I'm not sure I know how to tell time anymore.

It both feels and doesn't feel like it's been 11 days since I arrived in Hong Kong. I'm both still excited by and tired of the city. It's so comfortingly familiar a place, the idea of which has been planted in my mind all through my life: in countless movies, music, magazines, television drama serials, and of course through my own very Cantonese family's speech, conversation, history, cuisine, habits and our way of life. And yet, because of the direction my life has taken back in Singapore, I have drifted away from my heritage and Hong Kong is to me, still foreign in a way. I would dare say I fit in better than the other 2, but I am still glaringly a gwai lau, at least once I open my mouth to say more than a few words.

Today was spent wandering around SoHo (again) with the ETs and taking photos. Memories for e1, of her days here. A nice relaxed walk. There's a cafe here named Antique, but unfortunately the staff were female, not at all like the manga, though the decor was every bit as fancy(?) I would have anticipated. We went to the ManMo temple down the road. It's good to end my trip here as I started it - with a visit to a temple. Then to Cat Street. I would love to have a place here to decorate. All the knick knacks and junk and old toys and furniture and paraphernalia I could collect!

I like walking along the streets, watching the character of each neighbourhood changing and blending into the next, the little narrow streets, sometimes empty, sometimes packed and fully utilised by floral shops and all, the way the shops used very opportunity to advertise - ads on the awning at the back alley facing the mid-levels escalator. I love seeing the decor and interior design of the houses and boutiques and clubs in the area. There seems to be not much space for spatial manipulation, but I think the treatment of surfaces and facades is really varied and exciting and really, one could do years of studies and documentation on just that.

What else do I love...

The escalators and linkway systems, the exquisitely landscaped little parks and sitting areas and playground areas everywhere, the flowers and trees. As much as Singapore makes so much hoo-ha about being a 'garden city' and all, it feels like Hong Kong does it better. Granted, they have the advantage of climate, but their parks seem to me to be more restful, and do a better job of providing breathing spaces for people in the city.

Yesterday e2 and I took the escalator all the way up, then walked to the HK zoo, then to HK park, then to Victoria Park to meet e1 for the HK Flower Show.

But e1 just finished cooking a supper of noodles for me, so I'll ciao first. Next update will be from Shanghai!