Circa 2009. Dim Sum at Wanchai Hong Kong with Danli and Evan. I can’t remember what the restaurant was called, but i remember us going there twice in a week. It was affordable and tasted really good.

When entering Shen Zhen China, aliens please read.

There was just so much to see in Hong Kong it seems like I’ll never stop posting my Hong Kong entries. I could easily just delete the draft and move on but these posts on my blog are like little bookmarks in my life I want to remember. They all mark a certain point of my life journey, chapter-ed and indexed for my referral.

In the Southeastern part of Hong Kong Island, you will find Stanley and Repulse Bay.  You will find an interesting array of little shops selling silk garments, sportswear, art, Chinese costume jewelry and souvenirs. Bargain hunters will send time haggling, and the rest pretty much soaks in the chilled cafe amibence by the water front.

Stanley Market is situated in Stanley New Street near the Stanley food market. The market is open from 10:30am to 6:30pm.

After a shopping spree you can move on down to Repulse Bay. If you dare, strip down to your bikini for a quick tan and frolick in the waters. I say if you dare, because you will find a lot of oggling when that happens. I’m not sure if its because locals don’t usually bare that much, or if it’s just a plain “hamsup” beach.

Stanley Market & Murray House

1. MTR Hong Kong Station Exit D and take bus 6, 6A, 6X, 66 or 260 at Exchange Square Bus Terminus.
2. MTR Causeway Bay Station Exit B, walk to Tang Lung Street then take green minibus 40.
3. Bus 973 from Canton Road in Tsim Sha Tsui outside Silvercord Centre.

Tourism is really big in Bali, thousands flock to the island from all over the world to enjoy the tropical weather, good food and beaches. The Kuta, Legian and Seminyak area is busy busy busy, but if want to take it down a notch, Ubud offers a respite from the touristy hustle and bustle. BUT, I’m not saying that Ubud isn’t touristy, it is! But it’s a bit further away to get to, so not everyone will make the trip there. Furthermore, Ubud carries a different kind of atmosphere, it’s more chilled and slow paced.

Cool down with some fresh coconut juice

You will see a lot of tourists strolling down Jalan Raya Ubud, the main street which is lined with shops selling souvenirs, shawls, jewellery, craftwork and art.

If you’re in Ubud, don’t forget to check out Naughty Nurie’s, arguably the best BBQ pork ribs you will ever have.

Naughty Nurie's - all things pork is amazing here!

Simple restaurant, with delicious delicious food.

Naughty Nurie's - all things pork is amazing!

Address: Jl Raya Sangiggan (opposite the Neka Art Museum half way up the hill heading north out of Ubud).

Opening hours: 10AM-11PM daily.

Crowded roadside watering hole. Microbrews, great martinis and slabs of BBQ ribs. This is very much a standard stop for Korean or Japanese tour buses.

 Another big attraction in Ubud is the Monkey Forest. It’s a nice place to walk through, but don’t expect to find anything special here. Just enjoy the walk and fresh air. Websites warn tourists not to bring any food to avoid any human-animal conflict, the monkeys are not that friendly. Look out for the Pura Dalem Agung Padangtegal, a temple of the dead.

Monkey Forest

Tree upshot

aerial roots

Look at how vibrant and green the rice paddies are!

Rice paddy field at Ubud

Travel get up. Princess monkey toe.

Helmed by Singaporean Mark Kuan who left the hustle bustle of life behind to “find himself”, lost in a world where he was simply not happy, Delicious Onion is the perfect example of living and loving your work till it doesn’t feel like it is a job.

 

In 2007 with a recipe for Hainan chicken rice, my mums prized onion chutney and a firm belief that the Universe will provide, I arrived on the shores of Bali to set up the Delicious Onion. It was the beginning of a beautiful journey of self-discovery and a dance between the Universe and me. Layer after layer as I started to peel away at the “whom” I thought I was, the Onion grew. Miraculously great teachers walked through our doors and everyday I learned bout being a restaurateur and most of all bout being a human being. Thanks to the Onion I got in touch with what was important to me and learnt that it was the same with many others too.

- Mark Kuan, Owner

Mark’s credo remains that food here nourishes your body and soul, conversations and people you meet there. I salute him for having the courage to just go for it, and wish him all the success.

The entrance of Delicious Onion. Indoor & Outdoor seating available.

From the road

Romantic atmostphere at night

Inside

Must try, their roast pork is heavenly. Juicy Crispy.

Take a closer look.

Mark Kuan

Beautiful artwork on one of the walls

Painting the space just outside his restaurant.

Max, Mark's Son.

Max staying up way past his bedtime on a school night chilling with us girls.

Thanks for hosting us Mark and Max for always entertaining us!

*Update

Delicious Onion has now expanded to Ubud with a Bed & Breakfast set up.

Find them here on their Website, Facebook, Twitter.

Address: Corner of Drupadi & Dyanapura | (Next to Haromony Hotel), Seminyak, Bali 80361, Indonesia

Tel: +6281337894243

Danli & I got great Bali 2-to-go deal on Singapore Airlines, so we jumped at the opportunity to get out of the island for a long weekend of just doing nothing.

We were graciously hosted by Mark, good friend of sisters Jaclynn and Angie. Us four girls in a room equates to alot of gossiping, laughs and heart-to-hearts. Simple holiday with good company.

Dreams of a vagabond life.

To past time in the car, we talk, share ghost stories from our university days, play dai-di, snack, sleep and play CHARADES!

Conclusion: Tobs will never make a penny as a mime.