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29 July 2006
Short Talk:
It was tragic. The day I returned to Kuching, I heard news of the Sarawak Club house razed by a dawn fire. The following day, another building in the middle of Kuching city got caught up in flames.
Sarawak Club was where I learnt how to swim. The gym was where I lifted my first dumb bell and the Badger Bar was where I used to have my frequent dose of ribena and sprite. I can only express shock and sadness to see such a sentimental part of history turned into ashes.
Hong Kong - Kowloon
I had fun in Hong Kong.
Part of me wished I didn't have to go alone, but hey, I know I wouldn't be able to pack everything in a tight 4D3N schedule if it's otherwise.
There's too much to see and do. I left Hong Kong knowing that there's always going to be something new to experience when (not if) I do return one day.
As a tourist destination, Hong Kong can be roughly divided into 3 parts - middle-class Kowloon to the north, cosmopolitan Hong Kong Island to the south-east, and idylic Lantau Island to the south-west. That's good for me because I can pretty much plan my time evenly among the three.
My journey began at Kowloon. I stayed at a hostel in Mongkok, Kowloon, which is not so bad a place if it weren't for the cesspool of hourly-rate hotels and prostitution dens littered across every nook and corner of the streets.
Kowloon is a very tightly-packed area. At one point in time, it was named the most densely populated place on the planet, and I believe them.
You get shops located on the 9th floor, storerooms behind restaurant tables, and coffee houses with bars - not because it's chic and stylish, but because there's simply not enough space to go around for everyone.
Where the heck do all these people come from?!
My first day in Hong Kong, I had to share a table in a Wanton Mee restaurant with two other strangers. It was strange to me, but for them it seems pretty normal. Looking at how people living here squeeze through one another all the time with difficulty, it's hard not to feel lucky living in a landed house.
Chungking Express, famous for that Wong Kar Wai movie of the same name, has a VERY liberal definition of the term "deluxe hotel" and "mansion"
Kowloon is the Petaling Street and Geylang of Hong Kong.
What Kowloon lacks in the glitz and glamour typical of central Hong Kong, it more than makes up for it with its distinct Asian flavour.
The rows and rows of run-down tenement buildings, bright protuding signs and streetside vendors while an eyesore to some, certainly lends a lot of character to the middle-class Chinese ground.
Btw, there's one interesting thing I noticed about kids here. The kids here, when you take photos of them, THEY POSE.
We're not talking just any boring "Si Qian Jin" pose kids here do.
"Oi! Quick quick take photo lah. Damn sien pose liddat."
THEY DO THE ACT CUTE POSE! Just like FireAngel, but so much more damn cuter lah.
One touristy place I did visit was the Avenue of Stars on the Tsim Tsa Shui waterfront, otherwise known as Hong Kong's answer to Hollywood's Walk of Fame.
The Avenue of Stars is definitely a must-go place for all tourists, not just because it features the commemoration Hong Kong's most celebrated actors and actresses, but because you get the best view of Hong Kong Island's spectacular skyline. I must say it is among the best in the world.
I stayed at the Avenue of Stars for The Symphony of Lights show heavily hyped by the tourism board. It is basically a choreographed spotlight-fest atop skyscrapers. Though beautiful, it was nothing to shout about.
Before the end of the first night, I went to this bar called Felix, a swanky little place on the top floor of the Peninsula Hotel.
Judging by the number of wealthy-looking businessmen and bevy of supermodel beauties chilling out in this Phillipe Starke-designed bar, I'm guessing this must be one of those "hi-so" place to hang out at in Hong Kong.
I made it my point to sample a city's signature drink at its top bar whenever I travel.
Rumour has it that the world's first Screwdriver was mixed here at Felix. For non-alcoholics, a screwdriver is basically vodka orange.
Over here, this simple mix of drink set me back HKD$99/RM50 a pop.
The view was worth it though.
I tried getting Bruce Lee's physique, but failed miserably.
Coincidentally, the week I was there was Bruce Lee's 33rd Anniversary. The Hong Kong Bruce Lee Association (wtf? Where's the Kuching Kenny Sia Association?) set up a series of life-sized posters on the harbour to pay tribute to their nation's most iconic character.
The legendary founder of Jeet Kun Do who achieved cult status internationally would've been 66 years old if he were still alive today.
Dammit Bruce! Can't a guy take a photo without you sabotaging it with bunny ears?
[a lot more to come...]
:: Posted by Kenny at 8:48 PM | Link | Facebook It
:: Categorised as 'Hong Kong'
75 Comments:
zomg i'm first omg..
lol nothing better to say, i come here for the laughs hahaha.. keep it up man
Posted by: george of pj at 29 July 2006 8:57 PM | Link to comment
cool man...
Posted by: jollyn at 29 July 2006 9:04 PM | Link to comment
zomg i'm second omg..
lol. anyway its a nice entry. awaiting for more :)
Posted by: jane at 29 July 2006 9:04 PM | Link to comment
err.... so... wats so special abt the Screwdriver(vodka orange)? is the taste reli worth RM50? 0___0!!!
Posted by: ukui at 29 July 2006 9:10 PM | Link to comment
Nice, anymore photos of the white hot chicks?
Kenny Rocks.....:)
Posted by: Fido at 29 July 2006 9:23 PM | Link to comment
Whose hair is that? LOL
Posted by: I'm A Chicken With No Name. BWAK BWAK BWAK! at 29 July 2006 9:29 PM | Link to comment
try to take pics of Kuching kids...hehehe...i wonder if they'd try to run away ;P
Posted by: erin at 29 July 2006 9:37 PM | Link to comment
wow, Kuching Kenny Sia International Fan Club eh? Probably after you die :D
Posted by: shortylam at 29 July 2006 9:55 PM | Link to comment
woah, so cool man.
Posted by: Herman at 29 July 2006 10:00 PM | Link to comment
wa so nice... nice trip it seems.
Bruce Lee!! *salutes*
Posted by: wei at 29 July 2006 10:22 PM | Link to comment
kenny... did u get any prostitutes there when u were alone? naughty kenny...
Posted by: briel at 29 July 2006 10:23 PM | Link to comment
a very nice & interesting place for a holiday, but the things there seems to be darn expensive lar!
Posted by: cookiejar at 29 July 2006 10:25 PM | Link to comment
Kenny, you look seriously slimmer. Eat more.
Posted by: rachz at 29 July 2006 10:29 PM | Link to comment
man kenny, u have to stop travelling alone and take me with you.
and dammit, u actually look delicious in the last pix.
Posted by: mia at 29 July 2006 10:31 PM | Link to comment
Kenny u r a person who realli enjoys life. Ur hair seems short, cut it in HK ahz??
Posted by: Cheryl at 29 July 2006 10:33 PM | Link to comment
Hey dude, screwdriver was first mixed and stirred in the oilfield of Bakersfield CA, where I workd, with a real screwdiver back in 1920s.
Posted by: e at 29 July 2006 10:43 PM | Link to comment
i love hk
Posted by: bin at 29 July 2006 10:46 PM | Link to comment
Dammit it this post was so normal... snore
Posted by: Char Siew Pau at 29 July 2006 10:53 PM | Link to comment
dunno if this is good news to u or not: u look thinner than when u went to thailand lar!!! oh happy daay~~~
btw, been to hk before. nice place. but kept getting ripped off by the stupid tour guide. yeesh. next time i'm going alone.
Posted by: Dominic at 29 July 2006 11:03 PM | Link to comment
I think the price of oranges or Sunkists?? was quite reasonable. But not for bananas and dragonfruits!
A glass of Screwdriver for RM50. Aiks.. I can't afford.
As for pictures, I like the scene in pic 12. And you look much more slimmer in last pic. haha..
Btw, did you go to LKF? I wanna 'see the world'~~
Posted by: Jess at 29 July 2006 11:16 PM | Link to comment
the oranges are pretty cheap..=p
Posted by: ming at 30 July 2006 12:07 AM | Link to comment
Sarawak Club...
*BAWLLLL*
Posted by: cameron at 30 July 2006 12:22 AM | Link to comment
hey, u look great in the pics, really looked like u have fun. How's the weather over there? Is it sweltering hot? I'll be going there in another 2 weeks and am pretty worried about the heat.
Posted by: lydia at 30 July 2006 12:31 AM | Link to comment
Wonderful pictures kenny! :)
Posted by: marina at 30 July 2006 12:38 AM | Link to comment
hong kong sure has changed a lot. haven't been there for the past 9 years. maybe i'll go again and visit the places you recommended.
Posted by: Jarod at 30 July 2006 12:53 AM | Link to comment
Who took photos of you?
Posted by: amos at 30 July 2006 12:58 AM | Link to comment
guess the RM50 screwdriver are made by orange as big as your balls.
Posted by: TyplotioN at 30 July 2006 1:20 AM | Link to comment
haha, i love staying at chungking mansions.
i
Posted by: Lamus at 30 July 2006 1:43 AM | Link to comment
You make me feel like going to HK!!! Have to get closer with my Hk friends now ...hmm... try to get free stay if they have any more walking space in their house =)
Posted by: mrbherng at 30 July 2006 3:26 AM | Link to comment
Felix is one of the cooler places on Kowloon side. Did you use the bathroom there? It's like you're "peeing on Kowloon", heh heh.
As for the "act cute" pose, Fireangel is cuter! Whahahahah!
Posted by: abraxis at 30 July 2006 6:21 AM | Link to comment
A little curious... What language do you speak with HKers? Surely not Mandarin?
Posted by: Mr.麻甩佬 at 30 July 2006 6:28 AM | Link to comment
Hi kenny, can you post some more news of the sarawak club please, thanks!
Posted by: Polignac at 30 July 2006 6:41 AM | Link to comment
take off your shirt show you big tummy, when u stand with that bruce lee........
Posted by: ysh, at 30 July 2006 7:14 AM | Link to comment
kenny is not slim lor.. he upper body is out of proportion
Posted by: I'm A Chicken With No Name. BWAK BWAK BWAK! at 30 July 2006 10:06 AM | Link to comment
wow , kenny looks so handsome in the last photo ~ ^^
Posted by: chris at 30 July 2006 10:50 AM | Link to comment
love your hairstyle. boylish. didnt you visit disneyland?
Posted by: I'm A Chicken With No Name. BWAK BWAK BWAK! at 30 July 2006 10:55 AM | Link to comment
you make me feel like going to HK lah...
i love vodka (orange flavour? hmm..)but i am underage :( (but i drank before)
btw, the leng zai standing next to bruce lee should move his butt off, he's spoiling the figure bwahaha :P
Posted by: Ziyen at 30 July 2006 12:33 PM | Link to comment
u took a better photo of the HK cityscape at nite than me. did u bring along a tripod or uve got super steady hands?
Posted by: Jay at 30 July 2006 1:59 PM | Link to comment
did u go to the peak. the wax musuem??
Posted by: kevin at 30 July 2006 2:20 PM | Link to comment
Aiyah, kenny! - don't keep me in suspense. Please post photos of you surrounded by hot hongkong girls as soon as possible.
Posted by: teetoo at 30 July 2006 2:58 PM | Link to comment
I love the photos. It's what every vacationer or traveller should do...so people like me who barely go anywhere can enjoy vicariously.
Posted by: Serendipity at 30 July 2006 3:15 PM | Link to comment
Looks like you're having a blast :) Come visit Vancouver Canada next :p
Posted by: MMX at 30 July 2006 3:41 PM | Link to comment
i like u.. but the red shirt???
Posted by: I'm A Chicken With No Name. BWAK BWAK BWAK! at 30 July 2006 5:05 PM | Link to comment
looking forward ur next post dude~!
Posted by: ting at 30 July 2006 6:05 PM | Link to comment
Kenny, you remind me of Val Kilmer in kisskiss bang bang..
Posted by: Ray at 30 July 2006 6:25 PM | Link to comment
the kids in ur picx hu pose.. well darn kewt but yet... d lil guy... well he sort of lukx like u tho... the younger version of u in TAIWAN
Posted by: sharon at 30 July 2006 7:16 PM | Link to comment
I have always wondered.. why "Xiang Gang"? Seriously.. "Fragrant River"? Looks polluted to me. ~_~
Posted by: AntoniA at 30 July 2006 8:28 PM | Link to comment
Agree with you Kenny. You'll never have enough of Hong Kong. I've been there 7D6N last year but still it's not enough for me. Guess 1 months will make it out :p
-> That should be me who post it. Wonder why it change to AntoniA.. bug?
Posted by: John at 30 July 2006 10:13 PM | Link to comment
Ah.. got it.. sorry *_*
Posted by: John at 30 July 2006 10:15 PM | Link to comment
If you think 'Xiang Gang' is polluted, better look at the river in Tabuan Laru (Kuching),... I was shocked to see the whole river filled with rubbish, completely covered,.. Sad!
Posted by: I'm A Chicken With No Name. BWAK BWAK BWAK! at 30 July 2006 10:33 PM | Link to comment
wow.. u look so different in the last picture. compliment not insult..
Posted by: sand at 30 July 2006 11:16 PM | Link to comment
I know kowloon! cos last time I watch hong kong drama, ppl always go kowloon tong open room wan!!
Posted by: hamkalink.com at 31 July 2006 8:44 AM | Link to comment
I feel the kennysia effect again! Cheers.
Posted by: FireAngel at 31 July 2006 8:47 AM | Link to comment
All those piccies are making me miss HK.
Well,... looks like you had lots of fun.
:)
Hong Kong's a great (but expensive and totally cramped) place, isn't it?
Posted by: J at 31 July 2006 9:08 AM | Link to comment
Greetings Kenny,
Congrats on a well written trip. The streets sure looked packed, similar to what you'ld find at Petaling Street of yesteryears. Hmm... Bruce Lee, ayy? I was reading the papers this morning and I found an article on "Donnie Yuen" saying how much he admired Bruce Lee. But hey, if you wanna earn those muscles, cut your trip short to the gym and instead concentrate on body weights exercise. More effective, that wat.
Regards
Posted by: ThRoB at 31 July 2006 9:10 AM | Link to comment
Kenny, you look cute too!! lol
Posted by: Colby at 31 July 2006 9:58 AM | Link to comment
Hey Kenny,
The Peninsular is the most famous hotel in Hong Kong and it is known as one of the best in the world...
Posted by: vidar at 31 July 2006 10:42 AM | Link to comment
Kenny, how nice. Lucky you for having a good trip from hustle and bustle of works. I am missing Kuching already. Stuck in NSW due to heavy workload that expected by the management. Howbeit, you didn't drop by Disneyland? The ticket is too costly? If you afforded it, all of us could read more about your journey in Disneyland Theme Park, who knows. hehehe..
Posted by: Kuchingguy in NSW,Australia at 31 July 2006 11:09 AM | Link to comment
Pardon me for double comments. Was internet's problem.
Posted by: Kuchingguy in NSW,Australia at 31 July 2006 11:13 AM | Link to comment
i wish i was in hk. :) the symphony of lights thingy quite cool what.. from what i remembered. keep the posts coming... they're entertaining
btw.. do checkout www.wardrobewitch.blogspot.com a new startup that will hopefully takeoff. get stuff for your gf. :)
Posted by: cheryl at 31 July 2006 11:21 AM | Link to comment
Nice photos of HK, Kenny!
Posted by: pablopabla at 31 July 2006 11:53 AM | Link to comment
no girl geh..
Posted by: I'm A Chicken With No Name. BWAK BWAK BWAK! at 31 July 2006 12:19 PM | Link to comment
Wahlao!!! RM50/= for the screwdriver?!?! Siao! ;p
Posted by: Dee at 31 July 2006 1:46 PM | Link to comment
You look thinner leh..
Posted by: Nonnie at 31 July 2006 2:04 PM | Link to comment
Nice pics.
Posted by: DigiSniper at 31 July 2006 2:06 PM | Link to comment
super review lah ! most of unbelieveable shot of our chinese icon , the man who brought kung-fu to the world !
Posted by: benjamin and yus at 31 July 2006 2:12 PM | Link to comment
Cool...I'm last!
Posted by: Lan Hoot at 31 July 2006 3:14 PM | Link to comment
Well, I know OUR rivers, streams, drains, etc are dang polluted. But at least we don't call them "Sungai Wangi" or something. :P
Posted by: AntoniA at 31 July 2006 10:37 PM | Link to comment
you think you're in a position to name your river?
Posted by: I'm A Chicken With No Name. BWAK BWAK BWAK! at 31 July 2006 11:11 PM | Link to comment
AntoniA, well we do have Sungai Wang. :P
Posted by: kennysia ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.kennysia.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at 31 July 2006
11:39 PM | Link to comment
Kenny, what camera are you using? That night shot so nice wan.
Posted by: Hijackqueen at 01 August 2006 3:25 PM | Link to comment
i really enjoy reading ur blog....waiting for the shopping one!
Posted by: Baby CaChaReL at 04 August 2006 9:31 AM | Link to comment
HK is cool.. you made me recall my memory in my HK trip last 2 months..
Posted by: rynice at 04 August 2006 1:49 PM | Link to comment
sigh...makes me so homesick. Even though HK is not my home. :(
Posted by: HK1997 at 30 August 2006 2:43 PM | Link to comment
Kenny,
Can I meet up with you in Kuching. I'm Ms. Vicky Fong. Would like to engage your services for the opening of Sands & Venetian Macau in August. All expenses paid for. You will be part of the crew in the Malaysian media, nearly every Asian country will be there.
My email is as above. Thank you
Posted by: Vicky at 25 June 2007 10:02 AM | Link to comment
com
