Welcome back

It's been awhile, but nothing's really changed.

As I made my way through the sea of Chinese to Immigration and Customs, at least everything felt familiar. Until the immigration officer took a look at my passport and said, "You passport, it expire 23 Aug? No extension?"

I gave her a baffled look as she pointed to the 23 Aug 2008 date on my passport. Surely I was allowed to travel on a passport that expires in a year's time!

"Yes, 2008" I emphasised, "NEXT year" for better clarity.

"But your work visa is twelve month visa"

Again I gave her the same baffled stare as she proceeded to call other officers over and pull out other forms. As they stood there discussing the difficulties of my passport expiring 7 days before my work permit would, I tried to explain that I would be going back to Malaysian in the next 6 months to renew it but they didn't seem to hear me.

After what seemed like half an hour, and several thoughts of what the detention room might look like crossed my mind, the officer agreed to benovelantly stamp my visa and stuck a big green sticker on it that would allow me to remain in Hong Kong until the 16th of August, a week before my passport expires. So much drama, for such a small matter. That's the way to enter Hong Kong!

As soon as I could check into my hotel and dump a few weeks of dirty laundry at the launderette, I proceeded to Soho with my friends to enjoy the wholesome goodness of Hong Kong food in all it's ajinomoto glory. Asian food never tasted better, except that it could do with some sambal belacan.

A short walk to IFC mall later, and I realised how much I missed grand air-conditioned shopping malls and bars which you needn't have to bribe the bouncer to get in. This is just one of the reasons for returning to Asia. After watching a movie (at the ridiculous price of 4 pounds!) and sitting at Isola's bar overlooking the dazzling harbour skyline, it felt great to be back in Hong Kong. Clubbing later at Dragon I till 4am in my birkenstocks and t-shirt and jeans (and the bouncer even let me in for free!) I could feel all the adrenaline of the city pumping into me... that's until I wake up the next morning wondering why I have a headache and drawing my curtains to keep out the sun glinting on the skyscrapers surrounding my windowed bedroom.

It's good to be back. Come visit me soon!