HaVeN CiTy

Before I get started, I just wanna say a MASSIVE Thank You/Mg Goi/Arigato to everyone who contributed to this truly great vacation. It kicked off with a bang, and it ended on a high. Karl, Chris, Rachid, Chemie, Phong, Imran, Law, Kar Yee, Kevin, Milla, Prudence, Kelly, Vivian, Chris' family, Emi (shame didn't get to see you), Amy, Diana, Andy et al...

I salute you all *bows*

Day 1 - Tribeca

It begins. Left Heathrow after everyone apart from me spending yonks chatting to Angela :) We're going on holilday :D Smooth flight.

Arrived in HK at about 5:30 local time with Chris' parents meeting us, and picked up Octopus. We're here! The heat... it just hits you, especially coming from chilly London. A12 bus to Causeway Bay...first glimpse of the sights of HK - the suspension bridge, the port and the tall buidings. Excitement builds.

Reach hotel and feedback is positive. Shower and head out to Causeway Bay, Times Sqaure and Sogo. Wow. The whole place is buzzing. Window shopping before meeting Karl's bro for Szechuan dinner.

And then the holiday really starts. Link with Chemie and her crew to head to Tribeca, a club in Wan Chai apparently popular with BBCs. 200 HKD to get in with unlimited drinks, although some of them do taste funny. We then proceed to dance the night away. Chris dances but develops a bad habit of squashing vulnerable toes.

Stumble out at 3:30am rather worse for wear and wander the streets for a while before finally finding our way back to Causeway via Circle K. Chris insists on turning the light despite it waking poor Rachid.

THE HOLIDAY HAS BEGUN

Day 2 - Hei Hei

Boy it was hard to get up, missed breakfast. A taste of things to come. Decided to hit Stanley Market in Central on the lookout for cheap digital cameras. Slightly underwhelmed and with Rachid snapping away there may well be little point buying one after all :p

Head up the Mid-Level Escalators, and up, and up and up. Get a call from Kar Yee to meet up in central but get lost and end up in Sheung Wan. Link up eventually and head up to Mong Kok. First time on Kowloon side...

Spy the Ladies Market and an interesting badminton shop before hunting for a laptop in Monkok Computer Centre. On the lookout for a 17" monster multimedia and entertainment system, but nothing much on offer. Head for cheapo char sui fan in Fairwood. Waitress lady asks if I've finished, I reply yes, but she turns around and walks off instead of taking my tray. Strange.

Head to Sham Sui Po and Mcdonald's for a chocolate sundae before looking for Internet so I can access my shopping list. Find a dingy hot room full of ten-year old kids playing Counterstrike. We use Net for 10 mins and pay $1. Generous.

And then the fun begins, as we enter the world of dodgy computer and video games, a.k.a. Golden Centre. Karl comes into his own and, armed with my Ds Lite spec (kindly donated by Chas), proceeds to do some wheeling and dealing to get us our electronics. Then follows 3.5 hours of observing as our FOUR DS Lites and one PSP are set up. You can see the dollar signs in their eyes. Kar Yee leaves for dinner and soon Chris does the same. We leave at about 8:15 heavily laden with consoles.

Dinner with Prudence - Japanese in Admiralty. Gosh do they seriously call that a glass of wine? Anyway. We then head off to Lan Kwai Fong to meet up with Chemie and her crew and hit Hei Hei Club. We kick off the dancing and everyone follows, soon the dance floor is rammed and you can't move. Rachid dances. A lot of alcohol is downed and a lot of fun is had. Chemie wants more, just 15 minutes more. That's how good the place was :p

Eventually we stumble home late & hyper. Awesome holiday thus far. Clubbing, eating and already I've picked up all the consoles on my shopping list.

Day 3 - Symphony of Lights

Another struggle to get up. Harder than yesterday. Try to meet Kar Yee to give her the DS but get lost. Breakfast - French Toast and coffee. Head off to TST minus KY to witness wonderful view across bay to HK Island. Massive shopping centre called Harbour City where we indulge in a ridiculously cheap KFC bucket :p With egg tart for dessert. Shopping in Harbour City where I pick up Chas' Sammi Cheung disc with KY's help, and Chris buys a load of shirts. Coffee in Starbucks to wake up a bit as everyone is flagging after the last two days.

Watch the amazing Symphony of Lights show across the harbour where Rachid is in his element with his newly-acquired tripod. Then we head back to Causeway to meet with Chemie, Phong, Imran, Law and Kevin for a Japanese BBQ-style dinner. Tried a Calpis Sour which was good.

Move on to a cinema where we watch Death Note (12:30 showing), this strange Japanese movie about death.. and this all-powerful notepad. Hmmm. Run home to hotel afterwards but I won't disclose why :)

Day 4 - Neway

Monday. Time for some serious sight-seeing. Rachid & I link up with Prudence and head to Central while Chris goes to renew his ID. We head up the Bank of China building to witness the incredible view and also inside the well-renowned HSBC building. Cash travellers cheques in Bank of China but it takes ages.

Go to Jordan to visit travel agency where our Japan tour is being organised from. Pay up and listen to Cantonese speech. Free food and drinks :)

Head to The Peak up the tram. Reminds me of Switzerland *dreamy*. Souvenir shopping, Mcdonald's and loads of photos taken where the view is magnificent.

Korean buffet for dinner back in Mong Kok, before Prudence books kok in Neway. Dodgy place but we have a very good time singing and playing drinking games. DON'T STOP ME NOW, I'M HAVING SUCH A GOOD TIME...

etc.

Rachid sings.

Day 5 - Ocean Park

Ocean Park day. This was probably the day during the holiday where I felt the most tired. I know I'm knackered when I close my eyes and start to fall asleep, even when I'm standing up. Anyway. Ocean Park. Sealife and pandas. Rollercoaster and dolphin show.

Gondola reminds me of Switzerland again. Hmm. Grand Prix racing rocks and I avoid having to do the forfeit. Chemie teaches me 1-5 in Cantonese and I order my lunch accordingly.

Back to Admiralty for dinner to meet with Chris and Rachid who have been shopping with Karl in Mong Kok. Sushi conveyor belt. Pretty nice.

Then on to Temple Street night market. Picked up a back-banger and some fake stuff. Chemie bought loads. Had a Sausage McMuffin and Banana Pie from MaccyD's at 10 at night...the joys of HK. Settled in for a relatively early night.

Day 6 - Tiger Woods

We're up early and off to some island somewhere for some nice civilised golf. Journey entails a minibus from Mong Kok (which only leaves when the bus is full), a short drive, a 15 minute slight choppy boat trip and another short bus ride.

The golf courses look amazing. They stretch as far as the eye can see. You only get courses like these in Tiger Woods and on the TV. We play driving range and I hit some substantial drives, especially with the 5 wood. And I hole a 15 footer harsh left-to-right putt. Nice. Breakfast (congee) is good also.

We then head back to Mong Kok for some serious shopping. I buy loads of clothes, trainers and my badminton racquet. Karl buys a badminton racquet to add to his trainers. Chemie gets trainers and an iPod. Karl gets an iPod, Rachid gets two of the larger-sized ones. Chris buys clothes, including a reversible jacket. We raid the Quiksilver store and then head back to the hotel.

Drinks in TST. Some random cocktail place. I can't remember what I had but they were nice. Stories of past misdemeanours were told. Jokes as we headed back as Rachid insisted we were going to Taiwan (Chai Wan) at the end of the Island Line. Muhahaha.

Day 7 - Sha Tin

Dim sum in the morning at Maxim's Place. And then I had my hair dyed. It came out orange/strawberry blonde at first. Highly concerning. Re-dyed to be dark hazel. Karl went for the Goku look and Chemie went for even more colour.

Headed back to hotel before going to Central and more MaccyD's. Last night for Chemie, Phong, Imran and Law so everyone was up for taking it to the max :D

Filled our boots at Ha Ha Club Happy Hour where drinks where a pound each (thanks for the heads up May). Suitably merry, headed to Club Number 9 in the Galleria for a night of clubbing. Drinking and dancing followed and there was even a fashion show for the Everlast brand. Chilled outside amongst the skyscrapers of HK and mused how great the place is.

Day 8 - Lantau

Up late but met Prudence before heading to Lantau Island. Big outlet shopping mall where we couldn't resist cheap Quiksilver. Headed up to Ngong Ping on the spectacular 25 minute gondola.

Took photos of the Big Buddha from afar before catching a bus to Lower Cheung Sha beach. This was a fantastic beach - totally unspoilt, the kind of thing you only see in the movies (and on Lost). We clambered over rocks, drew pictures in the sand and paddled in the warm sea. Then we settled down for a nice South African late lunch while the sun set over the sea. Kudos to trader at work for recommending this hidden beauty beach.

Dinner with Chemie et al at Singaporean restaurant in TST. Had traditional Singaporean dish - fish and chips. Managed to spill half a bottle of tomato ketchup down shorts leaving a large damp patch. No-one noticed though, despite the dash to the restrooms.

Said our goodbyes to Chemie, Imran, Phong and Law as they were flying back with Oasis later that evening. HK won’t be the same without them.

Day 9 – BBQ

Up early as there was a lot to do. Deliberated over getting laptop as Rachid bought MacBook for Minjin but decided (wisely, in hindsight) against it. Headed to Mong Kok to meet up with Kelly for lunch at Fairwood before hitting the Ladies Market. Bought a fake Diesel rucksack to hold my Japan clothes as well as a belt. Chris does the haggling for me and everyone else (incl Karl). Rachid buys a 500 dollar towel (er, a towel with a 500 dollar note design).

Pick up a transparent DS Lite cover before coming across a shop which is selling PLAYSTATION 3s. 10800 HKD for the 60GB Premium version though; that’s too expensive to even think about buying, despite how gorgeous the thing looks.

Head back to the hotel to pack before going to Chris’ sister’s place for Chinese BBQ with Rachid, Kelly and Vivian. Seriously burn some sausages. Not sure whether they’re cooked or not but eat anyway. Fish balls as well. Leave luggage under the watchful eye of massive dog before Rachid tests MacBook and iPods.

Return to Causeway minus luggage left in HK (incl Will’s DS and the PSP) wondering what heights we can hit for our last proper night in this wonderful place. And then we discover the drinks fridge in 7-11. Two Smirnoff Ices for 20 dollars. Rachid picks up an armful and then the stock is immediately replenished by someone hidden behind the fridge. Lacking a bottle opener we ask counter lady to do the honours.

Rachid pulls a bottle of gin out from his bag. It’s already been opened and is in a brown paper bag. Am in the office and I’m cracking up as I write this. Tears in the eyes. Can I cover it up. Hope so.

Back to the story. We finish the alco-pops, Chris packs and then we finish the gin (mixed with a little Sprite of course) using the hotel room tea mugs. Rachid discovers the joys of gin, I think it’s not bad, and Chris dislikes it as much as he likes Wray & Nephew. Suitably merry, we have a good chat before retiring.

Day 10 – Konnichi-wa

Time to say bai-bai to HK and Moshi Mosh to Japan. Leave the hotel and make our way to airport via Tung Chung. I visit the shopping mall and pay the penalty for eating undercooked meat the night before.

Meet up with tour group and fly over to Osaka with Japan Airlines (JAL). Surprised just how good the service is. Flight attendants very friendly; our first taste of how polite the Japanese are. Entertainment system cool as well.

Arrive and hire mobile phone (only 3G mobiles work over there). Head to some street in Osaka which has a giant mechanical crab. Have a large ramen for dinner (slurp, slurp) and get a first taste of what Japan has to offer in terms of scenery. And it’s cold! Much change from HK’s warmth. I’m in shorts.

Go back to hotel before we take a midnight stroll around Osaka. Spy Mizuho and MaccyD’s. There are so many vending machines! And they sell hot drinks!

Day 11 – Universal Studios

Head over to Osaka’s number one tourist attraction. Tour guide Peter seems very chatty cracking jokes. Are they funny? No idea. He’s the Chinese Bruce Forsyth.

Hit the Back to the Future, Backdraft, Jurassic Park (log flume) and Jaws rides amongst others. The drop at the end of JP was worth the long queue. Rides are not particularly intense, more mildly thrilling.

Chinese for lunch and the local Osaka delicacy (octopus balls) for tea. Meet up with tour group before having bento box for dinner (all this talk of food is making me hungry).

Totally knackered so fall asleep in some restaurant. Doesn’t matter – that kind of thing is common place in Japan so I fit right in. Pick up more cheap drinks from local supermarket.

Day 12 – Kyoto

Up early and head to Kyoto to check out some temple – heralded as one of the next seven wonders of the world. Cleanse our hands and take loads of photo, incl ones with kimono girls. Pick up a LOVE JAPAN tee-shirt. Man collapses and ambulance arrives. We leave the scene.

After lunch (boy it’s hard to sit like that on the floor and eat, and esp to get up afterwards), we head to a textile centre for a kimono show where I pick up my SUMO tee-shirt. Then onto Nagoya for self-cook buffet dinner before we arrive at the Hot Springs hotel.

Chris and Rachid reluctant but Karl is totally up for it. Think we might as well most of it so we undress and put on our kimonos. After much posing we go nude and enjoy ourselves in the warm water. Chris is first to leave. Suitably relaxed & at peace with the world, we head for bed.

Day 13 – Mount Fuji

Drive off towards Mount Fuji on the way to Tokyo. Get some excellent views of the mountain on the coach before stopping to view more temples. We give the gong a go. Chris misses the first time. More photo fun before we head to a theme park called Fujima. Massive rollercoaster; I believe the biggest in the world. Chris wants to go but no-on else does.

We go on the Gundam ride and then try ice-skating. Am improving but still manage to fall on my butt and damage my watch.

Long drive ensues (stopping at a beautiful lake) to the next hotel. It’s in the middle of nowhere and to this day we’re not too sure where in Japan we were. Hotel was backward; slept on the floor and no Net access. And no bar, Rachid laments. Think about doing karaoke but decide against it so play Mario Kart. Glad I brought DS.

Day 14 – Tokyo

Arrive in the capital city and witness the amazing Rainbow Bridge. Visit a Toyota showroom and play GT4 simulator. Another sundae from MaccyD’s. Next stop is Ginza. We have fun in the Burberry building in the toilets and riding sheep. Eyes open for a PS3 but no joy.

Tour takes us to the hotel before we hit Shinjuku. Explore the area, play PS3 and gaze at Wii. Head to Roponghi where we meet with Karl’s friend Amy. She suggests Gaspanic club where we arrive at the tail-end of Happy Hour so take full advantage. Dance the night away.

Day 15 – The Hunt for a PS3

We leave the tour group to go round Disneyland and instead set off for some serious sight-seeing. Tokyo Government Building followed by Shibuya. MaccyD’s for lunch again where we have these moist fish burgers. Witness the incredible crossroads outside Shibuya station. SO MANY PEOPLE! Check out Shibuya 109 (briefly, I hasten to add) and the surrounding streets before going over to the Imperial Palace. Photo fun before we check out Mizuho HQ in Otemachi.

Electric City in Akihibara. If you’re looking for a PS3 in Tokyo this is where you’re going to find out. But it’s sold out, so no chance. Second shop we go in, we head to the video games on the 4th floor. First 3 floors is anime and manga. No hope here surely.

But wait.

Usually there’s a red SOLD OUT sign. This is different. There’s a sign sellotaped on top of SOLD OUT. What could it be? It’s Chinese characters. Chris translates: URGENT! HURRY! BUY NOW! Heart rate rises. I suggest Chris goes and asks at the counter. He declines. I go.

“Playstation 3?” I ask. He nods. We’ve found one! 60GB? Yes indeed. How many? Only one. Ouch. Who’s going to buy? We discuss. Chris relents. I buy. First CC fails. Luckily I have another. Will it work in the UK? Guy points to “For use in Japan only” sign. Whateverrr. Transaction Complete.

I have one of the most sought-after pieces of technology in the world in my hands.

Breathe. We head back to the hotel to regroup. The thing is heavy. Anyway. The deed is done. Now we hit Tokyo for one last time...

Roponnghi again. Dinner with Amy and her crew. TGI Fridays. Had enough of Japanese food by now. Whisky sour. Rachid drinks an alcohol concoction. I learn the word Incommunicado. Cool word.

Now for clubbing. Shibuya. Delayed by under-age girl with no ID. But she bought us tequila later to make up for it. Cannot remember the name of the club. But we drank. And we danced. And Rachid took incriminating photos.

Rachid pissed. Requires lamp post for support. Oh dear. Karl's doing. I still need games for the PS3. 24 hour electronics store. Karl and Chris go in there, I stay and keep an eye on Rachid. They find PS3 games and call me in. Rachid is left by himself incapacitated in a foriegn country where few speak English.

We come back out. I'll buy them tomorrow. Now taxi. But will Rachid puke up? Alas no.

He saves that for the hotel.

Day 16 - Back to HK

Up for breakfast once more. Stroll round Shinjuku and have MaccyD's (again). I try Qoo, some juicy drink. Onto the airport via ANOTHER self-cook buffet. We decline to self-cook. Some people are bringing loads of milk powder back to HK. Hmm. Chris brings back charcoal.

Turbulent flight. But back in hot HK. Get luggage from Chris' sister and somehow fit it into one taxi. Re-pack at Holiday Inn then off to 7-11. Not tempted by the cheap alcohol; instead buy sweets incl funky mango gum. Sleep.

Day 17 - London calling

This is it. The end. Airport, last minute shopping and we're on our way home. Hardware secure as hand luggage. Arrive at Heathrow on time weary but happy to be back.

Over and out.

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11月20日

See The World

1) AWESOME HOLIDAY. Thanks to everyone who contributed to making this vacation such an unforgettable one. Naming and shaming to follow.

Photos and journal will be put up during the course of the week :)

2) MISSION STATUS: Acquirement and delivery complete. Deployment to follow this week sometime (hopefully). I just pray the damn mass of chunkiness works!

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9月30日

Hold on a sec

Was meant to go MK today but engineering works out of Euston and a lightning strike on the Bakerloo Line meant the trip was curtailed at Marylebone >_< So I came home to see Liverpool whipped 2-0 by Bolton.

Working next Saturday and on-call on Sunday and the whole weekend the week after that. But I just have to be within a couple of hours of the office so it should be ok.

Just finished watching Lost Season 2. How big is that island?! It's not as good as 24 but it's still a quality show.

Plans for HK/Japan are underway. Overall vacation will be from 2nd Nov - 19th Nov. Should be a few others out in HK at the same time which should make the holiday more interesting. Note to self: ask at work about stuff to do in Osaka and about mobile phones in Japan.

Being the naturally cautious person I am, I never write anything of note on this Space. Just general mutterings. So therefore I think it might be time to revisit xanga... mine has been out of service for almost a year now.

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9月20日

Cutt Off

Drifting through life.

On the downside I have a cold, have loads of stuff I need to sort out and exchanging my trainers is proving a hassle >.<

On the upside, am going to see Avenue Q on Friday which should be funny, been playing badminton a lot lately and there is about 6 weeks left until I go to HK. And karaoke at Lucky Voice was good fun.

Oh and more birthday photos up in the Photos section >>

Finally back on broadband... Sky Broadband... and it's been good so far.

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9月4日

Center Parcs

Was a v. good weekend. Played five-a-side, badminton, table tennis, golf, snooker, pool. Was lumbered with a bunch of indisciplined oafs in the footy tournament but despite that we did ok. Held the eventual winners to a 0-0 draw with some heroic defending. Came second in the table tennis tournie behind my bro after beating him in the group stages. Seem to have forgotten how to play golf =(

Wild water rapids in the Subtropical Swimming Paradise was very good, went on there a lot. Cycled around everywhere too. Center Parcs seems over-priced but there is loads to keep u entertained. Food is good but portions are small.

No idea why i'm doing a blog now. Maybe cos i'm in the library and need something to fill up my ten remaining minutes of Internet time. Limited Net at home for the moment thanks to Bulldog's incompetence so can't upload any more birthday pics >.<

Had tapas last week but I think tapas tapas is better than La Tasca. Sangria quite strong.

Better end it there. Got to decide whether to move depts at work or stick where I am.

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5月6日

Dancing Shoes

Get on your dancing shoes
There's one thing on your mind
Hoping they’re looking for you
Sure you'll be rummaging' through

And the shit, shock, horror
You've seen your future bride
Oh, but it's oh so absurd
For you to say the first word
So you're waiting and waiting

The only reason that you came
So what you scared for?
don't you always do the same
It's what you there for, don't you know

…the lights are flashing
Down in here tonight
And some might exchange a glance
But keep pretending to dance

Don't act like it's not happening
As if it’s impolite
To go and mention your name
Instead you'll just do the same
As they all do, and hope for the best...

The only reason that you came
So what you scared for?
Well don't you always do the same
It's what you’re there for but no

Get on your dancing shoes
You sexy little swine
Hoping they’re looking for you
Sure you'll be rummaging through

Oh and the shit, shock, horror
You've seen your future bride
Oh, but it's oh so absurd
For you to say the first word
So you're waiting and waiting

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4月24日

Fitter happier

:o 27 January was the last time I updated this Space... almost three months ago now. It's weird, before I had loads of time to write blogs and maintain the Space, but now.. zilch.

Bought OK Computer by Radiohead~ yeah it's an old album but it is an all-time classic and now I have listened to it a few times, I understand why it deserves that status.

Been going to the gym more and playing more sport esp. badminton.. doing tooo much exercise so need some recovery time =\

Went to see the Pixar exhibition in the Science Museum, which was pretty cool but I don't know if it was worth £9 =p

Went to play Topgolf, which was a lot of fun. It is a driving range but with a difference~ you score points based on if you hit the ball into targets on the outfield. Better than a normal driving range.

Liverpool are through to the FA Cup Final.. woo hoo. Could not watch the last few minutes against Chelsea.

The cricket season has started...yeahhhh. Looking forward to going to see a game.

Wimbledon is just TWO months away now; the French Open about a month away :D

Did ice skating for the first time... now I want to do climbing (note to self: must make EFFORT to get up and go climbing)

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Babel Fish Translation From Altavista

Your name in Japanese Japanese translator

♠ Favourite movies ♠


Severance Another bloody office outing

Shrek With the spoof WWE scene

Infernal Affairs HK cop/gangsta movie with a twist

Wallace and Gromit Very funny and clever movie

Match Point Woody Allen thriller set in London

The Shawshank Redemption Moving story, excellent acting

Spiderman 2 Very good comic book action

The Bourne Supremacy Fast and exciting

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