Arrested in China!

Well, nearly. Chris and I were going to take his friend Anne up to Shenzen on Friday straight after school for some Friday night shopping. We got there ok, but we had a few dramas at the border. Anne already had a visa to enter China, as she was heading there on Saturday for a tour.

Unfortunately it was a 1-entry visa, which meant if she used it for Shenzen she couldn't get back in the following day for her tour, and they wouldn't let her buy one for Friday.

That was a bummer, but really, it was a nice train trip and we decided to go home and go somewhere nice for dinner instead.

Except we were stuck! We had already gone through immigration but hadn't gone through customs and we couldn't find a way back to departures! We were stuck in no-man's land for quite a while. We wandered around trying to find an english speaking guard, and we got shuffled from person to person - each who took our 3 passports away, until finally we were taken to the interview office. We were half expecting cameras to come out to shoot some kind of "Border Security" show!

Anyway after all the dramas we finally got back to the train (the photo is of Chris and Anne looking traumatised), and back to Hong Kong, and we had a lovely dinner at Knutsford Terrace. I had my camera this time, so got some photos of all the (over the top) Halloween decorations.

Cool Change

Back at school this week, but it has still been busy. We all met Jane for a farewell drink at Stauntons, and had a really yummy dinner before Jane left us to go back home on Monday night. And Amanda left us on Tuesday night. It was so nice having them here for a visit!

But Chris already has another Australian visitor here for the week, so we went out again last night, to Rat Alley.

It was probably the first time I was without my camera, and I really wanted to take a photo of the Halloween decorations. I can't believe how much they get into the Halloween spirit here! There were massive ghosts, ghouls, pumpkins, witches, and bloody body parts all around the area. All the shops, banks, supermarkets etc etc are all decorated, and I'm a bit over it.

And finally FINALLY there has been a cool change in the weather. It is no longer hot and stinky! Last night was the first night I slept without air conditioning, and today was a beautiful 16 - 24 degrees with clear blue sky. I can live with this! It's pretty funny, though, seeing all the locals in what looks like skiing jackets already!!

The rest of our holiday

Gosh I've been a bit slack on the blog. We've just been very busy!

It was great fun to have Amanda and Jane here in Hong Kong these last few days. We've fit lots in - Mong Kok markets, Stanley, Cheung Chau, Ocean Park, shopping, day spas, dim sum, Happy Valley races, lots of eating...

I can't believe I have to go back to school tomorrow - it is going to interrupt this fabulous holiday!

Malaka

We had an awesome time in KL, even though we didn't spend a lot of time there. We checked out a couple of bars on Saturday night, and had a fantastic meal at a south american restaurant. I think my favourite bit though was on Sunday at the Central Markets - heaps of shops in an awesome building, a bit touristy and very multi-cultural.

We also went to check out the 2 famous towers that were in Entrapment, but unfortunately we couldn't go up 'cause they were closed already. But they were all lit up and very beautiful, and there were lots of cool shops to visit :-) Dinner that night was in a really local foody street, really interesting stuff.

KL has been great, although I was pretty sad yesterday when I found out my Nanna is very sick in hospital.

Today we caught a taxi to Malaka - a town with Portugese, Indian and Chinese history. We had a great wander around today, and I am loving it. The best way to tour around was in a rickshaw with 2 great guides who told us a lot about the history of Malaka. We got some great photos! We also squeezed in a swim, drinks at a local corner bar, and dinner overlooking the river.

Home again tomorrow... bit sad the holiday is nearly over, but excited that Miss Jane is already in Hong Kong and I am looking forward to seeing her!

Relaxing in Kuala Lumpur

At last! Holidays! Last week was really busy so I'm very glad we now have a week of holidays.

It kicked off on Thursday night when Amanda arrived, although I still had a computer course to go to on Friday.

Amanda, Chris, Chris and I went straight to the airport after school to fly to Kuala Lumpur. We are staying in an awesome, luxurious hotel... not that we saw much of it last night. It was mignight when we got here, and 1.00am when we ate dinner!

Today we have had a lazy wander around town doing some sightseeing and shopping at markets. I think I might melt here, it is SO HOT! So there was only one thing to do this afternoon - go for a swim in the pool and have cocktails. Nice!

I forgot my camera cord so will have to add a few photos when we get home.

A post for the Canberra Gang

Look at this - I just bought some very beautiful earrings to match the very beautiful ring you gave me :-)
Tara and Mel, I keep thinking how much you would love the shopping over here. The shops don't close till very late, you could shop till you drop!

A Little Bit Fancy

I had afternoon tea at the Hyatt today with Abi and her friends. The Hyatt is absolutely beautiful, and they have this lovely all you can eat buffet. They had so much beautiful hot food, cold food and fantastic little desserts that it was impossible to try everything. We gave it a good go though!

Happy Valley Races

Last night was my first visit to the famous Happy Valley Races. I'm not into horse racing at all, but this was great. The racecourse is really beautiful, surrounded by millions of city lights. It had a great atmosphere, and I can see why people go there just for fun each Wednesday. It's a real social event!

Lynne was pretty happy 'cause she did very well with her bets, but Emilio's horses were a bit sleepy. Chris and I didn't even bother to put bets on.

Today we met Lynne and Emilio for a last drink before they went home. I think they have had an awesome time, and I have certainly enjoyed having them here! Thanks for coming Lynnie!

A lovely weekend

I love long weekends. I've done the light show, star ferry (favourites), more lanterns, Knutsford Terrace (great for eating and drinking), shopping, Cheung Chau... I think Lynne and Emilio have squeezed in heaps in the last few days.

Cheung Chau was great as usual, but we wandered around more back alleys this time. We came across preparations for some kind of burning festival. They make huge paper sculptures of all sorts of things (eg the car in the photo) that will then be burnt as an offering to dead relatives. I thought that was the Hungry Ghost festival that's been and gone, so I'll have to look into it a bit more. I'd like to be there for the festival.

PS I was so excited today - when I left school it wasn't too hot! The first time I haven't been hot in over 2 months.

National Day

It was so great meeting Lynne and Emilio at the train on Wednesday night! We went straight to Soho for a drink and a catch up, as it's such an easy local place to go to.

I had my first CPD day (professional development) on Thursday. I chose to do Chinese drumming - ok not so relevant to the library but it was so much fun! Afterwards we met Lynne and Emilio for dinner and took them to Rat Alley.

Yesterday was a public holiday, for National Day. But most things were still open, so we went up to the flower market and bird market, and another market at Mong Kok, and then Ladies Markets at Mong Kok. Lynne and I both found lots of things we "needed", and poor Emilio was very patient with us.

For National Day they had a little parade that went right under my bedroom window, and some fireworks down at the Harbour. It was nice sitting on the stairs at the harbour, until the first cracker went off and we discovered we were in a terrible spot to watch them. We nearly got trampled to death as thousands of people on the stairs behind us came hurtling down and went running towards a better position! We didn't bother running with them, we just finished our drinks and went for dinner.