Gradually clawing my way back to health. I’m sure I will be fine in time for the holiday on Friday, at which point I’m also sure that it will rain again.

For lack of anything better to post, here’s a web site dedicated to selling a single house, which happens to be in my neck o’ the woods. (It looks much better in IE than Firefox.) But the contact numbers are in China and the email address is yahoo.com.cn.

Looks real pretty from the outside:

A chandelier in the frigging bathroom?

Oh, I find this furniture so depressing:

The Chinese furniture seems much nicer

Japanese garden

Outside barbecue for serious barbecue (though that’s a tiny little grill for such a setup, isn’t it?)

The pool:

The interior of the house is 8,000 square feet. It includes 5 bedrooms, 5 full baths, 2 half baths, 3 kitchens! “this is an one and only prestigious 3-stories mansion is situated in Hong Kong’s New Territories Sai Kung”

Full description of all floors is given, including this one:

• The 3rd Level houses 5 bedroom suites each behind a prestigious entry including a large Master Bedroom Suite with Sitting Area and Balcony; Each of the Bedroom Suites has its Private Full Baths, decorated with French Draperies and Teakwood Closet; The Master bedroom has a partial ocean view, and a balcony and bathroom that overlook the Japanese landscape. The Master bedroom has an area of 380 sq. ft., a corridor of Teak closet upon entry, and a luxurious bathroom equipped with Swedish Sauna, Jacuzzi bathtub w/LCD TV, and Separate Shower with complete view of Japanese landscape.

And as for the garden area, a small gotcha:

Under New Grant No. 3896, Section 6, this estate’s garden and swimming pool area of 18,406 sq. ft. is held under the term of government lease commencing from July 1, 1898 extending to June 30, 2047 (Term of 99 years). Annual lease of HK$104,800. Although under government lease, this land is exclusively used by this property, and the owner has invested at lease $20,000,000 on the improvement of landscape. Designed by renowned landscape designer, Miyamoto Taro, during his visit to Hong Kong in 1982. This authentic Japanese Landscape features unique hardscape and species, including a priceless 100+ year old Buddhist Pine and other exquisite trees and shrubs. Other features include Fish pond, waterfall, swimming pool & spa, and impressive iron fence surrounding the property.

The government leased lands values at approximately HK$50,000,000, unlikely to be purchased by any third party as it is only suitable for this property’s landscaping purpose.

Anyway, they’ve figured that the house and garden, including renovations, ought to be worth approx HK$120 million, but they’re asking just HK$78 million. Furniture, antiques, rugs, lighting fixtures not included but negotiable.

If any of my readers wants to grab this on my behalf, I promise you’ll be invited to all parties thrown there.