Andrew: Malay looks quite similar to Tagalog. I think the equivalent phrase is “balik bayan”. Definitely going to introduce my husband to balut and other street food…that is the stuff I remember fondly.

Don’t know any specific places in HK and Macau—but may want to consider the local fresh food markets, i.e., street food (hawker styled) dishes.

After all if one were to enjoy street-food, one could say that you’re savoring a bit of history and culture that goes behind it.

(i) as cheesy as Lan Kwai might be, the lounge at the top of Hotel LKF (http://www.hotel-lkf.com.hk/Azure.php) has an amazing view of Central and the harbour that can’t be beat;

(ii) the Ye Shanghai at Pacific Place in Admiralty might not be as good as the one in Shanghai, but it’s still worth the visit;

(iii) if you haven’t gone to Fernando’s for Portuguese food in Macau, check it out;

(iv) if you get the chance, go to the Gold Coast on the Kowloon side, where you can go to the fish market and have them cook it up at any of the open air restaurants.

But I’m quite excited for the non-food activities we have planned: visiting the Chocolate Hills of Bohol (pictured in the post); hiking around the rice terraces of Northern Luzon; checking out a volcanic island and an underwater cemetery; cheering on my poker-playing husband at the new Venetian in Macau.

And if he gives me a travel allowance…going on insane shopping sprees in Hong Kong!