A journey of thousand miles

Lunch during weekdays is quite adventurous trying out new places. The other day Mami and I tried the O'Asian Kitchen at 5th and Madison. The dimsums were as great as what you can find around ID (intl district) and inexpensive too. I liked the pork buns (pao) and sticky rice. Yesterday with Chi, was no time so just tried the Chinese restaurant down the office foodcourt (gotta mention the curry food poisoning incident last week... and I ate at the same stall few days before. Found out t'was due to spinach with some E.Coli bacteria. ouch!) And then today Eric and I went to Benihana for a sushi tabehodai. The buffet was palatable and for just 15 bucks was a very fine deal!

Kinda woke up late today. After brunching at Garfunkel's thought of using the bus going to Tower Hill. I was told to either use number 15 or 23 so took 23. Pretty good ride, no traffic. However half an hour after I still haven't seen Tower Hill station and I knew already I was getting lost. I dropped off some station, and it was Liverpool St (where believe The Beatles were doing live houses before). Took another bus going to London Bridge station.

And there it was, the Tower of London. Walked through the baywalk from LB station and all the way crossing the bridge. After a while of savoring the view, figured out to take a cruise of the River Thames. Saw one going to Greenwich and took that route. The weather was fantastic sunny bright, and the cool wind breezed into us up on the cruise deck. The guide told us stories about the old pubs and Captain Kidd's beheading, pointed us to the most expensive apartments in London, and in just over 20 minutes we were already at the Greenwich pier station.

Dropping off, walked through the Old Naval College and into the National Maritime Musuem. The park was so huge, and you can see sunbathing fans everywhere. I walked up to the hill where the Royal Observatory built sometime in 1675. It was already closing but managed to get inside before the gate closed. First took pictures at the prime meridian point. Visited the observatory area of John Flamsteed. The other tour areas were closed already but more than enough to know what's inside. The view up the hill was spectacular.

I got back the return cruise again, and took the bus going to Oxford St. to buy some souvenirs for folks back home. Visited several shops and then hopped on the bus again going back to the hotel. Then I hit the road again to find somewhere good to have dinner. Found this Indian restaurant, sampled their lamb curry and got some Cobra beer. Fantastic combination with rice and nan. I finished off with espresso ;-)

Check out the video tab of cool stuff taken over the weekend!

Started the day early taking the tube going to Green Park. Bright sunny day, many benches set up on the park for sunbathing. Thought they were free but you'd have to pay 4 Pounds for a few hours use. Bit hungry so got some of those hotdog sandwiches at a park food stall. Just outside the park is Buckingham Palace and the crowd already overflowing to watch the changing of royal guards parade. I didn't get a clear view at the palace grounds where the ceremeny took place, and but managed to get close up shots and even video of the guards at the Prime Minister's residence.

After Buckinham, I walked all the way to Westminster Abbey where Kings and Queens are crowned. I also visited St. Margaret's Church where royalties are wed.

Of course, after that is the Parliament Square where the Big Ben lives.

My next stop was Trafalgar Square. Many people outside enjoying the sun and some folks also street performing music and dances. I went in the National Gallery; rented an audio guide and spent almost 2 hours enjoying the fine collection of paintings like Van Gogh's Sunflower, Michelangelo's unfinished Entombment, Da Vinci's Virgin of the Rocks, Raphael's Madonna of the Pinks and many more famous ones.

I was already so hungry after the gallery as I haven't eaten lunch yet. It was already 3pm. I headed to Regent St. to visit the Apple Store but curious about a pasta restaurant called Spaghetti House. I sampled their bolognese and some garlic bread - I was happy with the good choices. Regent St. was full of signature brand shops like Burberry, FCUK, YSL, Chanel and many more scattered left and right of the busy street. Got into Apple Store and of course played around with the Macs and sent couple of emails to friends.

Then I got into the tube again all the way down to Kinghtsbridge station where the famous Harrods department store is. Bought some toys and goodies for the kids back home. Stayed for a while jumping from floor to floor window shopping. There was this opera singer seranading shoppers going up and down the egyptian themed escalators. I got out the store and there were bunch of folks picketing around boycotting Harrods because they sell furs allegedly from illegal import of animal skins. Oh well, couldn't buy a 1,000 Pound worth of fur hat anyway ;-)

Found myself fell asleep after getting back to my hotel. Hmm what should I get for dinner...

Arrived Wednesday noon at Heathrow. The express train going from the airport all the way to London Paddington was very fast, just about 15 minutes. Checked into my hotel just outside the station but was very surprised of the room's size! Not because it was like a penthouse suite but goodness as tini-tiny a business hotel in Tokyo.

Anyway, after checking in, I still had some energy left to visit the Amazon office in Slough and met some of the team members. Very glad to finally meet them, put a face in a name so they say. After joining a conference call my eyes were already dropping heavy so went back to the hotel but before that hit a steak house just around the corner of the hotel. I took the new york steak (medium-well of course) and a bottle of Heineken. I was wrong about getting a beer bottle at a restaurant, goodness t'was 6 Pounds! That's like $12! Am never gonna order beer again at restaurants.

Anyway, the next day was full of meetings but after work, my French colleague Aurelia and Ed took me to an English Pub at Ealing Broadway. The pub ambiance was very cozy, good decors and clean carpets. And found out that pub beers are cheaper like 2 Pounds a pint. The local brew was good. Had Fish and Chips too, but hmmm didn't taste any different from the ones in Hub back Tokyo. Was a very good night chatting for hours. Already midnight coming back to the hotel.

Over the weekend, I plan to visit few good popular places including Harrods, stroll along Westminster Abbey around Buckingham Palace, National Gallery, Parliament, Big Ben, London Bridge and walk to Regency St. to of course look into the Apple Store London ;-)

Went to Portland over the weekend to visit friends. Of course, my new Odyssey did a good job of travelling safely but the traffic on I-5S was just terrible... took us 5 hours on a usual 3 hour land travel. Probably because of the 3 day holiday weekender, oh well.

Great to see old friends from the old Japan gang. Many have migrated, I should say mostly moved from Japan to US searching for the greener pastures.

Saturday went to Woodburn to buy some outlet clothing, as well as shop for housewares at the WalMart Supercenter. I must say the items were pretty good quality at a very affordable (means cheap!) price.  My back compartment couldn't fit all the stuff going back home hehehe.

Sunday was my buddy Dindo's daughter Elisha's Christening at the Holy Trinity Parish. Buffet reception followed at Todai in Downtown Portland. After that the gang went out for some coffee chit-chatting, and went malling at Pioneer Place.  Found an Apple Store where Gabe played the Macs, he loves 'em!

We had to go back home last night because my company didn't recognize the President's Day to be a public holiday ;-)  Crazy busy at work!

I got a new toy the other day - a Blackberry Pearl.  Can't be compared with phones in Japan, this one really way too cool. Can chat on GTalk, Yahoo, AOL, ICQ (but wait no iChat!!!) and get emails from POP and corporate emails.  Can even use Google Maps with traffic conditions, of course directions and local searches.  Not to mention can be used as music jukebox and do podcasting too so got myself a 2gb micro SD to hold all the movies I need. Just simply awesome! (^^)/

Been really busy at work that I've not updated.
Last Sunday went up to the eastside to visit 2 famous wineries near Seattle - Chateau St. Michelle and Columbia. But before that had some good brunch at the Barking Frog. The omelet was fantastic, all with sausages, mozarela, potatoes, tomatoes, spinach and hashbrowns on the side.  St. Michelle boasted of many award winning bottles. Columbia was more modern uptown atmosphere. Took wine sampling, got to choose 5 out of 8. The merlot and syrah were great.  After that even drove to Redhook to sample their freshly brewed beer!

Big group today. After work, the usual gang Maymi, Chie, Eric joined now by Aya and Kaji went to Palomino's. Many people lining up but good thing Mayumi got us a table reservation.  We sampled 2 thin crust pizza first, and a bottle of red wine. The pizza was superb, crunchy crunchy!  Kaji came in bit late. Haven't seen her for like 2 years now but she's not changed a bit. Talked about life in UW and being a student again. Chit chatting while eating made us forget how many bottles of wine we ordered, I think like 4 of them.  I like the Italian version of fortune cookie, I got mine saying or should I say Kaji got it but gave it to me "A bachelor's life is no life for a single man -- Samuel Goldwyn."  After some after-dinner coffee, Aya, Maymi and I brave walking back home from downtown to Belltown. Pretty long walk!

Ted's visiting town so after work tagged Chie and Eric to go to Rock Bottom at 5th Ave. Started off with the local ales and nachos. For main course I got the one I've been craving for 3 years now (last time was PM summit back 2004) - medium well Texas Fire Steak, "12 oz. USDA Choice Top Sirloin, seasoned with crazy pepper and served sizzling with our smokin’ jalapeño butter, White Cheddar mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables"
Ted got his wishlist of Chicken Enchiladas, Eric got a burger and Chie I think the Browse Ale Chicken.  Ah we were so much stuffed with American food. I shouldn't be eating these kind of portions or will balloon to a sumo wrestler soon!

First time attending service at St. James Cathedral. Large gothic architecture church. There were 7 babies being baptized at the same time and wonderful to see one by one being dipped into the holy water. Went to Uwajimaya after the mass and got some homestyle noodles. I was craving for tonkotsu ramen.
Met up with Mayumi, Chie and Eric at Shiro's but the place was full, headed to Saito's but was closed, so we ended up at Wann's all in 2nd Ave. Fancy sushi menu- tried the wann's roll (maki), agedofu with mochi, mushroom tenpura, chicken ban, sashimi salad, and topped that with 2 bottles of shochu (sake), first time to drink an organic sake. I think I'm gonna have a good night's sleep :-)