Delights
Malaysia’s amalgamated cuisine
Food holds a privileged place in the lives of Malaysians. They love to eat and view food as an important (indeed serious) expression of hospitality. In fact, Malaysian High Commissioner Dato’ Hayati Ismail insists that “guests must be fed regardless of the time of day — no questions asked.” Many may automatically assume Malaysian cuisine […]
A little country in the city for Taiwan envoys
Up a long shaded driveway, hidden from view on the eastern shore of McKay Lake, there’s the home where David Tawei Lee, representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, and his wife, Lin Chih, a former banker and now an IT consultant, have lived for the past five years. The residence is a lavish […]
A noted astronomer checks out the coming Mayan doomsday
The American-made disaster film 2012 was one of the most profitable disaster movies of all time (earning US$700 million). Released on Friday, Nov. 13, 2009, director Roland Emmerich’s fictional portrayal of global cataclysm exploited the approach of the year 2012 when, according to best-selling doomsday prophets, the world would end precisely (they said) as the […]
I, spy
A remarkable true story of enterprise and espionage, of mystery and mayhem, in the Far East Jim Thompson was the best-known western businessman in Thailand, arguably the best known in all of Southeast Asia. Then one day, during a brief holiday in the highlands of Malaysia, he simply vanished — and became famous round the […]
Four famous fully-engaged French writers
Writer/activists are coming back into fashion. It’s time to revisit their French ancestors. When I was about 15, I stumbled on a book no one else seemed to have checked out of the public library in decades: Emile Zola, Novelist and Reformer: An Account of his Life and Work. It was published in 1904, […]
Yonge Street: Governor Simcoe’s military road
By Laura Neilson Bonikowsky I have ascertained by a Route hitherto unknown but to some Indian Hunters, that there is an easy Portage between York and the Waters which fall into Lake Huron of not more than thirty miles in extent…. and hope to compleat (sic) the Military Street or Road the ensuing Autumn.” ~ […]
Exploring Norway’s fresh-food culture
A country’s culture rests in a composite — language, dress, music, dance, architecture and traditions. A country’s character reveals itself also through its food, what was, and is, cultivated in various regions, coupled with methods of food preparation and preservation. My next series of articles will explore the national cuisine of various countries through […]
An elegant Egyptian renovation
The Egyptian embassy residence is a treat for the eye. But it’s tucked away up a lane off Acacia Avenue so it’s a treat that casual passers-by might well miss. Attractive wrought-iron gates lead up the long driveway to the front entrance of a house built in 1913 by Allan Keefer, the architect for Stornoway […]
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