Fancy living the life of a Tai Pan or sipping on a sundowner like a colonial conquistador? Well, if you're in Hong Kong it's easy, book yourself straight onto the Aqua Luna junk and cruise the harbour in serious style. Departing from both Central and Tsim Sha Tsui the junk runs daily from 13:30 to 22:30 and gives you unrivaled views of Hong Kong's harbour from a spectacular vantage point.
With its iconic deep red sails the Aqua Luna, a traditional Chinese junk, is an experience not to be missed. On arrival you're handed a complimentary glass of wine, beer or a soft drink, and invited to lie back on one of the comfy sofas and enjoy the views. There are more photo opps than you can shake a stick at and you're guaranteed to be the envy of all your friends once they see your snaps.
The junk was painstakingly built by an 80 year old craftsman and is known in Cantonese as Cheung Po Tsai. The eponymous Cheung Po Tsai was an infamous nineteenth century pirate who terrorised Hong Kong's waters. No pirates to be seen these days, but if you book yourself onto this water bound beauty you're guaranteed to feel like you're the one who's found all the treasure.
Book online here or call +852 2116 8821. Booking is essential.
Monday, October 8, 2007
All hail Aqua Luna
Thursday, October 4, 2007
It's a wrap
It can be tough to find a decent piece of wrapping paper in this city, but I stumbled upon a treasure trove this morning in the most unlikely of places.
I was buying envelopes (of all the exciting things) at the Yat Cheong Paper Co. on Lyndhurst Terrace when I spied lots of pretty handmade wrapping paper on display. Choose from paper studded with dried flowers, deep blue paper with marbled streaks, greens, pinks and lots lots more. Now I just need something gorgeous to wrap up...
Yat Cheong Paper Co - G/F, 26 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central, Hong Kong. Tel: +852 2815 8466.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Loving your Laksa
Laksa lovers look no further. I've checked out Pasar, both in Wanchai and in Central, and am happy to report that they serve up a superlative bowl of this spicy, aromatic comfort food.
The Laksa Supreme (with prawn, fish cakes, squid balls, tofu and egg) costs $68, and you can also opt for Laksa Special (shrimp, cockles, fish cakes, squid balls and tofu) at $48 and Laksa with Singaporean Chicken for the same price. If you're a veggie don't despair, the staff at this friendly joint are happy to omit the meat and fish and prepare a morning glory, tofu and beansprout stuffed version to make sure you don't miss out on this creamy delight.
If Laksa isn't your thing there are plenty of other Singaporean dishes on the menu, from beef rendang to fried carrot cake with shrimp to grilled sambal stingray (much recommended by a friend). They also do lunch and afternoon tea sets if you're on a budget.
Central location - 2/F, Yu Wing Building, 64 - 66 Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong. Tel: 3693 4448
Wanchai Location - 97 Johnston Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong. Tel: 3168 2057
