Farewell to Ivy

Ivy's bassoon tutor won a full ride scholarship to NUS's music conservatory, Yong Siew Toh to continue her bassoon studies.

We are especially proud of her because she is the first of her family to go to University!

So while we were very sad to see her go, we had to celebrate her achievement at Que Huong Toi--she had never tasted vietnamese food prior.

She was not shy and ate very well :)

Farewell Ivy!

~ Shien

Smores on the Fourth of July

We had begun a tradition of toasting marshmallows for smores on our gas burning stove since we had no firepit or BBQ grill handy. 

So on Independence day, we made smores again!

~ Shien

Family Gathers in Ipoh--4 (hanging with the uber cool Hellen)

Hellen, who is quite the cook herself, was not satisfied at the sleepy pace I had set, so she stepped in to expedite!

We were unusually quiet as we devoured the massive breakfast!

Then we proceeded back to the Haven where our family was staying for mangosteens.

Hellen treated us to western brunch at Indulgence. Complete with lovely coffee and desserts!

~ Shien

Family Gathers in Ipoh--3 (climbing the cave temple)

We could have spent the entire day lazing around Hellen's condo, but we chose to drive to the Cave Temple... supposedly a tourist attraction in the area.

The temple had several garish statues and was set into the limestone cliff.

Tim decided to join us for this excursion.

This was the main temple room and was smoky with lots of incense burning.

So many stairs... 

Our reward was a grotto high above the main temple. About four chambers up.

~ Shien

Family Gathers in Ipoh--2 (the Haven)

The next evening, we went into the old city and met distant cousins at a seafood restaurant that had reserved a large number of colossal freshwater prawns for our host who was a former prominent member of the ruling political party.

The food was so good, we barely made time to capture images of it.

Back at the Haven condo resort, we swam at the amazing pool!

Because it had just finished raining, we had the entire pool area to ourselves!

The Haven is built in an abandoned tin mine and still features the limestone towers.

A wonderful beginning to a lovely family gathering!

~ Shien

Family Gathers in Ipoh--1 (Dinner under the Tree)

Our extended family gathered in Ipoh, Malaysia to remember Rose Devadasen, Vincent's late mother.

One of the most memorable meals was dinner "under the tree".

At this 'zhuchar' place, there is a tree that cousin Hellen Tan remembers fondly because of a story-telling man who sit and read stories for a small fee ages ago.

It is still a magical location decades later, and there is a massive mural and delicious food to be savored.

Thank you, Vincent for organizing such a lovely gathering and celebrating your very generous and hospitable mum!

~ Shien