Dining like the blind

Ever wonder what it feels like to eat like the blind? Fumbling around with your fork and guessing what is on your plate. That's exactly what we did when we joined this new restaurant in Bangkok - Dine in the Dark.

Mmm... yumm... the fancy desert!

The experience was something really unique. It was interesting that without sight, we can "taste" food differently - what I thought was pork, turned out to be duck. Shows how reliant on sight we are, even for tasting. Maybe somehow we have learnt to use all our senses together, sort of integrated together - like you cant taste things if you have a cold.

But overall, the food was really yummy! And it looked even yummier once we were out and could see what we were served. It was also kinda weird that some of us thought the amount was not enough, though looking at the portions at exit, it was the usual amount that one would have for dinner.

Karynn also posted her view of the dinner on her blog.

Oh, they still have their offer on - 1 free bottle of wine for every 4 guests. Go like their FB page.

Night Market

Here's a photo taken at the pasar malam (night market) in Kinrara, Puchong.

Mooncake Festival

Mooncake festival, or what is better known as the mid-autumn festival, was on 22nd September this year. It is traditionally the harvest festival in China, but also celebrated by many Chinese descendents overseas. Read more about it in the link provided.

It is a time to eat mooncakes (hence the name of the f estival). The classical mooncake is one made of lotus paste, but now I’m surprised by the many varieties out there in the market, including the popular durian version in Thailand. The traditional ones are becoming rare! And I miss my mum’s homemade ones too.

It is also a time to hang lanterns. A popular thing with kids. While I was young, I remember playing with paper lanterns and some cartoonish ones made with wires and coloured plastic paper. Also a time to play with candles – an excuse to play with fire. These days, lanterns come in so many varieties including battery operated ones!


When lighting lanterns, be careful not to cause fires!

But above all, it is an excuse to get together with family and friends.

5-star hospital

Medical tourism is a big thing in Bangkok. So, you get a lot of posh hospitals around. Bangkok Hospital is one of them.

 

A fountain greets you when you arrive at the hospital. And you go straight to the International reception where they speak all sorts of language. And there’s even special section that caters for foreigners – like the whole Japanese section (even the TV is playing Japanese shows).

Bell boys help you to carry your luggage.

If you don’t have enough cash, don’t worry, ATMs are available everywhere.

Cafeteria never looked so good.

And if you don’t like cafeteria food, no worries. There’s Starbucks.

Its so big, you may need a tour to see the place.

And if you’re still bored, there’s always other things – museums, art gallery, or even live entertainment!

And if that doesn’t suit you, maybe you can do some exercise and count how many calories you’ve burnt.

 

Red Shirt rally around Bangkok

The red shirts are doing a rally around Bangkok today.

Map taken from here.

Part of the route passes by near where I live. Rallies in Thailand are normally peaceful (even attended by kids). So, I thought this would be an interesting event to watch and photograph.

There are still many supporters of the red shirts. People rushing to the streets, dressed in red or carrying a red handkerchief to wave to the passing rally.

People of all ages were at the rally. Its sort of like a family outing. Even foreigners and dogs joined.

   

The train station had to close temporarily.

 

Police were around, of course.

Some people even take advantage of this to make some money.

More photos of the rally:

 

  

But, though it is a lot of people, just go back one alley and things feel normal again.

 

Life goes on in Bangkok

You hear rumours of the gathering. People warning you to be careful, even stock up on food, just in case. They say that 1 million people will gather. Rumours of violence.
However, life goes on as usual. You get up on Sunday, the day of the red-shirt protests, and nothing feels unusual. News reports from 10,000 to 150,000 supporters have gathered together in protests. It is mostly a peaceful protest. Heck, I even went and watched a movie (Food, Inc – go watch if you want to know about the conspiracy behind food).
Anyway, lets hope nothing else happens. We shall see what happens tomorrow afternoon, when the deadline that they supposedly give the current prime minister to dissolve parliament.
What is true “democracy” anyway?

Changes in KL after 2 years

Its been 2 years since I started working in Bangkok. Being back in KL after that time, even when I’m back every few months, there are certain changes that I noticed.

In an earlier trip back home, while queuing up at the duty free in the airport (LCCT), the lady behind me produced this stack of money to pay. At first I thought she was trying to pay in Chinese Yuan. But after a close look, what do you know, we now have new RM 50 notes!

Other things I noticed is that there are lots of developments in the outskirts areas. New shopping malls, new housing estates, new high-rises, new highways. So many new ‘happening’ places that I have not heard before. Even familiar places becomes a bit alien. Imagine me telling people, “yes, I know that place”, but after further details I realise I know none of the new landmarks, buildings or roads (except for “Bali” – apparently that reference is still used even if that place has been burnt down 10 years ago). The city is growing - where did all these extra people come from?!?!

Road rage is definitely more prominent than ever. It is becoming a norm that people describe incidences of violence on the road and how drivers try to pull over other drivers to give them a piece of their mind. I always say that Malaysians have split personality while driving (me included), even the most docile person will turn into a foul swearing monster behind the wheel. Nothing much is being done to upgrade our public transport, so more and more people are forced to drive their cars, even with the escalating price of petrol. And KL is definitely more jam than ever (and I forget how stressful it is until I am stuck in one!). Is it really surprising that there is road rage?

More people are speaking English – Malay, Chinese, Indians – more people in KL are just speaking better English these days.

Inflation is horrible. All prices go up. I realise a simple lunch costing more than RM 5 is normal these days (before I left, RM 5 was a bit extravagant). While in Bangkok the prices remain about the same despite the global economic crisis, simple lunch there still costs not more than RM 3. Our currency is being devalued, but does your salary remain the same?? Another thing, I know that the 1 sen coin has been discontinued, but I was surprised when nobody now cares to return your 5 sen change anymore. What is happening to the value of the Ringgit?

Politics – ah, how to summarise this? After the GE 08, each time I read the news its like one of those HK drama series. You never know how the plot twists and you’re always looking forward to the next episode to know what happened. At least people are now more questioning.

Anyway, I’m now back in the land where the switches are terbalik.

Left side is on, right side is off. Confusing huh? (I still am after 2 years!)

Rooftop is closed

Back in 2008, my office building management always leaves the rooftop doors open. So, once a while we will sneak up there to take a break from mundane work. Our building is 22 storeys and one of the highest around this area, so we do get quite a good view from up there.

But nowadays its always locked. I guess it must be due to the silly things we did up there…

Wii for Mom & Dad

My bro and I got Wii for Mom & Dad as presents for Christmas (and birthday).

Tiger also wants some of the action.

 

After opening… they’re still clueless what it is…

 

Until they tried it out!

 

But heck, they’d still rather watch those Chinese shows on Astro. So, I might as well play with it when I have the chance :)

How frustrating!

Its so weird. I have no access to Facebook, Twitter, and my blog (Blogger) from China. Its like being cut off from the rest of the world!

I wrote the last post through Windows Live Writer. When I clicked on “publish”, it returned with an error message. So I thought that I couldn’t connect to Blogger. Mana tau, I got comments on that post (hope I got it published). So, it must have went through somehow. How frustrating it is not to be able to see your own blog!! arggh!

Anyway, small updates: Beijing is quite cold, and the strong winds will chill you to your bones! The good thing with the winds is that it blows the pollution away, and you get clear skies for a day. The next day, the smog is back and you barely see the sun. However, it was much better than the last time I came in March 08. Can’t imagine what it was like before!!

Ok – leave you with a pic of a free range chicken farm in Beijing.