It’s all about the food

Smell and taste teach as much about a place as what you see.

One of our favorite aspects of travel is food. The preparation, presentation and flavors, even how you eat, say a lot about a country and its people. That said, Southeast Asia is an amazingly appetizing smorgasbord of cultural experience!

Our stays in various countries ranged from three to 30 days so this is by no means a complete or authoritative guide to Southeast Asian cuisine. It’s simply our tasty compilation of grazing moments . . .

Japan

We were delighted to find that Japan is much more than rice and sushi . . .

Let’s begin with, what else? Sushi!

Tokyo’s Tsukiji Market is the biggest wholesale fish and seafood market in the world.

Tokyo’s Tsukiji Fish Market

Fresh tuna at Tokyo’s Tsukiji Market.

Takoyaki or octopus balls are a popular snack.

The island of Miyajima is famous for its grilled oysters.

Tempura shrimp and vegetables

Udon are thick white wheat flour noodles. They are mostly served hot in a bowl of broth, but can also be served cold.

Hakata ramen features a smooth, milky broth with green onions and char siu (boiled or roasted pork) with thin noodles.

Soba are thin brown buckwheat noodles. Like udon they can be served hot or cold. If you order zarusoba, the noodles and the broth will be served separately.

Udon are thick white wheat flour noodles. They are mostly served hot in a bowl of broth, but can also be served cold.

Kaiseki is Japan’s elegant and elaborate multi-course gourmet cuisine.

Kaiseki is Japan’s elegant and elaborate multi-course gourmet cuisine. This is a breakfast version served at a traditional ryokan.

Many restaurants specialize in one type of food. Izakaya are casual and pub-like, offering tapas style cuisine.

Izakaya dinner (tapas style) at Ueno Yaamachan

Tebasaki (Japanese chicken wings)

Yakiniku or Japanese barbecue restaurants often feature a small grill in the center of the table.

Japanese hot pot: Seafood Nabe or Nabemono

Bento boxes are handy one portion takeout meals.

Tonkatsu (pork cutlet) bento box

Okonomiyaki is a savory version of Japanese pancake, made with flour, eggs and shredded cabbage, often topped with tofu or shrimp. It’s often referred to as Japanese pizza.

Another version of okonomiyaki or Japanese pizza.

We did not see a lot of western-style restaurants but sometimes you just need a taste of “home.” We discovered a wonderful Italian restaurant in Hiroshima that made an amazing Neapolitan pizza. If you’re in the city, Pizza Riva has wonderful food and a great staff!

We were delighted and awed by the department store depachika/gourmet food halls.

Matsuzakaya Department Store depachika or food hall

Matsuzakaya Department Store depachika or food hall. Prepared food is marked down 60% at 6pm and customers go wild!

Western style bakery is very popular.

Japan has embraced breads wholeheartedly!

The Japanese love their “food on sticks.” Yakitori is bite-sized pieces of grilled chicken on skewers. Yakiton is the pork equivalent.

Shioyaki is salted fish threaded on the skewer to look like swimming fish.

Dango are chewy Japanese rice dumplings. They are often grilled and served at street festivals.

Choco banana, or a chocolate-dipped banana on a stick, is one of the most popular Japanese food on sticks at street festivals.

Manju – sweet steamed rolls often filled with red bean paste

Panda manju filled with chocolate – num!

There are always long queues for Rikuro’s cheesecake in Osaka. The cake is fluffy, light and delicious!

There is no shortage of desserts in department store food halls. They range from traditional Japanese to fancy European pastries. These egg shells filled with pudding were a popular choice.

During Cherry Blossom season, stores featured floral themed treats.

MiLKS in Tokyo – custard served with your choice of two liqueurs

Matcha ice cream

At Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Temple), we enjoyed Matcha tea and a traditional Japanese sweet (Wagashi), which had gold on it!

Sake is Japanese rice wine.

Empty sake barrels, or komodaru, are often found at shrines.

On a foodie side note, there is a whole industry based around plastic food. Most Japanese restaurants showcase menu offerings  in outdoor display windows and cases. They are eerily realistic!

Thailand

Thai food has always been one of our favorites. We were fascinated by the floating food market/food court outside Bangkok.

We enjoyed one especially good dinner at Bangkok’s Tealicious restaurant.

Appetizers: Deep fried prawns wrapped in noodles and Golden moneybags (minced chicken, sweetcorn and Chinese mushrooms)

Matsaman Curry Chicken (front) and Pud Thai (top)

Cambodia

Fish Amok – fish in a savory curry sauce served over sticky rice.

Singapore

The food scene in Singapore is much more ethnically diverse than other Southeast Asian countries we visited. As mentioned in my previous blog, Singapore is multi-racial and multi-cultural. Their cultural goal of “integration, not assimilation,” is deliciously evident in their plethora of food offerings.

Despite being one of the most expensive city/countries in the world, one can find good, inexpensive food if you know where to look. Frank and I had some of our best cheap eats within the ethnic conclaves of Little India and Arab Street and at hawker centers (open air complexes housing inexpensive food stalls).  In fact, the cheapest Michelin rated restaurant is still located in a Singapore hawker center!

Food is best when shared with fun people. We tossed Lo Hei (fish salad) in celebration of Chinese New Year with Tod and Hany and their friends and family.

Tod and Hany took us to Little India for breakfast. Paratha (Indian flatbread)

Indian Masala Dosa is made from rice, lentils, potato and spices and is served with chutney and sambar.

Indian rojak. Rojak means a mix.

Tekka wet market in Little India

We went into the wet market to check out the fish heads(?!!) and other fish and meat.

Blue crabs at Tekka wet market

Once in a while, you will see a Silkie chicken in Asian grocery stores. They are black-pigmented right down to its bone and don’t taste any different than other chickens.

Hawker stall

Nasi Goreng Paprik Seafood (Malaysian)

Gulai Ayam or chicken curry (Malaysian)

Malaysian Mee Siam (thin rice noodles in a mix of spicy, sweet and sour gravy)

Ramen (originally Chinese)

Festival food: Japanese pizza

Festival food: corn dog

Festival food – Sharkfin soup (but no real sharkfin, thank goodness!)

Festival food: grilled squid on skewers

Festival food: fried soft shell crabs

Festival food: World burger

The cheapest Michelin rated meal is in Singapore.

This chicken and rice dish is the cheapest Michelin rated dish at just $2.

People either hate or love durians — but no one likes the smell! They are banned on public transport and in many buildings!

Durian-flavored products

We had a fancy Malaysian restaurant near our place called Violet Oon, which we visited twice. Shown are Beef Rendeng, Meatless Meatballs Rendang and Dry Laksa

Violet Oon made this dessert, Mini Kueh Salat, which I came to crave. Steamed pandan custard is layered on glutinous rice. Just the right amount of sweet. Love.

When we craved western comfort food, we went to the Clinton Baking Company, where Frank would get banana pancakes.

I went out of my comfort zone to try chicken and waffles and it is seriously one of the best combinations I have ever eaten!

Malaysia

Singapore was part of Malaysia until 1965. Malays make up 15% of Singapore’s population and we enjoyed a lot of wonderful Malaysian food while we were there. When early Chinese migrants married local Malays, they also wedded their culinary ingredients and spices to create Nyonya cuisine. It’s aromatic. It’s spicy. It’s delicious. Many of those dishes (i.e. Rendang, Laksa, Mee Siam) were featured in the Singapore section above. We visited two Malaysian cities, Melaka and Penang, where we discovered a few more standout dishes.

Nasi Lemak is often called Malaysian’s “national dish.” The rice dish is made with coconut milk and pandan leaf.

Our Singapore driver told me we had to try lok-lok. We went to a local restaurant and, unfortunately, no one spoke English so they couldn’t tell me what was on the sticks.

It was cheap, 70 cents a stick. You cooked the raw food in a spicy hot pot. Since I had no idea what most of the meat was, I stuck with vegetables and what I thought was chicken. Frank chose to pass!

I wish I would have tried lok-lok at this place. Labels are good.

Nyonya food on a stick

We found this place via a random conversation and it was amazing! Fresh fruit is mixed and combined with liquid nitrogen to create a delicious individual serving of ice cream.

Liquid nitrogen strawberry ice cream – fewer ice crystals, less sugar. Frank chose coconut with caramel sauce, which was served in a coconut!

A friend in Singapore told me to find this shop/restaurant that made the dessert I craved, kueh salat. This small shop down an alley specializes in the dessert and makes it for weddings.

I crave this – Kueh Salat

And the award for best food goes to . . .

Vietnam

What can I say? We loved everything we tried here!

So Hanoi, and Vietnam in general, is a place you can NEVER leave hungry!

Nem ran: Deep-fried spring roll

Food tour bonding

Frank assisted the chef with spring rolls during our Halong Bay cruise.

Traditional dinner at Mai Chau home stay

Banh cuon: steamed rice pancake

Nom du du: green papaya salad

Bun cha: Grilled pork with rice noodles

One of our favorite dishes was Cha Ca. It’s made with fish and vegetables cooked in a pan on your table.

Cha Ca is served over rice and is delicious!

Banh mi: Vietnamese sandwich

Egg coffee from Cafe Trung

Green sticky rice ice-cream from Kem xoi

On to the next adventure . . .

Southeast Asia was an amazing area to visit. How can we ever top this latest adventure? Come find out as this blog closes (due to space constraints!) and the next one begins at Waltzing Wanderers 4.

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Faces and more places

Mount Fuji from the Bullet Train on our way to Kyoto

We traveled to the newly built Fujisan World Heritage Center in hopes of seeing the great mountain.

Sadly, it was overcast and we only saw glimpses when the clouds briefly parted.

The center, however, was worth the trip. Multi-level screens showed different elevations of and views from Mount Fuji.

Hiking Mount Fuji.

Takayama Festival

The festival showcased century old parade wagons with mechanical robots.

Takayama Festival

Takayama Festival

Mount Koya is a temple town and the center of Shingon Buddhism, first settled in 816. The original monastery has evolved into over 100 temples.

Many of the temples offer lodging. We spent one night in Mount Koya.

The meditation area

We visited Okunoin, the largest cemetery in Japan.

Okunoin Cemetary is home to over 200,000 graves.

On the grounds of Okunoin, is the mausoleum of Kobo Daishi, the monk who founded the religious order. It is lit by thousands of lanterns.

In the morning, we were invited to witness the morning prayer ceremony.

The morning fire ceremony

In Mount Koya we slept on traditional bedding as we did in other ryokans around Japan.

Easter Mass in Kyoto. Afterwards, they handed out colored Easter eggs to those who came to Mass!

Hiroshima was one of the most emotional places we visited.

Hiroshima

Hiroshima

Beppu hot springs

Our private bath at Beppu hot spring resort

Preserved postal town of Magome in the Kiso Valley

Shinjuku

Taro Okamoto’s “The Myth of Tomorrow” mural in Shibuya station depicts nuclear proliferation and the atomic bomb explosions in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

This Japanese calligraphy master offered to write our names for us.

Tokyo’s Tsukiji Fish Market

Coincidentally, our favorite pilot was in Tokyo when we were!

Our group in Japan – Kanpai!

Those trains . . .

You can’t talk about Japan without talking about the trains. In many ways, the system is a microcosm of Japanese culture — technologically advanced, punctual, efficient, orderly, clean. We purchased a Japan Rail Pass, which provided access to a network of local, regional and the amazing Shinkansen “bullet” trains. We traveled by rail almost every day of our three-week trip. The efficiency of arriving just minutes before our train allowed us extra time to tour, sleep, eat, shop or whatever. For long trips, we reserved seats. There couldn’t have been a more convenient and reliable way to travel everywhere we needed to go in Japan.

Japanese Rail Passes are available in 1-, 2- or 3-week increments. They are only available to foreign tourists who pre-purchase prior to their arrival in the country.

Like many of the places we visited, the train station was conveniently connected to our hotel. Trains and subways provided easy travel within Japan’s busy, crowded cities . . .

. . . and further out to scenic, less crowded towns, often hours away.

Tokyo’s busy Shibuya station is known for the story of a dog named Hachiko. He would wait for his master outside the station every day after work, and sadly, even after the man died one day at work. You will always find a crowd of tourists surrounding the dog’s statue, taking selfies.

Japanese train stations are busy places but surprisingly quiet.

The crowds create a captive audience for the shops that line the station corridors.

Japanese trains can also be very crowded but quiet, too.

The queues are always orderly with no pushing and shoving.

The long distance trains are comfortable and people pass the time with food and drink.

Some people, even on the local trains, use the time to get a little shut eye.

Frank easily adapted to that practice!

Frank in his happy place.

 

 

Observations

“The Japanese think of everything.” If we said it once, we said it fifty times on this trip. From heated toilet seats to no-fog mirrors to purse baskets at restaurants, we were in a constant state of amazement. Of course, Frank couldn’t stop raving about the train system (but that’s another post!).

The Japanese people are very polite and have a keen sense of awareness for the people around them. The train stations provide a good example. Rush hour with hundreds of people heading to and from trains is a mob scene — but only due to the number of people. It’s busy but calm at the same time. If you stop to listen, all you hear are footsteps. Trains can be packed like sardines but, again, it’s eerily quiet. No one is talking loudly on cellphones or shouting above each other. If people are talking, it’s in hushed tones.

Japan is a fascinating country with kind, gracious people. Throughout our trip, there were so many things that struck as unique, charming, interesting, or just plain funny…

Advanced Japanese technology was everywhere. Our hotel rooms often included the complimentary use of a portable “Travel Buddy” for local phone calls, GPS and internet!

To facilitate your ramen purchase, customers choose their food and pay at the kiosk. Give the attendant your ticket and they bring you your food!

At this bakery, a computer scans the shape of the food to determine what it is. Then you are charged accordingly.

Yes, the bathrooms — heated toilet seats with sprayers, no fog mirrors — wow!

Even non-technology novelties captured our curiosity. Rather than a long taxi queue, the taxis parked in a square lot, pulling out one by one in numerical order and then the whole row moved up! Smart use of space and doesn’t block the roads. Might be a good idea at some schools in the US!

Space constraints often require creative use of rooftops!

The Japanese love golf but land is limited and play is very expensive. Thus, you see multi-level driving ranges everywhere!

People are required to carry and dispose of their own garbage. There are few public receptacles outside of restaurants. When you do see them, sorting is encouraged. Above this receptacle is this week’s poster reminding people to use their manners.

I mentioned the silence of the commuters. You also can’t help but notice the work “uniform.”

Kids wear school uniforms, too.

I hope they aren’t required to purchase their backpacks at this store (equates to about $800 each!)

When not in work clothes or school uniforms, the Japanese exhibit a great fashion sense.

There are some interesting past times in Japan. I hope the owl and cat cafes aren’t on the same floor!

The men, in particular, have some unusual places to hang out.

There are countless “maid cafes.”

Upscale departments stores often have gourmet food stores on their lower levels. Food is marked down 70% at 6pm. It’s the only time we witnessed old Japanese women pushing and shoving!

When you are a guest at the next dinner party, skip the bottle of wine. You can bring this box of uniform, perfect cherries to your hostess — only $129!

Many Japanese spend a lot of time on trains. To make good use of that time, you can enjoy these pretty and delicious little bento box meals.

These small books are specifically created for reading in confined train spaces!

A big thing in Japan was local-flavored Kit Kats.

Wasabi Kit Kat anyone?!!

One never touches the taxi door. Drivers open and close doors automatically.

Now this is what I call a “body suit.”

Karaoke rooms rent by the hour and are private. Late at night, if people miss the last train, rates switch to a nightly rate so you can sleep someplace safe and inexpensive.

A store opening, not grand opening but opening EVERY day, is a big deal. This department store provides tea while customers wait outside.

Doors open at the designated time, music plays and clerks bow as customers walk in! After a couple minutes, the music stops and the clerks go to their work stations and the day begins.

The Japanese do not believe in bringing the dirt from outside inside. That said, you are often required to remove your shoes.

In addition, you should change into bathroom slippers so those germs don’t go beyond the bathroom.

I liked the idea that you didn’t have to put your purse on the floor.

Japan wants to double its tourism in the coming years. English has become more prevalent on signage, particularly on the trains.

As different cultures visit, the Japanese are finding it necessary to educate tourists on local “customs.”

Kimono and geisha

Arriving at Tokyo’s Ueno Park for the cherry blossom festival, I spotted a woman in a kimono. “Is that a geisha?” I wondered. Then I saw kimono-clad women and girls everywhere. Ever more curious, I questioned our guide and learned some interesting facts about kimonos and geisha.

“Oh no,” she said. “Geishas are elusive and we’ll be lucky if we see any. Many of these are Japanese celebrating the festival and graduations. But most are tourists who have rented a kimono for the day.”

Looking closer, it was obvious. The Japanese women wearing kimono carried themselves with ease and grace. The non-Japanese? Not as much. Our tour offered an opportunity to wear a kimono but I knew I, like them, could never pull it off!

The word kimono simply means a “thing to wear” (ki = wear and mono = thing), kind of ironic for something so beautiful. There is a basic version for everyday but most Japanese now only wear kimono for special occasions, i.e. graduations, weddings and local festivals like the one we were attending.

The geisha kimono is even more ornate and has a unique characteristic — the back is open to expose the neckline. In Japanese culture, this is considered the most sensual part of a woman. The length of the kimono and associated shoes differ with the level of training.

Aside from the kimono, a trademark of a geisha is their white make-up. Did you know that at one time, it was lead-based and poisonous?! Now, of course, it’s harmless.

In the 1920s, there were 80,000 registered geisha. Today, there are fewer than 1,000. Frank was an honored guest at a genuine geisha house twenty-some years ago. Even at that time, it was a rare opportunity as most Japanese are unable to afford the very costly and unique experience. Frank always tells people that, “It’s not what a lot of people think; geisha are NOT prostitutes.” They are highly skilled entertainers who have trained for years in traditional Japanese arts.

This exclusivity, along with their dwindling numbers, has created a practice of “geisha spotting,” particularly in Kyoto, which has the highest concentration of geisha. Sometimes things get carried away. We heard horror stories of lone geisha aggressively mobbed by groups of tourists angling for a photo. Many are now hesitant to go out. Japan has begun a campaign to encourage tourists to treat the geisha, or person of art, with respect and to give them space.

I have to admit, I was super exited when I came across not one, but three(!), during a walk through Kyoto’s Gion district. Naturally, I took photos — but no, I didn’t crowd or block their way!

A fancy kimono can cost thousands of dollars. When going outside, a kimono is not worn with shoes, but with a pair of zori or geta, two kinds of footwear with thongs. There are special socks that can be worn with the shoes.

Geisha in Kyoto

Wedding kimono

Geisha in Kyoto

“Everyday” kimono

 

I believe in . . .

There’s a popular saying in Japan, “People are born Shinto, get married Christian and die Buddhist.” This can make sense because religion in Japan is not so much practiced or preached as it is lived.

Basically, Shintoism is the spirituality of this world and life, while Buddhism is more about the soul and the afterlife. That’s why the two religions can work together. To celebrate a birth or marriage, or to pray for a good harvest, the Japanese turn to Shintoism. Funerals, on the other hand, are usually Buddhist ceremonies.

So where does Christianity come in? Only a small percentage of Japanese are Christian, but when it comes to weddings, it’s an obsession. Modern couples want all the western traditions, including an expensive white dress, exchange of rings and even a giant cross hanging in the background during the ceremony. The key component? A minister who looks the part — in other words, a white person. The term for this is a “white wedding.” Many of these ministers aren’t even religious. Our guide had a friend who went into this business. He does six weddings a week and makes big money!

Like cathedrals in Europe, it seems every time you turn a corner in Japan, you run into a shrine or temple. Generally, shrines are Shinto and temples are Buddhist. Some religious compounds have both so it gets confusing. One can easily get “templed out” but each of these structures is unique and each play a big part in Japan’s history and present day life.

Itsukushima Shinto Shrine on the island of Miyajima is known for its “floating” torii gate.

Itsukushima Shinto Shrine on the island of Miyajima

Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari Shinto Shrine is famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates. The trail of gates leads up hill into the wooded forest of the sacred Mount Inari. Inari is the Shinto god of rice.

Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari Shinto Shrine. The gates have the names of donors and come in different sizes. Large gates cost one million yen ($100,00!)

Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari Shinto Shrine. The writing on the gates are the names of donors. Gates come in different sizes.

Nara’s Kasuga-Taisha Shinto Shrine is famous for its hundreds of stone and bronze lanterns, which have been donated by worshipers. They are only lit twice a year during two lantern festivals.

Nara’s Kasuga-Taisha Shinto Shrine is famous for its hundreds of stone and bronze lanterns, which have been donated by worshipers. They are only lit twice a year during two lantern festivals.

Considered in Shinto to be messengers of the gods, Nara’s nearly 1,200 deer have become a symbol of the city and have even been designated as a natural treasure.

Before praying, worshipers wash their hands.

O-mikuji or fortunes are offered for purchase at many temples and shrines. If you get a bad fortune or one that you don’t like, you can tie it to a wire and leave it there so it is “removed” from you.

Ema are small wooden plaques on which Shinto and Buddhist worshippers write prayers or wishes. The ema are left hanging up at the shrine, where the kami (spirits or gods) are believed to receive them.

Senso-ji is Tokyo’s oldest and most famous Buddhist temple.

Worshippers fan smoke at themselves for success and long life.

Kyoto’s Kiyomizu Buddhist Temple is one of the city’s most popular and somewhat commercialized temples. The grounds even have a shrine dedicated to finding true love.

Kyoto’s Kiyomizu Temple

In Japan, some women find comfort in Jizo statues which line temples and cemeteries across the country. The statues are believed to be protectors of children and unborn babies in traditional teachings.

Kyoto’s Kinkaku-ji Temple, or Gold Pavillion, is a Zen temple. The top two floors are completely covered in gold leaf.

Kyoto’s Ginkakuji, or Silver Pavilion, is a Zen temple. In 1482, shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa built his retirement villa, modeling it after Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion), his grandfather’s retirement villa. The villa was converted into a Zen temple after Yoshimasa’s death in 1490. Despite its name, the Silver Pavilion was never covered in silver.

Nara’s Yakushiji Buddhist Temple was constructed by Emperor Tenmu in the late 7th century for the recovery of his sick wife.

Nara’s Yakushiji Buddhist Temple

Nara’s Todai-ji Temple was constructed in 752 as the head Buddhist temple of Japan. The main hall is the world’s largest wooden building (despite the fact that it was rebuilt at two thirds the size of the original temple). The massive building houses one of Japan’s largest bronze statues of Buddha (15 meters tall).

Tōdai-ji is a Buddhist temple complex that was once one of the powerful Seven Great Temples.

Tōdai-ji’s Great Buddha Hall houses the world’s largest bronze statue of the Buddha Vairocana, known in Japanese as Daibutsu.

Pindola (or Binzuru) was a disciple of the Buddha. It is commonly believed that when a person rubs a part of the statue and then rubs the corresponding part of his own body, his ailment there will disappear.

In addition to a smaller official Shinto ceremony at a temple, many modern Japanese couples also have a big “white” wedding.

The western Christian-like ceremony takes place in a large hall, complete with an aisle, cross and white “minister.”

Brides often wear several dresses, in addition to their white dress, at the reception.

 

Play Ball!

My ears are still ringing from the clamor of last night’s Japanese baseball game! While the game itself is similar to American baseball, the atmosphere is as charged as a college football game. The cheering NEVER stops. Crowds cheer wildly and loudly during their team’s entire turn at bat. When the opponents are up, their fans cheer. Fans whack these small hollow bats together, creating a thunderous cacophony. Those mini bats inevitably result in a headache for the uninitiated — but isn’t that what beer (and sake) are for!

Frank is excited to go to a baseball game! Nagoya Dragons vs. Tokyo Swallows

There is no tailgating but if you want to bring in some beer, you have to pour it into their cups.

There’s plenty inside to purchase if you don’t BYO. Loved how they had the beer vendors carrying a keg backpack and dispensing a fresh pour!

Standard “American” ballpark food was available but there were other choices.

Pom pom girls provided pre-game entertainment.

No sand base path in Japan.

The scoreboard was similar, except for the fact it’s in Japanese, but it was funny to see cheer phrases in English!

Jumbotron

The home crowd

If you look closely, the Swallows have small umbrellas. They raise them every time their team gets a run.

But these bats . . . Fun night! And the Dragons won!

Cherry Blossoms!!!

One of our favorite days involved a long bike ride through neighborhoods among the cherry blossoms.

We could not have come to Japan at a better time. The cherry blossoms are in full bloom everywhere we go! The Japanese have a tradition called hanami, where friends and families celebrate the beauty of sakura (cherry blossoms) by gathering under the trees for food, drink and conversation.

Blossom river

Hanami

Hanami

Cherry blossom snowstorm

Hanami

Wo Dragon Cherry in Takayama can be seen from the train is 1100 years old.

Matsuzakaya Department Store was among the many stores selling cherry blossom (or sakura) themed treats.

Hanami

 

Penang, Malaysia

The urban island of Penang, Malaysia always ranks in the world’s top ten places to retire. Low cost of living, first-rate healthcare, nice beaches and ease of language contribute to its long list of amenities.

The island was a busy southeast Asia  trading post for over 500 years, under the control of various conquerors. Penang remains a mixed culture of different races (Chinese, Malays, Indians, Mamaks, Eurasians and Thais). This fusion has resulted in the its reputation as a foodie destination.

Georgetown (the capital and largest city), was founded in 1786 and remained a British colony until its independence in 1957. Today, colonial and traditional-style buildings mix with modern day skyscrapers.

Our original plan was to be here a month but our other adventures landed us on the island with just five days. We did our best to make the most of them.

Although I had done some research on Penang, Frank and I were shocked on our ride from the airport. It was night and we passed high rise after high rise. We never realized there were over two million people here!

Our hotel in Georgetown was recommended by some friends. The location was a perfect base from which to explore . . .

We chose to stay in Georgetown, adjacent to the historic core of the island.

Our room overlooked the Malacca Strait.

Old Town Georgetown

Old Town Georgetown

Cheong Fatt Tze, the Blue Mansion, was the home of a beloved Chinese entrepreneur. His story is fascinating. His home is now a museum and boutique hotel.

Penang is a mixed culture with many religious affiliations.

Georgetown

Georgetown

Wedding at the Jalan Mesjid Kapitan Kling Mosque

We went to Palm Sunday Mass at a Catholic Cathedral right around the corner from our hotel.

Georgetown is well-known for its street art.

Georgetown is well-known for its street art.

They even put their street art on their souvenirs.

To get a better feel for the rest of the island, we ventured out of Georgetown via the double decker red tour bus. It’s usually not our favorite thing to do but it was sooo hot outside and the bus had A/C and traveled everywhere we wanted to see.

Penang’s Gurney Drive is modern and on the beach. If we had stayed a month, we would have stayed and explored from here.

The Gurney Drive shopping was top-shelf. The area reminded Frank of Miami Beach.

In fact, we traveled past some beaches, including this one, which locals named “Miami Beach!”

The national forest had monkeys and snakes – no thanks.

For the short time, we were here, the historic area was the place to be. We enjoyed the sights, shops and many good restaurants.

The food in Malaysia is amazing!

A new friend from Singapore told me about this place which produced my favorite dessert,

Kuay Salat. It has rice on the bottom and a tapioca-type top that is not too sweet. I’m addicted.

Our hotel had a rooftop bar overlooking the city and the Strait. Such a beautiful and interesting city! Can’t wait to return!

Bangkok

When people ask my favorite travel destination, I usually mention the last place I went. Not so much with Bangkok. To be fair, we only had a few days. But those few days really made us wonder.

There were some interesting things to see. The floating markets outside of town were lively and vibrant and the local pride at the colorful “James Bond” boats was endearing. Our hotel room’s amazing view of the Chao Phraya River “water highway” provided endless fascination and entertainment. There were some unique temples and the Royal Palace was unlike anything we have ever seen – stunning and elaborately over the top.

The not so good? Bangkok is a city of 14 million people and it seemed that half of them — from an over-zealous bellhop to an overcharging rickshaw operator to a Buddhist monk (what?!) — seemed to have their hand out. A cab driver left us confused and frustrated when he dropped us a few blocks past our destination and two private tours we took were, how should I say, a bit “misrepresented.” (In the spirit of complete disclosure, however, the sight and smell of raw meat sitting out in 95 degree heat had me secretly grateful our guide skipped over the “authentic street food” portion of our local neighborhood tour!) It was all pretty exasperating as this was all in two days!

Friends have visited or lived in Bangkok and loved it. “Give it another chance,” they say. The “quick stop” isn’t our typical travel routine so I won’t rule it out. Next time, though, we will do it with someone who knows their way around or, in the least, give it a bit more time.

The 140-mile long Chao Phraya river runs past Bangkok and empties into the Gulf of Thailand.

Our hotel provided a complimentary river taxi.

The “James Bond” boat (“Man with the Golden Gun”

We took one, too!

The boat sped through the canals.

Most homes, as well as many businesses, have spirit houses to appease the spirits and ask for their protection.

The Floating Market outside Bangkok

The Floating Market outside Bangkok

Floating food court!

Floating food court!

The Floating Market outside Bangkok

Sure you can put the snake on me.

Frank says he felt the snake relax after he took his head.

Take it off please.

Elvis was at the Floating Market.

Love the long names of the streets!

Many of the trucks are very colorful

The people seem very loyal to their King

The Royal Palace Grounds

The Royal Palace Grounds

Temple of the Emerald Buddha (or Wat Phra Kaew) is regarded as the most sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand. The temple is located inside the Grand Palace Complex.

The decorations of the Temple are exquisite!

The highly revered Emerald Buddha image was meticulously carved from a single block of jade. It is about 26-inches tall. (late 18th century)

Temple of the Emerald Buddha

On the inside walls of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha compound, are mural paintings depicting scenes from the epic “Ramayana.” It is the longest wall painting in the world.

The British influence is evident in the architecture of the Royal Palace residence.

The Wat Pho, the oldest temple in Bangkok, houses the magnificent 157-foot gold plated Reclining Buddha image. (constructed 1781)

Located in the heart of Bangkok’s Chinatown, is Wat Mangkon Kamalawat, a Chinese Buddhist temple. These are two Chatulokkaban statues – two of four Heavenly Kings or Buddhist gods, who watch over the four cardinal directions.

Wat Mangkon Kamalawat, a Chinese Buddhist temple.

My favorite temple was Wat Arun. The Khmer style tower or prang rises over 260 feet. It is decorated with millions of small pieces of colorful Chinese porcelain, which was in those days used as ballast on ships from China.

Frank was hot and pretty much “templed out” at this point.

Wat Arun

Naughty Buddhist

This monk was so nice, chatting with us and giving us bracelets. But, as we walked away, he whispers to Frank, “Donation,” and pointed to his bag!

Bangkok can be a confusing city, especially when you get dropped off in the wrong place and no one speaks English!

Just couldn’t see buying a duck that’s been hanging in 95 degree heat.

Frank did enjoy a fried banana!

On our last night, we had an awesome Thai meal so the weekend ended on a positive note.