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| RUBI ON LAMMA ISLAND |
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| MISBEHAVING DOGS IN BUDDHIST TEMPLE |
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| VIEW FROM OUR HOTEL ROOM WINDOW |
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| CONFUSING REFLECTIONS IN CINEMA |
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| NAOMI, ANNE, STEVE, SOPHIE & RUBI AT RITZ-CARLTON |
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| SPECIAL WELCOME AT THE RITZ-CARLTON |
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| GOLD LEAF ON THE WILD STRAWBERRIES |
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| RUBI'S MUM SURROUNDED BY HER CHILDREN: CHUCK, JOCKEY, JOSEPH & RUBI |
We could hear the rain bouncing off the window on Wednesday morning, so didn't rush to get up. Rubi's brother Chuck works as a teacher and he was keen that we share lunch with him during his midday break, so we did that.
Afterwards, we caught the ferry over to Yung Shue Wan on Lamma Island. The sea was choppy and Rubi was concerned that she might be ill. Since she was leaning on my shoulder for most of the journey, I was pleased she wasn't.
The walk across the Island was OK since it was paved and well signposted. Views were limited by the haze, but the drizzle was light. We saw the beaches, the power station, several pavilions and the fish farms before reaching Sok Kwu Wan in good time to catch the return ferry.
Just as we were coming into Sok Kwu Wan we passed a Buddhist temple and saw that three dogs, probably a bitch and two puppies, were making quite a mess chewing a kneeler to pieces. When we peered through the open doorway they looked concerned, probably expecting to be evicted, but we decided that it was up to the locals to look after their own temple.
We ate at Pizza Hut that evening, Rubi recognising that I was a bit tired of the diet of Chinese food.
The following day we had intended to go walking in Sai Kung Country Park, which is reputed to be beautiful, but the weather was against us again and it wouldn't have been fun. Indeed, the authorities had announced a 'Yellow Alert' the previous day for potential flooding. We decided to go to the cinema in Mong Kok instead and watch 'Superman v Batman'. The cinema foyer was like a hall of mirrors, making it difficult for us to find the right screen. When we did, the film turned out to be the usual mix of weird characters, explosive special effects and an incomprehensible plot. In spite of that it kept us amused for a while.
On Friday we had an invitation from Sophie, Anne and Jockey's eldest daughter, to share lunch at the Ritz Carlton Hotel on the 102nd floor of the ICC Building, where she works. Naomi and Anne came too. The food was Italian and comprised a number of micro-dishes, finishing with wild strawberries with gold leaf on raspberry millefeuille. As usual, the Hong Kong fog prevented us from getting much of a view, but we were well behaved so they said we could come back another time.
Afterwards Sophie took us all for cocktails at W Hong Kong Hotel where her best friend works.
There was to be no let up in the eating today as we then took a taxi to Ma On Shan where we would join the rest of family for an evening meal at the Chrystal Harbour Restaurant in the Horizon Suite Hotel. This was to celebrate Rubi's Mum's 'special' 81st birthday.
For men, even numbered birthdays such as 50, 60, 70, 80, etc., are special. It should be noted that even numbers are 'yang' whereas, by contrast, odd numbers are 'yin'. Thus, to preserve the balance between yin and yang, the special birthdays for women are odd numbered ones such as 61, 71, 81, etc.
The food was plentiful and excellent, and Rubi's Mum clearly enjoyed herself, as did everyone. It was also a perfect finale to our Asian holiday, for tomorrow we would be packing our bags for an early evening flight home.