30/12/2007 – Phillip Holt's World

One of the benefits of Malaysia is the wide ethnic range of food, Malaysian, Indian, Chinese, western, it can also be a disadvantage, especially for me who is not that keen on fish.

It is not that I do not like fish, I do, when I would swim and dive with them in the warm waters of the Red Sea, or the Caribbean or South China Sea, or stand in front of an aquarium full of colourful exotic specimens. For me, perhaps as a result of being force fed fish at school as a young boy, and some of the very strong tastes and smells, I do not like to eat them.

Sometimes we have to partake in activities or gatherings that perhaps under normal circumstances we would avoid. So it was for our afternoon meal, eight of the family drove towards the near by coast, to an inlet, where there are a number of fish restaurants.

The open sided wooden structure, perched on the bank of a smelly, muddy inlet, with mangroves on the opposite bank hosting a variety of wild animals, white egrets, monitor lizards. Next to the restaurant were docks or jetties, where small fishing vessels raced in to unload their catch of fish, crabs, shellfish, so fresh and alive.

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Makanan Laut Jeti Fish Restaurant , next to shellfish packing station.

Restaurant in Malaysia next to a smelly mud bank with the tide out.
The smelly mud bank with the tide out.

The jetty next to the restaurant with a boat racing in with its catch.

The open sided restaurant in Malaysia next to the water, with fishing boats passing by
The open sided restaurant next to the water, with fishing boats passing by.

A busy Makanan Laut Jeti fish restaurant

A variety of sea food was ordered, including, octopus, deep fried battered soft shelled crabs, shellfish going under the name of “La La” (shellfish close to the mussel family), prawns, vegetables and fresh fish picked from the water filled display cabinets. Served with it was a green drink, ampara juice, which tasted like grass, which is said to be good for health. Oh, not forgetting the serving of rice and chili sauce.

Octopus with sauces

Why is it that anything I do not particularly like is always good for my health, or as my mother would say, make my hair curl, or my father would say, put hairs on my chest? None of these things have happened to me.

All the food is as always served centrally, and people help themselves to individual mouthfuls, using the pink and orange plastic plates, forks and spoons.

Bing and Janet Ng

The food actually, as my “Grand Niece” Anjelica would say, was really good. I loved the soft shelled crab, eaten whole, legs and shells, (seen above middle right), the scampi, (top left) served in a deep brown rich sauce was mouth watering, the fresh prawn (top right) coated in fried oat flakes, once out of their shells, were meaty and fresh.

Perhaps the green vegetable called Kan Choi (spinach family) served in Sambal sauce is not to my pallet, in fact I cannot stand the smell or taste, so I had one small piece, neither did I partake in the curried fish, (yet to arrive in the above picture), as my stomach cannot tolerate curries.

Perhaps my dislike of fish meals will change, as I continually try new things on my travels.

It is now 4am in the morning, and once again (see preivious blogs), sleep is like Santa Claus, sleep has missed me out.

Is it jet lag, is it that I have mislaid my mobile phone, that I cannot get for two days a piece of equipment to work which will boost my internet signal, is it that my mind is too active, is it those horrid mosquitoes (read about what I think about mosquitoes) or the smell of the mosquito repellent pads, is it the heat and high humidity here in Malaysia, is it that I fell asleep in the evening whilst we had family visiting, or the fact that I have a very bad cold?

I think the major factor is that it is the cold, with its’ runny nose, making me sweat, giving me aching limbs and a stuffed-up head.

I came across some interesting facts, useless information, yes I am full of useless information, but facts which I would like to share with you. Perhaps getting them out of my head by writing them down, will help me find sleep. I hope it does not have the same effect on you.

There are two types of infection, virus and bacterial for colds.

Interesting? Well we all get colds or infections, we might as well know what we have.

Apparently the easiest way to tell the difference, is that if the mucus is clear, it is a virus, if it is yellow or green it is a bacterial infection. The horrible yellow, brown, green stuff is the body getting rid of the bacteria.

“So?” I hear you say. Well it is important to know. You can have money in your pocket, and it is important to know what type of currency it is, whether it is US Dollars or UK Pounds, and which country you are in, that will help you to determine how you can spend it, or get rid of it.

What is a viral infection?

It is caused by the presence of a virus, a microorganism, that needs a cells to grow which it invades, using the cell’s chemicals to stay alive and reproduce itself, sometimes mutating, making it difficult to fight with drugs. Viruses may contain either DNA or RNA as their genetic material.

I am told they cannot be treated by antibiotics, which if taken can make a viral infection worse.The only treatment is to suffer, like me now, and let the immune system fight it, with a little help with a good diet, loads of water for hydration, and rest and sleep, all that I am now missing. There may be anti-viral or other drugs one can take, but the medics will need to know specifically the virus to attack.

Viruses cause many common infections in humans, from the common cold, to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), caused by the HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), and the dreaded bird flu, the avian influenza A (H5N1) virus.

What is a bacterial infection?

Bacterium are living cells, much larger in size than a virus cell, and need no other cell to reproduce themselves, they are a one-cell living organism.

Bacteria can be found anywhere, from the soil we stand on, in the water we swim in and drink, in the coldest wastes of the North and South Poles, the boiling waters of hot springs of Iceland (read about my visit to the Blue Lagoon in Iceland).

Bacteria is mostly harmless, in fact they are beneficial to humans. They breakdown orgain waste, they can prevent infections and reproduce estential vitimins for human existance. Bacteria is used to produce cheese, yogurt and other foodstuffs.

Bactirial infections are caused by these microorganisms gaining entrance to the body. When the immune system is compromised, the human can catch an infection. Stress, exposure to or being with someone who is already infected or ill, and poor lifestyle choices can cause infection. All is true here, but I have clear mucus.

The infection can be treated with good nutrition, which is essential for a strong immune system, and drinking lots of water. Good regular exercise, but not too much as it may weaken the immune system. Good adequate amounts of sleep, and if needed an antibiotic treatment from a doctor.

Oh well, I am still awake, I think I will go back to the old wives tales of feeding a cold, I will raid the fridge now for chocolate biscuits, and counting sheep.

Good night world.

SLEEP

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