Category: Restaurants

Posted in Art, Beauty, Experience, Family, Feelings, Food, Friends, Health, Hotel, International Culture, Music, Place, Restaurants, Shop, Shopping, Travel

Trip to Bulgaria and Romania (Day 4)

Posted on by sonokotchi

Today is the main day of this trip: Rose Festival.

We are scheduled to leave hotel for Kazanlak at 6:45 am; as such, I took a quick breakfast at 5:30 am then Sayonara Plovdiv.

Bulgaria has rich soil so the country’s self efficiency is high.

Bulgaria imports food only during winter.

I can see many farms at the road side.

Kazanlak is famous for production of poppy, lavender and rose.

This is lavender farm, looks nice in purple.

The type of Rose suited for extracting rose oil is Damask Rose.

Bulgarian believes Damask Rose was brought by Thracians.

On the other hand, some claim Damask Rose was brought by Turkish/Ottoman.

This theory is also supported because production of rose oil was industrialized during Ottoman Empire.

Rose requires rich soil, enough sunshine and balanced humidity.

Due to above requirements, roses are commonly planted at winery grape yards to alert soil condition.

To produce 1kg of rose oil, it requires 3,000 roses; 1 drop requires 120 roses.

Once rose oil was traded equally as gold.

No wonder it’s precious.

Rose is national flower of Bulgaria.

This morning, we departed early for rose picking.

It is better to pick roses early morning to keep better/stronger fragrance.

Rose oil is commonly used as one of ingredients for major brands’ perfume to keep lasting fragrance.

Rose oil is also used as an ingredient for cosmetics because of its performance: anti-aging, antibacterial effects, moisturizing and even good for applying insect bites.

It is also used for supplement: kidney stone, constipation, etc.

When we consume rose jam, we need to be easy with it; it might force you to go to toilet often! hahaha

I bought rose oil, hand cream, jam and lokum for myself.

I can enjoy rose picking, shopping and even watching Bulgarian Folk Dance at Ethnographic Complex Damascena, Kazanlak.

Bulgarian Folk Dance and songs.

We moved to the Rose Festival Parade.

This parade started in 1903.

The total population of Kazanlak is about 50,000, but over 100 buses of tourists visit the town for Rose Festival.

They are Queen of Rose.

This parade is heart warming because it is obviously hand-made by local community.

At last, all of us (local people and tourists) dance together.

We had BBQ for lunch,

Drinks are included. Yeah!

After lunch, we visited Shipka Memorial Church, also known as Memorial Temple of the Birth of Christ.

On the way to Veliko Turnovo, we stopped by at one of parking areas to try pure water buffalo yogurt with local honey.

Both yogurt and honey are so rich and delicious that I would recommend to try it.

We arrived Veliko Turnovo and checked in at Hotel Meridian Bolyarski.

It has a tremendous view.

We had dinner at hotel restaurant.

We also enjoyed live music while eating and chatting.

We had a good time at our table.

After dinner, we went for a short walk; this town is very peaceful.

It’s been a long day.

I soaked my body to rose bath to unwind my tired body.

Good night.

Posted in Feelings, Food, Place, Restaurants, Work

Yokohama

Posted on by sonokotchi

Today, I accompanied my boss to visit companies in Yokohama.

The meeting was quite interesting because I was learning about new industry: LNG.

I also enjoyed dinner at Arabic Restaurant AL AIN.

Hummmm food is delicious.

This became my second cheat day of week. Ahaha

Posted in Family, Feelings, Food, Hotel, Nature, Place, Restaurants, Tokyo, Travel

Long Weekend @ Kamogawa, Chiba (Day 3)

Posted on by sonokotchi

It’s time to return to Tokyo.

I took a morning bath; then the last breakfast at Kanpo no Yado Kamogawa,

After breakfast, I played with niece at hotel’s children play area till I get tired.

I’ve been playing with her for three days.

She never stops playing!!! hahaha

I drove through woods, then Aqualine to reach Umihotaru (Sea Firefly) Parking Area for sightseeing and lunch.

This parking area is located on the highway Aqualine which is crossing Tokyo Bay between Kisarazu, Chiba and Kawasaki, Kanagawa.

I can see Tokyo skyline on the horizon.

I had Chiiiba Don (Chiba Local Food Rice Bowl) for lunch.

I had after lunch coffee at Starbucks.

This is Chiba’s mascot charactor: Chiiiba-kun.

I couldn’t take many photos today because I was driving.

I safely arrived home and ready to go to bed early tonight.

It was a nice family gathering.

Posted in Feelings, Food, Japanese Culture, Japanese Food, Restaurants, Tokyo

Pork Skewers Torishige @ Gotanda, Tokyo

Posted on by sonokotchi

This is my first time to dine at Pork Skewers only restaurant.

Torishige has been serving only pork skewers for 63 years.

This restaurant serves only pork; however, the restaurant named Tori (Chicken) Shige (Shigeru).

These days, skewers style cooking is all called Yakitori (Grill Chicken); therefore “Tori”, then the founder of the restaurant was a fan of the former Prime Minister, Shigeru Yoshida, so “Shige”.

Look at their secret receipt sauce!

I tried many parts of pork!!!

This restaurant is absolutely MUST DINE restaurant!!!

I will definitely go back again!

Posted in Experience, Feelings, Food, Japanese Culture, Japanese Food, Nature, Place, Restaurants, Shop, Shopping, Surprise, Tokyo, Travel

Golden Week Holiday in Okinawa (Day 4)

Posted on by sonokotchi

Today, it’s a sightseeing day.

We rent a car from Times Parking.

Once become a member, we can rent a car by our requested hours at the nearest Times Parking.

First, we went to Yoshinoya for breakfast.

I ordered a normal Gyudon (Beef Bowl) to compare it from Tokyo one’s.

Hummmm, it tastes the same.

Last night, uchina (Okinawan) recommended us to visit Gyokusendo (Cave) at the Sushi Restaurant Hagama Zushi.

Gyokusendo is located at the Okinawa World.

To my surprise, it’s a huge park, comprehensive Okinawa cultural park.

We started with Gyokusendo, the cave.

It’s a huge cave.

Ao no Izumi (Blue Fountain)

Ogon no Sakazuki (Golden Sake Cup)

There is a natural eel!

He swam slowly occupying the place to himself.

We exited the cave at the other side of park.

We walk through many parks back to the entrance/exit.

There is Ryukyu (Okinawan) glass park.

We can make crafts or simply enjoy shopping.

I shopped Ryukyu Glass Chopsticks holders here.

There are many cafe as well.

I enjoyed Uchina Zenzai (Okinawan Style Bean Ice Shave), shekwasha (citrus) juice and a bite of vanilla Blue Seal ice cream.

There are many more shops and cafe to enjoy.

This is Okinawa Style Traditional House.

This is Okinawa’s traditional costume.

I also tried Okinawa’s Buku Buku Cha (Foam Tea).

I need to chew the foam to prevent from choking.

This is my first experience to chew the tea. hahaha

I also watched Eisa (Okinawa Dance).

Another big event at this park is Habu Snake (poisonous snake found in Okinawa) vs mongoose.

Mongoose catches Habu; however, Animal Welfare Society protested to stop the fight.

Today, we cannot watch the fight.

They race to swim faster.

Mongoose won. hahaha

You will watch and even can touch many snakes here.

After enjoying this huge park, I went to walk on Shuri Kinjo-cho Ishidatami Michi (Shuri-Kinjo Town Stone Pavement).

It’s normal residential area, but I felt like I’m walking at the different time zone.

Luckily I walked down this slope.

It’s time to return to Tokyo.

Sayonara Shisa (Okinawa’s Lion/Guardians)

It’s the last day of Golden Week Holiday; therefore, all flights are sold out!!! Wow!!!

Had dinner at Kirin Bar also planning about next trip to Okinawa if any. hahaha

Sayonara Okinawa for now; look forward to visiting here again.

Posted in Diving, Exercise, Experience, Feelings, Food, Japanese Culture, Japanese Food, Nature, Place, Restaurants, Travel

Golden Week Holiday in Okinawa (Day 3)

Posted on by sonokotchi

Today, we went to Kerama Shoto (Islands) area by this boat.

It takes one hour to reach diving points.

The first point: Kuroshima Kita (Kuroshima North).

We enjoyed landscapes; there are many corals (hard, soft and fan), crevasses, cracks and fish in cracks.

Kasago (Rockfish/Scorpion Fish)

I took a photo of boat from ocean.

The second point Kamigu.

Again enjoyed landscapes.

Reminded me of Oolong Channel, Palau.

Small Umiushi (Sea Slug).

Nimo! Kakure Kumanomi (Crown Fish)

I had lunch on the boat.

Then last dive in Okinawa at Jizuru.

We again enjoyed the landscapes.

HoshidaKaragai (Tiger Cowrie)

And there are many fish at the crack.

There are few Umiushi.

Kakure Kumanomi

At last, meeting a turtle.

On the way back to Tomari Port, we are lucky to watch Naha Hurley (Dragon Boat Race) 2018 from the boat.

I had a good look of it because I didn’t have to worry about people in front of me

For dinner, first, we went to Korean BBQ Roins, Naha, Okinawa.

Then we went to Hagama Zushi, too.

I enjoyed too much of Awamori (Okinawa’s strong rice distilled liquor).

I went to bed at 9 pm. hahaha

Posted in Diving, Exercise, Experience, Feelings, Food, Gadget, Japanese Food, Nature, Place, Restaurants, Tokyo, Travel

Golden Week Holiday in Okinawa (Day2)

Posted on by sonokotchi

Yeah, this is my first Okinawa dive!!!

Today, went to Onnason, Okinawa.

We took a boat to the first point: Dream Hole.

I haven’t dived since last September in Palau; it means I’m so-called blank diver???

I wished I had some time to get familiar with diving before entering to a cave.

I had to enter the cave from a small hole…

Nonetheless, I managed to enter/drop through a small hole to dive narrow path.

When I see an iseebi (lobster), I finally could control buoyancy a bit.

Then a narrow path led me to…Pikachu!!!

So cute!!!

We also dived through Pikachu.

There are many corals and fish.

Kasago (Scorpion Fish)

Next point was Cross Line.

I managed to see famous heart shaped back anemone fish: Touaka Kumanomi (Toe Red Anemone Fish.

They are so lovely!!!

I also see a rare fish: Kaeru Anko (Frogfish).

Yes, his eyes look like Frog! hehehe

Close look.

We also dived through a channel.

Then met Nimo: Kakure Kumanomi (Crownfish)!

They are cute.

We took lunch break at Kinchichi Soba.

This soba is not typical Okinawa Style Soba, very unique in tsukemen (dipping) style.

We ordered extra porks for additional topping.

After we finished noodles, we asked for soup to add in sauce to enjoy sauce as a soup.

The last point: Overhead Rock.

We enjoyed landscape here, too.

We dived through crevasse.

This is my first time to use GoPro.

It didn’t function right or I operated wrongly.

I saw Pygmy Sea Horse and took few photos; but these photos are not in my camera. Ahhhh

Hopefully, I operate it right tomorrow.

For dinner, went to Jack’s Steak House Okinawa.

I had Orion (Okinawa’s Local Beer) and Tender Lion Steak Medium Rare.

Now I better study about GoPro and sleep early. hummm

Posted in Beauty, Feelings, Food, Friends, Hotel, Japanese Culture, Japanese Food, Restaurants, Shopping, Surprise, Tokyo, Travel, Work

Golden Week Holiday in Okinawa (Day 1)

Posted on by sonokotchi

It’s Japanese National Holiday (Constitution Day) today, but my office was opened.

Usually, morning of Ginza Station is crowded with people, but today it was quiet.

It was a quiet day at the office as well.

The office building was closed and we were the only office opened on Golden Week Holiday season, but it was fine with me.

I enjoyed long lunch with my friend from Malaysia at Tempura Restaurant, Ginza Tenkuni.

We chatted for a while and she departed for Shibuya to join other group of friends.

At 5 pm, it’s my turn to enjoy Golden Week Holiday in Okinawa. Yeah

I already polished my nail for beach.

I quickly packed up and departed for Haneda Airport.

it’s dinner time, but food won’t be served on domestic flight.

I bought my favorite Maisen Katsu Sand (Maisen Pork Sandwich).

The packaging is cute airport version – with many airplanes!

I ate it with Aojiru (vegetable juice) at ANA’s Lounge.

After satisfying my stomach, proceeded to the gate.

It’s night flight so I could not take a sharp photo due to the reflection of the glass.

I see an airplane in strange colour.. in yellow…?

OMG, YODA greeted me at the entrance!!!

My seat is decorated in Star Wars as well!!!

I found my airplane model on inflight shopping magazine.

The cup.

Yoda is seared at one of seats like us.

I was protected by the FORCE so safely

arrived at Naha Airport.

Mensore (Welcome in Okinawa ben (dialect))

I finally reached Naha West Inn.

It’s a nice cozy room.

Oyasuminasai (Good Night)