Day 68 – Park Life

To be honest, today has been a bit of a “blur” …

It all went so quickly.

I am at The Mandarin Oriental on Hong Kong Island. It was opened in 1963 and after a multi-million refurb and 9 months of closure, reopened in September 2006. I have stayed here often … and it’s very odd being back.

Staying in The Lichfield Suite is awesome. On the 20^th floor, it has amazing views around HK … but it’s a huge 3 rooms for just lil’old me!

0600 – Awake! The sun is shining!

0700 – Meet lovely Shevaun at reception and battle the “fans” to get opening shots completed. All done.

It's just a bath Al!

0800 – A shave … quite brutal actually … very close …. but Stephen the barber was only acting on our direction … so who can I blame??? I know, Tim the cameraman! HAHA!

0900 – To the spa for some “cupping”. Apparently I am stressed and the cups (suction cups on my back) tell that story. Tim is worried by the rings left on my back – if it’s good enough for Gwinnie Paltrow at the Oscars, its good enough for “moi”! By the way, it was cryingly painful!

Cupping Painful

1100 – The Captain’s Bar – for a cigar and beer – for the show of course! Beer was served in a silver tankard … classy!

1200 – The Krug Room – the “secret” room in Hong Kong with the most amazing food you have ever tasted! The food scientist Uwe Opocensky – who has just spent 6 months with Ferran at El Bulli – is creating here in Hong Kong. OK – his cooking/creations are totally amazing – an apple caviar, a veggie plate where the veggies have been steamed under pressure to retain its taste, and the Star Wars inspired Universe dessert. OK – you have heard this first here (maybe) by Uwe is THE future of cooking … totally amazing. I owe this feature to a friend who suggested finding a secret room on location – well here it is Chick!

Science of Cuisine?

1400 – In The Lichfield Suite … room reviewing. Designed by Nicky Haslam, it’s very cool – especially when John Lobb and Ferregamo pop in with clothes and shoes for me to shop! Haha!

1600 – Interview hotel GM – Peter French … in The Mandarin Suite – 2222 at the hotel … the best! He’s a cigar smoker SO we're destined to be friends.

1700 – A HUGE Rolls picks us up & takes up to interview Rainy Chan, the GM at The Peninsula over the Harbour. Al is speechless … it’s very sweet.

2000 – Dinner with Shevaun & hubbie Al. They are fellow Pimlico chums so we have much to discuss! We dine at the Pierre Garnier restaurant – on the 25^th floor. A VERY lovely evening! Thanks guys …

2400 – bed – have a 0600 call time tomorrow – yuk…!

Song of the Day: Easy Lover – Phil Collins & Phil Bailey

Weather: Sunny but sticky

Weight: NO MORE FOOD PLEASE!!