Rolling with the Punches
Saturday started bright and early with exercise. A friend had mentioned some classes at 24 Hour Fitness, a local health club (gym) that we both belong to. I decided to check them out. After a half-hour class concentrating on abs, I took an hour-long cardio kick boxing class. Cardio kick boxing is something I had always wanted to try, but I wondered whether I could do the kicks and keep up with the pace. I had no trouble with the pace and enjoyed the high tempo music. The kicks and punches were another story. They proceeded rapidly from one move to another, and I had never done this before. It was like learning a new dance step, and I felt like a fish out of water. The instructor previously had studied martial arts, and her movements were so quick and graceful. It will take many more classes before I can master the various moves.

I have seen many ads for HK health clubs 健 身 中 心 (gin6 san1 jung1 sam1), and I am thinking of checking them out next year. On the other hand, I would prefer to exercise outdoors and probably will be busy with other activities. So it remains to be seen whether I actually will join a HK health club. Any good recommendations in the Shatin 沙 田 area?

Driving into the city (San Francisco) on Saturday afternoon, I noticed a lot of fog. The late night weather report said there would be especially large waves, and I was on my way to see them at Ocean Beach, the large beach that runs along the west side of San Francisco facing the Pacific Ocean. With fog over much of the city, I didn't expect the scenery to be very good. Besides, I had forgotten my camera, which turned out to be a big mistake. Starting at a trail that I had seen before, I walked north towards the Golden Gate Bridge. Surprisingly, the sun was out, and the sea was spectacular--dark blue, white-capped waves, and a gentle breeze. The trail had many beautiful vistas of the sea, beaches, and bridge as well as some romantic, secluded places. I enjoyed the walk so much that I have plans to return again soon--this time with my camera.

There are lots of Chinese restaurants in the city, and I wanted to go out for something nice on Saturday night. But after my first two choices were all full (wedding banquets), I was beginning to wonder whether I would have any luck. When I got to my third choice, 南 海 魚 村 海 鮮 茶 寮 on Irving Street, they had a wedding banquet, too. But fortunately, they had some extra tables. The meal was everything I hoped it would be. After ordering 大 千 海 鮮 煲 (daai6 chin1 hoi2 sin1 bou1) spicy seafood hotpot, I noticed that another table had 蝦 醬 鮮 魷 (ha1 jeung3 sin1 yau4) stir-fried squid with shrimp sauce--one of my favorites. So I decided to add it. I'm glad I did. Sometimes, it's amazing how good a simple dish can be when it's cooked right. The squid was a perfect texture--not too soft and not too tough--and the shrimp sauce was especially flavorful. It reminded me of a similar dish that I had last year at 舢 舨 海 鮮 酒 家 (saan1 baan2 hoi2 sin1 jau2 ga1) Sampan Seafood Restaurant on 南 ㄚ 島 (laam4 a1 dou2) Lamma Island (see photo above). And even though I wasn't part of the wedding party, it was fun to sit there and people watch (好 熱 鬧).

In the Bay Area, it's getting harder to get a table at the better quality Chinese restaurants on weekends. They often are completely reserved for wedding banquets or other parties. I wonder whether that's a problem in HK? With as many restaurants as HK has, I would guess not.  ¶ 9:00 PM