Hong Kong: The Island Behind the City ~ Cheung Chau

After living in Hong Kong for more than 15 years, I realized this is my first time to visit Cheung Chau island 長洲. So I became a tourist myself and I love this island! It is a small island but is filled with local delicacy and amazing foods. 

Took the 11:30 Deluxe Boat in Central Pier #5 to Cheung Chau and around half an hour we have arrived to this enrich island behind the city.

There are quite a few must do, must eat, and must see place. So I have compiled a list:

1. The Mega big fish ball that tastes delicious!
2. Rent a bicycle/tricycle so that you can adventure around the island easier~
3. Cheung Po Tsai Cave is a must visit place to add a bit of adventure feeling to the trip
4. Seafood splurging time as they are fresh and tasty~ yum yum!  (and hey Cheung Chau is originally a fisherman village, so the seafood should be one of the best in HK)
5. Many others to do and eat but obviously, I didn't have time to do it. Til next time then!

By the way, lately it has been beautiful weather in Hong Kong; sunny with breeze. Although, as signature as it gets, it is still sweaty hot and humid type of summer.  

Hong Kong: Frites restaurant in Quarry Bay

 Fish and Chips is really not my favourite dish in the list. It is delicious and heaven-like but the consequence of having it is huge. I am not weight watching (although I should), but it is more like the heaviness you feel after eating it and the oily discomfort. And the odd pimples that come out after eating it if really unlucky. So you can imagine how much dilemma I had when ordered this in Frites. I saw the table next to us ordered it and it did look jaw-dropping yummy-ness. 

I made a great choice in the end because it was amazing and well made battered beer fish. For lunch it may be a bit too heavy but it is worth it :)

So if you ever pop by Quarry Bay/Taikoo, should visit Frites for a taste of the Fish & Chips or other choices in the menu which I haven't tried it yet.

Japan Trip: Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route

Destination: Nagoya -> Shirakawa-go -> Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route -> Tokyo

Date of Travel: May 18th - 22nd, 2013

I have finally went to one of my dream destinations in the world! The amazing Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is a must go place in Japan. I would even say one of the top scenic routes in world. The panoramic view of the snow mountains, above sea water of around 1,900 m, with a route that  requires you to travel in 7 different transportation across the mountains. Truly amazing. 

Out of the 4 seasons, you can only visit this route in 3 only as during winter times the snow falls so heavy the mountain closes off from public. It opens every year in mid April to the public, where routes have been cleared off already which effectively created the Great Wall of Snow.  

I have heard of Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route 4 years ago and since then I have always wanted to go. But timing was always wrong with the 3-11 tragic event and Yen was so high back then.  

Besides visiting the Alpine Route, there is also the Shirakawa-go village which is another must go place. It is around the same area so why not pay a visit. Shirakawa-go village has been listed as the world heritage place for the distinctive village building and the historical preservation of it. 

 Shirokawa-go's houses - the roof is built with hays which every 6 years they will change it. There is quite a few hostels within the village that operates in these houses. However, it tends to get full pretty fast so make your reservation as early as possible.

Alpine Route - the thickness of the snows fell during winter creates a huge wall tunnel during spring

Till next time Japan <3