Around the World - The Blue Sky Edition

#bluesky #aroundtheworld

 

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Santorini, Greece

[Clockwise from Top]  Santorini's signature blue dome // One of the many churches on the Greek island // Exploring the town of Oia // Looking at the town of Oia from afar

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Barcelona & Sitges, Spain

[Clockwise from Top]  Rooftop at "La Pedrera", one of the many Gaudi creations throughout Barcelona // Visiting the seaside town of Sitges // Exploring the Montjuïc Castle, an old military fortress dated back to 1640 // Up close & personal with local architecture in Sitges

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Isla Grande, Rosario Islands, Colombia

Recharge on Isla Grande, a tiny island off the coast of Cartagena, Colombia

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Maui, Hawaii

[Clockwise from Top]  Relaxing at Andaz Maui // On our way to some famous Maui food-truck-coconut-shrimp actions // Poolside at Andaz Maui // Enjoying the most scenic 18 holes at the Wailea Golf Club

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Newport Beach & MOnterey bay - California

A weekend getaway at Newport Beach, California // Admiring the tranquility of Monterey Bay, California

 

Thanks for letting me share my favorite "blue skies" with you! 

What are some of your favorite "blue skies"?

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MORE FROM THE ADVENTURE SERIES

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Canary Islands Food Finds - O'Fado Portuguese Restaurant

#thecanaryislands #foodtour

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I've been exposed to food with a Portuguese influence since I was little because my mom was born and raised in Macau, a Portuguese colony in Asia.  We'd spend our summer vacations there and I'd be eating my three favorite things almost everyday - Grilled bacalhau (cod fish), caldo verde (potatoes and kale soup), and pastéis de nata (custard tarts).  On our first day on Fuerteventura, The Canary Islands, we ventured to the neighborhood around our hotel.  When we came across O'Fado Restaurante Portugues, I was beyond excited!  

The Owners - Two Kind Souls

O'Fado looks empty when we arrive during lunch hours.  We hesitate just a bit because of that, but I'm so glad that we've decided to go in.  Americo and Helena make up the husband and wife team here.  I start chatting with Americo and realize he's Portuguese, so I share my childhood stories about Macau with him.  He is super nice and friendly, always have this slight smile on him, and seems happy to bump into someone who knows a little about the Portuguese cuisine. 

The Atmosphere - A Small Taste of Portuguese Culture

The atmosphere is very relax, with soft Portuguese music playing in the background and wide windows allowing loads of sunlight to come through.  Portuguese tile art can be seen adorning some of their walls, along with personal touches like a painting of a Lisbon cable car.

The Food - Serving Up Authentic Portuguese Dishes

Although O'Fado does not have caldo verde on the menu, I still enjoy my dishes - Grilled fresh fish and their version of the acorda alentejana.  

The grilled fish is great - Simple seasoning with mainly olive oil sprinkled over the fish and is garnished with a salad and the Canary Island's famous wrinkly potato dish.  Fish at its freshest and simplest...Add a dash of fresh lemon juice, I am in heaven.

The acorda alentejana is a soup-like dish cooked with garlic, coriander, olive oil, vinegar, eggs, along with sliced bread.  Americo explains that this is a staple in a Portuguese family meal.  I love garlic, and the strong garlic flavor in this soup is right up my alley.  The taste of olive oil is also very prominent.  Overall, another simple yet flavorful dish.

My friend orders a vegetarian dish and it's just called grilled vegetables.  We assume it would be served in slices on a plate.  Well, when the dish arrives, we collectively let out a "wow". 

The veggies are cooked just right, with a sprinkle of salt over them.  And even though it's a plate with just veggies, the pieces are cut into thick chunks.  My friend has a hard time finishing her dish.  Our other friend has ordered what she calls a "normal dish" - She jokingly says that she now feels left out as her dish does not have the wow factor like ours.

Needless to say, we're pretty full by now.  We ask Americo for the check and he surprises us with a full plate of pastéis de nata (Portuguese custard tarts) along with a whole bottle of Portuguese port wine, on the house!  It's nothing fancy, but it's a very thoughtful gesture for sure.

Highly Recommended

I ask Americo and Helena for a photo because I just love their hospitality and their food so much.  And Americo stops us for a moment, grabs his heart-shaped pillow and says, "'we need to add this" while his signature smile is all over his face.  The next night, as we walk by O'Fado, Helena waves hello and comes out to chat just briefly.  She knows we have already dined at a different place, but she's not concerned about that and just wants to say hello to us.  Just amazingly kind people.

O'Fado on Fuerterventura...Highly recommended.

 

Getting Here

One thing to note is that the address for O'Fado listed on websites such as Trip Advisor is incorrect.  Unfortunately, I do not have their exact address.  It is located in the town of Antigua on Fuerteventura, the second biggest island among The Canary Islands. 

Below is a visual guide based on two properties that are listed correctly on the web - the Barceló Fuerteventura Thalasso Spa Hotel and Fado Rock Steak House.  We will use the Barceló Hotel as the starting point (follow green arrows).

1) From Barceló , turn right at the first cross street that you will see on your right side.

2) Walk along this tree-lined street.  Walk two blocks of this street.

3) At the end of the second block, you will see O'Fado on your left side, right at the corner.

4) For reference, O'Fado is: a) Next to Great Wall, a Chinese restaurant.  b) Across the street from Fado Rock Steak House (Has an outdoor patio).

Thanks for letting me share this food find with you!

What are some of your favorite food finds from your travels?

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FROM THE CANARY ISLANDS SERIES

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Just Sand - National Park of the Dunes of Corralejo

#thecanaryislands #aroundtheworld 

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I am one of those super organized travelers who plans out the entire itinerary in advance, googles all the local attractions (and their historical significance), and has a daily schedule that maximizes the 18 waking hours we have everyday.  So when my friends asked me, at the last minute, if I wanted to join them for a trip to the Canary Islands, I surprised myself by saying "yes".  I said "yes" mostly because I knew it wouldn't be easy to find a travel companion for another trip to this island chain off the cost of Africa.  Plus, it's living the island life for 1.5 weeks...why not?

Islas Canarias, as it is known in Spanish, consists of 7 major islands.  We were on the second largest island called Fuerteventura for a yoga retreat.  The retreat was absolutely wonderful with daily beach yoga, homemade meals, massages and just pure relaxation.  And we met some of the kindest, warmest people who traveled to or moved there from around the globe.  Saving that for another post.  Fuerteventura's landscape is mostly very dry, covered with volcanic materials, except this one part of the island where you will find its famous sand dunes and its endless white sand beaches.   

Parque Natural Dunas de Corralejo (Nature Park of the Dunes of Corralejo)

Preservation  The sand dunes at one point were at risk of being spoiled by hotel developments.  The local government recognized the significance of the dunes to the environment, to the culture, and to the tourism industry, so a national park was established to preserve the area, so that everyone would get to enjoy this natural wonder for generations to come.

A White Sand Desert  We step out of our parked car.  We try to look toward the end of the beach where it would meet the ocean, but we can't see the water at all.  The white sand beach is miles and miles deep.  At one point, I stop and look around - I feel like I am in the middle of a desert where all I can see is white sand in all 4 directions.

Watching a Light Show  There was also a nature light show, too, as the moving clouds continuously shift the sunlight across the sand, making it seems darker at times and brighter in certain spots.

Nature Light Show - You can see a few brighter spots on the sand (toward the middle of the photo) and imagine these light spots keep moving along the white sand as the clouds above shift their positions.

Keep Walking - We each want to take a shot at the "top" of the sand desert, so here's me hiking up that incline. It looked to be a short distance, but it wasn't...I was out of breath by the time I got to the top!

Made It - I had to do that victory jump...that hike was a monster.

Island Essentials -  Flip-flops, beach straw bag, and my Nikon 1 J5.  Just the basics...no fancy stuff required. 

Ocean, Finally - We got half way through sand desert and finally the ocean comes into view...but there's still a long way to go.

Nature's Painting  When the ocean finally emerges, the view is just spectacular.  The water is a true turquoise color, pinned against a blue sky and white sand.  It's perfect harmony of colors that just brings a smile to your face.

Just Us & The Dunes  The sand dunes cover such a large area that you can come across parts of the beach that still seems unspoiled by human traffic.  The sand in this particular spot is so fine and so pure that it feels like walking with a pair of soft fluffy slippers.

Mutual Respect  The most amazing thing is how unspoiled this natural wonder is. At times, we were the only 3 people within a few miles radius.  There is also a mutual respect by the locals and visitors alike to keep this beauty as clean as possible. I don't recall seeing any trash at any part of the sand dune. 

Incredible.

Some Travel Tips

Getting Here  I will use Gran Hotel Atlantis Bahia Real (aka, "The Bahia") as a starting point because you'll find it on the map and it's considered a major landmark among the locals.  From there, head south on Av. Corralejo Grandes Playas toward FV-1 (this is a major highway).  Continue on FV-1 until you start seeing sandy beaches or sand dunes on both sides of the road.

Keep Driving Pass the Crowd  Most people stop at the first sight of the sandy area.  Don't get me wrong - We did just that and the area was lovely, but it was very crowded and the sand seemed a bit dirty from all the traffic.  I recommend that you continue driving down FV-1 to get to the more remote part of the sand dunes.  I'd say it's about 1.5 - 2.0km from the first sand dunes sighting.  Visually, you'll notice less and less cars parked on the side of the highway.  And, yes, your parking spaces are simply each side of the road.  Because we came from the north, we parked on the opposite side and had to across the highway - Please be careful as cars are going at full speed since it is a highway.

Bring On The Sun Protection  Sand reflects about 15% of UV radiation, according to the World Health Organization, in addition to the UV levels you are already exposed to by being in the sun.  And since the sand dunes is an open area with just sand, extra sun protection is essential.  Must-haves for you are sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat, and some moisten wipes.  And don't forget to reapply that sunscreen.

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FROM THE CANARY ISLANDS SERIES

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Eating Our Way Through Seoul

#exploreseoul #foodtour 

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Seoul is an absolute food heaven for those who love to eat, like myself.  It's also hard not to think about food all the time while walking around the city because every corner you turn, there is something to eat!  Many of our food finds are chance encounters while some are recommendations from Korean friends.  Either way, I'd be happy to go for seconds at any of these places we've come across.

MILKY BEE

The long line at Milky Bee never seems to disperse.  And one taste (and look) of their ice cream explains it all!  You can choose from their visually-pleasing rose gelato in a cone or their signature milky ice cream series.  Whatever your final choice is, you won't be disappointed. 

I opted for their top 2 item on the menu called the Honey Combs - milky ice cream with a piece of honey comb + drizzles of honey.  My mom opted for the rose gelato on a cone with yogart + strawberry flavors.  The ice cream is ultra smooth and has a delicious whole milk flavor.  It reminds me of the Japanese milk-flavored chewy candies I had as a child in Hong Kong.  The gelato is equally tasty.

The rose gelato is gorgeously done and my mom keeps saying it's too pretty to eat!  3 to 4 people behind the counter feverishly work on each rose petal creation.  I watch them for a while and truly appreciate their patience and dedication to making every cone the most perfect one.  Every time I see such passion in food-creation, it makes me enjoy it that much more.  

My second try of another Milky Bee signature - The Milky Bee Original.  This time it's just the milky ice cream without any toppings - I want to taste the pure flavor of their milky creation.  I am in ice cream heaven.

Pricing 

Milky Ice Cream Series:  Small 3500 - 4800 Won / USD $2.99 - $4.10.  Large 6300 - 7600 Won / USD $5.38 - $6.49 (Photos showed small)

Rose Gelato:  2 flavors 5500 Won / USD $4.70;  3 flavors 6000 Won / USD $5.12 (Photo showed 2 flavors)

Getting There 

Milky Bee is located in the Myeongdong neighborhood, also known as the beauty district where every street is filled with retail stores of all the popular Korean beauty brands. 

The exact address is "11 Myeongdong 8 ga-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul", with "8 ga-gil" being the street name.  Be careful not to confuse this with a perpendicular street called "8-gil".  The actual cross street is "10-gil".  If your app has trouble locating it, try searching for Creto Hotel Myeongdong or The Grand Hotel Myeongdong first.  Milky Bee is on the same street, about a 5-7 minutes walk from these hotels, in the direction toward the hustle and bustle of the beauty district.

Using Seoul Subway System - Easy & Straightforward

You can also take the subway.  Exit at the Myeongdong station on Line 4 (lighter blue).  Seoul subway system is very easy to use, from using ticket machines to locating stations on maps.  Multiple languages, including English, are available.  If you buy single-use ticket, you have the option to obtain a 500 Won refund after exiting your destination station.  There is a refund machine where you can insert the used ticket.  Location of this machine varies by station, so you will have to spend a few minutes looking for it.  It's not a big amount, but money is money!

The official tourism site has an extremely helpful and detailed page showing you everything you need to know about using the subway.  Go here for info on maps, basic fare, ticket machine, gate, refund, etc.. 

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MYEONGDONG KYOJA

The Myeongdong Kyoja came highly recommended by a friend's spouse, who's Korean.  Their signature item is their "kyoja", aka dumplings.  The restaurant began in 1964 and officially became Meyongdong Kyoja in 1978 in order to distinguish themselves from the copycats.

We actually passed by this place on the first day without noticing it - That's how unassuming it is.  And their menu is simple with only 4 choices - Kalguksu (A traditional Korean chopped noodle that comes with dumplings), Kongguksu (Another traditional Korean noodle dish served in cold soy milk broth), their signature dumplings steamed without broth or noodles, and a spicy noodle dish.    

We really want to order all 4 dishes, but knowing that there's no way we could finish that much food, we went for the Kalguksu (chopped noodles).  

Both me and my mom let out a "wow" after our first bite.  The noodles are chewy.  The broth seems thicker than what I am used to, but it is tasty.  And the dumplings may be on the skinny side, but they are super yummy and the skin is made so thin that it must require some skills to make the dumplings without breaking the skin.  All the flavors are just right.  We vow to come back for a second visit.  

Getting Here

Myeongdong Kyoja has two locations.  The one we visited is located at "29 Myeongdong 10-gil, Jung-su, Seoul".  The cross street is "8-gil".  The other location is just up the same street.  The entrance may appear to be a tourist trap kind of place at first glance, but look here for some photos of the entrance to help you locate the restaurant.  If using the subway, exit at Myeongdong station on Line 4 (lighter blue).

Know the Drills

One thing that maybe surprising is that the waiting staff will ask you to pay immediately after they have taken your order.  Each dish is 8000 Won / USD $6.83.  Also, try to go before or after the usual lunch and dinner rush hours.  We did that and waited for a few minutes for a table.  Otherwise, the wait can be 45 minutes. 

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BEANS BINS

I was poking around as my mom was shopping in a Myeongdong store.  I somehow walked into what I thought was an alleyway, but it turned out to be an entrance to a small hotel.  Then I looked up and saw this hidden gem. 

The coffee was just ok, but I didn't come here for that.  I came for these lovely and giant shaved ice dessert.  Just look at those giant mochi's with sweet red bean filling.  To die for.  The Korean dessert trend is becoming pretty popular in selected parts of the U.S. such as Southern California.  Boston is still trying to catch up with one store opened, so needless-to-say, I am in food heaven here, yet again.

Another place I'd recommend is Caffebene.  It's a popular chain in Seoul that serves similar giant shaved ice desserts.  There's one in Myeongdong as well.

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SEOUL'S STREET FOOD CULTURE

Another Korean friend told me that my visit to Seoul wouldn't be complete if I didn't try the street foods...and so we did.  If only I could eat more, but here are a few that we tried and they were soooo good!

The Sweet Red Bean Bread  Homemade pastry with sweet red bean paste filling.  It was so toasty and every bite is filled with the sweet taste of red beans. The cute fish design just brings a smile to our face.  Also, the wife of this lovely husband and wife team always keeps a smile on her face and we all know how a smile can be so contagious!  I love the Japanese version of this tasty treat, but the Korean version is just as good.  There are similar stalls around Seoul.  This particular one is located on our way to Namsangol Hanok Village.  Price: 1000 Won / USD $0.85.

Grilled Squid  It's almost grill-to-order as the inventory at this stall disappears quickly with the beauty shopping crowd in Myeongdong.  The chef coats each squid skewer with a secret sauce as it is being cooked on the grill.  The combination of the grilling action and this secret sauce sets off this aromatic fragrance in the air and that's what drew us to this stall in the first place.  Price: 1000 Won / USD $0.85.

The Egg Bread  I couldn't resist this stall with their stacks of eggs as I love eating eggs.  I assumed it's some sort of seasoned boiled eggs, but as I pick up my piece, I realize it's a close-to-over-and-easy egg on top of a piece of bread.  And as I bite into it, Oh My God, it's a combination of the saltiness of the egg and the sweetness of the bread.  I tried to get a second one, but one is already so filling and I have to save space for other good stuff.  Location: Myeongdong, across from the large Nature Republic store (The one with green vines on the outside wall).  Price: 2000 Won / USD $1.71.

The Waffle Ice Cream Sandwich  Not exactly a cultural food, but both me and my mom have a sweet tooth, so naturally we are drawn to this stall.  So was the little boy standing behind my mom (in the photo) who, after seeing my mom holding two of these delicious monsters, talked his mom into buying him one.  The stall-owner is super nice - There are already-made waffles, but my mom asks him for the fresh ones he's making and he kindly offers them to us.  A mix of sweet waffles and ice cream, who doesn't love that?!  Location:  Myeongdong, near TeenieWeenie.  Price:  3000 Won / USD $2.56. 

The Juice Stand  Finally, some refreshing and freshly-squeezed juice.  I'm usually not a huge fan of grapefruit, but for some reason, the grapefruit juice from this stand is so sweet (no sweetener added) and I totally love it!  I also love how this comes in foldable plastic bags that can be carried easily even if there's no trash can in sight.  I devour the first bag and order a second one.  The stall-owner chuckled at the sight of me sucking up the juice in 20-seconds time.  Location:  Myeongdong, near Banila Co.  Price:  I can't recall, but probably between 1000 & 3000 Won /  USD $0.85 -2.56.  

Going Back for Seconds

There are so many other street food stalls and local food choices.  What we tried was just a fraction of them.  I was telling my friend that I spent most of our time shopping for K-beauty on this trip...and we'd have to go back just for a food tour.  I hope you've enjoyed this intro to Seoul food culture and maybe I'll bump into you on my next journey there!

 

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