Tag: US Federal Reserve

The Brazzo Restaurant and Lounge at Taman Ponderosa, Johor Bahru.

Post author By melakatour
Post date July 28, 2013

The Brazzo Restaurant and Lounge (N1.51800 E103.78205) is located at Jalan Poderosa 2/1, next to UOB Bank of Taman Poderosa. The atmosphere of the restaurant is cozy and relax, nice ambience!

The warm lightings really made us felt relax and the air-conditinal was cold…it’s a good place to enjoy your meals!

The air-condition was also cold enough to cool us down in the hot sunny day…
After waiting for about 10 minutes, the first dish served on our table was their Sesame Garden Salads.

It served in the organic savory leafy vegetable with mayonnaise-based Creamy dressings. The light salads to stimulate the appetite as the first course of our meal and we like the Special sesame taste of the dressings, and not forget the nice cherry tomatoes.

The second dishes was the Ahi Tuna (Yellow Fin Tuna) – One of the Signature dish of Brazzo.

The seared Ahi Tuna (30% cooked) served with the special sauce, vegetables and the tasty mashed potatoes.

We tasted the ‘Charcoal Grilled’ Ahi Tuna for the first time within Johor Bahru area, I like the sesame seeds very much! The fresh tuna melted in our mouth with nice aroma, it made a Must try dish to me! And please don’t forget to finish the nice mashed potatoes and the juicy cherry tomatoes.

Before we can finish the Ahi Tuna, the third dish served…The Kurobuta Prime Rack on-the-bone (300g)(another Signature dish of the restaurant)

“Kurobuta Pork is the most highly prized pork in Japan and comes from the ancient breed of pig known as Black Berkshire. The meat from the pure oriental strains of Black Berkshire, found in Japan, is regarded as the highest quality pork in the world.“

Some knowledges from friend : “Conventional farm-raised pigs
tend to lack the incredibly tasty fat that heritage breeds have
maintained, and which keeps their meat juicy, tender and, yes,
expensive. But if you’re a true fan of pork, heritage is worth every
succulent bite.“

It was my first time trying the highest quality pork in Johor Bahru, it served with the special sauce and it was nicely grilled on the outside and remains succulent inside. This piece of pork gave the different taste from the ordinary pork that available locally. Kind of like the taste…It was a nice experience for us but it can be more perfect by provide more moist of the meat.

The forth dish was Milk Fed Veal Rack (300g) – Signature dish of The Brazzo

“Veal is the meat of young cattle (calves), as opposed to beef from older cattle, Milk Fed Veal was took from calves that are raised on a milk formula supplement. The meat colour is ivory or creamy pink, with a firm, fine, and velvety appearance. They are usually slaughtered when they reach 18–20 weeks of age (450-500 lb). “Milk-fed” veal calves consume a diet consisting of milk replacer, formulated with mostly milk-based proteins and added vitamins and minerals.“ Source from here.

Our Milk Fed Veal Rack was served with the medium rare doneness. As you can see the pinkish on the meat, it easily melted in our mouth and the ‘charcoal grilled’ aroma filled up every corner in our mouth! The veal was tender and succulent, this 300g veal took us at least an hour to enjoy it! With the small little cut of Blue Cheese, made this savory Perfect!
It’s a Must try dish for beef lover, Delicious!

The fifth dish was – French Rack Of Lamb (Signature dish of The Brazzo)

“A rack of lamb or carré d’agneau (though this may also refer to other cuts) is a cut of lamb cut perpendicularly to the spine, and including 16 ribs or chops.“

“Rack of lamb is often “frenched”, that is, the rib bones are exposed by cutting off the fat and meat covering them. Typically, three inches of bone beyond the main muscle (the rib eye or Longissimus dorsi) are left on the rack, with the top two inches exposed.“
Well, we were not so particular as other food lover to measure the 2″ 3″ of it. Haha!

The Rack of Lamb was well grilled on the outside and it had the medium doneness inside, which gave the reddish pink, browned, and crusty. The seasoning complemented the lamb but not dominate it. We can’t stop ourselves after the first bite! No conversation between us during that moment unitl the racks finished…

2 sticks of asparagus wrapped by bacon served together with the Rack of Lamb, and no matter how full you are…you must finish this Nice bacon! Tasty!

All the above meats were imported, and the prices of the 6 types of Singatures dish are between RM50-80. Exclude the Kobe beef.

We were satisfied with all the Signatures dish which served on our table!
The Western Cuisines serve in Brazzo are different from the common western food restaurant in Johor Bahru, you will have more chances to explore the different type of western cuisine in this restaurant and their Specialty is “Charcoal Grilled”. It was a sumptuous meals with the reasonable price! Thanks to Mr Sean Lauw – The friendly owner of The Brazzo.

The Brazzo do serve attractive lunch set in the noon time, they have total of 9 different sets all serve with coffee or flower tea for Only RM12.90 nett.
Beside this, they serve beers and other alcohols in the lounge, this naturally turn into a nice cold place to escape during the hot sunny day! 🙂

With the environment, friendly services, quality foods and affordable prices….it’s a Excellent dining Restaurant! Do drop by if you around the Ponderosa or Taman Molek area, I believe you will surprise with the food of The Brazzo Restuarant Lounge.

Tags Black Berkshire, food, food lover, food restaurant, friendly services, Haha, Japan, Johor Bahru, Sean Lauw, The Brazzo Restuarant Lounge, US Federal Reserve

Tourism Malaysia

Beware the pickpockets

Post author By melakatour
Post date July 27, 2013

At many tourist spots in Paris like the
Lourve, tourists are at risk of being
pickpocketed.

The City of Love now has a dubious reputation of ‘loving hands’ that rip off tourists.

TOURISTS in Paris are reminded to be on guard against increasingly brazen and aggressive pickpockets after staff at the Louvre walked out in April to protest against violent working conditions.

Saying they’re fed up with dealing with gangs of thugs and being spat at, insulted, threatened and even struck, 200 workers at one of the most famous museums in the world – the Louvre receives about 10 million visits a year – staged a walkout, disappointing a long line of tourists.

The museum reopened the next day with increased police presence, but tourists visiting crowded places should remain vigilant. In the centre of Paris, thieves often work in groups of up to 30, and usually include children from eastern Europe.

It’s the latest event to tarnish the city’s reputation in the eyes of the world. In March, a group of Chinese tourists were targeted by a gang of pickpockets, an attack that made headlines around the world.

Meanwhile, the US Embassy in France offers visitors a host of tips and suggestions on how to avoid being the victim of a predatory pickpockets – tips which can also be applied to travel around the world.

Here are a few highlights:

Keep only what is essential in your wallet. For example, one credit card, one piece of ID, and no more than ?50 (RM260). Make copies of your passport, and other ID cards.

Women are advised to carry bags with a zipper enclosure, and to carry it tightly under their arm, slightly in front of them. Swing your backpack around so that it’s slightly in front of you. Men can protect themselves by placing a rubber band around their wallet and putting it in their front pocket, something that will make it difficult for thieves to extract the wallet smoothly.

Be extra vigilant around major tourist sites like the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, the Champs-Élysées. Metros are also major target areas. If you are pickpocketed, start yelling for police immediately. The embassy advises against chasing down the perpetrators, as the wallet has most likely already been handed off to someone else within the group.

The Notre-Dame Cathedral is another site
where tourists are advised to be on the alert for pickpockets and other petty
criminals.

If there are no security guards or police around, you should go to the local police station (commissariat) and file a complaint.

Know what you’re up against:

The most popular tactic on the metro is the crush-and-grab; You will be swarmed by several people, and in the chaos, as you’re being pushed, you will be pickpocketed.

Another tip: try to avoid sitting or standing right by the doors. Because another trick they use is to grab the purse or smartphone, just as the train doors open and dash away. Wherever you end up in the train, try to minimise access to your pockets and purses.

The age-old distraction method involves the pretext of asking for directions, or attempts to sell you trinkets. During the distraction, someone will try to pick your pockets.

Another rather unpleasant technique: Someone will throw or spill something on you like water or ice cream. You will be approached by people who feign to help you, and in the chaos, you will be pickpocketed.

ATM scams: If the machine eats your card, go into the bank immediately as it’s likely the machine’s been tampered with. Use only ATMs from major banks. Refrain from talking to anyone during the transaction, as it’s likely part of an attempt to scam you.

As always, cover the keypad as you enter your pin code. – AFP RelaxNews

Tags ATM, bank, centre of Paris, eastern Europe, Eiffel Tower, France, guard, ID, Notre Dame, Paris, rubber band, smartphone, the Champs, the Louvre, US Embassy in France, US Federal Reserve

All Malaysia Info

Thaipusam: a celebration of faith and gratitude

Post author By melakatour
Post date January 30, 2013
No Comments on Thaipusam: a celebration of faith and gratitude

While many of us associate Thaipusam with crowds at temples and the awe-inspiring sight of kavadi bearers, how many of us actually understand the significance of the occasion?

A devotee bearing a kavadi – the symbol of humility and devotion

Thaipusam comes from an amalgam of the words “Thai” – referring to the Tamil month of Thai (January – February) – and Pusam – the brightest star during this period. Falling between 15 January and 15 February every year, Thaipusam is a celebration of Lord Murugan’s victory over Soorapadman’s tyranny.

Soorapadman believed himself invincible since he cannot be killed by anything other than a being that was a manifestation of Lord Shiva, one of the most important Hindu deities. Unluckily for him, Lord Murugan was one such being and he used his spear or vel, which was given to him by Lord Shiva’s consort, Parvati, to defeat Soorapadman.

So it is that during Thaipusam, the people thank Lord Murugan for granting their wishes and defeating the “daily demons” that plague their lives, be it illnesses, career blocks or infertility. Believers not only thank him, they also ask forgiveness for trangressions made, as well as pray for blessings.

The rituals of Thaipusam usually begin much earlier before the big day itself. Some devotees fast for more than a month before the occasion while others shave their heads as an act of gratitude, repentance or as a poignant plea to have prayers answered.

On the eve of Thaipusam, the image of Lord Murugan is transported from one temple to another, accompanied and waited on by devotees bearing offerings to the deity. Milk, a symbol of purity and virtue, as well as flowers and fruits are common Thaipusam offerings. Kavadis, literally “sacrifice at every step”, can be seen attached to devotees via hooks and thin spears that pierce their backs, cheeks and mouths.

This can be quite a sight for onlookers who no doubt wonder how these kavadi bearers withstand the pain, but devotees will tell you that their fervent faith in their Lord Murugan’s protection spares them from pain and prevents them from shedding blood. Bearing a kavadi is an act of devotion and humility.

Additionally, coconuts are smashed to signify the breaking of the ego and the emergence of a purer self.

In Batu Caves – one of the focal points of Thaipusam celebration in Malaysia – the procession accompanying the silver chariot bearing Lord Murugan’s idol, starts from Sri Mahamariamman, in the centre of Kuala Lumpur, to the temples of Batu Caves. The procession usually starts before midnight on the eve of Thaipusam and is a 15 kilometre journey that can easily take 8 hours.

Devotees wait for hours just to catch a glimpse of Lord Murugan on his chariot and extend their offerings while hundreds of thousands more join the procession to the temples. The number of people at Batu Caves during Thaipusam can range from 700,000 right up to 1.5 million. At Batu Caves, devotees faithfully carry their offerings and kavadi bearers staunchly shoulder their burdens up 272 steps to the temple.

Celebrations also take place in other parts of the country. Other principal places of celebration include the Waterfall Temple in Penang and Kallumalai Temple in Ipoh, Perak.

A procession accompanying the chariot bearing the Hindu deity as it makes its way to the temple during Thaipusam

Thaipusam, to any who are lucky to witness the festivities, is both a vivid celebration of colours and a fascinating display of faith. Yet, this is not the only Hindu festival that is worth bearing witness to. Other holy days, important to Hindu belief and culture, are just as interesting and engrossing.

Deepavali, literally meaning “rows of lamps”, for example, is a celebration of light triumphing over dark. On this day in the Tamil month of Aippasi (October – November), one legend has it that the Lord Krishna defeated the demon king Naraka. Hindus celebrate the occasion by anointing themselves in oil and partaking in a ritual bath early in the morning on Deepavali day. Then new clothes are worn and prayers are performed. Deepavali is quite possibly the best known Hindu festival in Malaysia. Other festivals besides Thaipusam and Deepavali are:

Thai-ponggal

Celebrated for four days, beginning from the first day of the Tamil month of Thai, Ponggal means the “boiling over” of rice and is a thanksgiving to the elements that have contributed to a good harvest – mainly the sun and the cattle. On this day, the cattle gets a well-deserved day of rest, a good wash and their sheds similarly get a thorough cleaning. They are also decorated with garlands and fed with ponggal – sweet rice. The Sun God is thanked as well with both prayers and sweet rice. But the gratitude isn’t only limited to the Sun God and the cattle; on the third day of celebration, visits are made to family and friends, employers customarily present gifts to their employees and single women present offerings to their home deities, praying for a worthy husband.

Sivarathiri

Taking place on the 13^th night of the Tamil month of Masi (February – March), this is a festival of fasting and prayers. It is also known as Shiva’s Night.

Panguni Utthiram

This festival falls on the same day as that of Lord Shiva’s union with Parvathi and the birth of Lord Murugan from sparks emanating from Lord Shiva’s eyes. Falling on the day of the full moon in the Tamil month of Panguni (March – April), the festival is celebrated much like Thaipusam in Murugan temples.

Tamil New Year

Here new year refers to the first day of the Tamil month of Chittirai (April – May). It is on this day that the sun enters the first sign of the Hindu zodiac – Aries. During the Tamil New Year (also known as the Hindu New Year), the house is thoroughly cleaned and decorated. This includes the prayer room which will be adorned with gold jewellery, rice, silk cloths and other favourable objects. Those who take part in the celebrations wear new clothes, eat a vegetarian meal and go to the temple to perform prayers.

Navaratthiri

Literally meaning “Nine Nights”, this festival is celebrated in the Tamil month of Puraddasi (September – October). The celebrations are in honour of the goddess Shakti, who is the “Great Divine Mother” in Hindu belief. On this day, a kolu – a dais with nine steps – is filled with the images of Hindu deities and saints while the “Great Divine Mother” is invited to take her place on a kumpam – a beautifully decorated, water-filled pot that is covered with husked coconut as well as mango leaves and placed on banana leaf that also has rice on it. Offerings in the form of nine types of grains are placed at the kumpan as well.