Hard Rock Hotel Penang.

Yep, that's right. You guessed I was at Hard Rock Hotel, eh? I have NEVER been to any of this rock-star style chain, so I thought to myself, OK why not give it a try before I turn middle age . I mean, I am normally this very cheapskate, boring, anti social yokel who prefer unhappening spots such as, well read my previous postings.

The sea view room.

Wish I have this kind of view everyday.

Someone please tell me what is that yokel doing there.

Of course there were some Rock stars' outfits. Can I try 'em please?

The stunning colour-changing, light display at the entrance.

The verdict? Well it was a nice weekend stay.(But) I think I'm too old fashioned for this place, thankyouverymuch. I'm glad I tried it though. The happening club with live band, rock music on speakers everywhere around the hotel surely got that holiday, laid back mood kicking (but) I love jazz, and crickets and frogs too much. Oh dear, I AM GOLDEN AGED. Scream yokel at me, Darrlingg!!!

MuseMono says it's Flash Flash! Now, what do you think, Darrlingg?

Greeting from Penang

Hi guys, TGIF! I am in Penang now for the weekend. I arrived yesterday morning to celebrate my godmother's birthday. All I had time for was to arrange for dinner, the birthday cake, and the balloons so that explains my slow posting. Anyway, here I was en route to Penang, Darrlingg.

Dior Homme polo tee, Etro belt, Gucci shades, Moschino loafers, Cheapies shorts from Chatuhak Market.

About 50 minutes later I arrived at Penang International Airport.

 Then I checked into one of the hotel.

Till then, have a nice weekend, Darrlingg.
MuseMono says it's Flash Flash! Now, what do you think, Darrlingg?

Comme des Garçons Homme Plus Brogue Shoes

What is a brogue shoe?
A brogue shoe is a style of low-heeled shoe traditionally characterized by multiple-piece leather uppers with decorative perforations/brougeing and serration along the pieces' visible edges.
 
So voilà is my very first pair of brogues, picked up at Joyce Outlet in Hong Kong. Although I'm in sneakers or loafers most of the time, I guess it wouldn't hurt to add a pair of brogue on my shoe shelves, eh? Especially when the shoes were standing before my bewildered eyes, marked down from RM1800 to RM 561. I knew I just had to max my magic card. I like the combination of khaki and wine (as written on the tag), it makes the otherwise-conservative brogues more flash flash, eh?

The shoes were spotted on the Autumn/Winter 2009 runway.

MuseMono says it's Flash Flash! Now, what do you think, Darrlingg?

Eat, Pray, Love.

Ok I admit it. I was completely ignorant of this whole Eat, Pray, Love thingy until my bff invited me to watch the movie one afternoon. I didn't even remember the title right until the movie started, and just before the movie began I actually SMS another friend saying I was watching Eat, Pray, SLEEP.I was that clueless.

As the movie started, it hit me instantly, it has that 'deja vu' effect on me. There were a lot of 'incidents' that somehow I felt so connected to. I know this movie has a lot of bad reviews, but to each their own. I just loved it I actually watched it twice. Maybe it's Julia Robert. Maybe it's the picturesque Ubud. Maybe because I have been playing Bebel and João Gilberto for as long as I could remember, so that's why it's nice to watch/hear it again on a big screen.

Photos from IMDb.

Then I bought the novel. It's not exactly the same as the movie (that's understood, because the movie caters to wider audience). I admit that it is one of the most interesting book I have ever read despite people saying otherwise (Well it sold over 8 million copies, so I can't be that far off).

So yes, while I was in Ubud, I wasn't exactly planning to meet Ketut Liyer (one of the character in the book/movie). But as it turned out, he was already part of the itinerary of the day-tour package that I took. Yes, his place is a famous local attraction now. Tour operators actually included him in their itineraries. So I took the opportunity to have a picture (or four) with him. There were a lot of people waiting for their turn (from across the globe), I even bumped into a Malaysian couple who only realized he's famous when they saw the movie poster plastered on the house wall.

Well, I can't write much about what happened there since I might get bombarded with religious lectures. Just the pictures would suffice, ok y'all!
MuseMono says it's Flash Flash! Now, what do you think, Darrlingg?

Comme des Garçons Homme Plus Leopard Print Shoes

The great thing about being unfashionable is that you can buy 'once' fashionable clothes (or shoes) off season and get big fat discount for it. Well in this case, I'm still seeing leopard madness for Spring 2011, which makes it a bonus for, hmm..trying to stay in-trend? Whatever. I'm the last person you want to follow if you need to be 'trendy'. Yes, something like that, Darrlingg.

Introducing my very first pair of Comme des Garçons Homme Plus shoes, one of the seven pairs that I bought at Joyce Outlet in Hong Kong early this month. I told you the outlet was fantastic (and weird) because almost everything was last pair, and in my size! Ok maybe that's luck? Anyway, I picked this one up for RM450, and the actual price was RM1450. OK, that SAVING covered my airfare already, plus I can't find it in KL anyway. Please don't roll your eyes. Made of unshaved cowhide, the shoes have an interesting texture/surface, which I hope it's easy to clean. Love.

MuseMono says it's Flash Flash! Now, what do you think, Darrlingg?

Just Cavalli Maghreb Tee

What is the Maghreb?

The Maghreb is the name given to the five Northern African states, namely Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Mauritania and Libya.It means sunset in Arabic.

Well, the reason I write about Maghreb is that this Just Cavalli tee was labeled as Maghreb tee on its price tag. I picked it up from Melium Outlet, heavily discounted from RM1093 to RM328. I think it's pretty obvious why the tee was called so. Of course its the pattern, Darrlinggg.

Cafés in Ubud,Bali.

Whenever I travel I would always make it a point to visit the 'local' Starbucks. No, I'm not talking about fake Starbucks or anything. I mean Starbucks franchise, especially when the location is exotic like Ubud. At least I'm sure the coffee will taste familiar and comforting. Ahhhhh.

Love the building, the Balinese ambiance and the glass!

This was one of my favorite place for tea time. The Tropical View cafe was located at Jalan Hanoman. From the street you have to climb the concrete staircase, then you will find the open pavilion, overlooking a vast paddy terrace on the same level. It's strange, but the hilly Ubud provided such interesting high-low platforms. The soft Balinese instrument music was playing on air, so you feel really blissful. The sun set at around 6.30pm, so it's a very nice place to have some drinks while watching the sky changed its colors.

Ok I forgot this cafe's name. Bad me! But if you happen to walk on the infamous Jalan Monkey Forest, you will definitely notice its quaint decor. Very bohemian, very eccentric. They had all kind of mixed juices from fresh fruit, and some food of course.

The Lotus Cafe, located on Jalan Raya Ubud was very popular for its open air decor, with stunning view of the lotus pond. The lotus pond was the place where I watched the Balinese dance.

 Here are some random food shots.

That's all for now. MuseMono says it's Flash Flash! Now, what do you think, Darrlingg?