Hokkien (福建話) is a group of mutually intelligible Min Nan Chinese dialects spoken throughout Southeastern China, Taiwan, Southeast Asia, and by many other overseas Chinese. Hokkien originated from a dialect in southern Fujian. It is closely related to Teochew, though mutual comprehension is difficult, and is somewhat more distantly related to Hainanese. Hokkien historically served as the lingua franca amongst ...

I have just finished reading China Rich Girlfriend, the 2015 sequel to Kevin Kwan’s highly successful 2013 Crazy Rich Asians. I was so engrossed by the crazy parade through the lives of Asia’s richest elite that I was able to finish the 479-page novel within one day. Crazy Rich Asians introduced readers to the world of old Asian money and ...

I finished reading The Trader of Saigon by Lucy Cruickshanks today and  I have to admit that I find it quite a gripping novel despite initial misgivings. It is a dark tale dealing with human trafficking, corruption and poverty in post-war Vietnam where three seemingly unconnected lives are brought together in greed, fear and hope. As a US Army deserter, ...

The Girl on the Train, the debut novel by British author Paula Hawkins, has sold in excess of 10 million copies worldwide. It is a 409-page psychological thriller novel that is so engrossing that I managed to finish it in one day. The narrative is skilfully split between three women whose lives interlink tragically: Rachel, Megan and Anna. Hawkins has ...

I finished reading Journey Under the Midnight Sun by Keigo Higashino yesterday. When I started reading it on Tuesday night, I was immediately gripped by the story. Though it is 539 pages long, I was able to finish reading it within 2 days. I first came to know about Keigo Higashino when I bought his novel ‘The Devotion Of Suspect ...

I have come across Haruki Murakami’s books in bookshops in the past but I have never bought any of his books though he is an award-winning, internationally best-selling author. A few days ago, I went to Popular Bookstore in Kuching with my eldest brother and finally decided to try out Haruki Murakami by buying his bestselling Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and ...

As AirAsia Flight AK6181 from Miri to Kuching prepared for landing at Kuching International Airport yesterday, the usual reminder about use of hand phones only after the safety belt sign had been switched off was made by one of the cabin crew. I was sitting in a middle seat towards the back portion of the plane and as soon as ...

I have just finished reading Kevin Kwan’s Crazy Rich Asians and despite my initial misgivings, I found myself dazzled by the novel steeped in love and dripping with money. Think Dynasty on steroids and much more decadent. You will laugh at the idiosyncrasies of the crazy rich. It is like Jane Austen going to Singapore and writing about her experience ...

Good soup lifts the spirits, Stimulating the appetite is one of its merits, In Foochow cuisine, Red wine chicken mee sua reigns supreme.   Made from fermentation of red yeast, Jiu Bing and glutinous rice, Red wine tastes real nice, Mix it with the chicken soup, Behold you get a culinary coup.   Longevity noodles slithery and smooth, Swimming in ...

It happened almost a month ago, Error 20 was the fault, Nothing like this has occurred before, A mishap bringing my photographic pursuits to a halt.   To Kuala Lumpur I sent my Canon, The EOS 500D DSLR that has served me many a year, A camera that I have clicked with abandon, A gadget that has become so dear. ...