I did have a good time here, communicating with people from all around and explored a lot through their blogs, sharing our experiences ….and made some friends too.
I will not disappear, you can still catch me if you like…through Facebook, Google +(which I don’t really like), and Instagram!
Well Well Well, I hope this will not be my last entry on Xanga, though I have not been posting as frequently as before, I do like to come here on and off browsing the posts from the people I have known for years from Xanga, or reading posts from other sub xanga community….the feeling just like visiting a community , a place after I have moved out…
on the Flight to Osaka Japan and back to Hong Kong
CX506 JUN2013 Hong Kong to Osaka, after all these years, I finally have this chance to try out the Frist Class experience
First Classs Check-in Podium
The Wing – First Class Lounge
The Free Flow Champagne Bar
The Heaven – Dining Area Buffet Counter of Salad/ Appetizer/ Dessert and a A La Carte Menu for Entree
My breakfast before
The Cabanas – Personal Resting and Showers area…
onboard: The B744 First Class Cabin
A Welcome drink Champagne Amour de Deutz Blanc de Blancs 2005, and the after take off drinks
Japanese Kaiseki style meal only available on Japan route
Canapes: Eel jelly cake, salted entrails and ayu fish roe, deep-fried river shrimp,
broiled fish, beef tataki, pickled louts root roll
that little basket is edible…….cos it’s actually seaweed
Appetizer: Red tuna tataki, marline fish, shell slice with wasabi
served with Choya Plum Liqueur
Braised Dish with Clear Soup:
Bean curd skin tofu with soya bean paste sauce and octopus , Clear soup with fish dumpling, grape seaweed, arrow root
Main Course:
side Dish: Conger fish, plum and shiso dressing
Noodle: Maten noodle
Hot Dish: Broiled seafood with onion pepper miso sauce in abalone
Rice served with assorted pickles and miso soup
Fresh seasonal Fruit
Pralines….
on the returning sector though everything was quite good, it was some how disappointing from the ground to the air.
maybe everything has not been done in details…..anyway
CX507/JUN2013 Osaka/ Hong kong
The Pacific Lounge for First/Business and Tier members, nice and simple….
On day my seat is one the other side…
Champagne then after take off drinks
I chose the normal dinner because I deliberately want to see how the others are doing……
I think you don’t have to be a frequent First Class traveler to notice what has gone wrong in this setting……
Starter: Loch Fyne salmon with potato and dill salad and
Leek and potato soup
Main Course: Chinese Style Spicy and sour chicken fillet, steamed Jasmine rice and stir-fried choy sum with garlic
hm…….. this is a big no no especially in First Class, if no extra at least apologize then offer other alternatives
Cheese Stitlton, Pecorino, St Paulin, Camembert, Fruits which should be served separately………unless being requested to do so which in this case I didn’t….
isn’t it a bit messy……..I can’t see the full picture of the main stuff – the Cheese……
Fruits..one piece of strawberries is going to fall down…….
Peanut butter cake with mixed berries compote
Finally Pralines and Coffee
for this First Experience I will rate four out of five……
Out of Hong Kong everything was near perfect from the Lounge to the cabin, crew members work was professional, courteous, efficient, friendly but not to causal( in term of body languages, verbal and non verbal). However returning from Osaka, the lounge was really really too simple I think it’s just on par with the refreshment counter of Bangkok Airways at Koh Samui Airport. And the crew members though very polite, could not deliver a Fine dining experience , the whole service was quite slow and seemed disorganized, and no intention to work in details….
No matter how good the hardware, food and beverage, and the all the amenities are being offered, the lack of the professionalism by the people who deliver them, it really gives a very bad impression..
I have to bear this min my mind every time I go to work, I can not let. anyone especially myself down…
a nice song and clip, however it’s heart breaking to hear the line: Sorry his family members said ‘No Visitors’
My first holiday trip in 2013 I went to Koh Samui in the mid of April. A place which according to my old school mate I should have visited in 1989 when we joined a Thailand 7 days group tour including Bangkok, Phuket …I really cannot recall anything, except he did mention about there was a Gun Club we visited Samui……anyway all I want from this trip is having a relaxing time with the Sun and Sands and the purpose achieved!! My stay is very relaxing, calm and stress free, the island is actually with tourists mostly European plus SE Asian and some English Speakers, as far as I can see…lots of the European do stay in Samui and run their business like hotel/resorts, restaurants….etc. A small tropical Thai island with a European touch…hm..I’m loving it….Samui just keep it that way.
Breakfast at the Traveler’s Lounge aka Plaza premium lounge at the HK International Airport
Enjoying their signature HK styleFish Ball/sliced Fish Cake Vermicelli
Taking a bus to the Satellite Terminal, and traveling on the Bangkok Airways PG
surprised to see that there are more male crew members on this flight……hm….Full Lunch service..
Green Curry Chix with rice
and a pre-landing sweets
after about 3 hrs….. arrived at the Samui Airport
A welcome drinks a the Muang Samui Villas and Suites resort, the detached balcony of my suites
After finished with the money exchange, a light lunch at the Charlie Chaplin Restaurant opposite to the resort
after an hour intense swimming at the pool, walked down to the beach( The Choeng Mon )and rest…….
at night went to the main town area Chaweng Beach area
Having dinner at this Piri Piri Grill Chicken
a Caesar’s Salad
Piri Piri Grilled Chicken – a kind of Portuguese grilled chicken with Piri Piri Sauce
at the end went to the Movenpick for a dessert
the weather has been good to us…so another moring under the Sun
had lunch at this beach side restaurant cooling off with a chilled young Coconut juice
hm……Burger
Fish and Chips
Then Spa Time….!!
Dinner back at the Chaweng Beach for some street side foodie…
lots of good coffee shop……Chocolate Fudge cake
Chocolate layer cake
The Third day having the Thai Massage at the Beach….
No lunch today, but snacks by the beach hawkers
went to this Fisherman’s Village for dinner……
Lost of other than the usual Thai, Seafood restaurants, you can also find many French, Italian cuisines
Eventually I went to the French Crepe shop for dinner…….55 Crepe Bar & Kitchen
ooops forgot the name of the Salads, but they are heavenly….
Beef and Potatoe Crepe
Thai Brown Curry Prawn Crepe
Riding on the Samui Tuk Tuk, I think it’s more like a the Jeepney in Manila without the fancy decoration..
another thai light lunch before leaving Pad See Ew, Pad Thai
we waited quite long for this, cos I guess they had to cook the sticky rice…so at last a chilled big piece of Mango on the steaming hot sticky rice…so yummy….
quite a long walk from the check-in area to the gate…therefore need to chill off again at the Swensen’s
though there is no air-con at thew aiting area….free refreshments and snack available
Finally have to leave…..hm watching Life of Pi at last…
very concentrate….. and a full dinner
sometimes it good to seat at the back , Biz class entree over flow……..
Time flies, 2012 is closing to end….. for me it started out with a very Sad beginning Passing of my Best Friend, and over the year things been going smoothly, towards the end on 01DEC I had my second concert with a group of friends whom I’ve know for 24 years.
This concert was planned to take place in late April but postponed to Dec since we could not get a place to perform, you will be amazed that in Hong Kong though there are quite a lot of venues for performing, there are more and more people love to perform: either, singing, dancing, stage plays, Chinese Opera…..etc, the demand for all these are extremely high. And we thought we might not be able to do it…..anyway it was a sweet and memorable experience of 2012!
In this concert we all agreed to perform oldies which we like most, and I chose those performers who had the biggest influence to me……
Part I At the opening medley, I performed part of 翁倩玉 ジュディオング Judy Ongg‘s 1979 signature tune ‘Miserarete’ 愛的迷戀 in English(the song was original in Japanese and translated into both Mandarin and English, title Love is Calling Me)
and I specially wore this costume in Memory of my best friend who passed away earlier this year, cos this was a gift from him in 2004 when I was performing at a company’s function
Part II Performing the Cabaret 1972 version by my Ultimate Idol Liza….
Then a cantonese performer Roman Tam 羅文‘s 讓我奔放
Part III a Dancing Medley with 2 others at first I did Disco Queen Donna Summer’s Last Dance
then Denise Williams’s Let’s Hear It For The Boys, and Deanie Yip 葉德嫻‘s version of 我要.
Part IV Closing with Micheal Jackson’s Heal The World
Spending my last 2 weeks of leave this year in both Hong Kong and Singapore and actually was quite busy……
First of all my annual Singapore trip, this year I spent most of the time around Marina Bay area staying at 2 different Hotels, ..and redemption ticket on CX Regional Business Class quite a vintage product….
Luckily I have reserved the bulk head seat months ago……really after traveling with the non-AVOD inflight entertainment on this, I miss you a lot SQ Economy…….
ok…use my own……
A boring Salad, and the appetizer was quite blend in taste….
both main courses were quite good in taste , it would have been better if they’re not under heat…. 😦
Cheese and fruits….ooops forgot to take the pic of the fruits, Banana Chocolate cake
It was Down Pouring with countless Lightning and Thunder when we arrived Singapore Down town.. …..it actually looked like a scene from the movie “Day After Tomorrow’ or ‘2012’
The Fullerton Bay Hotel Reception area
The room is equipped with nearly everything…….
After a couple of hours down pouring, I managed to take a picture under a clear sky…..
A light supper at the People’s Park Hawker Food Centre in China town
I just love those fish balls stuff with minced pork, a typical SIN style Laksa
Satay and a different kind of Carrot cake…..
Then went to a Gay Bar ‘DYMK‘ to meet up with friends….
Following late night snack with Congee at Tiong Shian Porridge, Chinatown Street
2nd day having breakfast
Though the selection of Buffet breakfast was simple, the quality of the food and service were real good…
Even at the Conrad, Grand Hyatt, Mandarin Oriental, Four Season, InterCon in Hong Kong I haven’t seen the staff replacing your used cutlery sets each time they come to clear you plate, but here at the Fullerton they serve in details….
just too bad they cannot choose their clientele
The pool is actually not a bad one…
Meeting up with friends for a late lunch….hahahah I didn’t eat much on this round just accompanied them
Mee Siam, the Carrot cake which is to my taste….
forgot the actual name of the noddle and the Kaya Toast with Soft Boiled eggs
Surprisingly it’s cool and comfy without an air-con….!
Just loving this home made dinner
Tomatoe Rice, Chicken Curry
Gado Gado(ooops which the sauce) stir-fried veggie
Asam Prawn
Back to the hotel and pampering myself with a hot bath while watching TV….
A small snack before heading to our next hotel , and please don’t ask me why, I just love KFC within SE Asia
Then the Marina Bay Sands, while they charge more than the Fullerton, I’m sorry to say they could not offer what they should be offering a Luxury Service, to me it’s big, just like one of those Las Vegas or even Macau Casino/Hotels, no personal touch, the staff just want to finish their job and get rid of you, that’s why you have all those in-room check out, express check out kind of service. you have to tell them to come to make up your room, because they don’t even bother to check whether you Make Up the room light is on or not if you have passed their schedule. During breakfast, since they have too many guests and they cannot accommodate all with teir 3 restaurants/cafe , table sharing is the only option, and the food is just like those Cheap Mr Foodie Buffet outlet – Starch in different forms are the main offerings, while the protein you can find are usually those thin sliced meat…….while the fruit, you can find the taste of stale……what’s more I can say the experience is totally a disappointment….ok be fair the one and only reason to be here is the Infinity Pool on the 57 floor….
I miss you The Fullerton Bay Hotel……
The pool , the one and only reason to be here…..
Dinner at the Marche I just love the food at this Swiss style restaurant
Seafood Paella, and the famous Swiss Crispy Rosti
Sauteed mushroom with cognac, Roasted Pig Knuckle
Bouillabaisse
A a fattening dessert at the Swensen’s
The EarthQuake
ok Here the breakfast at the Marina Bay Sands
Though the the breakfast is included with the room rate, after such a bad experience, I decided not to have it the next morning….
Light snack after spending over an hour at the pool
coffee from The Coffee Bean and Tea, and a local Chee Cheong Fun
a rather new attraction Garden by the Bay
Flower Dome
Dinner with another group of friends at the Strait Kitchen Grand Hyatt
A local food Buffet, is like a fine dinning Hawker food but the quality is a much more better…..
This Roasted goose is really good…..and lots of tropical fruit
last but not least….bought some pork jerky b4 leaving….
As I have mentioned before, I have given up the breakfast at the Marina Bay Sands to the food court with some simple Pinoy food
Heading to the airport on the MRT
the Skyview Lounge, actually an ex- CX Lounge which she has decided to let others to take over
on the way back to Hong Kong on semi vintage Regional Business Class product
Ten Bigger than Forty Concert
01DEC2012
Venue: Tsuen Wan Town Hall, Hong Kong
online ticketing Urbtix
I’m thrilled, because I have never thought, after the reunion concert with my friends 4 years ago, I have another chance to perform with them again this year on 01DEC at the Tsuen Wan Town Hall Hong Kong
Just came back from a few days trip to Chiang Mai at the northern part of Thailand. Qutie a refreshing trip indeed..
on the day departing to CNX went to the The Wing CX Business Lounge for lunch since didn’t have any breakfast….
First inside their Noodle Bar for Noodle Soup Dumplings and Dim Sum…
The at the Lounging area for some western stuff….
My ride today on DragonAir A320…typical narrow body aircraft seatpitch…
over looking the HK Disneyland
late lunch inside the aeroplane well, dessert was the highlight!
descending
Staying at the Chedi Chiang Mai, A beautiful Hotel located conveniently within 10 minutes walk to the biggest night market, while enjoying the peace and quietness by the river side…..
a big night market area Anusan Night Market with fewer tourists while compare tot he Patpong in Bangkok…
After a 2 hours Thai Massage, had some simple Thai food as night snacks
Stirr-fired veggie with pork stripe, and tom kha kai
Pad See Ew( or Pad Si Yu)
Next morning had Champagne breakfast at the Club Lounge since I was staying at the Suite..
Buffet table for the Bread, cereal, yoghurt, fruits, cheese….
Bircher Muesli
Order to make Main course
Pouched Eggs with Wagyu steak…
Egg Benedict. both dishes were delicious, eggs were perfectly cooked with those tempting running egg yolks, the steak was tender and full of flavour……and the service was really fussy like the old days, but I enjoyed it very much………
The my date with animals….
went to one of the Elephant Parks, watching elephant shows, Riding on them and a ox-carts…
last but not least a Raft riding along the river too…….lunch was included but of cos….a very simple one….
then headed to The Tiger Kingdom
the baby tiger was just like a kid, jumping around, it’s not easy to take pic with him, while the Big one was soooo lazy…..to move….you can nearly do whatever you can to pose with it……
Back to the hotel, and had an afternoon tea…..
After another 2 hours massage, just had snacks…yes and it’s the McDonald’s cos they have the Fried Chix ( not the nuggets) and Thai influence, stir-fried pork with rice…..
2nd Breakfast had it at the cafe/restaurant, with more or less the same setting as in the club lounge, with same main course menu, plus a noodle soup counter…..
Turmeric Rice with grilled chicken another delicious dish….you just love the combination flavour of the them…
Egg Florentine
Then spending over an hour by the pool………
light lunch pork meat ball n beef noodle soup
Pad……..sorry for got this one………
Then another 2 hours massage…….. and happy hour back at the hotel Club Lounge
Dinner at The Whole Earth Restaurant near to the hotel a Thai/Indian restaurant…
Sweet n Sour Prawn in whole Young Coconut
Chicken Korma
Whole Earth Special Vegetable with Thai Spices ( special Veggie :baby bamboo shoot and Chilli leaves)
wrapped up the dinner with a Banana Split
night Market hopping, poor dancer…without too much attentions….
suppose to try to experience the Gay scene, however it was too dead..ended up mixing up my drink back to the our room with the all inclusive Mini Bar… 😛
Breakfast before leaving……Thai Style dumpling soup…
French Toast with the Berries Yogurt…
Lunch before my last 2 hours Massage
Curry Chix noodle soup with fried noodle flakes, the Pork knuckle on Rice
Thai Chix rice…
Waiting for my flight at the Thai Airways lounge
neighbour………and my Mid-Autumn(Moon) Festival dinner at 30000ft
oh they did have a choice of flavours between strawberry or Chocolate
Been a bit lazy updating Xanga, just a recap of what I’ve enjoyed over the past few months…… 😛
In June I had a Pinoy dinner at the Kumare at Richmond BC
Adobo Tostada Braised Pork in garlic, soy sauce and vinegar , Rellenong Chix deboned Chix with meat loaf
Seafood Palabok Thick noodle with sea food and Palabok (Shrimp)sauce
Tortang Talong Omellette with eggplant
Manila Pinakbet mixed vegetable with shrimp, pork,
dessert Cassava cake
Ube Mascapuno cake Purple Yam chiffon cake with cream cheese
A lunch at Xi Yue 八月芳 Quarry Bay Hong Kong
A quite refreshing starter….Plum Juice cold noodle, and BBQ pork Buns
Steamed Turnip Cake, Fried Rice wrapped in Lotus leave with Abalone
Braised e-fu Noodle with crab meat and crab eggs
And the dessert is a crispy Napoleon layer cake
A special Hainan Chix Rice set I usually have before operating my flight back to Vancouver, because it’s cheap…..HKD32
T2 food court Hong Kong International Airport
A Japanese Pork Cutlet dinner at Saboten 勝博殿 Causeway Hong Kong, actually they also have a shop at the food court of the Aberdeen Centre Richmond BC…
for all the set menu, the shredded cabbages salad, soup, and rice are unlimited refilled.
tonight I had the regular pork cutlet, mixed with a cheese filled cutlet roll and a prawn..
A surprisingly good Lobster Paella at the La Amigo restaurant Richmond BC
Last week had dinner at this Michelin 2 stars Ye Shanghai 夜上海 Restaurant at Marco Polo Hong Kong Hotel(only this outlet got the stars)
Cold Starter, a combination of smoke egg, drunken chix, cucumber pickles, cold jelly fish, and Pork terrine
Wonton in Chix Broth with Shark’s Fin, vegetable with braised mushroom
Fried fish fillet in Sweet and sour sauce with Pine nuts, stuffed crab shell…
stir-fried shrimps with tea leaves, braised pork belly
Chinese cabbages with Ham, and Xio Lun Bao with crab meat…
dessert quite a western style caramel custard with ice-cream…
agmhkg 