Tai Tam Gap

Tai Tam Gap Hike

Take the MTR to Tai Koo and then follow the signs to Wilson Trail Stage 2.  Urban terrain mixed with green rolling hills and bridges that look like they are from medieval times. Happy trails! 

High in the Hong Kong Sky

View of  Hong Kong from the 118th floor of the Ritz Carlton 

For a truly spectacular view of the Hong Kong skyline go to Ozone at the top of the new ICC building in Kowloon. Try and go on a clear night- the views are amazing. Plus there is no door fee- just buy a drink or a snack once you are in there. Everything is relatively reasonably priced as well (considering you are at a sky high bar in the Ritz Carlton). Non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks can be found for around HK$110-HK$120 (about 14-16 USD). 

I recommend going on a week night so it isn't as crowded and you can get a spot by the window. The decor is a little over the top- bright flashing neon moon lights that change from red to green to blue and back again. But I'm there for the view- not the interior design. Service is good but can be a little snooty- and remember that for men no t-shirts or flipflops. 

To get there you can either take a cab directly to the ICC or take the MTR to Kowloon station. 

Overlooking our city 

I can never get enough of Hong Kong's incredible skyline and this is one of the best ways to see it. Yep- I'm head over heels for Hong Kong 

Cutest new cafe in town

I like to write on my roof or at a cafe and my new favorite cafe is the adorable Holly Brown Cafe  on Stanley Street. Holly Brown is a really big cafe for Hong Kong standards but still has plenty of charm. Plus in addition to all of your standard cafe fare they specialize in some of the best gelato and ice cream I've had in Hong Kong. The cafe is two stories and you can choose between sitting at a wooden table for serious getting some serious work done or at one of the big comfy overstuffed chairs or sofas. I personally am partial to the overstuffed chairs. Holly Brown is also open later than most Hong Kong cafes- making it a perfect spot to get some writing in after work. I haven't tried any of their hot food yet but hoping to check them out for breakfast and lunch in the coming weeks. I am already a big fan of their hot chocolate and gelato. 

If you are looking for a cozy cafe in Hong Kong check out Holly Brown Cafe 

Some yummy Gelato 

A Holly Brown Signature Dessert

Holly Brown is located at 22 Stanley Street. Nearest MTR station is Central. 

Enjoy! 

Cat Street Market in Hong Kong

Don't be fooled by the name- Cat Street Market isn't a market of cats but a charming antique and gift market in the Sheung Wan district of Hong Kong. Cat Market is a treasure trove of discoveries. Everything from jade bracelets to beautifully carved wooden vanities to kitsch figurines of little Bhuddas and Chairman Mao watches. There are also lots of beautiful vintage advertisements for everything from skin care to cigarettes featuring drawings of Chinese women in traditional qipaos. I especially love all the chess sets and pocket watches for sale.

treasure hunting

exploring Cat Market

  

the pin was my favorite find 

An afternoon spent at the Sheung Wan Cat Street Market is definitely a good thing. 

ps cat fans don't despair- you can find plenty of cats in the more aptly named Fish, Bird, and Pet market in Mong Kok 

Daily Good Thing Revamp

Why hello! Did you miss your Daily Good Thing? I know it has been a while...but things have been a little crazy over the past year or so. 

Quick Recap...

Last time I posted I had just moved to Atlanta and was looking for a job. And then I got one! I lived in an adorable tiny studio apartment right near the park and life was pretty good. 

 And then the most amazing, miraculous thing happened and I got the opportunity to live in my favorite city of all time - Hong Kong! Now I live in a teeny tiny apartment right in the middle of the city and it is amazing. 

Now that I'd achieved one dream I wanted to shoot for another one. So with the encouragement and support of some very good friends and family I picked up a writing project that I started several years ago. And I am so happy I did- I love it! It is still in the very early stages. It is hard to to write every day while working full time and having so many fun things to do in this amazing town but I write whenever I can. 

Now most of my free time is spent exploring my incredible city ,reading, researching the publishing industry, having adventures in and out of Hong Kong,  oh and eating, eating, eating. The food scene in Hong Kong is absolutely fantastic. 

My life is still full of daily good things- and I want to share them. The format is going to be a little different this time around. Previous DGT posts were a more vague- these are going to be more specific.  A lot of the posts will be Hong Kong/Asia related, more food, more books, and thoughts on writing. One of the best things about getting started on my WIP was discovering the awesome writing/reading community out there! I might not blog every single day but I'll do my best to do it frequently. 

So welcome to the new Daily Good Thing- full of tidbits on life in Hong Kong, books, food, writing, travel, and all sorts of fun stuff. Enjoy!

Hello world!
view of Stanley from the top of the Twin Peaks

Holiday Decorations!

Holiday decorations are one of the highlights of the season! Whatever holidays you celebrate, have fun putting up or making decorations and enjoy looking at festive decor all around you. These decorations only come around once a year, so get into the holiday spirit and enjoy.

And that's your daily good thing!

Hong Kong has Holiday Fever! Outside of a Hong Kong shopping center

More Hong Kong holiday cheer- a giant purple christmas tree

Blissful Christmas in Hong Kong

Look close to see the words "Happy Holidays" and "Happy 2008" on the buildings. Hong Kong skyline from Victoria harbor Ho, ho, ho Merry Christmas from Hong Kong!
Giant Christmas Tree at Fashion Island in Newport Beach, California
Carnaby Street festivities in London, England
(photo credit- Jennifer Ball)

Late Night Dining- 24 Hour Diners

24 hour diners are one of my favorite things. 24 Hour Diners are atmospheric, fun, and most importantly open all day and all night. The menu usually ranges from breakfast food to burgers and I have never been to a diner that didn't have a great milkshake. They are ideal for a late night dinner after going to a concert or the theater. 24 hour diners make a great pit stop during a night out on the town. And sometimes you might just get a craving for pancakes at 3 AM. Or perhaps you and a friend feel like going on a drive and get hungry, where better to refuel than at a 24 hour diner? Some of my favorite high school and college memories are at 24 hour diners. Here are a few of my favorites.

Harbor House Cafe in Orange County, California. There are a few located along PCH. In highschool my friends and I used to love to take drives along PCH and end up at Harbor House.

Denny's! Another high school favorite. This one definitely didn't make the list for the quality of the food, more for the memories. After a school dance, football game, or spirit night event Denny's was the go-to place. You can find one in almost any town. Landmark Diner in Atlanta, Georiga. I have actually never been here but I have heard it is amazing so I can't wait to try it out. Jerry's Famous Deli. Not an actual diner, but as a delicious 24 hour deli it merits a place on this list. Great food in a great location. I especially recommend the matzo ball soup.
The Flying Pan in Hong Kong (also pictured top left). Great for brunch or for a midnight snack. While living in Hong Kong I held an extra special place in my heart for the Flying Pan because I knew I could get an American style breakfast at any time. My favorite thing to order though was the Breakfast Burrito, with breakfast potatos added inside of it. Out of my group of friends from all over the world, everyone loved the Flying Pan and we ended many nights there. As one good friend once put it "The Flying Pan- where the good nights end!" Two of my best friends getting ready to order.

So the next time you are craving a midnight snack don't just go to a late night drive through window, make it an experience and go to a 24 hour diner.

And that's your daily good thing!