Moscow (Russia) and Houston, Texas

Russians are rather aloof and cold. They would not help a lost tourist. No smiles, no thank yous but loads of Vodkas. Was said that Russian Vodkas are smooth to drink even if it's neat. Nothing piercing like Absolut Vodka. I didn't manage to try.

Reds Square
St Basils Cathedral built by Ivan the Terrible

Russian stacked dolls signify unity in a family

Houston, as compared to other states in USA, has more blacks and Vietnamese. Due to its proximity to Mexico, many signs, menus etc have Spanish as well. FO Justin mentioned that it is possible to drive to Mexico but Tim says it's dangerous in Mexico. Perhaps my next visit to Houston, i would try to convince more people, especially the guys to go along.

And now.. more visuals.. :)

Houston

NASA

Actual control Station @ NASA
Mock ups


The many tiers of freeway in Houston
NASA was a disappointment for me. I wanted to see for myself the interior of a space shuttle. But there wasn't. There's a more exclusive tour called Level 9 tour which costs nearly $90. But due to limited tickets, we didn't manage to visit that. But am not sure how worth it it is though.

We drove to Houston outlet too. It has Gap, Burberry, Calvin Klein, Coach, Hugo Boss, Kate Spade, Nine West etc etc.. Due to time constraints, no photos were taken.. :)

Hong Kong and San Francisco

Had an awesome time in both places. The last time i visited Hong Kong was in 1996. It has changed a lot and the food still taste as good. My sis took time to bring me out to eat roasted baby pigeon, desserts and wanton mee.. I think i have put on a few kg.

For San Francisco, we met a couple of sick people there but I like the bridges and the scenary they had there. It was very magnifient looking! Shopping was good but 70% of my shopping was for my friends and my family.. When I came back i realised I didn't buy much, except for Bath and Body Works. Arghh..

Now for the pictures..



Cable car ride to fisherman's wharf

View of Golden Gate Bridge from Pier 39

View of The Peak

DIM SUM!!

Tram

Stanley Market and Stanley Place

Taipei revisited & maiden trip to LA

I had 2 clear days in Taipei but we stayed at Monarch Hotel at Tao Yuan. It's an hour away from town. We chilled out, we shopped at XMT and Shiling as usual..

Some of the shoes i bought in Taipei

Then we headed to LA, California (Anaheim Hilton @ Orange County), where we nearly had 1 3/4 clear day. I ditched the idea of heading to Disney Land though it was a 8min walk away cos i figured i'm not ready to pay about SGD$80 to see a few characters parading down in Mickey, Minnie, Pluto costumes, knowing they are just human inside afterall. It's too sunny too.. Perhaps when i have a Narita again, i might try going to the one there. Worth noting is that everyday at 9.30pm there'll be fireworks. It's not a miserable 5-8min show. It lasts a good 15-18min. So, forget about rushing to watch NDP's firework. *Yawn*

Shopping's good in LA. We went to Brea Mall.. Abercrombie & Fitch, Coach, Bath and Body works, Victoria Secret, Mac Shop, 2 deptartmental stores; Macy's and Nordstrom.. One day is not enough.. But if it's 2 days, my money will not be enough. Either way, it's bad.. :(

When I went back to Taipei, i suffered from shopping overdose. I didn't shop much or hey, could it be cos i'm dead broke? Most likely.. So 2 of the gals wanted to go Hello Kitty Cafe and i just followed.. Food sucks, expensive too! Good to go just once and that's it.

My previous trip to Taipei i missed out on some Taipei local food and i tried some this time round. Ai Yu= Norm drink ( maybe i tried the wrong stall) Legend Bubble Tea= Nice and fragrant! Chou tofu= killer after taste.. Even a couple of hours later, i could 'smell M'sia Longkang smell around me.. Puke..

Photos here