What will you think when you read the “F” word on a comment or article or even a blog? Is the “F” word really that foul kinda word or it stands for “Fun”, “Free”, “Ferocious” and etc?
Well, I immediately thought of it as the foul word (which is also a verb – word the describe an action). Many will say, “Aiyah…. Patrina so dirty, only think of these things”. Am I really dirty to have thought that people are really using this particular word?
Everywhere I go, I hear this word. In college, at work and I even read this word on articles in the newspaper (which they camouflage as “F**k”) and I read them on blogs (which was blatantly showcased) too.
Is it a cool or an in-thing to swear? Because it seems to me, it is. Where is the decorum that ladies use to display? Down the drain perhaps. Who’s to blame for people using foul languages and swearing? It’s been there for so many years now, so it’s common, I would say. Rubbish!
It’s just an excuse to look cool and trendy but what these people don’t realize, the image they are portraying. To me, the image I see – when they open their mouths, flies and excrements flow out.
What breaks me is also children as young as four can swear very well too. Where to they learn from if not from their parents or adults around them. I remember very well not long after I got married, I was having dinner with KY at Bayu Emas Restaurant and next to our table was a family. They looked like such a loving family and the children (a boy and a girl) probably age 3-4, are just so adorable.
A few minutes later, the father’s phone rang, and the next thing that happen, there was shouting and banging of the table. He must be scolding someone on the other line. In between his shouting, the words he use – Oh My Goodness!!! Swearing vulgarity at every line in Hokkien. Words not fit for a child’s hearing. I feel for the children and deep in my heart I know the children will grow up thinking that vulgarity is acceptable is their speech.
My heart broke and I said a quick prayer that God will watch over them and not be like their father in speech and action. Let’s hope they will grow up as I prayed for them to be.
Friday, July 13, 2007
Thursday, July 12, 2007
What is America thinking???
I was reading this article online about Tori Spelling (from Beverly Hills 90210) being ordained a minister and that she got her certificate online. She can marry people now (like how Ps Ronald Ooi married KY and I).
http://tv.msn.com/movies/article.aspx?news=268421>1=7703
In that article, the 1st couple she marry were gays (not the feeling, gay but the homosexual, gay) and how honoured she was to marry them off.
Gee, what is the world coming to nowadays? Pastors can become gay, priest can become gay, nun can become lesbian and the list goes on. What has happen to the Word? What happen to Basic of Life and the base of our faith depends on the Word of God.
This is what happens when there’s too much of human rights and too much of freedom of speech. So much so that a child can sue or even divorce his own parents! People has forgotten about the reason for Noah’s Ark or the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. It’s sad that society nowadays accept homosexuality as a way of life.
Honestly I have nothing against homosexuals – I have friends who are homosexuals and I care for them alot. I’m just questioning the lifestyle. Many say that it’s inborn - male in a female’s body and vice versa. To some, it’s a choice. I know that there is help and it’s non other than our Heavenly Father above.
Truly if inborn, there’s help. If it’s choice – MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE!!! God didn’t create Adam and Steve or Shannon and Eve. God created Adam and Eve and let’s leave it that way.
What irks me more, is that gay churches can quote scripture!!! Wah lau eh!!! What are they thinking? You know the best part – the nearest gay church to us, is located in Singapore run by a pastor couple who is are not gay (real husband and wife) but pro-gay lifestyle.
I still remember when Ps Henry mentioned that the child who the gay couple adopts will be confused as to who is the mommy or who is the daddy? How do you call them? Who plays which role? Sigh….
http://tv.msn.com/movies/article.aspx?news=268421>1=7703
In that article, the 1st couple she marry were gays (not the feeling, gay but the homosexual, gay) and how honoured she was to marry them off.
Gee, what is the world coming to nowadays? Pastors can become gay, priest can become gay, nun can become lesbian and the list goes on. What has happen to the Word? What happen to Basic of Life and the base of our faith depends on the Word of God.
This is what happens when there’s too much of human rights and too much of freedom of speech. So much so that a child can sue or even divorce his own parents! People has forgotten about the reason for Noah’s Ark or the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. It’s sad that society nowadays accept homosexuality as a way of life.
Honestly I have nothing against homosexuals – I have friends who are homosexuals and I care for them alot. I’m just questioning the lifestyle. Many say that it’s inborn - male in a female’s body and vice versa. To some, it’s a choice. I know that there is help and it’s non other than our Heavenly Father above.
Truly if inborn, there’s help. If it’s choice – MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE!!! God didn’t create Adam and Steve or Shannon and Eve. God created Adam and Eve and let’s leave it that way.
What irks me more, is that gay churches can quote scripture!!! Wah lau eh!!! What are they thinking? You know the best part – the nearest gay church to us, is located in Singapore run by a pastor couple who is are not gay (real husband and wife) but pro-gay lifestyle.
I still remember when Ps Henry mentioned that the child who the gay couple adopts will be confused as to who is the mommy or who is the daddy? How do you call them? Who plays which role? Sigh….
Friday, July 6, 2007
Prayer Meetings
For the benefit of those who missed Tuesday and Wednesday night’s prayer meeting, I’m blogging the message here below. Do thank Kwang Yew for the notes, cause it was he who diligently wrote the notes and gave me the permission to publish it. Love you, baby.
Season of Harvest (Why?) by Bishop Margaret Benson-Idahosa
Proverbs 10:5 - He who gathers crops in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.
1. Harvest is very, very important
Season of Harvest (Why?) by Bishop Margaret Benson-Idahosa
Proverbs 10:5 - He who gathers crops in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.
1. Harvest is very, very important
2. Harvest is done in the day time – I must work the work of Him who sent me
John 9:4 – As long as it is day, we must do the work of Him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work
3. Harvest is already here
Matthew 9:37-38 – Then He said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore to send out workers into His harvest field.”
4. Harvest time is NOT for sleep
5. Harvest involves everyone in the family
6. Harvest should not be postponed. The time is now!
7. Harvest requires labourers because it does not waste
8. A true labourer is not a waster
9. A true labourer has the interest of the farmer at heart
10. A true labourer must be patient with the fruits of his labour
11. Everyone must be committed to the harvest because we are called and we are ordained
John 15:16 – You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last. Then the Father will give your whatever you ask in my name
12. Look forward to the great harvest before you (Lift up your eyes)
Luke 6:38 – Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, press down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
Seed + Time = HARVEST
13. Your seed is your designated path of your harvest
14. A harvester is an obedient man
Mark 16: 15-20 – He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”
After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.
“Whoever that who believes, He gave them POWER.
God does not call the qualified, He qualified the call!”
Perseverance In Prayer by one of the team members
Luke 18:1 – Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should pray and not give up.
1. What is the relevance of perseverance to harvest?
The meaning of “Perseverance” is waiting in pain, in discomfort and in discouragement.
Luke 18:1 – Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should pray and not give up.
1. What is the relevance of perseverance to harvest?
The meaning of “Perseverance” is waiting in pain, in discomfort and in discouragement.
Ø Those who wait in perseverance wait with EXPECTATIONS.
There are different season of harvest and different people have their own different season of harvest. We wait until the crop ripens and as we wait we discover that we need strength. One source of strength – PRAYER.
Ø In prayer we connect with heaven and thus we are comforted and strengthen.
If we don’t pray, we will fall and we will faint before our harvest comes.
Ø We pray for more labourers to harvest the crops, we NEED more people.
Ø When we are persevering in prayer, we are watching over our crops, watching over our harvest, that it will not be destroyed and our toil goes to waste. (as in Judges 6, the people toil over their land and when harvest comes the enemies attack, plundered and destroy their harvest – with which God called Gideon into action)
2. Who is to persevere? Who is being addressed? ME!
Depending on what we sow, WE have to persevere for the seed to germinate and grow.
Ø The “who” are those who know their God - “They that know their God, they will be strong and do exploits”.
Ø Those who are burden carriers – because they want change.
Ø They are those who resolve for the power of God.
Ø Those who read/understand the books of God – READ YOUR BIBLE
Ø The wailing women – those who cries out unto Him.
3. Why is it necessary to persevere in prayer?
Ø The enemy has no power to catch us but he has the plan to insert doubt in our mind. He is a hinderer. (read the book of Daniel)
Ø We have issues (which is our doubts). God wants us to change and solve this issue. He wants us to grow, to mature and therefore He gives us time. He will not allow anyone to perish. He gives us time and room that anyone who goes to Him, He gives, and those who don’t they perish.
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
2 YOUNG
I was watching a second half of this movie acted by Jaycee Chan (son of Jackie Chan) and Eric Tsang about pre-marital sex and teen pregnancy yesterday and I never regretted watching it (at least I have something to blog about now).
From this
As I was watching the movie, a thought came to my mind that the statistics of teen pregnancy and pre-marital sex have been growing more and more. It saddens me even more when I watch a show and even read in the papers that being a virgin is now a taboo in our society these days. 
Malaysia, an Islamic country or a country when religion plays an important role in every person’s life and that abstinence is always thought in church, in the religious classes and also in the mosque, is now not being heeded by the people living in this modernized country.
What’s happening and why? The moral decay in our society is getting deeper and are we doing anything about it?
Think about it, at the age of 16, 17, how about even at the age of 24, are we ready to have children? I’m 27 and I am still not ready to have a child.
The word of God says that when a man and woman come together, they are one. God also speaks of having pre-marital sex is sin.
One must realize that every action comes with a reaction. When one practices sex out of marriage (pre-marital sex and adultery), there will always be consequences – unplanned pregnancy, which may or may not lead to abortion, AIDS, gonorrhea, syphilis and many more). Even if a person escapes from these consequences, one thing that they cannot escape – upon marriage (the moment they say I do), warfare against marriage launch by the enemy will start in the spiritual realm and that’s when other consequences will come up – arguments, fights, spousal abuse, misunderstandings and many more leading to divorces.
Statistic has shown that 90% of divorce cases have a history where either or both spouses practiced pre-marital sex.
What has also happened to standing up for our virginity? Is the current trend and pressure from society too strong that we are so weak to say no to pre-marital sex?
We cannot stop interceding for our people, especially our young people when the influence of the media – movies, music and MTVs are all around us. Spread the Word of God. Pray and stand in the gap on behalf of our land.
What best time than to do it this week since Bishop Margaret Idahosa and team are here. The meeting is on everyday starting today. Cancel the curse that the devil has put on our lives. Break the enemy’s stronghold on our families and friends. Claim back ALL that the devil has stolen from us and announce outpouring of blessings from God upon our future generation and ourselves.
From this
As I was watching the movie, a thought came to my mind that the statistics of teen pregnancy and pre-marital sex have been growing more and more. It saddens me even more when I watch a show and even read in the papers that being a virgin is now a taboo in our society these days. 
Malaysia, an Islamic country or a country when religion plays an important role in every person’s life and that abstinence is always thought in church, in the religious classes and also in the mosque, is now not being heeded by the people living in this modernized country.
What’s happening and why? The moral decay in our society is getting deeper and are we doing anything about it?
To this
Think about it, at the age of 16, 17, how about even at the age of 24, are we ready to have children? I’m 27 and I am still not ready to have a child.
The word of God says that when a man and woman come together, they are one. God also speaks of having pre-marital sex is sin.
One must realize that every action comes with a reaction. When one practices sex out of marriage (pre-marital sex and adultery), there will always be consequences – unplanned pregnancy, which may or may not lead to abortion, AIDS, gonorrhea, syphilis and many more). Even if a person escapes from these consequences, one thing that they cannot escape – upon marriage (the moment they say I do), warfare against marriage launch by the enemy will start in the spiritual realm and that’s when other consequences will come up – arguments, fights, spousal abuse, misunderstandings and many more leading to divorces.
Statistic has shown that 90% of divorce cases have a history where either or both spouses practiced pre-marital sex.
What has also happened to standing up for our virginity? Is the current trend and pressure from society too strong that we are so weak to say no to pre-marital sex?
We cannot stop interceding for our people, especially our young people when the influence of the media – movies, music and MTVs are all around us. Spread the Word of God. Pray and stand in the gap on behalf of our land.
What best time than to do it this week since Bishop Margaret Idahosa and team are here. The meeting is on everyday starting today. Cancel the curse that the devil has put on our lives. Break the enemy’s stronghold on our families and friends. Claim back ALL that the devil has stolen from us and announce outpouring of blessings from God upon our future generation and ourselves.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
SHOPPING WONDERS AND MICKEY!
It's been a week since i got back from Hong Kong. Had a wonderful trip there. Didn't have a computer at home, so had to slowly slowly at my on free time to upload photos and drafting my account of the trip. Read on and enjoy. Hope it'll entice you to make a trip there too.
Day 1: 15th June 2007, Friday
Woke up really early in the morning cause the van that was picking us up were to arrive at 7am! Said goodbye to Kwang Yew and off we were to the airport. Thought I’d catch up on my sleep on the way there but wasn’t able to sleep. I wasn’t excited, was rather dreading it because the itinerary was lousy (so I thought).
Checked in, ate breakfast at McDonald and off into the plane. 3 ½ hours journey, watched CSI: New York and Living with Fran (as in Fran Dresher in The Nanny).
Arrived at Hong Kong International Airport at 12.20pm, go through the Immigration Counter (queue was really really long – filled with Koreans and Japanese), get our bags scanned and looked out for the tourist guide. We found Benny finally. A medium size, tanned skinned, bespectacled guy at the age of 48 (and he doesn’t look at all 48, more like 35).
First stop – Benny dropped us off at our hotel, Dorsett Far East Hotel at Tsuen Wan. While we’re on the way, he spoke about Hong Kong and the lifestyle of the Hongkies. He stated the difference between Malaysian Chinese and Hong Kong Chinese. All these he spoke in Cantonese (of which my dad and aunt could not catch). Benny on the other hand isn’t very good in English, which is rather hilarious when he tried his hands at a little English. So dad and him was like chicken and duck talking to each other.
Since the 1st day was Free and Easy, he suggested taking us on a night tour but it will cost an additional HKD390. Places covered, Lui Yan Kai (Ladies Market), Roast Goose Dinner, Victoria Peak, Madame Tussaud and Arena of Stars (Victoria Harbour).
Did some G2000 shopping (they have Father’s Day Sale. Woohoo!) and tried “Chow Tau Foo” (Smelly Bean Curd). The Chow Tau Foo did not at all taste like how it smells. It’s quite good except for the funny after taste in the mouth.
Proceed for the famous “Siew Ngor” (Roast Goose) dinner. Was the restaurant called Foo Lim Fisherman’s Wharf Restaurant or Pleasant Palace Seafood Restaurant? I don’t know. But what a spread of food! Boy oh boy…. HK and China is all about pork, duck, duck and more pork. Really really fatty ones too.
After dinner – took the Peak tram, 10 minutes up to Victoria Peak. 1st view – Madame Tussaud. More photos taken here. Then, it was viewing the whole of HK, including Kowloon (mainland).
Our next and final stop for the night – Arena of Stars, where most HK stars have their hand prints on the side walk (similar to Walk of Fame thingy). Benny said this place is also called Lai Mau Kai (Courtesy Street) because many people as they walk, will bow their heads (to have a look at the hand prints)
Day 2: 16th June 2007, Saturday
Had dim sum for breakfast (a must try when you’re in HK). Delicious delicious char siew pau. Slurp!
First stop – Golden Bauhinia Square located right in front of my favourite building (HK Exhibition and Convention Centre aka The Turtle Building where they film Police Story 4). Snap! Snap! Snap!
Second stop - JC Jewellery Factory, Jackie Chan’s, man. Nothing for me to buy here. Just watch the men working on a diamond ring. Mum of course will have something to buy here lar. She bought an Opal (her birthstone) pendant.
Then it was Repulse Bay, where most of the rich and famous live, including Jackie Chan and Chow Sing Chi. Most orang putih expats live here too, cause they love the sea. There’s a temple here with many deities (Kuan Yin and Buddha). Benny said something about touching the statue of the deities to get your wishes. I played along touching a deity with little children around him. If you want a daughter, touch the girl. If you want a son, touch the boy. If you want twins, touch 2 children lor. Guess what did I touch?
Aberdeen Fishing Village is next – nothing much to see (I find it a little boring).
Went back to Victoria Peak but mid level only. Just to view HK by day and snap more photos.
Next-up, Herbs Shop. The older people (I’m not in the list of older people) bought scallops, Oyster flesh (from Japan. The Japanese takes the pearl and sells the meat to the Chinese). I found the most expensive ginseng here – HK$2.3 million! Crazy! And the ginseng looked like a twig, that’s all!
Finally, our tour of HK ends. We have to take the train from Hung Hum Station to Shenzhen. This was where the nightmare began.
The older group (Mum, Dad, Mum-in-law and Second Aunt, my Jee Chim) got separated from us younger ones (May Lai, Adrian, Choon Hui and I). They took the first train (cause the door closed on us before we could get in) and we younger ones hopped onto the next train (only 15 minutes apart).
The moment we arrived at the last stop, we immediately went straight to immigration and headed straight to Shenzhen immigration. The next thing we know, we lost our older group. Waited for 2 long hours and Choon Hui opted to go back to HK to look for them. Finally found them and got a long lecture. Rupa-rupanya, they were waiting for us at the last station in HK! We made up, said our sorries and off to a new adventure.
1st day in Shenzhen is F&E but tour guide (George) offered to show us the “pasar malam” of Shenzhen after dinner (Chinese food in China is oil and salt – cholesterol and blood pressure shoot up, man!). The pasar malam is so not pasar at all, ok. No stalls, all shops. So ‘til today, I don’t know what George means by Shenzhen “pasar malam”.
Day 3: 17th June 2007, Sunday
We had hotel buffet breakfast before our Shenzhen tour. We had to pay RMB10 for a cup of coffee ok! But we chose not to drink coffee (some sacrifice to make when in China, for all you coffee lovers).
Thereafter, we went to the Shenzhen Xingyu Mineral Museum, just to look at some stones such as jade. They sell stuffs here. So much for just a simple museum.
Well, today is Father’s Day and dad was so into this moonstone (Adrian and I have read a lot about moon stone but we have never seen one before cause it’s not available in Malaysia. We finally saw a real moonstone in China. The beauty of it – it’s the only luminous stone, which glows in the dark). Also found out from the salesgirl that this stone also have some magnetic thingy. Cool! So we got it for Dad as a gift (now it’s sitting in the display at home).
I bought a few jade hanging thingy for RM14.00 per piece. Mum bought another pendant, quite cute because this pendant can move in the inside. Comes with an 18K gold necklace too. Since it is also lychee season, this place also sells tea and their specialty – Lychee Tea. We bought also lar and got a free gift – a pissing man.
Next up, Window of the World. This place has all the major landmark of each major countries / continent in the world but all in miniature size. And we saw how lychee trees looked like.
After lunch, we went to this Herbal Store and got ourselves diagnose by a prominent Chinese Traditional physician called Professor Wu. She was from Indonesia and has been practising Chinese Medicine for 40 years. She’s 70 years old but she looks 10 year younger. And you know what? She is accurate in her diagnostic. She accurately diagnosed dad and Adrian and even myself! But let’s leave that behind because Dad spends the most here, RM2000 on herbs. We also spend the longest time here.
Now, the place we were to go next is my favourite – China Cultural and Folk Village or what the locals here call, Mini China. We watch 2 wonderful, most beautiful world-class cultural show and we had a great time touring the mini buildings of China from different provinces – check the photos here too. Finally, we had 1 meal for dinner (at the Cultural Village) that is good, still oily and salty but good.
After dinner, back to hotel and off to 1 hour of “sai keok” or feet wash and massage, which was a relief to the leg after all the walking for the 3 days. The spa has shuttle service. No joke.
Day 4: 18th June 2007, Monday
After breakfast (the hotel’s), we immediately checked out and head straight to the train station. It was a long long walk. On the way, I saw a shop that sells luggage bags and I was immediately attracted to the bags and of course the price. After much bargaining and pondering (to buy or not to buy), I decided to go ahead and buy. Dad paid.
After the purchase, we continued our long walk to the train station. It is a rule cum policy that public vehicles are not allowed to park at the station even for drop-off. So, walk lar. Good exercise but did not sweat.
This time, we made sure that we wait for everybody to get on to the same train but Alas! We got separated again, this time over in HK. May Lai and mum-in-law was separated because the door of Line 4, which the train heads towards Hung Hum station close on the rest of us. We had to take Line 1 train, which also heads to Hung Hum but upon arrival, May Lai took the wrong exit. It was suppose to be Exit C but they couldn’t find it. It was so stressful but God is good, we found each other.
The new tourist guide (can’t remember her name) seem to look a little pissed. Who cares?! Well in the bus on the way to Disneyland, she just briefed us a little about Disney and gave us our Entrance tickets. Told us to check-in but we can’t get our rooms until after 3pm.
That’s exactly what we did. We checked into Hollywood Hotel at 12.30pm, got our 2 day passes and left our luggage with the concierge and took the shuttle bus to Disneyland. Did a little bit of walking and went to see Lion King show. We were rather disappointed because we were comparing the show to the previous cultural show in Shenzhen. The Lion King show is meant for kids and not us, old farts.
Then, we did a little bit more walking about, saw Cinderella and wanted to take a photo with her but the line was close already. How sad…. So we waited for the Disney Parade, which was the next program. Now, this was GOOD. The parade was really colourful and entertaining. But I pity the people who are in their costumes. Must be sweating like a running tap water. The weather was HOT! The sun was burning, our skins were burning.
After the parade, we realised it was just too hot to walk around, that we decided to go back to the hotel and rest a little. We wanted to catch the fireworks and we must at least take a photo with the mouse himself, Mickey.
As we walked towards the elevator to our rooms, we were just enthralled. Finally, the trip was worth it. We stayed in a 5 Star hotel and everywhere you turn your eyes to, you see Mickey or at least his ears lar.
Choon Hui and I were like school girls squealing when we saw our bedroom. It was lovely. Everything was just Mickey Mouse. We took pictures of the room and even the bath. How I wish I could take the shower curtain too but I couldn’t. The bathroom angle would not permit me to. I even had the mind to want to buy the shower curtain from the hotel but couldn’t find any price list (like most hotels have).
After shower and rest, we went back to the park. Adrian and Choon Hui decided to sleep a little bit more. The rest of went ahead without them. May Lai and I saw Mickey and Minnie photos session, we straight away went in line while Mum, Dad, Mum-in-law and Chim went to get dinner.
We waited really long just to snap photos with them. The wait was worth it. Then, we did our shopping at the Disney Souvenir Shop. After that, it was time for the fireworks, started hunting the rest of the group and managed to find them in the midst of the crowd. We still had a little time left to get our take-away dinner. We were dead hungry.
My oh my! The fireworks were beautiful! It goes along with all the Disney music. Like musical fountain, this was musical fireworks. Lovely. Lovely.
After that, May Lai and I decided to go shopping. I took them to Causeway Bay. We need to catch the MTR – Disney MTR. The train was cute.
Nothing in the stores cause there was NO SALE! How disappointing! Well, at least to mend our wound, Bossini has something. There is a GOD! Haha!
Then, we realised it’s getting late and the last train back is at 12pm. Don’t want to pay so much to get a cab back to Disney. Heard from Adrian earlier that taking a cab from HK Island (Wan Chai, Causeway bay, those areas) to Disney will cost HK$150! That’s really expensive.
I didn’t eat the burger that I bought. Earlier, all I was munching was the fries. After arrival at the last stop to hop back onto the Disney train, I gobbled my burger. What a relief as my stomach was already on strike.
Day 5: 19th June 2007, Monday
I really had a very good sleep and I woke up at 9.00am. I actually thought I wanted to go back to Disney Park to do further shopping but mum said no cause there just isn’t enough time.
I had to do my balance shopping at the shop downstairs. They equally good merchandises but of course, at Disney Park, there’ll be more choices.
We left for the airport at 12pm and hang about at Popeye’s (kinda cool fried chicken/KFC type of outlet). My last mission before leaving Hong Kong was Wing Wah Bakery to buy “lou poh peng” for Ky Lie and of course for my darling hubby.
I didn’t realise I spend such a long time in the shop that when I looked at my watch, to my horror I had to run to plane!
Arrive KLIA at 6.20pm and went straight home. That’s the journey of my HK/Shenzhen/Disneyland trip. All in all, when I felt that my trip was going to be lousy and that I didn’t look forward to it all, I was totally wrong by the end of it. Every penny spend was worth it, especially Shenzhen.
For those who have not been the any Disneyland, HK is a good start. Small, a little disappointing but it was ok. Those who have gone to the bigger ones like Japan or Florida, don’t bother stepping into Hong Kong. You’ll get a BIG disappointment.
By the way, Mega Sale in HK is on the month of July and August. Everything is dirt cheap. Air Asia now flies to Shenzhen. Therefore HK is so accessible now. Grab this opportunity to shop, shop and shop during this period.
*All photos are courtesy of my ever reliable Olympus and Choon Hui’s Canon cameras.
Day 1: 15th June 2007, Friday
Woke up really early in the morning cause the van that was picking us up were to arrive at 7am! Said goodbye to Kwang Yew and off we were to the airport. Thought I’d catch up on my sleep on the way there but wasn’t able to sleep. I wasn’t excited, was rather dreading it because the itinerary was lousy (so I thought).
Checked in, ate breakfast at McDonald and off into the plane. 3 ½ hours journey, watched CSI: New York and Living with Fran (as in Fran Dresher in The Nanny).
Arrived at Hong Kong International Airport at 12.20pm, go through the Immigration Counter (queue was really really long – filled with Koreans and Japanese), get our bags scanned and looked out for the tourist guide. We found Benny finally. A medium size, tanned skinned, bespectacled guy at the age of 48 (and he doesn’t look at all 48, more like 35).
First stop – Benny dropped us off at our hotel, Dorsett Far East Hotel at Tsuen Wan. While we’re on the way, he spoke about Hong Kong and the lifestyle of the Hongkies. He stated the difference between Malaysian Chinese and Hong Kong Chinese. All these he spoke in Cantonese (of which my dad and aunt could not catch). Benny on the other hand isn’t very good in English, which is rather hilarious when he tried his hands at a little English. So dad and him was like chicken and duck talking to each other.
Since the 1st day was Free and Easy, he suggested taking us on a night tour but it will cost an additional HKD390. Places covered, Lui Yan Kai (Ladies Market), Roast Goose Dinner, Victoria Peak, Madame Tussaud and Arena of Stars (Victoria Harbour).
Did some G2000 shopping (they have Father’s Day Sale. Woohoo!) and tried “Chow Tau Foo” (Smelly Bean Curd). The Chow Tau Foo did not at all taste like how it smells. It’s quite good except for the funny after taste in the mouth.
Proceed for the famous “Siew Ngor” (Roast Goose) dinner. Was the restaurant called Foo Lim Fisherman’s Wharf Restaurant or Pleasant Palace Seafood Restaurant? I don’t know. But what a spread of food! Boy oh boy…. HK and China is all about pork, duck, duck and more pork. Really really fatty ones too.
After dinner – took the Peak tram, 10 minutes up to Victoria Peak. 1st view – Madame Tussaud. More photos taken here. Then, it was viewing the whole of HK, including Kowloon (mainland).
Our next and final stop for the night – Arena of Stars, where most HK stars have their hand prints on the side walk (similar to Walk of Fame thingy). Benny said this place is also called Lai Mau Kai (Courtesy Street) because many people as they walk, will bow their heads (to have a look at the hand prints)
Day 2: 16th June 2007, Saturday
Had dim sum for breakfast (a must try when you’re in HK). Delicious delicious char siew pau. Slurp!
First stop – Golden Bauhinia Square located right in front of my favourite building (HK Exhibition and Convention Centre aka The Turtle Building where they film Police Story 4). Snap! Snap! Snap!
Second stop - JC Jewellery Factory, Jackie Chan’s, man. Nothing for me to buy here. Just watch the men working on a diamond ring. Mum of course will have something to buy here lar. She bought an Opal (her birthstone) pendant.
Then it was Repulse Bay, where most of the rich and famous live, including Jackie Chan and Chow Sing Chi. Most orang putih expats live here too, cause they love the sea. There’s a temple here with many deities (Kuan Yin and Buddha). Benny said something about touching the statue of the deities to get your wishes. I played along touching a deity with little children around him. If you want a daughter, touch the girl. If you want a son, touch the boy. If you want twins, touch 2 children lor. Guess what did I touch?
Aberdeen Fishing Village is next – nothing much to see (I find it a little boring).
Went back to Victoria Peak but mid level only. Just to view HK by day and snap more photos.
Next-up, Herbs Shop. The older people (I’m not in the list of older people) bought scallops, Oyster flesh (from Japan. The Japanese takes the pearl and sells the meat to the Chinese). I found the most expensive ginseng here – HK$2.3 million! Crazy! And the ginseng looked like a twig, that’s all!
Finally, our tour of HK ends. We have to take the train from Hung Hum Station to Shenzhen. This was where the nightmare began.
The older group (Mum, Dad, Mum-in-law and Second Aunt, my Jee Chim) got separated from us younger ones (May Lai, Adrian, Choon Hui and I). They took the first train (cause the door closed on us before we could get in) and we younger ones hopped onto the next train (only 15 minutes apart).
The moment we arrived at the last stop, we immediately went straight to immigration and headed straight to Shenzhen immigration. The next thing we know, we lost our older group. Waited for 2 long hours and Choon Hui opted to go back to HK to look for them. Finally found them and got a long lecture. Rupa-rupanya, they were waiting for us at the last station in HK! We made up, said our sorries and off to a new adventure.
1st day in Shenzhen is F&E but tour guide (George) offered to show us the “pasar malam” of Shenzhen after dinner (Chinese food in China is oil and salt – cholesterol and blood pressure shoot up, man!). The pasar malam is so not pasar at all, ok. No stalls, all shops. So ‘til today, I don’t know what George means by Shenzhen “pasar malam”.
Day 3: 17th June 2007, Sunday
We had hotel buffet breakfast before our Shenzhen tour. We had to pay RMB10 for a cup of coffee ok! But we chose not to drink coffee (some sacrifice to make when in China, for all you coffee lovers).
Thereafter, we went to the Shenzhen Xingyu Mineral Museum, just to look at some stones such as jade. They sell stuffs here. So much for just a simple museum.
Well, today is Father’s Day and dad was so into this moonstone (Adrian and I have read a lot about moon stone but we have never seen one before cause it’s not available in Malaysia. We finally saw a real moonstone in China. The beauty of it – it’s the only luminous stone, which glows in the dark). Also found out from the salesgirl that this stone also have some magnetic thingy. Cool! So we got it for Dad as a gift (now it’s sitting in the display at home).
I bought a few jade hanging thingy for RM14.00 per piece. Mum bought another pendant, quite cute because this pendant can move in the inside. Comes with an 18K gold necklace too. Since it is also lychee season, this place also sells tea and their specialty – Lychee Tea. We bought also lar and got a free gift – a pissing man.
Next up, Window of the World. This place has all the major landmark of each major countries / continent in the world but all in miniature size. And we saw how lychee trees looked like.
After lunch, we went to this Herbal Store and got ourselves diagnose by a prominent Chinese Traditional physician called Professor Wu. She was from Indonesia and has been practising Chinese Medicine for 40 years. She’s 70 years old but she looks 10 year younger. And you know what? She is accurate in her diagnostic. She accurately diagnosed dad and Adrian and even myself! But let’s leave that behind because Dad spends the most here, RM2000 on herbs. We also spend the longest time here.
Now, the place we were to go next is my favourite – China Cultural and Folk Village or what the locals here call, Mini China. We watch 2 wonderful, most beautiful world-class cultural show and we had a great time touring the mini buildings of China from different provinces – check the photos here too. Finally, we had 1 meal for dinner (at the Cultural Village) that is good, still oily and salty but good.
After dinner, back to hotel and off to 1 hour of “sai keok” or feet wash and massage, which was a relief to the leg after all the walking for the 3 days. The spa has shuttle service. No joke.
Day 4: 18th June 2007, Monday
After breakfast (the hotel’s), we immediately checked out and head straight to the train station. It was a long long walk. On the way, I saw a shop that sells luggage bags and I was immediately attracted to the bags and of course the price. After much bargaining and pondering (to buy or not to buy), I decided to go ahead and buy. Dad paid.
After the purchase, we continued our long walk to the train station. It is a rule cum policy that public vehicles are not allowed to park at the station even for drop-off. So, walk lar. Good exercise but did not sweat.
This time, we made sure that we wait for everybody to get on to the same train but Alas! We got separated again, this time over in HK. May Lai and mum-in-law was separated because the door of Line 4, which the train heads towards Hung Hum station close on the rest of us. We had to take Line 1 train, which also heads to Hung Hum but upon arrival, May Lai took the wrong exit. It was suppose to be Exit C but they couldn’t find it. It was so stressful but God is good, we found each other.
The new tourist guide (can’t remember her name) seem to look a little pissed. Who cares?! Well in the bus on the way to Disneyland, she just briefed us a little about Disney and gave us our Entrance tickets. Told us to check-in but we can’t get our rooms until after 3pm.
That’s exactly what we did. We checked into Hollywood Hotel at 12.30pm, got our 2 day passes and left our luggage with the concierge and took the shuttle bus to Disneyland. Did a little bit of walking and went to see Lion King show. We were rather disappointed because we were comparing the show to the previous cultural show in Shenzhen. The Lion King show is meant for kids and not us, old farts.
Then, we did a little bit more walking about, saw Cinderella and wanted to take a photo with her but the line was close already. How sad…. So we waited for the Disney Parade, which was the next program. Now, this was GOOD. The parade was really colourful and entertaining. But I pity the people who are in their costumes. Must be sweating like a running tap water. The weather was HOT! The sun was burning, our skins were burning.
After the parade, we realised it was just too hot to walk around, that we decided to go back to the hotel and rest a little. We wanted to catch the fireworks and we must at least take a photo with the mouse himself, Mickey.
As we walked towards the elevator to our rooms, we were just enthralled. Finally, the trip was worth it. We stayed in a 5 Star hotel and everywhere you turn your eyes to, you see Mickey or at least his ears lar.
Choon Hui and I were like school girls squealing when we saw our bedroom. It was lovely. Everything was just Mickey Mouse. We took pictures of the room and even the bath. How I wish I could take the shower curtain too but I couldn’t. The bathroom angle would not permit me to. I even had the mind to want to buy the shower curtain from the hotel but couldn’t find any price list (like most hotels have).
After shower and rest, we went back to the park. Adrian and Choon Hui decided to sleep a little bit more. The rest of went ahead without them. May Lai and I saw Mickey and Minnie photos session, we straight away went in line while Mum, Dad, Mum-in-law and Chim went to get dinner.
We waited really long just to snap photos with them. The wait was worth it. Then, we did our shopping at the Disney Souvenir Shop. After that, it was time for the fireworks, started hunting the rest of the group and managed to find them in the midst of the crowd. We still had a little time left to get our take-away dinner. We were dead hungry.
My oh my! The fireworks were beautiful! It goes along with all the Disney music. Like musical fountain, this was musical fireworks. Lovely. Lovely.
After that, May Lai and I decided to go shopping. I took them to Causeway Bay. We need to catch the MTR – Disney MTR. The train was cute.
Nothing in the stores cause there was NO SALE! How disappointing! Well, at least to mend our wound, Bossini has something. There is a GOD! Haha!
Then, we realised it’s getting late and the last train back is at 12pm. Don’t want to pay so much to get a cab back to Disney. Heard from Adrian earlier that taking a cab from HK Island (Wan Chai, Causeway bay, those areas) to Disney will cost HK$150! That’s really expensive.
I didn’t eat the burger that I bought. Earlier, all I was munching was the fries. After arrival at the last stop to hop back onto the Disney train, I gobbled my burger. What a relief as my stomach was already on strike.
Day 5: 19th June 2007, Monday
I really had a very good sleep and I woke up at 9.00am. I actually thought I wanted to go back to Disney Park to do further shopping but mum said no cause there just isn’t enough time.
I had to do my balance shopping at the shop downstairs. They equally good merchandises but of course, at Disney Park, there’ll be more choices.
We left for the airport at 12pm and hang about at Popeye’s (kinda cool fried chicken/KFC type of outlet). My last mission before leaving Hong Kong was Wing Wah Bakery to buy “lou poh peng” for Ky Lie and of course for my darling hubby.
I didn’t realise I spend such a long time in the shop that when I looked at my watch, to my horror I had to run to plane!
Arrive KLIA at 6.20pm and went straight home. That’s the journey of my HK/Shenzhen/Disneyland trip. All in all, when I felt that my trip was going to be lousy and that I didn’t look forward to it all, I was totally wrong by the end of it. Every penny spend was worth it, especially Shenzhen.
For those who have not been the any Disneyland, HK is a good start. Small, a little disappointing but it was ok. Those who have gone to the bigger ones like Japan or Florida, don’t bother stepping into Hong Kong. You’ll get a BIG disappointment.
By the way, Mega Sale in HK is on the month of July and August. Everything is dirt cheap. Air Asia now flies to Shenzhen. Therefore HK is so accessible now. Grab this opportunity to shop, shop and shop during this period.
*All photos are courtesy of my ever reliable Olympus and Choon Hui’s Canon cameras.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
