Squiggles in Hong Kong

I always thought I was quite lucky to have had my first phoren (overseas) trip at the tender age of one. But really, this daughter of mine is one step ahead of her Ma. She's been on her third overseas trip in just over 8 months. Kids these days, I tell you. Tch tch.

As I write, she's holding on to the crib and standing up, trying desperately to jump out and grinning like a silly monkey when I turn around and look at her. And I think she's holding on to the bars and walking.... okay taking a few steps. But that qualifies as walking doesn't it?

A proper update on Squiggles' latest antics is long overdue. The trip to India and limited access to the internet meant that I haven't been able to bore you with details. That will be rectified in the next week or so.

But first about our Hong Kong trip. DD had to go for work and we tagged along. I've been to HK several times but this was DD's and Squiggles' first trip. And since I wasn't sure how long I would continue to remain unemployed I thought what the heck, let me enjoy myself.

We left by the evening flight and though HK and Singapore are in the same time zone, by the time we got to the hotel it was already past midnight. Squiggles hardly slept during the flight because we had to keep taking out of her bassinet since there was turbulence on the flight. I think Bassinets are highly over-rated. Anyways, since she slept so late, she ended up sleeping till the afternoon the next day, coming up only for food in between. I hadn't taken any books with me and was seriously regretting it as I sat cooling my heels waiting for her to wake up before we could head out.

Finally I ran out of patience and woke her up at 2.30 in the afternoon. I fed her, packed her things and her up and out we headed. We spent the next few hours walking around the streets of Wanchai on Hong Kong island. I found a lovely little Wanton Noodle shop where I had lunch. Here's a pic of Squiggles in the shop and you can see the lady making some fresh dumplings in the background.

DD joined us after work and we went to the Soho of Hong Kong. My brother had recommended a Lebanese restaurant (since DD is a veggie) and we went there with a friend of ours. Hong Kong is just such a happening city. So full of life and exciting. Singapore is really dull in comparison. In fact, there is no comparison.


The next day we took the tram up to the Peak which is the highest point on HK island. It was a short but very steep ride up the hill. The views were fantastic.



Afterwards, we ended up at the Mandarin Oriental coffee shop and had the most amazing afternoon tea. If you go to HK, you HAVE to go to their cake shop and try their desserts but more specifically the cheese cake. If you can afford it, go for the afternoon tea. Typical English Tea, the stuff you may have read in Jane Austen novels. Little sandwiches, cakes, pastries, savouries all piled on a two-level tray. Freshly baked scones with clotted cream and fresh strawberry jam (yes it was fresh, none of the store bought stuff here). Yummmm. We actually went back there the next day for some more cheese cake :).

This is Squiggles enjoying her first taste of the cheese cake.

After the food gorging, we took the ferry across to Kowloon and again just meandered around, soaking in the atmosphere and the city. I found a cute little red chinese dress for Squiggles which should fit her in .... ummm.... a couple of years! And I grabbed a gorgeous dressing gown and some hair clips as well.


As we were walking around we saw this fundoo staircase with tele. Check it out.

DD bought me a pair of sunglasses from Chanel and this is what Squiggles was up to while I was shopping......

......picking threads from their carpet!

She even managed to get her first Chanel bag!! All without spending a penny. Clever girl.

DD was a good sport and didn't complain at all when I took him to a chinese restaurant for dinner. There were a few veggie things so he didn't starve folks. But I really gorged. As you can make it out, it's always about the food. Always.

We were leaving the next day, so we took it easy. We ended up in a chinese restaurant for lunch :)) where the starter was some preserved eggs which were green in colour which immediately set DD on edge. And for the next 15mins he went on about how I should ask them to take it back! It was a hideous green, I have to admit. I did try it though and it didn't taste that bad. But there was no convincing DD to try it (he eats eggs otherwise).

We went on a harbour cruise after that and it was beautiful. Though it was kind of a let down not to find any booze including beer on the ferry. I would recommend you take yours. There's only so much ocean you can enjoy without alcohol :). Only half joking mind you.

And that's it. We headed back to the airport to take the flight back to our boring little Singapore. I must say though that Squiggles was beautifully behaved throughout the weekend. Even though she made me sit for hours in the hotel room waiting for her to wake up, she was good. Here's the view from the room which made the 'twiddling thumbs' bit slightly more bearable.