Butterworth Street Art 1

Butterworth Street Art 

The first street arts in Butterworth. 

Currently Street Art in Butterworth consists of 3 Murals painting, all located at the South End of Jalan Raja Uda.  You can immediately view 2 of it as you turn into Jalan Raja Uda at the Jalan Telaga Air/ Jalan Raja Uda Intersection.  This Murals are painted during the Urban Xchange Street Art Festival in 2015.   

The most difficult to find Mural is painted by Argentinian Martin Ron  is of a man feeding turtles that swimming all around him, this mural measure 25 meter by 15 meter is hidden behind a row of shop house at Jalan Pusat Perniagaan Raja Uda 4. Location C.   For information while Turtle are not an icon / know in Penang, at the National Park located at Pantai Kerachut  is located the biggest turtle conservation centre in Malaysia.   

Anchoring Jalan Raja Uda is an Abstract Pattern painted by Iranian Nafir,  This beautiful art work, which look like an Indian kolam, features a 3D Butterfly amidst the pattern (Location A).  If you look at it long enough, you can just notice the butterfly shape in the center.  Pattern is coloured.

Slightly further up the road, you will find a Blindfold Girl, holding an Apple, Original painted with a serpent around her neck, this mural was repainted over by the original artist , a Spanish name Sibek, ( Location B )  I speculate that the original look is too sinister for most people to be comfortable with.    

New works are in Progress near Hotel Lodge 18 right at Butterworth Town Center, call Butterworth Art Walk,  

Sweet Paradise Tim Sum

When I decided to set up home in Butterworth, I said to myself,  I must seek out and try out the “old brand name” food places in Butterworth, this place is one of the first to pop up, with some claiming  it’s Tim Sum is even better then places on the Island. 

Well a bit about Sweet Paradise Tim Sum, Yes It’s one of those Old Time Restaurants, that has made its name and even have branch out to Raja Uda (Chaw Choon, which is new, shiny version open in 2012?).

What good Here, well ppl have talk about the Egg Tarts, Bee hoon in Teowchew soup,  I do like the Bacon Roll,  my daughters will consume baskets after baskets of the Prawns dumplings. 

Sweet Paradise is located at Taman Bagan Baru, it’s just opposite the Seri Bandar Wet Market, off  Jalan Heng Choon Thean (just b4 the Balai Police Butterworth) consists of 2 Shops Lots with a very large roof over road in front, in total they can seat close to 200 plus in total , please note there is no air condition, and they  practice self-service methods.

Just grap an aluminium tray (cashier counter) and just go over to the counter to get all the goodies you need, head for a table, there will be some person for you to order your tea or noodles etc, repeat as many times as required.  After which signal the mobile cashier who will then calculate and bill you, Price? Well, relatively cheaper than the Island tim sum places.   

Most importantly is it better than the Island Tim Sum Places?  Well it will all depends on your taste buds. It certainly is convenient for me, as I practically stay next door.      

For more food recommendation in the the Butterworth Town Center area  click here 

15 Days of Event @ Butterworth Chinese New Year Celebration

Chinese New Year Celebrations is a big do, and the epicenter of all the celebration in Butterworth will be at the 9 God Emperor Temple at Raja Uda.  And have they lineup entertainment for all 15 days of the New Year for you to enjoy.

I suspect that this 15 Days of Event will even out do Penang Island Celebrations.  See Below for all the details !

Let talk Tech - Miui8

Updates 

I find the following useful. 

• The 3 finger Screen shot is fantastic! 
• The Auto On / Off function  !!!
• The Volume Pull Drop function is helpful when u need to adjust the volume settings
• Calculator with Percentage function on top screen & conversion function is indeed good thing to add, as previously i have to download a calculator app.  

Miui8 Features

I suppose you can call Miui8, Hyde and Jekyll edition, as it feature dual apps and dual space among other new things for me to learn in operating this new phone. 

Even while my Mi4i has been upgraded to Miui8 I have been ignorant of its new features till I started researching it when I decided to get my Redmi Note 3. 

The Following are the new features

• Dual Space  - Separate space with its own unlock code with own pass word eg for wife / space / work to use, I assume you can allocate apps to one space only or to both space to ensure privacy  
• Dual Apps – You can operate 2 of the same app using different account at the same space without logging out. 
• Find Device -  if misplace from 1.mi.com we can locate, lock, alarm the device
• Mi Voice – free calling to follow Miui users if have internet connection
• Notification Bar will change colour according to forecast
• Added Colour to Mi Apps 
• Screen Shot,  have a Long Screen Shot
• Quick Ball,  a moveable touch assistant with 5 options for you to set
• Scanner App, Scan QR code, solve maths problems, translation of language, shopping, business card option
• Power saving mode – freeze background apps and task, select which apps to load on start up
• Galley, Mi Phone Sync,  All High Res Photo store in cloud,  Low res thumb nail in Phone    
• Photo & Video , editing tools can be use in camera add effect
• Screen Shot,  click on the thumbnail and you will get options to share  etc   

I Like the Quick ball, Screen shot,  not so sure on the All High Res Photo store in cloud,  how to retrieve?  The rest seems use full.   More when I actually try it out.  

WR Food Court, Jalan Raja Uda, Butterworth.

For more information of Butterworth Town Food click here

WR Food Court must be the largest in the Area,  that include Seberang Jaya and Prai,  with over 100 over tables, you can be pretty sure you will find a place to seat,  at certain times, Karaoke will be held.  and they have a large screen projector TV as well for Match days or Chinese shows.

40 Stalls operated here,  they are predominantly Chinese Stall, and offers the most verity of food in Butterwort, from Bak Kut Teh, Tim Sum, Western Food, Hokkain (Soup) Mee and many many others, usual and unusual dish.  You can get the Nibong Tebal Favorite Boil Octopus here at the Sotong Kangkong Stall.
 
As for my self , I like the Kambing Satay,  Nasi Lemak, Wantan Mee, Roast Meat Rice  here,  I understand that the Ikan Bakar stall is the best in Butterworth.  .

One of the Main Attraction to this Food Court is the Massive Car Par Located behind it.  No problem in parking most days including weekends.

Happy eating.

Operation :  Dinner Time,  Opens Daily, Stalls close of rotation.

Location :  North End of Jalan Raja Uda, near the 9 God Emperor Temple.

Hygiene :  Decent Food Court 

Sungai Nibong MPSP Food Court

That what the signboard says where I park, though I fancy there another name for it.  What special here was a stall selling pork spare parts with rice (stew big intestine, cheeks, ear, pork legs) and loh mee. 

I order the stew big intestine with rice, for RM9 per portion, they do it well here, and the chili serve with it, very nice, This stall is run alone by a Chinese Lady. However all the food is already precook   

Other stalls include the usual wan tan mee, satay etc, however what stood out was a nasi tomato stall & tosai stall in this predominantly Chinese area. 

Location :  along the road heading from Queensbay area toward the Bus Station  :  Jalan Aziz Ibrahim

Notes Parking :  Limited Parking places, Hygiene : Kopi Tiam  Pricing :  Island Standard .   

Free School Flat Food Court

Located at the round about / intersection of Jalan Terengganu n Jalan Free School beside the Free School Flats,  This is a very old school,(ops a pun)  a well worn out food court, I speculate that the hawkers have been here for ages and food here for most of the stalls are good!  At the very least the food here will be edible.

We drop by for a very late lunch  3pm plus, most of the stall were doing business,  seating due to the late hour was easy (utilize battered  aluminium tables n chairs),  parking we were lucky enough to get the last spot. 

On the Menu was Hor Fun, Char Koey Teow, Laksa, Koey Teow Soup,  All of it was good,  the Hor Fun was excellent!, the Char Koey Teow, sadly not done the way I specify, but not too bad either. 

Notes Parking :  Limited Parking places, Hygiene : old Food Court,  Pricing :  Island Standard .   

Where to stay in Butterworth?

Accommodation in Butterworth 

Accommodation in Butterworth are available in the following 4 basic categories ie  Hotel above 100 rooms, Boutique / Budget Hotels, Homestays, AirBnB places.  Listed here are some of Butterworth Hotels.     

Kindly note Listed hotels here are for the Town of Butterworth, not for Perai / Seberang Jaya Area, or even George Town as listed by those Hotel Sales Portals.  

Hotels  

·       

    Aroma Hotel,  a high rise Hotel in South Raja Uda Area, is surrounded by Food and Beverage Outlets (Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Cafes, Ice Cream, Bars), it has 272 rooms in total, and meeting facilities.  Tel : +00604 323 9111   Web :  http://www.aromahotel.com.my/

· 

     

   De Garden Hotel, a low rise Hotel also in the South Raja Uda Area, it has 125 rooms in total and meeting facilities.   Their specialty is their executive rooms with lock private car park with direct room access.  Tel :  04 332 2000   Web :  http://www.degardenhotel.com.my

Boutique / Budget Hotel

Town Center  

·        

  Hotel Palm Inn, is located right at town centre apposite the MPSP Padang,  it has 90 rooms, & seminar facilities.   Tel : 04 3317352 / 322  Web :     http://hotelpalminn.com.my/Butterworth/index.html

·         

   T+ Hotel, is located in the town centre opposite the Lotus Cinema, and Adjacent to the Indian Temple  Tel :  04 3242888 Web : http://n.thotel.com.my/butterworth/

·        

   Veenai Hotel,   Tel 04 3231212

·        

    Marina Oriental, a 14 room hotel located at Jalan Kampong Bangalli,  Tel 04 3331222  web :   http://www.e2pages.com/marinahotel/

·        

    Hotel Lodge18, is a 54 room hotel facing the MPSP padang, Tel 04 333 3399 Web :  http://www.lodge18hotel.com/

Chain Ferry

·        

   SE Hotel 2 – 50 room Tel : 04 3978688   

·            River Inn – 40 room Tel : 04 3242939

Bagan Jermal

·   

  Chariton Hotel is a 50 room hotel located in North Butterworth Tel : 04 324 8899  Web : http://www.charitonhotel.com/butterworth/

How to use Mi Mover.

My Personal Experience with Mi Mover   

1. Make sure both devices have Mi Mover, if not down load from Google Play

2. In my case I am Moving from a Mi4i to a Redmi Note 3,  Both have the Mi Mover Built in to the settings,  > System & Device > Additional Setting >  Mi Move is right at the bottom.

3. Click on it,  You will see the following

     a. I’m a Recipient  (New Phone)

     b. I’m a Sender    (Old Phone 

4. On the New Phone click on I’m a Recipient, and put it down

5. Hold the Old Phone, click on I’m a Sender, and Scan the QR Code that appear on the New Phone,  a line that with the box that appear on the new phone

6. Once everything is ready, on the Old phone click send.

7. Then Wait,  do not off the devices

May take some time, but everything goes over (to a certain extend) photo, document, every thing   

That All, Simple Easy, you might have to do it a few time. 

My Personal Experience

1. My Mi4i Memory is overloaded,  less then 1G remain Free.  That cause the transfer to hiccup  and hang 
2. I have to delete files till I have 1.6g free ie 10% 
3. As I said I took a while everything was replicated into the Redmi Note 3 other then the widgets, down to the home screens and app placement
4. My Photos, Google Keep, Mi Note, Docs, Downloads, everything when through 
5. SMS’s, Whatapp’s messages all was ported over nicely.   
6. My E Book files did not go through 100% ….  L 
7. My Waze hang …  I think due to my Facebook also hang, I uninstall and reinstall and login using phone number   
8. My Facebook initially open ok, then it could not up date,  may be due to the fact I try to log into waze using facebook,  I tried to logout,  it hang at this point,  I uninstall, and reinstalled.  And relog in 

My Conclusion :  Good!  It works to a certain extend, save lots of time especially in fetching all my apps for me,  my e book files have been backup and will be reinstalled manually.  ….  Best that such files be done this way. However this is mostly due to the fact that my Mi4i memory is too full.      

Will definitely recommend this to any person who want to transfer all over to a new phone.  

Redmi Note 3 Snapdragon 650 3g/32gb

Update 3 

• Shop Just call sorry no more kenzo, just kate, i said never mind i will get it.  

Update 2:  Walking around shops in the 3rd Jan 2017  

1. PC Depot sell Kate Version at RM799  (Thorus) 
2. Found one shop with Kenzo according to model number, (open box).   Claims Malaysian Set, say will order gray for me, without any obligation will call once arrive.    
3. Lelong Vendors selling from RM539 2g/16gb,  RM7083g/32gb 

Update ! : 

1.     Seems that there is 2 International Versions (3  including the original china set) of the Redmi Note 3,  Snapdragon (Kenzo) or Special Edition (Kate), which is mainly for Taiwan – more channels  You can sport the difference Kenzo Model Number on Box ending with 116 or 112  /  Stable Rom start with LHO or MHO,  Kate is 116 / MHR  

2.     Kate is 2mm (some say 2.5mm) longer then Kenzo, therefor case for Kenzo will not fit Kate.  Other then that,  it’s the same specs,  However Kate case & tempered glass is a rarity,  on lelong there is only 2 type of case,(Lenuo open face, and flip case) from 2 shop. – cky / gmh81   Click here     Dont buy the wrong case!

3.     Thorus Distributor (the Malaysian official Distributor) is selling Special Edition Kate Version now, (Jan 1^st 2017).  My Wife RMN3 is Kenzo Version (purchase a few months back) 

4.     MiStore at Lazada the official Mi Store in Malaysia,  RMN3 3g/32gb does not show up,  RMN3 2g/16 is listed without price and as (In Stock Soon)

Photo from Facebook Redmi Note 3 (Malaysian) Group Showing the Slight Difference in Size. in the Kenzo / Kate 

This definitely put a hiccup in my plans, Xiaomi What is going on? And Mi Max price is going to drop on the 4th Jan according to Mi Malaysia Facebook,  This is very confusing. 

Source : 3 versions of RMN3  Miui Forum  -  Click Here for link   

Redmi Note 3 Snapdragon 650 3g/32gb 

Looks like the Redmi Note 3 Snapdragon Edition with 3g/32gb ram is my finalist for hand phone preplacement.  Overall Practicality (practically the same OS and ease of transfer) and to a certain amount of budgeting lead me to this choice. 

When selecting a new phone as replacement, where possible one would wish for an upgrade especially in terms of ease of use, and within a certain budget

RMN3 Snapdragon capabilities from the reviews I read n the youtube video I saw just blew the competition away, I certainly do not want to spend more money for a less capable phone which has higher specs as there was one phone with more core, clocking higher processor speed and 33% extra memory getting a lower antutu score.  Go Figure.   

I suppose it’s a combination of specification and operating system, that makes any phone stand out in terms of performance.

Redmi Note 3 Snapdragon 650, 32g/32bg, General Specifications

·         Snapdragon 650, with 6 core processor with 4 core X 1.4 ghz, 2 core X 1.8 ghz

·         Adreno 510 GPU  

·         2 Sim (Hybird) with combi Sim/SD card slot

·         5.5 in IPS LCD touch screen, 1080 X 1920 pixels   

·         Running Miui8

·         16mp f2.0 Front camera, auto focus, Dual LCD Flash, 5mp Back camera

·         Infrared port for remote control

·         Usb 2.0 on to go

·         Fingerprint

·         4050 mah Batt Unfortunately non removable     

All this at Price of RM849 in Malaysia, Thorus Set, at Phone Shops,  

Best Steam Boat in Penang

For more information of Butterworth Town Food click here

Charcoal Steam Boat at it very best! 

Where is the Best Steam Boat in Penang located?  George Town?  No,  Bayan Baru? No,  Pulau Tikus, No? Ayer Itam? ….   Well its located in Butterworth,  Jalan Raja Uda, Yes that strip of land over the sea and according to some Blogs, the restaurant is own by a Singaporean. 

Zi Wei Yuan, Steamboat Restaurant, is located at the Northern End of Jalan Raja Uda (No 6526 & 6527), practically next to the 9 God Emperor Temple, See Map Attach  Its only open at Night, So if you want Lunch,  Sorry! And they are close every Wednesday Weekly.   They even have a place for you to park you car next door, for a charge of RM2 per car, which is claimable when you pay the bill, subject to one car per table. 

How Popular this place is?  Well even with close to 100 Tables, on a week end at 7.30 pm, there is no tables left, and no they do not take any reservation, I tried. 

Why is it that Popular?  The Soup is pure Ambrosia, The Chili Sauce they serve you is heavenly ……. Don’t believe me?  Well I have brought many people to try this place out, and well they were surprised.  The only thing I cannot figure out is why Penang Islanders do not know about this place. 

The Semi Alfresco Seating area, with fan and retractable roof.

So how does it work,  First you head in to the restaurant,  you can sit in the alfresco area, which have a retractable roof,  or inside the restaurant proper.  You will be given a choice of either Fried Fish Soup or Garupa Fish Soup, and in the following size,  small, medium or large.  Price will range from 40 to 85 just for the Soup, which will have chunks of fish, vegetable and yam in side among others. 

The Menu

Then choose what items you want to go along with your steam boat, Mainly Pork, Seafood and Vegetables Items.   After which, the table setting, raw food will arrive followed by the charcoal steamboat.  They will provide a mini fan to force air into the burning coal to increase the heat. 

Food Arrive  very fast!

Big Prawns

So When the pot get hot enough to boil, open it up and attack, scoop up the meaty fish chunks and enjoy,  of course refill the pot with the various goodies you have ordered.  At this stage a waiter will come around to refill the soup. 

The Bubbling Pot  

Due to the force fed fire, the coals will start to burn, producing enough heat to cook the food, fast. So you will not have long to wait, repeat the process till all the food have been finish.     

If your run out of the chili sauce,  I usually do,  don’t be shy,  Just get up and head for the center where all the sauces are laid out. 

Dinner for the 5 of us came to RM150 which include a bottle of Anchor Beer, a Small Jug of Chrysanthemum tea.   Brup  I will be back for more Steam boat, and I use to hate eating steamboat, now i wish i can have this weekly. 
  

Maps

How to Get There 

Zi Wei Yuan Steamboat 

6526 & 6527 Jalan Raja Uda, 12300 Butterworth 

Tel : 04 3312736 

HP : 012 4524741

Close Wed,  Open from 5pm till 11pm 

For other Recommended food in the area clik here 

Let Talk Tech - Comparing New Redone Data Plan (Amazing Plan 2017) with other Operators

update :  July 2017!  Redone Amazing Plan 

RM28 is now 5g + 5G Basic 

see (link)

Note :  1. All figures given are without GST included  2. All plan rate are for one calendar month. 

Just got updated by Facebook that Redone a virtual network operator, has just launch a new/upgraded Data Plan, with more data allowance, and they call it Amazing Plans, info From Redone web.   

Redone Amazing Plan (Post Paid) For RM 8 – 1 GB  (up grade from 500mb I think) For RM28 – 10 GB but split into 4gb + 6gb basic internet  For RM48 – 20 GB but split into 8gb + 12gb basic internet with free 200min call (n terms & condition) With 6 month lock in period.  With Free on Net call Calls at RM0.15 per min to other operator SMS RM0.10 (Othr network) RM0.05(Redone) MMS RM0.20

Should I switch or not?

Currently I am Using (This old plan is no longer available) Celcom First Blue that give me @ RM38, 3GB total with carry forward of unused internet up to 3gb + Free 50min call + Free 50 sms,I think.  Celcom have also been sending SMS on a upgrade at RM45 per month I can get 10gb,  however when I visited their web and Seberang Jaya office,  no info on the terms and condition,  the Service assistant as SJ say I must call up 1111, which I did but got kick out after waiting for a few minutes twice. 

So Redone RM28 with 4gb mobile data already is more then what Celcom First blue RM38 give me, 6gb basic is just icing,  I hardly use celcom to call or sms.  As such this Redone Plan is already a winner, Its time for me to look at what other operators are offering.  And wondering are they going to upgrade their plans.    

All information extracted from individual website as at 2^nd Jan 2017 9am

UMobile offers the following  (post paid) RM28 - U28 – 3gb + 3gb Video onz ,  Free50 min call, Free 300sms   RM50 - P50 – 5gb + 5gb Video onz + unlimited Music streaming, Free 50 min – 5sen per 30sec, Sms 3/8sen RM70 - P70 – 15gb + 7gb Video onz + unlimited music streaming + call, Sms, 3/8sen RM 98 - P98 – 30gb + Unlimited Video onz + music streaming + call Note :  Free Data for Video onz valid till 31st Dec 2017 .

Maxis offer the flowing (post paid) Their lowest plan is RM98 for 10gb + 10bg weekend, Unlimited call & sms  RM158 just double data up

Celcom offers First Blue @ RM45 for 2gb + 2gb weekend + upto 1gb carry forward, Free Yonder Music, Unlimited Wifi Plus, 50 min call, 50 sms First Gold @ RM80 for 10gb + 10gb weekend + unlimited social apps, yonder music, unlimited calls First Gold Plus @RM98 for Double First Gold Data

Digi For RM 50 (Postpaid 50) – 10gb + 5bg weekend, 100 min call For RM80 (postpaid 80) – 20gb + 10gb weekend, Unlimited call For RM110 (postpaid 110) – 25gb + unlimited weekend, call

So Let’s compare based upon the following criteria

• Data Use only,
• Prefer no split in data allocation, if split defer to Normal Mobile Data   
• More Data better for Lesser RM   
• as it stands on 2^nd Jan 2017 early morning

General Comments : Maxis seems to cater for the High end market, their lowest rate is RM98

For Lowest Rate -  RM8 Redone offers the lowest rate RM 8 which will get you 1GB Data No other operator has this rate!

2nd Lowest Rate – RM28 if you need more then 1gb
Redone – RM28	U Mobile – U28
4 gb data	3 gb data
6 gb  basic internet	3 gb video onz (till 31st Dec 2017)
Free On Net Call	50 Min Free Call, 50 min SMS
Conclusion: Redone the winner base upon more mobile data with out restriction / time limit, in total unless you watch video onz, and need to call and sms on this line.

3rd Lowest Rate -  RM45 – RM50 (if you need more data then 4gb)
Red One RM48	U Mobile P50 RM50	Celcom First Blue RM45	Digi Postpaid 50 RM50
8gb data	5gb data	2gb data weekday	10gb
16gb basic internet	5 gb video onz (till 31st Dec 2017)	2gb data weekend	5gb weekend
Free 200 min call all network, free on net call	Free 50 Min Call	Free Vonder Music, Unlimited Wifi Plus 50 min call 50 SMS	100 min Call
Conclusion: Most Mobile Data with no restriction : Digi with 10gb, + 5gb for weekends, that is if have coverage Most Data out Right: Redone with 8GB + 16gb basic internet usage + 200min call + free on net calls Note Celcom & U Mobile is not in the running at all, high time for them to review their plans.

To include Maxis in to the comparison, here is the Best Plan for Below RM100 from all operator, I further have to add on data to Redone as their highest plan max out at RM48 

Best Plan Below RM100
Redone RM48 + RM40 = RM88	U Mobile P98 RM98	Maxis One Plan RM98	Celcom First Gold Plus RM98	Digi Post Paid 80 RM80
8gb + 3gb	30gb	10gb	20gb	20gb
16gb basic	Unlimited Video onz till 31st Dec	10gb Weekend	20gb weekend	10gb Weekend
200 min free call all network Free on Net Call	Unlimited music streaming Unlimited Call	Unlimited Call n Sms	Unlimited Social App & Call	Unlimited Call
Conclusion: Most Data : 1 . Celcom First Gold Plus give you 40gb but split between weekday and weekend  + unlimited social app & call all for RM98 1..  UMobile P38 give you 30bg unlimited & Unlimited Video onz  till 31st Dec 2017+ music streaming + call for RM98 3.  Digi Postpaid 80 give you 20gb + 10gb week end for RM80 Most Data without restriction:  1. UMobile P98, 30gb unlimited & Unlimited Video onz  till 31st Dec 2017+ music streaming + call for RM98 2. Digi (postpaid 80) – 20gb + 10gb weekend, Unlimited call for RM80 3. Celcom First Gold Plus – RM98  20gb + 20gb week end, unlimited social app & call

So for my needs & usage,  Redone Amazing Plan RM28 fits the bill,  4gb mobile data,  6 gb basic internet use as spare ......

Update  Updated Plans Mid Year 2017  (link)