The next day, driver Wu pick us up early for the next part of our trip. We will be leaving Taipei and going to Cingjing Farm enroute to Flying Cow Ranch in Miaoli.
Its a pretty long drive, about four hours to reach Cingjing Farm. It was long and winding as Mr. Wu's VW Transporter T5 climbs the hills confidently. We had lunch near Cingjing at a place call I Na Ko Restuaurant (伊拿谷). The view from this restaurant is simply breath-taking.
We saw these huge clay jars just outside the restaurant and were curious what it was. Turns out its roasted chickens, set in a up-right position, with all the chicken essence/fats dripping to the bottom. Looks so good, we have to order it to try.
Day 6 begins the loud, bright and exciting part of the trip, as we arrived in Fabulous Las Vegas!
Las Vegas is a super-charged city. Everything here is bright and loud and big and exaggerated! Check out the McDonald's sign and you know what I mean.
There are so many things to see, so many things to do, so many things to eat that five days do not seem enough. The number of world class shows available on the Strip, the number of world class restaurants waiting to be dined in, its just mind boggling.
But first, let check out our amazing hotel room at Vdara Las Vegas.
This has got to be one of the best hotel rooms I have stayed it. I shouldn't call it a room. Its a suite! It has a kitchen, a dining area, a living area and a King size bed. Not forgetting the wonderful bathroom and an awesome view.
Situated just beside Bellagio Las Vegas, we could actually view Ballegio's fountain performance all night from our room. What's unique about Vdara is that it does not have a casino in the hotel. Its linked to Bellagio though if you wish to pay lady lucka visit.
Tonight, I have pre-booked a popular show. On the way, we couldn't help but drool over these yummy cakes and tarts, and the wonderful chocolate fountain at Jean Philippe Pastisserie.
Las Vegas has a high concentration of world-class entertainment. The strip has at least seven Cirque du Soleil shows, chart topping singers' concerts, world class magic shows and many many more. Initial we wanted to catch David Copperfield at MGM Grand but there were no shows during that week we were there. What a pity.
After some searching and shortlisting, we decided to go for The Beatles LOVE at The Mirage. We watched O at Bellagio almost 9 years ago when we were at Las Vegas for our honeymoon, its so good it took our breathe away. LOVE, its different, and very enjoyable.
Mixing Beatles well loved songs with acrobats, stunts, dance and you have before you a well-chronograph show that you will definitely sing along in between the oohs, aahs and wows. So many things happening at the same time that you are not sure if you caught everything the show is presenting to you. So much so that you might want to watch it again. Highly recommend you catch this show when you are there.
Night time is where you see the biggest difference between San Francisco and Las Vegas. While we would have got ready to head back to the hotel and rest after a show in San Francisco, the night is still young in Las Vegas.
Shops in Las Vegas remains open to at least midnight. We went shopping around Ceasars Palace Forum after the show and the streets were still filled with people. Plus there are various free shows provided by various hotels as you stroll down the Strip, like the Volcano in front of Treasure Island.
Ended the night with supper at The Cheesecake Factory.
There are so much to do and see that we do not feel like going back to the hotel to rest. But we have to as tomorrow, we are going for something we are excited about!
Today, we take it slow and easy as we visit the beautiful Yosemite National Park. I had booked the trip from Viator.com. Do Google if there are discount coupons or codes that you can use.
As we opt for a day trip, most of the time were spend on the bus. We started the day very early as the tour bus goes around to pick up passengers from different hotels. Along the way to our first stop, we just sit back and enjoy the landscape.
The first stop was to an area affected by the recent wildfire. You would not feel the effect of the devastation done by the fire thus the photos. But when you stand there and see with your own eyes, its sad. The colour of ashes, the feeling of sadness.
As our tour venture deeper into Yosemite, greenery comes back in sight. The tour's next stop is Tunnel View. This is where you can get one of the iconic postcard scenery of Yosemite. Here you can see El Capitan, the big white vertical rock on the left and Yosemite Valley.
We went tree hugging too. City kids like us have never seen such big trees before. The tour bus stops at Yosemite Village. Here, you can take a leisure stroll through the park, or set up a picnic by the woods. There are also lodging, eateries and mini-mart. We opt for a bicycle tour and it was awesome. The weather was cooling, even chilly in some parts, so you don't break a sweat while cycling leisurely.
Below are some photos we took along the way. Tried out hands on "Levitation" shots, very amateur as you can see. Deer and ducks roam around freely. There was even an outdoor classroom lesson on the dried up lake.
By the time we went back to return the bicycle, it was time to leave Yosemite. The tour guide was kind enough to stop by a spot where we can marvel at the beautiful lights of the San Francisco Bay Bridge. Beautiful.
When we reach back at our hotel, it was already 9+. Starving, we headed to the Macy's nearby where on the top floor there was The Cheesecake Factory restaurant. The cheesecake menu is simply awesome. Food was pretty good and service was top-notch. Its no wonder the place is packed.
After months of planning, weeks of preparations, days of packing, we are finally "leaving, on a jet plane" to a dream USA holiday. A second honeymoon without the boys (they are in the good hands of my parents).
The first time we went to USA was 8 years ago, also to the west coast for our honeymoon. This time we flew by Cathay Pacific as they had promotion. It was an 18 hours flight, including a 2 hours transit at Hong Kong. We grab quick bite at the Hong Kong airport and said hello to Mickey and Minnie at the airport's Disney store.
And off we go for the long haul flight. Once onboard, I switch my watch to San Francisco time and try to tune my body-clock to minimise jet-lag. Finally after 4 movies, 2 meals and squeezing some sleep in between, we arrived in San Francisco.
We choose to stay at the exact same hotel as our first visit, Chancellor Hotel. This place is very conveniently located at Union Square and reasonably priced for a cozy room. This hotel does not have air-condition but its not needed for winter stay as with open window and ceiling fan, it can get pretty chilly at night. They still have a yellow rubber ducky in their bathroom.
Next stop, to Fisherman's Wharf. I research earlier on where the bus-stop is to take Muni 8X to Fisherman's Wharf but it took me almost 15mins before I found that bus-stop. Because it looks like this!
Yes, just a power cable post. I later found out they have other bus stops with shelter and seats. This just happen to be one without.
When you are on holiday, everything seems to be an interesting photo interest, even seagulls and Alcatraz.
But what we really miss are the yummy Dungeness Crabs! And we are heading to this place call Crab House to feast on the crabs. Its the white building in the pictures below.
The view from the second level is awesome. Overlooking the bay area, you get more seagulls and Alcatraz.
We ordered two dishes, the Fried Calamari and the Dungeness Crab.
The calamari was pretty good. But we find the crab a little too salty and dry. I recall when we first had it at another restaurant (I can't recall), it was boiled and the meat was sweet and juicy.
We walked around the bay area after dinner. Right next to the iconic Fisherman's Wharf signs are restaurants selling seafood including Dungeness Crab. Maybe we might try it again another day.
Wonder if these are what the fisherman use to catch the crabs...
More photos with the Fisherman's Wharf sign. It gets dark pretty early, like 4:30-5pm
Lastly, a visit to Boudin Bakery. This place makes amazing Clam Chowder in the Sourdough bread bowl.
We headed back to our hotel after this for a good night rest.
When I heard from Lilian that Meryvn, the chef behind Cookyn with Mervyn whom we took cooking lessons from during their fund raising for Tribute to Japan, is opening a restaurant, I got super excited.
GRUB opens for business on 1st May 2013. Nested in the peaceful surrounding of Bishan Park, they believe in serving excellent food with quality ingredients at a price level affordable to most. I like it already.
The interior decoration gives a homely feeling with earth tones colours, raw red brick wall, a big clean modern open kitchen with a bar top (presumably to conduct cooking lessons) and a see thru glass area to the main kitchen where Mervyn and his crew do their magic.
Menu offerings reflect western style food, from Breakfast set featuring scramble eggs and toast for the weekend brunch, to appetizers like Truffled Egg Cocotte and Chili Con Carne to tease your appetite, to burgers and meat as mains and delightful desserts to end off the night.
I absolutely love Chili con and that had to be my must order for appetizers. Lilian is not a big fan as she often finds it too gelak. But on this plate, she was fighting with me to finish it. It's yummy yet not too heavy and Lilian loves it. I think partly could be that they used chips instead of fries.
We also ordered the Caramelized Onion Gratin just to try another appetizer. The gratin is so sweet, and silky.
Lilian ordered the Pan-Seared King Salmon. Its very nicely done. Crispy skin, pink meat throughout and moist.
I was torn between trying the Pulled Beef Burger or Slow Roasted Pork Belly. In the end, chose the pork belly. I find it hard to resist pork belly option. I could only grin ear to ear when the big cube of meat was served.
But this is no ordinary pork belly. Its gonna take the title of most "collagen" pork belly I have ever ate. Just look at the meat to fat ratio.
We looked around and quite a number of patrons ordered their burgers. Gonna try them too next time. Though we were full and satisfied, I just had to order the Belgium Waffle with Salty Caramel, Grilled Bananas and Dark Chocolate as dessert. Just reading it on the menu makes me salivate.
The grilled banana, the dark chocolate and the salty caramel, oh what heavenly combination. There is also a scoop of sour cream under the banana. Although we find that weird, I still licked the whole plate clean.
From what I read online, this is one place that is also dogs friendly (alfresco area). There were a group of bikers who parked their bikes outside and dine at the alfresco area. Opening hours is on the second photo.
