Move to China - First stop Hong Kong

This a long overdue post on this blog.  I find myself using so many platforms and I've neglected this, my original blog.  So here I am, catching up and sharing what has been happening in the many months since my last post.

I recently left Thailand after 5 years, and made the big move to China.  Most of my posts will probably be about my new life here, and so far it's been a busy one.

Before entering mainland China, I was compelled to obtain my work visa in Hong Kong.  As my application only went in on the Friday due to flight delays etc, I had to wait until Monday to collect my passport with my new visa.

Hong Kong is a lovely place (this was my 2nd visit), but the length of my stay didn't quite suit my budget. My budget had to extend to a 6 week survival in China before my first salary, so I had to be very frugal.  I'm not much of a shopping enthusiast, so it was QED.

Murphy's law of course, and my original planned 2 night stay became a 5 night stay, and HK is rather expensive.  I moved out of my first 2 night stay hotel in Kowloon and although it was in a good area for restaurants, I found the hotel entrance and hallways to be grubby at best, and although the rooms were clean, they were very small.

Using my trusted source for hotels once again, I found a gem of a place on Hong Kong island.  The best part of it was that it was located right next to the MTR and accessible by a short walk along the footbridge.  It was comfortable, clean, big and checked all the right boxes.  Since I didn't have my passport with me (still at visa office), it was a little challenging to get checked in, but the staff were great and accepted my passport front page which I'd had the foresight to put into Dropbox.

Initially I got rather cold in Hong Kong, although the temperatures were around 18 to 22 degrees C, but having come from 40+ degrees, it did take me a while to acclimatise.  Fortunately I love to walk a lot, and it went a long way to warming me up, and probably contributed to losing a few kilos.  I took hundreds of photos, but here are just a few to perhaps whet the appetite of anyone who may be considering visiting HK.

                       

 Victoria Gardens Causeway Bay                                                       View from the bridge

                        

                                                     Catholic Church in Wan Chai

                                                                  Victoria Harbor (below)

       
       

                     

  Found this nearby Victoria Harbor                                             Golden Bauhinia Square

                      

                                                       Walk along the promenade

       

                 
                                                          Star Ferry Terminal                                                        

                                                      Gardens at the visa office
         

                   

 A tortoise on his morning walk                                            Tram ride to Causeway Bay

   Water feature at the library in Causeway Bay


So, after a pleasant weekend of sightseeing, I was back at the visa office on Monday morning to collect my passport with the new visa.  Happy days.  Next little hiccup was that I was unable to get a flight out of HK to mainland China until the next morning, so another night spent in HK, fortunately at the lovely Hotel where I'd been staying for the previous 2 nights.

 I had a very early morning flight for the Tuesday morning, Hotel reception had ordered me a taxi for 5am, so I stayed in, packed and tried for an early night.  The next day would find me arriving in Hangzhou at around 11am.  

More about that in my next post.

Cape Town, June 2016 Day 1 and 2

Going home

     
CAPE TOWN
JUNE 2016

First few days 

               

My annual holiday has come and gone, and as usual the destination was Cape Town.  Flights from Bangkok via Singapore and Johannesburg, and 24 or so hours later I arrived at Cape Town International Airport.  My very reliable car-rental lady from Cape View Car Hire was waiting with my rental car, and soon enough I was on my way, in my disheveled state, to my first stop at the old-age home in Panorama where mom lives. Greetings and hugs and too soon the visiting hour was over.

Next stop Bellville to collect keys from my son who kindly hosted his mother for the duration of the holiday.  Onwards to Pinehurst, and a much needed soak in a hot tub, before a quick shop at the Pinehurst centre to pick up few necessities, like wine.  The Cape does indeed have the finest wines, and surviving the cold winter weather certainly demands some of the Cape's best reds.

Since I never learn to catch up on a bit of sleep when I arrive (5 hour time difference), I was up late into the night, enjoying a few glasses of wine and catching up on the local news with my son, followed by a steak dinner at Saddles in Pinehurst with Sonja and her mom. Thumbs up to Saddles on delivering a perfect order.

On the fourth night, late nights caught up with me, and I faded at about 8pm.  

Each day was the daily routine of visiting my mom in the morning, leaving the rest of the day free for meeting friends, road-trips, sight-seeing, shopping and dining, The first few days involved getting my mom prepared for her pending eye operation, meeting with the staff at the home, and sorting and stocking mom's cupboards.  No need for too much detail.

Stellenbosch
My first drive out was to Stellenbosch which used to be a lovely, picturesque town mostly inhabited by "old money" and students attending the University.  There was one small Mall and many quaint eateries and watering holes.  Beautiful houses and wine farms made up the rest of this "once upon a time" town.  I was shocked to see what a dump this place has become.  It's dirty with more of an "industrial" look, crime-ridden, and seemingly the "hoody" gangs ruin and rule the town.  The Mall is still standing, but many shops are vacant and theft is rife.  Wine farms still appear to be flourishing - good news.  As I'd already fallen victim to a bunch of thieves the previous day at Cape Gate Mall nearer home, I went into the Mall clutching my bag tightly and then to lunch with my nephew who works there.  Dros was the only place which wasn't a fish or chicken take-away hut out on the street, so we had a fairly okay lunch there, but spent more time chatting than really caring about the food and service.
We found ourselves back at the Dros on my 2nd last evening before leaving, and then we did mind the food and service, which was appalling, and led to us cancelling our Don Pedros after 40 minutes of waiting.

Palms in Brackenfell

Definitely deserves a mention in the dining department.  Snuggled away on a road I don't remember, this restaurant / pub is well worth a visit for a few drinks outside while watching whatever sport or music is on the tele outside, or for quieter dining inside with a hot fire to unfreeze the winter bones. The waitrons are attentive and helpful and the food is delicious.  I opted for a 200g fillet with pepper sauce on the side and fries. while Sonja chose a "bit of both" burger which featured a chicken breast, beef pattie, bacon, cheese and mushroom sauce, and the usual tomato and lettuce on the rolls, with fries.  Cooked to perfection, with more than enough to take home for the Rottweilers later on.  Lovely evening, good food and great company.

                      

 

More to follow ....