Weekly Photo Challenge: Surprise

 Captioning shed

“Captioning shed” at the 7th annual Asian Film Awards at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong. March 2013

I don’t think I’ve had too many surprises in my life before but one that I can think of is this one back in 2013:  I was in Hong Kong and joining steno superstar Jade King to shadow/follow her as she did the live captioning of the 7th annual Asian Film Awards at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai.  Jade had previously done this job before 2013 and when she blogged about it, she included photos of the private booth that she had that overlooked the stage as the place where she would been captioning the award show live.   Continue reading

Posted in Weekly Photo Challenge | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Hotel Review: Hotel Mercure Sapporo

Hotel Mercure Sapporo

Hotel Mercure Sapporo located at 2 Chome-2-4 Minami 4 Jonishi, Sapporo-shi, Chūō-ku, Hokkaido Prefecture 064-0804, Japan

We stayed at Hotel Mercure Sapporo for three nights during our trip to Hokkaido, Japan:  October 2, 3, and 6, 2016.  I found Hotel Mercure Sapporo to be a very solid and comfortable stay.  I loved that it was in the centre of Sapporo city which meant that the nightlife was all around us and completely walkable.  After each day, after we returned to our hotel, we went out again so that we could samples the local shops and restaurants around us.   Continue reading

Posted in Hotel Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Aburi Oshi Sushi at Miku Toronto

Miku Toronto Aburi Oshi Sushi

Miku Toronto located at 10 Bay St, #105 in Toronto

Miku Toronto hails from Vancouver, Canada where they housed their first location.  Miku Toronto is their East Coast expansion and is situated on Bay Street near Queen’s Quay in downtown Toronto (Southern Financial District).  They are most well known for their aburi oshi sushi, prepared using their “famous flame seared technique with signature sauces”.  In addition to a la carte lunch and dinner service, they also offer kaisek and omakase as well!   Continue reading

Posted in Food | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Hokkaido, Japan 2016 Day 7: Mitsui Outlet Mall and Last Day

breakfast at Mecure Sapporo Hotel

Another wonderful breakfast at Mecure Sapporo Hotel

October 8, 2016 ~ Day 7 in Hokkaido, Japan.

A week has passed by just like that!  Today’s itinerary was nothing more than a stop to the Mitsui Outlet Park Sapporo Kitahiroshima and flying back to Hong Kong.

We started with a later morning than usual with checkout time at 9 a.m.   Continue reading

Posted in Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Hokkaido, Japan 2016 Day 6: Miniature Horse Farm, Sapporo Museum, and More Food in Sapporo

Daiichi Hotel views

View outside Daiichi Hotel

October 7, 2016 ~ Day 6 in Hokkaido, Japan.

Today, before leaving Daiichi Hotel, we had a amazing spread of breakfast downstairs in a dining room next to the one we had the Kaiseki dinner last night.

I was so impressed with the variety and spread of food that was available.   Continue reading

Posted in Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Hokkaido, Japan 2016 Day 5: Waterfalls, Parks, and Public Onsens

Akan National Park

First view of Akan National Park in Hokkaido

October 6, 2016 ~ Day 5 in Hokkaido, Japan.

Day 5 of my Hokkaido trip and it was more of a tame day in terms of travelling and events I have to say.

Before leaving the hotel, we went for a second morning dip in the salt-based open air hot spring bath on the balcony.  It was great!   Continue reading

Posted in Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Planeta Mexico in Markham [Defunct]

Planeta Mexico food

Planeta Mexico located at 187 Main Street in Markham

Last night, Ken and I went to dinner at Planeta Mexico in Markham.  By its name, it’s clearly a Mexican restaurant and an “authentic Mexican cuisine” at that!  I had heard about this restaurant from my friend Angel who raved about it on her social media feed.  Thus, when I had passed by this restaurant when walking by on Main Street Unionville previously, I had always been intrigued to check it out.   Continue reading

Posted in Food | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Weekly Photo Challenge: Security

Big Buddha, Hong Kong

The Big Buddha, Hong Kong. January 2012

In January 2012, we were in Hong Kong and we visited the Big Buddha at Ngong Ping, Lantau Island.  I was looking through my photos and I’m sure that I visited the Big Buddha in July 2009 when I was there but browsing through my photos, I realize that I didn’t capture any photos of the Big Buddha — it must have been under construction that year otherwise I’m sure I would have seen photos in my album…   Continue reading

Posted in Weekly Photo Challenge | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

Private Tasting at Happy All-Day Breakfast & Lunch

All-Day Breakfast & Lunch

All-Day Breakfast & Lunch located at 17665 Leslie St, Unit #3 in Newmarket

I had the pleasure to be invited to Happy All-Day Breakfast & Lunch located in Newmarket to try out their restaurant.  Happy All-Day Breakfast & Lunch is a family owned and operated all-day breakfast and lunch restaurant (as the name implies!) at 17665 Leslie Street, Unit #3.  It’s easily accessible via Highway 404 and is a easy-to-find yet fairly nondescript restaurant from the exterior.   Continue reading

Posted in Complimentary Adventures, Food | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Firehall After Dark (A Yelp Ladies Night) at Old Firehall Confectionery

chocolate verrine sample

Old Firehall Confectionery located at 170 Main Street Unionville in Markham

Last Wednesday, I attended the Firehall After Dark, a Yelp Elite Ladies only event, at Old Firehall Confectionery.  This was a really great event just for the Yelp Elite ladies to enjoy some sweets, alcohol, and lots of chocolate at this popular and well-known confectionery shop (there was a separate Yelp Elite event for the gentlemen too that same night).

Old Firehall Confectionery is one of the major draws at Main Street Unionville in Markham where the entire store is lined with sweets and sugar treats fit for any age.   Continue reading

Posted in Complimentary Adventures, Food | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments