Restoran Tasik Raban

Situated by the roadside on the way to Lenggong from Kuala Kangsar, Restoran Tasik Raban or Restoran Ikan Bakar Tasik Raban is no stranger to Malay food fans. It has 2 other outlets but I was on the way to Lenggong and stopped at the famous restaurant for lunch. 

Use Waze to find this place. Slow down as you approach as it's at a slight corner and you don't want to miss it.

It wasn't as packed as I imagined it would be thanks to good management. There was plenty of tables and chairs and even the layout and arrangement was convenient for patrons. 

Price guide

Open daily from 11.00 am to 4.30 pm.

Taste - Good
Price - RM30.70 for 2 pax inclusive of drinks
Ambiance - Proper building, open concept (no wall) with roof. It was a bit warm so my hair was tied up in a bun. Drinks and toys stalls at corners of the restaurant. Got tables for families and long tables for big groups.

Self-service concept. You can either:

a) Get your rice from a lady next to the payment counter & pile up your 'lauk' on the same plate

or 

b) Use the empty plates provided to take your favourite dishes

then...

a) Go to the counter with your plate(s) and pay the cashier

or 

b) Go to your table and someone will come to 'kira' for you (give you the bill). After makan, pay at the cashier

I chose a) and b) -for the ikan bakar and a) so everything paid before we eat.

Order & collect your drinks from a window near the lady dishing out rice. Do queue up. Jumping queue won't earn you any brownie points as the guy manning the counter will be busy serving those in line. 

View from my table (", )

<3<3<3<3

I'm no fan of nasi campur (the concept) as I don't like having to choose my own food from a common container (instead of just ordering) and because I have no idea how the operators count and come up with the total price, especially when one started eating already! 

I'm more comfortable knowing how much exactly a plate would cost and this restaurant has a good and reliable price guide. Plus the food in Restoran Tasik Raban is so sedap (delicious), I'm willing to make an exception!

Other outlets

• 158964, Jalan Kompleks Sukan, 31400 Ipoh, Perak

• 1A, Medan Stesen 19/5 (behind Tesco) Stesen 18, 31650 Ipoh (11 am - 11 pm)

Galeri Sultan Azlan Shah

The Sultan Azlan Shah gallery is situated in Kuala Kangsar. It is in Bukit Chandan nearby the Ubudiah Mosque, Iskandariah Palace & the Muzium Diraja Perak (Perak Royal Museum). 

Operating hours: 10.00 am to 5.00 pm daily with break from 12.15 noon 2.45 noon on Fridays.

Entry fee:

Adult - RM4.00

Elderly, IPTA & secondary school student - RM2.00

Primary school student - RM1.00

NO photography allowed in the galleries. Tempting though as I saw a funny spelling mistake of a famous somebody's name. 

The exhibition is mainly about the handsome king himself. I'm a fan girl so I spent over an hour here.  

Walk straight from the main gate

Main exhibition in this building

The gallery is a restored palace called Istana Ulu or Istana Kota

Some displays did not have English translation but I believe that tourists won't have too much trouble understanding what's going on anyway. However, I felt that the flow of the exhibition was a bit disruptive (?) due to the layout of the building. It WAS a palace with lots of corridors and rooms, so... your kids might get lost :p

Go across the ground to see another 2 galleries- cars & momentos

Terms and conditions

Laksa Pak Ngah, Kuala Kangsar

Laksa Pak Ngah

7986 Belakang SM Tsung Wah,

Jalan Dato' Sagor,

33000 Kuala Kangsar,

Perak Darul Ridzuan.

Phone #  : +605 777 7986

                   +6012 684 7986

                   +6012 660 7986

Honestly, I was prepared to give the laksa a miss as I thought that the place was to close at 6 p.m and I am no fan of thin kuah laksa (laksa soup) anyway. Luckily, I arrived in Kuala Kangsar with plenty of time to sample this delicious Malaysian food!

I also noticed that there are food truck of this same brand selling laksa around town and by the roadside. One was in front of the Arena Kuala Kangsar where tourists flocked to eat and shop. So no worries, there are plenty of laksa sellers you can go to if you feel the craving. 

Taste - Surprisingly delicious! I love the laksa goreng (fried laksa) more than the normal laksa.

Price - Laksa were RM10 (for 2). Can't remember the price for cendol & ABC. Worth it!

Ambiance - Roof with fan. Can be a bit warm on a hot day. Wear something comfortable. People said that there's another outlet in town with aircond, you can find that one if you want.

Laksa Special - <3<3<3

Love the kuah (soup) but not too crazy about the laksa itself. I prefer the usual smooth laksa.

Laksa goreng - <3<3<3<3

This laksa goreng (fried laksa) is perfect for me. I get the tasty soup and none of the bland & coarse laksa taste & texture.

Cendol with pulut

ABC :) <3<3<3<3

An acquaintance suggested that I should try Laksa Karim. Maybe next time I'm in town.

What's your favourite laksa in Kuala Kangsar?

The Shop Hotel, Kuala Kangsar

The Shop Hotel

Taman Seri Delima,

33000 Kuala Kangsar,

Perak Darul Ridzuan.

Wait what? A hotel? But it says deli & cafe there in the picture!

Well, their tagline is "more than just a shop" and they also claimed to be the best shop & hotel. Which I gotta agree.

Finding this shop/boutique hotel is easy. Use Waze to help you find the way. Careful not to miss the junction before some shops (if you come from highway), once you're able to see the Kompleks International Baccalaureate. 

There are parking spots in front of the hotel and at the side.

Open parking at the side of the hotel

I arrived past 4 in the evening and there were a lot of customers in the cafe. Felt disoriented a bit and it took me quite some moment to locate the door and the reception. Turn out, check-in is at the bar. 

Booking - easy peasy via Agoda. I saw some walk-ins as well.

Rate - Agoda charged my credit card RM125.27 for 2D1N in standard room no window (cabin). However, the receipt I got stated RM102.70 so maybe booking directly with the hotel is cheaper.

Location - average. Not yet in town but away from the main road so no noise. Short drive (approximately 10 minutes) to the tourist spots.

Dining - excellent coffee and hot chocolate! No breakfast menu though.

Service - polite and friendly. Excellent!

Overall 4 <3<3<3<3 of 5

There was RM100 (refundable) deposit and then I was given the remote control for aircond and TV together with room card.

NO SMOKING in the room #iLove

Notice how they custom almost everything? Even down to the pillow. I stripped (the pillow cases) and checked because I love the pillow. I could see that lots of love has gone into this hotel so I hope that the guests will take good care of everything so others can enjoy a good stay too!

What I really love about the room was this...

Space that can be utilised under the bed!

The room I took was compact and yet the limited space was used efficiently. Only shower gel & shampoo provided so BYO tooth brush. And there's no kettle and coffee making facilities but why would you need them when good coffee is served in the building?

Now... about the cafe.

Taste - excellent coffee and hot chocolate. I love the chocolate blended too!

Price - worth it at RM34 (long black, hot chocolate, coffee cheese cake & snack) and RM20 (long black & chocolate blended). Some might say it's expensive but the good taste made it SO WORTH IT!

Ambiance - comfortable seats with cool & a little upbeat music. Nice place to chat with friends but not for reading :)

<3<3<3<3

<3<3<3<3

<3<3<3<3

This hotel is suitable for couples, friends and small family. If you have elderly with you, be sure to ask for room on the ground floor!

Muzium Geologi Perak

Muzium Geologi, Perak

Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah,

31400 Ipoh, 

Perak.

The Museum of Geology is situated within the Jabatan Mineral dan Geosains complex in Ipoh. Finding the place is easy if you have Waze. Search for 'muzium geologi' and just keep to the left as you approach the complex so you won't miss the turning.

     Report yourself at the security post and you'll be given a piece of visitors form and visitor pass. Get the form stamped by personnel in the museum. Keep the form and wear the pass while visiting the museum. Before you leave, return the form and pass to the security post.

Visiting Hours

Monday to Friday: 8.30 am - 5.00 pm

break from 12.30 noon - 2 pm on Mon to Thu and 12 noon to 3 pm on Friday

Saturday to Sunday: 9.00 am - 5.00 pm

Close on public holidays.

FREE entry.

Rrroooarrrr~

I was pleasantly surprised that the museum was well-curated. Learned quite a lot of new things here. Simple and beneficial nuggets for daily life.

Can you spot my birthstone? :)

Apart from the dino, I think this is kids' fav spot

Guess what the lights represented?

It's a good place to bring kids in primary and lower secondary school age if you happen to be in town. I even saw a group from university in the visitors book!