All swapped out

I am a swap meet convert. Especially as I can get the same shopping high but without having to spend any money.

China Beach Club was heaving today with people attending the Transition South Lantau swap party.

You would have thought that, as the swapping was on a one-for-one basis regardless of cost, all you'd get would be cheap junk. But there were amazingly good stuff there, some brand new with tags.

Check out those pretty sandals I got – perfect for summer. And free!

Swap party, anyone?

I must admit the idea of swap meets bring out all my insecurities.

What if no one likes my things? What if no one wants to swap with me? Will I then have to slink home with all my stuff in shame?

It makes me feel like a weedy kid waiting to be picked for a team.

Thank goodness China Beach Club's Swap Party (4 to 6pm this Saturday) is not like that at all.

It's like a jumble sale but without money. You put all your unwanted goods on the table, get as many tickets as you have stuff and use those tickets to "buy" the things you want.

This could be interesting.

I think I'll need one of China Beach Club's yummy apple crumble to fortify myself before plunging into the fray.

Apple crumble

The China Beach Club (Tel: 2983-8931) is famed for its home-made apple crumble (HK$50 with ice-cream, HK$55 with custard and HK$60 with both) and you can see why. It comes in a huge slab with vanilla-scented pastry enveloping tangy, gooey apple slices. A warm mouthful goes well with a bite of vanilla ice-cream. The hot-cold combination means it's a welcome ending to any meal, whether in summer or winter. Heaven!

China Beach... far away in time

Wonderful views and the smell of meats barbecuing on the grill makes for a perfect Saturday brunch at China Beach Club (Tel: 2983-8931). Our surf and turf (HK$205) was enough for two. I had all three tiger prawns with garlic aioli and Buffalo Wilbur had the steak. We were so full after that we didn't have space for their famous apple crumble. But we will try it soon and I'll post photos of that up!