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Guilty! I've not completed the road trip to Williamsburg posts and have been absent for more than a month from blogging. Work has been hectic and year end demands are looming. There are 2 more events that need to be worked out and coordinated before I can take my long awaited vacation back to Malaysia.

Oh, about that, MAS air fares to Malaysia has increased significantly. Well, by a freaking $600 smackaroos. When I looked at the breakdown, I was surprised that we have to pay fees for passing by Guam. Guam?! We're not even flying that direction! Of course, that's not the chunk of it. The biggest goes to - MISCELLANEOUS charges. This universal term used by businesses everywhere to gouge prices at the expense of customers e.g. fuel/gas charges, more $ into the pockets of crony suppliers, etc.

By the way, did you know that MAS also charge customers "passenger service" fees? If we are already paying tax on the ticket, does this mean that the $15 are tips for the flight attendants? Do their employees really get a cut out of it or is this another quick buck for the airline executives? In short, there are too many shady charges. Unfortunately, MAS still has the best flight connection to Kuching, so our hands are tied. *sigh*

Anyway, back to more interesting things in Serenity's Jersey Life...

First of all - "HAPPY BIRTHDAY ADRIAN!"

The lovely Fraisier birthday cake from Financier - with a hint of Grand Marnier!

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Celebrated Adrian's 35th. birthday last weekend with a brunch at Blue Smoke's, 27th. Street, New York City

Blue Smoke is a barbecue joint/jazz bar. They are live jazz bands on Mondays and whenever they feel like it. Sunday is the antithesis, just perfect for families and burnt-out-from-work folks like us. Hmm...

The interior

Bar sitting section for the lonesome

Dining area for those who brought company

Humongous stars - definitely won't be caught underneath it unless you wanna risk getting stabbed by those pointed tips!

Appetizer - BBQ Mussels. Tangy, lots of zing to it. Sauce has BBQ bits ;)

Table and meal

Host with beefed up muscles and accentuated southern drawl sat us next to the little garden by the window. Nice but look at the condiments and sauces below.

I love the one which read "Magic Dust". My favorite is Kansas City BBQ Sauce. Magic Dust is a Texan rub. It's ok, but I'm not partial towards the drier type BBQ. Saucy is my style.

Adrian's choice: Rib Sampler for one - Memphis Baby Backs, Kansas City Spareribs and Texas Beef Ribs

Serenity's choice: Breaded toast with fresh berries and maple syrup.

Let's just say, ribs for brunch is just too much for me. Anyway, the day isn't about me. It's Adrian's birthday. He can have his cake and ribs and eat them to his heart's content!

Short note: Road trip posts will take a break today.


In the National 9/11 Memorial & Museum, you can read this on one of it's walls...

"May your strength give us strength
May your faith, give us faith
May your hope, give us hope
May your love, give us love"
- "Into the fire", Bruce Springsteen

Japanese Tribute

Cranes

Why cranes? Here's the explanation:


Want to see more? Or, visit the Museum? Click here.

Virginia Road Trip - Part 2


Colonial Williamsburg, 18th. Century Fare


Lesley, our very charming and friendly Front Desk Staff at Governor's Inn recommended that we dine at one of the taverns in Colonial Williamsburg. She made dinner reservations for us at Christiana Campbell's - a local favorite among the Williamsburg Burgesses and General Washington. Washington according to Mrs. Campbell seemed to have a preference for hoecakes. The name has a vulgar ring to it but it's all innocent ;)


Christiana Campbell's Tavern

Back in the days, Mrs. Campbell would serve weary travelers and customers her special seafood dishes while balladeers entertained guests with dreamy, melancholy tunes. At Christiana's, Molly Campbell gave us an interesting overview of her mother's business. We were immediately transported back to 1771 with costumed servers, custom-designed silverware, salt and pepper shakers and simple candle-stands surrounding us. Yes, we dined by candlelight just like the old days ;)

Salt & pepper shaker and an 18th century squirrel pattern dinnerware at Christiana's

Warm honey muffins and wheat bread

Adrian's choice - Christiana's Seafood Platter

My choice - Sherried Shrimp, Scallops & Lobster. Simply delicious!

King's Arms Tavern

Earlier for lunch, we decided to try the King's Arms Tavern since we're on Duke of Gloucester Street. We were tired, thirsty and hungry after all the walking we had done in the morning. The sun was out in full force that day and it was one of the hottest and most humid days in August. Summer wasn't ready to call it quits yet.

I had to order the peanut soup which is a Virginian specialty. Sounds yucky? Well, it didn't taste that bad :)

King's Arms isn't a seafood place like Christiana's. I chose the East India Company Fried Chicken which was so-so.

Adrian made a better selection in "A Made Dish of Beef". A tender and moist stew dish.

For dessert, we ordered a special English dessert of baked meringue with ice-cream and strawberries, and syllabub. Fyi, the syllabub had a strong hint of rum ;) The perfect perk-me-up!

Virginia Road Trip - Part 1


Jamestown Settlement

Jamestown Settlement is the perfect living museum for anyone who is interested in the history and lives of the first colonists in the New World. Prior to my visit to Jamestown, the only knowledge I had of the area was through pop culture i.e. Pocahontas and The New World. Although the two films were historically inaccurate, both were a great introduction to Jamestown and both told of severe hardships faced by the colonists and their volatile relationship with the Powhatan Indians.

Here, we saw a recreated Powhatan Indian Village, three replica ships - Susan Constant, The Discovery and Godspeed who brought the first group of colonists to America, and the famed James Fort, named after King James I.


Powhatan Indian Village

I supposed this is what Pocahontas' village would look like

Fact: Pocahontas' father - Chief Wahunsunacock had many, many children but none as well-known as Pocahontas. She was around 9-12 years old when she met Captain John Smith. She didn't have a romantic relationship with John Smith. If she did, John Smith would have been a paedophile.


Susan Constant

Susan Constant was the largest ship of the two that set sail from England for the New World on December 20, 1606. She brought along 71 male colonists and other vital supplies.


The Discovery and Godspeed

The Discovery (left) was the smallest of the three ships and the "fly-boat" of the British East India Company. Next to The Discovery is Godspeed, another ship belonging to the English Virginia Company that transported about 39 males to the New World.


James Fort

The original James Fort is located in Jamestown Island. This recreated fort is built to closely resemble the original based on archaeological findings and historical research.

Going up into the Fort, we were met by two female colonists selling their produce and other items. Like other colonists, they were trying to "survive" in the New World.

The colonists tried to make their fortune through iron ore, silk production (see cocoons), panning for gold (unfortunately, only fool's gold was found) and tobacco. I think we all know by now which of the above became a lucrative business for Virginia.

Life at Fort James...

Fire arm demonstration, armory and a couple of new recruits :)

Coming up: Colonial Williamsburg

W'suP?

Serenity is going on a road trip to Virginia (8/29-9/1). Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown & Yorktown, here we come!

Exploring New Paltz's Historic Huguenot Street


Daylight hours are gradually becoming shorter. Yes, Labor Day is coming soon and fall is just round the corner. What better way to enjoy the remains of summer than to visit the Historic Huguenot Street in New Paltz! We continue our fascination with all things historic; especially old houses on a nice and warm Sunday afternoon. Just perfect!

We started off our 1.5 hour tour at the Fort (Dubois House). Well, technically this fort painted in bright yellow never saw any action but it was a fort nevertheless and even boasted several port holes (see the little square hole in the photo below). We learnt that Dubois House has some very interesting "occupants" that love to move chairs and slam/fling open doors as they pleased. They're not shy and would even boldly demonstrate their presence in front of visitors.

Dubois House and 1799 House

Jean Hasbrouck House

Inside Jean Hasbrouck House

Belvier-Elting House

Deyo House - another interesting house with "presence" from the owner's socialite daughter - we didn't go into this house, though. Noticed that all the blinds are drawn in this house. Hmm...perhaps to avoid a special appearance by the late Miss Deyo by the window? Who knows?!

More old houses along the street. Below: 1717 French Church which eventually grew into the current Stone Church.

Time to chow...

After taking in the houses in Huguenot Street and a French burying ground, we stopped by the Village Tearoom for dinner. New Paltz is a very pretty town with lots of students from the neighboring State University of NY.

A quaint, Zagat-rated restaurant in a house-setting with plenty to offer! Adrian had the pork chop while I ordered the Shepherd's Pie.

With coffee, honey cake and bread pudding to top it off - EXCELLENT!