"The great advantage of a hotel is that it's a refuge from home life." Great Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw wasn't far off the truth with this pearl of wisdom. Married to an hotelier, I've been regaled with a few tales of the weird and wonderful antics of guests bunked-down in their 'home away from home.' Having worked in television for much of my career, strangely enough the two worlds aren't as different as you might think. The guest who turned up half-naked at reception covered in talcum powder springs to mind. (For the record it was at the hotel but with hindsight, it could've just as easily been the TV studios.) I digress... what I really want to know, is when it comes to hotels of the luxurious kind, what is it that provokes such extravagant and more often than you'd care to know, bizarre behavior? … [Read more...]
A for effort….This is Hong Kong!
We live on the forty-something floor. A pretty normal residential address in Hong Kong, which is home to around 8000 skyscrapers (almost double that of New York.) Last week one of the many notices we get through the mailbox from the 'building management' went something like this.… "….table tennis balls and a tissue have been found in the garden area after being tossed out of a window or balcony from a serious height. This is a serious criminal act and you will be liable for $10,000 hk and 6 months imprisonment!" A high price to pay for a carelessly thrown tissue? Given the extraordinary number of high-rises squeezed ever-so-tightly into this concrete jungle, it's a wonder there aren't more people being walloped on the head by falling objects. The perils of high-rise living! … [Read more...]
Moonlit Reflections….
“The moon, like you, is far away from me, but it’s our sole memento: if you look and recall our past through it, we can be one mind.” Saigo, Awesome Nightfall After a fantastic four-day 'moon gazing' holiday, I was keen to share the hallmarks of this annual chinese tradition that appeared to permeate a sense of joy and serenity through the usually hard-at-work, frenzied metropolis of Hong Kong. Sadly though, as the Mid-Autumn Festival (otherwise known as the Moon Festival or Chinese Lantern Festival) was coming to a close, tragedy struck right on our doorstep. As they did last year and the year before that… locals and expats gathered along harbour foreshores; in very tall buildings and on boats of all shapes and sizes - to watch the ever-popular fireworks display that also celebrates National Day - the founding of the People's Republic of China. Baby girl in bed, just as we did last year, we gathered in our bedroom to peek out the back window for the 15 minute showdown (if you perch on your toes you can see 'most' of the spectacle in all its glory.) Little did we know just half an hour earlier, two boats had collided further downstream and mayhem was unfolding on Hong Kong's waters. … [Read more...]
50 Shades of Hong Kong Grey….
Truth be known, when it comes to Hong Kong skies, it's quite possible there are considerably more than 50 shades of grey. Unlike the best-selling book people have been tripping over themselves to discreetly (or not) rip off the shelves, Hong Kong's skies are a little more, shall we say, unpredictable. Pollution is a problem here with a capital P. Just like that box of chocolates in Forrest Gump, you never know what your gonna get! … [Read more...]
A tribute to nanas….
When I woke up this morning, a reminder went off on my phone. Ahh it's one of my best friend's birthdays. About half an hour later, the date triggered another memory. Nine years today since my beloved nana died. I still miss and think of her every day and how huge her impact on my world was. It made me think about grandparents and the role they play in our lives, how much they influence us whether they are with us for a short time or a long time. … [Read more...]