Food of Sri Lanka

I had an opportunity to samples Sri Lanka Food while transit ting en-route to Jeddah on the 16th April 2008.

While I do feel uneasy with presence of many government armed-men as the country is on a civil war on the northern part, the feeling was soon diminished as the airport and the city are located on the southern part of the Island.

Of all, I must admit, this country is beautiful and it was like turning back 30 years ago, where people enjoying their simple life

Bandarneike International Airport

As we arrived around 7pm, me and my other colleague was taken to Goldis Sands Hotel, a 3-star resorts, near city while waiting for our next flight 3pm next day.There we first taste the Sri Lanka hospitality, and we did enjoy our stay and the food there.

Registering our names

Soon after we get our room, we headed for buffet dinner, it was splendid, as we enjoyed the seafood with different flavour of curry based dishes. Food do becoming our concerns :( as this country are Buddhist majority followed Christianity and Muslims. We don't dare to touch the beef and chicken as we are not sure its worthiness in muslim perspectives. Nevertheless throughout the dinner was accompanied with trio-musician playing some oldies and classics; lovely

The chef and their culinary expression, some of the food and the trio-musicians

we wake-up early as pre-dawn prayer around 430am, and its already like 9am here in Malaysia, where I immediately headed to the beaches.

Top; the view from my room at 5am, middle; the Indian Ocean, Bottom; making friendships with Mr. Wilson

I saw many trawler-like-boat, where I was informed, by a local known as Mr. Wilson, it was prawn catching seasons now, with lobster is only cost around RM40 a kilogram. Hmm, great for my gout... Soon we headed for the breakfast, it was great with breads and again..fish curry, and sampling the local pineapples was the sweetest moment we ever had :) I meant the fruit

Our Lunch consists of basmathi rice, chicken curry, fish, dhall, salads and pounded chilli and the best of all, the flavorful papadam; you can't get it anywhere... so good

We had 'hidang-style' lunch instead of buffet, most probably due we are the only foreigner left, and then we were told that all chicken in hotel in Sri Lanka are Halal as a respect to Muslim community. As halal chicken, these birds are coming from specialize farm instead of normal market. Hmm, too late then as we already ordered special dishes, the Lobster Masala and again, Pineapple Juices and a plate of freshly cut pineapples...so nice and sweet










the main dishes - Lobster; we really should asked the chef to roasted it instead of Masala, nevertheless it was gone within few minutes

Of all we spent around RM120 for this lobster, a far cry cheaper as around RM400 if we wanted to have similar one, back in Malaysia.

As we headed to the airport, the security was tight and everything has to be checked, except my money in my pocket :)

we had to take this bus to enter to the airport, as no other public vehicle is allowed as safety measures

at the airport, we bought some tea... anyway Sri Lanka is known for their finest tea, stones and crafts with elephant figure is indeed popular

maybe I should be back for more lobster, perhaps one day....

Next 48 hours

Insya'allah, in the next 48 hours, I will be in-flight to Jeddah, with 6 hours stop-over in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

I am excited and ready as I prepare myself through reading - the theoretical aspects and with YB Yaakob Sapari (Exco Selangor) as the practical teacher - the way he taught me are impressive enough and was made easier which makes me understand in-depth, the procedure and steps once you are there. Thanks YB

Other than my feet, which still yet to fully recovered, I have made my mind clear and focus.

This is chance to redeem to HIM and his prophet, Insya'allah

winds of change

In normal or even harsh environment, people need to constantly change, learning the technique to survived whilst improving their life at same time. It just like when you were swimming you need to move around just to stay afloat, otherwise you will be sinking

This morning I received many positive news which may affect me, my career and positions in this university. I was overwhelmed indeed. Nevertheless, power comes with responsibility quote by spiderman :)


I need to re-shuffle my planning for this year, without affecting my PhD

The best of today, was my feet as it improved tremendously :)

Time are not with me

I am worried as eventhough my feet are improving, but yet to indicate as fully covered from the acute gout. I am still wallking slowy.

With mum visiting with aisyah yesterday, I am bit relief as it does fulfilling my wish to see her before leaving Malaysia (thanks for coming)

With less than 7 days before the flight, I really not sure how to improve myself.

Mecca and Madinah

I had quite few write-up on my projects, which supposed to be the biggest ever, only if I were granted such businesses

Nevertheless, I did mentioned that 2009, is for my PhD and nothing else, as I do frustrated on many projects which never materialised, albeit it was part and parcel as in business it have only succeed or failure.50-50 chance, as I involved in consultancy work.

As per April 2009, I had 2 project secured, first was the just launched project entitled Knowledge Management, which involving as many as 10 consultant working together ( I love the networking) while the other is teaching at UPM in July which I took one subject despite being offered two.

While lying down at home (due to acute sickness), a call was recieved, and it was another project secured - albeit in small scale - for Haj pilgrims -

I am going there on 16th April and during Haj seasons this coming October, Insya'allah
(may Allah forgives me)

Down.... and while being positive

I was down with acute gout which lasted 14 days and until today still very much in recovery period... and today, I am able of walking slowly to the office, after quite painful driving a 'manual' car.

being positive person, there are many good things does happen during my 'rest' day..among other supervise my house renovations, had some quality time with my wife and of course, the best news was another project was secured.

Life goes as usual