Have you ever been to Hong Kong airport? Let me tell you compared to our dinky little Perth airport it is massive. Not to mention the walk from the hotel to the train station, the changing trains and the subsequent walk from the train to the correct terminal. Ouch by this time my poor foot is agony.
Another really great thing about Hong Kong is that you can check in to you flight at Central Station. They have check in desks just like a normal airport. You put your luggage through, you show your passport, tickets etc and you get your boarding pass then you jump back on a train and take a ½ hour ride to the airport. Very clever I though, plus you can check in anytime on the day you depart so if your hotel kicks you out at 10am and your flight isn’t until midnight you can check your luggage and go off shopping for the day and rock up at 10pm to catch you flight. Just brilliant!
So we arrive at the airport. Information in the middle of the terminal just to our right, Qantas to the right of that and our departure gate to the far left. By now I am being overtaken by decrepit looking 90 year olds so we decide to see about getting me a wheel chair so that we have some mobility around the airport. Our life was just about to get even more fun. In Perth that would be it, here’s your wheel chair now bugger off. In Hong Kong it is “Please follow me to the Qantas desk” While we were at the Help desk I asked for a bandage to strap my ankle. The young lady comes back with a bandaid. Hehehehehe, holding back the giggles I explain that I need a bandage, a long stretchy cloth to wrap around my ankle to help with swelling and she kindly brings out some gauze. She was trying to be helpful. I figure we will stop at a chemist on the way to the departure lounge.
At the Qantas desk there is much inspecting of my very swollen ankle – the hunchback of Notre Dame would have been impressed with the swelling! I am not an animal. Even more talking on the walkie talkie and the telephone. I am given the only chair available and we are asked to wait a minute. Eventually a man comes with a wheelchair, I plonk myself into it and grab for Cooper. No, no, no I must not carry the baby on my lap, but I can cart 3 carry on suitcases and a hand bag that is OK but not the baby. Dave goes to push me and NO, NO, NO, the man is a specified wheel chair pusher and will not give it up. He takes off rather briskly and deposits us at immigration. WAIT we are told. Guess we aren’t going on the tour of the airport then!
Our party, a colleague of Dave’s was also with us were put through the back door of immigration, me still being pushed in my chair, effectively jumping a very long queue. We then get escorted to the departure gate and are given priority boarding onto the plane. No waiting in queues, this wheelchair thing is a great!!!!!!! Temporarily of course.
Our flight went off without a hitch; we all slept a little, ate a little and drunk a little – OK well more than a little.
Back in Perth, despite being told not to the Qantas staff had arranged a wheelchair to meet the plane for me. I was last off the plane but got express service through customs and immigration again so beat most of the passengers out of the terminal.
It was wonderful to be back home with my boys and hope one day to return to Hong Kong and take the kids with us.
26 January 2007
10 January 2007
Hong Kong Part 2 - the downfall
The other event occurred on our last day. We took the double decker bus up to Stanley markets which was quite a drive from where we were staying at the JW Marriott (thanks to work!). What a lovely trip and great sight seeing from the front top seats of the bus.
Stanley Markets were a tad disappointing, most of what was there we could get from the Temple St Markets or other markets and at a cheaper price too.
All week had been beautiful sunny but not too hot weather and this day started out the same until out of nowhere we experience a torrential downpour which turned into just plain bad wet weather that continued until our departure home.
Here is where this story really starts.
We were window shopping in a carving place and as we were leaving I managed somehow to forget how to navigate steps and fell badly twisting/spraining/straining (whichever one it hurt) my ankle. Down I went crashing to the floor all ungraciously, thank goodness I was wearing pants is all I can say.
The shopkeepers were very kind and rubbed some Chinese medicine (I think it was clove oil, Dave recons it was cinnamon????) and let me recover in their shop. After tightening my laces on my sneakers we soldiered on (well there was nothing else I could do) and went across the street and grabbed a bite to eat. Surprisingly a very delicious pizza was scoffed.
To be honest my foot didnt really hurt that much and I managed to do a very good impression of walking back to the bus stop. We managed to get the top front seats again which was great except that we are both fairly tall people and the seats were designed for much shorter people so our legs were all cramped up in front of us and to make matters worse Cooper fell asleep on our lap and we were to frightened to move in case we woke him. This child never falls asleep except in his own bed so it was a new experience for us.
When we arrived at our stop I stood up and ouch my ankle was so painful, I could hardly stand on it let alone walk! We caught a taxi back to the hotel and started packing.
Wow this is turning into one of those mini saga type posts. Will leave it there for now and finish off another day. If I forget just nudge me, email me and remind me. I am quite forgetful.
Stanley Markets were a tad disappointing, most of what was there we could get from the Temple St Markets or other markets and at a cheaper price too.
All week had been beautiful sunny but not too hot weather and this day started out the same until out of nowhere we experience a torrential downpour which turned into just plain bad wet weather that continued until our departure home.
Here is where this story really starts.
We were window shopping in a carving place and as we were leaving I managed somehow to forget how to navigate steps and fell badly twisting/spraining/straining (whichever one it hurt) my ankle. Down I went crashing to the floor all ungraciously, thank goodness I was wearing pants is all I can say.
The shopkeepers were very kind and rubbed some Chinese medicine (I think it was clove oil, Dave recons it was cinnamon????) and let me recover in their shop. After tightening my laces on my sneakers we soldiered on (well there was nothing else I could do) and went across the street and grabbed a bite to eat. Surprisingly a very delicious pizza was scoffed.
To be honest my foot didnt really hurt that much and I managed to do a very good impression of walking back to the bus stop. We managed to get the top front seats again which was great except that we are both fairly tall people and the seats were designed for much shorter people so our legs were all cramped up in front of us and to make matters worse Cooper fell asleep on our lap and we were to frightened to move in case we woke him. This child never falls asleep except in his own bed so it was a new experience for us.
When we arrived at our stop I stood up and ouch my ankle was so painful, I could hardly stand on it let alone walk! We caught a taxi back to the hotel and started packing.
Wow this is turning into one of those mini saga type posts. Will leave it there for now and finish off another day. If I forget just nudge me, email me and remind me. I am quite forgetful.
Trash or Treasure Part 2
A few days after Christmas.
Cooper is enjoying his ride on car and has mastered riding it surprisingly well, amazingly well really considering he has just started walking. He manages to climb on and manouver it so he actually "rides" it. It has been blissfully quiet too.
Then it happens, noises start coming out of the ride on toy. Seems there is a switch underneath the rideon that turns the noises on and off. Thankfully they are not the screechy ear piercing type but gentle melodic sounding musical nursery rhymes. whew
Even better I got a toy in perfect working condition for a 70% discount.
Cooper is enjoying his ride on car and has mastered riding it surprisingly well, amazingly well really considering he has just started walking. He manages to climb on and manouver it so he actually "rides" it. It has been blissfully quiet too.
Then it happens, noises start coming out of the ride on toy. Seems there is a switch underneath the rideon that turns the noises on and off. Thankfully they are not the screechy ear piercing type but gentle melodic sounding musical nursery rhymes. whew
Even better I got a toy in perfect working condition for a 70% discount.
Hong Kong Part 1
Yes, we had a trip to Hong Kong, good guess, bet you feel clever now? Sorry that was mean.
Dave, Cooper and I took a trip to Hong Kong in Nov 06, Dave went for work, I went for shopping, Cooper went as he is still a breast fed babe and couldnt live without me. awwwww.
The trip was great, love Hong Kong and will oneday return with all 3 kids in tow to do HK Disneyland and Ocean Park. Not too mention more shopping.
Hong Kong really dresses up for Christmas. Just beautiful, nothing like the piddly little decorations erected by our town. Shopping malls are full of brightly coloured decorations, massive tree's, garlands of bells and bows and baubles. Very festive and it was hard not to be caught up in the excitement of Christmas, even if it was still mid November.
Besides shopping and swimming we really didnt do a lot in HK that is worth noting. Two things however do stand out, the first being something we found in a McDonalds store.
We didnt eat there, I refuse to visit a new country and eat the same old rubbish dished out by global convenience. Although one day when we could find absolutely no where else to eat and were ratty at each other due to hunger we did get lunch there, BUT we ordered the local version which was a rice type patty with "flavour" inside. Very tasty I must admit. On the other occasion we visited but did not eat at we discovored that they had a free internet service for their customers - YES free! I think perhaps the idea was to buy something and actually become a customer? Free internet who isnt going to use it, I know I did :).
Dave, Cooper and I took a trip to Hong Kong in Nov 06, Dave went for work, I went for shopping, Cooper went as he is still a breast fed babe and couldnt live without me. awwwww.
The trip was great, love Hong Kong and will oneday return with all 3 kids in tow to do HK Disneyland and Ocean Park. Not too mention more shopping.
Hong Kong really dresses up for Christmas. Just beautiful, nothing like the piddly little decorations erected by our town. Shopping malls are full of brightly coloured decorations, massive tree's, garlands of bells and bows and baubles. Very festive and it was hard not to be caught up in the excitement of Christmas, even if it was still mid November.
Besides shopping and swimming we really didnt do a lot in HK that is worth noting. Two things however do stand out, the first being something we found in a McDonalds store.
We didnt eat there, I refuse to visit a new country and eat the same old rubbish dished out by global convenience. Although one day when we could find absolutely no where else to eat and were ratty at each other due to hunger we did get lunch there, BUT we ordered the local version which was a rice type patty with "flavour" inside. Very tasty I must admit. On the other occasion we visited but did not eat at we discovored that they had a free internet service for their customers - YES free! I think perhaps the idea was to buy something and actually become a customer? Free internet who isnt going to use it, I know I did :).
08 January 2007
Santa please bring me.....
I have a 4 year old with a bit of a wild imagination.
This year amongst everything he sees on TV he wants a Fruit Barbie!!!!!!
Our question is what is a Fruit Barbie?
Well a Fruit Barbie is a real barbie doll and you rip her head off and inside is squishy lollies. PMSROFLOL!!!!
What the??????? All I can say is that I am glad that my son has not yet developed any gender bias's as yet and is still happy to ask for a doll. The eldest boy would have been mortified to have been in the same room as a doll! But I am a tad concerned at the "ripping her head off" part.
Needless to say we havent found one yet!
This year amongst everything he sees on TV he wants a Fruit Barbie!!!!!!
Our question is what is a Fruit Barbie?
Well a Fruit Barbie is a real barbie doll and you rip her head off and inside is squishy lollies. PMSROFLOL!!!!
What the??????? All I can say is that I am glad that my son has not yet developed any gender bias's as yet and is still happy to ask for a doll. The eldest boy would have been mortified to have been in the same room as a doll! But I am a tad concerned at the "ripping her head off" part.
Needless to say we havent found one yet!
03 January 2007
What do School teachers know?
Dave has just passed on some very nice comments by a close family member (you know who you are!) Who kindly told him to tell me that they liked my first post and where was the next one and that I wrote well. I want to thank you so much, I appreciate hearing that but what I want to ask is........
How come NONE of my school teachers ever said that?
How come NONE of my school teachers ever said that?
24, 36,82..... or a bird of any other feather?
Funny story #1 (well at least we laughed)
Ty, my 4.5year old is exploring numbers, some days he is 19 years old, some days he is 30, 60 (not really sure what that is about). Questions about the time result in a random generation of numbers that sound like they could be time, 12.79 o'clock, 50.12 o'clock.
The other day at my mums we were on the back patio have a New Years Eve feast of fish & chips, there were tons of native birds in the trees calling to each other. A real cauchophony of happy bird noise. Dad was pointing out all the brightly coloured birds to the kids and Dave, The Husband, was guessing their species. "Oh that looks like a Rosella", "Oooo look a Lorikeet", "Oh and that one is a 28" God only knows if he was right or not but that would be a whole other blog issue. :)
Ty, ever the parrot, hehehe get the joke, chimes in with "yep that one is a 28 of the 3rd"
Man he cracks me up!
Ty, my 4.5year old is exploring numbers, some days he is 19 years old, some days he is 30, 60 (not really sure what that is about). Questions about the time result in a random generation of numbers that sound like they could be time, 12.79 o'clock, 50.12 o'clock.
The other day at my mums we were on the back patio have a New Years Eve feast of fish & chips, there were tons of native birds in the trees calling to each other. A real cauchophony of happy bird noise. Dad was pointing out all the brightly coloured birds to the kids and Dave, The Husband, was guessing their species. "Oh that looks like a Rosella", "Oooo look a Lorikeet", "Oh and that one is a 28" God only knows if he was right or not but that would be a whole other blog issue. :)
Ty, ever the parrot, hehehe get the joke, chimes in with "yep that one is a 28 of the 3rd"
Man he cracks me up!
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