Osaka - Shinsekai (新世界)

Shinsekai (新世界) is Osaka's "new world," a district that was developed before the war and then neglected in the decades afterwards. At the district's center stands Tsutenkaku Tower, the nostalgia evoking symbol of Shinsekai.

 

The area was developed into its current layout following the success of the 1903 National Industrial Exposition, which brought over five million people to the neighborhood within just five months. Shortly after the expo closed its doors, work began to improve and update Shinsekai.

 

Paris was chosen as the model for Shinsekai's northern half, while the southern portion was built to imitate Coney Island in New York. Tsutenkaku Tower was constructed in 1912 after Paris' Eiffel Tower. Although it was scrapped during WWII, the tower was reconstructed soon afterwards in 1956. The current tower is 103 meters high, with the main observatory at a height of 91 meters.

 

Another noted attraction is kushikatsu, one of Osaka's best known specialties. It is a dish, composed of various skewered, battered and deep fried foods. Varieties on offer range from chicken and beef, to pumpkin and asparagus, to the banana and ice cream dessert varieties. Many of Shinsekai's kushikatsu restaurants are open 24 hours, but only truly come alive when the lights come on at night.

 

Shinsekai is also home to Spa World, a huge bath complex with a large number of pools on a European themed floor and an Asian themed floor (enjoyed naked and gender separated). The floors are switched between genders each month. Natural hot spring water is pumped up from far below the earth's surface.

Shinsekai is a short walk from Shin-Imamiya Station on the JR Loop Line, Dobutsuen-mae Station on the Midosuji and Tanimachi Subway Lines, and Ebisucho Station on the Tanimachi Subway Line.
Taken from:http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4012.html

 

  

Osaka - Kuromon Ichiba Market (Black Gate Market)

 Until the end of the Meiji Era, the Kuromon Ichiba Market used to be called Emmeiji Market, because there was once a large temple called Emmeiji nearby. Since there used to be a black gate northeast of this temple, the marketplace later came to be called”Kuromon Ichiba Market”(Black Gate Market).

The market has a total length of close to 600 meters with 170 shops, the vast majority of which specialize in the freshest and best quality meat, vegetables, eggs and other ingredients from around the country and abroad. Although well over half of total sales are for the business (professional chef) market, Kuromon Ichiba caters also to the general public. For more than 170 years, everyone from restaurant chefs to housewives have come here, drawn by the taste, freshness and variety of its products. You’ll love it.

 

Transportation: Subway Sakaisuji Line Nippombashi Sta.(exit No.5 and 10)

*Taken from: http://www.osaka-info.jp/en/search/detail/sightseeing_1855.html

 

 

Our lunch!!!

 

Osaka - Dotonbori

One of Osaka's most popular tourist destinations, this street runs parallel to the Dotonbori canal. It is a popular shopping and entertainment district and is also known as a food destination. At night it is lit by hundreds of neon lights and mechanized signs, including the famous Glico Running Man sign and Kani Doraku crab sign.

 

*Taken from: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4001.html

 

 

I would prefer to go during the night when all the neon lights are light up. But previous day, my parents are too tired to carry on walking. And we will be flying back to Tokyo by tonight. So we just went walking for awhile in the afternoon.

 

The wall features are still amazing. Food is amazing delicious as well. And I would definitely come back again with my bf.

 

Pixie

My little Pixie is always very timid and obedient when I'm not around. I don't really dote her. Of course I love her alots, but if she does something wrong, I would also punish her. But still, she behaves very differently when I'm around her. She will become very bossy and demanding.

 

So whenever my bf & I pick Donna & Pixie up. She will boss Donna around, bark at her, disturb my bf when he is driving. But when my bf picks them up without me, she will be very timid and obedient. Just sitting quietly and hope to see me soon.

Basil Growing Kit

It's all started from Clover growing kit. Unfortunately the Clover doesn't live to see it. Few weeks after I planted my Clover, my bf bought me another growing kit - Basil. When I unwrapped the package, it contains a small ceremic pot, soil pellet, basil seeds and instruction.

I follow the instruction, soak the soil pellet, drain the excess water and plant the basil seeds. Photo taken on 12 Sept 2013.

 

 

When the soil is dry, it will turn slightly lighter. Then I will water it. Very quickly basil seedlings are poping out everywhere! I guess the germination is almost 100%. Photo taken on 23 Sept 2013.

 

Due to overcrowding, alot of seedlings died. I didn't thin it too because I not sure how to go about it. I'm afraid end up I will thinning the stronger ones. So I just let them fight it out. End of the war, I left with 5 strong basil seedlings. As you can see, they just grow 2nd sets of leaves. Photo taken on 20 Nov.

 

On 6 Jan 2014, my basil seedlings have already grown their forth set of leaves. I was quite skeptical on guarantee growing kit. But I guess this Basil growing kit works. Not only the seeds germinate, the seedlings already grow to survive. Hopefully my 5 strong seedlings will grow to full adult plant eventually. Meanwhile, I already started on my Lavender growing kit.

 

French King Cake

Few years back, my bf went to France and fall in love with their French King Cake. Not sure why, he suddenly have a craving for it. So his gf has to make his craving come true. I was googling for the recipe of the cake. But most of them needs Frangipane, I guess is one type of almond filling. I don't seem to find it at NTUC. Being his resourceful gf, I have to find an alternative. After searching for awhile, I found a recipe for almond filling. Not so sure whether does it taste like Frangipane, but I guess it won't be too off.

 

The recipe for the almond filling is quite simple. All you needs is almond, sugar, butter, egg whites and almond extract. Mixed them together using the food processor, and you will get the almond filling. For more details, you can visit it at Simply So Good. After I prepared the almond filling, I put it in the refrigerator.

 

I bought the ready-made puff pastry from NTUC and now is the time for my bf to perform *haha* He rolls the dough & put it on the pie plate. I spread the paste on the pastry while he continue to roll for the cover of the cake. After putting on the 'cover', I beat an egg and spread it around the cake. My bf slightly slit crisscross on the cake and put 4 small venting holes. Last step will be putting into the oven.

 

After 15mins, I took the cake out and sprinkle some icing sugars on the cake and put it back to the oven for another 10mins. *Tadah* Below is the end product. Though my bf said that there is still difference in the taste as compared to the French King Cake he ate in French. But the taste is similar. Our next project will be trying to improvise our French King Cake. His sister is coming back from France and she will brings Frangipane with her. I guess my bf will be waiting for our next attempt.

Halloween Scrapbook

At last completed my Halloween scrapbook after 2months! It is just a simple album with centre open door, done by my bf & me *smilez* My cutting skill is quite lousy, so my bf helps me in all the cutting. I would say he done a pretty good job!

 

 

When we opened up the album, we have our couple photo taken at USS Halloween night. A pocket at the bottom to store all the cards. I have also paste one of my photo sipping fruit punch in the blood bag. Different cards also have different stuffs at the back. One of it is another photo of me in the dark eerie sesame street at USS Halloween night. Rest of the cards are still blank though.