In loving memory of my dad, Food GPS, Penang state badminton player and loving grand father

My father was a star badminton player of Penang in his young days. He trained with the first Malaysian team to ever bring home the Thomas Cup. Dad even trained our beloved Datuk Lim Chong Wei when he was 12 years old.

My dad was also known as the food GPS of Penang. He knew his way around Penang at the back of his hand and knows where to go for food.  All you needed to do was tell him your favourite food and he will tell you where to go.

Dad's eye sight was not very good towards the end of his life. However his memory is as clear as if he can see. He remembers everything that has happened in his life, every voice, every place and just about everything. A man called James who goes to the same church as my dad said to me "Your dad was introduced to me once, he asked me for my name and I said it is James". The next time I met your dad, I said hi to him and your father replied, you are James. It was amazing. I have never been more proud of my dad.

My beloved father passed away recently on 25 September 2011. During his wake and funeral, though it was meant to be a very sad time, somehow, my dad's spirit was still with me and my husband. He guided us to the best places to eat. In my husbands words, it was a happier time during a very sad trip.

I miss my father a lot but I think all he ever wants me to remember him is him loving me and his grandkids. Dad use to say to me "To try and fail is understandable but to fail to try is unforgivable.

So to remember my dad, here are some photographs my husband and I took of the places and various food we enjoyed during our recent trip home to Penang.

Enjoy!!!

My Dad

Various Kuihs

More kuihs

Singapore laksa from T3

Roti man at Mt Erskin market

Prawn mee at Mt Erskin market

Chee Cheong Fun at Mt Erskin

The famous Swee Kong ko pi tiam made famous by Rick Steins

Char Kueh Teow at Swee Kong

Siam Laksa and Pa Sem Bor at Swee Kong

Mt Erskin market

The best Thai food ever - Chok Dee Thai

Basil Chicken at Chok Dee Thai

Chok Dee Thai - must try if you love Thai food

The famous Ho Kien Mee at Swee Kong and a nice cool glass of  Kopi Oh Peng

The traditional Ko Pi Tiam in Penang

Sea food at Bali Hai

More seafood at Bali Hai restaurant

Penang Curry mee at Beach Street, George Town

More pictures of Penang Curry Mee

Penang Curry Mee once you mix it up

Pig blood jelly in the Penang curry mee

Rempah Udang

Seri Muka

Onde Onde

Onde Onde

Sotong nasi lemak at Beach Street, George Town

My Origins

My grandfather (also known as Ah Kong) was born in the Fuxian Province of China; his family migrated over to Malaya (now known as Malaysia) and resided in the state of Penang. Grandma (we call her Ah Ma) on the other hand was born and bred in Penang. She was a Nonya.

What is a Nonya you ask? Well, let’s take a step back. Peranakan Chinese and Baba and Nonya are terms used for the descendants of late 15^th and 16^th century Chinese immigrants to South East Asia during the Colonial era. Members of this community address themselves as “Nonya Baba”. Nonya is the term for ladies and Baba for the gentleman. They were the elites of Singapore and Malaya, more loyal to the British than to China  Most have lived for generations along the straits of Malacca and are intermarried with the local native Malays. Most of the “Nonya Babas” are English educated; they are usually traders and act as the middleman of the British and the Chinese or Malays. Most of them are able to speak two of more languages e.g. English, Malay and Chinese.

So, enough of this technical gibberish about what Peranakan Chinese are, let’s go back to the story of my grandparents. Ah Ma was raised a Nonya and hence she was expected to master the skill of preparing Nonya dishes and making beaded slippers. Beaded slippers are called “Kasut Manek”. They are hand-made with much skill and patience, stringing beads and sewn onto canvas.

Now, the love story, Ah Kong was a trader and he was delivering glass beads to Ah Ma’s house. There, he caught a glimpse of my beautiful Ah Ma. He fell instantly in love and returned to ask for her hand in marriage. 8 children and 11 grandchildren later, I was added to the Lim clan.

Today, I have immigrated to New Zealand with my husband and his family. We have 3 beautiful kids (1 boy and 2 girls), our own little Baba and little Nonyas.

From here.......our own story begins in a new world.... the land of the long white cloud....

From here...

 To here....

And finally here...