We checked out a luxurious cinema lounge many years ago in a hotel downtown in Taipei, as well as fancy gold class in the Living Mall more than a decade ago, so we're not surprised they seem to be popping up all over the place these days. It seems there are many people who don't mind splashing a bit of cash to enjoy generous and private seating, blankets and service and all sorts of upmarket snacks meals and drinks.
The latest, gleaming new iteration is the Royal Cinema at Dahzi, run by the Miramar company. All six auditoriums in the complex in the basement level are dedicated to the luxury formula, and there are ushers and waiters and restaurant and bar staff all over the place. The lounge outside is equally luxurious and beautifully appointed: I imagine these types of attractions are especially appealing when they are brand new, and this one is. We selected the front seats in the middle and although there were another few couples in there it felt as if we had it to ourselves. Coddled and cosseted in our blankets, we enjoyed the screening of Papillon, although we suspected it was mostly because of the surroundings!
We decided to check out a different restaurant over in that area as well, so booked it in good time to exit the cinema then scooter the few blocks across and away from the giant ferris wheel in the Dahzi proper shopping district. Mayur Indian Kitchen had a good atmosphere and some exotically rich northern Indian fare: so exotic and rich in fact that we both had some "reaction" to it later on! Cass had indigestion through the night and we're sure it was the very rich flavoured curries and large doses of pastry accompanying the vege samosas and potato balls Mumbai style. She also judges each Indian restaurant by the standard of their lime and sodas, and this one had a weird curry flavour infused in it: we'll venture back, but avoid the curry sodas and the heavy pastry next time!
Cass had a Book Club meeting on Friday night at Lisa's place and of course, wonderful cooking and spirited discourse were on the menu. They've had a flurry of meetings of late and this meeting managed to gather together most of the reading clan. Lisa's daughter is a cute 3 year old supposedly being corralled by her husband, but who kept escaping to reveal certain toys or her Hello Kitty pajamas! They had an excellent night once again.
I met up with Shaun and Wal down at Ulis: we started quite late as Wal's boys were having trouble settling into bed. We've had Shaun as a special guest two weeks in a row now....I think he's trying to squeeze in as many visits as he can get now the dreaded shippers have been and gone from his place. They say that when your worldly goods have gone and you're living from a suitcase that the impending move really hits home. The whirlwind of farewell parties starts in a couple of weeks, so I don't know how many more chances we'll get. We had a chat about all sorts of things, including some school issues as well as plans for the trip back home.
The "girls", VirgnMary, are in declining health, at least Virg is. She's taken to sitting on the very corner of our big floor mats much like an Olympic gymnast preparing for a tumbling run. The analogy ends there, unfortunately, as she is increasingly skinny, listless and suffering from arthritic joints in her shoulders and front legs. Neither of them is eating very much, but they drink loads, meaning their clumping litter is filled with big, urine hailstones at regular intervals. Virg meows to jump up on Cassy's lap where she turns and turns, settles and re-settles trying to find a spot to ease her aching joints. Despite these ailments, they both seem happy and almost in reasonable health with shining coats and cool, wet noses. They're 15 and they're hangin' in there.
A horrific train derailment happened yesterday in Yilan on the east coast. As sad as it is, it also resonated with us as we had very tentative plans of visiting the east coast during Thanksgiving break by train: I think if we do it now, it will be by car! I can't keep up with Cassy's voracious reading habits of late and she's read countless books: I'll try to catch up with them next week. I gave up on Richard Flanagan's book and have since read new titles from some of my "comfort" authors including Lee Child, Stephen King and John Sandford. I'll sink my literary teeth back in to some quality steak soon: I needed a little break with some fairy floss! Photos: some cat food for the picky, "New Square" at Dahzi shots, including a Sidney Nolan Ned Kelly style toilet sign!