Random Thoughts by Pauline
February 6 2014, Thursday
Last Back Garden
As my mother ages, she announces
that she is not taking overseas trips with me anymore, afraid that she will be
my burden. Well, I can understand that. So instead, when it is school holiday
but not public holiday to avoid the crowd, I will coax my mother to leave her
comfy sofa and venture out to the countryside. The itinerary is I drive around,
park the car, dine and then go home. Simple as it sounds, it is a good enough
break from her routine of “eat, sleep and watch television”. So late this
afternoon, I drove to Sai Kung with my mom without any particular destination
in mind.
When I drive, I have this habit
of not turning on the air-conditioner unless it is really hot or I am stuck in
traffic. It was the same this afternoon. When I drove down Sai Sa Road, I
rolled down the window pane a little bit to enjoy the soothing breeze with the
Platters singing in the background. We got off as we came to a roadside parking
lot in Nai Chung. Slowly we walked down a flight of steps and found ourselves
in a charming seclusion with tiny bungalows, shallow sandy beach and trees.
Families were there fishing, flying kites or simply enjoying each other’s
company! We sat down on the embankment and watched the sunset – not stunning
but heartwarming! First time for my mom!
Then we walked back to the
parking lot. It was already six and so we crossed the road to the bungalows
opposite. These are all residences turned restaurants offering fusion menus and
outdoor dining. My mom preferred indoors and so we sat down next to the
fireplace, not a real one of course. Though the food was too salty, the relaxing
ambience more than made it up. For a moment or two, I thought that I was in a
pub in Edinburgh!
What a great way to spend an
afternoon! I have to do this more often! There are so many places in Hong Kong
that I have not yet explored! What a shame!
