… three precious weeks, day 12.

It’s a full schedule today… First to… the “Animated River Show”. 

I stayed at NN’s place last night so I won’t get lost… or be late getting there.  Winnie came by in a “green” taxi and then the three of us were dropped off at the departure curb of the airport.  We were scrambling to try to find a taxi to take us to wherever this place was, which was suppose to be very close but not within walking distance. (Thank God!)   But it was illegal for any taxis to pick us up from the curb so… we finally followed the signs… (I was worried there for a while, you know how signs are with NN & me, a big cause for concern) and finally found that we can take a train there.  The three of us met up with 00 and it was off to see the exhibition/show.  It was actually pretty interesting.  The scenes would be from day and night but the screen was so huge that it took us “4 days” to see the whole thing.  Actually it was “five” days since I wanted to see the kid run after the pig again. 

After the show, we took a “blue” taxi and headed out into the “country”  The taxi driver that took us there was really talkative and I thought “Wow!  We have a driver and guide all rolled into one!”  He pointed out areas of interest, gave us background history and such.  We even saw a herd of wild cows walking on the road.  He pointed out the “Big Buddha” and from the road, it was very grand.  But our destination was the Dai Yue San and there we got off to go to this little food place where 00 has pre-ordered “Salt baked” chicken and where we can order vegetarian food.   The place had so many dogs of all shapes and sizes!    The food was delicious and we were very lucky to be able to share half a chicken with the table next to us.  I took one bite of the taro fish and I get an allergic reaction.  It was either that or there were invisible mosquitos.  I had to to wash my chin off with cold water then compress it with a tissue. 

After lunch we went walked back to the “market” place and what happens?  00 waited for charcoal “egg” waffles!  Hey!  That’s what it looks like to me!  Haha!

Then Winnie got grilled squid… with NN getting a bottle of “preserved” lemon.  While I thought I got a bottle of ‘water’.  My first sip was like… “Ewww… this doesn’t taste like water… what is it?”  I was told later that it was like an energy drink… yuck!  We spend a lot time there so we decided not to visit the “Big Buddha” because by the time we get there, the place would be closing anyway.  So it was off to dinner…

But before dinner,  NN had a surprise for us.  The place where we would eat dinner, there is a “store” next door.  The owner, she said, was very temperamental so she doesn’t know if we would get served or not.   We were going to get Hong Kong Milk Tea at $60 a shot.  The name of the store is “Chang’s Store”.  We walked in and my first impression is… what are we doing here?  The place was very unique.  It had eight chairs and a large table carved out of tree trunks.  There were no other tables and all kind of knickknacks hanging on the walls.  Outside there were table with trays that sells fruits.  The owner… Mr. Chang was very… expressive.  He kept telling us that he was once on 東張西望 and they came and interviewed him.  He was a constant performer!  It was funny that he insisted that we all watched him brew the tea… and then “taught” us how to drink it.  He didn’t serve the tea in a mug or cup but served it in a big bowl.  We looked at the bowl and said two of us could share one order. There is a sugar container on the table but no sugar because he doesn’t believe that the milk tea needs it.  Hmmm… it was very much like a wine tasting.  He wanted us to taste the texture of the tea and how the aftertaste dances on our taste buds.  He added “mango” jam to the tea and made us sip it.  Then when May came and joined us.  She wanted the “blue mountain” coffee.  Of course, we had to stand and watch him made that too. 

He then pours the one order into two bowls and we each had a sip of it.  WOW!  This sip of coffee will be something that I will never forget!  It was sooooo good!  The way that the essence of the coffee became stronger after you drink it.  It was amazing!!  Mr. Chang must have really enjoyed us as an audience because he then treated us to a special that he has… microwave 鴛鴦!  Anyway, after spending almost two hours drinking all that caffeine.  We walked next door for dinner… roast goose, fresh steam fish, stir fry veggies, and… don’t remember.  Have you noticed?  Throughout the whole day… it was either drinking or eating and we were not finished yet… After dinner, we walked over to another place for dessert.  Hahaha!  That night, 00 and I took the 小巴 back to a MTR station.  We had the whole bus to our selves.  Cool!