A change in latitude, does wonders to my attitude.

The hunt for a Berliner or Krapfen, which is a doughnut ( with no central hole ) made from sweet yeast dough fried in lard or cooking oil, usually with a jam filling and dusted with powdered sugar, proved to be a herculean task in Berlin. Eaten in many parts of Europe and known by different names, the history of this humble pastry actually has a page on Wikipedia! In the US, jam or Boston cream filled doughnuts are just another sugary, high carb staple, you'll find in any corner bakeshops and supermarkets. Did you know that it was immigrants from Central Europe who settled in the United States in large numbers during the 19th century who introduced these filled doughnuts to America? In some parts of the Midwestern United States, Boston, and Alberta and Saskatchewan in Canada, these are called "bismarcks" or "bismarks". History of Food.. but that's another topic. Funnily enough, there are many Dunkin Donut franchises all around Berlin with the unmistakab...

We finally took the plunge to see the Amalfi Coast in Italy, even though the trip would present itself with a hefty price tag. I remembered the wood inlaid decorative wall hang, it was the first souvenir purchase for my family. The lovely peach colored coral cameo pendant for my mum and the iconic wind-up musical box with a pop up ballerina to the tune of "Isle of Capri". Hence, this trip was very much anticipated with excitement. In Sorrento, I came across an atelier selling inlaid wood wall hangs and gingerly pointed to a muted colored wall hang and asked the price. The shop proprietor exclaimed that I had good taste as that piece was a heritage piece from her grandfather and is now worth around 800 euros! She showed me other colorful modern inlaid wood wall hangs, retailing around 100 euros, but i was not interested. The plainer one closely resembled the piece I bought 40 years ago when i visited Sorrento as a 17 year old on a school trip. And I am very certain that i d...

Starting the day early on a fish farm is just another day for Messers Ah Poh and Maung. Along with two marmalade-colored mongrels, Char-bor and New New, they guard the farm against maurauders... and pirates! Pirates in the form of Brahminy Kites who occasionally swoop down into the glistening sea and into the floating fish enclosures for an easy catch. There are juvenile tilapia and snappers, ready-for-market mangrove jacks, lobsters and prawns. Clusters of fat green mussles cling onto the ropes, nets, barrels and everything that hung in the water. Today's maurauders were of the two-legged kind, gingerly balancing on wooden rafters and floating drums, peering into the twenty or so fish pens. As we sheltered from the sun under the zinc-roofed shed, we watched anglers on small boats and kayakers bobbing in the sea. Hugging the outer tidal islands are clusters of mangrove trees which provide food and shelter for fingerlings, mud-skippers and little critters. It is so nice to be abl...

I've always like calling Italian cities by their Italian name. Somehow it rings nicer.. and feels like you know something more than the rest. So Milan and Rome, for those who do not (already) know. We arrived from Tirano on the Bernina Express train ( previous blog ) and chose to connect from Tirano to Milan. Opting to spend just two nights in Milan and then three nights in Rome. Arriving in Milan Central Station, having read horror stories of petty thieves targeting unsuspecting tourists, we were extra vigilant and kept close together. Train stations from Brussels to Berlin, are always notorious for such incidents. Nevertheless, Milan Central Station had the looks to compensate for its bad reputation. It was designed by French architect Louis-Jules Bouchot(1817–1907) and its architectural style is reminiscent of Parisian buildings of that period, especially Liberty and Art Deco. Using my Google Map, we walked about 20 mins to the Best Western Hotel City, located right on Corso...

The Bernina Express is a breathtaking train ride through the mountain scenery of Switzerland, which everyone should try at least once or more times in their life. There is a choice of riding the Bernina Panoramic Express train or the local train. Both trains run on the same track and the only difference is the type of trains. For a 360 degrees panoramic view and reserved seatings, the namesake Panoramic train is the one to take. The other train is a normal train with windows that can be opened, perfect for photographers who don't want the reflection from glass windows when taking photos. We chose the Bernina Panoramic Express train with the route that connects Chur in Switzerland to Tirano in Italy by crossing the Swiss Engadin Alps.The four hour journey train ride runs along the World Heritage Site known as the Rhaetian Railway in the Albula / Bernina landscapes passing through 55 tunnels and over 196 bridges. Planning for mid October, I carefully timed it to catch the col...