2018-09-25 A Secret Nigh View Spot in Hong Kong

A new post after a long while,

The place of taking this extraordinary night photo, just a week after the super typhoon Mangkhut visited Hong Kong. Although Hong Kong was damaged by Mangkhut hardly this time and spent a few days to recover, the daily life of Hong Kong people has been returned to normal now.

It is a rare experience of Hong Kong as no such strong typhoon could make this level of damage over a few decades. And also a lesson to everyone who is living here that even here is a safe place, but still never forget to prepare for the worst.

The view on day time. Maybe not really attractive by comparing with the night view, it is still a unique spot of near residents, which is an escape place of the urban and the forest of the sky tower. 

Just a few minutes walk could reach the Garden mountaintop, such a wonderful oasis surrounding by the busy urban and people could breath some fresh air on this small mountain and take a break in their busy lives. 

On top of that according to the nature of this peak is relatively short and near the urban, the night view is also exceptional even by comparing with the world-class famous night view on the Victory Peak, but it is just a secret view spot of the local residents.  

It is really a special place for you if you are seeking a new and unique view spot in Hong Kong!

Access Point : Near the Garden Bakery from Shum Shui Po MTR.

2018-02-14 [Unbox & Review] 2nd Hand Sony NEX-6 Unbox

The article is going to introduce one of my 'new' gear, a 2nd hand NEX-6....

The model lable NEX-6 is clear and solid, which implicated that the condition of this 2nd hand NEX-6 was seldom being used.

The battery with NEX-6 is made in Japan version. And compatible with later Alpha series.

Actually, I was looking for a 2nd hand RX100 as the replacement of my disordered RX100, finally decided to take the 2nd NEX-6 instead, as the price of RX100 on the 2nd hand market is still not really cheap. However, as Sony discarded the NEX brand and more frequency to keep pushing new Alpha model to the market, the 2nd hand market of Sony NEX mirrorless 3rd generation body was dropping deeper and faster than the compact RX100 camera.

Introduce of the double dial should be one of a significant feature on NEX-6 to improve the control ability and more easy to use. However, as users not allowed to define the dial as many of the keys on NEX-6, the flexibility of the new keys and the dial is limited by the Sony firmware.

In addition, as I really love to use the Minolta MC W.ROKKOR-QH 21mm f4, which designed by the special Biogon structure made its tail len too close to the sensor and trigger a heavy light-well effect on Sony A7 large full frame sensor, the photo quality is heavy affected by the effect unless enable the APS-C mode on the A7 camera to cut of the outer frame. Having an APS-C type small camera should make me to fully utilize this special Lens again, and should be one of an incentive to add a NEX-6 on my gear list.

Unlink the A7 with a relatively large body, NEX-6 small body with the Minolta QH 21mm f4 is a perfect match combination. As I am using my only Sony A7II for the photo taking on this review, it could not do the apple-to-apple comparison review in this report. But when I used the A7 for a year and now get back to the NEX-6, my first feeling is so small and not familiar with its compact size. How a ridiculous that I was used a NEX-5N for over 4 years last.

After further testing and checking, it confirmed that this new second-hand NEX-6 is fully working and capable of production now.

Thank you for the Danbo on this unbox review, although it is a second-hand camera,  even the original box has already been gone, it is still a new product to me and "unbox" it by some detail checks and personal review.

In conclusion, if it is no necessary need on the lastest function, actually, seeking for a second-hand type camera may be a cheaper and a choice more value for money at all.

2018-01-19 to 20 [Flight & Lounge Report] HKG-TPE HX284 and CX531 + HX & CX Lounge Reports + Taipei Touch & Go

What's my feeling today?

'I could not say a word at all.' Danbo said......


Trip Summary

2018-01-19    HX284@HKG-TPE
2018-01-20    Yong Kang Beef Noodle + CX531@TPE-HKG


How a short trip this time.

Actually, it is not my original trip plan, and there should be visited more place and many activities for almost a whole weekend in Taipei. How unfortunately, because of a really last minute call for OT work, I made use of the Asiamiles to order a signal return flight ticket on top of the original ticket, and back to Hong Kong immediately for the OT work this time.

Really a sad story, and how a stupid Taipei weekend trip I did this time.



2018-01-19@The trip has been started...

As the flight was operated by HX, it should be no doubt to the Midfield concourse directly.

The environment in the lounge was comfortable, and it was not crowded and quiet too. Unlike CX or SQ lounge at HKG, which are full of visitors and keeping noisy anytime.

The food quality in HX new lounge at Midfield concourse Club Autus should be just in average only, especially the tasteless Wonton Noodle, it should be the worst one in my opinion, and the best staff should be the Shumai(燒賣)...

The boarding pass today...

The memory error was not being handled...

HKG "a must" check-in point...LOL

The flight today, HX284@HKG-TPE(B-LNP, A330)...

A330 safety card, the fading out color is an evidence of its age...

The cabin SNAP shot, and the passengers loading were really full.

The Orient Thai Airlines B747 was still parked near 07R for over 2 years.

The in-flight meal today, it was a so-called "Air-Bun" and finally I did not have this any more as I was very full this time and wasted the food this time. (My fault! >_<)

The in-flight coffee and the cup, the cup was beautiful but the coffee was really tasteless at all. It should be no doubt that the HX in-flight coffee is one of the worst coffee among the carriers today.

Arrived TPE with around 10 minutes delay finally, and TPE was raining...

As same as BR, HX is also using TPE terminal 2...

The raining became heavy when I arrived Taipei Main Station...

Arrived the capsule style cabin hotel and take rest then.


This was the first time I flew to Taipei with HX operated flight. Actually, there was not much expectation on HX flight service and the consideration was only based on the fare, which was the lowest HKG-TPE flight ticket I bough.

In addition, as I could access HX lounge by the credit card when I take the HX flight, so the poor quality of the I flight meal would not be a problem to me in such less than 2 hours flight too.


2018-01-20@Taipei ...

Today Taipei main station, it was a cloudy day.

Travelled by subway to Dongmen Station.

The only thing I did in Taipei this time that just ate a beef noodle at Yong Kang Beef Noodle, one of the famous beef noodle restaurant among the local at Taipei.

You could able to see the kitchen when you are in the queue.

The recommended menu, with a simple description by English and Japanese.

The dining hall was not very formal, and as the 2nd floor could not be operated, the 1st floor was crowdy and required to waiting for around 15 minutes.

The Steamed pork ribs arrived first, it was not really impressive but only a typical traditional Taiwanese style food.

The Braised beef noodle, the noodles made with thin noodles, which are tradition Taiwanese style beef noodles, The soup was a spicy soup, but it was fine to me. The most impressive thing of this noodles should be the beef, which was wonderful with good and smooth feeling, and I should be one of the best beef noodles I have tasted.

Then turned back and directly to the TPE and check in at Terminal 1 on Cathay counter.

After check-in and proceed to the immigration then went to the Cathay TPE Lounge because of the Oneworld Sapphire status.

This was my 2nd time to visit the TPE Cathay Lounge.

The overall style of the TPE Cathay Lounge is more or less same as The Pier at HKG. The typical Cathay lounge design.

Ordered a bubble milk tea, which is a special drink only served on Cathay TPE lounge. Do not miss this when you have a chance to visit here.

Then, I have a dim sum(Shumai) and a beef noodle at Cathay lounge. Actually, the quality of the beef noodle in Cathay lounge was very delicious too.

The second round was ordered the Cathay delight (Cathay signature drink), a panini and a beef noodle. The panini actually was nothing special at all.

The Taiwan immigration chops were on the paper visa instead of the passport because of the political reason. Eventually, it saved some pages on the visa, but I am not really happy on this at all.

The return flight boarding pass. It was a pain design since Cathay modified the design to just black and white as the event of the cost down.

I have finished some OT works by the notebook at the lounge. Danbo said how a stupid man to touch and go Taipei with no rewards.

When I arrived the B5 departure hall, the passengers were almost on board the flight.

The passengers loading were not very full today. It is suspected not very rare at this is a return flight on Saturday night.

The return flight is a well known 7773Z with regional fixed shell seat configuration, CX531@TPE-HKG(B777-300, B-HNG)...

Also, the captain announced that the flight held by both TPE and HKG ATC for a while due to the busy traffic of the airport at night. It is quite common according to my personal experience.

The in-flight meal today is Taiwanese Pan-Fried Rice Noodles, actually, it was very well and an amazing dish I have ever tasted in a Cathay flight at all.

The RR engine and the Hong Kong night view.

Finally arrived HKG with no delay.

Parked to the docking at the main concourse, and next to a Cathay B777. The trip finished with just touch and go this weekend, how a sad experience and an expensive trip with no reward. T_T"


This time I was challenged to break my personal record of the lowest cost weekend travel to Taiwan and failed because of the reason of an unforseeable OT work. And just flown to Taipai for a beef noodle, how expensive of this beef noodle. LOL.

In conclusion, I was failed on this weekend trip to Taipei any more. In fact, I like to visit Taiwan for a 2 days weekend trip because it could be a good balance between my personal busy works and schedule.

How a really, really sad story at all.