Lemon Grass

Lemon grass stalks at Pasar Tani Mega Kg. Simee
Lemon grass stalks at Pasar Tani Mega Kg. Simee.

The distinct fragrance of lemon grass adds that extra zing to food cooked with it. I love the slightly chewy bits of lemon grass in my Lemongrass Fish Curry and the saliva-inducing aroma in the Sambal Petai Prawns and Sambal Prawns. A glass of cold lemon grass drink would be a perfect ending to a meal with any of those delicious dishes. This refreshing drink can be easily made by mashing ten stalks of mashed lemon grass and allowing it to simmer in two liters of water for one hour. Add rock sugar (to taste) last and turn off the heat when dissolved. It can be taken hot or chilled. How I wish I am sipping on a glass of cold cold lemon grass drink now, especially in this excruciatingly hot weather.

Monkey

Long-tailed macaque at Penang Botanic Gardens
Long-tailed macaque at Penang Botanic Gardens.

The Penang Botanic Gardens is also known as Monkey Gardens, among others, because of its population of long-tailed macaques. They have been there for as long as I can remember. These monkeys would roam in troops waiting for food from visitors. The more aggresive ones would follow visitors with food in their hands and intimidate them into giving up the food. The monkeys are an attraction as much as they are a nuisance. Without them, the garden will certainly lose part of its identity and heritage.