Peking duck pizza, charity billiards and dai pai dong

Except for Paisano's pizza, the Italian food in hong kong so far has been terrible! We went with stephen's cousin, his friend from France, Bikky and Ivy to check out Pizza Express. Of our 4 pizzas to share... Peking Duck was the BEST... A good spicy kick plus the duck itself incredible. Far beats the peas and corn pizza in Taiwan Pizza hut, and last week's HK pizza hut (too little sauce, sweet pasta weird)!

Then we went to Peel pub for a charity fundraiser for Japan. Played pool. Four hours later I somehow emerged with $700hk in winners coupons. Fun times. Then Street Food in an alley near central... Hot pots of eggplant/pork, fish/tofu and veggies. Guess we should have been hungry since stephen took his cousin for an intense gym workout and i had a 2 hr boat practice and beach jog that morning. Oooops i forgot to mention our dim sum feast and dessert in between exercise and pizza. All Tasted good. Still full this morning! So, why are we going out for brunch now!? Instead of Lamma hiking today we shall stay in town. Soccer for stephen and maybe haircut for me.

I also called home, which is not often enough for me. Miss u all!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Hong kong

Japan crisis - felt around Asia

There was an 8.0 earthquake/tsunami near Sendai/north east in Japan last Friday.  So scary. Two close calls:  my colleague Patric who shares my cubicle flew out of Japan the day prior to the earthquake.  Stephen's cousin Jean Pierre from Paris had been living in Tokyo for months, dropped by Hong Kong then (thankfully) decided to go to Korea for the days before the earthquake.  Finally my classmate Yas is safe in Japan as well... wow life is precious!

Additionally there is a nuclear radiation leakage from several plants in Japan.  Expats get evacuated but Japanese must stay.

Finally on the response effort, Japan is a first world country. 2nd or 3rd largest economy, intricately linked to the Western world but retain own unique culture.  Needless to say, help is coming to Japan faster than Haiti or Indonesia.

Be safe everyone, and count your blessings!

Visitors in and out of HK....

I forgot to mention that my dearest friend Domina Park was in town this weekend (her hubby Billy is working in HK for 1 month). We did dim sum, a bit of shopping at Sasa, (average) dinner at Shanghai Xiao Nan Guo on Friday then Sevva patio.  On Saturday, after dragon boat then after a great mediterranean tapas meal w/ Stephen, we met up at Sift for dessert (too sweet for me) and then Elgin Nine for some more drinks. It was relaxing; lots of story sharing with others and meeting some mutual friends. I wish Domina and Billy move here to Hong Kong... fingers crossed.  In-laws left town last Friday after 7 weeks in Asia. I think they were finally enjoying themselves too!

Dragon boat. A truly universal sport with roots in Hong Kong

Dragon boat racing is pretty universal and a great way to meet friends.  Irene (me) joined the BGC Stormy Dragons team a few months ago and raced for the first time in Hong Kong this weekend in Shatin.  Great times but tiring. Besides attending Catholic Churches around the world, I'm convinced Dragon Boat racing is fairly universal and almost standardized. There are subtle differences in the stroke, lingo ('point' not 'pacers') but generally quite universal. Mind you, I've now only paddled in Toronto, Vancouver, Victoria, Portland, Boston, Singapore and Hong Kong. Anyway pretty draining weekend which included 10 person small boats, 200m courses (its usually 500m) and 2km circle races. All the best to my dear niece Mia who has surgery on Monday. Be brave as I know you will be!

Enjoy Sunday everybody!

BBB: Babies, Beijing and Bedrest

Its a time for babies!  Not me.  But my sister in law Janne just had her baby shower (she's due in May). Sad to have missed it but we sent over some Babies R Us registry gifts to Toronto.  Additionally my other sister in law Tanya and my OWN sister Christine are all expecting in July.  Finally I just spoke to my new friend Veronica Lin who lives near ICC and she gave birth 4 days ago.  Wow!

This past week I went to Beijing - for one day.  Yikes its a long 4 hour flight + 2 hour taxi door to door - too much for one day in my opinion.  Tiring but productive to see a customer.

Finally needed bedrest. I'm a bit sick.

See you soon!

Short but fun weekend in HK. They do protest here which is refreshing

Having returned only on Saturday morning to Hong Kong from Shanghai... did I mention the taxi drivers in Shanghai are very honest. He got lost then proceeded to refund me half my fare. Whoa.

Surprisingly on Saturday, I was still full of energy trying to maximize my weekend in HK. So Yang in-laws, Stephen and I ate at Tasty Congee in IFC.  The meal was good, clean and simple.  Then parents headed to Shenzhen for a 1 night trip, and we proceeded to do a bit of shopping at IFC.  Later we had decent thai food at Chili Club in a seedy area of Wan Chai. The reviews write: "walk upstairs NOT downstairs to find the restaurant" (downstairs is a strip club).  Nonetheless the food was spicy and decent; we'd go back.  The only part that pissed me off was the host looked right over me to an expat patron before I interrupted him that we were there first, and had reservations. Argh!!

Thereafter met up with Nancy at The Pawn - a converted pawn shop into 3 storey lounge/pub. Billy & Ivy joined us after their Faye Wong concert - wow lucky...

Next day we woke up for a brunch with Saima and Usman who just returned from Niseko Hokkaido Japan for skiing/snowboarding!  We ate at Sashay Cafe in Soho - I ordered way too much meat "the Works".  Headed up to Bowen Road - this time with Billy & Ivy, we ran up to the start (instead of taxi). Quite hilly!  Wonderful weather, maybe 18C, with good breeze and managed not to stop the entire 4km... 

On the way back, we literally got caught in the HK Government Protests by social groups/teachers who were picketing near HSBC in Central.  Apparently the HK government gave back too much surplus to its residents instead of spending on good programs. (Personally I am glad to see residents speaking out in HK, since my view was they were only about making money and not promoting social welfare issues here). The street protests seem organized and peaceful with policemen everywhere - but at least allowed UNLIKE in Mainland China...

Finished off the weekend by cooking dinner at home and eating with my in-laws before sleeping for 12 hours. Nice. Now back at work today , caught up with my parents by phone after several weeks, then working :(

Have a great weeke everybody!

In Shanghai (hotel) after Frankfurt airport shooting

I arrived at and departed from Frankfurt airport the day before and after a shooting murder there of two U.S. marines.  I feel blessed.

Having been awake for two days straight now, flying redeye to Shanghai for meetings stuck in office and hotel... - then arriving when they booked me at the wrong hotel... man!  I really can't wait to go back to Hong Kong!!!  Getting home sick.  Pounding headache.  Ready to end my workweek (its 1am Saturday morning, argh). Please make this pain end.

See you soon Stephen and Yang parents! Be back in 12 hours.

2 hour taxi queue in Hannover Germany

I infrequently correct myself.  Sorry for expressing frustration on my last blog about slow taxi queues in Singapore... yes they're slow, but NOT nearly as slow as here in Hannover Germany.  Yesterday I waited 2 hours for a taxi!  And we booked it.

I'm now at CeBIT Germany, a trade show for technology professionals.  Hannover is a small town that has hosted this show for years.  In fact all of its residents left their homes this week, and rented out their bedrooms to strangers for 'home stay'.  There are insufficient hotels in Hannover, although the convention center is gigantic.  Fortunately for me, AMD booked us into Mercure Hotel, so no home stay.  Some clients told me they had to share ONE outlet in their bedroom home stay, that was shared between mobile phone chargers, laptops AND the room light!  Can you believe....

Anyway I connected here via Frankfurt two days ago, and have been slammed in 20 hour days of meetings with customers based in Europe.  I've been through Frankfurt a few times before, last time on my way to Greece, where I recall being delayed for 6+ hours.

I don't like the food in Germany too much, and the culture is definitely 'beer centric'.  I fondly recall the gigantic Munich Beer Hall where the average person drinks two steins of beer per day!  And they eat cold cuts for breakfast, hard boiled eggs, sausages.  Their coffee is very tasty though.

Have to wrap up meetings shortly then heading to Shanghai tomorrow (all day flight) arriving 8am Friday morning.  Great.

Miss you all!  Keep in touch!

Singapore - its all about the food.

I have officially eaten too much.  All our trips to gym and Bowen Rd runs and dragon boat practices became useless this past two days in Singapore - a place of 30C+ 'winter', spicy diverse foods and unreliable taxi services.

Once or twice a year I pay a visit to my Asia homeland - Singapore - to visit family, old colleagues from (yikes, 12 years ago!) and friends.  This time around, I was a tourist again, as Stephen's parents also joined us.  Besides Sentosa which is too artificial for me, it was an enjoyable time.  Most importantly the food is incredible.

We went to the new Marina Bay Sands Casino, a gigantic 3 tower complex with a curved ship on top as a rooftop. WOW.  Casino lame, need shoes not sandals (ahem, Stephen) and Macau/Vegas size puts it to shame.  But hotel is amazing and roof top -- WOW -- their pool is an infinity pool overlooking the city and brand new Lotus Shaped Museum.

Then we went to Sentosa island with its small beach, motorized surf waves and shallow beach near the cargo ships - yawn. The best part was the food republic choices at VIVO City mall!! YUMMY prawn mee.  Thereafter we headed to Chinatown, Clarke Quay and Central Market. It was ok and rained a bit.  After a 30 mins break at the hotel, we went to East Coast Seafood Centre.  Its changed so much since I was there 10 years ago (when only Jumbo Seafood was a standalone restaurant on the coast).  Meeting my family with whom I used to live, we enjoyed a chili crab FEAST at Long Island (opting for the saucy option with bread, over the Black Pepper Crab).  THE BEST CRAB I EVER ATE.  Then off to Bedok hawker area for sugar cane juice, iced milo and coffee.  Before Stephen & I met up with Andrea and Paul and their friends at Rabbit Hole in Dempsey Village.

And that was only Saturday!

On Sunday, we SKIPPED breakfast then headed to Grand Hyatt buffet with my Uncle Peter and Auntie Oi Lian.  All you can drink champagne brunch, crab, lobster, sushi, handmade noodles (you watch them roll it), PLUS the Straits Kitchen peranakan satay, butter chicken, beef rendang and na'an.... Holy Crap I was sooo full.  So we headed to Singapore Botanical Gardens' Orchid Garden walk thereafter.  By the evening when I flew back to HK, my stomach still hurt. 

https://picasaweb.google.com/irene.stephen.yang/SingaporeFeb2011#

On the negative side, Singapore's taxi system is horrible.  Firstly its impossible to find a taxi. Secondly there are surcharges all over the place; booking fee, 50% at night, 35% at peak hours, tolls, etc. Too many competing companies. Soooo different from Hong Kong.  Cars seem to make sense there, plus its really HOT to go between MTR stations depending where you need to go.  I also missed my two old friends in person , and didn't make it to my grandma's sisters for a visit this time.  Will have to come back semi-annually as usual...

All in all a great feasting weekend with family!!  As usual, too short. Off to Germany for a conference then Shanghai this week.

Miss you all!  Happy March, and don't forget to pay your RRSP's by today's deadline.

Guangzhou - best & classy dim sum, modern subway, colonial feel... but very much Mainland China

Finally- a new city.  We took a last minute train trip to Guangzhou a few hours away.  By far, its a bigger and more modern, lively metropolis compared to other Guangdong province cities (namely Zhuhai or Shenzhen).  The subway is impeccable and rapidly expanding. People dress better.  The restaurants look old China classic and some are actually clean! Possibly due to them hosting the Asian Games 2010 a few months ago.

But don't get me wrong, this is definitely still Mainland China.... I am starting to like more now.  That said, the train ride is really dirty.

There's a lot of history in Guangzhou area.  Apparently both the Communists (Mao) and the Nationalists (Sun Yat Sen) were based here. The colonial and chinese architecture is lovely, open parks, wide glitzy shopping areas, modern and historical food, etc.  There are 'copies' here and there of Hong Kong, including the waterfront laser show with music each evening.

https://picasaweb.google.com/irene.stephen.yang/Guangzhou#

Smoking in toilets ! Chinese Valentine's Day today

China is full of smokers.  You can smoke everywhere, from hotel lobbies to office buildings to... toilets (disgusting sight when bathroom doors left wide open...and men chit chatting beside urinals smoking).

Also China traders buy everything in Hong Kong - in bulk, for resale, in cash. From healthy baby milk powder (to avoid risky China products) to LV/Gucci real luxury purses to property. 

The food in Shenzhen has improved over the years I must say though.  Quality soups, decent (looking) sushi (i didn't try) and swankier / cleaner hotels than in the past.  Also I tried yinyang (coffee/tea mixed) - decent!

Back in HK ... Jackie recommended a mochi ball filled with mango which was decent! 

Today is the end of CNY and officially Chinese Valentine's Day!
See you all soon!

Sushi on Fire in Taipei is not spicy&hot

I'm really embarrassed.  I've visited Taipei Taiwan at least a few dozen times on business, and this was only my first weekend spent touring here.  Shame on me.  Stephen came mid week as his parents were also in Taipei.  A few 'tourist' observations:
1) Taipei is very very Japanese.  The streets are orderly, all the department stores are Japanese brands, there are tons of sushi joints and MRT subway queues exist.  Except for the Mandarin Chinese language we feel deja-vous from our Japan trip a month ago!  There is also a pedestrian area called Ximendeng, which looks like a mini version of Shibuya crossing in Tokyo...
2) Everything moves slower and closes earlier than Hong Kong. This is good (relaxing) and bad (slow food service).  The restaurants near Grand Hyatt closed by 9:30pm.  According to my friend Jackie people here eat at 6 or 7pm regularly!  Wow normal life.
3) Taiwanese meal food is nice, not too memorable (omelettes is one choice) BUT desserts are fabulous.  I had a tofu hua (do fu fa) in nice syrup with peanuts at Meet Fresh Taipei. The evening prior, Stephen and I had sticky rice in coconut... I like dessert more in Asia (i don't have a sweet tooth for cakes and pies back in North America!!)
4) Fusion food is not sushi.  We headed back to a A-Plus fusion sake bar given other restaurants closed early...and I seriously thought our "Sushi on Fire" salmon roll was spicy salmon.  BOY WERE WE WRONG.  They brought out the roll which looked AMAZING and mouth-watering, and then our waiter proceeded to TORCH our roll!  We were sooo shocked they killed our lovely sashimi on the spot. 
5) Night market street food looks great. Watch your stomach. We met up at Shilin the 2nd day and Stephen's parents came too. Busy.. and the clothes are far separated from the main food area.
6) Mitsui Sushi restaurants have many locations and continues to be really fresh and premium, but also, watch your stomach with the raw shrimps etc.
7) Beitou hot springs area is sadly not as amazing for your skin or senses as outdoor onsen hot springs in Hokkaido (I know, NOT fair).  We climbed around forever looking for I-Tsun (where Sun Yat Sen went) - not luck.  Found a roof top hot spring nearby Thermal Valley... so so.
8) MRT travel is really cheap and fairly extensive.  After a few days - I still haven't spent my ~$10 US
9) Banking system is really domestic; sort of like Canada.  Most of us haven't heard of the banks in Taiwan

Good bye, see you again soon Taiwan - probably in a month!  (This was a nice tourist trip but time for somewhere new next time)

New friends, Buddha trip... its not quite home yet

Hi everyone, its Sunday evening - week before Chinese New Year!  In Hong Kong, we have to work from Mon-Wed and only get Thurs-Sat off as holidays.  Its because HK also gets all those Western holidays.

This week was busy but I met a few new friends, so its nice to be social again.  Veronica just moved here in August, and she's expecting a baby in March!  What a coincidence that their condo is right next to my office tower, and their wedding anniversary is exact date and year of ours.  We enjoyed "so-so" food at Sala Thai at ICC.  Also this week I finally reconnected with Saima (whom I met 4 months ago with our husbands/friends) and Wing, a fellow McMaster alumni.  Then back to our roots - we joined a Dragon Boat practice for a team called Stormy's.  It was really far in Tai Tam (past Stanley) but a good time.  Man , I am sore!  Finally , after a terrible week of work meetings, Stephen and I joined Nancy for her birthday karaoke / band party in TST Kimberley Road area.  It was nice to catch up!

Yesterday I went with Stephen's parents to the Big Buddha (Ngong Ping 360 Gondola ride from Tung Chung station).  It was lovely weather and a nice climb. All these dozens of trips to Hong Kong, I never made it to the Buddha. Don't think I'd go back but it is still a lovely trip and view.  Thereafter we enjoyed the Asia food court options at the Tung Chung outlet mall, and bought a few clothes as well.  Long day with the family ... but fun and fulfilling...especially after our YUMMY mango and red bean dessert choices at Hui Lau Shan in Shun Tek Centre near home.

This week we may go to Macau and Zhuhai with Stephen's uncle who is visiting from Taipei.  I wish everyone a happy new year's in Canada and here.  Year of the Rabbit!

Back in HK at new office...its almost Chinese New Year

Hi All! its been 20 days since my last post. I am really behind... sorry for keeping you all waiting. I spent the past two weeks in Dallas and Toronto on business trip, while celebrating mom's birthday, Harry & Tanya (bro/sister-in-law)'s new condo and various other family things.  Also tried hard to sell our Infiniti G35X... argh. Its harder than I thought it would be. Additionally some AMD corporate news, team building with go-kart races/2010 wrap up.  And traveling to HKG with my parents in law. Finally back in HK.  I am tired.

Chinese New Year (year of Rabbit) is the biggest holiday in Asia.  There are decorations everywhere including at my own apartment building!

Our new AMD office is in ICC (International Commerce Centre) at Kowloon Station - apparently the tallest tower in Hong Kong now.  Anyway the building is nice but my office is really small! Anyway its a desk and a telephone.... and free Nespresso coffee!

Finally spending time with Stephen's mom's relatives in Hong Kong. Its too much food at once but nice to see new faces.  Happy early birthday to Nancy, and HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR! Next two weeks could be quiet, which is a welcome. We may go into Zhuhai for a few days.

More importantly it was -20C in Toronto, and its now +15C (both inside and outside, unfortunately).

~~~~
Here are some photos of my team's offsite in Toronto at GP Kartways.  I won the qualifier round but slammed into a wall in the Finals - and came in 5th :(

http://www.flickr.com/photos/58601413@N08/sets/72157625864846576

Here are some photos of our HK office annual dinner at Kowloon Shangri La Hotel in early January. I was asked to pick out the lucky draw winners including an ipad:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/58750794@N04/?saved=1

Here are some more family photos: Mom's birthday at our house.
http://picasaweb.google.com/irene.stephen.yang/TorontoFall2010FamilyFriends#5564112763647627922

Happy 2011 - bad cold; IKEA assemblers

I am officially sick.  I have a cold, cough and thankfully not a fever (yet). A bit of a rough start back at work and to 2011. In the meantime Hong Kong views out of bedroom window are keep me inspired, since I've rarely left the house this week!  Today I walked downstairs for famous egg tarts and a Pacific Coffee, just to get outside.

Separately, IKEA is perfect for hong kong. the flat boxes are easy to carry and assembly is a (mere) 10% additional fee.  They will come install our closet and dresser today.

On another note, the combined washer/dryer device is small and clogs easily.  With the instruction manual all in Chinese, the repairman and landlady had to fix it and order me an english brochure.

New Year's Resolutions?
- learn Mandarin
- go to gym more often
- network with new people including my co-workers

Heading to Dallas next week then Toronto again (for work)... after my company's annual dinner this Friday at Shangri La hotel.  I am tired thinking about flying again.

Happy birthday to my mom!