Mithi recently introduce a nice place in Penang called Sunset Bistro.  Its a bistro by the beach with Sunset at the backdrop and Reggae to fill the ambiance.  The place is pretty cool, filled with yuppies drinking their Heinekens, Budweiser’s and mostly Tigers and Carlsberg.  Many just order finger food, enjoy their chilled beer, the sunset and the beach.  Its truely a nice place to hang out, especially in the evening during the sunset.  We left after the sun went down and didn’t stay to find out what happens next, it does feels like a pub by the beach which is pretty cool.  Food is not bad, not that cheap as well, but with the ambiance, its well worth it.  Sometimes, there are bikini clad babes enjoying banana boat or parachute ride.  At moments I didn’t feel like in Malaysia, its like in the movies, especially with the Reggae background music.  This place is located in Ferringghi after the Holiday Inn coming from Georgetown.  Its worth a visit for locals and holiday makers.

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My monologue is still idling and worst, being tug away in the lowest corner of my bookshelf.  Its nice to own it, nice to look at it, but just can’t get any inspiration to fill it up.  I have all my bits and pieces of ticket stubs all waiting to get into the book.  I just don’t have the inspiration to get it started.  My monologue sketchbook on the other hand is also idling in the coffee table drawer.  Now, with business and work to concentrate on, time for self just takes back seat.  I guess that’s how life is.  Maybe in a couple of month’s time, when the dust settles down, there are more Me time. 

We were recommended this place by my wife’s colleague after we talked about Kalimans.  We were recommended the Chicken 65, Black Pepper Ladies Finger and the Briyani Rice.  The mango lassi was also recommended to taste like real mango.  Indeed it did, the texture was so smooth that it taste like a real mango.  So, that is another must try at Karaikudi.  The Chicken at first was a little sour, but slowly the taste grew on us. 

By the third piece, we were already enjoying it.  The blackpepper ladies finger was actually below expectation.  I was expecting a tangy ladies finger, with strong pepper taste.  It was neither.  For the benefit of Karaikudi, maybe the combination of food that we ordered did not serve it well.  The chicken on the other hand looked exactly like Tandoori Chicken, but it it taste nothing like it.  Full of spice marinated for 65 days, the little cutlets are just bursting with flavors. 

The tossai was special.  Its sweet, and the coconut and tomato puree that comes with it complements well.  We were the only Chinese there, and the rest of the patrons were Indian families.  This gives us the assurance that the food would be good, and in deed, it was great.  Other than the blackpepper ladies finger, we enjoyed all the dishes we ordered.

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The water works in Penang is partially government run. Like many government agencies, one expect them to be bloated and non-efficient. I was utterly surprise when the pipe infront of my house leaked and my experience with PBAPP altered my impression. It was already 9pm that I notice the water pipe meter leaking profusely. I checked the PBAPP website and found that they had a 24hr Hotline. Within 2 rings, a lady pick up the phone. I complaint my issue and she gave me a complaint number. At 8.30am the next morning, a truck with 6 guys and an Orange digger appear infront of my house. I was still in bed at that time. Immediately, they went to replace the pipe and off they go within 20 minutes.

Issue was close in about 12 hours time.  Why can’t all government agencies work like them? They are semi-government for one thing, but the efficiency should be modeled.