My First Trip to Hong Kong

I'm actually writing this in Oct 2009. Weird isn't it. But better late than never. The past few months have been hectic and I kinda lost my mood to blog. Anyways here I am again trying to capture the bits and pieces of my life, or as much as I can remember.

It's a short 4 day trip to Hong Kong for Meimei's grandma's 80th Birthday. The significance of the trip though was so much more . It's the first time I'm meeting the family and being able to attend a family event meant I was being accepted into the family. It was such a relief and heartwarming to be welcomed by all the uncle and aunties. The way they tried to chat and mingle with me literally put me at ease. This may seem a simple thing to others, but to someone who does not see this at all in his own family, it's a huge gesture. More so, as they try to converse with me in English and Chinese. Words cannot describe how much I appreciate their generosity and warmth.

We spent a better part of the trip eating and shopping. Everything was an eye opener for me and I knew I could get used to travelling as a new hobby, abit wallet permitting hehe. Most of our meals were at the local coffee houses which essentially serve the 2 basic stables of Hong Kong cusine, Char Siew and Sio Ba. Seriously the Char Siew in Hong Kong is so much better than those in Singapore. My mouth watered everytime we walked into a coffee house. Even the shopping was so much more engaging and interesting. We trooped through the local markets day and night and went through hordes and hordes of street hawkers. It's nothing like the mall shopping we do in Singapore where everything is packed nicely on shelves. The street markets were more of an organised chaos. But it's this chaotic yet bustling feel that gives it it's vibrancy.

I love the place. The city, the people, the streets, the weather, the everything. Maybe it's because the place is fresh and new to me, but I'm sure I'll fit right in if I ever get to live and work here. And you can be sure I'll be back here again, even if it's just to walk into a coffee house to have a plate of Char Siew rice. Hehe.

Sizzling Hot

Early nighties. One of the places my dad and mum like to go for dinner treats is Ponderosa at Marina Square. I'm not sure when they closed down the outlet but I can still clearly remember us gushing over the salad bar. We would order a main each and help ourselves to the free flow of salad. Ahhh memories . . . since it closed down I thought all that remains would be memories. It seemed so till yesterday . . .

After a hard day of schooling in house hunting . . . Meimei and me made our way to Bakerzin at Suntec. We wanted our favourite Strawberry Shortcake . . . but altas it was not to be. They ran out. Then I remembered wanting to try out Sizzler a few weeks ago but there was a long queue and we gave it a pass. So over we went to Sizzler.

And there it is. The salad bar, close to the one I remember at Ponderosa. And on top of that, they had soup, pasta and soft serve! My, I can't describe how wonderful the meal was. All I can say is that I'm coming back again, and again, and again . . .

New Entrees to Food Places

Long overdue updates to the Food Places I Tried and Love:

1) Marutama Ramen - The Central & Liang Court

Been here quite a number of times but never getting to posting it. Very good ramen with that QQ texture that makes you want to munch and munch. Best thing is that it's not MSG laden so Meimei and Sis can enjoy it's fragrant soup.

2) Crystal Jade Palace - Takashimaya

I don't usually eat Dim Sum. But I joined Meimei and Family for lunch at Takashimaya last week. Fabulous egg tarts, the best I've ever had. Definitely one to go back for second rounds.

3) Victor's Kitchen Dim Sum - Sunshine Plaza

Laoda brought us there for dinner, raving about the quality of the Dim Sum for cheap price. Was not disappointed.