QUICK WEEKEND HIKE TO TAI PING SHAN

Back with no agenda, it really is all about finding the calm in the chaos.

Despite the fact that the city is usually ridiculed like the Gobi when it comes to arts and culture, there are in fact places where you can breathe art and savour culture in the city.

Fast forward. I’m skipping Art Basel this year for Maison Objet and I promise to update Buddha regularly. Stay tuned and yes, Gong Xi Fa Cai! 

INDOCHINE AND BOWL OF PHO

After a few days back at work from Panglao, I decided to take 6 days off, maximizing my last few days at work before moving to my new office.

Beautiful Halong bay at dusk, before heading back to Hanoi

Vietnamese countryside - Ninh Binh, Hoi An and Hoan Kiem lake at three in the afternoon

 

Rewind: my sister Anika and I decided to take the last flight out to Hanoi and spent the last few days of summer, despite the humidity, biking along the Vietnamese countryside in Ninh Binh and Hoi An, and braved the weekend market, covering Hang Dao, Hang Ngang, Hang Duong and Hang Giay, with my face pressed into some stranger’s not-so-fresh armpit, in search for that perfect silk fabric, paintings and traditional water puppets for our living room. Yes, anything for treasure – dare me! Hahaha!

 

Afternoons were spent along the shady path surrounding Hoan Kiem Lake, a cup of cold sorbet at Fanny's, an artsy French-owned ice cream parlour serving upmarket ice-cream and sunsets at Le Metropole.

Charming and dreamy, there was no excuse for us to dress like usual tourists in cargo shorts and awful souvenir tees. Instead, we both opted for linen long sleeved shirts, seersucker shorts, guayaberas, cotton dresses, my trusty Panama hat, Nantucket red trousers and a pair of vintage huaraches.


Lunch at Green Tangerine and yes, that's my sister, Anika

 

We’re definitely flying back soon!

Fast forward: Here I am, getting my ass busy again before I fly out to Hong Kong for the weekend. Now, what to pack?

THAT GREEN SHOP ALONG ST. FRANCIS

The modest, green front and well curated 600 square feet menswear wonderland, The Men's Shop by Club Monaco along St. Francis Yard in Wan Chai, Hong Kong is what I call “my little piece of heaven.” 

Baskets filled with knickknacks from the East Coast, red bandanas, recycled notes, racks filled with chinos in red, green, navy and khaki – think Americana! And oh, they have a good selection of bags from Filson *drool*.

While items go for around HKD1,500 to HKD 3,000, it’s worth getting drained financially. Get your plastic handy and some extra cash just in case. Next stop, Moustache.

ART BASEL AND A GLASS OF CHAMPAGNE

Despite the bumpy flight and a tropical rainstorm welcoming the international art set, Kate Moss and myself (hahaha),  festivities successfully kicked off with pocket private dinners, private gallery viewings and exclusive soirees all over the city.  Even at the historic Pedder Building, six galleries held simultaneous previews on the eve of the fair. 

Everyone really felt the heat and I’m not just talking about the humidity but again, who cares! Hopping in between galleries with Champagne flutes in hand  - how I wish I had an extra tissue to wipe off my grossness – yes, I was oily. 

Nearby in the Robert Stern-designed building along Connaught Road, White Cube held an opening for Jake and Dinos Chapman whose morbid diorama “The Sum of All Evil” filled the entire first floor of the gallery.

Down the street at Shanghai Tang in my navy suit and tan brogues, Chinese artists Cai Yuan and Jian Jun Xi staged a Marina Abramovic-styled performance, obstructing a white doorway staring down guests as they squeezed past into the cocktail party in the store.

 

I should have stayed longer but I still had a flight to catch. I should have let loose and danced until sundown.

See you again in August?

TIME OUT: HONGKEE WEEKEND

I never get tired of Hong Kong. When in town, I like hitting the slopes on Wanchai,  the busy Central district and Sheung Wan for antiques along Cat Street and Hollywood road, independent shops along St. Francis Yard and Aberdeen and yes, have a suit made at Yuens. 

(Top: I just love the view of the harbor from the Sevva. Bottom: The Monocle Shop along St. Francis Yard)

Aside from the usual outlet shopping (which I am really not a big fan of) and sightseeing (usually for first timers), hit Yung Kee for its famous gourmet specialty-Roast Goose before cocktails at Sevva, Café Gray or Sugar at Tai Koo.

(Saturday brunch at Classified before hitting the antique shops downhill)

When in the island, walk! (I’m serious!). From Connaught road, a short walk will lead you to Hong Kong's very own Soho in the foothills of the Peak. I used to not  fancy steep climbs but I just need to lose some extra pounds from the roast goose I had the day before.   

I need two more packs of yakult and a plateful of dumplings or probably deep-fried won ton. On a brighter note, I got what I needed! 

Next stop, Art Basel!

ACROSS THE POND AND SOME KNICK KNACKS FROM HOLLYWOOD STREET AND THE ARMOURY

Escaping equatorial weather in a few days to a place less warmer than Manila – think, more rain and steamy humidity with unexpected downfalls. Yes, that icky feeling like a lobster in a pot, please turn me orange (lime included).

Can’t imagine myself wearing goggles and sweat band while walking along Robinsons Road nor having 6 kinds of cheese at Classified (hahaha) wearing that. Best to snorkel around Wan Chai in my red trousers and willies all the way to St. Francis Yard for some knick knacks from the Monocle Shop and probably more knick knacks from the Armoury in Queens Road.

And oh (silent screams), I need to bring home a couple of Terra Cotta warriors from Cat Street near Man Mo temple!


Cocktails at Dragon Eye? Let me know!

Next stop, INDIA!

GET CLASSIFIED

The narrow side streets of Wanchai, Happy Valley, the foggy harbor at dawn and to-die-for and dirt cheap Michelin star dimsum at Lei Garden – Oh, Hong Kong, you just don’t know how much I miss you!

I’d rather spend a week in Hong Kong Island than spend a whole day in Kowloon but again, that’s just me. I don’t mind hitting Tsim Sha Tsui though.


(Classified along 31 Wing Fung Street in Wanchai isn't far from the Monocle shop!)

When in Hong Kong, I always make sure to drop by Classified. Since launching in 2006, it has become a brand to be reckoned with. Classified is renowned for its temperature-and humidity-controlled cheese rooms, which holds 50-plus types (yes, you got it! FIFTY FREAKING TYPES ) of artisan cheese.


(Classified: Sheung Wan, Wan Chai, Central, Sai Kung, Tai Hang, Happy Valley and Stanley.)

Giddy? I am! They also have an extensive wine selection. And if wine and cheese isn’t your thing, there’s always a good reason to visit – they have the best coffee in town.

Still drooling!