Life of a Lil Notti Monkey

Laduree, Paris

2012-01-28T10:40:00.000+08:00

ohhhh this elegant exquisite name is alwiz associated with MACARONS!!!!
well they are after all the FATHER of MACARONS!!!!

okie technically macarons was invented ages ago, but it was Laduree who got this idea of using 2 pieces of macarons and sandwiched them in between fillings of lovely ganache

Laduree was established in 1862 by Louis Ernest Laduree
they were bought over by the Holder group who also owns PAUL bakery
with such takeover, one can expect massive investment and heavy expansion
so Laduree is available these days in almost important cities
like Geneva, Monaco, Zurich, Tokyo, UK, US, Italy and also a few Arabian countries

today they have expanded to more tea salons, pastry shop, ice cream parlour
and their very first beauty lines of makeup will be launched next month in JAPAN!!!!
all the makeup collection will be inspired from the lovely colors from all its Macarons creations

usually in betwee shopping or sight seeing, we'll take a coffee/tea break

in any country that we visit even in Asia
so in Asia we'll do the Asian style
*read bout our Thai tea break in Bangkok last year here*

Coffees in the middle of the day is compulsory for us :P
yep we are coffee addicts...without one in the morning, the entire day gonna be unproductive
so another cuppa in the afternoon or after meals are like a booster
however we dun have coffee after 5pm, unless it's a decaffeinated

generally most ppl do tat
this has prompted Starbucks to revamp its business module
it has been announced this week that they will be selling a different type of brew - alcohols
else the number of customers decline as the sun sets....
I wonder if this gonna happen in Malaysia...hmmm....

now let's set our eyes back to Laduree and this sweet lil tart
Lemon Tart
there's too many items I wanna stuff my face with...but I can only choose one
*esp with JS's slitted eyes staring at me*

I'm a sucker for tarts so tarts it'll be
but...but..there's so many tarts!!!!
GAH from apples to berries to cream based, custard ones, with toppings and meringues
GAH!!!!!
decisions decisions decisions

it's even more difficult that getting a nice pair of shoes or that oh-ahhh-bag
coz if I really like them, i'll just get the same in different colors
*which I usually do*
but with food....it's perishable and my tummy has got such limited storage...
maybe 20 years down the road, scientists would have invented an external stomach
*u know the way how external disk works*

the lemon custard fillings were silky smooth....
once it's on ur tongue the curd just glides and danced in ur mouth
almost like eating butter
bit with a lemony tang

only setback was it's way too sweet but french lurve their pastries SWEET!!!!

but still better than the Greeks....I get toothache eating Greek pastries
its crust was pretty good too

perhaps time to horn my baking skills and try some other tarts again
the oven at home been zzzz way too long
tee hee hee

Do take some time and visit their beautiful lady-liked website
so u can continue to drool at their products :P
www.laduree.fr

Mount St Michel, France

2012-01-27T08:43:00.000+08:00

a picture of Mont St Michel, beautifully composed by JS
we only brought one camera to visit this place, while the other one was left in Paris
been using Paris as our base this trip.....even the bellboy at the hotel know us that we'll leave heaps of luggage for them as we journeyed to other cities and countries

I alwiz joked with them in my horrible french, not to hurt their backs with my super-heavy-can-die luggage bags *all 8 pieces*
they shrugged it off and luffed out loud coz it's part of their job

Since I dun have a camera, an iPhone can do too :P
make use of wat u have and surprisingly the iPhone 4s takes fantastic pics

oh...I should re-phrase my sentence...
with such FANTASTIC VIEW any tom dick and harry can snap amazing pics with any tom dick and harry gadgets :P
agree?? :))))

my friend told me it looked like Disneyland hahahahahaha
indeed....prollie Walt Disney got inspired by it?

Mount St Michel had been a fort since the ancient time
against the...well who else....the English
coz this sea = English Channel
and from the top of this mountain, u can see Southern Britain

Okie Dokie.....time to scale the mountain!!!
yipeeeeee

I can say we've almost scaled every mountain we could during this trip
taken all sorts of jelly-fying cable car rides
eaten everything
drunk the best wines
hiked and climbed for the 1st time in my life
very rewarding :)))))

Looks like mission impossible
hey Mr. Sea Gull, can u take me up there????

the entire place was built around this rocky island back in the 6th century
due to erosion the surrounding rocks gave in to sea water and only stronger ones like granites remained
this erosion process took millions of years since the dinousaur age

so basically u r marveling at the creation of GOD and Nature
the rock island I meant....the rest of the structure was built by human's hands *of coz*
we are given the most precious thing = LIFE
with it, we can do a lot of wonders
so folks never give up in life :)))))

Mr. Sea Gull tried to fly but the wind was too strong
he just flapped his wings and the wind carried him motionless like this
so cute :P

it's like flying a kite....where it stays motionlessly on the sky
but this one has got an altitude of 30 cm above ground *remember Johnny English and his helicopter ride?"

and Monkey must not give up too
started walking towards the fort at the top like a hero with JS tailgating behind

I felt like I was transformed back to medieval time

everything changes but nothing changes.....sounds familiar?

it's like ur lips changed, but ur kisses never age

as I stomped my feet happily I was brought back in time

to experience the same feeling as those ancient ppl did

how they went about life on this lil small rocky island

horses galloping on the rocky pavement

the sounds and sights of children running

and the harsh weather they endured here

Today, it's thronged with tourists and pilgrims around the world

rows after rows of souvenirs shop selling pointy pokey Mount St Michel memorabilia

this reminded me of Duomo in Milan case back in 2009

*click here to read how farnie it was*

so I guess souvenirs can be harmful after all huh?

While JS was tail-gating me.....Monkey was tail-gating this doggie

it was so wet and slippery, she fell down so many times

poor doggie

in fact the best shoes to visit Mount St Michel is actually gummy boots

coz this place is alwiz full of seawater :P

well u never know

admiring the rocks

stacked by men

survived through the centuries and WARS

I touched it and they felt so cold

it's as though it's telling me the stories it endured and survived

Bee Boo Bee Boo Bee Boo *sound of the ambulance's siren*
huffed puffed
taking a 30 seconds break

JS was rolling his eyes and comparing me with those white hair aunties and balding uncles
"look at them!!! they r so much fitter than u!!!!"
grrrrRRRRrrrrrrrrrr

Climbing the last bit before reaching up to the abbey

due to the weather condition, the rocky walls are alwiz covered in moss

wow wat a giant water tap!!!!!!!!

is this for the fire brigade????

and wat a tiny door

were they hobbits????

huffed and puffed

okie.....almost there.....the last few steps to go!!!!!

huffed....puffed......

u can see there's lesser ppl on the pic as we ascend...coz many of them gave up halfway and sat on those benches

ekekekekkekekeekkekeeekek

so folks, visit and walk the Earth while u care fit and able :)))))))

Okie to be fair....I took some short breaks too :P

pffffttttttttttttt

tee hee heee

what????

finally.....

WOW~~~~~~ I was so scared but still wanna look down

the mainland with a temporary connection/bridge to the rock island

this will be destroyed soon bcoz the government will be building a small pedestrian hanging bridge to connect this small island

They realised with this connection road, it has jeopardised the environment

water and sediments sat on the bank

nothing moves....

really bad for the environment

a small stream of water heading out to the sea

years ago, u can only reach this island by foot when the tide is low

due to tourism and commercialisation they have built the connecting road

and now they have decided to destruct it

well.....

let's hope they'll find a solution soon before all the sediments gonna accumulate here till Mount St Michel is an island-no-more!!!!!

the Abbey of Mount St Michel

the gold statue of Archangel Michael at the top of the spire

he was mentioned in Christianity, Judaism and Islam

it has alwiz provoked such curiosity in me when it comes to these 3 religions

a friend actually encouraged me to do more readings and learning on those 3

being a lazy me...I opt to visit Israel anytime instead :P

ok ok ok I've promised u, I'll go and do more readings about it :)))))

jelly-fied terrified horrified look

GAH!!!!!!

those ppl down there were so tiny :P

on a clear day u can see the southern port of Britain

it's such a strategic point as a fort

no wonder it was never conquered even during the hundred year wars

with smaller fort posts surrounding this tiny island

"Hey look we can walk down there!!! I wanna go I wanna go I wanna go!!!!!"

JS -_-"

we spent about half an hour up here

speechless

nothing to say when ur mind, eyes and soul were busy absorbing all these

the winter chill air hit our face

moisture and humidity fr the sea coated our hair till it's damp

beyond this....we stood motionlessly staring at the view

:)))))))))))

JS said if he's an soldier, he wanna be stationed on this post/corner

hahahahahahahahaha

coz it has got the best view of both sun rise and sun set

but I was bz pointing at those small lil ppl down there walking on the sandy banks/beach

and yelled..."hey come back!!!! the tide is gonna come up soon!!!! come back!!!!"

JS: "Don't think they understand english.....someone will get them...dun u kepoh."

next to the abbey was a beautiful courtyard with an even more beautiful garden

this garden has got a beautiful view too...

wat a bliss

I just wanna sit down here with a cup of coffee and a good book

perhaps it's time I get down to those books on religion

just the right ambience

GAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

okie don't worry, there was a sheet of glass there

else the wind alone can blow me outta this courtyard

trying his hands on some mechanism

it actually moved!!!!!

shhhhh pls don't tell the caretaker of this place...

we were not supposed to touch anything :P

the wheels is a pulley system to transport things from the bottom of the rock island up here

it has got a wooden track

Later, we explored the whole place including nooks and corner where no tourists go to
its beautiful herb garden
its storage
catacombs
inside the medieval abbey
basically everywhere

I'm still as mischievous as alwiz
since young I'll walked all over my school which was an old convent
including areas forbidden to anyone
coz there's just too many ghost stories that certain corners were sealed....
but this Monkey....tsk tsk tsk....she's the GREATEST GHOST in school lar!!!!

then we arrived at the back door of the rocky island...
"Hey look....more paths to more places....let's go!!!!"

leaving civilisation behind, which was pretty medieval as u can see fr the pic above
both JS & Monkey walked down to have better look and feel of the English Channel

then JS stopped Monkey
nope...he didn't see any ghosts or some dead ancient warriors without his head

it was this....DANGER KEEP OUT!!!

we checked our respective watches...and saw that there's only one more hour left before the TIDE comes in!!!!!!

yea there's a tidal schedule/table, u must alwiz check before going anywhere around this island

and that includes parking ur car at the right place

u dun want it to go drowning in the sea water...

insurance dun pay u know!!!!

the Tide comes up to this level 2x a day

there's 2 tides a day

well if u wanna read more about tidal system, pls google it

certain seas in the world has got one tide a day

while some don't even have TIDE at all!!!!!

but on a normal one it's usually 2x

at the back of the island there's more post guards tower like this
with really large hooks to anchor big ships
so this was a dock back then
:))))
I'm so glad we walked here and discover these

only set back was the sand was soft and muddy
there's a lot of warnings of quick sand
so we didn't wanna take the risk
after all there's only 2 of us back here and even if we yelled, no one can hear us except Mr. Sea Gull

so we watched sun set together
and watch the tide comes in
:))))))))

what a beautiful sight......
aaaaaAAaaaaaaaa

later we hurried ourselves to catch the last bus back to Rennes
else we gonna be stranded on this rocky island for the nite
the last bus leaves at 5.30pm

What a memorable journey up to Mount St Michel
We were so happy to be here :)))))
and hope u had enjoyed this posting

for more readings, go to their official website:
www.ot-mountsaintmichel.com

Journey to Mount St. Michel, France

2012-01-26T09:22:00.000+08:00

*pic stolen fr the web*

Remember this??? when I posted about it months ago *click here to read*

gosh how time flies and that was almost 2 months already

so today we will share with you on our journey to this wonderful mystical place

Mount St. Michel

It's alwiz wise to ask a local where to go and what to do

in fact this place was never in our itinerary until we asked Monsieur Denis of Bollinger Champagne

we wanted to venture somewhere new in France and of interested worthy sight seeings and FOOD!!!!

food alwiz have to be part of its package hahahahah

Monsieur Denis then recommended a few small town

especially Rennes a lil town in North West of France

it's a place where he'll go for relaxation

and so after that conversation, we hit the internet to find more information

JS was so eager n keen that he dragged Monkey straight to the kiosk to get First Class train tickets

it's alwiz good to plan early bcoz when u purchase early, ur First Class ticket is only half price

HUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

booked our hotel in Rennes and read more about interesting places there

soon pics of Mount St. Michel were plastered all over my iPad

"Hey look!!! I saw this on TV before!!!! we must go!!!!"

yeah I know we were so prompt rite?

it's alwiz our style to hit one city, find out more from locals and venture to a new place.

it happened in Barcelona and now in France.

so 2 weeks after the above conversation....and also after venturing to other places in France, UK and Spain.....we were once again back in France and all prepared for Mount St. Michel!!!

the fast train takes about 2 hours to Rennes, one of the most connected city in Brittany

from there u can hop onto a bus to Mount St Michel

Bus station was just across the road fr the train station

here I was waiting at the bus with some tourists from Japan

Mount St Michel is very famous among the Japanese bcoz it is a sister city of Hatsukaichi in Hiroshima

the surrounding, topography and visuals were highly used in Japanese Games

some games also featured a replica innit

Remember the lyrics to Year of the Cat by Al Stewart?

"and the bus and the tourists are gone"

heheheheh if u dun plan ur trip well and check the schedule, this will happen

we were reading on some travel forums, some tourists were stranded coz they missed the last bus or train at certain smaller towns

JS & Monkey alwiz alwiz alwiz find the most efficient connections between trains to trains or to buses

well even flights so that we dun waste time

our 11.30 bus came early and left on the dot!!!!
very punctual :))))
u need to prepare exact change for the driver
they dun speak english but one can communicate in the international universal language - hand and sign language.....hahahahahahaahahaha

the bus was very clean and comfortable....
even the windows were spotless!!!!!
can't remember the last time I took public bus but this ride was a very comfortable one
they even make us wear seat belts.....no standing up while the bus is moving...
else the driver will stop the bus and come to ur seat until u r buckled up!!!!
Safety is no small matter here >.<

the journey was a pleasant one with beautiful sights along the countryside
weather in Brittany is alwiz like this
over cast sky, gloomy and wet
coz it's near to the sea, to be precise the English Channel

an hour later.....we skipped happily outta the bus and screamed...
"WE ARE HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YEAYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!"

what a beautiful sight!!!!!
beyond words....
in fact the bus went all the way and stopped us at the foot of this mount
but we walked back towards the mainland to snap more pics

it was very windy, even JS's short hair were flying in flurry

hahahahhaahhahahahahhahahhaa

he couldn't open his eyes

it was indeed very very very windy~~~~~~~

even the seagull can't open her eyes

kekekekekekkeke

and when they fly.....they just flapped their wings....and stay motionless on the air

they dun move.....coz the wind was so strong they had to flapped harder to move

else it's just a stationery flying bird on the air

it was a weird sight hahahahahahahaha

it almost noon and we were hungry

kluuuuu kluuuuuu kluuuuu~~~~~

with only 41 inhabitants on this island

meaning to say only 41 ppl live in this island u can't expect much right?

but wrong.......

there's hotels and restaurants and facilities

we went to the famous La Mere Poulard that specialised in omelette

u must be wondering....wat's so special about it

created by Annette Boutiaut in the late 19th century, this place is also a hotel

she invented this quick egg omelette to satisfy hungry visitors and it became a staple of the restaurant these days

we took some time to watch the process :)))))

hmmm the Chef has got such good complexion

flawless almost like he's wearing makeup with a tint of rose blusher....

see that huge tub over there?

it's a damn HUGE TUB of BUTTER!!!!

Brittany is also famous for butter

the best butter in the world comes fr here :))))

beautiful fresh eggs were cracked into the copper bowl to be whipped ferociously by the Chef

he used 2 whisks to add more power to his whisking efforts *macam double motor hahahaha*

and whipped in as much air as possible to make them fluffy

it's almost like making egg souffle :))))))

each cast iron pan were dunked with a generous spoonful of butter

then the whipped eggs were poured in...

and cooked in the open wood fire!!!!

wuahahahhaah my stomach(s) were crying in joy!!!!

can't wait to sink my teeth in them :))))

our appetizer of vegetables terrine and tartare
nothing to shout about coz our minds were so locked onto those EGGS!!!!!!

my LOBSTER OMELETTE!!!!!
ohhhhh look at that :)))))
it's fluffy and airy on the inside
while the outside was crusty with some burnt off the cast iron
while the lobster was so fresh and delicious

when u tear them apart....ohhhhh myyyyyy gaawwwddddd

while I was hearing "oooiissshsiiiii des ne" fr the next Japanese table...

u can only hear OMG on my table :P

if I have this for breakfast every morning...

sigh....to die for....totally worth coming here for :P

the omelette has got sufficient seasoning and taste

u can actually smell the eggie goodness innit...

each omelette is served with potatoes bacon casseroles
French prefer to use Staub instead of Le Creuset
I see more of Staub at their departmental store

I'm a slow eater...coz I enjoy my food thoroughly
every morsel every bite
and I'm alwiz appreciative towards invention, creativity, taste and ingredients being put together for any dish

while JS is the total opposite, he eats everything in such lightning speed
so usually he'll spend the rest of his meal time, snapping ugly pics of me chomping food in such unsightly manner -_-

again we were seated next to very important ppl
but don't think they are alive anymore hahahahahhaa
the above autograph was signed in 18th June 1910

the wind was crazily strong outside
while we were in the comfort of a warm room with a nice fireplace
:)))))

there's also an open air terrace/courtyard at the top floor which u can sit
but on that day it was closed due to the weather

JS ordered an apple dessert done 3 way
some apple mousse jelly, apple crumble and baked apple

I had a really yummy gooey chocolate cake :)))

well after all these yummy food we need to burn off all the calories intake

wat's better than to climb up Mount St Michel

:)))))

to be continued tomorrow.....

so do come back to read about it :))))))

Hey take some time and visit their website below

watch the video on the preparation of the omelette....

oh so heavenly :))))

c'est delicieux!!!!

La Mere Poulard

Grand Rue BP 18,

50170 Mount St Michel,

France.

Tel: 02 3389 6868

http://www.merepoulard.com/en

Los Caracoles, Barcelona

2012-01-25T10:35:00.000+08:00

Los Caracoles = snails...
when an establishment is named after a dish, u bet it has got to be the die die must eat dish
huahahahahahahahaha

closed friends actually warned us that this place is like a tourists trap
full of them
but added that a few of their dishes are pretty good
in fact Cal Pep *read bout it here* was also full of tourists

I guess when u a famous and well known internationally....this will definitely happen
and we went to Los Caracoles with an open mind.

being kiasu, we went there early before the dinner crowd begins at 9pm
oh yes...ppl here in Barcelona have their dinner at 9pm onwards
coz they need to do tapas first from 6-9pm

but no country can beat Greece when they have their dinner at 10.30pm
I almost zzzzz face down on my grilled fish back in Athens!!!!

Los Caracoles has got multiple dining hall separated
it's rustic and full of decos, memorabilia hung on walls,
photographs with autographs of famous personalities around the world dated more than 50 years ago
this place was started back in 1853 so can u imagine the wall is almost collapsing with the number of framed pics on its walls!!!!

My EYES darted left n right....and saw yes!!!!!
Roast suckling pig
teee heeeeee heeeee heeee eheeee

well whenever u r in Barcelona, must try this
they also have a variety of yummy grilled sea produce
but JS and Me decided that this is gonna be a token dinner
after so many nites and weeks of indulgence
to the point that we were scared of FOOD
yes it did happen :P

I m seated among politicians, superstars, celebrities :))))))
noticed the puffed up face??? well u kenot NOT gain weight when u r eating like this
:P
JS was counting calories as he chomped his meals while I was bz deciding wat to eat/have for our next meals
pppfffftttttt~~~~~~

so adorable!!!!
their bread in the shape of a snail :)))))

however I must say, that Catalan bread is so different from the French
not as fine as french
well I have to say that French are more artisans when it comes to food
Catalan are more hearty and rustic :)))))

some nites we just need to go alcohol-free
so alcohol free = coke *I call it American Wine*
hehehehehehehehehe

yummy yummy!!!!!
it's actually deep fried Scallions :)))))
so sweet :))))))
I can this whole plate on my own
yummier than deep fried onion rings

aaaaAAAAaaaaaa
the Caracoles = Snails!!!

it didn't have that usual earthy notes
good texture....very good I must say with crunch n bite
the sauce was rich, slightly spicy with wine notes
yummy and just mopped everything up with ur snaily bread :))))

suckling pig :))))))
the skin looked so normal but then so so so crunchy bcoz it's thin!!!
eaten with some fennel relish and grilled tomatoes

the meat was juicy and soft
surprise surprise no fat at all
I mean that layer of fat underneath its skin
its skin was crackling, while JS & Monkey were fighting over it with forks then our fingers
"Mine mine mine!!!! I'm famish!!!!"
well food do taste better when u r fighting over it don't cha?

Los Caracoles's industrial kitchen
JS fell in love with it
-_-"
"WAHHH I LIKE!!!!!!"
-_-"

look at its stove......flat for grilling all sorts of food
while the round ones are for pots and pans
notice the amber red color on the stove, they used wood fire
I wished they could open it for us to see but the kitchen was breathing fire and hot
after a brief moment were scrambling out.....
phewwww working in a kitchen like this is no joke!!!!

running out to the cooler bar area!!!!!
which is also the main entrance of the restaurant

it's fun coz they positioned the kitchen in between the dining hall and the bar
so all diners will have to walk through its kitchen first
wat a fun experience :)))))

wood fire grilled and flamed chicken~~~~
T_T
I wanted this, but JS no eat chicken
I can't even do take-away home to hotel and chomp chomp coz he can't stand the smell of chicken
T_T

thought situated at some small lanes near to La Ramblas, u kenot miss it

with its oven on the outside

Los Caracoles

Escudellers 14,

Barcelona 08002.

Tel: + 933 012 041

www.loscaracoles.es

Welcoming the Dragon 2012

2012-01-23T09:32:00.010+08:00

*pic fr wallpaper buzz*

Gong Xi Gong Xi
time to be merry and to stuff me tummy wif more food :P

Beautiful wishes to all of u,
Good Health be upon u,
Happiness and Joy!!!!

as for the wealth, success, money...well u have to work for it
kekekekekkekee

If u r wondering, it is not the Dragon year yet...
the actual day is 4th Feb 2012 and the Dragon will enter at 6.23pm
we call it...the Start of Spring

Do some readings and research folks
for the Chinese Astrology has got very interesting history, calculations etc
if u want me to elaborate more, it's gonna take very long
kekekekekekkekekeke

Gong Xi Fa Cai!!!!

Alkimia One Michelin Star

2012-01-20T09:33:00.000+08:00

We are not really a fan of molecular gastronomy
call us old and conservative but we do have our reservations on it

El Bulli the brainchild of Ferran Adria has been perpetually permanently closed

for ever and ever and ever
yes it's closed if u r still thinking of goin there someday
we were late for.....say....4 months

it is now undergoing renovation and will only reopen as an academy
reason being, El Bulli wasn't making money for the past years so they decided to close it

well with that kind of military drill and wastage on ingredients
one can imagine the amount of white asparagus used just to make one single pearl that burst in ur mouth in just under miliseconds....
sigh....

Dining in Barcelona is pretty affordable, well in Paris it will cost 3.5 times more for the same type of food and courses
so after much research and readings, we decided to make reservation at Alkimia = Alchemy in english

helmed by Chef Jordi Vila
a young talented chef who won many accolades of awards
one of the very few to modernised spanish and catalan cuisine here
he is said to be the next Ferran Adria

a deconstructed piece of Iberico ham and tomato inside the glass

Jordi Vila remove the essence off *god knows how many tomatoes* and placed them back into the glass shot with olive oil and seasoning
the crisp piece of ham was funky
so as part of the traditional courses of a Catalan Tapas, u have the ham and tomatoes...so this is it!!!

basically u can say Chef Jordi Vila is playing with techniques and creativity
using the basic ingredients
and re-intepret the traditional cuisine into a modern molecular Catalan cuisine

*Barcelonians don't consider themselves as Spaniards...they are more European and called themselves Catalonians*
**just like how Parisiens defined themselves instead of French**

another small bite of appetizer which I forgotten what it was
after the first shot of food, our expectations grew higher at Alkimia
one can't expect what to be laid on the table after such a funky 1st appetizer
even after reading from its menu....coz the menu looked so normal

there's 2 degustation menus u can choose at Alkimia

there isn't ala carte *dun say I didn't warn u*
there's the Alkimia Menu with 11 courses

and the Traditional Menu with 7 courses
coming to such a creative place with a molecular chef, u better try the Alkimia menu

even the bread was so yummy

with persimmon, nuts and some other dried fruits innit

I couldn't stop myself from piling on them

GAH!!!!!!

Tomatoes Trinxat with Codfish
it looked so pretty :))))))))))))))

usually this dish is also served at any Tapas outlet
so I have to re-iterate that dining here is like doing a high-end-tapas

but with a different format and intepretation

the fish were sous-vide I think coz it was soft and melt in ur mouth type
with crispy crumbs on top, sweet sourish tomatoes that gave this fish a different dimension

lastly those green colored garnish that came with it...
IT WAS MIND BLOWING

I was like "Wat Was THAT?????"
apparently it's some undersea algae/seaweed/chlorophyll life form

it has got a very crunchy texture and hollow body with a tang of sweetness innit

Spaghettini with seafruits

the "pasta" was made from zucchini

with loads of weird creature fr the sea

weird does not necessary mean bad but "unexplored" coz it was so new to me
including some alien looking mollusc fr the sea

the taste profile was outstanding bcoz it was like eating directly from the SEA!!!!
sweet and savoury with good texture
my only complain....I WANT MORE!!!!

next was a mushroom dish depending on the fresh ingredients of the day at the market
so there was a mixture from small to huge and variety of thickness all cooked into one
that includes that lil piece of crispy chip was made fr mushrooms

and its frothy juice
very earthy taste, even a non mushroom eater would be surprised

pickled oyster with glazed pork cheek and sauteed spinach

first of all who the hell pickled an oyster??????
but Chef Jordi Vila did and he managed to maintain its taste profile and texture
it has got a sourish taste with a slice of pickled lemon

to be eaten with the glazed pork cheek

it was a very generous portion of cheek....the whole piece of cheek each person!!!!!

when u positioned ur knife to cut it...no efforts needed...

it was almost like eating Sea Cucumber

However I found it to be too rich...well it's a damn piece of yummy succulent soft pork cheek!!!

maybe that's why the Chef used pickled oyster to balance the richness of the cheek

astounding texture of the cheek

Pieces of cuttlefish on its ink sauce

and GINGER!!!!

wow wat a surprise

well in any Tapas courses, cuttlefish cooked with its own ink is quite common

but using GINGER??? it's so Asian and he pulled it with flair

I thoroughly enjoyed this one
by separating the ink and the while cute cuttlefish actually made this dish more palate-able

instead of downing a plate/bowl of black squirmish errrr sea creature

Dublin Bay prawn with onions

just slightly grilled to maintain its natural taste
at this point, we were quite full already

especially eating late...

Spaniards/Catalonians don't eat dinner till 9.00pm

and their very first seating starts at 8.30pm

so this meal proceeded till midnight....hahahahahaha

Fish of the day with onions and black olives!!!

my favourite

just by looking at the color of the fish u knew this dish is worth every single drop of ur drool

hahahahahahahahahah
by the way it's a red mullet found only in the Mediterranean Sea and Black Sea

wow so pretty!!!!!
how do I begin?
Special Chickpeas with its skin

chickpeas are usually served before your main course in any Tapas establishment

so when this arrived, we knew main course is lurking nearby

hahahahhahahaa

later, broth were served together with the soft chickpeas

a light, heartening and yummy dish

Beef wtih mustard seed and deep fried onion rings!!!!

all the other seafood-based dishes were too oustanding that it outshone the beef
I don't mind another plate of fish hahahahhahaa

Tomatoes and cucumber gazpacho with sheep milk ice cream

this was rather weird...when we first saw it at the menu, we requested it to be changed
but the Maitre' D that we must try it because it's "different"

yep indeed it was different

too different that we couldn't accept it

yeah tomatoes and cucumber goes well

but then not as dessert

hmmm prollie the Catalonias eat this way?

the next and the last course redeemed itself
chocolate fondant with "burned" rum ice cream
despite hugging our tummies....everyone finished their piece of chocolate fondant

:))))))))))))

more desserts~~~~~

I forgotten wat it was....:P
sorry heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee :D

deep fried dough coated with sugar
another street-food served all over Barcelona just like churros
ohhhh I love Churros will post about it soon

so nice but I was just too full!!!!

but not this one!!!! ice lollies aka ice creams with nuts coated with white chocolate!!!!

nice :)))
yes the card is even nicer....I don't have it -_-

by invitations only :'((((

u can buy a house with it

Overall food experience was pretty good

they could improve on the service though
I mean for a Michelin starred establishment, there's no excuse not to be able to speak proper english
or at least communicate with your diners or serve the ladies first -_-

wine list...hmmmm nothing interesting but then again we are not so adventurous esp when it comes to Spanish wine...they have good cavas though!!!!

Alkimia Restaurant *One Michelin Star*
C/Industria 79,

Barcelona.
Tel: +00 34 9 3207 6115

www.alkimia.cat

Black Virgin of Montserrat

2012-01-19T09:09:00.000+08:00

after the 3 hours hike, we needed FOOD
so just simple quickie ones like grilled sausages with grilled herbed eggplants
*they served it with a sliced of lemon and mind u at a cafeteria*

with a bag of yummy chips

:))))))))))))

our next stop was Santa de Maria Monastery to visit the Black Madonna
one of the very few black Madonna in Europe
ooooooOOoooo that's interesting, coz I've never visited one before

the climb to its altar was quite mesmerizing with beautiful paintings on the dome,
sculptures on all sorts of marbles
how intricate!!!!!

ohhhh there she is!!!!!!
said to be carved in Jerusalem *but no confirmation on this*
visitors took turns to touch that lil globe she's holding on her right hand

*pic stolen fr the Web*

the Child Jesus sat on her lap
both the statues were protected with a bullet proof glass except her sphere
which I touched with care
:)))))))))))))))))

Later JS & Monkey sat inside the church for ages
well we tend to do that in every churches/cathedrals/chapels that we visit,

in silence......finding solitude? maybe.....
perhaps this is how it feels like to near to God?
God....are u there???

if u are here...there's nothing more that I could ask for

I am grateful to be in this World

and it is my duty to take good care of myself and loved ones
and to make full use of myself because u have already given me the most important elements which was......
LIFE
to be able to live....to laugh....to eat....to love and be loved

beautiful carvings and artwork on the ceiling of the monastery
it makes u wonder the skills and creativity involved in those days to build all these

moreover to build buildings all around this serrated mountain
to haul up materials, manpower, water etc up here....
it's amazing huh?

the more I look at it, the more astonished I was
hmmmm...........
so when there's a will there's a way
never ever give up in Life as u sail towards ur destination
do not let obstacles hinder u from your goals in life
there is no failure.....ppl fail coz they give up

a tiny cross sat at the edge of the jagged mountain
it was a really great day
very very good to be here
and this trip was one of the highlight in our itinerary

time to turn jelly again to descend down the mountain
this time no more mist nor fog to cover the valleys
the low sun was shining strongly casting shadows of Montserrat over its neighboring highlands

another cable car on its way up passed us by
I was standing next to the window this time
trying to surpass my fear for heights
having conquered my fear for errrrr 5 mins.....I felt proud
teeeee heeeee eheeeeeeee

then we looked back at Montserrat
if there's opportunity, we will definitely return
yes returning to hike up its PEAK!!!!!
:)))))))))))))
we'll come back prepared yea...with my lunch box and hiking gear :D

then we waited a couple of minutes for our city train back to Barcelona
:))))))))))))))

What a beautiful day!!!
we sat quietly next to each other inside the train

mesmerizing over the wonderful experience we had in Montserrat
and my very first hike in my life *hiak hiak hiak*

for more information on visiting Montserrat:
www.montserrat-tourist-guide.com

Ermita de St. Joan, Montserrat

2012-01-18T09:03:00.000+08:00

View of the Monastery

I thought we were at the top of this serrated mountain while at the monastery
until......JS said we are gonna head up some more

O.O
then my legs turned jelly again for we are goin higher
GAH!!!!!

later I found out the highest summit of this serrated mountain is Saint Jeroni
standing tall at 4,055 feet
I gave him this look O.O over and over O.O

JS: "What??? Mount Kinabalu is 13,455 feet high u know!!! this is nothing!!!!"
:(((((((((((((((((((((((

Furnicular de Sant Joan

the last bit we have to take a funicular to go up
coz there's no way u can go up on your own
it was so steep I almost fell off my chair about 65 degrees
also the steepest funicular in the whole of Spain

built in 1918, it has been modernised these days with glass roofs and windows for a panoramic view as u ascend up
it was a short journey of 6 minutes and I couldn't bear to look down at all

Once at the top, not the summit coz there's still another 1.5 hours hike
we were looking around n choosing the simplest route
there's 3 trails/hike which u can do

however we wanted to explore the caves and dwellings of the Hermitage of Montserrat
this whole rock mountain is a National Park

JS: "Monkey u coming??? hurry up!!!!?"
Monkey grumbled grumbled grumbled

ok that was a fake :P
JS was just posing for a pic but he had to climbed up this rock a few feet high
he was so agile like a errmmm monkey?

so the actual hike was like this!!!!!
I was so EPPY EPPY!!!!!
big wide trail for me to stomp, hop, skip about

lalalalalalalalalalalalalala~~~~~~~~~

beautiful rocks for me to cam-whore with

and we had a good Geography Lesson on the way up as we climbed
both Monkey & JS were competing on who has got the best knowledge on Rocks/Stones
Volcanic vs Conglomerate stones
types of sealives and shells stucked onto those rocks aka fossils

only thing we can't decipher was which dinosaur age were these stones from

see I told ya both of us are very competitive
but JS was very sweet and walked slowly to accommodate my tiny feet *I walked too slow*
heeeeeeeeeeeeee thank u for bringing me here yea....

there was another old trail with steps circulating these huge rocks
with no handles at all
we didn't wanna risk our lives and use that route...it was a shortcut
in the end we took our own sweet time to hike and enjoy the beautiful view :)))))

JS screamed he's at the TOP
-_-"
nope we were definitely not at the top yet
but from here u can see the whole of Catalonia

Monkey: "Hey come back!!! dun stand too near the edge!!!!"
and my legs got jelly-fied again
*again, is there such word :P*

I tip toe-ed and walk closer to enjoy wat JS saw fr his perspective
WUUUUUAAAHHHH nice but I'm too scared!!!
how did we climb up here?
GAH!!!
and my body was frozen unable to move...
JS had to pull me down to continue our hike

Monkey: "Where are we heading to now?"
JS pointed out to those huge rounded stones
"see those lil caves in that rock? we gonna climb up there."

pffftttt huffed puffed!!!!!
>.<

ok...ok...almost....and I saw this lil chapel
but then it was still quite some long way to go

we didn't wanna miss every bit of it and snapped so many pics of this place
hope u guys will enjoy it as much as we did :))))))))))))))))

WOW I think I can see my hotel from here KEKEKEKKEKEKEKE
JS frowned.........."u silly, we are facing inland....Barcelona is on the other side!!!!"
-_-
hey dun be so serious lar....kekekekkekeekke

taking a short break while enjoying a panoramic bird eye view
at this juncture JS took our his half-eaten foot long sandwich and began chomping
me = :"(( I didn't pack lunch :"((
well the view is enuff to feed me hahahahahahaha

Our hike continued....and we were inside those hermitage caves
homes to the hermit monks almost a thousand years ago

they've must been so tiny!!!

and how did they climbed all the way up here, built a chapel, home and reside here a thousand years ago???
there wasn't any funicular nor cable car!!!!

Later we descended that huge piece of rock and tried the 2nd trail to another huge rock
Can u see those tiny holes that cluster of rocks there???
well WE WERE THERE!!!!

I seriously KENOT believe it that we've climbed there!!!!!!!!
OH MY GAWD!!!!
it has to be the achievement of 2011!!!! kekekekekkekekeke

Berr was here too!!!!
:)))))))))))))))))))

Looking at those rounded rocks...I am still pondering how did we got up there???
it was quite scary though
on our journey up, we saw many Rock Climbers too, for this place is famous for this type of sports

Berr, Monkey, Rabbit and JS were here!!!!

The view from the other Rock Mountain

the lil house down there is the station for the funicular
I think it's totally worth all the trouble of getting up here
wat a spectacular view and experience
*jelly-fied experience kekekekeke*

for every beginning there is an end....
after 3 hours up here, basting in UV rays we think it's time to go down
hehehehehehehehe

we still need to get down to the Monastery to see the Black Virgin of Montserrat
I am so glad we did this :)))))))))))
What an adventure :)))))

so to be continued tomorrow.........
yes there's more to show....heheheheheheh
enjoy all the pics!!!!

Montserrat, Spain

2012-01-17T09:03:00.000+08:00

*pic stolen fr Wikipedia hehehehehe*

such jagged mountain can put FEAR to so many ppl
it looked so odd on this rather flat terrain of Catalonia
hence it is called MontSerrat = Serrated Mountain

and JS promised Monkey we will go climbing on this very beautiful sunny day
O_O
Climbing??
C.L.I.M.B.I.N.G????
O.O followed by >.< then :'((

it was rather early and I was shivering from the cold coz I was under-dressed
this mountain range was so misty and shrouded with clouds!!!

there are a few ways to get to Montserrat
tour bus, trains, funicular, cable car

we decided to be more adventurous, took the city fast train = 45 mins fr Barcelona
it stops directly at the cable car station and was really convenient
the ticket is a combo ticket so u basically need to show them ur single ticket for all your rides

we reached there about 9.40am and had to wait for a bit *in the cold*
coz the cable car only starts operation at 10am

yeah I know....my dress code and shoe-code and bag-code definitely not for climbing
:P

the cable car service was constructed on 1930 by the Germans
wow it's 80 years old!!!
is it safe???

even the cable car itself looked so 30s
there's even a name for this - Aeri de Montserrat

with a span of 1350m it takes only 5 minutes to get up to the mountain
the steepest climb is about 45 degrees
and Monkey is a person who's very very very afraid of heights.....GAH!!!!
*frankly I had the most cable car rides in Barcelona, from city centre to parks, crossed ocean etc*

when the 1st batch of "kiasu" visitors got into the cable car, everyone wanted a view while I was clinging onto the middle :P
yep the kiasu visitors are all asians, mostly Japanese

then as the cable car swayed its way slowly up
u can hear bones rattling.....well that's mine
not fr the cold but FEAR

Montserrat was covered with clouds and mist
and our cable car gonna penetrate through all of that!!!!

Montserrat is a very holy site...

one of the holiest in Spain
it was identified as the location of the HOLY GRAIL by Arthurian myth

well I don't really know if it's a myth or not but each year thousands of pilgrims thronged this holy mountain

then we emerged from all the clouds and mist and saw the serrated rocks
WAHHHH it's so sunny up here!!!!!!
My body began to warm up and I feel so much better :)))))))))))

before I know it, we are soon approaching the station
it's not the top yet but the holy Monastery is there with Abbey Monks
we gonna pay them a visit hehehehehehehe

Montserrat is also very popular with Escolania Boys Choir
it is the OLDEST boys' school choir in Europe

then JS tapped my shoulder to turn my head back
and this was wat I saw.....
worth all the bones-rattle-rattling

BEHOLD!!!!!!!!!

WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

:)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
*I don't need to write anything to describe the pic above*

with more serrated rocks everywhere!!!!
I didn't know where to feast my eyes upon!!!!

by then FEAR was gone and I was walking freely inside the 1930s Hitler-opps-I-mean-German-made cable car
trying to absorb all the beautiful scenery

the ride proved to be too short...
only 5 minutes -_-
but the amazing panaromic view...I can immerse innit for 5 hours
:)))))))))))))))))))))))

OKIE time to gather ourselves...I mean myself...
need the blood to drain back to my jellied legs
I felt so much better when my tiny feet touched the solid ground

yep when u are afraid of height that much....u really need something solid to stand on
but it didn't last long, coz for the entire day we were on this serrated mountain overlooking the plains thousands of feet down there....I felt so jelly-fied again
*is there such word?*

so I gotta feed myself first
JS had a foot long baguette with cheese and ham
*his favourite*
which he ate half, packed it into his bag to be continued when we were doin our hike
so u see he got a "packed" lunch for his hike....
and silly me being a virgin hiker didn't bring anything....only a small bottle of water
but trust me I was feeding on the sights and view...didn't need food at all!!!!!

after breakfast I was still WAH WAH-ING outside at the view
before JS pulled me to continue our visit
how can one be bored at this view????

as we continued the walk, I kept on looking back
hehehehehheheheehhehee

*pic stolen fr the Web*
First stop - the Abbey of Montserrat

the story has it...back in 880 a group of small children saw bright lights descending on this mountain
at the same time they heard angels singing with beautiful music which moved them so much and filled their hearts with so much joy
they ran home to tell their parents
the adults then went to the same site and experienced the same for about a month
so this was the sign from God they said.....

I'm not a Christian nor a religious person but standing there then
listening to the monastery church bells - which can be heard throughout the mountain
and the beautiful sights already moved me to tears

Santa Maria de Montserrat Monastery
they were having a church service then, so we decided to come back later to visit the Black Virgin Mary
*more about this on my next posting*

When I looked up, there's a lil sneak peek of the serrated mountain
with beautiful clear blue cloudless sky

JS then proceeded with lighting candles for his sister and late father

Dear Saint Veeny.....may u get well soon and all of us are with you......all the time
:)))))))))))))))))

Ignatius of Loyola in spanish it's Ignacio de Loyola
he was the founder of Society of Jesus

there are a few hotels up here.....
they are quite decent :))))))

my eyes kept on staring at those pinkish rock formation
so weird and yet so beautiful

before I have more time to admire its beauty ....
JS said: "Ok let's continue our journey and hike up."
O.O
I thought this was the highest point.....but looks like we gonna go up further!!!!

okie I will blog about it tomorrow....Montserrat part 2
hehehehehehehehehe

I am finally home after all these~~~~

2012-01-16T09:14:00.000+08:00

*pic stolen from event organiser*

Fireworks at the closing dinner and awards presentation 2 nites ago
I would like to start this posting with a "booming" pic
which was also stolen elsewhere
coz I didn't bring my camera, and the only gadget I've got there was my phone and iPad

and last nite Monkey touched down safely in KLIA fr the Mystical island at freaking 8.45pm
looking red, fatique and hungry~~~~~
trust me, the food in Langkawi could be better but it just didn't.....

*pic stolen from event organiser*

Buoys being prepared by the men every single morning
these were set out in the sea as "markers" for the race
they have their very own special speed boat that fetched them out to the sea
and floated at special designated position

well I guess they uses GPS to place them
coz the sea is so vast and it seemed so "lost" out in the open
everyday there's different races at different location around the island

*finally my own pic fr my iPhone hiak hiak hiak*

everyday the weather is looking like this....overcast early in the morning
followed by very very hot sun in the afternoon and ended up with RAIN
GAHHHHH
but this year the Regatta enjoyed very very very good wind
well in sailing u need wind dont' cha?

something I really need to post up about the hospitality on this island
everyone is so so so warm and welcoming
the Locals here are a true living example of 1Malaysia
there isn't segregation of colors, races, religion but everyone is a Malaysian here

Locals here worked as a team, together to achieve their goals
there isn't the lazy bums nor the calculative one
they worked overtime for the event with dedication
but most of all they worked so happily and joyfully with each other

Life isn't hectic
they can find time in between work and lunch hour to fetch their kids to fro school
home to work is 10 minutes away
everywhere is just so near away
and not to mention the island is also duty free

hot steamed rice, deep fried fish cooked in spicy sambal sauce with baby starfruits, stir fried cabbage with vermicelli and chili onion omelette

the above was actually "staff food"
meaning food cooked for working team members to be eaten
and definitely not for Monkey bcoz I am not considered their working member

after 3 days suffering from the "customised event" menu....I think I had enuff
*u know the usual ang moh food like chicken chop, burgers, steaks, fries, sandwiches etc*
guess my face showed so much....they actually asked me if I dun mind eating their "staff food"
and I had to ask wat's the food like for "staff food"
*hey Monkey be thankful and just eat...dun b choosy*

"Staff food" are usually served on the catering stainless steel trays to be picked up buffet style
whenever the staffs have got time to eat
and not to mentioned, served inside their hot wet kitchen

the team was SO SO SO SO SO SO DARN NICE & SWEET
they actually served it like the above to me!!!!!!!!
on a nicely roundly cut banana leaf the size of a plate
with extras like cut tomato and cucumber, topped with fried shallots and 2 pieces of papadam
I mean it's not like something gourmet but their kind thought of serving it this way

oooOoooooo trust me the "staff food" was so much more delicious than the usual chunky burgers with thick fries!!!!!
plus they didn't charge me for it -_-"

"it's staff food...it's free!!!!"
Monkey: "but I'm not even staff & took your portion plus u have got nothing to eat!!!"
"Nvm I had fried rice today :))))"
Monkey: "but u still need to charge me coz I ORDERED it"
"It's OK I'll serve the same for u tomorrow.....think it's chicken tmrw"

:)))))))))))))))))))))))))))

*pic stolen from the event organiser*

everyday all the international teams took onto the water with new determination
amid the ferocious winds, some team suffered broken sail, disappointments and lost hope
they had a great time
bcoz everyone is just so so friendly here
it's almost like there isn't a competition at all!!!!!

and finally newcomer Hooligan won the Regatta
leading the points everyday, they really deserved this

*pic stolen from Event Organiser*

and on the Final Night, it was the prize presentation
with Guest of Honor - Tun Dr. Mahathir and his beloved wife Tun Dr. Siti Hasmah
among the Royalties, all the Panglima panglima and more Tuns and Tunkus, Tan Sri Datin Sri
the list was loooOOoooong

we had a good weather that evening, watched the sunset over the horizon together
with laughter heard over the deck
yep the dinner was held under the starry starry nite at the deck with a swimming pool by the harbour

*pic stolen from Event Organiser*

and the final prize presentation to Team Hooligan
can u spot Tun Dr Mahathir next to the owner of the boat Mr. Blackmore
Mr. Blackmore is also the skipper for his team

*pic stolen from Event Organiser*

after all the formal speeches and prize presentation
it was time to let ur hair down and partay!!!!!!

well at this Duty Free island the alcos never run dry!!!!
the tap kept on flowing golden liquid be it champagne or beer
drink all u want till u can't drink no more

*pic stolen fr Event Organiser*

I've alwiz like fire blower though I've already know their tricks
hahahahaha
he actually let everyone try on it

and before I know it, the pool was full
hahahaha they were actually dancing inside the pool
arms were waving, hands were splashing, heads were swinging
guess they had too much to drink
and if u r not too careful and stand too near...
u might as well got urself pushed/pulled down
the above pic was taken METRES away with zoom hahahahaha, hence the quality

didn't matter where u came from Australia, NZ, America, Europe, or Asia
everyone had a great time and made so many new friends

Westin Resort & Spa

the next day......everyone was trying to be sober
the skippers and their team were busy washing and tying their boats
to prepare for its sail back to their home country/ next destination
Yacht Club staffs were busy unpacking and washing
and us....busy dismantling our showcases as well
ready to be shipped back to Switzerland

we managed to finish early and steal some time to chill out at Westin
of coz we didn't stay at Westin
hahahahhahahaha
at this peak period, it's just too expensive
prollie another time or at least for the final nite we'll stay here

yummy looking San Har Hor Fun at Westin
it looks yummy huh?

the hor fun was excellent with "breathe of fire"
but the huge ass prawn wasn't fresh and as usual a "heavy" complained was lodged
the waiting staff actually push the head chef out to explain to us
poor chef, he looks like he couldn't handle us so we weren't too hard on him

well another year another regatta
till we meet again folks!!!!

Excerpt from Event Organiser on a story with all the BOAT/Team name innit!!!
very creative!!!!

Once Upon a Time……

At long last all the racing in at the Royal Langkawi International Regatta had come to a close for 2012. The FREEWIND sent all the boats happily to shore where it was time to head to the CABARET in PHOENIX. The noise from the HI FI there could easily cause a TANTRUM for the whole ROYAL QUEENSLAND YACHT SQUADRON! SMYSTERY to me how NINA and EVELINE could happily dance the JING JING with a drink of BAIANA in each hand!

At the bar NIJINSKY was in BEAUX ESPRITS to be sitting next to MATA HARI and KAMALA. Then in walked that RASCAL SKANDIA, which we all suspected was only a NOM DE PLUME for WARISAN DUYONG. Nevertheless, he complained in FORTISSIMO voice how HAFFIMAN had gone out and lost MY TOY.

We knew that SMU didn't MIND THE GAP at SEA LEVEL so when he tucked the SKYBIRD into his KATSU it was inevitable that VIRGO and UTARID would come running out to meet him.

Meanwhile, that HOOLIGAN JELIK said goodbye to TEAM LANGKAWI and took a rocket out to URANUS to use the ATM for some money to get chicken at MYA/KFC at the megamall FANTASIA.

:))))))))))))))))
well I know it doesn't make sense but it was still good
:)))))))))))))))))

Food Foundry, Section 17

2012-01-13T08:00:00.000+08:00

A certain Si Fu discovered this place and introduced it to us
we came here after the sumptuous lunch which was within the vicinity, erm like walking distance away?
so no excuse not to come to Food Foundry

drooling at the above pic of Mille Crepe?
heheheheheehe

every layer was of equal thickness
one of the best Mille Crepe we ever had
plus it wasn't so sweet so it's really yummy
and moist

one more final pic to whet ur appetite
hmmm I know u r cursing me now hehehehehhehe

since to order just a slice of Mille Crepe isn't enuff we had to order another slice of Tiramisu
yup tiramisu not cheese cake
really good mascarpore cheese and so different fr the rest

Food Foundry is a quaint little cafe at Happy Mansion
serving local and western food
I would love to try more of their cooked food next - pasta, chicken gordon bleu and cajun chicken burger
oh yumsss!!!!

Food Foundry
BG-8, Happy Mansion,
Jalan 17/13,
Petaling Jaya.
Tel: +603 7955 3885
www.facebook.com/foodfoundry

I miss my Roomies!!!!

2012-01-12T08:00:00.000+08:00

My Roomies cam-whoring while Ms. Monkey was in the fitting room
notice the camera on Nee Lee's hand?
these ladies are naturals kekekekeke
sorry this posting took so long, pics was taken back in October :P
if I dun put it now.......it'll never will

Mee Mee, Nee Lee and Shell Shell
we were actually out celebrating Nee Lee XXth's birthday
after the yummy lunch we went shopping and ended up at this boutique with a nice fitting room
and a comfy couch to sit the ladies with a huge ass mirror for the to cam-whore
hehehehehe :)))))))

Finally Monkey came out fr the fitting room and we had a Happy Shot together :)))))
I've never seen them for the past 2.5 months and really really really extremely miss them!!!!!
sigh.....we must get together soon ok!!!!

:))))))))))

First Resolution Done!!!

2012-01-11T08:00:00.000+08:00

I looked at it from the far right corner...
hmmmmm......then dashed to the left corner to have another view

hmmmm again and thinking to myself....
this is it...I have finally managed to part ways with many other pairs of my shoes
to maintain the current ones

so let's crossed my fingers and hope no more new arrivals anytime soon
coz obviously u can see there are more shoes hidden behind the front-liners
kekekekekekekekekeke
and all the boots which were at another separate racks -_-"
*this one will be phase 2*

it wasn't an easy resolution but I did it
:))))))))))))
*beaming with pride*

so wat about u?
any resolutions for the year?
or at least something that u want to achieve and improve on?
:)))))

Siu Siu Restaurant, Seputeh

2012-01-10T08:00:00.018+08:00

oh....my....mother of all!!!!!!
the yummylicious to die for Yuet Gong Hor translates to "Moon Shine Flat Rice Noodle"
*this translation reminded me of "clothes that pokes eyes", if u dun get it, read it here click*

the beauty of this dish was it's so simple but to achieve this results, it takes years to master
basically the flat rice noodle is quite similar to char kuey teow but much silkier
the "breathe of fire" was amazingly thunderous!!!
almost like the cook put charcoal into the dish hahahahaha
topped with crunchy crispy pork lard
lastly, crack an egg while the noodles were still pipping hot

to eat it, u need to mix the egg and "cook" it
a must order whenever u come here

the char siew here is the sticky caramelised type but not overly sweet
some ppl like it sweet some like it burnt
but I think this place achieved a balance of both

stir fried bitter gourd with crispy pork aka "siew yoke" in black bean sauce
it's not too oily as I find other places drenched them in oil and fat
this is just nice and both the pork and bittergourd still has got texture innit

oh yea.......
steamed organic free range chicken with homemade ginger garlic sauce
I don't know if it's the chicken or the sauce
both were so competitive but definitely paired so well
the moist smooth chicken meat and the spicy gingerly garlicky sauce in oil

Cheng Loong Choi something in between spring onions and chinese chives
I dunno wat do u call this in english
just simple stir fried and it's really good

stir fried potato leaves in sambal chillis
its stalks were fat juicy and non fibrous - was a surprise to me considering its size

hua hua hua hua~~~~
my all time favourite
crispy deep fried squid loaded with salted egg yolk, curry leaves and chili padis
anytime very very welcome!!!!!

another hua hua hua for me was this deep fried thinly sliced pork belly in nam yee
nam yee = fermented beancurd
crispy and I was popping them like pop corn!!!!

this didn't look appetizing but it was darn good!!!
homemade toufu cooked in minced pork and chopped long beans

soft like toufu-fah
then I noticed that the other skin was brown coz it was pre-fried first
it has got very good fragrant too!!!!

Hokkien mee with mixture of bee hoon and fat noodle
there's crispy pork lard served separatedly on the sides

but we came for this
Claypot Crab Rice
oooOOOooooo

the pics speak for itself
huhuhuhuuhuhuhuhuhuhuhu

in the end the Grains were gone
with the crab still sitting happily on the pot
yep, we r not Crab eaters :P

Siu Siu Restaurant
15-11 Lorong Syed Putra Kiri,
50450 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: +6016 309 8038
Closed on Monday

Monkey is away.....

2012-01-09T08:00:00.000+08:00

Haul up the canvas

Set the sail

check ur steering gear

clean ur deck & hull

and off we go......

sailing out of the mystical island of Langkawi

judging fr its color...

u know that this is team Malaysia!!!!

Harimau nggaauuummmm~~~~~~ RAWRRRrrrrrr~~~~

Team from around the world will congregate again to snatch the much coveted trophy of this regatta

from United States, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Denmark, Norway.....phewww where else??? oh Thailand and Malaysia....

Monkey is away again *GAH*
for work this time

I know...I'm hardly at home
and the postings been laggin way way way behind....

from all the pics above *stolen from organiser* heheheheh
u can see the adrenalin of a Regatta

so with all these rush and hectic schedule, there's no chance for Monkey to blog
but dun worry......I promised to prepare scheduled postings for all of u to read till I come back
:))))) so u'll have something to read this entire week

so Bye for now...
hope everyone is doin great
for I'll be burning for a full 7 freaking days
drowning myself with nothing but cheap imported beer and seafood
cheers folks *hic*

:)))))))))))

Casa Batllo by Antoni Gaudi

2012-01-05T08:59:00.000+08:00

We arrived at 43 Passaig de Gracia and looked up at the weird looking building
yep we are at the right place
this is it!!! this is the building we wanna visit

the building that sticked out like a sore thumb among its neighbour
for its irregular shape and facade

we looked up and saw how weird it was....
like a screaming circus among its boring peers

I wouldn't say it was built by Antoni Gaudi
*the one that was killed by a tram while crossing the road on his way for Sunday mass :"(((*
he merely renovated an old apartment into this!!!!
this magnificent beauty which is now the National Treasure

but back at his time, it was considered something too unorthodox and beyond their time
The public dun get it.......it was an eye-sore....and not a sight to behold...
they called this....the House of Bones
sigh......

every part of this home has got a meaning

behind every curves, every tiles and every colour
be it for aesthetic or functionality Mr. Gaudi managed to integrate them all

Antoni Gaudi was commissioned to renovate and re-design an existing apartment
for a middle class family - Josep Batllo back in 1904
WOW I dun wanna imagine wat high class ppl stay in those days :P

the facade is so remarkable and iconic
with the skeleton venetian mask-liked balconies
now I know why they called it House of Bones coz it does looked Skeleton-ey

Notice the broken tiles/mosaics piece in waves of different colors?
Gaudi designed it to depict the colors of the sea from a bird eye's view
*Barcelona is next to the sea*
it is the color of the sea during a sunny day, a cloudy day, a stormy day and during a calm day
look at the pic again.....it's like the reflection of the Sun on a waving undulating Mediterranean Sea

the Apartment/House is now a museum open to public *only since 2002*
having being maintained and owned privately, it's entrance fees was above the normal but trust me, it's worth every penny u have in ur pocket!!!

Seen here in the above pic, Monkey was inspecting every nooks and corners like a foreman
I was busy gasping and oohhh-ahhhh-ing and marveled at the refurbishment works of Gaudi
"Oh my GAWDDDD look at that!!!! this guy is a perfectionist!!! He's a crazy architect!!!!!"

The window that u see above faces the main high street of Barcelona
we were on the 1st floor
it was designed in a way with no obstructed view of the street plus...do u notice there's no LINES n its windows??? it's all CURVES
CURVES in all dimension 360 degrees
I pity the carpenter guy :P

the windows can be opened too
there's a mechanism innit, when lifted the whole panel with all the windows opened unisonly
T_T
how did he do that? and mind u, the windows are all curved!!!!

the story behind this main room was...he wanted to depict the undersea world
with beautiful corals, colors, shapes and textures

*pic stolen fr the web*

this is how it looked like at nite!!!

so magnificent!!! beyond words :))))))

the main hall was really designed "to see and to be seen"

Gaudi thought of everything for the house including its ceiling
look!!! there's really no straight lines!!!! everything are curved!!!
it even has got a SeaShell ceiling light

inclusive of all the knobs in the house
dun care window knobs or door knobs

later we found out that there's no mould that he could use to make the knob
he actually use the soft plaster material, put his hands innit as though he's opening something to create a mould for all the knobs in da house
hence all knobs fit perfectly into any hands, any palms
coz it's very very VERY ERGONOMICS

I put my Monkey palm on it
there's a place fitting my THUMB perfectly
my fingers rested peacefully on it
and my chubby palm feels good on it
:))))) didn't know opening a window could be an ART hahahahahaha

and bcoz of that, I had the tendency to touch everything in this house haahahhahahaha
"Hey look look look.....!!!!" and started touching everything including those with warnings signs
JS -_- pengsan....and vowed never to bring this Monkey out again......
"Orang Kampung" he said....

designed to looked like the Gills of Fish
it's actually to ventilate the house
when it's too cold, just shut them
else push its lid opened and u can feel the fresh air rushing in
oooooo how clever!!!!

all the fresh air came fr this "Air/light Well"
not only did it provide air, it also provides the source of life - LIGHTS
balconies has got a "net" design, looks like fishing nets

the mosaic tiles used at the top has got a darker colors
and it has got a gradient from darker at the top to brighter at the bottom
the logic behind this was there's more lights at the top, so u dun need such bright tiles
and u need lighter colored tiles at the bottom to diffuse more lights

so at the end, u achieved this results....of an evenly colored "Air Well" with uneven colored tiles

hahahahhah u get my drift? :P

also noticed that the windows at the top are smaller

it gets bigger at the bottom bcoz u dun need so much of lights at the top

bigger windows allow more lights in

at the bottom of each windows, there's the "Fish Gills" air ventilator

even the "Air Well" was not spared from curves
the tiles had to be broken into perfect angle to cover its "curved" walls

can u imagine all the meticulous work
and the number of tiles broken to meet the perfect match to its curved walls?
I wanna faint thinking of it

and after assembling them, it has to look this good and symmetry!!!!!
at this point I can confirm that Antoni Gaudi is either a perfectionist or he is just a mad architect

inside the same air well is the lift shaft and staircase
he built a mirror separator that looked like the above
so as u ascend and descend it feels like u are inside WATER!!!
he's really crazy to have thought of this.....for a middle class family....-_-"

*pic stolen fr the Web*

at this juncture I wanna belt out "Under the Sea" by Sebastian from the cartoon Little Mermaid

and I can't help singing it in my lil heart

coz I felt like I'm in one

:)))))

everything about this home is so organic....and ergonomic....

and functionality with aesthetic beauty

the handle on every stairway was moulded accordingly to a human's hand

so as u ascend/descend holding on to it...u feel like one

with the stairs...

yeah sorry to repeat this but I need to stress it again....ONE with the Stairs

*makes me wonder how it feels like sitting on the toilet bowls of this home*

at the top of the floor we looked out at the opposite apartments and saw how it was like originally

the original apartment was actually built by Antoni Gaudi's teacher - Emilio Salas Cortes

I felt like a mermaid popping out fr a beautiful giant clam at the balcony

look at the tiny balcony with white shell!!!!

aaAAAAaaaaaa

*Under the Sea continued to play in my head*

hahahahahahhahahahaa

we continued our way up to the top floor with this Arched parabolic corridor
it feels like we were inside a Whale
the arches were the bones of a fish/whale/sea creature
this area used to be laundry section of the house

we climbed our way to the rooftop
OMG!!!!!
why would anyone wanna design such a beautiful rooftop????
look at the chimneys!!!!

chimneys for all the fireplace and for the kitchen
designed with broken colourful mosaic/tiles on it

Antoni Gaudi never fails to mesmerise and surprise ppl huh?
and because of that Casa Batllo is now a World UNESCO Heritage Building

from the top we could see the whole street and its neighbourhood
hmmm now wat is this that's blocking my view in front of me???
I'm too short I need to hop a lil to see the street downstairs

GAHHHH wat is this???
it's like the back of a DRAGON!!!!
on a ROOFTOP!!??!?!?!?!?!

just look at the detailing of the tiles
the colors.... to create the depth and dimension of the dragon

man......at the facade facing the main street....the scales were beautiful laid
those scales = roof tiles
-_-"
sweat man!!!!!
We risked our lives to snap this pic for we had to lean against a railing to capture this for u!!!!

Antoni Gaudi was the reason we went to Barcelona
*okie lar the food as well tee hee hee*
yes I have yet to blog bout his other works....u can just spend one week here visiting his works
it's everywhere in Barcelona
from the beautiful Sagrada Familia Cathedral to more private homes

he was a Man beyond his Time
hence no one could understand him
well I alwiz believe Extraordinary People are Eccentric
and u can't just be eccentric...it's almost u have to be born with it

I was so sad to read his story
dedicating his lives to all this beautiful arts and remained single
working non-stop
and got run down by a tramp >.<
since he's eccentric, he dressed really shabbily and no one could recognised him

thinking that he was a beggar, nobody....not any passer-by, took him to the hospital
in the end, a kind policeman sent him to the hospital with a taxi
with no documents on his body, he was not being treated
not until 2 days later, when finally...somebody recognised him and gave him proper facilities & treatment

but it was too late....

I think Life is the most powerful and precious element u ever own
doesn't matter you are rich or not
so treasure it and make full use of your Life
:))))))

for more information on Casa Batllo
www.casabatllo.es/en/

Cal Pep, Barcelona

2012-01-04T08:52:00.000+08:00

Cal Pep was so highly recommended by our friends way before we could do some research on where to eat *hiak hiak hiak*
the Power of Friends *big grin* :D

it was a bit difficult to locate this little outlet
yeah and even more difficult to secure a reservation
they only allowed reservation from 4 to 20 pax
anything outta this range u gotta go and queue

Soon we found out it is better to come 30 mins before opening to queue

coz then u'll get to sit at the bar!!!! Where u'll get to watch all the actions and cooking done right in front of your own eyes
instead of the restaurant, which is at the back of this outlet.

sorry for the mess and dirtiness
we found different place mats for all of us

ouch!!!!
apparently all these illustrations were drawn by Cal Pep's owner
Cal Pep is the name of the owner

naked lady on a fish
with a chef hat

to be early by 30 minutes is quite sufficient
coz after 15 minutes, the queue outside the restaurant is about 40 people?
and before the workers can pull the shutter up and on the lights there were already 70 odd ppl queue
with more onlookers wondering wat are we queue-ing for

the thing bout Cal Pep is, there's no proper signage and it's too dark
hence it's quite difficult to locate esp after the Sun has gone down
they open at 7.30pm so it was pitch black by then

our friendly ever reliable waiting staff
we don't speak much bcoz of language barrier
so the moment he started seating the crowd and us being number 3,4,5,6,
*we commanded nice seats at the counter/bar*
the 1st thing he asked was.....wat do we wanna eat...
Monkey answered with a nice graceful hand gesture..."Everything!!!"
and so we had "everything" for the day
:))))))))))))))

here we go..........

freshly toasted bread with sun-ripen tomatoes being scrubbed ferociously on it
there's just one man doing it....
slicing the buns into 2, dunk them into the toaster *the roller type*
and those that came down on the other side, he just scrubbed the fresh tomatoes onto it

wow didn't know such simple bread can taste so good
key is....good quality sun-ripen tomatoes

fresh sea clams cooked in Catalan Chillis and white wine
the concept at Cal Pep is....casual, fun and dishes for the day is according to fresh produce from the market

really super yummy sweet deep fried Chillis with a dash of sea salt
it was so good we had 2 big portions

deep fried mixed seafood
of sweet prawns, some red mullet fish, squids and Baby Octopus my favourite!!!!!
basically u eat everything including its bones and head

freshly grilled even fresher mushrooms
just drizzled with mediterranean olive oil and parsley

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!
the best-est Razor Clams I've ever had
just grill it on the flat pan

the texture was crunchy to the bite
and very very juicy + sweet

Monkey didn't know how to eat this and started with a knife and fork
and was about to lay the knife onto the pretty razor clam
when Mr. Cal Pep the man himself saw it and howl in horror!!!!
-_-" yes it was that bad...

"No no no.......madam...."
he came over fr the cooking station at the back of the counter
took over my plate...then my knife..and lastly my fork
and showed me the way any Catalan would eat it...

First, remove the meat off its shell
then twist/fold the long razor clam meat into 2 and poke it with a fork
and chomp chomp chomp

never ever cut it...coz all its juice will be gone...onto the plate instead of the mouth

oooOOoooooooo
JS was even better...he left all his cutleries on the counter
and started with his fingers and hands
Mr. Cal Pep gave JS a big Thumbs Up!!!!!
so folks, it is better to eat with your fingers here...hehehehehe

u can never ever miss thinly sliced Iberico ham here in Spain
loads of it
eat till it comes outta your ears
:))))))))))))))))

the Catalan lady next to us ordered this
she was on queue no.1 and 2 with her boyfriend
seeing it was so yummy we ordered one too!!!

she in return also gave us Thumbs Up and started speaking to us in Catalan
with such language barrier, we can still exchange opinions, details, traveling stories etc
I dunno how we understood each other but we did :P

this is how u consume it
deep fried white baits that was so crispy
top up with an organic egg
then u just destroy everything

this can definitely replace my cereals breakfast every morning!!!
it was totally orgasmic!!!!!
crispy and tasty
with the moisture fr the silky smooth egg yolk

Tuna Tartare with toasted sesame seed
hey that's a good idea...never thought of these fragrant sesame seeds

another favourite~~~~
chick peas cooked with baby octopus
I'm not really a chick peas person...but now I am...:D

Grilled fresh scampis!!!!
or Langoustines......well both are the same
it's like mini lobster

sweet juicy and succulent~~~~~
finger licking good...yeah I ate these with my fingers hehehehehe

Burped!!!!!
heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
I forgot the name of this fish *need to ask fish expert aka JS*
saw it at the market and it was an ugly looking fish

but it was so tasty and smooth and moist
served with deep fried artichokes :)))))))))))

when this came out............we know it is our main course and the courses are soon to be over
:(((((((( sad
the beef was not fantastic
Cal Pep is still famous for their seafood :)))))))))))

Crema Catalana
similar to Creme Brulee but its caramelized sugar is thicker

we were very surprised by this......Mille Feuille
a french dessert but it was better than those we had in Paris *at a 3 Michelin Starred restaurant*

Cal Pep is a must visit in Barcelona
it was very good, we went back the 2nd round :)))
just come early to queue and make new friends as u join the line
ppl from all around the world and of all walks of life :)))
also join in the fun of snapping pics for each other...huahahahahahaha

Cal Pep Restaurant
Pl de les Olles 8,

08003 Barcelona, Spain.
Tel: +34 993 107 961
www.calpep.com

La Boqueria and Pinotxo Tapas Bar, Barcelona

2012-01-03T08:31:00.000+08:00

our mission to La Boqueria market was this!!!!!

Iberico Ham!!!!! hua hua hua hua :)))))))))))))))

La Boqueria or known as Mercat de Sant Joseph de la Boqueria
phewww wat a long name :))))))
this is one of the top tourist spot in Barcelona along the famous La Rambla strip
built in 1853 and rebuilt over the years we have totally lost count

First thing first at the market
FOOD!!!!
the famous Pinotxo Tapas bar
Pinotxo = Pinocchio

lil Pinocchio starring at us
we were so honored to be served by this very genial gentleman
u usually see him in all interviews of La Boqueria market documentaries
he's the soul and man behind Pinotxo

the Tapas bar is located near to the entrance and it's quite easy to locate
if all else fails, check out their layout on the official market's website
the bar looks long but it isn't so usually u'll need to wait for a seat

egg omelette and bread scrubbed with garlic and tomatoes with some sea salt on top
we were there for breakfast so bread is a must!!!!
at 9.30am it's a bit too early for tapas though

and our dearie friends had tapas anyhow
since they were already serving them, might as well

I find the tapas here a bit too oily though
but if u wanna try some tapas experience in the market, this is the famous bar

really really good sardines in olive oil

chickpeas!!! cooked with some innards

nom nom nom
the pastries here are not too bad either
no pics of it though....cameras loaded with too many pics, can't remember which camera store which pics :P

Later we walked around the market to burn off all the food we whacked
hehehehhe

Iberico Ham is a must buy here and we didn't know which store to go to
finally we arrived at one that was very friendly
they even took the time to explain the different cut, from different region of Spain, etc

Basically ppl in Spain are friendlier than those in France :P
so us in our broken Spanish and them in their broken english
guess the universal language is still Numbers when we start punching onto the calculator
hua hua hua~~~~~

a medley of chillis!!!!
only 6 Euros for the whole string of it *about RM 25.20*
Chillis of all sorts, shapes, colors, spiciness level
we noticed the chillis here are very very very spicy.....than those in Malaysia
it hits u right into ur nose and all the way up into ur brain
just like Horseradish
and it lingers in ur mouth for quite a bit

more more more chilis!!!!!
nope these are not decos.....they are REAL chillis!!!!

sumore chillis!!!
I wanna pick up Spanish
it's such an expressive language....just like Italian
:)))))))))))

as the saying goes, do wat the Romans do when u are in Rome
so we were speaking with a lot of hand movements and intonations
ohhhh I love SPAIN!!!!!!

Sweets!!!!
crazy madness ~~~~ so many of it!!!!

I'm not a fan of sweets and looking at it, I felt my tooth just came off :P

hehehehehehehehe my favourite!!!
look at the orangie goodness oozing outta its shell
wahhh so yummy!!!
and if u r still wondering...it's SEA URCHINS!!!

and we've walked over to the Fish Market side
everything is housed under the same roof with sections
from cooked food *tapas* to vegetables, fruits, Pork, Seafood, Meat and spices

the fish section is so clean and there's no smell at all
we saw so many different types of fishes and sea produce
and probably only recognised 40% only
the rest looked so foreign!!! and yet we were so curious on its taste and texture

really really fresh small fishes and sardines
just grill them or deep fried them
so yummy and sweet~~~~

salted Cod and Botargo
*remember the story of me buying Bottega Veneta and JS buying Botargo back in Italy*

well the same applies here....I went crazy on bags and he went mad spending $$$ on Botargo
Botargo = cured fish roe
it's such a delicacy

also known as poor man's caviar
if it is a poor man's food how come it is still so expensive??????

as we were immersed in all the craziness in the market
a man swing by with loads of errrr lamb!!!
and we followed him to the Meat section

the Meat section was like a slaughter house
everything is FRESH
couldn't get any fresher than this

and u can get all PARTS of an animal
when I mentioned ALL PARTS...it's really from head to tail
from Brains to Testicles
-_-"
full specs!!!

ooooOoooo smelled so good and I turned my Monkey head
MUSHROOMS!!!!
all sorts of it!!!!!

yep this stall only sells mushrooms
nothing but fresh and dried mushrooms~~~~

Fruits and vegetables~~~~~ and a typical Barcelonian
well Ppl from Barcelona do not regard themselves as Spaniard
bcoz they are considered more European than the Western Spain

just like how French regards ppl fr Paris = Parisien
"they are not french but Parisien....and shrugged off his shoulder" said a frenchman
yep French are very particular if u compare them against Parisien coz the later is known to be living in a world of their own not to mention snobs :P

despite the vastness and size of the market, we alwiz stick back to Iberico stalls
huaaaaa hahahahahahaahahha

yep if u were wondering, we bought quite a few blocks home
and got our priorities right
all my beautiful handbags were stuffed and cramped into the luggage bags
while these Iberico Bellota were cuddled and hand carried all the way home
alongside the Macaroons
sigh...yes our tummy are more important

:))))))))))))))
visit their official website here

www.boqueria.info

Happy New Year 2012!!!!!

2012-01-01T08:32:00.015+08:00

2011 had been a blast
and 2012 gonna be awesome..very AWESOME :))))))

why so sure? coz I'll make sure that happen *wink*
JS & Monkey will roam the Earth ....if not extensively, we will balance it between work
also picking some new knowledge and languages
yes a lot to do and we are not being ambitious
just captalizing on the time/resources that we have :))))

We would like to thank you...yes YOU
our dearie READERS
thank you for your continuous support, readership, comments and friendship
:)))))))))))))

this blog is dedicated to all of you out there
:)))))))))))

Happy New Year!!!!

Away Notice :)))))))

2011-12-23T10:32:00.000+08:00

nope I won't be lugging my Macbook along to blog during this trip
sorry to disappoint u but then again this Monkey needed a break fr blogging too

Happy Holidays folks!!!!
have a smashing time and let us all welcome 2012 with wide open arms and HUGE SMILES

El Palace Hotel Barcelona

2011-12-22T08:36:00.000+08:00

I looked so tiny at the hotel lounge
can u spot Monkey among the trinkets of stuffs????
where's everybody???

We seldom blog about hotels coz there's no priority on posting about it
then we realised since this blog is a Monkey-JS-pedia for everything in life why not?
and JS has got extra work --> snap pics of the place
hahahah coz usually we'll bunk in bunk outta hotels without much thought about it

our main priority in selecting a hotel is usually LOCATION
location LOCATION location
it has to be central *like really really right smack*, transportation (tube, underground, Metro etc) and a supermarket nearby to purchase the most important source in life = WATER

JS drinks like a camel about 6 litres of Evian every 2 days
Evian cost about Euro 3.80 for 6 bottles = RM 15.20 for 6 = RM 2.53 per bottle
now go figure why is it so expensive in Msia

El Palace is about 92 years old
yes we lurve all this heritage hotels

situated on the main shopping strip
walking distance to La Ramblas, All of Antonio Gaudi's works *OMG he was the highlight of my trip*, all the makan places/cafes, even to the port wasn't that far....
I love Barcelona really much that we must return to visit Gaudi's works again...and spend more time on it

that lil green bowl on the table, which I found out is for us to throw sweets wrappers
-_-"

the only time that I saw such similar clock was at a Museum in Switzerland
Read about it *here*

after a personalised tour by the concierge we finally arrived at our room
the main street of Barcelona, Gran Via de la Corts Catalanes
it is similar to Orchard Road in Singapore
and it's also the very same street where Antoni Gaudi was hit by a tram in 1926 and died
:"(((((
*why didn't u look left right left b4 u cross the road????*
:(((((((((((((((((((((((

since El Palace was refurbished in 2009, it has got a lot of gadgets in this classical hotel
all lights were of moving sensors
and that includes its TV

Fire place and a beautiful mirror
the chandelier was very pretty too but forgot to snap pic

yes the TV is the mirror
the mirror is the TV
cool eh?
even the phone has got so many buttons and caller ID of the other guests

all the detailing......
actually this is a great idea to hide the seam of the wallpaper

The Bathroom was HUGE
with a separate HUGE tub and a Rain Shower
JS forgot to snap pic :P

toilets were set separatedly with a sliding glass door
the beauty of goin to the toilet is the lights were all by "movement censor"
how come we never thought of then when renovating our home?

Readers if it is not too let, I think this feature is truly important
especially when u r half asleep walking to the toilet
kekekekekekeke

hmmmm and that's me sleeping
:P

one of those morning we decided to try their breakfast
it's set on the garden at the back of the hotel
but bcoz it's winter, there's a marquee over it

the marquee was so well built it looks permanent
I can imagine how beautiful it is during summer
enjoying breakfast among the lush tropical greenery

thank gawd they had heater at every table
else it's too cold with the winter chill

highly recommended hotel
for more details, visit their website here
www.hotelpalacebarcelona.com

Khan's Restaurant, London

2011-12-21T08:17:00.000+08:00

established since 1977 by the Khan family
it is one of the best Indian restaurant in London
truly authentic and everything remained the same from its recipe to menu and interior deco

However be aware
there's another imitation of Khan's nearby
so make sure that u are at the right restaurant *coz apparently the other one sucks big time*
:))))))))))))))

crispy sweet onion bhaji
the service here is fast and communal
FOOD WAS OUTSTANDING
but definitely not for the Europeans and locals
yeah locals as in Londoners

coz it's amazingly spicy
anyhow this is just the way Msians lurve it
wakakakakakaka
a good place to cure your pang for spicy food
*the only thing I missed while travelling = chilis*

Mutton Curry was melt-in-your-mouth
yes spicy...and the taste of spices just lingers
very long length, must be the cardamom

chicken dopiaza
was very sweet thanks to heaps of onions used to cook this curry

if u are looking for atmosphere then this place is not for you
Khan's is a family restaurant with loud atmosphere and no-frill services
but rest assured, the food is REALLY REALLY GOOD

a bowl of homemade fresh yogurt to kill all the spiciness
I guess being Msian we dun really need this but it was good coz it's homemade!!!!

oh YUMSSS!!!!
crispy and warm garlic naan fresh from its Clay Oven
and I promised myself not to pile too much on this.....
coz the STAR of the nite has yet to come!!!!!!

LAMB BIRYANI!!!!!
we came all the way for this :))))))))))))))
the most authentic biryani ever....as good as those from Hyderabad
ok ok I've never been to Hyderabad, India but testimonials said so
hehehheheheheehehehehehe

We also ordered another plate of CHICKEN BIRYANI
*all the chickens were hidden underneath the rice*

but my recommendation would be Lamb Biryani, NOT bcoz the chicken version wasn't good but your stomach can only store so much unless u have a huge group!!!!

the grains were cooked together with the meat layers by layers
together with lots of precious spices
the mutton tears by itself......*sigh* aaaaAAaaaaaaaaaaaa
OMG I want this now!!!!!

since it's all done in layers....u need to scoop some rice and some meat
coz most of the gravy sticks to the meat
now I wished JS can make this at home
eh why are u not Chindian??? then I get to eat all these at home
*chinese and indian food*
:))))))))))))))

Sag Paneer
a vegetarian dish of spinach cooked with homemade cottage cheese

there are other exciting stuffs on its menu
but our stomach can only store so much
Monkey almost.....*almost*...really that close to "tapau" more Mutton Biryani home
it was so so so so so so EXTREMELY good

Remember to go to the original Khan's
and not the other fake one :P
hahahahha

Khan's Restaurant is really value for money
a plate of Mutton Biryani cost GBP 7.40

there are huge numbers of Arab customers
coz this place is Halal with no alcohols

anyhow Britain has got one of the highest Indian immigrants
so this place better be good and be as authentic as possible

Khan's Restaurant
13-15, Westbourne Grove,
London W2 4UA.
Tel: +020 7727 5420
www.khansrestaurant.com
Take the tube to Bayswater and walk pass Whiteley Shopping Centre until u reach Westbourne Grove, then turn left...the restaurant is just there.

PS: around this area there is another popular Roast Duck place called Four Seasons. Am sure all of u know this...they've opened a branch in Malaysia at Empire Gallery. Go visit. :))

Harrods, London

2011-12-20T08:29:00.000+08:00

The famous Harrods Departmental Store
I guess it is alwiz "a must" to come to Harrods whenever u r in London
even if it means to do window shopping coz there's just so much to see!!!
especially during festive season like Christmas

Spanning across the land of 5 Acres with a total floor space of ONE MILLION SQ FT, I am sure there's something for everyone
yeah one million square feet if u r still asking urself

Founded by Charles Henry Harrod in 1834
it went through different hands and the last owner Mohamed Al-Fayed sold it to Qatar Holdings in 2010

u have anything against an Arab country? if u do, then don't go to Harrods
I dunno what is this with ppl and globalisation
"Oh it's a Jew company....I'm not goin and buying from them."
if u have problem with Jews then there's lotsa store u can't go dude!!!
Example, Chanel is Jew...Cartier is Jew...now dun get me started on other goods....and mind u, I work for a Jew company....if u guys are still wondering...ASTRO's satellite was launched by Jews so u not using the product? and also don't drink Coffee Bean & Starbucks huh...coz r Jew too!!!
GAH!!! why some ppl are so backward thinking??????

anyway back to happier thoughts......of me and JS and Berr @ Harrods
hehehehehehehe

after visiting their amazing and beautiful home department we went down to Food Hall
just to refill back all the energy burnt upstairs...
nope, we didn't really check out the clothes/apparels/cosmetics/branded luxury stuffs etc
just household and food alone were enuff

their merchandisers and buyers did fantastic job in bringing together all the exclusive brands
beautifully displayed in their departmental store
there's so many things that I wished we could have purchased and shipped it back to Malaysia
sigh..................
its Christmas Ornaments section is as HUGE as a book store
ooohhhhh now I regretted not getting that Crystal Angel for the tree :((((((((

so JS said "Nvm Monkey, if u like it here, we can alwiz come back anytime."
:)))))))))))))))))))

yeah I know...every visit to Harrods is different....our last visit here a few years back, we almost carried back the whole kitchenware department T_T
and this round I wanted that WHOLE DINING TABLE with all its ornaments and cutleries and tablecloth!!!!

ok....now after all the browsing and shopping....wat to have for tea
hmmmm....
urrrmmm....
hmmmmmm.....

yum yum yum......
I want the cakes, the pastries, the ice creams and the....

my luck was shortlived...JS said only ONE ITEM....ONE ITEM...
*he's treating me like a kid huh....learning to make choices in life....*
so I had had HAD to choose SCONES!!!
how could u not have SCONES and TEA in LONDON?????

ooooooo it came in a normal buttery one and a raisin one
then I can't decide which one to have first, me eyes darting from one to the next
wuahahahahahahaha
yes Life is all about making DECISIONS!!!!!

okie just one more pic to make u salivate
the outer crust was so gooood
and on the inside it was buttery soft and WARM~~~~~~~
served with fresh strawberry jam and CLOTTED CREAM!!!!
very very RICH CREAMIE GLORIOUS CLOTTED CREAM!!!!!!

such simple scones can make my day so happy :))))))))

and mind u pls pls pls PLEASE
this is a WARNING.

DO NOT eat the scones at Harrods Kuala Lumpur International Airport
those, I can throw it back to its glass display, and it will crack....
get my drift???

the tea place isn't big...so either u come at off-peak hours or queue up
we lurve to enjoy our tea here and do ppl watch down there....coz this tea house is just on a mezzanine floor.
all the hustling bustling of ppl doing groceries shopping

no complain
Life is Good
:))))))))))))
as long as I am healthy, I can do a lot of things for myself and for others
Blessed :)))))))))))

so Folks...take care of yourself and that body of yours
it's the most precious tangible thing u ever have!!!
:))))))))))))))))

www.harrods.com

Boulevard Raspail Organic Market, France

2011-12-19T08:26:00.000+08:00

How eppy can u get....on a beautiful cool Sunday morning just by looking at these??????
*oh yeah Parisiens dressed up nicely every single day including goin to the market, so u better be!!!!*

the kaleidoscope of colors were sufficient to wake me up
if u happened to have hang-over fr the night before.....lots of stalls selling freshly squeezed juices to replenish all the dehydration.

the noise,
the smell,
the sight,
the touch....yes notti me like to touch everything on display
the texture
the taste......

late Autumn also happens to be pumpkins and squash season
such beautiful dark orange pumpkins!!!
if it ain't good enuff to eat, they are good to sit in the kitchen as deco
kekekekekeke
but with such deep hue of color, it had received sufficient sun hence these pumpkins are very very sweet!!!
I knew it coz I had Pumpkin Soup!!!!! :)))))))))))))))))

more pumpkins of different sizes and species

Boulevard Raspail Market is a Biologique Marche = Biologic Market
Opens every Sunday without fail even if it snows!!!!

lucky us coz we were staying a few steps away and we found it by accident
one of those mornings, when we woke up and stretched the curtain to unveil Eiffel Tower, we saw this market at the corner of the street.

All produce in the market are grown organically

so pretty!!!!!
I'm not a carrot person, but looking at these...so irresistible!!!

JS was so obsessed with Lamb Lettuce which we can't buy in Malaysia
it has a crunchy clean taste and u eat them as salad
beautifully stacked on crates so they are not damaged

another different variety of Lamb Lettuce
its leaves are smaller - younger shoots

I hate Radiocchio for its bitterness
but here, it tasted different....a different type of bitterness which I like :)))))))))))

Monkey bz sniffing at flowers :))))))))))))
I especially lurve Tulips and been drawing tulips since I was in my lolly dresses and crayons

simple and smart machine - roasting decks
at the top tier are the HUGE chickens of different species
*in France there is an AOC system for their chickens, just like how they classify wines*
underneath the HUGE chicken are the NORMAL ones
and beneath the NORMAL ones are SPRING chickens
the juices from the top flow all the way down~~~~~

down to the next level which consist of
Potatoes in chunks
Potatoes in wedges
cut smaller pieces of chickens
Chicken and pork sausages
and finally at the most bottom deck are Mixture of zucchinis....
so the juices from all of the above were never wasted
YUMSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

different species, classification and sizes of french oysters!!!
usually u can ask them to shuck it for u

there's also organic fish vendors
meat vendors...
so many things happening at the same time
our eyes were busy darting from left to right
my stomach can't decide wat to eat :D

aaaAAAaaaaa freshly baked bread
if only I lived in Paris,
I'll come here every Sundays!!!!!!!

these are really HUGE tomatoes!!!!
I dun know if u call them Heirloom Beefsteak Tomatoes of wat????
all the produces here makes me wanna learn COOKING!!!!
hahahahahahahaha

if only we can buy them back to cook!!!!
wat a fantastic place to be :)))))))))))))
Yes I know....at a market....hahahahaha
lurve the size of the market coz it's not too big and definitely not crowded :))))))))

Boulevard Raspail Biologique Market

along Boulevard Raspail
intersection of Rue de Rennes and Rue de Cherche-Midi
Opens every Sunday = Biologique produce
and on Tuedays and Fridays = Non-Biologique Produce

Hospice de Beaune, France

2011-12-16T09:26:00.000+08:00

The other name for Hospice de Beaune is Hotel Dieu de Beaune
it is not a hotel but a Hospital

yeah u must be wondering why do we even bother to visit a hospital rite?
Hospice de Beaune is the KEY monument/landmark that anyone must visit whenever they are in Beaune

Now u must also be questioning what are we doing in a village like Beaune?
well to those Burgundian wine lovers, Beaune is like the Holy Grail/Mecca of Burgundy wines
of coz it's a must visit
in fact this was the 2nd time we visited this place.

the main entrance of Hospice de Beaune
Today it is a museum
and the world's most important Wine Auction is held right next to Hospice de Beaune

We missed the wine auction by a few hours the largest event in Beaune each year
coz we left in the afternoon, and the 3 days event started that very same evening
nvm...another year perhaps :))))

important people were flown in alongside celebrities
followed by a black tie event at Chateau Clos de Vougeot

and back to Hospice de Beaune
it was built in 1443 by Chancellor of Burgundy, Nicholas Rolin
the concept was a hospital for the poor and needy
it also acted as a refuge during the wars.

the hospital relied heavily on donations in those days
but was so well-runned that it became a Model Hospital

the Main Hall which housed all the patients
it is big and airy for the sick ppl to rest

each bed has got their own privacy with curtains
and u dun actually see the other patients
pls take note that again....this hospital is for the poor and needy back in the 13th century
*u wanna reflect back on Malaysia's General Hospital in present??? as in 2011????*

there's a number on each bed - very systematic
with compartments for them to store personal belongings
on the otherside of the curtain, it can be opened and your personal toilet is there!!!!
again....all these furniture are of hundreds years of age!!!!

the beams on the roof
each beams has got a sculpted caricature of important and notable locals in Beaune

the main hall is connected to the a small chapel
it was built this close to the patients, so they can just walk over to attend masses and be nearer to God

to us, this was a rather luxurious chapel
coz it's for the needy and poor!!!!
no wonder it was the Model Hospital!!!!

the main Well for the whole hospital was situated right next to the kitchen
no pics for the kitchen coz it was too dark and we forgot our flash unit
but everything was so well organised
then there's also the pharmacy room, the surgery room etc

there's another smaller and private hall for the luckier and notable patients
with beautiful paintings adorned its wall

the signature colored tiled roof
with 4 colors - Red, Yellow, Blue, Green

the Gothic iron gate which overlook the newer wing that still serves the community
currently the new wing is an old folks home which is not accessible to the public.

Monkey & JS

if u ask, yes of coz we will return to Beaune again
tee hee hee

now preparing for the next trip
yes I know my boss almost killed me the day I asked him to sign my leave form
:P