Christmas at Green Gables

Last year, I did not have chances to decorate flat for Christmas.  Mainly it's because of the sharing of flat with others.  But, this year, I rent the whole flat.  Hence, can enjoy a little fun to decorate flat as I wish. 

The flat walls were painted in green colour, which striked me to name this flat as Green Gables. 
Next step, should be DREAM HOME?! ha ha...we will see.

This Christmas is rather special for me.  I can really feel the holiday atmosphere.  Of course! I've done a lot of Christmas shopping loh....
While shopping on Orchard, I found a very cute photo frame on the street (just in front of OC "Orchard Central")

May wishes come true!!!

Go! Go! DOSA!!

Since living in Singapore, Indian food is familiar in daily life.  Roti Prata (which is similar with Chinese 蔥油餅) can be found everywhere islandwide. 
This time, during my stay in India, I tried a new kind of food.  This Indian food is called "DOSA".  I did not try it on the streets, but taste it at Mumbai hotel.  The texture of DOSA is more crispy than Roti.  Once you tried, you will love it.  Hence, every morning breakfeast, I will order fresh & hot DOSA from hotel kitchen.  If you went to India, please must try DOSA!

Fruit Paradise: 水果也瘋狂!

The best tart in my memeory can track back to Swiss friends' apt when I visited them in year 2000.  My friend's wife just gave birth to their new born baby and his mother-in-law made cherry tarts for them.  The tarts was hand made and lots of cherries.  No wonder it's delicious!

Now, in Singapore, I found one nice tart shop.  It is originated from Tokyo Japan.  Accordingly, the tarts are not too sweet and FRUITS are main majors on the tarts.  Oops....almost forgot...the shop name is Fruit Paradise and currently 4 outlets islandwide.  They offer tart set, which is optional tart with coffee or tea.  I ordered Cappuchino once and that was the best I ever had in town.  Recently, I tried Yuzu Tea with mixed fruit tart.  It was just nice as usual.  Well, they do not have Lychee Tart.  Otherwise, I think i will buy the whole big tart (7 or 8 slices). 

Pearl of Orient - Penang

For business sake, I flew to Penang to visit customers.  Last May my first impression to Penang was: countryside.  This year my impression to Penang is still: countryside.  ha ha....
Penang laksa is well noted and i ever tried at one small hawker stall.  The falvour is rather different from Singapore laksa.  I like Penang laksa, but I like "KEROPOK SIRA MAS MADU" more.  This long name is for Muslim snack.  Per sack only costs RM3, but extremely declicous.  Once you started, you just cannot help to stop.  Everytime I went to Penang airport, I will buy all stocks.  The stocks are always limited under 5.  That's why I am so greedy to grab all of them. 
In the pictures, I also bought one sunny hat (RM25) for my westlake Hangzhou vacation next month. 
On my return flight, I read one interesting article at SILKWINDS in-flight magazine. 
This article is regarding Hari Raya Pausa, which is coming soon.  Hari Raya means Grand Day of Rejoicing.  After 30 days of fasting (Ramadan), Muslim celebrate Hari Raya.  Below is the summary:
Like any other festive events, Hari Raya comes with its own delicacies.  Ketupat, rice cake wrapped in palm leaves, takes centre stage.  It is usually eaten with Sayur Lodeh(coconut milk-based vegetable curry).  Other must-have dishes are Opor Ayam (traditional chicken stew) and Rendang (spicy beef stew).  Dutch-influnced pineapple tarts and salty, fried peanuts or cashews are also ever-present in the celebration. 

Chinese Valentine 2011

This year, I still spent Chinese Valentine with Mani at home. 
I cooked myself a plateful pasta with mushroom tomato sauce.  AND....
what a surprise that I found right Rose.
When I stayed in UK 10 years ago, a Greek friend recommend Rose to me.
That was my very first time to try Rose and I loved it imemdiately. 
After leaving UK, I kept finding the same bottle, but in vain.
Luckily this year, I just tried my luck to buy one bottle of Rose.
This brand, Gato Negro, is originated from Chile. 
I select this brand mainly because of Gato (Cat). 
After sipping the rosy colour liquor, I understood this is THE ONE!

As you see, I really enjoyed ON MY OWN valentine's day very much.
林曼妮在玫瑰花床上敬祝天下有情人終成眷屬!

Pamplemousse on Dempsey Hill

I was invited to Dempsey Hill for dinner.  It is a French restaurant called Pamplemousse.  Dempsey Hill is noted for high class restaurants.  Most of restaurants over there would not turn you down. 

The interior is very dark.  I have to adjust the lights after taking photos before uploading.  Service is very friendly and the food is excellent.  I ordered Duck Confit that night.  The first magic bite is amazing: the meat along with duck crispy skin just melt in your mouth....Overall, Pamplemousse is recommeded to visit again!

Durian Durian

The only thing I remembered about Durian is: I can take, but not much.
Honest to say, I almost forgot how it tasts....
By the chance to biz trip to KL, I asked the supplier to take me to famous durain buffet market.

We did not go for buffet.  Instead, we choosed the recommed D24 sweet type.  Usually, there are sweet durian or bitter flavour u can mention to the vendor.  To my surprise, the texture of durian is rather creamy.  I quite like it, but still cannot take too much.  We are 2 girls and share one normal size durian. 

While being at KL international airport, I also tried the durian cake from Secret Receipe.  Owing to the creamy texture, the durian was well mixed with sponge cake.  Accordingly, the cake is delicious to me!  I was told durian is very good to women, particularly during period time or pregenancy.  Since I can take durian, why not try more?