2015年2月28日 星期六

[US] Nevada,Las Vegas,Encore Resort at Wynn

在拉斯維加斯這兒待了幾天,住的第二間五星級飯店是Wynn的姊妹飯店─Encore Resort,當初在網路上尋找相關訊息時,有人介紹Wynn比較古典,Encore則比較現代化,畢竟前兩晚就住在典雅代表的Bellagio,於是後兩晚就選擇了現代化的Encore;入住時也嘗試要使用「三明治手法」尋求免費昇級,沒想到接待員說Encore不流行這一套,只好默默把廿美元再收回來,沒想到,接待員給的房間還是相當不錯,高樓層,還有漂亮的山景,讓我覺得,即使不使用三明治手法要求升級,還是跟接持員提一句,能不能選個有景觀的房間,也許就能住得更舒服了!
I chose the Encore Resort as the second 5-star hotel to stay. When I was searching on Internet, a blogger says the style of Wynn is classical and Encore is modern. Since I had stayed in Bellagio which is already very classical, I would like to stay in a modern hotel for another two nights. 
While check-in, I also tried the "$20 sandwich trick" to get free upgrade, but the front desk rejected to take the tips and told me that Encore doesn't play it. Even though, I still think I get a very good room. It's at high level and with a very good view of the mountains. 

Encore的房間,入門的第一個區域是衛浴,第二則是臥房,第三則是客廳。
浴室附有浴袍,還有兩個獨立的洗手檯,很方便兩個人早上同時進行盥洗。
There are three areas in the room. The first one is the bathroom, the second is the bedroom and the last is living room. It's very convenient to have two independent washbasins for two people to wash their faces and rinse their mouths in the morning.



(隨附的盥洗用品,the toiletries)


(同時提供浴缸與獨立的淋浴間,the bathtub & shower compartment)

(臥房旁的點心零嘴區)

(舒服的大床,king size bed)

(用來區隔臥房與客廳的電視,the TV)

客廳是我最喜愛的空間,個人偏好L型沙發,可以懶懶地躺在沙發上,更不用這兒室外的美景,真是太醉人了,這空間超享受的!
The best part of this room is the L-type sofa. To lie down on a L-type sofa and enjoy the landscape is one of the best thing I would like to spend time. 



(還有一小塊的書房空間,the study)


(從客聽回看臥房的視角,the view from living to bedroom)

白天的窗外景觀,一整片的美景,至少180度,再加上這麼美的藍天,真的是讓人心胸開闊,超級享受!
To lie down on the sofa and enjoy the view at day time should be the thing you need to do in Las Vegas. It's so beautiful.




PS. Encore Resort每晚的resort fee是25鎂;而提供的無線網路,則只允許兩台無線設備上網。
PS. The resort fee of Encore Resort is USD 25 per night and it only service two wireless clients to connect to the Internet for free.

Encore Resort 地址:
3121 South Las Vegas Boulevard, 
Las Vegas, NV 89109

2015年2月27日 星期五

《當企業購併國家 (The Silent Takeover) 》,諾瑞娜‧赫茲(Noreena Hertz)著

近日來,台北市的BOT案件,讓人發現了隱藏在其下,被掩蓋了許久的秘密,對照本書封底所寫,真的是一個好問題,「如果國家變成企業有,企業治,企業享,我們的未來在哪裡?」

目前全球的社會價值主流,基本上是「民主」與「資本主義」兩者,以前我沒有發現,看了本書才知道,這兩者居然是互相對立的概念,民主追求的是社會上每個人的平等,一人一票,票票等值;資本主義追求的是財產私有,有能力的人,就該擁有更多的資源,貧窮者就是能力不足,懶惰,陷入困境只是他應得的;這兩者的概念,反而是互相衝突的。
說來有趣,政治上的「民主」,似乎應該與經濟上的「共產主義」配對,都以人人平等為基本假設,故而有類似的追求,有一致的目標,也許反而能發展得不錯?諷刺的是,世界上卻沒有一個這樣體制的國家!

現在的主流,資本主義的發展,已經壓過民主了,經過代議政治選出來的代表,已經不再能代表多數民眾的聲音了,來自企業的大額政治獻金,讓代表們心甘情願地為企業服務,甚至企業不用提出要求,代表已經幫忙考慮清楚,甚至都安排好了,企業只要收下相關回饋即可,由於民眾看得愈來愈清楚,民主已無法帶來改變,投票率愈來愈低,人選再怎麼更迭,都是為企業服務的!
民眾能做的,只能控制自己的「消費行為」,畢竟企業的命脈是生產,販售產品,若民眾能團結一致,不消費某企業的產品,直接對企業施加壓力,反而能帶來改變,就像近日台灣人民針對「頂新集團」的抗議行為,就正好符合作者在十年前觀察到的現象,而頂新集團與政府也因此被迫做出了與過去不同的行為或政策,事情似乎的確往人民期望的方向發展,也讓我們看到了希望,看到了某些微光,台灣仍然有改變的機會!

讓人失望的一點,是作者在最後提出的解決方案,建立世界社會組織(World Social Organization),對我來說,就像是另一個聯合國,看不出來會有所不同,能帶來不一樣的改變嗎?或許是期望太高,問題太難,真的有什麼可行的解決之道嗎?
企業的能力實在太強大了,就像過去的貴族一般,甚至可以掌權達一百,兩百年,勢力根深柢固,只有人民自覺,真的認知到,自己的一次,兩次,三次的消費行為能夠牽動背後代表的企業,進而影響企業的行為,強迫企業做出改變,用另一種「民主」去牽制「資本主義」的力量,若不願改變,就將其掃進歷史的塵埃中吧~

2015年2月23日 星期一

[Taiwan] 台北,Tokyo Curry (統一阪急B2)

今天在走了這麼多路之後,又多走了一段,到了阪急地下街覓食,正好是晚間七點左右,這兒正是人潮眾多的時候,每間餐廳都要排隊,挑了間不用排那麼久的,Tokyo Curry來試試!





今天消耗了不少熱量,就點了很多肉的蛋包豬排咖哩飯,而且還是加了雞肉塊的雞肉咖哩,讓人非常滿足。

豬排本身既厚且大片,而且炸得剛剛好,微微見紅,正是剛好十分熟的程度,非常好吃;稍可惜的是蛋包,太熟了點,切開時,蛋汁已不會滑動,因而沒有那麼的誘人;咖哩則是微辣的咖哩,吃入口中略帶刺激性,挺不一樣的,算是我第一次嚐到的口味。
最可惜的是,我不該加點雞肉的,第一,雞肉占據了原來咖哩醬汁的空間,導致咖哩的分量略有不足,未能每口白飯都搭配飽滿醬汁,略有不滿足;第二則是雞肉似乎調煮過久,本身的甜味已有所流失,僅餘口感配飯,若有所失。

Tokyo Curry 地址:
110 台北市信義區忠孝東路五段8號B2樓

2015年2月22日 星期日

[Taiwan] 台北,幾米月亮公車 (The Bus Stop of Jimmy)


從象山下來,記得不久前才在網路上看到一個新景點,台北一○一旁的幾米公車站,想想也不遠,就慢慢散步過去。
As I remember, the Bus Stop of Jimmy is near the Entrance of Elephant Mountain, so we walk slowly to go there.



在路上,找個機會拍了張很漂亮藍色天空下的台北一○一。
On the way, I find a chance to take a photo of Taipei under the blue sky.



從象山登山口下來,散步了十餘分鐘,就找到了幾米公車站,雖然沒看過繪本,這個公車站與月亮公車還挺有趣的。
After 15 minutes walk, we have arrived this new, small and interesting spot, the Bus Stop of Jimmy.




「遺忘」與「記住」是不少創作在討論的主題,因為記得曾經發生的事情,形塑了現在的個人,但有時也要遺忘曾經發生的幸或不幸,才有辦法繼續往下走,不過在幾米的繪本中,應該是用挺溫馨的手法在處理,就從現象的溫暖黃光,就能感受到。
This spot is coming from a picture book of Jimmy who is very famous in Taiwan. The topics are Forget and Remember. With the yellow light, I can tell that he uses a warm way to tell the story.




帶著微笑,溫暖人心的司機先生。
The driver with smile.






車上隨處可見的溫暖微笑~
The smile is the sign every where.



稍一抬頭,透過車窗可見溫暖的月亮~
While you look up, you can see the warm moon through the window.

幾米公車地址:
110台北市信義區信義路五段100號

2015年2月21日 星期六

[Taiwan] 台北,象山 (Xiangshan, Elephant Mountain)


這次的春節連假,老天爺給了個相當不錯的好天氣,這一天,就打算下午去象山走走,欣賞下台北一○一的夜景。
We are lucky to have good weather during the Lunar New Year. My family would like to go to the Elephant Mountain to see the night view of Taipei 101.


在捷運上,就看到不少穿著輕便,似乎也是要去走象山步道的民眾,果然不少人都是在象山站出站,捷運站內的指標也挺清楚的,往出口2中強公園的方向走就對了!
There are many people looks like going to hiking on the Metro, just like us. It's easy to follow the signs to go Xiangshan Hiking Trail, the Elephant Mountain.

(我們選比較近的,靈雲宮方向,其實應該十五分鐘內就到了!)
(Go right, which says it only takes 20 minutes to arrive the Entrance.)


沿途在每個叉路口都有指標,再加上人潮不少,基本上,不用擔心會迷路,跟著走就對了!
It's easy, just follow the signs and ... people. There are so many people also go to the same destination.



在步道口,還要排隊慢慢開始上樓梯;旁邊還有說明,單趟可消耗300大卡的熱量,記得若以時速10公里的速度跑半小時,也不過才消耗300大卡左右,看來這趟象山行,不像想像中那麼輕鬆呀~
There is a line at the entrance to start climbing the stairs. The sign says you can burn 300K for one turn which is really a lot for around 30 minutes walking.

(往六巨石的方向上行)


上行三分鐘左右,就有地圖顯示整個四獸山系的步道,今天的象山行,只是其中的一小段,以後不知有沒有機會來逛逛全程。
The map of Sishou Hills. In Mandarin, it means the Mountains of Four Animals, include Elephant, Tiger, Leopard and Lion. Today, I'm just go to the Elephant.


有點喘噓噓地走了十餘分鐘,看到前方有觀景台可稍作休息並拍照,這兒應該是後來新建的,印象中幾年前來的時候,並沒有這一個觀景台,算是不錯的中繼地點,只是高度還是低了點,不夠開闊,倒是讓我更想趕快上象山頂拍照。
Around 15 minutes, there is a view point for taking a rest and taking photos. I guess this might be new since it wasn't there couple years ago. It's good but I think the view at the top is better, so I just take few photos here.




從觀景台再到象山頂,應該差不多五分鐘左右,全程就看個人休息時間,大約從20分鐘到40分鐘,若對自己體力沒信心,記得慢慢走。
Go up for another 5 minutes will arrive the top. The total time for this trail may only cost 20 to 40 minutes. Since you're climbing stairs all the way, you will easily feel tired. Just take your turn, don't be rush. You may feel much better and easier for it.




到了象山頂(六巨石),遊客們輪流拍照,倒也還不致於特別擁擠,不過能有這麼多人一起在這兒賞景,也是挺有趣的。
It's interesting to look around. Some people just take photos, some sit there and watch the view and some are chatting to friends. Different purposes make different behaviors. Just enjoy the time.


下山途中,還拍了一張101夾心餅乾。
When I go down, I take a photo that Taipei 101 is shown between two buildings.

(Double 101!)

最後則是個人最喜歡的一張照片,由於錯位與顏色,好像有兩座台北一○一。
The last photo is my favorite, it looks like there are two Taipei 101 with the same red flower and green stem.

2015年2月15日 星期日

[US] Nevada,Las Vegas,Sushi Mon

在網路上看到某位部落客評價,Sushi Mon是拉斯維加斯最棒的日式料理吃到飽,美國不像台灣那麼容易找到道地的日本食物,畢竟離日本太遠,相對不是那麼容易找到日本廚師,或是去日本受過訓練的廚師,所以在看到那篇文章時,直接就把這間店列為必去的餐廳;沒想到這間餐廳離拉斯維加斯市區還有段距離,這是我第一次離開拉斯維加斯市區~
I found this restaurant by a blogger who says this is the best all-you-can-eat for Japanese food in Las Vegas. It's not as easy as Taiwan to find good Japanese restaurant in United States. Since US is really far from Japan, it's hard to find a Japanese chef or a chef who had been to Japan to learn how to cook Japanese food. Since I love Japanese food, I noted this restaurant on my must-go list while I read the blog.


一坐下來發現是綠茶,的確是挺日式的,對今天的晚餐就多了些信心,相信一定會滿道地的,就放心地點餐了。
When I found it serves the green tea, I realize this should be a local Japanese restaurant.


 
雖然有單點服務,既然決定要來握壽司吃到飽,那就直接選擇一人26.95鎂的吃到飽套餐吧!畢竟某些握壽司是很貴的,還要看價格點菜,實在太累了;只是,拿到菜單發現另一個問題,英文單字認識得太少了,有些料理方式實在是看不懂,就只能直接點來試試了!
The Sushi Mon not only provide the buffet, you can still just order the dishes you want and pay for it. For me, I'm here to eat lots of sushi, not just taste. So I chose all you can eat, USD 26.95 for each person. But I forgot one thing, I'm not in Taiwan now, there is only English menu. I can't recognize all the dishes on the menu, some of them I can just try and error, ha~


炸蝦(Shrimp Tempura),雖然蝦子沒有很大條,適當厚度的麵衣,提供脆脆的口感,再加上甜嫰的蝦子,好吃!
生菜沙拉(Green Salad)與海藻沙拉(Seaweed Salad),我比較喜歡海藻沙拉,一方面有生魚塊,洋蔥加上海藻也很好吃。
Shrimp Tempura, the shrimp is sweat and the crisp and deep-fried batter coating taste good. Not like some Japanese restaurant in Taiwan, the chef want the shrimp looks very big with very thick coating which might destroy the taste.
Between the Green Salad and Seaweed Salad, I prefer the Seaweed Salad which has raw fish pieces, onion and seaweed which is really good.




這些握壽司中,我最推薦的是甜蝦與海膽,新鮮又甜美,超好吃的,讓人大滿足!另一項非常甜美的是干貝,既厚且肥美!
As I remember, the Sweat Shrimp (Amaebi) and Sea Urchin (Uni) are the only two sushi each person can ONLY order once which I strongly recommend everyone should try if you like it. They both are really sweat and fresh, taste delicious. Another sushi which taste very good is Fresh Scallop (Hotate), sweat.

上圖的鮭魚是鮭魚刺身Salmon (Sake),下圖的則是大蒜鮭魚握壽司Garlic Salmon (橘色魚肉)。
上圖的鮪魚(金槍魚)是大蒜鮪魚握壽司Garlic Tuna,下圖的則是炙鮪魚握壽司Seared Tuna (紅色魚肉)。
下圖右下角的貝類壽司是北寄貝。
The orange fish is Salmon, the upper one is Sake, the button one is Garlic Salmon.
The red fish is Tuna, the upper one is Garlic Tuna, the button one is Seared Tuna.
The only clam sushi here is Surf Clam (Hokki).


吃完第一輪才發現,旁邊有個小黑板,上面有今日特選,其中的獅魚每人只能點一個,不多說,直接全點一份,全部都好吃呀!
When we finish the first run, the chef told us there are some Today Special on the board, we can think about. There is nothing to consider, just order all of them. So delicious.


鰺魚(Aji) - 左上角帶魚皮的握壽司。
藍鰭金槍(鮪)魚(Bluefin Tuna) - 左下方艷紅色的握壽司。
黃帶鰺(striped jack) &  鰤魚(Amberjack) - 這兩種魚很類似,不記得怎麼分辨了。
Aji is the sushi on the left top.
Bluefin Tuna is the left button one, with the red flesh.
The other two are Striped jack and Amberjack, but I don't remember which is which.


烏魚子軍艦捲(Black Tobiko) & 明太子軍艦捲(Mentai, spicy cod roe)

我覺得天婦羅炸蔬菜非常好吃,麵衣很薄,又能把蔬菜的甜份與水份都鎖在裡面,自從多年前在日本吃過,讓人念念不忘,有機會都會點來嚐嚐,只是台灣的平價日式料理店還是比不上日本,問題可能出在麵衣總是太厚;今天這一道蔬菜天婦羅有日本的水準。
Couple years ago, I've tried Vegetable Tempura in Japan and I love it. It can keep the sweat and water inside the vegetable itself which taste very delicious. It's a little pity that it's hard to find a cheap Japanese restaurant in Taiwan to have such a good Vegetable Tempura. The Vegetable Tempura today, is as good as the one I tried in Japan.



最後這兩盤我已不復記憶,也許是一口氣吃了太多好吃的生魚片握壽司了,實在是太滿足了,難怪會被譽為拉斯維加斯最棒的日式料理吃到飽,真的超棒,感覺比在市中心吃吃到飽更滿足,也許是相較之下,我喜歡吃魚更甚於吃肉吧!
I don't remember what the last two fishes are. Maybe because I already have too much, really satisfied about tonight's dinner, wonderful! I agree why this is the No. 1 Japanese Buffet in Las Vegas. For me, this is better than eat buffet on the Strip, because I love fish more than meat.


最後分享一下甜點,我最愛的是左下角的芒果麻糬。
Finally, the Mango Mochi is my favorite dessert.

Sushi Mon 地址:
9770 South Maryland Parkway #3
Las Vegas, NV 89183