How to tie a Berber turban

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Voila! Got it?

Don't worry. Neither did I. Although I've never looked sexier or more alluring :-)

Moroccan food

If you ever travel to Morocco, be ready for the tagine -lots of it! The tagine is a unique conical earthenware vessel used for Moroccan cooking. I was most eager try it having watched Jamie Oliver, Anthony Bourdain and countless other food journalists singing its praises. It was delicious and I really didn't mind that every other meal consisted of some form of tagine ranging from chicken, beef, lamb, fish to liver...err.. maybe you should skip the liver version.

The Tagine

Beef tagine with almonds and prunes at Residence Amina - it was the best one we tasted on the trip!

Beef kofta curry tagine topped with egg (bottom) and Liver tagine with prunes (above)


Homecooked Couscous with seven vegetables and chicken served by Zahara (Ismail's mother)

A Berber omelette made from eggs, onions and tomatoes - it was super yummy!

O yes..and not forgetting khoobz (flatbread) that is served with every meal. It was a handy tool to mop up all the delicious gravy!

Marrakech the Red City

As a child, I was hopelessly enamoured by stories of Aladdin, Sinbad, Ali Baba and magic flying carpets. That's what I imagined Marrakech to be and everything I'd ever dreamed about this red city- ancient, exotic, mysterious - came true the moment I stepped within the walls of the medina (old city)

Bab Agnou - the most imposing gate at the southern entrance to the medina

The 12th century Koutoubia mosque stands as a proud compass in the heart of the medina

Marrakech is one of the most important imperial cities in the kingdom of Morocco. It started as a humble trading post for the caravanserais that snaked their way overland carrying goods from China to Europe. It served as the imperial capital in the 11th, 12th and 16th centuries before becoming the tourist capital of modern Morocco.

Colourful dancers and snakecharmers delighting tourists and locals at the Djemaa el Fnaa

The Djemaa el Fnaa or public square is the heartbeat of the city of Marrakech. It used to be a place of public execution which has now been designated a UNESCO world heritage site that's featured on countless episodes on the Travel & Living Channel. Dancers, snakecharmers, acrobats and monkeys rule the stage by day while the food stalls and spice tea sellers rule the night. The frantic bustle is addictive and it's truly a sight to behold!

Market stalls piled high with fruits, vegetables and Moroccan pastries

Aunty Jo Jo posing with a Marrakech water seller

Needless to say - AUNTY JO JO LOVES MARRAKECH!

Shukran (Thank You)

I've just spent 8 days in Mysterious Morocco and it's time to blog about it. When I write, I usually like to start at the beginning, build up the story and end with a bang - for maximum effect. This time however, I'm going to start at the end. That's because the best experience I've ever had on holiday took place on the last evening.

Firstly, allow me to introduce you to Ismail Hamzaoui, a fine young gentleman who works at the Residence Amina, where Li Ki and I stayed. His was the first smiley face to greet us when we checked in all forlon, without our luggage. Ismail assured us that all was well and that our bags would arrive the next day. Sure enough, they did and he arranged the airport transfer without even being asked! From that moment on, we became firm friends and Ismail was our "go to" person for everything from broken lightbulbs to camel rides in the desert. On our last day, he invited us home to dinner with his family and we delightfully accepted.

(L-R) Joanna, Rasheed (youngest brother), Zahara (mum), Ahmed (dad), Li Ki

Latifah with the basin for washing of hands before dinner

Zahara showing us how to roll couscous balls before popping them into our mouths!

There is nothing more heartwarming than sharing of food with family and friends. Zahara, Ismail's mum, served up an enormous platter of delicious couscous with vegetables and chicken. While eating from the same platter, Ismail said "Whatever we have, we share. This is our custom." Those words touched me very deeply. Especially when a family like the Hamzaouis invite total strangers into their home to share with them a dose of Moroccan hospitality.

Their generosity and warmth continued after dinner when Zahara presented me with an ethnic scarf from southeast Morocco, where the family originted from. Li Ki received a more modern scarf which matched her outfit beautifully. I was touched beyond words. The gesture of genuine friendship required no translation nor interpretation - it simply said "We're friends."

So here's a big SHUKRAN to the Hamzaoui family and may we meet again, insya allah.

Marina Bay Sands Skypark

When I was offered the opportunity to chair the 2010 HR Asia Summit at Marina Bay Sands in exchange for a stay at MBS, I gladly accepted. The view from the 57th floor Skypark is phenomenal and it's no wonder that the Skypark has quickly become one of Singapore's must-see tourist attractions. And because I was a house guest, the normal SGD20 entry fee was waived, so I took the opportunity to share it with my "family" in Singapore - Lu Meng, Jimmy and my godsons, Justin and Jared, who dropped by one evening for a visit.

View of Singapore skyline from my 37th floor room at Marina Bay Sands

Aunty Jo Jo enjoying the night views of Marina Bay with Justin and Jared

The Chang family posing by the infinity pool on the 57th floor Skypark