與媽媽到東方旅遊筆記 - Oct 09 - Dec 09
Oct 12, 2009 (Mon)
Leaving for Japan with mom on ANA Airline
We hired an American Taxi ( http://www.americantaxi.com/index.asp )
through the internet. It is easy and you can specify how much luggage you are bringing plus what type of vehicle you want (i.e. mini van). The Driver Takhsim Rasulov (773) 732-1429 arrived 5 minutes early and gave us his personal business card so that we could call him directly after the trip (I made that call in HK to reserve the van on our return trip and it worked nicely). Yes, Mr Rasulov was at the O'Hare airport waiting for us when we walk out the custom area.
Oct 13, 2009 (Tue)
Arrived in Tokyo around 2:00 p.m. as scheduled, the flight experience on ANA was great! Plenty of movies (domestic and foreign) to choose from and good food. Free wine and lots of beverages served during the entire flight, unlike United and American Airline where stewardesses put on a disappearing act once dinner is served, only a couple of 1 liter size water bottles left at the rear end of the plane to serve yourself. I remember that we were served instant noodles for breakfast on the United Airline flight to HK, yuck!
The Tokyo airport limo took us to our Tokyo Dome Hotel (bus ride was 3,000 Yen). We had dinner with our cousin and her friends in the Ginza (銀座) district. Dinner was "Hot Pot" style, nice setting and the waiter served us; these were all good but not enough (being accustomed to America’s jumbo-sized portionsL). Cousin Pang took me for some sushi and beer on our way back to the hotel because he wanted to check out how the other restaurants were doing. Went back to the hotel with the group for a nightcap, hit the bed around 11:30 p.m., dead tired!
Picture was taken from our hotel window, it’s an amusement park
Oct 14, 2009 (Wed)
I took a shower at 3:00 am local time, read the newspaper in the hotel lobby (because someone was snoring too loud!), and power-walked for an hour around the hotel area when sun came up (see beautiful waterway and bridge shot above). Cousins came at 10:00 a.m. We talked and had lunch at the hotel restaurant – all you can eat buffet style (4,000 Yen per person), wonderful and fresh seafood with lots of choices but we were only allowed to eat within a 2 hour timeframe (not that we needed more time to eat, but that was the first time someone told me to finish my lunch in a certain timeframe. After lunch, we took a limo bus from the hotel to catch the flight to HK@2:45 p.m., arrived HK at 10:30 p.m. local time, picked up by Mr. Wong’s Taxi Service and arrived auntie Theresa's apartment around 12:30 a.m.
(Mr. Wong’s Taxi Services was also prearranged by my auntie HP in Hong Kong, which worked very well, no meter running but a predetermined price pending on the distance, usually it is cheaper than regular taxis. Plus you are guarantied to have a cab waiting for you instead of cuing up at the taxi stand. Mr. Wong’s Taxi Services cell phone 6070-5577 and I highly recommend them)
Oct 15, 2009 (Thu)
Went to the China Resources Building (灣仔華潤大廈) to apply for my HKID (made that appointment when I was in Chicago, cool huh!), Took a taxi over there from auntie Theresa’s apartment costed HK$34. The application was long and tedious, took me 20 minutes to complete
Oct 16, 2009 (Fri)
Going to China interior!
Applying for China VISA today (申辦入中國簽証), HK$1,020 for multi-entry VISA and it will be good for 3 months, the application process took 4 business days counting the application date, it can be picked up on Oct 21, 2009.
I had also requested for my Pui Ching Middle School graduation certificate (培正小學証明)HK$20.00 as proof that I had been continually living in HK for more than 7 years. This is one of the requirements that you should meet while applying for a HKID.
Oct 17, 2009 (Sat)
Dim Sum with my nephew and mom at Star Seafood Restaurant (明星海鮮大酒家), great food at a reasonable price, visit my nephew’s apartment afterwards.
Oct 18, 2009 (Sun)
Very strenuous uphill walk to “The Peak” (太平山頂) by myself at 6:30 a.m.
MTR to Tsim Sha Tsui with mom to shop. We walked about Cameron, Granville Road, shopped there, had BBQ goose and pork lunch (叉鵝飯), later we ate handmade noodles (手拉面), drank lemon tea, bought wife & daughter scarves and clothes, we also walked to the New World Center, bought wife a handbag and more scarves. We managed to take the 4:45 p.m. building van in front of (Chow Tai Fook jewelry shop) 周大福 and went back to auntie Theresa’s apartment.
Around 6:30 p.m. auntie HP & uncle Barry picked us up and bought us a fancy dinner at their favorite Hong Kong yacht club. Great seafood, love that place's setting! in HK, you want to be super rich because you can enjoy the benefits that come along that are unmatched elsewhere!
Oct 19, 2009 (Mon)
Visited my mother-in-law in Tai Po (大埔中心); took bus #307 from Admiralty, 40 minute trip was a breeze, I enjoyed the ride and it wa the best way to get familiar with HK streets. Dim Sum with in-laws, walked about in Tai Po Center after the lunch and took the 4:30 p.m. bus back to HK. I caught the 5:45 p.m. building van back to the apartment. Auntie Winnie & her husband picked mom and I up and we went to Carriana Restaurant (潮卅餐廳) to dine.
Oct 20, 2009 (Tue)
Walked to The Peak in the morning @6:30 a.m. again, circled The Peak once and came back down to the apartment around 8:30 a.m. Showered and shown Winnie's husband some basic computer techniques till 12:00 p.m.
MTR to Yau Ma Tei (油麻地)and walked to Waterloo Road Pui Ching Middle School (培正中學) to pick up my requested document, purchased school emblem (培正校章), visited Apliu Street (鴨寮街).
Ladies Market (女人街) and bought my daughter a cute Doggie leather handbag for her birthday present.
Oct 21, 2009 (Wed)
My 1.5 hour walk to The Peak in the morning has becoming a daily routine for me. After the walk, I took a quick shower and went to pick up my China VISA and dropped off mom's application (because she cannot get her HK Return Permit (回乡証).
I went to HSBC main office at Central, opened a passbook saving account so that going forward, I can exchange US$ without being charged for a service fee. I also applied for an ATM card so I can withdraw HK$ at any local HSBC bank.
Oct 22, 2009 (Thu)
Visit Stanley Market, 赤柱, 美利樓 today!
After the 2 hour walk in the morning, I had a surprise shredded pork and spicy veggie noodle soup (榨菜肉絲麪) for breakfast. Mom and I took bus #260 to Stanley Market, it is busy as usual, and we also visited the Murray House (美利樓) as suggested by the HK Tourist website. Mom and I had a great time there, it brought back so many of my childhood memories.
Took bus #6x to Central Ice House Street, with the efficient MTR rail & HK bus system, who needs to own an automobile here (I was told an automobile is a status symbol rather than a need in HK)? Can’t imagine how I could navigate my Fleetwood around some of the side streets here in HK, I can see myself driving my Pilot SUV in HK, but if I lived here, I would sell both vehicles and entertain the idea of owning a motorcycle instead.
Murray House (美利樓) Murray House is a restored Victoria-era building (1844) that was named after Sir George Murray (1772-1846), a British soldier and politician. Architectural design was done by Major Aldrich and Lieutenant Collinson of the Royal Engineers, who actually did the construction (是香港一座具有维多利亚时期色彩的建筑物，原址位于香港岛北岸的中环，但现时已整座迁至香港岛东南部的赤柱。现时主要用于餐饮及零售)
Oct 23, 2009 (Fri)
My daily morning walk to The Peak became easier after almost a week’s continuous walking exercise, still sweated a lot but no problem in breathing and the rest stops are getting less and shorter! Throughout the daily walk, I have met a lot of elders and learned a lot of The Peak’s history (太平山頂歷史). I also visited all the lookout places and their beautiful views took my breath away. It was a different view everyday dependent on the weather, I just love it!
I plan to walk down to Po Fu Lam Water Reservoir (薄扶林水塘) tomorrow. I ate 8 Pork Dumplings (餃子) for breakfast today, BoBo always has something to surprise me with every morning. I went to get my haircut and colored my hair dark brown for a fresh and new look. Dim Sum at North Point, shopping around at Central with mom today!
Oct 24, 2009 (Sat)
Visited my in-laws in Tai Po w/ mom in Tai Po Center. High Tea at Landmark!
Took bus #307 to Tai Po, Dim Sum w/ in-laws and caught 2:30 p.m. bus back to HK, had High Tea with mom at Landmark and exchanged our experiences in HK so far, visited Causeway Bay SoGo shopping center, had dinner with my nephew again at a Thai Restaurant around 9:00 p.m. behind SoGo, love that curry sauce!
Oct 25, 2009 (Sun)
Visited my brother James and dined in his apartment. Took a taxi home HK$51
Oct 26, 2009 (Mon)
重陽節登高
Walked to the highest point of The Peak (Police Radio Station antenna area), Had dinner with auntie Theresa at her apartment, helped install Theresa's new fax machine because the old one is not working.
Oct 27, 2009 (Tue)
Picked up mom's China VISA, bought 梅枌 at Wing On, Sheung Wan, it was windy at the peak this morning,
Went and picked up mom's China VISA and checked her HKID status in the morning. Took Electric Cable Car (電車) and visited the Western Market in Sheung Wan, shopped at Wing On and bought Plum Powder for watermelon (梅枌). Programmed Theresa's fax machine and explained the various functions of her new fax machine.
Picture of the stairs to walk down Braemar Hill
Oct 28, 2009 (Wed)
Moving to James' apartment in Braemar Hill (寶馬山) today!
It was cold this morning but walking up to The Peak was a breeze, I think I am losing weights!
Auntie Theresa gave me 2 sets of Beijing Olympic souvenir dollar bill, mom decided to move to James' apartment today!!
Oct 29, 2009 (Thu)
Mom snored so loud that I had to move out to the living room to sleep at 3:00 a.m. last night. Visited Kowloon (九龍) and did some miscellaneous shopping, looking for the nodding head toys, drank Chinese Herbal Tea (24味), did some transactions with my iTouch, it was only a click away!
Oct 30, 2009 (Fri)
Visited Tsim Sha Tsui ( 尖沙咀) and Cercis Chinensis Stadium (紫荊廣埸), The HK Immigration Office called and they needed me to produce 2 more months of continued stay in HK to satisfy the 7 year HK residency. I went and spoke to Miss Kowk who is the immigration officer that demanded the proof. On my knees I begged…
Oct 31, 2009 (Sat)
Happy Halloween!
Nov 1, 2009 (Sun)
Helped and washed James' Mercedes, rewarded with BBQ goose (燒鵝) in new territory (深井), visited his friend Lulu at her Tung Chong (東涌) apartment. She served us Chinese tea and an apple pie. We went back to James’ apartment for dinner.
Nov 2, 2009 (Mon)
Took the Star Ferry to Kowloon and walked about in Kowloon & shopped in and around Apliu Street 鳴寮街, Ladies Market 女人街, Flower Street 花街, Gold Fish Street 金魚街, Bird Street 雀仔街 and Golden City Market 黃金市場.Went to Immigration Office and filled out more forms.
Nov 3, 2009 (Tue)
Visited Won Tai Sin 黃大仙, Che Kung Temple 車公廟, also shopped at Jordon's Yue Hwa Chinese Products Emporiums Ltd. 裕華公司, had lunch in a vegetarian restaurant (百好素吃)near at Won Tai Sin 黃大仙
Nov 4, 2009 (Wed)
Visited Kowloon Walled City Park (九龍城寨公園)and ate fish ball rice noodles (鱼蛋粉). This is my first time to visit the Kowloon Walled City Park (九龍城寨公園) and it is beautiful, I took a lot of photos and thank you HK Tourist Web for the suggestions, well worth it!
Nov 5, 2009 (Thu)
Visited Lantau Island (大嶼山大佛)and ate a vegetarian lunch (吃素)with mom inside the temple, very cool!
Nov 6, 2009 (Fri)
Seafood on Lamma Island (南丫島吃海鮮), visited HK Central Library
Ate seafood with auntie Winnie and her husband in Lamma Island (南丫島). We took a speed boat to Lamma Island (南丫島) and enjoyed a very nice and fresh seafood dinner, I was the only one who drank ice cold beer and it tasted great!!
Nov 7, 2009 (Sat)
Visited the HK Central Library and went to auntie Theresa's apartment to retrieve some documents for the immigration office, I was notified that I got approved for my HKID, went there to take pictures and verify the documents with them in the morning, received a temporary HKID instantly, yeah! The official ID will be ready in 2 weeks!
Nov 8, 2009 (Sun)
Washed James' Mercede again, ate Thai at Small Bangkok (小曼谷), visited Tai Mo Shan (大帽山).
James drove us to Shek Kong (石崗) to have Thai food for lunch (吃泰国菜). Then we visited the Tai Mo Shan (大帽山), I walked up to the top of Tai Mo Shan by myself and found myself surrounded by many photographers (2 dozens or so) taking pictures of Hong Kong sunset. We then went to
Nov 9, 2009 (Mon)
Leaving for Shanghai finally!
Went to Hung Hom Train Station and took a sleeper train to Shanghai with mom today; left at 3:15 p.m. (train T100), we bought some take out lunch boxes and fruits to enjoy on the train (food is not good on the train but we will eat rice soup breakfast on the train).
Nov 10, 2009 (Tue)
Arrived Shanghai at 10:10 am, went to a local restaurant (順風大酒店)for dinner
We took a taxi to James' apartment from the train station because mom was too tired to walk. The porter charged $20 for moving the 2 pieces of luggage (about 25 feet) ; dinner with Margaret's sister #1 & #2 at a local restaurant (順風大酒店), retired early - tired
Nov 11, 2009 (Wed)
The water pipe above the washing machine bursted in the morning, causing the water to flood the guest bedroom where I was sleeping, Margaret's sister #2 came and helped to turn off the water-main switch which was located outside the apartment and hidden behind the locked door. We also discovered that the master bedroom's bathroom has a slow leak, man, what a morning!
Nov 12, 2009 (Thu)
We turned off the water-main just to make sure there would no more flooding; I went to visit the dentist for my crowns, 1st time to visit the dentist (許玨) in Shanghai Hospital (郵電醫院)RMB$7.5 to register (掛號), RMB79.76 for cleaning and preparing for installing crowns (根管淸理, 牙片, 切牙根)
Nov 13, 2009 (Fri)
Bought Chinese breakfast under the bridge near where we live (油條及大餅), went shopping at Shanghai No 1 Department Store (第—百貨公司- 在50年代著名的圓形自動扶梯), bought a dawn coat jacket for myself because it was freezing in Shanghai and I did not bring enough clothes. I also bought my wife a dawn jacket for RMB$250, mom bought her little vest for RMB$160. We ate dumplings (生煎包) at a nearby outdoor restaurant.
Mom cooked dinner and we ate at home that night. I brought home a large bottle of beer (青島)for only RMB$15, just hope it is a beer and not something else!
Nov 14, 2009 (Sat)
Visited auntie Theresa in her Shanghai apartment and had lunch at a nearby restaurant (expensive! RMB$900.00), I guess you have to be reasonably rich in Shanghai as well!
Nov 15, 2009 (Sun)
靜安寺, 王家沙小籠包,
Shopping at Mui Lung Cheng Shopping Center 梅龍镇廣場
Nov 16, 2009 (Mon)
My 2nd time to visit dentist (許玨) at Shanghai Hospital (郵電醫院) again, the registration fee was RMB7.00 (掛號)plus they changed my medication (換牙藥) ouch!
Lunch at Shoo Chi Restaurant (蘇浙), visited mom’s old friend’s (張家伯伯) apartment, watched his ballroom dancing DVD collection
Nov 17, 2009 (Tue)
Visited the Shanghai Old Temple (城皇廟) by myself, ate at the local delicacy (南翊小籠), sweet & sour soup, Shanghai Fried Noodles (上海粗炒)for only RMB$16 (dirt cheap when compared to the lunch that I had with auntie Theresa yesterday). Bought a nice tea pot set, asked for RMB$260 and I paid only RMB$60 (hurray to my bargaining power!), really wish I had a bigger luggage suitcase so that I can buy more to bring home!
Nov 18, 2009 (Wed)
Visited my great uncle Chien in Kunshan, went to wash my feet (洗腳) w/ cousin MaoMao (毛毛); dinner at great uncle Chien’s home, ate dungeon crabs (吃大閘蟹), drank local rice wine, very watery yet strong!
Nov 19, 2009 (Thu)
Dim Sum w/ uncle Ah Lung (see above) at a local restaurant (順風酒家)
Nov 20, 2009 (Fri)
My 3rd time to visit my dentist (許玨) at Shanghai Hospital (郵電醫院), RMB7.00 to register (掛號), paid RMB 2,400 for my 3 crown moldings, visited the famous Bund (上海外灘), shopped all by myself and didn't get lost or gone crazy!
Nov 21, 2009 (Sat)
Visited Shanghai Temple (城皇廟) w/ mom this time, we ate at the same local delicacy restaurant (南翊小籠)but on the 3rd floor this time because it was too crowded (prices were 3 times higher for the same food served 2 floors below). I bought 2 wooden shoehorns for RMB$40.00 and thought that was a bargain
Nov 22, 2009 (Sun)
Had lunch with uncle Ah Lung and his family at Kaisling restaurant for RMB$720.00. Cousin建華 drove us to Zhujiajiac Ancient Town (朱家角http://www.zhujiajiao.com/) with uncle Ah Lung and his wife, we shopped there and had dinner at the road side country restaurant on our way home that night RMB 125.00
Nov 23, 2009 (Mon)
OMG, it’s my 4th time to visit my dentist (許玨) at Shanghai Hospital (郵電醫院)again, paid RMB$7.00 to register (掛號), they installed the crown on my front teeth, ouch! After that installation, I went to eat hot dumplings, had chicken and duck blood soup right away (小楊生煎馒頭. 王家沙小籠包, 雞鴨血湯), I just love the food there, all that food for about RMB$25 or US$3.66.
Nov 24, 2009 (Tue)
Can't remember what I did, probably ate and drank somewhere in Shanghai by myself, haha!
Nov 25, 2009 (Wed)
Visited the Shanghai Temple one more time with mom to shop some more!
Nov 26, 2009 (Thu)
Visited Kunshan with Jim, ate dungeon crabs (吃大閘蟹) at the famous lake (洋澄湖), and brought home 20 some dungeon crabs (大閘蟹), they were gifts from friends. It is the famous local dungeon crabs (洋澄湖大閘蟹) in the picture and this is the first time that I have visited 洋澄湖, it is very pretty and quiet, a nice place to do lunch and relax
Nov 27, 2009 (Fri)
My 5th time to visit my dentist (許玨) at Shanghai Hospital (郵電醫院) Paid RMB$7.00 to register (掛號), She installed the 3 crowns at the lower right end of my jaw, ouch ouch! This is the last time for my dental work, thank God! Uncle Ah Lung invited us to a famous restaurant (阿英煲) for dinner that night, great food and more dungeon crabs (大閘蟹) which my dentist told me to avoid after installing the crowns, I was careful eating and tried not to touch the crowns..
Nov 28, 2009 (Sat)
Walked 15 minutes to have my hair cut and washed, then took the train to Hong Kong at 6:24 p.m. Margaret went and saw us off at the Shanghai Train Station (上海火車站), we saw some rude people out of line, they just walked right in front of everyone, they were older couples too!
Nov 29, 2009 (Sun)
Arrived in Hong Kong at 1:30 p.m. Took a taxi to James’ apartment and ate fish ball rice noodles (鱼蛋粉)to celebrate! We are back to the civilize world!
Nov 30, 2009 (Mon)
Picked up my HKID and HSBC ATM card, exchanged 50,000 Yen and deposited that into the HSBC saving account.
Dec 1, 2009 (Tue)
Visited uncle Noble and auntie Kathy in Tai Po, ended up having lunch with auntie Kathy, then visited my mother-in-law, she gave me my wife’s new handbag and kids’ gifts from Eugene. I had dinner with James at Pacific Place Shangri-La Hotel, guest of Ningpo Club!
Dec 2, 2009 (Wed)
I dropped off James’ watch for repair. Bought 4 wash towel at SoGo Shopping Mall and had dinner with James’ 2 Russian friends in his apartment, smoked cigars on the roof top afterwards
Dec 3, 2009 (Thu)
I took my iTouch for a battery check at the Hong Kong Apple Services Center in Hong Kong island (筲箕灣), had lunch with James at Café De Coral (大家樂), James and I both bought a cell phone (HK$599.00) that can hold 2 sim card. Went to Broadway to buy a laptop with James, had dinner at home with mom
Dec 4, 2009 (Fri)
Can’t remember what I did L
Dec 5, 2009 (Sat)
Can’t remember what I did L
Dec 6, 2009 (Sun)
Dim Sum at Star Sea Food Restaurant (明星海鮮大酒家) with James, grocery shopping and did the home cooking for dinner at James’ apartment
Dec 7, 2009 (Mon)
Took the bus #307 to Tai Po, auntie Kathy met me at 7/11 shop and we went to pick up our glasses, then we had lunch at Café Polanka, I had the German Pork Shank; went shopping at Fortress for my wife’s X’mas gift. Visited mother-in-law afterwards, went back to James’ apartment at 4:00 pm, James and I took Jonathan to driving school at 7:30 p.m.
Dec 8, 2009 (Tue)
James’ apartment PCCW Router did not work, waited till that tech guy came and fixed the router. I went to have Won Ton Noodles (馄飩面), cruised on the Electric Train (電車) from the West End of the island (筲箕灣)to the East End (上環), met mom at Landmark to attend Theresa’s dinner banquet. Met her friends and cousins there and drank red wine and ate great food prepared by BoBo, home-style cooking!
Dec 9, 2009 (Wed)
I went to Cheung Chau (長卅) alone today, it costed me HK$22.5 by speed boat - 35 minutes, HK$11.5 for regular slow boat to come home, about 1 hour.
While I was there I visited the local point of interest (i.e. 五行山, 張保仔洞), later that day, I had dinner with my childhood friend Franklin and his family at a Shanghai Restaurant (綠楊春) in the World Trade Center, it is always nice to hook up with your childhood friend, He used to lived one floor below my apartment and we went to the same grade school - Pui Ching Middle School. We used to hangout together, from playing marbles to Ping-Pong and Monopoly, which we always ended up in conflict and not talking to each other for days, then either his mom or my mom came to the rescue, embarrassing...
Dec 10, 2009 (Thu)
Dinner with James and Jon at all you-can-eat hotel restaurant HK$440 (James found this bargain price on the local newspaper). After the dinner, I went to pick up my iTouch and James’ Laptop because the Chinese software installed was not what James wanted.
Dec 11, 2009 (Fri)
Watched HK TV…
Dec 12, 2009 (Sat)
Had lunch with auntie Elsa (細姑姊) in Kowloon Town, gave in-laws red pockets and received a surprise gift from auntie Elsa (細姑姊), she was so nice and we had a nice lunch there. Bought an LG cell phone for my wife for her birthday gift
Dec 13, 2009 (Sun)
Packing for return trip
Dec 14, 2009 (Mon)
Went to Central and checked-in the 4 pieces of luggage with James in the morning at 6:15 a.m. then bought breakfast home, James left for Shanghai at 8:00 a.m, mom and I left around 11:30 a.m. We took bus #25 to King’s street (英皇道), then switched to bus #A11 to the airport, arrived at the airport around 12:30, ate at Café De Coral (大快活), bought some bakery for breakfast in Tokyo the next morning, boarded the ANA airbus at 2:50 p.m. arrived in Tokyo Japan ANA Crown Plaza Hotel at 8:00 p.m. showered and slept after drinking 3 bottles of red wine (small bottle)
Dec 15, 2009 (Tue)
Took the airport bus to Narita airport at 11:20 a.m. checked-in and walked about the airport, bought souvenirs for family, boarded the plane around 2:50 p.m. It was a nice flight, ate dinner and breakfast, arrived in Chicago O’Hare airport at 7:50 a.m. breezed through customs and called Takhsim Rasulov for an American Taxi, arrived home at 9:00 a.m.!
