Sunday mini road trip to Palm Beach

Had a wonderful lunch at Jonah at Palm Beach last sunday. Wonderful view, wonderful weather, wonderful food.

Had the tasting menu (A$80) of "White Asparagus with Yabby" and "Grilled Lamb Loin". The meal pretty decent, not impressive as i have tasted better, but certainly good enough to feel satisfied. However, what really left a lasting impression was the dessert! It was a pana cotta shaped like a cone and it WOBBLES! So it kinda looked like we were having 2 big tits for desserts! It was hilarious! I laughed off my sockets and the diners around me laughed too when I gave my plate a jiggle, causing my P.C to jiggle too! I knew I had to share this pix instantly!

During lunch, this woman seated before me was so animated in her conversation she caught my attention. Surpriingly, I was quite intrigued with her every moves. From her smile, to her hands waving and her voice. I couldnt quite tear myself from looking at her somehow. I think if I am a guy, I would be pretty attracted to her. She is not exactly a beauty persay, but she is poised especially one that looks collected with a smile to match.

After lunch. Cruise to Manly beach. Along the way, I spotted this bald guy had a shining top to match his shining beaming wide wheel rims of his BMW. I missed his wheels in the shot, but who can miss his gleaming top? :)

Strolled along Manly beach walk and chanced upon the bath. I love this concept of a swimming pool within the sea, using sea water. It's a unique concept to me since we never have that, nor can we afford to with that gross disgusting sea water of ours in singapore.

The sea bath was so inviting, with the light reflecting off in every angle from the glittering surface. It was like a siren, beckoning me to jump in, even though i was honestly feeling quite chilly. I didnt know how the ozzies ard me were walking in bikini when I was layered up with my denim jacket. My only conclusion, I need more human insulation all around me (instead of just my belly!) - aka "FATS".

Budapest Day 1: Noon

Walking around Buda Hills was like walking my my own castleyard at one point. I didnt have anyone around me as i stroll thru. Near museum areas, there were hardly any tourists, least of all elbowing me in my face! I couldnt believe my luck! It got slightly more crowded by 5pm but still, its not the sort of crazy maddening crowd in every inch I had experience in rome. This is good. This is peace. This is why I leave my comfort home, for beauty and sights.

A funny stretch of houses that looks like they hve eyes on top staring down at u (roof opening)
Mattahias church in repair
Along fishermen Bastion
"Hawkers"

Of course there is no trip complete, without a tasting of local food and sweets. So I had the local;s best "cream pastry with light biscuit sandwich", stopping at the frommer's recommended pit stop of Ruszwarm. The place did not disappoint. The cream was light and sweetness to the right amount. This was my first "invitation" to more good pastries to come in Budapest!

Interestingly, this costume set was hanging on the store next door to the cafe. I laughed and had to take a shot because it reminded me of "Naruto Manga Character - Jiraya Erosenin!"

Cafe Miro is another recommended resting place for cafe snacks. I love Miro as he was my favourite artist of pop art, so i couldnt resist just taking a shot with some of his well known "iconic arty style". Cheap thrill!

Budapest Trip: Day 1, To Buda Castle Hill

After checking into the wonderful hotel, I snooze for the next few hours. Awaking at 1pm, refresh for the start of the trip.

I looked through Lonely planet, and honestly the book sucks BIG time. It was so factual and boring that it actually manage to make the place sound depressing. It comes with unnecessary ( to me) facts that sucide rates here are the highest among the whole European nations. Now, tell me why would I want to know that when I am suppose to be looking forward to my trip. Should I be expecting someone to fall flat on me, dropping from the sky while I walk along the buildings?

So I dump the book and headed towards Buda Hills, walking across the infamouse Chain Bridge, connecting Pest where my hotel is and to the other side Buda, where Buda Castle Hill was my intended first stop. (Picture of chain bridge from room)

As I walk along Chain Bridge (Side note: In 1989 people demonstrated on the chain bridge for freedom and independence. Since then, the bridge has become a symbol of Hungarian liberty), I cannot help but stop to admire the scenery before me. The only thing that slightly spoils the moment was the long and endless stream of cars travelling along side with me on the walkway. The exhaust fumes were pretty unbearable and so I sped thru the stretch while holding my breathe as long as possible.

At the end of the bridge, I was confronted with a roundabout. Cars apparently have pretty huge say on the roads here. I mean, they just keep moving regardless of the traffic lights. It was like a european version of Vietnam HCM (u know what I mean if u have been there). I couldnt half tell if the car was going to stop and let me thru the zebra crossing or zoom past me. I had to wait for some kind driver to stop which fortunately, relatively many budapest drivers still do have affections for pesdestrians.

The Castle Hill rise 48 meters above the Danube, dominates the city. This hill is the place where Budapest was founded. It is a small, densely built rock, with the Buda Castle as the most prominent building.

Not having read a thing on budapest and without a map, I gamely took Funicular, a little cable car like transport up the Castle Hill. From there, I started my self dictated tour.

Budapest Trip: Day 0 (enroute Bangkok):

1. Flew BA for first leg.

Hate it. Great flat bed in business class and all that jazz, but service? Service is not terribly impressive. Flight food is again a letdown, and the pecan pie is the 2nd worse dessert I ever have for a reputable carrier...
Counting down...11hrs flight.

2. Flew Malev from Bangkok to Budapest.

Warning: Business class seats do NOT recline.
It is those wide leather seats that can only do prob 30degrees seat recline. And they do not have those individual entertainment systems. It is those screening of one BIG screen sort..with old movies (I heard). However, I actually manage to sleep thru 95% of the flight (yes i was that dead tired). Service is good and friendly (quite motherly actually) and the food tasted good.

They didnt have English Breakfast tea on board (I read that Hungary are supposedly not too good with tea except Earl Grey, but getting better). I was terribly disappointed since that is about the only milk tea I like. I detest Earl Grey. The sharp taste doesnt sit well with me. My feelings prob clearly showed through my half awoken face and my stwardess prompted me with Twinnings "Vanilla and Fig". She was pretty convinced it would be a nice alternative and so I went for it in a leap of faith, but mainly because she was so nice and motherly convincing ( U know the mum type who try to coax u naively to take the gross cough medicine when u are 5, and whispering everything is fine sort?) Turns out she is right, I like the tea. The vanilla really works well with the milk!
Counting down: 10hours flight.


When I was looking out of the windows, I saw the most beautiful skyline. The horizon as the day breaks. I was momentarily muted by the wonderful yet simple infinite, unending splash of black, blue gold and orange colours before me. While I dun have a great shot (with a small blur plane window limitation), try to visualise the whole skyline filling up before you just like these...It's an incredible feeling to so be close to nature's haunting beauty...Those damn lucky pilots...

I landed in Budapest soil at 5.45am. Horray!

After thoughts of Trip to Budapest

Budapest has been most fantastic!!! There are so many things and I prob took over 500 over pictures for the over week trip!

Hungary is not often the place that come to mind for travelling, which is a GOOD thing for me because it means less tourists, and less hassles, plus less Qs.

I have very vague and dim knowledge of Budapest before I left for it. In fact, I didnt even know the town was split into 2 sides namely "Buda" and "Pest". I have gone on an unplanned trip, totally relying in good faith, my 2 guide books "Frommers" & "Lonely Planet".. hoping they will sort out the days for me while I am there. To be honest, I hate planning trips. That to me, is truly the MOST pain in the arse part. Walking, walking I can handle. Planning and circ ling out places of "interest" is sorely a thing I hate to do most. I hope for the best, while expecting the worse from my lack of initatives this time... Yet, strangely despite my inate flaws, I love travelling. Ironical isnt it?

Anycase, it will take a while to write up my trip, plus insertion of pictures. However in summary, I had fun. Tons of relaxation, good walks, intoxication of galleries after galleries and museums, but my favorite of them all, FOOD. Great food! Fabulous desserts and pastries. Sweets to die for! It was unexpected, truly orgasmic. I never expect to have such a whale of a time eating but Budapest and Vienna is one great place to indulge. Even if you aint a person with sweet tooth, You will be an arse to miss out. It truly was a "Death by Choc" destination, with no regrets....

So tune in to this space for more upcoming on Budapest trip!

Bogong Moths ivasion!

After being back from Budapest, I discovered Sydney has been swamped and infested by the migrating Bogong moths these few weeks. Its crazy looking at their sheer number. Apparently they have been blown off course to the ALPS by the westernly strong week these past weeks.

They cover the walls of buildings turning them into black patch and they have invaded my home! They fluttered daringly in my face, despite the fact that all the windows and doors are shut!! Easily, I can count up to over dozen in the house. They flutter and annoy u like hell. not to mention they look disgusting. At night, I can sometime hear them fluttering and rattling outside my window by a few dozens. Yucks!

Was chatting to Stan tonight. He asked me if my place was infested by moths too. After sharing our experiences, I had to laugh. Being typical Singaporeans, we both thought that these moths will die off in few days, like those in singapore if we just ignore them. To our horror and disgust, not only did they NOT die, they come in multiples!

I was chuckling when Stan asked me, "I wonder if they will die if I just Vaccum them..."

I told him prob not. Those "bastards" are too strong. Prob will only rip their wings off but they will be crawling inside for god knows how long! I told him I got so annoyed that I just "SMACK" them and kill the moths. At least only those that venture near my bed and food and in kicthen. The last thing i need is for them to attack my food, with all the presumed arsenic content in them!!! Stan msn and told Jas , who in turn told him "Not surprised... the moths prob died a horrible death...." Sob... I am seen as such an "evil" person now:)

Anycase, being new to Sydney, I google and read up on Bogon moths. I found out they use to be eaten too!

Some extract of interesting fact files:

Bogong moths fly south from Queensland every spring to wait out the heat of summer in alpine caves. They return in autumn to Queensland to mate. The Ngan Girra Festival (formerly the Bogong Moth Festival) is held on the last Saturday in November, 2002.

Bogong moth facts:

1.Bogongs live only a year, but travel over 1500 km during this time.

2.There is a carpet of dead moth bodies 1.5 metres thick on the floor of some Alpine caves, built up from thousands of generations.

Bogong Moth Damper
Before arsenic found its way into the moths, they made a fine dinner. Here's a modern adaptation of an ancient recipe.
A generous handful of moths
1 cup plain flour
1 cup self-raising flour
1 cup powdered milk
1/4 teaspoon raising agent
water
Using a mortar and pestle (or near equivalent) pound up the moths with the powdered milk. Mix in the remaining dry ingredients. Add sufficient water to make a stiff dough and shape into a ball. Flatten the ball to a height of 2.5 centimetres, lightly flour the surface and cook in ash, camp oven, or domestic oven until cooked through. Serve hot.
Recipe courtesy of Vic Cherikoff

http://www.austmus.gov.au/factsheets/bogong_moths.htm

http://www.abc.net.au/science/scribblygum/november2002/default.htm

Cute baby girl!

Isnt Jerlene just adorable, not to mention well behaved!!! She totally let me carry her around and didnt whimper or cry. Awww... she stole my heart away! Her new nick name.. "Big cheeks". Haaa haaa

Friday nite out

Friday is totally hectic. Ran around trying to get my brothers check in, chat abit, and next thing i knew, I had forgotten about my manicure and pedicure! Shit shit shit! Its 5.30pm and everyone i tried has either gone off or claim they are full. I was rather pissed.

Luckily I bumped into Kathy and she called every number and finally got one grudgingly who took me in when i have already made up my mind to forget abt it. Then those people booted me out at 6.15pm because they wont work beyond hours and my nails wont dry. SHit. Remind me why i hate australian work attitude and service level ok. In asia, this will never happen.

Anycase, I smudge my thumb nail within next 10mins. I was really pissed. Still, I have a 7pm dinner to attend, so I desperately try to flag down a cab on a friday nite... NOT GOOD. I was late of course and almost everyone else have already arrived at La Brasserie...

It was a happy dinner! Eileen, Wah, Tracy and Hubby were all there. Jas joined us a little later and the funniest bit when we were talking about the cute waiters, Jerlene was completely smitten by the french waiter. The baby girl couldnt TEAR her eyes OFF the french guy. We laughed so hard and took so many pictures of her staring straight eye to eye with the guy. Nothing could distract her! Not even when we call her or laugh loudly. It was so funny! I joked with Tracy that Jerlene has her first "encounter" with a french man now!

We didnt leave till about 10.30pm and so much for me and an early nite! Still, every min was fun and totally no regrets in forgoing my sleep!

A lovely day out with jas

YEAH!!! Jas is finally here to visit me!! Happy!!! She was bunking at Stan's place so headed out to pick her before we went to Vauclause house.

It was a gorgeous sunny day with the sun out in full force after a huge rain last night. Had a good time chatting and had a wondering afternoon Devonshire Tea at the Tea house on site.
I didnt realise it till she mentioned that she "followed" me to whereever I moved to.

"See what a good friend I am!" She joked.
I laughed and replied "Of course you are...Admit it, you love me!" Haa haa

Utterly Lovely Day... :)

A THUMB?!!!!

I screamed in shock when I saw this (image below) dropped out of the packet of pork into the sink as I was preparing for dinner.


A Frozen piece of finger?!!!
I shook my head and used a fork to poke at it. Fking hell, its some part of the pig. The freaking TAIL!!!!



My lifespan is shorten from all these scares from food preparation... my poor heart...

white corns

Never seen white corn till now.. strange.. white....