Wednesday 2 June
2004
|
 In mid
September 2003 I up sticks and head off to Hong Kong to run the Far East part
of a huge project that we are running for MCI, the troubled global telco.
After the shock of leaving home and family at short notice I start to find my
way around this extraordinary, buzzing city. |
 After a week settling in we start to get more
adventurous. First off is a Sunday trip to Lamma island for a walk in the
country and spectacularly good seafood lunch. |
 I am responsible for all our work
across the Far East. The three main centres that MCI operates from are Hong
Kong, Sydney and Singapore. So once we are up and running in HK it is down to
Australia to start things off there and visit this amazing country for the
first time.
|
 Back in Hong Kong we see that the Chinese deserve their
reputation as the inventors of fireworks. After another hard week's work we
head off for another island excursion, this time to Lantau - home of both the
new airport and the giant buddha.
|
 The next job is to get our
work started in Singapore. Again I have never been here before and travel down
on the Saturday morning so that I can spend the weekend getting to know the
place before starting work on the Monday. It turns out to be a city full of
shopping malls and antiseptically clean. |
 Back in Hong Kong we decide that it is time to
visit the race track. Happy Valley must be the highest value stretch of turf in
the world and with local guide Charles showing us the ropes we are soon losing
our money on a succession of races while we appreciate the Chinese love of
gambling. |
 Our third Sunday island trip is to Macao to see
this famous former Portuguese colony. We have a fascinating time touring the
casino, the parks and narrow streets. I nearly get us all killed when a 'short
cut' back to the ferry finds us on a pavementless stretch of road used in the
Macao Grand Prix where the locals seem to be practicing for the race the
following weekend.
|
 Vicky arrives to celebrate her birthday. With
shopping in Stanley market, trips up the peak, rock concerts, pollution and a
half marathon it is an action packed weekend. |
 We move
offices, hotels and get to know our new surroundings down in Quarry Bay. Rather
grim surroundings but a fantastic office development. The week is further
enlivened by the rugby world cup and the Stones. |
 After several
months I have explored the streets, markets and islands. I decide to tackle one
of the famous Hong Kong trails before the end of my stay. 50 very hilly
kilometres of very scenic rural paths. |
 Pretty much my
final excursion is across the island to Aberdeen to visit the famous floating
restaurants. Aberdeen looks nothing like the small fishing village that it was
30 years ago. Now surrounded by tower blocks the fishing goes on although the
fish sellers regularly get done over by the health and safety people for excess
pollution in their tanks (yummy) |
