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I am now in the lounge of the HK airport awaiting my flight.

I spent 5 nights in HK. I came primarily to see the HK jewellery fair, which I have heard of but never attended before.

The fair was massive and I am sure over the 2 full days I was there, I only covered about 20% of the booths. I recognised many people there whom I have met over the years at various Singapore shows and shops.

HK looks and feels the same, even after 7 years. Nothing seems to have changed. It is still a busy city, but I do feel that it is the mainland Chinese who are propping up large parts of their economy. They are the biggest shoppers and they can be seen patronizing all their higher-end restaurants and hotels. Even at the jewellery fair, a large number of the booths were by Chinese brands and many of the buyers were Chinese.

Lots of old people around in HK but fortunately they are mobile and seem able to handle themselves. And just like Singapore, or worse, people seem to be walking around staring into their phones, flipping videos or watching dramas or playing games.

Food is good here and cheaper than Singapore. Service is generally good everywhere.

I took a day trip to Shenzhen and that was an eye opener. Just as how HK people go there in large numbers for the cheaper food and services, Chinese people come to HK to shop and eat.

The HK airport is superb. Overall a good experience even after all these years.

I arrived in HK on Sunday and more on my thoughts on HK when I leave.

But yesterday, I took a day trip to Shenzhen. I left at about 9am and took the MTR to Shenzhen, Luohu. A direct MTR ride that takes about 40 minutes. Cleared HK which was a breeze and then China immigration, which was a bit more of a pain.

Still I was in Shenzhen by 1045.

First I visited the Luohu commercial city, a massive shopping complex just next to the checkpoint. So many things and shops that it is impossible to cover this complex. I made glasses, 4 pairs. Even with my progressive, transition lenses, it took them only less than 2 hours to make them. Amazing. And so well priced.

Then I decided to take a train to MixC, a shopping complex nearby. I took their subway. It was very easy to navigate and their trains are newer than the HK ones.

MixC is an amazing shopping complex. I had japanese lunch, coffee at Cafe Leitz by Leica and a Chinese dinner at Ning. Amazing food everywhere and so fresh and reasonably priced. They also have so many high end shops selling high quality Chinese products and handicrafts. I always wonder why people from China come to Singapore for a visit. Their shopping and dining is just so much better and cheaper.

Then I went back to Luohu commercial city to pick up my glasses and made my way back to HK.

A trip I enjoyed. I heard that Shenzhen is great for electronic products and tech. They have complete buildings just focused on that. Sigh. I would have loved that as I love gadgets.

I must make a trip here again with much time.

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Just after coming back from Sri Lanka on Saturday, I attended the Onam celebration at Yew Tee.

I was surprised at the turnout. More than 500 people attended. There was lunch served together with various dance performances, which went on from 1 pm till 6 pm.

Everyone was well dressed and it was clearly a family event with so many young children present.

Didn’t realize that the Malayalee community here is that strong and growing.

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Friday was my day trip to Colombo. Went on the 910 am flight and returned on the 1250 am.

I would have liked to spend more time there but I just couldn’t.

I had to go there personally to complete the transaction. Selling off Lumi Estates. There were lots of last minute hiccups but it was signed eventually although we couldn’t collect the bank drafts that day.  Anyway knowing Sri Lanka, that was somewhat expected.

But it was also a productive day because I met the DFCC branch manager, the NDB branch manager and Shanil and Shane.

A tiring day but happy to have done it.

Last night’s dinner was with the US Ambassador. Again at his favorite Indian restaurant at Raffles Hotel. As this was the only slot available for both of us, I ended up missing the firms’  50th anniversary dinner.

We spent a good 2 hours eating and chatting. He spoke of his childhood days in Bihar and how he got to know Donald Trump. We also talked about the current state of US politics and the country.

I really like him as a person and am looking forward to our next catch up. And he eats with his hands! Like me.

Davi had suggested a lunch catch up and we managed to find time yesterday for lunch at Otto.

We spoke of so many things for more than 2 hours. Judges, politics, Kl and people we both know.

So good to know that we share so many things and views in common!! Good to have such a friend!

Yesterday morning was an impromptu catch up for our group. Dr Teo asked if we could meet. And we could, except for Crystal.

A simple catch up over breakfast. No topics of significance. The only one I remember is planning a trip by bus to JB for a day trip!!

We knew each other in the NWCDC as strangers and so good that we are still friends after 20 years!!

So yesterday was lunch to celebrate Virginia and Valerie’s birthdays, which was the day before.

I asked Kaling along and he wanted to go to Sophia at St Regis.

Decent Italian food and nice ambience. Of course with the 2 girls, the conversation always takes a different turn. More gossip and talk of high society people, none of whom I know! And they know each other since they were in their teens and so they know much more people in common.

It has become a ritual now that we meet for birthdays. As you get older, rituals and routines become more important!

Had a wonderful lunch at Candlenut yesterday, courtesy of U Zyn.

Good Peranakan food in an Omakase style. Interesting concept. And the restaurant was rather well-patronised for a Monday lunch.

Always good chatting with him as he is so well updated on the latest developments in tech and AI. And he presented me with some items he had printed using his 3 D printer, coasters, tissue box and an image of running horses. Amazing stuff.

This morning I was invited to his studio to view some works.

He is 81 now and is one of the foremost watercolor painters in Singapore. Self taught and a cultural medallion winner.

The place is like a warehouse and the pieces were all over the place. I was met by the son who showed me the pieces.

He has a number of Singapore scenes together with some Nepal and Bali scenes.

I didn’t get attracted to any piece there. But it was an enjoyable hour spent looking at art.