In Myanmar: Rock and wonder!
Words can’t describe this natural wonder seemingly balanced on a hair (Buddha’s apparently). The Golden Rock of Mon State – It’s a miracle! Where is your favourite rocky place? Do share a link to a picture. BTW – I also like the 12 Apostles on Victoria’s Great Ocean Road
Mid Autumn Spotlight on Marina Bay Sands
Sarah Pannir’s spotlighting Marina Bay Sands today, the Mid-Autumn Festival I campaigned against this casino development. Since its completion, we’ve had more problems with addicted gamblers, under-age commercial sex and tourists who drop in specially to commit crimes in our suburban housing estates. But, Sarah is right. Like any seductress, Marina Bay Sands is beautiful and beguiling. … Continue reading
Yunnan Ham from a Grandmother Room
To find out more about what we ate in Yunnan, including my encounter with a 40 year old mother of all hams, read the article here: A myth Growing up, I was regaled by tales of the mythical mellow richness of the Xuanwei hams from northeastern Yunnan. They were small boned, thin skinned, thick fleshed … Continue reading
Trade the high-flying life for this …
We’re just back from remote Lugu Lake, Yunnan China where a friend traded in her high-flying high-stress corporate lawyer’s life for this: – the view from her front window – a handcrafted tribal living room – and time and more time to look back at her choices and write all about it. It was a … Continue reading
Leprosy – A 21st century encounter
We think of leprosy as an extinct biblical disease, it’s not. I knew about lepers. I’d seen them no longer infectious, but with missing fingers and limbs, begging around the central market. I’d even had a close encounter. Staring down at the sidewalk waiting for Heart Guy to hail a taxi, a pair of strangely fore-shortened … Continue reading
3.5 lost days and 12 surprising discoveries
The best made holiday plans can be upset. Weather, short-staffed inn-keepers and unforeseen road closures can conspire to turn an itinerary upside down. Often the disappointment poisons the whole vacation. But, it only takes a pause to change our perceptions and save the day. In Queensland, we ran into road closures along the Gold Coast. Our hotel in Cairns … Continue reading
3 ways not to stress on a business trip
I’ve just come back from a great business trip! It was a 4 city 5 day marathon of super technical discussions with strangers in near freezing weather with 5 other colleagues, of whom 4 were certainly certifiable introverts. But I’m whole, the team’s healthy, and we all agree it’s one of the best we’ve had. Here … Continue reading
Quick note from London
April has proven to be the cruelest month … Not so much for the weather but for the cruelties that we humans inflict on each other and the indiscriminate force of technology when it’s uncontrolled. The week started with the senseless bombings at the Boston Marathon. Arriving in London on Wednesday, I ran into Margaret … Continue reading
Guest-posting at my friend Kathleen Caron today – Coconut palm sugar
Have you ever wondered how they make gula melaka or toddy palm sugar. To find out, do go over to my friend Kathleen Caron at “Full of Life: Soul Food” where I’m guest posting. http://kathleencaron.com/how-coconut-sugar-is-made-guest-post-by-audrey-chin/
Earth Hour – What we can learn from Myanmar about switching off
In Myanmar, they’ve been switched off for 50 years. It makes for a slower pace of life and a more crafty approach to manufacturing. Don’t let’s talk about productivity though…
Reader and Writer - Praying Woman - Gardener - Foodie 