Favorites, 2010 (Part 3, Eats)

I already feel incredibly fortunate to be able to do two of the things I love most for a living: writing and traveling. And by far, the best added bonus of that would be eating—really good eating.

This year was no exception when it came to memorable meals that satisfied my insatiable hunger for new tastes or, in some cases, a yearning for the familiar. While narrowing down my list of favorite eats from 2010, I remembered all of those flavors and, even better, the friends—both and newfound and old—that I shared them with.

While traditional notions of afternoon tea often involve the following adjectives—stuffy, staid and proper—the two such afternoon teas that I had this past year were anything but.

The first took place at The Moana Surfrider in Waikiki. Afternoon tea has become a long-standing tradition at this historic hotel, which first opened in 1901. While I was there, I simply couldn’t pass up the opportunity to savor its famous afternoon tea and I’m so glad I did. My favorite part? Topping off the freshly baked raisin scone with Devonshire clotted cream and silky lemon curd. And for dessert? A soothing scoop of lime-accented green tea sorbet.

The other afternoon tea that I had was truly gluttonous—but so worth it. After a winding stroll through Melaka, Malaysia, my cousin, her boyfriend and I paid a quick visit to the Majestic Malacca hotel, a boutique property that my cousin had previously reviewed for TravelAge West. While the hotel itself was every bit as beautiful as she’d described, I was even more intrigued by its afternoon tea menu. So, of course, we decided to give into our hunger pangs. What I loved most about this afternoon tea was its nod to both Eastern and Western traditions, from the crisp spring rolls to the buttery, flaky-crusted chicken-pot pies.

Wherever your travels may take you, you should make it a point to visit the local farmers’ market. And, if you’re on Oahu, you should definitely stop by the Kapiolani Community College Farmers’ Market on Saturdays. Favorite eats included kimchee sausage (on a stick, no less, for easy portability), fried green tomatoes and kalua pork sliders. Just be sure to come hungry.

I’ll admit: I’m not much of a biscotti fan. I usually enjoy my coffee completely unadulterated—black, or topped off with just a little bit of steamed soy milk at the very most. However, the homemade, dark-chocolate dipped biscotti that I had during a stop at the Waialua Estate headquarters on the North Shore of Oahu had me seriously rethinking that assessment.

Who doesn’t love eating a tamale, especially in the morning? My first breakfast during my trip to Costa Rica this May involved this satisfying tamale which, on the outside, seemed totally unassuming. But, once opened, it revealed slightly sweet roasted plantains, masa (corn), a fried egg and gallo pinto (rice and beans). With a side of Salsa Lizano and a glass of fresh-squeezed orange juice, what could be better?

Visiting a farm gives you a greater appreciation for what you consume. After visiting a dairy farm just south of San Gerardo de Dota in Costa Rica, I definitely had a much greater appreciation for all of the hard work that goes into making cheese, especially when it’s as tasty as the ones I sampled there.

This giant tostada-like shell, floating on a bed of guacamole, contained some of the most delicious ceviche I’ve had in a really long time.

If I had to pick my single most-favorite meal from Costa Rica it would be this: chorreadas (corn pancakes) topped with a dollop of sweetened sour cream and gallos (tacos) filled with a hearty helping of fried potatoes.

My nominee for best use of bacon: Nickel Diner’s Maple Bacon Donut.

My nominee for best use of avocados: the stuffed avocado salad, also from Nickel Diner.

When I wasn’t sightseeing in Singapore, I was usually eating, and eating really well, as demonstrated by some of my previous blog posts. One of my favorite meals involved Singaporean chili crab and pepper crab.

Nonya, or Peranakan-style cuisine was also a highlight, from delicate kueh pie tee and spicy otak-otak to saucy giant prawns and savory beef rendang.

Speaking of beef rendang … here’s a snapshot of my cousin, a true beef rendang connoisseur, enjoying her first Burger King beef rendang burger. She opted for the double.

The Indonesian-style beef rendang at Rumah Makan Minang was also delicious—and filling.

A standard-bearer for all future hotel welcome gifts, from the Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore: I especially loved the kueh lapis (nine-layer cake), made with alternating layers of butter, eggs and sugar.

My nominee for best way to enjoy a beer: from the luxury of a rooftop infinity pool.

My nominee for best lamb chops ever: the ones I had at Pearl River Palace at the Suntec Singapore Convention Centre, glazed with a wine reduction sauce.

My nominee for best use of chicken: chicken rice from Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice in Singapore.

If I could alternate between eating kaya toast and roti canai/prata, or maybe even xialongbao, for breakfast every day, I’d be a really happy—and most likely overweight—travel writer.

My nominee for best noodle dish this year: the char kway teow from Tang Fong food court in Melaka.

Lots of laksa: Nonya-style laksa from Donald & Lily’s in Melaka and asam-style laksa from the Chinatown Night Market in Melaka.

And last, but not least, the roast duck rice from Mei Wua, also in Melaka, made an ideal last dinner during my stay.

I can only hope for more amazing meals in the year to come. Until then, it might be time for me to hit the gym, just to prepare.

Next up, my favorite photos with friends …

Favorites, 2010 (Part 1, People)

Looking back on all of the travel experiences that I’ve had this past year, it was difficult to just choose a few photos or memories that stood out as my favorites. So, I decided to break them up into favorite categories, from the people I’ve met along the way and the scenes I’ve captured, to the many (many) foods I ate and the friends I got to share my travels with.

When you travel, you never know whom you’re going to meet—which could be a really good thing or, in some cases, a not-so-good-thing. Lucky for me, I’ve encountered some truly amazing people this past year. For me, each one reminds me of some of the best experiences and stories I’ve had this year …

Take, for instance, Leo from Skyline Eco Tours in Kaanapali, Maui. The man saved my life—well, sort of. When I got “stuck” on the sixth zipline run, Leo bravely came to my rescue, which involved a rather embarrassing straddling maneuver that I wish not to reenact anytime soon. Oh well, to Leo, I am eternally grateful even if I was utterly mortified for the rest of my zipline tour that day.

I had the luck of meeting Mary and Kevin during a Westin Maui Resort & Spa luau. It was clear to all of us at our table that they possessed a honeymooners’ glow but it was only after talking to them that we found out about their remarkable love story—falling in love years ago in high school only to part ways for years and then find each other once again after facing some challenges—and tragedies—along the way. Seeing them so happy that night, dancing just after the rain had fallen, was truly memorable.

Bruce Shimabukuro gave us an impromptu ukulele performance one morning while strolling through the lobby of the Sheraton Waikiki.

During that same press trip, I witnessed a moving art dedication ceremony in honor of Iolani Luahine, one of Hawaii’s most revered and respected hula masters. This was a photo I snapped of Danny Kiaha and Leimomi Mo’okini Lum during the ceremony as they blessed John Charlot’s charcoal portrait of Iolani Luahine which now hangs in the Royal Hawaiian’s lobby.

We got a taste of fresh-from-the-earth asparagus during a tour of various North Shore farms on Oahu.

And on our last day of that trip, thanks to Candice, we feasted at the Kapiolani Community College Farmer’s Market …

... And we weren’t alone.

Just the day before, we saw the same little boy hanging out on the farm at the North Shore Cattle Co.

… Along with meeting the employees who worked at Twin Bridge Farms, purveyors of that delicious asparagus …

… And lots of potatoes.

In Costa Rica, I visited the preserved home of Dr. Alexander Skutch at Los Cusingos Bird Sanctuary. It was amazing to see how much reverence and respect that the folks at Los Cusingos still had for Dr. Skutch and his beloved wife.

I totally fell for the amazing handicrafts from this family of artisans in Costa Rica, too.

And how could I forget Valentin, the dog with a heart-shaped mark on his back, and his equally adorable owner?

I also saw lots of cute kids with dancing talent, first in Costa Rica…

… And then in Melaka, Malaysia.

Like a kid, I played in the mud, as did one of my fellow travel journalists in Costa Rica.

And we also made the best of a rocky and rainy cruise to nowhere thanks to the high spirits of my fellow travelers.

I loved our short, unplanned visit to the Sri Veeramakaliamman temple in Singapore’s Little India…

… Along with stumbling onto one of the few shops that sells curry by the kilo…

… And later walking into the bustling commotion of the covered wet market in Singapore’s Chinatown.

In Geylang, also in Singapore, I loved sharing a meal of durian with my fellow travel journalists, even if they didn’t wind up loving durian so much.

They did, however, love Ya Kun Kaya Toast.

And I have a feeling this little boy was a little in love with my camera—or my food—during lunch at Rumah Makan Minang in Singapore.

Also feeling the love was this rock-star senior citizen, performing at the Chinatown Night Market in Melaka, Malaysia.

Last but not least, one of my favorite encounters this year was with Abdul Rahim Haji Hashim (shown here with my cousin Christina) at Villa Sentosa in Melaka, Malaysia. Not only is the man an excellent historian and tour guide but he can also analyze your handwriting—and he’s eerily exact in his assessments, too.

Next up, my favorite scenes from 2010 …