Life between trips

Bolton Cafe on Ashley Road in Tsim Sha Tsui is highly rated on Google, and I can see why people love the nostalgic Hong Kong vibes. The restaurant is clean, tidy, and decorated in a retro style that feels authentic. I arrived around 6 PM, and surprisingly, there was no crowd, which made the experience more relaxed. What I Tried Kyoto Pork with Lard Rice The rice is meant to be mixed with their black sauce, which tastes like a blend of soy sauce and oil. The pork itself was dry but easy to eat, marinated somewhat like the flavor of pai gu wang (Chinese-style pork ribs). Baked Tomato Sauce Rice with Pork Chop This dish didn’t really hit the mark for me. The sauce was light and not as tangy as I expected (I was hoping for something closer to Maggi tomato sauce). The pork chop wasn’t tender and lacked deep marination. The dish included onions, tomato, pineapple, and cheese, but overall, the flavor felt muted. Pork Chop Bun According to my husband, this was way better than any...

After clearing immigration around 1:20 PM , we decided to eat at Hung’s Delicacies , a Michelin-acclaimed Chiuchow and Cantonese restaurant at HKIA. We ordered several of their signature dishes : What We Tried Marinated Roast Goose The goose was fatty, and while the meat was okay, the flavor didn’t stand out. The skin was rich in fat but lacked the depth of taste I expected. Garlic Chicken This was the highlight of the meal. The chicken was tender and infused with a fragrant garlic flavor that made it truly enjoyable. Pork Jowl Unfortunately, this was the weakest dish. The meat was not tender and lacked the pleasantly chewy texture that pork jowl should have. Chai Xin with Cordyceps Flowers and Fungus A pleasant surprise—well-balanced and blanched to the right texture. Light and refreshing. Salt and Pepper Corn Grilled, sweet, and savory, but honestly, the classic salt-and-pepper squid still reigns supreme. Nice, but no wow factor. Signature XO Sauce Mi Fen with...

Omotesando Koffee Kiosk 1, Level 2, Gateway Arcade, Harbour City, 25 Canton Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong When you think of Harbour City in Hong Kong, luxury shopping and panoramic views of Victoria Harbour come to mind. But tucked away in this retail paradise is a little slice of Tokyo— Omotesando Koffee , a minimalist café that brings Japanese coffee culture to the heart of Kowloon. The Concept Originating from Tokyo’s stylish Omotesando district, this café is all about simplicity and precision. The design is clean and understated, with warm wooden tones and geometric accents that echo its Japanese roots. It’s a calm oasis amid the bustling energy of Harbour City. Finding Omotesando Koffee Harbour City is massive—one of the largest shopping complexes in Hong Kong—so it’s easy to get lost on your first visit. Thankfully, there are multiple kiosks and guides stationed throughout the mall that provide clear directions. Once you know the way, it’s an easy and pleasant walk to the café....

I went to watch the Symphony of Lights near the Victoria Harbour cruise area, expecting the same impressive experience I remembered from years ago. Unfortunately, this time it felt lacklustre . The show was scheduled as usual at 8 PM, but the conditions weren’t ideal—it was a day after a typhoon on 25 Sept 2025 , and the sky was still cloudy. The lasers kept disappearing into the clouds, which really diminished the visual impact. But i can't complain as we are fortunate our flights aren't cancelled. The flights a day earlier are all cancelled.  The skyline lights were still beautiful, and the music played faintly in the background, but overall, the show didn’t have the wow factor I remembered. It’s a reminder that weather plays a big role in this experience—clear nights make all the difference.

Nestled in the tranquil hills of Tai Po, Tsz Shan Monastery (慈山寺) is more than just a Buddhist landmark—it’s a sanctuary for reflection and peace. With its towering Guan Yin statue and serene gardens, this monastery offers a rare escape from Hong Kong’s urban rush Getting There We planned to take the 20T minibus , which heads directly to the monastery, but it only runs at limited time slots. To avoid uncertainty, we opted for a taxi from Tai Po Market , which cost about HKD 86 . On the way back, we aimed for the 4:10 PM bus , arriving at 3:56 PM—only to find it full! So, we waited for the next one at 4 :30 PM (last bus) . Mental note: plan your return early if you’re relying on the bus. First Impressions The monastery’s architecture is stunning—Tang and Song dynasty-inspired structures set against lush greenery. The 76-meter Guan Yin statue dominates the skyline, holding a wisdom pearl and vase of pure water, symbolizing compassion and cleansing. Walking the Compassion Path toward h...

 Itinerary from 10 October 2024 to 21 October 2024. Here's a day by day for reference. Click on link for more details on the place of interest or the food.  Day 1:   DO:  Flight from Singapore to Osaka. Arrival at 8.30 pm,  EAT:   Dinner   at Bottle Bird Yakitori STAY: Osaka : Hotel Hokke Club Osaka Day 2:   DO:  Castle visit at Himeji Castle EAT:   Breakfast  at Hotel Hokke Club Osaka,  Lunch  at Tamagoya ,  Dinner  at   Washoku Japanese Tonkatsu,  Dessert  at Manneken & Rikuro Cheesecake STAY: Nara: Piazza Hotel Nara Day 3:   DO: H ike up Wakakusayama Hill, Shrine visit at T odaiji EAT:   Breakfast  with Rikuro ,  Lunch  at Kotoya , Dinner  at Maguro Koya, Snack : Nakatanidow (mochi) STAY:  Nara:  Piazza Hotel Nara Day 4:   DO: Chair lift up Amanohashidate and Amanohashidate Viewland EAT:   Breakfast at  Vie ...