tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49668762386304361472024-03-13T07:22:37.983+08:00The D.B. MemoirsWhere I write about stuff that happened to me before I forgetAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14708642997301793418noreply@blogger.comBlogger598125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4966876238630436147.post-10071795192549618732013-12-22T09:51:00.000+08:002013-12-23T16:15:17.196+08:00singapore biennale 2013One of the things I like best about Singapore-- besides the food, the public transport system and the fact that everyone walks in an orderly fashion-- is the vibrant art scene. So happy that I was in Singapore during Biennale!<br>
<br>
The whole city is dotted with fantastic sculptures. I saw Ana Tsarev's red flower in front of ArtScience Museum.<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEighC70r23E0Z9a9otdmLm3GZmPVKMSU7NGdNroZ-L2_t2ITYCjWnE2WSAMwCChiXoUWfRQiw5pEe7o4JtDwhhPd0KwWl2IyfEOZnlTo7_6A9UH4QxWqK_lvUSDXCJyDyD_Jr078aATk1I/s1600/P1030135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEighC70r23E0Z9a9otdmLm3GZmPVKMSU7NGdNroZ-L2_t2ITYCjWnE2WSAMwCChiXoUWfRQiw5pEe7o4JtDwhhPd0KwWl2IyfEOZnlTo7_6A9UH4QxWqK_lvUSDXCJyDyD_Jr078aATk1I/s1600/P1030135.JPG"></a></div><br>
And this panda is just chillin' outside ION Orchard.<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifPwNAtLhJxv_wWxjrnMc2kE17kEM4r2iVsXvDjCKv_H1AO4TXk75AzbE_GSdgX7PB0xacaaGkm9JhXPQrB7-3vGZ_1Rf8FFpNHWD7ypgvFkF85qImfneSVqTCDeyNjC-27qOLgwbfwAI/s1600/P1030494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifPwNAtLhJxv_wWxjrnMc2kE17kEM4r2iVsXvDjCKv_H1AO4TXk75AzbE_GSdgX7PB0xacaaGkm9JhXPQrB7-3vGZ_1Rf8FFpNHWD7ypgvFkF85qImfneSVqTCDeyNjC-27qOLgwbfwAI/s1600/P1030494.JPG"></a></div><a href="http://dbmemoirs.blogspot.com/2013/12/singapore-biennale-2013.html#more">Read the rest of this blog entry...</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14708642997301793418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4966876238630436147.post-63225328990352946262013-12-21T10:02:00.000+08:002014-01-01T11:54:02.488+08:00gardens by the bay + artscience museumOur first view of Gardens by the Bay at 9:30AM on 26 October 2013.<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyBTbOprp6MI8wNbv0sdZF1gUrFQF3-vzh8LbHnLJmJ6ulysWRheuveN1W_KSx08exgMfzND-xA04DafBMp9MTxRmyNacYO9XNA-Lp6Ivy54ln-xSXyvG3Co68GmjfIS88MWf0sHXCFwE/s1600/P1030001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyBTbOprp6MI8wNbv0sdZF1gUrFQF3-vzh8LbHnLJmJ6ulysWRheuveN1W_KSx08exgMfzND-xA04DafBMp9MTxRmyNacYO9XNA-Lp6Ivy54ln-xSXyvG3Co68GmjfIS88MWf0sHXCFwE/s1600/P1030001.JPG"></a></div>
<br>
Flower Dome and Cloud Forest off in the distance. So much long walk. Such humidity. Wow.<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuAijYc9NQL5qmtbEPQDNOzcXRyKMyeg0RTo7ljTK8vayTpiybtvBtLVLrFhleHpAok5PAqIkVG-_v1TguBtX4zB4dPCJ2QC7pj5YfG1hFxLPMFAeWOax4iTw2DfBVykOW9EiPyH_xVdo/s1600/P1020996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuAijYc9NQL5qmtbEPQDNOzcXRyKMyeg0RTo7ljTK8vayTpiybtvBtLVLrFhleHpAok5PAqIkVG-_v1TguBtX4zB4dPCJ2QC7pj5YfG1hFxLPMFAeWOax4iTw2DfBVykOW9EiPyH_xVdo/s1600/P1020996.JPG"></a></div>
<br>
After what seemed like an epic journey, we paid SGD28 each and entered the climate-controlled paradise known as "Flower Dome".<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQpYrN8vNtUQxlf8_xVKZ5NkmxqeMM1BFSl_Tyk2Iepb3KhPd1JxmOJaal0miBVNfxM7CnphNTNIFrTcJ2mN7BAQsZIolGBgwBtJ1KMFN1pFiYDu0YBXuf71deZYCC6rRBqk5680SFUnc/s1600/P1030028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQpYrN8vNtUQxlf8_xVKZ5NkmxqeMM1BFSl_Tyk2Iepb3KhPd1JxmOJaal0miBVNfxM7CnphNTNIFrTcJ2mN7BAQsZIolGBgwBtJ1KMFN1pFiYDu0YBXuf71deZYCC6rRBqk5680SFUnc/s1600/P1030028.JPG"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXMW6V31J88WPXy4QCvmNtTQ9_PBNqJwbRHMrbJnLUtYe1GmUGM_V8tNldqaJhA8vRUEirGkknj0ogankNlAUs7wvr4XXlTo7WIcI8DFvcGLtfQHIM3WebNhlRqZKiVKtjTXzY54V_ryY/s1600/P1030038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXMW6V31J88WPXy4QCvmNtTQ9_PBNqJwbRHMrbJnLUtYe1GmUGM_V8tNldqaJhA8vRUEirGkknj0ogankNlAUs7wvr4XXlTo7WIcI8DFvcGLtfQHIM3WebNhlRqZKiVKtjTXzY54V_ryY/s1600/P1030038.JPG"></a></div>
<a href="http://dbmemoirs.blogspot.com/2013/12/gardens-by-bay-artscience-museum.html#more">Read the rest of this blog entry...</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14708642997301793418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4966876238630436147.post-16926385261182218892013-11-21T19:15:00.000+08:002013-11-28T16:08:08.149+08:00where i stayed: singapore 2013Whenever people ask me "Is this hotel OK?" I never know what to answer. My standards are admittedly not very high. Number one criterion is location. You'd probably say that location is paramount for everyone, but not the way it is for me. I would forego cleanliness for a really good location, haha.<br>
<br>
Second, the bathroom has to be decent. By that I mean spacious, and with bone-crushing water pressure, both in the shower and the toilet. Hot water is a bonus, not essential.<br>
<br>
Third, I must have free wifi. Those three things are all I really need, and because I don't expect a lot I am quite easy to please.<br>
<br>
For my first three nights in Singapore, I chose Bliss Hotel. You can see it as soon as you step out of the Chinatown NE4 MRT station, and that was enough to make me fall in love with it. It was pricey and the room was quite small-- hey, it's Singapore-- but the king-sized mattress and fluffy pillows were surprisingly luxurious. The floor area of my room on the top floor was not enough for a closet (See the clothes hangers on either side of the window? That's the closet.) but there was space for a flat screen TV, a mini ref, a desk/dresser, a luggage rack and a coffee/tea station-- thank you, Bliss Hotel, for introducing me to <a href="http://dbmemoirs.blogspot.com/2013/11/shopping-in-singapore.html" target="_blank">Super Coffee</a>. There was even a personal safe.<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaN-N_cGJIS-_vWnoo0p_eVTeaM1mVF36yAxOM4uBuoivkp05DtoyZ616VfQMw0iDPk0T1HdAMEiYAiQ_E7WXfySqihliQ9bvAscqbQd6IqJlEVbM2Q7iViQB-kP03WdP2-In9bOy6GOM/s1600/P1020963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaN-N_cGJIS-_vWnoo0p_eVTeaM1mVF36yAxOM4uBuoivkp05DtoyZ616VfQMw0iDPk0T1HdAMEiYAiQ_E7WXfySqihliQ9bvAscqbQd6IqJlEVbM2Q7iViQB-kP03WdP2-In9bOy6GOM/s1600/P1020963.JPG"></a></div>
<br>
The bathroom sink was situated outside the T&B, which I think is genius and a time-saver if you're sharing the room. Toiletries, towels and slippers were provided.<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW5be2BCCMVT3KF7AWXlTfictP2zvyNGwWhR7sYFhuECizc928XEmTy4VII_jUc401-PdeAc2Gq7o8kBA0lqBteAQAjS82L4OHc157Vtc90KfyL3tYGvEEwc0_tigR4W9MdSprZ5yye1c/s1600/P1020964.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW5be2BCCMVT3KF7AWXlTfictP2zvyNGwWhR7sYFhuECizc928XEmTy4VII_jUc401-PdeAc2Gq7o8kBA0lqBteAQAjS82L4OHc157Vtc90KfyL3tYGvEEwc0_tigR4W9MdSprZ5yye1c/s1600/P1020964.JPG"></a></div>
<br>
Rain shower, check. Complimentary shampoo, body wash and lotion, check. Thick and soft toilet paper, check. Bidet, check. Water tended to escape from the shower stall and get on everything whenever I took a bath, but the exhaust fan dried the floor in a jiffy.<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZDRTSFo4mneDpr9v6gTmGmOF9a3h8-hBh39jdFT722FWLZSzlHIgC3sqyv3I2jjucGWvWQposg9dAotmyWHy3b2NQ9SaW1HremeBxPUyMG9HGMl5ZLS6jXrm5dPeyz0vJ4Y57cRKMiMY/s1600/P1020966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZDRTSFo4mneDpr9v6gTmGmOF9a3h8-hBh39jdFT722FWLZSzlHIgC3sqyv3I2jjucGWvWQposg9dAotmyWHy3b2NQ9SaW1HremeBxPUyMG9HGMl5ZLS6jXrm5dPeyz0vJ4Y57cRKMiMY/s1600/P1020966.JPG"></a></div>
<br>
Bliss Hotel appealed to my obsessive-compulsiveness. Everything in the room was neatly and efficiently arranged, even these:<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicbR_iEBYGNQ2LQqK4p5WLXHVXAoC8lZTPk8rhf9Y-aWoppUSGYMh6QStuPOPhcqEv8MS0GIPx5kylTVizisKVJQ4YxnXAz6Ruyj4-C0AdIX7YF1qgJgHzauut8CZR7QtluP2wfs-aGMY/s1600/P1030460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicbR_iEBYGNQ2LQqK4p5WLXHVXAoC8lZTPk8rhf9Y-aWoppUSGYMh6QStuPOPhcqEv8MS0GIPx5kylTVizisKVJQ4YxnXAz6Ruyj4-C0AdIX7YF1qgJgHzauut8CZR7QtluP2wfs-aGMY/s1600/P1030460.JPG"></a></div>
<a href="http://dbmemoirs.blogspot.com/2013/11/where-i-stayed-singapore-2013.html#more">Read the rest of this blog entry...</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14708642997301793418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4966876238630436147.post-81098008064528105562013-11-17T23:11:00.000+08:002013-11-17T23:11:26.697+08:00other stuff we ate: singaporeAt ION Food Opera, my favorite food court in Singapore, a bowl of laksa for SGD5.20. With cockles, of course. Absolutely delectable. Grrr, I just made myself hungry.<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip2yIXnTlaMSYOjkXlfv4Ol7VaZKadfWFKW3WfKRsNGyr5CXAyFdcC_Ba6Vh1FSVfMKFd4RoBQ31OJswvFr_ZZfL0GeoLoC6Xy12mK9D0cBh_T4UaZtMfro7QBZFgtffEwcBYObyJUKCE/s1600/P1030487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip2yIXnTlaMSYOjkXlfv4Ol7VaZKadfWFKW3WfKRsNGyr5CXAyFdcC_Ba6Vh1FSVfMKFd4RoBQ31OJswvFr_ZZfL0GeoLoC6Xy12mK9D0cBh_T4UaZtMfro7QBZFgtffEwcBYObyJUKCE/s1600/P1030487.JPG"></a></div>
<span id="goog_2055870897"></span><span id="goog_2055870898"></span><br>
ARGHHH!<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvYOW3hR09iteIZCNYP65_MpA70Z3-oHrvhwSJ0uB9_4aPkp-HfeT84JB_KeJ42KMq-467Ll9qLKXBiVmzhhvssDmejIcpT68s4oyQTNZiJ_5kGw1DqRzpUFg_oDkv-eEWVhLvUZzhNzg/s1600/P1030490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvYOW3hR09iteIZCNYP65_MpA70Z3-oHrvhwSJ0uB9_4aPkp-HfeT84JB_KeJ42KMq-467Ll9qLKXBiVmzhhvssDmejIcpT68s4oyQTNZiJ_5kGw1DqRzpUFg_oDkv-eEWVhLvUZzhNzg/s1600/P1030490.JPG"></a></div>
<br>
Also at ION, a stir-fried beef set for SGD7. Nice, but the beef dish at <a href="http://dbmemoirs.blogspot.com/2013/11/chili-crab-chinatown-seafood.html" target="_blank">Chinatown Seafood Restaurant</a> was nicer. It was more than twice the price of this one, though.<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih6evIFKbiKF39krUEF9T6112xj03fBbad1HxjjV4CAXb5j9ozdU9uxkdb3m_oKAxzmFGMeIOdCKSqHDGEbZPhvqdK6JgLlJL50nqG9xxtx-qf-eS-8nT0-t8HNpvDprPrc6hg6qYyAN0/s1600/P1030482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih6evIFKbiKF39krUEF9T6112xj03fBbad1HxjjV4CAXb5j9ozdU9uxkdb3m_oKAxzmFGMeIOdCKSqHDGEbZPhvqdK6JgLlJL50nqG9xxtx-qf-eS-8nT0-t8HNpvDprPrc6hg6qYyAN0/s1600/P1030482.JPG"></a></div>
<a href="http://dbmemoirs.blogspot.com/2013/11/other-stuff-we-ate-singapore.html#more">Read the rest of this blog entry...</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14708642997301793418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4966876238630436147.post-56176379476584396412013-11-16T21:07:00.001+08:002013-11-17T10:07:28.913+08:00lunch at bayfront, dinner at esplanadeThe last time I was in Singapore, Gardens by the Bay was still under construction. For this trip, I set aside one whole day, 26 October 2013, to check it out. Naturally, I already planned where to eat.<br>
<br>
Lunch was at Marina Bay Sands. I recently discovered that Din Tai Fung has a branch at The Shoppes.<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhexu3U4G565ZhX9DtG50B6NoIakSDEJsQ02BYr1pFYyJIWKWBsIKnYcP13nIf-iYmQkcraWopjt2xEvkx1bF9OAgKtEkHrU5zLJvppDHur5BK6kawCDtSyhNiQLBIgPeloQq5LqcB_elo/s1600/P1020993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhexu3U4G565ZhX9DtG50B6NoIakSDEJsQ02BYr1pFYyJIWKWBsIKnYcP13nIf-iYmQkcraWopjt2xEvkx1bF9OAgKtEkHrU5zLJvppDHur5BK6kawCDtSyhNiQLBIgPeloQq5LqcB_elo/s1600/P1020993.JPG"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm always impressed whenever I see this building.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
No trip to Singapore is complete without a meal at DTF, and no meal at DTF is complete without xiao long bao.<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBD7FjrnLfbeuCcnmqpjk_6VpBoAwCbzrWiZ6HjG-dwg0b6gnl0ZXcHE25m84aYNcV7cFc7Tu0i0D2ABe6it5OTs-0KsEVfGV9nlmAIuS-tUKlcfoXXCIE3N2bRqu7WGK35AzEfm4OFbU/s1600/P1030118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBD7FjrnLfbeuCcnmqpjk_6VpBoAwCbzrWiZ6HjG-dwg0b6gnl0ZXcHE25m84aYNcV7cFc7Tu0i0D2ABe6it5OTs-0KsEVfGV9nlmAIuS-tUKlcfoXXCIE3N2bRqu7WGK35AzEfm4OFbU/s1600/P1030118.JPG"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steamed pork dumplings (XLB), 6 pieces for SGD7.30++</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Q3CSvW3GEC4q-v6HeuSToGqIj5ej2C4px5YHZ-iZVLtkjtil6MI80JfhO8sttzKuiXrQ-a92KTUohrKRn0ztK1hXQKaTw37zyOWcTbTQSEaxycPO4Ji_4akctWVXKIjVcqByYt590AE/s1600/P1030126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Q3CSvW3GEC4q-v6HeuSToGqIj5ej2C4px5YHZ-iZVLtkjtil6MI80JfhO8sttzKuiXrQ-a92KTUohrKRn0ztK1hXQKaTw37zyOWcTbTQSEaxycPO4Ji_4akctWVXKIjVcqByYt590AE/s1600/P1030126.JPG"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still the best, the best, the best!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://dbmemoirs.blogspot.com/2013/11/lunch-at-bayfront-dinner-at-esplanade.html#more">Read the rest of this blog entry...</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14708642997301793418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4966876238630436147.post-76412853433543646862013-11-15T13:38:00.000+08:002013-11-16T16:10:03.797+08:00when yolanda came to townIn December 2006, typhoon Seniang's eye passed right over Boracay and wreaked all sorts of havoc. Since then, I've always kept tabs on the weather forecast. Two Saturdays ago, I noticed something big and bad approaching the Philippines. It turned out to be #Haiyan.<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheaTLzU4xLJYcTPrMD0b1r3aYbmWFiTZCsvWfy350Chp_jNbkkAfuhDwQz3G2tPgULFX29wqjiN9Gf6NIB_xu7qXHGq86GqEXLfifUzD-yK2cr_5cYDVgzM4pJjlnzCERJo1xddwVse0A/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-11-15+at+11.37.05+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheaTLzU4xLJYcTPrMD0b1r3aYbmWFiTZCsvWfy350Chp_jNbkkAfuhDwQz3G2tPgULFX29wqjiN9Gf6NIB_xu7qXHGq86GqEXLfifUzD-yK2cr_5cYDVgzM4pJjlnzCERJo1xddwVse0A/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-11-15+at+11.37.05+AM.jpg"></a></div>
<br>
We battened down the hatches and waited. The day before the typhoon arrived, we had beautiful summery weather.<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRbBI4ZeXJl6mtJuA0JreRnmixOGII565JN5dgDN4cqGvXdC214JUMk-jdx3FqDzP5iVJzFAi6sspcCJsIIjDggHPwk2VDllNInoqfVy6nJetGYDa7x95PkwojS_-Fcg1gHrPtBCsj1_A/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-11-15+at+11.37.26+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRbBI4ZeXJl6mtJuA0JreRnmixOGII565JN5dgDN4cqGvXdC214JUMk-jdx3FqDzP5iVJzFAi6sspcCJsIIjDggHPwk2VDllNInoqfVy6nJetGYDa7x95PkwojS_-Fcg1gHrPtBCsj1_A/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-11-15+at+11.37.26+AM.jpg"></a></div>
<br>
The predicted storm track of #YolandaPH was terrifying.<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi914lLP2ZwrLpg4VaDlXu37Tn-Dcgyd_kj3deYG533XjCsAkLt423SkXOl_euAMheNJm_vOdFBtHczBTRL7pmeHP2lVVUcYnO1e8pMlcRdWJf5-xwKl6zMr_dnLnqQgBwvKbvVVO1nGQ0/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-11-15+at+11.37.47+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi914lLP2ZwrLpg4VaDlXu37Tn-Dcgyd_kj3deYG533XjCsAkLt423SkXOl_euAMheNJm_vOdFBtHczBTRL7pmeHP2lVVUcYnO1e8pMlcRdWJf5-xwKl6zMr_dnLnqQgBwvKbvVVO1nGQ0/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-11-15+at+11.37.47+AM.jpg"></a></div>
<a href="http://dbmemoirs.blogspot.com/2013/11/when-yolanda-came-to-town.html#more">Read the rest of this blog entry...</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14708642997301793418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4966876238630436147.post-22746605685002744482013-11-07T21:57:00.000+08:002013-11-07T21:57:57.197+08:00chinatown walking tourWe arrived in Singapore at night on 25 October 2013. After checking in at <a href="http://blisshotel.com.sg/" target="_blank">Bliss Hotel</a>, we ventured out to look for something to eat. On the second floor of Chinatown Complex at 335 Smith Street, there's a huge food centre with over a hundred stalls. We ended up at a <i>tze char</i> place called Home Town Cuisine.<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFHq0P_7PbsVtu6Bsv0f42jnCMjTZb_DPEXtZQy1zA1BGQDI-YbnQwwFKkVzuCns25NJii0_5QmOTGFr0ctD45Ms1FPic2lLdXVFdYJIPADIb3SAecIY_xDooPHp4qCHOkadmvraMmUAk/s1600/P1020979.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFHq0P_7PbsVtu6Bsv0f42jnCMjTZb_DPEXtZQy1zA1BGQDI-YbnQwwFKkVzuCns25NJii0_5QmOTGFr0ctD45Ms1FPic2lLdXVFdYJIPADIb3SAecIY_xDooPHp4qCHOkadmvraMmUAk/s1600/P1020979.JPG"></a></div><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixsU8GSdT9R4vhyphenhyphenkAOCvV-z6ZBgfOs5E0jLENDVeylemar_voKPkITTjvWiExmf-aOexwlfFyqy2pmwlH2vzI1qaIfO9i_lJHU3iD_qHvVbKtNJhAfohngUfLMGI3rhUZfajCPvcDoBWY/s1600/P1020980.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixsU8GSdT9R4vhyphenhyphenkAOCvV-z6ZBgfOs5E0jLENDVeylemar_voKPkITTjvWiExmf-aOexwlfFyqy2pmwlH2vzI1qaIfO9i_lJHU3iD_qHvVbKtNJhAfohngUfLMGI3rhUZfajCPvcDoBWY/s1600/P1020980.JPG"></a></div><br>
Honestly, the food was not that great, and SGD15 (US$12) for a "braised chicken salted fish bean curd in claypot", a small order of stir-fried Chinese broccoli, some rice and a bottle of Tiger beer was not exactly cheap. But it was almost 10PM and most of the stalls were closed.<br>
<br>
After dinner we walked around the neighborhood, but only for a little while since we had to get up early the next day to beat the crowds at Gardens by the Bay. More about that in my next post.<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8GTlhKghEg5C5ctM4KjG0wGaCI_xtbh2ieKzgojdkPdoW-kK4Lh67eCYVfraoLixH45HbXMvUfaukrlJ5wHZ6VDOUWyrGYsLj88EnyvEVme6A9UcSCFbuIfFAEj9k5Jcbp4yKq73_6zI/s1600/P1030448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8GTlhKghEg5C5ctM4KjG0wGaCI_xtbh2ieKzgojdkPdoW-kK4Lh67eCYVfraoLixH45HbXMvUfaukrlJ5wHZ6VDOUWyrGYsLj88EnyvEVme6A9UcSCFbuIfFAEj9k5Jcbp4yKq73_6zI/s1600/P1030448.JPG"></a></div><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRpY2FIYTQ27YQK9L0ts358vJvXiYCmNxGuq_9457FH-vi6VxvGNvncaYW8S8nikArxaswTMhfmaPGM-6F-l_T3gXLSLy04HyhIglQ-P4mH3tTDU-locOZib-OR55sBfxmDaLhqhuNjgE/s1600/P1030455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRpY2FIYTQ27YQK9L0ts358vJvXiYCmNxGuq_9457FH-vi6VxvGNvncaYW8S8nikArxaswTMhfmaPGM-6F-l_T3gXLSLy04HyhIglQ-P4mH3tTDU-locOZib-OR55sBfxmDaLhqhuNjgE/s1600/P1030455.JPG"></a></div><a href="http://dbmemoirs.blogspot.com/2013/11/chinatown-walking-tour.html#more">Read the rest of this blog entry...</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14708642997301793418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4966876238630436147.post-58570897057884509252013-11-06T15:55:00.000+08:002013-11-06T15:55:24.937+08:00the search for the best kopitiamIf I were to live in Singapore, I probably wouldn't last very long. Sooner or later-- most likely sooner-- I would keel over and die, albeit with a smile on my face. Because I would be having this for breakfast every day:<br>
<br>
1. Hot, strong and sweet kopi. You know, the one that's served with a generous dollop of condensed milk. None of that kopi-C (coffee with evaporated milk) or kopi-O (black) nonsense.<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKZTInXibDisCdFy-YYCncxz9gMPj4BkX9YgT4zbopNN-8EAm2b1VeuWKaC_25GF4GIMP_b5uK8qCY761L_4LSJyyrv21X-_KGDv8U7QwQjZVAKXVoxTKkCg9KBv_c2lqDWDJu1qYGzHw/s1600/P1030285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKZTInXibDisCdFy-YYCncxz9gMPj4BkX9YgT4zbopNN-8EAm2b1VeuWKaC_25GF4GIMP_b5uK8qCY761L_4LSJyyrv21X-_KGDv8U7QwQjZVAKXVoxTKkCg9KBv_c2lqDWDJu1qYGzHw/s1600/P1030285.JPG"></a></div>
<br>
2. Two soft-boiled eggs drizzled with dark soy and sprinkled with lots of white pepper. The whole runny mess is best eaten with a teaspoon, or scooped up with pieces of kaya toast. The remains are then slurped by bringing plate directly to mouth.<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxglBLJ4sqeAMnp4CLis_Xb-h93gYsh7o4oAg1gRAzn-dJv4JRUYeldtD61qZqF8T2SW7z8rmaxdDUe6wcV1MFb7WuhLQJ_-lyN47QC5Gwj1sAfYTqj6XFUIflS5bjMHH9oIl4b1M8R0A/s1600/P1030290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxglBLJ4sqeAMnp4CLis_Xb-h93gYsh7o4oAg1gRAzn-dJv4JRUYeldtD61qZqF8T2SW7z8rmaxdDUe6wcV1MFb7WuhLQJ_-lyN47QC5Gwj1sAfYTqj6XFUIflS5bjMHH9oIl4b1M8R0A/s1600/P1030290.JPG"></a></div>
<br>
3. Kaya toast. That's white bread (not high fiber, not whole wheat) slathered with kaya jam and grilled. With chunks of butter in between, don't forget.<br>
<br>
What's kaya? It's a jam made with eggs, coconut milk and sugar, with a dash of pandan for flavor. Yez, this meal is not for the weak-hearted or insulin-challenged.<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-hr7BmS6G9eiGvWEw_is2Au3OebGUdBjaEG9PXCQ7lg9XgB90Kq2CRUgCN9kQewOlR5M8IgH82p7j88QLduGdhi5_7M-q_F174UNpFwNsvkAjXO1AKRX7VPep_-5wCJSucSqN-0fqQqg/s1600/P1030291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-hr7BmS6G9eiGvWEw_is2Au3OebGUdBjaEG9PXCQ7lg9XgB90Kq2CRUgCN9kQewOlR5M8IgH82p7j88QLduGdhi5_7M-q_F174UNpFwNsvkAjXO1AKRX7VPep_-5wCJSucSqN-0fqQqg/s1600/P1030291.JPG"></a></div>
<br>
These are the three components of the kaya toast set breakfast, SGD4.20 (about US$3.40) at Ya Kun Kaya Toast on China Street. Cheap, delicious, filling. So good and so, so bad.<br>
<a href="http://dbmemoirs.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-search-for-best-kopitiam.html#more">Read the rest of this blog entry...</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14708642997301793418noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4966876238630436147.post-87275593366915730062013-11-04T21:41:00.000+08:002013-11-04T21:41:18.018+08:00eat tian tian chicken rice every dayIn the heart of Singapore's Chinatown, there is a magical wonderland known as Maxwell Food Centre.<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhE33JGFOWo-Bf_rR497dNXfsQJvBzkv-503IdUTEKf7rC9gYZWQPBJP-8HvOT0n2feuUQNLykFlJ5guS4iVGTf7HYYu6qPPzH18HG0lOfWT-b4ZESIu8qRI5LAyxe_oa_GoBpo3lHxOw/s1600/P1030361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhE33JGFOWo-Bf_rR497dNXfsQJvBzkv-503IdUTEKf7rC9gYZWQPBJP-8HvOT0n2feuUQNLykFlJ5guS4iVGTf7HYYu6qPPzH18HG0lOfWT-b4ZESIu8qRI5LAyxe_oa_GoBpo3lHxOw/s1600/P1030361.JPG"></a></div>
<br>
Near the entrance, there's a guide for lost souls.<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioS6tnr_u4BOSsd7BelvKQeQOOEsbpshJZ1QqVsmKP5Bf9cQqkqWAjnVnvrn9D4GeSo4rIPknssETwWu9uTQ5ZMESBdYdjTiHUoA3cv01mv5422DPVyKEuhDfQJv5rRg2Rkv8YfwlQB5w/s1600/P1030359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioS6tnr_u4BOSsd7BelvKQeQOOEsbpshJZ1QqVsmKP5Bf9cQqkqWAjnVnvrn9D4GeSo4rIPknssETwWu9uTQ5ZMESBdYdjTiHUoA3cv01mv5422DPVyKEuhDfQJv5rRg2Rkv8YfwlQB5w/s1600/P1030359.JPG"></a></div>
<br>
Inside, the ravenous multitude stake their claims.<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKxjRfjaDCw_Mbo2HT7dgRKQM4jdTReigQKiLpif-VJO6hjOgdJa0eS9jUuNYNsdETxzoXydQxhAd0uT1ERVcsDWGBXivDXuDkq8TW-h9s_cCgxre8EUg2VF_JPc6U07P7dG1vkolbFwc/s1600/P1030333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKxjRfjaDCw_Mbo2HT7dgRKQM4jdTReigQKiLpif-VJO6hjOgdJa0eS9jUuNYNsdETxzoXydQxhAd0uT1ERVcsDWGBXivDXuDkq8TW-h9s_cCgxre8EUg2VF_JPc6U07P7dG1vkolbFwc/s1600/P1030333.JPG"></a></div>
<br>
As for me, I have come to Maxwell Road for one reason, and one reason only-- Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice. At 2PM, the queue is still astonishingly long, but I will accept no substitutes.<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8dK_jBMCGatXW5z1iG-8ZG4DSyV1CIkFiCy5YbApWPwCqrnyoq_Q_05Ft88wzw-SrryHC8U6K0C2uMD7T6zHO_YbFb5rAV_zcxLaaO4tNLzPWYgi1LWiodF-cl8sGk2FcVrM1WmADh-Q/s1600/P1030327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8dK_jBMCGatXW5z1iG-8ZG4DSyV1CIkFiCy5YbApWPwCqrnyoq_Q_05Ft88wzw-SrryHC8U6K0C2uMD7T6zHO_YbFb5rAV_zcxLaaO4tNLzPWYgi1LWiodF-cl8sGk2FcVrM1WmADh-Q/s1600/P1030327.JPG"></a></div>
<a href="http://dbmemoirs.blogspot.com/2013/11/eat-tian-tian-chicken-rice-every-day.html#more">Read the rest of this blog entry...</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14708642997301793418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4966876238630436147.post-70876282667066025722013-11-03T20:28:00.000+08:002013-11-04T11:23:37.905+08:00shopping in singaporeA wiseacre (or was it a wise man?) once said, "There are only three seasons in Singapore: hot, hotter, and shopping." For most people who visit SG, this is true. But as my friends and family know, I'm not much of a shopper, preferring to spend my moolah on stuffing my face. There are some things, however, that I consider must-buys in Singapore because these items just aren't available here in the Third World.<br>
<br>
To those of you who have wandered onto this page, all excited because of the keyword "shopping", let me apologize to you right away. This is probably not what you had in mind.<br>
<br>
My usual first stop is <a href="http://watsons.com.sg/" target="_blank">Watsons</a>. Yez, we have Watsons stores here, but we don't have Panadol. Why is that? Panadol is the most useful and effective pharmaceutical product in the universe.<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ1FvqSGaX8tN1enSS4wh3DzDZPXdqGO_VdaeMlMMJ1Mx0U1oVMsktt8eHxYyJ0E41eD-i-xHc38CicFt__iMrw_ELDz51ADLb6pV3LC0ncqN5zAdc9vnSoZ5bBtyH-PiyVi4S-TAcR1s/s1600/P1030675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ1FvqSGaX8tN1enSS4wh3DzDZPXdqGO_VdaeMlMMJ1Mx0U1oVMsktt8eHxYyJ0E41eD-i-xHc38CicFt__iMrw_ELDz51ADLb6pV3LC0ncqN5zAdc9vnSoZ5bBtyH-PiyVi4S-TAcR1s/s1600/P1030675.JPG"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hoarding different types of Panadol. Extend (SGD 5.25), extra strength (SGD 5.20) and cough+cold (SGD 7.80).</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br>
Steph (silent H) introduced me to this variant of Halls. Better than Valda or Fisherman's Friend. Haven't pitted it against Altoids yet, though.<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyxGsO8kfu-DBxYSMO5gGbWJ2oblFaCSVmuFoTrJSExpXmavyC_o5HMVLLaMWn-CY6hZwXHP7ACmoWp_CBYHsDuQ0X7w6ltqxGlWQDYMalgqfknPJLdZl8Xz-tOivfRcqFOt3Rd6-fMtw/s1600/P1030676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyxGsO8kfu-DBxYSMO5gGbWJ2oblFaCSVmuFoTrJSExpXmavyC_o5HMVLLaMWn-CY6hZwXHP7ACmoWp_CBYHsDuQ0X7w6ltqxGlWQDYMalgqfknPJLdZl8Xz-tOivfRcqFOt3Rd6-fMtw/s1600/P1030676.JPG"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Halls extra strong candy (SGD 0.80). Make sure it's the black one.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br>
When I was in high school, everyone used Biore to wash his or her face. And then suddenly it disappeared from the Philippine market, leaving a generation of pubescent acne-riddled youth despondent and desperate.<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ZssVfec9vtEnBTBb5Wsg8BivSJv7AHr8OJlsbXaaefsk4-nMP6ibu79gupvnbAfNXCipRqtB-lt6X5N67Gh7EBit993D1zEMx8o9YFN0AQDFItr0Mlcl9j7l5ugwYXqQ5YkjBJG99HY/s1600/P1030544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ZssVfec9vtEnBTBb5Wsg8BivSJv7AHr8OJlsbXaaefsk4-nMP6ibu79gupvnbAfNXCipRqtB-lt6X5N67Gh7EBit993D1zEMx8o9YFN0AQDFItr0Mlcl9j7l5ugwYXqQ5YkjBJG99HY/s1600/P1030544.JPG"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Biore facial foam (SGD 7.10), Biore marshmallow whip facial wash refill pack (SGD 10.90), and Eric Favre Beauty Hair color creme (SGD 34.90).</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br>
I bought the hair color because the salesman was so convincing, or maybe I'm just a sucker. I'm planning to try it out in a couple of weeks. I hope it doesn't make me go bald.<br>
<a href="http://dbmemoirs.blogspot.com/2013/11/shopping-in-singapore.html#more">Read the rest of this blog entry...</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14708642997301793418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4966876238630436147.post-91221068327252696192013-11-02T17:16:00.000+08:002013-11-03T16:25:35.011+08:00bengawan solo pineapple tartsIt was almost 10PM on 29 October 2013, my last night in Singapore. At the basement of Takashimaya on Orchard Road, there was a plethora of munchies on display. What to get?<br>
<br>
I had read somewhere that one of the things that you <i>must</i> buy in Singapore is Bengawan Solo pineapple tarts. Honestly, they didn't sound very appealing to me. I like tarts. I like pineapple. Together, though, not so much.<br>
<br>
But I had some cash burning a hole in my pocket, a huge check-in baggage allowance that I'd already paid for, and a niggling sense that I would regret getting on the plane without purchasing some type of local pastry.<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihWRl2VdmEIW5o6Vqb_UHZRLh1zTspelchk6lUodxS91L4ypW3PHhT3VHngc7d-VS1-UysiwFB-sFpg4wiZd6kc9Lje1Ydusedm_KJC1VK23OBSfhwLZMTo3X1PJXMP9jnMN0CEBc6FZA/s1600/P1030665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihWRl2VdmEIW5o6Vqb_UHZRLh1zTspelchk6lUodxS91L4ypW3PHhT3VHngc7d-VS1-UysiwFB-sFpg4wiZd6kc9Lje1Ydusedm_KJC1VK23OBSfhwLZMTo3X1PJXMP9jnMN0CEBc6FZA/s1600/P1030665.JPG"></a></div>
<br>
The smallest box cost SGD18.80 (about US$15) and contained 38 thumb-sized pieces.<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxOTFXoKd1OdsC7AbGhDfDT1PHz7RLURo9VPdubJCyBFJpAvScgW3fqOJk3Z0q0LPMp3YCdhLku0Q3T2dadf_bvNUP15EMIe2nSO0d9l2p7Y-A8nO4xDI501qI0SPIShx5zWtu_4zNmc0/s1600/P1030666.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxOTFXoKd1OdsC7AbGhDfDT1PHz7RLURo9VPdubJCyBFJpAvScgW3fqOJk3Z0q0LPMp3YCdhLku0Q3T2dadf_bvNUP15EMIe2nSO0d9l2p7Y-A8nO4xDI501qI0SPIShx5zWtu_4zNmc0/s1600/P1030666.JPG"></a></div>
<br>
Ingredients: butter, eggs, milk, flour, sugar and pineapple filling.<br>
<a href="http://dbmemoirs.blogspot.com/2013/11/bengawan-solo-pineapple-tarts.html#more">Read the rest of this blog entry...</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14708642997301793418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4966876238630436147.post-91897118182594091012013-11-01T18:30:00.001+08:002013-11-02T08:55:39.684+08:00chili crab @ chinatown seafoodSix days and five nights in Singapore, one of my favoritest places in the whole wide world. So much to eat, so little time. At the top of my list, the dish that I missed the most, the national dish, the often-imitated-never-equalled-outside-the-country dish: chili crab.<br>
<br>
This was my fifth time in Singapore, but I'd only had chili crab three times because there are just too many delicious (and unhealthy) things to eat in that tiny country. During my trip last week, I knew that I would never forgive myself if I passed on it again.<br>
<br>
So, where? I already tried <a href="http://dbmemoirs.blogspot.com/2010/03/chili-crab-with-view.html" target="_blank">No Signboard</a> and <a href="http://dbmemoirs.blogspot.com/2010/12/search-for-best-chili-crab.html" target="_blank">Jumbo</a>. I heard that Tung Lok Seafood Restaurant on Orchard Road was good. Also recommended were Roland Restaurant and Red House Seafood at Robertson Quay. But I was already in Chinatown and I figured that there should be decent chili crab in the neighborhood.<br>
<br>
A quick Google search for "best chili crab chinatown" produced Chinatown Seafood Restaurant, just two blocks from my hotel.<br>
<br>
In the daylight, it looked very nondescript and generic. Perhaps not a restaurant I would normally patronise, but I could not resist the chili crab's siren call any longer.<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrf1Bb3dtHsXhQIQEuZAcPBw2hA55yDbJHzFTe0T5orNBUYYoI7SGIwx6bwkn3PWO4I-CUF0JCrkvD1JobCtO3I6oQf0IYNKii2U7BOush95D_cqDzVZSa0czXiaar5hZDBojzJeupfxk/s1600/P1030464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrf1Bb3dtHsXhQIQEuZAcPBw2hA55yDbJHzFTe0T5orNBUYYoI7SGIwx6bwkn3PWO4I-CUF0JCrkvD1JobCtO3I6oQf0IYNKii2U7BOush95D_cqDzVZSa0czXiaar5hZDBojzJeupfxk/s1600/P1030464.JPG"></a></div><br>
At night, the place was jumping. The dining area was huge and filled with a promising mix of Asians and <i>ang mo</i>.<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj0dvtoyIezYdvEtqz5p0oC09Zkc4r7R9q03JLAH1Q2d_k-ey6jOaaV5ScG5JM5dQUSBV3XpXm9G7W-L-TbQPuWC1fW_lUDFAQ_i5AjPzJPADabBxXQ5ijvXvzm9zdu4ADD5jk1KVdPIE/s1600/P1030408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj0dvtoyIezYdvEtqz5p0oC09Zkc4r7R9q03JLAH1Q2d_k-ey6jOaaV5ScG5JM5dQUSBV3XpXm9G7W-L-TbQPuWC1fW_lUDFAQ_i5AjPzJPADabBxXQ5ijvXvzm9zdu4ADD5jk1KVdPIE/s1600/P1030408.JPG"></a></div><a href="http://dbmemoirs.blogspot.com/2013/11/chili-crab-chinatown-seafood.html#more">Read the rest of this blog entry...</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14708642997301793418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4966876238630436147.post-68099243806555148262013-10-15T13:23:00.002+08:002013-10-15T22:57:26.942+08:00the day the earth shookWe will always remember this terrible, terrible day.<br>
<br>
On the island of Bohol, the Church of our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in Baclayon, built in 1727.<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim9PMdy1WyvZoxmPuXpAN7Hq8h87zPQvgLjdfmborKQCq7Y821UkrsEYO0yA7MC2BOSU4OlByj85bevNpSs7OvVH-yUtfYigSoxOh60A_G-AO9VKdSk6hyfJFKz0mLHS9vhyphenhyphenq44B4eDHE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-10-15+at+12.36.16+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim9PMdy1WyvZoxmPuXpAN7Hq8h87zPQvgLjdfmborKQCq7Y821UkrsEYO0yA7MC2BOSU4OlByj85bevNpSs7OvVH-yUtfYigSoxOh60A_G-AO9VKdSk6hyfJFKz0mLHS9vhyphenhyphenq44B4eDHE/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-10-15+at+12.36.16+PM.jpg" width="640"></a></div><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnZ2lenkhRd_gdfCBxfioc5NDB4P9BGWUcZsJHudeTNEZz7mCtYTv40yFiOlnyJ-C-QWO35yI1fLaDaq1mSQLEt04bjdinyZFX0vLMWz7ok2h7lpZZuQjemd5GZacFMZ_vINrK0AYQaes/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-10-15+at+12.41.40+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnZ2lenkhRd_gdfCBxfioc5NDB4P9BGWUcZsJHudeTNEZz7mCtYTv40yFiOlnyJ-C-QWO35yI1fLaDaq1mSQLEt04bjdinyZFX0vLMWz7ok2h7lpZZuQjemd5GZacFMZ_vINrK0AYQaes/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-10-15+at+12.41.40+PM.jpg"></a></div><br>
The Church of San Pedro in Loboc, 1638.<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaVYxPBRFZBvOzHm1mzu3qrgmEx8athJXKcpFMmOJTEw07BtTpQ5gma7PIpSRfio9L0yiRFYv5tJoWreTCnle659EGIAkMUja2938f2Rg4opjxOAdZIRenM55kDVdPz1oTQrotQ6TwH2U/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-10-15+at+12.47.03+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaVYxPBRFZBvOzHm1mzu3qrgmEx8athJXKcpFMmOJTEw07BtTpQ5gma7PIpSRfio9L0yiRFYv5tJoWreTCnle659EGIAkMUja2938f2Rg4opjxOAdZIRenM55kDVdPz1oTQrotQ6TwH2U/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-10-15+at+12.47.03+PM.jpg"></a></div><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Y6zoEdOc98cZj05-Dji3DOVzzvg75oHDdzD_ICuM-sZ2csvhNe92DZBy13YhSeMd6dzdimKleV_DX6Vt78wh-99FF6NA9O4dCKhGH-vSEepp9ImaYRc7MMgTz2pyu0M6HTMFtKGLYXs/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-10-15+at+12.52.04+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="631" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Y6zoEdOc98cZj05-Dji3DOVzzvg75oHDdzD_ICuM-sZ2csvhNe92DZBy13YhSeMd6dzdimKleV_DX6Vt78wh-99FF6NA9O4dCKhGH-vSEepp9ImaYRc7MMgTz2pyu0M6HTMFtKGLYXs/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-10-15+at+12.52.04+PM.jpg" width="640"></a></div><a href="http://dbmemoirs.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-day-earth-shook.html#more">Read the rest of this blog entry...</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14708642997301793418noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4966876238630436147.post-24488054745590738132013-10-14T15:43:00.000+08:002013-10-14T15:43:53.799+08:00never mind the faceI remember the first time I saw Benedict Cumberbatch. Not very remarkable in the looks department.<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh87obhf7u0aMmbqZ3hXmfPg5cKDlbguNqXWE-fzBWGJbbfCqfPfVrKC3xeBEszflvt6PK901Sk0uMIK8h05jfNsqKwCdLiTw7ljRNDzf8Fdr-s4JsBHbMWhsOdSR0-jiO1wst_KPlEKo4/s1600/cumberbatch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh87obhf7u0aMmbqZ3hXmfPg5cKDlbguNqXWE-fzBWGJbbfCqfPfVrKC3xeBEszflvt6PK901Sk0uMIK8h05jfNsqKwCdLiTw7ljRNDzf8Fdr-s4JsBHbMWhsOdSR0-jiO1wst_KPlEKo4/s640/cumberbatch.jpg" width="640"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">digibytes.me</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
In fact, he <i>does</i> look a bit like an otter.<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd-KZRQPNJFu-X9mRmTQfKIr-BAfcry3QtTH9CaiZrWNfUCix3xs_BpkMED6oFISXYuA8aqlhoYaMtZrrzUnHtmk0q6_WWbQ0l0irudp3lF8nb_M4xAZMpvbc8Pk-0YJP6qtrFPQSb40U/s1600/otters_cumberbatch-412x800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd-KZRQPNJFu-X9mRmTQfKIr-BAfcry3QtTH9CaiZrWNfUCix3xs_BpkMED6oFISXYuA8aqlhoYaMtZrrzUnHtmk0q6_WWbQ0l0irudp3lF8nb_M4xAZMpvbc8Pk-0YJP6qtrFPQSb40U/s1600/otters_cumberbatch-412x800.jpg"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">larvatusprodeo.net</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://dbmemoirs.blogspot.com/2013/10/never-mind-face.html#more">Read the rest of this blog entry...</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14708642997301793418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4966876238630436147.post-52171782157202792272013-10-11T17:06:00.000+08:002013-10-12T11:22:57.625+08:00go shorty, it's your birthdayThe last time I attended a kiddie party was six years ago, I think. Last weekend, I was invited to Brandon's birthday celebration. His father asked us to save the date way, way in advance, but then neglected to tell us when and where it would be, exactly.<br>
<br>
Until the very last minute, we weren't even sure if the party would push through. Exciting times.<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEildk60H1HIOdGqxYhIW2ZQ5nSMlWxmqx8ycmvLSPpqC1Ncw0Cy34dltUKx9Uj75XLlPAmo_y41dCLdbExfICcezFFfTXu4-S8o0VNZB8Z5zHFCcyDpRYQbMz2HQu4-XcINd8Ndm6cVA18/s1600/P1190923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEildk60H1HIOdGqxYhIW2ZQ5nSMlWxmqx8ycmvLSPpqC1Ncw0Cy34dltUKx9Uj75XLlPAmo_y41dCLdbExfICcezFFfTXu4-S8o0VNZB8Z5zHFCcyDpRYQbMz2HQu4-XcINd8Ndm6cVA18/s1600/P1190923.JPG"></a></div>
<br>
The luncheon kicked off with a salad. Catfish, was it? Fresh and tangy.<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoKpFAHxoKUwxlfkxANkdkm_T1ZeStUdVVCBgKseWdlJh9DA-y-5qAtV7E5RsxgOk8oaE3ODzQdB-FJyJkhcUY1JzTd3zxjRy3jmXZLdoF1tQTxxw3N0diVo4ELOfSzBUdKGh3ZtXdWaU/s1600/P1190931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoKpFAHxoKUwxlfkxANkdkm_T1ZeStUdVVCBgKseWdlJh9DA-y-5qAtV7E5RsxgOk8oaE3ODzQdB-FJyJkhcUY1JzTd3zxjRy3jmXZLdoF1tQTxxw3N0diVo4ELOfSzBUdKGh3ZtXdWaU/s1600/P1190931.JPG"></a></div>
<br>
Ah, party food. Beef salpicao (a little salty but nothing white rice couldn't fix), a version of chicken cordon bleu (some people found it strange but I ate it all), and of course... party spaghetti! I like that it wasn't too sweet and it didn't have sliced hotdogs in the red sauce.<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi09UixDhj7CylU5O0kHb7yk8c4sci1cBMFQSvs2h8aNiBxNC_Q0jQ6tuur9PrIVdUpMujCQ0f3_hUYqu5avhT8LegZJcrMGhBIRQkXYoRxFoV2eiKpUkTvccMJBVEP-Ya2DBlmSZnGrOA/s1600/P1190934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi09UixDhj7CylU5O0kHb7yk8c4sci1cBMFQSvs2h8aNiBxNC_Q0jQ6tuur9PrIVdUpMujCQ0f3_hUYqu5avhT8LegZJcrMGhBIRQkXYoRxFoV2eiKpUkTvccMJBVEP-Ya2DBlmSZnGrOA/s1600/P1190934.JPG"></a></div>
<br>
Every celebration in the Philippines must have lechon. This recipe was from Negros, I heard. Lots and lots of garlic in the stuffing-- something new to me since I'm used to lemongrass in my lechon, but very tasty, plus garlic supposedly combats cholesterol. The prawns thermidore were deliciously old-school.<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMlmt31HSFgfppiFWKDjgCseSss2artMblRcoktKAfB1FSms41LbsHpD35eX7ci5U-_6oxZWfNFFMXMzDeMQSMpVkPdPz3u5Ji-MtUrDlFsq4m04F8hnKrvJmMDvC8v-TD9tvErCjZOvs/s1600/P1190941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMlmt31HSFgfppiFWKDjgCseSss2artMblRcoktKAfB1FSms41LbsHpD35eX7ci5U-_6oxZWfNFFMXMzDeMQSMpVkPdPz3u5Ji-MtUrDlFsq4m04F8hnKrvJmMDvC8v-TD9tvErCjZOvs/s1600/P1190941.JPG"></a></div>
<a href="http://dbmemoirs.blogspot.com/2013/10/go-shorty-its-your-birthday.html#more">Read the rest of this blog entry...</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14708642997301793418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4966876238630436147.post-51287445217091357722013-09-19T18:36:00.001+08:002013-09-20T10:50:56.387+08:00sightseeing in seoul, part twoThe 3,000 won (US$2.80) ticket for Gyeongbokgung Palace (<i>see <a href="http://dbmemoirs.blogspot.com/2013/09/sightseeing-in-seoul-part-one.html" target="_blank">previous post</a></i>) included entrance to the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Cdiv%20class=%22separator%22%20style=%22clear:%20both;%20text-align:%20center;%22%3E%20%3Ca%20href=%22https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN1LrxKtXfP530GgnpRR8nr4SJrFYQ1PO-xFciJV4KK8FmRRtww8UUipW5BAKKknd6H17ZMR4a9fRSoKkHO5Srpsr_OaV2DhWThgzGsbPfNiWhXpFtMqPLrnGJKxRQeCkR5AEZw_H35EU/s1600/P1190638.JPG%22%20imageanchor=%221%22%20style=%22margin-left:%201em;%20margin-right:%201em;%22%3E%3Cimg%20border=%220%22%20src=%22https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN1LrxKtXfP530GgnpRR8nr4SJrFYQ1PO-xFciJV4KK8FmRRtww8UUipW5BAKKknd6H17ZMR4a9fRSoKkHO5Srpsr_OaV2DhWThgzGsbPfNiWhXpFtMqPLrnGJKxRQeCkR5AEZw_H35EU/s1600/P1190638.JPG%22%20/%3E%3C/a%3E%3C/div%3E" target="_blank">National Folk Museum of Korea</a>. The rain was coming down in earnest, so we decided to seek shelter at the museum.<br>
<br>
On the way there, we saw a cool representation of the twelve zodiac symbols. I was born in the year of the pig and I admit to having the typical characteristics of one.<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizfyT57jme0GmG8CtCF4XtO4PGaj5dyNmwIeR2JmwU_N4Ltf-O_rUnP7L5Uahcjg_373TLPtphCHO2oSQfgeNsRj3c000zeN-zoU03yMkw5E8s4Mx5p62WKU6oQsCElI-XXuK8K2Itij0/s1600/P1190621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizfyT57jme0GmG8CtCF4XtO4PGaj5dyNmwIeR2JmwU_N4Ltf-O_rUnP7L5Uahcjg_373TLPtphCHO2oSQfgeNsRj3c000zeN-zoU03yMkw5E8s4Mx5p62WKU6oQsCElI-XXuK8K2Itij0/s1600/P1190621.JPG"></a></div>
<br>
The museum's main building won an award for architectural design, planning and execution in 1966.<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggKFSc98dJPicUvV4o6ScoDu1eqOppWAbR1F_HAQntqZM3yyXHfdze_eg1KPv1qpa7d7FBkOb3q77ixmzg7nuThs17U1XmUtriFNRJ2gwB_NQWCnzzXE_C5lvHu-yed1uaG6GN0LjMrFE/s1600/P1190633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggKFSc98dJPicUvV4o6ScoDu1eqOppWAbR1F_HAQntqZM3yyXHfdze_eg1KPv1qpa7d7FBkOb3q77ixmzg7nuThs17U1XmUtriFNRJ2gwB_NQWCnzzXE_C5lvHu-yed1uaG6GN0LjMrFE/s1600/P1190633.JPG"></a></div>
<br>
My favorite exhibits were the dioramas. The facial expressions killed me.<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMKhDM3tTWGsNyKPSD9VGv0ucTAoot-qZ5C_dWLEDjDxfUc-d6yvBRcsBpgTf4Os4gEVDF2ugpw1fM6yRe1U89NS80K0Up8eSxp4Pm7FhXfwuzz6oIhdtQ5Ku7wgPJG-HM9iPsZzTrITs/s1600/P1190630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMKhDM3tTWGsNyKPSD9VGv0ucTAoot-qZ5C_dWLEDjDxfUc-d6yvBRcsBpgTf4Os4gEVDF2ugpw1fM6yRe1U89NS80K0Up8eSxp4Pm7FhXfwuzz6oIhdtQ5Ku7wgPJG-HM9iPsZzTrITs/s1600/P1190630.JPG"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBS494Y-HnPjayHR1FWiI-HK_seCuuQRMvFuO_BNveIechXeHUXdl7aIBpmnjcVoUoOQGdkv7kPoDZAScvkYXD1gNi5F-WtG3VbJRqSieaNsKQXo39odnqUXYRP6metfcsw7-1vAgGzh4/s1600/P1190631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBS494Y-HnPjayHR1FWiI-HK_seCuuQRMvFuO_BNveIechXeHUXdl7aIBpmnjcVoUoOQGdkv7kPoDZAScvkYXD1gNi5F-WtG3VbJRqSieaNsKQXo39odnqUXYRP6metfcsw7-1vAgGzh4/s1600/P1190631.JPG"></a></div>
<a href="http://dbmemoirs.blogspot.com/2013/09/sightseeing-in-seoul-part-two.html#more">Read the rest of this blog entry...</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14708642997301793418noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4966876238630436147.post-52115656267711718832013-09-18T17:44:00.000+08:002013-09-19T13:30:05.736+08:00sightseeing in seoul, part oneWe were in South Korea from the 15th to the 19th of July 2013, but we only had one full day in Seoul. Most people would probably be able to see everything there is to see in just a few hours (<i>Half-day city tour, anyone?</i>) but that's not how I roll. I like to take my time, to linger and absorb, which means that hardly anybody wants to go anywhere with me, usually.<br>
<br>
Meet JetLee, my fellow weirdo.<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgluxMsTIMzFltWc6pMjnUrTrFLhD-fD9c7koLwstOhtKaRVn8zaXIPwQmPxIEaddGoAkbfvvrSEKciCUmtzcnbkLzOR6yX2VQVqSotjjLf0XpRQ6mHxlps9GvSK8ULhqq7cNI7ZF5B78Q/s1600/P1190603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgluxMsTIMzFltWc6pMjnUrTrFLhD-fD9c7koLwstOhtKaRVn8zaXIPwQmPxIEaddGoAkbfvvrSEKciCUmtzcnbkLzOR6yX2VQVqSotjjLf0XpRQ6mHxlps9GvSK8ULhqq7cNI7ZF5B78Q/s1600/P1190603.JPG"></a></div><br>
After grabbing a cup of coffee at Starbucks-- the only coffee shop that was open in Myeong-dong at 9AM-- we took the subway to Gwanghwamun station. I was hoping to have brunch right away, but the <i>ajumma</i> at the restaurant that I wanted to try told us to come back later.<br>
<br>
So, a bit of sightseeing. First, we paid our respects to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sejong_the_Great" target="_blank">King Sejong the Great</a> who created Hangul, the Korean alphabet, and did lots of other great things.<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlo0OawzHQdr6XB-0X2ebOf7V1k8EeufTvvqIoIrdYCaFwImLrQbgeOZbShPCpDKTy113XZw4aCG0oTeBQ19tKQy4llZgpVqXNLdUAv_WbPU0_Gk_qFtQ0rSNOvu7WWZgNlFTeeBtzOOw/s1600/P1190573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlo0OawzHQdr6XB-0X2ebOf7V1k8EeufTvvqIoIrdYCaFwImLrQbgeOZbShPCpDKTy113XZw4aCG0oTeBQ19tKQy4llZgpVqXNLdUAv_WbPU0_Gk_qFtQ0rSNOvu7WWZgNlFTeeBtzOOw/s1600/P1190573.JPG"></a></div><br>
Next, we visited <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yi_Sun-sin" target="_blank">Admiral Yi Sunshin</a> who is beloved by all Koreans because he defeated the Japanese navy. Considering how much animosity there <strike>is</strike> was between Korean and Japanese, he's regarded as a national hero and all-around good guy.<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC3xAE3XQK991SMjYrH6ZyTiCM8oF-kuQBXYDWAovDOQCqKzvB0vBB1k1Up6UrmMyEtLDFw5IVJSI-TbBQQtchWOi37WClkenGB303YceOUxJoQGSMIygwcd-Jov9UuRUVgQ4pzvyg6zQ/s1600/P1190582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC3xAE3XQK991SMjYrH6ZyTiCM8oF-kuQBXYDWAovDOQCqKzvB0vBB1k1Up6UrmMyEtLDFw5IVJSI-TbBQQtchWOi37WClkenGB303YceOUxJoQGSMIygwcd-Jov9UuRUVgQ4pzvyg6zQ/s1600/P1190582.JPG"></a></div><br>
<i>Read about Gwanghwamun Square <a href="http://www.visitseoul.net/en/article/article.do?_method=view&m=0004003002003&p=03&art_id=1002&lang=en" target="_blank">here</a>.</i><br>
<a href="http://dbmemoirs.blogspot.com/2013/09/sightseeing-in-seoul-part-one.html#more">Read the rest of this blog entry...</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14708642997301793418noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4966876238630436147.post-2512265116203436362013-09-17T21:41:00.000+08:002013-09-17T21:41:57.184+08:00nomming @ hello kitty caféOn 18 July 2013, JetLee and I went to the Hongdae area of Seoul because: 1) We were looking for the Trick Eye Museum, and 2) We wanted to see some <i>real</i> Seoulites, not just tourists and people who work in shops or restaurants that cater mostly to tourists.<br>
<br>
When we got there, the Trick Eye Museum wasn't where it was supposed to be-- there's a location map on their <a href="http://trickeye.com/English/index.php" target="_blank">website</a>, but we still couldn't find it. Actually, we could have gone to the Trick <i>World</i> Museum in Myeong-dong, right behind our hotel, and saved ourselves a trip to Hongdae. But then we wouldn't have discovered the Hello Kitty Café.<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0CVlAJAyhUHTbUIGoCuvzveR-yb_qc7qzfPNAgzThmcnojRrUPocYVhcI2HqqmMdwXLWPNfsdICsuG9rqNU4oXwoSxRkKtIBotYIzL6whjrUytJ-25nYc5kxFs8czPUWIWNcksAfTmTA/s1600/P1190652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0CVlAJAyhUHTbUIGoCuvzveR-yb_qc7qzfPNAgzThmcnojRrUPocYVhcI2HqqmMdwXLWPNfsdICsuG9rqNU4oXwoSxRkKtIBotYIzL6whjrUytJ-25nYc5kxFs8czPUWIWNcksAfTmTA/s1600/P1190652.JPG"></a></div>
<br>
We just had to go in and have a coffee, at least. Lo and behold, they had cute food.<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWAtBSFj2ehPN55dBytrSeB5CI4YIkQOUlYptTqVBRr1P4Knng8mAdpdIoH5loKl3SXHoqaaHqEPvMttuHyx4910ArRDWL10r95ADbd6Rg1SiCeHL12i3Fe3j030eXKszlduB08Q1BnZw/s1600/P1190687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWAtBSFj2ehPN55dBytrSeB5CI4YIkQOUlYptTqVBRr1P4Knng8mAdpdIoH5loKl3SXHoqaaHqEPvMttuHyx4910ArRDWL10r95ADbd6Rg1SiCeHL12i3Fe3j030eXKszlduB08Q1BnZw/s1600/P1190687.JPG"></a></div>
<a href="http://dbmemoirs.blogspot.com/2013/09/nomming-hello-kitty-cafe.html#more">Read the rest of this blog entry...</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14708642997301793418noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4966876238630436147.post-52509967352137050322013-09-16T16:10:00.000+08:002013-09-17T21:42:42.636+08:00eating korean barbeque in seoulMy favorite meal in Seoul was at <a href="http://dbmemoirs.blogspot.com/2013/09/my-best-meal-in-seoul.html" target="_blank">Gwangjang Market</a>. My second best meal was Korean barbeque.<br>
<br>
From <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_barbecue" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>: Gogigui<i>, literally "meat + roasting", or Korean barbecue refers to the Korean method of grilling beef, pork, chicken or other types of meat. Such dishes are often prepared at the diner's table on gas or charcoal grills that are built into the table itself. Some Korean restaurants that do not have built-in grills provide portable stoves for diners to use at their tables. The most representative form of </i>gogigui<i> is </i>bulgogi<i> usually made from thinly sliced beef sirloin or tenderloin. Another popular form of it is </i>galbi<i> made from marinated beef short ribs. However, </i>gogigui <i>also includes many other kinds of marinated and non-marinated meat dishes, and can be divided into several categories. Korean barbecue is not only popular among Koreans, but has gained popularity internationally.</i><br>
<br>
Among the many barbeque restaurants in Myeong-dong, Meg chose the one that seemed to be the most popular for our dinner on 18 July 2013. The place was very busy when she passed by in the early evening, but by the time we were ready to eat at 9PM, it was only half-full. Good timing.<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiduo7UX5_8iuAuwaXPsDXdy7KtsWdFVd_3cPMMyzNbROghSvJYf-g5yO1qj_M8bYufn0btQoD8PQzXZ0-CMWvNEq-qVXYadRLVvrDSynlMJZZlR7ltNzn2ErPQg2WN6i6JD3yVkjgZEqw/s1600/P1190717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiduo7UX5_8iuAuwaXPsDXdy7KtsWdFVd_3cPMMyzNbROghSvJYf-g5yO1qj_M8bYufn0btQoD8PQzXZ0-CMWvNEq-qVXYadRLVvrDSynlMJZZlR7ltNzn2ErPQg2WN6i6JD3yVkjgZEqw/s1600/P1190717.JPG"></a></div>
<br>
Even though nobody spoke English-- the place didn't even have an English name-- the menu was quite easy to understand. Plus the staff spoke Chinese, as do most of the locals who work in the tourist areas.<br>
<br>
We ordered Set A so that we could taste a bit of everything.<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ZzWRJmCiWKIm8EIDwhgjYbzd0ZItL6ezEqEMp8iJlDym9VF38Y3JpdhLwZeYQm8jRIhPuEaBRl879Dci8qHnkMg2EsskDywtQUfOL_3E9b97zxNS2Lmf7oNQu_EY_3SawUAID8-XSRU/s1600/P1190701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ZzWRJmCiWKIm8EIDwhgjYbzd0ZItL6ezEqEMp8iJlDym9VF38Y3JpdhLwZeYQm8jRIhPuEaBRl879Dci8qHnkMg2EsskDywtQUfOL_3E9b97zxNS2Lmf7oNQu_EY_3SawUAID8-XSRU/s1600/P1190701.JPG"></a></div>
<a href="http://dbmemoirs.blogspot.com/2013/09/eating-korean-barbeque-in-seoul.html#more">Read the rest of this blog entry...</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14708642997301793418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4966876238630436147.post-5576226098955221952013-09-15T17:51:00.000+08:002013-09-15T17:51:48.012+08:00my best meal in seoulThe best meal I had in Seoul wasn't at <a href="http://dbmemoirs.blogspot.com/2013/09/food-porn-pierre-gagnaire-seoul.html" target="_blank">Pierre Gagnaire a Seoul</a>. It was at Gwangjang Market.<br>
<br>
From "Korea Travel Guide" published by the Korea Tourism Organization: <i>Gwangjang Market was the country's first market and continues to thrive as a popular tourist destination to this day. Silk, satin, linen and traditional wedding items like </i>hanbok<i> (traditional Korean clothing) and </i>pyebaek<i> (wedding food that brides prepare for their future in-laws) are available at low prices. Additionally, food carts, especially </i>bindaetteok<i> (korean-style bean pancake) and </i>gimbap<i> (rice and vegetables rolled in laver) are most popular.</i><br>
<br>
As soon as I caught sight of the rows and rows of food stalls, I died a little death.<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtOu0vQdo20HJRxrKv6kgQjaCMYElk_PAQGjo5b-AwHxY7aNGAOMfVK64NOQiBWEtve5UY2Z2FngvtvjnMf9qP9eQMWYxlMQzhhtfzgsLCDkDlZrVMSth5BrCcIz7634Xg2QgEfcJw7l8/s1600/P1190553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtOu0vQdo20HJRxrKv6kgQjaCMYElk_PAQGjo5b-AwHxY7aNGAOMfVK64NOQiBWEtve5UY2Z2FngvtvjnMf9qP9eQMWYxlMQzhhtfzgsLCDkDlZrVMSth5BrCcIz7634Xg2QgEfcJw7l8/s1600/P1190553.JPG"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzvSTy4BR75zInxZpwsditmRzP82xPuCOrBnkjMxisBJ3k0ZPNrzHrvGqSW2bOZSkwZkpdr2TPNOZau0XMLQB5pK3_IQXBH13E3oPP-o3i9yjd4kx6X_XYrHU3QZC01fSc4DGiSHK8BEc/s1600/P1190544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzvSTy4BR75zInxZpwsditmRzP82xPuCOrBnkjMxisBJ3k0ZPNrzHrvGqSW2bOZSkwZkpdr2TPNOZau0XMLQB5pK3_IQXBH13E3oPP-o3i9yjd4kx6X_XYrHU3QZC01fSc4DGiSHK8BEc/s1600/P1190544.JPG"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPky-p6GRehB6lJEhP8wO_ihd99Rk8m4MrZRzxjUXAZ2Qf3qEMEDyVjb-Yd-EgwFieCJpEHt5A0OeTuhN4xKS___XVFv8GvHiXc_qgs9KLTEKmBvp5JhiBaoK9leoiBO4AGRKgcscO02o/s1600/IMG_3898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPky-p6GRehB6lJEhP8wO_ihd99Rk8m4MrZRzxjUXAZ2Qf3qEMEDyVjb-Yd-EgwFieCJpEHt5A0OeTuhN4xKS___XVFv8GvHiXc_qgs9KLTEKmBvp5JhiBaoK9leoiBO4AGRKgcscO02o/s1600/IMG_3898.JPG"></a></div>
<br>
Five of my travel companions turned around and left. ("But it's a <i>market</i>! It's a <i>wet market</i> kind of market! Where are the restaurants?") Ah well, to each his own.<br>
<a href="http://dbmemoirs.blogspot.com/2013/09/my-best-meal-in-seoul.html#more">Read the rest of this blog entry...</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14708642997301793418noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4966876238630436147.post-75814895238499189822013-09-14T16:29:00.001+08:002013-09-15T17:55:25.846+08:00food porn @ pierre gagnaire a seoulAs soon as we bought our plane tickets to South Korea about a year ago, I immediately checked <a href="http://www.ladyironchef.com/2013/01/miele-guide-2013-top-20-restaurants-asia/" target="_blank">The Miele Guide's Asia's Top 20</a> and saw that Pierre Gagnaire a Seoul was number eight. (This year, they're in sixth place.) Miele hasn't steered me wrong yet, so that's where we had lunch on 19 July 2013.<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMS332t2yYkB-AqitgjuhchVObHZfJfXNuNH0tYmdBDpN9UTqoaYuZKWjnwAM2KiOkvCCQbJLLS53acgqCQ1MkYjD5HOFt6_7QhpBxTM3utC6lY4fbg9TnqpMVBrDvZWtl8Nhlk38pZNo/s1600/Korea+(333).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMS332t2yYkB-AqitgjuhchVObHZfJfXNuNH0tYmdBDpN9UTqoaYuZKWjnwAM2KiOkvCCQbJLLS53acgqCQ1MkYjD5HOFt6_7QhpBxTM3utC6lY4fbg9TnqpMVBrDvZWtl8Nhlk38pZNo/s1600/Korea+(333).JPG"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lovely Ms. Shana Kim, the restaurant's head manager, gave us a private room. Woohoo!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3kRl9iLDiz03ECaXWliXcwi2tuv0u7j7H0Oph7ET6wcNZycE-pe-t-Ap-dE9oUw62dEyFVKnnyDA_4ezAp22kui9sGycFKhspzmWRRyRSWPPaFlRJFlIAtaPxMa_sAX_LxNEAM-Mk9t4/s1600/P1190749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3kRl9iLDiz03ECaXWliXcwi2tuv0u7j7H0Oph7ET6wcNZycE-pe-t-Ap-dE9oUw62dEyFVKnnyDA_4ezAp22kui9sGycFKhspzmWRRyRSWPPaFlRJFlIAtaPxMa_sAX_LxNEAM-Mk9t4/s1600/P1190749.JPG"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With the most amazing view of Seoul.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
While perusing the menu, we were served some munchies.<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPM52D8YSF09jbsjXlWDYhuDwSketiJTVRhL3FcFNFSGTc-kqtLm-JY14Uw4oXjq3zcdC_iQ_Chft2zDfOoDek6nJtfVQ1Nliuc5fBvIv4h8KaxqzUdBX4Tiv6a8muIlUcHEyHIsmYS4s/s1600/P1190746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPM52D8YSF09jbsjXlWDYhuDwSketiJTVRhL3FcFNFSGTc-kqtLm-JY14Uw4oXjq3zcdC_iQ_Chft2zDfOoDek6nJtfVQ1Nliuc5fBvIv4h8KaxqzUdBX4Tiv6a8muIlUcHEyHIsmYS4s/s1600/P1190746.JPG"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Amuse-bouche platter. </b>I liked the square pillow-like thing best because it was so cute.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://dbmemoirs.blogspot.com/2013/09/food-porn-pierre-gagnaire-seoul.html#more">Read the rest of this blog entry...</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14708642997301793418noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4966876238630436147.post-77748361834961458982013-09-12T13:16:00.000+08:002013-09-15T17:56:17.028+08:00shopping in seoulIf you're female and you're visiting Seoul, South Korea for a couple of days, you must draw up a battle plan for shopping. Even if you don't like to shop or think that you won't be buying anything, you will. It is as inevitable as breathing, so you might as well prepare for it.<br>
<br>
First, you have to choose a hotel in the Myeong-dong district. Everything that you will probably need or want is within a square kilometer, while the secondary shopping areas such as Namdaemun, Dongdaemun, Insa-dong, Hongdae and Gangnam are easily accessible via subway. We stayed at <a href="https://www.savoyhotel.co.kr/html/kor/wc/index.asp" target="_blank">Hotel Savoy</a> along the southern edge of the Myeong-dong shopping zone, surrounded by Uniqlo, The Face Shop, Skin Food, Roxy, Mango, The Saem, Nature Republic and Giordano. Savoy's excellent location allows hard-core shoppers to quickly drop off their shopping bags and packages at the hotel in between forays.<br>
<br>
About our accommodations: I liked Hotel Savoy. The rooms were a bit small but clean, and the mini refrigerator and wifi were very much appreciated. Toiletries and a hair dryer were provided, and we had a bathtub-- a pleasant surprise given the relatively cheap rate. But I probably wouldn't stay in Myeong-dong again because there's not much to see or do except shop. In fact, the whole area is dead quiet between 11PM and 11AM.<br>
<br>
Second, if you find shopping a confusing and slightly stressful activity *<i>raises hand</i>*, ask your friends and relatives who've been to Seoul if there's anything they would like you to buy for them. That gives you a starting point. Also, ask Google. You'll notice that most of the information online is about cosmetics-- make-up, skin care, hair care ad infinitum et ultra-- so just go with the flow.<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTyXRAQGuxBI3JdaDJnU4fZfCXM1DkthY3W9b2-9UmUsgLgNjsTIqFO2on4qJW7VDnTPJ5R0QHbmflrthbxzkzo6v91q1LM6JNQ7ikDunLccSAbdiXIyMCNSGE-dIj2LIY4kG-qDGGlgs/s1600/P1190533.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTyXRAQGuxBI3JdaDJnU4fZfCXM1DkthY3W9b2-9UmUsgLgNjsTIqFO2on4qJW7VDnTPJ5R0QHbmflrthbxzkzo6v91q1LM6JNQ7ikDunLccSAbdiXIyMCNSGE-dIj2LIY4kG-qDGGlgs/s1600/P1190533.JPG"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pink Grapefruit Facial Mist, Pomegranate Scalp Care Hair Pack, Moisture Egg Hair Pack, Avocado Leave-in Fluid and some free samples, all from Skin Food.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkJsJ4zDrGRIFy9-o30EtmeXkpGkw82oyp1V3GvVFLC4ymRTm7JDIAfzWRX1g-FyFu2wpzUd8JPsglg-ag714_NC_tyd0rkwFM_5j02KwrwBadOAlU6rtr5kZwavpLmviR3eqirMTTszM/s1600/P1190727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkJsJ4zDrGRIFy9-o30EtmeXkpGkw82oyp1V3GvVFLC4ymRTm7JDIAfzWRX1g-FyFu2wpzUd8JPsglg-ag714_NC_tyd0rkwFM_5j02KwrwBadOAlU6rtr5kZwavpLmviR3eqirMTTszM/s1600/P1190727.JPG"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinoplatz Dear.Brachiosaurus blotting paper and Maybe Baby Lip exfoliant and balm from Too Cool For School. Laneige Snow BB Cushion and Missha Perfect Cover BB Cream.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhCcKPc-RZzitw0WHa5fDZg-ou-7N-dq6rkTYV2MwkXDGfnA6cqKsxnB-kar-thhAOvJYYnh1aAIFO1EopkcP21WifZdW7ErdQqITjSA8l3EXfWg0uRssztrdfz9yQ9OmK1wk0DDFCzjs/s1600/P1190828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhCcKPc-RZzitw0WHa5fDZg-ou-7N-dq6rkTYV2MwkXDGfnA6cqKsxnB-kar-thhAOvJYYnh1aAIFO1EopkcP21WifZdW7ErdQqITjSA8l3EXfWg0uRssztrdfz9yQ9OmK1wk0DDFCzjs/s1600/P1190828.JPG"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ms. Ever Mini Me Perfumed Stick solid perfume, Silk Scarf Hair Moist Pack, Silk Scarf Hologram Hair Serum, Apricot Stick tinted lip gloss, BeBe Foot Mask, BeBe Elbow Mask, a nail file for my mother, and lots of sample sachets. All from Etude House.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://dbmemoirs.blogspot.com/2013/09/shopping-in-seoul.html#more">Read the rest of this blog entry...</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14708642997301793418noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4966876238630436147.post-19839829357461057172013-08-10T19:54:00.000+08:002013-09-15T17:56:58.316+08:00how to get to jeonjuI was in charge of navigating from Seoul to Jeonju City. There's actually a lot of information on the interweb about it. Maybe too much. After sifting through it all, I decided that we should take the bus at Seoul's Express Bus Terminal because it was the safest bet. Buses to Jeonju leave every ten minutes from 5:30AM onwards.<br>
<br>
But first, I had to get us from our hotel to Express Bus Terminal via subway. From our starting point, Myeongdong Station, we had to switch lines at the next stop, Chungmoro. I'm embarrassed to say that we got on the wrong train there. What can I say? It was way too early in the morning for me to be 100% coherent and I'm not used to herding a group of people who all want to go in different directions.<br>
<br>
Anyway, after 13 stops (instead of nine) we made it to the Express Bus Terminal subway station. I knew that we were supposed to exit at "Honam Line", but somehow it was not that easy to find. After running around like headless chickens for a minute or so, we asked a nice lady who pointed us in the right direction.<br>
<br>
And then we were inside the actual bus terminal. It was the nicest bus station I'd ever been in.<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilBhZ0T1HiivkMn_Ggn8AwWGmS4UXlQcAdSPAnnJwnrmv5aOXHffFhyo5ozR33wciXo3wJaIcXkZjFja0tjm_SI_r82P9K6AoP79aFZsLAguTGVIjWzRnQWYp_1PNQ-OShp4rcWy-R-zw/s1600/P1190234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilBhZ0T1HiivkMn_Ggn8AwWGmS4UXlQcAdSPAnnJwnrmv5aOXHffFhyo5ozR33wciXo3wJaIcXkZjFja0tjm_SI_r82P9K6AoP79aFZsLAguTGVIjWzRnQWYp_1PNQ-OShp4rcWy-R-zw/s1600/P1190234.JPG"></a></div>
<br>
Our bus was departing at 9:20AM from Platform 9 which was clearly marked.<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3XCGTIycnhvJ9bZPu66WJTPPkqlh6Z5KGogKaJipM_FOEWhDkQ1-DPXFJ7EI6FGku9efktBFC_ucy2qPoIKydxvvIjeHaqaHCCwalGknYtskjggEwctdkVNYsn9srg28C3dlake7ZoYk/s1600/P1190235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3XCGTIycnhvJ9bZPu66WJTPPkqlh6Z5KGogKaJipM_FOEWhDkQ1-DPXFJ7EI6FGku9efktBFC_ucy2qPoIKydxvvIjeHaqaHCCwalGknYtskjggEwctdkVNYsn9srg28C3dlake7ZoYk/s1600/P1190235.JPG"></a></div>
<br>
The trip takes about two hours and 45 minutes, and our tickets cost 18,700 won (about US$17) per person.<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiK-uoMWIuNT1lJyK2yaSSTsFCmpkrf3AngtRUSDOtrTgNFKui92WsEbsf7uCscbLRj4PCF33Zu02ClCrn-UjR0Icja7t-PEyOj4hgSaorCRHMBu5c58w9_RlA4Al7HmWueMx7fb3P9eQ/s1600/P1190232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiK-uoMWIuNT1lJyK2yaSSTsFCmpkrf3AngtRUSDOtrTgNFKui92WsEbsf7uCscbLRj4PCF33Zu02ClCrn-UjR0Icja7t-PEyOj4hgSaorCRHMBu5c58w9_RlA4Al7HmWueMx7fb3P9eQ/s1600/P1190232.JPG"></a></div>
<br>
After about an hour on the road, we made a short stopover at a service area.<br>
<a href="http://dbmemoirs.blogspot.com/2013/08/how-to-get-to-jeonju.html#more">Read the rest of this blog entry...</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14708642997301793418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4966876238630436147.post-43860026445015071232013-08-09T19:41:00.000+08:002013-09-15T17:57:39.594+08:00everybody loves paris baguetteThe secret to maintaining harmony when traveling with a group is to have (somewhat) similar likes and dislikes. For the Kimchi Clique, our hands-down number one "like" was Paris Baguette.<br>
<br>
Paris Baguette is the most popular boulangerie in Korea with stores virtually everywhere-- more than 3,000! When we saw one on Taejo Road in Jeonju City, we all went kinda nuts. It looked like my idea of heaven. And it smelled so, so good.<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxNQEDZrvuGZ8IJNquB5aoa6VaSoVtk2NovAsIzidD2uCz5gqjMCnZ-YoUMiSTM2fZB3fmKphkzGuyE3NkgkOesvVDM_IgkF6_dQYiUNVvgsmef9MymqPuyfxUzloD12F5yhp1MnxtauI/s1600/P1190459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxNQEDZrvuGZ8IJNquB5aoa6VaSoVtk2NovAsIzidD2uCz5gqjMCnZ-YoUMiSTM2fZB3fmKphkzGuyE3NkgkOesvVDM_IgkF6_dQYiUNVvgsmef9MymqPuyfxUzloD12F5yhp1MnxtauI/s1600/P1190459.JPG"></a></div>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4w58-_-gxIChb1BmVtogwPP0kFIvs6rCzBNCK3h0_Aph-ZWMXjirNTLjSdxjt7ujHenDHwdNHGBrCf8wh34GdIFIbyMXZTYtJjv3ToyQEsOE1WtPkblcJlnZnUp-UIvSBc7BnCGhwq0Y/s1600/P1190460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4w58-_-gxIChb1BmVtogwPP0kFIvs6rCzBNCK3h0_Aph-ZWMXjirNTLjSdxjt7ujHenDHwdNHGBrCf8wh34GdIFIbyMXZTYtJjv3ToyQEsOE1WtPkblcJlnZnUp-UIvSBc7BnCGhwq0Y/s1600/P1190460.JPG"></a></div>
<br>
It was the only place where we could get coffee at 9AM. No kidding, all the cute little cafés in Hanok Village were still closed until lunch time.<br>
<a href="http://dbmemoirs.blogspot.com/2013/08/everybody-loves-paris-baguette.html#more">Read the rest of this blog entry...</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14708642997301793418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4966876238630436147.post-81514938080107576252013-08-08T16:28:00.001+08:002013-09-15T17:58:07.709+08:00the girls visit gyeonggi-jeon Gyeonggi-jeon a.k.a. Gyeonggi Palace a.k.a. Gyeonggi Shrine a.k.a. Historic Site Number 339 is the centerpiece of Hanok Village in Jeonju City. We found a couple of cute guys at the entrance.<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtU03XhPlqVmeuNHmWz6IF4LBR6-ffTjZEBKj57PXInQMd5ixea7ir_L8bjIQ37mCe1xbg23fTEdJxag7boDtLkMVpCdKeqvL2UvpIknM7fHg1rqzjUtAchOdCT3j1bndnGJlnlRI9asg/s1600/P1190472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtU03XhPlqVmeuNHmWz6IF4LBR6-ffTjZEBKj57PXInQMd5ixea7ir_L8bjIQ37mCe1xbg23fTEdJxag7boDtLkMVpCdKeqvL2UvpIknM7fHg1rqzjUtAchOdCT3j1bndnGJlnlRI9asg/s1600/P1190472.JPG"></a></div>
<br>
Naturally, we had to take a photo.<br>
<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9rpdFLRj2er4NGr5Z-IyH1XbxvTV2M4EPO0KVZ2o1VHzHIe54Pi-2DwFIGX5N9hcsKS7wNdbWiWslmb5sPaVLhGPA3SxZv5_E5QHMLNYu0NYvgKLBBoS2hNaJ6kqVseZKUnkBx3DGdJ0/s1600/Korea+(235).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9rpdFLRj2er4NGr5Z-IyH1XbxvTV2M4EPO0KVZ2o1VHzHIe54Pi-2DwFIGX5N9hcsKS7wNdbWiWslmb5sPaVLhGPA3SxZv5_E5QHMLNYu0NYvgKLBBoS2hNaJ6kqVseZKUnkBx3DGdJ0/s1600/Korea+(235).jpg"></a></div>
<a href="http://dbmemoirs.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-girls-visit-gyeonggi-jeon.html#more">Read the rest of this blog entry...</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14708642997301793418noreply@blogger.com0