Paddington Bear Family Organiser 2009

I bought the PB family organiser 2009 from Marks & Spencer! 50th Birthday merchansie again! 50% Discount - HK$75! I can see him every month in 2009!

Sweetest Christmas with My Friends Tigger & Pooh

Pooh's xmas tree!

Pooh & his friends in x'mas costumes!

I guess this is one of the largest X'mas Poon events in Hong Kong in recent years! "Sweetest Christmas with My Friends Tigger & Pooh" is held in Megabox during the period from 15.11.2008 to 4.1.2009. There is "Pooh's Honey Sweet Christmas Park" where you can take photos with Pooh & his friends in X'mas costumes. "Art of Pooh Gallery" features masterpieces of "Art of Pooh". Also there are the Hundred Acre Wood maze, Drawing Workshop, Meet & Greet Pooh & Tigger, etc. The photos above were taken on 27.11.2008 am. I am also impressed by the Pooh X'mas tree! It is better to go there during weekdays and weekends mornings to get rid of the people!

Paddington Bear @ Guardian

[The above pic was downloaded from the official Guardian website]

Today I searched on net and noted that there is a Paddington Bear promotion in the Guardian in Malaysia! Too bad that I am not there so that I can redeem PB products for myself!

Christmas Day

I went to Tsim Sha Tsui on Christmas nite! There were so many people so it was difficult for me to take good photos! You can see the above decorations at Ocean Terminal, New World Centre and Peninsula Hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui.

Shenzhen Trip - 7.12.2008

I have been to Shenzhen again in early December 2008! In the morning, I have visited "Dapeng Fortress" - one of Shenzhen's top eight scenic spots. It is also one of the well-preserved ancient towns in the city, which is buit in 1394 (Ming Dynasty). It served as the military defence fortress in Ming and Qing Dynastly. There are also remains of mansions, school, and temples, etc. It's good to spend half day on walking around the town. The worst thing is that it is not so convenient to go there as you can't reach there by underground train. You need to take public bus but it really took me hours to return to the city centre in the afternoon! After visiting the Dapeng Fortress, I went to Nan'ao Shuitou Seafood Street to have seafood lunch. It was not expensive when compared with that of Hong Kong.

50th Anniversary Paddington Bear with Suitcase

Yesterday I was happy to receive a x'mas gift from my friend! In Hong Kong, I don't think that I can find any 50th Anniversary PB merchanise! Especially I like PB's suitcase, not his typical "P.B." suitcase!

X'mas Decoration @ Times Square

So cute & colourful! Designed by a local artist - Carrie (?) (Sorry I forget her name!)

Hiking on 9.11.2008

Today the weather becomes cooler so it is a good time for us to go hiking! I read from the guidebook that there is a easy trail in the Wonderland Villas in Lai King. So I took a 47M minibus from Lai King Station to the Wonderland Villas. However, I did not know where the trail was so I had walked another trail (from the water tank to Kam Shan) but the view was marvellous! It was not difficult to walk along the trail, though there were quite a lot of steps. But I was too tired to walk to the top of the Kam Shan (Golden Hill)! Then I returned to the exit and found the easy trail managed by the Villas. It took me some 30 minutes to finish.

Fruit Stop Health Food Restaurant

My friend recommended this restaurant so we dined out yesterday night. It stresses that healthy food without preservatives is offered. The memu includes organic brown rice with meat / seafood, vegetarian dishes and special noodles, etc. We have ordered the above dishes (from top to bottom):-

(a) Stir fried eggwhite with vegetarian meat & fish fins served with black vinegar garlic sauce (HK$40)

(b) Curry mtton in hot pot (HK$40)

(c)Pan-friend deboned chicken steak in garlic sauce served with organic red and brown rice (HK$48) (photo above)

(d) Stir-friend angel hair with scallops & prawns in organic tomato sauce (HK$58)

(e) Stir friend spaghetti with clam meat in creamy white sauce with dills (HK$48)

The quality of the food is quite good. Dishes are priced within the range from HK40- HK90. Also with comfortable environment, though air-conditioning is not enough!

Fruit Stop Health Food Reataurant: 1/F China HK Centre, 122-126 Canton Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon

Tel: 2377 1828, 2110 9238

Back to Hong Kong

I have returned to Hong Kong this Monday morning after spending 8 days in Perth, Western Australia. Air is so fresh and life is so relaxing in Perth! I need some time to get used to my "usual" life in Hong Kong again :( I shall write more about my trip soon.

No. 8 Typhoon Signal - HAGUPIT

No. 8 typhoon signal is hoisted @ 6pm today! It is said that the signal will still be in force for the whole nite! (this means that we need to work on the next day)

ThinkPad T400(WXGA)

Recently I have purchased a new notebook through HKU Space Notebook Ownership Program and I get my new notebook on Friday! It costs at HK$8,580. I'm not sure whether the price is reasonable but my Fujitsu notebook really can't work properly now! As I used to have Fujitsu notebook for years, it will take me some time to learn how to operate the new Lenovo notebook. I also need to re-install all necessary drives and internet connection, etc tomorrow. Hopefully I know how to do that.

10 Promises with my Dog

Today is our holiday and I watched the new japanese movie "10 Promises with my Dog" http://www.inu10.jp/ at UA cinema in MegaBox. It is a touching story happening in Hokkaido, Japan. Recently there have been many Japanese movies about dogs, but I think this is one of the best. Also reminded me of my Hokkaido trip in summer 2004!

Painting of PB

Yesterday I received the above painting from my friend! PB does not take his typical marmalade bottle this time - instead he takes a football! This is a creative painting!

No. 9 Typhoon Signal - NURI

The Increasing Gale or Storm Signal, No. 9, is in force now! According to HK Observatory, At 5 p.m., Nuri was centred about 15 kilometres east of HK Observatory near Sai Kung and is forecast to move northwest at about 14 kilometres per hour across eastern New Territories. If Typhoon Nuri has not weakened into a severe tropical storm, No. 10 Typhoon Signal may be hoisted!

Paddington Bear @ Metro Plaza

This year I have missed a number of chances to see Paddington Bear in person (in Travel Expo and Hong Kong Book Fair 08)! I eventually met him last Sunday!!!!! He appeared @ Metro Plaza and was so popular among kids! More photos will be uploaded in my Flickr page!

No. 8 Typhoon Signal - NURI

Typhoon Nuri is expected to be so close to Hong Kong later today! No.8 Northwest Gale or Storm Signal has been in force since 7:40 am today! The weather becomes so bad! It is better for me to stay @ home so I can watch the live coverage of Beijing Olypmics games!

Beijing Olympics 2008

What an amazing opening ceremony on 8.8.2008! I have watched the live coverage on tv till midnite!

No. 8 Typhoon Signal - KAMMURI

The No. 8 Southeast Gale or Storm Signal is in force @ 5:40 am today. So there is no need for us to go to work on the whole day:) A good opportunity for me to take a rest and surf on net!

MegaBox X Doraemon Summer Sports Victory

You can see Doraemon appearing in athletic looks in MegaBox! You can also enjoy photo-taking with Doraemon & friends with 1:1 inflatable 3-D scene- first time in HK! I visited there on 3 August (Sun) and took some photos! Until 30 August !

Hot weather!

Today the highest temperature is 33.3 degrees! (accoding to HK Observatory only!) I believe it should be much higher!!!!!!!

Apple Daily reported on 25.7.2008 that it was 41.1 degrees @ Ladies Street in Mongkok (1:30 pm); 43 degrees @ Yuen Long centre (2:13 pm); 41.5 degrees @ HK Disneyland (4:17 pm) ; 32.2 degrees @ Causeway Bay (5 pm); 46.5 degrees @ HK Wetland Park (2:55 pm)!

OH!

Greek Festival at Cyberport

Greek Festival at Cyberport in this summer! There are harp performance, fun market, olympics torch display, games, etc. I went there yesterday afternoon (and got a prize(!) as I won a gold medal in 2 olympics computer games!). You can also take good photos at the western garden outside.

Hiking on 19.7.2008

McDull on the Peak:)

View from the Peak (U can see Pokfulam Reservoir and Lamma Island)
Pillbox at Highwest - built between 1938 and 1940

End of Hiking (eventually)!

Yesterday I took one-day leave and went hiking again. I took the Peak tram and walked from the Peak down to Pokfulam Reservoir via Lung Fu Shan Country Park. It took about 1 hr and 45 minutes to reach the Reservoir. I felt tired as I needed to walk down hundreds of steps to reach the Reservoir. It was really harsh to go hiking on a hot sunny day!

OneRepublic feat. Timbaland - Apologize

I have recently listened to this song many times on radio! A good song! I will look for more information about this US band!

Shenzhen Trip - 20.6.2008 - 21.6.2008

Lobby of Crowne Plaza Hotel, Shenzhen

Modern ArchitecturePark Guell
Arc of Triumph!

I have spent two days in Shenzhen. It is easy for us to explore the city with metro system. On the 1st day, I have visited shopping malls. You can never imagine that there are so many foreign brand name shops opening in Shenzhen! I stay overnite in Crowne Plaza Hotel. The hotel room is quite large but the air circulation is not good. I feel hot while I am sleeping! On the next day, I have been to Window of the World where you can find 150 world wonders in mini size! It is so interesting to see Uluru (Australia), Park Guell (Spain), Arc of Triumph (France), Stonehenge (UK), etc within a day! Though I have been there some 10 years ago (I believe!), I am not bored this time! However, it is too hot and sunny! It is better to come here in winter!

Shenzhen has changed a lot! If you don't wanna stay in Hong Kong during weekends, you may leave Hong Kong and spend a day in Shenzhen!

Sick

Stomach & Intestine Gas + Fever + Running Nose + Itchy Throat - Oh:(

Ka Kui Exhibition

This morning I attended an exhibition to mark the 15th anniversary of the death of Wong Ka-kui, the founder HK local band Beyong, who died on June 30, 1993, days after he fell off a threemeter platform while filming a TV show in Japan, at the age of 31. Though I am not a big fan of Beyond, their music really plays an influential role in HK music industry. Items on display include guitars that Ka Kui have, copies of his manuscripts, and Beyond's original recording equipment. The exhibition is held at the Cattle Depot Artist Village in this month. Admission is free.

Double Star

Teriyaki Eel Set - HK$ 65 (So little rice for this set!)

Black Rainstorm Warning Signal

Black Rainstorm Warning Signal has been effective since 6:40 am until 11 am today! This means that heavy rain has fallen or is expected to fall generally over Hong Kong, exceeding 70 millimetres in an hour, and is likely to continue. (Defined by the HK Observatory!) Landslides and heavy rain outside now!

Macau Trip - 19.4.2008 - 20.4.2008

A large hotel room!
Oh so few people on the street!
Always blue sky inside Venetian Macao!

I visited Macau in mid-April. The main purpose of this visit was to stay in the Venetian Macao. However, it was so unlucky that typhoon signal No. 8 was hoisted in Macau @ 1:30 pm on 19.4.2008! We were suffered from heavy rain and limited transportation. We were totally wet outside as it took hours to return to the hotel in the evening! Luckily it became sunny on the next day so we could have some sightseeing!

Manchester United : King of Europe - Winner of UEFA Champions League Final

UEFA Champions League @ FinalLuzhniki Stadium, Moscow on Wed 21 May
UNITED 1 - Ronaldo 26 (6 pens scored: Tevez, Carrick, Hargreaves, Nani, Anderson, Giggs)CHELSEA 1 - Lampard 45(5 pens scored: Ballack, Belletti, Lampard, A Cole, Kalou)

I was too excited when I was watching the live coverage of the game! 'Cas the game was so dramatic & there's death penalty! Happy that Manchester United did so well in 07/08!

2007/08 English Premier League

Congratulation to Manchester United!!!!!! They are the Champion of this year's English Premier League!

Tam Kung Festival Parade cum Temple Fair

Tam Kung Festival Parade cum Temple Fair is held in Sau Kei Wan on 11 May and 12 May. Tam Kung Festival falls on the 8th of the Fourth Month of the Chinese Calendar. This is my 1st time to join this event. It is very interesting to see "Tam Kung" (one of the deities) being moved from the Temple to the venue of the Fair! I also learn much about the chinese temples and deities from the website of the Chinese Temple Committee.

Paddington Bear

Poster downloaded from 7-11 Offfical website

The Paddington Bear exchange programme by 7-11 will expire very soon! I have collected 3 PB in different costumes! I intend to get one more PB before the programme ends! I wanna to collect a classic PB!

Shenzhen Trip - 8.4.2008

I took about 1.5-hour bus to OCT East, Shenzhen. OCT East is an eco-tourism mountain resort opened last year. It is divided into three conceptual zones:- Knight Valley, Tea Stream Valley and Wind Valley with both western and eastern landscape and architecture. It is good and relaxing for us to spend one day on exploring the resort on weekdays as there are not so many people.

New Features & New Look

This morning I can spend some more time on the web so I discovered so many features available here! The most interesting one is to add a slideshow here - a slideshow of my photos stored in Flickr.com!

My new web link

I have created a new web link at http://www.flickr.com/photos/madeline_hk/

At the start, I have uploaded my collection of paddington bear!!!

Hong Kong Flower Show 2008

Photos taken on 21 March 2008 am, @ Victoria Park. More photos were uploaded in my worldisround homepage!

Tai Chi Made Easy Class

I shall join the Class at 7 am to 8 am every Sunday from April. I need to wake up early on Sunday morning! But i think this is a good habit for me!

Backstreet Boys Live in Hong Kong 2008

I've eventually watched the concert at Asiaworld last nite! Most new songs from the new album, but also include all their hits!!! Good memories, great performance of BSB!!! The concert started at 8:30 pm and ended at 10:15 pm.

Song list:

Larger than Life
Everyone
Any Other Way
You Can Let Go
Unmistakable
I Want It That Way
--Howie Solo
Show Me The Meaning of Being Lonely
More Than That
Helpless When She Smiles
Trouble Is
Incomplete
--A.J.Solo
-- Nick Drum Solo Panic
Everything But Mine
--Nick Solo
Quit Playing Games With My Heart
As Long As Love Me
All I Have To Give
I’ll Never Break Your Heart
Inconsolable
--Brian Solo
The One
Treat Me Right
The Call
EveryBody

encore: Shape of my Heart

Fireworks on 8.2.2008

It seeems that this is my 1st time to see fireworks along the harbourside of Hong Kong! The above video was taken beside the Star Ferry Pier in Central.

Backstreet Boys Live in HK 2008

Happy to learn that BSB will host a concert on 29.2.2008!!! Yet the venue is Asiaworld-Arena - too far away and no seats arrangement for the concert:( So I decide not to buy the ticket now until I confirm that I can go there in time on that nite!

Another good news to know is that NKOTB will unite!

Visit to Ocean Park - 16.1.2008

Initally I wanna visit Shenzhen instead of the Ocean Park on my birthday (as I have visited the Ocean Park for many times!) But due to cold weather, I go to the Ocean Park today! There are not so many people and I can see a new pair of pandas! Also I like to see sea jelly again!

Beautiful Sea Jelly!

Cute Panda!

Will upload more videos in youtube soon:)

Kai Ping Trip - 1.1.2008 to 2.1.2008

On the 1st day of 2008, I traveled to Kai Ping City in Guongdong Province, China. Kaiping Diaolou and Villages have been recognised as the 1st World Culture Heritage in Guangdong. The owners of the Diaolou are emigrants from Malaysia, Chicago, Canada, Mexico, etc. The Diaolou show the mixture of chinese and western architecture.

I have stayed in Kai Ping City for 2 days and have visited all the main attractions. Kai Ping is comfortable as it is less polluted (when compared with other cities in Guangdong). The Diaolou is worth visiting as it is difficult to find so many Diaolou in other cities in China!