Outlet shopping

We don't have malls in Mui Wo but one great consolation is that the nearest, Citygate in Tung Chung, also happens to be an outlet mall.

So on the rare occasions we need something slightly more upmarket, at least we are still getting it at a hefty discount.

Buffalo Wilbur needed running shoes (his last one lost its sole during an amber rainstorm) so, seeing as the weather is still too crap for outdoor activities, we hopped on the 3M.

We haven't stepped into a mall for months and I'd forgotten what fun it is to wander around, aimlessly sucking up the aircon.

Highlight of the day? Getting Buffalo Wilbur's shoes for close to 75 percent off because it was the last pair in stock.

Town mouse, country mouse

In her Little House books, Laura Ingalls Wilder writes about how going to town is an adventure and how the town people stare at the plainly dressed farm girls. I feel a bit country mouse-like when I schlep over to Tung Chung on my day off in my track bottoms and T-shirts.

Mui Wo isn't exactly hicksville but it does have a wonderful small-town feel, where people walk into restaurants in their cycling gear or hiking boots. I often wander about the place in shorts and T-shirts and Buffalo Wilbur swears he's seen people in their pyjamas in the supermarket.

But once in a while, it's nice to go back to "civilisation" again. Thank goodness my favourite shopping place, Citygate Mall in Tung Chung, is only a bus ride away. I like the fact that it's an outlet mall so I don't have to wait for a sale to get cheap stuff.

And we have out little routine now. It's lunch at Golden Siam Thai Restaurant (Tel: 2109-4418), where they serve authentic-tasting Thai goodies.

Then Buffalo Wilbur sets up base camp in Pacific Coffee while I shop. Before leaving, we make a quick visit to Taste to get stuff that we can't get in Mui Wo (yes, despite having two supermarkets, I can never get good beef broth).