Baking-Challah Bread (Sourdough)

Very happy with the results.

Part A
30gm sourdough
50gm water
100gm flour
Let it ferment until it rises 3X the original size

Part B
2 egg yolk
1egg
60gm sugar
4gm salt
50gm water
60gm oil
325gm flour

Part B mixed to Part A, and then ferment for 2 hours, and then knead  and roll into braids

brush with a later of egg yolk premixed with a 1tsp water)

Baked at 170 deg C for 35mins


Choong
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Fagao-Huat Kueh

Just happy to keep a record here, for today's result is definitely very good. Receipe, as usual, one cup of sugar, 1cup of tapairice, 2 cups of water and 3 cups of rice flour, but this time around, for coloring purpose, I added pomegranate juice...results is just fascinating. 

Trip to Western Honshu and Shikoku, Japan in October 2019 (Matsuyama to Osaka, 29th and 30th October, Day 13th and 14th)

Finally, the finale of the trip.
Departed from Matsuyama Station at 8.10am, to Okayama station, and from Okayama station with Sakura Line 544, to Shin Osaka. And from Shin Osaka, using my Suica card and midosuji like to my hotel, Osaka View Hotel, Honmachi Station. After checked into hotel, I actually walked to the city centre, to Osaka Harbour for my lunch and a a bit of shopping.

Matsuyama station

                                         Scenes along the way from Matsuyama to Okayama

     my hotel in Osaka, and I like this hotel actually very new, clean and very good value for money.

Walking along the streets to Osaka station from the hotel

The hotel I stayed when i first came to Japan in year 1998, my first trip to Japan, memories haha

The famous zebra crossing at Osaka station

The famous takoyaki, and that was my lunch.

The food streets in Osaka station area

The famous bread stall

And on the 30th morning, I had woke up very early as I need to take the train from Honmachi station to Umeda station, then from there to Kansai station with the local train. even though it was still very early, the train was very crowded. And have to take note of the coach number, like coach 1-4 is going to Kansai airport, and the rest were going to Wakayama, hence need to be careful on train coaches. The split will take place at Hineno station.

Crowded train to Kansai airport and need to stand for more than 1 hour.

The early brunch in Cathay Pacific with my pre-ordered vegetarian meal was very delicious. I am surprised that Japanese chef can prepare so good vegetarian food,

vegetarian food

And at HK airport for transit, had my milk tea and also croissant.

Then my flight back to Kuala Lumpur.

In short, I feel very happy, contented, grateful for all the blessings throughout the trip.

The journey throughout went so well and I experienced so many new things, met so many nice people, saw many new things and tried many new food, and of course bought some nice handicrafts.

Went to about 15 cities altogether- Osaka, Tottori, Conan city, Kurayoshi,  Matsue, Hagi, Shimonoseki, Tatsuyama, Naruto, Kochi, Oboke, Shimanto, Matsuyama, HK, KL.

Total distance walked : 170KM

Thank you.

Choong
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Trip to Western Honshu and Shikoku, Japan in October 2019 (Nakamura-Sation to Matsuyama Station-Day 12, 28th Oct.)

Almost coming the final stage of the trip.

For this final stop in Shikoku Island, I need to change at 3 stations, firstly from Nakamura-station toWakai Station (for this part, I need to pay the fees on my own as JR pass does not cover it), then Wakai to Uwajima station (JR pass applicable) and finally, Uwajima station to Matsuyama station.

Nakamura-station

The train I was riding on

From Nakamura-station to Wakai station, the fees I need to pay JY 1000

First exchange station, Wakai Station

Enjoying my favorite green tea at Wakai station

The second series of train, from Wakai to Uwajima station and picture below show some scenery along the way to Uwajima station

making a stop for about 40mins at this Ekawasaki staion, and that was time I was a able to go to their station toilet, luckily

Pictures showing scenes from Ekawasaki-station to Uwajima station

Uwajima station front view

Waited for close to 30 minutes before I board my train to Matsuyama and actually bought some simple rice balls and bread with banana, and had my lunch at the station while waiting for the train to arrive. Note : At this station, I still need to pay some amount from Wakai station to I do not know which station because it was still not covered by JR pass, very funny but that is actually happening. Please make sure that you tell which was the station you board your train best if you take along the small ticket from the train as a proof.

Finally arrived to Matsuyama Station and hotel is just a few steps away.

Once arrived, I was allowed to check in, as the room was ready, and then I borrow their bicycle to go to Matsuyama castle. it was a  bit of time rushing as I only have a nite here and when I arrived it was close to 2.30pm already. Pictures below show the bicycle I was riding on, and also Matsuyama castle, one of the most beautiful castle that I have ever visited.

After the castle, I cycled back to the hotel, and quickly cross over the road, and took the tram to the next destination, that is the most famous Dogo Onsen, using the local tram. And the 

And irrespective of the number of stations, you pay the standard fees, I think it was JY 360 for a single journey from Matsuyama station to Dogo station.

Dogo station

The shopping arcade at Dogo Onsen

The famous Dogo Onsen

The famous clock tower

And before taking the train ride back to hotel, I was asking around. First to a local shrine, Isaniwa Shrine. It gives a good view of Dogo Onsen and also part of the city view.

And then, a challenge for myself to walk to a Shrine that was about 1.8km away from Dogo Onsen, It is the temple 51 of the 88 pilgrimage temple in Shikoku island, and it known as Ishiteji temple, you can google for more information if you like to.

I was taking with a nite view feature with my mobile phone but it was very dark when I was walking alone here. But glad I made it.

This was my dinner at Lawson convenience store as I was very hungry after walking around for sometime and it was quite late already

Flowers I saw along the way walking back from the convenience store to Dogo Station

The train back to Matsuyama station

Upon reaching the station, then I walked back to the hotel, then came out to buy some light food from Daiso, then went back to sleep at Terminal Hotel Matsuyama. Hotel is quite simple, and breakfast is either Japanese or Western, either one. I rested quite early, as I need to board a train to Osaka the next morning, which was around 8.10am.

Choong

Dogo Onsen

Ishiteji Shrine

Isaniwa Shrine

Dogo Station

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