Muji to Go

When did Muji to Go open in the Central Station???

Things change so much in Hong Kong…and new shops open all of the time!

I love Muji…

Muji has a minimalist type of style to it.  It's a Japanese-based franchise that sells a lifestyle:  clothing, stationery, furniture, and snacks.  It's one of the shops that I remember quite well from living in Japan.  I used to visit Muji when I was down in the train station malls (which are the most awesome malls I have ever been too).

I especially like the Muji to Go at the Hong Kong International Airport because it always has stuff that you ABSOLUTELY DO NOT NEED (night lights or air purifiers!!!)  and also stuff that YOU MIGHT HAVE FORGOTTEN TO PACK (toothbrush or scarf).

Whenever I'm at the airport, I always stop in there to just pass the time…and, as a good consequence, always find a bunch of little things that I FEEL I NEED:  stationery!!!

It's pretty awesome that it opened up in the Central/Hong Kong Island MTR Station.  I feel like I'm gonna be stopping by this shop every time I head over there…on my way to the IFC Mall!

Brunch Club on Peel

Exploring Central is one of my favorite pastimes.  There are always shops, cafes and things that I've never seen or been to before.  It was during one of my explorations (wanderings) that I discovered the Tea Saloon by Another Fine Day!

The Central district is always filled with something new and amazing.  

Today, going along Peel Street, some new discoveries...

At first glance, I thought this was an art installation, but, upon further inspection, I think it might have been someone's idea of a joke.  The hydrant was spewing out into a plastic bottle…with some metal box chained to it.  On further inspection, I just let myself remain baffled at what was up with the fire hydrant...

A bit up from the hydrant was a dog, just sitting there watching me.  I thought she was another art installation for a second because she was so still, but she wasn't.

The streets and hills of Central are always quite lovely to walk upon.  There are some streets that have cobble stone steps…there are some that have brick steps (like Peel Street's stairway).  It makes wandering around more interesting than just walking along the usual city concrete.

Along the Peel Street steps, there are some really nice apartment complexes…I'm always impressed at how there are so many people who insist on growing plants in such a concrete jungle as Hong Kong is dubbed.  It's really a nice pastime to entertain…and it makes living spaces a lot more attractive (the terrace below reminds me a bit of living in a subtropic paradise…not like the glass skyscraper-filled Hong Kong that people think of…but of something more low key and historic (does anyone get me?).

A section of Peel Street follows along this wall of holes…beautiful!

My final destination (I was not really wandering around Central!  I had a purpose!), was the Brunch Club, which was a little ways up from the steps that I was walking up.  This was my first time eating here…for brunch and I was pleasantly surprised that it was a great experience!

Mostly, the staff were just really nice and accommodating.  PLUS, it was a week day, so there wasn't as many patrons, which meant that the atmosphere was pretty chill (and I love chilled days).

It was a great place to meet some friends and have a few hours of chit-chat.

The food was also quite nice (as I always say…because most of the food I've tried around Hong Kong TRULY IS PRETTY NICE).

I got one of the smoothies…Yup, I'm still trying to be healthier…as what my 2016 New Year's Resolution dictated!

…and I got the muesli, yogurt, fresh fruits and honey platter…

Brunch at the Brunch Club was pretty fun.  It is always nice to get together with friends and talk about everything under the sun.  It's also nice to have a place where you can get decent food at a decent price.     And it's triple-y nice to take a walk in a neighborhood outside of my Yuen Long and brunch like a local.

Central Oasis

When walking from Central's IFC Mall to the Mid-Level Escalators, there is a really neat little creative space called the Central Oasis that you pass through.  

It's a great place to chill out and have a break when walking the city all day.  

It's a great place to check out some local art.

It's a great place to see exhibits that change out every so often.

It's a great INDOOR outdoor space that is quite calming.

It's also a great place to catch up on the local news.

It's a great place to find some of Hong Kong's pigeons.

It's a great place to let children run around.

It's a great place to read.

It's a great place for tourists to take photos of!

It's a great place to have some quiet time and reflect on life!

It's a great place to escape from the blistering sun and Hong Kong heat!

It's a great place to meet friends (as it is a really great landmark).

It's a great place to pass through to get to the escalators!

Nursing Rooms @ The Prince Building

This is another blog post informing those who are interested of another Nursing Room, which can be found in the Central District of Hong Kong.  There are quite a few Diaper Changing Rooms around the city, but there are not as many Nursing Rooms around as I'd like!  

Also, there are a few websites that I love to check whenever I leave Yuen Long:

1.  BB GAGA

2.  Chatty Brain

3.  Sassy Mama's

BB GAGA is probably my favorite site to use…because Nursing Rooms are categorized by districts!

So, back to the point…There is a really nice Nursing Room in the Prince's Building…

To access the room, you have to go to the concierge desk or the customer service desk.  They'll direct you to the escalator (lift) and to the Nursing Room.  The room is available starting from 8 am…though, I'm not sure of the closing time.

Like most of the nursing rooms around the city, they have a really modern locking system, where you just swipe your hand over a panel and the door slides close.  I am always quite weary about this because WHO KNOWS if you do it correctly!  I was in a nursing room that said it was OCCUPIED, but a family was able to open it anyhow.

The room has a basic sink…

There is also a really nice comfy couch…for two…

There is a basic changing station and diaper disposal bin…

It's a private nursing room, which is awesome…the great thing about this one is that there is no loud music blaring from the walls…it's quite a calming space, which I think a lot of people might appreciate.

One more Nursing Room to add to my list!

Baby Shopping

There are a number of baby shops around Hong Kong…but the one that I absolutely think is the best is Bumps to Babes.  It claims to be the biggest and I totally believe it.  This shop, located on the 5th Floor of the Pedder Building in Central, is a mix of three stores in one.  I mean, it carries not only the basic drug store baby supplies, but it has a lot of baby gear for all aspects of things-to-do-with-babies-lives.  

The Central shop has a section for maternity clothes - from casual to professional; nursery/infant supplies - from cribs and car seats to bath tubs and swim gear; toddler and beyond things - from carriers to strollers and toy/book store (smaller scale to Toys R Us though).  

Bumps to Babes Info:

Location

5/F Pedder Building

12 Pedder Street

Central

HONG KONG

Contact

2522-7112

Hours

Mondays - Saturdays 10 am - 7 pm

Sundays (and Public Holidays) 11 am - 6 pm

Check out their website if you are looking for baby necessities.

There are also stores in Stanley, Sai Kung and Ap Lei Chau.

This place is a mecca for finding all your baby needs…and when looking for baby gifts (gift certs also available!!!).  There's more than wet wipes, diapers and It's a Boy cards…which any Watson's around Hong Kong provides.

***A browse around Bumps to Babes***