That falling feeling

Shocked to discover that no longer can the Ngong Ping Skyrail be used to visit the Big Buddha. For those who need a recap of quite what the Big Buddha skyrail is please click here.
Why does in not work? maintenance? cleaning?

The answer is none of these.

It's closed because one bloody fell off!

"a panel led by independent overseas experts was formed after a Skyrail gondola fell to the ground on June 11. They are investigating the cause of the incident and will recommend enhancements to operational safety." (Source)

I love how having 'overseas experts' come over and take a look at it might somehow ease our fears. Especially as it was overseas experts that helped make the thing in the first place.

Cable cars, the new extreme survival sport of Hong Kong.

bx

The big move map

I moved from where the red arrow points to where the green arrow points. Once you live in Wan Chai you see it's pretty hard to get out!

bx

Hong Kong Protests

There has recently been pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong. They were hailed as being peaceful and non violent, which having lived here for a year comes as no surprise. I think the fact that last year I did not know one instance of crime or violence occuring with any of my friends or staff in the company is a good statistic in itself.

The picture on the left was taken of the march by a news photographer. I can't be sure but it looks like the main street by our old office.

I was on that same street yesterday and came across another protest. This one was in support of those who practice a religion called Falun Gong. It's a little bit complicated but if it's to be believed, then in Mainland China these followers get a very very hard time. Freedom of religion is not something that is supported in the mainland.

The protest was huge. I think that protests have a particularly important meaning in Hong Kong. When I speak to young local friends I ask them how they feel about in 50 years time when Hong Kong is fully under the rule of China. (At the moment China only has military oversight of HongKong). They often use protests as an example of something that they can do to ensure that Hong Kong remains democratic. I don't know if this is actually the case, but if news reports are to be believed, Hong Kong knows how to protest.

bx

Not all black and white

I have a reality channel on my television which allows me to monitor the 24 hour goings on of two people in confinement from the outside world. I can watch them eat, sleep and generally go about their daily lives.

Sounds familar? Big Brother perhaps? Well, these two people are called Le Le and Ying Ying...... And they are Pandas.

Hong Kong has gone Panda crazy! With the celebration of the ten year handover from Britain to China, Beijing made an offering of two little pandas to Honkers. This has resulted in "The Panda Channel" on television. When they are sleeping you get pre recorded stuff, but most of the time I can sit down, relax and watch the little critters eat bamboo whenever the mood suits me.

Only in Hong Kong would having such a channel be a large selling point for new cable customers.

The good news is that unlike the Big Brother house there is no issues of racism with these Panda counterparts, what with them being both black and white...

bx

Phonebook

Today I had a phone conversation with a guy called Chocolate. That's not something I would ever have guessed I would do prior to arriving in Hong Kong.

bx

Keys

I unpacked! Went to the shops, purchased food, came back to flat.
I watched TV, then decided to go for a hot chocolate on the avenue of stars. I looked for my keys.
Could I find my keys? Could I hell.

1) Look in all the obvious places
2) Look in all nooks and under bed
3) Retrace steps
4) Look in less obvious places

One and a half hours later
5) Begin to panic, maybe you left them int he door and someone stole them?!
6) Move everything in your flat, onto your bed and search it as you go
7) Still fail to find them
8) Move everything in cupboards, draws, and on the bed into the middle of the room
9) By now completely negate all the unpacking that you did over the past 24 hours

Two and a half hours later
10) Give up, have Chinese friend call locksmith
11) Decide to have a cold drink
12) Find keys... In the ice cube section of my freezer!!!!!!!!

What is wrong with me?

bx

Shark nets & sunsets

Last weekend was for me a period of unpacking and also becoming an official beach bum. It is hot here at the moment, to the extent that it is hitting just above 40 c with 90% humidity in the city center. So what better thing to do that visit a beach?!



Some of my only friends who are still out here are some fantastic Italians who work for a bank and Rachel, who works in the office with me. We decided to visit an unexplored beach called 'South Beach' which has no public transportation system to it (a plus point).

It is only 25 minutes away by taxi from Wan Chai though so we decided to go exploring.


What we discovered was an amazing little area with golden sands and complete with shark net. Hong Kong is going a bit shark crazy at the moment after some have been spotted very close to public swimming areas not far from an area called Sai Kung. I can't help wondering what happens if a baby shark swims through the net then grows up in the public swimming section... surely that would be like a human cafe for a human eating predator?

The other plus point for this beach is that it has a really nice beachfront bar/cafe. It seems to be run by a bunch of Gwai Lows and it is very relaxed, with giant pillows and sofa sections and a dj playing really relaxing music. I think it is going to become a regular saturday hang out.


Anyway, today we have moved into our new office and it is amazingly large. I just need to unpack all my files and stuff now!


I leave you with the view from one of my bedroom windows. (My flat is too messy with unpacking boxes to post pictures yet)

bx