Tokyoflash Japan

On my recent trip to Kuala Lumpur, I did a lot of window shopping although I didn't have anything in particular that I wanted or needed to buy. That is until I browsed through a watch shop at the Pavilion Mall. I remembered that I had been looking for a gold Nooka watch which is quite difficult to find in Asia. I then noticed this gold watch from Tokyoflash Japan which had a different way of displaying time. I first read about Tokyoflash Japan months ago on both engadget.com and luisaviaroma.com.

My R75 Tokyoflash watch.

From www.tokyoflash.com : If you're looking for a watch that simply tells the time, then our watches are probably not for you. We design wearable art, many people don't appreciate art but many people do.

If your sole reason for buying a watch is to tell the time, we would recommend purchasing another watch brand that does just that. If you have a cell phone, computer, PDA or wall clock, the chances are you don't even need to wear a watch, so why purchase a Tokyoflash watch?

You have to press one of the two buttons to show the time. Above is actually the date display...five dots mean the month of May and the number 12 being the date.

The beauty of Tokyoflash is that its unique. I don't think I would see a lot of people wearing these on the streets of Manila. Also, it has 3 different ways of telling time. Call it selfish but it gives me a bit of pleasure knowing that people can't easily read the time on my watch when they secretly steal a glance at it hehehe.

Tokyoflash actually has other watches with an even more unique way of telling tiime but honestly, they are too complicated even for me.

The cost of my tokyoflash watch? RM599 (Malaysian Ringgit) or approximately Php 8,386. But I haggled my way (truth is there is a discount price so I didn't really haggle) and I only paid RM410 or Php 5740. Tokyoflash's website lists it as US$ 153.16 or Php 6,585 (doesn't include shipping and taxes yet) so I guess I got a good bargain. It's also way below the price of a Nooka gold watch which is approximately Php 10-12K.

My old silver Nooka watch on the left most. Gold Tokyoflash watch on the middle. Xemex silver watch on the right most.

iPod Touch

After months and months of contemplating, I was finally convinced (coerced, is a more appropriate word, I think) into purchasing my first iPod Touch. Why coerced? Well, on my last visit to Hong Kong, I was torn between buying an iPhone4 or a camera. I ended up buying the camera since I thought this would be a more useful gadget for me. I also made up my mind that an iPhone is not for me since:

a. everyone already has one and I'm quite happy with my BB

b. I was one of the first to have the iPhone1 back in 2007 and that was enough to satiate my iPhone craving.

'nude' ipod Touch

But I wanted to try facetime. I also wanted to be able to upload photos instantly to my facebook account like my friend Kim does. I know I already have an iPad but iPads don't have cameras (iPad2 has it) and the iPad isn't really one of the handiest gadgets to lug around specially when you're travelling. So what's the next best alternative to an iPhone that will not break the bank? An Ipod Touch! I checked out the prices in Hong Kong and with the exchange rate, I figured it would still be cheaper to buy my iPod Touch here in the Phils. What I did was buy a case in Hong Kong from an Apple store as there were more choices and the prices were more favorable in Hong Kong.

Beside the iPod Touch case I bought in Hong Kong for only HKD139 (Php 795) which comes with screen protector and earphone detangler

I also already have an iPod Shuffle which I bought last December and its really been super handy whenever I use it to go jogging around Luneta Park. But lately, outside of jogging, it's been frustrating not being able to select the music that you want to hear. I wasn't really in a rush to buy an iPod Touch but at the back of my mind, I kept on thinking about the case that I bought in Hong Kong that is just gathering dust in my cabinet (here's where the 'coercing' part comes in and a poor excuse to purchase something,but I couldn't help it! hehehe). So, before I could stop myself, I ended up buying my iPod Touch!

Beside my iPad and iPod Shuffle

I bought the cheapest entry level model which is just 8gb. I haven't really toyed with it yet as I only plan on using it as a music player. The apps I have in my iPad are already enough for me and I could see the advantage of having a huge screen such as the iPad's. The case from Hong Kong though is now hugging my iPod Touch so I guess everyone is happy (except my wallet). How much was it? P10800 or US$ 245.

Color me red! My iPad, iPod Touch and Blackberry Torch. Red is actually not my favorite color, it just so happen that most cases that are available are either in black or red and I didn't want to go black.

Behind the scene.

Lumix LX5

One of my recent purchases from my Hong Kong is this Panasonic Lumix LX5 camera, a successor of the Lumix LX3 which my cousins and friend have been raving about. I was choosing between a Canon S95, a Panasonic Lumix LX5 and an Olympus XZ1. The first off my list was the S95. Although this is the smallest and lightest of the bunch, its also the weakest in my opinion. I was torn between a LX5 and a XZ1 but the decision was actually taken out of my hand as the XZ1 was not yet available in Hong Kong (it was only launched in January 2011 in the US). And besides, I'm sure the price would still be the sticker price if its that new. So I guess its the LX5 for me then.

First off, I would only settle for the white version of the LX5. Black colored cameras are too common in Manila (or elsewhere for that matter) so a white one was the only one that appealed to me. Fortunately, white colored ones are as easy to find as the black colored ones in Hong Kong.

Second was finding a shop that had the best price and/or deal. In Hong Kong, I only purchase my electronic stuff/gadgets at either Fortress or Broadway. Both shops are littered all over in Hong Kong. They may not be as cheap as the shops in Sham Shui Po or the other smaller shops but I am assured of no monkey business (eg batteries, memory card and other accessories sold separately) when I purchase from Fortress or Broadway. I was adviced by my friend to scout each and every Broadway and Fortress shop in Mongkok. Although they are practically beside each other, they might differ in freebies or even prices at times. I patiently did the rounds and eventually found the best deal. At HKD 3900 or Php 22,230 (others were selling the LX5 at HKD4390 or Php 25,023), the Fortress dealer threw in a camera case (ugly as hell but its free), a memory card reader (very handy), a tripod (an@l bead looking), a screen protector for the camera screen, and (the best part that sweetened the deal and no other dealer was willing to throw in) an extra battery.

Here are the specs of the camera: (I'm no camera expert so these are just the basic specs)
10.1 mega pixels
4.5x digital zoom
3.8x optical zoom
F2.0-3.3
3.0 TFT LCD Display
40MB internal memory
271 g with battery

I'm not a camera connoisseur which is why I always opt for a point-and-shoot and will never convert to a dSLR. Auto settings are fine with me and I rarely tinker with the manual settings. The camera has so far been churning out perfect pictures. I couldn't be happier with my new camera, in short...I just love it!

Hong Kong Bargain Hunting

If you happen to be in Hong Kong and you're looking to buy some toiletries and/or beauty products, then I suggest you immediately head to Lung Shing Dispensary. This is one of the most popular places for both locals and some in-the-know tourists on where to buy the cheapest toiletry stuff and beauty products.

Eg. a nioxin shampoo that a friend was asking me to buy costs only HKD175 (Php 997.50) at Lung Shing, while in other stores, it will cost you HKD 250 (Php 1425.00)

Gatsby anti-oil facial blotter costs HKD 13.00 (Php 74.10) at Lung Shing. On the other hand, you can buy this at Watsons Manila for Php 109

Expect to find Lancome, Revlon, Biore, Dove, Kerastase, Gatsby and a lot more at Lung Shing

Lung Shing Dispensary is located along Granville Road in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong