Avenue of (HK) Stars

It's free evenings to myself in Hong Kong when I get to stroll along the harbour and view the beautiful skyline that I truly love the city. Even though I've been here since August, I sometimes still feel (and act) like a tourist. While walking along the Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui after a curriculum meeting on the Kowloon side, I decided to take advantage of my time and spend it as a tourist, snapping photos and taking in the sights.

Victoria Peak

Sneak Peek of The Peak!

I went to Victoria Peak last month, where you are able to get the best view of Hong Kong: from above! Here is a sneak peek of the incredible view that I was lucky enough to experience. More photos, once I have sorted through them (one month late, I know!), to come in the next post.

Chinese New Year at the Flat

{Lucky candy}

The flat is looking less like Christmas with the wreath being taken down and being replaced with beautiful, red and gold Chinese New Year decorations.

{Decorations on the metal gate in front of the door}

First Hong Kong Wonton Noodle Experience

{A bowl of wonton and beef noodle soup}

Last week, I had the pleasure of having dinner with a lovely Aussie, now Hong Kong resident, who showed me many restaurants that are worth trying in this city. One of the recommended spots was Tsim Chai Kee, a Michelin Bib Gourmand-awarded restaurant located on Wellington St. in the trendy SoHo (South of Hollywood Rd.) area. After leaving from a much-needed hair appointment, I found myself walking toward the restaurant since I was hankering for something simple to eat for dinner. Although I experienced a bit of a language barrier issue when asking for a table, the subsequent meal had all but made me forget about the minor struggle. I chose the two topping option and picked wontons and beef to go on top of my choice of yellow noodles. When the steaming bowl was placed before me, and I took my first slurp of noodles and soup, I was hooked! For only $28 HKD, my meal was satisfyingly tasty and cheap! I will be making more visits to Tsim Chai Kee, for sure.

{Grabbed a picture with my meal before digging in}

{The short, no-nonsense menu; just noodles, and nothing else}

The Best Movie Theatre Experience

I went to see Django in theatres recently, and had the *best* experience I've had in the cinema, ever. We bought tickets to what is called the UA Cinemas' Director's Club at a price of $175 HKD/person which includes your choice of a hot dog or sandwich, and bottomless drinks and popcorn. Upon entering the theatre that contains 16 of the comfiest armchairs, each complete with its own ottoman to stretch out your legs, the attendants showed us the call button located underneath the table in between our seats to use for when we wanted more popcorn and pop. Let's just say that I took advantage of that button at least twice before the end of the movie which, I must say, is also worth checking out!

Custom-Made Jacket

Nearly a month after getting measured for a custom-made, cashmere-wool blend coat, I finally went to pick up the finished product from Shenzhen, China, this past weekend. Here it is (pictured above)! I picked a lovely charcoal shade for the exterior, and although not visible, the lining is a deep purple satin. Can't wait to put it to good use next year when it will be needed at home in Canada.

The Simple Things

Sometimes it's the simplest things, like a fresh bouquet of beautiful flowers, that can brighten up one's day. This bunch is currently sitting pretty at my flat in an improvised vase: an old pasta sauce jar that has been cleaned and de-labelled.

Some Fun with Colleagues

I have been horrible with keeping my blog updated with the goings-on in my life here in Hong Kong, and for this, I apologise. Last month, just before breaking for Christmas, some Canadian colleagues (one from Vancouver, two from Edmonton, plus another from Toronto) and myself decided to indulge in some dessert and a hilarious gift exchange. Here are the pictures!

Best Dim Sum in Hong Kong

{The front of Tim Ho Wan restaurant}

Tim Ho Wan, the world's cheapest Michelin-starred restaurant according to this three-year old Telegraph article, has a couple of locations in Hong Kong, but the one we decided to visit last week is the original, located in Mong Kok. Already aware of the long line-up that would await us, we arrived at 11:00am only to be given a number and told that it would be a three-hour wait for a table for two. Not surprised one bit about the long queue of dim-sum goers before us, we obediently waited just over two hours for the best dim sum I have ever had. No words can describe the incredible flavours and textures of each dish we ordered (we ordered a lot!). I usually dip everything in soy sauce but doing so would have been a disservice to the plethora of delicious dumplings stacked in front of us. Although a very gruelling wait, especially on empty stomachs, the meal we had was well worth it. Tim Ho Wan is a must-try, for sure!

{For a restaurant with dim sum this good, I will let go of my grammar-police tendencies and forgive the translator}

{Recommended in the Michelin Guide, two years in a row}

{Pictures were quickly captured when we weren't stuffing our faces with the heavenly food before us}

{About half of the food we ordered is pictured here. The other half was promptly eaten and very much enjoyed.}

Spotted in Hong Kong: An Asian Pilot with Platinum Blonde Curls

{Barely visible: pilot-man's thigh-high boots}

Last week, after coming back from our holiday at home in Ottawa, we got right back in to the HK life by taking a stroll through Mong Kok, the most populated area in the city and, lo and behold: this gem, pictured above. Of course, the dogs caught my eye at first, but as my train of vision moved past the massive canines to the person walking them, I couldn't help but think to myself: only in Hong Kong would I find a man with bleached blonde, tightly curled hair in a pilot (?) outfit walking his ginormous Afghans on a crowded street.

OZONE, the Highest Bar in the World

Last month, before the craziness of the holidays and end of term "teacher stuff" for me, I never got a chance to post about a unique experience where I had the fun opportunity to go to a bar that is located on the 118th floor of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel which is part of the International Commerce Centre (ICC), the tallest building in Hong Kong. The drinks were pricey, but well worth it to say that I was having great time with good friends in the sky where we were amongst the clouds.

While I was Home in Ottawa...

{First order of business: a delicious North American-portion brunch with friends at the Mayflower on Elgin St.}

I believe that I have mentioned before my love affair with food and my favourite pastime: eating. Well, one of the main things I looked forward to the most about being back home for the holidays, other than seeing my wonderful family and friends, was the food! Although Hong Kong has its fair share of good food, there were just some things that could only be found in my beloved city of Ottawa. Here are a few pictures of my food adventures while I was home. Not included in this post: the multiple turkey dinners that I consumed over the holiday.

Shawarma (it's the best!) from Shawarma Palace on Rideau St.

Pho from Thu Do on Somerset St. West

Homemade bread and amazing selection of brunch menu items at Jak's Kitchen on Bronson Ave.

Mouthwatering, freshly-made burgers from Hintonburger on Wellington St.