Category: jackiexplores

Canberra

I’m going to be completely honest. If someone had asked me what the capital of Australia was, I probably would have said Sydney. Or Melbourne. I only learned it was Canberra while working on my travel itinerary.

Much like D.C., the Capital Hill area is where you can visit Parliament (even sit in on a session!), the National Library (where I did a Behind-the-Scenes tour), and multiple museums, all within a pleasant walk from each other. Every museum also does free tours following certain themes or focusing on specific exhibits, so check their websites before you go for times and days.

Parliament people-watching perch.

The National Gallery of Australia reminded me a lot of the MOMA in New York, just based on the variety of art they had on display covering almost every time period, and the artists who held pieces there. Most of the museums I visited while in Australia had a lot of indigenous inspired exhibits, and this one was no different. I think between the National Gallery and the Art Gallery of New South Wales in Sydney, this one had a larger collection of contemporary, and post-modern art. Warhol, Pollock, Holzer, Kruger, Rauschenberg, Sherman… these names may or may not mean anything to you, but these were all artists I learned about in one of my favorite classes in college. While I’ve seen some of each of their pieces before, I’m never any the less stoked to see their work.

Frank Stella.

I wish I had taken more photos of the Frank Stella prints they had on exhibit. I had that whole area of the museum to myself for a bit. So colorful, and so fun. I can’t not mention James Turrell as well. He plays with light and space, and most of his pieces are site-specific installations that are really meant to immerse the audience. I’ve experienced his work in New York, Japan, Las Vegas, and now Australia. He had one of his “Skyspace” piece in Canberra. It actually took me a little while to find it… let’s just say I ended up taking the scenic route through the Sculpture Garden. No regretz, though. It ended up being a really peaceful stroll, as there was a really nice view of the lake.

The sky was mostly clear that day, but I saw a bird every now and then fly by through the skyspace. The viewing chamber is surrounded by the sounds of running water, and if you are lucky enough to enjoy one of his skyspaces by yourself… just enjoy it. I found it to be a very meditative experience.

James Turrell.

An acquaintance of mine, Lean, lives in Canberra, and she sent along a list of recommended places to dine at that I took full advantage of! Avo toast is a really common breakfast food, and I had a really great start to my day at Barrio.

For dinner one night, Pizza Gusto served a super yummy thin-crust pie, with Frugii for dessert. My last day in Canberra, I actually had Frugii three times. Can’t stop, won’t stop this sweet tooth! I mean, they also had really unique seasonal flavors I just had to take advantage of (blue cheese, and black truffle anyone??!)

En route to Canberra, I was seated next to a delightful lady by the name of Linette. We chatted and clicked really well, and we ended up staying at the same hostel. To Lean’s recommendation, we got dinner and drinks at “THE BEST” place in town, Bar Rochford. Like a speakeasy, it was a bit difficult to find, but once you’re there, it does not disappoint. I’m still thinking about their pumpkin and miso! Yum.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

After a few days in Canberra, I headed back to Sydney for my last weekend where I reconnected with my host, Hang. While I do wish I could have stayed longer and made it over to New Zealand, and after receiving the same reaction from all the locals who learned I was only there for a couple of weeks (“you’re only here for TWO weeks?!?”), I absolutely have to come back. There’s a whole lotta outback just waiting to be explored. C; 

Until next time, Australia!

Katoomba & The Blue Mountains

About 2 hours from Sydney via train are The Blue Mountains. I stayed in Katoomba, a small mountain town. It was the coldest place I visited this trip. I definitely recommend layers if you’re there for the winter season.

Katoomba was a short bus-ride from Scenic World, which I definitely recommend you buy tickets for. There were a lot of families and children there, but the hikes and walkways weren’t crowded whatsoever. There’s a “scenic skyway” that takes you across Jamison Valley, where you cruise above the treetops and have an amazing view of Katoomba Falls that actually supplies water to Sydney.

Floating above Jamison Valley.

Their “scenic cableway” is the steepest in the Southern Hemisphere, and their “scenic railway” is the steepest in the world. Neither go that fast, but I do have to say that I wasn’t prepared for the incline of the railway (you can adjust your seat up to a 64 degree incline). I honestly had no idea what to expect, but it was a total surprise that there was a drop involved, haha.

Not too far of a journey from Scenic World is Three Sisters at Echo Point, a formation you can’t help but be drawn as you enjoy it from various vantage points while enjoying all the attractions. You can walk there from Scenic World via one of their many pathways in the mountains, or take a bus. Between my couple of days in the Blue Mountains, I visited Three Sisters during the day and also at dusk. The colors of the formation really do play off of the sun. It was definitely worth another visit.

One of my favorite parts of Katoomba was how many thrift and vintage shops they had along their main street. Secondhand shops have far more interesting things to look at over your typical souvenir shop or department store. I picked up a wool newsboy cap to keep me warm, and some vintage postcards I definitely would not have found anywhere else!

Like Byron Bay, Katoomba also had an Aldi’s for some cheap eats. As I wandered the main street, I saw a sign for a community lunch within the Town Centre Arcade. And it was there that I met Elaine. A truly inspirational lass, we had the most heartwarming chat. Honestly, Australians are some of the friendliest, loveliest people I’ve ever met. Elaine and I were meant to take lunch together. ❤

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Brisbane & Byron Bay

It was a completely last minute decision for me to fly to Brisbane. I booked my flight the day before, following the strong recommendations from both my host and friend that I HAD to go to Byron Bay. And I’m glad I did. Aside from accidentally booking a bus from the wrong airport (classic Jackie~) Byron Bay was worth the drive out the ways. It’s a hippy little beach town where they hold tons of music festivals throughout the year, and is a spring break hotspot for surfers and college students alike.

19553898_10154873519052547_5201817971206066027_n

It reminded me a lot of my college town. Super charming and small, you could cover the ground “downtown” in an afternoon (or probably even less than that!). It was fun to stroll through the different shops and eateries all just a few blocks from the beach. And if you’re traveling on a budget, there’s also an Aldi near the town center where you can grab everything you need for a cheap, easy meal or some snacks. I also recommend an Asian grocery store called Red Ginger. They sell sold homemade dumplings and steamed buns (they even had vegetarian and vegan options!) and serve complimentary tea with your order. This was really close to the bus station, and just what I needed after traveling from the airport.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Take a stroll to the beach and watch the surfers surf the waves as you swing on the swings not too far from the shore, and if you’re up for it, tackle the trek to the Cape Byron Lighthouse. It’s about 2km from the center of town, so definitely dedicate a morning or afternoon to the walk up there. It was gloomy and rainy the day I hiked the lighthouse, which made it beautiful in it’s own way.

I had about a day and a half in Brisbane, and one thing on my list: visiting the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary and holding a koala. Mission. Accomplished.

It’s the world’s largest and oldest koala sanctuary, and they housed a few other friends, from platypus to dingos and kangaroos you can feed! I cuddled a koala named Spoon… I should’ve been good to fly home right after, right??! C;

19430112_10154875217687547_6850517276621267956_n
Spoon and I. I never wanted to let go!

New South Wales

SYDNEY

If you know me, you know I have a bit of a sweet tooth. Whenever I travel, I look up where I can find the best frozen dessert in town. So I *conveniently* booked a hostel my first night that was within walking distance of the best gelato place in town: Gelato Messina. I tried their Salted Caramel & White Chocolate + Coconut & Lychee. Amazing. They have a few flagship stores throughout NSW, Victoria, and Queensland.

Gelato Messina
Gelato Messina: Salted Caramel & White Chocolate + Coconut Lychee

I have to say, I didn’t realize how multicultural Australia was. They have a huge Asian population, which I should have realized when I was doing research and saw how large their Chinatown was… the fact that even had a Chinatown should have told me a thing or two! Let’s just say I felt like I was reliving my Asia travels last year.

Chinatown is every budgeting-backpackers best friend when traveling. Think fresh, cheap, Chinese baked goods, and souvenirs. Chinatown is enough to make me wish I lived in a larger city. Stop by Emperor’s Garden Cakes & Bakery for a pineapple bun (or whatever your pastry-craving desires) and if the queue isn’t wild, pick up an Emperor Puff (a custard-filled cream puff) right next door. You’ll know you’re in the right place if there’s a line for it. That’s what piqued my interest! The puff was served piping hot, and tasted okay, but it’s personally not something I’d queue up for again.

For food, my host took me to a favorite local place known for it’s dumplings. If you are looking for authentic Chinese food and homemade dumplings at a really good price point, wander about to 8 Quay Street, “Chinatown Noodle Restaurant.” Most dishes are under 10$, making it a hotspot for students. Also, don’t be surprised if you’re seated next to a stranger. In true Chinese fashion, they’ll try and accommodate you however they can!

I would never have found such a place if it wasn’t for my host. If you haven’t tried Couchsurfing, I definitely recommend it. I’ve posted about it a few times on my Instagram, but through Couchsurfing I’ve made friends from all-over. A special shout-out to my Sydney Couchsurfing host, Hang!

Hooray for new friends!

While in Sydney, one has to do their famous Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk. I enjoy Denver, but being landlocked feels pretty restricting sometimes. I never appreciated the beach when I lived in Florida, but goodness gracious was I so head over heels for these views on my hike.

19424395_10154871556042547_1235949636146843033_n

It was about 6 kms, and without stopping, should take you less than 3 hours return. But if you’re leisurely (really, really leisurely) strolling and are just in complete awe of the views, and taking a million pictures every few yards like I was, it can easily take you an extra hour. And I say to completely enjoy and take it all in. Bring lunch (or pick up something along the way), people/surfer watch, and pack your swimsuit if it’s nice out. You’ll pass multiple beaches and baths that are so beautiful that even though it’s “winter,” you’ll be so tempted to dip your toes in.

And ~*girls*~ there is a women & children’s only bath a little past Coogee called McIver’s Bath. It’s the last one left in Australia and only takes a gold coin donation to enter the Girl’s Rooooom (The Amanda Show, anyone??!).

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

MANLY BEACH

My last day in Sydney, Hang and I adventured to Manly Beach. It’s a ferry ride from Sydney, and it was a beautiful day that day. Manly reminded me of Venice Beach in California, where you had an area of shops and buskers, and places to eat at, but you were never more than a stone throw’s away from the beach. You get the best of both world’s over there.

It was interesting to see that for Australia’s winter, there were locals laying out in swimsuits, while some people were bundled up in sweatshirts and beanies… all within a few feet of each other! Of course, there were a decent amount of surfers and loads of crowds to people-watch.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

I had asked a few locals what (aside from marmite & Tim-Tams, haha) would be considered an “Australian dish.” A couple of them had said fish ‘n chips! Hang’s favorite fish ‘n chips place on Manly is a place called Fishmongers. So of course, we had to go! They have a set menu, but also catches and specials that change every so often. We both went for their ginger salmon, and it was amazing. A great location really near to the beach, we did takeaway and had ourselves a picnic.

Walk along the main beach and towards the end you’ll find yourself climbing to the top of a peak with an incredible view of the sunset. Perfect way to end my trip.

Sunset at Manly
Perfect last hurrah in Australia ❤

Two Weeks Down Under: Koalas, the Coast, and the Coolest People

I spent two weeks “down under” this past June. The flight there took a little over 14 hours (thank goodness for in-flight entertainment). I left on a Saturday, but with the time difference, I started my trip off in Sydney on a Monday. And it was the Queen’s birthday! I had flown in just in time to celebrate, obviously.

I visited at the start of winter. So that meant more layers, and less tourists (most of the time). I was told that it can rain quite a bit during this season, and there had been torrential downpour in Sydney the week prior to my arrival. But the day I got there, it was sunny and gorgeous. I stayed in Potts Point, about 20 minutes from the Botanic Gardens and a stunning view of the Opera House and Harbor.

Woolloomooloo (say that three times fast)
View from the McElhone Stairs in Potts Point.
Lookout from Lady Macquarie’s Chair of the harbour.

I could continue chronicling this my travels listing all the sights I saw day to day, the places I ate at… but I’ll touch on the highlights for me, and for what I highly recommend you fit into your Australia travels as well.

To start, the territories I visited were New South Wales (Sydney, Byron Bay, Katoomba, Newcastle, Manly Beach), Queensland (Brisbane), and Australian Capital Territory (Canberra). If you look at a map, that’s all along South/Southeast Australia. Now, if you look at a map and compare the size of Australia to the rest of the world, you won’t be surprised as to why I decided to focus my trip within a specific area of this giant country (it would be worth another trip to return and visit a different part Australia, trust me).

I’ve got some posts in the works, but I hope you’ll read on and enjoy what I have so far of my little travel diary about my visit down unda!

The national flag in the capital of Australia: Canberra.

Takeover Tokyo (Nagoya & Yokohama too)

I finally leave Kanagawa Prefecture this weekend, where I’ve spent the past five weeks exploring Yokohama and Tokyo — before that, a few days in Nagoya. And I’m really sad to be leaving. So sad, that I was supposed to leave Yokohama a week ago… but I was having such a wonderful time, I had to stay a bit longer.

NAGOYA

When I landed in Nagoya, I landed with my Aunt who is from the Philippines, but lives in Japan. It was nice having a tour guide to start off my visit. We went to the Kirin Brewery in Kiyosu, and they have a factory tour which is free, but reservations need to be made ahead of time. They have locations and offer tours throughout Japan, so look them up to see if one is near you! I highly recommend it. The entire tour was in Japanese (as was their website), but they had an English pamphlet you could use to follow along the tour.

In Nagoya, I also visited a cat cafe. If you’ve read one of my previous blog posts raving about the cat cafe in Tianjin, you know that this was such a delight for me. The cat cafe here operated a little differently than the one in Tianjin, though. Firstly, there were a LOT more cats. The ladies had one room, and the gents another. 27 cats in total. 27. Cats. Cuddling wasn’t allowed 😦 and drinks had to be consumed separately from the kitties. There was an entrance fee, and you paid for a certain block of time to spend with the kitties, but you could drink as much coffee, milk tea, and even as much soup as you wanted! And did I mention there were cats??!

Now, if you ever find yourself in Nagoya on a Friday night, check out Club Orca. Friday evenings happen to be ladies night. No cover, free drinks… and get this: a dessert bar. If a club doesn’t have a dessert bar, they’re doing it wrong. Club Orca has set the standards high… in China too, expats got the VIP treatment at clubs. Basically, Asia knows how it’s done.

TOKYO

I don’t even know where to start with Tokyo. There’s so much to do!!! My first weekend here, I reunited with some pals I met while working at Disney and hadn’t seen in a year and a half, so taking on Tokyo that first week with friends was amazing.

Tokyo is a central business district, so while it has it’s fair share of skyscrapers and business suits, there were plenty of parks, gardens, and urban spaces, that sometimes I couldn’t believe I was in such a big city. I’m very lucky to be in Japan during cherry blossom season, so every park I’ve wandered through has greeted me with the sight and scent of sakura (as well as sakura flavored treats popping up in cafes and shops all over!)

If you’re in Tokyo around cherry blossom season, a few of my favorite parks and places to see blossoms have been in Inokashira Park (also home to the Ghibli Museum), within a neighborhood called Jiyugaoka (that is also famous for it’s sweets), and Naka Meguro at night, where cherry blossoms line the river, and are illuminated at night.

Of course while you’re in Tokyo, you need to witness the Shibuya Scramble Crossing at rush hour, admire the wicked fashion and relive the 90s in Harajuku (where you’ll find a Tamagotchi store), and possibly go up the Tokyo Tower. But, while you’re also in Shibuya, I also recommend walking the 30 or so minutes to a neighborhood called Ebisu, where you can enjoy ice cream in some amazing, and traditional Japanese flavors at a shop called Japanese Ice Ouca. They serve flavors from sweet potato to brown sugar matcha and sakura. Sit-in and help yourself to their green tea, or take it to go and check out the neighborhood.

Takeshita-dori in Harajuku is one of my favorite streets in all of Tokyo. Not only are there several shops where you can pick up a crepe filled with anything from custard to salmon (yes, even together should you wish), but some of the most fashionable youth of Tokyo grace the area (and on Sunday afternoons, Yoyogi Park is usually bustling with cosplayers). One of my favorite and most affordable “izakayas” or Japanese gastropubs is at the end of this street, along with a cookie shop where you can karaoke in-store for a free cookie.

The Tokyo Tower makes it’s way onto almost everyone’s “must-do” in Tokyo lists. But if you’re on a budget, there are other options to take in Tokyo’s skyline, surrounding areas, and still feel like you’re on top of the world. I frequented the Tokyo Government Municipal Building in Shinjuku a few times. Visits to both the North and South observatory are free (just take note of hours before you go!) Head up to these observatories and you’ll find yourself right in the middle of the skyscraper district.

It’s easy enough to visit a new place and hit all the popular tourists spots, but don’t be afraid to wander off the beaten path. Every person I’ve met in Tokyo & Yokohama, I’ve asked for their suggestions on their favorite places to visit in the area. I’m a huge fan of exploring a new place just by walking around, and so many of the recommendations I received ended up being for some of the neatest neighborhoods outside the city that were just as lively, but not overwhelmingly so.

If you get the chance, check out the three K’s: Kōenji, Kichijōji, and Kagurazaka. All are doable to explore within a half day’s time, but expect a different vibe depending on the time of day you stroll through the neighborhood. All three have a few pedestrian-only streets (save for the occasional bicycle) lined with shops selling everything imaginable (think drugstores, secondhand clothing, records, etc), and an array of snacks to enjoy (from organic donuts to cheese tempura curry balls and 500yen pizza), and izakayas to grab a drink in.

If I looked scared… it’s because I kinda was. But he ended up being super friendly.
Baron the Owl
Charlie the Owl

Whereas the people in the city, in their suits and polished shoes seem to always be in a rush, the people of the suburbs of Tokyo are a lot more relaxed, which lends itself to the overall chill vibe of these neighborhoods. One of the most special experiences to me was visiting Cafe Baron in Kōenji. Cafe Baron is an owl cafe. That’s right. An owl cafe. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that such a thing would exist in Japan, which has a larger population of pets than children.

Along with owls that go by the names of John, Jack, Charlie, and Baron (the barnyard owl who the cafe is named after), the cafe also houses some pet mice and komodo dragons. You can order everything from curry dishes to tea and biscuits with cute little owls on them at this cafe. The owner speaks really good English, and he was really welcoming, and knowledgeable about all things owls. He even let me snap a photo and video selfie (see my video below~~) with John, a Great Gray Owl.12914909_10153570845172547_635983605_oTokyo also has a great art scene with just as many museums as New York, but with a wider range of theme (think sewerage, origami, and Cupnoodles). But if you haven’t the time nor the budget to visit too many along with everything else on your list, worry not. Tokyo is also rampant with plenty of public installations and sculptures by artists which are nice to check-out while strolling through town.

Roppongi is known for having quite the nightlife, but it has some other worthwhile areas to visit. There’s Roppongi Hills, a posh dining and shopping area, but also the location of a really nice public garden, plenty of areas to sit and people-watch, “furniture street” lined with sculptures revolving around the theme of “home” and “furniture,” and public sculptures such as “Maman” by Louise Bourgeois.  It’s home to a couple museums, and an observatory as well.

Also in Roppongi is an area called Tokyo Midtown where you can wander Fijifilm Gallery and the Tokyo Midtown Design Hub, a graphic design gallery, for free. More public sculptures for viewing can be found in and around this plaza as well, and behind the Ritz lies a peaceful garden and park with a pond and few streams running through it.

Gotokuji Temple is an unassuming temple in the suburbs of Tokyo. It is the home of the “maneki neko” or “beckoning cat” that you’ll find welcoming you into almost every Asian restaurant or home. Having been to countless temples while in China, I’m very temple’d out… but I knew I had to visit this quirky little spot. Walking from the station to this temple will take you through a residential neighborhood that is so quiet you’ll wonder if you’re still in Tokyo. The temple grounds itself was just as peaceful, even though I visited on the weekend.111_8762

YOKOHAMA

Yokohama is where I’ve been staying the past month, 25 minutes via express train from Shibuya. I really like Yokohama. You can say I’ve gotten too comfortable here, hence why I decided to extend my visit. Yokohama is the capital of Kanagawa Prefecture, and there are just as many things to keep you busy in Yokohama as there are in Tokyo.

My favorite area of Yokohama is along the harborfront. It’s so refreshing to see the sea and so much sky especially after being in the city amidst skyscrapers. I might be a little biased, but Yamashita Park was my favorite park that I visited during my time in Kanagawa (Yamashita being my great-grandfather’s surname). I’ve gone a few times, and each time, I never want to leave.

Strolling from one end of the park to the other is so wonderful. It’s a great place to people-watch, enjoy a bento, and admire sakura and boats cruising past the harbor. I also love Yamashita Park because on one end, you’re really near to Chinatown, which made me miss Tianjin a lot. Chinatown Yokohama has many pedestrianized streets lined with shops and restaurants to wander about, and they sell everything from mooncakes to baozi ( just not my favorite Tianjin street food, jian-bing).

And towards the other end of the park, you have Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse, near Minato Mirai station. If you’ve been to the Chelsea Market in New York, that’s what the Red Brick Warehouse reminded me of. It used to be customs houses, so the architecture reflects that and the complex was built in an industrial manner. And of course, it’s named “Red Brick” accordingly so, with it’s exposed and very vibrant red brick. There is restaurant called Bills at the warehouse that is known for its pancakes (in Japan of all places, who would have thought!) and they did not disappoint.

Keep walking, and you’ll hit Minato Mirai 21 (or MM). It’s a modern urban area similar to Roppongi Hills, but a lot bigger. It’s also home to what is arguably the symbol of Yokohama — the Cosmo Clock 21 Ferris Wheel. What I love about Yokohama is that this area has a really nice skyline, especially at night, and with the ferris wheel. But despite the tall buildings, there’s still a lot more skyspace and breathing room than in Tokyo, and it’s a bonus to be right by the sea as well.

I think this might be my longest post yet. Cutting down video footage for Nagoya, Tokyo, and Yokohama was really hard as well! There’s a lot I wanted to share, but I promise I won’t make you sit through a half hour of my adventures in one go (at least not this time C;) I leave this weekend to run my JR pass to the ground for the next 21 days, so this will be my last post for a little bit. Instagram is a lot easier to manage when you’re on the go, so I’ll keep up with that. Where to next? Kyoto and Nara.

Can’t wait to get on the road (or in this case, bullet train) again. See ya next month, friends!

Love from Japan ♥

Hong Kong Highlights

Having been in China for almost six months, traveling to any country would have been a breath of fresh air. Literally. My first post-China country to visit happened to be Hong Kong. Hong Kong is incredibly diverse, dynamic, and Westernized. You know you’ve been in China too long when you get really giddy about the fact that people stay on one side of the escalator.  After tackling China, Hong Kong was a breeze to visit. I didn’t need to ask for directions once in my four days of visiting, my hostel gave me a map that was incredibly helpful, and Hong Kong’s subway system has nothing on Beijing’s! There are also signs everywhere, and in English. If New York and London had a child they raised in Asia, they would name it Hong Kong.

The only negative I’d heard about Hong Kong was that it was an expensive place to visit, and it can be. Gone are the incredibly cheap street food eats and small, family owned restaurants of China. As Westernized as Hong Kong is, expect Western prices as far as meals in restaurants go (likewise, expect to feel overwhelmed by how many dining options you’ll have).

Being on a budget, it really works that I’ve always been the kind of traveler to snack throughout the day, and I feel like meals aside, every foreign place you go to has snacks they are famous for and that you should indulge in. While not always the most healthy option, local snacks can be just as filling, and also save time when you have a lot to see. Hong Kong was not an exception in that respect. I indulged in quite a few pineapple buns, and egg waffles.

I was also really lucky that my hostel was near an IKEA, and I’ve always loved IKEA food. Hong Kong’s IKEA had some really delicious vegetarian options with China prices. But otherwise, I did treat myself to an amazing lunch my last day there. One of their most famous and popular restaurant chains is called Tsui Wah Restaurant, and I indulged at their Locklear Street location. I ordered enough for two people. I ate it all. It took me almost two hours to indulge, but I wish I had room to order more. It was very yummy.

As far as transportation goes, I didn’t have to take a taxi once (quite steep with meters starting at $17HKD) and relied on public transportation. If you’re there for more than a couple days, I would recommend getting an Octopus card. Used throughout Hong Kong, it’s a debit-metro card in one. It can be used on any form of public transportation, and in most restaurants, and convenience stores. You save a bit when you use your Octopus card on transport, rather than paying in cash, and it also saves time. To start, you need to top it off with $150HKD (that includes a $50 deposit) and any unspent value when you return your card, (minus a $9 service fee if you return it in less than three months), you will get refunded. So for me, going all around Hong Kong, Kowloon, and up to Victoria Peak made it worth it.

For the majority of Hong Kong Island, forgo the subway and take the “ding ding” tram. I enjoyed riding these trams so ridiculously much. Not only is it more cost-effective than taking the subway, but snag a seat on the upper deck and it comes with a complimentary scenic tour of the island. It’s such a great way to take in the sights and sounds of the city, as well as people-watch the locals, who seemed to favor this method of transportation as much as I did. I cannot praise these trams more, nor can I tell you how many times I rode them (maybe somewhere upwards of 20 times??!). If you’ve got time to get to Kowloon or back, take the Star Ferry for a fraction of the price as well. It’s less than an eight minute ride, and I give the views eight stars. Again, much more of a worthwhile experience than taking the subway.

There are a lot of free sites to check out (museums have free admission on Wednesdays!) and I thoroughly enjoyed strolling the Flower Market, the Goldfish Market, and the Bird Garden (which also has free Wifi). There are lots of markets in Hong Kong (some more questionably set-up than others, if ya know what I mean), and if you’re on the island, hop on the tram and hop off when you see loads of people on the sidewalk hawking their wares. Hong Kong is a good place to test out your bargaining skills as well!

And aside from transportation to and from the Peak (much more cost-effective to take a bus rather than taxi or the peak tram), Victoria Peak can be visited for free. Sure, you can pay to go up to the highest point of the Peak, but on the terrace of the Peak Galleria, enjoy spectacular views free of charge.

Overall, Hong Kong was a dream. Just check out these pictures of Victoria Peak ^^^. I mean, I’ve read a few things online that said that Victoria Peak was the #1 must-see in H.K. and I absolutely agree. The views left me speechless. I wish I could have stayed a bit longer, H.K, but at least I have the memories, photos and some footage below to remember you until next time.

I left Hong Kong to spend the next three weeks in the Philippines, where my parents were born, but I had never visited. Can’t wait to share about the first time seeing my roots. More later, friends.

Love from Japan ♥

Post-Tianjin Travels: China

It’s been roughly a month since I’ve left my internship, and I’ve done my share of traveling through China before ending up in Hong Kong, and now, the Philippines. I went from Tianjin – Shanghai – Xitang – Hangzhou – Xi’an – Lanzhou – Chengdu – Guangzhou – Foshan – Hong Kong. Here’s a wrap-up of my travels throughout China, post-teaching: some pictures, some highlights, and a video I made as well!

Shanghai: I reunited with my friend Melanie, who I met when I worked at Disney. She attends school in Shanghai and I crashed in her dorm, which felt a lot like being in college again. I loved it. Other highlights for me in Shanghai were the Natural History Museum and an amazing vegetarian buffet we enjoyed for dinner one night. I would recommend visiting the museum even just to admire the architecture of it. I have to hand it to the Museum Architects of China, for I’ve admired the architecture of their museums very much. They have all been very different, and distinct, while I’ve seen enough porcelain and taxidermy animals it makes my head spin.

Xitang: an ancient water town of China (and where they’ve filmed Mission Impossible: III), Xitang was so charming, and quiet. A nice getaway from city-life. It was just filled with a maze of shops, adorable cafes and plenty of eats. Melanie and I traveled here together (and to Hangzhou next as well), and we met the sweetest local who sold deep-friend corn on the cob, answered all of our questions, gave us directions, and made her husband be our bodyguard to a club (which ended up being so fun as it turned out he is quite the hoot). If you ever find yourself in Xitang, visit her little shop. I’d never had deep-fried corn on the cob before, and in the day we were there, I ate three of them. It’s before you enter the canals and waterways, on your right, next to a convenience store.

Hangzhou: Oh, Hangzhou. You were freezing, but so darn gorgeous with your snow-capped peaks overlooking West Lake. I understand now why West Lake appears on China’s currency. I imagine West Lake is a completely different site, but just as stunning in a warmer season. The day we left, we hiked a bit up the side of a mountain (with our suitcases, mind you!) to a restaurant where I enjoyed one of my favorite meals in China to date. And don’t even get me started on the view… two days was too short. Easily, I would like to live in a cabin on this lake. Pretty please.

Xi’an: I was hosted by a lady named Ran, a dentist in one of the hospitals downtown. If you’re ever headed to Xi’an, I can put you in touch! She was so helpful, and even though I only visited for a couple of days, she made me feel so at home that I wish I had spent longer there. Despite having never been to Xi’an before, I found it really easy to navigate. Double decker bus #603 ran up and down the main avenue from the train station through downtown, and aside from taking a transfer bus to the Terracotta Warriors (a must-see of course!!!), I solely used that bus to get to all the sites in the city. I didn’t make it to Huangshan Mountain this time around, but that’s an excuse to go back. As far as eats go, check out Muslim Street. It lights up at night, and you can enjoy an array of street foods, from deep fried bananas, curried potatoes, homemade yoghurt, and lots of mutton.

Lanzhou: I went to Lanzhou, the hometown of my dear friend Ivy. I met Ivy around the same time I met Melanie, also while working at Disney (it’s a small world, after all…) Ivy was such a darling little hostess. Again, having a local as my tour-guide was the best. Lanzhou is famous for their noodles, and they didn’t disappoint. We enjoyed a lot of really delicious food together (my Chinese hosts kept me so well fed!!!). In Lanzhou, I encountered the coldest weather yet. A frosty 13 below, but that didn’t keep us from climbing to a temple in Five Springs, a mountainous-park area where there was also a zoo and small amusement park. The view and experience made it all worth it.

Chengdu: Home of the largest family of pandas!!! The end. I’ll just let these panda pictures speak for themselves. !!!Pure pandamonium!!! Side note: Sichuan province is known for their spicy foods, and they do not joke with their spices. I found that out the hard way!

Guangzhou: Having visited Guangzhou before, this visit was pretty relaxed. I spent a lot of my visit in Zhejiang New Town, Guangzhou’s up-and-coming Central Business District. There’s a huge park there, which is an excellent place to people-watch, and it’s also the home of the Guangdong Museum (free entry with your passport), and plenty of shops and restaurants. It’s also where the amazing Guangzhou Library is. It was bustling for a library as this is China, (but they do have an English section), Wifi (if you register for a library card with your ID), and drinking water. It’s totally worth checking out even just to use their baños and people-watch, but they’ve also got nine floors to explore! Stick around New Town to catch stunning views of the Canton Tower at night.

Foshan: Foshan is a little bit outside Guangzhou, and my second time visiting it as well. My favorite part about this visit to Foshan was that it was right before the Chinese New Year. I got to experience how a Chinese family prepared for the New Year, which was really exciting. From hand-painted calligraphy banners, decorating Mandarin orange trees, picking and arranging flowers, red envelopes, and offerings, it was such a treat to participate in the traditions with my friend Jim and his family.

I left the eve of Chinese New Year for Hong Kong, and while I was sad to miss Chinese New Year on the mainland, Hong Kong did not disappoint with their celebrations, or really anything about my visit there. Can’t wait to share! More soon.

Love from the Philippines ♥

Farewell, Tianjin: What I’ve Learned, What I’ll Miss, and More.

The time has come for me to leave my teaching internship. I can easily remember my first night when I landed in Beijing… and the next morning when I woke up late to orientation due to jet lag. That could have been five mornings ago, and not five months ago. Since I’ve landed in China last August, I’ve picked up on a few things. These include but are not limited to: how to play dice, command a classroom, command a taxi driver in Mandarin, pick a lock, and to be more appreciative of things I took for granted before moving to China.

  1. How to play dice. This is a game I learned to play in Foshan, a town a few hours from Hong Kong, over Golden Week. I reunited with pals from the internship who were placed there. There are lots of variations of dice games in China. It’s a very popular pastime. It’s played everywhere, so be prepared to learn as well! The dice game I was taught involved a lot of fibbing, but all in good fun.
  2. Command a classroom. The main reason I came to China was to gain teaching experience. I’m very grateful for my co-workers, and how helpful and supportive they’ve been from the beginning. Holding the attention of children for a few hours after school and on the weekends can be exhausting. Keeping a mental note of games to play, songs to sing, and having coloring sheets on hand are true lifesavers. I remember being so nervous to teach my first couple of weeks. Public-speaking has never been my forté. But from this experience, I’ve become fairly comfortable presenting in front of group of people… well, a group of children at least. C:

  3. Pick a lock. #wheninchina… that’s all I’m going to say on this one.
  4. Command a cab in Mandarin. Mandarin is the hardest language I’ve ever tried to learn. Not picking up more than I’ve learned is my own fault, for not taking the initiative to teach myself more, and feeling really self-conscious when it came to mingling with the locals (especially when they assume I’m a local as well, and they speak very quickly). But, I am very proud of the fact that if I know where I’m going, I can give directions to a taxi driver.
  5. Be more appreciative of the little things… I’m speaking toilet paper, common courtesy when it comes to lining up, and being able to pass complete strangers with a “hello, good morning!” without getting a strange look. These are things I took for granted when I was home. There is certainly a “China level” of organized chaos I probably won’t experience anywhere else. While I’ve been cut in line more often than I can count, I also no longer question how ruthlessly my taxi driver cuts off other drivers/motorcyclists. When it comes to toilet paper, that is one thing to never be without. I will never take toilet paper for granted again. Or Western styled toilets. Or drinkable tap water. Lastly, I miss and love how easy it is to make small talk in America. Be it that my Mandarin is really basic, or that passerby’s here aren’t always the most approachable people, but a “good morning!” and a smile goes a long way.

As far as the little things go in China, China certainly has it’s own missable charms. It’s here where I’ve slowly built up my tolerance to sesame seeds, spicy food, and the taste of beer. I’ve gained so much experience in Tianjin: as a teacher, student, cat lady (I spent way too much time at this cat café not too far from my work), solo traveler, amateur blogger…

my favorite fat cat.

Five months may feel like five years to some, but it’s been a blur to me. Who will I miss the most? My kids. My students have had an immeasurable impact on me, just considering how much time I’ve spent with them over the past few months. I’ll miss the friends I’ve made: both locals (my coworkers) and expats alike (aka Indie Bar).

I know that I will crave jian-bing, my favorite street food and a Tianjin staple. I will miss living where I can walk everywhere, but also have the convenience of the subway and cheap cab-rides at hand. China is a place where a trip to the supermarket was always an adventure, and it was in Tianjin where I learned to be flexible with my grocery list. Not everything was packaged familiarly, things came in odd flavors, and sometimes I had no choice but to purchase “mystery” snacks… #wheninchina.

As I spend the next three weeks traveling further South around China, I will miss that I was able to plant some roots here for a little bit, even if it did mean living in one of the most heavily polluted cities, and having to fight my way through the subway Saturday mornings for work. But, I am looking forward to refreshing scenery, fresher air, meeting whoever I may cross paths with, eating loads more delicacies and making the most of the rest of my time in China.

Next stop: Shanghai!

So Into Indie

12212461_10153266902487547_51411776_n

Down an unassuming alleyway off of a side street in Tianjin’s Nankai district, resides a true gem. This gem goes by the name of Indie Bar, a favorite spot among expats and university students alike. Last month, I  posted about my top three Tianjin to-dos… this place deserves the #1 spot. It’s #1, and that’s why it has the honor of an entire blog post.

Indie Bar is run by Jesse and Rain, the warmest couple you’ll ever meet. Jesse is a Canadian transplant, and Rain is a Tianjin local. Indie serves from a full bar (the only place in China I’ve found that can serve a proper whiskey ginger), and whips up some Western favorites, from pizza to pancakes, all at reasonable fares.

My first visit, I went to Indie with a co-worker. My co-worker had been there before, and we still got lost along the way… consider the journey to find this  place as your “initiation” into Indie Bar, as everyone gets lost trying to find this place for the first, second… sometimes even third time. It doesn’t help that there’s no sign on the outside that you can see from the street. Upon entering my first visit, all of the patrons were in the middle of some cowboy-wild west card game. Nobody was off to the side by themselves, awkwardly lingering. And two seconds after we got drinks, we were asked to pull up chairs and join in on the game. It was nice to feel so welcome, and unlike the “newbie” that I was in Tianjin.

The older sister I’ve never had, Rain.
Winners Y’all (yes, that was our team name)

Indie has such a relaxed atmosphere. It’s nice to go there and recognize familiar faces and unwind after an especially busy day of teaching. I frequent the bar on Mondays for movie night, and Wednesdays for trivia, but any day of the week (except for Thursdays, as they’re closed) you’ll find something going on: live music, a bar-wide game of charades, or you can take your pick from their mini library and curl up with a book or relive childhood and challenge your friends to a good ole game of Monopoly. They had a killer Halloween party, and friends I made through Indie hosted wonderful Thanksgiving parties.

Indie Bar just celebrated its two year anniversary in September, and I foresee it celebrating many more to come (although possibly in another location). It’s more than just a bar. It’s a community. Before I started going here, I felt like a stranger in Tianjin. But through Indie, I’ve met some really terrific people who are expats like myself, going through the same bouts of missing home, struggling with the language barrier, and trying to find themselves in this great, big, and scary world.

The struggle to find this bar is worth it. Easier said than done when you look at getting lost as part of the adventure. I didn’t expect to find a place so welcoming, and so wonderful in Tianjin. But places like this do exist thousands of miles from home. Don’t be afraid to get out and discover them. I’m so into Indie (as is anyone and everyone who stops by this bar), and I promise you would be too.

It’s wild to think that I only have a little over a month left of teaching before I spend the next couple of months traveling a bit through different areas of China, other parts of Asia and Europe… but more on those plans later. I just feel like six months in China is nothing. To some people, yes. I can understand that six months can feel like six years. But not to me. There’s a part of me that wishes I had only just arrived. I guess time really does fly when you’re having fun.

Happy late Thanksgiving, y’all! Hope you ate lots and lots. Cheers.

Love from Tianjin ♥

Trivia winners!
Bathroom graffiti wisdom.
Monday movie nights.