Motormouth From Ipoh – Malaysian Food & Travel

Chapter 1 -Sanctuary Cove – Working in Paradise
Chapter 2 – Harbour Town Outlet Shopping @ Gold Coast

The Waffle with Chocolate fudge and Vanilla Ice Cream, dusted with icing sugar (about AUD10.95 each) – Bound to get you into a sugar rush … but what the heck!

Must Finish All Chapters before the Next One! Motormouth is adamant about this, and I’m stretching my neck, back, arms and all in a most strenuous manner; albeit the eyelids are drooping to an all time low.

I will be back to Ipoh (again?) this weekend, but shall be away for work (again?!!!!!!!) throughout the few days. Talk about tight schedule, the last REAL weekend I had was before this Gold Coast excursion two or three weeks ago. And I have had no rest ever since.

Anyway, here’s a place we accidentally bumped into on our last night in Brisbane city. We knew about this Pancake Manor from a colleague, but with only an hour or so to spare before we had to take a cab to the airport, we did not foresee this opportunity arising. A quickie food pit-stop before the departure, if you will.

And when we came across this sign, we had the same inkling that this MIGHT just be the place SY was talking about …..

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#1 – Fried Egg, Hash Brown, Bacon and Toast (AUD4.80/RM14.90) – Back to basics stuff, yet worked exceptionally well after a LONG flight with transit in between. Almost like nasi lemak to Malaysians, can’t imagine breakfast in Australia without some bacon and eggs.

And thus, after the brief solace we found at Hyatt Regency Sanctuary Cove, our tummies started grumbling and off we went in search of good grubs to fill the void. After all, the said resort ain’t a stone’s throw away from town. One thing we noticed was that the cabs there are EXPENSIVE. A one way trip from our hotel to Surfer’s Paradise cost AUD65/RM201.50 (!!), while our trip to Harbour Town Outlet Shopping cost AUD35/RM108.50. Bear in mind that the journey took no longer than 20 minutes at most.

Harbour Town @ Gold Coast – There’s No Town Like It. Okay so that’s the tagline, but here you can seek retail therapy, comfort in knowing that you can find bang for your bucks, and of course …. food round every corner.

Since I projected no leisure time for sight-seeing, food hunting or even souvenir shopping, the first day was thankfully allocated for us to overcome the jet lag (or lack thereof, since the time differs only by an additional two hours) and fatigue owing to the 8 hours or so of flight time.

A quick check with the receptionist at our hotel revealed that even the locals go to Harbour Town for good bargains and of course … I did a tiny bit of preparation before departure; and the same factory outlet shopping haven popped up in more than one resources.

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A far cry from the usual posh, stylish and contemporary Hyatt resorts, Hyatt Regency Sanctuary Cove @ Gold Coast, Australia sets the mood for a laid back, relaxed and rejuvenating experience with its timeless design and classic ambience punctuated with lush greeneries.

So okay, I was away for the whole of last week mainly for work. First portion of the week was spent in Gold Coast of Australia, then the second half back in my home country, but on an island that’s overflowing with hawker delights. But that’s material for another post.

This was my first visit to Gold Coast, and even Australia. Yes, our beloved (ambitious) Air Asia started the Australia routes since God-knows-when and yet there was no urge for an immediate excursion to Down Under. Even when our Ringgit strengthened against the Aussie dollar sometime last year (to an irresistible tune of RM2++ to AUD1!!). This time around, it’s RM3.10 to AUD1, but since work beckoned … there was no choice but to brace myself for a whirlwind journey that lasted a good few days.

Sanctuary Cove @ Gold Coast - A respite for the weary soul indeed, you don’t exactly expect parties, surfers and beaches but instead you get to savour a serene, quaint and tranquil surroundings befitting a royale getaway

Since it was still summer (albeit almost at the end of the tanning season), I was well prepared for a steamy/sweltering hot session at the beach with white sandy beaches stretching to no ends, sun-kissed bodies tanning on the beach, and high waves catching the eye.

To no avail. Since we were put up at Hyatt Regency at Sanctuary Cove to the north of the island; a good distance away from Surfer’s Paradise, my dream of frolicking in the sands was dashed. Somewhat.

Read on for more enticing shots of the stay, and of course … the FOOD. Read the rest of this entry »