Croc Soup

Another foodie article. Was at this chinese restaurant over the weekend and I saw the menu they had this Crocodile Soup with some herbs which I can’t remember just saw that word and boy did I get excited so decided to give it a try.

Ended up with this soup. It looked interesting, the croc meat taste like pork if you ask me.

Brunch at Yan Ting

On Sunday the missus and I went to Yan Ting at St. Regis for a timsum Brunch. I have to say the place is really nice, very posh setting. We made reservations the week before. The Bruch cost $70+ per person and you had to add the taxes after that. So what did we get for that.

We had Sharksfin soup and Lobster. Yum yum…… isn’t it huge …..

A whole host of mouth watering favorites as well including Har Kao and Chee Cheong Fun cooked or actually it is fried in XO source. That was really unique and scrumptious.

We ordered the Salmon Sashimi, Fried Anchoives, Crispy Chicken, Noodles, Vegetables, Breaded Fish, Wasabi Prawns to just name a few.

That’s the Wasabi Prawns, it was huge as well.

Of course what I had to try was the Hot and Sour Crab Soup. I’m a real fan of Hot and Sour Soup, must try everywhere I go. It was not too bad, quite good at least it had some standard.

The service was excellent you get what you and you can tell them how much or how little you want and the serving will be just the right portion.

Pins & Needles

Acupuncture, the ancient art of maintaining your bodies balance with the help of pins placed at certain places on your body, or something like that. Your lines of ‘chi’, like some Kung Fu show.

Well I recently signed up for an acupuncture package. It was for 10 sessions. I'm nearing the end currently and I have to say, there is some benefits to it. Was really a sceptic when I first signed up but I think now there is some good to it.

I will always remember my first visit, I went with the missus as she told me it was good and to give it a try. The acupuncturist did a quick assessment, took my pulse, told me to stick out my tongue and told me that I was 'heaty' must drink more water. Then it was off to become a human pin cushion. I was so nervous that I lost count of how many needles were use. However in future sessions I counted somewhere between 35 to 45 needles were used.

The needles were placed on my body, the chest and stomach area, my arms and my legs. You practically could not move after that or at least you dare not move. Some sessions I had some wires attached to the needles to give some electrical stimulus to the body. More recently about 5 pins were used on my ear as well.

I have to say it was really an experience. During the last few sessions I took some shots or actually the acupuncturist or TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) consultant help me take it. Well here they are must warn people it’s not for the faint hearted.

This is the shot of my little tummy, looks like something from Hellraiser.

And this is of my ear shot pretty cool if you ask me. The tummy was more painful then the ear.

Red / Storm

Wooooweeeeee ….. huge 15 minute Storm last night, practically blew everything everywhere. I think it happened around midnight. Massive winds, while I was closing some of the windows, saw someone’s towel being blown around and flying higher and higher. Next morning the ‘carnage’ was evident for all to see. Broken branches, leaves and other debris littered the floor and roads, a couple of fallen trees blocked off one of the side roads. The funny thing the ‘mega’ winds lasted about 15 mins only but enough to cause some damage.

It’s also the day news came in that English Premier League Football Club – Liverpool will be visiting in July. Awesome I last saw them on their last visit here. It would be great to see them again.

Wagu Beef

Went to a Korean Restaurant down near the Har Paw Villa area over the weekend, there was a car mart beside the place, can’t remember the name of the restaurant it had a korean name. The funny thing was we went there on a saturday and there was a betting outlet there. Quite funny there were punters hanging around outside then all suddenly went in and then you can hear shouts from the Turf Club as the horses start the race, the great sigh at the end and you know not many people went away happy. As quickly as they gathered they left. I thought that was hilarious all that screaming and shouting.

Anyways back to the food it was a Korean BBQ and we had Wagu Beef. never had those before, we ordered a plate, there were 4 chunky slices on it each slice about the size of 2 or 3 french fries. I think I calculated EACH slice cost about $10 to $15 !! Its bloody expensive but damn it was GOOD !! Excellent beef.

You know how at Korean BBQ restaurants they practically overflow you with sources and other cold dishes and appetizers (i think that’s what they are) its no different here the table was practically full even before our food arrived. The waitress for kind enough to do the cooking for us so the 4 of us just sat back relax and enjoyed the food.

one word YUM :)

Angsana Beach Resort and Spa (Bintan)

  

Recently went for a trip to Bintan – Angsana Resort and Spa, we were actually debating on either Club Med, Angsana or Banyan Tree, finally at the recent Bintan Resorts Road Show we chose Angsana. The ride to the Island from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal was really choppy, a couple of kids and adults were sick, it was quite crowded. We got there to the resort around noon and checked in.

The reception area was ok, quite nice it was a really hot day we got a nice room on the 4th floor away we figured from the insects on the ground floor. The missus wanted to check out the spa first so we did and promptly booked an appointment in the evening. Went down to the beach for some R&R and lots of sun and sand. The beach was beautiful it has been a long time since we were at a beach and the waves were fantastic, I remembered as a little boy when my parents would take the family to the beach besides swimming in the sea what I liked doing most was building sand castles or actually just any sand structure those ‘sand castles’ don’t really look much when you are young. The other thing I love most about the beach were the waves ! Now that’s the really fun part playing with the waves and over here in Bintan it has been a long time since I played with the waves and it was just sooooooo cooooll, Felt like a kid again.

 

The beach at night was nice and if you want a romantic dinner there are a few options like this dinner for 2 by the beach.

They even had a bonfire going on the beach at night, seafood buffet spread and you could lie on the beach on those Indonesian mats and cushion while enjoying the sea breeze.

 

The first days spa was really good it was not too painful just nice the rub down. I tried this hot waxy stuff which they put on your back not sure what it was just was trying it out and boy was it hot, now I know how those ladies feel when they get their legs waxed. I think they called it Parafin or something like that, they put some thing on it after they applied the stuff and I figured it’s going to hurt when they pull it off. It came off in one swift motion, surprisingly there was no pain. We actually booked a second days massage as well but by then I was starting to get a suntan, shoulders started to turn lobster red some discomfort there as well as the arms, so I got those soothing rub for the burns. It was nice and cooling. My skin does not peel straight away usually it will turn dark and then back to normal, sometimes it will flake a bit and the shoulders started to flake a bit after about a week later.

 

All in an excellent holiday. Only 2 things which were not so good. At night there were mosquitoes and bugs flying around you got to get used to that and the boat ride was not the best. Here’s more pics.

 

Crabs on the Beach

Crackers as appetizers at every meal, the chilli is a must for the dip.

A great beef soup. yum.

We had this Satay dish on one of our nights. Excellent.

A shot from the resort, very nice beach and this was taken in the evening as the sun was going down. You can just make out the bonfire preparations on the beach.

The resort on one of our morning walks along the beach.

April Fool's

APRIL FOOL'S DAY

and I'm off on my break