On a chilly morning of 9 Nov, Ms Wannabee and her friend Ms Linda (another wannabe) were whisked off to the exclusive Hong Kong Marina Club in Sai Kung for a day of boat trip.
The boat was a 20-footer Deluxe Western Cruiser that could accommodate up to 28 people on board equipped with 2 outdoor decks, 1 indoor lounge deck with fully equipped galley (kitchen), karaoke with more than 100 dvds and vcds collections, 2 fully equipped bathrooms and shower cubicles…….and 4 full time crews. And, there were also 4 wicker baskets filled with individually packed freshly laundered fluffy bath towels.
Abroad, on the way to the first destination, a continental breakfast with assorted Danish pastries and hot beverages (coffee, tea and orange juice) were served.
After a 30 minutes cruise, the party were transferred to the dry land in a smaller speed boat. From there they followed the group leader up the Mac Lehose Trail in the Sai Kung Country Park. This is part of the Sai Kung Peninsula with its magnificent view of the countryside and vistas of sapphire blue sea….
Except for the group leader, little did the 20 over odd members in the group realized that it will be a 3 hours walk up the hill, down the hill to get to their lunch destination. Nevertheless, it was an enjoyable walk (if not a little bit strenuous to some).
Abroad, on the way to the first destination, a continental breakfast with assorted Danish pastries and hot beverages (coffee, tea and orange juice) were served.
After a 30 minutes cruise, the party were transferred to the dry land in a smaller speed boat. From there they followed the group leader up the Mac Lehose Trail in the Sai Kung Country Park. This is part of the Sai Kung Peninsula with its magnificent view of the countryside and vistas of sapphire blue sea….
Except for the group leader, little did the 20 over odd members in the group realized that it will be a 3 hours walk up the hill, down the hill to get to their lunch destination. Nevertheless, it was an enjoyable walk (if not a little bit strenuous to some).
The highlights of the walk which impressed everybody were the pleasant weather with plenty of sunshine, bypassing the beautiful High Island Reservoir with its gorgeous 2 blue hues of dam water (sapphire blue and turquoise blue), circling the Sai Kung Peninsula and seeing a herd of live cows….
After the not too strenuous but a little bit arduous 3 plus hours of walk, they reached the little fishing village of Pak-A for the much anticipated seafood lunch. Finally, food!!!! (The rumble and growling sounds in everyone’s empty stomach could have rivaled the percussions in the Chinese Opera!!!!)
Among the food that could be eaten without was-was were:-
Roasted peanuts – crispy and lightly salted (supposed to be a condiment for the porridge but almost everybody gobbled it up first since they were too hungry),
Steamed prawns – fresh and sweet;
Fish congee – silky smooth and steaming hot, perfect for the cooling weather;
Baked Scallop in shells – big and tasty morsels,
Lobster thermidor – succulent lobster meat with creamy cheese sauce, perfect with its accompanying al-dente egg noodles,
Fried rice with baby anchovy and French beans– a dish that could never go wrong, tasty as always with the beans providing crunchy bits to the rice
Blanched pak choy – okay, this one was a little bit limpid, but everybody was already full by that time to comment on the limpidness…..
Overall, it was deliciously yummy!!!!!!!!!!
After lunch, thank God no more hikes were required! Instead, the group was transported back directly to the boat via a jetty directly behind the restaurant. How convenient……….
The surprising thing about this fishing village is there were many weekenders, mostly overpaid Caucasian expats enjoying the sunshine day with their family, friends and their pampered dogs. They sailed in their sleek, custom built, luxurious catamaran, wind cruiser, yatchs, whatever…. which Ms Wannabee and the other invitees in the boat could only look with lust from afar…………
Back on board, it was another cruise to another inlet. This time the boat dropped its anchor for a spot of sailing or water sport activities. Nobody ventured for any water sports except for the youngsters who opted to swim.
As for the others….the time was used to read, sleep, went for a couple of rounds in the smaller speed boat and of course taking photos……
The 2 Ms Wannabees used the time to the fullest, clicking away as many shoots as they could, both in their cloud nines (and over) day-dreaming away…………
Perhaps pretending that one of them is an heiress lounging about in their 100-footer yatch cruising the Caribbean’s or;
Maybe a contestant showing off her beautiful curves and long legs posing for the search of American Next Top Model…??
Needless to say, both Ms Wannabees were in their elements!
Maybe a contestant showing off her beautiful curves and long legs posing for the search of American Next Top Model…??
Needless to say, both Ms Wannabees were in their elements!
After a couple of hours, the anchor was hoisted from the seabed and the journey back (to earth) resumed.
As the 20-footer Deluxe Western Cruiser sailed back to the docks at the Hong Kong Marina County Club, the pleasant host and the attentive staff extended their warm hospitality by serving afternoon tea with assorted cakes and gateaux to the happy and sated group.
As the 20-footer Deluxe Western Cruiser sailed back to the docks at the Hong Kong Marina County Club, the pleasant host and the attentive staff extended their warm hospitality by serving afternoon tea with assorted cakes and gateaux to the happy and sated group.
Oh what a perfect ending to a perfect ………
Oh what a life….
Oh what a life….
PS: Ms Wannabee would like to thank Ms Linda for this kind invitation and also to HKTDC for providing this opportunity. She enjoyed herself very much. Thanks also to Mr Bard for providing home-cooked dinner upon the return of the two Ms Wannabees back to Robinson Road.
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