Backwaters Adventure
I heard of Kerala’s Backwaters for the first time from my 93 year-old grandfather who was at that time, slowly slipping into early stages of dementia. “I used to sell […]
Malabar Monsoon Adventure
As we were boarding the flight for our two week trip to Kerala, I scrolled through the weather report and was a little concerned that rain was expected throughout our […]
Church By the Water
The St Mary’s Forane Syro Malabar Catholic Church was packed with devotees when we stopped by Sunday afternoon. Many made their way to mass on passenger boats that ply the […]
Sunrise: Alleyppey, Kerala
Kerala is well known for its beautiful backwaters. It is one of the best ways to take in the scenes of urban and rural life in this South Indian state. […]
Performing Arts: Kathakali
Prep for traditional Kerala Kathakali performance. Stage make-up session starts one hour before the performance. It involves the application of several layers – base and colours made out of crushed […]
Rail Adventure: London – Inverness
Train journeys are a great way to just take a back seat and enjoy the scenery as you watch the world go by. I’d usually peek into the homes, towns […]
Our Fading Heritage: Jerejak Island
My next read! Waiting to dive into the pages to find out more about our very own Ellis Island here in Penang, Malaysia. Sadly, the spot where more than a million migrants to Malaya landed between 1877 and 1957 is earmarked for development of a theme park and resort. Heritage groups are fighting to preserve and develop the former quarantine […]
Serenity Path
Khareyana Spa – One of my favourite spots in the town (now a city) I practically grew up in – Petaling Jaya. I’ve been visiting this old residential bungalow that […]
Queenstown, Singapore
Queenstown in Singapore holds a lot of pleasant memories. I spent quite a number of school holidays at my Aunt’s Singapore Housing Development Board (HDB) flat along Margaret Drive. The […]
Drive Thru: Central Spine Rd
One of my favourite drives – low traffic and amazing scenery! The partially opened Central Spine Road that will link Kuala Lipis in Pahang to Kuala Krai in Kelantan once […]
Xin Nian Kuai Le!
Wishing my Chinese friends, family and followers a Happy & Prosperous New Year! A special shout out to those born in the year of the pig. To everyone else in […]
Shades of Syria in Victoria
I bought my first Syrian carpet in 2001, while on assignment in Aleppo. The burst of colourful textiles caught my eye as I was wandering around the rustic and historic […]
Black Madonna of Catalonia
The Black Madonna of Montserrat (La Moreneta in Catalan which means the little dark skinned one) is the patron saint of Catalonia together with St Jordi (St George). The dark […]
Mythical Langkawi (via Ferry)
It’s been 15 years since we last visited Langkawi Island, the mythical island believed to have been cursed for seven generations by a young woman – Mahsuri – who was […]
Heritage Trail: Assumption Church, Penang
The Church of the Assumption on Farquhar Road in Penang was built in 1786, the year Captain Francis Light and British settlers landed on Penang island. They settlers set foot […]
Liquid Light: Liverpool Docks
My first impression of Liverpool was how industrial the Merseyside shoreline looked. But one needs to appreciate the history of Liverpool and how this city impacted global trade and migration. […]
