Ski the slopes of Japan

One important way to appreciate the beautiful mountains, scenes, blue skies and of course a thing that I always say as the source of man - water, is to go skiing in the beautiful Japanese continents.  Last season I have the pleasure to be taught by my sensei - Tomo-san and undeniably skiing is my choice to life is the mountains of Naeba.

  

Another trip I went to was to Hokkaido with my family and the powder snow there is definitely to that you experience on the mountains.  Yet time was short for me and so Niseko was not a very good choice from my point of view.  However, if you do like the powder snow, Niseko is a good choice because of the availability of various culture exchange you can get.

A final place is a bit remote - Tomamu.  It is certainly not a place where you will enjoy if you are not a keen skier / snowboarder.  Nonetheless, the powder snow is fantastic there and you can admire the mountains while you slide down.  When night comes, admire the beautiful layers of snow on the trees while you dine and the beautiful Church on the Water in the beautiful snow that falls upon with your loved ones.  For those of us who like taking a few pictures, it is a splendid touch too.  Do not miss out the Ice village as well where you can find more spectaculars every year!  Most of all, rest well in the hot springs (onsen) and then charge up for the next day to ski the slopes again!
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Cathay Pacific flies daily to New Chitose Airport (Sapporo) during winter hot seasons, where train or bus transfers to Tomamu or Niseko can be easily made.  If transfers are needed, fly to Tokyo Haneda to New Chitose Airport.  She also flies daily to Tokyo (Haneda/Narita) daily, with prices of Narita tickets cheaper due to the distance from Tokyo centre (ticket price subject to change from CX).

Naruto - swirls and turns of water

Water - a source of life and a source for people to live on.  It also changes in tide and assists in the movement of people.  At the entrance gate to Shikoku, Japan, you will find Naruto that reminds you all these things.  But most importantly, head to the sea and ask yourself, what is the best thing that you want to give thanks for in every trip - is it the silence you can take or that you are just here yourself?  The turns of the tides and the spirals will stimulate but do be aware not to fall off the ship when you are thinking - so my best advice is if you are to think, take a bigger ship.
Heading to Shikoku may seem mysterious as it is a bit far away from the cities we are so used to - Tokyo, Nagoya, or Osaka (which is the nearest).  Here in Shikoku you are searching for the silence to rest your mind and be at peace, so do not expect to go shopping in malls or having delicate food (well they do have some, but not the best).
Try heading towards to the onsen hotels for relaxation but do be aware of the traffic as roads in Shikoku can get really narrow.  Most of all, stay calm and rest your mind in the sulphuric warm water (it's not too hot so don't worry).  And just enjoy the magnificent scenes that mother nature (or God whom we trusted Him) has created.

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Cathay Pacific flies 3 times daily to Osaka Kansa International Airport, where transfer by car rental or buses can be flexibly arranged.

Phuket - it's all about sun and spa

Sunshine, sun bathe, sun sitting (if it does exist) - anything that rhymes with the word sun is in Phuket.  If you want to explore more, try surfing or flying off the ground, you will be amazed!  But a kind reminder, bring your sun screen!


The other word that goes perfect is spa, spa for 3 hours is really a good deal!  And most of all, it is clean and the techniques are really good!  I am not going to promote any specific shops but search online - you will definitely find a good bargain!
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Dragonair flies every week to Phuket, where rivalry LCC AirAsia flies daily to Phuket from Hong Kong. 

Kenting - a non-stop relaxing city

Many of us from Hong Kong comes to this place for two reason - for romance and for relaxation.  Now I will start from the latter - Kenting is a place that is offering you food and beaches so definitely do not expect spa and hot springs.  It is another sort of relaxation.  Now, food is almost everywhere - just head to the streets and the food stalls are opened for you, from drinks to pancakes (Taiwan style) or deep fried seafood.  For those of you who claims young and wants to be challenged, head to the South Bay and have fun with all the water sports you can think of (except wakeboard) at a very reasonable price but beware, pay a little extra if you want a warm bath.

And a final word on the city you land, Kaohsiung.  Fabulous city for food and drinks, with a flare.  Head for any cafes and you will see how dedicated the service is and how much care was given to the decoration of the food and the premises.  And worst still, it's not a lot that you are paying.  If you still want to dissolve all those you eat, rent a bike and explore the city - well, there is not much to see but at least it is good exercise and much better than taking the metro, which is the same worldwide!

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Cathay Pacific's sister airline Dragonair flies daily to KHH.  

A stroll along Holborn, London

So after the beach-like boy in Spain (on the left), I strolled myself back to a gentlemen in the British centre - London.  This time my activities are situated based on the place that I always wander around - Holdborn.  It is a place situated on the Central line if you are using the tube and is just slightly off the tracks of Covent Garden.  For me, this is where I have studied and learn how to be a person, I would say.  If you walk towards the Thames, London Eye, Westminster, Big Ben, Southwark, is basically there for you.  Head along London Bridge (the real one, not the one you sing along with) and just walk on the south banks, you will be amazed with all the arts and beauties.  I guess I was there pretty much when the sun is out so thank God I can capture some good pictures, rather than the gloomy raining London we all talk about.  Alright, so getting back to Holborn, you can find stalls for breakfast, a cup of tea, parks and all sort of things from busy to quiet.  It is apparently central central London, if you know what I am talking about - basically look at the Tube map and you will see it right in the middle (almost).  So sometimes, do not be a tourist, head off the streets and you will discover something more. 


Oh and yes, I am from the LSE and so, Aldwych is a definitely by-pass place for me. 
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Cathay Pacific flies at least 5 times daily to London Heathrow International Airport as well as many other oneworld partners including British based British Airways and Australian Qatar Airways.  Note that Heathrow is charging massive taxes so if you want to fly to another European or British port first and go to London (say Paris or Manchester) and then change trains, that is actually a better idea and gets you to another fabulous city to explore.

Barcelona - a city that keeps on building

I recall having a stroll of this beautiful city in 2008.  Things have changed.  The sea is no longer a straight line - you will find sky scrappers around but it luckily is not a cuboid - those who likes architectures will still be able to absorb the beauty of the buildings around.

Famous places like the House of Gaudis (including Casa Mila), Sagarda Familia, Parc Gueil,  should not be missed - no matter as an architectural fan, a cultural fan, a religious person, or just a tourist.  Play smart though - buy tickets in advance to jump the queue but most importantly, spend time and be amazed of the wonders in the beautiful.  Spend as much time as possible to enjoy the beautiful beaches and stroll along the city - whether by car (yes, I rented a car this time and it was an Audi!), or by train.  For those of us there for retreats, worshipping, and masses, it is definitely a good place to reflect, pray, and meditate. But just a note, yes there are a lot of toursts but there are definitely enough places for you to do what you need to do.  Sometimes, you do not need to sit.  On the run and while walking, your inspiration comes.  My lesson learnt from this trip is keep walking and something might pop up.  So do not stick to the old rules that you set for yourself, try improvising.



Another place I highly recommend (and that's the reason I hired the car) was Montserrat - a beautiful monastery next to the beautiful mountains with fresh air and great hiking tracks around.  Even for myself, whom I hated walking most of the time, not to mention hiking - it was fabulous.  I suppose it is the air that attracks you more than anything.  All in all, another must go!

Now to eating - paella... everyone eats it.  Try searching into restaurants that spontaneously amazes you - as a Chinese you know what oyster sauce tastes like, right?  Iberia with oyster sauce was a joyful delight - try it out at Alegra... or even just go for lobsters, you will absolutely like it.  Oh but one thing, do not bargain on how they cook it, they know how to cook best. 



You might also want to stroll along the markets and explore what they have best for you.  Dry food and sweets are surely some treats you will not want to loose.  Or might as well get into one of their food stalls and get a drink for you to get off that heat.  It will surely be a delight for you.  But obviously if you are those who want to avoid the crowds, just go online and search Barcelona restaurants, surely there will be some that is off the tourist areas but still those who can serve you very well.  Oh and do not worry about the language, they do speak very good English nowadays

Finally, for sports fan - Barcelona is home to the football team - camp nou is a place to be.  Now again, for non-sports attracted personnels, you can definitely skip this but if your other half or partner is so willing to go, let it be and just enjoy the beautiful stadium.  They proposed selfies so might as well say cheese on the go.



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Cathay Pacific flies daily to London Heathrow / Doha, where you can connect with British Airways at T5 of Heathrow or Qatar Airways - currently there are cheap tickets with Qatar so make good use of those tickets.

Just a kind note for those who will leave Barcelona internationally.  If you are those keen shoppers who want to spend the very last minute in Zara or all those Spanish shops, DO NOT cross the border yet!  Head for the duty free shops first then head for the zone for your departing flight - and just a kind reminder, arrive at your gate at least 20 minutes prior to departure time if you are flying oneworld, even tough the turn around flight for BA is usually late due to air traffic control.

Amanohashidate - turn your head down for a whole new world!

One of the best 3 sights to see in Japan, after Fuji mountain, is this stairs like natural scene - question is how... well head down bottoms up (not drinking though) and you will see how the Lord has given you this magnificent scene.  Still don't get it?  Well, let's just say, it's a topsy turvy way of getting to the skies - don't think you are flying but do take care as you get dizzy if you turn your head too much.

Again, green and blue, bright sun and light gardens.  Cycling, swimming, and hiking is a highly recommended way to explore this area.  More importantly is the Japanese culture you have to come to - it's Kansai, it's near Kyoto, which means it is the culture origin of where the Chinese and Japanese come together and manner is established.  It's not just hot tea, but to enjoy the hot tea.  It's not just the scenes, but to thank for the beautiful scene.

Get into the streets and explore the beauties of the architecture.  Drive around with a rented car (note: international driving license required for Japanese driving) and you will get to see more.  Now staying away from home means that you should consider the Japanese onsen culture.  Now don't get me wrong that it means money.  I do not agree on spending $$$ on things that should be cheap.  Find somewhere decent - where you think it is not costing your budget - but a place where you can balance between cost and leisure.  Extravagenza is not my tea, but the Japanese onsen culture is a high-class, but affordable leisure.  And above all, it is water, and it is something for us to be thankful for.  In other words, enjoy the weather, enjoy the water, enjoy the scene and bon voyage!

A final word, this place is a perfect place to have wedding ceremonies for those of you who want to get away from the crowd!
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Cathay Pacific flies to Kansai International Airport 3 times a day (one stopping at Taipei - avoiding that will be smart unless you want to stop-by there).  Peach also flies to Kansai but they only fly midnight flights. Good for those of you who are young!!