Shhh...

Shhh...Sometimes, simply love being in my own dreamland, my own little world and happiness is being alone with my own thoughts...Actually, many times, I feel that only the "me" within myself can understand me :) Please don't let moments like these pass by too fast...please.

Well done, Rika!

Rika was kinda fiddling with my camera and I believe she took these. And guess what, I kinda like them! Ain't you curious why? You can ask me why :) Well, not very sure of the professional terms associated with photography but I would feel that it would take a sensitive someone to notice the fine little things around us, things which could easily go unnoticed but would speak much through a photograph. A few random shots which we may think nothing of but if we take time to appreciate them, they are more than just random. They could be moments that we know can only come once... 

Best meal in Osaka

Never mind about the name of the place, never mind about the direction to that lovely house up in the mountains (Ya, I know it's silly me again)... What matters more is how my heart speaks. I would say that was my nicest meal during my trip to Osaka in June. Such simple ingredients but a real satisfied and heartwarming one I would say. There was this oba-chan who came to our cosy little house up in the mountains to cook for us. And everything seemed so effortless for her! I think the freshness of the ingredients had also made quite a difference. Wholesome freshness in every mouthful, ha, even the rice was simply cooked to perfection... We travelled on the road quite a bit before reaching this lovely house and in my mind then, I was asking myself if I would stay in this place for a few months...Would you know the answer?   

Love is like the wind

"Love is like the wind, you can't see it but you can feel it." ~ Nicholas Sparks, A Walk to Remember

Pierre Herme

PY, I was thinking of you when I was eating these in June in Osaka this year and I am still thinking of you when I am blogging about this now. Ha, I can never forget how we bought different kinds of lovely pastries that afternoon, sat at that bench in the supermarket in Shinjuku, took photographs of those colourful and artistic macarons, eclairs and cakes as if we are into food photography. Thank goodness nobody knew us there and people must be wondering why these two ladies kept clicking away instead of savouring those pastries. We could have invited stares but I guess we did not care then or were probably oblivious to what's going on around us. Well, I guess we know each other too well when it comes to taking photographs of what goes into our mouths, don't we? Thank you for the wonderful memories :)

Lazing and still lazing in a cafe

Don't you ever feel that a picture tells much? Don't you ever believe in the power of an image and a photograph? Well, I do, I really do and sometimes you just have got to let the photographs 'do the talking'...  I think it's O-Bash Cafe. 

Beyond lovely on a rainy day

Whenever something or some place gets my attention, I know I will be busy snapping pictures. It was a rainy day and Rika brought us to this nice cafe that served tasty healthy food. Well, you know how sometimes people often comment that healthy food is usually bland but I thought it was not so in this cafe. Everything looked so pretty and lovely in that cafe that I thought I had thoroughly enjoyed the meal. Ha, was it the food or was it how the food was presented? Simple steamed food but I believe much effort was put in to prepare and present the food. The thought of it simply warmed my heart...you know, I thought I could simply just spend my whole afternoon in that cafe and feeling lovely on a rainy day...

A sanctuary

Silence is very much taken for granted at times and it could even be much hated by some. I feel that I have learnt to love silence in the recent months, or at least treasure it. Too much noise and conversations could irritate me much at times especially when I am dying for some peace, quiet and personal space. During our stay in Osaka, we spent a night at a temple, away from the busyness of city life. I can still remember the feel of silence in the room that we stayed in. Simply felt like closing my eyes and enter into the world of peacefulness. Liked the fact that every step that I took within that sanctuary was slow and reflective. It's true...in order for one to listen, one needs to be silent.

Breakfast in Osaka

Ha, I reckon I should blog about my trip to Osaka in June before my trip to Tokyo in December. Don't ask me why I am going to Japan again in December because I don't think I may be able to provide an answer for that question. Okie dokie, stay focused and back to Osaka :P Well, a nice breakfast is important at the beginning of the day. And a nice homemade breakfast is certainly an extra bonus in our lives...simple but warms the heart and feeds the soul. I hate to gobble down my food especially when it's prepared with much love and care...Every bit and bite matters. Thank you, Rika and Mark, for preparing breakfast! 

The train ride

 Hmm, sure miss sipping almond milk

 As I had mouthfuls from this Taiwanese lunchbox, I kinda miss preparing my own.

Somebody indeed

 Is conformity the way to go?

 Not the tastiest sandwiches in town but I think it's still comfort food on a rainy day and a quiet afternoon :)

 Traces of "Somebody" in the food

 I am somebody who loves to sit by the window so I chose a seat for all of us by the window. Are you that somebody too?

 Do you know why I love sitting by the window? Do you see what I saw? Ain't they beautiful? 

Beautiful memories captured

I remember it was 2008 that Cheri, Mark and I last visited Somebody Cafe in Taipei and we even spoke to the artist. Four years later, glad that we were back there again. Nothing changed much actually. Well, I know I am somebody who can spend the whole afternoon in this lovely and cozy little cafe. Do you happen to be that somebody too?

Photography...

Capturing sunrise through the lens of the camera...

A reflection of simplicity...

Every little detail became an important subject.

Drink...

My favourite beverage...plain water :)

Stopping for a drink after cycling...

Ha, erm, I think we can never ever forget the noodles we had at this little cafe. I think eating at this cafe has in a way boosted my level of confidence in my cooking :P

What a sweet and warm welcome at Hotel De La Paix. In the background...you don't really need a tree to set up a Christmas tree, do you? I love the creative and intricate design of that Christmas tree.

How many times were we at this balcony? I lost count...Nice little place to spend the afternoon.

Having a simple meal near the Central Market, Phnom Penh...a little fly wanted to share the glass of ice lemon tea with me and ended up drowning in the tea, not sure if it's due to the sweetness or the icy cold tea :P

Eat...

Interestingly, Korean food seemed to be the highlight for this trip, not so much Khmer food :P The was really a generous serving of spring onions on the huge seafood pancake.

I couldn't seem to get enough of eggs benedict at Hotel De La Paix.

I miss breakfast and tea at Raffles Hotel Le Royal.

Our accommodation

Raffles Hotel Le Royal (Phnom Penh)

Hotel De La Paix (Siem Reap)...my favourite :)

La Residence D' Angkor (Siem Reap)