My Post-Convocation Lunch Introduced Me to Miao Cuisine

A few days after my convocation, I wanted to celebrate with lunch somewhere different. That search led my sister and I to MIAO at IOI Puchong Mall, a restaurant serving Miao cuisine from Guizhou China. I have heard of Sichuan, Hunan, Cantonese, and Yunnan cuisine, but Miao cuisine was completely new to me.

What Is Miao Cuisine?

I did some Googling and learned that Miao cuisine comes from Guizhou Province in southwest China and is closely associated with the Miao ethnic minority.

One of the defining characteristics of Guizhou cuisine is its use of sour flavours, often created from using fresh herbs, chillies and preserved ingredients, creating dishes that are flavourful without necessarily being overwhelmingly spicy.

Sour Fish Mini Hot Pot

The restaurant's signature dish is its Guizhou Sour Soup Fish Hot Pot, so naturally, that became the centrepiece of our meal.

The soup had a pleasant sourness that was quite different from the tom yum soups or assam-based broths that many Malaysians are familiar with. The flavour was lighter than I expected and became more enjoyable after a few mouthfuls.

The hot pot came with one whole freshwater fish, tofu skin, enoki mushrooms, and Chinese cabbage. Cooking everything at the table made the meal feel more festive, and the ingredients absorbed the flavour of the soup very nicely.

Stir-Fried Deer Mushrooms

Alongside the hot pot, we also ordered the Stir-Fried Deer Mushrooms. Despite the name, this dish contains mushrooms rather than deer meat. Apparently deer mushrooms are named after their appearance and are commonly used in Chinese cooking.

The mushrooms were stir-fried with garlic, leeks, and red and green chillies, giving the dish a savoury flavour with just enough heat. The texture was slightly chewy, making it a nice contrast to the softer ingredients in the hot pot.

The Drinks

We also ordered the Guizhou Specialty Tamarind Juice and the Signature Passion Fruit Drink. The tamarind juice had a pleasant balance of sweetness and tanginess, and the passion fruit drink was equally enjoyable and offered a lighter, fruitier option. But perhaps next time, I will opt for normal sweetness instead of the less sweet version.

Build Your Own Guizhou Ice Jelly Bowl

One of my favourite moments at the restaurant was the complimentary Guizhou Ice Jelly station.

You get to build your own jelly bowl by choosing from a selection of toppings. There were grass jelly, colourful jelly cubes, popping boba, red beans, mung beans, peanuts, crunchy toppings and various sweet syrups.

This was the highlight of the meal as I filled my bowl with a little bit of almost everything. The combination of chilled jelly, beans, crunchy toppings and syrup made for a refreshing dessert after the hot pot.

I thought this was a nice touch because it made the dining experience a little more interesting. Rather than serving everyone the same dessert, each person could customise their own bowl according to their preferences.

If you're feeling adventurous and would like to explore a different side of Chinese cuisine, MIAO is certainly worth considering.

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A Trip That Meant More Than It Looked: Notes from Macau

A Quiet Milestone

This was our first overseas family trip with my in-laws. Not because they have never travelled. In fact, they have travelled far more than my husband and I ever have.

But this time, it was different. This time, hubby and I were the ones bringing them along. There was this quiet, unspoken acknowledgement that we have reached a new stage in life, like a small rite of passage.

A Trip That Became a Mini Pilgrimage

One lovely memory from this trip was how it quietly turned into a mini pilgrimage.

We found ourselves stepping into church after church: Our Lady of Carmel Church in Taipa, St. Dominic's Church, St. Lazarus' Church, Cathedral of the Nativity of Our Lady (Macau Cathedral), and The Chapel of St. Michael.

We celebrated Palm Sunday at St. Lazarus' Church on a Sunday morning. It was beautiful. There's something about being away from home, yet participating in something so familiar: the same rhythm, the same sense of reverence. It reminded me God remains constant, no matter where we are.

At one point, on our way to the Ruins of St. Paul, we wandered into St. Paul's Bookstore, run by The Daughters of St. Paul. We ended up spending more time there than expected, browsing and choosing little Catholic items like pins, crosses, rosaries, etc., each of us drawn to something in our own quiet way.

As I was writing this blog post, I stumbled upon this piece of news: Macau nuns use travel stamps to evangelise tourists.

The Portuguese Egg Tart Moment

Somewhere in between, there was a Portuguese egg tart. Just one from a shop near the Ruins of St. Paul's, eaten while being surrounded by people, noise, and movement.

And so, I just have to take this photo to immortalise the moment. Haha.

And Then… Pink Lights!

And then, there was a completely different kind of joy!

Standing there, watching The Parisian Macao light up in pink, synced to BLACKPINK's GO... I didn't expect to feel that excited!

It was loud and vibrant, completely opposite of the quiet churches we had been visiting.

Almost Sakura

And then, of course, there was my "almost sakura" moment.

According to the QR code beside the tree, it was Zhongguohong (Cerasus campanulata), also known as China Red, a type of cherry blossom found in Southern China that blooms between January and March.

Sometimes, close enough is enough.

The Small Things I Keep Collecting

Somewhere along the way, I found myself doing something familiar: collecting souvenir stamps.

Not the official kind you frame, but the simple landmark stamps, the kind you press onto paper just to say "I was here!"

It reminded me of Taipei, where I first started this little habit. There's something quietly satisfying about it. A small, tangible way of holding onto moments that would otherwise pass too quickly.

The Stairs...

Also, a small note for anyone romanticising heritage walks, but Macau comes with… a lot of stairs. The kind that immediately brought back memories of my trip to South Korea.

The kind that quietly humbles you while you're trying to look like you have your life together. Hahaha.

What Stayed With Me

Maybe that's what this trip was, without expectations, but still exactly what I needed.

A collection of small moments I chose to notice.

A quiet milestone.

A Palm Sunday far from home, yet deeply familiar.

Not sakura,

but close enough to be beautiful in its own way.

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Guangzhou Trip 2025: All the Firsts (A Working Trip, But Make It Fun)

My recent Guangzhou trip was meant to be work (think: hospital facilities tour, live medical treatment sessions, doctor interviews). And of course, all that happened.

But somewhere between Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport and Canton Tower, Guangzhou gave me a long list of 'firsts' that turn a work trip into something a little more memorable.

Here's everything that made this working trip fun!

First Time Flying China Southern Airlines

Just like my first time flying TransNusa to Jakarta, there's always something about boarding a new airline that makes even a routine flight feel a little special. This time, my flight experience with China Southern Airlines makes me momentarily forget I have work deliverables waiting for me on the other end.

First Time Visiting Modern Cancer Hospital Guangzhou

This one definitely deserves its own spotlight.

Walking into St. Stamford Modern Cancer Hospital Guangzhou, I expected "hospital energy", you know, that cold, clinical, intimidating vibe. But instead, I felt warmth. The people were kind, the environment was welcoming, and the level of care and technology was honestly eye-opening.

It was my first time touring a cancer hospital overseas. Seeing how seriously they take multidisciplinary treatment, how structured their processes were, and how genuinely involved their teams are… it made my work feel even more purposeful. If I ever needed a reminder of why we do what we do, I found it there.

First Time Trying Xinjiang Cuisine

Credit to my Muslim teammates, this was a culinary experience in Guangzhou I didn't know I needed. Lamb skewers, cumin, spices that wake you up and your ancestors hahaha... Xinjiang food (yes, we had Xinjiang cuisine in Guangzhou) is bold, hearty, and full of character!

First Time Walking Along Beijing Road

And then there was Beijing Road - my first time walking through its colourful chaos. The energy was loud, bright, and overstimulating (argghh the crowd!)

But what caught my eye the most? The rows and rows of tanghulu - glossy, jewel-like skewers of candied fruit lined up in every colour possible. If Guangzhou had a dessert mascot, it would definitely be tanghulu. They are just too impossible to ignore.

First Time Taking the Pearl River Cruise at Night

If you ever want to see Guangzhou glow, take the night cruise.

The skyline, the bridges, the neon lights reflecting on the water. It was peaceful and beautiful throughout the entire 1-hour ride.

First Time Seeing Canton Tower in Both Daylight and Night Glow

Seeing Canton Tower twice, once in daylight and once glowing at night, felt like meeting two different sides of Guangzhou. By day, it's sleek and striking. By night, it transforms into a rainbow-lit showpiece that steals the skyline.

And yes, it was breathtaking… but a small part of me felt proud knowing that back home, KL Tower stands just as tall in spirit - equally impressive, if not more, in its own Malaysian way.

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My Reflection After Visiting St. Stamford Modern Cancer Hospital Guangzhou

Cancer Diagnosis is Not a Death Sentence

I left Guangzhou with one big takeaway: a cancer diagnosis is not a death sentence. What I saw and learned during this trip reshaped the way I think about cancer care, especially how China approaches it. Their philosophy goes beyond simply "treating cancer" or "extending survival".

The focus is also on improving the patient's overall quality of life - physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually.

It was a reminder that hope still exists, even for patients who feel like they have run out of options.

Integrative Oncology and Minimally Invasive Cancer Treatments

At St. Stamford Modern Cancer Hospital Guangzhou, I witnessed first-hand through lectures and an actual live treatment session - how their integrative oncology approach works in real life.

Their system combines:

• Minimally invasive cancer treatments

• Western medical oncology, led by an MDT (multidisciplinary team)

• Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for strengthening immunity and supporting recovery

This combination gives patients more choices, especially those seeking a second or even third opinion after traditional treatments elsewhere have failed or become too exhausting.

Some of the techniques I saw include Transarterial Chemoembolisation (TACE) and Radioactive Particle (Seed) Implantation. There are also other minimally invasive procedures that reduce trauma yet deliver targeted results. These aren't just "advanced technologies". They offer doors where previously, many patients saw only walls.

If you would like to understand more, feel free to reach out. I can guide you on how to seek cancer treatment at St. Stamford Modern Cancer Hospital Guangzhou.

The Heart Behind the Care

Beyond the medical side, what truly struck me was the heart behind the hospital’s service. They:

• treat every patient like family

• respect different cultures, beliefs, and nationalities

• offer emotional and psychological support

• stay connected with patients even after treatment ends

There is a real effort to remove fear, build trust, and support the patient as a whole person, not just a diagnosis. And you can feel that warmth everywhere, from the doctors to the nurses to the international service team.

Their philosophy is simple yet powerful:

Love without boundaries.

 

Seeing how consistently they live out this principle reminded me why compassionate healthcare matters just as much as medical innovation.

Returning Home with Renewed Hope

I came back to Malaysia with a renewed sense of hope, not just for patients, but for families who are walking through the uncertainty of a cancer diagnosis.

With the right people, the right care, and the right heart, patients can find strength even in the hardest journeys.

 

And sometimes, finding a new option or perspective, even thousands of kilometres away, can make all the difference.

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Mixing Life into a Bowl of Guilin Rice Noodles

When I think back on my trip to Club Med Guilin, one of the most memorable experiences wasn't the mountains, the shows, or even the Zen pool. It was a simple bowl of Guilin mi xian (rice noodles).

What makes this dish special isn't just the noodles themselves, but the way you prepare before you eat this dish. You don't just sit down and slurp — you build it. Start with the soft, springy rice noodles, add a ladle of the broth/brine, then toss in your toppings: fried peanuts, Guilin chili, sour pickles. Most people will also add chopped spring onion and coriander but I won't.

Next, mix it up, taste, and adjust. Maybe you'll want a little more crunch, a bit more sour, or an extra kick of spice. In the end, no two bowls are ever exactly the same.

And that's when it hit me: Guilin mi xian is more than food. It's a reminder that life is meant to be customised. You don't have to follow the same "recipe" as everyone else — you get to decide how spicy, how simple, or how bold your own bowl should be.

That felt especially true for me in Guilin. At Club Med, the schedule is packed with activities — trapeze, pool games, archery. But instead of running around trying to do it all, I chose to slow down, sit back, and savour small things. Like a mojito at sunset. Like the mist curling around the mountains. And yes — like this bowl of noodles, layered with flavour, just the way I liked it.

Sometimes the best memories aren't about doing everything, but about choosing what to mix in and what to leave out. Just like Guilin mi xian, life is better when you make it your own.

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The Art of Doing Nothing in Club Med Guilin (And Loving It)

I’ll admit it: I’m an indoor person. Whenever I go to Club Med, I never touch the trapeze, the archery, or the pool games — that’s just not me. My idea of a holiday isn’t chasing a schedule, it’s avoiding one. So when I arrived at Club Med Guilin, surrounded by those breathtaking karst mountains, I had zero intention of doing “all the things.”

And honestly? That felt like the perfect plan. No schedules, no running around. Just… nothing. And you know what? It was glorious.

My version of rebellion looked like this: wandering to the bar, picking a drink I’d never tried before, and carrying it straight to the pool. I’d sit there with my mobile phone, sip slowly, and let my eyes wander. Suddenly, I noticed things I’d completely missed the day before — the greeneries, the light shifting as the day passed, the quiet hum of life happening around me.

That became my new routine. Different drinks, same mission: find the best corner to do absolutely nothing. Afternoon clouds at the noodle bar patio with a cold beer. Sunset on my balcony with an unfamiliar cocktail in hand (my personal favourite ritual). Watching the sky turn fiery orange without once checking the time.

Meanwhile, the resort carried on — parties, shows, laughter in the distance. I didn’t feel FOMO (quoting Wednesday, I have FOBI - 'Fear of Being Included'). I felt at peace, like I was watching another movie play out while I got my own private screening of Guilin’s beauty.

And here’s what I realised: sometimes the real luxury isn’t in doing everything, but in giving yourself permission to do nothing. To just sit. Breathe. Notice.

If you ever find yourself in a place buzzing with activities, try it. Grab a drink, step away from the noise, and let yourself be still. Trust me — it might just be the best thing you “don’t do” on your whole trip. 😉

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