Last year, I spent some time working on a project in Malaysia. I was based in Putrajaya, the recently-invented new capital city. No matter how ostentatious the hotel (and where the prices were approximately the same as the cheapest, roughest hotel in Oxford), I couldn't help but notice that the recently-displaced natural world was never far away. As the haiku suggests, the carefully-maintained facilities at the Malaya Hotel (pictured in the haiga) could not be separated from the entire packs of wild dogs that were roaming the wilderness, just beyond the bounds of the hotel's grounds.
You don't often see packs of dogs these days - in England, it's usually for bloodsports, such as fox-hunting. To see a wild pack was quite an honour. The pack didn't seem too interested in me - they were quite happy reclining near the pool.
I've looked into the history behind the name 'xiaofa' tuo, and it really got it's name as it was made first for a customer from France. Last week I was in Yunnan for a visit at the Xiaguan factory, and asked about this company, but the Xiaguan guys somehow lost contact with after it was taking over by another.
Last year, I spent some time working on a project in Malaysia. I was based in Putrajaya, the recently-invented new capital city. No matter how ostentatious the hotel (and where the prices were approximately the same as the cheapest, roughest hotel in Oxford), I couldn't help but notice that the recently-displaced natural world was never far away. As the haiku suggests, the carefully-maintained facilities at the Malaya Hotel (pictured in the haiga) could not be separated from the entire packs of wild dogs that were roaming the wilderness, just beyond the bounds of the hotel's grounds.
ReplyDeleteYou don't often see packs of dogs these days - in England, it's usually for bloodsports, such as fox-hunting. To see a wild pack was quite an honour. The pack didn't seem too interested in me - they were quite happy reclining near the pool.
Toodlepip,
Hobbes
Hi Hobbes, hope you have time in the near future to visit Singapore to try our lovely teas. Cheers, Keng.
ReplyDeleteDear Keng,
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to it! I've never been to Singapore before...
Toodlepip,
Hobbes
I've looked into the history behind the name 'xiaofa' tuo, and it really got it's name as it was made first for a customer from France. Last week I was in Yunnan for a visit at the Xiaguan factory, and asked about this company, but the Xiaguan guys somehow lost contact with after it was taking over by another.
ReplyDelete