Molto Baci

I woke up early to savour  a variation of the omelette - this one lovingly made with  a dash of truffled oil, served with thin slices of ham and carefully laid on crisply grilled Italian bread.   The rain was pouring outside the Federation terrace in the heart of Wollongong city, with visibly enlivened plants soaking in the moisture. Coupled with the sensations of freshly made latte, I could not have asked for more. Staff at the Lee & Me cafe were bubbly - and Lee was wardrobed in striking white, over a grey-blue cargo pants.

This evening, Rick Stein was enjoying his Australian adventure, cooking in a Balmain house and meeting up with cuisine writer Charmaine Solomon, courtesy of pay tv.  An hour ago it was the Discovery Media Singapore Corp take on Malaysian food, featuring, amongst others, the experience of Carol Selvarajah;  the fact that Indians do not normally take fish head and the Chinese do not otherwise indulge in curry, yet there is this remarkable fusion dish called curry fish head;  how so much banana leaves are harvested outside the town of Seremban each day, fresh from the trees themselves, to cater for the unique experience of banana leaf eating; and an observation of what turkey is to Christmas, rendang is to the Malays.  I reflect on my most recent weekend, indulging in home made curry laksa in Carlingford and having glass noodles stir-mixed with seafood in a non-soup but tasty combination somewhere in Bankstown.  And then I recall some cooking of soy stewed pork to be eaten with pickled vegetables, ala Vietnam.

In the middle of October, on a sunny day, Roberto the waiter showed the strain of catering to the lunch time crowd at a Napoli-themed restaurant.  As the hour passed, there was a unusual queue for pizza, lengthened by the street side passer-bys who came to have a taste of the annual Haberfield street festival.  Peter and I had to patiently wait for an hour before our choice of a simple dressed pizza arrived at our table.  In the  meantime, we relished in rissotto,a  variation of which Peter had not an opportunity to enjoy for many years, and of which I thought was especially unusual.  After lunch, we had hot choc at Colefax, seated next to  an intensely- in- love couple, starring a very stylish leathered guy with olive coloured  skin and penetrating eyes looking into the target of his affection - a beautiful teenaged lady,  who seemed captivated and terrified, all at the same time. Outside, Joni from Paesenella  exuded his natural passion and energy in formaggi - making, taste, serving and presentation - at his shopfront along Haberfield's Ramsey Street, in the inner west of Sydney.  Joni's peccoroni cheese creation is both heavenly and so easy on the palatte.

After having your coffee from a dedicated Campos Cafe located along Missenden Road in Newtown, you can adjourn to chicken pho soup or deep fried pork and vegetable rolls at Tnanh Binh, just round the corner along King Street, Broadway side.  In addition, you can have the choice of two different burger styles from outlets of Burger Fuel and Burgerlicious.  There is strong stuff in Argentinian or Macedonian barbecued meats at the other end of King Street, Rockdale side. And the Portuguese-inspired delights of Petersham are not too far away.   Such is Australia food-wise in spring.  And this is just about the greater Sydney area.

I think of Australian capital city cuisine variety as offering truly molto baci - many kisses.

The Summer Calls

The aroma of slowly but surely ripening mangoes from Queensland permeates my house in summer.  Just as sure as the cool breezes from the ocean blow in after dinner time in Balgownie, these fruity sensations remind me of a childhood growing up in a tropical airy place, where seasonal fruits make up for the lack of changing climate seasons, and where the variety of such produce can also mean the fruits of long term labours.  It takes gestation periods, monsoonal changes and planning ahead to arrive at the grin on the faces of darkened fruit growers, their tan resulting from days walking on their orchards udner the intense equatorial sun.

Summer officially arrives on a Wednesday this year, but the last Saturday of November already gave a good show of what it can be. The sun was up too early, as expected, and I felt too excited for the day in chilling out and now feel so bad texting a mate so early. As I write this, there seems to be a synchronisation of temperatures up in the northern hemisphere - it is precisely minus one degree Celsius in Moscow, London and Toronto.  In contrast, the singlets, boardshorts and thin t-shirts of blokes and light fabric dresses of women underscore how fortunate and moderate Australian weather can be.  There can be the risk of bush fires flaring up, especially when one is not at home, and there was a strange smoky presence over Parramatta this afternoon - but otherwise it is a season of forgetting about schedules, laundry not drying or just about time itself.

End of year can also mean stocking up on favourite movies for the home or lazy afternnoons on trips away; waiting for cherries to reach just the right taste and maturity; re-affirming personally what it was that we were rushing at work for; pondering how electronic stuff for the lounge and kitchen seem to get cheaper, whilst petrol prices, gold and utilities get more costly; remembering to do the annual things like changing the water filter catridge; catching up with mates and relatives to show how much we appreciate them for their company, communciation and things they do for  the rest of the year; and throwing never used items to allow room for the new. It can offer a hiatus, but it can also be a time to look forward to the future.  Heck, it also means everyday one can feel the salt in  our faces and legs as the ocean winds cocoon us in a magical time.

Back to Parramatta for me and my mate today. There was a market day along Church Street Mall, with the ubiquitious stalls  offering almost the same things like in Windsor near the Blue Mountains last week. I could not resist the outlets with plants, and this time there was dear Gary with his bonsai-like creations of succulents and cacti on little lovingly made wooden holders. Okay I got three - a prayer plant, a bears foot and a miniature pine tree.  Okay, they are all names anyway - the miniature creations caught my eye.  I finally got to taste the curry laksa at Oriental Tucker along George Street - and they seem to have nice curries, snacks and desserts on offer as well. I got into summer mood and mode - do things unplanned, allow the delightful unexpected and after all, it already feels like what summer should be.

Oh yes, the mangoes.  They are R2E2 and not even related to the Star Wars trilogy. Such fruits are best eaten slurpy, with their nectar flowing easy and flesh melting in our mouths.  They complement the body heat from too much barbecue and keeping up with the sun.
Mangoes also reflect the essential spirit of summer - let it be, relish the juicy growth built up in the past year and enjoy the rewards.
We can let our hair down - and let the drool create a little mess.  We can take it easy with the clock, for sunset is late and tommorow is another day.  And make sure we create the postive childhood memories for the next generation - and our mates.

Only Yesterday

Soon, it shall be the completion of a decade for the new millennium.

I ponder about what it was like on the cusp of new century, and more.  Who are the mates who continue to nourish me from that time,way back when?

Was it only yesterday when things, that mattered then,  do not anymore? I relish in the new ideas that have emerged since and in persons who still matter. I look around my house, cherish in things that still persist, things that I continue to appreciate using and people who still nourish my soul and mind in my journey of life. I recall the difficulty of letting go when others did not likewise experience my emotions, whether of friend ship, organisations or habits. The advantage of hindsight can make me think these things could have been so funny, but when then caught up in those significant moments, I remembered that such things were not easy to adjust to. Having survived, and allowing the healing power of time gone by, I am glad that things happened as they did.  Somehow I always believe things happen for the better.

Like the throw away pattern of a high turnover consumer goods society, what was new has become outdated and forgotten. What comes first to mind are first the successive models of  mobile phones,flat monitors and internet-enabled gadgets - but there is more. Maybe I am a sentimentalist at heart, and value items of life that last.  At other times, I appreciate the replacement of old turf with new, or the benefits of culling leaves and branches to promote and encourage for better things to come. I have kept most of my goldfish for just over seven years, and still have not felt the urge or itch to change them.  When I look at my family and relatives network, we still keep very much in touch.  When I look at mates, several have moved on with the working place, others continue to network and yet I am on to my fifth motor vehicle in my memory of use. Kumquat plants remain rooted in my garden beds, but the window of entertainment has changed in the living room.

Names like Michael Kalos, Iain Lockie, Andrew Holland, Alistair Walker, Simon Bruzzone and Glen Smallwood linger on my mind. Ten years ago, I felt the spirit of volunteerism, civility and celebration with the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. Are most of these still alive in today's Australian society? On the cusp of a new decade, I appreciate the joys and benefits of accessing both an urbane and out-of-capital city environment; being able to venture out to various parts of the world both physically and in cyberspace; and realise my plans despite the expected roadblocks from some quarters.

I look back at long drives between Wollongong and the varied corners of the greater Sydney region.
I reflect on changing requirements for travel, including what not to pack, carry or to be aware of. I still hold on to souvenirs and personal things from various chapters of life.  I can feel the relaxing social meals taken with friends, relatives and colleagues.  I am conscious of the long hours at work on weekdays and at times during weekends.  I relive the concerts, from Human Nature to Joey Yung; miss helping out at charity food fairs; and have a special place in my heart with memories soaking in places like Hangzhou and the Tamar Valley.

Wedding Day Moments - 23 October 2010

Image Credit for above: Mr Yong Chung Shen

Image credits for above and below:  Miss Adelyn Yong

 

There Are Places

There are places I remember.....

Above: The Harbour at Ulladulla, NSW South Coast.


All my life

Above: A corner of Sydney's emerald Harbour.

Above: Mollymook's enchanting and panoramic views.

All these places have their moments, I still can recall......

                       Above:  A placid change to Manly Beach, north of Sydney,on a week day.

I've loved them all........

                           Above:  Rosie,who dropped by every morning at the Henley Point townhouse.



Lyric Credits from the composition "All My Life" by Chantal Kreviazuk and inspired by the singing of Jose Feliciano

Long Ago and Far Away

I glanced at beyond the ornate glass door to the left of my dining table.  The heavy rains had created a misty effect showering the hills lined up on the coast. I was reminded of Somerset Maugham and perhaps this was his inspiration for his novel entitled 'Rain".  At the same time, it dawned on me on how hilly the island is, a fact not brought out before in the way how the skyscrapers now contrasted with the natural steep slopes.  I thought of isles in the South Pacific which revealed their underwater mountain peaks as jagged piercings into the humid tropical swirling atmosphere.  The inter-monsoon rains had come down on this particular isle - my home island - for the past few days, and it showed in the heady moist air and cooling breezes that offered comfort to the swaying palms and colonial age stone ramparts protecting the hotel from the sea.

Behind May, the sea did however look placid and calm. The swimming pool deck was absolutely damp but there were some guests who still could not resist from sitting out there doing literally nothing - but actually relishing the views and soaking in the timeliness of this corner of Earth so far away from their homes and routine. In the washrooms, elegantly tiled floors matched the old fashioned set up, complete with potted plants and high ceilings. One could walk through vistas of architecture from another age, another time - and still get all the modern comforts of pampered service, relaxing drinks at the bar and delicately prepared locally inpsired cuisine.  It was initially strange that May and I took hotel prepared street hawker food, and they were dished up tasty and well - but then such food are becomong more of a rarity and hardly served in such comfortable surrounds.

Sarkis Bar has shades of the Raffles Bar located an hour by plane flying  south, but was obviously started in the same spirit and desire for both. In the late afternoon, before Happy Hours, there was a potential connundrum in that there were very few locals, only the varying Euro voices of visitors jabbing the lazy ambience.  There were groups of Indians at some tables and most of the staff were behind the counter. May and I chatted about the recently restored Suffolk House, the very first official residence of the island's founder, Captain Francis Light. The timing could not have been a coincidence, as Georgetown was declared a joint UNESCO heritage site only a few years ago. Sentiment and longing cannot bring into reality something which should have been completed long ago - in today's world, as in the past for human societies, funding and political backing are important.  It must be acknowledged that for whatever reason, Suffolk House was allowed to literally rot for a few generations until now. 

Down Gurney Drive, a new set of commercial hotels have sprung up, but also beside the bay. These were part of the skyscrapers that I had a glimpse of whilst sipping my coffee and consuming my plate of char koay teow (Penang-styled stir fried rice noodles).  The new fangled hotels may look the same all over the world, but they are in their prime and currency. How does one embrace the new while ensuring one's uniqueness?  This may precisely be the challenge and opportunity for Penang's Eastern & Oriental Hotel, which has to be relevant not just for tourists with greater purchasing power,  but also ensure its continued place in the soul of Penangites.

On  the day I re-visited, the E & O hosted a sizeable buffet lunch for the employees of the island's US multinational business called Intel.  Although it was  a weekday, the wholesome sized and round  shaped lobby had greeters adding to the bositerous liveliness of the publicly accessible areas. In contrast, the compulsory gift shop was empty, although beautifully decorated with aretfacts and souvenirs of the various influences that have shaped my home island - from Thai masks, Indian fabric and Straits Chinese books to Royal Selangor pewter.  What was Suffolk House like in its heyday?  Could we have seen the young Colonel William Light, son of Francis, cavorting with a maiden amongst its pillars?  Today, chamber music have returned to Suffolk House, but we need more than that.   

On The Wing of a Bird, or Tail of a Roo

On flight SQ221, I noticed a  child who is unusually tall for her age and demeanour.  She reminded one of  a budding Singapore Girl, the iconic enduring symbol for what Singapore Airlines has stood for in all these past forty or so years. I then wondered about where the original Singapore Girls- like those from the eighties and even before the new Millennium - have landed up today. Every new SQ flight seems to have an endless supply of the slim and cheek-boned female crew that the airline projects - and delivers. How are the incumbent Singapore Girls managing their career - and more importantly,  life?

Whilst Qantas continues its ever apparent consistent  recent pattern of delivering the occasional aircraft performance incident, and budget airlines in South-east Asia persist with late arrivals of aircraft and the inevitable flying delays, Singapore Airlines offers  no more irritation than provide the incorrect economy class menu on board and/or misplace checked -in bags at certain busy transfers. This may have been echoed in their current retiring CEO's remark on CNBC that despite economic downturns and volatility, there are still market segments who choose to and can pay more for their experience with SIA.

Sydney International Airport terminals have finally refurbished their retail outlets in an obvious move to catch up with the major airports up north like Seoul, Chep Lap Kok and Changi. Creating a pleasant shopping mall is one thing - charging sky high vehicle parking fees and not streamlining passenger arrivals with the Australian customs checking imperatives are natters that need to be seriously resolved..  Sydney offers ridiculous ten or fifteen minute complimentary parking arrangements for vehicles picking up arriving passengers, knowing that these are never practical. The insincerity of such management directives will surely lead to how airlines and passengers vote with their choice of flights. Holding customers in monopolistic captivity is never a viable free market strategy.  Again, one reflects on the sudden strikes around Christmas, Easter and when the air travel  customer is most vulnerable. And Sydney is the primary base for Qantas.

Whilst both Singapore Air and Qantas do in their own way to keep their operating margins and travel reputation, each airline takes a different approach. One can overwhelm with attention and care for details, whilst the other can underwhelm with chosen attitude and minimalism. One shows hunger coming from an island with little natural resources, and the other also comes from an island, but one  with so much natural wealth. Both are continuing pioneers in their selected business - one sits at the trade and travel cross hubs of the world, and another  seems to be sitting on the corner of the Earth.  Most of the original Singapore Girls no longer fly the globe as cabin crew, whilst one can bet that you can still spot the odd  veteran Qantas stewardess from a few decades ago. One airline represents the Lucky Country, whilst the other comes from a nation that was not even supposed to actually survive on the cusp of its political independence.  Both serve ice cream and fruits on board.  One has more choice of wines to reflect its desired cosmopolitan image, whilst another strongly supports its home grown vino culture. Both have invested in new aircraft for the future - but what about relative confidence in the hearts of its paying clients?

The Art of Making Eenh

Eenh, the Fujian term for round rice flour balls served in syrup, significes wholesomeness,

fertility and promise. Hence this is a simple but much appreciated concoction

used to herald spring; celebrate marriages and births; and substitute for eggs as symbolic

icons in the middlke of winter.

Often coloured for festivity or left pure elegant white, the act of hand crafting these balls have

become acts of family ritual. The dough is usually started off by someone who has achieved much in life, to ensure

an auspicious beginning to the process. One cannot partake much of these cooked dough balls, but one must, to share in the abundance, joy and hope.

All image credits above - Miss Adelyn Yong of Auckland, New Zealand. 22 October 2010