Finally Back Online!

Apologies for the long absence. First it was the busy holiday season (brother and sis-in-law in town for a week, last-minute shopping, party-planning etc.), then it was Hong Kong's internet access blackout from a damaged submarine cable caused by an earthquake in Taiwan. I had no access to my gmail account or my yahoo-hosted accounts for several days. Life without internet access just comes to a standstill. Couldn't even get onto zuji.com to book my hotel in Hanoi for 2 Jan! Anyway, big sigh of relief now that google sites are accessible again. *Phew!*

Promise to post pics of kapok and Stanley's beautiful new public toilets when I get to Macau tomorrow evening to prepare for the Casino Royale NYE party. Finally, got a game worked out, but still a few odds and ends to take care of, like picking up some Champagne and creme de cassis for kir royales. In the meantime, check out this cute, little upstairs shop called onefineday (3/F, 85 Queen's Road Central on the northeast corner by the escalator; T: +852 28106805) started by four women with backgrounds in advertising. They have a great selection of books and magazines on travel, living and gastronomy, cute gifts sourced from the owner's extensive travels and a great selection of CDs.