Sharing common love and interest
in arts, culture. . . and kasot manek!
Ladies-in-Waiting . . .
HRH The Duchess of Cornwall arrives
at China House, Victoria Street.
Alison welcomes HRH
. . . they had to concentrate on artwork above
while passing the table of . . . cakesssssss. . .
"Your Royal Highness, Welcome to Penang!"
and the world of minute, dazzling, psychedelic
Bohemian beads on Nyonya kasot manek!
(oops! my humble apologies, my chair was
in a tight corner and I was stuck, quite
unable to push my chair back for a curtsey!)
Ps Melinda Song greets Her Royal Highness
"Bohemian cut glass beads?"
The Duchess of Cornwall is intrigued
by nyonya beadwork on vamps and kasot manek.
"Here is where you count
the beads to make up the gold fish. . . "
"I love beads! I love them
on my clothes, like this one!"
Her Royal Highness sat down and chatted awhile
about the Prince's work in setting up traditional
crafts schools. At the same time, she first learn
about the Straits Chinese Baba Nyonya. . .
baru baru . . . here and now!
(about my only chance ever to share on the beauty
and splendour of the Straits Chinese,
thanks to Penang being a port city)
"Straits Chinese, The King's Chinese! Really!!!"
"I must tell him"
Two centuries of Baba nyonya culture and
Straits Settlements history in 8 minutes!
An attempt at beading.
"Right here, Ma'am"
"Oh dear, I don't have my glasses"
(although I did inform the Advance Team
to remind her office to bring along her glasses)
My blessed daughter can claim the Duchess
beaded and helped her finish her kasot manek.
Amused at the kasot manek vamp
depicting 'mem di kebon bunga'
- madam in an English garden.
"May I have your contact, please?"
Yes indeed! Reaching out to pass
my name and contact card.
Lingering to admire the beadwork
and kasot manek display.
The Duchess tried her hand at batik painting,
assisted by Theresa and Imy.
The British Secret Service and the Sisters
(oh dear, now we have exposed them).
Sneaked a break from beading to check out secret agents.
I suspect the red poppy is a hidden survillence
camera and microphone, and promptly told them so.
They smiled and did not deny that.
I know, cos I've watched James Bond movies.
Secret Service are almost always in suits.
No uniforms.
That I found out, after getting confused with
the visit of different kinds of police, army,
jungle team (yes!), Royal Protection Team,
bomb squad, Bukit Aman, etc, etc. over the
last few weeks.
On her way out, the Duchess again express
her interest in Nyonya crafts and slippers
The Duchess have cakes and tea
with Alison. Alison had cleverly
piled the nyonyas with cakes and
cafe latte earlier, so . . .
I love the Pink Paisley shirt.
Colin chuck his earlier batik shirt
in favour of this pleasant piece.
"Makes me look younger, he chuckled.
Good choice!
. . . and more tea, Ma'am?
AFTERWARDS . . .
The Duchess sat here!
The Duchess' pick of cake and tea!
Her cup of tea! . . . one can always pretend . . .