Wow! How fast time flies...... [Part 2]

The much talk about Lantau Island by Uncle Kee is our place of visit for today, 10th March.  After breakfast we take a slow walk to the bus stand, hop into the bus and off we go.....

bought our tickets and  queue for the cable car

off we go......

 The new project works can be seen clearly from above 'Hongkong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge.'

Hongkong Airport

 Finally we are there, being welcomed by the beautiful landscapes and surroundings......

posing with uncle before we start our ascend up the Tian Tan Buddha

here we come, hubby's first climb....

despite the many steps we reach the top in just couple of minutes

The views surrounding this Big Buddha is spectacular and the feeling of peace and tranquility really overwhelm us.  Uncle Kee didn't join us in the climb, so after enjoying the 360 degrees views up the Tian Tan Buddha we made our descend.  Next is the Po Lin Monastery which is equally captivating....

The Grand Hall of Ten Thousand Buddhas

made our way back to Ngong Ping cable car

as our cable car lifted from the ground we saw buffaloes grazing below

So much for this captivating experience and to get back to Kowloon we decided to take MTR instead of bus.  After a good rest, we meet up with cousin Kaling and hubby for a sumptuous meal.....

After a satisfying meal we take a stroll back to uncle's cozy home and conversation continues on as usual, after which we call for the night......

Wow! How fast time flies...... [Part 1]

Wow! How fast time flies...... as I look back, I just can't believe that my last blog article was nearly two months ago! What have I been doing for the last two months?  Supposedly I am as free as a bird, opted for an early retirement since November 2004, but I still find myself so much occupied with things which I enjoyed doing each day.  Many people would have thought that life would be bored and meaningless after quitting their job, but trust me, as long as we are willing to move forward positively with contentment, life can be even more meaningful, wonderful, joyous, peaceful and great!

Just a quick flashback for the last two months.....

On the morning of 5th March both me and hubby are flying in to KL to spend Chap Goh Mei with our eldest son, Alex and family. In the evening after fetching grandboy Brendan from school we head off to Setia Walk to have Korean BBQ.  Haven't meet our dear grandboy for two months, there seems to be lots of catching up between grandparents and grandson......

It's just a short stay of 3 nights in KL as both me and hubby are flying off to Hongkong to visit our Uncle Kee.

On the morning of 8th March we took our flight to Hongkong and was met by Uncle Kee.  Upon arrival we stop by for lunch at the airport and my first meal is the delicious Goose Rice.  After our meal we took a bus ride (No. E22A) all the way from airport to Hau Tak Estate (No. 36 stop), Kowloon and with a short walk we arrived at Uncle Kee's residence.

Spring Time in Hongkong is nice, which is cooling and need not worry of sweating like my previous trip with Karen in the month of Oct/Nov, more than a year ago.  Can't help putting a wide smile on my face.....

Uncle Kee insisted taking us both out to visit a few of Hongkong's popular tourist area.......

Our first stop is The Peak

enjoying the breathtaking views.....

Our journey up to The Peak was by bus, all the way from Kowloon to Hongkong Island, then took The Tram down, and with Uncle's know-how of weaving in and out of Hongkong Island we get to see many more places as compared if we were to move around on our own......

St. John's Cathedral

Post Office

Letter Boxes

To travel back to Kowloon, Uncle is bringing us to experience the Ferry ride from Hongkong Island using the Star Ferry.  As we walk Uncle is pointing out to us the way to the Ferry Pier, the place to embark our ferry.

The Hongkong Observation Wheel

here's the ferry.....

in the ferry....

here we come Kowloon.....

Stop by for lunch, after which proceed to our next stop of the day - Avenue of Stars!

pledging our support for the late Bruce Lee

hubby enjoys sitting on the Director's chair

The morning has been cool and windy, but it starts to get a little warmer in the afternoon.  Uncle and hubby is a layer thinner with their shirts, which also means it's time for us to get back home and have a rest, especially our dear uncle who have been our personal tour guide since morning. Till tomorrow.......

Celebrating the Lunar New Year with lots of home-cooked food!

All the hustle and bustle of preparing for the Lunar New Year 2015 just slip by like a 'flash of lightning!'  It just seem like yesterday that the sights and sounds of fire crackers and fire works fills the surrounding with great boost to this joyous celebration BUT never could we imagine that today is the 11th day of The Year of The GOAT!  

On the overall, the celebration is on a moderate mode for most people including my own family. What we enjoy most is the FOOD!  With my daughter coming back a week before the celebration and the need to leave by the third day and youngest son starting his first job two days later outside hometown, thus I decided to cook their favourite dishes for them to enjoy.  

Sea Cucumber Soup

Assam Prawns

Honey baked chicken wings

Skinless Longganisa (Filipino Sausage)

Steamed Golden Pomfret

Baby Cabbage with scallops and pin mushrooms

Pan-fried bacon prawn wrapped

Vegetarian Chap Chye

Stir-fried sambal belacan paku

Most Chinese families will cook Mee Sua during the Lunar New Year is it represents Longevity.  I cooked duo-style (1) dry, topped with Chinese leek, cabbage, dried mushrooms and chicken slices and (2) soup, chicken and dried mushrooms with rice wine.  

The Henghua Style

The Foochow Style

Steamed prawns

Stir-fried Chinese leek with prawns and chicken gizzard

Though there are still some more, but I think so much for now.  This year's Chinese New Year's Eve Reunion Dinner our Kuek family go for something different from the usual Chinese sit-down dinner......

Yee Sang

The way they served us with the meat dishes.....

special ordered 'cold dish'

many other varieties of side dishes.....

With 14 dishes served hot, right to your plate which comprises of different styles of lamb, beef, chicken, fish, mussels, duck, and pineapple, well.....it's indeed a hearty meal and one with a unique experience ~ SMILE ~

Wishing everyone "A Happy, Blessed, Joyous, Healthy and Prosperous Year of The GOAT!"