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Hong Kong Here We Come!! Day 1 in Hong Kong...Stanley Market and Kowloon

 

 

Alas, every great trip must come to an end, or in our case...off to another destination---HONG KONG!! Yayyy!

 

At Narita Airport, Peter and I stopped by this small conveyor belt sushi place for a quick bite :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And then hopped on our Cathay Pacific flight and off we went!  I have to say though, the Cathay Pacific seats are terribly uncomfortable to sit in, felt like I was sitting on cardboard =X

 

After a good night's rest...the next day, we decided to try Luk Yu in Central for some dim sum :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Luk Yu was "okay" at best...service was nothing stellar (not that we expect it to be in most Chinese places haha) but the food was only "okay."

Me--Comme des Garcons White Polo with Red Heart

 

Next stop after lunch, we headed off to Stanley Market!  Brings back so many memories, well not so many as I was so young when I moved from HK to LA...but I DO know my mom and dad used to take me to Stanley Market for weekend outings :)

Peter convinced me to take a bus ride out there, I think he almost passed out since the bus had to go thru some very steep terrain and windy roads along the cliff (he's terribly afraid of heights) and the driver definitely was not taking it slow, poor Peter...

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basically at Stanley Market, there's just tons of outdoor stands/stores selling trinkets and touristy items, but its pretty cool to just browse around there.

 

 

 

cute shot of a kiddo and her dad at the pier...

 

 

After our little trip to Stanley Market, we headed off to explore parts of Kowloon, Nathan Street and Temple Street...

 

 

One of the best things about being in Asia, is that all the asian snacks and drinks I love so much are readily available everywhere we go...I love being able to find Vitasoy at all the mini marts and some vending machinese...

Me--M Missoni Turquoise Cardigan, Nation LTD Classic V neck White tee (one of my staple pieces when traveling)

 

 

 

Oh look!  I wonder what all those Chinese men are doing, crowding over a small table...haha

 

While exploring Kowloon, we stumbled upn this amazing MANGO dessert place...the menu consists entirely of MANGO items!!!

 

 

Just staring at this menu is making me hungry...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And yes, it was all very delicious, Peter and I basically devoured every last bite!

 

 

 

 

Peter at Temple Street Night Market :)

PZ--Lacoste Orange Polo

 

 

This is a sad-face Cory because I wanted to go into this shop to look at their Mickey and Snoopy clothing but it was closed...not to worry though!  We made it back before we left HK and bought a ton of cute Mickey and Snoopy attire--though Peter had no idea when I'd actually ever wear that stuff when I am back in the U.S. (little does he know, I am not embarrassed to wear them around with my Chanel jackets or Great China Wall hoodies LOL)

 

 

 

Perusing the dinner menu at Xin Dan Ji in Kownloon, so many delicious things to choose from!!

Me--Roberto Coin Cento Diamond studs, Tiffany & Co. Platinum Diamond Mini Hoop earrings

 

 

 

 

 

 

Doesn't this just look so crisp and juicy tasting?

 

 

 

Peter saying hi to the huge fishys in the tank at the restaurant...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HBS Japan Trip: Day 6 more Tokyo!!

 

 

 

Our last official day of the HBS Japan Trip 2011--so sad *sniff*

As some of you may well know, Peter and I are NOT "early birds" but we are "fatties" enough to wake up at 6am for Tsukiji Fish Market tour...yes, the place where all the fresh fish are prepared and sold off to restaurants and markets!!!

 

 

YAY!!  We have arrived!!!

 

 

 

 

This whole experience was really quite amazing...such a bustling place so early in the morning!

 

 

But first things first...we must eat, lots of delicious fresh sashimi!!!

As with everything on the Japan Trip, our trip planners had arranged everything impeccably, so all we needed to do was "sleepily" follow them into a small hidden gem, where others had already begun wolfing down fresh pieces of sashimi by the minute.

 

 

Hello delicious piece of Toro!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Uni--Sea Urchin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don't these just look so fatty and yummy?? *nom nom nom*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The place was super compact, yet the one waitress and sushi chef seemed to work perfectly hand in hand, and they were very polite but efficient.

I will admit though that Peter and I were still so sleepy, that we have little recollection of that meal, sadly, we wish we had been more awake to truly enjoy each and every bite haha

 

 

 

 

After that scrumptious sashimi "breakfast"...we headed off to the Tsukiji Fish Market...technically, we were not supposed to be wandering in there that day, something about it being closed off to the public...but hey, we're pretty stealth :)

 

 

Fresh Wasabi!!!

 

 

 

Amazingly enough, it was MUCH cleaner than I had imagined...

 

 

 

Fresh Shrimp!!

 

 

 

 

Hello Mr. Fish, someone will make a great meal tonight!!

 

 

 

Ginormous Octopus ;)

 

 

 

 

It's a scallop in an oyster shell!!!  So cool!

 

 

 

This was pretty crazy, a huge fish sliced upon and being prepped into sellable sashimi pieces!

 

 

 

Aren't these Squiddos huge?

 

After our "little secret mission" around the Tsukiji Fish Market, we had some time to browse the fresh produce and food stands surrounding it...

 

 

We came upon this grilled meat skewer stand...and well, Peter can never turn down a meat skewer...oddly enough, this is WHALE!!??

 

 

 

 

Had no idea people even ate whale anymore, or at all...but it was pretty fun watching them scorch it with a flame blower on top of the grill!

 

 

 

I don't think I was brave enough to try it, but this is what it looked like...Peter said it was very fatty/oily tasting...and tasted kind of like chicken?!! LOL

 

 

 

More fresh fruit and crazy expensive BUT delicious Mango!!

 

 

 

 

 

Back at our hotel, we noticed a fresh display of flowers by the elevators...I think we noticed them changing these daily!!

 

After a little rest, we set off to explore/shop around Tokyo...

 

 

Monica and me strolling, well scurrying off actually, to do some shopping!!! YAYYYY hahaha

Me--Ron Herman Vintage Free City Hot Pink Hoodie, Gucci brown monogram belt bag

 

 

This was a super cute statue of a dog who was so loyal to his owner, that when his owner died, the dog came back to this one spot to wait for his owner every day, until the dog had passed too...gosh, how come Bow Wow isn't this smart? JKK haha

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And when we got back to our hotel, the flowers had bloomed!!

 

 

As this was our last night with the Japan Trip group, we had a final night of food and fun :)

 

 

Me--Catherine Malandrino Black Silk Silver Studded dress, CLU Grey Cardigan with Ivory White Silk Trim, Cartier Love bracelets in YG and WG

 

 

 

Our amazing HBS Japan Trip crew....thanks to all the organizers for such a wonderful experience and time in Japan!! :)

 

 

 

HBS Japan Trip: Day 5 Tokyo Touring Around :)

Our last destination on the Japan trek---Tokyo!!! :)

 

 

Can't kick off a morning without a $25 dollar mango, right?  We finally got around to trying the crazy expensive but fragrant/gorgeous looking mango we bought from our Osaka day trip!!!

 

 

Yes, didn't you know all mangos come with an instruction booklet on how to prepare and eat it? hehe

 

 

 

 

And yes, it was DELICIOUS and "Oh so sweet!" success!!!!

 

 

Here is a picture of the main lobby area of the Hotel Okura in Tokyo:

 

 

It definitely had a very 1960s/1970s feel to it but in a good way, the architecture and decor really made me feel like I traveled back in time (well, to a period I wasn't around for...but could imagine from old movies :)

 

And off we went on our Tokyo city tour, checking out more temples and shrines...

 

 

Love how huge and bushy and GREEN this tree is and how it basically took up the whole picture!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So cute, as we were doing another HBS group shot, some Japanese students saw us and really wanted to join in on the picture fun :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our lunch at a yummy Kushiage Restaurant--loads of fried yumminess!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Such a funny story about this bag, we saw it while strolling on some free "shopping" time we had, but Peter was anxious to get some ramen first cos he was still hungry...anyhow, we snapped a picture with it and when we came back 45 min later...they had sold the ONE AND ONLY PINK bag :( :( (this photo is a reminder for PZ and all the boys who say "it'll be there, we'll come back for it later...")

 

 

 

 

The ramen that cost me the PINK Hello Kitty bag above *sniff sniff* (haha, I'm so bad, I've given Peter so much grief about this already, and so sad for him we took a picture of me with the bag...cos he'll always remember when he sees the picture LOL)

 

 

 

 

PZ and Ianz and Charles, looking down this glass window on one of the high buildings in Tokyo...

 

 

 

Peter's facial expression is so priceless (and cute) hahaha

PZ--Junk Food "Tide" charity red tee, Penguin Blue Plaid Shorts, Gucci Limited Edition Blue and Gold Croc sneakers

 

And later on at night, Peter and I explored the Akihabara "electronics" district...you could wander endlessly there, marveling at all the anime and gadget stuff :)

 

 

 

 

For din din, we tried to replicate our previously SUPER delicious Japanese BBQ outing in Kyoto...went to "Gyu-Kaku" in Tokyo, unfortunately, the meat quality and flavoring fell far short of the yumminess we had in Kyoto...so sad, if we ever go back to Kyoto--we hope to find that place!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Of course we still ate it all haha :)

Me--Wren Burnout White Tee, Tiffany & Co. 18K YG Quatrefoil Key with diamonds, Penny Preville 18K WG Emerald Diamond Pendant Necklace, Chanel 18K WG Diamonds Double Star Ring and Anita Ko 18K YG Spike bracelet with pave diamond spike

 

 

 

 

 

HBS Japan Trip: Day 4 Nagoya & Toyota Visit

 

 

Day 4, leaving Kyoto and off to Nagoya!! 

 

But Peter and I were not going to leave the Westin Miyako Kyoto hotel before stuffing ourselves one last time at the breakfast buffet haha...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peter all dressed up at breakfast!

PZ--Hermes Pink Blue White Stripe dress shirt :)

 

First stop of the day...Nagoya Castle!!

 

Yukiko, Yuki and Me :)

 

 

Posing with one of the cartoon characters there, not sure why he was there but it was cute haha...

Me--Oliver Peoples Black Silver sunnies, Kain Blue White Stripey Tunic Top, Okabashi Black Flip Flop sandals

 

 

Japanese Bonsai Garden plants!!

 

 

 

Nagoya Castle!!

 

 

 

I'm trying to help here!! hehe

 

 

 

 

After the Nagoya Castle visit, we were off to the Toyota visit...on the bus, we were given delicious Japanese boxed lunches!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arriving at Toyota :)

 

Hello Mr. Robot!!

 

 

 

Peter looking very business-y hehe

PZ--Hermes Pink Blue White striped dress shirt, Hugo Boss Black Slacks, Salvatore Ferragamo Deeper black leather loafers, Tom Ford Black slim leather belt with brushed gold buckle

 

 

 

My next car after Booey?  haha nooo, but this was still very cute!!!

 

 

 

Meeting with some execs from Toyota with Ken :)

 

And after the Toyota visit, we hopped on a Bullet Train and zipped right over to Shinagawa Station in Tokyo!!!

 

Peter and I chose the "Kaiseki" optional dinner for our first evening in Tokyo.  Yuki took us to "Onodera" for this special meal :)

 

 

At Onodera with our fellow "Kaiseki" buddies that night...it was such a cozy little place on the 2nd floor on a small street in Tokyo, the chef/owner was amazingly sweet and fun to spend the evening with!!!

Here are all the Kaiseki dishes we had that evening at Onodera :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chawanmushi--I could eat this every day of my life...sooo yummy!!!

 

 

 

Specially flavored rice that he made for us to complete the end of our meal!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After that amazing Kaiseki meal...we were stuffed and ready to retire/pass out in our hotel room.

Another superb part of this whole trip was how our luggage was always sent separately ahead to the next hotel each time we were traveling during the day.

All we had to do was pack up the suitcases and leave them in the lobby in a designated area and someone would drive our luggage to the next destination and it would be placed in our rooms...exactly how we found it as we walked into the Hotel Okura Tokyo :)

 

 

 

Our hotel room at the Hotel Okura Tokyo:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Night Night from Hotel Okura Tokyo!!

 

 

 

 

 

HBS Japan Trip: Day 3 Osaka

 

One of the amazing parts of this HBS Japan Trip were the optional day tours.  With a large group of people, there will always be different tastes and interests and by providing a number of optional tours on certain days, it allowed trip participants the opportunity to choose cities/day trips that most appealed to them.

 

On our 3rd day, Peter and I joined the Osaka optional tour with Hideki, who did a super job showing us around and keeping us well-fed haha!!

 

 

Kicking off the start of our Osaka adventure that day with Charles, Ianz, Claire and Hideki :)

Me--Chanel Blue Silk Baseball Cap, M Missoni Turquoise Cardigan, Disney Couture Mickey Mouse tee, Gucci Brown Monogram waistpack bag, Splendid Black Sweatpants :)

 

 

Loved how animation is everywhere in Japan!  Reminds me of a Totoro looking fish haha

 

 

 

In the busy streets of Osaka...

 

 

 

Ianz and Me in front of another happy caricature looking statue...I forget who he/she is though...

Me--Me--Chanel Blue Silk Baseball Cap, M Missoni Turquoise Cardigan, Disney Couture Mickey Mouse tee, Gucci Brown Monogram waistpack bag, Splendid Black Sweatpants and my trusty Asics walking shoes hehe :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm a sumo wrestler!!

 

 

 

So is Peter, but he's a grumpy sumo wrestler haha

 

 

 

Hideki, Ianz, Charles and Claire having fun at the arcade...

 

And off we were to lunch YAY!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These fried skewers were "oh so tasty!!"

 

Afterwards, as we strolled past some street market vendors...we came across the most delicious (and most expensive) fruits we've seen!!!

 

 

Peter and I were so intrigued, we HAD to buy one of these $25 USD mangos haha...more pics of that special mango to come...

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sooo, Osaka kinda reminds of a Venice but in Japan...well cos of the waterways here, and like in Venice, well, there were mice!!! OMG, I almost passed out when I saw a few scurry past me on the side streets in Osaka!!!

I mean, I was thinking I would inevitably come across one during this Asia trip, just not in Japan--I figured I'd see them in Hong Kong!!!

And Peter can tell you how I am around any scurrying creatures in the street (of any kind)...I scream and run!!!

 

 

 

Takoyaki YUMMMM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So funny to come across this Beard Papa's in Osaka...and of course we had to try it to see how it compares to the one in L.A. :)

 

 

 

It was yummy...hahaha

Me--Chanel Blue Silk Baseball Cap, Penny Preville Emerald Diamond pendant necklace, Chanel J12 33mm White Ceramic Watch, Roberto Coin Cento 18K WG diamond studs earrings, Tiffany & Co. Platinum Diamond Mini Hoop earrings

 

 

 

And yes, I HAVE to go check out every Chanel I come across wherever I go...

Me--Hermes Pousse Pousse White leather and gold bracelet

 

This was our "second lunch" at a ramen shop that came highly recommended to us...

 

 

 

 

All the ramen options...

 

 

 

Our yummy ramen has arrived!!  Woohoo...isn't it so cute, the Pokemon bowl??

Me--Anita Ko 18K YG Pave diamond spike bracelet, Cartier WG love bracelet, Hermes Pousse Pousse White leather gold bracelet

 

 

 

Me--Disney Couture Mickey tee (i can't get enough of Mickey and Snoopy tees, I think I drove Peter nuts running around Japan and Hong Kong saying "that's so cute!" "omg, so cute!" endlessly at every Mickey and Snoopy item...and yah, we saw those like every 10 steps hahahah), Chanel J12 33mm White Ceramic watch

 

 

 

Escalator Going Up Shot--Claire, Charles, Ianz, Me and Hideki...

 

 

 

View from the top of one of the tallest buildings in Osaka :)

 

 

 

 

Can you spot PZ and Me? hehe

 

 

 

Oh, this is Peter when he found out that someone finished all the Milk Tea...it wasn't me!!

PZ--H Harvard Cap, Osaka tee (haha, so funny he already had this in his wardrobe before this Japan trip...so fitting to wear!)

 

 

 

Our little Osaka adventure gang group picture :)

 

 

 

Escalator Going Down Shot--Claire, Ianz, Me, Hideki...

 

 

 

 

Yes, we loved doing these silly pics too haha

 

And before we left Osaka for the day, we were given the option to eat again, "lunch numero tres" how could we turn that down???

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Upon arriving back in Kyoto, Peter and I went off on our own to explore the shops and streets on our "free night."

 

After walking even more (at this point we were ready to pass out), we found this cute Japanese BBQ restaurant inside one of the mega department store buildings in Kyoto...boy, was it a GEM!!!!

 

 

Our salad bar choices, I always love Japanese salad dressings and their potato/macaroni salads are always delicious, Peter reckons it has something to do with all the mayo in there...hmm, oh wells...

 

 

 

I can't really recall what we ordered, also because the menu was only in Japanese AND the staff there did not speak ANY english, so Peter and I were pretty much reduced to sign language/charades haha

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are some of the menu pictures of what we ordered...maybe someone can help us out and tell us what we ordered here haha

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More condiments to complement our meal :)

 

 

 

 

However, despite the language barrier, the staff at the restaurant were beyond helpful and sweet and the meats were TOP NOTCH!!  Soooo fresh and juicy and tasty, hands down one of the BEST Japanese BBQ outings we have had!!!

 

 

 

 

HBS Japan Trip: Day 2--Geisha Performance @ Ryotei in Kyoto

 

One of the many highlights of this Japan trip was the Geisha Performance at Ryotei in Kyoto!  This was such a rare treat as many of the students from Japan had never even met/seen one before either!

 

 

 

Upon entering, every thing was already meticulously set up and ready for seating...

 

 

 

This was the place setting for each person :)

 

 

 

Me--Bensoni Purple Leopard Print Silk Dress

PZ--Trovata Magenta Pink Polo shirt

And here comes the Geisha performance!!! :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And the delicious food to complement the show :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our pic with the Geisha (actually Maiko I think cos she was still an "apprentice Geisha"--hope I remembered this correctly) :)

Me--Bensoni Purple Leopard Print Silk Dress, Chanel J12 33mm White Ceramic watch, Chanel 18K WG Diamond Double Star Ring

PZ--Trovata Magenta Pink polo shirt

 

 

 

Ryan and Iann with the Geisha/Maiko :)

 

Back to eating...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yuki and Yosuke (being silly, as usual...jk!! haha)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And this is what I saw the next time I looked over at Peter...

 

 

asleep....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Koichi, Mika and Kohta sharing many laughs...

 

 

 

 

Yuki with another sleepy HBS'er...

 

 

Tranquil flute music as we left, all very full and sleepy I imagine (well Petah and I were for sure!!)

 

 

 

 

HBS Japan Trip: Day 2 Kyoto

 

Day 2 in Kyoto!!

 

 

 

Yummy Japanese breakfast at Westin Miyako Kyoto Hotel :)

I could eat this every day!!!  How I miss this...in the U.S. the only place I've consistently found Japanese breakfast options have been at the Mandarin Oriental hotels!

 

After breakfast each day it was actually super hard to get on the tour bus and not want to fall asleep...can someone say "food coma"? LOL...

 

Many more visits to temples and shrines...

 

 

 

 

 

I totally forget now, but I *think* this is for good luck or something??

Me--Free City RH Vintage Hot Pink Hoodie, Elizabeth & James Black Satin Bubble shorts, Chanel Blue Silk Cap, Gucci brown monogram waistpack (such a versatile and perfect piece for travel!!!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I made Peter take a picture with every rabbit we came across haha...get it?  Peter Wabbit :)

 

 

 

 

Another pic with some rabbits, I think Peter found this far less fun haha

 

Before long, we were off to another meal...a "healthy" lunch we were told...well, yah, not if I have anything to do with it...just kidding, it was actually pretty healthy but delish too!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is what happens when we go to a buffet...STUFFED!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Very peaceful scene at a Japanese Rock Garden in Kyoto...

 

 

 

 

We loved seeing these vending machines all over Japan, delicious drinks easy to purchase wherever and whenever you please!!  Such a great alternative to sodas...I drank endless bottles of teas and juices!!

 

 

 

 

Haha...yes, this is for those of us who need more than the "hole." haha

My greatest fear has always been falling in the "hole" and knowing me and my lack of coordination skills, it would be highly possible...I asked Peter once what he'd do if I fell in, and he said he'd just have to leave me...nice LOL

 

 

 

Loved all the cute cuddly stuffed animals!!

Me--Chanel Blue Silk Baseball Cap, Free City RH Vintage Hot Pink Hoodie, Tiffany & Co. Platinum Diamond Mini Hoop earrings, Roberto Coin Cento Diamond studs earrings :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HBS Japan Trip: Day 1 Hiroshima

 

 

Peter and I had been beyond giddy and excited for this HBS Japan Trip in May, 2011.  And so were 160 other people, until the tragic earthquake took place in Japan and many people were super worried about the possible danger of radiation...so much so, the original group size of 160 came down to like 20-25 people?

 

Honestly, it was a big enough "cozy" group size, not soo big that you won't even know half the people's names despite spending over a week in a foreign country with them.

 

Everything turned out amazingly, thank goodness I had the foresight to book us with an asian airline (any but China Air haha) out of L.A.  Found an amazing deal with Singapore Airlines too from L.A., travel agents are definitely the way to go for booking international flights, especially to Asia!!

 

Here are LOADS of pics from our arrival and first day in Japan.  We landed in Narita Airport and then went to Haneda Airport to catch a flight to Hiroshima...

 

Our Japanese snacks in the hotel room (Rihga Royal Hotel Hiroshima)

 

 

I loved this, so cute!!!

 

The next morning, we kicked off our first day in Japan with a visit to Miyajima Island--best known for the Torii Gate and also referred to as "Shrine Island" because of the numerous shrines there.

 

 

 

Our ferry ride out to Miyajima Island...

 

 

 

Looking back at Hiroshima from the water...

 

 

 

 

Kohta very excited already, yay for ferry rides! LOL

 

 

 

Thought this pic was funny, it's like every one is trying super hard to look studious, studying maps hehe

 

 

 

Upon arrival, we were greeted by some "guests," though I think they seem more pre-occupied at the moment with trying to eat food out of these school kid's lunch packs!!

 

 

 

So funny cos now everyone is so into taking pics of these guys...wait, did we come to see some deers or the shrines heehee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peter's found his future pet, jk!!

PZ--Psycho Bunny Star Wars R2D2 Polo in Aqua (so sad though cos I accidentally washed this with some other colors and they kinda bled on the shirt...waahhh), Ralph Lauren Polo White Shorts, Gucci Limited Edition Gold and Blue Sneakers

 

 

 

The famous Torii Gate--which marks the entrance and approach to a shrine, most are made of wood and painted orange and black.

 

 

 

HBS Japan Tripperoos Group Photo, yay!  Wait, some other guys sneaked into our shot!!!

 

 

 

Me--Wessex Rhinestone Crystal Studded Tee in White, Oliver Peoples Black/Silver trim sunnies, Penny Preville 18K WG Emerald Cut Diamond Pendant Necklace, Tiffany 18K YG Quatrefoil Key with Tiffany Platinum Diamonds Fleur de lis Key

 

 

 

With Petah :)

 

Some shots of the Shinto Shrines at Miyajima Island

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And then we had to hike up a huge mountain...haha, no, I'm just lazy and out of shape I guess LOL

 

 

 

You're supposed to spin each of these as you go up to the shrine, something about good luck I think?

 

 

 

Saw this guy grilling some oysters, figured we would give it a shot...

 

 

 

 

Ta-da!!!  The oysters were yummy, nothing out of this world but solid :)

 

 

 

Inside one of many gift shops at Miyajima...so much fun browsing at all the different teas, condiments, snacks, I could spend hours in these places!!

Me--Chanel Hidden Sequins Large Tote (LOVE this bag, so maintenance free but sparkly--cos the sequins are in between two layers of fabric!!)

 

All this hiking and walking around, no, honestly, there WAS a bit of hiking around, we were famished and ready to have some Okonomiyaki in Hiroshima!

 

The beginning stages of making Okonomiyaki--derived from the word "Okonomi," which means "what you like/want."  So this savory pancake can be filled with an array of ingredients to your liking...yum yum, one of everything please, thanks!

 

 

 

It was actually quite amazing seeing the Okonomiyaki Chef whip all these up for like 10 people so quickly, felt like Benihanas but way more authentic and yummier haha

 

 

 

Claire, George, Alex, some European guy (sorry, see?  even with 20 something people I can't remember names =X) and Koichi...

 

 

 

 

 

After we stuffed our faces with more Okonomiyaki than we could handle...we set off for Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was actually eerily serene at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, knowing what had taken place there and seeing disheveled buildings made me feel like it happened much more recently than in World War II.  We also had an amazing opportunity to meet with and listen to a lady who was a child during the Hiroshima tragedy.  She recounted details from that day and was so visibly shaken still when talking about it--makes you really wonder if and when does a society really ever recover from such a horrific event.

 

After spending some time at the museum in Hiroshima, we hopped on a bullet train to Kyoto...bye bye Hiroshima!!

 

Ku-Kai-San Izakaya Restaurant in Kyoto :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oddly enough, all these small plates reminded me of a L.A. home town favorite--Furaibo...ahhh yummy...

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back at our hotel room in Kyoto, the Westin Miyako Hotel, we marveled at the tech-savvy bathroom...well, maybe not THAT amazing to some people, but Peter and I definitely added "multiple showerheads" to the list of things we want installed in our future home haha

 

 

 

 

Asana Easter Buffet @ The Mandarin Oriental Boston

 

I used to be the one who loved holiday buffets at nice hotels, but I think that Peter is now hooked too.  Our favorite go-to place is Asana, at the Mandarin Oriental in the Back Bay.  We loved our experience there for the Thanksgiving Buffet back in Fall 2010 so much that we had just been itching for an excuse to go again.  

 

Here are pics of the Asana Easter Brunch Buffet with our friend Mike ;)

 

**Oh btw, if you ever go to Asana or actually, any Mandarin Oriental buffet, you can always ask for a bowl of white rice.  I've had that every time I've been to Asana!!  I just love rice with everything, even my turkey!

 

Despite not being able to see Peter's face here, I kind of like this shot, it's like a "Petah Silhouette" hehe

 

 

Peter at the Smoothie Bar--yes, they make fresh fruit smoothies, any way you like it!

 

 

 

Butternut Squash Bisque--with creme fraiche!!

 

 

Raw Bar Selection--Oysters, Shrimp Cocktail and Lobster!

 

 

 

Italian Meats and Cheeses Selection--so yah, this is probably not the strongest point of the Asana buffet, but still yummy!

 

 

 

Dim Sum and Fruits--yes, isn't it so cool they have dumplings and shui mai here?

 

 

 

Peter at the carving station...

 

 

 

Whole Roasted Suckling Pig--yum yum, hello piggy!!

 

 

 

Asana Dessert Room (with Mike)--I've always found it pretty cool that the room is adjacent to the kitchen and the large windows allow you to look inside and see the chefs at work :)

 

 

 

Peter and me being silly ;)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Dessert Plate Selection!!

 

 

 

Me--Dolce & Gabbana Green Satin Dress with Black Satin Belt, Valentino Couture Bow d'Orsay Pumps in Beige Patent, Bottega Veneta Woven Clutch in Curry Specchio (glazed goatskin)!

 

 

Bottega Veneta Woven Clutch in Curry Specchio (glazed goatskin)--love this bag and love that I got it on sale too!!! (with Cartier Love Bracelets in YG and WG)

 

 

Valentino Couture Bow d'Orsay Pumps in Beige Patent--though it really looks more like a nude patent than beige I think...

 

And when we got home, this is what we found:

 

Bow Wow looking like he's mad at us and turning away from us...maybe he heard about all the yummy food we just ate at Asana and was upset we didn't bring home any leftovers!! hehe

 

 

 

Fish Market Allston and Random at Home Piccies ;)

 

 

We checked out Fish Market, a small Japanese restaurant, in Allston last Spring thanks to a tip from one of Peter's fellow HBS buddies.  It's such a tiny place, we must have driven past it multiple times but never even noticed it!  Though it seemed like many others had since we waited a good 20 minutes or so before getting a table...which was okay since it was pretty yummy.

 

 

 

House Salad with Ginger Dressing--I have a thing for Japanese salad dressings, I find them sooooo yummy!!

 

 

 

Avocado Ball--one of Fish Market's "special creations" with tuna, white tuna, flying fish roe, wasabi flying fish roe, mixed with lemony mayo dressing.

 

 

Top: Spicy Salmon Maki--one of our favorite rolls

Bottom: Truffling Tuna--another specialty here that we heard we had to try, with Tuna and black flying fish roe swimming in truffle butter (and you know how Peter and I feel about truffle anything hehe)

 

 

 

Suzuki Carpaccio--with ponzu sauce and tobiko

 

 

 

Hamachi Kama--grilled yellowtail neck with ponzu sauce

 

 

 

Black Cod with Sweet Miso--probably the only thing we didn't love, we were surprised to see it come out so "yellow" looking, unlike any other miso fish we've had in the past...the cod was still delicious, but the flavoring was just off.

 

And then back home, like the little fatties that we are, here I've captured Peter happily carrying his favorite snacks (Maltesers and Lindt White Chocolates) over to the T.V.

 

Oh...did you think we worked out or something after eating?  Oops hehe...

 

 

 

 

I think our lazy tendencies have also somehow rubbed off on Bow Wow, here he is about to fall asleep with the towel pulled over him like a comforter.  Sometimes we think Bow Wow is very human-like...he will sit on his butt with his arms hanging out front sometimes (just like a person does!! hehe).