No Place Like Travel

Hong Kong has really turned on the glitz. The sun is shining, the mist has cleared and the sky is blue. It is a completely different city of concrete angels. We went from sea to sky on the Big Bus. Stanley for lunch and Sky 100 in the afternoon to view Hong Kong from the heavens. Then back to basics with dinner at ABC Kitchen. So very grateful for good health, good friends, good weather. 

It’s so much fun playing tourist in Hong Kong. Although I’d lived here for the best part of a couple of years, there were many parts of Hong Kong that were left untouched. Taking the hop on hop off Big Bus is a superb way to see (what we could through the mmist) the new and old of this incredible city. We rode on the open air top deck and feasted on the sights and tastes of Hong Kong island and Kowloon. Baby Boy O qualities for the best baby in the world award. He rolled with his oldies, out all day, sneaking in two on-the-go naps and being a charm magnet. 

It’s been almost 10 years since we’ve visited Hong Kong and it all feels familiar and new at the same time. I remember the buildings and the lights, the smells and the sound. I’ve forgotten the grime and the dirt, the inability of people to walk in a straight trajectory and the desire of pedestrians to find space where none exists. This was my home many moons ago, and where I met some of my favorite people in the whole entire world. We are staying with one of them right now and it still feels as if time has not missed a beat. 

Wonderfully familiar territory…

…with tiny elevators

Not sure if low visibility is caused by fog, smog or a combo of both

A trip down memory lane…or more precisely a ride up escalator alley

Onward and upward

One hell of a job to maneuver the beast

All this banking, sightseeing and exploring is hard work

A more secure pillow fort

Making dinner with groceries from Aeon

Only Donna Deal would buy 8kgs of haloumi and 200 bottles of wine

Hong Kong by night

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Chinese New Year takes on a different meaning with a little one. So much more fuss is made and to see well worn events through the eyes of a little one is just magical. Spending it with family is so very special, more than words can ever describe. The lunar new year is always a turning of the page. New luck and fortune, a new chapter. Change will come and may we have the courage and compassion to accept things as they are.

A prosperous red start to the new year

Our little china doll

Thanks for the ang pow Gong Gong and Poh Poh

Happy year of the goat!

My heart melts 

Everyone say cheese!

Show me the money says Squee

Special parking

Let it rain down under the money tree

Under cover moment

Finally the drums start to roll

Not scared at all as Gong Gong keeps his hand on his heart

Loving the dragon dance

Completely captivated

Walking the halls, meeting and greeting

Delicious dim sum lunch at Lucky Chan

Perfect Melbourne sunshine day

Celebration

Chance meeting

Off for a walk

Exploring the Yarra

And a quick shop at the Docklands

Home is where the family is

Delicious dinner whipped up by dad

So very true

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Hanging out locally and at The Local. Morning hungry hippo breakfast down Main Street, followed by a walk by the beach back home. Then another day of photo scanning and digitizing of memories. A seemingly endless Sisyphusean project. Bath time and bed time sneaks up and the little one is put to bed and grandparents are on babysitting duty. We sneak off to drinks and dinner at The Local with the sisters plus two. Another great day in Melbourne. 

Breakfast on Main Street

Shark attack

Light entertainment

Then back to work

Some of the helpers are slacking off! 

The truth…

…on tap

One sister…

Two sisters…

…six tubs of ice cream. Sounds fair!

Yesterday’s post: Photos

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The generational gap is best exemplified by preferences for photos. I like them digital where there is no need to categorize them, put them in photo albums, or worry that may disappear in a flood or fire. They are there at your fingertips (cloud access willing) and digital photos are even capable of telling you where they were taken. Crazy Daisy falls in the other camp. Mum likes the feel of a photo, the flip of the page, the ability to show them to her friends in a nicely laid out book. So we’ve spent the better part of the day sequencing and sorting baby photos and putting them into albums. I have to admit there is something nice and satisfying about the end product, a book that pages through Baby Boy O’s first few months. 

So very Melbourne. Best coffee culture in the world

Smooches with…

…my little space cadet

Off she goes to audit the shops with her carer

Sorting photos

Such precious moments captured

But nothing is a good as the real thing!

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I remember summer days like these where we would feel slow and lethargic. As a kid the days would feel so very long and the sun shone so very hot. The breeze offers no relief. The ding of the bell announcing recess was over was a welcome sound just to escape the outdoors. That smell of grass and sunshine and baking dirt. Now, given we are all grown up, we jump in the car and escape to Southland to get out of the heat.

Who are these crazy people?!

It’s so hot I’m melting

Lunch at Southland

Baby Boy O is in on the action with a fistful of hot cross buns

Only last week Stinky and I were wondering what happened to Sarah and Michelle. The universe has a funny way of bringing people together

Evening walk with my honey

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Our days are packed with so many activities that by night’s end we are exhausted. It’s a lovely feeling, days so full of things I want to do, people to see and places to be. Poor English Hubby has been working at home whilst Baby Boy O and I scoot all over town. Today we took our first Melbourne train ride together, off to Richmond to meet Cookes for lunch. Aunty Cycle Janice and Uncle Nurse Kev came over for laksa dinner and chats on Darwinism at its best. Add a couple of bags of chips, Vietnamese sweeties, fresh cut mango and a tub of salted caramel ice cream and tummies are way full before bed. 

What?! No more food?

Introducing Baby Boy O to Melbourne public transportation

Someone loves looking out the window

Richmond

Don’t you know I’m famous?

Had to try this place because it had Rambo in its name

Loving the present from Poh Poh

Loving the doughy sweetness of a bao more!

Cuddles with Cycle Janice

Build it up just to tear it down

More to add to the baby bank account. Thank you!

Pre bath time feeding frenzy continues

What are the rest of you having?

Sisters (junior)

Sisters (senior)

Yesterday’s post: Building

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Reno Charlie and Opera Cat have been renovating their place for years. Seeing it come together is beautiful. A happy place, full of life and light. Just like their lovely family. Building takes years. Gardens take time to grow, then taste so very sweet. We look forward to the dinner party with the long rustic table that stretches from the deck, through the window and into the garden. Cheers. 

Made with love – 5am and Gong Gong is in the kitchen

Watching the world go by through a curtain of rain

Loving every spoonful

Baby Boy O skyping with all the grandparents

Over the West Gate Bridge

Lego nose job

Where there’s a will there’s a way

Playing pick up toys with Opera Cat

What can you do with a plum?

Master builders

Youngest foodie on the block

Like peas in a pod

Big game in play

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