Recap of Day 2 in HK

I’m back from the holiday and I’m feeling like another already. I started a new job which requires me to do FIFO every once in a while, thus blogging will be sporadic but I will get through it all. I’ve still to tell you about Seoul, and I’ve already written the 24 hour guide so stay tuned.

Now back to Hong Kong. This follows on from the previous day…

– 22 Apr 2013 –

Today was more eventful in the photo snapping but not in actual events.

I spent the morning lining up to renew my Hong Kong ID card, the main reason I booked a longer stay here. It was so embarassing when I touched down in Hong Kong and I had to get a tourist visa. I AM NOT A TOURIST. Ok, so I haven’t been back in 10 years but that’s no reason to ostracise me.

After having being probed about my life in Australia and having my mug shot taken, we went to look for food. In this part of town, the food is more multicultural. You’ll find the normal Asian hawker stalls, but you’ll also find the Thai, Turkish, Japanese etc restaurants too. It was a chilly day so I went for ramen soup to warm me right up. I got all this for AUD $6. What a bargain!!

My uncle lives near the Kwun Yum Temple in Hung Hom. It is famous because during WWII, Hung Hom was severely destroyed district was under two rounds of heavy bombardments by the Japanese, aiming at destroying the Whampoa Dock. There were heavy casualties in the adjacent school but those people taking shelter in the temple were unharmed. The residents in the area believed that it was a miracle of Kwun Yum.

This is the street where I grew up. I don’t exactly remember physically being there (my nan tells me stories ALL THE TIME) but I do remember the street, the toy store and the cruise ship.

This is the ULTIMATE snack when roaming the streets of Hong Kong. It’s just a egg-shaped waffle with normal batter but they are SO GOOD. You’ll get it anywhere for around HKD $12 – $15.

And last but not least, I can’t be in Hong Kong and not eat these are an ungodly hour. Whenever I’m in town, my uncle always gets these suckers from the seafood market across the road. And we always eat them after midnight.

[snapshot] Recap of Day 1 in HK

An anti-climax follow on from yesterday’s post…

After getting over buses have wifi with a refreshing and much-needed shower, I helped my cousins with their homework. They were teaching me Chinese, and I was teaching them English. Don’t know how much I helped as I haven’t seen this shit for years!

When I pleaded for some food, we went out for fishball hofun AND curry fishballs (no photos of both as we pretty much scoffed it all down. Rest assured, I plan to eat these everyday so plenty of opportunities for photos).

After satisfying 2 out of 4 things I came to HK to eat, we went home so the boys could finish their homework (yes, HK schools are hardcore. More hardcore than New York schools, where my other pair of cousins are). While they were doing that, I passed out on the couch until my Aunty came home.

My Uncle and his family usually eats around 19h30 so I spent sometime catching up with my Aunty. Once my Uncle woke up from his nap, we walked down to Whampoa Garden (where I grew up as a toddler) for Japanese food at Yoshinoya, famous for its’ beef bowls. This is when I also discovered my cousins (aged 15 and 11) eat like pigs, in the nicest possible way. They don’t seem to chew and they pretty much finished before I even started (!!!). So, no photos again.

Later on, we walked around the mall in Whampoa Garden which brought on a wave of nostalgia as this is my grandfather used to take me when it was too humid (free AC!).

The feeling never left me till we got home and I passed out as soon as my head touched the pillow once again.

[quickie] Landing in Hong Kong

– 21 Apr 2013 –

Nothing tells you you’re in Hong Kong more like; the air pollution, which today smelt like a mixture of restaurant waste and bus fumes (granted I was standing in the A21 bus lane), the feeling you’re a midget against all the tall buildings and the 200% humidity which I don’t fare well in.

Nonetheless, I was in Hong Kong.

There was a little bit of a hiccup at immigration but once I got the lady feeling sorry for me, whereby she let me through on a tourist visa (what’s the point of having a HKID card then?), it was on the A21 bus on the way to see my uncle at Hung Hom station. If he wasn’t going to send my cousins instead (my uncle isn’t much of a morning person, and by morning, I mean after noon).

Oh, and the coolest thing about the bus ride? FREE WIFI. As much as I hate Asia, I love how most of them are so technologically advanced that even tech retards like me can still stay connected with the rest of the world.

Stay tuned for more happenings during the day…

[quickie] Whirlwind Adventure

Readers,

This post is to say I’m sorry for the absence.

My portable HD packed it and has not been fixed (thus the absense of travel related posts), I quit my job so had to complete handovers and then enjoy the whole lady-of-leisure experience for a couple of days, and now I’m off on a 2 week whirlwind trip to Hong Kong to sort out citizenship shit and Seoul to attend a wedding.

To my regulars, you all know how much I don’t like going back to Asia but because I have this wedding to attend, I thought I would make the most of it and meet my bestie in Hong Kong, who will be on her way to Perth!!! We’ve dreamt of this day since uni days, so it’s going to be a few girly days filled with blisters, drunken shenanigans and too many shopping bags.

In the lead up to it all, I did my research for Hong Kong (newspaper) and Seoul (Lonely Planet). I even got asked if I was Korean on the streets, and then I thought I needed to stop all this research in case it was turning me into a KOREAN.

Whilst in Seoul, I’ll be hooking up (not romantically) with a Goodwill Guide named Sunny who will show me the ins and outs of Seoul, and test driving a couple of guest houses as suggested by the Frugal Traveler.

So anyways, once again, I apologise for the last of posting. But rest assured, I will make up for it with fantastic photos on this adventure. It’ll be over in a blink and then I’ll be able to share it all with you.

In the meantime, enjoy the sun peeping through the clouds if you’re in the northern hemisphere, and get ready to pile on the layers (clothing wise only) if you’re in the southern hemisphere.

Enjoy!
S xx

[snapshot] Zeftron and the D.R.C.

Since it’s the Easter looong weekend (Happy Easter everyone!), I finally got my act together to 1) tidy my bed and 2) take a photo to show the result from the marriage of Zeftron and the fabric I bought from the D.R.C.

The headboard looks quite good if I may say so myself. (To be honest, I’m just glad I finished one thing in my house. The painting effort is dismal.)

I got the idea for the shape of the headboard from Grace at Design*Sponge. I didn’t copy the exact shape and modified the dimensions to my own liking and space. I also used a different wall attachment, but you can ask your local hardware store guy to see what application is best for you.

Watch Grace’s video to get the general jist of the DIY and visit her article to download the template.

Other features include Sheridan bedspread and pillows from Spotlight.

Day 8/12: On the search for the Proboscis Monkey

– 01 Jan 2013 –

The first day of the new year and we had a family free day!! An actual family free day, not a fake one. Well, by day I mean morning, which was good enough for me. I just wanted to lie in, enjoy a leisurely breakfast and take the shuttle bus around the resort, checking out all the other areas of interest. At breakfast, I found my little brother also wanted to do that too. So much for family free day huh?

We pottered around at our own pace, dressing in resort style clothing to make it look like we were meant to be there, like we belong to the elite.

First stop, the golf course located at the country club building. We weren’t allowed off the shuttle bus as we didn’t have the proper golfing attire. It’s okay because I didn’t want to walk around the championship golf course anyways.

Second stop, the Pacific Hotel. This is the not-as-luxury business-like version of the Magellan Resort. You won’t find a ton of screaming kids here, instead, more suits, if that’s what you’re into.

We walked through the hotel, checking out all the restaurants and facilities, and then chilled in the lobby lounge listening to some smooth jazz.

I suggested we take the shuttle back, but my brother gave me a look that said “What the hell dude, it’s only down the road” so we walked. And I wish I didn’t listen to him. Not that it was a long walk, but he led us down the wrong track. Instead of following the white pebble road, he led us over a couple of meter deep roadside drains, across the main road into the resort and then through some bushes. All the while, 2 shuttle buses had passed us. And yes, that’s the last time I let me lead.

We had to get back to meet the rest of the family around 4pm where we were signed up to go on the Proboscis Monkey and Fireflies twilight cruise. Hoping to catch sight of a few of these creatures, that only exist on the island of Borneo.

By the time we had filed onto our coach, the clouds had settled and they were spitting at us. Hard. And it got worse as we made our way east to the river. On the way, we passed so many luscious green pastures and small villages. It was a big contrast to the city.

As we rolled up to the site, there were another 20 or so coaches parked alongside the road. IT WAS MADNESS. I could have literally stepped off one onto another. That’s how close they were parked next to each other.

We sprayed ourselves with insect repellent, dressed ourselves in a dodgy ripped life jacket (which probably wouldn’t save you if there was an accident) and stepped onto the rain drenched boat, ready to spot some monkeys.

We started off with a pita pata of the rain on the cover and the water. It was really nice just to chill on the water, listening to the rhythm of the rain and smelling the freshness of the rain on the surrounding bush.

There were a few sightings but the monkeys were too far and I could only make out the silhouette. I swear the guide has supercharged eyes that allowed me to see REALLY far. He would be detecting monkeys a good 100m away. In addition to the overcast sky and rain. Then you’ll get a boat load of Asians squinting their (already very small) eyes in the direction he’s pointing to, with no luck of seeing whatever he saw. Or claimed to see.

Finally, we had  some luck! The guide had to troll quietly up to the banks as to not alarm them. Without a huge-arse lens like some other people, you’ll have to click on the photos and zoom in, A LOT.

We started to head back down the river as the sun was setting.

The overcast sky was making me sleepy but I had to keep awake to catch some fireflies. Something I haven’t seen since I was last in Zambia. And they put on quite a show. They lit up the path for our boat and they sparkled like subtle fairy lights.

It was divine.

Probably the best way to spend New Years Day (sober and on an adventure!).

[snapshot] Seoul holiday planning

Other than a fun-filled Friday night out, my weekend was spent trying to paint my wall (unsuccessful) and finalising the details on my upcoming trip.

And before you all ask “Do you ever work?” or something along those lines… Yes, I know I just came back from Adelaide but I NEED to go on this trip for my friend’s wedding. True story.

I’ve never been inclined to visit Korea. I think you already know that if I don’t NEED to go to Asia, I won’t. Except for Cambodia, Laos and the Philippines. I mean, I can eat Korean food here, my Korean friend lives here and I can buy Korean condiments here. So why do I need to go there when there’s such a large Korean community right at my doorstep (not literally).

Well, the answer is simple. The Korean friend I spoke of, is getting married!! The couple has decided to do two celebrations; one in Korea (girl’s family) and one in China (boy’s family). Thus, many of us have selected to attend the wedding in Korea.

Whenever I venture into Asia, I need to plan my travel. I can’t do  it on the whim, with no plan and just crash wherever my feet take me. No, I need to plan. The need to do this stems from a combination of the language barrier (I find it hard to learn Asian languages) and a need to fit EVERYTHING into my itinerary because I probably won’t be going back.

So the flights were easy. Pick date, confirm, pay for tickets and receive e-itinerary. DONE.

Accommodation was a tad harder. The wedding is in Gangnam, and most people were going to be staying at a hotel near the wedding venue. Which makes perfect sense, but at nearly US$100/night, it’s a bit steep for 1 person. My friend had warned me that Gangnam is an upmarket suburb, made all the more popular with Psy’s global hit, Gangnam Style, so it was going to be a challenge finding a cheaper alternative.

Enter the New York Times columnist, the Frugal Traveler. 

It just so happened the Frugal Traveler set himself the same challenge on similar principles and wrote about it, so I could benefit from it (and other loyal readers of the newspaper). So that took care of the accommodation.

Now I am ready! With 4 packed days starting the minute I step off the plane, I’ve filled it with a combination of cultural nature walks, a visit to the border of North and South Korea, food coma(s) and design and architectural porn. All with the help Lonely Planet‘s suggested itineraries and local knowledge.

Bring it on, Seoul.

Now to plan the Hong Kong part of the holiday…