TravelStream™ news feed for member kaasha on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/kaasha en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Wed, 03 Dec 2008 23:50:38 -0500 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/kaasha/2/1228365600/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/kaasha/2/1228365600/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/kaasha/2/1228365600/tpod.html Wed, 03 Dec 2008 23:50:38 -0500 New York City at Night

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New York City, New York, United States

Didn't get out of work till late. Then didn't finish dinner till late, so not a lot of time to check some more thing out tonight. Went up 6th Ave to see Rockfeller but streets were blocked off to control traffic. The tree was now lit, but it was only lit at 9 pm, so lot of people want to see it.

So I walked up past it, and past Radio City Music Hall. Then I walked across to 5th avenue and passed great shops and buildings. St Patrick's cathedral is very beautiful in a neo Gothic style. Very Impressive. Then I went back across 48th to see the tree all lit up. It was beautiful, lots of different coloured lights. Was lucky enough to get several decent shots given all the barriers and people!!! And so many cops around.

Saks 5th Ave store was also amazing, with the whole facade of the building covered in snowflakes that light up in time to the "Carol of the Bells" played through loud speakers. Made my way back to the hotel to pack and get to bed not too late hopefully. Too Bad this is my last night in New York. I think I definitely need to come back!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/kaasha/2/1228195620/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/kaasha/2/1228195620/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/kaasha/2/1228195620/tpod.html Wed, 03 Dec 2008 00:51:40 -0500 New York City at Night

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New York City, New York, United States

Went to work today and I was in meetings all day long. Richard took us to see Lord and Taylor Christmas windows. So it was only once the sun had set that I could leave work and check out some more sights of the city.
Went over to Grand Central Stn and experienced rush hour. What a great building. Then I kept walking East and saw the Chrysler Building all lit up. Kept walking further East, and saw the United Nations. There weren't any flags and not many lights on the buildings but still pretty cool.

Then I had to rush back to the hotel so that I could meet everyone for dinner. Wound up eating at the pub at the base of the Empire State Building. Had cider with Chambord, and that was quite nice.

Walked west toward Macy's to see the window displays, including those depicting scenes from Miracle on 34th St. Richard showed us inside, in particular to see the wooden escalator. We also got to see the crystal ball that was dropped on New Year's 2008. It was made with waterford crystal. The guy at the store said it cost $47million. I can't believe it though!
Then had a drink at a pub, and then left the rest of the group, so that I could go to the top of the empire state building. It was very cold and windy!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/kaasha/2/1228192020/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/kaasha/2/1228192020/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/kaasha/2/1228192020/tpod.html Mon, 01 Dec 2008 23:35:33 -0500 New York City at Night

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New York City, New York, United States

Flight from Vancouver to New York, via Toronto. Travelling with my work colleague, Leanne. Nothing exciting to report. Arrived in early evening at hotel.

Walked up Broadway a half dozen blocks to Times Square. So many lights! and the cabs are just like you see on tv. All yellow and so many of them. Had a good walk over to the library, but unfortunately it is covered over for renovations, so it isn't as impressive as in Sex and the City movie. Oh well...

Then had dinner at B. Smith's, 320 46th St, between 8th and 9th Avenues. THe proprietress, B., herself was there and since it wasn't busy, greeted us. The food had a southern charm, but with an international flair. I think the best was the black-eyed peas soup! Dessert was delicious too, bread pudding in a bourbon sauce. Yummy!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/kaasha/1/1223039100/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/kaasha/1/1223039100/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/kaasha/1/1223039100/tpod.html Tue, 07 Oct 2008 09:08:17 -0400 China Photo Trip 2008

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Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Flew home today. Almost didn't have enough money for the cab and they don't take credit cards!
But I'm home safe and sound.
Also had the speediest immigration clearance I've ever had. From the plane through customs and luggage pick up to the car in 25 minutes!!! woohoo!
It is good to be home and see you all sooner or later when I'm back from Toronto.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/kaasha/1/1222998780/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/kaasha/1/1222998780/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/kaasha/1/1222998780/tpod.html Mon, 06 Oct 2008 21:54:33 -0400 China Photo Trip 2008

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Hong Kong, China

Today is my last full day in HK. I got on the bus to go to Stanley on the south side of the Island. The bus ride was over the hills, on a narrow twisty road, passing very large homes and small private condo buildings.
The market was full of cute, but tourist oriented items. I bought a red, oriental inspired linen shirt, and a string of dark pearls. They wanted to offer me a "really good price" (HKD400, approx CA$65) as I would be their first customer of the day but I wasn't convinced. But then I found another place that sold a string for about half the cost (but not individually knotted), so I bought those instead. The pearls seem genuine when I tested them. So I hope they are!
Stanley was like a world apart, a bit like a resort town, compared with the business of Hong Kong. The
Then I decided to head back to Kowloon to see a few more places I hadn't yet seen. I sent to the flower market and then the Bird Market. The flower market had all kind of flowers, and especially orchids. The Chinese really like their birds. There were men watching their birds, or moving their cages around to see them better, or get them in the sun or out of the sun... or maybe just taking them for a walk to give them some air, or a different view??
Then walked back down through the ladies market. This market was much more targeted to locals, with clothing and food items. I grabbed a Red Bean Iced drink. It was really good and sweet and hit the spot. Then went back down to Tsim Sha Tsui, to catch the Star Ferry Back to Hong Kong, as I needed to get to Pier 9 for my sunset cruise on a junk. It was an hour around the harbour, with the sun setting over the skyline.
Then I walked around the Hong Kong Star walk, kinda like a walk of fame of Chinese actors. Had a bowl of wonton noodles for dinner. Then went to watch the light show that the buildings around the harbour put on. Finally decided to go back to the hotel, to enjoy my nice sunken tub and pack as I leave tomorrow morning.
It was a great trip. But I think I've also left enough to warrant a return visit!!!! See you all soon!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/kaasha/1/1222859400/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/kaasha/1/1222859400/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/kaasha/1/1222859400/tpod.html Mon, 06 Oct 2008 07:12:56 -0400 China Photo Trip 2008

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Hong Kong, China

Decided today would be more of a shopping day, so I headed out for Causeway Bay, one of the places that all of Tania's colleagues recommended. When I got off the subway and came above ground, it reminded me a bit of Times Square in New York, as it relates to its layout, but it is all about getting people to shop! There was a huge number of people and cars and buses. I went into the Sogo department store, a Japanese company. It was over 12 floors, and it is how department stores here used to be, with lots of people actually shopping. They did have some speciality boutiques within the store, but there was just a huge amount of items and the various floors specialised in the goods.
There were a ton of people around, and lots of Philippino girls and Muslim ladies with headscarves. Then I realised it is because it is China's National Day, a day off. The Philippino and Muslim ladies are likely housekeepers from the Philippines and Indonesia, respectively, since I read about how most families in Hong Kong have housekeepers and nannies.
I saw a beautiful leather purse from a Japanese company and was very tempted. Lots of the shoes were on sale and were very reasonable, but I decided to pass. I then left Sogo, and went to walk around the different streets around, including a street market where they sold mostly clothing. It was just overwhelming, the amount of stuff for sale. I saw a stall that sold these ProSports (like LeSportSac) fabric bags, so I bought a few since they have fun patterns and were pretty inexpensive.
Then I decided to head back to the hotel using the above ground trams after all that activity. I really like the trams. I discovered that the hotel is actually part of the Pacific Place Shopping complex. It is a high-end mall that is all designer labels. Literally, you pass shops for Versace, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Chloe etc etc one right after the other. There is an entrance to the hotel from the middle of the mall. So up the elevator I went, to the 58th floor to my room. The actual hotel rooms are located on floors 40-62. I guess there are offices on the other floors.
I then decided I really liked the dark raspberry purse and I would regret not buying it, so I went back to the store to purchase it. It wasn't a bit deal, it is less than 50 (Canadian) cents to take the tram. Love the purse!
I then went to the lobby bar for afternoon tea. The food was great and it was a good re-energizer before heading out again for the late afternoon and evening.
Left the hotel again later and passed through Hong Kong Park. It was very busy, with families of all kinds visiting and taking photos. Then I passed the HSBC Building again. That was hilarious. The open plaza under the bank was now filled with Phillippino housekeepers. There wasn't a spare space. They had blankets and mats laid out and where playing cards, chatting or sharing a meal with friends. It was a sea of women. But that wasn't the end of it, there were more! In the parks and the walkways under the roads. There were so many! You have to wonder how many people don't have housekeepers.
I then took the Star Ferry to the Kowloon side, to walk around and see what is going on there. I walked a bit on Nathan Road, the main thoroughfare and went to Chunking Mansions. It is a large somewhat decrepit office/apartment building. The main floor is all small shops. It is a market too, with people approaching you to buy stuff. It seems that the hotels in the building appeal to the African and Indian populations due to how cheap the accommodations appear to be.
The sun was starting to set so I decided to go to the Peninsula hotel, to the Bar in the Felix restaurant as Karen had recommended. And it was a great view. I also went to the ladies' room. Wow, I think the view there was even better! It was a great bathroom, all the walls and floor where grey-veined white marble, as well as the centre sink, that was 3 water spouts all directed toward a low point in a piece of irregular marble. The back wall was floor to ceiling glass, looking out over the Hong Kong skyline.
I then walked outside, but then I found lots of the roads were now blocked off. This was because of the impending fireworks for National Day. I tried to find a good spot, but it was nearly impossible and finally found a small spot on a curb to sit on. I only had a partial view, but there was no choice. So I sat down and just relaxed for a bit.
The fireworks were huge all across the harbour. And the number of people was similar to the Vancouver Celebration of light, with people walking everywhere. Police were also directing everyone to the subway stations. I walked right up the centre of Nathan Road, to go to the nearby Temple Street Night Market. There were so many stalls, but I got the sense most of the stuff there was for tourist consumption, with various trinkets for sale. There were also guys with cards, trying to get you to take a look at their knockoff designer purses. They can't keep the good stuff in their stalls, so you follow this guy to a small courtyard near a restaurant and they show pictures of the goods. You then tell them the ones you want to see, and they bring out to you. It was all somewhat questionable. And the light isn't all that good so you can't see what you are buying all that well. And the prices of the ones I liked were still too high (over CAD100).
I then made my way back down to the hotel on the subway, and luckily it wan't too busy given the lateness after the fireworks.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/kaasha/1/1222822620/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/kaasha/1/1222822620/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/kaasha/1/1222822620/tpod.html Thu, 02 Oct 2008 20:58:14 -0400 China Photo Trip 2008

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Hong Kong, China

Slept in a little, and enjoyed a lovely delicious breakfast with some of the best croissants that I have ahd in a long time. The view from the lounge is fabulous, out over the bay. It was to be the clearest view I would have of all my time here.
Made my way out through HK Park, which was a lovely park just down the street fromt he hotel. Then on to the Peak Tram, were I met this young man from France, Michael, who had also been travelling around France, however, on his own for the last month. I think he was just happy to speak french again, as his english isn't very good, and you can barely get Engllish in China, never mind French. So we wound up visiting the peak together. It was a pretty good view. We tried to walk around but went onto a foot path instead of the road. But it was hazy enough we couldn't see the south side terribly well, so we didn't try to find the proper route.
Made our way down, and decided to continue walking around as his plans for the day were the same as mine. So we walked around the Central area, seeing all the wonderful architecture, and rode the Central Elevator up into the mid-levels. While around all the bing bank headquarters, we went into the HSBC Building. The ground level is totally open, as a covered public square.
We had lunch sitting on a step, consisting of some buns from a bakery. There is a distinct lack of public seating around, we noticed.
We went to visit a Taoist temple with huge springs of incense hanging from racks all over the central area. The air was thick with the incense smoke, and that is saying something in a place and hot and humid as Hongkong.
We walked down through various little streets, checking out markets, like on Graham Street and the Western Market around the whole central area. Late in the afternoon, we parted company as he rutrned to the Kowloon side to his hotel and I headed back to mine.
I had a cocktail in the lounge, udring their happy hour, then decided to check out the downtown area at night as there is a significant restaurant and bar area. I took the double decker tram down a few blocks and I wound up at an English pub, and while I was sitting at the bar (thinking of you, Bob F), I started up a conversation with 3 ladies who work in HongKong for a bank, but who are originally from Taiwan. We chatted a little about Taiwan and China, and their attitude, which they though was common for their generation, was that they weren't concerned with the big picture politics of whether Taiwan is or is not part of China, they just wanted to be happy and have freedom. They also missed Taiwan enourmously and went home whenever they could. They also commented on the very long hours they had to work.
I then met a bunch of british ex-pats who were working in the finance and construction engineering industries. They thought HK was a great base for travel all around Aisa when you could do it, but that HK itself was very much like being at home. It was all very interesting to learn about their points of view.
I then took the tram home to the hotel. I love the double decker tram! It is wooden, and very tall and narrow and rattles as it speeds along the tracks.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/kaasha/1/1222650120/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/kaasha/1/1222650120/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/kaasha/1/1222650120/tpod.html Wed, 01 Oct 2008 21:21:24 -0400 China Photo Trip 2008

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Guangzhou, China

We woke up late and then went for a delicious and relaxing brunch of dim sum at East Ocean restaurant, in the mall next to her apartment. We had some new things I'd never had, as well as some old favourites. I'm just enjoying relaxing and not feeling pressure having to rush here or there and just enjoying Tania's company.
About mid afternoon, i finally ventured out to the subway and went to do some lical sightseeing.
First I went to the Chen Clan academy. It was amazing. The buildings, while typical in design, were decorated unlike anything I have seen elsewhere in China., with ornately sculptured and designed roof lines. Also, there was very impressive sculptures in ivory and bone.
Then I made my way to see the Shunxiujia Pedestrian street where it was crazy with people and goods for sale. The one difference is that there are wedding shops everywhere. Even little booths int he middle of the pedestrian street. Also, the roads surrounding the street are lined with trees, which is something i rarely saw.
Then I tried to catch a taxi. It was insane, so many people wanting taxis and so few around that people were jogging along beside them as they are trying to stop to let someone off. People would grab the door handles and anyone who gets in first gets to claim it! Crazy. After trying for nearly 20 minutes in that one are, I changed location to this other point and got one right away. Finally, I made my way down to the river, to board a tour boat. We rode up and down the river to see the buildings and bridges all lit up. In the brochure, they compare the boat ride to a trip down the Seine. Don't hold your breath, it is nothing like the Seine!!
Also they served us a meal in a styrofoam container, basically some kind of meat and veg with bean sprouts and steamed rice and a thousand year old egg. I had some each, and the egg wasn't bad, but I passed on most of the rest, my stomach still bothering me. Also, met a couple from San Francisco (he originally from Malaysia and she from China, so they spoke Chinese) and chatted with them, so that was a nice bonus too.Took a taxi back to Tania's where we chatted some more, and I showed her some of my photos from my trip, then to bed.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/kaasha/1/1222736700/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/kaasha/1/1222736700/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/kaasha/1/1222736700/tpod.html Wed, 01 Oct 2008 21:08:15 -0400 China Photo Trip 2008

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Guangzhou, China

Today was a shopping day. I definitely needed to get a small suitcase for all the stuff.
Again we went for Dim Sum at the same place. This time we had mostly new things. While it was good, it was a little too much grease for me.
Then we walked around the drugstore a bit, buying some different things. Then I took off to do some shopping on Beijing Road. It is all so much stuff! And so cheap! Tops for 20 yuan (less than $2.50), shoes for 50 yuan, you get the idea. I didn't want to buy anything though since I didn't have a suitcase yet and not enough room otherwise. I looked around Art street, where there are a lot of calligraphers, and painters in Chinese inks and oils but also some who specialised in the local embroidery painting. However most of the pieces I saw looked machine made for the prices, so I didn't bother.
So then I took a cab out to the craziest place. It was a huge market building filled with all kinds of purses, wallets, some jewellery and luggage. And this was only one of several buildings. It is a place primarily for buyers to order goods, but they do sell retail. I was able to get a Samsonite carry-on suitcase for the equivalent of $30. Also I was able to buy some other presents for the family. I never bought a knock-off purse though, because while there were lots, it was almost like there were too many to choose from. And fake (and probably some real) Louis Vuitton everywhere, I just couldn't decide with the time constraints. Tania had sent her assistant Mandy out to meet me to help me negotiate, and maybe help with quality. I don't know that I needed the negotiation help as everyone speaks the language of money, with the help of a calculator. But she did help to confirm with some quality questions and make sure that I got a brand new suitcase as opposed to their floor model. The one bag I did see that I liked, was a Celine bag. I didn't price it there, but when i looked in Hong Kong, they were selling it for HKD4500!!!
We then got a cab and got back her place as soon as possible, so that I could pack and get to the train station with almost no time to spare!
I took the 8:13pm train and arrived in Hong Kong less than 2 hours later. At that time of day, getting through customs was a breeze, where others have told me it can be a nightmare. So I quickly got out and hailed a cab to my hotel, the Conrad. However the driver's English so bad, I wasn't sure what he ways saying. It sounded like he was confirming condo hotel. I even wrote it down but I didn't think he got it, so he pulled over and I got my map book out of the trunk to show him. Then he got it. Just my luck with cabs right!
I arrived and as soon as I asked about registering, I was personally accompanied up to the 59th floor, the Executive Lounge to check in, in comfort and luxury. Given my status at the Hilton chain, they upgraded me to their executive rooms, so I am on the 58th floor, with a sumptuous room, with slippers and sunken soaker tub, chocolates and fresh fruit. Oh yah, not only is the sound from the tv piped into the marble bathroom, but it also has its own tv too. Now this is comfort.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/kaasha/1/1222504680/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/kaasha/1/1222504680/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/kaasha/1/1222504680/tpod.html Wed, 01 Oct 2008 04:39:51 -0400 China Photo Trip 2008

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Guangzhou, Guangdong, China

Got up early with the sun to travel to Guangzhou. It took an hour to drive to the Shanghai Pudong airport. I can't imagine what it would be like during rush hour!
While I'm at the airport, I get a message from Tania that she broke a bone in her foot last night and will be incapacitated and in a wheelchair while I'm there! Did I still want to come? Of course, I wanted to see her, and see what I can of GZ, even she was homebound.
So I flew to Hongkong, then caught a bus to Guangzhou. Why didn't I fly directly? Good question. When I booked everything a year ago, the cost of the direct flight was very high. I was able to get a free flight on points to Hongkong. So that is what I plan was, and got a double entry visa accordingly. But then after that, I found out the flight cost was much cheaper between Shanghai and GZ but then I needed to leave China, in order to work within my visa permit. Anyways, long story short, all was well and it took me a few more hours to get to GZ, but no harm done. And I met two lovely young ladies on the bus who I chatted with, and learned more about life as a Chinese person working in HongKong.
The bus dropped me at the wrong hotel, at the insistence of the staff, but I was in GZ at this time and caught a taxi who spoke to Tania to give him directions. My most important travel tool in China? My cellphone!!!! Don't leave home without it. I have no idea what my cell phone bill will be when I get home.
Tania's apartment is in this huge tower, at the end of a key town square in east part of GZ. I got settled in and we caught up a bit. And yes she is in a wheelchair, as the doctors said she should just stay home for the next month. They thought she was crazy for trying to get crutches instead so that she could go to work. Luckily Tania's apartment is also connected to a very nice shopping mall with some nice restaurants and a drug store.
We ordered some noodles in for dinner and I turned in since I haven't been sleeping well for the last week. Turns out I slept for about 11 hours straight!
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