Restoran Krua Thai, Kepong

I read in the Star today about Krua Thai - looks good (and very near my place), besides few bloggers gave good review about this place too. So, suggested to my bf that we should have our dinner at Krua.

The Star gave good direction on how to get to the place. When we got there, not many diners around, I guess it was almost 10pm - their closing time. But they were very accommodating, few diners came in after 10pm n they could still placed their orders.

First to arrive (our order), hot little bowls of rice (sorry pic not that nice, took it with my Nokia phone),
followed with their signature dish - deep fried fish with Nam Khun sauce and vegetables RM35. deep fried big Siakap fish (too big for 2 person) served on an oval plate, the waiter then poured the sauce onto the fish n lighted up a burner to heat up the soup ( the flame almost burnt my eyebrow) . Both of us didn't like this dish - sourish n sweetish at the same time.

Next came a plate of kangkung belacan - watery n overcooked n very bland! We didn't like their sambal either...again.. sweetish.
We also ordered Kai Jioew Chak Om (omelette) with leaves that tasted like petai - nope not to our liking...I guess we both prefer local way of preparing omelette.
Last to arrived - prawns. Can't recall the name. Huge serving - RM35, taste? ok..not excellent. We couldn't finish this dish and had to tapau back.
Total cost - RM97.00. Revisit? Nope...don't think so.

Other bloggers take on the restaurant:

The Star's article - http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2008/11/30/sundaymetro/2464675&sec=sundaymetro

http://food.malaysiamostwanted.com/venues/restoran-krua-thai-taman-usahawan-kepong

http://www.kuanfoodfetish.com/2008/05/krua-thai-restaurant-revisited.html/

http://www.kuanfoodfetish.com/2007/09/chow-down-restoran-krua-thai.html/

http://foodwhore.wordpress.com/2008/10/02/dinner-krua-thai-restaurant-kepong/

Honey & Cinnamon (Madu & Kulit Kayu Manis)

Images from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honey and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinnamon

After all the eating n binging, clothes starts to feel a bit tighter. Been doing weekly yoga (after office hours organized by our sports club) but not much improvement can be seen as the instructor keeps on skipping classes (her excuse - heavy rain n my car might stall!), other club members refused to change instructor as they like her!

Been participating in weekly qigong classes too (organized by sports club as well) but the only difference I can see, I manage to do all movements without rest (first few classes I was unable to finish specific numbers of repetitive movements like the rest of the class). Weight wise? gained few pounds :-( ha ha I guess when we were asked to imagine 'you are one big ball of qi in the entire universe' work for me too well! We were asked to imagine our body expanding in all directions (to capture qi).... n literally I'm turning into a ball.....gasp. This Friday I'm going to imagine "I'm the slimmest and leanest form of good quality qi".

Anyway, I thought I should try some kind of supplement n remember a tip someone forwarded to me before about honey n cinnamon. So I tried the drink last night n this morning. As the blogger below suggested, I prepared the drink n drank half of the drink before I went to bed, n this morning before shower, I took the other half of the drink. So by the time I was ready to go to work more than 1/2hr had passed n I took my breakfast (Alpha Lipid colostrum drink, Intra herbal drink, evening primrose oil, vitamins)...Will see how it goes.....

Excerpt from http://www.weight-loss-advisor.com/blog/2006/05/01/honey-and-cinnamon-for-weight-loss/

Ingredients
half teaspoon of cinnamon powder
1 teaspoon of honey
1 cup of boiling water
Preparation
Mix the cinnamon and honey in the cup and make a paste. Add the boiling water and cover the cup for half an hour. Stir the mixture water and filter it. Wait until it cools enough for drinking and it’s ready.

Take one half of the drink before breakfast and the other half after dinner, before going to bed.

Weight loss success stories
People who have tried this amazing weight loss drink say that they have lost about 3 kg (6-7 lbs) for 1 week.

I know it sounds too good and easy to be true, but I do believe it really works. I will try it myself in the next couple of weeks, actually as soon as I supply myself with the necessary ingredients - cinnamon and honey. For now I got only the water.

I promise to share my weight loss success story as a comment to this post.

Plenty of health benefits but be aware of adverse reactions if taken too much. http://www.klbiotech.com/content/6_cinnamon.php

Excerpt from http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/nutrition/a/cinnamonbenefit.htm
Adverse Reactions
In “normal uses” in cooking, cinnamon is unlikely to cause problems in non-allergic people, and up to ½ teaspoon at a time are thought to be safe. People attempting to take more as a supplement should be aware of the following: Most negative reactions are in the form of skin rashes, or irritation to the tissues of the mouth or stomach. Cinnamon has a mild anti-clotting effect in the blood, which could be beneficial. But it is conceivable that too much could cause bleeding problems, especially when combined with medications which “thin the blood,” including aspirin. In traditional medicine, high doses are not given to pregnant women, due to possible stimulating effects on the uterus.

Excerpt from http://www.homeremediesweb.com/cinnamon_health_benefits.php
What are the Side Effects of Cinnamon?Some recent studies in Europe have shown that cinnamon derived from the Cassia plant contains a toxic compound known as Coumarin. This compound is known to cause liver and kidney damage in high concentrations. Since the powdered cinnamon that we purchase in our supermarkets is typically derived from the Cassia plant, it is important to avoid consuming high doses of it. Since cinnamon has an anti-clotting effect on the blood, caution should also be exercised when it is used in combination with other blood-thinning products such as aspirin. Large quantities of cinnamon should also be avoided during pregnancy due to the possibility of adverse effects on the uterus. Anyone that is currently taking medication for controlling blood sugar levels or blood thinners should consult their doctor before using cinnamon as a regular supplement.

More info on honey n cinnamon here:

http://www.healthmad.com/Alternative/10-Miraculous-Health-Benefits-of-Honey-and-Cinnamon-Combo.92011

http://www.oohoi.com/natural%20remedy/everyday_food/Benefits-of-Cinnamon.htm

http://ezinearticles.com/?25-Health-Benefits-of-Cinnamon---A-Miraculous-Spice&id=1665340

http://www.organicfacts.net/organic-oils/natural-essential-oils/health-benefits-of-cinnamon-oil.html

http://www.healthdiaries.com/eatthis/10-health-benefits-of-cinnamon.html

http://www.thehealthysnacksblog.com/2007/11/12/the-top-5-health-benefits-of-cinnamon/

http://altmedicine.about.com/od/cinnamon/a/cinnamon.htm

http://intlxpatr.wordpress.com/2008/04/08/benefits-of-cinnamon-and-honey/

http://www.monumentalmassage.com/articles/benefits_of_cinnamon.html

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=68

http://www.womenshealthmag.com/nutrition/the-benefits-of-cinnamon

http://food-facts.suite101.com/article.cfm/health_benefits_of_cinnamon

http://www.zimbio.com/Health+Benefits+of+Cinnamon

http://www.only-cookware.com/blog/2008/11/17/benefits-of-cinnamon-and-honey/

http://blog.taekwondo-network.com/2008/09/health-benefits-of-cinnamon.html

http://www.health-fitness.com.au/cinnamon-health-benefits/

ATHLETE'S FOOT - http://www.inwardbliss.com/benefit-cinnamon.php

Grilled Fish (Ikan Bakar) in KL

Image from http://www.friedchillies.com/index.php/site/detail/ikan_bakar_jln_bellamy/

Just had lunch with my bf at Gerai Sri Menanti (behind istana) at Jln Bellamy today. Our first visit since 9-10yrs ago? We stopped going because the last time we went there we were served rotten grilled fish (not rotten in taste but the fish was really bad n my bf had diarrhoea because of that, we had the fish at the stall next to Sri Menanti). My bf's conclusion, have grilled fish during lunch time as it is still fresh, for dinner order hot newly prepared food like mee bandung, mee goreng etc.

Actually not that keen to blog about this place, after all it is really popular n from the number of bloggers ranting about the place, you would probably can taste the fish without visiting the gerai ha ha. But....feel like writing something here, so why not?

Today we fancied grilled fish for lunch n thought why not give Sri Menanti a second chance he he (or rather second chance to stalls within that area).

We arrived there abt 2pm++, wow lots of people but still plenty of seats...wow...so many stalls around there now n all of them selling grilled fish! Last time, only 2 stalls there.....now I think about 5 or 6 or more? Didn't really bother to count.

We decided to go to Sri Menanti. Since we were there quite late, most of the nasi campur dishes were polished off by earlier customers so we decided just to have grilled fish with taugeh (bean sprout). My bf asked me to order fish, so I ordered pari (stingray), when he looked at the fish he asked me to take another fish, I wanted kembung(mackerel) but the guy manning the grill told me 'belum masak' (I guess he wants to finish whatever he had grilled rather than grill new fish for you...not very customer friendly). he suggested cencaru (Torpedo Scad), so I said ok. Hated cencaru when I was in boarding school years ago, but today, I thought I'll try it, after all had not had cencaru long time already. I asked him for sotong (squid) n he said only those available (pointed to a plate) - 3 miserable squid janggut (squid's head). So I didn't bother with the squid.

Both fish really good - fresh n the chilly paste use to marinade the fish...yum yum n the sambal to accompany the fish....superb! It was really hot day but we really enjoyed our lunch n we actually ask for another piece of grilled pari n my bf asked for another plate of rice! Ha ha his excuse? I skipped breakfast n I'm hungry..

Total bill? Less than RM30.00.......not bad huh for lunch in KL.

Sorry didn't bring my camera with me but the pic above by another blogger (refer to the link below it) should give you an idea what to expect.......

Ha ha my bf already talking about next visit to the area (before the rotten fish incidents we visited the area very often), he said maybe we can try other stalls next to Sri Menanti just to compare the taste.........

Trivia - Ha ha on different topic, Jln Bellamy has other story too http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/9/1/central/18732918&sec=central

Ohh..we've frequented other ikan bakar places before - a stall in Jln Kuchai Lama (a bit out of the way for me but whenever my mechanic took his time n finished servicing my car quite late, my bf n I will sample the ikan bakar there - different style of cooking n marinade. I love both styles.

A stall in SS2? Ha ha again hopeless with address n location, but the grilled fish was superb but the lady moved somewhere else (I love her chicken fish) n the person who took over her spot sells ikan bakar too but...not as good as hers..others? Well Umbai in Malacca, Permatang Balak? portuguese settlement Malacca, another place in Malacca (again cannot recall the location but near seaside, found the place by accident), the grilled fish not bad...

Other bloggers' takes on stalls around Jln Bellamy n other areas:

1. http://verysedap.blogspot.com/2008/01/gerai-seri-menanti-jalan-bellamy-behind.html

2. http://food.malaysiamostwanted.com/venues/gerai-seri-menanti-ikan-bakar-istana-negara

3. http://www.journeymalaysia.com/M2_foodkl2.htm

4. http://www.friedchillies.com/fc/forum/threads.php?id=1930_0_2_0_C - this guy said mee bandung is good too at Sri Menanti

5. http://bernsy.blogspot.com/2007/09/ikan-bakar-gerai-seri-menanti-jalan.html

6. http://malaysianfoodreview.net/2006/09/06/ikan-bakar-gerai-ramli-yusuf-jalan-bellamy/

7. http://makan2adventure.blogspot.com/2007/11/ikan-bakar-jalan-bellamy-behind-istana.html

8. http://www.faces.com.my/tastebuds/tastebuds.asp?id=637

9. http://kodeexii.net/blog/family-and-friends-outing-tips/kl-best-food-ikan-bakar-jalan-bellamy.html

10. http://www.rasarasa.net/article.cfm?id=10844

11. http://everythingasian.blogspot.com/2007/12/ikan-bakar-gerai-seri-melaka-at-jalan.html

12. http://riana.fotopages.com/?entry=107080

13. http://kucailiah.fotopages.com/?entry=1187009

14. http://gazza-worlds.blogspot.com/2008/09/buka-puasa-ikan-bakar-jalan-bellamy_24.html

15. http://beruangmadu.com/?p=1141

16. http://redmummy.com/2008/10/15/ikan-bakar-bellamy-istana-negara/

17. http://nuruldiana008.blogspot.com/2008/10/ikan-bakarjalan-bellamy.html

18. http://www.melayu.com/v2/sembang2/mesej.php?thread=5179

19. recommendation on good ikan bakar place http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070816100903AAMzcjF

20. http://masak-masak.blogspot.com/2006/09/ikan-bakar-asli-pak-din-tanglin-food.html not in Jln Bellamy but in Tanglin food court, according to this blogger, ikan bakar here is better than Jln Bellamy! gasp...must try this place soon.

21. http://www.friedchillies.com/index.php/site/detail/dmuara_ikan_bakar/

22. http://www.mesra.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=66210

and many more.......

Halal restaurants in Taipei

Image from http://blog.roodo.com/ellacf/archives/949493.html

“Taipei must be one of Asia's most overlooked cities. It may not be the most beautiful, but its parks and squares offer welcome respite from the summer heat, and its temples provide colorful reminders of its heritage. Its people are among the most hospitable in Asia, the food is excellent and the nightlife is vibrant. http://www.iht.com/articles/2004/06/09/trlang_ed3_.php

“Taipei's charms as a tourist attraction tend to be lesser known than other Asian cities, due most likely to the city's less-than-ideal environment for travelers unable to speak Mandarin Chinese (especially when compared to former colonial outposts-cum-business/tourist cities like Hong Kong and Singapore). Despite the language shortcoming—or perhaps, because of it—most visitors leave with the impression that the Taiwanese try harder to make their guests' experiences as pleasant and trouble free as possible. http://www.gayot.com/travel/business/businesstravelguide/taipei.html

Taipei is interesting n bizarre at the same time (eating from toilet bowl, your waitress dresses as a nurse etc) , read excerpts below to get a glimpse of Taipei and Taiwan.....

“One thing that stuck me the most was the punctuality. I interacted with a cross section of people and they all were 'on-time' and expected us to be as well. Numerous taxis I engaged, my office colleagues all kept time. The conferences and press briefings I participated all started on time. In fact, one of my colleagues called to apologize in advance that she will be delayed by 10 minutes. I was simply bowled over.. http://ram.viswanathan.in/2005/11/travel-notes-taipei.html


Images from http://amphibios.seesaa.net/category/3077683-2.html and http://islaminchina.wordpress.com/2008/01/07/islam-in-china-pictures-taipei-grand-mosque/

“...Still, interesting traces of Islamic practices are preserved by the present-day descendants of the Muslim followers of Koxinga. The Kuo family in Lukang, for example, does not include pork among its offering at the family shrine even though the family is not Muslim. Two families in Keelung place copies of the Holy Koran before the tablets of their ancestors. The present owners are not Muslims and do not read Arabic, but they honor a book held sacred by their forebears. Two or three families in Tainan observe funeral customs of Islamic origin including the ceremonial washing of the body and wrapping it carefully in white cloth—though in all other respects they are culturally Taiwanese. http://www.saudiaramcoworld.com/issue/197004/islam.in.taiwan.htm

“....Public hot spring etiquette requires that bathers thoroughly wash and rinse off their bodies before entering the bath, do not wear clothing (including swim wear) in the bath and tie up their hair so that it does not touch the water. Finally, people with high blood pressure, heart disease or open wounds should not enter the baths. http://wikitravel.org/en/Taipei

What to Eat??

Image from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beef_noodle_soup

"What is there to eat in Taipei?"
Quick answer: "What isn't there to eat in Taipei?"
In Taipei, eating is not so much a bodily necessity as it is a passion, or even a way of life. There is no cuisine known to man that isn't available in some form or another somewhere in or around Taipei city. http://www.thingsasian.com/stories-photos/1781

“D.S. Music Restaurant in Taipei, Taiwan is a medical-themed restaurant with crutches on the wall, waitresses dressed a nurses, and drinks served from an IV drip bottle!

Have you ever heard of people eating out of a bathroom toilet and having great fun? A restaurant named Marton Theme Restaurant, in Kaohsiung (Taiwan) has a toilet theme...” http://www.oddee.com/item_96463.aspx (If you find weird restaurants interesting visit this site http://weburbanist.com/2008/08/10/15-of-the-strangest-themed-restaurants-from-buns-and-guns-to-cannabalistic-sushi/ )

“Nasi Lemak at Taipei 101 - ...But i have to admit that, this nasi lemak is TOTALLY different from those in Malaysia or Singapore. This dish is supposed to be Muslim food, but I found pork in my plate” http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Asia/Taiwan/Taipei_Shih/Taipei-1074413/Restaurants-Taipei-BR-4.html

Hotel with on site vegetarian restaurant
http://www.hotelscombined.com/Hotel/Paradise_Hotel_Taipei.htm

Image from http://www.rasamalaysia.com/2006/08/eating-taipei-classic-taiwanese-dishes_23.html

Hotel near vegetarian restaurants
http://www.hotelclub.net/hotel.reservations/First_Hotel_Taipei.htm

Halal restaurants
1.http://www.taipeimosque.org.tw/mosque/pages/halalfood.html

2.http://www.zabihah.com/ls.php?id=201

3.http://www.ntut.edu.tw/~wwwoaa/Gambia/taipei.htm

4.http://www.travel-mediainfo.com/Taiwan/32350.htm

5.http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080330012408AAElWvM

6.http://www.islamicfinder.org/getitWorld.php?id=24700&lang=

7.Persian Heaven Halal write up http://www.taiwanfun.com/north/taipei/dining/0509/0509persian.htm

8.Kumming review:
http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-2767753-kunming_restaurant_taipei-i

9.http://www.zabihah.com/mobile/details_sub.php?rest_id=1812

10.Shao Shao Ke (call to check for halal status) http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/archives/2001/12/28/117654

11.Indian restaurant review (Call to check on halal status) http://wannderer.wordpress.com/2006/09/20/indian-restaurants-in-taipei/
http://laorencha.blogspot.com/2008/09/indian-food-in-taipei.html

12.Pakistani snack http://www.forumosa.com/taiwan/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=66779&p=804590

13.Chinese Islamic beef noodle cuisine http://world.wikia.com/wiki/Taipei/Restaurants#Chinese_Islamic_beef_noodle_cuisine_.28Halal.2F.E6.B8.85.E7.9C.9F.29
http://taiwanreview.nat.gov.tw/site/Tr/ct.asp?xItem=133&ctNode=119

14.http://www.outdoorland.info/Taiwan/32318.htm

15.http://www.islamicfinder.org/getitWorld.php?id=64596&lang=

Image from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stinky_tofu

Vegetarian
“When local media reported last week that 70 percent of Taipei's vegetarian restaurants were using animal by-products in their food, it was reminiscent of the UK scandal a decade ago when a consumer discovered pork in their Linda McCartney brand veggie sausages. While a lot of vegetarian food prides itself on having the same consistency, smell and taste as meat, many vegetarians are uneasy about eating substitutes that taste like the real thing -- and past and present transgressions suggest why. http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/archives/2004/06/18/2003175611

“Although vegetarian restaurants in Taiwan do not aspire to vegan principles (http://vegetarian.about.com/od/glossary/g/Vegan.htm ), due to the fact that Taiwanese do not have a tradition of eating dairy products, almost all dishes at Chinese style veggie restaurants will actually be vegan.” http://www.taiwantravelguides.com/what-to-eat-in-taiwan-food.php

“The Lonely Planet Guidebook to Taiwan unfortunately greatly exaggerates the availability of vegetarian food in Taipei. They tell you to look for the Buddhist symbol, which is a reverse swastika, and vegetarian restaurants will magically and plentifully appear. This is not so.” http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/396191/vegetarian_restaurants_in_taipei_taiwan.html
1.Useful dual language list http://veg.thejamies.com/taiwan/

2.http://www.happycow.net/asia/taiwan/taipei/
Review http://www.happycow.net/reviews.php?id=287

3.http://www.sinica.edu.tw/tit/dining/0795_EatVegetarian.html

4.http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/355515

5.http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-2767626-atm-vegetarian-taipei_restaurants-i

6.http://www.vegdining.com/GetRest.cfm?rk=TAI-TAIP-CHUAN

7.http://indutai.4ursake.com/restau_veg_taipei.htm

8.http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g293913-c40-Taipei.html

9.Hui Liu review http://www.taiwanfun.com/north/taipei/dining/0509/0509hui.htm

10.Spring Natural Vegetarian Restaurant write up http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/archives/2005/08/26/2003269261

11.Kuan Shih Yin http://www.kyotojournal.org/10,000things/103.html

Tips

Image from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taroko_Gorge

1. http://www.englishintaiwan.com/Taiwan-food-dining-cuisine-restaurants-animal-parts-drinking-water.php

2. http://www.rasamalaysia.com/2006/08/eating-taipei-sweet-treats-desserts.html

3. http://cheeserland.com/2007/04/i-love-taipei/

4. http://www.xanga.com/zosat/593906226/item.html

5. http://www.hess.com.tw/en/about/taiwan/livingexpenses/

6. http://formmit.org/web/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=4&Itemid=11

7. http://www.igougo.com/attractions-l629-f21-t30-things_to_do_in_Taipei.html

8. http://voices.washingtonpost.com/mighty-appetite/2008/05/chat_leftovers_homesick_for_co.html

9. interesting food blog from Taipei (not necessarily halal) http://hungryintaipei.blogspot.com/

http://www.girlandthemachine.com/gtk/page1.html

10. http://www.vegsource.com/articles/litt2.htm

11. http://blog.taiwan-guide.org/2007/11/changes-at-taipei-station/

12. http://www.taiwanembassy.org/us/nyc/ct.asp?xItem=31395&ctNode=3483&mp=62

13. travel blog http://j-travel.blogspot.com/2007/06/taipei-trip-2007-25th-30th-june.html

http://swiftywriting.blogspot.com/2007/10/swifty-in-taiwan-part-7-last-day-in.html

Halal restaurants in Tokyo

Image from http://www.backyardnature.com/japan/japan_countryside.html

Tokyo is about 7.5hr flight from KL n return flight fare is RM2,300 (if you book really EARLY).

"...a population of 12.58 million, Tokyo is the most populous city in the world and one of the most densely developed." http://www.sppsr.ucla.edu/dept.cfm?d=up&s=academic&f=studyabroad.cfm

“Not impossible, not easy: Tokyo on a budget” http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/09/11/travel/trtokyo.php?page=1

“Tokyo may not be traditionally beautiful and it has few historic sights, but it is undeniably spectacular. You'll want to walk around the city, feeding off the incredible energy, rubbernecking at the skyscrapers and marveling at the sheer "Tokyoness" of it all.” http://www.cnn.com/2008/TRAVEL/09/29/tokyo.see/index.html

“For a city that is renowned for being particularly expensive, it is good to know that there is an awful lot you can do in Tokyo for free. It doesn’t cost anything to visit any of the temples around the city and one of these, Sensoji Temple in Asakusa, is one of the city’s best known attractions. http://www.hostelworld.com/cityinfo/attractions.php/ChosenCity.Tokyo/ChosenCountry.Japan


Images from http://files.epsscentral.info/Tokyo/id36.htm and http://japanhistorian.blogsome.com/

“Japan is the most expensive country in the world. It's capital, Tokyo, the most expensive city. The cost of getting around, or having a decent meal is a challenge for even the Savviest of Travelers. http://savvytraveler.publicradio.org/show/features/2000/20000624/tokyo.shtml

“Like many countries, Japan can be an expensive place to visit if you don't plan ahead, however there are a wide variety of budget accommodation options, transportation passes and sightseeing discounts, which help to make Japan an affordable destination for even the most budget conscious traveler. It is worthwhile taking the time to decide which options will best suit your stay.” http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/arrange/essential/budget.html

Room rate/night for budget hotels in Tokyo ranges from USD35-USD185 (depends on location n when you plan to stay, Ginza is the most expensive location) http://www.asiarooms.com/japan/tokyo.html?sort=star&type=#hotels


Image from http://www.cherryblossomadventures.com/2008/04/01/its-the-season/

I guess if you are a student in Japan, you probably would not eat outside (too expensive), you’ll cook. Well with plenty of seafood, looking for halal ingredients not difficult at all (just need to read the ingredients carefully) n if you feel like having halal meat, you can order on-line!

As for tourists, if you stay in an apartment with cooking facilities, you can adopt the above ways, or just eat out, quite a number of halal eateries can be found in Tokyo and other major cities. Or go veggie or feast on sushi, sashimi yum yum….

“…The number of mosques in Japan has been on the rise since around 2000, and there are now more than 50 nationwide. Last November, one was opened in Sendai. Another is currently under construction in Fukuoka.”

“…..Sakurai estimates that there are about 56,000 legal Muslim residents in Japan, more than four times larger than the number of 13,000 in 1990.”

“…One Iranian said he used to pray in nearby parking lots, but that now he and others have gravitated to the auction house and its prayer room.”

“…Alflah imports foods that are specially processed under halal guidelines in Australia. Several dozen stores around the country handle halal foods.

“….Strong Internet sales of halal foods have been a boon for Diamond Trading Ltd. The firm is predicting a more than 10% increase in sales this year compared with a year earlier.”
http://www.nni.nikkei.co.jp/FR/TNKS/Nni20081027IS0ISLM1.htm

Where to eat in Tokyo??

Hotel near halal restaurants
1. Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku Hotel http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g1066456-d320581-r19869562-Sunroute_Plaza_Shinjuku_Hotel-Shibuya_Tokyo_Tokyo_Prefecture_Kanto.html

2. Shibuya http://www.asiarooms.com/japan/tokyo/shibuya-area.html

Halal restaurants


Image from http://masak-masak.blogspot.com/search?q=japanese

1. http://www.zabihah.com/ls.php?id=156

2. http://sclab.naist.jp/Member/M97/marsu-bu/eng/rest-e.html

3. Malaychan http://www.livingtokyo.com/four/Restaurants.html

4. Marhaba / Gandara http://www.bento.com/r-indian.html

5. Gandara review http://www.zabihah.com/mobile/details_sub.php?rest_id=1203

6. Malaysian Kitchen http://www.franchise-pitstop.jp/franchise-japan-halal-food-franchise-grows-in-japan.html

7. Only Malaysia review http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Asia/Japan/Tokyo_to/Tokyo-969164/Restaurants-Tokyo-BR-7.html

8. Malaysian restaurants in Japan (call to check on halal status) http://www.mycen.com.my/malaysia/restaurant_overseas.html

9. http://www.halalthailand.com/eng/content.php?page=content&category=14&id=123

10. http://www.esaj.net/Food.htm

11. http://au.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080608041823AAvnUhq

12. Pakistani restaurants around the world including Tokyo http://www.angelfire.com/country/fauziaspakistan/restaurants.html

13. Ajanta / Bengal http://metropolis.co.jp/tokyorestaurants/listings/tokyorestaurantslistinc.htm

14. Lotteria Prawn burger fried with vegetable oil http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Asia/Japan/Tokyo_to/Tokyo-969164/Restaurants-Tokyo-Lotteria-BR-1.html

Vegetarian

“Tokyo is a great gastronomic center, but it can be a bit daunting for vegetarians. Most Japanese recipes use fish stock, and it's almost unheard of to ask chefs to tweak their recipes. If you do find a flexible eatery, your choice might still arrive with ham, bacon, or chicken, because in Japanese, none of these words fall semantically under the term "meat." http://www.fodors.com/world/asia/japan/tokyo/feature_30005.html

There are some slight pitfalls, however, as in Japan, ham is considered a vegetable and no amount of 私は菜食主義者です (watashi wa saishokushugisha desu, I am a vegetarian) will convince the waitress in a small-town coffee shop to take back your vegetable sandwich with some lovely boiled ham in it. Ham is a vegetable, okay? http://japanvisitor.blogspot.com/2005/10/vegetarian-food-in-japan.html

“Miki believes that being a vegetarian means becoming a food label reader, as many products that look vegetarian can contain meat or fish ingredients. If you want to eat organic you should also check labels for the JAS symbol or choose to shop at organic and vegetarian friendly supermarkets like Natural House.” http://spinshell.tv/know/report/spinshell/hold-the-dashi-going-veggie-in-japan

1. http://metropolis.co.jp/tokyofeaturestoriesarchive299/293/tokyofeaturestoriesinc.htm

2. http://www.vegietokyo.com/info4vegie/restaurant/index.html

3. http://www.happycow.net/asia/japan/tokyo/

4. http://www.vegetarian-restaurants.net/Asia/Japan.htm

5. http://www.bento.com/r-veg.html

6. http://www.tokyoessentials.com/healthy-vegetarian-restaurants.html

7. http://www.sunnypages.jp/travel_guide/tokyo_restaurants/vegetarian_healthy

8. http://marcsala.blogspot.com/2006/03/two-vegetarian-friendly-restaurants-in.html

9. http://www.naturalhealingcenter.com/vegetarian.htm

10. review http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-2763819-atm-vegetarian-tokyo_restaurants-i

11. review http://forum.japantoday.com/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=806525

12. review http://www.happycow.net/reviews.php?id=7081

13. http://www.angelfire.com/id/croon/japan/akiaoyama.html

14. http://www.japantravelinfo.com/features/features_item.php?featuresid=34

15. http://tokyo.metblogs.com/2007/09/27/vegetarian-week-in-tokyo/

16. http://veg.tokyogigguide.com/index.php/restaurants/vegetarian-restaurants

17. http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/517124

18. http://travel.nytimes.com/travel/guides/asia/japan/tokyo/restaurant-detail.html?vid=1154654633796

19. http://www.websitetoolbox.com/tool/post/compassionatecooks/vpost?id=2398416

20. http://www.vegetarian-restaurant-tokyo.com/0/128


Halal stores

1. http://saqf.vox.com/library/post/ta-be-mo-no.html

2. http://www.outdoorland.info/Japan/48960.htm

3. http://tokyotrip.wikispaces.com/

4. http://www.imeem.com/jaznijaafar/blogs/2007/11/07/udHBVfoF/tip_n_infobila_kat_japan_tokyo

5. http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/message.jspa?messageID=13921949

6. http://islam3.hp.infoseek.co.jp/benri/e_food.htm

7. http://www.msaj.net/?mod=panduan&op=kedai&file=kedaihalal

8. http://islamcenter.or.jp/eng/halalfood.html

9. http://baticrom.com/main_cat.php

10. http://english.youshare.jp/blogs.php?action=show_member_post&ownerID=17&post_id=158&blogID=12

11. http://www.sonalihalalfood.com/

12. http://www.geocities.com/msajscp/halalfoods.htm

13. http://www.al-flah.com/contact-us.php?lang=en

14. http://tokyofoodcast.com/index.php/tag/halal/

15. http://www.rosefamily.co.jp/

16. http://elanso.com/ArticleModule/SsS4SESsSOSiUAODS4S4J2Ii.html

17. http://www.padma-tr.com/en/information.htm

18. http://saif631.com/asp/item_list.asp?slf=sf0003&cat=ct0006

19. http://www.tokyoapartments.jp/tokyo_guide_shopping.html

20. Tonmoy Grocery http://www.indianfoodsguide.com/indian-food-guide/indian-grocery-stores/japan/tokyo/

21. http://tokyofoodcast.com/index.php/et-chan/ikebukuro-halal-food-store-asian-shopping-center/29/

22. http://www.geocities.com/miyazaki_msa/order_halal.htm

23. http://pcavenue.biz/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1_5

24. http://www.toko-indonesia.org/

25. http://www.islamicfinder.org/getitWorld.php?id=68751&lang=english

26. http://www.ryu.titech.ac.jp/~ysep/guide/?category=YSEP%20Homepage&key=9

27. http://tokyolifer.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!C15CE2153B2A6689!2169.entry

Tips

Image from http://www.nowpublic.com/environment/snow-monkey-onsen-and-bridge

1. http://www.planettokyo.com/places/

2. http://www.tokyoessentials.com/

3. http://www.lonelyplanet.com/japan/tokyo/sights

4. http://ask.metafilter.com/37350/Mustsee-and-mustdo-in-Tokyo

5. http://www.tokyometro.jp/global/en/index.html

6. http://ezinearticles.com/?10-Top-Budget-Travel-Tips-For-Tokyo-and-Japan&id=1280702

7. http://gojapan.about.com/cs/traveltools/a/budgettravel.htm

8. http://www.budgettravel.com/bt-dyn/content/article/2008/09/08/AR2008090802295.html

9. http://www.budgettravel.com/bt-dyn/content/article/2006/02/02/AR2006020201178.html

10. http://budgettravelonline.com/bt-dyn/content/article/2006/02/13/AR2006021300785.html

11. http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2028.html

12. http://budgeteast.com/

13. http://theshoestring.com/index.php?articleID=7621&sectionID=154

14. http://budgettravelinjapan.blogspot.com/2008/04/coin-operated-restaurants-in-tokyo.html

15. http://travel.latimes.com/articles/la-tr-tokyo14jan14

Kobe
1. http://www.kobemosque.org/Location%20English.htm

Tips
1. http://www.bento.com/kansai/rev/9052.html

Nagoya
1. http://nagoyamosque.com/link/

Halal restaurants in Seoul

Image from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Korea_gyeongbokgung.jpg

Seoul - about 6hrs flight from KL n if you book your flight really early, it is about RM2,200 for return flight fare.

"And this is what I love about Seoul: its diversity" Hubert added. One moment you can be in the Muslim world, and literally 20 minutes later, you can be sipping a cup of Du Kang (traditional Chinese liquor). Seoul really is everything to everyone." http://english.seoul.go.kr/today/infocus/specialreport/1215128_5093.php

“According to the Korea Muslim Federation, there are about 120,000 to 130,000 Muslims living in South Korea, both Koreans and foreigners. The majority of the Muslim population is made up of migrant workers from Pakistan and Bangladesh, but the number of Korean Muslims amounts to some 35,000.”

“....Korean Muslims feel it is difficult to make other people understand why they cannot eat pork. Sung Ju-young (25) said his friends think he is allergic to pork and his body rejects alcohol because he cannot hang out with his friends for pork and soju dinner. Asked if he fasts even during Chuseok, or Korean Thanksgiving, Kim Gwon-young (49) said, “The principle is to fast even during the Chuseok holidays, but if exceptional circumstances do not allow me to do so, I count the number of days, and personally go on a fast for the number of days I missed after Ramadan.” http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200809/200809110016.html

What to EAT??


Image from http://www.bfeedme.com/kimchi/

Hotel near halal restaurants
1. http://www.asiarooms.com/south_korea/seoul/itaewon-area.html

Halal Restaurants

1. http://www.visitkorea.or.kr/ena/CU/CU_EN_8_1_6.jsp

2. http://www.zabihah.com/ls.php?id=200

3. http://www.freme.com/bn_bwn_general_b2c_fit_en_bnd/travel_tips_information/food/Korea_FoodGuideforMuslims.html

4. http://gferrofotoworks.blogspot.com/2008/09/seoul-halal-food-guide.html

5. Salam Restaurant review
http://fatman-seoul.blogspot.com/2004/02/turkish-delight-not.html
http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/7e369/10267a/2/

6. Usmania review http://www.reviewstream.com/reviews/?p=240

7. Moghul http://www.professionaltravelguide.com/dining/seoul/destinations-113184

8. http://www.videsh.com/india_travel/indian-restaurants/asia/south-korea/seoul.html

9. Vegetarian http://chinese.tour2korea.com/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_6.jsp?cid=260443

10. Sanchon review http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g294197-d802826-r16613782-Sanchon_Restaurant-Seoul.html

11. Vegetarian http://www.happycow.net/asia/south_korea/seoul/index.html

12. Vegetarian http://www.bootsnall.com/articles/vegetarian-eating-seoul-korea-2.html

13. http://thedailykimchi.blogspot.com/2007/06/vegetarian-restaurants-in-seoul.html

14. http://www.expat-advisory.com/south-korea/seoul/going-out-vegetarian-seoul.php

15. http://www.freewebs.com/vegetariankorea/seoul.htm

Tips

1. http://wiki.galbijim.com/Itaewon

2. http://yanilah.multiply.com/photos/album/15/Presence_of_Islam_in_HK_Seoul...

3. http://littleprincessesdiary.blogspot.com/2008/06/day-5-korea-gimpo-seoul-city-itaewon.html

4. http://www.asiarooms.com/south_korea/seoul/itaewon-hotel-reviews.html?hotelID=6881&total=28&perPage=10&start=10

5. http://koreanfriends.tribe.net/thread/0faa8027-9c35-40a1-a03f-bf4fc6685063

6. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Itaewon

7. http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/369047/+100

8. http://wow-seoul.com/faq.html

9. http://perutbesi.wordpress.com/2007/05/

10. http://www.urbanphoto.net/blog/2007/04/11/scenes-from-the-seoul-metro/

11. http://www.seoulstyle.com/house.htm

12. http://muslimcaravan.blog.com/Korea%20Muslim%20Tour/

13. http://www.korea4expats.com/article-shopping-areas-seoul.html

Halal restaurants in Manila

Image from http://www.philippines-travel-guide.com/manila-sunset-photos.html

Another Air Asia destination, quick get away place about 4 hours flight n less than RM400.00 return air fare! (if you book EARLY n during promo)

“...Manila was founded as a Muslim sultan court in the 9th century. In the 15th century the spaniards conquered the Philipines and the spanish occupation gone up to the 20th century. As a result, most of the inhabitants are now catholic...” http://www.journeyetc.com/travel-destinations/manilaphilipines/

Food to try:

Image from http://thegourmetproject.blogspot.com/2008/09/philippine-style-chicken-adobo-page-362.html

Chicken Adobo http://www.eatingclubvancouver.com/2008/03/chicken-adobo.html

Bangus http://eatingasia.typepad.com/eatingasia/2007/10/post-1.html

Bulalo http://oggi-icandothat.blogspot.com/2008/01/bulalo-beef-shank-in-onion-broth.html

Caldereta http://www.whats4eats.com/soups/caldereta-recipe

Camaron Rebosado http://cafemunchkin.com/2008/06/10/camaron-rebosado/

Kare Kare http://www.instructables.com/id/Kare-Kare:-Filipino-ox-tail-stew/

Kinilaw http://gypsysoul73.blogspot.com/2007/03/you-say-kilawin-i-saw-kinilaw.html

Sinigang http://pandepanda.blogspot.com/2008/04/making-chicken-sinigang.html

Tinola http://www.allfavoriterecipe.com/RecipeDetailTinolangManok.aspx

Hotel with halal restaurants
1. Heritage Hotel http://www.millenniumhotels.com/ph/heritagemanila/restaurant/rivieracafe.html
2. Pan Pacific (special arrangement with halal restaurants to provide halal food if requested) http://www.asiatraveltips.com/HotelsinManila.shtml

Hotel near halal restaurants
Makati Palace Hotel http://www.hoteltravel.com/philippines/manila/makati_palace.htm

Halal restaurants

1. http://www.annalyn.net/2008/02/19/halal-restaurants-in-manila-the-expats-guide/

2. http://www.zabihah.com/ls.php?id=260

3. http://www.backpackingphilippines.com/2007/12/halal-food-restaurants-in-manila.html

4. http://food.clickthecity.com/s/p=MM&city=Manila&csn=24

5. http://www.annalyn.net/2006/04/14/deliciously-cheap-mouds-chicken-halal-quiapo/

6. Mojd Halal http://bukaneg.blog.friendster.com/2007/01/

7. Greenhills Mall http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Asia/Philippines/City_of_Manila/Manila-1391614/Restaurants-Manila-Greenhills-BR-1.html

8. Quiapo http://jimmi.blogsome.com/2005/12/

9. http://nileeysphere.blogspot.com/2008/08/sample-of-food-in-manila.html

10. http://www.halalbusinessdirectory.com/halal/junenairahhalalfoodrestaurant.aspx
11. Swagat Indian Cuisine http://www.filipinolinks.com/Bars_and_Restaurants/Makati_City/index.html
12. http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?messageID=13388843&tstart=0

13. Secret Recipe (pork free) – “Secret Recipe is HALAL certified in Malaysia. Here in Manila though we haven't secured our certification. However, we assure that all of our products are in full HALAL compliance as we import almost all our ingredients from Malaysia”. http://www.ourawesomeplanet.com/awesome/2007/05/secret_recipe_m_1.html
14. vegetarian http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070924065838AA8mJzM

15. vegetarian http://www.happycow.net/asia/philippines/manila/

16. http://www.vegetarian-restaurants.net/Asia/Phillippines.htm

17. http://www.veggieplaces.co.uk/vegetarian_restaurant_manila_ph.html

18. http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-2767179-mother_sachi_vegetarian_restaurant_manila-i

19. Vegetarian http://www.mahalo.com/Manila_Restaurants

20. http://foodfor2.com/2006/07/quan-yin-chay-vegetarian.html

21. Mabini Street http://pakciktua.multiply.com/photos/album/6/Rondaan_Shoping_di_Metro_Manila_dan_sekitarnya

22. http://chefjundi.wordpress.com/category/halaal-restaurants/

Tips
1. http://insearchofsagada.blogspot.com/2007/12/halal-food-hunt-in-baguio-and-sagada.html

2. http://ph.pagenation.com/mnl/Muslim%20Mosque_120.985_14.5959.map

3. http://www0.epinions.com/review/trvl-Dest-Asia-Philippines-Manila/content_94962486916

4. http://www.expatforum.com/city-guides/philippines/manila-city-guide.html

5. http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Manila,-Philippines

6. http://www.whitecastleresort.com/manila_philippines.html

7. http://www.philippines-travel-guide.com/manila.html

8. http://www.worldtravelguide.net/country/225/top_things_to_see/South-East-Asia/Philippines.html

9. http://www.lookinggoodtours.com.au/philippines.html

10. http://www.liveinthephilippines.com/content/2008/10/when-old-walls-become-new/

11. http://asia.businesstraveller.com/asia-pacific/city-guides/asia-pacific/manila

12. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metro_Manila

13. http://www.hobotraveler.com/2005/11/bus-from-manila-to-clark-airport.html

14. Clark International Airport; Manila (Clark) http://resa.mine.nu/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=222

Halal restaurants in Beijing / Xian

Images from www.skyreach-uk.com/index-SummaCampEng.html

KL - Beijing about 6 hours flight n about RM2k ++ return flight fare.

Why Beijing & Xian? The Great Wall of China n Terracotta Soldiers of course…..I love ancient ruins n old structures from hundreds n thousands of years ago; well one of my ambitions of ‘what do you want to be when you grow up’ thingy – archeologist! Ha ha then I found out ..hmm well the job is more kinda like job satisfaction thingy rather than money thingy ha ha n my path deviated...

Anyway, my love for ancient structures remain till today, so far I’ve visited Borobudur, Perambanan, Angkor Wat, Coliseum, Leaning Tower of Pisa, palaces, castles n various structures in Europe, ha ha Candi Batu Pahat in Kedah, I’m hoping that one day I would be able to visit Egypt (pyramids), Peru (Machu Pichu), Turkey, Petra in Jordan, Easter Island, Taj Mahal etc.

Wow if only time travel is possible, the machine inventor will create tons of money from time tourists…:-) (not to mention from other opportunists) who wouldn’t want to visit the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Statue of Zeus, the Temple of Artemis, the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, the Colossus of Rhodes and the Lighthouse of Alexandria? and various other ancient wonders……and meeting legends like Alexander The Great, Mahsuri (just to see if her blood was really white ha ha), and how about Sang Kelembai (don’t you wish you can catch him in action turning people into stone by just saying Hi!)….

Trivia “…One question most people would probably ask is, why are there seven wonders of the world and not eight or 13?
"Seven is a very practical number because it seems to be exactly the number of things the average person can remember, challenging the brain. http://www.thesundaily.com/articlePrint.cfm?id=8545

Well..back to reality…thud thud ouch!!!

Beijing

Image from http://belacan.files.wordpress.com/2007/07/great-wall-of-china-new-7-wonders-of-the-world.jpg

Beijing offers lots of stuff - Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven, Beijing Zoo, Lama Temple, Beihai Park, Hutong, Beijing outskirt – mountains n forest, valleys, gulleys n caves, parks n lakes n even grassland n ski resort! n of course newest additions like bird nest stadium etc.

Halal Restaurants


Image from http://littlemissmay.com/index.php/?p=212

1. http://www.islamichina.com/halalsinchina.asp?cityid=2&m=1

2. http://www.islamicity.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6993

3. http://www.travelchinaguide.com/cityguides/beijing/dinning/muslim.htm

4. Beijing Resaurants for Muslim & Vegetarian http://www.chinahighlights.com/beijing/food-restaurant.htm

5. Click muslim http://www.regenttour.com/chinaplanner/pek/bj-food-restaurant.htm#g

6. Afunti http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Asia/China/Beijing_Shi/Beijing-1024960/Restaurants-Beijing-Afunti_Uighur_Restaurant-BR-1.html

7. Barbeque Ji Restaurant in Houhai http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-07/15/content_8550428.htm

8. http://www.btmbeijing.com/contents/en/business/2006-07/branding/laozihao

9. Dong Lai Shun http://www.chow.com/stories/11258

10. Kaorou Ji http://www.beijingeguide.com/restaurant.php

11. Xinjiang Red Rose http://www.cityweekend.com.cn/beijing/listings/dining/muslim_xinjiang/has/xinjiang-red-rose-restaurant/

12. vegetarian http://www.china.org.cn/video/2008-09/05/content_16391520.htm

Tips
1. http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa;jsessionid=2D0E1EBB1A0B0D99A458681040D849D8.thorntree3?messageID=14527235

2. http://www.chinaheritagenewsletter.org/features.php?searchterm=005_halal.inc&issue=005

3. http://www.halaljournal.com/index.php?page=article&act=show&category=2&pid=2078&PHPSESSID=e5c9772b8e8be2053dc...

4. http://www.china.org.cn/video/2008-09/05/content_16394615.htm

5. http://www.beijingtraveltips.com/

6. http://gochina.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ/Ya&sdn=gochina&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.beijingtrip.com%2Fattractions%2Findex.htm

7. http://www.tour-beijing.com/top_10_must_see_attractions_in_beijing/

Xian

Image from http://www.anniebees.com/China/China_42.htm

Beijing - Xian: about 2 hours flight, USD151 (RM530) return flight fare.

My fascination with Xian began long time ago (I was really young, maybe in my primary school?), I watched a lot of Chinese movies with stories which has something to do with terracotta army, one was about a couple - the husband was one of Qin’s soldiers then something happened (couldn’t really recall) then they reincarnated in modern time n met each other again or something like that.

Anyway, because of those movies I wish I could see terracotta army with my own eyes (ha ha in this way Malacca State Gov was right in a way for conferring Datukship to Shah Rukh Khan – So far you may have noticed that my desire to visit certain locations (jiuzhaigou, Angkor Wat, Xian, Petra) was triggered by images I watched in movies!).

Apart from army of terracotta soldiers, what else to see in Xian? Well read here http://www.globosapiens.net/travel-information/Xi great info.

Traveller’s note “Well if you ever decide to go to China, one of the best spots to go see in Xi'an, for a few reasons: 1 it is the oldest place in China with 7,000 years of life, 2 it is rich with history and blended culture. I have lived in China for 19 months now and have seen the north and the south so far, but nothing compares to Xi'an.” If you travel out to the countryside you will see some parts of the dried up river beds that have turned to lush green valleys. In among these valleys there are ancient mud hut homes that are unique to this area. Back in time people could carve their homes out of the sides of the hills and the ground was like a solid clay, terracotta in color.

Another amazing thing you will see are the tombs that are scattered over the land, the land is very flat and at 1st they look like little hills displaced in the fields, but they are tombs of royalty such as the pyramids or the mayan tombs. Most of the sights that you will see are in the outter lying areas which can be traveled to in less then 3 hrs. http://www.globosapiens.net/travel-information/Xi

Hotel With Halal Restaurants


Image from http://www.hotelxian.com/post/30.html

1. http://www.accorhotels.com/gb/hotel-5949-sofitel-xian-on-renmin-square/restaurant.shtml

2. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g298557-d459791-Reviews-Melody_Hotel-Xi_an_Shaanxi.html

Hotel near halal eateries
1. http://www.china-tour.cn/Xian/Xian-Restaurants.htm

Halal restaurants
1. http://www.islamichina.com/halalsinchina2.asp?cityid=5&m=5

2. http://www.zabihah.com/ls.php?id=506

3. Xian Laosun Jia http://www.china-tour.cn/Xian/Xian-Restaurants.htm

4. Laosunjia http://www.lonelychina.com/xian/xian-restaurants.html

5. Prosperity & Fortune / Xian Fanzhuang http://www.fodors.com/world/asia/china/the-silk-road/restaurants-nam_loc:638264.html

Tips
1. http://wikitravel.org/en/Xian

2. http://www.xian-travel.com/facts.htm

3. http://tracy-tan.blogspot.com/2007/10/xian-food-delights.html

4. http://ezinearticles.com/?Muslim-Street-(Muslim-Quarter)---Sightseeing-Xian&id=1299177

5. http://www.virtourist.com/asia/china/xian/20.htm

6. http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Asia/China/Shaanxi_Sheng/Xian-997440/Things_To_Do-Xian-Muslim_Quarters-BR-1.html

7. http://www.chinahighlights.com/xian/attraction/muslim-street.htm

8. http://www.krolltravel.com/stories/China_Xian.html

9. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-448670.html

10. http://www.radio86.co.uk/explore-learn/travel/7260/the-great-mosque-of-xian-at-the-roots-of-chinas-muslim-community

11. http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/ormeir1/3/1224030600/tpod.html

12. http://www.shanghaidiaries.com/archives/2004/08/17/chewing_the_fat_in_xian/

13. http://www.travelchinaguide.com/cityguides/xian/dining.htm

14. http://realtravel.com/xian-journals-j4208552.html

Halal restaurants in Chengdu – Songpan – Jiuzhaigou - Huanglong Part 2

Image from http://trakka.blogspot.com/2008/10/sichuan-province.html
Jiuzhaigou (Jiu Zhai Gou)

I always wanted to visit Jiu Zhai Gou after watching Hero by Zhang Yimou but the long 10-12 hour bus ride (and dangerous trip – occasional mudslides & rockslides can add hours to the trip) from Chengdu to Jiu Zhai Gou always put me off (bus fare USD16).

Thankfully now one can fly to Songpan (348km) from Chengdu (USD195 return ticket, 45min flight); and from Songpan one could either take 1hr bus ride to Huanglong or 2hr bus ride to Jiu Zhai Gou (102km, bus fare USD3.90).

Btw just check internet rate for Sheraton Jiuzhaigou Resort – quite affordable CNY500/nite (about RM264). TH u wanna go? Should be our kind of holiday (NMM, u n I) – plenty of walking ha ha 35km! NMM need you to come since you can speak mandarin ha ha…

**Traveller’s story about Chinese tourists (locals) “So what else made my blood boil, other than the rip-off entry price? It was the Chinese tourists, or more appropriately, the hordes of obnoxious tourists who ruin the beauty and majesty of the sites. If you've travelled in China, you know the behaviour I'm talking about: noisy, littering, spitting, pushy and disregard for queues. I don't like badmouthing Chinese people, because I regard myself as one, but this 'uncivilized' behaviour has got to stop; quite a few backpackers I've met on my trip so far have said that this is their last trip to China, because of the rude behaviour and high prices targeted at foreigners.” http://www.maskofchina.com/dl/2004_08_01_archive.html

One can stay at hotels in Jiu Zhai Gou or Huanglong or Songpan to visit Jiu Zhai Gou park, but if one plans to visit the park for 2 days (instead of 1 day), maybe staying at Jiu Zhai Gou will be better to save from wasting time on travelling (especially if you want to beat the long queues).

**Travellers’s tip “Jiuzhaighou National Park was a “beautiful disappointment”. It is incredibly beautiful, but I was disappointed that I was 20 yrs too late and had to share it with 1000s of other tourists per day.However, here’s the secret to avoid the hordes of tour groups!

Day 1. Be at the park entrance at 6:40 am. Be first in line to buy your ticket and endorse it with free computer ID photo for 2 days usage. Be the first through the turnstiles at 7am and the first off the bus at the most popular tourist spot Panda Lake or Panda Falls. Be the first to start walking northwards to Nuorilang Falls. You’ll start hitting a few groups of tourists, but it’s better than later in the day when you’ll be involved in a rugby scrum just to get a photo of the falls. At Nuorilang take a bus to Long Lake and Multicoloured Lake. Then bus back to Nuorilang and change to bus for Primeval Forest at the end of the park. Walk downhill from there to Panda Lake where you started in the morning, and call it a day. The crowds will be out in force by then.

Day 2 Be the first through the turnstiles again at 7am. Get off at Nuorilang Falls and walk back towards the park entrance – it was as though I had the entire park to myself. Only met 4 people coming the other way, but there must have been 10,000 about 20 minutes behind me. Bus back up to Long Lake and walk back towards Nuorilang along quiet walkways that not many frequent.
That’s quite a long day… keep your eye on park closing time and last buses 5:30pm” http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?threadID=1372932

Halal restaurants:

Traveller’s tip “Halal food are common in the TOWN of jiuzhaigou but not the entry of the Scenic Spots.If you go to Huanglong near Jiuzhaigou, you may need to spend one night in Songpan, where many Muslim lives. And when Chinese travel there, "Tasting the delicious food of Minority Hui and Qiang" is one of the "Do"s. (Qiang are not Muslim.)Most halal restaurants have Arabic on their board.” http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/message.jspa?messageID=12500496

Traveller’s tip “Unfortunately the food in this area does not match the scenery.
1. There are only a few good restaurants in Jiuzhaigou and they're usually very crowded especially in peak season.

2. Fresh vegetables are rarely available as they need to transfer vegetables from other parts of the area. The high latitude the area located also affects the taste of food.”http://www.chinahighlights.com/faq/travel-tips/food-dining/I-am-visiting-Jiuzhaigou-what-sort-of-food-can-I-expect.htm

Tips
1. http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g303770-i9333-k2201781-o10-August_2008_Update_on_Jiuzhaigou_Huanglong_and_Songpan_GO-Jiuzhaigou_County_Sichuan.html

2. http://www.femtalks.com/travel-leisure/paradise-on-earth-jiu-zhai-gou-the-nine-valleys-sichuan-province-china/

3. http://superericman.blogspot.com/2008/10/jiu-zhai-gou.html

4. http://kamleung.com/triplog/0109xian/xian_09.htm

5. http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/raymondc/china-2005/1123283220/tpod.html

6. http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/raymondc/china-2005/1123108260/tpod.html

7. http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/raymondc/china-2005/1123195620/tpod.html

8. http://www.frommers.com/destinations/jiuzhaigou/3415010001.html

9. http://colourfulagaragar.blogspot.com/2008/05/jiu-zhai-gou-mt-emei.html

10. http://fivetospare.multiply.com/journal/item/149

11. http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/tt/2094a/

12. http://www.beijingtravelbug.com/jiu-zhai-kou-chengdu/

13. http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/message.jspa?messageID=12261681

14. http://www.helencheng.net/etc/etc/?p=128

15. http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/China/Sichuan/Chengdu/blog-19310.html

16. http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/tt/20946/

17. http://community.travelchinaguide.com/review2.asp?i=581

18. http://cheeserland.com/2006/10/jzg2/

19. http://www.btmbeijing.com/contents/en/btm/2006-02/travel/getbacktonatureonsichuansnorthernfront

20. http://www.travelevery.com/Attraction/Detail104.htm

21. http://www.world66.com/asia/northeastasia/books

22. http://www.4panda.com/sichuan/attractive/city/songpan.htm

23. http://mumsiechu.blogspot.com/2007/11/jiuzhaigou-valley-nature-reserve.html

24. http://wikitravel.org/en/Jiuzhaigou_National_Park

25. http://english.dreams-travel.com/guide/jzg/food.htm

Hotels
1. http://www.travelchinaguide.com/hotel/jiuzhaigou-hotels.htm

2. http://www.virtualtourist.com/hotels/Asia/China/Sichuan_Sheng/Jiuzhaigou-2271938/Hotels_and_Accommodations-Jiuzhaigou-TG-C-1.html

3. http://www.asiarooms.com/china/jiuzhaigou/jiuzhai_paradise_international.html

4. http://cheeserland.com/2006/09/jzg1/

5. http://www.asiarooms.com/china/jiuzhaigou/grand_jiu_zhai_gou_(xinyu)-hotel.html

6. http://www.frommers.com/destinations/jiuzhaigou/H48357.html

7. http://www.bookinhotels.com/asia/china/jiuzhaigou/jiu_zhai_gou_hotel.html

8. http://destinia.com/hotels/new-jiu-zhai/jiuzhaigou/sichuan-province/china/asia/177081/en

9. http://www.ineedhotel.com/detail_index.php?Hotel_ID=ABZH0003&City_ID=ABZ&City_Lname=jiuzhaigou&City_Cname=Jiu%20Zhai%20Gou

10. http://www.hotelclub.net/hotel.reservations/Ge_Sang_Hotel_Jiuzhaigou.htm

11. http://www.foxrates.com.au/kr/china/jiuzhaigou/jin_long_yu_gang_hotel_jiuzhaigou.htmhttp://www.chinahotels.net/index.php?o=hotel&id=1617&Jiu-Zhai-Hotel&lng=en

Huanglong

Image from http://www.theodora.com/wfb/photos/china/five_color_pool_huanglong_sichuan_china_photo_unesco.jpg

Traveller’s tip “Huanglong is specialized in the geological phenomenon of travertine pools. I did enjoy its particular scenery (indeed much better than Pamukkale, as the IUCN report says) and feel that it is certainly worth a daytrip for anybody……It is better to get acclimated by visiting JZG the day before at 3,000 meters then do HL instead of the other way around because the altitude is really uncomfortable for those not used to it.” http://www.worldheritagesite.org/sites/huanglong.html

“Huanglong is said famous for its cascading terraced pool but I found the area quite disappointing and not necessary after your have visited Jiuzhaigou. I would rather prefer an extra day in Jiuzhaigou.” http://www.chinatravel.com/china-travel-story/cathy's-trip-to-sichuan(chengdu,-jiuzhaigou-and-huanglong)-322.htm

“Coming from Jiuzhaigou it was pretty straightforward to get to the park. A daily bus departs the main bus station at 7 am each morning.
Leaving from Songpan is not so easy though, as I’ve heard from fellow travelers. There are no buses that go from Songpan to Huanglong, so it’s necessary to hire a taxi for the trip (about two hours one way.) If you’re able to share a taxi this isn’t such a bad option though. http://community.travelchinaguide.com/review2.asp?i=979

Hotel
1. http://www.hotelclub.net/hotel.reservations/HuaLong_Manor_Hotel_Huanglong.htm

Tips
1. http://www.chinabackpacker.com/old/destinations/sichuan/huanglong/huanglong.htm
2. http://www.thingsasian.com/stories-photos/3682

3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huanglong

4. http://nileeysphere.blogspot.com/2008/01/huanglong.html

5. http://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/sichuan/chengdu/yellowdragon.htm

6. http://adventurelogger.blogspot.com/2007/08/huanglong-china.html

7. http://www.028time.com/news/159.shtml

8. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g303772-d319133-Reviews-Huanglong_Scenic_Valley-Songpan_County_Sichuan.html

9. http://www.hkctp.com.hk/eng/magazine/285/STORY6.ASP

10. http://www.flyboar.com/china/k1koryu/fb8korye.htm