Things to do in New Orleans: Visiting Mardi Gras World

January 7, 2020 by Leave a Comment

When you think New Orleans, you may think of the fabulous food that has quite a plethora of specialty regional food that is a medley of Creole and Cajun, of French, Spanish, West African, Southern, Native American, Vietnamese, and more. There’s also the live music scene – any time of day, in the clubs or in a cafe or even out in the streets. And then there’s Mardi Gras. In terms of things to do in New Orleans, it’s one of the most unique things to see. You don’t have to come during the two weekends before Fat Tuesday. You can get a little taste by visiting Mardi Gras World.
Things to do in New Orleans: Visiting Mardi Gras World. Family friendly, free shuttles can take you here, and a visit will take you 1 - 1.5 hours with multiple float and prop photo ops as well as learning about Mardi Gras Things to do in New Orleans: Visiting Mardi Gras World. Family friendly, free shuttles can take you here, and a visit will take you 1 - 1.5 hours with multiple float and prop photo ops as well as learning about Mardi Gras Things to do in New Orleans: Visiting Mardi Gras World. Family friendly, free shuttles can take you here, and a visit will take you 1 - 1.5 hours with multiple float and prop photo ops as well as learning about Mardi Gras Things to do in New Orleans: Visiting Mardi Gras World. Family friendly, free shuttles can take you here, and a visit will take you 1 - 1.5 hours with multiple float and prop photo ops as well as learning about Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras World makes is very easy to get to – they even have free shuttles available from the French Quarter or downtown to take you here that you can call for a pick-up. They are open 7 days a week, from 9:00am to 5:30pm, with tours every half hour starting 9:30am with the last tour beginning at 4:30pm. They are even open most holidays, except Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, and Mardi Gras Day/Fat Tuesday.
Things to do in New Orleans: Visiting Mardi Gras World. Family friendly, free shuttles can take you here, and a visit will take you 1 - 1.5 hours with multiple float and prop photo ops as well as learning about Mardi Gras Things to do in New Orleans: Visiting Mardi Gras World. Family friendly, free shuttles can take you here, and a visit will take you 1 - 1.5 hours with multiple float and prop photo ops as well as learning about Mardi Gras

A visit here will likely last 1 hour – 1.5 hours, depending on how many photos you want to take. The tour starts out with a 20 minute film giving you the background of Mardi Gras in New Orleans, which has been celebrated here for more then 100 years.

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Eats in Oahu

December 27, 2019 by Leave a Comment

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and is gearing up to celebrate the new year and end of this decade – here comes 2020! As I am reflecting on this past year, I am grateful that I had an opportunity to do all the travel (links to my index of travel posts) – from Singapore to Penang to Hawaii, New Orleans, and several visits to California. My trip to Hawaii was to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family, and resulted in many happy memories as well as onolicious eats in Oahu. Here are a few highlights I would recommend if you are in Waikiki, all are family friendly.
Staying at the Aston Waikii Beach Tower, right across from Waikiki Beach. View from the lanai, aka balcony Staying at the Aston Waikii Beach Tower, right across from Waikiki Beach. View from the lanai, aka balcony

Our stay at the multi-bedroom, equipped with kitchen Aston Waikiki Beach Tower was an incredible location as it was right across from Waikiki Beach, with great views. It was very family friendly with a king bed, two single beds, a pull out couch bed, and full size kitchen. They even have free beach toys for the kids! The location could not be beat, as it right on the very walkable and bustling Kalakaua Street. The location is right across the street literally from the especially children friendly Kuhio Beach section of Waikiki Beach. This part is protected by a sea wall for calmer waters, which is perfect for little ones like my 3 year old niece and my 4 month old nephew.
Staying at the Aston Waikii Beach Tower, right across from Waikiki Beach especially Kuhio Beach which is protected by a sea wall making it very accessible to lil kids

It also was only blocks away from Musubi Cafe Iyasume, where we procured multiple musubi on different days for breakfast, for a snack, to eat on the plane back… They make the musubi to order, so the combination of fresh rice and teriyaki Spam is still soft and warm when you receive it. There also are a few bento boxes available too, and lots of different flavors of Spam.

Don’t be intimidated by the line – it moves quickly. At the location on Prince Edward/Kuhio and Uluiniu Streets, you will find the most variety to select from – almost 2 dozen starring Spam, and more traditional onigiri rice balls too. My favorite that I kept returning to was a combo of Teriyaki Spam Musubi with Avocado and Egg and Bacon, although we also enjoyed a version with Unagi/Eel. Most people take theirs to go, although there is a small seating section in the back.
Eats in Oahu - check out Musubi Cafe Iyasume for delicious combinations of musubi, my favorite was one with avocado that could be with egg and bacon as seen here or with eel. They make the musubi to order

A visit to Oahu also isn’t complete unless you try out the fried to order malasadas. Malasadas are essentially a round Portuguese donut without the hole in the middle and dusted with sugar and possibly filled with a cream that can range in flavor from macadmia nut to haupia/coconut, guava, or more.

They look big but are light and fluffy, making it a little too easy to put down two even before you drive away. Leonard’s Bakery is the famous original malasada bakery in Oahu, frying them up since 1953. There is a small parking lot in front of the storefront, but you can also find some street parking, and call ahead orders of two dozen or more. We reheated some malasadas for breakfast the next day.
Eats in Oahu - check out Leonard's Bakery for famous malasadas Eats in Oahu - check out Leonard's Bakery for famous malasadas Eats in Oahu - check out Leonard's Bakery for famous malasadas Eats in Oahu - check out Leonard's Bakery for famous malasadas

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A Visit to Turkey and the Wolf

December 9, 2019 by 2 Comments

While I was in New Orleans last week, I stopped in at what Bon Appétit has called the most absurdly delicious sandwich place on the planet and named America’s Best New Restaurant a couple years ago, Turkey and the Wolf. This is my second time having sandwiches, though my third time eating food from Turkey and The Wolf. I enjoy how they offer quirky elevated twisted takes on nostalgic classic sandwiches that take it to the next level in a fun kitschy atmosphere. Here’s a look at my visit to Turkey and the Wolf so you can get an idea of what you might experience.
A Visit to Turkey and the Wolf: this Collard Green Melt is the best way you'll find a vegetarian twist of Reubens with slow-cooked collards, swiss cheese, pickled cherry pepper dressing, cole slaw, on rye bread. There's 3 slices of bread in there because one is a soaker slice for the pot likker dripping off the collard greens (aka all the juices at the bottom of the braised greens) A Visit to Turkey and the Wolf: this Collard Green Melt is the best way you'll find a vegetarian twist of Reubens with slow-cooked collards, swiss cheese, pickled cherry pepper dressing, cole slaw, on rye bread. There's 3 slices of bread in there because one is a soaker slice for the pot likker dripping off the collard greens (aka all the juices at the bottom of the braised greens)

There is a little bit of parking just on the outside of the restaurant, as well as street parking. This is casual, walk in only counter service lunch spot – no reservations, and open. 
A Visit to Turkey and the Wolf

Before you sit down, get in the relatively fast moving line and grab one of the paper menus right when you enter for a more detailed description of the sandwiches on the board, as well as your drink and dessert options. You will first need to order at the counter, and you will be given a table “number” in the form of some sort of toy on a stick. I was given the parrot the first time and then when I went back to order dessert the lion cub, though I was also coveting another stand I saw with a dinosaur.
A Visit to Turkey and the Wolf

They will then find you to bring your food and drink, whether you eat inside or outside. If you can’t finish your food they have a station to the right of the bar that has water, utensils and napkins, as well as paper carry-out boxes to take your food home. There’s also a bunch of hot sauces though trust me, you will not need them – your sandwiches are perfectly dressed the way they are.
A Visit to Turkey and the Wolf A Visit to Turkey and the Wolf

They only have a handful of sandwiches on the menu, but be assured these sandwiches are huge – after all this is the town of po boys and muffaletas. You can easily cut each sandwich into four pieces (they come already conveniently cut in half) to share to try all of them if you would like.

This Collard Green Melt is the best way you’ll find a vegetarian twist of Reubens with slow-cooked collards, swiss cheese, pickled cherry pepper dressing, cole slaw, on rye bread.
A Visit to Turkey and the Wolf: this Collard Green Melt is the best way you'll find a vegetarian twist of Reubens with slow-cooked collards, swiss cheese, pickled cherry pepper dressing, cole slaw, on rye bread. There's 3 slices of bread in there because one is a soaker slice for the pot likker dripping off the collard greens (aka all the juices at the bottom of the braised greens) A Visit to Turkey and the Wolf: this Collard Green Melt is the best way you'll find a vegetarian twist of Reubens with slow-cooked collards, swiss cheese, pickled cherry pepper dressing, cole slaw, on rye bread. There's 3 slices of bread in there because one is a soaker slice for the pot likker dripping off the collard greens (aka all the juices at the bottom of the braised greens)

There’s 3 slices of bread in there because one is a soaker slice for the pot likker dripping off the collard greens (aka all the juices at the bottom of the braised greens).
A Visit to Turkey and the Wolf: this Collard Green Melt is the best way you'll find a vegetarian twist of Reubens with slow-cooked collards, swiss cheese, pickled cherry pepper dressing, cole slaw, on rye bread. There's 3 slices of bread in there because one is a soaker slice for the pot likker dripping off the collard greens (aka all the juices at the bottom of the braised greens) A Visit to Turkey and the Wolf: this Collard Green Melt is the best way you'll find a vegetarian twist of Reubens with slow-cooked collards, swiss cheese, pickled cherry pepper dressing, cole slaw, on rye bread. There's 3 slices of bread in there because one is a soaker slice for the pot likker dripping off the collard greens (aka all the juices at the bottom of the braised greens)

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Visiting Kek Lok Si

December 3, 2019 by Leave a Comment

For the last of my recaps of my trip to Penang in October, I am going to take you along with me on visiting Kek Lok Si. Besides checking out a Peranakan Mansion (such as staying at the Blue Mansion or visiting Pinang Peranankan Mansion musuem) and checking out the George Town street art and Penang’s wide variety of food, I would recommend visiting Kek Lok Si Pagoda as one of the best things you can do while in Penang. What makes it unique is that among its millions of Buddhas it shows the blending of cultures that is so representative of Malaysia by including many stylistic representations of Buddha.
Visiting Kek Lok Si: What makes it unique is that among its millions of Buddhas it shows the blending of cultures that is so representative of Malaysia by including many stylistic representations of Buddha. Visiting Kek Lok Si: What makes it unique is that among its millions of Buddhas it shows the blending of cultures that is so representative of Malaysia by including many stylistic representations of Buddha. Visiting Kek Lok Si: What makes it unique is that among its millions of Buddhas it shows the blending of cultures that is so representative of Malaysia by including many stylistic representations of Buddha. Visiting Kek Lok Si: What makes it unique is that among its millions of Buddhas it shows the blending of cultures that is so representative of Malaysia by including many stylistic representations of Buddha.

Kek Lok Si is the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia, and located on Penang Island about a 30 minute by car from George Town, to the west of the city in the hills. If you visit Komtar, Penang’s tallest building, for a view, you will definitely see it from the viewing deck. In the town Air Itam at the foot of the hills you’ll find lots of great street food and restaurants, so you can easily and happily make this a half day trip. Kek Lok Si itself is probably worth maybe 2 hours of visiting. Since you are already on this side, you may consider combining this trip with visiting Penang Hill.

The main attraction here is the Kek Lok Si pagoda, located at the center and which you have to pay a small and at the centre of the complex. The first photo you see below is not it – that’s just at the entrance. The second photo, with me in it – that’s the Kek Lok Si pagoda behind me with the gold Burmese crown at the top! The Buddha you see in the background of the photo in the left is housed with a green roof that you see directly behind me in the right photo.
Visiting Kek Lok Si: What makes it unique is that among its millions of Buddhas it shows the blending of cultures that is so representative of Malaysia by including many stylistic representations of Buddha. Visiting Kek Lok Si: What makes it unique is that among its millions of Buddhas it shows the blending of cultures that is so representative of Malaysia by including many stylistic representations of Buddha. Visiting Kek Lok Si: What makes it unique is that among its millions of Buddhas it shows the blending of cultures that is so representative of Malaysia by including many stylistic representations of Buddha.

Before you get to the pagoda, you will first pass through a couple garden courtyards and temple buildings – this part is free. You will not need to pay an entrance fee except to get to the area with the pagoda, and to take the tram to the Kuan Yin statue. This initial area on the way up has some very colorful and detailed wall carvings as part of a circular doorway, and the courtyard itself is lined with identical Buddha statues that make for interesting framing photo ops.
Visiting Kek Lok Si: What makes it unique is that among its millions of Buddhas it shows the blending of cultures that is so representative of Malaysia by including many stylistic representations of Buddha. Visiting Kek Lok Si: What makes it unique is that among its millions of Buddhas it shows the blending of cultures that is so representative of Malaysia by including many stylistic representations of Buddha. Visiting Kek Lok Si: What makes it unique is that among its millions of Buddhas it shows the blending of cultures that is so representative of Malaysia by including many stylistic representations of Buddha. Visiting Kek Lok Si: What makes it unique is that among its millions of Buddhas it shows the blending of cultures that is so representative of Malaysia by including many stylistic representations of Buddha. Visiting Kek Lok Si: What makes it unique is that among its millions of Buddhas it shows the blending of cultures that is so representative of Malaysia by including many stylistic representations of Buddha. Visiting Kek Lok Si: What makes it unique is that among its millions of Buddhas it shows the blending of cultures that is so representative of Malaysia by including many stylistic representations of Buddha.

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Food Highlights of Penang

November 26, 2019 by Leave a Comment

Next in my recap series from my trip to Penang in October, after sharing my stay at the Blue Mansion and details of my #1 must do recommendation of visiting the street art of George Town, it is time to talk food! During my visit I had a super long eating wish list, and was successful in eating some of it – means an excuse to return right to finish crossing everything off? Here are my food highlights of Penang for you to consider for your list when you visit.
Food Highlights of Penang: Satay - individually ordered sticks of prawn, beef, lamb, lamb black pepper, calamari, and chicken tandoori Food Highlights of Penang: Satay - individually ordered sticks of prawn, beef, lamb, lamb black pepper, calamari, and chicken tandoori
Satay – individually ordered sticks of prawn, beef, lamb, lamb black pepper, calamari, and chicken tandoori at a Satay Specialty shop

In Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur may be the national capital, but Penang is its food capital. Lonely Planet ranked Penang as the #1 Best Food Destination in 2014, CNN Travel named Penang as one of the 23 best food cities in the world last year, and The Culture Trip named Penang one of the best 15 cities in the world for food in 2016.

Street food is such a source of price that the tourism board offers Street Food maps with a list and description of an array of popular street food dishes, along with a handful of recommendations of where to get it, on a free street food map. There are also plenty of blogs by locals with their own lists of where are the top places to get a certain dish.

I divided the foods of my Penang food highlights into two main areas: one is street foods of Penang, which you can usually find at hawker centers or evening markets like Chulia Street, New Lane, Gurney Drive, Batu Lanchang, Air Itam, etc. In this case my intent is to help you recognize some of the food you may see. The other grouping is Peranakan food, which you will have to intentionally search to find where it is offered as it is not as common as the street food offerings.

You might also find some amusement in the WonderFood Museum. It’s mostly lots of plastic fake food, but I was impressed with the first floor in showing some special preparations of a various ethnic cuisines that contribute to Malaysia’s food culture in dioramas along with example visuals of dishes with a legend (like seen below). They also offered an overview of the vast many kind of dishes in Malaysia, even some suggestions on where to go to eat the local dish, and of course, so many silly photo ops. If you’re caught in a rainstorm like I was or just want a break from the sun I recommend an hour here.
Food Highlights of Penang: looking at different Malay flavors and food at a display at the Wonderfood Museum Food Highlights of Penang: food at a display at the Wonderfood Museum Food Highlights of Penang: food at a display at the Wonderfood Museum

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