I could see that perpetual gleam in his eyes and sense the passion as he talked about his vision for his farm; his ideas kind of flowed as he rattled off: a herbal garden, organic farming, farm chicken fed on corn, palm wine trees, spas to accommodate two people, foot massage, and food. He used us as a sounding board to clarify his vision. Everything must be natural; no plastic tableware or chairs, no metal, but unfortunately most things natural are expensive and he had to settle for a dilution. His completed gazebo is vision dented by the reality of cheap plastic chairs and the high cost of attap roofing.
Anyway, Mr Lim invited us to try out a couple of dishes at his gazebo which could accommodate three medium sized tables. He wanted us, as he put it frankly, to comment on his food. He prepared two dishes: curry fish head and a chicken dish cooked with ground leaves of a native Sarawak plant called 'pokok ma' or the 'ma tree'. The leaves are said to be used in cooking by the indigenous people to fortify their women after childbirth. His second wife is a Sarawakian of Chinese descent. The food was washed down with Royal Stout and fresh palm wine obtained from a palm estate in Yong Peng. Quite a potent combination for me.
The recently completed gazebo
The delicious fish head curry cooked by his first wife. It looks like he is going to rope in his two wives into his scheme
Chicken cooked in white wine and the leaves of the 'ma tree'. The chicken are fed on corn.
It is distinctly different and delicious; it reminds me of the traditional Chinese chicken cooked in white wine and ginger for Chinese women after childbirth.
Some guests tucking in
Unfortunately I did not take any picture on palm wine tapping. This image is to give you a general idea about palm wine
Chilled palm wine. Mixed with Royal or Guinness Stout, it could be a potent combination
After the lunch, guests enjoying the palm wine and the serenity of the farm
This is the view of Jalan Soga in 1955
Jalan Soga in 1914
Jalan Rahmat in 1955
Kim's Park, the amusement park at Jalan Mohd Akil. Once a focal point for families, it gave way to a number of office blocks
This cinema was demolished to give way to Odeon cinema at Jalan Jenang
This photo shows Jalan Edrus in 1914. There are Japanese flags all over the place, indicating the increasingly powerful Japanese presence in the country. What were the Japanese doing here in 1914? The Japanese occupation only began in 1942. According to some sources, the Japanese were already operating an iron ore mine at Sri Medan and later a bauxite mine, which is the site of the present Tasik Bukit Pasir.
A ferry transporting buses filled with passengers to the opposite side of the river. In the foreground the building with the prominent cupola still stands. Before the bridge connecting both sides of the river, transportation was by boat and ferry
Waiting for a boat
An overloaded motor launch
The recently completed gazebo
The delicious fish head curry cooked by his first wife. It looks like he is going to rope in his two wives into his scheme
Chicken cooked in white wine and the leaves of the 'ma tree'. The chicken are fed on corn.
Some guests tucking in
Unfortunately I did not take any picture on palm wine tapping. This image is to give you a general idea about palm wine
Chilled palm wine. Mixed with Royal or Guinness Stout, it could be a potent combination
After the lunch, guests enjoying the palm wine and the serenity of the farm
The temple in an estate
The musicians playing devotional music
Queue of devotees offering prayers
Hindu priests presiding over the rituals
A deity
Indian youths gathering to partake in the ceremony
Tents set up for a free lunch after the ceremony
Folks enjoying their banana leaf lunch
A mother and her children tucking in
Indian cookies on sale at the temple
