27 February 2012 BIG BUDDHA Monday

Another big day of sightseeing today, after a little bit of business and a HK35 dollar coffee - GOSH I thought Sydneysiders were ripped off.

The ferry ride to the Big Buddha was so amazing with many uninhabited islands dotting the surrounding water, covered in a softened look by the mist.  As we arrived we came upon China Bear restaurant for lunch, full of character and good food.

Onto the bus for a slightly alarming ride, up and around the mountainside in the mist so we couldn't see where we were going - maybe that was actually a good thing.  Up the 200 steps.....

....to see what we could of the mist-ical Buddha

We also found the zodiac generals that represent us out of the twelve altogether.

and the lotus flower bearer





Home for Monday night pizza night - what a fun chaotic bunch!

26 February 2012 ABERDEEN, STANLEY MARKET, JUMBO FLOATING RESTAURANT Sunday

Sundays' continuation took us by taxi around the pretty bay and in to Pok something Lam where the famous Stanley market takes place.  We successfully placated the men by suggesting a cold beer while Judy and I wander through the intriguing market stalls.

We found them later, happily enjoying themselves at the Frozen Pelican or Icy Penguin (I'm sorry okay, I don't have my journal with all the details) so we were quick to join in after trying to bring a snooty butler to life, to no avail...

Dinner was a short ferry ride away at Jumbo Floating Restaurant which was beautifully lit up and magnificent.

It's Judy's year of the Dragon



A wonderful day and evening.

26 February 2012 THE PEAK Sunday

We were made to walk for our brekky brunch big time today. Up The Peak we went, full of vigour and enthusiasm......for the first kilometre and then huffing and puffing the rest of the steep incline to the top.

Finally we got to admire the beautiful view...

and the beautiful cushions....

while I passed a stool....

Down the Peak we went, on the other side of the mountain, through peacefully tranquil rainforest.

To be continued.....

25 February 2012. SYDNEY TO HONG KONG. Saturday

Our flight couldn't go fast enough but finally we landed in Hong Kong, only to find that Judy and Craig had, unbeknown to us, gone to the station to meet us, while we in the meantime had got a taxi to their apartment! Looks set to be a great time!

After settling in and freshening up, we went for dinner at Koh Thai in mid-levels and later met up with Craig after his business dinner, at the IFC Centre.

A bit of sightseeing led us to Lan Kwai Fong, the wild side, for a drink or two and on to the Russian Ice Bar, Balalaika, which had melted away and disappeared!

Up the multiple escalators later to get to the apartment at the top of the hill and fell exhausted into bed. The following photo's don't belong to this day, but I have so many to share so I'm just posting them here anyway.

Not sure of Judy's look here....?

Pretending not to take a photo of ourselves - I just couldn't figure out where not to look!

24 February 2012 SECOND ROUND Friday

Our momentous journey continues tomorrow as our month at home comes to an end.

We so enjoyed catching up with friends, having a Brazilian (LUNCH!) and generally just recharging for the energy required to keep up with my sister in Hong Kong tomorrow, for a few days before getting back to the UK.

After having spent so much time together with all of us at home before their uni and/or work starts up for the year, it's definitely difficult to say goodbye to our boys once again.

However, let the good times roll....

CHEERS!........

Sydney

7 February 2012 NOT-SO-SUNNY SYDNEY Tuesday

Well we've been home for 2 weeks now and we've had the grand total of 1 sunny day!  We've been cheated of our one summer month that we counted on having.

Nevertheless, it's been so comforting to be with our boys and amongst the familiarity of home.

While we were away, I found namesake's for Al, Greg and I, but for Matt, where should I find his namesake but good old Bunnings in Norwest.