Jules Eating Guide to Malaysia

Matrafured and countryside - Autumn time in Hungary

2009-11-20T11:59:00.000-08:00

Matrafured bus station ... quaint :-)

In the past 3 weeks, there have been not many sunny days ... one morning, it was! I quickly whipped out my Nikon D80 and Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 and snapped these shots.

I love autumn colours :-)

It was a cold weekend morning ... but I got these shots :-)

The road that leads out of Matrafured ...

Finally :-)

ps. The road to work each day :-)

Ford Focus 1.6 - Rather decent car in Hungary!

2009-11-20T11:51:00.000-08:00

My little car for the past week ... a Ford Focus 1.6, drives really nice ;-)

My manual driving skills improved by the end of the week ... dropping a notch or two gives plenty of confidence when going into tight bends on Hungary's country-roads :-)

Well built, but hardly sexy!

Hmmm ... not so clean at the end of the week!

Giardinetto d'Italia Ristorante Pizzeria, Gyongyos - Hungary

2009-11-19T04:22:00.000-08:00

My first time at Giardinetto d'Italia Ristorante Pizzeria ... Was good! Pricey though, the six of us paid 26,000 HUF (Hungarian Florint) for the meal, or about 100 Euros. RM$500+

Add: 3200 Gyöngyös, Rózsa utca 2, Hungary
Tel: +36 37 300 709
Opening hours: Sun-Thurs 11:30-22:30 ; Fri-Sat 11:30-23:30

Ah ... Dreher, local Hungarian draft beer, for starters!

What's for dinner?

Starters ... Parma ham and melon. Really good!

Richard's mains ... looks nice!

Mine ... Pork ribs over Pork Chop. Mr Porky likes it!

M's Spaghetti Carbonara with Shrimps ... Looks good as well.

Time to head home ...

ps. Now you know why we call this place, "The restaurant with the 2 guys sat outside!"

Feher Szarvas Vadasztanya (White Stag Hunting Inn) - Eger, Hungary

2009-11-18T12:44:00.000-08:00

A night out at Feher Szarvas Vadasztanya (White Stag Hunting Inn) in Eger, Hungary

Add: Eger, Klapka Street. 8, Hungary
Located: One hour from MatrafuredNext door to the Park Hotel at Klapka street. It is a few blocks south of Dobo Istvan ter, and is one of Eger's best-known and best-loved restaurants.
Tel: +36 411 129

Hmmm ... a goose menu!?

The hotel next door ...

What greeted us when we walked in!

Palinka, anyone? A gift from the restauranteur!

Venison Goulash ... nice!

The decor ... a vegan's nightmare!

Richard's duck ....

Hmmm ... a REALLY large deer!

Time for my mains ... delicious saddle of wild boar with almond-potato balls.

M chose the salmon , looked nice!

My favourite ... the royal ball :-) Boar with Crown on head!

A parting shot , pun intended ! Perhaps the best meal in Hungary since we have been here 3 weeks ago!

St. Stephen's Basilica, Budapest - Hungary

2009-11-17T09:26:00.000-08:00

Welcome to ... Budapest :-)

St. Stephen's Basilica (Hungarian: Szent István-bazilika) is an ecclesiastic basilica in Budapest, Hungary. It is named in honour of Stephen, the first King of Hungary (c 975–1038), whose mummified fist is housed in the reliquary.

I shot at ISO 400 - 800, leaning on various pillars to get these shots in the dimly lit cathedral. It was a rainy wintery cold day!

Peaceful ...

Saint Stephen I (Hungarian: I. (Szent) István) (Latin: Sanctus Stephanus) (Esztergom, 967/969/975 – 15 August 1038, Esztergom-Szentkirály or Székesfehérvár, Hungary) was Grand Prince of the Hungarians (997–1000) and the first King of Hungary (1000–1038).

He greatly expanded Hungarian control over the Carpathian Basin during his lifetime, broadly established Christianity in the region, and he is generally considered to be the founder of the Kingdom of Hungary. Pope Gregory VII canonized Stephen I, together with his son, Saint Emeric of Hungary and Bishop Gerard of Csanád, on 20 August 1083, becoming one of the most popular saints in Hungary, and his birthday is celebrated as a state holiday commemorating the foundation of the nation.

The king's right hand, known as "The Holy Right," is kept as a relic. His body was mummified after his death, but the tomb was opened and his hand was separated some years later. Except for this, only some bone fragments remained (which are kept in churches throughout Hungary). Hungarian Catholics honor the first king of their country on annual processions, where the "Holy Right" is exhibited.

The canonization of Saint Stephen was recognized by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople in the year 2000.

ps. The photo above cost just under 1 Euro to take, it costs 200 HUF (Hungarian Florint) to light up the "Hand".

View from the door of the Cathedral, looking out at the square ...

Looking back at this glorious cathedral ...

Mr Porky, Shaharmas and Beer - Abu Dhabi is OK!

2009-11-16T11:59:00.000-08:00

Mr Porky, straight from the UK to Spinneys along Khalidiyah. Very VERY porky, sort of like FRIED LARD or CHEE YAU CHAR. Eeeeek! Not nice!

Uh ... look closely, PIGGY HAIRS. Eeeeeeeeeep!

Essential Waitrose ... Bacon Rashers! Slurrrps!

Delicious!

Time to head to Le Meridien, along the Corniche in Abu Dhabi ... Bitburger (Germany) anyone?

Me and my mates at the bar that serves the best Fosters and VB in town!

Our friends really liked the Spicy Chicken Shawarma from Shater Hassan along Muroor / near Habib Bank, and the roast chicken wasn't bad too!

New Merc E-class or BMW 1-series convertible?

2009-10-31T09:26:00.000-07:00

Abu Dhabi and Dubai is a haven for cool cars ...

How about a little BMW 1-series convertible, the E88?

Or ... a new-shape comfy W212 E350 Mercedes saloon?

Here's what happens when you drive above 120km/h in the UAE!

2009-10-31T09:04:00.000-07:00

Check out my speedo...

Look closely, the car goes "PING!" once, then the "120 km/h" beacon keeps flashing on the dashboard. Nah ... I don't feel TOO guilty, well not until I see a speed radar!

Their Highnesses ... Their Excellencies! Only in Abu Dhabi

2009-10-31T09:01:00.000-07:00

Their Highnesses ...
Their Excellencies!

ps - This sign's at the ADNEC, Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Company/Centre.

Signboards of Abu Dhabi!

2009-10-31T08:54:00.000-07:00

Air Asia is coming to town.....

Like I said ... driving in Abu Dhabi is rather easy, its really well signboarded! And NO TOLLS!

Hmmm ... Yas Island anyone?

Oooh ... that's the way to the Yas Marina Circuit, home of the 1st Etihad Abu Dhabi Grand Prix!

Streets and beaches ... This is Abu Dhabi

2009-10-31T08:47:00.000-07:00

Time to switch over to some shots I took with my Canon G9 ... these were mainly shot through the windscreen of my car!

Dare I say, I actually like driving here ... its real easy with the GRID system ala US of A!

Wow ... a free, public beach. Not far from Khalidiyah, on the far corner of the Corniche.

Looks like the Hilton on the Corniche is the host of the inaugural Etihad F1 Grand Prix!

Ah... this is why I love driving on a Friday morning, no cars!

I like this building, it has such an imposing stature ... this is the US Embassy in Abu Dhabi.

ps . One last shot as I was heading out of the city ... On the left, its a indoor football pitch, and in the distance, its Abu Dhabi's Grand Mosque.

Aldar HQ Round Building - Al Raha Gardens, Abu Dhabi

2009-10-31T06:24:00.000-07:00

My favourite building in Dubai and Abu Dhabi ... the Aldar headquarters, alongside Al Raha Mall / Al Raha Beach Resort.

Lets get closer :-)

Stunning :-)

Just before heading off..

ps . Here's the mall ... not very exciting, alongside such a cool building!

ps . Some notes ...

Al Raha Beach will be home to ALDAR Properties' new headquarters, currently under construction. ALDAR's new HQ will be the first round building in the Middle East, built to satisfy the most demanding international business elite. The futuristic aluminium and glass exterior, underground parking, turnstile security, marble floors and walls will ensure this is a commercial building fit for 21st century Arabia. It will be a Category A International office.

Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Mosque - Abu Dhabi Grand Mosque

2009-10-31T06:12:00.000-07:00

One of my favourite sights in Abu Dhabi, even Paul Sr of American Chopper has been here!

Wikipedia
Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi is the largest mosque in the United Arab Emirates and the eighth largest mosque in the world.
It is named after Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founder and the first President of the United Arab Emirates, who is also buried there. The mosque was officially opened in the Islamic month of Ramadan in 2007.
The Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority announced that tours of the mosques will be given to both Muslims and non-Muslims beginning in mid-March 2008 in order to promote cultural and religious understanding.

Lets take a closer look...

Hmmm ... I drove all around, had to get a better viewpoint!

Parting shot before I headed back on the highway... for more shots of Abu Dhabi!

Leaning tower of Abu Dhabi - Capital Gate, ADNEC

2009-10-31T06:03:00.000-07:00

I shall never forget the first time I was driven past this building ... Disbelief! I chuckled ... I've grown fond of it! It looks especially "leany" when viewed from the side of the American Embassy, which was where I shot the below.

Its part of the ADNEC development, Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Company.

What does 8 billion ringgit / dirham buy you?
I reckon ... It doesn't look like 18 degrees when viewed from the front / along the highway.

Archinect.com
Capital Gate, which is being built by Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC), will lean 18 degrees westward, 14 degrees more than the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. The design of the central core of the building, which slants in the opposite direction to the lean of the building, straightening as it grows, has never been attempted before.

Lets get a closer look!

Simon Horgan, CEO of Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company, the Master Developer of Capital Gate, said: "This is a landmark occasion in the construction of Capital Gate. The unique nature of this building has meant that the teams responsible for delivering Capital Gate have experienced some immense challenges, which they have overcome through vision, ingenuity and cooperation.There is nothing standard about this tower.
Each room is different, each pane of glazing is different and every angle is different. It was designed to provide no symmetry to inspire both visitors and observers, yet the delivery team, comprised of ADNEC, Al Habtoor Construction, MACE and RMJM, is consistently hitting target dates for delivery".
Capital Gate is scheduled for completion in autumn 2009. When complete it will house the executive 5 star hotel "Hyatt at Capital Centre", Abu Dhabi's first Hyatt hotel.

Abu Dhabi - View from the Corniche

2009-10-31T05:24:00.000-07:00

I woke up early one Friday morning, and went shooting around Abu Dhabi ...

Total time? 3 hours.
Distance driven? 200 km!
Camera? Nikon D80
Lens? Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 , Tamron SP90mm f/2.8

The Abu Dhabi waterfront is known as the Cornice.

Palm tree in the oasis that is Abu Dhabi!

This is Marina Mall ... Home of IKEA and Carrefour!

The site of the World's Tallest Flagpole!

The tallest Flag-pole in the wall :-)

The flag of the United Arab Ermirathes ... the UAE

Beyonce - Goodbye Yas Marina, Abu Dhabi

2009-10-30T11:53:00.000-07:00

Here are the previous reviews and photos of Beyonce at Abu Dhabi's Yas Marina!

What a gig, the energy, the dance moves, the dress changes, The Beyonce :-)

Goodbye Beyonce ... night night Yas Marina!

Michael Jackson, 1958 - 2009

Rest in peace

A glimpse of the circuit just before we left ...

The shuttle bus ride from the Arena / grandstand to the carpark took ... AGES! At least 1/2 and hour to get onto a bus, and about 30 mins of waiting time ... and a further 20 mins or so of travel time, just to travel 4 or 5 km.

Abu Dhabi crew, you gotta learn a thing or two from Sepang, Kuala Lumpur! I guess we have had 11 years experience, whilst its the inaugural one here...

Beyonce rocks Yas Island Circuit, Abu Dhabi

2009-10-30T11:12:00.000-07:00

Event: Beyonce's gig before the start of the inaugural Formula One race at Yas Marina, Abu Dhabi
Camera: Canon Powershot G9, full manual ISO-400, shutter speed between 1/50-1/100s, ISO f/4 - f/4.8

Beyonce... Beyonce!!

She was wonderful throughout the 90 minute gig!

Another dress change ... Phwoooaar, hello Sasha Fierce!

Beyonce can bop ... she can grind , she can move!

The party is about to draw to a close...

Beyonce at Abu Dhabi - I am Sasha Fierce

2009-10-30T10:24:00.000-07:00

Event: Beyonce's gig at Yas Marina, Abu Dhabi in the UAE

Beyonce as Sasha Fierce ... singing "Sweet Dreams". Boys, better behave now!

Remember the fiasco in Malaysia, which banned her recent show? :-(

Beyoncé Postpones Malaysia Show
OCTOBER 26, 2009, 1:25 pm
Statement from Music World Entertainment/Columbia Records:The “I AM…” tour stop in Malaysia, originally scheduled for October 25, 2009 by Beyoncé, has been postponed indefinitely. The entertainer remains respectful of the people and cultures of all nations and holds the fans of Malaysia in highest regards.

More Sasha Fierce!

Hey, its Yellowman ala Digi!

Pure energy! End of another set...

Beyonce - Retro and Obama set at Abu Dhabi's Yas Marina

2009-10-30T09:46:00.001-07:00

I loved this part of Beyonce's Abu Dhabi - F1 Yas Marina Circuit concert ... black and white, retro, and an appearance on the screen by a rather famous president!

Nice eh ...

Very nice :-) wink!

More piccies :-)

Recognise him? :-)

Scenes from Obama's inauguration!

Beyonce was banned in Malaysia - She was wonderful in Abu Dhabi!

2009-10-30T07:44:00.000-07:00

Location: Concert Arena, the nearly-completed Ferrari World
City: Abu Dhabi

Here are more photos from the post-"I Am.. Sasha Fierce" tour, where Beyonce introduced her alter-ego ... a naughtier Sasha Fierce, to the world. In this set below, I photographed Beyonce in her "wedding gear", singing Ave Maria.
Respect to the authorities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, for not toning down the show!

The video wall ...

Oooh la la!

Her concert ...

In early October 2008, Billboard magazine announced that Knowles was embarking on a world wide tour to support her new album. The tour kicked off in Edmonton, Canada on March 26, 2009. The European leg of the tour started on April 26, 2009 in Zagreb, Croatia and ended on June 9, 2009 in London, England.

On June 21, 2009 she began the third leg of the tour in tehe US and finished in August with a 4-day stint at Encore Las Vegas on the Las Vegas Strip. Starting on September 15, 2009 the fourth leg began in Melbourne, Australia and finished on September 24 in Perth, Australia.

Its a REAL pity that they banned her SMOKIN HAWWWWT gig in Malaysia :-(

NationalPost.com
U.S. pop star Beyonce has postponed a planned concert in Malaysia after the nation's opposition Islamist party raised concerns about her performance, citing moral issues, concert organizers said.
Foreign acts often draw protests by the Pan Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), whose youth wing forced Beyonce to cancel her 2007 concert in the mainly Muslim nation of 27 million people.
Malaysian entertainment company Marctensia said in a statement on its website that the Beyonce "I am..." concert, planned for October 25 as part of her world tour, would be postponed to a date yet to be announced.

More from the same article ...

"The postponement is solely (the) decision of the artiste and has nothing to do with other external reasons," the concert organizers said in the statement.No further reason was given. Marctensia said a new date for the concert would be announced "shortly" and a statement from Beyonce's management would be released later this week.

PAS's youth wing also sought last year to prevent Canadian singer Avril Lavigne from performing in Malaysia.

Earlier this month, Malaysia initially banned Muslims from attending a concert by U.S. hip-hop band The Black Eyed Peas, which was sponsored by Guinness, one of the brands owned by the world's biggest spirits group, Diageo.The ban was reversed, but a senior official said it was up to each individual's "better judgment" whether to attend the event.Malaysia's image as a moderate Muslim country was hit when a woman caught drinking beer was sentenced recently to be caned.

Hmmm ... is this why the Malaysian authorities banned her gig!? WINK!

Beyonce opens the F1 festivities at Yas, Abu Dhabi

2009-10-30T02:42:00.000-07:00

Concert: Beyonce @ Yas Marina F1
The event: Abu Dhabi's first grand prix, this was the opening night!
Location: Ferrari World, outdoor

Here are the first set of photos from the first 3 songs of Beyonce's set at Abu Dhabi ... what a privilege to have been there, thanks to the windfall from LL.

TimeoutDubai.com
The opening night of the Yas Marina concerts was a bootylicious affair indeed.

Set in the shell of the half-finished Ferrari World, the venue looked spectacular – more like a recreation of the Bladerunner backdrop than a concert venue. The sound, too, was surprisingly good, with any unwanted echo – the curse of vast aerodromes like this one – kept to a minimum.

Only the dusty floor and outdoor heat proved difficult. Beyonce took the stage 25 minutes late, by which point some of the audience had started to turn nasty. Loud boos filled the front of the arena, and, to the side of this reviewer, the heat overwhelmed a couple of fainters and a small fight erupted. Not the kind of atmosphere you might expect at a family-friendly pop concert, but almost understandable after an hour and a half packed in like sweaty sardines.

The fickle crowd forgave and forgot as soon as Beyonce appeared onstage, however, statuesque in a gold lame bodysuit, threatening a wardrobe malfunction with every bump and grind.

Hmmm ... is this Sasha Fierce? :-)

Aiyoh.... hawwwt!

It all worked so well ... the set, the dancers, the musicians, the venue, and certainly The Beyonce!

The lightshow went on for over 1 1/2 hours ...

There were three large video walls!

Spin that tune!

Signature move :-) Shaking that bootay...

Beyonce can really sing!

I was really impressed! The crowd sang along, bopped along, and everyone had a great time. All 40,000 of us!!

More Beyonce...

Wow! .... I didn't like her slower numbers, but the graphics and lightshow more then made up for it.

There will be more piccies :-)

Beyonce is about to play at Abu Dhabi's Yas Island

2009-10-29T13:07:00.000-07:00

Yas Marina Formula One circuit ... On Thursday, 29th October, we arrived at 1830 ... phew, the ticket stated that the island would not allow cars in after 1800, but we are glad they didn't enforce this! Traffic was murder, it took nearly an hour from nearby Mussafah!

Relaxed security ... quickly, we were in!

Caught a glimpse of the hairpin turn of the circuit, this is the Grandstand!

Dear friends from afar...

Waiting for the gig to begin ... Hmmm, there was a licensed bar!

Time to whet your appetite ...

Beyonce - Live at Yas Island F1, Abu Dhabi

2009-10-28T14:35:00.000-07:00

Hours away :-) ...

Oktoberfest, porkfest at Le Meridien - Abu Dhabi

2009-10-25T09:11:00.000-07:00

My first Oktoberfest in Abu Dhabi! We had a great evening ...

Location: Le Meridien, Corniche
Cost: 110 AED for porrrrrky buffet
Drinkies: 30 AED per pint of german lager!

Bring on the pork! So much pork ... great quality pork too!

Mmmh ... sausages too!

KCL's pretzel ... huge!

Uh ... these ain't real!

I liked the Sauerkraut! Described as "German Kimchi"!

Beef and beer stew ... nicccccce!

More food!

We enjoyed the folk band, and their constant toasting, "Prosssssst!"

My Bitburger!

Always room for dessert ... Cheesecake, Apple strudel, and uh ... Goreng Apple!

Here's the toast ... again! Prooooosssssssst!

KCL's dark beer! Hic ...

Our dear friend cooks up a storm in Abu Dhabi!

2009-10-25T08:42:00.000-07:00

Lunch one day at Shahama, on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi ... Herbal Chicken Soup, yummy!

Clever little dip ... Chopped ginger slices and spring onions, in boiling hot oil! Slurrrp! Perfect with the chicken from the Herbal Chicken soup! The chicken was so tender and tasttttty!!

Ooooh... steamed hammour fish, with si yau wong. Perfectly steamed!

Simple ... Crunchy, fresh, tasty ... Siu Pak Choy.

Another one of LL's magical dishes ... Pan fried prawns with Garlic and Tomato. Superb!

Creamy curry chicken, Malaysian-Thai fusion. Dammmmn nice!