Go all the way…

I joined a contest, Taste your way around Asia, that was hosted by AirAsiaGo on their Facebook page more for the fun of it than anything else. I thought it was somewhat interesting and this was how it went – they would name a destination and a few culinary specialties at that particular place and participants would have to email them photographs of other delights found at that same place, giving whatever information they required.

I think the first destination was Sarawak so that was easy and of course, my submission had to be the Kuching or Sarawak laksa…

The next destination was Penang and since char kway teow was on their list, I could not suggest that. In the end, I settled for the or chian (oyster omelette) and the roti jala, Indian style that I had at a nasi kandar place on the island…

Bangkok was next and it was not too difficult as they did not mention the pad Thai  nor the pineapple fried rice…

…and I had the photographs of the two at hand.

Hong Kong was quite a challenge as they mentioned dim sum and roast goose so I had to come out with something else and for Vietnam, the Vietnamese pho was in their list. In the end, I decided to submit the siew yoke (roast pork belly) and the Vietnamese rolls…

…for these two destinations.

Taipei came next and I had snapshots of the Taiwan-style beef noodles and also the celebrated pineapple cakes…

…but Korea was rather challenging. I think they had kim chi and bibimbap and I do not know much about Korean cuisine especially when I was there once only – in the winter and it was so cold that for every meal, we requested for their mee sua in ginseng chicken soup with their very nice rice wine. In the end, I just sent to them this photograph of the Korean mochi buns…

…and that was it!

Now, why did I say that I just joined for fun like I was not all that keen? Well, the thing was the prize would be another free hotel stay – I had already won one at either Bangkok or Phuket in a contest organised by their affiliate, Tune Insurance around Christmastime last year and it is due to expire at the end of this month so it sure looks like I would not get to use it in the end. I wouldn’t mind forwarding that to anyone heading to one of these two destinations in the next few weeks – just let me know! I did read the fine print and it did not say anywhere that it is non-transferable so I guess it is all right.

Anyway, for this particular contest, I received an email from them informing me that I had won and they asked me for my mailing address. After a couple of days, I received this…

Homestay? In Kluang? I know that it is in Johore but I can’t jolly well fly there! I’d probably would have to fly to JB and go all the way by bus or by train from there. Sighhhhh!!!! If it had been free hotel accommodation in JB itself…or KL, Penang, Kuching, Kota Kinabalu or even Singapore, I would probably make a trip there and make full use of the prize. As for going to Kluang, I will have to think about it. The voucher expires at the end of October this year so there is still a lot of time for me to sleep on it…but if anyone is interested, I can pass it to him or her, no problem at all.

Well, I sure had a lot of fun and yes, it is nice to win something, never mind what. LOL!!!