2010夏---中国

YunGang Grottoes @ Datong

YuGang Grottoes is one of the three biggest Grottoes in China.The other two are DunHuang Grottoes and LongMen Grottoes. It was built during the Bei Wei Dynasty and took about 50 years, and 40,000 people to finish. The cave art combines traditional Chinese art form with foreign influence, particularly Greek and India. So the Budda actually looks a little bit like mixed of Chinese and Mid Easterner with high nose and deep eyes.

The biggest Budda in YuGang Grottoes

Quanjude with family and friends

Established in 1864, QuanJuDe Peking Duck is definitely the must go place if you visit Beijing. Though it may not be the best place for roast duck, it will serve you an unique experience with duck. Pinghan doesn't really like this place because other than roast duck, the other dishes sucks and the price is a little bit high.

GuGong with Dad and Pinghan

If you can only visit one place in Beijing, it should be the Forbidden City (GuGong). It is lying at the center of Beijing. It was the Imperial Palace during Ming and Qing Dynasty. Now it is the world's largest palace complex with approximately 9,000 rooms inside. You need at least one day to see all of them.

@Beijing with Pengpeng and Feifei.

Pengpeng's new car, yay! He drove us to my College (Beijing Normal University) that night. It has changed so much that I can hardly tell the name of most buildings. But the unchanged is the familiar smell in the air, the young spirit, energy and of course the beautiful girls everywhere.

@Beijing with Ning and Tim

One day in Beijing is really too short. Nevertheless, Back Lake(Houhai) is definitely the place we don't want to miss!!

Shanghai Expo

The family of Haibao

The only Pavilion we went is the Urbanian Pavilion because it is the only Pavilion that had no lines. Surprisingly, it is quite interesting and worth seeing!!!

Taiwan Pavilion

From the outside, the Taiwan Pavilion is really not that eye catching.

ChengHuangMiao

it not only refers to large temple complex, but also the traditional district of commercial. .It is the oldest city area in ShangHai. There are over a hundred stores and shop here

Song Qingling Memorial Residence @ Shanghai

This is Song Qingling long-term life place. She had lived there since 1948. It covers 4,330 square meters and is a really quiet and elegant place located on Huaihai Road.

Shanghai Xin Tian Di

It is a fashionable pedestrian street composed of Shikumen and modern architecture style. It retains the antique walls, tiles and exterior of the Shikumen housing of old Shanghai. On the other hand, its interior embodies a totally different world of international gallery, bars and cafes, boutiques or theme restaurants. When you walk into Xin Tian Di, you will get the taste both of Shanghai in the 1920's and the sonic modern lifestyle of urbanites of the 21st century.

@Cheng Huang Miao with Xiaobai, Rachel, Feifei and Xiao zhu

Dining in the Vacationland - Maine

Upon arriving in Maine, we can not wait to have lobster.

In Maine, there are two kinds of lobster. One is soft shell lobster, and the other one is hard shell lobster. With respect to soft shell lobster, it represents the lobster that has just recently molted or shed its old shell, so it can begin growing a new and larger shell. Conversely, hard shell lobster means the lobster that has not recently molted or shed its shell. Black mottled spots under the claws of a live lobster indicate that the lobster is a hard shelled lobster.

People in Maine always prefer to eat soft shell lobsters because the meat could be sweeter than hard shell lobsters, and a shedder lobster’s shell can usually be broken apart with bare hands after cooking, without a nutcracker. However, the advantage of eating soft shell lobster is that there is relatively little meat inside a soft shell lobster, as compared to a hard shell one.

(We are presenting two kinds of lobster in the followings.)

Before the coming of lobster, we have an all-you-can-eat salad. It is definitely a hand-picked salad in which everything is chosen by the promising nutritionist XD

If lobster is the leading role on our stage, the perfect supporting role should go to shrimp.

Eventually, the leading role appears on the stage. It is in the spotlight at once.

(This is a soft shell lobster)

Followed by clams. Compared to the hero lobster, it is cast as the villain in our play :D

Although it is not as beloved as the hero, it is really not just a four-flusher.

It completes the show, and makes us satisfied :P

The next lobster play comes to a very well-known restaurant, the Trenton Bridge. It was established in 1956, and has been owned and operated by family for more than three generations.

Lobsters in Trenton Bridge are caught year-round in the cold clean waters off Mount Desert Island, taken fresh off the boats of local fishermen and transported to Trenton Bridge's modern refrigerated seawater facility.

The sequel to the play of clams against lobster is "the revenge of clams" :D

After a comeback, clams grow bigger and stronger.

Could the hero lobster win the battle again?

After a fierce fighting, justice defeats evil. Like a fairy tale, the goods live happily ever afters.

(P.S. The hero lobster in the sequel becomes stronger as well. It is hard shell lobster)

Escape from New York City - Bar Harbor in Maine

To escape from the heat wave in New York City, the best way is to go far far north - Maine, where lobsters are born, blueberries are planted and happiness is produced.

逃離紐約的酷熱,最好的方法就是一路向北啦!

來到美國緯度第二偏北的緬因州(最北的是阿拉斯加),

這裡是龍蝦.藍莓的產地,幸福也隨之而來!

Upon arriving in Maine, there is a giant lobster ardently greeting us (to eat them).

一來到緬因州,一隻大龍蝦展開雙手迎接著我們來吃它 XD

We can't help but have two of them. They are pretty fresh, but the best is not yet to come.

情不自禁地吃了兩隻小龍蝦,但是最好的還在後頭呢!

To explore the hometown of lobster, it is essential to take a good rest. We stay at a log cabin which is embraced by woods. It is very quiet and cheap so that it also attracts a bunch of bugs vacationing here.

為了好好探索龍蝦的故鄉,充足的休息是必要的.我們住在了一間小木屋式的旅館,可能因為便宜.乾淨.安靜,蟲子們也都來此度假 XD

To discover the place where lobsters live, we go to kayak. It is a pity that our camera is not with us while we are kayaking. Kayaking is really an exercise with a lot of fun. It is a good exercise that couples can learn how to coordinate, and can enjoy the scenery of ocean and mountains.

睡飽之後,要划獨木舟出海找龍蝦囉!

獨木舟真的是項好活動,可以讓一起划船的人體會

十年修得同船渡,百年修得共枕眠 的精神

After going ashore, we get to Acadia National Park which is enriched by granite cliffs side by side with sand and cobblestone beaches. Glacier-carved mountains rise from the sea and cup deep lakes in their valleys.

上岸之後,我們到了Acadia國家公園,公園以花崗岩峭壁以及鵝卵石沙灘聞名,冰河切割而成的高山從海洋升起,擁抱湖泊在其懷中

From the mountain, we overlook the beautiful bay named Frenchman bay. Once upon a time, a French, Samuel Champlain, made the first important contribution to the historical record of Mount Desert Island. He led the expedition that landed on Mt. Desert on September 5, 1604 and wrote in his journal, "The mountain summits are all bare and rocky...I name it Isles des Monts Desert." Champlain's visit to Acadia 16 years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock destined this land to become known as New France before it became New England.

從山上眺望法國人海灣.從前一位法國探險家造訪並記錄下了這裡的美景,他的到訪比英國人早了16年,也為這塊土地留了新法國的名號

Be immersed in the woods and feel the quiet.

沉浸山林及寧靜之中

Still lake reminds us of peaceful mind. The lake is like the mind of the national park. Although there are many visitors coming and going, the lake is never affected. It keeps calm all the time.

平靜的湖泊藏於喧囂之中,不論四季更迭.人事變遷,依然不改本性,恬淡自得.

菩提本無樹,明鏡亦非臺,本來無一物,何處惹塵埃

The bay at nightfall.

Twilight at sunset lights up the sea.

落日餘暉中,我們乘著快艇環遊海灣

The last stop is the light house on the bay,

which is not only the stop for traveler, but also the stop for seals.

海灣,最後一個景點 - 燈塔,燈塔周圍,許多海豹也休息著,觀賞著從陸地上來的訪客

Dining in the Vacationland State, Maine, is to be continued.

Dining in the China Town - Red Egg

We finally get a chance to take a picture with this huge "Hello Kitty" before heading to China town. It is located on Park&53rd.

在去中国城之前，我们终于和这只大猫合了影。不过她离秉翰工作的地方很近，以后可以常常去拜访了。

Red Egg is the only DimSum Place we visit regularly. From Monday to Friday, during 5pm-7pm happy hour, you can have the dishes for half the price. Yay!!! But you won't have as many options as usual.:(

我们基本每周都会去“红蛋”吃港式饮茶。如果周一到周五晚上5点到7点去，还会享受半价优惠哦。不过可能没有像早茶一样有那么多选择。

Small Octopus.

小章鱼宝宝。第一次点就被可爱的外形吸引了，味道还不错，有很浓的卤味。

Fried Shrimp Roll. Tender shrimp meat inside and crispy layer outside. Just by imagination, you know it will taste great.

炸虾卷。虾软嫩皮酥脆。这也是我们一直以来的最爱，不过似乎今天的虾肉没有以往那么新鲜。

Beef Short Rib, very flavorful. I always like the meat with bones.

牛小排。很有味道但是肉没有非常嫩的说.

Pork Bun.

叉烧包。光看它炸开的样子就知道很好吃了～

Shrimp Dumpling.

虾饺。皮非常薄，虾肉也很新鲜嫩滑。在红蛋，只要用虾做的都好吃。

Chicken Feet. One of the must order dishes. The feet is very soft and full of flavor.

豉汁凤爪。每次来的必点菜之一。此爪肥且汁浓郁，尤其爱盘底的花生～

Fried Shrimp Dumpling. This is the first time we order this dish, surprising, it is really good.

炸虾饺。这是刚刚发掘的新菜式，外酥里嫩，非常好吃哦～

Sweet bun with custard inside. This is definitely our favorite desert. You can tell from the picture that the rich custard liquid is rushing out. That is so amazing. But do remember to have it when it is hot, otherwise the liquid will be solidified.

流沙包，这绝对是我俩的最爱，浓郁的蛋奶香酱，蓬松的外皮，简直太诱人了。一口咬下去，汁液就会喷出来，太灵了～ 不过一定要趁热吃，不然汁液凝固就没那么特别了！

The trip to Maine is to be continued :D

Dining at the Castle

Welcome to join us to the Equus restaurant, which offers a breathtaking ambiance with its stunning design and equally impressive dining. Creativity abounds in its appetizers, main courses and seductive desserts.

城堡裡的餐廳跟城堡一樣裝飾典雅,主要提供義大利餐點 :)

The appetizer is mainly made of shrimp and crab meat.

It is extremely delicious.

這是主要由蝦蟹製作而成的開胃小菜,非常地好吃哦 :D

The Crab Cake. Surprisingly, the crab meat is very fresh.

螃蟹餅裡的螃蟹很新鮮哦!

Scallion and Tortellini. It is Italian dumpling.

However, in my opinion, it is not as delicious as Chinese dumpling XD

義大利餃子,不過我覺得並沒有我們的餃子好吃 XD

Rack of Lamb.

It seems to not be cooked enough XD

感覺還沒有烤熟的羊排 XD

Medallion of Sirloin.

It is really overcooked. They make something wrong

by making median well for the Sirloin and median rare for the Lamb XD

大獎章沙朗牛排,被烤過頭了,他們可能誤把牛排當羊排煮了 XD

Chocolate Castle Cake. It is very impressive.

While the chocolate castle is showing up, it draws other guests' attention.

And, it becomes mandatory for every table XD

巧克力城堡蛋糕,一上來就吸引了全場的目光,後來幾乎每桌都有一盤 XD

(非常好吃哦!)

Cheesecake. It seems to be not as fascinating as her chocolate brother XD

起司蛋糕,儘管吃起來不錯,並不像巧克力城堡蛋糕討喜

After dinner, drive home XD

飯後運動,騎馬回家

See you, the Castle!

城堡,有機會下次再見了 :D