Before our Japan trip, DJ has been doing a lot of reading and research on where and what is a must try for our trip in Tokyo.
He came across to this recommended steak house located at Kichijoji ; about 20 minutes train ride from Shinjuku station.

The steak house is located above a busy butcher on the main shopping street.
As early as 9am there are already heaps of people queuing up for off cut wagyu meatballs. Too bad we could not bring the meat back to Australia otherwise I would have gotten a kilo of the meatballs to try out.

A very steep staircase leading up to the dinning area. We were lucky to be there early otherwise we would have to wait for at least 30 minutes for a table.

The restaurant is very tiny and it can only accommodate maximum 16 patrons – 6 counter seats and 10 table seating.

My ¥5,250 Matsuzaka A5 beef set lunch served with bottomless rice.
The texture of the beef was so tender that chewing was not required. The meat just melts in the mouth. Unbelievable delicious.

Very happy and satisfied gaijins. Well done DJ!

Posted: March 12th, 2009 under Holidays, Munchies.
Comments: 2

17 SDS members @ Alupu Resort Inn, Hakuba Happoone.

What I like about snowboarding in Japan :
- Free shuttle bus to all mountains around Hakuba.

- Lift chair attendants are very polite. They actually sweep off the snow on the chairlift and greet us “dozo” (Please) before we sit on the chair.

- Wide and long green runs. My favourite green runs are at Goryu and Iimori.

- Heated toilet seats

- Vending machines that sells hot/cold drinks, beer, ciggies & even noodles!!

- Rest houses (cafes/restaurants) are everywhere on the mountain.

– Yummy Japanese lunch.

- Going to the onsen after a long day of boarding.

During our 5 days stay in Hakuba, we only had one good day with powdered snow where else the rest of the other days were icy and sluggish. But it didn’t really matter because boarding in Japan is still 10x better than boarding in Victoria.
Christchurch in August anyone?

Posted: March 8th, 2009 under Holidays.
Comments: none

Photo taken from Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building observation deck - Level 45.

Whenever I cross a busy intersection in Tokyo I kind of have this nausea feeling on me. My eyes literally rolls very fast because of the fast motion of people walking from all directions. At one stage I could feel this heavy feeling on me and I nearly threw up.

This city was really an eye-opener for me. On the weekends, Tokyo was jammed packed with locals shopping and queuing for food or just queuing for the sake of nothing. I wouldn’t say I had a great or fun time… maybe the right word to describe this trip is “it’s different” just like how Bob Harris (Bill Murray) from Lost in Translation felt.

I was surprised that I did not go CRAZY-MAD on shopping. DJ was surprised too. The queue to the fitting room to the cashier has put me off from buying. My advice: never shop on weekends.

Next in my travel planner – Osaka “the gourmet food capital of Japan.” I think Tokyo is too fast pace for me.

I still have 1000+ photos to edit…arggh… more updates later. Time for bed.

Posted: March 5th, 2009 under Holidays.
Comments: 4

Happo One, Hakuba

Today we will be traveling back to Tokyo for some kick ass yakitori and fugu fish.
See you all in a weeks time.

Posted: February 26th, 2009 under Holidays.
Comments: none

I give this restaurant TWO thumbs up. Blogging this post makes me want to go back to Bali again. I am so in love with Bali.

With a menu that features modern French and Italian along with Indonesian influences, this is a place to go for good quality food and beautiful sunset view. The portion of the food was generous and the service was excellent.

Our total bill came up to Rp2.7million but I think it’s really worth it for the experience. Especially when the dress code allows flip flops and boardshorts.

The view from our dining table over looking the sky. After the sunset we find that it was a bit difficulut to eat because it was too dark.

Entrée

Sweet corn soup lobster tails and basil oil.

8 hour pork belly squid mango, cucumber, cashews, shallots, and black vinegar dressing.

Tuna & lobster tartare wasabi flying fish roe, creme fraiche, nori and sesame seed.

Mains

Chermoula cruste grouper fillet spinach tomato, chilli & almond sauce and spiced yogurt.

Tea smoked ocean trout fillet trout filled zucchini flowers, white bean puree, red wine & port reduction.

Veal tenderloin & shaved truffle mixed mushroos & sliced kipfler potato and black pepper cognac sauce.

Barramundi saffron broth lobster, octopus, clams, rissoni & baby fennel.

Valrhona chocolates for dessert.

After dinner I went in to the Ku De Ta retail shop to enquire about their in house CDs and I was told all 3 albums will cost Rp1 million even after discount. 8-O. I decided to give it a miss and now I kindda regret for not buying it. Bugger.

Jalan Laksmana, Seminyak,
Bali.
tel +62 (0) 361 736 969
booking is recommended.

Posted: September 23rd, 2008 under Holidays, Munchies.
Comments: none

Here are few of my spa reviews that I’ve experienced during my visit in Bali.

Sekar Jakat Boutique Spa & Salon.
Treatment: Balinese Spa Ritual
Duration: 3 hours
Price: USD$60 nett

Open air private spa/massage room.

Includes:
• Honey Ginger Tea
• 75 min Balinese Massage
• 30 min Body Lulur, refreshing, cleansing and peeling
• 15 min Exotic and Aromatic Flower Bath
• 60 min Traditional Facial OR Traditional Hair Cream bath

I highly recommend this spa for their excellent service and value for money. The environment in this place is quiet because they do not accept group booking. Book online to get special direct booking rate. Price inclusive of taxes and transportation. Tipping is optional.

Ambiente Reflexology.
(Jl Sahadewa, Legian Kelod, Kuta-Bali. Tel: +62-361-758174)
Treatment: Happy Feet
Duration: 90 minutes
Price: Rp100,000

Includes:
• Wet towel with essential oil
• Foot bath with crystal sea salt
• Foot reflexology and aromatherapy

Most of the masseurs are male. I felt a bit awkward having a male masseur but the service was excellent. It is also a good place to go to for an hour if you want to run away from the heat. Value for money. Tipping is optional.

Prana Spa.
Treatment: Seaweed Body Mask and Steam
Duration: 30 minutes
Price: USD$30 + 21% service charge

Selection of massage oils and lulur powders to choose from.

Includes:
• Steam bath.
• Seaweed mask applied over the whole body followed by a steam bath.
• Shower

The journey walking from The Villas to the Prana Spa was like a journey to a palace. Highly recomended for first timer. The decor was grand and spells LUXURY with the gold and blood red as the main color of the decor. However when it comes to the service, I would say it could be better for the price I paid. No tips required as service charge is included into the total bill.

After the spa, I was given a complimentary drink card that is redeemable at their restaurant which is located just below the spa.>

Galuh Bali Spa.
Treatment: Nature Inspiration
Duration: 2 hours
Price: USD$65 nett

Waiting room.

Includes:
• Ginger tea
• Aromatic peppermint foot bath
• Traditional massage with aromatic oil.
• Body scrub
• Tropical fruit body polish
• Milk flower bath

This spa is constantly packed with japanese tourist. Too commercialize and service is just average. Transport is included. Tipping is optional.

Beach massage.
Cheapest option for a massage while sun tanning and listening to the sea breeze.
Asking price is Rp250,000 (depending on the masseur) but you can barter with the masseur. I did an enquiry with the locals and the usual price for the beach massage is usually about Rp50,000. Tipping is optional.

The only massage that I did not try out is SEXY MASSAGE.

Posted: September 21st, 2008 under Holidays, Journal.
Comments: 1

KX’s hens party @ Bali, 12.09.08

The hens party started off at Prana spa, Seminyak. After our pampering session, we went back to our villas to get ready for dinner.

KX suggested Uluwatu to watch the sunset and dinner at Blue Point Bay . None of us did our research and we didn’t knew that Uluwatu was actually a fair bit of distance from where we stayed. Oppss…lol. We ended up watching the sunset in the taxi because it was peak hour.

When we finally made it to Blue Point Bay after an hour and everyone was hungry; to our disappointment we were told there was “a technical problem with the kitchen” so no Balinese food was available to order >.< So we decided to have our dinner at this dainty warung in the middle of no where in Uluwatu. There was a moment of silent when the food came.

After dinner, we wanted to checked out Double Six Club @ Seminyak which has a bungee tower but found that the opening hour is from midnight till sunrise. We couldn’t be bothered to wait and decided to have drinks at Syndicate instead.

Despite the minor hiccups , it was a really great night out with the girls in a foreign country. I really had a wonderful time and missing every one of them very much after they left.

Dear KX,
I hope you have enjoyed your hens’ night in Bali. The road trip to Uluwatu was awesome. The taksi driver was damn clueless than we were.

Again, for Rp2000 I’ll love you long long time. Muaksss.

Posted: September 20th, 2008 under Celebrations, Holidays.
Comments: none

Greetings from Bali. A beautiful place where we’ve encountered, warm sea waters, arak, peddlers that won’t leave you alone, aussie bogans, kuta cowboys, hoards of japanese, shroom and balinese taxi drivers.

Here are a few teaser photos for you guys who misses us. We’ll be back shortly.

Sunset at Legian.

The Omnipresent Bintang.

Casa Padma Suites.

Jimbaran Bay Dinning.

Arts and Crafts

Tanah Lot

Stay tuned for more updates on my 10 days trip in Bali.

Posted: September 14th, 2008 under Holidays.
Comments: none

This time we are definitely going to Japan. YES FOR SURE
Finally, I get to parade my new 686 snowboard jacket and my 2 season old Bonfire pants in Hakuba

Words could not describe how I am feeling now. I am speechless. I sound very dramatic rite

Now how do I go about with the Japan visa application?

Posted: June 20th, 2008 under Holidays, Journal.
Comments: 2

I miss home

I planned this birthday surprise for my dad since early January and none of the family members from Malaysia knew that I was actually going back.

I knew that mii was pretty disappointed when I first told her that I could not make it to dii’s birthday. Sorry I lied. Hihihi… Anyway mii and dii were pretty shocked and surprised when they saw me. Mii literately screamed like she saw her favorite idol

Posted: May 18th, 2008 under Celebrations, Holidays.
Comments: none