ECLAIT VOYAGER

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The mythical aurora queen, also known as the northern lights, is caused by electronically charged particles from the sun that collide with gas particles in the atmosphere. Different colors are formed depending on the type of the particles. The usual green is caused by low-level oxygen particles, while red is formed by higher altitude oxygen particles. Sometimes, a purplish aurora is formed by nitrogen collisions.

When I visited Iceland, the aurora forecast for two days were about level 5-6, and the skies were super clear. So here are some photography tips:

1. Check the Aurora Forecast

The sky needs to be super clear for you, so do check for cloud coverage, as well as the intensity level. You can find all the detailed information here:

http://en.vedur.is/weather/forecasts/aurora/

2. Minimal Light Pollution and No Moon

Again, there's been some debate on whether having a full moon will impact on seeing the northern light. Here's the verdict -- if you are traveling, you may want to pick dates when there's no moon, so that even if the activity is low, you will have a better chance of seeing the northern light.

In addition, pick a place where there is low light pollution to get the best view possible.

3. Have your Aperture at Maximum

Whatever camera or lens you have, have the aperture at it's maximum, and pick ISO accordingly. I was using a Leica M262, shooting at F2.4, ISO 3200. Adjust shutter speed accordingly depending on your location and the amount of lighting you can get.

4. Lens type & ISO

Before I embarked on this trip, some people told me that I needed a fisheye, or an ultra-wide lens like 11-16mm. Sure, having an ultra-wide lens or a fisheye may give you the full advantage of getting all in, however, I used a fixed lens 50mm and these are the results I achieved.

Composition matters, and there are no right or wrong answers to it.

For ISO, I try to stick at 3200, in case it gets too grainy.

5. Even if there's little activities, as long as the sky is clear, you can still get a good photo of stars!

Say that you just went out there to test your luck, even if there's little aurora activities, dress warm and get a good capture of the stars and galaxy instead!

Bonus Point: Choose your foreground and be spontaneous

Some of the best pictures I got were not from the diamond beach or the Jokusalon glacier lagoon, but just off the road in the middle of nowhere.

Be spontaneous, don't be afraid to stop when you see a high level activity. You will be surprised by the results! *Note: Be careful and not to set up your camera in the middle of the road.

蜷川實花也有蛋糕版？

少女心大爆炸！栩栩如生的花朵竟然是可以吃的蛋糕？

什麼是韓式裱花？
他是一群愛玩蛋糕擠花的韓國媽媽們，依據Wilton 原有的擠花嘴發展出來的新擠花方式。韓式裱花的蛋糕體，則是家家戶戶的韓國媽媽們都會做蒸米糕，當作搬家送給鄰居或是節慶時的分送的小點心。（其實有點像我們吃的狀元糕）。而韓式裱花的奶油霜，是由豆泥霜配上米糕的基礎上去發展的。

他跟一般的奶油霜差在哪裡？
豆奶霜的作法跟比例有很多種，但基本基礎含有豆沙，奶油，牛奶。所以不會像一般的奶油霜，鮮奶油的比例佔最多，相對來講也是一個比較健康取向的選擇呢！

顏色是怎麼調的？
豆奶霜花朵的艷麗顏色基本上都是用色素調合成的，但是廠牌的選擇真的很重要, 除了有美國，法國，日本，韓國，及台灣的廠牌可以選擇，但老實說，還是吃最原始的天然色素比較健康。如紅蘿蔔，甜菜，薑黃等食材，都可以用物理烘乾的方式萃取，也可以減少孩童引發過敏的問題。

哪裡可以訂到韓式裱花蛋糕？
Eclait Patisserie 目前除了有季節限定版的花式馬芬蛋糕系列之外，也有接單客製蛋糕。他們的豆奶霜使用的都是純橄欖油跟有機酪農的鮮乳，比原本的做法更健康喔！使用的色素也以急速烘乾的天然素材（如南瓜粉，薑黃粉等天然食材）去製作的，小朋友吃的健康又安心！

訂購方式：請參見粉絲團 @EclaitPatisserie

We were planning to stay near Kirkufells for two days to shoot the aurora lights, but due to the snow storm, it totally threw off our plan.

Most of the roads towards the North were closed off, and we had to wait at our hostel until the snow storm stops, which would be too late to travel.

Kirkufells

Anyhow, we waited till the next morning, and the sky finally cleared when we arrived Kirkufells, which is one of the most photographed landmark in Iceland. It's quaintly dubbed as the "Straw Hat Mountain" because of its similarity in shape.

You can take the classic photo from just below the mountain where the waterfall is, or up high at the bridge at the waterfall for the whole landscape. However, my favorite spot is to cross to the other side of the road, where the Grundrfjordur Bay is, and try to get a photo of the reflection during low tides.

It's been a city of silver and white.

Gatklettur

This beautiful coastline comes with basalt columns and circular arches. It's breathtaking how the arches are formed by the sheer constant erosion from the sea. Once you've indulge in the cliff, seagulls and the unique formation of the rocks, turn around and you will be stunned by the panorama, with its glistening haystacks underneath the sun.

The man-made gateway makes it almost majestic in its distinct tranquility.

"Traveling is a way of finding home".

Geysir, Iceland

Being a frequent traveller, I needed new inspirations from nature, from arts, from the local people.

Even though I was at the height of my career, I felt lost and uninspired. Don't get me wrong - I love my job as a product manager, but it just felt like something dark, like a shadow, was slowing encroaching on me. So I quitted my job, and was ready to go on a Mitty travel. I needed to find myself again.

I started off with Eastern Europe, and then moved my way to Iceland.

The first day when I landed Iceland, the weather forecast informed of a snow storm. Way to start on a journey, but I didn't mind it and made the most out of the morning to go to Gullfoss and the Geysir in the Golden circle.

It was the only time that I did not want to sleep on the bus. The view of a perpetually endless whiteness, the contrast between light and dark, herds of horses standing upright, as if timeless.

Geysir
We stopped at Geysir, and it was the most peculiar experience. It was hardly possible to determine when the eruption would occur, and often it would sneak upon us when we were chatting. A daunting loud bellow , and it was surprising how ephemeral mother nature is, and how little we are. Much of the travelogs that exists today since the 19th century, paid its tribute to the great Geysir.

Geysir, Iceland

Gullfoss
We then moved on to Gullfoss, also dubbed as the "Golden Waterfall" because of its seemingly golden reflection under the sunlight. It was so windy that I had to grip on the barbed wires to move forward. I was succumbing to nature, and it yet it felt utterly rewarding to feel the snow and wind brush against my cheeks. A part of me felt awaken again. The waterfall was more than just majestic, it roared like a Viking god.

What to Eat
Don't miss out on the lamb soup served at the food center of Gullfoss. Absolutely delicious and keeps you warm after a stumbling walk in wind! (P.S. free lamb soup refill as well)

Lamb soup

Fashion Week London

Not even a boutique store I would say.

Just another Korean-fast fashion stand around the corner. Another neon 80's dance jumpsuit, a khaki trench coat, a blue stripe shirt.

Most of it, of course, are made of the cheapest polyester, nylon, or vinyl, they are all essentially plastic. However, it bothers me when I see rabbit fur tops sold at less than US$10 per shirt at these night market stores.

I've seen photo leaks of these rabbit fur factories in China, many were skinned alive and left out in the open to die. It is no more ethical than a Nazi camp.

Rabbit Fur via Wikimedia Commons

We all enjoy a little whimsical, a tipsy-toe moment from the Spring and Autumn collections. The IT girls who stole the game and the spotlights. No consumption means no economic growth, some economists would even say. So clap clap to Zara, H&M and Uniqlo.

So if we were to be selective, are luxury conglomerate like LVMH any better?

I've worked in the fashion industry before, and a large expense (at least 30% of revenue) goes into making celebrities appear on top magazine front covers and shopping mall billboards. The cost of the actual clothes making is less than 5% of the street price. So ladies, all the premium prices we pay goes into making that mirage believable. Believing that we are better, prettier, skinnier, if we wear a couture.

It is in our nature, I would say, to want to be pretty. It is part of evolution, for us to mate and sustain the bloodline.

Rabbit Fur Factory via Wikimedia Commons

I am not saying that one needs to be a environmentalist right away, and I am not asking for you to give up fashion entirely. I understand that some of the sustainable fashion brand out there, may have a good intention, but may be slagging behind from the majorities' taste of fashion.

So is it possible to strike a balance?

I believe we do.

Just keep in mind, that we have a choice to choose.

To be conscientious and choose selectively.

下班，即是再累，也不要虐待自己吃微波食物跟盲目低追日劇。

家是你的避風港，一個人住，一個人煮，絕對不要擔心食物容易吃不完而外食，今天介紹的桂丁麻油雞麵線，只要20分鐘就能輕鬆享受暖呼呼的冬令食補！

[-----材料-----] 1 人份

麻油 2湯匙
米酒 100cc 或更多
水 240cc
桂丁雞腿肉 5-6塊
老薑 7-8片
鹽適量

乾意麵/麵線
高麗菜

[-----步驟-----]
1. 把鍋熱了放麻油，乾炒老薑，直到有香味出現，老薑也稍稍變軟
2. 把桂丁雞肉炒到封色（9成變色）後，把火關小再倒入米酒跟水（TIP: 這是為了以防萬一酒精引爆）
3. 開中火煮滾後，轉中小火燉煮20分鐘，加鹽適量調味
4. 麻油雞快煮好的5分鐘前另外滾水，水滾後把高麗菜跟麵線放入煮5-7分鐘，鹽適量（麵軟，高麗菜稍軟）後就可以起鍋
5. 盛盤

桂丁雞即使只煮了20 分鐘，但湯頭有甘蔗甜的清香，肉質結實甜美，搭配翠綠的高麗菜食用，超出意料的滿足喔！快來動手一起做吧

下週也會分享桂丁雞的其他食譜喔！

遊走香港，台北與紐約的你我，人與人之間的相處有著若有似無的距離感，但其實這個台北人的後花園，除了好山好水，更有著樸實的人情秘境等你細細去發覺。跟著攝影師的腳步，帶這相機與畫筆，讓我們用心發現宜蘭的人文風景吧！

#1 合盛太平：

老一輩的人，總是鼓勵著自家的小孩不是當醫生就是商人，千萬不要搞政治。自幼聰穎的陳金波醫師於1919年開設太平醫院，許多宜蘭的民眾都給陳醫師看過，因為熱衷地方活動還跟蔣渭水先生共事過。

而這個過了大半輩子的老醫院也隨著陳金波兒子過世後歇業，直到某日合盛民宿希望重新給老屋一個新方向，才有了合盛太平這個咖啡廳。

當初陳老奶奶（陳金波醫師的媳婦）希望能保留老屋的所有回憶，所以原本一樓是診所，二樓是起居室的設計都被保留了下來。

原本了立牌與診所使用的椅子

二樓的和室與廚房都變身成小型的攝影展，新與舊的融合，既不違和也不突兀。

不像一般的老屋改建，有時會有華而不實的餐點，合盛太平的咖啡出呼我意料的順口。來這邊可以嚐嚐他們的培茶拿鐵。

#2：五峰旗瀑布

夏天或是冬天，五峰旗瀑布總是帶來驚喜。翠悅的鳥叫聲，可愛的鉛色水鶇（小名：東東），有如被山與露水環抱的大自然。路程不算長卻可以輕易看到三個延岩而下，姿態卻不同的瀑布。有些急溯而雄偉，有些輕快蕩然。

#3: 來星寶做蔥油餅吧

宜蘭的三星蔥會好吃，除了水質好，還有是這太平山吹下來的涼風，早晚溫差大，正好適合蔥的生長環境。微微的涼風，踏入扎實的土壤，別小看這蔥，他們可以實力派的緊抓這土攘，拔蔥還得靠點技巧。

星寶的阿姨很熱心的跟我們講解蔥的生長條件，更不留一手的教我們做蔥油餅。
”你們蔥要挖大大的兩瓢要像小山這樣才及格喔！不能偷工減料“

我還是第一次聽到有人說要這麼大方的放料（笑）果然是淳樸的宜蘭啊