I am normally too cynical to get even remotely excited about the cuteness overload of Disneyland, yet somehow the experience is a little different when you bring along a little one. Mind you, our first and only other experience at Tokyo Disneyland almost exactly three years ago left a lot to be desired (note: never go to Disneyland on a New Year ( Read more... )

It seems almost a shame that we live in an apartment with a fairly good view of the harbour because we're not terribly fussed about having a view. When we were searching for apartments to live in Hong Kong, having a scenic view ranked at the very bottom of our list; we just wanted a comfortable abode that is conveniently located. It just so ( Read more... )

I thought I'd take a short break from food blogging and share some photos I took in our first two months in Hong Kong. This city is what you would expect a big city to be: a crowded, noisy and smelly concrete jungle. But there are also beautiful parks with lots of green, lovely flora and wonderful fauna, each one providing a tranquil haven away ( Read more... )

After more than a month of living at the Four Seasons Place HK, we have finally moved into a place we can call home! We spent most of this week moving and unpacking, and internet hasn't been set up at home just yet (I'm updating from the apartment complex's common games room next to the toy room where Zak could be playing but instead he's choosing ( Read more... )

Our gorgeous son celebrates his 2nd birthday today, and I wish we could throw him a little party (like last year but perhaps more extravagant). However having moved countries a few weeks ago poses several difficulties, which includes not having our own place, and not knowing enough people in this city to throw a proper birthday bash. It's a good ( Read more... )

A few weeks ago, I wrote about some of the fun ways to keep cool with a toddler during summer at no out-of-pocket expense. This is about activities that will cost a little bit, but which are also fun for the adults. For those who have never experienced summer in Tokyo, the days can be uncomfortably warm (it was 38degC the other day), made ( Read more... )

Tokyo may be the most expensive city in the world for expats, but I think it is one of the best places to bring up children. That is definitely not the first impression that most - if not all - expats would have of this big urban city, especially if one were to live outside of the gaijin (foreigner) parts of Tokyo (Minato Ward is very popular with ( Read more... )

Here are some shots I took around Hyde Park and Darling Harbour during our stay in Sydney city last month. This wasn't our first visit to Sydney, and these few shots are in addition to the ones I've previously posted up on my journal in early 2006.

Anzac War Memorial and the Pool of Remembrance; and Rob (with Zak in pram) walking down a fig-lined ( Read more... )

We are back in Tokyo after spending the last couple of weeks in Australia. It was a hectic jam-packed trip, but we enjoyed a fabulous time with both sides of our families in Perth and Sydney. Highlights of the trip was celebrating Rob turning the big 3-0, and meeting my niece baby B for the first time. It was nice to be back in Perth, enjoying the ( Read more... )

The Peak is a big tourist attraction in Hong Kong, and I actually intended to hike to the top on foot from Central, while Rob looked after Zak back at the Mandarin Oriental. Unfortunately, on the morning of the planned hike, there was a smoggy haze hovering over the city, and I didn't end up doing the hike for the sake of my respiratory health. I ( Read more... )