Note: the top picture above was taken from our Hotel with a point and shoot camera place on the railing of our patio. Not bad, eh. The bottom picture is the Ting Kau Bridge to Tsing Yi and part of the airport infrastructure.“Letters” is a diary of activities of my wife, Jenny, and I, while we were on a three month trip to Hong Kong, Guangdong Province of China, Cambodia and Los Angeles from October 23, 2008 until January 6, 2009. I will post these as I get time.
Tax season is here and as a volunteer with AARP Tax-Aide and VITA I’m going to be pretty busy until April 15th.
I hope you enjoy and please post any comments you might have regarding these letters or if you would like me to add something to the blog.
___________________________________________________
On October 23, 2008, my wife, Jenny, and I arrived in Hong Kong about on time considering the fact that we had a problem in O’Hara that would have prevented us from flying over the Pole. But United fixed the problem and we left shortly thereafter. Even so, the 15-hour flight was much longer than I remembered (my last trip to Hong Kong was in 2004); you think it might be because I’m getting older?
Dai Ga Je (Elder Sister) and Yee Gor (Second Brother) met us at the airport. We took a taxi to Royal View Hotel in Ting Kau, which is located just beside the new bridge to Tsing Yi and part of the infrastructure to the new airport in located in Lantau. New! Well not new anymore; opened, I believed in 1997 about the time Hong Kong was returned to China.
We have leased a two-bedroom apartment for two months at the price of HK$21,500 per month (US$2800). This is a hotel that caters to short and long term travelers; as a result they have service apartments for lease. These apartments are very nice but let’s keep in mind, by US standards very small. Our place is only 710 sq. ft.
We did some unpacking and then hit the sack. We were able to sleep all night maybe because we took Melatonin to help us sleep. For those who do not know; Hong Kong is twelve hours ahead of New York time.
The next day we had a number of errands to do: banking, getting the apartment in order, checking on our planned trip to Cambodia, and of course seeing Dai Ga Je and Yee Gor. We had dim sum in Ho Man Tin and boy was it good. Food is a big part of the culture in Hong Kong and I love it!
Later in the day we went back to Sister’s flat and had dinner with her, Ah Kan and his family (Ah Kan is Sister’s oldest and is referred to as Dai Gor by his siblings). Needless to say the food was delicious. We had two different types of barbeque pork, vegetable and of course always soup to start the meal and end the meal. Oh, also fruit at the end of the meal as well.
While we were there we took some clothes we had left in her place from out last visit to be cleaned and then brought them back to the hotel. Now I have too many clothes for this trip! We unpack the clothes and then a hot shower and to bed again. We took Melatonin again and slept through the night. That’s good news. In the past it has taken us about a week to get adjusted to the change in the time zone.
This may be a good time to say how much we have enjoyed Skyping (I not sure if that’s a word; for those who don’t know what it is; it is basically video telephone calls through the internet) Peggy, Robby & his family and also our neighbors Judd and Dannie. It is great to be able to stay in touch with all of them.
So after two days here, we decided it is time to go out and get some groceries. I have been going downstairs to the Hotel’s Café Lido for breakfast the past two mornings. It only costs about HK$60 each for the buffet, but I always eat too much to continue that. Now I can have some fruit, bread, cereal and coffee and be all set. Jenny is not much of a breakfast person, but I love my breakfast.
Grocery stores are fairly small by US standards and very, very crowed. If I thought the Hannaford store in Upstate New York is crowded; I certainly don’t anymore. Jenny started talking to a gentleman from Switzerland and he was complaining about the prices being too expensive. Jenny tried to tell him that most everything he had purchased came from Europe or US and had to be shipped; hence, high prices; not sure he was any happier.
Speaking of Hong Kong stores being crowded; I guess one should expect that to be the case with over eight million people in about 400 sq. miles and much of that are mountains or country parks. When I’m out on the streets with Jenny, I try not to be concerned with all of the people pushing and shoving to get by and around me. This is their home!
We had dinner at Sister’s and as usual the food was great. She has Nora, an Amah, (Maid) from the Philippines who helps her. Her kids wanted their mother to have the help so they take care of the expense. Sister taught Nora how to cook Cantonese-style and now she is a marvelous cook and such a nice lady.
Tax season is here and as a volunteer with AARP Tax-Aide and VITA I’m going to be pretty busy until April 15th.
I hope you enjoy and please post any comments you might have regarding these letters or if you would like me to add something to the blog.
___________________________________________________
On October 23, 2008, my wife, Jenny, and I arrived in Hong Kong about on time considering the fact that we had a problem in O’Hara that would have prevented us from flying over the Pole. But United fixed the problem and we left shortly thereafter. Even so, the 15-hour flight was much longer than I remembered (my last trip to Hong Kong was in 2004); you think it might be because I’m getting older?
Dai Ga Je (Elder Sister) and Yee Gor (Second Brother) met us at the airport. We took a taxi to Royal View Hotel in Ting Kau, which is located just beside the new bridge to Tsing Yi and part of the infrastructure to the new airport in located in Lantau. New! Well not new anymore; opened, I believed in 1997 about the time Hong Kong was returned to China.
We have leased a two-bedroom apartment for two months at the price of HK$21,500 per month (US$2800). This is a hotel that caters to short and long term travelers; as a result they have service apartments for lease. These apartments are very nice but let’s keep in mind, by US standards very small. Our place is only 710 sq. ft.
We did some unpacking and then hit the sack. We were able to sleep all night maybe because we took Melatonin to help us sleep. For those who do not know; Hong Kong is twelve hours ahead of New York time.
The next day we had a number of errands to do: banking, getting the apartment in order, checking on our planned trip to Cambodia, and of course seeing Dai Ga Je and Yee Gor. We had dim sum in Ho Man Tin and boy was it good. Food is a big part of the culture in Hong Kong and I love it!
Later in the day we went back to Sister’s flat and had dinner with her, Ah Kan and his family (Ah Kan is Sister’s oldest and is referred to as Dai Gor by his siblings). Needless to say the food was delicious. We had two different types of barbeque pork, vegetable and of course always soup to start the meal and end the meal. Oh, also fruit at the end of the meal as well.
While we were there we took some clothes we had left in her place from out last visit to be cleaned and then brought them back to the hotel. Now I have too many clothes for this trip! We unpack the clothes and then a hot shower and to bed again. We took Melatonin again and slept through the night. That’s good news. In the past it has taken us about a week to get adjusted to the change in the time zone.
This may be a good time to say how much we have enjoyed Skyping (I not sure if that’s a word; for those who don’t know what it is; it is basically video telephone calls through the internet) Peggy, Robby & his family and also our neighbors Judd and Dannie. It is great to be able to stay in touch with all of them.
So after two days here, we decided it is time to go out and get some groceries. I have been going downstairs to the Hotel’s Café Lido for breakfast the past two mornings. It only costs about HK$60 each for the buffet, but I always eat too much to continue that. Now I can have some fruit, bread, cereal and coffee and be all set. Jenny is not much of a breakfast person, but I love my breakfast.
Grocery stores are fairly small by US standards and very, very crowed. If I thought the Hannaford store in Upstate New York is crowded; I certainly don’t anymore. Jenny started talking to a gentleman from Switzerland and he was complaining about the prices being too expensive. Jenny tried to tell him that most everything he had purchased came from Europe or US and had to be shipped; hence, high prices; not sure he was any happier.
Speaking of Hong Kong stores being crowded; I guess one should expect that to be the case with over eight million people in about 400 sq. miles and much of that are mountains or country parks. When I’m out on the streets with Jenny, I try not to be concerned with all of the people pushing and shoving to get by and around me. This is their home!
We had dinner at Sister’s and as usual the food was great. She has Nora, an Amah, (Maid) from the Philippines who helps her. Her kids wanted their mother to have the help so they take care of the expense. Sister taught Nora how to cook Cantonese-style and now she is a marvelous cook and such a nice lady.
Very interesting! Great 'diary'! :)
ReplyDeleteBy the way, the comment was made by Jenny B, Bobby's wife, because I don't have an account....
ReplyDeletelove the pictures! what a great way to keep everyone updated on your travels. excellent job! can't wait for more.
ReplyDeletejust say hi
ReplyDeletehello hello
ReplyDeleteI failed to post comment for some time and finally can get through. (Smile)
ReplyDeleteThank you for stating all the details, bit by bit about your stay in Hong Kong. I enjoy reading them. Those sweet memories have been come along. I told Mom that her name and the things among we all have been mentioned in your blog; she is overwhelmed and says 'pleasure is all hers'. (Smile smile)
Keep the work up and take care.