Family Trip to Beijing & Xi’an

Under construction… Will be updated soon

Must Try in Hong Kong

Balalaika – Russian Bar and Restaurant located @ Mezz Floor, Lan Kwai Fong 33 wyndham St, Central (Tel: 852-2570 2929) 

 

The interior resembles a Russian hunting lodge in an era goneby, complete with wood panelling and antler chandeliers.

Vodka shot room - temperature is – 20c (-36F) allows you to experience the vodka just as if you were in Russia. Patrons are provided fur coats and traditional russian fur hats to enter the vodka room.

Piroshki Pie – Prepared fresh daily with a variety of Fillings including Meat, Seafood, Vegetable or Fruit.

Penne Pasta with Spinach and Crabmeat Filling

Chicken Drum Sticks in Red Wine Sauce with Potatoes

Russian chargrilled skewers with seafood, lamb or beef – Marinated Spring Chicken Shashlik with Rosemary and Roast Garlic

 

Desserts arrive in generous portions with your choice of stadard classics, such as, milk puddings and sorbet

 

Osaka

Day 1 – Hilton Osaka and Surroundings

The busy Hilton Osaka is synonymous with luxury, style and opulence, and they know how to look after foreign travellers – over 50% of their guests come from overseas. The hotel looks out over JR Osaka Station (and the rest of town), and it’s a fantastic base for exploring the city.

Across the street from JR Osaka Station, the Hilton is also enviably close to the Kita-shinchi entertainment area where fortunes are made and lost over triple whisky-and-sodas in some of the most expensive and exclusive bars in town. The efficient ebb and flow of guests in the lobby is like clockwork as the competent English-speaking staff check people in or guide them to their next destination. Rooms are clean and light with shoji (paper screens) on the windows instead of curtains. Smoking and nonsmoking rooms are separated by floor. The fitness centre boasts a 15m swimming pool and the business centre is conveniently open 24 hours. The concourse attached to the hotel is a paradise for shoppers with an Armani store and other major brands like Channel, LV, Gucci.

   

 

 

 

 

Day 2 – Day Trip to Kyoto (guided by Sunrise Tour, lunch included)

Start the day with a train ride from Osaka to Kyoto, Japan’s capital from 794 to 1868. Visit Nijo Castle, the residence of Tokugawa era shoguns, and marvel at the gold-leaf covered Golden Pavilion, which houses sacred relics of Buddha. Stroll through its surrounding garden, known for its exquisite beauty. Visit Kyoto Imperial Palace, then watch traditional Japanese artisans at work at the Kyoto Handicraft Center, where you will have lunch. Walk through Sanjusangendo Temple, Japan’s longest wooden structure, and browse through the specialty shops leading up to Kiyomizudera Temple for a sweeping view of the city. Visit Heian Jingu Shrine, a partial replica of the Imperial Palace.

 

Osaka – Kyoto

Leave Osaka for Kyoto aboard a JR rapid train (non-reserved seats) with an English-Speaking tour conductor

Nijo Castle

The Kyoto Residence of the Tokugawa Shogun built in 1603, Nijo Castle is noted for the contrast of its solemn appearance and gorgeous interiors.

   No photos allowed inside the castle

Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion)

The most authentic and exquisite Japanese style garden in the world, plus the celebrated Golden Pavilion.

 

 Kyoto Imperial Palace

The ancient Imperial Palace clearly shows the Japanese taste for purity, simplicity and calmness.

  

 

Kyoto Handicraft Center

Enjoy a buffet lunch (free soft drinks included except alcoholic drink) and shopping at Kyoto Handicraft Center.

     

Did not continue with the rest of the tour… pls refer to Sunrise website for more information on Heian Jingu Shrine; Sanju – SangendoHall and Kiyomizudera Temple.

Tour disbands on arrival at JR Osaka Station between 18:00-19:00.

 

Day 3 – Where to Eat

Huge selection of food outlet everywhere in Osaka. Here are some photos of the nice and yummy food that I have tried.

Any place to smell and sight nice food is at Department Store Basements – Also known as “depa-chika,” is a fascinating place to enjoy free samples of food, comparison shopping and shopping for the tasty food, sweets, cakes, cookies, appetizers etc. You may find them at Daimaru Osaka Station, Hankyu Osaka Station and Kintetsu Abeno Station.

         

  Rock Melon that cost as much as SGD 300!

  Pastry

 Katsu Curry Take Away

 Mochi

 Mocha Dessert

 Cold Soba

 Mushroom Steak with Fried Rice

 Fruit of the Month – Mango Ice 

  Miso Ramen

  Strawberry Shortcake

  Mocha rice ball

  Fried Udon

  Fried Chicken

Day 4 – Where to Shop 

I was stunned with the size of Osaka underground shopping arcades! Enter the vast underground arcades in Umeda (where the JR, Hanshin, subway, and Hankyu train lines intersect) with names like Whity Umeda, Hankyu Sanbangai, Diamor Osaka, and Dojima Underground Shopping Center, and you may never emerge in this lifetime. Crysta Nagahori, connecting Nagahoribashi Station to Yotsubashi-suji, has a glass atrium ceiling, flowing streams of water, and 100 shops, making it one of the largest — if not the largest — shopping malls in Japan. Nearby are Namba Walk, Nan-nan Town, and Namba City, all interconnected by underground passageways.

 

  Namba Walk

  Street full of neon lights – Namba Area

 

More Shopping – Visit Rinku Premium Outlet located at Rinku Town Station (one stop before Kansai Airport Station). 100s of premium brands for you to choose from.

   

  > 100 over brands

Eat, Shop & Game @ Macau

Sleepy little Macau is blooming!

Macau is a city with two faces: the fortresses, churches and food of former colonial masters Portugal speak to a uniquely Mediterranean style on the China coast. And yet Macau is also the self-styled Las Vegas of the East. The last few years have seen once-sleepy little Macau booming.

These days Macau is wooing commerce and tourism like never before. The enclave’s long tradition of gambling is being taken to new extremes.While the rush in construction of hotels and mega-casinos means there’s plenty of places to try your hand with Lady Luck, many of Macau’s pleasures are relaxed and laidback, architectural and atmospheric. Portuguese influence is everywhere: narrow cobbled alleys, grand baroque churches, balconied colonial mansions, open plazas and Mediterranean-style cafes filled with palm-readers, caged birds and pipe-smokers. The peninsula and the islands of Coloane and Taipa constitute a colourful palette of pastels and ordered greenery.

Places of Interest

A-Ma Temple – already existed before the city of Macau came into being. The various pavilions dedicated to the worship of different deities in a single complex make A-Ma Temple an exemplary representation of Chinese culture inspired by Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism and muliple folk beliefs.

 

St. Joseph’s Seminary and Church – Established in 1728, the old Seminary, together with St. Pual’s College was the principal base for the missionary work implemented in China, Japan and around the region.

 

Senado Square – Macau’s urban centre popular venue for public events and celebrations. The square is surrounded by pastel-coloured neo-classical uildings, creating a consistent and harmonious Mediterranean atmosphere. Ruins of St. Puals is just 5 mins walk from Senado Square. Cab fare from Venetian to Senado Square cost around HK$25.

 

Ruins of St. Paul’s (listed on World Heritage List) – The ruins of St. Paul’s refer to the facade of what was originally the Church of Mater Dei built in 1602-1640, destroyed by fire in 1835.

 

  Along side with Ruins of St. Paul’s is the Na Tcha Temple

  and Section of the Old City Walls which are both listed as World Heritage too.

Mount Fortress – Built in 1617, this was the city’s principal military defence structure equipped with cannons, military barracks, wells and an arsenal. Open from 7am to 7pm. Free entrance.

Macau Tower - 338m tall while the observation tower is at 223m above ground.

    Watch out! Sections of the lounge are fitted with glass floor letting you see the ground beneath your feet – 223m away! Step on them if you’re brave enough and feel like you’re walking on air.

 

  Want more excitment? Try AJ Hackett — a name synonymous with bungy jumping — Skywalk X is a new adventure that takes the hair-raising fun of Skywalk to its limit!

Fisherman’s Wharf – Macau’s first ever themed entertainment attraction with an area of 111,5000 sq meter combining entertainment, retail, food, hotel, marina, convention and casino in one place. Fisherman’s Wharf is just 5 mins walk from Macau Ferry Terminal.

 

 

The Taipa Houses Meseum – Located at Avenida da Praia, Taipa, are five restored houses built in 1921 now used for as a Museum. This space attempts to recreate a traditional Macanese family home fully decorated with furniture, utensils and ornaments from the beginning of the 19th century to the middle of the 20th century. Entrance Fee: MOP$5 per person.

Gray Line Travel Agency (email: grayline@macau.ctm.net) offers various half day tour on Macau City, Taipa and Coloane.

Accomodation

Venetian 

The behemoth has 3,000 rooms, a fleet of singing gondoliers along its shop-lines canals (350 retails shops), and includes what seems to be a full-scale version of Venice’s landmark Bridge of Sighs. Its grand opening was held last year August.

   

Day & Night view of Venetian

 

  Huge variety of international food available at Venetian’s Food Court. Prices start from HK$30.

   Lobby Area

   Bella Suite

  Casino area at far centre

  Singing Godonliers

Free shuttle bus available from Venetian to Sands, Macau Ferry Terminal and Airport at 15mins interval. And if you wish to do casino hoping, free shuttle buses are available at Macau Ferry Terminal to all casino on Macau City Island.

Local Delights

Snack foods from street vendors are usually cheap. Must try Macau’s beef/pork jerky, almond pastries, cakes and portugese desserts along Rua do Cunha, Taipa.

 

Almond Cookies

 

Crispy Egg Roll

  Beef/Pork Jerky

  Ginger Sweets

  Peanut Candy

  Portuguese Puddings

  Portuguese Cakes & Desserts

  Crab Porridge & Squid Balls

    Curry Fishball

 Highly recommended to try Spicy Noodle from Chua Lam Gourmet Kitchen, Largo Do Senade 18E20, 2 Andar, Macau.

Also, make sure you try the famous two-layer milk curd, located in Senado Square (look out for a pink building on your left).

And most importantly, if you come to Macau, you simply cannot miss the Macau pork chop bun! You can find this delicacy at many famous restaurants and delis, but I highly recommend you to try the pork chop bun at Cafe Tai Lei Loi Kei along Largo Governador Tamagnini Barbosal, Taipa.

 

Unique Experience @ Egypt

Egypt is probably the world’s oldest civilization having emerged from the Nile Valley around 3,100 years ago, historically. When most people think of Egypt, they think of antiquities, Pyramids and Temples. But really Egypt is more than that. It is also Red Sea scuba diving, luxury hotels and five star restaurants. It is romantic cruises down the Nile, and it is a cultural experience like none you have ever experienced. Egypt is a land bustling with life, beauty and excitement.
 

Here are some charming places in Egypt that you do not want to Miss!

CAIRO
Rising from the shimmering desert heat, Cairo is an intoxicating blend of cultures, history and peoples, which has fascinated travelers from earliest times. Much has been written and said about this incredible city, but to experience it for oneself, is to take home everlasting memories of the city known as “the mother of the World”.

Highlights in Cario

Egyptian Museum – Learn the history and see the antiquities of some of the great pharaohs. According to the tour guide… there are so many items inside this museum that one could actually spend 9 months going through each and every item.

 

 No photos are allowed inside the museum

The Great Pyramid & Sphinx – One of the Seven Wonders of the World. Several pyramids and the Great Sphinx are located on the desert plateau marking the boundary of Giza, a suburb of Cairo. In Egyptian the site is known as “El-Ahram” (the pyramids). The specific purpose of these pyramids was to provide a place and means by which the dead Pharaoh would rise to the sky and join with the sun. The pyramid was also believed to be the mineral concentration of the sun’s rays of light. Another Hypothesis is that the Pyramids and the Nile represent Orion and the Milky Way; thus focusing the strength and power of heaven to Egypt. The best known pyramids are the tombs of the 3rd and 4th Dynasty Pharaohs: (the largest) Khufu, Cheops in Greek; Khafre, Chephren in Greek; and Menkaure, Mycerinus in Latin. Also, of course, there is the Great Sphinx (father of terror). This gigantic statue represents a lion with a human head, which was said to be a likeness of Chephren standing guard over this tomb.

 

 

 The Great Sphinx

Khan El Khalili Bazaar – definitely the most exciting bazaar in Egypt! A retreat from the sun in summer, in milder winter temperatures it’s even easier to lose a day wandering in this sprawling market, this place is HUGE!! It exudes a truly amazing atmosphere with its labyrinth of bustling alleys lined with merchants displaying traditional crafts. Most of the shop fronts conceal cramped workshops, where craftsmen still produce lanterns, inlaid boxes, waterpipes and brassware using traditional techniques. Beware though—merchants here are masters at the art of haggling, and even the locals joke that they can never get local prices. Cash is definitely preferred here, but some vendors accept credit cards.
 

 

ASWAN
Aswan (1 hour 45mins flight from Cario) is situated at the south end of the section of the Nile plied by the cruise fleets, and just upriver is the First Cataract, the old Aswan Dam, and further, the High Dam.

 

MovenPick Cruise

  The High Dam

To get the feel of Aswan, there is no better way than to take a horse-drawn carriage (negotiate the fare beforehand, and stipulate “No baksheesh”!) from your cruise boat to the Old Cataract Hotel, where Agatha Christie wrote “Death on the Nile”. Here, have tea (or something stronger!) on the Terrace, which overlooks the Nile. A magnificent old colonial hotel!

Also at Aswan is the Nilometer, where the Pharaoh’s officials measured the annual flood and set that year’s tax level. On the West Bank, the Aga Khan’s Mausoleum may be visited, and there is a museum and temple on Elephantine Island in the middle of the Nile. Of the nearby temples, Philae in the middle of the lake between the dams is most often visited by organized tours, and is another venue for evening Son et Lumiere presentations. Also included in most cruise itineraries is a visit to the “Unfinished Obelisk”, which would have been the largest ever erected if it hadn’t cracked before it was fully quarried. As it was abandoned in mid-excavation, it provides the opportunity to see the Ancient Egyptian quarrying technique.

 

ASWAN – KOM OMBO – EDFU/ESNA

At Kom-Ombo, visit the double Temple of Sobek and Horus the Great. 

 

LUXOR
Luxor is at the north end of the section of the Nile. Upon arriving Luxor, visit the East Bank – Karnak Temple and The Luxor Temple and the West Bank – Tombs of the Valleys of the Kings and Hatshepsut Temple and the Colossi of Memnon. 

  A 3-d model of the Valley of the Kings (tiny squares are where the tombs of the kings were found)

 Tram to the Valley of the Kings

  Entrance of the King’s tomb (no photos allowed inside)

  Colossi of Memnon

  People walking round the beetle god for good luck

HURGHADA
One of the most developed tourist resort set beside the RED SEA. A holiday paradise that can satisfy the needs of every visitors, with activities ranging from scuba diving amongst the multitudes of ship wrecks, windsurfing on the crystal clear waters with untouched reefs, to desert safari tours exploring its colorful mountains and canyons.

  Small pubs, restaurants and internet cafes line the main street

        crystal clear water

 

  glass bottom boat ride

EL BAHARIA OASIS
The Oasis, a depression in the desert comprising springs, wells and trees reflects the beauty, charm and diversity of nature; its surrounding deserts green valleys, water falls, high plateaus, therapeutic sulphur –rich springs. The Oasisis famed for its all-year-round pleasant climate and beautiful scenery. There is evidence of pre-historic settlements as well as Pharaonic, Greek Roman, Coptic, & monuments. The large depressions where the ground is close to the water table contain the five major oases of the Western Desert namely: Siwa, Bahariya, Farafra, Dakhla, Kharga, plus the Fayoum, which is the closest to the Nile Valley.

The Bahriya Oases: - Bahariya, the first to be encountered, lies in a depression about 300 kmsouthwest of Cairo. The Greco-Roman period is represented in a huge cemetery (about 06 square kilometres) in the area of el-Bawiti, the capital of Bahariya. Statuettes, pottery, jewels and coins were found and helped date the cemetery to the Graeco-Roman period. The remains of a settlement in this area and probably an extended system of subterranean aqueducts still in use today also belong to the Graeco-Roman period. is worth mentioning the small temple of Alexander the Great, at Qasr el-Migysbah, apparently the only place where his cartouche and image were found in Egypt.

 Baharia

3* Palm Resort

 

  4*4 jeep to visit the Western Desert

  Crystal Mountain

The Black Desert

The New White Desert

 

Magic Spring - fresh water from the ground

 

Sunset

 

BBQ camp fire @ the sand dune camp where local Bedouins stayed

 

  Local preparing mint tea for us…

ABU SIMBEL
Not only are the two temples at Abu Simbel among the most magnificent monuments in the world but their removal and reconstruction was an historic event in itself. When the temples (280km from Aswan) were threatened by submersion in Lake Nasser, due to the construction of the High Dam, the Egyptian Government secured the support of UNESCO and launched a world wide appeal. During the salvage operation which began in 1964 and ends in 1968, the two temples were dismantled and raised over 60 meters up the sandstone cliff where they had been built more than 3,000 years before. Here they were reassembled, in the exact same relationship to each other and the sun, and covered with an artificial mountain. Most of the joins in the stone have now been filled by antiquity experts, but inside the temples it is still possible to see where the blocks were cut. You can also go inside the man made dome and see an exhibition of photographs showing the different stages of the massive removal project.

FOOD @ EGYPT

Seafood Meals…
 

On the move – breakfast box… 

 

Meals on board of MovenPick…

 

  Local Desserts

 

Street Hawkers…

  Baked Maccaroni

  Peanut Seller

  Mint Tea