Charcoal Bread (one loaf)

Ingredients:

220 g bread flour

58 g cake flour

2g charcoal powder

20 g sugar

3 g yeast

3 g salt

180 g cold milk

25 g unsalted butter

Procedures:
1. Mix flour, yeast, salt, sugar, and milk using chopstick
2. Add in butter. Knead the dough until the dough is elastic and smooth. You can do it by hand or electric mixer. I usually do it by hand, and it takes me about 20 mins to get an elastic dough. To check whether you dough is ready, you can pinch off a small piece of dough, then stretch the dough by approx. 3-5 cm, if the dough forms a thin membrane and stretches without breaking, then your dough is ready.

3. Leave the dough in a container and cover with cling wrap, let it rise up to double size. This depends on the temperature of your kitchen. If it's warm enough, then it will take short time (45-60 mins). It may go up to 2 hours. I learnt from a friend --> usually I put the dough inside microwave with a cup of hot water.

Since I don't have a microwave anymore, i usually pregeat my oven at 150 degree for 1 mins, then open the oven door and let it cold down for a bit. Then place the dough inside the oven, if the oven is still too warm, slightly open the oven door. 
4. Punch the dough with your fist to get rid of the air. Shape the dough like a big oval and place it in the bread loaf pan. Let it rise for another an hour.

5. Preheat oven 200 celc. Bake it for 20 mins. 

Japan Trip June 2014 (Nara-Arrival day and First Day)

This is really a super late post. I went to Japan for a conference in 2014. It was held in Nara.

I flew to Osaka with a colleague. We reached Osaka in the night, and took train to Nara. I remembered how we struggled to get a train ticket from ticket machine. We had only few minutes before the train leave the station. But, we made it... We reached Nara quite late. I think it was 10 plus in the night. 

     (My inflight meal by Singapore Airlines)

I booked Comfort Hotel Nara, whereas my colleague stayed at Nikko hotel. We are only allowed to stay at 3 star hotel. However, my colleague was invited by the conference organizer, so, her accomodation was paid by them. Anyway, I was quite happy with this hotel. As usual, Japan hotel is really tiny.  

Oh yeah, before I depart to Japan, I have booked a sim card to be sent to the hotel. So, I received my sim card as soon as I checked into the hotel. You can order one at bmobile if you need data plan in Japan. 

              (Bed is quite comfortable)

         (Super tiny bathroom)

           (Comfort Hotel Nara)

My conference meeting will start only in the evening the next day. So, I pretty much have one day to walk around. I plan to go to Kyoto.

So, I woke up quite early to have a free breakfast in the hotel. The breakfast is quite simple.

       (My breakfast)

I took train to Kyoto and then go around Kyoto by bus. It's quite convenient. I took bus to Arashiyama. 

         (Kyoto Train Station)

               (Bus Stop at Arashiyama)

I was very tired that day, so, I didn't walk much. Couldn't find the bamboo grove either. I think I should have walked further to find it. Maybe next time:D

From Arashiyama, I headed to Kiyomizu-dera temple. 

              (Do we look alike?)LOL

                 (Kiyomizu-dera temple)

I had my lunch at a restaurant in a mall nearby kyoto station. Ya, I really didn't spend much time in Kyoto. My lunch was huge. Rice and ramen, but of course I didn't finish all.:p

                     (Set lunch come with rice and ramen)

          (Yummy Waffle)

I get back to Nara in the afternoon and get ready to go to conference venue for registration. The registration process was quite fast, and I met few of my colleagues there. We stayed for a while, and then left for dinner. After dinner, I still walked around on my own to look for dessert place. I found this small shop. It's pretty delicious. But, a bit pricey.

London Solo Trip 2016

I reached London Heathrow airport early in the morning at around 7:30 am. By the time I cleared custom and got my luggage, it was already 9 am.
I have read that the cheapest way to get into town is by taking train, and using regular Oyster card. I bought the card from machine at the train station. When you walk out from baggage claim place, just follow the sign to underground station. Get one regular oyster card, there will be a £5 deposit for the card. However you can get it back when you deactivate the card.

My first stay was at Premier Inn at King cross. I booked that hotel so that it is easier for me to travel to Sheffield the next morning. My conference meeting is at Sheffield. Yes, this trip is my business trip.:D 

By the way if you notice my first picture. I have th eintention to include this picture. There is a sign whether each station is convenient for disable people. It's probably not very clear in my picture. But, if you want to make sure that there is elevator so that it's easier for you to carry your heavy luggage, then please find our before you book your hotel. I know King cross is one station which has lift.

It's still early to check into hotel at that time. So, I just left my luggage and then walk around the area. I intend to get a sim card first. I have read through some blogs that suggested not to get the prepaid card from the airport, because it's more expensive. The sim card is usually free, but, because I bought it from a convenient store, they charged 1 poundsterling. Then, I have to topup the card with 10 pounds voucher. So, total cost me 11 pounds. I got "three" network. The seller helped me to subscribe for data plan. 10 pounds for 1 GB data that can be used for 30 days, I think it's enough for my 5 day trip in UK. 

Then, I walked to St. Pancras London International station to check where I should go tomorrow morning and also to collect my ticket. After walked around, I found East Midlands trains. I bought the return ticket online, before I traveled to UK. In case if you plan to travel around by intercity train, you should booked it first, because it is much cheaper that way. It costs me about 50 pounds for return ticket to Sheffield. If you buy the ticket the day before, or on the day, the price can be 100-200 pounds. Super expensive!

It was lunch time, so I decided to have my lunch at one of the cafe in the station. This cafe serves organic food. I ordered a meal that includes soup, and bread with smoke salmon. I can't remember the name. The soup is tomato soup. My lunch was delicious. I also ordered a cup of Belgian hot chocolate with soy milk. When I got my order, I thought for a few seconds, how can I drink this hot chocolate? The chocolate and milk were served separately. It suddenly reminded me of my Sydney trip few years back. I went to Guylian cafe, and ordered hot chocolate, they served a separate chocolate with a piece of dark chocolate. Very Interesting...

I poured the chocolate into the hot soymilk. It wasn't very special for the taste wise. Could it be because of soy milk?:D         

It was 1 plus after I finished my lunch. So, I went back to the hotel. I was hoping to be able to check in. Good that they have room for me. This hotel is a 3star hotel. But, I think it's really nice. The size is good, knowing that it's in London. 

                (Premier Inn Hotel at King Cross)

In the late afternoon, I decided to go to Buckingham Palace for a walk. I took underground from King Cross to Green Park station, and just follow the crowd and signs to the palace. I passed by a big grass field. Some people suggest to go there when the guard change duty. But, it's usually in the morning. You should check before you go if you want to see the process. 

                  (Buckingham Palace)

I took a lot of picture there. But I think the above one is the nicest color.:D

From there, I used my phone gps to piccadilly. It's not very far. Probably around 15 minutes. But, I stopped by National Gallery museum on my way there. However, since I am not a museum person, so, I just stayed there for 10-15 minutes, just to get some aircon. There is free wifi in the building. Actually free wifi is everywhere in London!

                      (Buckingham Palace)

I wasn't sure where to go, but I remember that my colleague suggested me that I should try Four season duck. Since I passed by chinatown area, I then packed one pack of rice with roasted duck and bbq pork. There is also a huge M & M store. Worth to visit..... 

                        (Four season roasted duck and bbq pork rice)

The packed rice was quite big portion. I didn't finish it. It is indeed quite nice. But, after this meal I had very bad sore throat for the rest of my stay in London. It's probably due to the cold, dry and windy weather in London. Oh well...

That's all for my arrival day in London! It was a tiring day..........
Stay tune for my next post!

Hong Kong 2016 trip (Macau)

I bought returned Ferry ticket to Macau before departed to HK from Turbojet website. Two return tickets cost HKD 634. Our departure time is at 9 am, so, we woke up early that morning and left hotel at 7:30. The Ferry terminal is walking distance (about 15 minutes) from our hotel. We still need to collect tickets from the counter. After I collected tickets, suddenly Welly realized that his passport wasn't with him. He was only holding he passport cover, without passport inside. He got panic, and said that he needs to return to hotel. So, I stayed there, and had my breakfast at one of the restaurants. If I am not mistaken the name is The village. I ordered a set that includes porridge and rice cake, and almond milk drink. I never know that the rice cake is quite big portion. I was good just with the porridge and almond milk.

After 15 minutes, I received his text saying that he couldn't find his passport, and asked me to check my handbag. Guess what? It's inside my bag.:-o I didn't even know how that passport can get inside my bag. LOL. I think one of us may be unconsciously put that passport inside my handbag. Anyway, he rushed back, and luckily we were able to catch the 9 am ferry.

There is wifi in the ferry, however the signal was not very good.

                            (My Breakfast Set Meal)

It took close to 2 hours to reach Macau. We then decide to get a phone card. It costs 50 HKD (less thank SGD 10), and it's definitely enough for one day in Macau. 

We decided to visit Venetian first, by taking the hotel shuttle. From the ferry terminal just follow the sign that guide you to bus shuttle place. You need to walk pass through underground. It's easy to get there. 

(Portuguese Egg Tart from Lord Stow's Bakery & Cafe at Venetian)

By the way, the best egg tart that I have tried in Macau is the one from Lor Stow's bakery. They have one stall in venetian. The sugar caramel taste is really awesome!

           (Mall Inside The Venetian. Yes, it's indoor!)

From Venetian, we took another bus shuttle to one of the hotel near Ruins of st. paul. Grand Lisboa, Hoel Lisboa, and Wynn hotel are the three hotels which are located quite near to the church. It's about 15 minutes walk. But, we didn't walk, instead, we took a cab. The cab costs only 20 HKD (about 4 SGD) if I am not mistaken. 

We walked around the street and took pictures in front of the church. Our lunch was at one small restaurant. We ordered a plate of noodle (the famous one), dumpling soup, vegetable, and fried fish ball. It was nice.... 

(Lunch at Cheong Kei Har Ji Min in Macau)

Address: Cheong Kei 祥記麵家

68 (G/F), Rua da Felicidade

       (Fried fish Ball)

                        (In front of Ruins St. Paul church)

We also tried egg tart from Koi Kei shop. But, it tastes so so. Nothing special. I have of course read through few blogs that recommend Cafe e Nata Margaret's for their egg tart. There is a long queue, but it's moving very fast. It was indeed good. The tart skin was very fluffy. But I don't know why I still think the one from Lord Stow's bakery is still better. 

(Portuguese Egg Tart from Cafe e Nata Margaret's)

Our ferry to Hong kong was at around 5:45 pm. We went back to the ferry terminal at 4 pm by taking cab. It's still early, so, we decided to hop on a cafe to have a tea time.

            (Tea Time at one cafe in Macau Ferry Terminal)

That's all for our adventure in Macau. It was a great trip, and yes, I think one day trip is enough.