{"id":472,"date":"2016-02-19T13:53:35","date_gmt":"2016-02-19T13:53:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/saviowong.com\/travel\/?page_id=472"},"modified":"2024-02-12T04:58:48","modified_gmt":"2024-02-12T04:58:48","slug":"places","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/saviowong.com\/travel\/places\/","title":{"rendered":"Places"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>I&#8217;m in the process of migrating and consolidating information from different places where I have visited to this page. \u00a0It is a work in progress because it will take me a while.\u00a0<span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong> If the hot link is not active (not in blue), it means it has to be updated yet.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<h1 class=\"fontplugin_fontid_227_digistrip\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', sans-serif; font-size: 24pt;\">Europe<\/span><\/h1>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/saviowong.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Europe-banner.jpg\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-522\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-522\" src=\"https:\/\/saviowong.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Europe-banner.jpg\" alt=\"Europe banner\" width=\"2411\" height=\"486\" srcset=\"https:\/\/saviowong.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Europe-banner.jpg 2411w, https:\/\/saviowong.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Europe-banner-300x60.jpg 300w, https:\/\/saviowong.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Europe-banner-768x155.jpg 768w, https:\/\/saviowong.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Europe-banner-1024x206.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/saviowong.com\/travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/Europe-banner-624x126.jpg 624w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2411px) 100vw, 2411px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#2018_March_Europe\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', sans-serif; font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>2018 March\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\">London &#8212; like many of my European trips, it is a comfortable city to start a journey.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/videos\/pcb.10155217517961156\/10155217517406156\/?type=3&amp;theater\">oh no, it is snowing<\/a><\/span>.<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/photo.php?fbid=10155219601036156&amp;set=pcb.10155219601126156&amp;type=3\">looking for King Cross<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/photo.php?fbid=10155219674246156&amp;set=pcb.10155219674851156&amp;type=3\">a visit to an old friend<\/a> &#8212; The British Library<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino; font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/photo.php?fbid=10155220229966156&amp;set=pcb.10155220230401156&amp;type=3\">Gladstone&#8217;s Library<\/a>, Wales &#8212; I booked myself a room at the Library before I purchased the plane ticket.\u00a0 I felt I have come home when I found myself alone in the Library late at night.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/photo.php?fbid=10155222891146156&amp;set=pcb.10155222892001156&amp;type=3\">Hawarden<\/a>, Wales.\u00a0 The village where the Gladstone&#8217;s Library is located.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/photo.php?fbid=10155226970221156&amp;set=pcb.10155226970626156&amp;type=3\">Chester<\/a> &#8212; a quick stop between Gladstone&#8217;s and Birmingham.\u00a0 I wish I had more time.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\">Birmingham<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino; font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/photo.php?fbid=10155228231071156&amp;set=pcb.10155228231591156&amp;type=3\">Quick tour<\/a> of the city core.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/photo.php?fbid=10155228223901156&amp;set=pcb.10155228224511156&amp;type=3\">Bull Ring and Grand Central Station<\/a><\/span>.<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/photo.php?fbid=10155228221076156&amp;set=pcb.10155228222036156&amp;type=3\">Canals\u00a0<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/photo.php?fbid=10155228208521156&amp;set=pcb.10155228209376156&amp;type=3\">Central Library<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\">Munich\u00a0 <\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/photo.php?fbid=10155236565351156&amp;set=pcb.10155236566021156&amp;type=3\">A quick stopover in Munich<\/a> before the overnight train to Zagreb.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/photo.php?fbid=10155236581711156&amp;set=pcb.10155236582091156&amp;type=3\">More photos<\/a> from Munich<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/photo.php?fbid=10155236578831156&amp;set=pcb.10155236579371156&amp;type=3\">Last batch<\/a> from Munich<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\">Zagreb<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/photo.php?fbid=10155235690761156&amp;set=a.10154938429921156.1073741872.625141155&amp;type=3\">Overnight train<\/a> from Munich to Zagreb<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155240067291156\">First impression<\/a>&#8212; except for a couple bombings, the capital of Croatia managed to escape from any major damage from the War of Independence in the early 90s.\u00a0 Though not as well visited as Dubrovnik, it has plenty to offer.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155240705506156\">Zagreb at Night<\/a>\u00a0 &#8212; travelling in low season means a fairly quite night life in the city.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/media_set?set=a.10155239593326156.1073741874.625141155&amp;type=3\">Day 2 in Zagreb<\/a> &#8212; highlighted by some sumptuous food at the Heritage Restaurant.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155240791196156\">Free Spirit Walking Tour<\/a> &#8212; like many European cities,\u00a0the free walking tour was excellent.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/photo.php?fbid=10155241995216156&amp;set=pcb.10155241995561156&amp;type=3\">The Museum of Broken Relationship<\/a> &#8212; such a simple idea.\u00a0 Lots of interesting contributions.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/photo.php?fbid=10155241970606156&amp;set=a.92709961155.103361.625141155&amp;type=3\">My favorite<\/a><\/span>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/media_set?set=a.10155243330051156.1073741877.625141155&amp;type=3\">Day 3 in Zagreb<\/a> &#8212;\u00a0 like most European cities, plenty to see within a walking distance of old town.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/photo.php?fbid=10155242350021156&amp;set=pcb.10155242350276156&amp;type=3\">National Library of Croatia<\/a> &#8212; not long ago, it is easy to visit libraries around the world.\u00a0 Alas, post 9\/11, too much security check for the hassle.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155256575386156\">Festival of Light<\/a> &#8212; an amazing night despite of the poor weather<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/videos\/vb.625141155\/10155257132376156\/?type=3\">video #1<\/a> &#8212; all the videos are projected outdoors.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/videos\/vb.625141155\/10155257132376156\/?type=3\">video #2<\/a> &#8212; tulips blooming<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/videos\/vb.625141155\/10155256594281156\/?type=3\">video #3<\/a> &#8212; the disco show.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/videos\/vb.625141155\/10155257132376156\/?type=3\">video #4<\/a> &#8212; the techno finale.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/videos\/vb.625141155\/10155256579216156\/?type=3\">video #5<\/a> &#8212; the lady on the upper floor.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/videos\/vb.625141155\/10155257132376156\/?type=3\">Market<\/a> at the Main Square.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\">Dubrovnik<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155250622986156\">City Walk Part I<\/a> &#8212; a truly amazing medieval walled city.\u00a0 The first set of walls were erected in the 9th century.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155250622986156\">City Walk Part II<\/a> &#8212; quite a number of buildings were damaged during the siege in the War of Independence but you would have to look hard for the evidence of the carnage now.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\">Short <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/videos\/vb.625141155\/10155257200991156\/?type=3\">video of the Old City<\/a>\u00a0taken from the Wall.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/videos\/vb.625141155\/10155257132376156\/?type=3\">Part II of the video.\u00a0\u00a0<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/media_set?set=a.10155246025776156.1073741878.625141155&amp;type=3\">Dubrovnik at Night<\/a> &#8212; the architecture has a different kind of beauty at night.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/videos\/vb.625141155\/10155253130146156\/?type=3\">A Rainy Day in Dubrovnik<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/videos\/vb.625141155\/10155251703786156\/?type=3\">Cable car up to Mt Srd<\/a> &#8212; a great view of the Walled City of Dubrovnik<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/videos\/vb.625141155\/10155253105126156\/?type=3\">A small public library<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/videos\/vb.625141155\/10155253086571156\/?type=3\">A day at the museums<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155250622986156\">Last batch of photos<\/a> before leaving Dubrovnik<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/videos\/vb.625141155\/10155251720296156\/?type=3\">Side trip to\u00a0Cavtat<\/a>\u00a0 &#8212;\u00a0 a seaside town on the Adriatic Coast about 15 km south of Dubrovnik.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\">Toulouse<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/videos\/vb.625141155\/10155266901696156\/?type=3\">Random walk<\/a> from the Main Train Station to Old Town.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/videos\/vb.625141155\/10155262799246156\/?type=3\">Another stroll<\/a> around Old Town.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/videos\/vb.625141155\/10155262799246156\/?type=3\">Chapelle des carm\u00e9lites<\/a> &#8212; chanced upon this marvalous church on a side street.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/media_set?set=a.10155265426021156.1073741882.625141155&amp;type=3\">Saint-F\u00e9lix-Lauragais<\/a> &#8212; one of the many Cathars&#8217; sites dotted in the\u00a0Occitanie region of France.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/videos\/vb.625141155\/10155262902796156\/?type=3\">Foix <\/a>&#8212; day trip to another Cathars&#8217; sites.\u00a0 This also happened to be the coldest day on this trip.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a name=\"Lisbon_2018\"><\/a><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\">Lisbon<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/media_set?set=a.10155269730226156.1073741885.625141155&amp;type=3\">Bertrand Bookstore<\/a> &#8212;\u00a0According to Guinness World Records, Bertrand is the world&#8217;s oldest operating bookstore\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/videos\/vb.625141155\/10155268913121156\/?type=3\">Mercado Da Ribeira<\/a> &#8212; a lively, modern food market for foodies.\u00a0 I believe the building was once a palace.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/media_set?set=a.10155268903761156.1073741883.625141155&amp;type=3\">Cascai<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/media_set?set=a.10155268903761156.1073741883.625141155&amp;type=3\">s<\/a> &#8212; a quick regional train ride from Lisbon.\u00a0 This seaside town has a number of attractions.\u00a0 The highlight for me is the\u00a0the Museu Condes de Castro Guimar\u00e3es library.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/photo.php?fbid=10155267011556156&amp;set=pcb.10155267012136156&amp;type=3\">Biblioteca Cameos<\/a> &#8212; a local library<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/media_set?set=a.10155272293041156.1073741886.625141155&amp;type=3\">Street Arts or graffiti<\/a> &#8212; Lisbon is home of some very colourful street arts.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/videos\/vb.625141155\/10155272323146156\/?type=3\">A short stroll<\/a> around the POETS Hostel where I stayed.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/videos\/vb.625141155\/10155275248046156\/?type=3\">National Panatheon<\/a> in Lisbon is located in a former church that was built in the 17 century.<\/span><\/li>\n<li>\n<div class=\"_1rgv\">\n<div class=\"_1rg-\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/videos\/vb.625141155\/10155273744396156\/?type=3\">Monastery of S\u00e3o Vicente de Fora<\/a> &#8212; a very short walk from the Pantheon, this majestic monastery atop Alfama is definitely worth the climb to visit.<\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_6599\">\n<div>\n<div id=\"u_50_2\" class=\"_37uu _sa_ _s_6 _yjk\" data-view-count=\"118\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"_57w\">\n<div class=\"_3399 _1f6t _4_dr _20h5\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', sans-serif;\"><strong>2017 March<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\">Madrid<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\">Salamanca<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"#2016_summer\"><span style=\"font-size: 18pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', sans-serif;\"><strong>2016 July + August<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\">Amsterdam<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\">Ypres<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\">At 8:00 pm every night, the <a href=\"https:\/\/photos.app.goo.gl\/6rRW4xgXdT4eaaU36\">Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate<\/a> in Ypres. Except for the years during WWII, The Last Post has been played in this small town every night since November 11, 1929.\u00a0 This was the 30361th times the unknown soldiers were being honoured on this daily ritual.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/videos\/vb.625141155\/10153699591766156\/?type=3\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\">Cotswolds<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\">Rosedale Abbey<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\">Some claim <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/videos\/vb.625141155\/10153697950606156\/?type=3\">Castle Combe<\/a> is the prettiest village in England.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/videos\/vb.625141155\/10153691340211156\/?type=3\">Village of Bisley<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10153722321706156\">Unthank Hall<\/a><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/videos\/vb.625141155\/10153723993021156\/?type=3\">A hike in the neighbourhood<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10153730600871156\">Lindisfarne<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino; font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/videos\/vb.625141155\/10153730813071156\/?type=3\">Bamburgh<\/a> &#8212; a town just south of Lindisfarne\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/videos\/vb.625141155\/10153715259531156\/?type=3\">York<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/photo.php?fbid=10153728237006156&amp;set=a.92709961155.103361.625141155&amp;type=3\">Cuddy&#8217;s Corse<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/videos\/10153720155241156\/\">West Witton<\/a> (Old Star Inn)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/videos\/10153719721556156\/\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\">Ripon Cathedral and the Fountain Abbey<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\">Beverly Minster<\/span>.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10153711794201156\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\">A 7 km hike to see the stunningly beautiful \u00a0Rievaulx Abbey\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/videos\/vb.625141155\/10153737406696156\/?type=3\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\">Newcastle upon Tyne<\/span><\/a>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/videos\/vb.625141155\/10153738886651156\/?type=3\">Jesmond<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10153713451416156\">Hiking from Ravenscar to Robin Hood&#8217;s Bay and back today<\/a><\/span>.<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10153717810521156\">An epic hike:<\/a> climb\u00a0over the moors from Rosedale Abbey to Lastingham for lunch. Then walked over to Hutton-le-Hole. About 12km but climbing elevation equivalent to about 48 floors.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/videos\/vb.625141155\/10153737406696156\/?type=3\">Encounter in Lake District<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/videos\/vb.625141155\/10153723439816156\/?type=3\">Durham\u00a0<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/Yorkshire Moors\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><span style=\"font-size: 18.6667px;\">A drive on the Yorkshire Moors<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Wolverhampton<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\">London<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/videos\/vb.625141155\/10153745956111156\/?type=3\">Fenton House<\/a><\/span> &#8212;\u00a0<span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\">An impromptu performance with one of the 22 different keyboards in the house.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\">Paris<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\">Barcelona<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\">Madrid<\/span><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/photo.php?fbid=10153778212446156&amp;set=pcb.10153778245671156&amp;type=3\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\">Porto<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\">Lisbon<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/photo.php?fbid=10153781115371156&amp;set=pcb.10153781177641156&amp;type=3\">Bairro Alto<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/videos\/10153781842421156\/?lst=625141155%3A625141155%3A1523416417\">Alfama<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\">Oriente<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', sans-serif;\"><strong>2014 August\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/saviowong.com\/travel\/Places\/budapest-summer-2014\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\">Budapest, Hungary<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino; font-size: 14pt;\">Bratisslava<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino; font-size: 14pt;\">Vienna<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino; font-size: 14pt;\">Munich<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino; font-size: 14pt;\">Edinburgh<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino; font-size: 14pt;\">Baltic Sea (cruise)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', sans-serif; font-size: 18pt;\">2013 December\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/saviowong.com\/travel\/places\/amsterdam-december-2013\/\">Amsterdam, Holland<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino; font-size: 14pt;\">Lisbon<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', sans-serif; font-size: 18pt;\">2013 March<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/saviowong.com\/travel\/Places\/march-2013-dublin-galway-cliffs-of-moher-the-burren-and-dingle-peninsula\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dublin, Galway, Cliffs of Moher, The Burren, and Dingle Peninsula<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', sans-serif; font-size: 18pt;\"><strong>2012 Summer<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/saviowong.com\/travel\/Places\/summer-2012-london-greenwich-oxford-brighton-and-dover\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">London, Greenwich, Oxford, Brighton, and Dover<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino; font-size: 14pt;\">To be added: Moscow,\u00a0St. Peters<\/span><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino; font-size: 14pt;\">burg, Tallinn, Helsinki, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Warsaw, Krakow, Bucharest, Istanbul, Bursa, Milan, The Hague, Bruges, Paris, Toulouse, Arles, Avignon, Castres, Region of \u00a0Normandy, Granada, Cordoba, Lisbon, Coimbra, Porto, and Edinburgh.<\/span><\/p>\n<h1><a href=\"#Asia\"><span style=\"font-size: 24pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', sans-serif;\">Asia \/ Australia \/ Oceanic<\/span><\/a><\/h1>\n<p><a href=\"#2018_Australia_NZ_Asia\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', sans-serif; font-size: 18pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 24pt;\">2018 December and January<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><a href=\"#2018_Australia\"><strong>Australia<\/strong> <\/a>(Sydney, Hobart, and Melbourne)<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/625141155\/posts\/10155829700836156\/\">Sydney<\/a>: QVB, \u201cI\u2019m Free\u201d Walking Tour, ferry to Manly Island, Library inside Customs House, The Rock (to sample some BBQ Kangaroo), and dinner at Din Tai Fung.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155831500396156\">The Sydney Opera House<\/a> is more an entertainment centre containing several performing spaces. it was budgeted at $7 million and construction was scheduled to be completed in 4 years. Instead, it cost $102 million and took 14 years.\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Wikipedia has a good article if you would like to learn more:\u00a0\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/en.m.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Sydney_Opera_House?fbclid=IwAR3KywR6uZIA3_ew3iiZWHzf2bIrDUea4a5Q08rTJui3SqPmGY6kCemlxkg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow noreferrer\" data-ft=\"{&quot;tn&quot;:&quot;-U&quot;}\" data-lynx-mode=\"asynclazy\" data-lynx-uri=\"https:\/\/l.facebook.com\/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fen.m.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FSydney_Opera_House%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR3KywR6uZIA3_ew3iiZWHzf2bIrDUea4a5Q08rTJui3SqPmGY6kCemlxkg&amp;h=AT3iN68EcaylY5xqrUVRIk8lJExObmQ_K7oc5zDzBWcpxXJy_3z1aBhSnYv0Sx4GH6AXK-xoJ-8GgIr3OEz4JeEq6tbIHspk2AJHwDJgtVdomjvEAafw2G1REoJZ5LCv8c2mT0cc6bIP7v9_Uz6bxHgO7MPQ\">https:\/\/en.m.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Sydney_Opera_House<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li>\n<div id=\"js_j2z\" class=\"_5pbx userContent _3576\" data-ft=\"{&quot;tn&quot;:&quot;K&quot;}\">\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Just finished an informative tour of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155831456226156\">Sydney Opera House<\/a>. I purchased a combined ticket hoping for a relaxing dinner before the 8 o\u2019clock show. Having some fish and chips at the Opera Bar now. However, I have to shout my order to the bartender because even the spot furthest away from the speakers has a noise level of 80+dB. Oh, there are also thousands of people here.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">If you have been waiting for my visit to a local library, you should be as awestruck as I when I stepped into the Mitchell Building of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155831528071156\">NSW State Library<\/a>. In addition to a stunning Reading Room, it has a rich display of artifacts.\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">I also learned today that Australia interned the Germans during WWII. Not sure about if the Japanese suffered the same fate. I need to do some research.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155831800806156\">Sydney self-walking tour<\/a>: ANZAC War Memorial, Hyde Park, Great Synagogue of Sydney, Hyde Park, State Library of NSW, State House, Botanical Garden, and Sydney Opera House<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Spending most of the day hiking in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155833713396156\">Blue Mountains<\/a> and visiting neighboring towns.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">My Airbnb host recommended a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155836018571156\">Shanghai<\/a> restaurant in the neighbourhood. I didn\u2019t realize there are four adjacent restaurants that have similar names. I picked Nee Shanghai because it had the biggest crowd.\u00a0 The food\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">was delicious!<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">\u00a0A coastal walk from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155836048286156\">Bondi Beach<\/a> to Clovelly\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Beach. I had planned to go further but it started to rain.\u00a0\u00a0I strolled past took several beaches, saw some dramatic rock formations, visited a lawn bowling club, and walked through a cemetery<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">One of the reasons I ventured to the furthest south I have ever been is\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">because of an Australian author: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155837744281156\">C. J. Koch<\/a>. His best-known novel \u201cYear of Living Dangerously\u201d was adapted into a movie and Linda Hunt won an Oscar for the Best Supporting Actress for her role as the male dwarf Billy Kwan. I have re-read the novel several times and it\u2019s one of my all-time favorites because of Koch\u2019s skillful evocation of places and exploration of the idea of loyalty and morality.\u00a0\u00a0Koch was born in Hobart and one of his novels \u201cDoublemen\u201d is set in Tasmania. He died of cancer in Hobart in 2013.<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"> When I was in Blue <\/span><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Mountains two days ago, I picked up his book of essays: \u201cClosing the Gap\u201d at a used bookstore.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Hobart. A walk from my Airbnb in the historic <\/span><a style=\"font-size: 14pt;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155838952726156\">Salamanca District<\/a><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"> to the pier and the cenotaph and ended the evening with a spicy dinner at a Nepalese restaurant.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Walking tour of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155840279706156\">Hobart<\/a>; it turned out to be a private tour since I was the only person who signed up. I learned about the rich history of the city: from convicts (some as young as 10) who built the town, to the once thriving whaling industry, and the jams making factories. Many of the convicts had committed debt related, non-violent crimes. The journey from England took about 5 months. Interesting fact that I didn\u2019t know was some convicts were shipped from Canada and the United States.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Had a late breakfast with a former WO student who married a Tasmanian. Then spent the afternoon at a most interesting museum (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155842108701156\">MONA<\/a>). Museum of Old and New Art is the largest privately funded museum in the Southern Hemisphere and it was founded by David Walsh, a Tasmanian millionaire. The collection and how they are displayed are certainly interesting. The theme of death, bodily functions, patterns, and communication seems to run through most of the artifacts.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155842122541156\">Several of the displays<\/a>\u00a0from MONA that I really enjoy.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">More from MONA: I know some of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155842130601156\">Madonna songs<\/a> but I wouldn\u2019t say I\u2019m a fan. It\u2019s mesmerizing to watch 30 people who know all the words of her songs. They want their hearts out and seemed to have a connection with the artist herself.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155842141776156\">My favorite<\/a> from MONA<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">A magnificent space: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155845349411156\">The La Trobe Reading Room<\/a> at the State Library of Victoria.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155845389066156\">Melbourne<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0After taking flight #4 from Hobart to Melbourne, spent a few hours with the \u201cI\u2019m Free Walking Tour\u201d. We were caught in a torrential rainfall just before the end of the walk. Even though I was completely soaked, luckily I was only a block from my Airbnb.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Spent a couple hours at the magnificent <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155848043521156\">State Library of Victoria<\/a>. Lunch with another former student who happens to be visiting Melbourne. Then spent some time at the NGV (National Gallery of Victoria). The Gallery has an extensive collection. A number of aborigines works are dreams related. The colonial collection illustrates aptly the world of difference between the Europeans and the natives.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">I attended a traditional service of carols and lessons at the St. Paul\u2019s Cathedral. When I entered the church, a colourful structure stood near the back of the nave. With a blinking light near its top, I thought it was too modern and out of place. Actually, I thought it was ugly.\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">During the homily, the Dean of the Cathedral explained that the object is a Christmas tree and its material consisted of the life jackets of the Syrian Children who riske<span class=\"text_exposed_show\">d their lives in the rough sea to escape the war in their homelands.\u00a0The artwork is called <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155848062736156\">\u201cNot A Creature was Stirring<\/a>\u201d<br \/>\nThis revelation, of course, made me realized it\u2019s unwise to make a rash judgment. In fact, it reminded of a reporter saying: \u201cNo parents will ever put their children on a refugee boat crossing the Mediterranean Sea unless they have no other choice.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155850197281156\">Alexandra Gardens<\/a> and King\u2019s Domain in Melbourne.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155850227656156\">The Shrine of Remembrance<\/a>,\u00a0 Melbourne. Until the end of WWII, Australia has been involved in a number of wars and conflicts but it fought under the banner of the British Empire. After WWII, Australia continues to play a role in a number of battles and peacekeeping efforts. However, it represents itself as a sovereign nation.\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">The Shrine of Remembrance was erected in 1934 to honour the men and women who served in WWI. Since then, it had been expanded to include all Australians who served in a war.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155850411061156\">Crazy right turn<\/a>.\u00a0 One of the reasons that I rarely rent a car when I\u2019m travelling is because there are often some strange rules that would really confuse me. For example, in certain intersections in Melbourne, you have to keep on the far left lane if you want to make a right turn. (don\u2019t forget, they drive in the opposite side. So, it\u2019s like keeping in the far right lane in Canada to make a left turn). Yes, you do have to wait for all clear but it\u2019s hard to process that if you are witnessing it for the first time.\u00a0<\/span>The reason for this maneuver is to keep the middle of the intersection clear.\u00a0 This is <a href=\"blob:https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/12bedddc-7a4f-486b-ad0f-f5e8f0b8bcbd\">an example<\/a> of how it works.<\/span><\/li>\n<li>\n<div class=\"_3x-2\" data-ft=\"{&quot;tn&quot;:&quot;H&quot;}\">\n<div data-ft=\"{&quot;tn&quot;:&quot;H&quot;}\">\n<div class=\"mtm\">\n<div class=\"_2a2q _65sr\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Melbourne <\/span><a style=\"font-size: 14pt;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155852032936156\">$10 for a haircut<\/a><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">. Even though there\u2019s a queue, it didn\u2019t take long. What a deal.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><a href=\"#2018_New_Zealand\"><strong>New Zealand<\/strong> <\/a>(Queenstown, Milford Sound, Wellington, and Auckland)<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155856345186156\">Queenstown<\/a>, NZ. This town has been described as the adrenaline capital and they are plenty of activities offered to attest to that. In fact, I think the bungees jumping craze started here. However, only a few minutes walk from the town centre is quite tranquil.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">A much cooler day in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155853897041156\">Queenstown<\/a> and the sun is hiding but the scenery is still spectacular.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Took a day trip from Queenstown to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155856319586156\">Milford Sound.<\/a> The bus ride there and back offered some fantastic views and the cruise on the Milford Sound itself was spectacular. I think the government does s reasonable job regulating the crowd by controlling access. The famous Milford Sound Track Will take 4 days but limited to 50 people a day. The mass could access the Sound but there\u2019s only one road.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">A spectacular day at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155856055586156\">Milford Sound<\/a>!<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155860293381156\">Arrowtown Historic Chinese Settlement.<\/a>\u00a0 In 1880, over 3,000 Chinese came to Arrowtown during a gold rush. They were forced to live in huts at the edge of town. They probably had to brave the bitter cold winters and work under difficult conditions. The saying on one display etched in my mind because it\u2019s how many people still feel about foreign workers: \u201cInvited but Unwelcome\u201d.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155860279011156\">Wellington, NZ.<\/a> When I visit a new city, I usually join a walking tour. It\u2019s a good way to get oriented and learn more about the place.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155858058291156\">Little Penang restaurant<\/a>.\u00a0 Enjoying some Nasi Lemak (coconut rice, chicken, curry and comes with a side of a chicken wing)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155860315511156\">The National Museum of NZ<\/a> has a permanent collection of the signed treaties between the European settlers and the different native tribes. The treaties were signed in English and the different native languages. However, because of the different wordings, the same treaty doesn\u2019t mean the same thing. For instance, the natives did not have a word or a concept of sovereignty and certainly did not know what that have signed away.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">I may be the<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155861170976156\"> only passenger<\/a> on this ride up to the lookout and the Botanical Garden.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155861430796156\">Lady Norwood Rose Garden, Wellington.<\/a><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">So many different types with wonderful names: Windermere, Tess, Goodyla, Best Wishes, Outta the Blue, Heart of Gold, Red Sox, Platinum, and my personal favourite, Peace.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155862015431156\">Wellington Central Library<\/a>. You wouldn\u2019t think I would pass up a chance to visit a local library, would you? It\u2019s interesting that the library keeps and displays the current electoral rolls and the City Council\u2019s consultation documents in a predominant fashion.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155866362801156\">Auckland<\/a> &#8212; things that are vertical.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155866366876156\">Auckland<\/a> &#8212; things that are horizontal<\/span>.<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Arrived at the pier this morning to discover no more ticket to Rangitoto for the day, unless I join a tour. So, ended up doing a walking tour and a short ferry ride to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155870692276156\">Devonport<\/a> instead. The volcano would have to wait for tomorrow.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155870887691156\">Davenport<\/a> merits its own video.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Another city, another <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155870942591156\">\u201cFree\u201d Walking Tour<\/a>. The guide, Marty, was excellent and it\u2019s good to learn more about the city from a local.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">I have participated in quite a number of them in various cities now and today\u2019s tour was great. I mean how often you get a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155870904136156\">farewell song<\/a> at the end of the tour. His name is Marty.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155872857706156\">Rangitoto Part 1<\/a>\u00a0 Rangitoto Island was formed by a series of volcanic eruptions about 6000 years ago. The most recent eruption is about 600 years ago. The island is accessible via a ferry but there are no commercial activities on the island. This means visitors are expected to bring in their own provisions. There is also no trash can on the island. Whatever you carry in, you must carry out.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155872923841156\">Rangitoto Part 2<\/a>. The hike up to the summit took about 1.5 hours and it was a well-travelled<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">\u00a0incline. The landscape is certainly unusual and I was surprised to see the <\/span>number<span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"> of vegetations. The view of the crater was spectacular but it was difficult to capture it with a phone camera. A drone would have been handy.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">1.5 hours climb later. A spectacular 360 view from the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155872244866156\">peak of Rangitoto.<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">You should know by now about me and libraries. This is the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155873939926156\">Central City Library<\/a> in Auckland. Great location, good cafe, and well organized. Of course, free and fast WiFi. The security guards, they have a few when I visited, were a bit intimidating though.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"margin-left: 1.71429rem;\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Within an hour of walking in Auckland, I took photos of e-bikes that are scattered around the city. I\u2019m not sure how the system works but I was told you just need the app and you can pick one or drop off anywhere. The company has people going around to recharge the battery for the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155873949376156\">electric\u00a0<\/a>motors.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">If you are a rugby fan, you probably recognize the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155875991501156\">haka dance<\/a> because of the All Blacks. The haka is a ceremonial or war dance In the Maori culture. I filmed this at the Memorial Museum in Auckland with permission.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155876059436156\">The Auckland War Memorial Museum<\/a> T\u0101maki Paenga Hira (part 1 of 2) is a both a Museum and a war memorial. It has an extensive collection in the history of New Zealand. The impressive building was first erected to commemorate WWI but has since expanded to include other wars.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/timeline?lst=625141155%3A625141155%3A1549146902\">The Auckland War Memorial Museum<\/a> T\u0101maki Paenga Hira (part 2 of 2) is a both a Museum and a war memorial. It has an extensive collection in the history of New Zealand. The impressive building was first erected to commemorate WWI but has since expanded to include other wars.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#2018_Singapore\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino; font-size: 18pt;\">Singapore<\/span><\/strong><\/a>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">When I was in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155877332251156\">Singapore<\/a> last, I met my friend Karen Hoisington when we were on the same walking tour at the historic Fullerton Hotel. We share an interest in the history of WWII. In fact, based on her extensive research, Karen has written a historical fiction based on the terrible experiences of her grand-aunt Elizabeth Choy during WWII. Elizabeth Choy is considered a war heroine by Singaporeans.<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">On my layover, Karen is kind enough to drive me to the Changi Beach, where a massacre against the Chinese called Sook Ching occurred in Feb. 1942. We also dropped by the former Changi Hospital and an area where the British officers compound was before WWII.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">One of the things I love about Singapore is the fact that several racial and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155876722626156\">religious groups<\/a> able to coexist peacefully. Within the same street block in Chinatown, there is the Masjid Jamae (Muslim), the Sri Mariamman Temple (Hindu), and the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple. Within two blocks, there is the Telok Ayer St, Telok Ayer Chinese Methodist Church. (Photo missing)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155876441721156\">The Battlebox tour at Fort Canning<\/a>. This is where the fateful meeting occurred where Lieutenant General Arthur Percival decided to surrender to the Japanese Imperial Army on Feb<\/span>.<span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"> 1941. The 150,000 British Commonwealth soldiers were the biggest number in the history of the British Empire. The actual unconditional surrender took place at the Ford Factory<\/span>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino; font-size: 18pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"#2018_Thailand\"><strong>Thailand<\/strong> <\/a>(Bangkok, and Kanchanaburi)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155884545316156\">Damnoen Floating Market (part 1 of 3)<\/a> is about 100 km south west of Bangkok. The market is definitely created for tourists but it\u2019s a fun experience nevertheless. At one time, I\u2019m sure the locals used to frequent a floating market when canals were plentiful and roads were not built yet.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155884954536156\">Damnoen Floating Market (Part 2 of 3).<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Coming to this market was a bit of accident but I\u2019m glad I did. Although it was really crowded<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">\u00a0I think the locals did try to provide some authentic experience and there were also lots of photogenic frames. I have actually wanted to travel to River Kwai for an all-day<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">\u00a0tour but the ones I found were either cancelled or full. So I booked one that spent the morning at the market and the afternoon at River Kwai. Unfortunately, the tour spent a lot more time at the market than the River Kwai.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155883670571156\">Damnoen Floating Market (Part 3 of 3)<\/a>.Traffic jam? What traffic jam?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Add a bit of this, a bit of that, and maybe a bit of the other stuff too. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155883599706156\">A primer in cooking up a bowl of noodles<\/a> on a boat.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155887061516156\">JEATH<\/a> (Japan, England, Australia, America, Thailand, Holland) is one of the museums near the famous bridge over the River Kwai. I believe this one is closest to the Bridge and it\u2019s on the ground of a former temple.\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Because I was part of a tour and I felt really rush and not able to spend more time with some of the artifacts. The Museum has quite an eclectic collections.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155887004256156\">Time-lapse video<\/a> from above about 6:30 am near the Phetchaburi subway station.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155885285541156\">Street food<\/a> of Bangkok.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Just have a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155885660351156\">delicious Thai dinner<\/a> at a \u201cstreet food\u201d stall. It\u2019s quite a modern and clean set up at the Asiatique waterfront. It\u2019s amazing what it could produce in a tiny kitchen.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">From Wikipedia:<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">The<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155885316311156\"> Kanchanaburi War Cemetery<\/a> (known locally as the Don-Rak War Cemetery) is the main prisoner of war (POW) cemetery for victims of Japanese imprisonment while building the Burma Railway. It is on the main road, Saeng Chuto Road, through the town of Kanchanaburi, Thailand, adjacent to an older Chinese cemetery. The Thai-Burma Rail is the one depicted in the movie \u201cThe Bridge Over River Kwai\u201d I was there as part of a tour. Unfortunately, I felt rush and didn\u2019t spend as much time at the cemetery as I would have liked.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino; font-size: 18pt;\"><a href=\"#2019_laos\"><strong>Laos <\/strong><\/a>(Vientiane, and Luang Prabang)<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><a style=\"font-size: 14pt;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/625141155\/posts\/10155898233156156\/\">Vientiane<\/a><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"> &#8212;\u00a0The former Royal Palace has been converted into a museum and a theatre.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155895526396156\">Wats (temples)<\/a> in Vientiane.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Definitely<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155895510441156\"> lost in translation<\/a>. (one of the most &#8216;liked&#8217; photos on my timeline.)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155895466136156\"><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Vientiane\u2019s city centre<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">\u00a0is quite compact. The architecture is a mix of practical structures and colonial buildings. The grandest ones are the wats (temples) and government offices.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155894191841156\">Green Park<\/a> is a lovely boutique hotel on the edge of the city centre.\u00a0 \u00a0It is adjacent to the biggest mall (I think 4 floors) in Vientiane.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155894146686156\">Patuxay<\/a>, literally means the Victory Gate. It\u2019s sometimes referred to a mink mini Arc de Triomphe of Vientiane even though the design is quite different.\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">The surprise of the visit is reading the description plague of the monument (read it yourself; it\u2019s photo #5)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/625141155\/posts\/10155898271871156\/\">Luang Prabang<\/a> is definitely more lively than Vientiane. The old town has been designated as a UNESCO site in 1995 for its well preserved architectural, cultural, and religious heritage. It was also the royal capital of the country until 1975.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Although the town is populated with tourists, it manages to retain a relax and calm atmosphere.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">This <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155900762481156\">Luang Prabang Library<\/a> has a program whereby visitors can purchase books for the children in the villages.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/625141155\/posts\/10155898365931156\/\">Wat Xieng Thong<\/a> (Temple of Golden City) is one of the many temples in Luang Prabang. I really enjoy the mosaic, paintings, and craving on the doors. Laos\u2019s a predominately Buddhist country and the temples play an impotent role in the society.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">The famous <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/625141155\/posts\/10155900770161156\/\">bamboo bridge<\/a> over the Nam Khan River. The bridge is only operational when it\u2019s not the raining season.<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">\u00a0I didn\u2019t get to do as much as I would like for the 3 days I spent in Luang Prabang because it rained the first two days and I have been fighting a cold.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Even though the old town is catered to tourists, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/625141155\/posts\/10155900917381156\/\">Luang Prabang<\/a> manages to retain its unhurried and rustic charm. However, China and Laos government has a joint venture building a high-speed rail linking the two countries. Once it\u2019s completed, Laos would have to find a way to deal with mass tourism.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155898297511156\">Harvesting coconuts<\/a> in Luang Prabang<\/span>\n<div id=\"globalContainer\" class=\"uiContextualLayerParent\">\n<div id=\"content\" class=\"fb_content clearfix\" role=\"\" data-referrer=\"content\">\n<div>\n<div id=\"mainContainer\">\n<div id=\"contentCol\" class=\"clearfix\">\n<div id=\"contentArea\" role=\"main\">\n<div id=\"pagelet_timeline_main_column\" class=\"_5h60\" data-referrer=\"pagelet_timeline_main_column\" data-gt=\"{&quot;profile_owner&quot;:&quot;625141155&quot;,&quot;ref&quot;:&quot;timeline:timeline&quot;}\">\n<div id=\"pagelet_main_column_personal\" class=\"_5h60\" data-referrer=\"pagelet_main_column_personal_timeline\">\n<div id=\"timeline_tab_content\">\n<div class=\"clearfix _ikh _3-8y\">\n<div class=\"_4bl7 _3-96\">\n<div id=\"timeline_story_column\">\n<div class=\"_5pbx userContent _3576\" data-ft=\"{&quot;tn&quot;:&quot;K&quot;}\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#2019_Hong_Kong\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino; font-size: 18pt;\">Hong Kong<\/span><\/strong><\/a>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/625141155\/posts\/10155916563056156\/\">Tram near North Point Terminal<\/a> &#8212; Took this video earlier today. When I first saw the track, I didn\u2019t think it is still in use. Well, I was wrong. It is amazing to see how the pedestrians were able to move out of the way nonchalantly.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/625141155\/posts\/10155917829171156\/\">Two markets: Sham Shui Po and Temple Street<\/a>. Not too many tourists venture to Sham Shui Po Market but there\u2019s where the locals go. Many of the used electronics find their way there too.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-size: 14pt;\">Temple Street Night Market is well travelled but still worth a visit. People have been eating at the seafood restaurants there for years before Anthony Bourdain made it famous.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">A ride on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/625141155\/posts\/10155929011146156\/\">upper deck on Bus 6<\/a> towards Stanley, Hong Kong. It\u2019s almost like riding a roller coaster.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><a style=\"font-size: 14pt;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/videos\/10155929013926156\/?lst=625141155%3A625141155%3A1549054403\">Bus 14: Stanley to Grand Promenade<\/a><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"> traverses through the Tai Tam Reservoir. The bridge is too narrow for two way traffic.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/625141155\/posts\/10155929270656156\/\">View from a tram<\/a>: the Hong Kong tram is a slow-moving public transit system and a bargain of less than Can $0.50 for a ride.\u00a0\u00a0This is late afternoon and closer to rush hours. I\u2019m amazed that there\u2019s order amidst the chaos. People seemed to be able to move out of the way at the last moment and then just carried on.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155918060961156\">A stroll around Central<\/a> is one of my favourite things to do when I\u2019m in Hong Kong.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/625141155\/posts\/10155929006496156\/\">Busy intersection<\/a>: this is 1:00 pm on a weekday. So the crowd is actually not at its peak<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400; font-size: 14pt;\">Dropping by to visit an old friend yesterday: the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/625141155\/posts\/10155930807801156\/\">Hong Kong Central Library<\/a>.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">I visited the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155929357341156\">Sai Wan War Cemetery<\/a> where 228 known Canadian soldiers from WWII were buried. If you\u2019ve read \u201cForgiveness: a gift from my grandparents\u201d by Mark Sakamoto, you would recognize the name, Deighton Aitken. I said a special prayer at his grave.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155903929356156\">Ma Wan (Horse Bay)<\/a> is an old fishing village that has remained unchanged even with the development around it.\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">I also chanced upon some amazing sidewalk art at the old pier.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">More photos from wandering about near the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155903960596156\">old part of Tung Chung<\/a>.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155903911106156\">Yat Tung Wet Market<\/a> is a wet market (wet means with seafood and meat). It\u2019s located in a housing estate not too far from the airport but it\u2019s definitely off the tourists&#8217; track.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/media_set?set=a.10155947806251156&amp;type=3\">Tai Kwun<\/a> (the former Central Police Station Compound) houses three heritage buildings in Hong Kong: Central Police Station, Former Central Magistracy, and the Victoria Prison.\u00a0 It has been converted into a public space for arts and culture.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#2019_Macau\"><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\">Macau<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/a>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<div><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/625141155\/posts\/10155908308781156\/\">Macau at Night<\/a> &#8212; in 1999, Macau was returned to China, two years after Hong Kong. Before then, it was a Portuguese colony. In fact, it was the oldest European Settlement in China.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Despite the proliferation of mega-casinos in the city, Macau has managed to retain some of its European flares, particularly in its architecture and cuisine.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">If you find yourself in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/625141155\/posts\/10155908341511156\/\">Macau<\/a>, don\u2019t skip this government building because it actually offers some repose from the busy crowd in the square across the street.<\/span><\/div>\n<div><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">From Wikipedia:<\/span><\/div>\n<div><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">The Leal Senado Building (Portuguese for Loyal Senate) was the seat of Portuguese Macau&#8217;s government (Legislative Assembly of Macau and Municipal Council of Macau.<\/span><\/div>\n<div><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">After the handover of Macau to China in 1999 it became the headquarters of the Institute of Civic and Municipal Affairs.<\/span><\/div>\n<div><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">It became part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Historic Centre of Macau in 2005.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/625141155\/posts\/10155908440561156\/\">walk from the Senate Square to the Ruins of St. Paula<\/a> is lined with historic buildings and it was one of the major contributing factors why the old town of Macau was designated as a UNESCO site in 2005.<\/span><\/div>\n<div><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">The iconic facade of the St. Paul Church is the only remaining structure of the original church that has been burned down. The church was erected in 1640 by the Jesuits who were expelled by the Japanese government.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/625141155\/posts\/10155910507036156\/\"><i>Fortaleza de Nossa Senhora do Monte de S\u00e3o Paulo<\/i><\/a>\u00a0is located just east of the Ruins of St. Paul\u2019s. Its name in Chinese is much shorter and direct: Big Fort with Cannons.<\/span><\/div>\n<div><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">The Fort sat on top of a hill and offered a majestic view of the city. It also played an important role in repelling a Dutch invasion in 1623.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Since 1998, it\u2019s the home of the Macau Museum.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">With the fusion of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/625141155\/posts\/10155910549906156\/\">Chinese and Portuguese cuisine<\/a>, it\u2019s hard to have a bad meal in Macau.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155915768566156\">Temples of Macau<\/a>: Because of the Portuguese influence, the Catholic Church is a strong presence in Macau. However, the primary religion is Buddhism or some form of ancestor worship.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Similar to Hong Kong, there is a high degree of freedom of religion in Macau. There\u2019s a mosque in the northern part of Macau but I didn\u2019t make it to that part of the city during this trip.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155911634866156\">Churches of Macau<\/a>: Some beautiful Catholic Churchs in Macau<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">The hotels and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/625141155\/posts\/10155915692641156\/\">mega hotels in Macau<\/a> are similar to the ones in Vegas. Personally, all the opulence and shows are not what draw me back to Macau. However, I must admit some of them are really impressive.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155907875881156\">tiny library<\/a> in the Village of Coloane.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"#2019_China\">China<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>(Changsha, and Shaoshan)<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/photo.php?fbid=10155947807576156&amp;set=a.10155947806271156&amp;type=3&amp;theater\">Changsha<\/a> is the capital of Hunan (Hu = Lake, Nan = south, south of the lake).\u00a0 During WWII, it was a site where the Chinese army won the very first battle against the Japanese. After four tries, the Japanese finally occupied the city.\u00a0 Changsha is also where joined the Community Party of China. Changsha is now an important commercial, manufacturing and transportation centre.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Shaoshan is the<\/span> <a style=\"font-size: 14pt;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155925233211156\">birthplace of Chairman Mao<\/a><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">.\u00a0 Officially, the latest verdict of Mao\u2019s legacy is 70% correct and 30% wrong. He played a major role in creating modern China. Against all odds, he led the Chinese Communist Party in defeating the better armed and numerically stronger Nationalist Party, led by Chang Kai-Shek. Internally, he managed to remain the leader\u00a0even when it appeared he had\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"text_exposed_show\" style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">lost the confidence of the party elites.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><span class=\"text_exposed_show\">However, against his accomplishments, his Great Leap Forward (1958-1962) was disastrous and caused much suffering. The upheaval of his Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) left deep scars in the social fabrics. Tens of millions may have died because of Mao\u2019s policies.<br \/>\nIn Shaoshan, a giant statue of Chairman Mao was erected in Shaoshan in 1993. Mao\u2019s former family home, the elementary school he attended, and a number of other museums can be found in Shaoshan. Annually, the town attracts about 20 millions people visitors.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">According to our tour guide, this is the only <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155925269506156\">Chairman Mao\u2019s Library<\/a> in China. It was actually not part of the tour but I told the guide I wanted to check it out.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">The building is less of a Library but more of a research centre. Surprisingly, I was the only visitor.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"js_95d\" class=\"_5pbx userContent _3576\" data-ft=\"{&quot;tn&quot;:&quot;K&quot;}\">\n<p><span style=\"font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', sans-serif; font-size: 18pt;\">2017 August and September<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino; font-size: 14pt;\">Manchuria<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino; font-size: 14pt;\">Singapore<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino; font-size: 14pt;\">Bangkok<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino; font-size: 14pt;\">Hong Kong<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\">Macau<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', sans-serif; font-size: 18pt;\">2016 December<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Xiamen<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Kinmen Island, Taiwan<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Chaozhou<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Hong Kong<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"fontplugin_fontid_227_digistrip\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino; font-size: 14pt;\">To be added: Taipei, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Melacca, Beijing, and Shanghai.<\/span><\/p>\n<h1 class=\"fontplugin_fontid_227_digistrip\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', sans-serif; font-size: 24pt;\">North America<\/span><\/h1>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', sans-serif; font-size: 18pt;\">2017 December <\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino; font-size: 14pt;\">San Francisco<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo\/posts\/10155074816296156\">Japan Town<\/a> &#8212;\u00a0\u00a0come here for the food but also come here to read the plaques chronicling one of the dark chapters of American history.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/photo.php?fbid=10155086823636156&amp;set=pcb.10155086824016156&amp;type=3\">University of Berkeley<\/a> &#8212; I first visited Berkeley in the late 1980s, it was one of the earliest trips. It was fun to re-visit after all these years.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/photo.php?fbid=10155084602476156&amp;set=pcb.10155084602841156&amp;type=3\">Presidio<\/a> &#8212; this former army base has been transferred into a recreation area.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/photo.php?fbid=10155069646326156&amp;set=pcb.10155069646761156&amp;type=3\">A free walking tour<\/a> around Presidio<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/photo.php?fbid=10155083623436156&amp;set=pcb.10155083624236156&amp;type=3\">Chinatown<\/a> &#8212; The San Francisco Chinatown is one of the oldest in N. America.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/photo.php?fbid=10155081197381156&amp;set=pcb.10155081197831156&amp;type=3\">Sea Cliff<\/a> &#8212; the western edge of San Francisco.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/photo.php?fbid=10155079724586156&amp;set=pcb.10155079724856156&amp;type=3\">Haight-Ashbury<\/a> &#8212; goofy as ever<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/photo.php?fbid=10155079076881156&amp;set=pcb.10155079077556156&amp;type=3\">More from the Hippieland<\/a>.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/photo.php?fbid=10155079670581156&amp;set=pcb.10155079671136156&amp;type=3\">University of San Francisco<\/a> &#8212;\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/photo.php?fbid=10155076661226156&amp;set=pcb.10155076662481156&amp;type=3\">Houses of San Francisco<\/a><\/span> &#8212;<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/photo.php?fbid=10155072046796156&amp;set=pcb.10155072047961156&amp;type=3\">Houses of Worship<\/a><\/span> &#8212;<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/photo.php?fbid=10155070577601156&amp;set=pcb.10155070578026156&amp;type=3\">Lands End<\/a> &#8212; a hike around\u00a0Sutro Heights Park and Lands End<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/photo.php?fbid=10155067557631156&amp;set=pcb.10155067558131156&amp;type=3\">The Streets of San Francisco<\/a> <\/span>&#8212;<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/photo.php?fbid=10155066482426156&amp;set=pcb.10155066498341156&amp;type=3\">Arion Press<\/a> &#8212; a tour of probably one of the few remaining independent printing presses.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savio.wong.wo?lst=625141155%3A625141155%3A1523921651\">American Bookbinders Museum\u00a0<\/a>&#8212; although it is a small museum, it is definitely worth the trip if you are a bibliophile.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/photo.php?fbid=10155063261396156&amp;set=pcb.10155063261896156&amp;type=3\">City Light Bookseller<\/a> &#8212; visiting another old friend.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/photo.php?fbid=10155063231766156&amp;set=pcb.10155063232356156&amp;type=3\">Fisherman&#8217;s Wharf<\/a> &#8212; very popular spot but a bit too touristy for me .<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/photo.php?fbid=10155054821051156&amp;set=pcb.10155054821606156&amp;type=3\">A perfect day for a hike<\/a><\/span> &#8212;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', sans-serif; font-size: 18pt;\">2017 July<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino; font-size: 14pt;\">Ottawa \/ Thousand Islands<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Philadelphia<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Stowe Vermont<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Eastern Townships, Quebec<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', sans-serif; font-size: 18pt;\">2015 December<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino; font-size: 14pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/saviowong.com\/travel\/Places\/san-francisco-christmas-2015\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">San Francisco<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino; font-size: 14pt;\">Carmel<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino; font-size: 14pt;\">Big Sur<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', sans-serif; font-size: 18pt;\">2012 July<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/saviowong.com\/travel\/places\/boston\/\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino; font-size: 14pt;\">Boston<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\">To be added: New York City, Boston, Vermont, Maine, New Haven, Finger Lakes District, Pittsburgh, Madison, Chicago, Indianapolis, St. Louis, Madison, Las Vegas, Portland, Vancouver, Nelson, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City, Eastern Townships, Saint John, St. John&#8217;s, PEI, Halifax,<\/span><\/p>\n<h1 class=\"fontplugin_fontid_227_digistrip\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', sans-serif; font-size: 24pt;\">Africa<\/span><\/h1>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: 'Book Antiqua', Palatino; font-size: 14pt;\">To be added: Casablanca, Fez, and Marrakesh.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I&#8217;m in the process of migrating and consolidating information from different places where I have visited to this page. \u00a0It is a work in progress because it will take me a while.\u00a0 If the hot link is not active (not in blue), it means it has to be updated yet. Europe 2018 March\u00a0 London &#8212; [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":10,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-472","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/P46JhB-7C","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/saviowong.com\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/472","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/saviowong.com\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/saviowong.com\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/saviowong.com\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/saviowong.com\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=472"}],"version-history":[{"count":151,"href":"https:\/\/saviowong.com\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/472\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1916,"href":"https:\/\/saviowong.com\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/472\/revisions\/1916"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/saviowong.com\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=472"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}