Views from my breakfast window, Shanghai

As Malaysians, we are often spoiled for choice when it comes to food; especially with Chinese food, most of which is influenced by Cantonese cuisine epitomised by high fire stir-fry and brothy soups. Therefore it is not surprising that while the local food in Shanghai is always fresh and clean; it pales significantly in comparison to the food 'back home'. 
But ...I am not here to critique local food (being insufficiently qualified). this is simply a starting point for the next few sketches conducted from my breakfast window.

Looking across the river from our favourite breakfast table

Breakfast is a buffet of twenty odd dishes (emphasis on 'odd' ) - two types of porridge, three types of pickles, peanuts, fried pancakes, you-tiau, tomatoes, sliced corguettes, two types of pau, bread, fried rice and noodles, steamed sweet potato and pumpkin, hard boiled eggs, local corn on the cob accompanied by warm orange cordial and soy milk. (19 items) - SO there is plenty of time to sit and linger and draw.

travel sketches - bali

the barong, a mythical creature found in traditional dances based on Ramayana



early Sunday morning, sara and I stole outside to have a look at Ubud before the tourists woke up for their continental breakfasts.


balinese doorway



at the T-house, the sleeping quarters are open, with only the mosquito netting to keep insects away. it was very cooling as the breezes blow right through, ocassionally the lowing of a cow can be heard amidst the chirping of crickets.


this is the view from our T-house terrace; acres of 'sawah' or padi fields. the locals take a short cut ocassionally and wandered pass, with a smile and a 'selamat pagi'


our pool - the kids swam while we swung genty in silk hammocks.




the T house plan - the people who owned the place were very thoughtful - leaving books and music for our enjoyment. there were even paints and a sketch pad for the children.