Tsukiji Fish Market

One of my most favorite places to visit in Tokyo is Tsukiji.

It is the largest fish & seafood wholesale market in the world.

Most of the action takes place in the early morning

(like 4 to 5AM early).

Inner Market.

Freshest fish and seafood.

Tuna.

If you're there before 5:30AM, you can catch the tuna auctions.

Where the public buys their seafood. (Outer market)

Tsukiji is a MUST VISIT when in Tokyo!

Bumbu Bali

In Bali, we ate at Bumbu Bali two nights in a row.

Sates, Nasi Goreng, Mie Goreng, Ayam Betutu...

authentic Balinese cuisine in a beautiful outdoor setting.

Bali

Went to Bali for the first time in May.
Bali statues.

Local streets of Bali.

Stayed at the Westin Resort Nusa Dua.

Nusa Dua Beach.

We were blessed with beautiful weather & blue skies.

Lots of pretty flowers.

Relaxed at the pool and did nothing. Fab.

Tropical.

Fed squirrels.

The beaches were pretty empty.

I miss it!

Restaurant Sant Pau Tokyo

Since I first read about Chef Carme Ruscalleda

and seeing her amazing culinary creations,

her restaurant Sant Pau has long been on my to-go list.

The original Sant Pau is located in Catalonia, Spain

which received 3 Michelin stars in 2006.

(Spain's 5th 3-Michelin star restaurant)

Sant Pau Tokyo opened in 2004 and has 2-Michelin stars.

She became a chef in her 30's, which is very rare.

Finally got a chance to eat at Sant Pau Tokyo

for my birthday lunch date.

Interior.

The Micro-Menu changes every month.
(June's monthly theme was "flowers")
Hand-drawn menus are placed at each seat.

Dessert menu with descriptions.

The course was simply amazing.
Definitely one of the best culinary experiences I've had.
Each dish was presented beautifully and
the taste was unpredictable, unique and pleasantly surprising.
Thank you D!

Salton Sea

On the drive home from Sedona,

we took a detour to the Salton Sea.

Didn't even know of its existance until then.

It was an interesting stop.

"Soul Search"

Went to Sedona, Arizona last month on a

so-called "soul search" road trip.

Woke up early to see the sunrise from Airport Mesa.

Got lost. Asked a kind old man for directions.
He recommended us to visit the Palatki Ruins.
Drove through miles of road-less desert.
Totally worth the trip.

Blue sky.

Blue and Red contrast.

View from inside the Chapel of the Holy Cross.

Chapel built between the rocks.

On a side note,

the only McDonald's in Sedona had a turquoise arch.

Looked it up to find, its the only one in the world.

Aloha Oahu

A brief recap of my Hawaii trip from December.

Besides being in pain from the marathon,

Woke up to this every morning.

Heaven.

Sipped on Pineapple and Guava Juice.
Asked the waiter if it was fresh squeezed... to hear
"Actually, its from Dole!"

Saw some amazing, old trees.

Played tourist and visited the Dole Plantation.

Learned that Pineapples grew like this.

Got ripped off for paying $5 for this Pineapple ice cream.

Dole Plantation is highly over-rated.

Ate the "#1 Loco-Moco on Waikiki"

... not too sure about that.

Waikiki Beach.

I miss it...