I joined this tour booked online via http://www.doittour.com/experience/Swan-Valley-Winery-Experience-565/11-02-2012
Linda, the manager, was kind enough to rearrange my schedule to the next day 28.01.2012 isntead of my orginal booking on 27.01.2012 due to Jetstar flight delayed from Gold Coast.
My friend, Maria, has helped me so much with this rearrangement.
Rob of Italian descendant is our drive cum tour guide for the day.
He is a middleage guy who could crack a joke!
The history of winemaking and olive plantation in Western Australia started when the Italian and the Greek migrated there when Australia needed more labors for its development.
We passed by the Guildford district whch has a number of old houses, shops, and offices.
It is within walking distance of Guildford train station.
The first one which is very near to the entrance of Swan Valley via Guildford is Waters Edge.
The shop cum restaurant is beautifully decorated with a terrace. There is outdoor seating besides indoor seating. It has a nice view of the river.
It used to be the first vineyard in Western Australia. Now it ceased to be a vineyard.
They sell varieties of olive oil, red and white wines.
I do recommend Garlic & Merlot olive oil ($15, 250ml).
http://www.watersedgewinery.com.au/
The second stop is Lancaster. It is opposite Margaret River Chocolate Co.
http://www.lancasterwines.com.au/
This store is open air type made it typically like a rugged one which instantly transform us into a few centuries-like of environment.
When the staff poured a white wine into my glass incidentally he spilled the wine to my right arm.
The cheese i tried there are fantastic!
Its famed for chenin blanc and verdelho (white wine)
Our third stop is Mandoon. It is the newest vineyard which took over from previous "Roe Family" estate. It is all housed in a big building which you could see the barrels and even the laboratorium.
http://mandoonestate.com.au/
I bought its award winning Mandoon 2010 Old Vine Shiraz ($22).
We had lunch break at Jane Brook Estate.
It is a wonderful lunch spread of fresh grapes, bread, pork meat roll with pisctachio nuts and ham.
The specialty is a champagne. Unfortunately the australian produce is prohibited to use the term "champagne". It is called Sparking Gold Wine (premium) with Australian gold flakes.
http://www.janebrook.com.au/shop.asp
By this time I started to get intoxicated so i tried only 1 sip of white sparking wine.
Our fifth stop is Heafod Glen Winery
After lunch I felt full. About less than 10 minutes later we arrived at Chesters of Heafod Glen.It has also a beautiful old restaurant. Its specialties ar Ruby Port and Perth Hills' Chardonnay.
http://www.chestersrestaurant.com.au/
Because I still in intoxicated state, i dared myself to try only 1 sip of chardonnay.
I bought French Oak Smoked Olive Oil ($18, 400 ml).
Our sixth stop is Elmars. This is restaurant cum German breweries.
http://www.elmars.com.au
Since I do not drink beer, I do not know how to appreciate it.
It has a big restaurant, and you could view the breweries whcih is separated by a glass wall behind the service counter.
Our seventh stop is Margaret River Chocolate Co.
http://www.chocolatefactory.com.au/
I had 2 scoops of ice cream $7 (Macadamia and Raspberry flavours) and a bag of raspberry truffles $12.95.
There is cafe where you could sit down. The shop is quite big and it has a security staff opens and closed its door.
Here we have free tasting of mini pastelles of 3 varieties (milk, white, and dark chocolate)
Rob gave me another piece of complimentary truffle.
For further detail please visit http://www.swanvalley.com.au/Home
There are baout 50 vineyards in Swan valley, and about 15 of them opens for public.
Wine tasting ranges from $5 to $8.
You could check out the map here.
There are other tour options in www.doittour.com if you would only have 1/2 day to explore the area, or you would like to try your hands on wine making experience.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
A deserted passenger
My flight from Gold Coast to Perth on 26.01.2012 8.05pm had been redirected to Brisbane on 27.01.2012 8.25am flight bound to Perth.
That meant I had to stay 1 more night. Jetstart already reserved accommodation for the deserted pasengers at Royal Pines, Nerang, which is situated between Gold Coast and Brisbane.
Luckily there is a nice Japanese restaurant with teppanyaki.
The chef is a Philipino.
That meant I had to stay 1 more night. Jetstart already reserved accommodation for the deserted pasengers at Royal Pines, Nerang, which is situated between Gold Coast and Brisbane.
Luckily there is a nice Japanese restaurant with teppanyaki.
The chef is a Philipino.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Intelligent Shika at Nara Deer Park
In Nara, one will find thousand of deers surrounding Todaiji Temple, Kasuga Taisha, the gardens, and the hillside.
In the past they were regarded as messengers of God.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBg-MrPUVEE&feature=related
The deers are wild ones but quite tame actually.
In every October there is ceremony to cut their horns by the priests.
The deer will bow to visitors when it asks for feeding.
There is a biscuit called "Shika Sembei" which is meant to feed them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgdviZbszKs&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hT6WUv_Z41E&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dam15ywnQ1w&feature=related
Here is the view of Nara Deer Park
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfXqcOKg0Xo&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpwHGmrYnms&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kKbGHLa4J8&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrXnWwKdjNE&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEHZriXttfw&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPPiTK1oLUY&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrGRZQXIEro&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYAZrhteG3k&feature=related (Kasuga Taisha)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fcXckckPhY&feature=related (Nigatsudo)
Here is the catch, the deer is intelligent that they could even cross the road at the zebra cross.
These videos in youtube taken by various persons
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iClXNpiutT4&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tu6WoHJlPk&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X11Bi20ddwQ&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJqUte4qCU8&feature=related
Fyi, Todaiji has been rebuilt, and it was downsized 30% of its original size.
The great Buddha statue is located at Daibutsuden.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_b0Ok2Mamd0&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROtGHT3A1sg&feature=related
Tōdai-ji (東大寺 Tōdai-ji or Eastern Great Temple), is a Buddhist temple located in the city of Nara, Japan. Its Great Buddha Hall (大仏殿 Daibutsuden) is the largest wooden building in the world, and houses Japan's largest statue of the Buddha Vairocana, known in Japanese simply as Daibutsu (大仏) or Big Buddha.
Inside there, you could buy a roof tile and written your name. The stall keeper informed me that is meant for the renovation purpose.
For the sunset view, it is best to view from the balcony of Nigatsudo. And you could view the Nara city from there.
I am really impressed with the magnificent Todaiji, the beautiful Nigatsudo, and its tamed deers.
I put them in my painting which I painted on Christmas Day 2011.
Due to the time limit, I did not tour the rest of Nara Deer Park (Nara Museum, Isuien Garden, Horyuji Temple, Kasuga Taisha) as well as the city area.
I do hope I could visit Japan again
In the past they were regarded as messengers of God.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBg-MrPUVEE&feature=related
The deers are wild ones but quite tame actually.
In every October there is ceremony to cut their horns by the priests.
The deer will bow to visitors when it asks for feeding.
There is a biscuit called "Shika Sembei" which is meant to feed them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgdviZbszKs&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hT6WUv_Z41E&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dam15ywnQ1w&feature=related
Here is the view of Nara Deer Park
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfXqcOKg0Xo&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpwHGmrYnms&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kKbGHLa4J8&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrXnWwKdjNE&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEHZriXttfw&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPPiTK1oLUY&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrGRZQXIEro&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYAZrhteG3k&feature=related (Kasuga Taisha)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fcXckckPhY&feature=related (Nigatsudo)
Here is the catch, the deer is intelligent that they could even cross the road at the zebra cross.
These videos in youtube taken by various persons
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iClXNpiutT4&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tu6WoHJlPk&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X11Bi20ddwQ&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJqUte4qCU8&feature=related
Fyi, Todaiji has been rebuilt, and it was downsized 30% of its original size.
The great Buddha statue is located at Daibutsuden.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_b0Ok2Mamd0&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROtGHT3A1sg&feature=related
Tōdai-ji (東大寺 Tōdai-ji or Eastern Great Temple), is a Buddhist temple located in the city of Nara, Japan. Its Great Buddha Hall (大仏殿 Daibutsuden) is the largest wooden building in the world, and houses Japan's largest statue of the Buddha Vairocana, known in Japanese simply as Daibutsu (大仏) or Big Buddha.
Inside there, you could buy a roof tile and written your name. The stall keeper informed me that is meant for the renovation purpose.
For the sunset view, it is best to view from the balcony of Nigatsudo. And you could view the Nara city from there.
I am really impressed with the magnificent Todaiji, the beautiful Nigatsudo, and its tamed deers.
I put them in my painting which I painted on Christmas Day 2011.
Due to the time limit, I did not tour the rest of Nara Deer Park (Nara Museum, Isuien Garden, Horyuji Temple, Kasuga Taisha) as well as the city area.
I do hope I could visit Japan again
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
The memory of the Beloved goes to the Rainbow Bridge
I happened to find these videos in youtube.
Could not hold my tears when i saw these videos.
It reminded me of my deceased pets which gone to the Rainbow Bridge many years ago...
They were unique with their specific characters.
Each dog was not the same.
I did not stay in my hometown when they passed away. Mostly due to their old ages and diseases like tumor, cancer. Some met traffic accidents or being kidnapped then sold for their meats.
It is sad to read the words presented by the dog owner who put it down.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-jGRi8eacs&feature=related
This owner even cooked something to eat for his dog while crying.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tzQ1V0S5fE&feature=related
A memory of a pet in Mandarin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqhlLoJpZPk&feature=related
This one when the owners walked the dog then sent him to sleep.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doEE_y4gm9w&feature=related
A memory of a pet
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxjF19BIOWw&feature=related
The professional video with interview and narration when a teary tattooed guy put his pet down.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOAcRKZxjy4&feature=related
A tribute to Hachiko
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yM5b2LEg_w&feature=fvwrel
A sad story for dogs left behind
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXR-4Ib23Ic&feature=related
Sad....
but in this world, not only animals were being mistreated...people even left to die in hunger or being tortured ...
Could not hold my tears when i saw these videos.
It reminded me of my deceased pets which gone to the Rainbow Bridge many years ago...
They were unique with their specific characters.
Each dog was not the same.
I did not stay in my hometown when they passed away. Mostly due to their old ages and diseases like tumor, cancer. Some met traffic accidents or being kidnapped then sold for their meats.
It is sad to read the words presented by the dog owner who put it down.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-jGRi8eacs&feature=related
This owner even cooked something to eat for his dog while crying.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tzQ1V0S5fE&feature=related
A memory of a pet in Mandarin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqhlLoJpZPk&feature=related
This one when the owners walked the dog then sent him to sleep.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doEE_y4gm9w&feature=related
A memory of a pet
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxjF19BIOWw&feature=related
The professional video with interview and narration when a teary tattooed guy put his pet down.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOAcRKZxjy4&feature=related
A tribute to Hachiko
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yM5b2LEg_w&feature=fvwrel
A sad story for dogs left behind
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXR-4Ib23Ic&feature=related
Sad....
but in this world, not only animals were being mistreated...people even left to die in hunger or being tortured ...
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Finding a decent meal in Singapore
It is all about FOOD!
This char kway teow stall featured in the article below is my favorite.
It is manned by an enderly gentleman and an elderly lady.
http://sg.entertainment.yahoo.com/news/fab-four-amoy-street-food-centre-094028927.html
Kway Teow is a kind of rice vermicelli which is made flattened and bigger.
Char means stir fry
Char Kway Teow is the name of the dish, that is, stir fry kway teow topped with eggs, chinese sausage, cockels, and added with lime zest and chillies. It uses pork lards, so it is not halal.
Cheers!
This char kway teow stall featured in the article below is my favorite.
It is manned by an enderly gentleman and an elderly lady.
http://sg.entertainment.yahoo.com/news/fab-four-amoy-street-food-centre-094028927.html
Kway Teow is a kind of rice vermicelli which is made flattened and bigger.
Char means stir fry
Char Kway Teow is the name of the dish, that is, stir fry kway teow topped with eggs, chinese sausage, cockels, and added with lime zest and chillies. It uses pork lards, so it is not halal.
Cheers!
Friday, December 23, 2011
Merry Christmas 2011
Merry Christmas!
Christmas theme decor from Tampines One
Christmas theme decor from Tampines One
"Rudolph" the reindeer from my dentist office
Terminal 2 Departure Hall, Changi Airport
Terminal 2 Departure Hall, Changi Airport
Terminal 2 Departure Hall, Changi Airport
Terminal 3 Departure Hall, Changi Airport
Terminal 1 Departure Hall, Changi Airport
Terminal 1 Departure Hall, Changi Airport
Takashimaya
Tampines Mall
Carolling at Orchard Central (Mall)
Christmas Tree above th gazebo where they sang the carols
Christmas Shopping Display, OC
Giant watch frame, OC
Gingerbread House, OC
Living Hall, OC
Postcard OC
Reindeer, OC
Giant Photo Framce, OC
The Stage, OC
The Stage, OC
Hershey's Store at Tampines Mall
Fairmont Hotel
Robinsons at Raffles City
Santa Claus, Harborfront Centre
Atrium, Paragon
Paragon
Takashimaya B1
Rilakkuma, Takashimaya
Metro, Paragon
Metro, Paragon
Christmas Lights Up at Orhard Road
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Worst week in Singapore subway history
Last week commuters experienced the worst week of trains disruption of services in Singapore.
I decided not to do Christmas shopping in Orchard Road due to that reason. I do not want to end up as trapped passenger or squeezed myself in a crowded bus
The Chronology
On 14 Dec 2011 the Circle Line broke down in the morning. I experienced myself when I was waiting at the platform in Payalebar station.
http://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/-Train-disruptions-yahoofinancesgwp-4224888186.html?x=0
On 15 Dec 2011 it was the worst incident in the history of SMRT.
It was the North South Line took turn to break down.
The commuters even broke the window since there was no air in the train and few passengers had fainted. Some were forced to walk on the tracks.
Many people were stranded in MRT stations. They could not board taxies which were fully booked, traffic jams, and the buses deployed were not enough to accomodate these stranded passengers.
http://www.smrt.com.sg/main/news_details.asp
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/train-faults-on-north-south-line-between-bishan-and-marina-bay-stations.html
On 17 Dec 2011, again the North-South line was broken down and only up after 1.30pm although it was announced in the previous night news it would resume at 10am.
Again on 18 Dec 2011 the train services East-West Line, North-South Line were halted until 11.30am.
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/singapore-rattled-week-subway-breakdowns-083516296.html
Though this time they offered free shuttle services to passengers in some affected areas.
It is somewhat became agenda in the politics arena in Singapore
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/workers--party--deeply-concerned--over-train-disruptions.html
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/full-inspection-will-delay-train-service-on-sunday.html;_ylt=AsTAE6FMuGBDcUT3JMrgPr0BV8d_;_ylu=X3oDMTR0NW91N3JvBGNjb2RlA2N0LmMEbWl0A01vc3QgUG9wdWxhciBBcnRpY2xlcwRwa2cDMTUwNDFlYjktMjFhMi0zNWY3LWIxYmEtMTcxMDQ2YTUyNjdjBHBvcwMzBHNlYwNNZWRpYUJMaXN0TWl4ZWRNb3N0UG9wdWxhckNBBHZlcgM0MmNiYmU5YS0yOTUwLTExZTEtYmI5YS1hYjlmNjQ4YjdiN2E-;_ylg=X3oDMTMyM2xqc2E5BGludGwDc2cEbGFuZwNlbi1zZwRwc3RhaWQDZDFjMGU5N2ItNjQ0Zi0zZTg2LWI0ZTItOGI3MGZkNzUwODM5BHBzdGNhdANzaW5nYXBvcmUEcHQDc3RvcnlwYWdlBHRlc3QD;_ylv=3
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/clamour-grows-for-smrt-ceo-to-step-down.html
Today SMRT shares traded at SGX (Singapore Exchange) drops to 1.755, and at 11.35am it is traded at 1.77.
http://www.sgx.com/
Now it is festive period when Orchard Road and malls in the city district are filled with shoppers.
I wonder how much "loss" the shops endured during those breakdown period.
Should SMRT held responsible? I believe SMRT should have their own KPIs in justifying their performances including the remuneration package if its highly paid CEO?
These recent incidents would only feed the sentiment of the growing numbers of grumbling passengers.
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/blame-smrt-corporate-culture-lta-lack-oversight-100328677.html
Looking back....
The MRT often broke down in the morning rush hour in recent months.
Just before the Singapore F1 GP in September 2011 there were a number of broke down in the Circle Line. In the past two years I commuted from Payalebar to Jurong East, I experienced many delays of trains eventhough just for a couple of minutes, and sometimes the train halted half way at the tracks between Buona Vista to Queenstown, and from Lavender to Cityhall.
I decided not to do Christmas shopping in Orchard Road due to that reason. I do not want to end up as trapped passenger or squeezed myself in a crowded bus
The Chronology
On 14 Dec 2011 the Circle Line broke down in the morning. I experienced myself when I was waiting at the platform in Payalebar station.
http://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/-Train-disruptions-yahoofinancesgwp-4224888186.html?x=0
On 15 Dec 2011 it was the worst incident in the history of SMRT.
It was the North South Line took turn to break down.
The commuters even broke the window since there was no air in the train and few passengers had fainted. Some were forced to walk on the tracks.
Many people were stranded in MRT stations. They could not board taxies which were fully booked, traffic jams, and the buses deployed were not enough to accomodate these stranded passengers.
http://www.smrt.com.sg/main/news_details.asp
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/train-faults-on-north-south-line-between-bishan-and-marina-bay-stations.html
On 17 Dec 2011, again the North-South line was broken down and only up after 1.30pm although it was announced in the previous night news it would resume at 10am.
Again on 18 Dec 2011 the train services East-West Line, North-South Line were halted until 11.30am.
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/singapore-rattled-week-subway-breakdowns-083516296.html
Though this time they offered free shuttle services to passengers in some affected areas.
It is somewhat became agenda in the politics arena in Singapore
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/workers--party--deeply-concerned--over-train-disruptions.html
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/full-inspection-will-delay-train-service-on-sunday.html;_ylt=AsTAE6FMuGBDcUT3JMrgPr0BV8d_;_ylu=X3oDMTR0NW91N3JvBGNjb2RlA2N0LmMEbWl0A01vc3QgUG9wdWxhciBBcnRpY2xlcwRwa2cDMTUwNDFlYjktMjFhMi0zNWY3LWIxYmEtMTcxMDQ2YTUyNjdjBHBvcwMzBHNlYwNNZWRpYUJMaXN0TWl4ZWRNb3N0UG9wdWxhckNBBHZlcgM0MmNiYmU5YS0yOTUwLTExZTEtYmI5YS1hYjlmNjQ4YjdiN2E-;_ylg=X3oDMTMyM2xqc2E5BGludGwDc2cEbGFuZwNlbi1zZwRwc3RhaWQDZDFjMGU5N2ItNjQ0Zi0zZTg2LWI0ZTItOGI3MGZkNzUwODM5BHBzdGNhdANzaW5nYXBvcmUEcHQDc3RvcnlwYWdlBHRlc3QD;_ylv=3
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/clamour-grows-for-smrt-ceo-to-step-down.html
Today SMRT shares traded at SGX (Singapore Exchange) drops to 1.755, and at 11.35am it is traded at 1.77.
http://www.sgx.com/
Now it is festive period when Orchard Road and malls in the city district are filled with shoppers.
I wonder how much "loss" the shops endured during those breakdown period.
Should SMRT held responsible? I believe SMRT should have their own KPIs in justifying their performances including the remuneration package if its highly paid CEO?
These recent incidents would only feed the sentiment of the growing numbers of grumbling passengers.
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/blame-smrt-corporate-culture-lta-lack-oversight-100328677.html
Looking back....
The MRT often broke down in the morning rush hour in recent months.
Just before the Singapore F1 GP in September 2011 there were a number of broke down in the Circle Line. In the past two years I commuted from Payalebar to Jurong East, I experienced many delays of trains eventhough just for a couple of minutes, and sometimes the train halted half way at the tracks between Buona Vista to Queenstown, and from Lavender to Cityhall.
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