Chitty's Odyssey and feeding frenzy in S.E.Asia.

[Joe 90]

As I type here sat in the bar of departures at Manchester airport Terminal 2 waiting for my 9.30pm flight to Asia im reflecting upon the past year and how life as steadily got better.

My minions and dog are on holiday at their Nanas for the festive period.

I on other hand have a festive treat of my own planned.

I intend to treat myself to a 21 day feeding frenzy around South East Asia!!!

I intend to visit a different restaurant every day in various countries trying different local delicacies and culinary treats!

Yes,no more burnt meat and baked beans for me till next year.

No more freezing cold.

The only real plan at the moment is to hit the full moon party at NYE on Koh phan nan

But hey, plans change and nothing is set in stone.

Malaysia, Thailand, Kampuchea all beckon!

I'm not going for the temples, I'm going for the food!!!

Have taken my lap top,so will update this thread daily with pics that will make you salivate.

Time to get onit like a car bonnet.

[Loy Toy]

Travel safe mate and CRACK ON!

[sabang]

Be sure to check out Pattaya- the English breakfast capital of the world!

[Joe 90]

Be sure to check out Pattaya- the English breakfast capital of the world!

Not a bad idea, however I am trying to avoid Western cuisine.
I am hoping for suggestions from the TD membership on eateries in SE Asia.

I've got a few weeks to play with and a £10,000 budget for flights,hotels food,etc.

[sabang]

I'll chuck in a few as they come to mind.

1/ La Mesa, Spanish. It's on the Darkside, in the Tulip Resort. Yeh, a bit out of the way if you're in central Patts (and not Asian) but an absolute gem- reasonably priced too. Can't live on pad kha pao only! It will cost you about 120bht by Bolt, if you want to venture out to the DS.




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[Backspin]

Congrats on the trip. I remember some of us were bugging you about taking a trip and you weren't too sure about it yet. Take some pics

[david44]

Once sated by Thaland's spicy offerings, Cow Soy, Sauteed crickets , Pussy in its own sauce and of course fresh worm why not head to Pulau PInang's capital Georgetown Malaya.


There among the crumbling arcades and friends whispering Pschttt you'll find some of the finest Yum Cha in the world amongst the midnight gropers and ass isle slum seekers.
While served in better style in the Mandarins of Honkers or Chinatown SF the sauna like steam and clatter of trolleys laden with tasty tidbits is the adventure that is Tai Tong.

It has sister branches elsewhere but this 100 yards south of Chulia St is the bees knees , food at Lunch c11-1400 and at dusk 630pm get a seat near the street if you need breeze. Gets very crowded 7-9pm with families but a few 2 seater tables usually free as folks have a few and move on.Open til about 10pm
Individual pieces 1.5-4.5 RM , No beer so hard to spend $10, bottomless pot green tea,

45, Lebuh Cintra, George Town, 10100 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
A Penang Institution with a menu in addition to the Dim Sum favourites Tai Tong Restaurant | 大东酒楼 | Maxim Group | 美食之家

Also on the streets and slopeterias Bee Hoon , Kiew Teow noodles from the many night vendors on Chulia Street the main drag a short 10m walk up from the Ferry terminal or Komtar Bus terminus.

Warning you will see some of teh filthiest lascars, one toothed pedalo pilots and shabby looking Euroscum seeing ASEAN on 5 bongs a day, lewd debauchery, you are ever likley to see, mingling happily with devout Mosk wallahs, Hokkien bank Clerks in school uniform , sexpats, expats, Indians in Dhotis, and me with a Roti.

For unbelievably good vegetarian opposite the Central Cop Shop side door 11-2
20, Lebuh Dickens, George Town, 10050 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

Sold by weight or dish. The Tofu really taste like pork, chicken fish etc.
Simple clean fresh perfect detox for 5-10 RM , no grog
Most veggie places Chinese Hokkien Hakka run and their name signs are GREEN



For Penang brekkie cannot beat Little India wit its banana leaf curries and many Tandoori places which are generally muslim ( so no pork but beef, mutton, shellfish crab and goat may be on offer)and to the W of Chulia Street while the Hindu no beef joints to the N and East where Indian Music blares from bangle shops follow your ears.Most Indian places are veggie and excellent ad quality in the simpler places just as good, only price hike is if you want air con and a table cloth.


A couple of picks here
24 hour Restoran Kapitan with good Tandoor you can see ,exxcellent Tandoor and Roti with curry sauce a refreshing filler after a night on the aherm what youngsts used to call the "razzle'.
93, Lebuh Chulia, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang
For South Indian Tamil and delicious Dosa
Woodlands offers Air Con but across the street there are choice of pavement with breeze, steamy upper deck or hidden air con "canteen" inside at Sri Ananda Bahvan very well known, also take away snacks fried savories like Vadai, Samosas and sticky Indian sweets.


At night if still hungry perhaps some chillied crabs?
There are hawker foods everywhere a bit less popular with tourists is the quay beyond Fort Cornwallis on the Esplanade north of the Navy and a short walk from The Bayview Hotel and nearby Pubs, Nightclub dens and The Empire and Oriental.
Bayview Hotel Georgetown Penang in Penang - Book a hotel
Enjoy, all these places walking distance Bayview Hotel $60-80, many grittier hovels abound, when I was single I used to find places for $20 with air but her indoors wants all mod cons and no riff raff on holiday, having to live with e the other 48 weeks of the year !!

If going to Ho Chi Minh or Hoi An I'll stick a few other picks in chew course.

In C Mai the Misskit view from the Sunflower restaurant 24th floor Duangtawan Hotel has similar Chinese food at suitably sky high fine dining , tho buffet is value at either 444 or 555 !!! They have a dedicated lift and a waiting lobby if meeting friends. I think spirits maybe sold I like Chinese tea with Dim Sum.

On a clear day they say if sufficiently oiled you may see Cy and Harry enjoying a Vimto over a game of Dominoes but I didn't dare.
At present lunch only 1130-1430 book if you want a window seat, I concentrate on the food, will visit twice next week.Its fully glazed on 3 sides may not suit those with High Anxiety .

"https://www.duangtawanhotelchiangmai.com/restaurant.html" - Chiang Mai, Thailand | Duangtawan Hotel Chiang Mai

119 Loi Kroh Rd, Tambon Chang Khlan, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50100


While you may well cycle it off a friend did to Bangkok in 27 hours you will not be served in Spandex in my presence in a Tux, you have been aforewarned, I will however save you some chicken feet and giblet gravy in a Doggy bag for Lulu who patrols the rear entry for sundry porpoises. It is a pretty formal scene I wear log trousers and buttoned shirts and have never seen the shorts, tats, thongs, and wifebeater brigade admitted .I think no beer, and stiff prices deter most.

If you prefer grown men dress as kids Ron Holly's Chiang Mai saloon near the Muay Thai has good burgers and relatively cheap ales.

PS
Bayview Hotel Georgetown Penang in Penang - Book a hotel

[david44]

Sorry added hotel
Bayview Hotel Georgetown Penang in Penang - Book a hotel

Frmatting fecked PM if cannot decipher address links

[cyrille]

I'm not going for the temples, I'm going for the food!!!

It’s pretty obvious to anyone who’s read your posts over the last couple of years what you are going for.

[Stumpy]

Sounds like an extended Mendy Passport run with extra stops.

Enjoy your "eating" extravaganza.

[cyrille]

Sounds like an extended Mendy Passport run with extra stops.

Including a visit to a country that hasn't existed since 1979.

Move over, Anthony Bourdain.

[Buckaroo Banzai]

Sounds like a lot of fun.
Post a lot of pictures,!!

[MarilynMonroe]

Enjoy! Life is short! Are you there for Christmas then.
I'm heading to Cuba in Mid March! Can't bloody wait after 5 years of no travelling.

[david44]

I'm heading to Cuba

Fidel on the roof, or dancing in the streets, try Vinales

[DrWilly]

Enjoy! Life is short! Are you there for Christmas then.
I'm heading to Cuba in Mid March! Can't bloody wait after 5 years of no travelling.

Sure you are.

[malmomike77]

I've got a few weeks to play with and a £10,000 budget for flights,hotels food,etc.

Hmm so despite offloading your "Nutty" Asian ex-wife you are going to revisit old haunts including Phangan backpacker party at which you'll probably be the oldest person there. Surely with that budget you could visit some other places you've not been to?

If it were me i'd consider South/Central America, a US Road Trip or tick off some of Africa.

[MarilynMonroe]

Fidel on the roof, or dancing in the streets, try Vinales

Nice music.. going on an all inclusive vacay.. lots of food, drink, beach, and dancing.

[katie23]

If you're going to Malaysia, check out Penang - it's a food lover's paradise. While in Malaysia, if you want cooler climes check out Cameron Highlands.

Enjoy your trip! Don't get too pissed. Keep your wits (and your wallet) about you.

[MarilynMonroe]

If it were me i'd consider South/Central America

Would love to do this at some point. You do make some great points.... im sure he has his reasons.

[MarilynMonroe]

Kampuchea

Cambodia? If you are visiting Siem Riep and Phnom Penh, I can tell you some historical things you can do.
Food isn't that great in cambo to be honest.

[malmomike77]

im sure he has his reasons.

try before you buy i'd imagine

[cyrille]

Food isn't that great in cambo to be honest.

In fact it's so poor that only a simpleton would go there if their main intention were to try the food.

So ordinarily that would be a dead giveaway, but with Chitty...

[MarilynMonroe]

In fact it's so poor that only a simpleton would go there if their main intention were to try the food.

So ordinarily that would be a dead giveaway, but with Chitty...

Not sure about simpleton,, but his posts in the biggest disappointments thread were cringeworthy.

[Backspin]

Hmm so despite offloading your "Nutty" Asian ex-wife you are going to revisit old haunts including Phangan backpacker party at which you'll probably be the oldest person there. Surely with that budget you could visit some other places you've not been to?

If it were me i'd consider South/Central America, a US Road Trip or tick off some of Africa.

Probably why Malaysia and Cambo are on the itinerary

Didn't you just go to Thailand again ? How many countries have you been to?

I went to Mexico and Jamaica because they were closer. Nothing really beats Asia for value. It's good to see other places if you have lots of time to burn. But if you don't , it's better to have a sure thing

[Loy Toy]

Although I am not a fan of Malaysian food I would go there for the Indian food.

Simply the best I have had.