Ipoh

25.11.11-27.11.11

We had decided to stop off in Ipoh for a couple of days before taking the bus

to the Cameron Highlands, which not many people decide to do. However we

really enjoyed our stay here, particularly for the food (notice a theme here?!).

On our first night we made a bee-line straight for a Lonely Planet recommended

eatery where they served boiled chicken and beansprouts. On this occasion LP

were spot on. The chicken was tender and succulent and the beansprouts were fat

and juicy. It doesn't immediatly strike you as a particularly appealing meal but

this was one of the best meals we've had on our trip so far. As we sat outside

on the street the rain cam hammering down on the corrugated roof above us and

the thunder and lightning began to come closer and closer together. Until

there was a huge 'CRACK' and a flash and we realised the lightning had struck the

pavement a few feet away from us. It certainly made us jump and added a bit of drama

to our meal!

Once the rain had eased off we walked back towards our hotel stopping off at

an upmarket bakery for some treats. We were so excited at the

selection of pastries, cookies, cheese cakes and gateaux before us. We managed

to reign in the impulse to purchase one of each and instead bought a cookie each

and a slice of cheese cake to share, which we eeked out through the course of the

evening, savouring every mouthful. I have to say they weren't up to standards at

home but nonetheless still an adequate replica!

On the theme of food, we also tried the famous Ipoh White Coffee while we were here.

It was really cheap and good, quite sweet. With our coffee we also enjoyed some

small crumbly pineapple pastries. 2 coffees and 2 pastries for about £3 - bargain!

One evening we went to the children's playground which is surrounded by food stalls.

There we had some chicken satay and nasi goreng with fried chicken while watching a

mother cat and her 4 tiny kittens frolicking around her.

Earlier in the day we had visited a nearby pet shop which I had had to drag Martin away

from as they had lots of adorable puppies. They also had Hippo Guineapigs, which I

had never seen before, strange looking bald guinea pigs! In addition the shop had a

large selection of reptiles, snakes and terripins and persian kittens.

Ipoh isn't a large town but has quite alot of character. It is organised in blocks of

traditional merchant houses, most quite scruffy looking retaining their original

shutters. Hence it is quite an interesting town to wander around and interest is added

when you stop off at the wide range of eateries around town.

We got lucky and happened to be there during a rugby tournament between university and

college teams. Not the first sport you expect to see being played locally in Malaysia.

And I have to say many of the team members didn't seem to have the ideal physique for

rugby, many being rather more skinny and short than you would think ideal, or over weight!

Never-the-less the standard improved thoughout the afternoon as the tournament progressed

and made for an entertaining afternoon.

And that was Ipoh!