Mr. Know-It-All, October 1, 2010

Hi Mr. Know-It-All,
You’ll love this question—which Hong Kong bookshops actually have stock of your latest Big Red Book, the Second Volume in what will probably (and deservedly), become a long-running saga? Keep up the good work!
Aspiring Know-It-All

Yes, yes, you’re right—that question does appeal to my vanity. My fantastic new book should be available in most bookstores around Hong Kong—Bookazine, Cosmos, Dymocks, Hong Kong Book Centre, Kelly & Walsh, Metrobooks, Page One, Swindon and Ling Kee. Just to be sure, I gave a few a call to make sure you can get your hands on the weighty tome and I can assure you these stores still have a few available: Dymocks (G/F, 1 Sing Woo Rd.,Happy Valley, 2893-3824), Metro Books (5/F, Office Tower, Langham Place, 8 Argyle St., Mong Kok, 3514-9021) and Page One (Shop 922, 9/F, Times Square, 1 Matheson St., Causeway Bay, 2506-0381). If all this fails, why not just order it online at hk-magazine.com/books/mrknowitall2 and get free delivery? I would, if I didn’t write the darn thing.

Hi Mr. Know-It-All,
Do you know of any place in Hong Kong that sells old or new ship models or even good ship model kits? Not the 10-inch tacky rosewood stuff from Fa Yuen Street, but something a little more elaborate. I’ve been wanting to buy one for ages but short of ordering it from the UK there doesn’t seem to be a way in this harbor city!
All at sea

Hm, this is a toughie—you’re right, there aren’t any obvious shops selling ship models in our fair harbor city. Some of the private marinas and yacht clubs tell us they got theirs at a marine supply shop in Aberdeen. I’ve tracked one down called Cite at Room C-E, 16/F, Yan’s Tower, 25-27 Wong Chuk Hang Rd., Aberdeen, 2552-0178, but if they can’t help you I’d suggest you try the little antiques shops off Hollywood Road in Sheung Wan, as some beautiful model ships have caught my eye there over the years.