Post Office

Went to the Post Office just now. Help Shook Yee post her letters, also to post a parcel back home. Mainly is my big deal Enya Baby's birthday presents. Never really post a parcel before lah. So the Unlce was asking if I want to post by ship or by air. I told him the cheaper one which is by ship. Than he told me by ship take 1 mth plus to reach leh. Haha... Amazing.... If it take so long, how come there is still this kind of service huh? And you mean got people send by ship meh?

Anyway the postage was abt S$20 for abt 2 kg stuff. The day that I really ship all my books and barang barang back will cost me a bomb. Hiazz...

HK Court

Today one of my colleagues brought me to attend a court hearing of his client. I never attend a court hearing in Singapore so find the experience quite a good one. Basically the setting is similar to what u see on TVB drama serial. The only difference is that the lawyers don't really talk. The person that impressed me is the court interpreter. She is real good. She can translate all English documents into Cantonese within a few minutes. And she is the only person that control the court session other than the judge.

Anyway we waited for 2 hours for the client's turn. During the 2 hours, learn more about the HK legal system. There were some assault cases for example, husband and wife quarrel and fight. Funny thing is that they were not charged so no fine or jail. The penalty is for them to sign an agreement for like 1 yr to promise that they will not do similar things again. If they do, they are than fine HK$1000. According to my colleague these are minor conflict cases. Hence they will not be charged, only a warning is given.

I think it is great exposure. Maybe when I return back home, should also go and attend some court hearing session.

Easter Holidays

2 groups of people visited me during the long weekend. First is Shook Yee and her friend, Esther. Than is Hilli, her sis and friends. Went to Lantau Island with Shook Yee and Esther and to the Peak with Hilli and gang.

Some photos of our outing

With Shook Yee & Esther: In the queue for Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car

On our way to Lantau Island (in the cable car)


Great view from the cable car

Buddha at Lantau Island

On the way to The Peak ( view from the tram)

At the Peak

With Mr Deng Xiaoping @ Mdm Tussauds

( One of my favorite photos)

The mystery of the flood

Past few days were Easter holidays. We have public holidays in HK till yesterday(Monday). After the long weekend, all of us turn up in office today for a shock. Or should I say the cleaner auntie is the first to get the shock. She was the first person to arrive at office.

Apparently it rain on Saturday and somehow the rain or water from the drain flooded and went inside the centre (which is at the void deck of the flat). After 3 days, the water is still visible. But the amazing thing about this flood is that it did not flood everywhere. It only flood the storeroom and the boss' office (which is inside the main office). Inside the boss office, there isn't any window. But all of us were very curious how did the water bypass the main office and flood the boss office. Or should I say I am the curious one. Haha... Cos I seriously don't understand how come the room is flooded to about ankle level when the main office is clean.

Than the nightmare - phone and PC can't be use. There is light but sockets on the floor all can't be use. I was telling everyone that we can close shop. But people tell me that our job is to deal with people not with computer. And they say they still can do their recordings. How wonderful right? System down still can work. Back home, SWIS down we already can close shop liao. Imagine a flood in MSS. Hahaa... I think all of us will be celebrating ah.

Anyway they call a lot of people to come and even take photos of the water. Think want to show proof of the flood. But I think whole world (the building management etc) do not want to take responsibility of the flood. Than while the electrician were trying to fix the problem. They found that the sockets also got water. So likely the main office is flooded but everything remain intact.

Yah so till the end of the day we still don't know the mystery of the flood. And this is our Easter holiday present.

1 Month Anniversary

Yes, I have survived 1 month in this place. Today went to HK island side to walk around. Initially plan to go to Central but miss the MTR stop (cos I was stoning on the train) and end up at Sheung Wan. So went to Hollywoood Road area where they sell antiques and handicrafts.

Bought something to fulfill my social responsibility for MSS people. But after paying, the more I think hor, the more I feel that I get "chop" leh. Actually those things can be purchased very cheaply in China. Anyway what done has already been done. At least I make that Auntie happy for a day cos there is a stupid carrot that get chop willingly.

Tram at HK island

Climbing up a lot of stairs to Hollywood Rd

Shops selling antiques

The happy "Carrot" that got chopped.

Bye Celest!

The first Singaporean that visits me in HK is on her way home now. Past few days was very enjoyable. Cos after "tahaning" for so long, finally there is someone that understand my language. Hahaa.... I also get to know Celest's friend, Kailun and John. Must thank those 2 "locals" for bringing us around.

Looking forward to next week long hols and of course to the gangs that are coming.

On the way to Elements - on a very polluted road

Makan Makan Makan....

Century Egg Porridge

Pasta

Chicken Rice

Packet Wanton Mee

Green tea latte and blueberry cheesecake

(My weekend tea)

Chicken Kerba Rice @ Food Republic
(Was craving for Nasi Brayni but don't have)

Flu epidemic

There is a flu epidemic here. A few kids died due to flu. The authority denies that it is bird flu. People are seen wearing masks on the street. School will be close from tomorrow onwards. Hospitals are full. Sounds like during SARS time. But the only difference is that I am here and not in Singapore.

I have been telling people that I do not feel safe living in this country. At least I trust our infection control measures back home. Anyway the irony of this flu thingy is that the hospital here is very worried that I will spread some disease to them when I request for a few days attachment at their clinic. They were telling me that I need to attend infection control class (ie handwashing), and also told me about some insurance thingy. I guess they did not realise that I am actually more worried about getting infected compare to being infectious. I told the hospital staff that all public hospitals in Singapore are JCI accredited. And they know what is JCIA. Haha... So handwahsing? Infection control? I am sure we are better.

For the first time I feel that JCIA is a good thing. Hahaa... Of course my dear colleagues who are super duper stress now, will kill me for saying that.

Morale of the story, there is no place better than home :)

Wong Tai Sin Temple

Today went to Wong Tai Sin Temple. Actually my office is quite near the temple but never have a chance to visit the place. That day was joking with Cerene that I should go and there and change luck for everyone cos MSS quite suay recently.

So went there today. Quite a big place. A lot of people. Overheard an ang moh telling his friend "This is quite a cool temple huh." Well I don't know whether cool is the word to use or not. But I must say it is quite happening.

Took some photos. If go with my mum, she will tell me temple not suppose to take photos. But I am a tourist so taking photo is a must :)

A lot of people praying outside the main hall of the temple

Fortune tellers waiting to "jie qian"

Outside the Temple

Regardless of what is your religion, hope that everyone back home is healthy and well. MSS gals and guy, hang in there huh. Jia you and in no time JCIA will be over. And that will be the time I am back ;)

The Infamous "Chewing Gum Ban"

For the past 3 weeks here, this question will be posed to me almost every time when I am being introduced as a Singaporean. "Oh, Singapore cannot eat chewing gum one right?"

Yes you are right. No chewing gum in Singapore. I never feel that the chewing gum ban is such a big deal. But people that I met keep on emphasizing that Singaporeans are very poor thing cos they cannot eat chewing gum.

Than the conversation be continued with Singapore and the laws. HK people feel that Singaporeans are very obedient as they listen to what the government says. Someone mentions that HK will never have canning penalties cos there is "human rights" in Hong Kong.

Are we really so obedient? Is eating chewing gum so important? Do we really have no human rights in Singapore? Without those laws, are we able to have a safe and clean country?

Anyway I did not know that I "love" my country so much till I come here. Haha.... Cos sometimes will really get irritated when people mention certain bad things about Singapore. And living in this country now, I seriously think that our standard of living is definitely better than them.

Taking the ferry...

Yesterday made a trip to Lantau Island to visit a Drug Rehab Centre for youth. Quite an ulu place cos it is on an isolated island. Has to hike up to the centre. But before I can reach the island, need to take a 3 ferry.

Took Star Ferry from Tsim Sha Tusi to Central, HK island. Only abt 7 mins journey. Cost abt HK$2.20.

On Star Ferry

View of HK island from the ferry

Later took another ferry from Central, Hong Kong Island to Chang Zhou (an outlying Island). This ferry is a bit slow. Took abt 50mins. Ticket is abt HK$11.

Ferry to Chang Zhou

Lastly took a boat from Chang Zhou to Lantau Island. Cost is HK$60 per trip /boat.

Boat to Lantau Island

Lantau Island

Hiking down the mountain to go home.