Frankfurt Once Again!
Posted onFrankfurt! I love Frankfurt. Why? It’s Frankfurt of course. The food is different. Lots of cold cut and lots of meat; all kinds of cookies covered in chocolate. The buns… don’t get me started on the breads and buns. And the weather. Chilly cold with grey skies, the snow and OMG the wind! Brrrrrr… check out our red noses.
So Frankfurt happens every year in January. This would be my fourth trip to Germany. We took SIA and our flight to Singapore was delayed therefore we had to rushed from the gate to gate for our connecting flight. STRESS!
But, fret not. We got ourselves an express buggy which was waiting for us somewhere in the Terminal. The buggy driver was scary. Just zoomed to our gate. Security didn’t even managed to frisk us. We had to run to the plane. AMAZING RUN!
Zooooooming awayyyyyyy!!!
Are we there yet? 12+ hours…
We touched down at 6.30am… it was snowing! Bed of snow welcoming us everywhere. Psst~ Hub’s first snow and it’s quite a massive fall!
Hotel Scala
We stayed at Best Western’s Hotel Scala which was along Schafergasse. It was still too early to check in therefore we left our luggages at the reception and roamed the empty streets.
Zeil – Shopping Street
Little Girl playing in the snow
It’s getting brighter!!! Since MyZeil open its doors at 8am, we took the opportunity to use their free Wi-Fi service. My Zeil offers free Wi-Fi to the public which was a plus. After checking our work and personal emails and of course updated some Facebook postings, we headed back to our hotel which was 3 blocks away. It takes about 5-7 minutes walk to our hotel. Love the walk.
The Receptionist at Hotel Scala
Rooms weren’t ready. Cleaning lady not at work yet so we decided to have breakfast! When I say cold cuts and breads.. I mean what I say…
Yogurt, mixed fruits, nuts, cold cuts, cheese, cereals, etc
Fantastic spread…. all kinds of buns. What else do you need?
Finally, we got our room! I was suffering from a very bad migraine since the red-eye flight so I threw-up don’t know how many times, took a short nap then continued with some sightseeing before work starts tomorrow.
We headed to shopping street again but towards branded street. I’ve got a list of things to buy.. advanced orders by colleagues and friends. So… we went into Longchamp then into Louis Vuitton. Once I’m done with the tasks, we headed to the Opera House which was just around the corner.
The Opera House or also known as the Alte Oper
Winter drying trees in the park
Snow covered path… thank God for the blue sky
We wandered around and found ourselves near a lake. A frozen one at least or perhaps half frozen. I was feeling too adventurous. So, I lowered my leg into the lake then SsssZZZiiiiiii – > CRACK!
Yup! Not entirely frozen at all. Hubby was shaking his head in dismay of what I did. Haha!
Ice-Testing!
It really does look frozen right?
Snow-Tastic
This is the only tree with greens during winter
Brrr… it was freezing! Checkout the flight of birds at the back!
Hungry… and freshly baked fries was number one on the mighty list!
Hubby is savoring on the freshly baked fries! It was delicious and steaming for winter!
As we walked back to our hotel, we took a shortcut or tried to take one and eventually found a beautiful old church which was situated just before the hotel.
We couldn’t find the name of this old church. It does look a bit creepy because of the dull skies but it’s still beautiful and nevertheless historical
The next day after setting up our exhibits at Messe, we took a train and had the walk of our lives looking for the DIALOGUE IN THE DARK Museum. After overjoying from finding the place and being rejected because we didn’t make an appointment for tours in English, we moved along and took shelter in a deli which serves really good sandwiches, salads and coffee. Hmm YUM. What’s winter without a hot cuppa? This place was truly our savior.
Serving the best for the best~
On the last day of exhibition, we took a walk around Romer and Zeil area with Mr Paul Turk. We went into numeral shops, gazed at the windows with its expensive displays, picked and prodded some wooden items, tossed and turned some plates and arrived in Kleinmarkthalle.
Anything that you see here is everything that you want (I want!)
It was an indoor wet market and you can get everything and anything here from clothes to plants to poultry to greens to pickled fruits to stingy fish to chocolates to herbs to sushi bar. We were glad to find this interesting place as we found the best coffee in town and it was confirmed by a guy who so happens to be local; ordering his coffee and speaks perfect English!
Coffee Stop
Frankfurt left us with many memories… snowy ones and I left something in Frankfurt too. My poor boots which is my favorite pair who has been with me since 2009. Poor baby. You lived long enough and travelled far across the world. It’s time to let you go and I still miss you. I’ll never get a replacement like you.
My First Boots… truly missed
Hong Kong Once Again
Posted onDear Diary,
It was Hong Kong once again. We will never get tired of Hong Kong as the city never sleeps. Food is practically everywhere and the most we love about is the temperature in January.
Chilly and foggy.
I’ve compiled pictures of our trip in the form of postcards so… enjoy!
We arrived on the 12th day of Christmas which was the last day, so we were very fortunate to catch the Christmas decor around Heritage 1881 and Harbour City.
A Very Belated Season Greetings Postcard!!
We also took a walk around Victoria Harbour since the view was spectacular and everyone seems to be enjoying the cold breeze.
Our trip was also of work and pleasure. We always meet up with other international exhibitors and we form a bond. We have dinners together; often chatting away what are the current markets like in terms of the old and new.
Dinner with the Gang!
This time, we managed to stop by the goldfish market which was in Mongkok. You won’t miss it as bags of fish are hung outside the shop-lots and can be seen far away.
Hong Kong = Shopping
I mean that’s what everyone’s been telling me but I don’t agree. Shopping is not necessarily cheap in HK. There is a variety of things indefinitely. Certain things are cheaper like phone accessories, shoes, bubble jackets but not clothes. Perhaps I have different views? I only go for affordable quality stuff so if an item is super cheap but quality and comfort isn’t there.. SORRY-next stop!
Shopping Time!
We will never miss a cup of Marocchino while in Hong Kong. Holly Brown serves the best Marocchino anyone can find. It’s the ULTIMATE coffee for me.
We found a treasure! We alighted at Jordan station.. walked around alleys and found this shop which sells ‘cookies and tarts’. We decided to buy a coconut tart to try it out… then we walked back and bought another… and another and I think another.
The coconut filling was so delicious, it kinda melts in your mouth and the outer pastry is very much light and crisp. Heaven in a tart.
The following day, we actually took the train back to Jordan station again to buy more tarts. This time, we tried the Pineapple tarts and cookies. Hands down! Coconut Tart you second stole my heart.
Cookies and Tarts
Around the same area, lies a tiny modern noodle shop. We were hungry therefore we just popped into a shop and found the most adventurous ‘spice heat’ in Hong Kong.
Freaking Spicy… looks can be deceiving!
Ah our beloved Mister Softee (nowadays called ‘Mobile Softee’). This time, we spotted the white, red and blue van just next to the TST Star Ferry Pier. Yippie!
You won’t miss Mister Softee as one can hear the ‘Blue Danube’ melody being played blocks away! Brings back old memories doesn’t it? We also spotted the vans outside Kowloon Park and at the Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai.
Creamy + Dreamy = Mister Softee
The most affordable and yet creamy Softee in a cup. Chocolate flavor. HEART!
While we went and get our dose of Softee Ice-Cream, we stumbled upon 2 huge dogs. One is a St. Bernard mix and the other a Husky. Both were overweight or maybe the cold weather made them puffy? I would get puffy during winter too. 
Anyway they were both adorable and as usual, I presumed bigger dogs don’t like the camera.
St. Bernard mix + Siberian Husky (fat ones)
Finally before we left Hong Kong, we have another cuppa of Marocchino. This was a pleasant trip. Hong Kong, we love you and we’ll see you soon again.
SeOUL Searching
Posted onAfter 11 years of marriage, we finally went for our honeymoon! Woot-woot!
There were many places in our adventurous mind but we chose KOREA, “The Land of the Morning Calm”.
Without hesitation with our 2+2 feet, we wandered around the city of Seoul.
These feet were made for walking
GYEONGBUKGUNG PALACE is located in Jongno-Gu
Gwanghwamun, The Main and South Gate
Heungnyemun, The Second Inner Gate
Drummer at the Changing of Guards
Gwanghwamun Royal Guards
- Gyeonghoeru, The Royal Banquet Hall
I’m at the Guenjeongjeon, the Main Throne Hall of Gyeongbokgung
Geunjeongjeon, The Throne Hall
Our shadows in Gyeongbukgung
Ajeoshi painting Sujeongjeon
Path to Secret Garden
Steps to secret places
Reading Pavilion
Pavilions galore in the Secret Garden or also known as ‘Biwon’
Tempted to taste these oranges on the tree.. but better not after all they are fruits of the Secret Garden
WAR MEMORIAL OF KOREA is located in Yongsan-Dong
Hubby is making sure we won’t get lost
It’s partially shady and sunny
War Statues in the Memorial Park
Statue of Brothers
Facade of the main building where rows of black marble monuments inscribed with the names of those who died during the Korean and Vietnam Wars and of policemen who died on duty
A Time to Remember
There’s no entrance fee to enter the War Memorial Museum of Korea but donations can be given
Inspector Elena! I’m inspecting the Letters of War and Confidential Documents in museum’s vault
Getting lost amidst of weapons of destruction at the outer exhibition of the War Museum
Weapons of War
BUKCHON HANOK VILLAGE – Korean Traditional Village
Alleys everywhere
Traditional Korean Home
Tea House in Bukchon
View atop Bukchon Village
GANGNAM DISTRICT pronounced as ‘Kangnam’
Busy life in Gangnam
Gangnam-Gu
Gopchang – grilled intestines
Korean Barbeque: lamb on metal skewers
Yoogane – the best Galbi Bokkeumbap
Yoogane’s Menu… we were lost indeed!
Chicken Galbi where are you?
The beautiful and calm Han River
View from the river – friends, lovers, families gather together
Man’s Best Friend
Guess what hubby is munching on!
No.. it’s not an ice-cream potong but it’s a pineapple on a stick! Surprise? We were too!
Ajumoni making Kalguksu in Namdaemun market. It’s like our PAN MEE but on a much much more healthier side
Horrible picture of me but it’s the only picture of Kalguksu! OMIT OMIT!
This Kalguksu stall was hiding behind this rack of clothes. It’s funny that we even found this little stall. Loved it!
One can have Kalguksu feast here
COEX Mall
Modern fixtures outside COEX Mall
Korean Traditional Dance
COEX has complimentary art and cultural shows during weekends which attracts the young and old
MISCELLANEOUS PARTS OF KOREA that I just need to share
BERKELEY COFFEE EXPRESS, Kyedong (BEST COFFEE EVER)
WALNUT BREAD – something new; something old but this has got to be the best nutty snack ever
GOGI MANDU a.k.a. dumplings are filled with minced meat, vegetables, glass noodles and seasoning
One of my favorite Korean street food. HOTTEOK per serving contains 230 calories because it is filled with brown sugar, honey, chopped peanuts and cinnamon sugar. All sugary sweet packed in one palm size pouch. OUCH!
DONHOYA, Hakdong
A JEWEL IN THE ALLEY
Stumble upon a little noodle shop after visiting one of the palaces
Cold Noodles; one of a kind in Seoul can be found around the area on the map in between the alleys of Jahamun-ro and Hyoja-ro
Cold noodles, kimchi, seaweed soup, buckwheat wraps, etc
Overall, Seoul was a great place to visit. It will be a good place to live too. We love Korea and will definitely be going back there again. Our trip was successful, fruitful and a joyous one. We would like to thank ALL that contributed towards our honeymoon; be it physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
Thanks to JOHN HYUNG and his son that greeted us at Incheon Airport. Thank you for showing us around Gangnam and got us addicted to the many varieties of Korean food.
좋은 친구
Taking pics from the public camera on one of the pillars at the streets of Gangnam-gu
See you Seoul!
Korean Air
Hello NYC!!!
Posted on
I never thought that I would go to NYC but this was a chance of a lifetime and I’m looking forward to visit again.
Visiting a place once is never enough unless it brings you bad memories and horror experience but there’s always light in the dark. Moreover NYC is also known as:-
- The City That Never Sleeps
- The Big Apple
- The Crossroads of the World
So the journey to NYC was LONG. We flew with Emirates with a total of 24 flight hours including 4 hours of transiting in Dubai (back and forth meaning 48 hours – Ohhh.Emm.Gyyyyyy.)
Hogging NERO Cafe for 4 hours
This trip was for business cum pleasure once again so I’m gonna start with WORK!
We exhibited in the New York Stationery Fair (NSS) at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Centre. We got an upgraded corner booth thanks to GLM.
WRITEBEST Products on Display!
That’s Ralph from Great American Products, Texas with Jake
Jake and Me with Cinnamon Joe’s representatives (Paul, Andrea and Jennifer)
***
So with all the places that’s on our list, our main transporter was our two feet and the subway.
Subway on the 42nd Street
Our first stop was Times Square where our apartment is just 2 blocks away. We headed there right after we touched down + some sleep. I was a walking zombie but the lights mesmerized me and soon I was kinda like a little girl in Disneyland!
Crowd Mania in Times Square
Abundance of Broadway Musicals… this is Disneyland for me! Check out Joe Jonas poster.
Freedom of Speech is practiced almost everywhere
She almost killed me..literally with a heart attack when she marched towards me with her sword
***
Our second stop was the 9/11 Memorial. This was in my todo list. One could never imagine the impact of visiting this place and the people who are living here. Being at the Memorial site itself is emotional enough for me. Just the serenity of the place, the waterfall, the names of those that perished that day, the tress and surroundings which visitors kept at peace.
Ticket Price: Free with limited spaces but a ‘Support Box’ is available for sincere donations
It’s a ‘Serene Certainty’
***
Thirdly, we went to Top of The Rock Observation Deck which is situated at the Rockefeller Center. And no, we did not go to the Empire State Building because we want to see the Empire State Building with all its glory. Check out the green sea of Central Park.
Ticket Price: USD$25.00/person
***
Guess what! We also watched WICKED, a broadway musical. It was like a dream come true for both of us. We love everything about musical. WICKED is about ‘pre-Wizard of OZ’….there’s Elphaba and Glinda…the wizard…OWH just click ME
Ticket Price: USD$141.25/person
***
Next stop was Statue of Liberty where we took a ferry across to Liberty Island. Liberty’s crown was under construction therefore the area was restricted. However, it was still amazing to see Liberty in person. She’s very beautiful indeed. Thank goodness the sky was clear and we got there just when the sun was strikingly rich!
Ticket Price: USD$17.00/person
***
We also went to Fifth Avenue to have a look at shopaholics. Shoppers with bags after bags were everywhere. I had bags too but I can count them.
Tiffany & Co.
Louis Vuitton seems shadeeeee….
***
We also managed to stop by FAO Schwarz which was recommended by my best friend, Eirene.
Kinda like Hamleys but this is the ultimate Toy Emporium filled with history. Opened since 1862 by the Schwarz brothers featuring one-of-a-kind toys from all over the world
My New York Townhouse in FAO Schwarz, my dream home in Manhattan costs $650.00
And here is the proposed interior,
3-storey high, compact space with plenty of sunlight. LOL
***
And then…. there was the food. Portions were massive hence the price but it was well worth-it.
Food Mosaic
1. Burgers were everywhere and they were exceptionally huge with even bigger box of fries
2. Bacon breakfast came with 3 eggs and mountains of potato wedges
3. Each pancake came in the size of my face and I had 3 face-sized pancakes to gulped
4. Tuna wraps were amazingly tasty with fresh rocket leaves
5. Best ever Lemon Iced Yogurt Loaf which I can’t find anywhere else
6. Stir-fry rice with a choice of meat, sauce and 3 kinds of vegetables
7. Burger with bacon comes with sweet potato fries
8. Best chocolate milkshake ever; 1 cup is never enough
To try No. 7. and 8., please head to Westway Diner along 9th Avenue. You won’t missed the place.
***
To conclude this wonderful journey, need I say… NYC is a great place to visit but it won’t be my kind of place to stay. I would prefer somewhere homey, not so bustling and where the heart is.