Sabtu, 30 Januari 2016

Japan - Nara

Japan : Kyoto - May 2015


Continue from Himeji

Our next stop from Himeji was Nara.

Whenever I ask around "What's there to see in Nara?" The replies I got were "see the deers lor".

The Nara Park is just at JR Nara Station which is very accessible. It was a quite a long walk from the station plus it started to drizzle so we decided to take a bus there.




Biscuit for deer - 150 yen




I was watching and taking pictures of this little boy feeding the deer and he was SO NICE that he offered me a biscuit to feed the deer! I was extremely surprised by his small action and his big heart.


This little cute one kept chasing its own tail lol





We often saw groups of school children having a school excursion to temples, museums and shrines. What I love most is their coordinated school uniform, bags, caps and shoes. They are all so cute!



Till the end of the Nara Park is their famous temple and landmark of Nara - Todaiji Temple.





I overheard a tour guide saying that it was a good luck thingy to climb through the hole in the standing pole.



Todaiji Temple
Entrance fee: 500 yen
nearest JR: JR Nara Station

Selasa, 12 Januari 2016

Japan - Himeiji

Japan : Kyoto - May 2015


Today we were going to make full usage of our expensive JR pass by visiting nearby cities today~

Kyoto was our base camp so we were branching out to Himeji, Nara and Osaka today. It could not be so easy if we did not use this very useful website: Hyperdia which offers very extensive routes and timetable only in Japan.

Himeji

Day 5

Of course, we could not visit fully in all 3 cities. Hence, we only chose those places that worth visiting or most famous for.

Himeji is most famous for its magnificent castle - Himeji Castle. The castle is designated both a national treasure and a UNESCO world heritage site. It can be reached in less than one hour from Kyoto.

We alighted at Himeji station and Himeji castle was just right straight in our vision. It may look near but it took us 20 minutes to walk up. We could have taken a bus up which takes 100yen per ride but I would suggest to just walk up so we could slowly enjoy the wind, see their infrastructure and do some shopping.


I bet it looks prettier during spring or autumn





These was already a long queue at 9am and I overheard that the queue was even more crazy the previous week - golden week in Japan. The crowd slowly oozed in the lower floor of the castle and climbed upwards through a series of steep, narrow staircases.

All I could remember was that we climbed and climbed in which each floor got progressively smaller. It makes sense seeing how the castle being constructed. There was nothing - no furniture - just wooden tiles and few signboards explaining what furniture were existed since long time ago. -.-"


I was very exhausted upon reaching the top level. Knowing that the only consolation was to see this view, my exhausted energy turned into confusion. We immediately exited the castle. Our confusion became anger for the 20 minutes return journey to the station.


It looks pretty on the outside but it has nothing inside. This has taught us a lesson for judging on the appearance.


Himeji Castle
Opening hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (until 18:00 from late April through August)
Entrance fee: 1000 yen (castle only)



Minggu, 03 Januari 2016

Yi Pin Dim Sum Restaurant 亿品点心酒楼 at Taman Pelangi Indah, Johor Bahru.

Yi Pin Dim Sum Restaurant 亿品点心酒楼 (N1.57732 E103.80051) is a new dim sum restaurant located along Jln Cantik 6 (Tmn Pelangi), they just started operation more than month ago.


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Yi Pin Dim Sum Restaurant 亿品点心酒楼

The restaurant dining area seperated into non-air condition and air conditioning area to provide choices for customers, decoration was simple but comfort.

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Non-air conditioning area

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air conditioning area

Understand from the manager - Mr Francis, they serve mixture of local and Hong Kong style Dim Sum. The 2 Chefs are from Guangzhou China, and they are trying their best effort to serve better Hong Kong style 港式 dim sum with but acceptable by local (because not every local can accept the original taste from Hong Kong) They even serve their homemade chili paste.

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Homemade chili paste

The dim sum below were all recommended by the Manager Mr Francis.

*  Steamed shrimp dumpling 亿品虾饺皇
Thin skin with the feel of the fresh shrimps.

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Steamed shrimp dumpling 亿品虾饺皇

*  Fried BBQ rice rolls 金银炸两肠
Popular in Hong Kong and now first try in Johor Bahru, advise having while its hot!

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Fried BBQ rice rolls 金银炸两肠

*  Sauteed radish cake with XO sauce 金牌XO酱炒萝卜糕
Nice XO sauce!

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Sauteed radish cake with XO sauce 金牌XO酱炒萝卜糕

*  Shanghai style steamed pork dumpling 秘制灌汤小笼包
Beware of the piping hot broth spill out!

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Shanghai style steamed pork dumpling 秘制灌汤小笼包

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*  Siew-Mai 鲜虾烧卖皇
Above average.

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Siew-Mai 鲜虾烧卖皇

*  Minced pork and century eggs porridge 皮蛋瘦肉粥
Nice and tasty! Advise not to take too much, unless you don't want to try others dim sums from the restaurant.

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Minced pork and century eggs porridge 皮蛋瘦肉粥

*  Bean curd sheet soup 灌汤鲜竹卷
First in JB! Taste was unique and special!
Must try!

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Bean curd sheet soup 灌汤鲜竹卷

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*  Steamed custard cream bun with egg york 港式金黄流沙包
Not bad and serve with bigger bun.

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Steamed custard cream bun with egg york 港式金黄流沙包

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*  Steamed bean paste chicken claws 秘制鼓汁蒸凤爪
Assumed it was very good...because before I had chance to grab one, the plate was empty in front of me...

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Steamed bean paste chicken claws 秘制鼓汁蒸凤爪

*  Baked BBQ pork bun (char-siew) 金牌菠萝叉烧包
Unique with the char-siew filling in the bun, thumbs up!

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Baked BBQ pork bun (char-siew) 金牌菠萝叉烧包

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*  Portuguese egg tart 特色葡式蛋挞
Smaller portion compare with those available around, but special crunchy outer skin with the good taste of egg and butter!

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Portuguese egg tart 特色葡式蛋挞

*  Hong Kong snow 'Mei-niang' 港式雪媚娘
A 'Hong Kong dessert.' Served in cold, perfect combination with the super tender outer skin and the butter filling with mango taste. Must try!

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Hong Kong snow 'Mei-niang' 港式雪媚娘

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Among all, the 'har-gao' (shrimp dumpling), bean curd sheet soup, BBQ pork bun and Snow 'Mei-niang' are not to be miss. Do try their porridge, but don't finish it alone...share with friends or family members, because you need to taste other dim sums.

It's a ideal restaurant to enjoy your weekend breakfast with friends or family, that why the restaurant will be pack of peoples during weekend Fri, Sat and Sun. Be patient if you are visit the restaurant during the above mentioned days...

Price from RM4.90 - RM9.90 (It's reasonable with the serving food quality)

The business hour of the restaurant is from 7am - 3pm daily. Give yourself a chance to taste the Hong Kong style dim sum if you are happen in Tmn Pelangi Indah area.

Yi Pin Dim Sum Restaurant 亿品点心酒楼
45, Jalan Cantik 6,
Taman Pelangi Indah, 81800 Ulu Tiram, Johor Bahru.
Business hour : 7am - 3pm daily
Tel : +6013-7878 665

Location map of Yi Pin Dim Sum Restaurant at Taman Pelangi Indah, Johor Bahru.