It was nice to throw on an overcoat, scarf and hat and wander around soaking all the Xmas atmosphere. (although if you live in Sydney at the moment, you’ll notice we’re not too far off wearing our winter woollies!…so much for whinging about early summers!).

 I started my journey at Westminster Bridge and like my last visit here, snapped away like a madman. The area takes on a whole different vibe in the evening. The buildings are all lit up and glow so gorgeously. I’ll leave those night shots for another post though.

I made my way to Piccadilly Circus to meet up with a long time friend, who now calls London home.

From there we made our way down Regent street and marvelled at the beautiful Xmas lights on display. I know I can be quite repetitive but I was really mesmerised. Different sections of the street glowed in various colours. Some were gold and others took on a red hue.

We made our way down Oxford Circus and took a turn down Oxford street and the Xmas light displays took on another perspective. Presents and umbrellas all sparkled and looked like they were floating in mid air. Just brilliant!  A lot of the big department stores had also showered their storefronts with magical light displays. 

My friend said I was a bit like a kid in a candy store! I’m not usually one who goes “ga-ga” over Xmas but I’m not a grinch either. (I just despise those department stores that play those cheesy songs this time of the year!…Mariah Carey anyone?).

When you’re a visitor in a big city like London of course you can’t help but  “soak it all up”.

So what are the Xmas decorations like in your city?

It’s great to be posting pics again for this “Photo Friday” feature.  These shots were taken on a recent trip to Singapore.  When you have views like these you kind of get obsessed about taking photos all the time.  If you are curious these were taken with the new iPhone 4s.  Not bad for a little camera on a phone.  I have applied a few effects to the top two but it wasn’t major.  All in all I’m impressed!

Take care and enjoy the weekend.  I’ll be back next week with a few recipes. Cheers!

My apologies for not getting out some recipes this week.  I have been incredibly busy photographing for a few projects and time just slipped by.  Last time, I showed you the Andes and this time I want to share some aerial pictures of the Hindu Kush.  Again, I cannot repeat myself how beautiful it is to gaze at Mother Nature’s work.  I hope you enjoy these!

Take care and I’ll see you next week.  I promise.

Cheers!

Fried chicken anyone? This image was taken on the streets of Bangkok. One of my favourite cities. Oh how I miss Thailand! (No fancy take out containers here. Just plastic bags!).
Hope you have a lovely weekend everyone. Will be back next week with a few recipes.

Where does one even begin to talk about a city like London? Like New York it has a multitude of things to do, places to eat and see. I’m going to primarily focus on some captures I took whilst I was in the Westminster area recently.

Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and the London Eye are just some of the attractions you will find in this highly historical part of London.

I’ve gone for a (mostly) black and white feel with these pictures. I find it suits the mood perfectly. (some were taken with my older Nikon D40 camera and some with my iPhone). You can also read about the last time I blogged about London and my visit to the Portobello road Markets.

Also, I’ve made another little video that runs for just under two minutes. You can find it at the end of the post. Editing video to make these mini features is a whole different ball game for me. I’ve tried to keep the edits short without boring you too much. Let me know what you think.

The video is a little intro to London-particularly focusing on some of the sights around Westminster. I’ve also included some footage of my day at the Borough Markets. If you ever get to London, you definitely need to visit here. Call it a cliche but it really is a foodie’s paradise. I spent half a day there and didn’t want to leave. I sampled lots of great food and drank some amazing coffee.

I hope you enjoy it folks!

When I last blogged about Hong Kong I wrote about the many eating options available on this vibrant, busy island. Cheap and cheerful, high end dining or yum cha (dim sum)-the options are endless. As I explained before, Kowloon is my favourite part of Hong Kong. It’s busy, “in your face” environment leaves you with no surprises.  On this night we decided we wanted something local and outdoors.

Along the Temple street markets you will find a myriad of eating options including dining “al fresco”. Laminex table and chairs litter the open streets as hawkers try to lure you to their outdoor restaurants. It’s a whole lot of fun trying to get a table (because it’s crazy busy) but there’s always a spot somewhere!

The eating options range from Cantonese influenced dishes, noodles (and I mean lots of noodles!) seafood and a myriad of greens.  And let’s not forget the many Heinekens to wash it all down!

On this visit last July,the weather was really hot with high levels of humidity. As soon as we had finished our 18 course extravaganza (there were seven of us!) all I wanted to do was plonk myself in an air conditioned bar and drink more beer.  Mother Nature had other plans for us though. The heavens opened and you should have seen the rain!  Everyone ran for whatever cover there was nearby and waited the storm out. I think calling it a “storm” is being kind. For about fifteen minutes it felt like a typhoon!  And then it was over. Just like that, it stopped. The tables and chairs were wiped down and business resumed as per normal. LOL!  I was glad I had my camera with me and I hope you enjoy some of these memorable snaps of the mad weather and food.

To call Hong Kong busy would be an understatement. The everyday hustle and bustle of this Asian Metropolis is, in my opinion, best described as manic. If you’re used to the madness of living in a large city you probably won’t mind.  If however you’re a first time visitor here you might find it a tad overwhelming.  I actually love  Hong Kong’s infectious buzz and energy.  There is never a dull moment to be had.

It is a city of many contrasts. It’s “yin and yang” in action. Whilst a small part of the island is densely populated with high rise concrete structures, a trip to the outer parts of the territory might surprise you. The landscape here is quite rugged-made up of parks, rocky mountains and beaches.    You wanna shop?  Sure go ahead. You will be spoilt for choice. Designer names and glamorous labels are on show in high end boutiques and department stores.  However, walk a few metres down the road and you can find their fake counterparts for one third of the price.   My tip if you’re visiting-get a tailor made suit. You won’t regret it. The quality and craftsmanship are superb.

Then there’s the food. The choice is simply astonishing.   Again, you can eat at grand hotels where caviar and champagne are flown in to cater for a clientele who have never heard of the GFC.   Or you can walk into a local noodle bar and enjoy some of the best hand made noodles and dumplings. Your taste buds will thank you many times over! Even those pompous gits who run the Michelin rating system could not overlook the local food.  Tim Ho Wan has been awarded a Michelin star for its simple, unpretentious offerings.  Just be prepared to wait in the snake-long queues.

The Kowloon side of Hong Kong (and more specifically the Mongkok area) is my favourite place to explore. Markets, malls and “tucked away to the side restaurants” make up this labyrinth-like part of the island. It’s very easy to feel a little like Alice in Wonderland here.  Turn one corner and someone is selling fresh seafood and noodles ready to be turned into a local delicacy. Turn the next corner and you’ve got the latest designer Gucci-for next to nothing of course!  Kowloon can be a little suffocating but it’s always fun.

And what visit to Hong Kong would be complete without having yum cha?  It’s a must.  It’s served everyday and for about ten Aussie dollars (yes I’m not joking!) you can feast on a variety of fried and steamed morsels fit for an Emperor. The social adrenalin along with the noise is high when enjoying yum cha.  It looks chaotic but it’s all part and parcel of the experience. Trolleys zoom past, bamboo baskets fly about like frisbees and tea is continuously poured.  Between the many “mmm’s” the conversation is always about food!

Hope you enjoyed my little “tour” and pictures of Hong Kong.  Stay tuned soon for an outdoor feast that ended up being “washed out”.

In “late breaking news” you may want to read and hear an interview I did recently regarding my techniques for food photography.  Check it out here.

When you have very limited time in an iconic destination, such as New York city what do you do?  You go non-stop!

It had been a little over six years since my last visit and let’s just say that it didn’t disappoint.  I tried to cram in as much as I could in less than 24 hours.  I know some of you actually live here and for that I envy you.  I love the buzz, atmosphere and vibe that New York has.  Always something to do….

Armed with my older, little Nikon D40 camera and braving the cold I headed out to the lower East side for a quick bite and a catch up.  Taxiiiiiii!!!!

Off I zoomed in the familiar talking taxis…now with advanced GPS!

A cocktail is always a great way to start the evening….we drank and dined at Les Enfants Terribles.

Especially with long lost friends….

A quick walk through the neighbourhood revealed that the Lower East Side had a lot of “happening” and busy places.  Being a Saturday night the bars were full of people.  I also love the little food shops you see along the way.

Ceviche anyone?

Cupcakes?

The fire escapes are still there (ok I wasn’t expecting them to go anywhere!).  They are pretty synonymous with the architecture found in a lot of neighbourhoods in New York city.

Fondue anyone?  LOL!  Right out on the street.  And finally when you continue to drink till the wee hours, a 24 hour diner is always your good friend.  Ok I don’t always eat like this but there’s something satisfying about a cheeseburger, fries, onion rings, pickle and coleslaw that really hits the spot!

After my “little” adventure in Tokyo I made sure I rested before I made my way back to Australia.   Part of my relaxation included exploring the airport town of Narita.  Narita is a “quaint” little town and the site of Narita International Airport- gateway to the greater Tokyo area.  If you have a few hours to kill in transit, it’s a fantastic place to whet the appetite and obtain a small taste of Japanese culture.  There are malls, restaurants and a whole heap of karaoke bars to keep you entertained.

Like many Japanese cities, Narita houses a Buddhist temple-the Naritasan or Naritasan Shinshoji Temple. It’s quite a large complex comprising of many important structures and a park.  There’s actually quite a lot to do so give yourself a few hours to fully explore this place of worship.  As you make your way down the hill to the temple you’ll come across a number of shops selling food, snacks, sake and a variety of Japanese souvenirs.  I particularly love how the streets are dotted with little coloured lanterns.  Is it wrong to say it lends an air of “authenticity” about the whole experience?  That you are “actually” in Japan?

There weren’t many people around at 7 p.m.  The temperature was still hovering around the low 30′s and even though I chose to wear shorts I was sweating like a runner who had just run a marathon.  The atmosphere was kind of “eerie”-peaceful, serene and very unlike the busy, almost claustrophobic feel of Tokyo I had endured the day before.  I love this time of the evening when the weather is warm.  And I especially love how the sun projects it’s magnificent rays as it begins to descend for the day.

Having enjoyed the calm and serenity of the Naritasan and a little”me time” it was time to eat.  Let me emphasise that eating in Japan does not have to be a very expensive exercise.  If you follow some smart rules you can get away with eating at quite reasonable prices.  The major shopping centres or malls all have food courts that serve up delicious and healthy meals.  You can buy set lunches that usually consist of a salad, a protein, some dumplings and rice for around 1000 Yen (about $12 Aussie dollars).  Likewise you can eat at the many specialty places that serve big steaming bowls of ramen and gyozas for a similar price.  In fact even the local 7-11′s have delicious snacks for half that price!  You will not starve!

I met up with some friends who were enjoying a few beers at one of the local pubs in Narita and we decided tonight we would vist a restaurant specialising in izakaya style dishes. Izakayas are Japanese drinking houses-think pubs that serve quite a substantial number of foods.  Prices may be “set” for all you can drink or all you can eat.  Or you may choose to order a number of items and share and with a few people dining it can be quite economical.

Most people who know me, know that my sense of direction can be a little “skewed” at times.   Ahem!  All I remember about this place was that it was “past the main train station, turn left at the first street and there you will see it”….  I believe it’s affectionately known as “Papas“.  (I’ve provided details at the end of this post).

Papa’s is a very small establishment.  It fits about the same number of people as my lounge room (and that ain’t big!!!).  What it lacks in size, it certainly makes up for it food and drink wise.  The owners are a husband and wife team with “papa” spending most of the time at front of house taking orders, helping out in the kitchen and bar and socialising with customers.  ”Papa” speaks perfect English which makes ordering a little easier and he’s quite a fun fellow to talk to!

Under his recommendation I’ve ordered a dark, wheat based Japanese beer which is a little too “light” for my palette.  Nevertheless, we continue with the drinking and out comes what’s best described as an orgy of fried food.  And I’m not talking lightly fried…I mean deep fried.

The gyoza are first to arrive and I have never had to stop so many people from attacking at once!  They have that perfect pan fried crispy skin on the bottom and are soft and tender at the top.  I love gyoza and pretty much order them as a standard everywhere I eat in Japan.  I love how you take that first bite and the precious juice comes squirting out-almost, always burning the roof of your mouth!

My good friend Julie couldn’t resist these little round balls of deep fried cheese and potato!  Yes, I know it’s not very Japanese but these little morsels were the perfect marriage of brie, mashed potato and breadcrumbs that were deep fried for a calorific hit!  The fried fare continued with octopus balls, deep fried breaded oysters and chicken!  For someone who doesn’t “mind” oysters I couldn’t stop with these…I guiltily ate a whole plate!!!

And finally after a day of temple visits it was only fitting the evening should end with the Holy grail of fried foods-tempura. I can almost feel good about eating tempura.  The batter is so light you can hardly tell it’s been fried in oil.  Our little platter consisted of calamari,  prawns, Japanese pumpkin, eggplant, sweet potato and carrot.  I was now so stuffed that picking up a pair of chopsticks seemed like picking up a heavy barbell at the gym.  Phew!

I hope you’ve enjoyed my little “snippet” of Japan or more specifically Narita.  Even if you only have a few hours stop over it’s well worth a quick visit.  Beats hanging around an airport all day…

PAPA’S BAR RESTAURANT

(a.k.a. MAKI’S Bar Restaurant)

858-1 Kami-choNARITA-city JAPAN

Phone: 0476-22-3986

This is the first image that greeted me as I got off  at Akihabara station in Tokyo, Japan.  It was 40 degrees Celsius in mid August when I decided that I would finally attempt to make a day trip into Tokyo.  I had been meaning to do this a number of times, and of course I chose the hottest day of the year to embark on my journey!  (What on earth possessed me to wear long khaki pants and sneakers I will never know!)

I left the comfort of Narita town and proceeded on a walking tour that would take me to some of the most interesting areas of Tokyo.  I walked a lot that day and walked some more.

I also spent a good amount of time navigating the Tokyo rail system.  That was a feat in itself!  I may have been a little “lost in translation” but I had fun.

Sit back, relax and come on a little journey as Souvlaki for the Soul takes his camera to showcase a slice of urban life in one of the world’s busiest capitals.

As I explained, navigating the train system can be a little challenging.  It has more to do with the number of train lines and the fact that everything is written in Japanese (funny that!).  I relied on this guide to help me out.  I downloaded the articles and saved them on my iPhone and used them as a reference point.  The rest was pure luck and some basic Japanese!

I was keen on seeing Akihabara or Akihabara Electric town, as it’s renowned for being the biggest shopping area for electronic goods.  A geek’s paradise.  Cameras, lenses, computers…it’s totally an overdose and even managed to scare me.

As I was walking back to the station I was approached by this lovely lass in a maid’s outfit handing out flyers to a “maid cafe”.  Maid cafes are quite common in this part of Tokyo.  You are served tea and coffe by girls dressed as maids…a novel concept and it’s not what you may be thinking!  I advise you to read the link I have provided as it explains this whole concept quite well.  Somehow, I don’t think maid cafes will be making in appearance down under soon…

11 a.m. and my stomach is growling.  I notice a van selling kebabs.  I order a “Bigboy” kebab for 600 yen and have a quick talk with the owner.  He is Turkish and has been living in Tokyo for the last ten years and explains how he wouldn’t be anywhere else in the world.  He loves the energy and the madness and advises me to “soak it all up” and enjoy myself.

Kebabs in japan?

Why yes!  It was delicious!  There was plenty of time to sample the local cuisine.

Next stop.  Shinjuku.  This would be my first real taste of walking and exploring.  I managed to veer off the main road and find myself down an alleyway littered with tiny restaurants and bars.  According to my body clock, it’s beer o’clock.

 A quick Asahi and it’s back to the stifling heat.  I’m trying to take it all in and I do find it quite overwhelming.  I realise that due to the density and the amount of buildings, there is no air circulation.  Beads of sweat are forming everywhere.  The heat is full on but I continue.  Even though it’s quite congested the colours of the scenery seem more pronounced.  Or is that the Asahi talking?

A quick train ride later I find myself in Harajuku.  Harajuku is the fashion capital of Tokyo.  I’m hoping to catch a glimpse of the youths who dress up as rockabillies and “Gothic Lolitas”.  I later learn that this ritual occurs only on Sundays.  Being a Thursday I luck out.

I make my way down the famous Takeshita St.  Here you will find a combination of “unusual” styling concepts catering to mostly younger Japanese girls.  Think “Barbie goes punk”.  Anything goes really.  The atmosphere here is almost carnival like.  It’s like a local fair on steroids!  Again, there are people everywhere and this time I notice a lot more tourists (it’s amazing where those guide books will take you!).

 The Harajuku area of Tokyo houses a lot of local Japanese clothes and many international brands.  If you’re looking for something a little “individual” this is the place to find it.

I take a break and enjoy a Japanese iced coffee at Doutor.  The Doutor Coffee Co are a chain of coffee shops found all over Japan.  In my few days there I became quite addicted to their iced coffee.  It’s rich, strong and I loved how it’s served with little caplets of sugar syrup and cream.

Another quick train ride and I get off at Shibuya station.  In my 10 hours or so of exploring Tokyo, I spend the most time here, walking the streets of this famous shopping and entertainment area.

As soon I make my way out of the Hachicko Exit from the train station I come across one of the largest intersections surrounded by neon lights and a giant video screen playing music videos. People are crossing the street and I don’t mean a “few people”.

I mean hundreds and hundreds of people cross this intersection when the lights go green.  I consider myself a “people person” but this is ridiculous!

It’s late afternoon now and the heat has subsided a little.  My walk takes me past the two major department stores-Seibu and Tokyu.  Time for a spot of shopping?  Not this time.  My swelling feet continue on this mammoth hike taking  in all the scenery and environment.  More buildings…more people.

Further on I spot a fashion parade in progress and I manage to take a few snaps from outside.  The models are all giggling at me as they are being styled.

 I’m totally in awe at the one dressed as a geisha.  She is so beautiful!  She poses for the camera and manges to give me a quick wink with a little cheeky grin!  Hilarious!

People watching is fun at the best of times but here in Tokyo it’s a lot more colourful.  Everyone I encountered was friendly and smiled for the camera.

Dusk is approaching and I make my way back to Shibuya station.  I’m keen to get a few shots of the people crossing the major intersection. About 250 shots later I settle on these few to give you an indication of just how busy it is and they still don’t do it justice.

By now, I’m exhausted.  I have (another!) train to catch and as it turns out it takes me three whole hours to get back to Narita and I’m caught right in the middle of Tokyo’s rush hour!

I hope you’ve enjoyed my little photographic “slice” of my day in Tokyo.  I have another post planned that will cover a temple I visited and some fried Japanese delicacies I enjoyed.

Take care.