Monday, March 3, 2008

The Jabberwock B&B Inn, Monterey

After visiting the Aquarium, we felt a little tired and decided it's time for us to check into our B&B for the evening.

Our Bed and Breakfast Inn is called "The Jabberwock Inn". It is located just about 4 block up the Cannery Row which was quite convenient.

We were first welcomed by the owners, John and Dawn. It's so lovely that John and Dawn knows our name even without our introduction. Immediately, we were given a set of keys which includes the key to the front door and our room. It made me feel so at home by this. Then, we were shown around the house. It was a fun little tour. The decorations of the house is so adorable with lots of Alice in Wonderland themed objects and arts.

It's even more surreal when we entered our room, "Mome Rath". The sight of the King sized bed was so welcoming. There were words painted on the walls above the bed which I didn't understand at the time. Then I spotted the fireplace and the heart-shaped hot tub which created such romantic atmosphere for us. After the attentive tour of the house and the room, Dawn left us alone, but not before she told us about the 'Sherry and hors d'oeuvre' which will be served on the glassed-in sun porch at around 5pm.

Let's share some of the pictures I had taken around the room first.








Left to right: Entrance to the Jabberwock Inn; Our King sized bed; the elegant sink in the room.










From left to right: The jacuzzi tub at the far end of the room with the little toilet room behind it; the little toilet with painting on the wall, the wall was supposed to be a doorway to the hall outside, but they sealed it with this fun wall painting; a beautiful mirror for the lady of the room.











Left to right: The fireplace; the shaving mirror for the gentleman, bathrobes are provided for the guests so after the climb out of the hot tub, they can just change into the comfortable robes.











Left to right: a candle holder on top of the fireplace; a medicine cabinet provides some of the hygiene products for the guests ; A bookcase filled with books and magazines, Mike found "Alice in Wonderland in there".










Left to right: A jar of incense adds a welcoming touch to the room ; Our room through the looking glass ; The towel rack.











Left to right: A lace curtain separates the doorway and the hot tub ; we ran a bubble bath in the tub (How romantic!) ; that's the view when we first opened the door to the room.

After having a little tour of the room (opening every drawer we can find, turning on and off the fireplace, checking out what switch turns on which light and admiring the lovely tub), we decided it's time to go downstairs to do the same with the rest of the house and to satisfy my photo-taking craze.












Left: I think this is the 'Tulgey Wood' room which is right across the hall to ours. It was not occupied that day though. One thing good about this B&B is the door is opened for the vacant rooms so guests can check it out possibly for their next trip. Middle picture: The hallway on our floor. Right: A guest book on the desk. We forgot to leave our greetings and comments though!











Left: The detached bathroom for the Tulgey wood room. Middle: After climbing up the the 3rd floor, we see a winding staircase for emergency. Imagine a grounded kid would climb down the stairs to sneak out? :D. Right: An interesting sculpture of the 'jubjub bird'? :D











Left: climbing down the stairs to the main floor. This is the dinning table in the dinning room. Middle: the grandfather clock which have a nice chime near the main entrance. Right: lovely counter with classic water jug and basin on top.










Left: A rainbow colored drawing of the word "Jabberwock" hangs on the entrance towards the staff area. Right: Mike was digging through the many boardgames provided for the guests.











Left: An antique heater in the glass covered patio. Middle: Inside the patio. There is a piano at the far end of the patio, too bad I can't play. Right: I like the design of this candle holder.























.... to be continued ....

Sunday, March 2, 2008

Big Fish Tank, Monterey.

After the delicious sea food lunch, we headed off to the Aquarium next.

Other than the Cannery Row, Monterey is also famous for its Monterey Bay Aquarium.

The Aquarium is one of the most famous aquarium in the world. It is a non-profit organization which aims to teach visitors to respect nature and to introduce to the visitors how to conserve the many ocean resources. One of the educational tools created by the Aquarium is the "Seafood Watch guide" which educates what seafood is safe to be consumed in order to not wreck havoc of our already troubled ocean lives.

There are lots of exhibits in the aquarium; one of my favorites is the jelly fish tank. It's so mesmerizing to watch these creatures blobbing around the water.


There are also different fish tanks which provided different habitat for different ocean animals.













More sea creatures below







I thought the ocean sunfish is ultra cute!! We saw it in one of the tanks, but it's always hiding in the shadow. It's quite hard to capture it on camera.

We later talked with a store clerk and she said the one we saw in the tank was quite new. The last one grew as big as 1500 lbs. Unfortunately, it passed away a few months ago due to illness. The one we see now in the tank is very young and very shy.



And then we also discovered a new kind of sea monster as seen in the picture on the right!!
The scientists have yet to find a name for it! :D However, I find it quite fascinating that it sorta look like my boyfriend. :D More investigation should be done on this creature later.

Here are some videos I took inside the Aquarium.

The Monterey Bay Aquarium is renounced for its giant Kelp forest tank. The video below let you have a peek of the tank.


The Otter feeding session is one of my favorites in the Aquarium. They are so very cute when they are playing with their toys. Did you know that Otters is one of the few non-human animals that are able to use tools to make their lives easier? :)


After the Aquarium, we drove a short distance to our B&B Inn.

Fish Hopper, Monterey.

We started our trip quite early on the 28th as we thought we had to drive 2 hours to reach Monterey. :) But turned out the ride was smooth with no traffic jam at all, so it only took us 1 hour to reach our destination.

It was such a warm and sunny day. We were glad we picked this week for our trip instead of the last week. Last week was miserably rainy and cold.

It was such a wonderful drive, lots of green fields and cattle can be spotted on the way.

Our first stop was the Cannery Row. We had been here last March also, but we didn't get to check out too much of it due to lack of time. But this time, we got to wander around it longer and had a proper lunch at the Fish Hopper Seafood Restaurant at the Cannery Row.

Now let's review this restaurant. :)
Location: A+
Atmosphere: A
Food: A
Service: A+
Price: $$$ out of $$$$$ due to big portion

Mike's order was "Salmon and Shrimp Monterey" (picture on the left). It was quite delicious. The Salmon and shrimps was cooked just right. The portion was quite big. I think this dish needs more vegetables instead of rice though.

My order was "Fresh Monterey Abalone with Seared Scallops". Ohh, the abalone was cooked tenderly which (to me) practically melts in my mouth. The scallops were -=HUGE=- and it's my favorite shell fish. :) The dish was sprinkled with a rich garlicky sauce with lots of seasonal veggies and a scoop of mashed potatoes. I enjoyed this dish very much.

Oh! I almost forgot our soup! It was the reason we come to this restaurant again!!
The world famous clam chowder!! Oh so creamy, oh so rich!!!
This is where I want to mention about my great waiter (I forgot to memorize his name though!). When it come to order my favorite soup, I usually get quite greedy and would order the biggest size on the menu! :D However, the waiter advised us to take a small cup instead because he pointed out that the main course's portion was quite hearty. Good thing we took his advice.

However, to compensate myself for not able to get the clam chowder served in a sour dough bread bowl, I improvised my own little bread bowl. :D It was heaven on earth! I highly recommend visiting the fish hopper just to taste this soup!


If you are not convinced, you can always try a 'test cup' of the clam chowder outside the restaurant too. The picture below shows the 'soup stand' in front of the restaurant. I dare say 98% of the people who had tasted a test cup of soup would be lured into the restaurant for some more! :D

After the Fish Hopper, it's off to the fish tank we went! :D

Empty Post

Good Morning on the first day of March! :)

You would wonder why the below post was empty with just a weird title. :D

Well the last post was made on 29, February, 2008! :D Leap year don't come too often. :D So I figured I should seize the moment. :D
I would have written a bit more stuff in the post, but my boyfriend and I were too busy packing for Monterey, CA.

Well our trip was on 28 Feb California time, but this blog's time zone is a Hong Kong time zone.. :D So I kinda have to go around this posting time to grasp my 29 Feb spot. :D

Anyways... It's such a relaxing day today.. my brain isn't doing any logic as usual. :D

Now stay tune for the Monterey + Carmel by the sea sea. :P