Sunday, December 29, 2013

Pregio by Barista Caffe, Hong Kong 2013


After browsing Island East Markets, we retreated to Pregio by Barista Caffe for a mid-day caffeine boost. Besides coffee, Pregio also serves up Italian Western meals, but we weren't hungry so we gave the food a miss.


C requested for a cup of siphon coffee while I went for the unusual with a caffe banana (iced coffee mixed with banana). The caffe banana definitely takes some getting used to and I think its best suited to a coffee drinker accustomed to filter coffee because the banana adds on to the acidity of the coffee.

If you are looking for a quiet neighbourhood to retreat from the constant hustle and buzz of Hong Kong, Quarry Bay is that place. Besides Pregio, there are a few other coffee shops and cafes that are gaining quite a name for themselves, Camper's, Espresso Alchemy and Yo Bago. These places are definitely on my list for the next trip!

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Island East Markets, Hong Kong 2013


Island East Markets is Hong Kong's own little farmers' market, taking place every Sunday in Quarry Bay, nestled among the Taikoo Place complex of skyscrapers. Dreamt up by noted Hong Kong food blogger, Janice Leung, Island East Markets has a little of everything for everyone!


Having only one Sunday in Hong Kong (the day that we landed), Island East Markets was a priority on our list of things to see. We arrived way too early for the market, thinking that we could explore the cafes in the area first. Turns out the cafes were all closed too, but we discovered that Taikoo Place houses several public art and we whiled away the time trying to discover them all.


As we were wandering around Taikoo Place, the Island East Markets opened up for business, and people began trickling in. While IEM is on the smaller side, the range of stalls are extensive and are refreshed regularly to prevent visitors' fatigue from the same old stores every week.


Be warned that prices of the food are pricer than street food but they are worth it, with most of them made from organic ingredients or home-made with care. We sampled the yogurt from Sour Times Dairy Company and radish cake from Patchun Foods. Also spotted among the stalls were lobster rolls, wines, cheese, various types of cakes and desserts, handmade fashion and jewellery, and of course, organic produce.

What I enjoyed most about the markets were the diversity of people who visited - expats, locals, kids and the odd tourist (like us) - and the rather odd location of the markets. Quarry Bay is tucked far away from the buzz of Hong Kong, a quiet little residential area that co-exists with Taikoo Place. Having seen Quarry Bay on a Sunday, I wonder what it's like on a Monday.

Monday, December 16, 2013

First Impressions, Hong Kong 2013


Technically I have been to Hong Kong twice already, once as a seven year old and the second time while in transit, I don't remember very much so this trip is really my first proper visit. On our first day, we eased our way into the fabric of Hong Kong, having breakfast at a cha chaan teng (tea restaurant) chain Tsui Wah in our neighbourhood of Tsim Sha Tsui and wandering the sleepy weekend streets of the Quarry Bay neighbourhood.


Hong Kong is at once familiar yet foreign, modern yet traditional. Almost everything - its history, its street names, its transport system, its food, its culture, its high-rise skyline - has a counterpart in Singapore but yet they feel worlds apart. Singapore seems to have dispensed too quickly with the old, everything is about the new while in Hong Kong, the new marches in but the old refuses to be pushed aside.

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Just A Minute, November 2013


I can't quite believe December is here. Can you? Are you like me and don't feel quite ready for the year to end? I guess I have to buckle up and get my to-do lists in order!

Currently | Packing my bags for Bali! We leave tomorrow at 7am!

Watching | Doctor Who 50th Anniversary episode. So mind-blown by it! I also keep re-watching for the interactions between the three doctors. They are adorable together! I am simultaneously excited and dreading the Christmas episode because I don't want Eleven to go!

Reading | Home + Bound.

Enjoying | Spring cleaning. I am determined to start 2014 with a neat desk and a clean room.

Trying | VSCOcam. They finally launched it on the Android platform and I couldn't be happier!

Photograph taken within the first hour of being in Hong Kong

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Coffee at Soho



Rainy mornings are made for hot beverages. I only wish I was taking mine in a cozy cafe, watching the rain pitter patter, rather than at my desk with keyboards going clickety clack. Oh well, we work with what we have.

Photographs taken at Soho Coffee (36 Armenian Street, #01-08)

Monday, December 2, 2013

Relational Goods






A fleeting presence in the neighbourhood of Joo Chiat, Relational Goods has found a new home at Katong V. Here are a few photos to remember the old place by.

Saturday, November 30, 2013

Skyve-ing





Photographs taken at Skyve a few months ago.

It's been a busy Saturday. I crammed in an early morning swim, a visit to the Singapore Art Book Fair, running a children's programme at the museum and a dinner with a friend. Definitely not skiving.

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Textures, Tones and Timbres









Textures, Tones and Timbres: Art by Chong Fahcheong was an exhibition held earlier this year at the NUS Museum. Better known for his iconic sculpture of boys jumping into the Singapore River, Singaporean sculptor Chong Fahcheong presented a set of new works that melds together his journey, his surroundings and the materials he uses.

I loved this exhibition. Because for once, sight is complemented by the ability to touch and to breathe in the scent of the wood.

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Hanoi Randoms, Hanoi 2013








It's easy to see why Hanoi is such a popular destination for tourists all over the world. Good food, good people, good places. You really can't go wrong with this bustling neighbourhood of a city. I already can't wait to go back.

Right now, I am preparing to jump on another flight. This time to Hong Kong! I have been to Hong Kong before but the last time was only for a two-day layover and the time before that, I was seven years old! I am so excited to finally explore this city properly! I will be travelling with C, my partner-in-crime at Coffee Table People. You can be sure we will be hitting up cafes everyday, a cup of coffee or tea perpetually in our hands. Follow along with us on Instagram, we are @coffeetablepeople!

P/S: I had drafted this post before I left for Hong Kong. I actually just got back this morning! I am currently unpacking and sorting out my films, can't wait to see how they turn out!

Friday, November 15, 2013

Twilight in Hanoi, Hanoi 2013












After the heavy rains of the past few days, we were rewarded with a very golden hour in the Old Quarter on our last night.
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