Here are some photos I wanted to share with you, but don’t know how to organize them yet. Photos here are not necessarily appearing in chronological order (or any order at all). I also try to include a google street view link to the each place as well. Hope you enjoy.
Southeast Asia Foodie Guide (Abridged) / 东南亚觅食指南（简略版）
Posted on Apr. 19, 2025
阅读中文: 东南亚觅食指南（简略版）
Finding tasty, affordable, and local’s everyday restaurant is an eternal question during travels.
I’m sure everybody all has their own way. And here I’ll just share a couple of my tips during my Malaysia/Singapore travel when it comes to pick a restaurant.
- Does the restaurant has a big menu board on the wall packed with a huge variety of dishes in tiny font?
- Is there a corner in the restaurant stacked high with boxes of canned or bottled drinks?
- Are there local condiments on each table for diners to add as they like?
This Mamak restaurant I found in Kuala Lumpur fit all above perfectly. And as expected, I got really good Nasi Goreng, fresh and hot. Equally memorable is a glass of Milo that is so sweet, just like taking a nosedive straight into the sea of chocolate syrup.
If you want to check it out, it’s here.
Unexpected Rainbow! / 彩虹!
Posted on Apr. 15, 2025
阅读中文: 彩虹!
See that floating rainbow in between the jellyfish.
Taken in the Aquarium in Sentosa Island, Singapore.
Flashback moments / 似曾相似
Posted on Mar. 18, 2025
阅读中文: 似曾相似
While traveling in Bergen, I took a funicular up the mountain on the edge of the city. After appreciating the view for a while, I decided to head back down before nightfall. It’s nice to hop my way along the mountain trail, weaving past joggers and dog walkers occasionally. Halfway down, as I looked through gaps in the trees at the city growing closer, a sudden realization hit me:
If you squint a little, isn’t Bergen basically Hong Kong?
That sounds ridiculous, doesn’t it? I chuckled at myself. But the more I thought, the more it started to make sense.
The mountain I had just climbed rises right alongside the city, with fancy little villas scattered across its slopes—just like Victoria Peak in Hong Kong. The harbor below has no chance matching the size of Victoria Harbor, but it’s also flanked by city lights, with ferries occasionally gliding across the water.
Whether you take the funicular or hike up the steps, the peak offers a sweeping view of the sea, the city, and the mountains all at once. And if the weather is nice and hikers are in good spirits, they can follow a winding path downhill, gradually descending back into a dense cluster of buildings, just like the Old Peak Road. Oh, all of a sudden, the scenery couldn’t feel more familiar.
I never would have expected that after traveling this far—tens of thousands of miles away—I’d take one step and suddenly land right back where I was six years ago.
Oops, much as expected, no google street view coverage for the small path where I took the photo. I’ll happily keep the beautiful views to myself then.
A fountain
Posted on Jan. 26, 2025
In the evening, a fountain at Trafalgar Square, London, dances gently with the breeze. I sat there watching the fountain as it got totally dark, after getting exhausted touring the National Gallery.
Taken in September 2025, here.
A suspicious IKEA box / 雪中送宜家
Posted on Dec. 31, 2024
阅读中文: 雪中送宜家
At the end of November, Zurich was suddenly blanketed in a heavy snowfall that started one afternoon and continued all through the night until the next morning. Heading out that morning, I couldn’t stop marveling at the thick, fluffy snow along the way. But what truly left me impressed and amused, was spotting this fresh and hot IKEA box innocently and quietly sitting on the curb, completely out of place amidst the wintery wonderland.
Actually, the more I think about it, the more convinced I am that this is perfect proof we’re living in a simulated world. Clearly, when this cardboard box was generated, there was a little glitch in the program — it forgot to generate some snow to cover it! (Quite some out-of-box thinking) 🧠
Taken near this location. I wasn’t able to align the camera angle perfectly because a truck was blocking the way when google takes the street view photos. But the same location can be confirmed via the street number.
Today is the last day of 2024.
In (the unlikely) case you’re reading it today or tomorrow, I wish you a happy new year.
Otherwise, I wish you happy next 365 days ahead.
Lake or sea? / 湖海莫辨
Posted on Dec. 18, 2024
阅读中文: 湖海莫辨
Last weekend, I returned to Lausanne, had lunch with a friend, and strolled leisurely in the light rain, chatting as we wandered toward the lake. Starting from Renens, we walked down through the campus of the University of Lausanne, crossed the busy road near the sports center, and found ourselves in the tranquility of this little path.
In December, the trees had long shed their leaves, but their sturdy trunks and branches, standing like the pillars and dome ceilings of a cathedral, still shaded the path leading to the lakeshore.
In the distance, two ladies were approaching us, umbrellas in hand for the drizzling rain. Their fluffy white dog bounced along ahead of them, happy and lively, catching our attention. We couldn’t take our eyes off it, smiling as the puppy hopped around. As we passed by, the two women greeted us warmly, their faces full of smiles. They were telling us how much we adored their little dog, I guessed.
At the end of the path, it was Lac Léman (Lake Geneva), the largest lake in Western Europe. On clear days, you can see the town of Evian on the opposite shore and layers of snow-capped mountains. But in winter, clouds and mist often stand in the way. Just like that day, the lake was shrouded in a white haze. The view was limited – only the endless expanse of water and waves, carried by the cold wind, rippling toward the shore.
For a moment, as I stood there, gazing into the faraway of nothingness, I thought I was looking at the sea.
I grew up by the sea. As a child, my parents often took me to the shore to feel the cool breeze or swim. That is, until one day, I almost drowned in the ocean. After that, we mostly only did biking along the coast. Even in university, I studied by the sea. Just a few steps from the dorms, and I can see the sea. It is always in my sight. Back then, the sea felt like an inexhaustible, ever-present part of my life. It’s simply always there. But after graduating and moving away, I haven’t lived by the coast again.
That day, standing by Lac Léman, which seemed as vast as the ocean, I felt a enjoyable moment of quiet peace, but also a sudden wave of sense of loss. Without much thinking, I said, “Looking at this lake makes me feel a little sad.” My friend asked why, but I didn’t quite know what to say.
How this place looks like in summer can be found on google streetview. Shoutout to google user Mister PAD for uploading their images of this small pathway.
Near sunset time
Posted on Dec. 10, 2024
Just an enjoyable moment from last year. Taken at this location in September 2023.
Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui
Graduation day (near the end of)
Posted on Dec. 04, 2024
This photo was taken on Nov. 11, 2023, back to CUHK for a friend’s graduation ceremony. After the ceremony, the chairs were being stacked up for later removal. Above the blue chairs were pieces of decorative fabric of purple and yellow, the symbolic colors of the Uni. The way the fabric being hung reminds me of the waves on the sea, but upside down.
In front of University Library, CUHK
I walked around the campus that day, and took many photos. Maybe it’s a good idea to put them on the website as well, if I ever find time.
Also, until I searched for it, I didn’t realize CUHK gets official google street view coverage. I found the location of the photo. It looks very different from the photo, but you can probably tell its the same place by looking at the tiles on the ground.
Look up for a new year
Posted on Nov. 29, 2024
It was a few days before Chinese new year, and of course the peak season for new year shopping. Many shop fronts would be filled with red laterns, red banners, and many more new year decorations, including this one I passed by on my way to have dinner with a friend. The two ladies siting/standing on the sidewalk, looking up, probably hoping the new year to be looking up as they are right now.
Queen's Road West, Sheung Wan
Taken near January 2024. It’s on Queen’s Road West, but don’t recall the exact location. If you happen to know, let me know please.
Mirror
Posted on Nov. 28, 2024
A giant mirror box was placed on the plaza in front of the entrance to Louvre, bringing an artificial mirage. See the street view to see this scene from a wider angle.
Louvre, Paris
Taken near the end of April, 2023.