Return to Hong Kong

I have been remiss in finishing off my blog—I always intended to finish it back on Saltspring Island, our future home but somehow life kept getting in the way.

Having spent the last year feeling guilty it is time I just took the bull by the horns and just “did it”.

I left off in China where we had a flight booked to Hong Kong to finish our Asia sojourn with David and family.

We had an enjoyable 10 days and were able to go and see Alex at his school sports day and Arianne at her school science fair. Expat children in Hong Kong do not often have grandparents to share these important events and it was nice to see them happy and thriving at the excellent schools they attend.

Hong Kong is an amazing city; huge numbers of people live in massive high rise apartments—often with no kitchen hence the huge number of cheap noodle restaurants. The markets are bustling and colourful and streets are busy.

Contrasted with this the expat and more affluent Chinese live in smaller villages often with a network of trails through forested areas where birds are singing and you are not aware of the fact you are in one of the most densely populated countries in the world. We often took Dave’s dog for a walk in the forest, as you continue walking all of a sudden you will come across a vista of massive high rises over the hill—quite amazing!!

As in any major city in the world there are museums and gardens where you can seek refuge. Public transportation is efficient and cheap and easy to negotiate.

I took a day on my own to get my last taste of the markets which we have spent many hours over the last seven year buying our food. I have always loved the smells, taste and flavor of them but Ken wanted a respite so sought his rewards separately.

We did go to the shopping centres purchasing clothes as ours from the boat are a little the worse for wear and we do not want to arrive home looking life refuges.

It was now time to bid Asia farewell as we were on our way to New Zealand to travel and visit with family there.