Day 3 in Hongkong
Survived my third night at Ah Shan hostel. Took the MTR to Tsim Sha Tsui for the Avenue of Stars walk. For the uninitiated, the Avenue of Stars walk is a salute to outstanding film makers / actors / actresses for their contribution and commitment to Hongkong's film industry. (pictures to fill this space after I return to Singapore).
Moved on to the pier to take the star ferry to Central for dim sum at Maxim. To get to Maxim, follow the directions pointing towards the City Hall. Over at the building where Maxim is, be careful not to mistake Maxim cafe for Maxim restaurant. Maxim is on the second level inside a huge ballroom with grand candeliers.
Maxim dim sum is old school, with tea ladies pushing carts of dim sum around. Do note that maxim is thrice the price of Tim Ho Wan, with each plate costing an average of HKD39. Portions were slightly bigger than Tim Ho Wan (from here on known as THW) but not as tasty. Maxim's prawn rice noodle ("har chiong") and beancurd skin shrimp roll was nicer than THW. Siew mai's prawns fresh but skin too clammy for my liking. The taste of flour lingers.
On the whole, I'd say Maxim falls short in comparison to THW. Dim sum in Maxim lacks that bit of magic. For me, THW was love at first bite. My opinions are therefore skewed towards THW :p
A thirty minute ride on bus 15 brought us to the Peak ("shan teng"). Being the cultured people (ahem!!) that we are, we headed to Madame Tussauds at the Peak galleria. Entry at Madame Tussauds is HKD160 person. Meet Brad Pitt and slap Angelina Jolie or rub shoulders with Obama and Eistein.
Trekked up the Hong Kong Trail (to the right of the Peak tower in the direction of Lugard Road). The trail was 4km long and I became mosquito feed. The view from above over Hongkong is breathtaking. Up there, Hongkong slows down to a stroll. Top it up with fluff white clouds skimming over the top of the mountain tops, casting shadows over them. Left me speechless.
As day slipped into night, the buildings faded and gave way to colored bright lights to showcase Hongkong's city skyline with splendour. Fucking gorgeous. Anyway, took the tram down the Peak. Travelling down at a 45 degree angle made buildings look perpendicular to the tram, like the scene in Inception where the girl flipped buildings overhead.
That ends day 3 of Hongkong. Feet are screaming in pain since I wasn't exactly in shoes cut out for the trail. Doing the Dragon Back's Trail tomorrow. It's estimated to take 3 hours for the whole trail. God knows how much more pain my feet can take. But then again, if it can take a night of clubbing in 5 inch stilettos, what's trekking in bad shoes?
September 13, 2010
Legs a bit sore from trekking up the mid-levels in the heavy downpour. I wonder how the people up there survive, say if one day you forgot to take your laptop along with you to work and have to turn around to get it, and the escalator is working in the opposite direction. I will worship any girl who can do 4 inch heels on it. Lol!
Every day rain. Sigh!
p.s. My travel mates have banned me from leaving my room alone at night. Ban came with stern spanking warning. Sob! I want some soy bean milk!
Every day rain. Sigh!
p.s. My travel mates have banned me from leaving my room alone at night. Ban came with stern spanking warning. Sob! I want some soy bean milk!
Day 2 in Hongkong
Started drizzling the moment we were ready to head out. Hungry stomachs were not dampened by the drizzle and cloudy skies. From our hostel, we crossed the road and headed north in search of Tim Ho Wan.
Tim Ho Wan opens for business from 10am to 10pm, but they stop taking orders at 8.30pm. The place was easy to find and the queue that was fast building up outside its doors at 9.40am is a sure sign that you've got the right place. The place sits 20 to 30 people and even though we got there pretty early but didn't quite get there in time to be their first batch of customers. Got a queue number and waited for another 45 min (1045am).
First up was their congee. Amazing! Smooth with just the right blend of sweetness and saltiness. Shrimp dumplings ("har gao") and rice noodles ("cheong fun") were wrapped and thin crystal skin. A must try is their signature crispy char siew bao. Instead of the traditional steamed buns, Tim Ho Wan fries them. Crisp and sweet on the top, savory and juicy char siew within and rounded up nicely with the soft bun base.
In all the four of us ordered 15 dishes. Every bite was a piece of heaven. The wait was DEFINITELY worthwhile. The total bill came up to HKD232 which comes up to S$10 per person. Total satisfaction. Cheap and delicious.
Gillian kept insisting on going to a "goldfish market" after breakfast. We got lost and I was close to giving up thinking what can be so fascinating about this "goldfish market". I mean, do we seriously need to see goldfish in Hongkong?!! We did eventually find it and boy was it fun. Endless rows of colorful fish in packets. Aesthetically pleasing to the camera lens. There were also shops selling leopard tortoises and Jurassic Park lookalike lizards (tiny lar, say palm sized. Fucking scary though!) Alongside those aquariums were pet shops with cute puppies kittens guinea pigs. I'm a sucker for colors and cute animals so I was sold. I shall eat my words! Must go if you just want to laugh and take cute photos.
Queen's street for H&M thereafter bought pretty scarves and some clothes... Staying absolutely concious that I already have too many clothes in my bursting wardrobe. And so my perseverance died the moment I stepped foot into giordano ladies and set eyes on this amazing blazer and pants. Pop goes the weasel!
Pour. Like. Crazy. in the evening so much so that rainwater was gushing out of a manhole on the streets. Mad crazy!
Oh I must add we also had the best egg tarts in town (also recommended by lonely planet) over at Tai Cheong bakery on 32 Lyndhurst Tce. I was the lucky one out of the four who got egg tarts fresh out of the oven. At HKD5 a tart, the egg tarts make you want to go back for more. Wobbly middles and crumbly crusts. I'm going back for more tomorrow!!!
The rest if the day was spent roaming around ladies market and mongkok.
Note to self: yummy fried squid at corner shop on the right of the end of ladies market. HKD15 a packet. Ryan will eat until die. Mad love!
Travel mates made good effort to stay out with me till 12 midnight! There is hope in the world!!!
Tsim Sha Tsui for Avenue of Stars walk and star ferry followed by dim sum at Maxim palace tomorrow! Yay. More dim sum!
Started drizzling the moment we were ready to head out. Hungry stomachs were not dampened by the drizzle and cloudy skies. From our hostel, we crossed the road and headed north in search of Tim Ho Wan.
Tim Ho Wan opens for business from 10am to 10pm, but they stop taking orders at 8.30pm. The place was easy to find and the queue that was fast building up outside its doors at 9.40am is a sure sign that you've got the right place. The place sits 20 to 30 people and even though we got there pretty early but didn't quite get there in time to be their first batch of customers. Got a queue number and waited for another 45 min (1045am).
First up was their congee. Amazing! Smooth with just the right blend of sweetness and saltiness. Shrimp dumplings ("har gao") and rice noodles ("cheong fun") were wrapped and thin crystal skin. A must try is their signature crispy char siew bao. Instead of the traditional steamed buns, Tim Ho Wan fries them. Crisp and sweet on the top, savory and juicy char siew within and rounded up nicely with the soft bun base.
In all the four of us ordered 15 dishes. Every bite was a piece of heaven. The wait was DEFINITELY worthwhile. The total bill came up to HKD232 which comes up to S$10 per person. Total satisfaction. Cheap and delicious.
Gillian kept insisting on going to a "goldfish market" after breakfast. We got lost and I was close to giving up thinking what can be so fascinating about this "goldfish market". I mean, do we seriously need to see goldfish in Hongkong?!! We did eventually find it and boy was it fun. Endless rows of colorful fish in packets. Aesthetically pleasing to the camera lens. There were also shops selling leopard tortoises and Jurassic Park lookalike lizards (tiny lar, say palm sized. Fucking scary though!) Alongside those aquariums were pet shops with cute puppies kittens guinea pigs. I'm a sucker for colors and cute animals so I was sold. I shall eat my words! Must go if you just want to laugh and take cute photos.
Queen's street for H&M thereafter bought pretty scarves and some clothes... Staying absolutely concious that I already have too many clothes in my bursting wardrobe. And so my perseverance died the moment I stepped foot into giordano ladies and set eyes on this amazing blazer and pants. Pop goes the weasel!
Pour. Like. Crazy. in the evening so much so that rainwater was gushing out of a manhole on the streets. Mad crazy!
Oh I must add we also had the best egg tarts in town (also recommended by lonely planet) over at Tai Cheong bakery on 32 Lyndhurst Tce. I was the lucky one out of the four who got egg tarts fresh out of the oven. At HKD5 a tart, the egg tarts make you want to go back for more. Wobbly middles and crumbly crusts. I'm going back for more tomorrow!!!
The rest if the day was spent roaming around ladies market and mongkok.
Note to self: yummy fried squid at corner shop on the right of the end of ladies market. HKD15 a packet. Ryan will eat until die. Mad love!
Travel mates made good effort to stay out with me till 12 midnight! There is hope in the world!!!
Tsim Sha Tsui for Avenue of Stars walk and star ferry followed by dim sum at Maxim palace tomorrow! Yay. More dim sum!
September 12, 2010
i will blog about hongkong for my boyfriend who misses me like crazy and is worried that i'll die living in a hostel rather than a five star hotel
Day 1 in Hongkong
Our flight with jetstar was delayed by three hours. We finally touched down at 520 pm (local hk time). Got our octopus cards and headed to the bus terminal to board bus A21 to Mongkok (which is the 6th stop) where Ah Shan Hostel is.
Ah Shan hostel is tiny. A room for two with a private bathroom is barely half the size of my room. But I must say for $30 a night, it's quite a steal. Room is clean with airconditioning, wi-fi and water heater. Towels, shower foam and shampoo provided. I have yet to see the exterior of the building tomorrow morning as it's now too dark to determine...but from the looks of the stairway and corridors, I think I'll be in for some massive shock when God turns the lights on.
Since plans to camwhore with the clock tower at Tsim Sha Tsui have been disrupted by plane delay, dinner was up once we put our bags in our rooms. Dinner was at Fok Lai Restaurant under recommendation of lonely planet hongkong. To get there, take the MTR from Mongkok to Prince Edward station. It's only one stop and takes about 5 minutes. Take exit D, cross the road and you'll arrive at the back entrance of Fok Lai restaurant. The restaurant does not have menus so just whack and see what they have.
Must tries include the fried squid, clams ("hei" in Cantonese) in black bean sauce, goose meat ("orr pin") and omelette ("fu yong dan"). The bill came up to HKD388 for the four of us, which is approximately S$18 a person.
After hearing much raves about Shui Lau Shan, we grabbed a cup of A2 Mango drink with hermus jelly (HKD20 a cup or HKD30 for 2). Verdict: Nice and refreshing but too sweet for my liking. Then again, desserts are meant to be sweet! :p I'm sure the bf would love it.
Ladies street ("Looi yarn gai") hasn't changed since 5 years ago. They're still selling the same kinda things like magnets and fake gucci and slutty nightie and kinky briefs for males. Not my cup of tea so ten minutes and I was done.
1030 and back to hostel. I know, it's Hongkong right? Who goes on a holiday to Hongkong and sleeps before 12? Well my Hongkong travel mates apparently. Zzzz..
Waking up at 830 tomorrow to yum cha (in all Hongkong gusto) at one Michelin star Tim Ho Wan. Rated the BEST dim sum in hongkong with a demeaning queue of up to 2 hours. Eggcited! Can't wait to sink my teeth into warm juicy pouches of har gao! (((:
Nights world! I hear the honks going off below. Me love Hongkong! The boys the food and the language.
Day 1 in Hongkong
Our flight with jetstar was delayed by three hours. We finally touched down at 520 pm (local hk time). Got our octopus cards and headed to the bus terminal to board bus A21 to Mongkok (which is the 6th stop) where Ah Shan Hostel is.
Ah Shan hostel is tiny. A room for two with a private bathroom is barely half the size of my room. But I must say for $30 a night, it's quite a steal. Room is clean with airconditioning, wi-fi and water heater. Towels, shower foam and shampoo provided. I have yet to see the exterior of the building tomorrow morning as it's now too dark to determine...but from the looks of the stairway and corridors, I think I'll be in for some massive shock when God turns the lights on.
Since plans to camwhore with the clock tower at Tsim Sha Tsui have been disrupted by plane delay, dinner was up once we put our bags in our rooms. Dinner was at Fok Lai Restaurant under recommendation of lonely planet hongkong. To get there, take the MTR from Mongkok to Prince Edward station. It's only one stop and takes about 5 minutes. Take exit D, cross the road and you'll arrive at the back entrance of Fok Lai restaurant. The restaurant does not have menus so just whack and see what they have.
Must tries include the fried squid, clams ("hei" in Cantonese) in black bean sauce, goose meat ("orr pin") and omelette ("fu yong dan"). The bill came up to HKD388 for the four of us, which is approximately S$18 a person.
After hearing much raves about Shui Lau Shan, we grabbed a cup of A2 Mango drink with hermus jelly (HKD20 a cup or HKD30 for 2). Verdict: Nice and refreshing but too sweet for my liking. Then again, desserts are meant to be sweet! :p I'm sure the bf would love it.
Ladies street ("Looi yarn gai") hasn't changed since 5 years ago. They're still selling the same kinda things like magnets and fake gucci and slutty nightie and kinky briefs for males. Not my cup of tea so ten minutes and I was done.
1030 and back to hostel. I know, it's Hongkong right? Who goes on a holiday to Hongkong and sleeps before 12? Well my Hongkong travel mates apparently. Zzzz..
Waking up at 830 tomorrow to yum cha (in all Hongkong gusto) at one Michelin star Tim Ho Wan. Rated the BEST dim sum in hongkong with a demeaning queue of up to 2 hours. Eggcited! Can't wait to sink my teeth into warm juicy pouches of har gao! (((:
Nights world! I hear the honks going off below. Me love Hongkong! The boys the food and the language.
August 17, 2010
October 30, 2009
This Is It was spectacular. An incredible display of his talent, courtesy, love and care. No pretenses, just pure heart into his music. What should have been was an amazing amazing performance which will be remembered for the next century. I sat there motionless for 2 hours.
Amazing. I don't believe there is another performer who can touch me enough with his songs to make me cry buckets in public.
The king of pop he will forever be.
<3
Amazing. I don't believe there is another performer who can touch me enough with his songs to make me cry buckets in public.
The king of pop he will forever be.
<3
October 27, 2009
October 26, 2009
This coming November seems sweeter than the last, mainly because i'm planning to take two weeks off work. If everything rolls out as planned (i.e, Emirates remains friendly at $666, Jessie doesn't vanish), I'll be off to Melbourne from the 8th to the 13th. My first solo holiday out and the thought of taking a flight out on my own is sending jitterbugs down my spine but there's always a first in everything.
And when I return, it'll be time for huns - a nice weekend at M hotel to celebrate Ryan's birthday. I've done the scrapbook thing, the cookie / cupcake / brownie / cakes fiesta, the rounding up of friends for a surprise deal. I have three more weeks to crack my head and come up with something to impress, which is proving to be harder than I thought it'd be. My creative juices have run dry and I blame it on the months being trapped inside my office cubicle churning tax comps. HA ha.
Tomorrow I will go to the library and borrow a book on Melbourne, or I will attempt to be the sweet lovergirl and start searching for the PERFECT GIFT.
And when I return, it'll be time for huns - a nice weekend at M hotel to celebrate Ryan's birthday. I've done the scrapbook thing, the cookie / cupcake / brownie / cakes fiesta, the rounding up of friends for a surprise deal. I have three more weeks to crack my head and come up with something to impress, which is proving to be harder than I thought it'd be. My creative juices have run dry and I blame it on the months being trapped inside my office cubicle churning tax comps. HA ha.
Tomorrow I will go to the library and borrow a book on Melbourne, or I will attempt to be the sweet lovergirl and start searching for the PERFECT GIFT.
June 14, 2009
i'm so tired i feel like curling into a ball and hiding away from the world for a while. work is depressing and routine. people are judgemental and political. the only thing that keeps me going is my ability to shut off and pretend that these trivial things don't matter.
100 more cases to go in the next one month and a half before i'm done for the year. It's not possible. i don't see the light at the end of the tunnel.
100 more cases to go in the next one month and a half before i'm done for the year. It's not possible. i don't see the light at the end of the tunnel.
January 10, 2009
January 06, 2009
it breaks my heart to read the news everyday.
death after death after death... how can there be so much hatred in the world? aren't we all the same? a different race, a different skin colour, speaking a different language. but aren't we all children of God, with the same two eyes nose ears mouth limbs living on the same soil on the same planet.
i don't know man...
maybe i shouldn't even read the news to spare myself from the heartache and tears.
death after death after death... how can there be so much hatred in the world? aren't we all the same? a different race, a different skin colour, speaking a different language. but aren't we all children of God, with the same two eyes nose ears mouth limbs living on the same soil on the same planet.
i don't know man...
maybe i shouldn't even read the news to spare myself from the heartache and tears.
January 04, 2009
Gaza fears, Mumbai memories, economic collapse, thailand unrest and a whole series of tragedies. I feel almost guilty that amidst all the suffering going on around me, I'm still living comfortably with family, friends, a roof over my head and no financial woes. Often times I think I take all these daily comforts for granted. What is a little flu, emotional issues, or a bad day compared to all those who live from day to day, not knowing whether or not they'll live to see the sunrise the next day? When will they stop giving ridiculous reasons to fight? it's clearly their greed and insecurities. Innocent lives are paying for their obsession.
Sigh. The world is falling into pieces.
Sigh. The world is falling into pieces.
December 29, 2008
October 14, 2008
September 05, 2008
it's not your day when...
-your internet takes 10minutes to load one page
-your printer prints baby blue and pink instead of black
-the copiers of photocopying shops in your estate are down
-your normally efficient optician tells you your contact lenses still aren't ready. there has been a problem on the supplier's side
i find it hard to believe that i will be caught so ill-prepared.
-your internet takes 10minutes to load one page
-your printer prints baby blue and pink instead of black
-the copiers of photocopying shops in your estate are down
-your normally efficient optician tells you your contact lenses still aren't ready. there has been a problem on the supplier's side
i find it hard to believe that i will be caught so ill-prepared.
September 02, 2008
choices
you play with fire hoping that your swipe at the flame will be at that one spot where the flame won't bite and burn you.
why is it that people bother to consider the obviously wrong choice when the right one's staring at them in the face? is it human instinct to test waters and hope that by some chance they'll find an escape route?
hmm.
you play with fire hoping that your swipe at the flame will be at that one spot where the flame won't bite and burn you.
why is it that people bother to consider the obviously wrong choice when the right one's staring at them in the face? is it human instinct to test waters and hope that by some chance they'll find an escape route?
hmm.
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