Category: Food

Bus to Barcelona

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"Sunset from the Bus" Spain, 2017
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/2.2, 1/140 sec, ISO200
 “Sunset from the Bus” Spain, 2017

Today was a day spent in transit. We took the ALSA bus from Granada to Barcelona, which left at 10:00 and arrived in Barcelona at 00:15, or quarter-past midnight. Yes, 14 hours on a bus! 🚌 But, our preference of traveling by train was impossible since tickets were sold out. The other choice (which wasn’t extraordinarily expensive) was to take a plane from Malaga to Barcelona, but that would involve buying another bus ticket from Granada to Malaga. Plus the transit from between the bus stations/airport/hotel.

So, we sucked it up and prepared for the long bus ride, which would only involve taxi from hotel to bus station, the bus ride itself, then either an 18-minute walk or taxi ride to our hotel in Barcelona. It actually wasn’t too bad because it was a big bus and there was spotty Wi-Fi or slow cell speeds. Plus it was the cheapest of the transit options at about €70 per ticket.

The bus stopped at several places (including a lunch place) along the way to Valencia, where we had a break to pick up some food and switch buses. From Valencia, it was a non-stop haul into Barcelona Nord bus station. We arrived at around midnight, then took a taxi to Hotel Constanza, where we’d be staying the next couple days.

Check-in at the hotel was quick and the room was nice. Koa decided to call it a night, but Bay, Mariko, and I were excited to be in Barcelona so we decided to head out on foot to look for… tapas!

Before going, we asked the hotel staff where we should go, but they told us that most places’ kitchens would be closing soon (it was almost 01:00) so we just decided to head to one of the main streets to check it out. After encountering a couple places that were closing, we found Tapa Tapa, which was open until 00:200. They didn’t have a full menu available but the tapas they did have were yummy, the beer was cold, and the cava was refreshing.

"Cava" Barcelona, 2017
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/2, 1/150 sec, ISO200
 “Cava” Barcelona, 2017
"The Big Beer" Barcelona, 2017
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/2, 1/120 sec, ISO200
 “The Big Beer” Barcelona, 2017

After that, it was back to the hotel to turn in. (and of course, Koa was still up watching Youtube videos)

Night in Granada

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"Gran Taberna" Granada, 2017
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/2, 1/100 sec, ISO2500
 “Gran Taberna” Granada, 2017

We departed the ferry and took our first steps in Spain! 🇪🇸 It was the first trip to Europe for Mariko and the kids, so it was pretty special. And getting our passports stamped was cool! 😄

"Train to Granada" Algeciras, 2017
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/8, 1/350 sec, ISO200
 “Train to Granada” Algeciras, 2017

It was a short walk to the train station, where we bought tickets to Granada. How fun and novel to be able to communicate well with the person behind the ticket counter! Anyways, the train wound its way through some stunning Spanish countryside and mountains, stopping in some truly picturesque towns. It would have been nice to stay for a night! Honestly, that part of Spain reminded me a lot of California.

The train station in Granada is currently under renovation, so no trains can leave/arrive there at this time. Everyone who had a ticket to Granada had to exit the train at Antequera and transfer to buses that drove us to the station. It was all seamless and there were train staff and signs directing everyone to the buses.

After an hour or two on the road, we arrived in Granada and walked to our hotel, the Five Senses Hotel and Spa. I can’t say enough about how helpful the hotel staff was at the Five Senses. They secured tickets and tour of The Alhambra for us on short notice (totally my fault), were able to recommend some great tapas restaurants, helped arrange our bus transportation to Barcelona, and printed out our tickets for our upcoming museum tours. So helpful and friendly!

"Los Diamantes" Granada, 2017
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/5.6, 1/30 sec, ISO3200
 “Los Diamantes” Granada, 2017

So, now that we were settled in Granada, it was time for tapas! Our first stop was Los Diamantes, which is known for their seafood. Along with beer and sangria, we enjoyed almejas (clams), pulpo (octopus), and boquerones (fried anchovies). It was all delicious!

"Almejas" Granada, 2017
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/5.6, 1/100 sec, ISO1600
 “Almejas” Granada, 2017
"Pulpo" Granada, 2017
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/5.6, 1/100 sec, ISO2000
 “Pulpo” Granada, 2017

After that, we went next door to La Gran Taberna for some jamon tapas and beer. The food here seemed to be old-school authentic and I was completely satisfied.

"Gran Taberna" Granada, 2017
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/5.6, 1/20 sec, ISO3200
 “Gran Taberna” Granada, 2017
"Gran Taberna" Granada, 2017
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/2, 1/100 sec, ISO2500
 “Gran Taberna” Granada, 2017

The streets in Granada are so fun. There’s a ton to see, and just people-watching is interesting. I really loved it.

"Misty" Granada, 2017
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/5.6, 1/90 sec, ISO3200
 “Misty” Granada, 2017
"Scootering" Granada, 2017
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/2, 1/100 sec, ISO3200
 “Scootering” Granada, 2017

After some gelato, it was back to the hotel for some well-deserved rest. What a long day! Waking up in Morocco, traveling by car, ferry, train, and bus, then finishing the day at tapas bars in Granada. Certainly one of the most memorable of my life. 😀 🇲🇦 🚖  🚆 🚌 🇪🇸

Brunch and Kaiju Nite 8 (Lots of Food!)

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"ゲゾラ" Cedar Park, 2017
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/3.2, 1/30 sec, ISO800
 “ゲゾラ” Cedar Park, 2017

こんばんは。How’s it going?

I’m going to have to go on a serious diet soon if I keep on eating like I did today… 😃🍺

First off, we went to a farewell brunch for some friends who are moving to Brooklyn. The food was something that is common in Austin: build-your-own tacos with brisket, carnitas, homemade salsas, and fresh onion, cilantro, jalapeños, and tomatoes. In addition, cold local beer and yummy mimosas to wash it all down. It was pretty awesome. 🍴

Later that day, we hosted our 8th “Kaiju Nite”, in which we watch Japanese monster movies and enjoy even more delicious food. The menu included karaage (Japanese fried chicken), harumaki (egg rolls), shrimp toast, champuru (Okinawan dish of goya, spam, and egg), lotus root salad, green salad with sashimi, and various small snacks. Beverages included sake, wine, and beer. OMG I was so full! 😝

"Brunch Brisket" Austin, 2017
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/4, 1/350 sec, ISO200
 “Brunch Brisket” Austin, 2017

My aunt often ends her greeting cards with, “Eat well” and I intend to uphold that request. 😃

I hope you had a nice weekend!

またね～

Photo Expo

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"Lighting Demo" Austin, 2017
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/3.2, 1/45 sec, ISO3200
 “Lighting Demo” Austin, 2017

こんばんは。How’s it going?

Today was a lot of fun because I spent the morning with an old friend and a new friend hanging out at the local camera store, Precision Camera, which was holding their semi-annual EXPO. There were presentations and demonstrations, giveaways, and we got to play with all the newest gear.

"Precision Camera" Austin, 2017
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/5.6, 1/850 sec, ISO200
 “Precision Camera” Austin, 2017

I checked out the new Fujifilm X100F, which is the successor to my X100T. I was hesitant to try it out because I might get the itch to upgrade, but as it turned out, I didn’t feel like it was such a big improvement for me, considering the way I shoot, and my snapshot photo style. The improvements which would make me consider upgrading would be an articulating screen and a true mechanical focus ring. Perhaps in the future, but for now, I am still happy with my X100T.

"Magic Mushroom Burger" Austin, 2017
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/3.2, 1/100 sec, ISO1000
 “Magic Mushroom Burger” Austin, 2017

And besides the photo-geekery, we enjoyed delicious burgers at Hopdoddy. Yum!!!

I hope you had a nice day!

またね～

Rib Dinner

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"Rib Dinner" Cedar Park, 2017
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/5, 1/40 sec, ISO3200
 “Rib Dinner” Cedar Park, 2017

こんばんは。How’s it going?

Today we had a yummy dinner of ribs, potato salad, coleslaw, and baked beans. Everything was homemade except the beans, which were definitely the least delicious item on the menu.

For the ribs, I bought about 9 lbs. worth of pork ribs from Costco, and then used a simple but great technique to cook them. Basically, just rub the rib racks with Dijon mustard, then apply your favorite dry rub. Do this to both sides, then wrap in foil, pop into a 200 ° F oven for 6 hours, then turn up the heat to 300 ° F for about half an hour more.

Next, carefully check if the ribs are tender, and if so, cut them up, then put on a baking sheet and place them under the broiler to caramelize. And that’s it. Enjoy!

"Too Many Ribs" Cedar Park, 2017
Photo info: FUJIFILM X100T, 23mm, f/5, 1/35 sec, ISO3200
 “Too Many Ribs” Cedar Park, 2017

Since we got the ribs from Costco, we had three times as much as we could eat, but that just means that we’ll freeze the leftovers and get to enjoy ribs again in the future. 😄

I hope you had a nice day!

おやすみ～