Family Day @ Jurong BIrd Park

Pose #1

Pose #2

Pose #3

where we got our genes (& cheeky looks) - Mommy dearest!

Wish List

Ethereal goddess look from Agnes B

polka dots shorts with ribbon tie from Agnes B

Sukey Large Tote

Caths Kidston

if i struck lottery...

Hong Kong 2010 (Last Day of Shopping)

Yay! Finally met up with Vikki after 2 long years! Woke up early morning and bought us dim sum (opposite City Garden Hotel).

that first pour is for cleaning

You're still very pretty lah, my friend!

my hungry half

This restaurant serves very traditional dishes like cheong fun (rice noodle rolls), har kow (prawn dumplings), pai kuat (ribs with black beans) but no juk or porridge.

Next, Vikki got us a discount taxi and started our shopping journey to:

• Space warehouse at Ap Lei Chau or Aberdeen Island - Prada, Helmut Lang, Miu Miu at discounted prices (totally forgot about Joyce warehouse which is a few blocks away)
• Back to CWB, Lane Crawford for coffee and Milan Station for secondhand bags (Thanks K for the Gucci!)

After a satisfying shopping experience, we sat down for some crabmeat porridge and shrimps noodles near Milan Station.

Authentic wanton mee!

Didn't get much pictures cos Shanen nearly choked on a crab cartilage. freaked everyone out and aunties from nearby tables looked on in fear (or disgust probably) as I stuck my fingers into her mouth to get her to puke, luckily she's managed to spew out in my hands and K conveniently took a bowl for me to discard every gooey bits *oops!*

Shanen's favourite - 鸡蛋仔

K went to attend his friend's wedding shortly after and Vikki continued to show us around for more shopping and eating!

甜姨姨 Dessert at 天后

We MISS You!!

Thanks Vikki for showing us around and spending the whole day with us! Hope to see you in Singapore soon!

Places that we missed (and will be back to visit!):

• The Peak
• Madame Tussauds
• Portugese Macau Tour
• Po Lin Monastery & Giant Buddha on Lantau Island
• Any suggestions?

Hong Kong 2010 (Day 3)

At the pier across the road from Hotel Ibis

On board the ferry

Decided to visit the infamous Ladies Market at Mongkok. Got off a bad start as we took the wrong ferry to Kowloon (instead of Hung Hom). Amazingly i didn't get sea-sick on this ride. Maybe cos it's a much shorter ride and less crowd (which is only HKD4 per trip). Afterwhich, we hoped on bus 6C to get to Ladies Market.

the drivers totally ignored us when i mispronounced Ladies Market in Cantonese

One thing to say about the market is there are really a lot of knock-offs (found Juicy Couture, Miu Miu, Prada, Gucci, LV) but they are not cheap. The average LV, Miu Miu or Prada (those *A* grade ones which they will only show you if you're interested to buy) can easily set you back for HKD900-HKD1200.

WARNING: Never try to bargain if you don't intend to buy. We were literally chased down the street with angry, fingerpointing, swearing aunties. We also noticed the few stalls that sell those knockoffs, are practically owned by one man, whom seemingly followed us as we *happily* bargained our way from one stall to the other. We were lucky to make our way out without being clobbered. Next stop, brunch at the fusion restaurant alongside Ladies Market.

At the fusion restaurant

steak with pak choy - any takers?

mussels with shallots

grilled scallops with green peppers - NICE!

Took the MTR to Causeway Bay for more shopping. The subway or underground walkways are linked to Sogo, Times Square and World Trade Centre. Had high tea at Agnes b Cafe at WTC, best chestnut puree cake I'd tasted so far!

Mont Blanc from Agnes b cafe

cheesecake with a crispy bottom - ok lah

We didn't really spend much time shopping as the crowd were really suffocating! We inched our way out from MTR and inched our way through the crowd and back.

Last note, if you're into quirky finds and local designer stuff, visit La Foret (behind Sogo)。 Found this there but the shop (no。208) was closed!!!

Meeting up with Vikki on our last day...tomorrow!

Hong Kong 2010 (Day 2)

K and I were more excited than Shanen

The service crew was so nice to give us a mickey candy floss...much to the envy of those around us...hahaha...but we can't finish it (too sweet!)

She really tried to pull it out...

Mimi (that's how she calls her) and what's with the handholding?

"O-oh no photos pls"

the show ended with a kiss

Disneyland tickets bought @ hotel - HKD700 for 2

Return bus transfer to hotel - HKD160 for 2

What we should have done:

• Taken the MTR/discount taxi to Disneyland (we've to wait for the hotel bus to pickup and be back at a certain timing, not to mention the many stops that it made to pickup other hotel guests)
• Bought tickets @ Disneyland Counter (someone got crew discount)
• Stayed a night @ Disneyland Hotel (so we could take our time to explore)

We did made use of the remaining time (before the bus picks us back) to do some shopping at Citygate outlet via the Mickey Express and MTR.

Not exactly the factory outlet that we were so looking forward to though you'll find Gucci, Kate Spade, Coach at slightly cheaper prices compared to those in Causeway Bay and Changi Airport DFS. I'll just have to wait for K's trip to SF or AKL.

We did bought a few pairs of shoes (for me & Shanen) and had dinner at the foodcourt there (well it's cheaper than in Disneyland!)

Vietnamese Fried Spring Rolls

I was so addicted to this when i was in Perth

But we didn't manage to catch the last show at Disneyland - Fireworks. Oh well, would have been too loud for Shanen anyway...will be back to catch it next time!

Day 3 Shopping...Next!

Hong Kong 2010 (Day 1)

From Hotel Ibis

Our first family trip to Hong Kong! Thanks to K's recent promotion and the perks that come with it (finally!) K's invited to attend his friend's wedding and i took the chance to visit a dear friend of mine and for Shanen - Disneyland.

Based on travel reviews, it's relatively easy to get around as everywhere is well-connected to the local MTR stations and bus services. So we did it the tourists way but without further research. Upon arrival at HK International Airport (赤乐角机场)， we eagerly queued and bought the express train ticket (conveniently located right outside the immigration checkpoint - so we/tourists won't miss it) at HKD160 for 2 (equiv to S$32) to Central before hopping on the MTR (another HKD20) to our hotel, Ibis at Northpoint (北角)。 BIG MISTAKE - we knew that Hong Kong is crowded, that was such an understatement. It's OVERLY CROWDED. Just imagine you taking the MRT during rush hours, well it's basically rush hour all day/night in HK.

Later, as we found out from our friends, Jason and Vikki, there are discount taxis (打折德士) that offer discounted fares but calls have to be made half hour in advance. Well, personal choice really. If you are travelling solo without the kids, it makes more sense to take the earlier option.

After meandering our way through the stations and crowds, we finally got to our hotel...

The only thing that's uplifting was the view from the hotel...when the weather permits that is. Most of the time it's blocked by the haze. The other comforting thing was the food choices available around the hotel. PLENTY of cheap and mouth-watering treats (even the roadside stalls). Do try:

• Breakfast at Lok Tin Tea Restaurant (乐天茶餐厅) or 有你有我茶餐厅 a few steps away from the hotel which is opened 24hrs.
• Snack on the braised beef intestines/squids/fishballs (鱼蛋) at 十三座牛杂 next to the hotel across the street- you will find the locals queuing and eating right infront of the stalls with metal plates.
• Lunch at Yung Kee restaurant that sells excellent roast meat/goose rice and herbal soups at reasonable prices (to me it's cheap!)
• Dessert from the famous Tsui Lau Shan (许留山) - Thumbs up for Mango with pomelo dessert drink and mango/orange mochi with coconut flakes (sorry too late to get the pics as K merrily consumed it on his way back to the hotel).

Day 2 to Disneyland...tomorrow!