back then Hong Kong was a...

[jasonlulu_2000]

Please help me to hear the missing parts, which I am not sure about.

"Back then Hong Kong was a ________ for __________place, the most improbable of all Britain's imperial adventures."

Thank you！

Jason

 

[jutfrank]

Back then Hong Kong was a desolate [...] forlorn place

I'm not sure what's between desolate and forlorn. It sounds like or but could be and or even nothing.

 

[Tdol]

It sounds like desolate or forlorn to me.