Christmas Light-up at The Zenith Hotel, Kuantan

We attended a lovely event at The Zenith Hotel in Kuantan the other night, titled "Christmas Light-up".

The Zenith Hotel was looking fabulous as always. It was great to meet up with old members of staff there whom we met when the hotel first opened back in December 2010.

I love how spacious every area of The Zenith Hotel is. The lobby, check-in area, seating areas, the Lounge and Dining Room, even the elevators areas and the toilets are all spacious and attractive.

A small choir sang Christmas songs and hymns on the blue illuminated stairs in the lobby as people gathered to listen and reflect on the Christmas season. A local group of mentally challenged people were invited to the event as special guests in what was a nice touch to the night.

Food and drinks buffet style were served afterwards in the Lounge and Dining Room. 

I hope you'll enjoy the photos I took of the Christmas Light-up night!

The choir performs Christmas music at The Zenith Hotel

People watch on as the choir performs at The Zenith Hotel lobby

Two observers spending a few quiet moments in contemplation as the choir sing Christmas anthems in the background

A man takes a photo of the choir with his handphone at The Zenith Hotel

The Zenith Hotel at Christmas Light-up

The beautiful Christmas tree in The Zenith Hotel lobby, accompanied by a smaller ice version

More of the pink Christmas tree later . . .

Santa came to visit Lauren and Leah!

I even got a photo with Santa and his helper!

Following is some of the food on offer for the buffet dinner at The Zenith Hotel during the Christmas Light-up event:

And back to the pink Christmas tree . . .

Leah sitting in the rickshaw beside the Christmas tree at The Zenith Hotel

Lauren and Leah posing in the pink rickshaw by the pink Christmas tree. Very much Lauren's scene!

Love this image of Santa at the bar. He works too hard!

My favourite Christmas picture this year!

With The Zenith Hotel staff

Family picture in front of the Christmas tree at The Zenith Hotel

Sunrise at The Zenith Hotel

I was fortunate to witness a beautiful sunrise at The Zenith Hotel the other week. It's not a bad photo given that I had to shoot through a glass window.

Sunrise at The Zenith Hotel, Kuantan

This sunrise was a nice blend of blue sky, greyish clouds and an orange glow. A great start to any day!

Kafe Kopi Aliff

Kafe Kopi Aliff, Bukit Sekilau, Kuantan

Kafe Kopi Aliff is a brand new restaurant opened in Bukit Sekilau, Kuantan. It occupies a corner shoplot on Lorong Sekilau 22, just a 1-minute drive from The Zenith Hotel and East Coast Mall.

A view inside Kafe Kopi Aliff

We decided to test their food the other evening. We opted for their fish and chips, part of the Western food they serve. As you can see from the menus, there is a decent offering of food for such a small restaurant:

The boss and workers preparing our meals

Fidelia and Lauren waiting for their food

Kafe Kopi Aliff is open from 12 lunchtime to 12 midnight

Fish and chips at Kafe Kopi Aliff

I must admit I was a little nervous when presented with my food. The 'chips' were actually potato wedges and the fish came in smaller pieces as opposed to one long piece. But the RM8 dish actually tasted very nice, and the wedges were really sumptuous. Maybe there could have been  a little more wedges, but fortunately enough, the boss provided us with additional wedges on the house!

Another day we ordered the Chicken Chop for RM10, a very good price. My wife gave it a positively encouraging 8/10!

The friendly boss at Kafe Kopi Aliff gladly posed for a picture

The three workers at Kafe Kopi Aliff

We will most probably be visiting Kafe Kopi Aliff many more times in the future. It helps being just downstairs from our house!

If you are in the area, you should stop by and give Kafe Kopi Aliff a try. While you're there, you can also say hi to me!

April 2013: Unfortunately, this cafe is now closed and out of business

I'm the recipient of the Silver Award at Expatsblog.com!

So the judges decision has been made and I have won the Silver Award for Malaysia at expatsblog.com best blog awards!

I'm really thrilled with that, and extremely grateful for the 96 people who took the time to fill out the form and drop me a short review.

I will be doing a little something for each and every one of them over facebook in the coming weeks, which will be particularly beneficial for those who have blogs!

I was second to a really great blog kept by Monica who is from Australia and now lives in Malaysia. She has the most fantastic food blog and is a deserved winner of the Gold Award for Malaysia. You can hop over to her blog right here:

The Yum List

Enjoy your 12/12/12, whatever you may be doing!

A Night of Christmas Choral Music 2012 at SAS Convention Centre, Kuantan

We inadvertently stumbled upon "A Night of Christmas Choral Music 2012" last Saturday night while buying cake at The Zenith Hotel.

We decided to attend, and it was free for all, at the adjoining Sultan Ahmad Shah International Convention Centre (SASICC).

Exhibition Halls 1 & 2 were opened up into one big hall, which held 3,000 people on the night.

Put on by the Wesley Methodist Church in Kuantan, together with other participating churches, it was a wonderful event with inspiring music and words about Jesus Christ, the reason we celebrate Christmas.

This was a 2-hour performance of both choral singing and instrumental prowess which delighted the 3,000 spectators in attendance.

The Christmas season is well and truly underway in Kuantan!

The concert ran from 8-10pm and was thoroughly enjoyed by all. We left a little early to avoid the inevitable jam around Putra Square!