When it comes to the Chinese New Year, without exception it's about family reunion and the reunion dinner on the eve of the New Year. Here are the pictures from the dinner this year.
The 8 pictures above were all taken in Railay Beach. Picture postcard perfect beach
Ao Nang beach
View from my balcony
I took a short break with the family to Krabi. It's our first time there although we've been to the neighbouring island of Phuket several times. The weather held up fine and I was able to snap several hundred pics with the trusted Nokia N8. Hope to go back there again soon since it's virtually in our backyard. Food was cheap and the people friendly. What more can you ask for really.
Over the Hari Raya break I managed to squeeze in a short break to Penang, the missus' hometown and 1 of the places of interest we stopped by was Balik Pulau ('the other side of the island'), which among other things is famous for its durian plantations. As the pictures will attest, it's a really small town with the Main Street running through it.
Here's also a short video of the preparation of the Penang Assam Laksa which incidently was voted 7th out of 50 most delicious food in
the world in a CNN global poll.
The Dusky Leaf Monkey. One of the more docile members of the simian family
The Malayan Flying Lemur or Colugo. Check out the camouflage of the fur of the colugo and the tree bark
Hermit Crab - about the size of the palm of my hand several meters from the sea inland
Black Giant Squirrel (I think)
Nestled on the north coast of Langkawi Island is Teluk Datai, one of the more secluded stretches of beach on the island. It offers stunning views and if you are into animals from the rainforests, you are in luck. You can easily find a variety of hornbills, monkeys, eagles, squirrels, eagles etc in the rainforests estimated to be around 500 million years old, nestled around this bay.
I just got back from Langkawi with the family and I already miss it. Maybe I'll try to squeeze in another trip before the year is up. Fingers and toes crossed!