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Josh Cohen

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Korean Cuisine – Wonderful Tastes of Great Food

December 6, 2014

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Korean Cuisine – Wonderful Tastes of Great Food

Looking back on it now, I think it was very funny that my wife, she was my girlfriend at the time, really enjoyed going to the few Korean restaurants in Jerusalem. The people were lovely, and the food was certainly unique to the region! There are many Koreans living in Israel so it wasn’t so much a surprise to find Korean Cuisine there, but it was inspiring how good it tasted!

The Korean cuisine have a distinct sense of flavors and spices. Due to the geographic traits of the Korean Peninsula, the people have enjoyed the products of mountains, seas, and fields for centuries. They consider food to be of higher importance than merely something that fills our belly, it is a source of nutrition and medicine for them.

The biggest trait of the Korean cuisine is probably the use of spices.

They season their food with peppers, bean paste, soy sauce etc. Being a traveler and a foodie, one of my favorite activities is trying the local cuisines of the places I go to.

Here are a few dishes you must try when in Korea:

Soft-Tofu Stew (Soondubu Jiggae)

This is one of the staple foods of Korean Cuisine! This soup is absolutely amazing! Its consistency is thicker than that of a soup, but it’s still much thinner than something like porridge.

It is a mixture of beef and fish stock as the base to strengthen the flavor, topped with silken tofu, shellfish, eggs (optional) and hot pepper. They add only a small amount of beef to keep it light instead of making it filling – keeping it light is the cornerstone of all Korean food.

Rice Cake Street Food (Ddukbokkie)

One of the most famous of Korean Cuisine are street foods of the country is ddukbokkie.

Its smell crawls through the busy streets of all big Korean cities. Almost all the vendors cook a slightly different version so a lot of varieties are available for all sorts of taste buds. It is made usually with rice cakes and vegetables soaked in a sweet and spicy sauce. The rice cakes become absolutely divine once they are dipped in the soup!

Seasoned Fried Chicken (Yangnyeom Tongdak)

Everybody enjoys a deep fried chicken leg once in a while, but I doubt you have tried the Korean version. It is marinated in a sweet, spicy, and sticky red sauce and fried till the crust is hard and crunchy making it a uniquely Korean Cuisine dish.

yangnam chicken, korean version of buffalo wings

I have simply never had tastier chicken in my entire life, and that’s coming from a man who has eaten entire poultry farms (not in one sitting though). There are no words that could explain the taste; you will have to try this one for yourself if you want to believe me.

Stir-Fried noodles (Japchae)

Korean food is not just limited to Korea. One of the dishes that the world has accepted as a great restaurant meal is Japchae. The original Japchae was a royal dish, invented by the King’s chefs.

It was made without noodles. Later on, the recipe evolved, sweet potato starch noodles were added which gave the dish a unique chewy texture. Lightly cooked vegetables make this dish wholesome, hearty, and a delight to consume.

Fermented Cabbage (Kimchi)

The national dish of Korean Cuisine, Kimchi, is an important dish that is widely used. It is basically fermented cabbage marinated leaf-by-leaf with spices. It is then used as a base for numerous Korean dishes. Leaving it in the refrigerator for two-three days enhances its flavor and gives it a tangy and sour taste. Be sure to read about the museum dedicated to Kimchi here.

Korean food is the new hype around the world, as more and more people become exposed to it and the demand of Korean Cuisine outlets rise. If you are a fan of exotic cuisine and would love to try new things, Korea is the right place for you.

Enjoy!

Hong Kong Nightlife – From Movies to Bars and Relaxation

December 6, 2014

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Hong Kong Nightlife – From Movies to Bars and Relaxation

The Hong Kong nightlife is one grand party you simply cannot miss and which does not stop. You will not be able to resist what the streets of HK have to offer you during these hypnotic nights.

Every evening after I had moved to Hong Kong after I came home from work, I would go out for enjoyment. It could be dinner from almost any country in the world, incredible malls to walk through, awesome bars, lounges to simply relax after a long day in factories. And for me, it was the gym. I loved going to the gym at night.

Night Tour

For those folks who are not new to the streets of HK, you really know how to party, for those who are new, the night tour is one of the best ways to take the party up a notch. Grab a tour of the beautiful streets or even the sea.

You can avail any one you wish to and enjoy wonderful sightseeing, as you gorge on the most elegant and tempting flavors of HK. Catch a ferry from the harbor if you want the most mouthwatering seafood ever, and enjoy a candlelight dinner while watching Hong Kong glisten.

Bars & Pubs

It is time to get your chilled glass and head on to the energetic, vibrant, and lively atmosphere. Many of the famous bars and pubs are on the east side of HK, which are quite famous for their popularity as they give you what you came here for, a break from daily life.

Become the ultimate Hong Kong nightlife icon while you enjoy delicious grub, branded beer and drinks and learn more about the locals by socializing with them.

Be sure to check out Lan Kwai Fong (westerner heaven) if you’re in the mood for a never ending party of drinking, food, dancing all night long.

Clubs & Discos

A big part of the Hong Kong nightlife is you can take your pick from any two flavored nightclubs. Either enjoy the west in the east, or go for the Chinese culture. The western themed clubs are the main attractions for the tourists and western citizens, whereas the Chinese clubs are occupied with Chinese people who have turned them into the liveliest places you will ever see.

You can go out with your family, or even have business meetings in these clubs and discos, while enjoying the best dining packages HK has to offer.

Cinemas

Amazingly, Hong Kong has a rich history with cinema as well. They are the world’s third largest film producers followed by Hollywood and Bollywood. Over 100 screens around the world portray Chinese films, which are jam packed with love, action, mystery, seduction, thrills, and much more.

Avenue of Stars, tsim sha tsui, hong kong

You will fall in love with concepts, stories, and will be tempted to watch them multiple times. Just make sure you see one with English subtitles if you are not proficient in the local language. It’s a great way to enjoy the Hong Kong nightlife scene.

Malls & Parks

There is no end to the fabulous Hong Kong nightlife and the party on the streets. To add more in the experience, be sure to head to the malls and parks. With over thousands of shops, brands, and products, your shopping experiences will change completely.

Find what you are looking for all under one roof while actually enjoying it. After you are finished shopping, head to the food courts which have so much for you to choose from. You will seriously get confused by looking at the menu, no doubt. After you have shopped, and filled your belly, take a walk in the park.

The beautiful scenery and Hong Kong nightlife will leave you astonished, and the peace will bring you comfort.

Enjoy!

Italian Transport Network – Endless Ways to Visit and Explore

December 5, 2014

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Italian Transport Network – Endless Ways to Visit and Explore

I love traveling around Italy with a backpack. It’s exciting, it’s real, it’s pretty easy, fun, and always some place to go just a bus or train ride away.

Italy is not a huge country, and its major cities are all very well-connected creating the Italian Transport Network. Using: motorways, buses, railway networks and national flights. Driving in Italy can take a little getting used to since the roadways are different and so is the driving methods. But once you’ve got it, it’s like being on a grand prix!

Here’s a breakdown of the normal methods for getting around the Italian Transport Network:

Trains

The top mode of the Italian transport network would be the train. Especially in the north of the country, generally eliminates any need to travel by bus or air.

All of the major cities are connected by high-speed train which is fast, reliable and affordable. Italian trains have a reputation for almost always being on time. There are occasional 10 – 20 minute delays on the longer distance trains, and the night trains can frequently be delayed by up to an hour.

But generally speaking, regional and national train services do run more or less on time. You can check www.viaggiatreno.it for up to date information on train scheduling.

High Speed Train Network

There are two high-speed rail lines in Italy which connect all of the major cities in the country and are part of the Italian transport network.

One line runs from Milan to Salerno, and calls at Bologna, Florence, Rome and Naples along the way. The other line connects Turin and Venice and also stops at Milan along the way, although part of this line is still under construction.

This high-speed railway is designed to withstand speeds of up to 190 miles per hour. At this speed it is possible to travel the 360 mile journey from Milan to Rome in just under 3 hours. This journey would typically cost you about $80.

InterRail Pass

If you are planning to visit a few different cities within Italy it may be worth your while buying an InterRail pass. This pass will give you unlimited train travel on either 3, 4, 6 or 8 days within a month.

It can work out much cheaper than the cost of all of the train tickets between cities added together. Be aware that in order to travel on night trains or on the high-speed trains you may have to reserve a seat which could come at an additional cost; this has caught me out in the past. However, these passes are of great value and certainly part of the Italian transport network.

The InterRail pass also gives you flexibility; you don’t have to book a specific day on which to travel so if you fall in love with Naples or Milan, you can stay a few extra days without losing out.

Buses

The bus will work out to be the cheapest way to travel between Italian cities. However, the services are not at all frequent and the journeys often take twice the time and are half as comfortable as traveling by train.

There are quite a few companies which offer bus travel between cities but there is no one website which will compare all of the times and prices for you, so it can be a fairly long process of comparing them all. If you are traveling on a budget, though, it will be worth the effort as you are guaranteed to save money.

The main bus companies are Sais, Interbus, Sita, Autostradale and Baltour, all of which have websites which clearly list their timetables, routes and prices.

Personally, I’ve always enjoyed this part of the Italian transport network, especially inner-city buses. They’re lively, fun, meeting interesting people, and see the cities up close.

Driving in Italy

Italy has one of the highest ratios of vehicles to people of any country in the world making it a must part of the Italian transport network. The motorways are called Autostrade in Italian. Driving from one city to another can be a relatively stress-free experience.

The motorways connect all of the major cities and tourist destinations in the country and you will be able to find a car hire company office extremely easily, wherever you are. However, driving within the cities is a nightmare! You have been warned!

In Rome, no matter what the time of day, a chorus of car horns can be heard constantly. There are often gridlocks in the town centers and tons of traffic elsewhere. But the experience driving outside of the cities and across the country are some of the most beautiful in the world.

Taxis

If you do need to travel by car, taking a taxi is probably the best bet for short distances and in integral part of the Italian transport network. You should still leave plenty of time if you have an appointment to get to, as traffic jams in Italy are a constant issue and seem to arise from nowhere. There are a few things which you should know before taking a taxi in Italy.

If you call a cab from a company it will cost you a bit more as the drivers start the meter from the minute they receive the call, not from when you get in. This is not the driver attempting to make a couple of extra euros from the tourists; it is just the way the system works. This is especially important if you’re staying in a hotel in a remote part of town and the hotel must call a taxi for you.

It is also common in cities across Italy for Taxi’s to only pick up at marked locations. First time I was in Milan, I flagged down at least 10 taxi’s and didn’t understand why none would stop for me. I was eventually led to an area down the road where people were waiting for a taxi.

However, I did notice a few times that some taxi drives will pull the stunt “I don’t have enough change” routine. Trust me, they always do, they just want a few more euro’s. Stick to your guns and pay the meter. If he can’t break your bills, you’re in the right.

Metro

7 of Italy’s major cities have their own metro systems making it one of the most convenient of the Italian transport networks.

These cities are Brescia, Catania, Genoa, Milan, Naples, Rome and Turin. Rome has the busiest metro network in Italy. It currently has 2 lines, but a third is under construction and there are plans to build a fourth as well. The Metro is the fastest and the easiest way to get around Rome if your hotel is not directly in the center.

The stations are easy to find and well-connected and there are information desks which are usually manned by English-speaking staff to help you should you have any questions.

All of the cities in Italy are well-connected to one another creating an exceptional Italian Transport Network. They are not too far apart so journeys by road and rail are perfectly feasible. I would really recommend using the trains over hiring a car simply due to the traffic. But driving the country is breathtaking.

Enjoy!

Hong Kong Disneyland Adventure – Magical Family Time

December 5, 2014

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Hong Kong Disneyland Adventure – Magical Family Time

Hong Kong Disneyland is a world class resort and theme park which is a must see place, especially for families visiting Hong Kong. This wonderful place is situated on Lantau Island and is a 30-minute Railway ride away from Hong Kong’s centre.

The setting and atmosphere of this place is full of excitement and adventure. Hong Kong Disneyland offer thrilling experiences for all age groups including spectacular parades, fireworks, photo sessions with Disney characters, Mickey’s Philharmagic music adventure, an amusing 3D movie, Festival of Golden Mickeys and Lion King, and Broadway style shows.

With the Disney themed hotels, scenic spots, and fun rides, along with delicious Asian and Chinese food, Hong Kong Disneyland park will undoubtedly make for an unforgettable experience.

Major Attractions

The main attractions of Disney land are the four themed lands. Every themed land has exclusive stores where souvenirs and memorabilia are available. Each land has numerous restaurants that offer a wide range of food items.

There is transport available between the park and hotels for convenient commute.

Hong Kong Disneyland has special attractions fused with the Chinese culture which makes it s must-see place.

There are Disney characters moving around and accompany the visitors on this magical and fantastic trip. There are roller coasters, haunted houses, crazy mirrors, Ferris wheels, cotton candy, hotdogs, and so much more to look forward to.

Main Street USA

This is the first theme land one will come to after entering Hong Kong Disney land. Once you enter the main street, you will be able to see unique buildings, dim gas lamps, and a paddy wagon going by. City Hall transports, Disneyland railroad, and antique taxicabs will give you an experience of 20^th century America fused with Chinese elements.

Adventure Land

After you leave Main Street USA, you will come to the Adventure Island. Here, the Jungle River Cruise which is guided by a brave captain will take you to various hidden regions. In Adventure land, you will witness orangutans, elephants, cobras, hippos and other jungle elements.

This attraction was conceived originally fifty years ago by Walt Disney but has been given a completely new look with thrilling Disney magic of 21^st century especially designed for Hong Kong Disneyland.

Fantasy Land

After Adventure Land, you will enter the Fantasy land. This place will make all your Disney dreams come true with Snow White grotto, Dumbo, Sleeping Beauty castle, Mad Hatter tea cups, sword in the stone, and Winnie the Pooh. The visitors can join Donald Duck, Mickey Mouse, and other characters at the 3D attraction of Mickey’s Philharmagic.

Tomorrow Land

Lastly, you will enter Tomorrow land. The amazing and exciting space mountain roller coaster ride will have you screaming all the way till the end. You can even fly a space capsule and battle the aliens with a space gun at Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters.

Hong Kong Disneyland is undoubtedly one of the most fantastic and exciting places to visit in the city. There are also a variety of Disney themed hotels one can select and have an exciting time with your friends and family.

And don’t miss the nightly fireworks! Be sure to get there a little early to grab a seat outside of Cinderella’s castle! And depending upon the holiday and time of the year, Disney offers a wide range of activities and themes to match the festivities.

Enjoy!

Day Trip to Mahachai – Relaxers Paradise Galore

December 4, 2014

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Day Trip to Mahachai – Relaxers Paradise Galore

When you want to escape the hustle bustle of the day to day life of Bangkok there is no place better then a Day Trip to Mahachai. Situated approximately forty-five kilometers south-west of Bangkok, the town has a soothing effect on you.

Mahachai is so not the town for you if you want to go fishing or gambling. It is where you go to do nothing and for no specific time period.

You visit Mahachai when you just want to enjoy the cool and refreshing ocean breeze. That is exactly what I did, a Day Trip to Mahachai. And it was marvelous! Taking a ferry across the river I looked at the beautiful floats and all that the town had to offer.

The market itself is very astounding. Sporting a wide variety of crabs, fish, and other wriggling species out of the sea the market is one of a kind. The air is thick with a strong smell of fish and the sounds of vendors calling people to their stands.

It seems that the railway and the market grew around each other. Merchants have to move their merchandise off the train tracks as the train approaches the station. You are bound to get lost in the hustle bustle of this market.

This market is a fish lover’s dream come true. The assortment of fish on sale over here is mind-blowing. Squids are particularly celebrated in the market. Every fish stall sports different types of squid, neatly displayed according to sizes and grade. A stall was selling dried squid. Packed in a bag you could enjoy it while roaming around the market.

When every making a day trip to Mahachai, you may also see a faction of monks, clad in their most excellent orange ritual robes, stepping on the ferry to take them to the opposite side of the waterway. We passed by both the Thai and Chinese sanctuaries, and witnessed the various collections from the ocean in enormous quantities.

After strolling through the market we all felt hungry and so after looking for a restaurant we all agreed to dine in at Ran Ahan Pi, an ancient restaurant, famous mainly for its delectable seafood.

When making a Day Trip to Mahachai, make sure to stop here.

Entire varieties of Thai seafood, as well as a number of exceptional house-made fortes, were displayed on the restaurant’s menu.

Beautiful sky at Tha Chin River, Mahachai, Thailand

The eatery proprietor is recognized to possess quite a personality, and according to the story we were told by the locals, when anyone ordered rice with omelets, he would become really angry and would tell the consumer to leave his restaurant. The lesson of the story being that when you go to a seafood restaurant, you order only seafood. No chicken and definitely no eggs.

We finally decided to order the shrimp covered in chili powder, lime juice and fish paste, squid which was stir fried in the company of salted egg yolks, in addition to a crunchy deep-fried bass dished up with acerbic green mango pulp as the side. The whole lot of food we ordered was fresh and tasty.

After an awesome Day Trip to Mahachai Fish Market and an appetizing dinner we finally decided to go back to our hotel room to fall into a deep slumber.

Enjoy!

Haunted Locations in England – The Doorway to Another World

December 4, 2014

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Haunted Locations in England – The Doorway to Another World

England has a reputation of being one of those places that have various haunted houses and dwellings (check out the secret places of Paris!). I decided to visit some of the haunted locations in England myself to witness the evil that people claim to have seen there.

Some of the haunted locations in England were places where tragedy had struck and the ghosts of the dead did not intend to leave.

Others apparently, had murdered witches still lurking around in the dark to take revenge.

I am a big fan of Ghost Hunters which is why I decided to go on this adventure. So I took to the road early one Saturday morning and started my journey towards the horrors and haunted locations in England!

Here I list some of the places that truly fascinated me.

Borley Rectory

Probably the most famous in whole of England Borley Rectory was one of my top choices of the places I wanted to visit. Suspected to be haunted ever since it was built this old, gothic Victorian mansion was constructed in 1862.

Burnt to ground by a fire in 1939 the mansion was remodeled in 1944. Footsteps had been heard all over the place. This did not frighten me as almost all haunted houses do have cases of unexplained knocks, whispers and footsteps.

What did make my hair stand on end was the fact that a Reverend’s wife had found a woman’s skull wrapped in brown packaging and stashed inside her cupboard. I found the incident very creepy indeed. However, I did not experience any paranormal activity, though the mansion did have a sense of loss and a heavy feeling of sadness.

And I was very glad when I finally stepped out of the gloomy mansion and into the bright sunlight! This one definitely took the cake as being the top haunted locations in England.

Berry Pomeroy Castle

The ghosts of the Blue Lady and the White Lady haunt the Berry Pomeroy Castle, believed to be one of the most eerie castles in England.

This picturesque castle has the reputation of concealing sinister secrets behind its pretty façade. The White Lady haunts the dungeons and is harmless according to the locals. It is the Blue Lady we should be afraid of.

She haunts the tower and attracts passersby to it, who plunge to their death if they succumb to her. The place itself is very beautiful and I personally did not feel threatened by it.

Ancient Ram Inn

This Ancient Ram Hotel easily makes the top list of haunted locations in England.

The hotel has been owned by many people since 1145 and is believed to be one of the most haunted inns. This did not surprise me because history revealed that the house had been a location where different disturbing incidents had taken place.

Black magic and child sacrifices are a big part of the house’s past so the eerie feeling the inn gives off does not feel bizarre. You feel once you get inside that it is unsafe and you feel like you are being watched.

John Humphries, the current owner of the hotel believed that the lodge is haunted by various spooks including a witch, orbs, two demons and various other ghostly presences. No wonder the inn gave me the heebie jeebies!

Do you believe in haunted houses? Well, whether you do or don’t, these haunted locations in England are sure to give you a sense of excitement!

Enjoy

Top Business Hotels in Paris – Making Your Stay Exceptional

December 3, 2014

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Top Business Hotels in Paris – Making Your Stay Exceptional

Ah.. Paris! Food, sites, history, culture, cruises, shops, Eiffel Tower, and luxury!

All of the best business hotels in Paris have a great location, world-class service and modern facilities in addition to their unique personalities. For those that can afford the lap of luxury, here is a handpicked collection of luxury hotels, identified the best business hotels in Paris.

The best business hotels in Paris all strive to ensure that guests are as stress-free as possible while working away from home.

High-speed Internet should be easily available, the business center should be staffed around the clock, conference rooms are accessible, and you’ll find convenient transportation.

La Defense, New Business District of Paris.

Hotel Baltimore Paris | Paris, France

This handsome building was transformed into a luxury hotel in the 1920s, taking on the name of its famous first guest, Lord Baltimore. With distinctly Parisian charm, the Hotel Baltimore Paris invokes the art de vivre a la francaise with a Champagne bar, fine cuisine, library lounge and fitness room.

The attentive and dedicated services offers a personalized and high-quality welcome combining respect, discretion and a constant desire to meet guest expectations.

All of these combines traits ensure this is one of the top business hotels in Paris

Hotel de Crillon | Paris, France

Designated as a unique historical monument, the Hotel de Crillon is an elegant 18th century luxury hotel situated on the world famous Place De La Concorde in the heart of Paris. Only a few steps away from the Champs-Elysees, the Faubourg Saint Honore shopping area and all major museums, the Hotel de Crillon is the place to stay in Paris.

This mythical hotel is rich in history and culture. Decorated in a Louis XV style, the hotel’s 147 guest rooms and suites include Presidential apartments and the exceptional Louis XV and Leonard Bernstein suites.

With 140 square meters of terrace, tall windows allowing abundant light, warm colors and wood-paneling, these renowned suites offer magnificent views of Paris, the Eiffel Tower proudly visible from a luxurious bubble-bath. Offering its guests the highest level of personalized service is the ultimate goal of Hotel de Crillon.

Hotel Le Bristol Paris | Paris, France

Hotel Le Bristol Paris is an exceptional luxury hotel. With a large “a la française” garden, it is ideally located on the rue du Faubourg Saint Honore. 102 rooms and 85 suites filled with sumptuous fabrics and refined woodwork.

The Restaurant offers exceptional and innovative cuisine by 3 Michelin star Chef Eric Frechon. The bar, elegant and spontaneous, welcomes you for an afternoon tea, or less formal lunch or dinner. Exceptional? Absolutely. Best business hotels in Paris? True, too!

Hotel Plaza Athenee | Paris, France

Hotel Plaza Athenee deploys a palette of colors and light in its guest rooms and suites with elegance, charm, and sophistication so that guests can enjoy a unique, refreshing atmosphere. As you move from one window to the next, your eyes follow the line of sweet chestnut trees on avenue Montaigne.

Then sweep across the rooftops of Montmartre to the Eiffel Tower before coming to rest on the Garden Courtyard with its Virginia creeper and geraniums.

Hyatt Regency Madeleine | Paris, France

Hyatt Regency Paris-Madeleine is a fine luxury boutique hotel in Paris, ideally situated in the area of La Madeleine, in the midst of the most fashionable shopping district and close to the historical centre.

Located on the typically Parisian Boulevard Malesherbes, this five-star hotel is few minutes from the haute couture, fashion and jewellery shops of the famous streets Faubourg Saint-Honoré and Rue Royale and the department stores Printemps Haussman and Galeries Lafayette on Haussmann Boulevard.

Given the resources, these hotels are truly amazing. If there is time on your trip, I’d even recommend just walking into them, especially the Hotel de Crillon, truly a remarkable place just to see.

Enjoy!

Amazing Hong Kong Facts and Things to Know

December 2, 2014

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Amazing Hong Kong Facts and Things to Know

I’m so sorry, or maybe not? But I just needed to write about more interesting facts of Hong Kong, because I love Hong Kong. It was and still is my home of over 7 years. For such a small landmass, there is just so many interesting facts! At the center of East and Western culture, there is an incredible, and unique, lifestyle.

Hong Kong is filled with many interesting stories, landmarks, events, cultures, traditions, and facts. Before you pack your bags and decide to go to the best destination for a long vacation, have a look at these really amazing hong kong facts.

Peak Tram- Oldest cable Funicular

Peak tram is the first cable funicular in all of Asia and was established in the late 1880s. This is also one of the steepest, and also the oldest railroad which operates through cables, in the world. This funicular gives transport services to over 11,000 people, and nearly 4 million on an annual basis.

This easily makes it to the top of the list of Amazing Hong Kong Facts!

¾ Hong Kong is rural

That is correct, about ¾ percent of Hong Kong is actually rural. It even compromises of 24 country parks and also woodlands, reservoirs, and scenic hills too. Amazing Hong Kong facts, right?

Hong Kong is actually divided into 3 primary regions and then dozens of island. The 3 primary regions are: Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and The New Territories.

Nobel Peace Prize Winner

The Noble Peace Prize winner, Professor Charles Kao is from Hong Kong, and is also known as the ‘Father of Fiber Optics Communications.’ This is pretty amazing Hong Kong facts. All our modern technologies of communication, from here!

Chinese New Year’s Dish

The dish, Poon Choi, which is made on every New Years, consists of 10 different ingredients which are cooked separately, and brought together at the end in one big pot. This Hakka origin dish is very famous and popular in Cantonese cuisines.

Poon Choi Cantonese Big Feast Bowl Closeup

Wine Auction

The world’s most expensive bottles of wine were auctioned in Hong Kong worth USD$ 232,692 each.

Wow! Now that helps make it to the list of amazing Hong Kong facts!

Disneyland

Hong Kong has the first Disneyland which opened in China, and the 3^rd outside of the United States.

Mongkok Population

Mongkok has the highest population density in all of Hong Kong with as estimated 130,000 residents per square kilometers, unbelievable right?

Canton-Pop

The music genre, Canton-Pop started from Hong Kong which eventually went viral in all of Asia.

Bi-Cable Aerial Ride

Hong Kong has the longest bi-cable ride in all of Asia which extends over Ngong Ping Village, Po Lin Monastery, Giant Buddha, and Wisdom Path. This ride is hardly 25 minutes long. It also offers an breathtaking away view of the entire Hong Kong airport seen from above. Spectacular! What truly amazing Hong Kong Facts!

And if you feel more of the risk taker, try the glass bottom gondola!

Famous Gondola on Lantau Island, Hong Kong

World’s Highest Capita

Hong Kong café and restaurants boast one of the highest per-capita concentrations. This happens for every 600 people they feed.

Guinness World Record

The Guinness World Record for the largest magic lesson is held by a citizen of Hong Kong who taught a class of 314 children.

Most Skyscrapers

Hong Kong has the most skyscrapers in the entire world. It has over 8,000 buildings each consisting of more than 14 floors. Totally true! Amazing Hong Kong facts for sure, and I can even see my apartment building from that picture!

Home to the World’s most expensive

Iron Buddha, the most expensive tea is sold in HK for HKD$ 20,000 per kilogram. Hong Kong also consumes triple of the average of the world when it comes to tea, which is almost 9.8 kilograms on an annual base. Too costly to be an amazing Hong Kong facts?

Street Food

Street food is one of the most popular and most favorite kinds of cuisine in Hong Kong. It is not just popular amongst the locals, but it has made its mark amongst the tourists as well.

Metropolis

Hong Kong is known is the go to destination for luxurious goods and is the largest metropolis in all of Asia as well.

Amazing Hong Kong facts have so many interesting histories, places to visit, shop, eat, dine, enjoy, movie theaters, double decker buses, old trams, red taxi’s, and more. Every moment is lots of fun.

Enjoy!

Hong Kong Festivals – The Basic Lists of Festivities

December 2, 2014

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Hong Kong Festivals – The Basic Lists of Festivities

Hong Kong is a very vibrant city, especially when it comes to festivals. It holds amazing festivals every year that give you a great chance to mingle with your loved ones, friends, coworkers. I always loved the festivals, in additional to some really cool facts, in Hong Kong for many reasons. Perhaps the main reason is Hong Kong stands at the crossing of Eastern and Western cultures so you have this amazing blends of life styles.

The city becomes vibrant, people are off from work, and there is always some place to go to enjoy the festivals. While this list is comprehensive, it is in no way complete, just too many festivals to enjoy!

Hong Kong Festivals – Tuen Ng Dragon Boat festival

This is a very colorful festival in which boat races are held, and my personal favorite! Remind me to tell you my story of reaching one of the yachts that was sponsoring a group of racers.

Boats are in the shapes of attractive and beautifully decorated dragons. It is normally held in June, but the dates and months can vary depending on the dates of the lunar calendar. The races are organized at ten different sites and attract the locals as well as tourists from different countries.

I normally enjoyed going to the back side of Hong Kong island to Stanley Beach.

Hong Kong Festivals – Mid-Autumn Festival

It is one of the biggest festivals in Hong Kong and is considered to be the second most important festival in China, after the Chinese New Year Festival. Fire breathing dragons, lantern displays and gorgeous lion dances are some of the biggest highlights of this festival. They also have some of the best snacks!

I’ll be writing more on this festival in another article. While The Dragon boat races were the most exciting, this for me was the most meaningful.

Hong Kong Festivals – Chinese New Year Festival

The Chinese New Year is celebrated with a lot of zeal and fervor each year. Different events are held in Hong Kong to celebrate it. Three days of amazing events are planned almost every year to enjoy this occasion. A fantastic parade and entertainment extravaganza is held close to the Victoria Harbor on 31^st January.

Another important event of this festival is the stunning display of fireworks. I love fireworks, so I eagerly wait for the Chinese New Year to arrive every year.

Hong Kong Festivals – Hong Kong Winter Festival

This festival is mainly held for attracting tourists to Hong Kong. The streets are decorated with beautiful lights, sales are held in almost all the stores and snacks are distributed amongst the locals. It is organized before the New Year every year.

Hong Kong Festivals – Hong Kong Shopping Festival

This is heaven for all the ladies. It is an amazing festival that is mostly held in August and offers something for everyone.

Hong Kong Festivals – Christmas

Christmas is celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm in Hong Kong. The entire city is decorated with lights and Christmas trees. You can see Santa Claus distributing gifts amongst the children in shopping malls, and you get to enjoy discounted prices on goods and services as well.

One of the best places to visit in Hong Kong during this time of the year is Disney Land. Lots of entertaining events are organized there for kids.

Hong Kong Festivals – The Arts Festival

If you are an arts aficionado, then you’ll love this festival a lot. It was held for the first time during 1973, and has been organized annually since then. Ballets, operas, dramas and symphonies are the major attractions of this event. I attended a few performances last year and they were absolutely stunning!

Hong Kong Festivals – Horse Racing Festival

This is the most awaited festival by the enthusiasts of horses and gambling. It is celebrated mostly from January till July each year, but the timings can change.

This was really just a brief list but it contains some of the best and most interesting of the festivals and holidays in Hong Kong. I will be writing about more of them and also more in-depth, taking one festival and writing about it at length. So much of the festivals are tied to the culture and are very old in customs and traditions.

Enjoy!

Common Chinese Food – The Great and Expected Variety

December 1, 2014

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Common Chinese Food – The Great and Expected Variety

With 56 ethnic groups in China and nearly every town having its own staple food, it was never a question of finding but of “What to eat”? While it is commonly thought that all Chinese eat rice, it’s not so accurate. More people in Southern China, where rice is grown, eat rice. Northern Chinese eat heavier foods, including breads.

I remember back in 1999, it was the first time I had come to Hong Kong with my dad on a business trip. I was in high school and it dawned on me that Chinese food as we know it in the United States is not what people over in Hong Kong and China consider to be common Chinese food!

But it tasted so much better!

However, whenever you travel anywhere outside your country, it may be a concern for some people about finding things to eat (be sure to learn here about cultural differences). I had the same concerns, and often did while traveling the country as many regions had foods I just wouldn’t eat.

China is well known for its delicious cuisine and is a part of the menu served in different countries as well. However, while in China, you might not like everything on the menu.

So it’s a great to have some insider knowledge to what is common Chinese food.

You will find a huge variety of mouthwatering foods in different restaurants and on the food stalls in markets in China. Wheat and rice are the staple foods of the country and are commonly used in the majority of Chinese dishes. Corn, potato, buckwheat, sweet potato, legumes, millet noodles, stuffed buns, bread, dough sticks, egg, tofu and bread are also commonly eaten foods in the country.

Rice is one of the most common Chinese foods served restaurants.

Different vegetables, spices, noodles, egg and ingredients are added to it to create various varieties of rice. Some of the widely served rice dishes by vendors and restaurants in the country include egg fried rice, chicken fried rice, fried rice with garlic and beef, rice with curry beef, stewed beef rice, rice with braised beef brisket, fried rice with mixed vegetables and bacon, rice with assorted meat and white gourd in soup, rice in chicken soup and Hainan’s chicken rice.

Besides rice, noodles are one of the favorite and common Chinese foods. You will find many noodle dishes in Chinese food stalls and restaurants. Some of the famous ones include Guangzhou Shah Fen, Lanzhou Hand-Pulled Noodles, Guilin rice noodles, noodles with beef in brown sauce, rice noodles in red oil, beef stretched noodles, Sichuan noodles, cold noodles, Liuzhou snail rice noodles and rice noodles with horsemeat.

Egg is another common Chinese food that you will certainly find being sold by Chinese vendors. Residents of the country eat eggs in their routine and commonly use eggs of duck, quails, pigeon, goose and chicken. Century and salted duck eggs are two of the widely eaten egg dishes in the country and are often found on the menu of various restaurants in the country.

Fish is a common Chinese food consumed in the country and is considered a sign of prosperity and abundance. It is an integral part of the feast prepared during the Chinese New Year by the numerous households in the country. Some of the widely eaten kinds of shellfish and fish include grass carp, sea bass, carp, squid, crab, soft-shell turtle, crucian, prawn, oysters, shrimp and scallops.

Few of the famous fish dishes served in Chinese restaurants include West lake vinegar fish, broth-steamed bass, Xiamen boiled fresh fish, Sichuan poached fish fillets in hot chili oil and Hunan steamed fish head served with diced hot red peppers.

Steamed Fish is a famously served at the end of meals

A word for the adventurer in us all, there are markets across the country, usually in the deeper provinces and regions of the country, that serve a well… different plate of food. These would be completely foreign to a westerner and even some Chinese whom don’t travel to those regions of the country. What is a common Chinese food for someone in China may not be so common for someone else!

However, while traveling in the country, try not to make faces or vomit on seeing any of these foods being sold while you are amidst the Chinese people. If you are extremely grossed out and cannot control it, politely excuse yourself from the crowd and take a minute alone.

But, most of the food does taste great, and there is so much to go around. If you truly do not feel comfortable eating the foods, stick to rice and yes, beer. It can be quite filling.

Enjoy!

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