Horse-shaped bread

This is a new one. Seen in the hotel adjacent to the China International Exhibition Center Shunyi New Venue. The hotel is likely a "hidden gem" as one cannot find any information about it or its location on Google maps. 

Fine Print

 Now I SOOOOO need this at home. Cutlery with the name of the place on it!

Good steaks too. Must come back to https://smithandwollensky.com.my/ 
Website already looks delicious. 

Forbidden City to Palace Museum

 

When I first visited the Forbidden city in 1998, I was hobbling around the place as the trip was happening shortly after a motorbike accident that left me with a sprayed ankle. Then I came back in 2005 while on a business trip to Beijing. And again in 2025, when covering the Foton Global Dealer Conference. Accelerating the frequency, the fourth visit took place in April of this year. 

The last two visits couldn't have been more different. Last year, there was a tour guide, who provided a lot of good insights into the history of the place. Should have taken his contact, but didn't know then that I would be back so soon. We went through the middle. Paced. Guided. 

In April though, it was time for a couple's trip to the Palace Museum as it has been called for some time. Strangely, even though the name Forbidden City has been replaced in 1925, I have yet to come across anyone that refers to it by its new name. This time, it was a hard left, away from the throngs of people flooding the place. "Fun" fact: around 40 000 people visit daily. The temples, rooms and spaces away from the main alleyway are virtually devoid of people. Folks are being replaced with interesting exhibits: the history of porcelain, depictions of Buddha through the centuries and more could be visited. 

Brutalism

Who needs signage when you have a paint spray can? Stumbled upon this while wandering about Sibu, East Malaysia. If anything, it is memorable. 

Also memorable, the buttered coffee. For reasons I cannot fathom, in some places they put a lump of butter into coffee. Recommended to try, but I am not a fan. I keep it to black, no nonsense.

Sibu Adventure

Sibu, not to be mistaken with Cebu, is an interesting place to visit over a weekend. For one, the sky just makes for amazing photos. The food is intriguing too: very Malaysian, but with a bit of twist to it. First time I had coffee with butter in it. Not a fan, but glad I tried it. 

The one thing that is strange: there are SO many hairdressers. In one alley at the market I counted 28 on 90 meters. And that was just in one alley with more around it!

The chap in the Bottleshop is also super helpful when it comes to getting some tips on food or activities. Highly recommended to also sit and have a tipple. 

Temples are worth visiting. A lot of history at the Tua Pek Kong temple. And yes, they build them big near the airport. Image above has the missus in it for size comparison. 

The Food the Wife Won't Eat

 

We all know: Chinese eat anything and everything. Jacqueline is no exception and there isn't much she would not try, if only to have tried. Naturally, there are some things were either of us goes "Ok, if I have to." And then there is Mett: Raw, minced pork meat. Fresh from the shop, to be consumed quickly (for obvious reasons). With onions, salt and pepper on a crusty bread roll, this is pure joy. Not for her though. Although she would eat Japanese raw stuff, this one is a no-go. More for me then, I guess. 

Next we gotta try Chicken Sashimi in Osaka. Yes, you read that right. 

Where a Check Could Help

Yes, I get what they are trying to say. And it is an important message in its essence. However, I feel, being the Editor I am, that this should have been phrased differently. Right now, the call to action is to stop the health of the colon, i.e. ruin it. Surely, that cannot be the intended message. Or is it?