FALL IS IN THE AIR

Today finally felt like Fall in Hong Kong. Mind you, the high was 75F and I wore flip flops during my commute to work. But, after the long, often unbearable summer, I can sense that Fall is on its way.

When we lived in New York, I would always celebrate the season change by making a big bowl of Chili which seemed like the perfect dinner option for tonight. I am also leaving M on Saturday to travel home to visit my family and to attend a wedding, so I think he will appreciate the leftovers.
So where did I find said Chili recipe? I follow a blog called Daily Garnish. Not only is the blogger a Denison grad (like me), she is a trained chef and shares amazing vegetarian recipes. I followed her 20-minute 4-bean vegetarian chili recipe tonight with some slight substitutions because not all the ingredients you would find in a US grocery store are available in HK. It took no time to prepare and the finished product was hearty and delicious.

The ingredients

Sauteing the onions and bell peppers

Washing the beans

Mixing it all together

I also roasted some butternut squash and leftover onions in the oven for 35 minutes at 400F (add olive oil, salt and pepper). The squash and onion mixture made for a great combination.

And for the finished product...

Happy Fall and Halloween!

CHINA TRAVELS

I have spent most of the weekend in bed with a bad head cold/flu, which is really depressing since I was really looking forward to spending the weekend with our friends in Hong Kong. I think the travel and late nights at work caught up with me and my body put me on a serious time out.

There is so much I want to update you on, but I will have to start with my business trip to China in September, where I spent 9 days in 2 cities - Qingdao and Shanghai.

Over the past year, I have visited 9 different cities in China and I think Qingdao may be my favorite city outside of Shanghai and Beijing. It's home to the famous Tsingtao beer and is a major seaport. It was also the host city for the 2008 Olympic Sailing competition. The air feels cleaner there and the skyline on the water is beautiful. After visiting the Qingdao, I can understand why it's a popular tourist destination and a place where many hope to retire to.

View of the city from my hotel room

I didn't expect to see this outside my hotel window.. People protesting against Japan and the disputed islands

I had a couple of hours one day to take a walk along the harbor. It was a gorgeous day.

An Olympic torch

And I couldn't leave without tasting a Tsingtao beer in Qingdao...

My next stop was Shanghai.

View from my hotel

Dinner near the Oriental Pearl Tower

Dumpling making in progress at Din Tai Fung

We stopped by the Alfred Dunhill home. The interior design is remarkable and worth the trip if you are in Shanghai. While there, you can also shop their latest collections or lunch in their beautiful private dining room.

Amazing goldfish tank

Their watchmaker hard at work

And we couldn't leave Shanghai without one more view of the amazing Pudong.

TOURING HK WITH OUT OF TOWN GUESTS

We have been really lucky to have a lot of out of town visitors since we moved to HK. It is so much fun showing them around our new city and it has definitely helped us feel less homesick.

We always feel so fortunate when our family and friends travel so far to see us and want to show them a great time. Here are a couple of itineraries that seem to really work for us and allow our guests to get a great feel for Hong Kong.

DAY 1: Hong Kong Island Tour

• Graham Street Wet Markets
• Dim Sum at Maxim's City Hall
• Tram to the Peak
• Taxi to Repulse Bay and Stanley Beach before an afternoon break

• Tram to dinner in Wan Chai (We love Crystal Jade for Shanghainese food)
• After dinner drinks in Lan Kwai Fong

DAY 2: Kowloon Tour

• Dim Sum at Lin Heung Tea House on Wellington Street for a more local experience
• Star Ferry to Kowloon side (if you live on Hong Kong Island)
• MTR to Mong Kok to visit the Ladies Market, Bird Market, Flower Market and Goldfish Market (listed in order of priority if you are crunched for time)
• High Tea on the terrace at the Hullett House (we prefer this setting to the Peninsula)
• More shopping at Temple Street Night Market near the Jordan MTR stop or Foot Massages at Top Comfort back in Mong Kok
• Dinner at Aqua on the Kowloon Side to watch the light show
• After dinner drinks at Ozone, a bar on top of the ICC (Ritz Carlton Hotel) with great views

DAY 3: Hike / Trip to Macau

• Early morning Dragons Back hike
• Lunch in Shek O (We love the Shek O Chinese & Thai restaurant)
• 2:30pm Ferry to Macau
• 5:00pm House of Dancing Water Show
• Stroll along the Cotai Strip. Stop in the Venetian for the famous Lord Stow's egg tarts.
• Dinner in Old Macau at Antonio's (famous Portuguese restaurant)

Here are some pictures of each itinerary.

DAY 1: HONG KONG ISLAND TOUR PICTURES

Graham Street Wet Market

Dim Sum at Maxim's City Hall

The Peak

The Longevity Bridge at Repulse Bay

Stanley Beach

Dinner in Wan Chai at Crystal Jade

Lan Kwai Fong

DAY 2:KOWLOON TOUR PICTURES

Lin Heung Dim Sum (Hong Kong Side)

Star Ferry to Kowloon

The Ladies Market (with my mom!)

The Flower Market

The Bird Market

Tea Time at the Hullett House

The Temple Street Night Market

Foot Massages at Top Comfort

Dinner/Drinks at Aqua for the daily 8pm light show

Drinks at Ozone

DAY 3: HIKE AND MACAU PICTURES

Dragon's Back Hike

Lunch in Shek O

Macau Ferry

House of Dancing Water Show

The Cotai Strip

Egg Tarts at Lort Stow's

Dinner serenade at Antonio's