1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #49 - Trevi Fountain, Rome

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission #49

- Trevi Fountain, Rome, Italy
(I came, I threw the coins, and I am back! That was 3 years ago. And yes, I threw the coins again this time around too. Who wouldn't want to come back? This fountain is truly breathtaking, not to mention that on a cold winter's evening like what's shown here, the glow of the place is something special. )

 

 

 

1001 Places/Experiences to See ir Savour #48 - Vatican

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission #48

- The Vatican, Rome, Italy
(This visit to the Vatican was made all the more memorable by the shock announcement on the same day - 11 Feb 2013 - by the Pope (Pope Benedict XVI) that he will be stepping down by end-Feb, the first to do so in 600 years! Naturally, the buzz in the square was palpable, TV crews and all, in this holy city)

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #47 - Colosseum, Rome

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission #47

- Colosseum, Rome, Italy
(This 7 Wonder of the World is even more awesome the second time around. Giving this 2000 year old monument a Bruce-Lee-kick, as I had done to the Big C from my body 6 years ago, is most gratifying indeed. Take that, Chuck Norris!)

 

 

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #46 - Night Sky, Sanya

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission #46

- Night Sky view of Sanya, Hainan
(It was quite a spectacle, this view from atop a hill in Sanya, Hainan. They used the 5 giant buildings sitting by the bay as a giant canvas and ran a series of projected images across them, but which are timed to perfection that showed flying dragons, sailboats and tropical fish that represent Sanya and Hainan well)

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #45 - Baba Charlie, Malacca

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission #45

- Baba Charlie Nonya Kueh, Malacca
(Found - nonya kueh heaven! With enough kueh to host tea-time for the entire Jonker Street vendors, this corner house off the main streets in Malacca is an absolute gem for nonya kuehs. Coupled with new kuehs for Chinese New Year, the place is a riot of colours ..and smells. Almost all I have seen before are here in one place, including some that must surely be 'new species' - never heard, never seen before.."kueh apa tu?")

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #44 - Aunty Lee Restaurant

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission #44

- Aunty Lee Restaurant,Ujong Pasir, Malacca

(Could this possibly be Malacca's best nonya restaurant? Given the fierce competition there for nonya fare, that's saying something. I have to say that if it is not the best, it must be Top3. We tucked into the belachan fish, sotong tempra and the surprise of the night, omelette cincalok. What a blast of tastes for the mouth, indeed. But you gotta wait a bit for the dishes as they take a while for them to lovingly prepare them. It is true that this is Singapore's First Family's - Lee Hsien Loong, Lee Wei Ling - favourite restaurant too in Malacca, as confirmed by the lady-owner behind the counter)

 

(Update Aug2014 - Klebang Coconut Shake

- another gem in Malacca, this one outside of the city at Klebang. Smooth coconut juice that had been blended with ice and served with a dollop of vanilla ice cream. It attracts a long queue, so be prepared)

 

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #43 - Kueh Kapit-making

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission #43

- Kueh Kapit-making (aka kueh belanda), Malacca
(At last, after several years of vowing to make a special trip to my aunt's home in Malacca to get my hands dirty with real kueh kapit-making in time for Chinese New Year, we finally hopped over to get it done, sweat, sweetness and smells, all rolled into one full day. Flashes of childhood memories rushed past, and somehow, the kueh always taste better when you know you'd put that effort it)