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).

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.