Central to Stanley hike - May 2022

We have two long weekends in May. One for labour day and one for Buddha's Birthday. 

One Saturday I walked from home to Stanley which I have never done before, although I have previously done it in two parts (Central to Repulse Bay and Ocean Park to Stanley).

I stopped at Wan Chai Gap Park for a snack - siu mai. HKD10 for six...

Coming down into Deepwater Bay...

From Deepwater Bay Beach, there's a path next to the sea which takes you to Repulse Bay...

A climb again after Repulse Bay and then down into Stanley...

Arrived in Stanley and had a coffee. Then caught the bus back to Wan Chai for lunch.

Hong Kong - April 2022

After getting out of quarantine on 21 March, I settled back into Hong Kong life. COVID is a bit out of control and as a result, restaurants close at 6pm and not many people are in the office. The worst thing is that the gyms are closed. As a result, I am doing a lot of hiking.

The government sent every household a care package consisting of masks, Chinese medicine and rapid tests kits...

Another hike was to Lamma Island but in a different direction to where I normally walk...

Passed an abandoned village on the way...

Nice beach then it was over the hill back to Sok Kwu Wan...

Had lunch after and caught the ferry back to Aberdeen, walked to Wong Chuk Hang and then MTR back to Central.

There's a really nice bar in Tai Kwun called the Chinese Library which has introduced a great happy hour. One day I tried a Pimm's and lemonade and a Campari.

Cute mushroom dumplings...

Need a break from hiking so went to Halfway Coffee in Sheung Wan with my book...

On Easter Sunday I hiked from Discovery Bay to Mui Wo with my colleague and his dog. We had lunch and then kept going to Chi Ma Wan where we caught the inter-island ferry to Peng Chau and had a drink.

Coming down into Mui Wo...

The second part from Mui Wo to Chi Ma Wan...

Tried something new for lunch one day. Japanese Curry...

Had a drink with an ex-colleague one afternoon (bars are closed at night) at Quinary on Hollywood Road. This is an Earl Grey Caviar Martini...

Brunch at Stanley another day...

Aberdeen Reservoir on one of my frequent hikes there.

Did one of my regular walks from TST to To Kwa Wan for coffee at John Choy's Cafe. Caught the Star Ferry to TST and then a flat walk past Hung Hom. Nice day...

Taiwanese beef noodles one day...

Another lovely day. Government House on the right and Bank of China building in the centre...

As the bars are closed, we have to find alternative drinking venues! One night I went with a mate to the Murray Hotel where you can buy a drink and then stand outside on the driveway and drink it. Better than nothing! This is a nice picture of St John's Cathedral from where we were standing...

On the second anniversary of my mother's death I went to Prince Edward flow market and bought carnations...

I had lunch at Mongkok while I was there...

Regular rapid tests are a way of life now...

Finally on 21 April the gyms re-opened. Great to be back at RPM class even if we have to wear masks...

and we can drink after 6pm!

But the Police are out in hordes making sure we wear our masks! This is Hollywood Road near Peel Street which is a popular drinking area...

Healthy breakfast at Blend & Grind...

Friday night drinks at Sai Ying Pun - Shop9 Restaurant & Bar...

Brunch in Shek Tong Tsui one day. Hong Kong / Western style :-). I don't think they know how to serve a croissant!

Violet Hill to Stanley hike - April 2022

On Easter Saturday, I tried a new hike from Violet Hill to Stanley via The Twins water catchment.

I caught the bus to Wong Nai Chung Gap Trail and hiked along part of the Wilson Trail Section 1. It was a fair way up and then down to the beginning of The Twins hike that I had done before (and never again!). I then turned right and had a flat walk along the catchwater to Stanley which was easy but a bit boring as you couldn't see much.

There were a lot of stairs at the beginning...

Lovely views of Tai Tam, even though it was not a clear day...

Elevated view of Repulse Bay...

Ocean Park to Stanley hike - April 2022

One day I did a new hike. Caught the MTR to Ocean Park and walked to Stanley. It was for the most part right next to the sea, and only one easy climb.

You quite soon get to Deepwater Bay and then it's not far to Repulse Bay where I stopped for an over-priced coffee at Coffee Academics.

Just coming down into Stanley. That's Murray House from the back. It's a lovely day. Sunny and cool.

Stanley from the pier...

Murray House from the pier. Murray House was relocated around 2001 to make way for the Bank of China Building in Central. 

Blake Pier was also relocated from Central as part of the land reclamation project.

I had lunch and a milk tea at a local place I know in Stanley.

Windsurfers at Stanley Main Beach. All beaches are closed to swimmers for COVID reasons. Reasons that nobody understands :-)

Hong Kong hotel quarantine - March 2022

Well here I am again - 5th hotel quarantine and 3rd in Hong Kong. I couldn't get into the Kerry this time so had booked Ovolo Southside. I arrived on a Monday night and my first impressions were not great. But after a sleep, I realised I just had to get through it.

I have a corner deluxe room looking over a busy road.

But at least there is some greenery looking the other way and the weather looks really nice. That's Ocean Park you can see to the right...

I got my Nespresso machine delivered from the office...

And my daughter's Christmas present arrived and I enjoyed doing that...

A work contact sent me some snacks which were hugely appreciated...

I enjoyed doing this crossword...

And my friend Ian dropped in this care package...

Sunday was day 14 and I checked out at 00:15 Monday morning and got an Uber home.

Hopefully this is my last quarantine!