Embassy Suites Mandalay Bay

My husband comes from a large family and once a year, they have a family reunion. This year, 30 of them gathered for a weekend at the Embassy Suites Mandalay Bay in Oxnard, California. It's steps away from a beautiful beach.

This was the perfect venue for a large group. The hotel has 2-room suites, with either a King or 2 Queens in the bedroom and a sitting room with a pullout sofa bed, a desk and a bar area with a microwave and a refrigerator. Included is a buffet breakfast with made-to-order omelets, pancakes, hash browns, bacon, sausage, fruit, yogurt, oatmeal and baked goods. There is also an Evening Reception from 5:30-7:30 every night with fruit, chips & salsa, celery & carrot with dip and crackers. Free non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks are included.

There is a large pool and 2 whirlpools at the resort.

Looking at the pool from our "resort view" room. Other rooms offer an ocean view or are beachfront.

Living area with desk and pull-out sofa bed. The rooms are huge.

We got a King room. The beds are comfortable but the sheets are 200 thread count and can be uncomfortable if you get a sunburn.

One of 2 bathrooms in the suite.

2014 08 08

Another Sushi Breakfast

After the tuna auction, we had another sushi breakfast. These sushi bowls were Y 2000 each.

Various cuts of tuna, cooked shrimp (rbi) and raw sweet shrimp (amaebi). Delicious!

Sea urchin (uni), crab leg and egg omelet.

2014 05 13

Tsukiji Fish Market

We woke up early and got to the Tsukiji Fish Market by 4:05 am. We were in the 2nd group and by 4:15 am, reservations were closed.

The first group visitors got green vests. They were led into the auction area from 5:25 to 5:50 am. The 2nd group wore blue vests and visited from 5:50 to 6:15 am.

The viewing area allows you to see all the tuna set out for inspection and auction.

The tuna are all frozen.

2014 05 12

Quick Dinner

After our visit to Takashimaya ended at 8 pm, we went in search of dinner. Turns out the Japanese eat early and it's hard to find an open place. We ended up eating at a noodle place just across from our hotel. It was perhaps the least exciting meal we had on our entire trip.

Ramen with pork and seaweed. The broth was watery and not flavorful. Thankfully, it was only Y550.

Stir fry seafood over rice for Y700.

2014 05 12

Takashimaya

Service in Tokyo is an art form. One of the best places to experience this is at Takashimaya in Nihombashi. Head for the elevators. An attendant greets you and presses the button for you. Once the elevator arrives, another attendant steps out and announces whether she is going up or down. Step inside the elevator and she follows you inside. Tell her the floor you would like to visit and she presses the button and holds her hand out as the door closes. Once you arrive on your floor, she steps out, holds the door open and announces your arrival.

Purchase something and the clerk guides you to a seat while she rings it up. She brings the bill to you and asks if you want wrapping. Wrapping is free and once it's done, she finds you to give you your package. No tipping is expected.

Elevator attendant outfit

Rooftop deck and garden

Takashimaya did have a store in Manhattan but sadly it closed in 2010.



2014 05 12

Tokyo Municipal Government Building

One of the best views of Tokyo is from the 45th floor of the Tokyo Municipal Government Building. As a bonus, it's free!

2014 05 12

Chalkboard Restaurant, Healdsburg

My husband swam in the Alcatraz Aquathon last Sunday and I had to wake up at 4:30 am to go with him. He awarded me with dinner in Healdsburg and I chose Chalkboard. It's located at 29 North Street.

Warm Pretzels with Cheddar Cheese Sauce, Stadium Mustard and Tomato Jam--$6. The pretzels were soft but could have been larger. I ran out of pretzel before I ran out of the sauces. I liked the cheese sauce the best--warm, gooey and flavorful. The mustard was a German mustard and was okay. The tomato jam was sweet and full of tomato flavor.

Charred Eggplant Dip with Potato Chips, Za'atar, Aged Balsamic Vinegar--$7. This was similar to Baba Ghanoush but had a very smoky flavor, which I liked. I didn't like the potato chips and would have preferred pita.

Bucatini with Gulf Shrimp, Peppers, Roasted Garlic, Chives & Uni Butter--$14. This was a small dish and perfect for 1 person. I liked the uni butter but wished it had a little more uni flavor. The peppers gave it a slightly bitter taste but overall, I liked it.

Calamari a la Plancha with Chorizo, Salt Roasted Potatoes, Shishito Peppers & Lemon--$13. The calamari was a little chewy but the chorizo was flavorful and I loved the shishito peppers. The peppers were not spicy

Three Beef Sliders with Short Rib Marmalade, Blue Cheese, Bacon Aioli and Pickles--$12. The beef was juicy and cooked medium rare. The short rib marmalade was slightly sweet which worked well with the blue cheese and pickles. I couldn't really taste the bacon aioli.

2014 08 03