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Published: August 8th 2007
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After 6 months of being away, we are finally back in the continent where we started. However the adventure has just begun. From Hong Kong, we fly to Sri Lanka. We tried to check in on the 3rd as per scheduled only to find that Cathay Pacific had cancelled the flight to Colombo due to a bus bomb that killed at least 16 people on the 2nd. We were kinldy put up in the Airport Hotel with full buffet meals provided. We could not ask for more luxury on our little backpacking adventure!
But I'm getting ahead of myself, lets talk about Hong Kong instead.
We arrived bright and early at about 7am on the 29th of March, entering this dynamic city all bleary eyed from the jet lag and wondering how San was going to celebrate her birthday (a bed and a sleep through it would have been ideal at that moment!). True to the sniff and snore style, we got seperated from each other trying to find the Octopus Transport Card counter to get our bus passes - with San rushing ahead to ask around where counter was and Richy trying to manouver the trolley against a
thick crowd. Half and hour later, through the magic of mobiles, we finally relocate each other and the heavens opened with a thunderstorm of 2 black faced travel companions who refused to talk to each other for the next hour on the bus.
Putting that aside, we stayed in a studio apartment rented from
Studiostudio (alternatively another company to try is studio-9.com.hk). With en suite facilities, microwave, tv and fridge, not forgetting the bed and table and cupboard, it all fitted very well into the 30sq ft. space! We certainly liked it as it was a little home for once without the hostel atmosphere (which costs about the same with shared facilities). Just behind Times Square, in
Causeway Bay, it was a great location with the bus route and MTR all 2 minutes walk away. The added bonus is that on the first floor of the building, there was a foot and body massage shop (about $12 for a 45 min footie - great price!) and a really traditional barbers. Talk about have things a stone throws away!
Because the experience in the barbers was so memorable, I just can't but take some of your time by sharing
it with you. Any of you who have watched a TVB HK drama series will fully relate to this scene. Richy went in for his ritual regular head mowing and once we stepped in, we were beamed back into time. All the customers that walked through the door averaged about 60 years of age and with their regular hairdressers, they have developed a friendship cemented through time. Through the gestures, body language and verbal banters, one could tell the years of familiarity. This was a place better that Cheers "where everybody knew your name", it was the Hairdressers "where everybody knew your life". Both men and women walked through the door and once settled into their chair, eyelids would flutter and a smile would creep onto their face amidst the loud chatter around topics such as health and age luminated under harsh flourescent lighting. What a scene - every haircut that Richy has, it tells a story of the place. Its a great advantage to need a haircut every 2 weeks. One of the planned themes of the journey video has got to be "Trip through the world of the Barbers".
Thanks to Neil who helped us get tickets
for the
HK Rugby 7's, we went along to this world famous party, come international sporting event. For us virgins, we had to go to the South stand to see what the fuss is all about. It is famed for its continuous drinking and wild beer flinging on the 2nd and 3rd day. That first day, although relatively calm, the party was already building up and when the French came out, the whole place filled with the chant of "We hate the French!" - that must be tradition too as France played the States in the opening match making it difficult for spectators to choose who they hated more! Neil comment was classic, "We've only hated the US recently. We've hated the French for a long time!"
Thanks to Neil, we were brought into one the corporate boxes for the next 2 days. With the alcohol free flowing, it would have ordinarily been hard to concentrate on the game but this IS the HK7's. The atmosphere is electrifying with the games becoming better and better and top teams began to play against another evenly matched one. With 14 minutes to decide a winner and loser, the speed that these
men run and tackle takes the breath away (no, it has nothing to do with the rippling muscles under the tight rugby shirts! The Welsh retained the plate after coming from behind and Samoa won the cup. The 3 days ended with a great fireworks display in the stadium. What a way to have spent those days!
Thanks once again Neil, best wishes to you and Sunny with the little one due in June!! Now the
food.😊 You never ever go to HK and don't talking about the food. The smells waft into your nostrils every street you walk down. Smells of Char Siew, broasted birds of all sorts, wonton noodles and hot pot stalls, the colours of orange squid, store front neon lights flashing invitingly, permeate every street and every corner. Even in our studio apartment, we woke up smelling the food coming from the streets below. In fact, we looked forward to having a shower in the morning as that was where the smells were the strongest. After a number of months, I say, GIVE ME MY MSG! Combined with coffee it is the only chemical combination that gave you the *zing* to keep up with the
speed in which HK moves and grooves.
We didn't have time to do any sightseeing but will definitely be heading to Ocean Park, the Wetlands conservation area and the Peak, the next time we come on transit again in August. The child in us can't wait (and for the one that just turned 31 the child in her is just screaming to get out and play on the rides in Ocean Park!!!!!!!! Deja Vu just 16 years later!)
Just managed to buy a card reader for the XD card in the new point-n-shoot camera from HK.
Next on 'the blog'..... Mumbo Jumbo in Colombo....
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David Ng
non-member comment
Well it's about time!!!
Hi San and Rich, As stated in the title - Well it's about time you guys pop back into this part of the world and a nice part I must say. Food everywhere! As you will be stoping in Sri Lanka, saw it in Discovery Channel about the mountain where they call it Adam's Footprint or something. Should be quite a visit with lot's of local folklore and fantastic stories. Will catch you in your next entry. Till then travel safe and take care.