Melbourne on Air Asia X

Walking to Air Asia X

Ok, I've been to quick to judge about the airline. I have been told that the journey is horrendous but I was kinda wrong. Actually, it wasn't too bad at all! Maybe because I get to have all 3 seats by myself although the carrier is somewhat 90% full? Haha...

I think I was really lucky because there I was, being assigned to a window seat and I have been wondering who will come and sit beside me. Finally when all is set and ready to take off, no one came and yay, I have all seats for me, myself and I. Then, an old man came and asked me if he could take the aisle seat and I allowed. He told me that he was sitted beside a fat couple and it would be nice to let the couple have all the seats for themselves!

The tight seats

Oh well, having two seats for myself ain't bad. After all, I only have one bum and it's just that I don't like to be cramped. See, there are still some legroom even for a tall person (170cm) like me. The downside is that the seats are rather tight and thus some overweight passengers might find this difficult.

See, still got room!

There are LCDs for each seat and to use the entertainment unit, you have to pay RM30 and it's for all the way, and not per movie as I was told. The latest movies are like Up and Harry Potter and the Half Blooded Prince. There are also music and TV series.

There is a USB port too!

There will be 2 services. The first one being 2 hours after taking off where you can claim your prebooked meal or you can buy it on the spot. There's a choice of Nasi Lemak (Malaysian Meal), BBQ chicken (International Meal), vegetarian meal and spaghetti for kids meal. The second service is at 2 hours before landing. My flight to Melbourne departs from LCCT KL at 1.20pm and arriving at Melbourne at 12.20am (Melb Local Time). The flight journey is 7 hours and 30 minutes.

My miserable Nasi Lemak & water (RM10)

You have to prebook online to get the meal at RM10 which is a 20% discount off the price on board. One more good point to prebook is that you are ensured of your meal in case they ran out of food!

After claiming my luggage, my friends came and pick me up from the airport to their house which is about 30mins drive. On the way, we picked up some good Melbourne KFC! The KFC here did tasted better and the fries here are the thick ones like those you get from fish and chips. Yummy!

Melbourne here I come...

In 2 hours time, I will be on the way to the airport. Unfortunately, money god has not been kind and I had to take the "Now Everyone Can Be Delayed Fly" airline and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they wouldn't decide to cancel my flight last minute or else I promise you I'll... do anything!

It's really kinda scary to be travelling alone sometimes because you wouldn't know whom will be sitted beside you. Hopefully it's not some monstrous fella with bad body odour! This trip was really in a bit of rush for me as I realised that there's so much work that is waiting to be completed and there I have to go on a holiday and trying not to worry. I bet Wei Mei is also very frustrated now since I passed down quite a number of tasks to her.

I also have not planned my Sydney Itinerary. That's what I feared most - going to a place without much research - totally not me at all! Sigh.... I hope I can take my friend's advice and try to be more spontaneous in my travels. After all, I am supposed to enjoy myself and not to stressed myself up. My flight will arrive at Melbourne in the midnight, another bummer... Guess I'll just try not to sleep in the plane as I will be sleeping after I have reached Melbourne anyway.

To get myself prepared for the ultra tight seat with little legroom and no in flight entertainment, I will bring along a book and my Rubik cube (my newfound addiction and still failed to solve). Sigh.... (am really not looking forward to go on a holiday with Airasia X) Lol...

The Library at e@Curve

The Library

The next time someone tells you about going to The Library, it's not exactly the "library" you have in your dictionary. It's actually not-a-avery-new-place in e@Curve (former Cineleisure at Damansara) to drink and chill out. According to them, they have the largest collection of single malt whisky here (which is quite true). There are the usual commercial ones like Glenfiddich, Macallan, Highland Park and Glenmorangie and they also have the Ardmore, Glenrothes, Laphroaig and Auchentoshan. For each label, they do carry a number of different years from 10 years to some 30 years. Prices could be steep at minimum of RM480++ for a bottle of 10/12 yo whisky.

Buy 1 Pint Free 1 Pint

But the best deals are of course the happy hours from 12noon to 6pm where the Hoegaarden & Stella Artois is on promotion. At RM38/pint, you get 1 free for every pint you order. The downside is that, the beer gets warm very fast because you can have them serve you one pint at a time. The best is to share with friends. Ooh, just look at the pure golden liquid in that glass!

Beef Burger with Fries

Petit Sausages

They do serve food but the selection is not much. Hue Gee ordered the beef burger (around RM23 I think) and she complained that the beef patty was a bit tough. The portion was very big though. It's like one of those burgers that you have to eat the bun by itself, followed by the patty and not all in one mouthful. The petit sausages is alright at RM18 a plate.

Hue Gee & Me

We were there kinda early and it's all Calvin's fault! We waited so long for him and lucky, he's gentleman enough to pay for the bill. Must be the guilt! haha....

Calvin & Me (kissing the horsey)

Click on the pic for the promotions....

Will be flying to Melbourne tomorrow and yet have not finished packing my stuffs. I also have not planned my itinerary for Sydney! Guess, I'll have to do some spontaneous travelling this time around.

Grand Palace @ Pavilion KL

Grand Palace

This is another franchise from the Palace Group that owns the Jaya Palace, Damansara Palace and Imbi Palace. This outlet in Pavilion KL, located on the 6th floor is the new addition to the Palace group of chinese restaurants. It was only opened a few weeks ago and it serves very fresh seafood too (literally from the fish tank). haha....

A dinner was called on Sunday after one of our friends had an unfortunate experience with Air Asia which led to dinner on Friday being cancelled. Boy, I could feel her curses all the way to KL! Don't you think Air Asia has a high frequency of delaying and cancelling its flights?!!

Starters: Cheese & Foie Gras Block with Black Truffle

Look at the Black Truffle in the middle. It's like a gem! One of our close friends cum wine merchant was so nice to bring this back all the way during his visit to Cannes recently. The foie gras pate was just so tasty with the addition of a little black truffle. There were too much to finish so we saved the cheese for another day.

Beluga Caviar & Fresh Oysters

This is my second time having the Beluga Caviar. First time was here. The Beluga Caviar is the ultimate caviar in terms of price and taste. It is the roe of the Beluga Sturgeon Huso Huso which is currently considered to be endangered. It's the most expensive type of caviar, with present market prices ranging from $7,000 to $10,000 per 1 kg. But I must say that the caviar is an acquired taste. Not many would like it, but everyone wants to have a taste of it. In my opinion, it must be one of those food (like foie gras) that one has to try in a lifetime if there's a opportunity.

Krug Rose

Like I've mentioned before, the kings of champagne, the Krug, is afterall a perfect complement to the caviar! It's like a couple match-made in heaven. Since we have tried the Krug Grande Cuvee the other time, this time we had the Krug Rose (a Pink Champagne). Mostly pink champagne is the rave for ladies because of it's delicate pink hue and taste.

This is a sensual, extravagant champagne and yet provocative. It is crisp, seductively silky smooth and has very delicate fine bubblies that excites your palate and then a tingling sensation down your throat. You'll be surprised that you'll lick every corner of your lips while savouring this exotic champagne. Hmmm.... a hard to resist temptation.

The mitten crab (Hairy Crab) @ RM98 each.

Learn how to dissect the Mitten Crab here. I have previously recorded how the waitress did my crab for me... I'm spoilt, I can't do it myself. There's a saying that goes "September Female Crab, October Male Crab" which means during the nineth month on the Chinese Lunar Calendar, one should eat the Female crab and then the Male crab in October. But the thing is that, all these female mitten crabs is expensive during September, and so we had the male one here instead! And when the rest of China had the male crab, we will go for the female crab!

A lot of foreigners were mistaken by Shanghainese claims saying "Hairy crab is Shanghai's delicacy". Actually, fresh water hairy crab belongs to Suzhou. There are two kinds of fresh water hairy crabs, one is Taihu Lake hairy crab, and the other Yangchen Lake hairy crab. I read that the hairy crab from Yangchen Lake is the best. The lotus Island in Yangchen lake town, Xiangchen District is the best of the best. A traditional way of cooking is to steam the hairy crab and then have it dipped with minced ginger and spring onion sauce. Old people consider crab as cooling so don't drink tea, cold water or eat persimmons after taking crabs, or you will get stomachache.

The Highlights

The Awesome Wines....

1. Le Secret des Sabon 2007 from Châteauneuf du Pape.
2. Jaboulet Hermitage La Chapelle 2003 (95 points by Robert Parker) The Jaboulet Hermitage La Chapelle is considered to be one of the best wines in the world. It is made solely from the Syrah grape variety, the vines have an average age of 40 years.
3. Chateau Margaux 2002
4. Chateau Mouton Rothschild 1996 (one of the best years for Mouton)

All these wines are at least rated at 90 points and above. It was really one of those rare occasions that I get to try a wine from Northern Rhone and it has to be a Hermitage!

Nor forgetting the Abalone and Sharks belly braised in special sauce. Not exactly something I really fancy, but it's nice nonetheless.

Then we had the sharks bone soup, roasted piglet with gultinous rice (thumbs up), grilled cod fish and "suit kap" with logan for dessert.

Of course when there's good food, good wines and good company, a good cuban cigar should be lighted! And yes, I had the MonteCristo No. 4. This one has a medium gauge and it has a taste of cocoa, vanilla and some coffee. However, I think the draw is not really that great. I still like the Edmundos anytime!

The Mafia look

Tesseron Lot 29

As a night cap before ending the dinner, we had the Tesseron Lot 29 which I had blogged about it here. It is indeed a very nice and soothing cognac. So good even to drink it on its own! haha...

After that, we adjourned to Pulse @ Grand Millenium for a round of whisky (Glenfiddich 15yo) before calling it a night. Before I knew it, it was already Monday morning and in a few hours time, I had to get to work!

Hope your saliva didn't wet the keyboard. Thanks very much to my generous friends once again and hope you guys like this post - a recollection of a wonderful Sunday evening!

Trip Itinerary

Before I start with my Melbourne trip itinerary, let me share a conversation that I just had with my grandma this evening.

G: When are you getting married?
Me: Not so soon.
G: You should la.... It's time to get married.
Me: But am too young to get married at 25 lah.
G: No, not young. Imagine those people who are married at this age got how many children already?!!
Me: Don't want lah. I wait first....

I was shocked that my grandma asked me this question today. She has never asked me to get married. Sigh... I guess the pressure is coming when you have reached your quarter-of-a-century-old mark. That only happens to ladies because guys are like wine, they aged better with age but ladies are like yogurt. Whoever came up with this makes me mad.

Anyways, back to my Melbourne Itinerary. I haven't exactly plonk in the things to do on which day but roughly I have come up with this to do, to eat, to see, to shop and to party list.

Places of Interest

1. City Circle Tram to see the city on a free tram ride.
2. Crown Casino, a must-see grand casino. Gambling optional. heh...
3. Yarra Valley, for a fix of wine and get my cherry popped for vineyard visits.
4. Ballarat and Sovereign Hill, a replica of Old Gold Mining town & see wildlife.
5. Colonial Tramcar Restaurant, dining in a tramcar while touring the city.
6. Phillip Island to see little penguins parading up the shore.
7. St.Kilda has bars, restaurants, clubs, interesting shops and live music and a great beach.

Shopping

1. Swanston Street for good bargains.
2. Victoria Market (Saturday) must visit market in Melbourne.
3. Collins Place is an enclosed shopping center worth seeing for the architecture alone.
4. Bridge Road, Richmond.

Bars & Nightlife

1. The Social Bar & Restaurant. Link here.
2. The Order of Melbourne.
3. The Apartment.
4. BLVD
   

Best things to Eat in Melbourne

1. The potato cakes from the platform kiosks at Flinders Street Station!
2. Saganaki from White Village in Elsternwick
3. Donuts from Vic Market van
4. Fish and chips from Parkdale Fish Supply
5. Napier Hotel’s dubious Bogan Burger
6. Peking duck at the Flower Drum – if you can get in…
7. Scallop siu mai at Lau’s Family Kitchen.
8. Wagyu beef burger at Rockpool
9. Best Artisanal Coffee - 7 grams in Richmond.
   

Should there be anything/anywhere else to be added into this list or if you know any of these places which I must go, please drop me a note! I need to know where the best coffee is! Will be preparing another list for Sydney tomorrow.

Katnook Estate Wine Dinner

This post was supposed to be written earlier but due to a number of factors such as absence of pictures, lack of time and also forgetfulness, I seemed to have delayed it till now. That is why, I have also forgotten the name of the guy above whom was a representative from Katnook Estate.

The wine dinner was held at my favourite fine dining chinese restaurant which I have written about it here. It was nice to have good food and good wine again.

The Katnook Wines

Katnook Estate is located in the heart of Coonawarra, Australia's premier red wine district. The name "Katnook" means "Fat Land" in aboriginal language and it refers to the Coonawarra's red and fertile soil. They have a few labels under Katnook Limited Release (Prodigy & Odyssey), Katnook Estate and Katnook Founder's block.

Wine Dinner Table Setting

At a wine dinner, usually there were a couple of glasses on the table for each person depending on the number of the different wines one is going to have. That night, we were going to try 5 wines and thus 5 glasses on the table each with a paper disc with number as a label on the wine glass stand to differentiate the wines. It also ensure that the waitresses whom are pouring the wines would not be confused and poured it into a wrong glass. Professional wine drinkers are a bit sensitive about this issue and you wouldn't want to upset them!

Pre-dinner
Katnook Founder's Block Sauvignon Blanc 2008

This is made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc grapes and have a pale straw colour with very light green tinges. The nose is subtle with some hints of lemon flower and gooseberries, thus giving it a zesty palate and a crisp finish.

Mo Mo Duck Roll
The Mo Mo Duck Roll is something I would love for an appetiser. Not only the smoked duck was tasty, it actually went very well with the mango slices, zucchini and wrapped with a thin layer of crepe.

Katnook Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2007
The 2007 vintage will be remembered for the severe spring frosts that devastated vineyards across Coonawarra and reduced crops to less than 25% of usual yields. The nose and palate is very close to the pre dinner wine but this one has got a better lingering finish.

Salt Baked Cod Fish
This fillet of cod fish is slightly salted and baked to perfection. The secret of this good tasting dish lies in the accompanying sauce.

Katnook Estate Chardonnay 2005
This Chardonnay is fermented in French oak barrels and thus the subtle oak aromas. The palate is fruity with subtle honeyed oak which is smooth and light.

Pan Fried Black Pig

This pan fried black pig is served with wasabi and butter shoyu sauce. Another one of Frankie's best dishes. It's a very interesting mix of tastes.

Katnook Founder's block Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

This one has a nose of berries and plum. It's an easy-drinking, full bodied wine with hints of plum and light mint.

Pigeon in Two Style
The pigeon is cooked in two ways. The two wings are roasted to a perfect crisp and the body is stewed.

Katnook Estate Shiraz 2005
This elegant wine has got aromas of raspberries, plum and liquorice. I like the light spiciness with hints of pepper and chocolate which gives it a fine finish.

Wok Charred Rack of Lamb
These two racks of lamb is wok charred and it has the aromas of the wok which is like slightly burned aroma but it's not. The juices is intact and the taste it just divine.

Katnook Estate Carbernet Sauvignon 2004
This is a layered, long and structured wine. It's nose is complex and has subtle hints of oak. On the palate, it is rich, layered with ripe fruits. It has hints of chocolate and also spicy plum fruit with lingering fine tannins.

Then as we thought that we had completed the wine dinner, he pulled out two bottles of wine wrapped with a layer of paper. When the paper was torn, it revealed two of the limited release bottles which is the Odyssey Cabernet Sauvignon and the Prodigy Shiraz. These two are the award winning wines from Katnook and their prices is 5 times the Katnook Estate and the Founder's Block collection. So that two bottles were the surprise for the night. Every one squealed with delight!

The dinner was good and so were the wines. You can get them from Asia Euro Wines & Spirits as they are the distributors of Katnook now. This wine dinner costs RM180 per person which I think it's quite a good deal.

Should I really bother?

Should we really bother what other think about ourselves? I think sometimes we do a lot of things to please others. It might not be what we want to, but automatically we did it because it was deemed appropriate to.

Personally, I think I did sometimes do what was seemed acceptable by social standards but not because I am sincere to do it. One good example is that, when someone approaches you for a donation on the streets or when you're eating, I would be kind enough to give away some money, even not knowing whether the charity from the particular organisation is genuine or not. In reality, if you think about it, you actually departed with the money because it seems that you are stingy if you don't donate or you might fear people staring at you for being such a miser.

Well, if you give it a thought carefully, charity should always start at home. Honestly, I have relatives whom are not doing so well and if I can spare some money for organisations that I don't even know, why don't I lend my helping hand to my own family members? If you don't have any family members in need of help, then it would be wise to donate to others but it'll be very silly of you if you help others (because of "face") and not your own family!

I realised that sometime ago and thus have stopped giving donations to any tom, dick & harry on the roads. It might seem a bit rude or heartless when you turn away those people aproaching you for donation but family do come first. But it's an exception to some cases where I see some child suffering from some disease or health complications in the newspaper whom needed help. I believe these are really genuine cases and they are really in need of help.

I believe a little goes a long way. It might be a small value, but to the one who receives it, it's not just the face value. It's a hope. A hope for the better. So I don't really bother anymore now when someone stares at me for not donating. Afterall, how many genuine charitable organisations out there are really into helping people and not to make some profit and exploit the children?

At this moment, I don't give a damn what one thinks of me as long as I know what I did was right and that I really want to do it. Because you're living your own life and not someone else. Can you?