1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #180 - Mariah Carey, Singapore

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission #180

- Mariah Carey Concert, National Stadium

 

(What a thrill to see Mariah Carey 'live' on stage in the brand new National Stadium. Is she the biggest song-diva in a generation? With Whitney, they had the best voices in the business, for sure. She may not be at her best now, but even though her voice 'cracked' in "I'll Be There", she didn't crack my love for her songs one bit. On stage, her voice boomed..her 'Hero' was ample proof. I am so blessed to be able to see her 'live' on stage..together with Chaka Khan 2 years ago, they have to be the biggest voices ever, hands-down)

 

 

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #179 - OK Tuck Steamboat, Cameron Highlands

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission #179

- OK Tuck Steamboat, Cameron Highlands

(Why does steamboat tastes so deliciously different in Cameron Highlands? It must be the weather at a cool 18C. Or is it the freshness of the vegetables that are served here? Or maybe the appetite multiplies after a round of golf? I now am sure it is because of all 3 reasons. Love all the varieties of vegies here inside a steaming pot..so much fibre, so much delight the next morning sitting on the poo-pot..nature's own detox..haha)

 

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #178 - Black Pepper Crab, House of Seafood

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission #178

-House of Seafood, Singapore

(Does this place have the best black pepper crab in Singapore? Ok, I know..there are quite a few around, but I would put House of Seafood up for the title. Look at me, finished every single piece of this dish. It's the second posting too for HOS..they make a mean dish of white pepper and butter crabs too..here's the earlier post:
http://www.beatcancer10.blogspot.sg/2014/03/1001-placesexperiences-to-see-or-savour_26.html)

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #177 - Macaron-baking and Aglio Olio cooking

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission #177

- Macaron-baking and Aglio Olio-cooking, Singapore

 

(2 iconic dishes..one as French as croissant, the other as Italian as Venice. Both were taught to me by the able hands of Chef Cecilia Hough of Chantilly Cuisine Studio. They were easier to bake/make than I had imagined they would be. Of course, the proof of the pudding is always in the eating..and turns out, they were very respectable "creations". Now my weekends will have a new smell from the kitchen..the start of a new Bengawan Solo?)

 

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #176 - World Cup 2014 fever

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission #176

- World Cup 2014 fever, Singapore

 

(This World Cup in Brazil is like no other. Firstly, I was there at the Maracana Stadium, just 3 months ago..well more accurately, looking at it from the top of Christ the Redeemer statue. Secondly, Brazil got a big fat wallop from Germany..poor Neymar. Thirdly, it became the first time that I put a small bet on the game..and my 2 predictions came up triumphant..haha, talk about beginners' luck) 

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #175 - Supply & Demand restaurant, Singapore

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission #175

- Supply & Demand restaurant, Singapore

(This corner fusion restaurant at the Esplanade turned out to be a pleasant surprise. The 2 entrees we ordered were fresh and tasty. With a nice view of the Marina Bay, it exudes plenty of warmth, giving it a satisfying stopover before heading to the Esplanade for a show) 

 

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #174 - Harith Iskander standup comedy

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission #174

- Harith Iskander standup comedy, Singapore

(Harith Iskander took to the stage with style, and rocked the NTUC auditorium with his brand of humour. He took us through his 20odd years in comedy, with references to his early years and his bi-cultural boyhood - his dad being Malay and mum, a Brit. With his casual demeanour and being attuned to the latest local scene here, he is easily the Godfather of Malaysian Comedy) 

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #173 - Ayam Tulang Lunak, Bali

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission #173

- Ayam Tulang Lunak, Malioboro, Bali

(This chicken dish, pressure-cooked to perfection with a spread of salted egg on top, was surprisingly tasty. Its bones were soft enough to be eaten, supposedly nutritious in itself. It was yummy enough to bring us back for seconds..gotta try it again when there, but it turns out, they have a branch in Spore too) 

 

Celebrating my 8th Year, Cancer-free!

My 8th year of remission:
I celebrated it with our travel to the furthest spot on Earth that we have ever travelled to..Brazil and Peru!

 

 

 

 

And being able to complete that climb up to Huayna Picchu, to look down on Machu Picchu from 300m high up, even with my numb toes today? That was my pinnacle in achievement, my symbolic victory over cancer!

Follow me to South America on this video clip, from the mighty Iguazzu Falls in both Argentina and Brazil, to the magnificent Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu, and onwards to the awe-inspiring Christ the Redeemer and the beautiful Copacabana in Rio! Enjoy this Peruvian treasure-song, El Condor Pasa, from the traditional windpipes of a Peruvian performer at the Sacred Valley,Urubamba ..

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #172 - Coffee Luwak, Bali

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission #172

- Coffee Luwak, Bali

 

(This is supposedly the world's most expensive coffee - coffee luwak. From the droppings of the civet cat in the Bali jungles, they are roasted and then packed for sale at over 6 times more expensive than Nescafe Gold. Had a cup of it under a shed costing $6 - it tasted too strong for my liking, so I will stick to my Ipoh white coffee, thank you very much) 

 

 

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #171 - Kuta beach sunset, Bali

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission #171

- Kuta beach sunset, Bali

(The sunset scene along Kuta beach is supposed to be inspiring. So we made it a point to check it out, and sure enough, the view is picture-perfect all along this western side of the island. But sections of the beach is covered in black sand - apparently from volcano eruptions from years gone by. Still, a Balinese massage by the beach is an inexpensive treat) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #170 - Tanah Lot Temple, Bali

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission #170

- Tanah Lot Temple, Bali

 

(The iconic Tanah Lot Temple in Bali represents all that this magical island gives to a visitor -  beauty, tranquility and raw power in equal measure - the serene temple perched atop an isle that is awashed by the constant white waves. The whole bay is a treat for the eye, including the local Balinese princess taking her rightful spot against this icon as her backdrop)  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #169 - Taman Ayun, Bali

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission #169

- Taman Ayun Royal Temple, Bali

(Back in Bali after my first visit many years back, and this mythical Island of the Gods still brings out the serenity in me. Is it the countless temples here, like this one at Taman Ayun? Its distinctive architecture is enough to make you feel a little at ease. Things do move slower here, I think. The book , Eat Pray Love, does reflect what's here)