Hong Kong: Afternoon Tea at Ritz Carlton

So last last weekend, @pinkytham finally came to visit. She is the only representative from the #Sisterhoodies who came.

And again, I took the opportunity to do stuff that I enjoy and know she will too. J suggested afternoon tea, my favourite activity if I wasn't actually working in a day job.

It was really difficult to choose any photos that Pinky took for me. This was the best. Sigh. I will do a comparison post of the photos I took for her and the ones she took for me soon. Haha.

We were at level 103 at the #RitzCarlton hotel. The view was lovely despite the fog.

We were quite hungry that day after a disappointing #dimsum breakfast. So we ordered this wagyu cubes and a carbonara.

We didn't take any photos of it because we focused on eating it too much. 

It. Was. So. Good.

One of the best I've tasted. Usually, I don't like my pasta so rich but the chef here used egg yolks to make the sauce instead of using cream. Yummmmzzz!

She wanted more than some. 

Miss her silly face now! Good thing I'm going to see the bunch soon.

Anyway, the sandwiches, cakes and scones were very good. Though I was the only one who liked the scones. Pinky didn't like it. J was unaffected. I guess I'm more English than him for once. It is priced at HKD598 for 2.

I can't accept not having scones, clotted cream and jam whenever we go back to UK. It is a must for me. A MUST!

Hong Kong: Australian Dairy Company

Hey hey! It is #Monday. 

I am so tired from the weekend. So many bruises from last week and I must have twisted my ankle. I have decided to just wear flip flops to work and then change to heels this summer. Now I know how @angeline feel. So liberating.

So there's a slight conflict on what to post today and I think I'm good with a short post instead. 

Australian Dairy Company is perhaps the most ching chong place with a western name.

Apparently, it is a must-visit place here. I went with @teycindy and her cousin, Sotong. In fact, Sotong had a list of must-dos in #HongKong. I was really impressed cos I haven't been to most of it.

So this was a great opportunity for me to try it. My mom and sis went without me the last time.

This may look like the usual macaroni with ham and fried egg but it is really one of the better ones I have tasted in HK.

The usual macaroni soup bowl will usually come with buttered toast and egg cooked in the style of your choice.

Actually, everything in this cafe looks and taste fresher and fluffier than other normal HK local cafes. Maybe that is why it always have a queue outside.

You can't say you've been to HK unless you have tried HK authentic French Toast. It is not as peanut buttery as the Malaysian ones.

This, is the superstar there. Steamed Milk. They used really fresh milk to make them and it literally melts in your mouth. Have it hot or cold. Any way you like it!

#foodie #eatlikeatourist #eatlikealocal

He Surprised Me!

I wanted this so bad when I first saw it.

Earphones in a bottle of water...

And you can buy it from a vending machine???? 

Placing an athletic looking tattoo-ed man and those earphones in a bottle of water...what a brilliant advertising idea.

I was sold. 

However, I put off quite long before really considering buying it again because I always needed something else more. 

I mean it is really not expensive but I do try to be mindful with my money now that I'm older. So, whenever we go to the computer I always ended up buying something but it.

Today I had that urge again because I was thinking about going swimming more often. I have become very dependent on having something to do whilst I am exercising and without it I am not as motivated.

Like if I go to the gym, I can still bring my phone and not worry about it getting wet. But I guess I like swimming better?

So, I texted J at work and contemplated it...like for the 1000th time.

All of the sudden, he sent me the photo!

How did he know one?!?!?!

He secretly went and buy for me during his lunch break but I dunno why he suddenly go buy cos I have been talking about it for months.

So I was very happy and SURPRISED! So I asked him why...then I kena scolded.

So potong stim already...booo. But still happy cos I can finally own this!

As you can see, mine is pink. PINK!

Teehee!

Also, I bought a really pretty swimsuit last weekend from #Monki. 

I find that I like full swimsuits better now compared to bikinis. I dunno if it is my age or what. And I used to collect bikinis. 

People do change huh?!

And finally....

I just got promoted officially!

The Katie Holmes is not Tom Cruise's Katie Holmes by the way. Haha...she is not going to be happy that I pointed it out...but I'm just trying to clear your doubts okei..

Anyway, I'm gonna go swimming to test out the earphones now! Will let you know how it goes later x

What to do in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong? - Joe's Billards

I don't do a lot at night in #HongKong. My night life here is significantly different from my life in KL. The irony is that, people have always said that Hong Kong have so much going on. I don't know what they mean but I went for a beer pong session once.

It was quite nice.

I wasn't bad in it once I got the hang of it. Totally making J drink since we was against me on the other team.

We went on a double date with Kai and Boni. We met a group of very young looking adults and they wanted to play together. So we did. We mixed up our team.

I can't remember the name of this place but it is at this quite happening strip at #TsimShaTsui. Eh actually I found out, http://www.joesbilliards.com/ 

Oh we also played a bit of pool but I was very rubbish at it. I don't think I'll ever improve. I'm not good at aiming yo.

We also played darts. I am not very good at that too.

Kai and J.

Boni and I. 

Today's post is a short one since I'm not feeling well.

Have a great #Friday everyone!

Happy Valley: The Day I Went To The Racecourse

Tuesday. The day before Wednesday.

Wednesdays are the days where horse racing enthusiast or gamble addicts head to Happy Valley for some races.

I personally do not like to gamble but I like the adrenaline I get from watching races. Kinda like watching Formula 1 live.

I went to HK Jockey Club with my colleagues where we get to be highrollers and hangout at Adrenaline. If you go to the common area, you only pay HKD10 bucks I think. 

To get into Adrenaline, it is HKD290 per person including drinks and dinner.

If you ask me, I prefer the common area where you can see the horses but I'm not complaining since it is all sponsored! 

My boss even gave us money to gamble. Sadly, we didn't win. I remember my mom telling me that if you gamble with someone else's money, you are not gambling with your own luck. Hence, you won't win. But hey, what do I know about gambling.

I only feel bad losing cos it is not my money I'm losing.

Can you imagine living in one of those apartments overseeing the racecourse?

It looked so beautiful that evening. 

Took a break to shower and it has already passed midnight. Can't post more photos now. Goodnight!

Art Basel in Hong Kong

Tgif beetches.

What a long day at work but very rewarding too. I always believe putting in extra effort into my work even though I might not be recognised for it. But I was, so all the better. Two clients so far have commented that the CVs/talents that I found was great. I usually only get compliments from my bosses. So yeah, keep it coming baby. If only compliments can be converted into money.

I want to blog something short today. So, let's talk about art.

We went to the Asia Contemporary Art Show 2014 last month. Thanks so Kunal, we managed to get free tickets to enter. 

I was eager to go because I love artsy fartsy stuff since I was young but I have never admitted it since I finished Secondary 3 but that is a story for another day.

It was very exciting as well because we get to see contemporary art from all over the world. Jesse is not a great fan but he accompanied me. He ended up enjoying it too. It was at the Conrad Hotel.

That is me checking out all the art in the bathroom. 

They were really creative with the whole exhibition venue idea. They used hotel rooms as exhibition space for different galleries. I love how they utilised the bathrooms too. 

While it was an unconventional idea to do so, I don't think the organizer have it all thought out. There were art being exhibited in 5 levels but there were only two hotel room toilets available to public. So the queue were crazy for both. Not impressed.

This is one of the art that I have to highlight. It is from a Malaysian artist. I'm not gonna pretend like I remember his name but he did a lot of quirky childhood memories art. 

If everything didn't cost HKD10,000 and above..I would have bought one or two to keep. Well, my art jamming session better be soon.

This is a piece from a Vietnamese artist who was trying to express the how the modern day Vietnamese female looked different from Vietnamese female from the olden days. 

Apparently the purple gloss on the art is not ease to achieve. 

See I can remember all the stories and meaning of the art but I'm just so bad with names.

This is one of Jesse's fave. The photo is definitely not doing it justice. It is as wide as the bed it is placed on. Huge. I'm not so sure how Linda is going to feel about this. It is not a hornbill right? Or is it?

This one is a little strange. We only took it because we are obssessed with anything that looked like Dug.

Prior to this exhibition, I'm sure I have seen this somewhere before. It is pretty cute.

Not sure what the fuss is for this one. It is just McDonald's related. Or maybe, I just don't get it.

This is @yuennyyee and a duckling.

I want to post more but I'm very sleepy and I don't want to continue this on another day. So this is all you get for this event in #HongKong. 

#artshow #artbasel #contemporaryart

Hong Kong: Lardos Steak House

After being in Hong Kong for a year. I can finally post recommendations on where to eat. You know, places where locals go. 

Jesse found this really old school restaurant that serves great steak. Getting there is quite the pain from where we live but if you are living in HK Island, it is easy peasy.

That restaurant is located in Hang Hau Village. I believe you have to get off the MTR at Hang Hau station. If you are a local, you'd probably take the bus but I recommend that you take a taxi.

If all else fail, Google the shit out of Lardos Steak House.

As you can see, this place cannot look any dodgier than this. They do not offer any frills. Only great food and great service. But you always have to make reservation. Don't expect to just turn up and get seats or great cuts.

This is us and other people peeking inside while waiting for them to open. They usually offer two seatings. Once at 6pm and another at 8pm.

The Chateaubriand is to die for. Imagine steak done in the right temperature melting in your mouth!

Dining at Lardos, one thing you can't expect is great presentation. They don't even try to match their cutleries or plates. Maybe that is why I like it even more. 

You will be greeted with salad and a basket of warm bread as soon as you sit down.

Our intention was to get there, eat the Chateaubriand and hopefully dessert because we always never leave any space for dessert everytime we dine out. So, we had it all planned out. Share an appetizer so we won't get too full. 

And then, I saw Lobster Bisque as their special of the day. Sigh. I had to have it. It is my favourite soup in the world.

It came in a super big salad kinda bowl. It is probably the biggest and most yummy lobster bisque I ever had.

There were chunks and chucks of lobster bits in it. I loved it.

Medium Rare.

Asparagus in chicken stock. Very light and crunchy.

As predicted, we missed out on the dessert because we were too full. By the time we left, we were experiencing food coma. 

In total the meal came up to around HKD1,200. Which is very reasonable for the quality of food.

We spent way more the week before at #Bisteca, #LanKwaiFong. Probably the worst steak I ever had in my life there and super overpriced. Please don't go there if you ever visit #HongKong.

#eatlikelocal #wheretoeat #foodporn

Romantic Gayana Resort, Kota Kinabalu

Yesterday was definitely a very testing day. I guess there's nothing big that caused that. I have been doing great at work and things are going great with Jesse and Dug. It is probably hormones and little things that built up to piss me off.

I miss home and after a lot of back and forth, all my leave has been approved. So hurray. 

I usually blog on my way to work. That is the only time I don't have any distraction. 

Let's talk about something happy. Like my trip to #GayanaResort.

Chalet on the sea. The pier we got down from the speedboat.

Stupid Jesse walking #likeaboss after swimming all day at #BungaRayaResort. We were so tired by the time we arrived here.

So they invited us to chill at the infinity pool area that overlooked the sea. There are no beach at this resort but have other interesting factors like the Geocenter..or at least I think that is what it is called. 

I couldn't sleep and felt restless. So I went to check it out while Jesse snoozed.

On the way to the Geocenter you have to walk through these chalet. There were nobody there then, so I was slightly creeped out.

Okay so it is called Marine Ecology Research Centre.

They were shut when I arrived but you can still see stuff like starfish and corals outside the centre.

I love starfish. They are so cute ♥♥♥

Save the Giant Clams!

Pretty giant clams. I love the colours. Shame I have no interest in scuba diving.

By the time I was done, the sun was setting and Jesse was still snoozing so I made my way back to the pool to get ready for dinner.

Couldn't resist to take another photo of the view. I wish I live there w.t.f.

Alu-Alu Restaurant for dinner. Jesse is very picky with food when we eat out (he is not if it is my cooking heh!), so I wanted to take him to somewhere nice and romantic. This only happens once a year so gotta make it count.

We ate at this beautiful restaurant.

We were forced by the waiter to take this cheesy photo. It was forceful and cheesy even by my standards...

We even played outside while waiting for food. They had lights under the restaurant, so you can see bigger fishes feeding on smaller fishes. It was quite romantic.

The day concluded with a little man in a big sofa. Our experience at Gayana Resort was quite special. I would totally recommend this place to couples or a few friends who are looking for relaxation. 

#travel #wanderlust #love