My flamenco dancers...

When I’m faced with a mental block and can’t get anything going, I give my mind a break. For me, nothing suits me better than watching these beautiful Bettas (a genus of ikan Karin or fighting fish, which had been developed through selective breeding), dart about in their glass jars.

These fighting fish happened to ‘land’ in my house a couple of weeks back, after I developed a ‘fetish’ for them…It all began after I popped into a fish shop in Kuah and these tiny little fishes caught my eye, not because of anything but due to their attractive colours and flowing fins. I asked hubby Syed what type of fish they were and he replied, “fighting fish and they’re males…as usual the males and always more beautiful than the female species…..”

I love watching beautiful things, animals especially, and taking photographs of them. (I’m not a professional photographer though!!!) With this intention in mind, I selected two, Red and Blue - which I named them later and took them home for RM8 each!

On the way back, hubby Syed began to regale me with stories from his childhood back in Alor Setar where he and his tiny friends would slip out of the house whenever possible and cycle to the nearest paddy field to catch the fighting fish. They call them ikan Karin in Malay. Ikan Karin is actually the ancestors of the Betta genus, he told me.

There were plentiful in those days. They simply thrive in the paddy fields. But they were  brown and green and not as vibrantly coloured nor did they have such beautiful, showy fins and tails like flamenco dancers!!

Syed said they would catch the fishes and organize fish fighting competitions among themselves. Oh, they had lots of fun then!

When I got hooked on these fishes, (such as gaze at them for hours when I’m faced with a mental block) or take snapshots of them, Syed would laugh and told me that I am a “late developer” and 20 years too late..!!!

“This pastime was something I had done in my childhood…and you’re just getting excited about the fish now!!” he laughingly added.

Anyway later I found a soulmate who shared my interest in this fish and he happened to be none other than one of the ‘tiny’ friends from Syed’s childhood…can you imagine…!!

Zabidi has an advertising shop in Kuah where he and his wife would attend to their customers….at the back of the shop, in the garden is where Zabidi has tubs and pots of these fishes which he also breed!!!

“I don’t sell them, I just love to watch them and sometimes I give them to people like you…who also love them,” and I walked home with two more from Zabidi, this time another blue but with shorter tail and fin and a beautiful purple. My Red and Blue which I bought had flouncy tails which are termed as halfmoon. He also gave me a plain, brown female to start my own breeding project!!

“And look out for the bubbles,” reminded Zabidi. “Put the female into the tank once you see the bubbles in the tank where the male is kept,” enthusiast Zabidi…”Okay..okay..,” there I was, like an avid student taking notes from her guru!!

Hence the beautiful males are kept in jars in the house and I’m still waiting for the males to spawn the bubbles….!!!!

Cassava ~ food for islanders!!

NOTHING gives me greater pleasure than to cook something that is freshly plucked from my own backyard!! Apart from helping to green up the earth, the thought of not having to spend money to buy the fresh produce keeps me beaming with happiness…(I lived in Penang far too long…in Penang, people are simply kiam siap which translates to being frugal, penny-wise or kedekut…..whichever way you choose to look at it).

Anyway, I simply have to pen this down….I keep a journal about everything. There’s something about being in Langkawi that encourages you to keep a journal…….!

Anyway, this time I’m beaming with pride as I write about my home-grown tapioca.  In my backyard, several tall tapioca trees were ready for harvesting a few days ago.  In the West Indies tapioca is a staple food. In Malaysia, it’s not anymore but it used to be during the Japanese Occupation . Apart from the horror war stories I used to hear from my grandma and mum, the one ingrained in my mind was that the Japanese soldiers would force all the local folks to plant tapioca. Why? Because they are recyclable (stem-cut replanting), are tasty and filling in place of rice which takes time to grow and requires nurturing, harvesting and processing.

   With tapioca, all you have to do is cut the stems into foot-long pieces and simply stick them back in the ground after the harvest. Just make sure they’re watered regularly and do add some fertilizer if you want your fibrous roots to come out thick like little stumps!!

    From where I came from in our town house in Penang, there was hardly any space to plant these gluten-free root or rather cassava. Moreover, I was also running around after news and the earliest I would be home would be after sundown…(so much for any decent home-cooked food!!)

    Two years ago, we made a decision to move to Langkawi and we’ve been stuck here eversince! The great thing about being here is that there is plenty of land to grow things. We have a little patch in front of the house with some shrubs and herb garden. And in the backyard, we have pandan leaves, lemon grass, laksa leaves (daun kesum), chili, mango, lime and tapioca (Gardening is so very therapeutic!)

    Apart from boiling with other condiments like they do in the West Indies, you can try making delicious tapioca pudding . It’s simple and fast! What you need to do is peel off the purple skin, wash and grate them finely, place the grated tapioca in a sieve and let the tap water run over the mass (clears away the starchy content). Then put the mass in a mixing bowl, add a bit of creamy coconut milk (I prefer the cholesterol-free santan (enough to cover the mass), enough sugar to taste and mix everything well.

    Butter up the baking tray and bake the mixture till the top becomes golden. Take it out, wait for it to cool and you get the loveliest tapioca pudding to serve for teatime!

     Which brings me to memories of my childhood where baking tray was lined with banana leaf instead of butter and the baking was done over charcoal instead of in an oven. The taste was of course, incomparable!

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·          The health benefits of tapioca – it’s low in cholesterol and unhealthy fats, it’s a healthy source of carbohydrate and is gluten-free!. It contains dietary fiber to help lower cholesterol and prevent colon cancer and calcium, potassium, magnesium and phosphorous (Source: Livestrong.com)

Sunset in Langkawi

If you love photography, Langkawi is a spectacular place to begin your sojourn as a novice photographer. Here you can get a combination of the seaside, rainforest, trails of legend, verdant green mountains and not forgetting the quaint countryside with grazing cows and buffaloes! There are so many sights and sites to start with.
      For nature lovers, the rainforest is like a secret garden fill with various species of exotic wildlife. Although I've been here for quite sometime, the sight of hornbills with their high-pitch screech, the flying lemurs clasping the tree trunk, dusky leaf monkeys munching on the green leaves, giant squirrels with their beautiful bushy tails, birds and butterflies with a myriad of colours can still make me hold my breath.
     Then there is the different flora and fauna...but for this, it is better to get yourself a good, well-informed guide who knows the trees, shrubs and flowers and some of their medicinal values.
     For quite sometime since I've been here, I find taking pictures of sunsets the most inspiring and rewarding. There are simply great sites in Langkawi for such a pastime.
    One of the most sought-after places is Tanjung Rhu. A good time to start packing your equipment and park yourself on the beach is after 6.30pm. By 7.00pm you can start your camera clicking as the sun slowing sinks into the horizon. The golden and dusky hues are absolutely amazing and out of this world!!

     But recently, the entrance to Tanjung Rhu beach has been limited to only mangrove tour operators and their clientele, traders and boat operators, making it is rather difficult to wiggle your way in there. This is because the access road to the beach at Tanjung Rhu was built on private land.
    However, the remaining stretch of beach at Tanjung Rhu (on your way out towards Air Hangat)  is not too bad to catch the sunset.
    Another good place to catch the sun setting is near the vicinity of the jetty in Kuah town. The yachts and boats gently lapping above the waves in this area, coupled with the huge Pulau Dayang Bunting in the backdrop is simply amazing.
    If you prefer to take pictures of boat-houses and sampans along the river estuary, there are plenty as you venture out of the town area towards Kedawang and Bayas.
    The Pantai Tengah and Pantai Cenang beachfront and sea-fronting promenade also boast some spectacular sunset sighting spots, particularly at The Cliff and Lighthouse Restaurant!
   
 
 

Mandarin Ducks ~ Symbol of love and fidelity

Mandarin ducks are always in pairs with the male on the left and female on the right.

They fly together, play together, and roost together. If one of the two birds dies, its mate would not take another partner. They are the ultimate symbol of love. loyalty and fidelity......

I've never seen a Mandarin duck but have had glimpses of its beautiful plumage in story books and photographs...until I stepped into the Wildlife Park in Langkawi and had the chance to take my own photograph of the fabled birds....

Brought in from China, these birds are the latest attraction at the park. In Chinese culture, the Mandarin Duck is use in feng shui..For the Chinese, these birds represent love and marriage.......You can use either an image, such as a photo or a painting, or choose small statues of Mandarin ducks as a feng shui love cure. You can find small Mandarin ducks statues in different materials - from faceted lead crystals (such as this Swarovski couple) to figurines made from rose quartz, jade or brass. Because rose quartz holds healing love energy, a pair of Mandarin ducks made from rose quartz crystal may bring additional energy to your feng shui love cure (ref: http://fengshui.about.com/od/fengshuicuresforlove/qt/Mandarin-Ducks-Feng-Shui-Love-Cure.htm).

Even the Japanese had a tale about a beautiful mandarin duck which was captured and caged by a greedy lord who wants to show off the bird's magnificent plumage. But the wild creature pines for his mate. When Yasuko, the kitchen maid, releases the bird against her lord's command, she and the one-eyed servant, Shozo, were sentenced to death. The grateful bird intends to return their kindness, but can he outsmart the cruel lord? (An excerpt from The Tale Of The Mandarin Duck by Katherine Paterson).





Anyway, I had a great time viewing these beautiful creatures through my camera lens. They make such a pleasant photography subject and post so beautifully for me....The male duck has a more vibrant plumage than the female...and this is not only common among these ducks. Have you ever wondered why God made the male species in the animal kingdom more colourful and beautiful than the female? Has it got anything to do with genes? Or perhaps the competition in attracting the female gender is so stiff that the male (as in peacock, lions, fighting fish) have to be 'flashy' to attract the females....(as in the human world, women are psychologically drawn to flashy men....!!! Urghhh...)
Anyway, i am forever fascinated by the beautiful plumage of the male peacock as it struts to gain the attention of the dull, brown female peacock. On NatGeo, we see how the King of the jungle would gracefully strut around the plains, tossing its beautiful mane to woo the plain female lion and this is also obvious in my home where my fighting fish with its beautiful flaming red tail outshines the dull female...!  Anyway....I did a story for the New Straits Times on these ducks.... here's the url.....http://www.nst.com.my/streets/northern/symbol-of-love-fidelity-1.40593

Young Artists

Children can be highly imaginative and creative if given the freedom to create. During a previous outing to Rebak Island Resort, a group of orphans from Nur Kasih Orphanage in Ulu Melaka, Langkawi were thrilled when the resort management gave them the opportunity to try their hand at batik painting. The resort's artist Zaki, was kind enough to prepare framed outlines for the children and gave them a brief tutorial before they were schedule to begin....and you'd be surprised at the outcome...from the colourless framed designs came some very colourful characters from the minds of these children.....even I was thrilled by their enthusiasm and couldn't help trying my hand at batik painting...and mind you, it was so therapeutic and relaxing...I could do it for hours, especially as we were sited on the beach front, that added the spice and inspiration to the paintings.

Hubby Syed Kamal sharing his 'batik brush strokes...with the orphans.....

Of course there were other children who were brought there by the Charity Club Langkawi by Lyn Jarvis and Sheila Allum. I remember how Lyn painted a beautiful Christmas tree with tinsels in bright colours!!!

Of course there were other children who were brought there by the Charity Club Langkawi by Lyn Jarvis and Sheila Allum. I remember how Lyn painted a beautiful Christmas tree with tinsels in bright colours!!!  This little girl is absolutely talented...i love her piece of orchid....

 Of course there were other children who were brought there by the Charity Club Langkawi by Lyn Jarvis and Sheila Allum. I remember how Lyn painted a beautiful Christmas tree with tinsels in bright colours!!!

 There's my 'little' girl Elena....who was mesmerized by Zaki's obvious talent....the seahorse is simply stunning..

This demonstration by Zaki took minutes and came out stunning...!!

 What a wonderful peacock by this lovely boy who was brought to the outing by Sheila and Lyn.

Oh...when did dinosaurs turn blue...!!!

After the fun with Batik Painting...there were goodies to be taken back home..new school shoes and bags, compliments from the resort....!! And I must say the hi-tea was simply delicious!!!!!

The frugalness of bread pudding,,,,

If you delve into the history of cooking, I’m sure you would remember our great-grandmothers, grandmothers and mothers were efficient and frugal when it comes to planning meals for the family. And nothing is thrown away!!

If you’re with me, you’d probably remember how leftover white rice is used to make sweet rice pudding and how “near to expired bread” or stale (by stale, I mean not the ones with the algae…just a day over the expired date!!) bread is used to make some sweet concoction of a dessert ~ the bread pudding!

This happened a lot in our household when we were kids, everybody used to fight over fresh bread, some were bought, some homemade, but everybody wanted the soft, freshly baked ones.

So, what do you think happened to the leftover bread that nobody wanted? Off they went into the mixing bowl, every single crumble.

   Added with fresh milk or evaporated milk, sugar and well-beaten eggs and vanilla essence, this concoction is baked for over an hour.

This became a wholesome, affordable dessert for big families like ours…there were 10 of us…everyone would scramble for more!!

There are various recipes of bread pudding to suit the palate. Some like the pudding soft which means, you simply have to add more water with the evaporated milk. For a dryer version, add less water.

For the added flavour, throw in some raisins, preferably the yellow ones as the dark raisins will get even darker when the pudding is being baked. If the vanilla essence can’t get rid of the egg smell, add a tinge of cinnamon powder….!

However, I always keep these enhancements under strict control otherwise the bread pudding loses its traditional characteristics!!

   For the added treat, this delicious concoction can be taken by itself or with soft vanilla custard and what was traditionally frugal food for peasants has now settled itself on the menus at leading hotels and restaurants…!!

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Langkawi - an authentic paradise island

WELCOME TO LANGKAWI......

If you're thinking of taking a holiday, Langkawi thrives as an idyllic holiday paradise with stretches of pristine sandy beaches and azure blue seas where holiday makers can find solace from the hustle and bustle of the city's madness.
   Hotel facilities range from cozy budget hotels, family-run chalets, boutique hotels with the surroundings and ambience of the fantastically star-rated beach hotels. If your preferences are within the mid-range budget, then Pantai Cenang is a 'must stopover' for you. Here, you can check into motels and B&Bs ranging from RM80 to RM300 with all the normal expected mod cons or if you prefer some luxurious pampering there are beach resorts ranging from RM250 to not exceeding RM1000 in the area.
  The edge you have here in Pantai Cenang is the wide array of eatery, restaurants, fast food chains featuring delicious local, western, Asian, continental cuisines and affordable fresh seafood...lots of them!! There are also plenty of quaint shops you can browse around for local crafts, ethnic souvenir items and beach wear. For clothes, you can pop into the newly opened Cenang Mall or The Zon.
   Apart from shopping and eating, the Underwater World Langkawi is another interesting stopover if you love marinelife and Rockhopper Penguins. Within the enclosure you'll be amazed at the giant fish tanks and underwater tunnel.
   If you love eating rice but haven't a clue where it is derived from, do pop over to Laman Padi (paddy garden) in Pantai Cenang. This is an educational stopover comprising a paddy museum which showcases the history of paddy planting and paddy planting paraphernalia. Here, you can get a closed up view of paddy plants and grains.
   For a local feel of the sleepy hollow town centre, pop over to Kuah Town where a few banks and hotels are located. As soon as you reach the town from the airport, you will enjoy a breathtaking view of the sea with picturesque fishing boats, sailboats and yachts gently anchored over the lapping waves.

Picture courtesy of Mr Mick Hill, a return guest to Langkawi

The Seven Wells Waterfall in Burau Bay

Pix of the Oriental Pied Hornbill courtesy of Langkawi's naturalist, Irshad Mobarak

   Avid naturalists and environmental buffs will be glad to note that Langkawi has been accorded the Geopark Status by Unesco in 2007. A huge portion of the island in the Mount Machincang region in Burau Bay comprises the 500-million-year-old rainforest. This rainforest is home to a wide variety of wildlife such as the Great Hornbill, Wreath Hornbill and Oriental Pied Hornbill, the Giant Red Squirrel and Giant Black Squirrel, flying lemurs, Dusky Leaf Monkeys, over 500 species of butterflies and many more. There are also hundreds of species of flora and fauna if you opt for a guided tour of the forest. The Natural History Tour or (Junglewalla) or Dev's Adventure Tour are two key set-ups with very well-informed guides and the tours are generally linked to all the resorts and hotels on the island.
   And while you're in that part of the island, don't forget to take a ride up the world's steepest cable car ride from the Panorama Cable Car base station at Oriental Village up Mount Machinchang which is 790m above sea level. Up your way down in the cable car, you will be able to see the awe-inspiring 99 archipelago of islands around Langkawi (104 islands when the tide is low!)
  After your ride, make a turn to the Seven Wells Waterfall which cascades down past seven freshwater pools just next to the cable car.
   For a swim in the sea without having to worry about the jelly fish, take a ride to Datai Bay where you will find a nice picnic and swimming spot at Pantai Pasir Tengkorak (Skull Beach). The road from there will lead you to the upmarket star-rated resorts along Datai Bay which faces the Andaman Sea.
  There simply is no end to the things you can do in Langkawi, be it to laze around in your deckchair on the beach or sink in the jacuzzi pools at the resorts' spas, take a walk in the rainforest, island hopping or sight-seeing.
   Even the night is alive here where you can enjoy live music at  the tourist belt and blend in with the cosmopolitan ambience there! Enjoy your holiday!