Taikang Road

Taikang Road is one of Shanghai's little gems; everything I love - shopping, art & cafes. Similar in feeling to Xintiandi (the French Concession Quarters) but the shops are closer together and there are many more. Picture little laneways filled with gorgeous shops, fashion boutiques, chic cafes, wine bars, jewellery. It reminded me a little bit of wondering around the souks in Marrakech but more delightful and no hassling. There is an energy/ vibe in Shanghai which is fantastic and seeing their artisans develop their own sense of style.

The Shanghai Dumpling!

Food is such an integral and important part of Chinese culture. (You probably have already guessed this looking at my paintings). Everywhere we looked, people were eating – it was so wonderful to see. Possibly the most perfect takeaway food would have to be the Shanghai Dumpling. Each dumpling is filled with soup and served in it’s own bamboo steamer along with a big straw to drink the soup. There were queues a mile long just to buy these. (Unfortunately, in 35 C heat I didn't feel like queuing for these to try).

High Tea

I know it looks like all we did was eat and drink but we had to try High Tea in Shanghai. Just as good as the original in HK and more inspiration for a new cake painting I think ;)

The Peninsula Lobby

High Tea - finger sandwiches, cakes and pastries.

Dinner & Drinks on the Bund

Dinner at Yi Long Court

Peninsula Rooftop Bar

Enjoying the light show.

The Peninsula Hotel Shanghai

As a thoroughly indulgent & decadent treat, we decided to stay a few days at The Peninsula on the Bund when we were in Shanghai. OMG!! The hotel is an artist's dream, well my dream anyway. It is unbelievably stylish combining Art Deco with Chinoiserie Chic. Everything from the stunning artworks to the carpets to the deco styled bathroom mural has been meticulously thought out. No detail has been left out - we also loved the Nespresso Machine in our room and the spa music/ mood lighting in the bathroom. Enjoy the pics:

top left: our bedroom, detail of vase, tv cabinet, bathroom

top left: the hotel, nail dryer, bathroom mural, toiletries from the Napa Valley

top left: gorgeous flower arrangements, desktop lamp, hallway carpets, swimming pool.

top left: our bedroom, detail of lamp, bernardaud china, rug.

The Hermes Peacock

Found this in the Hermes airport boutique on our way to Shanghai - thought it was a clever idea of displaying their ties. Pity the colours & patterns shown weren't more inspiring....

Hong Kong Pt 3

The many different 'faces' of Hong Kong - from top left clockwise; bonsai trees, knitted tea set at Lane Crawford, Bamboo Scaffolding, Ancient Chinese Ceramic Vase, Monocle Shop and Classified Eaterie.

Hong Kong Pt 2

Hullett House is Hong Kong's newest landmark destination. Formerly the old Marine Police Headquarters on Canton Road, it is now comprises of a boutique hotel, restaurants, bars and performance space for celebrations/ festivals. Whilst beautifully finished, we found it quite difficult to navigate our way through the space. We wanted to have a look at the new hotel but we couldn't find it. I guess they want to keep the riff raff out as there are only 10 suites! We do want to try the Chinese Restaurant for Yum Cha next time as the food and dining room looked wonderful. 

Hong Kong Part 1

Our first day in Hong Kong was fabulous: a wonderful lunch at Lian Restaurant which features a waterlily pond in the middle of the communal dining table!! The chairs also had a built in shelf that you could pull out for your handbag/ backpack etc.

We then spent the afternoon at the HK Museum of Modern Art which was so inspiring, in particular the works of Wu Guangzhong.

The unexpected highlight of the day was catching up with our good friend Amanda who happened to be in HK that night. We had no idea she was here for work until the day before when I got an email from her!! It's so funny how fate brings people together (last week in Melbourne, I literally bumped into an old school friend who I hadn't seen in 20 years).

Hi from Hong Kong!

We're staying with my Aunt and Uncle who are living in the seaside village of Sai Kung, about 45 mins from central. It's very relaxing and quiet here - the perfect antidote to the hustle & bustle of HK!! The locals come here on the weekends for hiking in the surrounding hills and the majority (& less sporty) head down to the waterfront to eat in one of the many seafood restaurants!

We've found the weather hard going - when I say it's hot, it's really hot and humid too! But I can't complain - it's a nice relief to escape the Melbourne winter....

(View from my family's home)

(There are boats everywhere)

(Local waterfront)

(The restaurants have every type of seafood imaginable...)

(ready for you to choose to eat!)