Initial Days in HK

Continuing from previous blog

And I landed in HK the next day morning. Anup had given so much instructions (on how to reach hotel from airport) that it was impossible for me to get lost. I reached safely to the accommodation provided by my company. The hotel was good, the rooms/flats were even better. Fortunately, I got a 2 bedroom suite, due to unavailability of 1 bedroom suites.

I slept as soon as the reached my room. Hunger woke me up in afternoon, found a Indian restaurant near by and had nice lunch. It was so good that I had dinner too at the same restaurant. I strolled near the sea shore and gazed at the other side of Hong Kong island, the Kowloon Island. It was so beautiful, my eyes just refused to blink.

I am feeling like this blog is going to be a bit long, have so much to write.

The next day was first day to my office. Anup had asked me be at the reception at 9 am. But I started very early and reached at 8.30 am. Again his instructions to reach office was very precise. He had shifted to Tung Chung as his free stay at hotel expired. He escorted me to the office and introduced to my manager. My desk, user id and phone were waiting for me for nearly a week.

The first weekend was a looooong one. April 2nd, 5th and 6th (3rd and 4th was Saturday and Sunday) were declared as Easter holidays. I was so much detached from my family. Loneliness lured me during those 5 days. Neither was I acquainted to city nor had the enthusiasm to explore it.

By this time I had started searching for a shared accommodation for the next 3 months, since Nanda and Chinni would be coming in July. All the flats that I had seen were either too small or didn't have kitchen. I had visited Dinesh's house too, but it didn't attract me so much. I was in touch with a lady, Caroline Xiang, through mail, who had offered me her flat for less than what Dinesh had offered me. I felt it was a good deal to accept. 

But then Caroline was in UK and the keys too. She some how convinced me to send money over Western Union and she would send keys. The agreement was $8000 deposit and $4000 rent. I was not so much convinced but also wanted to save more money. She asked me send $8000 first and then she would send the keys. This raised a doubt and I asked for her credentials. She sent her passport copy too.

I had to vacate the hotel on Saturday evening, it was 7th Thursday and I had not decided upon anything. I finally informed Caroline that I will send $4000 immediately and $4000 upon getting the keys. She agreed and I sent $4000 on Friday !!!!!!!!!!!! She replied saying back "Please send the remaining $4000, as I spent all the money in paying utility bills and don't have money to courier the keys".

She turned out to be a crook. I had lost $4000 before earning it. Talked to Dinesh, discussed my willingness to share his flat and moved on Saturday 10th April evening. By this time, the advance pay was approved and credited to my account. $7700 was given to me during my travel and I had given $4000 out of it to Caroline.

I still argue to myself that am I so dumb or I ignored everything in urge to save more. Whatever, it cost me an amount which would have helped me in several ways.  Now when I want to gift a nice dress to Nanda or send money back home, I remember $4000 and feel wish I was careful in making that decision.

There was never a willingness to disclose such a dumb act. Will it bring back my money doing so? Only Nanda knew the updates on this matter, also had told her not to share it with anybody. Definitely, Mom and Dad would feel more pain than me.

Never have been bitten by bad luck so badly, never have lost money before this, never was so ignorant and never will I ever send money via Western Union.

PS: Make sure this doesn't reach my parents please :)