being home
In January, I made a slapdash decision to go home for Chinese New Year, for a scant 6 days.
It was, as always, heartwarming to be home, especially at such an important time of year. It’s amazing how much you take for granted the feeling of being surrounded by your clan, partaking in simple rituals and traditions that unfold the same way year after year, and how easy it is to slip back into it even after you’ve been away for so long.
handing out chopsticks for lor hei
What I love about being home is that in a short period of time, I get a crash course in my zany, multi-cultural, super extended super close family all over again. Fully immersed in Pakir-Singh-Wee-Tan-Sim-Lee culture is just fantastic, a little nutty, and very yummy.
tossing the lor hei
And then there’s the giggles, and cackles, the exuberant sharing of stories, the catchups, the goss, the loud shouts that characterizes my family, and ALL with your mouth full of amazing food. All. The. Time.
the best punjabi food
Home again in just 5 short weeks. CANNOT. WAIT.
Read Moresingle happy moment
Having come home from our dance trip in Asia after a gale of a time, and then a few days later being presented with this gorgeous card from the group that went.
It’s always nice when you travel with an AWESOME group of people who come together and bond particularly well, especially when touring foreign countries – but even better when the time you have is really quite amazing and leads to catchphrases, thousands of memories (that span the whole alphabet!) and lots of laughter upon sharing stories.
Nice. Very nice.
Read Moresingapore feasting
Hello from sunny Singapore!
I’ve been back a scant 36 hours and have eaten what seems like a veritable mountain of food – the food here is always an experience for me, even after living here many years and a multitude of trips back. I figured this time, it would be good to document a little bit of the experience so if you ever visit this wonderful land of culinary delights, you could partake too!
Firstly, my family and I like to frequent what has been our “local” for years – a mamak stall (coffeeshop) called Al-Azhar where we’ve had literally hundreds of tehs, roti pratas and mi gorengs over the years.
1st order: iced milo & horlicks at my local kopitiam (coffeeshop)
I also had lunch at one of the Din Tai Fung restaurants – renown for their dumplings and xiao long bao. Besides their xiao long bao, we had:
hot & sour soup - warming, vinegary, and super tasty
wontons with black vinegar and chilli oil - YUM
minced pork & mushroom noodles
For dinner, I ate at another local eatery near my house – Eat (Rail Mall). They are apparently known for their fish ball noodles, and they didn’t disappoint! They’re called fish ball mee pok (or kolo mee). They’re delicious.
Fish ball mee pok (noodles)
But what stood out for me was their laksa tau pok. Essentially, this is the rich, coconutty, spicy thick broth we already know well, with pieces of fried tofu in it that just SOAKS up the laksa goodness and provides a means of transport into your mouth. Once imbibed, it all explodes on your tongue like a veritable symphony of taste sensations. Humble looking, but OH, so indescribably good.
laksa tau pok - incredible
Yes, i really did eat ALL OF THE ABOVE in one day. And I haven’t even displayed here photos of the copious amounts of durian and fresh lychees I’ve been scoffing down, plus the roti prata breakfasts and curry puff snacks. AY, i may very well return to melbourne a giant rolypoly, but I don’t even care.
Being home is NAICE.
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flying the singapore girl way
Today I flew on yet another Singapore Airlines flight. I really really really dislike travelling any other airline. Not because I’m a snob, but because I genuinely believe that the experience of an SQ flight is truly unbeatable.
I’ve travelled a lot in my time, and sat on MANY different airlines – from complete budget to very very plush, and Singapore Airlines wins my vote every time.
<<image from the Singapore Airlines website- hope they don’t mind me using it given I’m talking them UP!)
In Australia, Qantas and Emirates tickets are often priced in the same league as Singapore Airlines – but I still wouldn’t consider them so and am never able to bring myself to pay the same amount for them. In fact, I’m willing to go out on a limb here and say that SQ has my loyalty for life.
A lot of thought goes into the customer experience at Singapore Airlines, just their seat design alone is exceedingly well executed. Headrests that easily change heights and provide head leaning pads, tables that have a pocket mirror built in and a pen lip so errant stationery doesn’t go sliding about. Sturdy headrests and a separate cupholder (so you don’t have to open the entire desk to just have a glass of juice). Roomy seat pouches for your accoutrements and REAL pillows and blankets. 10.6 inch screens with incredible entertainment options, and an in-seat charging station for your electronics!
Then there’s the ever-so-attentive, never grumpy crew who always make you feel ultra pampered and satisfied. The great boarding system that ensures no chaos. The hot towels to freshen up with at the beginning and end of your flight (so simple, and so wonderful). The beer/champagne/fruit juice upon takeoff and just before landing. It is so EASY to please your travellers with these simple, offered thoughtfulness, and Singapore Air does it well.
The food is also pretty damn good – crisp salads, fresh fruit, real meat and a bar selection that would make any drinker blush. The restrooms are cleaned down by staff every hour or 2 so they never get icky. It’s just all a huge joy, travelling with them and in the last year, I’ve had especial cause to know – the back injury has had me leaving certain flights in a wheelchair, and the service has just been second to none.
And, they have phone customer service that is so personal it puts all other travel companies to shame. A couple of times I’ve had issues (bag got broken in transit etc) – and they got fixed and resolved straight away with very little hassle and paperwork.
And here’s the thing – I’m NOT a priority passenger, or a frequent business/1st class flyer with them at all. This is their stock standard great service that ensures that their travellers fly the friendly skies whilst feeling pampered. AND in the last 15 years, their little add-ons keep improving, which shows they are constantly analysing and upgrading their wares.
Yup, I’m a fan. A big one. And will always be. I don’t even care that the concept of the “Singapore Girl” is faintly sexist. Whatevs. They’re awesome.
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single happy moment: treats for breakfast
My favourite time of year to visit Singapore, my home, is Chinese New Year. It’s incredibly heartwarming, being with family as we prepare the house and ourselves for the festive season, and wonderful to see my extended family come together, as we do, for endless gatherings, laughs for days on end, and meals.
Yes, the meals.
At Chinese New Year, I get the added bonus of NOT ONLY my beautiful family cooking me the foods I am most passionate about, but also some of my favourite Singapore foods being in season (Chinese New Year goodies).
It’s a decadent time of year, with parties, gluttony and celebrating being the main goal for a few days straight.
And the ultimate joy?
there are no words for this delightful breakfast!
Starting each morning with a selection of totally sinful Chinese New Year treats like pineapple tarts and the such, with a huge cup of milo, lounging in the huge king sized bed next to my sister as we sip, imbibe, and surf the net. Simple pleasures.
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