Birthday Celebration in Hong Kong

16 Aug

Early morning flight on CX to Hong Kong. Arrived around noon. Took the airport bus A21 to Tsimshatsui.
Spent the afternoon, window shopping before meeting up with Stephen and going across to Central for dinner.
Dinner was at Kumatei - Japanese restaurant. 3rd Uncle, Wallace and Frankie came for dinner. It was great catching up with them again!

17 Aug

  
A lazy day...... went over to Shatin for a look-see.....nothing much.....and then to the shopping centre at Kowloon City.
Went back to the hotel to rest.
Steamboat dinner with Derrick, Herman and Stanley. Stanley's treat!

18 Aug

Quick lunch at my favourite Wanton shop (portion is smaller and more expensive) before going over to catch the bus up to Victoria Peak - Wax Museum.
The Wax Museum was interesting - worth going to take a look!
High Tea at Novotel Hotel ....cheap but very limited.....

Decided to have another round of steamboat for late dinner. The food was average.

19 Aug

An early checkin at the airport before going over to Citigate for shopping and makan.

This trip to HKG was mainly to spend time with my special someone and also with my friends. Other than the hot bearable weather, everything else went rather smoothly. There were presents! Glad to have been able to catch up!



--------------- Sawbear Travel -------------------

August 16

Today I celebrate my 48th birthday.

Kunming 10 - 13 May

Finally! A break from work!

10 May

8:20am departure from Changi Airport to Kunming on Silkair. After within 4 hours of flying, we arrived at Kunming Airport...... within the city...reminded me of the old Hong Kong Kai Tak Airport. Immigration was swift as we were the only flight. Luggage claim took a while though......

Coming out of the arrival hall, Xiao Bei was already waiting for me. Took about 20mins taxi ride from Airport to the Hotel - New Era Hotel.

Hotel is located right in the city centre. Check in was smooth and was given room 823. After leaving the luggage in the room,l went out to buy some stuff - shampoo, shower cream, etc. Lots of shoppings and eateries surrounding the hotel. Very convenient. Had steamed dumplings of  many flavours at a nearby eatery. Not too bad.

Waited for Stephen to wait and then passed him the stuff to bring to his Cousin's place.

Spent the rest of the afternoon walking around the city before getting ready for dinner. Dinner with Stephen's relatives. 30mins'walk from the hotel and finally reached the restaurant.

Lots of dishes to eat.....though not many suited my palate.....still it was an experience.

Found the room stuffy.....aircon not cold enough. went out for a walk and when back the aircon still not cold..... managed to change room to 816.....much cooler!~

11 May

Breakfast spread was fantastic! So much to eat! Its like lunch! My favourite!

Got ready to meet Xiao Bei and the Cousin who was bringing us to Stone Forest. The journey was rather smooth and we managed to get into Stone Forest FOC - thanks to the Cousin's connection! Stone Forest is a famous attraction and it's a must visit place! well, we did the tourist stuff and spent some time walking through the reserve...so tiring!

On the way back, we stopped at Yiliang for the famous roast duck...it was..........DELICIOUS! Must try!

Spent the rest of the afternoon, walking through the alleys, streets of shops nearby the hotel. So much to see.......so much to eat! Went to a place for foot reflex. The deal included the arms and the neck.

Decided to have steamboat for dinner. Went to a restaurant nearby. Managed to find a table when the cooler was blowing towards. Most restaurants in Kunming have not aircon. The default steamboat looked impressive with many port bones and stuff. The extra ingredients were, however, a disappointment. Did not enjoy the meal.

12 May

A relaxed day... decided to explore the city further, instead of going to some other attraction further out. Stopped at a old temple and spent some time at the garden at 翠湖 , soaking in the lifestyles of the local. It was very interesting!

Spent the afternoon exploring further and visited the food street but did not managed to get anything! Tasted the local steamed corn and found it delicious.

Visited a few supermarkets along the way too!

Dinner at a local restaurant - we had  过桥米线...it was tasty, nothing fantastic, though. Then, decide to visit the night market 昆都 which turned out to be their local bar / night clubs scene...d

13May

A relaxed morning before catching my flight back to Singapore.


The trip has been an eye opener for me. Looking at the locals living their lives, makes me realise how fortunate I am.


-------------------- Sawbear Travel ---------------

Thank You, My Valentine

Your gesture surprised me beyond words.

You took the trouble to fly in to spend Valentine's night with me, even though it was for that few hours. You made me feel I was the most important person in your life! I felt it!

It was not just a dinner, it was our 1st Valentine's dinner!

I would do the same for you, too! Why? My Dear, you are the most important person in my life, too!




----------- Sawbear Travel -------------

Hong Kong Trip : 03 - 06 Feb 2012

Another rush from office to airport adventure.........catching the flight to Hong Kong! Always, without fail, a shower before going onboard!

The meal on board SQ was rather delicious....and inflight entertainment was good!

Must be still Chinese New Year period....the immigration was EXTREMELY CROWDED! Thank goodness to e-Channel...scan the back of my passport and a finger print and I was through! Hope this privilege last a lifetime!

Stephen was at the airport and we decided to catch the airport bus to the hotel. From the bus stop , it was a short walk up the steep slope to The Bauhinia Hotel. The Hotel was kind enough to upgrade me from Superior to Deluxe, without additional charge!

Decided to go and get a gift for Wallace... Walked through a few places and could not find anything I wanted. Wanted to have dinner but mist -places were closed or closing. Finally....... Good old American Embassy - MacDonald's!

Saturday was a sleep-in day but I had a lunch appointment over at Wanchai area and I needed to get there earlier to look for gift wrapper. Managed to get a gift box and also a card, before meeting up with Wallace. Tim Sum lunch with Frankie and Wallace, my Dear family members!

Then, it was back to the Hotel to meet up with Stephen and to The Panorama Hotel for high tea semi-buffet with Eddie and Simon. The bill came up to less than HK$100 per person (after credit card discount)....value for money!

Wanted to scout for ipad cover in Tsimshatsui but gave up and went over to Mongkok to join in the mad crowd.... this place is simply conjested with people....especially during weekends!
Managed to get a bargain for the ipad cover and then back to the hotel.

A stroll to the waterfront to catch the laser show before going over to Food Republic for dinner. The teppanyaki was rather tasty.

Sunday was supposed to be a sleep in day but decided to go to Stanley market to get some shirts. Thought that the bus from  Tsimshatsui East was the best option but did not realise that it took more than 1 hour to get to the destination!

Shopping was brisk and soon we were on the small van back to Causeway Bay. Managed to walk around before going back to Kowloon side.

Met up with Wei Jian and had a good chat with him in my room. Everywhere was crowded and so I bought some desserts back to hotel instead.

Then, had to meet up with Stephen for dinner - Cafe Too at Island Shangri-La. Read a lot about this restaurant and decided to give it a try.

Started with Boston Lobster, some sushi and salads, before moving on to main dishes, such meats, fish, etc...there's also soup, and a huge selection of desserts! There's really a lot to eat! By the time we finished, Stephen was too full to move! A word of caution.....it's not cheap..... For the food, its not really value for money; for the Company, its money well spent!

Went from a walk near Jordan before heading back to hotel.

Monday came by quickly and by noon , I was already at the Kowloon station checking in.  2.5 hours flight delay but manageable...thks to ipad!

The trip was enjoyable and I was glad to be able to spend time with the special someone....its has been 2 years..its anniverary!


--------------- Sawbear Travel ----------------

Thoughts

Sometimes, I find it difficult to pen my thoughts. There are things that I want to put it down but everytime When I want to write them out, I back out.

I never believe that life would be a bed of roses, for me. I do believe that we must not give in. We run our own lives....believe in ourselves and live our lives to the fullest. Of course, it is usually easily said than done but it's no harm trying, is it!

2011 has been a relatively good year for me. As far as work is concerned, I did better than I used to! The family is still doing fine, thank God! The person who means all the world to me is still driving me crazy....crazily in love!

I thank God for taking care of my family, my friends and also the person I love most. I pray that HE will continue to take care of my family, my friends, me and the person I love most! Amen!


--------------Sawbear Travel-----------------

BKK Trip 5 - 9 Jan

After rushing to finish my work, got changed and rushed to airport. Managed to take a shower before boarding! Always enjoy doing that!

Arrival into Bangkok, the immigration and custom clearance were swift. Soon, I was on my way to the hotel. Stephen was already waiting at the hotel.

After checking in, we went over to Silom for dinner. Decided on Thai food at BUM. The food was so-so....Stephen reckoned the food was not as good as before.

The next few days were rather relaxing.....went shopping at MBK, lunch at MK Suki, dinner at Fuji; shopping at Chinatown, lunch at Ibis and dinner with Gary & Sumate at Vincent's; lunch at Oishi Grand and simple dinner at the hotel.......

Time passed very fast and before I knew it, it was departure day......

Glad to have made it for the trip.....I guess its not so much as to what I did in Bangkok but rather what I wanted to achieve in the trip!






------------------ Sawbear Travel --------------------