BOOYAH IN BEJING

VIEW FROM MY HOTEL ROOM IN BEIJING

A CONTINUATION OF THE " GO EAST YOUNG MAN!!! JIMITHEGREEK GOES TO CHINA" SAGA (JUNE 12 - 16 2007 IS THIS REALLY THE END?)......NAH, ONE, MAYBE TWO MORE TO GO!

ACTUALLY HAD A GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP , CHECKED OUT OF THE RENAISSANCE HOTEL AND CAUGHT A CAB TO THE AIRPORT. IT IS AMAZING THAT THE BEST AIRPORT IN THE WORLD IS THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. IT IS CLEAN, BRIGHT, SPACIOUS, WELL ORGANIZED AND EFFICIENT. THERE IS A SLEW OF SHOPS, SERVICES & RESTAURANTS TO MEET EVERY TRAVELERS NEEDS. OF COURSE MY NEED WAS TO MEET THE CHINAMAN AND GET SOME BREAKFAST!

WHAT EAT AGAIN YOU SAY? OK , RELAX, IT WAS JUST A BOWL OF NOODLES CAUSE I AINT EATING NO STINKING AIRLINE FOOD! I'M NOT SAYIN WHAT THE CHINAMAN ATE! (DON'T REMEMBER) AFTER SOME WALKING AROUND, PERUSING SOME OF THE NIFTY AIRPORT SHOPS I WENT TO THE GATE. THE CHINAMAN HAD ALREADY WANDERED OFF ALLEGEDLY ( I THINK HE WENT TO THE GODIVA STORE!) TO THE SMOKING AREA. ANYWAYS A COUPLE OF HOURS LATER WE ARE IN THE NEW CAPITAL OF CAPITALISM, BEIJING.

IT WAS ALMOST TWENTY YEARS SINCE THE LAST TIME I WAS IN BEIJING AND ALL I COULD THINK WAS BIG BOW WOW!!!! DURING THE TAXI CAB RIDE FROM THE AIRPORT TO THE HOTEL I DID NOT RECOGNIZE THE JOINT. TREMENDOUS CONSTRUCTION, DEVELOPMENT, BILLBOARDS AND PROLIFERATION OF GOOD OLD CAPITALISM EVERYWHERE. WE GOT TO OUR HOTEL THE CROWN PLAZA PARK VIEW WUZHOU IN ABOUT FORTY MINUTES. THE HOTEL IS NEAR THE OUTER PART OF THE CITY BUT REALLY CLOSE TO SOME OF THE OLYMPIC VENUES FOR 2008. IN FACT IT IS IN WALKING DISTANCE TO THE (BIRDS NEST) BEIJING NATIONAL OLYMPIC STADIUM. IT REALLY IS COOL LOOKING!

SO WE ARE AT THE HOTEL AND WE HAVE THREE DAYS OF WORK LIKE STUFF TO DO. THERE IS OUR CONFERENCE, SEMINARS, MEETINGS, PRESENTATIONS ETC, ETC, ETC. WHAT YOU SAY? WHAT NO EATING? WELL HECK YEAH!! THERE IS SOME EATING AND TOURISTY KINDA OF STUFF, SO LETS GET TO IT!

GATE TO BEIHAI PARK

NOW THE CHINAMAN HAD BEEN RANTING AND RAVING ABOUT THIS RESTAURANT WHERE THE EMPEROR'S USED TO EAT IN SOME PARK WHERE THEY HAD ALL SORTS OF EXOTIC DELICACIES LIKE CAMELS PAW, SHARKS FIN, VENISON TENDONS, MONKEY MUSHROOMS, DEER TAIL SOUP, AND WELL YOU GET THE PICTURE HERE. OKAY SO WE DROP OUR STUFF IN THE HOTEL ROOM AND COME BACK TO THE LOBBY. AFTER A BIT OF SOCIALIZING WITH SOME COLLEAGUES WE DEFTLY SAUNTER OUT TO GRAB A TAXI TO GO TO THE NORTHERN PART OF BEIJING TO BEIHAI PARK. THIS PARK YOU COULD SAY IS AKIN TO CENTRAL PARK IN NYC. IT IS AN OASIS OF GREEN & TRANQUILLITY IN THE POLLUTED, CONGESTED CAPITAL. NOW THE CAB RIDE TOOK ABOUT AN HOUR , MAYBE MORE. IT REALLY OPENED MY EYES TO THE EXPLOSIVE CONSTRUCTION, GROWTH & COMMERCIALIZATION OF THE CITY. OF COURSE ALONG WITH THIS COMES THE POLLUTION, TRAFFIC, OVERCROWDING AND CONGESTION. LET ME JUST SAY CHINA IS GOING THROUGH IT'S OWN "INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION" ON THE WAY TO BECOMING THE NEXT DOMINANT COUNTRY ON OUR WORLD (50 YEARS)! ENOUGH OF ALL THAT, LETS GET TO THE CAMEL MEAT!

AFTER A LITTLE CONFUSION OF FROM WHICH GATE TO ENTER THE PARK AND A SHORT WALK. OUR DESTINATION WAS THE FANGSHAN RESTAURANT SITUATED SMACK IN BEIHAI PARK. THE RESTAURANT WAS OPENED IN 1925 BY A FORMER CHEFS OF THE ROYALTY. THEY USED TO COOK 108 OUT OF 800 DISHES FOR THE EMPRESS DOWAGER CIXI AKA DRAGON LADY (1835 - 1908) ROYAL FAMILY'S MEAL. THE RESTAURANT ITSELF IS QUITE RICHLY DECORATED WITH GOLD AND RED ITEMS, CARVINGS ETC. VERY SPARKLY AND COLORFUL I MUST SAY. THERE ARE VARIOUS SET MENUS RANGING FROM ELABORATE ($$$$) TO SIMPLE ($). OF COURSE THE CHINAMAN WENT FOR THE FULL MONTY, THE TOP OF THE HILL, THE GRAND SALAMI, THE MORE THAN YOU CAN POSSIBLY EAT, THE IMPERIAL BANQUET.

AS WE SAT DOWN THEY BROUGHT A PLATE OF SLICED MYSTERY MEATS, FISH & VEGGIES ( AS PER THE CHINAMAN). ALL TASTY TASTY I MUST SAY


I USUALLY LIKE TO HAVE A BEER WITH MY CAMEL PAW & DEER TENDON DINNERS BUT THE CHINAMAN INSISTED THAT WE ENJOY THE VERY SPECIAL IMPERIAL WINE LIQUOR THAT WAS SERVED TO THE ROYALS! I AM GAME TO DRINK AS LONG AS IT HAS ALCOHOL IN IT. YOU KNOW ALCOHOL KILLS GERMS, SO I WILL DRINK IT. THE BOTTLE THAT THE STUFF CAME IN WAS LIKE THE RESTAURANT , ALL ORNATE GOLD AND RED AND PRETTY IN A GAUDY WAY. THE STUFF IN THE BOTTLE HOWEVER WAS ABSOLUTELY HORRIFIC. IT WAS LIKE DRINKING THE ESSENCE OF TURPENTINE. I AM SORRY TO REPORT IT WAS UNDRINKABLE...DOUBLE YUCK! OF COURSE THIS DRINK WAS PROBABLY THE REASONS WHY ALL THE ROYALS LIVED LONG AND HEALTHY AND WHY THEY WERE ABLE TO EAT ALL THIS STUFF LIKE.......

BRAISED ABALONE WITH BROCCOLI AND MYSTERIOUS BROWN SAUCE. ABALONE IS NOT MY FAVE BUT THIS DISH WAS VERY FRESH AND TASTY.

STEWED SEA CUCUMBER WITH BRAISED DEER LIPS. THE MEAT TASTES LIKE VENISON THE SEA CUCUMBER LIKE TASTELESS CRUNCHY & MUSHY STUFF.

THESE LITTLE SLIDERS FROM WHITE CASTLE WERE MY FAVORITES! JUST KIDDING!! THESE WERE LITTLE TOASTED SESAME BUNS FILLED WITH A MINCED LAMB & PORK MEAT FILLING. DELICIOUSO!




SPECIALTY OF THE HOUSE, CAMEL'S PAW WITH SCALLION ONION SAUCE. TASTED A BIT LIKE PORK IF YOU ASK ME! YES I CAN NOW SAY THAT I HAVE ALLEGEDLY EATEN CAMEL MEAT. NO NEED TO EVER EAT IT AGAIN!!!





ROASTED VENISON WITH ASPARAGUS & PEPPER CHILI SAUCE. ZESTY, SPICY AND TASTY BAMBI MEAT!!

SURE, I HAVE ALREADY HAD A COUPLE OF BEERS BY NOW. THE CHINAMAN DID VALIANTLY TRY TO GET ME TO "ENJOY" MORE OF THE ROYAL NASTY WINE, BUT HE DID GIVE UP AND I NOTICED HE DIDN'T DRINK ANYMORE EITHER!!

THERE WERE OTHER DISHES INCUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

WARM DE BONED DUCK BREAST WITHOUT ANY SAUCE...VERY NICE

STEAMED WHOLE SHRIMP FORMED & DECORATED TO LOOK LIKE SPARROWS

BRAISED SHARK FIN SOUP ...THIS WAS THE CHINAMANS AS I DO NOT LIKE IT!

DEER OR VENISON TENDONS STEWED IN WINE SAUCE......CAPTAIN CRUNCHY LIKE TEXTURE!!

THERE WAS A HEALTHY STEAMED STUFFED BEAN CURD DISH, WHICH WE COULD NOT FIND OUT WHAT IT WAS STUFFED WITH?

THERE WAS AN EXPLANATION AND NICE PRESENTATION OF EVERY DISH. IT WAS ALL ELEGANT AND WONDERFUL, THREE HOURS LATER WE HAD DESSERT.

DESSERT WAS ROLLS OF SWEET KIDNEY BEANS IN FLOUR AND MASHED PEAS CAKES! I CANT MAKE THIS STUFF UP!
I WAS SO STUFFED I COULD NOT EVEN EAT ANY HAAGEN DAAS ICE CREAM...IF THEY HAD IT! STICK A PAIR OF CHOP STICKS IN ME I WAS DONE! IT WAS AN EXOTIC, EXHAUSTING EATING EXTRAVAGANZA!








OKAY STAY TUNED FOR THE PENULTIMATE BLOG IN THIS SAGA, BOOYAH IN BEIJING PART DEUX!

MISTER ED





"A horse is a horse of course, of course. And no-one can talk to a horse of course - that is of course unless the horse is the famous Mister Ed. Go right to the source and ask the horse - he'll give you the answer that you endorse. He's always on a standing course - talk to Mister Ed!"

- opening theme from the great 1960's tv series

RL Burnside - Shake'em On Down

OLD SCHOOL BLUES ORIGINAL

GASTRONOMICAL GAGA, GREATNESS & GOODIES A GOGO AT GADDI'S AT THE PENINSULA HOTEL IN HONG KONG AND THEN SOME!








A CONTINUATION OF THE " GO EAST YOUNG MAN!!! JIMITHEGREEK GOES TO CHINA" SAGA (JUNE 11, 2007 WILL IT EVER END?)






I KNEW I WAS IN FOR A DAY OF MUCHO EATING, SO I DECIDE TO GO FOR A RUN IN THE MORNING ALONG THE TSIM SHA TSUI WATERFRONT PROMENADE. THIS WAS CONVENIENTLY BEHIND MY HOTEL HOW DID I FIND THIS OUT, YOU SAY? I SAW SOME TALL LANKY GERMAN / SWEDISH LOOKING GUY SWEATING ( LIKE A CAT IN A CHINESE RESTAURANT) HE JUST CAME FROM A RUN OUTSIDE IN THE HEAT & HUMIDITY AND HE TOLD ME, YA DER IS A POTH ALONG DER WATER BOUT 4-5 KILOMETERS. THEN I GOT A TRANSLATION AND MORE INFO FROM THE HOTEL STAFF ON THAT. IT TURNS OUT IT IS A PRETTY COOL PATH / PROMENADE THAT RUNS ALONG THE HARBOUR FROM THE HOTEL TO THE WORLD FAMOUS STAR FERRY TERMINAL. IT GOES ABOUT 4 TO 5 KILOMETERS AND I JOGGED A VERY INVIGORATING AND FRIGGIN EXHAUSTING ROUND TRIPPER. LOOK CLOSELY AT THE FIRST PICTURE ABOVE AND YOU CAN SEE ME JOGGING ALONG THE PROMENADE PATH (NOT). IT WAS PRETTY INTERESTING AS I SAW PEOPLE DOING ALL SORTS OF STUFF ALONG THE HARBOUR.



THERE WAS A REMARKABLE NUMBER OF OLDER PEOPLE DOING TAI CHI AND JUST WALKING BRISKLY. THERE WERE PEOPLE FISHING AND ALSO PEOPLE SWIMMING IN THE WATER! ALLRIGHT, I EQUATED THIS WITH PEOPLE SWIMMING AND FISHING IN NYC'S EAST RIVER! ANYWAYS BY I WAS DONE AND SOAKING WET FROM THE HIGH HUMIDITY, BACK TO THE ROOM FOR A SHOWER. I HAD TO GET READY FOR THE FEAST ARRANGED BY A CHINAMAN JUST A SHORT WALK AWAY THE PENINSULA HOTEL. YOU JUST NEVER KNOW WITH THAT CRAZY CHINAMAN!

GADDI'S IS DEFINITELY ONE OF THE BEST RESTAURANTS IN ONE OF THE TOP HOTELS IN HONG KONG IF NOT THE ENTIRE KNOWN UNIVERSE. IT OPENED IN 1953 AND WAS LONG CONSIDERED THE BEST "EUROPEAN RESTAURANTS" IN ASIA. THE RESTAURANT ITSELF IS CLASSIC IN ALL ASPECTS OF A TOP FRENCHY FOO FOO JOINT WITH ALL THE TRIMMINGS (WHITE GLOVE SERVICE, SOMMELIER ETC ETC)
THE CHEF'S TABLE WAS RESERVED FOR LUNCH. THIS MEANS THAT WE WOULD SIT A SMALL TABLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE KITCHEN AND THE CHEF...DAVID WOULD BE COOKING AND TAKING CARE OF US. I WAS SIMPLY GAGA GIDDY JUST THINKING ABOUT IT! I MET THE CHINAMAN OUTSIDE AND WE ENTERED THE RESTAURANT THRU ITS PRIVATE ELEVATOR. WE WERE MET BY THE MAITRE D WHO CHEERFULLY ESCORTED US TO THE KITCHEN. CHEF DAVID WARMLY GREETED US AND PROCEEDED TO GIVE US AN INFORMATIVE TOUR AND INSIDE LOOK AT THE WORKINGS OF THE SPOTLESS AND HUGE KITCHEN AREA. WE LEARNED THAT THIS KITCHEN SERVED ALL THE RESTAURANTS IN THE HOTEL AS WELL AS ROOM SERVICE REQUESTS. THERE WAS A SMALLER SEPARATE KITCHEN WHICH WAS HIS SPECIAL DOMAIN THAT SERVICED GADDI'S. WE ALSO LEARNED THAT ALMOST ALL OF THE FOOD ITEMS IN THE HOTEL WERE IMPORTED DAILY FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD. IN FACT AS WE WERE SEATED AT THE STAINLESS STEEL TABLE PERCHED IN THE HALL OF THE KITCHEN AREA I NOTICED THEY HAD JUST BROUGHT IN SOME VERY FAMILIAR LOOKING FISH. THEY LOOKED LIKE THE FISH FROM THE MEDITERRANEAN CALLED BARBOUNIA IN GREEK OR RED MULLET IN ENGLISH. WHEN I ASKED CHEF DAVID IF THEY WERE THE RED MULLETS, HE SEEMED SURPRISED THAT I KNEW WHAT THEY WERE. HEY YOU CANT FOOL THE JIMITHEGREEK AS HE KNOW HIS BARBOUNIA!! WE HAD A LIVELY CONVERSATION ABOUT THE FISH AND FOUND THAT THEY WERE JUST FLOWN IN FROM EUROPE AND THEY WERE FOR A SPECIAL PARTY AT THE HOTEL THAT EVENING. OF COURSE THE BRILLIANT CHEF WAS TO PREPARE THEM THE CLASSIC GREEK WAY LIGHTLY FRIED. ( THE FRENCH OBVIOUSLY STOLE THIS GREAT TECHNIQUE FROM THE GREEKS) ANYWAYS I DIGRESS FROM THE MAIN EVENT. AS YOU CAN (RIGHT ABOVE)SEE WE HAD OUR OWN PERSONALIZED MENU WAS PRESENTED. THAT CRAZY CHINAMAN HAD OUTDONE HIMSELF AND EVEN BROUGHT SOME TASTY WINES ALONG FOR THE MEAL . OK, ENOUGH OF ALL THIS CHIT CHAT LETS GET TO THE FOOD!!!!


OYSTERS
OYSTERS
OYSTERS
OYSTERS
OYSTERS
OYSTERS
OYSTERS
OYSTERS
OYSTERS
OYSTERS



I BELIEVE THE FIRST COURSE WAS OYSTERS. NOT SURE IF YA'ALL CAN READ THE MENU SO HERE ITS IS "VARIATION DE HUITRES CRU ET CUIT" THAT'S OYSTERS FIVE WAYS FOR ALL YOU FRENCH HATERS! NOW I USUALLY STAY AWAY FROM RAW SHELLFISH BECAUSE IF THEY AIN'T SUPER FRESH, TO ME THEY REALLY DON'T TASTE THAT GOOD AND YOU RUN THE RISK OF FOOD POISONING. LET ME TELL YOU , THESE OYSTERS WERE SO FRESH, SO DELICIOUSO THAT YOU CAN ALMOST TASTE THE SEA! I DON'T MEAN TASTE THE SEA LIKE YOU ARE AT ROCKAWAY BEACH AND A WAVE THROWS THAT MURKY SEAWATER IN YOUR FACE AND MOUTH BUT LIKE THE TASTE OF SALTY SEA AIR ON YOUR LIPS ON A PRISTINE BEACH SOMEWHERE. THE GREEK AND THE CHINAMAN JUST KIND OF LOOKED AT EACH OTHER WITH THAT SMIRKY, KNOWING GRIN THAT WHAT WE WERE IN FOR WAS GONNA BE SPECIAL. OH AND BY THE WAY, LET ME TELL YOU THE CHINAMAN KNOWS HIS OYSTERS BY NAME!

SO WE STARTED THE FIRST OYSTER WITH DILL & FRESH SALMON CAVIAR WITH A DRIZZLE OF A CABERNET VINEGAR...... INDESCRIBABLY DELICIOUS!

SEGUNDO WAS TWO KUMAMATO OYSTERS IN A SHOT GLASS WITH ESSENCE OF TOMATO, CHIVE & OLIVE.....DEVILISHLY DELICIOUS


THIRD WAS AN OYSTER ON A BED OF ROCK SALT WITH CREME FRAICHE & OSETERA CAVIAR.......TOTALLY TASTY DELIGHT




QUATTRO WAS A LIGHTLY POUCHED OYSTER WITH A CITRUS-LEMONY - ZESTY ESSENCE FOAMY THINGY.......HEAVENLY HAPPY MOUTH


FINALE, FIFTH WAS A FRIED OYSTER WITH CAULIFLOWER PUREE & GRATED CUCUMBER........SUBLIMELY SUPERLICIOUS!





NOW BEFORE, BETWEEN, DURING AND AFTER ALL THESE DISHES WE ARE SAVOURING SOME WONDERFUL CRISP FRENCH VINO THAT THE CHINAMAN HAS BROUGHT WITH HIM. WE ARE ALSO CHATTING WITH THE CHEF AND VARIOUS STAFF. AN HOUR HAD PASSED AND I ALREADY HAVE DEFTLY LOOSENED MY BELT CAUSE THE MAIN DISHY WAS A COMING! WAIT FIRST MORE WINE AND CHIT CHAT!



I THINK I WILL DISPENSE WITH THE FRENCH AND JUST TELL YA THE THE MAIN DISH, THE STAR ATTRACTION, THE TOP SALAMI WAS A SLOW COOKED TWELVE HOURS VEAL SHIN (OSSO BUCO FOR YOU ITALIANS) WITH POTATOES IN ITS OWN JUICES. MAN IF THAT DOES NOT MAKE YOUR MOUTH WATER JUST SAYING IT, I DON'T KNOW WHAT WILL! DA MEAT JUST FELL OFF DA BONE AND MELTED IN MY MOUTH. I DID NOT EVEN USE MY KNIFE. HECK I ALMOST PICKED UP DA BONE TO SUCK THE MARROW OUT , WHEN THE CHEF TOOK PITY ON ME AND BROUGHT US OYSTER FORKS TO DIG OUT THAT MARROW. THEN JUST TO HELP OUR CHOLESTEROL COUNTS HE BROUGHT OUT A SMALL DISH PILED WITH THAT SUCCULENT MARROW AND GRAVY. JEEZ I WAS THINKING JUST GET ME ONE OF THEM FOOD CARTS, LAY ME ON THERE AND CARRY ME OUT NOW! EGAD...THERE WAS STILL MORE WINE AND DESSERTS!!!

MANGO, MANGO, MANGO, OH MY! YES IT WAS A TRIO OF TASTY MANGO TREATS.
YES, YES, YES, TASTY, TASTY, TASTY, YUMMY, YUMMY, YUMMY, WOW, WOW, WOW!

MANGO SORBET, MANGO PUDDING & MANGO CHEESECAKE ALL MANGOLICIOUS AND THANKFULLY SMALL, LIGHT PORTIONS. REALLY REFRESHING AND PALATE CLEANSING.....YEAH RIGHT. NOW YOU CAN STICK A CHOPSTICK IN ME , I'M DONE!



THERE'S MORE YOU SAY? YES THOSE DARN PETITS FOURS AND SOME COFFEE. I SWEAR I ONLY HAD I TASTE OF ONE, WELL MAYBE TWO, BUT NOT FOUR! THE CHINAMAN ATE THEM ALL I TELL YOU!!!

ABOUT THREE HOURS LATER WE WADDLED OUT OF THE PLACE IN A FOOD & WINE STUPOR. I STUMBLED TO MY HOTEL WHILST THE CHINAMAN ALLEGEDLY WENT BACK TO THE OFFICE. WE WOULD MEET TOMORROW AT THE AIRPORT TO CATCH OUR FLIGHT TO BEIJING. ONCE IN MY ROOM I LOOKED AT THE CHOCOLATES (ALLEGEDLY SUGAR FREE) THE CHINAMAN GAVE ME AND PASSED OUT ON THE BED.


FIVE MINUTES LATER OR SO IT SEEMED THERE IS A LOUD KNOCKIN ON MY DOOR!WHAT THE FRIGGIN HECK IS GOING ON? WELL IT ACTUALLY WAS ABOUT SIX PM ALREADY. THERE WAS A BELLHOP AT THE DOOR BECAUSE I WAS NOT ANSWERING MY PHONE AND THERE WAS SOMEONE WAITING FOR ME IN THE LOBBY. WHAT? WHO? I PAID OFF MY BOOKIE BEFORE I LEFT (JUST KIDDING HONEY)!! OOPS I HAD FORGOTTEN ABOUT DANNY "FIVE FINGERS" FONG AND DINNER THIS EVENING. OYE MORE FOOD! I SPOKE WITH DANIEL APOLOGIZED AND MET HIM IN THE LOBBY ABOUT 15 MINUTES LATER. WE WORKED TOGETHER FOR ABOUT TEN YEARS AND BOTH PROGRESSED THROUGH THE RANKS. WE HAD NOT CORRESPONDED FOR ABOUT TWELVE YEARS AND HAD SOME CATCHING UP TO DO. "FIVE FINGERS" IS YOUR TYPICAL HONG KONG BUSINESS TYPE SO IT HOPEFULLY WOULD NOT BE A LONG EVENING. I TOLD HIM I WANTED TO GO TO A LOCAL CANTONESE PLACE TO EAT, NOT FANCY BUT GOOD FOOD. HE INSISTED TO TAKE ME TO ONE OF THE BEST WESTAURANTS IN HONG KONG. HE HAD HIS DRIVER & CAR OUT FRONT AND WE DROVE ABOUT TEN MINUTES TO THE PLACE TO EAT. I CANT REMEMBER THE NAME OF THE ESTABLISHMENT BUT IT DID HAVE THE ROASTED DUCKS, CHICKENS AND OTHER ASSORTED MYSTERY MEATS HANGING IN THE WINDOW. WE HAD SOME SHRIMP, DUCK, FISH AND MANY WEGETABLES TO EAT. IT ACTUALLY TURNED OUT TO BE A PLEASANT EVENING AS WE TALKED ABOUT THE OLD DAYS AND VARIOUS COLLEAGUES AND THAT SORT OF THING. WE EXCHANGED OUR UPDATED INFO AND SAID WE WOULD STAY IN TOUCH. ABOUT AN HOUR AND A HALF LATER I WAS BACK AT THE HOTEL. A QUICK PACK UP , SHOWER AND NITEY NIGHT TO CATCH THE CAB TO THE AIRPORT IN THE AM!



STAY TUNED FOR THE NEXT INSTALLMENT: BOOYAH IN BEIJING

HOORAY IN HONG KONG

A CONTINUATION OF THE " GO EAST YOUNG MAN!!! JIMITHEGREEK GOES TO CHINA" SAGA ( WILL IT EVER END?)

GOT BACK TO MY HOTEL SUNDAY (JUNE 10) AROUND 1PM AND JUST KIND PASSED OUT. WOKE UP IT WAS AFTER 9:00PM, WHAT TO DO? WELL THIS IS HKG, THE PLACE NEVER SLEEPS AND THERE ARE ALWAYS PEOPLE ABOUT SO I WENT FOR A WALKABOUT. HONG KONG IS A BUSTLING YET SIMPLE CITY. THERE ARE SO MANY STORES FOR SHOPPING AND RESTAURANTS FOR EATING!!

YOUR SENSES ARE A BIT OVERWHELMED AT FIRST BUT AS YOU WALK ALONG FAMOUS NATHANS ROAD. THE BRIGHT LIGHTS, THE COLORED NEON SIGNS AND POSTERS EVERYWHERE. PEOPLE HURRYING ABOUT & THE STORES SELLING EVERYTHING YOU CAN IMAGINE. ELECTRONICS/CAMERA STORES, CLOTHES STORES, FOOT MASSAGE SHOPS, JEWELRY STORES, FOOD, RESTAURANTS, ELECTRONICS STORES, FOOT MASSAGE SHOPS, RESTAURANTS, CLOTHING STORES, FOOT MASSAGE SHOP.....THERE MUST BE MORE"SHOPKEEPERS" IN HONG KONG THAN ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD.

THE ASSAULT ON MY LARGE PROBOSCIS OF CIGARETTE SMOKE, FOOD , INCENSE, CLOVES, SEWAGE, FISH, PERFUMES, MEATS, DIESEL/CAR EXHAUST SOMEHOW MADE ME A LITTLE HUNGRY (WHOA?). THE SHINING GLITTERING JEWELRY, ELECTRONICS / WATCH SHOPS ALONG WITH THE BLINKING SPARKLY NEON SIGNS MADE IT FEEL A BIT LIKE TIMES SQUARE! THERE ARE LOCAL CHAINS LIKE GIORDANO'S, HANG TEN, & SPAGHETTI HOUSE AS WELL AS THE USUAL SUSPECTS LIKE STARBUCKS, MCDONALD'S, GAP, ETC. RUMBLING UP AND DOWN THE STREETS THERE ARE UBIQUITOUS WHITE AND RED TAXICABS OF KOWLOON EVERYWHERE!

SO ANYWAYS, AFTER WALKING MILES AWAY FROM THE HOTEL AND GETTING MORE HUNGRY. I NOTICED A SMALL NOODLE TYPE SHOP THAT WAS PACKED WITH LOCALS. SOMEHOW I ELBOWED IN AND MANAGED TO GET A BOWL OF NOODLES WITH MYSTERY MEAT BALLS. A FELLOW ASSURED ME IN HIS BEST CHINGLISH THAT THEY WERE THE BEST BEEEFYBALLS IN HONG KONG. OH WELL, BELIEVE IT OR NOT THAT BOWL OF NOODLES WAS DARN TASTY AND SATISFYING AND FOR ABOUT TWO BUCKS!!! AS THEY SAY ON DELANCY STREET...."SUCH A DEAL!"



NOW I WAS READY TO GET GOING BACK TO THE HOTEL. DARN LONG WALK AND MY FEET WERE STARTING TO GET A LITTLE TIRED, SO I DECIDED TO CHECK OUT SOME OF THEM FEET MASSAGE JOINTS. THE FIRST COUPLE I WENT INTO WERE JUST A BIT SEEDY LIKE, SO I SKEEDADLED OUT OF THERE PRONTO! AS I GOT CLOSER TO THE HOTEL THEY IMPROVED AND I NEGOTIATED A HKD80 ($10) FOOT MASSAGE. NOW LET ME TELL YOU FOLKS, THAT MAY HAVE BEEN THE BEST TEN BUCKS I HAVE SPENT IN A LONG TIME. MY FEETS FELT DARN TOOTIN AND I WAS OFF TO THE HOTEL WITH A FULL BELLY AND FLAPPY FEET!




YOU WOULDN'T BELIEVE IT BUT AS I GOT CLOSE TO MY HOTEL, I HEARD SOMEONE CALLING JIMMMI GLEEEK JIMMMI GLEEEK IN A DISTINCTIVE CHINGLISH ACCENT! WHAT THE, WHO COULD IT BE? IT TURNED OUT TO BE AN OLD COLLEAGUE COMING FROM DROPPING SOMEONE OFF AT A HOTEL. WE USED TO CALL HIM DANNY FIVE FINGERS FONG! WE EXCHANGED PLEASANTRIES AND HE INSISTED ON TAKING ME TO DINNER OR LUNCH THE FOLLOWING DAY AS I WAS OFF TO BEIJING THE DAY AFTER....WHAT TO DO I WAS HAVING LUNCH WITH THE CHINAMAN TOMORROW SO IT WAS DINNER AT SIXTHIRTY WITH OLD FIVE FINGERS. HE PROMISED TO TAKE ME TO ONE OF THE BEST RESTAURANTS IN HONG KONG (THAT'S WHAT THEY ALL SAY!!)

STAY TUNED FOR THE NEXT INSTALLMENT: GASTRONOMICAL GREATNESS AT GADDI'S