Stark with moat and a red bridge. This is the Matsumoto-jo, also known as the crow castle. Coincidently, tons of big (fat) crows can be spotted in the vicinity. The dark colour comes from a combination of wood and stone. Matsumoto castle is an original keep from 1500s! It is only damaged by earthquake and neglect (was tilting like Pisa), but it is all good now. It is listed as a national treasure of Japan.…
Prepare to queue up at this legendary restaurant – Din Tai Fung 鼎泰豐 , Xinyi store. Warm Taiwanese hospitality and DELICIOUS xiaolongbao :9 No need to break the piggy bank for this place. They are tasty and super reasonable with their prices (NT$200 for 10 xiaolong bao!!!). There are multiple branches even in Taipei, make sure you’re going to the right one. It is Xinyi that you need to get to.
Hakodate’s morning market 函館朝市. On the breakfast menu: fresh hanasaki crab 花咲かに (summer only), hairy crab and long leg monster crab. The guy who helped me opening the hanasaki crab has mad skills. He cut the spikey shell into easily edible bites within 2min. **Don’t try this at home without a heavy duty glove. Those spikes can really hurt.
Need I say more? Beer tasting, beer history, how to make beer. It is all here in one place. Bonus: free entry! Besides the well thought out exhibitions and cosy environment, it is worth mentioning that they have a lovely selection of exotic ice cream. Surprise find was their salt & black pepper flavour ice cream!! Must do for any self respecting foodie. Such an intriguing flavour.
I am a big HK food fan! Curry fish ball, waffle, shui mai, grilled squid, stir fry noodle with sweet sauce, wonton noodle, beef noodle, almond tea… my list rages on :9 yum yum yum. This is a total food porn show down post.
Sheer inspiration. Palais Ideal is the embodiment of perseverance. Postman, Ferdinand Cheval, born of humble beginnings with no art education built this in the course of 33 years using only his spare time. Madness has a name too it seems. The late Ferdinand Cheval (1836 to 1924) was just a normal guy and was one day inspired because he tripped over a rock. He kept the rock and found more…