tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54401773879928299272024-03-05T21:35:42.570+10:00Ramblings of a Global CitizenExplore the world's exotic locations with my ramblings for the culture, the food and the fun of it all......Global Citizenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12681616837813544734noreply@blogger.comBlogger3615tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5440177387992829927.post-49434026671229317522012-09-25T06:09:00.000+10:002013-03-10T06:10:00.113+10:00Global Food Review; Candy Cafe Bar, Cairns<p> </p> <p><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="untitled-truecolor-08aaa" alt="untitled-truecolor-08aaa" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_nWNvwx0hpU/UF3DHLr4qdI/AAAAAAAAB7E/o9spgA72_7o/untitled-truecolor-08aaa%25255B14%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="494" height="88"></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/candycairns" target="_blank"><img style="margin: 0px auto; display: block; float: none" title="174856_298680513492720_1893891015_n" alt="174856_298680513492720_1893891015_n" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DWfveAHj3WQ/UF3TAIMNSxI/AAAAAAAAB7w/JgdAk6KPm9c/174856_298680513492720_1893891015_n%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="180" height="166"></a></p> <p>Spending so much of each year travelling I rarely get time to spend exploring what’s new and changed in my home town of Cairns. So during my regular “Rusty’s Ritual” that I manage to do whenever I am home over a weekend I decided to explore the Grafton Street Cafe precinct to grab a lazy breakfast.</p> <p>The Grafton Street block opposite Rusty’s is the closest Cairns gets to a funky food strip, cafe’s have come and gone in many shapes and forms over the years, and the area itself has ebbed and flowed over time going through it’s hippie and feral stages to now being a sort of backpackerish cross local coffee hang out. So Saturday morning, the busiest time for the cafe strip, I stuck my head in a couple of places that weren’t there last time I looked to find they were full, then I struck Candy Cafe Bar that had an empty table just for me.</p> <p> </p> <p><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="523363_400824539944983_1340642955_n (1)" border="0" alt="523363_400824539944983_1340642955_n (1)" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tCvGRYhd9tU/UF3DIhBlRiI/AAAAAAAAB7M/-rZ45T-yf4c/523363_400824539944983_1340642955_n%252520%2525281%252529%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="520" height="354"></p> <p> </p> <p>You are immediately struck by the decor, it’s kind of funky and kind of hard to describe. A sort of false plastic hedge covers the front counter and strange paintings on the wall. The decor doesn’t do it for me but it really makes no difference. Upon being seated I immediately receive a glass of water and the two menus, one for drinks and one for food. Immediately upon reading the menu In knew I was on a winner. Each dish had it’s own quirky name and the ingredients and descriptions were really tasty sounding and vey innovative. Wagyu mince, various egg styles with groovy accompaniments, all kinds of funky combinations this sounded great!</p> <p> </p> <p><img style="border-bottom-style: none; padding-bottom: 0px; border-left-style: none; padding-left: 0px; width: 200px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; border-top-style: none; float: none; height: 146px; margin-left: auto; border-right-style: none; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" alt="Candy Cafe Bar on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/1651417/biglink.gif"></p> <p> </p> <p>I chose an ensemble entitled “Duck Duck Goose” which is shredded duck leg confit, zucchini fritters, a poached egg and beetroot jam. I can’t say I have ever seen that combination on a breakfast menu before but it sounded good. Whilst waiting for the meal I sipped on a perfect ice coffee and browsed reviews by others on <a href="http://www.urbanspon.com" target="_blank">Urbanspoon</a> and <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com" target="_blank">Trip Advisor</a> on my smart phone. The other reviews were highly positive, a couple of negatives on the service I read, but I certainly couldn’t fault the service, especially since Cairns is notorious for terrible service and there was no sign of that here!</p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="565057_10151176212386118_593995588_n" border="0" alt="565057_10151176212386118_593995588_n" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-B2Atm853IGE/UF3DKHel3kI/AAAAAAAAB7U/5aFxrD17tPU/565057_10151176212386118_593995588_n%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="520" height="520"><em>Duck Duck Goose! Breakfast Delight….</em></p> <p> </p> <p>The two thick zucchini fritters on the bottom were perfect, the ample quantity of shredded duck was not dry like duck can be and had a couple of pieces of crispy skin hidden in there to add effect, and the poached egg on top was poached perfectly with just the right amount of runny yolk a poached egg should have! The beetroot jam was just sweet enough to enhance the duck and bind it all together without taking over the flavour.</p> <p> </p> <hr> <h2>Brunch Menu Examples</h2> <p> </p> <ul> <li><a href="https://fb.menutabapp.com/restaurants/tab/items/502823/?signed_request=_l8UYGJC3Rb5VM9jWJHC18UVJtHDuhbjt9C-sK7TgTY.eyJhbGdvcml0aG0iOiJITUFDLVNIQTI1NiIsImlzc3VlZF9hdCI6MTM0ODMyNjMxNSwicGFnZSI6eyJpZCI6IjI5ODY4MDUxMzQ5MjcyMCIsImxpa2VkIjp0cnVlLCJhZG1pbiI6ZmFsc2V9LCJ1c2VyIjp7ImNvdW50cnkiOiJhdSIsImxvY2FsZSI6ImVuX0dCIiwiYWdlIjp7Im1pbiI6MjF9fX0"> <p><strong>Mary Antoinette</strong> <p>Caramelised French toast w/ pink baked pears, mascarpone & pistachios <p></a></p> <li><a href="https://fb.menutabapp.com/restaurants/tab/items/502824/?signed_request=_l8UYGJC3Rb5VM9jWJHC18UVJtHDuhbjt9C-sK7TgTY.eyJhbGdvcml0aG0iOiJITUFDLVNIQTI1NiIsImlzc3VlZF9hdCI6MTM0ODMyNjMxNSwicGFnZSI6eyJpZCI6IjI5ODY4MDUxMzQ5MjcyMCIsImxpa2VkIjp0cnVlLCJhZG1pbiI6ZmFsc2V9LCJ1c2VyIjp7ImNvdW50cnkiOiJhdSIsImxvY2FsZSI6ImVuX0dCIiwiYWdlIjp7Im1pbiI6MjF9fX0"> <p><strong>The Usual</strong> <p>Bacon, poached eggs, garlic mushrooms, rosemary tomatoes, black pudding, truffle oil, muffin <p></a></p> <li><a href="https://fb.menutabapp.com/restaurants/tab/items/502825/?signed_request=_l8UYGJC3Rb5VM9jWJHC18UVJtHDuhbjt9C-sK7TgTY.eyJhbGdvcml0aG0iOiJITUFDLVNIQTI1NiIsImlzc3VlZF9hdCI6MTM0ODMyNjMxNSwicGFnZSI6eyJpZCI6IjI5ODY4MDUxMzQ5MjcyMCIsImxpa2VkIjp0cnVlLCJhZG1pbiI6ZmFsc2V9LCJ1c2VyIjp7ImNvdW50cnkiOiJhdSIsImxvY2FsZSI6ImVuX0dCIiwiYWdlIjp7Im1pbiI6MjF9fX0"> <p><strong>Daddy of them All</strong> <p>Bacon, eggs, tomato, mushrooms, spinach, kipflers, kransky, labna, toast <p></a></p> <li><a href="https://fb.menutabapp.com/restaurants/tab/items/502826/?signed_request=_l8UYGJC3Rb5VM9jWJHC18UVJtHDuhbjt9C-sK7TgTY.eyJhbGdvcml0aG0iOiJITUFDLVNIQTI1NiIsImlzc3VlZF9hdCI6MTM0ODMyNjMxNSwicGFnZSI6eyJpZCI6IjI5ODY4MDUxMzQ5MjcyMCIsImxpa2VkIjp0cnVlLCJhZG1pbiI6ZmFsc2V9LCJ1c2VyIjp7ImNvdW50cnkiOiJhdSIsImxvY2FsZSI6ImVuX0dCIiwiYWdlIjp7Im1pbiI6MjF9fX0"> <p><strong>Three Bears</strong> <p>'Candy style' porridge w/poached dry fruits, tablelands honey, mungalli double cream & walnuts <p></a></p> <li><a href="https://fb.menutabapp.com/restaurants/tab/items/502827/?signed_request=_l8UYGJC3Rb5VM9jWJHC18UVJtHDuhbjt9C-sK7TgTY.eyJhbGdvcml0aG0iOiJITUFDLVNIQTI1NiIsImlzc3VlZF9hdCI6MTM0ODMyNjMxNSwicGFnZSI6eyJpZCI6IjI5ODY4MDUxMzQ5MjcyMCIsImxpa2VkIjp0cnVlLCJhZG1pbiI6ZmFsc2V9LCJ1c2VyIjp7ImNvdW50cnkiOiJhdSIsImxvY2FsZSI6ImVuX0dCIiwiYWdlIjp7Im1pbiI6MjF9fX0"> <p><strong>Bubble & Squeak</strong> <p>Smashed dutch creams, pumpkin, sweet potato, zucchini, poached egg & ciabatta w/ chipolatas or garlic mushrooms & avocado <p></a></p> <li><a href="https://fb.menutabapp.com/restaurants/tab/items/502828/?signed_request=_l8UYGJC3Rb5VM9jWJHC18UVJtHDuhbjt9C-sK7TgTY.eyJhbGdvcml0aG0iOiJITUFDLVNIQTI1NiIsImlzc3VlZF9hdCI6MTM0ODMyNjMxNSwicGFnZSI6eyJpZCI6IjI5ODY4MDUxMzQ5MjcyMCIsImxpa2VkIjp0cnVlLCJhZG1pbiI6ZmFsc2V9LCJ1c2VyIjp7ImNvdW50cnkiOiJhdSIsImxvY2FsZSI6ImVuX0dCIiwiYWdlIjp7Im1pbiI6MjF9fX0"> <p><strong>Mincing About</strong> <p>Savoury wagyu mince, grilled cheese, toasted ciabatta, poached eggs <p></a></p> <li><a href="https://fb.menutabapp.com/restaurants/tab/items/502829/?signed_request=_l8UYGJC3Rb5VM9jWJHC18UVJtHDuhbjt9C-sK7TgTY.eyJhbGdvcml0aG0iOiJITUFDLVNIQTI1NiIsImlzc3VlZF9hdCI6MTM0ODMyNjMxNSwicGFnZSI6eyJpZCI6IjI5ODY4MDUxMzQ5MjcyMCIsImxpa2VkIjp0cnVlLCJhZG1pbiI6ZmFsc2V9LCJ1c2VyIjp7ImNvdW50cnkiOiJhdSIsImxvY2FsZSI6ImVuX0dCIiwiYWdlIjp7Im1pbiI6MjF9fX0"> <p><strong>Butchers Brekkie</strong> <p>Pesto scrambled eggs, chicken sausage, sopressa, button mushroom ragout, ciabatta toast <p></a></p> <li><a href="https://fb.menutabapp.com/restaurants/tab/items/502830/?signed_request=_l8UYGJC3Rb5VM9jWJHC18UVJtHDuhbjt9C-sK7TgTY.eyJhbGdvcml0aG0iOiJITUFDLVNIQTI1NiIsImlzc3VlZF9hdCI6MTM0ODMyNjMxNSwicGFnZSI6eyJpZCI6IjI5ODY4MDUxMzQ5MjcyMCIsImxpa2VkIjp0cnVlLCJhZG1pbiI6ZmFsc2V9LCJ1c2VyIjp7ImNvdW50cnkiOiJhdSIsImxvY2FsZSI6ImVuX0dCIiwiYWdlIjp7Im1pbiI6MjF9fX0"> <p><strong>B & E Stack</strong> <p>Bacon & egg stack, tomato relish, aioli, Dino's wood-fired loaf <p></a></p> <li><a href="https://fb.menutabapp.com/restaurants/tab/items/502831/?signed_request=_l8UYGJC3Rb5VM9jWJHC18UVJtHDuhbjt9C-sK7TgTY.eyJhbGdvcml0aG0iOiJITUFDLVNIQTI1NiIsImlzc3VlZF9hdCI6MTM0ODMyNjMxNSwicGFnZSI6eyJpZCI6IjI5ODY4MDUxMzQ5MjcyMCIsImxpa2VkIjp0cnVlLCJhZG1pbiI6ZmFsc2V9LCJ1c2VyIjp7ImNvdW50cnkiOiJhdSIsImxvY2FsZSI6ImVuX0dCIiwiYWdlIjp7Im1pbiI6MjF9fX0"> <p><strong>Breakfast Bruschetta</strong> <p>Roast pumpkin, toasted ciabatta, spinach, poached egg, whipped fetta <p></a></p> <li><a href="https://fb.menutabapp.com/restaurants/tab/items/502833/?signed_request=_l8UYGJC3Rb5VM9jWJHC18UVJtHDuhbjt9C-sK7TgTY.eyJhbGdvcml0aG0iOiJITUFDLVNIQTI1NiIsImlzc3VlZF9hdCI6MTM0ODMyNjMxNSwicGFnZSI6eyJpZCI6IjI5ODY4MDUxMzQ5MjcyMCIsImxpa2VkIjp0cnVlLCJhZG1pbiI6ZmFsc2V9LCJ1c2VyIjp7ImNvdW50cnkiOiJhdSIsImxvY2FsZSI6ImVuX0dCIiwiYWdlIjp7Im1pbiI6MjF9fX0"> <p><strong>Duck, Duck, Goose</strong> <p>Zucchini fritters, shredded confit duck leg, poached egg, beetroot jam <p></a></p> <li><a href="https://fb.menutabapp.com/restaurants/tab/items/564620/?signed_request=_l8UYGJC3Rb5VM9jWJHC18UVJtHDuhbjt9C-sK7TgTY.eyJhbGdvcml0aG0iOiJITUFDLVNIQTI1NiIsImlzc3VlZF9hdCI6MTM0ODMyNjMxNSwicGFnZSI6eyJpZCI6IjI5ODY4MDUxMzQ5MjcyMCIsImxpa2VkIjp0cnVlLCJhZG1pbiI6ZmFsc2V9LCJ1c2VyIjp7ImNvdW50cnkiOiJhdSIsImxvY2FsZSI6ImVuX0dCIiwiYWdlIjp7Im1pbiI6MjF9fX0"> <p><strong>Magic Beans</strong> <p>House made baked beans, mushrooms, spinach, poached eggs, ciabatta toast <p></a></p> <li><a href="https://fb.menutabapp.com/restaurants/tab/items/564621/?signed_request=_l8UYGJC3Rb5VM9jWJHC18UVJtHDuhbjt9C-sK7TgTY.eyJhbGdvcml0aG0iOiJITUFDLVNIQTI1NiIsImlzc3VlZF9hdCI6MTM0ODMyNjMxNSwicGFnZSI6eyJpZCI6IjI5ODY4MDUxMzQ5MjcyMCIsImxpa2VkIjp0cnVlLCJhZG1pbiI6ZmFsc2V9LCJ1c2VyIjp7ImNvdW50cnkiOiJhdSIsImxvY2FsZSI6ImVuX0dCIiwiYWdlIjp7Im1pbiI6MjF9fX0"> <p><strong>Fruit Toast</strong> <p>Homemade fruit toast w/ spices & chunky dried fruits</a></p></li></ul> <p> </p> <p> <p> <hr> <p><a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/350/1651417/restaurant/Queensland/Candy-Cafe-Bar-Cairns"><img style="border-bottom-style: none; padding-bottom: 0px; border-left-style: none; padding-left: 0px; width: 104px; padding-right: 0px; border-top-style: none; height: 34px; border-right-style: none; padding-top: 0px" alt="Candy Cafe Bar on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1651417/biglogo.gif"></a></p> <p>In these days of smart phone aps if you aren’t using <a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com" target="_blank">URBANSPOON</a> yet you should be! This neat little app will suggest where to eat and more. The “shake” function lets you select from some variable such as location, price and style of food then hit “shake” and get a random suggestion to try out. With reviews and other handy tips, for a traveller looking for good food options in an unknown place, you can’t go wrong with URBANSPOON.</p> <p> </p> <hr> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; width: 484px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:84E294D0-71C9-4bd0-A0FE-95764E0368D9:a923569d-c23c-4b68-b075-05a80a2a6269" class="wlWriterSmartContent"><a id="map-fef6e009-759a-4a53-acc9-645cad4722d1" title="View map" href="http://www.bing.com/maps/default.aspx?v=2&cp=-16.92397~145.7751&lvl=16&style=r&sp=aN.-16.92358_145.7759_Candy%2520Cafe%2520Bar%252c%2520Cairns_&mkt=en-us&FORM=LLWR" alt="View map"><img alt="Candy Cafe Bar, Cairns" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9xl8hwGP_6o/UF3DLtK91jI/AAAAAAAAB7c/NdHRLJPRGxA/map-c7dc81cb3f16.jpg?imgmax=800" width="468" height="372"></a><br><label style="font-size: 0.8em" for="map-fef6e009-759a-4a53-acc9-645cad4722d1">Candy Cafe Bar, Cairns</label></div> <p> </p> <p> </p> <div align="center"><iframe height="314" marginheight="0" src="https://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&geocode=&q=70+grafton+street+cairns&aq=&sll=-27.40739,153.002859&sspn=0.970424,1.766052&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=70+Grafton+St,+Cairns+Queensland+4870&t=h&layer=c&cbll=-16.923952,145.77556&panoid=1qn9uGukA0uebNNeynd2RQ&cbp=13,13.91,,0,-0.14&ll=-16.931341,145.775528&spn=0.025783,0.042915&z=14&output=svembed" frameborder="0" width="500" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no"></iframe><br><small><a style="text-align: left; color: #0000ff" href="https://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&geocode=&q=70+grafton+street+cairns&aq=&sll=-27.40739,153.002859&sspn=0.970424,1.766052&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=70+Grafton+St,+Cairns+Queensland+4870&t=h&layer=c&cbll=-16.923952,145.77556&panoid=1qn9uGukA0uebNNeynd2RQ&cbp=13,13.91,,0,-0.14&ll=-16.931341,145.775528&spn=0.025783,0.042915&z=14">View Larger Map</a></small></div> <p> <hr> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:278eab4a-a808-4343-b15e-181016b2af3d" class="wlWriterSmartContent">del.icio.us Tags: <a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/Candy" rel="tag">Candy</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/cafe" rel="tag">cafe</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/cairns" rel="tag">cairns</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/Grafton+Street" rel="tag">Grafton Street</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/food.+duck" rel="tag">food. duck</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/confit" rel="tag">confit</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/coffee" rel="tag">coffee</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/tea" rel="tag">tea</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/GlobalCitizen01" rel="tag">GlobalCitizen01</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/breakfast" rel="tag">breakfast</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/brunch" rel="tag">brunch</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/Rustys" rel="tag">Rustys</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/markets" rel="tag">markets</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/Queensland" rel="tag">Queensland</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/poached" rel="tag">poached</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/egg" rel="tag">egg</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/review" rel="tag">review</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/urbanspoon" rel="tag">urbanspoon</a></div> <p> </p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:3ace3daa-69e1-44dc-b8d9-b3c2eba616f7" class="wlWriterSmartContent">Flickr Tags: <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/Candy" rel="tag">Candy</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/cafe" rel="tag">cafe</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/cairns" rel="tag">cairns</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/Grafton+Street" rel="tag">Grafton Street</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/food.+duck" rel="tag">food. duck</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/confit" rel="tag">confit</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/coffee" rel="tag">coffee</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/tea" rel="tag">tea</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/GlobalCitizen01" rel="tag">GlobalCitizen01</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/breakfast" rel="tag">breakfast</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/brunch" rel="tag">brunch</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/Rustys" rel="tag">Rustys</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/markets" rel="tag">markets</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/Queensland" rel="tag">Queensland</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/poached" rel="tag">poached</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/egg" rel="tag">egg</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/review" rel="tag">review</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/urbanspoon" rel="tag">urbanspoon</a></div> <p> </p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:6da272ad-57fd-4a3b-bc4c-affdffa5fa16" class="wlWriterSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Candy" rel="tag">Candy</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/cafe" rel="tag">cafe</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/cairns" rel="tag">cairns</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Grafton+Street" rel="tag">Grafton Street</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/food.+duck" rel="tag">food. duck</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/confit" rel="tag">confit</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/coffee" rel="tag">coffee</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/tea" rel="tag">tea</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/GlobalCitizen01" rel="tag">GlobalCitizen01</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/breakfast" rel="tag">breakfast</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/brunch" rel="tag">brunch</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Rustys" rel="tag">Rustys</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/markets" rel="tag">markets</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Queensland" rel="tag">Queensland</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/poached" rel="tag">poached</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/egg" rel="tag">egg</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/review" rel="tag">review</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/urbanspoon" rel="tag">urbanspoon</a></div> <hr> <div class="blogger-post-footer">Viewing the blog in a feed reader will sometimes not show interactive content such as videos and slideshows. Please visit the blog directly in a web browser to see all content http://global-citizen-01.blogspot.com</div>Global Citizenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12681616837813544734noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5440177387992829927.post-47939767037571189172012-05-17T06:00:00.000+10:002013-03-10T06:05:35.824+10:00Japan: Krazy Kit Kats!<p> </p> <p><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="japan heading" border="0" alt="japan heading" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qYPTcSbYnQQ/T6_0RkcEjjI/AAAAAAAABrw/7LJs-2QDzA8/japan%252520heading%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="502" height="96"> </p> <p> </p> <p>This is a topic that has reached many blogs in recent years, the crazy funky flavours of Japanese <a href="http://www.kitkat.com/" target="_blank">Kit Kats</a>. The greatest blog effort I have come across is <a title="Jen Ken's Kit Kat Blog" href="http://jenkenskitkatblog.blogspot.com" target="_blank">“Jen Ken’s Kit Kat Blog”</a>, not just a page but an entire blog dedicated to those “out there” Japanese Kit Kats (a blog which after several years of going strong seems to have waned??). But as I, like many visitors to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan" target="_blank">Japan</a>, have been intrigued by the odd assortment of flavours, it would be remiss of me not to cover it in my blog.</p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="Nestle Kit Kat Logo" alt="Nestle Kit Kat Logo" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c9/KitKat_logo.svg/225px-KitKat_logo.svg.png"><font style="font-weight: normal"><em>Kit-Kats were introduced by the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rowntree%27s" target="_blank">Rowntree company</a> and are now made by Nestle, everywhere except the USA, because they are always different in the USA…</em></font></p> <p> </p> <p>Kit Kat’s have a great history. The original four-finger bar was apparently developed after a worker at Rowntree's York Factory put a suggestion in a recommendation box for a snack that "a man could take to work in his pack". The bar launched on 29 August 1935, under the title of "Rowntree's Chocolate Crisp" (priced at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_penny_sterling">2d</a>), and was sold in London and throughout Southern England. The name Kit Kat originated in the late 17th century in London. A literary & political club frequently met at a pie shop, owned by pastry chef Christopher Catling. The group called itself the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kit-Cat_Club" target="_blank">Kit Kat club</a>, using an abbreviated version of the owner's name.<br>In the 18th century the group met in different locations but were regulars on The Strand, a street in central London which is now occupied by the famous restaurant, Simpsons-in-the-Strand. For reasons that have been lost in time, the Rowntree company trademarked the name “Kit Kat” around 1911, but did not use the name until the 1930’s.</p> <p> </p> <p><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="589502-1930s-kit-kat-biggest-little-meal" border="0" alt="589502-1930s-kit-kat-biggest-little-meal" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mYl3zBvuH8Y/T7JQzDGOBaI/AAAAAAAABuM/LzM_OiQFm_M/589502-1930s-kit-kat-biggest-little-meal%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="337" height="337"></p> <p> </p> <p><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="589113-wartime-kit-kat" border="0" alt="589113-wartime-kit-kat" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hYoyFQVba8w/T7JQ0UZucXI/AAAAAAAABuU/vXJB07LDM6E/589113-wartime-kit-kat%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="447" height="337"></p> <p> </p> <p><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" src="http://www.kitkat.com/assets/img/slides/slide4_1.jpg"></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a title="© the Hershey Company under license to Nestle" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:KitKat_US_logo.svg" target="_blank"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="US Kit Kat Logo" alt="US Kit Kat Logo" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ae/KitKat_US_logo.svg/225px-KitKat_US_logo.svg.png"></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="5030_94997536117_522021117_1929719_4906996_n" border="0" alt="5030_94997536117_522021117_1929719_4906996_n" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3FhdnziPc2c/T6_0Sx6o_PI/AAAAAAAABr4/vRFVyPHDRfA/5030_94997536117_522021117_1929719_4906996_n%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="425" height="337"> </p> <h5> </h5> <hr> <h5><font style="font-weight: normal" size="4"><strong>Japanese Kit Kats</strong></font></h5> <h5><font style="font-weight: normal">Back in the early 2000’s a Japanese work colleague returned from a trip home with several individual Kit Kat packets as gifts. I was given the Orange flavoured Kit </font><font style="font-weight: normal">Kat.</font></h5> <h5> </h5> <h5 align="center"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-urFfb_YQji0/T6_0VAJaCUI/AAAAAAAABsA/E37ocwGKYPs/image%25255B12%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="484" height="337"> <em><font style="font-weight: normal">The first Japanese Kit Kat I was introduced to 10+ odd years ago</font></em></h5> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <hr> <p align="left"><strong><font size="3">Lemon Kit Kat (Valentine’s Day Edition)</font></strong></p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="left">The next time I came across a funky Japanese Kit Kat was several years later in a Japanese grocery store in Sydney. IT was a Lemon Kit Kat released for Valentines day and on the back of the box of four fingers there was space to write your Valentines message to the intended recipient of the chocolate gift. </p> <h5><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="4419_84347356117_522021117_1778909_2404111_n" border="0" alt="4419_84347356117_522021117_1778909_2404111_n" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jmxJX-WvSd8/T6_0Wo8MqdI/AAAAAAAABsI/416tpKJulxw/4419_84347356117_522021117_1778909_2404111_n%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="501" height="337"> </h5> <h5> </h5> <hr> <h5><font size="4">Apple Kit Kat </font></h5> <h5> </h5> <h5><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mOLj3RN7uSU/T6_0ak-BGEI/AAAAAAAABsQ/ZMD3RU1JZkw/image%25255B22%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="506" height="621"> </h5> <h5> </h5> <h5> </h5> <h5> </h5> <h5><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pyRnlpqCyMI/T6_0d1rGqJI/AAAAAAAABsY/_M_mGPyf_Xo/image%25255B23%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="506" height="668"> </h5> <h5> </h5> <p> </p> <p> </p> <hr> <h5><font size="4">Golden Citrus Blend Kit Kat (Shikoku Regional Edition)</font></h5> <p><font size="4"> </font></p> <p><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-UsIRcxK9dbs/T6_0gZNOyEI/AAAAAAAABsg/bVyC1BUanrU/image%25255B15%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="506" height="306"> </p> <h5> </h5> <hr> <h5><font size="4">Chilli Kit Kat</font></h5> <p> </p> <p><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7h-hc7vr7QE/T6_0ikUHiRI/AAAAAAAABso/n_m4wMBExpw/image%25255B56%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="491" height="337"> </p> <h5> </h5> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Kit-Kat-Type-Variations.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Kit Kat Size variations - Public Domain image released by Wikipedia user Evan-Amos" border="0" alt="Kit Kat Size variations - Public Domain image released by Wikipedia user Evan-Amos" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bb/Kit-Kat-Type-Variations.jpg/800px-Kit-Kat-Type-Variations.jpg" width="500" height="148"></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> <hr> <h5><font size="4">Sakura Matcha Kit Kat</font></h5> <p> </p> <p><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZEzGc0yl3Mw/T6_0kgUfA2I/AAAAAAAABsw/YvDe-xZKwPQ/image%25255B59%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="506" height="255"> </p> <h5> </h5> <h5> </h5> <h5><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ofj2fhcsCPU/T6_0nIEuYgI/AAAAAAAABs4/EwgTOZr7bxo/image%25255B62%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="499" height="337"> </h5> <h5> </h5> <hr> <h5><font size="4">Yawata Five Spice Kit Kat (Nagano Regional Edition)</font></h5> <p> </p> <p><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AQlxGkTYIVs/T6_0rsj_6jI/AAAAAAAABtA/C6QEZf7IWxs/image%25255B27%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="506" height="696"> </p> <p> </p> <hr> <p><strong><font size="4">Strawberry Cheesecake (Yokohama Regional Edition)</font></strong></p> <p> </p> <p><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_Q4D3FhBc_0/T6_0uZYecxI/AAAAAAAABtI/1nycx_EQXrE/image%25255B30%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="506" height="319"> </p> <p><strong></strong> </p> <hr> <p><strong><font size="4">Soy Sauce Kit Kat</font></strong></p> <p>A regional variety, this is actually one of my favourites. Soy Sauce can of course be sweet – think Indonesian style Kecap Manis – a thick sweet soy sauce. To me, the Soy Sauce Kit Kat tasted very much like Kecap Manis. It was a pleasant surprise and much nicer then you would probably imagine.</p> <p><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XRzXgrnk9I4/T6_0wnUdBnI/AAAAAAAABtQ/ox1vZZFfX9U/image%25255B33%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="506" height="315"> </p> <p><strong></strong> </p> <hr> <p><strong><font size="4">Royal Milk Tea Kit Kat</font></strong></p> <p>Good ol’ Royal Milk Tea, complete with a Scottish Tartan pattern on the box! The flavour of this one was also surprising, surprisingly pleasant. It was almost Earl Grey-ish but not quite. Definitely a milky tea flavour and o the list as another of my favourites.</p> <p><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OiGwkmH4dGo/T6_0zcZN08I/AAAAAAAABtY/TlKtUyigrQY/image%25255B36%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="482" height="337"> </p> <p><strong></strong> </p> <hr> <p><strong><font size="4">Ginger Ale Kit Kat</font></strong></p> <p>Once again the flavour surprised me. It almost felt like it was fizzing in your mouth and was unmistakably Ginger Ale. Another one for the favourite list.</p> <p> </p> <p><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PRj1tLgmH-Q/T6_02TT2NzI/AAAAAAAABtg/b6HV5moOGU4/image%25255B39%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="499" height="337"> </p> <p> </p> <hr> <h5><font size="4">Hokkaido Melon Kit Kat (Hokkaido Regional Edition)</font></h5> <p> </p> <p><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-c80uLxEG_eo/T6_06YVX9LI/AAAAAAAABto/Mat7ArEIgqU/image%25255B43%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="506" height="643"> </p> <p> </p> <hr> <p><strong><font size="4">Strawberry Kit Kat</font></strong></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_N8TjVOEOwk/T6_09Jl1IKI/AAAAAAAABtw/fvrAbgcGZFA/image%25255B46%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="506" height="331"> </p> <p> </p> <p> <hr> <p><strong><font size="4">Blueberry Cheese Cake Kit Kat</font></strong></p> <p> </p> <p><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lwtdI9puwwE/T6_1BSAvqxI/AAAAAAAABt4/3sRXabhs1nc/image%25255B50%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="506" height="645"> </p> <p> </p> <hr> <p><strong><font size="4">Wasabi Kit Kat </font></strong></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-W0xeu8CiEyY/T6_1D5KlZNI/AAAAAAAABuA/GtFNWqh-9Gc/image%25255B53%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="506" height="305"> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> <hr> <div align="left"><strong><font size="4">Ultimate list of </font></strong><strong><font size="4">Far Out Funky Flavours</font></strong></div> <div align="left"> </div> <div align="left"> </div> <div align="left">Far from complete, in fact I doubt there is even a complete list out there, this is probably closest there is to date of a list of all of the Japanese funky flavour Kit Kats there are</div> <div align="center"> </div> <div align="center"> </div> <div align="center"> </div> <div align="left"> <table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" width="400" align="center"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p align="center"><font color="#004000" size="4"><strong>PUDDING/DESSERT</strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Tiramasu</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">Tiramasu and Green Tea</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Pumpkin Cheesecake</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Framboise (Milk & Raspberry Cheesecake)</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Lemon Cheesecake</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">Blueberry Cheescake **</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Caramel Pudding</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Custard Pudding</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Mango Pudding</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Annin Dofu (Almond Tofu Dessert)</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p align="center"><font color="#004000" size="4"><strong>SWEETS</strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Salt and Caramel</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">Black Sugar</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">Brown Sugar</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">Bubblegum</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">Black Honey (Molasses?)</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p align="center"><font color="#004000" size="4"><strong>COFFEE</strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Caramel Macchiato</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Cafe Latte</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Espresso</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Milk Coffee</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">Capuccino</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p align="center"><font color="#004000" size="4"><strong>COOKIES</strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Cookies and Cream</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">Cookies and Milk</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Cookie Plus (Cookie Crumbs)</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">Cookies and Chocolate</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">Dark Chocolate with Cookies</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p align="center"><font color="#004000" size="4"><strong>STRAWBERRY</strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">Strawberry **</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Strawberry Hazelnut</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Bitter Strawberry</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Sparkling Strawberry</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Strawberry Tart</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Strawberry Shortcake</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">Strawberry & Cranberry</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">Triple Berry (Strawberry, Blueberry, Cranberry)</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">Strawberry and Nuts</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">Strawberry and Chocolate</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">Strawberry and Potato</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">Strawberry and Milk</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">Smooth Strawberry</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">Tsubeu Strawberry (freeze dried strawberry bits</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p align="center"><font color="#004000" size="4"><strong>POTATO</strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Baked Potato</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">Yellow Potato</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p>Daigaku imo (<font size="3"><strong><em>Candied Sweet Potato)</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Kawagoe Baked Sweet Potato</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Yakiimo Grilled Sweet Potato</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Purple Sweet Potato</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Roasted Sweet Potato</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p> </p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p align="center"><font color="#004000" size="4"><strong>FRUIT</strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Muscat of Alexandria Grapes</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Watermelon</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">Watermelon and Salt</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">Hokkaido Ubari Melon ** (+ Canteloupe + Ubari Chocolate)</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Cherry</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">Apple **</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">Creamy Apple</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">Apple and Carrot</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">Mango</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Peach</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">Golden Peach</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">White Peach</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">Kiwifruit</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Pineapple</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Banana </em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">Choco-Banana</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Le Lectier (a pear variety)</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Blueberry</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">Raspberry</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Raspberry & Passionfruit</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Pickled Plum</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">Hascapp (Japanese Berry)</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Mixed Juice</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">Fruit Parfait</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">Exotic Tokyo (Mixed Fruit)</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">Exotic Kansai (lemon, passionfruit, sour orange, ginger)</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p align="center"><font color="#004000" size="4"><strong>CITRUS</strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"><strong><em><font color="#804000" size="3">Orange **</font></em></strong></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><strong><em><font size="3">Bitter Orange</font></em></strong></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"><strong><em><font size="3">Sour Orange</font></em></strong></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><strong><em><font size="3">Yozu Koshu (Citrus & Chilli)</font></em></strong></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">Orange Creme</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">Brandy and Orange</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">Mikan (Mandarin)</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"><strong><em><font color="#804000" size="3">Lemon **</font></em></strong></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">Marugoto Lemon</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p align="center"><font color="#004000" size="4"><strong>VEGETABLE</strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Grilled Corn</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Pumpkin</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">Cucumber</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">Aloe Vera</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">Aloe Vera Yoghurt</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">Beet</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">Itoen Juu-jitsu Yasai (Enriched Vegetable Flavour)</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Vegetable Juice</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p align="center"><font color="#004000" size="4"><strong>VINEGAR</strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Apple Vinegar</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Lemon Vinegar</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p align="center"><font color="#004000" size="4"><strong>FLOWER ETC</strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Maple</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>White Maple</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Cherry Blossom</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">Winter Cherry Blossom</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Rose</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p align="center"><font color="#004000" size="4"><strong>SPICE</strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">Wasabi</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">Chilli</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p>Five Spice **</p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">English Mustard</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p align="center"><font color="#004000" size="4"><strong>CHEESE</strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">Cheese</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Petit Cheese</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">European Cheese</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p align="center"><font color="#004000" size="4"><strong>NUTS</strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Chestnut</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Almond</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Bitter Almond</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">Hazelnut Cream</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p align="center"><font color="#004000" size="4"><strong>TEA</strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Jasmine Tea</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Roasted Tea</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Green Tea</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">Green Tea with Milk</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Green Tea with Milk & Red Bean</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Green Tea & Kinako (Toasted Soy Flour)</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p>“Air In” Green Tea (Aero Bar Style)</p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">Creamy Green Tea</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p>Earl Grey</p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">Black Tea</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">Ice Tea</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p align="center"><font color="#004000" size="4"><strong>BEANS & SOY</strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Azuki Bean (Red Bean)</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">Red Bean Soup</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Vanilla Bean</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Miso</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Endamame Zunda (Mashed Endamame Bean)</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Kinako (Toasted Soy Flour)</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Black Sugar and Kinako (Toasted Soy Flour)</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Kinako & Ohagi (Toasted Soy Flour /Rice Puff)</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p> </p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p> </p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p align="center"><font color="#004000" size="4"><strong>CHOCOLATE</strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Relaxing Chocolate (Semi-Dark Chocolate)</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Adult Chocolate (Dark Chocolate)</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>White Chocolate</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Semi-Sweet Chocolate</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Mild-Bitter Chocolate</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Melt-in-your-Mouth Chocolate</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Chocolate Fudge</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">“Air In” White (Aero Bar Style)</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">Bitter and White Chocolate (Alternate Bitter and White)</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">Midnight Eagle (White)</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">61% Cocoa</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">72% Cocoa</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">Soy Milk Chocolate</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">Creamier Chocolate</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">Exotic Hokkaido (Creamy Milk)</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p> </p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p align="center"><font color="#004000" size="4"><strong>SODA & DRINKS</strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Soda (Lemonade/Ramune)</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Umeshu Soda (Plum Liqueur & Soda)</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Cola & Lemon Squash</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Sports Drink</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Calpis (a Lemon Soft Drink)</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"><font color="#804000" size="3"><strong><em>Ginger Ale **</em></strong></font></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">Chocolatier Wine</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> </td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Butter</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Crimson</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398"> <p><font size="3"><strong><em>Whole Wheat</em></strong></font></p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">Hot Cakes</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">French Rock Salt</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">French Bretagne Milk flavor</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">Nasu Highland Milk</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="398">yoghurt</td></tr></tbody></table></div> <p> </p> <p> <hr> <p><strong><font size="4">So you want to buy some Japanese Kit Kats?</font></strong></p> <p>Well of course the simplest way to buy these funky Kit Kats is to travel to Japan! At major airport and JR train stations there are stores selling the biggest variety of variants, however there is no central location selling every single available variety, especially as some of the minor regional variants are restricted to that specific variation.</p> <p>Probably the most well known Japanese pop culture e-commerce site is J-Box (<a href="http://www.jbox.com">www.jbox.com</a>). J-Box is part of the larger J-List site, J-List has adult content, where as J-Box is safe for all. .This is the site I have used to purchase some varieties when I was not able to travel to Japan</p> <p><a title="JBOX you have a friend in Japan!" href="http://www.jbox.com" target="_blank"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="JBox "You have a friend in Japan"" border="0" alt="JBox "You have a friend in Japan"" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-H_jINuSeuQ4/T7JQ19SvvPI/AAAAAAAABuc/lZ_oobW6uHA/image%25255B3%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="411" height="87"></a> </p> <p align="left">A fairly comprehensive Asian grocery/food site, also mentioned on my recent Kaya post is VeryAsia.com. They seem to have a fairly good range of Japanese Kit Kats available on line.</p> <p align="left"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="Buy Japanese Kit Kats - VeryAsia.com US" alt="Buy Japanese Kit Kats - VeryAsia.com US" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bN8yUA5Fwwk/T6811GGoQNI/AAAAAAAABrE/15FrlzJHEZY/logova7%25255B3%25255D.gif?imgmax=800"></p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="left">Then of Course there is Nestle Japan’s own site. There is an “e-shop” but it’s all Japanese and for the non-Japanese speaker its difficult to navigate</p> <p><strong><font size="4"><a title="Nestle Japan" href="http://www.nestle.jp/brand/kit/" target="_blank"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Nestle Japan" border="0" alt="Nestle Japan" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JNWdDunS8-Q/T7JQ2k4txDI/AAAAAAAABuk/EJ8ODsI-0pQ/h_logo%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="157" height="106"></a> </font></strong></p> <hr> <p><font size="4"><strong>Maps</strong></font></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; width: 515px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:84E294D0-71C9-4bd0-A0FE-95764E0368D9:62846f66-b136-4c0a-b8eb-8234618db79f" class="wlWriterSmartContent"><a id="map-bec9d478-d09f-4e02-b59e-5a73e84f2eef" title="View map" href="http://www.bing.com/maps/default.aspx?v=2&cp=42.77927~136.7578&lvl=4&style=r&sp=aN.38.34166_138.6035_Japan_&mkt=en-us&FORM=LLWR" alt="View map"><img alt="Japan" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZiDKpaH4xHE/T7JTscu4nrI/AAAAAAAABuw/sTBMHcJr-TU/map-b8608656778f.jpg?imgmax=800" width="499" height="388"></a><br><label style="font-size: 0.8em" for="map-bec9d478-d09f-4e02-b59e-5a73e84f2eef">Japan</label></div> <p><font size="4"><strong></strong></font> </p> <p><font size="4"><strong></strong></font> </p> <div align="center"><iframe height="350" marginheight="0" src="https://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Japan&t=h&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Japan&ll=36.208823,138.251953&spn=12.399026,21.972656&z=5&output=embed" frameborder="0" width="500" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no"></iframe><br><small><a style="text-align: left; color: #0000ff" href="https://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&geocode=&q=Japan&t=h&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Japan&ll=36.208823,138.251953&spn=12.399026,21.972656&z=5">View Larger Map</a></small></div> <p><font size="4"><strong></strong></font> </p> <p> <hr> <p><strong><font size="4">Tags</font></strong></p> <p><strong><font size="4"></font></strong> </p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:99137f53-64a6-4c3c-9c67-2e3f4a32763f" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Kit-Kat" rel="tag">Kit-Kat</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Japan" rel="tag">Japan</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Chocolate" rel="tag">Chocolate</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Flavour" rel="tag">Flavour</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Asia" rel="tag">Asia</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/%22Only+in+Japan%22" rel="tag">"Only in Japan"</a></div> <p><strong><font size="4"></font></strong> </p> <p><strong><font size="4"></font></strong> </p> <p><strong><font size="4"></font></strong> </p> <p><strong><font size="4"></font></strong> </p> <hr> <p><strong><font size="4">My Flickr – Japan Photos</font></strong></p> <p align="center"><object width="500" height="375"> <param name="flashvars" value="offsite=true⟨=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fglobalcitizen01%2Ftags%2Fjapan%2Fshow%2Fwith%2F6063786829%2F%3Fpage%3D7&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fglobalcitizen01%2Ftags%2Fjapan%2F%3Fpage%3D7&user_id=47519867@N07&tags=japan&jump_to=6063786829&start_index="></param> <param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=109615"></param> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=109615" allowFullScreen="true" flashvars="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fglobalcitizen01%2Ftags%2Fjapan%2Fshow%2Fwith%2F6063786829%2F%3Fpage%3D7&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fglobalcitizen01%2Ftags%2Fjapan%2F%3Fpage%3D7&user_id=47519867@N07&tags=japan&jump_to=6063786829&start_index=" width="500" height="375"></embed></object></p> <p> </p> <p> <hr> <div class="blogger-post-footer">Viewing the blog in a feed reader will sometimes not show interactive content such as videos and slideshows. Please visit the blog directly in a web browser to see all content http://global-citizen-01.blogspot.com</div>Global Citizenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12681616837813544734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5440177387992829927.post-61379824631222261922012-05-06T14:07:00.000+10:002012-05-13T16:28:41.565+10:00Got to Have Kaya Now!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<img alt="MAlaysia Header Banner" height="90" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vCCwIhxozMo/T68aBBunhNI/AAAAAAAABqI/nm7Eyc5uoK4/malaysia%252520title%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: block; float: none; margin: 0px auto;" title="MAlaysia Header Banner" width="496" /><br />
<br />
<em><br /></em><br />
<em>I recently had a morning stopover in Kuala Lumpur International Airport, which was made more pleasant by the fact I could indulge in my favourite Malay breakfast of Kaya Toast and Teh Tarik!</em><br />
<em><br /></em><br />
<br />
<img alt="Kaya or Kaya? Kaya Album Cover copyright Tuff Gong/Island Records" border="0" height="256" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0UeuPPJWSLU/T68aC9PYBiI/AAAAAAAABqQ/L9ZvAeQPK3k/image%25255B14%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Kaya or Kaya" width="504" /><br />
<br />
The late great <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Marley" target="_blank">Robert Nesta Marley I</a> once wrote that he must have <strong><em>Kaya</em></strong> now! Like many of Robert Nesta’s compositions, his words were riddles and puzzles, with deeper meanings to be found by the enlightened. What exactly Marley was singing about is open to debate, and probably it comes as no surprise to those who know of Marley’s <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rastafarian" target="_blank">Rastafarian</a> beliefs, many speculate he is talking about <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabis" target="_blank">Ganja, Cannabis</a>, the sacred sacrament of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haile_Selassie_I" target="_blank">Rastafari</a> followers. In today’s “modern” internet connected world put “Kaya + Marley” into any <a href="http://www.google.com/" target="_blank">search engine</a> and the top answers will boldly announce that Kaya means Marijuana! One website states Kaya is Jamaican for Marijuana – really? I challenge anyone to come up with a pre-Marley reference where Kaya means Marijuana. Marley himself is on record stating that Kaya means a time to reflect and meditate. Mind you the simple lyrics of Marley’s Kaya certainly indicate a certain mind altered state (?).<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<em><strong>Wo-wo-oh! Yea-ea-ea-eah!</strong></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><strong>I feel so high, I even touch the sky<br />Above the fallin' rain, we-e-ell!<br />I feel so good in my neighbourhood, so:<br />Here I come again!</strong></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><strong>I've got to have kaya now!</strong></em></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
So what has all this got to do with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malaysia" target="_blank">Malaysia</a> and my breakfast? Nothing!….except the name Kaya that is. I am recent convert to this form of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaya_(jam)#Malaysia_and_Singapore" target="_blank">Kaya</a>, I discovered it probably around 2007 quite by accident whilst looking for breakfast in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuala_lumpur" target="_blank">Kuala Lumpur</a> and on this most recent occasion knowing I had a stop over in Kuala Lumpur was accompanied by comfort in the knowledge I would be able to indulge in some Kaya. Kaya, in this context is probably best described as coconut-egg jam. In Malay language, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bahasa_Melayu" target="_blank">Bahasa Melayu</a>, its called Seri Kaya, Srikaya or just Kaya<em>.</em> Srikaya in Bahasa Melayu loosely translates as “rich”, a reference to both the rich golden colour and rich flavour that Kaya imparts.</div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<em></em> <img alt="Kaya Toast and Teh Tarik ( 2012 CC BY-NC-ND GlobalCitizen01 )" border="0" height="718" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit9gj77Hgz6FErKZP5SZiWRR54nxUmJV_PL9o4YY1dq81mUWBYqKB7JJKsCFXzHSN5-P0Ef1MGsME2N1TTaQokD8mNBb_Q_slMcC7GiDJ5uByMEq-7uG-U8D24x5lRAw7jucvmK-Nwrv8/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Kaya Toast and Teh Tarik ( 2012 CC BY-NC-ND GlobalCitizen01 )" width="520" /><em>The picture does not really do the Kaya Toast justice as you can not see the Kaya. The Teh Tarik shows off it’s frothy head nicely though</em><br />
<em><br /></em></div>
<br />
Basically Kaya is coconut milk, eggs (duck or chicken), sugar and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pandanus_amaryllifolius" target="_blank">pandan</a>. Some versions have a lot more pandan which can dominate the flavour and give a much more green rather then golden appearance. It is generally eaten on toast, with a large amount of butter. You would usually find thick sliced toasted bread, with equal amounts of thickly spread kaya and butter. Breakfast is the preferred meal for Kaya Toast but in reality it can be consumed anytime.<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<strong><span style="color: #333333; font-size: small;"></span></strong> <img alt="Golden Kaya on Toast ( CC BY-NC-ND GlobalCitizen01 )" height="409" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IpqfDq6sm5o/T68aGTBjh3I/AAAAAAAABqg/ZAjgZBdl8iQ/image%25255B24%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: block; float: none; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Golden Kaya on Toast ( CC BY-NC-ND GlobalCitizen01 )" width="520" /><span style="color: #333333; font-size: small;"><em>A golden version of Kaya with no or minimal pandan added</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-size: small;"><em><br /></em></span></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Pandan_(screwpine)_leaves.JPG" target="_blank" title="Pandan/Wikipedia user - dekoelie /Creative Commons attribution"><img alt="Pandanus amaryllifolius, the leaves of which give us Pandan flavouring.Pandan/Wikipedia user - dekoelie /Creative Commons attribution" border="0" height="379" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KtRjjMuJUiM/T681x9H7arI/AAAAAAAABqs/g4D1UVev1bU/800px-Pandan_%252528screwpine%252529_leaves%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Pandanus amaryllifolius, the leaves of which give us Pandan flavouring.Pandan/Wikipedia user - dekoelie /Creative Commons attribution" width="504" /></a><em>Pandanus amaryllifolius, which gives us Pandan flavour </em></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
Kaya is a great addition to toast. There is a large variation in flavour out there, the versions with some Pandan are my favourite, although some definately overpower the coconut with too much pandan. If you are not in Malaysia, Singapore or Indonesia, you will probably find your local Asian grocery store sells Kaya. Philippines and Thailand have their own versions, the Thai version in particular is almost like a custard more so then a jam.<br />
<br />
<br />
<hr />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Kaya Recipe</span></strong><br />
<br />
It’s fairly easy to make your own, here is a version adapted from Malaysia’s famous Madam Kwan’s Kitchen;<br />
<img alt="Madam Kwan's Kitchen - awesome restaurants in Malaysia" border="0" height="71" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LAzcl043hac/T681yzm_GeI/AAAAAAAABqw/Z5kAuZHL0B4/mkdownload%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Madam Kwan's Kitchen - awesome restaurants in Malaysia" width="190" /> <br />
Ingredients<br />
<ul>
<li>5 large eggs </li>
<li>7 ounces/ 200 grams white sugar </li>
<li>10½ ounces/ 300 grams freshly squeezed coconut milk (if using canned milk, stir it well and pour it through a fine-mesh sieve before using to break up any lumps) </li>
<li>2 pandan leaves, washed</li>
</ul>
Directions<br />
<ol>
<li>Into a large heat-proof bowl, whisk the eggs gently, whilst adding the sugar and coconut milk together, stirring until all the egg whites have broken down and you have a smooth, consistently yellow liquid </li>
<li>Knot each pandan leaf and tear the ends of each leaf into strips to release the aromas. Place the leaves in the bowl. </li>
<li>Set the bowl on top of a pot of water over medium heat, stirring occasionally for 45 minutes. You will start to see little lumps form around the 25-minute mark, keep stirring, scraping the bottom of the bowl so that the custard doesn’t turn into scrambled eggs. The mixture is ready when it coats the back of a wooden spoon in a thick layer. </li>
<li>Remove the bowl from the heat and remove and discard the pandan leaves. Press the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into another bowl and leave to cool before storing in sterilized jars. .</li>
</ol>
<hr />
<div align="left">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Purchase Kaya Online? Try…….</span></strong></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.theasiancookshop.co.uk/coconut-jam-spread-sweet-sri-kaya-1357-p.asp" target="_blank"><img alt="Buy Kaya - the Asian Cookshop UK" border="0" height="69" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nlMB7h5hnJU/T681z3q4uuI/AAAAAAAABq8/EJ01t67pWM4/home-page-the-asian-cookshop%25255B9%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Buy Kaya - the Asian Cookshop UK" width="156" /></a> </div>
<div align="center">
<br />
<a href="http://www.veryasia.com/100018.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Buy Kaya - VeryAsia.com US" border="0" height="45" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bN8yUA5Fwwk/T6811GGoQNI/AAAAAAAABrE/15FrlzJHEZY/logova7%25255B3%25255D.gif?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Buy Kaya - VeryAsia.com US" width="249" /></a> </div>
<hr />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Ya Kun Kaya Toast</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></strong><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">If you are lucky enough to live in Asia you might find yourself near the great Kaya Franchise branded outler “Ya Kun Kaya Toast”. Great quality Kaya Toast with Teh Tarik and they also have jars oif Kaya available for purchase. </span><br />
<a href="http://www.yakun.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Ya Kun Kaya Toast" src="http://www.yakun.com/images/polaroid3Sets2.jpg" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Ya Kun Kaya Toast" /></a><br />
<hr />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Teh Tarik</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></strong><br />
The perfect accompaniment to kaya toast is Teh Tarik. Tarik in Bahasa Melayu literally means “pulled”, and refers to the way the tea (teh) is poured from one container to another with the pourer “pulling” the top container away from the bottom container, aerating the tea and giving it a light and frothy consistency. Sweetened Condensed Milk helps to give Teh Tarik it’s distinctive flavour.<br />
Teh Tarik, whilst recognised as Malay/Indonesian drink has it’s roots in Indian Milk Tea. Like many aspects of Malay culture the Indian presence reinforced during the time of the Great British Empire has made a significant impact.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<img alt="Frothy Foamy Teh Tarik mmmmmm ( CC BY-NC-ND GlobalCitizen01 )" border="0" height="274" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ArV7UbzgIb8/T6812d5kYEI/AAAAAAAABrM/4LtvgajXQ34/tt%2525207185036790_7b01920ef5_o%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Frothy Foamy Teh Tarik mmmmmm ( CC BY-NC-ND GlobalCitizen01 )" width="506" /> <em>Malays have taken Indian Milk Tea and turned it into this frothy delight</em><br />
<em><br /></em></div>
<br />
<div align="center">
<img alt="Roti! ( CC BY-NC-ND GlobalCitizen01 )" border="0" height="354" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-eWyAvd0QQ6M/T6814VNMaiI/AAAAAAAABrU/PzxSOMRt6Go/4842_96404591117_522021117_1951980_7304414_n%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Roti! ( CC BY-NC-ND GlobalCitizen01 )" width="506" /><em> It’s not just tea the Malays took from the Indians and improved, Malay Roti is to die for! And of course you can put Kaya on Rotu for a double win!</em><br />
<em><br /></em></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/rasamalaysia" target="_blank">Youtube user rasamalaysia</a> posted this simple video to Youtube clearly showing the “pulling” movement in making Teh Tarik <br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/gJ5iAx5TDyc" width="480"></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://ieatishootipost.sg/" target="_blank">Singapore food blogger “ I eat I shoot I post”</a>, has this great video showing how to make Teh Tarik<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/bHI9c74m-6E" width="560"></iframe></div>
<br />
<hr />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Apam Balik</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></strong><br />
Not so much for breakfast, but if you find yourself out on the street and come across these, you have to get stuck into them!<br />
Apam Balik, a kind of sweet Martabak, commonly known as Malaysian Sweet Peanut Pancakes. Do yourself a favour and buy some if you are on the streets of Malaysia!<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<img alt="malaysia8534_147546326117_522021117_2617296_3684684_n" border="0" height="337" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Js_YA7BrZnU/T6815b6WTQI/AAAAAAAABrc/yKp3Dln7jS0/malaysia8534_147546326117_522021117_2617296_3684684_n%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="malaysia8534_147546326117_522021117_2617296_3684684_n" width="501" /> <em>Apam Balik, sweet peanut pancakes – good stuff!</em></div>
<br />
<hr />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Maps</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></strong><br />
<div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" id="scid:84E294D0-71C9-4bd0-A0FE-95764E0368D9:6c84f721-1b54-4cb2-94a7-4b1ec3595b9e" style="display: block; float: none; margin: 0px auto; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 515px;">
<a alt="View map" href="http://www.bing.com/maps/default.aspx?v=2&cp=3.150268~101.7128&lvl=8&style=r&sp=aN.3.140516_101.7004_Kuala%2520Lumpur_&mkt=en-us&FORM=LLWR" id="map-b7da8748-d0ca-4f9f-b0b0-38ba35ecc178" title="View map"><img alt="Map picture" height="388" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_R-qoCa943o/T68168NXDmI/AAAAAAAABrk/hlTOio6rQ4I/map-01d5c82c1f01.jpg?imgmax=800" width="499" /></a></div>
<em></em> <br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=kuala+lumpur&aq=&sll=-25.335448,135.745076&sspn=58.82617,114.169922&t=h&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Kuala+Lumpur,+Federal+Territory+of+Kuala+Lumpur,+Malaysia&ll=3.140516,101.689453&spn=3.838724,5.493164&z=7&iwloc=A&output=embed" width="500"></iframe><br />
<small><a href="http://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&geocode=&q=kuala+lumpur&aq=&sll=-25.335448,135.745076&sspn=58.82617,114.169922&t=h&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Kuala+Lumpur,+Federal+Territory+of+Kuala+Lumpur,+Malaysia&ll=3.140516,101.689453&spn=3.838724,5.493164&z=7&iwloc=A" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">View Larger Map</a></small></div>
<em></em> <br />
<hr />
<em><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><strong>COPYRIGHT NOTICE</strong></span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><strong>The image of the Kaya album and the lyrics of the Kaya song are used for identification in the context of critical commentary of the work. They make a significant contribution to the user's understanding of the article, which could not practically be conveyed without either the original cover art or original lyrics. The cover art image is placed in the article discussing the work, to show the primary visual image associated with the work, and to help the user quickly identify the work and know they have found what they are looking for. Use for this purpose does not compete with the purposes of the original artwork, namely the artist's providing graphic design services to music concerns and in turn marketing music to the public. The use of an excerpt of lyrics is used in the same manner as that of the cover art. Copyright remains with Tuff Gong Records, Island Records, Bob Marley and associated entities. Use of the cover art and sample of lyrics in this article complies with fair use under </strong></span></em><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_use"><em><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><strong>United States copyright law</strong></span></em></a><em><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><strong>.</strong></span></em><br />
<hr />
<br />
<div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:b7a49833-cd6e-443a-8ee5-4e4f0aa04792" style="display: inline; float: none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
Flickr Tags: <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/Malaysia" rel="tag">Malaysia</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/%22Kuala+Lumpur%22" rel="tag">"Kuala Lumpur"</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/Singapore" rel="tag">Singapore</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/Indonesia" rel="tag">Indonesia</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/Kaya" rel="tag">Kaya</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/Cocount" rel="tag">Cocount</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/%22Coconut+Jam%22" rel="tag">"Coconut Jam"</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/%22Bob+Marley%22" rel="tag">"Bob Marley"</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/Reggae" rel="tag">Reggae</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/tea" rel="tag">tea</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/%22Teh+Tarik%22" rel="tag">"Teh Tarik"</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/breakfast" rel="tag">breakfast</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/toast" rel="tag">toast</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/ganja" rel="tag">ganja</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/cannabis" rel="tag">cannabis</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/roti" rel="tag">roti</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/food" rel="tag">food</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/travel" rel="tag">travel</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/GlobalCitizen01" rel="tag">GlobalCitizen01</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/blog" rel="tag">blog</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/%22Ramblings+of+a+Global+Citizen%22" rel="tag">"Ramblings of a Global Citizen"</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/%22I+Eat+I+Shoot+I+Post%22" rel="tag">"I Eat I Shoot I Post"</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/%22Kaya+Toast%22" rel="tag">"Kaya Toast"</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/Hawker" rel="tag">Hawker</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/martabak" rel="tag">martabak</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/%22apam+balik%22" rel="tag">"apam balik"</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/peanuts" rel="tag">peanuts</a></div>
<br />
<hr />
<div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:5d388657-7f62-4aed-857a-90344fd5f211" style="display: inline; float: none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Malaysia" rel="tag">Malaysia</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/%22Kuala+Lumpur%22" rel="tag">"Kuala Lumpur"</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Singapore" rel="tag">Singapore</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Indonesia" rel="tag">Indonesia</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Kaya" rel="tag">Kaya</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Cocount" rel="tag">Cocount</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/%22Coconut+Jam%22" rel="tag">"Coconut Jam"</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/%22Bob+Marley%22" rel="tag">"Bob Marley"</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Reggae" rel="tag">Reggae</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/tea" rel="tag">tea</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/%22Teh+Tarik%22" rel="tag">"Teh Tarik"</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/breakfast" rel="tag">breakfast</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/toast" rel="tag">toast</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/ganja" rel="tag">ganja</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/cannabis" rel="tag">cannabis</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/roti" rel="tag">roti</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/food" rel="tag">food</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/travel" rel="tag">travel</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/GlobalCitizen01" rel="tag">GlobalCitizen01</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/blog" rel="tag">blog</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/%22Ramblings+of+a+Global+Citizen%22" rel="tag">"Ramblings of a Global Citizen"</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/%22I+Eat+I+Shoot+I+Post%22" rel="tag">"I Eat I Shoot I Post"</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/%22Kaya+Toast%22" rel="tag">"Kaya Toast"</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Hawker" rel="tag">Hawker</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/martabak" rel="tag">martabak</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/%22apam+balik%22" rel="tag">"apam balik"</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/peanuts" rel="tag">peanuts</a></div>
<br />
<hr />
<div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:d90bc4d5-e6ad-4039-b981-7f9856d8a7ad" style="display: inline; float: none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
del.icio.us Tags: <a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/Malaysia" rel="tag">Malaysia</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/%22Kuala+Lumpur%22" rel="tag">"Kuala Lumpur"</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/Singapore" rel="tag">Singapore</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/Indonesia" rel="tag">Indonesia</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/Kaya" rel="tag">Kaya</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/Cocount" rel="tag">Cocount</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/%22Coconut+Jam%22" rel="tag">"Coconut Jam"</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/%22Bob+Marley%22" rel="tag">"Bob Marley"</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/Reggae" rel="tag">Reggae</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/tea" rel="tag">tea</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/%22Teh+Tarik%22" rel="tag">"Teh Tarik"</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/breakfast" rel="tag">breakfast</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/toast" rel="tag">toast</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/ganja" rel="tag">ganja</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/cannabis" rel="tag">cannabis</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/roti" rel="tag">roti</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/food" rel="tag">food</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/travel" rel="tag">travel</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/GlobalCitizen01" rel="tag">GlobalCitizen01</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/blog" rel="tag">blog</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/%22Ramblings+of+a+Global+Citizen%22" rel="tag">"Ramblings of a Global Citizen"</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/%22I+Eat+I+Shoot+I+Post%22" rel="tag">"I Eat I Shoot I Post"</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/%22Kaya+Toast%22" rel="tag">"Kaya Toast"</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/Hawker" rel="tag">Hawker</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/martabak" rel="tag">martabak</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/%22apam+balik%22" rel="tag">"apam balik"</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/peanuts" rel="tag">peanuts</a></div>
<hr />
<div class="wlWriterHeaderFooter" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;">
This work is licensed under a <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/">Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives license.</a></div>
</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Viewing the blog in a feed reader will sometimes not show interactive content such as videos and slideshows. Please visit the blog directly in a web browser to see all content http://global-citizen-01.blogspot.com</div>Global Citizenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12681616837813544734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5440177387992829927.post-89911387370184971122011-07-29T00:33:00.000+10:002011-09-13T13:39:19.019+10:00Russian Far East: Cold War Kurils<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<br />
<img alt="kuril banner" border="0" height="90" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JTD-tMn0sz8/TluW8SHsyMI/AAAAAAAABaY/hW4C-_NFQi0/kuril%252520%252520banner%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="kuril banner" width="504" /> <br />
<br />
<br />
In my <a href="http://global-citizen-01.blogspot.com/2011/07/russian-far-east-kuril-island.html" target="_blank">previous blog post</a>, I discussed the wilderness and wildlife of the remote <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuril_islands" target="_blank">Kuril Islands</a>, but alluded, to in that previous post, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cold_war" target="_blank">Cold War</a> history, and to a lesser extent these days, World War II History. The abandoned military bases of the Kuril Islands give an amazing insight into our recent past. To be able to visit once top secret and extremely strategic bases in one of the remotest parts of the world is truly a fascinating experience.<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<img alt="Soviet Propaganda, Simushir" border="0" height="337" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BfsyJFBbVHM/TluXPvdIhpI/AAAAAAAABbY/YFvWJOSdK6g/5936563865_917a2d6843_z%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Soviet Propaganda, Simushir" width="487" /><em>Soviet propaganda featuring Comrade Lenin in the abandoned Kraternyy Naval base on Simushir</em></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
Three of the islands I was lucky enough to visit had remnants of the Cold War militarisation of the Kurils. The first and least significant was the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soviet_Border_Guards" target="_blank">border guards</a> post on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urup" target="_blank">Urup</a>. Next was the one time Japanese WWII Airbase, then converted by the Soviets on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matua_(island)" target="_blank">Matua</a>. But by far the most dramatic and fascinating visit was to the abandoned and once top secret Naval base on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simushir" target="_blank">Simushir</a>, inside the crater of a volcano. Reportedly construction of this naval base started in 1978 and with the end of the cold war the base was abandoned in 1993. When the Cold War ended these bases were totally abandoned, simply walked away from. So much equipment and infrastructure was just left behind.<br />
<br />
<strong>URUP</strong><br />
<br />
Compared to the following two islands, the Cold War remnants on Urup, or at least those I was able to see, were limited to a former border guards outpost. <br />
‘<br />
There was a lot of rusting communications equipment decaying in the grass, large watch towers, and significantly reinforced buildings, some of which are being “recycled” by Salmon fishermen, using them as a base during the warmer times for their fishing expeditions.<br />
<br />
Urup is the next island in line to the disputed Japanese territories, so I can imagine the strategic significance of a surveillance post on Urup in the Cold War era.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<img alt="Radio Mast, Urup" border="0" height="754" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--hHXXJO8Aeg/Tm4B7WqyGWI/AAAAAAAABbk/Ko24M6cP6h8/dsc_0521%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Radio Mast, Urup" width="506" /><em>Radio mast at the old Border Guards outpost on Urup</em></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="center">
<img alt="Guard Tower, Urup" border="0" height="340" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-icxDX9lMbHw/Tm4B8B2ahDI/AAAAAAAABbo/0Ar8hzi1psU/dsc_0425%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Guard Tower, Urup" width="506" /><em>Sunrise over a distant watch tower on Urup</em></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="center">
<img alt="Border Guard Post, Urup" border="0" height="340" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YHJIQwERMmc/Tm4B9CBbnFI/AAAAAAAABbs/f2-FOGjoBJI/dsc_0511%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Border Guard Post, Urup" width="506" /><em>Decaying buildings at the old Border Guard post on Urup</em></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="center">
<img alt="Border Guard Post, Urup" border="0" height="340" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4M079iw-eD4/Tm4B-d5vvgI/AAAAAAAABbw/pCOvnE5pKy8/dsc_0497%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Border Guard Post, Urup" width="506" /><em>The former Border Guards outpost on Urup</em></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<img alt="Border Guard Post, Urup" border="0" height="340" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-AuoXd8UmQ64/Tm4B_IL5VKI/AAAAAAAABb0/US6hVhKcreA/dsc_0527%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Border Guard Post, Urup" width="506" /><em>The former Border Guards outpost on Urup</em></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<img alt="Border Guard Post, Urup" border="0" height="340" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vNUC7yRJWLI/Tm4CAZG0paI/AAAAAAAABb4/NdC8J-Y5TQQ/dsc_0503%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Border Guard Post, Urup" width="506" /><em>Electronics simply rusting in the grass on Urup</em></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<br />
<strong>MATUA</strong><br />
<br />
Matua not only held Cold War relics of significance, but also significant WWII history as well. Several large concrete bunkers from the WWII era can still be found around the island, and the significant runway was constructed by the Japanese originally for use during WWII.<br />
<br />
The runway had some quite unique engineering features, built in by the Japanese, such as geothermal vents running under the length of the runway heating the runway to allow it to be ice free through out the year. This feature would have been equally as significant in WWII as it would have ben during the Cold War.<br />
<br />
Matua also held dozens of military helmets, most Soviet era, but possibly some from the Japanese in WWII. One of the most interesting finds was a 44 gallon (200 litre) drum with the inscription “<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wehrmacht" target="_blank">Wehrmacht</a>” and the date 1943. One could assume this was a remnant of WWII supply from Germany to their Japanese allies.<br />
<br />
The amount of vehicles left on Matua was mind blowing. Tracked vehicles, armoured vehicles, trucks, trailers, electronics filled vehicles, dozens and dozens of them. And the number of empty 44 gallon drums would have been into the thousands., scattered around the island.<br />
<br />
Also wandering around Matua it was easy to notice many underground tunnels. The state of them did not really invite deep exploration, but one got the impression there was significant underground installations on the island.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<em><img alt="Soviet uniform, Matua" border="0" height="409" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zFhYuMIstUc/TluXBO2ZG5I/AAAAAAAABao/REs_5jAvtBI/261936_10150264301291118_522021117_7645376_2374440_n%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Soviet uniform, Matua" width="506" /> </em><em>A Soviet tunic button complete with torn fabric oxidised to a piece of concrete, Matua</em></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="center">
<em><img alt="Tracked Vehicle, Matua" border="0" height="337" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jf2S3OQgzXc/TluW_ht0J3I/AAAAAAAABak/qEz1PsII5nw/261367_10150264294921118_522021117_7645330_7218339_n%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Tracked Vehicle, Matua" width="500" /> A decaying tracked utility vehicle, still housed in it’s garage on Matua</em></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="center">
<em><img alt="WWII Japanese Gun, Matua" border="0" height="341" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-za9Vo9FCaMc/TluXEvy-ApI/AAAAAAAABa0/ExzdQjIJRB4/271174_10150264301376118_522021117_7645378_310980_n%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="WWII Japanese Gun, Matua" width="506" /> A Japanese WWII Era Anti-Aircraft Gun remains to this day at the base on Matua</em></div>
<br />
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<em><img alt="Vehicle Graveyard, Matua" border="0" height="337" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Am-eMxmN3rM/TluXKkMwcjI/AAAAAAAABbI/WavpBExPQjw/282777_10150264295101118_522021117_7645332_5875917_n%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Vehicle Graveyard, Matua" width="500" />The vehicle graveyard on Matua was significant </em></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<em><img alt="Vehicle Graveyard, Matua" border="0" height="341" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--JkXyu532SU/TluXL1Lh0QI/AAAAAAAABbM/m5odc4iIN3c/284165_10150264295286118_522021117_7645334_7931641_n%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Vehicle Graveyard, Matua" width="506" /> Numerous command and control type trailers, filled with decaying electrical and electronic equipment filled the vehicle graveyard </em></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="center">
<em><img alt="Vehicle Graveyard, Matua" border="0" height="337" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ie7FB7TFjAc/TluXIXPiQTI/AAAAAAAABbA/RvGYLB45hGc/281928_10150264295196118_522021117_7645333_8194145_n%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Vehicle Graveyard, Matua" width="500" /> Numerous command and control type trailers, filled with decaying electrical and electronic equipment filled the vehicle graveyard</em> </div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<img alt="Matua" border="0" height="754" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-F1jLrp91750/Tm4CBeJlhJI/AAAAAAAABb8/rJ98VCLHBis/DSC_0324%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Matua" width="506" /><em>As seen on Urup, there was plenty of electronics equipment strewn around Matua as well</em></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<img alt="Matua Radar" border="0" height="341" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jn8LkHVmWBE/Tm4CCBdJPDI/AAAAAAAABcA/sSDCGZ8kn5w/DSC_0326%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Matua Radar" width="506" /><em>Significant Radar stations and associated equipment sit abandoned across the island</em></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<img alt="Matua 44 Gal Drums" border="0" height="341" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-u_pqtNF7ioQ/Tm4CDKUr0FI/AAAAAAAABcE/vCeD5oG0O3k/DSC_0341%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Matua 44 Gal Drums" width="506" /><em>Empty 44 Gallon Drums numbered in the thousands</em></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<img alt="Matua" border="0" height="341" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bj4GiEZZGdY/Tm4CEYikt7I/AAAAAAAABcI/MBeBHSLEYB0/DSC_0356%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Matua" width="506" /><em>One of the many “solid” buildings on the island</em></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<img alt="Matua Helmets" border="0" height="341" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XWH0KVQ0CKw/Tm4CFhKIBtI/AAAAAAAABcM/fTViQKjl2Ao/DSC_0374%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Matua Helmets" width="506" /><em>Many military helmets were scattered around the island. I would argue they were all Soviet era, however others speculate there were some WWII Japanese helmets amongst them</em></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<img alt="Matua Wehrmacht Drum 1943" border="0" height="341" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Em0q2rr1JhA/Tm4CHtQjBwI/AAAAAAAABcQ/vLlU1ATeVnM/DSC_0376%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Matua Wehmacht Drum 1943" width="506" /><em>This 44 Gallon Drum was particularly interesting, containing the inscription Wehrmacht and the date 1943. One could assume that it was left over from WWII supplies from Germany to their Japanese allies.</em></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<img alt="Matua" border="0" height="341" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RwsOEHLpy9o/Tm4CItFXWdI/AAAAAAAABcU/4_wE0nOG3Nw/DSC_0382%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Matua" width="506" /><em>Another heavily reinforced concrete building, which was connected to significant underground tunnels</em></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<img alt="Matua Helmets 2" border="0" height="341" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QP6eJlTnqdI/Tm4CJwQrajI/AAAAAAAABcY/YujP7L-o0vk/DSC_0383%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Matua Helmets 2" width="506" /><em>Many military helmets were scattered around the island. I would argue they were all Soviet era, however others speculate there were some WWII Japanese helmets amongst them</em></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<em></em></div>
<div align="center">
<img alt="Japanese bunkers Matua" border="0" height="341" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GfD3Kzq2LZA/Tm4CK2guFkI/AAAAAAAABcc/V77110khl4M/DSC_0423%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Japanese bunkers Matua" width="506" /><em>Japanese WWII era concrete defence bunkers still line the foreshore of Matua</em></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<img alt="Japanese bunkers Matua" border="0" height="341" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uTvCDEjVj3c/Tm4CLs2i5cI/AAAAAAAABcg/oJVRPkUBE8E/DSC_0428%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Japanese bunkers Matua" width="506" /><em>Japanese WWII era concrete defence bunkers still line the foreshore of Matua</em></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<br />
<strong>SIMUSHIR</strong><br />
<b><br /></b><br />
Out of three Cold War islands I was able to visit, SImushir was by far the most dramatic, interesting and fascinating. The island is essentially a series of four volcanic cones, with the northern one being a flooded caldera. In a situation reminiscent of the best Cold War James Bond movie, the soviets blasted an entrance channel into the caldera so Submarines and other vessels could access the base. And in a sign of the modern digital age we live in I was able to locate a picture of the actual blasting to make the entrance taking place (see below <a href="http://www.panoramio.com/photo/33276082" target="_blank"><em>©</em> All Rights Reserved by Sergey Nogovitsyn</a> ).<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.panoramio.com/photo/33276082" target="_blank"><em><img alt="© All Rights Reserved by Sergey Nogovitsyn" border="0" height="742" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OKJ0jb1rUa0/TluW91GEUoI/AAAAAAAABac/0F5C-hzAFdE/33276082%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="© All Rights Reserved by Sergey Nogovitsyn" width="506" /></em></a><em> In a sign of the times of this age of modern digital communication, I came across an original photo of the construction of the secret base, including this shot of the blasting of the entrance into the caldera </em><a href="http://www.panoramio.com/photo/33276082" target="_blank"><em>© All Rights Reserved by Sergey Nogovitsyn</em></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Simushir_ISS015-E-26171.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="NASA Simushir" height="334" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1a/Simushir_ISS015-E-26171.jpg/800px-Simushir_ISS015-E-26171.jpg" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="NASA Simushir" width="500" /></a><em>This NASA pic of Simushir, shows the four volcanic peaks in a line, with the final northern most caldera being the home of the Kraternyy Naval Base <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Simushir_ISS015-E-26171.jpg" target="_blank">(NASA/Wikipedia)</a></em></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.theoceanadventure.com/KIIE/KI8.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Broutana Bay Map (Wayne Brown)" border="0" height="381" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1T3aAO8Lxys/Tl4uGWC0fUI/AAAAAAAABbc/a5GW3L8ga1I/image%25255B6%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Broutana Bay Map (Wayne Brown)" width="506" /></a><em>A topographic map showing the northern Caldera and Broutana Bay </em><em>(Map from my friend <a href="http://www.theoceanadventure.com/KIIE/KI8.html" target="_blank">Wayne Brown at Ocean Adventures</a>)</em></div>
<br />
<br />
Construction of the base started in 1978, and went on to eventually house over 3000 people in the base town of Kraternyy. It’s no doubt given the era, and the fact it was constructed inside a volcanic caldera on an extremely remote island, that the base was “top secret”. However it’s quite ironic that abandoned as it is today, there is a sign on the hill naming the base and listing the units that were based there. Reminds me sort of like the bat cave, secret but everything labelled!<br />
<br />
A declassified US Navy report I located on line described the base as having the role of using its submarines to lay sea mines across the lines of supply in Northern Japan and around the Kurils in the event of outbreak of hostilities. There was also reportedly radar and electronic reconnaissance equipment for surveillance on the island as well.<br />
<br />
The following report was disseminated by the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reuters" target="_blank">Reuters</a> news agency in 1982, when the presence of this base became public knowledge.<br />
<br />
<h3>
<span style="color: maroon; font-family: Courier;"><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/1982/10/24/world/russians-said-to-have-built-submarine-base-near-japan.html" target="_blank">Russians Said to Have Built Submarine Base Near Japan</a></span></h3>
<h3>
<span style="color: maroon; font-family: Courier; font-size: xx-small;">Reuters</span></h3>
<h3>
<span style="color: maroon; font-family: Courier; font-size: xx-small;">Published: October 24, 1982</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Courier;"><span style="color: maroon;"><strong>TOKYO, Oct. 23— </strong>The Soviet Union has deployed attack type conventional submarines at a new base in the Kurile Islands in the north western Pacific, a Japanese newspaper reported today.</span></span> <br />
<span style="color: maroon; font-family: Courier;">The mass-circulation Yomiuri Shimbun quoted Japanese and American Government sources as saying that the submarine base had been built at the northern tip of Simushir Island, about 250 miles northeast of Japan's main northern island of Hokkaido.</span> <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<em><a href="http://www.panoramio.com/photo/33276082" target="_blank"><img alt="33276054" border="0" height="329" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-c7bjM-zRid8/TluW-jEl-6I/AAAAAAAABag/kVWmDUEz_qs/33276054%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="33276054" width="506" /></a> Early days of the base under construction <em></em><a href="http://www.panoramio.com/photo/33276082" target="_blank">© All Rights Reserved by Sergey Nogovitsyn</a><em></em></em></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
One could spend days or weeks wandering around this former town base. With numerous buildings, installations and facilities all pretty much left as they were at the end of the cold war. Nuclear Chemical and Biological warfare suits lay tossed around rooms. Once secret code rooms lay open to those who can get to the island. Kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, gun racks, sleeping quarters, sports rooms, lecture halls, movie theatres, all just left to decay in time. Charts lay on tables, maps line walls, book shelves filled with once relevant military information lie exposed to the elements through broken windows and rotting infrastructure. </div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
Exploring deep enough you can find secret stair cases to hidden rooms, some accessed through narrow passages with gun ports either side, that in its operational time would have allowed only authorised entry through threat of instant death to those who should not enter. In one such area I found an interesting curiosity, in one cupboard I chose to open, out of many that I could have, was a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cia" target="_blank">CIA</a> sticker! A kind of tourist sticker from CIA headquarters in Virginia. Whilst it looked like it had been there a long time, it could also have ben placed there more recently as a kind of joke. It did make me think it had ben there since the Soviet days as there were several other “western” stickers located nearby including a Mars Bar sticker. Being this was in the secret part of the building through hidden entrances, one could speculate this was a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kgb" target="_blank">KGB</a> or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GRU" target="_blank">Military Intelligence (GRU)</a> area of the complex.</div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<img alt="Kraternyy Base, Simushir" border="0" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiahOEffdlHmNPzWkxYdx5NdSpnIA9uwOw1uejKBU4QqqDykGv9Fk8hSXSYNTQZARHukrPAxJdUVy0VY8NzSLgDDtGuUj7fh9f7yjvzv7olWnkcvHeHDig5oj5PiCuL9Nd_-gkkS-e6H8w/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Kraternyy Base, Simushir" width="501" /><em>Kraternyy Naval Base, Simushir</em></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<em><img alt="Kraternyy Base, Simushir" border="0" height="341" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-w50IJVuRXqk/TluXCd15o7I/AAAAAAAABas/gpFMq26EP0E/268883_10150267453981118_522021117_7668700_8198614_n%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Kraternyy Base, Simushir" width="506" /> Kraternyy Base, Simushir</em></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<em><img alt="Kraternyy Base, Simushir" border="0" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5iugiMejxKyOhtVx3LzbWnQlv54hzIHV0wQGRG22zkVIrlLUh7UZ9NTB7ozjbm9EXXrTHLzUD8qHCyKNP1mrlGiM7jbaff8WrIYC1hH2WAuGu-EPDpOSkm_TE8s8KCD6kXQ6-ynKhRok/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Kraternyy Base, Simushir" width="506" /> </em> <em>Electronics inside on the buildings</em></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<em><img alt="Kraternyy Base, Simushir" border="0" height="341" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZUUq2qT9nr0/TluXFva6XzI/AAAAAAAABa4/zipgOLSTRLw/281433_10150267453771118_522021117_7668699_6839873_n%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Kraternyy Base, Simushir" width="506" /> Equipment inside the base</em></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<em><img alt="Kraternyy Base, Simushir" border="0" height="341" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8Wg7WYv0qLg/TluXHKZpkZI/AAAAAAAABa8/a_MiYo5mmMo/281503_10150267450171118_522021117_7668686_2442323_n%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Kraternyy Base, Simushir" width="506" /> </em> <em>An old Soviet Naval gun mount stands as a monument at Kraternyy Base</em></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<em><img alt="Kraternyy Base, Simushir" border="0" height="341" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ajQ88XLB0Sg/TluXJrYOjWI/AAAAAAAABbE/TlKPaolmtoo/282043_10150267453421118_522021117_7668698_3000582_n%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Kraternyy Base, Simushir" width="506" />NBC Warfare suits lay scattered everywhere </em></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<img alt="Kraternyy Base, Simushir" border="0" height="340" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SpPSBAicIGk/TluXNE1D6hI/AAAAAAAABbQ/ESD2G2RJLy8/5936562223_95eeed7364_z%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Kraternyy Base, Simushir" width="506" /><em>A former Soviet Submarine Tender that didn’t quite make it through the narrow entrance to the caldera during bad weather</em></div>
<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<img alt="Kraternyy Base, Simushir" border="0" height="341" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lrY4jgbtgak/Tm4YuzSgzSI/AAAAAAAABck/RZwSKE48oKE/DSC_0526%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Kraternyy Base, Simushir" width="506" /><em>Soviet propaganda covered many of the walls</em></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<img alt="Kraternyy Base, Simushir" border="0" height="754" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jiwj47_7BWg/Tm4YvsZNsRI/AAAAAAAABco/Cz60EzGhbHY/DSC_0533%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Kraternyy Base, Simushir" width="506" /><em>I found this CIA sticker inside a cupboard on the base!</em></div>
<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<img alt="Kraternyy Base, Simushir" border="0" height="341" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4BPDCc1pIuI/Tm4YwvJBXKI/AAAAAAAABcs/U1UXZ4WIikk/DSC_0552%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Kraternyy Base, Simushir" width="506" /><em>Inside the base</em></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<img alt="Kraternyy Base, Simushir" border="0" height="341" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qJPqn4R1EQQ/Tm4YxYEsrvI/AAAAAAAABcw/YMneWHaywWQ/DSC_0574%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Kraternyy Base, Simushir" width="506" /><em>Maps and charts were hung on walls and scattered on tables</em></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="center">
<img alt="Kraternyy Base, Simushir" border="0" height="754" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-YZrQ5iAM85s/Tm4YycwhP9I/AAAAAAAABc0/4EoSZdHSjq8/DSC_0584%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Kraternyy Base, Simushir" width="506" /><em>Several rooms were filled with gun racks</em></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="center">
<img alt="Kraternyy Base, Simushir" border="0" height="341" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Shk3ETMSLpI/Tm4YzcVeGRI/AAAAAAAABc4/vDzFKU1-d5s/DSC_0593%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Kraternyy Base, Simushir" width="506" /><em>A sign shows 1978, the year construction began on the base</em></div>
<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<img alt="Kraternyy Base, Simushir" border="0" height="341" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-a5_lHQYDz6A/Tm4Y0bTk-AI/AAAAAAAABc8/bKXf0tk1jeI/DSC_0596%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Kraternyy Base, Simushir" width="506" /><em>The irony of a top secret base, with a large sign on the hill declaring it’s name</em></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="center">
<img alt="Kraternyy Base, Simushir" border="0" height="341" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--30iB-8q6d8/Tm4Y1HpAVUI/AAAAAAAABdA/b1dyzYdCV48/DSC_0597%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Kraternyy Base, Simushir" width="506" /><em>And a further sign listing the units that were stationed there!</em></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<img alt="Kraternyy Base, Simushir" border="0" height="341" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TosdwymV8lk/Tm4Y2E73-3I/AAAAAAAABdE/nAwTGAMvGIA/DSC_0605%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Kraternyy Base, Simushir" width="506" /><em>The Soviet Naval Ensign, overlapping the then former Russian Naval Ensign, which since the fall of the Soviet Union is once again the flag of the Russian Fleet</em></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
To be able to wander freely through this once great military base, to see the significant infrastructure abandoned, to see the equipment left behind was an amazing experience. Knowing the strategic significance of this area still today, it would not surprise me if one day in the future we once again see the militarisation of the Kurils.</div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
<em>As my comrade Huckorivitch would say; nazdarovya!</em></div>
<hr />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://global-citizen-01.blogspot.com/2011/07/russian-far-east-kuril-island.html"> PART ONE: Russian Far East: Kuril Island Wilderness</a></span></b><br />
<hr />
<br />
<img alt="How Do I Get There Banner" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tWmdDB1VAUM/ThbbXvosU3I/AAAAAAAABYw/PWLDnGhzvlg/untitled-truecolo%252520r-08%25255B2%25255D%25255B2%25255D%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><br />
<br />
<strong>So you want to visit the Kurils?</strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong><br />
- being so remote and without airfields on al but the disputed islands next to Japan, the only way in is by ship.<br />
<br />
- several expedition cruise companies offer expeditions through the Kurils in the warmer ice free months of the year, departing either from Kamchatka or Hokkaido normally.<br />
<br />
- other than that its very difficult and expensive to get to these remote and unique islands<br />
<br />
<br />
<hr />
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=kuril+islands&aq=&sll=-24.367114,135.703125&sspn=43.271809,56.513672&vpsrc=6&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=47.428087,150.644531&spn=10.40794,21.972656&z=5&output=embed" width="500"></iframe></div>
<div align="center">
<br />
<small><a href="http://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&geocode=&q=kuril+islands&aq=&sll=-24.367114,135.703125&sspn=43.271809,56.513672&vpsrc=6&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=47.428087,150.644531&spn=10.40794,21.972656&z=5" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">View Larger Map</a></small></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
<small></small></div>
<div align="center">
<small></small></div>
<div id="scid:84E294D0-71C9-4bd0-A0FE-95764E0368D9:b05d52cc-4f96-4218-beb2-5b082d124789" style="display: block; float: none; margin: 0px auto; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 484px;">
<a href="http://www.bing.com/maps/default.aspx?v=2&cp=47.11834~150.9231&lvl=5&style=r&mkt=en-us&FORM=LLWR" id="map-b879844e-c273-4184-9590-d58154bd9f4a"><img alt="map-bc48ac95fbba" border="0" height="372" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-czH25N3KpLY/Tm4Y2gek7jI/AAAAAAAABdI/_0Ty0XQi1us/map-bc48ac95fbba%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="map-bc48ac95fbba" width="468" /></a><br />
<label for="map-b879844e-c273-4184-9590-d58154bd9f4a" style="font-size: 0.8em;">Kuril Islands</label></div>
<br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />
<div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:f63dd2a4-372c-4e62-aa44-98e3ccf49af6" style="display: inline; float: none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
del.icio.us Tags: <a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/soviet" rel="tag">soviet</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/russian+far+east" rel="tag">russian far east</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/kurils" rel="tag">kurils</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/cold+war" rel="tag">cold war</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/asia" rel="tag">asia</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/WWII" rel="tag">WWII</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/world+war+two" rel="tag">world war two</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/japanese" rel="tag">japanese</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/soviet+navy" rel="tag">soviet navy</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/submarine" rel="tag">submarine</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/mine+laying" rel="tag">mine laying</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/border+guard" rel="tag">border guard</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/kruriles" rel="tag">kruriles</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/urup" rel="tag">urup</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/matua" rel="tag">matua</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/simushir" rel="tag">simushir</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/broutana" rel="tag">broutana</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/kraternyy" rel="tag">kraternyy</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/caldera" rel="tag">caldera</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/secret" rel="tag">secret</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/GlobalCitizen01" rel="tag">GlobalCitizen01</a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:eb7ee44a-0e02-4ea8-b337-97e76eca7e32" style="display: inline; float: none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
Flickr Tags: <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/soviet" rel="tag">soviet</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/russian+far+east" rel="tag">russian far east</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/kurils" rel="tag">kurils</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/cold+war" rel="tag">cold war</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/asia" rel="tag">asia</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/WWII" rel="tag">WWII</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/world+war+two" rel="tag">world war two</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/japanese" rel="tag">japanese</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/soviet+navy" rel="tag">soviet navy</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/submarine" rel="tag">submarine</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/mine+laying" rel="tag">mine laying</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/border+guard" rel="tag">border guard</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/kruriles" rel="tag">kruriles</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/urup" rel="tag">urup</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/matua" rel="tag">matua</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/simushir" rel="tag">simushir</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/broutana" rel="tag">broutana</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/kraternyy" rel="tag">kraternyy</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/caldera" rel="tag">caldera</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/secret" rel="tag">secret</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/GlobalCitizen01" rel="tag">GlobalCitizen01</a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:d503d8aa-cc11-49d6-8371-83416a722d05" style="display: inline; float: none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/soviet" rel="tag">soviet</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/russian+far+east" rel="tag">russian far east</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/kurils" rel="tag">kurils</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/cold+war" rel="tag">cold war</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/asia" rel="tag">asia</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/WWII" rel="tag">WWII</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/world+war+two" rel="tag">world war two</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/japanese" rel="tag">japanese</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/soviet+navy" rel="tag">soviet navy</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/submarine" rel="tag">submarine</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/mine+laying" rel="tag">mine laying</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/border+guard" rel="tag">border guard</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/kruriles" rel="tag">kruriles</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/urup" rel="tag">urup</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/matua" rel="tag">matua</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/simushir" rel="tag">simushir</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/broutana" rel="tag">broutana</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/kraternyy" rel="tag">kraternyy</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/caldera" rel="tag">caldera</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/secret" rel="tag">secret</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/GlobalCitizen01" rel="tag">GlobalCitizen01</a></div>
<br />
<br />
<hr />
<div class="wlWriterHeaderFooter" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;">
This work is licensed under a <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/">Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives license.</a></div>
</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Viewing the blog in a feed reader will sometimes not show interactive content such as videos and slideshows. Please visit the blog directly in a web browser to see all content http://global-citizen-01.blogspot.com</div>Global Citizenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12681616837813544734noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5440177387992829927.post-67373203027911373712011-07-18T00:17:00.000+10:002011-09-13T10:54:52.161+10:00Russian Far East: Kuril Island Wilderness<p> </p> <p><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Kuril Islands Title Banner" border="0" alt="Kuril Islands Title Banner" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6mz0XKLZAdo/Tlo5TpmULRI/AAAAAAAABZE/a0tV7Up5_GU/kuril%252520%252520banner%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="90"> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuril_Islands" target="_blank">Kuril islands</a> stretch between Hokkaido in Japan’s north, up to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamchatka" target="_blank">Kamchatka Peninsula</a> that stretches off the Siberian mainland in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_of_Okhotsk" target="_blank">Sea of Okhotsk</a>. All of the Kuril Islands are currently part of Russia and have controversially been that way since the end of World War II in 1945. Much like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sakhalin" target="_blank">Sakhalin</a> from <a href="http://global-citizen-01.blogspot.com/2011/07/russian-far-east-sakhalin.html" target="_blank">the previous post</a>, the Kurils have changed hands between Japan and Russia constantly during modern times.</p> <p> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="Kuril Islands regional map/Wikipedia" alt="Kuril Islands regional map/Wikipedia" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/29/Sea_of_Okhotsk_map.png/657px-Sea_of_Okhotsk_map.png" width="500" height="457"><em>Regional map showing the strategic location of the Kurils (from <a href="http://www.wikipedia.org" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>)</em></p> <p align="center"><em></em> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Demis-kurils-russian_names.png" target="_blank"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="Kuril Islands Map - Wikipedia" alt="Kuril Islands Map - Wikipedia" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/50/Demis-kurils-russian_names.png" width="500" height="352"></a><em>Map of the Kuril Islands, showing the historically moving Russian-Japanese border in 1875, 1855 and the current controversial border that has been in effect since 1945 (from </em><a href="http://www.wikipedia.org"><em>Wikipedia</em></a><em>)</em></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>And again like Sakhalin there has been various treaties and agreements (or disagreements…) over the sovereign rights to the Kurils, exacerbated by the strategic location between Russian and the US (and US allies like Japan) during the cold war. Currently several of the islands are in dispute between Japan and Russia. Tee southern most Kurils, only a handful of miles off Japan, are <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuril_Islands_dispute" target="_blank">claimed by Japan as their Northern Territories</a>. The Russian’s have recently reactivated a military base on one of these islands have announced one of <a href="http://rt.com/politics/mistral-kuril-islands-military/" target="_blank">their new large naval helicopter carriers being purchased from France will be based there</a>. The Japanese claim to these islands is based around a treaty signed before the end of WWII, whereas Russia claims the treaty is overridden by the fact the Japanese lost the war, so why would the treaty be relevant, as the islands were taken during the closing stages of WWII. It is often said that as long as the US forces have bases in Japan, Russia will not relinquish it’s hold on the strategic Kurils.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="Soviet Era Radar, Matue, Kurils" alt="Soviet Era Radar, Matue, Kurils" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/261547_10150264294976118_522021117_7645331_6171660_n.jpg" width="500" height="338"><em>A Cold War radar station on Matua</em></p> <p align="center"><em></em> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="Rugged Kuril Islands, view from Brat Chirpoy" alt="Rugged Kuril Islands, view from Brat Chirpoy" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/268020_10150258934236118_522021117_7587933_5832641_n.jpg" width="500" height="338"><em>The rugged Kuril Islands have long been seen as a Strategic Buffer between the US and their allies and Russia</em></p> <p align="center"><em></em> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p>The points above withstanding, the majority of the cold war bases in the Kurils have been long abandoned. The islands are essentially void of populations with exception of the odd Salmon fisherman, or the odd scientific researcher or the odd adventurous traveller. The number one reason to visit the Kuril; islands today is for the wilderness and the wildlife. Large volcanic cones, steaming and erupting, surrounded by wild arctic foxes, seals and sea lions by the hundreds if not thousands lining the shore, and the diverse bird life which is almost unbelievable. In some places you can barely see the sky for all the birds!.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="Sky full of Birds, off Chirpoy, Kuril Islands" alt="Sky full of Birds, off Chirpoy, Kuril Islands" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/269660_10150258933796118_522021117_7587925_7149368_n.jpg" width="500" height="338"><em>The sky absolutely full of birds, off Chirpoy in the Kurils</em></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="Sea Lions off Chirpoy, Kuril Islands" alt="Sea Lions off Chirpoy, Kuril Islands" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/264673_10150258910491118_522021117_7587820_5482383_n.jpg" width="500" height="338"><em>Marine Mammals are abundant, this photo was off Chirpoy</em></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="left">The many islands of the Kurils have different names depending on which country is giving the name. The Japanese have their own names for the islands and the original <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ainu_people" target="_blank">Ainu people</a> who were the indigenous peoples of the region also had their own names. Since all the islands are technically Russian today, the “correct” names are also technically the Russian names, all political arguments aside….</p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="left">The following were the islands I was able to visit, listing the main highlight for visitors;</p> <div align="center"> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" width="400" align="center"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" width="159"> <p align="left"><strong><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urup" target="_blank">Urup</a></strong></p></td> <td valign="top" width="241"> <p align="left">Geology, old Border Guard post</p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="159"> <p align="left"><strong><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chirpoy" target="_blank">Chirpoy</a></strong></p></td> <td valign="top" width="241"> <p align="left">Marine Mammals, Birds</p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="159"> <p align="left"><strong><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ushishir" target="_blank">Yankicha</a></strong></p></td> <td valign="top" width="241"> <p align="left">Foxes, Geology</p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="159"> <p align="left"><strong><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlasov_Island" target="_blank">Atlasov</a></strong></p></td> <td valign="top" width="241"> <p align="left">Geology, old Prison Camp</p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="159"> <p align="left"><strong><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shumshu" target="_blank">Shumshu</a></strong></p></td> <td valign="top" width="241"> <p align="left">Sea Otters, Marine Mammals</p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="159"> <p align="left"><strong>Skaly Lovushky</strong></p></td> <td valign="top" width="241"> <p align="left">Marine Mammals, Birds</p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="159"> <p align="left"><strong><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matua_(island)" target="_blank">Matua</a></strong></p></td> <td valign="top" width="241"> <p align="left">old WWII and Soviet Air Base</p></td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top" width="159"> <p align="left"><strong><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simushir" target="_blank">Simushir</a></strong></p></td> <td valign="top" width="241"> <p align="left">old Soviet Naval Base</p></td></tr></tbody></table></div> <p align="left">I intend to cover the former Soviet remnants in the Kurils in a later post, but here we will look at the wilderness and the wildlife, island by island;</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="left"><strong>URUP</strong></p> <p align="left">The first of the group I was able to visit was Urup. Urup is larger than many of the Kurils and is just outside of the Japanese disputed territories. Originally inhabited by the indigenous Ainu who also inhabited Sakhalin, Hokkaido and the other Kurils, Japanese Colonists lived on the island during the times it belonged to Japan, and then Soviet Border Guards resided there from WWII till the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. Today apart from the odd Salmon fisherman, there is little habitation on the island.</p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="center"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="Fishing Boat on Urup, Kuril Islands" alt="Fishing Boat on Urup, Kuril Islands" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/269190_10150258564776118_522021117_7584887_2735691_n.jpg" width="500" height="338"><em>A fishing boat on Urup</em></p> <p align="center"><em></em> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="Wild Flowers on Urup, Kuril Islands" alt="Wild Flowers on Urup, Kuril Islands" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/262210_10150258564421118_522021117_7584877_7161721_n.jpg" width="500" height="378"><em>Wildflowers on Urup</em></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="5912040156_c31b61c7b2" border="0" alt="5912040156_c31b61c7b2" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Viu7kW9Nf-A/Tlo5Uua8pGI/AAAAAAAABZI/6rnxOPHATb0/5912040156_c31b61c7b2%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="337"> <em>Old Soviet Border Guard outpost on Urup</em></p> <p align="center"><em></em> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Urup" border="0" alt="Urup" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YtVRwJrv1BU/TlpoD6lKEAI/AAAAAAAABZM/VO9y7VxEjR8/image%25255B4%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="520" height="355"><em>Mountains and glaciers of Urup</em></p> <p align="center"><em></em> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Urup Fisherman" border="0" alt="Urup Fisherman" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tA0RCAWJb3o/TlpoG1Wow_I/AAAAAAAABZQ/8duo1J5tSqU/image%25255B85%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="520" height="768"><em>Local salmon fisherman camped out on Urup</em></p> <p align="left"><strong></strong> </p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="left"><strong>CHIRPOY</strong></p> <p align="left">Chirpoy and Brat Chirpoy (literally Russian for Chirpoy’s Brother) actually make up the island group known as Chyornie Bratya, although most visitors just refer to the islands collectively as “Chirpoy”. The native Ainu people called these islands <i>Repunmoshiri</i>, a word meaning “place of many small birds”, a a name still relevant today. As well as birds there was no shortage of Marine Mammals today either.</p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="center"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sRZI0rkHSKk/TlpoIrfHNEI/AAAAAAAABZU/PXJkzZqDXpE/image%25255B14%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="520" height="355"><em><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_fulmar" target="_blank">Northern Fulmars</a> (<i>Fulmarus glacialis)</i> and other birds fill the sky off Chirpoy</em></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="Tufted Puffin off Chirpoy" alt="Tufted Puffin off Chirpoy" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/262016_10150258910826118_522021117_7587826_3599656_n.jpg" width="500" height="396"><em>A <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tufted_puffin" target="_blank">tufted puffin</a> (<i>Fratercula cirrhata</i>) floats off Chirpoy</em></p> <p align="center"><em></em> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Steller Sea Lions" border="0" alt="Steller Sea Lions" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LgqudD2-rLE/TlpoLBBd2cI/AAAAAAAABZY/esUSEgoZhms/image%25255B9%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="520" height="349"><em><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steller_sea_lion" target="_blank">Steller Sea Lion</a> (<i>Eumetopias jubatus</i>) Rookery, Chirpoy</em> </p> <p align="left"><strong></strong> </p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="center"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Chirpoy Birds" border="0" alt="Chirpoy Birds" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VYcbt44DM9c/TlpoNQmhU4I/AAAAAAAABZc/2avRo6FyVOw/image%25255B17%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="520" height="355"><em>Every available surface was used by nesting birds on Chirpoy</em></p> <p align="left"><strong></strong> </p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="left"><strong>YANKICHA</strong></p> <p align="left">Yankicha is one of the islets making up Ushishir in the central Kurils. The northern islet is known as Ryponkicha. There appears to have never been any permanent human inhabitation on the island, although Ainu certainly visited the island during summers. Yankicha had abundant wild <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arctic_fox" target="_blank">Arctic Foxes</a> (<i>Vulpes lagopus)</i> running around, who showed now fear of humans, and lots of fumaroles and other volcanic activity. Volcanically heated water made for a great impromptu hot spring bath, although finding the right temperature was difficult as the water really was super hot. As with all the islands, there was no shortage of birds.</p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="center"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Makeshift bath - hot springs Yankicha" border="0" alt="Makeshift bath - hot springs Yankicha" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uFaP3Ls-Avc/TlpoPObKtYI/AAAAAAAABZg/S9qrCPHJarQ/image%25255B27%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="520" height="355"><em>Maxim, an officer from our navigation team, tries the impromptu hot spring feed bath</em></p> <p align="center"><em></em> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="Arctic Fox, Yankicha, Kurils" alt="Arctic Fox, Yankicha, Kurils" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/267485_10150259542101118_522021117_7592432_7681110_n.jpg" width="500" height="426"><em>An Arctic Fox wanders the shore line of Yankicha</em></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="Crested Auklets raft up off Yankicha, Kuril Islands" alt="Crested Auklets raft up off Yankicha, Kuril Islands" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/263455_10150259541996118_522021117_7592430_47677_n.jpg" width="500" height="382"><em>A raft of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crested_Auklet" target="_blank">Crested Auklets</a> (<i>Aethia cristatella</i>) drifts until being disturbed off Yankicha</em></p> <p align="center"><em></em> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="Birdlife of Yankitcha, Kuril Islands" alt="Birdlife of Yankitcha, Kuril Islands" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/269955_10150259541716118_522021117_7592426_2226163_n.jpg" width="500" height="338"><em>A <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slaty-backed_Gull" target="_blank">slaty-backed gull</a> <i>(Larus schistisagus)</i> stands proud while hundreds of Auklets and Puffins fill the sky behind at Yankicha</em></p> <p align="center"><em></em> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Arctic Fox Yankicha" border="0" alt="Arctic Fox Yankicha" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Q6GvHdvyOAY/TlpoRCdCHuI/AAAAAAAABZk/zoIuNnKAEck/image%25255B30%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="520" height="355"><em>Another Arctic Fox prowls around the fumaroles and volcanic vents on Yankicha</em></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="left"><strong>ATLASOVA</strong></p> <p align="left">Both the northern most island in the Kurils and the largest volcano, sitting off the southern tip of the Kamchatka Peninsula. It’s often described as one of the world’s most perfectly shaped volcanic cones, giving Japan’s Mount Fuji a run for it’s money. There are remains of a Soviet prison camp on the island still today.</p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="center"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="Atlasova, Kuril Islands" alt="Atlasova, Kuril Islands" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/282472_10150263275751118_522021117_7634649_4695114_n.jpg" width="500" height="338"><em>Atlasova, with it’s summit in the clouds</em></p> <p align="center"><em></em> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-L4tVZwQ_By4/TlpoTBmwboI/AAAAAAAABZo/6v_SXoz5kQk/image%25255B38%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="520" height="355"><em>The old Soviet prison back dropped by Atlasova’s Volcano</em></p> <p align="center"><em></em> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_rJgUJ09fi0/TlpoU-QzzGI/AAAAAAAABZs/QhXOTvZfS3I/image%25255B41%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="520" height="355"><em>One of Atlasova’s active volcanic vents</em></p> <p align="center"><em></em> </p> <p align="center"><em></em> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="left"><strong>SHUMSHU</strong></p> <p align="left">Like Atlasova, Shumshu is at the northern most end of the Kuril Chain, it was once home to a large number of Ainu and was significant Japanese base during the battles for the Aleutian Islands in WWII. The day of my visit was shrouded in fog, but numerous <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_otters" target="_blank">Sea Otters</a> (<i>Enhydra lutris</i>) and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spotted_seal" target="_blank">Spotted Seals</a> or Largha Seals (<i>Phoca largha</i>) showed themselves through the mist.</p> <p align="left"><strong></strong> </p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="center"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1nyO3O4kGAc/TlpoWsnAAFI/AAAAAAAABZw/303hQKB4DNk/image%25255B45%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="520" height="411"><em>Sea otters floating off Shumshu</em></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_bK7ktAWIHo/TlpoYdYm50I/AAAAAAAABZ0/HWyl0HOjSqM/image%25255B48%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="519" height="355"><em>A spotted seal pops up for a look at Shumshu</em></p> <p align="center"><em></em> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-csUBSb5qG2c/TlpoalTmRaI/AAAAAAAABZ4/Wxl31o3-8ZE/image%25255B52%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="520" height="379"><em>Another pair of Sea Otters off Shumshu</em></p> <p align="center"><em></em> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-CgMXUUwWKgY/TlpocoPXxNI/AAAAAAAABZ8/6doVG2b1mKE/image%25255B55%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="519" height="355"><em>Spotted Seals are also known as Largha Seals, Shumshu</em></p> <p align="center"><em></em> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNJ0FigAovyBcYZwfBPIi2qgTrQnKK3fwFLO-vMUf08C2otWQBDTI-MJiyP2C-NLYRRibCrJ4oiNPaECqVVN3WIeH6iuaYeAXxjqNGmZzDy84c_Gb9juelDFyQNSvPnx90vQ_gPh6a5l4/?imgmax=800" width="520" height="427"><em>Seals and Otters were the order of the day at Shumshu</em></p> <p align="center"><em></em> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="left"><strong>SKALY LOVUSHKY</strong></p> <p align="left"><strong></strong> </p> <p align="left">Hardly an island, Skaly Lovushky is nothing more than a pile of partly submerged rocks, surrounded by underwater kelp forests. This pile of rocks however is home to several seal and sea lion colonies, including the giant Steller Sea Lions. Whilst the Stellers were the most spectacular, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_fur_seal" target="_blank">Northern Fur Seals</a> (<i>Callorhinus ursinus</i>) were by far the most numerous.</p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="center"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--qsa484265g/Tlpogax7H8I/AAAAAAAABaE/GkNu2nKMogU/image%25255B73%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="520" height="355"><em>The giant Steller Sea Lions were in significant numbers around Skaly Lovushky</em></p> <p align="center"><em></em> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QajUq-LPY4o/TlpoiGIVsUI/AAAAAAAABaI/8iP5XtKniYE/image%25255B67%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="520" height="355"><em>But the Northern Fur Seals were the most numerous</em></p> <p align="center"><em></em> </p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-P5GK47dgygQ/Tlpoj5AnvXI/AAAAAAAABaM/V9y1PQNnl2M/image%25255B76%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="520" height="355"><em>The Northern Fur Seals seemingly had no fear swimming right up to our boats</em></p> <p align="center"><em></em> </p> <p align="center"><em></em> </p> <p align="center"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MmhBxC_5M4o/TlpolZ1hbYI/AAAAAAAABaQ/ki-skT2X-k4/image%25255B83%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="520" height="355"><em>Through the thick fog the giant frames of bull Steller Sea Lions could be seen atop the rocks</em></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>The incredible diversity and more so density of wildlife in the Kuril islands is impossible to describe with words and pictures, it needs to be seen, heard, smelt and experienced to appreciate it all……….</p> <p> </p> <p> <hr> </p> <p> <p><font size="5"><strong><a href="http://global-citizen-01.blogspot.com/2011/07/russian-far-east-cold-war-kurils.html" target="_blank">PART 2: Russian Far East: Cold War Kurils</a></strong></font></p> <p> <hr> </p> <p> </p> <p><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" alt="How Do I Get There Banner" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tWmdDB1VAUM/ThbbXvosU3I/AAAAAAAABYw/PWLDnGhzvlg/untitled-truecolo%252520r-08%25255B2%25255D%25255B2%25255D%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800"></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>So you want to visit the Kurils?</strong></p> <p>- being so remote and without airfields on al but the disputed islands next to Japan, the only way in is by ship.</p> <p>- several expedition cruise companies offer expeditions through the Kurils in the warmer ice=fee months of the year, departing either from Kamchatka or Hokkaido normally.</p> <p>- other than that its very difficult and expensive to get to these remote and unique islands</p> <p> </p> <hr> <p> <p> </p> <div align="center"><iframe height="350" marginheight="0" src="http://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=kuril+islands&aq=&sll=-24.367114,135.703125&sspn=43.271809,56.513672&vpsrc=6&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=47.428087,150.644531&spn=10.40794,21.972656&z=5&output=embed" frameborder="0" width="500" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no"></iframe><br><small><a style="text-align: left; color: #0000ff" href="http://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&geocode=&q=kuril+islands&aq=&sll=-24.367114,135.703125&sspn=43.271809,56.513672&vpsrc=6&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=47.428087,150.644531&spn=10.40794,21.972656&z=5">View Larger Map</a></small></div> <div align="center"><small></small> </div> <div align="center"><small></small> </div> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; width: 484px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:84E294D0-71C9-4bd0-A0FE-95764E0368D9:b05d52cc-4f96-4218-beb2-5b082d124789" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><a href="http://www.bing.com/maps/default.aspx?v=2&cp=47.11834~150.9231&lvl=5&style=r&mkt=en-us&FORM=LLWR" id="map-b879844e-c273-4184-9590-d58154bd9f4a" alt="View map" title="View map"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-iMeRT1TFxJI/Tlpol0URVCI/AAAAAAAABaU/HoL9yGtohiI/map-bc48ac95fbba.jpg?imgmax=800" width="468" height="372" alt="Kuril Islands"></a><br><label for="map-b879844e-c273-4184-9590-d58154bd9f4a" style="font-size:.8em;">Kuril Islands</label></div> <p> </p> <p> <hr> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:71411b14-9de9-47c0-b4c9-f9bf3ea21472" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Flickr Tags: <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/russian+far+east" rel="tag">russian far east</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/kuril+islands" rel="tag">kuril islands</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/kuriles" rel="tag">kuriles</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/chirpoy" rel="tag">chirpoy</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/brat+chirpoy" rel="tag">brat chirpoy</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/atlasova" rel="tag">atlasova</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/simushir" rel="tag">simushir</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/matua" rel="tag">matua</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/shumshu" rel="tag">shumshu</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/urup" rel="tag">urup</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/skaly+lovushky" rel="tag">skaly lovushky</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/lavashky" rel="tag">lavashky</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/sea+otter" rel="tag">sea otter</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/seal" rel="tag">seal</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/northern+fur" rel="tag">northern fur</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/sea+lion" rel="tag">sea lion</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/steller" rel="tag">steller</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/spotted" rel="tag">spotted</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/largha" rel="tag">largha</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/soviet" rel="tag">soviet</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/asia" rel="tag">asia</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/japan" rel="tag">japan</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/volcano" rel="tag">volcano</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/wilderness" rel="tag">wilderness</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/GlobalCitizen01" rel="tag">GlobalCitizen01</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/WWII" rel="tag">WWII</a>,<a href="http://flickr.com/photos/tags/ainu" rel="tag">ainu</a></div></p> <p> <p> </p> <p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:0e5fa03a-978d-4eab-a687-e40723d9b428" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/russian+far+east" rel="tag">russian far east</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/kuril+islands" rel="tag">kuril islands</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/kuriles" rel="tag">kuriles</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/chirpoy" rel="tag">chirpoy</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/brat+chirpoy" rel="tag">brat chirpoy</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/atlasova" rel="tag">atlasova</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/simushir" rel="tag">simushir</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/matua" rel="tag">matua</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/shumshu" rel="tag">shumshu</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/urup" rel="tag">urup</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/skaly+lovushky" rel="tag">skaly lovushky</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/lavashky" rel="tag">lavashky</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/sea+otter" rel="tag">sea otter</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/seal" rel="tag">seal</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/northern+fur" rel="tag">northern fur</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/sea+lion" rel="tag">sea lion</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/steller" rel="tag">steller</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/spotted" rel="tag">spotted</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/largha" rel="tag">largha</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/soviet" rel="tag">soviet</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/asia" rel="tag">asia</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/japan" rel="tag">japan</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/volcano" rel="tag">volcano</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/wilderness" rel="tag">wilderness</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/GlobalCitizen01" rel="tag">GlobalCitizen01</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/WWII" rel="tag">WWII</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/ainu" rel="tag">ainu</a></div></p> <p> </p> <p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:95eae0ef-f733-41c3-be9f-b0a07e0d1bb3" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent">del.icio.us Tags: <a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/russian+far+east" rel="tag">russian far east</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/kuril+islands" rel="tag">kuril islands</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/kuriles" rel="tag">kuriles</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/chirpoy" rel="tag">chirpoy</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/brat+chirpoy" rel="tag">brat chirpoy</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/atlasova" rel="tag">atlasova</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/simushir" rel="tag">simushir</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/matua" rel="tag">matua</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/shumshu" rel="tag">shumshu</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/urup" rel="tag">urup</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/skaly+lovushky" rel="tag">skaly lovushky</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/lavashky" rel="tag">lavashky</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/sea+otter" rel="tag">sea otter</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/seal" rel="tag">seal</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/northern+fur" rel="tag">northern fur</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/sea+lion" rel="tag">sea lion</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/steller" rel="tag">steller</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/spotted" rel="tag">spotted</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/largha" rel="tag">largha</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/soviet" rel="tag">soviet</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/asia" rel="tag">asia</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/japan" rel="tag">japan</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/volcano" rel="tag">volcano</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/wilderness" rel="tag">wilderness</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/GlobalCitizen01" rel="tag">GlobalCitizen01</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/WWII" rel="tag">WWII</a>,<a href="http://del.icio.us/popular/ainu" rel="tag">ainu</a></div></p> <p> <hr><div class="wlWriterHeaderFooter" style="margin:0px; padding:0px 0px 0px 0px;">This work is licensed under a <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/">Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives license.</a></div> <div class="blogger-post-footer">Viewing the blog in a feed reader will sometimes not show interactive content such as videos and slideshows. Please visit the blog directly in a web browser to see all content http://global-citizen-01.blogspot.com</div>Global Citizenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12681616837813544734noreply@blogger.com4