Japan Osaka June 2014 Trip (Nara-second day)

The conference starts early. There are city buses that we can take from hotel to the conference venue. 

Above pictures are the venue of my conference. Yes, it's beautiful. A lot of deer are around the area. During break and lunch time, we can actually walk around the park and take picture with deer.:) 

Everyday they provide our lunch. It's a bento box lunch, which is not really good. 

So, for dinner we usually try to find better food. At that time, I found this machine is interesting. We ordered our food from the machine which is placed outside the restaurant, then we get in to the restaurant. But, I believe, we have this also now in Singapore.

Pandan Cake

Making Two pans of 6" cake

Ingredients:

133g cake flour

½ tsp salt

 

6 egg yolks

48g fresh milk

72g vegetable oil

1 teaspoon pandan flavored

 

6 egg white

72g caster sugar

½ tsp corn flour

Procedure:

1. Beat egg yolks and fresh milk

2. Add vegetable oil, salt and pandan flavored paste

3. Sieve flour and mix with the egg yolk mixture. Preheat oven to 170 celcius. 

4. Beat egg white, sugar and corn flour using electric handmixer until it is hard and stiff. 

5. Fold in 1/3 of the egg white to egg yolk mixture. Fold in the rest of egg white.

6. Pour half mixture to each pan. 

7. Place both pan on a bigger tray, and add hot water. Steam baked the cake in the oven for 30 minutes, then another 30 minutes at 150 celcius. 

Buttercream:

4 egg white

100g sugar

A pinch of salt

Few drop of green pandan flavored paste

200g butter

Combine egg white and sugar in a heatproof bowl, and place it over a pan of simmering water. Beat the egg white, until sugar dissolves and stiff peaks (temperature about 60 celcius). 

Let the egg white's temperature reaches at about 30-35 celcius then add in butter cube gradually. Beat until the mixture is well incorporated. Add salt and pandan flavored. 

 

2017 Taiwan Trip (3rd day) - Kaohsiung

I bought high speed train to Kaohsiung in advance. It costs around 120 SGD perperson for a return ticket Taipei-Kaohsiung-Taipei (with 20% discount). If you plan to go there, you should book your ticket in advance so that you can get the discount price. You need to print out the booking reference and go to the train station to get your tickets. If you have time, do it a day before your departure date, so that you don't need to rush on the day.

Our train was scheduled at 7:46 in the morning. We had our breakfast packed from hotel. Oh yeah, by the way, we stayed at Hotel Relax II. Luckily the hotel people agreed to do that for us. It's a thick sandwich (egg, bacon, veggies) with orange juice. Yummy...

The hotel has 3 branches: Hotel Relax I, II, III, and V. I, II and III are quite close to each other. It's a boutique hotel. During the say, everyday we are able to get a lucky dip. I was lucky to get a face mask on the first day.:D

We reached Zuoying high speed train station at 9:45 am. Yes, it's still early. There is public buses and few private company buses outside the station to Fo Guang Shan temple. You can go to this link to find out more about the transportation. The bus fare ranges from 70-100 NTD. We were waiting for bus, and suddenly one taxi driver came and approached us. He offered to bring us there if he can find 5 more people. Each of us will need to pay him 100 NTD. Coincidentally, there are 4 Thai people there, but they did not speak Chinese fluently. The same taxi guy also asked them if they are willing to join in the taxi. I had to translate to them, and they agreed. So, it's left one more person before we can depart. Luckily, the driver was quite nice, he only waited for few minutes and after asking few more people, but nobody is going to the same direction, he decided to go.:D

It took us about 30-40 minutes to reach Fo Guang Shan. The taxi driver dropped us at Fo Guang Shan Buddha Memorial Centre.

Below are few pictures that we took at Fo Guang San.    

There is a vegetarian buffet lunch served at second floor. Each of us only paid for 100 NTD for the meal. It's a very simple buffet lunch. They didn't allow me to take picture of their food.:p

We then walked to the Monastery. The distance is not very near, and it's going uphill. It was a good exercise for us that day. Luckily the weather in Kaohsiung is good on the day.

I got tired after that walk, and we didn't walk around the monastery, It's really huge. They have library, dining hall, classroom, etc. While resting at one place, we saw one uncle driving people around in his shuttle car. He asked us if we want to join, we just need to get a ticket later on the way down, and it cost 20 NTD per person. I think the uncle can sense that i was so exhausted. LOL. I straight away said YES. Using the ticket, we could actually ride on any shuttle car in Fo Guang Shan. There is also a shuttle that will bring us back to the memorial hall. Yeay.....

We decided to leave early, at around 3:30 pm. We took public bus back to Zuoying station. Our return train ticket is scheduled for 18:35. It's still early, and I thought we can change our ticket to board on earlier train. I asked the officer, and unfortunately, our tickets can't be changed since it's discounted ticket, unless we are willing to pay for the full fare, then yes we can change the timing. OOf course we chose to walk around the area and wait until 18:35.:D

We reached Taipei at around 20:33, then directly headed to Ningxia night market. It was cold and windy in Taipei. We walked from Zhongshan station to ningxia. We packed oyster misua, rurou fan, and glutinous rice ball. 

I was too tired, and suggested for getting taxi to get back to hotel. But, guess what? The taxi driver dropped us at the wrong place, and eventually we have to walk for about 10-15 minutes to reach our hotel. Oh well.... 

(Oyster Misua)

(Rurou Fan/Minced pork rice)

(Glutinous rice ball with peanuts and black sesame)

Super Easy Martabak/Indonesian Pancake Recipe

A
1 tablespoon sugar
3/4 teaspoon instant yeast
3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1 egg

B
5 tablespoon bread flour or all purpose flour
1 tablespoon corn flour

180 ml Water

1. Add enough water to dissolve ingredients A (about 3-5 tablespoon)
2. Add one egg, and mix well (just use hand mixer)
3. Add B in to previous mixture
4. Add enough water (about 180 ml), can add more if the mixture is too thick
5. Mix well, until no more lump of flour.
6. Place it in refrigerator for use the next day.

Fillings:
1. 1-2 Tablespoon Butter
2. Chocolate Sprinkles (Ceres)
3. Cheese (Optional)
4. Coarse Ground Peanuts
5. Sesame seed (optional)
6. 1 tablespoon condensed milk

Next Day,
1. Preheat pan. I used a nonstick korean brand pan. This pan is made from Marble. I found this type of pan is the best type that I can use in Singapore. Since it's made from Marble, the bottom of the pan is evenly heated (which is a key to get a good Martabak). When you start to see holes, put in some sugar on top, and close the pan with lid. Let it cook for a few minutes.

(When you see something like this, add sugar and close with lid)

2. When the surface is almost dried, off the heat, you can spread with 1-2 tablespoon of butter. Add chocolate sprinkles, coarse ground peanuts, sesame seed, and 1 tablespoon of condensed milk. Fold and cut into pieces. You may spread some butter on the skin as well.

How to make super soft chocolate cake

Recipe:

A

3 egg yolks

30 g sugar

60 g self rising flour/cake flour

20 g cocoa powder

40 g olive oil

60 g water

B

3 egg white

30 g sugar

1 teaspoon corn flour

Procedure:
1. Beat egg yolks with sugar using fork or hand mixer, add in olive oil.
2. Mix cocoa powder with water, then add into the previous mixture.
3. Add in flour, mix well.
4. Beat egg white, with sugar and corn flour, until stiff peak.
5. Pour 1/3 of the egg white mixture into egg yolk mixture, fold in, then pour to the rest of the egg white, and fold slowly until well mixed. Do not overmixed!
6. Preheat oven at 170-180 celcius.
7. Pour the mixture in a pan.
8. Bake for about 18-20 minutes.
9. Insert a toothpick into the centre of the cake, if it's still wet, it needs more time, if it comes out clean, that means the cake is ready.

Last Day in London (2016 Solo Trip)

It's my last day in London for this trip. My flight is in the evening, so, I still have one whole day to explore and enjoy the beauty of London. I plan to see London bridge that day. So, I took train from Earls court station to Monument station. Remember, It's a green line. There will be signs at the station to direct you which exit to take to go to London Bridge. I walked less than 10 minutes and finally I saw a group of people taking picture. Yeah, that's a good spot to take picture with London Bridge as your background. Actually, London Bridge is not very near to Monument station, but if you want to get a good picture, I suggest you to take this route. The scene is definitely awesome. I took a lot of selfie picture there, LOL.  

            (London Bridge - but the sky doesn't look so good from this side)

There is a pathway for jogger or walker to walk along Thames River, and eventually you will reach the beautiful bridge. You will also pass by London Tower along the way. 

                        (London Tower)

If I am not mistaken, it took me about 20-30 minutes to walk. I know it's quite far, but again, believe me, you won't regret. Of course, I stop few times to take picture.  

After passing the London Bridge, then only I see the beautiful blue sky. Wow..... Luckily I did the walking, hahahaha. Otherwise I don't think I will be able to get this nice picture (see below).

                 (Isn't it beautiful?)

After satisfied with the photo taking, I walked to Tower Hill station. Ths station is very near to London Tower. Actually there is London Bridge station nearby, but, I am not sure why when I searched my map, I couldn't find that. But, the walking is still not too bad. I was wearing my heeled boots and still was able to walk, so, it shouldn't be too bad for you.:D 

                      (Tower of London)

I went back to hotel to check out. After that, I am going to do my last minute shopping. I received a request from my sister in law to get some children educational books for my niece. So, I headed to Picadilly area again to look for bookstore.  

My lunch is at Caffe Concerto again. Hihihihi, I saw people eating their pasta the day before. It looked good, so, I thought that I should try it. I ordered King prawn spinach pasta. Yummy....

        (Spinach Pasta with king prawn)

One guest was nice to offer taking picture of me, after she saw me taking selfie picture. LOL.

          (My bill at the cafe)

Oh yeah, they have offer with zapper app. I wanted to take it at first, but then the waiters told me that I have to key in all my information, includes my credit card at zapper. I hesitated and eventually decided to let go the offer.:D

      (Along the street, I think it's Regent street)

Things that I bought back during my trip in London:
1. A pair of Clarks shoes for my mom
2. Lotion from Crabtree & Evelyn
3. Children books
4. Confectioneries from Mark & Spencer
5. Samsonite luggage
6. Hot chocolate from Whittard of Chelsea
7. Accessories from H & M
8. Chocolate from Harrods

Oh yeah, please plan to reach airport at least 3 hours before your flight. The VAT refund counter is super crowded when I was there. It took me about an hour to queue. I wanted to get cash refund, but some of my refund is too little to be able to get cash. There are some charges. So, I opt for credit card refund for Clarks shoes and lotion. But, I get cash for samsonite VAT refund. Oh yeah, they can only return US dolar in cash. So, another conversion of money, and of course the rate is not that good.
Actually, even credit card refund also has fees. I just checked my credit card statement, and I have received the refund. It takes slightly more than a month.
I thought I was early to airport, but the time was just nice, I need to run to check in, after settled my VAT refund.

Chocolate is super cheap in Heathrow. I saw 1 kg Lindt chocolate (individually wrapped), which is only 19.9 pounds. It's a steal..... I should have bought 2 boxes, haha. But, I only got one. Oh well, maybe next time. ;)

Good bye London. Hope to see you again in the future.
         

I love London! (Solo trip 2016, 4th day)

I woke up early and prepared myself for breakfast. I decided to try the hotel breakfast buffet. I have heard good reviews of the breakfast at premier inn. The costs is 10.50 pounds. Not too bad. They served typical english breakfast, which includes: sausage, bacon, potatoes, grilled tomatoes, and one new item (black pudding). Black pudding is blood sausage which is made from pork fat, pork blood and oatmeal. I thought of trying it, but when I saw the amount of oil, I changed my mind. It's so oily!

Then, aside from that, they have different type of cereal, soy milk, fresh milk, juices, fresh fruit smoothies, hot beverages, etc. 

I plan to visit Big Ben that day! 

By the way, I think I haven't told you that, the public transportation in London is really not cheap. One way of underground train can easily costs 2.5 pounds. But, there is a daily price capping using oyster card. You can find out more about the price from the link. Different zone has different price. I think it's 6.5 pounds daily for zone 1-2. Most tourist places are around that area. 

From Earl's court station, I took green line to Westminster Station. It took me only about 20 minutes to reach the station. As soon as I walk out from the station, I was like "WOW"! It's my second time in London, but I can't remember to be so amazed seeing Big Ben six years ago. I really fell in love with this place!

I took so many selfie pictures just in front of the station. LOL

          (Big Ben)

            (One of my selfie picture with Big Ben as background)

Then I walked further down, along the river, and reach London Eye. Below you could see few pictures that I have taken. 

             (London Eye)

    (My rare nonselfie picture - taken by a stranger) - I think she happens to be a photographer.

After spending about 1-1.5 hours there, I decided to leave the place. My next itinerary is shopping. I wanted to look for the lite Samsonite luggage. It costs at least 400 SGD in singapore. I asked one luggage store in St. Pancras International, they have a promotion going on, buy one and get the second one 50% OFF. However, their color stock is quite limited. So, I plan to go to Westfield Mall. I was thinking to go to the biggest one, which is located at Shepherds Bush, London. I just typed westfield in my google map, and guess what? I was directed to the other mall, which is located at Stratford City. I didn't realized that, until I reached the mall, and looking for Longchamp store, but I wasn't able to find any. What a joke! LOL.... 

Yeah, It could happen in some of my trips if I travel alone. The thing is, when I travel alone, I won't plan in very details way, instead I just look for the information about how to go and where to go on the travelling day. But, I think it's sometimes fun though. 

Oh well.... After realizing my mistake, I took underground train again to the westfield in Shepherds Bush. It's quite far. 

There are a lot of restaurants and shopping centre in the area. Unfortunately, eventhough I found the luggage store, the price is more expensive compared to the one I saw in St. Pancras. So, I didn't get anything eventually.  

          (These are the sale that they have in the mall)

                      (Performance near the mall)

But, I had my simple lunch at the mall. It's a cup of noodle and a cup of water from one japanese fast food restaurant. It is a light lunch. 

                     (My lunch)

Shepherd's Bush station is a red line, (central line). So, from there I took train to oxford circus. It's only about 6 stops. I got a pair of Clark shoes for my mom. Then, few bottles of Crabtree & Evelyn lotion. It's definitely much cheaper. Similar lotion that I bought in London costs 35 SGD, whereas it is only about 12 SGD in London.  

Before going back to hotel, I go to King cross again. Of course to get my samsonite luggage. So, I walked to Piccadilly. Yup, King cross is in Piccadilly line, and so does Earl's court (hotel where I stay).

Hohohoho, and I passed by this cafe, called Cafe Concerto. Six years ago, I passed by the same cafe, and just took picture in front of the cafe. This time I think I have to go in. So, I went in and ordered a cup of ice cream. 

           (Yummy Ice cream)

Oh yeah, eventually I did buy the Lite Samsonite luggage from St. Pancras. I happened to meet one lady in the store. At first, we were thinking to combine our purchase so that we both can get the promotion. But, since I need to keep the receipt to get back VAT refund, and she may need the receipt for warranty purposes as well, so eventually we didn't do that.

Oh yeah, I think I should share one of my experience. I have one old 50 pounds note which I didn't use 6 years ago. Apparently, this old note cannot be used anymore. The only way is to change it in a Bank. However, unless I have a bank account in their bank, else I cannot change the note in any bank. The only bank that will take the note is Bank of England. It was weekend during that time, so Bank of England is close. When I know about this thing, I was so sad. 

So, I just simply throw the question to the salesman in the luggage store. He is a very friendly guy. He suggested me to try money changer. So, I kept that in mind, however, I didn't stop by in any money changer that day. I did the next day, and they took it, by charging me 2.5 pounds, which is of course fine with me. So happy...., else the 50 pounds will be wasted.:D

So, I carried the two luggage back to hotel. It's not easy though, even though they are light. In one station, I have to hold the handrail of escalator, so, I only left with one hand for two luggage. Luckily there is one guy who help me to carry one. LOL. Yeah, I have met a lot of good people in London. 

My dinner is an instant noodle. I brought one packet of penang instant noodle to London. Hahaha, People who knows me well, will know that I won't eat instant noodle at home, but I do when I travel.:D  

                 (My dinner for the day. Yummy....)