Chapter one

Setting Off - Hong Kong:
I guess I should start this journal with a brief explanation. This platform is new to me and as the weeks go by hopefully, I will become better using it. So if you are following it please bear with me! I would also ask that if you are reading this then please leave some comments, as this is what brings the whole thing to life. Remember I have never used this site before- what is the worst that can happen, after all your views won’t be any worse than my own rambling thoughts. Your comments will help me focus as well, you can give me ideas as to what you would like to hear about more and what you need to read less about.
So here goes………..

Retirement has finally arrived. When at home in the UK it seemed daunting leaving work that has been my 'other family' for the past thirty years. Now I have left the UK the trip has taken over and there is little thought of retirement or work.
First up Virgin were great hosts on the flight, presenting me with a bottle of champagne to celebrate retirement, which was a nice touch.
Arriving in Hong Kong brought great excitement as Laura, who we had not seen since Christmas was waving at the barrier, always a joy.
We start our trip in The Crowne Plaza hotel Tseung Kwan O New Territories, a level of luxury we will not be enjoying most of our time away.
So what did we do on our first week? Well as ever the best thing was spending time with Laura and Nico who we hadn’t seen since Anthony and Alexa’s wedding. They seen happy and excited at the prospect of getting an apartment on their own in the coming months. So we look forward to that on our next visit.
Reviewing the week seems a little ruthless and minimizes much of what we have done I guess I will have to get better at this as the tie passes, but here goes…..
Lunch at Dim Dim Sum on Friday, apparently this is in the top 100 restaurants in the world to eat and it was really cheap but provided an excellent Dim Sum in authentic surroundings. This is the same restaurant that Laura took Niamh on her recent visit so put an image to the accounts we heard and we agree it was marvelous.
On Saturday me and Nico walked up The Lions Head Peak (500m) a pretty serious trek but it offered some serious views of Hong Kong city and harbor. The girls spent the afternoon shopping whilst we

were sweating our way onto the peak. After the walk we were quickly dressed up and off to Bubba Gump on the Rock for another retirement dinner this time with Laura and Nico who missed out at home last week. The food was – well shrimpy – but very nice and the drinks were awesome. The restaurant is on top of the Peak and gave us a good view of the sunset and night city lights. Thanks for arranging that Laura.
On Sunday we were off for another hike, en route we couldn’t help but notice that Sundays seem to be a national Philippian house workers day. There are thousands of them all over the place setting out little picnics on the boardwalks around the city. This is sort of cute but sad at the same time, as they are really not much more than servants to the wealthy Hong Kong people. Still, steady, I am not here to judge simple observe the world as I travel around it.
Anyway off on the 40 minute ferry ride to Lamma Island there we had

a wonderful 7km hike across the island on a wonderful 24 degree sunny day. Whilst clearly a tourist destination, it is a million miles from the city life. It appears much more old school Chinese.
As I said at the beginning bear with me and i am sure i will get the hang of the page set up and appearance, but for the first week this is it.