Pops*Trips

Today has been a long day.

At 5.30pm, I flew from Tokyo to Los Angeles, and arrived 6.5 hours before I set off - crossing the international date line is always weird! I spent the morning in a park with my brother and nephews in Tokyo’s Jiyugaoka, and the afternoon at Venice Beach in Los Angeles with an old friend - and a new one! A day of sunshine - glorious.

I think that I have now been on the go for around 32 hours, so I’m going to get some sleep before I fly to Mexico City tomorrow. Ciao, ciao…

Today, we went for lunch at D & Department in Tokyo. The weather here is terrible: such heavy rain! We had planned to cycle out to Haneda Airport, but the rain was far too bad for a bike ride so we spent a quiet morning at home instead. We feasted on salad, delicious curry, and chocolate cake - a very good lunch!

I’ve just boarded Asiana flight 106 to Tokyo Narita after a great stopover in Incheon, Korea. This is my favourite airline - lovely staff, lovely planes, lovely food - and I’m now headed to one of my all time favourite cities.

I’ve stocked up on some great Korean cosmetics for both me and my mum, who is now a convert to the BB revolution! I spent a very pleasant evening yesterday nearby the airport, shopping, dining and then relaxing in the hotel with a face mask and the latest episode of Homeland. I had planned to go downtown exploring last night, but my flight from Beijing was very delayed due to the weather conditions, and by the time I arrived, it was too late to make the hour long journey to Seoul. Hopefully next time! Instead, I caught up on some much-needed sleep.

So, next stop Tokyo, and two days off! Hurrah!

After a measly four hour sleep in Beijing, I was woken up by not one but two wake up calls, an hour earlier than requested! Gutted. Ashamed to say that I’m breakfasting in Starbucks at the airport. Don’t judge me. I needed coffee and a muffin, badly!

It’s 1.30am and I’m finally in a taxi, headed to my hotel in Beijing. What a day! I can’t believe I have to be back at the airport in seven and a half hours…

I love my job, I love my job, I love my job! *weeps*

Down at the bay in Hong Kong this morning…

I’m staying on the 28th floor in Hong Kong - the view is pretty impressive! (I’m glad I don’t suffer from vertigo…)

The ultimate feel-good film was showing on TV when I woke up this morning! Father of the Bride Part II definitely got my day off to a great start…

Singapore: Rest + Food + Beer + Shops

I’m back at Changi airport after a good stopover in Singapore. I completely failed in my mission to stay awake yesterday: I arrived at the hotel, had a wonderful hot shower, sat on the bed in a soft white dressing gown, and fell fast asleep for three hours. I swear, this happens every time I arrive in Singapore. Fortunately, I had just put on a Shiseido hyaluronic sheet mask (if you don’t speak beauty nerd, hyaluronic acid is the most incredible moisturiser, and a sheet mask is a fabric mask impregnated with various ingredients) - and I woke up looking, and feeling, like a new woman. I sprang into action and hopped in a cab down to Orchard Road, the main shopping area in Singapore; it’s the equivalent to Ginza, Shibuya, 5th Avenue or Regent Street. Famished, I headed to the first restaurant I ever visited in Singapore. I say restaurant; it’s a pretty cheap and cheerful hole-in-the-wall, really, but it was the home of my first experience with char siu bao (steamed pork buns) and I had a longing to return. It’s called Bao Today, and although there are probably a few of them, I went to the branch at 313@Somerset. I devoured two char siu bao, and two creamy custard bao - having skipped lunch, I was absolutely starving. I practically inhaled them.

The zip had broken on my handbag a couple of days ago, so I decided to replace it at my favourite accessories store, Charles + Keith. I chose a simple basket weave bag in cream. It’s a good excuse, no?

After a little retail therapy, I headed to Jiru Craft Beer, where I polished off some amazing yakitori and a very good beer - Hitachino Nest Pale Ale. I may have intended accomplishing a little more than just shopping and eating in Singapore, but it was a fun stopover that allowed me to recharge my batteries and stretch my legs.

Today, I fly to Hong Kong via Bangkok. This trip is absolutely flying by!

Love the frontage of the Singapore Visitor Centre on Orchard Road!