Diary – 14 July 2007

Hong Kong

It is very good to be back. So good that I can ignore the horror of the summer weather. The humidity suffocates and is only relieved by sudden and violent downpours. But these are minor irritations in a city that is back to its best. The economy booms and the shops and restaurants are full. I watched a pro-democracy march and was reminded of the glorious fractiousness of the Hong Kongers. No power on earth should pick an argument with them. It is a passionate nature which can occasionally find expression in unfortunate ways. Take the case of Mr Kwok who finds himself very nearly eyeless in Kowloon. Six years ago Kwok was set upon by his girlfriend Ms Po who in the midst of a romantic tiff tried to gouge out his left eye with her finger. As a result he lost the sight of the eye. Now Po has struck once more after accusing Kwok of having an affair. On this occasion she used a chopstick to again attack the left eye. But horrified by the blood pouring from her boyfriend’s eye socket Po fetched a towel and comforted the stricken Kwok. Sadly, by morning she was furious again and this time stabbed his right and remaining good eye. This was enough for the hapless Kwok who finally went to the police. This unhappy event has produced any number of insensitive jokes, e.g. he should have seen it coming, or he should have kept an eye out for her.

When in Hong Kong I always visit the old colonial cemetery near Happy Valley race course. I am writing a book on the epic siege of Kohima in 1944 when a small band of British and Indian troops held at bay a Japanese army attempting to invade India.