1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #211 - Nara Deer Park and Todaiji Temple, Osaka

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission #211

- Nara Deer Park and Todaiji Temple, Osaka

(This deer park in Nara, outside of Osaka and once a capital of Japan, has over 1000 free roaming wild deers. They are all so friendly, and will come to you for food. The large Todaiji Temple, built in the 8th century has a huge bronze Buddha stautue inside..impressive)

 

 

 

 

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #210 - Dotonbori Food Street, Osaka

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission #210

- Dotonbori Food Street, Osaka

(An impressive food street, Dotonbori quickly filled up early with people by 5pm. All of Japan's favourites are here, from the Alaska crab to the blowfish. But we decided to try out the takoyaki - octopus balls -  from one of the stalls which had a long queue. This is followed by a nice egg ramen, but only if you pay upfront at a machine at the door, which dispenses a piece of paper describing the order  you had made..all neatly done, with minimal staff required)

 

 

 

 

 

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #209 - Umeda Sky Building, Osaka, Japan

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission #209

- Umeda Sky Building, Osaka, Japan

(This distinctive building of 40-storey high has a long and apparently highest escalator in Japan, bringing people up to the 40th floor from 37th, giving a 360degree view of Osaka. The real feature for me was the recreated early-20th century Osaka shops at the basement level - with choices for Japanese food from the old days. Ramen for 530yen, which is around S$6..really? Things have become much cheaper in Japan now, compared to 10-15years ago, it seemed. Suits me nicely because I love ramen and sashimi!)

 

 

 

 

 

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #208 - Osaka Castle, Japan

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission #208

- Osaka Castle, Japan

(Our Japan trip opened with a visit to the majestic Osaka Castle. Built in the 1500s and destroyed several times, it now stands tall, with distinctive Japanese architecture all round. For a 100yen, the birdfeeder will give you a pack of rice crispies and you can have a whale of a time feeding the pigeons. Another month and the cherry blossoms would have painted the entire area pink. Still, it was refreshingly cool at 12C, an oasis within the concrete jungle of Osaka. How about that impressive shogun-samurai suit on that man?)

 

 

 

 

 

 

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #207 - CUT Restaurant by Wolfgang Puck, MBS, Singapore

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission #207

- CUT Restaurant by Wolfgang Puck, MBS, Singapore

(We had some impressive steaks before, for example from Morton's, but what we had at CUT by Wolfgang Puck at MBS was special. Our entrée was an asparagus bacon dish which was delicious. But when our fillet mignon and tenderloin were served with a side each of brussel sprouts and wild mushrooms, they took the top spot on our steaks chart. The $380 bill at the end for 2 was worth every dollar, especially if it's an anniversary dinner. No wonder we couldn't get a reservation on the day itself but managed only a bar-side table - still, it was cozy enough, made even better by the steaks) 

 

 

 

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #206 - Cats The Musical, MBS, Singapore

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission #206

- Cats The Musical, MBS, Singapore

(We thought any Andrew Lloyd Webber musical would be a sure winner. And so, we checked out "Cats The Musical" at Marina Bay Sands. Somehow, it didn't quite grab us the way that Phantom did. Was it because we were right up on the 3rd level? However, when the theme song "Memory" was sung by Grizabella, the evening was worth it again - she was outstanding! Which brings to mind..how was it when it was last sung here by Jacintha?) 

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #205 - Biryani dish : best ever, Yangon

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission #205

- Biryani dish : best ever, Yangon

(This will sound funny from someone living in Singapore but I think we have found the best biryani dish, ever. Yes, it is in Yangon, a mere 50metres from our hotel Clover City. This biryani restaurant called Nilar is along the main busy street. When we first tried it, it blew us away - their so-called Ambrosia Biryani is a mixed version with some cashews and raisins served with its tender chicken. But the real kick came from a side spicy add-on which had small dried shrimps in it, which made it the best biryani we have ever had - so good, we tapau 4 packs home!) 

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #204 - Landmarks of Yangon, Myanmar

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission #204

- 3 Landmarks of Yangon, Myanmar

(These 3 other Yangon landmarks were distinctive in their own rights. The Karaweik Palace is actually a floating barge built on a lake, with a pagoda-like structure on its top. Very intricate design and worth a closer look. The Strand Hotel is an icon, built by the same Sarkies brothers who built Raffles Hotel, thus the strong look-and-feel..including the U$500 a night pricetag. The Bogyoke Market is where you go for all the touristy handicrafts before your depart Yangon. Don't forget to order a morning cuppa local coffee and sit by the roadside of a corner food stall, and watch a typical Myanmar morning go by, including this parade of young Buddhist monks)