Cause them angels will just keep on multiplying.

Cause them angels will just keep on multiplying.


picture from inmagine

I often tell P: "You must have done something really good in your past life to have friends like yours." If karma is anything to go by, I have come to realize in recent months that perhaps I didn't do too bad in my past life either.

From my very supportive girlfriends who despite the short notice turned up for moral support when I was roped in for a last minute emcee job; to the jetsetter who specially brought back a taste of Laduree macaron heaven all the way from London; and to the almost Hong Kong native who apart from taking us to the nooks and crannies to discover culinary gems, went all the way from one island to another and back to our ferry terminal just to pass us a packet of panfriend dumplings and what she deemed was the best carrot cake.

And then there are the old friends who in the light of my recent unconventional choices held my hand and said: "I won't love you any less."

I am indeed very, very blessed.

Sleepier than the city.

Sleepier than the city.

I thought I've seen the city often enough in movies and drama serials and I thought my slipshod Cantonese would be sufficient to get me by, but I still feel a tad overwhelmed in Hong Kong. I admit I'm kinda ill-equipped when it comes to urban holidays that do not involve lazing in the sun with the sand between my toes, but there is so much to see and so much life bustling about the aged streets that I still don't quite know to begin.

It's just as well Jins and Pinkie are here to take P and I around. We had a taste of local life early this morning when we yum cha-ed with Jins at a local joint, and later in the afternoon while squeezing with the crowds at Argyle Centre (Hong Kong's equivalent of Far East Plaza). We're just back from what Jin and P claim to be the best beef brisket, and I'm quite ready for bed after a night of ab-aching laughter over Yung Kee's famed roast goose, magaritas and Kamikaze shots with Pinkie in the equation.

My greatest moment of serendipity has to be when Jess, a hospitality senior in TP, walked out of the lift as we were entering to check into our hotel yesterday. The world is indeed a small one, and the hospitality circle is indeed pretty darn entwined! Off to the shower!

Asia undiscovered.

Asia undiscovered.

I'm 2.5 hours from the airport and 4 hours from my flight to Hong Kong. It has always been one of those Asian cities I never quite deemed exotic enough to visit until recently, when I realigned my inclination towards island destinations. I don't know what there is to do in Hong Kong except to eat really, so I'm glad my partner's got quite the voracious appetite for food! And of course, Jinli and I have grand plans to end our magarita-draught in Lan Kwai Fong on Thursday night. ;)

My valiant attempts to post up my Lombok-Bali travelogue have been futile and waylaid by many an afternoon nap, but I promise it'll be up once I'm done traipsing through the streets of Hong Kong.

Off I go for 45 minutes of shut-eye while P continues packing. :) We may just sleep through the entire plane ride tomorrow...

First taste of freedom.

First taste of freedom.

I officially ended my stint at the magazine today after seven whole months of feasting, writing and more feasting. It's been one hell of a ride, but the post island holiday inertia coupled with the extension has drained enough out of me these past two weeks for me to be glad for a breather.

It shouldn't take me too long to get back into the blogging game now that I've got more time on my hands, but I've got quite a bit lined up for the next couple of days before we leave for Hong Kong so my outstanding travel diary may have to wait.

For now, it's to the bed to repay some of that hefty sleep debt to wake up bright and shiny for breakfast by the bay.

Easy breezy.

Easy breezy.

I was initially a tad bummed when NTU issued me a work quarantine despite me choosing Indonesia over Perth, but the mandatory week off from the office has allowed me the breezy pleasures of lazy weekdays I didn't know I missed. There is some naughty delight in going to bed on a Tuesday knowing that I had the entire afternoon ahead to do as I would please. And for the first time in awhile, I could set a dinner date without fearing work would keep me back.




So there you have it - a visit by a childhood friend, digging into a tub of ice cream by the bay with newly bought spoons, a morning walk up the hill, a rowdy dinner with the girls where we initiated K's sis into the club, strolling up and down the grocery aisles at one in the morning, brunch with a friend I haven't seen in two years, and mussels, frites and beer by the river with my near and dear.

It's back to work for two weeks come tomorrow before we head to Hong Kong to pay Jinli a house visit. Just as well, for another easy week would whip the magic out of this. ;)

Banana pancakes...

Banana pancakes...



are made for rainy mornings, as they are for sunny ones with the blue skies reflected in the side dish of honey. Off I go into the rain, for breakfast in the city. ;)