Ballooning Over Bagan, Myanmar - UPDATE

Jason and I were just talking about our Myanmar experience and the hot air balloon ride I took with my cousin, Megan when he reminded me of something I totally forgot! So off I went to search the internet to see if it happened, and yes it did!

Something that was not mentioned about our ballooning adventure in Bagan was the fact that the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) happened to be there the same day filming. There were four balloons going up that day and they were assigned to the same balloon Megan and I were in. In fact, the camerawoman and reporter ended up in the same quadrant of the basket as us!

It was a little challenging sharing the same space with them as they had a huge camera trying to get footage and interview the pilot at the same time, but in the end I guess it added to the experience because we ended up on the BBC!

I am wearing a bright blue hoodie, while Megan is wearing a dark blue hoodie with pink writing and hair in a bun (next to me). We can be seen at the following markers:

• 0:57 (standing behind reporter)
• 1:47 (sitting and talking to Megan, bottom right hand side of screen)
• 2:22 (in the background talking to Megan and drinking champagne, between reporter and pilot), and
• 2:30 (staring at the sunset, left hand side of screen)

 Click here to see the video


~ Christine

NOTE: To see our blog (with video) about the experience posted in March, click here

Din Tai Fung, Taipei, Taiwan

A successful restaurant chain worthy of a visit...especially if you are in Taipei where it all started! Din Tai Fung specializes in xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) and they are incredible! They have branches all around the world and the one that started it all, on Xinyi Road in Taipei, is still going strong. So much so that there is often a line up.

Din Tai Fung on Xinyi Road, Taipei

The first time we experienced these little bundles of joy was in Singapore. We were walking by when we saw them hand making all these dumplings. Who wouldn't want to taste these after seeing this army of cooks rolling dough, filling them and bundling them up?!

Making xiaolongbao

Xiaolongbao

When they arrived on our table, I had to take a moment to look at them. So perfect and calling to me. They were also hot, so they needed a second to cool down. I carefully picked one up with my chopsticks being mindful not to break the dumpling. I could not believe what I had just eaten. Popping this little meat filled dumpling in your mouth and biting down on it caused the liquid to burst out and envelope your mouth with goodness. It was magic and I had to make yummy noises. Since then, we have sought out a Din Tai Fung wherever we are.

Pork & shrimp

Drunken Chicken

We found Din Tai Fung in Chengdu when we were there and the experience was just as amazing (along with incredible service). Then we found one in Bangkok, while still very good, it lacked a little something. Then we decided to visit Taipei. Not for the sole reason of visiting the original Din Tai Fung but to experience the city itself (and well, having the mother ship there didn't hurt).

Rice with pork

Brisket soup

Spicy dumplings

There are several branches in Taipei, but we went to the original one twice, once on a weekday and once on a weekend day. Both times we were standing at the entrance by 10:30 am. On the weekday, we were seated immediately,  and on the weekend day, we had to wait 5 min. When we left both times, the line was LONG. Plan accordingly if you do not like to wait, and even if you have to wait, I think it is still worth the experience!

 ~ Christine

NOTE: We did not eat all these dishes at one sitting!

Hello, Hello Kitty - Part 2

More interesting Hello Kitty items I have seen on our travels...

Mop & bucket

Credit Card

Yes, KISS & Hello Kitty have teamed up

Yogurt

Phones in front of the Hello Kitty store at the Taipei airport...well, they are pink

Ok, this one is a stretch, but it does have a bow!

 ~ Chistine

Chocolate con Churros in Madrid, Spain

Yes, this is worthy of an entire post - churros. You have probably guessed it, but I love churros. I can remember the first time I had one, Disneyland in California. That is probably why I love them so much, the memories of Disney. Regardless of what thrills it evokes for me, when I heard that churros and hot chocolate is THE breakfast in Madrid, I knew I had to have it. It is not hard to find, everyone sells them, but apparently, the most popular place to have them in Madrid is at San Ginés near Plaza Mayor. They have been serving chocolate con churros since 1894 so I would have to think they know a thing or two. This place is open everyday, 24 hours a day...be prepared to wait in line!

Waiter delivering cups full of hot chocolate

I am usually a purist in the sense that I do not like chocolate, nutella or anything of the sort on my churro, but when in Madrid...

Churros

Churros and Porras

Hot chocolate

The other variation of churro available is called porras (large churros, very similar to a Chinese donut) but I like the skinny ones to get more of a crunch. The hot chocolate was literally a cup of chocolate that was hot. The rich color gave me the impression it was also very thick, but it was smooth, silky, and thick enough to dip your churro in it but with a consistency you could drink. It was not too sweet, with a rich decadent chocolate-ty taste. Once all the churros are gone, you drink the rest of your hot chocolate. Eat this any time of day and you will not regret it!

Chocolate con churros

~ Christine

PS I will be sure to try this several more times to see if this one really was the best :)

San GinésSa

San Ginés

San Ginés

Portugal's Ceramic Tiles

Never have I been bold enough to select daring colors or patterns but after visiting Lisboa, and seeing their love of ceramic tiles (called azulejos)  I have a new appreciation and possible adventurous side in me now.

The tiles in Portugal are not limited to the floor of the bathroom or kitchen. They are everywhere, subway/railway stations, churches, houses, etc. They are on the floor and on the wall. They are even all over the exterior of buildings! And guess what, it works! The buildings are beautiful! You would think it would be too much, but it isn't.

 ~ Christine

From Dubai, UAE to Lisbon, Portugal

Our flight on Emirates from Dubai to Lisbon:

Dinner - Curry mutton, yum!

Flying over Spain

Spain - snow capped mountains

Spain

Spain

 

Flying over Lisbon

Coast of Portugal (Lisbon)

Lisbon

Lisbon

~ Christine

Cherry Blossoms aka Sakura in Japan

Japan should be a must visit on everyone's list of places to see, and if possible we would HIGHLY recommend visiting in March/April when the cherry blossoms are open. The weather might be a bit rainy/cool but it is well worth it. We have visited Japan three times in early April and never do we tire of seeing this beautiful sight. It is an event not to be missed.

~ Christine