Sharing a quick journal from one of my spring trips to Japan. I originally planned to explore Nagano and Shirakawago, and while Takayama was supposed to be just a stop along the way, I decided to stay overnight. I'm so glad I did.
While planning, I found out there’s actually a lot to see and do in Takayama. It would have been a shame to just pass through without exploring.
At one point in our “lazy afternoon” days, with 2 of my friends, we thought of looking for the best burger in the country—-this brought us to Abu Dhabi!
A friend of ours told us about this “wagyu burger” that apparently creating a bit of a buzz not only in Abu Dhabi but also in Dubai. So we drove (about) a little less than 2 hours to reach Monte Carlo Beach Club in Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi.
I ordered this one—-> the signature wagyu burger, mix of french and sweet potato fries (this one i really love) and a truly refreshing glass of Iced Tea.
I love the tenderness (if you can say that for a burger) and how juicy it feels in very bite. If you haven’t tried a wagyu patty yet, I will suggest to get this one and combine it with this sweet and salty side dish.
This photo I took from Monte Carlo Beach Club’s FB Page (see link at the end of this blog) —-this gives justice to what i ordered.
Aside from the wagyu burger, I enjoyed the look of the beach club, complete with white sand. The breeze was lovely (well, good thing it was not the peak of summer when we had our cravings)
photo taken from Monte Carlo Beach Club’s FB Page
photo from Monte Carlo Beach Club’s FB Page
To know more about this place you can visit the following websites:
http://www.montecarlobeachclub.ae/about-the-club/saadiyat-island/
http://www.saadiyat.ae/en/hospitality-and-leisure/monte-carlo-beach-club2.html
https://www.facebook.com/MonteCarloBeachClubSaadiyat?ref=ts&fref=ts
What is Wagyu? (check the wikilink below)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wagyu
One of my ultimate favorite entree when i was in France! Du melon et du jambon de Parme. The first thought of eating melon and cured pork ham blowed my mind but the first bite of this “favorite european summer dish” made me feel like i am in a scene from ratatouille! I LOVE IT!..now i am hunting this here in the land of shawarma and hummus!
The first time I heard Wicked was when they perform Defying Gravity during the Tony Awards (yes it was a replay). It was indeed very WICKED! Since then, I dreamt of watching it live on stage. Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth really owned the characters—- Well I am bias because I really love Kristin because of Pushing Daisies
ok back to WICKED
When I visited Singapore last July and watched The Lion King, the moment I saw the advertisement that Marina Bay Sands will feature Wicked on their next show (Dec-Feb), I told myself that I have to watch it…and I did…Last January 9, 2012, I was able to catch the play along with my college friends who are working in SG.
Amazing is an understatement, the whole time I was watching it I really felt “kilig” (goosies all over my body). Glinda was played by Suzie Mathers and Elphaba by Zoe Jarrett. Both casts didn’t hold back in portraying their roles, it was like watching a tennis match and you are rooting for both characters.
I was able to get hold of the soundtrack before I even watched the play (imagine how I monologued seating down in the theater) and from the songs, I really was a Glinda fan, and never imagined that I will like Elphaba, maybe because my reference was how she was portrayed in the Wizard of Oz. But while the play progressed, you will really like her character. She’s like a superhero but became a villain by chance.
I love how Wicked twists and reconstructs what we knew about Oz, it’s a fresh take and total redemption for the most unloved character (of all time).
To sum up, we really enjoyed it, I saw my friends cried during the song “For Good” and cheered during “Defying Gravity”. I’ve been praying in faith that I will watch it, I claimed already as early as September –and I thank God for granting my praying. It was indeed a VERY WICKED moment!….
