All posts filed under: Lifestyle

Lantau Trail Sec. 12: Hike to Beachside Restaurant Mavericks

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For those of us who aren’t serious trail runners, but are fit and nature-loving, a comfortably challenging hike which ends at a beachside restaurant could not be a more perfect way to spend a Saturday morning/afternoon. It’s always nice to have a rewarding end point to a hike, which is also the reason I highly recommend part of the MacLehose Trail Section 2 in Sai Kung which leads to Ham Tin Wan. That walk is still the best value-for-effort walk I’ve done to date. It’s easy (I can even bring my toy poodle along), the views are amazing and you end up at a beach restaurant. Section 12 of Lantau Trail is similar, except the beach restaurant – Mavericks – is even better. Lantau Trail Section 12: Mui Wo to Pui O (we went backwards) What I loved about this hike is that it’s more challenging (than the walk to Ham Tin I mentioned earlier). There are steeper climbs and descents, but it’s still just challenging in the right doses. There are some beautiful views …

Best of Food, Travel and Lifestyle in 2015

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Happy New Year! It’s that time of the year (actually I might be a bit late) to reflect and look ahead… And to give you some inspiration and ideas to add variety to your 2016, here’s some of my best ideas for food, travel and life in general from 2015! Hope everyone had an excellent long weekend and feels refreshed for a new week and new year. Food Best Fine Dining Meal: Wagyu Takumi (Hong Kong) Labelled as the “Best Meal I’ve Had“, the dinner at Wagyu Takumi was hands down the winner of my eventful year of devouring food and gaining 1-2kg despite upping my exercise game. But at HK$2000 per person, I’m eagerly waiting for bonus pay day to visit again! Best Guilty Meal: Annie’s Burger (Nottingham, UK) I’ve had a lot of burgers in 2015. With all the new burger shops opening up in Hong Kong, who hasn’t? But none in Hong Kong were as evil (no doubt delicious) as the ones from Annie’s Burger all the way in Nottingham, UK! With …

Ham Tin: Easy Scenic Walk to Secluded Beaches in Sai Kung

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I’m no Oxfam trailwalker or adventurous weekend explorer to start debating hiking routes, but I love food and photos, so let me recommend a scenic value-for-effort “walking” route, which involves food at the end! This route requires minimal levels of fitness and passes through some of the most scenic mountainous views and secluded beaches. It lasts only 1 1/2 hours, starting from Sai Wan Ting and ending up at Ham Tin Wan beach where you can enjoy delicious Hong Kong local-style cafe food (fried noodles, instant noodles, chicken wings, spring rolls etc.). Then proceed to take a bumpy rollercoaster speedboat ride back to civilization of Sai Kung Town. Alternatively, level up for a proper hike, with another 1 1/2 – 2 hours of walking back to Pak Tam Au where you’ll make your way back to the main road to take a cab or bus back to Sai Kung Town. This part is a little more strenuous. From Sai Wan Ting to Sai Wan village Getting there Sai Wan Ting (西灣亭) can be reached by minibus …

How to get good avocados in Hong Kong

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For the longest time, people have curiously asked me where I got my avocados from in Hong Kong. I used to post a lot of photos of avocado-related meals on Instagram or Facebook. I still consume them regularly and so a handful of people at work have also been asking me. So where do I buy my avocados from? I always get the cheapest ones from Wellcome supermarket (I read here that it’s not necessary to buy organic avocados). People ask because the problem with avocados in Hong Kong is: They are rock hard when you buy them One day they immediately turn rotten Avocados are rock hard when you buy them, which means they are still raw and not ready to eat. Leave them on the counter and they will ripen over a few days. Check on them daily and once it feels slightly soft on the outside (give it a gentle squeeze), they’re ready, ripe and perfect to eat. But if you’re not in the mood to eat them right away, put the straight into …

Make healthy Mondays a habit

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Were one of your New Year’s resolutions “eat healthy” (or eat healthier, for those who are a little more realistic)? I’m not as disciplined and goal-oriented to set actual resolutions, but eating healthy has been one of the few goals I’ve had in mind for the past year or two! But as with many in this city, it’s pretty hard to avoid dining out almost every meal – which probably means you’re overloading in sodium and oil. One relatively achievable step to eating healthier is to do it on Mondays. You’ve just spent the weekend binging on unhealthy food at dinner gatherings, so you’ll probably be most in the mood for some detoxing! Breakfast is the easiest It’s the most important meal of the day and often shapes the way you eat for the rest of the day. A healthy breakfast can also improve your mood! If that’s not already on your agenda everyday, at least make it happen on Mondays first. Yogurt and berries to feel refreshed This breakfast makes me feel good for the rest of …

Best of food, travel and lifestyle in 2014

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– Food – 1. Best dinner: Fine dining at French grill (JW Marriot, Hanoi) A recommendation for all! This is still the best meal I’ve had in all of 2014 (and in my life maybe!). Perfect food, amazing service and comfortable ambience. It was great value-for-money too! 2. Best guilty meal: American brunch and milkshake at The Diner (Hong Kong) The good and the guilt… All accurately summarised by this photo! 3. Best discovery: Dutch baby pancakes at Wired Cafe (Hong Kong) Hot and fluffy! I’ve been back more than 5 times since I first discovered this place. – Travel – 1. Best adventure: Sapa, Vietnam It was an 11-hour train ride up to this town and a 5-hour muddy hike through tribe villages. The sight was worth all the dirty hours! 2. Best hotel: The Naka Phuket, Thailand Secluded seaview, quiet and uniquely designed – the most relaxing trip of my 2014! 3.Best photo: Angkor Wat, Cambodia I’m pretty sure this won’t be the typical scene you see of Angkor Wat. The beauty of …