eddie teo first invited us into his shop because he caught us peering in. eddie told us he wanted to sell his shophouse - a very charming peranakan-styled two storey shophouse - for 1.6m myr. he even promised mel a commission if he can broker a deal. eddie did not want his photo taken because of his trade.

eddie is the proprietor of guan hoe company and deals with arms - mainly hunting guns and ammunition. he had an armory, probably sparsely stocked with ammunition, at the back of his shophouse. he also showed us his private collection of kris knives, which handles’ were made with the rarest wood in malaysia.

we spent some time chatting with eddie - ranging from how he was the champion of a shooting competition back in the 70s, and one of his customer got fatally shot in his head and ribs during a recent hunting trip, how perak is now of the top places to visit according to lonely planet, to the stories of the many photos of hunters and their game (massive boars the size of a small elephant, antelopes, and other forest creatures).

as we were about to depart, eddie drew us a map to a local coffee shop which apparently served the best kopi in ipoh.

i hope to meet eddie one day, once i am able to find that 1.6m myr spare change i have lying around.

anthony bourdain

lee kuan yew

indian proverb