Posts

Showing posts from January, 2013

Thaipusam in Singapore

Image
Thaipusam fell on a Sunday this year, and I thought it was a great opportunity to catch the celebration in Singapore (since Thaipusam is not a public holiday).  Started the day late, and caught some of the kavadi carrier on the road. The procession starts from Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple at Serangoon Road and ends at Sri Thendayuthapani Temple at Tank Road. The atmosphere at the road was quite muted, compared to the elaborate celebration that I have seen in Penang - where there would be piles of coconuts thrown on the road, loud music, elaborate tents set up, and hundreds of devotees walking together with the kavadi carrier. In the wonderfully organised and heavily regulated Singapore, the celebration was quieter, and well, organised. Walked with some of the devotees towards the final stop at Sri Thendayuthapani Temple, and that was where I could feel the Thaipusam atmosphere. Shoes taken off, milk offered, prayers made, and even with some drums and dance. From the temple, the pat

The story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons

Image
Jersey Boys is a fun musical! Didn't know all of those catchy tunes were from the four men in suits. Sometimes, the best music comes from a man, or in this case, 4 men, in suits, a microphone, a simple band of musician, a song with great catchy lyrics and tunes, and an amazing voice. But how come nobody stand up to sing and dance towards the end of the show? I felt the same way previously, in Jacky Cheung's concert . Is it the country, that I'm in? That aside, the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, told in a musical makes perfect sense. It is a fun and enjoyable musical. 

Wanderlust: Driving in Spain

Image
Planning a drive through Spain for a week, starting and ending in Madrid. This would be our longest road trip in Europe! Our previous road trips in Europe were short trips, lasting a few days each. We have driven through the amazing rolling Tuscan hills, and from Paris to Mont St Michel.  After reading about the various cities around Madrid and in Andalucia, the route planned gets longer and longer. There are so many cities, which have different things to offer - from fairy-tale castles, medieval streets, Gothic cathedrals, mosque with great Islamic architecture, dream-like white villages, and even an aqueduct! I have mapped out the current plan. Hope that we would be able to cover most, if not all, of these cities! Shall continue planning the rest of the trip!

Cravings for Penang Food

Image
I may have travelled to many places in the world, but I still find the best food when I am back home in Penang, Malaysia. After leaving my hometown for 14 years, I still crave for Penang food after awhile! p/s When I'm in Singapore, my favourite place to have Penang food is at the Penang Road Cafe . 

blueberries

Image
weird little blue fruit that is amazing in all sorts of desserts - muffins, jams, cakes - but it is best eaten fresh!

Snapshots from Phnom Penh

Image
{ November 2012 - Phnom Penh, Cambodia } Spent three days in Phnom Penh - a much needed holiday after a long hiatus from travelling! Bought the tickets at the last minute, with minimal planning, but armed with Lonely Planet, of course. It was our second trip to Cambodia, the first being the amazing and fabulous Angkor Wat in Siem Reap about 4 years ago.   The trip was pretty relaxing. Walked around the town, with lots of tuk tuk rides in between. Visited some "wat" (temples) and walked around the markets. Had coffee in various cafes, and ate a lot of Cambodian food (no tarantulas, though!).  Just the right mix of culture and relaxation for us. Here are some snapshots taken from my trusty iPhone.