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  1. On a High

    January 28, 2012 by mella

    It’s true what they say “Music heals, inspires and intensifies”.

    Last night, I came across Mo Twister’s season finale episode which aired last December. His guest was no other than Rivermaya’s former vocalist, Bamboo Mañalac! I truly enjoyed this episode because it was mostly about Bamboo and his upcoming album. He sang live in the show and my gosh he’s still got it! I’ve been feeling low this past few weeks (PMS!)  and this this just was just all I needed pala!

     

    and then this came up on my news feed in Facebook…

    ahhh…90s and high school days, i miss it!

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  2. Hobart, Tasmania

    January 27, 2012 by mella

    My initial reaction as soon as we arrived in Hobart was ‘Where are all the people?”

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    This photo was taken around 11am. Doesn’t it look like a deserted  place? Here in Singapore, downtime only starts at 12midnight and the rest of the day is just pure hustle and bustle! So seeing this really surprised me. Or maybe because I’ve been living here long enough that I’m not used to being in a relaxed place anymore? 

    Hobart's CBD
    Hobart’s CBD. Notice how the modern are the buildings here? Completely different from the buildings on the above photo.

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    Elizabeth Street. One of Hobart’s shopping district.

    Most, if not all, shops in Hobart closes at 5pm or 6pm (while malls here malls here in SG closes at 9pm, ugh!). We obviously came too late. Look no people! Good thing there’s Woolworths Supermarket at Campbell St. which is open till 10pm, we were able to buy food the next day’s long drive.

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    Taken around 9pm, on our way to Salamanca Place for dinner. I think Hobart has done a good job in preserving that modern Town look.

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    I took this while crossing the street. The weather was just so good to us on first day in Tassie. Clear sky, no rain. We took it as a good sign for the rest of the trip and it was indeed :)

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  3. Salamanca Market

    January 22, 2012 by mella

    Our first stop upon arriving in Hobart was at Salamanca Market. Although we were exhausted and had little sleep during the flight we could not pass on the chance of visiting this place.

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    First thing I saw as we enter the crowded street. This would have been so creepy at night.

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    The market is open from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm. We arrived there around 1:00pm and it was pretty crowded. So if you want to beat the crowd be there as early as possible. (Do you see the red-headed girl?)

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    Fresh produce of the locals. The carrots looked deliciously sweet and fresh. I wish we had this here in Singapore. It would be more fun to cook using fresh ingredients.

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    These two talented guys juggling a small ball using their feet.

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    the balls

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    We saw a lot of wood crafts being sold. I also saw a peppermill made of wood and I really wanted to buy it for myself but it costs a whopping $60 a piece.  I was really disappointed. Too expensive.

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    homemade jams and preserves

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    phoenix?

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    Salamanca Fruit Market

    Address:
    Salamanca Place
    Hobart Tasmania 7000

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  4. Well, hello there

    January 8, 2012 by mella

    I’m officially back from our 3 weeks vacation but I still want more. It may seemed long but I want another week just so I can stay in my comfy bed and sleep like there’s no tomorrow. I also want a few days off so I can edit our photos and post them here. We took hundreds of them and I really really want to share it with all of you.

    Here are some random photos from my iPhone

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    arrived at Hobart around 10am

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    then went straight to Salamanca Market after dropping off our bags at the hotel

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    taken around 8pm on our way to a restaurant for dinner

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    The sun only begins to set at 9:00pm during summer in Australia and the sun rises at around 5am I think. Looooongggg daaay! Literally.  This was something new to us.

    After a few days in Tasmania we went to Melbourne to spend Christmas

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    taken at Flinders Street Station before Christmas day

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    This City Circle tram goes around Melbourne CBD and passes major tourists attractions. The best thing about it is it’s FREE!

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    Tourists must take this warning seriously I tell you. Incoming trams scares me to death.

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    ‘Melbourners take their coffee really seriously’ said a fellow tourist we met in one of the tours and we agree! Even the cafe latte in McDonalds was great. Makes us wonder, where do they get the coffee beans ?

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    Our simple Noche Buena.  Bought roasted chicken from the supermarket and cooked Mongolian beef stir fry.

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    outside the Melbourne Museum

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    Early morning of Christmas day and this was the first thing we saw in the news. Whoever did her makeup must be punished. I mean look at her!

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    That’s it pansit! More to come, promise.

    Happy New Year!

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  5. We’re coming Tasmania!

    December 9, 2011 by mella

    A few more days and we are off to Tasmania! This will be our very first trip outside Asia and will be sort of our second honeymoon :) Where is Tasmania you say? I’ve never heard of this place until a colleague of mine from Australia asked another colleague whether he’s ever been to the Island. The answer was ‘nope! never been there’ and my colleague’s response was ‘Ugh! you’re missing half of your life!’. I wasn’t eavesdropping okay? Its just that they were talking from a hearing distance (like beside me) so naturally i will hear everything  they say. Okay, okay, chismosa na kung chismosa! hahaha…. So anyway, i thought hmmm… what’s in Tasmania? And so that night, all I did was googled Tasmania and understood why. We’re so looking forward to see and experience the island for ourselves.

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    We decided to plan the trip without the help of a travel agency. Rudel did all the plane, hotel, car (yes, he’s driving!) bookings while I helped with creating the itinerary. We are flying by Qantas to Melbourne and Jetstar from Melbourne to Tasmania.

    Here are the sites that helped us with our planning:

    www.travelerfolio.com/places/australia/tasmania/
    www.discovertasmania.com.sg/
    www.tasmania.com/
    www.transport.tas.gov.au/licence_information/tasmanian_road_rules
    www.puretasmania.com.au/default.asp?pID=28
    www.foodrehab.com.au/category/search-by-location/tasmania/

    Please watch out for my next posts about this trip. It will surely be filled with lots and lots of photos!

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  6. Felicia Martins

    November 27, 2011 by mella

     

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  7. Khansama Tandoori Village

    November 6, 2011 by mella

    The first time we went here was our very first North Indian restaurant experience. We didn’t know what to order and don’t know which meal goes with what. At that time I was only familiar with Chicken Briyani, Naan, Chicken Tikka Masala and Chicken Tandoori. So we ordered ALL four and regretted it at the end. Chicken Briyani is a full meal in itself. Chicken Tikka Masala with Naan is also considered a full meal. And Chicken Tandoori, I don’t know. The waiters (bless them) didn’t bother telling us that we were already  ordering for 10 people! We ended up finishing everything. Don’t ask me how but the words ‘SAYANG PERA’ was in our mind the whole time we were devouring all that food. In the end, we were so FULL to the point that I almost vomited. Lesson learned.

    Last week, we went here again for lunch. It’s an hour away from our place by commute but near Rudel’s workplace where we had to pick up his mouse (don’t ask why!).  Keeping in mind that dreadful experience, we only ordered Naan, Buttered Chicken and Teh Tarik . That was it!

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    Garlic Naan. yep! Those are garlic bits.
    The ones in Mumtaz Mahal was better though

     

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    Their Buttered Chicken was so good! The chicken was so tender
    and the thick creamy sauce was yummy spicy just the way I like it!

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    copper plate stainless steel tableware. very authentic

    Will definitely check out their other branches the next time my cravings kicks in again…

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    http://www.khansama.net/default.aspx

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  8. Dinner: Grilled Salmon with Fettuccine in Agli Olio

    November 6, 2011 by mella

    Last week, I finally bought my dream cooking tool—a grill pan! I’ve always wanted to buy one but kept on stopping myself because I was afraid that I wouldn’t be able to use it that often. But finally I gave in.  I my want food to have grill marks on em for a change. I know, silly hehehe.

    Before going to the cashier and paying for it, I quickly googled ‘grill pan worth it?’ just to really really make sure that the thing is worth my money. This site came first in the search results. According to the users, although the pan doesn’t give that smoky flavor it still gives the food a grilled texture. So there, JUSTIFIED :)

    Excited with my new toy, I made ‘grilled salmon topped with mango salsa and fettuccine with Agli Olio (garlic and oil)’ for dinner .

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    Here’s how I did it:

    First make the Mango Salsa. In a bowl, mix diced mango, tomato and red onion. Add 1 tbsps. each of lemon juice and lime juice. Season it with  salt then refrigerate, covered for an hour.

    To make Agli Olio, fry minced garlic and red pepper flakes in extra virgin olive oil  (don’t burn the garlic please).  When the garlic starts to turn brown, quickly remove the pan from heat. Set aside. Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to package directions.

      
    Rudel loves garlic so much and I love the heat, that’s why….

    Meanwhile, brush the salmon with olive oil then season it with salt and pepper. Set the grill pan over medium-high heat. Place the salmon, skin-side up on the grill and cook for 5 to 7 minutes each side.

    And finally, pour Agli Olio over pasta. Mix well until the pasta is well coated with the oil. Season with pepper and top it with lots of freshly (it must be fresh!) grated parmesan cheese. Serve it with the grilled salmon and mango salsa.

    Trust me, these threesome go so well together.

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