Monday, April 20, 2009

ENCHANTING ISLAND






ENCHANTING TIOMAN ISLAND

(edited july 09)


Pic courtesy from Wee Liem


Me with my new phone camera. My exact similar model but in orange skin was robbed just a week ago.. :(

I was more upset that it didn't come in orange more than anything else. Why stopped producing that? Why does everything have to change so quickly?? Just as i am comfortable with something, they tell me, it's OUTDATED!! But i guess i like familiarity. I remember buying the earlier phone because i liked the colour. Now i am getting the same one because i am familiar with the functions and features, so i like it that way.

Does that sound like old age or what?




Anyway, I had just returned from an island hopping trip, snorkeling for the last few days and jungle trekking with a bunch of the coolest people from the Nature Society- exhausting but totally awesome!


My first day here..what a view!



I am never much of an outdoor kind of a person. So when i read in the e mails that was circulated just days before the trip concerning leeches and poisonous leaves in the jungle..er, that didn't thrill me too much. Blood sucking leeches? Yiiiikes!


Another serious consideration for me to pull out was the need to find my way to meet the other fellow members of the Nature Society at the City Centre Bus Terminal just half an hour before midnight was undoubtedly the greatest challenge for me. Especially not when i had comments from other friends who called me and said "This isn't the airport, you know that.. so you can't like, get there early and browse around safely.."


Apart from the recent trauma of being robbed right in the open alfresco-like setting in full view of many other people around me while i was having dinner with my boys one evening recently had left me extremely nervous whenever strangers would walk up to me ever since or whenever i hear faster paced steps near me in public places. You might ask, "What? No one came to your rescue?" Steven Seagal was not there, unfortunately.. so, no. And the Bus Terminal did sound like a pretty scary place to be especially at that hour. And when was the last time since i had boarded a bus? Nevermind.


I almost didn't make it for this trip if it hadn't been for my sister. I would have otherwise missed out on one of the most enjoyable times of my life and meeting so many good and wonderful people all in one place.



Pic courtesy by Mr FC Khye


The marine fishes and coral reefs, the rough waters (just intermittenly fortunately) and boat rides, the jungle, the fruit bats and even saw a bright green long snake just crossing my path... had been such an experience!




Waking up early to catch the sunrise..

I also enjoyed getting up early to catch the sunrise and watching the sunset.. just so..oooooo sooo awesome of seeing the watercolours of God's art masterpieces in the skies unfolding before my eyes !!!!




























Watching the "watercolour art of God's masterpieces" unfolding..











There were always a bunch of serious photographers clicking away.. while me- quite a joke huh? Nevertheless, my convenient Sony Ericson K770 i handphone camera didn't do too badly for me, really. Just can't do too much cool stuff of detailed close shot pictures though.




Serious Photographer at work

(most of the pics used were borrowed from this very kind and generous pro-photographer's work. It was amazing to see what he has captured through his lens/eyes. His work is National Geographic Magazine material. He is certainly one gifted mortal. Need i say more? )


Aside from the fun and experiencing nature at its best in all the adventure activities, there was also a "Beach Cleaning Up" activity slotted in. It was to create awareness that we should all do our little part in preserving our environment for our future generations so that they too will be able to enjoy what we have now.


Most of all, i admire the Spirit that i see in the participants of this trip. No matter what their ages were, they were always so enthusiastic, so ready to live life and willing to give anything a go in the name of fun!









Same spot, different time of the day






*The waters were so beautiful!


Notice the dark shadows beneath? A fellow member had earlier told me that she had observed it for some time from the pier and was convinced that it was definitely not some huge rocks or boulders but was some huge monster fish as it had moved to several different spots in the water.

When she told me that, i thought to myself, "No way am I getting in there! A fish as huge as that would gobble me up for snack in no time at all!!" Not a pretty way to go unless it's a quick big chomp and a quick gulp down and poof* (vanishes).

After much persuasion by other fellow members of coaxing me into the waters with them, (i didn't tell them about the fish tale i had heard earlier.. the expressions on my face says enough already ). I finally gave in only because i was lured by the very cool looking colorful gears they had donned on. And, am i glad to get in there with them! Oh my, it was simply glorious down there! It felt like a different world down there- a different dimension, a world so mysterious, another plateau altogether.

And the dark shadows? I found that they really are just large schools of tiny little fishes together! (Eyes rolling up. )





Pic courtesy by Mr FC Khye









Some of the members singing along to some familiar folk songs..





Rocking movement and motor engine running.. not hard to see why anyone can easily drift off into a sweet restful slumber..






The twin Peaks, simply spectacular!


Pic courtesy by Mr FC Khye


Pic courtesy by Mr FC Khye





Pic courtesy by Mr FC Khye
My first attempt at Snorkeling. There were always many willing and helpful fellow members and friends closeby to help .

The part i might actually miss doing :
spitting into the goggles.



..also, i think of Nemo when i see myself here !


A pic always inspires differently for different people..

i think of cold chilled beer running down one's dry throat on a hot summer's day when i see this pic of the waves breaking on the shores.. (even though i'm no ardent fan for beers ;)








At the jetty. I took a walk up to the jetty each morning i was there. The whole experience felt quite spiritual.. maybe it's the being alone, one with nature integrated .. and the beauty reminds you of the Genius Creator who made it all.




A short trek in to get to the inviting cascading descent of the waterfalls..









Many friends that i'd met on this trip who now remains active on my phone list and Facebook.




Pic courtesy by Mr FC Khye




Pic courtesy by Mr FC Khye




Pic courtesy by Mr FC Khye
Rafflesia is a genus of parasitic flowering plants. It is noted for producing the largest individual flower on earth. It occurs only in the rainforests and has a penetrating smell more repulsive than any buffalo carcass in an advanced stage of decomposition.





pic courtesy by Mr FC Khye


pic courtesy by Mr FC Khye


pic courtesy by Mr FC Khye


Cry me a river mama! .. I don't want this to end!



fl

Sunday, March 29, 2009

THANK YOU





For some personal reasons i am not able to disclose, i will need to get off blogging.

It would be so horribly rude of me to just disappear without saying why. I will need some good time off to attend to some things too personal to say, just something that will need my full attention for a while.

Wishing you lots of love and sunshine in your lives.


STAY WELL!


Silver

Saturday, March 28, 2009

TELL ME IF YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND ANY OF THIS!





*If you see the annoying ad popping out, just click the X at the edge on the Right to remove the obstruction.


HAVE A GREAT WEEK-END!

Monday, March 23, 2009

TIRAMISU AND MANGO TURNOVER









Tiramisu originated in Venice. Literally translated, it means, 'pick-me- up' or 'pull-me-up' in reference to the espresso and liqueur.

It has been a very popular Italian dessert that has been adapted into cakes, puddings and other varieties of dessert easily available in most cafe bars, restaurants and bakeries.

However, did you know that in the original recipe, there was no liquor in the cake as it was originally made for children and even with the elderly in mind and the original shape was round. This is a very easy to go down dessert and not something too heavy which is welcoming for difficult eaters (children) and days when the appetite is down, recuperating or in convalescence .

Mascarpone is used in the recipe. . It is an Italian soft cream cheese from cow's milk that has a rich, silky texture giving it a creamy delicious flavour.

Very simple ingredients, savoirdi biscuits, eggs, sugar, mascarpone and cocoa. Add in dark rum/Kahlua, and strong black coffee.

The method is pretty much the same with any kind of Tiramisu. A quick google will land you on many similar recipes and method with little variation.


Ingredients used for Tiramisu

225 g/ 1 cup Mascarpone
1 egg, separated
2 tbsp natural yoghurt
2 tbsp of superfine sugar/castor
2 tbsp dark rum/Kahlua
2 tbsp strong black coffee
8 sponge fingers
2 tbsp grated dark chocolate/bitter (your preference)


Ingredients used for Mango Turnover

a largo mango, finely chopped
1/4 cup flaked almonds
a large pinch of cinnamon
2 tbsp of castor sugar
2 sheets ready rolled puff pastry
8 teaspoons custard(filling)
1 egg, lightly beaten with a little milk (for brushing on edges and over pastry)
sprinkle a little sugar on top
to serve with mango ice-cream, if desired.

note: you can use a fork to press the edges for a neater end.


enjoy!


HAVE A GREAT WEEK !




fl

Saturday, March 21, 2009

SOMETHING NO ONE NEEDS!






When i got back, i was so disgusted to find i have like 15 comments each on both my blogs by a blogger in Australia who left me some creepy comments about satan, god and stuff i don't even know what he was angry about. It just totally freaked me out!! What's his problem? Not something i was expecting to be awaiting my return after such a perfect wonderful getaway.. of just the earth, the wind- the open heavens and me- oh yeah, and a book.

I was thankful to receive an e-mail from another blogger in my inbox warning me about those dreadful messages incase I have not got to them yet and advising me to turn the Comment Moderator back on.

I have also removed my e mail from my profile for now. After such an unpleasant episode, I think maybe, I should take another week off!



fl

Monday, March 9, 2009

Something light for lunch..





We should go out today..



I couldn't decide if i would do one on Fitness or Food- but i don't think any of you will mind putting that diet or fitness round for a bit later.. so, girls.. let's go for the sexy Crustachea this week!





Oops, wrong pic.





Slightly spicy mud crabs stir fried in butter sauce




Crispy Wontons in Thai dip sauce


Then i made a special stopover at a favourite cafe with my son that I'd used to frequent (when i was still working in that area as it was only a short quick drive from where our office was) for that must have dessert.

Reminds me of an ex colleague who used to eye my slice when she'd finished hers.. i used to enjoy tormenting her by making those "melting" ("foodie-blogasmic"-) expressions as i placed each tiny scoop into my mouth..slowly. May also explain why we were always late from lunch if we came here.. and she being a super slow driver certainly didn't help very much. And about the only person i know who'd never had a speeding ticket. (eyes rolled up..) Also a good thing she doesn't know i have a blog here.

Infact once, we were even "caught to be at least half hour past our lunch time" by our bosses when they too had stepped into the same lift the same time as we did. I think we (with another British ex-colleague cum accomplice with me on the same floor) had this blushing abashed cool cats look except that it had a more sheepish moronic colour to it during that few seconds as it took us all to the same floor.)

And, i also love the Italian Resto which is located downstairs of this favourite cafe that we frequent. My, they've got the most divine creme brulee.. hhhmmmmmm.. I've got to go get some soon!!









a pretty stalk of edible delicious chocolate rose creation.. had this come with a marriage proposal.. i don't suppose many will be strong enough to resist the exotic looking chocolate rose.

Pop in first baby, logistics- later!

They also have some neat display of chocolates of both white and dark, huge glass designer mirrors, other home decor handicrafts also on retail. A nice popular joint combi Concept of cafe and retail of sorts we find these days.












As always, wishing all you out there tons of bloggy love and kisses blown out ..


Be safe, be well, be sweet..


SILVER



A note to all my coolest friends who visit me here..

I'm going away for 2 weeks. DO NOT leave this page without saying HI or something. I will hunt you down when i get back if I do not see you here. It can get pretty ugly, that's as much as i can promise you.

I will be missing you guys .. more than you know.


Butterfly kisses,

~Silver