It seems that if one is to be resident in HK for a time, then you need a HK ID pass. This is, I imagine, something akin to what the Government wish to introduce here (by "here" I mean the UK!). It's quite an effort to get one, starting with a 3 hour herding process from cattle pen to cattle pen. At the same time, the Immigration Dept reckons they see up to 700 people each day and despite the fact it seems a nightmare to begin, I confess that the system is actually quite efficient.

Instead of explaining, I have extracted bits from an email sent to an esteemed friend and colleague. Blackberry's have their use in times of boredom. It was a damn long email in the end, covering everything from underwear to wombats to bonuses (don't ask). The status update on the ID card process came in between other paragraphs. It's a good job we send eqial numbers of emails full of vitriol to each other, and also a good job that inter-office phone calls between HK and London are free.

"Morning. Well, I fear this could be a long email since shall use you to pass the time whilst queuing for the damn HK ID card. I suspect there is an easier way, but I was told faithfully by X to just turn up. Forget about an appointment, just turn up. So, went at ten yesterday - no hope. Back at 8.15amish today... possible hope, but not hopeful. There were about 200 of us penned like cattle in this hot waiting area. Now we've been herded by men in uniform (who look like something straight out of Mao, red berets and everything - can I get arrested for saying that?) up escalators. Now you know that whilst a few people will drop off to other immigration depts on other floors, basically everyone is heading for the 8th floor where you get your ID.

(...)

So, eight escalators up and I am now in another queue. It winds its way around and gets to outside the toilets (but don't fear, no one can go, as they are locked). There's a notice on the wall with a map showing you where you have to go. The map has an arrow which says "you are here". It may as well say "you are f'ked and here for the duration". Now I wish I'd brought a book to read. Something the length of War and Peace would be appropriate.

(...)

Um. Oooh, I have a slip saying 9.30am and the person next to me says 11.00am. There is hope. This slip ensures that I can go up to a counter (at 9.30am with another 50 or so people, also allotted 9.30am), fill in a form and then sit back and wait again.

(...)

I have been seen, I have filled in the form and I'm back in another cattle pen waiting for my photo to be taken. I am number 153, screen currently on 130.

(...)

Numbers now seem to have stopped moving. Great.

(...)

Photo and thumb prints taken. Now back in cattle pen waiting for my number, yep 153 again, to come up. Stuck on 115.

(...)

Have now been seen by a very scary woman and given my temporary pass. I have to come back in two weeks to collect the real thing. F'ing marvellous. I look relatively pretty. I suppose that's a bonus Speak later.

Xx"

And therein lies my THREE hours of fun.

In other news, have managed to purchase the HK Oyster-card equivalent, the aptly named Octopus card. All still well and good and fun! It gets dark around 7.30pm though, which is a bit weird. It's also a bit strange getting in from work when people get up and going to work in the morning when they go to bed.