This is not just...

This is not just Friday night drinks, this is Marks and Spencers balmy summers evening, rooftop terrace and famous skyline Friday night drinks.

This is not just Saturday morning hangover, this is Marks and Spencers head splitting, dizziness inducing, Saturday morning hangover.

Packing again - seriously??

I cannot believe that once again I have to pack everything up! Time has flown by. This time next week I will be t-4 hours from a flight to Bali. The continuation of the blog is under consideration - technically that will (a) not be HK; and (b) is holiday. But, we do have some fun things planned so I'll see.

Current plans means it looks like I'll be back in the UK early October. However, current plans do not have associated flight reservations so we will see. The final, final, final decision is being taken on Monday. I'll believe it when I see it.

It is incredible how many 'essential' items I packed I have not used. It is less of a surprise that items such as my London A-Z have remained in a box which has stayed in my office since arrival. Along with copies of exercise plans from 'Zest' and the like. I acknowledged today they are unlikely to be implemented and decided to put them in the bin rather than courier them back. [Note: if you are ever considering dieting check out Liz Hurley's 'tweets'. Alarming and will ensure you decide against it].

One more week if you are wanting 'gifts' bought back (umbrella shaped like a wine bottle anyone?). Don't all shout at one now!

Also, much as I have been loving the post the time has come to stop writing (boo) as the flat will not forward it on. Boo again. Please do keep writing to me in the UK though - you know I'm fond of letters. Again, along with the super-fitness plan my letter writing extravaganza also did not happen. C'est la vie. Too busy eating really.

On that note I have managed to fit in another fancy eating experience, Cipriani. In the old Bank of China building (floor below China Club) and also owned by David Tang, it has a private lift and tasty Italian food. However, given the choice, China Club has the edge.

So there you go.

Lan Kwai Fong

Ok, ok. I admit it. Finally I went for a night out in ex-pat world. What can I say. I'm leaving soon. It had been a late night at work. It had to be done.

First stop was "Rat Alley". Land of outdoor thai restaurants and (hopefully) named after its thin shape with only one entrance (ie trapped like a rat). Unfortunately, given the rodent problem (recent reports of tourists and babies being bitten) leads me to believe this may be due to its inhabitants.

As ever, more food that is reasonable for 10 people, never mind two, arrived. We did our best but an embarrassing amount was left over. Actually considered asking new arrivals to come join us.

Next stop we strolled into Al's diner and asked for two jello shots. Oh yes. 10pm, sober, in work clothes on a Tuesday night. The barmaid looked at us as though we were bonkers (she had a point). However, I am assured jello shots are a "HK tradition" and I could not leave without going through this ritual.

Hmm. These were a little bigger than my version of a "shot" (Think 3x the size).

Step 1: Use cocktail stick to separate jello from edge of plastic cup (again, so NOT a shot)
Step 2: Empty jello onto the back of your hand (whole)
Step 3: Hand (and jello) to mouth - put jello in mouth whole
Official Step 4: Swallow
Unofficial Step 4: Spin round in circles with cheeks bulging with jelly trying not to spit on anyone / have anyone see you in this state. Try and convince your body it wants to swallow while attempting to forget that you don't actually like jelly, never mind want to swallow a cupful of it mixed with alcohol, whole.

Ahem.

So, we left there reasonably promptly (I had used most of their napkins, it was time to go) and went back to the nice bar, as referenced in prior posts. I was recognised (and asked where my mother was!) Much more civilised. Honest.

A good night was had by all.

Apparently I now have to go to the Feather Boa Bar... I'll keep you posted.

More market based excitement

Today was the turn of Wan Chai market. This is more of an everyday market than a tourist market. You will no doubt be thrilled to hear that I picked up the best item of HK tat to date (now who will be the lucky recipient..) and also some lovely tops for my lovely sister.

Moving away from the bargain hunting and browsing of unusual shaped vegetables, I went to Ying Kee Tea House. This was a much more upmarket experience and I got to try some delicious (yet fiendishly expensive) teas.

Here are some tea facts for you:
- you should 'wash' your tea leaves first, you do this by pouring hot water onto them, emptying the pot, then refilling it
- tea should be left to brew for 40 - 60 seconds
- tea should be stored in an airtight container and can be kept for 12 months like this
- Old Luk On and Pu-erh tea can be kept longer, the older the better
- for black tea use boiling water
- for green tea, water at 75 - 85 degrees C.

Teapots at the ready...

Stanley Market

Today I decided it was about time I went and bought all those HK gifts. Only two weeks left and come Christmas I know you'll all be wanting HK goodies, don't try and pretend otherwise. So off I went to Stanley market.

Now I have been to Stanley once before, for the Dragon Boat racing. But never to the market.

Again it was one of those weekend trips when I question if I will ever become a mildly less-inept 'traveller'. We've had a lot of rain recently so I opted to not wear the white frock with a tendency to go see through, and instead popped on a green number. Its first hong kong outing (no, I've not been shopping, it flew over with me and has just been neglected due to the heavy duty ironing requirement).

But, ironed and ready we hopped on the bus. I was really, really, really wanting to have a Loreal / taxi moment (talk yourself through the advert and it makes sense) but, predominantly due to the vast array of holidays I have booked recently, the budget is not looking quite as healthy as I would like so I opted for the bus. More funds for shopping!

It was on the bus I discovered that (a) the dress had a hole in; and (b) this dress shows up sweat, a lot. And today was a very hot day. Oh hurrah..... Dress is now in the bin.

So I arrived at Stanely and tried to act as though I was either completely unaware that my entire back was wet, or, that I was completely aware and utterly carefree about it. Then I just prayed the super-hot sun would dry it out, and rapidly. Oh the shame...

Stanley market is a pretty cool covered market. A complete tourist haven. It sells every item of tourist tat you could ever want, and quite a few items you had never dreamed you could ever need (new outfit for your wine bottle anyone?)

Admittedly the first purchase I made was for myself, a painting of Johnson Road, just near where I live. Now before you think I am being all extravagant, it cost GBP25. Less than a return taxi fare.

I did then buy a few gifts, fear not, before picking up some of the most expensive fruit I have ever bought. GBP12 for a few cherries, two peaches and three mangosteens - heavens! Good thing I did take the bus!

I rounded off my day with a nice long foot massage, which was wonderful other than the fact the masseuse burped his way through it. He did this last time I went. It does sort of ruin the relaxation for me but I can't think of a way to ask him not to do this. Any suggestions? I am loathe to change spas as this is one of the nicest I have found (Mandarin Oriental aside, clearly).

Post foot massage I went to the weird vegetarian restaurant just down the road to get takeaway. They make so many 'vegetarian' versions of meat items it is difficult to entirely trust the 'vegetarian only' signs. My 'seafood' soup even had carefully crafted 'octopus' bits. All made entirely of vegetables. Quite simply the most delicious sweet and sour 'beancurd skin' (our version of normal tofu - the non silken one), the soup is slightly odd. And, as per my usual ordering skills, I appear to have ended up with two soups. Hmm, one in the fridge for tomorrow me thinks, I'm just not entirely sure how I managed to do that.

The 'Exciting' world of CSI

What can I say, the title says it all - I'm having a quiet-ish week. Clearly there has been the usual amount of eating an drinking so I'll talk you through that.

Post wise it has been a bumper week.
Monday = twirls
Tuesday = more twirls!
Wednesday = flowers!!

How lucky am I!?!

You know what they say. A twirl a day...

Clearly I need to up my intake as I have been feeling a wee bit poorly. Hopefully this will pass and quickly.

Monday night was a trip to China Club. I do so love that restaurant. I just wish I didn't have to wear a moustache and pretend to be someone else each time I go there (is members only, clearly!) The food was delicious as ever and, by Hong Kong pricing, is actually quite reasonable. Ish.

Tuesday night was a quick drink at the Mandarin Oriental, a bar with a view. I discovered they have a favourite red wine of mine so I think I will be going back. They also do Earl Grey martinis. Despite the incongruous title they are quite delicious.

And that is about it I think. Clearly I've managed to fit in a fair amount of CSI and a bit of work too.

I hope all well and thanks for the post!

Hopping busses and Louis Vuitton

How do you see KL in just over 24 hours and with children in tow? Simple, you head straight up the Menara Tower (not pictured) for views of the city and then get the hopping bus!

Winner of "The Best of Malaysia Travel Awards 2009" (as invented by a friend of mine) the hop-on-hop-off bus takes you on a handy tour of KLCC.

We started at Bingtang walk (KLs answer to Leicester Square but with better shops), in the Golden Triangle area of the City (near the Petronas Twin Towers shown in the pictures).

The bus took us down past the National Palace, the National Museum, the Bird and Butterfly Gardens (I had to resist getting off) and past the National Mosque (which is beautiful). We 'hopped' off at Independence Square for a few photographs and to mutter about why they no longer played cricket on the green there (possibly a health and safety issues but even so...). Then up to Raja Lut, the Indian area, where we hopped off more permanently.

The Indian area was amazing. Hindereds of shops selling fabric and ribbon (I've more than stocked up for Christmas wrapping purposes) and market stalls selling every kind of curry you could imagine. At one point we were handed a free plastic bag (and not a small one) of chicken rice porridge. Still roasting hot! I have no idea what we were meant to do we this (I smiled and put it in the bottom of the buggy - I now understand why people seem to like taking buggies shopping so much, its the storage space). Collecting free savoury porridge seemed to be a popular option, one man had about eight bags (no mean feat to carry all that!). My highlight was buying new sunglasses for GBP2. They are fabulous and I can afford to sit on them (which in itself means I am less likely to).

Through the Indian area to Central Market, an indoor market that is a mix of antique stalls, tourist tat and nice gift-type shops (incense burners and spa products). I resisted further shopping here although there was a beautiful antique jewellery box that I was very very tempted by. Hmm, maybe I can go back. Do you think they would trade in the non-antique one I bought at the HK market??

From Central Market on to China Town, a mass of stall selling every fake item you could ever imagine wanting. Watch, dvd, handbag, scarf. You name it, they can sell it. I was also, somewhat alarmingly, asked if I wanted a boyfriend. A few times. This was in the same tone as whether I wanted to buy a dvd. I wondered about asking if they had the same range for selection (for the dvds they have whole rooms full with every dvd you could ever want) but I decided that was probably a high risk strategy and politely declined. I declined the dvds too, in case you were wondering.

The 'you need boyfriend chat' reminded me of the conversation with the taxi driver on the way into the centre. His first enquiry was how many babies I had had (his words, not mine). He then expressed his sincere condolences for my being 30 and barren (he had had three babies by the time he was thirty). Somehow I kept a straight face and managed "we just haven't been blessed yet".

The other classic taxi-based conversations whilst in KL was "is it true that people in HK are so busy they eat while they are walking"...

The weekend was rounded off with a trip to a spa (bliss) and fun and games on the AirAsia plane...

Many thanks to the friends who took me around for the weekend, we had an ace time.

Right, I'd best get to work. I hope you are well.