Exploring Kowloon City

On my recent trip to Hong Kong, I got to explore Kowloon City. Unlike Mong Kok and Central, this place will not impress you with it's trendiness or with any high fashion shops that Hong Kong is famous for. Instead, Kowloon City entrances visitors with it's aged personality where hints of Thailand ribbons it's way through the street.

The unbearing humidity beckoned by the passing showers and the heat made exploring harder but it becomes the norm. This shop encapsulates the essence of Hong Kong life in the 1970s (according to my mum who is a native) before the introduction of supermarket chains. Loyal customers keep breathing life into this shop desiring a truly authentic shopping experience where rows upon rows of stacked sauces tower of each individuals head. The natural movement of tiptoeing on the balls of the feet to reach for the desired sauce which adorns that nights dinner. As you shuffle through the aisles, your lasting footprints enriches the visible wear of the floor where the past and the present merge into one.

As the days come and go, these authentic supermarkets are becoming more and more scarce. If the opportunity presents itself, instead of withdrawing back from the aged and messy clutter- go in to find the hidden gems of the past.

Travel | 5 things to know before going to Hong Kong

 (sorry for the awkwardly long image, I'm experimenting with sizes and layouts)

1. Octopus Cards are your best friends
If you're travelling in Hong Kong for a few days where you would be using public transport regularly, I would definitely recommend you to nip to the closest MTR station service desk to buy one of these nifty cards. To use this card, there would be a sum of money which would be deducted with every purchase from public transports (except taxis), stores and restaurants. To top the octopus card up, you can go to any convenience store like Seven Eleven and Circle K where you can ask for a top up.When you purchase the card, you would need to pay a deposit and upon return, there would be a refund a sum of money.

2. Tissues, tissues, tissues
Did I stress that you need tissues enough? Some of you may not know the importance of having a packet of tissues or a napkin from the meal that you had yesterday. Unless you are going to the toilet in large shopping centres, be prepared to use your own precious stash of tissues. So always bring some tissue with you to the toilet regardless because we don't want emergencies like pleadingly asking for anyone to pass you some tissues. If you want to be extra fancy and try something new, Tempo Tissues are scented with a variety of flavours from mint to peach.

Photo Diary | The Golden Hours That Caresses Tsim Sha Tui

This is the first post in this new series of photo diary posts that I am going to write in the future. I have been finding it very hard to sit down to compose any literate piece of writing, and if i do- it lacks sincerity. 

Yesterday, I captured a few photos at Tsim Sa Tui when I spent a few hours just listening to music then had a realisation that it would be perfect to create a mini series highlighting special moments in the beauty of life. 

So let's set sail to a new era of Forever-Hibernating! 

 

Travel | Finding Your Zen In Chi Lin Nunnery and Nan Lian Garden

As a frequent visitor of Hong Kong, I am ashamed to say that it was my first time visiting Chi Lin Nunnery and Nan Lian Garden however, from now on I am determined to visit this place every time I visit HK because it's an absolute gem and perfect for any instragram shots or any photography as  everything is worth capturing. Best of all, this is absolutely free!

The following photos were taken in summer so all the plants were blooming with different hues of green blending into one another surrounding a magnificent koi pond . A complete contrast from the hustling live of Hong Kong, instead, a serene a peaceful gem creating a form of escapism from the stressful daily lives.