Changing Life, Changing Space

White January II

2012-01-31T20:15:00.003-08:00

It's fun to be out when it's white all round. And it's a tat romantic too, two of us, arm in arm, strolling slow ahead with that soft, powdery touch below our feet...

White January I

2012-01-31T20:13:00.001-08:00

The winter finally came in full force in the middle of January, and we had a week of sub-zero temperatures. But this meant quite a thick coat of snow - and beautiful whiteness all round.

My honeyest is looking really cute here!

Out with my cutie

2012-01-27T21:35:00.005-08:00

We welcomed the new year doing what we always did - that is going for a stroll and doing some shopping.

And my honeyest is looking cuter by the day, I must say!

Enjoying our 'warm' winter day

2012-01-27T21:12:00.004-08:00

There have been several nice sunny days this winter. Several weeks back, we were out enjoying the 'warmth' before sub-zero temps set in!

龍年到！

2012-01-23T20:25:00.002-08:00

新年快樂! 祝大家身體安康，心想事成，萬事如意！

To cross the ocean...

2012-01-07T22:59:00.001-08:00

"You can never cross the ocean unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore" - via Julian Bialowas

Cambie Street

2012-01-03T22:48:00.002-08:00

A street we crossed umpteenth times without stopping to admire its beauty, until about a month ago. It truly is gorgeous, those buildings backed by those mountains, basking in the sunlight. Another gem of a sight in Vancouver, beautiful because of its ordinariness.

你和我...

2012-01-03T22:43:00.001-08:00

...甜甜的。

Hello 2012

2011-12-31T22:08:00.003-08:00

It was a beautiful day, with bright sunny breaks, and the streets were surprisingly not crowded. It didn't feel like we were on the cusp of a new year. A new year in which we'll both embrace changes and challenges together; a new year in which we'll enjoy each other's support and love; a new year in which we'll shape the future on our terms.

Happy 2012!

Soaking up the rays

2011-12-30T23:06:00.002-08:00

A bright morning, on the way to catch the bus. The sun sure does lift the spirits!

Magical winter evening

2011-12-30T22:50:00.004-08:00

A random stroll in the winter can be a magical experience - the quiet, crisp air and gorgeous hues, they combine so gracefully, to stimulate and to soothe.

Just like a little girl...

2011-12-29T20:53:00.003-08:00

Out with my Girl a week ago; just love her smiles and energy when she gets all excited!

The next time you buy something...

2011-12-27T16:15:00.000-08:00

...say no to wastage.
...say no to consumer debt.
...say no to crass materialism.

*****

A great campaign to reduce wasteful consumerism by the European Commission called Generation Awake. Something we should all think about every time we step into the malls.

Merry Christmas

2011-12-25T17:35:00.008-08:00

Sometimes, pleasant surprises appear when you least expect them to. This Christmas, we woke up to a surprise call from Sean, then the heavy rain stopped rather abruptly, giving way to mild and warm sunshine. Which meant we could go out, enjoy a stroll to the beach, and...

...contemplate with greater clarity what kind of future we want for us. Merry Christmas.

It's out!

2011-12-23T10:45:00.003-08:00

This morning I went online and discovered, to my pleasant surprise, that my new article in the prestigious Journal of Economic Geography has been posted online. This really makes for a great Christmas present!

Home together

2011-12-16T22:09:00.002-08:00

Lovin' it at home, together.

The doing that matters

2011-12-05T16:26:00.003-08:00

The difference between dreams and reality is a fine line. I am thankful I found the courage not just to dare; by doing, we are moving on an adventure forward.

Enjoying the sun

2011-12-01T23:02:00.003-08:00

Bright sunshine's a precious commodity in November, so we thoroughly enjoyed a shopping trip out to Kitsilano a few days back when, lo and behold, the sun came out after several days of rain. And I think Girl look really gorgeous basking in the warm rays!

Black Friday weekend bonanza

2011-12-01T22:45:00.004-08:00

Black Friday's a huge shopping event in the US and increasingly so in Canada. Last weekend we managed to snag some good deals in Richmond Centre. Girl's so in love with her MAC lipstick! And now, she has just applied the new fragrance she got from The Body Shop. Smells great!

Quick stop, delicious meal

2011-11-30T23:00:00.002-08:00

Sometimes a little bit of KFC makes a good lunch. We were in Richmond Centre for a short visit last week and decided to tuck into those crispy chicken and golden fries. Mmmmmmmm....

Pizza lunch

2011-11-30T22:54:00.002-08:00

A week ago, Girl made a superb potato salad as side dish to go along a thin crusted pizza for lunch. Tasted really great!

Seattle & Friday Harbor

2011-11-29T23:01:00.008-08:00

Two Saturdays ago I went down to the University of Washington in Seattle to meet up with my colleagues before setting off for a workshop at San Juan island. I had to leave home very early in the morning, and I wasn't used to travelling alone - Girl has always been travelling with me for the past four years. The main comfort I got was the food she prepared for me, which I carried with me the whole trip in a plastic bag.

I arrive in downtown Seattle just before lunchtime, and there was this anti-capitalism protest. Imagine this in what is arguably the most capitalist economy in the world. Hmm.

After a quick lunch I made my way to the University of Washington. It was a gorgeous campus, lined with beautiful old buildings and broad boulevards. I gave Girl a call, got coffee, then joined up with my colleagues. That evening, we made our way to Friday Harbor.

This was my bed in the cabin at Friday Harbor, San Juan island, where we spent a Sunday having a workshop. The weather was chilly, but the setting was picturesque and cosy, very ideal to sit around and discuss ideas.

On Monday morning, we left Friday Harbor and by lunchtime I was back in Vancouver. It felt great to be home by Girl's side again - and I had some little gifts from Seattle for Girl!

Getting fitted

2011-11-29T22:47:00.001-08:00

Girl was trying out these two jackets in Zara several days back - which one fits her best? Hmm, I hope she decides to get one of them!

Light snow in the morning

2011-11-28T23:32:00.007-08:00

A week ago, Vancouver had the first overnight snowfall of the season. While it was a light dusting, we were still excited to see the snow on our way out. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...

First snowfall this season

2011-11-17T21:36:00.003-08:00

We had just gotten off the bus and thought it would be a wet walk home in the light rain...when it suddenly snowed. It was nice to be out there experiencing the first snowfall of the fall/winter season!

Yaletown

2011-11-11T22:09:00.005-08:00

Vancouver's full of quiet streets and small, beautiful parks - we had a good time strolling along Yaletown two days ago, an area we haven't really explored.

One evening, after the rain...

2011-11-11T22:00:00.003-08:00

One evening, after the rain, he asked her out for dinner; holding her tight, in the early darkness, they strolled along the usual quiet lane, towards a warm meal together.

A day out

2011-11-11T21:50:00.002-08:00

A day out to Ikea to get new bedsheets for us; cold weather, warm company.

Splendid spaghetti

2011-11-11T21:33:00.001-08:00

Last weekend, we went to Safeway to do some grocery shopping, after which Girl made us a feast of spaghetti with beef balls and prawns. It was a delicious dinner, thanks Girl!

A little haul for Girl

2011-11-10T21:41:00.009-08:00

Over a week ago, we went downtown to pick up Girl's beautiful bag. I'm glad they have it in stock, as it looks really good on her. We then went for dinner in Richmond, after which we spotted a Tsubaki hair care set. Girl must have it!

Back on our cosy bed, Girl began unveiling her lovely bag, before going on to try out the new Tsubaki hair oil after showering. I'm very happy she likes her little haul!

那一刻

2011-11-10T21:10:00.003-08:00

幾天前，秋雨過後，天慢慢轉晴，陽光帶出了秋葉的五彩繽紛；我們就站在車站前，遙望遠處的彩虹，感覺那一刻，就是美麗。

（想再）約你去吃飯

2011-10-28T20:50:00.011-07:00

看著最近和你乘地鐵去用餐的照片，我很想對你說，你好漂亮。從你的笑容，我看到的，是一棵美麗的心。

＊＊＊＊＊

和你共享美食，幸福無比－明天可以在約你嗎？

When the Fall colours become truly beautiful

2011-10-28T16:39:00.008-07:00

From our house, the Fall colours are clearly apparent. It's a beautiful time of the year, and all the more so if you get the chance to stroll along the malls and lanes amidst the yellows and reds with your beloved partner.

And, indeed, the colors are truly attractive because I have Girl's hand on mine; her company is what brings out the beauty of these moments.

真心；美味

2011-10-27T22:31:00.003-07:00

她的真心，獻出的，是無窮的美味。

一步一步，尋找我們的藍天

2011-10-25T23:12:00.004-07:00

[...]

我要一步一步往上爬　等待陽光靜靜看著它的臉
小小的天有大大的夢想
重重的殼裹著輕輕的仰望

我要一步一步往上爬　在最高點乘著葉片往前飛
小小的天，流過的淚和汗　
總有一天我有屬於我的天

*****

謝謝你今天播了這首歌，給了我很大的鼓勵。我會好好的努力，總有一天我們會有屬於我們的藍天。

Getting bubbly

2011-10-24T11:39:00.002-07:00

There's a bubble tea store in Richmond (run by a Taiwanese family I think) that serves some of the most delicious green milk tea we've tasted. We're lovin' it!

Celebrating being together

2011-10-20T23:02:00.011-07:00

The biggest gift of being together is to be able to share different kinds of moments with each other. On this day, on our fourth wedding anniversary, I expressed my gratitude and love to my wife with a simple message - my heart will always be with her, as solid as gold.

We celebrated our anniversary with dinner at Richmond. It was simple but delicious fare; the warm feeling of sharing a meal together was the essence of this special day.

Happy anniversary, my dearest wife. I love you.

Summer lookback

2011-10-15T10:39:00.008-07:00

Now, as the weather turns colder, it's interesting to look back at the brightness and warmth of the summer, and Girl in her lovely new H&M summer dress. It almost seems like another era away.

And Girl has become a beauty insider!

Living up to my values

2011-10-13T22:56:00.002-07:00

"If you can live up to your values, I'll be happy for you".

The image of your happiness is in my mind - it'll motivate me to be a better man.

Putting principles before personality

2011-10-12T17:02:00.006-07:00

Today I realized the importance of putting principles before personality; that principles are the primary foundations of the way I live my life and how I treat others.

There are so many instances where I've done wrong before because my principles were shaky, if at all in place. I'll try my best to be more resolute, to follow the right principles. Seeing the joy on the faces of all those who support my quest to do better is my best motivation.

Our celebrations

2011-10-10T22:12:00.007-07:00

Early this morning, I got news that I've got a manuscript accepted by Journal of Economic Geography, one of the top-ranked global journals in Geography and Economics. This is such excellent news!

And I was very happy to see Girl opening up her early 'surprise' wedding anniversary gift - our wedding ceremony was held on 20 Oct four years ago. To have and to hold, is what I hope both of us will continue to seek in each other. Girl, my love for you will be never full.

We went out to Richmond Centre to have a small celebration - and in the process I got myself a new Mac book. It's indeed a day of wonderful news, and together with Girl's love and unrelenting support, I am now more motivated to work harder!

Is autumn in the air?

2011-09-21T21:00:00.008-07:00

Over the past week the temeratures dipped and the air has become cool and crisp; there are more periods of light rain; and there are stronger hints of red yellow or red amongst the green foliage. It's about time to bring out our jackets and hoodies...

An evening stroll a few days ago, on the way to the Asian Garden:

Entering the Asian Garden - a small but very elegant garden:

"In summer, the song sings itself"

2011-09-21T15:50:00.014-07:00

In Vancouver, the saying "In summer, the song sings itself" is really apt. Being out means taking in glorious colors; the cheerful everyday landscapes seem to be jumping out at you. This is our album for the season!

En route to sending a thank you letter for my recent award:

Shopping trip downtown:

Lunch and then grocery shopping in Richmond:

Around our neighborhood, in the morning:

And the little park across the road (it's late summer and some leaves are turning red!):

A little imagination and love will do

2011-09-17T21:00:00.003-07:00

Eating at home can be very enjoyable - a little imagination and love often lead to delicious meals, such as these couple of noodle lunches during the past month:

New comforts

2011-09-17T20:55:00.002-07:00

Our little shopping haul arrived recently, new scarves, tops and face care, just in time for Fall. Now Girl's got new stuff for her beauty corner!

Home feasts

2011-08-13T22:27:00.006-07:00

More than a week ago we bought a chicken grilled with lemon and herbs from the supermarket and had a dinner feast at home. It was absolutely delicious! (And looking at the photos now make us feel like buying it again soon...)

And to celebrate my fellowship award, Girl made beef burgers for lunch today - the mix of fresh beef, onions, tomatoes, yellow potatoes, gourmet buns and cream of chicken soup made for a sumptuous feast! Thanks Girl!

Bright morning

2011-08-13T22:09:00.008-07:00

On our usual way to the supermarket this morning, we took it slow and stopped by to admire the beautiful flowers that are in full blossom. They look so pretty and happy, we couldn't help but be cheered up.

And we love this path through the woods - it makes every every walk to the supermarket an enjoyable experience in itself.

Day out in the sun

2011-08-12T21:39:00.001-07:00

We were in town for a short while this morning, it was a glorious summer day and great to be out. But then, there are now hints of autumn approaching, as some leaves begin to change their colors...

Fellowship

2011-08-11T21:28:00.003-07:00

Yesterday I got news that I was awarded a new fellowship for the coming year. I was very surprised but happy with the news, and really, there are many people I have to thank for being so supportive of me for the past two years. Right at the top is my dearest wife Stephanie, who is always so positive, so patient and so encouraging. Thank you honey dearest darling!

Summer snaps

2011-07-19T16:53:00.010-07:00

It's been a pleasant summer so far, with temperatures under 20degC, making it very comfortable to be indoors or outdoors. Here're some summer snapshots!

A few weeks ago, we went out and got a whole load of veggies to make kimchi at home - it tasted fabulous:

And Girl made Korean tuna kimbap with miso soup as a side for dinner during one warm evening (we've been eating around 8pm, as the sun sets after 9):

And one gorgeous afternoon, we strolled across the Granville Bridge into town:

View of False Creek from the downtown side of Granville Bridge:

Girl and me, waiting for the train to Richmond:

And here's Girl all excited with her whole range of Shiseido Tsubaki shampoo - it's great to be able to get it here, at very reasonable prices:

Escaping completely, Ketchikan, Victoria & Seattle

2011-06-17T17:32:00.001-07:00

When we opened our windows the morning after leaving Glacier Bay, we saw the gorgeous mountains surrounding the southern Alaskan city of Ketchikan, basking in the sunshine. The sheer tranquility of the area was really captivating.

Then it was off for breakfast - the thick slice of smoked salmon tasted fantastic, it went so well with congee. After we had our fill - the food at the Horizon Court was ever so splendid - we decided to hang out on the deck instead of going down into town, as we had just visited a year ago.

It was actually quite interesting to look at the town from another vantage point, especially when the weather was glorious for the entire morning:

Coming back to our room, with warm water and snacks:

The last full day of our cruise was spent sailing west of Vancouver Island, southwards towards Victoria, the capital of British Columbia.

I was having an apple snack with tea on our balcony, watching the Golden Princess enter the Juan de Fuca Strait (which separates Vancouver Island from the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State, located right across from where I was sitting; first photo below), when Girl came out:

Approaching Victoria (at the south of Vancouver Island, BC) in the evening, with the majestic Mt. Baker (located in Washington State, USA; first photo below) rising in the background:

We took a slow, leisurely stroll into Victoria downtown. The architecture of the buildings, which include the current British Columbia Parliament House, reflect the strong British heritage of this city. The downtown harbour was a very romantic site to spend an evening. By around ten, we were back on the ship, as it prepared to make its way south, through Puget Sound, to Seattle, where we would conclude our cruise.

After disembarking at Seattle, we strolled from the pier, through a local park along the coast, to the downtown bus station. We found a nice spot to have a picnic lunch along the way! It was nice to experience another side of Seattle before we got on to the Greyhound, bound for Vancouver.

We felt quite tired as we got on the bus, and it was good just to laze and watch the rural scenery flow by. Luckily the traffic was smooth after we crossed into Canada, and by dinner time we were back in our cosy home in Vancouver.

Escaping completely, Glacier Bay

2011-06-09T21:39:00.020-07:00

The Golden Princess arrived at Glacier Bay early on our fifth morning, and the first sights we saw right after waking were the fjords and melting ice very close to our balcony, they were mesmerizing. And it was great that our cabin was right at the front of the ship, we could see the entire bay in front of us!

We were very excited to catch the first glimpse of Margerie Glacier, one of the glaciers we would come up close to from the ship. Unsurprisingly, the viewing deck was very crowded when we got up.

And as the ship moved closer, the view of the Margerie Glacier got more stunning. Every now and then, an overhanging ice structure would fall into the sea!

It began to rain quite heavily and we thought it might be better to get back to our half-covered balcony and look at the glacier as the ship made a turn. Oh, it was good to have some dessert to top off the experience!

Soon we were sailing off to view the Lamplugh Glacier:

And as the ship turned from Lamplugh Glacier, we were moving southwards, leaving Glacier Bay for Ketchikan. The morning visit was short but intense - we were happy to be able to marvel at a landscape that is at once harsh and yet breathtakingly beautiful.

Escaping completely, Skagway

2011-06-07T14:26:00.003-07:00

After cruising overnight from Juneau, the Golden Princess arrived in Skagway, a small town situated at the end of Lynn Canal, the deepest - and extremely picturesque - fjord in North America. We were very excited about visiting Skagway, as we didn't come up here last year. Given that Skagway is located north of Juneau, we thought it might still be quite cold, but as we got off the ship, the converse proved to be true - the weather was warmer than it was in Vancouver, especially when the sun was out, and it was perfect to stroll around without any thick jackets.

Despite its remote location and rough physical terrain, Skagway was a rail hub during the historic Klondike gold rush era in the Alaskan-Yukon region. Today, quite amazingly, the trains still run regularly from Skagway through steep mountains (known as the 'White Pass') to the border area with Canada's Yukon province.

We soon strolled into the main town area. Beautifully conserved, it sure retains a wild frontier feel, although only an approximate 900 people now live here permanently.

Around noon, the sunshine was pretty harsh, and we decided to stroll back to the ship for lunch and then relax the afternoon away - with snacks, of course! - in our cabin.

Just before dinner, on the top deck:

As we were having dinner, the Golden Princess sailed out of Skagway and began to cruise southwards along the Lynn Canal. From our balcony, the darkening blue skies and steep mountains along the waterway looked absolutely majestic. Given that the climate is harsh most of the year, it's amazing that there are people who love to live in the region. We went past Haines, a small community along the Lynn Canal, located right below several towering mountains (fourth photo below). It was quite a stimulating sight, the township looked so small against the mountains, it encapsulated our inherent smallness within the natural environment.

The evening sailing along the Lynn Canal marked the beginning of the trip's highlight, as we were right in the heart of intense glacial activity. The next day, we would be in Glacier Bay, probably one of the most beautiful natural attractions in the world.

Celebration

2011-03-08T19:49:00.006-08:00

We celebrated a special occasion this evening with a sumptuous red salmon belly-kimchi-avocado dinner at home because I got a new paper accepted by the journal Antipode. Girl put her heart into preparing the dinner (with a special sauce!) to mark this joyous event. Without her support and love, it would not be possible to enjoy this achievement. Thank you dearest honey oats princess!

Powder-full!

2011-02-27T21:36:00.011-08:00

It seemed as if the snow accumulated overnight, and we woke to find the whole area still looking cheerfully white. Right after breakfast, we decided to go out and enjoy the snowscape, en route to the grocery store.

Isn't the snow-bear cute? And kids were out snowboarding down the short slopes!

Whole soccer fields were covered in snow too - now I know why the Premier League grounds have underground heating! But, this morning, we certainly didn't mind the snow cover - it felt therapeutic just to walk along and admire the snowy scenery.

It's cold; it's beautiful

2011-02-27T21:03:00.005-08:00

We went out to Richmond yesterday morning. The winter season's not over, and a cold snap had hit Vancouver for several days, sending temperatures below the freezing mark. However, we still enjoyed the stroll to the bus terminal.

Just shortly after we got home in the afternoon, it began to snow! It was most unexpected, because this time last year there was hardly snow in the mountains, let alone in the lower mainland. We weren't complaining, however, because the neighborhood always glittered in white whenever it snowed. And we were out strolling after dinner, until the strong winds told us it's better to go back home and have a hot cup of Horlicks!

Up at Mt. Seymour!

2011-02-12T20:10:00.013-08:00

Girl woke up early this cold and wet morning to prepare special lunch boxes for us - we were to go to Mount Seymour in North Vancouver to enjoy a morning in the snow.

It was raining quite heavily when we set off, and the precipitation transfomed into heavy snow as the bus reached higher elevations.While it rarely snows in the Vancouver lower mainland, it's a different climate altogether up in the alpine moutains just under an hour's drive away - it snows throughout winter, which made the snow depth thick at this time of the season. After arriving, we collected our snowshoes and the fun began - we were to embark on a trek around the mountain.

Walking in the alpine forest is an amazing form of interaction with nature, especially when the fog adds a certain mystique to the surroundings and the snow falls heavily. It's just all white around you; the vision ahead a blur; the only sound silence.

We were quite tired - and very cold! - when we returned to the starting point, but we thought it was really an experience of a lifetime. Even now, in the comfort of our warm room, it's still unbelievable to think that a totally different, naturally-pristine world exists so near to where we stay.

Vegetable & seafood stew

2011-02-11T19:19:00.004-08:00

We had Korean-styled vegetable and seafood pepper stew (squid, mushrooms, onions, potatoes) for dinner this evening. It was a fitting dish to celebrate a recent award I won, and we had reason to bring out the beer!

Makilicious

2011-02-09T21:52:00.004-08:00

Late dinner. Girl's sushi. Freshly made from her kitchen. Mmmmmmm....

Korean rice balls

2011-02-09T18:41:00.003-08:00

This morning we went to the Korean supermarket downtown to get ingredients for Girl's kitchen. Girl's menu for the week ahead reads something like 'Superlicious Seoul'.

And she got cracking right after lunch. First up, Korean rice balls.

Later on, I joined in the fun!

And after a while, ta da, we have a plate of freshly-prepared, assorted Korean rice balls. Sweet!

Kimchi stew

2011-02-09T18:27:00.003-08:00

Two days ago, Girl parepared kimchi stew. Simply kimchi, pork, mushrooms, chicken wings, onions, put together; simply delicious.

Kimchi - made in our kitchen

2011-02-05T20:57:00.004-08:00

How do you make Korean kimchi that tastes fresh and is free of any preservatives? Probably the best way is to do it yourself, as we found out. We went to get the ingredients for kimchi this afternoon and Girl was right to work in her kitcen after we got back.

By dinner time, I tasted the best kimchi ever - a perfect blend of fish sauce, garlic, ginger, flour, onion, cabbage and, most importantly, Girl's dedication to making good food for us. Long after the taste has dissipated from my mouth, the flavour remains in my heart.

Salmon feast

2011-02-05T20:50:00.003-08:00

Two days ago, we bought two big pieces of wild sockeye salmon at the supermart. We bought a six-pack of Granville Island Honey Lager yesterday morning to go along with the fish. Girl then prepared a super delicious dinner of baked salmon, complete with freshly fermented pickles she made earlier. It's home-made goodness!

CNY prep

2011-02-02T21:16:00.003-08:00

For the past week, we've been buying ingredients to prepare for a CNY feast. Girl put together most of the ingredients, while I had a hand in stirring the good stuff. We also got new pillows yesterday, it's important to sleep well and they're really comfortable!

We had our own reunion dinner at home - and it's also our third anniversary tonight! It was cold outside and the hot chicken soup and black fungus sea cucumber warmed us up really well. The most elaborate celebration is to change into new pyjamas, get cosy in our room, and look forward to the new year of the Rabbit. Happy New Year!

這雨天，Aberdeen Centre

2011-01-29T21:51:00.005-08:00

It's always a joy to visit Richmond, what with the variety of Asian food to buy. Today, we visited Aberdeen Centre, so named after the Aberdeen district in Hong Kong. Once inside, one might be forgiven for thinking s/he is indeed in Causeway Bay - the whole shopping centre is filled with possibly the most elaborate Chinese New Year decorations in Vancouver, all ready to usher in the 'Rabbit' year.

Perhaps the most authentic cultural form in Aberdeen Centre is the food! HK-styled noodles prepared by Hong Kongers. I simply love the pork blood (too bad it's banned in Singapore, a dish I've always missed), while Girl had her fill of HK curry fish balls! Just the best way to brighten up the rainy day!

Glorious whiteness

2011-01-13T18:11:00.014-08:00

The neighborhood was clothed in a coat of white yesterday morning, so right after breakfast, we decided to take a stroll in the area. It was hard to imagine how the snow could give the whole area a different look - and a glorious one at that.

Here, Girl tries to build a snowman!

I think we were the only few out enjoying the snowy landscape, but we were not complaining - the skies gradually cleared, which made for a gorgeous morning.

And Girl tries to build another snow man!

We then left the cute snow man and sauntered slowly home for lunch, under the bright sunshine. It's quite a wonder how geography can invigorate our souls!

Snowy evening

2011-01-11T23:57:00.002-08:00

The snow started to fall a few hours ago, and we went down to the courtyard for a stroll under the fluffy stuff. It's beautiful out there!

Coffee, tea, us

2011-01-09T20:21:00.003-08:00

A very cold afternoon in Richmond; our stomachs warmed by a satisfying lunch. Next up, coffee and HK milk tea.

Richmond

2010-12-31T18:56:00.005-08:00

We spent New Year's eve quietly - no loud parties or drunken revelries, just a short visit to Richmond during the glorious afternoon. After lunch, we did some shopping before going home to enjoy the goodies we bought from the Asian supermart at Yaohan center. As always, simplicity works best; what matters most is each other's company.

Night stroll

2010-12-31T18:52:00.001-08:00

Despite the literally freezing temperatures last evening, we thought some fresh air would clear our heads and still went out for a stroll to the grocer's. It gets dark early nowadays, but this means we get to enjoy the beautiful light decorations that are sprinkled around the neighborhood.

Reaching (a wet) LA, then back home

2010-12-31T11:50:00.008-08:00

Our final day at sea was spent pretty much lazing around in our room. We had a bit of weather luck, it seemed, as the sky was overcast and there wasn't much to see out on the deck. This was a real contrast to the sunny three days we spent at the various ports in Mexico, and we were thankful to be able to see Mexico in its most resplendent.

The skies did clear in the afternoon though, and we went out to stretch a little. I actually think the gentle blue of the sea made Girl's silk scarf look really good, it was quite Hermès-que.

Dinner, as usual, was splendid at the Horizon Court. And that marked the final evening of this trip down to the Mexican Riveria. In retrospect, 7 days just passed so quickly and we had a great time, to say the least.

The Sapphire Princess arrived early at the San Pedro port in Los Angeles, and it was a really wet and foggy morning! After clearing immigration (which took a long time), we hopped on a taxi-van to the airport. It was wet all the way, none of the bright Californian sunshine which greeted us when we arrived. Despite its size, there was nothing much to do at LAX airport; it is evidently an old airport and quite in need of an upgrade. We had lunch there before boarding our Air Canada flight (it was a small plane, which was great, because there are only 2 seats by 2 seats) back to Vancouver.

It was dark by the time we arrived back at 5pm, and it was straight out into the cold, up on the Canada Line and back to our cosy little home!

Mexico: Cabo San Lucas

2010-12-30T22:07:00.010-08:00

The Sapphire Princess arrived early in the bay just in front of Cabo San Lucas, right at the southern tip of the Baja peninsula. The sea was presumably too shallow, so the ship anchored quite a distance from the shore. It was just as well, because the position of the ship afforded us a very good view of the rugged coastal cliffs directly from the deck, just as we were about to go for breakfast.

Because of the ship's position, we had to be transported to the shore by
smaller 'tenders' (boats), but it was quite fun to get close to the ocean and feel the wind. From the boat, the town looked like some sun-soaked Mediterannean landscape - it was just quite gorgeous.

And doesn't Girl look excited here?

After we stepped ashore, we looked around a few stalls selling short boat trips out to the rocky coastal outcrop known as 'Land's End'. It is basically an arch which marks the end point of Baja California, and from the pictures we've seen prior to arriving, the view is quite stunning. Before long, we agreed to follow a boat out for a 40-minute excursion (it cost only US$20 for both of us), and it proved a fantastic experience indeed. The coastal landscape looked really majestic, and we also got close to families of pelicans and sea lions.

We then spent the later part of the morning strolling around the marina area and the downtown streets. It was getting warmer and we could feel the full effect of the strong rays. Before the tourism boom, this area was probably just like the rest of Baja California - arid and sparsely populated. We actually saw huge desert cactus on the streets!

We returned to the ship by around 2pm, sun-drenched and feeling extremely hungry. Before going for lunch, however, we thought it was worth spending some time on the deck to take in the coastal scenary as the Sapphire Princess sailed out to the Pacific Ocean, heading northwards back to Los Angeles.

Mexico: Mazatlán

2010-12-27T19:08:00.016-08:00

We sailed some 400km north to the historic city of Mazatlán after Puerto Vallarta. The ship docked early and we could see the downtown very clearly on the deck even before going for breakfast. At first glance, the landscape looked quite industrial and not very touristy, but it meant that we could possibly experience more local heritage and ways of life.

After getting onshore, we walked into a group of tour agents and transport companies offering day tours, but we decided to 'go it alone'. Interestingly, we asked a guy how much it cost for a short ride into town, and he quoted US$8. When we tried to bargain, rather than agree and then get our business, he actually smiled and told us to hail on the main road as it's cheaper. And as we walked towards the road, he went with us, hailed a 'taxi' (it was more like a 4-wheel tuk-tuk), asked us where we wanted to go and then told the driver. What strange but pleasant honesty!

And so we were on the 'taxi', heading into town. It was more like heading into the unknown, because we didn't know how it would be like and the security issue was still a consideration. We dropped off at the cathedral, a central landmark, and then began strolling around. The whole area was very crowded, but we were never accosted by touts or suspicious characters. Rather, we got lost in our own strolls, wandered through the back lanes of the beautifully conserved houses (many of which are still occupied) and watched the locals get on with their jobs. It was a very relaxing way to see a more localised aspect of Mexico indeed.

After stopping for lunch at the historic center, we strolled into the busiest part of town - the municipal market. While already feeling quite full, the food on offer was very tempting. First off, we ordered a coconut to share at the roadside, and the stall owner then cut it into half for us to enjoy the flesh. Sitting next to us was a local guy with his boy, and we watched how they actually eat coconut flesh - add in some lime, chilli sauce and salt. We followed suit and it tasted fantastic. Erm, one more please.

After strolling in the market and doing some shopping (the prices were the best there), we then decided to share a taco from another stall. Again, it was very delicious. Unfortunately, at that point we couldn't really squeeze any more food into our stomachs!

The day just passed quicky, and from the market we hailed a taxi back to the ship. Fortunately, just before dinner, we managed to catch the beautiful sunset of Mazatlán as the Sapphire Princess made its way out of the harbor, heading westwards in the direction of Cabo San Lucas.

Mexico: Puerto Vallarta

2010-12-23T10:33:00.018-08:00

We spent our first two days on the Sapphire Princess out at sea, sailing in the Pacific Ocean along the Baja California coast southwards towards Puerto Vallarta. The coastline on Baja California was occasionally visible from our vantage point, and on the second day, we could see the rugged coastal hills as the ship turned southeast past Cabo San Lucas, the town at the southernmost tip of the peninsula (see map below).

The experience on the ship just got better, especially when it came to food. Whilst initially worried that the dishes might not as tasty as those served on the Coral Princess during our last trip to Alaska, the meals at the Horizon Court became increasingly delicious. One thing we enjoyed tremendously was to sit on the open deck under the stars after dinner (and stars there were aplenty!), sipping tea and munching on nuts. We liked it so much, it became routine for the whole week we were on board. Cruising is really enjoyable for people who like to take things slow, read a few books and indulge in good food while on the go – and it’s even more enjoyable for people who like to visit exotic locations. The best of many worlds could indeed be experienced this way.

We docked very early on Tuesday (14 Dec) at Puerto Vallarta, a very popular Mexican holiday destination for North Americans. It is hardly a surprise, as the weather at this time of year is almost perfect – mild tropical weather (around 21DegC), clear blue skies, and a picturesque location by the Bahía de Banderas (Bay of Flags) along the Pacific Coast. From the deck, we could see the long and towering stretch of the Sierra Madre Occidental mountain range which forms the backdrop of the city. Mexico has received quite a bit of bad press recently, however, most of which is related to organized crime. We were admittedly affected by this and planned to be very cautious as we disembarked. In fact, we were prepared to spend our time at the Wal-mart across the road from the port if we didn’t feel comfortable out in the town. But we were to be proved very wrong. Just as we walked towards the main road, there were tour companies promoting day-trips around town, and the people were extremely affable. We signed up on the spot, and in a few minutes, were on the way to the downtown in a mini-van.

The guide-cum-driver dropped us off along the downtown’s main attraction, the paved boardwalk along the seashore in Col. Centro also known as the Malecón. The seahorse statue is a landmark, as are the old European-styled colonial buildings. It was a pity we didn’t get to wander more around the town and visit the shops because we had to make our way through the old town up to the hills for our next stop. Our short stop did however put us much more at ease with the Mexican environs; in fact, it felt just as safe, or probably even safer, as downtown LA or Vancouver.

The ride up the hills was a great experience in itself – slowly, the old town became visible from an elevated point, and then the whole town and bay was before us. We had a truly spectacular sight of Puerto Vallarta: crystal clear waters, the blue ocean, coconut trees, and the hills dotted with houses and hotels. From the elevated viewing gallery, which is itself an old colonial building, we took a lift down to the basement and walked to the beach. The water was surprisingly icy cold!

It was then off to another coastal sightseeing point to view the Los Arcos, basically two eroded rock structures just off the coast. After that we went to a tequila factory in the countryside and I had a taste of a range of tequila - coffee and honey tequila anyone? While the factory visit was fascinating (after all, some people say Mexico is tequila!), an equally captivating experience was the interactions with the locals, who were all warm and friendly despite living in modest conditions.

In retrospect, we understood why Mexico’s current tourism marketing slogan is “The place you thought you knew”. The negative press coverage on the country's problems may have affected our initial impressions, but the experience proved otherwise. Travelling is probably the best way to change geographical perceptions. We actually didn’t feel the full impact of this experience as we got onto the mini-van and sat through the 45-minute drive back to the ship; it is only as we look back, as we recount the place and people we met, that our thoughts of Mexico became warmer and more endearing. At that point, we were glad to have experienced a very bright introduction to Mexico at Puerto Vallarta. As the Sapphire Princess set sail at around 5pm, we were already looking forward to the next port of call, Mazatlán.

Los Angeles, and beyond...

2010-12-19T16:09:00.014-08:00

Last week, we put aside the intensity of the past two months and flew south for a much-needed break. Indeed, we’ve been so busy juggling quite a few events that an escape to the Californian sunshine was perhaps just the right tonic to rejuvenate our souls, except that we didn’t realize how fun and memorable it would be. The weather on our way to the airport probably foreshadowed what was to follow: we had to brave the rain to get to the airport, but just when the plane was about to take off, the skies cleared. Sunshine suddenly splashed across metropolitan Vancouver, giving us a splendid view of downtown, Stanley Park and the Fraser River as the Air Canada jet took off for Los Angeles (first photo below).

Our 2.5 hour flight made its approach to Los Angeles in the early evening, just before 6pm. Although it was already dark, the view of the city below was still stunning: long stretches of cars moved like vast armies of ants along the crisscrossing freeways, demonstrating America’s love affair with cars and the extensity of the LA urban sprawl. Unsurprisingly, we soon found ourselves stuck in the traffic jam en route to downtown LA, an experience very much reminiscent of how it was in Bangkok, except that there were more cars around us! The ride on the Flyaway shuttle was very cmfortable, however, and ultimately we made it to the Union Station, LA's central public transit interchange. We then went on the Gold Line light-rail for a one-stop ride to Little Tokyo district, where we would spend our next two days.

After settling down at the Miyako Hotel, we went out for dinner at the cosy Usui restaurant across the street. The place is run by an old Japanese chef, and the decor was like those traditional Japanese eateries. What mattered most was the food: fresh and flavorful, it gave us a delicious welcome to LA indeed. The weather the next day was sunny and warm, a welcome relief from the Vancouver rain. We strolled around the downtown after breakfast at a nearby Subway (it was splendid, by the way), shopped a bit in the vicinity and then went for an early lunch at a noodle shop.

One thing about LA is that its neighborhoods are dispersed – Beverly Hills is in one part, Santa Monica another, and so on. Knowing that we didn’t have the time to explore these places, we decided from the beginning not to over-extend ourselves. However, it was quite an experience just to be in Little Tokyo itself. The entire district is made up of Japanese-owned and operated shops, which made us feel as if we’ve entered a small Japanese town instead. We returned to the Usui for dinner again, and had another thoroughly enjoyable meal. Freshly-made sushi, fried mackeral and tempura udon, washed down with beer and tea. Fantastic.

We checked out quite early on the third day and strolled over to the bus stop at Temple Street to wait for Metro Bus 445, which would take us to the LA port at San Pedro. We were glad – and pleasantly surprised – that we could reach San Pedro by bus because it seemed that most people rely on cars in LA, even the hotel staff didn’t know how to reach the port by public transportation! And hey, the fare was really hard to beat – at US$2.90 each, it was way lower than the approximate US$80 we would have to pay if we went by cab.

The ride to San Pedro, which is 25km south of downtown LA, was pleasantly smooth; perhaps it being Saturday morning, most people were not out driving. The weather remained bright when we arrived, and the Sapphire Princess – on which we would spend the next week – was already in the harbor. Before long, we checked in and went on board. It was straight to the Horizon Court for lunch. At around 5pm, the Sapphire Princess slowly sailed through the harbor channel and out into the Pacific Ocean. The highlight of our trip south had only just begun – a week long journey to Mexico awaits.

Snow snapshots

2010-11-20T13:42:00.003-08:00

A couple of snapshots of the front street before we slept last night. The street got lit up literally by the whiteness of the snow. Snowfall does look gorgeous at night too!

And we woke up this morning to these sights:

Even the view from the kitchen window is stunning - the carpark and surrounding buildings are all covered in a fresh, thick coat of snow. What a beautiful beginning to the day.

First snowfall!

2010-11-19T20:13:00.003-08:00

I was walking to get the laundry from the dryer across the courtyard when I saw the first snowfall of winter. Seems to have come early, and quietly too. I quickly told Girl about it and we stood at the window watching the first flurries drift onto the ground. Hmm, winter's here!

A moment to remember

2010-11-02T15:53:00.002-07:00

Simple fare

2010-10-08T20:06:00.002-07:00

I'm definitely not the best cook around - far from it, to be sure - but I experienced the joy of fixing dinner for us today. It's no elaborate feast, but I'm very happy to be able to produce something decent! And I'm glad Girl enjoyed it!

Sasalicious

2010-09-13T16:11:00.004-07:00

Our second Sasa haul arrived in full today, just in time for Fall!

Blackberry fiesta

2010-08-22T12:57:00.001-07:00

On our way to the grocer's this morning, we walked past a long stretch of blackberry trees, with big ripe blackberries hanging from the branches. Intrigued and tempted by the sweet taste of berry juice, we began berry-picking!

The funny thing is, we've been walking along the same path almost daily without realizing that the vegetation along the way were berry trees. That was until we saw quite a few people standing by the trees picking the berries, and why not join in the fun, we thought.

Since they grow in the wild, the berries should be free of chemical fertilizers, and picking them means they couldn't be any fresher - we ate a few straightaway, and packed home a handful (see above). I guess from now, going fruit-picking will become our new hobby!

Richmond visit

2010-08-14T19:38:00.004-07:00

We just returned from a quick but highly meaningful visit to south Richmond (an area with a significant East Asian presence) this afternoon - the summer heat was at its height and at times the weather felt overwhelming, but fortunately, we remained in good spirits. The only thing we could have done more was to explore the authentic Chinese architecture and beautiful gardens (just too hot for today), but we'll be back soon for sure.

We then had a cosy lunch at Wendy's at Cambie - two huge burgers and some fries - before hopping on the hot bus ride home. Someone remarked "it was like a microwave in here", and he was spot on: just when we thought there would be nothing like the sort of heat wave that hit Vancouver last year, it seems like summer has seriously turned on the heat!

Say SaSa

2010-08-10T13:33:00.004-07:00

Once again, we enjoyed the benefits of e-commerce when our box of beauty products arrived from Hong Kong this afternoon. A fortnight back, we ordered quite a few Hong Kong and Japanese products from SaSa (the very-popular cosmetics store) and the shipping was free (which, as always, was great). Even the L'oreal hair gel I used to get from John Little was available, and I had to get one! Time to open up the stuff and go for a wash!

Fresh catch

2010-08-08T21:39:00.000-07:00

We just returned from the evening visit to the grocer's with lots of tomatoes, grapes, and the catch of the day - another whole fresh salmon. It must be salmon season now, a whole fish like that is going for only 5 dollars, I guess we're going to enjoy this delicacy more in the days to come.

Violet sunset

2010-08-02T20:38:00.002-07:00

The soothing violet sunset this evening, as seen from our door-step.

The summer glow

2010-08-01T21:38:00.003-07:00

After a very filling dinner, we took a stroll around the neighborhood. It's very nice to be out and about in the summer evening, the sun is still up at 8pm and yet it's not too hot. This evening, there was a very warm orange glow that brightened the surround buildings and plants, and we more than happy to bathe in the gentle rays. Ah, summer...