Rickshaw Bus

Saw the Rickshaw Bus go by today - the picture above is from their website which doesn't show that the design is pretty cute. There's even a fake rickshaw canopy attached to the back of it. Worth checking out if you have visitors or family in town who don't know Hong Kong, as their routes around the island sound quite good, and at HK$50 for a hop-on hop-off all-day ticket, it's a pretty good deal. Having visitors can be tiring, so this way you can pop your visitors on board and go enjoy some time to yourself!

Chiang Mai and the Dhara Dhevi Mandarin

I've just come back from the most wonderful vacation in Chiang Mai, so just wanted to share a little about where my husband and I were lucky enough to be able to stay: The Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi. We booked the vacation at the very last minute and had explored all the usual beachy options such as Phuket, Cebu etc., but just weren't finding anything that felt terribly exciting. I had always wanted to go to Chiang Mai, as it sounds so mysterious, and I loved the idea of escaping to somewhere cooler from the Hong Kong heat. We stumbled across the Mandarin Dhara Dhevi, and were initially a little wary, as we generally try to choose small hotels rather than big resorts. Then we realized that even though the resort is spread over an incredible 60 acres, the hotel actually only has 90 rooms, so isn't enormous.

When we arrived at the hotel, we had read some reviews on Tripadvisor that accuse the place of being a little Disney-fied, as it was only built 3 years ago, but made to look old, e.g. fake rice paddies, imitation temples, over-the-top theme park-sized dragons. We did see that point of view, but also fell in love with the huge pool, our incredible villa and the amazing service. The fact that the resort has been created to be larger-than-life just made it feel more fun for us, and more of a contrast with Hong Kong aesthetics. It felt like a vacation for the eyes to be surrounded by so much beauty. The current financial climate also means that you should be able to get a great deal - free nights, spa packages and room upgrades are all among the extra perks you can negotiate.

Our trip to Chiang Mai ended up being our most relaxing vacation for years - now we're hooked on countryside rather than beach holidays!

Getaway get the look: Bangkok

Sawadee Ka!

"As Calcutta smells of death and Bombay of money, Bangkok smells of sex"... or so goes the famous Paul Theroux quote! We're not sure about all that, but we LOVE weekend getaways to Bangkok, and enjoy strolling around and soaking up all the sights, colours and sounds.

The Friday evening Emirates flight leaves at 22.25, meaning if you are a slave to your desk you don't need to take any time off, and you can be at your hotel by 1am (our faves so far have been the Grand Hyatt or the Four Seasons) - perfect for grabbing a quick drink at the hotel bar before hitting the hay. You've got a whole Saturday of shopping ahead of you!

We've picked out these gold gladiators which will keep your feet comfy while you're mall-ratting, and then this sky blue dress and bright accessories (steer clear of wearing certain colours like red or yellow in Bangkok). We recommend you head to Central World if you're craving those western stores we don't have in HK, like Topshop, Miss Selfridge or Dorothy Perkins. This mall could keep you busy for hours! Then the area around Siam Paragon is packed with cool boutiques crammed with funky bags, accessories and vintage-style clothes.

Once you've had your fill of shopping, book yourself into Healthland for an AMAZING and super-cheap two hour Thai massage. It's not the most fancy of spas, but it's spotlessly clean with a mix of traditional and modern decor, and as it is also a massage school, the technique is fantastic. Bangkok residents swear by it.

You'll now be nice and ready for some evening fun... We've picked out this ensemble for you to wear in a sultry purple, with this silver lace cuff and funky feathered purse. You're ready to hit the Sukhumvit area (take the sky train - it's cheap, easy and fast) where many of the trendy bars and restaurants are. Sassy recommends the Lan Na Thai/Hazara/Face complex, which is a converted Thai villa which is home to a few of the coolest eating and drinking spots in town.

When you wake up on Sunday, you might even feel like taking in some culture, like a wander round the Erawan Shrine or a baking trek around the Grand Palace (shoes on, shoes off, scarf on, scarf off, repeat). Or perhaps just MORE shopping, eating, massages, repeat. That sounds like more our speed!

Day Outfit: Clutch from Mad Imports; Dress from Eruca; Vintage sunglasses from Love Worn; Bracelet and Necklace from Fantasy Jewelry Box; Sam Edelman Glads from Chick Downtown.

Night Outfit: Aurelie Biderman Cuff from Luisa Via Roma; Chloe Dress from Net-a-Porter; Earrings from 1928; Clutch from Peeptoe Shoes; Fendi Shoes from Far Fetch; Dior Eye Shadow from Saks.

Time Out: The Great Hong Kong Weekender

Just on the off-chance that you don't already have junk trip plans for the weekend (we're heavily into junk season, and remembering why the novelty wore off last summer too), the new issue of Time Out is here to help you plan a fun whole-weekend getaway, and you never have to leave Hong Kong!

They whole itineraries for breaks in Lantau, Sai Kung and the North-East New Territories are also available on their website, and they really put to shame anyone who thinks you need to get on a plane to escape our Island Fever. Perhaps not the most glamorous of destinations or swanky of experiences, if you want to get out into the outdoors and enjoy what promises to be a glorious weekend then you should definitely take a look. You might als0 score extra points with your other half too for having more imagination than simply whisking them off to boring old Bali, no?

Abaca' Resort, Cebu

One of the best things about living in Hong Kong is that it is so easy to get on a plane, take an hour or two flight, and be in a tropical paradise. Three day weekends in Hong Kong usually equal mini-holidays! I discovered a great new boutique hotel in Cebu, Philippines (a 2 and a half hour direct flight from Hong Kong), Abaca Resort.

Abaca Resort is the ultimate tropical getaway. This fabulous new resort only has 6 deluxe suites and 3 private villas creating the environment for total seclusion and ultimate relaxation. Each of the suites and villas are decorated with ethnic touches to reflect the beauty of Cebu. Every room boasts the elegant style of the tropics with accents on warm dark woods and natural stones. As a guest you can enjoy panoramic ocean views from the privacy of your own terrace or garden.

Abaca is also known for their fabulous restaurant. I had the chance to dine at this Mediterranean inspired restaurant, and it was absolutely fabulous. Chef-owner Jason Hyatt has created a complete menu of healthy cuisine with the freshest local fish and seafood, and imported meats and cheeses from around the world. All the vegetables and herbs are organic and grown in their own gardens. Menu choices include wood fired oven roasted meats, seafood, handmade pizzas and pastas, freshly baked breads, tapas and a variety of appetizers and salads.

For more information check out the Abaca Resort and Spa website http://www.abacaresort.com/