We were in HK with another Russian couple, but didn't know anyone else.
Where to spend New Year?

Fortunately, we'd brought a book of world-renowned restaurants along as a gift for our Russian friend.
There was only one Hong Kong restaurant / club recommendation, called Dragon Eye.
And luckily, at this late date Dragon Eye still had one table left!

We reserved the table, which included a Chinese dinner leading up to midnight, followed by DJs & dancing.
Dragon Eye really is beautifu... read more

I also had my 1st bout of claustrophobia in Hong Kong:
We went into a shopping center on New Year's eve, but this mall wasn't roomy and spacious like the ones we have back home.
The shopping center reminded me more of a packed ant farm: low ceilings, lots of corridors branching off, no windows. And super crowded.
I started feeling very warm, like there wasn't enough fresh air. We began searching for an exit but couldn't find one... that's when I realized what claustrophobia is.
Funny, I ... read more

Hong Kong is a lot like Tokyo, but has a more "market / street vendor" culture going. It is expensive, busy, very urban. I never saw an old or dirty car... people on the streets are pretty stylish. Lots of technology being sold. The skyline is gorgeous at night, surprisingly reminiscent of all the blinking lights along the Playa at BM.

Sometimes I'd get overwhelmed by the blending smells of food cooked right in the street (Chinese delicacies like rotisserie hens, chicken paws, weird sweets... read more

Part 1

Sooo Cambodia...
"Why?" you ask. That seems to be a common question among our friends...
I always compare Cambodia to Goa, India. As in: you're going there to chill on the beach, it's cheap & tropical.

Goa still remains my favorite place in the world to visit. Unfortunately, many people feel the same & it's becoming very touristy.
So our Russian friends suggested Cambodia as an alternative. The tourist trade there is just starting to flourish, and in that sense it's like Goa ... read more

Let me start by saying that there are only 2 houses with Halloween decorations on our block - ours, and our neighbor's. In fact, my 9-year-old daughter has a kind of "decoration rivalry" going with the neighbor. Being Russian I am obviously superstitious, and thus a bit uneasy about the death / blood / gore symbolism that we so carelessly display... So bear that in mind.

On Monday night my husband & I were invited to a classical music concert, and we decided to take our daughter along. She... read more