Visit to Family in Hong Kong

Adventures in Hong Kong - June 2022

Out of quarantine and into the heat to meet, for the very first time, my almost 3 year-old Anglo-Japanese grandson Sean (English), or Shun (Japanese). In Japan he is entitled to have registered a Japanese name and an English name until he is 20 but in Hong Kong, where he was born, he has to be registered under his father's surname. You will see that I use both names but having met him and heard that he calls himself Shun-Shun I am using the name Shun more often now.

I haven't seen Tim since August 2019 when all my sons met me in Portugal for a week to celebrate a big birthday. Yumi was unable to fly as she was heavily pregnant with Sean who was born at the end of September that year so I haven't seen her since Christmas 2014 when they came home to the UK. So wonderful to spend some time with them now.

I did keep a diary of the time spent in quarantine for my personal interest and for anyone else who might be interested.

Quarantine diary - for those who have time in their lives :-)

Daily news

Monday 27 June – I'm OUT in Hong Kong!

Tim, Yumi and Shun will pick me up from the quarantine hotel just after 7.30am.

UPDATE: I am so sorry - the visit was wonderfully hectic and exciting. So much so that this page was not finished. Rectifying now - 16 Dec 2022!

Tim and Yumi, plus Shun, drove up to pick me up at the hotel. Shun was looking quite wary in the back seat with mummy, not at all used to seeing visitors. Tim drove us to their home in Clear Water Bay where we unloaded my luggage and then we went for breakfast at Sai Kung, a harbour area, sitting on the pavement outside in the fantastic warmth of Hong Kong. Whilst we were catching up it came to light that they are expecting their second child in the New Year - but I wasn't allowed to tell anyone yet! Fantastic news and even just spending that morning with them was so great and well worth the week being incarcerated in an hotel. After breakfast we walked along the waterfront and saw tourist boats and beautiful views across the water. The weather was lovely too after a week in an air-conditioned airport, then air-conditioned bus, and finally, air-conditioned hotel. Shun then found a playground to have a fun few minutes in with daddy before wandering back to the car. We passed a restaurant with numerous fish tanks along the front of it, so you could choose your own before they put it on a plate for you. Shun was fascinated with the many different types and sizes of fish but I don't think he yet realises what was going to happen to them. Being brought up in Asia though will make this seem very natural very quickly.

After a brief stop at their home we went on into a shopping mall. Really interesting to see what is available in HK and what is not, but more about that later. I am going to describe what was interesting, different and exciting for me. I realise that those of you reading this who are used to travelling around the Asian continent might be surprised that I didn't know some things or that some things are interesting to me but Asia is a continent that I have only visited briefly twice before and it was lovely to understand more about where Tim and his family are living.

When we were in the shopping mall we dropped into a restaurant within the centre for a casual lunch. By the end of the week there I had experienced a number of different places to eat, some very casual and some really exotic. I came to realise that I prefer the way of ordering food and eating in HK. Instead of choosing a dish that you want to eat and having that to finish there is very much a culture of ordering a number of dishes to share, then ordering more if needed without anyone batting an eyelid. This means that no one is forced to eat more than they want to and you also get to try a number of different dishes. I quite like doing buffet lunches when we have guests and this culture really appeals to me. Shun was still pretty nervous about this 'Granny' who had materialised out of daddy's phone. Shun's whole life has been one of lockdowns and immediate family only, having been born just as Asia was going into Covid restrictions, so it's understandable that a visitor in the home should feel really strange to an almost 3 year-old who had never had that happen.

After lunch we made our way back to the house by taxi. Everywhere is very easy to get to by taxi and modern apps on mobiles make it very easy to book one, knowing exactly when they are turning up and the reg number of the vehicle. The taxi is paid for through the app too so no worrying about that either. The taxi price is incredibly reasonable, especially when you consider how much a taxi in London would cost for the same distance. Another bonus for HK.

To continue with a busy day Tim suggested we go down to the local beach at Clear Water Bay, a 10 minute bus ride away. Tim, Shun and I grabbed swimming stuff and set off. A beautiful sandy beach, accessed directly from the bus stop down a flight of concrete steps. I didn't get into my swimming costume, I don't know why, and I certainly would have if I had realised this was the only trip I would make to this lovely beach. I was in shorts though and waded into the clear warm water. Such lovely weather, superb to be out in such lovely warmth. Great to see Tim and his son playing together in the water and other families having fun together. Belongings were just left high on the shore without a thought that anyone would touch anyone else's bags. The bay had an inflatable harbour barrier which I thought was a great idea......until Tim told me that it had a net hanging below it so that the bay was protected from any dangerous sea life coming into the bay rather than stopping vulnerable children floating out to sea, which is what I had thought it was for.

A quiet evening for me and then early to bed. Tim showed me how to set up the fan in my bedroom to keep a nice temperature for the night and it was actually very nice to not be worrying about if a duvet was thick enough!

Tuesday 28 June – Hong Kong Central

Tim had a very busy schedule sorted out but first..........that next PCR test to be taken. A walk down to the hospital and then a very interesting time trying to find out where 'aliens' went for their allocated PCR testing. A big hall with many stations for testing and hardly anybody in there for actually taking the tests. Everything on QR codes and security sent to your phone (except that mine wouldn't accept texts in HK so gave them Tim's phone number - confusion but they seemed to accept that son's tech intervention was required with an elderly parent!!!!). Quite a strange sensation to be classed as tech-illiterate just because I had chosen not to pay oodles to use data abroad as it was really expensive for a HK trip. Tim and Shun were both with me so afterwards we walked through the fish market, which I was assured I had to do whether I wanted to or not as it was 'an experience'. Actually I would have done it, just as that, to explore other countries and cultures means that you accept that they do things differently and then make an informed decision as to whether that's a good or bad thing I think. It was interesting; the smell was something that I can't describe, the live chickens to be taken home for the pot and the fish heads and bodies, separated from each other but both still flapping, were an education if nothing else. Always good to be educated in another's culture.

From the market we all walked into the underground train station. Tim had supplied me with an Octopus card that works like the Oyster cards in London but you can load it so that you can use it for so many more things. It ends up being like a bank card that we use for buying bus or rail travel but also coffees and shopping but it is pre-loaded so is not limitless like a bank card and therefore perhaps more secure? Anyway, I had this card and was intrigued to see that small children were getting on transport with a card in a holder on a lanyard. Tim explained that everyone over the age of 3 must have their own card. We travelled towards Hong Kong Central, the business and retail centre of Hong Kong, and then came out of the underground to catch a tram from one side to the other so that I could see the many different areas. Great fun looking down from the top deck of the tram, Shun promptly went to sleep although I was told he 'loves' trams. He seems to love all sorts of transport and wouldn't go anywhere without at least two small vehicles about his person, usually a fire engine (or fire truck due to the American influence on language) and an ambulance or police car. Tim pointed out all sorts of markets and buildings, including the most expensive real estate in HK and major bank buildings.

When we alighted from the tram we made our way to Victoria Prison via a series of covered street escalators that made their way further and further up the hillside, another new experience. Victoria Prison was also fascinating, seeing a old prison that was very similar to those you might see around the UK until you find what the living conditions and food rations were for those incarcerated there at that time. From there we went by boat across a bay and from there via taxi home as Shun had rugby training in the afternoon and yes, I do know that he's not quite 3 yet but he loves it! We took Nannie with us to training, this is Tim and Yumi's home help and her name is Nannie, not her occupation. Nannie does also look after Shun when his parents are at work and has been with the family for about 8 years. Tim bought smoothies for everyone on the way home and another busy day came to a close.

Wednesday 29 June – Discovery Bay

A planned expedition today, to Discovery Bay on Lantau Island. Tim says that there is a great walk with excellent views so Tim, Shun, Nannie and I, with Koharu the dog, set off to catch a boat to get us to the island. The island itself is home to so very exclusive apartments and is apparently one of the nicest places to live if you work in Hong Kong. It certainly looked delightful. The day was hot, around 32C, but nice if standing in the shade. The walk was mostly under trees going up but in full sunlight for most of the way down. Yumi was to meet us for lunch after the walk.

We started the walk gently, through fishing hamlets along the coast. Shun was adamant that he was not going to wear his shoes and Tim was adamant that he was otherwise he would hurt his feet and they'd be in trouble with mummy. Shun won.

The walk up was very beautiful but I'm sorry to say that with a few weeks on a very low calorie diet, not used to the heat and humidity and being generally out of condition for mountain walking, I was soon struggling to keep up. The biggest embarrassment was when Shun said that he was running back to help Granny and promptly did so, running barefoot down the path he had just run up. So fed up with myself when Tim, Nannie, Shun and Koharu were all very capable of doing the walk with little difficulty. I was carrying a camera and lens but even so.....I should have been able to do this without getting so out of puff. I do find the diet depletes energy stores and makes it a little harder to do exercise but still........!

I was so very pleased to get to the summit of the walk and see the exceptional views spread below us. There was a heat haze on the horizon so the photographs are not as spectacular as they might have been but what a fantastic view. We started the descent and most of it was a staircase down in the blazing sun. I used my 'London brolly', that is always in the bottom of my bag, to protect me from the sweltering temperatures in the full sun. We walked on down to the fishing harbour of Mui Wo for some lunch and I was so very thirsty so really pleased to get a drink there. I think I even guzzled some of Tim's beer - unheard of for me to drink beer! After this late lunch we caught a ferry back to Hong Kong Island and then a taxi back from there. Tim suggested that he and I went for a drink at a bar on the way home and Yumi, Nannie, Shun and Koharu continued on their way home.

It was exceptionally nice to catch up with Tim and have a drink together. We had to order some food as it's against Chinese law to just have a drink. I think this was a covid ruling for re-opening of bars and cafes but I'm not sure. Anyway we ordered just some cheese and biscuits to go with wine and had a delightful couple of hours catching up properly. Such a lovely idea and so nice to do. Lovely to see the family but it's also delightful to have 121 time together too. The end of another perfect day (well apart from my inability to be able to walk up a mountain but let's forget that shall we?).

Thursday 30 June – Legoland and a trip on a Junk

One of my requests for what to do in HK was to see Shun enjoying things that he'd like to be doing. Today we went to Legoland in HK and then for a trip around HK Harbour on a junk. A typhoon was on it's way in though so the weather and views were not the best but the day was not spoiled.

We started in a shopping mall where Legoland is found in the basement. The area was tiny but really maximised on what it provided, as with all things in HK it seems. Complete displays of a miniature HK and its tourist attractions all made out of Lego and so that you could even get within them. Little Lego ferries and trains shuttling backwards and forwards kept Shun fascinated. He could then play with Lego and Duplo, and there was a soft play area to tumble around in that kept him amused for ages as he and his dad rolled around it. Air-conditioning kept the temperature quite chilly so good for rough and tumble. I took loads of photos trying to get the best through the netting and there are just a few here.

After Legoland we went to get some food through the shopping mall. There are so many top brand shops in the malls in HK, more than I have ever seen in London or New York for instance. Huge names having multiple stores in the relatively tiny area of Hong Kong. Very swish shopping, very swish customers. In this particular mall there was even a little robot buzzing around sanitising the air for covid reasons presumably. It spoke or pinged very politely if you were in the way of its path or it moved to a different area. Nothing like that at home on the coast of Scotland!

In the afternoon we went on a trip around the harbour on a junk. Lovely experience but the weather was turning out to be not at all nice. A typhoon was on its way in and the wind and rain were starting up. Still, it was a lovely trip on an iconic vessel.

Friday 01 July – more floors than ever before and a stunning tea with a view

A quieter day, the typhoon coming in more but we went out again as I had another PCR test to be done to ensure that I was still allowed to be out and about. Shun, on hearing that Granny had to go to the hospital, said 'Granny sick?' and I explained to him that I wasn't sick but I had to go and have the test to prove that so I could continue to be with them. He accepted this and then a bit later threw a bit of a strop about having to walk out and go to the hospital. 'I don't WANT to go' he said several times quite stridently. I'm afraid to say I turned to him and said 'I don't WANT to go either as they are going to stick a prod up my nose and into my mouth and it hurts' at which he looked at me and said 'I'll look after you Granny, we'll go together, I'll help you'. Oh my goodness, such thoughts and words from someone who is under 3 years old. He made sure I was OK and was very sympathetic about me having to have the final Chinese Government paid for test. They were insistent that numerous tests were taken but on the other hand they also didn't expect me to pay for them.

After the hospital visit we went to go and get a coffee and breakfast in the shopping mall. As we were on our way to the hospital I had realised that I didn't have my mobile with me. I said about it to Tim but decided I didn't need it, I was only using it on the wifi at home really. However, what we had forgotten was that the Chinese Government insist on everyone scanning a QR code on their phone when they visit bars/cafes/restaurants etc. So going to eat was going to prove a problem. However we found a way around it by me taking Shun to a table and sitting with him whilst Tim ordered and brought the food too us in the coffee shop. I never go anywhere without my phone! What a time to forget it.

Later on in the day Tim and Yumi booked a lovely posh afternoon tea for me (and themselves obviously) at the Ritz-Carlton. What they didn't tell me was that the Café 103 at the Ritz-Carlton meant that we would be on Floor 103 of a skyscraper! Actually we were sitting in a beautiful lounge area with great views across Hong Kong waters and you could believe you were on the top of a mountain looking out if you ignored the slight occasional swaying motion. Fine, until I went to the ladies room, reached across to put soap on my hands and realised I was looking straight down 103 flights to the harbour below - it was me that was swaying then! Anyway, back to the tea. Tim ordered a Mac & Cheese from the mini-menu for Shun and we were having the delicious delights of an afternoon tea, including the special message to me of 'Welcome to Hong Kong' - a very nice touch. Well, you can imaging what happened when Shun saw his tea versus ours! That was never going to happen! Tim had the Mac & Cheese as well as a few tea delights and Shun had his pick of the tea. He was so happy and we all had a lovely afternoon. The view was not as great as it could have been due to the typhoon (did I mention we were up 103 flights in a typhoon :-0 ) making the view more grey than blue but still a good experience.

We did a little shopping on the way back. I bought some 'magic blue stuff' that we had run out of at home. This little bottle isn't blue stuff but I cannot read the Chinese characters on the side and it has a blue top so that's what we call it. I first came across this when I was in Toyko with Tim years ago and had an insect bite. This roller-ball top dispenser has 'magic' liquid that sorts out insect bites and stings in a jiffy. We have used it for years at home and it really is a wonder product. I have no idea what it is or what it's called but it's blooming marvellous so I got some more. Whilst doing that we picked up a few items from a grocery store and now here's the thing. I was amazed at the fruits all wrapped and sold individually. Huge, absolutely huge, apples and all manner of other fruits and vegetables. There were also meats like sausages, priced at just under the equivalent of £10 for four - that's £2.50 each sausage! Some things are incredibly cheap (blue magix stuff just over £1 equivalent) and some products so expensive. Wine is relatively inexpensive, a good bottle for around £10 but cheeses, cold meats and other non Asian foods can be very dear, a small wedge of cheese can be around £10 to £20. See, the things I find surprising.

The typhoon was getting apparently getting worse now and had been raised to a No. 8 typhoon warning signal. I say apparently because I had expected a bit more wing and rain for my very first typhoon, especially a No 8. At this level everything starts closing down and transport stops. Maybe we were away from the worst of it as it was mostly on the west side of HK but even so. A real whirlwind visit I am having!

Saturday 02 July – Typhoons and temptations

The typhoon warning meant that a lot of things were closed so we spent the morning at home, going for a walk with the dog around the village where Tim and family live. Played a bit of football with Shun in a local playground, stepped over a (dead) dangerous snake as we weaved our way up the hill and looked out to see what the typhoon was doing away across the other side.

Tim had booked a Michelin Star restaurant for lunch called Duddells. He was desparately trying to find out if they were closed due to the typhoon or not because if you book and don't turn up then you lose the money. If you manage to get there in a typhoon and find it closed then you might be stranded with no transport to get home again. Some taxis were running and the underground was still going but it would take about an hour to get to the restaurant. Tim left several messages and eventually they called back to say yes, they were open. By this time we would be late getting there for the booking though so we very quickly got ourselves together and out of the door. Yes, there was rain but not a great deal of wind but we did make it to the restaurant, albeit a bit late. What a fantastic experience though! There was a menu and a pad of paper on the table and Tim and Yumi started ordering a couple of things to eat. It was eat as much as you like dining but order as and when you want so you order some now, then something else, then a bit more of this or that, then something different etc. All these delightful little dishes brought to your table to share between you, You like something, you order some more and so it went on until they started ordering sweet treats, desserts. Nannie turned up to pick up Shun to go to a birthday party he had been invited to, she had battled her way across through the storm to do that. We stayed and carried on talking and nibbling until we were more than done. What typhoon!

Made our way home uneventfully through the 'typhoon' and Tim and Yumi popped into their neighbours where the children's party was being held whilst I chilled out at home with the dog, who was also getting used to having a visitor in the house when she wasn't used to it. I didn't move about much until they all came home.

Sunday 03 July – Science Museum and flights home

Sunday I was due to go home in the evening but we went to the Science Museum during the day. Great adventure for children although the small children's gallery was closed for renovation, which was a shame. Shun was excited about some things but others were beyond an under 3. He did find a couple of computer games though that he would have stayed and played all day on. We had to prise him away from both. I think this boy is going to take to computers just like his father did in the 1990s. It will be interesting to see where he ends up and what he is doing by the time he is 20 years older.

After an exciting week it was then time for Tim to drive me to the airport for my flight home. What a truly brilliant week I have had. I have been spoiled from landing to take off and it was an amazing family time getting to know Shun too. He can be quite a determined little chappie and (although I am hugely biased) I think he is very bright. Some of his ideas and abilities are way beyond his age but sometimes he is just a little chappie trying to find his way through. I absolutely loved meeting him and a week with Tim and his family was beyond my wildest dreams. What a splendid time I had.

Shun helped take me to the airport and was excited about planes. Tim tells me though that he didn't quite understand the concept of Granny going to the airport as on the way home he asked 'Where's Granny!'. Love him :-)