The Good Market Review (Colombo, Sri Lanka)

I just visited the Good Market in Battaramulla. It is a social enterprise focused to promote organic farming / produce, fair trade products and ethical handicrafts of social enterprises.

The Water's Edge is a pretty location, great for an evening stroll, and this Good Market seems to have found a great location to be in. There are quite a bit of variety of the products, and though the products are not cheap, the target market of these products are the expats living in Colombo, and the price is rather reasonable.

For the most parts, the food is rather good and spices smell awesome. Some of the products made by handicapped people or villagers still need a little more work though.

I like the vibe of the location and it does get more crowded when the sun is setting.

Definitely a place to visit when you are in Colombo.

-- Robin Low

Spicy Salted Cuttlefish in Sri Lanka

I've participated in the Spicy Salted Cuttlefish Tasting organized by Yamu (http://www.yamu.lk/) at Nerd Salon on 17 May 2014.

I was surprised that there were so many Chinese Restaurants in Sri Lanka that served crispy spicy salted squid, I've always experienced this kind of food more in America than in Asia and would say that they look very good.

On looking at the initial packaging, I would say, many fail the packaging test.

For crispy food, airtight containers are definitely a no no as condensation will make the food lose all the crisp.

I would say, the Sri Lankan - Chinese Food (Crispy Salted Squid) tastes slightly different from the ones I've tried. Out of the 7 boxes, I like 2 of them and maybe it is because I'm used to the taste I'm used to in Boston. In the 20 mins or so used to transport and set up the tasting, they remained crispy and the flavors are pretty good. It gives enough crunch and and the squid used taste fresh the scallions and onions gives it enough of the other flavors such that it is not just plain spicy, but it does have other complexity inside as well.

As I realized that this may not be a fair test as such foods may be only good when HOT, nonetheless, I am looking forward to try out more of the Chinese Food in Sri Lanka.

I heard they are popular here with the locals!

-- Robin Low

Iceman 3D 冰封俠: 重生之门 (Donnie Yen) 2014 Movie Review

Iceman is the new Donnie Yen Movie. This is the remake of Iceman Cometh (急凍奇俠) by Yuen Biao 1989.

I must say, I love these cheesy pseudo Sci-Fi movies, and if you like this kind of Action Comedy HK Flick, you will not be disappointed much by this new movie.

The movie starts with much action, and the whole movie is rather action packed, however, I must warn, there is not much plot and not much logic behind the story. Donnie Yen is a Imperial Guard, being cryogenically frozen and transported to the future. There is not much more to it, just that he has great Kung Fu and has his adventures in modern day HK.

I cannot really reveal much more as that is pretty much the movie, and anything more will be the whole story. This is a rather enjoyable flick to watch, but I need to give a clear warning. THIS MOVIE IS PART 1 of many... THIS MOVIE DOES NOT END!!

I am not an advocate of movies which cannot end in one movie, and although this is a good Sunday matinee flick, I still would not really recommend watching this on the big screen and paying full price.

Overall: 6/10.

If you like the old Iceman Cometh (1989) this is an updated remake.

-- Robin Low

300: Rise of an Empire Movie Review

Sort of during / continuation of the movie 300 adapted from the Frank Miller Comic, this movie is sort of an extension of the 300 movie. Thinking of game term, this is a side quest or a add on pack you need to purchase.

Throughout the movie, you see topless men everywhere and gratuitous blood and gore. The naval battle and the horse scene is pretty awesome, but the movie lacks the momentum like what they did in 300.

The stylistic death scenes is what you would expect in a video game today, and no doubt, there will be a video game around this movie. Lots of blood, lots of gore, lots of topless man... Wait, did I forgot about the plot of the movie?

If you love the slo-mo gore and blood in 300, this movie will not disappoint you.

If you love hot bodies, men with great chiseled bodies, this movie will not disappoint you.

If you enjoy blood and mutilation with tons of decapitation, piercing through bodies, this movie will not disappoint you.

Overall, the movie is stylistically very pretty, some of the scenes pretty well done, but the pacing of the movie is not as good as the original 300.

Watching this in 3D with more blood and gore is pretty worth it, otherwise, watch it at home with lots of alcohol!

Rating: 6/10

-- Robin Low
 

Chinese New Year in Malaysia vs Singapore

I was in Malaysia during Chinese New Year and the festive feeling is much more intense. On the weekends, there are fireworks everywhere and most buildings are decorated.

In Singapore there are various designated places where they have done it up, and some, still look like Christmas lights.

I do feel that in Kuala Lumpur, things are much more bustling and interesting. There is no comparison between having Chinese New Year in Malaysia as

1) More variety of things to do, temples open late.
2) Fire works / fire crackers are allowed.
3) Bukit Bintang and various other mall areas are heavily decorated giving the festive feel.

Singapore on the other hand, action is where the casinos are. and at various designated areas.

1) River Angpao
2) Sentosa RWS
3) Istana Open House
4) Gardens by the Bay
5) Chinatown.

As a result, there is a crush of people everywhere you go and forget about taking a taxi as they are impossible to flag down.

I do feel that even though the F&B take this opportunity to over charge, generally, the cost is 40% less in Malaysia and food tastes better.

I prefer fresh chicken/ pork rather than the frozen ones you get in Singapore, and most food places are still family owned, where as there are lots of franchises in Singapore.

I must agree, that in both countries, unless you go to a very high end restaurant, service is generally bad, but food can be exceptional.

If you have not been in Malaysia (KL) for Chinese New Year, you should give it a try.

-- Robin Low

Chinese New Year in #Singapore

There are always more celebrations of Chinese New Year in Asia, Singapore is no exception.

A few weeks before Chinese New Year, Chinatown Singapore will have night bazzars selling Chinese New Year goodies. Although the price of the products increase every year, possibly due to rents, the crowds do not seem to care.

Weekends and days before Chinese New Year will bring extra large crowds to Chinatown. Every year, the products sold is the same, over priced new year goodies, made in China. Squeezing through the crowd is an experience, so if you have not done it, it is worth a try.

In Singapore, on the eve of Chinese New Year till the second day of Chinese New Year, many shops are closed. However, there are also some Chinese New Year specific events to go to.

1) River AngPao.

This event is held on the Singapore River. Typically beside Esplanade at the F1 Building floating platform. There will be lots of "lanterns" and the 12 zodiac signs on display and of course, this free event draws huge crowds too.

There are also many shows at River AngPao, but these shows are rarely worth the wait. Its usually some Chinese groups dancing and singing folk songs, and besides having nice costumes, the performances are rarely spectacular.

2) Free Museum Visits. (National Museum of Singapore) is usually free on Chinese New Year.

3) Istana Open House. -- Free entry, and open to visits on first day of Chinese New Year.

4) Floral Displays. -- Used to be at RWS (Resorts World Sentosa) but it is now at Gardens by the Bay, and it is not free. Normal Admission applies.

5) Sentosa Events. -- Acrobatics, Lion Dance and Dragon Dance, along with the parade of "God of Fortune" is an annual event at RWS. Admission to the Island is $1 via board walk and the outdoor events are free.

Crowds to these free event will be huge, and toilets are rare and hard to locate. The performances in Sentosa is much better than River AngPao, but you need to find out the schedule and arrive early.



Coming to Singapore for Chinese New Year is a rather interesting experience, but it can be pricey as everything costs more than the usual. (Being the 7th most costly city, things are not cheap to start with)

Definitely lots of interesting things to do and see. (But lots of shopping closed for 3 days)

-- Robin Low

The Monkey King [Donnie Yen] (大闹天宫 ) Movie Review

This movie follows closely to the cartoons and books I read as a child. The movie set is ok, and the costumes are amazing, however, while watching the movie, I felt that the overly used and abused CG (Computer Graphics) makes the movie feel "kid focused". Sadly, the CG in the movie is not even good CG. very fake/bad made for TV quality, which makes Sharknado look amazing.

The whole movie was pretty entertaining, but for the price of movies today, I would say, you can miss this and wait for the DVD as the big screen does not add anything to the story.

The "Wire-fu" everything seems pretty lame, and along with the blue/green screen effects, the movie feels like a cheap/ low budget flick.

With actors like Aaron Kwok, Chow Yun Fatt and Donnie Yen, it is sad to see that the budget went to the actors not the special effects to say.

Overall, still an enjoyable flick, very cheesey effects.

5/10 - Wait for the DVD

-- Robin Low