Storm Warning !
Trip Start
Sep 04, 2007
1
119
123
Trip End
Sep 01, 2008
Hong Kong,
China
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Since departing Perth, Western Australia we've been blessed with great weather and very little rain, even though Thailand and Hong Kong are in their wet seasons! Well, the day before we're scheduled to depart Hong Kong and return to Canada, Severe Tropical Storm Kammuri skirts past us which prompts authorities to hoist Storm Signal No. 8. This essentially shuts down Hong Kong! Stores, banks and restaurants are closed. Public transit is shut down. Ferry's are not running. The airport is closed. Basically, this put an end to our planned trip to Macau. Oh well, there's always next time!
However, no tropical storm with gale force winds and torrential winds was going to stand between me and a good workout at the gym! Unfortunately, I forgot to check the hotel room's in-house message on the television which recommended all hotel guests remain in the hotel due to high winds and heavy rains. Nor did I check the Storm Signal Warning at the front desk which indicated No.8. After dodging flying debris and a torrential shower, I did make it to the California Fitness gym a few blocks away on Nathan Rd, only to find the doors closed and a note on the door stating "gym closed due to Severe Tropical Storm Kammuri and the hoisting of Signal No. 8". On a positive note, I didn't encounter one tailor on the way to the gym!
The storm did let up later in the afternoon which prompted several stores and restaurants to open. The Charlie Brown Cafe became one of our favorite cafes during our stay in Hong Kong. As it was located about 50 meters away from our hotel, we frequented this cafe a few times to enjoy a cappuccino or dessert. And every time we were inside Charlie Browns, people were always coming in to take photo's and then leaving. Nobody came in the cafe without taking a photo! Finally, on our last day, we succumbed to the desire and took a photo!
Tomorrow we depart the fragrant city of Hong Kong!
Cheers, Rick & Elsie!
