Livin' La Vida Moka

Guilty of being one of them coffee enthusiasts who claim to not survive a day without a cuppa, I've decided to go back in time, and explore the wonders of stove-top espresso makers ..
in this case, the moka pot.
Made famous by Bialetti during the early 1930s, the Moka Express works under the simple principle of brewing coffee with pressurized water. And given the right bean variety, grind selection and temperature, it produces a stronger brew and somewhat similar foam emulsion (crema),
comparable to that of an espresso machine.
Combined with a chic physique, and an amazingly brilliant method of making coffee, the Moka Express not only brings character to the kitchen, but also, its quality of brew is good enough to make it a current favourite in my never-ending fever for caffeine.

Moka : appreciating espresso at a different level .

the accidental happening

Hello HK .
Finally I was en-route to a city where I could sink my teeth into some genuinely good roasted pork.
After living in the middle-east for a while, one tends to become rather deprived of this sweet and juicy forbidden meat.
Also, what sealed the deal on this visit was the coincidental meeting of my two homies from the sunny island of Singapore. I have to admit, Facebook does come in handy sometimes.
So, ate we did, shopped of course, partied for sure ! And frankly, I haven't participated in a comically clever conversation in what feels like eternity.
Living in the middle-east, well.....

Anyway, it was joy and relief all at once! Having them there made this trip one of my best yet.

Pebs + Tre : We'll meet in the middle again, I'm positive .

P.S. to Andy whom I met for a brief few minutes .. though short, it was good to see you still !
We'll do the Sake next time I promise .. keep the mustachio hot aight !

move over Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds .. this is the Real McCoy .

Sooner than expected, I was on my way to Kathmandu again. Having seen enough of the city, I decided to venture out of the busy streets, and into the mountains of Nagarkot. So up I went - 3am, 10degrees, a blue Mercedes from the 60s, my trusty camera and me. With the windows down, and the early morning breeze beating lightly against my face, my moonlit journey through narrow roads and winding turns soon ended after a short hour's drive. There I was; 2000ft up, waiting for the break of dawn.
But nothing prepared me for what I was about to experience ..

Darkness gently disappeared as the golden hues of vermilion crept through the clouds, changing the colours of the skies with every blink of my eyes. And as the sun rose, so did the mountains. Before I knew it, I was surrounded by the snowy pinnacles of the Himalayas.
How overwhelmed I was. The emotions circling inside me were indescribable.

I met this Indian lady from the South while up there as well, and she said,
" Just watch with your naked eyes, because no lens can ever capture such beauty. "
So I did what she told me to - and consumed this glorious work of art God has created;
one so brilliant, no man can ever surpass .

Nepal

Kathmandu - a city rich in tradition and history, timeworn architecture and obsolete living.

How do I find it, you ask ?

I love its innocent nature, the vibrance in its colours, the energy it emits. I love the forgotten structures, brimming with identity and life. I love the serenity and beauty of its mountains.
I love the children; so curious, so simple.
Sadly, this blissful image slowly fades as I dig deeper into the city and discover a different side - one stripped of its culture and heritage, only to be replaced by the sketchy characters of modernization. Swindlers who stalk, frauds posing as the Holy, and the aforementioned children, being exploited in every way possible ..
all this, in the name of the 'almighty' dollar.
That day, I saw a city behind time, ridden with religious antagonism and social unrest, where the future of its people remains bleak.
That day, I was humbled as well. Living in big cities tend to fester feelings of discontentment, self-indulgence, and apathy. Seeing all that was happening there made me realize and appreciate how blessed I am to have what I have;
a good home, a family to love, and a life so precious.

Kathmandu brought me back down to earth. And for that, I'm grateful.

Good day, Doha

Moving from one country to another may seem daunting to some people, but I have to say, I'm liking this nomadic lifestyle quite a bit.
Never tired of chasing culture, I find myself starting life anew in a place not only far from home, but whose environment and way of living is even further from the city I had previously resided in.
I remember arriving in Doha close to a month ago. The doors opened, I stepped out, and all I saw was sand. Well, I may be exaggerating a little on that, as I saw buildings in a distance. The sand part though, was true.
Despite what I've heard and looking at a country still thirsty for development, I felt this breath of fresh air in me. It felt as if I was entering another chapter of my life .. one with new encounters, new challenges, and one that will be, without a doubt, even better than the last.
Determined to tell of my days here in the future, I shall illustrate my adventures this time, with not only the pictures I take of the people and this place, but also, the writings of my mind's conceptions .

same same, but different

And so, after three months of embracing the somewhat blissful life of idleness; lone drives in the morning, late night tête-à-tête with mummy, sleeping when the sun rises and waking when it sets, stuffing myself insane with home-cooked food, movie marathons, afternoon naps with my dogs, music, music, music, Scripture reading, soul-searching .. I am now prepared, for Chapter One - a clean slate in a foreign land.
Leaving for the Great Gulf in August, I shall tell the story of this new adventure through the lens of my camera once again.
Armed with nothing but life's experiences; what I've seen, the beautiful the ugly, what I've felt, joy to sorrow, what I've done, what I've learnt .. I'm certain this story would be told with greater life, greater love, and most of all .. greater meaning .

addictions

Closer Musik (2000-2003)
Two people, two cities, one organic sound.

Closer Musik - One Two Three, No Gravity



As I lay on my hammock, and stare at the sky ..

New York : volume four

a couple of rocks

London : volume three

the new adventure

Today marks the end of an era.
As bittersweet as it feels, I shall now retire from the skies and embark on a new adventure.
Whether I'd be a woman in the corporate world, a starving artist in the streets of Paris, or that sandwich girl at your neighbourhood deli, I'm leaving it to time, perseverance, and mostly to that Great Man above.
In my coming journals, I shall take you back to my last few travels in the recent months.
Those where I treasure most, and whose memories I keep closest to my heart.

To greener pastures, and greater things.

quarter of a century

March 30, 2009
. to Granny-ville I go .

touch the Skye

March 20, 2009
the Esplanade

simply divine .

FRANKFURT

cou cou !

MELBOURNE