Last night, the internet access in hotel was down and thus I was unable to update my blog. The discussions ended slightly after 6pm. Weather became colder and it was quite windy. I wanted to look for a cheap food stall to have my dinner but I was unable to find one on my way to Aveune of Stars. I reached there before 7pm and waited in cold and hunger till 8pm to watch 15min of Symphony of Light.
The tall buildings in HK island around Victoria Harbour has plenty of neon lights on their walls.
During the performance, some buildings have laser beams at their top.
The performance was average.
By the time I reached the start of Nathan Road, it was about 8.30pm. I rushed to the noodle stall which I have had my dinner on Day 1. This time, I knew what to order and had a good dinner.
I even have time to buy wife's biscuits at Wind Wah Bakery before this shop closes for the day.
Today was the last official day in this working trip. Participants were busy taking photos and saving each other's files for future reference. I requested to interview an officer who rushed from Airport to Office after his work to meet me. I have no choice since I needed his advice urgently.
After our discussion, I treated him a simple late lunch.
I bidded farewell to Sandy before I walked back to my hotel.
I felt totally drained though I did not do anything physically demanding at all.
I decided to try the famous claypot rice which was just a couple of streets from the hotel. I went to Ladies Market to see if I could buy any cheap t-shirts. One of the stalls sold 4 for HKD 100. I walked further and found 5 for HKD 100. I was unsure if I could bargain. In the end, with my broken cantonese, I managed to get 5 for HKD 90.
I was hungry and walked to join the long queue at "4 seasons" 煲仔饭. The queue was unreasonably long and the price of 煲仔饭 was HKD 22. If you think the long queue is due to the cheap price, then you are wrong as just next to this stall, there is a stall which sells 煲仔饭 at HKD 18 but its queue is short!
Can you imagine that I stood for 1.5hr in the cold and windy weather conditions just to eat this 煲仔饭? I must be nuts! Even some of the locals childed the people in the queue and that includes me!
When I returned to my room in the hotel to try the newly bought t-shirts, I realised that L size was too big! OMG, what should I do and the time was close to 11pm. I rushed to Ladies Street again. Luckily that stall was still open though some had already started keeping their goods. The salesgirl allowed me to change to M size. I chose a S size for the Angry Birds t-shirt and hope that Isa would like it.
The bus will leave the hotel at 12.25pm. What should I do after my breakfast?
Friday, December 09, 2011
Wednesday, December 07, 2011
Day 4 in HK
The morning started with a discussion among our group (Malaysia, Indonesia and PNG). We decided some common matters we face and then discussed ways to handle. At times, we involved the lecturers for further advice too.
Time flies and we didnt really have our tea-break. We merely brought our coffee/tea & snacks to our seats to ensure no disruption to our discussions.
At 12.30pm, it was time for lunch. Luckily, the Office arranged an internal buffet again. Then I realised how hungry I was. Others also realised that they were very hungry. I guess we used too much brain energy during our discussion.
It was a long journey to the Airport. The security clearance took quite some time because we were foreigners. Finally we entered the restricted area. We could see the aeroplanes take off or land.
The visibility was low due to haze. However, we managed to see A380 S'pore Airlines taking off.
By the time we left, it was close to 5pm. Though the Big Buddha was on the same Lantau Island, however, the journey was long. By the time we reached the Big Buddha, it was 5.45pm. The shops in Nyong Ping Village were about to close. The sky has darkened. We saw the Big Buddha from a distance. This is totally out of my expectations. What a disappointment!
When we reached the hotel, it was 7pm. However, I was not hungry at all. I think the heavy lunch has helped and I could take a late dinner.
I found 榮華, 奇華, 恒香 and 鉅記 Bakery Shops. 榮華 offers more choices of favour with nicer packaging but prices most expensive. The salesgirl remembered that I would come to buy on Sat morning! I noted the prices too so that I could decide how many boxes I could buy. However, I must bear in mind how to pack them with my small luggages.
I have wanted to go to Temple Street to settle my dinner. However, on my way back to hotel, I found 海皇粥店 and had a bowl of fish and beef porridge (HKD 21). The taste was average. I would try the claypot rice at Temple Street tomorrow.
Oh dear, I have yet to walk to Avenue of Stars. I have initially planned to do it on the day I arrived. Now I can only pray for good weather so that I can do it either on Fri afternoon or Sat morning. I would like to walk around Avenue of Stars, take Star Ferry to Central in HK Island, walk to Wan Chai to take the return ferry back to Kowloon.
Time flies and we didnt really have our tea-break. We merely brought our coffee/tea & snacks to our seats to ensure no disruption to our discussions.
At 12.30pm, it was time for lunch. Luckily, the Office arranged an internal buffet again. Then I realised how hungry I was. Others also realised that they were very hungry. I guess we used too much brain energy during our discussion.
It was a long journey to the Airport. The security clearance took quite some time because we were foreigners. Finally we entered the restricted area. We could see the aeroplanes take off or land.
The visibility was low due to haze. However, we managed to see A380 S'pore Airlines taking off.
By the time we left, it was close to 5pm. Though the Big Buddha was on the same Lantau Island, however, the journey was long. By the time we reached the Big Buddha, it was 5.45pm. The shops in Nyong Ping Village were about to close. The sky has darkened. We saw the Big Buddha from a distance. This is totally out of my expectations. What a disappointment!
When we reached the hotel, it was 7pm. However, I was not hungry at all. I think the heavy lunch has helped and I could take a late dinner.
I found 榮華, 奇華, 恒香 and 鉅記 Bakery Shops. 榮華 offers more choices of favour with nicer packaging but prices most expensive. The salesgirl remembered that I would come to buy on Sat morning! I noted the prices too so that I could decide how many boxes I could buy. However, I must bear in mind how to pack them with my small luggages.
I have wanted to go to Temple Street to settle my dinner. However, on my way back to hotel, I found 海皇粥店 and had a bowl of fish and beef porridge (HKD 21). The taste was average. I would try the claypot rice at Temple Street tomorrow.
Oh dear, I have yet to walk to Avenue of Stars. I have initially planned to do it on the day I arrived. Now I can only pray for good weather so that I can do it either on Fri afternoon or Sat morning. I would like to walk around Avenue of Stars, take Star Ferry to Central in HK Island, walk to Wan Chai to take the return ferry back to Kowloon.
Tuesday, December 06, 2011
Day 3 in HK
During the breakfast, I took the chance to talk to representative from Thailand. It is really a small world. His boss is Yaovapa, whom I knew many years ago during an overseas meeting.
The whole day was filled with small group discussions and presentations by lecturers and participants. I will be giving my presentation on Thursday.
During the coffee-tea breaks, I grabbed the chance to talk to more participants to establish working relationships. Sometimes I really wonder if such a meeting is meant for networking and distributing my name-card.
As lunch was not provided, I bumped into the representative from Japan on my way for lunch. We had lunch together at a nearby shop. We ate noodles (HKD 33). I took the chance to know more about the services provided by his company.
Sandy met me after her work. She drove me to her flat in Hung Hom. Her flat has 4 rooms and 2 toilets. The floor area is about 68m2. The rooms are definitely bigger than Li's flat in Tai Po. Her maid whipped out a feast. I really enjoyed the food, even better than yesterday's dinner at the restaurant. So a home-made meal is always better than out-side food.
I have yet to buy any souvenirs!
Tomorrow after lunch, we will visit the Office and then the Great Buddha in Lantau Island. Once back to the hotel, I will walk towards Mongkok MTR to look for Kee Wah Bakery and Koi Kei Bakery.
The whole day was filled with small group discussions and presentations by lecturers and participants. I will be giving my presentation on Thursday.
During the coffee-tea breaks, I grabbed the chance to talk to more participants to establish working relationships. Sometimes I really wonder if such a meeting is meant for networking and distributing my name-card.
As lunch was not provided, I bumped into the representative from Japan on my way for lunch. We had lunch together at a nearby shop. We ate noodles (HKD 33). I took the chance to know more about the services provided by his company.
Sandy met me after her work. She drove me to her flat in Hung Hom. Her flat has 4 rooms and 2 toilets. The floor area is about 68m2. The rooms are definitely bigger than Li's flat in Tai Po. Her maid whipped out a feast. I really enjoyed the food, even better than yesterday's dinner at the restaurant. So a home-made meal is always better than out-side food.
I have yet to buy any souvenirs!
Tomorrow after lunch, we will visit the Office and then the Great Buddha in Lantau Island. Once back to the hotel, I will walk towards Mongkok MTR to look for Kee Wah Bakery and Koi Kei Bakery.
Monday, December 05, 2011
Day 2 in HK
During the breakfast in the hotel, I met Kent and Michelle. We chat briefly as we knew we would discuss more during the workshop.
The breakfast was ok; mainly chinese food with fried noodles, shrimp dumpling, shaomai, bau etc. I was surprised that Kent knew how to use the chopsticks correctly. He told me he spent some days in China. During that period, he either learnt how to use the chopsticks or starve.
A mini-bus brought 21 participants together with 2 lecturers to the Office. A walk to the Office would be about 20-30 min. The journey took a slightly shorter time because the traffic was heavy.
I met more participants from other countries. There are quite a few from Cook Island, Kirabati, Solomon Islands etc which I do not know where exactly these countries are. What a shame!
Finally I met my ex-classmate of 20 years! She looked the same, except slightly fatter. Growing fat is normal and common at our age. We talked briefly and agreed to meet for dinner.
Kent, Michelle and Queenie delivered their lectures. Chris delivered his using webinar. His voice was loud and clear. This is a new learning experience. This helped to save cost and time as Chris did not have to come to HK to deliver his lecture.
A buffet lunch was hosted by the organiser. The spread was of great variety with chinese, western and japanese food. During lunch, I met Edwin and was introduced to Shawn. Edwin did not seem to remember that we have met about 20 years ago in Paris. However, I was pretty sure as I still have the photo with him on a glass boat cruise on River Seine.
It seemed that Shawn would be a better person to provide advice to my questions. However, I have yet to find time to discuss with him. I made an appointment with him to discuss more tomorrow morning.
At 5pm+, Sandy came and I visited her office to know more about her office and work. We went to a chinese restaurant and had a good dinner. We talked almost everything under the Sun. She even remembered things such as spending about GBP 600 to tour Scandinavian countries, bringing a small rice cooker to cook rice during our tour, trying to find a power source to connect to our rice cooker in the room of a hostel, having just bread and jam as meals to save cost etc.
We tried to catch up since our last meet-up about 13 years ago. Her 2 sons are aged 13 and 10. The elder is even taller than her. Her husband is still in the same line but grown fatter. They are still living in the same place.
Sandy and I agreed to meet again for dinner tomorrow night but at her home.
The breakfast was ok; mainly chinese food with fried noodles, shrimp dumpling, shaomai, bau etc. I was surprised that Kent knew how to use the chopsticks correctly. He told me he spent some days in China. During that period, he either learnt how to use the chopsticks or starve.
A mini-bus brought 21 participants together with 2 lecturers to the Office. A walk to the Office would be about 20-30 min. The journey took a slightly shorter time because the traffic was heavy.
I met more participants from other countries. There are quite a few from Cook Island, Kirabati, Solomon Islands etc which I do not know where exactly these countries are. What a shame!
Finally I met my ex-classmate of 20 years! She looked the same, except slightly fatter. Growing fat is normal and common at our age. We talked briefly and agreed to meet for dinner.
Kent, Michelle and Queenie delivered their lectures. Chris delivered his using webinar. His voice was loud and clear. This is a new learning experience. This helped to save cost and time as Chris did not have to come to HK to deliver his lecture.
A buffet lunch was hosted by the organiser. The spread was of great variety with chinese, western and japanese food. During lunch, I met Edwin and was introduced to Shawn. Edwin did not seem to remember that we have met about 20 years ago in Paris. However, I was pretty sure as I still have the photo with him on a glass boat cruise on River Seine.
It seemed that Shawn would be a better person to provide advice to my questions. However, I have yet to find time to discuss with him. I made an appointment with him to discuss more tomorrow morning.
At 5pm+, Sandy came and I visited her office to know more about her office and work. We went to a chinese restaurant and had a good dinner. We talked almost everything under the Sun. She even remembered things such as spending about GBP 600 to tour Scandinavian countries, bringing a small rice cooker to cook rice during our tour, trying to find a power source to connect to our rice cooker in the room of a hostel, having just bread and jam as meals to save cost etc.
We tried to catch up since our last meet-up about 13 years ago. Her 2 sons are aged 13 and 10. The elder is even taller than her. Her husband is still in the same line but grown fatter. They are still living in the same place.
Sandy and I agreed to meet again for dinner tomorrow night but at her home.
Sunday, December 04, 2011
Day 1 in HK
I took a morning flight to Hong Kong. This is my first time boarding A380. Of course I took the chance to select mt seat in the upper deck. The aerobridge brought me straight to the upper deck. I did not venture to the main deck during the 3 hr 20 min flight as I was busy watching the inflight movie Wu Xia by Donnie Yen.
The flight touched down at about 1.30pm, by the time I cleared the immigration, collected my luggage and when I reached the booth to take the airport bus, it was close to 3pm. The journey from airport to the hotel was about an hour.
Frankly speaking, I did not find much difference between a normal flight and a A380 flight.
After dropping off my luggage, I immediately walked to Tung Choi Street, Fa Yuen Street and GoldFish Market Street. Like what has been mentioned in the net, there are many stalls selling fishes. I saw some shops selling hamsters, their food and accessories. A small food bowl costs HKD20. With an estimate of HKD10 = S$1.70, the prices here are similar to home.
I saw the building affected by the fire in Fa Yuen Street. A small section of this street is sealed due to this fire. The building was blackened and people said the fire must be bad.
As I walked, I was worried if I would lost my way, though I have a map. My sense of orientation is terribly lousy. After a few turns, I will be lost. Thus I dare not venture far and merely walk up and down Nathan Road.
On my way back to hotel, I found plenty of shops selling noodles and rice in Temple Street which is within walking distance. I will try the food tomorrow night.
The flight touched down at about 1.30pm, by the time I cleared the immigration, collected my luggage and when I reached the booth to take the airport bus, it was close to 3pm. The journey from airport to the hotel was about an hour.
Frankly speaking, I did not find much difference between a normal flight and a A380 flight.
After dropping off my luggage, I immediately walked to Tung Choi Street, Fa Yuen Street and GoldFish Market Street. Like what has been mentioned in the net, there are many stalls selling fishes. I saw some shops selling hamsters, their food and accessories. A small food bowl costs HKD20. With an estimate of HKD10 = S$1.70, the prices here are similar to home.
I saw the building affected by the fire in Fa Yuen Street. A small section of this street is sealed due to this fire. The building was blackened and people said the fire must be bad.
As I walked, I was worried if I would lost my way, though I have a map. My sense of orientation is terribly lousy. After a few turns, I will be lost. Thus I dare not venture far and merely walk up and down Nathan Road.
On my way back to hotel, I found plenty of shops selling noodles and rice in Temple Street which is within walking distance. I will try the food tomorrow night.
Saturday, December 03, 2011
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