Thursday, August 18, 2016

Chitose & Hokkaido (Japan) - Day 1

Time obviously, as far as I can sense has flown by. As if so quickly at the glimpse of my body, mind and soul. Looking back now, I feel, I must actually, feel proud. Unlike our current generation who start travelling even when they are sleeping together without strings attached, I legally tied the knot and waiting patiently for almost 12 years before my love marriage travelling sparked. Touch wood. Trust me, when you are married to a man who is married to his business, I guess your patience is tested beyond. Really beyond until you start questioning yourself if you will ever get a chance to travelling together. Then again, in all fairness, I agreed, I understand and I accept the fact that no money, marriage can rock and fall apart too. Additionally, compared to travelling, building our financial stability for our retirement I believe should be our priority. Basically, its the "Catch 22" marriage reality for women like me in our fifties age era. Nevertheless, call me selfish if you like, I didn't sit around and feel sorry for myself. I actually moved on. On my own towards my solo travelling bucket wish (Colombo Sri Lanka). 

Sunday, August 14, 2016

Cempedak Goreng Rangup

Cempedak Goreng Rangup. Like Pisang Goreng. Almost in fact. Only maybe the fruit. Pisang goreng is crispy fried banana cased in crispy batter. And cempedak goreng is cempedak, if I am not mistaken the aunty or uncle of jack fruit, also cased in a crispy batter after frying. My Cempedak Goreng on the other hand? The traditional frying of cempedak given a tiny bit of new lease of food and dessert life. Why?  I added black sesame seeds in the batter mixture prior to dipping cempedak and frying. Not bad right? Most probably. After all, like I always tell you, we don't have cook like others. We can actually set our selves apart. Even in cooking mind you. In which Malaysian food category must cempedak goreng rangup be placed? Of course alongside our, the rest of our kuih-muih/local delicacies (Malaysian Banana Flambe, Pulut Inti, Wajik Pulut, Pumpkin Sago DessertKuih Kosui & Kuih Buah Melaka). Of course, I can go on, and on, and on, and quote the rest of our local delicacies, then again? Cempedak Goreng Rangup. Natural burst of cempedak sweetness inside and like I have already told you, crispy crunchy batter outside.

Thursday, August 11, 2016

Colombo - Sri Lanka (Nava K Seen)

Final league. Final road travelling league for our 2 days in Colombo from Galle. Miles and miles already on the road, starting from Negambo, Kandy, Nurwara Eliya and Katagarama, today, its the final loop. Another road loop. Thankfully. Frankly speaking, if you are asking for my opinion how it has been so far,  let me be out-rightly blunt. Basically, honest to goodness, listen, I must agree and I must salute Sri Lanka as haven paradise. But the thing to hours from one place to the other I think made us the losers to time. I really couldn't get it. Road mode of transport literally taking up our time instead of more on sightseeing. According to our tour guide, he kept telling us there is nothing to see for this route we have opted for. Beats me. We still sense this lazy bum of a fellow is taking us for a joyride. Maybe not his fault. He is we concluded merely a driver, not a tour guide. Nevermind. But he is another person who love to sulk and complain. Like the worst one in our tour group, the rest were not too bad, this fellow is only interested in safe guarding his interest. Sulking about sightseeing spots due to lack of parking, so little knowledge on Sri Lanka and coming with it attractions, additionally, his Sri Lankan ascent, through his thick and thin birth. By the third day, we sort of knew. His tricks definitely didn't work on us. So much so we literally forced him to thirst for sightseeing spots we wanted to visit. Imagine ending up this sort of person? Whatever said, he knew he had to pull up his socks. Good. On our route to Colombo, he made it a point in stopping us at the beaches, monuments and he slowed down to driving as well so that we can peep at the whatever which attracted our attention along the way. 

Monday, August 1, 2016

Malaysian Banana Flambe

Banana Flame and obviously from my Malaysian kitchen. Of course, me the Malaysian home chef who somehow will coin even a dessert from our Malaysian ingredients. I suppose the Malaysian in me can't be erased forever and for a fact, I love it that way too. After all, if we are not proud of our mother land, who else will (Malaysian Style Sambal Sandwich) and this is the halal version banana flambe. Meaning, without alcohol, nevertheless, if you feel you want to pour in, go ahead towards the end for flaming up before removing from heat. Ingredients for our Malaysian Banana (Banana Chocolate Cake) Flambe? Clearly listed below (Malaysian Banana Pancakes & Kuih Kodok). Naturally, our local ingredients for this our Malaysian affordable and without compromising on the key crucial dessert delight which is I believe is not sinfulness or guiltiness. Go ahead. Make yourself sugar happy (Easy Banana Bread & Bingka Pisang). 

Thursday, July 28, 2016

Galle - Sri Lanka (Nava K Seen)

Bags packed and loaded into the van before our morning meal in Katagarama. The daily standard routine I suppose unless you are staying put in the same hotel. We in fact, from day one, have been packing daily for heading to one place from the other and from one hotel to the next for the past 3 days (Nurwara Eliya, Kandy Negambo). Mind you, I was already feeling it. Bags packing daily, the long hours to road travelling and sleeping while travelling, like I have already told you, is not my best friend. Let alone during this trip, gosh, the group I was with? The senior citizens and their dramas. Not a shocker actually. I have encountered such people before. But this group, by far, is the worst lot. So claiming they have travelled the horizon, over and over speaking about how extensively they have travelled, yet complaining non stop. One moment this, next minute that, blah-blah-blah, so on and so forth, tipping every Tom, Dick and Harry for no apparent reason, as though trying to show off, feeling sorry for every person we came across and trust me, a whole more stuffs I don't think I should waste me telling you. God! The worst part of it all was, two of them shouting and screaming at each other because they couldn't decide which room to opt for, for their night together. Lesson learned from these people? Not everyone is made to travel, it really matters who you travel with, you can have the money, but if you don't have the right attitude, you will ruin other people's travelling joy, maybe its age and grumpiness too and never ever, if you still must share room, make sure you know the person well. 

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Pork Bulgogi

Pork is my life. Though not in my house. Obviously, for one particular reason. My other half-half and his anti-pork eating. Regardless, to be fair to him, he has no qualms to me cooking (Steamed Pork with Salted Fish). Then again? Cooking a dish for yourself? I can in fact for a matter, yet? I just feel its a waste of time because there's no short of pork meals outside. Of course, every once a blue moon, really once a blue moon mind you, a pork dish is rolled out from my kitchen (Siew Yoke & Char Siu) and on this particular day, I decided. I made Pork Bulgogi (Moo Gook/Korean Radish Soup). Paired alongside a Korean style cucumber tomato salad and as usual, my style of cooking is my own style. Pork Bulgogi made from the ingredients already stocked up in my pantry and fridge instead of, I mean, why bother buying ingredients when you can make do with what you have? Pork Bulgogi. The honey, soy sauce, sticky spicy style. I did it. I bet you can as well.

Tuesday, July 19, 2016

Kataragama - Sri Lanka (Nava K Seen)

Morning, like every other daily, must, yes, be broken by breakfast. For this Nava K, call her a nut case or whatever. I'll leave it to you. Its entirely up to you how you wanna address people like me who give reasons like laziness and crisis to time managing for skipping breakfast instead of accepting the fact to, of course I am aware breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Yet? Pathetic right? Skipping breakfast for lame excuses? But strange or peculiarly, I really look forward to breakfast while travelling. I make sure I pack my tummy with food. Well, what can or should I say? Breakfast is included in tour packages, breakfast is needed for energy me primarily on my legs and breakfast is served, instead of me preparing a morning meal for myself at home. I guess breakfast is also one of the perks to travelling I yearn for by virtue of my hard earned money.  

Friday, July 15, 2016

Vegetarian Nyonya Laksa

Vegetarianism! Seemingly, for whatever reasons maybe, is a big trend these days? Why, if you are asking me? I think we did speak about this before, but nevermind, sometimes its good I repeat myself like a parrot. Personally, I really don't have the answer, but I think for health reasons or reaching out to god. What about me? Me vegetarian? I am definitely not a vegetarian. Of course, into our food picture, the once a week being a vegetarian due to my other half-half. He believing in vegetarianism for his religious belief and I? Like what? No point rocking the marriage boat just because of a vegetarian meal right (Mee Siam Kuah Vegetarian, Maggi Goreng Mamak Vegetarian, Chinese Vegetable Noodle Soup, Vegetarian Chow Mein, Vegetarian Mee Hoon & Chinese Vegetarian Noodle Soup)? What's there to fuss about anyway? No point. I am the chef at home, and can you imagine cooking a vegetarian meal and then cooking a non for yourself? Duh!

Friday, July 8, 2016

Nuwara Eliya - Sri Lanka (Nava K Seen)

Gosh-Graciously! I slept through like a little baby for at least 4 solid hours. I did. Sincerely. Previous day of heading from one place to another (Negambo & Kandy), and for all the walking I did, inclusive of van travelling, trust me, hours in the van, sitting still or slouching till butt stiffness, can get to you as well, I think socked me up for my lullaby time. Up from bed, by 6.00am, an hour of my pleasure to showering and ensuring I am not leaving behind anything. Checked, rechecked, over and over again. Sometimes this memory failure or non-thorough checking of mine is scary. The last thing I want is forgetfulness. Especially, trust me, hand-phone, camera, laptop and for them their gadgets are the most important. Luggage locked and carried with me prior to handing over to our tour guide, and breakfast tucking in. Tentatively by 9.00am, we hit the road again on this third day.

Monday, July 4, 2016

Thai Green Crab Curry

Thai Crab Curry. The green style crab curry. The dry style curry. And when we speak about Thai green curries, much we have already spoken and I have shared as well? Remember? Otherwise, maybe best you flip to the recipes (Thai Green Fish Curry & Thai Chicken Green Curry)? Will be good as well because you can actually find out that, there are also the different types of Thai green curries. In fact, you can even make a vegetarian or vegan style by, of course, giving a twist and turn to the recipes, and you would have maybe coined your own version (Thai Vegetable Curry & Thai Yellow Chicken Curry). 

Friday, July 1, 2016

Indian Style Crab Soup

Don't give me the crab. No, no, seriously, its obviously a crab food story today and definitely an Indian crab story. By the way, have you heard of the Indian crab story? One Indian or the whole lot of Indians pulling down another Indian because he or she is more successful than you? Think about it and I am certain you must heard of this Indian crab story. Quite known amongst us Indians and the whole moral to the Indian crab story? Sadly, we Indians always want to be the best and we, somehow, even to the extent of back stabbing or front stabbing, we will bring down those who are more better than us. Oh Boy! Suppose to be a recipe and I took you around the Indian crab story. Then again, in tandem right because its really Indian Style Crab Soup today.

Sunday, June 26, 2016

Kandy (Rambukkana/Mawanella/Kandy) - Sri Lanka

Negambo to Kandy. Indeed, the clear route for the day, but its not gonna be none more except just straight, all the way to Kandy straightaway. Two stops already plotted on our itinerary, the main highlight for most people who embark on the same route is definitely Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. Pinnawalla Elephant Orphanage, as far as I know, has already been crowned as a clear winner. Recognized as a must experience. If you are asking me, if my opinion matters to you, whether you should include Pannawalla Elephant Orphanage, you might as well. Why hold yourself back or what should by the way hold you back? Coming this far and not covering this world known and world famed tourist spot? To those of you who potentially will be tour travelling Sri Lanka, do make it a point in checking if your trip is inclusive of Pinnawalla Elephant Orphannage. I somehow reckon it will be. Unless your travel agent is a nut case. 

Friday, June 17, 2016

Negambo - Sri Lanka

Taking my time for digesting the fact that I actually, truly had my moment to one of the best travelling prides in South Africa (Pretoria City Tour & Cape Town), prior to that travel conquering Thailand as well (The Golden Triangle & Chiang Mai), within the next few months, I decided. Money was still sunny, so, why not, I had already allocated the cash aside, I ventured on my own again. However, I had no clue whatsoever where it should be. I went like, where should I start. Of course, what are travel agents for? For us to opt between the choices to all paid for packages. After weighing the pros and cons, I made up my mind. Sri Lanka my paradise. Already been said, countless times as a must do, primarily by Indians. Whether Sri Lanka is a popular destination amongst our Malaysian Chinese or Malays, I really can't affirm, but Sri Lanka, without a doubt, sincerely have been ranked as one of the number one spots by Indians. Why not? I too have been toying with the idea of Sri Lanka venturing. Can't be all the time lending my ears to others who can't stop blowing hot air on literally Sri Lanka everything instead of me myself finding out if Sri Lanka is as sensation as said to be? 

Thursday, May 26, 2016

Pretoria City Tour - Gauteng Province (South Africa)

South Africa! My-my! Never in my slightest moment, honestly, would I have thought South Africa will be an absolute travel wonder winner. Not at all. I actually had no clue whatsoever what to expect in South Africa. Neither did I bother to imagine, nor did I read up prior to flying the distance. Of course, like many of you who keep abreast on world issues, I knew who is Nelson Mandela. The legendary man of history who struggle for South Africa's independence. 27 years of spending his life in prison and known as the longest serving political prisoner. Salute him till this day. What a man of the century. Besides Nelson Mandela and looking up at him from Malaysia, I was quite alien to lo and behold South Africa, until I stepped foot in Cape Town (Cape Town Part 3, Part 2 & Part 1), followed by Johannesburg & Sun City, and on this day, we embarked on Pretoria City Tour. 

Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Johannesburg Travel Guide - (South Africa)

 
Cape Town (Part 3Part 2 & Part 1) and Lion Park conquered, subsequently, its gonna be here we coming to get you Sun City. Where we will spending the hours at our leisure or at our whims and fancy, free and easy fullest. Into the coach after breakfast for the estimated two hours journey to north-west Johannesburg, our lunch break in between took place in "Upper Deck Restaurant”. Another similar ambiance to Kirstenbosch Garden Moyo Restaurant, boosting a laid-back rustic, huge lively garden and live music, Upper Deck Restaurant on the other hand is a grill restaurant. Wow! Impressive for someone like me who have always been fond of dining in a garden setting, shaded by trees and plants. Taking our seat at the already reserved outside dining area, thank god, instead of being cramped in the inside, noisy and packed to its rim dining area, we tucked into our meal consisting of soup, salad and opting between the seafood, steak and lamb platters. Washed down with canned drinks, some preferred chilled beers, whereas the sweet ending of the extremely and overly sweet local delicacies were too much to handle. All in all, I must say it was an appreciated meal. That's about it. Nothing sensational nor spectacular or something totally new to me and honestly, this kinda of huge portion meal will go down well for big eaters and not for small eaters. Basically, such a waste when you can't finish up.        



Despite literally forcing ourselves, maybe one or two managed to lick the platter clean, but for the most of us, there food went to waste. However, the good thing of it all, instead of leaving behind the portions, we helped our tour guide to pack them for the underprivileged whom we were told dig rubbish bins for food. Sad and heart breaking isn't it? I know. Here we are dining in a classy restaurant and there people are scavenging bins for food. In fact, for the past few days after our lunch and dinner, we packed whatever leftovers for the needy and poor people. Initially, we didn't know what was going. We couldn't understand what our tour guide was up to, but once it reached our ears, we too did our part in lending support to her kind deeds. Sincerely, something that touched us deep into our mind. More importantly, one of the best lessons to our travelling gram for making us realise not to waste food and to appreciate each decent meal we sometimes take for granted or fuss for no apparent reason. 

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Johannesburg (South Africa) - The Best Out Of The Rest

From Cape Town to Johannesburg (Cape Town Part 3Cape Town Part 2 & Cape Town Part 1). South Africa’s largest and most cosmopolitan city, also commonly known as Jo'burg or Jozi, our two hours flight obviously landed us at the airport. Subsequently, while journeying for another approximately 45 minutes to North West, Lanseria, I made sure I peeped out from the coach for glimpsing at this economic hub of South Africa and capital of Gauteng. At the same time, I gasped the fact that Johannesburg is not a safe haven for wondering around on our own due to its crime rate primarily, as narrated by our born and bred South African tour guide. Nothing really bad so far I have encountered for the past three days, but I must mention that I had a hard time with the immigration officer at the airport who insisted I greet him and I couldn't help but wonder why he was picking on me by asking a string of unwanted questions. I went like, what's going on. Baffled me. Why, why on earth? Trust me, I was so close to giving him a piece of mind when he rudely throw my passport back. Nonsense! A chip on his shoulder I suppose. The other person I must mention is our bus driver who wouldn’t stop complaining how unfair life is in South Africa. Nonstop he went on, each and every time I bumped into him. As if, we don’t have our worst share of unfavorable policies towards different races in Malaysia? Looks like people all over the world do come in different packages, you meet the good and the ugly as well. In fact, I was already forewarned by my social media South African friends what to expect in South Africa. Crime rate, people sulking and unwelcoming behaviour, which by far played on my mind prior to us stepping foot in Lion Park.

Saturday, April 9, 2016

Cape Town - South Africa (Part 3)

Another itinerary already lined up and prior being informed (Cape Town 1 and Cape Town 2), more importantly, glad I was that weather, as we were told to get ready, didn't bite deep into my skin. In fact, such a waste to carrying my thick jackets, because by this third day, I felt as though I am in Malaysia. Not cold, neither sweat dripping hot, supposedly the blessings of Cape Town's weather god, our day began once we journeyed for approximately 50 minutes. Luckily, the big rock which flew by to hit one of the back windows of our coach while we were journeying didn't hurt any of us. It did however shatter the glass, we still arrived in one piece in Nederburg Wines. One of the older vineyards in Stellenbosch, my-my, what more could I have asked for. Walla! For someone like me who gets tipsy over wine, like once a fortnight, I was grinning from one end to the other end of my mouth. How aptly, none could have been better for starting off our tour except warmly welcomed to the section where we were briefed, as well as we sampled the different types of wine. Temptation ran wild, mind you. As much as my mind indirectly sounded me, no Nava K, you should hold back, my heart and wine palate nonetheless literally wouldn't let me go. What the hack, I told myself. I went ahead and tasted, albeit, honest to goodness, I couldn't differentiate which is which in regard to the wine varieties. Others I think put on a drama as if they knew, maybe some really knew, yet, I clearly noted there were pretenders too, while the lady was explaining and also wanted to hear it out from us. I of course didn't utter no word. Frankly speaking, lemme tell you that if a wine can get me tipsy, its a fab wine. The best!       

Friday, March 18, 2016

Cape Town - South Africa (Part 2)

Day One in CapeTown was just a gist kick start to what else is in store for us. By two day, it just affirmed that Cape Town is a stunning beauty. Sincerely. For those of you who have already made your mark in Cape Town, I speak no further, but to those of you who are gonna explore Cape Town in the future, I bet you will not at all regret. Believe me. I clearly know what I am talking about. Cape Town by far is a nature paradise. Incomparable to the rest of places I have been to so far. Maybe I shouldn't compare because each is still its own wonder pleasure travelling gram, porn or lust (The Golden Triangle Chiang Mai, Istanbul Turkey, Norway, Fremantle Perth & Phuket Thailand), yet I can't help telling you that Cape Town is class of it own and one which I personally witnessed by the second day. Fun fantastic nature mesmerizing start and till our sightseeing curtains were drawn at end of the day. We started off with the drive from high up and cutting through the mountain slope that unveiled nature bounciness and bountifulness. Eye catching and eye gripping ultimate spellbinding view from the coach for approximately half an hour, in addition to a stop for admiring the beach, shores, ocean, hills and mountains, stretching from Mouille Point to Muizenberg. Chilly and wind lusciously blowing, we almost went berserk. Indeed. Later along the way, we had another stop at Karbonkelberg, a small peak forming part of Table Mountain National Park, a prominent landmark overlooking Hout Bay Harbor and famous for its short treks amongst mountain bikers.  

Monday, March 14, 2016

Penang Mee Udang (Prawn Mee)

The truth must prevail. Of course. If you have peeped into other peoples' recipe, you must admit. You must also credit (balannambiar). Pretty much says it all? But no. Believe me. I didn't wholeheartedly copy. My style is always my style. Though the idea came from the source I have already linked and I actually, I quite know it as well to a Chinese style mee udang (Hokkien Hae Mee). Maybe both in tandem or a distance from each other in terms of the gravy. Yet, prawn shells are the crux. And for Penang Mee Udang, making the gravy is quite a time taking technic. Yet it's all worthiness. Me and Penang cooking (Penang Acar, Penang Curry Mee, Penang Asam Laksa & Penang Hokkien Mee)? Me and prawns as well (Sambal Udang Pete & Prawn Curry Laksa)? Me and noodles dishes too (Maggi Goreng Mamak & Mee Goreng Udang)? Overall, Penang Mee Udang is simply splendid. Really and really mouthwatering. Trust me. Believe you. I bet you won't be disappointed despite, the list of ingredients and like I have already told you, time may be the other.   

Saturday, March 5, 2016

Ennai Kathirikai Kuzhambu (Brinjal Curry)

Ennai Kathirikai Kuzhambu! In layman's terms, Ennai Kathirikai Kuzhambu is a kind of brinjal curry. Simply as that and let's keep it that way instead of complicating our food cooking matter. And when I speak about brinjal or even aubergine on the whole, pretty much quite a regularity in my house. Brinjal can be considered as our favourite and any which way it is cooked (Thai Style EggplantJapanese Saute Eggplant, Eggplant Tikka & Brinjal Stir Fry), we love it. But seemingly, its like a habit of mine in adding brinjal into curries or gravies (Nadan Meen Curry, Goan Prawn Curry & Vegetable Kurma). Of course, the stir fried styles (Terong Balado, Bengali Begun Bhaja & Baingan Bharta) does come into our food picture as well. Today, obviously, brinjal in curry. A vegetarian curry. Overall, a spicy, tangy, attractive, vibrant and exciting to your palates curry. 

Sunday, February 28, 2016

Cape Town - South Africa (Day 1)

Another love rekindling travel of ours, trust me, I didn't expect South Africa will be where I will be landing (Copenhagen & Bergen). Never, not at all in my slightest moment I would have imagined I will be stepping foot in South Africa. Oh-my! What a joy. A joy which kept playing on my mind for the last one year or so, ever since we started planning for here we are coming to get you South Africa (Rome & Verona/Milan). By the way, lemme tell you that exploring South Africa was not bestowed because we knocked on heaven's door. Knocking on heaven's door may have gotten to god's ears, but without us relentlessly working our butts out, South Africa most probably would have remained unshaken forever as our life long travelling mission. Basically, we saved as much as we could. Saving and not by fluke shot for this rather pricey South Africa 10 days 7 nights holiday. 

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

The Golden Triangle Boat Ride (Chiang Rai - Thailand)

Myanmar (Myanmar Across The Border Of Mae Sai) literally ran over me like a big hot furnest bulldozer. Massive traffic in all directions between the cluttered roads, motorbikes and cycles, dust flying all over and weather really got to me. Sweat dripping soaking wet within the few hours, no, no, don't get me wrong. I am not sulking nor complaining. After all, what is travelling if you can't put up with expecting the expected or unexpected? There's by the way no guarantee to none while travelling, I guess we have to make do with it for the best or worst which in return does do a whole lot of good by exposing us to seeing and understanding how different parts of the world is functioning differently than ours. But if by any chance you are not someone who is apt for exploring the not nice context of travelling, I suggest you sit at home Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai Day 2 & Chiang Mai Day 1) and grow old as a grumpy pot. 

Saturday, February 13, 2016

Pulut Inti (Glutinous Rice With Sweet Coconut)

It is one thing for cooking, the other is whether you must have all the ingredients? What then? What happens when you can't get certain specific ingredients? You are going to ditched aside the idea of making the dish? Or my question is, are you still going to go ahead by making do? Making do basically meaning, are we going to go ahead with the dish. If you are asking me, I am quite a good cooking runner. I always make do. Take this pulut inti for an example. By right, you need banana leaves, then again? So what? What about re-looking at how can we still make without the leaves. I definitely did fine. My pyrex showed me the way and I hand-crafted Pulut Inti for the serving style. See, I already told you? Nothing is absolute and you can still be a food hero in your own way. What is Pulut Inti? Clue already given. Glutinous rice with sweet coconut which must placed alongside our kuih-muih or local delicacies (Chrysanthemum Goji Jelly, Kuih Kosui & Malaysian Sago Pudding). Our Kuih-muih (Bingka Pisang, Bubur Chacha & Honeydew Sago Dessert)? The treasures of Malaysia and will forever remain as our propelling sweet treat, sweet delight and our sweet moment  (Wajik PulutKuih Buah MelakaKuih Sagu Kukus & Pumpkin Sago Dessert).

Saturday, February 6, 2016

Myanmar - Across the Border From Mae Sai

Pretty much an effortless crossing over to Myanmar from the border of Mae Sai. Thanks to our adorable tour guide, we paid her I think RM200.00 and she did the rest. Pass for crossing over and where and where we should head to for the next few hours, all of it sorted out by this lady. While she got moving to getting the pass, we waited, and within the next less than 1/2 an hour, we walked from the arch that separates Chiang Mai and Myanmar (Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai Day 2 & Chiang Mai Day 1). My-my, what a interesting travelling moment. Crossing over to another country by walking. Hundreds of others were also walking from and across the border, I hardly noticed any tourists though, subsequently, we hopped into our van and there we were already on the busy and quite a messy any way is your traffic way in Tachilek, Myanmar. Weather on this particular day lemme tell was killer heat. Really really hot. Literally unbearable and the dust simply flying at its whims and fancy made it even worst. 

Monday, January 18, 2016

Chiang Mai (Day 2) - Thailand

What a start for the day. Couldn't have been any better (Chiang Mai Day One). No better in fact for a traveller like me who love nature all things nice, our first stop for the day in Bai Orchid And Butterfly Farm was akin Nava K tinkle bell nature. Awesomeness. Utterly. Still memorable till this day. Rows and rows of colorful and different species orchids which were in my imagination smiling and greeting me naturally brightly. Though, honestly, I have never so far had any luck in growing orchids. Orchids I grow eventually depart to heaven happily or sadly. Strange that for someone like me who is into some serious stuff of gardening in my tiny plot of garden, I am yet to horn my orchid growing skills. I suppose its one of those things you still can't gasp despite trying over and over, until I think I have given up on growing orchids. Therefore, this trip of ours to Bai Orchid And Butterfly Farm sincerely was a fantastic eye opener to propagating orchids and what else you can do with the orchids flowers you have lovingly cultivated. Those hair clips and accessories you can buy indeed caught up on me until I couldn't resist picking up a few pieces for remembrance as well.   




  
Butterfly farm in Bai Orchid too was another interesting nature discovery, but it wasn't something totally new to me (Malacca Butterfly & Reptile Sanctuary). Having said that, nature splendour is still an appreciated splendour wherever it may be. Departing from Bai Orchid & Butterfly Farm, we then arrived in Chiang Mai Karen Hilltop Long Neck Village. I can't tell you if there's other long neck villages in Chiang Mai or if this is the only one, maybe yes, maybe no, I really can't confirm though, what became a tiny bit of question mark in Karen Hilltop Long Neck Village is paying RM50.00 as the unofficial entrance fee. Didn't make sense, honestly, I wasn't expecting it, then again for the benefit of the doubt, considering that its a source of income for the people, we didn't mind paying. After all, tourism is a big money chunking business in Thailand, additionally, nothing is free when you travel? Karen Hilltop Long Neck Village by the way I must admit was quite an intriguing culture of discovery the moment we started walking right to the further end. Not really a big area though, but definitely the ladies and young girls donning the long heavy gold metal piece on their necks I reckon are the spoken must do attraction in Chiang Mai. Of course, you are allowed to picture alongside them, and the scarfs and handicrafts are a buying pleasure of yours.   



An hour most to most in Karen Hilltop Long Neck Village, actually more than ample time, next on our itinerary was Maetaeng Elephant Park. Elephants bathing, elephants that won't stop eating bananas you feed them and elephant playing football and painting. Marvelous. We enjoyed every bit of our visit to Maetaeng Elephant Park, for the first time ever I tried the elephant ride which of course no doubt trilled and excited me, but stopping you every now and then for buying sugar cane and bananas for feeding I thought was corny money ripping. Subsequently, we browsed through the products in the souvenir shop, we had lunch in one of the restaurants and off we left for Chiang Mai Snake & Monkey show.   




Monkey show and snake show I believe will be included if you are in a tour, but honestly, since I have done it before (Krabi, Thailand), my enthusiasm while watching the monkey tricks and man to snakes wrestling didn't pierce right into my travelling heart neither mind. If you have not done it before, I suppose you won't stop being impressed.    

Two more stops for the day, touristy stops I must say. Silver and royal jelly and birds nest cottage industry visits. Pressure to buying was not so bad in the silver outlet, but at the latter, royal jelly and birds nest both in one outlet, the young doll sales staff was quite a forceful smiling humble thing until my guy friend didn't mind paying a couple of hundreds. Anyway I am in no way disputing the health power of royal jelly or birds nest. Go ahead, buy all you want, pay a couple of hundreds for healthy is wealth attraction in Chiang Mai. 
  

Day 2 in Chiang Mai ended with dinner and back to the hotel. Quite a fun-fantastic day I must say. In store for us tomorrow is Chiang Rai here we are coming to get you. 

To be continued................









Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Chiang Mai (Thailand)

I suppose nothing comes easy our way. Literally none. Ask me and I will tell you, but I can't speak on behalf of any of you. I won't and I choose not to anyway because to each our own bundle of life stories. My story without a doubt have been a roller coaster ride and yo-yo string up and down for as long as I remember. Years of struggling for settling in a career I am passionate about, one marriage failure after 16 years and the rest is more and more pain and misery history until my Indian hero came by. Honestly, if you asking me, he is god send for rescuing me. Whether you agree or not, I really believe there's a soul mate out there for each of us. I met mine when I was dangling in many question marks at 37 years old. The rest is history in making whereby we together worked our butts out for a comfortable life (more at Verona & Milan). Additionally, unlike the current generation, the lucky generation who are showered with lotsa money by their parents for travelling, I had to save. Thanks also to my other half-half for kick starting me hard towards my first ever heroic solo travel (Bangkok Thailand - Through My Canon). Thereafter, I did my solo tour group travel to Vietnam & Cambodia, followed by all expenses paid for knowledge thirsting in Perth and next was another solo travel by way of cruising (Krabi & Perth). 

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Pucuk Ubi Masak Lemak (Tapioca leaf In Coconut Gravy)

The other door to a Malay style coconut stew (Masak Lemak Ikan Masin Nenas & Sardin Masak Lemak Cili Padi). In fact, a close cousin to our Indian Sodhi. The main vegetable key to this version of masak lemak? Pretty much tapioca leaf/pucuk ubi which trust me, can be effortlessly grown. Just plant the roots after cooking and within time, you have it all. The rest of the ingredients? How far further can we get when its a Malay coconut stew? The, more or less within the context of our pantry friendly ingredients and maybe you need to buy them. Pucuk Ubi Masak Lemak (Tapioca leaf In Coconut Gravy). Malay style truly a sensational delight. 

Zen Style Chronicles: The Serene Aura of Home Attire

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