When I started this blog/site (See Lai), I had no idea that I would end up meeting a lot of people from around the world, some of whom are now very good friends of mine to say the least.
John of Stone Camel, a regular commenter and reader of See Lai, and his beautiful wife Ally; are two such people, whom I consider as my very close and best friends (alongside others).
Logically, John and I must have seen each other at Clark Air Base in Philippines, when we were both working for USAF. However, yesterday (Wednesday, October 20, 2004) afternoon was the first time we met each other. Stepping out of the "Arrivals" gate at Hung Hom railway station, a springy and handsome John, and his beautiful and cheerful wife Ally, greeted me. All three of us felt as if we had known each other forever.
A quick ride to the hotel and after John and Ally checked in, we had almost four hours before the special party at night. Four hours being too short for me to introduce Hong Kong, I ended up as Hong Kong's worst tourist guide!
Another quick cab-ride to the Star Ferry Pier in Tsim Sha Tsui, I took them (John and Ally) to the waterfront. This is how my introduction went:
"This is the historic Star Ferry, and here in front of you is Victoria harbor. Across the harbor, over there, you see these huge buildings. That is 'Central,' Hong Kong. Victoria harbor is shrinking because Tung and his cronies are filling it up with reclamation projects. To your left over there you see Causeway Bay, the most polluted area in Hong Kong. On the right, you see Sheung Wan, and beyond that you would find Aberdeen; not a particularly interesting place.
The top of that hilly-mountain is called 'The Peak.' Mrs. Ng lives there. And that building opposite and across the harbor is the new convention center. The bird like building was designed specifically for Hong Kong handover, where a stupid prince Charles handed over the keys of Hong Kong to an equally (or more) stupid Tung Chee-hwa.
The oldest thing you see right now, apart from the clock tower and the ferry pier(s) is probably the huge 'Hitachi' neon sign near Wan Chai. That neon signboard (billboard) has been there since I first came to Hong Kong. Now let us take a historic ride in the historic Star Ferry to Wan Chai."
There! Hong Kong introduced in less than 10 minutes! How 'bout that?
A ferry ride to Wan Chai, I tried to take pictures of John and Ally with Victoria harbor and IFC2 building in the background. The fog, smoke, and dust, however, ensured that only John and Ally's faces appeared with a grayish background. This, despite the powerful ability of a beautiful digital camera that belongs to John.
Walking through the buildings in Wan Chai, including the new convention center, I guided them past the Wan Chai girly bars and into Carnegies - a sort of decent bar in Wan Chai, Hong Kong. Settling down on a cozy table in the corner, we had a great conversation as we sipped the beer. Here was a very intelligent man, John, who not only flew many of the same aircrafts that I flew in USAF, but who also shared my interest in researching topics which are over and above the mundane - Vedas, Time, Spirituality, and so on. Of course, since both of us are married to beautiful Chinese women, our conversation also focused on how wrong most people are in believing that Asian women are subservient! Ally just kept smiling during that part of our conversation.
A not so very quick ride back to Tsim Sha Tsui via the Cross Harbor Tunnel in a cab (taxi), I concluded my tour-guide role by informing John and Ally that the Cross Harbor Tunnel was the first under-sea tunnel in Hong Kong. Pronto, expeditious, fast, you name it but I think that was the best Hong Kong tour including "Everything you wanted to know about Hong Kong," in less than two and a half hours.
Back in 'Banana Leaf Curry House' in Tsim Sha Tsui, we had dinner that mostly comprised of Thai delicacies. The food was alright, but the decor had deteriorated since I last visited the place.
Almost 08:30 pm, and I started receiving calls from Joyce and Ani, as they had both arrived. Even though I screwed up the timing and venues, I really appreciate how both Joyce and Ani did their best and ensured that the special See Lai anniversary party was a great success.
Joyce had taken early leave from her office in Taiwan, almost rushed to board her afternoon flight from Taiwan to Hong Kong, and punctually arrived in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong. Ani was also very punctual, and further to my special invitation and request, accompanied her mother who had flown in from New Zealand. I was very eager to meet Ani's mother and was very glad that she accepted my invitation.
Greeting them all near Holiday Inn - Golden Mile, I noticed how graceful Joyce looked despite the tiring day and equally tiring flight. Ani was dressed in sharp black one piece, a beautiful dress, and looked overwhelming! However, my heart sunk to my shoes when I saw Ani's mother. Equally beautiful as Ani, she looked so fresh, young, and energetic, that suddenly I started feeling very old. Soon we would be joined by yet another beautiful girl called Vicki.
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