By and large, the mood on the Mid-Levels Escalator this morning is one of deep foreboding, verging on near-panic. The human conveyor belt transporting hundreds of Hong Kong’s clean-living, hard-working, disfranchised taxpayers into the central business district, long seen as … Continue reading
On the top floor of S-Meg Tower, in the teeming heart of Asia’s leading international financial centre, the Big Boss surveys his senior management team around the conference room table. Before the morning meeting comes to an end, our visionary … Continue reading
Dawn, and the day’s first dozy and dolorous commuters arrive in the central business district of Asia’s leading international financial centre. They are watched discreetly by wild American friend Odell in his upholstered little lair near the window in the … Continue reading
A few random and hasty observations to summarize Jakarta succinctly in a brief, condensed nutshell… 1. The restaurants don’t have smoking areas – they are smoking areas. One exception: one of those places selling chocolate mousse with shaved cheese, where … Continue reading
Once tough, manly and fearless, ever-prepared to send its young men to Gallipoli, North Africa, Vietnam and Iraq, the Australian Government loses its grip and issues the following advice to its citizens: We advise you to reconsider your need to … Continue reading
Some describe Jakarta as the city of tropical charm and Javanese hospitality; others call it the warm, throbbing heart of the island of paradise. I call it the place that’s like Manila except the police cars don’t have doors missing. … Continue reading
Jeez, just found this in his thumb drive… Dusting cinnamon powder over his pomegranate-tree oil and organic frangipani iced mocha in the clinically pristine surroundings of the newly renovated IFC Mall branch of Pacific Coffee, wild American friend Odell I’ll … Continue reading
Anyone out there get up like really early in the morning? Like me today. It used to be that RTHK 3 just played some kinda taped show with all music and no talk right up to the morning news show … Continue reading
Jeez, OK so you know all of a sudden he’s away an all on urgent business (he says), so I’ve gotta try and keep things going somehow, like I’ve even got the time. I told him I’ll post some of … Continue reading
In the slightly dusty, faded Formica splendour that is Yuet Yuen Restaurant on the seedy edge of Central, Administrative Officer Winky Ip – no younger than she ever was, but voluptuous always – wraps a tissue round her finger and … Continue reading
