Posts from — June 2008

Though I must admit there is nothing much here except the breath-taking crystal-clear emerald-coloured sea. Bahamas is quite a small island with tourism as its main economy sustaining the country. The local currency is the Bahamian dollar but USD is accepted everywhere.

There is The Atlantis but I am not a big fan of super-sized man-made resorts. Though I went for a quick look just because they say that’s the one thing you gotta see if you are in Bahamas (kiasu-ism!). Well, nothing fancy to me except the Predator Tunnel which was a shorter and free version of our Under Water World in Singapore. I had my daily dose of Starbucks by the Marina Village, gawking at the rich and famous with their gorgeous boats. 2 hours is enough for all that.

But I’ve learnt to love this place of ever ready smiles and laid back lifestyle. People are so very friendly. So far, I’ve only been meeting only the nicest people. Even the taxi drivers. Ever ready and generous with information about their dear island and so far haven’t come across one who tries to overcharge me. And the humor! The bus drivers crack jokes every other minute.

Of course, not forgetting the happy tourists. Walk into a lift, you cannot pass without saying hello and how are you doing to anyone and everyone.

The other great thing is the FOOD. Go to Fish Fry. You can get tonnes of laid back fish restaurants. I’ve been having grouper and whole snappers every day. Grilled, fried, steamed – anyway you want it.

Here I also learn what is plantain – which is in fact, our ‘pisang goreng’. It is eaten alike substitute to potatoes, meaning you eat it as a side dish to your rice and fish/ meat. Took me a bit of time to get used to this as in Malaysia, ‘goreng pisang’ is our teatime snack or even dessert (served with ice cream). People gave me funny look when I told them that this is a type of snack/ dessert in my country. LOL.

The other yummy stuff and unique especially to the Bahamas is the conch. Its a type of large sea snails. The conch is usually minched and made into chowder or conch-fritters. Many helpful people tried to describe it to me. One said, “Its like Hermit The Crab, ya know”. Haha!

(Oops, totally forgot to take any picture of the food cuz too busy gobbling em up!)

I wanna be back to dive someday!

Snow – by Orhan Pamuk

Finally, I finished this book. It was a rather difficult read for me. The twist of the words and plots. I had many troubles trying to absorb and understand what he is trying to really say. I think its either you like the book and breeze it thru, or you find it pain to continue reading…

The main character ‘Ka’, such a  poet he is, constantly drown in his inner thoughts and having difficulties living in almost surrealism.

And it does affect me. Especially spending many days now alone in solitude in beautiful Bahamas. I felt I am almost living in surrealism as well as I read on.

(I got a bit paranoia of the strangers around me)

So, it was kind of relieve to having finished the book finally. And moreover, finishing it at the final hours I am here.

2 more hours to go before boarding my plane.

Bye bye to paradise island!

I had one of the best night ever.

After dinner in one of the restaurant recommended by the concierge at Fish Fry (Big Ten – try the grill snapper with rice & bean, plantain and coleslaw… really really yummy-licious!), we were stopped by a lovely voice serenading the air. So, instead of looking for a taxi, we went looking for THAT voice.

And we found it. It belongs to Chocolate. My, that voice freeze your moments, captures your soul, shake your emotions!

It was an outdoor KARAOKE! Feels like home! Except for that the ‘karaoke bar’ is an open air bar with a ‘vending-karaoke-machine’.

See, what a gem! The dream machine. They kept flippin’ for the best song.  

So, there we were mesmerised. Stayed on one beer after another, one song after another. We couldn’t get enough. Soon, more and more people joined the roadside gang. We had the Jersey Girls, Boyz-To-Men, some odds one and even couple of very cute kids.

2 dollars each. How many dollars I spent? Viviane, the climber. She is lovely. 

Her name was Chocolate. (Just to remind you again!) A voice to die for. If you ever need a wedding singer, trust me, she’s worth to fly her out to anywhere to complete that dream wedding.

I had a brilliant idea to video the moment and share it thru youtube. Problem is, I forgot to shut my mouth so most the video clips had me singing louder than anyone else. I am sure you do not want to hear me out

Am I nomophobic?

I didnt think so. But this is the first place in all my travels, after all these years, ever since my very first mobile phone THAT I am not able to use my phone! (Ok, exceptionally Japan and Korea in the past)

Proximus has no roaming agreement in Bahamas. So no mobile coverage!

Can you imagine?

But it didnt freak me out. Cool, I thought, now no one can bother me. Back in my head, it did felt teeny weeny weird. Still, I could connect to the world thru msn. Wonders of the internet!

But now msn is down too!!!

Helppp!!! I am totally disconnected from the world now!!!

Finally, I made some concious improvement to my blog. Random header images. COol!

Keep refreshing to see the different pictures. Check it out!

(There’s only 5 rotating images so don’t spend 2 hours trying to make miracle happen)

Note: I thought I should give a little commentary on each pictures

The ‘Merry-Go-Round’ – I love how this shot captured the movement, I could almost feel the glee of happiness swinging up there. I dream of a life like that, care-free and swinging fun. Captured @ Walibi, Belgium.

My Pink Flowers – My dad gave me these flowers. So lovely! I dried them up and kept them for another 6 months. Captured @ Vilvoorde, Belgium

From Up Above – I took this picture on my way to Iceland. I love how the reflection of the setting sun on the ice pieces in the sea gave the golden glow. Captured @ On flight to Iceland

Beach – I could almost taste a Caipirinha! Captured @ Ipanema, Rio

Nam – I love his dreamy gazes. Ooh, I miss him so! (Can you spot the Ikea snake in the background?) Captured @ Redhill, Singapore