Saturday, February 11, 2012

california - factory outlet

a trip to the USA is NOT COMPLETE if you do not visit the FACTORY OUTLET in many of the states.  you can buy a timberland shoe for half of the price or more selling in Singapore

source:  http://www.simon.com/mall/?id=1250

Great Mall, the largest outlet and value retail shopping destination in Northern California, provides the ultimate shopping experience with more than 200 outlet and value retail stores, including Last Call by Neiman Marcus, Coach Factory Store, Coach Mens, Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH, H&M, Forever 21, Abercrombie & Fitch Outlet, Banana Republic Factory Store, Michael Kors, Hollister Outlet and St. John Outlet. Shoppers can dine at great restaurants including Dave & Buster’s, Olive Garden Italian Restaurant and Outback Steakhouse, or catch a movie at Century Theatres 20.

HOW TO FIND US
447 Great Mall Drive
Milpitas, CA 95035
(408) 945-4022
Shopping Line: (408) 956-2033
Security Hotline: (408) 956-5499

ENJOY A GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP
AT THE RESIDENCE INN
AFTER YOU
"SHOP UNTIL YOU DROP"
AT THE GREAT MALL

(408) 941-9222WWW.MARRIOTT.COM/SJCML
Reduced Rates for Extended Stay Guests
Large Studio, One Bedroom & Two Bedroom Suites
Flat Screen Televisions
Complimentary Hot Buffet Breakfast &
Wireless and Wired High-Speed Internet
Special Weekend & Holiday Rates Available

Residence Inn by Marriott-Milpitas
1501 California Circle

Receive a $20 Gift Card to the Mall and complimentary gift-wrapping when you book this package.
(Located less than 5 miles away. Complimentary shuttle based on availablity)

CLICK HERE FOR THE GREAT MALL PACKAGE TO THIS HOTEL




another good california factory outlet
source:  http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=23
Gilroy Premium Outlets681 Leavesley Road
Gilroy, CA 95020
(408) 842-3729
Find impressive savings at Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, Brooks Brothers, Coach, Gap Outlet, Hugo Boss, J.Crew, Lucky Brand, Nike, Polo Ralph Lauren, Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th, Sony, Timberland, Tommy Hilfiger and more. South of San Jose.

  • 7 For All Mankind
  • Adidas
  • Aeropostale
  • American Apparel
  • Ann Taylor Factory Store
  • Ashworth
  • Banana Republic Factory Store
  • Bass
  • BCBG Max Azria
  • Brooks Brothers Factory Store
  • Calvin Klein
  • Calvin Klein
  • Champion
  • Charlotte Russe
  • Chico's
  • Coldwater Creek
  • Converse
  • Cotton On
  • DKNY
  • Dressbarn
  • Dressbarn Woman
  • Ecko Unltd
  • Eddie Bauer Outlet
  • Elie Tahari
  • Esprit
  • Forever 21
  • Fox
  • Gap Outlet
  • Guess Factory Store
  • Hugo Boss Factory Store
  • Hurley
  • Izod
  • J.Crew
  • Jockey
  • Jones New York
  • Jones New York Woman
  • Juicy Couture
  • Kasper
  • Kenneth Cole
  • L'eggs Hanes Bali Playtex
  • Lacoste
  • Lane Bryant Outlet
  • Levi's Outlet Store
  • Loft Outlet
  • Lucky Brand
  • Maidenform
  • MaxStudio.com
  • Michael Kors
  • Motherhood Maternity
  • Nautica
  • New York & Company
  • Nike Factory Store
  • PacSun
  • Paolo Giardini
  • Pearl Izumi
  • Polo Ralph Lauren
  • Puma
  • Quiksilver
  • Reebok
  • Robert Talbott
  • Rue21
  • Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th
  • Timberland
  • Tommy Hilfiger
  • True Religion Brand Jeans
  • U.S. Polo Assn.
  • Under Armour
  • Van Heusen
  • Van Heusen
  • Volcom
  • Wilsons Leather
  • Zumiez
 
From San Francisco: Take Highway 101 South to 152 West/Leavesley Road.

From San Jose: Take Highway 101 South to 152 West/Leavesley Road.

From Monterey Bay: Highway 1 North to Highway 156 East to Highway 101 North to Leavesley Road.

From Fresno: Take Highway 99 North to Highway 152 West toward Los Banos/Gilroy, to Highway 101 North exit Leavesley Road.

Dollar Rent A Car
5% off for Premium Outlets Shoppers. Enter code # CC0507
Valid at these locations only: Dollar: SFO Airport, Union Square, San Francisco and Sheraton's Fisherman's Wharf

Thrifty Car Rental
5% off for Premium Outlets Shoppers. Enter code # 004C007816

Valid at these locations only: Thrifty: SFO Airport & Union Square, San Francisco


From San Francisco Area:
Greyhound Bus Lines
(800) 231-2222
From Salinas Area:
Greyhound Bus Lines
(800) 231-2222
From San Jose Area:
Valley Transportation Authority
(800) 894-9908



From San Francisco Area:
Outlet Hop (888) 483-5566
Group transportation for six or more from San Francisco to Gilroy Premium Outlets available.



From San Francisco Area:
CalTrain
(800) 660-4287



Golden Taxi
(800) 585-2515



All Occasion Transportation
(800) 454-1380
Private luxury shopping excursions to Gilroy Premium Outlets.
Gateway Limousines
(650) 345-7077

Accomodations
  • Best Western Forest Park Inn, Gilroy
    Shop & Stay package available, includes a $25 centerwide Gift Card.     		(408) 848-5144
    Comfort Inn, Gilroy(408) 848-3500
    Comfort Inn Morgan Hill, Morgan Hill
    Shop & Stay package available.     		(408) 778-3400
    Courtyard by Marriott, Morgan Hill(408) 782-6034
    Executive Inn Suites, Morgan Hill
    Shop, Stay & Relax package available which includes a $25 centerwide Gift Card .     		(408) 778-0404
    The Gilroy Fitzgerald House Bed and Breakfast, Gilroy (408) 847-6421
    Hilton Garden Inn Gilroy, Gilroy
    Shop, Stay & Relax package available which includes a $25 centerwide Gift Card.     		(408) 840-7000
    Ramada Limited, Gilroy(408) 848-1467
    Ramada Morgan Hill
    Shop & Stay package available, includes a $25 centerwide Gift Card.     		(408) 779-7666
    Residence Inn by Marriott, Morgan Hill
    Shop & Stay package available, includes a $25 centerwide Gift Card.     		(408) 782-8311
    Super 8 Motel, Gilroy(408) 848-4108

Premium Outlets Centers- in whole of usa

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Friday, February 3, 2012

Shanghai

Yuyuan Market


Yuyuan Market, or Yuyuan Bazaar, is located next to the Yuyuan Garden. Originally there was just a temple (the City God Temple) that built in the 15th Century. Today the area is also home to a lively market that specializes in traditional Chinese arts and crafts.

Over 100 years ago there was an increase in pilgrims who came to worship at the temple. As a result businesses and peddlers began to open up shops in the immediate area to cater to these pilgrims. Since that time this market has continued to grow in importance. Today you can find more than 100 different shops and restaurants in the immediate area. It is a place where locals and tourists go to find unique items to purchase and grab a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants.

You can pick some antiques, silk fans, bamboo articles, shell carvings, paintings, or you try some Shanghai Xiao Long Bao (Soup Dumplings), vegetarian buns, chicken soup to experience a little of the Shanghai culture. It is surely pleasing, and you will get back home with great souvenirs.

Sightseeing on Shanghai World Financial Center
Shanghai World Financial Center is the highest building in Shanghai, it creates Shanghai new landmark with Oriental Pearl TV Tower and Jinmao Tower. It takes about 1 minute from first floor to 95th by the elevator with a speed of 10 meters per second.
In the 100th viewing pavilion, visitors can see the peak of Oriental Pearl TV Tower and Jinmao Tower. In the 55 meters long viewing gallery, visitors can see the moving cars and passerby clearly through 3 transparent glass floors. The observation bridge atop the building will be the highest outdoor observation deck in the world.
The admission ticket price
Shanghai World Financial Center was opened to the public on August 30, the present price is CNY 100 for 94th, CNY 110 for 94th and 97th and CNY 150 for 94th, 97th and 100th, and it is expected to receive 300 million person times
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shanghai

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Saturday, January 28, 2012

malacca sightseeing

where to stay ????  Melaka Equatorial Hotel Malaysia, holiday Inn, Mahkota Hotel

Some of the major tourist attractions in the vicinity include:
The famous Jonker Street is 15 minutes within walking distance from Melaka Equatorial Hotel.
Location
The Melaka Equatorial Hotel Malaysia is located at Bandar Hilir, the heart of Melaka City, near many historical sites, shopping complexes, night spots, museums and other famous attractions.
Address
HOTEL EQUATORIAL MELAKA
Bandar Hilir, 75000 Melaka
Malaysia
Tel: +60 6 282 8333
Fax: +60 6 282 9333
Email: info@mel.equatorial.com







Stadthuys, ChristChurch, Bukit St. Paul, Porta de Santiago

we walked along Jalan Kota , alongside the river, towards the red-bricked Stadthuys (in Dutch, this means Town Hall) and ChristChurch. It was tempting to linger and shop among the many stalls.   But no ringgit, remember?   So we walked towards Bukit St. Paul and climbed up the steps towards St. Paul ruins.  
.
The Christ Church in Melaka was built by the Dutch in 1753, the oldest Protestant church in Malaysia. The 8 foot long ceiling beams are cut in one piece and constructed without joints. The handmade pews are original and date back over 200 years.





Malacca Oldest Temple (Sightseeing @ Cheng Hoon Teng, Malacca Town, Malaysia)

25 Temple Street, Melaka 75000

About Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum
Baba-Nyonya, also known as Peranakan or Straits Chinese, is the descendants of noble Chinese who migrated to the British Straits Settlements of Singapore, Malacca and Penang, and adopted the Malay culture. This unique blend of cultures is born after the intermarriages between them and the local Malay.

Baba Nyonya Heritage Melaka
Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum, Melaka
This interesting and exceptional culture and its heirloom can now be seen at the Baba & Nyonya Heritage Museum. It is located at Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock, Melaka, and is run by the local Babas (males) and Nyonyas (females).
Established in 1896, the Baba-Nyonya Heritage Museum illustrates the way of living of the Peranakans, a unique blend of the east and the west.

Malacca Shopping Mall
Dataran Pahlawan Mega Mall and Mahkota Parade Shopping Mall is one of the biggest shopping malls in Melaka.  it is very near Hotel Equatorial Melaka

Jonker StreetIf you happen to be in Melaka, Jonker Street is a must see! The narrow street, which is located in the Melaka Chinatown, is also known as Jonker Walk and Jalan Hang Jebat.  It has several of the oldest houses in the country, dating to the era of the 17th century, therefore it is also unofficially called the Antique Street.  The thin street is famous amongst the locals for selling artifacts of different periods; you will certainly find stuff from various times of colonial rule, i.e. the Portuguese, the Dutch, and the British, being sold here.




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Friday, January 27, 2012

malacca foods at jonker street (chinatown)

there are many nice eating places and shopping in Jonker Street. if you do not have much time, we suggest you just focus on jonker street.


sources:  http://www.yvonnesam.com/2009/11/raya-malacca.html#!/2009/11/raya-malacca.html

malacca famous eating places
When we reached Jonker Street, it was time to fill up our tummy. Every restaurant (especially chicken rice shop) was so packed and everyone was queue up outside the shop.

Kedai Kopi Chung Wah
(opposite OCBC)

I heard that this restaurant is selling the most delicious chicken rice and the oldest one in Jonker Street. You will need to queue up while waiting to be seated as there are limited tables. We don't have the chance to try this out when we reached on the 1st day because all sold out. Quite sad.

So we make it on the second day. We still need to queue up but just for awhile because we went there in the morning.


Verdict: The chicken is not that nice though, the meat is quite hard to bite. Quite disappointed!!! But their chicken rice ball is really yummy!!! and you must eat with the spicy & sour chili sauce too.. Really yummy!! You can't miss out the lime drink too. You will feel fresh after you drink it.

Famosa Chicken Rice - another famous chicken rice in jonker street (opp san shu gong)


 

Hoe Kee Chicken Rice @ Jalan Hang Jebat, Melaka
Hoe Kee Chicken Rice,
4, 6, 8 Jalan Hang Jebat,
75200 Melaka.


If you mention about Hoe Kee Chicken Rice, the Melaka folks will know about it. This is another famous place to eat the chicken rice ball apart from the Kedai Kopi Chung Wah for their Hainanese Chicken Rice Ball. In addition to the chicken rice ball, this place is more famous for their assam fish head. Let's check it out.


Argg, before I managed to arrive here, Ah Xian came before me.


The popularity of food here in sequences are:
  1. Assam fish head.
  2. Hainanese chicken rice ball.
  3. Black bean soup/ Lotus root soup
In fact, the huge shop only offers the foods above and vegetables. Yet, there are a lot of customers coming in non stop.


The main entrance. We need to wait for some time before we got our seat.


They have classic tables and chairs as well as olden portraits hanging around the premise.


Coconut drink @ RM 4.00.
It's good to quench the thirst by drinking a coconut drink. However, it is a bit overpriced and the one we got is too 'young' thus the taste wasn't that sweet and the content is very hard to dig out.


 Check out the price.


Don't look at this price board. You will never understand.  



 On the press.



Whole chicken @ RM 30.
It looked pretty small right? I think it is expensive for the portions.


Introducing to you their famous Assam Fish Head. The above was priced at RM 37 for that small portion. Again, it is overpriced for that small portions. Apart from that, the sauce was too dilute and the assam sauce don't blend into the fish meat.  

I believe the Assam Fish Head was once very tasty but again, when a shop gained popularity and receiving endless customer per day, their standard may drop. For this restaurant, I don't think I will come again for the price and portion comparison as well as the taste. For the rice ball, it is priced at RM 0.50  per ball. Usually, 4 rice balls will be enough for a meal.

This restaurant is quite huge and have lot of customers coming in. Good luck! I won't come again. I rather go to the busy, customer not friendly but tastier and worth for its price Hainanese Chicken Rice Ball at Kedai Kopi Chung Wah.

Address:
Hoe Kee Chicken Rice,
4, 6, 8 Jalan Hang Jebat,
75200 Melaka.

Tel: 06-2834751
Hp: 012-6238431

Jonker Dessert 88
Jonker Dessert 88
Beside that, I heard that the dessert here quite nice. Queue up again!!!

The foods are not bad but quite small portion.

You can't miss out the dessert too.

Pandan Waffle
RM7.50 for 6. It will taste good when you eat while it is still hot.

Pineapple Tart

nonya foods
there are many nonya restuarants, below are some recommendations: try not to go on wednesday as most restaurants are closed
Nancy's Kitchen – famous nonya foods
Jalan Hang Jebat (
Jonker Street
), Melaka
Address No.6, Jalan Hang Jebat
75200
Contact 06 283 6099
 


another famous nonya restaurant - ole sayanghttp://eatinout.blogspot.com/2006/10/ole-sayang-melaka.html

Restoran Ole Sayang
198-199, Taman Melaka Raya,
75000 Melaka
Tel : 06 - 283 1966

Opening Hours:
11:30am - 2.30pm
6:00pm - 9:30pm (Closed Wed.)
Ole Sayang located at Melaka Raya, it should be quite easy to find, or you can just ask around because the restaurant is quite famous.

The interior is cozy... decorated mainly with old furniture, but dim lighting makes picture-taking a bit tough, especially without a proper camera.

Googling for "Ole Sayang" returned hundred of results about its Peranakan Food, mostly reviewed and recommended by travel or tourism related websites... after tried the food here, I concluded this restaurant was overrated, not because the food here is not good, but really... nothing excited... maybe modern lifestyle makes people longed for more "home-style" kind of dishes.

Do give this chendol a try, chilling out after a long walked under hot sun.

Some food that we've ordered: Fried Kangkung, Ikan Bilis Petai in Sambal and Ayam Pong Teh (chicken casserole with salted brown-bean sauce). Frankly, Fried Kangkung and Ikan Bilis are not good at all, luckily the Ayam Pong Teh didn't spoil its good name in Peranakan specialties, but still a bit too salty.

So glad that we've ordered this Otak-otak, the best among all other dishes. The usual otak-otak that I have will be either satay like from Johor or ketupat like from North (Penang)... but this type tastes really not bad. However, otak-otak should translated as "fish cake", so I wonder is "fish" the main ingredient for this otak-otak... :-|

Total bill (4 dishes above + 1 no-photo asam fish) RM 131+.
San Shu Gong.(famous Malacca tibits) and Lao Qian Ice Café - the
cendols, red beans,durian
33 Lorong Hang Jebat, Melaka
you can buy all the local tibits at this famous shop (location:  start of jonker streets)
try their durian chendols

San Shu Gong (三叔公) is a local delicacy shop in Jonker Street, Melaka. You can find almost all sort of local delicacies from dodol, sweetheart cakes (or wife cakes), black sesame biscuits, melon seed biscuits to rice bean cakes, chicken biscuits, pineapple tarts and much more
San Shu Gong @ Jonker Street, Melaka



San Shu Gong @ Jonker Street, Melaka
San Shu Gong @ Jonker Street, Melaka
San Shu Gong can be easily identified from far as its four-storey building is painted in red, just like Christ Church.
Like Chung Wah Chicken Rice Ball, San Shu Gong is also popular with Singaporeans and KL-ites.
Jonker Street, Melaka
Jonker Street, Melaka
San Shu Gong is situated just at the entrance of Jonker Street. With a huge signboard like this, you won’t miss it!
Wooden toy characters
Wooden toy characters
San Shu Gong is decorated with wooden toy characters all over its premises.

Lao Qian Ice Cafe

Lao Qian Ice Cafe is located inside San Shu Gong and sells local snacks and drinks such as cendol, coffee and tea.
Durian Cendol in a special packaging
Durian Cendol in a special packaging
Durian Cendol uncovered
Durian Cendol uncovered
Durian Cendol
Durian Cendol
Although the packaging for the Durian Cendol was all that fancy, there was really nothing to shout about on the taste.
Icy White Coffee
Icy White Coffee
Icy White Coffee, on the other hand, was marvelous and irresistible. With blocks of crushed ice cubes sitting beneath the glass, the coffee was chilled and retained its flavor at the same time. We believe the coffee they used for Icy White Coffee were Lao Xian Ice Cold White Coffee, which were available for purchase in the store — which we bought a few boxes back home.

We Ordered

  • Durian Cendol MYR 5.80
  • Icy White Coffee MYR 5.80


Lucy Wee Nyonya Pineapple Tarts House: Melaka's Giant Pineapple Tart

LW Nyonya Pineapple Tarts House HQ: 95, Jalan Kubu, 75350 Melaka. Tel: 06-28171626 1: No. 41-A-1, Jalan Hang Kasturi, 75300 Melaka. 2: 86, Jalan Tokong (Jonker Walk), 75200 Melaka. 3: 62, Jalan Tokong, 75200 Melaka.
Our destination is to look for the Giant Pineapple Tarts recorded in the Malaysia Book of Records. Photobucket
How big is the giant pineapple tart? Look at Wan Nah mouth. Even hers cant fit in. Photobucket
You can try the samples given before making decision on what to buy.. aiya buy all la~   looks delicious? Photobucket
Baking in progress The large oven is placed at the entrance so that the customers can have a view Photobucket
There are 2 types of pineapple tarts sold; butter or pandan coating. I bought the butter one which costs RM 14.80 to my mum (bigger container).  Left: The many newspaper articles on this shop Right: Even the Digi 'Yellow Man' visited this shop being attracted to the giant pineapple tart


Museum Cafe (Jonker Dessert 88) at Jonker Street (Jalan Hang Jebat)

Address: Jonker Dessert 88 (Museum Cafe), 88, Jonker Walk, 75200 Melaka.

Photobucket
This is the most famous place in Malacca town to hop in for 'tong shui' namely the cendol and the laksa. We went here for dinner at Day 1 and breakfast at Day 2. Let's see what type of delicacies they offered.
Photobucket
The inherited home cooked recipe
Photobucket Enlarge the pic to see the menu and the prices. Prices range from RM 2.50 to RM 3.50 for most common foods.
Well, we can judges whether the food is nice or not by looking to the 'full house' of customers.
It's a self service cafe which you need to wait and pay for the food ordered at the stalls. Look at the crowded entrance, hardly to move.
Some of the displayed collections
Photobucket The morning crowd as early as 9 am ++.
Photobucket
Potraits collection
It is named as Museum Cafe as one can find uncountable collections and antiques everywhere inside the cafe.
Photobucket
Photobucket Antiques
  famous baba laksa and nyonya asam laksa.
Photobucket Famous baba laksa. Highly recommended. RM 3.50
Photobucket
Famous nyonya asam laksa. Highly recommended. RM 3.50
Photobucket
Nyonya nasi lemak with baba rendang chicken. RM 3.50
Photobucket
Baba rendang chicken and rice. Rm 3.50.
Fried fish ball (Rm 2 for set of 5 fishball) and fried tau fu (Rm 0.60 each) *Baba ice kacang. We also ordered baba durian ice kacang. Both are highly recommended. *Baba cendol. There is also baba durian cendol. Both are highly recommended.
* The unique taste is mainly due to the use of gula Melaka.
Honey sea coconut ice kacang Honey mixed fruit ice kacang Mango ice kacang
Can you see the long queue? Glad that we need not to wait long for our seat. So, if you do not want a long wait, do come early.
Address: Jonker Dessert 88 (Museum Cafe), 88, Jonker Walk, 75200 Melaka.
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