While in Bilbao, it's super easy to jump on a bus to the visit the stunning San Sebastián. An afternoon eating tapas and drinking sangria with the fresh sea breeze in my face? Ok, fiiine.
Here's San Sebastián Flashback:
If you're in Madrid, it's well worth the short flight to Bilbao to visit the extraordinary Guggenheim by Frank Gehry:
LOUISE BOURGEOIS' GIANT SPIDER
SEEING THE EXTERIOR PRE AND POST-RAIN IS ABSOLUTELY MAGICAL
PUPPY BY JEFF KOONS
PAN CON TOMATE
CROQUETAS DE JAMON
GAMBAS
PIMIENTOS
SEARED TUNA
ESQUEIXADA DE BACALAO
FRIED EGGPLANT WITH CANE MOLASSES
TORTA CANAREJAL
FRESH ANCHOVIES IN OLIVE OIL
Both Dan and I are huge Salvador Dalí fans, so we blocked off an entire afternoon while in Barcelona to make the 1.5hr train ride to Figures to visit the magical Dalí Theatre-Museum:
EVERYTHING GAUDI
I love the colours and the shapes Barcelona exudes. Everywhere I looked, I was visually stimulated and the infectious energy that's felt from that is totally unforgettable.
Here's Barcelona Flashback:
With only a short amount of time on hand, jump on a hop-on-off double-decker tour bus and explore all the top spots while being able to wander off on your own time.
GAUDI ARCHITECTURE
SPANISH VIEW FROM SAGRADA FAMILIA
Inside the (still under construction) Sagrada Familia:
MEN AT WORK PART 1
MEN AT WORK PART 2
PARC GUELL IN GRACIA
LA BOQUEIRA, EGGS
LA BOQUEIRA, FRUITS
LA BOQUEIRA, VEGETABLES
LA BOQUEIRA, CANDY
FUNICULAR TO TIBIDABO HILL... CLOSED... CUE: SANGRIA.
ALL YOU KNIT IS LOVE
ARRIVING IN NAPLES
I was backing up my computer the other day and came across hundreds of photos from a vacation to Spain and Capri that my friend Dan and I took a few years ago. I love a good trip down memory lane, so I thought I'd share some of my favorite moments with you.
HONEYMOON SHOT 1 OF HUNDREDS
THE PHOENICIAN STEPS TO VILLA SAN MICHELE
BOAT PITSTOP BY THE PHOENICIAN STEPS. NORMAL.
SAILING FROM CAPRI TO ANACAPRI
PIRATES.
ENTRANCE TO THE BLUE GROTTO
HUGE LINE-UP TO ENTER THE BLUE GROTTO. TOURIST BONDING SESH.
INSIDE THE BLUE GROTTO
EXITING THE BLUE GROTTO
MARINA GRANDE
LONG HIKE UP TO VILLA JOVIS (CAPRI'S 2ND HIGHEST PEAK)
EXTERIOR OF THE REMAINS OF VILLA JOVIS
VIEW FROM THE TOP OF VILLA JOVIS
CHURCH OF SANTA MARIA DEL SOCCORSO
THE REMAINS OF VILLA JOVIS
During Coachella, I met up with Gregg Gillis A.K.A. Girl Talk and had a huge catch-up on how the state of music has changed since we both first started out in this crazy industry. Always love talking to this dude.
Here's a raw clip of our interview where Gregg talks about an exciting new project he's working on:
...and part 1 of our interview:
While in L.A., I dropped by Bedrock in Silverlake to chat with Twin Shadow about life in the west coast and his forthcoming sophomore album, Confess (release date: July 10). Here's part 1 of our interview:
Caught up with Twin Shadow at Bedrock Studios and got the Silverlake tour including a stop at Local.
Super fun interview with Sophia Rossi from HelloGiggles over pedi's at the Beverly Wilshire. It's a tough job, folks.
Sophia and Tatti from HelloGiggles introduced us to their talented friend, singer-songwriter, Rozzi Crane.
Later, Daddy Kev showed us around the legendary Low End Theory night at the Airliner.
Nasty Gal held an insanely packed Pre-Coachella party at the Roosevelt. S/O to this super crisp blackberry pic.
...And look who showed up. Classic.
Watch out for these pieces on MTV News! Monday to Wednesday at 6:30pmET on MTV.
I've covered a hella amount of festivals for MTV in the last 6 years but one that I hadn't hit yet but still had a curiosity to check out was Coachella. It worked out that I was heading to L.A. to shoot some interviews on the Monday after the fest, so we flew down a day early, drove to the desert, and caught the last day of the first weekend.
Here's how "Coachella in a Day" went down:
Massive brunch treat from Ace Hotel to start the day: RICOTTA HOT CAKES with maple crunch butter, and banana, and CHILAQUILES with scrambled eggs, chiles, ranchero, and homemade corn tortilla chips.
Interview reunion with Girl Talk in Indian Wells.
Walking to the Lacoste pool party.
With my awesome camera gal Nancy.
People here looove their pool parties...
...with trunks riding low.
Obviously, after being around hot bods, we head straight for tacos.
Horchata for a necessary cool-down.
Tacos Gonzalez: Al Pastor, Chorizo, and Chicken.
Florence and the Machine riding on the happy train all set long. Such a delight to watch.
Girl Talk bringing it to an insane crowd. Still finding confetti in my hair.
Wiz Khalifa and Snoop. 'Nough said.
Got an early jump start and headed straight to Radiohead the night before.
Bumped into Danny Brown and got some cool stop-motion photos for our wrap-up piece.
Like the shopping, there is no shortage of affordable out-of-this-world amazing eats in Hong Kong. Eating good food is a huge deal for me, so prior to leaving for Hong Kong, I asked everyone I know to connect me to friends living in HK and I proceeded to pick their brains on the best local spots to eat. After gathering a rather large list, and indulging in almost all of them upon arrival, here were some of my faves:
Lei Garden is a renowned culinary institution. Make sure to order the Peking duck (which includes the unbelievably tasty fried rice Peking duck soup):
Spicy Crab at Temple Street in Yau Ma Tei. Grab a table out on the street, order some fresh crab, deep fried spicy oysters, and super cheap beer and the night is off to a pretty sweet start.
Tim Ho Wan for dim sum. It's the cheapest Michelin star restaurant in the world and for just a few bucks you'll eat like a King. It gets super packed at all hours though, so be prepared to wait but it's damn well-worth it.
Yunyan Sichuan Restaurant is the place to hit for a heat craving.
Tai Ping Koon Restaurant has a rich history of introducing the concept of Western Chinese food. For me, I was most impressed by the soufflé dessert.
Honorable fancy-schmancy mention:
Afternoon Tea at the Peninsula is one of those treats you have to give yourself at least once in a lifetime. Isn't nice to feel spoiled??
MORE HONG KONG POSTS:
TIGERBOMBERS IN LAMMA ISLAND
SIMON YIN AT VICTORIA HARBOUR
NIGHTLIFE WITH JOSIE HO
NGONG PING 360
There’s a lot going on in Hong Kong, but there’s an orderly hustle to the millions making it through the bustle thanks in large part to the super organized transportation system.
Be sure to hit these:
- Skytain subway system is the most efficient way to get to where you need to be
- Ngong Ping 360 to the Tian Tan Buddha and the Po Lin Monastery in Lantau is probably the most fun way to get around
- Tramway from Wan Chai to Central is a fun old-school way to see the city
- Star Ferry will take you right through the iconic Victoria Harbour
- Mid-Level Escalator is the longest outdoor escalator in the world and zips you through SoHo and passes through rad shops like G.O.D. Central, Cheong Bakery (EGG TARTS, Y'ALL), and the photo-friendly Graham Street Wet Market
MID-LEVEL ESCALATOR
STAR FERRY TO VICTORIA HARBOUR
MORE HONG KONG POSTS:
TIGERBOMBERS IN LAMMA ISLAND
SIMON YIN AT VICTORIA HARBOUR
NIGHTLIFE WITH JOSIE HO
SHAM SHUI PO
You can seriously spend a lifetime in Hong Kong and not hit every shopping space available. Trust. Every single corner in HK is a shopping opportunity for anything and everything you need or don’t think you need yet. When you’ve exhausted the gigantic malls (Harbour City is truly a fashion and beauty mecca) and highstreet brands, here are some of my favorite stops for affordable independent designs (p.s. if you’re not one size fits all like the majority of us, keep your focus on the amazing accessories):
- Rise Mall (5-11 Granville Circuit, Tsim Sha Tsui)
- Island Beverly Mall (1 Great George Street, Causeway Bay)
- Mee & Gee Vintage in the Ladies Market (Nathan Rd / 64 Tung Choi St., Mong Kok)
- Streets like Granville by the Beverly Centre is lined with super cute boutiques and if you’re looking for wholesale steals, hit Cheung Sha Wan Road in Sham Shui Po
- Honorable smartie mention: Kubrick (3 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei)
MORE HONG KONG POSTS:
TIGERBOMBERS IN LAMMA ISLAND
SIMON YIN AT VICTORIA HARBOUR
NIGHTLIFE WITH JOSIE HO
Here's another sneak peek, y'all! We're getting real close to the premiere of Sharlene VS Hong Kong, so here's a tiny clip of me prepping for my night of co-hosting duties at ATM GAME SHOW!!!
Sharlene VS Hong Kong premieres on MTV Canada at 8pmET on Monday April 16th!
An afternoon at Blue Lagoon Cooking School:
INGREDIENTS FOR RED, GREEN, AND MASSAMAN CURRIES
CRUSHING RED CHILLIES TO A PASTE
PREPARING MASSAMAN CURRY
MASSAMAN CURRY
SHRIMP HEAD BROTH FOR TOM YUM AND TOM KHA GAI SOUP
TOM KHA GAI
PAD THAI
RED BEAN AND COCONUT STICKY RICE DESSERT
BABY COCONUT AND MANGO BLACK STICKY RICE DESSERT WITH CRISPY MUNG BEANS
BACK AT GAJAPURI RESORT
SUNRISE
KOH CHANG PLANE BACK TO BANGKOK
BAN KWAN CHANG ASIAN ELEPHANT FOUNDATION
RED CURRY AT GAJAPURI RESORT
BREAKFAST VIEW
Seems about right for another Sharlene VS Hong Kong teaser. Here's a clip from our trek to Lamma Island with Natalie and Art from Tigerbombers.
Sharlene VS Hong Kong premieres on MTV Canada at 8pmET on Monday April 16th!