From Taiwan to Hong Kong

Taipei is a beautiful place! I really want to go back one day. Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall was very cool. Too bad we missed the changing of the guard!

One afternoon we visited Bo-Pi Liao. It consists of well-preserved streets and traditional shop homes from the Qing period, as well as buildings from the Japanese occupation and early post-war periods. The Quatchis took time out to play a game with my friend, Ben.

On our last night in Taipei, we did what the Taiwanese do - KTV!!!

We sang from 11 at night until 4 in the morning!

We stayed in Hong Kong a few days after Dragon100 to visit friends and family. We really lucked out with the weather. It was hot and humid, which is standard for Hong Kong, but it didn't rain once. I love taking the Star Ferry across Victoria Harbour! I have done it many times, but it never gets old.

The Quatchis in front of the Clock Tower in TST, Kowloon. It is the only remnant of the original site of the former Kowloon Station on the Kowloon-Canton Railway.

At the National Palace Museum in Taipei, the prized artifact is the Jadeite Cabbage. Everything in the gift shop replicates the cabbage. I even bought my brother a cabbage bottle opener. My friend, Yik, purchased a plush cabbage which he fondly named, Cabi. She quickly became friends with the Quatchis. They all joined us for dim sum one morning.

Q has been to Kuntsford Terrace but Mini Q has not. We grabbed an ice cream to cool off.

We are so thankful for the Chan fam for letting us stay at their condo while they were here back in Toronto. The Quatchis have never slept in such a big bed! Thanks again, Aunt G and Uncle H!

Overall we had a fantastic trip to Asia! We will be returning soon, I'm sure!

From Hong Kong to Taiwan

After spending a week in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, the Quatchis and I participated in the Dragon100 Young Chinese Leaders Forum. Q was excited to return to Hong Kong for the second time. In this photo, he is telling me where to grab a snack.

The programme involved a lot of lectures and seminars, so not much time for sightseeing. We spent one afternoon at the Yuen Yuen Institute. It is the only temple in Hong Kong dedicated to all three major Chinese religions: Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism.

Q said I need to brush up on my Cantonese so I can describe this photo better to you!

We only spent three days in Hong Kong, and it was stinking hot, so I don't have too many photos of the Quatchis. On the fourth day of the trip, we flew to Kaohsiung. The Quatchis were honorary members of my group - Red 2.

We spent one day volunteering on the Ma-Jia Farm in Pingtung County. We all made flower crowns with children from the village. Mine was a bit on the small side but it fit Q just fine!

To get from Kaohsiung to Taipei, we took the high speed train. The train travels 300 km/hr!

The Quatchis liked the changing scenery as we crossed the island. Next stop, Taipei!

In Wine Country

Today we ventured to the Hillebrand Estates Winery with family from Hong Kong.

It has a nice restaurant on site. We had a very leisurely lunch over 2.5 hours!

The Quatchis loved their main course - Wellington County Beef (corn dough pot pie, birch syrup cap steak, cabbage and raisin slaw, hand cut fries, and icewine onion jam).

After lunch, walked around the grounds a bit. These were white grapes. Perhaps for chardonnay?

Overall, we had an enjoyable visit to Hillebrand!

Special shout to the Chan fam! Thanks for a great day! 

Cranberry Orange Bread

We actually baked this weeks ago (before we left for Asia), knowing that we may not have the opportunity to bake this month. This is Q and Mini Q's first baking project together.

Cranberry Orange Bread

1/2 cup pecans or walnuts

1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries, coarsely chopped

2 cups all purpose flour

1 cup granulated white sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon orange zest

4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces

1 large egg, well beaten

3/4 freshly squeezed orange juice

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 F and place rack in the centre of the oven. Grease (or spray with a nonstick vegetable spray) a 9 x 5 x 3 inch loaf pan.

Toast the nuts for about 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned and fragrant. Let cool and then chop coarsely.

In a small bowl, combine the beaten egg with the orange juice and vanilla extract.

In a large bowl, whisk the flour with the sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and orange zest. Cut the butter into small pieces and blend it into the flour mixture with a pastry blender or two knives. The mixture should look like coarse crumbs. Fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir in the chopped cranberries and nuts.

Pour into the prepared pan and bake for 50 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean. Remove from oven and let cool on a wire rack for about 10 minutes. Then remove the break from the pan and let cool completely before slicing. This bread can be frozen.

Source: Joy of Baking

KL: The Garden City of Lights

We took an overnight train from Singapore to KL. The train was no frills, but perfectly adequate, and we did manage to catch a few Zzzzzzs. While in KL, we stayed at the PARKROYAL Serviced Suites. I got a great deal through Expedia.ca. I think the hotel was having a promotion at the time.

After dropping off our bags, we headed straight to the Batu Caves. This place is probably the most popular Hindu shrine in Malaysia. It is also the focal point of Thaipusam, a very important Hindu festival.

To get to the main cave, I climbed 272 steps. It wasn't as bad as I expected. It probably would have been much worse had I gone in the afternoon when it was even more hot. The poor Quatchis were braving the heat in my backpack. Their fur is not meant for +35 degree weather!

In the afternoon we braved the sun and went to Merdeka Square. This is where the National Day Parade is held each year.

We then ventured to the Islamic Arts Museum. There's some really cool stuff here. I really like the ceramics and calligraphy. The Quatchis especially appreciated the air conditioning!

Suria KLCC is a huge mall! The Quatchis are looking out from the fourth floor. There are six floors in total.

The mall is at the foot of the impressive Petrona Towers. We didn't have a chance to go up to the viewing deck, but we did take lots of pictures from down below, from the SkyBar at Traders Hotel, and from the rooftop pool at our hotel.

Mini Q doesn't look so mini in front of the towers! Tee hee!

In addition to the things you see above, we also visited Petaling Street (Chinatown), the Central Market (cultural shopping centre), No Black Tie (a jazz club), and Bukit Bintang (the famous shopping district). I spent one evening with my friend, Adriene. She took me to Jalan Alor for dinner and drove me around the city to see all the lights at night. I also went swimming at the hotel (the first time all year), got a massage (the first time ever) and watched a traditional dance show at the Malaysia Tourism Centre. We did quite a bit in three days!

Sing-a-ling-a-ling-a-ling

The Quatchis and I spent our last day in Singapore at the Botanic Gardens. It is such a beautiful place! I would definitely go back. The Quatchis look so small in front of this massive tree!

Ah...this tree is more fitting for their size!

Q in front of Singapore's national flower.

Mini Q stopping to smell the orchids in the National Orchird Garden.

A new 好友!

Sing-a-ling-a-ling

Claudia and I met a few summers ago while interning at the United Nations in New York. This is the view from her apartment. It was fantastic to see Claudia again! She also embraced the Quatchis with open arms.

The Quatchis relaxing at the apartment while I figured out what to do for the day. I like how they cross their legs in the same direction!

 

Mini Q in Chinatown. We ate some delicious Buddist fare at one of the local temples.

 

Q telling me he wants to check out the Thian Hock Ken Temple! It is the oldest and most important Taoist temple in Singapore.

 

The Quatchis in front of the Merlion - the mascot of Singapore.

 

I am a sucker for museums, and the Asian Civilisations Museum did not disappoint! I did a free guided tour for an hour, and spent the rest of the afternoon wandering around with the Quatchis in tow. Q liked this modern take on the Terracotta Army.

 

Mini Q was so happy to see some of the Terracotta Warriors! Q got to visit them in Xi'an last year (see photos here).

Sing-a-ling

So we're back and we have lots of photos to share from our adventures in Asia. We had a great time exploring Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. The Quatchis made some good friends along the way too.

On day one of our trip, we flew Air Canada from YYZ >> HKG >> SIN. It was a long haul - 19 hours - but at least the flights were on time and the connections were easy peasy. We lucked out from YYZ to HKG - we had the whole row of seats to ourselves!

In the morning we explored Little India. There wasn't much action going on. Usually Serangoon Road is bustling with activity.

We then headed to Arab Street to check out the Sultan's Mosque, local merchants, and to have lunch.

The weather was hot and humid, so we spent most of the afternoon in the shopping malls. At night time, we walked all over Marina Square. The night view was fantastic!

 

We ended the night at the Long Bar in the Raffles Hotel. No trip is complete to Singapore without a Singapore Sling! It was probably the most expensive drink I've ever bought, but totally worth it! The Quatchis also enjoyed the live music.

What a great first day in Singapore!

Name the Cities

City #1

City #2

City #3

City #4