Competitive streak

 

This building in Shanghai used to be the tallest hotel in the world. I heard that Hong Kong has another one that just surpased it. Why do people like to compete? The tallest, largest, smartest etc.

Frozen in a Frame

Another great photo from Bratislava. I'm not referring to my photographic skill. I mean it's such an interesting image. For an old run down building, by decorating it with some intriguing people and arts, you can attract tourists to stand and watch for hours. I wouldn't mind that if it wasn't that cold. So instead, I made a snapshot to save this forever.

Story inspiration? A neighbourhood of eccentricity and crazy love?

The Bronze man comes alive

Many years ago, I went to Bratislava. It's a few hours train journey from Vienna. I really liked the old town. They have these cute little bronze sculptures on the ground or sitting on benches. They seemed to make the city more lively.

What if the man came alive and smile at you?

Honeycomb

This building reminds me of a honey comb. It's right opposite the Sydney Harbour Bridge, perhaps a bit too near. What sort of stories will occur here? Romance? Science fiction? Murder?

What is he looking at?

Guess who's looking at who here?

Do you think you can spin a story here?

Go nude for a cupper

Another holiday photo. Here is a cute little cafe in Horseshoe Bay on Magnetic Island.

Aim Big

I'm back from North Queensland but I haven't started writing yet. I think I'll just share a few photos here in the next few days.

Here are the little green ants from Magnetic Island. They may be small but they have great strength. They didn't like my towel blocking their long march and pushed it out of the way in a night!

Moral of the story: Aim big, start small.

Breakfast with cookies

Did I say how much I like cookies? Years ago I did a life expectancy survey and found that I've the most health eating habit, not much tea, not much coffee, not much fat. But my breakfast with cookies could cost me a few years of my life.

Well life is short and some kind of addiction can be not too bad. So my Korean trip will involve buying a lot of Korean cookies.

What is the addiction you won't give up?

Photo source: http://currythecat.com

Shop like a man

I confess I shop like a man, with a list, minimal fuss and minimal time. But I'm not that into the latest gadgets and trend.

So the kind of shopping I want to do in South Korea is rather different. Looking at some strange food in market can be an interesting past time for me.

How do you shop, like a man or a woman?

Photo source: http://www.seoulkoreaasia.com

Keep up with the grannies

I'm going with a friend who runs marathon. She wants to go hiking at national parks in South Korea. I tend to be a couch potato most of my evenings so I'm not sure if I'm fit enough.

I've been doing like 15 minutes exercise each day for the past month since I learned about the trip.

I read somewhere that grannies in South Korea are very fit and they like to go hiking too. Let's hope I can keep up with them.

How do you keep fit?

Photo source: http://www.lifeinkorea.com

Too hot to handle?

Why did I choose to visit South Korea? I live in Sydney, an area with many Koreans. They have fascinating culture, food and customs.

I do love Korean food but they can be too spicy for me. So I've borrowed a phrase book and learned the words for "no" and "spicy" in Korean. Let's hope I know how to handle the hot cuisine day after day.

What's your next travel destination?

Photo source: http://namikafujita.wordpress.com

Eat, walk and shop

I'll be off for a short holiday in South Korea, eating, hiking and shopping. I've scheduled regular blog posts but I may not be replying to your comments frequently.

Happy World Cup and see you again soon early July. Who do you tip to win?

Photo source: http://planettran.wordpress.com

The Amazing Race

Congratulations to all the travelers who finally arrived home after the disruption by the Icelandic volcano ashes.

There were stories of the amazing racing from France, Italy, Turkey via road, ferries and train.

Hope you have a bit of time to soak in the passing scenery and sight of people you haven't planned to stop by.

The world is beautiful, despite of everything!

Photo from www.maps-continents.com

Following the footsteps of Jane Austen

I've lived in London for three years but I haven't travelled some of the JA's places before. It's great to find this article by Gary Warner. Maybe I'll make the journey this summer:

My own Austen journeys have stretched from Steventon, where Austen was born, to Winchester, where she died — with stops in Bath, Southampton, Portsmouth, Oxford and Chawton along the way.

These journeys were taken up out of love — not for Austen, but for my wife, whose stacks of dog-eared Austen paperbacks are on the short shelf next to her nightstand. I am not so much a "Janeite" as an enabler of one. So, I offer the apology of a dabbler who writes about what millions across the planet embrace with so much passion.

Read the full article here. Photo from Jane Austen House by Warner

Most beautiful beach in USA?

My BF is a beach junkie.

When Bargain with the Devil sales ranking reached No.10 in Regency romance in Canada, I joked with him that if it reached No.1 in Regency romance in USA, I would take him to the most beautiful beach in USA for a holiday, as a way to thank the USA readers, by spending some money there.

Although it's unlikely that it will reach No.1 in Regency romance in the states, I am curious to know which beach do you think is the most beautiful in USA?

Our expectation will be: clean sandy beach, NOT too many tourists (not too few either), available of good food (that's for me, hehe), good waves, spectacular landscape around and hot water temperature.

Any recommendations?

Big Waves

Here is another travel photo from August. Porto in Corsica. What caption or story suits it best?

Let me start first: I saw his body carried out by the monstrous waves…

All for a good photo

Naughty Pride and Prejudice book tour ended yesterday so I will relax a bit. Here is a travel photo I took in August. Can you figure out what it is all about?

A clue, this is in Italy ...

Crab talk

In Bargain with the Devil, there was a scene by the seaside where Mr. Darcy told a boy why crabs walked sideway.

Here is a scampi I found in Garda lake in Italy. The tiny creature is so pretty.

Darcy and sex toys!

Found this in Nice, France. Couldn't resist to take a photo of it.

In Hong Kong

I'm on holiday right now so posting will be less frequent.

At the moment, I'm in Hong Kong. It's very hot but shops are wonderful. Will keep you posted with some photos.

Here is one of the harbour, with the cloud, speed, wealth and people all in one.