One day we went to the most southern point of the Asia's mainland.  We actually wanted to see the national park which is said to be very unique.  Unlike other parks.  Unfortunately, it was closed that day due to high tide.

However, we managed to get a peek at the park from the entrance.  It is a mangrove park.  Very beautiful.

We discovered that the locals were having what they call a high tide festival.  Kids were seen enjoying themselves plunging into the monsoon drain, running around and exploring the area.

On our way out of the area, we noticed a magnificent house.  

Out of curiosity, we stopped by.  There was a man in front of the house.  So we wished him peace and asked if we could have the permission to admire his beautiful home at a closer range.  The owner, Abd Hadi, a school teacher greeted us in a very friendly manner.  Little did we know that he is used to having visitors popping in to have a look at the house.

According to Abd Hadi, 17 craftsmen spent about a year to complete the house which is a nearly 100% replica of the former house belonging to his mother, a Buginese descendant.  The house is made of billian wood if I am not mistaken.  The locals call it kayu belian.  A very heavy and hard wood originated from Borneo.

The interior of the house is decorated with furniture dated as old as 300 years.  These are all part of the Bugis culture that the family preserves through out the centuries.

A very old hut or wakaf elegantly stood in front of the house.  Due to my excited state describing about the house, I nearly forgot to mention that the house is called Sri Saweilangeng.  A tribute to the owner's grandfather, Daeng Hadadek.

I have not been drinking coffee for a while due to health reason.  I could not smell nor taste anything for more than a week.  It may sound dreadful but surprising enough, I enjoyed the experience.  For example, when we passed through stinky places, everyone had their hands over their noses ... and me ... tralalaaaa ... smelled nothing :D  And I appreciated my food more.  I enjoyed the crunchiness, the softness, the smoothness, the coolness and the different texture of my meal.

We were in Phuket last week.  There was this innocent looking dish full of fantastic vegetables like pumpkin, long beans, young banana and many other vegetables.  I scooped a spoonful of vegetables and the gravy.  It was a very interesting mixture.  Nice to chew .... (since I tasted nothing).  Then suddenly I had tears streaming all over my cheeks.  The dish was VERY spicy it seemed ... or so they said.  Now, isn't that a surprise?

This was in Bang Tao.  A large Muslim community lives here.  Therefore Halal Muslim food can easily be found here - local and western cuisine.

There are plenty of affordable food stalls selling tasty food by the road side of Bang Tao.  This particular stall sells sweet crispy crepe like dessert.  It's a mixture of kuih kapit and apam balik for me.  They are cooked one by one in small pans.

Each piece of crepe is rolled and cooled down.

Then packed together in 5s.

Western desserts are also available nearby.  The shop sells iced tea - different flavors and cakes.  Since I was coughing, the owner was kind enough to prepare me a hot tea to go with my orange cake.

I saw a different side of Phuket.  Before arriving here, I always imagined Phuket to be like Patong beach all across the island.  Well, I was wrong.  Patong beach is just a small part of the attraction in Phuket.  There are so many more amazing things to do and places to visit in Phuket.

You can see fruit stalls almost everywhere.  Beautifully arranged just waiting for you to stop by and get them.

I found my favourite ciku here.  So sweet and juicy ....

The local food is delicious especially the fried chicken that they eat with sticky rice.  There's a looooong list of delicious food here that everyone must try.  Say NO to pizza while you're on the Island.

The locals here are friendly and very polite.  We met many nice people here who made our stay agreeable.  Khawp Khun Kha ...

We bid you good bye for now Phuket.  Au Revoir.

The Barista is sick ....

Coffee goes well with sweet desserts.  Black especially.  A slice of strawberry cream cake and macaroons make you feel like smiling the whole day :)

Yes.  I have been occupied with other activities recently.  It has been a week ... or more .. since my last posting.  

Anyway, today lunch was quite late.  A long black to refresh myself after a busy morning.

And a plate of spaghetti bolognaise.  Both at Scholar's Inn.

Along the years, I've learnt to get to know coffee better.  I still however, prefer black over latte ;-)  

When it comes to beans, I have learnt to appreciate medium roast better than dark.

Caffeine or decaff, it doesn't matter to me coz coffee doesn't prevent me from sleeping.  What I like most about my coffee, is its soothing aroma ...

When I think of coffee, my thoughts always goes back to this jar of home made rainbow cake.  A good friend of mine had always kept me fully supplied with her delicious cake, and this was my favorite.  I miss you very much my dear friend.  You have been a very good person.  May our Maker place you in heaven and may we meet again there.

This simple plate brings joy to me.  All my favourite snack in one dish.

Smoked salmon - the main source of protein.  Also said to be rich in omega-3 fat that can help to lower my cholestrol.

Camembert - it's my weakness ... Yes, 45% fat ... I heard you.  But this smooth and creamy cheese with fungus is the best.  It's runny inside ... just like that runny molten chocolate souffle  ...

Crackers - I prefer them anytime to bread.

And of course buttercrunch lettuce.  The salad I like most.

We went coffee hunting on our last trip to Singapore.  We arrived at Tyrwhitt Road looking for what people told us, a coffee shop that doesn't look like a coffee shop.  Hmmmm ....

Well, we got the address right ...  So where is this shop?

They said it's a hardware shop.  Ok.  Found it!

Now ... how do we get in??

Oh!  That entrance by the side.  Okay ....

Beans of the day.  
We went for Las Brumas from El Salvador.

 

Interesting place to drink good coffee.  They roast their own coffee too here.

This is my cup of coffee.  

I like how they present their menu.

The barista is preparing the coffee.

 They have a sister shop in Bangsar which is very cosy and the staff are very friendly.  We'll talk about it in another posting okay?

Muesli and kiwi yogurt for breakfast.

When you are in a hurry, you just grab what you can ...

It's barbecue night!

After a tiring week, we all decided that we deserve to some steaks.  So voila! We got our meat together and this was what happened ...

Before ...

After!

With some juicy sausages ...

Sirloin on the grill ...

Oh yes ... let's not forget our vege ...

And onions which were later caramelized ....

This one is for the road! :D

Good night!