January 2005
Antarctica
Australia
Sydney
The year began in Antarctica, or rather over the white continent.
The Tsunami that had killed many on Boxing Day brought back memory of another movie I once saw...
"The Day After Tomorrow".
The movie began its opening scenes from Antarctica as well. When I first saw scenes of the catastrophe on CNN, I thought to
myself... it's like scenes out of Hollywood movies! This can't be real! Same as when I saw the aircraft crashed into World
Trade Center on Sep. 11!

I welcomed the new year with a bit of apprehension... that life is vulnerable to the forces of nature, that we as human beings
are not as in control (of the world & environment) as we'd like to think.
We have to live each moment to the fullest; not to postpone how we should live or how we should feel.

As the new year began, wake up calls are everywhere.
Awakening is the keyword. I think. Forever is NOW.
March 2005
Canada
Vancouver
Whistler
A very short trip on Good Friday long weekend. All in all - 5 days.
It's been years since I was in Vancouver. I think may be even 10 years! Everything still looks the same though... except, I
have a friend from HK who's living here now & oh boy, her kids are growing way too fast!!!
It was good to see May again, even though I did see her a few years when we were both back in HK for holidays.
I had a great time catching up with her... & gossipping about people we don't even know (hehe, mostly she did the talking as
I'm not familiar with those soap stars from Korea but it seems that's the hottest "thing" ever now with the HK housewives (or
we call them taitai, ie. the rich housewives) living in Vancouver.

A most relaxing holiday, despite the long distance over the Pacific Ocean.
& hurray, I bought my PSP on the day it was launched too!
Cool machine... if u don't have one, go get it! Love it, love it, love it :-)))
Plus the unforgettable Alaskan Crab, hmmmm... yummy!!!!!!!!!
April 2005
China
Shanghai
Suzhou
Tongli
After a very short stint to Vancouver around Good Friday / Easter Sunday holidays, I am ready for more trips...
First, to Shanghai.
It's been 3 years since I was here last. Perhaps my 4th or even 5th visit this time.
Brad Wilson, whom I met on my flight to Antarctica, indicated his desire to check out this city, his first to China.
That was way back in February.
What?! A trip to Shanghai in the middle of winter? NO, NO, NO!!!
OK, so I got him to change it to April since I'm heading this way. I think he made the right decision.
It was very pleasant & almost perfect weather the last 5 days we were here. & of course to Suzhou & Tongli as well.
I think I'm quite a good guide ;-) despite all the shopping I need to do at the end of the trip.

Shanghai is more fascinating these days. Great & yummy food everywhere.
*Sigh* I put on all those weight I took great pains in losing the last couple of months! What am I going to do?!?!?!
BUT, I'll be back in end June for another sample. This time, to Laris.
Jean Georges was great, but I think Laris could be better ;-) & indeed, it is better. I even met the chef! Cool!!!
April 2005
Morocco
Casablanca
Marrakech
Ourika
Have you ever heard the song "Casablanca"? It's one of my all time favorites. & hence, when I got the chance to fly to
Casablanca, I was very enthusiastic. No, I never did see the movie. So, I don't have any preconceived idea of what the place
would be. All I had was the song.It was akin to meeting someone you talked to the phone all the time but never had an idea
of what he/she looks like. Was I disappointed? Hm, I wouldn't say I was. But it certainly wasn't what I had in mind.

After 2 nights in Casablanca, I flew to Marrakech. Casablanca felt like a city where people work & trade in.
Marrakech? To me, it felt very much like Vegas. How so? Mega-resorts, hot & dry weather, tourist-roaming city.
Yes, there are some places you can get away from. I did go to the souks on my own & got an incredible stare from a
Lebanese lady I met on the day excursion to Oirika. Apparently, I wasn't supposed to go there by myself!
I did consider going there with a guide but the so-called guide the hotel recommended wasn't interested in taking me there
when he heard me saying I'm not interested in shopping! My conclusion? Lots of opportunists in both the cities.
To be fair, I did meet some very nice & friendly people too. & I was very welcome in the city.
So, all in all, I must say that if one doesn't speak French or Arabic & plans to see as much as possible, the best way is to join
a group tour. You might not enjoy it as much but you'll save a lot of hassle with arranging for transportation & trying to
understand what others are saying! U'll also have the chance to see the Sahara! I still couldn't believe I missed that!
May 2005
Hungary
Budapest
Esztergom
Vac
Slovakia
Hungary was much of a surprise as Poland had been. It's my 2nd "central" European country & as had the first one, a very
pleasant surprise indeed. I was taken in by the European aura of the city of Budapest. It's chic & trendy. Very cosmopolitan &
very much of the Hapsburg era. I felt like I was walking in some parts of Vienna, which incidentally, is one of my favorite cities
in Europe. The others being Barcelona, Paris & Prague. I wasn't very fond of Paris on my very first visit though. This teaches
us not to rely on first impression though. It took me more than 10 years to learn that lesson, lol...

While in Budapest, I met up with some of the most well-traveled people in the world. I think they have been to more than 70
countries! They are online friends whom I met through VirtualTourist.com. I met Laszlo who had visited more areas of my own
country than I have had. I also met a travel writer from Lonely Planet. He's David Stanley & he used to specialise on Eastern
Europe & the South Pacific Islands. The 3 of us then went on to Esztergom & Vac in Northern Hungary, close to the border of
Slovakia. I then had the thrilling experience of stepping onto the lands of Slovakia without a visa! Hehe, that was truly an
experience to remember by.
June 2005
Belgium
Brussels
Brugge
Ghent
Michelen
It was said... "life is like a box of chocolate". In this case, Godiva.
Still, knowing something exists do not necessary mean one has had a good grasp of it.
I was in Belgium once, eons ago.
It was one of those many nights on a European grand tour (one which I highly discourage anyone to go on!).
Since it took me more than 10 years to come back again, you could safely say it had not left me with much impression the
first time round.

But as the saying goes, one never knows what one might get in life. So, I am back again to this country.
Little did I know its treasures & mystics. It may be small, but it is definitely packed with beauty & grace.
A country full of character & in certain aspect, a fairy tale quality to it.
June 2005
Cuba
Havana
Santa Clara
Trinidad
U.K.
"Guantanamera Guajira Guantanamera" ... that was my first intro to Cuba, just when I was a little girl. Based on a poem by
Jose Marti, this song (a favorite of my aunt) was a memory from childhood. Whenever I hear this song, I almost instantly go
back in time, those wonderful & full of mischiefs times...

And with that, Cuba seems like home. It was a thing from the past. Literally. Both for me as well as many Cubans who are still
living there.
A glorious past ... Che ... everywhere he lives on. In spirit, in touristing.
I watched a movie on him not knowing who he was until the end of the movie. Incredible, eh?
Well, one of those things in life.
But, it's not too late, at least for me it isn't.
& I certainly hope, for many Cubans who are still struggling with life, it's not too late either.
I've mixed feelings about this country. & I have yet "processed" this insight. Hence, I shall not discuss this until I'm ready,
perhaps tomorrow, perhaps later... not now.
July 2005
Canada
Toronto
Niagara Falls
U.S.A.
Chicago
Another month had passed since my last trip to Toronto & I've to return again. Well, it's my dad's birthday & he's currently in
town. Essentially, a family trip. I spent most of my time with family, relatives & friends. We took a day off to visit Niagara Falls
& I was surprised at the number of casinos that have sprung up there. It's the Vegas of Canada?! OMG!

Niagara Falls is nice after a long while. Let's face it... no matter how magnificent a fall is, one simply couldn't look at it for too
long. Well, I had been there countless times since university days. Hence...

But, it was nonetheless a great day to visit Niagara Falls with my cousins & parents. Something I'll remember for a long time
to come.

On my way back, I visited Chicago for the very first time (well, even though I've transited many times there). Again, I fall in
love with the city. It's going to be one of my favorite cities in North America.
It's walkable, it's hip & it's simply lovely!
July 2005
China
Hong Kong
Shanghai
Xitang
From Chicago to Xitang... well, someone said I'm a little crazy.
Perhaps, perhaps... but one should not live life to regrets.

I saw a documentary on Discovery Channel recently... & that instantly made the decision to discover Xitang. A 1 hour ride from
Shanghai, if you know the short-cut, that is. A very pleasant town. It's still relatively undiscovered by the world.
Most people you meet here are probably local tourists.

I like this town. It's simply full of very nice people. Not that most people in China are not nice. But here, you simply lose
yourself in time as you slow down the pace & simply get to talk to people coz they are not in a hurry to earn tourists' $$$.

Xitang... remember it. It'll be a hit one fine day! I simply hope that I get to return b4 everyone discovers it!
August 2005
Czech Republic
Prague
Kutna Hora
Chesky Krumlov
Telc
My first visit to the Czech Republic. It was an amazingly enjoyable & wonderful trip.
Prague - very European. Felt somewhat like in Paris, Barcelona & Vienna. I had no idea what it was like b4 coming here. I
didn't have time to look up the internet resources & hence have no expectation of the place. An exceptionally nice discovery.
For most part, the fine weather has a lot to do with it. Also, people were friendly to me. That's my personal experience, of
course.

Cesky Krumlov - I met up with another online friend of mine, Oliver Schibor from Vienna & we spent 3 days discovering the
southern part of Czech. There are many charming cities across the southern region & I wish I had more time here. Thanks to
Oliver the trip has been full of laughters & fun! I'll be back!
August 2005