25 Dec`- Les 5 Conus sont arrives.

For the 1st day in Malaysia - Samy discovered the mangosteen. Clea wanted to go for shopping at 10.00pm and Tais has waken up all of us at 4.15am.



The next day, before shopping we had our lunch at the KLCC food court where Samy tried the coconut juice and they have all taken the fish & chips. We all went shopping for a while and got back home at 6.30 pm. We all went to the swimming pool and had a dinner at R & K satay. Three of the children loved satay even Clea (so surprise). Until now, everything goes smoothly accept for the night that Tais keep waking up Clea & Samy.......with Ariane & Francois need to open their regulation bible in the middle of the night.

Happy Holiday for all of us :-)

It's a Christmas again

It's Christmas again and also it's a holiday for most of us. As we will leave to Malaysia tonight and don't even know when we can connected again to the world, we would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a Merry....merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2009. We hope that it is not too early.

C'est de nouveau Noel et aussi les vacances pour tout le monde. Comme nous allons partir pour la Malaisie ce soir et nous ne savons pas quand nous pouvons connecter avec du monde de nouveau et c'est pour cela que nous vous souhaitons Bonne Fetes de fin d'annee.....2009 et bonnes vacances.

Big kiss from NDH/Gros becs de NDH

Good bye to Mrs & Mr Dreyer

Together we say goodbye to ambassador and his wife. Celebration has been made in a modest way with local employees and their family.

An emotion smile from both of ambassador and his wife, Sonoko.

Children singing an Indian National thyme and there were few games that has been organised to celebrate the departure of the ambassador. It was fun.

How am I doing?? After a real adventure at the hospital, well I'm fine. For those who doesn't know what happened; actually I was admitted at the hospital few days ago for having so much pain on my left chest. We found out that I suffered from an ovarian cyst which was 4cm large. If I had a choice, I might not end up at this hospital. But at the same time I prayed and I prayed. Finally, last thursday, the doctor has told me that everything was fine. All the result was good. It is time to go for a holiday even Laurent faces so much problem in schengen installation. Hopefully we can go......

Big kiss from NDH/Gros becs de NDH

Terror in Mumbai

Well, it was quiet in Delhi this weekend as there was an election on Saturday. All the shops were closed due to a lots of reasons and further more the attack in Mumbai does make everyone of us afraid to go out even to the market. I am used to that feeling ever since we arrived in Delhi but what else can we do, just wait for the transfer which will be in two years time. I never feel secure everytime during our visit in other city in India. Perhaps I am a little paranoid but I think in this country better to feel unsafe.

Of course for a lot of people everyday life must go on, I am happy for them. Hiding like me at home also won't help anything. Perhaps also, I am tired to go out there, I am tired to see so many people around me....I am tired to see the men pissing around, yes, most of all, I am tired of the hassle. That is me tying to find a reason why I don't like to go out.

I am asking myself; how India wants to tackle to terrorist problem with the number of its popullation. Even I cannot imagine of how they're going to find the suspect with the similar feature of face that we see everywhere. Everyone looks so innocent and yet looks suspicious at once. For me they look the same.

Another story that I sould reveal here is for our smoking friends and family; it is prohibited to smoke in the public area in Delhi. Where is the public area; means everywhere even at hotel's terrace. Where they serve the food, there you cannot smoke. But urinate, as you may know, it is one of the national sport in India. People can urinate anywhere they want even right on your dining table too, it will do. I found that is so funny they don't allowed smoking at public area while urinate can. Isn't it definded the Incredible India.

Big kiss from NDH/Gros becs de NDH

Self-Deception

It is part of the human nature always to judge others very severely and, when the wind turns against us, always to find an excuse for our own misdeeds, or to blame someone else for our mistakes. The story that follows illustrates what I mean.

A messenger was sent on an urgent mission to a distant city. He saddled up his horse and set off at a gallop. After passing several inns where animals like him were normally fed, the horse thought: 'We're not stopping to eat at any stables, which means that I'm being treated, not like a horse, but like a human being. Like all other men, I will eat in the next big city we reach.'

But the big cities all passed by, one after the other, and his rider continued on his way. The horse began to think: 'Perhaps I haven't been changed into a human being after all, but into an angel, because angels have no need to eat.'

Finally, they reached their destination and the animal was led to the stable, where he greedily devoured the hay he found there.

'Why believe that things have changed simply because they do not happen quite as expected?' he said to himself. 'I'm not a man or an angel. I'm simply a hungry horse.'

Big kiss from NDH/Gros becs de NDH

Pollution in Delhi during winter

It seems a nice weather in Delhi now to walk around or to do some outdoor activities. But when winter has started, the air which cover Delhi is also polluted then ever. From the satellite picture which has been taken last week, shown that Delhi is one of the polluted city in Asia.

The huge smog-like plumes, caused mainly by the burning of fossil fuels and firewood, are known as "atmospheric brown clouds". When mixed with emissions of carbon dioxide and other gases blamed for warming the earth's atmosphere like a greenhouse, there are the newest threat to the global environment.

Soot levels in the air were reported to have risen alarmingly in Mumbai, New Delhi, Kolkata. Brown clouds were also cited as dimming the light by as much as 25% in some places including New Delhi, Karachi, Shanghai and Beijing. The clouds have been found to be more than 2km thick around glaciers in Himalaya and Hindu Kush mountain ranges.

It's definately dangerous to health but we were really enjoying our tennis tournament last week. Even we have lost the tournament but we were happy to participate and myself, I just have a minor injury on my back.

Big kiss from NDH/Gros becs de NDH

I can't get in

Acsa (American shop), in Delhi, there is a strange look that has been thrown to me everytime I visit the shop and today, I decide to go there again as I may need certain thing from the shop. As I am standing before it, a man at the door says:
'You can't come in.'
My intuition tells me that he is saying this purely for the pleasure of saying 'No'. I explain that I've come a long way; I try offering him a tip; I try being nice; I point out that this is, after all, a shop which I have an authorization to go in. Suddenly, going into that shop has become very important to me and I try to show him my authorization card but he just ignore me.
'You can't come in,' the man says again.
There is only one alternative: to carry on and see if he will physically prevent me from going in. I walk towards the door. He looks at me, but does nothing.
As I'm leaving, two other couples arrive and they, too, walk in. The old man does not try to stop them. I feel as if, thanks to my resistance, the old man has decided to stop inventing ridiculous rules. Sometimes the world asks us to fight for thing we do not understand and whose significance we will never discover.

Another day that I leave in Delhi.
Big kiss from NDH/Gros becs de NDH

Arabian cooking

BARKUK (Lambs with prunes sauce)

1kg Lamb leg or lamb shoulder
300g Prunes
100g Shelled almonds
1 Onion (sliced)
80g Butter
Cinnamon sticks
Sesame seeds
Honey
Olive oil

Soak the prunes in water for 30 minutes. Cut the lamb into 5 or 6 pieces. Put the meat in a saucepan with 2 - 3 sticks of cinnamon, the sliced onion, butter, a pinch of salt and 2 glasses of water. Cook slowly for 1 1/2 hours. Remove the lamb, set it aside and keep it warm.

Squeeze out the prunes, and put them in the pan along with 5 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, caramelize over a moderate flame.

Toast the almonds in a skillet with 3 tablespoon olive oil, and toast the sesame seeds in the oven. Serve the meat with the prune sauce, garnish with the almonds and sesame seeds.

Bon appetit.
Laurent et Meenz

Beraya di Seri Maya

Lemang; without lemang, Hari Raya would never been the same. Lemang is a sticky rice cooked with coconut milk and inside the bamboo. Lemang is always served with chicken or beef rendang. It's delicious.

This was break fasting time at Yati's place. Not enough chair to sit, so we have a dinner on the floor
The third hari raya, we received a family who came from Penang, Ipoh and Kuala Lumpur. The apartment was full but it was really fun even we had to cook almost the whole day. We have never thought beraya at Seri Maya could be happening:-))

Just chose which one you like :-))

Big kiss from Seri Maya/Gros becs de Seri Maya

Jerash

Jerash just another one of the romain city in the ancient time. People before knows how to have fun:-))
Jerash - Deuxieme attraction touristique de la Jordanie, apres Petra l'ancienne cite de Jerash a ete habitee, sans discontinuite, depuis 6500 ans.

L'age d'or de la cite remonte a l'Empire romain et la site est aujourd'hui repute comme l'une des cites romaines les mieux preserves au monde. Dissimulee sous le sable avant d'etre decouverte et restauree durant 70 ans, Jerash est l'exemple meme de la planification municipale romaine, vaste et formelle, dans tout le Moyen-Orient. Elle est ornee de rues pavees, a colonnades, d'immenses temples sur la crete des collines, de theatres ravissantes, de places publiques spacieuses, de thermes, de fontaines et de murailles percees par des tours et des grilles.

Sous son placage greco-romain, Jerash conserve un savoureux melange d'Occident et d'Orient. Son architecture, sa religion et ses langues sont le fruit du melange et de la coexistence de deux puissantes cultures, celle des greco-romains dans le bassin de la Mediterranee d'une part, et celle des arabes de l'Orient d'autres part.

La ville moderne de Jerash est situee a l'est des ruines. Bien que l'aspect ancien et le nouveau se retrouvent dans la meme enceinte, la ville a pu se developper loin des ruines grace a une conversation et a un amenagement soignes.

In Jerash, for those who loves the festival: you can partipate in Jerash festival which taking place every year in July. For further information, visit www.jerashfestival.com.jo

Big kiss from DEL / Gros becs de DEL

Having fun in Dead Sea - 05th July 08

It is really a fun place to be. To float in the water without making any effort.....just great. Unfortunately, we can't stay too long, not more then 15 minutes. But you always can come back in the water anytime you like.

Here is Laurent, having a mud musk all on his body.

La mer morte.

La mer Morte beneficie d'un heritage historique et culturel qui lui est propre. On pense qu'elle fut le siege de cinq villes bibliques: Sodome, Gomorrhe, Admah, Zeboim et Zoar (Bela). Aujourd'hui, sa cote partiellement habitee, est tres paisible. Ses paysages n'ayant presque pas change depuis l'antiquite, elle represente un lieu privilegie pour des promenades en voiture. Vous pouvez egalement prendre un bain de soleil, nager et diner; ou vous detendre dans l'eau, au gre des clapotis, et constater avec emerveillement que vous ne coulez pas! Delectez-vous avec un message relaxant ou assayez un bain de boue prelevee dans la mer pour profiter des ses mineraux et vertus apaisantes.

Big kiss from DEL/gros becs de DEL

Jordan and its history

Day 3 - Leaving Petra and heading to Al Karak, we have made a stop at Shawbak Castle. Situated at least one hour on the north of Petra.


Al Karak - Before heading to Dead Sea, we have made another stop at Al Karak.

Ancienne forteresse des Croises, Karak s'eleve a 900 metres au dessus du niveau de la mer et siege a l'interieur de l'enceinte de la vielle ville. Encore aujourd'hui, la ville arbore de nombreuses batisses ottomanes du XIXeme siecle qui ont ete restaurees, ainsi que des restaurants et des gites. Mais c'est sans conteste le chateau de Karak qui domine.

L'habitant le plus celebre de la ville fut Renaud de Chatillon, dont la reputation reste inegalee en matiere de perfidie, de trahison et de brutalite. Lorsque Baudouin II mourut, son fils, lepreux de 13 ans, rechercha la paix avec Saladin. Cependant le roi lepreux mourut sans heritier et c'est alors que Renaud de Chatillon lui succeda en gagnant la main de Stephanie, la riche veuve du regent de Karak qui avait ete assassine. Il rompit soudainement la treve avec Saladin qui se presenta a nouveau avec une armee gigantesque prete au combat. Renaud de Chatillon et le Roi Guy de Jerusalem menerent les Croises et subirent une terrible defaite.

La premiere expansion de l'Islam au-dela de la peninsule arabique etait dirigee vers le nord, en Jordanie. C'est la qu'eurent lieu les premiers contacts entre l'Islam et le monde byzantin non arabe, et donc des batailles strategiques au VIIeme siecle: les batailles de Muta, de Yarmouk et de Fahl (Pella). De nombreux compagnons et leaders militaires du Prophete Mahomet furent eriges en martyr et enterres en Jordanie. Leurs tombeaux sont aujourd'hui des sites de pelerinage tres importants pour les musulmans pratiquants, comme Al Mazar al Janubi, a 25 minutes seulement au sud de Karak.

Shawbak - Le chateau de Shawbak, seul temoin de la gloire passee des Croises est a moins d'une heure au nord de Petra. Autrefois appelle <<>>, Shawbak remonte a la meme epoque troublee que Karak. Elle est perchee sur le flanc d'une montagne et ornee vers le bas de nombreux arbres fruitiers. A l'exterieur, le chateau est tres impressionnant avec sa grille imposante et son triple mur d'enceinte. Malgre toutes les precautions du constructeur le chateau est tombe aux mains de Saladin, 75 annees seulement apres sa construction.



Big Kiss from DEL/Gros becs de DEL

Postcard from Jordan

It has been a long time. Hi everybody. I'm sorry that I had really no time to update my blog until today. Life has been busy for the past few month and we are really happy that this time we have chosen a beautiful destination for our vacation. Even it is only for 6, we had a good time in Jordan.

1st day - 3rd July 2008

We have arrived at Queen Alia Airport at 11.30a.m. My sister, Pete was already there along with her son Yasser as well as Mr.XX from Hertz where we have rented a car. After 20 minutes drives, we have reached Pete's home, where the whole family has been waiting for us. Everyone was so occupied by the time we have reached there. We had lunch with "Pete's family in-law" and guess what we had for lunch: Goat head serve with yellow rice:-)

After 2.30pm, we have started our journey, heading to Petra. A journey to Petra was about a little bit more than 3 hours. Nobody was on the road.....it is completely different than India where there is no place to be alone except in the room....still I'm not so sure about that. It is a pleasure for once we can be ALONE...by ourselves.

It was almost 6.00pm and we have finally arrived at Mövenpick Petra, situated just in front of Petra main entrance. That night, we have agreed to see Petra by night unfortunately we could not take a photo as it was too dark and it was lighten up only with 1500 candles. It was so silence and we have hardly seen the star and sky.

About Petra: (English version will be available in one week and we are sorry for the inconvenience).


"Ahlan Wa Sahlan"

Souvent décrite comme la huitième merveille du monde, Pétra est sans conteste le plus précieux fleuron de la Jordanie et son site touristique le plus convoité. Vaste cité taillée dans la pierre par les Nabatéens, civilisation arabe ingénieuse qui s'est établie en Jordanie il y a plus de 2000 ans, elle constituait un carrefour stratégique sur les routes commerciales de la soie et des épices, reliant la Chine, l'Inde et l'Arabie méridionale à l'Egypte, la Syrie, la Grèce et Rome.

Le royaume nabatéen subsista pendant des siècles et Pètra fut considérablement admirée pour sa culture raffinée, son architecture colossale et son système ingénieux de digues et canalisations d'eau.

Cependant, l'Empereur romain Trajan annexa finalement le royaume et dès le XIVème siècle, le monde occidental perdit Pétra, et ce, pendant trois siècles. Puis en 1812, Johann Ludwig Burchardt, voyageur suisse, persuada son guide de le mener sur le site de la soi disante cité perdue. Dans son carnet de notes et de dessins secrets, il ecrivait: "Il est très probable que les ruines de Wadi Musa soient celles de l'antique Pétra".

Pour protéger Pétra, aujourd'hui classée patrimoine mondial de l'UNESCO, tous les équipements touristiques ont été placés dans la ville de Wadi Musa, près de l'entrée du site.

Le principal monument de Pétra est bien entendu la cité elle-même. Le monument le plus célèbre de Pétra, le Trésor d'Al-Khazneh, apparaît de manière saisissante au bout du siq. Utilisée dans la séquence finale du film "Indiana Jones et la dernière croisade", cette façade est le premier des secrets que Pétra vous réserve.....

Big kiss from Jordan.

Federer....a perdu

He has lost again, anyway, we didn't have much hope for him to win and at least at the French Embassy, they served good food during the match. We kept busy enjoying foods and drinks until we don't feel much pain on his lost. Well, let see next year....:-(.

Bye guys....it is time to sleep.

Celebration

21h00 Opening Euro 2008 * Switzerland (CH) - Czech Republic
It has started last night as CH played against CR in Basel. Marthy’s family has taken this opportunity to celebrate their departure from India to Switzerland. It will be one way ticket for this family. So, it was a red and white’s party means that everyone has to wear these two colors. They have also provided the big screen to view the live match between these two countries. Unfortunately, the winner goes to CR.
But it was fun……that is the most important thing.
In this country, there is nothing much we can create to have fun. Once we have a possibility which is not happening often, we have to grab it immediately. The Indian is interested only in cricket. Cricket is everything for them and sometime we can’t even look other sport as the entire sport channel showing a cricket. It is really pleasant for who does not like the cricket. The funniest thing is, now with euro08 and French Open 08 and soon we will have a Wimbledon tennis tournament, the Tata Sky has cut the entire sport channel which is mean that everyone wants the sport channel has to pay extra charges which will costs more. At the moment, we do not have this kind of problem and it allows everyone who wishes to watch French Open or Euro08 can come to our place.
And this afternoon, we are invited to watch a French Open on a big screen at the French Embassy. Well, apparently, it is not for everyone. It is only by the invitation only.

10.30 am Malaysian High Commission in Delhi.
We are invited to celebrate an anniversary of Tuan Yg Mulia Seri Paduka Baginda Yg Di Pertuan Agong (this is how we call our king in Malaysia). It was also an occasion to be with Malaysian who lives in India especially in Delhi and we could taste again a Malaysian dishes. Bonne appétit.

Big kiss from NDH/Gros becs de ந்த்

லுறேன்ட் ஏற மேந்ழ்

Sad news of Jaipur

19h15 - je suis rentre a la maison apres avoir fini de travailler. Enfin, la journee est termine. Quand Laurent a allume la tele, il y avait deja des nouvelles de Jaipur. A Jaipur ce soir, il y a eu 6 explosions. Ce que je me suis dit souvent, il ne faut pas allume la tele apres que le travail soit termine parce qu'a la tele, on n'a jamais des bonnes nouvelles :-(. Pour ceux qui etaient avec nous a Jaipur la derniere fois: c'est exactement les endroites que nous avons visite ensemble qui ont ete touche.

Voila, la nouvelle pour aujourd'hui.....

Big kiss from NDH/gros becs de NDH

Last tuesday with Economic Minister Swiss.

Another visit of Swiss minister and this with Mdm Doris Leuthard the Economic Minister of Switzerland. She came for the inauguration of Swiss-India Chanber of Commerce.

This is the Appenzel Musicien Group. Felt like we were in Switzerland in this particular reception with the music and foods and few of us really knows how to dance:-). Enjoy the picture and our favourite video.

बिग किस फ्रॉम न्यू डेल्ही/ग्रोस बेकस दे नौवेल्ले डेल्ही।

Big kiss from New Delhi/Gros becs de New Delhi.

Sun...sun...sunny

When it is cold, we stay inside and the same thing happen when it is too hot outside. At the moment, we still can tolerate with the sun but soon we will live during the night and day time we'll stay in the office or at home. In Delhi, the weather change radically. Few weeks ago, we had a pleasant weather with the sun and the fresh win but now it is hot and also very dry. Even if we don't stay under the sun the lips are almost burned. If others are suffering with the cold weather like in Europe or else where, Delhi's weather is becoming hot and hotter.

This is Nasi Kuning from Bali, served with satay lilit, chicken masak asam pedas and vegetable. It is served everywhere in Bali. It is a little sad to see that the Indonesian does not serve its delicious traditional foods often as they serve it only for the special occasion. So, everywhere we go, we will find this Nasi Kuning and Nasi Goreng with a little of Gado-Gado.

NASI KUNING (YELLOW RICE)

Serves 10 to 12

3 cups rice, rinsed
3 cups coconut milk
2 cups water
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh lemon grass
4 bay leaves
1 teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon, ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
3 tablespoons butter

Place all ingredients, except butter, in a saucepan, then bring to boil. Simmer for 20 minutes over low heat or until all liquid has been absorbed, stirring a few times. Turn off heat and cover, then allow to stand for 20 minutes. Add butter and fluff, then place on a platter and serve hot.

SATAY LILIT (Minced Seafood Satay)

600g Skinned boneless snapper fillet* 1 cup Freshly grated coconut or ½ cup moistened desiccated coconut ½ cup Seafood Spice Paste (see below) 5 Fragrant lime leaves, chopped 1 pinch Black peppercorns, finely crushed 1 pinch salt 305 Bird’s eye chilies, very finely chopped 2 tsp Palm Sugar Lemon grass or satay skewers Mince fish fillet very finely in a food processor or with a chopper. Add all other ingredients and mix well. Mould a heaped tablespoon full of this mixtuyre around a wooded skewer or over trimmed stalks of lemon grass and grill over charcoal until golden brown. Note: this recipe will not work with frozen fish.

Have a nice try and big kiss from NDH/Gros becs de NDH

La chasse, le weekend et le bonheur....

Last weekend we had lunch with few different family. It was nice after a long time we didn't see each other. But on the 14th April, we didn't forget...it was just too many things to do. It was our 7th wedding anniversary. What is 7 if Elisabeth celebrated her 60th's birthday. If we have a long life in front of us we will celebrate again next year. Well let see next year.


Voila, notre repas de samedi passe. La vie n'est pas aussi terrible en Inde car nous pouvons encore manger ce plat. La viande a ete importe des Grison.....ummmpppphhh. Je ne vous dis pas que c'etait vraiment delicieux et cela vaut la peine de travailler un peu plus pour faire les spatzlis. Ce n'est pas encore fini.....hihihi car nous avons encore du stock. Bon appetit a tous.

Big kiss from NDH / Gros becs de NDH

Bali

These two weeks, we have been busy: with lunch and dinner or work. At the same time I had no idea what I need to write.

First of all, we were in KL for the vacations and spent 1 week in Indonesia (Jakarta and Bali). Talking about Bali: too many tourist or what else. Too many tourists that make the place look so happening but we didn’t have a feeling to have fun while we were there.

Perhaps it is not really good to speak about thing that I don't want to. So, we leave Bali here.

Big kiss from DEL/ Gros becs de DEL.