Sunday, 29 July 2012
(Cont’d)
Fortunately for us, our seats were in the shade and didn’t face the setting sun. We were at the ‘clock end’ – where the clock was and someone had thoughtfully hung up the Clock End flag there. There were fewer seats at the North Stand compared to the East and West sides and the Clock End. The match kicked off on time and from our seats, we could see the spectators walking outside still trying to get in.
We started slowly and were behind in a matter of minutes. The first goal was definitely not Iggy’s finest moment. Theo then levelled but the hosts led again before half-time.
The other squad members who weren’t playing in the first half entered the pitch to warm up during the break. Match resumed after 15 minutes with a number of changes. A final change was made in the 70th minute and Thomas Eisfeld again saved Arsenal’s bacon when he levelled. What a chap! He did the same thing in KL, bringing us level within seven minutes of being on the pitch and he repeated that in Hong Kong, also within seven minutes of entering the pitch. Tried as they did, the score stayed at 2-2. We stayed on applauding the players. Alas, they didn’t stay long as they were catching a flight back the same evening.
We left and shuffled our way to Causeway Bay MTR station. From there, we rode the train to Mongkok, changing trains at Central. I wanted to look for a pair of red Converse shoes so I headed to Fa Yuen Street (aka Sports Shoes Street). I wasn’t happy to find the shoes were selling at HKD299 a pair after discount. That’s as expensive as the price in KL before discount! So I left and headed back to Ladies’ Market.
We left after 2135 (I was late for the rendezvous because of the long wait for my miserable fish bun) and headed back to Tsim Sha Tsui.
Monday, 30 July 2012
We had planned to go on a ferry ride to Macau today so we left at 0930. We finally found Hong Kong China Ferry Terminal (I only discovered then it was part of China Hong Kong City!) and browsed the various operators. It was 1030 when we got there and most ferries were due to sail at either 11 or 1! We finally found one at HKD310 for a day return (but you must return by the 1730 ferry at the latest or the return fare would cost slightly more). We then quickly joined the queue to clear immigration and practically had to dash for our ferry.
The ride took about an hour and we landed in the hot scorching noon Macanese sun. We joined yet another queue to clear yet another immigration (there were a lot of Korean tourists to these parts) and then took the free shuttle to Grand Lisboa. The deco was tacky but I guess the owner could afford it. We then walked to Largo do Senado and then traced our way to the ruins of St Paul’s Cathedral. It was getting unbearably hotter by the minute and I decided to part ways with Aud and head back to some hotel or casino for the comfort of air-conditioning and to contemplate my initial plan to explore Taipa.
I decided to abandon Taipa and headed back to the ferry terminal, reaching it just after 3. My ticket stated my return journey was at 4.30 pm but the girl who sold the ticket assured that I could sail back any time before 4.30 pm. Alas, the boat was full and I joined the dozen or so others also on stand-by. We were given priority to board the 4 pm ferry.
I stopped briefly at Harbour City before returning to our room.
I left at 7.35 pm and brisk walked to the Clock Tower where Aud and I had agreed to meet for the Symphony of Lights show. The show started at 8 and it was conducted in English. Lucky for us the day had been clear. On another thought, unlucky us because the air was still. No breeze whatsoever. The show lasted 15 minutes and we then walked to the Avenue of Stars.
I went to check out Sogo after that while Aud returned to the room. I had wanted to have dinner at Sogo but later changed my mind when I saw the menu. I headed back to Nathan Road, bought some souvenirs at a small alley and then headed to Cute Fei Vegetarian Restaurant for my late dinner.
Tuesday, 31 July 2012
Last day of July! It had been a challenging, testing and trying month and as much as I love my birth month, I couldn’t wait for it to end. Thank God for Arsenal for restoring my sanity just when I needed it.
We left at 0940 and headed out to Tsim Sha Tsui. I went for a last visit to Harbour City then wandered back to Nathan Road before exploring the other side of the neighbourhood. I returned back to our room at 1125 and left ten minutes later. Aud’s flight back was later. I crossed the road to the bus stop for the bus back to the airport. This time, the bus took a slightly different route. We reached the airport an hour later.
I went to perform prayers first before dropping off my bag. I had checked in online the afternoon before and changed seats from the pre-assigned seat at row 31 (!!) to one in row 16. I then went in, queued for immigration process and then explored the duty-free before making my way to the gate.
The seats on the plane were in the 2-5-2 form. We took off on time and guess what? The seats next to me were empty. So why was I pre-assigned a seat at row 31??!! I reclined down the minute the seatbelt sign was off and took a nap.
We landed at 6.10 pm but our bags took time to appear. I caught a train at 1845 but there was no budget cabs when we reached KL Sentral. We’d have to wait between 15-45 minutes (or so the sign said) so I turned back and took the LRT to Ampang Park before making my way home by cab.
~~~~~~~~
I was disappointed that the new boys Poldi and Giroud didn’t make the trip to Asia but I was even more disappointed with the attitude of the soon-to-be-gone captain. It’s a good thing he didn’t make the trip; I would have pelted him with rotten eggs and tomatoes had he come but his situation is still unresolved.
As for Hong Kong? Well, whatever made me think the city was cheap? Not this time. Meals are expensive. A small bowl of noodles and a pot of tea cost HKD36 or HKD40 (rounded up for tip) – that’s RM16++! Most things cost more than in KL: Marks and Spencer goods (even those on sale), Chanel bags (even those at the airport duty-free) and even Arsenal magazine costs HKD60 (equivalent to RM24.60, when it costs us RM20 here). Converse shoes don’t cost any less. Only LeSportsac bags and some Crocs shoes on sale cost less but other than those, I was hard pressed to find anything that cost less than in KL. So I don’t understand those who prefer to go shopping in Singapore, Bangkok, Jakarta or Hong Kong when KL offers better prices PLUS you don’t need to suffer from credit card charges or lose out on exchange rates.
And after a while it got increasingly annoying to be constantly dripped upon by the air-conditioners above you. Strange that I never noticed this before.
(Cont’d)
Fortunately for us, our seats were in the shade and didn’t face the setting sun. We were at the ‘clock end’ – where the clock was and someone had thoughtfully hung up the Clock End flag there. There were fewer seats at the North Stand compared to the East and West sides and the Clock End. The match kicked off on time and from our seats, we could see the spectators walking outside still trying to get in.
We started slowly and were behind in a matter of minutes. The first goal was definitely not Iggy’s finest moment. Theo then levelled but the hosts led again before half-time.
The other squad members who weren’t playing in the first half entered the pitch to warm up during the break. Match resumed after 15 minutes with a number of changes. A final change was made in the 70th minute and Thomas Eisfeld again saved Arsenal’s bacon when he levelled. What a chap! He did the same thing in KL, bringing us level within seven minutes of being on the pitch and he repeated that in Hong Kong, also within seven minutes of entering the pitch. Tried as they did, the score stayed at 2-2. We stayed on applauding the players. Alas, they didn’t stay long as they were catching a flight back the same evening.
We left and shuffled our way to Causeway Bay MTR station. From there, we rode the train to Mongkok, changing trains at Central. I wanted to look for a pair of red Converse shoes so I headed to Fa Yuen Street (aka Sports Shoes Street). I wasn’t happy to find the shoes were selling at HKD299 a pair after discount. That’s as expensive as the price in KL before discount! So I left and headed back to Ladies’ Market.
We left after 2135 (I was late for the rendezvous because of the long wait for my miserable fish bun) and headed back to Tsim Sha Tsui.
Monday, 30 July 2012
We had planned to go on a ferry ride to Macau today so we left at 0930. We finally found Hong Kong China Ferry Terminal (I only discovered then it was part of China Hong Kong City!) and browsed the various operators. It was 1030 when we got there and most ferries were due to sail at either 11 or 1! We finally found one at HKD310 for a day return (but you must return by the 1730 ferry at the latest or the return fare would cost slightly more). We then quickly joined the queue to clear immigration and practically had to dash for our ferry.
The ride took about an hour and we landed in the hot scorching noon Macanese sun. We joined yet another queue to clear yet another immigration (there were a lot of Korean tourists to these parts) and then took the free shuttle to Grand Lisboa. The deco was tacky but I guess the owner could afford it. We then walked to Largo do Senado and then traced our way to the ruins of St Paul’s Cathedral. It was getting unbearably hotter by the minute and I decided to part ways with Aud and head back to some hotel or casino for the comfort of air-conditioning and to contemplate my initial plan to explore Taipa.
I decided to abandon Taipa and headed back to the ferry terminal, reaching it just after 3. My ticket stated my return journey was at 4.30 pm but the girl who sold the ticket assured that I could sail back any time before 4.30 pm. Alas, the boat was full and I joined the dozen or so others also on stand-by. We were given priority to board the 4 pm ferry.
I stopped briefly at Harbour City before returning to our room.
I left at 7.35 pm and brisk walked to the Clock Tower where Aud and I had agreed to meet for the Symphony of Lights show. The show started at 8 and it was conducted in English. Lucky for us the day had been clear. On another thought, unlucky us because the air was still. No breeze whatsoever. The show lasted 15 minutes and we then walked to the Avenue of Stars.
I went to check out Sogo after that while Aud returned to the room. I had wanted to have dinner at Sogo but later changed my mind when I saw the menu. I headed back to Nathan Road, bought some souvenirs at a small alley and then headed to Cute Fei Vegetarian Restaurant for my late dinner.
Tuesday, 31 July 2012
Last day of July! It had been a challenging, testing and trying month and as much as I love my birth month, I couldn’t wait for it to end. Thank God for Arsenal for restoring my sanity just when I needed it.
We left at 0940 and headed out to Tsim Sha Tsui. I went for a last visit to Harbour City then wandered back to Nathan Road before exploring the other side of the neighbourhood. I returned back to our room at 1125 and left ten minutes later. Aud’s flight back was later. I crossed the road to the bus stop for the bus back to the airport. This time, the bus took a slightly different route. We reached the airport an hour later.
I went to perform prayers first before dropping off my bag. I had checked in online the afternoon before and changed seats from the pre-assigned seat at row 31 (!!) to one in row 16. I then went in, queued for immigration process and then explored the duty-free before making my way to the gate.
The seats on the plane were in the 2-5-2 form. We took off on time and guess what? The seats next to me were empty. So why was I pre-assigned a seat at row 31??!! I reclined down the minute the seatbelt sign was off and took a nap.
We landed at 6.10 pm but our bags took time to appear. I caught a train at 1845 but there was no budget cabs when we reached KL Sentral. We’d have to wait between 15-45 minutes (or so the sign said) so I turned back and took the LRT to Ampang Park before making my way home by cab.
~~~~~~~~
I was disappointed that the new boys Poldi and Giroud didn’t make the trip to Asia but I was even more disappointed with the attitude of the soon-to-be-gone captain. It’s a good thing he didn’t make the trip; I would have pelted him with rotten eggs and tomatoes had he come but his situation is still unresolved.
As for Hong Kong? Well, whatever made me think the city was cheap? Not this time. Meals are expensive. A small bowl of noodles and a pot of tea cost HKD36 or HKD40 (rounded up for tip) – that’s RM16++! Most things cost more than in KL: Marks and Spencer goods (even those on sale), Chanel bags (even those at the airport duty-free) and even Arsenal magazine costs HKD60 (equivalent to RM24.60, when it costs us RM20 here). Converse shoes don’t cost any less. Only LeSportsac bags and some Crocs shoes on sale cost less but other than those, I was hard pressed to find anything that cost less than in KL. So I don’t understand those who prefer to go shopping in Singapore, Bangkok, Jakarta or Hong Kong when KL offers better prices PLUS you don’t need to suffer from credit card charges or lose out on exchange rates.
And after a while it got increasingly annoying to be constantly dripped upon by the air-conditioners above you. Strange that I never noticed this before.
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