(re)discoveryour city

Hike towards Pui O and pitch your tents just in time to watch the sunset! The warm orange hues are marvelously complemented by the splendid mountains that frame the sides of the picturesque beach. Dine in the nearby eateries so your stomach is just as contented as your relaxed mind and body.

Hands down the most difficult hike in Hong Kong, but definitely one of my most memorable hiking experiences. (I almost got stranded on the beach, hiked for 9 hours in total, with 2 hours in the dark!)

No better to place be during a nice summer or autumn day. The hike that leads to the garden filled with great views of the city and nature. The Victoria Peak Garden is essentially an oasis of serenity amidst the bustling city.

Starting out as a dai pai dong (open-air food stall) in 1952, Lan Fong Yuen claims to have captured Hong Kong by inventing Pantyhose Milk Tea, a rich blend of different tea leaves mixed with creamy evaporated milk—named after the long stocking-like cloth they use to make the tea.

This roast goose is so nice. The funny joke is that everyone wants the drumstick, but you only get two drumsticks when you buy a goose. If you know the lady well, you can order the extra drumstick!

It may look like your regular food stall, but don’t sleep on Keung Kee just yet! A must-visit when in Wan Chai, it has lovingly captured the attention of the Michelin Guide inspectors with their sticky glutinous rice topped with Chinese sausages. For something a little lighter, their rice rolls and sweet soups are must-tries.

This beach themed pizza-haven just WORKS, even though you'd be skeptical at first. The food is incredible, the crowd is beautiful, and you think you’re at a holiday house.

Hands down, my favourite restaurant for pizza in New York City. Crunchy crust and chewy dough made with fresh ingredients. Must-order? Honey-bee!

Eating pizza is a MUST in this city. It’s literally a pizza mecca. Although there’s a ton of places to choose from, my vote definitely goes to Artichoke. They have your usual flavors, but just go for Artichoke.

One of the best new rooftops in New York City. It’s located in the middle of Chinatown which is a little unusual, but the rooftop is super high and boasts some unparalleled unique views of the entire skyline.

ROKC (Ramen, Oysters, Kitchen, Cocktails) has phenomenal food, charming decor, and out-of-this-world cocktails. They open at 5, don’t take reservations, and always have a wait if you can’t show up early; but, honestly, it’s the only place I find a wait worth it!

My favorite ‘going out’ bar in New York. Between the music, layout, and crowd, it’s a nearly perfect bar.

Though the building was actually meant for the different legislative bodies of the government in the early 1900s, it’s now where legendary Filipino artworks reside. Whether you’re looking for inspiration or need a quiet space to sit and ponder, the National Museum is a comforting place to be.

If you're a Benildean, a free pass is one of your perks to this really cool museum because it's just in the De La Salle-College of St. Benilde School of Design and Arts building.

A hidden gem of a tattoo shop in Makati City—home of the most passionate tattoo artists I’ve met. You can expect top class tattooing and a great overall experience.

There’s happy hour, then there’s my kind of happy hour. My choice of HIIT, the only cardio workout I’ve ever managed to stick to. I get really competitive with myself, always trying to do better than my last class.

Dancing to upbeat music while cycling is indeed a challenge that I'm willing to commit to this year. Workout has never been this fun!

The Diliman Academic Oval is a runner’s haven, and a good sweat is sometimes the perfect cool down. Within the University of the Philippines, foot traffic is high. The loop has seen many things: rallies, break-ups, and meet-cutes, even.

Pretty decent cod (chunky whites) and chips. I also recommend the battered king prawns and chips with a side of sweet chilli!

This shop won the Best Fish and Chip shop award in Britain. Excellent quality, large large portions, and extraordinarily reasonable cost. Fish and chips is a must do in England; but, sadly, not all fish and chip shops are as good as this one!

London’s oldest chippy has still got it! The restaurant-slash-takeaway has been churning out a trusty Fish and Chips recipe for more than a century, loved by loyal Londoners to this day.

At Conservatory at Barbican Centre, Afternoon Tea is savored amidst a background of tropical flora. Take that perfect shot, and have your friends guess whether you’re in London or an island paradise!

Choose to have melt-in-your-mouth gluten-free scones (that taste just as yummy as the regular ones!) to go with your Afternoon Tea. The restaurant also cooks up guilt-free sandwiches and pastries for a British feast!

Afternoon tea covered in pink 💞

Find your average hipster here! Jokes aside, it's a great place to meet, hang out, have food and coffee (or another reflective moment) on the Berklee beach. Really nice in the summer when you can enjoy your coffee in the sun.

The barista here was pretty passionate. Can sit outside on a nice day.

Love the coffee here! Nice vibe.

Perched up on Beacon Hill, across the street from the Boston Common, the Massachusetts State House has been the seat of government to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts since 1798. Ascend the stairs, follow the red brick trail, and a pillared building topped by a golden dome rises to greet you. Continue inside, to where the Office of the Governor and the General Court (comprised of the Senate and House of Representatives) have been running the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for centuries. Important statues, historic frescoes, and stained glass fill the marbled halls—every detail tells the city’s story. To this day, the Office of the Governor, the Massachusetts Senate, and House of Representatives still hold office in the State House. Call ahead to reserve a tour (free of charge) as they welcome tourists on weekdays, any time between 10:00AM and 3:30PM.

With the Revolutionary War underway, Boston saw its first battle. The Battle of Bunker Hill was one that set the tone for the entire war. The patriots were severely out of an advantage, running out of ammo, but still put up a worthy fight against the British troops. Far less Americans died that day, but their valiant service is still immortalized in a piercing granite monument. The Bunker Hill Monument lies in the middle of a lush, green park. For a little more realism, head to the Bunker Hill Museum right across the street to see artifacts from the war up close. Then, take your time here and contemplate that fateful day.

Coming up after the Old South Meeting House, the original State House parks stubbornly in the midst of towering office buildings. At over 300 years of age, the Old State House was the original venue for the Massachusetts General Court before they moved to the Massachusetts State House in 1798. An independent spirit sparked here when local lawyer, James Otis, campaigned against British policies. He is famously quoted for the words, “Taxation without representation is tyranny.” It is only fitting that the Declaration of Independence was first read to the people of Boston here on July 18, 1776, as it signalled a new era for the emerging nation. Browse through a miscellany of items that have survived through the tides of time: arms from the Battle of Lexington and Bunker Hill, the suit of the first governor of Massachusetts, and tea saved from the Boston Tea Party’s lost crates. Just outside, a cobblestone ring remembers the civilian casualties of the Boston Massacre.

This little ice cream shop will immediately send you to matcha heaven. With the intensity of matcha ranging from 1-7 you’ll definitely find something for you! I highly recommend the #7 matcha: intense, but such good quality and not unpleasantly bitter.

Located just right by the Meiji Shrine entrance, this cafe was the perfect rest stop. Their matcha latte was delightful! It has such beautiful wooden interiors as well.

Indulge in a tall parfait layered with matcha cake chunks, mochi (もち, glutinous rice balls), and sweet jellies at Saryo Tsujiri. The café is tucked away in a quiet corner of Daimaru Tokyo, a massive department store, making it a perfect spot to cap off any shopping spree or errand run.

The Tokyo Cruise is a great mode of transportation to get to Odaiba. It traverses Sumida River, giving you a different perspective of Tokyo. The boat itself is pretty comfy, with different indoor and outdoor areas to settle in. Travel time is about an hour; and you'll get off right at Odaiba Seaside Park! ⛴

Soak up Japanese history and tradition in Ueno, the cultural capital of Tokyo! Start at Ueno Park, a sprawling green space believed to possess spiritual powers as it stands on former temple grounds. Take trips to religious institutions such as the Kaneiji Temple and Tonogu Shrine, as well as multiple museums like the Tokyo National Museum, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, and the National Science Museum. Make sure to drop by Ueno Zoo, Japan’s oldest enclosed habitat, to see over 3,000 animals and some rare species! Before leaving Ueno, score a few bargains at Ameyoko—one of the cheapest shopping destinations in Tokyo! There are more than 500 stores lining the streets, selling everything from everyday living items to one-of-a-kind knick knacks at super-low prices.

We’ve all wanted to drive our own Mario Kart. Luckily, MariCAR Akihabara #1 is here to make our dreams come true! Gather your friends to course through the streets of Tokyo while driving custom-made go-karts—that’s right, you’ll be on the actual roads so make sure you have a valid driver’s permit on-hand. Slip into your favorite character costume, blast your background music of choice, and tour the metropolis as if you’re in the Mushroom Cup (race trophy not included)!

Melbourne coffee is GOOOOD

Industry Beans has quite a lot of things going on under its award-winning roof. The open warehouse in Fitzroy (which, by the way, won Best Cafe at the British Restaurant and Bar Design Awards in 2014) is not just a cafe. It’s also a roastery, a cupping lab, and a training facility! Single origin coffee takes the spotlight here, but they make it a point to switch up their selections every two weeks.

Sensory Lab is a tasting space where Melbourne's coffee connoisseurs converge to appreciate a curated range of espressos and single origin drinks.

Word of advice from the Chops: don’t wear white when you dine at Chophouse Sydney! Known for serving the perfectly cooked steaks and premium Shiraz, this restaurant is also passionate about reaching out to their main suppliers—the farmers who look out for their produce.

Bistecca's menu only has one main course: the Bistecca alla Fiorentina, a T-bone steak that is perfectly matched with any of their side dishes and cocktails, depending on your choice. Getting to this restaurant is an adventure on its own. Bistecca is deliberately situated under the spotlight, the very reason for the hype surrounding it. A tip: Enter through the fire exit.

If you happen to walk along Sydney Fish Market and smell meat instead of fish, that’s Vic’s Meat Market doing its thing. A destination for fresh and quality meats, whether for you to take home and cook or to order and eat at their restaurant Smokehouse and Grill.