Author: Igor

  • Top 10 Things You Can’t-Miss In Hong Kong

    If you call yourself a travel enthusiast and you have never visited Hong Kong in your entire life, something isn’t adding up. Hong Kong is a glamorous city and a popular tourist destination worth your time and investment. If you are trying to figure out the next destination you will explore and have unlimited fun, why not make it Hong Kong? The city boasts of an impressive skyline, mouth-watering delicacies e.g. dim sum, hiking trails, forest-covered mountains, islands, traditional fishing villages, etc. Your trip to Hong Kong will not only expose you to the Chinese culture but also fulfill your spirit of adventure. Now that there are a million attractions in Hong Kong, what do you prioritize when you come to the city? Well, this question may be hard considering you have not been here before. We understand how overwhelming it can be and that is why we are here to offer you help. In this post, we will focus on some key things and destinations that you should prioritize whenever you come to Hong Kong China. 

    Top 10 Things You Can’t Miss In Hong Kong

    1. Victoria Peak 

    If you think you’ve captured the best view of Hong Kong city wait until you go to Victoria Peak. From the Peak you will be able to see the top of the skyscrapers in the city – they look amazingly cute. You will also explore the entire bustling city, surrounding islands, harbor, etc. If you love capturing pictures, then this is one of the ideal spots. Bring your camera and come with some of your friends, family, relatives, or colleagues to make the trip more fantastic. Victoria peak itself is covered by lush greenery and nature trails etc. Note that you can visit Victoria Peak at whatever the time of the day you wish – whether in the morning when the sun is rising or in the evening when the sun is going down. Those who have been here before will testify to you that Victoria peak is the best point to view the magnificent city of Hong Kong at night -make efforts and visit. 

    2. Big Buddha

    Locally referred to as the �Tian Tan’ Buddha Statue, the Big Buddha is a must witness for every traveler coming to Hong Kong for their first time. The Big Buddha/Tian Tan sits on Lantau Island and projects up to 34 m high above the island. It was constructed in 1993 and today; it serves as one of the most popular tourist attractions in China and the entire Asia region. Having been built for more than 12 years, you can try to figure out how it looks. Its setting is merely incredible – it is surrounded by green forest. Getting to the Big Buddha is not hard – simply take a bus ride or consider grabbing a Ngong Pic Cable car (the best option). If you have as much time to spend as you would like, you can combine your visit to Big Buddha with a visit to Tai O’s traditional fishing village. The village is still on the same island, but it will take you approximately 20 minutes to bus. Note that you should consider a guided tour if you are new in these regions. There are guided tours available in English, and they operate daily.

    3. Hong Kong Skyline

    The city of Hong Kong, China, has one of the most remarkable skylines that you should make efforts to witness at least once in your life. The town is set by the dense collections of uncountable skyscrapers combined with its surrounding mountains and harbor. Go to the harbor, and you will find traditional Chinese junk-boats (red -sailed), Star ferry, etc. – all these form the backdrop of the current high-rises. Amid the nighttime, the skyline changes completely – the sky becomes dark, and the city light brightens the scene. If you were not lucky to view the skyline from Victoria Peak, you could view it from the Kowloon waterfront. 

    4. Hong Kong Disneyland

    Hong kong’s Disneyland is found on Lantau Island. Make some efforts to come here and be confident of witnessing excellent fun from popular characters from Disney movies.

    This park is subdivided into seven categories. These are

    – The fantasyland

    – Adventureland

    – Grizzly Gulch

    – Toy Story Land

    – Tomorrowland

    – Mystic Point &

    – Main Street.

    There are performance events taking place every day on whatever land you wish to explore. These performances feature anything from musicals to parades, fireworks in the castle in the evening, etc. There are jungle cruise tours to Tarzan’s Treehouse and water-based fun-activities at Liki Tiki. Getting to Hong Kong’s Disneyland is easy. The most recommendable way is to take a Hong Kong Disneyland admission-with-Transport. This features a hotel pickup MTR pass to/from Kowloon and Hong Kong. 

    5. Ocean Park

    Ocean Park in Hong Kong is one of the destinations where you spend your entire day and feel like you would need another day to rewind. The place is damn cool! It boasts of having more than 400 fish species, rare & exotic wildlife. Besides seeing what the park has to offer, you can engage in Giant Panda Adventures – here, you will see red pandas, giant pandas, & the Chinese Giant Salamander. There are other events that focus on the south and north poles. Take part in fun rides such as Hair Raiser, Mine Train, Eagle, and Raging River. You can take the MTR to reach the Ocean Park Station with ease. 

    6. Lai Kwai Fong

    For a while now, Lai Kwai Fong has been recognized as supposedly the best dining joint in the city. You can come here for breakfast, before starting your trips or for lunch and supper. The joint is meant for individuals who enjoy dining in open-air-patios – you will enjoy your meals while still having a decent view of the surroundings. The reciprocal deals with all sorts of food you wish to enjoy – you have no good reason to miss out on this.

    7. Tai O Traditional Fishing Village

    If you are looking for an experience like no other in Hong Kong, go to Tai O traditional fishing village. Here you will interact with the Tanka people and know more about their region and the surroundings.

    8. Garden of Stars

    Want to witness some of the most world-famous Chinese stars? Then go straight to Garden of Stars. Here you will see great performers such as Bruce Lee etc.

    9. Night Clubs

    There are very many night clubs in Hong Kong. If you are individuals of legal age who enjoy adult beverages and dancing until late hours, why don’t you go to one of the city clubs? There are kinds of drinks and music that you will love. 

    10. Temple Street Market

    This market is one of a kind. Unlike other markets that operate normally amid the day time, Temple Street Market does the reverse. It’s located in Kowloon island – make sure you go here and do some shopping. If you don’t need to buy any stuff, then you can enjoy some delicacies.

    Takeaway

    Hong Kong is a densely populated city of China with individuals from all corners of the world. As you may have noted from this discussion, the city is probably the best place to tour over and over again. If you have sometime, why not go to Hong Kong this festive season and witness all it has in store for you? The right time is now or never! Book your flight into Hong Kong today with Cathay Pacific and start getting ready to enter the world of unlimited attractions.

  • How to Get the Most Out of Traveling to A New Place

    Travelling to a brand new place can be daunting.

    Travelling is such a beautiful thing, it’s the worst when we feel stressed, overwhelmed by options, or unsure of what to do.

    But it doesn’t have to be daunting. It should invoke a sense of curiosity, freedom, and freshness. It should open your mind to new possibilities, new ways of thinking, and new cultures.

    Here are a few ways to get the most out of travelling to a new place.

    Image Credit

    Make Some Plans

    Going into a new country, place, or region with no plans can be exciting. But it can also prevent you from seeing or experiencing the best things your destination has to offer.

    When exploring a new place, make some plans to ensure you hit up the best places to stay, eat, shop, and visit. If you’re going to be in a place for a few days, a good rule of thumb is to plan about half of each day. 

    But Don’t Over Plan

    Under planning can leave you with regrets, but over planning can do the same. Be careful not to fill your schedule and put your travel into a box. In addition, making a checklist is one great option for vacations made easy. There are some fantastic guides and itineraries out there, but you never know when you may run across something new or hidden that no one has prepared you for.

    When this happens, you don’t want a rigid itinerary that prevents you from taking advantage of an awesome opportunity. You want to be able to easily slide it into your day. So plan half of your days, but leave the other half of your schedule open for unplanned adventures unforeseen opportunities.

    Seek Convenience

    Take advantage of opportunities to save yourself time and hassle so you can get the most out of your trip. Some conveniences may cost money, but it will likely be worth it if it means more time exploring this new place.

    Consider things like luggage storage, taxis, buses, staying near your activities, and international data plans. Doing things the hard way may put a few extra dollars in your pocket, but you can’t pay for an incredible experience.

    Live in the Moment

    Though it may be tempting to film or photograph every single moment of your adventure, try to soak up the moments by just being present. Pay attention to the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of your destination.  Look for educational trips and tours to make the most of your experience.

    Sometimes documenting every single moment can distract us from the beauty in front of us. Try to think more about what you want to get out of your trip rather than what you want others to see of your trip. As awesome as a great social media post may be, it can’t replace a killer memory.

    Document Just a Little

    Having said that, you do want to document some parts of your journey. Take a couple of photos in each location you visit, grab a few snippets of video, and do some journaling throughout your adventure to save some memories.

    Your future self will thank you for capturing some of the moments. Just don’t go overboard and sacrifice your experience.

    Wherever you go and whatever you do, soak it up.

  • Dating In 2021? Best Apps To Choose From

    Have you started your search for love, your significant other? While some men and women like casual dating, others are serious about it. But, digital technologies have transformed the way of hunting for love. You no longer need to stick to your locality to find your earnest love. Dating has become fun with the introduction of dating apps. Singles, LGBTQ and several other users can rely on dating apps. But, which are the best dating apps in 2021? Let us make a list of it.

    Chispa

    As one of the Latino dating apps, Chispa has achieved big success. The major intention behind creating the app is to help Latino singles in finding partners of similar interests and preferences. By swiping the screen, you can easily look for your matches. 

    There are several options for customizing your search for your dates. Based on your preferred body type and height, you can find your partner. You can upgrade the free app by paying for a monthly subscription. With the Elite membership, you can identify members who like you. 

    Tinder

    Tinder is always one of the most famous names in the world of dating. But, to use the Tinder app, your age must be at least 18 years.  You have to create a profile with a bio and images. You can display selfies and any casual photos with your friends. Moreover, you can connect Tinder to Instagram. From the Discovery settings, you can set preferences for those who can reach your profile. Other Tinder users can see your name, age, and photo. There is also a video chat option, which enables you to engage in direct communication. But, for unlimited swipes, you need to become a premium member.

    Raya

    Raya is one of the best-known dating apps for celebrities. However, you do not always need to be a celeb to join the app. But, you have to send an application to become a member of the community. The process is not easy, as only 8% of the application is accepted. Moreover, members have to pay a monthly amount to get benefits from the Raya community.

    Grindr

    As a gay, transsexual, and queer person, you can sign up with Grindr. It is one of the biggest dating apps for the LGTBQ community. You can use your Facebook account to register with the app. Find your partner and enjoy a hookup.

    It will be easy to find your love from the local places. You can see the pictures of your matches. Click on the messaging sign and communicate with your partner. 

    The free version has some limits, as the users can find only 100 profiles in their locality. But, to increase this limit, you have to purchase subscriptions. Grindr XTRA displays 600 profiles in the local regions. Moreover, you can choose the Incognito mode while using the Grindr dating app. The photo mode is another option for sending images, which disappear after 10 seconds. Keep in mind that there are many gay hook up apps that you can try if Grindr doesn’t work.

    Tastebuds

    From age and location to profession, there are different matching criteria to find partners. But have you searched for partners who have interests in your favorite music and tunes? Tastebuds enable you to choose this criterion to identify the right partner. As you have varying tastes, you may add your Spotify profile. Tastebuds members can also become your friends, as they have similar tastes in music. 

    OkCupid

    OkCupid is one of the prominent dating apps with a desktop version available for users. You have to create your username and fill out the profile details. You may also link OkCupid to Instagram. You may also check the compatibility score while finding your matches.

    There is a Quickmatch option showing you the photo-only result. Premium members can find who has seen and liked their profiles. The monthly subscription can cost about $10 a month. Moreover, the paid version removes advertisements, and users do not feel any disturbance.

    However, some users claim that the interface of OkCupid is clunky. Still, it has drawn the attention of several users.

    These are some popular apps for dating. You can download the app and find the best partner for dating. Check the features of our chosen apps and select the right one.

  • Listening to Music on Your Phone? Here’s How to Improve Your Listening Experience

    Do you love to listen to music on your phone? Whether your phone is your go-to device when listening to music or you only listen to it when running or on your journey to work; listening to music on the go is a great way to bring your favourite tracks with you, wherever you are. If you enjoy having a soundtrack to your daily life, you will be all too aware that at times the listening experience on your phone can be a little disappointing. Low sound quality and a lack of accessible features can make listening to music a chore rather than a pleasure. However, there are many ways that you can enhance your listening experience and make sure that listening to music on your phone is an enjoyable experience. Take a look at just some of the ways that you can improve the entire listening experience on your phone:

    Image Pixabay CC0 License

    Choose the Best Speakers

    If you love music, you will know sound quality is everything. Choosing the best bluetooth speaker is essential to help you listen to your music at its best. There are loads of bluetooth speakers on the market right now, so choosing one that is right for you can be a tough choice. Comparing their features is an excellent place to start. Look out for battery-powered options if you want to use your bluetooth speaker on the move, WiFi connectivity so that you can listen anywhere, and many have Amazon Alexa built-in too making them super convenient.

    Find the Right Headphones

    When you are listening to music on the go, you need headphones that are up to the job and won’t compromise on sound quality. As well as choosing headphones based on sound quality, you also need to consider comfort and fit. Choosing headphones is very much a personal choice. Some people prefer to wear earbuds, whereas others prefer over the ear style headphones. If you are looking for an on-trend option, you may want to choose AirPods or similar and see if they deliver the sound quality and comfort that you are looking for. It is well worth shopping around for headphones and doing your research to find a pair that perfectly suit your needs, especially if you plan to wear them regularly.

    Adjust Your Settings

    As well as buying the best headphones and bluetooth speaker to match your needs, it is also worth tweaking with your phone’s settings to see if that improves the quality of sound that you get from your phone. Adjusting the settings on your music app so that they are on the highest quality setting could help make a significant difference, but be warned; if you are out and about it could use up far more data. Another option is to download your music at home and then listen to it on the go; this will eat into your storage, but you could just do it for your favourite tracks so that you can enjoy them sounding at their best.

    Another key factor to achieve the optimal listening experience is choosing the right phone or device to play your music. When comparing smartphone options, consider the sound quality, battery life, storage capacity, and additional features like high-resolution audio support and built-in equalisers. Some smartphones are designed with enhanced audio capabilities, such as better DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter) chips, which can significantly improve sound quality. Brands like Apple, Samsung, and Sony offer phones with advanced audio features. Additionally, look at user reviews and professional evaluations to determine how each device performs in real-world scenarios. Investing in a phone with superior audio capabilities can make a huge difference in how you experience your music.

  • Small Business Saturday – Edinburgh

    Small Business Saturday – Edinburgh

    Taking place on Saturday 6th December, Small Business Saturday is an initiative to support, inspire and promote small businesses on that date and beyond. This US-imported celebration hopes to give more visibility to the independent retailers that make the streets of each every city more vibrant and interesting.

    Now on its second edition in the UK, we’ve wanted to support the campaign featuring some local entrepreneurs that have recently opened their own businesses in Edinburgh. We asked them what they enjoy the most about being a small business and we photographed them outside their stores, but we encourage you to pay them a visit and discover what they have to offer inside!

    Richard Conway of Stag Espresso

    Richard is the owner of Stag Espresso, an independent café operator with two venues in Edinburgh, Dovecot Café and the recently opened Stag 2 on Victoria St. The new location offers great coffee, cozy interiors and a small magazine shop run by Analogue Books.

    Future-Positive-Stag-1

    “Autonomy is everything but power to choose other small businesses to work with is the best thing about running my own business. A friend who bakes our cakes now supplies cafés across Edinburgh, my dear friend Laura makes the best soup in town and our relationship with Analogue Books at Stag 2 is really important to me.

    The second thing is unique to cafés. Standing behind the coffee machine listening to a group of regulars chatting about their week. A group that didn’t know each other until their morning coffee routine synced and now they catch up in their favourite spot every morning. It is the best part of my day, it’s immensely satisfying.”

    Warburton Gallery India Buildings, Victoria St.

    www.StagEspresso.com

    Caroline Walsh of Archipelago Bakery

    Caroline opened her own Bakery on Queen St just a couple of months ago. Focusing on natural and organic ingredients, Caroline works with other small businesses and supplies them with a healthier and more honest alternative to industrial bread.

    Future-Positive-Archipelago-4

    “I am passionate about using organic flour and quality ingredients and making the bread by myself every day. I have done it every single day since I started [start at 5am and finishing at 4pm or sometimes 5pm…] but I love what I do and I have really loyal/wonderful customers who are the biggest reward. I am also trying to add a much healthier slant to all the lunch specials I do as there is a big of an obesity crisis going on in Scotland. I want to be able to do salads that are tasty and healthy but I don’t have the space for this yet.”

    39 Queen Street

    www.archipelagobakery.co.uk

    Stephen Kirkwood of Century General Store

    Stephen set up Century General Store a few months ago. This shop in Marchmont sells everyday products – from fresh bread and pastries to provisions, plants and magazines – with the hope to find their place within the strong tradition of independent traders in the area.

    Future-Positive-Century-3

    “The thing I enjoy most about running my own business is that I can push and test myself in ways you cannot when you are an employee for someone else. It’s a great feeling being able to create something from scratch and watch it grow and see where it takes you.”

    100 Marchmont Crescent

    www.centurygeneralstore.com