september 30, 2006 7:01pm to sunrise
Nuit Blanche
more links // TheStar.com // Livewithculture.ca // EyeWeekly
Thursday, September 28
Nuit Blanche
september 30, 2006 7:01pm to sunrise
Nuit Blanche
more links // TheStar.com // Livewithculture.ca // EyeWeekly
Monday, September 25
Congratulations!
another Big congratulation goes to Chlo~ for her visionary take on the Gardiner Expressway!
As the brits would say, it's brill~! Read more!
As the brits would say, it's brill~! Read more!
Thursday, September 21
All Over T.O.
Walking is a lot of fun in the city!
Since Mike's visiting, I made the decision to drag him out not once but twice to walk all over Toronto.
Day #1 - Tue 19th
- Lunch with Matthew at Ema Tei on St. Patrick's St.
- Tour of University of Toronto St. George's Campus
- Down Spadina to Harbourfront/Queen's Quay + Tim Horton's
- Financial District
- Eaton's Centre
Day #2 - Thu 21st
- On Bloor West from Bathurst to Ossington: Annex
- Honest Ed's Store
- Korean Town
- Lunch at Kalendar in Little Italy on College St. (Salmon Quiche + Salad)
- Down Ossington Ave to Queen West West
- Along Queen to Eaton's Centre + Baskin Robin's Read more!
Since Mike's visiting, I made the decision to drag him out not once but twice to walk all over Toronto.
Day #1 - Tue 19th
- Lunch with Matthew at Ema Tei on St. Patrick's St.
- Tour of University of Toronto St. George's Campus
- Down Spadina to Harbourfront/Queen's Quay + Tim Horton's
- Financial District
- Eaton's Centre
Day #2 - Thu 21st
- On Bloor West from Bathurst to Ossington: Annex
- Honest Ed's Store
- Korean Town
- Lunch at Kalendar in Little Italy on College St. (Salmon Quiche + Salad)
- Down Ossington Ave to Queen West West
- Along Queen to Eaton's Centre + Baskin Robin's Read more!
Monday, September 18
Congratulations!
a Big one goes to Katrina for her fantastic thesis and defence!
You did such a great job as always!
Read more!
You did such a great job as always!
Read more!
Thursday, September 14
Thursday, September 7
Sunday, September 3
Brunch #2
Sunday Brunch at Leslie Jones on Queen Street East with my buddies Matt Timo and Iris! Not as planned, Matt and Timo stumpled upon this great place after trying to find Toast On Queen at the wrong address, which I gave them. For a VERY light brunch, on the menu were quiche + fruits/or/greens, open-sandwiches on pitas and pasta. The place reminded me so much of the apartment I rented with Gb and Hermie in Brooklyn. (Long narrow space, large windows on each end, brick walls)
To help digest the light brunch we took a long walk to The Beaches area. We came across a nice Husky in a front porch, many junk-collectors shops, Avondale Retirement Homes...etc until we reached the Beaches strip. (Timo...we'll get ice-creams next time we're there, since we regretted not getting it.)
Back to the heart of T. Shopping in Eaton's Centre proved a bit draining so we decided to get BBQ Pork on Rice, but sadly the place we went didn't serve BBQs on Sundays so we ordered fried rice, chiu-chow vermicelli and general tao chicken for our afternoon tea at 4:00pm.
Eating continued for dinner at a Shanghai place in Scarborough where they served yummy Bok Choi and Pork dumplings. Interestingly they also served Korean food. To top it all off, at Alex's his mom offered generous servings of sweet soup with papaya!!!! Thank you!!
Queen Street East is lined with many great-looking restaurants - it is definitely getting on the Toronto map. Next spot: Verveine
Anyone?
Saturday, September 2
Brunch #1
...since I got back from HK. So great to see many classmates at one seating. We basically had the entire restaurant (Gypsy Co-op) all to ourselves - that's 17 of us in total!
Read more!
Read more!
Thursday, August 31
FINAL WEEK in HK #2
AUGUST 24
Having missed the dinner with my old friends in hk because of some family plan, I wouldn't pass the chance to meet with them for drinks! One Peking Road became the spot for the evening because dinenr plan was set on level six at "Chao Inn" and the drinking spot Aqua, suggested by big eye gal, was located on the mezzanine of level 29 atop One Peking Road (so technically it's level 30). I've been to Chao Inn on level 6 for dimsum and so I already guessed the view it would offer on the top floor.
HK Cityscape as background
Cityscape of the Hong Kong Island as seen from Kowloon is amazing especially at night-time! The seatings are oriented to provide the perfect view to Victoria Harbour and I must say it's the best place to go for the view. (And I also must say, drinks are nothing to write home about, seriously!)
My long time friends Patrick Max Shing Sam and big eye gal were there for the fun and bubbly evening! On our table we got a bottle of Champagne (from Ah Shing: French is more bubbly ;), aqua queen (fruit juices?), vodka limes, gin tonics, and iced water, which all tasted watery except the Champagne!
Thanks to you all for a great evening!!!!!!
And BIGGEST thanks to Sam because you took care of the tap!!!!!!
Read more!
Having missed the dinner with my old friends in hk because of some family plan, I wouldn't pass the chance to meet with them for drinks! One Peking Road became the spot for the evening because dinenr plan was set on level six at "Chao Inn" and the drinking spot Aqua, suggested by big eye gal, was located on the mezzanine of level 29 atop One Peking Road (so technically it's level 30). I've been to Chao Inn on level 6 for dimsum and so I already guessed the view it would offer on the top floor.
HK Cityscape as background
Cityscape of the Hong Kong Island as seen from Kowloon is amazing especially at night-time! The seatings are oriented to provide the perfect view to Victoria Harbour and I must say it's the best place to go for the view. (And I also must say, drinks are nothing to write home about, seriously!)
Champagne
My long time friends Patrick Max Shing Sam and big eye gal were there for the fun and bubbly evening! On our table we got a bottle of Champagne (from Ah Shing: French is more bubbly ;), aqua queen (fruit juices?), vodka limes, gin tonics, and iced water, which all tasted watery except the Champagne!
Thanks to you all for a great evening!!!!!!
And BIGGEST thanks to Sam because you took care of the tap!!!!!!
Read more!
Saturday, August 26
Monday, August 21
FINAL WEEK in HK #1 - HKU
Graduate House, HKU
Extremely thrilled to accompany big eye gal to Hong Kong University otherwise I wouldn't have an excuse to come to this part of the city. Mini-bus ride from Mongkok to HKU took less than 15 minutes on this speedy(-ing) minibus and weren't we glad we made it to the East Gate without getting sick!
We managed to explore quite a number of buildings as we walked towards the Graduate House up on the hill. Passing through various buildings and places of interests including the Lotus Pond and Sun Yat Sen Plaza.
Lotus Pond at HKU
The best part of course is the student food court. With selections better than any fast-food chains in the city, this student food court serves Chinese, Western and International cuisines completely with an extensive list of desserts!!! The cheapest meal on the menu was the Chicken+Potato with rice that costd HK$10!!!!
Maison Martin Margiela
On Lan Street, Central
After lunch we decided to explore Central so a short mini-bus ride took us close to the nightlife capital of Hong Kong: Lang Kwai Fong (LKF). During the day there wasn't much to expect but at night it became the liveliest spot in town. We continued our window shopping, first stop at the recently opened MMM and we made our way along Des Voeux Road to BAPE, Harvey Nichols for some window shopping!
Read more!
Saturday, August 19
Small World
In my final week of vacation in HK, it's purely coincidental to see KK and big eye gal in TST while I was doing my final shopping. I was stuttered without words when I saw big eye gal at LCX this afternoon - simply overjoyed to see familiar faces amongst the crowds on the weekend. Shortly afterward, we arranged to meet up and spent the rest of the evening together, having lots of fun.
With lots of places to show the big eye gal in mind, we explored most of TsimShaTsui in a very quick "tour" - Harbour City, Citygate, Nathan Road, Myranma...shopping heavens. Basically KK and I were dragging big eye gal along even though she was still in jetlag. Then we're off to enjoy yummy vermicelli at 譚仔雲南米線 in Jordan. Plan was to meet with the rest of the group in Lang Kwai Fong in Central. So we decided to bus to the Star Ferry Terminal and took the ferry to Wanchai and met up with ludis at Sogo in Causeway Bay.
Di Vino
73 Wyndham St.
A ride on the tram to Central costs $2 and we arrived in Central on our way to Di Vino. There, with KP, MC, and Johnson, (All studied at Haig!) the seven of us did some catching up over two bottles of wine - White: Veneto Pinot Grigio and Red: Cygnus (Tasca d'Almerita) both from Italy. Big eye gal also tried their Bellini which was made from fresh peach puree. Before we knew it, it's time to call it a night because of the non-24hr subway system. But there's always next time, right? Btw, thanks to MC for picking this wine bar! Especially impressed by their extensive wine list, it was a wonderful evening!
Read more!
With lots of places to show the big eye gal in mind, we explored most of TsimShaTsui in a very quick "tour" - Harbour City, Citygate, Nathan Road, Myranma...shopping heavens. Basically KK and I were dragging big eye gal along even though she was still in jetlag. Then we're off to enjoy yummy vermicelli at 譚仔雲南米線 in Jordan. Plan was to meet with the rest of the group in Lang Kwai Fong in Central. So we decided to bus to the Star Ferry Terminal and took the ferry to Wanchai and met up with ludis at Sogo in Causeway Bay.
Di Vino
73 Wyndham St.
A ride on the tram to Central costs $2 and we arrived in Central on our way to Di Vino. There, with KP, MC, and Johnson, (All studied at Haig!) the seven of us did some catching up over two bottles of wine - White: Veneto Pinot Grigio and Red: Cygnus (Tasca d'Almerita) both from Italy. Big eye gal also tried their Bellini which was made from fresh peach puree. Before we knew it, it's time to call it a night because of the non-24hr subway system. But there's always next time, right? Btw, thanks to MC for picking this wine bar! Especially impressed by their extensive wine list, it was a wonderful evening!
Read more!
Final Week in HK
When I am scheduled to fly home one week from today, I need to figure out what I can squeeze into it.
Suggestions are always welcomed! Read more!
Suggestions are always welcomed! Read more!
Thursday, August 17
Wednesday, August 16
Lantau Island
Lantau Island is the largest island in Hong Kong, where you can find The Chek Lap Kok International Airport, Hong Kong Disneyland, Tian Tan Buddha and Tai O etc. My daytrip destinations were the Tian Tan Buddha and Tai O. Lantau Island used to be accessible only by ferry. Along with the construction of the airport came the Tung Chung MTR subway line, connecting the island to Kowloon and Hong Kong Island. From Tung Chung, we took a 1.5hr bus ride and crossed over a few mountains to reach the Giant Buddha at Ngong Ping. (A new cable car service will be in operation this year - Ngong Ping 360 that connects Tung Chung to Ngong Ping)
Tian Tan Buddha
For lunch we had an awesome vegetarian meal in the Po Lin Monastary. After climbing 268 steps to reach the Buddha, under its shadow we took in the breathtaking 360 view of the surrounding, including the Po Lin Monastary and Shek Pik Reservoir.
Tai O - a fishing village
A 10-min bus ride from the Giant Buddha we reached Tai O, aka "Venice of Hong Kong" for the houses in this fishing village are built on stilts along the small river. The most memorable about Tai O is the little "ferry" that used to take people across the river. The 30-sec trip costed 30 cents! Unfortunately the ferry service was replaced by an ugly steel bridge and this "Tai O" experience is documented in books and photographs.
Well-known dimsum in Tai O - 茶果 "Cha Gwoh"
Glutinous rice ball with peanut/sesame filling
Local Specialty - Sun-dried Seafood
Being my very first visit to Tian Tan Buddha the day trip was another memorable experience. From a relatively rural setting Lantau Island has been very well developed with many great infrastructure and facilities. With the touristy addition of Ngong Ping market and cable car, the setting of the Monastary and the Buddha remain very peaceful and serene. My last visit to Tai O dated more than ten years ago, even after the fire in 2000, it is still a very attractive daytripping destination that lives up to its many nicknames - "Venice of HK", "Village on Stilts".
Tian Tan Buddha on Wikipedia
Tai O on Wikipedia
Monday, August 14
Happy Birthday Rita!
Do you know?
You're very special to our family.
You always bring laughters
to everybody around you
I am so proud to be your brother!
May your wishes come true!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY and SMILE ALWAYS!
XXXXX
Read more!
You're very special to our family.
You always bring laughters
to everybody around you
I am so proud to be your brother!
May your wishes come true!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY and SMILE ALWAYS!
XXXXX
Read more!
Friday, August 11
Tuesday, August 8
Guangzhou
Excavated Pavements from Song and Ching
Dynasties on Beijing Road 北京路 which is
now the major shopping street in Guangzhou
Dynasties on Beijing Road 北京路 which is
now the major shopping street in Guangzhou
Sunday, August 6
Friday, August 4
Long Time No See
"Soft Hard" perform during their
"Long Time No See" concert in Hong Kong
Still exhausted and overjoyed from seeing the Soft Hard Concert this evening (Friday), I got home and started packing right away for a weekend trip to Guangzhou, the largest city in Southern China. We'll take the train bright and early in the morning, which takes a little over one hour. Until Monday, I will post some updates! Wish you all a very good weekend! (The excitement from the concert is keeping me awake at this hour!)
Wednesday, August 2
CheungChau (LongIsland)
Fishing Boats wait in the boat shelter
for end of suspension of fishing period
Day trip to a nearby island Cheung Chau (meaning Long Island).
A 60-min ferry ride from Central takes you to this popular daytripper and sightseeing destination; especially for city dwellers to get away for some fresh air, sunshine, and of course beaches.
A 60-min ferry ride from Central takes you to this popular daytripper and sightseeing destination; especially for city dwellers to get away for some fresh air, sunshine, and of course beaches.
Typical residential street
Of course I took the chance to experience the island on the bike. There isn't a lot of distance to cover, most of the island is only accessible on foot. The "path" takes you from one end of the island to the other side in less than half an hour if you ride fast.
Pak Tai Temple
One of the most remarkable temple I have seen in Hong Kong is this recently renovated Pak Tai Temple with detailed carvings. It is also the location for the Cheung Chau Bun Festival (usually in April or May). "The festival features huge towers covered with buns erected in front of the Pak Tai Temple and a street procession in which costumed children appear to float above the crowds, supported by hidden rods and wires." - DiscoverHongKong
To the neighbouring islands
I can't tell how long it has been since my last visit. Cheung Chau has always been a part of my childhood memory. This visit just informs me that daytripping to the islands is still as fun as I remembered!
Saturday, July 29
Wan Chai 灣仔
Deserted Lee Tung Street (aka Wedding Card Street)
Spending an afternoon in Wan Chai allowed me to see another part of the city that is in decay. In the ever-expanding city, aging neighbourhoods are always seen as hindrance to new developments. When many parts of the city become homegenous in characteristics, however, the elements that define a neighbourhood become most important in making great cities.
Mailboxes - existing and missing
Wan Chai is one of the oldest area since the development of Hong Kong and it is under an urban renewal scheme to redevelop this aging neighbourhood. What is being demolished is the humanistic scale and density; the replacements are high-density commercial and residential developments.Tuesday, July 25
More BOOKS
What I managed to get from the Book Fair:
From Dymocks Bookseller booth:
Life Swap // Jane Green // HK$64
The Curious Incident of the
Dog in the Night-Time // Mark Haddon // HK$64
Everything is Illuminated // Safran Foer // HK$64
From Crown Bookstore 皇冠書屋 booth:
一本精華遊 // 余迪偉 // HK$54
autographed
From Basheer's Design Books 書得起 Booth:
supersurfaces // Sophia Vyzoviti // HK$107
Young Architects 7 SITUATING // Architectural League of NY // HK$126
DETAIL Concrete Construction June06 // HK$46
KA-CHING: HK$525
Read more!
From Dymocks Bookseller booth:
Life Swap // Jane Green // HK$64
The Curious Incident of the
Dog in the Night-Time // Mark Haddon // HK$64
Everything is Illuminated // Safran Foer // HK$64
From Crown Bookstore 皇冠書屋 booth:
一本精華遊 // 余迪偉 // HK$54
autographed
From Basheer's Design Books 書得起 Booth:
supersurfaces // Sophia Vyzoviti // HK$107
Young Architects 7 SITUATING // Architectural League of NY // HK$126
DETAIL Concrete Construction June06 // HK$46
KA-CHING: HK$525
Read more!
Macau
Following the Friday of reading and walking at the Book Fair, Saturday morning my family and I took the turbojet and headed to Macau for the weekend! This was my first visit to this former Portuguese colony.
Before this visit, my impression of Macau was strictly defined by its casinos and more or less the almond cookies that had somehow become the local specialty/souvenir.
What I discovered from this trip was that this very small place had a lot more than just casinos. With its World Heritage sites, Macau has so much to offer!
Ruins of S. Paul
Read more!
Thursday, July 20
Hong Kong Book Fair
Annual event that creates enough buzz for bookworms and even people who don't read, like me. I am going tomorrow morning Friday and will try to dig a few books on Architecture from Page One booth.
my book list
HK Lab 2 // $350
Hotel as Home, Home as Hotel by Gary Chang // $150
Supersurfaces by Sophia Vyzoviti // $116 - roo~ check this one out!
Winning Designs: A New Breed of Architecture // $380
a few fictions
http://www.hkbookfair.commy book list
HK Lab 2 // $350
Hotel as Home, Home as Hotel by Gary Chang // $150
Supersurfaces by Sophia Vyzoviti // $116 - roo~ check this one out!
Winning Designs: A New Breed of Architecture // $380
a few fictions
Wednesday, July 19
Anime + Fantasy Festival
The day I lined up for SoftHard concert ticket at the Cultural Centre, I came across this booklet on this anime festival. There'll be many anime films, full-featured/short, on the program.
Free movie passes are also offered for weekday afternoon shows - you know those odd time slots that only people like me (unemployed) can really catch. I'll see how that goes when I go pick up the passes tomorrow in Wanchai, near the Convention Centre where the Book Fair is held!
* free passes for the above three shows
Free movie passes are also offered for weekday afternoon shows - you know those odd time slots that only people like me (unemployed) can really catch. I'll see how that goes when I go pick up the passes tomorrow in Wanchai, near the Convention Centre where the Book Fair is held!
Tuesday, July 18
Monday, July 17
Cars!
Sunday afternoon show.
Cantonese-dubbed, funny but
now I cannot keep track of the characters' English names.
Amazing rendering as expected.
Good but not my favourite of Pixar's animations.
Guido is the one I like the most.
now I cannot keep track of the characters' English names.
Amazing rendering as expected.
Good but not my favourite of Pixar's animations.
Guido is the one I like the most.
Sunday, July 16
Love Undercover 3
Got free pass from my cousin to Love Undercover 3
Watched it last Wednesday.
A typical local production with
non-existent story and funny nonsense humour.
The 98-minutes already seemed too long from the beginning.
No further comment. blah!
Watched it last Wednesday.
non-existent story and funny nonsense humour.
The 98-minutes already seemed too long from the beginning.
No further comment. blah!
Thursday, July 13
Punctuation of Irony
*Invented by the French writer Alcanter de Brahm at the end of the 19th century, the point d'ironie is a punctuation mark, which can be used at the end of sentences (like an exclamation point or question mark) to indicate to the reader the ironic phrases in the text
Read more!
Wednesday, July 12
LINK: Gwaii Haanas National Park
A visitor soaks in a hot spring in
Gwaii Haanas National Park, British Columbia.
Source: National Geographic
Gwaii Haanas National Park, British Columbia.
Source: National Geographic
Recalling my flight from Toronto to Hong Kong, I came across an article about a National Park. I did not recall the location of the place as I was half falling asleep and half awake all the way, between reading, watching videos and playing video games. I did store the name of the park in my phone so one day I could retrieve and research on it. This evening, I managed to go through the notes to see Gwaii Haanas National Park & Hot Spring Island. A quick google search gave me Parks Canada and a chance to learn more about the Pacific Coast!
Things to do: Sea kayaking (for you greg and O), hotspring-bathing, camping, hiking, fishing, photography, motor and sail boating...etc
Quick Facts:
1. Gwaii Haanas was rated No.1 Park Destination in North America in 2005.
2. No more than 3000 visitors each year.
Read more!
Things to do: Sea kayaking (for you greg and O), hotspring-bathing, camping, hiking, fishing, photography, motor and sail boating...etc
Quick Facts:
1. Gwaii Haanas was rated No.1 Park Destination in North America in 2005.
2. No more than 3000 visitors each year.
Monday, July 10
my broken iPOD
Remember this?
It's here with me in HK, sitting on my desk.
It plays music, still works as a hard drive, and the backlight works.
Though the black area is spreading - like spilled ink. Sigh.
Emailed a non-official service centre - Mactivity.com.hk
Quoted cost on B/W LCD Replacement: $580 incl. labour and parts.
Found Apple Service Centre HK.
I am going to have my iPod evaluated on replacement cost.
It plays music, still works as a hard drive, and the backlight works.
Though the black area is spreading - like spilled ink. Sigh.
Emailed a non-official service centre - Mactivity.com.hk
Quoted cost on B/W LCD Replacement: $580 incl. labour and parts.
Found Apple Service Centre HK.
I am going to have my iPod evaluated on replacement cost.
Apple Customer Service Centre
Room 1703 Hang Lung Centre
2-20 Paterson Street
Causeway Bay Hong Kong
AppleCare Hotline: 2112 0099
Room 1703 Hang Lung Centre
2-20 Paterson Street
Causeway Bay Hong Kong
AppleCare Hotline: 2112 0099
Friday, July 7
Thursday, July 6
Happy Birthday Sam!
Amaroni's Little Italy
LG132 Festival Walk,
Kowloon Tong, Kowloon
Hong Kong
Tuesday, July 4
Rotating Sushi Bar
We had dinner at Nagoyaka Tei on a weekday and there was still a lineup for tables! That's so typical of Hong Kong... anyway, the wait wasn't long as most of the people ahead of us were couples, and we were family of five. We got seated at a booth and immediately we went at it picking the sushi plates from the conveying belt. Ended up eating so much sushi and fish! Yum!
Read more!
Monday, July 3
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