Apr 21, 2019 - All The Tea In China

The Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware proved to be another free and interesting look into the culture of Hong Kong.With the history of over 170 years, the Flagstaff House originally served as the office and residence of the Commander of the British Forces in Hong Kong. Now, the various rooms house wall panels describing species of tea plants, methods of tea processing and tea drinking traditions. However, the greater portion of floorspace is (as expected) given over to the exhibition of tea pots, bowls and cups. From humble clay vessels to...

Apr 17, 2019 - Lantau Island Big Buddha & Monastary

It was nice to wake up in a familiar hotel, and once again the iClub assigned us a room with a great view of the bay. We also had an interesting view of some fellows strapping together bamboo scaffolding on a job site across the street. Duncan monitored them closely and we were both pleased to see they wore proper sit harnesses and were tethered to bolts in the concrete. It would have been even better if their tools were tethered too. After that show we made our way to the Central Piers to catch the ferry to Mui Wo, which is on Lantau...

Apr 17, 2019 - A Night At The Races - Hong Kong Jockey Club

Despite the long day on Lantau Island we didn’t want to miss our next “must do”. So, we hopped on the metro to make our way down to the Hong Kong Jockey Club, otherwise known as Happy Valley. Surrounded by a wall of skyscrapers in the heart of the city, it’s likely a lovely green space to overlook from a chic condo by day. That makes is a pretty exciting setting when the surrounding towers are lit up at night. Aside from the gambling and the racing, Happy Valley is very much a social affair. As well as a few restaurants, kiosk-style beer...

Apr 9, 2019 - Hong Kong in 4

Quick (Relatively !) 4 hour flight from Singapore to Hong Kong. I hope the seat I get on the next flight is better than the one to Hong Kong - the flight attendants eventually gave me two blankets to cover the bare metal rods protruding thru the seat 'cushion' directly into my 'backside'. Not the most comfortable hump to sit on but luckily for only 4 hours - no way would 12 1/2 hours be tolerable. Spent a couple hours in the lounge in Hong Kong which is relaxing, more quiet that the terminal, comfortable seating, and good food for free;...

Mar 15, 2019 - Hong Kong on our own

Our last full day in Hong Kong turned out to be a busy affair. After being on so many bus tours, we were eager to walk the city. We headed for the boardwalk with the idea of eventually ending up a the History museum, which turned out to be amazing. We then meandered, passing by the Peninsula Hotel, wandering the streets and landing on the Avenue of Stars that is similar to the walk of Stars in Hollywood, except with handprints on the guard rail of the seawall. After our city meandering we stopped at a jazz bar for snacks and a glass of...

Mar 14, 2019 - Lantau Island

Another early morning, where we are once again greeted with an international breakfast buffet. This one is even bigger than the one I described in Bangkok. Different asian breakfast specialties including, Chinese, Japanese, Indian and Western style foods. I once again got to enjoy my noodle bowls. Today, we meet the tour group one last time for a day trip to Lantau Island. Passing through busy Hong Kong, we encounter a place that is green, mountainous and lush on our way to Ngong Ping Village. Once a remote monastery, has been completely...

Mar 13, 2019 - Mega tour of Hong Kong and Kowloon

Following disembarkation from the ship, we drove to Hong Kong Island. Along the way we passed the Jockey Club, a cemetery, a mosque, a prison and a golf course! Our first stop at Victoria Peak, site of the oldest funicular (built 1888) and awesome views of the city. We then rode down on the funicular backwards (steepest angle is 27 degrees). If you weren't seated backwards you'd fall forward. Afterwards we drove to Aberdeen, to board a sampan to view the last working fishing village in Hong Kong. Also, the location of the largest floating...

Mar 12, 2019 - Hong Kong - a day aboard

Ok, this is going to sound strange, but Bri and I decided to forgo the city tour on our first day in Hong Kong. The ship will be docked overnight and we do not disembark until tomorrow. So we decided that since we still had 3 more days in the city, that we would take advantage of most guests being off the ship and the promise of the best day weather-wise for the upcoming week to chill and lounge around the pool. Brian aka cameraman, also took the opportunity to take additional shots of the ship. We are actually docked in Kowloon Bay cruise...

Feb 19, 2019 - Crossing the WIDE Pond

13 hours in the San Fran Airport sounds long, but 14 HOURS in a seat on a jet is a bit more restrictive. Fair bit of turbulent bumps crossing the big pond, but Cathay Pacific is a good airline. Relatively quick transfer time before continuing flight to Singapore.

Jan 14, 2019 - Flying to Hong Kong

Cathay Pacific Airlines does not disappoint. We felt pampered throughout the 15 1/2 hour journey to Hong Kong in business class. Between us, we watched 9 movies and were never lacking for food or drinks. We arrived in Hong Kong, checked into our hotel, and wandered the underground mall attached to it. Most of the stores were high end designer stores we can shop at in the States. The mall seemed to be one stop shopping, as there were groceries, too. The grocery stores were contemporary, well organized and full of ready to eat, fresh cuisine....

Oct 23, 2018 - dad's perspective: tennis in china

Tennis in China: Focus, Discipline, POWER, Nike, and Yonex are words that come immediately to my mind when reflecting on our tennis experience in China. The cultural approach to training in Asia for our sport is very different than what we see in the West. According to the coaches at the academy who have been in Asia for many years, variety is not a big part of development. Most game styles I have witnessed are the same, hug the baseline and hit extremely hard and flat. First strike tennis is the name of the game and points are ending...

Oct 23, 2018 - Nepal Nirvana - October 23, 2018 Kathmandu - Hong Kong and home

Our last morning in Nepal and we all savour a chance to sleep in. For some reason I am wide awake at 6:00am and meet with Roger and Pam for breakfast. They are leaving for India this morning so I plan to go to the airport with them. Prem, as always, is on time along with two of Bikesh's fellows Nir and Kangsan (I think). Off we head to the airport and we can't believe the lack of traffic, it is a breeze. When we comment on this, Nir says, oh that is because of 'The Festival', everyone is still in their villages. No opportunity is missed to...