Hong Kong Diary

Well…now it’s 2 am and, despite a wonderful dinner with wine, a hot steam bath and a massage my eyes are as open as a Starbucks before the morning rush hour. Yesterday we visited the bird market where old men stroll with their pet birds in cages and chat to catch up. They believe they need to “walk their pets” to take in the fresh air. I’ve got pictures of the bird market and flower market I will send next. We went to the old Jade market in search of a Jade elephant for Olivia, and other presents for the rest of you, but our impression was that the trinkets there were no more jade than my plastic chopsticks are sterling silver.

We stopped for a dim sum lunch, basically dumplings, then visited a Buddhist nunnery after lunch. I must say this old atheist was mighty impressed. Buddhism promotes love, serenity, peace and eradication of suffering. No vengeful gods or Jihads. And those Buddhas are awfully cute! No personal trainers for them for sure.

Took a rest in the late afternoon then Dad and I went to Hutong for dinner. It looks like the Spice Market in New York but we had views of Hong Kong island and the nightly light show. The food was divine – it was the Beggars Chicken that we ordered in advance from the US and it was worth every effort. Very “in” restaurant and best chicken ever! Dad was a little scared to smash the clay with the duly provided mallet but once he got into it his aggression and his ancestors aggression were released! Amen.