Jon and I arrived in HK, and after fending off a couple of Australian lads at the airport and trying to find the duty free, we made our way to the Marco Polo Gateway. Shortly after we met up with Damien, then Si Sok Steven came down, and we grabbed a bite to eat before Sifu Mark's flight arrived. We had a quick coffee, then since it was getting quite late, we made our way to the usual point of relaxation - San Diego spa, for jacuzzi and massage.

I have to say - I don't know if it was a joke at my expense or what - I have trained kung fu for 16 years, I've fallen out of a moving car, I've been kicked square in the face - but noting quite prepared me for the pain of my relaxing massage that night. But anyway.

The next day, we are all in Hong Kong mode, so things begin to become a bit blurred. We went shopping early, looked at computer parts, car parts, and Damien took me to see the fake guns on sale. A startling array of airsoft weapons in all shapes and sizes. Then we made our way over to the Island Shangri-La hotel for the lunchtime buffet which was as always fantastic. We stuffed our faces then headed back to the hotel. Disappointing to discover that most restaurants etc are now non smoking.

Anyway, we got ready for training and headed out to the Hong Kong school, to meet Si Gung Man Sek Wing, and all of our Kung Fu uncles. We had a good session, obviously there were some very powerful guys there, and it was good to see Si Gung again. Steven arrived, and we made our way to have a school dinner which was great. After the school dinner, the 4 of us went to a bar and had a good long talk about training and kung fu. Time flew by and it was 5:00am before we knew it.

The next day, we went to get Jon's tattoo, but the tattoo Sifu was quite busy so we said we would come back the next day. Instead, we went shopping again, and since we had had very little sleep and were still a bit jetlagged, I can't really remember what we did then - maybe one of the other guys can remind me. I must apologise to everyone present for going on about how tired I was all the time!

The next day we went up to see the 'Kung fu corner' in the park up the road from the hotel. Some great Hung Fat forms demonstrated, amongst a large crowd of people. We headed back up to the tattoo place, and Jon picked a nice Tiger Dragon design and went for it. Much piss taking and one tattoo later, we headed back to the hotel. I had some work to do, Jon and Damien went into town to make merry. Sifu was having a meeting with Si Gung, for some very advanced training - so when they had finished I went down and knocked for Sifu, only the session was still in... session. Luckily for me because I had the opportunity and privelege to see Si Gung demonstrate a few forms and techniques... God. Excuse my enthusiasm; Si Gung Man Sek Wing is on a totally different level - completely sharp and crisp, powerful (because for a small guy he can hold us all out in chy sau as if we were 4 year olds, and we are not small guys - proper power) and yet completely relaxed - no straining, no grunting. And at the same time, a completely humble, friendly and approachable man. Si Gung also brushed up a few of my gungs, namely linking to the ground, and using the lower back to generate force - as well as moving intention around the body.

When Si Gung left, it was quite late; we went up to knock Jon up, and as luck would have it Jon and Damien had just returned. There was all sorts of noise coming down the corridor so we knew the guys were back and obviously training kung fu as usual! Those crazy kung fu kids. We knocked on the door, and Damien appeared in the corridor - shortly followed by Jon - we popped out for something to eat and then called it a night (since again it was about 4:00am).

The following day was another shopping day. We did a hefty jaunt across Kowloon, the ferry - we made our way to a couple of Kung Fu shops because we wanted to get a few sets of forearm rings for training. Turns out we only bought 1 set as these things are extremely heavy. Back at the hotel, Jon was demonstrating a palm technique on the table in Sifu's room and broke it - so we had to pretend that it was like that when we got there - terrible. We had a quick training session there, before heading up to the school again for more intense training. We had a good dinner afterwards, and then headed up to our usual bar for more drinking games and kung fu talk.

Final day, we shot up to the Marriott for lunch, and then caught up on some last-minute shopping before meeting up with Si Sok Steven and Eric, and heading back to San Diego for another (less painful this time) massage.

Then as quickly as we'd arrived, it was time to leave again. Eric treated us to a great meal in his restaurant, Sifu ran Jon and I up to the airport, we dragged ourselves onto the plane and slept all the way back. Good times.

This account is a little foggy so I will in all likelihood come back and clarify a few points as they come to me.