Leglessbird leisure guide

A fun and informative talk by Bonnie, it was attended by 25 people. we have all learned so much about Nepal, its history, geography and culture. If you are interested, check out the tour itinerary.

(1) Please be punctual, or the leglessbirds will fly without you and without notice

(2) If Amber/Red/Black Rainstorm Warning Signal or Typhoon Signal No. 3 or above is hoisted 3 hours before the meeting time, the event will automatically be cancelled. Otherwise we will meet as scheduled and the event may become a drinks gathering in case of not-so-good weather.

For inquiry: Guidance Travel , +852 3598 4873

Date and Time: 7pm Wed 15 Nov 2006
Venue Address: Le Manege, 1/F, Canton House, 54 ? 56 Queen?s Road Central, Hong Kong (Near the old Lane Crawford, opposite to McDonald)
54-56 皇后大道中 豐樂行 木馬會

Free admission, cash bar available, bring your name card for the lucky draw of spa at Le Meridien Hotel and gifts from Nepal

To reserve a place, please call +852 3598 4873 or Email

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Thanks to Nancy for organising the event!

An expectedly high turn-out of 80+ people left Queen's Pier Central on an unusally hot Saturday in November. After 1.5 hours boat ride, we reached Poi Toi Island at noon time and had a yummy sea food lunch before our 2.5 hours walk on a small round trip trail. The initial uphill track proved to be quite demanding for some of our fellow hikers, especially with the wild planets that were 4-6 feet tall. Everyone enjoyed the beautiful view and a cold drink at a store near the end of the track. It was a lovely event with good exercise and the opportunity to meet new friends.

Click here to view the photo album.

A Very Long Engagement (buy from Amazon)
Type: Drama Romantic, France 2004

Director: Jean-Pierre Jeunet

My rating: 4

Key actors/actresses:
Audrey Tautou .... Mathilde
Gaspard Ulliel .... Manech
Jean-Pierre Becker .... Lieutenant Esperanza
Dominique Bettenfeld .... Ange Bassignano
Clovis Cornillac .... Beno?t Notre-Dame
Marion Cotillard .... Tina Lombardi

Posted by Dominic
Story:
During War war I, 5 French soliders were sentenced to death for self-inflicting wounds in the hope of early release from the army. Instead, they got caught and were sent to the front line, a no-man land between the German and French battlefield, unarmed and constantly in the cross-fire, they were going to die for sure. One of the 5 soliders was a young man by the name Manech who had a fianc?¦called Mathilde. After the war ended, Mathilde was determined that Manech survived and she embarked on a journey to find out what really happened and to search for Manech.

My review:
I am a big fan of Am?lie and this film was made by the same team that brought us Am?lie. The story is fairly complicated and it can be hard to follow, you really need to pay attention in order to understand it. The film has done a great job in bring back the 1910s/20s feel of France. The war scene pretty impressive.

All in all it is a good film with a complicated storyline. I won't spoil it by telling you the ending.

Posted by Doris

The Legend of 1900 (buy from Amazon)

Type: Drama, USA 1998

Director: Giuseppe Tornatore

My rating: 5

Tim Roth as "1900"
Pruitt Taylor Vince as "Max Tooney"

Story:
After World War II, Max, an unhappy american goes to a pawn shop to sell his trimpet. The shopkeeper puzzles the tune Max plays is also one as found in an unreleased record. Max tells him this record is made on the Virginian cruise ship, where he has spent several years, the happiest time in his life with the great jazz band and its pianist, also his best friend '1900'. Max starts to tell story....
A baby boy was abandoned by his first class parents on Virginian. He was named as '1900' for the year he borne.
He grew up on the ship & learnt piano by himself.
Everybody likes him for his gifted talents of piano skill, great music inspiration and good character.
He has never thought about leaving the ship till he falls in love with a young pretty gal.....
From here, Max realised 1900 might be still staying in Virginian soon to be demolished, he decides to find 1900....

My review:
Very touching, can't stop crying at the ending.
It's a good movie by director Giuseppe Tornatore beside "Nuovo Cinema Paradiso".
Tim Roth, the piano scene, the pace of this movie are all excellent!!

Cinema Paradiso (buy from Amazon)
Type: Drama, Italy 1988

Director: Giuseppe Tornatore

My rating: 5
Key actors/actresses:
Antonella Attili .... Maria (Young)
Enzo Cannavale .... Spaccafico
Isa Danieli .... Anna

Posted by Dominic
Story:
A man receives news from his aging mother in a little town that someone he once knew has passed away. A beautiful story unfolds about the man's childhood friendship with an old man who was the projectionist at the local theater. Their bond was one that contained many highlights and tragedies, and shaped the way for a young boy to grow and move out of his rundown village to pursue a dream.

My review:
Cinema Paradiso is one of the best movies I have ever seen. It is a very touching movie. I was deeply moved. The whole movie is about the relationship between a kid and the old man who is a film projector controller. The kid's passion towards movie had been developing since he first met with the old man. At the beginning of the movie, this relationship was presented in a very natural, interesting, and humourous way. The kid grew up and the old man continued to be his best friend. The small town had gone through many changes and the kid eventually left for the big city and made his own fame and fortune. He returned to the small town, now an old man himself, to attend the funeral of his life-time best friend and witnessed the demolition of the cinema/church where his relationship with the old man started. The ending was a particularly moving scene, I shan't spoil it by telling you what happened there. Highly highly recommended, don't miss this movie.

Cuisine: Indonesian in Causeway
My rating: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 3.5
Price per person: HK$ 80 - 150

Address and tel.no
28 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay
+852 2577 9981

Irene's Review: This restaurant was renovated for better. I've been here before and recently found it's more delicious. I like all the dishes we ordered. My friend also came here often. Those tables with sofas are recommended. This restaurant is cozy, but small.

Dominic's Review: We had lunch here on a Sat afternoon. It is located on Leighton Road, very close to Lee Theatre, not as busy as the other streets in Causeway Bay. The restaurant's interior is fairly simply and dominated by wooded decoration including some gaint wooden spoon and fork. A wide range of selection of Indonesian food, from sweet to very spicy. We had Indonesian fried rice (Nasi Goreng), Corn pancake (Perkedel Jagung) and Fried eggplant (Terong Kecap), all very tasty. And the price was very affordable. The service was very friendly, though the atmosphere isn't very high class or romantic, but it is certainly comfortable. It is one of those restaurants that you can treat as your canteen, and come back many times.

Cuisine: Thai in Central
My rating: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 4
Price per person: HK$ 150

Address and tel.no
3/F, California Tower, 30-32 D'Aguilar Street, Lan Kwai Fong
+852 29051688

Review: Have set lunch here, 3 courses incl. tea / coffee. It's good for both causal or business. Food is good, meet expectation.

Address and tel.no
Cuisine: Vietnamese in Central
My rating: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 4
Price per person: HK$ 401-500

Address and tel.no
2/F, California Tower, 30-32 D'Aguilar Street, Lan Kwai Fong
+852 28697399

Special dishes: Spicy fish, soft shell crab, lemon grass roll

Review: Very nice atmosphere and delicious Vietnamese food, some spicy, some sour, some sweet, all nice!