My Longkang

This is a tangkalak fish. It can only be found at the upper reaches of the Rejang River. It is quite difficult to catch. But it has not been raining heavily recently so this fish is still not as expensive as the years before. It still costs above RM100 a kg. The host used the lid of a cooking pot as a dish as it was too long. The taste? It is different from other fish as it is very fine…it has some fine bones but not to the extent that it becomes a problem. This particular fish was steamed ‘teochew’ style.

There were nine other dishes but my flickr account is about used up. I have a blogger family coming from KL to stay with me tomorrow and maybe we can work something out. I borrow some bandwidth from him . It is interesting that I have known him many many years and only recently I found out he is blogging too.

This is a shot I took of the swimming pool in Sibu while visiting friends. I have been busy the past two days visiting and being visited. Last night I had to turn down an invitation from some friends which was very embarrassing.

In another 20 minutes I am due at another family’s house. Benghui has been so excited and happy that he is like a monyet kena belacan…meaning he cannot sit still…he doesn’t really understand why every one is giving him red packets ‘ang pows and keeps touching his pockets to ensure it hasn’t dropped.

He is never far from the sweets, chocs, cakes, titbits I have prepared for guests. So far, I have been busy serving, smiling, chatting and washing glasses. MY guest almost always come in groups which is easier for me.

This year like every other year, I have also been receiving children who turn up at the gates wishing ‘ Qong Xi Fa Cai’ . In the spirit of new year, I always let them in and they serve themselves to all the goodies and demand for an angpow before leaving. The other houses also experience this phenomena.

“Daddy, they put everything in their pockets,” shouted Benghui. I turn back and see Ferraro Roche chocs, chocs, sweets, fruits etc …everything being put into red transparent plastic bags they had brought along. I was very embarrassed for Benghui’s outburst. I gave them their customary angpow and wished them a pleasant journey. They don’t celebrate the lunar new year so they don’t understand the concept of open house.

Everything on the coffee table was gone, including foodstuff still in their plastic containers from the supermarket still wrapped. I also worried a little for Benghui learning the wrong values.

Still, it has been a marvelous new year and Benghui has been having a wonderful time meeting his relatives running around, playing catch…hide and seek.

” Daddy, I want to learn swimming,” Benghui declared the first thing he woke up this morning. Sorry, I won’t allow that. I fear for his safety. It is irrational..and senseless but I worry something will happen. No swimming…..period ..at least until he is 12 years old.