Up the Highest Summit in Maui

We visited tons of snorkeling spots in Maui and in Oahu, but the 10,000 ft ride up the Haleakala National Park gives you the most memorable sunset.

Visited Bangkok Before the Riot

We stayed in the heart of Bangkok for 3 nights (2nd to 5th of April), a week before the riot and the Songkran, which is the Thai New Year. Songkran usually falls in the hottest period of the year. It is also part of the Songkran tradition to throw water at anyone in the street, although not the main activity as it was also a period used to give family members an opportunity to pay their respects to elders and visit temples. Why water? Pouring of water is used as a symbol of washing away the bad. In my case, I was dousing my face with water because of the humid weather while we visited numerous outdoor places like the Grand Palace on the second day of our trip. That night, we visited a really modern and high-end mall, Siam Paragon and a few malls all within a few blocks away. Prices are relatively cheap especially if you're looking for local goods usually exported to North America (ie. dried fruits, exotic handmade house decors).

We went outside of Bangkok the 3rd day to visit one of the two remaining Floating Markets (the other floating market is on the Chao Praya river). The bigger floating market was 2 hour drive away from Bangkok so we had to leave the hotel early. When we got to the place, it was exactly what I had envisioned before visting Bangkok. It was like an Asian version of Venice - but with smaller canals. We visited an elephant sanctuary along the way home to Bangkok where we went for a short elephant trek. We fed the elephants baskets of bananas for 100 baht each. The elephant trek costs 600 baht per elephant which is worth the once in a lifetime experience. We ate curry crabs on our last night in Bangkok at Somboon Seafood.. a must-eat for seafood lovers.

I wish we stayed an extra day or two in Bangkok, although I wouldn't exactly want to visit the city at its hottest period of the year again. I also want to visit the northern part of Thailand - Changmai and maybe Phuket when we visit Asia again next year.

Summer Hot in Asia

We left already spring Vancouver last Saturday and we're now in Asia for a three week vacation from work. We do not have a list of things we want to do, but we do plan to eat, relax in Manila and visit Bangkok for the first time.

Manila (29th March to 17th April)
We just arrived in Manila yesterday. Angeli and I already visited two malls and had foot massage (around 20usd/person for an hour).

As most probably know, summer comes relatively early in Asia.

You would either need to be at home in an air-conditioned room or be somewhere like a mall to be able to stand the 32 to 35C summer heat which starts mid March to end of June every year. The occasional rain shower during the week gives us the much needed break from all the heat.

Bangkok (2nd to 5th of April)
Although I can't wait to visit Bangkok for the first time, I'm also trying to push aside the thought of the heat and humidity when visiting the tradition and architecture rich country. Can't wait to go through the list of things to see and eat (ie. curry crabs!) that a friend gave me. I'll post pictures once we get back from the trip next week.

Hong Kong (17th to 19th April)
Planning to drop by Hong Kong for 2 nights before going back to Vancouver for more food and shopping. Angeli wanted to also visit Macau, but I'm not sure if we can fit this in our hectic schedule.

Also not sure if we'd be visiting any beaches this time, but I don't think we'd need to be anywhere close to the sea to get a tan.

25C at Waikiki

Visiting a beach at this time of the year will probably be in our annual vacation plans. We left a rainy and pre-winter cold Vancouver and travelled over 5000mi to sunny Hawaii for the first time.

The beaches may not be as powder fine as Boracay, but there are more hotels and designer boutiques steps away from the Waikiki beach just like the pictured colonial Westin Moana SurfRider hotel. We spent 4 nights in Honolulu last Veteran's day.

Spent two days at the beach..rented a car for one day to go kayaking at Kailua, Lanakai beaches. Spent another day (by joining a tour) to visit one of the best snorkelling spots- Hanauma Bay.

We walked along the Waikiki coastline to watch the surfers. Also went to the Ala Moana Mall (which is the biggest outdoor mall in the world), where we saw Tony Romas at the foodcourt.

We are now back in Vancouver, a little tanned and ready to welcome winter and X'mas after being sunkissed on last time in 2008.

Almost Went to India

I was supposed to fly to India after a week's stay in Hong Kong for work, but since I wasn't able to get my Indian visa, I'm still here at the Langham Place Hotel in Mongkok again. Can't complain, especially if they let you stay in one of the fanciest 5-star hotel in HK. I heard from my colleagues that their hotel in India is as good. Too bad I missed it, but I'm sure there will be tons of opportunities to visit as we continuously increase working with our offshore team in India.

Hong Kong

Spent two nights in HK at the Langham Place in Mongkok. We walked around Mongkok and visited the Lady's Night Market on our first day. On our second day, we took a bus from the Central station to go to Stanley Market and Repulse Bay to buy souvenir artworks.

Manila Trip

Part of our 12 day trip last February is a visit (yes, again) to Boracay. Not much has changed on this tiny island 300km south of Manila. We stayed in boat station 1, left most side of the 4km stretch of powdery white sand, lined with resorts and restaurants. Boracay is probably one of the most beautiful beaches in the world but still costs less 50% less than a Bora Bora (Tahiti) package. More Boracay pictures posted on my flickr site.

While in Manila, we spent most of our time at Mall of Asia . We also visited different spas every two days for foot & body massages which cost approximately 12CAD including tips.

After our visit to Manila, we went to Hong Kong for two nights before flying back to Vancouver.

Back From Brazil

I made a second trip to Brazil in less than 5 months and made it back a week before Christmas. I knew there was no option to spend X'mas in South America.. even if there are so many reasons to love Curitiba city. The Air Canada flight (view their latest video of the TO airport) alone was the best I've had, those 180 degree flat beds do really help reduce the jet lag. Air Canada dramatically improved their flight facilities, finally offering on-demand movies where you can pause and resume your movie whenever you wake up while in your 11 hour flight from Toronto to Sao Paulo. It softened the harsh one-way flight 24 hour travel time from Vancouver to Curitiba. Curitiba's 25C weather during December sparks envy, especially if you are in Canada enduring rain, wet snow and 5C weather during Christmas. I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Prosperous 2008!

Highest Peak

Our hike took over 2 hours of rough uphill terrain to get to the top where the last bit required the use of steel chains. When we reached the top, our tired legs and battered body felt lighter. The view from the peak is magnificent. The spectacular view of the Howe sound and the coast mountains made us forget the rough trip up the mountain.

Back From Euro Trip

I'm now back in Vancouver. Angeli and I visited London, Paris, Rome, Venice and Florence. I liked all the cities - Rome being the least pleasant maybe because of the weather (was tooo hot), crowded tourist spots. We took tons of pictures, most of them can be accessed here:
http://www.flickr.com/cliffordlee/sets

Good deals

Can't wait to go back to London and Paris next month. It will be a short two week trip inluding a visit to Rome for the first time. I booked my hotels from priceline.com and got fabulous deals like "my hotel in the heart of Paris" (4 star) for only 105 USD. My Knightbridge, London stay for only 100USD. Talk about good deals.

City of Lights

I discovered that Paris is indeed beautiful - the city sights, the food are beyond what I've imagined. I like Paris more than downtown London because of its sprawling architecture similar to London but on a cleaner and bigger scale. Didn't really see much of the city except for a quick touristy two hour tour. Most of my time were spent in the office fixing software problems for the world's local bank. I intend to visit the city again - definitely not on a working basis.

Transiting in Montreal

I'm on my way back to Vancouver, currently in a lounge here at the Montreal airport. It's been awhile since I last posted a blog.. there will be more pictures coming in the next few days as I slowly upload the pictures from my recent two-week trip to Paris.

I did not intend to go to Paris other than to sight-see, but work (yet again) sent me to the city of lights. Ironically, the only lights that I saw were at the office as I stayed on average 16 hours per day at work and only a few hours of sleep the past two weeks.

Warmest Spot in Canada

Still chilly at 5C during winter, but Victoria is considered to be the warmest place in Canada. Victoria is accessible by taking your car into a ferry and driving out after a 1.5hr boat ride. Went with my family just on New Year's eve for a day trip around the city centre.

Opus Bar

One of the top 100 hotels in the world - Opus Hotel in Vancouver is a boutique hangout for drinks and fantastic desserts.

Fall in Vancouver

One of our first pictures in Vancouver. Angeli arrived two days ago (with no jet lag) just in time for Fall. I'm off from work for twelve days to bring Angeli around town while the weather is still mild. Start of November becomes 'mall-hopping' season where everyone's preparing to fill their X'mas shopping list.

Possibly Going Back to England

Just when things are settling down here in Vancouver (finally getting a flat, a stable and promising international rat-race job), I face the prospect of moving again.

My ever entrepreneurial friends back in Oxford have just received some serious VC funding and are asking me to join the team. This means if I choose to join the startup, I'd have to pack my luggages again for another round of uncertainties in life.

What kept me busy for most of 2006

Photos are out!

Wedding - Manila, June 2006 http://www.flickr.com/photos/35924719@N00/sets/72157594274689380
Work - Vietnam, July 2006 http://www.flickr.com/photos/35924719@N00/sets/72157594274693456

Meeting the Man Behind Mall of Asia

Angeli and I met with Henry Sy while he was doing his usual rounds in his largest mall project so far. Two secretaries, three bodyguards and a handful of mall guards were behind us.

Vacationing in Manila

I'm back in Manila to visit close relatives after my 6-week stay in Vietnam. Nothing much has changed except for the 12% EVAT that most establishments add to its bill. Nevertheless, eating out in Manila is still reasonably affordable. Each of the 100g king prawn on the picture costs $2 USD which eats like a steak (meat is really thick).