Hong Kong: Fourth and final day

My Grandma and Grandpa (urn on the right)

Placing fresh flowers and water in the urn

On our last day in Hong Kong, we paid respect to the ancients, visiting my great grandmothers grave in ‘Aberdeen’, the graveyard didn’t have an inch between gravestones or memorial plaques. My great grandfather and her were both on the same square tile with their photo’s and dates on number ‘175’, and both of their ashes mixed in the same urn. We poured in fresh water and places a fresh flower in the urn. My great uncle Hansen (who’s job i found fascinating, from working as a photographer in advertising to calming down individuals hours before they died allowing them to complete the process peacefully without fear or pain – a job inspired by his increasing Buddhist faith) and great aunty Genie, one of the most graceful women i’ve had the privilege of meeting – took us to a lovely vegetarian restaurant close by (in which they don’t serve onions or garlic as these are believed by the Chinese to be stimulating foods that disrupt the mind during meditation). Corn soup and sweet and sour mushrooms and veg was enjoyed to the fullest.

Hansen's parents gave

Our last vege meal

We began winding down as we took our time packing our suitcases and venturing off to the airport island where our old friend lived. We drove passed more beaches and beautiful trees, greeted by our friend infront of a small Chinese cafe we were lead up an obscure path to her sweet apartment, when the shutters opened a slice of the sea could be seen. As I silently inhaled on a small spliff I saw mum glanced at the flight times and the previously relaxed state was turned to panic as we realized we’d got the flight times mixed up and had to leave to the airport straight away. The next few hours weren’t relaxed persay but we made our flight, waving off Hong Kong and our newfound connection the our family, friends and a new land. Mannerisms like washing all of your eating utensils before a meal in hot water, or saying ‘mm-goi-sei-lei’ meaning ‘thank-you very much’ have now been proudly ingrained into us and a new layer of understanding was upon us as the plain descended into a familiar city of bright lights and mamak, Kuala Lumpur.


Recipe of the day: Clear peanut soup with spare ribs
http://www.smokywok.com/2009/11/chinese-peanut-soup-with-spareribs.html