Brrr....it's cold out here!
Ah, remember the good old days back in June of last year when we first arrived in HK, and it was so hot and humid that I was sweating in places I had never thought twas possible to sweat? (e.g. who knew that the front of your knees could get moist??!) All I hankered after in those balmy days was a bit of chilliness; some weather that wouldn't make me want to risk arrest by going outside in my underwear.
Well chaps, my hankering paid off. We are officially experiencing a 'cold snap' just south of the Tropic of Cancer. Having been back in England recently, I was quite looking forward to touching back down in Honkers and its warmth, so much so that I left behind both my coat and a fluffy jumper - to free up suitcase space and to lessen my annoyance (I always end up carrying my coat rather than wearing it for some reason). Oh, what folly that was.
For the last 10 days, the HK Observatory (the same bods who issue the typhoon warnings that I so comprehensively explained previously on this blog - I know you've all memorised those) has been telling us that it's forecasting cold weather and displaying either the Cold, or the Very Cold Weather Warning. The advice in these arctic times is "to put on warm clothes and to avoid adverse health effects due to the cold weather." Additionally, "if you must go out, please avoid prolonged exposure to wintry winds" and "don't light fires indoors." Oh rubbish. That was the first thing that occurred to me in my attempts to keep warm.
Now, I realise this post would have had a lot more impact if it wasn't currently minus five in some parts of England, but believe me people when I say 12-15 degrees celsius is COLD in Hong Kong!!
Mind you, to see the natives, you'd actually think we were experiencing proper penguin-friendly weather - they are wrapped up in woolly hats, scarves, gloves, furry boots and Captain Scott-esque parkas, whereas I am actually coldest when indoors - there's no heating and the wind whistles menacingly through the air con vents, because they don't close. I demand a refund! Nobody told me the Far East gets cold!
As an aside, apparently in India, they've been having to give regular hot-oil massages to the elephants to keep them warm in the intense cold currently gripping the country. Poor Dumbo and his chums.
On a more positive note though, it is approaching the Lunar (Chinese) New Year, so the air is ripe with anticipation and festivities will ensue. Not entirely sure what form they will take at this point, so I shall do a bit of research and get back to you tomorrow.
