I chose to spend my Valentines Day in Macau, alone, away from the constant reminders that I see all around me in Hong Kong.
I visited four new casinos that day, being Sands (where they offered a really fantastic seafood buffet lunch with lobsters, crabs, prawns, oysters, sashimi, sushi and more for the low price of AUD$30), Babylon (where the staff all dressed in costumes and their politeness in inviting visitors to sit down and gamble were first class), Wynn (where they offered free bottled water and food such as sandwiches and dim sims to all visitors) and Grand Lisboa (which was only opened for two days when I went there). It was interesting to see how they operated. The new casinos had a Las Vegas feel to them in terms of their decorations and structure but I did not bet at all mainly due to the fact that the other visitors there were rude and disgusting people from the mainland with a lack of manners in the way they gambled.
One interesting aspect I noticed is that all staff in these casinos are poor in English. Maybe I can get a job there if I want to escape from the normal life for a short while. But I think I would be disgusted by the actions of some of the gamblers there.
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Trip Diary - Valentines Day
Valentines Day is a big thing in Hong Kong. All forms of media are dedicated to that day. All cafes and restaurants have Valentines Day menu. There are sales at stores especially devoted for that day. On the day, there are many couples on the streets, with the girl holding a great big bunch of flowers.
For the single person with no girl friend, such bombardment of sight and sound can make one emotional.
Some people will say that businesses are out there to make a quick profit on that day. But if I have a partner that I love, I would be willing to be ripped off on the day, in exchange for the happiness and romance from my partner.
Who should be my partner? Someone I love or someone who loves me?
For the single person with no girl friend, such bombardment of sight and sound can make one emotional.
Some people will say that businesses are out there to make a quick profit on that day. But if I have a partner that I love, I would be willing to be ripped off on the day, in exchange for the happiness and romance from my partner.
Who should be my partner? Someone I love or someone who loves me?
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Trip Diary - drying clothes
Due to limited space and the large population, Hong Kong is full of high rise apartments in which many people are crammed into a small space.
One effect of living in an apartment is the lack of space for people to dry their clothes.
Some people prefer to dry their clothes in their toilets or in their bedroom. Others prefer to use their small balcony. Because there is usually no room in the balcony to put in place any type of washing lines, most people hang their clothes on wooden poles which they put in the ceiling of their balconies.
It is very difficult to use these poles. A special instrument is needed to take a pole down and you have to put the clothes through in a certain way to dry on these poles.
Now some interesting experiences from my attempt at drying clothes in Hong Kong.
The other day as I was trying to take the poles down with the instrument, I somehow was not able to adjust to the weight of the pole and the whole pole fell down onto the streets. Lucky no one was there or someone might be killed by the sheer force of a falling pole. I wonder what I would have done if someone did get killed.
Tonight, as I was trying to dry some clothes at 1.30am for my trip tomorrow, I went out onto the balcony in my briefs only, thinking that it would be fine as I was just out there for 3 minutes. But as soon as I walked out, a lady from the building across my building started staring at me. I quickly ran back inside and put on some shorts, after which she stopped staring and turned off the nights. I hope that noone took a video of me and posted it up on YouTube. Maybe that is the price I pay for being lazy and not putting on clothes before walking out onto the balcony.
One effect of living in an apartment is the lack of space for people to dry their clothes.
Some people prefer to dry their clothes in their toilets or in their bedroom. Others prefer to use their small balcony. Because there is usually no room in the balcony to put in place any type of washing lines, most people hang their clothes on wooden poles which they put in the ceiling of their balconies.
It is very difficult to use these poles. A special instrument is needed to take a pole down and you have to put the clothes through in a certain way to dry on these poles.
Now some interesting experiences from my attempt at drying clothes in Hong Kong.
The other day as I was trying to take the poles down with the instrument, I somehow was not able to adjust to the weight of the pole and the whole pole fell down onto the streets. Lucky no one was there or someone might be killed by the sheer force of a falling pole. I wonder what I would have done if someone did get killed.
Tonight, as I was trying to dry some clothes at 1.30am for my trip tomorrow, I went out onto the balcony in my briefs only, thinking that it would be fine as I was just out there for 3 minutes. But as soon as I walked out, a lady from the building across my building started staring at me. I quickly ran back inside and put on some shorts, after which she stopped staring and turned off the nights. I hope that noone took a video of me and posted it up on YouTube. Maybe that is the price I pay for being lazy and not putting on clothes before walking out onto the balcony.
Monday, February 12, 2007
Trip Diary - Tourist Attractions
What has Hong Kong got to offer apart from buildings after buildings of shopping centres?
The experience of hiking up to The Peak is unforgettable. Especially when it is dark. The path is steep and is not for the faint hearted. Maybe I am unfit or I was going too fast, but it was so difficult going up. I felt like my whole body was aching, my legs, my arms, my chest, my head... and I was not even half way up to the top. But along the way, the view was magnificient. But was it worth it? All I can say is that I truly appreciate my friend in organising this for me.
Hong Kong Museum of History is surprisingly interesting, with a wealth of information about the history of Hong Kong from pre-historical times to current era. The most interesting aspect is the replica of the buildings and landmarks from past eras. They were so realistic that I really felt that I was transported in time. This is a "must" place to visit - for locals and tourists alike.
The experience of hiking up to The Peak is unforgettable. Especially when it is dark. The path is steep and is not for the faint hearted. Maybe I am unfit or I was going too fast, but it was so difficult going up. I felt like my whole body was aching, my legs, my arms, my chest, my head... and I was not even half way up to the top. But along the way, the view was magnificient. But was it worth it? All I can say is that I truly appreciate my friend in organising this for me.
Hong Kong Museum of History is surprisingly interesting, with a wealth of information about the history of Hong Kong from pre-historical times to current era. The most interesting aspect is the replica of the buildings and landmarks from past eras. They were so realistic that I really felt that I was transported in time. This is a "must" place to visit - for locals and tourists alike.
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Trip diary - Foot massage
Foot massage is all the craze in Hong Kong now. Just about everyone I know in Hong Kong regularly goes to a foot massage centre.
It was not long ago that the massage industry has an image of being sleezy and is closely associated with the sex industry.
How fast things change.
Foot massage is seen as a healthy therapy, through which the masseur is able to discern, through certain parts of the soles of your feet, areas of your body that have problems. The whole process can be painful but also relaxing, depending on the state of your health.
I have tried this tonight, and it was a good experience. Although at times, the pressure can be a bit too great. The masseur also said that he knows I play alot of sports from massaging my feet and legs. This is not entirely accurate. But I have been walking alot over the past week so maybe this was the reason why the masseur thought that was the case.
It was not long ago that the massage industry has an image of being sleezy and is closely associated with the sex industry.
How fast things change.
Foot massage is seen as a healthy therapy, through which the masseur is able to discern, through certain parts of the soles of your feet, areas of your body that have problems. The whole process can be painful but also relaxing, depending on the state of your health.
I have tried this tonight, and it was a good experience. Although at times, the pressure can be a bit too great. The masseur also said that he knows I play alot of sports from massaging my feet and legs. This is not entirely accurate. But I have been walking alot over the past week so maybe this was the reason why the masseur thought that was the case.
Trip diary - Justin's concert
Didn't expect to see any concerts on my trip, but due to chance and coincidence, I was able to participate in the opening night of the concert of Justin Lo with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HKPO).
The concert was not as great as I expected, due to the following reasons:
1. Excessive use of drums and piano/keyboard - these instruments basically stole the whole show, and the sounds from these intrusments were louder than the orchestra, which results in the concert being like a pop concert without any orchestral resemblence.
2. No respect was given to HKPO by the audience, especially towards the end when they were standing up waiting for applause, but most of the audience have left and are leaving by then.
3. Fans were clapping and yelling at inappropriate times.
4. The arrangments in most songs were not innovative enough and did not cater for the use of the orchestra sound. Furthermore, some songs were not dissimimlar to the original, due to the excessive use of drums and piano/keyboard (see point 1 above). Therefore, the element of surprise is lacking in the concert.
5. There were some problems in the song order. For example, the use of the theme from Stars Wars followed up by a fast song brought atmosphere and liveliness, but this was followed by a slow ballad which dramatically dampened the atmosphere and the mood.
However, despite the above, I was emotionally touched by the concert. I could associate with Justin when he talked about the fact that he needs to love himself and allow others to love him, and needs to have a positive perspective on love. When he said that, I could see myself in that statement, especially with my pessimism on love (see previous blogs). When he sang "I'll be there" and "The greatest love of all", tears were forming in my ears and I realised that even if noone loves me in this world, Jesus still loves me and will always be there for me no matter what happens. It is not until that point that I realised how much comfort this knowledge is for me, and maybe for all the lonely people in the world.
The irony is that a high school kid made a similar comment a few weeks ago. But I did not truly appreciate this until now.
Through this concert I also understand why Justin is so popular in Sydney with the ABCs. Maybe it is because he is also caught between two cultures, like the ABCs. It is evident by his choice of songs for the concert (half of the concert was English songs) and the way he talked (he needed English words here and there in a sentence to describe his feelings). Maybe he is representative of a person who doesn't know where they belong and who needs to be loved, just like each one of us.
We are loved, by Jesus. We are citizens of the future kingdom of God. Let us continue to wait in hope and expectation until that final day.
The concert was not as great as I expected, due to the following reasons:
1. Excessive use of drums and piano/keyboard - these instruments basically stole the whole show, and the sounds from these intrusments were louder than the orchestra, which results in the concert being like a pop concert without any orchestral resemblence.
2. No respect was given to HKPO by the audience, especially towards the end when they were standing up waiting for applause, but most of the audience have left and are leaving by then.
3. Fans were clapping and yelling at inappropriate times.
4. The arrangments in most songs were not innovative enough and did not cater for the use of the orchestra sound. Furthermore, some songs were not dissimimlar to the original, due to the excessive use of drums and piano/keyboard (see point 1 above). Therefore, the element of surprise is lacking in the concert.
5. There were some problems in the song order. For example, the use of the theme from Stars Wars followed up by a fast song brought atmosphere and liveliness, but this was followed by a slow ballad which dramatically dampened the atmosphere and the mood.
However, despite the above, I was emotionally touched by the concert. I could associate with Justin when he talked about the fact that he needs to love himself and allow others to love him, and needs to have a positive perspective on love. When he said that, I could see myself in that statement, especially with my pessimism on love (see previous blogs). When he sang "I'll be there" and "The greatest love of all", tears were forming in my ears and I realised that even if noone loves me in this world, Jesus still loves me and will always be there for me no matter what happens. It is not until that point that I realised how much comfort this knowledge is for me, and maybe for all the lonely people in the world.
The irony is that a high school kid made a similar comment a few weeks ago. But I did not truly appreciate this until now.
Through this concert I also understand why Justin is so popular in Sydney with the ABCs. Maybe it is because he is also caught between two cultures, like the ABCs. It is evident by his choice of songs for the concert (half of the concert was English songs) and the way he talked (he needed English words here and there in a sentence to describe his feelings). Maybe he is representative of a person who doesn't know where they belong and who needs to be loved, just like each one of us.
We are loved, by Jesus. We are citizens of the future kingdom of God. Let us continue to wait in hope and expectation until that final day.
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Trip Diary - dividing class
There is a great dividing class in Hong Kong. Walking down from Soho after dining at a French restaurant, I saw a begger taking a bottle of Coke from the bins and drinking the few drops that were left in the bottle. I would be eating $15 won ton noodle soup one day, and a $125 sandwich at a hotel the next day. At a dai pai dong, there would be locals eating very cheap food, and we would be dining on the expensive live seafood we bought from the markets which we asked the dai pai dong to cook for us. There are old ladies collecting cans, and there are old ladies carrying bags of shopping from Gucci or Dior.
And people don't think there is anything wrong with this.
And people don't think there is anything wrong with this.
Trip Diary - Wedding
It is always a pleasure to participate in a friend's wedding, especially when you are bestowed with responsibilities and is appreciated by a friend. To be able to use my gifts to help others is very fulfilling.
Attending a wedding is as fun as you want it to be. You can sit there and sulk and lament on the fact that everyone else is getting married and you are still alone and single. Or you can enjoy the evening, the ambience and elegance of the venue, the aroma of the food and the company of old friends and collegues that you may have not seen for a number of years.
If all else fails, drink a few glasses of XO. Your spirits will surely be lifted up afterwards.
Attending a wedding is as fun as you want it to be. You can sit there and sulk and lament on the fact that everyone else is getting married and you are still alone and single. Or you can enjoy the evening, the ambience and elegance of the venue, the aroma of the food and the company of old friends and collegues that you may have not seen for a number of years.
If all else fails, drink a few glasses of XO. Your spirits will surely be lifted up afterwards.
Trip Diary - Emotional Bagage
Going on a trip to my initial hometown was meant to be a way for me to realise stress and emotions. But it seems like emotionally, my baggage is heavier and heavier with the people I meet.
There are certain people that I was looking forward to catching up with. I wanted to spend more time with them, as they are people whose friendship I cherish and treasure. However, they are very absorbed with their work or other commitments. I wanted to spend one on one time with them to talk about things more personal, but they do not have time for me, and the only time I would meet them would be in a group context where it would be hard for me and for them to share more personal things.
There are other people who complain that every time I am here, I do not have enough time to meet up with them. And when I try to make an appointment with them, they are not willing to confirm on a time and date, with the excuse that something else may come up. If that is the case, then why complain to me, if they are not willing to commit to a meeting time?
There are people who I normally do not contact but I will see them every time I am in my initial hometown. But some of these people I no longer have anything in common with and I would feel a sense of loss after meeting with these people, as I realise that our relationship is no longer the same. Maybe it is better for me not to contact them at all in the first place.
There are certain people that I was looking forward to catching up with. I wanted to spend more time with them, as they are people whose friendship I cherish and treasure. However, they are very absorbed with their work or other commitments. I wanted to spend one on one time with them to talk about things more personal, but they do not have time for me, and the only time I would meet them would be in a group context where it would be hard for me and for them to share more personal things.
There are other people who complain that every time I am here, I do not have enough time to meet up with them. And when I try to make an appointment with them, they are not willing to confirm on a time and date, with the excuse that something else may come up. If that is the case, then why complain to me, if they are not willing to commit to a meeting time?
There are people who I normally do not contact but I will see them every time I am in my initial hometown. But some of these people I no longer have anything in common with and I would feel a sense of loss after meeting with these people, as I realise that our relationship is no longer the same. Maybe it is better for me not to contact them at all in the first place.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
