Monday 28 February 2011

Mexico City - the City of Surprises


I must admit I was a bit skeptical about Mexico City before we came. We were struggling with what to do with 3 full days as we thought it was a shit hole with lots of theft and kidnapping, we couldn't be more stupid.

Mexico City is surprisingly safe, there were police at almost every corner and the streets were fully lit up. We stayed at the Gran Hotel Ciudad de Mexico which was right next to Zocalo, the heart of Mexico City.

Next to the Zocalo square is the Catedral Metropolitana, a magnificent cathedral built in 1573 and took about 260 years to build, if you are not going anywhere, you must at least visit this incredible cathedral. Then there are the Palacio Nacional (we thought it was really boring but everyone says it's a must see), Temple Mayor where the Aztec thought was the center of the universe and where lots of human sacrifice took place.

Other places such as Plaza Santo Domingo, Alameda Central (created in late 1500), Palacio De Bellas Artes (splendid whit marble building), Palacio Postal and much more were just within walking distance.

Everywhere you go, there is music, people singing or dancing, lovebirds kissing and gorgeous old buildings. We were so surprised at how much Mexico City as to offer.

And of course, you can't visit Mexico City without making a trip to Teotihuacan which houses the Pyramid of the Sun (third largest pyramid in the world) and the Pyramid of the
Moon. From our guidebook it says they were built in AD 100 to 300 but our guide told us the were there at 200 BC, I believe our local guide.

Lastly, we took the metro to Chapultepec, one of the largest urban parks in the world. It houses the National Museum of Anthropology (it's as good as NYC museum, seriously) and the Castillo De Chapultepec which began construction in 1785, it's a beautiful building and I couldn't keep my eyes off it.

Yes, you read it, we took the bloody METRO!!! That's how comfortable it was for us in Mexico City! I think people should give this gorgeous city more credit and I am so glad we spent at least 3 full days here!

I still can't upload photos on my blog via iPad but the photos are on facebook ;)

Gotta go now, we will be heading off to Oaxaca City tomorrow. x

Friday 25 February 2011

New York City - City of Dreams


NYC is truly the world's most cosmopolitan metropolis...from shopping haven of Madison & Fifth Avenue to cultural & art supreme at museums to landmarks such as the Empire State Building...NYC was a lot of fun!

We got a 3-day New York Pass and had the privilege to visit the Empire State Building, Top of The Rock (spectacular night views), Statue of Liberty, Radio City Music Hall, MoMa, Guggenheim Museum, American Museum of Natural History Museum, Madame Tussands, The Met, St Patricks's Cathedral and much more...

Everything was so close and public transportation was really convenient and cheap. I thought coming from Hong Kong would not make NYC special, I was so wrong, I felt like a country girl in a massive city!!! There was so much to do and see!

We also went to the Madison Square Garden, Central Park, Times Square, Little Italy, Soho, Grand Central Station etc...

We strolled around Fifth Avenue, Madison Avenue and of course the Theatre District. NYC offers every world class broadway show from Lion King, Memphis, Jersey Boys, Wicked, Mamma Mia and much more...we went to see The Phantom of the Opera which was mind-blowing. It's truly a privilege to see a broadway show in NYC.

We didn't stop there, we also went to the Wall Street and strolled around the rest of the Financial District. The NYSE, Federal Hall and surrounding buildings were beautiful. It actually reminded me of London. You know? Those gorgeous white buildings in Westminster.

Of course, I couldn't resist going to the Upper East Side of Manhattan to visit Blair Waldorf's apartment haha...again, it was a beautiful area with gorgeous buildings right next to Central Park.

We got to see our friend in NYC which was nice and got to have pastrimi sandwich at Katz which was unreal, I swear they have the best pastrimi in the world!!!!

Although it was a short 4 day trip, we managed to do a lot without rushing at all. I don't understand why people say New Yorkers are rude because we had such a great time there including at the Customs, everyone were friendly and helpful.

All in all, we had a fabulous time at NYC and we will definitely go back some day...

Saturday 19 February 2011

Canada - Edmonton, Alberta


Time flies, I can't believe we will be leaving for New York tomorrow.
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It's been a joyful week to be back in Edmonton. I can't believe I would live the day to say this but I actually really missed the snow and trees...and of course my family.
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Yesterday, I took Rupert to see my schools - Harry Ainlay High School and the University of Alberta; we also drove by Whyte Ave a few times but it was too cold to walk around. We drove around William Hawrelak Park where Rupert rolled in the snow and nearly lost his fingers because it was so cold.
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For those of you who don't know, Edmonton is the capital of Alberta. Population is about 782,500 and city area is about 684 sq km.
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Edmonton is famous for housing the largest mall in North America - the West Edmonton Mall, the Edmonton Oilers (ice hockey) and Edmonton Eskimos (Canadian football) and it's ridiculous amount of snow (weather can get to -40 in the winter, it is now about -21).
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In general, it's cheaper to live in the province of Alberta than other provinces in Canada. Alberta is the largest producer of conventional crude oil, synthetic crude and gas in Canada. So Alberta is the only province not subject to PST (provincial sales tax), Albertans are only subject to the the GST (the federal sales tax, Goods & Services Tax).

Maybe because I haven't been back to Edmonton for so long, I learnt to appreciate the beautiful blue sky, trees, crispy fresh air, personal space and diamond like snowflakes, Edmonton is truly a winter wonderland.
I am certainly going to miss Edmonton, my family, home and friends.

*Some of the information about Edmonton and Alberta are from Wikipedia

Tuesday 15 February 2011

Happy Valentines Day


It's surprising warm in Edmonton, it's about -5 today. I love the color of the sky during sunset and sunrise. It turns into a soft rainbow color which you never see in Hong Kong.
Everywhere you go, you see gorgeous white snow and trees. It's rather unreal, like something you would see on a puzzle.
I was going through some photo albums. Saw a whole load of old photos of my family including my dad and sister who passed away years ago. Everytime I see these photos, I can see them so vividly. Everytime, it reminds me of how much I must treasure my time with my family (and friends) and that I should never take things for granted. 
You just never know when they will be gone and all that's left behind is memories...but good memories. You will regret for not apologizing for the hurtful things you said to them the last time you saw them; you will regret for not telling them how much you truly love them even though you act like an idiot; you will regret picking on the smallest negative thing about them instead of appreciating how lucky you are to have them.
I try not to regret anymore and instead, use that lesson to remind myself to be full of gratitude for what I have and to treasure my family.
It's February 14th today, so Happy Valentines Day!!! We had a family gathering because it's also my cousin's son's birthday today. Real family and friends are those even when you rarely see them, you can pick up right where you left off. No awkwardness, no dead air.
I think it's also because we are all older now and instead of acting cool and all, we open our arms for each other. We take initiative and make more effort.
I am so blessed with everything I have. You can choose your friends but you can't choose your family. I am blessed to have loving and caring families in both Edmonton and Hong Kong.
It was a beautiful day today.