Tangkuban Perahu: Java

This may not be how it looks like today, but the Tangkuban Perahu Volcanic Crater an hours drive out of the city of Bandung was a spot of serenity when we visited about three years ago. There was a major volcanic eruption in 2019, so am not sure if the scenes are the same today.

Sunset Over the Andaman

Am missing the beach, the sound of waves rolling in and dramatic sunsets! The dramatic sunset over the Andaman Sea captured from Pantai Cenang, Langkawi Island, Kedah Malaysia.

Heritage Trail: Jew Town

Jew town in the old quarter of Fort Kochi in Kerala was built by the Jewish community who moved to Fort Kochi in the 14th century. In it are an array of old buildings including a synagogue that at one time served the community of traders who operated from the area.

Stuff you take for granted …

Things you take for granted until it’s beyond your reach because of restricted movement. Our sweet treat just one month ago on a scorching hot afternoon along the streets of Georgetown – ‘Ais Bola’ drizzled with syrup, sarsaparilla and grape & Penang Heritage ais kacang. Ice bola is hard to come by nowadays, but it…

Village With A Runway?

A runway in the middle of a village? That’s exactly what ‘Lawan Kuda,‘ a quaint village snuggled amongst the green hills near the town of Gopeng in Perak features. It’s the first thing you’ll notice as you pull into the village. Built by the British as an emergency landing strip and referred to as ‘feigeichang’…

‘Pop’ Goes the Bagel

We normally wouldn’t take the trouble to drive all the way out of town on a weekend, especially while we are still in a stupor from severe lack of sleep and running around town like headless chickens over Christmas and New Year. But a hospital visit in the area prompted us to stop by this…

New Year Glow

It’s barely a month since we ushered in the New Year and rolled up the Christmas lights and wreaths. In place of the twinkling Christmas lights are now the warm glow of red and yellow Chinese lanterns, strung up to usher in the Chinese Lunar New Year next Saturday. The simple joys of living in…

Christmas in the Tropics

We have this thing called the Christmas weather where we live. Every late November till late January the North-Eastern monsoon hits the coast of Peninsular Malaysia and it pretty much means wet weather for that whole period, with sunny days in between. It is generally much cooler, but not much fun if you’re rushing about…

Sweet Bubble Treat

Never understood the fixation with Bubble Tea and it’s variants, but to each their own. So with apprehension, I agree to try a cup with our friend Sel who was raving about it! It was 10pm at night, and there was a line when we pulled up in front of Xing Fu Tang Bubble Tea…

A Bet With My Belly

Ignoring all caution on eating at roadside stalls and shady joints in India, we decided to be adventurous and stop at a Toddy Shop on the way to the Athirappilly Waterfalls in Thrissur, Kerala. The risk of developing a tummy upset was high, and that wouldn’t go well in a place where toilet facilities might…

‘Baahubali’ Falls

The Athirappilly or ‘Baahubali’ waterfalls as it is popularly known, after a scene for that film was shot at the site. Seen here in its full glory thanks to heavy rains in the area late October. It is quite a walk to the foot of the falls – about 400m through the forest along a…

Happy Deepavali!

I’d like to wish all my Hindu friends and readers a joyous celebration during this Festival of Lights. This beautiful scene was captured along an unnamed lane in Cherlai Bazar in Fort Kochi, Kerala, India. The glow of oil lamps along the lane as kids played with sparklers and fireworks outside their homes was just…