CRISTY IN THE CITY

Monday, February 4, 2019

I visited Tokyo in mid-December to experience the German inspired Tokyo Christmas Market in Hibiya Park. The city really comes alive in the wintertime with all the holiday illuminations, festive food and fun sights and sounds. Can't get enough of this wonderful city.

Here are some travel snaps. Till next time, Tokyo!

Hibiya Museum, a German style house built in 1910 is one of the lovely features of Hibiya Koen's European style garden area

The Tokyo Christmas Market at Hibiya Park. Pastries, German sausages, mulled wine, entertainment and Christmas shopping await revellers and holiday merrymakers

Hibiya Park gift shop getting all festive

The distinctive German style food kiosks

The Tokyo Skytree skyline seen from Akihabara

Bridge over Sumida River overlooking the Asahi Super Dry Hall Building

The mystical Senseo-ji Temple in Akihabara was founded in 645 AD and is the oldest shrine in Tokyo

Asakusa is Tokyo's old town where every corner is Insta-worthy

Classic Tokyo style Shoyu ramen from Asakusa Ramen Yoroiya, a popular little ramen shop just outside Senseo-ji gate

Let's stop for a drink

All matcha shop!

Chocolate sundae with traditional Japanese waffles and rice cakes

The iconic Tokyo Skytree, the tallest broadcasting tower in the world

Tokyo from above

Christmas from the tallest tower in the world

Sunday stroll at the East Gardens of Imperial Palace

Autumn's last whisper

Lovely winter Camellia Japonica

Japan is bike city

The mamachari Japanese bicycle

En route to Harajuku

Meiji-Jingu on a chilly morning. The sound of birds and the hush of a thousand trees elevate the spirit and calms the soul

Wishes written on wooden wishing plaques (ema) at Meiji-Jingu shrine

"And in every street corner you'll see..."

Niko and...probably my favorite store in Harajuku

"Hello, I'm Niko! How may I help you?"

An ornament to remember a Tokyo Christmas

MT washi tape heaven

I want them all

Japanese pastries are the best hands down

The tree lined streets of Omotesando

Let me have a bite of that famous cronut!

Best Hokkaido oysters and pork tontaktsu at Waco in Shibuya Mark City

Delightful chaos that is the Shibuya Scramble Crossing

The Unicorn Gundam at Gundam Front at Odaiba

G is for gold, glam and Ginza

Ginza, the showcase of the Japanese economy

Kombini life: Good eats and drinks

Le petit gateau Tokyo style

All the drinks I want under one roof

When in Tokyo, take time to stop and admire the blooms at an Aoyama Flower Market

Sunday, August 12, 2018

Tea in Taipei

Just north of Manila, Taiwan beckons with its quiet, gentrified charm. I've always wanted to visit Taipei, thanks to the allure of old town tea houses, character cafés and bubble milk tea. So during one long weekend, I took the opportunity to give Taipei a visit and explore its city and out of town attractions.

Things I love about Taipei:

1. The convenience stores- Just like Japan, Taiwanese 7-11s and local kombinis are full of quirky, cute stuff and affordable take away meals. The assortment of milk tea products on the shelf is amazing as well! They also have gachapon machines outside the the convenience stores. Yay!

2. Eslite Bookstore- One reason I will go back to Taipei in a heartbeat.

3. Character cafés- I love Rilakkuma Café and I hope to visit Gutedama Chef Café and Moomin Cafe the next time around.

4. Tea Culture- Next to Japan, the Taiwanese are crazy about their mountain grown leaf teas and bubble milk teas. Taiwanese leaf teas are beyond delicious.

5. Easy transportation and connectivity- Yes, the hallmark of a true cosmopolitan city likeTaipei.

6. Counting Mercedes Benz cars- I read in a National Geographic Magazine many years ago that Taiwan has the highest concentration of Mercedes Benz cars. It is indeed true. While waiting for the pedestrian light to go green, I actually counted more than 20 Benzes at one time. BMW comes second.

7. Taiwanese people are very friendly, polite and very sweet!

8. Lastly, Taiwan loves cats! If you look at the map, Taiwan is shaped like a sitting cat. Outside Taipei they even have Houtong Cat Village which unfortunately I was not able to visit due to time constraints.

Xie xie Taipei! Till next time!