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Keelung Miaokou Markets!

January 26, 2010 in Food, Taiwan, Travel

The crowded Keelung Miaokou Markets

One of Taiwan’s more famous food markets is situated at the northern port of Keelung, about 40 minutes out from Taipei city.  It is known as Keelung “Miaokou”, or the “Temple Space” in Keelung.  What the name is really trying to convey is that the markets are situated right outside the Keelung Temple.

Anyway, we visited Keelung Miaokou on an overcast Sunday morning, expecting there to be quite a few people as (1) for once it wasn’t raining; and (2) it was a Sunday.

We were right.  By 12pm, Keelung Miaokou was jam packed with people.  The so-called food market really only had one long alleyway with food stores packing both sides and portable vendors cramming the middle.  On top of that, apart from the seas of people, you also have motorcycles occasionally threading through, so it was pretty crazy.  Apparently it gets much worse at night.

The markets are rather tourist-friendly, with each store having an English description and store number.  Because there are so many people and the stores are often quite small, expect to have to share tables.  The plastic bowls and metal spoons generally appear to be quite clean and you use disposable chopsticks.

Now, as for the food…well, it depends what you get, I suppose.  With so many places to choose from, a little luck is involved if you’re going for the first time.

(Click on ‘More…’ to see the food pics and read the verdict on the Keelung Miaokou markets!)

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Federer massacres Hewitt (again) before Australia Day

January 25, 2010 in Tennis

Did anyone seriously expect a different result?

For the 15th consecutive time, Roger Federer has ripped the hearts out of the Australian public by annihilating Lleyton Hewitt -  6-2, 6-3, 6-4 – in the fourth round of the 2010 Australian Open.

On the same day Sam Stosur was handed a similar fate by Serena Williams (6-4, 6-2) on the women’s side.  A day before Australia Day.

You have to hand it to Hewitt though.  Despite not having beaten Federer since the 2003 Davis Cup, every single time he faces the man he talks it up as though he has a legitimate chance.  And the amazing thing is that every time, he has us believing it, even if it’s just for a split second.

There was a glimmer of hope in their latest match when Hewitt finally broke (back) Federer’s serve in the eighth game of the third set.  But Federer broke again immediately and sealed the match with ease.

The fact is – no matter how hard he fights, no matter how tough he is mentally – the physical gap between Hewitt and the top players of today is just too much.  He is still capable of cruising through the mid-tier players and beating the lower top-tier players.  Once in a blue moon, he could even beat a top top-tier player if mitigating circumstances are present (eg injury).  But in a grand slam event, Hewitt will need all the stars aligned to ever get close to winning again.

Nevertheless, even though he was just handed another drubbing, Hewitt is optimistic as he is returning to the top 20 in the ATP rankings.

“Obviously I’ve been able to work my ranking back up.  I feel good about that.  I don’t have a lot of points to defend really through to Wimbledon, the quarters there.  So I feel comfortable I can do some damage. The way I hit the ball tonight, I still think I could have taken a lot of other guys still left in the draw. That’s probably a little bit more frustrating.”

I think this is why, despite his less-than-ideal personality, Aussies still want to support him.  No matter how ridiculous his assertions sound (I mean, come on, does anyone think Hewitt can still beat the likes to Djokovic, Del Potro or Murray, let alone Federer and Nadal?), we want to believe Hewitt because he seems to honestly believe in himself.  And that’s an admirable trait.

Besides, who else are we going to support?  Bernard Tomic?

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Robuchon in Taipei!

January 25, 2010 in Food, Taiwan, Travel

Salon de The de Joel Robuchon in Taipei

Restaurant: Salon de The de Joel Robuchon
Cuisine: French
Location: Level 3, Bellavita, No. 28 Song Ren Road, Taipei
Opening Hours: Weekdays 10am-10pm; Weekend/Holidays 10am-10:30pm
Contact: (886) 2 8729 2626

When I was living in Cambridge, we took at least a dozen trips to London, and each time we would make it our mission to dine at a ‘nice’ restaurant.  We took full advantage of the effects of the global financial crisis on the gourmet cuisine world, which gave us plenty of special offers (as high as 50% off!).

To be honest, pretty much all of these places disappointed us.  All except one.  And that place, was L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon.

Anyway, when I ventured into Bellavita in Taipei, literally on the other side of the planet, I was stunned to see the familiar name jump out at me.

That’s right, baby.  The chef with the most Michelin stars in the world, Joel Robuchon, has extended his presence to Taiwan (since November 2009).

Initially, the plan was to visit the same restaurant we attended in London, situated on the fifth floor of Bellavita.  However, to our surprise, the place was booked out.  It was filled with people, even at almost 2pm.  What financial crisis?

We did get to take a look inside, and it was fitted out almost identically to its London counterpart.  Rather than wait for another hour, we were advised to visit the tea and pastry salon on the third floor, Salon de The de Joel Robuchon, which apparently had some of the same stuff.

Now, look.  I don’t want you to judge us.  We were famished and we were eager to try, so keep that in mind when you read on.

(To read on and see the photos, click on ‘More…’)

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Conan O’Brien’s last words on final show

January 24, 2010 in Entertainment

Farewell, Conan!

Sob…always been a big fan of Conan and it’s sad to see him go.  Here are his final, emotional words:

“Finally, I have something to say to our fans.  This massive outpouring of support and passion from so many people has been overwhelming for me.  The rallies. The signs.  All this goofy, outrageous creativity on the Internet.

The fact that people have traveled long distances and camped out all night in the pouring rain.  It’s pouring.  It’s been pouring for days.  And they’re camping out to be in our audience.

Really, you…here’s what all of you have done.  You made a sad situation joyous and inspirational.

So to all the people watching, I can never ever [and this is where Conan chokes up] thank you enough for the kindness to me.  I’ll think about it for the rest of my life.   And all I ask is one thing.  And this is…I am asking this particularly of young people that watch.

Please do not be cynical.  I hate cynicism.  For the record it’s my least favorite quality.  It doesn’t lead anywhere.

Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get.  But if you work really hard and you’re kind, amazing things will happen.  I’m telling you.  Amazing things will happen.“

Well said Conan.  Inspirational stuff!

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300 Posts and 200,000 Hits!

January 24, 2010 in Blogging

Double celebration!

This is my 300th post, which happens to coincide with the blog breaking through the 200,000 hit barrier.

Yay!

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