My sisters are my best friends, business partners and all time favorite travel companions. It is a great joy to spend quality time together and a luxury to be able to combine work and play.
From the onset, excitement was inevitable knowing the sense of humor that we sisters share.
On the morning of our flight bound for Hong Kong, the security was tight. All passengers were instructed to remove all metal objects attached to their bodies and walk through beeping metal detectors. Suddenly, a commotion of laughter ensued from the middle of our crowded line. An elderly gentleman stubbornly insisted on removing his pustisos (false teeth) while a security officer frantically pleaded with him not to do so. Yet the man wouldn’t stop, claiming that his mother taught him to be a law-abiding citizen who always obeys the rules. My sisters, fellow passengers and I were in stitches as boisterous laughter reverberated in the air.
Our arrival at the former Crown Colony was met with cool crisp weather and a warm welcome from the friendly staff of the elegant Four Seasons Hotel situated in Central and adjacent to the grand new IFC Mall. Christine, our ever reliable travel director, was determined to make sure we would be stress-free, productive and happy in the newest address in town, just opened six months ago. Conveniently adjacent to the city’s sophisticated transportation network of MTRs, ferries and closest to the Airport Station, commuting would be a breeze. As for me, I was just so excited by the rare opportunity of being able to sleep and wake up together in the same room with my sisters just like we did when we were precocious kids.
My late father, Ting Dayrit, who especially favored the Four Seasons chain would surely have loved this hotel. Our spacious room on the 35th floor featured a spectacular view of the harbour gleaming like an endless sea of shimmering aquamarines. I felt like Pretty Woman Julia Roberts when a knock on our door revealed a welcome treat of Vieve Cliquot champagne and a plateful of chocolate- covered strawberries, reminiscent of Richard Geere’s famous Beverly Hills suite movie scene.
Time flew so fast as we attended to endless appointments. My energy level was being challenged while Yvonne was nursing a cold, thus Christine booked us at the Four Seasons’ spa for a soothing oriental infusion massage, their signature treatment, done in breathtakingly beautiful rooms showcasing the infinity pool that seemed to flow into the harbour below. Our muscles melted in sheer relaxation and all our bodily aches were swept away by the graceful motion of smooth heated volcanic rocks, therapeutic strokes and gentle kneading by the masseuse. After our treatment, Christine urged us to jump in to the warm water hydrospa. Like little kids, squeals of joy and laughter echoed as the boats of our view bobbed in Victoria harbour.
I woke up the next day to the chatter of my sisters in the cozy bathroom with the plasma TV and the soothing scent of L’Occitane verbena shower gel and lotion. Our room was also equipped with wi-fi Internet access. Christine would always start by reading to us a prayer of inspiration and thanksgiving before we discussed our agenda for the day. Then we trooped to the executive lounge for breakfast. I went nuts at the sight of a dripping fresh honeycomb in the middle of a sumptuous buffet spread. Feeling like Winnie the Pooh, I dipped my fingers into that sweet liquid pot of gold! (Food is also a bonding catalyst among members of our family. We simply love to eat that any occasion in our lives is always celebrated with food and laughter.)
In the middle of eating our muesli, we saw our good old family friend and Hong Kong solicitor Stephen Lau having a breakfast meeting in the table next to us in the posh executive lounge. Stephen is a very proper and refined lawyer whom we hadn’t seen in years. My sisters and I couldn’t contain ourselves as we impulsively rushed to his table, screamed his name and kissed and hugged him tightly. We were totally oblivious to his conservative British clients who were all shocked. One of his clients, upon regaining his composure, even remarked humorously: "Stephen, we never knew you have been living a secret life, hiding all these beautiful women from us!" We left Stephen blushing profusely. Since then, Stephen and our family have been in constant communication. It is always nice to reconnect with old friends.
On our last night, our dear friend Prima Wong, the gracious PR manager, insisted on getting together for a special French dinner at the Caprice restaurant to bond with the Four Seasons family. Our heels clicked sexily on glass-etched floors that led to the chef’s table. We were met with a tablecloth not made of fabric but a fresh mantle of huge red rosy petals that perfumed the elegant room overlooking an open kitchen.
There we met Vincent Thierry, the brilliant Caprice chef de cuisine. I will never forget him because of the two Vincents in my life – my only son and my late loving father. We were joined in by Caprice manager Jeremy Evrard and F&B director Peter Draminsky. We couldn’t decide what to order from the menu and so the chefs decided to surprise us with their creations. Vincent orchestrated his chefs in his kitchen preparing Trilogy of fine de Claire oysters with truffled vinaigrette, tartar of scallops with light mascarpone mousse, oysters, and clam toast and lemon, Seabass with baby artichokes fricassee, melted onions and belbi black olives, roasted Brittany lobster with tropical vanilla and candied fennel. The heavenly desserts of coconut dacquoise with pistachio créme brulee, light tapioca with pineapple and coconut sorbet and chocolate napoleons was simply divine. Such glorious food was complemented by Vosne Romanee Francois Feuillet 2002 and Saint Emilion Grand Cru Chateau Soutard 1999. Jeremy introduced all the wines and dishes in his charming French accent.
It was delightful to feast on edible art so painstakingly and lovingly prepared for us.
After that excellent French dinner, a visit to the ultra chic Blue Bar kept us chattering over Peter’s enjoyable martinis, vodkatinis and lycheetinis. It was an unforgettable evening as we exchanged anecdotes about our respective companies and the values we shared.
Before we went to bed that night, my sisters and I pondered on the The Four Seasons credo. Its Golden Rule: Treat others the way you want to be treated. Their Golden Habits: No. 1 - Always say yes; No. 2 - Go the extra mile; No.3 - One team, one goal. No wonder we felt so at home realizing that we share the same philosophy in our family and business.
It turned out to be one of our most productive trips ever. Thanks to a happy balance of work and relaxation made possible the Four Seasons way. I wish all working trips could be just like this!
(I would love to hear from you at miladayjewels@yahoo.com)