There's something special about the Hong Kong Peninsula

I don't know why, but there is something about the Peninsula Hotel that puts a smile on one's face. I (self) invited myself to dinner today with my dad's business people, to the Chinese restaurant Spring Moon at the Peninsula. It was not just good food but a really nice ambiance that makes people happy (real fine dining, if anybody still uses that word). The entrance looks a little like Hong Kong's China Club, with old and beautiful Shanghainese style furnishing. I haven't had sparrow's nest in a long time, and the soup was just, beautiful. Apparently their dim sum is really good too, so I shall try one of these weekends...

Spring Moon
The Peninsula Hotel
1st floor, Salisbury Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong
+852 2696 6760

Photo credit: The Peninsula

Animal farm and the inspirational color scheme at LAB

This is a spin-off of Lane Crawford called LAB with lots of cool selected labels, which just opened next to my office in Pacific Place, Hong Kong. The shops have a really fun color scheme going and such a happy ambiance! I would really like to have their animal wrack. American Apparel was greatly contributing to the pop scheme too.

New dress from mom

My mom bought me this for my birthday (out of the many things she always buys for me). Thanks mom, it's super cute!

Liberty print shirt

Did you know that people still buy Liberty prints? ... like I, in this photo? The shirt that I picked up from Journal Standard uses this traditional print and is so adorable.

Breezy Journal Standard

This responds so well to my current mode, of my want to go to a beach but where it's not ultra hot yet, because I want to wear these kind of jackets and skirts... I bumped into this label Journal Standard in Omotesando and picked up a nice flower shirt. I already wore it to the office once and loved it. I will post it someday soon...

I really need to reorganize my closet this week. It's so incredibly hot and humid already, and winter clothes must be put away fast!

Photo credit: Journal Standard

Hergopoch bag I found in Kyoto last week

May I just say, I am so in love with this bag, I cannot stop talking about it nor bringing it everywhere. I found this in a little leather shop in Kyoto, and bought it as a birthday gift for myself. It's made in Japan so no absurd price and made really well by Hergopoch. The weight is only 800g, and I especially like the design of the buckle. Can't wait to see the leather properly age!

Finally weekend, with proper tea

I woke up and made flavored tea named Lupicia, which shop I found in the arcade shopping street in Sanjyo in Kyoto. I bought Orange Chocolat and Damask Rose among many others. I realized now that they have several stores outside of Japan, in the U.S., Australia, and Taiwan. It's a very nicely displayed shop and a very thoughtful variety of teas, so you should visit if you get a chance!

Is this the end of the world for Hong Kong?

Beautiful darkness outside my office in Hong Kong at 11am in the morning! It was actually darker than in this photo, apparently due to the weather, but can that be!? ... ok ok I will stop thinking about missiles being shot this way, and do a little work.

Ran

I just finished watching Akira Kurosawa's Ran. It's made based on Shakespeare's King Lear as well as the Three Arrows, a story from a well known samurai lord from the 16th century. He had taught his three sons to stay close, that three arrows will not break together while one can easily break.

Ran is basically a tragedy with a strong war lord succeeding his throne to his sons (and unlike the historical figure, not all of his three sons are good), and the sons and surrounding characters for their respective reasons end up fighting each other and destroying everything. In the end, nothing remains other than the miserable and the weak.

It was Japan's most expensive movie produced back then, with very famous national treasures as the film location, including the Himeiji and Kumamoto Castle. As Kurosawa said that he put in everything he has, indeed it is really powerful, and has such a clear message to mankind. Bravo.

Photo credit: Akira Kurosawa

Tokyo sky

Good bye Tokyo for a little bit...

Best food ever at Yoshiya in Kyoto

This is the nicest place I've been to in my life in Kyoto! It's in Pontocho and super hard to find, but really, really worth the trip. They give you so much food at the counter table, and it's all so very Kyoto.

Yoshiya / 余志屋
Kyoto Pontocho / 京都府京都市中京区先斗町通三条下る材木町188
+81-75-221-5115

Small teahouse at the Kyoto Imperial Palace

While there are many places to see inside the Kyoto Imperial Palace, I really liked the tea house that belonged to the Kujyo Family back in the day. It looks almost like the Golden Temple except that it's not gold, and there's nobody there, so after a jog around the palace (4km), you can totally relax as if you have been invited by the family. It's in the south west part of the palace and costs only 100 yen, to self invite.

Kyoto no sakura

Okay I promise this will be the last one for this year.



At last, the famous shidare zakura at the Kitanomaru Park.

Kyoto no ojizo

When you get a cherry blossom or temple/shrine overdose in Kyoto, have a look at these cute little things called ojizo. It's believed to be a protective god for kids, and I assume therefore looks a bit like a kid as well?

Bicycling in Kyoto

I have been to Kyoto many, many times, but I have never been around bicycling, and it is officially the BEST THING ever! You can bicycle through the crowded streets and along the beautiful river. Sakura blossoms fall onto your shoulders, celebrating how cool you are to bicycle through such a beautiful, ancient city, like a true local. Bicycle rental is 1,000 yen (1,300 yen if you want 8-gears) for the day, and all the temples and shrines welcome you with a nice parking space.

Mount Fuji is always beautiful

I used to come to Motosu Lake a lot to view the sunrise against Mount Fuji. No matter how many times I see it, Mount Fuji always looks bigger and more grandiose than you remember. The photo is taken from where Mount Fuji from the 1,000 yen bill is taken.

Chidorigafuchi is number one

YOKU MOKU in Omotesando

I am happy to have finally managed to go to the YOKU MOKU cafe in Omotesando. It was a beautiful day with clear blue sky, perfect for a sunny day cafe chat. It's always nice to see people wearing kimono having a nice afternoon tea next to you. YOKU MOKU as famous as it has become today, started from a tiny shop in front of my mom's house in Kanda back in the day. And then they invented the cigar cookie! Now it is sold everywhere except for Hong Kong (so good thing to pick up). Try to stop by before going to the Nezu Museum...

YOKU MOKU
5-3-3 Minami Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0062
+81 3 5485 3330

Yoyogi no sakura

Today may have been a full bloom! Bring your own beer to the park...