Moments in Time

{this moment} - A Friday ritual - a single photo no words  capturing a moment from my travels. A simple, special, extraordinary moment A moment I want to savor and remember. This moment is introduced to me by Sarah-Jane inspired from her blog Almost There. Check it out it's a really cool blog to visit. 

I love Japanese food! Saying that alone already triggered a rumbling sensation in my stomach. Here in Singapore, Japanese restaurants are everywhere and Singaporeans are one heck of Japanese food lovers! Count me as one of them because I'm a die-hard fan of Japanese food. Least to say, I haven't been to Japan though so one day, I will find an opportunity to visit it. But for today, I would like to share with you one of my favorite Japanese cuisines, often served as the first course in a formal Japanese dining - the sashimi.

Sashimi is the type of Japanese cuisine which consists of thinly sliced raw fish and seafood including Maguro  (tuna), Toro (fatty tuna), Ebi (Prawn), Saba (Mackarel), Ika (squid) and Tako (octupos). Some of you may confuse this with sushi, but it is not. Sushi and sashimi are distinct from each other, in which sushi is associated with the use of vinegared rice, usually topped or rolled or mixed with raw ingredients but for some other types of sushi, they are cooked or may not have seafood at all. So this makes it distinct from sashimi. Sashimi is mainly fresh thinly slices of fish and seafood arranged beautifully on top of shredded daikon and shiso leaves and often garnished with slices of lime and lemon. They are usually dipped into a dish of soya sauce mix with wasabi paste, a Japanese horseradish that comes in a form of a green paste used as condiment for sashimi, before eating them. Wasabi paste is mixed with soy sauce to kill off harmful bacteria that would be present in raw seafood. Some people don't really like its strong flavor but for those sashimi lovers they always live with it. 

So sashimi goes as my Friday moment for this week. I just couldn't resist sharing with you this Japanese cuisine that I had for dinner last night. Do share your thoughts about sashimi in the comment box below. Thank you.

Travel Photos Thursday - Macaws vs. Lories

I'm joining in Nancie's Travel Photo Thursday at her Budget Travelers Sandbox introduced to me by Jim inspired from his blog Holes in my Soles. Here are my photos.....



                                                                     Macaws

VS

Lories

The above photos were taken from Jurong Bird Park Singapore. These are some of the most colorful species of birds that are really pleasing to the eyes and perfect for photography. Choose your favourite...

Jurong Bird Park

Where can you find the largest bird park in the world?

Where else but here in Singapore!

Jurong Bird Park is the largest bird park in the world set on a 20.2 hectare hillside haven with over 4,600 birds across 380 species. Opened in 1971, it is one of the world's best in conservation and display of birds in its natural settings. Here, you can find a variety of lovely and colorful feathered friends which are more or less flying free in a huge free-fly aviaries or good-sized cages and they all looked healthy and well-cared for. It is important that you allow plenty of time when visiting this attraction as there is a tendency that you'll want to stop and gaze at the bird frequently and of course take loads of photos. It's a treat to your eyes especially to those enthusiasts, photographers and bird lovers.

Below are some of the highlights of this park:

1. Birds and Buddies Show

We commonly see dogs and other animals trained to understand human language better but not in this show. The Birds and Buddies Show is a stunning visual fiesta of birds and colorful mascots on stage that will have your mouth wide open and eyes bursting out in amazement as you see the birds interact so well with humans.

They are able to perform the instructions given to them brilliantly or whilst you see them act out the story behind the show. The jokes maybe a little bit corny but I'm pretty sure the young at heart or maybe the old at heart but still feeling young as they aged will love it tremendously.

2. Lorry Loft

Ahh! Who wouldn't want to be surrounded by a flock of the prettiest birds in the park at the world's biggest lory flight aviary? 

This 9-storey-high enclosure offers a bird's eye view of lush greenery and an opportunity to feed and observe the lovely and friendly Australian lories while some of them may perch on your arm or your shoulders and even to the extent of pecking your ears! Yikes! But this is so true! I saw one of the lories pecked the ear of the visitor like its trying to clean it.

They're harmless alright! They won't bite you or pull your hair or whatsoever but they fight each other for food and when they do, they look so adorable! I just couldn't put in words exactly everything that I'd felt when I was closed to them but it was definitely one of my best moments.

3. Penguin Coast

An air-conditioned setting of an explorer ship where on board you'll gladly find tuxedo cuties "flying" underwater. Yes, they are! And they're the unique kind of bird to ever do that stunt. They are one of the reasons I love the Happy Feet movie!

Mother and father penguins are great parents. They take turns to keep the egg warm so that the tiny chick inside can grow and hatch. Then, they usually take care of their chick for a year after they are hatched. This makes them devoted parents because very few birds care for their chicks for such a log time.

Home to nearly 100 penguins, across 6 species, the exhibit also includes an outdoor enclosure for the endangered African penguins. 

Oh well some moments have to be shared with this cute and adorable flightless bird. A kiss!

4. World of Darkness

Obviously this attraction is dark and kind of eerie too. It gives you that kind of weird feeling that someone's quietly staring at you. 

Oh yes indeed! They see you but you are not likely to see them. So that makes it spooky! But if you're cool enough to spot them, you will be awe-stricken by their beauty and apparently big round eyes! This is definitely one of the best attractions in the park that you should not miss.

5. Pelican Cove

These noisy friends are extremely large, heavy-bodied waterbirds with long bill and a pouch which they use for scooping out fish in the water. By strolling along the boardwalk of this cove, you will be fascinated by the many species of pelicans including the endangered Dalmatian pelicans just being on their own world and no business whatsoever other than making loud and irritating squawks cough and croak. Nevertheless, they are a lovely thing to watch so enjoy as much of your photography as possible.

6. Birds of Prey Show

Want to see the most ferocious flying predators in action? Then, don't miss out on the Birds and Prey Show. Located at the Fuji Hawk Walk in the park, this show presents majestic eagles, falcons and hawks as they let loose their predatory instincts in a simulated hunt and show off their agility in stunning aerial maneuvers. You will be awed by the beautiful display of flying actions by the birds and if you have a very good camera, some moments are just taken wonderfully.

7. African Waterfall Aviary

Get captivated with the world's tallest man-made waterfall and pose for a picture-perfect moment where at the background you'll hear the cascading waters from the top that brings a soothing feeling and peaceful retreat with nature. This African Waterfall Aviary is the world's largest walk-in aviary with more than 1,500 free-flying birds from over 60 species. It was hard to spot most of the birds though and it made me wonder why it was so quiet. But nonetheless, I truly enjoyed the waterfall so life's a bliss! 

8. Flamingo Cove

This is where you'll be enchanted by the pink beauty of long-legged creature so sexy and beautiful - the flamingos.

There are 5 species of flamingos that occur throughout the world. The greater flamingo is as tall as a grown up person is while the lesser one is as tall as a first-grader. They usually live in lagoons or lakes. Their feather color usually varies with species ranging from pale pink to crimson or vermilion. The brightest coloration belongs to the Caribbean flamingos: crimson or vermilion while the pale pink is for Chilean flamingo. Their color is enhanced from their diet which is usually high in alpha and beta-carotene. Humans usually eat carrots to get this nutrients. But I'm not saying that if humans eat more carrots, they will become pink flamingos as a result. What I'm saying is that they will have a healthy perhaps pink-looking skin.

A group of flamingos is called colony. Within this colony, flamingos breed in pairs though it does not happen every year. They're able to reproduce by the age of six. Amazing isn't it? I was still a kindergarten though when I was at that age. Good fun! 

So if you are coming to Singapore, I highly recommend you visit the Jurong Bird Park for a day of feathered-friends exploration and whole lot of fun. You can visit this website www.birdpark.com.sg for more information of the ticket prices, combo deals and offers. 

Travelidiom Fun Saturday

Here's a new way to spend your Saturdays when you visit my blog. I'm sharing idioms for fun! They may or may not be familiar to you but I reckon it's beneficial for everyone. So hop on and join me for a ride....



CONVERSATIONS

JR: He has the most atrocious manner ever I have encountered.



SJ: You can say that again!



1. atrocious - extremely wicked, cruel or brutal

2. You can say that again - I agree completely



JR: I think I might not have a bash at water-skiing while we're on a holiday in Bali.



BB: Don't be such a party pooper! It's terrific fun, once you learn it.    



3. have a bash at - try

4. party pooper - someone who spoils everyone's fun



JR: We've been surfing the net round the clock. Let's go rollerblading!



Jim: Not on your life! I've never done that before. Why on earth would I want to risk a broken limb?



5. round the clock - day and night, without a break

6. Not on your life - never

7. Why on earth? - emphatic expressions of surprise or disbelief



Jim: I have just got this month's salary, but you know me - money burns a hole in my pocket - and it won't take long before I have spent it all.



JR: In a nutshell: you're the man! (laughing)



Jim: I'll give you half of it with no strings attached...



JR: Oh, silly you! (laughing)



8. money burns a hole in my pocket - tempted to spend money

9. In a nutshell - in a few words

10. with no strings attached - without conditions



Till we meet again....                                                                      

Moments in Time

{this moment} - A Friday ritual - no words - capturing a moment from my travels. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to savor and remember.

This moment is a ritual I found on life's inspired by the Wee Man, kidnapped from Sarah-Jane and bumped into A.

Check out their blogs and if you have a Moment too, please leave a link to your Moments in the comment box below.

Thursday Dedication

Thursday dedication is an event created by Jessica B. It is a day of spreading hugs and kisses, love and  teases to another's blog we so cherish about and of course link back to that particular blog.

Raising Amelie is my choice this week. It's a blog about a daughter keeping her father young while she grows older. And, a father's love to his daughter so immense and inspirational that only simplifies the meaning of a father - daughter relationship or generally a father's relationship to his child....That's his badge below...







To A... I would like to dedicate this special friendship song to you and Amelie (well, when she's old enough to understand this song, I wish you share it with her). :)

                    I'll Be There For You

                      by the Rembrandts

So no one told you, your life was going to be this way.

Your job's a joke, you're broke, your love life's DOA.

It's like you're always stuck in second gear,

Well, it hasn't been your day, your week, your month, or even your year.



But I'll be there for you, when the rain starts to pour.

I'll be there for you, like I've been there before.

I'll be there for you, 'cause you were there for me too.



You're still in bed at ten, the work began at eight.

You've burned your breakfast, so far, things are going great.

Your mother warned you there'd be days like these,

But she didn't tell you when the world has brought you down to your knees.



That I'll be there for you when the rain starts to pour.

I'll be there for you, like I've been there before.

I'll be there for you, 'cause you're there for me too.



No one could ever know me, no one could ever see me.

Seems like you're the only one who knows what it's like to be me.

Someone to face the day with, make it through all the rest with,

Someone I'll always laugh with, even at my worst, I'm best with you.



It's like you're always stuck in second gear,

Well, it hasn't been your day, your week, your month, or even your year.

But I'll be there for you, when the rain starts to pour.

I'll be there for you, like I've been there before.

I'll be there for you, 'cause you're there for me too.



Please click on the video to listen to the song. Thank you. Cheers!!!

To make it more fun, click the play button of the video first, then sing along with the lyrics provided...That's about it for my Thursday dedication and I hope you and A will enjoy it... Cheers everyone!!!



This is my first Thursday dedication and it goes to you...

                                                                      

Travel Photos Thursday - Beijing National Stadium

I'm joining in Nancie's Travel Photo Thursday at her Budget Travelers Sandbox introduced to me by Jim inspired from his Holes In My Soles. Here are my photos....

These photos were taken during my trip in Beijing, China. This is the Beijing National Stadium, nicknamed as Bird's Nest, the venue for the 2008 Summer Olympics and Paralympics. It consists of two independent structures, standing 50 feet apart - a red concrete seating bowl and the outer steel frame around it. It cost US$423 million to construct it and could accommodate 80,000 people.