minalism travel

    Isn’t it funny how we generally associate minor key music to emotions like sadness or sorrow? Or how in movies you'll always hear minor key music with scenes of darkness or destruction. Although this is not true across the board, there is a general stereotyping of sounds, and what we associate them with in our everyday life and emotions. We're taught to make these associations, almost like a programming from childhood, and at the very least in the general education that we receive at school. What I find fascinating is how a sound can mean a feeling, how it translates to thoughts and words. Music has always been in my life, having started playing the piano at 7 years old after begging my parents to take me to a teacher, and then studying music throughout high school. I have always been drawn to minor key music. I find quite the opposite to the general consensus, minor key music is expressive and open, it’s melodies always uplifting and hypnotic. I find a c...

Visualisation: A postcard I picked up 7 years ago – Photograph from minalism It's been a while since I last wrote here. So this is going to be a little re-cap of the time in between. My life has been a constant adventure, and I'm blown away by how much more I learn about myself each day, week and year that goes by. It's been 1 year, 6 months, 14 days, and 3 hours since I set sail onto a whole new part of my life, moving to one of my favourite Thai islands, Koh Samui.  What most of you don't know is that this last move has been a small dream of mine, since I was in my early 20's. I still have the postcard I found in a travel magazine 7 years ago, of a beautiful beach scene with the name of the beach written on the bottom right hand side of the card, "Haad Rin, Koh Phangan."  I kept that postcard with me, throughout every move, from London to Hong Kong, and then to Bangkok, moving from one bedroom mirror to another, or being blue tac'd...

Holiday birthday drinks and a spectacular view of Bangkok's stunning skyline from The Sky Bar @Lebua State Tower , April 2010 – Photograph by minalism  Moving to Thailand brought a very necessary calm to my already provoked senses, bringing the balance that I had been seeking. Bangkok being Thailand's hub of commercialism, classism, wealth, tourism and modern culture, like any big city it can certainly be quite a bitch at times. Admittedly, I have more than often escaped Bangkok craving the serene and peaceful ways of life that other parts of Thailand endlessly boasts. But even amidst all the madness and chaos, Bangkok still serves up a daily hum that cannot be replaced in this region of the world, with its comparatively free, liberal and hedonistic society. Bangkok's city skyline from The Sky Bar @Lebua State Tower , April 2010 – Photograph by minalism The first day that I ever set foot in Bangkok at none other than Khaosan Road , April 20...

The walkway between Hong Kong and Central MRT stations during rush hour – Photograph by minalism  It's m y second day back in Hong Kong after my winter vacation. I'm eager to get back into my routine, so I immediately throw myself back into work, also  throwing myself back into the crowds of Central and Hong Kong MTR stations. All or nothing, straight into the deep end. Within a week I'm reacquainted with Hong Kong rush hour manic walking. Bad walkers to put it lightly. Anyone who has lived in Hong Kong will know what this expression means. Walking on pavements, around the many shopping malls, in MTR stations, strolling in parks, around sports fields, walking to the supermarket, walking through the many back and side streets, running for a bus.... bad walkers everywhere! If you're like me, most of the time you remember these moments with a smile and have a chuckle about it. But when you're trying to get to a destination at a particular time, BEWARE! Add at ...

My secret patch of grass land. Thank goodness I found this place. If you know me well, you'll know that I need grass to survive! It calms me down when I'm feeling stressed, it helps me memorise and cram before exams or presentations, it grounds me in those moments of confusion and helps me connect with the Earth. It is my zen. So this was a big find for me, already feeling claustrophobic with all the grey, black and white of a concrete jungle. This is going to be my secret go-to when I'm feeling a bit anxious, or want an escape from my concrete neighbourhood. Although, I must say the grass is really itchy to lay on... but whatever, I can deal with it. A small cost to pay for a big reap!  ᐂ

It was a Wednesday afternoon and I was walking back to my apartment from the Mid-Levels, thinking about what to do for the rest of the day when I stumbled upon this place. Tucked away in an almost out of sight location, I had been walking past this a few days every week wondering what could be behind the wall of trees, thinking I should venture and explore someday. And so by doing that today, I couldn't believe what I found. Swings! Chess board like structures engraved onto solid stone block tables. Cute little seating areas dotted all around a tiny playground... The playground didn't really interest me much as it didn't have any slides big enough, and was missing a see saw. But still, this was a precious find! And, delightfully deserted during the midday. Aside of a few maintenance staff, I was completely alone in this secret little garden. I must have been a sight, as the ladies sweeping up the grounds had stopped in their tracks, staring at me,...

Repulse Bay in the Southern Part of Hong Kong Island I t's Wednesday, mid-week and the weather is still roasting. When the weather is like this all I can think of is being by the sea. So why not? I texted a few friends and fixed up a beach date at Repulse Bay . My last and only visit to Repulse Bay was on a random night out, with some crazy people, drunk and tumbling about looking for a BBQ site to have a late night feast. So I was definitely interested in spending some time at this beach during the day.  No one knows exactly how the bay got its name, as there is no circumstantial evidence to prove which story tells the true events of the bay. One popular belief is that in 1841, the area was being used by pirates as a base to disrupt trading between foreign trader ships and China. Due to the damaging consequences of the pirates positioning, they were 'repulsed' away from Hong Kong by the British Naval Fleet. The beach was artificially extended under the Br...

Rough Trade Records East – Photograph by Tom McShane from East London Lines Magazine I had an early start to my day... I never really enjoy having to wake up early. I am defi nitely not a morning person. After skimming through a relatively productive morning, I was craving Korean food, so I headed for the Korea House food stall in Food Republic to get a take-away portion of the Kimchi with pork, seasonal vegetables and rice lunch set. Food in hand I worked my way back through the crowded hallways of the shopping mall, while replying to a text message at the same time, when the oddest sight stopped me in my tracks. There in front of me  a small old Chinese man   was wearing a " Rough Trade Records " t-shirt! ROUGH TRADE!!! The exact font of the record store logo . I had to back track a few steps on the escalator to get a second glimpse. I wonder if this guy knows what the logo represents? Whatever the case, a small victory for Brick Lane and for record stores was w...

My 'Small Victories' Entry That Made The Final Cut!   It was a standard Thursday night in Hong Kong, and my usual pre-cursor to the weekend's upcoming drinking and socialising. I was getting ready to go to a local exhibition around the corner from where I live. I love going to these events, meeting local artists and being able to share my interests in the creative side of life. And there on the walls of the Above Second Gallery, tonight my entry was on show, amongst 100 other entries that had made the final cut for the exhibition.  The gallery was showcasing a collection of photographs titled Small Victories , a concept created by  Jeff Hamada ,  a Japanese Canadian artist from Vancouver, BC. He came up with the brilliant concept of getting photographers of all levels from all corners of the world to send him copies of standard 4 × 6 prints of photographs capturing  "quietly beautiful, unintentionally funny, people and things all around us" . J...

Cosmopolitan London – Photograph from  Shutterstock Another beautiful day on Hong Kong island. I woke up with a really discomforting feeling so I leapt out of bed and ran straight out. The last few days have been sunny and hot, which has been really nice to run about in. Opening my email, a friend had sent me a really interesting but sad article  "Hospital Pays Compensation Over 'Racism' Death" , and then this follow up article,  "It Seemed Impossible, But At Last Martin Jacques Got Justice For The Wife He Loved" .  WOW this case really hit me hard. " Hong Kong's dirty little secret".  I immediately wrote a quick email to  Martin Jacques  to thank him for his writings, and for his lengthy fight for justice for his wife. I mainly wanted to thank him for his acknowledgment of a reality in Hong Kong and South-East Asia that many are not even willing to entertain. He is an example of a truly open expatriate, living his life abroad, and mak...

Soho Chillin'... Soho Area of Hong Kong – Photograph From Foodpanda Magazine It's been a good morning, I had a relaxed start, and headed out feeling good. After running a few errands around my neighbourhood lunch soon approached and I was starving, so I popped into Soho and ended up at a great little Mexican place called "El Taco Loco". Lunch agenda: Quesidilla Pollo Suprema with a Sol Cerveza to wash it down. Excellently priced and with friendly service, El Taco Loco is the perfect escape for homely Mexican interiors and tasty fast food. Sitting at the high bar by the window so that I could people watch while I hungrily scoffed my food I realised I had a spectator! A middle aged Chinese lady had stopped right opposite me, on the street outside the restaurant, and was taking a good, nosy look at my food. I figured she was just curious, so I tilted my food basket and showed her what was left of my meal. She smiled, nodded and continued her walk up the hilly r...

Singapore Changi Airport – Photograph from transturk.com.au So this is a nice surprise... I have been booking so many flights recently that all the different flight details seem to be merging into one. I'm on my way to Lanka and boarded my first plane not really checking or noticing any details about the flight route... I knew I had one stop over which I thought was in Bangkok. But alas here I am in Changi Airport, Singapore. Love these kind of random surprises. Time to go explore, so chat to you on the other side.  ᐂ

Sahara Restaurant on Elgin Street I t's been a while since I've written anything at all... I have had plenty of inspiration but lacking motivation. As upsetting as it is when I get into these modes, I'm trying to think of it as a break I didn't know I needed. Something like that... It feels like a heavy day trailing off from a heavy few weeks. I'm starting to feel like I'm going down a dangerous path that I know all too well, and have spent way too much time in the past avoiding to just let it slip back into my life. It's money and time consuming. And it drains every bit of life out of me, and numbs my brain. It's the dark side of my moon, and I'm not looking forward to when it hits.   After a busy day I met up with my friend Christine for a quick drink in the evening. I always enjoy her great company, so hanging out with her was exactly what I needed. So we went to one of our favourite rooftop wine bars and ordered our first glass for...