Back to Japan. Hong Kong was a tiring but fun trip. On 4/19 (Fri) I was able to celebrate my b-day not only with my family but Lewis (friend from my college days) and Alex (new Hong Kong pal who lives in Tokyo) at my favorite childhood restaurant Yaik Sun in Lee Theater Plaza. After that cousin Duck took us to a bar (Boca) in SOHO - an up-and-coming hip and trendy district a short climb from the still-trendy Lan Kwei Fong - followed by a midnight hotdog run at Three Piggyz Grill, formerly known as Top Dog and according to Duck a major ABC (American-born Chinese) hangout. (Pig 1, Pig 2 and Pig 3.)
The following night Lewis borrowed his uncle's car and drove Simone and I around HK island. It was an extremely nostalgic trip for me because I haven't been to Stanley and the beautiful Shek O beach in ages. (I think the last time I went to Shek O was in the early 80s.) After that we sent Junko home early and Lewis and I hang around the local bars near Chatham Road in Tsim Sha Tsui until 3am, catching up with each other.
The HK economy has not been nice to Lewis: his company laid him off last December. But I am not too worried about the big guy because he is smart enough to figure it all out in no time.
Before we got on the plane on 4/21, dad treated us to an exquisite dim sum lunch at the Chinese restaurant Wan Loong Court in Kowloon Hotel. The restaurant is a testament to the fine craftsmanship in Hong Kong dim sum that is growing rare as dim sum becomes more mass-produced.
Another must-see in Hong Kong: The Hong Kong Museum of History (link), which opened last year features a permanent exhibit titled "Hong Kong Story". Starting from pre-historic times when dinosaurs roamed the earth, the museum presents a fascinating walkthrough of Hong Kong history and culture up until the handover in 1997. Here are a couple pictures I took at the museum of a typical school bag, vacuum flasks and lunch pail back in the late 70s. (That's what I used.) And they got some junk in there, as well.
p.s. Hong Kong is being invaded.
p.p.s. Austin Rd is being invaded by cousin Pat's cat, Jingle.
12:52:31 AM 
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