HK Trip – Day 2 (Thursday 24 Feb)

Got up at 7am in the morning. Looked out the window and the surrounding was totally misty, hazy and wet. So damn gloomy and sad. Beginning to HATE HK for the first time in my life. When I was here back in Dec 2002, it was equally wet and windy. But then I was on a holiday so didn’t really feel the gloom. Hahahaha…

Had breakfast at Pacific Place, a high-class shopping mall, directly opposite the office. Decided on a Jap Ramen with chicken. Nice but too much for breakfast. Should do bread next time, like in Japan. Cheaper too. SS had sandwiches while WL and ST had some egg-omelette thingy. The coffee sucks.

Reached the office at 9am. They had allocated a room, which was comfortable for the 4 of us. The IT people came to set up the wireless LAN access, printer, telephone, etc. Fully equipped and ready to go! Like what someone said, “Steady, Boon Pee Pee (sbpp)…”

Had some difficulties trying to meet “unfriendly” Emily. She’s forever busy!! And then came the bomb that she’s only free this SATURDAY!!!!! So we have to come in. BTW, the office here works alternate Saturdays, unlike in SG where we have 5-day workweek.

The rest of the morning was spent to settle down plus additional meeting up with the rest of the officers whom we didn’t get to see yesterday.

Had lunch with Alton and his staff. Went to this restaurant in Causeway Bay for dim sum. He said he would claim the lunch as company’s expenses. OMG!! Think we better stop having lunches / dinners with the staff there before the MD sends us a bill for “out-of-pocket expenses”. Hahahaha…

First interview with Compliance / Accounts at 2:30pm. Calvin actually forgot our appointment!! Duh!! Got an understanding of how things work in the HK office. At least got some progress, tho’ I’m doubtful if there’s anything significant to report at the end of the audit. Stressful sia…

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After work, we went to check out the laundry rates. It’s HKD22 for a shirt. Expensive but cheaper than hotel rates. Trust me, my friends. Travelling for work is no joke. Not only does one have to face the pressures in the office, all this nitty gritty things such as laundry lah, food and water lah, weather lah, can drain one out physically.

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Met up with Chloe for dinner. Went to a restaurant near Lan Kwai Fong (LKF). After dinner we were off for a walk in LKF just to “feel” the place. I was here back in 2002 and din feel anything at all. To me, LKF is just normal, like any other streets in HK. The only difference is that LKF is a place where the expatriates congregate. Crowds of ang mohs in the pubs. I never have any special likings for ang mohs. So, no big deal…

Next stop was HMV. Got 5 Chinese DVDs for HKD 230 (SGD50). Cheap cheap. Hehe…

We bided our goodbyes with Chloe and took a cab back to the hotel. Decided to go get some mineral water. Saw this fruit stall along one of the side lanes on the street. Bought 2 big apples for HKD5 (SGD1.10). Fruits seem to be quite affordable.