Saturday, May 25, 2024

What To Do in Perth, Australia - Mandurah Cruises

Mandurah's coastal line with roads, buildings, and water view, Western Australia.
Heading from Perth to Mandurah for a boat cruise takes about 1 hour by car, depending on traffic, especially during weekends. The drive is straightforward, mostly along the highway, with free parking available near the Mandurah Foreshore and cruise departure points.

For those who prefer public transport, take the Mandurah Line from Perth Underground Station (located just below Perth Station). The journey takes around 50 minutes (WHAT TO DO IN PERTH). From Mandurah Station, it’s a short 5–10 minute ride by shuttle bus or taxi to the foreshore and cruise area.

Thursday, May 23, 2024

Mutton Rendang

Mutton Rendang, made with pressure cooked with ginger garlic paste mutton, spicy herbs and chili paste, tossed coconut, coconut milk, tamarind, turmeric leaf garnished.
There is chicken rendang (RENDANG AYAM/CHICKEN RENDANG), beef rendang, and of course, mutton rendang, or rendang kambing. Is the recipe very different? Not really. You can change some ingredients for a twist, but the core ingredients are a must.

Mutton is generally tougher than lamb. Cooking it until tender can take time. If overcooked, it will shrink and lose its texture. A useful tip for mutton rendang and other mutton dishes is to pressure cook the mutton with ginger paste and garlic paste. This makes cooking easier while keeping the flavor.

Monday, May 20, 2024

Things to Do in Perth, Australia

Indian lady holding with one hand a wooden entrance decor, in nature setting, Perth Zoo, Australia.
Over the years, Perth has grown into a bustling, multicultural city. Its population has expanded significantly, driven by an increased number of international residents. It’s now common to see people from various backgrounds, including Asians who have made Perth their home and work across different industries. As an educational hub, the city also attracts students from around the world who enrol in its universities. In fact, some of your friends or relatives may already be living in Perth.

Whether you're here to visit them or as a tourist, it’s worth checking out the popular sights in Perth city. One thing to note, public transport is convenient, with free CAT bus services operating within the city centre. However, be prepared for traffic congestion (TOP THINGS TO DO IN HANOI, VIETNAM), especially during peak hours, as Perth can get busy with daily commuters.

Saturday, May 18, 2024

Things to Do in Hanoi, Vietnam

Hanoi's busy street with motorbikes, care, people and the street view, Vietnam.
Hanoi, the second-largest city in Vietnam, still shows strong French influence, especially in its architecture and food (HA LONG BAY CRUISE). Located in northern Vietnam, Hanoi is known for its chaotic traffic, motorbikes everywhere, loud honking, and drivers moving in all directions. Noise and pollution are part of the experience, but the city is worth visiting.

Whether you’re traveling across Vietnam or just exploring Hanoi, the top tourist attractions and street food stand out. The food scene is a treat for the palate, especially the affordable street eats. Street shopping is popular too, alongside international brand stores, a mix that makes Hanoi a must-visit on any Vietnam travel journey.

Thursday, May 16, 2024

Ha Long Bay, Vietnam: Boat Cruise

The scenic view of Ha Long Bay, with boats in the emerald green waters, nature surrounding
A trip or tour of Vietnam (HO CHI MINH CITY THINGS TO DO) is not complete without a Ha Long Bay boat cruise. It’s one of the must-do activities in Vietnam, and truthfully, the main reason many people visit this region. There’s not much else to see or do in Ha Long Bay itself, but the cruise alone is more than worth it.


Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New7 Wonders of Nature, attracts visitors from all over the world. Famous for its towering limestone formations and green waters, it’s one of Vietnam’s most well-known natural attractions. The bay is scattered with nearly 2,000 small islands and rocky outcrops that rise straight from the sea.

Wednesday, May 15, 2024

Nasi Kerabu - Malaysian Herbs Rice

On round banana leaf, blue pea flower herbs rice, coconut dried shrimp flakes, spicy fried fish, boiled salted egg, fried salted fish and spicy anchovies.
An array of herbs, including crunchy green herbs and the butterfly pea flower, make Nasi Kerabu, or Malaysian herbs rice, a healthy and colorful dish. The types of herbs are not fixed. They depend on what is available and what is preferred. Therefore, no two plates of Malaysian herbs rice may be exactly the same.

These herbs are also staples in Southeast Asian cooking, with bunga telang/ butterfly pea flower (GROWING BUTTERFLY PEA FLOWER) giving the rice its vibrant blue hue.

Tuesday, May 14, 2024

Pineapple Cucumber Salad with Torch Ginger

No-Cook Salad, made with cucumber, pineapple, torch ginger, shallots, green chilies, roasted peanut, mint leaves, lime juice & salt.
A no-cook salad is one of the easiest dishes to put together. It’s a simple recipe, all you need to do is slice the ingredients. Better still, these ingredients are easily found at Asian grocers. In Malaysia, they’re everyday staples you can pick up at markets or even supermarkets.

Budget-friendly too, and if you have extra pineapple or cucumber after making this Malaysian salad, they make a  healthy snack (NASI ULAM/HERBED RICE). Even the peanuts? Buy them roasted, no need to roast at home.

Siem Reap, Cambodia: Wat Thmey (Killing Fields)

An enclosed memorial with a glass case at the center displaying bones and skulls of victims from Cambodia’s Khmer Rouge era

Cambodia is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Southeast Asia, and its crown jewel is undeniably Angkor Wat. Angkor Wat, the legendary, world-famous temple complex and a top highlight in Cambodia (ANGKOR WAT CAMBODIA). But beyond the awe-inspiring ruins, Cambodia holds a painful and unforgettable past, one you can discover at Wat Thmey, also known as the Killing Fields of Siem Reap.

 

Located along Sivatha Road, Wat Thmey may not appear on every traveler’s must-visit list, nor is it often promoted as one of the top tourist attractions in Cambodia. However, for those who wish to understand Cambodia’s tragic history, this site offers a sobering and meaningful experience (MOUNT MERAPI INDONESIA TOUR).

Monday, May 13, 2024

Malaysian Sodhi (Indian Coconut Milk Stew)

Stew made with coconut milk, turmeric powder, tomato, curry leaves, fenugreek seeds, lime juice and salt.
Simplicity shines in Sodhi, the Indian coconut milk stew. This much-loved dish also finds a cherished place in cuisines from other parts of the world, like Sri Lanka and especially Kerala. Making Sodhi is effortless: just add all the ingredients to a pot, simmer, season with lime juice and salt, and you're done.

 

You can create various types of Sodhi, and to make it a one-pot dish, adding vegetables is a great option. I often do this to keep the dish interesting and avoid monotony. Plus, it saves me the trouble of preparing a separate vegetable dish 

Papaya Salad Recipe

Crunchy, fresh, crisp, spicy, and tangy papaya salad. Truly an appetizing dish that wakes up your taste buds instantly. Whether as a healthy...