travelswithalice

There have been 4,610 cases and 22 deaths since 16 June, when the first case in this recent outbreak was reported, just 7 weeks ago.

Currently 304 in hospital, 50 in ICU, 22 on ventilators.

Monday, 7.

It’s official. I’m taking up Chinese brush painting. I have brushes, ink, and rice paper.

Tuesday, 8.

Finally went out to the shops. IFC is a good start. Finding somewhere nice for a quick lunch was a bit of a struggle as our top choices were either not so nice anymore (agnés b’s La Loggia) or maybe not there anymore (that little dining place in Lane Crawford). The Hong Kong casual dining scene is much different these days of course, we realise that. It’s a lot more casual and less cosmopolitan.

We finally settled on Duck & Waffle mainly because there was no queue and we were getting tired and were ready to eat. 

We lucked out! I loved the look of the place, service was great, and the duck confit was lovely.

The shopping was unremarkable. Loewe had no espadrilles. I was not really in the mood for shopping but I came away happy with essential Khiels untinted SPF lip balm and Sweaty Betty shorts and leggings.

Thursday, 12.

On our first clear evening here, a dazzling cityscape as Hong Kong puts on a nightly light show.

Friday, 13.

It’s nice to see sailboats again. 

I think Friday the 13th in the month of the Hungry Ghost is an auspicious day to start monitoring my blood glucose levels. 

Using the FreeStyle Libre System for Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) I now have a sensor disc stuck on my arm. 

I’ve started a Diabetic Diary.

Tuesday, 15.

Enjoyed lunch at China Tang with Patrick, Jenny, and Chichi. So nice to be out with friends and feel like a normal person again.

Thursday, 19.

Shiatsu by Kitty at Grand Spa. Heaven!

Sunday, 22.

Had lunch at Grand Cafe. Tried gluten-free linguini with seafood.

Coffee at Grand Club. Was welcomed warmly by Clarisse at the cafe and Maggie and Scott at the club. Feels like coming home.

August’s Blue Moon rises above Hong Kong’s skyline through a gap between the Renaissance and Times buildings with Jupiter close by.

Monday, 23.

Patrick and Jenny took us to dinner at Tsui Hang Village on Queen’s Road Central.

And because Patrick always makes sure we try something new, we were introduced to Cantonese grapefruit skin. 

This dish reportedly involves a laborious process that includes burning the skin until it blackens and falls off, followed by hours of slow cooking. Certainly a novelty with an interesting texture and a long list of beneficial nutrients. The skin itself though has no distinctive flavour; it’s the sauce that makes the dish.

Wednesday, 25.

A crimson dawn breaks over Victoria Harbour.

One of the rare moments when I actually get to say I was up at dawn!

Back in Sydney, the Taronga Zoo staff have finally explained that there are indeed lion roars to be heard at home in Kareela. I’ve searched for news or comments about the roars I’d been hearing but nothing surfaced until now.

The official word from the zoo explains “the noise (as) a combination of two of the big cats Ato and Maya, becoming closer intimately and a significant reduction in the city's noise pollution following covid lockdown.”

I’m happy to know I wasn’t wrong about the animal roars.

Sunday, 29.

Still too many staycation people in the hotel. The coffee shop is fully booked for lunch. Maybe next week will be quieter and we can better enjoy our stay.

Monday, 30.

Gluten-free spaghetti with seafood at Grand Cafe. Saw Rike there; she had us moved to a nice table. We now know to ask for table 201 in the Upper Section.

Practiced painting bamboo leaves; getting better at it.