Our First Steampot Dinner

We were invited by Sister Elle, who is in the JB RS Presidency, to a lunch at her home after church.  We were surprised when we got there to see so many people.  When they have parties, they have lots of people and lots of food. 

They filled the steampots with boiling water, then they add the meats first.  Fish balls, chicken meatballs, shrimp, bacon,  hot dogs and fish noodles.

The fish noodles, look like big white worms. 

I didn't try one, but I did try the fish ball, it didn't really have much of a taste.

People just take what they want out of the pot and put it into their bowls.   As they eat, they just keep adding more food to the pots.  Later they added vegetables, mushrooms, noodles, eggs and whatever else was there until all of the food was gone.

Most people ate with chopsticks, but they provided spoons and forks for us.  One of these days I will perfect my skill at eating with chopsticks, right now I would just starve.

Notice the shrimp still have their heads (with eyes looking at you), and shells.  That was pretty strange, but they tasted good once you got the shells off.

It was Liang's birthday so we also had birthday cake.  It was delicious.

First Time Making & Eating Sushi

At the JB Branch Relief Society meeting they demonstrated the art of sushi making.  I had never tasted sushi and didn't think I would like it, but they didn't put any strange ingredients in it and it was actually very good.  After cooking the rice, they add vinegar, a little at a time and keep stirring it in until it is sticky enough to stay together.  They had sliced the vegetables very thin and had some strips of artificial crab meat, along with egg that they had cooked and sliced into strips.  They wrapped  it in Roasted Seaweed sheets.  I actually made one. 

I was afraid to taste it, but it was very good.  I am now past another one of my fears.

The other type they made was a Hawaiian sushi, which had thin slices of canned ham (like Spam).  It was tasty as well.

    Some of the brothers joined us for the tasting.  They always enjoy food, no matter what it is.

Baptism of Hui Min Nicole Lee (Maya)

Elders Tennant and Hew had their first baptism this transfer.  They were very excited because Maya is a very special young lady. 

Cameron Acheson, Maya, Elders Tennant & Hew

Maya's fiancé, Cameron, came from Australia to baptize her. 

It was a very special day.

Baptisms are such a wonderful part of our mission. 

We love these new converts.

Maya will be moving to Australia so that they can be married. 

We are so happy for them.

Our JB Branch President Tee and his wife, Felicia

were so happy to welcome Maya into the church.

Visiting Melaka, the Unofficial Historic Capital of Malaysia

Mekala is a very important city in the history of Malaysia.  It was occupied as early as the 15th century by the Dutch, the Portuguese, the Japanese, the British, the Japanese again and finally became free in  1948.  It is a two hour drive north from where we live.  I am looking forward to visiting again to see the old Portuguese settlement and other places we missed this trip.

This seems to be their motto, you see these signs everywhere.  Where do you think this idea came from?

I loved her shirt, so I had to take a picture.  I guess fat people are harder to kidnap.  Have you ever thought of that?

We met two other senior couples here, Elder & Sister Patterson and Hammer.   These couples were so kind to us when we first arrived and graciously invited us to come to Melaka for a little getaway.  The Hammers will be leaving for home next week after serving here for 23 months.  We picked up the Elders serving in Melaka and took them to lunch.  We also did an inspection of their apartment, which was the official purpose for the trip to Melaka.  We will go every quarter to inspect the apartment.

  We stayed in the Ramada Plaza Hotel.  This is the view from our window.

As we walked along the Riverwalk, we saw many different scenes.  Here are some shacks

right along the river. 

  

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Most of the walk was very interesting. Things in Malaysia look much better from far away than they do up close.  This is no exception.

We took the River Cruise which allowed us to see some more sights.  It was pretty amazing.

This area is the famous Jonker Street. 

You can see they have H&M in Malaysia

We were told to be sure and have the famous chicken and rice balls.  That is all they serve in this little restaurant.  You just sit down and they deliver it to your table

Don's plate

I think some of our daughters will be grossed out at this chicken.

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Right on the street they sell birds and chickens.

This woman makes the most amazing hand beaded shoes.  The beads are so small you can hardly see them.

Dinner was a real treat.  I had chicken fajitas at the Hard Rock Café.

After a long day of walking, we opted to take the trishaw (tricycle-rickshaw)back to the hotel.  They are all decorated and have music playing from them.    We hardly fit in the small seat, and I felt sorry for the poor man who had to pedal us back. 

Melaka is on the Indian Ocean.  Here is a beautiful floating mosque which is located on the Straits of Melaka

One of the many beautiful mosques in this Muslim country. It looks Chinese don't you think?

We enjoyed our two days in Melaka and look forward to returning.