Hong Kong - orientation day 2 - Thursday 31 March 2016

Walked to Morrison Hill Pool and did some laps. It's close and a very big pool. It was busy and I was the only Caucasian. Frustrating though, as they only had 2 laps for swimming and people in those laps could barely swim !

Caught tram into Central and caught the mid-levels escalator to the top. I'd never done this before.

Got to the top and started to walk down. The escalator only goes one way - down in the peak hour morning, and up for the rest of the day.

Had a coffee at Pacific Coffee as I needed a coffee. It was okay. Apparently the HK version of Starbucks who are everywhere here, but I wouldn't be caught dead in there 😀.

This is the mosque in Mosque Street...halfway up the escalator...

Explored Hollywood Road on the way down and Man Mo Temple. 

Then I caught tram east this time. I wanted to go to the end but after an hour I got bored, so hopped off and caught the MTR back home. Bought a pork bun, chicken pie and custard tart for lunch.  HKD17 and delicious.

Had some time on email etc. Then went to dinner in Jaffe Road again.

Hong Kong - orientation day 1 - Wednesday 30 March 2016

I woke quite early, got up, and started to unpack.

Breakfast is included in my rent so I tried it. Juice and toast and bananas. I think I better go and buy muesli.

I went to the Immigration Department to apply for a HK ID card. It's nice and close in Wan Chai. I had an appointment and it was pretty easy but a bit time consuming. I have to go ahead in a couple of weeks to pick it up.

I want to spend a couple of days orienting myself. Today it is Central and island west.

First went to a local coffee place I had read about. Manson's Lot in Swatow Street. It was very good but expensive at HKD44 !

I then caught a tram into Central and found where I will be working. My building is Exchange Square and it couldn't be more central. I bought a local SIM card for my spare phone. Then I got back on a tram and caught it to the furthest point west, Kennedy Town. I like the trams as they simply run east to west, are frequent and cheap. I sat upstairs at the front to get the best view.

Came back to Central and caught the Star Ferry to TST. The Queen Elizabeth was in the harbour right next to the ferry terminal. There were 3 "Queens" here this week but that was the one I got closest to.

Had a walk around TST.

And then caught the Star Ferry back to Wan Chai...

I had dinner at a local restaurant. I want to eat like a local to start with. It was basic but they brought out the English menu and I had rice noodles and beef which was fantastic. Less than A$10.

I had joined a Meetup group of trivia players as a good way to meet people. So I went to The Canny Man in Wan Chai which is close by, and played trivia. And we won !

Went home and crashed.

Bamboo is used extensively as scaffolding, even on high rise buildings. There is building going on everywhere.

Sydney to Hong Kong - Tuesday 29 March 2016

Jacqui and the kids drove me to the airport. Easy trip. Ate in the Qantas Club, including too many licorice allsorts !

Flight was fine. Long. I watched Spectre and The Intern which were both good. Slept a bit.

Coming into HK was the only time I had a few butterflies in my stomach. I guess the last 3 months are finally hitting me.

Cleared immigration no problems. Got my visa validated. Highlight was being told by the immigration guy that next time I could enter as a resident !

Caught Airport Express to town and then MTR to Wan Chai. My Octopus Card still had credit on it from 2011 😀.

Found my apartment easily. Had a quick walk and crashed about 10pm which is 1am Sydney time. Long day. 

Sydney - getting ready to go - March 2016

Easter Sunday 2016

This has been a long time coming and I am ready to go.

Since I received my job offer on New Years Day, I have had plenty of time to prepare. My visa arrived on Thursday, so I am flying out Tuesday 29 March.

It's Easter Sunday and I am packed and have ticked all the chores off my list. My bag is 30kgs, just under the max limit of 32 kg so I hope nothing else sneaks in between now and Tuesday !

I have spent the last 3 months sprucing up the house, getting the garden under control, selling my car and lots of other things (love Gumtree !), and having weekends away with my 3 children (separately). 

I will commute between Hong Kong and Sydney this year and aim to come home every 3 weeks or so.

Having 3 months off in Summer was a dream for me and I spent a lot of time at the beach, gym and getting pretty fit.

I have had the opportunity to catch up with (nearly all) my friends for coffees, drinks and dinners.

My Cantonese is basic and I need to practice. My tutor Ashley was fantastic and I now need to go and listen to the locals.

Sad to see my car go...

I had a weekend away with each kid. Alex and I went to Katoomba...

Callum with the new car, Jeff at Warriewood beach...

My garden...

The kids, and Chelsea the day I left...