Category Archives: Tour guides

Food Scare in Taiwan

Posted on October 27, 2013 by sinyaw

The news industry in Taiwan is beyond sensationalism. For an island of 20 millions or so population, there are nearly a dozen news TV channels and half a dozen newspapers. The competition for eyeballs has been a blood sport. As … Continue reading →

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King of Egg Custards

Posted on September 27, 2013 by sinyaw

Egg Custard is a Dim Sum classic. Every Dim Sum restaurants must offer this item. People criticize the fine points of egg custards like wine aficionados. There are the tradition style and the Portuguese style: baked hotter to allow a … Continue reading →

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台北的小籠包

Posted on September 12, 2013 by sinyaw

August 30th, 2013 居然四天吃了四次小籠包. 客戶請吃鼎泰豐,這當然是經典之作. 還請人加了一整碗的薑絲. 小心夾起,一口咬破,湯汁溢出,滿口香氣. 餡,皮,醋,薑,混在一起. 太棒了. 鼎泰豐台北有好幾家,世界各角落也都有. 品質一致. 實數難得. 第二天晚上沒事,信步走到中正紀念堂後,看到杭州小籠包. 這家兒時騎著車來,坐在矮凳子上,來上兩籠,吃完走路,不當回事. 現在好像是個觀光景點了. 也好,等了個桌子(30分鐘),點上一籠,加幾個小菜,蒸臭豆腐是必然的. 吃的不亦樂乎. 口味好極了,但是懷舊的喜悅更高些. 下個晚上在喜來登的請客樓請客,又是江浙菜,看到小籠包,心頭一動,來PK吧. 小龍包的口味不錯,但醋太酸,整個平衡就不對了. 吃完略帶失望. 最後一天,誤了中飯,剛好不遠,就殺去了點水樓南京東路的旗艦店. 既已PK,當然點小籠包. 一包入口,長嘆一聲. 台北人實在太幸福了,區然能有如此美味. 這店還不用排隊,走進來點了就吃. 小籠包難吃的到處都是,這四家平心而論都好吃:包小,皮薄,餡香,汁多. 如果我想吃小籠包,這四家都是上上選. 今天我以老饕心評比: 杭州小籠口味好,性價比第一. 點水樓和鼎泰豐不相上下. 請客樓就點別的菜吧. 後記: 中秋前,鼎泰豐做芝麻酥餅.別忘了點.

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Whidbey Island

Posted on August 19, 2013 by sinyaw

What make a place perfect to live? Most would dream about the same: beautiful natural view, easy access to civilization — stores, hospital, restaurants, etc., “just the right distance” to the neighbors, pleasant climate, infra-structure for hobbies, close to friends … Continue reading →

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$0 Parking Ticket

Posted on August 10, 2013 by sinyaw

To pay for street parking in Seattle, you get this sticker thing and put it on the side window facing the sidewalk, or the driver side window. We do it all the time (and complain about the high parking fees). … Continue reading →

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Taipei’s Night Markets

Posted on July 26, 2013 by sinyaw

The blood and gall bladder of poisonous snakes are known to better one’s manhood and prevent STDs. This night market is actually next to the only legal “red light district” in Taipei many decades ago. They used to slaughter snakes, … Continue reading →

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Victoria, BC

Posted on July 10, 2013 by sinyaw

June 30th, 2013 In this record heat-wave weekend, the Pacific Northwest basked in glorious sun and mid-80°F. We dusted off our sunglasses and tried hard to rub some tan into our fish belly skin tone. It was a perfect weekend … Continue reading →

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Cheshiahud Lake Union Loop

Posted on June 30, 2013 by sinyaw

June 16th, 2013 Seattle is really more active than any place that I have lived. When people talk about their “long run” over the weekend, they meant starting at dawn and come back for shower after lunch time. They would … Continue reading →

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What to do in Taipei?

Posted on June 26, 2013 by sinyaw

So you are stopping by Taipei for whatever reasons and need to kill time. You heard that this is a vibrant city that offers many, many fun activities. The problem is that you don’t know any of them. Here are … Continue reading →

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Farmers Market

Posted on December 10, 2012 by sinyaw

“What do you miss from California?” People asked when they learned that we lived there for decades. “Farmers Market!” has been the answer we never really said out loud. The inquirers rarely really wanted to know. It was only a … Continue reading →

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