Last weekend, we finally met Kelvin and his family (our 30th visitors!) in Hong Kong. Amazingly, this is the 4th time Kelvin and I met overseas (none in Singapore since 2005!). After spending a good day with him, I realised Kelvin is a very very devoted and pampering father. Most of the time, you will see him carrying his 2 little princesses (2 and 4-year old girls or should I say 12 & 21kg girls?). It was a difficult, tiring and back-breaking task - especially he had to squeeze through the conjested human traffic, going up and down Hong Kong's unfriendly slopes and steps.  

To make things worse, I left his precious travel buddy - the baby stroller - on a cab! He had to carry the 2 princesses when we strolled down Causeway Bay. I felt so bad and guilty that I bought him a new stroller. It will be a handy buddy when they visit Disneyland on Sunday.

Amazingly, the cab driver returned the stroller the next morning - he left it with our security guards. Since I took leave on Monday, we went to Disneyland this morning to bid farewell to our dear friends and returned back his princesses' favourite stroller. (Yeah, Cherie was jumping up and down when she saw her stroller!)

No, this is not a bird park. It is a free public park in Hong Kong. A gem well hidden and blended perfectly in the heart of the CBD. Beautifully landscaped (water-fall, lake, tree-walk and a big aviary), this is a great sanctuary for the birds and city-dwellers. Hong Kong surprises me again!

Cousin Tai and I first met when I was only 14 - he flew from Pakistan to visit us (with his high school friend, Omar). Together with my uncle-in-law, we visited a lot of tourist's places in Singapore. The old Satay Club and Seletar Reservoir were one of those places we went. I even remember watching "Ramboo III" with them in the cinema. And he taught me my first advertising English term - "TV Commerical".

The second time we met was when I was 18. I was going to army the next month. Father and I brought him to new Haw Par Villa (Tiger Balm Theme Park). Felicia and I were just attached.

The third time we met was when I was 27. I have just acquired shares in VOXmedia - my early entrepreneur's days. Felicia and I were married. We have just moved into our newly renovated Eunos flat. Felicia and I met Tao with Cousin Bin. He was staying at Marina Mandarin and we had dinner and drink at the new Esplanade. Later that night, we walked him back to his hotel and he gave us a few bottles of drinks (that I carried home - man, darn heavy!)

Last Sunday, we met again - our 4th encounter - and this time in Hong Kong. I am 33, father of a very pretty 4-year old boy Elkan. Tao is considering to relocate to Hong Kong for a 3-year assignment. And if this is so, it will be the first time we be living and working in the same country (provided fate allows that.. mmm.. or it will be another case of me moving away when he arrives...)

We are from the same Chua family...yet our fathers and us have been living apart for so many years. Despite the distance, the bond and brotherhood of yesteryears remain so intact and strong. For it is very true... blood runs thicker than water.

3 days ago, my mother-in-law finally left for Singapore. Elkan cried really badly at the departure gate. For me, I decided to skip the whole "departure drama" - for I am also as sentimental as my own flesh and blood.

It wasn't easy for the adults too - I am sure my mother-in-law misses him as much. 2 days prior her departure, Felicia and I painted "white tales" to pacify his innocent mind.

"Elkan, poipoi is leaving soon" Felicia told Elkan.

"Cannot.... I want poipoi to play with me?" Elkan looked at me with his sad eyes. "Where is she going? Why?"

"Elkan, poipoi is going back to Singapore to take more money - so she can come back and see you." Felicia pacified him.

"Mmmmm......Okay, then she come back ah?" He asked.

"Yes..." sighed Felicia "...and Chups yiyi will be accompanying her back."

The last 48 hours went by calmly. Elkan was mentally-prep and he seems to accept this "short departure". He trusted the white lies and was confident that poipoi will be back soon. For Elkan, Oct-Nov was his happiest month abroad. For the past 1 year, he was always asking for his granny. Whenever we have visitors, he would asked his mummy if it is his favourite "PoiPoi".

The time finally came when poipoi hugged him goodbye at the airport. Instinctively, Elkan knew this will be another long departure. He broke down and cried at the gate. He waved sadly at Poipoi. A long sad heart-breaking 2 minutes. Poipoi left and things were norm again. Felicia and Elkan went home, feeling very very sad.

3 days passed. Elkan still has that "hangover feeling". Whenever we mentioned "poipoi" or "Singapore", his eyes redden and turn watery.

Last night, I asked him "Elkan, do you miss poipoi?"

He paused, nodded his head and  gave me a very big warm smile - with tears of affection in his eyes. I expected him to cry out loud. Instead, he jumped on me and gave me a big tight hug. No, he didn't cry last night. Both of us knew the answer. For I do miss my own late granny very very much.

Saying goodbye to Shanghai wasn't easy. Foggy, misty and cold, I visited some of my favorite Shanghai haunts during my last night. Absence for only 4 short months, so many things have changed... Yet the warmth and sincerity of my friends and loved ones always remain unchanged. During my 4-day stay, my friends, ex-colleagues and cousin showered me with so much love and warmth. Indeed, Shanghai has rooted a very special place in my heart. Sigh...for that split second, I wish I hadn't left. If Shanghai is indeed a girl, I would love her very very much. Yes...Miss Shanghai. (it is hard to compare this place with other cleaner and "tidier" cities in terms of tangible factors - I guess it is the memory, the people and the personal experience I had for this place.)

23-year old Sweetie Chups is our 23rd visitor in Hong Kong! Another lovely guest for my little monster to terrorise.
Glad to have you here, Chups... you sure bring home closer to us ~ again. We sure miss you a lot!