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Recently had a short weekend break in Beijing.  A bit rushed, with far too much to see in a weekend but saw a lot of Beijing all the same.

 
Made a trip to The Great Wall (Mùtiányù section 慕田峪), Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Tiananmen Square, ate a baby goose, drank some great tea, etc

Photos from Beijing can be found in the Gallery here
and in the Moblog here

I recently took a few days off work and went to relax on Bintan Island, Indonesia.

It was a very enjoyable break, just laying under a tree sleeping, a bit of sailing, snorkelling, jetskiing and some good eating too!

You can find the photos here: Bintan Photos
And moblog shots here: Indonesia Moblog

Comments Welcome

Just returned from a little more than two weeks in Shanghai, China
Was an interesting trip, plenty of sights and smells to take in.

You can find the photos here: Shanghai Photos
And moblog shots here: China Moblog

Appreciate any comments

I’m back from my stint in Tokyo.

Summary:

• Over 150 pairs of disposable chopsticks used (apparently from Chinese forests)
• Approx 120 bowls of rice consumed, but only 3 potatoes (this ratio would normally be inversed)
• One very sore head http://www.doherty.net.au/wpress/?p=375
• 2 Earthquakes
• Completed disaster training at the Bosai Kan (firefighting, escape from smoke filled building & earthquake simulator)
• Managed to down raw chicken sashimi
• Got lost on numerous occasions
• Caught the metro during peak hour (very, very squishy)

Photos from Japan can be found in the Gallery here
There are various sections: Niseko, Kyoto, Tokyo, Kamakura, Karuizawa, Hakone
(Note: Click into each album to view the entire album)

On a crisp autumn Tokyo morning in November, I arose early and made my way to visit the world’s largest fish market, Tsukiji.

The statistics of Tsukiji market are astonishing. With 900 seafood wholesalers under one huge roof, 2000 tons of raw fish moves through Tsukiji each day.

Walking through the small alleys between the stalls pilled with tuna, squid, crabs & sea monsters, I often questioned if I was taking my life in my hands, trying to dodge the speeding forklifts as they zipped passed covered in fish guts and carrying a load of thousands of dollars of fresh tuna.

To see the icemen drag 2 metre blocks of solid ice, and then to cut it with a saw that would have been at home in a timber mill, was a real sight.  As was sitting amongst buckets full of writhing eels. 

Crossing from one alley to another the glistening floor would alter in slipperiness and test my ability to stay on my feet.  One minute I would be sliding through 2cm of blood, the next minute ice, squid ink, brittle frozen fish, smashed styrofoam and huge red sucking octopus tentacles. 

Often I saw massive tuna; frozen so solid they became brittle; being cut into segments with industrial bandsaws. Other times the frozen fish being chiseled aggressively, shards of frozen fish flying through the air as the workers chipped off sections of fish.

I finished my morning adventure at Tsukiji with sushi breakfast at one of the stalls just outside the market.  Probably the freshest sushi I’ll ever eat.

You can see some photos from my visit to Tsukiji here

Oh Yeah. I love this vineyard.

Warraroong Estate has to be my absolute favorite winery in Australia’s Hunter Valley, come to think of it, probably favorite period. (I’ll save why for another post on their Sav Blanc)
I’ve just polished off the better part of two-thirds of a bottle of the 2005 Warraroong Estate Malbec along with a Lane Cove Gourmet Pizza, Tijuana (Chilli Beef, Pepperoni, Roasted Capsicium /w guacamole & sour cream)

Now, I like to think I’m not a wine-wanker. I know some of those types and their drivel makes me want to spike their next glass with radiator coolant.
I didn’t read the back of the label before I opened this bottle, but to my surprise, after the first slice of pizza and a swill from my glass, I thought I ought to read the label. To my surprise I read “Malbec is a quick developing wine and a great accompaniment to spicy foods”

BINGO! Tijuana & Warraroong Estate 2005 Malbec, now a match made in heaven.

Why?

Nose: Plum, Charcoal
Palate: Berries, Not too tannic (I hate that feeling as though you bit a green stick from a tree)
Eyes: Ruby Red, as you would want a rock on your finger to look. Deep & luscious.
And with the spicy Tijuana, I had a party on my tongue.

This is one to enjoy, from an unpretentious vineyard in the beautiful Hunter Valley.
My salvation is in the knowledge that there is one last bottle in the cellar awaiting opening.
(Before I drive back up to Warraroong to re-stock)