My homevisit to Tony's Place

Tony, 77 years old, one of my patients whom still participate in my study had an angiogram done on Thursday, 5th November 2009. I had promised to him that I will pay him a visit on the weekend.

He called me last Friday when I was in Hobart the good news that there is no blockage in any of his heart vessels. It was a good news. When I was at work last Monday, found the written results which mentioned the whole finding. As expected he just had the coronary disease but no blockage.

He was really excited to tell me the news, and want to find out when I would like to come over to his place for the home visit? I told him on Saturday (which is yesterday).

I called him earlier when I was in the train and there he was waiting for me at Watsonia train station. Just out side the train station there were having a market, a car show and some entertainment. Tony not really sure what it all about, I thought it was part of a welcoming party for my visit. :-)

I can read from Tony face, he was really happy for me to pay him a visit. Tony is a person whom wouldn't tell you how he actually felt, unless if he trusted you very much. I have been monitoring him for almost a year and I know him pretty well. Anyway he has been telling me wanted to show me something. He brought me to Mt Cooper lookout where you can see Melbourne CBD from the highest peak in Bundoora then show me a protected tree where sometime ago the aborigine use the tree as a ceremonial tree. He is a very knowledgeable and experienced person, he telling me all the history of the area.

(half egg shell)

His house is so so cozy and homey. No wonder after each session he wanted to go back home soon and I can tell you why.

His wife, Dianna had welcome me in. Lot and lots of arts,antiques and dolls collection in their house. Dianna started to show me all her arts of Egg Shell decoration collections. I was really impressed. The delicate and tedious work you have to pun in to decorate one an egg shell. I did ask her she should sell each of her egg shell arts and i assumed each item she could made hundreds of dollars but she don't want to sell it.

One after another. She showed almost everything of her arts from Egg shell.

They have some precious antiques too, like this egg cup from china. It was a heritage from Dianna's mom. They tried to get rid of them 6 years ago but when they asked somebody from antiques road show. They were surprised with the price for the whole set and decided not to sell yet. I won't tell you how much the price they have been offered. :-)

Then Dianna started to tell stories of all the dolls they have been collected. Can spend days by listening from her story.

I like both of them, even though they have multiple medical conditions they were still happy. Really admire their attitude. I was touched by the way they look after me and treated me like their own son.

I didn't realize that I had spent hours with them till I have to ask permission to go back home. Most of the time it is nice to know your patient well, how they live and their activity at home. Knowing any of them first hand can give you some alternative how to help them and to treat them.

Cradle Mountain, Tasmania

Cradle Mountain

Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park
Tasmania

We started early on Saturday morning, 7 November 2009. We know it going to be a long long journey up to Cradle Mountain. It is about 316 km from our place in Hobart, approximately 4 hours 30 minutes drive. Uhhh a long drive.

We get everything ready, food and drinks which we have prepared for the journey. At 6.00 am we started to move. We have to stop at few places first for coffee and secondly stop at information center at Mole Creek where we gathered an information that there is a faster route to Cradle Mountain.

We finally reach our destination, Cradle Mountain and straight away to Visitor Information Center after 5 hours driving. Had our lunch first before we start to move again by shuttle bus to Dove Lake.

We were so blessed, the weather was so so lovely. The temperature was around 22 - 25C. I was been told that day the weather was the best weather so far they had for months. Usually they will have changeable weather in a day and need to be prepared with proper clothing.

We were fascinated by the beauty of this place. Fresh cool air with picturesque scenery. Wow what a beauty. If I have been given a chance again coming to Tessie, wouldn't mind to come here again but next time might think of staying for a night here. Would be lovely.

There are many forest walk trail, we took the Dove Lake circuit walk which is about 6 km distance and should finish theoretically in 2 hours instead we completed the circuit in 3 hours because we stop at few places taking pictures and mesmerizing the breathtaking view. Wonderful

At the end we had spend more than 5 hours at Cradle Mountain and the Lake then straight away left the place for Hobart. It took us 4 hours to reach Hobart had dinner and rest.

P/S double click any of the above pictures, it will link you to my other pictures at Cradle Mountain.

Russell Falls, Tasmania

Russell Falls
Mt Field National Park
32 Lake Dobson Rd, Mt Field TAS 7140

72.5 km from Hobart CBD and took us about one hour and a half to reach the place (Supposed to be less than that because we stop in between, sleepy mahhh. We have a cuper before we continue the journey)

From the visitor center, we walk for 20 minutes to reach the place.
Fascinating

Mount Wellington, Hobart : Panoramic View

Mount Wellington, Hobart

Peak rises to 1270 meter above sea level

Half an hour drive from Hobart CBD

First on the list was Mount Wellington. Not far from the place where we stayed in. Even we could see the Mountain from a distance. Beautiful.

We brought our GPS, made our life much easier. It took about half an hour to reach the peak. Narrowed road to the peak. Drove really carefully as I am a little bit phobia driving on high altitude.

It was a bit chilly initially but adapted well.

Nice view indeed. So picturesque.

Could see Hobart city from above. Beautiful.

Sweet Memories of Tasmania

Had a great time in Hobart. Too bad it was a short visit. There are a lot more places to be seen. Only been to few places for the last 2 days. Cradle Mountain, Wellington Mountain, Waterfront, Russel's Fall and few more on our way to some of the destinations.

I took Virgin airline flight going back to Melbourne. No more 4 hours delay like last Thursday when we took Tiger airways. I safely got back home by 4.00 pm Sunday afternoon with sweet memories of Tasmania.

Last Day in Hobart

Last day in Hobart. Will missed this place.

We were preparing food for the whole day, breakfast, lunch and light snack before going off back to Melbourne. It going to be a long day for Zul, Zainah and her family since their flight are at 5.30pm and 5.45 pm while as for me, I am going back much earlier at 1.30pm. After last Thursday experience we need to bring food while waiting for the flight in case of flight delay.

We made 'Curry puff' (Zainah made the pastry while I plited the puff), 'roti canai', spaghetti and sandwiches.

Riverfront Villas and Motel

Location.
Riverfront Villas and Motel
11 Strathaven Drive
Rosetta, HOBART, Tasmania
Australia 7010

Friends from Dandenong suggested this place, which is a nice place to stay in. I will definitely recommend to others. It about 10 minutes drive from this place to Hobart CBD.

Zul booked the accommodation a week earlier and managed to get a Villa with 4 bedrooms which include 10 beds. It is also a self contained Villa and well furnished too.

This is the villa we staying in. Looks like a castle. Really nice and comfortable. Big place.

The car we hired, Hyundai Imax nicely fitted the porch. :-)

Never drove Imax before, it's a nice big car. 8 seated and so spacious.

Another villa just besides our villa. It looks nice too. They also have smaller house with one or two bedrooms and motels.

The most interesting thing about this place is, it located near a river with a picturesque view. Not far from there is also a park with picnic and BBQ area. I will definitely stay here again next time when I am here again in Hobart.

Good Morning Hobart

What a wonderful morning in Hobart. Sun rise at about 5.10-515 am. Even though we had a bad time departing from Melbourne, wonderful morning made me feel so excited and forgot about last night. The flight only took off from Melbourne Airport at quarter past 11.00 pm and reached Hobart airport by past midnight. Everybody was upset but yeah can't complaint much at least we in Hobart now.

We took our booked hired car from the airport and drove to the our house for the weekend. Had late supper and and get to bed by 2 am.

Thought I slept well even only for 3 hours. Maybe I was really excited. Yeah.. Good morning Hobart.

Delaying Tiger Airways..nothing new

Well, this is the consequences when you want to travel with a very cheap flight. Just imagine, I booked the flight fare 3 month ago, flight from Melbourne Airport to Hobart Airport just only AUD 32 including tax.

I have heard all about tiger airways flight always delay or even cancel from other staff and friends who had flied with tiger before or even from the news. Now I am experiencing the delay myself. Our flight suppose to depart at 7.30 pm now at 8.05 pm we (me, Zul, zainah with her family and the rest of the passengers) still waiting for boarding.

Hmmmmm, what to do. No choice. All of us have to right here waiting for.....

Well this is it. No more and no way flying with tiger airways in future.

Healesville Sanctuary; A wildlife sanctuary experience

Healesville Sanctuary
Badger Creek Road , Healesville
Victoria 3777

65 km from Melbourne.
Other than using your own transport, you can get there by public transport.
Me and Zul went to Healesville Sanctuary 3 weeks ago. Much cheaper to take public transport during weekend and only cost us 3 dollars each (weekend ticket).

We took train from Flinders street station going towards Lilydale, then from Lilydale station take a designated bus just out side the station to Healesville Sanctuary. In total the journey took almost 2 hours to reach the place.

Nice place to come over for family and have picnic. Lots and lots of activities for kids too.

Some of the animals in the sanctuary.

The Healesville Sanctuary is a total different Zoo experience compare to Melbourne Zoo and Werribee Open Range Zoo. Should go and have a look. Kid will love it.

Waterfront Restaurant at Crown Casino Melbourne

Place: Waterfront Restaurant
Shop 19, Crown Casino Ground Level
8 Whiteman Street
Southbank

It a seafood restaurant.

When I google this restaurant online, there were so many people gives their review for the restaurant. Mixed reviews but anyway we had a great time. Nice environment, nice waiter good food especially the desert.

Zul, Adam and me, we had a dinner at this restaurant last night. It was zul treat. Thanks. Think we had a nice table location. The waiter for us even though he was busy but did look after us.

Zul ordered Grand Seafood Platters.

(some of the prawns)

(oyster - my favorite)

For desert I had Belgian Chocolate Fondue with ice cream. I forgot what Adam and Zul had ordered

Spent two hours chatting-chatting and chatting. Nice

Kerabu Mangga

Again I found a mango at the near by Supermarket and again I thought of some other recipe using mango.

Still young mango, bit expensive though but anyway just straight away bought it. The rest of the ingredients I had at home.

I used;
anchovies
dried prawn
onion
red chilly
peanuts
squeeze lemon juice
salt/fish sauce
sugar

I kept it in cool in refrigerator. There you go, a nice mango salad.
Yummy....
:-)

Pajeri Nenas : Made in Melbourne

I went to the supermarket near by and saw a Pineapple. Then suddenly I want to make a dish using pineapple as the main ingredient which called 'Pajeri'.

I have made 2 types of 'Pajeri' today.

First 'Pajeri' recipe

Second 'Pajeri' recipe

Further detail of the recipes, just get back to me. :-)

Festival Indonesia 2009, Melbourne

The festival started on 24th and ended on 25th of October 2009. Location Federation Square, Melbourne. Strategic location which attracted many people to come over and experiencing Indonesia. It was also part of Visit Indonesian year 2009.

I was in Bandung Indonesia for 6 years in late 80's and mid 90's. Gave me all sorts of memories. :-)

Lots of food stalls and arts collection stalls representing each region in Indonesia.

The festival ended with cultural and musical performance till 10.00 pm. Always like to watch the cultural performance.

These were some of the performances that day....

'Bule'

"Cakep banget si bule , pintar sekali " very-very impressive

Balinese Dance

" Lirikan Mata"

South Sumatera Cultural Dance

West Java Cultural Dance

Cooking Lesson

I had cooking teaching lesson yesterday. One of my friends, a Samoan who want to learn how to cook Malaysian Cuisines. He likes cooking, no doubt each time when we have a discussion of food he will definitely asked the ingredients.

I had prepared all the ingredients before hand. He helped me with stirring while I add on all the ingredients in the wok. I showed and 'teaches' him 3 dishes. Rice noodle curry laksa, Tiger Prawn 'masak lemak' and 'Tempe' (Tempeh) fried with soy sauce. He never knew Tempe before, which is a fermented soy.

Once everything ready we had our lunch. He really enjoying all the meals. No voice heard but munching all the way and add on few time. :-)

Night like this in Melbourne

Friday evening was absolutely beautiful, cool breeze air. Enjoying the night like this...

New Place in Town

(Salmon Sandwich)

A new shopping place in town. Hmm shopping, ;-)
New DFO (Direct Factory Outlet) location which is at the Wharf.
Big place. Since they just open this place, few shops offer good bargain.

I have no choice, I need to buy new shoes. The one that I have been using it had worn off. Even one of my patient ask me I should get a new shoe. How embarrassing.

Bit difficult to buy shoes here since most of working shoes has pig skin as lining especially the cheaper shoes.

Roti Jala from Melbourne

Suddenly I feels like to have 'Roti Jala' today for lunch. Since I don't have the appropriate utensil for making the 'Roti Jala', I have to improvise. Inspired by Poh from Master Chef Australia, I used small milk box to make the 'Roti Jala'.

Good experiment, and it work. ;-)

A day of Gifts...

On Friday, one of my patients Donald, brought a broad beans for me from his veg garden. Then later in the afternoon Gregory as promised made for me Masamas Curry (a Thai curry) which he had the recipe from his Thai friend. He called me a day earlier to ask me how hot I want the curry. I told him 5 stars hot. :-), instead it not hot enough, just hot. He was a bit upset. Then I told him the curry was really nice, rich and taste really yummy. He now knows at least my level of hot. He will make again and make it much much hot. :-)

Kad dari seberang

Lambatnya baru dapat, kad hari raya dari Malaysia. Kak ram dan kawan kawan. Kamil punya dah dapat lama, hari raya kedua dah dapat. Apa apa pun terima kasih pada semua atas ingatan tulus ikhlas.....

Bingkisan dari Mama

My mom sent me a package of cookies she made for Eid Celebration, which I only received it today. Actually it has arrived a week earlier but I don't have a chance to take it from the Post Office. Anyway I have got it now. Thanks mom for the thought, was so emotional when opening the package.............

Deidre birthday party

We, as the department of Cardiology Research had planned a birthday celebration for Deidre last Monday. I have decided to make 'Serunding Daging' with 'lemang'. It new to everybody, happy everybody like it.

Jackie made orange cake with poppy seeds, really nice.

Sate Lagi....

Been to Dandenong Malaysian community group for Eid Celebration. Really a feast that day, all Malaysian come all over from all parts of Victoria.

Lots of food and not to miss,Sate, again......