Travelogue around Asia Pacific Part II

Jakarta - I cannot recall the name of this restaurant but the beef ribs BBQ is so tender and delicious. sweet and BBQ beef ribs with molasses another plate of BBQ beef ribs hot plate beef ribs with molasses sugar Taufu and Tempeh Both are made from soya beans, difference is that Tempeh is fermentation. I like Tempeh fried. Taufu fried with diced chili spring onions Fried Brinjal  This dish is unique and it's fried Bringal or Egg plant with chili sauce.   The next day, I ate the best Sop Buntut in Jakarta and that was at Hotel Borobudur.  It was good and will try it again.

Jakarta -  Upon arrival  @ 4:20 pm, a queue had already built up for immigration; snaking all the way back till your eyes can see.   I moved from the right immigration lane to the left as it was moving faster and cleared both immigration and customs in 1hr.   I would not mind if I did not have a dinner appointment.   Took the taxi and from the minute it left the airport the traffic jam built up all the way to the Hotel and to dinner appointment - it close to 3hrs in traffic when I reach my appointment @ 8:30pm. The Somerset Berlian apartment was very nice at an exclusive suburbs of Permata Hijau; the big problem is getting taxi.  The apartment is much affordable @ USD125 as compared to hotels of 25% the size in Jalan Gen Sudirman.  Unfortunately, it will be the last time I will stay here because of the inconvenience.  It would be perfect for families and if you are staying there as an expatriate. huge apartment

Bangkok - I was hankering for some good Chinese Sharkfin and seafood and so we took a taxi to Yaowarat Steet - Chinatown.   I have been to this restaurant before - food is reasonable and of a high quality with many Chinese Thai as patrons. rows of expensive shark's fins very expensive shark's fin Bht 15,500 Shark fin soup Thai Chinese style The Shark fin soup was cooked in Thai Chinese style - very delicious and succulent.  This restaurant is also a wholesaler for Shark's fin and Bird's Nest. Fried rice with crab meat Thai Asparagus with fresh scallops Codiments that goes with the Shark's fin 5 big prawns These are the long claw river prawns and they taste so sweet and fresh and cost Bht 400 for 5 big ones.  Fresh shark's fin kept in fridge The chef cooks outside the restaurant just in front of the entrance.  Long Claw river prawns The Long Claw River Prawn is light brown with an irid...

Bangkok - We were recommended to go to Somboon Seafood as it had rave reviews and the best in Thailand.  When we arrive at the restaurant, unfortunately they only accept CASH.   This restaurant is huge and had many branches but only accepts cash. Somboon Seafood Restaurant (genuine) We left and took a taxi told him any good seafood (1st mistake in Bangkok, never ask the taxi driver where to eat - always brings you to a scam....).    Told the taxi driver, we need to pay via credit card (2nd mistake, these 'suckers' have money to spend - my commission will be big) He brought us to SomboonDee Retaurant - as we walked in not many patrons.  Lesley and I knew something as amiss when on the menu there were no prices for the seafood.  So we asked how much for the crab, the waitress answer Bht 2,400 per kg.  Both Lesley and I nearly fell off our chair! that is SGD 100 per kg, I told her that is 2.5 times the price in Singapore and this is ...

Tagatay - Albert managed to arrange a boat and trip to the volcano island and after lunch, we followed behind the agent on his bike.   It was about 30 minutes swerving down a dangerous 2-way road to the lake side. that's our boat background is the volcano island  We now just across the lake to the volcano island.... Albert and me Lesley and his samurai umbrella It was a 30 minutes boat ride across the lake to the volcano island and was exhilarating with wind blowing through the hair and the weather perfect. Lesley and his horse The walk up to the peak (311 metres above sea level) would have taken us 45mins to 1 hr under the scorching sun but a bumpy horse ride under 25 mins. me and Lela (horse name) beautiful view from the peak This is a Lake form from the caldera of an active volcano on volcano island within Lake Taal.  Amazing!  This is a Lake within a Volcano within a Lake on an island. another magnificant view ...

Makati - It was nice of Albert to pick us up @ 9.20am to go to Tagaytay (pronounced as Tag-gay-tai).   It was an hour and a half journey south of Manila.   The ride was pleasant and smooth on the highway.   It's a popular tourist spot for both local and foreigners because this city overlooks Taal Lake and resides on an elevation above sea level and offers a beautiful view of the Lake and the Taal volcano island (this is still active).  This freshwater Lake was formed from a caldera evolving from volcanic activity. When we reach Tagatay it about about lunch time and had our meal at Josephine's Restaurant. An award winning restaurant prouding displaying around the restaurnt and true to her fame the food is really good and delicious. A favourite Philippine's drink as a nice thirst quencher - grass jelly, crushed ice, jelly and syrup. Sago Gulaman BBQ seafood platter Laing Laing is a vegetable delicacy of taro leaves simmered in coconu...

Manila - The flight over to Manila was very choppy due to the Typhoon hitting the capital.   When I arrive, it was raining heavily.   The flight was delayed by 20 minutes due to the technicans fixing the in flight entertainment system. Lesley waited for me and we took a taxi to our hotel - Somerset Olympia Makati an executive apartment but was disappointed upon arrival because I was given a different room from which I booked over the internet.   The apartment that I was expecting was double storey 2-bedroom but was given same level adjourning room; very old and the air-con is window unit with a musky smell.   I complaint and they best they could do was to locked the adjourning room to make it 2 single rooms.  2nd complaint was that I was given only 1 password access to use the wireless which means that either Lesley or I have to log off to use it.  After persuading them, they relented and gave us another password.  I don't thin...

Singapore -Besides Travel Insurance, the next important precaution is getting yourself immunized. 1.   Flu or Influenza - affects all and specially those with weak immune system, and other medical problems like diabetes; lung, heart, kidney and liver disease - need this vaccine.   This vaccine last 1 year. 2.   Pneumococcal Disease - It is recommended for all adults aged 50 and above and with medical problems like diabetes; lung, heart, kidney and liver disease to go for immunization.  This vaccination against the preumococcus bacteria - which causes pneumonia, meningitis (brain infection) and blood, ear and sinus infections.   Those aged 50 and above are advised to have it once and those with lower immunity once every 5 years. 3.  Tetanus and Pertussis - All adults need booster shots against tetanus or lock-jaw, a diseasse which affects the muscles and nerves; after their childhood immunization at 11 or 12 years old.  ...