Lakmali storms Hong Kong!

At the beginning of Carson's final week here, Lakmali Gunewardena joined us for two weeks of adventure. She's a celebrated Sri Lankan playwright-poet and the mother of my long-time überfriend, Manu Sporny.

She's also a celebrated cook, so we didn't resist when she offered to make us this wonderful meal!

With the chef at Hand2Hand, an amazing (although unlicensed) Ghanaian restaurant in Chungking Mansions

Trying on leather versions of a traditional Chinese style jacket in the Yue Hwa department store (in the end, we didn't buy, but we liked them)

The lengths Carson and I go for photography
(in this case, the subject was a giant snail)

In Yuen Long with Zoe, an iLearner colleague of Carson's, for poon choi...

Too much food for us to finish (too much to finish even half)!

The eating was so fast and furious that Lakmali speared right through her bowl

Wax apple trees at the giant fruit farm in 大棠荔枝山莊 (where we went to pick and eat)

Zoe poses with her branch of wampee

...and her branch of lychee!

Who knew!
(Note that this picture makes it look like the male bathroom is called the "bat cave". So dramatic!)

Seconds later, that was off the tree and in my mouth

Carson's farewell dinner at 鼎泰豐 (with Katherine's parents, Phoenix, and Ningning)

Dim sum at the Star Seafood Restaurant!

Fabric shopping in the Western Market

Trying one of my favorite desserts, 楊枝甘露 (mango with pomelo and sago), in Honeymoon Dessert

At Ginko House, which is operated entirely by retired individuals, with Jennifer and Angela Heung (who we last was about a year and a half ago)

Sampling the delicious cordyceps (冬蟲夏草)

Wading through night crowds in Mong Kok

A movie night where we all made steamed buns together! (And watched Audrey Hepburn in "War and Peace")

The custard buns were perfect!

...nice and custardy :>

Waiting for the Peak Tram in a sea of people

Here comes the tram!

Up we go!

Victoria Peak: The best view in Hong Kong

At Victoria Harbour, getting ready to board the Star Ferry from Central to Tsim Sha Tsui (on the very boat that is directly behind Lakmali, in fact)

The view from the Tsim Sha Tsui branch of 功德林, a great Shanghainese vegetarian restaurant

Shopping for (and sipping) tea during a repeat visit to Yue Hwa

Enjoying the Harbour's magnificent evening view

Watching a Tai Chi practitioner on the campus of Hong Kong University

Dinner with Katherine's parents in their home

Shopping at McQuarter, the official place to buy McDull memorabilia

Dinner on the 4th of July just had to happen at American Restaurant! (Too bad they serve "Peking Food"! ;>)

We're waiting patiently while the fellow in the background slices our...

Peking Duck!

We loved having Lakmali with us and we sincerely hope she can visit again!