AC's Vaccation & Travel Guide

Opening Eye to Hong Kong Day 3/Final

2009-11-13T20:19:00.000-08:00

3 days of late sleep and early wake ups. Only slept about 5 hours a day. Finally its the final day, after today can get as much rest.
So, the 3rd day, first destination was of course break fast, we heard that dim shum is popular in HK but land marks for dim shum is more of what we are looking for. We wanted to have our dim shum in a more classic place. So we head to Yau Ma Tei Station, Look for PITT Street. It is just along Pitt st. This place, every things remains classic, the thing that surprise me was the elevator. at least at the age of 20-30. Its a great experience. Plates are broken, tables are old and there are wood crafted of dragon and phoenix too. The food are good as well. Not to talk too much. My image below tells my story better

Photography admiring, Click Image For Large View

Pitt St is where this place located

The exterior of the restaurant

Lets get in and have a closer look

I guess this elevator indicator and button is as old as me

After a treat of a cool dim shum location, we walked back to the MTR station and head 1 or 2 station up to Sham Shui Po. there is a few streets there. The most popular one was Apliu St. A street of digital items such as cameras, cell phones, walkie talkie, speakers, audio equipment, and many more. My sis bought a new panasonic lumix there. Pitty her that she lost he camera during the second day.

After Apliu st shopping, we head our self to Nelson St. Stopping at Mongkok station, Nelson st is just a few minutes walk away. What we found in Nelson st was Sports Shoes. Brands like Nike, Addidas, Rebook are all here. Price are pretty cheap too. The Sports Shoes St the Ladies Market is crossing each other. So after shopping for some nice shoes, why not buy some souvenir back for friends and relatives in ladies market.

A Glance At Ladies Market Below

I then left the crowd with one cameraman to Yuen Long to buy some biscuits. To get there there, there is several ways. The easiest is to take a bus. The other way is via MTR. But THE WEST LINK. To just experience, we went on west link. There is such a contrast where its obvious that those MTR that runs within Hong Kong famous town had been there ages ago. Hong Kong's transport was already convenient and easy since. Why I said so? because West Link's train looks much mordern and advance and the station is much classier. Its obvious that Hong Kong only develop a West Link to places like Yuen Long and New Territories way after the main ones that links Mongkok, Wong Tai Sin and Hong Kong Island.

All right, come back to Yuen Long. This place is as hectic and fast moving as Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. I didn't expected that. I thought it was just a more country like area but my eyes prove me wrong.

There is a famous biscuit maker called Hang Heung. It establish since 1920 its nearly 90 years of history. Its famous wife biscuits also called "lo Po Peng" in cantonese is world known and people come to Hong Kong to guy them. And we, choose to travel to the Head Quarters where this business started in Yuen Long. Nothing much shot on picture but more on the video.

Coming back to Mongkok area. Is really tired carrying such a heavy biscuits. What is better that having a bowl of dumplings noodles or Wantan noodles. Is just at along temple street.

Seafood Dumpling Noodles. Only 10HKD/Bowl
Find for it near Temple Street

After Dinner, We decided to just take a look at Causeway Bay. A place with modern culture and filled with shopping outlets. We also had a desert before we end our 3 day at Lucky Desert.

That ends the final day of our Hong Kong Tour. A full travel experience day 3 documented in video below for better reference. Hope my post benefits all readers who love traveling. For more of Photography Admiring. See them on my Flickr Site Too Just click on the gallery tab above and also my videos in my youtube channel on the video link

Happy Holiday Guys

Opening Eye to Hong Kong Day 2

2009-11-12T23:24:00.000-08:00

Some how I found Hong Kong's transport is really convenient. You can explore the whole of Hong Kong with their buses and the best choice their MTR. MTR stations are almost every where in tourist spot. Even less famous places. Any way, since its so convenient, we decided to take the MTR up to Wong Tai Sin Temple. WTS Temple is quite far from Mongkok and TST area. But on a MTR ride its just simple. Wong Tai Sin is not a beautiful place or shopping famous place. It is mainly like a landmark of Hong Kong. There are legends about that this Immortal which then the is temple name after him. Is has been in Hong Kong for hundreds of years. Belief said that any sincere wishes made in front of him will likely come true. Why not try to pay a visit and make a wish.

A glace at Wong Tai Sin Temple : Click Image For Large View

To kill some time if you think is still too early for lunch, just nearby, there is a shopping mall to spent some time there. Not as popular and variety wide as places in Mongkok and Kowloon, but it is still presentable.

We later then head back Mongkok and Jordan area To take a bus to Sham Tseng. Our next destination is to have a great "roast goose' lunch. research was done way before the visit happen. Roast Goose is a delicious food to try. Many tourist who search on the net will find commercialized places such as Yung Kee and Yue Kee. To be honest, those place are very expensive. Another reason why we decided to head to Sham Tseng is, that is the origins of roast goose. Many do not know of that. Even when I'm doing my research in Hong Kong tourism board website doesn't mention any thing about food in Sham Tseng. To head to Sham Tseng, Just board on a Public Light Bus that goes to Yuen Long, they will stop by Sham Tseng. Its just a 35 mins ride from places like Mongkok and Kowloon. Recognize the bus that goes into Yuen Long area is green color in roof, not the red ones. I guess its just 15-20HKD per ride. My Images Below tells the origins and taste of the roast goose.

Click On The Image For Better View

This is how a Yuen Long Bus Looks Like

After having a great lunch, we board on a bus again to get back to the town area. We then head ourself to Hong Kong Island. Once you are in there, you can actually spent the whole day there. Places that is popular there is Causeway Bay, Central, The Peak, Stanley's Market and Ocean Park. Since we arrived in Hong Kong Island somewhere around 4PM, we did not have much time to tour around. We right away head to Madame Tussauds wax museum which is located at The Peak. Te get to the peak tramp, you need to stop at Admirity station and take a shutter bus. ONLY 1 bus station away. Being in Madame Tussauds wax museum, at least 2 hours needs to be spent there. There are quite a huge number of wax statue there such as popular Michael Jackson, Jacky Chan, Albert Einstein, Maryln Monroe, and many more.

After a few hours of picture session with these popular features, dinner will be just in the peak building too. Then as sun goes down, The Hong Kong Night view start to be seen. Being at the peak of a mount, The view is superb awesome. To get a glance at the night view, there is 2 place that is available. One is the same place as Madame Tussauds museum is. Just take the elevator to be at the top of the peak tower, there is a viewers platform to look at the view BUT a payment of 20HKD need to be paid. Where the second option is, get out of the peak tower and walk to the opposite building and take the escalator until the top of the building. Absolutely Free.

Shot With Canon Kit Lense 18-55mm
Click on Image for Large View

That ends my second day Hong Kong tour journal. Below a second episode of our video on going places. Enjoy and hope it gives you guys a reference on your trip planing.

Opening Eye to Hong Kong Day 1

2009-11-12T01:33:00.000-08:00

I took off from Kuala Lumpur International Airport Malaysia at about 3pm and it takes 3.5 hours to arrive Hong Kong. By time its already evening. After settling down with our accommodation and dinner, We head straight to the MTR station and took a MTR to Tsim Sha Tsui Station. Our first desired location was Avenue Of Stars. A place where Hong Kong Film Festival were held yearly. This place is by the side of the Sea and not far opposite were the buildings with colorful lights. A perfect place to Photograph color of lights. Another special thing about this place is, the palm print and their signature of many famous celebrity such Jakie Chan, Stephen Chow, Jet Li..ect ect on the floor along the whole place. Its about 15 mins walk from Tsim Sha Tsui Station.

Below, My selected model of the day (Human Portrait)

This Image Shot With Canon 50mm 1:1.8 Lens

Below View Of Avenue Of Stars (Click On Image For a Great View)

After so many walking, we planned to get some thirst quencher. Hong Kong is famous with its Deserts. Every desert outlet has their specialty. From Famous Hui Lau Shan to Lucky Desert(Fatt Kei) all have their own style of treating your sweet taste buds. So from Avenue of Stars we need to head back to Tsim Sha Tsui Station. On the way back, there is place lane Cameron Lane and near by there there is a Hau Fook Street. Hau Fook St is a short st where you will see many deserts outlets on your left and right hand corner. Refer to video to get a glance on how it looks like.

End of My Day One Journey Log. More of Avenue Of Stars and Hau Fook St, Enjoy The Video Below

Opening Eyes To Bali Island Indonesia

2009-09-25T10:03:00.000-07:00

I Just spent less than 4 Days in Bali. So my blog post will not be as hard sell as "Places You Must Go" Or "Places You Cannot Miss".. . Well basically I would just use the word "places that you might not want to miss out" modestly..

Well you will obviously know that you will be stopping at Ngurah Rai International Airport located at Denpasar. If you did not pre-book your hotel any where, consider Denpasar for accomodation. Its like in the center of most of the nice places.

I will more likely to blog about places that I went rather than recommending places too much. At least it a true physical experience. But ofcourse I miss out certain place that was consider good that I would like to just type along. See if these places interest any of you.

Staying

I spent all my resting hours in a 6 person Villa in a location called SEMINYAK. Just google villa's in seminyak you can find tons of them, different rates and advantage in its own way. I would say villa's are more fascinating compared to hotels. Honestly, to me, the environment is much much more relaxing, and for couples, it is definitely more romantic and more privacy. But go for the 2 person villa's instead of the 6. What so special about villas there was, instead of building a house looking accommodation place, they basically build rooms on a land which serves you more privacy. You will enjoy your own swimming pool with no other strangers swimming together with you. and you will have a kitchen to prepare some treats for yourself. Normally there will be people coming in the morning to cook at your kitchen and serve you freshly cooked food. You obviously can request for lunch and dinner from the villa management if you want. Having good food and stay without strangers walking in and our of your "temporarily" Primisses. Most important is the mood is so much difference compared to staying at a "House" looking accommodation place.

View Larger Map

Seminyak Map On Google. Not Too Far From Denpasar Airport Actually...

Click Image For Larger View

Going Places

First place on the travel schedule was down to Celuk Village, Sukawati where the silver crafting street is. The street is full of silver manufactures. Easily 15-20 shops that makes and sell silver items. It is a recommended place to go if you are silver buyer. Took some pictures for public sharing.

THE HEART OF ALL CRAFTS

Going further down from these silver craftsmen area is where another popular spot that I had visited. I is still in SUKAWATI area. Which is the Crafts market, In Indonesia, they called "Pasar Seni Sukawati" Which means "Art Market Of Sukawati" You will be surprise to see things that you can find there. Most common thing that you can find there is Wood Crafts. Then you could find household stuff such as bowl, chopsticks & plates. All made of either wood or coconut shell. Handbags, T-Shirts, Fashion Accessories, Hand Drawn Batik, cosmetics boxes, paintings, photo frame and albums and many many more stuff to discover and to buy here... . Some are good, some looks just normal, Some are great. Most Important... They Are "CHEAP". Hoping into this market will solve all your souvenirs problem that you have been thinking all the while, for friends and family.

One of the view on one of the lanes in the market

Wooden crafts are among the most popular items

Grab the handbags. Of course it is not Prada or Gucci. But 100% local made

Paintings any one?

Batik Craftings

After spending hours shopping in Sukawati Art Market, we move on as sun is going down in an hours or two. Oh yeah... Before I continue, Bali's Dawn is very early. At 5.30am sun is coming up. By 6 am, the sky is all bright. And at 6 PM, the sky will be in total darkness. So By 5.15PM Sun is going down. So we actually left Sukawati around 3PM and have our tea time for an hour and proceed to Uluwatu. Uluwatu is a place that worth visiting as they have local dances performance called the Kecak Dance once the sun is down. The dancers will dance around the fire and also perform some stuns that thrills. Besides dance performance, Uluwatu's scenery is simply awesome. Is a cliff about 100-200ft height and below, all you see is the blue ocean. The special moment is Uluwatu will be during sunset. These people actually build a temple at the boarder of the cliff and each time the sunset, it will be directly behind the temple. It is a great to take pictures. I've shot some landscape shots at that place to share.

OH WARNING!!! If you happen to go there, Take Off You Specs/Glasses/Sunglasses. Uluwatu's is also famous for its Monkeys around and according to what the locals there say, These monkeys are trained to steal your glasses, and the trainer will pretend as a passerby to grab the galsses back for you. So after getting back your glasses, YOU PAY THEM SERVICE CHARGE.

Enjoy My Shots Below

View Larger Map

From Sukawati, passing By Kuta and then Uluwatu

On the way to Uluwatu, there is many padi fields

They are the ones who steals your glasses. So becareful

The moment when the sun goes down

Dinner Time

The sun is down. After all touring, shopping, side seeing and photographing, its time for dinner.

A great place to spent dinner time after visiting Uluwatu, will be the nearest Jimbaran, Kuta. Jimbaran,Kuta is famous for its stretch of Seafood Restaurant. Having a seafood dinner in Jimbaran, gives a new dining experience. First of all, dining tables are all by the beach where you will dine and listen to the sound of the wave and feel the breeze of the sea wind. Secondly, all seafood are guarantee fresh as they are all alive and waiting to be choose before you enter the restaurant. Rates are charged base on weight of selection. The more heavier of the prawn, fish, and crabs is, the more expensive they get.... Most interesting part is, after selecting your prawns, fish, crabs and other seafood, you can select the cooking style. How you want your fish to be cooked, just voice them out the the chef.

Going Places Second Day

Nusa Dua is a classy tourist spot. Just to fulfill my curiosity, we went there and see if there is any things that is gonna interest us. Nothing much to blog about this place. Its just another branded area where you can get stuff like Polo, QuickSilver, Prada, and things similar to that. Some are cheap and some are expensive. But to compare, they are much cheaper to places like USA, UK, Singapore, Malaysia and some moderate countries. Guarantee, all original stuff here. In Nusa Dua, there is high class and costly hotels. This Nusa Dua area is actually a place where royals, ambassadors and ministers are treated. Hotels at this area can go up to 300-400USD a night

Next Destination is a place that most people would not miss out. Tanah Lot. The Temple on a rock cave by the sea. When low tight, The temple will stand up high as it sits on a rock cave. When the water level raise by night time, you will only see a temple in the middle of the sea.
it is an interesting place to visit and see.

My shutter stock below. Click Image to enlarge

Finally, The Rest To Mention But No Picture.

Places recommended to go is

Factory Outlet Stores where they sell really cheap swim suites, beautiful Bikini, Surfing stuff, Diving stuff, and also some fashion. These brands are like Quick Silver, Maui, and many more. Check it out.

Kuta Beach and the area a place to drink, have fun and chill around with sexy bikini gals around. Also a well known beach for surfers. People come all the way here bringing their own surf boards to surf.

Transportation Info

Group of people, recommend to rent a MPV about 80K Rupiah a Day
2-3 person, Getting a car with a driver that drives you around.

Thanks For Obtaining Info From This Blog.

PHOTOGRAPHER, All pictures uploaded to my flickr site. To see picture details, please visit my gallery on the top