If I had a puppy...

It would look like this!






























If I could ask for any view in the world outside my window, it would look like this!

Hotboys Kelong, Sibu Malaysia

My dad, my boyfriend's brother and their friends are fishing enthusiasts. Over the weekend, we took a break from city life at the charming Hotboys Kelong in the the South China Sea where we fished, slept, ate and baked in the sun.

My favourite part of the trip was the journey up. The entire town was asleep as we drove through Johor Bahru. The soft morning sun and dawn's mist cast a romantic glow on the lush palm plantations as we winded through the roads. Oh, to have fresh air fill my lungs once more.

Eat drink Melaka

1. Kuih Koci*
Of course you can get this from most Malay stalls. The types run by nice, plump, smiling aunties often sell an array of kuihs like my favourite kuih salat and other sweet-smelling gula melaka, coconut-filled types.

But I ate kuih koci for the first time in Melaka. It was magnificent. Small, chewy and packed with shredded coconut. I felt sad when I could chew no more.

*(Photo courtesy of http://simpledelite.com/, an online kuih business. Memo to me, must.order.)











2. Home-cooked Mee Soto

Oberg's sister whipped this up. Most mee sotos i've tried are too oily but her soup was damn good hearty broth. The fried onions and shredded chicken were seasoned and caramelized to PerFection.

3. Pandan Selera Tom Yam Seafood eatery

Nice open-air eating place. People who don't want to spend too much money and looking for good local fare should pay this place a visit. Constant flow of families and couples stop and eat here.
Total cost for 5 people: RM 30.00 Location: Situated at the roadside of Jln Pandan Jaya/ Balai Panjang. Opens at 5pm till 2am.

4. Melakan Chendol

Run by the affable Mdm. Corrine Yeung, a retired teacher. Her chendol was filled with thick, home- made gula melaka and creamy coconut milk. The important green jelly was refreshingly gelatinous, unlike the types made from thick rice flour.














5. Melakan puppy

On a side note, I fell in love with this Cuteness. He looked at me when I held my camera up. I was ready to buy him but was gently reminded that I could not take him across the causeway.

Melaka Boleh

Who can resist the old-world charms of Malacca? The name invokes images of the rich brick-red Portuguese buildings, colourful Peranakan kebaya, the delicious brown of gula melaka and hullabaloo of the Jonker Street Night Bazaar....

This was my National Day weekend...























Next up: What we ate and bought....

Pictures of Sri Lanka

Our perspectives of countries differ. Sri Lanka holds such a special place in my heart because of the adventures that took me by surprise. The name in itself is symbolic of mystery and cultural romanticism.

Although the trip took place more than a year ago, I can still remember the crisp air up at World's End and images of the moving landscape as my train whizzed by little towns at sunset.

When days are hard as they sometimes will be, a hot mug of teh brings me back to my vacation in the land they once called Ceylon.

Cambodia...a name that invokes mystery, adventure and memories of youth...

My trip to Cambodia in Feb 2007 was a surreal time in history. I didn't visit the killing fields nor spend 6 months learning Khmer. I strolled through quaint streets now lined with modern boutiques; walked past diners at outdoor eatries, their chopsticks picking furiously at the food-laden table, always accompanied by bottles of cold beer; browsed through stacks of musty books in 2nd hand bookstores, books in every language but mostly from the EU..German, Scandinavian, French, Italian backpackers passing through...I sat in buses that took me to Bangkok twice, teeth chattering over the potholes; and of course, rode on scooters espionage a la mode..

Let's not forget the Old Market which is the drawing attraction for tourists. What better way to spend a sultry evening sipping beers, eating spring rolls, popping into a massage parlour to ease your traveler-weary knots and then returning to another bar for more good times...finally, taking the rickshaw back to your guesthouse...





Larie Leigh's Recommendations:

Phnom Penh
Sunday Guest House & Restaurant
#97 Street 141
Tel: (855-23) 211 623, (855-12) 848 858, (855-12) 980 789
Email: heech_sundayguesthouse@hotmail.com
Price: USD $10.00/ night

Siem Reap
The King Guest House
#74 Street 141
Sangkat Veal Vong, Khan 7 Makara
Tel: (855) 11 937 132, (855) 12 722 002, (855) 23 220 512
Email: the_king742000@yahoo.co.nz

Family-run guesthouses. Clean toilet and clean sheets. That's all you need really.

Can you share with me what you love about Cambodia?

My favourite city - KL

Quintessentially Kuala Lumpur - the KLCC towers, an iconic landmark of Malaysia.

KL....my guilty pleasure. What's so special about this urban jungle?
It's a mish-mash of local and foreign cultures. Cosmopolitan versus Conventional. The stark contrast is demonstrated everywhere. Just take a walk from your hotel down the different alleys and your senses will be assailed by this juxtaposition.

Last minute flight out

I was suitably impressed with Jetstar Asia when I called their service hotline this morning. I did not have to hold for 20 minutes as with Malaysian Airlines.

One of the directors at my office needed to travel to KL today. Given the exciting task of finding out which airline would take him, I reached for my trusty flight planners, Jetstar Asia and Tiger Airways. As I'm not one to fly out at my whim and fancy, I was happy to know that on a Friday afternoon, Jetstar had available seats on board and departs from Changi Airport Terminal 1 at 3.05pm. It could very well be a daily occurrence. Single way costs SGD$119.00, whilst return way is priced at SGD$223.00.

Note: Do not pull last minute stunts unless your business meeting is worth millions in future bonds or it is the last day of the Great Malaysian Sale or you have cash to burn.

Do try the Singapura-Malaya train at least once for a slower pace of life.

Take to the skies with a name you can trust. Jet Star Asia.

Changi Airport

(Photo borrowed from the intelligent blog http://shakewellbeforeuse.wordpress.com/)

Changi Airport Terminal 3 is a massive infrastructure, an impressive architectural achievement that lacks the cheerful, nostalgic warmth of it's older brother and sister. But like all airports, it's a nice weekend go-to place to people watch! Spend late nights at 24-hr Wang's Cafe! Buy chocolates! Buy groceries from NTUC supermarket ! Or organize dinner at a variety of family-style diners!

Tonight, I bade au revoir to my dear friend as she set off for Paris on a work trip; 2 hrs later, I was still in the airport, wishing another friend bon voyage as he departed for Doha to embark on a promising new career.

They will be missed as much as we will be thought of longingly. In such foreign lands, surely they will miss the familiarity of the local roads, local flavors, local lingo and local convenience.

*Dear A, stay strong.*