English wedding in Eastbourne

All weddings are nice... but English weddings are classic. 

When one of my favorite people from the MBA invited me to her wedding in the English countryside, I was so excited to attend. Since the UK is such a long distance from Hong Kong, I decided to make a mini-vacation out of it, with some time in London before heading down to the south coast. 

My hotel was in the financial district, which is an area I never spent much time in when I lived in London over a decade ago. The area between Liverpool Street and London Bridge has a very corporate feel now, but it has really come alive with some attractive skyscrapers (for London standards) and good restaurants. 

I spent the first afternoon walking around, shopping a bit, taking pictures, and just being awestruck by how attractive everyone is.

The Gherkin building

The Shard along the south coast of the Thames River

Tower Bridge on a gorgeous day

It's almost tradition now that I have to visit my former schools whenever I am in a city where I studied, so I made the familiar jaunt to the LSE campus in Kingsway. I have such a feeling of pride whenever I go back, and I also love to see the improvements that have been made across campus.

One of the new academic buildings at LSE

The Iconic "Old Building" at London School of Economics

It is so easy to walk around London, so I just spent the afternoon making my way through Covent Garden, Piccadilly Circus, and my favorite street in the entire city: Regent Street.

Covent Garden

Stately buildings lining Regent Street

On the morning of the wedding, I caught an early train to Eastbourne and planned to meet an MBA friend at our hotel so we could travel to the country estate together. I was already dressed in my suit and feeling good. 

Then, Murphy's Law came into play and the baby next to me spilled his bottle of milk all down my blazer. Lovely. I glared at the mother until she handed me some baby wipes. I did my best to clean up, but the combination of milk and baby wipes isn't exactly the best scent for a formal wedding. 

When I arrived at the hotel, my friend assured me that I smelled ok and we immediately set off for the ceremony.


We pulled up at the estate and I was completely spellbound.

Driveway to the estate where the wedding was held

Traditional English country home

The groom welcomed us in the driveway and ushered us to the back yard, which had an incredible view of the surrounding cliffs. White chairs and a romantic pagoda were set up for the intimate ceremony. 

The bride and groom say their vows

Sometimes wedding ceremonies are just associated with the boring formalities before the reception, but this one was too meaningful to ignore. People were invited to speak from all stages of the couple's life, and I heard at least four languages: English (representing the bride), French (representing the groom), German (representing their current home and colleagues from Luxembourg), and Spain (representing the MBA).  

Following the ceremony, Louise and Pierre were showered with confetti as they walked down an aisle of their friends and family. 

Showering the bride and groom with confetti

And now, the real fun was about to begin. We had cocktail hour by the pool - drinking french wine and eating traditional French and English hors d'oeuvres. My favorite was the mini fish and chips, appropriately served in a tiny mock newspaper. 

Mini fish and chips during cocktail hour

After cocktails and photographs, we went through the receiving line and the beaming expression on the bride's mother's face was infectious. She made me feel so welcomed and appreciated for coming all the way from Hong Kong.

The ESADE Contingent

As could be expected, the reception hall was in traditional English style, and perfect for the group. The meal (called breakfast, even though it was actually a dinner) was fit for a king. Again with a fusion of cultures, it was a traditional English meal, paired with French wines. 

The main course of the "breakfast"

One of the highlights, at least for me, was a Spanish dance performance by Louise's former flatmate from Barcelona. I had the pleasure of watching her dance when we lived there, and it truly is captivating to watch someone move with so much passion.

Spanish dance during the reception

After the dinner, we were ushered out to a tent that was set up in the back yard for cake cutting and tea while they re-set the room for dancing. The traditional English fruitcake was made a friend of the bride's mother and it was much better than any fruit cake I have ever tasted before. 

Before the dancing began, the groom's friends presented together a slide show highlighting their experiences together. Following that, the first dances ushered in the last couple hours of letting loose. Even though I am a horrific dancer, I couldn't help but get sucked in by the enthusiasm on the dance floor. The only people not dancing were the elderly French family members, who just sat in a row along the perimeter of the room. 

First dance by the bride and groom

Everyone else joined in to dance with the live music

By the end of the night, we were all exhausted and it was so convenient that the couple had pre-ordered taxis to take us all back to our hotels. As we rode back into the town, our group discussed how every single detail was impeccably planned and executed without a single flaw.

The next morning, I was up far too early (thanks to jetlag), and feeling like I had just been punched in the face (thanks to wine). Instead of just laying in bed, I decided to peel myself out of bed and go for a run along the coast. It was the perfect way to end my quick trip to the coast. 

View of the cliffs along my morning run

View of the quaint English beach town along the coast

Unfortunately, I had to cut my trip short because of an emergency at work. As I flew back to Hong Kong that evening, it almost felt like I had only dreamt about being in England for the storybook wedding. My short time there may not have been ideal, but it was enough to rejuvenate my fond memories of my time living in London and the great friends I made during the MBA. I am so thrilled to have been part of such a special weekend.

Goa, India

They call it the Hawaii of India. I don’t know if I would go that far, but Goa is certainly a beachfront haven in an otherwise chaotic country. The flights from Hong Kong are not convenient, with every option requiring long connections and an overnight arrival. When my plane finally touched down at 3AM, I was exhausted. I did, however, notice that the airport had been completely rebuilt and most of the roads were newly paved – a big improvement since my last visit in 2013. 

When I woke up the next morning, I pulled open the curtains to find a lush, tropical view. It really felt like a vacation and I was excited for two weeks of exploring the Indian coast.

View from my balcony

Beautiful pool and resort grounds

Colonial style architecture

September is the tail end of monsoon season, so weather is hit-or-miss. I was lucky to have sun the entire first day so I could relax by the beach or the pool. I first went for a walk along the beach, but it was not what I expected. The sand in Bambolim Bay is more like mud, and even just picking up a few shells caused my entire hand to turn grey. A few people were playing in the water (some were wearing jeans!), so I decided that I was better suited for poolside fun. 

Beachfront in Bambolim Bay

Fishing boats lined up along the beach

The pool was huge and clean. Much more my style than the nearby beach.

I didn't really leave the resort during the entire week. Although there are some casinos and local restaurants within a 20-minute drive of the hotel, none of that is enough to entice me. Instead, I just returned to my room every afternoon to find a towel animal before ordering the most non-Indian food I could find on the room service menu. 

Towel animal #1

Towel Animal #2

Towel Animal(s) #3

The beautiful resort at night

For my second week, I moved to another resort in South Goa, and it was like a completely different world. The resort felt like a traditional Portuguese village, and the Arossim Beach was so much cleaner. For the first time since arriving in Goa, I could understand the comparison to Hawaii. 

Beautiful resort grounds. Definitely doesn't look like elsewhere in India

Portuguese style village in the middle of Goa

Every room had a huge balcony

Another area in the resort.

On our last night in Goa, we finally ventured out of the hotel for a dinner in the more touristy part of the city. I noticed that there were several casinos and nightclubs, but none seemed incredibly lively from the outside. The downtown area is also home to some traditional, European-looking churches. Although current Goan architecture does not resemble Portugal, the churches are certainly a reminder of the former colonization. 

We also stopped at the public beach to watch some small groups celebrating the Ganesh festival and immersing the icons into the sea. As we watched the ceremony, I realized that this was my third time in India during this festival. Although I don't understand much of what is happening, I love how the country celebrates each festival so passionately with food, rituals, and family time.

Worshiping Ganesh before sending to sea

 

For dinner, we went to a great restaurant called Fisherman's Wharf, which was surprisingly upscale and reminded me of the Bahama Breeze chain in the United States. When we arrived, there was live music playing and lots of people just enjoying the relaxed ambiance. After two weeks of hard work and barely leaving the resort grounds, it felt great to get out and just relax at a fun restaurant.

Our group after dinner.

Looking back on my two weeks in Goa, I found it to be much improved over my last visit just a few years ago. Coming from Asia, I would never choose Goa over the endless array of resorts in Vietnam, Thailand, or Philippines. However, it is by far my favorite place to visit in India. For anyone spending an extended period traveling across the country, they would be crazy to miss the relaxed atmosphere of Panaji's state capital.

A nice reminder of my two weeks in Goa

Danang International Marathon

From the moment I stepped out of the airport, I could tell that Da Nang would be a fun place to visit. I could hear the familiar buzz of motorbikes traveling down the busy streets. I could see the neon lights that lined so many buildings. The weather was warm and people were all starting to go out for the night. This is a great place for a vacation, but is it a great place to run a marathon?

I always think of marathons as an independent challenge, but that night, I wished I had traveled with a group of friends. When I signed up, my sole intention was to find a race that would keep me motivated to train throughout the summer. The timing was ideal, but I didn’t really think about the social element. I spent the evening wandering around the city and taking pictures of the vibrant atmosphere at night. 

Famous Dragon Bridge at night

Motorbikes buzz across the bridge

A nod to the famous Singapore Merlion

I had a really choppy night of sleep because my hotel was located next to a karaoke bar. Despite reading multiple reviews, I never saw anything about the noise. I was already getting nervous about the following night – particularly since I would already have to wake up painfully early for the 4AM start time.

Packet pick-up was located on the beach adjacent to the starting line. The “expo” was just a small line up local merchants’ booths and a DJ to keep the atmosphere lively. I knew it would be hot, but the harsh sun was beyond my expectations. Everyone huddled under large umbrellas to keep from sweating as they waited to pick up their race packs. I was surprised to meet quite a few foreigners who had traveled to Da Nang for the race. We chatted about previous racing pursuits as we waited in line. 

Hiding under umbrellas as we waited to pick up our race numbers

Packet Pickup was right on the beach

With my number in hand, I set off to explore the city again – this time in the daylight. I had lunch inside a shopping mall near the river because it seemed like the most hygienic option. Da Nang is full of tiny local restaurants with plastic tables and chairs set up in front, but I just couldn’t trust the food. Despite my concerns about food quality, I love being able to load up on carbs without any guilt on the day before a big race.

Fishing boats docked in the river

Con Ga Catholic Church in central Danang

That evening, I set everything out for the race and forced myself to get to bed early. And then I couldn’t sleep. And then the music started again. I lied in my bed, getting increasingly annoyed with myself for not being able to sleep, and calculated how much rest I would get if I fell asleep “now”. It was torturous.

I was so exhausted when my alarm jolted me out of a sound sleep, but I peeled myself out of bed and looked out the window. People were still partying in the adjacent bar, while runners were beginning to congregate at the starting line. All I wanted to do was sleep a few more hours, but I forged ahead and got myself ready for a 42-kilometer run. 

Starting Line for the Danang International Marathon

Behind the starting line, runners began gathering together. A camera crew awkwardly interviewed some people who looked like foreigners, but I was too focused to talk with anyone. A drone flew overhead and the announcer tried to pump up the crowd. I took the bait and cheered a little, in hopes of finding some energy. I can’t remember ever being this tired before a race. 

The starting gun went off. We started running down a dark and quiet street. I am notorious for starting races too quickly, but this time, I made a particular effort to keep a slow and steady pace.

After only about five miles, my iPod started acting up. I fiddled with it for a while, but I could not get the music to play normally. I had also forgotten my armband, so I was stuck holding it in my hand. I debated whether to just toss it away, but I didn’t want to deal with the expense of buying a new one. I was so frustrated to be running in silence during the one race where I was really relying on music to perk me up.

The course was a giant loop around the city, with one lap for the half-marathon and two laps for the full-marathon. Around miles 11-12, I was again alone with my thoughts. Should I just cut my losses and stop after the first lap? I could feel that my energy was already more than 50% depleted. The thought of another lap was extremely daunting, particularly with one hand occupied by a lifeless iPod, and the other one constantly reaching out for water to stay hydrated.

The sun was beginning to rise and I could already feel the temperature getting warmer. I approached the 13-mile mark and I literally could not decide what to do. I could turn left and pick up a half-marathon medal, or I could keep going straight ahead and torture myself for another two hours.

In a split-second decision, I forged ahead. I have never willingly given up on anything in the past and today would not be the start. I immediately regretted my decision but I knew that I would appreciate the accomplishment in the end.

By this point, the sun was rising and the city took on a completely different life than the first lap. The roads were not closed off for the race, so I found myself sharing the road with drivers and locals who were beginning their day.

The hardest part of the race was going across bridge with a long and stead incline. This landmark also coincided with the point where I usually hit a wall. I forced myself to at least run down the slope on the other side of the bridge, but I couldn’t get much further than that without stopping to walk. With no spectators and no landmarks, it was almost like hiding backstage.

The final few miles were all along the beach. The people and the views inspired me to start running again, but I still couldn’t make it the entire way without stopping for a few more walk breaks. I was surprised that no one was passing me, which signaled that all other runners were also hitting the wall.

People who have never run a marathon before will never understand the feeling of being completely incapable of running. Even knowing that I am on my final couple miles is not enough to get my legs moving. Pulling energy from the depths of my body is something that I both love and hate about marathons.

I finally crossed the finish line with a time of 3:29.  As always, the feeling of accomplishment at the finish line was incredible. With my hard-earned medal hanging around my neck, I stretched a bit on my own and then stopped for a post-race massage. There, I met another runner from the UK who had just completed his first marathon. At the finish line, I always love talking to other runners and sharing in that feeling of satisfaction for having just completed such a big personal challenge. Even after 10+ marathons, it never gets any easier. 

Relieved to be celebrating another marathon in the books

Cheerleaders congratulate the marathon finishers

That afternoon, I lounged around by the pool of my hotel – drinking cinnamon milkshakes and laying in a hammock by the beach. Although I was shuffling around like an elderly person, I was excited to finally enjoy my surroundings. The hard work was complete and it was now time to enjoy the rest of my vacation. 

Enjoying the pool at my hotel

Sunset over the beaches of Danang

Reflecting on the 2015 Da Nang International Marathon, I am most proud of myself for digging deep and not letting the roadblocks overpower me. I thought the race was organized to an international standard, and I enjoyed running in the beach atmosphere (if only I had gotten more sleep the night before)! My love-hate relationship with full marathons continues, but I would absolutely recommend this race to anyone who wants to be tortured in paradise.

Well-deserved hammock time

Qibao Ancient River Town

So much of my trip to Shanghai was about seeing my old favorites from the time I studied abroad. It was great to reminisce, but I was also determined to see at least one new area before heading back home to Hong Kong. 

Shanghai is famous for its nearby river towns, and although they are now extremely touristy, the picturesque settings are perfect for a quick day trip. 

After researching a few, I decided on Qibao - one of the closest to Shanghai and easily accessible via Metro on Line 9. From there, the tourist district is well marked. On the way to the scenic riverfront area, there are lots of small shops that never seem to sell anything worth buying.  Mostly just souvenirs and other useless gift items.

The town dates all the way back to the year 960, but it was hard to imagine what life would have been like for residents back then. These days, I could tell that the residents often live in their small shops (I could see several with mattresses propped up against the walls). On the side streets, there were groups of young children playing together. Although this district has become a modern tourist trap, there are still glimpses of the basic and difficult life that most locals must endure to make a living. 

The riverfront area was very charming. It doesn't appear to be used for much anymore (besides touristy boat rides). There were several tea houses and restaurants to visit for a peaceful view of the river to pass the day. 

When I was walking along the river, I could see a tall pagoda off in the distance and I decided to walk there and see what it was all about. Inside, I found that it was extremely well restored, with a giant buddha in each level and excellent views of the surrounding town.

Finally, no trip to China would be complete without exploring the street food culture. Qibao lives up to expectations, with countless vendors selling various meats on sticks and other unusual specialties. I was also intrigued by several cotton candy artists that carefully created floral-looking masterpieces with the sugar. Although I didn't buy any food, it is always fun to see the types of things that locals will eat.

Qibao doesn't require too much of a time commitment, but it offers a welcomed respite from the busy streets of urban Shanghai. It is still quite crowded, but I enjoyed wandering aimlessly through the streets and discovering more of the culture that makes China so unique.