So, Ripon. Does this mean you aren't a vegetarian anymore?

Michael


4/5/05


In 1997, I worked as a facilitator(once in a while, I used to do this
kind of job as hobby) for this International Election commissioner
conference for how to organize fair election in Manila, Philippines.
Chief Election commissioner from all around Asia and
Asia-Pacific(Australian, New Zealand) came to join this conference to
share and learn their experience how to conduct fair election. Part of
my job was to received the VIP guest from the airport, take care of
their security with local government, take care of the conference
facilities, food etc. This people were flying from different cities and
I had to spend almost whole day and night in the airport to receive
them and make sure their security. I met the Chief Election
Commissioner from Papua new Guinea and drove together in the same car
to the hotel. When he learn that I am an adventurous eater who would
love to try any kind of food, he asked me if I ever tried Crocodile
meat. I said nop, he told me then I never had the best meat on earth.
From that day, I was waiting for this chance to try crocodile meat.

I talked about the restaurant "Costa De Sol" before. The restaurant is
very popular with foreigner. Yesterday I learn from someone, they are
offering crocodile steak. I was so excited and wanted to try with my
recent favorite tea Ying Nu Huang(Lapsang Souchong). I always love
Lapsang with my fish and chicken dish. I stepped Ying Nu Huang and put
in a thermo to carry with me for dinner. BTW, I asked in the RFDT about
this tea and the information was- this tea meaning is " Queen
Elizabeth in England ". I did some furture investigation and my
supplier told me- This Lapsang is Zheng Shan grade from Mt. Wuyi/Tong
Mu Guan, Xing Village. This is the best quality of their factory. There
are some factories in Guangzhou or Fujian but only one can be
considered their tea as Zheng Shan Xiao Zhong, the original Lapsang.

Well, I can say that this is my most favorite Lapsang so far. No wonder
why they call it- "Queen Elizabeth In England"- The smoky flavor is
very balanced, it is smooth, full bodied, has a very mild biscuity and
Vanilla aroma. This Lapsang tea leaves are well twisted.

I know, some of you the thinking why should I eat crocodile meat and
encourage poachers to kill animal. The fact is different in this case.
I am a supporter of wild life conservation. The wild life food chart
had been broken in every part of the world. Crocodile usually eat fish
but lot of African rivers are loosing fish by illegal fisherman.
Crocodiles don't have enough fish to eat, so this gentleman crocodiles
are attacking nearer area where people has domestic animals like- cub,
goat, hen, rabbit etc. This crocodiles come to the village and small
towns to steal and eat the domestic animals, sometimes even attack
small children and senior people. For this reason- government allow to
kill some crocodile once in a while. Right now in Canada, they are also
thinking to kill some over populated seal. Also in US, we don't have
enough wolves who can maintain the number of deer. For urbanization,
deforestation or for un-planned hunting- we the human being broke the
natural food cycle. In Africa, this is sometime very necessary to kill
some animals to maintain a proper animal cycle.

This crocodilemeat came from South Africa and this is the prime season
when South African government allow to hunt some crocodile. Now back to
the crocodile steak-

The steak was medium done. According to my taste, it was in between
fish and chicken with some extra fat. I need to try one more time for a
better description. My guess is, well done crocodile steak will be even
better. The steak came with chips(here they call French fries as chips,
I know it is funny), lots of fresh vegetables with plain yogurt(made
from goat milk) and grilled tomato, onion and garlic. I think, still my
favorite meat is Kansas T-bone steak and Omaha steak house. Mu guess is
the gentleman from Papua New Guinea didn't get the time or experience
to have good American beef.

I liked the steak with my Lapsang just thought well done might make the
steak better. I will consider crocodile steak as a soft meat, with a
little extra fat. I am just very happy to full fill one of my dream to
try crocodile meat after eight years. I have plan- while I am in
Africa, I will try to taste every single legal animal meat with my
favorite tea. If some of you think- it is disgusting to talk about this
kind of topic(animal meat), please let me know. I won't post any
further.

Ripon
Maputo, Mozambique