Back in the holding pattern

Not much to report from here at the moment. We are doing the same old same old really. Work, mark papers, make lesson plans, sleep and start again the next day. Penny and Michelle are coming back early so we are trying to get everything organised for that. They will come back on the 30th of May leaving me to finish everything here before returning on the 5th of July. Our travel insurance only covers pregnancy related claims to 26 weeks so we thought it best to make sure that Michelle was home by that time. It will leave me with two weeks of double classes and then some more exams to mark before coming home. It should be Ok as by then most of the classes will be exams or review classes for the end of semester.


We have been mailing a box a week home and are up to box four. It is amazing the amount of crap that you can accumulate in a relatively short time. especially when you have more disposable income than you are used to...We are trying to get some 'China' type household decorations for our new digs (where ever they may be). Last time around we bought them from various markets and shops on our travels around China; Beijing, Lijiang, Chengdu, Xian etc. This time its pretty much been Nanchang, Nanchang and Nanchang, (and a brief sanity restoring sojourn in Hong Kong) so we are using the wonderful taobao to accumulate our Bobo (Bohemian Bourgeois) stylings.


May day is coming up which means a long weekend this weekend which is nice. We have Friday off this week which rocks as I usually teach 3 classes on Fridays. Sweet.

The holding pattern continues and soon Michelle and Penny will be back home in the comfortable and familiar surrounds of the wonderful land of Oz.

On a different note, although one that is close to my heart, the weather here has been as variable as usual. We had a few scorchering hot dry days, some more rain and now we are back down to about 22 degrees. Lets hope that it doesn't drop any further as the winter woolies were in the first box that was sent back home!

Good news and more travels

Most of you will already know that Michelle is pregnant. She is 18 weeks pregnant and this was the real reason for our initial trip to Hong Kong. I say initial trip because we actually went back again last week. Michelle went to see a Doctor in Hong Kong as we don't really rate the medical system (or hospitals) in China. She had a couple of the usual tests (well usual in Australia) and the doctor wanted her to come back for a couple more. The end result is that everything is fine and we are expecting a little boy on or around the 14th of September. So good news all around.


Wandering along Nathan Road near Mong Kok (hee hee!!) station.

We got to spend a little more time in Hong Kong this time as Michelle wasn't able to travel for 72 hours after one of the tests. So unfortunately, well fortunately really, we had stay for a couple of days longer. With the sawing snores of the awful cabin invading harridan still ringing in our ears from our last train trip, we decided to fly both ways this time. Basically it was a more relaxing and much easier experience all round.


A double-decker tram in Causeway Bay, near Jardine Street markets

Penny got to play in numerous playgrounds, wander through lots of lovely parks and basically just really enjoyed herself. Which was great. She really came alive with the other kids in the playgrounds and we cant wait to get her back to Oz and regular playground visits.


A playground...what do I play on first???


Its all mine!!


On the second day there was a little rain which didn't worry Penny too much. She proceeded to 'clean' everything with some of our tissues. This consisted of wiping a soon sodden tissue over all wet surfaces. In fact she "cleaned" for about three quarters of an hour.


Yep, still cleaning...


Up the stairs and then...


Down the slide.

We also had enough time to check out some markets and head up to Victoria Peak to check out the view, which was awesome.


An awesome view from the top

Another piece of beautiful scenery.


The Mid-levels from uphill for a change.


Peak Tower.


The girls enjoying the view.


No that is not part of the Peak viewing platform in the bottom of the shot. That is the roof of a private residence. Not bad eh? No they didn't invite us in...


The funicular (its fun, lets say it together - fun-ic-u-lar - see, fun!) tram on the way down the peak. This baby is one of the oldest forms of transport in Hong Kong. It gets pulled up the steep tracks and lowered back down on a single cable and the views are well worth the trip.