tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80657466315231545372024-03-08T04:58:13.442-08:00Bon ViveurTravel is in my bloodBon Viveurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02063257156024007383noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8065746631523154537.post-4850873446981110462011-04-25T05:14:00.000-07:002011-05-14T20:34:10.563-07:00Batam day-trippin<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Batam and Bintan are two islands in the Indonesian Riau archipelago that are popular day-trip or weekender destinations for neighbouring Singaporeans.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Bintan, facing the South China Sea, is popular for its beach resorts, while Batam is a good place to spend the stronger Singapore dollar on cheap spas and seafood. Batam also has the less salubrious reputation for its sex tourism. But so long as you steer clear of disco and karaoke bars and non-reputable massage centres, you should be able to avoid encountering this seedy trade. Legal and moral issues aside, tourists should really refrain from supporting this exploitative industry as it’s mired in human trafficking and child prostitution. To learn more about child prostitution issues and how you can help to prevent it or raise awareness, visit </span></span><a href="http://www.stopchildsex.org.sg/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">http://www.stopchildsex.org.sg/</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">.</span></span></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Batam is a 45-50 minute ferry ride away from Singapore. There are a number of Batam ferry terminals with direct connections from Singapore’s Harbourfront ferry terminal, namely Batam Centre, Sekupang, Waterfront City and Harbour Bay. There are also ferries to Nongsapura, which depart from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, Singapore. A return ticket costs around 45-47 SGD (inclusive of taxes, terminal fees etc), depending on which ferry terminal you’re heading to and thus which ferry operator you’ll be travelling with. For ferry schedule and ferry operators’ contact list, see </span></span><a href="http://www.singaporecruise.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">http://www.singaporecruise.com</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Lately, my favourite reason for visiting Batam is to get my hair done at Sibel hairdressing, located at Nagoya Hill. Nagoya Hill is this sprawling complex, located about 5-10 minutes cab ride away from Harbour Bay ferry terminal. The ride probably costs around 15 000 - 20 000 ruppiah. To be safe, board only the yellow-plate licensed Batam Taxis, and also negotiate your price beforehand. Nagoya Hill is anchored by Nagoya Hill Shopping Mall, which was supposedly the largest shopping mall in Batam when it opened in 2007 (not too sure if the “largest mall” label still applies today).</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Nagoya Hill Shopping Mall - Pintu Barat entrance (as indicated on its pillar)</span></span></span></p><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a6Yg_dvCKvo/TbVpKLKqfNI/AAAAAAAAA-8/L8jmDcEHc7Y/s400/Nagoya%2Bhill.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599497335222205650" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 251px; " /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The mall itself is pretty huge and if you’re an avid shopper on the look-out for bargain (albeit, not too fashionable) clothing, shoes and groceries, you might be able to spend a good few hours to half a day in there. There’s even a cinema, though I’ve yet to check out its prices and movie listings. There’s a Matahari department store too, which is good for browsing for clothing and buying Wacoal, the Japanese-brand lingerie, which some may find much cheaper than Singapore’s, as they are produced in Indonesia, but of course, the designs and range carried are different too.</span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">There is also a Polo brand corner, which retails the popular collared T-shirts featuring a prominent horseback-riding polo player logo and other Polo merchandise. The brand is popularly regarded as the Indonesian spin-off brand of the international Polo Ralph Lauren brand, and as such, seen by bargain hunters as an economical (though not as quality) version of Polo Ralph Lauren, as the prices can differ as much as by 1/3, if you compare a standard logo Polo Ralph Lauren collared tee with a standard logo Polo collared tee. But there’s quite a bit of internet discussion on the authenticity of Polo and after much trawling, I’m still confused as to if the Indonesian Polo is a) a genuine spin-off brand of Polo Ralph Lauren, which for some reason, is licensed in Indonesia as Polo, instead of Polo Ralph Lauren; b) a legal “imitation” of Polo Ralph Lauren (which due to licensing chronology issues, cannot sue the Indonesian Polo, as the name was registered in Indonesia prior to Polo Ralph Lauren), with merchandise made intentionally to resemble Polo Ralph Lauren’s or c) there exist both Polo by Ralph Lauren and the Indonesian Polo in Batam, the later being a local brand unrelated to Ralph Lauren and thus the “fake”, while the former is carried at only certain retail spots in Batam. Confused yet? So far, most of the Internet findings have not been conclusive, this authenticity issue seems pretty much left to investigative journalism, if it’s worth the time at all. My take on this, is that if you come across the Polo brand merchandise while you’re in Batam or other parts of Indonesia for that matter, and happen to like its merchandise, decide if you feel that the price is worth the quality, not just the supposed brand-name appeal and make your purchase based on that. That way, if you find out that Indonesian Polo is not related to Polo Ralph Lauren, you won’t feel that you’ve overpaid for an imitation product, as you’ve paid simply for what you feel that merchandise is worth, sans its brand-name. But as to if you’ve unintentionally assisted in the infringement of intellectual property? Oops.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The Matahari supermarket is good for browsing for groceries and Singaporeans are wont to cart back boxes of made-in-Indonesia Indomie mee goreng instant noodles, which supposedly taste better than the made-in-Malaysia ones found on Singapore supermarket shelves. On this recent trip, I did not manage to check if this is still the case, given the pretty recent scare about the possibility of banned preservatives in the Indomie, although the Indomie imported into Singapore were cleared with a food safety probe later on. See </span></span><a href="http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1086815/1/.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1086815/1/.html</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">. Because they are hard to come by in Singapore, sometimes I buy back the Mie Sedap brand of mee goreng with jeruk nipis (lime flavour) instant noodles and Kusuka brand of flavoured tapioca chips (I especially enjoy the BBQ and sate pedas flavours). Keropok (deep fried crackers, of which Indonesia has an unusually large variety. Usually the sun-dried, pre-cooked versions are bought, to be fried back home) and Kueh Lapis (layered cake) are also popular snacks to cart back home. Matahari carries a range of keropok, but as for kueh lapis, the general preference is for freshly made cakes bought off bakeries or distributors for home-made versions (for example, such as the Isabella Massage House located in Nagoya Hill complex, which curiously offers sampling of kueh lapis and takes orders for its rather tasty home-made versions), rather than the pre-packed supermarket versions.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Nagoya Shopping Mall is also a place where Singaporeans can satisfy their nostalgic cravings for A&W fast food (especially the curly fries, root beer float and waffles) and Baskin Robbins ice cream, as these 2 brands are now defunct in Singapore. Don’t be surprised if you see Singaporeans making a beeline for A&W as soon as they set foot in Batam (or anywhere else in the region for that matter). It doesn’t matter if sometimes the queue is long and the wait turns out longer than expected for fast food service, or if on a bad day, the root beer float turns out flat and tepid and the curly fries limp. Singaporeans have an almost herd-like instinct to satisfy their long-drawn A&W cravings, if only because it was, after all, many Singaporean's foremost taste of American fast food, seeing that it was the first fast food chain to set up operations in Singapore, back in 1966. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">See: </span></span><a href="http://heritagetrails.sg/content/237/First_A_W_Restaurant.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">http://heritagetrails.sg/content/237/First_A_W_Restaurant.html</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">While Batam is popular for its cheap seafood, I’ve unfortunately yet to come across one that I’ve liked enough to recommend. I’ve been to one or two kelong (fish farm/restaurants on stilts)-style seafood restaurants that are popular with tour groups, which while cheap, don’t exactly cut it quality and taste-wise.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The only seafood restaurant I’ve tried recently at Nagoya Hill Shopping Mall failed to satisfy as well. Maybe I’m too fussy. My Batam hair stylist did recommend one on this recent trip, unfortunately, I did not have sufficient time to check it out. I’ll remember to post it if I ever do get to try it out later and if it turns out well. But if you do have seafood in Batam, you may wish to order “gong gong” - sea snails, which are supposedly a local specialty found only in the waters off Batam and Bintan. The snails are usually served simply steamed in their shells, with no dressing. You pull out the flesh by its tail or with the aid of a toothpick and dip them in the accompanying sambal chilli sauce and devour the mollusc whole, save for its prickly tail.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So instead of feasting on seafood, I satisfy my craving for Ayam Penyet. The famous one, with chains all over Indonesia and beyond, and I just found out, outlets in Singapore (Lucky Plaza) is Ayam Penyet Ria (Khas Ibu Ruth). It’s located at the Food Street of Nagoya Hill Shopping Mall (on its second level, most easily accessed by the Pintu Barat – west door entrance, where the A&W is located. The other entrance of the mall is on the opposite end, Pintu Timur – east door).</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Food Street</span></span></span></span></p><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T3CKJb732Mo/TbVpKStWD5I/AAAAAAAAA_E/gePtJPc8W_0/s400/Food%2Bstreet%2Bbarat.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599497337246715794" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 272px; height: 400px; " /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Ayam Penyet Ria (Khas Ibu Ruth)</span></span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kf0BvHlM-Nc/TbVn9Qd1k6I/AAAAAAAAA-w/yZqBAv1FHhU/s400/Khas%2Bibu.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599496013794874274" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Ayam Penyet is essentially an Indonesian deep-fried chicken dish, which originated in Surabaya, East Java. “Ayam” means chicken and “penyet” means smashed or flattened, whereby the chicken is lightly smashed with a pestle to supposedly loosen the meat from the bone. The portion here at Ayam Penyet Ria is really tiny, kid-sized really. So if you have a hearty appetite, you may wish to order double portions or maybe add-on the other dishes – they have beef, prawn, fish penyet dishes too. I recalled from my previous visit, the soto ayam soup, while a tad oily, was delicious as well. The ayam penyet consists of a tiny piece of chicken drum fried to crispy perfection, some sides of cabbage, cucumber, basil, fried beancurd, fried tempeh (fermented soybean pieces) and the piece de resistance, the sambal chilli sauce. The chilli is so good, with such an awesome spicy kick, that I can only sufficiently express its flavour in the Singaporean colloquialism – </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">shiok</span></span></i></span><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">! For “dictionary” explanation of “shiok”, see: </span></span><a href="http://www.talkingcock.com/html/lexec.php?op=LexLink&lexicon=lexicon&keyword=SHIOK"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">http://www.talkingcock.com/html/lexec.php?op=LexLink&lexicon=lexicon&keyword=SHIOK</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">. Then temper off the heat, with a nice, creamy avocado shake (a fail-safe drink in Batam – for me at least - made from the creamy avocado fruit ground to a milkshake-like consistency and laced with chocolate sauce). The Nasi Ayam Penyet (with rice) costs 16500 ruppiah (before 10% tax).</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Ayam Penyet</span></span></span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-viyDjyFreQY/TbVn9DlColI/AAAAAAAAA-o/mHz-ma7xh4c/s400/Ayam%2Bpenyet.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599496010335429202" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 292px; " /></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Sibel hairdressing is located outside the mall, but within the Nagoya Hill complex. From the Pintu Barat entrance of the mall, cross over to the opposite rows of shops and head left, towards the end of the row, and you’ll come upon Sibel. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Sibel Hairdressing</span></span></span></span></div><div><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UzBRRdijZH8/TbVrsZMaJ8I/AAAAAAAAA_Y/ll-udurW0og/s400/Sibel%2Bent.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599500122126428098" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This is my second visit to Sibel and I made an appointment with the stylist Dorris Lee. While the prices at Sibel are slightly cheaper or comparable to Singapore’s salons (especially after you factor in the ferry tickets), I’m pretty impressed with Dorris’ skills (she proved adept at cutting my long hair, gave my friend a chic bob and her husband a rather spiffy cut too) and knowledge of her trade. Apparently, she attends overseas training stints and is thus able to keep up with the latest hair trends. She’s also conversant in English and Chinese, making it easier for non-Bahasa speaking customers. So, if you happen to be at Nagoya and are in need of a haircut, I highly recommend checking out Sibel and asking for Dorris. If you’re keen to get Dorris to attend to you, you may wish to call in for an appointment. She seems like the only senior stylist around and when I was there on a Saturday afternoon, she was pretty much swamped. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Another reason for checking out Sibel is for the hair spa therapy. It’s a 45 minutes to 1 hour treatment, whereby you get a hair wash, hair mask using L’oreal Hair Spa products, and a (I can’t help but use this word again) </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">shiok</span></span></i></span><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> head, shoulder and arm massage, and of course, finish off with a blow-dry of the hair as well. Sibel salon is overall rather nice and clean, and if you ask for the hair spa treatment, you’ll be ushered to the quieter upper VIP level, where the steam machines (part of the hair spa treatment) are placed. Should you be unable or choose not to head up to the second-floor, the steam treatment would be done with a hot-towel wrap, in place of the machine.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">VIP section on second level</span></span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sLTjZV5bsbA/TbVrs0j8syI/AAAAAAAAA_g/noVkViDBN8c/s400/Sibel%2B1.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599500129472918306" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pa_Dx5cRxQ4/TbVrtEO_pMI/AAAAAAAAA_o/9An84v_y4lc/s400/Sibel%2B2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599500133679998146" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Sibel Hairdressing</span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Address: Ruko Nagoya Hill G2, Batam, Indonesia</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Tel: (0778) 7493 529</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">(if calling from outside of Indonesia, the country code for Indonesia is 62, so its +62 778 7493 529). On subsequent visits, you may wish to ask them for their BBM (black berry messenger) number for appointments.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Hours: 1000 – 2000 (closed on Tuesdays)<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Price: 160 000 ruppiah for hair spa therapy (other hair therapies are available from 60 000 – 90 000 ruppiah); 140 000 – 166 000 for hair cut by Dorris. Pay in ruppiah only. I forgot to check if they accept credit cards.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Tip: Ask to change into a tube-wrap before your hair spa therapy, if you do not wish to stretch your shirt collar, the shampoo boy tends to tug your shirt collar when they need to massage your bare shoulders.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We had our massage at Eska. Again, Eska is most accessible from the Pintu Barat entrance of Nagoya mall, in fact, you’ll find it just right across the road from the A&W. </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Eska Wellness Spa Massage and Salon </span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S9wNpY8iJAE/TbVpKmYjjLI/AAAAAAAAA_M/6nKKoWn-O3U/s400/Eska.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599497342528228530" style="text-align: justify;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 337px; " /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">In addition to spa and massage services, Eska also has a whole range of beauty and hair services spread out over its 3-4 levels – manicure, pedicure, facial and a hair salon on its first level. I tried the package 1 (240 000ruppiah before tax), which is a 2-hour session, which consists of a facial, massage and foot reflexology treatments. The treatments are mostly carried out in curtained partitions. I think the men and women massages are conducted on separate floors. If you book the spa package, which consists of a bath treatment, for example the 3-hours birthday retreat package, you should get a room that comes with its own tub. Otherwise for non-bath packages or ala carte treatments where you have the body scrub, they are mostly conducted in the curtained partitions and you will have to make your way to the common bathroom at the end of each floor, to shower off. Because I had three different types of treatment, I had to shuttle between floors for each different treatment, but it should not be much of an inconvenience to most abled bodies. While the receptionists at Eska are conversant in English and Chinese, in addition to Bahasa; most of the therapists are fluent in Bahasa only and speak at most, a smattering of English. But no matter, arm yourself with a few useful Bahasa phrases and you should be able to enjoy your sessions. For example, the therapist may ask you “sini boleh?” – which roughly translates to “is this ok?” And if you find the massage pressure good, you reply “boleh” (ok), but if you prefer it to be softer or gentler, you can say “pelan” (pronounced “per – lahn”), or if you prefer it harder or stronger, you can say “kuat”. It’s a little trickier with the facial, I find myself struggling to communicate that I prefer not to do extraction, unless they have a pore-closer/toner to apply afterwards. Yes, it’s a tad too specific to be effectively translated with my broken Bahasa. Though the therapist did try her best with her broken English to reach a compromise too. And as always, it’s good manners to thank your therapists with a “Terima Kasih” (pronounced “Te-ri-ma Kah-</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">see</span></span></i></span><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">”in Bahasa Indonesia, not to be confused with “Te-ri-ma Kah-</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">seh</span></span></i></span><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">” in Bahasa Melayu – spoken in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei), and a nice optional tip.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB"></span>Eska Wellness Spa Massage and Salon</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Address: Ruko Nagoya Hill Blok R4, F3 & F3A, Batam, Indonesia<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Tel: +62 778 7493866<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Website: </span></span><a href="http://www.eska-wellness.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">www.eska-wellness.com</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> (convenient for checking menu prices and reservations through online booking form at http://www.eska-wellness.com/registration.php</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">). Eska accepts ruppiah, Singapore dollars (at prevailing exchange rate) and credit cards. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Hours: 1000 – 2200<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Tip: Eska provides complimentary 1-way transport, either pick-up or return to ferry terminal or hotel. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So, all in all, Batam can be a convenient and affordable quick getaway, where you get to indulge in affordable pampering and cheap grub. Just remember to factor in the 1-hour time difference (Batam is one hour behind, GMT + 7) if you plan your itinerary around the ferry schedules.</span></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Bon Viveurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02063257156024007383noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8065746631523154537.post-11805477512194473082010-11-26T01:32:00.000-08:002011-05-14T20:43:32.343-07:00Tian Zi Fang 田子坊<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/TO9_hGmcbVI/AAAAAAAAA9M/RXK8BQn9Bl4/s1600/TZF%2Bentrance.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/TO9_hGmcbVI/AAAAAAAAA9M/RXK8BQn9Bl4/s400/TZF%2Bentrance.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543789873000639826" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">T<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">ian Zi Fang (TZF) is an inviting local & expat haunt in Shanghai, where you’ll find art galleries, boutiques and F&B establishments, housed in historical </span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Shikumen</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">. TZF is also getting increasingly popular on the tourists radar.<br /><br /></span></span><object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2xmZn2rgzPw?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2xmZn2rgzPw?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="385" width="640"></embed></object><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br />Video on Tian Zi Fang and from 2:35 minutes onwards, 1933.<br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br />Shikumen is to Shanghai what </span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siheyuan"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Siheyuan</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> (四合院) and </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hutong">Hutong</a><a href="link:%20http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hutong"> </a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">(胡同) are to Beijing </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">- both are representative historical residential architecture of the respective cities. Shikumen 石库门, which literally translates into "stone gate”, refers to the stone doorframe predominant in this architectural style. These stone-gated brick 2-3-storey townhouses are a fusion of Western & Chinese architectural styles and their origins can be traced back to the end of the Qing dynasty.<br /><br />“At their peak, the Shikumen-style neighbourhoods numbered more than 9000 in Shanghai and took up 60 per cent of the total housing space of the city. The Shikumen style, which has survived for more than a century, is however no longer suitable for modern urban living. Since the 1990s, Shanghai began a new wave of renovation and development, demolishing many Shikumen-style buildings. It was only when more and more of these houses were replaced by skyscrapers that people began to realize such monuments of Shanghai's past deserve to be preserved.” (http://www.xintiandi.com/english/aboutus_history1.asp)<br /><br />To learn more about Shikumen, you can visit the </span></span><a href="http://www.xintiandi.com/english/aboutus_history3.asp"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Shikumen Museum</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> at Xintiandi, 25, Lane 181, Taicang Road, Shanghai.<br /><br />TZF, similar to </span></span><a href="http://www.xintiandi.com/english/index_e.asp"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Xintiandi 新天地</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, are gentrified forms of Shikumen, whereby the historical buildings are actively conserved – restored and pragmatically converted for commercial purposes (usually catering to the monied middle-class taste) – as opposed to preserving them as esteemed but rarefied white elephants. But while Xintiandi is more pastiche and comprises of mainly reconstructed Shikumen replicas and seems like an entirely commercialized development, TZF is still housed in preserved original Shikumen and retains some authenticity with indigenous residents still residing in the commune. So there’s still a sense of community life here, as well as a delightful irony – as</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> this is one place where you can see visitors picking out a post-modern art piece or sipping a cappuccino in an al fresco café, then turn the corner and you’ll come across local residents hanging out their laundry or neighbours having a game of mahjong. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">It’s uncertain if TZF will eventually go the way of Xintiandi & become fully gentrified and its existing residents displaced. But for now, TZF remains, as what a </span></span><a href="http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/aegVAotmues/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">documentary</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> described: “a living fossil of an architectural gem”.<br /><br />TZF started off as Shanghai’s Art Street, when famous painters Chen Yifei, Er Dongqiang, et al settled here in 1998. Successively, other creative industry and craft stores joined in, giving rise to TZF’s reputation as a burgeoning creative hub. Latching onto the buzz, more owners of Shikumen started renting out their ground floors for commercial purposes. Since then, TZF has been flourishing with painting, sculpture, design, antique and photography ateliers. Drawn to the ensuing bohemian vibe, other lifestyle industries soon start to follow and set up shop here as well. In 2002, Kommune became the first Western restaurant to set up in TZF, offering coffee and barbeque for Shanghai’s Australian expatriate community. In 2006, TZF was awarded “China’s best creative industry park”.<br /><br />On a side note, Shanghai has seen an influx of creative industry parks. Thanks to the city’s mounting efforts at preserving and developing historic industrial structures, a growing batch of old factory buildings and warehouses have been conserved as creative parks. I’ve read about two notable ones that I would love to visit the next time I return to Shanghai – </span></span><a href="http://www.m50.com.cn/en/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">M50 at Moganshan Road</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> - ateliers of some of Shanghai’s best known contemporary artists are housed in this converted textile mill, and </span></span><a href="http://www.1933shanghai.com/hudong1933/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">1933</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> - an art deco landmark converted from a former slaughterhouse.<br /><br />TZF (田子坊), being a 坊 (fang), square, means that it is bordered by 4 streets. A map below, taken from its website, gives you an idea of the labyrinthine layout of this compact square.<br /><br /></span></span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/TO-CMvAjQQI/AAAAAAAAA9Y/X4FNF8rNFNU/s1600/TZF%2Bmap.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/TO-CMvAjQQI/AAAAAAAAA9Y/X4FNF8rNFNU/s400/TZF%2Bmap.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543792821605187842" border="0" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br />Other than the studios and galleries that testify to the artists enclave that is TZF, there is also an interesting eclectic mix of shops – from antique shops to unique international & local fashion to artistic paraphernalia, handicraft etc, and foreign-cuisine restaurants (don’t recall coming across any Chinese or Shanghainese restaurant in TZF. Instead there are plenty of Thai restaurants. So I guess this is not really a place you’ll come to, if you only have time for one quintessential meal in Shanghai?). Generally, there is a cosmopolitan vibe among both the shop mix and shoppers.<br /><br /></span></span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/TO-DkZA_-oI/AAAAAAAAA90/t5tkCFvRTJc/s1600/TZF%2Bcollage.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px; " src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/TO-DkZA_-oI/AAAAAAAAA90/t5tkCFvRTJc/s400/TZF%2Bcollage.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543794327529978498" border="0" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br />This is also the place where you can find those communist paraphernalia that’s so popular with Western tourists visiting China, albeit, here the souvenirs come with added artistic flair and lotsa good-humored jibe. There seems to be plenty of free rein in the commercial interpretation of Chinese cultural icons –– eg. The Obamao – a take on Chairman Mao, </span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lei_Feng"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Lei Feng</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> plushie toy and my favorite – porcelain caricatures of terracotta warriors striking the classic Marilyn Monroe skirt-over-the-air-vent pose (pity I couldn’t get a good shot of them).<br /><br /></span></span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/TO-DJrZHjII/AAAAAAAAA9k/yy-X2CepFc4/s1600/Obamao.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/TO-DJrZHjII/AAAAAAAAA9k/yy-X2CepFc4/s400/Obamao.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543793868606508162" border="0" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br />The interesting juxtaposition of fashionable shop interiors with heritage Shikumen, lents TZF such a charming old-world, bohemian character that makes it quite the shutterbugs’ heaven.<br /><br /></span></span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/TO-DVWrg5kI/AAAAAAAAA9s/OTnIdqfyFNo/s1600/photog.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/TO-DVWrg5kI/AAAAAAAAA9s/OTnIdqfyFNo/s400/photog.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543794069204952642" border="0" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We came across this shop selling the works of Japanese illustrator, </span></span><a href="http://hiroshiwatanabe.jp/en/works/index.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Hiroshi Watanabe</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, who's supposedly very popular in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. In these parts, he's probably referred to by his Chinese moniker - </span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">渡边宏 (du bian hong)</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">. In compact TZF alone, there are 2 outlets. Serendipitously, the artist was in town that day and dropped by for an autograph session, so we bought a couple of autographed limited edition art prints. If you like kawaii animal illustrations (we particularly dig the pig illustrations), do keep a lookout for the shops at Lane 248, unit 21 and Lane 249, unit 15, when you're at TZF. Listing of other outlets in the rest of Shanghai and China can be found at </span></span><a href="http://www.yueqin.net/prodbuy.asp"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">www.yueqin.net</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> (in Chinese).<br /><br /></span></span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/TO-E_Pb8viI/AAAAAAAAA-A/wCvQKrrho0g/s1600/Watanabe.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; cursor: pointer; width: 384px; height: 400px; " src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/TO-E_Pb8viI/AAAAAAAAA-A/wCvQKrrho0g/s400/Watanabe.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543795888326753826" border="0" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /><br />If you understand Chinese, and wish to learn more about TZF, there is a </span></span><a href="http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/aegVAotmues/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">video</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> of a Chinese documentary found on TZF </span></span><a href="http://www.tianzifang.cn/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">website</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /><br />Address: Tianzifang, Lane 210 Taikang Lu, near Sinan Lu / 田子坊, 泰康路210弄, 近思南路<br />Nearest subway: Dapuqiao 打浦桥<br />Website (in Chinese): </span></span><a href="http://www.tianzifang.cn/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">http://www.tianzifang.cn/</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /><br /></span></span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/TO-VfuhzU2I/AAAAAAAAA-M/gnczoVeCw7I/s1600/TZF%2Btile.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="text-align: justify;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 323px; " src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/TO-VfuhzU2I/AAAAAAAAA-M/gnczoVeCw7I/s400/TZF%2Btile.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543814038614659938" border="0" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span><br /></div>Bon Viveurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02063257156024007383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8065746631523154537.post-81637274400041886342010-11-16T00:03:00.000-08:002011-05-14T21:24:58.811-07:00Feeling at home in Shanghai<p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/TOI717b6NAI/AAAAAAAAA7c/Jani_cmrU0o/s1600/Jia%2Bblg.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 308px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/TOI717b6NAI/AAAAAAAAA7c/Jani_cmrU0o/s400/Jia%2Bblg.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540056289292989442" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We stayed at the 3-year-old boutique hotel, JIA Shanghai. </span></span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">JIA is actually the phonetic spelling of the Chinese word “</span></span><span style="display: none;">Top of Form<o:p></o:p></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">家</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">”, meaning home.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> A really apt name, as we enjoyed immensely our short 3-night stay there and were made to feel at home, basking in the creature comforts provided by the hotel.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">While JIA Shanghai may aim to be a second home for their guests, do not mistake this to mean drab, homey surroundings. Au contraire, this stylish “home” is anything but dull, with interesting interiors and playful décor that mix and match European designer fixtures with Chinese objects and furniture. This playful contrast is further emphasized by the </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">juxtaposition of a gently restored 1920s art deco building façade, with hip, modern interiors,</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> once we enter through its unassuming entrance, indicated simply, with an almost inconspicuous JIA signage.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/TOI8FxiDm-I/AAAAAAAAA7k/CvuNAI8ygMA/s1600/jia%2Bentrance.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 259px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/TOI8FxiDm-I/AAAAAAAAA7k/CvuNAI8ygMA/s400/jia%2Bentrance.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540056561512324066" border="0" /></span></span></a></p><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; ">The whimsy factor greets us at the lobby with arty installations of oversized leather teddy bears and birdcages hovering over the centerpiece Cascade installation by sought-after Asian designer Andre Fu.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/TOI8URVpAyI/AAAAAAAAA7s/HgpLbP5r_o0/s1600/Jia%2Bin.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 396px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/TOI8URVpAyI/AAAAAAAAA7s/HgpLbP5r_o0/s400/Jia%2Bin.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540056810568352546" border="0" /></a></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">While we waited to check in, the friendly staff whisked us to the adjoining lobby lounge. Here we continue to take in an eyeful of the surrounding ornate design-ladden fixtures and furnishings, while grabbing a mouthful of a small selection of cakes and cookies that’s served during the complimentary afternoon tea hours. From the self-service bar counter, guests have access to complimentary soft beverages (bottled water, milk, juices, soda, teas and coffee) round the clock and wine in the evening. Before we head out to explore the city, we usually find ourselves lounging comfortably on the silken sofas, with a glass of juice at hand, while we await our cabs to arrive. And if we anticipate a long day ahead, the hotel made it convenient for us to take-away our coffee and pack some cookies on our journey, by providing take-away paper cups and nifty little JIA-branded brown paper pocket envelopes.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; ">We stayed at the 42 sq m studio plus room. This tastefully furnished studio comes replete with a comfy king-size bed, well-equipped kitchenette (induction stove, microwave, appliances, cookware and tableware for 2), a long desktop space, an oversized sofa, the requisite flat screen TV and a marble/Bisazza-gilded bathroom with rain shower and a generous-sized bathtub. There’s also the super-sized fluffy towels, comfy terry cloth bedroom slippers and luxury linen.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/TOI8e4UZKKI/AAAAAAAAA70/JmRjiFOtfQQ/s1600/Jia%2Broom2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 368px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/TOI8e4UZKKI/AAAAAAAAA70/JmRjiFOtfQQ/s400/Jia%2Broom2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540056992830793890" border="0" /></a></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">A dose of tongue-in-cheek humor is injected into the room, with JIA branding their toiletries with alternative monikers (shampoo becomes “head start”, hair conditioner is “head smoothie”, body wash “freshen up” and </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">this one will made us smiled on that sleepy morning - body lotion as “smooth operator”</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">. They were all fragranced with customized Jasmine & Ginseng scent, which smells terrific btw. I usually abhor the heady scent of Jasmine, but somehow this Jasmine-Ginseng blend works and gives off such a nice balanced fragrance that I actually don’t mind masking myself in it from head to toe. There are the doorknob hangers that read “seriously need sleep” (instead of the usual “do not disturb” signs) and “seriously messed up” (instead of the usual “please make up room”); and a quirk of localized nostalgia is injected with the provision of the locally manufactured, classic-brand, White Rabbit Sweets to chew on, while you choose from the stocked in-room Monopoly China board game, Chinese chess or browse Chairman Mao’s Little Red Book (“Quotations from Chairman Mao Tse Tung”)!</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">In the bedroom, along the long desk, we found this nifty plug-in panel concealed behind a wall flap. On the panel are multi-plug sockets (No need to pack the adaptors. Yay!) and various ports for plugging in iPhones, MP3s, laptops for charging as well as seamlessly connect to the built-in ceiling speakers installed in both the bedroom and toilet. If you use a regular laptop (i.e. non-Macs. I was using a Mac unfortunately. Hopefully, they’ll provide for Mac in future.), you can even use the provided cables to connect it to the large-screen TV. With the complimentary wifi available all throughout the hotel, you can conveniently access the internet on your iPhone, iPad or laptop, whether you’re at the bedroom, restaurant, lobby lounge etc.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And the most welcomed JIA perk that totally calls to mind the comfort of home? </span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Waking up to a fortifying, hot cooked breakfast, mmm…</span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> (heck, it’s even better than “home”, cuz back home, my breakfast choices are hardly as delicious!)</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/TOI80n0BS9I/AAAAAAAAA78/aRVAxrIdCro/s1600/Jia%2BBF.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 318px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/TOI80n0BS9I/AAAAAAAAA78/aRVAxrIdCro/s400/Jia%2BBF.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540057366357167058" border="0" /></span></span></a></p><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Breakfast is served </span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">on the second-floor, </span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">at the sole restaurant, Issimo – an Italian restaurant that serves supposedly good, authentic Italian food (was too busy eating the streets of Shanghai, so did not get to try) for lunch and dinner, while in the morning, it doubles up as a breakfast room for guests. The breakfast is “complimentary” for all guests, which means it is probably worked into the daily room rate. But it’s pretty good variety and quality, so we didn’t begrudge it as one of those token inclusive “free” breakfasts that we wished that the hotel would do away with and rather exchange it for a cheaper room rate instead.</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And it’s not a self-service, eat off the buffet food warmers type of breakfast either. This is, above all, a </span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">designer</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> hotel. So to keep things classy, guests receive table service and get to order a 2-course breakfast (with 3 options for the cold starters and 6 options for the warm mains – recommend the scrumptious Eggs Benedict, but skip the Shanghainese wonton noodle soup. It’s actually Italian pasta in pseudo-Chinese broth. Issimo is Italian after all.), with choice of juices, coffee/tea/hot chocolate and selection of breads/Danish. Sigh … we sorely missed the JIA breakfast experience after we got home.</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We didn’t manage to check them out, but JIA also has a Technogym and an Office and Conference room in Business Centre.</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">JIA Shanghai is JIA group’s second hotel venture after the hyped Philip Starck hotel - JIA Hong Kong. Both boutique hotels are multi-award winning hotels, and are often featured in travel magazines’ “hot list”, “it list”, and are pretty much firmly entrenched in the “hip hotels” sphere. JIA Shanghai also just won Trip Advisor’s traveller choice award for 2010. So they’ve basically won over both the critic and the consumer.</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">But accolades aside, we immensely enjoyed our stay at JIA Shanghai for all the reasons I’ve rambled on above, and also because of its size and location, and the friendly service from the bilingual staff (most can speak passable English, though I did use Mandarin to communicate with them most of the time). Being a boutique hotel, JIA only has 55 rooms spread over 7 floors. So it doesn’t feel overly busy, as compared with large chain hotels, and you need not jostle with swarming tourist crowds when you lounge at the lobby or have your breakfast. The hotel is also literally a stone’s throw away </span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">(just a few paces across) </span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">from the nearest subway station of Nanjing Rd (W) station. But to be honest, since cab fare is relatively cheap we usually just hail for cabs and when it gets hard to call for one, since we were there during the crowded Shanghai Expo weekend, we walked. Being located at the intersection of Taixing road and the main thoroughfare of West Nanjing Road, JIA is relatively accessible by foot to the interesting neighbourhoods of Changle Road (Cheongsam shops) and Fumin Road, the French Concession (Huaihai Zhong Road, Fuxing Zhong Road, Maoming Nan Road, Sinan Road), and the charming </span></span><a href="http://bonvivantsu.blogspot.com/2010/11/tian-zi-fang.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Tian Zi Fang</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> along Tai Kang Road (more on this in a later </span></span><a href="http://bonvivantsu.blogspot.com/2010/11/tian-zi-fang.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">entry</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">). But of course, we are the same folks that find a 1-hour walk from JIA all the way to The Bund rather manageable. The staff baulked at us when we asked them if it was possible to walk to The Bund. Nevertheless we found ourselves making our way on foot to The Bund, after we waited 1-hour in vain for a cab. The weather was cool and pleasant and we enjoyed taking in the sights along Nanjing West Road, so it was a rather enjoyable stroll.</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The rack rate for the studio plus room we stayed in is usually RMB 2000++, but we snagged a slight discount with their promotional deal on </span></span><a href="http://www.jiashanghai.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">JIA’s website</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> (</span></span><a href="http://www.jiashanghai.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">http://www.jiashanghai.com</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">) for RMB1700++ per night, so do check out their website and possibly the usual hotel bookings portals (three that I’ve previously used and had no problems thus far, are </span></span><a href="http://www.booking.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">booking.com</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, </span></span><a href="http://www.hotels.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">hotels.com</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> and </span></span><a href="http://www.asiarooms.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">asiarooms.com</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">) for price comparisons?</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">On a side note, I’ll like to highlight 3 great snacks found near JIA (yes, I’ve ranked them in order of merit, based on personal preferences)</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><b><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><ol style="margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;" start="1" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><b><a href="http://www.xysjg.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Yang’s Fried Dumpling</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, </span></span></b></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">小</span></span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">杨</span></span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">生煎</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> (xiao yang sheng jian) </span></span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/TOI9SVTrQVI/AAAAAAAAA8E/h0qbqqQAyTs/s1600/Yang%2Bbun.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 295px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/TOI9SVTrQVI/AAAAAAAAA8E/h0qbqqQAyTs/s400/Yang%2Bbun.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540057876785742162" border="0" /></span></span></a></li></ol><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">This popular street snack is located on the 2</span></span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">nd</span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> floor of the </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">湟普</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">汇 </span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">mall, which stands over the entrance of the Nanjing West subway station, just a few paces </span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">across, from the right side entrance of JIA. The mall as pictured below, right on Wujiang Road,</span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">吴江路</span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> .</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/TOJKmVgEqJI/AAAAAAAAA8s/6A9wCFT6xmE/s1600/P1040561.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 250px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/TOJKmVgEqJI/AAAAAAAAA8s/6A9wCFT6xmE/s400/P1040561.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540072514086283410" border="0" /></span></span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; ">Once you reach the second floor, you should be able to locate Yang’s just right by the escalator, with its impossible-to-miss queues spilling out its shopfront. This place is a hit with both locals and foreign travellers.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/TOJLk11tkkI/AAAAAAAAA9A/yKmQ7aYkHFg/s1600/IMG_3743.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/TOJLk11tkkI/AAAAAAAAA9A/yKmQ7aYkHFg/s400/IMG_3743.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540073587918869058" border="0" /></a></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Fried dumplings </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">生煎包</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> (sheng jian bao) </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">are a local specialty and Yang’s, which was set up in 1994, and has now expanded to 19 outlets, is an institution in Shanghai, having been awarded the Shanghai Famous Snack </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">上海名点</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> (shang hai ming dian) </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">accolade in 2004.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">For the uninitiated, it’s easy to confuse fried dumplings with soup dumplings (</span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E5%B0%8F"><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">小</span></span></span></a><a href="http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E7%AC%BC"><span style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">笼</span></span></span></a><a href="http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E5%8C%85"><span lang="EN-US" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">包</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">xiao long bao or 汤</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">包</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">,</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">tang bao) another famous Shanghainese snack, as both are forms of pork dumplings. Xiao Long Bao or soup dumplings are smaller, generally made of thin, smooth dumpling skin and are steamed, while Sheng Jian Bao, fried dumplings, are made of fluffy leavened dough and are pan-fried. Both are enjoyed in a similar style though, best accompanied with a sweet vinegar dip (and sometimes with grated ginger for soup dumplings), that lifts the succulent but often greasy pork. And because both dumplings contain a soupcon of hot broth encased in them, it's recommended to eat them the same way – pick up the buns by its sides, chew off a little opening from its side to slowly sip the piping hot juice (or sometimes, tilt the bun and drain the broth into your soup spoon to slowly enjoy) and then dip the drained bun in vinegar and sink your teeth into the pork and dumpling skin.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We absolutely love Yang’s fried dumplings. It’s perfection in a bun really. From the fragrant sprinkling of sesame seeds and scallions atop the bun to its fluffy yet slightly crispy (thank to its pan-fried bottom) casing to its flavorful broth to the succulent pork filling, and lets not forget the accompanying moreish vinegar dip. We can eat it everyday – which was in fact what we did, with JIA located so conveniently next door.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: georgia; ">Other than the dumplings (RMB 5 for 4 dumplings, that’s only about US 75cents or SGD 1), we’ve also tried and enjoyed some of their soup and noodles dishes on its menu, such as the curry duck blood soup (RMB5) and the hot and sour pork intestine rice noodles (RMB 10). Interestingly enough, the eatery does not serve drinks. Possibly to encourage faster turnover of its tables. It’s as if they are conveying the message: “once you’re done devouring the buns, kindly high-tail it to elsewhere to imbibe your drinks and linger there instead!” And yes, as with all roaring trades, be prepared for brusque service.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">As mentioned earlier, there is almost always a constant queue at the shop, albeit a fast moving one. The procedure at this outlet, is to first place your order and pay upfront at the left-hand cashier, get the receipt, join the right side queue along the glass-front kitchen, pass your receipt to the staff when you get to the front (if ordering take-away/to-go, tell the staff “wai mai” </span></span><span class="shorttext"><span lang="ZH-CN"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">外</span></span></span></span><span class="shorttext"><span lang="ZH-CN"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">卖</span></span></span></span><span class="shorttext"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">), </span></span></span><span class="shorttext"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">collect your</span></span></span><span class="shorttext"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="shorttext"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">order, then look for a table (if there are 2 or more of you, one can get a table first, while the other queue for the dumplings). You have to collect the dumplings on your own, but they’ll serve you the soup and noodles (the receipts for the dumplings and other orders will be separated, pass the soup/noodle receipt to the staff at the second window, after the dumplings kitchen).<br /></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">If you can read Chinese, you can check out their </span></span><a href="http://www.xysjg.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">website</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> (</span></span><a href="http://www.xysjg.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">http://www.xysjg.com</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">) for listing of their other outlets.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><ol style="margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;" start="2" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Pumpkin biscuits, </span></span></b></span><span class="shorttext"><span lang="ZH-CN"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">南瓜</span></span></b></span></span><span class="shorttext"><span lang="ZH-CN"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">饼</span></span></b></span></span><span class="shorttext"><span lang="ZH-CN"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span></span><span class="shorttext"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">(nan gua bing)</span></span></span></li></ol><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/TOI-ahZ9euI/AAAAAAAAA8g/UABv_skUrao/s1600/Pumpkin.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 346px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/TOI-ahZ9euI/AAAAAAAAA8g/UABv_skUrao/s400/Pumpkin.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540059116983909090" border="0" /></a></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">We came across this hole-in-the-wall shop along 264 Maoming South Road, while we were making our way from JIA to the French Concession. Enticed by the baking smells wafting from the stall, we sniffed around and thanks to the friendly vendor, sampled the delicious pumpkin biscuit, before buying up to 1 jin (RMB 12 for 1 jin </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">斤</span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> which is 500 g) worth of it. The discs of sesame encrusted pumpkin cookie were deliciously light and crisp on the outside, gooey and sweet on the inside. And because they are made on the spot, they taste oh so fresh and good. The tiny store also sells pumpkin balls and wafer-thin egg-roll biscuits.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><ol style="margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;" start="3" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><b><a href="http://www.dianping.com/search/keyword/1/10_%E9%BA%A6%E9%81%93%E9%94%85%E8%B4%B4"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">JZ Fried Dumpling</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></b></span><span class="shorttext"><span lang="ZH-CN"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">麦道</span></span></b></span></span><span class="shorttext"><span lang="ZH-CN"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">锅贴</span></span></b></span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> (mai dao guo tie)</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/TOI9UZxaHjI/AAAAAAAAA8U/4V09IfMLSY8/s1600/JZ2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 362px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/TOI9UZxaHjI/AAAAAAAAA8U/4V09IfMLSY8/s400/JZ2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540057912343928370" border="0" /></a></span></span></li></ol><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Ah, another breed of pork dumplings to enter the fray. These JZ fried dumplings, are what’s usually referred to as potstickers or </span></span></span><span class="shorttext"><span lang="ZH-CN"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">锅贴</span></span></span></span><span class="shorttext"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> guo tie. </span></span></span><span class="shorttext"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">They’re also pan-fried, but unlike Yang’s Fried Dumplings, these potstickers are made of thin, smooth unleavened flour skins. The dumplings are served with a sprinkling of scallions, and it’s good to eat them just as they are, but if you so wish, I spy a bottle of vinegar at the counter. JZ is just a small booth-stall, so most patrons buy the dumplings to go. But if you need to satisfy your hunger pangs there and then, most patrons either finish them while standing at the pavement around the stall, walk a little further down or up the stretch and sit by curbsides or steps of buildings or if you’re lucky, catch a spot at the only two plastic stools, probably provided by JZ, near the edge of the road.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span class="shorttext"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span class="shorttext"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span class="shorttext"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The JZ dumplings are sold in 4s, for RMB 3.5. If you need an accompanying drink, soybean milk is available at RMB 2.5 a cup.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span class="shorttext"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span class="shorttext"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span class="shorttext"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">This JZ that we chanced upon when we made our way from JIA to The Bund, possibly around 10-15 min walk away from JIA, is located at 599 Nanjing West Road (near Chengdu North road). If you can read Chinese, this </span></span><a href="http://www.dianping.com/search/keyword/1/10_%E9%BA%A6%E9%81%93%E9%94%85%E8%B4%B4"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">website</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> (</span></span><a href="http://www.dianping.com/search/keyword/1/10_%E9%BA%A6%E9%81%93%E9%94%85%E8%B4%B4"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">http://www.dianping.com/search/keyword/1/10_%E9%BA%A6%E9%81%93%E9%94%85%E8%B4%B4</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">) has a listing of the 8 other outlets of JZ’s.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span class="shorttext"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span class="shorttext"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span class="shorttext"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">As I Googled</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> for the listings of Shanghai eateries, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><a href="http://www.dianping.com/">www.dianping.com</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> kept coming up. On further digging, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><a href="http://www.dianping.com/">www.dianping.com</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, bills itself as “China’s largest online city guide for food, shopping and lifestyle” and seems like a rather credible and popular website. So if you’re comfortably literate in Chinese, this website could be an invaluable resource for your China travels research. It’s a listings website that covers major Chinese cities and provides listings of various categories – such as food, hotel, shopping etc, with accompanying user reviews. The website also has tie-ups with various businesses, which offer promotional coupons for customers to download in their handphone (presumably a Chinese mobile line) or print via the website. The website also has a free iPhone app version (</span></span><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id351091731?mt=8#"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id351091731?mt=8#</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">).</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Arial;"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Arial;"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Arial;"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Arial;"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Arial;"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family:Arial;"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Bon Viveurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02063257156024007383noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8065746631523154537.post-49531392805822706352010-09-22T19:29:00.000-07:002011-05-14T21:08:17.332-07:00Les Bleus<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">I</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> was feeling the blues. Not the twinge of melancholy as sometimes associated with the color blue, but a sense of calm and serenity and overall well-being that comes from feasting my eyes upon nature’s most calming blues – water, amidst the sun and the sea.</span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: justify;font-family:arial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The Redang blues – running the spectrum from beryl to turquoise to azure – fed by the south china sea and made more intense by Redang’s unique ecology and of course, the presence of a perfect canvas of clean, powdery white sand, to showcase the clear blues. </span></span></span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/TJxu5iU_uZI/AAAAAAAAA64/NjgzY07uKv4/s1600/Les+Bleu.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/TJxu5iU_uZI/AAAAAAAAA64/NjgzY07uKv4/s400/Les+Bleu.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520409177995852178" border="0" /></span></span></a></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: justify;font-family:arial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: justify;font-family:arial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Caption: Teluk Dalam Kechil, Pulau Redang, Malaysia. Insert accompanying music: La Mer!</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: justify;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;">But before we get there, a little detour on how we got to Redang from Singapore.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: justify;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;">There are a couple of ways to get to Redang from Singapore, one way is by car/coach (12-hour journey to Kuala Terangganu)), followed by a ferry transfer (40-90 minute, depending on which jetty you board from). Another simpler, direct way, is to fly there by plane. This is especially covenient, if you choose to reside at the Berjaya Redang Resort, which is the only resort that is located on the same side of island as the sole airport in Redang. From the airport, it’s just a mere 5-minute land transfer to the Berjaya. Most of the other resorts are clustered on the other side of the island, separated from the airport by a jungle mass that is inaccessible by land vehicles. Hence, those staying at the other resorts will travel to the nearby Kampung Jetty to catch a boat to their resort.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: justify;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;">Currently, the only airline that flies directly from Singapore to Redang is Berjaya Air (the next nearest is Air Asia or Fire Fly, which lands at Kuala Terangganu, a 40-50 minute ferry ride away from Redang).<o:p></o:p> Berjaya Air operates from Seletar airport, which is situated at the north-eastern part of Singapore, away from the main airports of Changi, which are located at the eastern part of the island.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: justify;font-family:arial;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/TJxchbrc43I/AAAAAAAAA5Q/yno6F_XwzfA/s1600/Ber+Air.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/TJxchbrc43I/AAAAAAAAA5Q/yno6F_XwzfA/s320/Ber+Air.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520388972684829554" border="0" /></span></span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: justify;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I’m digressing from Redang a little to highlight Seletar airport, because it’s such a unique piece of Singapore history and I’m simply lovin’ the quaint retro-licious vibe the place gives off. From its hidden-find location among the quiet Seletar Hills estate dotted with heritage colonial black&white bungalows, to the throwback to earlier times simple architecture of the smallish airport, to the odd-looking boarding gate holding area, that’s reminiscent of some retro-alien movie set. With the development of plans to upgrade the airport to support an upcoming </span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seletar_Aerospace_Park"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Aerospace Park</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, Berjaya Air, currently the only commercial flight available at Seletar, will relocate its operations to Changi Budget Terminal from November 2010 onwards. And with that, a chapter will be closed, as</span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> most of the public will probably not have much of an opportunity to use the premises again, save for the few who are enrolled in private flying schools that operate out of Seletar airport.</span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: justify;font-family:arial;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/TJxjKKvPUiI/AAAAAAAAA5c/nOfbRND7gNg/s1600/Seletar1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/TJxjKKvPUiI/AAAAAAAAA5c/nOfbRND7gNg/s320/Seletar1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520396269581718050" border="0" /></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" face="arial" style="margin-left: 0.25in; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: justify;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;">Some factoids culled from Wikipedia and infopedia.nl.sg:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: justify;font-family:arial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">-</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Seletar Airport was built and completed by the British, in 1929, and it was the British Royal Air Force (RAF) first airbase in the Far East.</span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: justify;font-family:arial;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">-</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">When it was opened to commercial aircraft in 1930, it also became Singapore's first international civil airport. </span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: justify;font-family:arial;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">-</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">It is no longer a military airbase but it still serves as a commercial airport, operated by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS).</span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: justify;font-family:arial;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">-</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">About 80% of the total number of flights operating at Seletar Airport are by the various flying schools. Aircraft charters, repairs and maintenance make up the remaining flights. </span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: justify;font-family:arial;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">-</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The only airline operating scheduled commercial flights from here is Berjaya Air, which offers round trips from Seletar Airport to the Malaysian islands of Tioman and Redang.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: justify;font-family:arial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"></span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">-</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Private jets and chartered planes account for most of the other travellers that pass through the airport's gates. Seletar is also Singapore's general aviation airport so if you own a private aircraft, you will most likely land here. Yes, Tom Cruise famously landed here when he visited Singapore (possibly to avoid the paparazzi)!</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: justify;font-family:arial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;">- The Seletar Aerospace Park is slated for completion by 2018.</span></p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: justify;font-family:arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/TJxlSo5i-fI/AAAAAAAAA6M/gjwhHcfCtAs/s1600/Round.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/TJxlSo5i-fI/AAAAAAAAA6M/gjwhHcfCtAs/s320/Round.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520398614140221938" border="0" /></a> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/TJxjK1nc7RI/AAAAAAAAA5s/lICD5Szn68I/s1600/Seletar+chair.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/TJxjK1nc7RI/AAAAAAAAA5s/lICD5Szn68I/s320/Seletar+chair.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520396281091779858" border="0" style="cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 320px; " /> </a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/TJxjKnD3dgI/AAAAAAAAA5k/EbPXStpx-8M/s1600/Seletar+bench.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/TJxjKnD3dgI/AAAAAAAAA5k/EbPXStpx-8M/s320/Seletar+bench.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520396277184427522" border="0" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a> </span></span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/TJxj5X2-tOI/AAAAAAAAA50/HtmLx2YFuZE/s1600/Seletar+round.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/TJxj5X2-tOI/AAAAAAAAA50/HtmLx2YFuZE/s320/Seletar+round.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520397080557696226" border="0" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px; " /></span></span></a></p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: justify;font-family:arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/TJxjK1nc7RI/AAAAAAAAA5s/lICD5Szn68I/s1600/Seletar+chair.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The quaint airport gives off such a unique anachronistic vibe that is hard to come by in gleaming, modern Singapore, that it makes one compelled to go trigger happy with their camera, in fervent bid perhaps, to capture some timeless shots. I </span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">could only snap a couple of pictures of the airport, as there are restrictions for general photography for most areas. However, the public can download this </span></span><a href="http://www.changiairportgroup.com/export/sites/caas/assets/seletar/Seletar_Airport_Filming_Permit_July09.pdf"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">form</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> and apply 7-14 working days in advance to the Changi Airport group for permission for photography and filming.</span></span></span></p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: justify;font-family:arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">If you still have a chance to fly Berjaya through Seletar, in these last few weeks before they shift to Changi, you may also wish to </span></span><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">visit this hidden-find food haunt in the vicinity – the </span></span><a href="http://www.hungrygowhere.com/singapore/sunset_grill_pub_seletar/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Sunset Grill</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">. You may wish to take up their flaming hot buffalo wings challenge, which go up to Level 30 of spiciness! But I'll probably recommend that you only contemplate such a challenge on your return flight. You would not wish to find yourself battling the runs on a departing flight! I've heard that's how devastating the fiery wings can be if you let yourself go nuts and try the crazier levels.</span></span></span></strong></p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: justify;font-family:arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;">And so after a 1-hour 15 minutes flight, you’ll arrive at Redang airport, then it’s a quick (less than 5 minutes) transfer to Berjaya Resort.</span></p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: justify;font-family:arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;">We stayed at a (regular, non-Premier) Seaview room at the hotel complex (versus the standalone chalets where the suites are probably housed in). We liked that the room was spacious, clean and well-maintained. The room hardly showing any signs of ageing, which is probably due to their recent refurbishment from late 2009 to early 2010.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: justify;font-family:arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: justify;font-family:arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;">All in all, it was a very comfortable stay. When we awake in the morning, we find ourselves either relaxing by the bed-side chaise lounge which looks out the window to the gorgeous turquoise bay; or step out to the balcony and gaze at the sea and horizon, from the sun-deck loungers.</span></p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: justify;font-family:arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: justify;font-family:arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: justify;font-family:arial;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/TJxkkaSBWRI/AAAAAAAAA58/-_peHD501XA/s1600/Balcon.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/TJxkkaSBWRI/AAAAAAAAA58/-_peHD501XA/s320/Balcon.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520397819942361362" border="0" /></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/TJxkyGDJZ4I/AAAAAAAAA6E/QOXV7bNj7iY/s1600/Monkey.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/TJxkyGDJZ4I/AAAAAAAAA6E/QOXV7bNj7iY/s320/Monkey.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520398055029434242" border="0" /></span></span></a></p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: justify;font-family:arial;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;" lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Berjaya’s biggest perk (for which you pay a premium of course, as its rooms are easily the priciest on the island), is its own private beach. Unlike at the boisterous Pasir Panjang, which is shared by the 10-odd hotels, Berjaya’s </span></span></span></strong><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Teluk Dalam Kechil is occupied exclusively by its guests, being the sole hotel located there. Which is perhaps why some may find this beach more pristine compared to the more crowded Pasir Panjang.</span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: justify;font-family:arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: justify;font-family:arial;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/TJxbj5EaJKI/AAAAAAAAA5A/4qmyfLmP0PI/s1600/Les+Bleu+2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/TJxbj5EaJKI/AAAAAAAAA5A/4qmyfLmP0PI/s320/Les+Bleu+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520387915422246050" border="0" /></span></span></a></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: justify;font-family:arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: justify;font-family:arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;">We were there for just a short weekend, a 3-day-2-night affair and to be honest we could just spend our whole 3 days chilling by the beach. Feasting our vision on the clear blues & greens, swimming in the cordoned off shallow, calm cove. Resting our belly on the soft white sand while we work on our tans, pausing occasionally to take a respite under the sheltered beds and attend to our hunger with a beachside lunch of pizzas and coconut juice. Or just take in a relaxing nap amidst the lulling sound of the lapping waves, rustling leaves on the thatched roof of the tiki huts/cabanas & strains of chill-out, easy-listening tunes aka Jason Mraz, from the nearby beach pub, as evening approaches.</span></p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: justify;font-family:arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: justify;font-family:arial;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;" lang="EN-GB"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></strong></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: justify;font-family:arial;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/TJxnv4NoXFI/AAAAAAAAA6o/pXXcmOoSP-A/s1600/tiki.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/TJxnv4NoXFI/AAAAAAAAA6o/pXXcmOoSP-A/s320/tiki.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520401315490454610" border="0" /></span></span></a></p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: justify;font-family:arial;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;" lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">However should you feel wont for a some activity, the resort has a dive center, whereby you can take up dive lessons or go on dive trips or snorkelling trips, among other sea activities such as kayaking, banana boat rides, parasailing, turtle-watching aboard glass-bottom boat etc. For land activities, there’s beach volleyball, tennis, jungle trekking. And if you fancy some indoor time, there’s a fitness center, pool room and games room, as well as a small library, and a spa. We enjoyed the one-hour deep tissue massage at their </span></span></span></strong><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Ayura spa (RM175++). The spa premises was clean, spacious and well-set up.</span></span></span></p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: justify;font-family:arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;">We also had a complimentary 1-stop snorkelling trip as part of our tour agency-booked package, which we topped up RM60 per person, to include 3 more sites. Malaysia made an announcement to close off dive sites at Redang and some other islands from July to end October 2010, in a bid to aid in the recovery of damaged corals. We got to snorkel at some of the other sites that were still open, but the Marine Park was not on our itinerary, as we were told that it’s too popular with visitors and too crowded, so our snorkelling experience would be compromised.</span></p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: justify;font-family:arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;">Sadly, while we still see plenty of fishes (schools of them in fact), the corals we came across looked mostly bleached. Hopefully the closure of some of the sites may indeed help restore the condition of the corals at those affected sites. Of course, as visitors to these fragile environment, we should also play our part to lessen the toil of tourist impact - such as paying heed to the marine park instructions given, not wear flippers as advised and not touch or worse, pocket any corals or marine biology as tainted souvenirs.</span></p><p face="arial" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p face="arial" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/TJxvIMRXIBI/AAAAAAAAA7A/COmfbCB9r6s/s1600/dive+map.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/TJxvIMRXIBI/AAAAAAAAA7A/COmfbCB9r6s/s320/dive+map.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520409429773066258" border="0" /></span></span></a></p><p face="arial" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Being the sole resort on this part of the island, Berjaya’s dining choices are limited mostly to its 2 restaurants (Palms restaurant which serves Malay & international cuisine in their ala carte & buffet; Beach restaurant which serves Indian & international and also does a seafood barbeque on weekends) and 1 beach bar (Bayu bar: western/Italian). They also have an </span></span></span><span class="highlight"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">O</span></span></span></span><span class="highlight"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">cean Terrace Lounge</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> that serves light bites, cocktails and drinks with live music at night. We did come by a local eatery that’s on the outside premises of the Berjaya though. Perhaps the more adventurous and possibly conversant in Bahasa Melayu can try venturing there to eat.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: justify;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">That said, we were mostly satiated by the quality of food served at Berjaya, but of course, we were only there for a brief period, so did not have to endure much the tedium of repetitive cuisine choices. For visitors on a longer-term stay, you may wish to catch a </span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">7-min speedboat ride to Pasir Panjang (which means “long beach” in English). The resort charges RM60 per person. And perhaps because it was September, the lull season when we visited, there was a minimum requirement of 4 passengers before the boat can depart.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: justify;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;">As mentioned earlier, save for Berjaya, most of the other Redang hotels are located at Pasir Panjang, so naturally this beach has a greater variety of food choices, souvenir shops, dive centres and other amenities. The guests at this beach also seems of the younger, partying set, as there is also a disco located at the front of the Laguna hotel.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: justify;font-family:arial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">If you’re familiar with Hong Kong films, Redang’s Pasir Panjang beach was the backdrop for the movie, “</span></span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bcqc-_OJkY"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Summer Holiday</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">” starring Sammi Cheng and Richie Ren. The movie was shot here in 1999 and a jolly-pink house was built on-set to serve as an inn (called “More More Tea Inn”). Later the neighbouring Laguna Resort rebuilt the movie set house into a sturdier structure and it currently serves as souvenir shop. You can see the character cut-outs in the left of the photo below. No doubt the movie further fuelled the popularity of</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Redang as a choice island getaway among Asian tourists.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: justify;font-family:arial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: justify;font-family:arial;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/TJxnvmJvWyI/AAAAAAAAA6g/WUafkIICfF8/s1600/Summer+house.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/TJxnvmJvWyI/AAAAAAAAA6g/WUafkIICfF8/s320/Summer+house.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520401310642297634" border="0" /></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p><br /></span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: justify;font-family:arial;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8bcqc-_OJkY?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8bcqc-_OJkY?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="385" width="480"></embed></object></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The opening of the trailer gives a moving preview of the gorgeous beauty of Redang.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: justify;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;">While we were at Pasir Panjang, we tried out this pretty good foot reflexology place called Bamboo Inn, located near the Redang Beach Resort. The place is a simple, rustic, but clean set-up, with mostly Malaysian Chinese therapists. We had the 1-hour foot reflexology for RM60, which is great value, especially when compared to the Berjaya Ayura spa’s 30-min foot reflexology for RM70.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: justify;font-family:arial;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/TJxnvObuQFI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/GB1igQmvrvU/s1600/Foot+Reflex.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/TJxnvObuQFI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/GB1igQmvrvU/s320/Foot+Reflex.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520401304275271762" border="0" /></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: justify;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;">At Redang, there’s this natural phenomenon, colloquially termed “Blue Sand”. They are basically a type of bioluminescence that gives off a blue glow at night. I did not see any while I was at Berjaya as the blue sand is apparently more commonly found along the coasts of Pasir Panjang. And the cut-off time for the last speedboat shuttle back to Berjaya is 6:00pm.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: justify;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Yup, currently, it seems like one would be torn between staying at either Teluk Dalam or Pasir Panjang. One one hand, you have the exclusive resort of Berjaya – regarded by online reviewers as the top resort in Redang (see </span></span><a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g298320-d308182-Reviews-Berjaya_Redang_Resort_Malaysia-Kuala_Terengganu_Terengganu.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">trip advisor</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">), and its pristine beach. On the other hand, at Pasir Panjang, you have variety of amenities and choices. I guess if you prefer variety and the option of cheaper accommodation & dining choices and some party action, not forgetting the Blue Sand and the chance to catch the sunrise, Pasir Panjang would be the place for you. But if you are particular about accommodation standards or want some quiet and prefer to chill by a cleaner and less crowded beach scene, as well as easier accessibility from the Redang airport, stay at Berjaya (</span></span><a href="https://www.berjaya-air.com/packages.php"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">https://www.berjaya-air.com/packages.php</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">).</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="arial" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: justify;"><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;"><span style="font-weight: normal;" lang="EN-GB"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Before you book your ticket, do note that most </span></span></span></strong><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Redang resorts are closed during the northeast monsoon season from November till late February. The recommended period to visit is between April to September when the seas are generally calm and the weather is good. And if you’re a turtle fan, August would be a time to go while September is the best month for sightings of migratory whale sharks. If you wish to avoid the holidaying crowds, it might be a good idea to check out when the Malaysian and Singaporean holidays are, and avoid the crunch.</span></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span lang="EN-GB"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color:red;"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Bon Viveurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02063257156024007383noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8065746631523154537.post-54807104630879076782008-06-22T14:03:00.000-07:002011-05-14T21:09:41.576-07:00While at St John The Divine<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I happened to stay at the Morningside Heights district in Manhattan while I visited NYC and my place of lodging is near the St. John The Divine, which is also one of the stops along the sightseeing routes of the tourist Citybus.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SKSEBbFZZVI/AAAAAAAAAcU/7qo7zp0nnfA/s1600-h/PICT0007.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SKSEBbFZZVI/AAAAAAAAAcU/7qo7zp0nnfA/s320/PICT0007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234453826896487762" border="0" /></span></span></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SKSFG7TXL9I/AAAAAAAAAc0/2nBl2nkeNKI/s1600-h/PICT0077.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SKSFG7TXL9I/AAAAAAAAAc0/2nBl2nkeNKI/s320/PICT0077.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234455020955971538" border="0" /></span></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Just to share some interesting facts about St. John The Divine:</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">*St. John the Divine is the largest church in the U.S.A. and the largest </span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">cathedral</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> in the world. (Not to be confused with the largest </span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">church</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> in the world, which is the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast.) Apparently, the cathedral stretches the length of two football fields.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">*There's always construction going on, as the church has been a work in progress since 1892.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">* In December 2001, there was a fire that destroyed part of the church, exacerbating the restoration process.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">*The church has many chapels, each dedicated to a different national, ethnic, or social group. Other chapels are dedicated to </span></span><strong style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">contemporary issues</span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> such as sports, poetry, and AIDS.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">*The Saint Savior Chapel contains a three-panel bronze altar in white-gold leaf with religious scenes by artist Keith Haring (his last sculptural piece before he succumbed to AIDS in 1990).</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SKSJ3KRq4PI/AAAAAAAAAdU/A6dhteESdys/s1600-h/PICT0092.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SKSJ3KRq4PI/AAAAAAAAAdU/A6dhteESdys/s320/PICT0092.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234460247655637234" border="0" /></span></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">While you're at St. John, don't miss the gorgeous Peace Fountain and the park. This charming lil' park makes for a great picnic spot in Spring or Summer and looks especially pretty when flowers are in bloom.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SKSEBtqBhrI/AAAAAAAAAcc/JQx-2Vi4o1w/s1600-h/PICT0013.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SKSEBtqBhrI/AAAAAAAAAcc/JQx-2Vi4o1w/s320/PICT0013.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234453831881950898" border="0" /></span></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SKSEB7FzJNI/AAAAAAAAAck/UapgC0kxLTw/s1600-h/PICT0028.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SKSEB7FzJNI/AAAAAAAAAck/UapgC0kxLTw/s320/PICT0028.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234453835488109778" border="0" /></span></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SKSFGshRSGI/AAAAAAAAAcs/FC3Mu3BRre0/s1600-h/PICT0064.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SKSFGshRSGI/AAAAAAAAAcs/FC3Mu3BRre0/s320/PICT0064.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234455016987773026" border="0" /></span></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And what do you pack for your picnic at the Peace Fountain Park? Not to worry. For just a couple of minutes stroll down the main thoroughfare, Amsterdam Avenue, brings you to the 24-hour Appletree mini mart. This handy convenience store is a boon with the surrounding students of Columbia University. While at Appletree, you can pick up the usual snacks, groceries and amenities. But to make your picnic complete, order a sandwich from Appletree's astounding Deli corner.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">A veritable smorgasbord of sandwich offerings.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF7TU3pS_yI/AAAAAAAAAZI/WFNxvbBYEJI/s1600-h/PICT0024.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF7TU3pS_yI/AAAAAAAAAZI/WFNxvbBYEJI/s320/PICT0024.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214837774029618978" border="0" /></span></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF7T520qUjI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/NbW8wLc7FQ4/s1600-h/PICT0027.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF7T520qUjI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/NbW8wLc7FQ4/s320/PICT0027.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214838409464009266" border="0" /></span></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF7RmCsSBCI/AAAAAAAAAYw/ztRSyVWskFU/s1600-h/PICT0010.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF7RmCsSBCI/AAAAAAAAAYw/ztRSyVWskFU/s320/PICT0010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214835870029448226" border="0" /></span></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF7RFmrL7bI/AAAAAAAAAYo/s5MHesN6gq0/s1600-h/PICT0009.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF7RFmrL7bI/AAAAAAAAAYo/s5MHesN6gq0/s320/PICT0009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214835312752848306" border="0" /></span></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And say you're still a little peckish after the picnic, or you chucked the picnic plans 'cuz you just ain't one for sitting on grounds (Hey, it happens!), then pop over to Artopolis (unmissable with its cheery, bright yellow awning) which is just across the road from St. John and while the afternoon away with tea offerings of crepe, pastries, cookies and other sweet whatnots (baklava anyone?).</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SKSFHYRQRRI/AAAAAAAAAc8/tIZ2viOdjso/s1600-h/PICT0106.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SKSFHYRQRRI/AAAAAAAAAc8/tIZ2viOdjso/s320/PICT0106.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234455028731757842" border="0" /></span></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SKSG0VVTOWI/AAAAAAAAAdE/_SQE4oiuOiw/s1600-h/PICT0107.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SKSG0VVTOWI/AAAAAAAAAdE/_SQE4oiuOiw/s320/PICT0107.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234456900549163362" border="0" /></span></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SKSJ3eWCT_I/AAAAAAAAAdc/4zldmywhO8g/s1600-h/PICT0113.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "></span></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SKSJ3eWCT_I/AAAAAAAAAdc/4zldmywhO8g/s1600-h/PICT0113.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SKSJ3eWCT_I/AAAAAAAAAdc/4zldmywhO8g/s320/PICT0113.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234460253042659314" border="0" /></span></span></a></div>Bon Viveurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02063257156024007383noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8065746631523154537.post-13347444180414056022008-06-22T14:02:00.000-07:002008-09-16T13:35:11.554-07:00More NYC diningFor me, travel is all about experiencing the local culture - be it through enjoying the local arts, befriending the locals, understanding the social customs, partaking in festivities, to the mundane, such as traveling via mass public transport to savoring local fare. Especially the "savoring local fare" part.<br /><br />For someone who stems from a nation of serious eaters, I strongly advocate that "you haven't been to a place, till you have eaten what the locals eat". Earlier, I had posted an <a href="http://bonvivantsu.blogspot.com/2008/06/new-york-grub.html">entry</a> on some popular local snacks. But NYC, being a gastronomic capital, has so much more beyond junk food and it wouldn't be representative of my travel experiences if I didn't include some of the fantastic restaurants I've come across there.<br /><br />Riiiight.<br /><br />OK, I fess up. Basically, the above rambling preamble is just another thinly veiled excuse for me to share more of my food pictures. Ha!<br /><br />Below are some of the awesome restaurants that I have tried and highly recommend to anyone looking for a great dining experience in NYC. Some of the food (mostly Japanese) shown here are not exactly indigenous NY fare, but they are pretty popular dining choices with the cosmopolitan NYC crowd. i.e. no cheesy, glitzy Times Square chain-restaurants type of tourist traps!<br /><br /><a href="http://peterluger.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Peter Luger</span></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SLMVlAIQ5MI/AAAAAAAAAe0/neiOUHJCZ2g/s1600-h/PICT0244.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SLMVlAIQ5MI/AAAAAAAAAe0/neiOUHJCZ2g/s320/PICT0244.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238554516996023490" border="0" /></a><br />I absolutely adore Peter Luger. The restaurant, that is.<br /><br />I had dinner at its original outpost in Williamsburg, Brooklyn and I swear my dining companions and I were there, bright and early at 6 p.m. But from the looks of the crowd milling about the bar area and reception and those already seated in the dining hall, it looked as though it was eight to nine-ish on a packed weekend night.<br /><br />I was there on a Tuesday.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SLMVlzA8dYI/AAAAAAAAAfE/4Ud7EUlMDNo/s1600-h/PICT0248.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SLMVlzA8dYI/AAAAAAAAAfE/4Ud7EUlMDNo/s320/PICT0248.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238554530655532418" border="0" /></a><br /><span>I've read that some patrons feel that the decor and ambiance of Peter Luger can be somewhat dowdy. But I disagree as I actually adore the 'old school' vibe of Peter Luger and it seems to befit its legacy as a 100-odd years establishment. It feels like a classy grand ole dame - from its dim, traditional, wooded interiors to the bow-tied, whites and apron-decked servers.<br /><br />And as a fine-dining establishment, it has none of the poseur airs of its chic, minimalist-interior counterparts and yet, none of the stuffiness of a old, established tradition, but merely retaining a disarming air and casualness about it. So you would not feel self-conscious dining in easy, casual outfits, nor would you be shy about doggy-bagging your leftovers. As a matter of fact, doggy-bagging was pretty much the practice with most diners while I was there.<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SLMVlapSjqI/AAAAAAAAAe8/sxewaCXyIgw/s1600-h/PICT0247.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SLMVlapSjqI/AAAAAAAAAe8/sxewaCXyIgw/s320/PICT0247.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238554524113866402" border="0" /></a><br />Dinner kicks off to a promising start with a basket of delicious and warm selection of breads. I especially digged the onion-filled buns.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SLMVma2so4I/AAAAAAAAAfM/pKiZPR-yJ5M/s1600-h/PICT0250.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SLMVma2so4I/AAAAAAAAAfM/pKiZPR-yJ5M/s320/PICT0250.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238554541349970818" border="0" /></a><br />Starter: Luger's Sizzling Bacon, extra thick, by the slice. Best savored with Peter Luger's own steak house sauce.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SLMXMCxI9jI/AAAAAAAAAfU/iZWSEbE5M5o/s1600-h/PICT0256.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SLMXMCxI9jI/AAAAAAAAAfU/iZWSEbE5M5o/s320/PICT0256.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238556287230866994" border="0" /></a><br />The pièce de résistance - the steak for two. A must order. Succulent, char-broiled porterhouse steak, fit for two, or even for three if you are tiny eaters. Do it justice and have it done medium-rare. Truly brings out the carnivore in you!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SLNL1XGtznI/AAAAAAAAAgE/rMOLhz0BUj8/s1600-h/PICT0258.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SLNL1XGtznI/AAAAAAAAAgE/rMOLhz0BUj8/s320/PICT0258.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238614171669352050" border="0" /></a><br />As service is prided upon here, the servers will portion out the steaks and sides to you individually when they present the steaks at your table. We tried a side of creamed spinach, which is something of a novelty for me and a tad salty for my liking. But an interesting side nonetheless, I can imagine it would go superbly with bread or potatoes.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SLMXMT4-7kI/AAAAAAAAAfc/98GPw9h8pLI/s1600-h/PICT0257.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SLMXMT4-7kI/AAAAAAAAAfc/98GPw9h8pLI/s320/PICT0257.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238556291827166786" border="0" /></a><br />While we didn't manage to save room for desserts after going carnivore-berserk, we still managed to have a sweet ending to the meal with the generous amount of complimentary chocolate coins given at the end of the meal. Sweet!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SLMXNZNn94I/AAAAAAAAAfs/CTEeL4KSxk0/s1600-h/PICT0262.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SLMXNZNn94I/AAAAAAAAAfs/CTEeL4KSxk0/s320/PICT0262.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238556310435788674" border="0" /></a><br />Again, contrary to most reports, I actually experienced good service during my visit. Our server, a genial senior of eastern European descent, was friendly, polite and helpful throughout our meal. He was also undeniably honest as he actually returned to us with the excess cash after we accidentally over-tipped him by a hundred dollars! And he did not even bat an eyelid, but instead assisted cheerfully, when we asked to doggy-bag the leftover steaks and even the bread, because we enjoyed them so much. Steak sandwich, anyone?<br /><br />Note of caution though. Be prepared for sticker shock when dining at Peter Luger. It was an awesome dining experience, but you really do have to be prepared to shell out for it. I suppose with some dining establishments, premium pricing begets quality dining experiences. Oh yes, reservations are a must and it's cash payment only.<br /><br />Peter Luger can be sort of a destination dining if you're residing in Manhattan, as they only have two outlets - one in Brooklyn, another in Great Neck. But sometimes when you're craving for an all-out New York Steak experience, it's definitely worth the extra trip. For more information, go to <a href="http://peterluger.com/">http://peterluger.com</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.sushiyasuda.com/home.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sushi Yasuda</span></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SLMUcKH6fcI/AAAAAAAAAec/FBrHPbO-VHw/s1600-h/PICT0085.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SLMUcKH6fcI/AAAAAAAAAec/FBrHPbO-VHw/s320/PICT0085.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238553265548459458" border="0" /></a><br />I've heard of NYC's impressive sushi bars, that they are of comparable standards to the best Tokyo offerings and offer fresh, authentic sushi. Being a sushi-phile, I planned for a sushi treat to fit into my sightseeing itinerary.<br /><br />Sushi Yasuda, which sits on 43rd St. , near Lexington Ave, fitted in nicely as a lunch stop after my visit to view the gorgeous <a href="http://bonvivantsu.blogspot.com/2008/06/new-york-new-york.html">Chrysler Building</a> and the Grand Central Terminal. And most of all, price-wise, Sushi Yasuda doesn't intimidate with the insane USD 350 omakase price ranges of Masa - the rarefied NY Sushi institution.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SLMUbqG1tBI/AAAAAAAAAeU/yXTAVymDTys/s1600-h/PICT0084.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SLMUbqG1tBI/AAAAAAAAAeU/yXTAVymDTys/s320/PICT0084.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238553256954016786" border="0" /></a><br />If you're a newbie at sushi, dining at Sushi Yasuda could be a nice initiation into the art of this popular Japanese cuisine. Ask for counter-seats, where you can observe and interact with the affable chefs at work and always, ALWAYS ask for the chef's recommendation. The chefs know best which seafood are the freshest catch of the day and which ones are the not-to-be-missed items.<br /><br />Of course, the ideal meal would be to go entirely omakase (literally translates to "it's up to you" in Japanese, it's basically carte blanche for the chef to prepare whatever he sees fit), but pretty often, that can work up to quite a hefty bill as naturally, the chef would prepare the best and freshest, which often translates to the most expensive. So for diners on a more modest budget like mine, I recommend that after selecting some of your favorite regulars, or budgeted pieces, leave some room and leeway for at least two or three recommendations/splurge-treats.<br /><br />Sushi Yasuda chefs seem to be well-informed about sushi and the ways of savoring them and they are eager to share and dispense their knowledge to appreciative diners. As a matter of fact, their <a href="http://www.sushiyasuda.com/traditions.html">website</a> proffers a brief albeit illuminating introduction to sushi traditions.<br /><br />I had the prix fixe sushi and sashimi combination which comprises of soup, salad, a variety of sashimi and choice of sushi. My advice would be to skip the sashimi and just head straight for the sushi. And if you have no aversion to shellfish and exotic seafood, just skip the common fish variety and go all out for the more interesting and absolutely delicious abalone sushi or the uni (sea urchin) and clam toppings. (as pictured below).<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SLMUcXS9jEI/AAAAAAAAAek/SapDmMcGh40/s1600-h/PICT0093.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SLMUcXS9jEI/AAAAAAAAAek/SapDmMcGh40/s320/PICT0093.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238553269084458050" border="0" /></a><br />Absolute bliss! Remarkably, I can still recall the creamy goodness and fresh briny taste of the abalone sushi, topped delicately with a pinch of sea salt. Yum! Just thinking about it now makes me salivate. This was one sushi that made me contemplate countless times about returning to Sushi Yasuda despite it being out of way from my place of lodging. I was probably close to dreaming about it.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SLMUdrGIVDI/AAAAAAAAAes/IgTLatKbpVI/s1600-h/PICT0094.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SLMUdrGIVDI/AAAAAAAAAes/IgTLatKbpVI/s320/PICT0094.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238553291579216946" border="0" /></a><br />Sushi Yasuda can be easy to miss as it has a rather nondescript exterior and lack of signage, save for a faint and rather teeny fish print that sits atop its store. So do keep a lookout!<br />For more information, go to <a href="http://www.sushiyasuda.com/home.html">http://www.sushiyasuda.com/home.html</a><br /><br /><a href="http://todainyc.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Todai</span> </a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SLMQBN_UajI/AAAAAAAAAdk/JhmZsA448-I/s1600-h/PICT0016.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SLMQBN_UajI/AAAAAAAAAdk/JhmZsA448-I/s320/PICT0016.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238548404683172402" border="0" /></a><br />Located in K-town (Koreatown), Todai is an All-You-Can-Eat Japanese Sushi and Seafood buffet. A terrific value-for-money dining choice to ease those hunger pangs after an intensive bout of shopping at Macy's and the 34th Street. Dinner buffet costs around the region of USD 28 before tax.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SLMQCgOqhII/AAAAAAAAAds/-lxssx7hgF4/s1600-h/PICT0021.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SLMQCgOqhII/AAAAAAAAAds/-lxssx7hgF4/s320/PICT0021.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238548426759242882" border="0" /></a><br />The buffet mile stretches on and on. I tried in vain to capture the entire line of buffet.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SLMQDE0KR2I/AAAAAAAAAd0/KzQsRDLWPFg/s1600-h/PICT0023.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SLMQDE0KR2I/AAAAAAAAAd0/KzQsRDLWPFg/s320/PICT0023.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238548436580190050" border="0" /></a><br />Suffice to say, the buffet variety was astounding and remarkably fresh - ranging from sashimi to sushi to yakitori to salads, to more cooked items and soups, desserts etc.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SLMTQc8-t2I/AAAAAAAAAd8/rqk7EfheQk8/s1600-h/PICT0025.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SLMTQc8-t2I/AAAAAAAAAd8/rqk7EfheQk8/s320/PICT0025.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238551964932814690" border="0" /></a><br />These substantial and tasty cold, steamed Alaskan crab pincers alone were reasons enough for a trip to Todai.<br /><br />For more information, refer to <a href="http://todainyc.com/">http://todainyc.com/</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sapporo</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SLMTQ3Tm6VI/AAAAAAAAAeE/DEA9jCXKoYM/s1600-h/PICT0068.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SLMTQ3Tm6VI/AAAAAAAAAeE/DEA9jCXKoYM/s320/PICT0068.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238551972007045458" border="0" /></a><br /><span>Located in the vicinity of Times Square Theater district, </span><span>Sapporo is a good dining option for the budget conscious Broadway goer. Or an easy-on-your-pocket dining option after blowing your budget on the more popular Broadway shows. It's cheap and yet authentic.<br /><br />I can personally vouch that the ramen was as good as the ones I have tried in the actual Hokkaido Sapporo's famed <a href="http://bonvivantsu.blogspot.com/2008/03/hokkaido-winter-feast.html">Ramen Yokocho</a> itself when I was there three months prior to visiting NYC.</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SLMTWjpjPFI/AAAAAAAAAeM/PeoiHua0TNM/s1600-h/PICT0074.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SLMTWjpjPFI/AAAAAAAAAeM/PeoiHua0TNM/s320/PICT0074.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238552069809585234" border="0" /></a><br /><span>I relished slurping down the delicious, hearty broth and springy noodles of the Sapporo Special Ramen. The damage? A mere USD 8.50 (before tax).<br /><br />Sapporo is located at </span><span class="font8pt"> 152 W 49th St, New York 10019. Between 6th & 7th Ave. For more information, go to <a href="http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/Sapporo/">http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/Sapporo/</a></span><br /><span><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://nymag.com/">NY Mag</a><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SLMh6Z27yzI/AAAAAAAAAf0/73npRVVYR3s/s1600-h/Picture+1.png"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SLMh6Z27yzI/AAAAAAAAAf0/73npRVVYR3s/s320/Picture+1.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238568078819445554" border="0" /></a><br />When it comes to checking out the dining scene in NYC, I highly recommend browsing New York Magazine's user friendly and highly informative website: <a href="http://nymag.com/">www.nymag.com</a>.<br /><br />The website is choke-ful of useful tidbits about NYC's eateries, with information on location, website, contact details, price range, as well as a brief profile write-up, editorial reviews and reader reviews, dish recommendations and the most useful of them all - menu listing!<br /><br />Absolutely brilliant, isn't it? Now you can see exactly what the restaurant is offering before you make a reservation and you can even plan your choice of dishes in advance! And best of all, with the detailed menus which also list the price of the dishes, it takes the guess work out of the usual $ to $$$$ types of price range ratings. As after all, individual preferences vary and one may well overspend or underspend the suggested price range, depending on what you order. Of course the menu feature may no doubt not be available for every, single restaurant in their listing, but as far as I've experienced, it generally never fails for most of the popular restaurants.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SLMjPKXYyVI/AAAAAAAAAf8/9ZfvL9Y4VKg/s1600-h/Picture+2.png"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SLMjPKXYyVI/AAAAAAAAAf8/9ZfvL9Y4VKg/s320/Picture+2.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238569534949476690" border="0" /></a><br />The website is also a great resource for getting a feel for NYC culture, as it keeps you informed about the latest on-goings in NYC with its interesting feature stories and you can also read up about other aspects such as bars, entertainment, fashion and shopping, in general. Honestly, NY Mag pretty much became my online bible while I was holidaying in NY. That, plus Google weather updates. NY during Spring can be rather unpredictable - weather-wise.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span>Bon Viveurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02063257156024007383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8065746631523154537.post-9456015161365848642008-06-22T14:01:00.001-07:002008-08-26T20:48:52.609-07:00New York grubI was on a mission to load up on classic American junk food in NYC - hot dogs, burgers, pizzas and the works.<br /><br />1. Hot dogs at <a href="http://www.papayaking.com/index.htm">Papaya King</a><br /><br />You can't miss the colorful, neon signages. This outlet at 179 East 86th Street is a convenient stopover to satisfy those middle-of-the-day hunger pangs after making your rounds at the Guggenheim museum.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF7S2zQPNqI/AAAAAAAAAZA/OaQ66tmQ4WI/s1600-h/PICT0017.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF7S2zQPNqI/AAAAAAAAAZA/OaQ66tmQ4WI/s320/PICT0017.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214837257454696098" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF7PyEZ6VuI/AAAAAAAAAYY/lXB_uPBnCwg/s1600-h/PICT0006.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF7PyEZ6VuI/AAAAAAAAAYY/lXB_uPBnCwg/s320/PICT0006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214833877624444642" border="0" /></a><br />I shared the King combo (USD 5.99) with a friend - 1 papaya drink, 2 hot dogs and 1 Cajun curly fries. The hot dogs came with some onion and relish toppings and I polished them off with dollops of mustard.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF7OUxKbHZI/AAAAAAAAAYI/o8P-2rOSSA8/s1600-h/PICT0001.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF7OUxKbHZI/AAAAAAAAAYI/o8P-2rOSSA8/s320/PICT0001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214832274731376018" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF7PhIoW4HI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/dXSX2_0VQeY/s1600-h/PICT0004.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF7PhIoW4HI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/dXSX2_0VQeY/s320/PICT0004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214833586701000818" border="0" /></a><br />I did not manage to try Grey's Papaya - the other famous hot dog name, recommended by food-traveler and native New Yorker, Anthony Bourdain. But Papaya King was easily the best hot dogs I've tried in NYC so far, easily beating the long established Nathan's of Coney Island. I digged the warm toasted buns and of course, the frankfurters. And I especially enjoyed the tasty curly fries.<br /><br />Papaya King has 3 outlets in Manhattan and 1 in New Jersey. See <a href="http://www.papayaking.com/index.htm">http://www.papayaking.com/index.htm</a> for more information.<br /><br />2. Burgers<br /><br />Have heard of the legendary In & Out burgers hailing from the West Coast of USA. While NYC does not have In & Out, I have read, heard and been told that the best East Coast equivalent are <a href="http://shakeshacknyc.com/index.html">Shake Shack</a> and possibly White Castle.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF_I8IMonmI/AAAAAAAAAa0/U9Xd62cmwO8/s1600-h/PICT0050.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF_I8IMonmI/AAAAAAAAAa0/U9Xd62cmwO8/s320/PICT0050.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215107828836507234" border="0" /></a><br />Truth be told I've trekked down especially to Madison Square Park twice, in futile hope of checking out Shake Shack's burgers. Alas, the queues are always crazy long and after the second visit, I realized they will probably remain crazy long, no matter the time of the day.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF_I7jZEaII/AAAAAAAAAas/h2QVCk6FIDg/s1600-h/PICT0049.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF_I7jZEaII/AAAAAAAAAas/h2QVCk6FIDg/s320/PICT0049.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215107818956548226" border="0" /></a><br />While I'll go to great lengths and sometimes travel the distances for food, I just can't stomach long queues. I know, it sounds silly, seeing that I've came all the way to NYC and made the trip to the park twice, but fail to try the food, simply because I dislike queues. But hey, I've got weak knees, does that explain? Well, and probably also because I made both visits solo, so it seem like quite a pain to queue for such a long time on your own. Even with Ipod fully plugged on, I think I'll still be bored out of my tears.<br /><br />Perhaps I'll make a return trip on my next visit to NYC, with a companion fully in tow. If any of you reading this have the good fortune and blessed patience to have had tried Shake Shack, let me know how good it is!<br /><br />Took a look at their website and realized that Shake Shack will be opening a branch (finally!) at the Upper West Side. For more information, see <a href="http://shakeshacknyc.com/index.html">http://shakeshacknyc.com/index.html</a>.<br /><br />3. Good old <a href="http://www.totonnos.com/">Totonno's</a> pies<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF_e6tFIJhI/AAAAAAAAAcM/GzblP_oWsVA/s1600-h/PICT0048.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF_e6tFIJhI/AAAAAAAAAcM/GzblP_oWsVA/s320/PICT0048.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215131993633203730" border="0" /></a><br />I was quite fixated on trying the classic NY, Neapolitan-inspired thin crust pizzas and had my fix at Totonno's.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF7VHTxv2pI/AAAAAAAAAZg/zVby06ULm3c/s1600-h/PICT0034.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF7VHTxv2pI/AAAAAAAAAZg/zVby06ULm3c/s320/PICT0034.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214839740086344338" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF_DBsMFgAI/AAAAAAAAAaI/zSUpTyZOxwM/s1600-h/PICT0044.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF_DBsMFgAI/AAAAAAAAAaI/zSUpTyZOxwM/s320/PICT0044.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215101327327461378" border="0" /></a><br />My travel companions and I headed down to the original flagship shop in Coney Island, Brooklyn. It was a worthwhile trip for not only did we get to savor fresh, made-to-order pizzas, we also got to soak up the atmospheric vibe of the historical eatery, established since 1924. I really dig the dining scene in Brooklyn, where we got to dine at places with eons of history and soak up the culture and vibe. Another such place was Peter Luger's.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF7WOYaA-JI/AAAAAAAAAZw/AZMIYZV-thM/s1600-h/PICT0040.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF7WOYaA-JI/AAAAAAAAAZw/AZMIYZV-thM/s320/PICT0040.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214840961099692178" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF7VaMGUv8I/AAAAAAAAAZo/Uz4D32kcqMY/s1600-h/PICT0037.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF7VaMGUv8I/AAAAAAAAAZo/Uz4D32kcqMY/s320/PICT0037.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214840064442679234" border="0" /></a><br />Totonno's does not sell pizzas by the slice since they are all made-to-order, so you gotta order a whole pie. And frankly, being superbly thin crust, a large pie could easily be polished off by a party of two or even a ravenous one!<br /><br />The waitress recommended the plain pie, so we had a large half plain, half pepperoni and sausage.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF_DCJrWuoI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/S4tF7T6mduA/s1600-h/PICT0045.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF_DCJrWuoI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/S4tF7T6mduA/s320/PICT0045.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215101335243242114" border="0" /></a><br />Totonno's has crazy rave reviews, with some Zagat reviewers enthusing "Only God makes better pizzas"! But of course, bear in mind that Zagat is basically a compilation of laymen reviewers, like myself, who may sometimes go hyperbolic when making a case for their favorite eateries. For more information on Totonno's, see <a href="http://www.totonnos.com/">http://www.totonnos.com/</a><br /><br />4. Kosher bites<br /><br />I figured that since I'm in New York, home to the largest Jewish population outside of Israel, what better place to finally check out Jewish food. I've been pretty intrigued with the Jewish culture and food, thanks to mention in all the Hollywood soaps, movies and reading all that New York literature and media.<br /><br />I had a chance to finally sample a Pastrami on Rye and Matzah Ball soup, courtesy of Mendel's while dining at the Grand Central Terminal Food Hall.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF_J3ydtfjI/AAAAAAAAAbM/gIgco-cm8p0/s1600-h/PICT0125.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF_J3ydtfjI/AAAAAAAAAbM/gIgco-cm8p0/s320/PICT0125.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215108853794700850" border="0" /></a><br />The best I can described the Matzah ball soup, is that it tastes familiarly like Chicken soup, with the noodle strips and the chicken stock, but with an additional dough ball - the matzah ball.<br /><br />As for the pastrami sandwich, while <a href="http://www.katzdeli.com/">Katz's</a> this ain't, I rather enjoyed it as I'm a big fan of beef and cured, thin beef slices with rye and a crunchy gherkin to munch on, sits fine with me.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF_J4PmyWNI/AAAAAAAAAbU/ZZE6x99E4kI/s1600-h/PICT0129.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF_J4PmyWNI/AAAAAAAAAbU/ZZE6x99E4kI/s320/PICT0129.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215108861617395922" border="0" /></a><br />Probably a better introduction to good kosher food may be the NY institution of <a href="http://www.katzdeli.com/">Katz's Deli.</a> Good luck tracking that down. Mazel Tov!<br /><br />5. Ethnic Food at Hell's Kitchen Food Fest<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF7Ua36HgKI/AAAAAAAAAZY/p9qxRuy3GnE/s1600-h/PICT0031.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF7Ua36HgKI/AAAAAAAAAZY/p9qxRuy3GnE/s320/PICT0031.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214838976691011746" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF_DBR769EI/AAAAAAAAAaA/n2_2W5dAIDU/s1600-h/PICT0042.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF_DBR769EI/AAAAAAAAAaA/n2_2W5dAIDU/s320/PICT0042.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215101320280339522" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF7WnlNF0SI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/PLbhw6BrwwE/s1600-h/PICT0041.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF7WnlNF0SI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/PLbhw6BrwwE/s320/PICT0041.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214841394031874338" border="0" /></a><br />The world truly congregates in New York City and what better place to sample a smorgasbord of international treats than a great fair like the Ninth Avenue Food Festival at Hell’s Kitchen. The annual fair usually takes place the weekend after Mother's Day and it stretches, and I mean <span style="font-style: italic;">stretches, </span>all the way from 37th to 57th street! That's plenty of walking <span style="font-style: italic;">and</span> eating to do!<br /><br />The choices are wide and I was keen to check out the food offerings by the different ethnicities - Greek, Polish, Russian - the works.<br /><br />In the end I settled for a Gyro - tasty but rather overpriced, I must say. With the lamb gyro and a can of Coke in hand, I secure a spot at one of the open tables and enjoyed my meal in the sun. On that particular day, it really felt as though Spring was turning into Summer, as the sun was scorching and there was not a sight of Spring's rain and I actually had burnt marks on my shoulders when I got home later!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF_I8XTpXQI/AAAAAAAAAa8/xeN-lVy3uOo/s1600-h/PICT0065.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF_I8XTpXQI/AAAAAAAAAa8/xeN-lVy3uOo/s320/PICT0065.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215107832892448002" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF_J3dBANvI/AAAAAAAAAbE/f0oBpIS5wbs/s1600-h/PICT0068.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF_J3dBANvI/AAAAAAAAAbE/f0oBpIS5wbs/s320/PICT0068.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215108848037148402" border="0" /><span style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Buttons"><span class="on" style="display: block;" id="formatbar_CreateLink" title="Link" onmouseover="ButtonHoverOn(this);" onmouseout="ButtonHoverOff(this);" onmouseup="" onmousedown="CheckFormatting(event);FormatbarButton('richeditorframe', this, 8);ButtonMouseDown(this);"></span></span></a>For more information on the Ninth Avenue Food Festival, go to <a href="http://hellskitchen.bz/info/ninthavenuefoodfestival.shtml">http://hellskitchen.bz/info/ninthavenuefoodfestival.shtml</a><br /><br />6. Famous Taiwan Ah Chung vermicelli makes its way to New York<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF_OmxgPeQI/AAAAAAAAAcE/ETeDR54BCsI/s1600-h/PICT0233.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF_OmxgPeQI/AAAAAAAAAcE/ETeDR54BCsI/s320/PICT0233.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215114059037243650" border="0" /></a><br />Some of the most indelible memories of my trips to Taipei were of the Taiwanese street food, notably the famous and impossibly delicious Ah-Chung Mian Xian (vermicelli). I especially relished slurping a hot, piping bowl of the vermicelli on a cool, wintry day. At the popular Ah-Chung stall in Taipei's trendy Xi Men Ting district, you order your vermicelli either to-go or you basically order a bowl and finish it on your feet, standing around the premises, as there was no seating available.<br /><br />At Queens, NYC, Ah-Chung has a stall right in the heart of Flushing Mall's food court. The portions here are way bigger than Taipei's (if I recall correctly, possibly, a good two to three times more, but probably way more expensive than Taipei's too) and you get seating at the food court. In addition, the stall here also sells other typical Taiwanese dishes such as their pork-rib rice and soup dumplings.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF_OmSm_NmI/AAAAAAAAAb0/IP9wf2lmyrM/s1600-h/PICT0226.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF_OmSm_NmI/AAAAAAAAAb0/IP9wf2lmyrM/s320/PICT0226.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215114050744039010" border="0" /></a><br />It was a rather pleasant surprise when I found out about Ah-Chung in NYC. But apparently, Flushing in Queens has gained quite a reputation as the other Chinatown of NYC (the current more prominent one being the Canal Street area in Manhattan). But before the influx of the Chinese, this part of Queens was actually known as a "Little Taiwan" of sorts among the Taiwanese community in NYC.Bon Viveurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02063257156024007383noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8065746631523154537.post-71271575544465249492008-06-22T12:35:00.000-07:002008-08-25T22:49:41.916-07:00New York, New York<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF6rieE_GTI/AAAAAAAAAW4/CuVs8XqQZAo/s1600-h/PICT0048.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF6rieE_GTI/AAAAAAAAAW4/CuVs8XqQZAo/s400/PICT0048.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214794027219491122" border="0" /></a><br /><br />New York, New York!<br /><br />So good they named it twice.<br /><br />Finally! I've visited New York City - a place I've been meaning to visit for the longest time. See mention in my <a href="http://bonvivantsu.blogspot.com/2007/11/travel-is-in-my-blood.html">first blog entry</a> if you don't believe.<br /><br />Ah... New York City, the capital of the world, this city of all cities ... where do I start?<br /><br />Perhaps a pictorial tribute of some iconic sights for starters.<br /><br />Chrysler Building - my absolute favorite NYC architecture, doused in shades of pink. Very Sex And The City, eh?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF6sEMOqvII/AAAAAAAAAXA/ZfLfim12aCQ/s1600-h/PICT0077_2.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF6sEMOqvII/AAAAAAAAAXA/ZfLfim12aCQ/s400/PICT0077_2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214794606543813762" border="0" /></a><br />Flatiron Building - my second favorite NYC landmark building<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF6q4xF9uGI/AAAAAAAAAWw/gSCV4A53rsY/s1600-h/PICT0047_2.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF6q4xF9uGI/AAAAAAAAAWw/gSCV4A53rsY/s400/PICT0047_2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214793310769363042" border="0" /></a><br />And of course, the grand 'ole dame, the Grand Central Building<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SLOJXXDPXrI/AAAAAAAAAgc/I9sb6rzqdfo/s1600-h/PICT0070.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SLOJXXDPXrI/AAAAAAAAAgc/I9sb6rzqdfo/s320/PICT0070.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238681825979621042" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SLOJW0SaDLI/AAAAAAAAAgM/sTS2pOB1syQ/s1600-h/PICT0018.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SLOJW0SaDLI/AAAAAAAAAgM/sTS2pOB1syQ/s320/PICT0018.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238681816647994546" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SLOJXLuWCNI/AAAAAAAAAgU/-5-1S_mFZBQ/s1600-h/PICT0028.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SLOJXLuWCNI/AAAAAAAAAgU/-5-1S_mFZBQ/s320/PICT0028.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238681822939187410" border="0" /></a><br />Manhattan Skyline<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF6z3X4dsQI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/0s9M_OdNNWI/s1600-h/PICT0105.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF6z3X4dsQI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/0s9M_OdNNWI/s400/PICT0105.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214803182426632450" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF60c_9SF8I/AAAAAAAAAXY/7u5fc8y4deQ/s1600-h/PICT0145.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF60c_9SF8I/AAAAAAAAAXY/7u5fc8y4deQ/s400/PICT0145.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214803828839421890" border="0" /></a><br />Spot the omnipresent Empire State Building. No wonder the car plates spot the tag - "New York. The Empire State" vis-a-vis New Jersey, the Garden State and Florida, the Sunshine State etc.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF60vyTX-XI/AAAAAAAAAXg/ypAsuHdUziY/s1600-h/PICT0199.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF60vyTX-XI/AAAAAAAAAXg/ypAsuHdUziY/s400/PICT0199.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214804151591500146" border="0" /></a><br />Another NY icon in itself, the ubiquitous NY cab! The awesome Yellow shade before the entrance of Chrysler Building.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF66AyapWzI/AAAAAAAAAX4/Ei2hm6e4iKM/s1600-h/PICT0058.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF66AyapWzI/AAAAAAAAAX4/Ei2hm6e4iKM/s400/PICT0058.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214809941237914418" border="0" /></a><br />We have the cab, how about the bus?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF64CLxFXII/AAAAAAAAAXo/69qBA8UNKBk/s1600-h/PICT0184.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF64CLxFXII/AAAAAAAAAXo/69qBA8UNKBk/s400/PICT0184.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214807766199524482" border="0" /></a><br />Harlem baby. And the Apollo Theater<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF67no2rFTI/AAAAAAAAAYA/HM5iwHl5bko/s1600-h/PICT0002.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF67no2rFTI/AAAAAAAAAYA/HM5iwHl5bko/s400/PICT0002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214811708197639474" border="0" /></a><br />The Red, White & Blue. The 50 stars on the flag representing the 50 U.S. states.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF65GfdwfjI/AAAAAAAAAXw/PpSZ-Xk0JVs/s1600-h/PICT0176.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SF65GfdwfjI/AAAAAAAAAXw/PpSZ-Xk0JVs/s400/PICT0176.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214808939718278706" border="0" /></a>Bon Viveurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02063257156024007383noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8065746631523154537.post-56435090065723422032008-04-30T10:00:00.000-07:002008-08-25T22:08:57.565-07:00Tempura-licious!<span style="font-weight: bold;">Tokyo, Japan </span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fe3weBvyI/AAAAAAAAATM/0aEWf2_q5nQ/s1600-h/PICT0280.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fe3weBvyI/AAAAAAAAATM/0aEWf2_q5nQ/s320/PICT0280.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181354945798061858" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Sometimes following your hunger instincts can turn out to be a pleasant serendipity, as it played out when my travel companions and I wandered haphazardly around the vicinity of Asakusa, Tokyo after visiting the popular Sensoji Temple. We were craving tempura and came across Aoi Marushin with its inviting plastic displays of the variety of the tempura dishes they offer (yes, as weird as this sounds, the Japanese plastic replicas of food bear an uncanny 99.9% resemblance to real food and thus totally whets your appetite!)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fheQeBvzI/AAAAAAAAATU/W1P-Sz7xv3Y/s1600-h/PICT0290.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fheQeBvzI/AAAAAAAAATU/W1P-Sz7xv3Y/s400/PICT0290.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181357806246281010" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-flWweBv2I/AAAAAAAAATs/piemEWcFBz0/s1600-h/PICT0291.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-flWweBv2I/AAAAAAAAATs/piemEWcFBz0/s400/PICT0291.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181362075443773282" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We flipped opened the menu and saw the variety offered and this helpful pictorial explanation of how tempura is made. The menu comes with English descriptions. I know, I know, this usually screams "tourist trap!", but hey, the restaurant is located in the vicinity of the tourist-friendly Sensoji Temple after all. So we let this red herring pass and because we had a good feeling about this place, we gave it a vote of confidence and splurged on the prime tempura set.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fhgQeBv1I/AAAAAAAAATk/Cc7SXqRtZBs/s1600-h/PICT0281.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fhgQeBv1I/AAAAAAAAATk/Cc7SXqRtZBs/s400/PICT0281.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181357840606019410" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Vote's all goo....oood. This has got to be THE best tempura we've ever tasted! The Prime Tempura set consists of Saimaki prawn (never had it before, but having tasted it, I just want more of it), sea eel, white fish and some vegetables - special mention to the eggplant (my favorite vegetable to be done tempura-style). The seafood and the vegetables were fresh and covered in just nice a layer of the crispiest, most fragrant batter (sesame oil at work here)! Light, delicious and simply lip-smacking with just a touch of the dipping soyu sauce or a squeeze of lemon or a sprinkle of salt here and there. Oishiii.... more tempura please!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fmiQeBv6I/AAAAAAAAAUM/PVMQjebbNzw/s1600-h/PICT0284.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fmiQeBv6I/AAAAAAAAAUM/PVMQjebbNzw/s400/PICT0284.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181363372523896738" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fmhgeBv5I/AAAAAAAAAUE/hv1PDSBeMO8/s1600-h/PICT0283.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fmhgeBv5I/AAAAAAAAAUE/hv1PDSBeMO8/s400/PICT0283.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181363359638994834" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And we can't resist ordering one of our favorite Japanese side dishes - Tamago, Japanese omelette. Also, delicious. Nicely done and served with garnish/topping of grated daikon (white radish).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fmgweBv4I/AAAAAAAAAT8/s2ozL1m9hFY/s1600-h/PICT0282.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fmgweBv4I/AAAAAAAAAT8/s2ozL1m9hFY/s400/PICT0282.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181363346754092930" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And if the tempura doesn't fill you up. Their sushi is decent as well. All in all, a terrific meal and a terrific find! Our tab for the above three dishes added up to 5100 yen (USD 49, SGD 67), with the prime tempura set going for only 2650 yen (USD 25, SGD 35). It ain't cheap but my companions and I concur that it's money well-spent on a quality meal!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fmigeBv7I/AAAAAAAAAUU/PGeg76Pc8mw/s1600-h/PICT0286.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fmigeBv7I/AAAAAAAAAUU/PGeg76Pc8mw/s400/PICT0286.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181363376818864050" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Of course, later when I'm back home and surfing online, I found posts on Aoi-Marushin and apparently it's been serving tempura for half a century already! See <a href="http://www.asakusa-e.com/shoku/a_e.htm">http://www.asakusa-e.com/shoku/a_e.htm</a> for map, address and contact details of Aoi-Marushin or go to the restaurant's official website at <a href="http://www.aoi-marushin.co.jp/top.html">http://www.aoi-marushin.co.jp/top.html</a> for an alternative map. It shows Aoi-Marushin as only 60m from the Kaminari <span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif;">雷門</span> (Thunder) gate of Sensoji. <a href="http://www.asakusa-e.com/shoku/a_e.htm"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></a>Bon Viveurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02063257156024007383noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8065746631523154537.post-6811196083982950982008-04-28T02:24:00.000-07:002008-08-25T22:13:55.987-07:00Moreish Hokkaido SnacksWhen you leave Hokkaido, you can't resist hoarding back loads and loads of their goodies - snacks, produce etc.<br /><br />After plowing through the load of snacks I brought back from this trip, below are my three favorites. They are also not too expensive and make for great gifts for your foodie friends, solving that headache of a question "What gifts do I buy back from Hokkaido?"<br /><br />1. Melon Jelly Cups<br /><br />There are jellies and then there is the Hori-brand Yubari Melon Jellies. The jelly simply bursts with the sheer intensity of melony sweetness with each bite. And if you come across the bigger-portioned palm-sized melon cup versions, grab them! Chill them in the fridge, peel off the cover and savor the jelly with a spoon. It's akin to scooping from a slice of the famed Yubari melon. Yummy!<br /><br />In fact, you probably won't go wrong with any of the Yubari-melon flavoured products - melon gummies, melon chocolate, melon chocolate-coated melon gummies and melon flavoured ice cream cone (pity we can't lug this back).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SBWYkihAiRI/AAAAAAAAAWY/GKbgFvT94Do/s1600-h/PICT0015.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SBWYkihAiRI/AAAAAAAAAWY/GKbgFvT94Do/s400/PICT0015.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194225498749700370" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span>2. Cream Cheese Cookie<br /><br />One popular snack that folks like to bring back from their Hokkaido holidays, is the Shiroi Koibito Langue de Chat cookies, which consists of a layer of white chocolate sandwiched between two layers of biscuits. While I liked the crumbly biscuit of the Shiroi Koibito, I do find it a tad too sweet and unfortunately, I'm not a big fan of white chocolate. So I was pleasantly surprised when I came across this alternative version while doing some last minute shopping at Hakodate airport.<br /><br />The red-box packaging reads "Regalo From Powdery Snow" (the intended meaning is probably lost in translation). This cookie resembles the Shiroi Kobito and has the same crumbly biscuits but instead of white chocolate filling, it sandwiches a layer of cream cheese. This speaks out to the cheese lover in me and being a savory filling, it balances well with the sweetness of the biscuits. For me, it was simply the perfect cookie, made in snack heaven!<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SBWYKyhAiQI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/dnV-cyRHMZc/s1600-h/PICT0002.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SBWYKyhAiQI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/dnV-cyRHMZc/s400/PICT0002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194225056368068866" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SBWZmChAiTI/AAAAAAAAAWo/hCsAUEDqftQ/s1600-h/PICT0020.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SBWZmChAiTI/AAAAAAAAAWo/hCsAUEDqftQ/s400/PICT0020.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194226624031131954" border="0" /></a><br /><br />3. Dried scallop with cheese<br /><br />This snack to be honest, may be an acquired taste for some. It was for me. I bought this at the Hakodate Morning Market, from the dried goods store and found them among the plain dried scallops. Do note that there is a difference between the dried scallops that are meant to be cooked and those that are meant for snacking , straight from the packet. Better to check with the storekeepers like I did, if you are not certain.<br /><br />It makes a nice, moreish, savoury snack when the salt binge hits you. Cheese with Scallop. No-brainer.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SBWZMyhAiSI/AAAAAAAAAWg/lUbkXkUanWk/s1600-h/PICT0016.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/SBWZMyhAiSI/AAAAAAAAAWg/lUbkXkUanWk/s400/PICT0016.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194226190239435042" border="0" /></a>Bon Viveurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02063257156024007383noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8065746631523154537.post-30490526908434432212008-03-24T10:48:00.000-07:002008-08-26T20:47:29.817-07:00Wintry-scapes : a pictorial paean to Hokkaido<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fwSweBwFI/AAAAAAAAAVg/sQURhIR2NsU/s1600-h/PICT0027.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fwSweBwFI/AAAAAAAAAVg/sQURhIR2NsU/s400/PICT0027.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181374101352202322" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-ftSgeBwBI/AAAAAAAAAVA/oh2LforpTL8/s1600-h/282.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-ftSgeBwBI/AAAAAAAAAVA/oh2LforpTL8/s400/282.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181370798522351634" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fumQeBwDI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/3A1ecL1539I/s1600-h/286.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fumQeBwDI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/3A1ecL1539I/s400/286.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181372237336395826" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-ftRgeBwAI/AAAAAAAAAU4/cijfA7XdJHA/s1600-h/280.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-ftRgeBwAI/AAAAAAAAAU4/cijfA7XdJHA/s400/280.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181370781342482434" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fwTgeBwGI/AAAAAAAAAVo/gRzLZh4bBFo/s1600-h/PICT0042.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fwTgeBwGI/AAAAAAAAAVo/gRzLZh4bBFo/s400/PICT0042.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181374114237104226" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fwUQeBwHI/AAAAAAAAAVw/RkFySPLNKxE/s1600-h/PICT0055.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fwUQeBwHI/AAAAAAAAAVw/RkFySPLNKxE/s400/PICT0055.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181374127122006130" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fulgeBwCI/AAAAAAAAAVI/ce47RCIks2A/s1600-h/285.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fulgeBwCI/AAAAAAAAAVI/ce47RCIks2A/s400/285.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181372224451493922" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fqhQeBv8I/AAAAAAAAAUc/iDVPX1-mjp8/s1600-h/078.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fqhQeBv8I/AAAAAAAAAUc/iDVPX1-mjp8/s400/078.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181367753390538690" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fumweBwEI/AAAAAAAAAVY/DaBkKBCf2GY/s1600-h/321.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fumweBwEI/AAAAAAAAAVY/DaBkKBCf2GY/s400/321.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181372245926330434" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fqigeBv9I/AAAAAAAAAUk/psY1OX7AXo0/s1600-h/194.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fqigeBv9I/AAAAAAAAAUk/psY1OX7AXo0/s400/194.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181367774865375186" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fqjAeBv-I/AAAAAAAAAUs/u395wXVFHhc/s1600-h/225.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fqjAeBv-I/AAAAAAAAAUs/u395wXVFHhc/s400/225.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181367783455309794" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fx3geBwJI/AAAAAAAAAWA/nrjehJxdWd0/s1600-h/PICT0198.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fx3geBwJI/AAAAAAAAAWA/nrjehJxdWd0/s400/PICT0198.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181375832224022674" border="0" /></a>Bon Viveurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02063257156024007383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8065746631523154537.post-66404077565151163212008-03-24T08:31:00.000-07:002008-08-25T22:11:31.131-07:00Hokkaido Winter FeastJust to share more of the scrumptious bounties of Hokkaido! It's strange but the one word that best sums up the taste of Hokkaido seafood is "sweet". Seafood of all variety - crab, scallop, sea urchin, fish roe, all taste incredibly ... sweet!<br /><br />1. Hokkaido crabs ("Kani" stands for crab in Japanese)<br /><br />Kegani (Hairy crab), to be cooked nabemono (hotpot) style<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fLmQeBvmI/AAAAAAAAARs/N4d63462EB8/s1600-h/255.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fLmQeBvmI/AAAAAAAAARs/N4d63462EB8/s320/255.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181333754429423202" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Tarabagani (King crab)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fLlweBvlI/AAAAAAAAARk/sz0ACn6IZzI/s1600-h/252.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fLlweBvlI/AAAAAAAAARk/sz0ACn6IZzI/s320/252.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181333745839488594" border="0" /></a><br /><br />2. Squid ("Ika")<br /><br />Fish for them yourself at the Hakodate Morning Market and have them sashimi-ed on the spot in a flash, by the deft hands of the storekeeper.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fSyQeBvuI/AAAAAAAAASs/33anPjCixOg/s1600-h/PICT0267.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fSyQeBvuI/AAAAAAAAASs/33anPjCixOg/s320/PICT0267.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181341657169247970" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fSyAeBvtI/AAAAAAAAASk/SlEBsBAu9yM/s1600-h/PICT0261.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fSyAeBvtI/AAAAAAAAASk/SlEBsBAu9yM/s320/PICT0261.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181341652874280658" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fSyweBvvI/AAAAAAAAAS0/La3k7tloeC8/s1600-h/PICT0268.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fSyweBvvI/AAAAAAAAAS0/La3k7tloeC8/s320/PICT0268.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181341665759182578" border="0" /></a><br /><br />3. Salmon ("Sake")<br /><br />Slabs of salmon cooked nabemono style<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fLmweBvnI/AAAAAAAAAR0/BBU09XwcyBM/s1600-h/259.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fLmweBvnI/AAAAAAAAAR0/BBU09XwcyBM/s320/259.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181333763019357810" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Salmon, prawns, scallops, plus the delightfully sweet (there's that word again!) sweet corn ("Tokibi") waiting to be grilled.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fRTgeBvoI/AAAAAAAAAR8/1P-1TOla0Bw/s1600-h/376.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fRTgeBvoI/AAAAAAAAAR8/1P-1TOla0Bw/s320/376.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181340029376642690" border="0" /></a><br /><br />4. Chirashi Don (ricebowl with topping of raw seafood)<br /><br />With seafood this fresh in Hokkaido, they are best savored raw!<br /><br />Mock-ups of a variety of Chirashi Dons adorn the entrance of a stall at the Hakodate Morning Market. Just point and order!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fRUAeBvpI/AAAAAAAAASE/FP9U42uRKFg/s1600-h/PICT0242.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fRUAeBvpI/AAAAAAAAASE/FP9U42uRKFg/s320/PICT0242.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181340037966577298" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The holy trinity - Uni (sea urchin), Ikura (salmon roe) and Kani (crab). Three must-tries that I highly recommend. Definitely try them sashimi-style. A taste-sensation not to be missed!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fRVAeBvqI/AAAAAAAAASM/mhE85m9h3NE/s1600-h/PICT0247.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fRVAeBvqI/AAAAAAAAASM/mhE85m9h3NE/s320/PICT0247.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181340055146446498" border="0" /></a><br /><br />5. More raw (i.e. fresh) goodies<br /><br />Sashimi platter of Amaebi (sweet prawn), Ika (squid) and Hotate (scallop). Again, you can try them at the Hakodate Morning Market - on my list of favorite Japanese markets now for incredible tasting sashimi and sushi, after the distinguished Tsukiji (Tokyo) market of course.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fRVgeBvrI/AAAAAAAAASU/gkHRNrl7qsE/s1600-h/PICT0248.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fRVgeBvrI/AAAAAAAAASU/gkHRNrl7qsE/s320/PICT0248.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181340063736381106" border="0" /></a><br /><br />6. Ramen<br /><br />The famed Ramen Yokocho (Alley) in Sapporo. A narrow stretch packed with the tiniest Ramen stalls that sit at most 8 -10 customers per stall.<br /><br />Entrance<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fKlQeBviI/AAAAAAAAARM/7R4Vo3hbtXs/s1600-h/153.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fKlQeBviI/AAAAAAAAARM/7R4Vo3hbtXs/s320/153.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181332637737926178" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fKmQeBvjI/AAAAAAAAARU/yYAqas-3hTc/s1600-h/151.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fKmQeBvjI/AAAAAAAAARU/yYAqas-3hTc/s320/151.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181332654917795378" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span><br />A steaming bowl of noodles in broth, with the usual servings of char siu (roast pork slices) and egg. Perfect pick-me-up for that winter night supper. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fKmgeBvkI/AAAAAAAAARc/PPAh--YABEU/s1600-h/439.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fKmgeBvkI/AAAAAAAAARc/PPAh--YABEU/s320/439.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181332659212762690" border="0" /></a>Bon Viveurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02063257156024007383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8065746631523154537.post-86660861491086320542008-03-24T08:19:00.000-07:002008-08-25T22:25:55.537-07:00Of Kobe Beef & AbaloneHokkaido, Japan<br /><br />Being an incorrigible carnivore and a devout beef-eater, I just had to try the famed Kobe beef when it was offered on the menu of a restaurant in Hokkaido, Japan. And it's the original JAPANESE Kobe beef, not the wagyu-versions from Australia or USA that you'll usually find in restaurants all around the world, outside of Japan.<br /><br />My knowledge of Kobe beef is rather superficial and my craving for the beef does stem from all that press about Kobe beef being the top-grade beef, regarded for its tender, highly marbled meat. Said marbled meat comes from some highly pampered cattle that roam the free ranges of Japan and feast on organic goodies such as barley, corn, wheat and beer (!) and they also receive regular stress-relieving massages, thus keeping the highly prized cattle nicely relaxed and retaining all its delicious, fatty, marbled flesh.<br /><br />But press or no press, the Kobe beef does in fact, live up to all its hype! Eating the Kobe beef as slabs of grilled steak is quite possibly the best way to appreciate its flavour and texture. I've tried Kobe beef shabu shabu in Tokyo before and it just seems like such a bland way to taste the meat because if you love your beef, like I do, you'll wanna sink your teeth into substantial chunks of it and savour the juicy, beefy goodness of it all! Yum!<br /><br />After savouring the Kobe beef, my curiosity (and greed) is piqued for the Matsuzaka and Mishima beef - two other highly lauded varieties that the Japanese regard to be even better than the Kobe beef (and possibly, even pricier no doubt)!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fHcgeBvdI/AAAAAAAAAQk/cPYyFcwf12E/s1600-h/368.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fHcgeBvdI/AAAAAAAAAQk/cPYyFcwf12E/s320/368.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181329188879187410" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fHeQeBvfI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/lMbRGRsep_U/s1600-h/377.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fHeQeBvfI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/lMbRGRsep_U/s320/377.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181329218943958514" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Another delicacy that I got to sample while in Hokkaido is the shellfish, abalone. Yet another pricey connoisseur food, though I am not quite sure if Japan's famed for its abalones. That said, the abalone we tried was DEEE-LI-CIOUS! Just simply grilled with butter, it was lip-smackingly good.<br /><br />Below you'll find pictures of the abalones in their raw, cooking and cooked states. The abalones were actually writhing while being cooked alive. I'm just glad that abalones can't scream or it would have been quite an uncomfortable sight. On that note, the dining scene in Japan ain't exactly PETA-friendly. It's contentious I suppose, but sometimes you can't have your meat and eat it. And I'm all for eating!;p<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fHdAeBveI/AAAAAAAAAQs/GpclAVoE2Ac/s1600-h/369.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fHdAeBveI/AAAAAAAAAQs/GpclAVoE2Ac/s320/369.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181329197469122018" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fI2weBvhI/AAAAAAAAARE/2pfpdSyBvBs/s1600-h/379.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fI2weBvhI/AAAAAAAAARE/2pfpdSyBvBs/s320/379.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181330739362381330" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fI2QeBvgI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/YhC7-uDfuuU/s1600-h/381.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fI2QeBvgI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/YhC7-uDfuuU/s320/381.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181330730772446722" border="0" /></a>Bon Viveurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02063257156024007383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8065746631523154537.post-80158555278121292292008-03-24T07:49:00.001-07:002008-08-25T22:26:20.725-07:00Craving Ice-cream in HokkaidoIts winter in Hokkaido, Japan and what's the best snack to have? Ice cream of course! Lest you think I'm jesting, chilly climes make the best weather for ensuring that your cone doesn't melt off on you before you can finish it up.<br /><br />But of course, the above rhetoric is merely an excuse to sample the smooth, velvety ice cream that Hokkaido has to offer. Some of the memorable finds:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1. Milk cones.</span><br />Hokkaido is famed for its milk and dairy products, so if you are ever within the vicinity of the Trappistine Convent while visiting Hakodate City in Hokkaido, do drop by this nondescript, teeny shop at the foot of the convent. Sample the fresh milk and of course, the milk-flavored ice-cream cones. This shop is actually rather famous for its creamy milk cones and people do make a special pilgrimage to the store just for it. And it's only one flavor on tap - milk. Yes, the milk taste is so divine, you don't need to mask it with the wishy-washy chocolate or strawberry flavorings. So if you're the sort who'll track to Île Saint-Louis while you're in Paris for the famed Berthillion ice-cream, this little outpost could be a stop on your Hakodate itinerary. Disclaimer: Having said that, I'm not saying that these milk cones are comparable to Berthillion ices. I wouldn't know, I have yet to try Berthillion. Damn!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fD2weBvcI/AAAAAAAAAQc/Lj_TrPoeLY8/s1600-h/PICT0202.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fD2weBvcI/AAAAAAAAAQc/Lj_TrPoeLY8/s320/PICT0202.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181325241804242370" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2. Flavors you'll never expect - Cheese and Potato </span><br />Yes, that's not the flavor on some packet of crisps or biscuits, but two novel flavors of ice cream. And the flavors go really well, chilled. Reminds me a bit of molecular gastronomy - the familiar tastes presented in unexpected forms. Hokkaido is famous for its dairy produce (thus, cheese) and potatoes. And once you eaten enough of the food in Hokkaido, you'll find that most of its stuff have a "sweet" quality to it. So yes, the cheese tastes sweet, the potato tastes sweet, even the scallop and salmon taste sweet! And this is not for a lack of vocabulary or range of taste buds on my end. So you'll discover that the "sweet" cheese and sweet-tasting potato can become credible flavor options for ice cream, as natural as you would have vanilla or chocolate.<br /><br />Bought these at some random convenience store at a Tomamu ski resort. I really digged the potato flavored one!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fBkweBvUI/AAAAAAAAAPc/H7TClCMPBDo/s1600-h/PICT0122.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fBkweBvUI/AAAAAAAAAPc/H7TClCMPBDo/s320/PICT0122.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181322733543341378" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fBlQeBvVI/AAAAAAAAAPk/KJ9B14kxSbk/s1600-h/PICT0118.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fBlQeBvVI/AAAAAAAAAPk/KJ9B14kxSbk/s320/PICT0118.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181322742133275986" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fBlweBvWI/AAAAAAAAAPs/rEMbhdyQzwA/s1600-h/PICT0119.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fBlweBvWI/AAAAAAAAAPs/rEMbhdyQzwA/s320/PICT0119.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181322750723210594" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3. And it just keeps getting weirder - Squid Ink ice cream<br /></span>Yeah, you heard it right. Squid. Ink. And as you can see, the ice cream retains the representative inky black colour of, what else, squid ink. The ice cream tasted rather nice actually, no weird tastes shocks here. To be honest, it tasted just like a nice, creamy confection. I couldn't really detect the squid ink, save for a slight savoury tinge. But then again, I don't know exactly how squid ink tastes like. I've tried squid ink pasta and arroz negro before, but you can't really isolate the squid ink taste in these dishes either, it's usually mixed in with all the other flavors. So, the squid ink ice cream is actually rather gimmicky. Perhaps good for a dare on an unsuspecting visiting friend or tourist? But that aside, the squid ink crepe I had, did make for an enjoyable mid-day snack.<br /><br />Game to try them at the famed Hakodate Morning Market (<a href="http://www.hakodate-asaichi.com/">Hakodate Asaichi</a>)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fCdweBvZI/AAAAAAAAAQE/-rxJurD-fes/s1600-h/PICT0271.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fCdweBvZI/AAAAAAAAAQE/-rxJurD-fes/s320/PICT0271.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181323712795884946" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fCdAeBvYI/AAAAAAAAAP8/b7jxYdSobhQ/s1600-h/PICT0272.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fCdAeBvYI/AAAAAAAAAP8/b7jxYdSobhQ/s320/PICT0272.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181323699910983042" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fCcQeBvXI/AAAAAAAAAP0/vASs6JLRbbs/s1600-h/PICT0274.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-fCcQeBvXI/AAAAAAAAAP0/vASs6JLRbbs/s320/PICT0274.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181323687026081138" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span>Bon Viveurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02063257156024007383noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8065746631523154537.post-59225220704416665472008-03-24T07:36:00.000-07:002008-08-25T22:14:15.441-07:00Wasabi - I just can't get enough!I adore sashimi and the ubiquitous condiment that goes with it -- the Japanese horseradish, wasabi. The green or mustardy paste just delivers such a kick to the raw fish slices.<br /><br />So imagine my unbridled delight when I came across this bottled wasabi rice topping while I was shopping at the Otaru Seafood Market. Granted, it's bottled artificial flavoring, but it captured perfectly the fiery taste of wasabi in its minuscule pellets. Concocted with sesame seeds and seaweed flakes, this "powder-mix" is highly addictive when sprinkled liberally on top a bowl of fragrant, steamed white rice! Barely a month back from my trip, I've nearly emptied my bottle. Really regretted not stocking up on more!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-e-iQeBvRI/AAAAAAAAAPE/9PPJcrjc35o/s1600-h/257.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-e-iQeBvRI/AAAAAAAAAPE/9PPJcrjc35o/s320/257.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181319392058785042" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-e-0geBvSI/AAAAAAAAAPM/KRTvO-i3EjY/s1600-h/258.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-e-0geBvSI/AAAAAAAAAPM/KRTvO-i3EjY/s320/258.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181319705591397666" border="0" /> </a>Bon Viveurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02063257156024007383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8065746631523154537.post-31521708836458258292008-03-24T06:23:00.000-07:002008-08-25T22:13:40.098-07:00Genius Invention - Liquid PlasterI get nicked by paper cuts habitually and always lament the restrictions of the regular band-aid, where it's usually too big for the teeny cuts or does not conform well to the contours of the odd corners of the finger.<br /><br />So I was delighted when I was introduced to the liquid plaster/bandage while I was in Hokkaido. Simply wash and wipe your cut and apply a thin layer of the liquid plaster and wait to dry. This way, you can ensure that the cut is fully protected, whatever weird angle it is located. Also, no more mucking around with over-sized plasters and stuffy bandages. The liquid plaster film will slough off naturally over time. As an added bonus the liquid has disinfectant qualities, great for wound-healing.<br /><br />The Coloskin below is in a squeeze-tube form, but have come across other brands, some come with a convenient brush applicator. The liquid plaster can be easily found in pharmacies and costs around 700 - 900 yen.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-e6rweBvPI/AAAAAAAAAO0/J2NhWI4Ue0E/s1600-h/362.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-e6rweBvPI/AAAAAAAAAO0/J2NhWI4Ue0E/s320/362.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181315157221031154" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-exNQeBvNI/AAAAAAAAAOk/kQN4TmLct1E/s1600-h/360.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R-exNQeBvNI/AAAAAAAAAOk/kQN4TmLct1E/s320/360.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181304737630371026" border="0" /></a>Bon Viveurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02063257156024007383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8065746631523154537.post-62025016903279123202007-12-29T07:52:00.000-08:002008-08-25T22:42:07.288-07:00Snipping a bob in Guangzhou<span style="font-weight: bold;">Le Salon, <a href="http://www.thegardenhotel.com.cn/">Garden Hotel</a>, Guangzhou<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R3ZwMJkk8SI/AAAAAAAAANw/mam8eUfUfwE/s1600-h/entrance.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R3ZwMJkk8SI/AAAAAAAAANw/mam8eUfUfwE/s320/entrance.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5149426577974817058" border="0" /></a><br /><br />You've probably heard of the trendy hair salons in Hong Kong and Shanghai. But do you know that such a salon exists in food haven Guangzhou too? Well, at least I didn't, till I stepped foot into <a href="http://www.thegardenhotel.com.cn/">Garden Hotel</a> and chanced upon Le Salon (of no relation to the Kim Robinson's Le Salon, the owner simply called it thus because he liked the generic French name of it).<br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R3ZwUJkk8TI/AAAAAAAAAN4/aVmYwrpgJOc/s1600-h/main1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R3ZwUJkk8TI/AAAAAAAAAN4/aVmYwrpgJOc/s320/main1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5149426715413770546" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R3Zwa5kk8UI/AAAAAAAAAOA/PLZcVb-CLm4/s1600-h/main2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R3Zwa5kk8UI/AAAAAAAAAOA/PLZcVb-CLm4/s320/main2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5149426831377887554" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I had wanted to snip one of those trendy concave bob hair-styles that Hong Kong stylists are so adept at (again, an assumption I made based purely on personal observations, seeing that you can easily spot a great bob haircut on the streets of Hong Kong). So it was sheer serendipity that while waiting for my table at Peach Blossom Restaurant (<a href="http://bonvivantsu.blogspot.com/2007/11/place-to-yum-cha-in-guangzhou.html">see post</a>), I wandered into Le Salon and met owner-cum-artistic director, Jac Miller. It was pretty early in the day, so he had no appointments and I had sufficient leisure time to spare after my meal, and thus a promising haircut appointment was made.<br /><br />Like the rest of <a href="http://www.thegardenhotel.com.cn/">Garden Hotel</a>, Le Salon's interiors were elegant and comfortable. I was showed to a private styling room whereby I was pampered with my own private TV, the ubiquitous stash of magazines and a bonus glass panelled view of some spot of greenery.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R3Zwhpkk8VI/AAAAAAAAAOI/lfslaSv5PfY/s1600-h/Pte+Rm.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R3Zwhpkk8VI/AAAAAAAAAOI/lfslaSv5PfY/s320/Pte+Rm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5149426947342004562" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I paid RMB 320 (USD 44, SGD 64) which I think was a great bargain for an artistic director's cut and I also had one of those good, invigorating, massage hair-washes that China is known for. Jac is actually an Indonesian-Chinese that hails from Hong Kong. He trained in London and has 20-odd years of experience, honing his skills in Hong Kong. So no worries about miscommunication due to lack of Chinese proficiency. Jac speaks English, Mandarin and Cantonese.<br /><br />Owner-cum-artistic director, Jac Miller<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R3Zwn5kk8WI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/yC7uzNYUiDo/s1600-h/stylist.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R3Zwn5kk8WI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/yC7uzNYUiDo/s320/stylist.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5149427054716186978" border="0" /></a><br /><br />As Jac still returns to Hong Kong to service his loyal customers, he travels to and fro between Hong Kong and Guangzhou. Also, he charges cheaper for his services in Guangzhou, half the price of what he charges in Hong Kong. If you'll like to request for Jac's services, you may wish to call beforehand to pre-book.<br /><br />When I visited the salon in September, I was told that it was newly opened just 6 months ago and plans are afoot to open one more salon at the shopping and commercial district of Tianhe, Guangzhou.<br /><br />Le Salon<br />Address: Shop P08, The Garden Hotel, No. 368 Huanshi Dong Lu, Guangzhou.<br />Tel: (020) 83338989-3444; Mobile: 13433990621<br />Email: jacmiller_lesalon@yahoo.com.cn<br /></div>Bon Viveurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02063257156024007383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8065746631523154537.post-8937351270130963762007-11-24T06:32:00.000-08:002011-05-14T20:27:59.810-07:00The Place to Yum Cha in Guangzhou!<span style="font-weight: bold;">Dim Sum Brunch at <a href="http://www.thegardenhotel.com.cn/the_peach_blossom.php">The Peach Blossom</a> </span><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0hJ1IeyANI/AAAAAAAAAME/UOwd2anbSog/s1600-h/entrance.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0hJ1IeyANI/AAAAAAAAAME/UOwd2anbSog/s400/entrance.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136436552174534866" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />Sometimes you encounter certain dining experiences that are sheer splendour in every aspect - from the refine grandeur of the restaurant to the faultless service to the exquisiteness of the cuisine. Experiences that make you feel so pampered and indulgent that you forget your penny-pinching ways and become gladly obliged to spend a little, live a little and feel that every extravagant penny was well-spent.<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0hKe4eyARI/AAAAAAAAAMk/2QGbjoIGi8I/s1600-h/rest4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0hKe4eyARI/AAAAAAAAAMk/2QGbjoIGi8I/s200/rest4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136437269434073362" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0hKEoeyAOI/AAAAAAAAAMM/hwJUyQocz7o/s1600-h/rest1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0hKEoeyAOI/AAAAAAAAAMM/hwJUyQocz7o/s200/rest1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136436818462507234" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0hKSYeyAQI/AAAAAAAAAMc/DZP1TSvJcFo/s1600-h/rest3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0hKSYeyAQI/AAAAAAAAAMc/DZP1TSvJcFo/s200/rest3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136437054685708546" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0hKk4eyASI/AAAAAAAAAMs/xUOg0rRO1IE/s1600-h/rest5.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0hKk4eyASI/AAAAAAAAAMs/xUOg0rRO1IE/s200/rest5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136437372513288482" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0hKLoeyAPI/AAAAAAAAAMU/EHirQC6Zljg/s1600-h/rest2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0hKLoeyAPI/AAAAAAAAAMU/EHirQC6Zljg/s200/rest2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136436938721591538" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0hLL4eyAUI/AAAAAAAAAM8/2ytXwDBDjp8/s1600-h/DS.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0hLL4eyAUI/AAAAAAAAAM8/2ytXwDBDjp8/s200/DS.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136438042528186690" border="0" /></a><br /><br />What exactly am I driving at, with my effusive drivel? Experiencing yum cha at <a href="http://www.thegardenhotel.com.cn/the_peach_blossom.php">The Peach Blossom</a> restaurant, that is.<br /><br />The usual suspects of dim sum that we regularly order back home, such as the braised chicken feet, rice-flour roll and braised spare-ribs were executed impeccably.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0hK_oeyATI/AAAAAAAAAM0/7RoXFNUyYTw/s1600-h/menu.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0hK_oeyATI/AAAAAAAAAM0/7RoXFNUyYTw/s200/menu.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136437832074789170" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0hLVYeyAVI/AAAAAAAAANE/khMag13fhXE/s1600-h/DS1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0hLVYeyAVI/AAAAAAAAANE/khMag13fhXE/s200/DS1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136438205736943954" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0hLcYeyAWI/AAAAAAAAANM/WwvYWLiVGNQ/s1600-h/DS2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0hLcYeyAWI/AAAAAAAAANM/WwvYWLiVGNQ/s200/DS2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136438325996028258" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0hLg4eyAXI/AAAAAAAAANU/ioRgKCu68WU/s1600-h/DS3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0hLg4eyAXI/AAAAAAAAANU/ioRgKCu68WU/s200/DS3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136438403305439602" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R02OlYeyAZI/AAAAAAAAANo/sb8LJIdrsvk/s1600-h/dessert.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R02OlYeyAZI/AAAAAAAAANo/sb8LJIdrsvk/s200/dessert.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5137919522777465234" border="0" /></a><br /><br />But the dim sum of note were the egg tart and the speciality of papaya puff pastry. Both sweet dim sum dishes were done to crumbly (crust), quivering (soft, custard filling) perfection. I highly recommend these two dishes as must-tries!<br /></div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0hLyoeyAYI/AAAAAAAAANc/Ljj3GMd_IQo/s1600-h/tarts.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0hLyoeyAYI/AAAAAAAAANc/Ljj3GMd_IQo/s400/tarts.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136438708248117634" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">We had 8 dishes and tea and the meal came up to RMB 280 (approx USD 40, SGD 55). The tea we had actually contributed to almost half of the cost. I suppose it was a superior grade of tea, thus the hefty charges. The pot of Dong Ting Biluo Chun we had, cost RMB 96.<br /></div><br />The <a href="http://www.thegardenhotel.com.cn/the_peach_blossom.php">Peach Blossom</a> is located on the 3rd floor of <a href="http://www.thegardenhotel.com.cn/">The Garden Hotel</a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">, at 368 Huanshi Dong Lu.<br />Tel: 83877789, 83338989~3316 3317.<br /></span></span> <strong style="font-weight: normal;">Business Hours:</strong><br />7:00 am to 11:30 am (Breakfast)<br />11:30 am to 2:30 pm (Lunch)<br />5:30 pm to 10:30 pm (Dinner)<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">website: </span>http://www.thegardenhotel.com.cn/the_peach_blossom.php<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:85%;">* note: </span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yum Cha</span> is a Cantonese tradition. They typically start the day with a morning yum cha, which means a meal consisting of tea and dim sum. Some restaurants also offer all-day yum cha, so people can conveniently feast on dim sum either in the morning, as afternoon tea or as supper snack.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dim Sum </span>(点心) literally translates to "touch the heart" in Mandarin, a fittingly poetic name that refers to a variety of exquisitely prepared small-item snacks.</span><br /></div>Bon Viveurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02063257156024007383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8065746631523154537.post-22420727077804127332007-11-22T22:02:00.000-08:002008-08-25T22:42:59.780-07:00On-board the train from Guangzhou to Hong Kong<span style="font-weight: bold;">On-board the <a href="http://www.it3.kcrc.com/B2C/frmIndex.asp?strLang=Eng">Ktt</a></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0ZvPIex_4I/AAAAAAAAAJc/QJKtMRPXhTE/s1600-h/ktt.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0ZvPIex_4I/AAAAAAAAAJc/QJKtMRPXhTE/s400/ktt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135914730827939714" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Took a train ride from Guangzhou to Hong Kong The journey was a convenient and comfortable ride.<br /><br />There are 3 train companies that ply the Guangdong Line - <a href="http://www.it3.kcrc.com/B2C/frmIndex.asp?strLang=Eng">Ktt</a> ( owned by Hong Kong operator KCRC) , Xinshishu and Semi-high Speed (the later two are owned by China Mainland railway authority).<br /><br />All Guangzhou-Hong Kong trains depart from the Guangzhou East Station and arrive at the Hung Hom Station in Kowloon, Hong Kong. The journeys take about 2 hours; longer if your train stopover at Dong Guan (Chang Ping station) and shorter if it's a direct train.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0Z5doeyAII/AAAAAAAAALc/o3qIVTCRVOY/s1600-h/train+tkt.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0Z5doeyAII/AAAAAAAAALc/o3qIVTCRVOY/s400/train+tkt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135925975052320898" border="0" /></a><br /><br />It was my first time travelling by train in China, so I played it safe by getting the most expensive ticket, hoping that this will translate into a safer, more comfortable ride. And it was money well spent. Bought the Premium Class tickets on-board the direct-service Ktt at HKD 230 (approx USD30, SGD43) for a single trip.<br /><br />The train were relatively well-kept and standards were akin to some of the better trains I've taken in Europe. The seats in the Premium Class were spacious and comfortable.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0Zz2IeyAEI/AAAAAAAAAK8/IvDd8zcF31w/s1600-h/Premium.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0Zz2IeyAEI/AAAAAAAAAK8/IvDd8zcF31w/s200/Premium.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135919798889349186" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0Zy0Yex_7I/AAAAAAAAAJ0/BbHNmaGYDy8/s1600-h/Seat.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0Zy0Yex_7I/AAAAAAAAAJ0/BbHNmaGYDy8/s200/Seat.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135918669312950194" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0Zypoex_6I/AAAAAAAAAJs/kMTIztItCKM/s1600-h/Aisle.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0Zypoex_6I/AAAAAAAAAJs/kMTIztItCKM/s200/Aisle.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135918484629356450" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0Zy6oex_8I/AAAAAAAAAJ8/RPhPz4Hiayk/s1600-h/singles.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0Zy6oex_8I/AAAAAAAAAJ8/RPhPz4Hiayk/s200/singles.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135918776687132610" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Even the next lower category First Class at HKD 190 (approx USD25, SGD35) had reasonably good, albeit, slightly narrower seats than Premium's.<br /></div></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0Zz8oeyAFI/AAAAAAAAALE/2cW8zeCyOjA/s1600-h/First+Class.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0Zz8oeyAFI/AAAAAAAAALE/2cW8zeCyOjA/s200/First+Class.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135919910558498898" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0Z0DIeyAGI/AAAAAAAAALM/LtWsMhHFqvU/s1600-h/First+class+seats.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0Z0DIeyAGI/AAAAAAAAALM/LtWsMhHFqvU/s200/First+class+seats.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135920022227648610" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Ticket price is inclusive of light refreshments - an offering of drinks, coffee or tea and cookies. Dining service is also available, with items on a menu card to be ordered at additional cost.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0ZzQ4ex__I/AAAAAAAAAKU/8DBsyTkzvjE/s1600-h/Snack.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0ZzQ4ex__I/AAAAAAAAAKU/8DBsyTkzvjE/s200/Snack.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135919158939222002" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0ZzJYex_-I/AAAAAAAAAKM/cewcbl5s1ps/s1600-h/Cart.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0ZzJYex_-I/AAAAAAAAAKM/cewcbl5s1ps/s200/Cart.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135919030090203106" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0Zza4eyAAI/AAAAAAAAAKc/aMZg4bZ-Q6c/s1600-h/CAtalogue.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0Zza4eyAAI/AAAAAAAAAKc/aMZg4bZ-Q6c/s200/CAtalogue.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135919330737913858" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">A gripe I have with travelling on long commutes (be it via train, plane or ship) is getting around heeding the call of nature. Without major grief or nose-pinching. So it was with great relief that I found the restrooms clean and well-maintained.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0ZzoIeyACI/AAAAAAAAAKs/CMrArX-yM1I/s1600-h/toilet.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0ZzoIeyACI/AAAAAAAAAKs/CMrArX-yM1I/s200/toilet.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135919558371180578" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0Zzt4eyADI/AAAAAAAAAK0/vJqfYGJhYdk/s1600-h/toilet2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0Zzt4eyADI/AAAAAAAAAK0/vJqfYGJhYdk/s200/toilet2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135919657155428402" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">But perhaps the thing I was most grateful for (and you would think it's a given) is that the Ktt trains have a luggage holding area. Which really helps when you're travelling with medium-sized (or larger) luggages.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0Z0R4eyAHI/AAAAAAAAALU/WhKwnoQtKM0/s1600-h/luggage.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0Z0R4eyAHI/AAAAAAAAALU/WhKwnoQtKM0/s200/luggage.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135920275630719090" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Due to schedule timing, I had to take the Xinshishu on the return journey, where the trains were unfortunately not as well-kept and I had to leave my luggage near the train doors as there isn't a designated holding area for them.<br /><br />Xinshishu<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0gtyIeyAJI/AAAAAAAAALk/cpjKbnMBFyE/s1600-h/xinseat.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0gtyIeyAJI/AAAAAAAAALk/cpjKbnMBFyE/s200/xinseat.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136405714309349522" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0gt5oeyAKI/AAAAAAAAALs/DWyPjSIqT4E/s1600-h/aisle.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0gt5oeyAKI/AAAAAAAAALs/DWyPjSIqT4E/s200/aisle.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136405843158368418" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0guIIeyAMI/AAAAAAAAAL8/kusq5n4XBBM/s1600-h/lugguage.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0guIIeyAMI/AAAAAAAAAL8/kusq5n4XBBM/s200/lugguage.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136406092266471618" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0guCoeyALI/AAAAAAAAAL0/cSvISSe11Y8/s1600-h/sink.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0guCoeyALI/AAAAAAAAAL0/cSvISSe11Y8/s200/sink.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136405997777191090" border="0" /></a><br /><br />So being the neurotic that I am, I kept checking over my shoulder every now and then to reassure myself that the luggages were not tampered with. So yeah, would definitely recommend paying abit more and taking the Ktt trains when you can, for a better ease of mind.<br /><br />The difference between the ticket price of Xinshishu (no categories; homogenised seats) and that of a Ktt Premium Class ticket is HKD 40 (approx USD5, SGD7.50) and if you travel Ktt First Class, it's the same price as a Xinshishu ticket. In my opinion, it's money well-spent for an ease of mind and hassle-free travel.<br /><br />For more information on the intercity trains, schedules and purchase, refer to <a href="http://www.it3.kcrc.com/B2C/frmIndex.asp?strLang=Eng"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">http://www.it3.kcrc.com/B2C/frmIndex.asp?strLang=Eng</span></a><br /></div>Bon Viveurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02063257156024007383noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8065746631523154537.post-48536316962346503182007-11-21T03:07:00.000-08:002008-08-25T22:43:22.817-07:00Hong Kong's 1st outlet mall<a href="http://www.citygateoutlets.com.hk/index.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Citygate Outlets</span></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0QVwIex_zI/AAAAAAAAAI0/lSD6KpNExis/s1600-h/mascot.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0QVwIex_zI/AAAAAAAAAI0/lSD6KpNExis/s200/mascot.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135253391763701554" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0QVp4ex_yI/AAAAAAAAAIs/zVoAKA_FjCQ/s1600-h/mascot+poster.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0QVp4ex_yI/AAAAAAAAAIs/zVoAKA_FjCQ/s200/mascot+poster.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135253284389519138" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0QVi4ex_xI/AAAAAAAAAIk/d-Pe43m99Wc/s1600-h/mall.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0QVi4ex_xI/AAAAAAAAAIk/d-Pe43m99Wc/s200/mall.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135253164130434834" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Situated at Lantau Island, Tung Chung, <a href="http://www.citygateoutlets.com.hk/index.html">Citygate Outlets</a> is a convenient shopping stop-over after a visit to the Giant Buddha or Disneyland. At only a mere 5-minute bus ride away from the international airport, it's also a place to squeeze in some last minute shopping before your check-in.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Given Hong Kong's reputation as a shopping paradise, it comes as a surprise that <a href="http://www.citygateoutlets.com.hk/index.html">Citygate Outlets</a> could actually lay claim to being the first and only discount outlet mall in Hong Kong. The 462, 800 square feet mall, spanning over 5 levels, opened within the last 2 years or so and carries international brands names, ranging from designer labels, to sports, accessories, children's wear and home, and purportedly offer 30% - 70% discount.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0QVaoex_wI/AAAAAAAAAIc/4ITCuELWUdI/s1600-h/lanvin.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0QVaoex_wI/AAAAAAAAAIc/4ITCuELWUdI/s200/lanvin.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135253022396514050" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0QWF4ex_3I/AAAAAAAAAJU/VBWvpJii4AY/s1600-h/vivienne.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0QWF4ex_3I/AAAAAAAAAJU/VBWvpJii4AY/s200/vivienne.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135253765425856370" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0QVGYex_tI/AAAAAAAAAIE/GWfgDuukRfo/s1600-h/folie.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0QVGYex_tI/AAAAAAAAAIE/GWfgDuukRfo/s200/folie.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135252674504163026" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0QTzYex_rI/AAAAAAAAAH0/MWvYkN2-f0Y/s1600-h/calvin+klein.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0QTzYex_rI/AAAAAAAAAH0/MWvYkN2-f0Y/s200/calvin+klein.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135251248575020722" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0QUSoex_sI/AAAAAAAAAH8/2-XSV5pHkNw/s1600-h/esprit.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0QUSoex_sI/AAAAAAAAAH8/2-XSV5pHkNw/s200/esprit.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135251785445932738" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0QTtYex_qI/AAAAAAAAAHs/2bgRCVXEGA4/s1600-h/benetton.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0QTtYex_qI/AAAAAAAAAHs/2bgRCVXEGA4/s200/benetton.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135251145495805602" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Special mention to the sprawling <a href="https://ithk.com/">I.T. Outlet</a> that just opened in August 2007, on level 1. The listed I.T. group is a popular chain of multi-brand stores that carry their own range of brands (izzue, b+ab, 5cm, Chocolate) as well as renowned designer labels, such as Marc Jacobs, cacharel, Hussein Chalayan, to cult labels - A Bathing Ape, 2K and Commes des Garcons. For more information, visit website: <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><a href="https://ithk.com/">https://ithk.com/</a><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0QVU4ex_vI/AAAAAAAAAIU/YuV6Vmf7_to/s1600-h/IT+outlet.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0QVU4ex_vI/AAAAAAAAAIU/YuV6Vmf7_to/s200/IT+outlet.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135252923612266226" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The mall also has 17 dining establishments, ranging from the usual suspects of McDonald's, KFC and the ubiquitous coffee chains (in this case, the Pacific Coffee Company) to cafes and restaurants to a food court (a grouping of several food vendors/stalls under one concept).<br /><br />I recommend the Thai restaurant located on the basement level, Golden Siam Thai Cuisine serves tasty Thai food at affordable prices. For an even cheaper alternative and more variety, the Singaporean food court chain, Food Republic offers a variety of food stalls, including some popular Singapore dishes, such as chicken rice and laksa (recipes adapted to local tastes). And if you need to grab a quick snack, there is a sprawling supermarket, Taste.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0QV7Iex_1I/AAAAAAAAAJE/vuua15pDtrE/s1600-h/thai+rest.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0QV7Iex_1I/AAAAAAAAAJE/vuua15pDtrE/s200/thai+rest.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135253580742262610" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0QVNoex_uI/AAAAAAAAAIM/4TCCrDS3YgQ/s1600-h/food+republic.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0QVNoex_uI/AAAAAAAAAIM/4TCCrDS3YgQ/s200/food+republic.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135252799058214626" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0QV2Iex_0I/AAAAAAAAAI8/uyNOWO7ffyk/s1600-h/taste.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0QV2Iex_0I/AAAAAAAAAI8/uyNOWO7ffyk/s200/taste.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135253494842916674" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The mall is most accessible via the subway MTR. Alight at Tung Chung station and link to the mall via Exit C.<br /><br />If you're travelling from Hong Kong International Airport, board buses S1, S52 or S64.<br /><br />The mall is opened from 10:00 am - 10:00 pm daily. For more information on Citygate Outlets, visit website: <a href="http://www.citygateoutlets.com.hk/index.html"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">http://www.citygateoutlets.com.hk/index.html</span></a><br /></div>Bon Viveurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02063257156024007383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8065746631523154537.post-44537036634117833022007-11-21T00:03:00.000-08:002008-08-25T22:43:43.038-07:00The Luxe Manor, Hong Kong<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0P8coex_WI/AAAAAAAAAFM/xfJ0534GlsI/s1600-h/entrance+sign.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0P8coex_WI/AAAAAAAAAFM/xfJ0534GlsI/s320/entrance+sign.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135225568965557602" border="0" /></a><br />Stayed at a relatively new boutique hotel in Hong Kong this September 2007. <a href="http://www.theluxemanor.com/">The Luxe Manor</a> is purportedly the first boutique hotel to open on the Kowloon side of Hong Kong. (The Hong Kong Island side already has its Lanson Place and Philippe Starck-inspired Jia).<br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0P9poex_ZI/AAAAAAAAAFk/y4fQ6EXxLPQ/s1600-h/luxe+facade.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0P9poex_ZI/AAAAAAAAAFk/y4fQ6EXxLPQ/s200/luxe+facade.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135226891815484818" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0P9Zoex_YI/AAAAAAAAAFc/_7RMyz2do0k/s1600-h/entrance+door.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0P9Zoex_YI/AAAAAAAAAFc/_7RMyz2do0k/s200/entrance+door.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135226616937577858" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.theluxemanor.com/">The Luxe Manor</a> is a 159-room establishment that opened its doors on December 2006 and positions itself as a luxury hotel that marries a unique "surreal concept and design" (inspired by Dali and Antonio Gaudi) with advanced technology (wireless broadband throughout hotel, wireless VoIP telephony, high definition video-on-demand, LCD flat screen TV panels, keyless room security system etc.)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0P-EIex_aI/AAAAAAAAAFs/F8-CXtQIwHw/s1600-h/lobby.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0P-EIex_aI/AAAAAAAAAFs/F8-CXtQIwHw/s200/lobby.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135227347082018210" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0P-NIex_bI/AAAAAAAAAF0/NGMtmd-0GiM/s1600-h/lobby+2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0P-NIex_bI/AAAAAAAAAF0/NGMtmd-0GiM/s200/lobby+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135227501700840882" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0P-Y4ex_cI/AAAAAAAAAF8/2fUiiy_GwJ8/s1600-h/front+desk.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0P-Y4ex_cI/AAAAAAAAAF8/2fUiiy_GwJ8/s200/front+desk.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135227703564303810" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0P-lIex_dI/AAAAAAAAAGE/7LEKutK2fSw/s1600-h/lobby+lite.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 206px; height: 154px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0P-lIex_dI/AAAAAAAAAGE/7LEKutK2fSw/s200/lobby+lite.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135227914017701330" border="0" /></a><br />I took advantage of their "winter rendezvous" special offer (valid till 31 December 2007) and booked their superior room package at HKD 950 +++ (approx USD122, SGD177), almost 50% discount off their usual rack rate.<br /><br />My main purpose in visiting Hong Kong was to do some sightseeing and shopping and the hotel was conveniently located at the heart of the bustling Tsim Sha Tsui, where you are surrounded by stretches of local boutiques and eateries. The Kowloon equivalent of the pubbing street, Lan Kwai Fong is the Knutsford Terrace, which is literally a stone's throw away, as its located right behind the hotel. The subway station of Tsim Sha Tsui is about a good 5 - 8 minute easy walk.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0P-9oex_eI/AAAAAAAAAGM/ye_WCDGDV-A/s1600-h/Bedroom.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0P-9oex_eI/AAAAAAAAAGM/ye_WCDGDV-A/s200/Bedroom.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135228334924496354" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0P_G4ex_fI/AAAAAAAAAGU/UXrKuNiYN4I/s1600-h/bedroom2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0P_G4ex_fI/AAAAAAAAAGU/UXrKuNiYN4I/s200/bedroom2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135228493838286322" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0P_YYex_gI/AAAAAAAAAGc/D4Yk0PTOq44/s1600-h/fireplace.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0P_YYex_gI/AAAAAAAAAGc/D4Yk0PTOq44/s200/fireplace.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135228794485997058" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0P_kYex_hI/AAAAAAAAAGk/7vhcsO0q_IA/s1600-h/pantry.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0P_kYex_hI/AAAAAAAAAGk/7vhcsO0q_IA/s200/pantry.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135229000644427282" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0P_2Yex_iI/AAAAAAAAAGs/xqyaSmnzgHQ/s1600-h/bathrm.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0P_2Yex_iI/AAAAAAAAAGs/xqyaSmnzgHQ/s200/bathrm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135229309882072610" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0QAC4ex_jI/AAAAAAAAAG0/-0BjCXMmh9Q/s1600-h/toilet.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0QAC4ex_jI/AAAAAAAAAG0/-0BjCXMmh9Q/s200/toilet.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135229524630437426" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0QAOYex_kI/AAAAAAAAAG8/W5F8svo0Nbk/s1600-h/rainshower.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0QAOYex_kI/AAAAAAAAAG8/W5F8svo0Nbk/s200/rainshower.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135229722198933058" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0QAcIex_lI/AAAAAAAAAHE/_va2D5W1uwQ/s1600-h/towel.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0QAcIex_lI/AAAAAAAAAHE/_va2D5W1uwQ/s200/towel.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135229958422134354" border="0" /></a><br />The superior room is a tad tiny. We had trouble fitting two medium-sized luggages on whatever little space was afforded, as the room was filled up with furnishings. Some may find the room décor a little busy, but I actually liked it and found the little touches of trompe l'oeil whimsical.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0QAooex_mI/AAAAAAAAAHM/oOg2cfT7mJs/s1600-h/aspasia.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0QAooex_mI/AAAAAAAAAHM/oOg2cfT7mJs/s200/aspasia.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135230173170499170" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0QAvoex_nI/AAAAAAAAAHU/_Ngv8ShI4mA/s1600-h/Aspasia+table.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0QAvoex_nI/AAAAAAAAAHU/_Ngv8ShI4mA/s200/Aspasia+table.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135230293429583474" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0QBA4ex_oI/AAAAAAAAAHc/gQj-XB5tAZQ/s1600-h/aspasia+bf.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0QBA4ex_oI/AAAAAAAAAHc/gQj-XB5tAZQ/s200/aspasia+bf.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135230589782326914" border="0" /></a><br />The special offer package also came with complimentary breakfast at the hotel's current sole-standing restaurant, Aspasia. The hotel, being a cosy, boutique establishment doesn't boast of much facilities (no swimming pool, although there is supposedly a gym that I hadn't check out, only one restaurant so far but there is a business centre). They do try to make up for it by adding little touches such as daily evening turn-down service that puts little plates of cookies or cakes in your room; scented lobby that offers much respite from the assault of olfactory senses by the street smells.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0QBTYex_pI/AAAAAAAAAHk/Uu8OKkGticg/s1600-h/turn+down+svc.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0QBTYex_pI/AAAAAAAAAHk/Uu8OKkGticg/s200/turn+down+svc.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135230907609906834" border="0" /></a><br />Service-wise, mostly unobtrusive. All in all, I had a pleasant stay.<br /><br /></div>For more information on <a href="http://www.theluxemanor.com/">The Luxe Manor</a>, refer to website: <a href="http://www.theluxemanor.com/"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">http://www.theluxemanor.com/</span></a>Bon Viveurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02063257156024007383noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8065746631523154537.post-85767401415109321392007-11-20T11:05:00.000-08:002008-08-25T22:18:58.529-07:00The Art of TravelJust wish to share some excerpts from one of my favourite books. An illuminating read on travel. <a href="http://www.alaindebotton.com/">Alain de Botton</a>'s The Art of Travel shares a philosophical and erudite take on travel and inspired me to view travel in fresh ways.<br /><br />Picture of the book, as taken off Alain de Botton's website: <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><a href="http://www.alaindebotton.com/">http://www.alaindebotton.com</a><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0MxJIex_CI/AAAAAAAAACs/rFOLjtDKfLM/s1600-h/cover_travel.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0MxJIex_CI/AAAAAAAAACs/rFOLjtDKfLM/s320/cover_travel.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135002033097669666" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">"If our lives are dominated by a search for happiness, then perhaps few activities reveal much about the dynamics of this quest ... than our travels.</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"> They express ... an understanding of what life might be about, outside the constraints of work and the struggle for survival."</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">"Journeys are the midwives of thought. Few places are more conducive to internal conversations than a moving plane, ship or train.<br /><br />Introspective reflections which are liable to stall are helped along by the flow of the landscape."</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">"In the more fugitive, trivial association of the word exotic, the charm of a foreign place arises from the simple idea of novelty and change ... we may value foreign elements not only because they are new, but because they seem to accord more faithfully with our identity and commitments than anything our homeland could provide.<br /><br />What we find exotic abroad may be what we hunger for in vain at home."</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">"If drawing had value even when it was practised by people with no talent, it was ... because drawing could teach us to see: to notice rather than to look. In the process of re-creating with our own hand what lies before our eyes, we seem naturally to move from a position of observing beauty in a loose way to one where we acquire a deep understanding of its constituent parts and hence more secure memories of it."</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"></span></div><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><br /></span>Bon Viveurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02063257156024007383noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8065746631523154537.post-38108496184383217312007-11-20T09:09:00.000-08:002008-08-25T22:19:38.467-07:00More good & cheap eats in Osaka<span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.endo-sushi.com/">Endo Sushi</a> (</span><strong><span style="font-weight: bold;">ゑんどう寿司)<br /><br /></span></strong><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0MbJIex-8I/AAAAAAAAAB8/s78LzjzwiIY/s1600-h/Entrance.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0MbJIex-8I/AAAAAAAAAB8/s78LzjzwiIY/s320/Entrance.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134977843841858498" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br />For fresh, good and cheap sushi, you can't go far with <a href="http://www.endo-sushi.com/">Endo Sushi</a>, located at the Osaka Central Wholesale Market. This venerated sushi joint has a history spanning 100 years and is a favourite with locals. The location can be a little out of the way for most travellers as it's not located near any tourist attraction or shopping district.<br /><br /></span></strong><strong></strong></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0MmtYex-_I/AAAAAAAAACU/RfoiquSCP3Q/s1600-h/bar.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0MmtYex-_I/AAAAAAAAACU/RfoiquSCP3Q/s320/bar.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134990561240022002" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br />But it makes for a worthwhile trip to start your day right with platefuls of fresh, delectable sushi. Do take note that the staff hardly speaks any English, save for the affable owner, who speaks at most, a smattering of phrases such as "Set?" (to enquire if you're having </span></strong><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">the sushi set, which comes with tea, miso soup and sushi), "More?", and "Where are you from?". You get the idea.<br /><br /></span></strong><strong></strong></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0MmiIex--I/AAAAAAAAACM/TVRP5BYAjtY/s1600-h/owner.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0MmiIex--I/AAAAAAAAACM/TVRP5BYAjtY/s320/owner.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134990367966493666" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br />The sushi comes served as a mixed plate of 5 different types. The chef takes note to change the variety of sushi with each new plate ordered, keeping only the toro (tuna belly) consistently available on each plate. Each plate costs ¥1000 (approx USD 9, SGD 13). The sushi is served slightly different from what we were used to, as the rice was still warm (apparently a testament to the popularity of the sushi. To meet the orders, there is simply no time for the rice to cool.) and there is no wasabi (grated horseradish) available on the tables, only soyu (soy sauce which you apply with a brush. It's communal, so the "no double-dipping" policy applies here) and gari (pickled ginger).<br /><br /></span></strong><strong></strong></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0Mm5Iex_AI/AAAAAAAAACc/26tT3apWC3Q/s1600-h/set.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0Mm5Iex_AI/AAAAAAAAACc/26tT3apWC3Q/s320/set.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134990763103484930" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br />Eating the sushi becomes a fun challenge as each new plate of sushi gets stacked on top of the emptied plates, letting you keep count of the number of plates, hence the number of pieces you've devoured. We noted that every other diner ate a minimal of 3 plates each. At this point, my travel companion, having enjoyed his sushi so much, joked that he would ask the owner what is the most number of plates anyone has eaten at one sitting, so he could issue a challenge to top that number and leave his mark on Endo Sushi (and possibly have his picture taken and framed up on the wall, alongside that of the Japanese celebrities).<br /><br /></span></strong><strong></strong></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0MoxIex_BI/AAAAAAAAACk/saN5GynIeLw/s1600-h/stack.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0MoxIex_BI/AAAAAAAAACk/saN5GynIeLw/s320/stack.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134992824687787026" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br />After much wild gesticulation to communicate our question across, we received the answer from the owner: <span style="font-weight: bold;">30 plates</span>. The ravenous culprit in question? <span style="font-weight: bold;">A sumo wrestler</span>. Needless to say, my travel companion wisely forgo his proposition.</span></strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.endo-sushi.com/">Endo Sushi Restaurant</a> is located near the car park to the left of the Central Wholesale Market. </span></strong><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">It's about a 10-minute walk from Noda Station on the JR Loop line. It's also accessible via subway on the Sennichimae Line, exit Tamagawa station. The market can be a little tricky to navigate, but you can do what we did and pop into a hotel or police station along the way to ask for directions (please carry a map and it'll probably help to note down the hiragana characters of Endo </span></strong><strong>ゑんどう寿司 </strong><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">and the kanji name of the Central Wholesale Market</span></strong><strong> </strong><span style="font-weight: bold;">中央市場</span><strong>). </strong><br /></div><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></strong><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">Address: 1-1-86 Noda, Fukushima-ku.<br />Tel: 06-6461-7773.<br />Opening hours: 5am to 2pm (closed on Sundays).<br /></span></strong><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">Website: <a href="http://www.endo-sushi.com/">http://www.endo-sushi.com</a><br /><br />Picture </span></strong><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">taken from <a href="http://www.endo-sushi.com/">www.endo-sushi.com</a></span></strong><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">, showing the Market façade and the location of Endo, indicated by the red arrow.<br /><br /></span></strong><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0MlBoex-9I/AAAAAAAAACE/y3pCYAv04Vo/s1600-h/maps.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0MlBoex-9I/AAAAAAAAACE/y3pCYAv04Vo/s320/maps.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134988710109117394" border="0" /></a><br /><strong></strong><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></strong>Bon Viveurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02063257156024007383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8065746631523154537.post-27624798734737721152007-11-20T07:16:00.000-08:002008-08-25T22:20:16.355-07:00To eat cheaply & well in Osaka<span style="font-weight: bold;">Kinryu Ramen / Golden Dragon Ramen 金龍<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0L_Eoex-4I/AAAAAAAAABc/pjxLX572888/s1600-h/kinryu2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0L_Eoex-4I/AAAAAAAAABc/pjxLX572888/s320/kinryu2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134946980206869378" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0L-x4ex-3I/AAAAAAAAABU/E54ME_LeilA/s1600-h/kinryu.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 349px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0L-x4ex-3I/AAAAAAAAABU/E54ME_LeilA/s320/kinryu.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134946658084322162" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Looking for good and cheap eats in Osaka? Head to any one of the three Kinryu Ramen stalls in Dotonburi. Hard to miss with the gigantic 3D fibreglass dragon sprawled overhead the stalls.<br /><br />Order via a coin-slot machine, the ¥600 (approx USD 5.50, SGD 8) or the ¥900 (approx USD 8, SGD 12) noodle soup (with char siew –roasted pork. Highly recommended, worth paying an extra ¥300 for the delightful slices of char siew).<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0L_gYex-5I/AAAAAAAAABk/YuoA13ai_nA/s1600-h/machine.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0L_gYex-5I/AAAAAAAAABk/YuoA13ai_nA/s320/machine.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134947456948239250" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">The kick is in the complimentary self-service array of condiments. Help yourself to the pepper, garlic, Kimchi (Korean-styled spicy pickled cabbage) and chilli-pickled chives, mix them up with your ramen and savour the goodness of the resulting broth. Satisfy your craving any time as the outlets are open 24hours.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0L_1Iex-6I/AAAAAAAAABs/tXytx_iw1mQ/s1600-h/stall.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0L_1Iex-6I/AAAAAAAAABs/tXytx_iw1mQ/s320/stall.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134947813430524834" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0MAAIex-7I/AAAAAAAAAB0/F_YE-JpD7tA/s1600-h/ramen.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 287px; height: 239px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0MAAIex-7I/AAAAAAAAAB0/F_YE-JpD7tA/s320/ramen.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134948002409085874" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">As my travel companions and I stayed nearby at the Swissotel Nankai (a good hotel linked conveniently to the Namba station and located in the prime food and entertainment district of Namba), we often braved the wintry winds to satiate our supper cravings for Kinryu ramen. Once, we encountered a group of Hong Kong tourists who cabbed all the way in the dead of the night for two bowls of ramen each. They devoured the first bowl, then ordered a second, only to drink up the broth, leaving the noodles intact. A unfortunate waste of good noodles, but I understand their craving for a second bowl of the hearty broth. The soup stock of pork bones tasted divine!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Dotonburi (<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="t_nihongo_kanji" lang="ja">道頓堀</span><span class="t_nihongo_norom" style="display: none;"><span class="t_nihongo_comma" style="display: none;">,</span> <i><span class="t_nihongo_romaji"><b>Dōtonbori</b></span></i></span></span>) is a shopping/restaurant street located in the Namba district, accessible via the subway. Exit either Namba station (なんば駅) or Shinsaibashi station (心斎橋駅) on the red Midosuji (<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="t_nihongo_kanji" lang="ja">御堂筋線</span><span class="t_nihongo_comma" style="display: none;">,</span>) </span>line.</div>Bon Viveurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02063257156024007383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8065746631523154537.post-55622126379047109812007-11-20T06:57:00.001-08:002008-08-25T22:20:47.751-07:00In Anticipation of Travel<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0Pkaoex_TI/AAAAAAAAAE0/8_T9P09FrFE/s1600-h/hep5.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0Pkaoex_TI/AAAAAAAAAE0/8_T9P09FrFE/s200/hep5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135199146326752562" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0PkT4ex_SI/AAAAAAAAAEs/Dblh2Jn7PfI/s1600-h/kabukicho.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0PkT4ex_SI/AAAAAAAAAEs/Dblh2Jn7PfI/s200/kabukicho.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135199030362635554" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0PlCYex_VI/AAAAAAAAAFE/9JObrKwJTvw/s1600-h/pachink.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0PlCYex_VI/AAAAAAAAAFE/9JObrKwJTvw/s200/pachink.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135199829226552658" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0PkkIex_UI/AAAAAAAAAE8/8K0YyZ2EiZs/s1600-h/tenshinbashi.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 158px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0PkkIex_UI/AAAAAAAAAE8/8K0YyZ2EiZs/s200/tenshinbashi.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135199309535509826" border="0" /></a><br />I’m planning a trip to Osaka, Japan this February. I’ve got the tickets and accommodation booked and I have been doing so much reading up on Osaka, that I feel like I’m almost there already!<br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />Yes, I’m experiencing that foremost emotion of travel - the excitement that wells up in the soon-to-be traveller, the imaginings of all that the fore coming trip promises to be, the impulsion to pack the bags and head there immediately - I’m talking about the anticipation of travel.<br /><br />For most of us, travelling overseas for holiday is something done on a well-earned break. It is a departure from the norm, a getaway from the usual drone of the daily grind. It is time to rest and relax, to indulge and have fun. It is a grand time to look forward to.<br /><br />Which is why so much is invested on an upcoming trip, especially so when you’re travelling free and easy and planning your own itinerary. Not only do you have the holiday experiences to look forward to when you finally arrive at the destination, you’ll also have to choose your own activities and plan your own schedule. This research and planning stage serves as an appetizer that titillates the travel palate and arouses the wanderlust curiosity, all conspiring to cook up a frenzy of excitement, heralding the upcoming trip. And the correlation is direct; the more research and planning done for the trip, in the other words, the more time and effort invested to <span style="font-style: italic;">ante-trip</span>, the greater become your expectations of the trip and the more intense your anticipation of it.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ante-trip</span><br /><br />Fortified with information culled from travellers’ tales, the internet, books, magazines and TV travelogues, my impressions of Osaka were building up bit by bit, and my expectations brimming to a hilt.<br /><br />This will be my first time visiting Osaka and third time to Japan, the first two times being Tokyo. I’ve read that one way for travellers to prime their expectations of Osaka is to take note that the city is often referred to as the anti-capital. Osaka is everything that Tokyo isn’t and most importantly, Osaka isn’t another Tokyo.<br /><br />For starters, Tokyo is located in the Kanto region, while Osaka is further west, in the heart of the Kansai region. Osakans speak a different Japanese from Tokyoites, expressing themselves more succinctly in the Kansai dialect of Osaka-ben. Tokyo is historically the seat of the political and military power in Japan, while Osaka has traditionally been the centre of commerce and city of merchants. The Osakan way of greeting best sums up their mercantile roots. Instead of the usual “Konni-chiwa” (hello), Osakans acknowledge each other with “Mokari-makka?” which translates to, “Are you earning any money?” to which you would reply “Bochi Bochi Denna”, which means “A little here and there”. And while Tokyoites prefer to be politely politically correct and reserved, Osakans are known to be louder, straight forward and more forthcoming. The difference even stretches to the way they ride the escalators, with Tokyoites keeping to their left while Osakans stick to their right.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Kuidaore</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0PhYYex_II/AAAAAAAAADc/sEi4djwqAOs/s1600-h/okono.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0PhYYex_II/AAAAAAAAADc/sEi4djwqAOs/s200/okono.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135195809137163394" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0PiSYex_LI/AAAAAAAAAD0/MrCogzoNcio/s1600-h/fugu.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 170px; height: 118px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0PiSYex_LI/AAAAAAAAAD0/MrCogzoNcio/s200/fugu.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135196805569576114" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0Php4ex_JI/AAAAAAAAADk/QDBYTg9N9zU/s1600-h/kani+meal.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0Php4ex_JI/AAAAAAAAADk/QDBYTg9N9zU/s200/kani+meal.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135196109784874130" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0Ph3oex_KI/AAAAAAAAADs/6BFvIrXIEho/s1600-h/bento.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 219px; height: 199px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0Ph3oex_KI/AAAAAAAAADs/6BFvIrXIEho/s200/bento.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135196346008075426" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Much has been written about Osaka’s kuidaore culture. There is a popular Japanese saying that goes: Tokyo people ruin themselves by overspending on footwear (hakidaore), Kyoto people on clothing (kidaore), while Osaka people on food (kuidaore).”<br /><br />To be honest, when I first came across this saying, my eyes lit up. Being quite a glutton myself, I am ecstatic with the promise of Osaka turning out to be a food obsessed city. I imagine meeting and dining among kindred souls who would share my boundless love for food with fondness.<br /><br />I further trawl the net for specific food recommendations, to take note of the not-to-be-missed delights that I must savour when I am finally there. My searches throw up a melange of cheap eats and snacks, – Takoyaki, griddled octopus balls. “Not to be missed”, hails one finding; “experience frying your own Japanese-styled pancake with an Okonomiyaki meal”, enthuses another – lunch recommendations, - the guidebooks list Oshizushi, compressed box-sushi unique to Osaka; Kitsune Udon, fat noodles served simply with sheets of sweet beancurd – and dinners to splurge on – “savour the fugu (blowfish) feast at Zuboraya” opines a food critic; “you must visit my top recommendation, Kani Doraku and have the succulent crabs” a blogger suggests. My eyes shine, my lips glisten and I find myself subconsciously licking my lips, working up an appetite just collating the list of food items.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">City sensory overload</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0Pjj4ex_PI/AAAAAAAAAEU/N1aVH9IDw8E/s1600-h/osakajo.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0Pjj4ex_PI/AAAAAAAAAEU/N1aVH9IDw8E/s200/osakajo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135198205728914674" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Combing through the images and photographs of Osaka, I gather what are some of the more iconic images of Osaka. The usual suspects of the city’s tourist attractions turned up in pictures of the Osaka Castle, Universal Studios, Kaiyukan Aquarium and the ilk.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0Pi1oex_NI/AAAAAAAAAEE/bRDB0-LVlK4/s1600-h/kani.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 173px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0Pi1oex_NI/AAAAAAAAAEE/bRDB0-LVlK4/s200/kani.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135197411159964882" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0PitYex_MI/AAAAAAAAAD8/RS4GUZDV1EQ/s1600-h/clown.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 174px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0PitYex_MI/AAAAAAAAAD8/RS4GUZDV1EQ/s200/clown.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135197269426044098" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0PjSIex_OI/AAAAAAAAAEM/w7Y6b2zQ67w/s1600-h/signage.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0PjSIex_OI/AAAAAAAAAEM/w7Y6b2zQ67w/s200/signage.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135197900786236642" border="0" /></a><br />But strangely, it seems Osaka may be best represented by images of colourful neon signage and over-the-top, 3 dimensional displays of mechanical fibreglass creatures. Recurring photographs of the Neon-lit running Glico Man billboard in foodie heaven, Dotonbori and that of a gigantic mechanical crab overhead a restaurant made the most indelible impression. That countless photographers see fit to capture the images of eatery signages, testify to the food haven reputation of Osaka. Photographs of not just mechanical crabs, but sprawling fibreglass dragons, octopuses and blowfish lanterns, all sitting pretty above the eateries they are representing, jostle for space in the gallery of Osaka images.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0PHfIex_FI/AAAAAAAAADE/QMX0inSMzYc/s1600-h/osaka.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0PHfIex_FI/AAAAAAAAADE/QMX0inSMzYc/s400/osaka.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135167337798958162" border="0" /></a><br />It is also said that Osaka is best appreciated after dusk. Once the sun sets, the grey metropolis with its nondescript concrete skyscrapers springs into life with its vibrant displays of colourful neon signs. Osaka also seems beloved for its night spectacle of neon light displays. The Glico Running Man is just one of the more favoured and enduring display. It seems apt that many travellers have photographed the Running Man for keepsake. From everything I have read, heard and seen of Osaka (short of being physically there, of course), this metropolis seems to be populated with loud, hard-partying denizens and is a place of frenetic, kinetic energy – a city that can possibly be justifiably represented by an over-the-top display of a glaringly-lit man in motion.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The mundane takes on an Osakan twist</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0Pj1Iex_QI/AAAAAAAAAEc/PAeohGBd8fU/s1600-h/ume+1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0Pj1Iex_QI/AAAAAAAAAEc/PAeohGBd8fU/s200/ume+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135198502081658114" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0Pj-Iex_RI/AAAAAAAAAEk/knhTyps2S1E/s1600-h/ume+2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p26hpyM71zA/R0Pj-Iex_RI/AAAAAAAAAEk/knhTyps2S1E/s200/ume+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135198656700480786" border="0" /></a><br />From the day I started planning for the trip, each day is heralded as another day closer to departure date. As the days count by, with the anticipation of the trip ever-present in my subconscious, I find myself appreciating the everyday things in a new light. Any information, experience or event remotely related to Osaka or even Japan, suddenly seem pertinent. General knowledge and otherwise objective information suddenly seem highly apropos. Current affairs news about the warmer climes bringing about shorter winters and thus earlier blooming of Ume, Plum Blossoms bring unbridled cheer. I rejoice in the news and gleefully add on the possibility of Ume-viewing to my To-Do list.<br /><br />Through my planning and waiting for the fore coming trip, it seems I have already took off on the departure flight and am onboard my travel – albeit an anticipatory travel.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">* The above was written way back in Jan 2007, when I fancied the notion of trying out for travel writing. However, never got round to submitting the above nor post it anywhere. So here it is now. </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">In Anticipation of Travel</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">, as inspired by a chapter in </span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">"<a href="http://bonvivantsu.blogspot.com/2007/11/art-of-travel.html">The Art of Travel</a>"</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">, a great book for travel enthusiasts by the way.</span></span><br /></div>Bon Viveurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02063257156024007383noreply@blogger.com0