Sleep wasn’t the most comfortable but I guess it wasn’t critical when thoughts of what we can eat made up for it. Honestly, it was the pillow and somehow, my little travel pillow didn’t help this time. Sigh…
The day started off early with a trip to the Casual Market for breakfast. Located in the middle of the town, this food court had plenty to offer. A friend highly recommended Stall 64 for the Curry Laksa but it was closed! Oh… disappointment kicked in.
But fret not, there were plenty of other choices and we had our fill. And the day was still young, so we headed back to Taiping Lake Gardens as the skies were clear and perfect to admire the trees.
It was indeed very pretty, all the trees leaning towards the water. The reflection and the surrounding was so peaceful and calming. We sat by the lake just to breathe in the fresh air and absorbed some Vitamin D (the sun).
Then we headed to Kuala Sepetang to visit the Charcoal Factory. It was very enlightening to learn how charcoal are made. After that visit, we went across the road and explored the mangrove forest to pass time so that we can have lunch at Lemon Tree Restaurant nearby (in Matang) for the recommended seafood porridge. Like last night’s dinner, the porridge was very good, and cheap!
Sated to the brim (burp), it was time to leave Matang and Taiping now filled with memories of cheap eats and wonderful discoveries. The drive back was pleasant enough and we decided to detour to Ipoh for coffee! After all, this was a gastronomic journey, why not cap it with some good coffee.
Now you see why the need for stretchy pants?
Closed! Not our luck this time.
But we had all these other options!
Feels like entering a long tunnel. Branches are so unique!
Mr Chuah has quite an impressive charcoal factory!
Mangrove wood are stripped of the bark, sun-dried first and then into the kiln they go
The backyard for all the wood supplies to reach the clusters of factories at this place
This kiln has been sealed to further smoke the 1,500 pieces of mangrove wood inside.
This fella was getting some hot charcoal to actually bake some potatoes!
This kiln has yet to be sealed. Smoke coming out is actually the moisture from the wood. Foreground rubber wood are used for burning to smoke the mangrove wood
Laden with crab, prawns, fish, scallops and fishballs, best seafood porridge we had!
Iced coffee, iced milk coffee and toast before we head home!
Angieneering 
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