Part 2

Before I start, I am seriously feeling sian. Cos I still have 3 pieces of work to do, which I have completely ignored until now. Also dont intend to start today or tom. Maybe kick myself to do it on Sat. The next week would have to go back. Ultra sian. Then today supposed to go swimming around 7pm but I am feeling the heat, the laziness, the sianness and am reluctant to leave home. The irony of "exercising more during holidays".

Anyway I put back on the weight that I had lost... Why is it that every time I go for a holiday, I am at my fattest... Then I can lose the weight after but just before another holiday, I put them right back on. Is this the holiday effect?

Part 2

The next morning, our final stay at HK, I woke up again near 8.15am and got ready but didnt change into my wet suit (lemme clarify, its not a swimming costume, its a wet suit that covers up to the elbow and thighs) I went up to the swimming pool on the roof floor of the hotel to see the signage "Pool closed due to thunderstorm alert" Sian. Went back to hotel room and continued sleeping until around 10am, when we all woke up and packed.

We checked out and walked down to the Lun Dun Tian Xin. FH was wearing his "Big (Cock) t-shirt. We had a lot of jokes about him going to Macau and acting all manly, yet put a small bet of 5HKD, a whole series of bad jokes in the hotel room.

Along the way, we had passed by a newspaper stand that sold p*rn magazines displayed openly. I decided to get for my sister but didnt stop to buy yesterday, thinking that I could do that later. FH was buying for Wil as present. As Candle asked, "Which is worse? Buying p*rn for your friend or buying p*rn for your sister?" Err dunno. We tried to find it by stopping at the 2nd station. Yesterday we had walked the total distance of 3 MTR stops to reach Langham. It was along the way but we didnt remember where exactly. We did passed by many bookshops and news vendors but none of them stocked as much if any.

Hence we went on ahead to eat brunch first. Dian Xin brunch of siew mai, chicken feet, glutinous rice, char siew bao, carrot cake, pai gu, and some more. Am reminded again of the "Siew Mai, Ha Gao and Lo Ma Kai" bad joke. But okay. Then we headed to Nu Ren Jie to take a look. I ended up buying 12 key chains at one go, FH bought t-shirts at $20 each. Still pricey given that its supposed to be a pasar malam style thingy. Didnt feel like buying other stuff. Along the way we retraced the steps back to the hotel, headed into book shops for my books and finally found the stall. I looked through the covers and had a hard time finding someone whom I think my sister would like. Then unknowingly FH took a photo of me searching through, with Candle behind pointing. OMG! My crime is caught on photo and immortalized (10 years later, I can look back at myself and laugh. Maybe by then buying p*rn dvds liao. LOL!) The vendor came to "recommend" some books, both FH and I bought 2 books each. With help of Candle too. That was $30. Another 'epic' to add on to my legacy... >_>

Headed back to the hotel to collect the bags and we headed to the Ferry terminal to catch a ride. The ride over cost 133HKD => $27 and was rather uneventful, except the bumpy ride over the waters reminded me again, why I didnt like to travel much in boats or planes. The bumpiness caused me to be a bit nauseous so I closed my eyes and rest throughout the 1hr plus ride. There was a large group of japanese tourists and I could understand the instruction their guide was giving them just before we arrived about the passport and travel documents (I must admit, my listening is still way way better than my speaking. Not much opportunties to practice speech plus I cant seem to retain the things learnt once lesson ends. Lack of revision also contributed to that. I must say I am more dilligent in practising for guitar than jap. That should change when I have more time on my hands plus signing up for JLPT 3 preparatory class)

We arrived at the Wynn hotel via the shuttle bus service. When we entered the room, I must say I am very impressed. The room is very spacious indeed, putting our previous hotel to shame. Even compared to the 5 star at KL, this room is much bigger, with very very soft beds (OMG, that's the best bed I had laid in so far) and very very spacious toilet. The toilet itself is seriously large enough to be a small hotel room. It has a tub, with two sinks, dressing table, furnished with stuff to use, a tv, then separate cubicles for toilet and shower.

Then after we unpacked and relaxed in the room, dunno why, we dug out the p*rn books. Candle took pics of the book with own-made signage about who the books were intended for. I was peering at some pages from both the male p*rn and female p*rn. Didnt look through thoroughly. Then Candle asked, "Why are the part of the male so spikey like a porcupine?"

Signz, I should have kept my mouth shut but didnt. Instead I answered her about how g*y men tend to keep their bodies hairless but doesnt mean they dont keep some hair there... And Candle captured that dialogue in video in her camera!!! OMG!!! I was inside flipping through the p*rn and answering her question. FH was looking on. Another incriminating video (this trip is like a sin spree for me, first I buy p*rn, then I look at p*rn, drank beer and gambled, all in all commiting so many of the sins)

We bathed and headed out for dinner. I put on the newly bought brown top. The thing is that it has a rather low V-shape. But still okay if I dont purposely bend down over. Candle commented that I looked sexy, to which I gave her a look as though she had said something obscenely wrong to me. Err she was going on about having things to show blah blah and how I should be proud of them blah blah (err I still dont think highly of them cos the inconveniences they cause are still more than whatever asthetic perception of them) Then FH said "You look sexy." *sweat drops* >_> (Must be I dress up in T-shirt too much that when I change into stuff, impact bigger plus the low V-neck, nevermind that. BUT I look fat in the pictures especially the flabby arms. Need to go train them up)Then we were camera whoring with taking photos. We headed out to a Portuguese canto restaurant. I ate the soup with bread. The kelp soup is good and goes well with the fresh baked bread and butter. Then the seafood rice was alot... It was meant for 3 pple? I managed to eat most of it. A bit too sea food tasting but was better eaten with baked potatoe and some pepper. Then ordered their hot-favourite milk cream with biscuit crumbs. That was very good. Light tasting, cool and very soft yet wont melt.

After dinner, we headed to the Venetian, walked through the halls, the numerous branded goods shopping part and the casino. I was impressed with the size of the building and some of the architecture. It was like being out of the country to elsewhere. Though the gondola was rather unimpressive cos their singing though okay, had echo due to the indoor nature. There is this part where the ceiling is painted as the evening skies. The give-away are the numerous pockedmark signs of sprinkle system that is visible when you look up at the 'sky'. Think this place is too expensive for my liking. All branded. Some familiar, some different. Prices exorbitant. The Venetian is more classy. The feel of the architecture, lighting and theme.

Then we walked outside and crossed to the City of Dreams, Hard Rock Hotel. According to FH, that's the newest place built. While we passed by travelling by cabs, there were still many casino resorts being built, in various stages of construction. The City of Dreams feels like a more modern place. It has more 'cheaper' looking places to eat and drink. We didnt check out the shoppping part but headed to the casino. The casino has a very Hard Rock Cafe style. You have cars displayed, motorbikes, the music and lighting are rock inspired. Then there were many funky guitars, hanging around for display. I asked Candle to take pics of me standing there with the cooler ones. I saw an escalator that had drum sets decorating the sides. Impressive, at least more modern, western rock and roll.

Next we headed back to Wynn (saw the music fountain display) and walked over to Libosa Casino which according to FH is one of the oldest and the style is very HongKong, traditional. It turned out to be very very old Chinese. Kinda plain. We headed over to the sister casino and it has lots of huge antiques and large Chinese art pieces displayed in the lobby. The layout is okay, very chinese. Then the additional feature is that it had a stage where 'flamingo girls' perform. The style is more Bossa Nova. There is singing and dancing and the girls had very very good figure, and very scantily claded but vital spots still covered. Eye candy for guys, envy for girls. The whole casino is shaped like a golden vase, inside they had this huge crystal egg shaped thing. FH claimed that that egg shape is his ball and the entire building is the size of his ego. Another bad joke.

By then after so much walking around in my court shoes, my small toes on both legs were killing me. We managed to buy water and headed back to Wynn (and saw the dragon performance. The impressive part is not the dragon but the ceiling opening up and then later on closing so smoothly) We went up, showered and came down to the casino. Its slightly better cos they had actually set up sections. Its like walking through sections with different minimum bet amounts. I changed 350HKD =$70. I tried my hand at black jack. First round, lost 100HKD =>$20. Went over after walking around to roulette with lowest bet of 25HKD, after 2 rounds, lost all. The total time spent in the casino looking was 2 hours, the actual gambling time was 5 mnutes. 5 minutes to lose $70. Ouch! I learnt my lesson. Think I am not cut out to be a gambler. Luckily I am rational and feel that I cant win back what I've lost and dont feel compelled to play more. I rather prefer my stock bets than gambling, cos of my confidence, my experience. Though the amount I lost at the casino pales in comparison to my stock trades amount, I dont think I want to gamble again this way. BTW we didnt find the side door, and all went through the front one with metal detector. All of us lost. FH $100, Me $70 and Candle $35. Though both of them were luckier as in they did win in a couple of bets but I was the only one who lost all my 3 bets. Their feng shui is damn powerful lor (I was telling the sinseh yesterday after I came back, he said the Macau ones are very powerful cos they believe in it feverently)

Nevermind, $70 to learn a lesson to last my lifetime is cheap. I wont be going into the SG IR when they open. Been there, done that (I did buy a keychain from the airport that looks and feels like the 25HK casino chip for myself, to remind me of this lesson. Plus its green too, should put on my new green bag)

Headed upstairs and showered again to get rid of the cigarette smell in the hair and clothes. Slept very late past 2am.

The next day, woke up near 9am to resolutely head for a swim. Though it rained a bit, the swimming pool wasnt closed (its on the ground floor and there were numerous buildings around that were bloody tall, so little chance of lightning strike) Finally could use the wet suit and goggles I had brought all the way and tried unsuccessfully to swim in. FH also swam. Candle tagged along to take pictures. The service is impressive. It was raining so there were aunties whom used the umbrella to ferry us to the changing rooms, with lockers and shower facilities. Came out and went in. The water was BLOODY COLD, the coldest water I had gone into. Pity FH who had only a pair of trunks, while I had a wet suit covering up to just before the elbows and knees. So I felt the cold slightly lesser. We swam the very short pool. About 13-15 strokes, reached from one end to the other. I reckon its about 1/3 the length of a proper swimming pool. So did 40 laps. FH was a better swimmer, using free and breast stroke, I only did breast stroke cos that's the only one I could swim well in. He offered to teach free style but I told him mine was the "drowning" free style, end up drinking water one.

After that we headed to the jacuzzi next to the changing room. (The true verion of the story is here, instead of Tab's abridged version) It looked enticing cos of the bloody cold waters that we just swam in, plus the waters were swirling around with steam coming out. We headed in and there were strong jets of water inside the jacuzzi. Good massage for my sore little toes. Too bad the jets of water were not placed higher to reach my sore, stiff neck. They were aimed at the back and the legs. Later FH went for a quick dip in the cold water, whereas I stayed on and "massaged" more. Then headed for a quick shower before heading back to the room. We were very lucky. When we came, it was slight drizzling then the rain cleared for the rest of the swim. Up until we came out of the changing room, then it was suddenly raining very heavily.

We headed up to the room to find Candle changed and ready to go. I lazed around on my soft bed that is not that well utilized by me cos I slept in it so little hours >_< We ate our brunch at the HK restaurant inside the casino section. Good food, though again >$30 The wonton and soup is good, not a tragic story, it has a happy ending. The duck pancake is good (I ordered cos I had never eaten Peking duck. FH told me that Peking duck is almost the same except this had a bit more meat) the salted fish fried rice is good, the Yang Zhi Gan Lu is very good too. After that we headed back to check out. Didnt have much time to look around the city area cos of the 2hour earlier check-in for our flight.

We headed there only to find that the flight was delayed from 3.45pm to 4.25pm. Which later delayed further to 5.25pm. I was kinda sleepy by then. Think the late hours plus early waking up to swim everyday and the actual swim took its toll. After buying my chip keychain, we sat at the cafe and later I fell asleep at the waiting area. Got on and I was dozing. Woke up thirsty and ordered a coke to drink with my hidden crossont.

Reached airport and I bought $185 worth of alcohol using all 3 passports. A Contrieu ordered by my mom, a Cockburn Port for my dad, a Jack Daniel for my bro (whom finished his rather quickly) and its nice to mix with root beer, a Chivas for my collection (which all that I am doing is buy buy buy, havent drink drink drink and no room to display. IF I ever have my own place, will definitely have a bar counter to display. What I have now is a huge plastic container to store all my alcohol, with the newly bought shot glasses and the lottery shot glass game set with my 500 cocktail book) The only thing I drink are the beers. Yar bought 3 different beer, a Tiger classic, Guiness draught, one more I forgot, something I hadnt drank before. That's all the alcohol quota saved for 2 more wines which I didnt know what to get, so didnt use. FH and Candle waited patiently while I made the purchase and we got on separate cabs to head home. The cab fare is $25 for me due to the distance. But given my 3 bags of luggage and 3 bags of alcohol, think its okay.

Overall the HK and Macau trip is short but enjoyable. Its a very different culture and set of experience compared to Bangkok. Thankfully nothing much else to shop in Macau due to the branded stuff there in all the casino resorts. BUT both places are expensive, in fact more expensive than SG in more ways than one. I feel the pinch due to the higher amount of money I changed. Changed $750 or 3750HKD and spent until last 10HKD note. Scary. The rest of hotel and flight $700 is normal I guess and the alcohol is expected since I had bought so much. Hmm... think FH makes a good guide. I feel that I have seen and experienced most of what is to be offered, maybe save for the Disney, some cultural and historical aspect. But in terms of trying out stuff, trying out their local food fare, going to the more popular of places, did have a number of experiences.

Due to the fact I had spent SO MUCH, I will try to hibernate at home to save money. Though I already met up with Tab and bought 3 storybooks and a CD and dinner after jap for $50. Tom I be eating buffet sushi at Suki sushi, that's another expenditure. Hmm... I try to cut from other aspects.
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Stock market is in the downs, sort of a correction. So my 'punt' didnt work and I will have to pay to convert the nil rights to shares. I will put those into ST portfolio. Think they will have a unit payout somewhere in August, if I remember correct from the annual report. See how. For now, I am sitting on some paper losses for my cash portfolio due to the prices going down. Since I dont need money immediately, I can hold and wait to see how things play out. UIC acutally went up to $1.91 then now closed near $1.82 earlier this week but I was out of the country then so nevermind, not a big enough gain for me also. Just invested and have to go-with-the-ride.