Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Vicente

I posted several days ago about my garden and how lush it's become in the subtropical saunahellfire of Hong Kong.  And, right on cue, last night Hong Kong hosted its first Level 10 typhoon since 1999.  Here's what those plants look like now:


And here's a video of what it looked like outside my window around 5:30 am:



We're still at Typhoon Level 8 - which means stay inside, businesses are closed, no public transport - and my husband just left for the airport to fly to Olso.  On Aeroflot.

Aeroflot is the reason that I have to take anti-anxiety pills (or several glasses  bottles of wine) before I fly.  In 1989 on a flight from Moscow to Leningrad we nearly crashed - routine business for Aeroflot - and amongst the screaming, the dropped oxygen masks, and the undercooked chicken and odd orange caviar that was the dinner service flying everywhere, a phobia was born.

Aeroflot is, of course, one of the few airlines that did not cancel flights today.  Initially excited because my handsome vegetarian husband was leaving town (which means I get to eat meat!), I have now resigned myself to the fact that I may never see him again.  (Which means I get to eat meat!)

The Hong Kong Observatory reports that we'll soon be downgraded to Typhoon Level 3, so perhaps his flight will take off safely.  Which means I only have five days to indulge in BaconFest 2012.  Who's with me?


Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Um... thanks?

Me, at the garden store this morning:  "Hm.  These citronella candles are pretty expensive.  Do they work?

Employee:  "People die.  Mosquito never die."


Friday, July 13, 2012

What one month in a subtropical environment will do for your garden

We recently moved to Sai Kung and for the first time have a rooftop garden, so we put in a few small plants.   We then promptly left for a one-month vacation in the States, asking our helper to water them a couple of times a week.  Here are the before and after photos.

Coleus and periwinkle:


 One month later:


More coleus, some sort of flower that I forget the name of, and eggplants:


Then Thai basil, lemon balm, and basil:


And one month later:


Should I be scared?