How? How is it possible....
...that Kuah Town ("kwah" town) is even hotter than Kuantan? How???
I just don't know. But it is. And, it was overcast! B R U T A L Brutal, I tell ya. You don't care. Truth be told, it's a hassle but I'll be fine.
The "feels like temp" was 112F when I went out! It's chillin' out now. Yay!
The day has been a long one. I had an 1100 flight. Not being sure how Grab would be I did not want to play it loosely.
So at 0700 I was on my way to have breakfast. With Bob. Damn right I was gonna dine at his place again. It's really good. If you find yourself in his neighborhood before 1000 have breakfast there. (They only do breakfast.)
Mee goreng today. Spicy, complex flavors, simple food that fills one's belly and soul. I'll miss it.
Then pack, shower, check-out, Grab ride all went to plan. So did the airport (except the worst coffee I've had in a long time. 2 sips and I dumped it.) A short flight, 45min. A longer transit, 80min. Another short flight, 55min. A short Grab ride. I checked in about 1530, I think.
This hotel is simple. Less than RM150 per night. But clean. The TV doesn't get any channels(???) bit since I watched all of 1 hour in the past week, so what? (15 minutes of volleyball, 45 minutes of badminton. Don't laugh, badminton is very cool*.)
No water bottles in this room. Time to get some. So I walked. And, sweat. And, sweat. And, almost passed out.
I almost got too cowardly but I saw chicken going into an honest to goodness really tandoor. I walked on. Then the scent hit me. I walked back.
So glad I did!
The black drink is Asam - sour plum. Sweet and sour. Delicious.
So, here's how to get to this place. Walk down 3 blocks to the left. See that there's no restaurants. Walk back the 3 blocks. Play frogger to cross the road. Zig-zag enough that you're confused. Note the dilapidation. Worry a bit. Wonder why everything is closed. Sweat. Almost pass out. Sweat.
Then be brave and go back to the chicken place you just passed. Nope, I dunno the name. I'll learn it tomorrow.
Deliciousness and hilarity ensued. It was 1635 when I man'd up and sat down. Tandori chicken wouldn't be available until 1700. I'm very glad I waited.
Around 1700 the place was suddenly full. Muslim and Hindu alike. My "Set A" (tandoori chicken and plain naan, obviously) arrived. When in Malaysia, eat with your hand. Right hand only. (Be respectful, it's why you're here - to learn new things.)
I made a mess of myself. But I finished it. Amazing. Set A, Asam Iced (extra price for cold drinks is the local norm), and a bottle of water. RM21.50 Yes, less than $6.00
Walk home. 5 blocks as the pigeons fly. Buy 4.5 litres of water (3X1.5L) for RM9. Take a cold shower. Write just enough to be ready to settle in with a book and pass out...
...but then do a quick search and realize that it's OK to eat tandoori chicken with BOTH hands.
I have all day tomorrow to figure out if I want to eat anything different for dinner. If all the shops are closed, it'll be just fine. That chicken rocks.
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I had to take 2 PE classes in college. The same number required as fine arts, religion, and a few other broad categories. I took handball (ouch) and badminton. It is not like our backyard game.
The shuttlecock travels faster than an F1 car. Almost 500 kph. Look it up for yourself!
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