Tsukiji again

Tokyo - Tim and Tony has never been to Tsukiji (the largest fish market in the world), so we met @ 4.30am at the lobby and reach Tsukiji around 5pm. We arrived early and had to wait because the auction of the Tunas did not start until 5.40am. The auction area was crowded with many people inspecting the tunas.

Later I was told by Terry that these bidders check the fat and quality of the Tunas by inspecting the tail. The higher the fat content the more expensive the Tuna cost. Maybe similiar to beef - which in this case they called 'marble' - the streaking fat on a piece of steak that when cooked just melts in your mouth.

All the Tuna's tail portion has been cut off leaving the red meat of the fish - some bidders were poking their fingers into the flesh of the Tuna. There are 2 section of the auction - the fresh Tunas and the frozen Tunas. The fresh Tuna auction is much more expensive - each Tuna can cost US$2,000 to US$ 20,000.

Old 747

Tokyo - This trip to Tokyo I booked my seats way at the back because it was a full flight on this 'red eye' and there are not many aisle seats left. But it was marred with 3 out of 4 toilets spoilt. I think this Boeing 747 is due for retirement but had to be dragged on because of the A380 delays. Whilst most airlines are using past 7-8 years. On this aircraft, knowing that SQ does a good job you can still see the discolouration on the decoration, breakdown on the toilets, and inflight entertainment screen is no longer sharp.

Took 1hr from Narita to reach Hotel East 21 @ 9.20am. I like this hotel because of the warm toilet seats - it is winter and can you imagine seating on a cold toilet seat...ouch! Furthermore, Japanese toilet seats has bidet.

I had breakfast at a Japanese burger fast food restaurant - Lotteria.

Lunch and dinner was at a soba tempura restaurant.
These restaurants are within 10 minutes walking distance from Hotel East 21.

Tiger setting base in South Korea

Seoul - The Budget carrier Tiger Airways will spread its wings to South Korea. It is setting up a nwe carrier called Incheon Tiger Airways and will have an initial fleet of 5 A320 aircraft. Tiger Airways will own 49% of the carrier and the South Korean city of Incheon will own the rest. The new carrier will start flying in 12 months time. The join venture will challenge Korea Air Lines and Asiana Airlines for passengers in Asia's fourth largest economy; it will have domestic and international routes - with flights from South Korea to China, Japan and the Russian Far East.

BBQ Seafood

Ho Chi Minh City - After all the day's meeting is over, I went over to Ben Thanh market for some souvenir shopping and be absorbed in the local's hustling and bustling. The constant bargaining is such fun and you become good after a few good buys....

I also caught up with some friends who happened to be in HCMC at the same time. At night we had a late dinner @ a road side hawker for seafood. This is located beside Ben Thanh market. It was good and delicious - BBQ snails, ginger stir-fried clams, seafood soup, Vietnamese fresh spring rolls, vegetables (Kang kong fried with garlic) and fresh lime juice for just S$30.

New Saigon Airport Terminal

Ho Chi Minh City - Upon landing I noticed a spanking clean new airport terminal with aerobridges. Quite different from when I arrived in March this year. This is a new airport terminal only thus at the same old location. The Vietnamese Government is building a super airport at Long Thanh to be completed by 2015.



The arrival was quite a nightmare with long queues moving very slowly towards to immigration officials. I queue at the wheelchair lane because the immigration officials were stamping entry on the foreigners queuing at this lane. There were 2 lanes, I was in the inner lane. When the wheelchair passengers starting rolling in, the immigration officials gestured with his hands movements for passengers queuing in the outer lane to move to the inner lane. The lady that was up front and next to be stamped by the immigrated official was pissed and started making a scene. She was edging herself upfront in the inner lane trying to cut the queue, obviously standing in no man's land. The immigration officials got really upset and moved all that were queuing in the inner lane back to the normal lanes. I had to start the queue from the back.

A lesson learnt in all my travels is that never get upset with immigration officials or show displeasure - they can make it very unpleasant. I encountered an experience many years ago in Beijing - an Indian passenger was running late and was belligerent. The Chinese official just took his time and the Indian passenger keep shouting that he is late, finally a senior official pull the Indian passenger aside. Obviously, this Indian chap did not make it to his plane on time.

Back to Omni Saigon again - this is a good 5-star hotel and convenient located. Went out to have a late lunch at Lemon Grass restaurant. After which, I walked around HCMC, around 6pm, it started to rain very heavily and many roads in District 1 was flooded and the mobile phones lines were down. I tried to call and it gives message "Error in Connection" only after 2 hrs was I able to get a connection through.

It was only later that I found out Vietnam has a serious flooding problem especially after heavy rains. The water reach knee high and there is a bad smell due to the mixture of sewage and rain water.

Roasted Duck @ Petaling Jaya

Petaling Jaya - I saw in a magazine about 3 famous roasted duck restaurant in Kuala Lumpur , but I have never been to any one of them. I decided to ask Donny and he replied the restaurant is always crowded...but strangely, I had a hankering for duck meat. So, we made a "beeline" to this famous duck restaurant that he knew of in Petaling Jaya.

Restaurant: Sunrise Roasted Duck restaurant
Located @ 31 Jalan 21/1, SEA Park, Petaling Jaya

Upon reaching, it was packed and the crowds kept pouring in. The restaurant ambience is by all standard looks old with tiled walls, plastic chairs and slopping looking attendants. To compensate this restaurant roasted duck is heavenly - the best I have ever tasted!

The roasted ducks are skillfully chopped up piping hot and served to customers. The duck meat is succulent and tasty. We order one whole duck and it cost M$40 each. This was the reason why customers keep coming back to this restaurant over and over again and don't mind the long queues everyday.

Bak Kut Teh @ Petaling Jaya

Kuala Lumpur - Arrived on time and I had already pre-paid my Hotel stay at Boulevard Hotel. A good class 4-star hotel that is new and clean. The rooms are well kept and that's one of the reason I am back again.

Donny arrived with his colleagues (Eunice and Donald) and together with Young Jin we hopped into his car for a sumptuous meal at...

Grandpa Bak Kut Teh restaurant - a very famous Bak Kut Teh restaurant in Petaling Jaya. The Bak Kut Teh has a strong herb aroma - the broth is thick and delicious. The Pork has definitely been cooked for many hours as the meat is tender and juicy.

What is Bak Kut Teh?
This is a Chinese dish and is very popular in Malaysia and Singapore. Literal translation means "Pork Bones Tea". The dish of meaty Pork ribs is served in soup of herbs and spices. The Malaysian Bak Kut Teh consist of more herbs whilst Singapore Bak Kut Teh has more spices especially pepper. The Bak Kut Teh is served with rice and often served with "You Tiao" (fried dough). The correct way is to dipped the "You Tiao" into the Bak Kut Teh and eaten.

It seems to be that many of the best no-frills restaurants are located in Petaling Jaya. Petaling Jaya is about 45 minutes away from KL.

I had 2 rounds of bowling @ Cosmic Bowl at Mid Valley Mall with my business partners. This is the first time I am bowling in this special effects lighting. The glow in the dark pins and bowling ball adds new excitement to the game. Lights go out, the pins light up and the bowling ball glows!