Monday, November 1, 2010

Tokyo Disneyland Halloween!

The weather was kind to us on Friday, allowing us to make a visit to Disney Sea even with the typhoon warnings.

The place where dreams come true! I felt like a kid again at the Disney Sea Halloween themed park!

View of the house of terror!
We waited all day for the Mysterious Masquerade. where apparently, to secure seats for the show, you have to go through a lottery process!
Pictures speak for themselves. There really is nothing much to describe about Disney. Though we did not get to sit on most of the terrifying rides due to the super over hour long queue, I thoroughly enjoyed myself!

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Pierre Herme Macarons!


I was strongly recommended to try this out in Tokyo and did not think much about it until I found a branch by accident at Isetan in Shinjuku!
Brother bought 6 of them for me because I did not get a chance to buy them before I left for KL and I just popped one of them into my mouth. Seriously, they're worth the almost RM100 bucks for the 6 pieces (I was told by mom thats how much they cost) - absolutely beautiful!!!!

Thursday, October 28, 2010

TOKYO TOKYO

Ok, so it's been almost 4 days since I got into Tokyo. Having been here for the 4th time now, and not being too adventurous this round as it's a family holiday, I did not venture far.

Spent day 1 at Showa Kinen Park in a town calle Tachikawa- wandering the gardens, looking at greens and the 'Kosmos' flowers!

Stayed with mom's friend for a night before moving to the hotel to meet up with the rest of the family the next day. On the very first night, I had what would have been one of the best tasting unagi rice which can be eating just with rice, with some accompanyments or with o-cha soup base. And yes, they have the best deep fried eel bones! Yum! ( Will do a write up on this restaurant pretty soon - regrettably, I forgot to take the address only the phone no - but it's walking distance from the Takorozawa station)


I am rushing out for breakfast now and taking a long ride to Asakusa for the day and hopefully be able to get tickets to Disney Sea tomorrow for the Halloween special before I'm back home to KL.
More pics to come soon.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME

One more year before i hit the big 3-0.

Spent this year in Jakarta. Nothing spectacular. Bought myself a nice dinner dress- which after conversion cost less than RM300.

Finally changed hotel rooms after 2 sleepless nights from the fuc**d up electrical wirings that would suddenly light up the floor lamp and door bell once the air con started making weird 'tak tak' noises!

I have made my wish. For the past 2 years - my wishes have come true. I am hoping this would too and last a lifetime!

Monday, October 18, 2010

In Jakarta

Everytime I am super unenthusiatic when I have to work in Jakarta. This time is probably a little bit of an exception.

Had a 'interesting' Saturday checking out the so called POLO RALPH LAUREN in Jakarta with Jason and Mary and debating whether it's the genuine PLR shops with Sass - the ladies polo only cost abt RM40 after discount. Those who frequent JKT would know that there is a very similiar concept that goes by the brand POLO. Ventured down to Taman Anggrek -Noticed the shop design and layout is different but the the shirts look ..oh well can't really tell the difference. Heard that someone bought like 1/2 dozen and took it back to the shops in KL to verify and was told they are genuine!

Sunday, had a crazy shopping day out buying baby stuff (no not for me! no where near there) at Mangga Dua. First time there with Shirleen, my Indo friend and we had an awfully great time selecting all the baby stuff. Finally something for myself (oh well tee hee, minus the PLR Tee I got) at Grand Indonesia. Minus the afternoon crowd, it can be pleasant shopping, as almost everything under the sun seems to be sold there!
Really, all sorts of funny stuff can be found here - vanilla smell blackberry covers!

Yep, I'm too lazy to turn the photos - my bling bling doraemon cover. At only 25,000 Rupiah, no wonder the blings are dropping off fast ..

Just 4 more days to go. I can't wait to start the family holiday in Tokyo and have a in Taipei. Shilin Fried Chicken....HERE I COMMMMMMMMMME

Blogging should resume to it's normal mode once I get into my HO-LEE-DAY mooodd yeah baby..bring it on!

Friday, October 1, 2010

NASI LEMAK LUNCH!!!!

His royal highness who loves nasi lemak would be sooo envious!
It's that time of the year after Raya...where our beloved Kakak from office makes us yummmmmmylicious nasi lemak...1 chicken wing, 1 drumstick, a lot of sambal sotong later, I'm stuffed and very satisfied.

Great way to end the Friday! Can't wait to meet my buddies tonight for a big feast!!

Thursday, September 30, 2010

OMG

I had completely forgotten to blog....

No excuses...just been too lazy and caught up with some personal stuff.

Blog will be right back on track next week!

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Meiji Copan Garlic Toast


This snack is soooo delicious you cant get enough of it. Found it at the little japanese snack place beside Madam Kuan in Mid Valley. They were doing a promotion RM9.90 for 3 packets (either garlic toast or chilli toast). I bought 1 while Jo got 2 with the chilli and reckons the chilli tastes way better, but to me, this garlic toast is already super addictive. Really have to get it if you're a fan of garlic toasts/ bread. YUMMMMMMMYYYYYY!!!!!

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Anvien, Ho Chi Minh

Of my 10 dinners in HCM, dining at An Vien must have been one of my favourites as I had dinner twice here. Prices are considered high here but nevertheless worth every single cent paid. An average person would probably spend about RM50 having a decent meal here. Do try to bring more people along to be able to savour more of their very delicious dishes. Pictures below are of dishes we tried the 2 times we were there.

Located in a little alley, I believe, it's not hard to get the taxi to bring you there.

The restaruant settings were nice and elegant - totally in line with the top notch food they serve!

Deep fried fish cakes. Superb!!! Dont know why they don't serve it with any chili sauce on the side but nevertheless deep fried till crispy brown.

The crab meat glass noodle - probably one of the better ones I've tried. Not too salty, just the right amount of crab meat and served with lots of greens.

This has got to be one of my favourties - grilled pork and accompanied with crispy rice cakes.

This is apparently the right way to eat it - make a hole in the middle, stuff the tender pork in between and bite into it. Yum!

Also indulge yourself in these rice cakes - topped with something that tasted like shrimps (I can't remember exactly the viet name for it), but do look on the first page of the menu and look for the last dish!

As mentioned earlier, back in KL, the sugarcan prawns never come with greens and rice paper rolls. In Vietnam, i was informed, it's a norm.

The soft shell crabs were juicy, meaty and just fantastic. I'm not too big a fan of soft shell crabs, but they're nothing like some of the scrawny, over fried ones we get here!!

We only had dessert once - which was the coconut caramel (can't remember if it's exactly what it's called) - it's taste's very similiar to chendol, just that it comes in a pudding form and good enough, it was not served too sweet!


Overall conclusion: I love this place. Both times I was stuffed after dinner! And a must visit if you're in HCM - even if you're on a budget trip...

Address: 178 Hai Ba Trung, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Tel: 824-3777

Friday, September 3, 2010

Lemongrass, Ho Chi Minh

Rated 9 out of 221 restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City and recommended by a client, we decided to give Lemongrass a try on our second last night (out of 10) in HCMC.
Nicely decorated, a little Victorian, was my first impression of this place as we made our way to the first floor as G was already packed. There's a lady on the G floor that entertains you with music from a instrument that somewhat resembles an er-hu.
Just 2 of us, there was really not a lot we could order, so we settled mainly for dishes from their special menu. Noticed that most dishes in special dishes would have some lemongrass in them.

The deep fried prawn cake was fantastic and fried till golden brown. Crisp on the outside - juicy and spongy (according to my friend Wely, this is the best word to describe good fishballs) on the inside. Very very good!!!
We had the lemongrass minced crab next. In Malaysia, we just eat it straight but in Vietnam, it's standard we wrap it in rice paper rolls, basil, meehoon, vegetables amongst other greens.

We had the mussels with glass noodle next. Rather tasty and they were very generous with the mussels. We thought a bit too generous ...


And ended our meal with 'water spinach'.

The bill came up to about 400,000 VND which after calculation about RM60 ++ including tea. Again, if you're not game for the road side stalls and dont mind paying a bit more for better quality food in a nice ambience......Lemongrass is definitely worth trying

Address: 4 D Nguyen ThiepDong Khoi Area, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Phone No: (08) 822 0496

Monday, August 30, 2010

Nhien Spa, Ho Chi Minh

Places like Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam - you walk around the streets you see plenty of spa and massage places. They may range from the uber cheap (approx RM20 per hour) to the downright high class poshy spas.

Picked up some spa brochures in HCM yesterday but was recommended Nhien Spa - not sure if the lady gets commission from recommending them, but she did mention that they are reasonably priced with excellent service and popular amongst the tourists.

I decided to give it a go anyway as they offer free hotel pick up from District 1. (Call: 091 8169043 for reservation and free pick up).

The spa is only about 5 minutes drive from the Sofitel. The spa on first impression - nothing too impressive or attracted by it, but you will be greeted by friendly staff as you step into their spa.

A range of services are offered - from facial to massages and packages. I wanted to try the 1 hr ginger massage (USD 16) but the lady there cautioned that it may be too hot and suggested the hot stone at USD15 (which is more or less like the prices of a decent massage in KL). Tea and ginger sweets are served while the lady recommends you one of their many services offered.

Strangely, they had 2 people in the room all times during my massage, one to position the stones and help around and the masseur herself. She did a good job the whole 1 hour and pressure was just right (they would ask you before hand). It's probably one of the better hot stone massages I've tried. The best - they have that hot little beanie case they put to cover your eyes, totally relaxing. And if you tell them to focus at problem areas (back, shoulders e.g - they actually do listen)


Overall, it was a really relaxing experience and would love to go again if I have the time. Truly recommended if you're willing to pay a bit more and not fussed about an average looking spa.

Sunday, August 29, 2010

La Cantine, Ho Chi Minh


Thinking that HCM would have a strong French influence, of course we wanted to try some nice French food. To my surprise, not many people can actually give you a name of a decent French restaurant. Nevertheless, after asking around for almost a week, we stopped by La Cantine (On the 6) on Dong Khoi for lunch after Cu Chi tunnels on Saturday.

You could opt for either ala carte or the set menu. We opted for the cheapest set (USD 15++) on the 1st floor. Ground floor serves Vietnamese food mainly, we were told whilst 1st floor is Western/ French.
A post looking place with professional waiters/ waitresses, we sure hope the food would be as good as the place looks.
Bread and butter was served before the set. Boy, was it delicious. Fresh from the oven .
The starter was a choice between some vegetable (brocolli if I remember correctly) soup or Chicken Caesar Salad. The dressing was not too rich, greens were fresh and chicken portion just right.
Then we could choose between sea bass or beef. Although, we had ordered the beef bedium rare, it came out a tad too cooked, but nevertheless, the gravy was delicious. Beef however, was not as tender as we'd expected it to be.
Frofiterols for dessert. Best of the lunch! Topped with chocolate sauce and accompanied by ice cream - the perfect way to end a delightful Saturday lunch.
If you're not extremely particular about food, this is a good place to spend a lazy Saturday afternoon in HCM after a city tour or shopping around District 1.