Macau

Kathy2 and I went to Macau yesterday. What a beautiful place!

The old buildings really evoked a European feel...
There were quite a few of these public 'gyms'. They are in most parks. Everyone here was really getting a good workout. In the background were some old men playing traditional Chinese instruments, and one guy was singing a traditional song.
A TU (Sainsbury's brand) pair of pyjamas for sale in a hawker stall!
The shops at dusk...

Out And About

My friend Kathy2 is visiting us for a couple of weeks. I have been very busy, juggling the kids' activities and going around town with Kathy. But it has been really enjoyable! I have been a tourist in my own city, which I haven't actually done yet. I think about all the things we didn't do in England and Europe because it was all so close, and now here we are all the way across the world and doing all those things in the future will be as tourists! So it's nice to get to do these things. And I know what the family will like so I can take them back.

The restaurant where we waited ONE AND A HALF HOURS for a PIZZA...

It's Christmas in HK!
After we got off the Star Ferry on Kowloon side, we saw a very sad sight.

Sunset

Off To The Ball

We went to the Regatta Ball last night, at the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club. What a night. We left at 3am, leaving everyone else to party on until 7am! Our friends were hoping to make it to the "Survivors Photo". I have no doubt they did. We are too old for that. Here we are before the carnage.And of course, Kate had to get in on the action. Charlie was naked in the bath, so for decency's sake we didn't include him in this family photo.

High Tech Hong Kong

Hmmmm...

The Emperor's New Shoes

Charlie and I went shopping for new shoes, since he has grown big ol' feet. He chose these:...and then he insisted on wearing them out of the store!

Hairy What?!?

The other day I went to eat hairy crabs with some friends. It's hairy crab season! The best ones are the female ones, because you also get the orange roe with it. Totally yummy. I was thinking we need to take the kids sometime because Kate was eyeing up some crabs in the grocery store a couple of months ago, and asked if we could take a couple home for dinner. Total carnivore, she is.

Here, they were presented to us live (so fresh, lak!). They looked a bit like they should be Chinese Circus crabs.Then they came out cooked, and the guy cut them up very nicely......and then presented them to us...

Artwork

Chinglish Night Out

The other night I organised a 'reunion' of my Cantonese class(es). It was a combination of the two classes I was in: pre- and post-holiday. We were missing one of the students, but hopefully he will be able to join us next time. Because there will be a next time! We had such a blast. It was really great having a whole group of random people connect so well.

We went to American Peking, which we all agreed is one of the best 'Chinese' restaurants in town. A lot of people say it's not real Chinese, but it is; it is just real Chinese without the duck tongue and sea cucumber.

Szechuan PrawnsSizzling BeefChinglish classmates (notice Julie's and my 'Chinese victory photo pose')

A Very Enjoyable Morning

This morning we woke up late and then had a lazy morning.

Kate woke up looking beautifulThen she decided to do James' hairI made heart-shaped pancakes...
More pancakes please!Kate put on some makeup and was a rock star.It was all a bit too sexy for me...And then Charlie decided he wanted to be in the pictures!

Wooooooooooo!

Halloween 2009

A Tour Of Stanley