It’s blardy good to be back after a grueling 5 day stint in Hong Kong. I missed my bed, my family, my stick insect!
My room was a pigeon hole masquarading as a hotel room. With barely enough space to manouver without suffering a concussion; it's claustaphobia inducing! I didn't even have room to pull out the stool lodged under the dresser.
Every hectic day starts at 7am and ends past midnight. We toured a total of 5 hospitals in different districts in Hong Kong and had to submit a report at the end of every day. Thankfully, we had a little spare time to squeeze in some time for sightseeing even though our tour leader was super ‘on the ball’.
Little wonder why I came back running a fever, coupled with a nose plugged with mucus and a hacking cough largely due to the wide gap in temperatures in and out of buildings. But, I'm alright now!! *kungfu stance*
On the whole, the trip was an eye opener. It provided me an opportunity to peer into the nursing structure and cultures that drive the healthcare industry in Hong Kong that would otherwise go un-noticed.
The people are a resilient bunch, withstanding 2 outbreaks of SARS, the shortage of nurses and the lack of resources in rural areas, Hong Kong has shown me that people can overcome obstacles just by sheer determination.
I applaud the nurses in Hong Kong for dealing with the countless stumbling blocks that pop out ever so often and praise them for their ingenuity in making the most out of every dire situation. Sharing their knowledge unselfishly through the learning sessions and through our many conversations, they rekindled my somewhat dormant passion for nursing.
Frontliners in the battle against SARS, these heroes live with the wave of threats that hover over the horizon, bravely facing the impending storm in the knowledge that they're protecting their loved ones.
My everyday Heroes
That aside, I must also say that the citizens of Hong Kong are an opportunistic clan. Be careful of your money especially when making purchases at night markets cause some shopkeepers tend to dish out foreign currency to the unwary. My colleague got conned..!!
And don’t be beguiled by the stupid salesgirl when she tells you that you’ll get a discount for buying some stuff, cause chances are, after you pay and enquire about the discount, she’ll say that the price flagged on the tag is already the discount rate.
Cheap Cheebye
Nonetheless, the food in the cha chan ting’s are lip smacking and the fabled milk tea lives up to the hype. I drank a barrel of the shit there! Hong Kong's not ridiculously cheap though. Desserts at Xu Liu Shan cost about SGD$7, while meals go around SGD$8-10. Prices for clothes are comparable to Singapore, so you really have to purchase wisely. The best way to bargain at night markets is to state your price and walk away (roughly 30-50% less of what is asked), although you should remember that the other party needs to eat.
Let'ss not be unreasonable here.
Although the shopping bargains require a little digging and perhaps a bit more persuasion, treasures still are abound in the little isle.
I bought Esprit from their Mongkok warehouse (thorough search neccessary), sanrio stuff, accessories and food!! Their calbee and nissin ranges are just jaw dropping and saliva inducing.
Calbee carbonara flavour. Nissin Spicy Beef Noodles. SLURP.
I'm salivating already!!!
A word of caution for Muslims. Do note the ingredient list on everything before you start eating. There's pork extracts even in Calbee potato chips (gyoza flavoured). And avoid the pastries because locals have a tendency to use lard as it helps boost flavour. Lao Por Bing and Mooncakes are definately out.
Hong Kong is a strange mix. Turn right and all you see are high rise building stretching to the sky, then turn left and a mountain stares at you.
The avenue of the stars sucked. The place was swarmed with tourists and it was extremely difficult to get a picture there. Though the Peak still offers a good view of the island, despite the crowds.
It was initially very disturbing to be in such a densely populated country. Even late at night, the streets are jam packed with people. It was very frustrating to jostle for space. I felt robbed of privacy. I had to adjust my bearings, and after a while, I managed to settle into life in HK.
The city really comes to life at night. Amidst the colourful neon signboards that stick out or tower above, competing for attention, I found myself enchanted by the life that this little country bubbles with. Nevermind that it's midnight. The stores remain open and the people are just as energetic.
The people are just as diverse as its landscape.. Often rumoured to boast of a city filled with style, I was quite surprised and disappointed. They appeared normal to me. Maybe I missed the fashionista-ic crowds over in TST?
Though I met a guy climbing up and down a ladder with a signboard hung his neck, advertising that he was looking for a girlfriend in the middle of Mongkok! He knelt when girls approached to read his sign and asked them (in cantonese) if they could be his girlfriend! Too bad I lost the damned picture, else I would post the pic EVERYWHERE.
Hehehehe..
I also witnessed a rally at 11.30pm. Yes, that late. For what, I also don't know.
If given the chance, money and time, I will return. Only this time, with the people I love, to roam the grounds more thoroughly and experience the sights and food with more insight and street smarts.
Its not fun to travel with strangers.
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Stick Insect and I went to Orchard today. We had our meal at my fave haunt, Lido's Crystal Jade. We had the black pepper beef, prawn with salted egg and broccoli with crab roe. YUMMY!!
As usual, the black pepper beef was happening! The prawn was quite good too, but the veg was a tad bland, thus not worth the $18 we paid foor. Pictures next time!!
Then we plopped down to Ngee Ann City, where almost every living, breathing woman was straddling an LV bag. How so many Singaporeans can afford it is simply beyond me. I'm assuming they have sold either their organs or on a time share business (read : prostitution). Seriously, 1 blardy bag costs a cool 1k. You so rich, better donate to me lah!
No wonder every company wants to raise its prices! Spoil market!!
We ended up at (evil, sure-cheat-my-money) Pull & Bear. Sure enough, we succumbed to temption and walked out with stuff in tow even though we know we're supposed to be saving for Taiwan.
Help us Lord!
Many, many thanks to Stick Insect for buying me a killer jacket (yes, again)!! She insists I hynotized her. Voodoo?! Hahaha.. This time, it's black with white pinstripes and also comes with a retractable hood that can be hidden in the collar. It's fully lined, thus able to keep me toasty even in cold weather! She should thank her lucky stars its cheaper then the adi jacket she bought previously. Heehehee...
She got herself a black high collared military inspired jacket, which I think is to-die-for too! Maybe you can buy me that also?!! Pretty Please?! *bambi eyes*
Thank God for stick insect *hands to heaven*
PS - Let's save a shout out for her mum, whose birthday just passed. Hurray for LEOs!
We trekked down to Centrepoint's Haagan Daz for ice cream later in the evening. Brownie explosion rocks! So did the berry cool smoothie...!! Can you hear my fat cells burping?!
Then ended the day by people watching and basically bitching about passer-bys. Heeheehee.. I missed my adventures with stick insect while I was in HK.
Tomorrow, I have 2 meetings to attend before I start my night duty. One's the debrief session for the Edu tour, the other's for some unheard, unknown focus group. It'll be my first time attending. I don't know who in the world nominated me. Lao Lao said it was some ADN I never had any contact with prior to this episode.
Please tell me why the hell am I so busy. Cause I'm simply clueless.
