Seaside Seafood in Rawai, Phuket, Thailand

On another night in Phuket, we had dinner with an old friend of my wife who we have not seen for some time. She brought us to this restaurant. The location and decor of this place is fabulous. It even had live music and it was good too. It is located just off the jetty on the south east side of Phuket island. With the al fresco dining and nice weather, the ambience was just right.

A view of the restaurant

The entrance to the restaurant

Nice view of the jetty which was lited up

Another view of the restaurant

To start off, we had the oyster Thai style. Instead of just adding lemon or tabasco sauce, you add some vegetable, fried shallots, lime, garlic, a prawn paste and a special sauce. It's heavenly.

Oyster Thai style

How you eat the oyster Thai style

We also had a barrage of popular Thai dishes as you can see below. The cooking was reasonably good although not the best I've tasted.

Namprik with vegetables

Somtam or papaya salad

Phra ka pao moo or prok cooked with basil leaves

Phad Thai

Deep fried fish with fish sauce

Vermencelli with crab

View of the food

Fried rice for my daughter

The total bill came to about Baht 2,200 which was not bad considering the ambience and the amount of food that we had. Unfortunately, I could not remember the name of the restaurant as I wrote this much later and sorry about the delay.

Until the next time, cheers.

Bangkok's cheap and delicious food

While on my monthly trip to Bangkok in early August, we went for dinner to a Thai style steakhouse. Somehow this is very popular. This particular one is called Sante Fe and located in the Esplanade Mall on Ratchadaphisek Road, not far from my office.

On arrival at around 6.30pm, the place was already full and there was a waiting line. Normally, I hate to wait in a line for dinner but this time I did because they wanted to eat western instead of Thai or other cuisine.

The name and logo of the restaurant

Another look at the restaurant

People queuing at the front

In the end, we had to wait for about 20 minutes which was not too bad. However, what is surprising is that the food was served quite fast. It came about 10 to 15 minutes after ordering. This may be due to the fact that most people ordered about the same items.

While western food is popular, the main meat will still be pork rather than beef as a number of Thais do not eat beef.

The food was not bad and the portions are reasonable. What is most surprising was that the prices range between Baht 78 for the sausage and pork chop dish and Baht 199 for the BBQ pork ribs. Considering the restaurant is located in a mall in the middle of Bangkok, this is considered real value for money. (US$1 is approximately Baht 30). Have a look at the pictures of the dishes.

A creamy soup that came as a set

A sausage with pork chop

A chicken gordon blue with pork chop

A large pork steak

BBQ ribs

Mixed pork chops

In addition, I also had this bowl of noodle soup with 2 pieces of chicken thigh for Baht 35 (slightly more than US$1). This however is in Samutsakorn, a province just out of Bangkok. Apart from the low price, it was good too.

The varied, delicious and the prices for food in Bangkok never cease to surprise and amaze me. No wonder I enjoy going there so much.

Until the next time, cheers.

Shanghai again in May 2011

During our recent trip to Shanghai in May, while waiting for our business associates, we had a morning and decided to take the taxi to Pudong as it would give us an opportunity see the recent developments (after a year).

Before this, on arrival at the new Hongqiao airport, I am impressed that it is as good at the Pudong airport. What I admire most in China is that there taxi system is very organised. Their drivers are mostly polite and do not try to fleece you all the time. Of course it was not so (the organised taxi lines) not too long ago. They have also modernised the taxis (it used to be very old and shabby).

On arriving at Hongqiao airport, taxis are properly queuing.

Very organised taxi lines.

The progress of Shanghai seems unending. we stayed at this hotel last year and after 12 months, there were so many new building up and more are on the way.

New apartments after a year. View form our hotel room.

See the new apartments in the background. Huge numbers.

The wedding car arriving at the same time. Caused some traffic jam.

The development in Pudong is another story altogether. More buildings keep sprouting up and you can feel the vibrancy there. I had not been to Pudong for a few years, so imagine my amazement.

Many tall buildings

An iconic building

Beautiful roundabout and see the walkway above that goes around as well.

Good infrastructure. You won't think it's China

Beautiful landscapping too

However, the air quality is Shanghai is also very bad. In the city area, the smog literally blocks the sun and you have this grey drab feeling. The haze is also very bad. Compare that with Pudong above.

The haze

Grey drab feeling

Not very inviting as Pudong

In the subway in Pudong, you can find so many vendors selling all types of things. These people are from the rural areas and have to eke out a living by any means. Life if tough in Shanghai for the poor.

Pets and animals for sale.

All types of toys.

A nice 2D replica of the bund area.

The subway in Shanghai is very cheap and clean. What I like is the aircon is very strong unlike many places.
 So, you don't feel as claustrophobic.

This is the equivalent of the tuktuk in Thailand. As we had walked whole morning, we asked him to send us to the hotel. RMB 5 (US$ 0.80) to send us. He happily posed for us.

A happy driver?

In the evening, we went back to Pudong for dinner with our business associates at the same area. The night pictures will show you a contrast to the day pictures. It was beautiful and in May, the weather was perfect.

Overlooking the Bund area

Many people at the esplanade

We also stopped at the Nanjing pedestrian road to soak in the atmosphere.

Very well lit area

So many tourists

Transport to bring you end to end of the street

A beautiful old building

For those people coming to Shanghai for the first time, it never amazes them and even for me who has been so many times, there are so many new things to discover there. So, it's always an adventure to go there.

Until the next time, cheers.