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May 16, 2005
The Sri Lankan Crab
(Day 88) Dr Fwa is a busy man, often travelling out of town (ie out of country) on business. Even on a saturday, after returning home after a week in Korea (I think), he had to go into work for a few hours.
"I'll treat you to dinner tonight. I'll pick you up at Ang Mo Kio at around 5:00pm," he told me over the phone in the morning. That was fine with me. Even though Singapore doesn't have much in the way of attractions, it's a very easy to waste time here.
At the appointed time, Dr. Fwa pulled up at the apartment. Tao was absent, as he had other commitments, but with his two sisters, Auntie, Mrs Fwa, Dr Fwa, and myself, there wouldn't have been room in the car for him anyways.
"Wow, you've grown up so much," commented Dr Fwa (in mandarin) as I climbed in the car. Well, of course! He hadn't seen me in years!
"So you're leaving for Malaysia tomorrow?" he continued. "Where are you off to first?"
"Probably Melaka first."
"Do you know where the bus station is? Have you bought tickets yet?"
"I haven't bought tickets yet, but my guidebook says there should be a bus station near Lavender St."
"Lavender St? I didn't know there was a bus station there. And then after Melaka?"
"I don't know yet. Probably KL (Kuala Lumpur). I haven't really planned that far ahead."
Traffic was neat and orderly as we drove to East Coast Park, located along the Strait of Singapore.
"So you saw Tao yesterday? What did you two do?"
"He took me to MacRitchie Reservoir, and we walked around."
"Oh yeah? How long did that take? Three hours?"
"About."
"So how well did you remember Tao anyways?" asked Mrs Fwa from the back.
"Honestly, I don't remember him at all! How long has it been? Twenty years?"
"I think you two met again, back in '89? Do you remember that?"
"Really? I don't recall..."
"I have the pictures, I'll show you later," smiled Mrs Fwa.
East Coast Park looked like a popular place for Singaporeans to hang out. People rollerbladed on the sidewalks, and like the rest of the city, there were plenty of restaurants.
"The restaurants here are famous for seafood," my host told me. "And pretty much every place has the same menu."
Normally, dining here is accompanied by a great view out into the sea. But the complex was undergoing renovation, so there wasn't much to look at. The six of us were seated, and Dr Fwa did the ordering. (That's me in on the bottom right, Dr Fwa and Mrs Fwa to my right. Behind me is Auntie, and next to her are Tao's two sisters, aged 13 and 21. I asked their names, but I'm sorry to say... I can't remember them.)
While we waited for the food to be prepared, Mrs Fwa took out the photos she had mentioned earlier. They were dated '89, so I really did see them then.
"That's me in the red??" I don't think I look anything like my younger self. Tao, on the far right, was recognizable, since he hadn't changed very much in appearance, I think. Next to Tao is the older of his two sisters (the youngest wasn't born yet) and next to her, my brother.
I flipped through a few more pictures. Wow, if I hadn't been told it was me, I never would've guessed. I looked so weird in some of them. (No, I'm not putting them up.)
The food started coming. Every dish was excellent. But the main event was the Sri Lankan crab. Covered in red chilli sauce, it's making me drool just reminiscing.
"It's a specialty here," said Dr Fwa. "You can only get it in this part of the world." Man, am I lucky or what? I never would've known if I didn't have friends here.
I probably should've taken a picture of it, but I was too in awe to think to. Probably the largest crab in the world, its claws were bigger than that of most lobsters. One crab was enough to feed six people. And the red chilli sauce was excellent. I had to use my hands to crack open the shell. By the time I was done, I had made a thorough mess.
After dinner, we took a short walk along the coast. The lights of the ships at sea made it seem like there is land on the other side, but the nearest land mass was several hundred kilometers away.
Auntie and I were dropped off back at her apartment.
"The bus leaves at 8:30am tomorrow morning? We'll be here tomorrow morning at 7:30am to send you off," offered Dr Fwa. "Can you wake up by then?"
"Sure! Thanks a lot!"
Thanks to everyone for their support and comments! Knowing people are reading keeps me motivated to continue the updates!
Posted by markyiin at May 16, 2005 10:59 AM
Comments
still enjoying your posts. nothing to add :)
Posted by: Justin at May 16, 2005 11:15 AM
Normally I don't eat crab cuz it's so much work for so little meat, but this crab was like the biggest crab ever! mmm!
Chillin in Kuala Lumpur now. Not having the best of times right now.. I'll let you know why soon...
tree: yeah, i'm sure there's ktv and nightclubs here, but i havent been to any. locals always seem to be hanging out in food centers.. i guess eating is a big thing here!
Roomie: Some travellers can tell i'm american from my accent. But I don't think any locals have guessed correctly... And don't you remember reading about the Merlion in HS? No? Me neither...
Matt: kingdomof heaven was alright. a little slow in the beginning, but it got better. i'd recommend it.
anna: singaporeans seem pretty nice (except some of the store owners trying to rip off tourists, they can be a bit nasty). but it's such a busy city, everyone is busy. it doesnt have the feel of like indonesia where strangers would just start talking to you randomly. but whenever i've had to ask for directions, most people have been pretty helpful.
aves: or i could buy one of those pirated dvds, i'm sure they'll have star wars ep III the day after it comes out :P
Posted by: markyiin at May 16, 2005 11:17 AM
This is one of the best, long lasting friendship, childhood memories, and good old times. However, from another angle, it is also the WORST posting of all. Only a lousy guy like you drools at a crab that can feed 6 people and forget to take a picture for us.
Posted by: mojess at May 16, 2005 12:13 PM
I'd almost crossed Singapore off my list of places to visit after reading your description of how dull it is as a tourist destination. However, I absolutely MUST try the Sri Lankan crab, so maybe I'll have to visit there after all. Are you sure you can't find those Sri Lankan crabs at Red Lobster or Long John Silver's?
Also, I have a strange habit of sticking my head into McDonald's in different parts of the world. It's interesting to me how the menu varies. For example, they had a falafel burger in Egypt. In France they don't serve kechup with "French" fries ,which is quite insulting to a Pittsburgher (the hometown of Heinz), but instead serve something resembling thousand Island dressing. Did you happen to notice any "Micky D's" around?
Posted by: Jon at May 16, 2005 02:49 PM
i love crab!! mmm mmm
Ahhh, yeah, the singaporeans i know here are very hard working and never complain. they say that when they were in singapore, they had to work much harder and longer (and they are less appreciated) than here. this one grad student i knew, he worked 9-5, went home to cook for his wife, and then came back to work later in the evening!
Posted by: Anna at May 16, 2005 06:00 PM
wow... i never realized that singaporeans eat so much!! do they look as though they eat a lot? doesn't seem so. anyway, i was trying to guess which kid was you in the pictures of when you and tao were younger... if you hadn't mentioned it, i think i would've guessed your brother was you! =P
anyway, kuala lumpur, huh? can't wait to see your next posts to see why you're not enjoying yourself... i hope it's nothing too severe.
Posted by: tree at May 16, 2005 09:05 PM
Awwww, you look cute in those baby pictures. -=oD Oh and by the way, you live near NYC? Where at? Don't say Jersey. I don't know what it is but it's anything but a GARDEN STATE. lol It reminds me of this city called STOCKTON up in northern Cali. There's a pharmacy school there I was thinking about going to but after visiting, I don't think I can hang. Who knows? Anyway, loved NYC. Might go back there again with my mom since she lovesssssssss watching musicals. -=oD -GEM
Posted by: GEM at May 16, 2005 10:31 PM
I agree with mojess about the crab. We NEED a picture. hehehe That's really nice about catching up with an old friend. =) Also, I wouldn't have been able to pick you out of the bunch either if you didn't say which one you were.
Posted by: Ditch at May 17, 2005 11:48 AM
That's a touching story about you and Tao reuniting. The childhood years seem the longest; so many changes occur as one develops into an adult.
For all us fans who are vicariously dining, you should try to arrange a Kodak moment with another crab. ;)
Posted by: Lisa at May 17, 2005 04:46 PM
uummm fooooood. can you start taking food pictures of all the unique foods you try out in different parts of the world? Make a food album...so you can drool over when you get back to the states.
Posted by: Cozy at May 17, 2005 11:18 PM
My long lost brother !! I finally found you!
Posted by: jack at May 21, 2005 04:47 AM