Where's Wally? themed Exhibit in Harbour City HK

During a recent visit in Hong Kong's busy TST(Tsim Sha Tsui) area, I was able to see the Where's Wally? exhibit at Harbour City.

Harbour City mall entrance with Where's Wally?
themed signage and staircase

Where's Wally?, a book published in the United States and Canada as Where's Waldo?, is the title of the first book in the Where's Wally? series, published in 1987. The book became a best-seller and was written and illustrated by Martin Handford.

The book features a main character named Wally who is known for his distinct wardrobe of a red and white striped shirt, blue jeans, brown boots, red and white striped socks, glasses, and his red and white bobbled hat. He holds a walking stick and travels with his dog named Woof.

Where's Wally outdoor display at Harbour City
walkway entrance area

Wally travels to everyday places, where he sends postcards to the reader (which are the pictures in the book), and the reader must locate Wally in the postcard.  Where's Wally? was re-released in October 1997 in a special 10th anniversary edition form. The location of Wally was changed in each picture and additional characters were added for the reader to find (Woof, Wizard Whitebeard, Wenda, Odlaw, the Wally Watchers, and others).

Wally with his walking stick and his dog friend Woof

Wally, Woof, Wenda, Odlaw
 and Wizard Whitebeard (from right to left in the photo)

You will notice that among the characters in the Where's Wally? series, there is one wearing a yellow and black outfit and his name is Odlaw (which is actually the reverse spelling of Waldo). He is the villain in the series.

The exhibit included an area where visitors can search for Wally from the posters hanging on the wall.

Visitors had fun searching for Wally on framed posters

Where's Wally? postcards in various designs

Where's Wally? souvenir items

In the outdoor area of Harbour City where visitors get a wonderful view of Hong Kong side lighted buildings, visitors also got a chance to see huge lighted posters of Where's Wally? and took selfies and photos with the Wally background.

Where's Wally? lighted poster

Mini Cooper cars were also displayed inside the mall  with Where's Wally? themed car designs.

Wally inspired Mini Cooper

source: Mini Cooper HK Facebook page

Odlaw inspired Mini Cooper

source: Mini Cooper HK Facebook page

The Where's Wally? exhibit is a fun exhibit that kids and adults both liked and the colorful display and interesting characters from the well-known book was certainly apt for summer time in Hong Kong.

Jamie's Italian HK

 I finally tried Jamie's Italian restaurant in Hong Kong.

Jamie Oliver, well-known chef, cook book author and TV celebrity, has opened Jamie's Italian in Hong Kong months ago.

Jamie Oliver

source: Jamie Oliver's restaurant website

The restaurant is located at a new building on Tang Lung Street in the bustling foodie area of Causeway Bay. It is near Times Square Mall.

My brother and I met up for an early dinner in Jamie's Italian Causeway Bay branch during my recent trip to Hong Kong.

At the ground floor of the building, you will see a display of Jamie's Italian items which you may opt to buy.

The restaurant is quite big, cozy, colorful and has nice lighting.

The restaurant has an industrial look with a mix of colors as the walls are predominantly green and the chairs make use of bright colors such as red and yellow. The wall near the escalator has an oriental design since it includes dragons.

The restaurant also has a bar with hanging garlic, onions and ham. With the different colors together, it looks like a nice market stall.

My brother had the slow-cooked Beef Osso Bucco while I had the Superfood salad with free-range grilled chicken.

Beef Osso Bucco

Superfood Salad with Grilled Chicken

I found the food at Jamie's Italian to be the same type food that you would expect when you see Jamie Oliver cook in his TV show. It is simply Italian comfort food that makes use of fresh ingredients. The portion is quite big and is good for sharing if you prefer getting different dishes to try for a dinner or lunch with some friends.

My salad was a bit spicy but it was good and very healthy too since it had a mixture of avocado, shredded fennel, beets, pomegranate, broccoli, cottage cheese, nuts and seeds.

The staff offers daily specials and drinks to customers and the service is good.

Another interesting thing to see at Jamie's restaurant is their restroom. Their restroom makes use of old-style type bathroom fixtures and colorful yellow and blue floor tiles which is quite lovely.

Jamie's Italian in Hong Kong is a cool stop for a  casual, get together lunch or dinner with friends and family. 

It is  a good stopover after a long day of shopping and walking in Hong Kong. Cheers!

To know more about Jamie's Italian in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong check-out their website: Jamie's Italian Causeway Bay, HK.

Mindfulness

Mindfulness is important.

Here's a nice quote from Buddha. Have a lovely weekend!

Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment. - Buddha

Photo taken by Tess Raymundo at Lantau Island, Hong Kong.

World Tour and Postcards

I love to to travel and see different places.

Even if I go back for several times to some countries there is always something new to see and discover.

I have a World Tour book by Louis Vuitton that contains vintage hotel labels and photos that certainly inspire me.

It has been years since I have started sending postcards to my home address when I travel and the other day when I was fixing my stuff I found some of the postcards that I have sent to myself which made me recall some of my cool travel experiences.

This is the postcard I got when I went to Bali and went to
 the Rock bar of Ayana Resort and Spa in Bali. It is an open-top bar
 perched on a natural rock 14 meters above Jimbaran Bay in Bali.

This is the postcard that I got from Venice during a
trip to Europe with friends during Spring 2012.

This is the postcard that I got from Bhutan. It shows the famous
Tiger's Nest monastery. It was a memorable trip since I had to hike
with my friend to reach this sacred place.

Postcard from Amanpulo resort which reminds me of the
wonderful and relaxing experience I had  there.

Postcard I got after visiting Marina Bay Sands Skypark before.
I wrote on said postcard that hopefully I get to stay in the hotel and
I actually did stay there when my brother and I went to Singapore to
watch Wicked the musical.

There are more places to visit. I feel blessed that I am able to travel  to different places.

In a couple of days I will be visiting Hong Kong with a group of friends for some fun food trip and shopping.

The Aman resort experience

I love to travel to beautiful and relaxing places.

I would say that one of the best vacations and best birthday gifts that I have given myself is when a good friend and I decided to save up and treat ourselves to our great birthday vacation in Amanpulo last 2013.

My friend and I often joke about taking what we call as our "go for broke" trips since we end up spending a bit more of what we expected during our trips. She is very good at tracking our expenses that is why we also know how much we end up spending per day. We love to pamper ourselves and surround ourselves with beautiful places so for us it is always worth it. 

I always believe that you get value for your money when you have a great experience during a trip and if you treasure all the wonderful experiences and memories that you have when you travel then spending a bit more for your own well-being and happiness is simply acceptable.

I still remember how the wonderful spa experience we had at an Amanusa in Indonesia in 2013 increased our expectation for a great resort experience from Amanpulo.

My friend and I consider our Amanusa spa experience as one of our "great spa treats" since the price was quite pricey compared to all spa experiences that we have had in other five star hotels and high end spa places. We just kept our eyes closed  the when the Amanusa  resort personnel swiped our credit cards ha ha ha.

It was truly worth it though as it was one of the best massage treatments that I have ever had and the beautiful and breathtaking views at Amanusa just made us feel happy and blessed. 

Poolside at Amanusa in Indonesia

The Amanpulo resort experience was one that I consider a great one. It definitely raised the bar for beach resort vacations as I felt like it was such an excellent experience that I would truly cherish in my whole life.

Here are some reasons why the Aman resort experience is truly worth it:

1) You are treated like a VIP the moment you arrive the waiting lounge before you take your flight

The Amanpulo airport waiting lounge is an exclusive lounge for Amanpulo resort guests. It is nice, comfortable and provides guest with good coffee and drinks while they wait for their boarding. 

2) You take a private chartered plane to the resort

Private plane at the runway in Amanpulo

Amanpulo is part of the Quiniluban Group of Cuyo Islands, situated in the north of the Philippine province of Palawan. 

The private plane that you take to go to Amanpulo just makes the experience better since you do not feel stressed out taking your flight to the island since it can only take around 20 guests.

Some people own private villas in Amanpulo and they opt to take their own helicopter ride to go there on weekends.

3) Your Aman resort guest service personnel will take care of you and can customise your vacation itinerary

The moment you arrive Amanpulo a resort guest service personnel will take you on your own golf cart to take you around the resort and to your own casita or villa.

We were blessed since we got upgraded to a beach casita during our stay at Amanpulo.

Beach casita at Amanpulo. This was designed by well-known
Filipino architect Bobby Manosa.

4) There are so many fun activities that can fill your day at Amanpulo

You have the option to lounge at the huge pool area or head to the beach for some water activities. We enjoyed the hobbie cat sailing and the snorkeling activity during the day and our relaxing spa treatment in the evening.

It is easy to go around the resort since you will be given your own golf cart that you can use during your stay. You could also request for a bike  if you prefer to go biking around the resort.

5) The Aman resort staff are all courteous and helpful

The Aman staff will be able to suggest fun activities you can do for the day and also restaurants that you can go to within the resort so you can try different cuisines during your Aman resort stay.

Fresh salad with mozzarella and pizza at their restaurant beside the beach.

6) There is no such thing as a crowded pool or beach in an Aman resort

The huge pool at Amanpulo. This is around 8 to 10 times  the size of a usual pool.

Their main pool is huge and is never crowded. You will truly get amazed on how big it is and how you can have your laps and have such a nice quiet time too.

Their beach is really clean and is simply relaxing.

7) You get to relax all the time

Every place you go to at the resort is nice. Even simple activities at the cabanas beside the pool and garden can be such a relaxing experience.

You can sunbathe and have some quiet time.

You can walk in the garden near the main pool area

You can lounge near the pool and have a nice fruit shake.

You can have dinner and enjoy the beautiful beach view.

8) They staff are always happy and may even surprise you

The staff at Aman make pleasant surprises. My friend and I were treated to nice chocolate cakes slices  complete with candles and happy birthday serenade from their staff who played guitars and sang live at our casita.

9) The Aman resort staff are happy and motivated people

Everyone at Aman will smile at you and make you feel welcome. The boat guy that we talked with during our hobbie cat sailing was a happy employee since he confidently shared with us that his work at Aman resort enabled him to send his son to a good University in Palawan and that their salary is quite good too as he was able to buy his son a laptop computer and provide his needs for school. He also tells us that they are treated very well by the management of the resort.

You can go on a boat ride or take a fun hobbie cat ride.

10) The Aman GM and his family personally thank you before you fly off back to Manila

It is a resort where you feel truly taken cared of and you even get to meet their GM(General Manager) and his family before you fly back home.

With the excellent service and beautiful resort facilities that Amanpulo offers there is no doubt that it is indeed one of the best vacation places that well known celebrities like Maria Sharapova, Diane Von Fursterberg, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have been to.

The Aman resort experience in both Indonesia and the Philippines are part of my most memorable travel experiences. I will definitely save again for my next go for broke trip to an Aman resort. Life is short so we must live it to the fullest. Cheers!

One of my favorite beach photos of Amanpulo that I took
during my vacation.

To know more about Aman resorts, check out their website:  Aman resorts.