Mandarin Oriental

To celebrate our one year in Hong Kong, Duncan and I decided to go for afternoon tea at the Mandarin Oriental.  Located in between Central and Admiralty the hotel was built in 1963 and was quickly regarded as one of the best in the world. It underwent complete renovation in 2005 but stayed true to its original luxurious and extravagant interior design. 

Afternoon tea was served in the Clipper Lounge. The service was excellent, however I think I've had better overall treats in Hong Kong, except of course for the Opera which was a perfect balance of coffee and chocolate flavour. After tea we decided to snoop around the facilities. The hotel is truly exquisite and has a certain class which only good taste can buy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One year in Hong Kong

Wow I can't believe it. One year ago I landed in Hong Kong jetlagged, dazed, and excited. I remember the first morning waking up and looking out my window at the wet market, the noisy tram passing by, the dense tall buildings and feeling like holy crap I've actually done this. I've had an incredible year, one of the best, so much has happened so much has changed in such a short amount of time.

One of the first pictures taken in hk [Jan 2014]

 

Photo taken today [Jan 27, 2015]

 

I decided to do a quick recap:
 

First impression:
overwhelming, dynamic, tropical.
 

Favourite neighbourhood:
Wan Chai.
 

Favourite tourist attraction:
The Peak and the Big Buddha.
 

Most interesting attraction:
Kowloon Walled City.
 

Favourite new food:
various dim sum and the ice lemon tea.
 

Favourite new hobby:
photography and paddle boarding.
 

Hardest moment:
allergies.
 

Best hike:
Sai Kung.
 

Best beach:
Shek O or the one in Sai Kung.
 

Best temple:
Pak Tai in Wan Chai.
 

Best shopping:
ladies market.
 

Best memory:
Aqua Luna and winning raffle for flights to Seattle.
 

Favourite memory with Duncan:
that first night at the wanch.
 

Favourite memory with Jon:
Canada Day.
 

Favourite memory with Lucile and David:
Borneo.
 

Favourite memory with Odile:
Macau.

Biggest lesson:
100% letting go of the "normal" career/life path and simply put by my mom "do what you love".
 

 

  

Lion's Rock

If you google hikes in Hong Kong, Dragon's Back and Lion's rock are the first to show up; that's because they have amazing views and are beginner friendly.  On a beautiful Sunday, Anna, Jamie, Duncan and I decided to give Lion's rock a go.  We had trouble finding a clear starting point so we ended up starting near a reservoir that was supposedly near Lion's Rock. In the end we did 2 hikes instead of one but it was so beautiful, none of us minded at all!  (I didn't get many clear shots of the view because it was quite a polluted day, however I vow to go back at sunset and take epic photos).

 

 

Lion's rock peak

me, Jamie, Anna

 

View of Kowloon

 

Jamie and Duncan

 

Almost there!

 

 

 

Literally on the edge

 

 

 

We're now trying to do a hike every weekend!

Aqua Luna

I had an amazing time with my mom while she visited. I hadn't seen her for 10 months, which may not be long for some but considering how close we are it was incredibly long! I wish she could have stayed longer, I could have shown her more, made her see my new world a bit more, but I'm just glad she came to see this chapter of my life in Hong Kong. I will remember this week and half forever and one day we'll reminisce on it with my kids.

But anyways enough soppiness... what more perfect way to conclude this trip than with a night cruise on the Aqua Luna! This approximately 45 minute ride takes you around and across Victoria Harbour, and they even provide blankets and beverages.  It was a beautiful moment to share with my mom as well as Duncan as we not only looked back on her visit but also this past year in Hong Kong.  I think I'll definitely do it again, maybe to say my last goodbye to this magical city.

Mais tu raccontes quoi?

Ah bon? C'est pas vrai...

Clara!!!

Je t'aime maman!

Big Buddha

They say the third times the charm and in this case it was true. Can you believe it? I'd tried twice before to go to the big buddha, only to be met with massive crowds! But mama was in town, i presumably had the lucky number and so there was no stopping me.  We took the cable cars and after the initial fear of plummeting to our deaths, the trip offered spectacular views with anticipation over each mountain we passed leading to the buddha.

Me and Mini

Duncan

Little Buddha on the left

This has got to be one of my most favourite things I've done in Hong Kong. Once you pass the tourist built village you are greeted with various statues, beautiful temples, and of course the stairs to the main event- Tian Tan Buddha. We went on a chilly, slightly cloudy day but I feel like there's no bad day to see this, as the weather offers various dramatic backdrops for the Buddha. Go check it outttt!

Had a bit of a jumping photo obsession that day

Cutie Mini