Hong Kong - April 2024

Had to go to Hong Kong at short notice for work. Flew on Friday morning on Qantas Business Class. First time in the First Lounge at Sydney Airport which is sooo much nicer than the Qantas Club. Ordered breakfast from the A la carte menu...

Love the retro notice boards...

My flight was delayed but we finally boarded and they handed out the Qantas pyjamas...

Had my usual Bloody Mary...

Lunch...

Slept on the flight and arrived about 5pm. Caught an Uber to the Royal Garden in TST where I am staying for the weekend.

Saturday morning I went for breakfast at a place nearby and did some emails.

I went for a walk around TST. It's not a great day.

My mate picked me up in his car and we headed to Zhuhai (see separate report).

On Sunday I checked into the W Hotel which is where the work meetings are taking place. It's a really nice hotel and I upgraded to a sea view for about A$60 per night. Callum is going to join me on Monday so I got a twin room.

It has a lovely pool and I did laps most mornings. Weather is warm and overcast...

The spa...

Callum arrived Monday night and I met him at Airport Express Kowloon Station which is under Elements Mall - very convenient to the hotel.

The first night we ate at the Mango Tree in Elements and the next night we walked to Temple Street for local style dinner...

One night I took Callum to Ozone, the highest rooftop bar in the world. It is in ICC so right next to the W Hotel. I booked and they sat us inside. We really wanted to sit outside but you need to wait in a queue for that so we took a pic and left.

We then walked to Jordan for dinner. I over-ordered. It was delicious.

We then walked to Aqua, one of my favourite rooftop bars. It was a lovely night and we sat on the terrace...

On Friday night I met my friend Olivia for a drink and dinner at The Globe...

One night I met a mate who has a Mercedes Convertible and we went for a drive to Stanley and had a walk.

I stayed at The W for seven nights so for a long stay I got 5 free laundry items per day. My underwear and socks came back in nice boxes...

On Saturday we headed to Ocean Park. Got there just after opening and wasn't too busy.

Got straight on the cable car...

First ride was the rapids one which was fun...

Walked through the aquarium...

Then Callum talked me into the rollercoaster...

It was fun actually...

Caught the cable car back in the early afternoon...

Visited the pandas on the way back...

We were hungry so headed to Yum Yum in Sheung Wan for a late lunch. It was super busy and we had to wait.

View from our room...

That night we caught an Uber to Sneaker Street in Mongkok and then walked through the Ladies Market. We got some food and then kept walking to Temple Street.

Sunday is our last day so we headed downstairs and had Peking Duck. It was great.

After that we headed to West Kowloon Park...

Then chilled by the pool before heading to the airport. 

We tried the Cathay Lounge, The Wing. Callum couldn't believe it was all free and had two dinners and three drinks!

I had a bloody mary...

Landing in Sydney early morning...

Zhuhai, People's Republic of China - April 2024

On Saturday, I met a mate and we drove to Zhuai in Mainland China. I had always wanted to cross the Hong Kong - Zhuhai - Macau bridge. Leaving Hong Kong was easy, we both stayed in the car and showed our passport/HKID.

We then drove across the bridge and entered PRC. My mate stayed with the car and I got out and went through formal immigration with my passport and APEC card, meaning I didn't need a visa on arrival. It was quick.

We then drove through Zhuhai which was pretty busy. It's a big city with good roads and lots of cameras! We tried to enter a couple of carparks where the gate opened after reading your number plate. It didn't let us in as he only has HK plates. Zhuhai is the only entry point that lets you in without dual plates. We eventualy got in using his WeChat app. 

We found a restaurant. Love how everything is wrapped in plastic...

Now that's a big beer...

Oysters are the specialty of this restuarant..

Sweet and sour pork was great. It was hot but served on ice...

I was able to pay with my AliPay app linked to my HK Mastercard. Worked fine but not as seamless as WeChat pay which I don't have...

We then went and had a massage. After that we drove to the other side of Zhuhai to drive past the apartment my friend has bought. Had dinner at a local market and then drove back to HK.

Sydney - March 2024

 We had a lawyer conference at Manly Pavillion which was a great day.

We headed to the Steyne for dinner. There's a nice balcony upstairs...

One Saturday night we had dinner with Julie and Richard at Narrabeen.

Monique ad Graham are visting from London so we had them up to the lake for a couple of nights...

Brisbane - March 2024

Had to go back to Brisbane for some budget meetings. This is the view from one of the meeting rooms...

I stayed at Capri by Fraser again and had dinner with a colleague at the Pig 'n' Whistle Riverside. Went for a walk around Brisbane at lunch time.

Another view from the office...

Eliza's Graduation - March 2024

 Eliza graduated from Macquarie Uiversity with a Bachelor of Human Science. Very proud of her. The ceremony was very formal but quite nice.

Melbourne - March 2024

Spent three days in the Melbourne office. Flew on Tuesday night. As a new Qantas Platinum member, I can use the Business Lounge...

Landed on time and caught an Uber to Crowne Promenade in Southbank. I stayed there many years ago when it was new and it had a good rate, so I thought I'd give it a try.

Went for a walk as it's a nice night. This is walking over the bridge back to Southbank. Thats Crown Casino...

The next day I walked to the office in William Street. Crossing the bridge and looking over to the city...

Walked past Flinders Street Station at night...

Crossing the river further up over Princes Bridge...

Easy flight home on Friday.