Making Nasi Lemak!

I tried making Nasi Lemak today! Yeap... and its relatively easy. First, look up the recipe on the net... then gather your ingredients. What I got: Rice (organic - cos it comes in smaller package), ikan bilis (Thais love their ikan bilis, comes in every variety you can think of), kacang, coconut milk, cucumber, egg, onions, pandan, and of course sambal ikan bilis (from KL of course). -- Yeah, so I "cheated", you want me to prepare everything from scratch!? Only thing mising here is some ginger (didn't want to buy a big bag from the supermarket). Oh yeah, I cant find anywher to buy pandan leaves (unless you want a whole big bunch from the supermarket). So, I took it from my bouquet of orchids I bought -- its still fresh! So, why not? Ok, now to cook the rice. Add half a cup of rice to 3 tablespoon of santan. Add the pandan leaf and onion (for fragrance). And add bout 1.5 cups water into the microwave-rice-cooker. Stir... Microwave for about 8 minutes... Oppss... not quite done yet. Add extra 3 minutes... Meanwhile, prepare the other ingredients - cucumber, kacang, ikan bilis. Now the rice is done. Now to have my telur mata kerbau. But you'll have to pierce the yolk for the microwave to prevent it from exploding. It still is pretty messy. But this is the results. Then.... add it all together.... and..... TAAADAAAA!!!!....... Oops.... I mean.... Taadaaa!! Yum!!! Of course, it wont be complete without adding some ayam goreng (bought from street stalls). Lessons learnt: 1. Nasi not lemak enough - must put more santan 2. Rice too soggy - less water next time 3. Find some other brand of sambal ikan bilis 4. Find a way to make REAL telur mata kerbau in the microwave

Hard Work in Koh Tao

I've been working really hard in Koh Tao for the past week.

(Koh Tao is an island near Koh Samui)

Here are some of the pictures of Koh Tao:

Doggie bumming on the beach

Sunset at Sairee Beach

Buddha Rock, view from Freedom Beach

Boat taxi

Just another hard day at the beach

Something I Noticed...

I noticed that Thai people actually queue up for the train... even if the line is made up of only 3 people.

I Survived India!

I survived India!! Yes... without any diarrheoa!

I guess many people have heard of travels to India - and usually the comments are negative, e.g. too dirty, too many poor people, etc etc etc. But, really, for me, I find it rather interesting. Yes, it is dirty (and very dusty/sandy) and there are many poor people on the streets, but it has quite interesting places to visit. But then again, I didn't really do a lot of sight seeing or walking around the town to get a real sense of India.

But anyway, instead of having to write something about my trip there, let me put in the pics instead.

A truck with "Horn Please" painted at the back.

Horning is sooo sooo common in India. There's no such thing as peace and quiet when you're on the road. It has become expected that you horn each other when you're driving there. Dont ask me why...

Kids in a tuk-tuk.

I guess this is a type of "school bus". In fact, its not uncommon to see up to 6 adults in one tuk-tuk.

Government Work is God's Work

So much bureaucracy in India. Everyone rely on the government to do something for any problem in India. That's why you see so many departments everywhere. However, how they do their job is a totally different matter.

Just another day stuck in traffic

Street food in Bangalore

I ate this street food (I forgot what its called). Its kinda like a little salad in a shell of some pastry. Quite nice. Amazingly, I survived! Well, they do say that they dip it in hot water...

Free air?

Stray dogs in Ahmedabad

Apartment Hunting – Part 3

OK! I've decided! After all the looking around and internet surfing, I'm tired (physically too – awww my legs!). I think I've seen enough apartments to become an agent. So, after searching high and low, I've narrowed it down to 2 places:

APARTMENT 1

1. At Sukhumvit area (happening), but also close to one red-light area. Actually, I still feel its safe – just have to walk past a lot of the bars with girls in skimpy clothes (if they really ARE girls). Area = pro
2. Far walk to train station. 20 mins fast walk or 30 mins slow walk. OR 10 Baht for motorbike taxi. Distance to BTS = con
3. Need to change trains to get to work. Distance to work = little bit cons, but still alright.
4. 1 bedroom apartment, large size. Balconies on front and back. One side facing the canals. Very airy. Apartment = pro
5. THB 23,000 per month, include tv and internet, towel change, cleaning, bed sheet change, etc. Price = ok
6. Nice small swimming pool and garden. Amenities = pro
7. Laundry is calculated by pieces, can be quite expensive. Laundry = con
8. Furniture is ok. Not much. Furniture = so-so

APARTMENT 2

1. Not at happening area, but still near to shopping malls. Happening are just few train stops away. Though not many expats around here. Area = pro
2. Just 15 min walk from station. 10 mins if you walk fast. But they do have free tuk-tuk from the apartment to nearby areas, like the train station. Distance to MRT = borderline pro
3. Just 4 train stops from work. Don't even have to change trains. Distance from work = pro
4. Studio apartment. Balcony has nice view from 5^th floor. Studio = con, view = pro
5. THB 13,000 a month, include cable tv. But internet, water/electric pretty reasonable. Price = pro
6. No swimming pool. There's one community pool nearby (eeww). However, there's a big tv. Amenities = con
7. There's coin laundry on each floor. Laundry service also provided at ground floor. Laundry = pro
8. Furniture is brand new and very modern, posh looking. Furniture = pro

So... after much thought, I've decided to go for apartment 2! Yes, I've finally made my decision!! The thing that push me over = near to work, no need to walk so far, and nice modern furnishings. Oh yeah... half the price too.