Madventure 360 - EVP +0.5, Auto | Edit on Snapseed 2.0, Meta360

First off day of the week, we are going to visit +Kenneth Loke's uncle who was just recently transferred from General Hospital to a private ward in Gleneagles Medini.

It has been scorching hot for the passed few days in JHB. You can't quite leave the comfort of your AC dwelling without a good sunscreen, sunnies & load of cold drinks in hand.

Madventure 360 - EVP+0.5, Auto | Edit on Insta360 Air

Getting to the entrance of this hospital is pretty confusing. Once you're in this area, your GPS or mobile data will be weaken. Blocking of roads on random basis around here are not helping either. Deeming us that round-about driving necessary just to find the correct entrance.

Do be careful when you're driving in this part of the State. Many drivers here took for granted of its low volume of road users in this newly developed town to drive without much care or awareness;  driving in opposite direction of the road, high speed at traffic lights since most of the lights are not working properly.

180318 Gleneagles Medini #Madventute360 - Spherical Image - RICOH THETA

Next stop, lunch! I was thinking of having a quick, light lunch in the hospital - o'Brien Sandwich. It's Sunday, every shops and administration are closed. Just like their clinics!

Decided to check out Puteri Harbour, since we haven't been back there for almost 2 years. It was pretty empty then.

180318 Puteri Harbour (Parking) #Madventure360 - Spherical Image - RICOH THETA

The car park here is definitely better now. Since the trees have grown quite a bit, cars parked are well-shaded.

180318 Puteri Harbour #Madventure360 - Spherical Image - RICOH THETA

Quite a bit of visitors today. There are definitely more shops and eateries here compared to the last time I was here. It was drizzling by the time we've parked our car and walked here.

This is the 3rd time I'm here, on these 3 visits, the weather was sunny-drizzling-passing shower! Three strikes!

A brief walk to check out all the outlets here, we've decided to have our lunch at New Zealand Unlimited. It was a mistake. The wait was super long! Taste-wise, OK. Price wise, tourist rates.

Not impressed by its Sunday Roast

+Kenneth Loke took the Sunday Roast whilst I went mostly for the snacks & soup. We usually have Sunday Roast at home. Haven't done that for a while since I'm steering towards pescatarian. Also, +Kenneth Loke hardly has his off days since he started his new job in Singapore.

This place is better suited for drink'n'chill session with an optional bites. If you want to have a serious dining session, Sunday noon might not be such a great idea. Under-staffed in the kitchen(?). You'll need to wait super long for your main to be served.

180318 Lunch at New Zealand Unlimited #Madventure360 - Spherical Image - RICOH THETA

180318 A long wait for our lunch at New Zealand Unlimited - Spherical Image - RICOH THETA

We had so much time in hand whilst waiting for any food to be served, I've taken quite an unusual amount of photos here. You know I'm pretty bored when I have more photos taken.

I'm just going to post a few here, though. So, below are our orders for the day. Took almost 2 hours for the wait & eating.

Liquid Diet?

Crab Claw RM8.90

Spicy Mussels

Seafood Chowder

Sunday Roast

The sauce for his Sunday Roast is well-made. If you don't mind the wait - unsure if serving is faster at other time - the taste of their food are actually decent for local standard.

The moment +Kenneth Loke is done with his main, I immediately request for our bill. Billing is pretty swift. Phew. The floor crews are ample, guess the kitchen is the only department lacks in manpower.

Going to check out the Hello Kitty retail shop above this restaurant now! Bought a rear view mirror for our car! SWEET!

SWEET!

Next stop, our favourite grocer back in K.L, which recently has a branch in Johor!

180318 Jaya Grocer - I want that, but I shouldn't 🤑 - Spherical Image - RICOH THETA

I want, but I shouldn't. Will save it when I'm in Japan for it. It's not that far from where we are now, too. So, no excuse not to visit there more!

When we arrived at Citrine Iskandar, we almost immediately started checking the rental availability next to this building! I like how I can just walk down from my abode, I'll get to my favourite grocer, 7-Eleven, Mr DIY, Old Town Coffee café, pharmacy.... I'm sorted!

Only downside, the mobile data and reception is almost NIL here! Sigh.

180318 Jaya Grocer - Spice and everything nice 👩‍🌾 - Spherical Image - RICOH THETA

Almost time to go home for our furkids' duty - dinner time. We've decided to make brownies for dinner. Teehee.

Medini, Puteri Harbour, Jaya Grocer

• , •
• 360° Photo Video Blog Going Places Madventure 360 Malaysia Pic 恋人 •
• No Comments •
• by Lawless Star
  Lawless Star

— Continue Reading —

GPS 35.66, 139.699

First stop once we came out from Shibuya train station is to head towards my favourite store - The Loft. On the way there, we've checked out smaller shops within these buildings for interesting items.

Inside Shibuya's Loft

My face seemed distorted in the photos. Teehee. Guess I've found my non-complementary side of me face; if I can remember it thereafter is another story.

Add caption

Bought quite a few items at The Loft before we checked Muji nearby.

無印良品 原宿

[Muji in Shibuya GPS 35.662, 139.7] Spent some time at this branch of Muji to look for some of the things in my shopping list.

I was still hunting for the new Anello design. Managed to find it at the lady's Shibuya 109. Buying Anello in Japan is cheaper by 30 - 35% than Zalora. This shop I've bought from was selling a little lower than the retail pricing, too. Compared to those found in chain departmental stores.

Also stopped by Bic Camera to check out my cordless vacuum cleaner choices and latest hair dryer on sales.

We stopped shopping when almost all the shops closed! That's like almost 22:00H before we gave up shopping and hunt for dinner instead.

Tokyo Tonteki

Best place to satiate your pork craving! Portion, taste and price = PERFECT! I like to read food boards outside the building to find my next eat. Found this eatery slightly out from the touristy area and hidden well on the second floor. Finding the entrance and to the restaurant itself is also a little tricky; up the winding and rather dark stairs. It's not dingy. It's softly lighted from the lobby of this building with several other outlets diverted from here. The stairs is a modern design and rather wide type. Just too lowly lit for the clumsy me.

Took some photos from the outside so you'll be able to find it when you're around this area. It's upstairs from the yellow signboard, entrance from the side to go in.

GPS 35.661, 139.699

Tonteki is on the left of these road signs in pic

Waiting & watching other chefs at work

There's nothing disorderly about the workflow here. Bar seats are available around the open kitchen. There are only a few tables available here. We've chosen the bar seats, of course.

We need to wait for an extra 15 - 20 minutes for our order. We've ordered the 500gm set, which can feed the hungry me and my giant hubby. Who was also pretty famished from walking a lot since late morning.

Tokudai Tontenki Teishoku 2,200 Yen

It is really HUGE! Good! We need to walk a lot of stairs and pathway from here to home after dinner!

Station is under some work

Even though the station is almost right next to it, because of the reconstruction, we were diverted to walk quite a big round and many flight of stairs to reach the station. Great! Get to burn off that giant meal we've just had.

Shibuya Shopping & Great Dinner at Tonteki Tokyo

• , •
• Going Places Japan Pic Shibuya Tokyo 恋人 •
• No Comments •
• by Lawless Star
  Lawless Star

— Continue Reading —

GPS: 35.714, 139.79
You know you're in Kappabashi when you see the kappa!

We were late to this area yesterday for knives shopping. Or generally, kitchenware/tools shopping.

Today, we've made Asakusa (train station) our first stop of the day and took a sightseeing walk towards our chosen shops ユニオン・コマース [Union Commerce] and Tsubaya World [LINK] ╰(▔∀▔)╯These two shops are opposite each other.

Let the stroll begins ＼(≧▽≦)／

GPS: 35.713, 139.792

As usual, we took all the quiet alleys to see what's hidden. There's a number of fugu [河豚 \ Japanese Pufferfish] specialist here! It's not ready for operation yet. Dinner only?

I think I'm in the way of the AC man's work (─‿‿─)

GPS: 35.714, 139.791

I think we both (o-_-o) need more coffee.

There's an artisan farmer shop and hats boutique here! Interesting, enough.

Hats Boutique!

Looking at this patch and ( =ω=)..nyaa thinking of my  furkids back home!

Oh, I miss my furkids! I'm surrounded by so many things I know they will love to eat/play with!

GPS: 35.714, 139.79

We're nearing our chosen knives shops. What a nice little (break) surprise when this tiny bakery truck pulls up. Almost immediately, the surrounding shopkeepers came out to buy some bread! Lucky! We had some, too, as we continue our walks toward the knife shops.

GPS: 35.714, 139.79

The first Union Commerce we stopped by before the main branch (same row, a few shops away) doesn't carries the type we were looking for.

The shop assistant followed us to the main outlet;

GPS: 35.715, 139.789

It definitely looks a whole lot more stocked. Overwhelming and the shopkeepers here look a whole lot more serious! I've decided to stepped out and wait for my hubby to scout through first.

After checking the type and pricing from both shops [opposite each other] and discussed with me, he has decided to get one from Tsubaya World instead.

After we're done with the knives shopping, we started walking back to the train station. This time using the main road.

Just after the Union Commerce shop, towards the train station, there are a lot of kitchenware shops!

料理道具・調理器具の専門店 飯田

K: Golden chopsticks for my wife!

+Kenneth Loke was pretty enthusiastic to shows me what he found in the shop while I was waiting outdoor. He thought the golden chopsticks suit me to bits |ʘ‿ʘ)╯

Kiyomizu Kannon-do Temple

Right opposite these kitchenware shops is another temple! Interesting street lamps(?). We've bought 2 good and cheap ramekins the size I've been looking for.

Time to go to Ginza to get my suitcase! When we arrived, we walked in one of those in-between alleys again to see what interesting shops are around. Came across a row of eateries and unlike my hubby, I do pause to read food boards quite often. Especially in Japan. Where most shops are hidden within a building that can be far more interesting than those visible ones.

麹蔵 銀座店 [LINK]

Lucky! I have planned to eat katsuo for this trip. The only place (country) you can have it fresh! Out of this country, you can only get bonito flakes. Teehee. How lucky it is for me to paused and read the food board! For such good price, too!

I've initially planned to eat at a Kochi cuisine outlet in Tokyo. Which was a little out of way and rather expensive. Thank goodness I've found one in Ginza which is serving Okinawa's cuisine. And.... they have katsuo set lunch for such great price!

I went in (downstairs) straight and asked if they are still serving the lunch set menu. It's almost 17:00H after all. YES!

Bar Seats

Hubby's chosen set

After a satisfying meal, time for some intense shopping at the Tokyu Hands nearby - Marronnier Gate - followed by a small (artisan) grocery store visits, late night dinner at MOS Café, a little stroll at the happening train station then it's time for home.

Kappabashi Hondori & Ginza

• , •
• Chef Food Going Places Japan Shopping Tokyo 恋人 •
• No Comments •
• by Lawless Star
  Lawless Star

— Continue Reading —

This is the area where you can visit the most touristy temple, do some Japanese culture activities (if you're not visiting Kyoto), hunt for local made kitchenware + knives, visit the neo-classic street filled with interesting grocers + restaurants/cafe.

It took us 1.5 days to cover the above.

We were out for weekend farmer's market before arriving Asakusa on Day 1. It was already late afternoon when we arrived (￣～￣;)!!

Asakusa Station

You know you've arrived at the most touristy temple when you see this at the train station!

Despite being this late, there is still quite a bit of crowd at the temple's entrance! ＼(º □ º l|l)/

Decided to take a walk C= C= C= C= C=┌(;・ω・)┘ at the alley shops before heading over to the temple shopping street [Nakamise]

Jidaiya, this is the company with a group of macho+sexy male rickshaw pullers

GPS: 35.71, 139.797

浅草念珠堂

浅草念珠堂 - [LINK] Bought a cute porcelain neko incense burner here! There's also a few café along this row of shops. There's a shop to rent traditional Japanese summer attires (male/female). They will dress and doll you up for a fee. It's slightly cheaper here than those nearer to the temple.

GPS: 35.71, 139.797

Now for the main attraction of this area - Asakusa Kaminarimon. Took some photos at the entrance before the shopping street. I was photobombed by an uncle (｡╯3╰｡) See if you can spot him below;

Uncle Photobomb is busy executing his pranks, walking back and forth where many WILL take photos here.

Now, at the other side of the gate, right before we enter the ☆ﾐ(o*･ω･)ﾉ shopping street.

The back of the entrance gate. Facing the shopping street.

There's less people here for your photo-taking session φ(︶▽︶)φ ... whilst the Uncle Photobomb is still busy with his rounds at the (o¬‿¬o ) other side.

Time to brave the street! Try not to get any souvenir here. You should get it from shops found along the nearby streets like the one I've been before coming here. Or at the streets near where I'll be checking out the organic local producers soon. The prices here are a little high, packed with tourists and the vendors can be quite unfriendly.

Gate entrance to the temple from shopping street

Hey, it's surprisingly NOT crowded!

I've spoken too soon about it not being that crowded. The area between the entrance gate and the temple itself is pretty crowded. I know, I know, it wasn't as crowded as I've expected. After all, we still have an hour before the temple closes for the day ヽ(>_<ヽ) ―rushing

Purify yourself before entering (the temple)

Main (temple) hall

Ceiling Art

After we're done at the main (temple) hall, we proceed to our left (facing the main hall's deities), walking through a few smaller shrines, zen garden, etc and out from the shrine compound.

Famished now. We found a sheltered shop arcade which housed a few small eateries, a game shop, souvenir shop and costume renting outlet [LINK]. We've decided to have tempura accompanying our cold soba noodle. A quick one before we head towards the area where a Donki is nearby.

The sweet grandma from the soba shop insisted to take a photo for us here!

The walks toward Donki is lined with many, many more interesting shops and eateries. We finally spent some time at Marugoto Nippon for some AC. Bought a few local artisan farmers' produces & snacks. Even made a friend here ＼(＾∀＾)メ(＾∀＾)ノ Food-related chat and contacts exchanged ٩(๑･ิᴗ･ิ)۶٩(･ิᴗ･ิ๑)۶

Like-minded friendship is made!

A few steps away is Donki. Time to search for things in my shopping list (〜￣▽￣)〜 woot!

I'm here FIRST!

Wait up!

K: Can we have a quick fika, here?

Asakusa Engei Hall

We paused for a while, right outside Donki, facing the engei hall for a quick coffee. Check out the massive queue for tonight's session!

浅草ＲＯＸまつり湯 GPS: 35.713, 139.794

Couldn't find what I was searching for at Donki. Heading to nearby Daiso. There are more shops and eateries here. Which opens till a tad later.

鳥のいるカフェ 浅草店

There's even an Owl & Parrot café in this area.

GPS: 35.712, 139.793

I didn't drop by as we will be heading ε=ε=ε=ε=┌(;￣▽￣)┘ to Chiyoda-ku's Tokyu Hands for a quick price/stock check.

Asakusa, Temple and Local Farmers' Produces

• , •
• Food Going Places Japan Shopping Tokyo 恋人 •
• No Comments •
• by Lawless Star
  Lawless Star

— Continue Reading —