Eating is great, isn't it? I don't know about you, but it's one of those things that I do everyday. I just can't help myself!

Food in Thailand is particularly good. I couldn't get enough of it when I was there, and the thought of leaving it behind when I left brought a tear to my eye.

So, I decided to learn how to make a few dishes.

This tasty little number is called Pad Kapow Moo, and it's available pretty much everywhere in Thailand.

But before we get started, here's a brief Thai language lesson: Pad="stir-fry"; Kapow="holy basil"; Moo="Pork".

Right, let's get started.

Ingredients

• 10 Green or Red Chilli ( more or less depending on how hot (ped) you want it
  
• Plenty of Garlic
  
• Minced pork or you can use beef/prawn/chicken etc., if you prefer
  
• Soy Sauce
  
• Oyster Sauce
  
• Brown Sugar (just a pinch)
  
• Thai Basil
  
• Water
  

Method

1. Crush with side of knife and roughly chop the Chilli's and the
   Garlic
   
   
2. Slice baby sweetcorn down the centre and then half them
   
   
3. Add the chilli and the garlic to the hot oil (sunflower) in wok. Make sure the oil is not too hot or the garlic and chilli will burn
   
   
4. Add the baby sweetcorn
   
   
5. Add the minced pork and stir
   
   
6. Add a splash of water
   
   
7. Add two spoons of soy sauce and 1 or 2 of oyster, depending on how salty you want it
   
   
8. Teaspoon of brown sugar
   
   
9. Finally add the thai basil - stir and then take off the heat
   
   
10. Serve with rice and some fish sauce with chilli

And there you have it.

Image courtesy of chock_dee

According to a reality TV show psychologist, it's apparently possible to tell a lot about a person just by analysing the way they pack their suitcase. For example, those who pack every item they own into one suitcase is known as a "Kitchen-Sink Packer". People who fall into this category are likely to be over-anxious, cautious, possibly even a tad needy! The opposite to this, "The Minimalist", is considered to be a more laid back, self assured type of person.

So, if you wish to avoid your luggage revealing your deepest, darkest, most personal psychological problems to all and sundry, then here are a few simple packing tips to remember...

Roll Your Clothes
This method of packing is not only a great way of making the most of the space available, but it also
cuts down on the creases. It's a double whammy of packing brilliance! This method is also useful if you are travelling with a rucksack, where you have items of clothing stacked vertically. Remember to stack in order of weight, with your heaviest items at the bottom. This avoids your clothes getting too crushed. Obviously, this isn't the best method for packing items such as blazers or posh frocks. These items should be kept flat or better still, hung up.

Keep Breakables Safe
If you plan on carrying delicate items in your luggage then be sure to pack them in the middle of your suitcase. Build a 'cocoon' of clothing around the item(s) to help give extra protection. If they are valuable then try to fit them in your hand luggage and take them on-board the plane with you.

Keep the weight down
If you overload your suitcase then you not only risk suffering a hernia but you could also incur extra weight penalty charges when you check your luggage in at the flights desk. So try your best to keep the weight down by omitting items that you don't need.

Images courtesy of JohnnyFez and gpwarlow

Why don't I tell you something about the Serengeti? Serengei means the endless land and refers to an area of savannah in the north of Tanzania. The Serengeti covers 14% of the whole country and is home to all the animals you've seen on TV like Elephants and Lions - however seeing 'em up close on a real life Safari ("Safari" means joouney in Swahili) is another thing altogether. Irf you're gonna do it do it soon while there's still something to see - the park loses around 40.000 animals annually to poaching through local people.

Peter Ustinov once said that Toronto was like New York , except run by the Swiss. It's a safe and secure city by North American standards with a wealth of things to see and do! cheap flights ensure that a holiday here won't break the bank! Be sure to go up the CN Tower with its stunning views over Lake Ontario. Visit the Greek Quarter for its unique ambiance (the largest Greek community outside Greece). The Royal Ontario Museum is famous for its oriental collections. All in all, a great destination.

Years of strictly enforced isolation have given this country a few curious nervous tics; not least an enthusiasm for Norman Wisdom. Tony Wheeler of lonely planet fame (yes he really did visit, definitely his favourite bad land) liked it here - lots of lovely old towns, distict balkan character, adriatic beaches. What's keeping you? Interestingly the Albanian flag resembles the banner of my planet Tweden. Here it is: