Okinawa-Various Types of Food

Okinawan foods, I think it slightly different from what you find in mainland Japan, and I think it is more similar to SEA countries and also some similarity with food and delicacies you have in Southern part of China...since geographically, it is located nearer to mainland China, and there was already a  close relationship established with mainland China a long time ago, esp during Qing dynasty...

And honestly, since I have so much time to explore by means of walking, I have the chance to explore more of the local scene, during my "exploration journey. I think it is very interesting especially in the Makishi public market a lot, as you can really buy, see, taste, and experience a lot range of products at reasonable price here.

Choong

Mercure hotel

Tsubogawa Station, 

Naha,

Okinawa.

Okinawan Trip-Part 1

Have been talking about coming here for a long time and finally I made it, though I have been to Japan main islands many time before and visiting here is like completing a Japanese journey, from Hokkaido, to Honshu, to Shikoku, Kyushu and finally, the final southern most prefecture, Okinawa.

Before I came, I always imagine it to be like Hawaii....but too early to say anything cause I have not ben to the seaside as yet. It is beautiful place, but I find that the transportation here not as good as in mainland Japan. May be they cannot build a full coverage of Subways because of the population size, close to 1.4 millions spreading over the whole big island....so this is something I find it hard to accept as my image of Japan is always good with subways, in any part of the city you go to....hence this is slightly different anyway. And you see USA army camps, it is huge in sizes.... I saw two along the way to Katsuren Castle.

One thing I observe that, some of the locals really look like our Polynesian friends, ,...the features.
Food here so far taste okay and price is about the same as mainland Japan....but the locals are very helpful and polite. And today, the bus driver helped me a lot.....I appreciate his efforts....

Too early to make any conclusion here, just a thought to record down my experience so far.
Oh yeah another thing is, weather is gloomy, hope tomorrow, the sun will be kind enough to show up just for a whole for me to take some nice pictures,,,,perhaps, we never know, life is always good to me...thanks and nite.

I like this figurines honestly speaking and will consider bringing a set home for sure

The bus is almost empty and using buses here are tiring.

Katsuren Castel, majestic and beautiful

I love this custom-made pair of sandal

Walking along Kokusai street for window shopping

The dessert that I like

The OKi card for all modes of transportation

Mercure hotel

Local apples and oranges

Local oranges

Choong 

Mercure hotel

NAHA, Okinawa (Tsubogawa station)

Trip to Hatyai- A family Outing

This is an old article that I didn't not post out. It was a trip to Hatyai with my sis plus family, my cousin plus family and my 4th Uncle.....more or less a family kind of outing. As you grew older, you tend to approach this kind of gatherings more, a platform to get together, recalling memories, revising your childhood together, and of course enjoying the present moment.

This trip, we went to a temple for dana prayers and of course, in addition to that, good food and hoping in Hatyai Thailand.

We at the border before crossing over to Thailand. Here we had out breakfast and exchange for some Thai currency.

Tasting good coconut ice cream together with my 4th Uncle.

One favourite flower, Jasmine.

My favorite food, fish cakes.

In short, the trip was meaningful, religious wise, relationship wise, mind wise......

Choong

Deepest and Sincerest Condolence to my old Friend, ex-Unimate, Mr. Hon Cheng Teng

When I first heard of the news, I am shock.

Memories ran while, to the time we used to be together, most of the times, 3 of us, and we talk a lot of funny things, gossips, cold jokes.....

that beautiful memories will always stay deep inside me....

And we managed to exchange a few wordings sometime back but not much, and that would be somehow our final few words communicated.....

From this, I know and understood the message, life is just short, and can be as short as you can't imagine off.... and treasure whatever that comes along, cherish the moments, stay joyful final moment comes....

And my prayers for you, Cheng Teng....

May you be happy always, in another life....

Sincerely,

Soon Heng

Meaningful trip to Saraburi and Lopburi

Every time that I have chance to visit Thailand, I am always happy to do so...I just like the feeling here, so comfortable and so warm....

And this time, a short trip though, but a chance to visit this place, Lopburi and Saraburi with Noung (thanks again, he is an old friend of mine here in Bangkok, and has brought me to explore many places, less frequented by tourists.
And overtime that I have a chance to go out with my friend, Noung, I am very happy, honestly speaking as he is simple and a nice person.
And visiting Thailand, sometimes it just allowed me to think life can be simpler and happier, and the definition of happiness can be measured in many different ways, different manners.

And worth to mention the restaurant that we stopped by halfway to BKK, I was informed by Noung it was still at Saraburi. Food was cheap and taste very good and very very crowded (no seat and table available 30mins after we arrived).

There are a lot of semi wild monkeys around this site, and though they are well exposed to tourists, I saw that sometimes they came to snatch cameras from visitors....one have to be careful.

I ordered fried noodles here, though price is high but I like the environment.

This temple at Saraburi, it is magnificent.

With my old friend, Noung.

I like this picture, the posture,..

Super blue and clear skyline.

Choong

7 December 2015

Good-Bye Siew Guat........

Dear Siew Guat,

It has been a while since I got the news of your passing away (even know, it is still hard to use these two words), as it is hard to accept the fact you had left this world....our last meeting was in August together with BM Teoh and his son and the last message we communicate,  to meet each other in my next trip home....hence it is hard to accept the fact that had already left this world....like most friends had said, it was too sudden...and indeed it was.
There are a lot of good memories and time spent with you, whenever I was back to Bukit Mertajam and I was glad (really glad) that I managed to spent so much time with you, especially when I was back to Malaysia for a whole year. And your phone messages,  you would say, "Choong we can meet up for tea, I can meet you up in the afternoon, I will bring to this coffee house, that restaurant....etc etc.." .there are a lot of good memories that I can recall but hard to write all down, and as I am writing this, teardrops fell freely, which I think is a good sign for me, that I have accepted your passing away.....indeed very hard to accept and the mourning phase was very hard. And I have been hoping to write this in my blog, that some day in near future, I can read and recall this chapter of my life,,,,,,

I was not sure if it were you, when I saw that green light appearing in my apartment on 30th September, and I assume it was, cause you mentioned you wanted to visit me in Shanghai for another time... and I was waiting for your visit, and could it possibly you visited in this manner, still keeping your promise as you usually do, but in different way...I do not know, but I assume it was...no matter what, thanks SIew Guat..

There are too many things to say, Siew Guat, but I am not sure where to begin, and where to end...
But my first wish is to visit you, at the temple where your last remains is kept...At least I need to see for myself that you are there, and at least for me to say a few words to you....and to pay my last respect (and I trust you would know why I could not attend your funeral, which was a sad thing for sure).
And thanks Siew Guat, for being a great great friend to me, especially during the time from end 2013 to 2014, where I was facing a very difficult time of my life and you supported me in various ways., remember when you helped me to get my cargo back from Beijing, and the sales mgr was asking if I was related to you, and your concern on the things that was happening during that time, and your emotional support were very important to me.
When ever you have charity events, like for your Spastic centre, Red crescent....you always involved me, in one way or another...I am really grateful for these.
And every-time when I am back, you would asked in advance, if I need my ikan bilis,  dried prawns,...etc, and the meals at different restaurants and tea time at cafes.. and the chats..those are all memories, that I shall remember for life, SIew Guat.

Do you know that, every year, during CNY holidays, it has become a routine for me, no matter how rush or how busy it was, I will always find the time to visit you, and I am thankful, for despite your busy and tight schedule, you always find the time for us to meet up and catch-up.I think this year would be a bit hard for me though, as I would not be able to see you in Penang again (but I will send my best regards through my prayers).

And thank you for being a good mentor when I was in Acidchem, and though sometimes, I did "argue" with you, but your patience and your professionalism had really touched me.

And now, I am sure you are happy, together with your mother and please help to send my regards to Aunty too...and till we meet again in near future, do take care and we shall catch-up again, Siew Guat.

May you be happy always, Siew Guat...

Sincerely,

Choong