As a BBC (British Born Chinese) who speaks both fluent English and Cantonese, it isn’t hard to guess that most of the summer is spent hanging out with a large group of Chinese friends in China Town.

A typical summers day out

A typical day in “Central,” as we call it, can consist of going to have dim sum in China Town. (Personally, I always go to the same one with my friends, as the dim sum there has 30% off Mondays to Fridays, which saves us money. We can spend the money on other things during the day.) Next, we go bowling at a building called Trocadero, a well known Asian hang-out. If you ever plan to go there, it is relatively easy to get to. You just need to take the underground (Tube) to Piccadilly Circus (it has the Bakerloo and Piccadilly line) and find the Shaftesbury Avenue exit. To the left of the stairs, leading out into the open, is a green automatic set of doors with the words Trocadero on them.

Trocadero has an arcade which spans over three floors. You can find DDR machines there and basketball machines; the one my friends and I tend to go for is the bumper cars, as you can buy student/family packs, allowing you to bowl and then go onto the bumper cars afterwards at a cheaper price.

After spending some time playing the games and going into the shops at Trocadero, we make our way back into China Town. Most of the time it will be for karaoke at the cheapest place we know - China City - where they have happy hour for £10 a person. If you sing in the evening, then it is priced per room.

For the teenage party animals

Teenagers who are 18 and older can also experience the clubbing night life in London after having gone for karaoke sessions too many times, and feeling bored of singing so much. Most of the clubs are situated around the areas of Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus and Soho. Entrance for girls is normally cheaper. Occasionally, if a party is being held by a university, girls tend to be able to get in for free before 10pm or so. Some clubs in London include: Cafe de Paris, Zoo Bar, Strawberry Moons, On Anon and CC Club. London also has the famous Ministry of Sound which has 3 rooms, all with different types of music playing in each room. At Waterloo, there is a club known as SEOne where SE1 is the postal code of the area. It is based in a large underground basement situated under an unused railway bridge that used to lead trains into Waterloo station.

Hopefully, one day, you’d like to come and visit London to experience what teens in London get up to during the Summer holidays.

At Disney Hall, you can see the most experienced and talented artists such as Yo-Yo Ma (Cello), Hannah Chang (Cello), Midori (Violin), and Rubein Chen (Piano) perform; along with many professional orchestras that are also constantly performing there. Even pop artists such as Kelly Clarkson and Rascal Flatts have been there for performances. I, myself, happened to be at the concerts where Rubein Chen and Hannah Chang were performing. Their performances were impressive, and certainly worth the money.

In the Concert Organ (or the main hall), you will see the performer’s spot at the very center. Around the performer(s) are elevations of seats, seats, and more seats! Going at a full circle around the center, there is an uncountable number of rows in this concert area.

Don’t sweat it; from any angle, you will be able to hear the performer(s) clearly. However, if you want to see the artist(s), it will be harder. It is suggested that you book your tickets earlier so you can get up-close spots (as those tickets are more expensive). Or, you can find a higher spot, but a spot in which you can still see the artists’ face. Personally, I would always bring binoculars - you may be surprised to see how far away you are sitting from the stage.

How beautiful it looks from the outside will certainly astound you. The exterior design is made of stainless steel and has mirror-like panels on top - it truly is a beautiful sight. What’s more, it leaves a great first impression for those of you who have never seen this hall.

Visit Los Angeles now! Look in your local newspaper and you just might be able to catch a concert at Disney Hall!

During my long holidays, I would always tag along with my parents to Sydney, Australia, since my dad often went there for business trips. While we were there, we never failed to pay a visit to the Sydney Underwater Aquarium with every opportunity we had.

For every visit, there’s always a feeling of warmth emerging from the Aquarium. Re-visiting it actually brought back many memories that had once been long forgotten. No matter how many times I went there, I never got bored of it. I especially enjoyed observing the various aquatic creatures and would never fail to be amazed at how large they could become!

On my very first trip (I was 8 then) to the Sydney Underwater Aquarium, I had an encounter with a stingray. I didn’t know a stingray could be so big that it would cover almost 3/4 of the glass panel! It even had a smiley face! It was only later that I learned that the stingray is actually a very dangerous aquatic creature.

Sharks tend to give me the chills. In fictional television shows, they are always portrayed as extremely dangerous creatures. When I walked past an aquarium that was meant solely for sharks, I was so frightened by the sight that I didn’t dare to even stand near the observation panel. However, my fear of sharks began to deteriorate gradually. On my next few visits, I decided to muster the courage to lean on the railings, and I even managed to snap some photos for my own personal album.

There’s even an area with open-aired aquariums for visitors to touch the much smaller and harmless aquatic creatures; in this particular area, one need not fear about getting himself/herself hurt because the creatures are really harmless. I, personally, didn’t have the courage to put my fingers in so I just stood there looking really amazed. But my dad, as fearless as ever, put his hands in and thought he touched a porcupine (it was actually a sea urchin)!

Even though it’s been many years since I last set foot into the Sydney Underwater Aquarium, I was surprised at how much I could remember. It might be due the fact that the Aquarium has left a really great impact when I visited there.

So, if you are ever in Sydney for a vacation, do pay a visit to the Sydney Underwater Aquarium at least once! It doesn’t hurt to re-visit it again if you have been there before. The trip is worth the money and time.

Whatever I have written here is just the tip of the iceberg. For more information, visit their homepage at http://www.sydneyaquarium.com.au.

Do you ever feel like you are under severe stress when traveling? Do you start to panic when you feel unsure about your booked tickets? Here are some easy tips to help you reduce your travel stress.

Book ahead of time
You are less likely to meet huge crowds and unwanted people when you book early. In fact, you will also get better seats. Try to do things before you feel anyone else would do it.

Bring all the printouts
In case you encounter a problem during your travels, you want to make sure that you have all your information with you. What if there’s a problem with your flight? Show them the proof, and you’ll get more rights. It’s always important to have all your information with you. Bear in mind that it’s always handy to have emergency numbers and other important materials when you travel as well, just in case something happens.

Have the right materials
Are you traveling by plane?
- Bring earplugs, as your neighbors around you may be chit-chatty or annoying.
- After passing security, buy some extra food and water so you won’t have to rely on the airline to feed you. You may not like the food that they provide, so just keep some in case you need it.
- Bring something to work on, or something to entertain you, because air rides can be awfully long and usually boring.

Are you traveling by car?
- Bring some music with you to play in the car, in case you begin to get bored (that is, if you’re not the driver)
- Bring earplugs, your friends and family can be awfully annoying if they keep asking “Are we there yet?”
- Make a list of games to play. Try to spot things as you watch outside the window, and keep points. It will help to reduce the stress!
- If you have a pet, such as a dog, remember that they need to take a walk once in a while. However, remember to keep them on a leash! This is also a good time to take a break and stretch.

Always remember to take your time and relax. Stressing out can cause restless nights, meaning that you won’t have enough energy to enjoy the rest of your trip. Stay calm, and Bon Voyage!

During the few weeks I spent with my brother, I realized there was this really odd supermarket found all over Los Angeles, California (in the United States) that I had never decided to step into because of its appearance. Finally, I decided to check it out, and I discovered the most organized and unique supermarket I have seen in quite a while.

Trader Joe’s is, indeed, a supermarket. Why would I introduce you to a supermarket? Well, this supermarket has the widest variety of products you could possibly imagine! From American burgers to Chinese potstickers, this is the place to find cultural foods. Surprisingly, the prices are decent for such delicious foods.

Why don’t I introduce you to my favorite foods found at Trader Joe’s?

1. Ready-Made Chicken BBQ Salad
If you feel like you need to run in to grab something, you must grab this Chicken BBQ Salad! It comes with a light BBQ sauce to put on your salad (think of it as dressing), corn and beans for taste! It’s fast, easy, and quite healthy; and a great mix of southwestern and Asian cuisine!

2. Veggie Tofu Burger

The tofu burger is probably the most delicious thing I have encountered for quite a bit of time. Put it in the oven to bake as instructed on the side panel, and serve it like any other burger patty. Surprisingly, it’s quite addictive after you first try it. (I ate it for four days in a row for lunch!) For vegetarians, this is definitely a great option. It has a unique taste that is really likable.

3. Apricot-Chicken Mix
This is another great option for those of you who want to grab something quickly and get back to work. Although it’s a small portion, it is definitely very delicious. This is a great way to boost your protein level!

4. Fish Fillet Sticks
If you feel like eating fish with a topping, this is the one for you. Grab some tartar sauce to put on it, and this will be one of the warmest and most satisfying dishes you will eat in some time!

5. Smart Dogs
Like the Tofu Burgers, these are completely fine for vegetarians to eat, simply because they are not made of meat or animal products! They taste different from normal hot dogs too, and are definitely a great substitution for meat.

These are the top five foods I’ve found at Trader Joe’s. Of course, Trader Joe’s isn’t just a grab-and-go type of place. You can find almost anything there that you’d want to find at a local supermarket such as fruits, vegetables, bread, and milk. It’s simple, and almost everything you find here will be organic. Just like how original the food and products are, their signs are original too. They’re all drawn professionally by hand! If you ever see a Trader Joe’s, make sure to drop in!

Are you fond of teddy bears?

If you are, then the Teddy Bear Museum situated in Jeju (Cheju Island, South Korea) would be a great place for you to get to know more about these cute teddy bears!

The gallery is separated into three sections: the History Hall, the Art Hall, and the Projection Hall.
In the History Hall, you can easily spot famous scenes and famous teddy bears from different historical periods, such as “The Mona Lisa” teddy bear, “The Last Supper” teddy bears, and your favourite animation character!
At the Projection Hall, you can find teddy bears grouped together to fit a theme.

Feeling tired after looking at all those teddy bears?
You can rest your feet or dine at the museum cafe or bar, and get a great view of the astonishing landscape of Jejudo Island at the same time.

Last, but not least, at the museum garden, you can see the amazing teddy bear as sculptures of various themes!

Located at the south with the Harbourfront MRT Station as its doorsteps, VivoCity, being widely known as the largest shopping mall ever, is one of the few fast growing “attractions” in Singapore; it’s an alternate destination to spend your time apart from Orchard, also known as Central to many.

With its massive floor plan and wide variety of stores (ranging from children’s toys, to clothes, to sports, and gifts), it won’t be a surprise that a whole day isn’t enough to walk through every corner without feeling a need to sit or take a break.

What keeps people wanting to visit every weekend? It is probably due to its state-of-the-art design, be it exterior or interior. Unlike all the typical shopping malls you have seen in town, VivoCity is one of a kind. Conceptually designed by internationally acclaimed Japanese architect Toyo Ito, it is unique in every way. The design brings out the modern style of art and gives people a sense of liveliness. Its vibrant mix of colors not only attracts kids, but also teens and adults in general.

Another probable reason for its uniqueness is that, unlike other shopping malls in town, VivoCity not only has a wide variety of stores catering to the public of all ages, it also contains many great facilities that one could barely imagine:

- VivoMart, a brand new concept Hypermart
- Rooftop water feature in Sky Park
- A dining experience that engages all your senses
- Rooftop amphitheatre
- Open-air playground for children to hang around
- Well-designated event spaces

Apart from all these main features, there is also a wide area of empty space for teens and families to just hang out. Not only is VivoCity located at the South, it’s also situated near the sea. From the open spaces, one can spot Sentosa, another tourist attraction.

Every time I meet up with friends, we won’t fail to hang out at the open spaces. It’s a great way for class-bonding (a gathering session just to have fun or joke around among fellow classmates and get to know each other better) and to relax. Of course, one cannot resist the sight of the wide variety of restaurants and food courts here as well.

For more information, you can always check out this site: http://www.vivocity.com.sg.

Beverwijk, which is located about 15-minutes from Amsterdam, Holland, is a small town known for its large furniture stores. Besides that, people also come from afar to Beverwijk because of the “Zwarte Markt”/”Black Market.”

The Black Market is a large mart with many small stores selling various goods like clothes, fruits, meat, computers, toys, carpets, secondhand goods, etc. There are several shops that sell the same goods, so it’s recommended to negotiate for the cheapest price.

The market is only opened during the weekend. A small part of the market is free entrance, but to get into the biggest part you have to pay 2,50 euros.
The funny thing is that there are many vendors who are from Turkey. There are 10, 20, or maybe 30 tents where you can eat Shawarma/Shoarma, a Middle-Eastern sandwich made with Lamb meat.

Recently, a new part called the China Town Bazaar was opened. As the name says, there are a lot of Asian stores including a big Chinese supermarket, as well as many small shops selling very cheap Chinese goods. In the food hall you can find Thai, Japanese, Vietnamese, Chinese, and Indonesian food.

If you ever go to Holland, try to reserve a day just for Beverwijk. It’s worth going to, but it’s recommended that you go on a Saturday because Sundays are extremely busy.

During the winter (summer months in Europe) many places in the middle and south of Chile becomes inaccessible due to heavy snow fall. This situation can improve between November and April.

Easter Island, known in the native language as Rapa Nui (”Big Rapa”; but see below) or Isla de Pascua in Spanish, is an island in the south Pacific Ocean belonging to Chile has a subtropical climate. Almost the complete year it is harassed rain.
Please note: on the higher plains, the Altiplano, it can rain considerably from December to February which often results for the roads to become inaccessible.

You want to go to a place that’s not too crowded, yet interesting enough to keep you busy for at least several days. What place will you choose?

Here are some tourist places that you may want to attend (fees may differ):

Tokyo Seaside Afternoon in Odaiba - You will definitely not regret attending this exciting ferryboat ride. This ferryboat is a general shuttle that travels between Hinode Pier and Odaiba Park. You get to enjoy a breath-taking view of Tokyo harbor. This is the perfect place for romantic couples.
Adult price: AUD $36.43 per person

A Day Of Walking In Tokyo - This is a tour that will provide you with the History of Tokyo as you stroll along the spectacular buildings that surround you. You will be visiting the Hamarikyu Garden, which is the only garden that managed to survive during the Edo Period. This garden is very precious, as it was also the hunting grounds for Tokugawa Shogunate, a Japanese feudal lord.
Adult price: AUD $62.45 per person

Tokyo Ghibli Museum - This is another place that you will definitely regret if you did not visit it! A tour is available for all people during the afternoon on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. This is a place that children will love, as Ghibli characters are used throughout the museum for entertainment. It has various exhibits, restaurants, shops, and movie theaters. Be sure to stop by!
Adult Price: AUD $62.45 per person

Kamakura Walking Tour - You will board a train to Kamakura, and there, you will see a great Buddha, measuring 11.4 meters in height. You will enjoy a Japanese-cultured lunch. This tour will only be available from January through December and March through November.
Adult Price: AUD $103.06

These are just four, wonderful places in Tokyo that you may want to stop by. There are so many other places in Tokyo that you will discover grandly when you arrive there.

Tokyo is a wonderful place to relax, have fun, and just be yourself. Be sure to not miss out on all those exotic Japanese food!