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).

Vietnam not Canada

The HSBC Ho Chi Minh office share the building with the Canadian Consulate. Strangely enough the single-starred flag of Vietnam is nowhere near.

District One

Whenever you walk around District One in Saigon, you'll often find yourself stopped by either the 'cyclo-man' or a motorbike-man asking if he can give you a city tour. They're not a security threat as I initially thought. I found that not giving any eye contact is the best way to avoid them following you to work.

Blogging From Saigon

Back to work after a two-week break. Weather's cooler here in Saigon compared to Manila.
My hotel's just a 15-minute walk from the office at downtown Saigon. I'll be experimenting with a lot of Viet-French fusion cuisines while I'm here. Hopefully there's enough to see while I work and tour Saigon for a month.

Short Stop in Manila

I had planned this since last year, but kept it between myself and Angeli.
From Hong Kong, I flew to Manila for two weeks. I married my high school crush and despite our geographical separation, distance and time proved to have not wavered our 'fate' to be together.

you won't be able to click/enlarge the photo. there's a bug on the upload program.

My usual breakfast combo: fruits and dumpling at hotel cafe.

HK Office

The HK office is definitely fancier than the Vancouver base with high ceiling, marbled lobby floors. Outside of work, I don't mind visiting HK but I still prefer the west coast lifestyle of Vancouver.

One of the few things that people don't mind doing in HK - eat in a small crowded local restaurant and feel the coziness of sharing tables with strangers.

Thinking of a carb meal to recharge on the lost calories while elbowing my way through the crowded streets of HK.

This is one of the few weekends where I get to go around HK without having the need to work. It's also when the weather turns gray and cloudy but nevertheless still a great view from the Hong Kong harbour

Still recovering from the Boracay trip, I continue to pursue for the ultimate vacation trip. At the other side of the Pacific Ocean is a small city resort where I need not spend one night to discover North American beaches are a far cry from the beach resorts of Asia.

Valentine Trip

Last V-day, I went back to Manila and spent 4 days days at Boracay. It was our post-engagement trip and it felt very good to be away from all the chismis and the city in general.