Of course, like most people, I always complain about the heat here. I also complain about the humidity. I think my boss heard me and decided to send me to another place, where it was winter. It was cold. It was not humid at all. He sent me for a business trip to Akashi, Japan so I could not complain about how hot and humid it was in Singapore.
It was in late Jan 2008, it was cold. It was winter. And when the wind blew, the wind chill factor made me understand why my grandparents decided to leave China in search of a better living in warmer countries. Actually, I am exaggerating, the coldest temperature was only -1 degree celcius. But I live in a place where it's 30 degree celcius, all year round. And I have not experienced cold weather since I left Sydney, and that's almost like 10 years ago. So, it was still temperature shock for me.
So again, no blossoming sakura waiting for me in Japan as it was much too early. But, I've got to take the picture of plum blossom (ume). It's either plum blossom or peach blossom, they are of a family (I guess)
Let's digress a bit. For a fan of Jin Yong's The Legend of Condor Heroes, seeing the real peach blossom in front of me has answered my curiosity on how peach blossom island should look like. For those who never read or watch The Legend of Condor Heroes, peach blossom island is where Huang Rong, the female protagonist in the story, lived.
Another thing that worth noted here, on my second day in Akashi, there was snowfall. I haven't seen snowfall for a long time. I got very excited when I saw it. Despite the cold, I still managed to walk around the hotel, just to experience the snow again.
However, business trip is business trip. My schedule in this trip was very very packed. I've got dinner invitation almost every night. And until the last day, I could not even spare some time to visit Kyoto. And Kyoto is only one hour and thirty minutes by train from Kobe/Akashi. How depressing.
Food wise, I have got no complaint. I was well fed during this trip. I enjoyed tepanyaki style kobe beef dinner twice. I had chinese food -- japanese stye. I've got enough of sashimi, sushi, tempura during this trip. I had shabu-shabu. But, where's the best omu-rice from the Lunch Queen?
Without doubt, my wagyu beef was still the best. It is just melt in the mouth. It's so tender, and it did not smell. Made me wonder why the beef that I cooked sometimes smell like beef(?) and tasted like rubber?
That should explain why all the pictures that I took are mostly food pictures from the dinners that I have had.
Boss, when can I visit Kyoto?
