Gone Down Under - La Perouse

We discovered this little gem in Sydney, La Perouse, surrounded by clear waters with beautiful views and great spots for picnics, fishing trips (locals catch not only fish on the rocks but also shellfish and octopus). It's not only famous for it's historical site but also for its scuba diving area around the La Perouse peninsula and the Bare Island with numerous dive sites, some of which extend to over 19 metres in depth. 

It's one of the best scuba diving sites in NSW with a very extensive reef coverage. If you'll like to dive in and swim next to rich marine life then this is the right spot for you with sightings of the Weedy Sea Dragon, Red Indianfish, Pygmy Pipefish and Big Belly Seahorses as well as all the normal schools of fish found in other Sydney dive sites.

Last time we went fishing at La perouse, we caught two breams (one 29cm and the other 32cm long). You'll find there are several fishing spots around La Perouse, but here's a tip for fishing there: don't go without proper rock shoes with good grip as it is damn slippery and the waves' swell can easily wipe you down to your ass if you are not careful.

If you're up for some adrenaline pumping through your veins, there is a bridge between La perouse and a small island named Bare Island where Yangpo went to cool off in the hot sweltering summer and jumped from the bridge into the sea! Warning: the drop is maybe 6 to 8m. He loved it though - dangerous but exciting.

We've shot a short video of the beautiful surroundings at La Perouse to give you something to look forward to on your next trip and check out where we think are the best picnic spots, scenic lookouts, and parking lot ;)

Fun fact - several scenes from Mission Impossible 2 was shot at La Perouse.

Taiwan - a gourmet food paradise

After Tibet and Si Chuan, the next place I would like to recommend is a real gourmet food paradise - Taiwan.

It is a state in East Asia where the nationalist government of China settled in 1949. It is called the Republic of China, also called Taiwan, which is a country comprising the island of Taiwan and nearby islands Fujian. The Chinese Nationalist government (Kuomintang) moved to Taiwan after the Communist armed force took over the capital of Beijing. Currently, the Chinese Nationalist government governs Taipei, the capital of Taiwan.

I was 17 years old when I travelled to Taiwan.  Other than the environment, people, culture aspects that I liked, one thing that I can never forget even now is Taiwan Cuisine.

Here's a few of my favourite Taiwanese snacks:

Chelun Bing (pancake influenced by Japan)

Pancake batter is poured into hot-metallic molds and gets quickly cooked into small cakes of various shapes. Countless variations exist. Sometimes the cakes have fillings ranging from cream, red bean paste, to peanut butter. Similar to Imagawayakii or Taiyaki

stinky tofu

Stinky tofu is a popular local food in Taiwan and many other Chinese regions such as Hong Kong and Shanghai. It is called as “Stinky tofu” because of its strong unpleasant odour. Back in the Qing dynasty, Stinky to-fu was already a dish in the royal family’s meal. Besides, it is also one of the favourite food of the Empress Cixi. Stinky tofu can generally be classified into two main kinds, which are soft stinky to-fu  and dried stinky tofu.

Candied Crabapples

Red candy coated bite-sized fruits served on a stick. Sometimes the crabapples are stuffed with preserved plums, and then candied. Cherry tomatoes and strawberries are also used.

Baobing

Baobing - Finely shaven ice with a variety of toppings (peanuts, fruit, azuki beans, sweetened corn, and so on). Sometimes served drizzled with condensed milk.

Getting a little hungry? Taiwan's your next place on your itinerary!

Hong Kong Essentials - tips on where to shop

For those planning to travel to Hong Kong and wanting to check our the shopping scene, this is for you.

If you're a keen shopper who...
- prefers the indoors and air con but only have a few days staying in HK then you're in for a treat with the long list of huge shopping malls and many are located on top of a metro train station. However, my personal favourite places to shop would be New Town Plaza in Sha Tin (one of HK's largest shopping malls) from Zara, H&M to other fashion labels, supermarkets and my fav restaurants + added bonus? It's home to Snoopy World - your new profile pic's cool background ;) Causeway Bay - Times Square (beware of skipping floors in elevators and lifts) and Tsim Sha Tsui - with high ceilings and extravagant decorations and tastes.

Times Square, Causeway Bay

- prefers wandering down the streets experiencing the bustling traffic and peoplescape, then you've got so much to explore! From the busy streets of Mong Kok (it's my MUST GO TO place as I think a HK trip without walking, shopping and eating Mong Kok does not count as a visit to HK at all) where the neon bathed historic district has streets dedicated to selling goldfish, flowers, birds, sneakers and the most famous Ladies Markets (MUST check out!) which sells anything from fruit, snacks, t-shirts to jewellery and awesome little gadgets. 

What's next on the list after Mong Kok? Perhaps Aplui Flea markets may fancy you for all kinds of electronic, bits and pieces (if your looking for spare parts this is your place to be) 

or maybe even check out the wet markets for an interesting insight to how the locals shop for their seriously fresh groceries. The vibrant colours of all kinds of veggies, chooks are clucking alive, so are the swimming fish and crabs + much more... 

That's it for today! Look out for next week's guide on more places to visit and what's a must do in HK.

Orlando - the Theme Park Capital of the World

Orlando is a city in the US and popular city for the tourist destination. This city popular with its theme park. Therefore, this city also called The Theme Park Capital of the World. Those attraction is the backbone of the tourism industry, and therefore you would want to spend more than three days exploring the city. Interesting fact about Orlando is that it ranks fourth for the most popular American city on where people want to live in. 

Highlights

Universal Islands of Adventure

Explore world of blockbuster movies, books, and tales in real life adventure. You will find be in Marvel Superhero Island, Toon Lagoon, Jurassic Park, The Lost Continent, Seuss Landing, and favourite of all, Wizarding World of Harry Potter. This site is great for adults and kids.

Universal Studio Florida

an amazing array of rides, shows and attractions which make you the star, putting you right in your favorite scenes from your favorite movies and TV shows. From the Simpsons ride to Man in Black Alien Attack, and the latest one is Transformer the ride 3D. 

Discovery Cove

Immerse yourself in the experiences of Dolphin Swim, Freshwater Oasis, Sea Venture, the Grand Reef,  and Wind-away River. It is a place beyond world, a place you can enjoy and relax. 

Magic Kingdom Park

Once upon a time, you hope that all your dream could come true. Thanks to these classic attractions, enchanting fireworks, musical parades, and beloved Disney Characters across 6 whimsical lands, your fairytale dream is finally coming true. 

Legoland Florida

It's time for the family fun and also for those lego lovers! There are more than 50 rides, shows and attractions and the all-new water park. 

Destination Indonesia

Bali

Bali is also the largest tourist destination in Indonesia and is renowned for its highly developed arts, including traditional and modern dance, sculpture, painting, leather,metalworking, and music. A tourist haven for decades, the province has seen a further surge in tourist numbers in recent years.

Destination

The main tourist locations are the town of Kuta (with its beach), and its outer suburbs of Legian and Seminyak (which were once independent townships), the east coast town of Sanur (once the only tourist hub), in the center of the island Ubud, to the south of the Ngurah Rai international airport, Jimbaran, and the newer development of Nusa Dua and Pecatu

Kuta

Sanur

Nusa Dua

Accommodation 

There are various hotels and resorts in bali. most of them are near the beach. 

Below are the list of resorts in Bali

Mulia Resort

Conrad

Things to do in Bali

There are a lot of water sports activity you can do. Banana boat is one of the most popular water sports in the country. Normally, a banana boat can have up to 8 peoples. You can experience flying experience if you ride flying fish.  

Flying Fish

Banana Boat

Diving

Snorkling

Himeji Castle

Angela here!

This time, I'll talk about a place I really want to visit: Himeji Castle. It's situated in Himeji (duh), Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. It is known as "White Egret Castle" because its beautiful white walls look like a soaring white egret. It is widely recognised as Japan's most spectacular castle.  Unlike many other Japanese castles, Himeji Castle was never destroyed in wars, earthquakes or fires and survives in its original form. It is both a national treasure and a UNESCO world heritage site.

The castle property, situated on a hill summit, covers 107 hectares and comprises eighty-two buildings. It is centred on the Tenshu-gun, a complex made up of the donjon (somewhat of a tower), keeps and connecting structures that are part of a highly developed system of defence and ingenious protection devices dating from the beginning of the Shogun period. The castle functioned continuously as the centre of a feudal domain for almost three centuries, until 1868 when the Shogun fell and a new national government was created.The grounds of the castle are also ideal for bird-watching, since swans, seagulls, and other species inhabit the area. 

Himeji Castle Donjon

Himeji Castle Walls

Corridors

Gallery displays inside the Himeji Castle

Sadly there are no ninjas at Himeji. I would've like to see one, unless I allow my imagination to take over and pretend that I was scurrying up the ladders in the castle fending off attack from the enemy…Other people will probably think I'm weird

Anyway that's all about the Himeji Castle!

Until next time!

Angela out!