One More "Wake-Up" and we're outta here - ARGHHH!!
Unbelievable. One more nights sleep, one more shower
and we are on the plane to Athens. I'm sad and happy, excited and disappointed.
Have had absolutely no luck trying to contact apartment owners/renters
in Athens. Only a few people have bothered to respond to my enquiries, and they have had unsuitable accommodations.
Bummer. Looks like my first week will be spent trying to find a place to live (and get us out of the 5 star hotel they've
put us up in).
Mike worked all weekend, but managed to sneak out to Lamma
on Saturday night for our final good-byes to those good people. Was a fun night, if not bittersweet. Did manage
to leave my jacket in the bar, but Rajen to the rescue is bringing it to me today. Thanks buddy!
Final packing stages going on, nothing much else to report.
Next post will probably be from Athens! Amazing.
Adios, Hong Kong. It's been real. It's been fun.
And it's been real fun!!!
Friday, February 23, 2007
Thank you kindly, Mother Nature, for restoring the sun to
Hong Kong so I could say goodbye in a proper manner.
Despite the fact we were out a little late last night, I
jumped promptly out of bed this morning and headed for the peak. . . in bright sunshine. For Christmas, I bought Mike
a framed vintage photograph of Lamma Island taken from the peak, and I've wanted to try and reproduce the shot as close as
possible in order to get a comparison shot to put with it. And, although his picture is safely in a box headed for Grand
Rapids, Michigan, I think I did it. I took about 80 pictures, so I'm sure one will match close enough!
Did a little last minute shopping, found a pair of nice walking
shoes on sale (in my size!!!), bought some extra lithium batteries for my new reading light, and met the boys in Lan Kwai
Fong for lunch. As I was leaving the peak around 11 AM, I decided to walk down, which is something I hadn't done yet.
Well, I walked the wrong way for about ten minutes until a nice lady (who I asked) told me, so I turned around and headed
the right way. My watch told me it was 11:20 as I hit the top of the trail to Central. I figured I had plenty
of time (mind you, this is my $3US watch I bought at the market here), so after walking for what I gauged to be about 20 minutes,
I reconsulted said watch, and it said 11:20. . . uh oh. Looked at my phone (which was and has been securely placed in
the same pocket on my camera case that I lost it from on Mui Wo), which said 12:04. Grabbed a cab for about a 4 minute
ride and arrived directly in front of the Hong Kong Brew House for lunch.
Had a nice lunch, came home, dropped off my purchases and
wandered around for a little while longer. Came home and worked on the Friday NY Times crossword (failing miserably),
had a catnap, and finished reading "Galapago's" by Kurt Vonnegut.
Now, I haven't read anything by him since "A Clockwork Orange"
in High School, and I didn't care so much for it at the time (maybe I should re-read it now), but I found "Galapago's" to
be GREAT! In fact, it's funny, but sometimes when I get "smart" (read: drunk), I have even argued this storyline
as how human life will end up, or maybe really is. . . . Read it, if you're into reading. It's cool.
Boys are cutting over tonight, so it's 7:17 and they're still
at work. I'm meeting a friend of a friend from home for lunch tomorrow (her name is DeeDee and she is from Grand Rapids
and her husband is working for Steelcase here and they arrived the same time as us and I've NEVER seen her here yet, I'm an
awful person). Her husband is in Kuala Lumpur until tomorrow night, and they have a small baby, but will be nice to
finally see her in Hong Kong.
Also tomorrow is our going off party at The Island Bar, and
there's a band, so should be great fun. Even some of the other crew members who haven't left the island except to go
to Macau on a visa run (which all they did was go through immigration, get right back on the boat - WEAK), say they are going
to go. Should be interesting.
Trying to get packed and decide what I need for Greece.
Looks like the weather is starting to warm up, although still quite cool at night. Probably bringing too many sweaters,
but as British Airways and I are in a big fight about how much weight I can bring in my suitcase, I finally just purchased
an extra bag worth of cargo from them, so DAMN IT, I'm using it! There website says like three different things
about weight allowances, and then when you call them here in HK they can't tell you what rule applies to you. Quite
frustrating. Whatever. I will have plenty of sweaters in Athens. . .
Still doesn't seem quite real. . . .
Lovely Lamma
Thursday, February 22, 2007
5 days to Athens, Greece!!!!!
Hong Kong weather has NOT been cooperating with my desire
to go out and take farewell photos of my favorite spots (peak, harbor, etc). Cloudy, misty, rainy, humid. And,
it doesn't appear we are trading it in for much better weather in Athens, where it has been cold and rainy. Well, colder
than here for sure.
Had every intention of going to the fireworks on Monday night,
but it was really ugly weather. We decided to go to the Marine House and watch them from the 50th floor roof of the
apartment building they are housed in. Unfortunately, the visibility was horrible, and we were forced to go inside and
watch them on television. But, being the devoted photographer I am, I took some pics of the television screen so I could
post a couple pictures here and try to fake you out that we actually went. I am, however, ruining that by telling you
we didn't and admitting to what I did. Anyway, here's the pics of the fireworks from the television. . . WEAK!
Poor visibility atop the Marine House, which is why we were nerds and watched on TV
They were the most awesome fireworks I ever saw. Wish I would have stood in the rain and fog!
Honestly! WOW!
After the fireworks, we headed down to The Globe in the rain
to have a couple, then headed home to bed.
Had a very fun night Tuesday in Lamma. It was our last
Standard Charter Twenty night. So, a little background: As I mentioned previously, there are two different banks
that print money here in HK, one being Standard Charter Bank. And the Island Bar has a special on Tuesday nights where
you can buy any drink for $20HK as long as it's a $20 bill printed by Standard Charter Bank. Well, we'v been hoarding
them for the last 4 months, spending them loyally every Tuesday on Lamma.
But, we ended up with quite the surplus. When we left
for Lamma we had over 40 of these wonderful little fun tickets. And, we were determined to spend them all there, as
why spend them anywhere else?
Plus, a few people who NEVER come out for SC night made an
appearance in our honor, which was awesome. So after we settled in with our first round, we did a head count and
"rung the bell". Which means you are buying everyone in the bar a drink. That, plus our first round, put us back
about 28 20's. After buying a few more for ourselves and a few more for our friends, I did another head count.
We were down to 11 people in the bar, and I coincidently had 11 20's left, so I gave that bell another ring! Plus, Rajen
rang the dang thing somewhere along the line as well.
It also works really, really well for keeping people you
don't want to leave in the bar, as they will always stick around for "one more", heeheehee.
And, another plus, is strangers coming over to thank you
for the free drink, and meeting MORE cool people. Tuesday we met a guy named Claude and his girlfriend Nancy.
Nancy is from California, and is visiting Claude, who lives in HK, for a week. And, although Claude has been here as
long as us, this was his first trip to Lamma Island, so it was funny enough to meet them by accident. Then, after talking
to Nancy for a little bit (cue music: It's a small world after all. . . ), I found out her BEST FRIEND is from Grand
Rapids, Michigan (our hometown for those not in the know). Hilarious.
ANYWAY, made a date to take Nancy shopping on Wednesday.
And, needless to say, we were all in terrible shape when
we fell aboard the 11:30 ferry back home.
The awesome IFC Tower under cloud cover on the way to Lamma
Lamma Ladies!
Claude and Nancy, and some crazy woman. . . oh! That's ME!
Wednesday dawned too early for me, so after getting up at
8, I immediately went back to bed! Nancy called around 10, and we set a date to go shopping at 2. I took her to
all my favorite bargain basement haunts, and we both secured some bargains, had some Hot Chocolate Gelato, and arrived back
to the apartment just after 5 PM. Walked her to the subway, then jumped a cab to Lan Kwai Fong to meet Mike and the
crew for some quick drinks, grabbed Kabobs to go from Ebenezer's, and came home and watched "Borat". GROAN! Some
one owes me an hour and a half of my life back. In bed by 10 PM!!!! Felt so good.
Woke up in the middle of the night having a nightmare there
were robbers in the house. Peculiarly, they were saying "Gung Hey Fat Choi", which woudn't make any sense if they were
robbing us, but whatever. Had trouble getting back to sleep afterwards, but managed finally.
No big plans for today, although I may go to Kowloon with
Nancy. Or, I may practice packing to see how much more stuff I need to mail home before we leave here.
I feel sorry for Mike, though. He has to work all weekend
(it's cutover!), and Monday and Tuesday, then jump on the plane to Greece Tuesday night, arrive early Wednesday and go to
work again. Plus the fact he flew directly here from Papua New Guinea (although he did have a few days off when we first
arrived). No break for him, and this is the most stressful part, then go right on to another big project where he is
arriving a few weeks behind everyone else. Poor guy. He needs some R & R!
Oh, and twice this week on two separate occassion by two
different people I was told I looked like Princess Di. Now, I KNOW this is a compliment (and a sure one, as she is/was
WAY better looking than me), but WHY does it bother me, and always has since I was 14? Anyway, those who know me know
what I mean. And, Mike got a Tommy Lee Jones thrown at him. . . funny. That's a new one for him!
Monday, February 19, 2007
GUNG HEY FAT CHOI
(Happy Chinese New Year of the Golden Pig)
That is not a literal translation, I'm sure, but I'm proud
of learning my FIRST Chinese phrase (outside of mumbling what I think is "Thank You" in Chinese).
What a wild a fun weekend we've had. Thursday night
was bad, though. Met up with Mike's supervisor Angelo from the Consulate, Natalie, TJ, Mike and Natalie's friend
(who's name is escaping me right now) at Al's Diner in Lan Kwai Fong around 7 PM (the boys were working late. . . again!).
Proceeded to have a few cocktails, drink through the dinner hour, and fall home into bed around 12:30 AM. Ouch.
You would think we would learn. . .
So, Friday morning was a little slow, except Mike left his
BAG at the BAR Thursday night, so I had to hoof it over there and deliver it to the Embassy for him (before my shower or anything!).
All was intact, though, thank GOD for honest Asian countries!
Well, we were invited to Rajen's on Lamma for a BBQ on Saturday,
and I had volunteered to bring potato salad, so picked up those supplies on the way home and made about 5 kilo's of yummy
salad when I got home. . . then took my shower, for those worried about my personal hygiene.
Friday night was the normal mayhem. Down to Wan Chai
for dinner at Agave's with Nat and TJ, joined up with a couple of Marines, Patrick and Nick, and partied up and down the avenue.
Ended up at Carnegie's for a little while, where Natalie danced on the bar (with a variety of other clientele). Surprisingly,
I decided to skip this experience. It was a fun atmosphere, but really, really LOUD, so we went over to the Devil's
Advocate for a last one before home (and saw our mute Chinese bootleg DVD salesman and made him a happy dude once again).
Saturday morning we took it pretty easy. Made Mike
his most favorite corned beef hash and runny egg breakfast, lounged around, said good-bye to Natalie (she's off to Mombassa,
Kenya for about a week), napped a bit, then grabbed our overnight bag and the potato salad and headed to Lamma Island.
It was misting a bit in HK when we left, but still quite
warm. Checked into our hotel and headed over to Rajen's. Sun came out and gloriously shined upon the party for
the rest of the afternoon. Good people, good eats, good fun! Arrived around 4ish and stayed until almost midnight,
when we had to adjourn to The Island Bar for the fireworks and "crackers" (firecrackers lit off all along the bay).
Needless to say, the bar was packed. The fireworks
were okay, and I got my second wind and we all made it til about 2:30 before calling it a night.
Rajen and his brand new grill and BBQ set! First time user!
BBQing some DEE-LISH chicken wings
John and Louise T hamming it up for the camera (notice John's black eye of unknown origins)
Kumar and I hamming it up (minus any black eyes)
Louise K's beautiful daughter Alyssa hamming it up, and doing the best job of it!
Fireworks on Lamma
What $85US gets you a night on Lamma Island (!!!!)
Up around 10, sent Mike off for coffee while we waited for
the water heater in the shower to warm up, knocked on TJ's door and went and had breakfast. Stopped at The Island Bar
on the way to the 12:45 ferry, came home and whiled away the afternoon.
We were under the perception that Sunday night was the GRAND
FIREWORKS SHOW over Victoria Harbor, and we were planning on going, but when I checked the internet we found out they were
tonight. But last night was the big parade, so we headed over around 5ish to Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon.
Tickets for the grandstands were sold out, so we were forced
into standing along the parade route with the rest of the "minions" (heehee). I think it would have been cooler had
we been at the beginning were all the "International Acts" actually performed before walking the parade route, and I'm sure
the visibility would have been far better.
We went to dinner first at DeLaney's Irish Pub. I couldn't
even look at a drink, so had some Diet Coke (TJ joined me on the wagon with Ice Tea), then off to watch the parade.
The lead-up was incredible, people jammed along all the roads, smashing red "bang stick" together, making lots of noise.
The first float went by around 8:15, but there must have been some problem (we saw a bunch of fire trucks going the opposite
way as the parade), as there was quite a lull between the first float the the next, around 25 minutes, but then the parade
continued and all was well.
I'm sure you've heard the phrase, "Everyone loves a parade",
but typically I don't. And, really, this was no exception. Not that the parade wasn't okay, it was just so crowded,
and the visibility stunk, and every time you tried to take a picture you just got someone else's arm and their camera in it.
But, it was fun to be part of the excitement, people watch, etc. We even were able to get out of the crowd fairly easy,
back on the MTR (subway) around 10:30 and home to bed!
Suppose to go over and watch the fireworks tonight, but has
been misting all afternoon. Don't know if they will cancel them, if we will go watch them in the rain, or if we will
decide to stay home and watch them on TV (which would have probably been a better idea last night for the parade).
Anyway, fun to be here during this auspicious time!
Pre-parade chaos with "bang sticks"
I kinda wanted to steal this little gal
More dang cute kiddies. . . .
New Zeeland stilt walkers. . . finally people taller than ME!
Attack of the giant pink Dragon!
Full pink dragon in all its glory
Absolute nerdy bored parade watcher
Scary African warriors in the parade. . .
The famous Lions on a Stick trick
Rotating crazy float, don't know what Asian country it represented
Another close up of the same float, I like large, shiny objects apparently
Confetti Shower
And the quick and immediate arrival of the "confetti sweeper-uppers"
Lions not on sticks
Beware the evil blue dragon. . . . I like the dragons, they're COOL!
On a different note, here's a HILARIOUS
picture of my friend's Kenya and Kevin's little bitty almost 4 month old baby. . .
Buddha Bellied Michael Andrew Varnes
Don't know if anyone is still with me here, but the BIGGEST
NEWS of the weekend was an email and phone call from the home office.
Seems we are desperately needed in Athens, Greece.
OH MY GOD! I'm SOOOOOO excited. Went and bought
my Lonely Planet Greece book today.
Bad news is, we are leaving on 2/28. So, bye bye Hong
Kong, Hello Attica! I guess if you HAVE to leave Hong Kong, Greece ain't such a bad place to end up.
More on that exciting stuff later.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!! (I know it's not V-day, but it still is for some of you!!)
Maybe this will be hard for some of you to relate to, and
I don't mean it as a 'rub', but did you ever notice the the less you do/have to do/lazier you are the more tired you get.
Must be directly related to Newton's Law of Motion (you know, an object in motion tends to stay in motion,
while things at rest tend to stay at rest). I've been staying at rest! I have been sooooo tired this week!
For no reason! I literally have done so little I hardly have anything to say (when have you known me to have nothing
to say???). . .
Tuesday, after realizing that V-day was Wednesday, not Thursday
(yes, I own a calendar, yes I know how to check the date on my computer, yes I have a phone that tells me everytime I look
at it the date and time), but somehow I blanked on this one. Just had it in my mind it was Thursday. . . So, after sitting
around doing laundry all morning I figured I'd better get out and beat the street to find my hubby at least a card!
I was leaning on my higher power to magically guide me to a store selling something that would make my husband go "WOW!".
This worked for me at Christmas when I was a total loss of what to buy my Dad, so. . . .
Off I went! First store was called Fortress, and sells
all kinds of computer and electronic and (of course) phone related stuff and accessories. I found a cute little camera
case that has a separate pocket for his extra battery (remember, Mike got my camera when I got my new one, and my PURSE was
my camera case, but being that he is a man and by society's standards can not carry a PURSE, and even if he could he wouldn't,
and now that I'm carrying the new camera and my purse, I just don't want to carry the other camera, too. Although to
be fair, he hasn't asked me to once, but anyway, I digress). I bought the camera case and it came with free Valentine's
Day tags and a free piece of wrapped chocolate that says "I Love You" on it.
Okay, but still didn't seem enough to express my love, so
off I went hoping by going to this store and making this purchase I hadn't wrecked any "higher power help". Found a
funny card, which is hard here in Hong Kong, but still continued on my quest.
And, there, right across from the card shop, in the window,
was a display of antique brass navigation instruments. Okay. . . worth a look. And so I bought a neat little compass
that looks like a pocket watch and has a signaling mirror on one side and a (duh) compass on the other, and came in a cute
little wooden box.
And then, out of the overwhelming feelings of love I have
in my heart for the man, I stopped into McDonald's and bought him gift certificates (and me a chocolate sundae).
Last stop, $10HK store where I bought a heart shaped box
that says "love amour" all over it, stuffed the gifts inside and put it in Mike's underwear drawer, where he would find it
in the morning.
I think he liked the card and the gift certificates.
*Sigh* My husband is IMPOSSIBLE to buy for. Really. He wants for so little, and what he does want, he goes
and buys. Kind of like me, I guess. . . . except I tend to want for lots of things, so rather unlike me in retrospect.
. . heehee.
Tuesday night we went to Lamma, Paid for our
hotel for Saturday night, had dinner at the B&B Pub, and went to The Island Bar. Meant to grab the 9:30 ferry (which
TJ and Natalie did), but ended up on the 10:30. Poor man has been working like a slave since the 5th of February, but he really
did want to stay.
A little nervous about my leather coat I bought just before
leaving for HK. I sent it out to be cleaned, and it hasn't returned yet. Seems there was some "problem" with a
stain or something. I sure hope it hasn't been ruined. I LOVE that coat with a feeling that is probably slightly
unhealthy to feel toward a piece of clothing. I had forgot/blocked out the last incident we had of sending leather out
to be cleaned when our coats came back looking all right, but smelling so badly of chemicals that it took almost a YEAR to
air them out. Keep your fingers crossed for me!!
Last night was pretty uneventful. Met Mike, TJ, Rajen,
Larry, Paul, Rick and Natalie at Insomnia for a couple beers after work, came home and ordered Pizza and watched "The Oh in
Ohio", which was pretty funny.
And today, it is raining. Bummer. Been building
up to it all week, with very little sun and low "cloud" cover (not sure if it's actually clouds, or pollution haze).
Must be a direct reflection on my mood.
The good news (for us) is that the cut at work is NOT going
to happen this weekend, so Mike has the weekend off and we can play and party for Chinese New Year's without worrying about
him needing to be at work the next day! YEAH! Which, in turn, means we will be here a little bit longer. . . .
YEAH!
Sorry about lack of pics. Haven't even taken a picture
all week. Honest.
Monday, February 12, 2007
THINGS I'M DEATHLY AFRAID OF:
Heights. Don't know why, didn't develop
it until my early 20's.
Worms. All kinds of worms, and anything
that looks similar to a worm. . . except snakes, snakes are cool as long as they are not poisonous or hanging from a tree
where I don't know about them. (And, unlike heights, I do know why I'm afraid of worms, and it has to do with my three brothers
and being about 6 and lying in the sun on the picnic table in my backyard and them dumping about a bazillion of them on my
naked stomach and standing around laughing as I'm screaming and my Mom is yelling out the window for me to SHUT UP!).
But, I'm not bitter, nah.
People I care about dying.
So, obviously I would be a terrible contender on
Fear Factor or the Amazing Race. Not that I would ever consider doing either of those things. And worms and heights
are both things easily enough avoided, provided it doesn't rain and I watch where I'm walking.
Yesterday, as I mentioned, I was a SLUG and
did NOTHING. And, it felt good. Met up with Mike, TJ, and Natalie in Lan Kwai Fong after they had finished work,
had a couple beers, grabbed some gyro's from Ebenezer's and came home and watched "Cars" on DVD. Cute, light entertainment.
Don't know when we are going to watch all the movies we've bought. I guess if we get sent home from here and have lots
of cold and snowy nights, we will have free entertainment. Or, end up in some god forsaken place next with nothing to
do. . .
Don't know what's next on the agenda yet, of course.
Just know our time in FANTASTIC Hong Kong is dwindling away.
This coming Saturday night is official Chinese New
Year's Eve. Mike and the boys will again have to work all weekend, but I have secured us two little hotel rooms on Lamma
Island for Saturday night. Rajen is having a BBQ, then fireworks at midnight. Mike and TJ will have to catch the
ferry to work in the morning, probably a little worse for wear, but we HAVE TO DO THIS EXPERIENCE!
Chinese New Year has actually already started, and
will continue through the 3rd (?) of March I believe. What a cool tradition, celebrate the new year for a month!
The actual date fluctuates around the moon (like Easter and Lent, I guess), and most Hong Kongers do get some extended vacation
during this time. Initially, we weren't suppose to be here this long, and were going to miss the whole thing, so glad
that changed! Should be an experience.
I know my Chinese zodiacal sign is the Rooster,
and in the spirit of finding out what the "Year of the Pig" holds in store for us Roosters, I found a website with a "description"
of what Roosters are (and aren't). This is what is says:
ROOSTER: The Rooster is
a hard worker; shrewd and definite in decision making often speaking his mind. Because of this, you tend to seem boastful
to others. You are a dreamer, flashy dresser, and extravagant to an extreme. Born under this sign you should be happy as a
restaurant owner, publicist, soldier or world traveler.
I don't know about ALL of it, but I do like the
last two words! I feel validated!!!
My wonderfully cool, completely original husband,
who I love more every single day
My awesome family, who (except my Dad), doesn't
email very often, but I still love them
My very cool life and the opportunities it has
provided me.
My dear, dear friends at home and around the globe
Being here in Hong Kong, right now, even though
I'm soooo lazy I haven't even left the house today
THINGS I HATE:
PMS
Ignorant idiots who don't want to improve themselves
People who lie
Went to Lamma last night for dinner and live band.
Was fun. Meant to get the 10:30 ferry home, but ended up on the 11:30, surprise, surprise. Mike hard at work again
today. Me, sitting around lazy as heck. No sunshine today, but warm.
I have decided to open a new page on this website called
"Rants and Ramblings". It may not be appropriate for all viewers (i.e. children, parents, people who find my views offensive,
people who don't like sentences that end in prepositions, etc.), but when I started this site 3 (!) years ago, I intended
it to be a place where I could write. It has evolved into a kind of drunken travelouge, which is fine, but in lieu of
starting an entirely new site/blog for such things, I'm putting it here instead. You can choose not to ever go there,
as the rest of the site will remain unchanged. There will probably not be pictures or explanations of what we had for
dinner. The choice is yours and you've been warned (and will be warned again on the page itself).
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Now, I may have mentioned Hong Kong, unlike many other cities
of its size, is relatively safe. No gunpoint muggings, knife wielding thugs, subway pickpockets, random drive-by
shootings, or even (noticeably) corrupt police.
However, the other day we noticed this potential hazard.
And, although the plants look innocuous to me, I did see "Little Shop of Horrors", and someone felt it necessary to post the
sign. So, I will keep my distance from this new found danger lurking on the streets of Hong Kong. Thank God I
saw the sign.
HUH!?!?!
This weekend and next, Mike, TJ and the crew will be working
both Saturday and Sunday. Yuck. Getting some "chores" done today, plus the general goofing around I normally do
on Saturday's (crossword, reading, bringing my read books to the book exchange, gelato. . . ).
It would appear that all my clothes have shrunk here in Hong
Kong. Odd, as we don't have a dryer that can actually dry my clothes all the way. Doesn't seem to have affected
Mike's clothing, either. Very strange. I'm sure it has nothing to do with the fact I'm completely unable to walk
by XTC Gelato/Ben & Jerry's/Haagendaaz and even lately the chocolate sundae's from McDonalds. Dang it.
Today, in my morning ritual of searching the net for frivilous
information I came across a website that made me MAD. Mad at myself more than anything, but still mad. This
gal has been web blogging since 1997. Now, she's a single Mom raising three kids in Texas, with a full-time job, and
has managed to publish over three books! And, she's quite funny, all though admittedly, I've never read her books or
heard of them. But she makes me feel inadequate. I guess I really should do something about this. I have
been out here with nothing to do but fool around for 6 1/2 years, and what have I accomplished next to her???? NOTHING!!!
Arggh. Enough said. I need to get on a writing regimen. NOW! (And, no, I'm not giving you her website, you
might like it more than mine and I'm trying to INCREASE traffic. . . heehee).
Other than these life altering events, we are off to Lamma
tonight for a live band at The Island Bar, and tomorrow I'm going on a "easy" hike with TJ's friend Natalie. Hopefully
I can find the right start point this time. Or at least have someone to share the blame with if I end up off in the
wrong direction. . . again.
Deep in the thorough of Chinese New Year. Actual date
is next Saturday night to usher in the "Year of the Golden Pig". Supposedly any child born in this year is destined
to be rich, so you can imagine the amount of pressure on those trying to produce offspring. I bet condom sales will
be down this year. . . (that's my stock tip of the week, I guess). We are going to spend the night at a hotel
on Lamma, watch their fireworks and midnight "red carpet" display. At least should provide some good pictures.
Thursday, February 8, 2007
First of all, it's been a busy and beautiful week.
I've not seen the air so clear and the temperature's so high in a LONG time. It's lovely. Sorry to all you Michiganders
struggling under the snow. . . really, I AM!
Second of all, a short list of things I hate about Hong Kong:
They truly have too many busses. For a city/country
so concerned about air quality, you would think they could eliminate about 50% of the busses running around town - AS MOST
OF THEM ARE ALMOST COMPLETELY EMPTY all day long. It's true. I've watched. It's aggravating, yet somehow,
amusing.
That everyday can't be just like yesterday, weatherwise.
Okay then, that completes the things I don't like about Hong
Kong, at least right off the top of my head. Maybe if I really sat and thought about it, I might be able to come up
with more. But, not today!
Thirdly, about 2 months ago you may remember me talking about
a Scavenger Hunt on Lamma Island to benefit Operation Santa Claus. Well, little did we know, but we MADE THE PAPER!
Of course, you will never be able to recognize us, but it's us in the very back row! The South China Morning Post,
December 13, 2006. I've already looked into getting a back issue or two, but it seems that's not something they're
into here. So, alas, all I have is this dodgy JPEG (but thanks to our friend Harry, the political cartoonist, for procuring
it for me!).
First "Mug in the Paper" in a foreign country. . . I think
And fourth and last, I am forever amazed at how small a town
Hong Kong can be. A couple of days ago I mentioned Mike "found" Rajen on the way home from work. Not so
strange, as he works in our neighborhood. But, the other night we were sitting in an out of the way little Nepalese
restaurant (Sitara) owned by our friend Sita, when along comes a guy named Mark we met briefly in the bar about 6 weeks ago.
He recognized us, stopped and chatted. Then, about a month ago at The Island Bar some guy introduces himself to us,
has seen us in the bar a few times, but had saw me on the street by our apartment that day. This turned out to be Harry
the political cartoonist for the South China Morning Post. Not to mention how many times we've run into Richard (professional
video guy from Lamma) out and about town. Also, last week, before we knew we were in the paper, we met a journalist
from Minnesota that works for The South China Morning Post, and he has helped me in the pursuit of trying to find hard
copy of the above article. Then, last night we went to McSorley's Ale House for dinner (never been to this one in SoHo),
and at the end of the night (for us), the manager, Emma, sits down, buys us a round, chats for a while, and we find out
she has a flat on Lamma and one of her best friends is the girl, Christina, who cut my hair a couple weeks ago.
I swear, things like that don't even happen at HOME!
ANYWAYS, on to the adventures of the last couple days.
Unfortunately, I was quite busy Tuesday morning, doing laundry, answering emails, recovering from Monday and didn't realize
how absolutely beautiful it was outside until I left the house about 1 PM (I've had the curtains drawn, as there are China
men running around on the scaffolding and my balcony). After getting the coffee and the paper, sitting outside and reading
the paper, I decided I needed to go get the camera and at least get some pictures of such a clear day. Decided just
to take some photos around the Harbor on our side, then jump the ferry to Kowloon and take some of Hong Kong. Too bad
that it was so late in the afternoon, as I was taking pictures mostly into the sun from the Kowloon side, but it was breathtakingly
clear. I could see down the coast of Hong Kong further than I've been able to EVER! Everything just seemed so
vivid and sharp. It was awesome! And warm.
These big old "kite" birds are one of Mike's favorite things in HK. . .
Seriously over-laden boat out in Victoria Harbor, on a VERY clear day
Ahoy matey, cast us off, please!
Looking back at Wanchai and the Convention center from the Promenade in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
Central silhouetted by the afternoon sun
The vegetation here is so varied and unique, plus there really is a lot of it!
Tuesday night we (of, course, say it with me now) went to Lamma
for Standard Charter Night. TJ even brought his friend Natalie for her first ever trip to The Island Bar. Had
a quick bite before we left.
Wednesday dawned as bright and clear as Tuesday, so I decided
a hike was in order. Now friends, you may remember last week Wednesday I decided to go for a hike, and promptly got
"lost" and didn't see what I intended to see. So, for this week's outing I decided to go "easy" and just take the ferry
over to Mui Wo, on Lantau Island and do the hike to the Silvermine Mine (redundant?) and the waterfall garden. Like a
good hiker, I SMS'ed my husband whilst on the ferry to let him know my intentions (in case for some reason I did not make
it back).
After getting off the ferry I stood and studied the map, and
even took a picture of it just in case. Wandered along the beach area and took a few pictures. . . .
Another great and spooky long boat
Mussels drying in the hot sunshine
But, I didn't quite make the right turn,
and ended up on ANOTHER VERY STEEP UPHILL STAIRCASED HILL through a graveyard. Well, it was a great, sunshiny day, so
I just figured, what the heck, let's keep going. Up and up and up. I was hoping it would hit another trail that
would take me where I intended on going. . .
I don't think I would/could drag a dead body up here. . . had enough trouble with my LIVE one. . .
But a pretty gorgeous view for us of the living!
Looking out on Mui Wo bay, towards Peng Chau Island
And yet another cool view
And, at the top of the "hill", this is the path I found.
. . which continued on for a while, taking me through thick forests, an abandoned school (?), and finally up to a wrought
iron gate, which fortunately was open. After the gate were some steps leading down to the "road" (Thank GOD!).
But, I still didn't know where I was, so I went uphill (what is WRONG with me?) because I could hear water (and my original
destination as you may remember was the waterfall garden). As I climbed, though, the sound of water receded.
Now, I was a little spooked from walking the other path,
as the sounds of the forest here are a bit different than home. The bamboo makes clacking noises against itself, and
there is some wildlife in there you can only hear, not see. I startled myself dearly while watching where I put my feet
when out of my peripheral vision I saw something white and blue hanging from the tree next to me. I was sure it was
a snake, and did the boogie boogie dance for about 30 seconds before I realized it was only a piece of plastic hanging from
the tree.
Anyway, not knowing where I was seemed a bit disconcerting,
but being that I was on a road, I felt safe. Until I came to a directional sign that said "Tung Chung" and "Airport".
Now, to the best of my guestimation, these two destinations would be about a billion miles away from where I was standing.
Okay, sit down on the steps, have a rest, and review picture of map.
I do believe I'm lost. . . . hope this leads somewhere!
More of that very varied flora. . . .
It looked so close on the map, I just couldn't give up.
Mind you, I have now been hiking mostly uphill for the better part of two hours. I made my way back down to the main
"road' where I emerged from the forest path, and HURRAY, a gal on a bike came by. I stopped her and asked which way
I should go and she helpfully pointed down the hill. Cool.
And withing 10 minutes I had found the mine, and then the
waterfall garden. Both of which were not worth the time to walk to. But, I did it the FUN way, right. Popped
over and checked out the temple.
The lovely and impressive Man Lo Temple
Now I knew exactly where I was at, and approximately how
long it would take to get to the ferry, so I decided to call Mike, say HI and let him know I was still alive.
And discovered my phone was gone. Now, it was securely
fastened inside the outside pocket of my camera case, where it has safely traveled with me since the purchase of the
new camera. But it most definitely was not there. Thinking back, I remembered texting Mike from the ferry.
So, logically and rationally, I decided I had somehow left the phone on the ferry. Okay, this is an honest place, I
will check with the lost and found when I get to the ferry terminal.
No luck. They do not have it, and the actual ferry
I took over to Mui Wo (as they run a fleet) was sitting at the pier, so a helpful gentleman from First Ferry let me go on
the boat and look around. Not there. Okay, I think, maybe someone turned it in at Central. Walked over to
the China Bear and had a mid-afternoon snack (I had worked up a bit of an appetite). Grabbed the next ferry back, checked
with the Customer Service there, no phone. DANG!
It was now about 4 PM, so I resolved myself to the fact I
had lost my phone and went home. I called my number and it rang! Which meant no one had actually stolen it, as
the first thing they would do would be to remove the SIM card so it could not be traced. But where was it ringing???
Hmmm.
Told Mike when he got home, and he said, "Well, it looks
like you get to do your hike all over tomorrow and try to find your phone". YUCK. That didn't sound like what
I wanted to do, but I HATE losing my phone, not because of the actual phone so much, but all the information it contains!
Vital! So, I resigned myself to getting the 9 AM ferry back to Mui Wo.
It was about that time I remembered doing the boogie boogie
dance on the narrow, overgrown path where I thought I saw a snake. $1,000,000 (HK) to one odds that's where it popped
out.
Off I went this morning, deciding to go backwards to avoid
that nasty climb of yesterday, worse case would have to walk down huge uphill climb if I didn't find the phone first.
Brought Mike's phone, continually calling my number and stopping to listen. Took a little while. Finally made
it to the boogie boogie place, and VIOLA, there was my phone, laying right where it landed. It camped out last night!
Was very happy and relieved to have phone back in my possession.
Proceeded back to town, jumped the ferry and came home. Replaced my UV lens cap, as that also fell off my camera yesterday
(at the house) and cracked, picked up the papers, some razors, toothpaste and a few other essentials, came home, took a shower,
and reveled in the fact that I ACTUALLY FOUND MY PHONE!
Sorry. . . more flora
On another tangent, my website has been
reporting almost double the amount of hits as just a week ago or so. Welcome to however you are(s), drop a line if you
get a chance, just wondering who's visiting!
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
I am in complete and utter denial that next week will mark
our 3 month period in Hong Kong. Time flies when you're having fun and all that, but GEEZ, give me a break! We
just GOT here, didn't we???
Yesterday was a mess. Got up at 5:45 AM to go
to the BAR for Superbowl. Yikes. Of course, after having breakfast at 12:30 PM and watching a pretty exciting
game and paying our bill that, among other things, had 33 (!) Bloody Mary's on it (there was 7 of us, but still), we came
home and slept away a beautiful day. Up around 4:30 PM, feeling not so great. Ordered Pizza Hut for dinner, stayed
home and watched a movie.
Now I'm trying to convince myself it is Tuesday, not Monday.
Did have nice seafood dinner on Lamma Sunday night, some
lonely darts (we were pretty much the only people in The Island Bar), and a nice early cruise home on the 9:30 PM ferry.
Probably going back over tonight for Standard Charter Night, will depend on how the boys feel when they get home. . .
Watched all the Superbowl commercials online this morning,
as of course we didn't get them on our Asian broadcast.
Most the gang at Delaney's watching Superbowl XLI . . . at 8 AM!
Sunday, February 4, 2007
Mike worked yesterday, so pretty uneventful weekend thus
far. We worked so he could take Monday off, and we can go to the BAR at 7 AM to watch the stupid Super Bowl. This
will be my second early morning Super Bowl kickoff, first being in Tokyo. All I remember is that by 2 PM things were
a little hazy. . .
Today is TJ's birthday. We went to dinner last night
in Wanchai, and then checked out a couple places that were having Super Bowl parties to decide where we wanted to spend our
money. At midnight we bought him a shot and left him on his own. Today we brought him a card and a cake, and are
leaving in about a half hour to go to Lamma Island for some eats (and drinks, I'm sure).
TJ and his birthday cake
The cake LOOKED good, but tasted bad, and had big chunks
of Jello like things on the inside. Fairly disgusting, but it's the thought, right?
Actually, the bakeries all have delicious looking cakes and
tarts and muffins, but so far I've found that's all they are, delicious looking. . . Seems they don't like to use sugar when
they bake, or something. What's the point in that?!?!?
All for now. Sure we will have some fun pics from Super
Bowl Monday. Ta Ta for now!
Friday, February 2 (!!!!), 2007
Unfortunately, things seem to be moving right along on the
project. No big snags or problems to delay us much further than our original leave date. We can only hope something
comes up. TJ is just doing too good of a job, it's supposed to be the switch that keeps us here! Dang kid is too
smart for our own good!
I DON'T WANT TO GO!!! Of course, that is still 4-5
weeks in the offing, but I am already dreading it. Plus, as of today, nothing appears on the work schedule after here.
. . hopefully there is something going on!
Received confirmation Thom made it home okay, and got to
fly First Class! Lucky guy. Tried to call him a few times, but no answer.
Wednesday I decided to go for a hike. My destination
was an easy trail called Eagles' Nest in Lions Rock Country Park. Somehow I got off track (possibly because I gave Thom
my only map of this area, and couldn't find another one), and ended up doing some very strenuous uphill climbing in the wrong
direction. Now, I wasn't exactly lost, but I had a good idea I wasn't on track, either. Pretty deserted on the
trail, didn't come across anyone until I came out in an area (2 hours later), that overlooked the Kowloon Harbor at Diamond
Hill. Hmmmm. Definitely not where I wanted to be. Then I found a trail head that lead to where I wanted
to be originally, but it was 7.5 kilometers away on the path, and I knew I couldn't get there before dark (doesn't sound far,
but these paths are known to be quite hilly, and I just can't do my normal clip on them), so I decided to walk down into town.
I thought I was walking into Diamond Hill, but I was actually one stop over from there. Took about 30 minutes to get
into town, and I still didn't really know where I was, but discovered a HUGE temple complex, so checked that out for a while,
plus hit the potty. Kind of hungry, so had a yogurt parfait from the local Micky D's (yes, they are EVERYWHERE!), and
walked over to the Metro station to figure out where I was. No problem. Had about a half hour ride ahead of me,
but I was tired!
SIDE NOTE: I am amazed that all these trails are mostly
PAVED. I can't imagine the work involved in doing this, or even why hikers would prefer to walk on concrete (as that's
ALL you do in HK) than on the actual ground. These paths are way up in the mountains, going up severe inclines.
Don't even understand why they aren't washed under or away during the rainy season.
Will have to save Eagle's Nest for another day.
Weather has been spectacular this week, sunny and warm.
My stomach, however, has not been. For the past two weeks it's just been a little "off". Nothing overly crippling
(except one day), but definitely not normal. Not sure what to attribute it to, but getting a little bothersome.
Hasn't affected my appetite, though, Thank God!
Stayed home Wednesday night and watched a couple of our bootleg
DVD's, ate Pizza Hut, drank some wine. Yesterday I walked around a bit, got the papers, took a nap. Just
didn't feel up to snuff, but was a glorious day. Trying to figure out what is on the agenda today.
Yesterday on his walk home from work, Mike found Rajen and
brought him over for a quick drink. Hadn't seen him since "Wild Dim Sum Day", so was a nice treat. He works in
our neighborhood (lives on Lamma), but we rarely see him out and about.
Okay, suns out, and I should be, too!
Hard to see how steep this is, and of course, it's PAVED, and only one section of the many I climbed
About halfway up the climb, looking back at the paved path I've walked so far
At the top, finally, looking down at Sha Tin, where I got off the metro! GEEZ!
Big Temple as I take the turn coming down the mountain on a very steep street towards Wong Tai Sin
Overview of HUGE temple complex at Wong Tai Sin, never would have seen this had I not got "lost"
Main entrace into Temple
One of the minor shrines inside complex
Cutie Patootie all dressed up for his temple visit
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Just put Thom in a cab for the airport. He's flying
stand-by, so hopefully he gets on the plane. I think he's ready to be back on familiar ground.
Did the Lamma Island run last night, and as always, fun,
fun, fun. Did finally, for the first time, manage to catch the 9:30 ferry back, so all could be in bed my a manageable
hour.
Lovely morning, clear and bright. Must get out and
take pictures. . . .
Here's some from last night.
Lamma power plant at night, over the bay
Thom delivering pearls of wisdom to Mike and Louise
Kids misbehaving on the Lamma ferry (return)
IFC Building from the ferry pier
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
What a sunny and beautiful day in Hong Kong. Yesterday,
too. Been waiting for this weather for more than a week, it seems. Supposed to be quite cool at night (low-fifties,
upper forties farenheit), but the days are glorious and it's supposed to stick for a while.
Have had a busy last four to five days. Almost done
with my "tour guiding" responsibilities! Friday we had a BIG night, probably too big for the night before we left for
Macau, but fun was had by all, even if Thom fell off the sidewalk (and rebounded too quickly for me to even get a picture!).
Went to dinner in the neighborhood, then decided to hit the Russian Ice Bar in Lan Kwai Fong. Quickly did our obligatory
shot of vodka there and adjourned to the Whiskey Priest Irish Bar, then over to the Globe.
Up and around a little slow on Saturday, but caught the 1
PM ferry to Macau, got checked in to the hotel, went on a small walkabout up to Guia Hill Lighthouse and Fortress (our planned
outing for Christmas Day that was hindered by our SEVERE HANGOVERS!). Neat. Decided to go to the bar strip and
have a pre-dinner drink, then walked around the corner to a Macanese restaurant for an early dinner. Out by 7:30 to
the Sands casino. Mike won a little, I lost a little, and Thom broke even. But, we stayed there til 1:00 AM, so
not bad for that amount of time!
Slow start Sunday, had breakfast (minus Thom) at around 11
am, then took a taxi over to the Macau Tower, down to Taipa Island, did some repeats of the last time, just to show Thom some
stuff. Grabbed the 4 PM ferry home and had a nap.
Sunday night we headed over to Tsim Sha Tsui for the light
show, then to our favortite Chinese place in Knutsford Terrace. Good meal had by all, home early in bed. Needed
it.
Monday Thom and I went over to Lantau Island and did the
Big Buddha trip up in the cable cars. Again, a repeat trip for me, but still fun. It was a really nice, clear
day.
Went to dinner on Cheung Chau Island to the Hong Kee restaurant
(again). Took TJ and our bill was very cheap, just like last time, and we even had the lobster this time around (although
not a crowd favorite) We figured out that he only charges $20HK for the BIG BEERS there! About 1/3 the price of
everyone else. BONUS! Took the slow ferry home and had the first class compartment pretty much to ourselves.
Tonight we are off to Lamma Island for $20HK drink night
at The Island Bar! Going to take the early ferry home, though, as Thom leaves in the morning!
Here's some random pics from throughout the weekend.
Enjoy!
Cool old Chinese style boat Thom and I saw in Victoria Harbor from Kowloon side
Thom and I in the ice bar (photo credit to Mike, with his new camera, my old one!)
Guia Hill Lighthouse in Macau
View from Guia Hill of Macau
Ah Ma statue on the waterfront, NAPE area, Macau
Taverna bar in Taipa, start of "scene of the crime" Christmas Eve, but not guilty this time around.
Sat in sun in the square in Taipa, watching kids learn to ride bikes, this gal was doing great. . .
Digital "Film": $0HK HK Lightshow : $0HK Taking 167 pictures: $0HK; getting ONE SHOT: PRICELESS
Digging the red sails on the boat. . . .
Thom at Ngong Ping, near Wisdom Path, overlooking reservoir
Friday, January 26, 2007
This is for all you engineers out there, and the randomly
curious.
I've been talking about the scaffolding of our building
for the last week or so. They are refacing the entire outside. But, this isn't your "typical" scaffolding job.
These guys use bamboo. And, it's not unusual. There are buildings all over town with bamboo scaffolding, covered
in green mesh (for whatever reason, we got white mesh, which I've not seen before, and is nicer to the eye). However,
our 19 floor building is now encased in a cage of bamboo. And, they put it up really fast. And, they don't use
machinery, just a series of pulley systems. I took some pics while they were pulling a load up to the rooftop.
It's really pretty amazing.
He's got a load on. . .
Pulling it up. . .
And in.
Looking down from our balcony at the bamboo
Okay, there's your lesson in Asian construction.
Yesterday we had a pretty slow day. Took the tram up
to the peak (I didn't take ONE picture, except on Thom's camera). It was pretty hazy and proceeded to get hazier while
we were up there. Thom treated me to a nice lunch at the Peak Cafe, checked out the overlook, and took a cab home.
Naps for everyone!
Went down to Lan Kwai Fong to Bar George, met up with Rick
and TJ there, had some drinks and some dinner, and got home around 10:30. Easy day.
Going to Macau tomorrow for the weekend. Will return
on Sunday. Thom's gotta see Macau, plus Mike and I have wanted to go back, too.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY-O!
Happy Birthday to you!!!!
Yesterday Thom and I had a very busy day. Got out and
about at 9:30, got him his Octopus travel card, and thought we'd go ride the escalator. However, for the first time
since we've been here, the escalator was coming DOWN! We were too early! So, we meandered on a little walk around
the area, and caught it a little higher up. Walked him back through the market on Graham street, and asked him how he
felt. He said "hungry". Okay.
Decided to take his first ferry ride to Peng Chau, had a
bite to eat, walked around the island. He's still got energy!
Grabbed the 2:30 ferry back to the house just in time for
them to be DRILLING OUR OUTSIDE WALL! Developed a bit of a headache, although they did knock off about 5:30 instead
of 7, so all was good.
Took him out for dinner to an Irish Pub in Wan Chai, then
to the Devil's Advocate for a drink or two. We told him he had to stay up until at least 10:00, and he was starting
to nod a bit, but insisted he could make it until 10:30. Got home and he had a nightcap, poured him into bed. . . and
guess what. . . he was UP AT 4:30 AM!!! So, should be an interesting day. He's definitely going to need a nap,
but we're going to have to be mean to him and not let him sleep very long, or else he'll NEVER sleep tonight.
Anyway, here's some pics.
Flower market in Lan Kwai Fong
Preparing for Chinese New Year's at The Center
Hello Kitty! On a roof in Peng Chau
Check out the boats made out of broken surf boards. . . "yea, I got a boat baby"
I want this house at the end of the point in Peng Chau
Glad my camera takes decent night photos just walking around. . . Like the Hay Hay Restaurant
My bodyguards. . . they look formidable. Don't know why my camera is double exposing, though. . .
Mike and Thom at Delaney's
Although I really like my new camera, it's kind of giving
me fits. Like the picture above of the boys crossing the street, I'm tending to get about 1 out of 5 pictures "double
exposed" or whatever you would call that type of photo. I'm sure it's the operator, but it's making me MAD!
I did find it's easier to carry it on my belt than on my
shoulder, though. Ah, the learning curve. . .
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
"Proof of Life"
Obviously, one should never fear travel, as proven by our
"fearless friend" Thom who arrived last night after a grueling 15.5 hour flight from Newark, full of p!ss and vinegar!
He was ready to P-A-R-TEE!
We snuck out for a little dinner at a local restaurant we
like, thinking there was no way he would be at our apartment before 9:30, but they called us and "warned" us he was here.
Quickly came home (5 minutes, max), fixed the man a drink and sat on the balcony and chatted for hours.
No problems on the flight, no problems on the train, and
no problems with the taxi. All is well. Ready to experience Hong Kong!
And, the sun came out yesterday afternoon for the first time
in a week! YEAH!
Thom Joyce "Proof of Life"
Possibly, more later. . . .
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
No, I'm not dead, yet. . . .
Had a reasonably slow weekend. Lot of big plans, not
such good weather. It has been rainy or overcast (no sun at all) since last Wednesday (?), and everytime I look at the
weather forecast they are predicting full-on sun for "tomorrow". . . Seems in Hong Kong tomorrow never comes.
Friday night we did the FCC with Peter from The Island Bar.
Had some Italian eats at Milano's rooftop afterwards, fell home. Saturday I wanted to go for a hike up at Eagle's Nest
in Lions Rock park, but the weather was gross, so we lounged around all day. Until about 6:30 when we decided to grab
the 6:40 ferry to Lamma for dinner and the live band. Had decent seafood at the Lancombe (I think everyone we know on
Lamma holds a stake in this restaurant, as everyone always says, "Just go to the Lancombe", but that's okay, the food is good).
Went back to The Island Bar, which was packed, and watched the show. A very ecclectic and cool band, and crowd.
However, the beginning of my death arrived Sunday morning,
in the shape and form of a KILLER HANGOVER. The weather, again, was overcast and threatening rain. Laid around
for a while and then bought tickets online for "Blood Diamond" and ventured over to Causeway Bay with Mike and TJ for the
show. Good movie. Went for a bite to eat afterwards, then down to Wan Chai to try and find a bar called "The Handlebar"
(motorcycle bar - owned by a fellow American that lives on Lamma - hoping he had some Superbowl festivities planned-didn't
see him). Found it, had a beer, and I was still feeling bad, so Mike and I went home.
Woke up Monday SICK AS A DOG! Stayed in bed all day,
all night. SUCKED. Only consolation, tomorrow still hasn't come. . .
Our friend Thom arrives tonight. I am able to walk
on two legs. Both pieces of good news.
The complete scaffolding of our building is well underway,
noisy, and quite ugly. Entertaining to watch the workers scramble around on the bamboo, though.
Friday, January 19, 2007
Okay, so I did it. No rain yesterday afternoon, so
packed up the new kit and headed up to MongKok, where there are hardly ever any Whitey's and lots of cool photo opportunities.
I was also in search of bootleg DVD's, but seems those operations are a thing of the past, due to government crack down, although
fake purses and watches seem to be in HUGE supply. Whatever. I have my mute Chinaman for that, Louise just told
me he comes to the Island Bar, too.
It was fun snapping pictures at the speed of light (or so
it seemed). Here's a couple examples, although not award winning photography (as none of mine is), just kind of cool.
All three of these photos are taken from the same spot, see the old lady down the way. . .
Now I zoom up as she makes her selection
Zoom in a little closer as she digs for change. . . It's neat, it's fun!
This kid caught me catching him. . .
Thursday, January 18, 2007
It's sad to admit you know nothing about something you are
really interested in. My camera and I have had some issues already, one being it's mad at me for not even BRINGING IT
OUT OF THE HOUSE (except the balcony) YET! It sits there and glares at me, saying, "USE ME! USE ME!", and I have
to tell it no. Basically, I'm afraid. Afraid of losing it, afraid of dropping it, afraid that I don't know how
to make it work right (and it really isn't that complicated, has many just "point and shoot" settings. It's just that,
well, I'm a BABY!)
But, it my defense, it has been raining since Tuesday night,
and I don't want the poor dear to get wet! Have completely (sorda) read the instruction manual twice, and there are
just so many terms beyond my understanding of photography I've come to the conclusion I need a class (or classes), or need
to just point and shoot the little darling. I do like just sitting and looking at it, too, though.
So, this is why you haven't seen any new photography on the
website. I'm weak and stupid.
Yesterday, to combat my boredom from the weather, I went
to the movies. "Flags of our Fathers" has just made the theaters here, and I had a bawl fest watching that. WOW!
Another well done movie by Clint Eastwood. It was amazing, for those who haven't seen it, and I truly hope "Letters
from Iwo Jima" makes it here before we leave.
My plan for today (as the rain is supposed to continue for
days on end) is to go up to Mongkok (in Kowloon) and buy bootleg DVD's to watch. On that note, Mike asked me to look
for "Taladega Nights" (being the NASCAR nut that he is). So, last night we go to dinner in Wan Chai to Coyote, then
down to the Devil's Advocate for their version of $20HK Standard Charter night, and some mute guy is walking around selling
DVD's. And, he has "Taladega Nights". He also has "Flags of our Fathers". But, I'm glad I saw that one on
the big screen. I bought Mike his movie, and also "A Good Year" and a movie that I don't even know what the title is
(I think it's French made), it looks like "jindabyne". . . but the mute said it was good. Paid WAY too much per movie
($25HK, I know I can buy them in Mongkok for $10HK), but oh well.
Funny how the world hands you what you want right when you
want it.
We did make it to Lamma Tuesday night, with a picnic dinner
on the ferry across the water. Saw some regulars, and Peter, the owner of the Island Bar, invited us to be his guests
tomorrow night at the Foreign Correspondence Club (FCC). Will meet him there around 6:30. What a nice guy.
Skipped the horse races last night on account of the rain.
Will need to reschedule that outing.
It appears it rained all night, but isn't raining at the
moment. Maybe I'll take the little sweetie out this morning and see what it can do.
Playing with the camera on the balcony
Unfortunately for my beautiful orchid, on Tuesday I decided
we may have been over-watering her, so I put her out on the patio to dry out a bit. Left her out there when we went
to Lamma and it rained. She got drenched! I tried to nurse her back to health, drained her bucket, etc.
and explained to her that sometimes her Mommy and Daddy have too much to drink, too, and make it. So, hopefully I didn't
kill her. She's inside now, and not looking too much worse for wear, but I don't think I will water her for a while.
I will feel bad if I killed her. I'm such an idiot with plants.
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Seven Days til Thom Joyce's Arrival
The count down is on! Our friend Thom is coming to
visit for 10 days, arriving January 22. Yea Thom!
Yesterday was a BIG BIG day for me. I finally, after
a year of thought and consideration and self-justification and inner conflict went out and bought a NEW CAMERA. This
is the "new" (albeit, it's been around for a couple years) generation of digital camera's classified as SLR's, which means
they take pictures at the same speed (almost) as you can click them off with a 35mm. I bought the Nikon D40 and anyone
interested can look at this link. . . .http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond40
Mike cradles our new baby. . . .
Now I just need a full body harness for it so I dare take
it out in public. I have a terrible track record of dropping/banging around/injuring cameras.
Will have to do some technical reading and a lot of practicing
to get the most of my purchase. Big learning curve ahead. Oh well. Not like I have that much else to do
with my time. . . . except today I get to have a HAIRCUT! YEAH!
Here's the first pic I took with the new camera after the
battery charged at twilight yesterday from the roof looking at Kowloon.
Wish I would have thunk to bring both cameras up there for comparison
And I KNOW it takes better pictures at
night on the night setting than our old Nikon. That was one of my biggest b!tches about that one. . . It's nice the
new one is a Nikon as well, will help on the learning curve. . .
The Center Building from our balcony
And a big hug and kiss to my WONDERFUL husband who told me
to just "GO BUY THE DANG THING" and is happy that I'm happy and I'm happy that he's happy I'm happy. . . Life is good.
Sunday, January 14, 2007
DIM SUM DAY!
Okay, I'm cheating a bit, because it's actually Monday afternoon
as I'm writing this, but by all accounts everything that followed happened on Sunday. Except my recap of Saturday. .
.heehee.
Saturday we woke up early to quick hug the folks goodbye
at 6 AM. (They are safely home in Michigan, got a call from them Sunday morning as we were leaving to go to Lamma).
Spent the rest of the day laying pretty low. Did manage to have breakfast FINALLY at the Flying Pan, went over to MIX
for smoothies (Mike had the Liver Flush, myself the Stressbuster with a shot of weight loss - hope it works!), then home for
naps and crossword working. Out for a light dinner at Cafe Ola, to the Globe for a couple quick ones, and home by 10:30ish.
But enough of that! Tuesday night Louise invited us
over to the Sampan Restaurant on Lamma for a typical Chinese Dim Sum Sunday morning breakfast, and we readily agreed.
Seems her and Terry (the bartender at the Island Bar) do this regularly with whoever else happens to show up.
We grabbed the 10 AM ferry no problem, with young TJ, and
made it to the Sampan exactly with everyone else. Terry, ever eager to please, washed our dishes properly in the
tea, and proceeded to order up the Dim Sum. It was us 5 to start, but Rajen wandered by, and then Kumar as well.
Dim Sum was okay. Glad we skipped the chicken feet (Terry went and took a picture for me), and everything we ate was
recognizable after someone told us what it was. . .
Chicken feet we did not eat, not in a box, not with a fox, not on a train, or in the rain. . .
This looks really odd (read: GROSS), but it's actually just rice pancakes rolled up. . . .
Kumar, Rajen and Terry
Louise, Mike and TJ enjoying Dim Sum
Louise and I enjoying Dim Sum. . .
So, after our breakfast, we decided a walk was in order.
Destination: The windmill at the top of the island. Dropped Louise at home, stopped at Rajen's to collect Max
and Taro, the dogs, and off we went up the hill. We hadn't actually been all the way there on any of our Lamma treks,
so was neat, and had spectacular views of Aberdeen and Aberdeen Harbor. Could see the route our illegal Sampan had taken
a few weeks ago. It was a bit of a stiff climb, but only took about 25 minutes, versus the 3 hours of uphill climb I
did with Mom and Dad last Thursday! Piece of cake. . .
Now that's a BIG fan. . .
Aberdeen Harbor (south side of HK Island)
Northwest tip of Lamma reaching out to HK
Mike and Rajen on the rail
My two "Chinese" husbands throwing out the "V", Lamma Island behind them
It was really quite a bit warmer on Lamma than when we left
HK, and after the hike up the hill we enjoyed the "Lamma Winds", and the views for a while. Rajen invited us to his
house to have a beer or two on his roof top terrace. Why not?
Typical Lamma type dwellings
View from Rajen's rooftop
"The Man" in the swing on the rooftop
After drinking Rajen out of beer (only two a piece, really,
but sounds more impressive that way), we decided the Island Bar was in order.
Wandered that way, and when we arrived there were to young
college girls at the bar talking to Kay the bartender. She introduced Mike, TJ, and I as fellow Americans, and as they
were both cuter than cute, TJ and Rajen attached themselves like magnets to that end of the bar and started buying them margaritas.
Mike and I also talked to them, and they were sweet girls.
And we all drank, and talked, and drank, and suddenly we were dancing in the bar. ..
Notice who is missing from the photo. . . Mike, who took the photo, and doesn't dance!
And, suddenly, we were dancing on the
chairs. . .
What is WRONG with us????
And engaging in all kinds of tom-foolery!
Why do I do the things I do?!?!?
Mike may be "too cool" to dance, but he goes Hollywood on us with my shades. . .
One last shot of the group before dinner, minus our photographer.
By now we decide we're all pretty buzzed, and probably in
need of some dinner. But first, STOP! LOOK AT THE GORGEOUS SUNSET!!!!
SWEEEEET!
It's so purdy, I'll let you have another look. . .
Still SWEEET!
Off we go to the Lancombe Seafood Restaurant for Minced Quail,
scallops and brocolli, steamed shrimp, fried rice. . . . possibly something else. . . I have no idea. Not ONE of us
can remember who bought dinner (I hope someone did), and we know the girls didn't.
Unfortunately, that darn Island Bar is RIGHT on the way to
the ferry, so we all stopped in for one (?) more, then poured ourselves onto the ferry. Diana and Sara (the college
girls), were in terrible shape, so we dumped them into a taxi to get them home safely and walked ourselves across the road
and into bed.
Beware if you are invited to Dim Sum
breakfast on Lamma Island. Anything can happen. . .
Friday, January 12, 2007
WOW! This week has flown by, and been keeping so busy
running the parents around that I haven't had time to hardly think about updating the web. Done some great things, and
have lots of pictures to share.
Tuesday we picked up a picnic lunch at the City Super on
the way to the Discovery Bay ferry. Ate in the plaza after we arrived, checked out the beach in the sunlight and the
restaurant we had Mom's birthday dinner at, and then walked over to the inter-island ferry to Peng Chau. Little bitty
ferry, but the price was right $5HK/piece. It was a beautiful sunny day, and we had about an hour to kill before getting
the ferry back to Central so they could head to Lamma for there big walk across the island. Saw a couple temples, wandered
through people's back yards. Supposedly the "most Chinese" island left in HK, whatever that means.
After arriving back in Central I put Mom and Dad on the ferry
to Sok Ku Wan, gave them the cell phone, and told them we'd meet them around 7 pm for dinner. They had a nice walk,
but by the time we arrived they were freezing and hungry. Grabbed a quick bite at a pub, then headed over to The Island
Bar for Standard Charter $20HK drink night. Not a lot of our normal crew around, but introduced the folks around, had
a couple and jumped the 10:30 ferry back home. Early to bed as we were off Pink Dolphin Watching the next morning.
Met up with the tour guide at the Mandarin Oriental at 8:30
AM, took the bus over to Tung Chung on Lantau Island, and saw a whole bunch of pink dolphins. And I say, "SAVE THE PINK
DOLPHINS!!" Quite a sad story on their habitat and birth survival rates, plus the fact they are not recognized as an
endangered species as of yet, but just a variation of the humpback dolphin. Their habitat used to be where the new airport
is, the surrounding waters of an island called Chek Lap Kok (which is the name of the airport now), but when they built the
airport they blasted the island and the surrounding sea, filled it with toxic fill being dug up on the land reclamation
projects around HK harbor and surrounding areas, and pretty much destroyed their living area. Plus the boat traffic
and high pollution levels in their food source. Everywhere else in the world humpback dolphins live to be about 40,
here in HK they live to about 20. Quite sad, really.
But, they were beautiful and we saw a score of them!
It was exciting every time one jumped up. They really were quite different than most wild dolphins we've encountered,
as they are "shyer". They know we are there, and like to interact with us, but from a distance. One of the more
"famous" ones, Ringo, actually showed up and Dad got the award winning picture of him!
After the Dolphin watch, we grabbed a quick lunch at the
Delifrance, put the parents on the cable cars to Big Buddha, and I hit the outlet mall for about an hour (bought nothing),
tried to hit the right subway stop for pictures of the suspension bridge, but decided the visibility was too bad to justify
walking the mile or two over to where the observation deck was. Will have to wait.
Parents got back around 6, and we were off to dinner at a
local joint, but it was closed due to a private party, so had dinner around the corner at a cafe that wasn't so wonderful,
but did the job of filling the pit and serving us beer.
Thursday we went to the New Territories to do an "easy" walk
(according to the Lonely Planet, again, I'm not sure this dude ever did the walk!). It was quite the hike over the mountain
to Bride's Pool (around Plover's Cove), and Mom insisted we were "trying to kill her" several times, but we all lived.
We left the apartment at 9:30, arrived at the trailhead around 11:30 (after a slight detour of getting on the wrong bus, I
thought I could outsmart the Lonely Planet, but I couldn't). Had to get a cab to the right spot, but afterwards, no
problem. Except we didn't have any food or water and it took us almost 4 hours to do the entire hike that was supposed
to take 2 to 2 1/2. Then we waited FOREVER (30 minutes) for the proper minibus to take us back to the metro station.
Finally arrived, and all was well.
Arrived at the metro station STARVING, so resorted to some
decent fast food at Maxim's, jumped on the subway and came home. Took the 7:30 Star Ferry to Tsim Sha Tsui to watch
the "WORLD'S FAMOUS LIGHT SHOW SET TO MUSIC", which was appreciated greatly by everyone over 50. . . i.e. TJ and I were
not overly impressed, but whatever, we had to see it once. Walked around in circles looking for Knutsford Terrace for
dinner (instead of just following my simple directions, Mike knew a "shortcut"), but finally made it to "Heaven on Earth"
Chinese restaurant and stuffed ourselves silly. Had five different main courses, plus rice and chocolate cake shooters
for dessert.
Afterwards it seemed only proper to fall into the Russian
restaurant's ice bar for a quick vodka shot. Then up one block to Observatory Lane to Que Pasa for a nightcap.
Stumbled back to the subway and came home and went to BED!
Friday (today I think), Mom and I shopped all morning while
Dad did a private tour (him and his Lonely Planet book) around Sheung Wan (our neighborhood). Met back up around 3,
they did some packing, and we are off to Cheung Chau for dinner tonight!
Took the 40 minute boat cruise to Cheung Chau, a shame my
folks weren't able to see the harbor in daylight, but I showed them my pictures. Found our destination, the Hong Kee
Restaurant, and had scallops with broccoli, fried prawn with garlic, a steamed fish and sweet and sour chicken (which Mom
said was the best!). The owner was hilarious, bringing seafood over to our table to show us before bringing it in back
to prepare. We were the only Westerners in the place (or all the places we saw along the waterfront). Had a great
meal and Dad bought.
Walked around a little after dinner, but most the shops were
closing, so grabbed the ferry home. Folks have to get up EARLY (4:30 am) tomorrow to catch their flight.
What a great experience having them here with us! COOL!
Old chinese house and old chinese man on Peng Chau
Peeking down some side alley in Peng Chau
Harbor on "far" side on Peng Chau (about a seven minute walk)
Us and Louise at the Island Bar, Lamma, after Mom and Dad's climb over the mountain (and dinner)
On the boat in Tung Chung for the Dolphin Watch
Fishing boat out in Lung Kwu Tan Bay. The dolphins like to follow the fishing boats, we're watching
Still waiting, but cute little boat out fishing
THERE'S ONE! These buggers are quick, and beautiful, and PINK!
Pink dorsal fin popping up, kind of looks like a nipple!
Dad's Ringo picture
Two pink heads cresting at once, I think they're playing with us. . .
This is a juvenile coming to play, they are born gray, then turn speckled, then pink. . .
Looking down from the top of the mountain at Plover's Cove Reservoir. . . wish it was sunny
But as 70% of the path was like this and severely uphill, pretty glad we had some cloud cover!
It is GORGEOUS up here, though, despite we can't BREATHE!
Can't stop snapping pictures, it's sooooo cool!
Mom and Dad at the end of the line. . . look pretty good for a 4 hour hike!
Me throwing the asian "V" at Bride's Pool
The "amazing" Bridal Falls. . . Sure it's better during rainy season, when it's 108 degrees. . .
Hong Kong skyline during light show from Tsim Sha Tsui
Crammed in the Ice Box sub zero freezer for vodka shots!
Last dinner with folks. . . good play on words, bad proof reading before making large neon sign
"Would you like a prawn little girl?"
Monday, January 8, 2007
Oh boy, we really did it last night. As hard as it
may be to believe, none of us have been up to the Peak after dark to see the skyline of Hong Kong lit up (not to mention seeing
the 8 PM light show from the Kowloon side, which we WILL DO on Thursday night, we've promised the folks!).
I know this sounds bad, but I called Bubba Gump's for reservations,
as their restaurant is surrounded by windows right on the view, but they were full. So, I called a place called Pearl
at the Peak, which I knew would be a little expensive, but thought we could probably handle it.
Showed up and it was POSH POSH POSH. I can't believe
they let low lifes like us in there. . .
After a brief but unpleasant confrontation with one of the
staff (as we were entering we started taking a couple pictures off their balcony and this dude came out and started yelling
at us, telling us this was a restaurant, private property, etc.). I'm like, "Yeah, I know we have RESERVATIONS".
Sure, this could have been handled a bit more diplomatically on their part, but anyway, they had "misplaced" our reservations.
The dude that was yelling at us then proceeded to try and be our sommelier and waiter, and again p!ssed me off, so I think
he got the picture, as we didn't see him again. The rest of the staff was great, though, and the manager did come and
apologize for the mix-up with the reservation and such all.
We did get a seat, without much of a view though. And
then proceeded to eat the most expensive meal of my life (well, at least in HK). Today, while trying to find an email
address to provide some feedback, I did find out the Australian chef, Geoff Lindsay, was named Chef of the Year in Australia
in 2005. . . for whatever that is worth.
Started out with a "gift" from the chef of deep fried Hibiscus
flowers with honey and something else (can't remember). Very delicate and delicious. We all ordered soups as a
starter, and a nice bottle of Cabarnet. Mom and Dad had the Chick Pea soup, while Mike, TJ and I had the Sweet Corn
with Crab. I found mine to be a little bland, but it was served so prettily with a little crab salad on a leaf and a
wonton of some sort. Mom and Dad's came with deep fried cheese balls and some lemony type greens.
For our main course we had a bottle of Shiraz to accompany
Dad's Sea Bass, Mom's grilled chicken, Mike and TJ's US Angus Tenderloin and my grape stuffed quail.
Of course, it was all very artfully presented, and I didn't get a good look at everyone's but my quail was on some greens
with pommegranate seeds. TJ and Mike said there were some type of green balls under their steaks that were tasty, and
Mom had some kind of potatoes hidden under her chicken. Dad's disappeared rather quickly, so didn't get a good look
at that. . . Also had a side dish of mushrooms and mashed potatoes.
For dessert, Mom and Dad split the chocolate souffle that
was exactly like Mom's hot fudge soup from her birthday night. It also came with coffee ice cream, with coffee beans
sprinkled on top and a small piece of pie that looked like pumpkin but was actually caramel. TJ and I opted to split
the deep fried chocolate with vanilla sauce (DEEP FRIED CHOCOLATE - WHAT A CONCEPT!), the only problem being there wasn't
enough of it! Then another "gift" of Petit Fours.
We were sated and impressed. Then the bill. OMG!
Oh well, you only live once.
Taxi Ride to the Peak: $50HK
Four Main Courses: $1560HK
Two Bottles of Wine: $700 HK
Total Bill: $3384HK
Experience of eating in a restaurant we would NEVER have
walked into on top of the Peak in Hong Kong: PRICELESS
So, for all you gourmets or wanna be gourmets, we had a epicurean
experience for you. . . that was probably somewhat wasted on us, but delicious indeed! And, by all standards, it was
really only about $85US a person, drinks and dessert included, so you could do that anywhere in the world, without the same
ambience and view, so I guess we can live with that!
It was pretty cold last night, about 53 F, and windy, especially
at the Peak. We tried to get some pictures, but it appears none of our cameras were made to take long distance pictures
at night that well. I think Dad got the best shot (see below).
Mom and Dad off to Macau today, on their own with no cell
phone, but explicit instructions from me, The Lonely Planet Guide Book, and a map with all the places written in English,
Chinese, and Portuguese. I think they will be okay as long as they remember to look both ways when crossing the street.
Don't expect them back til late tonight.
Dad got the shot of the night. . .
Mom, Dad, and I at the Pearl
My best effort
Sunday, January 7, 2007
Let the kids off the leash today, as Mike was quite tired
and sick, and I felt like I might be getting what he had. So, as they weren't planning on leaving the rock, we armed
them with a map and the cell phone and they set off about Central Hong Kong. Dad wanted to go and see some of the local
parks and such, and then go back up to the Peak and walk around (a very nice route that I've done twice).
Yesterday was Mom's birthday, and we celebrated by having
a nice brunch at Bacar's, then heading over to the south side of the island, starting at Stanley (where we somehow, luckily,
avoided going to the much acclaimed and highly over-rated Stanley Market). Walked a short trail up looking over the
beach/harbor to see a temple and an ancient well (not sure we saw that, though, we did see a hole). Had a quick drink
at The Smuggler's Inn, grabbed a taxi to Deep Water Bay, sat around a little and decided to come home and rest up.
The apartment has some of those Brookstone massage chairs
and my Mom has become their best customer. The other day she had two! She gets one everyday as we come home.
We took her over to Discovery Bay on Lantau to Hemmingway's
on the Bay for dinner. Was a nice meal, and we caught the 9:50 ferry back and sent them home to bed. Mike and
I met TJ at the Globe for a few.
On Friday we had went over on the Star Ferry to Kowloon and
walked around. Took them to the Ladies Market, where they picked up a few souveniers.
I think they're having fun. . .
Mom and Dad partying like rock stars in Lan Kwai Fong
Mom enjoying her blinking birthday present (check shawl) from TJ in Lan Kwai Fong. . . quite late
Kitty hanging out at Graham Street Market
Freshly butchered fish. . . their hearts are still beating!
Fishing boats in Stanley Harbor
Stanley Harbor from above (on the way to the temple)
Bailing Dad our from jail at Stanley. . . not really
Pirate ship anchored at Deep Water Bay
Mom and Dad before Mom's birthday dinner in the apartment
Pre Mom and Dad sunset on Peng Chau
Friday, January 5, 2007
Alrighty! The parents made it in no problems on Wednesday
night. Arrived at the apartment about midnight, Mike and I had been out to dinner and then to the Globe for a bit, but
stayed up til about 2 AM with them, getting them settled down and ready to sleep. First day was pretty much around the
neighborhood, then up to the peak.
Our friend Sita who works at the Globe owns a small Nepalese
restaurant on Peel Street, a street we walk by all the time but have never climbed up far enough. We took Mom and Dad
there last night for dinner, and the food was AWESOME. Very spicy. We had a variety of starters, including "dried
buffalo meat with chilli's", some spicy pork balls, nepalese style onion rings, spicy potatoes and spicy sweet potatoes, and
chicken spring rolls. Then we ordered one main dish and all tried the pork chiallo. Wandered down the street a
bit after dinner and hit a couple more spots that we've never seen, an African bar named Zingha where we had some Cameroon
beer by the same name and a bar called "Joyce is not here" that had a "sad hour". Very interesting and eclectic block.
There was also a cute little temple right at the corner of
Peel and Staunton. About 50 years old, I guess. Idiots that we are, no one had a camera, so I'll have to go back
and get some pics.
Today we are going to cross the harbor on the Star Ferry
and go to Kowloon.
Odd sign on the way to dinner Tuesday night. . .
Christmas lights on the buildings in Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, coming in off the Lamma ferry
