How To | Get the Best Travel Photos in Hong Kong

Recently I had a little visitor come and stay with me in Hong Kong, which gave me the opportunity to become a tourist in my own country. I'd advise anyone whose lived in a country for a while to do this, as it makes you appreciate and enjoy things you might have forgotten about. 

It also means you can up your travel Instagram game, without even stepping foot onto a plane. Here are some of my locations, tips and tricks on how to get the perfect travel photos in Hong Kong 

Where: The Big Buddha [Ngong Ping Rd, Lantau Island]

The Picture: Many people find it hard to get a good picture here as getting the Buddha and you in the same shot requires sitting on the floor and standing on your tip toes. Try getting your photo from a more unique angle such as from the side or distance. There are also some amazing views of the landscape and temple, which many people forget about as the main attraction is the Buddha. 

Edit Tips: If the day is a little gloomy, you can enhance the sky and add some more saturation and contrast to give your pictures that extra colour boost. 

Where: Sai Wan, Sai Kung 

The Picture: Getting the perfect shot in front of this waterfall can be tricky, as it is usually very busy. Be patient and wait for a time when people are out of the water, then quickly take the picture. Remember to stay in the centre of the waterfall in order to get the whole scene in the frame. The pools below are usually quieter but less dramatic. Hope you like Fernando the Flamingo.. he is a great prop. 

Edit Tips: Cropping is your best friend when it comes to busy places! Also you can add some structure to the water to make it look more dramatic. 

Where: The Peak Observation Deck [The Sky Terrace 428]

The Picture: Since you are so high up it's easy to fit in almost the whole of HK's skyline in the background(even in a selfie!). But be sure your body isn't covering any of the famous buildings such as IFC,ICC and China Bank. It can get busy up there, so go to the sides of the deck rather than the middle as they are quieter and still give you that amazing view. 


Edit Tips: The buildings are such an iconic part of this view so add some structure to help them stand out. You can also enhanced the colours but make sure skin tones aren't changed too dramatically so that you turn orange! 

Where: Central District 

The Picture: Photos amongst the buildings can give you some really good effects. Although a little dangerous try go in the centre of a quiet road and quickly get a snap to really capture being in the heart of the city. During the evening/night when the street lights come on is the perfect time to capture this picture. 

Edit Tips: By darkening the colours slightly you will create an enhance the lights in the background. If it's too dark to see yourself, only lighten you or the people in your photo while keeping the background darker. 




If you wondered why I had my back turned in most of these pictures, it's because Hong Kong is so hot and I'm always a sweaty mess #keepingitreal. 

Happy Traveling xx 

10 Productive Things to do in a Typhoon

Everyone loves that morning when you wake up and hear the rain bashing against your window and the wind howling, you look at your phone and are blessed with a typhoon 8+ warning. You immediately fall back into bed with the prospect of having a day of doing nothing. 

But after snoozing until midday, you tend to feel a little restless and with nothing open or running you're pretty much stuck in all day. So instead of eating and watching your way through the typhoon here are some productive things you can be getting on with: 

1. Bake a cake 

Nothing makes you feel cozier than your house smelling of baking. You will most likely have all the essential ingredients shocked in the back of your cupboards, so you won't have to worry about going out. It also means you can eat cake for the rest of the day. 

2. Re-arrange your wardrobe 

This is a chore that I always think about, but can never be bothered to do. Just suck it up and get it done so that you can enjoy a nice organised wardrobe for the next week...or few days..

3. Catch up on emails/ work stuff 

Although you have the day off work, you might have some emails or bills to get sorted (or a blogpost to write cough-cough) rather than leaving it until the last minute when you're busy and stressed, get them out the way now. 

4. Read that book you've been trying to read for months

We all have a book that's on our bedside table waiting to be opened, you may even take it with you sometimes in the hope that you'll open it. Reading also gives you a great excuse to stay tucked up in bed. 

5. Take photos/upload photos 

Footage of storms can make for some really great Instagram material, just as long as there isn't too much risk in going outside! On the other hand, you can spend time uploading your pictures from your last holiday, which you've been putting off for weeks. 

6. Discover a new look 

Brought some new clothes recently? have a box of hair colour waiting to be used? Why not change up your look and experiment in the comfort of your own home. 

7. Learn to meditate 

This is something I've always wanted to do, but sitting on my bed for half an hour just really doesn't appeal me when i've got 10 other things I could be getting on with. So, while you've got some quiet time give it a go. The noise of the rain is supposed to help? right?

8. Pamper Yourself 

Life can be stressful and you can easily forget to treat yourself sometimes. Spend an extra 20 minutes singing in the shower, use a  body scrub or even take a bubble bath. Your body and mind will be thankful. 

9. Find new recipes 

You may not be able to cook these recipes, since most supermarkets are closed in a typhoon. But you can go through all your recipes books, which have been sitting in your cupboard for months and label some you actually want to eat. 

10. Spring clean 

Some people love cleaning, while others hate it. I for one love it, especially when there's not much else to do. You can even put on some music and dance around while you do it, the rain makes it hard for people to see in your window!

xx

HONG KONG's most Instagramable café

If you're looking for the perfect place to get that #foodie #flatlay post, then Fara xoxo is the café you need in your life. With its pastel pink and mint green themed walls, white marble table tops, hot pink furniture and an array of different props to use, from palm leaves to inflatable unicorn cup holders. It's every instagramers dream. 

 The pastel coloured walls are also covered with cute artwork, neon signs and a notice board filled with postcards and unique summer themed bits and bobs, to really give you that instagram hipster vibe. Because who doesn't love hand drawn cacti and an inspirational quote to get them through the day? 

The interior of Fara xoxo is spacious, yet still has enough room to fit their many customers during the lunchtime rush. As well as the location looking good, the food they produce is also very photogenic. With pasta dishes that are perfectly plated and iced coffees served in an ombré formation. The food is also reasonably priced with the cafe offering special lunch sets which include a meal and drink from just HK$50.  

The café has been open for less than a week, but has caused quite a sensation online amongst the HKfoodie community. By getting free publicity from many of their customer’s social media posts, this business has tapped into the online buzz, which I'm sure many other restaurants and cafe's will soon follow. 

FARA XOXO is located at: 565 Fuk Wing Street, Cheung Sha Wan, Hong Kong.  

XX

LOCO for COCO | A Coconut Review

Nothing screams summer quite like coconuts. You can drink them, eat them, smell them and rub them all over your body... in that order. They are also a super food, making them that much more enjoyable to have. While on my little trip to Australia I thought I'd pick up a couple of new products, which you can't get at home and the amount of coconut flavoured and scented products was every basic bitches dream! So here's my coconut haul and review with ratings out of 5. 

Coffee Scrub | Bean Body 

Coconutyness: 0/5 

Effectiveness: 4/5 

Usability: 3/5 

I'd seen this product a lot on instagram so I thought I'd join in on the fun and give it a try. Since it's made out of coffee it smelt like walking into Starbucks, so the coconut oil didn't stand a chance of being noticed. But after rubbing it onto my arms and legs whilst taking a shower(at night for best results), I felt as smooth as the day I was born and that smoothness lasted the whole next day. The only inconvenience was that the scrub is pretty messy and you gotta wait 5 minutes for the product to sink in, so you have to stand there naked, awkwardly covered in coffee. 

Body Scrub | K-Mart 

Coconutyness: 2.5/5 

Effectiveness: 3/5   

Usability: 4/5  

This is the second body scrub which I brought and i'd have to say this one was not as effective, although it was considerably cheaper. The initial coconut smell washes away with the product, so don't count on it to leave you smelling delicious. Although it isn't an intensive treatment it is perfect for everyday use, as the scrub helps to get rid of dry skin and leave you feeling smoother. I usually use body wash afterward the scrub, to make up for the lack of scent. 

Dry Conditioner | K-Mart 

Coconutyness: 4/5 

Effectiveness: 3/5

Usability: 4/5 

Since I had never tried a conditioning spray before, I was rather intrigued with this product. You can use it instead of a shower conditioner for those days when you really just can't be bothered with life. The first initial spray is very coconuty but it lingers in your hair throughout the day as well (especially if you tie it up straight after and untie it later) It also leaves your hair soft and shiny. With this and dry shampoo, you may never have to wash your hair again...but shhh ;)  

Paw Paw Balm| Models Prefer 

Coconutyness: 4.5/5

Effectiveness: 4/5 

Usability: 5/5 

I'd been told about how good PawPaw balm is before, so it was on my list of things to try. The fact that they had a coconut flavour just made me all the more excited. It is a multipurpose balm with Jojoba oil, which you can use on your lips, skin and stretch marks. With a strong coconut smell and even a subtle taste (please don't eat it I just licked it) it wins the most coconutyness product. Since is small you can just throw it in your bag and use it whenever for pretty much whatever needs a little moisture.

Although nothing scored a 5/5, that's just because I'm super fussy and nothing will ever beat an actual coconut, but some of these came pretty close! 

xx