Work has been completely crazy since I got back. Completely. Crazy.

So there has been little to report over the last couple of weeks.

Ramadan has begun. Temporary food stalls have sprung up along the streets, doing a roaring trade each evening as buka puasa approaches.

As yet I have seen no camels. But there are lots of dates to be enjoyed.

In deference to the season, I had an Ola Bowls date creation (a blend of medjool dates, banana, strawberry, and soya milk, topped with orange, kiwi, strawberry, banana, cranberries, granola, and chia seeds).

This preceded shopping for salad utensils (we're attempting a healthy eating phase) and Korean dramas (we're suffering from withdrawal symptoms; in fact we've already started Winter Sonata).

The highlight of last weekend was probably an MPO performance of Mahler's unfinished 10th symphony. Various composers have attempted to "finish" it, based on the notes Mahler left. The version we heard was particularly interesting in that it was written by the person conducting it, Yoel Gamzou. It's amazing music: those organ-like chords, that trumpet scream, that lone, solemn, punching drum. And lots of tam-tam. The tam-tam of death...

During the course of the past week or so, we've also tried out Second Cup, a Canadian coffee chain, who are busy breaking into the Malaysian market. The staff are friendly, and the product is good. Nigel's always happy to find a nice Mandheling, and I enjoyed my huge pot of Indian Chai black tea.

I'm about to have my first day off since returning. Let's hope better things are on the horizon.