Fraser's Hills

Last week, I took a leisure drive to Fraser's Hills just to give another go at birdwatching but this time, I wasn't that lucky because the dry forest plus the lingering haze didn't exactly worked out well. However, as I was to descend (the way down near the Glenn was closed due to fallen trees), I took a few moments to ponder around the tall trees fringing the exit/entry point...I was iniatially distracted by a Dusky Leaf monkey trying to eat the young fronds of a giant tree fern, not realizing something even more exciting was lurking at the canopy behind. As the Dusky Leaf monkey descended, I thought it had a companion, only to be pleasantly surprised when the accompanying 'monkey' turned out to be a solitary Siamang! It was very quiet and was perousing the canopy-reason why I had not spotted it earlier...

 A Bulbul in the bushes

 compact flowers in an abandonned golf course at Jeriau

 a brown butterfly among dead leaves

 a nymphalid came out to play

 A Siamang! This is not an easy animal to see but its cries can be heard miles away

 the Dusky Leaf Monkey

 plucking a huge tree fern frond

 butterfly at Jeriau

 butterflies congregation at Jeriau

a Laughingthrush

Talmont-sur-Gironde, a French village pretty as a picture

I visited this little charming 13th century village back in 2004...it is fascinating and beautiful at the same time  in a way that only French villages know how. The major attraction is the 12th century church in Roman-saintogeais architecture that sits prettily, almost surreal, on the bord of the limestone cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The village was once a middle-age citadel and its limestone walls live on as a testament to its past. This village, in the region of Poitou-Charentes, is of course, member of the Association of the most beautiful villages of France, itself aptly named one.

not much of a beach though, at low tide

the limestone cliffs with breath-taking views

photo ops...

façade of the church

the gem of the village

the cemetry behind the church overlooks the sea and has arguably one of the most poetic setting, even for Death

Dinner chez moi

Couple of weeks back, I invited a friend to dine chez moi. He owns one of the best Chinese restaurant in town, the one that I frequent the most and hence we struck off some friendship through love for cuisine. 

the table...

steamed new potatoes with truffle-infused butter

angel-hair pasta with garlic oil, parsley butter and tuna bits - my speciality

oven-baked chicken with cognac, butter, garlic and bacon, served on the side a lightly stir-fried Chinese edible jasmine flowers

Salad as usual

soufflé of orange liqueur, Grand Marnier