Tea Buffets

I've discovered many HK lifestyle things that don't happen elsewhere, and one of these are tea buffets. So this is what tea time usually looks to me: a drink and a light snack. But many Hong Kong hotels host "tea time buffets", where food is served in super cute and bite sized portions from the times 2-6pm. The variety of food available is insanely huge, where it can cover two meals. Sadly, I went after lunch, so I was unable to consume everything available.

The photos taken here were from: Crowne Plaze Tseung Kwan O's The Chef's Table 尚廚

 Sushi and fancy sandwiches. Buffalo cheese was on point. I mean, who eats sushi during tea time?
We also got a coupon each for a full abalone. Who eats an abalone for tea time? Shark fin soup was also served, which I made a point of avoiding, obviously.

 Desserts table. I think I had more dessert items than anything else. Special recommendation for their green tea creme brulee! It was one of the best things I've ever had, and also something I will attempt to replicate in the future.

 Press button, receive pancake. Anything that comes out of a conveyor belt excites me.

Bonus photo of my second cousin eating noodles

 Verdict: Quality: Overall food was delicious, but I was heavily influenced by its beautiful presentation
Value: Once again treated to another meal in which I did not look at the price. Much apologies.

Photo Ops

 What makes a photo worth taking? Obviously, extreme tourist Aretha sees everything as a photo opportunity, but snaps end up piling onto a photo album and loses its significance. First of all, harbour/skyline/water photos are always perfect vacation backdrops so that's fully validated.

But check out that next shot of the golden cup thingy (properly known as the golden bauhinia square). For all I know, throngs of chinese visitors come and take photos in front of that thing. Yeah, I jumped on the bandwagon, but what's the difference between taking a photo and seeing a professional photo online; saying "yeah, I've been there."? Do landmarks automatically make a good travel photo? I don't think so.

How about this next blurry photo of an unassuming street corner? Honestly, I think it's a much sweeter shot of what HK means to me. Speedy, crowded, and an overall sensory overload. Focusing on a specific object? Ain't nobody got time fo dat!

Here's a dose of more photos taken from the ferry at Tsim Sha Tsui. Cause you know those are valid vacation shots.

Bonus times square bird's eye

Kimchee Korean BBQ

Living in taikoo shing is dining heaven. Surrounded by restaurants, it would take me the whole trip to try everything in my immediate area. Actually, scrap that. Living in Hong Kong is dining heaven.

First restaurant discovery: KimChee 金饍韓國料理

Anyways, it's surprising how all korean barbeques I've had were all you can eat. This a la carte experience gave them a little more liberty to fancy it up. The side dishes consisted of some new things, such as a spiced pickled apple, and pickled wintermelon. And of course, you could not stray from the necessary kimchi.

The meats were served with lettuce for some serious wrap making, and also an array of sauces (which I neglected because everything was so flavourful already!) We ordered a 2 person set meal, so I apologize for not knowing exactly what we ate. 

Also, check out that alternative grill. Chako should really hop on that, to minimize burnt, stuck meats on the searing metal. Check out that alternative ice cream too. They gave us cookies and cream flavour (what? is that even korean?) but I ain't complaining. The date tea was a little anticlimatic, but it's good for you, so I still ain't complaining.

Thoughts and review: The food quality was great, wherein the meats were tender and perfectly marinated. However, the price value was a no no. The bill ended up to about $100cnd for two, which is insanely expensive for kbbq. Would've been reasonable for a 4 persons meal, not this.

Would come again? Probably not.

Thoughts on a plane

Plane rides still never fail to fascinate me. As I hear the engines roar and feel my body pushed back into the seat, adrenaline runs through my veins. Not in a paranoid driven way, but in a "I am casting off to new lands" way. It's fascinating how all the land you could cover on foot becomes a tiny dot, and fades away as you ascend into the clouds.

Speaking of clouds, I realize how much you can appreciate them up close. Seemingly large solid masses in the sky, all but just droplets of water having a friendly congregation.  However, they do become a little less friendly when you try to force your way through them. Cloud turbulence, one of my favourite sensations. Watch yourself enter the bowels of said clouds, all the while thinking of "zero gravity" physics problems. (You actually experience no normal force, gravity is always acting!)

And of course, you can't have a food oriented blog without food right? There's something inexplicably cute about airplane meals.  Yeah, yeah, it's not your traditional gourmet fare, but eating a four course meal that come in miniature portions? How about dining over the polar icecaps? Priceless.

A 15+ hour airplane ride might be exhausting, but there are moments that just struck my as oh so sweet. Kicking back with a book and a drink, while zooming through the atmosphere, not bounded by roads or fences. That is what make plane rides beautiful.

Homebase and Identity

The very first post here is not about the act of travel, but more about my identity and its relationship with travel. (skip if you don't want to read a personal post)

I am a veteran of family vacations: Tokyo, Seoul, Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Nanjing, Chicago, Florida, Shanghai, Macao, Quebec City, Washington.etc,

But there are 3 cities my heart lingers on: Toronto, Hong Kong, and Montreal.

No matter where I am, I try to present myself as culturally different. 

Attitudes in Montreal:

Being at McGill made me realize how much there is in the world for me to experience. It makes no sense, but it's like I'm trying to impress others who I perceive as exotic. As I'm surrounded by people who are racially different than me, I form much of my identity from Hong Kong influences. Am I really to represent Canadian culture in a place where everyone is either more canadian or new to canada? 

Montreal is a very dynamic, a bustling hub of culture and activity. The city with more restaurants per capita than anywhere else, it's basically culinary heaven if you have the funds to support it.

Honestly, the cost of living in terms of food here is much higher than anywhere else. I break the bank by buying food that is exclusively on sale.

And let's not forget about the nightlife. any young adult can find reason to party it up, any day of the week. St. Laurent, Crescent Street, you've got it all.

Attitudes in Toronto:

Born and raised in Scarborough, this is where everything I am today came from.

Speaking of Montreal culture, my identity in Toronto is now formed around my Montreal influences.

With my friends and family, I present myself as more "party" and "prestigious". Even though I'm not a fan of drinking or the prestige of McGill. 

Specifically, I will talk about Scarborough cause dt Toronto is not the same.

Scarborough is a tame little place. We have great restaurants, great people, and just everything you need to survive as an asian canadian.

Lacking in international flair, but got its very own distinct character. 

Attitudes in Hong Kong:

Thanks for reading up to here. Because here we reach the important point.

Having spent so little time, I'm not exactly entitled to include it in my hometowns, right?

Thats why I was so desperate to living in HK this summer. I wanted to truly be in touch of the place I so often identify with. It's a place of miracles for me. The superb subway system, the insane selection of places to eat, the very definition of concrete jungle. And I want all of it.

Living alone would be a whole new HK experience for me. If I ever wanted to move back there someday, this is what I'll be getting. 9-5 hours, cooking meals, dealing with fancy clothes in scorching heat.

Aretha Chan signing off for blog initiation. See you back here in a month.