Celebrating My Birthday in JB: Thai Flavors, Sweaty Moments & Kodak FZ55 Fun
This year, I decided to make my birthday a little different. Instead of the usual stay-at-home celebration, I crossed the border to Johor Bahru, Malaysia, for a brunch adventure with my family. My nephew had been raving about a place called Kampung Carabao, a Thai-style restaurant famous for its rich flavors and spicy dishes.
Kampung Carabao: A Spicy Birthday Brunch
The moment we stepped in, the restaurant’s warm wooden décor and Thai-inspired atmosphere set the mood for a cozy brunch. The menu was loaded with classic Thai favorites—Tom Yum soups, green curries, and spicy stir-fries.
I’m not great with too hot spice, but I wanted to try it. Within minutes, I was sweating profusely. The heat wasn’t just from the Malaysian weather—it was from the food! Thankfully, I paired my meal with hot tea, and to my surprise, I didn’t have any stomach issues the next day. The tea really could be the secret weapon against spice overload.
Capturing the Day with the Kodak PIXPRO FZ55
Since it was a special day, I brought along my trusty Kodak PIXPRO FZ55. I’ve had bigger, more powerful cameras like my Nikon P950, Zfc, and Z8, but sometimes it’s fun to just carry something light and easy.
Kodak PIXPRO FZ55 Key Specs:
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16MP 1/2.3" CMOS sensor
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28mm wide-angle lens with 5× optical zoom
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2.7" LCD display
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1080p Full HD video recording
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Slim, lightweight design under $200
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Rechargeable Li-ion battery
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Digital image stabilization
I kept it mostly in auto mode, but I tried some of the scene modes, and they worked surprisingly well. One thing I noticed: the camera has a stabilization option in the menu, but you still need to keep your hands very steady—especially when shooting video. For best results, recommend resting it on a stable platform.
You can watch a video from this trip on my YouTube channel.
Shopping and a Smooth Ride Home
After brunch, we headed to our usual shopping center. I treated myself to a simple messenger bag—a little birthday gift. Luckily, there was no traffic jam at Singapore customs, and we made it home by 8 PM.
To wrap up the day, I bought a small cake and had a quiet moment. It wasn’t a grand celebration, but it was filled with family, laughter, good food, and a chance to play with my camera.
Final Thoughts
The Kodak FZ55 might not match the power of my Nikons, but for a fun day out, it’s more than enough. It's really a great budget travel photography and videography camera. This trip reminded me that birthdays don’t have to be extravagant—sometimes, all you need is good company, delicious food, and a little gadget to capture the memories.
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