Busy as a Bee

It has been a busy three and a half months. Can't wait to get a weekend to myself. Cross all fingers and toes that this weekend works.

Last October, I decided to help my previous company for a couple of months. It was a wee bit difficult to adjust after having stayed away from people and work in general for the past couple of years, but like riding a bicycle as the saying goes, you don't really forget. The best part of it all was that it wasn't a permanent position, no commitment, light at the end of the dark, dark tunnel. It was fun while it lasted, now I don't know if I can take another round of it, albeit a shorter one.

December proved to be a traveling month, where I jetted off to Malaysia, Hong Kong and Macau. As with all vacations, the time spent at each destination was too short.

There's always a food fest or hunt session when I go back to Malaysia, but due to the time constraint, I didn't get to taste all the food on my list. And the ones that I did... hmm... I've come to the conclusion that Singapore has yummier food to offer. Either that or my taste buds have finally succumbed to the Singaporean way of seasoning and what I remember from my childhood days doesn't ring true anymore (there's a distinct possibility that after 20 years, the chefs in Malaysia might have changed too)

Not only known for its multitude of casinos, Macau offered plenty to see and do for a non-gambler like myself (actually, I love playing roulette and blackjack, just not at casinos) I found that observing players and the games also brought some odd fascination, I could observe for hours on end but I had traveling companions who didn't share my fascination to think about.

Boasting a number of UNESCO world heritage sites, Macau is an excellent place for aimless wanderings. Hilly, cobbled roads, attractions full of tourists from the neighbouring country, a city small enough that sharing the streets on public transport with cars proved exciting. Bits and pieces of conversations in Cantonese very apparent and somehow comforting (could be due to the fact that I actually understood their conversations, even if I can't read the characters). Food was reasonably priced, we could have a decent meal of 3 dishes with fried rice for 4 people at a total of $30 at a local coffee shop.

Hong Kong a shoppers paradise, no doubt. Fake goods blatantly abundant, bargains galore, appetising smells from the plethora of street stalls and tall, tall architecturally pleasing buildings. Getting around the city and the central business district area was a cinch with the elevated walkways and the underground subway (MTRs). Food was not as easily accessible as compared to Macau unless you're on the Kowloon side of the country.

Where to next?