The Second Time Round

Hi there again Sorry for not writing anything for a long while. Much water has flowed down the river and much has happened since. Anyways, this time round I would like to say something about the title above. Remember the first time you did something or tasted something? Well recently I took a trip to Temerloh to partake in the gulai tempoyak Ikan Patin. The last time I tasted it was way back in 2009. So you can imagine the thrill and anticipation of tasting it again. After all the first time I tasted it, it was delicious and the fish melted in the mouth. The price for a 6 person meal was reasonable. What with the ulams and other condiments with the meal. So there I was driving to Temerloh. A lot of changes had taken place, a new highway, new factories being built and the usual cutting of trees. I have always wondered why is it necessary to cut down the trees and then after the building the factories or houses or whatever, we plant trees again. Perhaps our architects, engineers and landscape architects can think of a way to facilitate construction without cutting the trees. Anyway, back to the gulai tempoyak Ikan Patin. As they say, the second time round can either be a joy or a disappointment. To my rue, this time round was a disappointment. The rice was flat (tak gebu) and not fluffy. A lower quality of rice was served and the portions smaller. I guess the kuah tempoyak was diluted in that the taste of tempoyak was hambar. And the fish - owwwwwww. it was a disaster. The price was six times more expensive. Definitely a let down.