I'm in love with places I've never been to, and people I've never met. Working on it!
Monday, May 1, 2017
Sunday, April 16, 2017
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.
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.
Sunday, September 11, 2016
Monday, July 18, 2016
Random travel pics
It's no secret that travelling is my passion, and I'll continue to explore as much of mother earth as I'm able to. My wanderlust has not only taken me to many countries, but also to many out of the way places in a country, completely off the tourist map and holiday brochures. There are so many secret hideaways and quaint places to discover on these random road-trips, and I seem to have quite a talent for finding them.
One sure thing about my travel plans is that there usually isn't a plan, and I just wing it as I go along.
I'm not a "guided tour" kind of person - perish the thought of spending days or weeks with some not so nice people, visiting places I don't wish to see, or be hurried away from a place where I'd rather be. Quick pics taken on hundreds of stops en route to the final destination, and then trying to remember where and why you took those photos.
Besides my annual pilgrimage to SA for the last 5 years and my trip to Hong Kong and Macau, most of my travels have been in Thailand and other countries in South East Asia, but this post is about a few of my best finds in SEA - Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. Some look pretty amazing while others feature solely because they afforded me hours of entertainment in one way or another.
Koh Samui, Thailand
These pics (below) feature a very special day when I went to the fishing village, clambered around on fishing vessels, and saw how and where the fishermen live when they aren't out at sea. Some precarious balancing skills on and off the water.
The fishing village - happiness in its simplicity
A welcome ice cold coconut drink after the long walk, dodging traffic and a few stops at the station and the square.
Stunning church both inside and outside
Outside the Museum - many coffees later with these 2 gentlemen
One sure thing about my travel plans is that there usually isn't a plan, and I just wing it as I go along.
I'm not a "guided tour" kind of person - perish the thought of spending days or weeks with some not so nice people, visiting places I don't wish to see, or be hurried away from a place where I'd rather be. Quick pics taken on hundreds of stops en route to the final destination, and then trying to remember where and why you took those photos.
Besides my annual pilgrimage to SA for the last 5 years and my trip to Hong Kong and Macau, most of my travels have been in Thailand and other countries in South East Asia, but this post is about a few of my best finds in SEA - Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. Some look pretty amazing while others feature solely because they afforded me hours of entertainment in one way or another.
Koh Samui, Thailand
Chiang Mai, Thailand - just because it's a lovely city and a gateway to the hill-tribe villages, Doi Suthep, Chiang Rai and the Golden Triangle
Kuala Lampur, Malaysia
Jakarta, Indonesia
These pics (below) feature a very special day when I went to the fishing village, clambered around on fishing vessels, and saw how and where the fishermen live when they aren't out at sea. Some precarious balancing skills on and off the water.
The crew taking a few minutes for a few photos
My ride to China town from the rickety pier and the welcome beer
A welcome ice cold coconut drink after the long walk, dodging traffic and a few stops at the station and the square.
Stunning church both inside and outside
My first visit to a mosque
Great place to watch the boats and enjoy Vietnamese Drip coffee
Outside the Museum - many coffees later with these 2 gentlemen
Jakarta was a very special trip and probably deserves a story of its own.
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