Land of the Rising Sun - Japan Top 10

I'm writing about something a little different only because I miss travelling so much. The following is some of my favourite "outside of tourist" activities in Japan. I want to go back. This time to areas I haven't been to and maybe some my favourite areas.

But before I do, I want to touch Europe first - thinking of the 20day topdeck tour then doing 2 weeks of the United Kingdom in April by myself. I'm hoping on the tour I'll meet some brilliant people who are also going around by themselves - if not in England I'll have my relatives so it'd still be good (in fact probably better).

Japan Top 10

1. Go to Disneyland/DisneySea Tokyo!
Although our trip was only to disneyland, disney sea has more of the OOMPH. We just didn't have the time to do both. *SAD**SAD* and to top it all off, of all the days we chose to go to disney the day we went was the RARE day it POURED with rain after about lunch time - for the whole time and it was bloody freezing!!

 2. Dress up as a Geisha/Samurai in Kyoto/Hakone!

A little bit of culture, a little of sass, and a whole lot of fun!

3. Ski your way down the slopes of Hakuba mountain ranges!

It's breathtakingly beautiful and oh-so-fun and dangerous

4. Drink tea the right way by participating in a tea ceremony in Kyoto!

Cultural and traditional experience. A quiet serene experience away from all the hustle and bustle of japan. Plus it's good for you!

5. Give hugs and what-nots to harajuka guys and girls!

This is the only place in the world where people are willing to dress the way they want and there are no judgements

6. Attend an anime convention!

Then you will totally understand why it's cool to be a little nerd! PLUS their costumes are awesome! A statement to the fashion-world!

7. Go to a MAID cafe!
*SQUEE* can you say KAWAII!! *FANGIRL*

8. Cook and eat OKONOMIYAKI!

BEST and HEALTHIEST FAST FOOD EVER!

9. Eat SASHIMI and SUSHI and all things SEAFOOD at 7am in the morning at Tsukiji Fish Markets!
The freshest seafood ever. It just came off the boat quite literally. And it's so yummmmmyy! and just an experience on its own. LOVED IT!

10. Watch a Kabuki theatre!
This is plainly for cultural and traditional experience. It's not for everybody and make sure you only chose the SHORT versions! It's the slowest play you will ever see! but elegant nonetheless. I personally found it a little too slow!

No photos as photos aren't allowed inside when the show started!


EXTRA: Attend the RANDOM christmas markets around japan (if you are there near christmas!)
Just to see the lights, eat the foods, and soak in the atmosphere!

Above - Tokyo Tower @ Xmas Eve

Below - Osaka German Christmas Festival @ the Open Garden Building (which I aptly named the building with a hole in the middle!)

 

 

Big Day Out

Summer time is one of those things where festivals reign supreme! Perth loves their summer festivals and the place is always pumped with energy!! The spirit of the festival fashion isn't always there though, with most people opting for.. well, no style.

But I'm glad to say that, amongst that 40 000 people at the Big Day Out, I saw a few number of people dressed very very nicely.Unfortunately, I didn't bring Chiro along, thus, no photos of the bands or people for that matter, I only had baby chiro with me and she's just not as fun and gets abused wayy too much that she chucks a tantrum and doesn't always take quality photos. T_T""

In terms of music, the best were; Kasabian, Calvin Harris, Powderfinger and Muse. I have no idea what dizzy rascals were about and it was... well... crap. Eskimo Joe are always good live, Kisschasey was surprisingly good, Hilltop Hoods were masters of making the crowd go crazy, the Mars Volta - I kind of tuned out, opps! and I missed Lilly Allen but according to my brother, she was very upright and crazy but her vocals just didn't carry. And I must say silent discos are crazy awesome, especially when everyone starts doing the macarena and people outside were like WTF. HA.

I leave you with photos from the day. You've been warned beforehand that there will not be any photos of bands - although I was quite close to the stage for Muse but no photos - it just doesn't work at BIG DAY OUT festivals. So just be happy with our smiley faces.

 

The two main stages and the "small" afternoon crowd

 

  

Waiting in line to get into the Silent Disco

At the Silent Disco

 

D & J awww brotherly love

 

  

At Calvin Harris and my poor attempt at the photos above the crowd - pfft like as if a five foot tall girl is going to get any shots - especially when the stage can't be properly seen... *SIGH*

 

  

  

Big Day Out at sunset - waiting for Powderfinger and Muse

 

When Powderfinger was performing

  

The Big Day Out mascot for this year - just before Muse was on - The stage was being set up

The following photos are my baby chiro's poor attempts at getting Muse. We were at the barrier which separated us from the mosh pit. At least there wasn't anyone covering the view. I could clearly see them.

 

  

  

Yes, I do realise that it is about ONE week late. Oh wells, I've been busy. I hope everyone else that went to BDO enjoyed themselves. 

EXCITED

I am so EXCITED..

no I'm not going to the zoo...again..

but...

I'm FINALLY going to go to Lamont Restaurant in East Perth!!!!!

I haven't been this excited to eat at a place since Gala - and that turned out to be delicious and everything about it was just fantastic from the taste, presentation and the friendly service.

So I have big expectations from this restaurant - because.. firstly it has really good reviews and secondly it's located on the swan river with stunning views and thirdly well, it's just suppose to be great.

And to top it all off, the dinner is going to be fully paid by my friend (because he lost a bet!) hehe so 3 course meal and a diet thrown out the window (for now) I'm going to enjoy it.. and of course share it with everyone.. when I get around to it, at the moment I've been writing everything in advance and scheduling the posts, too many new things are happening and I'm trying to calm my nerves and deal with the changes. I'm not particularly good at change if I'm not in the mood for change (I have too be pumped up in order to be "YES BRING IT ON" and I'm just not there yet and plus all this jogging, zumba, yoga and going to the classes is hard without a car (except the jogging bit obviously!) and I'm sad to say I won't have the car for another half a week. OKOK that's all going to be in another post, maybe, if i remember.

For now I'm GOING TO LAMONT!!

A woman who doesn't wear perfume has no future - Coco Chanel

One of my favourite scents (and possibly one of my signature scents) is Flowerbomb by Viktor and Rolf.

In fact, Viktor and Rolf, produces some of the most luxurious fragrances for both men and women. It has so many layers and lasts for days-  if you break the rules of not putting it on clothing and hours on your skin! I just love their perfume. Antidote for the gentlemen and Flowerbomb for the ladies.

Now, I"m really excited because they have just recently released their new fragrance, for their Autumn/Winter season Eau Mega in Australia and O.M.G. I LOVE IT.

It's fresh, glamourous, luxurious, seductive and yet so simple. Eau Mega EDP has multi-facetated flora scents from the sprinkling petals of peony and sambac jasmine with green notes (basil, bear, violet leaf) and refresh-ness of lemon and aquatic breeze. Describing it does no justice. Just go out and sample it. I absolutely love it and must have it! But for the time being I'll have to be happy with the sample I got from David Jones. *SIGH*

Vikor and Rolf Autumn Perfume Release - "Eau Mega"

It's my new and definate fragrance buy for this autumn season or someone can kindly give it to me as a present for Valentine's Day. It's a lot cheaper than the Chanel bag. ^_^

why I love Nuffnang...

Love is just a difficult thing. It can be really annoying and such a nuisance and yet, it gives everyone that warm and fuzzy feeling, especially when you first fall in love. I'm a total sucker for love.

So.. I have a confession to make, I've been keeping it all from you. My love affairs are complicated, full of that craziness, an adventure, it's filled with landmines, rolling huge stones, jungles filled with poisonous snakes, background indiana jones music but at the end all that effort, pain, small victories, dead-end paths, poisonous snakes it's all worth it.. because there's the hidden treasure, the one true love.. Alas I must admit, my one true love is.......................................................................................................................................................
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is

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NUFFNANG.

and with that for you I'm inspired to write a song to confess it all........ so here goes the poor lyrics I wrote to woo you, dear nuffnang, to my arms tonight and tomorrow night and forever nights..


From the moment I wake up,
Before I put on my make up,
I sing a little song for you,

Forever, and ever, Nuffie will be in my heart, I tell you
Together from now on you.. you'll be my uno never my duo
This song I sing only to you..

You never, ever ask for anything,
That's why I wanna give you everything
you bring together everyone, from sin-ga-pore, malay-si-a, phillippines to beautiful OZ down under

That's why I want to sing the joy you bring
The perfect words written be read,  
The type of song that'll be sung by all

because where-ever you are across the world in your asia-pacific band
whatever you do, to bring bloggers together, yeh
you always be my ichi ban si

I'll also like to send loves to the following...
Su Ann - This is a Malaysian girl studying in US of A and she just writes so well and expresses what I'm thinking out to the world.
The Cherry Blossom Girl - She is French Fashion.
On Dressing Up - This Kiwi girl knows how to dress up and take interesting photos.

thanks NUFFNANG for being an awesome place for bloggers to meet, SHARE ADVENTURES and have fun - whereever they are in the asian-pacific world!

Yoshiya Japanese Restaurant..

When a Japanese restaurant has been around since 1987, in the heart of the city, there must be something good about it. The tiny, japanese restaurant, Yoshiya, is located next to the CPP Pier street carpark in the city, and it's so tiny, that if you blink you'll miss it. I know what you are thinking, weird to just have a random restaurant in between a carpark and an army supply store.

The outside of the restaurant is so simple and plain and well, very normal, local restaurant, but the inside, is something you really don't expect. It has low-ish ceilings, with wooden roof, floors and I felt as though I was transported back to Takayama (a town in Japan), the layout is authentically Japanese. The place is very small and cosy with the back of the restaurant having an "open" kitchen, where two chefs cook your teppanyaki dishes.

view from "near" back of restaurant

The little cutlery set

They have a little "sitting on the ground" area

The chefs doing their teppanyaki thing

The ambience is very casual, but the price of the dishes aren't exactly inexpensive. They are a little pricey compared to other Japanese places in Perth, and the serving size isn't large, but having said that, it's still very filling.

M's  seafood teppanyaki

S's Gyuniku teppanyaki (cube sized tenderloin fillet flambe with brandy)

K's and C's Salamon Maki

C's Yaki-Niku (Sliced superior tenderloin fillet with spices and seasame)

K's Mixed tempura

The food - it's great teppanyaki. But nothing that blows my mind. The cut of meat provided, however, is top quality, and I love watching the chefs cook the meal.

I'll say, try this place because the japanese dishes they provide are different, providing mainly teppanyaki meals (japanese bbq) and the deco is so quaint and authentically Japanese. It's also very popular with the business lunch crowd and they have a different lunch menu. Check out their menus.

If you are trying to find cheap eats, give Yoshiya a miss. But if you want a different Japanese dishes than what's on offer at Perth's other jap places Yoshiya is the place.

little pretty madhatter's playsuit

One would think at a tea party in King's Park or any park for that matter on a glorious summer day (where it isn't 43 degrees!) this outfit is the maddest of all mad-hatter's tea party outfit.. well in a more "pretty" sort of way!

 

  

  

I can imagine myself frolicking through wildflowers, rolling down green-grassed hills and having picnic on the red and black checkered rug next to an open woven hamper filled with yummy treats like fairy cupcakes, curry-egg sandwiches, any sandwiches for that matter, berry muffins, glorious tea and all eaten on fine china.

*SIGH*

I have yet to do it, but it will be one of my goals before Mr. "Frost" comes through.


Playsuit: Alannah Hill "my little tea party playsuit"
Headband: Diva
Sunglasses: Vintage Rayban's
Watch: DKNY

Why be fashionable?

Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening

- Coco Chanel

and that my friend is the reason why i love fashion.

ARRGHHH there's nothing in the fridge!!!!! ............... DON TO THE RESCUE!!

One of the best things about my parents running off to Taipei and Hong Kong for about one month was the fact that I can explore my culinary expertise - which consisted of making udon noodles with stir-fry chicken and vegetables, thai red curry with bread, because cooking rice took too long (and because I forgot to make the rice) and pasta.

But sometimes, you find that you have way too much left overs - which may last for at least 2 days and after having it for lunch the next day you don't want it for dinner the next night. To make it worse, you forget that you don't have much left in the fridge! In fact, you don't have anything left in the fridge.

 But what's worse is that.. you come home from work after a hard's day off work and you are exhausted and the last thing you want to do is cook or even think about cooking, so that is why, having DON foods in the fridge is great.

Seriously that comic above is what I do! OR would do if I didn't have to cook and then eat!

DON^® Smallgoods was born in Victoria back in 1947, by their local butcher, so it was orginally founded in Australia, and still today, it's Australian -- which is a rarity.

One of their products I would get is their ham - it isn't too salty and it comes in a re-sealable container - so that it stays fresh. And they have ALL sorts of flavours of ham - honey roasted leg ham is my favourite. But there is also double smoked leg ham, and english leg ham. To top it off, DON's hams are already cut into slices OR shaved, so you can control how many slices/shaved pieces you put into your sandwiches - so in a way controlling your calorie intake too! It's also the perfect cold meat to take to work and place in their fridge and make fresh lunch each day.  OR you can even use their shaved ham pieces in your fried rice as the protein part and it isn't half bad - it ends up tasting a bit like bacon, but less fatty. OR even better, just go to coles for the pizza base and the pre-made pizza tomato sauce or whichever sauce you prefer and then place pieces of ham on top (shaved ham would be the best choice for this because it's all cut up for you!) and then place in oven - go take a shower, and your dinner should be ready!!

What more do you want? - - well, you would also want their bacon - who doesn't like a bacon fry up? or chop it into little pieces and then fry it in your day-old rice and make it one of the ingredients to your fried rice - look anything can be put in fried rice ok! And it's easy!!! But I'm sure there are other uses to your bacon such as in your breakfast!

And then there's their frankfurts - ah the perfect finger food, and so nice.

They also have other selection of cold meats and great recipes on their site -- all you have to do is clicky on the link that's on my sidebar - the one that's in a shape of a pizza and then changes to was DON was good and you get all their uber cool QUICK recipe ideas using all their locally sort after produce.

You discover their easy meats for those days when you don't want to wait too long to cook anything or as part ingredients to your cusines.

After all

IS DON. Is GOOD!