Swimming to the bitter end.

A Return to the Silveri Hotel.

27.11.2022 - 29.11.2022

The pool in the sports club we go to was supposed to close on the 21st of November. We were really enjoying swimming every day up until that point. The weather was perfect. The sports club decided to stay open for an extra week and we were really pleased, but the weather changed dramatically. It was cold, gloomy and raining every single day. Nonetheless, we managed to swim on four out of seven of the extra days. We usually swim in both pools on the last day, but it was so cold we decided we would make do with just one this time.

Siena Pool on the last day of the swimming season.

Bye bye seals.

Peter trying to look warm.

Me pretending I am not freezing.

The last day of the pools was also the last day of 22°North Restaurant in Discovery Bay, so after our swim we went and ate there one last time. I had smoked salmon with fries and vegetables. Peter had a charcuterie board. We will definitely miss this restaurant. Our lovely waitress even gave as two souvenir 22°North glasses as a keepsake.

Peter with his Leffe.

My Scottish smoked salmon.

Peter with his Leffe and charcuterie board.

Peter had also booked us another night in the Silveri Hotel in Tung Chung for the 28th of November. He thought we would not have been able to swim outdoors for a week when he booked it and knew their outdoor pool did not close till the first of December. We really lucked out here as on the 28th the sun reappeared and the weather was perfect for swimming for our entire stay. Tomorrow, temperatures are expected to plunge down again.

We checked into the hotel just before 3pm. We were shown into the executive lounge where we could have afternoon tea while our check in process was completed. Peter was looking forward to his ice-cream again. The best food this time was the wonderful mini egg tarts. Those were delicious.

View from the indoor part of the lounge.

Our room was next door to the one we had last time and was the same as the other room but all in reverse which I found a bit confusing at first. The view our over the airport was lovely, especially since the weather was so good.

Corridor in the hotel.

Our room.

Me in our room.

Peter in our room.

A little girl in my class gave me this little toy dog. We call him Eddie and he likes hotel visits.

Looking out over the airport.

View from our window.

After quickly unpacking we headed down to the pool. It's not heated but because it isn't deep and it gets more sun, it wasn't as cold as swimming in Siena, so we had a lovely swim and had the place to ourselves for most of the time.

Peter swimming.

Me swimming.

After the swim, we showered and changed. We were just in time to watch the sun go down.

View as the sun goes down.

Darkening sky.

View from the room at night.

Then we headed to the executive lounge. We decided to sit out on the balcony again, as it's warmer than in the air-conditioned lounge and it has lovely views and is extremely peaceful. This time they had bottled peroni beer. Peter was horrified to find there was no beer on our earlier visit, though the young man in charge went and got him some. I drank white wine. The food included: cream of mushroom soup, chicken yakitori, Thai fish cakes, spring rolls, cheeses, cold meats and a selection of rolls and sandwiches. The mini egg tarts were there again, too. Yippee!!!

Looking over the pool from the lounge.

Me enjoying the lounge.

Peter on the balcony of the executive lounge.

When we had finished eating, I left Peter watching some TV and I went out to photograph some of Tung Chung's Christmas decorations. They all seemed to be based around Chupa Chups who manufacture lollipops and other confectionery. I've only come across them here, but having just looked them up, I have discovered they are actually a Spanish company. When I was a primary school teacher, someone would always send in Chupa Chups lollipops to the kids' Christmas party. I was forever trying to open the bloody things.

Chupa Chups display.

Chupa Chups Christmas tree.

Chupa Chups display.

I also took some other photos around the mall.

Poinsettia.

Citygate shopping mall.

Citygate shopping mall, Tung Chung, Coach shop.

Shop in Citygate mall.

Jimmy Choo Citygate shopping mall.

Tung Chung musical fountain lit up at night.

I had a good night's sleep, though Peter was following the world cup with his headphones on. I'm not sure how much sleep he had.

We woke up to a beautiful sunny day.

Hard to believe it is supposed to be miserable again tomorrow.

Last time we stayed in this hotel, I had a bit of a sore tummy and hardly ate any breakfast. This time I ate lots: mushroom and cheese omelette, bacon, pak choi, toast and even more mini egg tarts - I think I may be becoming an addict. I probably shouldn't have eaten so much though as after breakfast we went swimming again. I'm amazed I didn't just sink to the bottom. Haha.

Me after my morning swim.