Bai Bai Bao!

Tonight was the last night that Bao will be in Melbourne for two years. Boo hoo! Tomorrow she goes off to meet with Mona, Lil Miss J, Mr L and Leesh in London. Here's a lovely family photo of us. Hmmm not much else to say, except good luck with carrying the rice cooker!

Moi, Meme, Bao, SW and Dr. Wong.

The Final Mindil Beach Market

I happened to be in Darwin at the end of dry season, which also means that Mindil was shutting up shop as the wet season passes through. Right, well this was going to be my third time to Mindil markets but I wasn't going to miss out on fireworks! I met up with J-Langer who was in my year at uni but had moved to Darwin cos her hubby is in the army.

A bad photo of me and J-Langer.

Can I stop ranting about mangoes already??

I really wanted a waffle but they only served them with whipped cream and I really wanted ice cream. So I had to settle for fruit salad with ice-cream. I really just ate too much in Darwin.

Fireworks! They have "Cracker Night" in Darwin (not sure when) but basically anyone can buy firecrackers and set them off in their own backyard.

Deckchair Cinema

Oh did I mention that I actually know people living in Darwin? Yeah, it's a small world. I met up with JTs and KWei who studied in the year below me and we went to Deckchair Cinema, which is WAAAAY better than Moonlight cinema cos they give you deckchairs to sit in, rather than BYO beanbags. We watched The Libertine, which is a bit not-so mainstream and I didn't realise it but was centred around the debauched lifestyle of the Earl of Rochester. So yeah, a bit of sex here and there.

JTs and KWei.

Me and KWei. Me and JTs.

Deckchairs and more deckchairs.

Afterwards, we went to a bar/pub and had cocktails. An unnecessary consumption of alcohol but I'm not complaining!

Ummm what was in this? It was called something along the lines of a Tropical splice and tasted exactly like a Splice icy-pole!

Rapid Creek and Mindil Beach Markets

Another day, another market. I was really getting in touch with my refugee side. This time, it was the Rapid Creek markets where I was told there was a bigger selection of tropical fruits to buy. I got really excited at the prospect of buying some mangosteen, longan and rambutan but none were in season! Not being a local, I just bought some more mangoes and jackfruit instead.

Lunch today was papaya salad. They make it fresh for you on the spot using a large pestle and mortar. Yum yum! I asked her to make it hot, but not too hot. Then I ate it and thought it wasn't hot enough. I should've just asked for extra hot.

I went back to Mindil Beach Markets that evening to enjoy a romantic time alone watching the sunset. I love Mindil Beach! The beach itself isn't anything special but I just really like the idea of having a market on the beach - it could do with a few more shops though.

Waiting for the sun to set.

Waiting for the sun to set was getting a bit boring, so I asked my Poffertjes (mini dutch pancakes) to keep me company. I ran to the beach to try and sit down so I could take a photo before the ice cream starting melting but it still looks like a mess. I had to have a banana - I needed brain food! Anyway, most ppl will know, I'm not a fussy eater and yes, this was yum.

Oh look, here's a little boy who magically appeared next to me as I was looking in the opposite direction. I pretended to not speak english and tried to take a photo of him but he was cheeky bastard who would look towards the sand whenever I attempted to photograph him.

Finally! The sun setting!

Parap Market and Lonely Walks

Today I went to Parap Markets, which is a weekly fresh produce and food stall market. For a place that has a rather small population, you can get a surprisingly large range of food in Darwin. Laksa, satay and stuffed chicken wings can be found anywhere and I was advised to sample some of the local attempts. Another thing I really like about Darwin are the fresh juices. Mmmmm yum!

My juice (I think it was Mango, Paw paw and Lime) sitting pretty with my Laksa.

For all the Laksa purists, I know that Laksa doesn't come with beef, but I was given the option of having chicken, seafood, pork, beef, char siu laksa or THE LOT. So being a greedy pig, I took the lot. The verdict? Well I can't say anything too bad about it, but I really needed Smee here to get an expert opinion.

After the markets, I thought I would go for a wander around Darwin-town. Not very smart, especially since I forgot to bring a bottle of water along.

Darwin Town Hall ruins as a result of Cyclone Tracy.

As you do. There's a classy hobo out there somewhere!

Moments before embarking on my walk down a lonely road. See the fear?

Oh this looks interesting!

The stairs down to the tunnel. When I got there, there was a lady sitting outside with a ciggie in her hand, charging $5. I decided there and then I wasn't really interested in looking after all.

Dammit more stairs! Stairs are so much harder to climb in 34 degree weather.

The Darwin coastline.

Another lonely pathway. This time down to a beach!

I felt a bit ripped off when I got the 'beach'. Yes I wanted to exfoliate my feet but not on rocks.

While at the Parap Markets earlier in the day, I had a bit of peek at all the foods available. Given that I had no dinner that night, and I was desperate not to eat hot food, I bought some rice paper rolls.

They were alright. Not as bad as some of the ones available in Viet restaurants where they just fill them with rice vermercelli.

Dessert was Baked Custard from some Indo? dessert stall. Yum yum!!!!!

Dilly Dallying In Darwin

Everyone was a little bit surprised at the announcement that Darwin would be my next destination. What's the big deal? It's the capital city of NT, it's gotta be kinda big and surely it beats going to somewhere in country Victoria. The only bad thing I noticed was that they dont get Channel 10!!!!!! They mix some Channel 10 programs onto Channel 7 so I guess you don't miss out on too much (me likey having TV very muchies). All in all, Darwin is just a giant, laid-back country town with skyscrapers as high as a six storey apartment block. A good place to get away from rat race antics.

Anyway, despite all the warnings about the heat, I found I could cope quite well! It wasn't quite humid yet so it was bearable. However, living long term here, I could see myself missing my four seasons and wearing something that is not always singlet and shorts.

Some pics of my first day there:

Mindil Beach. This is the main beach in Darwin where they hold a twice weekly afternoon/night market during the Dry Season.

My crepe with avocado, cheese and some sort of tomato salsa. Yum yum!

Another thing I noticed in Darwin was that mangoes are like DIRT. They fall off trees everywhere, lying rotten on the ground. Supposedly no one buys mangoes here, nearly everyone has a tree and if you don't then you get them for free from your neighbour!

I thought my staff member was being very nice to me when she offered me some mangoes, but really it's just cos she's sick of them! I happily obliged to take any unwanted smooth cheeked fruits from her.

I was staying across the road from the main chinese temple in Darwin and there is no point to this photo apart from the fact that I wanted to go into the Chinese Museum but it was shut due to repairs.

A turn in events...

Well, a big thing happened today...

I RESIGNED!!!!!

I wont bother going into any details of why, who, where and whatever (for fear of someone on the inside reading this), but I will say this - I was absolutely FUMING before finally deciding to give the Big Evil the flick.

Excuse me for blowing my own trumpet, but I'm one hell of a nice f#*king person (a walkover if you like) and it takes a lot to really push me over the edge and make me want to yell and scream profanities with genuine hatred. Lucky for them, I was able to exert self-control despite speaking through gritted teeth.

It's an untimely departure and my resignation was never meant to be so early or on such negative terms. But oh well, shit happens. Shit for the company that is.

Meme's Blog

Alright sorry for the delays of this post, but I did begin it on the date that it specifies!! Right now I'm in a net cafe writing this blog, which I guess demonstrates my addiction to the net as I am currently paying good $$$ to blog! Anyway, as the title of this entry states, this is Meme's blog. She wanted to share with all of you her purchases she made when in Sydney shopping for her sister's impending wedding.

This is her bridesmaid dress. All the bows! How cute!


Her gorgeous shoes for day and night. They are sooooo high! And surprisingly go very well with both dresses!


Her evening dress. This photo doesn't do the dress justice, as it makes the dress look silver when in fact it's a shimmery green.

Anyhow, I'm sure Meme will appreciate all your comments!

Madame Brussels

Friday night drinks was at Madame Brussels, a kitschy rooftop bar. What actually drew us there was the indoor Astroturf, complete with a garden path and 1950s outdoor furniture. As soon as you walk in, you become overwhelmed with the desire to don a Stepford wife ensemble and bake cookies in your blue and buttercup coloured kitchen.

Please do try the chicken and chive sandwiches, cupcakes and punch!


Yes, astroturf. It is rather nice to sit on.


Me praying to the mobile phone god.


Lovely J with all her goodies.
Me and all the goodies.


Meme joins J and I for more punch.


Steau, Meme and J about to trot off home.

Moo and her friend Lyddie met up with me and of course ordered more punch.

I realised I hadn't eaten a proper dinner, hence a pause at KFC was required. I waffled down a Works burger while Moo had some Wicked Wings.

It's been suggested that should Moo ever go missing, we should offer this photograph to the police.

Afterwards, we bumped into CC who was on her way to Lavish!?. Then we stopped by a friend's farewell before heading off home to a well earned rest. Yay.

Meeting up with Mippy

For the Sydneysiders who read my blog, I caught up with Mippy while he was in town for work. I rudely had to interrupt a session of him playing blackjack at the casino. He finally met Moo and off we went to get a drink at the World Bar on Southbank. It's quite a noice place with comfy little booths off the side. Moo insisted on a having a cocktail called Issey Miyake.

Knowing Mippy, he HAD to have dessert and he was dying to have the Baked Cheesecake at Cafe Greco. He was very disappointed to be advised that they didn't have anymore of his desired dessert and had to be content with a Strawberry Cheesecake. I had some chips and Moo ate a full lasagne at 11pm. Alright, so she hadn't had dinner.

Big Tick For Me?

Well after Bao's threat (more like a disguised desperate plea) to update our blogs, I posted two entries in fear. However, because I ratted her email to Lil Miss J, she has decided to withdraw any kudos to me.

This is Bao's summary:

Since I was *kindly* given a second chance that I would have my Tick (no longer big and fat) reinstated if I posted a blog before the end of the day, I have posted an entry about Madame Tussauds along with this one. So Bao, where's my tick? Also, I concur with Moo, why hasn't Bao updated HER blog??? Studying for CA is not an excuse my dear friend :P

Madame Tussauds

Oh look!

I'm not taking photographs of food!! Yes yes, we finally did something touristy in Hong Kong and that involved venturing out to The Peak. This involved a steep (and I mean 45 degrees) tram ride up Hong Kong's highest (?) mountain. I'm beating myself over the head for not taking photos of the actual tram but oh well. Twas my second time on the Peak Tram hence I wasn't excited enough to take snaps.

Proof that I did something touristy.

Smee and Bruce Lee. Haaaiiiii- ya!!!!

Smee and his hottie, Cecilia Cheung. I regret not taking a pic of Kelly Chan's wax model but I should have because it was cross-eyed, just like her. And me?

Smee and his other hottie, some Jap singer.

Smee and Eddie Murphy.

Smee picking the PM's nose. Nice.

Saddam Hussein! I'm so scared!!!!! I look like such a moron. But you gotta pick your opportunities of stupidity!

Smee sticking his finger in Saddam's ear.

Now, here's a few pics of me and my boys:

Jay Chou. I always knew he was a bit of an ugmo but this wax figure just reiterated it. I guess that's why he was a songwriter way before he became a singer. Too hard to market an ugmo.

Me and Brad Pitt. This wax figure actually looked really bad and didn't resemble him at all.

Eh? Smee jumped in on my Andy Lau shot!

*sigh* Andy Lau and I make a great couple don't we? His complexion looks a bit funny but that's cos the lighting was weird. His wax figure looks great for a 40-something year old.

For those who watch Korean TV series (errr me and Leesh) you will recognise this guy as Jun Sang from Winter Sonata. I don't know why I watched this series, I think I was just going through a phase of watching stupid, unbelievable, time-wasting shit. That being said, I will probably watch another Korean series soon if it comes highly recommended. Curiously, this series was a phenomenal hit in Asia.

You will enjoy Winter Sonata if you like stories about (take a deep breath) finding a person identical to your first puppy love who supposedly died 10 years ago, and then oh no, he didn't die, he recovered and was brainwashed, and now you're engaged to another high school classmate who tries to kill himself and rape you in a jealous rage after discovering that you are still harbouring feelings for your first love and now WTF, your first love is actually your half brother (?!? what is it with Koreans and incest?) but then it turns out that your first love is actually half brother to your current fiance (!!!), however, you leave the country to study in France even after last minute knowledge that you and your first love aren't related, and now puppy love has a brain tumour/clot (wtf is it with Koreans and tragic circumstances?) but you finally return, three years later and meet your first love again under coincidental circumstances and unfortunately, he is now blind from his tumour but *sigh!!!* he still senses your presence. It all ends with a kiss. Whatever *phew*

Me and Becks. Hottie soccer player with not enough testosterone to break his voice.

Smee giving Tiger Woods some well needed advice.

Me and the Sumo Wrestler.

Smee ensuring himself good luck and the wrath of a wrestler.

After Madame Tussauds, we made our way up to the viewing deck of the Peak. It was a bit of a smoggy day so the photos didn't turn out too well.

Me squinties due to the glare.

Smart Smee put on sunnies.

Oh I found my smarts and put on my sunnies too.

The building on top of the Peak. It's kinda famous.