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 - 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...

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 22, 2018 - yangshuo weekend trip!!

Another solid week of tennis and fitness training and our enjoyment of China continues to grow! We were really looking forward to this weekend’s adventure in Yangshuo, part of the Guangxi Region of China. Yangshuo is know for their Karst Peaks (limestone formations that protrude up into the air forming individual mountains). This district is world renowned for it’s rock climbing and mountain biking. Our next visit my dad will organize a mountain bike tour of the rural areas. Yangshuo itself and the town center called “West Street” is very...

Oct 19, 2018 - dad's perspective: chinese culture and history

China Culture and History Judgement as influence by naivety, media and lack of knowledge is best to be kept to oneself! Through my Far East travels and cultural immersion the past 4 weeks, I have gained a perspective that I am embarrassed (and at the same time proud) to say is quite different than my preconception. China is an unbelievable Country and it’s people are of the most respectful, diligent, and humble kind I have ever been so fortunate to come across. The number of times I have been assisted with a huge smile is endless. Having...

Oct 15, 2018 - The Imperial Tour continues...

For once, our bus ride was relatively short. We headed out to the Juyongguan Section of the Great Wall, which was a mere 30 minutes drive from our hotel. Unfortunately, it was a heavily overcast and showery day, so our views of the Wall, as we approached, were very muted. Far from being an imposing barrier, perched on rugged ridges and set starkly against a radiantly blue sky, we were presented with brooding peaks, vaguely seen through a grey curtain, with the occasional glimpses of towers, looking lost in the mist. Unfortunate, yes, but...

Oct 14, 2018 - my global perspective

My Global Perspective Ryan Wuhrman Prior to visiting the far East, the only exposure I have had to Asian customs was in my Mandarin class at Palm Beach Day Academy and an occasional visit to the Panda Express down the street. I used to despise taking this class when I was younger and often made fun of the language with my friends referring to class as "ching chong chinese". I had no idea why I was in the learning something that seemed so apparently different. Middle school was nearing when I began to change my thinking and realized how...