Tsukiji Hongan-Ji

Tokyo - On the way the the subway, we made a short detour into this Tsukiji temple - Tsukiji Hongan-Ji - is a Buddhist temple.

Tsukiji Hongan-Ji

I think there was a funeral ceremony going on in this Temple, so we scoot off and walk straight to the Tsukiji subway station.

Air-con fish market near Tsukiji

Tokyo - After our delicious lunch, by chance we came across this air-con fish market just next to the entrance of Tsukiji market.

Entrance to the air-con fish market

rows of fish mongers

There was many tourist at this fish market and the varieties  of sea food were plenty.

It is much cheaper than seating down at the sushi restaurant we just ate and the sushi here is just at good.   Next time, I will try the sushi here.

Tsukiji sushi bar

Tokyo - Lesley and I set off for Tsukiji to have some good and fresh sushi.   It was raining cats and dogs, my socks is wet and the weather is cod.   Some of the sushi shop had a long queue and some did not, maybe those had good reviews.   We just decided to go to a sushi shop with no queue but there are people eating...

The sushi tasted so good.

sat in front of the sushi chef

Meguru sushi set

Nigiri sushi set

This is just the first round of the set, which includes the rolls, etc.

Long Table restaurant

Bangkok - I decided to go with Lesley to this rave about restaurant in Bangkok - Long Table restaurant.  The Long Table restaurant is located on the 25 floor of the Column Hotel along Sukhumvit just a walking distance from my hotel.

It had been raining daily and fortunately the weather was holding and no rain in sight.

Long Table

As I walk into the restaurant, there was a long table in the middle of the restaurant. We were shown to our table which looks like a lounge table.  We had to take off our shoes to sit on this low table.

Our table

Som Tam

This dish tasted very delicious and good but it was quite spicy.

Asparagus with mushrooms

Thai Green curry

This Thai green curry was unique as it had minced pork wrapped with roasted chicken breast and sliced up.   It tasted very good.

Prawn Prad Thai 

 I was hankering for Prad Thai but this will be rated 2 out of 5 as the noodle was too springy.

Salmon with Pistachio

The Salmon dish was a bit dry.

I don't think I will return to this restaurant as the menu was a bit pricy and one of the reason is the ambiance on the 25th floor with a beautiful view of Bangkok city.

Nice pool view outside

Nice city view

Jones the Grocer

Bangkok - I went to the Bangkok branch restaurant of Jones the Grocer located on the ground floor of EmQuarter (Waterfall Quarter) - near Phrom Phong BTS.   Jones the Grocer was an Australian company which was purchased by LVMH equity arm L Capital in 2012, but was placed on voluntary administration in mid 2014 after its Australian chief executive John Manos resigned from his position.   This Australian icon restaurant now has a small presence in Australia.

The restaurant also sell gourmet grocery items mostly imported.

Beef Strip loin

This medium rare strip loin steak was very tender and delicious.  I like the way it was cook soft and succulent.

Lesley's Salmon steak

Both of the portions were very small and we had to order another dish which was the pizza.

4 cheese pizza

The Pizza had 4 different types of cheese

Burger and Lobster in Genting

Genting - We went this restaurant Burger and Lobster and as the name implies the specialises in 2 key products -providing a good burger and all types of Lobsters.  

The service was not good as we had so many dishes coming in onto our small table.   I asked to change to a bigger table and the waiter was reluctant and had to ask for the manager.   After questioning us whether we are ordering more, only then he changed our tables...and it was not full at that time.

Chili Lobster

The Lobster set

Charcoal burger 

This Charcoal burger had tiny bits of lobster meat on top of the beef patty.

The Lobster Roll

Cable car up to Genting

Genting - From the factory outlet I need to take the cable car up to the Genting Highland summit.  This new cable car was recently opened, the older cable car ride is on the other side of the mountain.   Genting Highlands is owned and managed by the Genting Group - everything built up on this mountain was developed by this company.

Cold mist on the horizon

Into the clouds of mist

20th Century Fox World

This is the new theme park under construction and will open in 2018.  Construction started in 2013 and here what's happening.

Seafood & BBQ restaurant near Genting

Genting - After arriving at KLIA Express station it was a short walk to Sentral Loft Hotel.   This was  my first time staying here and unfortunately it was full occupancy.   The Hotel lobby had work desks with conveniently located power sockets.

On this trip, Donny and Edward decided to drive me up to Genting Highlands.  I think the last time I was up this mountain was more than 20 years ago.   Much has changed when I reach the half way point, lots of development and a newly opened factory outlet.   The design of the factory outlet is so similar to USA factory outlets.

steam seafood

Vegetable soup

The specialty of this restaurant is the soup which is made from the essence of the steam seafood with fresh vegetables.

Edward, Lesley and Donny

Salt Baked Tilapia fish

BBQ Lamb ribs

A good lunch and definitely worth trying the seafood and BBQ lambs again - very delicious.  

Ministry of Crabs restaurant - One of Asia Top 50 restaurants

Colombo - We made reservations otherwise it is difficult to get a seating for this restaurant.  It was fully booked by mostly tourists and foreigners.  This restaurant was ranked the Best Restaurant in Sri Lanka and one of Asia's top restaurants.

Jumbo sized crab

The founders of this restaurant took their cue from Singapore and even praised us for making Sri Lanka crabs worldwide famous.   The crab is very fresh but tasted below such a hefty price at this restaurant.

Their other dishes was even worse.

Bread and Vegetable

We only ate 2 slices from this pile of bread because it tasted like yesterday's bread.   They should have toasted it add butter and garlic.

The Kang kong vegetable tasted old and tough.   Not worth coming back again to this restaurant.

Lunch @ around Galle Fort

Galle - Lunch around Galle was a disaster.   We walked to this restaurant called 'Coconut Sambol' it was such a small restaurant that had only about 3 tables and it was buffet for about SGD8 per person. Very cheap but unfortunately the lunch buffet was not ready and we had to wait for 15 minutes.  I decided to wait since the reviews were good.

very small restaurant 

I wanted to use the toilet and had to walk into their house through their kitchen.   The lunch was left un covered  and was not appetising to me anymore.

We walked and found a row of restaurants and decided to try 'The Hammock Restaurant'.  

The Hammock Restaurant

We ordered Grilled Fish and Grill jumbo prawns since Sri Lanka is famous for their seafood.

Grilled Jumbo Prawns

We ate the 4 Jumbo prawns it was ok..

Grilled Fish

Why add sauce on a grilled fish? a red flag to me.   I cut open and tasted and the fish was bad as it was  frozen thawed for a long time and they used the sauce to masked the rotting smell.   I told the waiter and he apologise and quickly took away the fish.   He does not seem surprise and offered a replacement with Jumbo prawns and a 10% discount.

The 2nd jumbo prawns was bad and rotten as I could not pick the meat up from the shell, the flesh just broke off into bits.   I was disgusted, just paid and left hungry.

Galle Fort - UNESCO Heritage Site

Colombo - The journey started at 9am and took 3hrs via the highway to reach Galle Fort situated around the Bay of Galle - Southern coast of Sri Lanka.

The Fort was first built by the Portuguese in 1588 before being extensively fortified by the Dutch in the mid 1600s. Recognized by UNESCO for its cultural heritage value, the Fort was declared a World Heritage Site in 1988.  This fort looks out onto the Indian Ocean.

iconic Galle Fort clock tower

Top of the fort looking down

Fort's prison

Looking to the India Ocean

Base of the huge cannon

Fort's Lighthouse

I walked for about 30 minutes in the hot sun from the Clock Tower to the Fort's Lighthouse.  Known also as Pointe de Galle Light, this on shore lighthouse is Sri Lanka's oldest, dating back 1848. Located at the southern end of the promontory within the Galle Fort.  

Jumping spot for the crazy jumpers

For US$ 30 crazy jumpers will dive from this spot into that narrow gap avoiding all the rocks.  I told him 'you are crazy' and his reply was 'life here is cheap'.

The London Grill

Colombo - It was raining heavily and we decided to eat at the Hotel but many of their restaurants were fully booked and had to settle for The London Grill.   The unpleasant part of this restaurant was their dress code of wearing pants - Lesley had to change from his running shorts to pants.    The servers were attentive and food was served professionally.   From this point it was all uphill good service and food.

3 types of butter

3 types of bread rolls

complimentary apetitiser

Smoked salmon roll with crab sticks..

Scallops

The scallops was fresh but only 3 for this serving

Salmon Tartar

Beef Wellington

Nice pink beef within

The Beef Wellington had a nice pink colour and it was deliciously cook.    I enjoyed it very much.

Lesley's seafood platter

complimentary chocolates

Bailey's and Pistachio ice cream

A good dinner at this Hotel restaurant..