Sunday, April 23, 2017

The Sun has Arrived


It's a strange and delightful sensation seeing winter turn spring in Hong Kong. It doesn't transform so much as pivot. For weeks in March/April I don a coat and feel sorry for myself in the dense numbing fog as my stateside friends blast instagram with photos of buds and blossoms... then BOOM! Sun. Sky. and HEAT.


Week 1: space heaters are on. It seems winter will never end.
Week 2: sun's out. you wonder if spring is finally arriving. You hit the beach just for the sand.
Week 3: you are blasting the A/C and wiping the sweat from your brow.

scouting a spot at Shek O - on Easter Sunday afternoon - not a bad way to "do Easter" :)


Easter Dinner - my family laughed out loud when I suggested cooking (?) - So we went to The New Black Sheep - the beachy italian dive we seem to go to every time we're at Shek O Beach. Becoming a bit of a family tradition to eat here after hitting the waves. We love this place!


Black Lights, disco balls, fish tanks, roasted garlic, lamp chops, pasta, pizza, wine... and on Easter - a basket full of boiled eggs (the kids somehow consumed 6 of them before dinner!!)

oh - and the random parrot patron.


this snap from that transition-week on a foggy-but-muggy day... girls tentatively testing the waters on an empty beach

our apartment-living pool is open for business!

Friday, April 21, 2017

Secret Walk :: Redhill to Stanley

Redhill Peninsula and Turtle Cove
As it turns out - you can WALK from Redhill (our home) to Stanley! You just scramble into the bushes along a partially hidden (gov't waterworks) stairway and follow the water catchment all the way there.



There are no sidewalks along the roadway - so we've never tried walking even though Stanley is fairly close. This zigzaggy pathway through the forest took us a bit more than an hour with the kids. And they both walked uncomplaining the whole way! Huh - so that's what's up in those hills!


*heart* these Banyan trees!





Pleased with our adventure - we hopped a city bus (50 cents in USD) into Causeway Bay for dim sum!


yum yum DIM SUM! ABear devoured pretty much alllll 3 orders of chicken soup dumpings!
To finish - a walk around the corner for McDonald's soft serve while sitting on the steps of PCCW (another growing tradition).



hike, views, dim sum, and concrete jungle all in an afternoon - check!

Thursday, April 20, 2017

Egg Dying

A wordless post...








not supposed to bite through the shell, little peanut!

Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Ocean Park :: Hong Kong's own brand of amusement


It's been over a year since we've been to Ocean Park in Aberdeen - just a 20 minute drive from our house. What fun to rediscover this funky amusement park! Best to enjoy it now - it's bound to get more crowded with a new MTR stop at the doorstep and a hotel going up.





These carnival games still make me grit my teeth and begin speed-walking with eyes averted ... result of years of parental brainwashing about how they're rigged money-drainers. Which is absolutely true. They are. But my adorable husband (bless him!) loves them and embraces the joy they bring. I am so grateful he does. My kids are in heaven! (And they always win prizes!)


flyin' high - AND THESE VIEWS!




First thing in the morning (10 a.m.) is still the best best. At 3:00 the crowds were rolling in. A full day of fun with rides, carnival games, live animals, increasing food options, and a vast aquarium. And possibly the roller coaster with the best views on the plant - see link for video.








we listened to this guy grumble and flop around for a lonnnnng time! :)






oh - we'll be going back soon!