Hong Kong Revisited II - Part I

After some long off from international travel, it's time to travel and unwind. This trip is not so much of visiting places but rather to relax and go easy as the motto was 'Relax and Unwind'. Yes, it's Hong Kong again if you may ask.


The night scene from the peak, after a long queue though.

Enrolled at the Cathay Pacific, the package comes with a 3 day 2 nights stay in Hong Kong, inclusive of flight tickets and airport transfer, quite a nice deal, check it out!


Hong Kong Airport.


The airport transfer services, Vigor coach buses to hotels.

We decided to revisit Lanson Place, we had a nice experience with them, since it is a relax and unwind trip, we just wanted less hassle and less research on hotels. We were surprise on two things, we were given free upgrade to deluxe room, but we were not given complimentary breakfast. This means more costs as the breakfast is now a costly HKD 60 per person.


The entrance of the deluxe room


Queen sized bed.


Part of the bathroom.


Quite a nice environment for relax tour, choose Lanson Place.

The first thing to do in Hong Kong is definitely food. Having sampled Salon de the Joel Robuchon in taiwan, we went to Le Salon de the Joel Robuchon in Hong Kong, the Landmark to savour the high tea. The restaurant is adwarded Michelin 2 stars.


Overlooking the escalator in the Landmark


Overlooking another restaurant the 'La Terrazza'


The high tea costed $240 which is RM99 for 2 ( conversion rate RM 1 = HKD 2.42 ) , I think it 's quite worth it.


While waiting for food... we ordered the Pastries Set for 2


The home made strawberry jam with Devonshire clotted cream


The scones of different shapes, lemon and raisins scones


Milky and buttery taste just perfect scone


The small cup of Machiato Cafe and Cafe Latte. The Machiato is too strong and bitter to my liking


Blueberry cheese cake and Petit Fours


From left, Paris-brest, Mont-blanc, Macaroon ganache.


A slice of cake,, Exotique.


The array of sweet items.


The blueberry tinge of sourness with the mild cheese blends in nicely and very aesthetically pleasing with gold flakes.


The small but nice macaron.

Overall the pastries set is very nice, scones were served cold, if warmed would be better. I recommend this to those who likes to enjoy high tea. For Rm50 per person, it can't get any better, also you get to enjoy Michelin 2 stars restaurant food.

What's up with Taiwan - Part IV

One of the famous shopping mall in Taipei is the A9 section which houses quite a few fine dining areas. One of the most exclusives are located here. I guess the place is kinda new.


Are those balloons ? I dunno, but it looked kinda nice.


A quartet playing christmas songs.

We came across this bakery or hair salon ? It's bakery but a very high end one. Started by Joel Robuchon, michelin star chef, the joint serves pastry and afternoon tea or coffee.


Overlooking the chefs working.


Located inside Bellavita, the newest and luxurious shopping mall in Taipei.


main facade of Salon de Joel Robuchon with each container with Macaron.


Floor directory of Bellavita. Salon de the Joel Robuchon serves afternoon tea and pastries, fifth floor L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon serves course meals.


At the entrance of the famous restaurant.

After contemplating for a while, we decided to give this joint a try, it's hard to get a michelin star chef restaurant around locally, we risked our pockets for a try. The theme of the restaurant is black and red. So everything is either red or black.


Le Cafe (NT180), RM 19.80


Thes fins et infusions, I think it's Earl Grey was it ? ( NT250 , RM27.50)


Tea that came with a heavy and funky tea pot, nice.


Banana peach tart (NT160) , RM17.60



Very tasty chocolate mousse, rich with flavour, such a delight.



I forgot what's this ... hmm ...


Simple croissant, crispy and fresh.


I also forgotten this pie.


Bouquet of roses with unique teapot.


Yummy chocholate mousse and tart half done.


List of pastries available, lots to choose from.

Overall the pastry is good, however with the pricey pastry I wish the pastries are more top notch. I find the pastries just mediocre given the high price of it. Anyway, it's an experience too to eat in such a high end restaurant( on my standards ). After the food, we ventured to Taipei 101 and decided not to go up to the top. Given the hazy or misty weather, I think it's better to 'invest' the money elsewhere.


Taipei 101 building, nice pillars and architecture.


Another view of the Taipei 101.


Some high end performance cars on display.


Maserati, Ferari and etc...


What model is this ? Must be Ferari, the traditional red colour.


Prancing horse, I wonder how it will fare in 2010 Formula 1

On the next day, we decided to walk around and see the neighbourhood of our hotel.


Back alley with scooters.


Another eatery place that is full and once has to wait quite a while.


Nice front facade.

Well, a visit to Taiwan has to be completed with a visit to Ximending(西门町) for the shopping experience, since both of us are not hard core shopping creatures, we just walked around, food is more tempting ...


Hawker food of noodles with meatballs.


Looks the same but taste different.


The usual (lor bak rice), quite tasty.


The egg with taufu, not bad but the taufu egg is served cold, I like it warm or heated.


Live performance by a handicap person.


Crowd gathering at Ximending.

Didn't do much of shopping in Ximending, probably we didn't have any plans to buy anything. Maybe next time.