• 
• 

Published on December 2, 2007

 Nat says

People seem to have forgotten the art of goofing off, what with Blackberries and video-conferencing. No matter, there are still places where an afternoon can be spent hanging out without wasting one's time.

Bangkok

Thonglor

The best place to hang out in Bangkok is the Thonglor area. There are some great shops and restaurants, as well as places like J Avenue, Playground and H1. And since the street actually has a sidewalk, you can get from one place to another on foot.

Siam

The Pathumwan district, better known by its Siam BTS station, is so much more than just a collection of shopping malls. Within walking distance of Mah Boon Krong, Siam Square and Siam Discovery Centre are Wat Pathumwanaram, the Jim Thompson House and Chulalongkorn University. I can spend an entire day trekking and, when I get too hot, I can step into one of the malls to cool off - provided I end up at the Beard Papa's kiosk in the basement of Siam Paragon.

Chiang Mai

Nimmanahaeminda Road

This street, with a charming collection of small boutiques, is not only close to Chiang Mai University but also several five-star hotels. The focus is very much on the young and Bohemian. My favourite shop is the Gong Dee Gallery.

Rachamankha Road

Lest it seem that all I ever want to do is shop and eat, another favourite is the area at the end of the weekend street market in Chiang Mai, known for its charming boutique hotel, the Rachamankha. You get there after turning into a small soi off the main road. The Chiang Mai Oasis is a candidate for my list of favourite spas.

Hong Kong

Kowloon

I know it's chic to spend time at the boutiques in Central, but the food is really much better in Kowloon. Apart from food and shopping, Kowloon also has the boardwalk with its amazing views of the Hong Kong skyline. For great Cantonese food, go to the warren of shophouses off Peking Road in Tsimshatsui. 

New York

Upper East Side

No one wants to go to the Upper East Side anymore, not with the trendier shops down in Soho and the Meatpacking District. But I strongly suggest a walk up Madison Avenue. The boutiques may be expensive, but they all have beautiful windows. Then cross over to 5th Avenue for the Guggenheim Museum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Where else can you find contemporary art just blocks away from an Egyptian temple, transported stone by stone and reconstructed inside an air-conditioned room?

Singapore

Holland Village

Friendlier than the shopping malls on Orchard Road, Holland Village is an ideal place for Sunday brunch. The shops are small and charming. There's a Crystal Jade that serves great dim sum and, of course, the requisite Starbucks. Antique stores sit cheek by jowl with newsagents. This is a great place to hang out.

---------------------------

Cat says

 As we enter the month of December, the holiday

season is well and truly upon us! While I am dreaming of skiing and relaxing in the hot springs in Japan, I'd like to share with you some of my favourite hangouts both at home and away.

Bangkok

Central Chidlom is my home away from home - I spend an awful lot of time here. In fact, I buy practically everything at this department store, from groceries to electronics, beauty products to books. I even pay all my household bills here. The Loft at Central Chidlom is a perfect place to enjoy the cuisines of the world.

The other place I like to go is the Four Seasons Hotel, where all the restaurants are good. The Aqua bar is a great place to meet for a drink in the afternoon, before or after dinner.

Hua Hin

One of the most popular seaside resorts in Thailand, this is a family-friendly place with plenty on offer for everyone. The Hyatt Regency Hotel is easily the best place for families. The resort offers lots of activities and a fantastic family pool with an exciting waterslide. Furthermore, the Hyatt is also a haven for adults who just want to chill out. 

The bustling Hua Hin Night Market is a colourful nightly attraction. Every evening, the market teems with people and you can take your pick from the many stalls offering all kinds of freshly prepared Thai specialities. Besides the culinary delights, there's also a host of casual beachwear, DVDs and CDs on offer.

London

Everytime I visit London, I tend to end up in two areas. King's Road - which stretches from Sloane Square to Parson's Green - is home to some of the best shops and restaurants. The new Duke of York courtyard, just off King's Road, is the latest chi chi area to meet for coffee and lunch on a sunny day.

I also enjoy the High Street Kensington area, which has a more residential feel. Apart from the variety of shops, and restaurants, at the end of High Street Ken, there's Holland Park, favoured by the locals and not packed with tourists like Hyde Park.

Switzerland

The mountain village of Zermatt is one of the greatest skiing and climbing areas of the world. Nestled in a valley enclosed between steeply scarped mountains, it is dominated by the huge and gracefully curved pyramid of the Matterhorn.

From the moment you step off the train and catch sight of the cobbled streets and horses with sleighs waiting for their rides, you know you are in a special place. There are no cars here, and the alpine air is so fresh! For a fabulous stay consider checking into the Grand Hotel Zermatterhof.

Austria

Maria Alm is one of three large villages in the state of Salzburg that comprise the Hochkoenig's Winter Kingdom. The others are Dienten and Muehlbach. The region has 39 lifts that serve 150 kilometres of groomed slopes. The lifts have an hourly capacity of 52,000 skiers and snowboarders. The area is perfect for skiing, snowboarding, off-piste and cross-country skiing.

Want an opinion on something? Cat and Nat can be contacted at

NnaSWild@aol.com.