A change in latitude, does wonders to my attitude.

I am so happy that I finally managed to transfer my blog page from 2007 to this new site.  Since my last entry in 2015 to Ipoh, nothing much has happened, except being busy in my postings and not being able to recover my old blog page... Since fall last year, I am back to travelling and once again, blogging as i go along. Let me explain: For the last 27 years, since our first posting in Kinshasa, Congo to our last posting in Philippines in 2017, my dear husband always choose to spent the summer vacation back in Nieuwpoort beach, just some 5km from his mother's home. Understandably, with an aging mother and only other surviving sister, his priority was always home. Dutifully, I would accompany him on these home trips but I was getting tired of the same place each year. So I started insisting on short city trips, to see beyond Belgium and to keep me from nagging, he would consent. But just 3 to 5 days maximum ! But God is good and I believe if you have a heart for him, He...

This year end, unlike the previous years when reunions meant going overseas, we decided to visit nearby Ipoh. My intrepid sister-in-law, Ju, did all the bookings for the travel and hotel. The www didn't yield as much information as I would have liked, so we had to ask friends and friends of friends who have been to Ipoh. Oh yes, the To- Eat list was extensive, and so were the crowds that thronged the popular eateries.  I could reproduce the names of these places here, but that would just add on to the expectation and then the disappointment sets in, when you see the long queue snaking twice around the block or cannot find seats.  The truth is that these popular eateries must be very good to have earned such a recognition. But the problem with being famous is that food quality can get compromised because of the huge crowd or the establishment itself just getting to be complacent. Do observe the closing days and operating hours. Whichever the reason, the expectant hungry diner i...

You can believe everything you read online or in travel guide books about Prague. Touted as one of the most beautiful city in Europe, its historical city centre is listed as a UNESCO world heritage site. Visitors throng this ancient city almost all year round. With visitor arrivals peaking in spring, summer and autumn. January and February are generally quieter because winter temperatures can dip well below zero. It is easy to see why thousands of tourists descend upon this city. It is certainly a pilgrimage for  devout Catholics, with its many iconic religious sites. For the curious tourists like me, it is a worthy lesson on European history in-situ. Try the St Agnes of Bohemia Convent, which houses an amazing collection of Medieval and Renaissance art. Every time I thought "That's it", there was yet another section to visit. Grand churches to visit are like St. Nicholas Church ( Malostranske ), St Vitus Ca...

Palau is one of my favourite dive sites in the world. I dived Palau some 15 years ago and the dives were so spectacular that they are permanently etched into my memory. When the opportunity arose to visit Palau again, I jumped at it. "Blue Corner", "German Tunnel", "Peeliliu", "Blue Holes" etc.. the dive sites flashed past my head in a whirl. Can't wait ! Hidden coves The best part of being based in Manila is the proximity, about 2.55 hours by flight, to Korror. United Airlines is the only airline serving these routes and is referred to as the "island hopper", a term I quickly understood after glancing at the flight path page on the inflight magazine. We were billeted at the expansive and luxurious Palau Pacific Resort (PPR), probably the nicest on Korror and highly popular with Japanese tourists. In fact, the whole island is. Japanese divers almost always know the best dive destinations plus the white sands, tropical blue waters, s...

April 15, 2015 - We landed in Pohnpei airport. Small island capital out of the 4 other islands of Kosrae, Chuuk and Yap. From the sky, I took in the expansive views of turquoise sea dotted with green land masses. Thinking about my 18kg of dive equipment and underwater camera, I was hoping to dive Pohnpei's Ant Island, see the mysterious ruins of Nan Madol and trek some waterfalls. We arrived in the small airport terminal and were surprised that no one was waiting for us. Our mobile phones didn't work so we were helpless and hoped that someone would come for us. After about 40 minutes, a lady walked up to us and asked if we were the officials that were expected to arrive. After a few minutes of discussion, she ushered us into her vehicle and took us to our hotel, the Seven Stars Inn. We were informed that there was a water shutdown and hence no water for the night except for the bottled mineral water in the fridge. Brushing teeth with chil...

If you asked if i've eaten boa, crocodile, ostrich and bush rats, I would not batter an eyelid. Yes, i've had those, during my stint in Congo, Africa. If you asked if fried scorpions, bugs, and larvae taste good, i'll offer that these pick up the taste of the cooking liquids and marinates. Blood sausages, horse meat, cow's tongue, pig's brains, calf's sweetbreads and innards - these don't appeal to me at all. Sea Urchin Uni may be the darling of gourmet but I can pass. The only innard that I'll eat happily is foie gras. Pan-fried whole with some sweet balsamic !  Stewed Duck's Tongue Today, for the first time in my travels around the world, I ate duck's tongue.  And it had to be in the most inconspicuous coffee shop in Johor, just a stone's throw from CIQ ( immigration checkpoint ). We were guests of a good friend and what better way to start the day but with a local breakfast of hot beef noodle soup (...

Delhi Belly holds a double meaning for me. Not the runs to the toilets but a belly I did get from eating too much. Who can blame me when the choice of Indian food is so wide and so delicious? And not to mentioned the notoriously sweet indian pastries at Kaleva Sweet shop. It is many times bigger than Komala Villas in Little India, Singapore. We stayed at the Taj Mahal Hotel, which is part of the Leading Hotels of the World. It is very posh and classy and what I liked about it was the courteous service from the service staff. We were billeted at the Taj Club Floor, which meant that we had access to the club lounge for breakfast, high-tea and cocktails. It was nice to have an oasis to relax after facing all the hassle and bustle of Delhi city. Although for breakfast, a much wider selection could be had at the main dining room. And what a spread of freshly squeezed juices, smoothies, yoghurts, fruits, hot and cold dishes, breads, croissants,cupcakes,...