Trip To The Far East Part Two

The test results came back as normal with the problem I am experiencing in my stomach. Yet my doctors office says I need to get another opinion to the problem. I will be seeing a surgeon shortly . I will keep you posted.... Thanks for all the e-mails and phone calls.--Percival

This is the final chapter in the trip to Asia by my friend Dave Drason Burzynski. I want to thank you personally for your friendship and being an outstanding manager in our profession. You're truly a credit to our business.

The daily trips on the Star Ferry that take you to the Kowloon side of Hong Kong, viewing the city in panoramic splendor, is a sight you soon will never forget. But, my favorite is the trip on a funicular to Victoria Peak to view the city from the highest point in Hong Kong. You stare in awe as this large metropolis lays out in front of you, dense and tightly packed together, the harbor and outlying mountains as a back drop, a sight if you have ever witnessed is one you will never forget, one of the most wonderful city sights on Earth. But, if you are impressed with this during the day, it is magnified ten fold after sunset. The buildings light up the night sky like lanterns, some even change color, a sight unmatched anywhere in the world.

We visit the famous Stanley Market, to me a tourist trap of shops selling inexpensive everything you wouldn’t want to bring home for yourself, no less give away as gifts. We dine on much Dim Sum throughout our stay here, Chinese appetizers that are steamed, fried and sautéed. We also go up the world longest escalator, a half mile in length that goes up the hillside to different neighborhood districts that offer shopping and dining.

On our last day, my 50th Birthday of all days, we lunch in the Soho District at the Staunton Street Wine Bar and Café. I must say, the food being great but the wine pours even greater. Huge Reidal crystal glasses and a generous wine pour, to boot. To my surprise, the three waitresses at the café serenade me with a Happy Birthday while being presented a complimentary Creme Broullie.

Funny is that they asked me to make a wish before I blew out my candle, which I did. Before we left the restaurant, they asked if I had made a wish. I said yes, that I could take all three of them home with me. They blushed, laughed, and giggled all the way down the staircase as we exited.

After more walking throughout the city, we returned to the hotel to get ready for our final meal, and one of the reasons we came here to start with, a dining experience at the Jumbo Floating Restaurant, out in the middle of Aberdeen harbor. A short boat ride to Jumbo, lit up like a Christmas tree with thousands of colored lights, we have an exquisite meal, as good as I had expected if I had ever returned to this city. What puzzled me was, having never mentioned anything about this day to anyone at the restaurant, and neither did Janet, I was presented with a wonderful assortment of dessert treats, complimentary, and with another chorus of Happy Birthday. How did they know? But a wonderful experience it was once again.

Upon our return to the hotel, I now find a card and cheesecake with Happy Birthday written on it, compliments of the hotel, on my pillow. Now, I wondering, how did they know? The only thing I could figure out is that when we checked in and they took my passport information, they noticed the date. Thus, when the concierge made my dinner and lunch reservations, he must have tipped them off to the fact. Which also explains why I had another present in my room as well. Now that is what I call attentive service. Much appreciated and a fine ending to a great vacation.

Now, it's the long ride home. An uneventful ride back to San Fran, where, after we clear customs, we go to the Northwest check in desk where the attendant tells us that our flights will be delayed going to Minneapolis, resulting in us missing their last flight home to Detroit. We were given the option to fly to Minneapolis or stay in San Fran an extra day and take a direct flight home the next day. Was there any other choice? I stayed in San Fran, they put us up for the day, gave us meal vouchers, so all was well in breaking up the flights. When we got to our room, we turned on the local news where we learned that the flight from Minneapolis to SF was rerouted back to MN because parts were falling off the plane. This would have been our flight to MN had we stayed. Luck must have been with us, as we stayed the night, got on our plane back home, and ended our fabulous trip safe and sound.

Our only problem has been readjusting to the 12-hour time difference. We’re wide awake at 5 in the morning and can’t stay up past Jeopardy at 8 p.m. Slowly but surely, we’ll be back to normal soon. It’s good to be back, and look forward to seeing and corresponding with you all once again. Thanks for taking the time to read through our epic adventures.

Percival A. Friend, Retired
The Epitome of Wrestling Managers
2004 CAC Honoree