Hong Kong: The Virgin Tour
"Like a virgin, touched for the very first time"
- Madonna
I've gone to Hong Kong so many times, but I've realized that I've never actually BEEN to Hong Kong. Not until last weekend.
Hong Kong for me has always been a business destination or otherwise a shop-frantically-till-your-toes-fall-off-your-feet kinda place. This time it was different. It was a trip of many firsts.
My brother booked us in this delightful boutique hotel in Causeway Bay named JIA. It claims to be the first Phillippe Starck hotel in Southeast Asia. See how his colorful thumbprints made their way into every corner of the lobby.
Even our room had these quirky little additions. Like the curtain which divides the receiving area from the bedroom.
And also this tongue-in-cheek installation at the head of our bed.
In this trip, I've met up with a fellow elchayer for the first time. rjamesg was nice enough to prepare a lovely Thai fusion dinner at his place along Hollywood Road. Then he toured me around the happening places in Lan Kwai Fong. One bar of note is this one named M bar. It's packed with lovely Chinese boys who squeeze their way to get their vodka sevens or occasional veuve clicquot. It's the sort of bar which is soooo hip, its brazen enough to play celine dion and backstreet boys ballads. Kinda reminds me of "Why Not?" in Madrid. Here's the shot I took of rabbi, his friend marah and myself (which incidentally, I stole from his lj. Teehee)
In one delightful evening, a stranger turned into a friend.
The next day, I had a very long and very lavish lunch at aqua with my brother and bebette.
It was my first time to see the harbor in all its magnificence.
And for the first time, I boarded the plane going home without having to bring so many shopping bags.
I'm glad I experienced the wine, dine and meeting-new-friends side of HongKong. And I promise, it won't be the last time.
- Madonna
I've gone to Hong Kong so many times, but I've realized that I've never actually BEEN to Hong Kong. Not until last weekend.
Hong Kong for me has always been a business destination or otherwise a shop-frantically-till-your-toes-fall-off-your-feet kinda place. This time it was different. It was a trip of many firsts.
My brother booked us in this delightful boutique hotel in Causeway Bay named JIA. It claims to be the first Phillippe Starck hotel in Southeast Asia. See how his colorful thumbprints made their way into every corner of the lobby.
Even our room had these quirky little additions. Like the curtain which divides the receiving area from the bedroom.
And also this tongue-in-cheek installation at the head of our bed.
In this trip, I've met up with a fellow elchayer for the first time. rjamesg was nice enough to prepare a lovely Thai fusion dinner at his place along Hollywood Road. Then he toured me around the happening places in Lan Kwai Fong. One bar of note is this one named M bar. It's packed with lovely Chinese boys who squeeze their way to get their vodka sevens or occasional veuve clicquot. It's the sort of bar which is soooo hip, its brazen enough to play celine dion and backstreet boys ballads. Kinda reminds me of "Why Not?" in Madrid. Here's the shot I took of rabbi, his friend marah and myself (which incidentally, I stole from his lj. Teehee)
In one delightful evening, a stranger turned into a friend.
The next day, I had a very long and very lavish lunch at aqua with my brother and bebette.
It was my first time to see the harbor in all its magnificence.
And for the first time, I boarded the plane going home without having to bring so many shopping bags.
I'm glad I experienced the wine, dine and meeting-new-friends side of HongKong. And I promise, it won't be the last time.