Repulse Bay...so not repulsive!

After spending the afternoon walking around the Stanley markets we thought Repulse Bay would be a lovely spot to chill out at for a while...and we were right.
It was only a 10 minute bus ride from Stanley (a lot of the buses from the Stanley terminus go to Repulse Bay, we just asked around and got on the first one to leave).
It was so nice to walk on sand, not the smooth sand we are used to, but still nice.
As for the water of the South China Sea - exhilarating.
Wish we had gotten here sooner.

Stanley

Stanley was on our itinerary when we were in Hong Kong last year but we never made
it...and we left it until Jordan's last full day in Hong Kong to get there this year.
We knew it was going to take a few hours to get there and I had read that the scenery from the bus was worth the trip.(6M bus) We were so over shopping and looked forward to a shop free day. Hah, as if. Jordan spent more money at Stanley markets than he had spent on the rest of the trip! He was very happy to get some gear for snow boarding and even managed to get some Asic shoes for his 'very big' feet.
The Stanley markets are not big and were fairly quiet when we were there and since they are geared towards tourists they stock sizes suitable for Westerners i.e. BIG.
After a couple of hours we headed back to the bus terminus ( a very short walk) to catch a bus to Repulse Bay.

We decided to head to the mid-level escalators, the longest series of under cover escalators in the world.
Joelle had fun going from one escalator to the next, and next and next...








After about 15 minutes we arrived at the top of the escalators, it was amazing to see how the hill sides have been developed with not an inch of land spared.
It was actually a few degrees cooler and that allowed for a lovely stroll to the zoo.
The zoo is very small with only a few animals but it is free and is a green haven amongst the hub bub of Central/Admiralty.







After the zoo we continued walking down to the park opposite the Government house building.




Just being near water is cooling in Hong Kong :)

Snoopy World - Shatin

As with most MTR stations in Hong Kong, Shatin has a shopping centre attached - you walk off the train and your in a huge shopping complex.

It didn't take Joelle long to memorise the route to 'Snoopy World'...





if you purchase anything in the centre, from a new car to a packet of gum, you get a free ride (for up tp four people) in the boat ride :)
Even after Disneyland and Ocean Park, Joelle still loved Snoopy World!

Forest Hill Pool

In hot, humid Hong Kong we managed to go to the pool only three times and I think they were the three coldest days we had in all of our five weeks here...

Unfortunately this photo doesn't do justice to the beautiful colour of these flowers which were in bloom alongside the pool.



Our little pool :)

Kowloon Walled City Park

We had been in Hong Kong a couple of days when we jumped on the MTR and headed to the Walled City Park in Kowloon.
Historically the Walled City was the domain of the Triad gangs, drug warlords and illegal dentists!




With such a dark past it is such a beautiful thing that this area is now such a tranquil place.





Joelle and I read a book about Jackie Pullinger and that is why I wanted to visit this area, I'm so glad we did.

The Happiest Place on Earth...

We were up and out early and travelled for 1 1/2hours to get to the home of Mickey and Minnie...Minnie very nicely came out to meet us.



Whilst Tigger was bouncing with joy at meeting Joelle.




The wait for most rides/attractions was at least 1/2 hour...Jordan kept himself occupied :)
These girls were lovely, Joelle commented on the girl in the foreground's ring and she took it off and gave it to Joelle!







Is it a surprise to anyone that Jordan beat all of us at the Buzz Lightyear shooting ride?



Joelle enjoyed taking part in the daily parade down Main Street...it was blazing hot so after the parade we enjoyed getting wet at one of the playgounds.




We finished the day with a light show and fireworks over the castle.
Then it was of to the R8 bus, followed by the E41 bus and the 275 bus and we were home before midnight!

Ng Tung Chai Waterfalls

We hopped on the 64k bus to Ng Tung Chai on a very hot humid day....what a great choice!
We started out 2pm, the stop to alight at was 21 stops from Tai Po Central and was easy to find by watching the illuminated sign on the bus.
The above picture shows the signs that you see when you get off the bus.
Just follow the signs :)
Bring plenty of drinking water.

Our 10 year old did a fantastic job and managed the trail brilliantly...even when I slipped!
This was quite a hike and I would be hesitant to take children any younger, there are sections of the trail that have slippery surfaces with quite a plunge if one was to fall...there are long sections without barriers of any kind. But there is mobile coverage if you were to need it!


It was quite a hike to this level for us and we weren't even half way there, notice the sweat?
But there are seats along the way, take time out if you have to, this is a day to enjoy not rush.





Just as we were thinking is it worth it? Should we just turn back? We were rewarded with the magnificant sight of the fall. (Only a small part is visible here).
And amazingly in the densely populated Hong Kong - we had the place to ourselves


We couldn't resist a swim, well David could, it was exhilirating.
We spotted tiny fish, and some tiny crustaceans.
On the hike up several lizards came out to say 'hi', as did many mosquitoes who were very hungry.

One very happy and exhausted Joelle.
Who was quite impressed when I showed her the sign on the way down from the trail that stated only experienced hikers should partake in the hike! Well done my girl.

( We will post a video at a later date).

Sai Kung

After several attempts of our plans being thwarted by viruses, heat and tiredness, we got to board the 299 bus and spend a lovely afternoon in Sai Kung.
It was lovely to be near the ocean, to be away from the skyscrapers and crowds...and to eat possibly the best pizza this side of Italy.
Pitty we didn't bring a spare battery for the camera, David didn't have his phone and the camera on my phone wouldn't work :(
But we did manage a few shots. If you ever get the chance do make a trip to Sai kung, enjoy the ambiance and enjoy Passano's pizza (adjacent to the sports ground).
After you have enjoyed viewing the various forms of sealife along the board walk you may wan to chill out upstairs in the lovely bookshop 'The Reading Room'. (Great second hand books).

Stanley

This one is for the Gilligans and Renee...hope you are proud of me finding this.
I got a few great buys too :)

Closer To God....

After a bus ride, several train changes and 1 1/2 hours we arrived at 'Sky Church'...what a view!
We were made very welcome and enjoyed a lovely morning tea afterwards.
Joelle loved the kids church too.

In Memory of My Mum...

I am the first to admit that I spend way too much time getting stressed when I should be spending my time thinking about all the ways in which I'm blessed...today my wonderful friend blessed me by remembering that today was the day that my Mummy went to be with the Lord, and she told me to do something nice that my Mum would enjoy, so I went shopping in Tai Po and bought these lovely cakes (that my son gave me the money for)
and we enjoyed sharing them for dessert. We used teaspoons and each person tried each of the cakes.

Crossroads

Renee, I hope that you don't mind that Joelle adopted your backpack for the day...it came in very handy :)





Seemed very high tech to me, but Joelle didn't blnk an eye that you register at the charity via a touch screen and your email address.





Joelle is pictured with Ken, a lovely blind man who led us on a 'blind experience'.





Crossroads provide a lovely lunch where all the volunteers get to share their stories over delicious food.









Joelle and I were in the toys section, and as you can see from the picture Joelle sorted out the soft toys and then placed them all in boxes so that they could see what was going on!



On Wednesday we trekked across town to the charity called 'Crossroads'...it was great to give up our time to such a worthy organisation.

Laser Show from Hung Hom

This photo is courtesy of a nice lady who offered to take a family photo for us :)

Caught this Sampan as it sped by...


A sign that caught Joelle's attention!

Science Museum