Monday, 19 September 2011

Travel tips for autumn travelling

As Europe march their way to Autumn, so will the sights in South East Asia become a beautiful scene for us to admire. The upcoming of September in Hong Kong means the commencement of the new school term and the time for a new travel style - travel autumn.

For those of you who does not like the heat in the summer, travelling in autumn is a good time because you can get away from the heavy bulks of winter clothings loaded onto the luggage (and hence prevent overweighting while you check in), and you can enjoy still some of the great sunshine and rainfalls during this change of season.

Well-known travel destination includes Canada or Japan's Osaka and Kyoto in Japan for the koyo leaves (red leaves). A few reminders about travelling in this season -

(1) Do not go in the week of Oct 1. It is the well-known holiday for the bumble bees from Mainland China to sweep the world, afterall, it is their holiday
(2) If you are a OneWorld alliance fan as much as I am, CX and many airlines offer cheap tickets to places like Singapore (for parties of two), or flying to Chicago to observe the great scenes upon its launch on September, 2011.
(3) Bring an umbrella - it will rain
(4) Bring something warm to wear - afterall it is a change of weather, you don't want to catch a cold on the go, right?
(5) Remember day light will be shortened so practically trip plannings have to to shortened as well. Best rule is to start the day around 9:30am and have it ended by 6pm (well, more or less like going to work according to the contract)

Coming up on Conrad @ Travel Pacific: Taiwan!
Bon Voyage travellers!

Wednesday, 24 August 2011

Europe in 2011 - London

London, the capital city of Europe and for a lot of airlines, their stepping stone to Europe, is a buzzling city filled with a cosmopolitan taste of life. Be it you are there to visit, to work, to study, or to live, this city keeps changing every single day. From North to South, East to West, London gives you that simple taste of being British, but then, not so British. You can easily find a whole bunch of people with different nationalities on the streets and that brings in new experiences to you. Now when it comes to eating, the Fish and Chips is a way back in the 90s theory and seriously, it is really hard for you to search for a store which sells purely Fish and Chips. The best shot will be inside the Dining Hall of Tower Hill, where the Apple Crumbles and Fish and Chips is one of the best around. The south side, also known as Southwark is a very interesting place when it comes to eating. The well-known Borough Market is there selling fresh ingredients in weekends. Restaurants around are serving great dishes, featuring authentic cuisines from around the world. So next time when you are visiting the area, do not forget the South side. They may offer you not just the Tate or London Eye, it is where the new London meets.... Butler's Wharf Steak House is one of those which you will not want to exclude from your to-do list in London. I was introduced to this place by one of my flatmates in London and this is an all time favourite since then! It is a almost-must-go place for me everytime I landed in London Thinking that Michelin Star is what you wanted> Head for Joel Robuchon London, where their pre-theatre meals cost from GBP 25!!! This is something you want to taste for a cheap European Michelin-Star meal! Until then, bon appetite! 
**************************************************************************** Cathay Pacific flies 4 times to London daily at different hours of the day (two flights departing around midnight). From London Heathrow, you may take either multiple transportation, including the Tube, Heathrow Express, Heathrow Connect, National Express, etc. to the city.

Europe in 2011 - London

London, the capital city of Europe and for a lot of airlines, their stepping stone to Europe, is a buzzling city filled with a cosmopolitan taste of life. Be it you are there to visit, to work, to study, or to live, this city keeps changing every single day. From North to South, East to West, London gives you that simple taste of being British, but then, not so British. You can easily find a whole bunch of people with different nationalities on the streets and that brings in new experiences to you.

Now when it comes to eating, the Fish and Chips is a way back in the 90s theory and seriously, it is really hard for you to search for a store which sells purely Fish and Chips. The best shot will be inside the Dining Hall of Tower Hill, where the Apple Crumbles and Fish and Chips is one of the best around.

The south side, also known as Southwark is a very interesting place when it comes to eating. The well-known Borough Market is there selling fresh ingredients in weekends. Restaurants around are serving great dishes, featuring authentic cuisines from around the world. So next time when you are visiting the area, do not forget the South side. They may offer you not just the Tate or London Eye, it is where the new London meets.... Butler's Wharf Steak House is one of those which you will not want to exclude from your to-do list in London. I was introduced to this place by one of my flatmates in London and this is an all time favourite since then! It is a almost-must-go place for me everytime I landed in London


Thinking that Michelin Star is what you wanted> Head for Joel Robuchon London, where their pre-theatre meals cost from GBP 25!!! This is something you want to taste for a cheap European Michelin-Star meal!



Until then, bon appetite!





****************************************************************************
Cathay Pacific flies 4 times to London daily at different hours of the day (two flights departing aroudn midnight).
From London Heathrow, you may take either multiple transportation, including the Tube, Heathrow Express, Heathrow Connect, National Express, etc. to the city.

Europe in 2011 - London

London, the capital city of Europe and for a lot of airlines, their stepping stone to Europe, is a buzzling city filled with a cosmopolitan taste of life. Be it you are there to visit, to work, to study, or to live, this city keeps changing every single day. From North to South, East to West, London gives you that simple taste of being British, but then, not so British. You can easily find a whole bunch of people with different nationalities on the streets and that brings in new experiences to you.

Now when it comes to eating, the Fish and Chips is a way back in the 90s theory and seriously, it is really hard for you to search for a store which sells purely Fish and Chips. The best shot will be inside the Dining Hall of Tower Hill, where the Apple Crumbles and Fish and Chips is one of the best around.

The south side, also known as Southwark is a very interesting place when it comes to eating. The well-known Borough Market is there selling fresh ingredients in weekends. Restaurants around are serving great dishes, featuring authentic cuisines from around the world. So next time when you are visiting the area, do not forget the South side. They may offer you not just the Tate or London Eye, it is where the new London meets.... Butler's Wharf Steak House is one of those which you will not want to exclude from your to-do list in London. I was introduced to this place by one of my flatmates in London and this is an all time favourite since then! It is a almost-must-go place for me everytime I landed in London


Thinking that Michelin Star is what you wanted> Head for Joel Robuchon London, where their pre-theatre meals cost from GBP 25!!! This is something you want to taste for a cheap European Michelin-Star meal!



Until then, bon appetite!




****************************************************************************
Cathay Pacific flies 4 times to London daily at different hours of the day (two flights departing aroudn midnight).
From London Heathrow, you may take either multiple transportation, including the Tube, Heathrow Express, Heathrow Connect, National Express, etc. to the city.

Europe in 2011 - London

London, the capital city of Europe and for a lot of airlines, their stepping stone to Europe, is a buzzling city filled with a cosmopolitan taste of life. Be it you are there to visit, to work, to study, or to live, this city keeps changing every single day. From North to South, East to West, London gives you that simple taste of being British, but then, not so British. You can easily find a whole bunch of people with different nationalities on the streets and that brings in new experiences to you.

Now when it comes to eating, the Fish and Chips is a way back in the 90s theory and seriously, it is really hard for you to search for a store which sells purely Fish and Chips. The best shot will be inside the Dining Hall of Tower Hill, where the Apple Crumbles and Fish and Chips is one of the best around.

The south side, also known as Southwark is a very interesting place when it comes to eating. The well-known Borough Market is there selling fresh ingredients in weekends. Restaurants around are serving great dishes, featuring authentic cuisines from around the world. So next time when you are visiting the area, do not forget the South side. They may offer you not just the Tate or London Eye, it is where the new London meets.... Butler's Wharf Steak House is one of those which you will not want to exclude from your to-do list in London. I was introduced to this place by one of my flatmates in London and this is an all time favourite since then! It is a almost-must-go place for me everytime I landed in London


Thinking that Michelin Star is what you wanted> Head for Joel Robuchon London, where their pre-theatre meals cost from GBP 25!!! This is something you want to taste for a cheap European Michelin-Star meal!



Until then, bon appetite!




****************************************************************************
Cathay Pacific flies 4 times to London daily at different hours of the day (two flights departing aroudn midnight).
From London Heathrow, you may take either multiple transportation, including the Tube, Heathrow Express, Heathrow Connect, National Express, etc. to the city.

Europe in 2011 - London

London, the capital city of Europe and for a lot of airlines, their stepping stone to Europe, is a buzzling city filled with a cosmopolitan taste of life. Be it you are there to visit, to work, to study, or to live, this city keeps changing every single day. From North to South, East to West, London gives you that simple taste of being British, but then, not so British. You can easily find a whole bunch of people with different nationalities on the streets and that brings in new experiences to you.

Now when it comes to eating, the Fish and Chips is a way back in the 90s theory and seriously, it is really hard for you to search for a store which sells purely Fish and Chips. The best shot will be inside the Dining Hall of Tower Hill, where the Apple Crumbles and Fish and Chips is one of the best around.

The south side, also known as Southwark is a very interesting place when it comes to eating. The well-known Borough Market is there selling fresh ingredients in weekends. Restaurants around are serving great dishes, featuring authentic cuisines from around the world. So next time when you are visiting the area, do not forget the South side. They may offer you not just the Tate or London Eye, it is where the new London meets.... Butler's Wharf Steak House is one of those which you will not want to exclude from your to-do list in London. I was introduced to this place by one of my flatmates in London and this is an all time favourite since then! It is a almost-must-go place for me everytime I landed in London


Thinking that Michelin Star is what you wanted> Head for Joel Robuchon London, where their pre-theatre meals cost from GBP 25!!! This is something you want to taste for a cheap European Michelin-Star meal!



Until then, bon appetite!




****************************************************************************
Cathay Pacific flies 4 times to London daily at different hours of the day (two flights departing aroudn midnight).
From London Heathrow, you may take either multiple transportation, including the Tube, Heathrow Express, Heathrow Connect, National Express, etc. to the city.

Europe in 2011 - London

London, the capital city of Europe and for a lot of airlines, their stepping stone to Europe, is a buzzling city filled with a cosmopolitan taste of life. Be it you are there to visit, to work, to study, or to live, this city keeps changing every single day. From North to South, East to West, London gives you that simple taste of being British, but then, not so British. You can easily find a whole bunch of people with different nationalities on the streets and that brings in new experiences to you.

Now when it comes to eating, the Fish and Chips is a way back in the 90s theory and seriously, it is really hard for you to search for a store which sells purely Fish and Chips. The best shot will be inside the Dining Hall of Tower Hill, where the Apple Crumbles and Fish and Chips is one of the best around.

The south side, also known as Southwark is a very interesting place when it comes to eating. The well-known Borough Market is there selling fresh ingredients in weekends. Restaurants around are serving great dishes, featuring authentic cuisines from around the world. So next time when you are visiting the area, do not forget the South side. They may offer you not just the Tate or London Eye, it is where the new London meets.... Butler's Wharf Steak House is one of those which you will not want to exclude from your to-do list in London. I was introduced to this place by one of my flatmates in London and this is an all time favourite since then! It is a almost-must-go place for me everytime I landed in London



Thinking that Michelin Star is what you wanted> Head for Joel Robuchon London, where their pre-theatre meals cost from GBP 25!!! This is something you want to taste for a cheap European Michelin-Star meal!



Until then, bon appetite!

****************************************************************************
Cathay Pacific flies 4 times to London daily at different hours of the day (two flights departing aroudn midnight).
From London Heathrow, you may take either multiple transportation, including the Tube, Heathrow Express, Heathrow Connect, National Express, etc. to the city.

Thursday, 28 July 2011

Europe in 2011 - Copenhagen

Arriving in Copenhagen, I had this feeling that the airport was too small. Everywhere was crowded and people were washing out of the terminal, and washing in the check in. Luckily I do not have to worry too much about getting to the hotel for there is a shuttle there. Copenhagen is one of the few places in the Eastern part of Europe well known for Danish biscuits. And yes, it is true. I bought some of them and it was gorgeous!

If you are one of those who loved beer, this is also a place to be because as you might know, Calsberg initiated from this town and you can have some great beers in the origin. Even someone who hated beer had a sip of beer and found it quite refreshing.

Dining is also a great one for my trip. I went to two of the most famous restaurants in town and the food was breathtaking! The combination of French food with that of the Danes were an absolute spleandor! Besides, it is really not that far - situated right opposite the Copenhagen Main Train station. We initially wanted to head for Tivoli, the oldest theme park in Europe, for a roller coaster ride but we ran out of time. The shows at night were splendid too! It gives you a taste of China a la European. Imagine indulging yourself into the Chinese towers but overlooking the splendid European views, you will think again and ask where you were. Nonetheless, do be careful of the weather for a summer temperature difference can be as high as 28C but as low as 15C! A polyester coat (not just wind breaker) is highly recommended!

One thing to note about the tourist attraction is that they are actually quite inter-connected. If you do not mind the walk and explore the great surroundings of the city in summer, it is actually better to do so, rather than diving into the underground and figuring out which line to go and change trains. Take the distance between the Royal Copenhagen Palace and the Little Mermaid as an example. It can actually be drawn into a vertical line but if you have a look at it from the map, it always seemed to be far apart. It is also a good thing to hop away from the tour-guided tourist when you are walking down the road for they are usually linked up to Tour buses, which goes from point to point.

The magic of travelling on your own is exploring the wonders between places. It may mean nothing to you but I recall having a tasty 70DKK sandwich in a beautiful little shop, show casing toys and antiques from the old days. Gelatos were also sold there and it is a great place to get away the heat for 15 to 20 minutes.

----------------------
Travelling to Copenhagen from Hong Kong using One World connection services from Helsinki (via Finnair) or London (via CX/BA) and connecting on any of them to CPH Airport is the best way to get to Copenhagen. If you really fancy a Danish tour, you may also seek for a stopover in France, Germany, Finnland, or England before getting to Denmark.




Tuesday, 19 July 2011

Europe in 2011 - Helsinki

As I kick off with my series of European review, I will go backwards, starting from the place I have hit very last, to the very beginning. This trip was a tough one for I have to go to 5 places in 9 days but given Hong Kong people have less holidays then anyone else in the go, that's our life.

So, here we are - Helsinki, the place chanting the Scandinavian culture as well as a place of experiencing Europe in the late 80s. The place is beautiful in the summer for its weather and almost non-fainting nights. I was there during the commencement of the weekend and people holding cars from the 50s and 60s drove their cars our for a car show right at the pier. Everyone is having a good time and I recall it was almost midnight and my cousin and myself were still looking at all the great cars our there. The magic of this brilliant time of travelling is that the only thing you have to worry about is the closing hours of the attractions, not the time where the places get too dark and you don't get to see it. It's day the whole day (and night!).


What impresses me most of this wonderful country is simplicity. A church can be very decorative, but if you come to Helsinki, simplicity is the clear. From the airport to the city, the Finns keep it simple, nice and clean. Be it a very simply Sibelius monument to the beautiful church on the Rock, everything is simple and beautiful. Even if you head to the Suomelinna castle, a world's heritage, you will observe that they keep their lives very simple. Speaking of which, the museums in Suomelinna stores some of the best history stories for those of us who has minimal knowledge of Finnland. You will get to know the story of Finnland in just half an hour. Of course, if you like to dig more, the museums are always there for you.

Food is not the best thing in town but obviously salmon that interests you. For people in Hong Kong, with the price of buying a Norwegian salmon in supermarket, you will be able to feast here in Helsinki already! Imagine that!

Travelling in Helsinki is not much of a big hazzle. The trams takes you everywhere. But as my cousin says, stick with line 3T and you will win the horses. It is true! Make your life easier by simply travelling on 3T. It is, afterall, the tourust line that takes you to almost every spot in town.

-----------------------------------------------------
Travelling to Finnland from Hong Kong
- Cathay Pacific's One World partner Finnair flies directly from Hong Kong to Helsinki daily
- Chepaer flights can be made by flying to London by CX and then connecting with a BA flight to Helsinki (note: Helsinki flights depart from Terminal 3 of Heathrow)













Monday, 30 May 2011

Retreat Miniature

For those of you who are in need of a swim or a sunbath as much as I do but is resistant to go to the beach because the water is still cold or simply you do not want to fly that far to that destination where the sandy beaches are, why not head for some cities around the equator? Malaysia, given its position, is a very good place to be. Flights to Kuala Lumpur (KUL) is only 3 hours away from HKG and the resorts are not too expensive.

Staying in a not-too-old resort near Sentral, any hotel in KL will give you the following:
(1) comfortable room
(2) good facilities - bed, shower and bath
(3) the place is not in the central position, but still in the city centre so transportation is not a big problem and it will not be too crowded

Most importantly, the swimming pool was outstanding! The water is nice and if you are like me - an early simmer, it opens at 7am for you and it is a very nice cool swim out there! If you still want to go for more exercises, they gym is well equipped and sure after a long day, the spa is right there waiting for you. The whirlpools and saunas are great and relaxation is at its most.

So next time you want to head for a miniature spa or a small retreat? Head for KL!

Wednesday, 25 May 2011

Re-starting the blog

I just found that I have left this site unchecked for 5 months almost and I guess I should start writing again. Life has been very busy and hence trips to the world was not maintained a lot. Two trips were made so far - one to Europe during the Chinese New Year. Originally heading to Tohokyu during Easter, the earthquake and the underlying risks left from the nuclear energy plant has driven me and my family down south to Malaysia. The journey was great and details will be there soon. Stay tuned for more travel from Conrad within this week!

Wednesday, 5 January 2011

A website for comparison

I just found this website from the line http://hk.webjet.com.
This seems to be a good site for those who does not like budget air but needs some comparison on prices. It covers the OneWorld tickets as well as their competitors. Most importantly, it gives you first hand information on the time of the flights, which is great for those who care about time of flights. I will carry on exploring this in terms of the pricing in comparison to the prices Cathay Pacific offers.