1 Day Tour to SKC

Spend the whole of today at Shek Ku Chou. Shek Ku Chou is the first drug rehab centre in Hong Kong. The drug rehab centre covers the whole island. Basically is like going hiking. Of course today is lucky cos got a very good "tour guide" that brought us around.

Pier at SKC

Logo of SKC

Today is drug rehab centre 45th anniversary. A very interesting place. It is a place that accepts clients from all religions. So sometimes you will find a temple somewhere on the island and down the road you will see Mother Mary. The buildings there are all build by the residents there.

One of the purpose of visiting the centre today is to pay respect to one of the clients of Look Heep Club that passed away last year. His resting place is on the island as he was apparently a very dedicated volunteer there.

Anyway Princess Diana also visited the place before. They even have a place name after her.

The island got very nice scenery. Amazing sea view. I don't mind staying there for a short while. Keep you away from the buzz in the city. Unfortunately, Singapore don't have this kind of island. The only island I know is Pula Ubin which I won't dare to enter thanks to those dogs. :)

The island that we hike and after walking for almost 3 hours, I was told that we have yet to cover 1/3 of the place. My god!

Anyway in order to get to SKC, we need to take a boat at Cheung Chau, one of the outlying island in Hong Kong. 2nd time there as the other time also went there to change boat to another drug rehab centre. Got some time before the ferry back to Hong Kong island so roam around Cheung Chau.

Took the famous "Yu Dan" (which is fishball lah)

Near the pier at Cheung Chau

To a dear friend....

I was at a loss when I saw your email. Not sure what to say cos I think none of us will be able to understand what you are going through now. Hope that you will brace yourself and face this somehow. Like you say, it is a very difficult and painful time. But remember that all of us are here for you if you need us. May your faith keep you strong and helps you pull through this. Take care my friend.

KTV

Went to KTV last night to celebrate a colleague's birthday. That was my 2nd time going to KTV in HK. Well, their KTV is really fun. Not only there is buffet, there is also this computer game thing call "Wii" (I think that is how it is spell). So people that don't sing can be playing with the computer game.

Anyway the fun part is seeing how those "serious people" in office turn into a crazy bunch at night. They were very very high without taking any alcohol. I wonder what will happen if the alcohol comes in. Haha...

I recorded interesting footage but promise not to upload to You tube. But I already told them that MSS will have the privilege to view them when I do my journal club presentation :P

I miss those days that we hit K-Box or Partyworld with the MSS gals. Superstar wannabe and gang, we must go KTV when I am back huh. I know you all very very stress this week. Two more days and JCIA will be over. Heehee.... My spirits are with you gals and guy. Jia You!!!!

Tropical Storm Neoguri

Topical Cyclon Warnings

"The Strong Wind Signal No. 3 is in force. This means that wind with mean speed of 41 to 62 kilometres per hour are expected.

Neoguri has landed and weakend further. However the centre of Neoguri continues to edge closer to Hong Kong and local winds will remain strong. The Strong Wind Signal No. 3 will be in effect for a period of time.

Under the influence of Neoguri, rain will be heavy at times and there will be squalls."

Amber Rainstorm Warnings

Heavy rainfall has fallen or is expected to fall generally over Hong Kong, exceeding 30 millimetres in an hour, and is likely to continue."

*From Hong Kong Observatory *

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Yes, it is raining cats and dogs outside now. Went out for lunch at the cafe down the street so that the housekeeping auntie can clean up my room. Very very strong wind. Of course my light weigh umbrella cannot take it. Anyway I was stoning at Starbucks for nearly 3 hours cos the wind and rain is just too strong.

According to the news, this is the first time the typhoon is here so early (I think normally is in Sept) since the 2nd World War. Well, how lucky I am right? To experience the coldest and longest winter they ever had and now this.

Unpredictable Weather

After living in this city for 2 months, I have learnt that weather is really unpredictable. The first thing that I do every morning is to check the weather forecast. That is because the weather will determine what clothes to wear. How many layers of clothes to wear to what kind of jacket.

I remembered when I first arrived, it was freezing. The day that it dropped to 13 degrees, my supervisor actually asked my female colleagues to "donate" clothes to me. Haha... Despite having 25kg of luggage, it is still not enough to keep myself warm. Plus being skinny, people will say that I do not have enough fats to keep warm.

The weather is supposed to get better. Recently it is at the 20+ degrees range. I have started to wear to my normal Singapore clothes only with a normal jacket (just in case). But now there is something new again.

Colleague : Hey Ah Fong the Typhoon No. 1 signal is up.

Me : Huh? I don't know leh.

Colleague : We know that you don't know. That's why we are telling you.

Me: Errr... What am I suppose to do when there is Typhoon???

Colleague : Singapore don't have Typhoon ah?

Me : No! Singapore is peaceful. Everything also don't have. No four seasons, no typhoon.

The conversation was carried out immediately after I stepped into my office this evening. I was out the whole day and only returned to office for the group work in the evening. Imagine me walking on the streets and I did not even realise that the Typhoon signal is up.

Well my friends always say that I will be "blow away by the wind" cos I am too skinny. Their dream will come true soon if it becomes a Typhoon No. 8 signal. When it is Typhoon No. 8, there is no work no school. Haha... So everyone was hoping that it will be No. 8 signal soon but I doubt so (cos the weather forecast in HK is very accurate)

This trip really make me miss everything in Singapore. From the food, language, environment, people to the weather. 1 more month to go before I return to the comfort of home and of course back to reality.

Social Workers' Day

Yesterday was Social Workers' Day. All my colleagues in CGH was having great fun with their breakfast makan session + Singhealth cake + the grand dinner at some hotel. But no one DHL their makan to me :( Some even say things to make me jealous. Haha...

There was no celebration in Hong Kong. At least not in my centre. Actually my colleagues do not even know is Social Workers' Day. As I was bored, I bought them a cake so call to celebrate and reward ourselves. Their reaction? I guess once there is food, they are happy. Hahaa... They must be wondering why this woman is making such a big fuss about the whole thing.

Tiramisu

Maybe because social workers in HK are recognised in the most practical way - good pay, good benefits, and everyone on the streets will know what is a social worker. So there is no need to celebrate the day to reinforce the recognition. One thing about HK people is that they are educated on the difference between Social Workers and Volunteers. No will will ask you "Huh? Social worker? Are you paid?"

I guess Singapore still has a long way to go to reach this stage. I am sure some of my friends don't even know what is my job about. For people that don't know, pls get yourself educated now!!! Visit CGH Medical Social Service Blog at http://www.thankyouforyourreferral.blogspot.com for a better understanding of what is a Medical Social Worker.

Ps: We don't talk to Dr at rooftop. hehee... read the blog for more details ;)

Service quality? I doubt so....

I attended the 2nd Hong Kong Gambling Treatment Services Conference today. It is a full day conference. Quite an informative session. It gives a brief insight to the the Gambling problem in Hong Kong. However, got a bad experience with the staff there.

They run out of handouts when I reached. So I thought never mind, get it from them during the break.

Attempt 1 (Conversation carried out in Cantonese and English)
Me: Excuse me, where can I get a copy of the materials. I did not get it just now.

Staff : We run out of materials. They are printing it.

Me: Err... so what time can I come back to get it?

Staff: No we don't have.

Me: I know you do not have it now. But can I get it from you all later? Who should I look for?

Staff: NO! I told you we don't have. (give me a stare)

Tell you his attitude is real bad. If I am in Singapore, I will sure take down his name and complain to higher authority. (anyway I got down his name just that I don't want to make up a big fuss abt it).

Feeling irritated, I walk to another counter which is in charge of registration. Ask this lady that I met when I register at their centre a few weeks ago.

Attempt 2 (Conversation in Cantonese)
Me: Sorry Ms X, can you help me to get a copy of the materials. I did not get it just now.

Ms X: Huh? Err.. you ask the organiser lah, I am only in charge of giving receipts!!!

(Excuse me, isn't she part of the organising centres??? I register for the conference at her centre leh!!!)

Feeling super irritated. Walk over to another counter and try my luck again.

Attempt 3 (Conversation in English)
Me: Sorry. Can you pls tell me where I can get a copy of the materials.

Poor staff: *Looking lost* Sorry, we actually printed about 100 copies and there were only 80+ people that register for the conference. I don't know why it is not enough. (FULL STOP)

Me: Excuse me, I paid for the registration fee which stated it includes materials. It is ok if you do not have it with you now. But pls at least tell me that I can collect from you or somebody later. It is simply ridiculous that none of the staff is able to address this and the only answer I get is "NO we don't have."

Poor staff: Errr... Ok, what is your name...

Seriously, I don't really care how come their 100 copies of handouts are gone. Maybe they should send their staff for SQ course. Now I understand why we need to attend Service from the Hearts liao.

For the record. I did not get my materials from any of the above 3 staff. I was lucky to meet someone I know ( a HKer, of course I was complaining to her how CMI the staff were) This kind soul somehow manage to get a set of materials for me. But I must give the credit to Poor Staff. Cos when she saw me again, she did remember to keep a copy for me. At least she remember and she bothered.

I think their logistics sucks. This is one of the worst conference that I ever attended with such poor logistics. And sorry to say that it has to happen in HK.

Makan Makan Makan 2

Shanghai Wanton Mee with Pork Ribs

Sweet and Sour Pork (with rice, soup and veg)

Halah Dim Sum

Wanton Mee

Halah Cha Siew Bao


HK version of Nasi Brayni ( Known as Indian Fried Rice)

Pork Cutlet pasta set.....

Comes with soup and galic bread :P

Xu Liu Shan - Mango Drink
(Hee.. My sis must be drooling now :P)

Qing Ming Jie

Other than in memory of Leslie Cheung on Qing Ming Festival. There is also this group of people that set up booth at the harbour to pay respect to people that died many years ago due to the Tiananmen incident.

In Memory of Leslie Cheung

Today is Qing Ming Jie. It is a public holiday in Hong Kong. So no working today. Went to the harbour side to walk walk just now. They happen to have an exhibition of Leslie Cheung. He passed away 5 years already. 1st April was his death anniversary. So they are having this exhibition in memory of him. Quite a lot of people there.

Flowers outside the exhibition gallery

The heels that he wore during the concert

People at the exhibition

Goldfish Market

Went to one of the NGO at Mongkok just now. Walked pass the "Goldfish Market". An interesting place. The whole street sell fishes that are packed like the below:

Fishes for Sale!