Great Place To Go... 无处不去: October 2025

Thursday, October 23, 2025

Travel: 2015 Langkawi 4D3N Trip

2015 Langkawi 4D3N Trip

Langkawi, the Jewel of Kedah (Malay: Langkawi Permata Kedah), is a duty-free island and an archipelago of 99 islands (plus five small islands visible only at low tide in the Strait of Malacca).

To enter Langkawi, you can opt to access by:

Direct Flight: To Langkawi Airport via KLIA or Penang Airport
Passenger Ferry: To Kuah Ferry Terminal via Kuala Kedah or Kuala Perlis
Own Car: Use RoRo (Roll On – Roll Off Ferry) via Kuala Kedah or Kuala Perlis

It was many years ago since our self-drive trip to Langkawi. We drove own MPV into Langkawi via Kuala Perlis Port using Langkawi RoRo service. All cars that entering Langkawi need to reach the port 2 hours in advance for customs inspection purpose.

During 2015, the service charges for Langkawi Roro (Web Booking) were as below:

RM340/MPV + RM30/adult + RM20/child (Round Trip, Driver is FREE)

Now in 2025, the service charges for Langkawi Roro (Web Booking) are as below:

RM380/MPV + RM42/adult + RM21/child (Round Trip, Driver is FREE)

Details on other vehicle types, please refer to Langkawi RoRo Fare

It is worth to take Langkawi RoRo service if you are staying 3D2N or longer.

It was our 1st family trip into Langkawi with our own MPV. The journey was smooth and unforgettable. We don't need to load/unload big and small luggage but just to place them at the boot of the MPV. It is so hassle-free especially when there were 3 kids tag-along during that trip.

Approx. 2 hrs drive from Penang to Kuala Perlis RoRo Port

[Info @ Year 2015]

Langkawi RoRo: RM460 (3 adults + 3 kids + MPV)
Hotel Rate: RM200 ~ RM400/night
Island Hopping: RM30/adult + RM25/child (Elmi: 018-9430633)
Group of 6pax, averagely RM500/pax

[Itinerary]

Day #1:
06:00: Depart @ Perai, Penang
08:00: Breakfast @ Chuan Bee Cafe (Changlun)
09:00: Reach @ RoRo Jetty (Kuala Perlis)
11:00: Depart from RoRo Jetty
12:00: Lunch inside RoRo (pre-packed lunch)
13:00: Reach @ RoRo Jetty (Tg. Lembung, Langkawi)
14:00: Check-In @ Desa Terrace
15:00: Reach @ Island Hopping Jetty
[Tasik Dayang Bunting, Eagle Feeding, Pulau Beras Basah]
19:00: Dinner @ MayHian Seafood Restaurant (Pantai Cenang)
20:00: Pantai Cenang & Cenang Mall
22:00: Zzz... (Desa Terrace)

Day #2:
08:30: Morning Walk @ Desa Terrace
09:00: Breakfast @ Pantai Cenang
10:00: Laman Padi Langkawi
11:00: Oriental Village (3D Art)
13:00: Lunch @ Oriental Village
14:00: Oriental Village (SkyCab & Sky Bridge)
16:00: Air Hangat Village
17:00: Dinner @ New Water Garden Hawker Centre (Kuah)
18:00: Eagle Square
20:00: Langkawi Fair Shopping Mall
22:00: Zzz... (Desa Terrace)

Day #3:
08:30: Check-Out @ Desa Terrace
09:00: Breakfast @ Pantai Cenang
10:00: Buffalo Park (permanently closed)
11:00: Beras Terbakar & Makam Mahsuri
13:00: Lunch @ Z&F Restaurant (permanently closed)
14:00: Underwater World Langkawi
16:00: Check-In @ The Villa Langkawi
17:00: Swimming @ The Villa Langkawi
19:00: Dinner @ Wonderfood Restaurant (Kuah)
20:00: Duty Free Shopping (or nearby shops) / Night Market (Wed/Sat)
22:00: Zzz... (The Villa Langkawi)

Day #4:
08:30: Breakfast @ The Villa Langkawi
09:00: Free & Easy / Swimming
11:00: Check-Out @ The Villa Langkawi
12:00: Reach @ RoRo Jetty (Tg. Lembung, Langkawi)
13:00: Lunch @ Pizza Hut (Takeaway after Check-Out)
14:00: Depart from RoRo Jetty
16:00: Reach @ RoRo Jetty (Kuala Perlis)
18:30: Dinner @ 323 Seafood Restaurant (Butterworth)
20:30: Reach Home

[Accommodation]

Desa Terrace

The Villa Langkawi

[Other attractions not covered in this trip:]

Monday, October 20, 2025

Travel: PBC's Taiping 1D Trip

PBC's Taiping 1D Trip

Taiping is a historic city in Perak, Malaysia, known for its colonial architecture and natural attractions, which include the Taiping Lake Gardens — Malaysia's first public garden — and Bukit Larut hill resort. Historically, Taiping was an important administrative and tin-mining center during the British era.

太平是马来西亚霹雳州一座历史名城，以其殖民时期的建筑和自然景观而闻名，其中包括马来西亚首个公众湖畔花园——太平湖花园和拉律山度假村。历史上，太平曾是英国殖民时期重要的行政和锡矿开采中心。

Target Itinerary: 【目标行程】

[Note]: Click on each destination to link you to the GPS coordinate of the place.

[注]：单击每个目的地即可链接到该地点的 GPS 坐标。

Taiping Baptist Church 【太平浸信会】

In 1969, few families started gathered in Taiping to start a gospel ministry and in 1973, the Taiping Baptist Church was established.
1969年，在太平聚集几个家庭开展福音事工的预备，於1973年成立太平浸信会。

Aun Tong (Antong) Coffee Mill 【安东咖啡坊】

Aun Tong Coffee Mill is the oldest coffee mill in Malaysia. The coffee factory located in the main town of Taiping produces the Antong Café brand of coffee. It is also known for some other excellent produce of locally brewed coffee like Ipoh and Durian. The factory displays the procedure of how coffee is produced, roasted and processed.
安东咖啡坊是马来西亚最古老的咖啡坊。这家位于太平市中心的咖啡厂生产安东咖啡品牌的咖啡。它也因生产怡保咖啡和榴莲咖啡等其他优质本地咖啡而闻名。工厂展示了咖啡的生产、烘焙和加工流程。

Perak Museum 【霹雳州博物馆】

Locally referred to as Muzium Perak, the Perak State Museum is among the oldest structures in the country. Founded in 1883, the museum has a host of indoor and outdoor exhibits. The museum is home to age-old handicrafts, mannequins, and indigenous masks. It is open daily from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM and the entry fee is MYR$2 (local) and MYR$5 (foreign) per adult.
霹雳州博物馆（当地人称为Muzium Perak）是马来西亚最古老的建筑之一。该博物馆建于1883年，拥有众多室内外展览。馆内收藏着古老的手工艺品、人体模型和土著面具。博物馆每日上午9:00至下午6:00开放，成人入场费为马币2令吉（大马人）和马币5令吉（外国人）。

Kuala Sepetang (Port Weld) 【十八丁渔村】

The coastal town of Kuala Sepetang is located near Taiping in Perak State of Malaysia. This quaint fishing village is also popularly known as Port Weld and is worth visiting for its history, culture and food. Mangroves Swamp Forest Park and Charcoal Kilns are among the prime destinations in Kuala Sepetang.
沿海小镇瓜拉十八丁位于马来西亚霹雳州太平附近。这个古朴的渔村也被称为 Port Weld，其历史、文化和美食都值得一游。红树林沼泽森林公园和木炭窑是瓜拉十八丁的热门景点之一。

My Charcoal Factory (Charcoal Kilns) 【木炭窑】

My Charcoal Factory is among the oldest mangrove wood charcoal production industries in Malaysia, located near Taiping, Perak. In addition to being a production center, the charcoal factories are also a unique tourist attraction. Visitors can witness the charcoal-making process firsthand, from arranging the mangrove logs in the kilns to the final stages of baking. Experience an authentic tour of the factory which has been in the Chuah family since the late 1930s'. Details refer to [Kuala Sepetang’s Charcoal Makers]
My Charcoal Factory 这间木炭窑是马来西亚历史最悠久的红树林木炭生产厂之一，位于霹雳州太平附近。木炭窑不仅是生产中心，也是一处独特的旅游景点。游客可以亲眼见证木炭的制作过程，从将红树林木柴放入窑炉，到最后的烘烤阶段。体验这座自20世纪30年代末以来一直由蔡氏家族经营的工厂的原汁原味之旅。详情请参阅【参观十八丁炭窑】

Yang Yang Ho River Food (Bagan Samak) 【峇眼三目河鲜】

Bagan Samak refers to a mukim (sub-district) in the Bandar Baharu District of Kedah, Malaysia. It is the only Chinese New Village in the southern of Kedah, which established in 1951 by British government to combat the Malayan Communist Party. Villagers of Bagan Samak mainly engaged in farming. In recent years, they developed into fishing and were famous for their authentic freshwater fish and freshwater shrimp. Visitors can enjoy delicious, fresh, and mouth-watering river seafood in the village. There are several renowned river seafood restaurants within the village for you to choose from, e.g.: Yang Yang Ho River Food 洋洋好中泰河鲜 @ Bagan Samak
峇眼三目是马来西亚吉打州 Bandar Baharu 县的一个巫金（乡镇），也是吉打州南部唯一的华人新村，由英国政府于1951年为对抗马来亚共产党而建立。峇眼三目村民主要从事农业，近年来发展渔业，并以地道的淡水鱼和淡水虾而闻名。游客可以在村里品尝到美味、新鲜、令人垂涎的河鲜。村内有好几家著名的河鲜餐厅供您选择。探索新村：峇眼三目【上篇】与【下篇】

Other Recommendation (keep for future trip):

Local Eatery & Delicacies:

甘文丁阿英姐古早干捞面
Kedai Makanan & Minuman Ekonomi (阿嬤招牌面)
Kedai Makanan OK
Restoran Kakak (家家粿条汤)
Teochew People Cafe
Ansari Cendol (Cawangan Jalan Taming Sari)
PSL Goreng Pisang
Larut Matang Hawker Center • Food Court
Komorebi Desserts
Biskut Tupai Emas Taiping (Taman Sungai Mas)

Aulong Biscuit And Confectionery
Chok Kee Confectionery (Online Order / Booking)

Thursday, October 16, 2025

DIY Series 95: Amzchef Induction Cooker

Amzchef Induction Cooker (Right Side Hob Malfunction)

Symptoms:

Right side hob no longer working (no power) after accidentally placing incorrect pan onto it for a period of time.

Info-You-Must-Know:

Induction Cooker

An incorrect pan can cause an induction cooker IGBT to burn if the pan is too small, not centered, or has a non-magnetic base. This can cause the cooker's power electronics to overheat and fail, as the induction hob cannot properly create a magnetic field to heat the cookware, leading to a component like the IGBT burning out.
Energy Savings:

High thermal efficiency and low energy consumption make them more energy-efficient than infrared / ceramic cookers.

Advantages:

Fast heating, suitable for fast-paced cooking such as boiling, stir-frying, and hot pot.

Disadvantages:

Requires specific cookware material, typically requiring ferromagnetic cookware.

Infrared / Ceramic Cooker

Using an incorrect pan on an infrared cooker typically causes poor heating performance and inefficiency but does not risk damage the appliance itself. The infrared cooker's radiant heat technology is compatible with all types of heat-resistant cookware, unlike induction cooktops that require magnetic pans.
Energy Savings:

Thermal efficiency is lower than induction cookers, and long-term electricity bills may be slightly higher.

Advantages:

Suitable for a variety of cookware materials, including ceramic, glass, and casserole dishes.

Disadvantages:

Relatively slow heating.

Differences between Infrared Cooker & Ceramic Cooker

Infrared and ceramic cookers are not the same; they use different heating methods, though a device can be a hybrid, like an "infrared ceramic" hob. Infrared cookers use infrared radiation to heat pots directly, while traditional ceramic cookers use heating elements under a glass surface that heat up and then transfer that heat to the cookware. Infrared cookers are compatible with a wider variety of cookware, while some ceramic cookers may require specific cookware types.

Photos:

After removed the glass top surface

After dismantled the induction coil

Main PCB (right side hob)

Blown fuse (250V/10A) with marking "5T10A"

[Left] Full Bridge Rectifier (D20XB80)
[Right] IGBT (H20PR5)

Total of 3 parts had been identified as malfunction parts

Analysis:

Fuse (250V/10A): Open circuit
(Judgement: Blown)

Full Bridge Rectifier: Shorted
(Judgement: Broken)

IGBT: All 3-Pin shorted
(Judgement: Broken)

Induction Coil: Shorted
(Judgement: Good condition)

Status:

[16/Oct/25] Wait for parts delivery from Taobao in order to proceed fixing

[21/Oct/25] Parcel received.

[22/Oct/25] Parts replacement completed, pending for reassemble and functional validation.

Old Parts vs New Parts

New fuse (250V/10A)

New parts with thermal paste onto heatsink

[Left] Full Bridge Rectifier (D20XB80)
[Right] IGBT (H20PR5)

[22/Oct/25] Functional Test completed.

Useful Reference:

Induction Stove Repair Manual

Friday, October 10, 2025

Travel: 2014 Thailand Hua Hin 6D5N

2014 Thailand Hua Hin 6D5N

It was 11 years ago since our family trip to Hua Hin by train. The journey by train was extraordinary, with daytime seating and nighttime sleeper berth. It took about 16hrs from Butterworth to Hua Hin. This blog is to keep a record of the trip for future reference. During our trip to Hua Hin (Thailand) in 2014, it was still a new tourist spot, and not many people knew about it at that time.

KTMB-SRT had previously cancelled its daily express service between Bangkok and Butterworth in 2016, limiting operations to Padang Besar at the Malaysia-Thailand border.

[Update] KTMB-SRT is planning to resume Butterworth - Bangkok Train service from Dec 2025 onwards. I am looking forward to revisit Hua Hin in near future by train again.

During that trip, we were mainly travel by either public transport or self-drive using printed Google Maps, just in case no signals on mobile data roaming.

[Info @ Year 2014]

Forex: RM1 = THB10
Train/way: RM105 ~ RM115/adult, RM90 ~ RM100/child
Hotel Rate: RM120/night
Rental Car: RM150/day
Group of 8pax, averagely RM700~RM800/pax
Breakfast / Dinner available inside train's cafeteria @ RM10 ~RM12/pax

[Itinerary]

Day #1:
[Butterworth - Bangkok Train]
14:00: Depart @ Butterworth Train Station
18:30: Reach @ Hatyai Train Station
(remain seated on same train)

Day #2:
[Public Transport: Songtaew/Tuk-tuk/Walk]
06:30: Reach @ Hua Hin Train Station
07:00: Early Check-In @ Hua Hin Avenue
(permanently closed)
[Alternative Option: MyPlace@HuaHin Hotel]
09:00: Hua Hin Fishing Pier & Hua Hin Beach
12:00: Return to Hotel & Lunch
13:00: Plearn Wan Vintage Village
(permanently closed)
15:00: Train Library @ Hua Hin Railway Station (optional)
18:00: Dinner @ Jek Pia (正盛)
19:00: Hua Hin Night Market / Chatsila Night Market
22:00: Zzz...

Day #3:
[Self-Drive]
08:00: Collect rental car (Toyota Fortuner) @ Hotel
09:00: Mrigadayavan Palace
11:00: Santorini Park (permanently closed)
PanSook Food & Farm (optional)
(previously known as 1000 Sook Food & Farm)
15:00: Zucata Sheep Farm
(previously known as Swiss Sheep Farm)
16:30: Siam Venezia
19:00: Dinner @ Koti Restaurant
20:00: Hua Hin Night Market / Chatsila Night Market
22:00: Zzz...

Day #4:
[Self-Drive]
09:00: Black Sheep Farm (permanently closed)
11:00: Wat Huay Mongkol (optional)
13:00: Return to Hotel
15:00: Sam Phan Nam Floating Market
18:00: Khao Takiab (optional)
19:00: Cicada Market (Fri/Sat/Sun) &
Tamarind Market (Fri/Sat/Sun)
22:00: Zzz...

Day #5:
[Public Transport: Songtaew/Tuk-tuk/Walk]
07:00: Chatchai Market
09:00: Khao Hin Lek Fai (Optional)
12:00: Check-Out @ Hua Hin Avenue
(permanently closed)
13:00: Lunch @ Krua Kannikar (Fried Chicken)
14:00: Market Village (Shopping)
18:45: Leaving @ Hua Hin Train Station

Day #6:
[Butterworth - Bangkok Train]
06:30: Reach @ Hatyai Train Station
(remain seated on same train)
14:00: Reach @ Butterworth Train Station

[Other Attractions:]