The smoke pollution has abated somewhat. Yesterday and today we've had readings in the mid-100 range (that's still "unhealthy", just not "very unhealthy", as it's deemed to be when it tops 200).

Having decided during the smokiest days of the weekend to get out of town, we're still sticking with that plan, and will be heading off this evening.

But before doing that, I thought a little round-up of pre-smog pleasures would be a good idea.

First up, the simplest. I've mentioned Abee Traditional Buns before, and truly, there are few things nicer that New Zealand butter and kaya on an Abee wholemeal bun. Heaven...

A nice new discovery was Borneo Coffee, where you can sip the black stuff in a pretty garden.





We've also been back to Jing-Si, whose interesting green drink gave rise to some fascinating culinary research.


Job's tears looks a bit like barley but isn't (despite its alternative name of "Chinese pearl barley"). Technically, it's coix seed, although it seems the "barley" drink you often get in Malaysia and Singapore might well be made from Job's tears... Which doesn't matter, because both are very nutritious.

Jew's mallow is also known as molokhia, Egyptian spinach, or bush okra. Again blessed with healthful properties, this plant also seems to have a variety of cultural connotations for the people of North Africa/Southwest Asia.

Then there've been our walks. Before the smog hit, we were continuing to pace out Kuching. Never unpicturesque:






So, this evening we're heading for Kota Kinabalu. But before that, very appropriately, we're going to watch The Bravest -- a firefighter movie...