The coldest weekend ever

This has been the coldest weekend that I can remember since being in HK these past 3 years. Being Canadian the cold really shouldn't bother me so much, but I just can't get over how cold it is even indoors. Unlike having the luxury of central heating systems, I just need to wear more layers. Right now, I'm wearing a thermal shirt underneath a t-shirt,a fleece jacket, and socks! But it's so cold indoors that my clothes feel super cold before I put them on. This ice cold feeling of fabric is something I really dread!

It's only 13 degrees inside! (Photo: CathC)

One thing I have to say is that our apartment would be significantly warmer if our windows were better sealed and insulated. Since I'm in a rental, I don't have plans to change the windows. But that would definitely an improvement on making it through the winter more comfortably.

A definite sign of leakage, it's actually a few degrees colder next to the window--only 7 degrees (Photo: CathC)

Rather than stay home in the cold, CharK and I decided to head to the mall. We took the bus over to The One in Tsim Sha Tsui, and it turned out to be pretty good choice. Being one of the tallest malls in the city, there were quite a few shops to explore. Plus it was actually pretty warm indoors, aside from the floors closer to the ground level. As a bonus, we tried a new Vietnamese restaurant. I liked the fun seafood baked rice, which was served inside a young coconut. Unlike the more popular pineapple fried rice, the coconut meat actually adds a very prominent taste to the whole dish. Yummy!

The skewers were actually like a deconstructed vermicelli noodle dish. The lettuce wraps up the pork and noodle inside. (Photo: CathC)

By night fall, the HK Observatory reported that Sunday was the coldest day in the last 59 years. Apparently it dropped down to below freezing on Tai Mo Shan. News reports also showed many people driving and hiking up HK's high peak to see the icicles and frost that had accumulated. As a result of the slippery roads, frigid conditions, a number of people had to be rescued by emergency crews after being stranded on the peak.

Drinking hot tea and snacking on chocolate is my favourite way to stay warm at night. (Photo: CathC)

This cold weather is suppose to last until at least Wednesday, so at least there's warmer weather in sight. This has definitely been a memorable winter, experiencing the cold weather in HK!