Weekend in Hong Kong

Hey all! 

Before things spiral out of control in the name of December, I wanted to provide a quick recap of our recent weekend in Hong Kong. 

Michael and I both love going to HK. Michael pretty much goes once a month for work, but it had been awhile since my last trip. It's such a crazy, buzzing city full of life and wild sights and sounds. It has a palpable energy not felt here in Singapore - it really reminds us of NYC (except, ya know, super Asian). 

The reason for the trip was a wedding of two friends of ours. They had previously gotten married in the Italian Apls, so the event in HK was more of a reception celebration. It was set at the beautiful Sheck O Country Club and the entire event was a beautiful celebration of love and friendship. 

A recap below: 

We stayed at The Pottinger, the most chic, charming boutique hotel ever. It's located in Central HK, just between Lan Kwai Fung and The Escalators - perfect for shopping, eating and wondering. (Side note: yes, I am carrying a bag full of Jenny Bakery cookies and yes, we waited in line for 35min to get them. I'll be writing a full review soon). 

The city was certainly not lacking in the Christmas decorations department. Even many of the downtown skyscrapers were totally covered in lights and decor.  

Stop for tacos, oops. The western food in HK is excellent, btw. 

A few outtakes for potential Christmas card photos. Michael, go stand over there! 

Are we done yet?

A couple pics from the wedding. 

After the celebration on Friday night we were invited to an intimate bunch on Saturday morning. We dined at Serge et Le Phoque which was out of this world insanely good. Highly, highly, highly recommend checking it out if you can.  

A stroll through the Wan Chai market after bunch. 

One final dinner at one of our favorite restaurants, Posto Pubblico and that was a wrap on a lovely, exhausting, whirlwind weekend in HK. 

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving back home! I know we certainly have so much to be thankful for. We celebrated the holiday a bit with a casual BBQ at our place with Michael's office and we're headed to a proper feast on Saturday (no days off to celebrate here in Singapore!)

Only 2.5 more weeks until we are back Stateside! I hear the weather will be turning just in time for our arrival ;)

XO,

CD

Read More »

The Weekender: Hong Kong

Hey friends! Back with a little mid-week recap. Michael and I are feeling the side effects of real life after coming back from a great weekend up in Hong Kong. As I mentioned in my last post, Michael was in HK for the entire week for work. A while back we decided to make a short weekend of it and have me fly up to meet him Friday after work. (The flight is a little over 3 hours - nearly the same distance from NYC to KC, but on much nicer Asian airlines that actually leave on time and have  way more movies to watch and free booze, so it's not nearly as painful). Anyway - a great weekend spent eating, shopping, exploring and touristing in possibly our favorite city in all of Asia.

This time around we decided to get away from Central and stay in another part of the city (turned out to be a good idea with all the craziness happening in HK at the moment! I'd like to mention that we didn't see any protesting going on, but on our drive out we saw the huge line of parked ambulance and police cars. We were a little out of the way and I understand things got bad Sunday evening after we left). Anyway, we stayed at this kind of crazy boutique hotel we found on Mr. and Mrs. Smith, J Plus. It was um, interesting! Very hip. 

Saturday morning we had big plans for a run, which turned into a hike, which turned into walking to Big Buddha, which ended in taking the cable car to the top. 

Crystal bottom ride? Sure, why not! I don't have many shots from the way up as I was paralyzed with fear. Meanwhile the Asians were taking turns sprawling out on the floor making snow angels and taking pictures. It was pretty cool though!  

I love how Michael looks like an American monster in this pic. {LOLing} 

Are we there yet? I think we cable car'ed all the way to the sun cuz oh my Buddha, it was hot up therr!

Love this view. Such a contrast from the other side of the island. 

Big Buddha! 

Suns out, umbrellas out, Asia!

I loved our cable car mates for the journey back down. They were cracking us up. So. Many. Selfies. #sofetch 

After our 'big' journey (I'm so punny lately) we wondered a little and stopped for lunch. 

Turned down for what?

Our weekend was rapidly coming to a close, but not before cocktail hour on the terrace of our hotel, quick stop in LKF and dinner at our favorite restaurant  - Posto Pubblico (only when you live in Asia can you get away with traveling to HK and eating Italian food). The food, the service, the ambiance and location - molto bene! 

And just like that, it was Sunday afternoon and we  were headed back to Singapore. 

Until next time guys... 

XO,

CD

p.s. Go Royals! That crazy game turned out to be perfect timing for us to listen during our lunch break ;)

Read More »

Hong Kong

So, we went to Hong Kong the other week. It was awesome! {blog posts seem so daunting when you have a million great pics to edit and share in just one go} Michael was in HK the entire week for work, so we decided it would be fun if I popped up on Thursday night and we made a weekend of it. The flight time from SG to HK is only about 3.5 hours, which isn't too bad when you're a, 'I've flown the longest flight in the world - literally!' survivor. Can we get t-shirts made? 

Night one naturally started out with some drinks in Lan Kwai Fong. "LKF" as the cool kids call it, is like Hong Kong's Bourbon Street - packed with bars, restaurants and people looking to have themselves a good time! 

See...

Our first night we had dinner at Posto Pubblico. No pics because it was dark and the food was too good. This place was on a few peoples lists to try and it didn't disappoint. If you shut the front door you would have sworn you were in the West Village. 

Friday, we hit the streets runnin'

HK is an amazingly vibrant and gritty city. It's seriously like Asian New York. It felt so good to be back in the hustle and bustle. Oh how I have missed piles of trash on the street, sirens, power walking and crazy people yelling and cursing at each other. 

Next we took a quick ferry across the river to Kowloon. We didn't spend much (any) time in actual Kowloon, but it was fun to get out on the water and see the skyline. The size of HK is so expansive and impressive - much larger than I had imagined.  

Visiting Victoria Peak ("the Peak") at night was pretty much our only 'to-do' for the weekend. We took a quick (and winding) taxi to the top one evening after dinner. I am kicking myself for not knowing how to properly use my new camera (sorry, Dad!), but the view was unlike anything I have seen. She's a real beaut'. 

The best picture from the Peak was this hilarious kissy/overly staged pic we paid for from one of the many eager photogs at the top. It has a logo and boarder and everything - think "Splash Mountain".  

Would you believe me if I told you they build all buildings (read SKYSCRAPERS) with bamboo scaffolding? I didn't believe Michael either, but it's a trumor. 

What's that? Why yes, I am wearing a crop top, thank you. 

So if the whole IB thing doesn't work out, Michael knows his next venture... 

but really. cute name. 

Close your eyes PETA!

Bye, bye pig face. 

Saturday night ended with an amazing dinner at Wagyu. Michael had fond memories of great oysters there when he traveled to HK with his old job about 5 years ago. I have a feeling our time in LKF and that trip were a little different ;)

 

Our trip wrapped with brunch, a final fitting for the suits Michael had made, a long walk and an art project.

Michael gave me flack for being the only person over the age of 5 taking part in this. 

Last stop before the airport...tea at the Mandarin Oriental.

C: [stands up, hovers directly over table, takes pic, sits, adjusts, takes another 3 pics]

M: Seriously, act like you've had high tea before, will ya. 

Hong Kong - the good life. 

C

Read More »