Alexander Chiu Tech, Food, and Everything In Between

The First 3 Days in Hong Kong

It's only been 3 days since I have arrived in Hong Kong. The flight was a grueling 15 hours with a 2 hour waiting period for the last 5 passengers on the plane. Total time on the plane: 17 hours. The first night in Hong Kong was the 11th. I spent it getting all of our luggage from the airport into Central on the train. Total weight of baggage: 300 lbs/136kg. Afterwards, I ate some food and went to sleep. Total sleep time during first night: 7 hours.  Find out more about my trip after the break!

The first real day I was in Hong Kong it was the 12th already. I quickly went with Sammy to get back my lost HKID card. Total time at the Wan Chai Immigration Office: 1.5 hours. I have to say that people in Hong Kong are fast, courteous, and efficient. I was able to get my temporary ID card and then set up an appointment to pick up my full ID 2 weeks later. I also wasn't wasting time in line so much since they do a walk-in quota reservation time which expedites the process. I'm thoroughly impressed.

We then went to Central to pick up new annual cell phone contracts. Total time at 3HK: 1 hour. For people that have an address in HK, it's pretty easy to get cell phone service that is affordable and efficient. I signed up for a full Infinitum plan with unlimited internet service as well as IDD1966 for essentially international calling minutes on my plan. Total cost of cell phone service: HK$258/month. It wasn't bad especially compared with my AT&T plan in the USA which is now currently USD$130/HK$1010/month. Hong Kong is definitely cheaper than New York. We then ate a delicious lunch of Char Siu (BBQ chinese pork), crispy eel, and Dou Mieu (Chinese bean vegetables, very nummy ^_^). Food is great in Hong Kong and cost a fraction of the price of New York eateries in the same class. The afternoon was spent walking my grandfather around the IFC Mall: It's absolutely gorgeous (will post pics later). Hong Kong is ultra-modern and is a shopper's paradise. I wouldn't be surprised if some restaurant owners in NYC came to HK to open up shop. People spend money here and it shows. After walking the IFC mall, we were off to Dymock's bookstore to get Sammy some cantonese books. By nightfall, we were already back in North Point eating a delicious dinner. By 7pm, we were going down to Danzstage Studio at 148 Electric Rd, Tin Hau. I'm jetlagged as all hell and chug a RedBull inside the studio. 7:30pm, we meet with Conant and Georgette, the owners of Danzstage dance studio. The space is gorgeous with completely new floating floors, nice sound system, and excellent instructors. I can't help but think that the studio is in a slightly secluded location. They would definitely benefit by word of mouth exposure as well as some marketing in the local papers. Sammy and I are teaching there so I'm excited. We really want to get a larger group of students and teach some solid Lindy Hop. 8:00pm Karen Tong arrives at the studio. We go to a local fish ball eatery and have a snack. Again, it's delicious and cheap. We go back to the studio by 9pm. We meet up with Gianni Aprea and Grace Leung. They are working on their routine for the HK Swing Festival. A few days ago, we spoke with Heather Flock in NYC about their routine and agree to help explain the choreography trouble spots. Both Gianni and Grace look great running through the routine. I'll be posting their performance on YouTube after the HK Swing Festival. 10pm All of us discuss plans for a performance team/troupe. We are seriously jetlagged but our enthusiasm keeps our mouths running until almost 11:30pm. 12am, we get back to the apartment and sleep.

The second day in Hong Kong is a time to meet with family friends and eat some great seafood. By 12:30pm we arrive at the seafood market and Dragon Inn Seafood Restaurant. We buy our fresh seafood that is still alive and kicking. We see an oddity in the seafood market: it's a 120lbs Tiger Grouper in a tank. The thing is huge and can eat shrimp whole. The purveyor feeds the Tiger Grouper some shrimp and the snap of the jaws send water pouring out of the tank.  We buy a significantly smaller tiger grouper, 2 spiny lobsters, a few mantis prawns, fresh wild shrimp, and some fresh pacific abalone. The smell of the seafood market is fresh sea water, something that NYC lacks. The Dragon Inn Seafood Restaurant is located in New Territories and is a historic Inn/Restaurant. My father and his siblings have eaten here for years. The GM of the restaurant quickly takes our fresh seafood and brings it into the kitchen. Everything is prepared fresh (will post pictures shortly).  First is fresh boiled shrimp with soy sauce.  Second is lightly fried tiger grouper fillets.  Third is steamed abalone with fresh ginger and green scallions. Fourth is spiny lobster E-fu noodles.  Fifth is braised tiger grouper head in a traditional chinese red/brown sauce.  Sixth is sauteed dou mieu with dried shrimp.  Last is deep fried mantis prawns in chili sauce.  Overall it's a meal fit for an emperor.  We had lunch with my family and a family friend from Hawaii.  We all waddled away full and happy.  That afternoon I take a Benedryll since I am slightly allergic to HK shrimp and I pass out for 30 minutes.  We promptly have to wake up and eat before going to Grappa's Celler for dancing.  I'm disoriented and drink another RedBull before I hit the dance floor.  Karen Tong teaches beginner and intermediate lessons on the floor before we start social dancing.  I meet the crew while dancing and it seems like a very friendly scene.  Max Pitruzella and Annie Trudeau are in for the HK Swing Festival and they look jetlagged too(I'm not alone ^_^).  I'm very happy to dance the night away and meet all the new people.

The third day I'm sitting here writing this blog.  It's about noon time and I am enjoying archiving my pictures as well as some downtime for relaxation.  I'm wondering how some of the instructors for the HK Swing Festival are feeling and what they are doing.  I wish we could just spend some time to hang out.  After a little session of Guitar Hero, I'll be good as new.  More to follow in the coming days as well as video of the HK Swing Festival.