Boston and Hong Kong, April 30 – May 17, 2010

4/30. Train from Metropark to Boston. We went to CBCGB to attend the third annual Social Concern Conference with the theme of “Exploited Women & Children.” Friday was a message by the keynote speaker, and there were several Saturday evening workshops. Met up with Sarah of Hope International.

5/1. Boiled water alert for several towns in the area, including Boston. Certainly makes life a bit incovenient. Lunch at a Korean Restaurant in Union Square, Somerset.

5/2. Took Joe's car and dropped Anne off at Logan for her trip to Chicago, then drove down to South Yarmouth (about 90 minutes away) to pick up Ellie who attended a wedding. Trip back took longer because of repairs on Sagamore Bridge causing a rather lengthy delay. Dinner with Ellie, Joe Jr & Jessica at Yuki's at Station Landing, then we dropped off Ellie for her trip back to SFO.

5/3. Joe Jr dropped me off at around 10 am for my trip to Hong Kong (via Newark). Packed plane from Newark to Hong Kong. Plane was late taking off and arrived a little late; it took just about an hour for me to settle in my room at the Rosedale, though.

5/5. Wednesday. Met up with Johnny at YMCA Salisbury and spent a good part of the day with him catching up on various things. Had two coffees and lunch at Prince Restaurant at 1 Peking Road. Also went to Mongkok and bought a Chinese made cell phone (2 lines); battery connection is lose, though. Ruth and Steven arrived a bit late and joined us for dinner after 8 pm.

5/6. Thursday. Met up with Johnny again and said goodbye after lunch. Then off to Hong Kong Club to meet up with Larry and Elaine. Elaine gave me some tourist information. Dinner at a local cafe (Tsui Wah) in Causeway Bay, followed by dessert at Yee Shun, with Stephen & Ruth.

5/7. Friday. Breakfast with Ruth and Steven at Jade Restaurant, Hysan Ave. Lunch with Larry at Hong Kong club; chatted for more than 2 hours. Went to HK Cultural Center; the Beethoven concert was sold out so bought a ticket for the Chinese Orchestra's performance tonight. Turns out the concert was for tomorrow; mad dash to City Hall was for naught.

5/8. Saturday. Went to Tai Po construction site to look at progress of house. Ling fell and now has a large bruise around her ankle.


I ran into this Qilin Dance in the Mongkok area. Probably to celebrate the opening of a new store.

5/9. Sunday. A rather large group (4 Lau's from Clear Water Bay; 6 Cheungs) went on Tim's boat, first to Lamma Island Rainbow Restaurant for lunch, then to Yung Shue Wan to look at the temporary theatre for Chinese Opera – not much happening because it was a holiday. Coffee at ABC's Middle Island club house, followed by a tour of Repulse Bay. Ling cooked for us at Tim's apartment.

5/10. Monday. Looked around Shum Shui Po computer markets. Met up with Ruth and Steven to head out t Noah's Ark. They now have convenient shuttle bus service from Grand Century Plaza in Mongkok. Dinner at China Land Restaurant at the Plaza.

5/11. Tuesday. Morning tea at Lin Heung Restaurant in Sheung Wan. Food at this well-known traditional restaurant isn't as good it is reputed to be. Tea with On Ching at Starbucks in Hopewell Center. Tea at Macau Restaurant in Causeway Bay. Dinner with Derek at Ding Tai Fung, another somewhat overrated restaurant.

5/12. Wednesday. After breakfast, Ruth, Steven & I left for Disneyland. We got there about 11:30 am and it was quite empty. There were more people as the day progressed but the rides were never crowded. The theme park is quite small compared to the one in Florida, with many fewer rides. While somethings were tri-lingual (Mandarin, Cantonese & English), most shows were in English, not sure it is a good idea. A lot of walking involved, but Steven seemed to take it in stride. Evening dinner in Sai Kung hosted by the Lau's. A rather sumptuous event. Quite late when we got back into town.


Hong Kong Disneyland is a rather small theme park.

5/13. Thursday. Visit Ocean Park with Steven & Ruth. Saw the dolphin and sea lion shows, the bird show, and the “clown” show. All disappointing. The desire to add an “ecological” message didn't help as it was quite artificial. Tim joined us for dinner at Ding Tai Fung. Tea with Larry at the Conrad. Bought a new cell phone.


Dolphin show at Ocean Park. It took me a few tries to time the camera correctly.


Pandas are always an attraction.

5/14. Friday. Late coffee at Happy Valley with Larry.

5/15. Saturday. Trip to Kennedy Town took about an hour. Surprised at number of foreigners that live there and the many coffee shops and bars that cater to them. Met up with Ling and Wally at Tai Po Market Station and went to construction site again. Windows have been installed. Went to HK Culture Center concert where a sung version of Fidelio was performed.


Construction site. What would it look like when completed?

5/16. Sunday. Went on Tim’s boat for lunch at a pizzeria at Stanley, then tea at Middle Island. Dinner at Lei Garden.

5/17. Monday. Left a bit late and missed the city check-in window. It was after 9:30 am when I got to the airport for a 10:25 am departure. Managed to get the luggage checked, boarding pass issued, and by the time I got to the gate most people had boarded. It was a crowded flight.