A New Start To A New Decade

2020. New Year, new decade, new food.

We begin in Southeast Asia: Kuala Lumpur. Dinner was to be had, and it came in the form of Nasi Lemak, the national dish of Malaysia. Considered a breakfast item, it is jasmine rice cooked in coconut milk with sambal sauce, anchovies with peanuts, cucumbers and other side items such as prawns and squid seen here. Although it is eaten for breakfast in Malaysia, it proved to be quite tasty anytime of day!

Not exactly a most authentic African experience, but fun all the same, Dar Es Salaam was home to a wonderfully splashy warm pool I had the pleasure of coming across. A fishing village, the city of Dar Es Salaam lies along the coast of the Indian ocean and former capital of Tanzania. The population is around 4 and a half million and is the seventh largest city in Africa, with Swahili being the mother tongue. Although Dar Es Salaam is no longer the capital, it is still one of the fastest growing cities in the world to date as well as a major leading financial center and hub for the arts.

Next time I'll have all that in mind when I'm visiting. For now, it was all about the warm dip at the hotel.

And now we take a look at London, Tower Bridge they call it. Not to be confused with London Bridge, its neighbor to the east. Crossing the River Thames, Tower Bridge is a suspension bridge built between 1886 and 1894 and received its name due to its location beside the Tower of London.

The bascules are raised about a thousand times and year and a notice period of up to 24 hours is needed before the opening of the bridge. Because of its iconic structure and association with London, it has been confused by tourists with London bridge.

Of course no visit to London is complete without a visit to the pub. A nice stroll down Old Street and into the Old Street Record pub was in order. Like something out of New York's East Village, you can buy vinyl off the racks at the same time as you listen to it. With a vast array of live music any day of the week and 2-4-1 cocktails, this gem of a place must not be missed! There was a new up and coming band playing that night.

Well, another brilliant start to the new year I would say. And may the coming year be just as smooth.

Happy new year!

Bailey Sue