From Broken hill to the Amazon jungle.

[drron]

To me Barcelona is Gaudi-the brilliant/mad architect.Without his work the tacky souvenir shops would lose 70% of their stock.Advice-if you really want these souvenirs they were far cheaper in Madrid though less choice.
For our first day we went into the city centre and decided to get the 2 day pass for the hop on/off bus(not the Barcelona tours bus).it was E21 for 1 day and E26 for 2 days.In retrospect it was not a great idea and as long as you are comfortable with public transport it would be a much more efficient use of time.The Hilton lounge staff or concierge will give you advice on routes to take.
Also there is obviously a fair bit of street crime in Barcelona.An americn woman at the Hilton had her bag snatched and pushed to the ground breaking a tooth.At one stage I felt a hand in my back pocket.However forewarned is forearmed and I just took 150-200 euros in a small fob pocket and the hotel key.Mrsdrron had the camera which was around her neck and under her top when not in use.We hadnot much to loose.
The first day we did the red route on the bus and our first stop was the Familia Sagrada-an incredible buiding and experience.
We then visited the Guell Parc-another must see.Had a snack there-1 salad roll,a coke and a beer-E13.50.After that it was already nearly 4pm so switched to the blue route which does the harbour areas getting off at the old cemetery-a 20-25 minute walk from the Hilton.In summer there is a green route as well that stops very close to the Hilton.
We were going to have dinner at the Hilton but hooked up with a retired couple from Alabama and a young couple from Kentucky.Unfortunately the new policy wasnt in place and they let us keep drinking to 11pm-whoa.Just a little worse for wear.
Next-more Barcelona.

 

[drron]

The next morning is a late start with a light breakfast.Catch the 41 bus to the nearest blue route bus stop.Get off at Poble espana-a spanish village built for the 1929 Expo.A collection of building styles from around Spain.Entry is E8-for a collection of shops and restaurants but a combined ticket with the Museo Nacional D'arte is E12-the Museo by itself E8.50.
Have lunch at the Albi restaurant inside the Poble.Paella with lobster for 2(whole lobster but frozen),2 creme catalans and our trusty bottle of Verdejo-E52.I am amazed by what Spaniards can eat for lunch-a young,thin couple sat down at the table beside us and had bread with olive oil,a tapas plate each,a paella each,calamari and fries each,desserts and coffe and finish before us.
Next we went up the hill to the Museo-open air escalators make life easy.An impressive building with a reasonable collection.Further up the hill to the Olympic complex and not far down the road is the Miro museum.Getting late so back on the bus and back to the Hilton by 6pm.Soft drinks and coffee for us tonight!
Thursday-feeling much better today.Catch the bus into the Plaza Catalunya again and walk up Passeig De Gracie to see the Gaudi apartments.The first Casa Battlo is E16.50 each so we continue on to La Pedera-a steal at E9.50.Certainly an impressive place.Back to the Plaza and start our walk down La Rambla.Full of tourists.Stop at the markets-La Boquateria.Good fruit juices for 1 euro,icecreams for 2 euro.Have lunch at la Cochonillo.Plate of mushrooms are delicious but octopus very chewy and mussels drowned in a fatty onion and capsicum sauce so decide to call it quits.Those plus a beer and glass of wine-E27.
Buy some persimmons and figs.The knee is starting to ache so back to the Hilton.
Next-the last day in Barcelona.

 

[drron]

OK so now some pictures of Barcelona.First some paella

Fruit juice at the market

And fruit

These figs had our name on them

 

[drron]

Then there was the ham-up to E500 a kilo.I prefer a smoked Virginia ham myself.

And mushrooms were in season

And of course seafood

I arrived in Spain 0.5kg lighter than I started the trip.Unfortunately 2.5kg heavier than starting weight when I left.Enough of the food.

 

[drron]

Well it is Friday.We are beginning to slow up.Day 72,12 to go.Last full day in Spain.Once again catch the trusty route 41 to the Plaza Catalunya.This time stroll of down the Portal de L'angel where there is an arts and crafts market-this is where I felt the hand in my pocket.Then through some of the narrow streets of Old barcelona coming onto La Rambla at the markets and finished off our stroll down to the harbour.What would they do without the tourists.Many are pulling their luggage through the streets,map in hand looking for their cheap accommodation.One British couple are standing outside a hotel and the wife is telling her husband in no uncertain terms that she is not amused.The ground floor is a peep show establishment.
Come out at the Columbus monument.Walk to the Museum of Catalan History.On the harbour side of this are a row of restaurants.As expected they are a little pricey but we choose La Gavina.Mrsdrron's mussels are the plumpest and probably the best we have ever had.I have the anchovies marinated in balsamic and served on tomatoes-at last the food I had read about.We both have the seafood paella-just right.For desserts a creme brulee and an excellent lime mousse.This time we let our hair down and had a bottle of premium spanish sav.Blanc.At the end given 2 glasses of Cava on the house.All up E117.
Then walked down the Passeig Isabella II to the Parc Ciutadella where the Catalan houses of Parliament are.Good views to Barcelon's Arc De Triomf.At the other side of the Parc we catch tram T4 back to the Hilton.As we get on the heavens open up.That evening a few glasses of Freixenet.Next we are off to Narita.

 

[drron]

Now a few photos of Barcelona-I wonder when this fascination will wear off.
Sagrada Familia

La Pedera

 

[drron]

Now some of you may have got the impression that mrsdrron is a Type A person.Well let me tell you I had plans on leaving the Hilton for the airport about 1030-1100 for our 1325 flight but Oh no we are off and in the taxi by 0930.So we are at BCN before 1000.The taxi driver was on to something.Appeared to go the same route as when we came from the airport but the fare is E10 more.Probably dont check the meters often i guess.
Well the main tourist street in Barcelona is La Rambla.BCN is La Shambla.Dropped at the door that had the BA sign up only to find BA checkin was right at the other end of the terminal.
Schlepp our bags there.Appears to be only kiosk checkin and bag drop apart from one counter where the sign is Club World,Checkin Assistance.Now as we are connecting in LHR onto JAL to NRT we thought this was the place for us being booked in business.Kind of like the idea of checking the bags right through and maybe getting BPs for the next leg.
Oh no you dont says the prowling BA dragon-check in here.But we are in business class with connections we would like to check in at the counter-no you cant.Well i am not going to check in here.Give me your tickets.A scowl crosses her face as we produce our paper tickets.Give me your passports.She then checks us in at the kiosk.The BPs have 14A,B.Well you can tear those up-Why.Because these are in economy and we have paid for business class.She admits defeat and then says but you cant check in at the counter until 1110.Mrsdrron is now letting her know what she thinks politely so nip across to the counter-thats right you cant checkin here until 1110.So here we are in BCN with nearly and hour to spend and no way to get to a lounge.
I must say it was a spectacle.I particularly liked watching the reaction of young males when a 40+ woman walked up and down with her jeans below her cheeks showing a tightly wedged thong-and no mrsdrron rarely lets my hands on the camera so no photo.
1110 comes and we cross to the Assistance counter.As we do the agent walks off.Unfortunately about 5 minutes later another agent comes off break and is walking towards the bag drop but asks us if we need help.Halfway through the original agent returns and finishes the job.Seats 4A,C.Bags tagged through to NRT and onward BPs obtained.
Could you tell us where the lounge is?There is no BA lounge.Well lets not argue.Through security.Unfortunately signage to the lounges isnt very explicit and so instead of turning left we go right so nearly 15 minutes before we find the IB lounge and drop exhausted mentally into some comfy chairs.Asked if there was wifi-No none available.Go to get a paper and find that wired access is available and complimentary.Then a few Vino blanco Seccos to ease the strain.
Next-the flights.

 

[drron]

boarding announcement made in lounge.nearly 10 minute walk to gate but still wait another 15 minutes until boarding commences.A BA 757.Different feel to AA's version which I decide I like better.The European J seating is not my favourite.The AA 2 class domestic set up is better and possibly less argument if they called the premium cabin J instead of F.
The taxi out to the runway was extremely rough.They are building a new terminal and that might have something to do with it.It is about 30 minutes after take off that we get a drinks service-a Pol roger it is.It is about an hour after take off before the meal service-lamb stew-not bad.
great views over France,the Channel and southern England.approach is to the south of the Thames so great views of London.Arrive at terminal 1 only a few minutes behind schedule.Our transfer to terminal 3 goes smoothly and quickly.
Very soon we are in the JAL F lounge.It is small and not very impressive.Only a small amount of food put out at a time and if you want the French white wine you must ask for it.However manage some OK sushi and then scones,strawberry jam and clotted cream-yum!Catch up with my emails after the 5 day blackout in BCN.
Once again our gate is the furthest from the lounge.First time in a JAL 777.Time has caught up with JAL and their old shell seat is really not very comfortable.
The flight on JAL is next.

 

[drron]

Seats 10A,C.Dinner service is a little slow but at least a pre takeoff champers and a drink service soon after takeoff.As usual a large J cabin which is full.Lokked after by a British FA.Tells us that there is a London base and there is 1 London based FA in each cabin on all JAL European flights.
This fellow was very good-friendly,proactive and went out of his way.For example when I was congregating near the galley he got me to try the Japanese wines(I had tried all the others).Not too bad either.
As usual on JAL I had the Japanese meal.Salmon sashimi and mixed appetisers.Then a selection of mushroom dishes including the matsuhake.A beef main course,very tasty.Then went for the cheese and vintage port.
The IFE was inoperative-I wasnt going to use it anyway.However JAL is organised and we all got a postcard to send to JAL IFE Complaints Dept.When we arrived home we both had JAL vouchers for Y10000.
Able to get some sleep.Breakfast was reasonable with an omelette.Smooth landing and yet again at furthest gate from Immigration-at least not at the Annex.
Long line at Immigration but moved quickly.Arrived at the baggage carousel as our bags appeared.Straight to the Airport limousine counter to be told that we would miss the next bus to the Sheraton Miyako at 1525 as it was 1522.Had to wait until 1625.Got to the stop at 1528 and there was a line.1532 and a bus arrives-surprise the bus was 7 minutes late-unheard of here!
90 minutes later arrived at Sheraton Miyako.
Next Tokyo.

 

[drron]

The main thing we wanted to do on this visit to Tokyo was to visit 2 of the Iron Chef's restaurants.On the tuesday for lunch we went to Chen's Szechuan restaurant, Asasaka Shisenhanten.Now we created quite a stir as on booking they ask if there is anything you are allergic to or dislike.So for a Szechuan restaurant mrsdrron says spicy food.
We are welcomed as soon as we step out of the lift-welcome drron san.How did they know it was me!The staff are obviously a little up tight wondering how to make this work with no spicy food.Though the waiter has limited English we work out a suitable compromise-2 dishes sustituted,2 with chili on the side and one toned down a little.
Appetisers-Beef tongue,jellyfish,marinated mushrooms,abalone and vegetables in a peanut sauce.
Next squid and greens-very nice.
Then prawns and veggies in a potato basket-hot sauce on the side.
Birds nest soup with chicken
A beef dish with a beautiful hot sauce on the side.
Duck with noodles
Chicken with cabbage in a sweet soup.
Then Chen's specialty-Mofu Dofu-tofu with various secret ingredients in an extremely spicy sauce.
Sweets are a jasmine tea jelly and something that we neither recognise nor can be translated to us.
With beer and wine this sets us back Y22000-just as well I got plenty of yen at 106 to the dollar.If you really appreciate Chinese food this is worthwhile.Things such as bird's nest and abalone though i really do not appreciate so although I am glad we went I would not go back.
Next La Rochelle and a night to remember.

 

[drron]

Wednesday was our last night in tokyo and the only night we could get into Iron Chef sakai's restaurant in Shibuya-just 2 stops on JR from Meguro station.We went early so as to have an hour or two looking around here-boy is it busy and as night falls it really lights up.
La Rochelle is on the top floor of the Cross Tower.Great views of the Tokyo lights.Amazingly a very clear night.Taken to our table which has our name on it.Our waiter is from Iran but has spent time in australia and livrd in Japan for over 20 years.Very friendly and efficient.There are 3 set menus-we choose the middle menu-Y12600.Choose to accompany the food with a bottle of the Cloudy Bay Sav.Blanc.
First served an Amuse bouche-a soy milk flan with fish and Matsukane mushroom(a single mushroom in supermarket~$A30).This was delicious.No picture though.


Then came Grissini with prosciutto and fresh parmesan-again very tasty.This was accompanied by a skinned deep fried cherry tomato and a cod fish mousse-really nice.

Next a cold appetiser-abalone,sea urchin,smoked scallop and a prawn on a cabbage terrine.The smoked scallop was particularly nice

Then the hot appetiser-Foie gras Ravioli-absolutely fantastic

The fish course was Horsehead Snapper with vegetables and a seaweed sauce-very,very good.

Next is Part 2 of this meal.

 

[drron]

La Rochelle continued.
The meat dish was fillet of Waygu with a mushroom sauce and this quite simply is the best meat dish I have had.

Desserts-3 cakes and a ricotta mousse with honey,then ice cream with peeled seeded grapes in a red wine and mint sauce-a perfect ending.

All up this cost Y36000.We both felt this was as good or better than Per Se in NYC.We will almost certainly go back.

 

[Evan]

Wow, sounds like i have some new food places to try when next in Tokyo ! thanks for the reports and pictures. Fantastic reading.
E

 

[Keith009]

Thanks for the recommendations! Some lovely food pics there. What a feast you had! Nothing nicer than waking up to some lovely pics of food. But i'm now so hungry. *goes off in search of brekky*

 

[drron]

On the first night in tokyo we walked up the road from the Sheraton and had some sushi at Shouzan sushi.Very nice,friendly but a little expensive-Y4100 for 14 pieces plus miso soup.
On the monday we walked to Meguro station stopping ar the 100 yen shop-a must for us in Japan.Through a local park then visited the gardens of the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum.Typical japanese garden with sculptures.Just sat and watched the crows and the persimmon tree.The crows would peck at the stem of the fruit until it dropped to the ground,split and then the crows could eat it.
Lunch was on the 5th floor of the Atre1 building at the station-2 servings of suikiyaki for just over Y2000.Bought some cakes and fruit-figs,persimmons and some melon-all very good.
Wednesday and the hotel was jumping-3 large sporting groups.So we went for a walk in the Happo-en gardens next door.Very pleasant.Only meant to be for people at functions there such as a Tea ceremony.As there is always at least 1 tour group there no one paid any attention to us.Unfortunately too early for fall colours here.
On Thursday we were up early to check out and catch the 0640 airport bus.Had to wait about 15 minutes before CX checkin opened.Given invite to their F lounge.However it is combined with the J lounge so no difference.The JAL F lounge is better but we didnt need a shower and I found the food selection more to my liking in the CX lounge.
Next-CX NRT-HKG-SIN.

 

[drron]

We are in 12A,C.Surprised to find on this 2 class 777 we are in the front row.This has one of CX's good crews.Fantastic service.deutz champers,a marlborough sav blanc for mrsdrron,a good french red and Dow's vintage port and we are set.
food is nice.appetiser is gravlax,chewy prawn,salad and soba noodles.For mains we have a duck dish.then the cheese plus vintage port followed by icecream and choccies.
I put on the audio to the 60s selection-has one of my old anthems-Donovan with sunshine superman.However only hear the first 2 tracks and the next i hear is the Captain announcing descent into HKG.Pull into Gate 4-how come so close to the wing.Also 25 minutes early so a good hour plus in the F lounge.And our next flight is from gate 2-miracles.
A crowd at the transit security but again we are pulled out and told to go through crew lane with about the next twenty behind us.What is happening?There the luck ends.Have a sprayon deodorant which is just under 80gms(in big numbers on the front).On the back in the fine print is 102mls.The security agent picks it up and reads through the fine print-now this is the 26th or so airport it has gone through but now it is confiscated.
So off to the Flounge to toast our poor departed deodorant-all right so i dont really need an excuse for the champers.Not hungry and no Char siu Bau out so just power up the computer.Dont even have to get up to have glass topped up.this is the life.Soon time to board.
that segment next.

 

[drron]

Another 777 for the leg to SIN.This time row 19A,C.This is first row of a 2 row mini J cabin.So we have all the Ys going past.One beautiful moment when a family boards.young daughter probably about 4 decides to turn left.Darling we have to go down the back says mum.Little miss 4 turns slowly,puts her hands on her hips and says"Why?".Why indeed,I like her style,what class.
Now this segment is about half full in business,the previous segment was full.The service however is not nearly as good as the first leg.A few distractions though as a few people attempt the move forward.Handled well as purser informs them that they may sit there but there will be no drinks,meals or entertainment as she removes the headphones.Only 1 stays.
The good thing was that meal service began from the rear.Unfortunately the appetiser was prawns and came from the same very chewy batch as on the previous segment.Mrsdrron has the sweet and sour chicken and I go for the Sea Bass in Putanesca sauce.Fish was all right,the rest so so.
The wines on this segment were Billecart,Tyrells chardy or a french white that was just not sound.The same french red as before and taylors vintage port..After the mains I put on the audio and once again was in the land of nod quite quickly.
This time woken by the Captain talking to the fellows in 20 A,C.Turns out they are El al pilots who are going to ferry a plane they have bought from SIA back to Tel aviv.
On arrival fortunately both doors are used so we are first out the second door.To Immigration.about 100 from the subcontinent are to the side with security fellows and as we walk to the counter a man and woman are escorted off by the police.We however are basically straight through.In typical SIN efficiency are bags are already out when we get to the baggage hall.A quick stop to change some more money-wise move as that was the highest rate we saw in our 4 days there.Got $S1.019.By the time we were left money changers were quoting down to $S0.915.
Straight to the taxis and we were allocated a minivan with our 3 bags-whatever happened to Murphy's law today.
Next Singapore.

 

[Alanslegal]

The food is like a masterpiece - intricately detailed and way too pretty to eat

I'd better start saving my pennies if I am to visit this place in '09. Should I make reservations now?

 

[drron]

Well Singapore is certainly no shoppers paradise now.With the lousy exchange rate everything is expensive.despite sales everywhere for divali mrsdrron buys nothing-unbelievable.The other unbelievable thing was how cool Singapore was this time relatively speaking.hardly broke into a sweat.
So to the eating.First night at newton circus-2 drinks,10 satays and a very good oyster omelette-$15.Went back again for lunch on the last day for some BBQ pork and duck.Only a few stalls open at lunch time.
Friday lunch at Sabai in the Ngee Ann building-very good thai but expensive.2 lime juice,pad thai,a great jungle curry,rice and then sticky rice and mango-$85.So cool that we walk back to the Sheraton.
Saturday we have Japanese in the basement of the Paragon complex.Reasonable quality and price.2 drinks,edomamae,suikiyaki and a special bento box-$52.Mrsdrron coming down with the lurgi so back to the Sheraton for a lazy afternoon-get ready to laze by the pool but the heavens open up.
Sunday is time for reminiscence.Clarke quay,Bugis Street,raffles-my how it has all changed and been sanitised.Have sushi in the Bugis Junction complex.
Now all there is left is the SIN F lounge and QF52 home to BNE.The end is in sight of this enjoyable 12 week saga.

 

[drron]

One of the things I am appreciating with the switch to SPG is the late check out.4pm is basically a gimme(apart from some resorts).So after checkout off to Changi.A real bummer that QF52 has been changed from a 2105 departure to 2325.Oh well,just have to have another 2 hours in the F lounge.
As is usual when you have all the time in the world we get a budding Fangio as our cabbie.Hits 140+kmh and doesnt let anything pass him.Honest though as fare the cheapest I have had at just under $S16.
To the First class checkin and in the lounge before you know it-quite full though and only 1 empty section of 4 seats and soon have companions.This is a nice lounge with reasonable food but not a great selection.I have to say on this trip the Sydney flounge is definitely first,then the Wing Flounge,AAs JFK flagship lounge then singapore QF.
Catch up on some Aussie papers,hit the internet and before we know it we are boarding.
Meal service is slow.about an hour before service.For a flight leaving at 2325 this is not good.A green salad with half a cherry tomato, and an asian beef dish for mains.Decide then to try for some shut eye.Again putting on the audio of 60s songs works a treat.Have to be woken for breakfast.
This is another problem i have with QF-having to order breakfast before i go to sleep.On QF 52 breakfast does not have a hot choice-they do have toast but usually that is cold as well.So just why do they have to know your orders hours beforehand.Even though they know the time you are going to have breakfast the butter is still served frozen.
The one benefit of the later flight time is that it arrives after the morning rush-from row3A,C we are second off,first at immigration,bags off smartly and in the first half dozen to customs-dont need those express cards.
next-a few firsts,lessons learned and some more pictures now i have mastered the art of posting them.