48 Hours in Hong Kong: A Photo Journal

My first trip of the year was to Hong Kong for a weekend to catch Phoenix in concert (which I flailed about here. Best concert everrrr!). It was a short trip but a memorable one. There's something to be said about chill weekend solo trips - there's very little preparation to be made (for this one, it consisted of me cramming my booking for accommodations) and very little luggage to be packed (especially as I didn't pay for check-in luggage).

There's also something very liberating about a no-itinerary trip. There were only three things on my to-do list for this Hong Kong weekender: (1) find the mythical Prada outlet of urban legend; (2) attend the concert; and (3) eat, eat, eat.

Pictures from the trip under the cut. I actually went to Hong Kong again two weeks ago, for another weekender, and maybe I'll post about it soon.

Where is your favorite weekend getaway?

Life in (Flip Flops) Heels: Traveling for Work

Every now and then I would have to trade in my flip flops and my backpack to travel for work, and the experience is quite different from how I would normally travel in my own time (and out of my own pocket): the room accommodations are suddenly too big for one person (especially after having stayed with two friends in a tin can of a hostel in Hong Kong once upon a time. Good times!), and there's just too much concrete and buildings in my surroundings (especially compared to the vast, dusty plains and ancient temples of Bagan). I think there's plenty to like about work trips - for one, they're a great way to meet new people and to learn about how your counterparts in other markets work. There's also something magical about being able to do your work outside of your office - it's nice to be working somewhere else for once instead of on your desk, and sometimes the change in scenery is enough to get some good ideas flowing, as if being in a new place also gives you a new perspective of the work you've been doing.

The following are just a few photos I've taken from the work trips I've taken in my old job, mostly in Singapore and one time in Malaysia. They're a lot different from the photos I usually post here. Have a look!

Snapshots: The Leather Craftsman, Hua Hin, Thailand

We found his shop in a tiny mall on our only night in Hua Hin, Thailand. He sold all these lovely leather goods which he all made by hand. Cool stuff.

Snapshots: Piece of Travel Advice, Archaeology, Power Plant Mall, Philippines

There's so much stuff to buy in the Archaeology section at Power Plant! We passed by to get Happy Lemon and I found these magnets, as well as these super adorable villainous jelly shoes. So want!

Snapshots: Ion Orchard, Singapore

We're on Day 3 of our epic Asia trip for the year! Currently in Kuala Lumpur, getting a breather after our flight from Singapore. We'll be heading out to explore the city later.

Singapore was awesome! We got to go around the city on the first day and went shopping. Many thanks to Rox, our awesome hostess with the mostest, who took us around the city and treated us to great food (it was SO good it made Rissee cry - and I'm not even exaggerating!)! We capped our first night in Singapore by taking on the G-Max Reverse Bungee in Clarke Quay - which was INSANE! Shout-out to Rissee and Tiff who did the ride with me! Thanks for bearing with my unsexy screams. Haha.

On the second day we went to Universal Studios - which was also pretty awesome! A shout-out to Mabz who did the scary roller coaster rides (and the futuristic tea cups - she hates those tea cup rides, haha!) even if it was more than a little against her will. GOOD JOB!

Finally, a trip to Singapore won't be complete without the shopping - and shopping we did! Shout-out to Edell, who shopped her heart out at the Bugis Market and went with me to Cotton On and Rubi - cute 10-dollar flats for the win!

More pictures and updates soon! Heading out to Bali tomorrow. Yay!