To sleep, perchance to dream ...

I do not know what it is .... I had so much difficulty adjusting to my jetlag.  Got home last Saturday and thought that I would be able to get back into my routine.  Wrong!  It was like clockwork ... I was sleepy at 4 pm, I'd go to bed at p pm and wake up at 2.30 am.  The more I fretted about it, the more frustrated I got.
I do not remember ever having such difficulty.  Could it be an age thing? 
Many a morning, when I was up so early, I came down to watch the Olympics.  Thank goodness for the Olympics.  However, I am happy to say that I am back to my routine and thank goodness.  I am not grouchy and tired but others might point out that I am no SO grouchy!
About my Family Reunion.   It was fantastic.  We had four generations together. My father's two younger sisters and their 2 first cousins. We also got to meet first, second, third and fourth cousins.  All in all, there were over 90 of us and with family friends, we were 120 strong.  It was a traditional Peranakan function.  I even had a whole outfit made up.  Cousins came from all over.  When we parted we promised to keep in touch.
I also visited my last maternal aunt in Singapore.  She still cooks and could run off recipes from memory.  How good is that?  Her only problem is a little arthritis.  We  an old family friend who used to babysit my sister.  She is 82 and still vibrant with her charity.  This lady goes to Cambodia , taking meds and helps to cook and deliver food to the villagers there, sometimes riding on the back of a scooter and driving through small rivers.  She really puts me to shame.  I discovered that this charity is founded by a cousin-in-law who visited Cambodia and saw the need to help.  Good on you.  Her charity is called "Touch a life".
The night before my departure, we met up with my maternal cousins in Kuala Lumpur/Klang.  Here again, there were first, second and third cousins.  Cousins I remembered as little girls now have children of their own.  That sure makes one feel old!
The next morning, my sister, brother and wife and nephew took me to the airport.  I had told them that they could just drop me off but their reply was "Got to make sure you get on the plane!"  Trying to get rid of me-eh?
My flight from Hongkong to Toronto was delayed and Cathay Pacific put me up at Sheraton and I got home on Saturday last.  It was good to be home, to see the little girls and my family again. 
All in all, I had a terrific time, renewed old friendships, bonded with family and walked down memory lane.  However, it is good to be home!  Home sweet home!

This little piggy went to market!

Last Thursday,I went to a real market. This is what is referred to as a "wet" market. It was a very appropriate name although in it's defense, it wasn't as bad as it was before. My sister needed to purchase some meat and vegetables to prepare home cooked dishes for her grand daughter who is only three. It would not be advisable for the little one to be eating Food from the stalls or restaurant. With the grownups and our strong constitution, we can handle that. Talking about eating out, I only have two more dishes to savor; after that, my eating list (similar to a To Do List) would be complete. First we went to the pork stall. While my sister was putting in her order from the open display on the table, I was trying to shoo away the flies buzzing on the meat. The vendor's wife did look at me strangely. Talking about flies .... I forgot to tell you about the time we drove to Singapore and made a pit stop at Kulaijaya. I was very excited as from the parking lot, we saw "Baskin Robbins" and walking towards it, I was already planning to have a nice mint chocolate cone. The whole shop was glassed in but from the outside, the glass was dotted with black dots .... Thousands of them! They were flies and when one opens the doors, they flew in. Yikes, they were also on the walls inside the shop. In fact, they were everywhere. It is a wonder they did not get into the ice cream containers. There were a few on the headscarf of the server. It was really off-putting. Needless to say, I changed my mind about the cone and had a smoothie instead. I have written to the head office of Baskin Robbins. Let us see if they would reply. Anyway, I digress ... Back to the market ... We next went to buy chicken. It wasn't as bad but there were still some buzzing. My sister then said that she needed to go into the veggies section. The meats were all outdoors. She did suggest that I stay outside. I of course had to ask her why. Her reply was that it smells in there. How bad could veggies smell? Well, it was very bad and it stunk to high heaven. I always thought that if fish smelled bad, it wasn't fresh. To my mind,they must be selling rotting fish. It was wet but not so that one has to lift up one's trouser leg. Thank goodness for our clean and dry supermarkets! I will never complain anymore of the wet mats at winter time or one pesky fly buzzing around in summer! Will tell you about our wonderful reunion in the next blog!

Cruising down the river ...

I was blown away on Monday night. We went on a river cruise on the Melaka river and it was very interesting, very pleasant but it did smell a little muddy. The river as I remember it was smelly, polluted and full of garbage and what not. When I was growing up, on Saturday's, after school, I had to go to my Father's office to wait for a lift home when he finished work. I always made sure that I went to the washroom before I left school because I did not want to use the facilities at my Father's work. It was one of those "squat" things over the river and one can see the catfish swimming below. I was so afraid that things might fall out of my pocket or one shoe might fall in, or worse still, that I would fall into the river. One can hear the numerous motorized sampan going by and watch the wake under. It was an experience. So, imagine my surprise when I was told that there are river cruises available ..... I had to see for myself. The boat was clean and maybe had 30 seats. The river banks were lit up with lights galore, lots of little cafes dot the bank, the homes were also lit up and so were the bridges we went under. Gone were the dilapidated homes along the bank. There were murals painted depicting the multicultural flair of Melaka. The mangrove trees were left to flourish. I was very impressed. All this was done after 2007 when I was last here. Really commendable! However, not to put a damper on the achievement, I think the night hid a multitude of sins, so to speak. As the boat only travelled in the middle of the river, we cannot see what lurks along the waters edge. I will have to check out the cruise in the daylight. So far, I would recommend the river cruise but only at night. But I will try cruising down the river on a Sunday afternoon!

Ouch, ouch and double ouch

Yesterday was a memorable day.  I got caught up with everyone talking about the good massages one can get here and at a very low cost.  So, without deep thought, I agreed to join the rest and have a body massage.
It was a two hour full body massage done by Chinese (from China).  We got there for 2 pm the place was decent and clean and all the masseuse looked like little girls.  Unfortunately, they only spoke Mandarin with a spattering of Malay and English.  Laid on the bed face down and she started ... with the neck.  She didn't get very far and I was already saying "ouch"  and she laughed.  I again said "ouch" and she repeated "ouch" and giggled.  I was so glad when she moved on to the shoulders.  The gladness did not last very long.  It started to hurt again and I asked her whether she spoke Malay - negative reply; then, I asked her if she spoke English - negative reply.  I thought I was doomed and so I should grin and bear it. 
Before I knew it, she jumped on to the bed and sat on my legs and started doing my back.  Thank goodness she was a tiny girl.  The lower back was another matter but the most painful was the legs and hips.  My right leg which had been giving me so much trouble since my fall in March, gave out such a loud crack that she was shocked that she asked me "Pain ?"  The little imp could speak or at least understand English.  I was most tense when she massaged my tummy.  I've heard stories that the massages causes gas and so all the time I was so conscious not to make a "noise".  How could I have relaxed?
To cut a long story short, I finally finished at 4.05 pm feeling quite sore.  That is why, for the life of me, I cannot understand how people say that they can sleep when they are having a massage.  My right leg feels so much better and my theory is that I may have jarred the alignment when I fell and she may have released it.  No.5 Masseuse did a good job.  Incidentally, they go by numbers, not names.  And the whole treatment cost RM80.00 i.e. C$26.00!
This morning, my shoulder blades feel a little tender and my calves feel tortured but other than that, I am fine.  I am told I should have another before I leave .... we shall see!

Yummy, yummy ...

... yummy, I've got love in my tummy!  Yes, I ate some durian yesterday.  It was out of this world  i.e. if you can take the smell.  We have been asking around about the best durians and was told that Durian 101 is good but Durian 22 is better but Durian 24 is the best.  We bought some from the supermarket, all put nicely in a plastic container.  No need to use gloves and cleaver to open the fruit, and there is no need to get rid of the outer part of the fruit.  Very convenient!  The taste of No.24 is exquisite.  It was fleshy, creamy and the seed was very tiny.  Next, we have to try No.22 and then, No.101.  It is my duty to taste test all of them.
This afternoon we will be collecting our order of pineapple tarts.  Another great taste.  If only I could take them into Canada.  Never mind,  I'll eat one for every friend in Canada.  How generous of me!  Hope my made-to-measure outfit will fit me when I go for a fitting tomorrow.  At least the tailor can alter it there and then.
I did some shopping on my own this morning.  It was a lot of fun.  Later the whole family met up for lunch.
It is still very hot but the rain did cool the area a trifle.  However, it is overcast and has been all day.  Hopefully the sun will come out tomorrow ....
Until then, bye for now .. off to tea!

Goodbye Paradise!

On Tursday, 5th I bade farewell to the fantastic Lexis Resort.  It was such a wonderful place ... although I was still fighting my sleep patterns, I had a great time.
On Saturday, we attended my brother's school reunion.  You might wonder what I was doing at my brother's school reunion.  Well, I know all the boys who frequented my home when my brother was in high school.  Some came to do homework, some came to play music and some came to learn how to dance  when my brother organized dances in our home.  It was a wonderful evening held at the poolside at Ramada Renaissance Hotel.  It was nice seeing the "Boys" who are now grandfathers. 
The next day, Sunday, we left for Singapaore.  We managed to rooms at the Mauritus Mandarin, a rather nice hotel, opposite Takashimaya, visit my maternal aunt, the only one left and also an old family friend who used to babysit my little sister.  My aunt who is 88 cried with joy to see us, and needless to say, I cried too.  Of course, we had to go for dinner.  The next day we had lunch with Nellie. 
Singapore has grown and changed since I was last there.  It is so efficient and clean and the MRT is so remarkabale.  We visited a huge gardens and a hotel by the marina which also housed a casino.  Unfortunately, there was not much time to do any shopping except for a quick walk through Takashimaya.  I can now understand why people who get posted to Singapore don't want to leave the city.  If only the humidity wasn't so bad, it could be a great place to live.
Anyway, life should be back to normal now.  We hope to accomplish more this week but all in Melaka.
Will be in touch!

In the lap of luxury

Here I am folks, living the life of Riley. Sitting out on the verandah which is over the water and writing this blog. It is a little too hot to swim. I am not one of those "Mad dogs and Englishmen" sitting in the mid-day sun. I still do not want to get too dark, at least not until after the reunion. Okay, two days ago we were so busy and I was so drained that I did not blog. The heat really gets to me plus I have been getting up early, although it has been improving. Like this morning, I woke at 5am. We had a torrential rain shower yesterday. I didn't realize how much I missed those tropical rain showers. It did cool the place down a little. This resort, called The Lexis, is really something! It looks very Bali-esque - the floor is teak, it has a king sizes bed, a huge bath tub and a shower stall that has a retractable roof just in case one wants to shower with rain water. Of course, the whole place is air-conditioned. I can see as traces of puke green abut the walls are neutral. All the furniture is dark wood. The breakfast a buffet is tremendous but I stuck to western this morning. Will do the Malaysia tomorrow. There is nothing amoretti relaxing than to hear the sea lapping all around you, the birds screaming their beaks off. That is the life! How am I going back to my mundane alive after this. Oh well, willaa cross that bridge when I get to it. Meanwhile, I will sit here and enjoy my ice tea. Tatar for now!

To market, to market ...

Sunday
Well, not really to market but to KLCC, a shopping centre in Kuala Lumpur.  As usual, a very busy place.  We visit British India but I did  not find anything that I liked.  However, I did buy a pair of shoes ... I need anaother shoe like I need a hole in my head. 
We had a Dim Sum lunch at the Mandarin Oriental .  It was really good but it also cost M$300.00.  My only disappointment was that the portion of chicken feet was very small ,,, perhaps only 4 pieces of the feet.  I guess you pay for the name, the ambience and ofcourse, the service.  Give me my cheap Dim Sum in Ottawa anytime.
It is amazing what the Shopping Centre has ... The Body Shop, La Sensa, The Gap, Banana Republic, Bvlgari, Burberry, Chanel, just to name a few.  Also, a very big Pandora and Thomas Szabo.
Got home around 5.30 from KL.
We them went for hotpot for dinner.  As you may know, it is lots of soup.  I got up 4 times during the night to go to the bathroom.  I did not connect ,,, thought I had something wrong with my bladder, thought the numb bum has caused by bladder to malfunction.  Incidentally, the bum is getting less numb.
Had a good night and woke up at 4,30 am.  Yesterday was 3.30 am  ... it is improving.
Have to go up to Kuala Lumpur again tomorrow to pick up my brother and sister-in-law from the airport,

Monday
Had a great walk this morning.  Took us 1 hour but we did it before the sun got really sweltering.  Hope to bring my camera tomorrow.  Saw a mangy dog and it almost followed us home.
Later we went for breakfast ... roti chanai ... yummy.
We went then to a shopping centre in Mahkota Parade because I needed my watch battery changed and also bought loose powder at the Dior counter.  I always avoid those counters ... they always try to sell you more.  I was right!  I bought loose powder, lip moisturiser and a lipstick.  That's me, no willpower.
Anyway, we left for KL around 3.00 pm, picked up the folks at the airport in KL and got home at 9.30 pm,
So, going to bed after this.
Goodnight!

What day is it?

Wow, what a long journey.  It has been difficult for me to realize what day it is today. 
The layover in Toronto was quite nice as I went into the KLM lounge to while away the 5 hours.  The flight from Toronto to Hongkong was very crowded.  We were packed in like sardines.    The food was good  ... I had baked salmon.  I sat next to a couple who ate non stop.  I don't know if they were hungry or that they could ask for snacks.  I think they were on an eating regimen.of eating every 4 hours.  After our big meal, they had a bowl of noodle soup after the first 4 hours.  The second 4 hours, they asked for a snack ... at least that was what I understood because they were speaking Cantonese and you all know how good my Canatonese is.  Not only that, they also had red wine each time.  Then they wanted fruits and yogurt.  All this time, I was trying to sleep.  Honestly people!  We had breakfast before landing and I had scrambled eggs with chicken sausage.  I love airline food!
I did have a little shut eye after the meal and I woke up quite happy thinking that a greater part of the journey was over,  Wrong!  It had only been 6 hours into the flight.  I was really disappointed.  By this time, I had lost feeling to my bum, hence, the Numb Bum Syndrome.
The flight arrived a little early but the pilot had to take a different approach to land to avoid the high winds but we landed safely.  What surprised me most was the fact that everyone stayed seated until the plane came to a complete stop.  That was a shocker.  Normally the Chinese folks would be unclicking off their seat belts and trying to get the person on the aisle seat to get up.  We disembarked at 4.30 am.
At the entrace into the airport, is the tranfer /connections entrace but it was closed and would open at 6.30 am.  We had to sit around and wait for it to open but all the seats were wooden benches.  More trouble with the NBS.  I finally had to sit on the carpet   ... nice look ... like a Chinese refugee going home!!
The gate opened at 6.30 am and we went to our gate.  It was a sea of Chinese people.  They then announced that we would be delayed.  Our flight was at 8.50 am.  Got on the plane at 9.30 am but only took off at 10.05 am, all due to the typhoon and the strong winds,  The plane was not as full going to Kuala Lumpur and I had an empty seat beside me so I did stretch out a little.  In spite of the delay, we made it to KL on time.
Pn arrival, I went to the rest room.  Well, that is another story.  It was full of Arab ladies in their black outfits.  When I got into the stall, I knew I was in Malaysia.  The floor was wet.  Imagine me having to hold on to my carry-on while trying to undress and later having to balance my same carry-on on my lap for fear of the saking floor,  Thank goodness I did not wear flip-flops,  We I got into the terminal to immigration, I was in shock.  All the lines under "Foreign Passports" were very long and I was worried about my sister waiting outside.  It took forever.  There were tons of Arabs.  How did I know that, you might ask.  The ladies were all in black with the eye slits.  Each of them came in groups of 8 or 10 people ... must be a man with his 4 wives and children.  Imagine the noise when they spoke ... and not softly either.  I then pitied the Immigration Officers.
At the baggage claim I quickly found my small red suitcase but my duffle bag was not where to be found.  I was getting a little panicky.  After the conveyer belt stopped, I was about to go to the Baggage Claim office when I saw a man lugging my duffel to my conveyor.  It had been loaded to the spot where the flight from Riyhad.
Anyway, all's well that ends well.  Met my sister and nephew outside and we drove home.  I got out of there at 2 pm, having landed at 12.50. 
We then proceded to Melaka.  Had a short nap and then Lois and I went out for a simple meal.  It was yummy.  Got home and went to bed at 10 pm and got up this morning at 3.30 am.    Feel quite rested.

Leaving on a jet plane

It is nice and peaceful here in the KLM lounge.  But who knows what lies ahead.

I am very surprised that it was a very easy preparation for the trip.  I had almost everything done by Thursday afternoon.  I had my carpet shampooed, all my sheets changed and all my laundry  done.  My only mishap was when I slipped on my still wet kitchen floor and fell.  I did prevent myself from hurting my hip and stopped my fall with my left palm.  Haha, it did not break but I got a fat bruise.  It is purplish green.  Wednesday wasn't too  good a day.  Later that evening, after I paid for my gas, I almost, the operative word is ``almost`` tripped as I did not see a step.  I was planning to do more errands but decideded against it due to the fact that I was àccident prone`that day. 
Anyway, the drive to the airport was uneventful.  However, just before I left my house, I got a call from my friend, the travel agent, informing me that she got a call from Cathay Pacific telling her that Hongkong is expecting a typhoon.  It was nice having the girls see me off.  I already miss them.
The Westjet flight was good as we also had entertainment. The flight attendant was rather funny and his antics made us laugh.  It was a short enough flight that he didi not get on anyone`s nerves.  People were orderly getting off the flight and no one stood up before the seat belt light went off.  It wouldn`t be the same with my connecting light to Hongkong.  There might be pushing and shoving etc.
As I glance up from the computer, here in the lounge, I realize that the folks going to Amsterdam have left and I see a sea of orientals.  Oh dear,  I am being lumped with them.  At the moment all of them are on their electronic devices - me too !  
Oh well, it will be interesting to know if the flight will be delayed because it sets off a chain of events.  My sister will have to change her time to drive up, we might not be able to meet the cousins in Kuala Lumpur for lunch,  the traffic might be bad or the airport might be very congested.  Keeping my fingers crossed.
If all goes well, I have only 2 hours to go!  Yay!