When you don't have the time to step outside ...

It has been a long time since my last post.  

2015 has been a busy year so far....  

However, I still squeeze some time to sit down to enjoy a good cup of long black.

Today my mango pomelo cake really went well with the coffee.  The crunchy pomelo in between the layers of sponge cake and mango puree was just perfect after a heavy meal.

End of 2014 was a total eye opener for me.  The country was struck by a very bad flood which affected many territories on the east and west coasts.

This is a photo an aunt sent on 25th December, taken from the second floor of her house.  The water level has risen and the surau opposite (green roof) was gradually flooding.  It was a fine day.  Sunny and no rain.  Later that night, we lost contact.  Nearly a week after, we found out from relatives that they had to evacuate as water entered the house.

In another part of the country, a friend sent me this photo.  This is her two story house after the rain has stopped.  Initially, when the flood was at its peak, she told me that they could only see the rooftop.  This photo is taken from a bridge near her house.

Another friend showed me her mother's house after the water has subsided.  See the brownish  colour on the house?  That was how high the water was during the flood.

This muddy scene is inside the house.  Not much could be saved.

Only debris remain ....

Innalillahi wainna ilaihi roji'un.  This is what the Quran teaches you to say when something unpleasant happens.  "Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return"

What could we, who were spared by the flood do to help ease the burden of all these people?  It was reported that about 200,000 people were affected.  Some lost their homes, their belongings and even their loved ones.  Not forgetting no electricity and fresh water supplies for weeks.

I believe that one small step from each one of us will be useful to them.  We looked around for people who also wanted to help.  We were told that food supplies ran low during the flood.  Together with friends and volunteers that sprung from nowhere, we collected whatever we could to send aid to the victims.

This is an example of the basic needs we could think of for those staying at temporary shelters.  Something that could make them smile a bit.

We looked for volunteers who could deliver these to them directly.  Alhamdulillah, many jumped at the opportunity to help.

 The second phase was to help them clean up the houses and put their lives back to a livable condition.  For that, we bought gears to help clean their houses, collected basic needs for their homes such as portable mattresses, blankets, towels, mats and other necessities.

These basic things are not easy to find at the affected areas.  Therefore everything was bought from here.  Below is a snapshot of the cleaning activities some angels did to help an elderly.

More details of the above photo can be found at pistwist.blogspot.com

Thank you all.  

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 :)