Oh, how much I wish I could be soaking in the atmosphere of the beautiful cities I visited these past couple of weeks. At the end of my second term of university and before summer school started, I headed over to Asia, visiting both Hong Kong and Thailand for a little rejuvenation. In other words, a pick me up from all the stress that school tends to give someone. I have to say, this trip was something special. Perhaps it was all the good food, or the lovely people, but I had a blast. I honestly couldn’t have asked for more. I’ve decided to split my travels into parts, just because there are just way too many pictures and I don’t feel like one blog post does the trip justice. So here’s to the first part: Hong Kong. I flew there first before flying over to Bangkok; I don’t think I could have done a longer flight without going mental.
I find more appreciation for the bustling city that Hong Kong is each time I return. It wasn’t like this before – I dreaded flying to Asia. I found it dull and boring. Now, I can’t wait to return. It’s so lively and such a dining mecca; left and right I find myself amazed by the selection that sometimes, I place myself in dangerous situations because I’m not looking at where I’m going. You have your cheap street food, your killer hole-in-the-walls, and some of the most respectable chefs in the world all making a name for themselves in the little city that it is. Yet, no matter how much I wander, I feel like there’s always more to see. Always more to eat. It’s a different culture, fast-paced and never sleeping. Being the riveting, chaotic city that it is, I hope this photo gallery prompts you to make a trip to either a familiar destination or somewhere strange.
The fruit market setting up bright and early. I was fascinated by the selection and amazed at the low prices for such good quality produce.
More fruit being displayed.
Tradition Asian desserts never are that appealing to the eye, but I’ve really found myself enjoying them as I’ve gotten older. They just don’t settle in your stomach in an uncomfortable way as most Western desserts. I love red bean, and on this trip to Hong Kong I decided to have as much as I could of it – in all varieties. This one in particular was comprised of coconut milk, tofu, and red bean. Yes please!
I indeed did have a whole durian to myself. I tried to get sick of it by consuming so much of it that I didn’t want it anymore. It was sort of my reasoning so that I didn’t have to buy it in Vancouver when I came back since it’s so expensive for so little.
This was chicken and goji berry congee. It was so nourishing, flavorsome, and dirt cheap.
Century-old egg with house-made broth and rice. This was another “dai pai dong” that I came across and wanted to try because I saw so many locals lining up for it.
Radish cakes, my love. Too bad this version sucked.
Everyone told me that I had to try Tim Ho Wan’s baked barbeque buns. They were good, don’t get me wrong. Yet, I didn’t find them particular special. I feel like for us who live in Vancouver, we are so spoiled with good Chiense food that this really didn’t make me swoon. Maybe that’s just me though.
All in all, not too impressed with this raved place. The seating was cramped, the food wasn’t made with love, and the dishes and cutlery all reeked of chlorine.
The streets of Hong Kong. I told you, there’s always something to see.
Pierre Herme, my love for all things pastry. He is the reason why I must make a trip to Paris as soon as possible!
Via Tokyo, one of Hong Kong’s signature spots for soft serve. I personally loved the milk tea flavour because I’ve never had anything like it before. I didn’t recommend coming here if you happen to be in town.
The morning after. It made me realize that there’s so much that’s hidden and that we can’t take what we see as the whole truth.
Long Live Feasts 