CK Go Places: 14/10/2007

Saturday, 20 October 2007

Piraeus – Tinos – Mykonos

The Greek Islands have been everybody couple's dream destinations for a romantic vacation. But, I've got to correct that statement, as much as I was alone, they were also my dream destinations for my travel photography.

Piraeus is the port of Athens about 8 km away from the city centre. The most convenient way to get there is by Metro. Piraeus itself has not much of attraction, but it is every island hopper's gateway.

On they day that I was leaving Athens for Mykonos, I had to get up before sunrise so that I could get to Piraeus on time for the Blue Star ferry that was scheduled to leave very early in the morning. Well, in fact I overestimated the time taken by the Metro and arrived one hour before the ferry left Piraeus.

The port of Piraeus early in the morning.

The Blue Star Naxos harboured next to the one that I was on board, the Blue Star Ithaki.

The ferry set sail right on time as scheduled.

I bid farewell to the mainland.

The ferry that I took was not an express vessel, so it made a stop at an island called Tinos. There were quite a number of tourists who alighted here as it is also one of the renowned resort islands.

The town centre of Tinos.

In fact the port of Tions is just next to the town centre.

I bought an economy class ferry ticket that has no designated seat number, so that meant free-seating. You'll definitely find a seat on the free-seating of Air Asia, but a seat is not guaranteed on the Blue Star Ferries. Every economy class passenger just have to roam around on board and find his or her own territory.

I first found a seat in the lounge, but after I returned from the open deck, the seat was already taken.

I finally settled on a seat at the cafeteria sharing a table with the other travelers.

Six hours later, I found myself on a paradise! Please stay tuned for my feature on the Greek Islands.

If you would like to read more of my travelogues on Greece, here are the links:-

1. Athens – The Homeland of the Gods

2. The White Dream in Mykonos

3. Santorini – Almost Heaven

4. Miscellaneous

Friday, 19 October 2007

The Banquet: Kuching Episode

Do you still remember that there was a film called "The Banquet" or 'Ye Yan' (夜宴) which created quite a stir in the Chinese movie scene last year? After watching the movie, I have no deep impression about the overall scene, but Zhang Ziyi's (章子怡) character reminded me of a desparate housewife, and that avenging prince played by Chen Guanxi (陈冠希) looked like a gay.

If you have forgotten what it is, then this movie poster should bring back your memories.

The official English poster of "The Banquet."

There is a sequel made in Kuching by CK that premieres here in CK Go Places! I proudly present to you, "The Banquet: Kuching Episode" right here and now!

The opening title!

The entrance of the restaurant resembles a futuristic space ship.

The restaurant owner uses a classic car as a decorative item at the entrance.

The dining hall is surrounded by glass panels on three sides, providing very good natural and warm lighting.

The steamed shrimp dumplings (水晶虾饺皇) were the best amongst all the food we ordered, though not the best I have had. One steam box with three pieces costs RM5.50 (USD1.60).

The steamed shrimp and chicken dumplings (鱼子烧卖皇) were also quite nice by Kuching standard, though I prefer the one with pork rather than chicken. One steam box with three pieces is RM5.50 (USD1.60).

The steamed BBQ chicken buns (密汁叉烧包) skin was very soft and fluffy, albeit the BBQ chicken filling that is way behind buns with BBQ pork fillings. One steam box with three pieces costs RM4.50 (USD1.30).

This is a steamed shark's fin dumpling (鸡粒鱼翅卖), good item to order! One steam box with three pieces costs RM5.50 (USD1.60).

These are called the steamed Shanghainese dumplings (上海小笼包) but they were dry inside. Shanghainese dumplings should be full of broth in the filling! One steam box with three pieces is RM5.50 (USD1.60). Not recommended.

These steamed chicken rolls with BBQ sauce (烧汁鲜竹卷) were also not too bad. One steam box with three pieces costs RM5.50 (USD1.60).

The steamed shrimp Pacific clams dumplings (鲍贝珍珠卖) were quite good an item to order! One steam box with three pieces costs RM5.50 (USD1.60).

This steamed 'cheong fun' with BBQ chicken (香葱叉烧肠粉) was a failure. The skin was not smooth at all. One serving is RM5.50 (USD1.60).

And lastly, we had a plate of dry-fried 'hor fun' with beef (干炒牛河). The ribbon rice noodles were not fried thoroughly to my taste, but the flavour was alright for me. One serving is RM20.00 (USD5.90)，not really good value for money though.

If you do need to use the male toilet, be aware that the people from outside can see you!

Thursday, 18 October 2007

Athens – The Homeland of the Gods: Panoramic View

When I was in Acropolis, one of the main highlights there is to look at the sprawling buildings of Athens down below. I have just learnt how to stitch a few photos together seamlessly today, so I can now show you the breathtaking panorama of Athens. Just click on the photo to look at the bigger picture. :)

The hill on the right is Lykavittos Hill which literally means 'hill of wolves.' The foreground is Ancient Agora.

If you would like to read more of my travelogues on Greece, here are the links:-

1. Athens – The Homeland of the Gods

2. The White Dream in Mykonos

3. Santorini – Almost Heaven

4. Miscellaneous

Wednesday, 17 October 2007

The Big Man Called 'Little Brother'

Running out of idea on where to eat out for lunch? Don't worry! Let CK bring you to a place as no other for the black pepper chicken. This place does not only serve the prominent black pepper chicken, the barbecue pork or 'caa siu' (叉烧) is also tasty, not to mention the roasted pork or 'siu juk' (烧肉)!

A plate of mixed black pepper chicken with barbecue pork and roasted pork is RM3.50 (USD1.00) with a plate of rice.

The black pepper chicken is basically roasted chicken in black pepper sauce.

The roasted pork may have too much fat for the health conscious or those on a diet, but the skin is roasted to perfection.

If you feel like having curry, this is also a recommended item here. I personally like the chicken curry with Chinese long beans and bean curd sticks. The price per bowl is RM3.00 (USD0.85).

All these food are served at a humble stall called 'Ah Tee.' The chopping board is manned by a nice guy 'Ah Tee.' Well, 'Ah Tee' literally means 'little brother' in Mandarin.

Are you ready for a feast of barbecue stuff and curry but don't know how to get there? Alright, the stall is inside the Garden Park Cafe at Tabuan Laru. If you know where Choice Daily of Tabuan Laru is, the cafe is just on the next block. By the way, it is closed on every Tuesday.

You won't miss it with that big signboard!

Choice Daily is just on the next block.

Still have no idea? Let this Google Earth™ map lead you the way.

Tuesday, 16 October 2007

Athens – The Homeland of the Gods: The Central Market

I like to walk around markets whenever I am in an unfamiliar city, as I can see the food that is most common to the local people there. I got a touch of the daily life of the locals whenever I visited a market. Market vendors are usually friendlier than those at the souvenir shops and they usually don't mind me taking their photos. This is another reason I like about markets.

Well, the Central Market in Athens is no exception to the list of markets that I've visited. There are mainly two sections in the main building of the market, namely the meat and seafood sections. The vegetable and fruit vendors are sprawling along the two streets opposite the market building.

The Central Market is right in the heart of the city, so it is no hassle at all getting there. I walked from my hotel which is near the Omonia Metro interchange station towards where Acropolis is and the Central Market is just along the way.

The meat section of the Central Market is just some covered streets beside the main building.

The butcher will just chop off any required part from the whole carcass.

The seafood section is located inside the main market building.

There are many types of fish to choose from, all in wooden crates. I think most of the fish markets in Malaysia use stainless steel trays. This is what I call the different ways of life.

Some of the fish mongers even use fruit to decorate their display, like this one with slices of watermelon. Impressive!

Squids, cuttlefishes and octopuses are aplenty too. The display is decorated by carrots and capsicums.

Although it is a market with mainly food stuff, you'll find some stalls selling art pieces too. Does this have any relation to the butcher?

A Greek hunk selling fruit! This must be the desperate housewives' favourite stall.

Another fruit stall that sells mainly tomatoes. Are tomatoes fruit or vegetable?

This is what I call Ferrari-red and juicy tomatoes.

Does a green capsicum turn red?

Pickled olives are sold by the kilo. We only get to see bottled ones in Malaysia.

What is the green grape doing in a pile of red grapes?

Somewhat lost?

If you would like to read more of my travelogues on Greece, here are the links:-

1. Athens – The Homeland of the Gods

2. The White Dream in Mykonos

3. Santorini – Almost Heaven

4. Miscellaneous

Monday, 15 October 2007

Athens – The Homeland of the Gods: The Graffiti

Graffiti is just some kind of street culture that any big city around the world is not short of. I found some graffiti around Athens that I consider interesting to share over here.