About HongKong trip, it was fun but exhausting. Fun being able to experience life there and having holiday at another country. The exhausting part was playing four games in a role in four days. Body was aching like mad and not having enough rest for it. Anyway, it was good that we are able to win all four games.

Day one, 19th Dec. We met up before six at Changi Airport for our flight at seven. Check in our luggage, went to eat Mac, then to the checkpoint. But I was held by the officer for overstaying. I was only allowed one day entry on the 17th when I came to Singapore, meaning I’ll have to leave Singapore on 18th. Because of this, I was at ICA to extend a day’s stay the day before. I was told at ICA that I don’t need to extend, instead only need to leave Singapore on the 19th. And so, I explained to the officer at Changi Airport checkpoint. But time was really running out for me, it’s almost seven and I was not allowed to leave yet. My phone rung, Jack called me to board the plane now as it’s going off soon. The officer herds the call and asked me what time is my flight. She looks at my boarding pass and hurry on what she was doing with the computer system. She explained that for overstaying, I’ll have to pay a compound but she will cancel it off with a new 30/60 days system. She stamped my passport with the green round departed stamp; I grab it and start to sprint towards gate E4. Everyone in the terminal was watching me for that minute. I didn’t see any boarding gates at first in the shops section and I wonder if I’m on the right way. And finally, I’ve got to the end of the shops and reach gates section. I saw gate E4, the second one at my right. I ran on the travelator and then on to the carpet. Staffs at gate E4 waved at me and shouted, ‘Are you Mr Tan???’ I said yes while panting with hard breathings. The officer stopped me and walkie-talkie to the plane requesting for last passenger boarding, and it was granted. Immediately, my bag was scanned and I was swept with a metal detector. I grabbed my bag and started to run, but I was called back for the phone I forgotten. I turned back for my phone and then dash to the plane. The flight crews welcomed me with a big smile. I think my smile was even bigger for making it into the plane safely. I was sweaty, panting, and very happy that I’m on the way to HongKong. My heart was still pounding rapidly when I settled down on my seat for take off. The flight was great, watching a movie on the palm wide display and having free flow of wines and beers. Not forgetting the meal and cornetto ice cream for dessert. We touch down HongKong airport just few minutes before eleven, walked to the arrival checkpoint and queued for entry stamp. After that, collected our luggage and then to the van sending us to our hostel. Reached MongKok at twelve plus and the streets were still filled with pedestrians. This place lived up to being one of the busiest streets in the world. We went up to our hostel, pick our beds, and then went down for a walk and supper at around two plus. Amazingly, there are still ChaChanTeng open.

Day two, 20th Dec. We had TimSum for brunch because most of us woke up a little late. Then after the delicious meal, we went to walk around MongKok and did some shopping at LadiesStreet. At four thirty, we gathered for our bus to Hong Kong Institute of Education. After reaching HK IED, peoples from the Netball team brought us for a tour around the school. At around six, we went to the court on top of the hill to get ready for the game. The sky was already dark and it’s freezing cold. After some warm up drills, my hands still feels like popsicles. We were very tense during the game. Very low scoring at both sides missing most shots. Guess it’s the first game we are having and also because of the cold weather. We manage to lead by only few goals all the way till the end of the game. The girls did better with their game after ours, winning by a bigger margin. After the games, we played some mixed as well. Then, we have some photos and then back to Hostel on our rented bus. Some went TempleStreet and some of us back hostel to leave our stuff before going out for dinner. We were looking for a steamboat restaurant but couldn’t find so settled for a ChaChanTeng instead. I had fried rice with pork chop and YunYong, and also helped Brenda finished her fish porridge after finishing mine. Then after that, we were back to hostel for the day’s rest.

Day Three, 21st Dec. [Ocean Park] The rides were exciting, the dolphin show, sharks, fishes, the long escalators, shopping, it was fun to the max. At two plus, we bussed back to Admiralty and then train to meet the others for a late lunch. It’s great to have Paul joining us. After lunch, we went to have a short foot massage before going back to hostel and then to ShekKipMei Indoor Games Hall. Game with the HongKong Men’s team was pretty tight. But we managed to hold on to the lead to have victory in the end. Then, we had some photos together and went MongKok SateyWong for dinner. I sat together with some of the HongKies as each table only can occupy six persons. The meal was great!!! Eating so many different yummy dishes cause each of us ordered a few to share. After the filling meal, some of us went HuiLauShan for desserts but I went back hostel to rest.

Day Four, 22nd Dec. A few of us went Adidas factory outlet in the morning. I bought two tops and a white short at a very low price. Then back hostel to gather at two for the game with HK University of Science and Technology. We travelled to ShamShuiPo Sports Ground for the game that starts at three thirty. The game goes pretty well for us winning it quite comfortably. After showering, the sky was all dark, but looking at the time, it’s before seven. We went back hostel to put our stuffs and then went FaYuen Street that also known as ‘PoHaiKai’ to check out some shoes. Shoe shops stretch along both sides of the streets selling all kinds of sports shoes at very reasonable prices. After that, we met up with a friend and went LamKuaiFong at Central for a drink. There were lots of peoples there and there’s even a pub full of Santa costumed pubers.

Day Five, 23rd Dec. We had our last game in the morning today. Few of us met up at eight for breakfast before going ShamShuiPo for our game with HK University. Ladies game first before action for the guys. Both games went very well for us winning comfortably. We had a few quarters of mixed games as well. After that, we had some photos and went on to shower before continuing our day. After shower around three, we went to have lunch at a shopping centre. There were many fans around the centre area waiting for the artist when we had lunch. Later we found out that it is HeiSheHuiMeiMei, a group from Taiwan. After lunch, we went to Nike factory outlet and few other shops for some shopping. Then, few of us wanted to go The Peak for a night view of HongKong. So, we went hostel to put our stuffs and went TsimShaTsui. Before taking the Star Ferry to HongKong Island, we went Esprit outlet near the jetty for some shopping. I bought a top for myself and few pieces for my sisters. After that, we continue on our journey. The ten minutes ferry ride was great, offering great views of HongKong and Kowloon skylines at night. Then after the ferry ride, we took cab to a place at Central to have dinner. During the Journey, our cab crash into another cab in front. Luckily our cab driver breaks in time to minimize the impact, and none of us were injured. But all of us were shocked. We changed to another cab to get to the restaurant after that. The restaurant is famous for its ‘SiewChao’ same as our ‘ZhiCha’ in Singapore. The dishes were delicious. After dinner, we took ‘TingTing’ and then cab to the Peak Tram Station reaching there at almost eleven. The station was deserted, having few of us being the last passengers. Ride to the top passes in a glimpse, sitting in the tram going on the steep tracks was an unforgettable experience. When we got out of the station, it started to drizzle and the winds were freezing cold. We took some photos and then look for a place where we can sit down for a drink. Sadly, all the cafés and restaurants are closed, all the shops as well. So, nothing much we can do except getting down. The tram ride down was even more exciting. We still have to sit facing up while it decent down very quickly. With the steep down momentum, you’ll realise that buildings are slanting if you don’t lean up right according to the buildings angel. Funny feeling I must say.

Day Six, 24th Dec. Christmas Eve. Woke up almost in the afternoon today. Was thinking of going Macau in the first place but in the end decided not to go. So, to make up for the not so fulfilling Peak experience, we went to the peak again. This time, I was with different bunch of peoples. We went to Esprit again and took the ferry across. Coincidently, we met few of the others at Esprit and they were also heading the same way. After crossing the strait, we took bus 15C to the Tram Station. The station was pack with peoples queuing for the Tram ride up the mountain. As one of us has an eight o’clock plane to catch, we hurried up with cabs. It actually cost less taking cab up the peak than tram. So, we were up on top again. This time, enjoying the not so foggy and day view of HongKong. It was still pretty cold with winds blowing consistently. We had our fill of photos and even asked foreigner to help us with the camera. After less than an hour, we cab down to Central MTR station to go back to hostel. At night, I went FaYuen Street to buy a pair of shoe I saw earlier. We spend some time looking for the shop as I have forgotten which shop it actually is with the whole stretch looking the same. I finally got it and we continue to Temple Street. After the much walking and sightseeing, we bought KFC back hostel to eat and have our own Christmas countdown.

Day Seven, 25th Dec. Christmas Day. Last day of the trip, missing home and also having this feeling of reluctant to go. It’s very weird having this mix feelings. There are only five of us lefts, all the rest have went back to Singapore on different earlier flights. So, Jack, Edison and me went WongTaiSin temple for some sightseeing. Then, we had brunch somewhere nearby and went StarWalk for more last minute sightseeing. At five, we gathered for our van to the airport. The ride was great having the sun set view on the TsingMa Bridge. After checking in our luggage, we did some last minute shopping at the airport. After reaching Singapore, I was stop at the checkpoint again. I was granted one day special pass this time. Because that I enter Singapore after midnight on the 26th, I only have to leave on the 27th.

This is a very exciting trip to HongKong. Unforgettable with many unique experiences. I’ll definitely visit HongKong again for the experience and things I’ve missed this time. Photos will be up when I have them.