Day 5
The last day of this year's International Board Meeting ended in the early afternoon on Sunday. Mensa in Germany presented a seminar on growth in their region with tips/advice on how to strengthen the group. More discussions on the future directions of the group helped us appreciate how far we've come, yet how far we have to go. Three presentations of potential locations of the 2008 meeting entertained us, then we voted (secret ballot). All three had marvelous characteristics - Macedonia Mensa is an emerging group, Mensa of Switzerland netted a hotel that would be for us only, and Mensa Italy would be celebrating its 25th anniversary. The vote went to Italy.
An hour or so after adournment, we boarded buses that would take us to Lantau Island and a beach dinner. Lantau is hilly so the bus traversing the curving highway on the left side of the road seemed like an amusement park ride. First stop was to view the Tsing Ma bridge, the longest road/rail suspension bridge in the world. It links the main part of Hong Kong with the island where the airport is - Lantau Island. Great views, but it was starting to rain.
Next stop was the Po Lin Monastery featuring the largest seated outdoor image in the world - an 85-foot bronze Buddha reached after a steep climb and about a zillion steps... in the rain... as the attraction was closing. Interestng that the Buddha faces north toward China, not south as is usual. This, because Hong Kong, in essence, is welcoming China with open arms. Maybe. Or keeping a close eye on China...
The final stop was at the restaurant, an open air barbecue place called The Stoop. Roasting, baking, cooking aromas greeted us - we were so ready to eat. The meal was wonderful - chicken, beef, potato salad, other salad, other items I cannot remember. Everyone was in a happy mood - food does that to people. Since the restaurant was so close to the sea, I just had to dip my feet in the South China Sea. It was dark but I still got some photos of my toes disappearing into the sand as the seafoam swirled around them. Very cool.
Day 6
Monday rolled around and we decided to go shopping in Mong Kok, a supposedly cheap place to find knockoff watches, handbags, etc. It was still raining so wasn't too comfortable traveling, but the train was fast & effiicient. Then once there instead of a positive experience, it was too, too "in your face" with the shopkeepers practically begging you to buy.
Day 7
Today we took the Hong Kong Island tour. Left from the hotel around noon, heading to the Kowloon Hotel to meet the tour guide. Finally got underway around 2pm with Andy, a bit of a cynical HKer, feeling trapped in his job. First stop - Man Po temple is undergoing renovation with bamboo scaffolding everywhere. It is Hong Kong's oldest place of worship, but needs attention now to its infrastructure. Huge coils of incense hang above our heads - the redolent smoke is heavy. We learn that two pieces of wood shaped like half moons are really the Buddha's lips and can be used to tell the future. Make a request, toss the wood chips, check how they land - the answer may be yes, no or perhaps.
The highlight of this tour is the next stop at the Victoria Peak tram. It is a misty day - not good for the best photos - but it's the only day we have. At the top of the highest point in Hong Kong we still have great views of the city. There is also a shopping mall at the top too. Everywhere there are shopping malls in Hong Kong. I ask Andy what that big bird flying around is - looks like a vulture or eagle. He says it's an eagle. I ask is it a bald eagle or golden eagle. Andy says it's a brown bird (in other words, he doesn't know). Must check into that.
After the Peak, we stop at a gem factory, the Dynasty Co. Andy emphasizes that there is no obligation to buy anything. He says this several times. I end up buying a pearl necklace, beautiful, gorgeous pearls at a good price. We are hustled out of there and to the Aberdeen fishing village where we are treated to a sampan ride through the anchored vessels, some enormous, some shabby. Many families live aboard, an arrangement that may not last much longer. The harbor area is being filled in to make room for more buildings. We see the jumbo floating restaurant and wonder what it would be like to eat a meal there.
Our last stop, a hurried one, is at the Stanley Market. Shopkeepers are already closing down since it is after 6pm. But I find some beautiful silk scarves and grab them. I'm beginning to feel turned off of shopping (never thought I'd say that) because the prices are really not that great & the merchandise with some exceptions is not that great. And I do not like to be pawed and fawned over.
A long ride back to the Kowloon Hotel then a train ride to Sha Tin brings us home again, tired again. We have a spaghetti dinner - quite good - and fall into bed.
Day 8
Today we plan to go to Central to check for Movado watches, a near mpossible item to find in the markets - Rolexes, yes, Movados, no. The Star Ferry ride is fast and efficient across Victoria Harbour. We get yet another view of the HK skyline - a more incredible skyline doesn't exist, I think, not even Manhattan's. Elevated footbridges and walkways take the crowds off the streets, a very good idea. The walkways connect the large office buildings and people move in air conditioned comfort and have even more opportunities for, what else? more shopping! I've never seen so many designer shops next to each other - Manolo Blahnik, Tiffany, Chopard, Armani, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Jimmy Choo - and that's in one area. No Movados either - what we do find is priced the same as back home - no bargain.
Last day tomorrow. We'll find some souvenirs and an inexpensive suitcase for what we've bought.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Flying Time, Hidden Meaning
These are the blognotes from Friday and Saturday, 21 & 22 September. Friday was the first day of the International Board's annual meeting. Our room is a bit cramped and the AC was fitful, cooling then quitting. As we moved through the agenda, slower than a water buffalo plodding down a crowded street, it looked like it would take more than two and a half days to complete the business. We broke for coffee, then lunch, then coffee again. At 5pm, it was time to quit for the day and get ready for the Harbour Lights tour.
We piled into buses that took us to Victoria Harbour in the Central area. Before we boarded the boat we walked along Hong Kong's celebrity Walk of Fame, stars and handprints of the city's movie actors - Jet Li, Bruce Lee (he has a statue too), Chow Yun-Fat. The skyline is magnificent - many of the buildings have colorful designed light patterns, which we heard were going to amaze us with a show along with pulsating music. We boarded the rocking boat (hoping that it wasn't going to lead to queasiness) and continued to snap photos of the skyline. I was totally impressed and hoped that the photos would display these fantastic images.
The light show/music began and we tried to imagine how much cooperation it took among the building managers to make this show happen. Again I was impressed. The plan later was to meet some Hong Kong Mensa members at a local bar then split up for dinner. The downside was that we would have to find our own way back to the hotel because the bus ride was one way... We had a drink at Zenses, then decided to take a cab back to the hotel and grab a bite to eat there. Actually I was ready to go to bed and would have except that others were still up for more activity.
Finally got to bed after midnight.
Saturday, 22 September:
The second day of the meeting. I was the only one who changed seats - I find that kind of odd - but I had a fuller view of the 40 or so members that way. The big surprise this day was a dim sum lunch in the Chinese restaurant served atop a glass lazy susan. I practiced with chopsticks and used them throughout the meal- got to a point where I could pick up a peanut or a slippery dim sum dumpling.
Again we ended the meeting at 5pm and prepared for our gala dinner. We boarded buses and drove a loonnnggg way to th Marina Cove. It was located in an area around a boat marina. The meal again was served on a lazy susan -we, some of us anyway, ate with chopsticks. The Mensa group here had put together a banner wth all the dfferent countries' flags - very impressive. It was difficult to get wine, but finally found me a cold bottle. Entertainment consisted of a two-person lion costume and and cymbals.
Again, I was ready for bed, it seemed before anyone else - the meetings are tiring.
We piled into buses that took us to Victoria Harbour in the Central area. Before we boarded the boat we walked along Hong Kong's celebrity Walk of Fame, stars and handprints of the city's movie actors - Jet Li, Bruce Lee (he has a statue too), Chow Yun-Fat. The skyline is magnificent - many of the buildings have colorful designed light patterns, which we heard were going to amaze us with a show along with pulsating music. We boarded the rocking boat (hoping that it wasn't going to lead to queasiness) and continued to snap photos of the skyline. I was totally impressed and hoped that the photos would display these fantastic images.
The light show/music began and we tried to imagine how much cooperation it took among the building managers to make this show happen. Again I was impressed. The plan later was to meet some Hong Kong Mensa members at a local bar then split up for dinner. The downside was that we would have to find our own way back to the hotel because the bus ride was one way... We had a drink at Zenses, then decided to take a cab back to the hotel and grab a bite to eat there. Actually I was ready to go to bed and would have except that others were still up for more activity.
Finally got to bed after midnight.
Saturday, 22 September:
The second day of the meeting. I was the only one who changed seats - I find that kind of odd - but I had a fuller view of the 40 or so members that way. The big surprise this day was a dim sum lunch in the Chinese restaurant served atop a glass lazy susan. I practiced with chopsticks and used them throughout the meal- got to a point where I could pick up a peanut or a slippery dim sum dumpling.
Again we ended the meeting at 5pm and prepared for our gala dinner. We boarded buses and drove a loonnnggg way to th Marina Cove. It was located in an area around a boat marina. The meal again was served on a lazy susan -we, some of us anyway, ate with chopsticks. The Mensa group here had put together a banner wth all the dfferent countries' flags - very impressive. It was difficult to get wine, but finally found me a cold bottle. Entertainment consisted of a two-person lion costume and and cymbals.
Again, I was ready for bed, it seemed before anyone else - the meetings are tiring.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Hong Kong Travelogue - Day 2
The time zones have zoned me out - yesterday's blog should have been titled Thursday 20 September ( not Wednesday!). Today this entry is being posted around 5am, Friday 21 September.
Yesterday morning we went shopping right across the street at the New Town Plaza - it is 5 floors of a shopping mecca - everything from designer shops to a supermarket. The latter was fascinating! Every kind of dried mushroom on display, some kind of dried conch, boiling soups, unusual fruits - a hard red globe with protrusions - maybe a another species of pomegranate? Asian pears, California avocados (35 cents each I think), a lot of frozen seafood too. We bought a few bakery items, some juices and water. I think the supermarket will be a frequent stop - we didn't see it all.
Shopping for clothes was disappointing because the sizes all run small. I hope to find some other clothing outlets when we have free time next week. I did find a colorful tote bag, which when I purchased it, was handed to me in another tote bag, not a plastic shopping bag. And that bag was almost perfect for my needs! oh, well, now I have 2.
Later in the day we went to the Icebreaker off the lobby of the hotel in the Bamboo Room. It was crowded and hot, but I enjoyed seeing all the delegates from all over the world. I took a picture of the tall guys and Stacey, then the tall guys and Almond (tall guys: Francois (Switzerland), Zoran (Serbia), Sergio (Montenegro), Godwin (the Netherlands). It turned out that the Icebreaker was way too hot & crowded so we found a small restaurant in the shopping plaza for a bite to eat - the Red Ant. Patrick had shrimp toast and I had a salad with endive, raddochio, tomatoes, smoked salmon, and dragon fruit - which tastes like white pear with tiny black seeds. Very good along with a pineapple/coconut milk drink.
Back in the hotel, I felt the jet lag catch up with me so went to bed early. Now I am looking forward to our first day of meetings, then later tonight the Harbour lights tour.
Weather has been very warm, about 88 degrees with 55% humidity. Language frustrations plague us and the Hong Kong natives, too, I suspect.
Yesterday morning we went shopping right across the street at the New Town Plaza - it is 5 floors of a shopping mecca - everything from designer shops to a supermarket. The latter was fascinating! Every kind of dried mushroom on display, some kind of dried conch, boiling soups, unusual fruits - a hard red globe with protrusions - maybe a another species of pomegranate? Asian pears, California avocados (35 cents each I think), a lot of frozen seafood too. We bought a few bakery items, some juices and water. I think the supermarket will be a frequent stop - we didn't see it all.
Shopping for clothes was disappointing because the sizes all run small. I hope to find some other clothing outlets when we have free time next week. I did find a colorful tote bag, which when I purchased it, was handed to me in another tote bag, not a plastic shopping bag. And that bag was almost perfect for my needs! oh, well, now I have 2.
Later in the day we went to the Icebreaker off the lobby of the hotel in the Bamboo Room. It was crowded and hot, but I enjoyed seeing all the delegates from all over the world. I took a picture of the tall guys and Stacey, then the tall guys and Almond (tall guys: Francois (Switzerland), Zoran (Serbia), Sergio (Montenegro), Godwin (the Netherlands). It turned out that the Icebreaker was way too hot & crowded so we found a small restaurant in the shopping plaza for a bite to eat - the Red Ant. Patrick had shrimp toast and I had a salad with endive, raddochio, tomatoes, smoked salmon, and dragon fruit - which tastes like white pear with tiny black seeds. Very good along with a pineapple/coconut milk drink.
Back in the hotel, I felt the jet lag catch up with me so went to bed early. Now I am looking forward to our first day of meetings, then later tonight the Harbour lights tour.
Weather has been very warm, about 88 degrees with 55% humidity. Language frustrations plague us and the Hong Kong natives, too, I suspect.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Wednesday in Hong Kong
10:30am, 19 September
Wee-hoo! We arrived at 10pm last night, got through customs, got our luggage, found the transport service & a then very informative driver flew us to the hotel. The longest suspension bridge in the world wowed us -between Lantau Island and the New Territories where our hotel is located. While driving Ronnie told us the best places to shop & pointed out the Peak & other sites. The city at night is really compelling, beautiful with high rise apt. buildings, light shows, and the bridge taking us on an adventure.
The Royal Park Hotel is absolutely gorgeous - minimal yet decorated in high style - heavy vases with bamboo, river stones and red anthuriums, indirect lighting, and very helpful staff. Our room is very spacious and comfortable (photos to come). We fell sleep around 2am having arrived around midnight. It's hard to believe that we were more than 24 hrs. without real sleep, but once our heads hit the huge fluffy pillows we were asleep in no time.
Breakfast this morning was a buffet in the hotel with many nationalities represented - American, French, Chinese. I had scrambled eggs/bacon but that's the last time I will eat U.S. tomorrow I go native, or at least not typical of what I would have at home.
Next on our schedule is shopping at the Town Plaza across the street. Right now, they're still closed. I came away without any jeans, trying to keep the suitcase under 50 lbs.
This afternoon is the Icebreaker and registration. I've already seen Russ, Jim, Michael and Marian Feenan, Stacey and Maren, Willem.
Wee-hoo! We arrived at 10pm last night, got through customs, got our luggage, found the transport service & a then very informative driver flew us to the hotel. The longest suspension bridge in the world wowed us -between Lantau Island and the New Territories where our hotel is located. While driving Ronnie told us the best places to shop & pointed out the Peak & other sites. The city at night is really compelling, beautiful with high rise apt. buildings, light shows, and the bridge taking us on an adventure.
The Royal Park Hotel is absolutely gorgeous - minimal yet decorated in high style - heavy vases with bamboo, river stones and red anthuriums, indirect lighting, and very helpful staff. Our room is very spacious and comfortable (photos to come). We fell sleep around 2am having arrived around midnight. It's hard to believe that we were more than 24 hrs. without real sleep, but once our heads hit the huge fluffy pillows we were asleep in no time.
Breakfast this morning was a buffet in the hotel with many nationalities represented - American, French, Chinese. I had scrambled eggs/bacon but that's the last time I will eat U.S. tomorrow I go native, or at least not typical of what I would have at home.
Next on our schedule is shopping at the Town Plaza across the street. Right now, they're still closed. I came away without any jeans, trying to keep the suitcase under 50 lbs.
This afternoon is the Icebreaker and registration. I've already seen Russ, Jim, Michael and Marian Feenan, Stacey and Maren, Willem.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Pre-Flight
The suitcase weighs 38 lbs. with most everything in it. I'm surprised... we leave in about 36 hours. Very long flight from Atlanta to Seoul - 14hrs. Taking lots to read. May not be able to blog much while in Hong Kong.
; )
; )
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Globe Hopping!
By this time next week, I will be meeting Mensa representatives from all over the world in Hong Kong. It's always exciting to be in a room where many accents and languages are filling the air. This was a great time to begin a blog - it will be my travelog from the 18th to 29th.
It's the 14-hour leg from Atlanta to Seoul, Korea that will give me the most anguish - anyone have any suggestions other than walking around bothering other passengers??
It's the 14-hour leg from Atlanta to Seoul, Korea that will give me the most anguish - anyone have any suggestions other than walking around bothering other passengers??
A First Timer
I took the plunge - I now have this blogspot and you, lucky person, get to read it. Or not! Look for more of what's happening in my Universe later.
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