Brewdog: Santa Paws

 

A Christmas themed Scotch Ale

Brewery: Brewdog 

ABV: 4.5%

Books: Highlights of 2014

These three books were published some time ago but I read them this year hence they are in my 2014's highlights. They are memorable because I feel like I travel to the places in the books just by reading them.

The Death of Mr. Love by Indra Sinha

Set in India and England, the book is inspired by the true story of the Nanavati murder case in India. The story followed the lead character's Bhalu in his journey to learn the truth about his past. Following the death of his mother, Bhalu went back to India to find out the reason for their sudden departure to UK. I enjoyed the parts where the main character, Bhalu described his childhood days in Ambona Hills and later his youth in Dongri, a predominantly Muslim area in Bombay (now Mumbai).

Ambona Hills is a fictional name for the real Western Ghats or Sahyadri mountains in India and is an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bhalu remembered the place of his childhood fondly. When he recalled his days in the mountains, Bhalu described the beautiful landscapes and the monsoon season through the eyes of a child. I also enjoyed the part where Bhalu recalled the starting of his friendship with Jula, a village boy. Years later, the friendship was rekindled in Dongri in Bombay, where they were joined by a new friend, Dost.

Dona Ines vs. Oblivion by Ana Teresa Torres
(Translated from Spanish by Gregory Rabassa)

A story of a Venezuelan family weaved with the national history of the country. It was based on an actual court case that began in 1663 and was only resolved in the late 1960s.

Dona Ines Villegas y Solorzano was matriarch of an aristocracy family searching for a title of a land claimed by the son fathered by her husband with a slave woman. She died in 1780 but continued to narrate the story as a ghost as she followed the life of her descendants until 1985 when the land dispute was settled.

The story of her descendants were told along with historical events of the nation; the earthquakes and floods, slaves rebellion, war of independence, and dictatorship with historical figures such as Simon Bolivar and General Joaquin Crespo. One interesting fact I discovered is that there is a place called Barcelona in Venezuela - I always known Barcelona to be in Spain!

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

I have not read Khaled Hosseini' successful debut, The Kite Runner prior to reading this A Thousand Splendid Suns (ATSS), his second book.

ATSS takes its title from a poem written about Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan by the 17th century poet Saib-e-Tabrizi. The book follows the life of two women, Mariam and Laila who were brought together through a series of tragic events. Their day-to-day life offered a glimpse of a war-torn country before and during the Taliban rules. It also tell of the struggle the women face in a society that values men while women are 'to endure', as Mariam's mother, Nana, warned her.

One memorable line from the book is uttered by Nana: 'Like a compass facing north, a man's accusing finger always find a woman,' - I thought this quote is quite apt to describe a male-dominated society.

Dry Hopped St. Rogue Red Ale

Brewery: Rogue Ale
Style: Amber Ale
ABV: 5.2%

Reddish copper colour with roasty malt flavour.

Website: rogue.com

Bukit Malawati Kuala Selangor

Monkey business

Bukit Malawati is a historical hill located at the coastal town of Kuala Selangor.

There are a few attractions in Bukit Malawati (Malawati Hill) in Kuala Selangor such as the remains of an old port, cannons lighthouse, royal mausoleum, seven wells and a supposedly execution rock (batu hampar). 

But I think the most popular attraction seems to be feeding the monkeys that roam the hill. (There are actually a lot more monkeys than what the photo below shown!) 

There are two types of monkeys here; the Silver Leaf Monkey (below) and Long-Tailed Macaques. Visitors can buy bananas and string beans from vendors around the area and feed them. The Silver Leaf Monkeys are generally tamer than the Long-Tailed Macaques. 

One interesting sight and fact for visitors: a baby Silver Leaf has bright orange furs, in constrast with the grey fur for the adults.

            

Other popular attraction in Kuala Selangor - Fireflies, eagle-feeding, fishing villages and fresh seafood. 

Dentist

This year is my 'Visit Dentist Year'.

On average, I visited the dentist once a month when previously I probably went once every few years.

Like many people, I'm not keen to go to the dentist. There is just something terrifying about lying down while the doctor poked metal objects into your mouth.

But there come a time when there is no choice but to go, especially when facing worsening pain and decay. Thanks to the pain, I finally took action to remove my troublesome wisdom teeth. Both lower left and right teeth were impacted, meaning there were not enough space for them to emerge fully. Because of my delay, the adjacent teeth in front were also damaged and need to undergo root canal treatment. To make matter worse, the root for the teeth are C-shaped which requires the expertise of a specialist. I think my wallet suffers the most damage!

So now, I'm seeing two doctors; one for the wisdom teeth removal and another, an endondotist for the root canal treatment. Thanks to the good doctors, the experiences have been less daunting, though I still feel tension in the dental treatment rooms even after a few trips to the clinics. I know it's all in the mind; the local anaesthesia numbed the area around my teeth while the doctors do whatever they need to do.

But I can still feel the pressure; I can still hear sound and these senses play with my imagination. When the doctor removed my wisdom tooth, I can feel the pressure and I imagined she turning and twisting her tool to get the teeth out! When the endondotist drilled a hole into my teeth for the root canal treatment, I can hear the drilling sound. Sometimes, there was no sound or pressure but just my mind playing on her own. When the doctor removed my wisdom teeth, I know she has to make a small cut into my gum because the teeth only emerged partially. It's not a pleasant thought when I think of the cut and the blood! 

The doctors always reassure me throughout the procedures and always asked if I'm OK. The endondotist talked to his nurse about random stuff while performing the procedure. I assumed it's probably to distract me but it didn't help though it's not their fault.

The experience is less stressful with every new visit though I doubt I will ever feel completely at ease. 

Lesson learned: Take good care of your teeth and don't delay any dental treatment! 

Amrut Fusion Single Malt Whisky

Single Malt Whisky from India. 

I didn't know that India produces whisky and that it's available in Malaysia. Spicy and big on flavour, it tastes not bad. Not elegant (as in not as smooth as some of other single malt whisky) but this Indian whisky is still fun and enjoyable. Good to try at least once. 

Leading whisky expert Jim Murray had named Amrut as the third best whisky in his 2010 edition of Whiskey Bible. 

Made in Bangalore.

ABV: 50%

Website: amrutwhisky.co.uk 

Doi Chaang Organic Fair Trade Coffee

Doi Chaang Signature Ice Coffee

Update August 2016: The cafe has relocated to another place in the same building at The School Jaya One on the ground floor.

Organic Fair Trade Coffee by the people of the Golden Triangle.

Doi Chaang Cafe in Jaya One is a tiny shop tucked between alley at The Retail Lab Project. It's easier to spot the cafe from the 'back' of the shops at the B1 parking which was where I first saw it in my car.

I was intrigued when I saw the ethnic name, Doi Chaang, the mascot of an old Asian man and these words, 'Fair Trade Coffee'. Very unlike other cafes.

It turned out, Doi Chaang is a single origin Arabica coffee from Thailand!

I had the Signature Ice Coffee, upon recommendation by the barista. Not too sweet and as I have requested for less milk, it was also less creamy and I can taste the richness of the coffee.

Beyond Fair Trade
What's interesting about Doi Chaang coffee is the unique partnership between the farmers and the company that market the coffee internationally. The farmers are granted 50% ownership of the company and 100% of the proceed from the sale of their beans!

A bit of research (Google) and I discovered the story of Doi Chaang:
Doi Chaang Coffee is an organic coffee grown in the northern Thailand in the region of the Golden Triangle by the Akha tribes people of the village of Doi Chang (the name of the village is spelt with one 'a').

20 years ago, under a Thai royal project, farmers started to plant coffee and fruits trees to replace opium plant. However, they have difficulty in selling their coffee beans. Piko Saedoo, an elder in the tribe approached Wicha Promyong for help. The Doi Chaang Coffee Company started when Wicha met Canadian businessman John Darch and the 'Beyond Fair Trade' business model was established.

More information:
facebook.com/doichaangmalaysia (Malaysia)
facebook.com/DoiChaangCoffeeCo (International)

Tong Sui HSBC Jalan Ipoh

Update: February 2016

The stall is now managed by a new owner who took over the business from the uncle. All the regular tong sui are still on the menu. The owner has maintained the uncle's rotation system for the tong sui, with a banner now displaying the daily special.

Something never change. Like the taste of tong sui (sweet broth) made by this elderly uncle.

                              

I remembered this uncle from my childhood days. A familiar face in this area, he probably has been selling at this spot in front of HSBC Jalan Ipoh for more than 30 years.

I had my favourite peanut flavour. Creamy, thick and flavourful, it was not cloyingly sweet or watered down, like those served in many places. No doubt, it's still the best for me.

As I savoured my peanut broth, I looked at the customers queuing up at his stall. Some stopped by on their motorcycles while other walked from nearby houses, offices or shops while some came from the bank. There was a lady who was ordering from a list of paper for her colleagues. A young man who looked like he’s working in a car workshop with his grease stained t-shirt, waiting patiently at one side for his turn. An Indian man just parked his motorbike and joined the queue. There was another elderly man enjoying his bowl next to me. 

It was a hot day, which was why most of his customers ordered his signature luk mei, a sweet broth with six ingredients such as gingko, barley and nuts. It's an refreshing drink when served cold. His other signature is the herbal tea broth that come with a hard-boiled egg. The herbal concoction may not everyone's favourite but for those who enjoy it, they will find his version packed with flavour, an assurance that he did not skim on his ingredients. The two signatures are available daily while other flavours such as peanut, red bean, green bean, black glutinous rice, gingko barley, wheat and black-eyed pea are rotated daily.

He also sells food like curry puff and bak chang (rice dumpling); I love the nyonya bak chang with its shrimp chilli paste.

                              

Something that is rarely seen these days - using charcoal fire for the stove to keep the tong sui warm!

He is practically an institution here. If there come a day he is no longer selling here, the spot would look empty. 

Owa Beer: Japanese Brewer in Belgium

`Brewed by Japanese Brewer in Belgium`. 

A Belgian-styled pale ale brewed by Japanese brewer Leo Imai in Herzele, Belgium.

Brewed by Leo Imai, originally from Yokohama but now based in Belgium. The Belgian-styled pale ale is light and pleasant to drink. Made for pairing with Japanese food.

OWA Beer

Brewery: OWA Brewery

ABV: 5.5%

Facebook.com/OwaBeerAP

Phnom Penh

A taste of Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, on my way to Koh Rong Island

  

Cambodia beer.

Lucky burger, Cambodia's homegrown fast food. Interestingly, there are no McDonalds in Cambodia.

Street food - Barbecue/grilled eggs 

Koh Rong Island

Seasick, sunburn and sandfly - the highlights of my recent trip to Koh Rong.

And this view:

Sunset at Long Beach, Koh Rong.

Koh Rong is a beautiful island located in the Gulf of Thailand, off the coast of popular seaside town of Sihanoukville in Cambodia.

The island is still underdeveloped for now. Electricity is limited and run on solar or generator. No ATM so travelers are advised to bring necessary cash. With long stretches of sandy white beach and turquoise, it's simply a place to unplug from the city and enjoy the idyllic of island life. Thanks to the limited electricity, there are no club, casino and other noisy establishments that will disturb the tranquility here.

Not yet. But it's just a matter of time.

How to get from Sihanoukville to Koh Rong:
From Phnom Penh, capital city of Cambodia, take a 5 hours bus to Sihanoukville before taking a boat to the island. There are two options to choose for boat - 45 minute speedboat (USD30 roundtrip) or 2.5 hours slow boat (USD20 roundtrip). I used the boat provided by the Koh Rong Dive Center.

Typica Cafe

One of the most unusual beverage I ever had and one of the most expensive coffee-based drink I had paid for. (RM30/approximately USD10)/

The cafe specialised in siphon and ice drip coffee but I choose to try its liqueur-based coffee. There were four to choose from - Jameson Whiskey (for Irish Coffee), Amaretto, Wine and another cream-based liqueur which I'm not familiar thus I don't remember the name but it was not Bailey or Kahlua. I decided to try the one with wine because it's something new to me. 

The place is very small and it was packed when I was there in the afternoon. I sat along the counter bar, squeezing in with other customers and this was where I got a good view of the barista preparing my drinks. First, she lined the glass with salt ala margarita. Then, she poured the wine in (Riesling, I recognised the label), the coffee and added in cherry tomatoes before she put the glass in the fridge to chill. I was puzzled by that - how long do I have to wait? Luckily, it was just few minutes. Lastly, just before serving, it was topped up with some milk foam. 

The cherry tomatoes was unexpected in a coffee. So was the salt. Later, when I asked the barista why these two ingredients are included, she said to give drinker a refreshing taste. Well, the cherry tomatoes were sweet and nice but the salt didn't appeal to me. The drink, just like the combination of ingredients, is unusual. It was not bad but it does not make me want to drink again next time. Perhaps others will know how to appreciate this concoction.

Typica 豆原

Ground Floor, Shaw Parade (Pudu)

Cangkat Thambi Dollah, 55100 KL
FB:facebook.com/TypicaCafe

A Coffee to Remember

I forgot to pay for my coffee and I walked back to the café to pay.

***** 

Garage 51 is a cafe at Bandar Sunway, situated at the industry area next to Sunway University and Sunway College. It's popular for its coffee and decor. 

However, I have another reason to remember this place - that I forgot to pay for my coffee and I walked back to do the right thing (ahem). 

Why do I even bother to do so? Especially since no one stops or ask me to pay? 

All I can say is I knew I couldn't walk away once I realised the situation since I was only few steps away from the shop. 

I went for a quick caffeine fix and to use the WiFi to send an urgent email from my laptop. When I walked in, one of the staff informed me that I could sit down first and he will take my order. So I did that and started to do my work. My espresso macchiato came, I drank it and continued to work. After I was done, I packed up and leave. 

Most of the cafes that I have been to were the self-service type where I usually ordered at the counter and paid first before sitting down and receiving my drink; and where I usually just leave after I was done. So it's the same here, I just followed the motion absent-mindlessly and walked out. Nobody came and show me the bill.

The staff standing by the door even said goodbye to me. I walked to my car nearby, placed my bag in the boot and got into the driver seat. It was then that I remembered I haven't pay for my coffee! The thought chosen to cross my mind then and then. Not when where I could be driving some distances  away or stuck in a traffic jam somewhere far with no easy options of turning back. 

So I went back to the cafe. I walked to the counter and told the cashier I wanted to pay. I pointed to the table where I sat, the cup and saucer which were clear by now. I think no one realised that the bill for that table was no paid. Not until at night when they need to count the till (cash register).   

Sometimes and something we remember, others we forget. As I typed this, I try to remember how's the coffee or the atmosphere of the place. I remembered the place was busy and crowded with students. 

But....  I just can't remember how's the coffee.  

Garage 51
FB: facebook.com/Garage51MY