Not many left!

We like to go to Macau.

We like Macau this way

...and this way

...and this way

We like the old style streets, buildings and decorations of Macau. They are attractive and give you a warm feeling. While you are walking in the street, you enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and special nostalgic styles. However, these scenes are getting fewer and fewer. I hope they will not be replaced by the metropolitan hotels and casinos like what we saw below. If there are no more old style buildings and streets, there will be nothing to attract the long term loyal tourists of Macau like us.

Time flies!

I said 'I'm free' not long ago and now its finished. Tomorrow is 1st September and the first day of the new term. Back to school and work, work, work again. Oh! That's life:-(

18 holes

It was my first time out in a real golf course.

I went to Shenzhen with my friends last week. The weather was not so hot after a few days' rain. Thank God. The golf course was beautiful (to my standard). I left home at six fifteen in the morning and reached the golf course at about nine. We formed four in a group and started to play.

I have learnt a lot from my partners. They were great.

I felt excited and worried at the same time. I was excited because I had dreamt of playing in a golf course for a long time. I worried that I would be the burden of my group because I was the beginner and they played much better than me. They were very nice people, encouraged me and taught me during the game.

I played from the red tees.

There were four sets of tees in this course, the black, blue, white and red. The two gentlemen started out from the blue. Me and Momo started out from the red. I couldn't hit the ball at the beginning because I either moved my back or using too much strength during the drive. It was getting better with the advice from my partners.

Could I hit this ball? Guess :-)

Owing to the difference in standards among us and keeping up the pace of the game. We didn't play strictly by the rules and no strokes were records. I was happy about that :-) To be honest, I need to have more games before I record my strokes. On the other hand, I am looking forward to the scoring because scoring will make one strive for improvement.

On the green (chipping and putting are fun)

I had a great time on that day. I could feel the gradual improvement from the first hole to the last. I only lost two balls totally (not bad for a beginner ;-)), one rolled into a small stream and one dropped into the volley that I was not strong enough to whacked the ball over it. It took about four to five hours to finish the game. I was happy to finish the eighteen holes and I am looking forward to the next game.

Two weeks now

Two weeks have gone since the holiday started. The second week was not that good. I have had a flu for a few days. The best day was Thursday where I went to learn golfing. I have learnt putting, chipping and driving club No. 3. It was fun and I met some new friends, too. That was a great day although the weather was very bad. When I was driving home from Sai Kung, the rain was so so heavy and really scared me. Within an hour, the rain warning turned from amber, red to black.
I have bought a pair of running shoes for Hei Hei, my nephew. I tried to encourage him to run so that first, he doesn't need to stay at home all day playing computer games and second, he can build his confidence and have a higher spirit. I will run with him whenever I have time. I hope he can have the endurance to develope this habit.

One week already

It has been a week since the summer holiday started. I have not wasted the first week to conclude. I have cycled three times to Ma On Shan, doing sit-up every day, walking and running, playing tennis with Lai Lai and exercise with Wii. Not bad at all :-) Unfortunately, I haven't swum at all since the holiday. I would do it maybe the week after. Next week I'll be busy, on duty, have body check and play golf.

Cycled to Ma On Shan

Pat Sin Range at the back

I cycled to Ma On Shan and back in the evening, it was great. I cycled from the floating restaurant to Wu Kai Sha and back. The route is easy, not many ups and downs. It is good for beginners, families and older people. If you want a harder route, take the one along Tolo Highway to Tai Po.

I began to cycle at about 6.20 pm in the evening. The sun was going down. When I returned, the sun has already gone but it was still bright. The promenade along Ma On Shan is very nice. It has a beautiful scenery. You can also see the Chinese University and Pat Sin Range on the opposite side.The walking path is very wide. It is separated from the cycle path. In between, you can find the children's playground. If you want a leisure ride and enjoy the view, I recommend you this route.

I might run all the way there one day :-)

What I did on the first day

Walked past Sha Tin Sports Ground, I decided to go in and have a walk. I have walked and run leisurely for 2000 metres to help my food digest. It was great. Not many people in the sports ground, it was only about ten. I think it is a waste to turn on the lights and serve such few people. The government should do something to encourage people making use of the facilities.

I am FREE!

Hot Hot Hot!

Today is the first day of my summer holiday, yeah!

Every year I had a good plan at the beginning of the holiday but at the end of the holiday, I seemed had done nothing :-) So this year, I have no plan :-) I think I will have a relaxing holiday instead.

Wii - again

I love playing golf in Wii Resort. It is very similar to the real game. In which ways...? Not the strength, for sure, nor the real phsical landscape. Of course, real golfers will strongly disagree. What I mean similar is that if you have a slight mistake, it affects the result greatly. That's what fascinating about golf. If you have done well in the Wii, you will be awarded 'the replay'.

Watch my 'chip-in' :-)

Exemption!!!

Is there such thing as "Nutrition Labelling Exempted" on the package of the food sold in Hong Kong? This is my first time to see it. Why is it exempted? What makes it exempted? Who gives the company authority to do it? Is it legal? Can someone explain it to me?


I bought it two days ago in a shop. Before I put it in my mouth, I tried to see if there was any trans fat. I could not find it but the below sticker.

Sunshine at last

I have not seen sunshine for a very long time. For the last couple of months, the weather in Hong Kong was so terrible. Either it was too cold or too wet. When the weather was getting a little bit warmer, the humidity became so high. The wall was covered with mould after a long period of damp weather. Not only my flat was like that, all the people I know had their wall with mould on too. I really hate spring in Hong Kong. Today I can open the window wide to get fresh air and get rid of the unpleasant feeling.

2010 Taiwan Trip

This is my second trip to Taiwan. I knew I would be back there :-) This time was a bit different from the last time, no walking in the markets, no visiting the modern 101. We went up to Cingjing, a hill at the middle of Taiwan where we could breathe fresh air and see the beautiful scenery.

First day

We reached Taipei at about 3 in the afternoon. Then we took the high speed train immediately to Taichung. It was very fast. It took 60 minutes to reach Taichung. There was a free shuttle bus to town (not always so lucky:-)) We reached town easily so far.

There were some difficulties walking to the hotel after getting off the bus. I was misled by the bus driver and walked to the opposite direction. I was not stupid though and I asked people the way every 10 yards. Taiwanese people were very nice. Everyone I asked was very friendly and helpful.

We reached the hotel after circling for an hour in the street. The hotel was quite good. The room was comfortable and there was free internet.

After settling down, we took a taxi to Tapa Tapa, a Spanish restaurant to have dinner. I would not recommend it to anyone because it was not what I expected. The standard was far behind the Spanish restaurants I had been to in Hong Kong. Later I heard that it was the habit of the Taiwanese restaurants to use MSG in the food.

At Taya Taya

Second Day

After staying for a night, we headed to the hill. I felt quite excited because I had planned the trip for two months.

We took the free shuttle bus back to the High Speed Station where I expected to catch the bus up the hill. Unfortunately, when the bus arrived, it was full. We could not take the bus and was touted by a taxi driver.

After all, we had to share a taxi with another couple. The price was double to the bus fare. Ah well, if we didn't take the bus, I didn't know what to do because there were only two buses per day and it was the last bus.

The journey up the hill was dangerous. The driver took over others at the double white lines, spoke on the mobile phone and ate and drank all the way. Thank God we reached there in one piece.

We finally reached the hotel
A view from the window of the hotel room

We went to the little Swiss Garden after settling down. It was beautiful inside - a typical tourist spot :-) We took some photos, walked around and fed the fish.





It was just a warming up of the three days' trip.


Before dinner we took photos from the neigbourhood



At six o'clock, we had dinner in the 'hotel' (they didn't call it a hotel, they called it a 民宿). Before dinner, I was surprised to see four of my old LKY students. They yielded at me when they saw me. Obviously, they were very excited but I was a bit shocked. I could not recognize them. They graduated in 2004 and now became adults. It was easy for them to recognize me but not the other way round. I felt sorry that I didn't have a chance to chat to them after the meal because they left early. They didn't stay in that hotel.


We had a drink before going to bed.




Third Day



Our plan was to take a bus to Polei and changed bus to Sun Moon Lake. When the assistant manageress was helping me about the route, a girl came and offered to give us a lift there. The girl was with her Mum and brother. They were going to Sun Moon Lake too. We were very lucky to meet them. The Mum wanted to see the sheep (this was our plan for the next day) so we waited for them to come back from the farm and joined them to the lake.



We had a walk and took photos while waiting for them.


We arrived at Sun Moon Lake. Then we had a ride on the cable car above the lake.



A view of the lake from the cable car

Sun Moon Lake


None of us dared to play on the rides. We walked around and watched the show by the Taiwan's aboriginal tribe -the Ami.



After that, the family had to go back to Taipei. We said goodbye to them and had a little walk in Sun Moon Lake.



Then we took a taxi back to the hotel. The trip was very luxurious and expensive, not what I had expected. Only because it was getting late, we had no other choice. I always wanted to take buses because it was cheaper and more adventurous. The taxi driver pointed at a park when we were at a traffic light. He said that the park was right in the middle of the whole Taiwan. Later the driver picked up his daughter on the way so she would accompany him back to Polei after dropping us. So strange!

We didn't want a big meal in the evening so we went to Starbucks and 7-11 to get some take away. We ate in the room and enjoyed a movie while eating.


Fourth Day


A view in the morning before seven

It was the best day of all. After breakfast, we checked out and left our lugguage in the hotel.

We had a nice and slow walk up the farm. The weather was nice - not too hot and not too cold. The air was fresh and the scene was fantastic. It took us less than an hour to reach the farm.



We sat down and watched the sheering show. Then we walked around, took pictures with the animals. We fed the sheep and lambs . It was fun. The little lambs were so cute :-)




The lamb enjoyed the milk so much




It became foggy when we left the farm. We were so lucky to take photos before the fog arrived. We walked slowly back to the hotel to get our luggage at about twelve. We was going to take a bus but ended in taking a taxi down. This time we were very lucky to share a taxi with four other people. The driver only charged NT 100 per person, cheaper than taking a bus. Wow! Make a change.


We reached Polei and had a walk before taking a bus back to the High Speed Train Station. It was a small town situated at the centre of Taiwan. I was going to stay longer but the weather was not so good there. So we took a 2 o'clock bus and changed train back to Taipei.


Fifth Day


Got up early. Reached the airport. Back Home.

Taoyuan Airport, Taiwan

Bye bye Taiwan :-)

Pollution Index

Yesterday the pollution index in many parts of Hong Kong were at 500. It was shocking when I heard it from the radio on the way home. Couldn't believe I was standing at the bus stop in North Point with such a high index. When I went back to Shatin, I could not stop coughing because of the uncomfortable throat. I have never experienced it before. It was unbelievable!