A Little Respite.

When studying for exams, every break feels like a blessing. I yearn for moments of thoughtlessness amidst the scheduled hours. When exams end, the blessings turn into prolonged bliss as days are spent almost recklessly with dinners that take too long, or outings where we walk about without direction or eat desserts to fill gaps between meals. Soon however, because human nature is as such to never be satisfied, thoughtlessness loses its appeal and I fill my days to the brim with activity after activity, where I learn that I thrive in the state of being busy. But of course, I undoubtedly tire of that and long for stretches of empty days for my Korean dramas, knitting, and hard-cover novels.

I know some consider days fulfilled only when doing something worthwhile, whilst others consider a holiday one that requires no responsibility at all, but I'm pretty satisfied with my ever-changing definition of a good break. However, it can be good to be forcibly removed from it all in entirety (temporarily) and when I say that, I refer to leaving home for a bit, not answering calls, having not much of an Internet connection and just really spending days sleeping and relaxing in front of the TV

.

For me, this break came in the form of visiting Taiping which really is such a rustic old town that every photo seems scenic, is home to some of the best Malaysian food, and happens to be a haven for strangely cuddly cats.

Day 1 in the most comfortable pair of pants in the worrrrlddd and a shirt I wear much too often. :P

The morning of Day 2!

After these photos were taken, we all gathered into the car and headed to Maxwell Hill (or more commonly known as Bukit Larut) but although it was only 10am, tickets to the top were already sold out by 7 that morning!

Instead of a cooling trip up Malaysia’s wettest hill (knowledge courtesy of those 3 years of Geography), I got my hair cut instead. D:

And highlighted..

Squinty smile!

Photo credits to my maid, whose inability to hold a camera straight results in semi-artsy photos!

A trip to Taiping isn’t complete without a visit to Lake Garden! The trees there are such a miracle of nature I’m surprised it isn’t more famous than it currently is. They literally arch over the road like a forest-y rainbow.

Image source here.

To think that my parents used to go on dates beneath these trees.. Ahh, not sure whether that thought is sweet or somewhat gross. :P

With my adorable grandpa who doesn’t speak a word of English and is as deaf as a post, but still mustered a “Take care” to me. AHH I LOVE MY GRANDPARENTS SO MUCH! 

Cutting my hair was so impulsive a decision that I didn’t even really have time to mull it over. And no, I refuse to hear a word from anyone about how much they prefer my old hair since I really can’t do anything about it now! But I’m pretty pleased with the length because it’s so much easier to handle. Hopefully the lighter hair will result in less of it falling out!

Day 3 in my sunny summery dress!

Spot my glasses!

Food in Taiping is ridiculously cheap but very delicious. Everytime I drop by, self-control flies out the window. D:

Pork trotter!

My favourite taufu! 

A meal with pork trotter, curry fishhead, lemon chicken, claypot taufu, assorted vegetables and a few plates of rice totalled a mere RM86++! And it was more than enough to fill the tummies of 5 people. I had a meal with En Leang that day and it already went up to RM90 for just us both.

I don’t know if it’s just me, but I always seem to find myself eating more “Malaysian” food when travelling within the country. It isn’t as though KL doesn’t have its fair share of Malaysian delicacies but I’d much rather eat at a Western or Japanese restaurant than head over to a hawker centre in KL. 

The first roti telur I’ve had in a long long time.

Accompanied by the sugar that never seems to come with KL’s roti. 

Haphazardly arranged, but the most fatty, juicy, and sweet charsiew I’ve ever had. So.. sinfully delicious. *salivates* The worst part is, I don’t even know where this is - it was just from a random hawker centre!

Rojak sponsored by my maid!

Porridge accompaniments.

Grandad’s curry mee.

The best fried tofu I’ve ever had, with yummy century eggs I’ve always been in love with.

Char kuey teow. (Drooling yet?)

Lobak! My guilty pleasure.  

 

Yam cake by the dozen!

Although I’m very much a dog person, I do have a certain amount of love for cats as well. This is however, nothing in comparison to the cats in Taiping which seem to love everyone!! They rub themselves against your legs as you eat at restaurants, curl beneath your feet for a rub as you watch TV, purr at you, and fall asleep against you.

Random cat!

Grandpa’s sleeping house cat. 

A very very creepy Cat in the Hat display at the Night Safari with my brother’s creepy face. 

And uhh.. this isn’t a cat but is the best photo I got at the safari.

Along with this deceptively cuddly-looking porcupine! 

*big hippo yawn*

Well, now that I’m back from Taiping, I feel rejuvenated! I have a whole bunch of things on my to-do list that requires some attention and a lot of exercise to do to compensate for the past few months of reckless indulgence… which, ladies and gentlemen, bring me to my August goal of attempting to complete Blogilates’ Beginner’s Calendar available here!

Anyone care to join me?  

Till next time, you cuddly porcupine reader you!