Travel: Crystal Creek Meadows, Kangaroo Valley; Sydney

Merry Christmas, everyone.... 3 days late :D
I went on a short getaway over this long weekend down south, escaping from everything for a few days (and no phone reception to boot. No disturbance :)). Our accommodation was at Crystal Creek Meadows; with some self-contained gorgeous cottages designed for privacy and tranquility.

The drive to the site was around 2 1/2 hours, through the scenic route (if you have time, it is recommended to do so. It is a pleasant drive with plenty of photo-worthy stops along the way).









The tariff for the cottage we stayed at (Billabong Spa) was A$1700 for the 4 nights (and included two days deluxe breakfast provision that I opted for - which was more than enough, believe me).







Especially also loved the spa bath - overlooking the gardens outside - and a selection of bath salts provided. Even 1/2heart (who isn't normally into baths) had some long minutes soaking in it.
The deluxe breakfast hamper includes some eggs from their own hens.





The cottage overlooks a pond where resident birds and ducks greeted us everyday (especially when we had leftover bread to spare).













The 'summer house' is where guests can do some BBQ, overlooking another small pond.







Crystal Creek Meadows' grounds house a small grapefruit orchard, lime and lemon trees, strawberries, and a small vegetable patch (any of which guests are free to help themselves to).







Around 15 minutes drive from the property, passing the charming little town of Kangaroo Valley, we had a bit of a walk through Fitzory Falls' walking trail.











And driving past some farms... (keep an eye out, you might spot some wallabies along the way :). I did, though I didn't stop to take a picture)





As well as checking out Bendeela Camping site (just by the river), which would be an awesome place to camp at.







1/2heart and I made a note to ourselves to - perhaps - arrange another getaway with some friends at Bendeela camping grounds; but for the rest of the Christmas period, staying at the cottage with just the two of us as company, was one of the best things we did.

NomNom: Yayoi Teishoku; Sydney

As a small celebration of our anniversary (4 years of marriage, 12 years being together. Woot!), 1/2heart and I decided to try the relatively-new Japanese restaurant in Sydney - Yayoi - which specializes in teishoku (a.k.a. meal set).

Don't be mistaken - japanese meal set is nothing like the usual meal set you'd probably get in western restaurants (burger, chips, and soft drinks, anyone?). In a japanese teishoku/meal set, they emphasize in presentation and an array of well-balanced ingredients - from soup, vegetables, meat, as well as the rice (which is probably the most important element in japanese and asian meal. After all, most asians haven't 'truly eaten' if they haven't had rice as part of the meal).

Yayoi does this true to how it's done in Japan: intricate and tantalizing.



We started with some Umeshu - both on the rocks (just the swag term of having some ice cubes in it), as a refresher and palate cleanser.



Gyu Tataki (A$16) and Age Dofu Dengaku (A$12.50) came soon after, as our ordered entree.
The tataki was served with ponzu jelly, giving it just a hint of citrus sourness. The taste was excellent, but I couldn't help but to lament that the beef pieces themselves were a bit sinewy to my liking.
The Dofu Dengaku was a better hit for me, fried with very light crisp batter and served with miso paste.



As part of dinner service, our rice was served kamameshi style - cooked in a pot on our table while waiting for our mains to arrive. The rice took around 20 minutes to be ready, then the staff served the rice into our individual bowls.





I ordered Yayoi Gozen (A$39), a pretty set containing a little bit of everything: pork katsu, salmon salad, wagyu beef, and salmon teriyaki). It also came with lightly fried age dofu, miso soup, and chawan mushi (steamed japanese egg custard).
It is certainly very pleasing to the eyes. The presentation is excellent, But nothing out of this dish really impressed me (apart from the visuals of course). Tonkatsu pork in the set was quite good though, probably on par with another place that does it well - Miso.





1/2heart ordered Miso Pork Fillet Kastu Teishoku (A$28), and although the pork katsu was again - excellent, the runny poached egg did not come 'runny'. It was pretty much almost hard boiled (or hard-poached, whatever the term). I mean, you were supposed to slather the runny egg yolk all over the pork katsu to give them more flavour and texture (or so the menu said), but instead it became a pretty much an independent side dish of fully cooked egg.



We wanted to try their warabi mochi, but they didn't have any. Boo! Why!
So anyway, we decided to get Matcha Ice Cream ($9). It was disappointing. Not enough matcha flavour, and for $9, it was hardly bigger than a size of golf ball.

It's certainly an interesting concept, but I think Yayoi has to maintain its quality & menu sufficiently.

YAYOI

Shop 2, 38-42 Bridge Street, 

Sydney, New South Wales 2000

02 9247 8166

Travel: Japan 2014 Day 15 // Osaka // Den-Den Town, Namba, Shinsaibashi and around

Today was pretty uneventful, we explored the area around our rented studio apartment, which is not only close to Namba station, but also smack bang in front of Nipponbashi Den-Den Town.



This, folks, is pretty much equivalent to Tokyo's Akihabara. You could imagine our inner otaku soaring free and drooling all over the merchandises.

Maid cafes everywhere

We also walked around Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi area... some mascots were always ready to entertain...





Had kushikatsu at this place:









Had the Assortment Set (JPY 650), but changed the green pepper, lotus root, & eggplant to Quail Eggs, Sweet Potato, and Mochi (Rice Cake).
Yummy!



And tried this chicken stall... Small portion JPY 260.





Around Dotonbori as well...







For early dinner, we had Salmon and Uni Donburi. I have new-found love for uni. This stall did not disappoint. Uni was sweet and creamy too.







Tomorrow we will be flying back to Sydney, so this will be the end of my Japan travel blog. You can always drop me a comment or message if you need suggestions or questions for your upcoming trip, need my itinerary, etc.

Until next time :)