Categories
Life in Singapore

ION Orchard Walkabout

ION Orchard Walkabout

ION Orchard Walkabout

Not long ago, I took a walk at ION Orchard, a new-concept styled shopping mall that opened in the prime shopping district of Singapore, Orchard Road. First stop to satisfy my salivating mouth is Gindaco Tsukiji (築地銀章魚燒), the renowned Takoyaki from Tokyo, Japan. Gindaco Tsukiji is located at basement 4 and there seems to have an indefinite queue due to the popularity.

ION Orchard Walkabout

After 10mins of waiting, I got my Takoyaki (6 pcs) at S$4.80 and quickly hurried off to a corner to devour it! 😛

ION Orchard Walkabout

Walking around the basement area of ION Orchard. Majority of the shops are already opened for business. Believe the official opening launch of ION Orchard is somewhere in Oct 2009.

ION Orchard Walkabout

Nippon-Ya (Japanese Food Boutique) at #B4-13 sells food stuffs imported from Japan, majority are largely sweets (mochi, cookie, cake, chocolate, etc) !

ION Orchard Walkabout

Burger King at ION Orchard – a new concept restaurant brought in by Burger King Corporation themselves. Did not give it a try as I have only recently tried Burger King Whopper Bar.

ION Orchard Walkabout

Are you a donut lover? Cos Dunkin’ Donuts is back in Singapore!

ION Orchard Walkabout

Headed outside of ION Orchard to see the fantastic architecture. It was a hot and humid day but perfect for photo taking! Look at the reflections made by the sun on the glass, does it look like some big diamond? 😛

ION Orchard Walkabout

Teleport station to ION galaxy? Hehe, nope! This goes down to the Orchard MRT Station and basement of ION Orchard.

ION Orchard Walkabout

ION Orchard – taken from a further distance to capture the canopy.

ION Orchard Walkabout

At the entrance to ION Orchard. Giorgio Armani, one of the numerous notable luxury brand tenants in ION Orchard.

ION Orchard Walkabout

Flagship stores of Cartier and Dior at the entrance facade.

ION Orchard Walkabout

The roof canopy of ION Orchard. Overlooking Singapore Marriott Hotel on the right side.

ION Orchard Walkabout

Taken from Wheelock Place (opposite/across the road).

ION Orchard Walkabout

Since we were already nearby at Isetan Orchard, decided to head off to the basement to grab some coffee at McCafe. But when I got off the escalator, this counter in front of McCafe stole my attention! They are selling German beer and we decided to give it a go. 🙂

ION Orchard Walkabout

I understand that the beer counter was part of the German Fair organized by Isetan Orchard. Decided to go for wheat aleValentins Weißbier (Weissbier) 500ml for S$10. Hmm, seems to me that it was a tad too expensive as I remembered seeing it going for S$7+ in supermarkets.

ION Orchard Walkabout

After the beer and a rest, back to strolling at ION Orchard again. Heading down directly to basement to check out food restaurants for our dinner.

ION Orchard Walkabout

Animated displays at the side of the escalators.

ION Orchard Walkabout

EpiCentre @ ION Orchard – a premium reseller of Apple products. Still drawing the crowds!

ION Orchard Walkabout

Our dinner will be at Aoba Hokkaido Ramen – a top ramen from Asahikawa, Hokkaido. Barriers are setup to facilitate the long queues.

ION Orchard Walkabout

The interior of Aoba Hokkaido Ramen – not too huge with sitting capacity around 30 – 40 persons.

ION Orchard Walkabout

Shio Scallop Ramen S$12.80++.

ION Orchard Walkabout

Pumpkin Croquette S$5.80++.

ION Orchard Walkabout

Shoyu Tontoro Ramen S$16.80++. We also each had a Green Tea at S$1.90++. Total for the meal was S$41.53 (including 7% GST, 10% service charge and after 10% discount using Citibank credit card).

ION Orchard Walkabout

After dinner, next up, will be to take photos of the lighted-up ION Orchard. Taken from Wheelock Place.

ION Orchard Walkabout

ION Orchard taken from Isetan Orchard.

ION Orchard Walkabout

The tall building behind ION Orchard is The Orchard Residences.

ION Orchard Walkabout

Sky is getting darker. Another shot taken from Wheelock Place.

ION Orchard Walkabout

Night view of the front facade of ION Orchard.

ION Orchard Walkabout

Night shot of the canopy at ION Orchard.

ION Orchard Walkabout

All the luxury brands are also lighted up, bringing out their individual style and classiness.

ION Orchard Walkabout

The behind of the egg-like structure that leads down to Orchard MRT and basement of ION Orchard.

ION Orchard Walkabout

Black and white themed Dior.

ION Orchard Walkabout

Louis Vuittion at ION Orchard.

ION Orchard Walkabout

Colurful Prada at ION Orchard. The photos captured here is only a partial representation of what you can explore/shop at ION Orchard as I didn’t finish walking the whole of it. I will be back again! If you are coming to Singapore, please do visit ION Orchard and share with me your experience as well!


Leaving you with the video of ION Orchard night scene.

Photos on this blog post are taken on Panasonic DMC-LX3K 10.1MP Digital Camera.

Categories
Japan

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo在函馆与东京的一天

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

14th May 2009 – Hakodate Morning Market (asa-ichi) in search of breakfast.

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

Just need to cross the road from hotel and we reached Hakodate Morning Market.

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

One of the many stalls selling dried products. From one of the stalls, we bought 2 packets of cheese scallops (each 500 grams) and 3 packets of cuttlefish. Total damage is ¥5000.

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

Another stall that sells seasoning paste used for cooking.

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

On the left, a store selling clothes. It’s still early and there weren’t much people around.

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

Beside the dried good area, this portion sells more of the wet stuffs – vegetables, fruits, meat, etc.

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

The left side are some restaurants.

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

Seafood galore! This area is round the main Hakodate Morning Market entrance.

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

Huge selection of Hokkaido crabs at reasonable prices up for grabs.

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

Our accommodation last night – Hotel New Ohte (opposite Hakodate Morning Market).

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

Finally decided on a restaurant to have our breakfast – Hakodate’s renowned seafood-topped donburi (rice bowl).

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

Hakodate’s crab donburi ¥1260.

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

Hakodate’s signature ika (squid) donburi ¥1890. Fresh live squid on top that will wriggle (dance) when you pour soy sauce over it.

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

The chef will help you to cut the head portion. My partner squirms with discomfort while I am eating this. LOL!

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

This is how the squid look like when alive. 😛

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

Cloudy skies – seems like it’s going to pour soon. To avoid getting caught in the rain, we hastily went back to hotel to check-out and head towards JR Hakodate Bus Terminal.

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

The interior of JR Hakodate Station. We didn’t have time to explore fully here.

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

Doing some shopping in JR Hakodate Station.

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

Bought the creamy cheesecake soufflé from Pastry Snaffles – A well known Hakodate delicacy ¥1150 for a box of 8. We wanted to buy a box back to Singapore but weren’t able to as the expiry date is rather short and had to be consume in 6 days time.

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

Taking the Airport Bus (by Hakodate Teisan Bus which operates every 20 minutes) from JR Hakodate Bus Terminal. ¥300 per trip to Hakodate Airport (20 minutes duration).

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

Entrance of Hakodate Airport.

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

Check-in counter for our ANA domestic flight to Tokyo.

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

Observation deck on the 3rd floor.

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

Hakodate Airport.

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

Mocha coffee ¥500 at Misuzu Coffee while waiting for our flight.

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

Departure gate area waiting for boarding.

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

I noticed a very intuitive feature whereby the folks in the departure area can still talk to people outside. They picked up the phone with the corresponding number (e.g, 3) and start talking away.

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

The flight from Hakodate to Haneda Airport only takes approximately 1 hr and 20 mins. Waiting for our luggage.

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

At the basement of Haneda Airport, we took Tokyo Monorail Rapid to Hamamatsucho Station and transfer to JR Yamanote Line to our destination of Ueno Station. ¥630 per person and the journey takes approximately 40 min.

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

Our cozy hotel in Ueno. 5 min walk from JR Ueno Station.

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

The bathroom. I like the use of white color rather then the usual cream color. It makes the toilet brighter and look cleaner.

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

Headed for our late lunch at a nearby Japanese gyudon chain – Matsuya. You will see more of the electronic ordering machines here in Tokyo!

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

Grilled Beef Set ¥480.

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

Large Curry Rice Set ¥480.

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

Shopping at “Ameya Yokocho” (candy store alley) at Ueno. It was traditionally a wholesale market for candy and snacks. Also commonly referred as “Ameyoko”.

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

Hundreds of stall selling from fishes, crabs, vegetables, clothes, cosmetics, green tea, sport shoes, etc.

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

Taito Station – Game arcade. Sighting of folks wearing surgical mask is common in Japan – used when they are having cold or prevention against hay fever, etc.

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

Lord of Vermilion is a fantasy card-based arcade game produced by Square Enix. I am a fan of Square Enix’s Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts series! I stayed glued to view people play even though I don’t understand Japanese. 🙂

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

A cute game for children whereby they have to jump constantly and turn the handle bar in order to move and steer the character on screen.

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

Ameya Yokocho is really crowded during the evening time. Maybe working folks have just knock off and was doing some shopping prior to going home.

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

A stall selling döner kebab – very much well-received by locals.

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

Discounted sale of clothes and sports apparels.

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

Look at the crowd. 🙂

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

Tokudaiji Temple. Accidentally chance upon it in the bustle of Ameyoko.

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

Niki no Kashi (Niki’s Snacks) – a discount snacks and food store that you can grab loads of stuff back to your home country.

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

Takoyaki stall. Looks popular.

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

A Kirin Tea Drink ¥150.

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

Keisei Ueno Station – For taking Keisei Skyliner to Narita Airport. We will be taking this in a few days time.

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

A shop selling crepes and I noted that mostly are girls queuing. Sweet tooth?

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

Some photos of the buildings around Ueno follows.

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

Nakacho – seems like rows of restaurants here?

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

McDonald’s Japan – McPork Set Meal, Teriyaki Chicken Set Meal and Shaka Shaka Chicken ¥1180.

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

McDonald’s Japan – McPork.

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

Shaka Shaka Chicken with black pepper. You put the black pepper into the bag and shake it. Once done, open it and consume it!

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

Anyone game for adult movies? 😛

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

On our way back, passed by JR Ueno Station – one of the major railway station in Tokyo.

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

Numerous eateries can be found here.

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

Tokyo Banana in JR Ueno Station. We noted that we will come back and buy it in the next few days before we leave Tokyo.

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

Back at the hotel, it’s time for snacks – Snaffles from Hakodate. Note the manufacture and expiry date – 6 days.

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

Pastry Snaffles that just came out from the refrigerator.

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

Snaffles – Extremely delicious cheese soufflé.

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

Not a night goes by without beer! Sapporo beer (cold maturation) ¥197.A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

五月十四日-函馆早市场寻找早餐。

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

从酒店过一条马路就到函馆早市场。

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

众多卖干粮摊位的其中一家。我们向其中一家买了两包奶酪扇贝(各五百克)和三宝鱿鱼。总花费5000日元

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

另一家卖烹饪调味料的摊位。

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

左边,卖衣服的摊位。时间还早所以每什么人。

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

除了干粮,有一部分是街市卖蔬菜,水果,肉类等。

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

左边是一些餐馆。

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

海鲜天堂! 这里靠经函馆早市场门口。

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

许多总类的螃蟹任你选择,价廉物美。

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

昨晚住的酒店- Hotel New Ohte(函馆早市场对面)。

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

终于决定这家餐馆-函馆著名的海鲜丼物

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

函馆螃蟹丼物1260日元

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

函馆著名的鱿鱼丼物1890日元。新鲜的活鱿鱼,当你倒入酱油鱿鱼还会乱动。

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

师傅会把鱿鱼头切掉。我太太看我吃这时非常不自在。LOL!

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

这是活得鱿鱼。:P

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

乌云密布- 看似快要下雨了。为了避雨,我们匆忙的回酒店拿行李直冲JR函馆巴士站。

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

JR函馆站的装潢。 我们没有时间探索这里。

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

在JR函馆站内逛。

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

在Pastry Snaffles买了奶油乳酪蛋糕。 这是著名的函馆美食1150日元/八个。本想买一盒会新加坡但是有效期只有六天来不及。

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

从JR函馆巴士站乘坐机场巴士(由函馆帝产巴士运作,每20分钟)。 到函馆机场每趟300日元(20分钟路程)。

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

函馆机场门口。

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

全日本空輸内航班前往东京的柜台。

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

三楼的观景台。

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

函馆机场。

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

等待飞机时在Misuzu咖啡屋喝摩卡咖啡500日元

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

在登机区等待登机。

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

我注意到一个特点就是人们可以在登机区和外面的人聊天。随手拿起电话安相同毫毛就开始聊天。

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

从函馆到羽田机场只需一小时又二十分钟。等待领取行李。

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

羽田机场的地下城,我们搭东京单轨電車濱松町站转换JR山手线到目的地上野站。 每人630日元,路程大概十四分钟。

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

我们舒适的上野酒店。从JR上野站步行5分钟。

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

厕所。我比较喜欢白色多过奶色。白色让厕所看起来更大更清洁。

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

到附近日本牛丼餐馆松屋吃午餐。在东京你可以看到更多的电子订货机器。

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

烤牛肉480日元

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

Large Curry Rice Set ¥480.

咖喱饭(大)480日元

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

到“Ameya Yokocho”(糖果店巷)逛逛。这是传统的糖果和点心批发市场。也称为 “Ameyoko”。

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

上百个摊位售卖鱼,蟹,菜,衣服,化妆品,绿茶,运动鞋等等。

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

Taito Station- 游戏场所。 到处都是戴口罩的人- 日本人如果感冒或预防花粉症都会戴口罩。

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

Lord of Vermilion史克威爾艾尼克斯日本遊戲軟體製作開發的幻想卡制娱乐游戏。我是史克威爾艾尼克斯的太空戰士系列Kingdom Hearts系列的忠实粉丝。虽然我不懂日语但还是不走看别人玩。

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

儿童玩得可爱游戏必须不断地跳跃和推动银幕上的人物。

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

Ameya Yokocho 横旁万真多人。 也许上班族刚放工在回家路上逛街。

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

摆摊卖döner kebab – 日本人非常喜爱。

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

打折的衣服和运动服装。

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

密密麻麻的人群。:)

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

Tokudaiji Temple – 无意中在逛Ameyoko时找到的。

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

二木零食商店-折扣食品店让你购买许多东西回国。

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

章魚燒店 – 非常受欢迎。

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

阿麒麟茶饮料150日元

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

京成上野站 – 乘搭京成Skyliner成田国际机场。 再过几天我们会乘坐这。

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

一家销售可麗餅的店, 我发现在排队的都是女孩。爱吃甜食吗?

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

以下是上野周围的建筑物。

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

Nakacho – 好像有两排餐馆?

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

日本麦当劳- 猪肉套,红烧鸡肉套餐和Shaka Shaka Chicken。 1180日元

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

日本麦当劳的猪肉包。

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

加上黑胡椒的Shaka Shaka Chicken。 在纸袋内加黑胡椒摇动。完成,把纸袋开了便可以吃。

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

有人想看成人电影吗? 😛

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

回酒店路上,经过JR上野站 -东京主要铁路的车站之一。

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

这里可以找到许多餐馆。

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

在JR上野站的Tokyo Banana

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

回到就嗲- 甜品时间-函馆的奶油乳酪蛋糕。 有效期只是六天。

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

刚拿出冰箱奶油乳酪蛋糕。

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

奶油乳酪蛋糕 – 非常好吃。

A Day in Hakodate & Tokyo

啤酒是每晚的精神支柱!札幌啤酒 (冷成熟) 197日元