Aging Hippie Tales

How on earth do I change to the new look?

2012-02-01T23:54:00.000+08:00

I have spent hours scrolling through Help and all the videos, but the drop down list for layout and template does not appear anywhere?

Frustrated!

Immersed in creative writing

2011-11-21T20:08:00.001+08:00

Ubud Writers and Readers Festival (UWRF) in Bali October 2011
Ten-week course on Creative Writing by Sharon Bakar. November 2011 - February 2012
Writing Creatively by Kee Tuan Chye (thespian, screenplay writer, journalist) conducted by UTAR.

Arty Ubud

2011-10-29T23:28:00.001+08:00

A collage of Balinese dancers in Lilac

Hindu Mandala

Gadis Islam

Art Nouveau in Ubud

Marilyn with a difference

Barong

After the dance

Art and religion

Beaded basket work

Graffiti in Penestanan

Street art

Wall art

Balinese beauty

Ubud Lifestyle

2011-10-29T23:12:00.001+08:00

Begin the morning with breakfast by the pool, shaded by the ceremonial fringed triple umbrellas...

... move on to the warm colours of Indus for discussions with writers ...

... surrounded by Balinese beauties with flowers in their hair.

Lush green padi fields send wafting waves of calm which bounce off the retina...

... while carved hill slopes give a sense of depth to the view.

Escape to Ubud market and you are hit by the industrious use of space and ...

... get a glimpse at life through the nooks and crannies.

A hive of activity from dawn to dusk, Ibu Ibu drive hard sales and perk up when they smell a big spender, " Oh mau borong? Mau berapa?"

A pious man sits by his Buddha in calm repose sucking on a cigarette and watching ...

The morning ritual of burning incense sets the stage for a day of spiritual harmony with nature.

With pastoral patience she threads flowers on a fan-like framework.

And reaches out to display the offerings on an elevated alter.

The blessing finishes with a graceful hand-wrist wafting motion directing incense smoke towards the offering of flowers.

Dusk falls on Ubud rather quickly. Warm golden lights brighten the narrow streets and a different Ubud springs to life.

Food in Bali has improved by leaps and bounds over the years. Ten years ago one would be hard-pressed to find even palatable tourist fare. Now from Kuta to Seminyak to Ubud the cafes and fine dining restaurants are there for the picking. This presentation of small portions of Indonesian favourites is appropriately called Tapas ala Ubud.

Dance and music is synonymous with Balinese culture. Technology however permeates everything in life and it always pays to keep an eye on in-coming calls or text messages even during orchestral performance.

Young and old, foreigners and locals alike are completely mesmerised by the street dances and music.

Bar Luna on Gotama Street, a happening club with live rock music, is popular with the tourists. Somehow you don't get the seedy and dodgy feel of Pat Pong or Pataya anywhere in Bali. The strong cultural practices and spirituality of the people make the difference.

Ubud Writers & Readers Festival 2

2011-10-29T20:58:00.001+08:00

Another discovery of the year - the brand new Y Resort. The name conjours visions of a YMCA hostel but this is what it looks like. Almost a mini version of YTL Resort in Tembok, Northern Bali. An elegant gem nestled in Penestanan, Ubud with room rates of US$90 a day, it was certainly value for money after viewing older, rather sad-looking establishments on Jalan Raya Singginggan for future reference.

Day 2 of the Festival: When in Bali, embrace the local practices and one tends to throw caution to the wind. Jumped on an Ojek and trundled off to Indus, minus a helmet and hanging on for dear life.

Thrilling downhills, careening around a sharp hairpin bend at the Antonio Blanco Museum...,

... crossing an iffy bridge and having to tuck legs up to prevent getting splashed by recent rain puddles...

...plodding up the vine-lined Jalan Raya Singginggan behind other Ojeks to...

... arrive at Neka Museum for the the session "Why Here, Why Now" with Tariq Ali. A British Pakistani, Oxford University educated journalist (The Guardian) and editor of New Left Review...

... spoke about his writings from a political analyst point of view to his later works, the celebrated Islam Quintet fiction series: Shadows of the Pomegranate Tree, The Book of Saladin, The Stone Woman, A Sultan in Palermo and finally Night of the Golden Butterfly which captures a Muslim rebellion in Yunnan, China in the nineteenth century.

To a packed hall he responded to the moderators' opinionated comments in his laconic style with well-rehearsed ease. He related an incident in Turkey where conservative critics questioned the wisdom of suggesting a lesbian relationship between two of Sultan Saladin's wives/concubines. He replied that from simple inference it was not entirely impossible that two of the many wives and concubines should find emotional solace between them, as it was supremely probable that Saladin would have been unable to satisfy them by any stretch of the imagination.

By day, the setting was perfect, extremely eco-friendly and calming.

By night, the Gotama street party was not short of adept Indonesian men and sporting tourists glad to take up the challenge to hip-gyrate and finger-flick one- on-one with the curvaceous Balinese dancer to the rhythmic beat of Gamelan musicians.

Ubud Writers & Readers Festival 1

2011-10-27T06:15:00.000+08:00

The Ubud Writers and Readers Festival (5-9 October 2011) was a highlight indeed of prodigious proportions, one of those uplifting lifetime events. The magical appeal of Bali, what more Ubud, was the perfect setting for an event of this nature as the creative juices just kept pouring like the rivers of sweat down ones' back.

The whimsical atap-roofed box office on Jalan Raya Sangginggan says it all. Single (AUS $103) or four-day passes (AUS $360) were on offer, whilst special events like cocktails, readings, workshops were extra (AUD $63). Why AUD$? UWRF is basically an Aussie affair which has been running successfully for 10 years or so. The last major sponsor Citibank Indonesia pulled out at the eleventh hour leaving the fate of UWRF 2011 in a quandary for sometime until ANZ came in to save the day.

The Opening Ceremony at the Pura Ubud was reminiscent of a scene from Eat, Pray, Love in the temple courtyard full of pomp and pageantry.

The Workshop on Point of View (POV) was carried out by two Australian writers /editors by way of exercises and examples of writings in varied POVs. The first person is commonly used in memoir writing, second person more for instructional manuals whilst the third is commonly used in fiction writing.

The sessions could be heavy going, but a good place to rest the eyes and mind would be just glancing out over the veranda and taking in the green vistas.

Latin Rhythms at Mosaic, an award-winning restaurant, was full of soul. While canapes, margaritas and mojitos were being served, we were entertained to readings by a Colombian poet, a Cuban author and a Mexican story-teller. Yes there still is such a category of 'story-teller' as she quipped, "It's a much safer pursuit compared to being a poet/revolutionary/social critic in countries where censorship is harsh". The evening was moderated by and African American whose only link to anything Latin was his first wife, and who existed in Bali running a Yoga school with his current wife.

One of the three Festival venues, Indus Restaurant on Jalan Raya Singginggan, had snacks, coffee, a popular jewelry store as well as Periplus book store. The carrot cake is highly recommended.

Kilkenny Castle

2011-10-03T20:19:00.001+08:00

Kilkenny Castle hails from the days of the legendary Strongbow, The Second Earl of Pembroke, who built the then wooden fortress for the much needed protection of the River Nore waterways during the Norman occupation of the 12 century.

The castle changed hands over the centuries. 'Survival of the fittest' rings true when the Butlers of Ormonde, a wealthy, resilient and politically astute family who had arrived in Ireland with the Norman invasion, lay claim to Kilkenny Castle in the 14th century. Full of determination to integrate, the original family name of FitzWalter was changed to Butler, and James proclaimed himself the ruler of the area.

In 1967 the deteriorating castle was sold to the Castle Restoration Committee for 50 pounds! Take note all you aging hippies, Mick Jagger and Marianne Faithfull attended the handing over ceremony, it seems.

Restoration did occur and the Castle is now open for public viewing.

The castle gardens make a pretty picture.

At the end of the tour you can enjoy a cuppa and scones in the rustic castle kitchen.

Kilkenny Arts Festival

2011-09-27T22:58:00.003+08:00

Kilkenny Arts Festival 5-14 August 2011, now in its 38th year, was started by a group of classical musicians, now a broadened program to include visual art & craft, theatre and dance, street and literature.

This athletic foursome gave an energetic, acrobatic and comedic performance outside the Kilkenny Castle to a fascinated crowd.

There was a lot of skin, but the seamless transition was well choreographed.

An R & B band performing in the local theatre at the end of High Street.

Dance drama with a religious theme was made even more interesting with the discussion led by the choreographer and a moderator-producer with the cast and audience, some of whom were theatre dance critics and practitioners.

It came to light that there was some divergence in interpretation and execution of the dance as intended by the choreographer. The dancers argued that freedom of expression over precision was what they were aiming for. The dance critics and practitioners felt there was something lost in translation. Healthy critique - I like.

Street art, an Art exhibition in a Hotel. . .

. . . and a Contemporary Photography Exhibition in the

Rose Garden Corridor of Kilkenny Castle by Roslyn Kee. http://www.roslynkee.com/

Arts and Craft exhibition at the National Craft Gallery

Chorus singing at the Thosel Arcades

Streets and alleys of Kilkenny

2011-09-27T00:36:00.002+08:00

Kilkenny or Cill Chainnigh in Irish means church of Chainnigh. Evidence of intermittent settlements from the Mesolithic and Bronze Age through to the 12th Century Norman invasion of Ireland, the Black Death in 1348, the Cromwellian invasion of Ireland in 1649 followed by King James II of England taking up residence in Kilkenny Castle in the winters of 1689-1690 are well documented in Kilkennys' history.

True to form, there is always 1 Malaysian roaming the streets of Kilkenny.

Kilkenny was proclaimed a city in 1609 by King James I. The narrow streets and even smaller alleyways are a throw back to days of yore and horse-drawn carriages.

The Thosel on High Street was built to collect tolls back in the day. Now it stands as the Town Hall and the arcades are a welcomed arena for buskers, carollers at Christmas and street performers during the Arts Festival.

Dusk brings the Thosel octagonal clock tower silhouette into focus with candy floss clouds floating above.

Pedestrian walkways are artistically decorated for the Arts Festival. The whole city portrays an air of festivity and...

...summer flower arrangements take prominence.

I love doors!

Kilkenny Catherdral spires peeping though telegraph wires and alleys.

Colourful crossroads of Kilkenny

Ring of Kerry, out of Killarney

2011-09-21T13:45:00.002+08:00

When you are in the Kingdom of Kerry, you have to travel the Ring of Kerry, be it clockwise or anti-clockwise. Various travel guides swear by it one way or the other. It doesn't really matter, especially if the weather is grubby, as it invariably is.

Be decisive and just jump into the car and allow 'Mak Cik' GPS lead the way as she recalculates.The vistas are worth the 4-5 hour drive.

The rugged terrain of the Iveragh Peninsula licked by the ocean conjure up scenes reminiscent of the French Lieutenant's Woman, a contrast of beauty and agony.

Country homes with white picket fences and granite walls stand out from afar.

When the sun does reveal itself, views are enhanced ten-fold.

Like New Zealand, one comes across more sheep than cars.

What's left of an old Shepard's house; stone walls outlining a not-so-warm dewlling left to the elements.

An inn with a vantage point on breezy but cloudy day on the Ring.

Inlets and outlets of the coastline seen far into the distance.

An inlet up close . . . dry despite the rain.

A view from the top . . .

Ground glass window panes. In pathology we had to imagine what ground-glass nuclei looked liked. Imagine a medical student from Tumpat figuring this out!

A simple but hearty Irish smoked salmon treat.

Between Derrynane and Sneem, nestled in the valley, lies the remains of Staigue Fort dating back to 1000 BC. Gleaning from its dimensions they must have been small people or very few of them, or what remains is only one of the towers. In my humble opinion, probably the latter.

The wild flowers say it all...the Ring is one of the cherished places left on this earth where things remain as they are untouched by time.

Cooking@THe Hilt - Lamb all the way - Part II

2011-09-20T20:01:00.001+08:00

Shoulder of lamb seasoned generously with rosemary sprigs, unpeeled (life is too short) garlic cloves, olive oil, pepper and salt; preheated oven 250C then turned down to 170C and cook for 4 hours (with bone) or 3.5 hours (without bone. When done, meat falls off bone or can be pulled apart easily. Allow the meat to rest.

Mix flour into lamb juice, keep stirring then add capers and simmer; add chopped mint and red wine vinegar. Blanch greens (spring onions, green sprouts and asparagus) then saute. Large chunks of potatoes, carrots, celeriac are boiled then lightly crushed, buttered.

Roast shoulder of lamb crushed root vegetables and sauteed greens

~~~~~~~~~

Barbecue lamb cutlets seasoned with crushed thyme and olive oil on ridged griddled pan. Add mushrooms. Prepare special basil sauce by crushing pine nuts and basil with a mortar & pestle into a pulp, add extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Finally toss lamb, mushrooms with basil sauce. Add lemon juice. Serve with a simple watercress (or rocket) and pomegranate salad.

Lamb cutlets with special basil sauce

~~~~~~~~

Morrocan-style lamb burgers

100% minced lamb. Dry rub seasoning: sea salt, black pepper, cumin seeds, ground coriander, sweet smoked paprika + the secret weapon Malouf Spice Mezze (Australia) or garam massala.

Cooking@The Hilt ~ Lamb all the way ~ Part I

2011-09-20T18:48:00.000+08:00

Do you feel intimidated by those shoulders, legs and racks at the meat section? I am. So when the September class by Chef Michael Elfwing, Get Cooking @ The Hilt: Fresh ways with Lamb was announced, it was a given that I attend.

The menu was massive - lamb shoulder, cutlets, 'lollipops' of ribs and burgers.

With his usual charm and ease at imparting information, Chef Michael Elfwing took 13 participants through the anatomy, slicing and preparation of the various cuts of lamb from shoulder with and without bone to ribs with and without fat.

Preparation of the spices and seasoning from toasting to the finer choices of grinding or mashing with a mortar and pestle for different textures were shared.

~~~~~~

Dukkha mix of hazelnuts, sesame seeds, pine nuts, coriander seeds, cumin, chilli powder, baharat (white & black pepper, cinnamon, cloves).

Hummus - chickpeas, garlic, tahini, paprika, extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice & zest

Lamb seasoned with olive oil and thyme; barbecued on a ridged griddle pan.

Lamb rubbed in Dukkha mix; hummus and salad plated.

Barbecued lamb 'lollipops' hummus and nuts

Killarney lifestyle

2011-09-20T00:44:00.001+08:00

Delving into real estate in Ireland may be tempting but iffy in current economic climes. Property prices have plummeted but cost of living remains high. It is at least 30% higher than Scotland for example.

Reflections of squeaky clean Killarney . . .

If you don't have a window or a cat, just paint it on!

If you don't have a house, just grow one on your truck! Be creative . . .

Cool recruitment poster for those with a calling.

Beware! Lobsters crawling up the wall . . .

Wall of hydrangea bushes - gorgeous.

Killkarney... no it's Killarney

2011-09-19T23:54:00.000+08:00

Making our way from Cork to Killkarney, I mean Killarney, took us along the rugged coastline and country roads.

The relaxed pace was ideal for photo stops and of course a cuppa at rustic inns.

Following the good roads signs and our trusty 'Mak Cik' GPS with the authoritative voice repeating "Recalculating" at an annoying rate of frequency, we turned the final bend into Killarney.

Our hotel was well appointed, in a golf resort. This time-share facility with hotel rooms as well as villas was chockablock with young local families on summer hols.

True to form, the guys were out swinging their clubs in perfect golfing weather.

The girls went into town to roam and shop. First stop, St Mary's Cathedral, one of Ireland's finest, underwent disastrous interior remodelling, universally condemned by architects and historians. Local authorities are attempting to re-acquire Pugin-designed original interior fixtures and continue restoration.

Killarney has been voted the tidiest Irish city twice, once in 2007 and again this year. You can see why... streets are spotless and the buildings are in pristine condition.

Curios, antiques and all things nice are on display.

And of course more sweet shops.

A Corky lifestyle

2011-09-19T01:11:00.001+08:00

Next to Guinness, the Irish love rugby

Since the formation of the EU, there has been an influx of. . .

. . . Turkish barber shops.

Ye Olde Sweet Shoppe - always a comforting sight,
good enough to eat!

Irish Gaelic - A speaker of the language may be called a Gaeilgeoir

Enjoy this Gaelic saying:
Go n-ithe an cat thu is go n-ithe an diabhal an ca ~
May the cat eat you and the devil eat the cat.

Street art . . .

. . . & bad graffiti

A quaint wine & spirit store ~ Sliante (cheers)

Pheasantries, (first time I've heard of such a thing) big business in Ireland,
supply game birds including pheasants to Shoot & Game clubs.

Drive to Cork

2011-09-18T01:58:00.000+08:00

Cork from a distance

The very pretty city of Cork or Corcaigh, meaning swamp in Irish, is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland. A major seaport built on the River Lee, Corkonians staunchly lay claim to it being the 'real capital of Ireland'.

River Lee, the green end

The River Lee divides into two channels forming an island on which the city is built. This glistening body of water meanders along spanned by many bridges...

Bridges over the River Lee

Reflections

. . . and casting interesting reflections from its banks.

The English Market

The English Market, made even more famous by the state visit of HH Queen Elizabeth II in May 2011, proudly displays photographs of Her Majesty visiting individual stalls and mingling with the crowds.

Brown Thomas on Patrick Street

In summer the shopping streets are bustling with tourists, seemingly Spanish-speaking in the main, making one wonder about the credibility of the acronym, PIGS, related to the recent financial upheavals in the EU.

A leprachaun prowling the narrow streets of Cork
looking for the pot of gold?

Colourful shop frontages

Steeples vs geometric lines

The mix of old and new is striking and pleasing to the eye. Take the River Lee Hotel. It sits on the river bank and is basically a layered glass box exploiting every inch of the vistas it is surrounded by.

A transparent hotel by the River Lee

By night, the Prussian blue sky cloaks the city, glowing ambers seen in the horizon.

Cork by night

Kilmainham Goal Dublin

2011-08-26T23:14:00.019+08:00

Kilmainham Goal, built in 1796, had seen countless men, women and even children incarcerated over the centuries. Children caught for stealing a loaf of bread were imprisoned for up to four days, drunks overnight whilst murderers languished with free board and lodging for their crimes. This Irish monument has housed close to every significant Irish nationalist leader through time.

In those days, film processing was expensive, hence the use of a mirror for the profile image for the complete mug shot. Clever huh?

Conditions were horrendous; overcrowding, no segregation of sexes, men slept on iron bedsteads while women lay on straw on flagstones.

In the 50's the Restoration Society strongly opposed demolition of this monument and after winning over support, a group of 60 volunteers began the work of clearing debris and vegetation from the site. The restored Kilmainham Goal is now second most visited place of interest after the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin.

The main facility is sturdily built and designed such that every cell is visible from all vantage points. You may recall scenes from the movies Michael Collins and The Italian Job (ori version) were filmed here.

Imagine living in a 28 sq meter cell with four or five inmates who could possibly be man, woman or child with a single candle to last 2 weeks. One could understand why scratching the walls would be a welcome outlet during daily role call.

The peep hole was designed to provide a wide-angled view of cell activities. Another clever idea.

The spiral staircase was installed for crowd control. Simple but effective.

The last look at the sky, trees and possibly birds as one proceeds to . . .

. . . the chapel . . .

. . . before heading to the courtyard to face the firing squad.

The fortunate ones remained under lock and key until deported to Australia.

Street wise Dublin

2011-08-26T17:37:00.015+08:00

Streets of Dublin Circa 1917

Loyalty to Royalty?!?

Riverdance at the Gaiety Theater

Favourite mode of transport at Trinity College

Wall of Fame - permanent tribute to Ireland music greats -

U2, Sinead O'Connor, Van Morrison etc

Citizens social statement

An evening stroll

There's one here too

Street art - literally

Pay and cycle in Dublin

(no vandalism, no theft - perfect!)

Irish source of life - Guinness

Street mime - rushing to work

(neck tie wired to fly, gelled hair, flapping raincoat)

Castrol oil tin guitar - and it works!

A proud graffiti artist

Columns of Dublin

2011-08-25T21:38:00.012+08:00

Trinity College Dublin with rain spots

Gold Leaf columns in Dublin Castle Ballroom

Gothic columns in Chapel Royal, Dublin Castle

Cafe with a romantic aura

Arches of the Irish Museum of Modern Art,

formerly Royal Kilmainham Hospital

Guinness Storehouse, a converted brewing factory, now a museum.

Sturdy steel girders

Open air art gallery between the columns

Where it all began - Dublin GPO

Restaurants, cafes & pubs in Dublin

2011-08-25T07:47:00.026+08:00

Walk down any street in Dublin or any town in Ireland for that matter, and you will find a public house, more affectionately known as a pub, with Guinness on tap, pub grub and even traditional Irish music.

Temple Bar is teeming with pubs and people watchers.

Formerly the Belfast Bank (circa 1892), The Bank Bar & Restaurant on College Green serves a hearty Irish breakfast by day and draws in the crowds by night. One of the jewels of Victorian architecture, it remains intact with stain-glass ceilings and subterranean vaults.

For a swish evening out, Cafe en Seine on Dawson Street is a must-do. The decadent Art Deco style and flamboyant lighting most certainly gives a romantic and whimsical vibe. To top it off, Sunday brunch is with Dublin's best live Jazz bands.

Bewley's Oriental Cafe on Grafton Street is yet another gem.

The Bewley's were tea traders and by shipping tea directly from China to Dublin, managed to break the British East India Tea Company's monopoly.

The cafe opened in 1927, the interior decor drawing inspiration from European cafes of Paris and Vienna and exotic oriental tearooms.

The stain-glass center piece was commissioned to Harry Clarke, a leading Irish stain-glass artist trained in the Art Nouveau style.

Another impressive restaurant somewhere in downtown Dublin.

Buswell's Hotel on Molesworth Street being well appointed near Stephens Green, ten minutes from Trinity College and the main shopping street on Grafton, is an excellent place to stay. Truman's Restaurant offers elegant contemporary Irish cuisine especially appreciated after a 20-hour flight.

Then there's Toddy's on O'Connell Street . . .

As pretty as a picture, O'Neill's, the corner neighbourhood pub.

The piece de resistance, Marco Pierre White Steakhouse & Grill on Dawson Street, just round the corner from Buswell's. Yes the Hell's Kitchen Chef!

Alluring Dublin

2011-08-19T04:50:00.021+08:00

Dublin's south-side (of River Liffey) shopping area is centered along Grafton Street while the north-side Henry's Street and O'Connell Street boast of Arnotts and Clery's department stores.

Oozing with pride and nationalism, this alluring city of trees, bronze statues and stately Georgian buildings has a story to tell on every street.

From angels . . .

. . . to demons the story is told from past to present.

Formerly the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, it now houses the Irish Museum of Modern Art. A daily tour of one of the exhibitions provides insight to museum pieces and the artists. Museum Negara hosts the Museum Volunteers, http://museumvolunteersmalaysia.org/about-mvm/ a non-profit group whose goals are to promote public interest in museums, history and culture. Initiated by a dedicated group of expatriate wives, they tirelessly conduct daily tours in English, French, German and Japanese.

Mention Ireland and by word association, Guinness instantly comes to mind. A state-of-the-art museum presents the science of brewing barley and hops in a unique style.

Dublin Castle is regularly used for state functions and recently hosted HRH Queen Elizabeth. In summer the courtyard is the site for the annual sand sculpture exhibition.

As part of the upgrading and redesigning works of O'Connell Street at the beginning of the millennium, the stainless steel Spire was designed to replace Nelson's Pillar which was destroyed in an IRA bombing. Poking fun (craic), usually at themselves, is a particularly Irish thing to do. Hence, Erection at the Intersection, the Stiffy at the Liffey, the Stiletto in the Ghetto - get it?

A doorway view of the Ha'penny Bridge. Built in 1816 to replace ferries plying the banks of the Liffey, pedestrians were charged a toll of half a penny.

Sweet Molly Malone in bronze outside Trinity. . . the tart with the cart, the trollop with the scollop's, the dish with the fish etc LOL

A summer in Ireland

2011-08-08T00:58:00.019+08:00

The idea developed over dinner among like-minded friends with a penchant for travel. One of the group hails from Ireland so we were in good hands. The planning began well ahead of time enabling great flight deals and even better hotel rates. We decided to meet in Dublin and drive south to Killarney, Cork and Kilkenny.

Recommended reading, apart from the usual travel books, A Star called Henry by Roddy Doyle, is not a book one can breeze through by the beach. It delves into the 1916 Easter Rising against the British, where 14-year old Henry Smart, a soldier in the Irish Republican Army and later became an acquaintance of Micheal Collins is the protagonist. One review has this to say "Worse than the ordinary miserable childhood is the miserable Irish childhood".

Of particular interest, the Dublin General Post Office featured as an important landmark as it served as the headquarters for the leaders of the uprising. The building was extensively damaged in the assault by the British army and the columns still bare bullet hole marks. The GPO remains to this day a symbol of Irish nationalism.

The River Liffey runs through Dublin. Like the origins of the name Kuala Lumpur, Dublin was derived from the Irish Duiblinn or Black Pool referring to the dark tidal pool where the River Poddle merged with Liffey.

In the land that produced great writers and poets like Oscar Wilde, Jonathan Swift, Bram Stoker, James Joyce, Samuel Beckett and many more, their legacy continues in everyday life.

The relaxed atmosphere of summer shines through in the brief sunny spells, luscious flowers, shorts, flip flops and sun shades.

Serious effects of the global economic downturn are perceived by falling real estate prices and numerous businesses closing down. However a saving grace is that tourism remains robust with drones of Spanish-speaking tourists, troops of North Americans, groups of Chinese and a few Malaysians.

Tokyo street life

2011-05-25T16:24:00.008+08:00

Two little school girls . . . "lets karaoke instead of homework!"

Sekaido, Shinjuku, the store extraordinaire for stationary, arts and crafts. A must go.

Book vending machine for best sellers. You want it, they've got it.

Citizen disaster preparedness team training in Ueno park.

A leggy duo. Love the tat!

Delightful Haneda Airport

2011-05-25T15:00:00.010+08:00

Haneda Airport, one of the domestic airports of Tokyo, expanded its services to include an International Terminal in 2010. Connectivity from central Tokyo is via the Keihin Kyuko Railway or Tokyo Monorail, accessible in under an hour and at well under one third the cost compared to the Limousine Bus or Narita Express train to Narita. Well chosen Air Asia X!

Somewhat reminiscent of KLCC's interior, it is delightful as it is efficient. In 2009 it was nominated by Forbes Traveller as most punctual airport with 94.3% of flights credited to be on-time.

Despite a five-layered queue with 4 active counters, check-in moved smoothly and I was holding a boarding card well with in half an hour. The pre check-in line was 5 passengers long - must remember to try that route next time.

Before immigration, it would be advised to wonder down the Edo-like village of shops and restaurants. Very pretty and quaint.

The sense of space is much appreciated and lends to the large choice of interesting cuisines offered - sushi, Japano-western, grilled specialities and cafes. A far cry from our LCCT and its market-place ambiance and filthy toilets. Looking forward to the new complex because I think Air Asia is here to stay.

My passion for unagi was left wanting, so not surprisingly I selected this meal of unadon with trimmings.

Antinuclear Protest - Harajuku 7.5.11

2011-05-20T22:50:00.012+08:00

It was a throwback to the seventies, witnessing an antinuclear protest in Harajuku that rainy day on 7 th May 2011. Inching along Meiji Dori, the peaceful procession was led by a band in an open van belting out Led Zeppelins' 'Gotta a whole lotta love'.

True to form, law enforcement impeded the advancement of the protest. In Japan, bodily contact with law enforcement, intentional or otherwise, leads to arrest and a couple of guys copped it so to speak.

Those were the days my friend . . .

Shin-Obuko - Korea Town, Tokyo

2011-05-20T15:50:00.016+08:00

Shin-Okubo is Korea Town in Tokyo. This enclave is the largest home to close to 100,000 Koreans, second to Osaka. Made up mainly of 'new comers' from South Korea immigrated after WW II more so in the 80's, retained their ethnic and cultural identity as well as language, and created Korean-based commercial centers.

Before the war from 1910, two million Koreans moved to Japan for economic reasons while many were brought as labourers, most returned to their homeland after the war. Those who remained, the Zainichi, make up the largest ethnic minority group in Japan of about 600,000. They are naturalised citizens of Japan but retain Old Korean (Joseon) or South Korean citizenship.

K-pop (Korean popular music) has taken the world by storm. This musical genre of electronic, hip hop, R & B, rock and pop has invaded the young Asian Internet society shifting paradigms in the music industry. Through the social networks of Facebook, Twitter and iTunes, music, videos, fan news and merchandising a new wave commercialism has emerged. Girl bands like The Wonder Girls hit the US Billboards in 2009 with 'Nobody'. Boy bands and individuals artists are collaborating with international artists for global exposure and it works.

A K-pop shop dealing in merchandise ranging from inner wear to lollies endorsed by bands of the day.

In contrast this sorry sign marks the spot of a former Malaysian restaurant that has seen better days. If you look really hard, the letters on the far left spells Mahathir, the name of this establishment.

Our destination, a humble snack place up a gloomy flight of stairs. Our Korean friend ordered the shredded cabbage with ketchup and by popular request two types of fried chicken that we had tried before. Yangyeum fried chicken, the one in the foreground, is generously dowsed in sweet and spicy yangyeum sauce and sesame seeds; and the other is the ginger-soya sauce flavoured version. The secret to making this chicken so delicious is that it is double-fried enabling the fat of the skin melt giving a transparent crispy texture.

This fiery orange-coloured dish is kim chee Korean omelette. The rolled version is called gaeran mari.

Happy diners . . .

Nagoya Ryori

2011-05-09T07:23:00.029+08:00

A visit to Nagoya is a chance to get down and dirty with the infamous Tebasaki, local fried chicken wings. Make an effort to go to Furaibo (above), the place that locals flock to.

Seasoned in soy sauce, sake, mirin, ginger, salt, pepper and a sprinkle of sesame seeds, a serving of six wings is barely enough to whet the appetite. Only calorie counts would hold you back, if you are thinking about cutting the fat.

A simple but tasty grilled aubergine smothered in miso is a savoury delight. The firm texture of the Japanese eggplant lends to the grilling process leaving it crisp rather than limp.

The aftermath. A pile of bones reveal our shameful (but not regrettable) satisfaction.

Where Malaysians would gladly avoid a 4-person queue (for anything other than real estate perhaps), the Japanese patiently wait for hours in line for their favourite foods.

Having his meal before him, this metrosexual samurai has studied the traditional procedures involved in approaching Hitsumabushi, barbecued unagi (eel) rice or unadon. The main dish is divided into 4 quarters. The first quarter is ladled into a small rice bowl and eaten in this unadulterated form. The unagi is prepared by initial roasting then coated with sweet soya sauce, a speciality of the region, and grilled again.

The second serving, mixed with accompanying chopped spring onions, wasabi and shredded nori (sea weed) encourage the flavours to pop. The third quarter is ceremoniously drenched in dashi (ubiquitous Japanese kelp or fish stock) tea and slurped up till the bowl is clean.

The best is saved for last. The final serving is for you to savour in your favourite style. I love the Japanese mind for thinking this up. Sensual, philosophical and thoroughly human. If you're wondering whether equal amounts of unagi land up in each quarter, they thought that out too. To ensure this, unagi is cut into 1 cm pieces, rather than served as a whole in the usual unadon. Brilliant!

Kishimen is the local flat wheat noodle with a lot of bounce. With a choice of clear soup stock for the less adventurous, to tangy vinegary cold noodles for hot summers,

to savoury miso gravy catering to the local romance with miso, it is a popular snack found in malls, stalls and festival areas.

Arimatsu, the Shibori center

2011-05-07T21:34:00.016+08:00

Arimatsu, 20 minutes by semi-express, costing 340 Yen, on the Meitetsu line from Nagoya, is the center of Shibori or tie-dying dating back to 1608. Shibori originally was practised by the poor where old fabrics were refreshed by dying instead of buying new clothes. Later during the long peaceful period of the Tokugawa Shogunate, different arts flourished. Shibori developed along two paths; tie-dying of silk kimonos for the aristocracy and folk art from different regions.

This town was quiet for Golden week. Most shops were closed. We happened upon a Shibori shop and a chatty owner, who became more so when he discovered we were Malaysians. He had visited Penang and loved the food. A fellow resident of Arimatsu was a Malaysian married to a Vietnamese, who was previously married to a Japanese. He went on to share with us that the Malaysian had since obtained Japanese citizenship and was in the business of manufacturing mouldings for car parts.

I relate this only because it is notably unusual for this much personal information to be forthcoming from a perfect stranger, Japanese at that. His father, who joined the conversation, didn't have much to contribute except repeating 'Malaysia atsui' (hot). I think they are lovely friendly people who shared common ground.

In the old town, Edo period houses line narrow streets on either side. Symmetrical windows with thick shutters are characteristic and presumably keep out the cold winds effectively.

Overlapping eaves of roofs cleverly drain rainwater into ornate copper gutters.

The annual Shibori festival draws textile artists from all over the world. The world is small indeed. My cousin, on my mother's side, is a Shibori textile artist living in Cambridge, England. She is quite an authority on the subject and has been an invited speaker to Malaysia, USA and the UK. I remember her mention Arimatsu in her stories.

This exceptionally tall building houses festival floats through the year between displays. Again you see careful preservation of cultural artifacts for posterity.

Pretty wooden cottages tucked away in a quite nook.

Kiyosu Castle, spoils of Oda Nobunaga

2011-05-05T22:34:00.016+08:00

Oda Nobunaga was the initiator of the unification of Japan under the rule of the shogun in the late 16th century. From then on his dynasty continued the process leading to the opening up of Japan to the West in the 19th century.

After the capture of Kiyosu Castle in 1555, Oda Nobunaga made it his milliary center. Later his son began major extentions and reconstruction of the castle.

During World War II only 5 castles were spared destruction. In the sixties, a program was initiated to reconstruct these maimed iconic relics. Unfortunately, Kiyosu was forgotten until 1989, but that turned out to be an advantage as mistakes learnt from earlier projects were avoided resulting in the most authentic castle make-over.

A mere 7 minutes and 200 Yen ride from Nagoya JR Station on the Tokaido line brings you to Kiyosu. The 20 minute walk to the castle would have been fine except I realised I had forgotten to spread sunblock on my face. Ouch, I could feel the melanocytes soaking up UV rays from the cloudless sky and churning out melanin pigment like crazy.

Back to Oda, imagine the days and nights of battle creating a new dawn.

Reliving and commemorating these glorious days are what the Japanese do. Festivals and parades are their forte.

The interior, six stories high presented Nobunaga with vistas of his subjects and environs.

The visuals made imagination easy and gave prospective.

Visitors from the West included Portuguese Jesuit missionaries and the Dutch. Their impact was not great apart from being featured in paintings, evidence of perseverance of Japanese culture.

The Golden Dolphin, kinshachijo, in the form of a tiger-head dolphin, represents rain and so deems power and protection from fire. It is a prominent decorative feature of the Nagoya Castle.

Nagoya TV Tower & Oasis 21

2011-05-05T01:13:00.007+08:00

The Nagoya TV Tower is the oldest TV tower in Japan, completed in 1954. This iconic landmark was featured in the 1992 movie Godzila vs Mothra where the monsters attack Nagoya and destroy the tower.

The latest attraction in this district of Sakae is the futuristic Oasis 21 complex, which houses the main highway bus terminal, shops and restaurants.

Completed in 2002, the roof is affectionately likened to a 'water spaceship' reflecting the image of the Tower.

Golden Week in Nagoya

2011-05-04T21:41:00.016+08:00

Having settled down to life after the earthquake, a get-away plan for Golden Week was quickly put together. Left any later, we would be sitting in the apartment in Tokyo blogging. Fortunately tickets on the Nozomi Shinkansen to Nagoya and back were available. The journey took one hour thirty minutes, merely a bento lunch and nap away.

Airlines and hotels make a killing at this time as prices are at a premium and rooms are limited.

We almost spent the holidays here at the the World Heritage Site of the thatched-roofed villages in the western part of the country.

Two near misses for hotel bookings at Shirakawa-go and Kanazawa was painful. We were on line with the Kanazawa hotel site and had just opened another window to check train times when a sign flashed that the last room had been taken. OMG.

View of downtown Nagoya from the JR Station open-air podium.

Nagoya JR Station is massive and bustling with visitors at all hours. It is linked to the Marriot Hotel, Takashimaya, Tokyo Hands and two other shopping malls, Esca and Meitetsu. All the famed local eateries are located here as well.

Check-in for all hotels in Japan is at 3 pm. Miyuki Station Hotel was chosen for its location, directly in front of the station. Our non-smoking room, as requested, was ready on time. On line bookings were prompt. It was a surprise to discover that bookings were transacted through the Agoda Company, Central World, Bangkok, Thailand. That's the internet making the world smaller as we speak.

Dump the bags and out again. First stop, Osu Kanon Temple, by subway. This is the most revered temple of the Shingon-Buddhist sect.

A shrine of the Japanese Goddess of Mercy is housed here and the Nio, muscular and fierce guardians of Buddha, make their presence felt.

Beyond the temple complex, you find yourself grid-locked in a network of shopping streets. I'm not complaining.

You can find anything from wedding gowns (used or new) to toys, small restaurants and an abundance of isakayas (casual dining establishments).

Happy Mother's Day

2011-05-02T13:42:00.008+08:00

Mother's Day in Japan falls on the second Sunday in May. It was first commemorated in the Showa Period as the birthday of the Empress Kojun, mother of Emperor Akihito. As in many countries it was formalised when the Imperial Women's Union was established. Traditionally carnations given as presents.

In Nepal, Mata Tirtha Aunshi or Mother Pilgrimage fortnight is the equivalent celebration held during the new moon in April.

Iran celebrated mother's day on the birthday of Fatimah, Prophet Mohamad's daughter. After the revolution and with curtailment of the feminist movement, the practice changed.

However in most Arab countries, mother's day is celebrated on the 21 March.

Despite this celebration originating in the United States, China embraces the practice as it goes in line with the country's traditional ethics of respect of the elderly and filial piety to parents.

During its communist era, Czech Republic celebrated Women's Day until the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. Since then Mother's Day, Valentines Day and Womens Days popular.

Indonesia celebrated Hari Ibu nationally on December 22 when the first Indonesian Womens Congress was established.

Mother's Day in Thailand is celebrated on the birthday of Queen Sirikit, Queen of Thailand.

I don't remember celebrating Mother's Day in any particular form in Kuala Lumpur, until perhaps when the children began bringing home self-made greeting cards from school. Now it has become a booming part of a lifestyle industry for florists, greeting card manufacturers, restaurants and the like.

Independant kids

2011-05-02T11:46:00.007+08:00

School kids from as young as early junior school are a pretty independant and confident lot. They ride the trains by themselves, in twos or in groups. Always neatly dressed, currently they still are in winter uniform. They suffer in silence as the days get warmer, until its time to change to summer wear.

Being rather camera shy they immediately turned away when they realised this Gaijin was taking their photo.

Despite the trappings of any big metropolis (see Shakespeare with a Twist), there remains a strong sense of community and good neighbourliness where people take an interest in each others well-being. Significant low crime rates in residential areas can be attributed to the koban system of 24-hour police beat post surveillance. From a young age children are instilled with this sense of responsibility for the community, the neighbourhood above self. It has paid off many times over.

Shakespeare with a twist

2011-05-02T09:53:00.005+08:00

Downtown Ueno. Not sure if you have ever imagined Shakespeare in this way, but make of it what you will.

Under the guise of restaurants, health clubs, fashion health (massage parlours), aesthetic salons etc a set menu of services are on offer as well as an ala carte option.

Ayu no Monogatari (Ayu's Story), a Japanese bestseller depicts these murky Tokyo underworld activities. Parents worry about their teenage daughters going to Shibuya, the hub of enjo kosai, compensated dating between older men and school girls who are looking for extra pocket money. Male and female scouts stealthily tout for marketable prey outside the station offering tempting money-making services, the most common being 'modeling'.

This is a 2-3 billion Yen industry, yet the authorities take a curiously laissez-faire approach to the matter. They claim they can do little unless there is violence during procurement.

GANTZ 2011

2011-05-02T00:10:00.002+08:00

Gantz the movie (Part 1 & 2) is worth a watch. Originally a manga and anime series, Gantz is about two friends who are hit by an subway train and find themselves in purgatory. From then on Gantz, a large black sphere, directs their existence by setting them tasks to kill aliens. Points earned for successful missions can get them back to the real world.

The CGI effects especially in Part 1, are impressive. A spectacular scene is when an alien in the form of the thousand-armed Goddess Kwan Yin, went ballistic when attacked by the hero- a thousand swords wielding in all directions at the same time.

Part 2 was screened three weeks after Part 1 ended. A new approach to serialised movies? After watching Part 2 it was obvious why. The movie needed loose ends tied leaving Part 2 lacking any CGI magic. Be warned, it would be pointless to watch Part 2 ahead of Part 1 either.

http://www.mangareader.net/97/gantz.html

You can read the manga for free (yes and in English too) at this website.

Malay Kampong in Hatchobori

2011-05-01T02:37:00.012+08:00

Somewhere in Hatchobori, Malaysians in Tokyo, hankering for a mamak mee goreng, otak-otak, chicken rice and roti canai with chicken curry, make a bee-line for Malay Kampong. Rated as a casual dining hangout rather than a formal restaurant, it lends perfectly to the Malaysian coffee shop atmosphere or kopi tiam as we call it.

The authentic flavours and fair prices make it affordable and popular with the student population. However being a little out of center, it would take you close to an hour to get to on the Hibya line.

The menu choices are extensive. I would definitely have the Mamak mee goreng again. Karai desu (spicy)! Roti canai done the way I like - crispy and the chicken curry is sinfully lemak (rich with coconut milk). The boys who run the kitchen are from Ipoh, so they also do a mean Ipoh Hor Fun.

It is wonderful to meet up with Rastam's friends; Japanese and Malaysian, Filipino, Indonesian and Korean, and reassuring to know he has developed a good support system over the years.

Mansion of Mitsubishi Founder circa 1896

2011-04-30T23:14:00.024+08:00

As part of the modernisation of Japan during the Meiji Period (1868-1912), foreign experts in the English language, science, engineering, architecture and military were employed to educate and contribute during this era of 'enlightened rule'. The industrial revolution was achieved by borrowing western technology and embracing free enterprise capitalism which led to ultimate control of manufacturing and economic prowess in Asia.

Iwasaki Yataro, of samurai and provincial farming ancestry was greatly influenced by the volatile political and economic times. He worked his way from a clerk and rose to a high position in the Tosa clan and was responsible for trading camphor oil and paper for ships, weapons and ammunition. His success as a shipping industrialist subsequently led him to establish the Mitsubishi Corporation.

Kyu Iwasaki-tei or Old Iwasaki Mansion, designed by British architect Josiah Conder, marked the dawn of modern architecture in Japan. This European building was built in British Renaissance style with Jacobean-influenced interiors as well as Moorish motifs.

The Mitsubishi logo was derived from the Iwasaki family crest of three-stacked rhombuses and the three-leaf crest of Tosa Clan. The well-known emblem represents a ship's propeller.

Photography in the house was not allowed. This photo sourced online shows Jacobean-style interior embellishments.

The Japanese-style building, the living quarters of the Iwasaki family, was integrated with the Western-style building.

The Billiards Hall, separate from the main building, was built in the style of a Swiss chalet, entirely made of wood.

Arabian Rock - Ueno

2011-04-30T21:18:00.020+08:00

Strains of Arab pop , a cool name and hunger pangs drew us to Arabian Rock.

A Japanese belly-dancer greeted us and presented us with an Aladdin's lamp. She said "Rub the lamp and your wishes will be granted".

A stairway lit by brass lanterns led to a glowing pyramid and our own two-man nook decorated with Moroccan wall tiles and plush floor cushions.

To add to the fantasy, we received a basket of golden eggs to ward off bad luck. "Please peel off the shell" we were advised. Very bunga telor-ish. (Bunga telor, boiled eggs traditionally given as party favours at weddings and represents fertility in Malay culture).

With dramatic flair, a waiter emerged with a flaming dish of beef teppanyaki .

Flavourful tofu tajine, cod roe potato cheese gratin, chicken tandoori kebab and couscous salad ensured our wishes were indeed granted.

Happy and satisfied, the Alhady Arabs reluctantly crawled out of their alcove for their next adventure.

Grazing choices in Tokyo

2011-04-29T11:03:00.012+08:00

A Groupon meal at Shibuya entailed acquiring a free coupon from the website which promised a 1500 yen rebate. Sounds good at the outset. You are drawn to gimmicky visuals of themed rooms like Alice in Wonderland, Ali Baba's cave for the experience of dining with a difference. Reservations are quickly confirmed for the only available dining time at five thirty or wait for the next weekend.

Without a glimmer of a chance of getting a themed room this time, it only got worse. Ushered into a cubicle reeking of smoke sent spasms to my bronchioles. Request for a smoke-free room landed us in a four-person cubicle, separated from the other couple by a pull-down screen. There were several restrictions to meal selection too inane to mention. Adding insult to injury the bill was presented minus the rebate offer. Surprising for Japan indeed. They pride themselves in honouring deals. For another horror Groupon story read this.

http://www.retaildoc.com/blog/groupon-worst-marketing-business/

My favourite lunch place, Dexee Deli at Lumine 1 food court, serves up a quick low cal nutritious meal. On offer is a protein choice of fish, chicken-tofu or beef patty, and recently added green chicken curry, two vegetable choices and sekihan (red rice) with a drink for a value price of 900 yen!

Thai Khao San, located directly opposite, is popular for its unique hawker-styled seating arrangements ie stools around large round tables, suited for a shared dinning experience with total strangers.

Korea town, Shin Okubo, is teeming with Korean restaurants and supermarkets and Zainichi, Japanese-born Koreans living in Japan since before the war. Our favourite spot is a little establishment on the second floor specialising in Korean fried chicken with Yangnyom sweet hot sauce and sesame seeds. Another yummy fried chicken dish is the soy and garlic version. The secret to the crispy crunch is the double frying technique with only a dash of seasoning.

Obviously this meal negates all previous efforts at eating healthy . . . but what the heck. If you haven't tried yangnyom you haven't lived!

Dining alone in Tokyo

2011-04-29T02:11:00.006+08:00

Nestled behind Takashimaya in Shinjuku and up a steep flight of stairs, a charming woody, nature-inspired cafe lay waiting to be discovered. The warm humid evening begged for the airy patio.

A light meal, a good book and my trusty camera were good company.

I had reached a pivotal part of my current read, South of the Border, West of the Sun by Haruki Murakami, and was savouring each and every word. You know the feeling that you don't want the story to end . . . not just yet.

Enjoying the aroma of coffee and the night skies brought an end to another day.

In search of Usavitch

2011-04-27T22:36:00.012+08:00

Usavitch. Imagine an anime version of prison break, an odd couple of rabbits, Kirenenko (red) and Putin (green) and their antics in a Soviet prison. Later they escape to a shopping mall and share hilarious adventures. My mission was to find Putin, as Kirenenko was missing his friend.

After checking out the well-loved store, Don Quixote, in Shinjuku, where I had bought only Kirenenko (because I liked the red stripes) on a previous trip, there seemed to be a dearth of Usavitch merchandise on the shelves. Have they stopped production after the earthquake? Not good news for fans.

Next stop Harajuku. Bypassing the Goth shops, and at the risk of sounding bigoted, The Closet Child, I actually was looking for something much more innocent called Kiddy Land. Stumbling upon The World Connection, Usavitch was on the first floor! Yes! Mission accomplished.

At closing time, other sights take prominence like the graffiti . . .

. . . and the dimly lit narrow side streets. Only a handful of vendors continued to call out to dwindling customers while cute Lolita's were pulling down shop shutters.

The adventures of Putin and Kirenenko continue . . .

Singapore Seafood Republic, Shinagawa

2011-04-24T22:55:00.007+08:00

Cross the overhead bridge in front of Shinagawa JR Station and you can't miss the chilli crab signboard.

Hey are we in Singapore? Raffles Hotel? A refreshing change from cramped smoky restaurants. A colonial bungalow with al fresco seating . .

. . . and spacious, cool indoor dining.

A friend working at the restaurant gave us the royal treatment and drinks on the house.

Singapore fried mee hoon turned out to be rather insipid and merely coloured by kunyit (safron). The chili crabs and steamed mantau (bread), on the other hand, were incredibly like the stuff we get at home. Satay was good, but the peanut sauce was microscopic in amount. An interesting twist was the added pineapple dip.

French doors open out into a courtyard, complete with green canvas umbrellas and shady trees, very much a reminder of home.

Ue wo Muite Aruko aka Sukiyaki

2011-04-24T01:26:00.008+08:00

Kyu Sakamoto, a popular crooner, released the single Ue wo Muite Aruko in Japan by Toshiba in 1961 which became the top ranking pop song. When released in the USA in 1963, it soared to number one of the Top Billboard Hot 100's and sold 13 million records internationally.

For the past month, Japanese broadcasters stopped airing commercials altogether. Suntory, the beverage company, broke the silence with this rendition of Sukiyaki by Japanese celebrities to revitalise the nations' spirit. It's a song about a man who keeps his face up to keep his tears from falling. Lyrics are below.

I look up when I walk so the tears won't fall

Remembering those happy spring days

But tonight I'm all alone

I look up when I walk, counting the stars with tearful eyes

Remembering those happy summer days

But tonight I'm all alone

Happiness lies beyond the clouds

Happiness lies above the sky

I look up when I walk so the tears won't fall

Though my heart is filled with sorrow

For tonight I'm all alone

(whistling)

Remembering those happy autumn days

But tonight I'm all alone

Sadness hides in the shadow of the stars

Sadness lurks in the shadow of the moon

I look up when I walk so the tears won't fall

Though my heart is filled with sorrow

For tonight I'm all alone,

Ochanumizu, the Guitar Planet

2011-04-23T22:44:00.009+08:00

Five minutes from JR Ochanomizu station you will hit guitar planet where the streets are lined by stores selling guitars new and old, electric and acoustic, six string and 12 string, picks, slides, straps, cases etc etc

A sight for sore eyes, especially if you have a yen to spend.

Sidewalks showing the writing on the wall.

If you can't buy one, make one . . .

. . . 'and she's buying the stairway to heaven'.

Tourism Malaysia embraces kawaii culture

2011-04-23T21:47:00.002+08:00

It's all about the details and kawaii culture

2011-04-23T21:33:00.006+08:00

Aren't those sugar cubes cute, individually wrapped, different flowers on each one, made especially for spring time. Now that's eye candy!

No I've not gone crazy and dipped a cigar into my cappuccino - it's a cinnamon stick! Lovely, lovely aroma . . . Mmmmm

Looks like Tourism Malaysia (formerly Tourist Development Corporation or TDC) has caught on the Japanese culture of cute or kawaii. Taihen yoku dekimashita (well done)!

There is a unique penchant for cartoon characters in advertising here. Siti, the anime character, aims to win over the hearts of Japanese visitors to Malaysia and she sends a special message.

Genki Gym at Hoya

2011-04-22T20:14:00.013+08:00

Found a gym in Hoya, on the Seibu Ikebukoro line, about 30 minutes westward of central Tokyo. Central Fitness Sports membership is offered at a reduced rate to IT personnel through their affiliate insurance companies. Even though I don't qualify, the monthly fee is about one third the price of a well known international chain in Japan, Gold's Gym.

For a lot more facilities and the feeling of space it is good value. Gold's monthly membership fee is as much as Celebrity Fitness in KL. Prohibitive for short term membership. Aqua aerobics is a rare treat.

My usual companions most mornings are an enthusiastic bunch of senior citizens (look who's talking!). Unlike the obvious male dominance in trains and offices, the genki (lively) aunties feature prominently at step aerobics, zumba, street dance, yoga and pilates classes. Haven't seen any hunks yet, but the uncles have remarkable core strength. Hardly any pot bellies about.

That blue towel, which is found neatly folded at every station, is for wiping down the machine after use. This is done religiously by all users. Great gym etiquette! Repeated suggestions/complaints to Celebrity Fitness, KL about the level of hygiene and lack of facilities provided seem to fall on deaf ears. Edinburgh Uni gym provides antiseptic prays and disposable tissue towels in this respect.

Yes it really is an indoor driving range! And practice putting green.

I'll travel miles, through hills and dales, at any hour for a spinning class! Slots are too few and far between: Wednesday 2130 hrs, Thursday 1150 hr and Friday at 2130 hr.

So kiddos, quit whining and be thankful you have a permanent unlimited spinning/RPM studio and not have to wheel a Spinner into the studio and then wheel it back out again!

Narita Taiko Matsuri Drum Festival

2011-04-22T14:56:00.020+08:00

Narita Taiko Matsuri Drum Festival was a booming experience. Drum groups performed along Omotesando Street leading from the station to Naritasan Shinshoji Temple.

Narita, population of 60,000, designed in 1968 as one of the new towns peripheral to Tokyo, started on agro-industry now prides itself as an international airport hub.

The character of the town emerges as dusk falls. Shop-keepers begin to set up candles to decorate their entrances with warm encouraging wishes to Japan and the victims of the earthquake and tsunami.

A grandmother squats beside her grandson explaining the messages and the sadness felt as mother looks on.

The granite dogs, turtles, rabbits watch over the town and observe its activities silently.

At the temple main stage, performers dance to the vibrant rhythm of the drum beat.

Tengu, a long-nosed goblin, is respected as a protective spirit in Japanese folklore.

Naritasan Shinshoji Temple, an elegant structure, is known for Shingon Buddhism, a mainstream major school of Japanese Buddhism and one of the few surviving Esoteric Buddhist lineages that started in the third and fourth century.

Multiple attempts at uploading videos of the drum performances failed. Blogger has been notified. Watch this spot for editions.

The clock tower in full moonlight, also serves as a fire look-out vantage point for the town.

Yoshi let's get cooking!

2011-04-22T11:57:00.011+08:00

Yoshi (the i is silent) is an expression of enthusiasm meaning alright, lets go!

If you work in Tokyo, the weekend is the only time to hang out and relax. We could have gone to the park for hanami (an outdoor party under the sakura), but it was decided that our Japanese hosts would cook us a Japanese meal.

First stop, grocery shopping. The Malaysians slipped off to get prawns, chilli, garlic and oyster sauce (couldn't find any assam jawa) and drinks to surprise our hosts with spicy 'har lok'.

Inouesan kindly offered his apartment up. The 1K (bedroom with separate bathroom/kitchen) apartment in Shibuya on the 7th floor is categorised as a mansion. In Japan, floorspace is measured by the number of tatami mats that fit the area. Apato refers to two and three story prefabricated buildings, in the burbs, where rental prices can be much lower. The problem for gaijins (foreigners), though, is that most apato's are not gaijin-friendly. The biggest hurdle is to find an agreeable local guarantor. While Nakamurasan enjoys space in an ikkodate (rented house) near Disneyland he has to deal with travel time of 3 hours a day to work and back.

Yoshi, lets get cooking . . .

The spicy 'har lok' was described as f###ing delicious. That's surely a first!

The daikon and hamachi or buri (farmed fish) and potato meat stew warmed our hungry bellies as it was almost four in the afternoon by the time we sat down to eat. A healthy and yummy meal with good company.

The Japanese devour any chance they get to practice speaking English. Although the intent was real, the actual English spoken was limited to borrowed English terms like dash (go figure?), Disneyland, roller-coaster, drummer etc. Inouesan floored us when he shared that he played the drums and made a CD. . . "back in the day". He whipped out a couple of English/Japanese language books, printed in 1965, which were more appropriate for a Masters in English Lit major.

With Sinseh Rastam recruited to teach English to his two tomodachi (friends) we toddled off to a book store and picked out a level-appropriate book with lots of vocab and grammar exercises. Their goal - to read my blog in a year and understand Steve Jobs' annual Apple market sales pitch!

They may be ganbatte about learning English but I hope they remain in a yoshi state of mind . . .

Kurayami no Shibuya aka Shibuya in darkness

2011-04-16T10:59:00.004+08:00

With all the electricity brown-outs, I did wonder about the bright lights of Shibuya.

Yes it has been in darkness since March 11.

Despite it all the surging crowds traverse the crossing as usual. People-watching from the vantage point Starbucks must be a tad limited. Is business down?

Ganbatte Japan

2011-04-13T15:20:00.036+08:00

Ganbatte - in simple terms means good luck, do your best, but to the Japanese the deeper implication is to exhaust yourself, persevere, keep fighting (with nuances of strong encouragement and respect for efforts made).

So despite the tragedy they celebrate spring and the beauty of Sakura blossoms, a sign of new beginnings.

The street dancers of Nakano still hang out and practice outside the Municipal buildings' reflective glass walls.

The local library still remains the refuge for the vast retired population. The sense of community living is well entrenched.

Meanwhile aftershocks are a continuous daily occurrence, several times a day. While shopping in Isetan Shinjuku, a rather large aftershock sent shop assistants selflessly herding shoppers to designated safe areas, corridors away from display glass shelves and we were asked to assume the crouch position. A hard hat would have afforded extra reassurance, but can you imagine going shopping armed with your umbrella, jacket and helmet!

We all take chances don't we? Tap water has been deemed safe for infants, but most are still buying mineral water which is now limited to 4 bottles per person. When you eat in a restaurant the water served is tap, so at some point there has to be trust.

Electricity cuts are real and clearly evident. Most escalators in train stations are switched off except for the deeper lines like Oedo Line. Elevators still work. Good workout for quads, hamstrings and glutes I say.

Alternate street lights are meticulously

switched off. Unnecessary lighting in shops and public ares are minimised.

I felt that the wait between trains was longer than usual. Train schedules have been revised.

But I must congratulate the service. They were up and running at 90% less than 24 hours after the earthquake. I know because my son managed to get home the next morning, albeit via a less direct route.

The human spirit is strong.

It has to be for the sake of the children. . .

. . . and love.

Thaipusam - religious devotion

2010-02-05T17:34:00.018+08:00

The Hindu Gods watch over the religious ceremonies dressed in resplendent saffron and yellow silk, the favourite colours of Lord Murugan.Smashing coconuts is the most common ritual in the Hindu religion, performed before embarking on any significant event as a symbol of humbling oneself before God.

Ablution or cleansing oneself before entering a temple or place of worship is practiced by many religions. Young and old show their devotion by carrying pots of milk and chanting prayers.

The scents and aroma of incense intoxicate the air.
Priests solemnise the ceremony. . .

Devotees prepare themselves for the penance by prayer, vegetarian diet and sometimes . . . 'a little bit of help from my friends', being a bonus. (I'm sure this ciggy is not a regular Benson & Hedges) With up-rolled eyes he inhales taking the next step towards his goal. . .

A woman in a trance-like state emerges seemingly in a festive mood but definitely in her own world. With eyes rolling and tongue protruding out she carries her pot of milk, surprisingly not spilling a drop!

It would seem that those on the quest hold a lofty position and blessings from such individuals are sought after.

With correct preparation and faith, a sense of peace envelops the devotees as they submit themselves to a higher presence and in a meditative state they carry out their pledges.

The moment over and the task achieved, devotees descend and slip back to this world, proud and happy.

Thaipusam - the vow

2010-02-04T19:19:00.010+08:00

Thaipusam, a Hindu festival celebrated by Tamils, represents a tapestry of astrology, thanks-giving, religious devotion and commemoration of Lord Murugan's birthday.

Devotees give thanks in various forms from the carrying of small to large, heavily decorated kavadis.

The offering is made in the form of a vow for tiding over or averting great calamity or misfortune.

Vows range from shaving of the head . . .. . . carrying a pot of milk . . .
. . . 'mortification of the flesh' with body piercings of the skin, tongue or cheeks.
This vow was made by a young couple carrying their baby slung over sugar cane poles up the 272 steps of Batu Caves as thanks-giving for fertility or health of the baby.

15MALAYSIA

2009-09-20T22:24:00.012+08:00

15Malaysia is produced by Pete Teo, singer-songwriter, actor, film producer, music producer; very much a part of New Wave Malaysian Cinema.

All 15 movies are worth a watch.

You will see KJ, ZI, Minister of Health, Nik Aziz, Patrick Teoh, Adflin Shauki, Harith Iskandar, Jason Lo and Daphne Iking in full frontal . . . with speaking parts. Yasmin Ahmad cameos in 'House'.

The best creative effort of the pack is Rojak.

15MALAYSIA - Rojak

2009-09-16T12:30:00.009+08:00

Check out this website and have a blast. http:/15malaysia.com/films/rojak/

For those of you who are losing it, this effort is guaranteed to put your faith back in Malaysia and remind us that the way forward lies with our youth.

15 short films about Malaysian lifestyle and people, the latest being Rojak, a mind blowing CGI film reflecting the current political landscape through the eyes of a rojak (Malaysian Indian salad) seller as he gives a whimsical account of his trade.5 thumbs up! MUST SEE *****

A Yogi's dream come true . . . Mallika

2009-09-15T15:31:00.009+08:00

Remember my friend Rocky of Surabaya? He was in the midst of building his yoga studio in February this year. . .Project completed in mid August and, Mallika, which is Arabic for queen/possession/to own (source:Wiktionary) was born. We were all invited to the Grand Opening.

Don't you think Mallika has the Red Fort look?You did it Rocky! Tahniah (congratulations).

~Namaste~

Jet lag & Viagra - myth or truth?

2009-09-12T20:41:00.021+08:00

I know for a fact that you can actually feel and probably look like this double-headed monster when you are suffering from jet lag!

Yes the myths are true - it's worse if you are travelling in an eastward direction, if you are above the age of 50, if you are on your period, if you are hung over and if you are already stressed before your flight.

For those who love definitions, jet lag or desynchronosis or secondary circadian dysrhythmia is a physiological disruption of the circadian rhythm resulting in sleep disorder when travelling across a number of time zones. There are 24 time zones, so for example, flying from KL to London is equivalent to 7 time zones.

The above negatives, notwithstanding, the traveller can expect recovery time to take at least a day or more per time zone to recover. Do the math! 7 - 14 days at least.

Morning people are affected worse than night owls. Apart from insomnia, fatigue, diarrhoea, constipation, dehydration, anxiety, irritability, nausea and headache are common associated problems.

Argentinian scientists (BBC News 22 May 2007) proved that hamsters exposed to light therapy (apparently equivalent to flying eastwards - go figure?) recovered 50% faster with Viagra.

Hooray . . . if you are a hamster with spare Viagra!

In the general population, 25% are minimally affected. The 25% who can be badly affected are willing to get their hands on anything for a full nights' sleep.

How about over the counter (OTC) melatonin?? In 2005, MIT meta analysis of 17 peer reviewed studies using melatonin showed it was effective in helping people fall asleep at 0.3 mg dose. A profitable market for various alternative remedies is out there.

To help get in control of the situation, here are a few suggestions for before and after time zone travel:-

keep well hydrated, avoid alcohol and caffeine, exercise, a diet higher in protein than carbohydrates, take naps to catch up on sleep and wise use of sleep medication. Nothing new. You basically have to tough it out.

NB: Viagra is taken at your own risk . . . unless you are a hamster . . . sweet dreams!

. . . and its getting worse!

2009-09-04T12:28:00.003+08:00

4 September 2009

Blue skies . . . then back to haze!

2009-09-03T12:09:00.009+08:00

The good thing about jet lag is that you are awake at the oddest hours, catching the reruns on TV and then watching the night skies light up.

1 September 2009

When the blue skies emerge, it is so pleasing to the eye, and you have to dig deep into the memory banks as to when was the last time you did see the sky so blue.

1 September 2009

The next morning the pink hues dance across the skies cheekily, taunting the watcher.

2 September 2009

Only to turn into a muddy haze once again. Bummer!

3 September 2009

Leaving Edinburgh . . .

2009-08-31T20:18:00.021+08:00

. . . To bonny Edinburgh to meet up with me wee darlin' daughter . . . (spoken with Scottish lilt). . . And came across bagpipes and Indian Tabla . . . on a windy day!

Throngs of people at Grassmarket watching street performers.

Well-marketed (postcards, flyers, a publication on the dance style) Singapore entry at the Fringe ~ Q & A ~ a modern dance program. No Malaysian entry in sight.

Writing workshops at the Edinburgh International Book Festival gave the right impetus in that direction.

Spectral night scenes: Edinburgh University . . . and Grassmarket.

The Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2009 was especially memorable . . . in windy and showery conditions.

Credit crunch themes . . . lunch and comedy . . . at the Edinburgh Festival!
Beat Boxing by Beardyman at the Fringe - Underbelly.

Meeting the Andersons in Perth for a round of golf (for the boys); walking/yoga/body pump (for the girls) was an unexpected but pleasant connection with things in common.

Rae & I dinning at the Old Fishmarket Close . . . a Rebus crime scene.
Heading home - sunrise over Malaysian skies.

Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2009 - 7

2009-08-30T09:39:00.011+08:00

Sultry Queen of Cabaret, Camille O'Sullivan, is one unforgettable performer act after act. Reviews say of her:-

"She treats every song as an intense emotional journey - hypnotic""When she sings its as though her breath is soaked in paraffin, one spark and the whole room would ignite"
"Raunchy, dangerously fragile - a real star"". . . all life's humour and misery collide . . ." "She doesn't so much command the stage as positively own it!"

Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2009 - 6

2009-08-29T19:31:00.009+08:00

Venezuela Viva expresses its passion and history of the country in the form of dance by an all women troupe. Colours and lighting; music and rhythm set the pace in a mix of salsa and flemenco by 12 stunning dancers and a brilliant live band and haunting vocals.

Edinburgh International Book Festival 2009 - 5

2009-08-26T16:11:00.008+08:00

The Writing Workshops were sold out months before the Book Festival started. I was lucky to get a place in a few of the less popular workshops like Writing for Teenagers, Writing for Radio, Rejection and Ghost Writing.

Writing for Teenagers
A 37 year old writer, passionate about his craft, recounted the path that led him to writing stories for teenagers. Coming from a poor working class background, he had not been encouraged to read books, and admits that his first book he read was when he was 12 years old. Prior to that he was an avid comic reader progressing on to graphic novels. That first book was an experience that opened up a whole new world for him, a world where fantasy could come alive. This writer does not believe that all stories in this genre should be mindless action and violence. He has taken the more challenging path to explore feelings that teenagers may experience like death, suicide and faith to name a few.

This genre has certain demands different from adult or children's books. He advocates the 'high concept' approach of movies - something that grabs the audience immediately. The pace has to be fast, themes that teenagers can relate to where the protagonist should be at least 2 years older than the target market, an anti-hero type and not a wimp! Using jargon/slang is not advised. From writing to print (which may take as long as 3 years) jargon would have morphed or become obsolete. Humour is a must.

A couple of exercises later, the group of 20 would-be writers were convinced that writing for teenagers is not an easy task as previously thought. Stretching the imagination is something that requires practice and regular tweaking.

The challenge for this genre is not competition from other writers but more like from Wii, the Internet, gaming consoles and DVD.

Ghost Writing
A rotund journalist, with a glass of wine, started off with a challenge. The group would have to do some work, after all it was a workshop, and the prize would be a book. Instructions: Interview your neighbour for 2 minutes and then write a piece in 5 minutes. The 5 minutes went by swiftly especially with the 'Boss' talking all the time, distracting purposefully, threatening that the editor was waiting for the piece etc. The pressure was on.

Ghost writing is in demand as more celebrities and politicians want their lives in print. They can't write or don't have the time so it is important to have an agent to look for commissions and prevent publishers ripping you off. If you get a good commission, it pays well. Niche areas like sports sell well.

The interview is an important part of the process of finding the voice. Same gender It is worth investing in a digital voice recorder and various other related software. For legal and financial purposes it is wise to record all meetings and expenditure incurred in the commission. A ghost writer must leave his ego at the door. It is THEIR story. Research is essential to make the story believable and to create the right human interest aspect.

Writing for Radio
This workshop was chosen because there was a place out of the 20 places. Not quite my genre, but it turned out to be an interesting take on writing. 'Paint with words' is the mantra to follow. 'Words count' and the power of dialogue is the way to capture your audience. The first 2 minutes of the play is important. If it doesn't work you will lose your audience. It helps if you can trust the actor to carry your character to the edge you are after. The BBC has 2 or 3 radio channels with radio plays at different times in the week. AS far as I know, Radio Malaysia has downsized this mode especially in the English medium. I remember in the 60's Radio Malaysia had such programs, mainly imported from the BBC - comedy hour and plays. Elizabeth Kirby, wife of Dr Derek Llewellyn-Jones, and also our neighbour, worked with Radio Malaysia at the time and was responsible for these programs.

Rejection
It is important to learn, be emotionally prepared and re-frame after a rejection. It can be demotivating, but it is important to prepare the submission appropriately to reduce the risks. Sending submission in sets of five to publishers is a rule of thumb. A form rejection letter may just mean they did not have time to read it; any comments written (in hand) is a good sign as it means that there is something there worth commenting on; rewrite also means it has been read but need some changes and is free mentoring; and if they send a readers report take note of every word and reply with thanks.

It is not a done thing to call or write in for progress on submission, at least not before 8-12 weeks. Don't LIE about qualifications; don't resubmit to same publisher; and don't send in with hand-written letter. It's not more personalised, its just illegible.

When should you give up? That is a learning experience. The experienced say that if the rewrites become to distant from the original and starts to feel i like you don't own it any more , then it's time. Having said that Carrie by Stephen King was rejected 20 time before it was published. J K Rowling had more than a few rejections before her fame and fortune.

On the emotional level, don't focus on the rejection but move on. A writer should have several projects at any one time and work should carry on. Persistence and and luck are key.

Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2009 - 4

2009-08-24T05:54:00.024+08:00

Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2009
Royal Air Force
Massed Pipes & Drums
Tonga troup
Beijing TroupBagpipes & Drums
Players advertising their performance at the Royal Mile.
Pub with a bad attitude.
Innovative street musicians.
Mime

Hidden courtyards
Tatto venue
Pink brass band
Edinburgh coat of arms