Learning Science at the Nagoya International Science Center

Check out an actual simulation of a tornado and this is a real life size of a dinosaur.

 

 

 

Science is FUN!

Yatai in Fukuoka

Fukuoka is famous for yatai's, basically temporary food stalls along the sidewalk that typically sells ramen and other hot dishes. Each yatai can only seat roughly 7-8 people and typically opens at dusk until about 2am.

There are yatai's along the canal, but we went to Nagahama based on local recommendations.

We picked this one and the taisho (chef's) were so proud they kept telling everyone we were from Canada. We had turned his yatai into a global business for the few hours we were there! :)

 

 

Can't beat authentic street food. Delicious.

 

Marine World - Fukuoka

We went to Fukuoka a few weekends ago, and went to Marine World. Marine World is an aquarium and is home to more than 20 different kinds of sharks and other sea animals. There was also a water show featuring seals and 4 different kinds of dolphins.

We had to take a few local trains to get there, so first thing we do is grab some delicious, freshly made croissants at the train station. Il Forno del Mignon is FAMOUS for their croissants and with good reason, because they are slightly crispy on the outside and warm and fluffy on the inside. Mmmm....

 

 

Here's the entrance to the aquarium and the first thing Matt does is play with the seal! Heheee

 

 

OK, here's the actual entrance to Marine World. Isn't it an awesome looking building?!

 

 



 Here comes the fish.....

 

 

We start off with the really weird and odd looking ones:

 

 

 

 

Then we get to the pretty cool looking ones:

 



 

 

Look at all the Nemo's and Crush - it's a Finding Nemo reunion!!

 



 

 A big giant lobster, octopus, and crab, oh my. Hungry anyone?

 

 





A family of stingrays playing with a shark:

 

 



I guess they didn't want to play with this shark:

 

 

 

Or these jellyfish:

 



 

 But maybe they'll want to play with this penguin, this seal, or these baby sea otters?

 

They're all so cute. Great time at the aquarium. Recommended.

Ichiran 一蘭

For those who do not know the name "Ichiran", you are seriously missing out. Ichiran is the BEST tonkotsu ramen a person will EVER have. In fact, the owner has dedicated his life to the mastery of tonkotsu and is the only thing on the menu.

What is tonkotsu? This is tonkotsu. It is a big bowl of delicious ramen noodles with pork slices, green onions, garlic, and broth filled with special sauce and seasonings. SO GOOD!

Tonkotsu is a Fukuoka specialty and even though Ichiran is now a big chain with locations all around Japan (and even New York), it has maintained the highest quality and consistency across locations. I can only speak of 2 locations I've been to (Nagoya and flagship restaurant in Fukuoka) and they taste the same.

As like almost everything else in Japan, there is a process to follow:

1. Buy a ticket at the vending machine (like what these girls are doing):

 

2. Walk in and check the board for vacancy:

 

 

3. You will be seated in a little booth. The owner believed the only way to taste tonkotsu is to concentrate on the flavor. Hence, no talking, no texting, no playing with the phone. Just eat. 

 

3. Customize your tonkotsu.

 

 and voila - it will appear! Now pay attention to your food and enjoy!

 



 

4. Not enough ramen noodles? No problem, just order more by filling out what you want, put down the money, and press the button. Be sure to leave at least half a bowl of broth.



 

 

 

 

 

5. And just like that, more noodles come. Put it in your broth and enjoy (once again). 



 

And that's how you eat delicious tonkotsu at Ichiran.

 

Macau

First time in Macau and it was not what we expected. It was cool though. We took a fast speed ferry from Hong Kong one night, had dinner in an underwater themed atrium of a hotel, walked around, went to a few casinos, saw a water show, and then went back to Hong Kong.

First we had dinner. The restaurant was right inside this atrium so we were eating with all these things to admire.

 

After dinner, we headed outside and walked around. Not amazed there were so many neon lights, but didn't expect so many cool looking buildings. 

 

 

Errr... odd looking building - think it's safe?



 

 

Then finally, check out this awesome light show. The video's on Matt's camera, but check out these still pictures I captured. Better show than the Bellagio's in Vegas.

 

All in all, glad we went to Macau.