Winter-y playlist

Ok. So I know that this is a travel blog, and I should be writing about my anticipation for my European Christmas holiday escapades. But I spent a lot of time creating a playlist for a website that won't publish it anyway because I kind of messed up on the deadline for submission. Instead, I'll just put it up here! Music is a huge part of my life, and every song evokes an emotion in me, makes me recall a memory, or prompts me to dream up a scenario that would fit with the song.

This playlist was supposed to be a holiday-themed one, but I ended up widening the theme out to "winter" in general, because the bleakness of the season makes for so much more inspiration and, therefore, interesting material on the artists' part.

Below is the playlist as it was supposed to be published. Hope you enjoy it, and happy holidays!


Winter - Joshua Radin
Joshua Radin is known for his dulcet, breathy tones and his skill with the guitar. His sound is reminiscent of Train's, but is nowhere near as annoying. With this ballad, he offers a melancholic yet beautiful perspective on winter.

Surprise Ice - Kings of Convenience
This Norwegian duo is typically armed with acoustic guitars and intricate, calming melodies. On Surprise Ice, they stick to that very same formula. The consistency of the tune sends you into a bit of a lull, the kind that is perfect for staying warm indoors in front of a lit fireplace while it is bitingly cold outside.

The Christmas Song - She & Him
What would a winter playlist be without Christmas song? She & Him, of which actress Zooey Deschanel forms one half, released their holiday album back in October this year. It is one of the more tasteful holiday albums out there, and will be a welcome alternative to the (very) guilty Christmas pleasures that are Michael Bublé and Wham!

White Winter Hymnal - Fleet Foxes
The song title says it all, really.

Blood Bank - Bon Iver
The is one of the more haunting offerings by Bon Iver, but that is why it is so fitting for those dark, cold winter afternoons.

Home - Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
This song is a reminder of all the comforts and memories that we associate with being home, surrounded by family and friends.

New York - Cat Power
It seems as though every single American Christmas film is set in New York. Cat Power's cover of Frank Sinatra's New York, New York is bluesy and dark, good enough for all of you Scrooges out there.

In the Waiting Line - Zero 7
After every hectic Christmas dinner and party, there's the cleaning up to be done. While you do that, put this song on and all will be right in the world. At least for four-and-a-half minutes, it will.

Hoppípolla - Sigur Rós
The uplifting strings in this track combined with bell chimes and the simple melody just scream 'winter'.

White Christmas - Otis Redding
That instantly recognisable soulful voice lends itself to one of the most popular Christmas songs of all time. To be listened to with a big steaming mug of hot chocolate in hand.

Auld Lang Syne - Artist Medley
Sara Bareilles, Butch Walker, Lenka, and many other contemporary singer-songwriters come together beautifully on this a cappella version of the New Year's classic.

On A Winter's Day - Foreign Beggars ft. Ravi Shakti
On this track, MC group Foreign Beggars interestingly sample Puerto Rican singer and guitarist Jose Feliciano's version of the 1960s anthem California Dreamin'. The result is an incredible match between the Spanish guitar, hip-hop beats and a thought-provoking social commentary.

Night Air - Jamie Woon
Shortlisted for the BBC's Sound of 2011, Jamie Woon's lead single off of his album Mirrorwriting is filled with intense vocals and electronic lilts. The song rises and falls with Woon's soulful control over his voice, as the syncopated beats add passion to what would otherwise be an empty and eerie tune.

Pickpockets v. us

A few months ago, my mother flew home from Europe two weeks earlier than intended. Why on earth would you want to cut what promised to be an incredible road trip around France short, especially when you're overworked and stressed the rest of the year? Her bag had been stolen from her in Paris, and it contained a variety of important documents that she needed replacing immediately. I scolded her a little as she would have scolded me (being the Asian mother that she is) for not being careful enough and attentive to her surroundings. Paris has grown to be one of Europe's most notorious pickpocket cities. After all, it's common knowledge that where there are tourists, there are a proportional number of pickpockets. However, even the most vigilant people can be caught off-guard simply because they're on holiday and want to relax, or are with trusted friends or their spouses.

My trip to Barcelona was an intensive crash course on how to protect yourself from petty theft while on holiday, and if only I had told my mother everything I knew about it before she'd left to Paris, I'm sure this unfortunate event could have been prevented. Here is a list of things I would have and should have said to her:

• Research your destination before you leave. Our family had been to Paris several times before my parents went this year, and we'd never experienced theft first-hand. As a result, my mother's preconceptions of Paris as a romantic, carefree city stayed with her, and she didn't pay any attention to her surroundings (she was in an area near a train station, and train stations are known for being in or fostering dodgy neighbourhoods). If she had only done a little research, she would have found out that Paris is extremely dangerous and many pickpockets use a variety of tactics, the most infamous one being the 'gold ring' tactic, to distract you and then go in for the kill.
• Don't show off your possessions. Be a humble traveller. This tip makes perfect sense. Don't whip out your shiny new iPad 2 or wear your most sparkly diamond earrings on a street where there are beggars around you. It's a) insensitive and b) plain stupid. It attracts the wrong kind of attention and you'll essentially be begging to be pickpocketed, or even mugged.
• Keep your money in separate locations. You know your big fat Chanel or Hugo Boss leather wallet? Yeah. Read the above point. If you keep everything in there, say goodbye to your life and hello to filing police reports in a foreign language and spending your first few weeks back home claiming insurance. If you must pay for something in a crowded area, try to take the money out from the wallet while it's still in your bag, so people don't see how many credit cards or how much cash you have. Just be discreet.
• Don't be easily distracted. In Barcelona, there were countless live statues, street performers and artists and people trying to sell you really useless things. While such things may be impressive and compel you to stop and stare, keep your bag close to you - guard it with your life. Do not fall for people claiming to be selling useless gadgets - they really just want to see where you keep your money and how much you have.

Stay safe during your travels, and you'll have an incredible holiday.

Barcelona, Spain

Barceloneta: view from the Teleferic de Montjuic (cable car)

The amount of time it has taken me to write an entry about my trip to Barcelona is a testament to how much the Catalan city confused and delighted me at the same time. I'd been wanting to go on a more cultural type of holiday for a while before the trip, and I had set my expectations way high for Barcelona. I thought it would be a place where finding a local tapas bar where the waiters were rude and the prices were low only required an aimless 15-minute stroll around a maze of narrow streets. I also thought that it would be teeming with local university students with whom stimulating conversations and alcohol would flow freely.

Mercat de la Boqueria

In a way, Barcelona does have all of the above to offer, but you have to search long and hard, especially if you don't have a local with you to show you around and tip you off about all the right places. In fact, I challenge anyone to find a single worthwhile attraction on what is deemed the most visited area in Barcelona - Las Ramblas. That place is the true definition of a tourist trap. Live statues? Check. Countless souvenir stalls? Check. Ice cream counters? Check. Crowds of fat, sweaty tourists, Check. Overpriced restaurants? Check. Pickpockets? Check, check, check and check. The worst thing about Las Ramblas is that there is nothing extraordinarily beautiful along it, aside from Mercat de la Boqueria, a covered market that boasts a range of delicious Spanish hams, fresh juices, spices, cheese and locally-grown fruits and veg. 

If it is absolutely necessary for you to go on Las Ramblas, I suggest you turn left as soon as possible and wander through the Gothic Quarter, a real treat for those who love losing themselves through the streets with the aim of stumbling upon a local hidden gem, be it a restaurant, shop, bar or street performance. I didn't immediately fall in love with Barcelona. It was only on our second or third night there that it happened, when we spontaneously ventured along the side of the Gothic Cathedral and heard Spanish guitar music floating from an indefinite place. Following the sound, we finally arrived in a deserted alleyway behind the Cathedral, save for a man sitting on a stool, pensively plucking at the strings of his guitar. In his mind and in ours, we were a million miles away from the live statues and spray-paint artists of Las Ramblas. For a few minutes, it was just him, his guitar, and the astonishing acoustics of the alleyway. I was finally convinced that Barcelona has a soul that hasn't yet been tarnished by the hordes of tourists who flood the city each year with their offensive and obstinate refusal to wear sunscreen. (A sunburn does not make you look wealthy because you can afford to go on holiday. At least try to fool everyone by proving you can afford sunscreen too.)

Jazz clubs/bars are my new favourite way to enjoy a city's nightlife without sweating your way through the night at some dodgy nightclub. We visited the Bel-Luna Jazz Club on Rambla de Catalunya, where the staff is friendly and the performances were effervescent with the musicians' personalities and passion. We must have been the youngest people there, but I felt like I was enjoying the music in a relaxed environment with locals and tourists alike after spending a day dodging sunburnt tourists here there and everywhere.

There's a good reason why sangria and flamenco shows in Barcelona are overpriced: they are not native to Catalonia. Yes, I know you're only visiting Barcelona and it's SPAIN, but trust me. Order a glass of house cava, immerse yourself in Gaudi's works and in the rest of Barcelona's art scene - it's worth far more of your money than imitations of what other regions of Spain can do so much better.

I'm a firm believer in making the most of a trip by trying to live like a local for at least a day. In Barcelona's case, you should go on a bike tour, or, if you're feeling particularly brave or adventurous, rent bikes and navigate your own way through the city. We did the latter, got slightly lost and the Hongkonger in me made me run a red light right before a 4-lane roundabout. But when we had made our way from Las Ramblas all the way to the Sagrada Familia, I felt a strange pride at having gone from one tourist hotspot to another, but getting there like a local would. Just beware riding on pedestrian zones/sidewalks - nobody enjoys being bumped into by a bicycle... If people could actually shoot laser beams from their eyes, I wouldn't be here to tell the tale.

Parc Guell

One tourist attraction that is worth fighting through crowds to get to is Parc Guell, if only for the gorgeous panoramic views it offers you from the top. Take it all in, or go for a morning run there if your hotel/serviced apartment is close by. I don't think any other city park can quite rival Parc Guell's quirky features, courtesy of Antoni Gaudi himself, that blend in with the green surroundings.

While most people flock to the Casa Batllo to satiate their desire for Gaudi architecture, it does cost a hefty 17 euros for entry. Casa Mila, also known as La Pedrera, is just a little further up Passeig de Gracia and costs about 14 euros entry. Its crazy rooftop has so many photographic opportunities, so be sure to charge your camera the night before. The top floor of the building, directly underneath the roof, has a small exhibit that takes you through the different objects, concepts and elements that underpinned Gaudi's inspirations for his works. There is also a gorgeous little apartment tour, and the Casa Mila's museum boutique is one of those where you can spend hours window-shopping.

My heart beats for Barcelona because of the Picasso Museum. Unfortunately, as the interests of our group diverged, only two of us went to the museum and we were given one hour to visit it. Boy, did I regret that as soon as I stepped into the main exhibition hall. Where do I begin with the multiple wonders this museum has to offer? Picasso's early works offer insight into the vast array of influences that different cities, people, friends and literature had on his major, more famous pieces. The artist's openness to new ideas and techniques is what impressed me the most, and the museum does a wonderful job of displaying these works and explaining the story behind each theme. To cut a long story short, I would return to Barcelona just for this museum. 

Naturally, there's only so much culture you can take within 5 days. An afternoon at the beach was the perfect antidote for feet sore from walking for several  days in a row. Be wary of the women offering massages, even when they decide to poke you to tell you 'how velly good' it is. The oil they use is guaranteed to worsen any developing sunburn. However, do not ignore the 1 euro mojitos. I made that mistake and am still hitting myself for being too judgmental of people selling stuff on the beach.

Damn you, Barcelona, city of contradictions and hidden beauty.

Places where I'd rather be right now

Ah, the life of a student. Broke and bound to the confines of your charming-yet-tiny-and-claustrophobic university town by none other than the ever-pleasant cloud of exam doom. That's right. I have to write about places like Thailand, Malaysia, countries in the Middle East and many more in blocks of two hours (multiplied by six modules) in some drab old room with tens of other exam-possessed robots who I've never seen in lectures. I'd offer that as an exemplary definition of counter-productivity.

Allow me to let my daydreams take over during this glorious break from revising, oh, just the dynamics of democratisation in the Middle Ea... zzzzzzzzzzzzz...

• Back home in Hong Kong, sipping a smoothie in the scorching summer heat on the roof of IFC mall (clearly I have a knack for daydreaming up alliterations). It's going to hit 33 degrees Celsius this weekend, and I am desperate to leave the land of perpetual winter i.e. Durham, so badly that the promise of sun, a cold fruit drink and an urban oasis almost have me reaching for my credit card and buying the next available plane ticket home. Oh, wait. I'm a student.
• Brussels, at my grandmother's house. There's nothing like spending some alone time with grandma and catching up with her. It makes you realise the importance of maintaining those ties with the members of your family whom you see less of. I do love me some Saturday morning local market shopping too.
• Penang, Malaysia. Lying by the pool of some awesome hotel and occasionally nipping down to the beach for a quick go on the jetskis or a bit of horseriding along Batu Ferringhi. Getting a sunburn because you swore you were vigilant with sunscreen, but forgot that you had to reapply it, and subsequently dousing yourself with aloe vera gel and going to dinner feeling slightly sticky (and it's not the humidity). Walking around the night market to check out the insane amount of overpriced counterfeit goods on sale, and trying out some incredible post-dinner street food snacks. That is the life.
• On a luxurious safari in South Africa. Even though it's shifting to winter weather in South Africa, only cute animals bring me joy at this point in the exams period, but I've had enough of .gifs, pictures and memes. I want to see the real thing, even though it might kill me.
• The ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao). I read an article about them in an issue of Condé Nast Traveler on the flight back to Durham in April. It filled me with dread at the prospect of having to wear jeans for another 3 months as I had these images of gorgeous pastel houses and clear seas staring right at me from the pages of the magazine. The only places I have been to on the entire American continent, North and South, are Toronto and Montréal, and as awesome as those places are, I'm impatiently waiting for the day that I can venture into the Caribbean region.

Where would you rather be right now? What are your 'daydream' destinations?

Awesome web find: Flight 001

I have fallen in love with this website, Flight 001, that provides everything and anything you might possibly need before, on and after your journey. Some of their products are so well designed that I want to buy them, not because I actually need them, but because they are so... NICE! Here is a selection of products that are already on my travel wishlist.

Bread & Butter Passport Cover: Your passport has never looked cooler (or yummier). $18.00

Jetpax Jet Lag Relief 2 Pack: Add these babies to the list of tricks to conquer jet lag. Dilute the contents of each pack (1 x AM pack, 1 x PM pack) in water. The formula is different for each separate pack and their ingredients help to regulate your body clock. Each kit is good for one-way. $6.00

Patterned Luggage Tag Set: It does not take a genius to notice that a large majority of suitcases on baggage reclaim belts in airports across the world are black and have no distinctive features. This increases the likelihood of someone mistakenly taking a bag that does not actually belong to them. These cheeky luggage tags ensure that your bags are instantly recognisable. $12.50

Travel Essentials: Part 2

1. Lip balm. I can't believe I left this one out in Part 1 of this Travel Essentials series. An absolute must in your travel bag if you don't want dry, parched, uncomfortable (you get the idea) lips before, during and after your journey.
2. Travel adapter. If you're one of those people who can't live without their laptop, phone or iPod, you need a travel adapter (or two). Some hotels will already have universal plugs that accommodate appliances from all over the world, but if you're staying in an older establishment or someone's home, it's always best to have your own adapter.
3. Evian Brumisateur. Indulgent, perhaps. Beneficial, definitely. This little mineral water spray will keep your skin fresh and hydrated as well as stop your face from producing excess oil in reaction to the dry environment on the plane. You can also use it to fix your makeup. The product comes in a handy travel size, so you don't have to worry about not having it on you for the flight.
4. Clear bags. Do you ever accumulate plastic bags whenever you go to the supermarket and wish you'd brought a handy canvas tote with you? The clear bag is the travel version of that canvas tote. I've wasted far too many sandwich bags in the past, and finally bought a cheap but cute clear zip bag to carry all my liquids and gels.
5. Notebook and pen. You never know when you'll have to write an extra important piece of information down, like a number or e-mail address, or make a list of movies or CDs that are available on the inflight entertainment system but that you want to check out later. And those immigration landing cards are pesky, but waiting for someone to finish using their pen so you can borrow it is even more annoying, both for you and for the person who is about to lend you their pen.
6. Lavender essential oil. For those of you who struggle with jet lag, place a few drops of lavender essential oil onto your pillow to help you drift off to sleep. Lavender has also proven to help with headaches and depression, so instead of popping those pills you may need a prescription for, go au naturel and get some of that oil!
7. Travel-sized containers. How on earth are you going to live without that shampoo you love but is only sold in a 200ml bottle? Answer: purchase empty travel-sized containers and transfer your most-loved product into said containers. Muji make a whole range of affordable travel-sized containers for all types of products, including creams, liquids and gels.

Jet lag

As a frequent traveller, I have learned to embrace jet lag as opposed to curse it every time I take a long-haul flight. Experiencing jet lag can be overwhelming and daunting to some, but there are several ways to conquer it, and they don't take an entire month.

• Jet lag is worse when you travel east. When we were kids, my sister and I knew that by 1.30am, on every night of our first week back in Hong Kong from our summer vacation in Belgium, we would both be wide awake and unable to go back to sleep, no matter how hard we tried. However, we never experienced this while we were in Belgium, and slept like babies throughout each entire night over there, even if we had just touched down from a 14-hour journey from Hong Kong. I admit that I fail to give you a solid, scientifically-backed explanation as to why this is, but please take my childhood memories' word for it.
• Adjust to your destination's time zone a few days before you travel. This may seem a little strange, but the facts that all my essay deadlines are usually crammed into the last week of term and that I work best between the hours of 10pm and 4am (ergo, I take 4 to 5-hour naps in the afternoon) combine to minimise jet lag when I arrive back home in Hong Kong for the holidays. If you don't write essays and need another excuse to change your sleep pattern just for a night or two, try reading a book, learning a new recipe, clubbing all night... The possibilities are endless. If you can, try doing this gradually over the course of 3-4 days so that your body isn't completely shocked into sleeping and being awake at strange times.
• Before your flight, adjust your watch to your destination's time zone. This will give you an idea of the times during which you should catch some sleep during your flight, and whether you'd be better off sleeping the whole way through or taking several short "naps".
• During the flight, avoid eating or drinking things that affect sleep. Alcohol and caffeine are definite no-noes. Not to mention that alcohol decreases your level of alertness, which may cause problems should you need to be 100% attentive in case of an emergency (just sayin'. But touch wood all the same).
• When you arrive, use logic to assess whether you want to nap or not. The same rules apply as in the time zone you're used to: if you take a long nap, you'll find it harder to sleep at night or will wake up in the middle of the night. If you stay up for as long as you can, you'll be more likely to find a normal sleeping pattern sooner. When I arrive in Hong Kong (landing at around 4pm), I usually stay awake until 1am, when I finally succumb to the desire to just pass out on my bed (which also happens to be the most comfortable bed in the world). Result: uninterrupted 7 hours of sleep (at least). When I get back to the UK (I land in the morning), I take a short 1.5-hour nap right after lunch, and I don't feel tired until 10 or 11pm again. From then on, uninterrupted sleep for 7 to 8 hours ensues.
• If you find yourself awake at an awkward time, tire your eyes out. Read, stare at a computer screen, play a board game/Solitaire (I always played Monopoly with my sister, which always ended with her owing me money and being a sore loser).

Next stop: Barcelona

A month ago, my friend spontaneously asked me if I'd like to travel to Barcelona with her and two of her friends in June. I'll admit that, even though I have been blessed to have travelled so much in my 19 years of living, the farthest I've dared to go and explore on my little own is London. From Newcastle.

So when the offer came up along with a promise that flights and hostel prices would be kept as low as possible, I agreed to a 5-day mid-June adventure in Barcelona, prompting the question: what exciting things do I want to see there? I definitely want to do and see the typical things that tourists in Barcelona do, but what have my 'Barcelona-off-the-beaten-track' Google searches resulted in? Below is a list of the things I'm excited to experience in Barcelona, whether it be a standard tourist magnet, or something slightly underrated.

1. The Sagrada Família. No tourist can claim to have been to Barcelona and not been remotely interested in checking out a few of Antoni Gaudí's masterpieces. The Sagrada Família has to be the most famous of them all, as it is an incomplete piece of work, and there has been much controversy as to whether the construction done after Gaudí's death has adhered to the architect's vision and design. Regardless, just looking at the images on the web make want to be on site and marvel at the intricate details of each aspect of the church.

2. Tapas. As a self-confessed food lover, I can't wait to have late tapas lunches in Barcelona. I've been to several tapas restaurants before and have established what my favourites are, but I'm sure that nothing beats the real thing and that I'll discover more delicious little snacks there. Speaking of food, I heard that the seafood in Barcelona is to die for.

3. Picasso. The artist spent much of his early life in Barcelona, and I can think of nothing better than spending a warm June afternoon walking in his footsteps to explore this city that he loved, and then take a look around the Museu Picasso. Aside from Picasso's, I've read that there is so much art to explore in the city, including at the Fundació Juan Miró Museum.

4. Flamenco. I've always admired this type of dance that's full of character with a dash of sensuality, but have only gathered this admiration from movies and Youtube clips. As a result, I'm dying to see this performed on the streets of Barcelona. I'm not quite sure if flamenco dancing is characteristic of the city, but the romantic in me might even want to learn a few moves if I come across one of those street artists.

5. (Window-) Shopping. Where I come from, shopping is a must for visitors, so I can relate to Barcelona's status as a place with unique offerings in the shopping department. However, my wallet is going to have to watch out if I just can't resist the temptation to buy something.

Airplane travel etiquette

No matter how much I travel, I never find myself sitting next to, behind and/or in front of a perfectly decent person on any flight (obviously, this does not apply to those times I have travelled with friends or family). By "decent", I mean observing proper airplane travel etiquette. Is it really so difficult to be polite and considerate, especially if you're forced to share each other's personal space for 10+ hours? Warning: if you absolutely cannot stand rants, turn away. Now.

• Reclining your seat. The second the seatbelt sign switches off, I find my face only several centimeters away from the back of the seat of the passenger sitting right in front of me. So close that my eyes hurt when I'm watching the TV show or movie on my personal screen, and so close that my head hits the screen when I eat my meal. Bottom line is, if you know it'd piss you off if the person sitting in front of you did the same to you, then don't do it to me. I saw you sleeping during takeoff when your seat was in the upright position, so please just be considerate for a few hours, please keep sleeping without the recline, please let me eat my food without getting bumps on my forehead.
• Self-righteous passengers who think they're more important because they got bulkhead seats. Sir, it's obvious that you and your girlfriend/fiancée only dressed well so you could try to get upgraded (and subsequently failed), but please don't bring your self-important attitude to the bulkhead seat and scold some other passenger for trying to shove their bag in the overhead bin, exclaiming, "Hey, man, don't do that, there's a laptop in that bag." If you really were as fancy-schmancy as you claim to be, you'd have thought of buying some LV laptop case or protective cover. Also, you chose the bulkhead, therefore you chose not to be able to stick your precious laptop under a seat in front of you or in the literature pocket, where no one would even DARE to lay a finger on it. Deal with it.
• Invaders of what little of your personal space remains. No, I don't like the feeling of your knee poking my thigh in my sleep. Kindly keep your legs spread shut, I can't imagine that having them spread wide open is very comfortable, let alone demure and, well, non-suggestive. Also, keep your elbow to yourself. I am insanely ticklish, and will, without hesitation, elbow your elbow back to where it belongs: off of my half of the armrest.
• Fussy eaters. You have your Halal meal, but you're just "not used to" eating spinach omelette. Therefore, you insist on taking more bread rolls than you are originally allowed, without thinking of the passengers behind you who might actually want just one bread roll. Also, you must ask for your Coke and chocolate biscuits at least 4 times during the flight, waking me up every time the hostess has to lean over me and wake me up with her neck scarf dangling down. Nobody actually likes the food served in Economy Class on airplanes. If everyone had their way, we'd be served meals consisting solely of bread rolls. So, if you don't like it, just leave it, and please stock up on your chocolate biscuits BEFORE the flight. You do know that you're allowed to take those on board, right?
• Downright rude people. Just because I very accidentally pressed my elbow on your foot that was on my armrest anyway (and, er, shouldn't have been), it does not mean that you need to violently kick the back of my seat. Oh and you old French businessmen sitting behind me? There's no need to call the elderly man sitting on your row's aisle seat and who was wheeled onto the aircraft in a Sedan chair "handicapped". The man can clearly walk on his own, and him looking Asian does not mean that he can't own a Spanish passport. You're not the only ones who can speak French on this flight either. Please take my very strong hint of picking up a copy of Le Monde on my way into the aircraft in front of you. Alors, fermez-la, s'il-vous-plaît!

Travel Essentials: Part 1

Since I've decided that this blog is going to be predominantly about travel, why not start off, seriously, with a post about travel essentials?

1. Headphones. This has got to be the most obvious entry on the list. Headphones are good for drowning out some of the noise that the engines make, and look cool on pretty much anyone. My favourites are the Urbanears Plattan headphones, which are, in my opinion, the most aesthetically-pleasing headphones out there.

2. Moisturiser. During a flight, especially long-haul ones, your skin becomes extremely dry due to the low humidity levels in the cabin. Freshen up with a light moisturiser that'll give your skin a much-needed boost. Lip balm is also a must in this respect. Don't forget to drink plenty of water as well.

3. Neck pillow. These are a godsend for people who just can't sleep with their head upright. Have you ever woken up after sleeping for hours with your head twisted so far on one side that you had a stiff neck for days? Yep. Neck pillows are going to solve that. If you buy an inflatable one, make sure that you don't blow it up to full capacity - you need the pillow to have some flexibility so that it's comfortable. Otherwise, just buy one of the bulky but comfy variety.

4. Passport holder. I'm one of those girls who just needs to bring her whole life with her wherever she goes, and therefore I always have a massive handbag. A brightly-coloured passport holder helps when I need to find my passport quickly in a bag full of stuff. Most holders also have sections for cards, cash and your plane ticket. Fashionable practicality for the chaotically-organised.

5. Hand cream. As with the moisturiser, hand cream helps to keep your hands hydrated and soft. It may seem slightly decadent, but it's one of those little comforts every girl needs. I especially like l'Occitane's hand creams.

6. Cashmere wrap/sweater/cardigan. I hate wearing my heaviest clothes on the plane. I know that it goes against the cardinal rule of travel of wearing your heaviest or most space-consuming clothes in order to save space in your suitcase, but I just find it cumbersome, and I definitely don't need that when travelling in Economy Class, where personal space and movement are limited enough. So, in order to keep warm without sacrificing the above, a cashmere wrap/sweater/cardigan is the answer to my prayers. It is lightweight and convenient, not to mention more stylish than wearing a whole assembly of mismatched bulky clothing.

7. Canvas bag/tote. As per entry no.5, I need a spacious bag, especially when flying. I love canvas bags as they look great and go with pretty much anything.

8. Flip flops or slippers. During a flight, my feet swell up and it's a battle to fit them into my sneakers by the end of the flight. Flips flops hardly take up any space in your carry-on baggage and are a comfortable alternative.

9. Chewing gum. A teacher in high school once told me that it was a shame to see a girl chew gum because it would make her look like a cow munching on grass. Well, sorry above-mentioned high school teacher, but gum helps my ears when the pressure rises and I need them to counter that pressure to ease discomfort.

Curiosities: 6/4

Several things that I've been wondering about lately.

1. Since when do Hong Kongers walk at an impossibly slow pace? Whatever happened to 'time is money'?

2. Why have I been travelling with the same airline for 2 years, making at least 3 long-haul return trips each year, and can already afford to redeem a free return flight within anywhere in Europe, but will not be able to afford an upgrade to business class on a long-haul flight even by the time I graduate (ie. 3 years of flying with the same airline)?

3. Do people conscientiously slide past a door just when it's about to close without reopening it for the next person?

4. Why, in Hong Kong, do some restaurants insist on overpricing their rather mediocre food?

5. And why, in Hong Kong, would you even open shop if you're out of stock of the ingredients forming half your menu? No tip for you, thanks very much.

6. Do people with body odour know that they reek?

7. When playing Scrabble, do we really mean to trap our possibilities to only one corner of the board and fail to expand the game?

Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

When people prepare for travel, they usually have an idea of what their destination holds in store for them. With London, the Big Ben, Harrods, the London Eye and an inordinate amount of spending spring to mind. With Paris, quiet little cafés, romantic strolls down the Champs-Elysées and rude drivers are de rigueur. But, when my parents announced in March that we were going to Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan for a weekend in April, I found that my usual flurry of travel ideas had deserted me, save for the immediate craving for authentic Taiwanese bubble tea. What was I to do or see in a relatively unheard-of industrial port city in Taiwan? I resorted to seeking help from the travel guru and my first journalistic hero, Asha Gill, via a quick Youtube search of 'Kaohsiung Six Degrees'.

It was a stab in the dark, but my search did reap some rewards, as there was an entire episode dedicated to the city. However, I was still underwhelmed by the video, realising that Gill had a whole host of locals to take her around and show her the real charm and secrets that Kaohsiung had to offer. For some reason, I just did not see myself mingling with the Aboriginal people as casually as Gill did with the family members of one of her local "friends". I also sensed that Kaohsiung was, though a modern city, not exactly teeming with the buzz and electric feel that Hong Kong possessed, which is what I (perhaps unrealistically) usually expect from blossoming cities in Asia. I gave up on my attempts at creating a semi-exciting itinerary for the weekend, hoping that simply going with the flow would counter my fears of an uneventful and wasted travel opportunity.

Several weeks later, we were on our way to Kaohsiung (in Business Class, might I add). I didn't even know what hotel we would be staying at, such was the extent of my unpreparedness for the trip. I would get my first taste of what Kaohsiung really was about during the taxi ride to our hotel by the man-made Lotus Lake. Our driver was an old man who spoke in rather slurred Mandarin and couldn't understand a word of English. He was a rather indelicate man, who, in the middle of a highway, decided to drive right up behind a car, dilapidated to extent of which I had never seen before, while brusquely crossing two lanes and honking his horn continuously. Whether our taxi driver was trying to get the box on wheels to move faster, or simply to indicate that it would be in every Kaohsiung driver's best interests for the motorist to purchase a new car, I couldn't quite tell. But my sister and I burst out laughing, and my mother pretty much feared for her life and finally decided to put her seatbelt on. I came to find later on that most people in Kaohsiung preferred to travel on motorbikes, and that the aesthetics of one's car bore little to no importance, much in contrast to Hong Kong, known for holding the record for highest number of Rolls-Royce cars per capita.

Arrived at our hotel, the Garden Villa, I found the lobby furniture to be on the gaudy side, with pink and white zebra print velour cushions laying on the long sofas, and was quite skeptical in my predictions for what our rooms would look like. However, I gladly noticed that they were generally incongruous with the garish lobby decor. The rooms were actually beautiful with a neutral palette and of a good size. The beds were more comfortable than many other hotel beds I'd ever slept in.

The next day, we decided that we'd book a tour for the day, so as to prevent our collective lack of Mandarin-speaking skills from reducing our weekend to futile attempts to communicate with the locals. I have to admit that this was possibly the best way to explore uncharted travel terrain, especially given that our tour guide and driver were lovely people. Our first stop was the Lotus Lake, where we started off with a visit of the Confucius Temple. It was one of those serene moments when you just take in the beauty of the surroundings and the intricacies of the architecture. A few locals were just happy to be spending their weekend relaxing in the warm, sunny weather and painted or had a picnic in the temple's gardens. We then headed over to the Dragon and Tiger Towers, where we were treated to a stunning view of the city from the seventh floor of the Dragon tower.

The Confucius Temple on the North point of the Lotus Lake

After lunch at a local restaurant, we made a brief stopover at the Takao Railway Museum on our way to the old British Consulate. The Museum housed two old locomotives that were used during the Japanese colonial period, which my father had the utmost pleasure taking photos of, like a little boy receiving an extraordinary new toy for Christmas. By the time we had arrived at the old British Consulate, we felt like we'd been overstuffed with sights to see and decided on a one-hour nap after a rapid walk around the Consulate. The building was sophisticated, as many old colonial landmarks tend to be, but unspectacular. It was one of those places that attracted far too many tourists. To me, a relatively accurate gauge of the popularity of a tourist spot is the presence of Falungong posters and volunteers, and they were out in force at the Consulate.

After our nap, we picked up a few cups of bubble tea and boarded a ferry to Cijin Island to watch the sunset from the Cihou Fort barracks at the top of the hill. The view from the barracks was beautiful and certainly made up for the fact that the Cijin Lighthouse was closed. On our way down, my mother stopped to pick up some stinky tofu and spent far longer than she should have. I have learned that I absolutely cannot stand the smell of that food, even though I come from Hong Kong and am used to outlandish smells emanating from various restaurants and dai pai dongs. We ended our day with a wander through the famous night market, where we snacked on some delicious dumplings and marveled at the variety of street food on offer (bar more stinky tofu).

Sunset from Cihou Fort barracks

For such a short trip, I came to discover that planning does not always bear its fruits, and that you've seen nothing until you really take the plunge and embrace the unexpected. Kaohsiung may not have looked glamorous and rich in historical culture from the Youtube videos I watched, but it held its cards close to its chest until we were in the thick of it, free to explore and uncover things that Asha Gill and the Travel and Living Channel had not divulged to the rest of us.

Paris may have its rude drivers, London may have its Harrods and tea, but Kaohsiung has secrets that are ready to charm and, occasionally, make you inclined to hold your breath until you've walked past the stinky tofu stall.