I joined a contest, Taste your way around Asia, that was hosted by AirAsiaGo on their Facebook page more for the fun of it than anything else. I thought it was somewhat interesting and this was how it went – they would name a destination and a few culinary specialties at that particular place and participants would have to email them photographs of other delights found at that same place, giving whatever information they required.
I think the first destination was Sarawak so that was easy and of course, my submission had to be the Kuching or Sarawak laksa…
The next destination was Penang and since char kway teow was on their list, I could not suggest that. In the end, I settled for the or chian (oyster omelette) and the roti jala, Indian style that I had at a nasi kandar place on the island…
Bangkok was next and it was not too difficult as they did not mention the pad Thai nor the pineapple fried rice…
…and I had the photographs of the two at hand.
Hong Kong was quite a challenge as they mentioned dim sum and roast goose so I had to come out with something else and for Vietnam, the Vietnamese pho was in their list. In the end, I decided to submit the siew yoke (roast pork belly) and the Vietnamese rolls…
…for these two destinations.
Taipei came next and I had snapshots of the Taiwan-style beef noodles and also the celebrated pineapple cakes…
…but Korea was rather challenging. I think they had kim chi and bibimbap and I do not know much about Korean cuisine especially when I was there once only – in the winter and it was so cold that for every meal, we requested for their mee sua in ginseng chicken soup with their very nice rice wine. In the end, I just sent to them this photograph of the Korean mochi buns…
…and that was it!
Now, why did I say that I just joined for fun like I was not all that keen? Well, the thing was the prize would be another free hotel stay – I had already won one at either Bangkok or Phuket in a contest organised by their affiliate, Tune Insurance around Christmastime last year and it is due to expire at the end of this month so it sure looks like I would not get to use it in the end. I wouldn’t mind forwarding that to anyone heading to one of these two destinations in the next few weeks – just let me know! I did read the fine print and it did not say anywhere that it is non-transferable so I guess it is all right.
Anyway, for this particular contest, I received an email from them informing me that I had won and they asked me for my mailing address. After a couple of days, I received this…
Homestay? In Kluang? I know that it is in Johore but I can’t jolly well fly there! I’d probably would have to fly to JB and go all the way by bus or by train from there. Sighhhhh!!!! If it had been free hotel accommodation in JB itself…or KL, Penang, Kuching, Kota Kinabalu or even Singapore, I would probably make a trip there and make full use of the prize. As for going to Kluang, I will have to think about it. The voucher expires at the end of October this year so there is still a lot of time for me to sleep on it…but if anyone is interested, I can pass it to him or her, no problem at all.
Well, I sure had a lot of fun and yes, it is nice to win something, never mind what. LOL!!!
...STILL CRAZY AFTER ALL THESE YEARS! 
Homestay.. in Kluang. Arthur, can you organise a contest and the winner will get to stay at your home in Sibu? I’m sure many would prefer that to the Kluang wan…
My home, no need for contest and prize one. Anyone’s welcome, door is always open. 😉
wow!!! congrates!!!
seems u are very lucky ya, win so much presents so far…. 🙂
All I can’t use ones… 😦 If strike BIG in TOTO, then I can go over…can get to meet you in SP even. 😉
simply damn delicious!!!
i think i can handle where ever and when ever i go, that’s the major problem i had..
i can eat all things and lovin it all the way, lol
Same here. Would want to try what they have each place I go to, all that is special…especially stuff that I can’t find here.
Nice pics. Congrats on the comp. Shame you’d have to “buy a ticket” (I’m guessing from Air Asia!) to take up their prize!
It’s all right, getting my own air ticket, but the free hotel stays are at places that I am not likely to go to. If I were to head to Bangkok or Phuket, I would have to get TWO tickets – Sibu-KL…and beyond to one of those two destinations…and back, and while I wouldn’t mind JB, I don’t think I am all that keen about making my way to Kluang.
All the food look so good, I would make you the winner too if I’m one of the judges 🙂
Wow congrats! You still have a few months to think about it..
Yes, if nobody says he or she wants it, I will just keep till it expires. Who knows, something may crop up in the meantime.
Well done and congrats. Oh, I have been to Thailand so not heading that way soon. Kluang? Hmm. A change instead of those famous places you mentioned.
You want? I can forward to you via the email address you’re using here. Let me know if you’re keen on going.
No. I make it a pass. Haha. Hubby just transfer back and work in new branch. Would not be planning any holiday that soon.
Thanks anyway. Hope you find someone who is keen to go.
Ok, will see who wants it. If you change your mind, just let me know – I may still have it.
Congratulations STP! 😀
& as for Bangkok/Pattaya – me me me! 😉
You can go before end of April? I’ll forward the email to you via the address you’re using here.
P.S. Ok, done! Check your email, ya!
I think it’s *Phuket rather than Pattaya hehe
Yup, my mistake. Going to edit that now, thanks.
Congratz! Kluang is an interesting place with their famous roti bakar right?
No idea. In 1973, in Singapore, I knew a girl from there. Lost touch already.
Congratulations to you!!! 🙂
Thanks.
Kluang????
Lol……sharon and Chris will be looking forward to meet u personally. Finally get their wish come true
Humph!!! Sharon asked me to go to Singapore to meet her – just said it on Facebook and Chris…ummm…never mind lah. 😀 😀 😀
Gee, winning 2 prizes and yet not able to utilize what you won! I suppose it is a good idea to give away the prizes and make someone happy, eh? If not, it would be such a waste of your good luck 😀
Yes. I dunno why they would not give free return tickets to any one of their destinations instead. Can limit it to one sector only, say Sibu-KL-Sibu – connections to elsewhere, have to pay one’s own way…and during off-peak periods. Would not make any difference to them having one extra passenger on board the flight.
Congratulations! Kluang? Hmmm… If I were you, I would make another giveaway and pass the prize to the lucky winner. Hehe.
LOL!!! Then everyone would grumble about me giving away things I do not want. No lah. If nobody wants, just let it expire.
Kluang is quite far from the JB Airport. Yes, you need to travel by car or bus to the destination for another 1 hour plus. It’s near to in law’s house. The best thing about there probably is their coffee and toast. ahaha
Everyone tells me that – I wonder if it’s better than the celebrated one here in Sarikei. Another hour??? Oh dear!
You’re on a roll! Time to join contests that give cash rewards? Hehe
Somehow, money eludes me… Sobsssss!!!!
your kuching sarawak laksa looks better than the one I had this morning, much better.
Auntie Christina’s at Bangsar? I hear hers is good, like the real thing.
Well done! Your photo collection paid off. Maybe mine will one day.
Fingers crossed. 😀
Did they not mention the prize when you decided to join? I wouldn’t have spent time joining it if I know beforehand that the prize is Kluang.. I mean homestay in Kluang 😀
Nope, they just said free hotel stay… I would have joined even if they had mentioned the prize – I thought that was an interesting contest, and I sure had fun…even if I did not win anything! Sometimes, it isn’t all about winning…is it?
Not really, but if I am not interested with a prize, I would not join the contest officially. I might win something that I do not want while depriving someone who do want the prize the chances of winning it.
That’s so very sweet and thoughtful of you. Well, all they said was – free hotel stay 3D/2N…and I would love that had it been in KL or JB…or even Kuching. Can look out for cheap promo fares and hop over for a couple of days. Even if I do not want to go, I can always give to friends there, go stay in hotel for two nights – I have friends in KL who do that, those with memberships and are given free stays. I got a voucher from a friend once – stayed at Renaissance, no less.
I’ve given the Bangkok/Phuket one to a friend now (see above comment) – so if anyone is interested in this Kluang one, I will be willing to part with it, no problem. It expires 31st Oct, long way to go…so if nobody wants it, who knows, I may make my way there myself. We’ll see.
Goat year seems to be a lucky year for you. Congratulations!!!!!….All the food you posted looks so awesome. Mari, mari,…..more to come your way.
Hoping and praying – the RED one, not this red one!
That time, i took a bus from Larkin Bus Terminal to Kluang, takes me 1 1/2 hours…
You want to go again? I forward the email to you?
Kluang is a very old nice town… Spent some time there.
I love old little nice towns like Tanjung Sepat that you took me to – they have character! The problem is for me here to get there. 😦
Are you a pro at winning contests or what?? Also, I like how you are slightly complaining about something you’ve won LOL. Cheers, Suituapui! And congrats on winning another contest 🙂
Not really, been hopeless at these things but lately, I’ve been winning. Ya, I wish it had been a hotel stay, not at some homestay in a little town which is not even a stopover for the airline. Not all that convenient for me to get there.
Two nights stay? the place sounds exotic! why not? Go on a well-rested honeymoon. then stop by KL or JB the rest of the time. 🙂 And congratulations!
Actually I’m thinking of going to JB, and to Singapore, not Kluang. We’ll see. Maybe I can get somebody to go with me.
omigosh, just scrolling through this post is enough to arouse a furious appetite … laksa, oh chien, siu yok … all my weak spots 😀
LOL!!! Temptations all the way… 😀
Tahniah Cikgu!! Wahhh.. this year looks good for you, one after another the prizes keep coming! So you are sitting on the voucher till come what may? So generous of you to pass them on… hope it will not go wasted… maybe you hold a contest too? 🙂
Interested? Now that you have a house in JB, I guess you will be going south very often? Can go and spend a relaxing weekend in Kluang. Just let me know and I will forward the letter to you.
First of all, congratulations on the prize winning.
Secondly… that bowl of Sarawak Laksa look so enticing!
Lastly… why la the prize to go Kluang? Homestay lagi? huhuhuhu….
Yalor. At least, if Malacca or Seremban or PD, I would definitely go…