Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club - 20111201

Somehow, I got a chance to have a lunch in the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club.

Most of the Hong Kongers have a fleeting impression to the Club. We vaguely know that it is located near the busy Causeway Bay, as we could see so many yachts anchored around the entrance of the Cross-Harbour Tunnel. Yet virtually nobody would have been there. We are neither their privileged members, nor we are in that class.

To go to the club, you should have your own vehicles, otherwise by taxi. There is a narrow road, just situated next to the packed way through the Kowloon Peninsula, which leads you to the noble place. Once arrived, I wondered whether I was still in Hong Kong, or somewhere else.

The Club is one of the last salutes to Maugham's time. Christmas is coming, everywhere is under decoration. Nevertheless, I have never seen a genuine Christmas tree, at the height of nearly 3-storey, likes the one in the Club's entrance. We are used to those plastic and LED trees. And the outdated wording "Royal", which was firmly held above the gate, has nearly been sanitized in Hong Kong after the changeover. Seeing the old thing, my blood was thickened.

I was placated by the serene atmosphere. In a sunny noon, around the autumn time, sauntering through this colonial place was more relaxing than any Osim stuff. The restaurant was on the 2/F. We walked up a spiral staircases, with all the simple and old sketches and pictures hang on the wall. I suspected some were from Chinnery. Once stepped in the restaurant, the scene was even more breathtaking. The unhindered harbour view was right in front of me. And the structure was smartly-built. It was a circular mansion, so one could view the Victoria harbour as wide as it gets. After all, rich guys get the best stuff.

As it was a business lunch, I did not eat much, even though it was a semi-buffet. Oysters were especially fresh and tasty. However, the portion of the main course could not even satisfy a crying baby's appetite.

After the lunch, my colleague told me that the Club was located in the "Kellett Island", to be exact. I learnt another new thing.