Suki - steamboat @ The Nine

Bangkok - I went to The Nine to have lunch with my new Thai Sales Manager 'Air',   The place has lots of space and looks very airy and contemporary.  This location is owned and managed by MBK.  Yes, the famous MBK at Stadium BTS.

We had lunch @ Suki Number 1.  Suki in Thai means Steamboat.  When I was told we are going to have Suki, I thought it was to a Japanese restaurant to have Suki Yaki.

This is their signature meat dish

This is the pork with 2 eggs - it does not look appetising but once it's fully cooked it tasted really good.   You need to slowly push the whole dish into the steamboat.

Lots of other dishes

Our boiling Steamboat

It was a good lunch and I was very full at the end of my meal.

Savoy @ Mercury Ville

Bangkok - I took the BTS to Chidlom and went to Mercury Ville - a small mall at the intersection of Langsuan Rd and Ploenchit Rd and this restaurant caught my eye "In business since 1972".  The food must be good to have survive the competition.  The restaurant is called Savoey @ Chidlom but managed by a group called Savoey.

They had pages and pages of signature dishes and I tried two of them and they are really good.  I will definitely come back and try the rest of their dishes.

Aloe Vera quencher 

Oyster Egg Omelette 

Wow! the taste of this dish is so good.  It is actually sinfully good because of the high cholesterol of eggs and oysters.  The egg base was fried to a crisp and the oyster is so fresh.  It was a delicious dish.

Crab with stir fried vermicelli

This vermicelli was stir fried with slices of squid and pepper corns.  The fresh taste of the crab was succulent top of Thai coriander.    It was a good dinner by myself.

Layar Seafood Restaurant

Surabaya - For dinner we went to one of Surabaya most popular seafood restaurant - Layar Seafood Restaurant.   It was a big restaurant and the place was crowded but we managed to find a table.

the welcome sign

Tanks of live fishes

We ordered their famous salted egg jumbo crab but it turns out to be our local kind of larger crabs.

Salted egg jumbo crabs

sauces and condiments

Vegetables

steam fresh grouper

stir fried Broccoli

I wanted another dish of vegetables because the first dish of vegetables tasted really good.   The Broccoli was also very delicious.  On the whole it was a good meal and I will come back again to this restaurant if I have another trip to Surabaya.

Mount Bromo - the Active Volcano

Surabaya - We made arrangements for a pick up at our Hotel @ 11pm to go to Mount Bromo for a spectacular sunrise.   I had been disappointed previously in Taiwan and Jeju island because of the cloudy skies and hope this journey to Mount Bromo would be worth the time.   It takes 4 hours broken up into 3 hrs from Surabaya to the meeting point; and another 1 hour by Jeep to reach near the sunset viewing area.    It was very cold (around 5 degrees) and the rental of the jacket cost Rp 25,000 each (about S$ 2.6).  To use the toilets you have to pay - some charges Rp 3,000 and others Rp 5,000 but its clean.

Mount Bromo is a part of the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park that covers a massive area of 800 square kilometres (about the size of Singapore).

We were the first to arrive at the summit sunrise viewing area and there was no one around; so we decided to wait at a food stall and had tea, coffee and instant noodles.

Around 4:15am, the whole summit was packed with tourist vying for the best spot to take their pictures.     At the summit it was free for all, and some of the tourist were very rude standing on the metal railing thus blocking people from behind.   There were some kind people that share the photo taking space with total strangers.

Many stars were shining brightly and I know it will be a good sun rise.

Sun rising from the horizon

Crater of Mt Bromo

Mt Bromo is the background

Mount Bromo - The jeep drove us to the Mount Bromo crater.  For the tired or lazy, there are motocycles and horses for hire to reach to base of the crater.   Costing around Rp50,000 one way.  We decided to walk up to the crater about 2km walk.

Background is the Mt Bromo temple

a long hike up the Mt Bromo

Mt Bromo is 2392 metres tall and near the base of the crater there are 250 steps.

A long and tiring climb but every step is worth it to view this spectacular active volcano.
'

Spectacular active volcano

Savana - a grassland with few tress around in this vast landscape

Our jeep tourer

Sand landscape - This vast landscape of black and darken sand with specs of glass was due to an eruption from Mt Bromo in 2012.

We had a short breakfast and journey back to the Hotel.

Breakfast @ Mr. Jones

Bangkok - I came across this restaurant - Mr. Jones with a peculiar theme of teddy bears.   They have very quaint and British feel to the whole atmosphere.  

Clock on the ceiling

The clock that goes round and round on the ceiling and it pulls the teddy bears up and down.  This clock does not tell time but will the purpose of pulling the bears on the cakes up and down.

sugary cakes in full display

My cappuccino

The cappuccino was clever crafted like art with a face of a teddy bear.  It also says 'Don't Forget to brush my teeth'.

my hearty breakfast

Caesar salad to share

The price of food and drinks are above average priced - once as a patron is good enough.

Back 'Home' for dinner

Bangkok - We went back to HOME restaurant for some wholesome good and affordable seafood.

Seafood glass noodles

As you can see from the photo there ingredients are more than the noodles unlike many Singapore restaurants.   Needless to say, this dish tasted delicious.

Steam seabass Thai style

This steam seabass fish dish was spicy but the overall taste was good and well blended with the galic and sauces added.   Not too salty and the seabass fish meat was succulent.

minced pork egg omelette

morning glory stir fried

I like this restaurant and one of the reason I keep coming back back here.  The food is simple and fresh, the fish always taste succulent.

BBQ Supper @ 2am

Saigon - Still hungry after playing darts and pool, we walk to our nearby BBQ store which opens till 4AM.   Our Last Supper before heading home.

Octopus on the hot coal

Yummy BBQ Octopus

Marinated chicken