Wednesday, 28 May 2014

Los cabos : a gorgeous paradise on earth in Mexico



Secrets 

Technically a 2h trip, but a 3h due to time difference from San Francisco

The view that welcomes you





The gradient azure blue and green sea 


The precious treasures of the earth bestowed by God



Enjoy!


Unlimited luxury! 





Monday, 12 May 2014

San Fran : ideas from hotel G

Lombard Street/Cable Cars/Coit Tower

Three Bay Area classics you must experience. First off, we never get tired of driving downLombard Street. It’s a crazy crooked street and most definitely worth checking out. Next, ride the cable car. Cliché? Sure. But even though it’s a cliché, it’s still awesome. After that, head to Coit Tower, where you get an incredible 360-degree view of the city. See why we think it’s the most beautiful city in the world. Take someone you love with you.

Yerba Buena Arts Center

In search of culture? You’re in the right place. The Yerba Buena Arts Center is devoted to contemporary visual art, performance, and film/video representing diverse cultural and artistic perspectives, and supports contemporary artists from around the world. Super cutting edge. Super local. Super activist. Even its corporate-sponsored activities are mind-blowing, turning the YBAC into a hub of innovative thought. One of our favorites.

The Ferry Building

Okay, local food movements seem to be, um, sprouting up everywhere, but the Ferry Building hosts an incredible marketplace that is the place to go if you want to be in on the San Francisco culinary scene. Tons of local artisans with homemade cheeses, cured meats, herbs, pastry and spices. The farmers market is renowned as being one of the best in the US. Massively impressive.

(Personal note: this is at the embarcado area. Check this out when you are going to pier 39, fisherman's wharf and the Alcatraz. Do note that there is a lot of organic food. Doesn't come cheap though. Do enjoy the wonderful performances too.)


Hearts of San Francisco

This is a cool way to see what local artists are doing. The “Hearts of San Francisco” is a project inspired by the International Cowparade Exhibit in which heart sculptures are designed by different artists and installed at different locations throughout the city. The sculptures are auctioned at year end by the “Heroes and Hearts” organization to benefit San Francisco General Hospital.

Off the Grid

Yum. Yum. Off the Grid is a series of traveling food trucks that hook up at 23 weekly markets. Think of it as a roaming food extravaganza. The idea: a shared food experience as a way to connect communities. So share a bao. Sample a chocolate taco. Try the Huli Huli Chicken or Kalua Pork and get transported to Hawaii. (Well, not, literally. But the food’s that good.) And you’re not going to find anything like it in any restaurant, so chow down.

Precita Eyes Muralists

We love the fact that San Francisco is a virtual outdoor art gallery. Streets and alleys become more than just a way to get somewhere. City walls turn into canvases. Graffiti makes the ordinary extraordinary. Our recommendation? Take an organized or self-guided, curated outdoor mural tour. Don’t miss an eyeful.

Golden Gate Park

Here’s the lowdown. Golden Gate Park is one of the most beautiful, amazing parks you’ve ever seen. Hands down. Gardens in every flavor: the Japanese Tea Garden, the Botanical Garden, the Rose Garden, Tulip Gardens. The DeYoung Museum. You could spend days at the California Academy of Sciences. And if you’re traveling with kids, Golden Gate Park is perfect for families. Incredible. Amazing. Must go.

Saturday, 10 May 2014

Hong Kong : On Lee noodles at shau kei wan good food

Figuring out what good food to eat in Hong Kong? 



You know the simple broth is the bomb when famous people eat here!

On Lee Noodle (安利大排檔)
Who doesn’t want to hit the spot where CY and his wife enjoy dining?

 First glance at the windows of On Lee and you’ll see plenty of newspaper clippings of the incumbent Chief Executive and his missus slurping on some of the cha chaan teng’s famous beef brisket noodles and fish ball soups. 

Though there’s always a crowd here, the service is brisk and the food is heartwarmingly satisfying. 

But seriously, all that is moot when you can sit right next to CY for dinner, right? 57 Shau Kei Wan Main St E; 2567 7122. $100.


Here's the shopfront. Don't miss it!

;) 




Friday, 2 May 2014

Hong Kong : What to see, do and eat attractions in Hong Kong (HK) 4 days 3 nights tour itenary

Day 1


Reach airport at 2pm

Take airport express (buy from the counter 2 pax group tic cheaper than buying 1 by 1 card from the machine)
Alight at Kowloon (for Kowloon) / Hong Kong station (Hk island)

Assuming Hk island, walk from Hong Kong station to central station and take mtr / taxi to location (approx 1h)

Bathe and settle in, eat a light snack dim sum

Awarded Newsweek 101 best places to eat in the world 



Dinner: Thai food 

Night attraction: the peak 

Day 2- nature's glory 

Start at 8am

Shek O beach - refer to Shek o beach post for details.

Dragon's back - refer to other dragon's back post for more details.


Eat lunch (approx 2pm) 

Tip in HK: Hk often have hearty tea set. If you can eat around 2 or 2.30pm, go for it. Now don't let the name mislead you... It's not just scones and tea. It usually has noodles, drinks and soup - just like lunch, albeit at discounted price at stores. Pricing: instead of hkd60, it can be hkd30 (so you save hkd30, around sgd$6 for each set)

Highly recommended eating spot 



Lazy to walk too much since you have paid your dues?

Take a tram (Hk has fantastic and cheap transport) it costs only hkd2.5 and it's a flat fee. Only pay when alighting. Use an octopus card, just tap and go. This saves you the trouble from finding change and all.

You can just anyhow take a tram and explore the places. The tram goes to places like north point, causeway bay, sheung wan etc

For sheung wan, check out Hollywood road for old school charm. It's also a good place for brunch and chill in the cafe. Happy people watching! Having a good book in help will be awesome too!




Go nuts shopping @ sogo causeway bay if you enjoy. Skincare products are usually cheaper in Hong Kong then Singapore. I would suppose its due to Hk being a tax free city. 

Dinner and party 
Soho @ central to chill and party the night away 

Day 3- museum day 

Breakfast: eat dim sum @ Tim Ho Wan



Favourite outlet near fortress hill (residential area) ; use Olympia plaza and city garden hotel as your landmark. It's opposite a primary school at wharf road.

Weekday - typically no queue; expect queues at weekend 

Go to a history museum to learn more about Hk, art or how about the science centre? They are mainly located at Kowloon. 

Go crazy at the museums and learn something to impress your friends!




Take a star ferry if keen. If not, take mtr. Interchange station at admiralty mtr station.

Enjoy!

Dinner : lee gong guan


Day 4: It's a green green day

It's a day to the gardens. Personally like the one at admiralty. You can just follow the shangrila escalator and you will arrive at Hk park.

There's a free aviary there where you can enjoy the birds, fresh air (wanting in Hk) and just enjoy God's creation!



I know the Hk tourism board promotes the ngong ping 360 and the big Buddha.
But I find it a waste of time, thus I didn't recommend.

As for theme parks... Now, other alternatives for the previous days include theme parks. Choose from ocean park or Disneyland. Have yet to go to Disneyland in Hk.

Note: Ocean park rides are quite scary, so not entirely for kids. 

Most of all, enjoy Hong Kong! :)







Saturday, 26 April 2014

Hong Kong : best goose meat and char Siew at wan chai


Check out the glorious meat!!


Menu shot-- An idea of their wide offerings and price! 

Go for their set lunch! Includes free soup or tea! Between 11am-6pm. 

Only hkd46 on average for a generous portion of meat and soup! What a bargain! :))

Happy tummy... yummy! 


And of coz... The friendly white man! Meet my Michelin friend :) 


How to get there?




Friday, 18 April 2014

Hong Kong : Nature at its best on Dragon's Back

An adventure on the Dragon's back...

Not for the faint hearted. Journey time to and fro is about 3.5h.

The treasure map... (Private and confidential

Instead of taking all the way to the bus terminus on bus 9, alight at the earlier stop-- cape collision. The fare is only hkd3.90 and hike from there.


See this sign? Climb up through the flight of stairs.



Today we are going on the Dragon's Back. Sit tight!!!



Here's a few options. We are going onto Shek O peak. It states 2.5km, but because of the terrain, felt slightly longer. Trust me, it's worth it!!


The initial terrain... Chicken feet! (That's what I thought initially)...

With views along the way to energize us to continue our hike... (We are winners, we ain't quitters!)

The terrain as we near the dragon's back...


... Our reward.. Breathtaking view. Transports you to another island! 




Who says HK is just Mai ye, sek ye? (Buy things and eat things?)

Life is what you make of it, isn't it? 

Enjoy! What a testimony of God's amazing creation for mankind to be in awe and enjoy. 

Thursday, 17 April 2014

Hong Kong : Beaching around in the sun at Shek O beach

Think Hk is a concrete jungle and yearning for some greenery, the sun and the sea? 

Check out the beach for sun, sand and a healthy pop of fresh air!

Take the island line on HK island to shau kei wan.



Exit a3 at the station and you will reach the bus terminal. Take bus 9 at the end of the terminal to Shek O. Takes you about 20-30mins? 

Super convenient with breath taking sights.



Depending on the day and time, do be prepared to queue for the bus at times. It's a popular place after all.

The bus fare is dirt cheap, at hkd6.9 and is a flat fee. You can take the bus to the bus terminus at Shek O beach and enjoy basking in the sun!


Shek O beach rocks! And enjoy the yummy seafood and beer nearby while you're at it.