Chilli beef and rambutans.

Feast again!
Chilli beef, chicken, veggies and rice for lunch!

And then the desert! I went on mission to find some more exotics fruits, and ended up walking all the way to the China Town over my lunch break. It is not really long walk, but in this heat (+32C) it did feel very, very long walk. I did think that I have walked to wrong part of China Town, as all shops were selling Chinese medicine, for example goat and deer antlers, but then found my fruit stall that was selling interesting looking fruits. No idea what some of them were, as all the cardboard signs were in Chinese, but I did recognise the Rambutans!

Here is the fact bit about rambutan:
The rambutan (pronounced /ræmˈbuːtən/, Nephelium lappaceum) is a medium-sized tropical tree in the family Sapindaceae, and the fruit of this tree. It is native to Malaysia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia, although its precise natural distribution is unknown. It is closely related to several other edible tropical fruits including the Lychee, Longan, and Mamoncillo. It is believed to be native to the Malay Archipelago.[1].Rambutan in Indonesian, Filipino and Malay literally means hairy caused by the 'hair' that covers this fruit. In Thailand the fruit is known as ngoh (เงาะ). In Panama, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua, it is known as mamón chino. There is a second species regularly for sale at Malay markets which is known as "wild" rambutan. It is a little smaller than the usual red variety and is colored yellow. The outer skin is peeled exposing the fleshy fruit inside which is then eaten. It is sweet, sour and slightly grape like to the taste.

Dragon eyes.

I was so delighted that I decided to pop into a little store nearby our office today, as I have walked past it before and noticed that they have nice selection of fruits on sale - and got bag of longans for desert!

龍眼

The longan ("dragon eyes") is so named (from its transliteration from Cantonese) because its fruit, when it is shelled, resembles an eyeball (the black seed shows through the translucent flesh like a pupil/iris). The seed is small, round and hard, and of an enamel-like, lacquered black. The fully ripened, freshly harvested shell is bark-like, thin, and firm, making the fruit easy to shell by squeezing the fruit out as if one is "cracking" a sunflower seed. When the shell has more moisture content and is more tender (due to either premature harvest, variety, weather conditions, or transport/storage conditions), the fruit becomes less convenient to shell.

YUMMY!!!!

Next one on the list is Rambutan and Langsat!

Unexpected moments.

"We've all been nowhere. It might have been in the middle of Borneo or Beijing. It might have been in a Mayan mountain village, along a time-worn trail in Tuscany, on an isolated South Pacific island, or under desert moon in Mali. Nowhere is a setting, a situation and a state of mind. It's not on any map, but you know it when you're there." - Don George


I had slight feeling of being nowhere this morning, so thought that I need to get myself out of the house and decided to head towards the Esplanade and Singapore flyer. Thought it would give me something to think and would get me somewhere. That decision started a chain of unexpected events that made day even more interesting and fulfilling. A day of unexpected moments in unexpected places.


As so many times before I decide to walk to ION Centre to catch the MRT to City Hall. I was fully on my own thoughts when I suddenly got pulled to reality by loud rock music, and I realised that I had walked to middle of Asia Pacific YOYO Championships 2010!

Continued my journey to river and walked down past Esplanade theatre to the Singapore Flyer.
Loved looking my current home city from the heights, it is interesting how the city looks so different from the birds viewpoint. 

After more endless wandering in town, and even realising at one point that I was standing on the Singapore Formula 1 track, I started to feel the walking in my feet, and realised that I hadn't even had breakfast or lunch and it was getting late afternoon. Same time I noticed the grand looking Fullerton Hotel in front me that used to be the main post office in Singapore in the old days, so decided to pop in, to have a quick look of the lobby. And what did I find, an oasis with plush sofas, live piano music, and courtyard restaurant serving proper afternoon tea! 

Who could resist this sort of treat! So got myself a table, took my book out of my bag and let the unexpected indulgence began! Oh guess what, the book I was carrying with me today - it was gift from another world explorer, my darling friend Rachel - is called Tales from Nowhere
What an coincidence! They describe the book as a collection of unexpected stories from unexpected places.

After more than legal amount of sandwiches, crostinis, bagels, macaroons, scones, crème brûlée and tea, I rolled myself back out to street to the afternoon sun. 


While continuing my aimless walk, I started to think about the Bose SoundDock I have been so wanting to buy. And when unexpectedly saw big mall in front of me that had sign on the wall explaining that it is the digital world, I thought I would pop in, if there would be any electronics stores. 
I think I need to concentrate on that part a little bit more. If there is a sign that it says that it is digital world, and if that is in Singapore, I shouldn't doubt it! I found myself standing in an atrium of shopping mall, probably 6-7 stories high, and music blasting from each shop, more led lights that I have never seen before and only electronics!!!

Yes, I did find the Bose model I have been wanting to buy there, but did leave it behind this time, still decided to think a little bit more. Maybe I go and get it next week ;)


Via CarreFour back home to relax before tomorrow's Free flowing Champagne brunch with Nellie and Steve the Equinox at the Stamford Hotel's bar (on the 70th floor!!!). Yes, it is going to be day of indulgence tomorrow as well! 

Red Pig.

Foodie discussion continues. 
Today's lunch was Korean at a restaurant called Red Pig on the Amoy Street.
It was truly mouth watering, taste bud tickling, visual firework, sensory overload lunch!


Luckily we got our own private room for our group of six, as I need to say, if some thinks that I am loud and speak a lot, they haven't met this lot... These girls can be together even louder!
It might have been on purpose that they put us into that private dining room... Not to give us privacy, but let others to enjoy their lunch in without us..;)

What I thought for moment would be all that I would get for lunch. 

One dried fish and piece of lettuce.

Lunch is here! Jo and Shirley enjoying their lovely lunch!

My sensory overload superduper Korean Pork BBQ!

And thanks for Shirley and her iPhone! I need to start to remember to take my camera with me...

Mat salleh.

I've learned more today, it is clearly the day of new things!
Some of the words that are described to use Caucasians, do have multiple meanings... 
(Or have more meanings than just meaning a Caucasian person.)


Found out about the Coxford Singlish Dictionary and am able to translate some of the words used now...

The Coxford Singlish Dictionary 

For example:-

ANG MOR GAO Hokkien for "red haired monkey", a reference to Caucasians.

and another one

MAT SALLEH Malay equivalent of "ang-mor". A phrase used to describe Caucasians, with a slight pejorative overtone. Some have suggested that it is a deliberate mispronunciation of "mad sailor". This conjecture cannot be confirmed, despite its obvious appeal.

And I thought everyone is just being polite as they keep smiling to me... didn't realise that they think that I am a mad sailor... 

What not to wear.

To keep your mind fresh, it's good to learn something new every day.
Today's learning for me:


If you are wearing white shirt for work, and you get invited for lunch, and the ladies tell you that they want to take you for lovely place that serves great fish soup, that point you are supposed to politely decline the invitation and just stay at office and bite your nails.


As if you do go, you will be most likely to be splashing the soup all over your white shirt and then walking the lunch menu on your chest for the rest of the day...

Ivy and myself enjoying our soy freezer drinks. 

(The evil tom yum soup that splashed everywhere in front of me)

OR start keeping spare shirt at the desk drawer in case of an emergency...

Earth Hour. 2010.

The Earth Hour is nearly here. 

I have now signed up, have you?

Read more about the Earth Hour on the website. Here is short overview for you, if you don't know what Earth Hour is about:




Earth Hour started in 2007 in Sydney, Australia when 2.2 million homes and businesses turned their lights off for one hour to make their stand against climate change. Only a year later and Earth Hour had become a global sustainability movement with more than 50 million people across 35 countries participating. Global landmarks such as the, Sydney Harbour Bridge, The CN Tower in Toronto, The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, and Rome’s Colosseum, all stood in darkness, as symbols of hope for a cause that grows more urgent by the hour.


In March 2009, hundreds of millions of people took part in the third Earth Hour. Over 4000 cities in 88 countries officially switched off to pledge their support for the planet, making Earth Hour 2009 the world’s largest global climate change initiative.


Earth Hour 2010 takes place on Saturday 27 March at 8.30pm (local time) and is a global call to action to every individual, every business and every community throughout the world. It is a call to stand up, to take responsibility, to get involved and lead the way towards a sustainable future. Iconic buildings and landmarks from Europe to Asia to the Americas will stand in darkness. People across the world from all walks of life will turn off their lights and join together in celebration and contemplation of the one thing we all have in common – our planet. So sign up now and let’s make 2010 the biggest Earth Hour yet!.


It’s Showtime! Show the world what can be done.

Weekend @ Koh Samui.

Had a great break at Koh Samui visiting Paivi & Peter! They are just so superb hosts! 
Here is few pictures from the weekend!

Paivi & Peter's loyal Suzuki Vitara that hadn't broken down not even once in last 5 months...

But decided to boil when I joined the fun... Luckily were heading towards their house near Lamai when this happened. Had to abandon the car at the end though and take a bus home.

Paivi outside their lovely house at the Kannapa Place.

Lamai

Gasoline only 40THB per bottle.

Along the Lamai beach

Enjoying the beach side at Lamai.

Dinner time... 

Red snapper with awfully lots of garlic and lime for dinner ;)

Chillin Lounge

Evening at the beach by the Chillin Lounge...

The Big Buddha

Wat Plai Laem

Wat Plai Laem

Back on the beach...

Me.

On Friday night, we decided that it would be time for a cabaret, and went to see Lady Boy show at the Zodiac. They had fantastic comedy acts as well and laughed so much that my cheeks were aching!

Last view before heading to the airport.

Packing again.

Looong day at work! Got in 7:15am and didn't finish before 7pm... But feeling surprisingly energetic.
So time to cook myself nice big dinner to enjoy with television - CSI again (it seems to be on any time of the day...) Cooked myself lovely fried lemon chicken with rice. I am just so used to eat from take away boxes, so decided to serve it from one... ;) Who am I kidding here?  ION Food hall I need loyalty card...

But yes packing again. Just for weekend though. Heading to Koh Samui, Thailand for long weekend to relax and meet my friends from Clapham, London. Paivi and Peter move over there nearly every winter to escape the cold weather in London. Cannot wait to see them after such a long time!


Koh Samui (เกาะสมุย in Thai language) is the island of the coconut trees and the third largest island in Thailand (only Phuket and Koh Chang are larger by size).

The total area is about 247 km² and it is located in the Gulf of Thailand, 700 km South of Bangkok in the Surat Thani province. 

Trying new airline again; flying with Bangkok Air tomorrow after work. It is direct flight so landing at 9pm and P&P are picking me up at the airport, so should be by ice cold beer latest by 10pm at Lamai beach!

Rainy Sunday.

What amazingly relaxing weekend. Yesterday went out for shopping in the Orchard Road, and then ended up spending evening at home reading. I have been saving the Stieg Larsson trilogy for the rainy day, and it was the time. It was pouring down last night, so stayed home and started reading. So far so good. 
Managed to get myself out of bed fairly early this morning and after a cup of coffee, moved myself to the poolside with the book. Yes, now I am hooked to his writing style. 
I was planning to go out head to Carrefour for some food shopping, but the thunder and rain started again... So googling food delivery services now, the other option is to try the residents restaurant by the pool. I do have a free dinner voucher for that, so might just go there with my book. 

View from my bedroom to the rainy rear garden.