15th of February — Less sightseeing for today though just as packed in terms of little surpises!
- Had set the alarm to wake me for 08:00 HKT though the evil “Snooze” function meant I didn’t really get my backside out of bed till closer 09:00 HKT though did manage to get myself ready and out of the hotel in a little over 30 minutes, which is very quick for me when still half asleep! ;)
- Off to Causeway Bay to get some brunch, though went a slightly different route today opting for the Nos. 7 down to the Star Ferry but then catching the ferry to Wan Chai as opposed to Central, allowing me to have a little wonder by foot
- Found a nice Shanghinese noodle shop which had a vast array of dishes. Settled for a bowl of Shanghi water dumplings, pan-fried with soup & pulled noodles… it wasn’t long till a huge bowl of noodles in soup with said Shanghi water dumpling on top arrived and in just a few mouthfuls had come to the conclusion it was absolutely delicious!
- Whilst I was eating, I happened to glance at the shop’s kitchen only to find that the pulled noodles were actually made fresh on site! Certainly explained why the noodles were extra tasty and was quite a joy to watch the chef transform a mass of dough the size of a large pillow into thousands of strands of pulled noodles in a few deft stretches, folds and twists!
- With belly sated and bill paid, I headed back out into the busy streets outside to wonder around on foot some more keeping in mind I was to meet Mr. Eric Ho at the Police Officer’s Club come 14:30 HKT. Spent quite a lot of time inside the hugh Time’s Square complex as this place was all new to me and noted that outside in the public sqaure, complete with hugh video display on the wall, there some bits of kit which gave themselves away as props for traditional Chinese dragon and lion dancers… the people were nowhere to be seen though. :(
- Arrived at the Police Officer’s Club at 14:30 HKT sharp, though Mr. Ho himself was held up in a meeting and so I waited in the lobby for about 30 minutes till he emerged from his office. He was kind enough to show me around in terms of what had changed around the club and what hadn’t when my father was still working there as the club’s Assistant Manager. I often came down during weekends to make use of the facilities such as the swings and the, rare even nowadays due to cost, ozone (as opposed to chlorine) treated swimming pool
- Also reminded myself to ask Mr. Ho for a certain Mr. Sandy MacAlister’s contact number, whom worked as the club’s General Manager… turns out he is still in Hong Kong working at the extremely exclusive Hong Kong Country Club and not gone off to Gibraltar (his wife is Gibraltarian). Mr. Ho phoned him up for me and asking if he’s free in the near future as there was someone he mind be surprised to hear from in his office that very moment. He was indeed most surprised to hear from me and almost straight off asked how myself, mum and dad were, obviously being quite shocked to her that mum had passed away nearly 2 years ago but otherwise myself and dad are doing well, all things considered
- There were actually a number of staff whom still works within the police force from when I was a wee lad, though all were away on holiday or at other sites, so arranged for 飲茶 (Yum Cha) at 13:00 HKT the very next day within the club at the on-site Chinese restaurant though minus Mr. MacAlister as he wouldn’t be able to get away from work. He did however invite me to give him a call so as to see him at the Hong Kong Country Club before he does finally jet off from 香港 (Hong Kong) with his family some 10 years later than my father or myself thought. However the destination for this re-patriation was to be to New Zealand, his home country
- So with Mr. Ho needing to have other things to attend to, I headed back into Causeway Bay. As I walked to through the World Trade Centre next to the Excelsior Hotel, I heard the sound of a very distinctive noise which I haven’t heard since my arrival back in 香港 (Hong Kong)…
- Quickening my steps towards the source of the noise, I was most pleased to have caught a dragon and lion dance at it’s prelude, the eye dotting ceremony with a huge crowd of people watching the performance. It was at this time I wish I had a digital camcorder with me, though I didn’t, so had to make do with taking lots and lots of photographs instead! ;) I was starting to get a bit worried that after so many days during Chinese New Year why I hadn’t seen such performances and it was good to have the fears quashed after being treated to quite a wonderful show of nimbleness, strength and dexterity
- Carried on with my wondering after the show slowly making my way back to the hotel on Kowloon side. Been quite a busy day already and just needed to catch my breath before going out to hunt for some dinner! Whilst updating the old website looking through the mass of photos taken so far already, I got a call from uncle to check with me the time I wish to scatter some flowers for mother. Due to the possibility for getting told off that one is “littering”, we agreed that it should be as early as possible, so up at 07:00 HKT tomorrow it shall be… Eeek! :D
- Time flies when you’re having fun or some such, only to realise it was now 20:00 HKT and I hadn’t had dinner yet, which explains why my poor stomach was a rumbling! Fancying some seafood and knowing that there were at least 6 large restaurants on 窩打老道 (Waterloo Road) within 10 minutes walk from where I was in the hotel, popped out for a little walk about.
- Since I fancied some seafood, since anything vaguely edible was seriously lacking in old Blighty, one of the restaurants which specialised in seafood seemed like a no-brainer! The waitress at the door was extremely helpful and treated me more like a son whom had just come home after many years abroad asking me what food I’d like and get the kitchen to literally cook something up!
- My heart (or perhaps that should be stomach?) was set on some stir-fried scallops but Sod’s Law dictated they didn’t have any left that night so par-boiled fresh water scrimps on one plate, and stir-fried greens and sliced beef on the other it was. Not to forget a good helping of plain rice! There was certainly enough food to feed 3 or 4 people and did surprise at least a couple of the staff as I had no problem putting the food away… can’t waste such nice, fresh and tasty food! ;)
- Too stuffed to finish all the food, not to mention it’s rude as far as Chinese table etiquette is concerned, I asked to settle the billed which very reasonably priced considering the amount of food that was served. Considering I needed to be up very early the next morning and current time just gone 22:00 HKT I walked the short distance back to the hotel to get a nice hot bath and some much needed kip
Tomorrow marks the 10th day meaning I’ll be half way through my trip in 香港 (Hong Kong)… are seeds of doubt in returning to Blighty setting in already?