Fun Fact: @jgl — looks like you had shared a cab with her about a decade ago.“The uglification of Hong Kong and destruction of Lantau is the main reason. I can’t live among skyscrapers, concrete and fencing anymore.”
I met her once too - we rented her flat in Pui O as an AirBnB. It was a strange flat and a strange lady - but anyone who learned Cantonese from her (and I know a few who did) said she was very effective!
A real character, very nice lady and so funny to listen to. Us former and current South Lantau residents consider that to be one nail into the coffin that was a part of Hong Kong quirks and culture. I loved reading her column in the Sunday SCMP - maybe truth began to give Beijing a sore backside?? Love Cecilie's humour and she doesn't mince words. Too bad I never managed to make it to one of her communal home cooked dinners with all the beer one could drink ( even if I am not a beer drinker..) to oil the jaw bones.
South Lantau Icon has left the building. Met Cecilie a few times and found her funny, dry in the Norwegian way, but interesting lady to chat with. I do like eccentrics, but in reality, Cecilie was not really eccentric and had experienced life in HK and China beyond a bit more than the average tourist. I read her book, " Don't Laugh On the Stairs" a few years back an it resonated with my travels through China. Heard mixed reviews about her cooking, though...never got the chance to experience it, or a shopping trip to Shenzhen ( did plenty on my own.) .
You can still download the Naked Cantonese podcasts from RTHK3...
Podcasts: Naked Cantonese