Kim Yong Market, Hat Yai

Before I proceed with Kim Yong Market, allow me to digress a little about the previous night after checking-in into President Hotel.

After inspecting the room and making sure that everything is (not) in order, we swiftly hopped onto a tuktuk headed for the night market around Lee Gardens.

One of my aims for this Hat Yai trip is to have the Samurai Burger from McDonalds. Woe is me that I could only have a taste of this divine burger once a year!

Seriously, can we not have even one non-halal outlet in Singapore that serves all things porky? 

Have A Happy Holiday!

President Hotel, Hat Yai

 

*Recycled pic

While booking this trip, we were told by the travel agent that we would be staying at Lee Gardens Hotel. 

We could not be any happier as all who had been to Hat Yai before would know that the said hotel is situated at a centralised location surrounded by all the major shopping centres and night market.

Thus, imagine our bewilderment when the coach drove past Lee Gardens and all we could do is watch on in horror as we got driven further and further away until the hotel was out of sight

Tang Kuan Hill, Songkhla

link

Leaving Samila Beach, the coach made a few turns and before we knew it, we were already at the foot of Tang Kuan Hill. 

Remember the legend about the Mouse and Cat Island? 

This is the hill which the Dog turned into.

Where we are visiting is located right on the top of this hill and to get up there, we had to take a 3 minutes, 170m inclined-lift ride up where a breathtaking 360° panoramic view of Songkhla City awaits.

Samila Beach, Songkhla

link

Our first destination upon reaching Songkhla - a province in southern Thailand, was Samila Beach.

Residing here was one of the more famous landmarks in Songkhla - the bronze Mermaid. On this particular day, tonnes of tourists were waiting in line just to have a picture taken with her.

电影： 《东成西就 2011》

影 片 名：《东成西就 2011》
英 文 名：East Meets West 2011
类别 ：喜剧/动作/爱情
导 演：刘镇伟
主要演员：陈奕迅 郑伊健 莫文蔚 苏永康 房祖明 锺镇涛 邓丽欣 谭维维 黄奕
上映日期：2011年12月08日
本地发行商：Shaw Organisation

这部由刘镇伟执导，汇集了莫文蔚、陈奕迅、房祖名、锺镇涛等大牌明星的喜剧电影《东成西就 2011》将于本月08日正式上映。

该片日前在邵氏丽都影城举行了首场预映会。

Exercise Wallaby - Base Camp

Continuation from Week 2 [here]
Read about Week 1 [here] if you have not already read it.

So sorry this post is long overdued!

After two weeks in Shoalwaterbay, Exercise Wallaby is finally over!

It was hard work but friends made the days easier to past.

Just two days before we depart for Singapore, we had our R&R at Rockhampton town (Yeppoon, to be exact) but before I share about my R&R trip, I would like to bring you around Samuel Hill.

North Camp cookhouse

Movie: THE MUPPETS (2011)

Cast: Amy Adams, Jason Segel, Chris Cooper

Director: James Bobin

Genre: Comedy/Musical

Language: English

Release Date: 8 December 2011

Distributor: Walt Disney Pictures

Its time to play the music
Its time to light the lights
Its time to meet the muppets on the Muppet Show tonight

Happy Thanksgiving!

The blogging mojo is gone.

Will return once it came back.

Elephants Parade @ Orchard!

Signs Of Life

Elephants are one of the most beautiful animals around and I love how regal looking they are.

Unfortunately, many were being poached for their tusks or chained up to perform in circuses under deplorable living conditions.

The Elephant Parade is the world’s largest open air art exhibition of decorated elephant statues that seeks to attract public awareness and support for the Asian elephants conservation.

Exercise Wallaby - The Second Week

Continuation from Week 1 [here]

The second week after arriving at Shoalwaterbay, we finally moved outfield for exercise. However, barely ten minutes into the journey, we were already covered with sand...

Movie: IMMORTALS

Cast: Henry Cavill, Stephen Dorff, Luke Evans, Isabel Lucas, Kellan Lutz, Joseph Morgan, Freida Pinto, John Hurt and Mickey Rourke

Director: Tarsem Singh

Genre: 3-D epic adventure

Language: English

Release Date: 17 November 2011

Distributor: UIP
Official Site: Link

Exercise Wallaby - The First Week

Pardon me for the delay of this post.

There were tonnes of pictures to edit and I spent quite a bit of time organizing them (from both mobile phone and Camera) and putting them in the correct order.

Then, I had to filter out the "classified" pictures that could not be posted on any social platforms.

I was confused by what I was doing at one point (twice, in fact) and I had to redo everything from scratch all over again which is why it took me so long to dish out this post.

Without much further ado, I will now let the pictures do the talking...

许冠英：永远的鬼马谐星

一早起床，上网想查看留言却得到了晴天霹雳的消息！

『许冠英家中猝死，享年六十五岁』

这… 是真的吗？

回过魂后，仔细看完报导才慢慢相信事情真的发生了。

Post Exercise Wallaby 2011

Arvo!

(that's Australian slang for "Afternoon!")

Two exhilarating weeks have passed us by and I have returned safe and sound from Down Under!

The weather has been as unforgiving as it has been eleven years ago; scorching hot during the day and freezing cold at night!

I'm at least four shades darker now!

Due to classified and security issues, I will not be able to post much information and photos on this blog.

All I can say is, it was definitely a tiring, siong yet memorable trip with my new comrades.

Outfield is no fun at all but sleeping on the three-tonner (with whatever space there is left of) and going to pee together at night in the wilderness without knowing what is in front of you is quite an experience to go through with your friends.

Of course, there are more pleasant activities like watching the Kangaroos from afar and waking up to the calls of the Kookaburras.

It was pleasurable for me to say the least as these sights and sounds are indigenous to the Australia outback and not anywhere else.

Sixth Death Anniversary

I ONLY WANTED YOU

They say memories are golden

well maybe that is true.

I never wanted memories,

I only wanted you.

A million times I needed you,

a million times I cried.

If love alone could have saved you

you never would have died.

In life I loved you dearly,

In death I love you still.

In my heart you hold a place

no one could ever fill.

If tears could build a stairway

and heartache make a lane,

I'd walk the path to heaven

and bring you back again.

Our family chain is broken,

and nothing seems the same.

But as God calls us one by one,

the chain will link again.

Happy 13th Barkday!

Member of the Family

What would I do without you,
My precious, furry friend?
Part mischief, but all blessing,
And faithful to the end!

You look at me with eyes of love,
You never hold a grudge...
You think I'm far too wonderful
To criticize or judge.

It seems your greatest joy in life
Is being close to me...
I think God knew how comforting
Your warm, soft fur would be.

I know you think you're human,
But I'm glad it isn't true...
The world would be a nicer place
If folks were more like you!

A few short years is all we have;
One day we'll have to part...
But you, my pet, will always have
a place within my heart.

- Hope Harrington Kolb 

Recipe: Watercress Soup 西洋菜汤

In the west, the Watercress is widely used in salads, sandwich and even made into juice. In Asian countries, however, we like to use them in soups. I love Cantonese soups - the kind that have been simmered over a mild fire for an entire day, preferably over a charcoal fire. Such lo fo tong (老火汤) are extremely wholesome and hearty! When I was young, soup is a regular sight on the dining table and I was so easy to feed then. As long as I have soup in my rice, there is no need for any other dishes. I remembered growing up drinking [Lotus Soup] the most, followed by the Watercress Soup. This is a much beloved soup in my family for it's "cooling" abilities. As with all vegetables, I know Watercress contains certain minerals and vitamins but what I do not know is that it even contains cancer-suppressing properties till now! There are so much goodness in this vegetable it is no wonder why they called it a herb in the west. Here are some other benefits of the Watercress: - Antioxident - Eases coughs - Aids weight loss - Controls blood sugar - Aphrodisiac (really??) - Treats failing eyesight I hope you enjoy this as much as I do. Bon appetit!

Recipe: Roselle Tea 洛神花茶

Don't you love those old school coffee shop glasses?

I was first introduced to this strange-looking flower by Mum who has bought a bagful of it from the market. Due to it's odd appearance, I was apprehensive to drink the tea brewed with the flowers. "It tastes just like Ribena," Mum said. The color looks similar but I cannot be too sure about the taste. You know how parents tend to lie through their teeth just to trick us into eating/drinking something that is "good for us"? Remember when you were a kid, how you had medicine forced down your throat while your parents chant, “甜甜的” nonstop？ Taking care not to incur her wrath, I took one small sip just so to appease her. One sip led to another and before long, I finished the entire glass of tea. Mum is right afterall! I was amazed by it's similarity to the Blackcurrent drink except this is a little sour but so much healthier without all the unnecessary sugars! This flower, a relative to the Hibiscus, is rich in antioxidants and minerals especially vitamin C, beta carotene, vitamins B1, B2 and B6. Here are some benefits of Roselle: - Diuretic - Controls fever - Aids digestion - Soothes colds - Controls diabetes - Clears up mucous - Controls cholesterol - Clears blocked nose - Controls high blood pressure - Promotes proper kidney function I hope you enjoy this as much as I do. Bon appetit!

Recipe: Huai Shan With Spare Ribs Soup 淮山排骨汤

Huai Shan (淮山), also known as Shan Yao (山药) or the Nagaimo, is a root vegetable belonging to the Yam family. Although I have seen them plenty of times at the wet market, it is still my very first attempt cooking the fresh variety. One interesting thing about this root was how slippery it would become the moment you started peeling off it's skin. It is almost like trying to grab a live eel which is desperately trying to wriggle out of your grasp! The soup is exceptionally flavorful that I do not even have to add any salt or MSG and I am amazed to find that Huai Shan tasted almost similar to the potato in texture. I am so loving this soup! Here are some benefits of the Huai Shan: - Antibiotic - Antioxident - Lowers blood sugar - Prevents osteoporosis - Lowers blood pressure - Improves digestive system I hope you enjoy this as much as I do. Bon appetit!