The Top of MY WORLD

Since moving to Hong Kong I have picked up at new addiction. Hiking - I hike the mountains, the parks and the city. It doesn't matter what I hike as long as I am out feeling the sun on my back, the humidity on my skin and rhythm of my breathing - it is a good day.

In order to do some of my hiking trails I need to leave my apartment and walk down the county park road to the Tai Tam upper Reservoir. This is a picture of the flat walk way that I run around. There is not many flat places to run in Hong Kong so I really appreciate this.


This is a picture of Mt. Butler from the upper Reservoir where I start one of my favorites hikes.



Since I start the hike from my apartment, I am all warmed up by the time I reach the trail head for Mt. Butler. It starts with an impressive 600 steps straight up the "freaking" mountain side.

So with determination I set out to conquer the 600 steps with an attitude of "I am Woman- bring it on!" So, when i hit the 100 step mark my attitude is " You can do it!" Okay by the 200 step mark, my attitude is " What was I thinking!" As I look up, all I can see is more steps, so I tuck in my chin and get my legs going and proceed upward and onward!

Having climb it from the other way - knew the view that was awaiting me. So a change of attitude is required, now at the 300 step mark I am thinking, half way there. Then 400, 500 and I look up and can finally see the steps ahead coming to the top.

And here is the view when I reach the 600th step! That is looking back at the Reservoir from where I started and the next picture is of my apartment complex, see I have to walk down the hill that we are on to get to the reservoir and then back up to get to Mt. Butler.



Views are amazing, it was a little hazing Saturday morning but still I felt like I was on top of the WORLD! I like to rest here and think about the beauties of this world and the amazing adventure that I am experiencing.











Grab your hiking boots, come for a visit & you too can climb to the top of my world!

Stanley's "Public" Amenities

One of my favorite places to go for Lunch is the small neighborhood city of Stanley. It has a wonderful little market and a beach front street where I eat my chicken curry as I people watch. The other day I decided to walk to the other end of town and discovered this cute little quite beach.







One of the things that you can find all over Hong Kong is small patches of beach or hidden hiking trails among the metropolis of the city.


As with any public place in Hong Kong you can find some

wonderful amenities. On my walk back to the main Stanley...



I noticed the public restrooms, which here in Hong Kong are called Washrooms. I noticed a nice little Chinese washroom attendant. He must have been tired because found him sleeping on the Job!

Well I must show you the wonderful public facilities called a "Washroom" This next picture will give new meaning to "PUBLIC TOILET"
Can you say SQUAT!

I will personally make sure that you have a chance to experience this wonderful washroom if you are ever in the area! Oh, it is BYOP, Bring your own PAPER!

What JUNK?

What a piece of JUNK? A junk is a Chinese sailboat design dating from ancient times and still in use today. Junks were originally developed during the Han Dynasty (220 BC–200 AD) and were used as ocean going vessels as early as the 2nd century AD. They were further evolved in the later dynasties, and were built and used throughout Asia for extensive ocean voyages. They were found, and in lesser numbers are still found, throughout South-east Asia, but primarily in China, perhaps today most famously in Hong Kong. Also, found more broadly, is a growing number of modern recreational junk-rigged sailboats.

Living in Hong Kong and having Ron work for the Coca Cola Company we have the opportunity to spend the day on the "JUNK". It is the modern type of Junk, which is a glorified wooden yacht. It is wonderful and John has a blast jumping from the top deck. The south china sea is warm and inviting on any day - but especially when it is warm and we are floating on the JUNK!





Ready Set JUMP- Bon Voyage

John Hanging Around!




Got AIR!!





The perfect Cannonball!






How is the water, salty and warm!

Nothing beats swimming in the South China Sea. If you come for a visit we will schedule for you to have a piece of the "JUNK"!

Order, Order in my LIFE!

So I took this quiz on facebook the other day, something about colors - and I was a little shocked to see the results: My color is Gold and here is what it said about me:

Values: Loyalty Perfection Honesty
Joys: Time for Family Home Order
Strengths: Organized Consistent Dependable
Needs: Stability Organization Appreciation
Frustrations: Lack of control Disloyalty Inconsistency

"At work you provide stability and can maintain organization. Your ability to handle details and to work hard make you the backbone of many organizations. You believe that work comes before play, even if you must work overtime to complete the job. In love you are serious and tend to have traditional, conservative views of both love and marriage. You want a mate who can work along with you, building a secure, predictable life together. You demonstrate love and affection through the practical things you do for your loved ones. In childhood you wanted to follow the rules and regulations of the school. You understood and respected authority and was comfortable with academic routine. You were the easiest of all types of children to adapt to the educational system. "

I might really believe this quiz!! I am worth my weight in GOLD! LOL

So really there should be no reason why people should be surprised when they open my fridge, it may be tiny but it packs it in!
Keeping it Organized ...Hong Kong Style

Heidi's New Addiction

I am seeking advice from anyone who can help me. I have a new addiction that just started a few months ago when I arrived in Hong Kong. I am hoping that there might be a "12 step" program to help me manage my habit. I am obsessed with Hiking the freaking steep Hong Kong Hills! I have been going out at least 3-4 times a week and average any where from 6K to 14K per hike! It is insane... these "Hills" and I use that term loosely are straight up - mostly steps and natural stairs build into the side of the Hills. It is so worth it thought, when you get to the top the views are incredible. The air is wet with humidity, clothes are soaked but the views...

Hong Kong harbor looking west from "High West Hill Summit" 494 meters

The downtown Central District view from the "Victoria Peak"

Looking to the East from "Victoria Peak" See the "hills" are steep and straight!

Sometimes we are lucky and see some pretty "incredible" things - SUPERMAN what ever are you doing in Hong Kong! Did he cheat and fly up the hill - my buns and thighs are still burning!

Come for a visit and I will take you hiking - catch me if you can!

Mid Autumn Festival - Or Lets have a party for the MOON!

Buffet with lanterns outside our apartment


Mid Autumn Festival also know as the Moon Festival is a Chinese Festival dating back 3000 years. It is held on the 15 day of the eighth month of the Chinese Calendar. This year it was held on Oct 3rd. Chinese family members and friends will gather to admire the bright mid-autumn harvest moon, and eat moon cakes together. Accompanying the celebration, there are additional cultural or regional customs, such as: Carrying brightly lit lanterns, lighting lanterns on towers, floating sky lanterns. At our apartment complex there was a big dinner buffet and children running everywhere with lanterns hanging from small poles. Ron was given moon cakes at work - and they are interesting.... Lotus seed and egg yoke or red bean paste and egg yoke, we "cracked" open a few and had a taste - it is one that I will never acquire! The egg yokes are disgusting, but we did fin out that if you received a moon cake with two yokes - you have god fortune!

Mooncakes - and a double yoke! YUK! Chinese Fruit cake!