Tram Tour

Season's Greetings is getting close!! The street is also packed with people preparing for one of the greatest times of the year. Stores, shops are extending their business hours. A lot of us would like to get some nice gifts for our loved ones.

We usually shop around on different stores before spending any pennies. So we always get around back and forth between different areas. And I would like to recommend a nice transportation to get around particular on the Hong Kong Island side - TRAM.

The tram runs slowly along the island between the east and west end. Riding on the Tram does give me an unique feeling. Unlike the MTR, you can't appreciate the scenary because it is travelling underground. The weather is getting a bit chilled now, so it beats out the bus tour. I do enjoy the chill weather with light breeze. The best time to ride is some time between 7 pm and 10 pm. There will be a lot to see along the trip from Central to Causeway Bay.

The Tramway also offers two special antique trams for special tour. You can find out more from their website http://www.hktramways.com

For your information, the tram was in service since 1900s, for more than a century, WOW!!

Enjoy your ride
Kent

Black & White Symphony

This Saturday afternoon my family and I had an afternoon tea buffet at Royal Plaza Hotel in Mongkok. The discounted charge is around HK$ 130 per head. I found the range of food has been improved comparing last time I came there. The current theme is “Black & White Symphony", providing new cakes made with black and white chocolate, so attractive to dessert lovers like me! I strongly recommend the Mandarin Opera Log, a soft cake with orange fresh, dessert lovers should not miss it. Enquiries and Reservations Hotline: 2622 6154

The Wife Cake (老婆餅)

Today I can’t wait to have wife cake (老婆餅) for breakfast. I bought 6 pieces from Wing Wah bakery (榮華) and took it back to office and shared with my collegues for breakfast. But I kept 3 pieces for myself ! (hahaaa…..) Oh…. the puff of the cake was utterly crusty, and the cake is just-right sweetness…yum..yum !!

HK$1060 to Bangkok / Ho Chi Minh City

Cathy Pacific has special offer ticket to Bangkok or Ho Chi Minh City at price HK$1060. But this special price can only book it on net on Saturday or Sunday. Details can refer to official website:
www.cathaypacific.com.hk

HK$3700 to London (via Qantas)

Flight on sale from 25 Oct 2007 to 16 November 2007, from HK$3700 to London by Qantas. The travel is vaild from 25 October 2007 to 31 March 2008. You can also earn milage from this flight. Book it if you plan to go to London!

Details:
http://www.qantas.com.au/international/hk_eng/specials/london_specials.html

HK$1280 to Singapore (via SIA)

Another airline, Singapore Aireline is on promotion... HK$1280 each to Singapore including return flight tickets and 2 nights hotel. Valid untile 30 Nov 2007. Minimum 4 persons to travel. Plan your holiday now!!

Details:
www.sia-holidays.com/promotions.htm

Hong Kong - Live It. Love It! 2007

The Tortoise Jelly (龜零膏)

Maybe eating too much spicy food, there are some pimples on my face and I can feel myself a little bit hot inside the body. Therefore, I decided to order a bowel of Tortoise Jelly (The glossy blackish pudding made of turtle’s plastron and Chinese herbs) this afternoon. Put few spoons of syrup on top of the jelly and eat together… Feeling so good…..This is to flush away toxins and remove the damp-heat in my body.

Kam Shan Country Park & Smugglers' Ridge

Kam Shan Country Park is famous for its macaques. These animals can be found across the park. Smugglers' Pass, also known as Smugglers' Ridge, was a component part of the Gin Drinker's Line. This key military position had a network of trenches and bunkers interconnected by underground tunnels. Some of these facilities, particularly the Smugglers' Ridge Defense Line bunkers built in the mid 1930's, are substantially in tact today. Embracing some 70 years of history, these wartime relics are well worth seeing.



Transportation
Kam Shan Country Park
Take bus no. 72, 81, 86B or a red minibus to Tai Po Road near Piper's Hill. Walk along Kam Shan Road for about 10 minutes to the park.


Smugglers' Ridge
Take bus no. 72, 81, 86B or a red minibus to Tai Po Road near Piper's Hill. From Kam Shan Road (Stage 6 of the MacLehose Trail) near Kowloon Reservoir, it is a 1-hour walk to the ridge.

Be a Smart Consumer (Singapore Airline)

This is my recently personal experience want to share with you. I tried to book a flight from HK to Singapore in November because of quiet season and cheap price. Therefore, I login to “www.singaporeair.com” and found the price was labeled as HK$1200 for return. Wow... it was cheaper than budget airline, e.g. Jet Star. Therefore, I quickly input my personal information and tried to book it online. The total price is HK$1540. Hey…. How comes the fare is only HK$1100? The price is different from the advertising in the main page. Even better… I then continue the process and ready to pay by credit card. However, the transaction was terminated with problem occurred during validating my credit card information. A dialog box also prompted and suggested not book the itinerary a second time as it might cause me second charge to my payment card. Oh….what could I do? I might lose this good deal? But I need to contact Singapore Airlines office for assistance in the next day morning.

On Monday morning, I phoned the airline and gave my name and credit card number for them to check if I have made the confirmation. The answer is “NO”. I therefore tried to book it again online. Same price quoted in the main page, HK$1200. Quickly key-in all details but found out the price now HK$1640? HK$100 more… I phoned to airline and they explained HK$1100 ticket is only available to book from Friday to Sunday and online. They couldn’t help me under any special situation.

I was so annoyed and kept checking their website during the week, and found out on Tue morning that HK$1200 ticket, early afternoon flight(13:30)was gone. Only late afternoon flight(15:30)or evening flight available! Oh…oh….my flight is gone…!! >_<

I have no choice. I was thinking I could only book Jet Star for HK$1800 if I really want to go there. Therefore, I was not in a hurry and eventually I waited until Friday morning, 12:00… I login Singapore Airline and tried my lucks …. Oh, the seat for early afternoon(13:30)is available and it is still HK$1100…. I now understand how a big company doing their business!! Do you have the similar experience?

Air Ticket on Sale (Air New Zealand)

Hurry up!! Book it now...
Air New Zealand celebrating her anniversary to London now offer
Hong Kong --> London is only HK$3800 per seat for return with travel period 29Oct 07 - 3 Dec 07. The sales period will be end on 11 Nov 07.

Details please check 2862 8988 or Air New Zealand official website:
http://www.airnewzealand.com.hk/

Sa Sa Cosmetics (莎莎)

A variety of different color nail polish (指甲油) only sells at HK$5 per bottle. Perfume sample only sell HK$35, HK$9.9 items…. So cheap?! Where can I get it? It is Sa Sa Cosmetics (莎莎) I usually sneak in to Sa Sa when I passed the shop and check what are the good deals on that day. This week, Shiseido Maquillage eye shadow is only sold at HK$271.8 which is reduced from HK$322, and Clinique lip gloss is at HK$70. Wah…. Temptation! No wonder why so many tourist, especially mainland Chinese like to shop here. I heard few of them ask for samples after they had purchased HK$100 products. Oh, I missed my opportunities as I never ask. I would like to try and ask the beauty consultant to give me some samples next time! However, be careful to choose the time to shop in SaSa as it is very busy and crowded especially on Sunday and public holiday. (Photos from left to right: montly special items; hot promotion items)

By the way, here is some background information about SaSa:
Sa Sa Comsmetics is the first one-stop concept shop which selling quality cosmetics at a discounted rate by bypassing local agents and parallel importing their goods. The open-self, self-service environment make it easy for customers to try out new products. It sells over 400 international brands and more than 15,000 products that span skincare, cosmetics, hair care and accessories, as well as health food and supplements, including private-label products and exclusively distributed merchandise of over 50 international brands in its about 60 retail stores throughout Asia. It also provides beauty and fitness services through nine Philip Wain health clubs. It is therefore acquired a diverse customer base, from fashion-conscious teenagers to busy executives, from high-profile celebrities to tourists from around the world.

Sa Sa is everywhere! One of the chain store in Tsuen Wan

Where, When and What's on promotion: http://web1.sasa.com/SasaWeb/splash.jsp

Have a Beauty Trip @ Bonjour

If you ask any lady in Hong Kong where is the best place to shop for cosmetic products, I believe 9 out of 10 would guide you to Sa Sa or Bonjour. Most of the visitors have heard of the first one, so this time I introduce you the latter one- Bonjour Cosmetic卓悅. Why is it so famous? Although most of their goods are from parallel import, the variety of choices and competitive prices brought it the prestige as one main Hong Kong Brand, so it gave me confidence to shop there. Nowadays, it is becoming one of the most favorite spot to visitors from mainland China. This "one-stop cosmetics specialty store" provides skincare, fragrance, make-up, hair care and health products etc. Personally I would recommend buying perfume there, they're much cheaper than those of the big counters. Within one shop, there is a worldwide perfume collection, sometimes I can even buy the limited versions that are so hard to find elsewhere! There are also beauty consultants stationed at the shops to help customers, but different from many cosmetic stores, they're not "hard-selling" at all. I think most of the girls like me experienced that before, we all enjoy looking around freely and shopping without pressure. A little tip I would like to share, the shops are always crowded, so the optimal time for shopping is before lunch hour.

where & when to shop: http://www.bonjourhk.com/en/AboutShops.aspx

special promotion: http://www.bonjourhk.com/en/hot.aspx

Egg Tart (蛋撻)

Well, we talked about Egg Tart yesterday. It was happened to me that I passed Central today. Therefore, I went to Tai Cheong, bought 1 dozen of freshly baked egg tart and brought it home.

I couldn’t wait and ate on the right outside. Wow…delicious! I loved Egg Tart(蛋撻)! Puff pastry, egg custard which was just sweet right. No wonder why Chris Patten could not wait to taste the tart (Tai Cheong Egg Tart泰昌蛋撻) in his hand every time when he is over to Hong Kong.

Address: No. 35 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central, Hong Kong中環擺花街35號地下 (近閣麟街)

Tea & Tart

Continuing with our trail of local food, even if the limit of your stomach is reached, you should at least take away the Milk Tea and the Egg Tart, which are representative of Hong Kong style delicacies. For as long as over 40 years, Milk Tea and Egg Tart have been with every hongkonger. As perfect a match as bread and butter, a mouthful of Egg Tart followed by a sip of Milk Tea is enough to awake every of your taste buds. You gotta eat it to believe it!

Despite their fame and history, places serving Milk Tea and Egg Tart nowadays do take time to find. Modern restaurants no longer have them available. Nevertheless, there are some local (less well-furnished) eateries in Mongkok areas still offering the legendary goody. Having tea there after visiting the “Lady’s Street” nearby makes a very nice half-day trip.

Tai Hing Roast Restaurant (太興燒味餐廳)

Haven’t tried Tai Hing’s roast pork (太興燒肉) for a while. Therefore, I ordered and take away for dinner tonight. This chain restaurant was originally started from fast food shop offering mainly in siu-mei (roast) products. Now, it is a roast food restaurant chain with a variety of Hong Kong style café food to fusion cuisine blended with multinational flavors. Although the restaurant has been reformed, the quality of roast port (燒肉) did not get worse. It is becoming better and more popular. Crispy skin and fresh pork is their selling point. A little bit expensive but worth…canned milk tea for both hot and cold is also my favorite. Must try !!

Hey, Looks Great !

Restaurant information: http://www.taihingroastgroup.com.hk

Halloween - Ocean Park

Tuen Mun Park-- an oasis in the town centre

Today is a public holiday in Hong Kong, my family and I took a walk in Tuen Mun Park after having Yum Cha in a chinese restaurant. Tuen Mun Park is located at Tuen Mun Town Centre. The park provides a restful and recreational place to the residents in Tuen Mun. It is an ideal leisure haunt for a family to spend the Sunday there. There is variety of facilities in the park. For example, children can play in the playground and roller-skating rink. Moms take rest with their toddlers under the leafy shade. Some amateurs bring their chinese musical instruments like erhu to perform in the amphitheatre, the elders walk along the big artificial lake. There is also a model boat pool, visitors bring their electric driven boats to play. They can have a small game with other model boat lovers too. All of these form a harmonic scenery in the park Nevertheless, this time I felt a little disappointed since the Reptile House was closed (not sure if it is under reconstruction or due to the autumn-winter seasons?) I remember there're various species of reptiles including turtle and lizard, visitors can learn more about them. I must pay a visit when it reopens again.

Mini Clay Bowls (砵仔糕)

Again, this time....Hong Kong local street food. Rice puddings in mini clay bowls (砵仔糕) from San Lung Bakery (No. 68, Pei Ho Street, ShumShuiPo). The white one is made with white sugar, and the brown one is made with brown sugar, both embellished with red beans. A lot of red beans with very pleasant note of rice !!

YumYum!! A lot of red bean....

Tofu Fa (豆腐花)

When I go out for dinner or dim sum during lunch time, I will usually order my favorite dessert, “tofu fa” or the properly name “bean curb” pudding (豆腐花). Warm, smooth and soft tofu, serve with a layer of ginger sugar on the top… very nice

Yan Woo tofu fa (人和豆腐花) is the shop (28 Jordan Road, Jordan ) that I like most in Hong Kong. It is a franchise which sells tofu articles including tofu fa (豆腐花), dried or fried tofu, fermented tofu and soya milk.

The most beautiful beach in Hong Kong (Sai Kung Ham Tin Beach & Tai Long Beach)

This long, remote beach surrounded by rolling green mountains is known as one of the most beautiful spots in all of Hong Kong. It is an expansive bay with long, white sand beaches ringed by hills and headlands. Despite its beauty, Tai Long Wan is never crowded. Because it is hard to get there. The beach is about a 45 minute boat ride from Sai Kung, the nearest harbor. Without a boat you need to get there by hiking over a mountain.

Another way to get there is by bus rides and a beautiful walk along a well-maintained path. We get off the air-conditioned double-decker bus in Sai Kung Country Park and enjoy the views of Long Harbour as we slowly wind our way down to the quiet village of Chek Keng, before climbing up the valley between Sharp Peak and Tai Mun Shan. Just after the crest, you will discover the beaches of Tai Long Wan appear before you.

For lunch, we stop at the middle beach, Ham Tin Wan. Then, we have a swim for a quick slurp, playing football at the beach, etc.

"Pork intestine" rice rolls (豬腸粉)

"Pork intestine" rice rolls is nothing related to animal organ, it is vegetarian Hong Kong local snack, chu cheung fan (豬腸粉). It represents the glory of Hong Kong street food. I remember when I was in primary school, I usually had HK$5 dollar with 5 pieces of rice roll after school on the way back home (but now it is HK$5 for 4 pieces). It looks very plain which is white rice roll without anything inside it. However, once you drench it with sesame, chilli sauce, peanut sauce and sweet bean sauce….wow…. it taste so good !! You can find "chu cheung fan" (豬腸粉) in any local congee shop in the street.

Hong Kong style waffle - “Gei Dan Jai”(雞蛋仔).

One of my nephew's favorite food is “Gei Dan Jai”(雞蛋仔), the Hong Kong style waffle and he always asked his parents buy him one when he goes down to Jordan. The price in this shop is a little bit expensive than the same shop in other places (usually around HK$8), but strange that there is always a lot of people queue up in front of the shop and waiting his number is calling up to get HK$10 “Gei Dan Jai”(雞蛋仔). Thus, I decided to try it today as I passed the shop.
The shop is very tiny and looks old, no expensive decorations but with a lot of newspaper/magazine cuttings and photos with famous people. I firstly line up the queue to pay HK$10, then get a number, and wait quietly in the busy street for about 15mins… to get my “Gei Dan Jai”(雞蛋仔).
Wah, smell good...strong in egg…pick one small piece and have a bite....oh, my goodness! crispy outside but soft and warm inside. No wonder why so many people would like to spend 15mins waiting in the busy street just to get HK$10 “Gei Dan Jai”(雞蛋仔). By the way, spicy fish balls (麻辣魚蛋) are also recommended in this shop.

Waiting in a Big Big Queue.... !!!

Yummy Yummy!!

(sorry, the picture is not in good quality as I hold my carmea too close to the food)

Location: Shop A, #178 Nathan Road, Jordan (Exit D, Jordan MTR)

The Stanley Market

The weather is getting cooler at around mid 25 degree in the last few days. It is the perfect weather to do all kinds of outdoor activities as well as getting around within the city.

So I hop to Stanley Market....

Stanley is a tiny peninsula located at the southeast tip of Hong Kong Island. In the old days, Stanley was a fishing village. Today, you hardly able to find a fishing boat. Instead, tons of shops are restaurants are scattered along the area.

To get to Stanley, only certain types of transporation are available such as buses, minivan, taxi or your own private car. Since I do not have a huge budget, I choose to get there by 16M minibus interconnecting from Chai Wan MTR station.

Once I get off the minibus, I walk along the trail to reach the beach coast. Shops, souvenir stores are sit on both sides of the walking trail. After a few minutes walk, I finally see the beach coast. As I keep walking, I start hearing that my stomach is rumbling. Ok, time for lunch!! There are a number of bars and grills along the coast. And I jump into one of the restaurants and enjoy a big lunch.

The Star Ferry

The Victoria Harbour separates between Kowloon Peninsula and Hong Kong Island. In the old days, the main transporation between the two places was by sea only. The Star Ferry was in service in 1888 to carry passengers across the harbour. The early vessel was powered by steam engine and it took 40 minutes to an hour to reach the other end. In 1933, it introduced a new diesel engine ferry which shortened the crossing time. The ferry was the main transportation until the launch of cross harbour tunnel in the 70's.

Despite the multi tunnels connecting between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, today Star Ferry still plays an important role in crossing the harbour with all kinds of reasons: (1) relatively low fare; (2) connecting between two landmark on both sides - Central and Tsim Sha Tsui and (3)offers the best view of the city while other transportation vehicle will never able to offer such a view when they are traveling underneath the tunnel.

Don't forget to bring the camera while riding on the ferry. There will be a lot of opportunities taking great snapshots. For more details, you can go visit http://www.starferry.com.hk.

Enjoy your ride :)

A good swing

We HK people are usually lack of exercise, pretty out of shape. Having some work out in a closed gym is not really my cup of tea. On the other hand, outdoor jogging or some intensive ball game may be too much. So I really want to try something different and that is GOLF. Playing golf in HK cost me arm and leg and my skills are not up to par yet to play at the 18-hole course. An alternative option is to get some practice swing at the driving range. It doesn't cost too much to play at the range, $60 can get you swinging for an hour. Someone may think a girly swing will not make you sweat, however, that is totally wrong. In fact, it is a very good work out. It can also fine tune my swing to get ready playing at the golf course.



The pictures show the range surroundings and environment. It is a very nice equipped facility. It is easy to get there, take the MTR Tung Chung Line and get off at Kowloon Station, follow the sign and walk a few minutes to City Golf.

Tai Lam Hiking Trail

It has been a long time since the last gathering with my old schoolmates, no more karaoke and film watching… our gathering yeterday was go hiking. Our trail was from Tai Lam Tunnel-Yuen Long to Tai Lam Chung-Tuen Mun. It was around 13km long, and we took total 4 hours to finish. You can see Tai Lam Chung Reservoir along the trail. Only describing by text was not enough, so I recorded our trail by photos, and here we go:

where we start >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>add oil!!

view from the hill >>>>>>>>>>>>>see... fish in catchwater!

poem written on stone >>>>>>>>>a clear stream

mountain biking >>>>>>>>>>>>>water is so cool!

Ho Pui Reservoir >>>>>>>>>>>>>>Tai Lam Chung Reservoir

the main dam >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>finally we're here... destination

It's a nice trip i would recommend, but I have a problem now, my skin got a little sunburn and darker >_<, so please be well prepared for sunblock if going there on sunny day.