One down...

Seating comfortably at the comfort of my home, in this dark chilly night, heaving a sigh of relief.
Finally done with the last Chillout event of the year and it will be a good break before we gear up again next year.
The preparation for the event today was hideous and it didn't come at the right time when i was already uber loaded.
I've to confess that i complained and whined like nobody's business and i'm glad that i had a dump ground every time i trashed.
Otherwise, i doubt i'll be able to sustain.
Just on one of the weeknights, i was drowned with so much frustration that i sobbed myself silly before the spreadsheets on my comp.
I couldn't identify the trigger but i guess it was an accumulation.
Oh well...i recognised that such venting is required occasionally, a prevention from going berserk.
At least one load off. =)

Since the first church wedding that i've coordinated for I & A, which i thought it was pretty fun and surreal, i've been en-tasked for my second attempt.
My favourite Uncle John has boldly given the job to me and as far as i can, i will not let him down.
But with the hideous preparation of the Chillout event, i didn't quite have the bandwidth to manage his wedding which is a week later. I could feel his stress and i was pressurized too.
The couple is concerned and the helpers are clueless. I could only assure them that the wedding will be carried out as planned. =p
Ok that will be the next in line. It has to be.

Before i doze off at the Christmas production (more details coming up...) meeting tomorrow, i think i better turn in.
Nitez!

Hong Kong v2

I rose naturally at 9ish but decided to have a little lie-in. Obviously it wasn’t a while that “little” coz when I eventually left the hotel, it was already passed noon.
A satisfying sleep - something which I made it a point whenever I go solo. Otherwise a break won't be a break.

Much anticipated, HK on a Sunday was jam packed.
Just a walk down the street and i was totally overwhelmed by the human traffic.
Somehow I managed to take refuge at a little mall where I had some local food at 大家乐 (Dai Ka Lok), a well-established fast-food chain in HK.
Despite trying very hard to convince myself that Siu Ngap (roasted duck) and Lai Cha (milk tea) SHOULD taste better in HK, my final verdict was just…alright.After a quick lunch, I took a train to Causeway Bay to see Times Square and Sogo.
I meant it when I said “see”. It was a swift touch and go since I wasn’t into upmarket shopping and the weekend crowd soon got a lil onto me.
Shortly after i've arrived at Times Square, it started raining.
Right...! That should be valid enough for me to rest my feet after....20 minutes of walk? Heh.
The agnes b delices at Lane Crawford looked so appealing that i simply couldn't resist but it was such a pity that i was too stuffed to down another slice of cake. Only managed a cup of latte. Again if we offer them “IA for Flagship Concept”, would they consider having one in Singapore?
Sad to day, i didn’t like Causeway Bay as I thought I would, largely due the congestion i guess. The shopping was a tad too upmarket for my liking but the vibrancy was pretty wowing.
Oh I enjoyed the sight of the Ding Ding tram cruising along the traffic, although i didn't get to ride on it. I didn't know where it starts!
It wasn’t long before I made my way to Victoria Peak. I could miss everything but definitely not this.
As I exited Central station to get to the tram terminal, i was overwhelmed by the large congregation of the Filipinos, picnicking above the station. Imagine all that you see at Lucky Plaza on Sunday, confined to Istana Park. The sound was rather interesting. Like a large flock of sparrows chirping at the same time!
The 15-minute walk wasn't as leisure as it was mentioned in the guide. Who would deem going up slope a leisure walk, you tell me?!
But when I finally arrived at the Peak Tram Lower Terminus, I was getting all excited!The tram ride up the hill was so breathtaking. Passing through bushes, beautiful houses and churches, such a surreal scenic experience. Unfortunately, it only lasted 8 minutes.
I headed to the Sky Terrace for a panoramic view of the city and the touristy picture taking. Risking my life of being blown away (after a downpour), I hurriedly snapped a few shots and took a couple mouthful of air before i seek shelter at the peak tower. Visibility was low anyway.
It was followed by Madame Tussauds museum. The wax figurines were rather amusing and i almost went berserk when i saw Aaaarrrron!!!!Shortly after sun set (which was usually 6pm), I took a bus down hill and had another enjoyable ride with a totally different experience from the ride up. I wished I could own one of those houses at half-peak man.

I landed at Central and by then, I was merely left with enough strength to drag myself back to the hotel.
Craving for deep fried food (strangely), I decided to takeaway at a fast food restaurant nearby and enjoy my dinner at the comfort of my humble room.
To my surprise, KFC here was fantastically delicious! The burger was stuffed with a thick slice of original chicken fillet, lettuce, tomato and egg mayo (!!!) . Topped with the winglets, fries and Portuguese egg tart (!!!). Y.u.m.z!
What a nice finale to end my day.

~ Felt a bit strange watching HK movies in HK. Everything seemed so near.

The Reward

The reward of my 3 years of misery and hardship.
Praise the Lord!

Hong Kong v1

I regretted a little to take the earliest flight at 9.45am as it was torturous to wake up before the sun was out.
I yawned my way to T3 and when I boarded the new double-deck A380, I fell asleep almost immediately.
It wasn’t long when I woke up and realized the plane was at a halt on the runway. Apparently it started pouring heavily when it disconnected from the aerobridge and hence delaying the takeoff. So zun.

After watching "The Management" and some nonsensical Winne the Pooh game, I finally stepped foot at the Chek Lap Kok Airport at 1.50pm.
Hello Hong Kong!! We met at last, after so many years of anticipation.
Without much of a hassle, I found the SkyeXpress Hotel Shuttle counter and received a personalized service with an escort who, led me to the bus, took the bus with me and helped me with the check-in at the hotel. But I guessed he was just on his way home. Hah.
Hotel Benito is a small boutique hotel situated along Cameron Road, Tsim Sha Tsui.
Upon entering the room, I couldn’t help but exclaimed a “SO SMALL?!” even with prior mental preparation.
I booked myself a double room which technically could sleep two people. But looking the space that was about one-third of a normal hotel room, I was glad that I was alone.
However i was rather pleased with this new and well-furnished room. Pretty cozy for a single traveler.After 1 hour plus of resting and channel surfing, with a map on hand, I decided to venture out and explore the vicinity. Little did I know that I was way too under-dressed! Attracted a few stares and scrutiny. Oops. =p
Started at Silvercord @ Canton Road which was just a five-minute walk from my hotel. True enough, as described by sLam, the mall really made me felt at home. With Singapore brands like Food Republic, Breadtalk and Toastbox, a good replica of Wisma.
However, much of my attention was drawn to the double-storey H&M!
After spending almost an hour there, I finally realized what the rave was about! You think if we offer the “Investment Allowance for Flagship Concept”, would they consider setting up one in Singapore?
By the time I ended at H&M, I was famished and tired.

Settled dinner at a canton restaurant at Harbour City. Far from delicious. How disappointing it was for the first meal in HK.
As I was strolling back to the hotel, I chanced upon the infamous Hoi Lau Shan (许留山) and decided to pop by to satisfy my sweet tooth.
Ordered a Dor Mong Siew Yun Zi (多芒小丸子) which literally meant (plenty of) mangoes with glutinous rice balls. It was a.w.e.s.o.m.e!
I knew I would be returning for more over the next few days of my stay. It was a good compensation to the lousy dinner.

Retired for the night at 12am.

~The uniform of Hong Kong policemen wasn’t as green as I thought leh.

Congrats Mr and Mrs Loy!

Who says jie meis have to be in colour-coordinated dresses?
We are cool man!