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Starlemon's Diary 檸檬星星日記, Hong Kong (2026)

04/08/2026

The Price of Freedom

今日嘅旅程，比起之前幾日，多咗一份沉重。

一朝早，我哋開車前往 Pointe du Hoc（奧克角），希望了解更多關於諾曼第登陸（Normandy Landings / D-Day）呢段改變世界歷史嘅故事。

利申：我唔係一個好熟歷史嘅人😵‍💫，好多背景都係一路聽朋友仔分享，一路再自己睇資料先慢慢了解。

1940 年，法國被納粹德國占領，西歐大部分地區都落入德軍控制。由於 Pointe du Hoc 地勢險要，德軍喺懸崖上建立咗堅固嘅碉堡同炮台，部署 155 毫米重炮，可以直接威脅盟軍即將登陸嘅海灘，因此盟軍決定無論如何都要喺登陸當日奪取呢個據點。

1944 年 6 月 6 日，超過 15 萬名盟軍士兵登陸諾曼第海岸，配合約 5,000 艘艦艇同 11,000 架飛機支援，展開人類歷史上最大規模嘅兩棲登陸作戰之一，亦為解放法國同西歐揭開序幕。（詳細歷史有興趣可以自行上網睇資料🙏）

今日嘅 Pointe du Hoc，依然保留住大量戰爭痕跡。巨型彈坑、德軍碉堡、地下掩體都幾乎維持戰後原貌。當你真正企喺懸崖邊，望住眼前平靜嘅海岸，好難想像八十幾年前，呢度曾經經歷過幾咁激烈嘅戰鬥。

之後，我哋繼續向奧馬哈海灘（Omaha Beach）出發。

1944 年 6 月 6 日清晨，美軍第 1 步兵師（Big Red One）同第 29 步兵師奉命喺奧馬哈海灘登陸。由於德軍火力猛烈，加上地形極為不利，呢度成為五個登陸海灘之中傷亡最慘重嘅一處。

單單 D-Day 當日，就有約 34,000 名美軍喺呢片沙灘登陸，其中約 2,000 至 3,000 人陣亡、受傷或失蹤。雖然代價沉重，但最終仍成功突破德軍防線，為盟軍建立重要橋頭堡。

喺沙灘上，會見到著名雕塑 Les Braves《勇者》。呢座雕塑於諾曼第登陸 60 周年落成，以勇氣、自由同和平為主題，向所有為解放法國而奮戰嘅盟軍士兵致敬。

旅程最後一站，係 Normandy American Cemetery（諾曼第美軍公墓）。

公墓坐落喺俯瞰奧馬哈海灘嘅懸崖上，安葬住超過 9,000 名美軍官兵。整齊排列嘅白色墓碑，一望無際，氣氛莊嚴而寧靜。

墓碑上刻有姓名、軍階、部隊、州別同陣亡日期；而部分無法辨識身分嘅士兵，墓碑則刻著：

Here rests in honored glory a comrade in arms known but to God.

「一位僅上帝知曉姓名的戰友，安息於此，享有崇高榮耀。」

企喺墓園望向一望無際嘅海灘，海風依舊，海浪依舊，但眼前嘅寧靜，正正係無數人用生命換返嚟。

帶住沉重嘅心情離開，向所有喺 D-Day 犧牲嘅將士致上最崇高嘅敬意。🙌

Freedom is never free.
自由，從來都唔係免費得來。

The Price of Freedom

Today’s journey felt very different from the past few days. It carried a much heavier weight.

Early in the morning, we drove to Pointe du Hoc, hoping to learn more about the story of the Normandy Landings (D-Day)—one of the most significant military operations in history and a turning point that changed the course of World War II.

Disclaimer: I’m definitely not a history expert. 😵‍💫 Most of what I know came from listening to friends along the way and reading up on the history myself.

In 1940, France fell under N**i German occupation, and much of Western Europe came under German control. Because of its strategic location, Pointe du Hoc was heavily fortified with bunkers and artillery positions. The Germans had stationed 155 mm guns on the cliffs, capable of firing on the Allied landing beaches. Capturing this position became a critical objective for the Allies on D-Day.

On June 6, 1944, more than 150,000 Allied troops landed along the Normandy coast, supported by around 5,000 ships and 11,000 aircraft. It remains one of the largest amphibious invasions in human history and marked the beginning of the liberation of France and Western Europe. (If you’re interested, there are plenty of great resources online that explain the history in much greater detail. 🙏)

Today, Pointe du Hoc still bears the scars of war. Massive bomb craters, German bunkers, and underground shelters remain almost exactly as they were after the battle. Standing on the cliffs, looking out at the calm sea, it’s hard to imagine the intensity of the fighting that took place here more than 80 years ago.

From there, we continued to Omaha Beach.

On the morning of D-Day, soldiers from the U.S. 1st Infantry Division (the “Big Red One”) and the 29th Infantry Division landed on this beach under devastating German fire. Combined with the difficult terrain, Omaha Beach became the bloodiest of the five landing beaches.

On that single day alone, about 34,000 American troops came ashore here, with an estimated 2,000 to 3,000 killed, wounded, or missing. Despite the tremendous cost, they eventually broke through the German defenses and secured a crucial foothold for the Allied advance.

Standing on the beach is the iconic sculpture Les Braves (“The Braves”), unveiled on the 60th anniversary of D-Day. Symbolizing courage, freedom, and peace, it serves as a tribute to all the Allied soldiers who fought to liberate France.

Our final stop was the Normandy American Cemetery.

Overlooking Omaha Beach from the cliffs, the cemetery is the final resting place of more than 9,000 American service members. Endless rows of white marble headstones stretch across the landscape, creating an atmosphere that is both solemn and peaceful.

Each headstone bears a name, rank, military unit, home state, and date of death. For those whose identities were never known, the inscription reads:

Here rests in honored glory a comrade in arms known but to God.

Standing in the cemetery, looking out over the endless shoreline, the sea breeze and rolling waves feel unchanged. Yet the peace we witness today exists because countless others gave their lives for it.

We left with heavy hearts, paying our deepest respect to all those who made the ultimate sacrifice on D-Day. 🙌

Freedom is never free.

The peace and freedom we enjoy today came at an unimaginable cost.

03/08/2026

尋找 "零" 號新鮮生蠔的快樂

自駕法國的樂趣, 就係你可以無拘無束, 向東向西找好西. 完成了聖米歇爾山的旅程, 朋友仔做左功課, 帶我地一路向西, 揸50分鐘車左右去Cancale, 喺近海邊 Port de la Houle 有一個市集, 聽聞嗰度可以食到大大隻 "零" 號新鮮生蠔😋

坦坦白, 檸檬星星對生蠔沒有多大的認知, 只係知道buffet有得食生蠔, 每人每次限攞三隻, 就要再排隊😅 今次我又長知識, 原來所講的 No. 0、No. 1、No. 2、No. 3、No. 4，通常是指生蠔的尺寸等級（Size Grade），尤其常見於法國和歐洲市場。數字越小，生蠔越大。咁樣理解, 尺寸 ≠ 品質, 風味主要還取決於品種, 產地, 養殖海域, 同埋肥美程度（例如法國常說的 Fines、Spéciales 等等）.

我唔理... 一行到去市集, 見到有六七八檔賣緊, 就直接去買番打 "0" 號大隻生蠔吃下先, 一路👀住姐姐用熟練嘅摩打手開蠔, 我就好奇問下一日大約開多少?? 佢話around 1,500隻, 都真係幾好生意耶👏

一打蠔又點會滿足到我地班團友? 🤔🤔🤔
最後當然要encore, 每人食左十隻, 有大有細, 對住嗰海, 飲杯白酒慢慢歎🥂

大家食完d蠔殼會點處理, 就係一二三, 全部掃晒去岸邊, 個畫面都幾有趣, 攪到成個 "蠔殼堆田區"😵‍💫

食完就出番去岸邊燈塔附近散散步, 就又喺時候日落黃昏, 返酒店好好休息, 準備明天新的旅程...

再次感謝大家收睇 #檸檬星星日記, 下次再同大家繼續 #飲飲食食重新得力

The Joy of Hunting for No. 0 Fresh Oysters

One of the best things about a road trip in France is the freedom to go wherever you want in search of great food. After visiting Mont Saint-Michel, our friend suggested we drive about 50 minutes west to Cancale. Along the waterfront at Port de la Houle, there’s a lively market where, according to the locals, you can enjoy giant No. 0 fresh oysters. 😋

To be honest, I didn’t know much about oysters. My only experience was seeing them at hotel buffets, where you’re usually limited to three oysters each time then having to queue again! 😅 This time, I learned something new: the No. 0, No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, and No. 4 labels commonly used in France and across Europe refer to the size grade of the oysters. The smaller the number, the larger the oyster. Of course, size doesn’t equal quality—the flavour depends much more on the oyster variety, where it’s grown, the waters it’s comes from, and how plump it is (such as the French classifications like Fines and Spéciales).

But honestly… I didn’t care about it! The moment we arrived at the market and saw six or seven oyster stalls, we headed straight to buy a dozen No. 0 oysters. As I watched one of the ladies expertly shuck oysters with lightning speed, I couldn’t resist asking how many she opens in a day. She smiled and said, “Around 1,500.” That’s seriously impressive—and clearly business was booming! 👏

Of course, one dozen oysters was never going to satisfy our group. 🤔🤔🤔

So naturally… we went back for another round! By the end, each of us had eaten about ten oysters, a mix of large and small, while sitting by the sea with a glass of chilled white wine, taking our time and soaking in the view. 🥂

Ever wondered what happens to all those oyster shells? Well, after everyone finished eating, it was simply one, two, three… and all the shells were swept onto the shoreline! The growing piles of oyster shells created quite an amusing sight—it looked like an entire “oyster shell mountain.” 😵‍💫

After our seafood feast, we took a leisurely stroll towards the lighthouse by the coast. The sun was beginning to set, painting the sky with beautiful evening colours. It was the perfect way to end the day before heading back to the hotel for a good night’s rest, ready for another adventure tomorrow.

Once again, thank you for following along with . Until next time, we’ll continue our journey together! 🍋✨

03/08/2026

Huitres Creuses de Cancale No. 0

#檸檬星星日記
#飲飲食食重新得力

02/08/2026

法國聖米歇爾山｜唔止打卡修道院！離開人潮後，先發現佢最迷人嘅一面

提起 Mont-Saint-Michel（聖米歇爾山），相信好多人第一時間都會諗起「法國最夢幻地標」、「世界文化遺產」，又或者網上嗰張經典遠景相。整座修道院依山而建，由山腳一直延伸到山頂，最高處企住金色大天使米迦勒像，遠遠已經認得出，亦成為聖米歇爾山最具代表性嘅標誌。

第一次嚟，你可能會急住影相、行主街、睇修道院；但當你再嚟一次，反而會開始留意一啲之前錯過咗嘅風景。

檸檬星星已經唔係第一次到訪 Mont-Saint-Michel。今次重遊，我冇急住打卡，反而想放慢腳步，重新感受呢座千年小島。結果發現，原來佢最吸引我嘅，唔係人氣景點，而係藏喺山上嗰份難得嘅寧靜。

穿過城門後，石板路依然熱鬧，兩旁都係古老石屋、餐廳、小店同旅館，遊客熙來攘往，好有旅行氣氛。不過，只要離開主街，沿住石梯慢慢向修道院方向行，人潮就會愈來愈少。

行到高處，感覺就好似同下面變成兩個世界。

是日天公作美，藍天白雲配上一望無際嘅海灣，微風吹過，令人忍唔住停低腳步。企喺城牆邊，遠遠望住連接小島嘅長橋一直伸向對岸，看住一批又一批遊客慢慢步入聖米歇爾山，突然有一種好奇妙嘅感覺。

剛才自己都係橋上嘅其中一人，但呢一刻，企喺高處靜靜望返出去，好似換咗另一個角度欣賞呢個地方。

再慢慢行上去，走進修道院下面一個小教堂，氣氛同外面又完全唔同。

教堂入面好安靜，只見點亮咗唔同顏色嘅蠟燭，牆上貼有多種語言嘅禱文，讓來自世界各地嘅旅人都可以停低片刻，送上一個祝福。我亦喺其中一個祈禱室，見到一幅寫住「信、望、愛」嘅字畫，用中文寫成，喺法國一座千年修道院遇見熟悉嘅文字，心裏有種說不出嘅親切感。離開前，同神父輕輕講咗句「Bonjour」，互相問候，亦係旅途中一份細細嘅祝福。

教堂旁邊仲有一個唔算起眼嘅小墓園。

墓園唔大，冇乜遊客停留，只有簡單嘅十字架、石碑同幾棵老樹。四周靜得只聽到海風同海鷗聲，由呢度望出去，就係一大片遼闊嘅海灣，同山下熱鬧嘅街道形成強烈對比。

坐咗一陣，我不自覺會諗，點解以前嘅修士會選擇留喺呢度生活。

或者答案就喺眼前——冇車聲、冇城市嘅喧鬧，只有鐘聲、海風，同時間慢慢流過嘅感覺。即使今日一年有近300萬人到訪，只要願意多行幾級石梯，依然可以搵到屬於自己嘅一份平靜。

另外，今次重遊亦令我諗起另一個有趣冷知識。

原來英國 Cornwall 都有一座被稱為「姊妹山」嘅St Michael’s Mount。

兩座小島同樣以大天使米迦勒命名，都建有修道院，同樣坐落喺海上岩石之上。據說中世紀時，英國呢座 St Michael’s Mount 正正係受到法國聖米歇爾山啟發而建，兩地更曾經屬於同一修道院體系，所以無論外貌定歷史背景，都有好多相似之處。

如果你曾經去過 Cornwall，再嚟到 Mont-Saint-Michel，應該都會有種熟悉嘅感覺；但法國呢座始終更加宏偉，歷史感亦更加濃厚。

旅行，有時未必要不停去新地方。

同一個地方，再去一次，用另一種心情、另一個步伐去感受，往往會有完全唔同嘅體會。

今次我帶走嘅，唔係多幾張打卡相，而係山上嗰份安靜，同埋旅途中遇見嘅小感動。

多謝大家一直支持檸檬星星，希望之後可以繼續同大家分享更多旅途中容易錯過、但值得慢慢感受嘅風景。

See you next time. 👋

Mont-Saint-Michel, France | Beyond the Iconic Abbey – Discovering the Quiet Side of This Magical Island

When people think of Mont-Saint-Michel, the first things that usually come to mind are its fairytale-like silhouette, its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and that iconic postcard view that has become one of France’s most recognizable landmarks. Built on a rocky island, the medieval abbey rises layer by layer to the summit, where a golden statue of Saint Michael watches over the bay—a symbol that can be recognized from afar.

On your first visit, you’ll probably be busy taking photos, wandering through the main street, and exploring the famous abbey. But when you return for a second time, you begin to notice the little details you missed before.

This wasn’t my first visit to Mont-Saint-Michel. This time, instead of rushing from one photo spot to another, I wanted to slow down and experience this thousand-year-old island differently. What I discovered was that its greatest charm isn’t the famous landmarks—it’s the unexpected sense of peace hidden high above the crowds.

Once you pass through the ancient gate, you’re welcomed by lively cobbled streets lined with stone houses, restaurants, cafés, souvenir shops, and small hotels. The atmosphere is vibrant and full of life. Yet, if you leave the main street behind and start climbing the stone stairways towards the abbey, the crowds gradually disappear.

The higher I climbed, the more it felt like I had stepped into a completely different world.

The weather couldn’t have been better. Under a brilliant blue sky, the bay stretched endlessly into the distance, with a gentle breeze making it impossible not to pause for a moment. Standing on the old ramparts, I looked out towards the long bridge connecting the island to the mainland, watching visitors slowly make their way across.

Only moments earlier, I had been one of them.

Now, from above, it felt as though I was seeing Mont-Saint-Michel from an entirely new perspective.

As I continued upwards, I found a small chapel tucked beneath the abbey. The atmosphere there was completely different from outside.

The chapel was quiet and peaceful. Candles of different colours flickered softly, while prayers written in many languages covered the walls, allowing visitors from around the world to pause and offer a blessing. In one of the prayer rooms, I noticed a piece of Chinese calligraphy that read “Faith, Hope and Love.” Seeing familiar Chinese words inside a thousand-year-old French abbey brought an unexpected sense of warmth and connection. Before leaving, I exchanged a simple “Bonjour” with one of the priests—a small greeting that somehow became one of the most memorable moments of the journey.

Just outside the chapel lies a small cemetery that many visitors simply walk past.

It isn’t large—just a handful of simple crosses, weathered gravestones, and a few old trees. It was so quiet that the only sounds were the sea breeze and the cries of seagulls. Looking out from there, the panoramic view across the bay felt worlds away from the bustling streets below.

As I sat there for a while, I found myself wondering why generations of monks had chosen to spend their lives here.

Perhaps the answer was right in front of me.

No traffic. No city noise. Just church bells, the sea breeze, and the gentle feeling of time passing by. Even though Mont-Saint-Michel welcomes nearly three million visitors each year, all it takes is climbing a few extra flights of stone steps to discover your own peaceful corner.

This visit also reminded me of an interesting piece of history.

Across the English Channel in Cornwall stands St Michael’s Mount, often referred to as Mont-Saint-Michel’s “sister island.”

Both islands are dedicated to Saint Michael, both are built upon rocky tidal islands, and both are crowned by historic religious buildings. Historians believe that St Michael’s Mount was inspired by Mont-Saint-Michel, and during the Middle Ages, the two sites even belonged to the same monastic community.

If you’ve visited Cornwall before coming here, you’ll probably notice the similarities. Yet Mont-Saint-Michel feels grander, more dramatic, and carries an even deeper sense of history.

Travel isn’t always about visiting somewhere new.

Sometimes, returning to a familiar place with a different mindset allows you to experience it in a completely new way.

This time, what I brought home wasn’t just another collection of beautiful photos, but the quiet moments on the hill, and the small encounters that made the journey truly meaningful.

Thank you for always supporting . I hope to continue sharing more of the hidden moments and overlooked corners that make travelling so special.

See you next time. 👋

#檸檬星星日記
#飲飲食食重新得力

01/08/2026

Rouen 一日散步 ~ 法國的「童話小鎮」

Rouen（魯昂）的一天，就由甜品開始。本身以為只係一個歷史古城，去到先發現，根本係一個可以慢慢hea一日、食足一日、影足一日相嘅地方。

經過一間街角嘅 Boulangerie Pâtisserie，櫥窗擺滿牛角包、閃令令水果撻、Eclair……本身已經選擇困難，最後俾個柚子撻吸引咗。

一咬落去，即刻眼前一亮。我喺呢度食到一個近年最好食嘅柚子撻。

法國甜品成日俾人感覺好甜，但呢個完全唔係。柚子酸酸香香，仲帶少少天然苦味，配埋超香牛油撻底，清爽到好似幫個胃開咗機。食完甜點，梗係要飲咖啡。

走過隔離間 Prelude，點咗杯 Capp。舖頭唔大，但氣氛好舒服，一班朋友坐喺窗邊睇住街上嘅人慢慢行，我地就朋友仔, 傾下偈, 吹吹水講下心事. 你會發現 Rouen 最大魅力，就係冇人催你, Rouen 係叫你慢慢行。

出發入城行景點, 第一站去聖女貞德教堂。

老實講，第一次見到個外形，我個腦第一個反應係：「咦？呢個真係教堂？」遠睇成條魔鬼魚咁嘅樣, 同法國平時見到嗰啲哥德式教堂完全唔同，成座建築好現代; 入到去，我見到陽光穿過彩繪玻璃灑滿成個教堂，嗰種光唔係好誇張，而係靜靜地照落地下，成個空間即刻安靜晒。最特別係，呢啲彩繪玻璃其實已經有幾百年歷史，只係搬咗嚟呢座現代教堂。

但其實呢個地方，本身就係一個好沉重嘅歷史現場。係1431年，聖女貞德就係喺附近嘅舊市場廣場被處決。佢當時只係一個十幾歲嘅農村少女，但因為聲稱聽到神的指引，帶領法國軍隊打仗，最後被英軍俘虜，再以「異端」罪名喺Rouen被火刑處死。而呢座教堂本身，就係後來為咗紀念佢而建。

之後正式進入 Rouen 舊城。你一見到成條街嘅木骨屋, 真係有點似《哈利波特》電影入面嘅場景。有啲屋斜斜哋，有啲窗細細個，有啲外牆五顏六色, 呢度真係會影相影到停唔到手。

Lunch time，當然要食諾曼第名物——青口。一大鍋熱辣辣上枱，白酒奶油汁香到未食已經想攞薯條去點。係，法國人食青口，薯條先係靈魂。
我本身以為薯條只係配角，點知不停點汁、不停食，到最後連汁都差啲想飲埋。

食飽之後，慢慢行去 Gros-Horloge。呢個金色大時鐘真係靚過相。佢唔係特別巨大，但當你企喺下面望上去，配埋兩邊木骨屋，成條街即刻變咗中世紀。都真係幾有feel🥹

Final stop 係Rouen Cathedral。近距離望住教堂外牆，你會開始懷疑中世紀工匠究竟點做到。成面牆密密麻麻全部都係雕刻，細緻到誇張。原來唔同時間、唔同陽光，真係會變成另一座教堂。

Rouen 唔係一個好多景點嘅地方。係一座適合慢慢生活一日嘅城市。而當你肯放慢腳步，你會發現，原來最好嘅旅行，未必係去最多景點，而係有一日，乜都唔趕，只係好好享受眼前嘅風景。

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Rouen: A Fairytale Town in France Worth Wandering for a Day

A day in Rouen started with dessert.
Before coming here, I thought Rouen was simply a historic city. But once I arrived, I realized it's the kind of place where you can happily spend an entire day strolling, eating, taking photos, and doing absolutely nothing in a hurry.

As we wandered through the streets, we passed a corner boulangerie-pâtisserie. The display window was filled with buttery croissants, glossy fruit tarts, éclairs... Choosing just one was almost impossible, but in the end, a grapefruit tart caught my eye.

One bite, and I was genuinely amazed.

It was easily one of the best grapefruit tarts I've had in years.

French pastries are often known for being very sweet, but this one was beautifully balanced. The grapefruit was bright and fragrant, with just a hint of natural bitterness that paired perfectly with the rich, buttery tart crust. It felt incredibly refreshing—the perfect way to wake up both my taste buds and my appetite.

After dessert, of course, it was time for coffee.

We stopped by a small café called Prelude and ordered a cappuccino. The café wasn't large, but it had such a cozy atmosphere. Sitting by the window, we watched people wander past while we chatted, laughed, and caught up on life.

That's when I realized Rouen's greatest charm.

Nobody rushes you here.

The city seems to invite you to slow down.

Our sightseeing began at the Church of Saint Joan of Arc.

To be honest, my first reaction when I saw the building was, "Wait... is this really a church?"

From a distance, its sweeping roof almost looked like a giant manta ray, completely different from the Gothic cathedrals you usually imagine when you think of France. The architecture is strikingly modern.

Inside, sunlight streamed gently through centuries-old stained glass windows, filling the church with soft colors. The light wasn't dramatic—it quietly illuminated the floor, creating an atmosphere of peace and reflection.

What makes it even more special is that these stained glass windows are actually several hundred years old. They were preserved from an older church and carefully installed inside this modern building.

Yet behind its beauty lies a deeply moving history.

In 1431, Joan of Arc was executed in the nearby Old Market Square. She was only a teenage peasant girl who claimed to have heard God's guidance, inspiring the French army during the Hundred Years' War. She was later captured by the English, tried for heresy, and burned at the stake in Rouen.

This church was built later in her memory.

From there, we wandered into Rouen's Old Town.

The moment you see the rows of half-timbered houses, it's hard not to think of scenes from Harry Potter. Some buildings lean slightly to one side, others have tiny windows, and many are painted in cheerful colors. Every corner feels like a postcard, and you'll probably find yourself reaching for your camera every few steps.

When lunchtime arrived, there was only one choice: Normandy's famous mussels.

A huge steaming pot was placed on the table, filled with mussels in a fragrant white wine cream sauce. Before I even tasted the mussels, I was already dipping my fries into the sauce.

And yes—that's the real secret.

In France, when you order mussels, the fries are just as important.

I expected the fries to be a side dish, but I couldn't stop dipping them into the sauce until there was almost none left. By the end, I was tempted to drink the sauce straight from the pot.

After lunch, we slowly made our way to the Gros-Horloge.

The famous golden clock is even more beautiful in person than in photos. It's not especially enormous, but standing beneath it, surrounded by medieval timber-framed buildings on both sides, the whole street suddenly feels as though you've stepped back into the Middle Ages.

It has a magical atmosphere that's difficult to describe.

Our final stop was Rouen Cathedral.

Standing close to its façade, I couldn't help wondering how medieval craftsmen created something so incredibly intricate. Every inch of the exterior is covered in delicate carvings, each one astonishingly detailed.

It's no surprise that Claude Monet painted this cathedral over and over again—its appearance truly changes with the light. Morning, afternoon, evening... it almost feels like a completely different cathedral each time.

Rouen isn't a city packed with famous attractions.

Instead, it's a city made for slowing down.

When you're willing to walk a little slower, sit a little longer, and appreciate the little moments, you begin to realize that the best journeys aren't always about seeing the most places.

Sometimes, the most memorable travel day is simply one where nothing is rushed—and you allow yourself to fully enjoy the scenery right in front of you.

Thank you for supporting 🍋✨

#檸檬星星日記
#飲飲食食重新得力

31/07/2026

🇫🇷 路過 Calais（加來）... b-o-n-j-o-u-r

落船嗰一刻，正式踏上法國土地！🇫🇷

不過我哋冇急住衝去景點，反而搵咗個地方，同朋友仔開番個「旅行茶會」☕，一邊飲咖啡、一邊研究未來幾日嘅行程，呢啲慢活時刻，反而係旅行最舒服嘅一部分。

🚘 一出關即刻迎接第一個大挑戰——左右駕駛調轉！英國揸慣右軚，一過法國就變返左軚，加埋 roundabout（迴旋處）真係考反應😂。

揸咗大概半個鐘，就嚟到 Calais 市政廳及鐘樓。呢座被列入 UNESCO 世界文化遺產嘅建築，真係比想像中更加靚！法蘭德斯風格配埋高高嘅鐘樓，隨手影都好有歐洲感，打卡一流📸。

影完相，梗係要醫肚啦！朋友帶咗我去一間當地人都好鍾意嘅 Tea Room —— Sophie。一推門入去，即刻俾個超長 L 型蛋糕櫃吸引住😍。牛角包、泡芙、撻、蛋糕……全部都靚到好似藝術品咁，每款都想試，選擇困難症即刻發作🤣。朋友二話不說叫我一定要試佢最愛嘅 Lemon Tart。結果……真係冇介紹錯！😋

檸檬餡香濃但唔會酸到皺眉，甜酸比例啱啱好，撻底又夠鬆脆，配返杯 Capp，完全係幸福感爆燈嘅下午茶☕🍋。

有時旅行，最深刻未必係去咗幾多景點，而係一件蛋糕、一杯咖啡，同一班啱傾嘅朋友。

又係時候返酒店休息，準備今晚嘅晚餐。至於聽日去邊？遲d再同大家分享！😉 記得 CLS（Comment、Like、Share）支持下！👋🇫🇷

🇫🇷 Passing Through Calais… B-O-N-J-O-U-R!

The moment we rolled off the ferry, we officially set foot in France! 🇫🇷

Instead of rushing straight to the tourist spots, we found a cosy café, grabbed a coffee ☕, and had our little “travel planning meeting” to map out the next few days. Sometimes, these slow moments are actually the best part of travelling.

🚘 The first challenge after crossing the border? Driving on the opposite side of the road!

After getting used to driving on the left in the UK, switching back to the right in France definitely took some concentration 😂. And those roundabouts… every time I entered one, one second of distraction could easily send you the wrong way!

About 30 minutes later, we arrived at the Calais Town Hall and Belfry, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The beautiful Flemish-style architecture and the towering bell tower looked even more impressive in person. Every corner was picture-perfect and definitely Instagram-worthy 📸.

After taking plenty of photos, it was finally time for food!

A friend brought me to a local favourite tea room called Sophie. The moment we walked in, I was greeted by a huge L-shaped display filled with croissants, éclairs, tarts, cakes, pastries… honestly, everything looked like a piece of art 😍. I wanted to try them all and instantly suffered from serious decision paralysis 🤣.

Without hesitation, my friend insisted I order the Lemon Tart.

And wow… what a recommendation! 😋

The lemon filling was rich and silky without being overly sour, the sweetness was perfectly balanced, and the buttery tart shell was wonderfully crisp. Paired with a cappuccino, it was simply the perfect afternoon treat. ☕🍋

Travelling isn’t always about ticking off famous attractions.

Sometimes, the most unforgettable memories come from a slice of cake, a great cup of coffee, and good friends to share them with.

It was then time to head back to the hotel and get ready for dinner.

As for where we’re heading tomorrow… I’ll share that with you soon! 😉

Don’t forget to CLS (Comment • Like • Share) if you enjoyed the journey. See you in the next post! 👋🇫🇷

#檸檬星星日記
#飲飲食食重新得力

30/07/2026

咖啡獨處喺享受安靜、放鬆身心與自我對話的美好時光。透過一杯慢步調的咖啡，您可以閱讀、聽音樂或單純發呆，找回內心的平靜。☕️

Enjoying coffee alone is a wonderful way to embrace quiet, relax both body and mind, and reconnect with yourself. With a leisurely cup of coffee, you can read, listen to music, or simply let your mind wander, rediscovering a sense of inner peace.☕️

#檸檬星星日記
#飲飲食食重新得力

29/07/2026

過大海

一講到過大海, 相信香港朋友仔就會自自然然唱番首 ~ "大三巴、觀音像、媽閣廟，景緻真優美！" 🎤🎹🥁, 不過可能去馬交已經喺選擇坐大金巴🚌🚌🚌

喺英國嘅朋友, 原來都喜歡 "過大海", 由Dover這邊, 坐船去到 Calais (法國)那邊, 一團人成部車揸上船, 個半鐘就到啦, 短期三數天旅程..📣享受嗰種「真正由一個國家坐船去另一個國家」嘅感覺👏

檸檬星星就諗諗... 點解朋友仔喜歡坐船過大海嘅原因~ 首先係班次密, 估佢唔到... Dover 至 Calais 原來係歐洲最繁忙嘅渡輪航線之一，繁忙時幾乎每 30 分鐘就有一班船，時間安排好靈活; 另外船飛價錢都算好平, 今次我們一行四人, 連人帶車, 來回船票都係£149, 暑期旺季抵抵抵... 帶車同行仲可以自駕去法國、比利時甚至荷蘭，落船就可以直接開車繼續旅程，非常方便; finally, 安檢程序無咁繁複, 英法兩邊都一地兩檢, 整個流程坐在車中, 相對輕鬆, 上船cafe, 嘆杯咖啡, 吹下海風, 90分鐘就到達彼岸, #飲飲食食重新得力 🙋‍♂️🙋‍♀️ 船上設施有餐廳, 廁所, 免稅店... 小朋友就喺兒童天地kill下time, 打round賽車game🏎 ....船長就會廣播: "Ladies and Gentlemen, 我們已經到達 Calais, 請你小心返回車上, 準備落船, 多謝乘搭" (我自己作嘅👻)

happy happy... 檸檬星星暑期大旅程出發🥳 過大海, 去邊度, 我都唔知道... 下次再同大家share👋 See you next time. 記得 like 同follow #檸檬星星日記

Crossing the Sea

When you hear the phrase “crossing the sea”, Hong Kong friends will probably start singing, “The Ruins of St. Paul’s, the Kun Iam Statue, A-Ma Temple… what beautiful scenery!” 🎤🎹🥁 Back in the day, taking the ferry to Macau was part of the adventure. Nowadays, many people simply hop on the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge shuttle bus instead. 🚌🚌🚌

For those of us living in the UK, it turns out we also enjoy a good “sea crossing”! From Dover, it’s just a ferry ride across the English Channel to Calais, France. Everyone piles into the car, drives straight onto the ferry, and about 90 minutes later, you’re in another country. It’s perfect for a short 2–3 day getaway. 📣 There’s something special about actually sailing from one country to another—it makes the journey feel like part of the holiday. 👏

It got me wondering… why do so many people love taking the ferry?

First of all, the crossings are incredibly frequent. I was surprised to learn that the Dover–Calais route is one of the busiest ferry routes in Europe, with sailings every 30 minutes during busy periods. That makes planning super flexible.

Secondly, the fares are surprisingly affordable. This trip, there were four of us travelling with our car, and our return ferry tickets cost just £149 in the middle of the summer holidays. What a bargain! Having your own car also means you can continue driving through France, Belgium, or even the Netherlands as soon as you disembark.

Finally, the border checks are much simpler than I expected. UK and French immigration are both completed before boarding, so the whole process is done while you’re sitting comfortably in your car. Nice and stress-free!

Once on board, we grabbed a coffee at the café, enjoyed the sea breeze, and before we knew it, 90 minutes had flown by. 🙋‍♂️🙋‍♀️ The ferry has everything you need—a restaurant, toilets, a duty-free shop… and for the little ones, there’s a children’s play area and racing arcade games to help pass the time. 🏎

Then came the captain’s announcement:

“Ladies and gentlemen, we have now arrived in Calais. Please return carefully to your vehicles and prepare to disembark. Thank you for sailing with us.”

(Okay… I made that part up! 👻)

Happy holidays! 🥳

Starlemon's summer adventure has officially begun! We’ve crossed the sea… but where are we heading next? You’ll have to wait for the next post to find out.

See you next time! 👋

Don’t forget to Like & Follow 🍋⭐

#檸檬星星日記
#飲飲食食重新得力

28/07/2026

準備過大海... Dover to Calais
(特別鳴謝: 影片由讀者鄭小姐提供)

Getting ready to cross the sea… Dover to Calais
(Special Thanks: Video provided by reader Ms. Cheng)

#檸檬星星日記

25/07/2026

純粹紀錄: 25/7/2026

颱風"紅霞"即將迫近本港... 暴風雨前夕街上總是平靜, 喺香港嘅朋友請早點平安回家🙏

*相片由讀者李小姐提供

Just for the Record: 25/7/2026

Typhoon "Hongxia" is about to approach Hong Kong. Before a storm arrives, the streets always seem so calm. To all our friends in Hong Kong, please head home early and stay safe. 🙏

Photo provided by reader Ms. Li.

#上車請舉手

#檸檬星星日記

Starlemon's Diary 檸檬星星日記

04/08/2026

03/08/2026

03/08/2026

02/08/2026

01/08/2026

31/07/2026

30/07/2026

29/07/2026

28/07/2026

25/07/2026

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