A Macanese adventure

I was sick of being bored by the monotony of Hong Kong. The constant sameness of the streets was starting to get me down. How much pleasure can a person derive from moving from shopping centre to shopping centre?

The crush of humanity was also weighing on me. I needed to go somewhere that wasn't as crowded and where the pace of life was slower.

The answer to my troubles were very simple.

Starring me in the face really.

It was time to leave Hong Kong and make my traditional side trip to Macau.

Macau both calms and excites me all at the same time.

I love this place! It's quite possibly one of my favourite places in Asia.

Unlike other parts of Asia, the old colonial heart of Macau hasn't been flattened. It remains an important part of the modern developments.

And besides all of that, the place is just pretty.

It's a lovely old city that isn't just a mass of concrete, steel and glass.
Can you feel the serenity?

Canto cuisine

There's something about cantonese cuisine that really doesn't seem to grab my attention in the same way it used to when I was younger.

This is the food of my childhood, the food I had at home and that I still consider to be my personal comfort food. It's all delicious as well. There's a combination of texture and flavours that is completely missing in the cooking in the West.
But for some strange reason, I really didn't feel it this recent trip to Hong Kong. I have returned to Australia feeling as though nothing really stood out, feeling as though there was nothing eaten that was memorable or particularly amazing.
Not that anything was bad, it was all good, fresh food. It was food that highlighted the natural flavours of the ingredients and brought people together as all good Cantonese cuisine does.
And still, I found myself a bit bored with it all.

I found myself lacking the desire to try new dishes, returning instead over and over again to the same old tea house for their strong tea and hot pineapple buns.
It leads me to wondering whether my palate has changed or whether I have lost the desire for trying new things entirely?

Being traditional

The real reason I went on my trip to Hong Kong was to be a good grandson.

My grandmother was having her 80th birthday, and this was an event that I had promised to attend for years.

It was something I had definitely been looking forward to. Not only would it give me the opportunity to finally see many relatives whom I had never had the opportunity to meet, it would also give me the opportunity to take part in some truly traditional Chinese customs.

For one thing, it was around Chinese New Year that I went. Chinese New Year involves numerous givings and receivings of "Red Packets" which are little envelopes filled with money. As a child, this period could be very important for your yearly finances, and yet I had never experienced the sheer magnitude of a Hong Kong Chinese New Year. There was lots of work to do to help my mother with the preparations of her Red Packets to provide to others.

Eventually, this was all done and I was able to actually wander in and wish my grandmother a happy birthday.

And it was so much fun!

As a mark of respect, in Chinese culture, there serving of tea is to the elders.

This seemed like fun! So I ever so gingerly bent down onto my surgically reconstructed knee and did the traditionally upstanding thing and served my grandmother tea.
However, standing up was still a touch difficult and we had to wait until some other relatives came over to help me get up!

A clouded wander

Off I went on this walk!

My knee was feeling strong and I wanted to be out in the open being cooped up in the enclosed spaces of Hong Kong .My hopes of seeing some views of Hong Kong really weren't going to be happening on this walk.

It felt like something out of a movie, it was as though I was walking into the underworld or into a dream. Looking out into the distance, all I could see was the same whiteness that didn't change.
When combined with some of the more surreal looking natural features, I definitely began to feel as though there was something almost otherworldly about this walk I was taking.
But onwards I walk!

Clouded views

The top of the Peak wasn't exactly what I was expecting.

I had been hoping for vast and expansive views of Hong Kong, instead I found myself confronted with visibility reduced to about 20 metres.
Still, being a tourist means that you're meant to embrace the experiences and this was definitely something I hadn't experienced before.
For one thing, it isn't really "fog" that I found myself in. It was actually the clouds! I was literally wandering around in the low level clouds that had surrounded the mountain range (and which was most likely sending rain onto the residents in Hong Kong below). It's an incredibly surreal feeling to know that you are walking through a cloud, that people down below are looking up into the sky and that you're pacing around in that exact sky.
I didn't want to leave so quickly. So after some quick inquiries, I was able to find out about some walks I could do.
So it was off into the clouds I walked!

Tourist fun

I've been to Hong Kong so many times over the years. It's not that surprising considering it's where much of my extended family resides.


However, in all of these trips, I've spent a surprisingly small amount of time exploring Hong Kong. I've rarely had the opportunity to actually be a tourist. Instead, I've found myself being shuttled from one family obligation to another.

The result has been that I have found myself with not only a poor understanding of where anything is in Hong Kong, but also a distinct lack of opportunities to see what makes this town so special.


This was going to change though.


This trip to Hong Kong was surprisingly event free which allowed me more than enough opportunity to be the tourist my heart yearned to be. I wanted to do my usual tourist thing and just wander and wander until I found myself too exhausted to walk anymore (this was also going to be something of a test for my reconstructed knee).


The big thing on my list of things to do was the Peak!


And not only the Peak, I wanted to ride the famous tram up to the Peak!
The Peak is on top of the mountain range that runs across the middle of Hong Kong island. It has long been the location of choice for the richest of the rich to live and for the rest of us mere mortals to visit.
Catching the tram, at certain points, the incline reaches ridiculously steep levels that force you into the back of the chair.
... ideally, there should be a lovely view of Hong Kong and the harbour...

Tranquility in the heart of the city

I always seem to find myself in this park in Hong Kong.

It's located near Admiralty in the heart of the city and it's a lovely, calm and quiet place that is amazingly removed from the traffic and congestion only a hundred metres or so away.

I remember coming here years ago and wandering around the tea museum.

It's not as good anymore (or maybe my memory betrays me), but it's still nice being somewhere that doesn't involve people trying to sell you things.
It always amazed me that these places can exist though. Such secluded and quiet places that are surrounded by so much congestion.

People living in these busy places often complain about the lack of space and the lack of any greenery, but do they realise that they have places like this a mere five minute wander from where they are?

It almost seems like an intentional blindness to justify their own ways of living.

Forrest Gump?

This seems silly to me.

My friend insisted that we go.

But I still find it silly.

It's a Forrest Gump themed restaurant called "Bubba Gump's".

An entire restaurant that's been based off of the movie Forrest Gump....

It all seems just a bit excessive to me. Is anyone that into the movie that they would be keen on experiencing it all again in kitch restaurant form?

Amazingly, it's also located on "The Peak", one of the highest points in Hong Kong that overlooks the entire city.

The food was mediocre and overpriced and the novelty factor wore off pretty quickly....

A random indulgence

I don't eat fried chicken.

I really like it as well.... but quite a few years ago, I made a decision that for the sake of my health and fitness, I would give up eating and drinking a substantial number of things. One of these things was fried chicken.

However, there are rare occasions when I allow myself to cheat.

For instance, when I was in Belgium, I allowed myself to eat chocolate (I mean how could I not???)

When I was in the Middle East, I allowed myself to drink coffee (though to be honest, I only really drank tea during my time there).

For fried chicken, I allow myself to partake when I find myself in the vicinity of a "Popeyes". Hong Kong is one of the few places in the Asia Pacific region that actually has a Popeyes and I wasn't going to pass up the opportunity.

Ahhhh, Popeyes!!!

It may sound silly, but I just find that they make the best fried chicken. The Colonel may have his secret herbs and spices, but he just can't get that amazing crispiness that Popeyes has.
Not only that, but Popeyes serves its chicken with biscuits and cajun spiced fries. How can I resist that???

It didn't take me long to demolish the Popeyes in front of me.... I feel so full....

Nathan Road

There's nothing quite like the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong.

Even the CBD of Sydney feels almost empty compared the packed streets in the middle of Kowloon.

It's intense, it's busy and there is a hurried feeling wherever you go. The place definitely feels busier than the last time I was here as well. The influx of tourists from mainland China is clear and the sound of Mandarin now seems to fill the air as much as Cantonese.
Being in the middle of Kowloon also means that I'm nice and close to many of the famous street markets.
This claustrophobic atmosphere always gives me a bit of a rush!

Lost bags

It feels good to be travelling again.

It feels so liberating. As soon as I stepped into Sydney airport, I felt a weight lift from my shoulders knowing that for the duration of this trip (as short as it was), I would be without obligations.

I was heading off to Hong Kong for some family events!!!

It had been over two years since I had been overseas (far too long) and over three years since I had been to Hong Kong. I generally don't like going to places I have been to before, but as far as I'm now concerned, a trip is a trip.

Cheap tickets had been sourced, but unfortunately this meant I was actually flying to Taiwan first...

I found myself running through the airport in Taiwan at around 4am in the morning searching for someone to print out a boarding pass for me, but thankfully someone appeared and I was able to run (as well as my reconstructed knee will allow me) to the gate and my connecting flight to Hong Kong.

Not that it really mattered anyway.

It turns out my bags weren't able to run as fast as I was and they were bumped onto the subsequent flight.

So instead, I found myself sitting at Chek Lap Kok airport, waiting for my bags to arrive.

It's a nice looking airport.

The huge ceilings seem to glow, no matter the time of day and the white has an eerie calming feeling.
It was annoying having to wait the extra hour (which was still better than waiting the 6+ hours for them to deliver it to my hotel), but I was on holiday. So who cares if I have to sit around?

Dinner at Google!!!

Most of the time, I accept that I have a pretty good job. It pays the bills and the work is interesting.

I really can't complain considering many people struggle to find a job these days and even more people find themselves in jobs that they hate.

However, there are a few times when it is difficult to hide the jealousy I have for other peoples' jobs.

My trip to visit my friends working at Google was one of these times.

The invitation had been simple enough: "Hey, you guys should totally come and have dinner with us at our work!" said Andy in his casual American accent.

Dinner at work??? How odd! Why not I thought.

Something was clearly amiss when Nick and I arrived at the Google offices to find Andy playing on the tyre swing in the reception. The girls laughed at our surprise.

.... this was clearly going to be an upsetting tour.
Nick and I also felt strangely out of place walking through this office in our suits and ties. This was a laid back office of t-shirt and jeans and we were clearly squaring up the joint with our lameness.

There's a reason Google is consistently voted as one of the best employers in the world. It's because they treat their staff VERY well.

Unfortunately I couldn't take any photos inside (fair enough), but what my eyes beheld was astounding.

The first thing we saw was the kitchenettes that were peppered everywhere in the building. Full of food and drink, there was no expense spared. Even the coffee machines provided were no run of the mill mass coffee dispenser, but the quality espresso machines that have the large handles to allow the control of water pressure.

Next, we were shown into the games room were a Googler was entranced in his game of Guitar Hero. A pool table, foosball table and a tennis table lay un-used, surrounded by musical instruments for anyone who felt like unwinding in a more cultured manner.

We then wandered upstairs and were shown the library. I had to be careful where I stepped as to not upset the model trains on the ground that someone was working on.

The presence in the office of hammocks and sleeping pods made me particularly upset.

"Yeah, naps are acceptable. There's an attitude of do whatever you want, so long as you get the work done well."

This seemed to be a great attitude! It was definitely an attitude that fit in with the creative approach being sought be this fine organisation. Somehow I'm not so sure it would work as well in the world of law and finance that I find myself in. Still, the ability to power nap after lunch for even half an hour would improve my productivity.... if only it were to be so!

Andy and the girls then took us to look at the myriad of themed meeting rooms. Yes, that's correct, all of the meeting rooms are themed. The most eye catching one was easily the room that used the theme of bath time and rubber duckies.

With the main tour essentially complete, it was time for dinner.

We were escorted into the cafeteria, where the Googlers are provided with buffet breakfasts, lunches and dinners. Each day had a different theme, and we had been fortunate enough to arrive for Indian food. Again, there were no short cuts taken with the food provided. It was good quality food and, even though mass produced cafeteria style fare, it was still better than what I had been used to in my boarding school days. What's more, the free flow of drinks, desserts and ice creams showed that cost cutting wasn't going to be sought in this benefit.

Talking to the Googlers, their admiration and love of the company was evident. And why shouldn't it be? This company cared for them and went out of their way to ensure that they were comfortable in both work and life. These employees genuinely believed in the vision that their company was trying to establish.

As I sat listening to them, slowly eating the paddle pop ice cream that I had taken out of the fridge, my hatred for this company began to grow. It wasn't a hatred because of a dislike. No, this was very much the type of hatred that stems from being an outsider wanting to get in!

We all finished up dinner and began to head off.

Before I left though, there was some unfinished business.

I needed to jump on the tyre swing at least ONCE before I left the premises!!!!

So now I'm left with the question of how I can find a way to sneak my way back into this company???

Cricket!

On a beautiful summer's day, what's better to do than to spend a lovely day at the cricket!

This traditionally British past time both confuses and stupefies foreigners, and yet it still holds a powerful grip on the culture of this country. Other sports have become increasingly popular in Australia, but the state based rivalries still exist and cricket remains the unifying sport that is embraced by the entire country.

So, with the sun high in the sky, we joined thousands of others as we made our way into the Sydney Cricket Ground for the one day international between Australia and England.

Our seats were good!

Seated in the Trumper Stand, we were perfectly placed to view the action, whilst still receiving some protection from the upper parts of the stand.
With the game underway, there was nothing more to do than to sit back and start on the beers.
Cricket is a nuanced game that requires patience and technique. The traditional test match form of the game takes 5 days, so even the one day version is a bastardisation of that original pure form. The even newer 20-20 format is even further from what is traditionally considered cricket. Even with this "shorter" version of the game (a one day match being comprised of 50 overs per team) this was still going to take more than 8 hours.
What better way to enjoy those 8 hours though? Sitting in the shade of the stands, having some drinks with friends while watching Australia play the old enemy.
The English have been rather good this summer, with crushing wins in the Ashes Test series, so any wins to Australia (even in a one day match) is a welcome thing.
However, even with Australia taking hold of the match, the length of time involved in the game was clearly too much for some.
Part of the fun of going to the cricket seems to be in watching the crowd themselves as they start creating their own entertainment (usually after some liquid courage).

Bottles are thrown, beer snakes are formed and the crowd start hurling abuse at the police.
As the match wears on, the procession of fans being escorted out of the stadium with varying degrees of police encouragement steadily increases, almost always to the standing applause and cheers of everyone else!

Broken

The new year has come in with a bang and a drunken haze.

I feel ill, I really do. I've definitely overdone it.

One morning, Josh clearly wasn't paying attention in one of this wake up hazes and managed to kick the antenna cord out of his new TV along with the socket.....

His annoyance was clearly compounded by the realisation that this would not be easily repaired.
.... I think we all need to let up for a few weekends.....