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 

2015年2月14日 星期六

《火星任務》,安迪‧威爾(Andy Weir)著

曾經,不少人都想過,如果火星上有火星人的存在,似乎是一件值得高興的事,畢竟這代表地球人在宇宙中並不孤單,且鄰居就還住在隔壁而已,呵~所以美國也有為數不少的火星探測計劃,逐漸揭開了火星的面紗;這本《火星任務》的故事,發生在一次太空人登陸火星的任務,由於強烈的沙塵暴,導致任務在登陸不久後就被迫放棄,甚至還因此損失了一名太空人,沒想到,陰錯陽差下,馬克.瓦特尼保住了性命,但在缺乏一切生存資源的情況下,馬克要如何在火星上繼續生存?他又要如何才能回到地球?

當學生時念過,生命三要素是陽光,空氣,水,但人不能只靠這三者存活,還必須攝取熱量才行,而這些要素,在火星上皆無法直接取得,馬克必須想辦法從出任務時帶到火星的設備,或說行李中變出來才行,這就不是一件簡單的事情了,再加上何時在地球的地面人員才會發現馬克的存在?發現之後又需要多久才能有下一批的太空人抵達火星把馬克接出來呢?本書幾乎都在解決這一類看似不可能的任務,因為難度超高,當作者提出解決方案之後,會讓讀者覺得,又學到了一課,原來還可以這樣做呀!這是這本書好看的地方,想像到火星出任務的情景,又能學到一些新東西,雖然似乎很難有機會用得上,哈哈~

還記得,應該是電影《阿波羅十三號》中,有遇過一個滿不可思議的難題,為了要把太空船與登月小艇上的空調系統相連,動用了許多資源,就為了把正方形的接頭接入圓形的接頭,明明是一樣功能的設備,卻使用不同的接頭導致兩者無法直接互相取代或是共同運作;在本書中就多次強調,所有設備皆使用相同接頭,如果A損壞,可以直接使用B取代,這也算是終於學到了一課吧!這個小地方,也讓我覺得挺有趣的!

2015年2月8日 星期日

[US] Nevada,Las Veags,Topless Show

拉斯維加斯的秀有三種,第一種是免費秀,在拉斯維加斯大道上,由各飯店免費提供街上行人娛樂的秀;第二種則是既精彩又熱鬧,戲院規模都頗大,適合全家觀賞的秀;最後一種則是遊走於色情與藝術邊緣,必須滿廿一歲才能觀賞的上空秀,由於觀眾群較少,有可能會在較為簡陋的場所表演。既然來到此,自然三種秀都不應該錯過囉!
There are three shows in Las Vegas. The first one is free show. You can watch this kind of shows for free on the Strip. The most famous one should be the dancing water of Bellagio. The second one is the big show which it for all family to watch and enjoy, like the shows presented by Cirque du Soleil. The last one is only for the people who are older than 21 years old. It's that kind of show between sex and art. Since you've already been here, you should not miss any of them.




關於上空秀,目前我看過兩部,一部是XRocks,這場秀讓我看到了拉斯維加斯的另一面,原來這兒也有這麼簡陋的場地呀!會場就是一個小小的宴會場所,座椅還都是臨時才排列的,當然也就不劃位,只能夠購買某個區域的票券,想坐好位子?就提早來排隊吧!先到先選。最好的位子,是舞台邊的幾張小桌子,還可以點杯小酒,邊喝酒邊看秀,真的是很享受!
I've watched two topless shows, one is called XRocks. It really surprised me that the theater is really small. It doesn't look like Las Vegas. All the seats are cheap chairs that were set up just before the show. Of course you cannot choose where you would like to sit. You can only buy the ticket with a specified area of the seats. Want a good seat? Show up earlier to line in front of the theater. First one come in, first to choose the seat. The best seats are several small tables just around the stage. You may also order a glass of wine to enjoy the show, and the wine.

至於XRocks秀,我覺得還可以,雖然似乎也有編劇安排從頭到尾的喬段,但我還是覺得劇情連貫性不是很好,比較像是單純地,從不同的面向,打扮,來展示舞台上的女孩,姣好的身體,看了沒多久,我就放棄去理解劇情了,單純只是在欣賞女性胴體;這場秀,對非美國人來說(也許是對非英語系國家來說),另外有個敗筆,中間串場的主持人,真的太當地了,他的英語講得非常地快,應該也使用了不少俚語,再加上許多的黃色笑話,我幾乎無法理解,但坐在旁邊的美國人笑得超大力,幾乎有點喘不過氣來;由這點來說,這場秀相對沒那麼國際化,理解有限,就沒那麼好看了。
For the show, I think it's OK. Even there is a director scenarist to arrange the show, I still feel that there is no a whole story to tell you why the first dance shows this, why the second dance shows that. It's just through different direction, different clothes (customs) to present their shape and beautiful body. Maybe 20 minutes later, I just ignore the story and enjoy their dance and shape.
To the people who doesn't live in US, or who doesn't speck English as the first language, the talk show between sections is too local for me. The host speaks very fast and might use a lot of slang and dirty jokes which is really hard to understand, but really funny for the Americans. The one sit next to me laugh a lot, almost cannot breath. According to this, this is not an "International" show which is not so good for me.

Rio All-Suites Hotel and Casino 地址:
3700 West Flamingo Road, 
Las Vegas, NV 89103




第二部則是Fantasy,廣告上寫的是全拉斯維加斯,最性感的秀,好像得到過某一年的上空秀第一名,的確,整個戲院的設施就比XRocks要好得多,至少場地看來就是專門表演相關這場秀,不像XRocks似乎是臨時租借場地一般,整個硬體設施也都相當地不錯;不過就沒有舞台邊的小桌子,可以邊喝酒邊看秀了,呵呵~
The second one is Fantasy. It is advertised as the most sexy show is Las Vegas. It seems to win a competition for topless shows couple years ago. You can tell that, the stage and theater is much better than XRocks. Maybe because of that, there are no tables around the stage for the audience to enjoy the show and wine at the same time.

整體的表演來說,比XRocks再上一個檔次,舞者的專業度更足,表演更到位,還有一位主打星,以歌聲串場,帶來更不一樣的感受,有種在看《女狼俱樂部》的感覺,因為她也是唯一沒有上空的表演者,呵呵~
如果想要花點小錢,看場很不錯的上空秀,我覺得Fantasy真的是很好的選擇。
For the show, I think the Fantasy is the upgrade version of XRocks includes the dancers, talk show and also how the dancers present their sexy body. There is also one special star of the girls, she sings all the songs in the show which makes me feel I'm watching the movie, Coyote Ugly. If you would like to spend some money to watch a nice topless show, I'll recommend you to try the Fantasy.

Luxor Hotel & Casino 地址:
3900 South Las Vegas Boulevard, 
Las Vegas, NV 89119

2015年2月7日 星期六

[US] California,Brea,L&L Hawaiian Barbecue


這次來美國才知道,原來還有所謂夏威夷料理,某天中午,同事帶我到L&L Hawaiian Barbecue吃午餐,算是一個潛艇堡或是漢堡吃膩後的一個選擇。



第一次吃的時候,覺得肉烤得好吃,還配上許多的生菜,而且還可以吃到米飯,真是一個好選擇。


後來再去,我反而大多是點海鮮組合餐,在加州,畢竟還是以各式肉類為主食,難得可以吃到魚(雖然是炸的),但也是不錯的享受,當然重點是料理都相當好吃!

L&L Hawaiian Barbecue 地址:
2445 E Imperial Hwy
Brea, CA 92821

2015年2月1日 星期日

[US] Nevada,Las Vegas,Free Shows

在拉斯維加斯這個娛樂城市中,為了吸引人潮,飯店還會提供免費秀,有室外秀,也有室內秀,只是這次沒有特地去逛各家飯店,沒有看到室內秀,只看了兩個最有名的室外秀。
There are so many hotels in Las Vegas, how could a hotel to attract people's eye to come to its casino? Some hotels try to provide free shows.



第一個是Bellagio的水舞秀,這是一個大家很難錯過的秀,Bellagio的位置實在太好,就在拉斯維加斯大道的中央,南來北往一定會經過,且水舞秀上演的頻率又很高,白天是半小時一場,晚上八點以後則是十五分鐘一場,幾乎可以說是隨時都有表演了。音樂,燈光,加上水舞的表演,多重享受,真的很棒!不下於真的買票去看一場表演。
The most famous should be the Fountains of Bellagio. The Bellagio is located at the middle of the Strip which is very easy for people to go pass by and with the high frequency of show time. People couldn't miss this. In the day time, it shows every 30 minutes. In the night time (after 8:00 PM), it shows every 15 minutes. With the good/classical music, light and dancing water, it's really a great show.



第二個是Mirage Volcano的火山爆發秀,也是個不錯的秀,只是和水舞比起來,只有燈光,水柱以及火焰,稍微遜色了點。
The second one is the Volcano of the Mirage Volcano. It's a nice show with light, water and fire. If you like explosion, you'll like it.

本來還想去看金銀島飯店的免費海盜秀,在寒風中等了十五分鐘都不開始,在網路上查找了一番才發現,免費海盜秀已經被取消了...
新聞連結在(英文):http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2013/nov/25/sirens-ti-pirate-show/
There should be a 3rd show, the Pirate Battle show at the Treasure Island. I wait in the cold wind for 15 minutes then give up...after some search then I found that the show is already cancelled. Don't waste your time to wait for it.
The news is at:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2013/nov/25/sirens-ti-pirate-show/