Hong Kong; conquering heights at the Ritz Carlton

Hong Kong. A densely populated city acclaimed for its intense urban nature, the executive lounge at the The Ritz-Carlton Hotel is my first exposure to the magnificent skyline. Seen from the 116th floor of the tallest building in the city, it is breathtaking to see the mountainous range of The Peak dominating the view, overpowering the vast collection of skyscrapers and shiny buildings.

With curved windows to minimise typhoon exposure, the Ritz Carlton was built in May 2011 and has managed to encapsulate the best that Asia has to offer in its 16 floors. Taking the concept of five star to new heights (literally), the personalised service, attention to detail and classy but not extravagant opulence caters to a clientele accustomed to experiencing the creme de la creme of accommodation, cuisine and style.

Our first stop is the world renowned Afternoon Tea at The Lounge and Bar restaurant, which the menu tells us was made fashionable by Queen Catherine in 1633. We sit in luxuriously comfortable lounges overlooking Victoria Harbour as we’re served champagne, tea, and three tiers of indulgent delights. A cello player provides the ambiance as we watch the dancing hues of the sunset, so far above the other buildings that the sun appears level with the window.

Read my full review of Hong Kong's Ritz Carlton Hotel as the NSW blogger for liveeverylastminute.com.au.

The Ritz Carlton

ICC 1 Austin Road West 

Kowloon, Hong Kong

Guest Post: We all scream for ice cream at Ben & Jerry's Sundae Sessions

Guest post by Amanda Barbera

I used to think a choc-top at Hoyts was a treat. But now I’ve been spoilt - by Ben, and by Jerry.

The Ben & Jerry’s annual “Sundae Sessions” Big Charity Launch, held on 5 February by the Bondi Pavilion, shook up the ‘Sunday night at the movies’ tradition which, up until now, I knew no better than to love.

Gone are the 40 minutes of commercials and yet-to-be classified previews of movies starting sometime next year. Left behind are the rip-off buckets of popcorn, Malteasers & other confectionary you’ll get venomously ‘shhh-ed’ at just to open. And no longer do you need to glaciate in cinema sub-zero temperatures and worry that the person you’ll sit down next to after a bathroom break is not the date you arrived with at all.

Pre-movie entertainment is a festival in itself, with sunset performances by the Winter People, Hungry Kids of Hungary and The Cat Empire perfect choices to get the audience grooving. The vibe was as playful, carefree and fun as, well, a sunny Bondi Sunday afternoon! Maybe it was the sun coming out and the magical beach backdrop; maybe it was the free games & charity prizes. And it’s a sure bet it was the free scoops of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream handed out all evening long. Like the Strawberry Cheesecake? Try Chocolate Fudge Brownie! Demolished Sweet Cream & Cookies? You’ll love New York Super Fudge Chunk. There’s no better way to test every flavour out there than with a licence to keep coming back for more. If you hadn’t realised what the finest, super premium ice-cream tastes like before, you’ll be screaming for the stuff after. 

When it’s time to sit down and watch the inspiring documentary, ‘Life in a Day’, we grab a beanbag, super warm blanket and cocoon under the stars.

And the best part? There’s a story behind every brand and this one’s driven by a social conscience and dedicated activism towards tackling some big global issues. Working alongside ‘Tunes for Change’ and The Cat Empire, the evening raised $20,000 for Australians for Cambodian Education (ACE) to help educate severely disadvantaged children and break the poverty cycle in Cambodia. The proof really is in the ice-cream. 

Johnny Hammond (Ben & Jerry's), Chloe Hamersley and Rich Coombes (Batlow Cider)

It’s another Ben & Jerry’s reminder that ‘capitalism can cure’, and support for the message couldn’t have been easier tonight – EAT YOUR HEART OUT!

Bondi Openair is running from 29 January to 4 March on the Dolphin Lawn next to the Bondi Pavilion.  Ben & Jerry's are hosting Sundae Sessions with free ice cream each Sunday.  The full film schedule can be accessed here.  

Lifeafterfive* attended as a guest of Ben & Jerry's Australia.

Jurassic Lounge; Enter the Dragon

Cries of Kung Hii Fatt Choi, exchange of red envelopes and exotically gourmet dinners took place across the country last week to celebrate the start of Chinese New Year. The year of the dragon is said to be the luckiest year in the Chinese zodiac, with the dragon a legendary creature full of fire and mystique. Aptly subtitled ‘Enter the Dragon’, the legend is reinforced when we enter the alternate universe of Jurassic Lounge on 31 January 2012. We are greeted by a dinosaur roaming the museum floor, before discovering comedians, artists and museum geeks demonstrating a myriad of entertaining skills.

Leaving the clipped and corporate CBD, we enter a world of emerging art, inspired creativity and edgy music, a world that ignites curiousity and clamours for use of imagination. We stop at the bar for a zesty Aperol Spritz cocktail (complete with slice of orange), wander past two hot lassies belting out Beyonce karaoke to an onlooking tiger skeleton, and discover a magical range of interactive exhibitions usually frequented by school kids and tourists.

A live taxidermy demonstration (not for the fainthearted), a groovy silent disco and real time art demonstrations are just a few of the whacky treasures on display at this year’s Jurassic Lounge.  Read my review of the opening night of Jurassic Lounge on Eat Drink Play.

Jurassic Lounge is open from January 31 to April 3.  Tuesdays, 5.30pm to 9.30pm, Australian Museum, College Street, city, jurassiclounge.com, $15 (includes a drink on arrival and free entry to FBi Social at Kings Cross Hotel).


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