A dash of peppercorn, belacan, and cardamom

Travelled a bit the past week. First was a short overnight trip to Suzhou, where the travelling lasted longer than our stay. Then spent the weekend back in Muar. But not before our taxi driver outfoxed his way through the immigration traffic. Next, was on plane to Chennai on Sunday night and for the next two days, aclimatizing myself to the spicy local dishes and hot dry weather.

Shila Hotel in Suzhou, luxury stay away from the city, where the only food you will find in the middle of the day is from room service.

Funfair in Muar, where the operators gleefully turn on a ride even for a single kid, and allows more than the allotted revolutions for the 360deg rotating cabins (had to hold my dinner in!)

Chennai, where the new and modern hides behind the old weathered facade.