Lesley in Hong Kong

Sea Foot Reflexology, Sai Kung

Pedicure, Shanghai Style

A few months ago I blogged about a wonderful experience I had in Shanghai involving a man with a head torch and a sharp blade.  He used this to rid my heels of hard skin and he was so incredibly skilled at this and I was so incredibly impressed I wanted to tell the world. 

You can get Everything in Sai Kung

I have now found that in Sai Kung there is an option of a Shanghai style pedicure at Sea Foot Reflexology House, 1/F, 60 Po Tung Road, 2791 0328. 

Sure enough I was attended to by a lady with a chisel/blade and a very bright light who attended to my feet while I relaxed and flicked through recent copies of Hello magazine.  Afterwards I was offered a foot massage and went away feeling truly attended to.  $260 thank you very much.

10th July, 2010

NB

For accuracy I have to now add that this morning I am in pain!  My left heel is so sore that I can't walk properly and have had to put a band aid over the sore patch so I can wear shoes.  This is bad news and I withdraw my recommendation of the Shanghai Style pedicure...

 

Ritz Carlton - World's Highest Hotel, Hong Kong

Ritz Carlton Hong Kong

The Ritz Carlton Hotel is situated on 1 Austin Road, Kowloon.  It is the highest hotel in the world.

More tea? 

It is 1,600 ft high although I have a strong suspicion that it won't hold the record for long because someone somewhere will get all competitive and want to go to even giddier heights.  The second, third and fourth highest hotels are in, surprise surprise, Dubai.

Flower arrangement Ritz Carlton The Lounge 
 
Even though this building is even higher than the famous IFC (1364ft) I hadn't even noticed it!  I put this down to being busy and having to go to work.  I thought it was just me who didn't know about its opening at the end of March but no, I got in a taxi in Jordon and asked for "Ritz Carlton, 1 Austin Road m goi"  I got the standard response 'Ha!'  At first he attempted to drop me off at BP International House also on Austin Road but come on, it didn't even sound a bit like Ritz Carlton and is not very high at all!  After one of those fraught journeys where the taxi driver talks on the phone in a confused way and gives you no confidence in actually getting to your destination he eventually made it and we ended as friends.

Before

 After ...
 
HOW TO GET THERE

For future reference ask for Elements Shopping Mall and the Ritz Carlton is actually situated at the top of a building called International Commerce Centre ICC which is the last building on the road - THE TALLEST ONE!  The hotel is actually perched on the top of the ICC on floors 102 to 118 and afternoon tea involves a lift ride with only stop from zero to floor 103 (it took ages and my ears popped) then a short escalator down one floor to The Lounge.

It is beautifully decorated with amazing views - obviously.  The tea involves everything you'd expect - three tiered plate full of goodies and copious amounts of tea from a wide choice.

For an extra thrill you can go even higher to the bar on floor 118 Ozone which even has a partly open area and yesterday there was quite a chilly breeze blowing around there.  I thought I was being quite brave getting close to the edge and looking down.  Gulp!

 
Afternoon Tea at the Ritz Carlton, Hong Kong 

The closest building on the right is the IFC, Hong Kong Side, across the harbour is the ICC - can you see me waving?

 

Weekend in Shanghai

Chen Yi, the first communist mayor of Shanghai

I have to admit to being not very well travelled when it comes to China.  I have lived in SAR for nearly ten years now but have been some how magnetically repelled from the mainland because of the horror stories I hear on a daily basis about:-

• dirty toilets
• dirty air
• dirty streets
• dirty trains

Then there is the danger angle people like to thrap on about:-

• risk of earthquake
• risk of flood

Not to mention the general physical risks of:-

• being robbed
• being in a car accident
• being swindled

Taking my life in my hands I visited Shanghai, China's most populous city to find it was none of those things and whats more I had a great time and came back all in one piece.  I enjoyed it, I felt safe and I would go back.

ART

There is lots of art to see and the first stop was Shanghai Museum of Art situated next to the People's Park.  At the moment there is an exhibition of American Print Makers and we saw famous pieces by Jasper John's and Jim Dine.  After that we headed for 50 Moganshan Road which is a higgledy piggledy complex of converted warehouses filled with a vast variety of contemporary art.  Hundreds of visitors are attracted to this area every day and as well as the art there are trendy cafes and coffee to be had.  There is also the Museum of Modern Art, a state of the art glass building inside the People's Park but at the moment it just has a cafe inside - no art.

Pervert taking photograph of young girl's legs

 

THE PEOPLE'S PARK

The People's Park itself is a myriad of life.  A well looked after garden plus a few small theme park rides, it attracts a variety of people.  Sit on the grass and enjoy your picnic.  Practise tai chi to your hearts content.  Dress up in a panda outfit and thrill the children.  Advertise your unmarried grown up children being available for marriage (there was loads of that).  Play chess.  Beg.  Stop bewildered tourists and ask them questions to practise your English then offer to take them to a tea ceremony (we had that lots of times). All very friendly and non threatening.  I was even protected from a particularly annoying beggar in the park by some Shanghai people who felt the need to keep me safe and send her on her way.  They then translated what they had said for me which was basically 'get a job and stop bothering the tourist's!

Weeeee!

WANTED - GROOM FOR MY DAUGHTER

 

NANJING ROAD

Upon arrival on Nanjing Road pedestrian street the hawkers selling copy everythingyoucanthinkof pounced but being used to it on Nathan Road the usual technique of eyes front and ignore was implemented.  Although I wasn't quite ready for the wheelie shoe sellers who zipped about on a type of roller skate wheel that can be attached to any shoe.  They obviously felt that I was in the market for wheelie shoes but I politely declined, at first, after the 8th person zipping up to me on their trendy wheels I had had enough.  That's when Fairy Land Foot Massage lit its beacon and led me up their wonderful staircase to wonderfulness.  See previous blog.

Fairyland Foot Massage, Shanghai

THE BUND

In the evening, after one of the most delicious and interesting meals of my life at Lost Heaven.  See previous blog. 

Lost Heaven

We did The Bund.  The most famous area by the river lined with magnificent historic stone built structures dating back to a time when the west had a strong influence on the city.  On The Bund side of the river are the neo classical and art deco style buildings while across the river are the futuristic modern buildings all lit up and pretty.  Having said that it was Earth Hour when we arrived which meant that most of the lights had been switched off for an hour so the impact of them all coming on again at 9.30pm was thrilling, albeit not environmentally that friendly!

JAZZ IN SHANGHAI

On The Bund is the Peace Hotel which contains a very cool jazz club.  We look our positions on high stools at the bar and enjoyed the band.  Wow!  Excellent live music.  I didn't enjoy the cigarette smoke quite so much and it was a surprise to be in a bar full of smoke these days.  There is talk that China will ban smoking in public places very soon.  Let's wait to see how it goes?  A bit more jazz after the Peace Hotel involved a taxi ride to JZ Jazz Bar, 46 Fuxing Road, near Yongfu Road which was, again filled with smoke, and a zillion more people.  It is Shanghai's hippest jazz club.  After a difficult attempt at trying to get close to the stage and being told we had to pay 500 RMB for the privilege, we moved back to the free seating and let the jazz wash over us.  Yeh daddio!

OLD SHANGHAI AND YU GARDENS

Next morning more exploring was on the itineray and a visit to Yu Gardens and Old Shanghai.  It was crowed.  Very crowded.  But very exciting and filled with atmosphere and tourists being lead around by ladies in red caps and the dreaded electric megaphone.  Oh dear!  The buildings and temples were stunning and food stalls overwhelming.  We made our way out of the more crowded tourist shuffle area down some back streets where the real people lived and enjoyed a lunch which was cooked for us as we watched.  There were ceramic dishes already prepared with the ingredients, vegetables, fish or meat or just a veggie options with noodles or rice.  Once you choose your dish it was placed over a gas flame until it bubbled and cooked everything.  I think it was the original Pot Noodle.

So I wasn't in any danger as far as I know and I now know the horror stories are just that - stories.  There was even a Marks & Spencers with a sale on with a great coat just wating for me!

 

MORE PHOTOS WILL BE POSTED SHORTLY

 

Fairyland - Foot Massage and Hard Skin Removal - Shanghai

 

Feet

SOOTHING MASSAGE

After a tremendous amount of walking around Shanghai one Saturday on a weekend mini break our feet were throbbing and in need of some attention.  We didn't plan to visit Fairyland Health and Beauty on Nanjing Pedestrian Street, it seemed to find us.  I think it had a magnetic charm that lulled us up the stairs into completely unknown territory.  There was a short period of uncertainty until I was sure it was a respectable establishment because its just awful when it's not, don't you just hate it when that happens?

RELAXING MUSIC

In the blink of an eye we were made comfortable in a darkened room with relaxing music and our feet were soaked in fragrant water while the masseurs paid our shoulders much need attention.  A special bonus of a shoulder rub just to make up the time while the feet are cleansed and softened up ready for the foot massage.

HARD SKIN REMOVAL

The massage was excellent and I would have no reservations in recommending Fairyland if you are ever in need of stress relief and are in Shanghai at the same time.  But actually the best bit was the hard skin removal service.  For an extra 48 RMB a specially skilled man was summoned into the room yielding a blade.  Or was it a scalpel or was it an incredibly sharp chisel?  As I say it was a darkened room so it was hard to tell.  But the hard skin removal master was well equipped to work on feet in a darkened room.  He was wearing a head torch.  I guess he had a been boy scout when he was younger so was always prepared.  He set to work with the chisel and with the lightest touch he managed to  shave off what looked like snow flakes from my feet.  The towel was soon covered and I caught the masseurs looking sideways at each other at the surprising amount of dead skin building up as he dutifully shaved my feet.

The service was excellent, shoulder, feet and shaving of said feet. We floated out.  Wow!

Hard skin removal man wearing head torch

The man in the head torch made Fairyland an extra special experience and I want him to come and live in our house.

Putting it Together The Fringe Club, Hong Kong

Golden Voice Entertainment...

The cast of Putting it Together

GOLDEN VOICE

Sounds smooth doesn't it?  It just rolls off the tongue.  Say it with me "Golden Voice Entertainment" . Try again and this time think Barbara Streisand. All together - One, two, three "Golden Voice Entertainment"  Lovely isn't it?

DIRECTOR - FRINGE CLUB, HONG KONG

Michael Sharmon is the artistic director of Golden Voice Entertainment and it is actually true.  He does have a golden voice and so do the cast of Putting it Together, a Stephen Sondheim review performed at The Fringe Club in February. Once home and tucked up in bed I did a bit of googling (sounds a bit personal doesn't it?) to find that the story was creatively linked together based on previously existing songs from a number of different Sondheim musicals.  Stone me!  They all fitted together seamlessly to form a new story in its own right.  How clever. 

MUSIC

The Fringe Club is a very suitable venue for intimate shows like this with just 4 main characters up close and personal allowing us to see and feel their emotions but not allowing us to think about the uncomfortable seats.  The music was provided by two extremely experienced and talented musicians, Peter Lally on piano and Peter Scherr on double bass - terrific!  They were positioned at the back of the stage so were on view throughout.

JACQUELINE GOURLAY GRANT

The star was undoubtedly Jacqueline Gourlay Grant who played "The Wife" as well as being Musical Director.  What a woman!  I am sure that she has had a hand in many shows in Hong Kong and is a magical force on stage.  And by the way Jacqueline, great jacket.

WHAT'S NEXT?

Looking forward to the next one and thanks again to Michael Sharmon and the whole cast who take time to provide the community with such a tremendously high standard of local entertainment.  Beats that huge atmosphereless hall at the airport.

 

 

 

Gorilla Suit in Hong Kong

Is it real?

I am a proud mother, I don't deny it.  So have a look at my daughter's latest homework assignment.  She was asked to make a music video for her Media Studies course.  Click on the link and it will take you to You Tube where you can watch the video and listen to the music.  She borrowed two gorilla costumes from a children's party company then was filmed 'at large' in Hong Kong.  My daughter is the one wearing the scarf - otherwise she is unrecognizable!

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGF8VULVSP4

 

Social Experiment

But I just have to comment on the social significance of this moment in time.  Where else in the world could you parade around on the streets of a busy 'world' city in a gorilla suit and not be acknowledged unless, of course, you jumped in front of people and scared the life out of them.  I think this says a lot about the compliance and inverted politeness, which may be misconstrued as aloofness, of Hong Kong people.  They just want and expect things to be safe and to run on schedule, to be expected and routine.  When, unusually, two people in gorilla costumes board the MTR their reaction is either "Ignore" "look down" "pretend it is not happening " or to whip out their mobile phone and take a picture of it preferably with the standard two fingered peace sign.  This features in EVERY photograph ever taken by people from Hong Kong - if they don't do that particular pose then the photograph just gets deleted and lost forever.  

Hello!  Who the **** is Kitty?

often imagine Hong Kongers looking through their photograph albums looking at pictures of themselves in the same pose at various times of the year, all photos taken in shopping malls with some sort of Hello Kitty or Mini Mouse theme going on in the background.  How dull!

Cheese or Cheers?

Actually there are a few more standard 'take a photograph with me" poses.  As well as the two fingered peace sign there is the tongue out and sticking up to one side pose, this is borderline porn star but because of the naivety in this city it passes off as cute (some would say - but not me) and then there is the finger poked in the cheek pose while at the same time making a screwing motion with said finger, oh and obviously, the grin has to be unnaturally large and cheesy (or is that cheersy - saying 'Cheese' while having your photograph taken has been lost in translation and becomes 'Cheers'.

Dog Clothes

Oh and how could I forget photographs taken while posing but with the added interest of a dog dressed in clothes.  Come to Sai Kung on a Sunday afternoon and see this for yourself.

Tourist Reaction

Significantly the Western tourists on Nathan Road were the only ones to embrace the fun in the situation and have some sort of concept about how to react.  These people may possibly have travelledto other 'world' cities such as Paris or Barcelona or London and seen street theatre or just plain old busking.  They know it's for fun, they are on holiday and up for a good time.  Their reaction is different from the residents.

When I decide to do my Masters in Sociology I shall use this empirical evidence as the corner stone of my research.

More Dogging ...

 

Every weekend Sai Kung is a dog magnet.  Hundreds of owners from all over Hong Kong bring their dogs to push them round in dog pushchairs or carry them round in their special Dog Bag. (see previous Dogging Blog) Then have them sit on their own special seat in the restaurants (why can't they just walk then sit under the table where dogs are supposed to be?).

Forgive me, but I thought dogs were supposed to guard or fetch or chase things in a dog-like fashion but I am truly tickled by the services Pet Central in Sai Kung are offering dogs.  This is nothing compared to dog clothes and matching slippers.  This the next level in dog pampering. To begin with I thought I was reading adverts for a human spa and was considering the treatments for myself.  A workout on a treadmill followed some massage therapy and they even have a Day Care Service for small children?  How thoughtful.  Then, on Sundays there is a Tea Party, lovely... then the penny dropped.  All the services from a treadmill and a massage to an outside leisure area and a tea party are for canines.

Superfluous Hair

I have a question for the world.

Bobby          Murkin                 Brazilan in action

Why is it acceptable to have hair on some parts of the body but totally and utterly unacceptable for it to sprout on other parts?

Let me be more specific.  Why is it that I, as a woman, cannot have under arm hair whereas men can?  Or that I cannot have hair sprouting from the edges of my bikini bottoms or anywhere on my legs whereas men can have great forests of it poking out from every seam but remove it from their chins?

Last week I had my legs waxed for the first time ever in my 39 years.  It was OK, I didn't even swear or cry.  But it got me thinking.  Why am I putting myself through this pain?  Hair grows on my legs, why not just leave it?

Chinese men cultivate long hair from facial moles but have little hair on their legs. It's true.  After extensive research over the summer - which means I looked at loads of Chinese men's legs while on the MTR, I have categorically concluded that Chinese men do not have leg hair.  And also, why is it that female leg hair is a complete no no while men, but not Chinese men, can have tons of it and wear shorts?   The mole hair is lucky but other facial hair is removed as part of the morning routine (apart from men with beards obviously, but that is just wrong).

It seems a strange situation to me.  Some people have hair where they don't want it and don't have hair where they do want it.  Hair is so confusing don't you think?  Balding men are targeted by loads of hair restoring adverts claiming to successfully grow hair on heads yet they religously remove the hair from their chins.  Hairy legged and hairy lipped women are targeted by loads of adverts claiming to remove the unwanted growth with cream, razors, threading, sugaring, lasers, plucking or waxing, the choice is extensive.  Then there are the products to remove the underarm hair or public hair.  The pubic hair removal seems to be the most creative of all.  The choice of shape is incredible.  Landing strip, heart shape and the dreaded yet extremeley interesting Brazilian.  Its all about removal, but the hair on our heads is precious and must be preserved at all costs.

But why do we have to pretend we have no hair on our female bodies apart from our heads?  Why do we continue battling against it when it will always grow back?  Why do some bald men try to hide their hair transplants or wigs and strive to regrow hair on their shiny pates?   Or even worse tend to their comb-overs when we can all plainly see that they have no hair on top.  Do they think a thin strip of greased down hair is really disguising the baldness? Why do women rush for the razor when there is occasion to wear a swimming costume?  As if the world is unaware that they have hair on their pubes.  Everyone knows that, stop fooling yourself!

So I put it to you all.  Let's stop removing hair and lets stop adding hair where it has already fallen out.  Life will be much simpler when we can all let our gardens grow full and bushy.

The Peninsula Spa

Yesterday I had a sumptuously wondrous day.  After much deliberation and research I decided to book myself a day of pampering at The Peninsula’s new Spa.  It seemed a bit pricey initially but hey “I’m worth it”.   The nice ladies encouraged me to arrive two hours before my appointment with my therapist so I could take advantage of their indoor heated swimming pool affording views over Hong Kong habour and their Thermal Suit, also with views over the Harbour.  So as per their suggestion I duly arrived with two hours to while away swimming and lolling about drinking organic detoxifying tea plus partaking in the delights of becoming really really hot and then really really cold.

During the whole experience there was always a very helpful member of staff to explain just what to do next.  This was extremely comforting and their professional manner made me feel very comfortable even though I was only wearing a pair of ill fitting disposable knickers and a dressing gown, my wet hair scraped back to expose every flaw of my aging features!

I thoroughly enjoyed the cycle of the thermal suit which involved 5 minutes in each section.  To start with it was the Crystal Steam room which was very hot with a stone vase in the middle containing a massive glowing crystal.  It was a bit like the middle of Dr. Who’s tardis although I didn’t seem to travel back in time.  Then, and this was quite thrilling, out of there to rub myself all over with handfuls of crushed ice.  This was delivered down a chute to a very stylish sink so everytime I thought I had used enough ice to cool down my skin more of the stuff fell down the chute.  Perhaps I didn’t spend five minutes doing that?  Bit chilly.  Then it was time for the ‘Lifestyle Shower’.  This was such a lot of fun.  Very high tech with three choices of water style.  A button set in the tiles to select the type you wanted.  The ‘tropical rain’ option was like being in very heavy rain without an umbrella, naked of course, but it was exotically scented.  Then it was ‘cool mist’ which hissed soft and minty scented water all around, I did that a lot, it was great!  Then the body massage jets which shot sharp pin pricks of water side ways from the walls without warning and it meant I had to move around all the time to ensure the pin pricks didn’t hit the most delicate parts of me.  After that it was the sauna which had a window so I could look at Hong Kong harbour a bit more.

I then headed for the relaxation room, another view of the harbour while reclining on a small bed.  It was so comfortable with electric controls to alter the height of the head and foot sections, the linen was creamy and soft and also supplied was a set of headphones so while reclining and recovering from the hot and cold experience I could listen to soothing music, look at the harbour, eat an apple and drink mango juice while waiting for my therapist to escort me to the treatment room.  Multitasking I believe it is called.

Katrina punctually appeared and my two hour appointment began.  She was very professional and at every stage she made sure I knew what would happen next and was very sensitive of my modesty at every point.  The way she held the massive towel and left room at crucial moments meant that I didn’t feel naked and exposed infront of a stranger, which of course I was, not counting the ill fitting disposable knickers of course!

Katrina carefully blended oils and exfoliating creams to my personal preference and applied them beautifully.  After every part of my skin had been attended to and I had showered the massage treatment started.  Afterwards I floated out of the dimly lit room feeling like a new person.  I had a quick look round but couldn’t find one!  It was time for lunch.

This was taken at the poolside.  I sat there, still in dressing gown and previously mentioned knickers (although a different pair by now), while deciding which three course healthy option I would have.  I ate my lunch served by the very discreet yet attentive Peninsula waiters who topped up my strawberry water and Peninsula blend tea regularly.   My three courses were, and I have to say, small, but exploding with flavour and surprisingly filling.  I then had the option of going back to the relaxation room with adjustable head and foot height for a little lie down.  This was so nice and I recommend that every restaurant in the whole world installs such a room where guests can go after dessert for a lie down to aid the digestion.

Finally I showered and washed my hair. I must have used at least 15 towels white fluffy towels during my five hours in the spa.  I was able to blow dry my hair in comfort and leave the hotel feeling totally refreshed and energized so when I hit busy and polluted Nathan Road to bump and bustle my way to the MTR station I could do it with zest!