Internations Expat Guide to Hong Kong

I was recently pointed in the direction of the Internations Expat Guide to Hong Kong and I was curious what it had to offer.

It does a good job of giving a complete overview of all the things you need to know about living in Hong Kong, eg getting a HK ID Card. However it might leave you wondering about the finer details and exact steps needed to do this.  Also it doesn't have a 'personal' feel about it, as in writing from someone who has really been through it all and bumped their head. I would say this book decribes the 'correct' way of doing things but sometimes the experience can be more frustrating or exhausting than expected.

I would definitely recommend this for anyone who is new to Hong Kong and needs a solid introduction. But if you have found your way here for a while already it probably won't add that much additiona information.

Pretty City

We flew into Hong Kong last night after a wonderful holiday in Greece and another wedding celebration in The Netherlands.  We arrived in the afternoon and the drive home plus walking around today has made me realise that Hong Kong IS an attractive city. 

The drive from the airport to the city I think is one of the best I've seen. I have travelled a fair bit and can't remember when I saw such interesting views in a 30min drive - city scape, mountains, interesting bridges, harbour views, islands, cute boats on the water all in. 

And then today the mountains in Kowloon were peaking just enough through the buildings to make me think of Cape Town. And wow the sunset. The sunset in Oia, Santorini in Greece is meant to be the best but I don't quite agree. The Greek sunset is great, but Hong Kong provides a mood and setting that evokes something more in my opinion.

Beerfest

Did anyone spontaneously catch up the LKF beerfest last weekend?  So.Much.Fun.
The fun part was going from stall to stall, trying the different beers (esp the craft beers) but then also looking at the 'deco' to match. Mostly beer girls of course, what else :-) We got a handful of fans, hats and other promo sheets.  Fans were the most appreciated considering the heat.
Whew it was waaay to hot for my liking.
OK, I was warned, the HK weather broadcast even issues a very hot warning, but somehow I thought my South African experience would make me immune, guess I wrong.
Oh and don't be alarmed by the interesting looking beer glasses, all the cool kids were drinking from them.

The Wedding

I thought I would briefly share that the wedding in Connecticut was everything I hoped it to be and more. It was a PERFECT day, weather warm but not hot, limited wind, no rain. And there were no last minute emergencies nor stresses. The group size was just right, an intimate gathering like we wanted.  Both venues were amazing, like from a story book. And the best part (besides marrying the Love of my Life of course) is that despite some scares about my DRESS not fitting at the last minute it fitted perfectly on the day and felt just right.

People are now asking how is married life going. Practically it is not that different besides not having to discuss wedding plans (for the USA wedding) and thinking more about moving logistics for next month, but on an emotional level it does feel different, nicer, life is just better and there is this warm tingling feeling deep in my heart. xxx

Chinese New Year and much more

Hello again!

I've been back in Hong Kong for a month now and I can confirm that I love living here. The city has become small and cosy in many ways but still captures my attention with all its sights, smells and spectaular array of things to do.

Some highlights:

* Climbing to the Peak along the Old Tramway route and doing Hong Kong trail part 1

* Trying new cocktail hangouts with friends and on our own.
 -  001, a New York style speakeasy that is hidden away in Central
 - California Vintage in Wan Chai
 - Hyatt Hotel in TST (K11 Mall)
and finding some new places to eat, high point was Sushi at Sushi Shin - so yum!

* Exploring the markets! Sham Shui Po, Mong Kok, Causeway Bay even and the great Shopping Mall displays.



* And of course Chinese New Year celebrations have been exhilarating  The New Year started started Sunday 10 Feb, and festivities roughly ends 21 Feb. During that time you can find numerous opportunities to join in the fun:  Lion Dances, Bamboo Theaters, street parades, fireworks and dragon mimes.  Lots of free entertainment walking around this week. =D

This is the first month in over two years that I haven't travelled, but no need, the tourists come here for this :-)

Wedding Fever

What's been filling my mind the past week?  WEDDING PLANNING! Wow, there is a serious business in this thing called a wedding and Hong Kong is no exception. In fact I would say they take it to the next level far more than I have ever seen it in South Africa or Holland.

There are wedding centres where all vendors collect and provide an easy place to shop for what you want - dresses (multiple), photographers, shoes, decorations, invitations. There is no ceasing. What I have discovered is that most brides hire a wedding dress from a package, which may or may not include a separate day for photos. If not, the the wedding photographer will hire out dresses.

But I am going with the simple approach of one wedding dress custom made. No frills and bows, quite simple and elegant. The chinese folk don't really understand me and want to get involved to help to dress it up. But for a simple wedding with around 40 people I don't need to be pimped out.

Another thing which is quite unique are the photoshoots before the wedding in their wedding dresses.  Beautiful photos but not quite my thing. However I am dragging J on a casual engagement shoot around Hong Kong just because ;-)

Kowloon Walled City

A fascination with the old Kowloon Walled City has emerged this week, I stumbled upon these old German documentaries and am so grateful the scenes were captured in time.  Some parts of Hong Kong give a faint whiff of times like this, but so far I haven't encountered anything quite like this.