Into the real Hong Kong

Last weekend we moved out of our offices in IFC2 - International Finance Centre 2 for those who have visited it, will know that it is extremely swish building, and the tallest in Hong Kong. Our offices were on the 29th floor and had amazing views over the harbour. But the FT has been growing fast, we were running out of space and the rent is about to triple; Lehman Bros came knocking on our door wanting the extra space so it was time to move. Our new home is in central, just below the escalator that goes up into mid levels. It is brilliant, and wonderful to be out of the IFC2 mall. Now we can go for noodles, sushi and dim sum and all manner of great local food. Mostly at places where you have no idea what you are ordering and no one understands you, so you just point and hope it's edible. There have been a couple of times where I have had one mouthful and emptied the lot right in the bin. We're 2 mins walk from LKF and Soho and on the 59th floor with a very swanky cool office.
Last week we had the Feng Shui master in to inspect the offices and a Lion Dance to make sure that the new offices are blessed and prosperous. There were all kinds of rules about who could enter the new premises first, and my boss had to come in on Sunday and 'make some money' in her new office to set the right tone.
I'd say business is pretty good for Feng Shui consultants since he was clothed head to foot in Versace.
Billy and Archie came for a visit afterwards and pronounced it satisfactory - in part due to the fact they found a half eaten box of dunkin donuts (not mine - I can't stand the things) but the boys evidently love them.
We're also very close to a wet market, a flower market and all sorts of funny back streets and alleys. There's one that just sells wonderful brightly coloured feather dusters the majority made out of peacock feathers; there's also a street where you can buy seals - of all shapes and sizes and get them customised with your name, they vary from plastic to wonderful ornate ivory ones costing several 1000 HK dollars, and then just minutes away we can wander out and get a foot massage, pedicure or manicure for less than £5. All good fun. Will post some pictures of the new office shortly.

A week in Manhattan

So whilst in Delhi 8 days ago, I heard that I was needed for a meeting in New York .... after a mad trip round India (see below) I got back from Delhi on Saturday night - had Sunday in HK - then back on a plane again Monday morning to go to the States. 14.5 hour flight to NY, 16 hours coming back. Thank goodness for Cathay Business Class. Stewardesses are definitely beginning to recognise me -- being greeted by my name as I board the plane. Not a good sign and not good for my carbon footprint either. This was my first Business Class trip in Cathay's new herringbone configuration -- quite nice but felt a wee bit confining.

Anyway, serious jetlag and business meetings aside, it was great to be in New York the week before Xmas. I only had two hours to look around, but they do do Xmas well there ("Happy Holidays").

M

Dinner and freeezing with Angela

First night in Manhattan I had dinner with my friend and ex-colleague Angela (used to work with her in HK and she's currently on secondment in our NY agency). Very happy and settled she looked too.

After dinner we went for a quick walk - it was about minus 5 degrees. Bit of a shock after India the week before. First time I'd worn my overcoat in nearly two years and first time I've seen my breath in a year!

M

Flying over the North pole into JFK

Brrrrrr

On the way to NYC, we flew over the North Pole - cold it looked! And I arranged to be on the left hand side of the plane (looking North) in case there was any Northern Light activity. Sure enough, I was treated to a curtain of wavy orange light once the sun started to rise. Awesome. One day I'll see it from the ground.

The day before, the Eastern USA had experienced blizzard conditions - so most of the States were white - the great lakes looked frozen solid. Then about 10 miles West of Manhattan, the snow started to clear -- but still v. beautiful from the air.

We flew right over Manhattan - don't think I've ever seen it so clear before.

M

Mad mad India trip

Spent all of last week in India on a whistle-stop tour. And exhausting it was. Mainly because the Indian economy is booming so much at the moment that's it's difficult to get any seats on the direct flights unless you book months in advance. As it was, I booked 6 weeks in advance and had to route via Bahrain!!! to get to Mumbai. So I left the apartment lunchtime Sunday to arrive in Mumbai lunchtime (HK time that is) on Monday -- should normally be a 5-6 hour flight. Instead, I had to fly HK->Bahrain (flying over Mumbai in the process). This took 10 hours. Then a 4 hour wait in Bahrain. Followed by a 3 hour flight to Mumbai. Gruelling I can tell you.

Mumbai was nice and warm, but still heart breaking to see kids Billy's and Archie's age naked on the streets - sleeping rough; playing in the gutter water etc. Not a good sight. This hotel opposite the hotel where I normally stay in Mumbai was bombed by terrorists a few years back ... a hotel chain bought it recently and are starting to renew it. They've got their work cut out for them I must say.

Anyway, 2 nights in Mumbai were followed by a series of meetings and a very drunken evening in Delhi where the weather dipped to a chilly 6 degrees at night (people sleeping rough on the streets again - with very little protection from the elements). The direct flight back to HK leaves at 07:40 .... international flights from India mean you have to get there a few hours in advance ... so meant that I had to get up @ 03:30. Queues at Delhi airport go on FOREVER. So you have to be liberal with the Dollar notes so you can Q jump. Having thrown a few Dollars @ people, I got thru the Qs quite quickly only to be tagged for a random customs check. Did not go well - nothing invasive you'll be pleased to hear. Let's just say I was tired and grumpy and the stupid *** was asking daft questions.

M

Lazy Sundays in HKCC

Since we joined the cricket club, a Sunday routine has come to force. Every Sunday afternoon, we spend by the pool at the club (great weather) or pitch-side watching the cricket. Wonder why we did not join months ago.

Sailing lessons

Back in July, Joss bought me sailing lessons for my birthday. But I've only just had managed to get some free time to actually do them.

Fantastic experience! I must say I'm not a sailor by any stretch of the imagination -- I've now had several hours of lessons on large yachts and hobie cats ..... and it's not at all intuitive.

Hard work grinding the ropes, but very relaxing - this time of year is perfect for sailing ... low humidity and mild temps.

M

Left with the kids for a weekend

Joss had a jaunt to London recently - left me with the kids for the weekend.

I was dreading it, but we had a fab time ... Saturday we went walking round The Peak followed by lunch in a Forest Gump themed restaurant. Ever tried explaining to a six year old why life's just like a box of chocolates. Don't think he got want I was on about at all!

Sunday, THEY (not me you understand) wanted to go to the museum which has just opened up at the airport - like I don't spend enough time there as it is! It was actually really well done with loads of interactive displays showing how planes fly; comparative displays of old Vs contemporary aeroplane seat configurations; and an open air viewing centre cooool.

A new 4D MAX EXTREME cinema has opened at the aiport too (4D cinemas & 4D IMAX cinemas seem to be the rage here). So, wearing big 3-D glasses, we sat through the 'Polar Express' movie (in Cantonese!) .... whilst real snow; water; steam etc etc were being pumped into the auditorium. Good fun. '300' (blood gore fest movie) is also showing in 4D ... not sure I want to see that one.

M

Rick and Billy and Sushi

Rick (Costello) paid us a brief visit a few weeks back. So we took him to Sushi One for a bit of raw fish. Come on the rest of you -- come see us!

M

And the oscar goes to....

Archie Cripps for his rendition of a goose laying an egg.

Archie's class enacted the 12 days of Christmas; I spent a couple of frenzied hours running around Hong Kong collecting bits of orange felt, feathers and dye. Sofia tracked down shops in Wanchai where you could get knock off crocs and cheap swimming caps and so we were all set. Archie has obviously inherited Tricia's dancing skills as he had a rather nifty duck-shuffle-jive which got him a standing ovation.

Billy's class play was rather more adventurous and involved dressing up as a tribal warrior, from the results, you can see I had NOTHING to do with it, (it's brilliant) and they learnt a few carols in Swahili which will doubtless stand him in great stead when we get back to Chiswick.

All good fun and just one week of school to go before we can all collapse.

J

BoneyM & Dim Sum

Had one of those surreal, ++don't know quite where I am++ moments this morning.

Really hot day, lovely blue skies. Took bus into work - listening to the Archers' Podcast on my iPod. That's surreal enough I can tell you.

I was absorbed in something Phil Archer was saying - went to my favourite coffee shop / Dim Sum place to get a coffee. Girl behind the bar asked me something. I took off my headphones to hear her properly and was assaulted by BoneyM's greatest hits on the Tannoy. Weird heady senses all mixed up ... heat; christmas decorations; cantonese; archers; dim sum smell; BoneyM - suddenly for a moment, I became quite vertiginous and giddy - was not 100% sure where I was. Weird.

M