Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Australia - Perth To Eat (Taka Japanese, San Churro, Annalakshi Ciao Litalia, The Imp Cafe, V Burger, Little Caesars, Jus Burgers)

Australia - Perth Where Crew Stays
Australia - Perth To Do
Australia - Perth To Eat

Perth - To Eat
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Taka Japanese Seafood Restaurant
Located 1.1km from Parmelia Hilton Hotel, Taka is a cheap, good and value for money location. It is also popular with the local student populous. They also do take aways!

Items are priced from +AUD6 to under +AUD10 and come with a free-flow serving of hot tea when dining in house.
Ordered:
Large Karage Chicken Set. Pictured far right.
*Only large servings comes with Miso soup. 
Fed 1 @ AUD7.80
Click here for ABBA location of Taka Japanese Restaurant 152 Barrack St, Perth, WA, 6000, Australia
San Churro
Have the special chocolate craving? This is thus far the nearest San Churro's I've located nearest to the Parmelia Hilton. 1.4Km away.ABBA Orders: A definite must mention is their "Hot Cold" Spanish Drink. With a dollop of White Chocolate ice-cream served in a quaint cup of thick Spanish chocolate, the rich, hot chocolate mixing with the creaminess of the ice-cream, not only tastes awesome, but also adds another dimensional. The feel of hot and cold mixing, is incredible and an indescribable sensation. You must try it to believe it!

"Annalakshi@Perth City"
Authentic Indian Vegetarian Buffet. Pay what you feel, but please don't waste food.

What was served that night*I appologize for the lack of correct names of the dishes*
Clockwise from top
- Cucumber Zucchini curry
- Turnip tomato curry
- Savory Pancakes
- Refreshing Cabbage salad
- Flavored Rice
- Spiced Potato Dahl
- Refreshing Spiced Soup (center)
- Rice Pudding dessert not pictured
Cost: Pay what you feel
Great ambiance located by the bay and a stone's throw from the Hilton Hotel. Refreshing flavors, and popular amongst the Indian community (a stamp of approval for authentic flavors) and back packers.
Closed on Monday
Lunch 1230pm-2pm
Dinner 630pm-930pm
Cost: Pay what you feel Vegetarian Indian Buffet

"Ciao Italia@South Perth"
 *revisited on 28Sept2018*
Food 3.5/5
Ambience 3.5/5
Value 3.5/5
Service 3.5/5
This place gets incredibly packed, really early, really fast. Excellent classic Italian dishes, served to perfection. , just to the south of Perth. Each serving is more than enough to feed tow parties. Reach creamy sauces, sweet decadent desserts are definite wins! Remember to go early, cause a long queue will form very quick. 

The place itself is small and quaint, very packed, with 3 to 4 sharing a mini table, with barely enough elbow space. Their turn over rate are high, and food well worth the wait.
ABBATip:
Check for the latest operating days and hours.
Monday now open.
Tuesday - Saturday operates from 1700hrs-2200hrs.
Click below for the latest operating times of Ciao Italia.
Click here for ABBA details for Ciao Italia
"The Imp Cafe & V Burger @ Victoria Park"

Victoria Park; This stretch of road offers several pubs and eats, popular with after work crowds and a nice place to chill as well as good eats.
Imp Cafe
*image source from http://www.mitchellanddent.com.au/tittletattle/cheeky-coffee* 
Hunting for that ULTIMATE Sticky Date Pudding? Its right here. Of all the sticky date puddings I've tried thus far, this place serves 'em nice, hot, gooey, sweet, caramel goodness. That extra charge for that scoop of vanilla ice-scream on the top, just rockets the flavors and textures over the edge.
Their other desserts are also must tries and its along the streets at Victoria Park. The area itself are filled with pubs and grubs with another must eat burger joint further down. Definately much more finds over here.
"V Burger"
Towering burgers, in perfectly toasted buns, with savory spreads. Golden fries are a standard over here. Meat patties are succulent and grilled to perfection. The variety of burgers go for about AUD15-18 for the set. Very filling and incredibly satisfying.
Other Burger Joints worth a mention are: (find your nearest branch)
Click here for ABBA Details: Flip Side @ Freemantle SW of Perth City
*local surfers at Cottesloe beach were all reaering to go to this joint after catching the waves.
Click here for ABBA Details: Jus Burgers @ Subiaco Perth City 
"Little Caesars/ San Churros/ Jus Burgers @ Leederville"
Leederville; Another pub/club and grub place. Popular with university students as well for party goers whom don't want to be in the main hustle and bustle of North Bridge.  
"Little Caesars"
 
Little Caesars, having won numerous food awards, is one of the best in the biz. Great Pizzas made to order, with options of having half and half. Try their desserts pizzas. Those are their winning creations.
Click here for ABBA details of Little Caesars and its other locations
Click here for ABBA location of Little Caesars
"San Churros"
Definitely, by far the best Chocolate drink and Churros I've had so far. Their Chocolate blends are thick, creamy, and full flavored. A single serve is definitely enough for two to share, or for one. The Churros, made to order, with their Dark, Milk and Caramel drippings are incredible!

ABBA Orders: A definite must mention is their "Hot Cold" Spanish Drink. With a dollop of White Chocolate ice-cream served in a quaint cup of thick Spanish chocolate, the rich, hot chocolate mixing with the creaminess of the ice-cream, not only tastes awesome, but also adds another dimensional. The feel of hot and cold mixing, is incredible and an indescribable sensation. You must try it to believe it!
"Jus Burgers"
Another burger joint that's pretty much the same as "V Burger or Fipside", but a little more fancy with Wagyu meats and concoctions. Burgers here go for about AUD15-20 as well.
Click here for ABBA details on Jus Burgers
Click here for ABBA location of Jus Burgers in NorthBridge (Located Near Crew Hotel)
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Monday, February 18, 2013

Shanghai - To Do (ABBA Contribution Shanghai Museum, Hongmei Pedestrian Street,Hongqiao Int'l Pearl City, Bao San Lu)

Shanghai - Where Crew Stay
Shanghai - To Do
Shanghai - To Eat
Shanghai - To Do
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Shanghai Museum
*Txt and Pictures Contributed by Denison
The museum itself is located next to a grassy park with dozens of white pigeons. If one can ignore any concerns about pigeon droppings, vendors are there selling feed for the birds.

The museum is shaped like a bronze pot supposed to represent heaven and earth. The original can be viewed the museum shop. Well-lit and well laid out, admission to the museum is free and phototaking without flash is allowed. The exhibits contain a mind-boggling collection of a million items covering several thousand years of Chinese history . 

They are broken up into several rooms like coins, furniture, calligraphy, jade, artifacts of ethnic minorities and so forth. One is advised to pick one to two rooms to fully.
ABBA Directions: To get there, one can take the MRT which is only RMB4 either way. Board the Shuicheng Road Station on Line 10 and transfer to Line 1 for People's Square Station.
Hongmei Pedestrian Street
A short walk parallel to the fly over, about 2 junctions, brings you to Hongmei Pedestrian Street/ Lao Wai Jie, another enclave for a truly international audience.Lining both sides of this pub/grub street, it offers Lebanese, Indian, Turkish, Japanese, Western, Chinese and many more. These bistros/pubs come with their own microbreweries, serving unique beer brews and some with performances from live bands to belly dancing.

Pearl City is Either a 15min walk from the hotel or a 3min cab ride at RMB14 from Hong Qiao Mellinium Hotel


Supposedly an off beaten path to the real tourist trap locations, like Lao Shanghai, Nanjing Da Lu, prices here supposedly start lower. However, they also have to be bargained down. 



The three story building offers a simple spread of clothing, tailoring services, toys, art, belting, electronic, high quality pirated movies and of course pearl products.



Bought Sluban Water Airplane at Pearl City
Pieces fix well together. Instructions are clear and they do provide spares of a few of the pieces. A good size of 270mm long, with sticker decals.

ABBATip: A general rule of thumb start with 50% of the price and the less bold can start at 70% Even then, the sellers still make, depending on how high they quoted you at the start. Same goes for any shopping in China. 

Rewawa or Remomo
Latest 2016 Trend
*No Full reviews on its reliability or how its like. The wheels do feel good thou but the shell itself is definitely heavier than the original.
Prices from Crew Shop:
20" RMB270
22" RMB300
24" RMB320
26" 350
29" 380*
Pearl center is reportedly cheaper, and on my own when having a meal at 巴蜀隆门火锅 Ba Shu Long Men Hot Pot, stepped into one of those 4-stroied counter fit sales shop along Nanjing West Street and queried the price on one of the largest Riwawa/Rimomo. Price started from RMB380. As I walked away, RMB300,250 and 200. So do haggle for your purchase.
Bao San Lu
*ABBATip:A Cab ride from Millennium Hotel to location, approximately 35min at 50 RMB.
Bao San Lu is a large technological enclave selling a selection of refurbished electronic products. The huge sheltered area comprises of Handphones, laptop and mobile phone batteries, miscellaneous accessories, various connectors and more. 

It is also home to a sporadic sprinkling of miscellaneous shops like electronic toy shops, and an array of homeward products. Located diagonally across from Bao San Lu Train Station.
Click here for ABBA location of Bao San Lu
Click here for directions from Millennium Hotel to Bao San Lu
A rough price guide
iPad/iPhone to HDMI output with
micro USB Charging capabilities connector:
RMB130 *Tried, tested and it Works!*
Spare Galaxy Note Battery at RMB160
3.55Jack to L/R Audio output connector: RMB5
IPAD USB Charger: RMB15
Large Pseudo Transformer toys: approx RMB250 each
1meter LED Lights: RMB50
 
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Johannesburg - To Do (Rosebankmall Roof Top Market, The FIRS, Sandton Square, Apartheid Museum)

Johannesburg - To Do
Johannesburg - To Eat

Rosebankmall Roof Top Market
The place is devised primarily into two sections.

One open everyday and the 
star the rooftop market only open on Sundays 9am-5pm.
The roof top market, only avail on Sundays is a friendly and much relaxed atmosphere. Vendors are more than willing to chat, share experiences and play the bargain game with you.  It offers a greater variety of African craft works, decorations, collectables, antiquities and even a section for foods,pastries and fresh juices.
Here are some of the many, many unique shops and some indicative prices of things found at this great market.
 *Pictured Left to Right
 - Animal sculptures recycled from discarded flip flops. +R300
 - Various animal photographic prints from the photographer himself who was manning his booth. Larger prints from +R600 and up and smaller A4 prints at about +R100.
 - Aviation acrylic art works, with larger colored ones from +1200.
 *Pictured from left to right top to bottom.*
- Wooden sculpture lighting (+R1500-1600)
 - Etched and carved Giraffee bones (+R3000-4000), buffalo horns, hippo teeth and hogs tusks.
 - Movie poster prints on wooden mount board approximately A4 size at R70 each.
 - Ostrich Eggs with plain ones from +R120 and decoupaged ones at +R280

Updated location of Rosebank Craft MarketClick here for ABBA location of Rosebank Craft Market

(Sunday markets still ongoing every weekend and it's well worth the visits)
Due to renovation works and pretty much a buy out by Woolworth's, the craft market has now shifted to a less favorable location.

However, the newer places offers a larger space for the retailers and they've gotten a wider spread of new and varied merchandise up for sale.
 
 Located on the second floor of where Rosebank "Pick & Pay" is located.
ABBAtip: Visit only on Sunday, and definitely for the rooftop market primarily. The craft shops which are open all day, although vendors are friendly, they maybe pushy in getting you to view and browse their products, which quickly become repetitive.

The Zone @ Rosebank Mall
Rosebankmall, is a very short 5min walk away. It plays host to a small array of clothing and casual eateries. The mall does have spaces which seems yet to be moved in, but the shops that do exist offers beach wears, trendy fashion and a scattering of street eats and restaurants. 

Special Mention Shops at Rosebank Mall
 Big Blue*GF05
 
Great for unique and quirky gifts: Like Bacon Soap, Noir (Black) Tissue Paper, Camera Lens Cups, Crazy Calculators that never give you the right answer and a few more.

PICK-AND-PAY
Over at Pick n Pay There is a fairly wide selection of wines there for pairing with meals and a bottle may be had for R30-R75 (about S$3-10).   
Crew can also get the meats here to bring back to Singapore, though on arrival, the hotel staff advised us against storing said produce in the hotel fridge. A cooler bag would be vital in such instances, with purchases made just before departure.
The FIRS

The FIRS Located right beside Rosebank mall, connected by shops and eateries, Tashas and Piza E Vino . Also a 5min walk from Rosebank Crowne Plaza Hotel.

It houses high end retails and fancy restaurants, like The Grill House, featuring Karan Beef cuts. It also has open spaces with music and water features that draws you into the space. Definitely worth an exploration and evening night out. 

Prices at The Grill house R120 and up to R250 for its largest steaks. Fishmonger, seafood dishes hovered about the R125 range.
 Click here for ABBA Location of The FIRS
 Click here for ABBA shop list of The FIRS
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sandton Square/City a.k.a. 
Nelson Mandala Square
ABBATIP - Free Shuttle Service by Rosebank Crowne Plaza
2 service transports are provided daily to and fro Centon/Mandala Square
Drop of and Pick up point are the same.
Depart:1230 Return 1530hrs.
 Depart: 1500hrs, return 1930hrs.
 Reservations can be made at the front desk. Alternatively you can hire a car at approximately R150 per direction at your convenient timing.
A humungous shopping center with speciality shops, digital, home and cookware, interior design and much more. A walk round the first level of the megastructure takes approximately an hour to complete most of the alleys.
 Click here for ABBA location of Nelson Mandala Square/Sandon Square/Sandon City
Click here for ABBA shop listing of Sandon City

Special Mention - Shops at Mandala Square
The Butcher Shop & Grill 
 www.thebutchershop.co.za
The butcher shop is one of the first steakhouse and  butcher shop all in one in this area. It sells 21day cured Karan Beef, various game meats, sausages, ribs, spices, biltong and much more.

Whats great here is that you get to sample the various biltong before making a purchase.
Some rough prices:
Karan Sirloin R/KG 115*Karan Sirloin Cut Review: Cooked with their spice rub of cracked peppercorns, sea-salt and mustard seed. Very tender Sirloin, with fat melting away. Will definately return for more of the good stuff. Bought close to 3kg... gone in two days.*
Karan Oxtail R/KG 85
 Fresh Beef Biltong R80/pack *A strong beefy flavor with a slight sour hint from the brine process. Microwaved its like cooked meat. Samples are available at the counter before commiting to buying.*
 Click here for ABBA location of The Butcher Shop & Grill NelsonMandela Square S26'06'9" E28'02'48"
ABBATip: Keep beef chilled in Hotel Bar Fridge until checkout. Check in luggage at the airport for your departure. It will keep fine. You can wrap it in cloth or bring along a chiller bag. 

Rowland Ward
Sells African art works and souvenirs. The central table showcases beautiful dacoupaged and/or carved ostrich eggs which are displayed on beautiful pedestals of giraffe or horn pedistals. 
Ostricich eggs prices range from R200+ and up and depending on pedestals, which you may get for R50 and up.
Shop No.5 Nelson Mandela Square Sandton.
 
Geldhof-Chocolatier
A good range of chocolate flavor profiles, and gift packages.  The real kicker however are the chocolate shooter cups which go for R10.45 each. Some liqueur cocktails include  peppermint liqueur, Khalua, Amarula & Rum. Though the size of shooter cups, its contents insides aren't as much. Chocolate truffles go at about R3+ each.
 Click here for ABBA Details on Geldhof-Chocolatier
Sharp Edge Sharp Shooter
 The name says it all. From Swiss Army Knives, to throw knives, battle swords and even axes. That covers most of the sharp edge, but the shooters is a whole new arsenal of crossbows, pallet guns and even blow pipes. Definitely worth a look.

Apartheid Museum
 *Text and pictures contributed by Denison

On this occasion a bus was chartered from the hotel, 7 pax at ZAR400 either way (not including tips). The museum is about 30mins away and located just opposite the Gold Reef City Theme Park. So a day out could nicely include both attractions if one sets out early.
The museum details the colonial past of SA and racial segregation leading to the state-sanctioned system of apartheid. On display are some of the tools and weapons used, as well as extensive footage and material documenting the gradual opposition against apartheid. A disconcerting look at man's capacity for oppression, as well as inspiration for the possibility of change. Photography is not allowed in the museum.
Like Ang San Su Kyi, Nelson Mandela has personified the struggle for change in his country. Presently the museum also has a temporary exhibition on Mr Mandela, from his beginnings as the son of a chieftain, to his leading the ANC in the fight against apartheid to his election as SA's first black president.
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