Summer retreat at Wakayama

Those of us living in buzzling cities like Hong Kong may seek for either total excitements or total relaxation during their holidays.  With the summer seasons coming, it means the commencement of family trips and summer vacations to beaches and water sports.  But if you cannot stand too much of the heat but at the same time want some of those heat (dilenma!), heading for some quiet places, where you can get in the crowd for a bit of water sports but at the same time relax in the summer breeze, free from the crowds, will be the good choice for you.

Many Asian destinations do offer such relaxing destinations and if you open the magazines of the world, you can just go fairly easily.  But what if you are those picky ones who wants some sort of intense shopping but then relaxing near the sea, Shirahama may be the choice for you.

2 hours of drive or 2.5 hours of trains from Kansai International Airport (or known as Osaka), Shirahama is known to the Japanese as the Queensland of Japan.  White sand beach, beach games, water sports... all of them are well equipped.  Onsens are the hidden treasure in Shirahama where you can relax even in the hot weather in the hot spring baths.  If you are less beach-liking, head for the multiple scenic spots and you will be amazed to how mother-nature creates land, as well as experiencing what bottleneck for incoming water is in a cave!  Food is another aspect which should never be forgotten - Maguro, Abalone, shrimps, etc. are all just some to name in Toretore market.  Plums are renowned in this area for its splendor taste and you can find whatever sorts of flavour to buy home.

Going with a family and worrying that your kids have no where to play?  No worries!  La Foret Nanki Shirahama offers this interesting place for you to relax and play with your children.  Situated on the mountain, this hotel offers the best view for sunset and sunrise, with the hot spring on the top of the building.  The hotel also is equipped with many Snoppys so your little ones will not be bored with their presence.

On the way back to the airport or going to the airport, why not head to Wakayama Castle in Wakayama city and try the local food around.  They are simply the best for you to explore!










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Cathay Pacific offers 3 flights from Hong Kong to Osaka Kansai Airport daily, where you can trasfer to Wakayama or Shirahama by trains or direct bus.
For the younger generations, you might consider taking the midnight flight, arriving at Osaka early in the morning for breakfast and shopping before heading towards Shirahama

A Tasmanian natural hideaway

Having enough of the buzzling cities of the world and wanting some quiet time (or hea in the terms of Hong Kong people) but not leaving too far away from a city, Hobart in Tasmania, Australia may be a good choice for you.  Situated in the southern most part of Australia (in fact it is not even located on the big island with all the kangaroos around), Tasmania offers the best natural treasures and repose sites for you.  Head to the city for a Tasmanian drink or to Port Arthur and see how this used to be a prison is like.  Alternatively, head to the zoo to find the Tasmanian devils or head for a boat (and I mean speed boat!!) along the coast to observe the beautiful rocks and seals around.

Interested for a swim in the summer breeze, the Hotel Grand Chanceller Hobart, the biggest hotel in Hobart, offers the best swimming facility.  A small rectangular pool, it cools down the hot air and comforts that buzzling heart you have down in your heart.  Alternatively, take a stroll out of town to the beaches but do not head to the water for the swim there.  

More hikings and walkings can be done just right outside of town but why not go for a cruise trip and optionally visit the museums around.  Note however that the museum do contain disturbing materials and so children accompanied parents are advised to find for better choices.  

A Tasmanian delight is never the end with some good food around the area.  While the Tasmanians boast the good seafood around the area, the bars there are also gorgeous!  The food there may be a delightful treat as well!  Ask for the market and you will be able to locate those stores!

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Cathay Pacific travels to the International ports of Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide daily where Sydney offers OneWorld Qantas flight to Hobart, Tasmania easily.  Note however that travelers are advised to go to Hobart first before making their way for a stop-over at Sydney.  The connecting flights is better suited for those arriving on a midnight flight and connecting immediately.

Hot Spring summer @ Beppu, Fukuoka

A summer hot spring (onsen) trip may seem to be a little bit weird for some but any Japanese will tell you that the best time to observe views around the onsen village as well as a good time to relax after all those long hours at work. A recent visit to Beppu has exposed me to a brand new feeling. Beppu is approximately 2 hours by local rapid trains. The hotel I stayed is high up in the mountains but access is easy for this hotel offers a shuttle bus, which transports you to and from the station very easily. Alternatively, you may rent a car from Toyota or Nissan and drive around the area. Be it driving or taking a local bus, visiting this famous hot spring area is easy – you can visit what is known to the Japanese as the hells, ride up a gondola all the way up to the top of the mountain and observe the beautiful Beppu Bay and the wonderful nature on top of the hill. Dive into the city centre and shop around the little shops or skip into the next town and see how the marine animals and monkeys are like. One thing about the hotel I stayed at is the beauty at night, including a night water show as well as a beautiful illumination. Flying into Beppu might be a bit tough. International passengers may fly in the international gateway at Fukuoka and change trains to Beppu there. Alternatively, if you can burn the midnight oil, take the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong - Tokyo Narita midnight flight and then transfer to Tokyo Haneda by a shuttle bus (cost 3000 yen) and fly from Tokyo Haneda to Oita. You will then need to take an airport shuttle which then takes you to Beppu. The advantage of flying the midnight flight is that you can enjoy a sushi brunch or even visit Sky Tree before flying to Oita. Of course if you are simply interested in going to Beppu, the quick and easy way is to take the plane to Fukuoka and transfer there.

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Cathay Pacific or DragonAir flies daily (season depending) to Fukuoka, with stops at Taipei. On some days, it will fly directly to Fukuoka. From Fukuoka, you may change to Beppu via train or bus. Alternatively, CX flies 4 times to Tokyo Narita and 2 times to Tokyo Haneda daily, where you can connect through One World alliance Japan Airlines (JAL) to Oita and transfer to Beppu by the Beppu shuttle.

Chinese New Year Hokkaido Trip

Kung Hei Fat Choy to you all and all the best to health. May I wish a prosperous year of the Dragon coming up. So here we are - first stop for 2012 - Hokkaido! This New Year, I have been to Sapporo, Abashiri, Lake Kussaro, and Tokachi. Spectacular snow views and great time for a warm family gathering! I even met people whom I have not seen for 5 years, as well as tour guides that used to bring me along Hokkaido beforehand. I am still in the process of gathering the photos together and the posts will be made shortly.