Hong Kong - December 2019

The stunning weather continued into December. Walked up Old Peak Road (which I find very challenging) and then to High West. 

Then walked back down the Morning Trail and back along Conduit Road.

Getting ready for Christmas... 

Another day I went to Lamma Island and did the walk from Sok Kwu Wan to Yung Shue Wan...

Street scene in Wan Chai...

Had a night at the Mandarin Oriental. The sea view room was very nice...

Had a drink at M Bar on Level 25...

Had time for a workout and spa...

At the pool...

Had dinner at Mott 32. Excellent Chinese food...

Night view from the room...

The breakfast buffet was amazing, as you would expect. We had a mix of dim sum, and western dishes...



On Saturday we took the bus to Stanley. Hadn't been for ages.

Alex and Callum arrived. Went to Ding Dim 1968 for dumplings. Then Alex and I did a yoga class together, and finished the night by walking through Tai Kwun.

On Thursday morning I put them on the Airport Express for their flight back to Sydney.

Next weekend went for a hike I hadn't done before - Discovery Bay to Mui Wo. Caught the ferry to Discovery Bay which is 25 minutes. Turned left out of the ferry terminal and started walking. Pretty straightforward but some long climbs involved. Wasn't a great day from an air quality point of view, but the temperature was pleasant.

Walked through a couple of villages and farms on the way...

Past a couple of beaches...

Chapel and the buddhist monastery...

Was paved paths all the way. At the highest point...

On the way down into Mui Wo...

Silvermine Bay Beach...

Caught the Star Ferry to TST one night and then back to Wan Chai...

Christmas decorations in Wan Chai...

And the Christmas tree at Tai Kwun...

Brunch at Oolaa...

Dragon's Back with Alex - December 2019

Took an afternoon off and took Alex on the Dragon's Back hike, down to Big Wave Bay. This is on the way up, looking back...

It was another beautiful day...

Looking down onto Shek-O...

Shek-O Country Club...

Shek-O again from further along the path...

Looking down to Big Wave Bay. We will be coming down that path at the other end of the beach shortly...

Half way down, looking towards Chai Wan...

Caught a mini bus back to Shau Kei Wan and MTR back home.

Hong Kong - November 2019

Art display at Tai Kwun. Always something going on here, but not many tourists at the moment.

Bought a new shirt...



Elephant Grounds on Caine Road always a good place for brunch...

The weather at this time of year is spectacular. Been hitting the gym and doing a lot of yoga. Enjoying a new brunch place in Soho - Barista by Givres. This one is avocado on dukkah...

Went to Harbour City one day on the ferry, and bought some new clothes. The weather in November was spectacular.

Love my new pants...

Ice-cream from Barista by Givres, my new brunch place...

I bought a full length mirror for my cupboard...

Devil's Peak - November 2019

Finally cool enough to do a hike.

One Sunday I headed to Devil's Peak. Caught the MTR to Yau Tong to the starting point. This is on the way up...

It is another beautiful day...

From the top, looking across to Hong Kong Island. I think this is the narrowest point between Kowloon and Hong Kong Island...

Looking across to Lohas Park...

Passing the Chinese Cemetery on the way down...

And down the bottom, walked to Lei Yue Mun seafood market...

Old Hong Kong on the left, and new Hong Kong on the right...

Seafood market. Feels local and I assumed the seafood would have been from around here. But this sign says from Australia !

Shanghai - 1-3 November 2019

Headed to Shanghai for a weekend away.

Easy flight on CX then Maglev / subway to Jing'An where I stayed at the Swissotel. My 3rd time here and was upgraded to a higher floor.

Jing'An Temple...



Saturday went to breakfast in Wuding Road, the restaurant / bar area I found last trip. After that I walked around Tianzifang and then to Xintiandi.

Then headed to the aquarium in Lujiazui for something different. It was okay but full of extremely loud school children so I was out quickly.

Headed back to the hotel for a swim, then to dinner at the Bavarian in Wuding Road where I had been before. After that went to Malabar for a drink, then back to hotel.

On Sunday, walked around Jing'An Park and had breakfast at a place called Bread, which was good.



Jing'An Park...

After lunch I headed to the metro to the airport. Easy flight back to HK.

Sydney - October 2019

Quick trip for my friend's 50th and to see the family. Overnight flight on Cathay (economy).

Friday night I caught up with my friend Rodney, for drinks.

Saturday was a gorgeous day and I took Callum to basketball.



Saturday night was the big 50th at The Park Hyatt.

Sunday morning I had breakfast with Jacqui at Brick Lane in West Pymble.

And then I bought a bike ! I really miss cycling.

Monday I drove to Narrabeen and rode around the lake. Got a puncture, so I walked to the beach to kill some time while it was fixed. Gorgeous day.

Monday night I took Callum to soccer at North Turramurra.