I didn’t have any cake but they were stunning to look at. The flat white I had was great, my partner found his latte too ‘heaty’ (acidic?). He can’t take stronger coffee like I can.
Poison Apple was the most captivating
The Cuban sandwich was nothing close to what was shown in the movie ‘Chef’. I found the ham a tad too oily. The pulled pork wasn’t tangy and the sandwich wasn’t toasted enough so the cheese was not melted. I mostly tasted the mustard but at least the quality of the baguette was good.
Cuban Sandwich
It was pleasant to sit there as it was comfortable and relatively empty compared to the cafe at Meidi-ya for instance (where we initially wanted to go).
Today was museum day. But first breakfast at a highly rated cafe, Jackman & McRoss. Famous for freshly baked goods. We visited back in 2019 but I’m glad it’s still going strong in 2022 after covid and still getting rave reviews.
My chicken pie breakfast. My sister had poached eggs and my mum just bread and butterMy cousin C’s doppelgänger (from this angle), minus the Stacie. Taxi driver who brought us to the MuseumReached the museum grounds
In the next post I’ll write about the amazing MONA, Museum of Old and New Art.
I get great satisfaction looking at my statistics as a measure of how I’m doing with this blogging pursuit.
I have written 300 posts so far this year, starting at the end of February, when I got technical help to revive the blog.
Makes me feel pleased, as I seem to have abandoned writing during the years 2017-2021, with only 12 posts over those 5 whole years.
I was continuing to battle cancer till 2019 as side effects persisted from treatment.
Then the covid years of 2020 that we all know too well. But I couldn’t bear to ever give up this space as it is so much a part of me.
Strangely though, I still had high traffic with the momentum of my old posts. They still held interest for many people for some reason.
2010 and 2011 were prolific, crossing 1000 for each year. The 1.1 million visitors of all time were mainly due to these early enthusiastic years, when I was listed tops on Google.
I continued with regular posting till 2015.
In 2016 it was mostly cancer posts as I was diagnosed shortly after New Year having endured pains through Christmas. I wrote 42 posts in all.
Traffic in 2022 however is only 0.5% of the heights I reached. That’s pretty dismal (and mostly due to not being listed at the top on Google anymore). I was probably penalised for not having a high security domain like I do now.
I’m trying not to be discouraged and produce art for art’s sake. Whether it is good or appreciated is besides the point. The important thing is to enjoy the creative process. Well, at least I try to tell myself that.
The honest truth is that I desire to be discovered and published. Since I have this platform, I might as well make use of it.
I actually let a lot of opportunities go in the past, due to shyness and fear. Also lack of technical know how holds me back the most. I can’t let any of that hold me back any longer.
What I love most are the comments and interactions with fellow blogger writers of all ages, in a community spanning the globe.
I like writing about different topics simply because I have varied interests just like any human. I couldn’t possibly just write about cancer for instance as I’m no longer undergoing active chemo. Also a particular post may just resonate with someone for any random reason.
Travel posts make me feel the most relaxed as I’m able to re-live the highlights of the trip.
Food posts make me hungry as you can imagine.
The trauma posts are draining, but feel necessary as writing is my therapy – a way to process and offload. Also more critically, to educate and for prevention. I don’t want my traumas to happen to anyone else, ever.
The diary posts are what I love to look back on to see how my perspective has changed.
It’s been 15 years since I opened an account on WordPress, moving here from Google as suggested by my dear cousin D. She was right, as always, as WordPress proved to be a much superior Content Management System (CMS) even though it looked intimidating at first.
My most popular posts this years include topics covering, travel, happiness and aging.
2010-2015: Active Blogging 2015-2021: diminishing as life takes over (cancer & covid) 2022: revival
This was truly scrumptious. I am a creature of habit and always have the chilli vinaigrette dumpling noodles here.
Usually when I choose something new I always regret it. But this time I was pleasantly surprised. Both the broth and dumplings were divine. This was at the Paradise Group Casual dining restaurant Lenu at VivoCity.
More walking around Hobart. And I do love seagulls. We never get these in Singapore. And the grass here is so lovely. In Singapore this would be called carpet grass and they have to be weeded carefully and it’s expensive.
Cute little orange feet Carrots in Singapore look too clinical. Here they look so good. Rosewater sounds divine
We couldn’t come to Australia and not have fish & chips. My sister did the research and found this famous place called Fish Frenzy just by the pier.
Hope these trip posts help in your travel planning. I love looking at blog posts rather than authoritative travel guides for the best most honest trip info.
The beautiful pier.
On our way there the art on these post boxes caught my eye.
Being driven to the next destination, The Royal Tasmanian Botanic Gardens. Wish I had journaled as I travelled. I must the next time or at least blog as soon as I can.
Memory is so lacking, after a lapse of more than 3 years.
I can see now why a travel writer like Paul Theroux is constantly scribbling into his notebooks and writing out passages as soon as he’s in his hotel room.
150 year old Sequoia tree. I long to see the 4000 year old ones.
I’m always second guessing myself and wracked with insecurity. I wonder if there was ever a time in my life when I was confident, and the answer would be hardly ever.
If at all, it would be for a fleeting moment, if I get praised about something. Immediately after I think it’s just a pity compliment. Or the giver is biased.
Are you that way as well?
I want to be more confident, but it’s eluding me.
On the other hand when it comes to the people in my life, I am full of admiration for their abilities. And I feel so much confidence in them with zero doubt.
This article truly triggered me. It presents the findings of a survey that shows 40% of parents use corporal punishment. It doesn’t take any stand against it. It even seems to be excusing it.
The study found that younger children are more vulnerable to physical discipline, with 40.6 per cent of parents of pre-schoolers found to be most likely to use the method.
Straits Times
Reading the above makes me incensed. I knew it was happening, but to see the cold hard statistics was very hard.
I will never waiver from the stand that hitting is barbaric and should be illegal.
Evidence shows corporal punishment increases children’s behavioural problems over time and has no positive outcomes.
All corporal punishment, however mild or light, carries an inbuilt risk of escalation. Studies suggest that parents who used corporal punishment are at heightened risk of perpetrating severe maltreatment.
Corporal punishment is linked to a range of negative outcomes for children across countries and cultures, including physical and mental ill-health, impaired cognitive and socio-emotional development, poor educational outcomes, increased aggression and perpetration of violence.
I promised myself when I was a kid, that when I grow up, I will always protect children and if I don’t put my voice out there, I am letting my past self, and all children, down.
If you hit an adult, you will be charged with assault. It’s totally mind boggling that it does not apply to an adult hitting a child. The same laws should apply for all humans. I thought we progressed with time?
And birthing a child doesn’t mean they belong to you. That mindset should be thrown out. They are an individual in their own right.
It’s even worse to subject a child who is vulnerable and obviously smaller than an adult to this barbarism. There is a sadistic element and a loss of control of emotions and it’s lazy. No one can convince me that it’s not abuse.
When someone says, but I was hit and I turned out fine. Really, I want to say. You really think that?
You’re basically teaching the kid to bully. That it’s ok to hit someone less physically powerful. In the long term this translates to bullying other kids in school, and bullying in the office. Ultimately it’s a political leader waging war and killing millions. I’m simplifying it all, but I see that trajectory of abuse of power, and just pure violence.
I have seen children grow up to resent their parents and the relationship is often severed. It does not surprise me in the least and it’s basically karma.
I may not have birthed kids, but I know what it is like to be a defenseless child. To loose your dignity and have long term psychological damage.
I am ashamed that not more is done to protect the most vulnerable. I can’t believe that it’s 2022 and nothing much has been done. I’m seething as I write this.
China has made a bold and right step in this regard. Hope they do better in enforcing the laws. But then, why can’t we?
Higher powers that be (I’m calling out to all that’s good in this universe) please protect the most vulnerable. I implore you. It’s imperative for a more humane society. When ethics are in question you can’t go with what the majority think.
On the other hand I’m highly impressed by thoughtful parents who take the time and effort to explain things to kids. It’s the harder way, but definitely superior. I’ve seen these kids turn out to be well adjusted lovely young people with kindness and compassion towards others.
And if you don’t truly love children, but see them as an accessory like a car or a condo, a possession you own, then do the poor child and the world a favour – don’t have them. Because children are a blessing and you don’t deserve them.
I’ll leave you with more information on research by the WHO, because if my impassioned plea doesn’t impress you, evidence might :
A large body of research shows links between corporal punishment and a wide range of negative outcomes, both immediate and long-term:
direct physical harm, sometimes resulting in severe damage, long-term disability or death;
mental ill-health, including behavioural and anxiety disorders, depression, hopelessness, low self-esteem, self-harm and suicide attempts, alcohol and drug dependency, hostility and emotional instability, which continue into adulthood;
impaired cognitive and socio-emotional development, specifically emotion regulation and conflict solving skills;
damage to education, including school dropout and lower academic and occupational success;
poor moral internalization and increased antisocial behaviour;
increased aggression in children;
adult perpetration of violent, antisocial and criminal behaviour;
indirect physical harm due to overloaded biological systems, including developing cancer, alcohol-related problems, migraine, cardiovascular disease, arthritis and obesity that continue into adulthood;
increased acceptance and use of other forms of violence; and
damaged family relationships
Best countries for child rights. I’m not surprised to see Nordic countries top the list.
Tomorrow is Children’s Day in Singapore. Let us do something much meaningful than just giving them a school holiday.
Walking to the farmers’ market and we spot a cruise ship.
Truly spoilt for choice at the Salamanca Farmers’ Market. It takes place in Saturday’s from 8.30 am to 3 pm.
The market extends the full length of Hobart’s historic Salamanca Place. With over 300 stallholders, the market includes fresh produce from local growers, hot coffee, delicious breakfast and lunch options, lots of gift ideas and plenty of handmade products.
Essentially we had brunch here – donuts and pies.
A very long, picture heavy post, as there was so much to capture here.
It was buzzing Super crowdedProbably locals plus those from the cruise ship?South Indian food likeThosaiWhat we had been hunting for Glorious sugar donutsCustard fillingJam fillingPearsThey call candy floss or cotton candy, fairy floss hereSo yummy
It looks quite bright, so we must have been experiencing the long days of summer.
Setting sunMy mum was captivated by this fruitFrom this tree. She loves plants and trees. The hotel fountain and little gardenView of the sun set and mountains from our hotel room
My sister was recommended this restaurant by her boss, especially the pasta I think.
I think I recall that the hosts were lovely and welcoming.
From the pictures you can see how good it was, but we were too uncomfortably full after. We normally don’t have 3 full meals and as a result always gain at least 2-3 kilos after a trip, but we don’t want to restrict ourselves during travel.
I never can resist garlic bread. Just looking at this is making me crave big time. They actually had chilli flakes and chilli oil, Italian style, making me & mum happy. My sister won’t go near the stuff. Of course creme brûlée for dessert even though we were beyond stuffed. Sharing it didn’t help as the potion was generous. Always need to end the meal on a sweet note. I think my sister made reservations or we went early – the place was soon packed If I didn’t take photos I wouldn’t remember a thing.
Luckily there is Google so I found the address and website.
Recall it was pretty tiring to walk as it was quite a steep gradient. But glad I could take pictures.
Not sure what plant this is but it caught my attention looking like a mini brinjal White picket fence houses Telephone wires Roses thrive here Arresting muralsHistorical items from the colonial era that are offensive nowSomehow tastier and fresher overseas but no garlic chilli sauce Hard to choose. I prefer fries but nuggets have more protein?
A female penal colony in South Hobart, that operated between 1828 and 1856. It was used for colonisation as well as punishment. The women were seen as immoral and corrupt.
The Factory was located, in damp swamp land, and with overcrowding, poor sanitation and inadequate food and clothes, there was a high rate of disease and mortality among its inmates. (Source: Wikipedia)
I was struck by the beauty of the architecture with the backdrop of the mountains.
I probably took photos from our hop on hop off tourist bus. Perfect picturesque scenery.
Loved the pinkThose vermillion roofsAt this point we got off to walk to the first notable place – the women’s prisonIt was quite an eye opener and inspiring to see how passionate people were about natureWe reached out destination – Cascades Female Factory
Breakfast was at a small, laid back, hipster cafe called the tricycle cafe and bar. Sourdough bread is always heavenly in Australia. It was located at the Salamanca Arts Centre which is very near the Salamanca Market. We walked there from our lovely hotel – Lenna of Hobart.
A check of historical records reflect that the temperature was about 13 – 23 degrees celcius. So even when memory fails, at least I have the internet.
Walking to the breakfast place from the hotelI’m sure I had the marmalade toast My sister had the Nutella toast My sister had hot chocolate as she doesn’t drink coffeeMy mum had a latte with this and we probably took the bacon from her plate as she doesn’t eat that. The milk canisters caught my eyeSalamanca Fresh is their supermarket Sparsely populated Hobart – I love it A very pretty city indeed
The trouble with blogging so long after the fact is that memory is not infallible. But I have been desiring to record this last trip taken before covid struck. So here goes.
And I’ll mostly let the pictures do the talking. The beauty of Tasmania cannot be denied.
My sister took this picture from her window seat just before we landed (I’m claustrophobic and always need to be at the aisle)We had to take another flight to Tasmania from Melbourne as there was no direct flight from SingaporeWe stayed the night at Lenna
I’m getting such warm feelings as I recollect the trip taken with my mum & sis. It was our very first time to Tasmania, an island state south of Australia.
This blast from the past, made me grateful we are not facing another haze. Wow glad I recorded these thoughts 16 years ago when the air quality was bad enough to make me choke. It’s very easy to forget with time.
Just cool skies after the rain today. Overcast with clouds and I’m already loving October. October always feels special, and now tinged with longing, because it’s the month my Papa was born.
October babies are the best. So birthday greetings to all October kids no matter what your chronological age.
Traffic on my blog plunged, which is not surprising, considering I only wrote a single post in 2021, mainly due to technical issues with my blog.
I wrote about living with Covid restrictions in this post from March 2021.
It’s good to look back, reflect and be grateful. This post certainly made me grateful that wearing masks is optional. I can breathe freely again and also choose to wear the mask, using my own judgement, when I feel it’s too crowded.
I relish being able to see the little ones in my life. We recently had a family gathering with a religious ceremony commemorating the second anniversary of the death of our beloved aunty.
I am thankful to be able to take the bus and mrt. Grateful masks are still required here as I do hear people coughing.
Taking public transport, at off peak hours, gives me a sense of freedom and normalcy.
Not having to check into malls and shops and carry around a token for this purpose is something I won’t miss.
So truly grateful for some relief a year later, in 2022.
