AU2010 - Taste of Shanghai

Over the weekend, as we were browsing through the shops at World Square, Sydney, we realised that the Korean restaurant has now changed to a Shanghainese restaurant, known as the Taste of Shanghai.

 

 

Being the third of a chain of Taste of Shanghai restaurants in Sydney suburbs, it was quite a popular placed and was packed with people.

 

 

After waiting for 20 minutes, we were finally shown to the table, …

 

 

… where we were then presented the colourful glossy menu. The Taste of Shanghai offers a unique selection of authentic Asian cuisine, specialising in a variety of dumplings, pork buns and stir fries. As part of the chef’s recommendation, we gave their pan fried xiao long bao with crab meat…

 

 

… and garlic bamboo chicken a try.

 

 

Although tea is served, we also ordered their watermelon twister fruit fusion to quench our thirst.

 

 

Overall, I would say that the service might be a bit slow, but I think its worth going back again to try out the other dishes (since the glossy menu made the food look so tasty).

FJ2009 - Tokoriki Island: Day 5

Our very last day at Tokoriki started off with our breakfast …

 

Omelette with prawns filling

 

Crispy bacon with eggs

 

… at the restaurant.

 

 

Once we were ready to check out (by 10am), we went over to the reception to settle the bills while our luggages were left in front of our bure for collection (by the porter).

 

 

As our helicopter transfer is not due until 12.30pm, we headed over to the lounge …

 

Lounge area

 

One of the staff weaving gift baskets

 

… to wait for the transfer.

 

Our final view of the beautiful lagoon, something that we will miss

 

While waiting, the staffs sang us the farewell song ...

 

Farewell song video

 

… before being escorted to the helicopter.

 

 

As soon as the luggages were loaded and we were strapped in, we flew out heading towards Nadi International Airport.

 

Our pilot …

 

… and us!!

 

Good-bye Tokoriki Island!! (Aerial view of Amunuca Island Resort next door)

 

Along our 15 minutes journey, we flew past several islands and reefs, …

 

 

… allowing us to capture in the spectacular views. Arriving into Nadi, …

 

Safely landed in Nadi

 

Luggage unloading

 

… we were then transferred over to the international departure gate.

 

Departure level

 

The timing was just nice to allow us enough time to check in and have lunch before boarding the plane.

 

Food stall right in the middle of the departure level

 

Fish and chips

 

Vegetarian spring rolls

 

Since all Virgin Blue’s and Pacific Blue’s flight between Sydney and Nadi is taken over by V Australia (Virgin Blue’s new international airline), …

 

V Australia banner

 

… we were delighted to be able to fly with a new plane that also provides food and entertainment (unlike our boring Sydney to Nadi flight). As expected from the work of Virgin Group, there is always a sense of humour in anything that they do. A good example is printed on the boarding pass.

 

The Stub that no one knows what happen to it after boarding the plane and The Big Bit that always stays loyal to us

 

An envelope, called the Boarding House, is also provided as a home to our boarding passes.

 

A home for our boarding passes

 

During our flight, we also get to experience Virgin’s new touch screen entertainment system with USB connectivity …

 

RED entertainment system

 

… ambience lights (or rather disco lights), that always changes colours from a rainbow palette, instead of just the usual boring white lights …

 

Nice lighting… don’t you think that the interior looks more like an Airbus design?

 

… and their safety information card, that is full of cute Mii (Nintendo Wii’s digital avatar) characters.

 

 

All in all, I would say that the flight experience with V Australia was pleasant, but obviously with plenty of room for improvements.