A Trip to Texas

Imagine my delight when my mother asked me to come visit her in Texas for Thanksgiving. Its been 7 years since my last visit to her place, so of course I wanted to go! As a bonus, my aunt and uncle from Toronto were also visiting, so it was a family reunion of sorts.

Tommy Bahama's, The Woodlands

 

I got off the plane, realizing that I hadn't eaten anything since the morning so we ended up going to the Woodlands for some dinner at Tommy Bahama's. The restaurant sits in a beautiful town square-esque part of Market Street. I could write about the delicious Tuna poke with fresh avocado, or the southern crab cakes, the roast chicken with asian vegetables or the fish tacos, but I'll just show you the pics.

Tuna Poke with Avocado

 

 

Roast Chicken with Asian Vegetables

 

 

Fish Tacos

 

Southern Crab Cakes

Nighttime in Woodlands, TX

The next day started with my uncle waking me up at 7, asking me if I wanted to go play golf. Golf in November is a rare treat for someone that's used to putting away his clubs in October and not taking them out til mid-April. That is the life of the Canadian golfer.

Quick 9 at the Village Golf Course

An afternoon of shopping for the kids made for a full day. Of course, it was time to eat again. This time, we saw a brand new resto near the interstate beckoned us... Mama Juanita's. It was time for some TexMex.

The Customary Tortilla Chips and Salsa

Cheese Stuffed Poblano Pepper

Normally, I love stuffed poblanos, but this one suffered the wrath of good old American gluttony. An over-the-top, oversauced, over-cheesed monstrosity that would go better with a Big Gulp.

The Combo Fajita

I was pleasantly surprised after that poblano of what was to come next. I followed the owner's suggestion and ordered the combination Fajita platter. It was a platter of 4 kinds of meat: pork, steak, chicken and shrimp, served on a sizzling platter on a bed of caramelized onions accompanied by your choice of warm flour or corn tortillas. Fajitas are always dramatic, wherever you order them. They are preceeded by their telltale sizzling sound as the server approaches the anxious diner. A trail of steam and the charbroiled aroma of meat follow as this signature dish is delivered to the table. Mama Juanita's fajitas were sublime. I won't try to describe the taste. Fajitas do enough talking on their own.

The Cancer Survivors Plaza, Museum District, Houston

My last day in Texas was simple. I went to the Houston Museum of Natural Science. There were a couple exhibits in town that were worth checking out. I'm also a sucker for the giant dinosaur skeletons and shrunken heads.

Oooooh, dinosaurs...

My favorite parts of the museum were definitely the Rainforest exhibit and the Aztec artifacts. There were also some pieces from the Famous Jeweller to the Tsars, Faberge...not BRUT by Faberge, but the one that made all the eggs. Anyways, the rainforest exhibit was filled with tribal pieces, textiles, tools, weapons, art and photographs of daily tribal life. The pinnacle of this exhibition were the shrunken heads, which I haven't seen since a childhood trip to the Smithsonian in DC. The Aztec artifacts were also very interesting to me, since I have always wanted to see the ruins in Mexico. I think museums are the best way to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon, especially when you travel to other cities. There are a few great museums in Houston and I hope to visit the others when I return.

So my weekend was relaxing and fun, filled with a bit of culture and great food. It was short-lived, but I was starting to miss my friends. As I conclude this entry, I am already thinking about my next big trip...Manila! Take care and enjoy watching the video. Thank you for your support and please don't forget to rate, comment and subscribe! Until next time...

Part 2, coming very soon!

A Sunday in Calgary: Museum of the Regiments

This past Sunday, I had the opportunity to visit Western Canada's largest military museum in Calgary. With the kids in tow, I felt it would be a great way to show them Canada's military role in history. They were excited and anxious to see the many detailed dioramas and displays in the various wings of this huge place, as was I. This was my first time at the Museum of the Regiments and I was truly surprised at it's size.

The tank display at the Museum of the Regiments

The museum is located in Calgary, accessible from Crowchild Trail across from the old Currie Barracks. It is clearly visible from the road as you can see the outdoor displays of tanks, artillery and the CF-5 fighter jet. Walking around outside on the grounds, you can check out the tanks up close and personal, but no climbing please.

The inside is even more interesting, as the museum is divided into the various Canadian Regiments of the military. Each section follows history from each Regiment's origin to the present. The displays are detailed and sometimes gritty, depicting the grim reality of the battlefield, so be warned if you have small children. The Museum of the Regiments is run by volunteers who are always on hand to help or give you any information on the various aspects of this important part of Canada's history.

If you visit on a Saturday or Sunday, it's a great way to spend an afternoon. If you are hungry afterwards, head across Crowchild Trail to Calgary Farmer's Market for a bite to eat or a cup of that Clover brewer coffee. Trust me, you won't be disappointed. Enjoy the video!

Until next time...

A Saturday in Calgary: The Glenbow Museum & Chinatown

I don’t often stop to think about why I do this since I’m having so much fun that I just don’t care. The world is getting smaller and smaller it seems, as people I know come out of the woodwork to find me in my little piece of cyberspace. Just last night, I got a message on my Youtube channel from a person that works with me from time to time. She said her mom was looking for videos about the ‘giant baby’ at the museum and happened to click on my video from Saturday. Talk about dumb luck.

This piece is something that must be experienced in person

The giant baby I am referring to is the sculpture by Australian artist, Ron Mueck entitled, “It’s a Girl”. 15 feet long and eerily realistic, this piece is a must-see. If it’s been a while since you’ve been to the Glenbow Museum, go. This exhibition is in town until January 24, 2010. If gargantuan newborn babies aren’t your thing, perhaps Haida manga is. Yes, Haida manga. 2 things, like peanut butter and chocolate, that seem to go well together. Graphic artist and Haida storyteller, Michael Nicholl Yahgulanaas, has an amazing display of large-scale drawing and sculpture on exhibition also until January 24.

Sunset, hitting a building in downtown Calgary

What better place to go for dinner after a day at the Museum than Chinatown. Since I moved so close to downtown, I’m there practically every weekend. Its great. A friend from work told me that the best deal for Peking duck was a hole in the wall called, Gee Gong. I wanted to see if his claim was true. 3 courses of Peking duck in the heart of Chinatown for only…

Peking Duck at Gee Gong Restaurant, Chinatown

Well, if I told you how much a 3 course duck meal costs at Gee Gong or how it tasted, there wouldn’t be anything to show you on the video, would there?