missed the guided tour time slot at 9am. 

Oh well, the beach was not bad with this view from far. 

Lots of people, foreignors mainly. 

How can you forget about ice cream at the beach? 

AED 10 for vanilla and other soft serve ice cream flavours. 

Yet another short time at another popular place - Souk Madinat Jumeirah

Souk means market and this is one posh market unlike other markets such as gold, spice and textiles. 

The lamps were lovely. Made of tainted and colourful glass. 

An idea of what to get as souvenirs. Camels are cute. 

Man made creek at the souk 

An upclose view of the Burj Al Arab

 At the Gold Souk

 Be inspired! 

 Chilling on our way back to the meeting point

 Saudi Cool - a mix of apple juice, 7-up and soda with apples and oranges and some mint

AED30 per jar. 

 Chicken Shawarma - AED 5 (some sort of chicken wrap)

 At the Sheikh's palace where peacocks roamed freely. 

 A massive courtyard outside of the palace

 The entrance to the palace

 Our company - Pg, Bw and KL branches combined. 

 Dubai Mall Aquarium and Underground Zoo

Sunset view again at 6pm. All waiting for the fountain show.  

 Souk Al Bahar behind me. 

 It is only one song per half an hour. So, the opening song is Arabic followed by English, Indian and Chinese. 

 The majestic Dubai Mall, biggest in the world. 

All lit up, La Fayette gallery at the end of the road. 

 Going for dinner at the Marina, new Dubai City where skyscrapers are its main residents.  

 Can you see the 90 degrees twisted shaped building?? 

End of our day, heading back to the hotel for a good rest.