DRIVING UP TO THE MOST POPULAR SPOT IN PENYABONG

   29th JUNE 2026       ~ The most popular spot in Penyabong would be Bukit Penyabong, the hill where one could find the best viewpoint of the ocean. Many people posted their photos here on social media, making it one congested space on weekends and public holidays.

We went there after breakfast [READ HERE] and at about 9:00 p.m. on a working day, we had the place all to ourselves. There was a group of 4 young ladies who were there earlier and were busy striking poses in all the strategic places. We decided to wait until they were done so as not to shortlive their excitement.

The drive up the hill was adventurous enough for me as the road was narrow and the ascending trip up the hill was steep. The space to park the car was also very small. I wonder what would happen when there was a large crowd here.

There were just two activities that took place here: [1] Admiring the picturesque view from atop of the hill [2] Taking as many photos as possible. The best time to visit this place was either early in the morning during working days, or else you might have to fight to get the best frame with no one inside the photos.

THE CONCLUDING GASTRONOMIC ADVENTURE OF THE MELAKA TRIP

   21ST JULY 2026    ~ After checking out from the hotel, we decided to stop for lunch before heading back to Johor Bahru. My travel partner, Mr. Redzuan, had already chosen Kafe Pondak Santapan, located somewhere in Bukit Rambai.

The concept of this shop was the vendor that sold variety of pre-packed food items and dessert, and the food was not cooked and prepared in the outlet. People either dined in or took away and only drinks were sold over the counter.

The dining area was located on the first floor. It was a self-service restaurant and one could only meet the staff at the counter most of the time.

The place must be popular among the locals as there was a crowd buying downstairs during lunch hour, and most of them came for takeaways.

chocolate avocado

Mango Crepe

I even managed to buy frozen food to bring back home from this place. Definitely a new kind of eating experience for me and it seemed it was getting more popular especially with the young ones these days.

THE UNPLANNED GASTRONOMIC ADVENTURE FOR DINNER IN MELAKA

    21ST JULY 2026    ~ When you did not plan the itinerary during your trip properly, then you could not even decide where to go for dinner. Consequently, we just randomly went to this restaurant named Restoran Shaslinda, located in a block near Menara Taming Sari [but facing the other side]. We were walking somewhere near Jonker Street before that but could find an eating place. Furthermore, we were a bit late for dinner after the Encore Melaka show before that [READ HERE].

tom yum

steamed fish

omelette

We were the only diners at that hour, other people were already in bed. At the same time, the location of the restaurant was a bit hidden. We actually asked a shop assistant from a shop we went to before dinner for recommendation, then only we got to know about this place.

Fortunately, the Thai food was good and we were happy that we chose to eat there. However, I need to bear in mind not eat dinner that late anymore as the digestive system went haywire after that and disrupted my sleep.

SPOT THE ERROR 233

ERROR #1

started set vs. starter set

ERROR #2

tradisi Har Gao vs. traditional Har Gao

ENCORE MELAKA REVISITED

    20TH JULY 2026    ~ The main agenda of the Melaka trip this time was to watch and introduce the theatre "Encore Melaka". This was my second time at the theatre, the first time was back in 2018 [READ HERE]. I wanted to introduce the show my friend, Mr. Redzuan, who seemed to be keen in watching.

The hall was about 50% full on Monday evening. One side of the seats was filled with busload of school children.

VIDEO #1

VIDEO #2

VIDEO #3

VIDEO #4

The show that I watched was almost the same with the one presented 8 years ago. However, the old one was longer and more elaborate. The new one was simplified and there were scenes that was cut off, I think.

VIDEO #5: The show I recorded and uploaded on Youtube in 2018.

It was customary to take photos around the iconic theatre building on the reclaimed land. We even managed to catch the sunset before going home. I did the same when I was there the first time [READ HERE].

You can buy the tickets online and it cost RM78 for Malaysian citizen. I bought from Agoda and got RM10 cheaper. You must watch Encore at least once. By the way, there was another show with a different theme in the afternoon which would be something new.

One thing worth mentioning, I found the seat was very uncomfortable. It was hard and the leg space was too small especially for a long-legged person like me. I wonder if the management could do something about it.