Illegal Immigrants Swimmers?

Felicia shook me up from my lazy Sunday morning sleep with her unusual exclamatory expression. “I thought it was a big fish but it looks like someone swimming out there in the sea! No, there are 3 of them!” Swimmers in these waters? No one in the right mind will do that. First, it is a busy shipping line, it is like jogging in the middle of an expressway (you will be extremely lucky if none of these boats hit you). Second, it is extremely risky to swim in these toxic waters. It is filled with raw sewage and chemical effluent. Lastly, if the first 2 reasons didn’t kill you – the strong unstable water current will drag you under. And even if you survive all the 3 risks, it is still illegal to swim in these waters. (Strange enough, the Police boat that went past 100m away didn’t spot them!)

I took out my “paparazzi lens” and zoomed in to the spot where Felicia pointed. There were really 3 swimmers out there. One of them seemed having trouble swimming and he was threading water for about 5 minutes. After a good 10-minute sighting, we lost sight of them as they swam behind the blocks of apartments.

Typhoon Megi – The Big Nasty Latecomer

(Photo Taken from NASA Satellite: At its current size and speed, Typhoon Megi (a Catfish name in Korean) is to-date the 15th and biggest typhoon of the year. It has already claimed at least 10 lives in the Philippines. A mother lost her grip of her young daughter in the rough sea after battling the typhoon for 3.5 hours. Right now, the weatherman is expecting it to land somewhere between Hong Kong and Macao this Friday. If it is a direct hit, this super typhoon may be north Asia Pacific’s largest typhoon since 1990.)

The Haunted Ocean Park

Last year, we visited the “Nightmare @ Disneyland”. This year, we decided to explore the “Haunted Ocean Park”. We heard many scary tales from the locals about this place. And they are right – Ocean Park is indeed more scary, darker and bloodier than the cute monster at Disneyland.

Our frightening experience started even before we arrive. The wandering ghosts of Ocean Park can be seen and heard at the bus terminal. They sprang out of the darkness and terrified the unprepared visitors. The torturous screams of the poor victims can be heard throughout the long night. Selina was the first victim in our group. An old woman, selling blood-soaking human eye-balls attacked her from nowhere!

The atmosphere at the Park was like a scene replicated out of Kelvin Tong’s horror movies. The park was illuminated red and green – certainly not the Christmas lighting. More evil characters lurked inside the park, waiting to launch another attack on more innocent minds – especially the young ones. Thick fog and dim lighting obstructed our senses. Elkan was the target of one evil witch. She haunted the poor boy round the park. Elkan was running in circles, screaming and crying. He even dropped his one of his shoes behind! In the end, Felicia had to risk her “soul” to get the shoe back from the monstrous witch. Many passersby simply watched the drama from a distant. No one intervenes to help.

The group spotted many evil beings and we captured the eerie moments on our camera. The haunted houses were too overcrowded with people. And some took as long as 2 hours to queue (This just reminded me of World Expo in Shanghai!). Even those with special passes had to queue for an hour before they can venture into the unknown. Sorry, there is no “special” express queue for pregnant, handicapped or elderly women. These people are not allowed in the first place.

The verdict? Ocean Park offers the raw Asian touch of fear (the evil spirits there speak Cantonese). It is darker, scarier and bloodier (and funnier!). However, it is too congested with people. Be prepared for the long queues, steep slopes and the hectic back-breaking walks. If you prefer the western English-speaking Halloween-themed park, Disneyland will be your best choice. Either way, you are heading for hell. Be warned and entertained.

Shop Till You Drop

(Photo Taken: Bloody “Shopping Scene” at Causeway Bay, Hong Kong – Things must be pretty bloody cheap here! )

Harshad’s Mama in Town

We had our first “lonely quiet weekend” without the Ho and Chua families. Thankfully, Harshad’s family is in town. Meet Mama Harshad and his very beautiful sister-in-law and niece. Harshad sure does look like his Mama. (Nope, I am a good host today – I didn’t spill the beans to his Mum about his “drinking disorder” and naughty deeds in Dongguan. Of course, we talk a little about finding a wife for my Indian buddy…Hahaha…) Harshad treated us to a very nice Indian Curry restaurant at Causeway Bay this evening. I can’t wait to introduce Elkan to his new pretty friend.

An International Celebration

Selina celebrated her birthday last Friday with her “international colleagues”. We are truly the “Global Team” – there are at least 8 different nationalities working under one roof. Sadly, the Malaysians were gone… if not, the party would have been bigger and wilder. Later that night, Selina brought us to a very nice dining place. With Harshad around, the trio went drinking <again> and returned home “light-headed”!