Festival for the Hungry Ghost

One of the things I love about Asian culture is festival time. And there are quite a few festivals throughout the year!!! We're currently heading through the 'Hungry Ghost' festival. Have a read about it. Its quite interesting. Lots of pomp and ceremony.

Someone told me the other day that during the festival (which is predominantly for loved ones that have past) there are plays, and opera's and dinners, that are attended by no-one (except the participants). These shows are just put on for the past spirits! I think that's quite cool!!!!

Also, one tradition is to burn paper money, which symbolises you giving the money to your deceased relatives or friends (fake money, but a good gesture). I was also told that you can buy paper Mercedes, paper houses and even paper maids!!!!! Crazy, but true. Photo is the Hungry Ghost offering at Maxwell Food Centre.

Can I take you out for dinner?

I know its a cheap lawf, but I had to take this photo. I mean really...first 'Talk Cock Sing Song' Bar and now YuKee foodhouse?

This place is across the road from Mos Burger @ Bugis Junction. Mos Burger rocks!!! They're tiny wee burgers. A Japanese franchise I believe.

There are so many of these, maybe I'll create another blog just for mad signage!!!

Chinese Cooling Water & Seafood Twisties!!

So I was wondering around Singapore and sweating like you wouldnt believe. Good exercise, but I really needed something to rehydrate.

So popped into a chinese deli. I obviously went straight for the Gatorade bottle, 1 litre. But a small chinese man walked over, took hold of the Gatorade and mumbled something, put it back and grabbed me this!! Three Legs Chinese cooling water!! Isn't the 'normal' water kinda cooling anyway?

So I read the stickers to find some information on it. My mandarin hasnt improved much! The guy at the shop couldnt really communicate what it was. So I thought, eh! When in Rome. Tasted a little like chalk and water...nope, never had chalk and water before but you know!!!

Did it work? I'm not really sure. I was happy to have had a drink, and yes I was cooler! but I dunno! So I did some research and found these articles. Quite interesting.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Halls are everywhere, as you'd expect. I havent given em a go yet, but I'll take some photos and post em.

I've found all sorts of strange and bizzare products.

Like Seafood Twisties...called Seafood Suprise...boy oh boy! The only suprise was that I didnt vomit. But I'm one for trying new foods! I also found a classic eating house...well, classic name. Who the hell names these places?

Final Hand Dryer Report!

So before you ask...no I dont have a thing for bathroom hand dryers. I'm just noting what I see. Hey Seinfeld ran for 10 years talking about nothing right!

So this hand dryer was the best hand dryer I've ever used!!! What was the criteria for judging? Well, dry hands in the quickest time without singing hair or burning flesh.

Kinda like a trouser press, without the press bit; you stick ya hands in the gap, and wooooosh, in about 6 seconds your hands are dry!! Amazing! I found these at Funan and the Airport!!

OK, OK...thats the last report on hand dryers. (I dont care, I cant see them getting any better after that one anyway!)
;)

The Coffee Connoisseur

Coffee. Coffee. Coffee. So I've just ordered one of the best ever coffee's - so I'm told. Blue Mountain from Columbia. Voted worlds best coffee at some coffee show.

I'm at a coffee shop called 'The Coffee Connoisseur' or TCC for short! A Singapore coffee house chain that aims to be "the leading purveyor of gourmet coffee's". Started in December 2003, they now have about 25 stores islandwide
It appears to be an up-market Starbucks, much more 'refined' and has some awesome desserts and tea's.

Oh! The anticipation is killing me! Its a $10.20 coffee but I thought, eh! what the hell. A beer would cost me at least ten bucks, so why not just try this gold label coffee...its an experience after all!

Stay tuned....here she comes!!!

Oooo, flash! Served in a nice china cup and saucer, somewhat like Wedgewood's 'Cornucopia' pattern.
Great coffee. Very nice indeed. Bold, but balanced....ah what the?! Was a great cuppa in nice surroundings.


Worth ten bucks?
Well, probably not. But my Mum (hi Mum!) always told me, 'go for quality'. (Especially true with socks n jocks!!) My Mum also told me 'this life isnt a rehearsal' - no truer words spoken!!

So, strike that off the to do list! Best Beer off the list (la Chouffe), Best Coffee off the list (Blue Mountain). Next...Best chocolate?