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Roaminallover-Here, There and Everywhere
When we woke this morning Khota Bharu looked incredibly desolate and it felt like another Fort Kochin moment (or Dieppe moment – Cousin Kathryn will know what that means!) as most things seemed closed. Despite being about 10 am things were only just coming to life although by the time we reached the Sunday market things were very much alive but thankfully not kicking. I'm sorry for all you foodies that we couldn’t add any smells to the blog- maybe as well. I consider myself to be not too bad when it comes to identifying things edible but i was at a loss this morning. We managed to take some snaps of the veg sellers for you, our faithful blog followers, although we had to skip pics in most of the other bits due to low light and discretion. John was also moving so fast through the meat section that we would have needed a very fast shutter speed to get anything in focus. This side of Malaysia doesby n’t see many tourists and we seem to be the only Europeans here. Whilst it does mean you see the country as it is, rather than the tourist face you do have to tolerate a few more glances, and poorer English.
The area is predominantly Islamic and much more conservatative other areas of Penninsular Malaysia so much of it is reminiscent of parts of Asian Turkey, and Morocco. I have never seen so manywomens clothes sellers. Although i have to admit to not having much call for a new hajib- John is trying to persuade me to take the plunge though as he feels they would be really useful for mealtimes. They comprise a headscarf bit and then a yoke which covers the top of the chest and shoulders. He saw one today with three layers of material which he thought perfect for a three course dinner- clean layer for each. I think he’ll be on the sewing machine as soon as we get home.
We have published our pics of Mee Goreng Mary and the girls at the Golf resort hotel in Gemas – as i know they have many fans out there. We have also bumped into our latest character – who we can only call Dell Boy Hussain- due to his incessant use of Only fools and Horses phrases. We were loitering, as you do, outside the Tourist information building checking out the map there. I think in a previous life he must have worked for a Daventry Estate Agents, or neighbourhood watch. He was out from behind his desk in a shot – shepherding us inside. Go for it we thought- lets see what he has to say.
Basically it was a stream of phrases he had picked up – TEFL teachers out there will be cringing as i speak- presumably by learning his English from the entire box set of Only Fools and Horses and Pinnochio. Delivered in a posh accent with an effeminate twist gave it a humorous but irritating element. We declined his offer of a trip to the fishing village, kite maker, puppet maker and dragon boat temple as there was every chance one of us wouldn’t have got through the afternoon without dangling him on the end of the fishing hook. We left saying we would think about his trips- and as he said "we let our conscience be our guide" and returned to the hotel, just before the heavens opened.
The area is predominantly Islamic and much more conservatative other areas of Penninsular Malaysia so much of it is reminiscent of parts of Asian Turkey, and Morocco. I have never seen so manywomens clothes sellers. Although i have to admit to not having much call for a new hajib- John is trying to persuade me to take the plunge though as he feels they would be really useful for mealtimes. They comprise a headscarf bit and then a yoke which covers the top of the chest and shoulders. He saw one today with three layers of material which he thought perfect for a three course dinner- clean layer for each. I think he’ll be on the sewing machine as soon as we get home.
We have published our pics of Mee Goreng Mary and the girls at the Golf resort hotel in Gemas – as i know they have many fans out there. We have also bumped into our latest character – who we can only call Dell Boy Hussain- due to his incessant use of Only fools and Horses phrases. We were loitering, as you do, outside the Tourist information building checking out the map there. I think in a previous life he must have worked for a Daventry Estate Agents, or neighbourhood watch. He was out from behind his desk in a shot – shepherding us inside. Go for it we thought- lets see what he has to say.
Basically it was a stream of phrases he had picked up – TEFL teachers out there will be cringing as i speak- presumably by learning his English from the entire box set of Only Fools and Horses and Pinnochio. Delivered in a posh accent with an effeminate twist gave it a humorous but irritating element. We declined his offer of a trip to the fishing village, kite maker, puppet maker and dragon boat temple as there was every chance one of us wouldn’t have got through the afternoon without dangling him on the end of the fishing hook. We left saying we would think about his trips- and as he said "we let our conscience be our guide" and returned to the hotel, just before the heavens opened.
- comments
Lindsay Did you have some durian yet?! The train sounds nice. Hope you congratulated the Japanese student - Kobayashi came 3rd in the Japanese GP this morning!!...or maybe you met him before that happened...anyway...glad all going well! All good here - have hoovered, cleaned bathroom and made 2 batches of macaroons over the past two days - so having as much of an exciting time as you are I'm sure. haha! Enjoy! :) x
Ann I am loving your blog!! Hope all is well??? No sign of a party in the street yet :-(
Carella Kumquats?
Carella Looks like gateau is the same the world over!
Anne Dow These were like gateaux with no calories though. They were so light- You hardly noticed they were in your mouth. they do seem to like their pattiserie type cakes here - but steering clear. This was lunch. would bring one back but cant imagine it would make the distance - sorry :(
Anne Dow yes we are great thanks Anne. Think the girls are too busy looking after the dogs and chickens to party :)