Here’s hoping to everyone who follows me and to those I follow that you all have the most wonderful Christmas. I’ll be looking forward to reading and writing more posts in 2025.
December started off with a bang, literally, as I went to see the latest 0️⃣0️⃣7️⃣ film with a friend at our local cinema. It was the last one for Daniel Craig and we both enjoyed it, although it’s a mighty long film. Full of twists and turns and action packed as usual. The gadgets getting more techno every film. Daniel Craig has done a good job throughout but for me James Bond = Sean Connery.
As I came out of the cinema I saw one of my first Christmas decorations.
~Time for the tree to go up ~
On 2nd December Lachie decided it was time for the tree to go up. All the decorations we could find went on the tree. He was very happy with the result.
Also this first week was the start of the parties, brunches, lunches and dinners. Anthony and I went for dinner one night to a local restaurant, Miss Chow’s and had the most delicious dinner.
The tree and decorations in the town of Claremont, WA
A few days later it was our Zumba Christmas Party, held at our lovely instructor’s house in her amazing beautiful garden. The food was delicious and of course there was dancing.
A week later there was another zumba party, this time it was brunch attended by 55 ladies! So much food. It was held at another lovely instructor’s house, Laura. We were all asked to bring a small gift to put under the tree for Secret Santa. I couldn’t stay too long as I had another Christmas lunch to go to at the Bridge Club. I struck lucky with my gift, herb scissors and a basil plant, very useful.
It was a very hectic month indeed with a couple more parties and dinners with friends, but such a wonderful lead up to Christmas Eve. This was when the summer really arrived with temperatures in the forties for Christmas and Boxing Day.
We always celebrate Christmas Eve with a seafood dinner. On Christmas Day for the past few years we have been going to our neighbours for Christmas lunch as daughter and son visit respective parents. It is always good fun as they host for around 16 people!
Just a small table this year as Laurence and Maddy were back in Melbourne, due to the closure of the borders, but still a delicious menu of Cucumber Soup, Smoked Salmon, Cold Prawns and Potato and Green Salad.
Santa also brought a big green slide that he spent nearly all night trying to assemble!
🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄
From Boxing Day until the 29th December we are gradually clearing the house up for our departure to England, we are off to see my parents. Thankfully Elena and Damian are moving in to take care of our two boys so they don’t have to go into kennels.
What a rigmarole to fly back, tests to be taken, forms to fill out, boosters to be had and more tests once we arrive. It will be worth it though to see my parents after such a long time.
My December gallery
Hoping everyone has a healthy and happy 2022
Many Australians celebrate Christmas in July as it is our coldest month. Here is a gallery of past Christmas Trees for Becky’s Squares
All from Hong Kong except one! Nowhere does Christmas trees like Hong Kong. So opulent and many of them real.
🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄
Make New Friends but keep the Old, one is Silver and the other is Gold
Posted for CMMC – November Colours – Silver and a Gold
This is the second time we have stayed in this hotel but first time for a review by me! It was in December so there was a great Christmassy feel to the hotel.
Hyatt Centric is located in North Point on Hong Kong Island. North Point is becoming more popular as a place to stay. We like it here because it’s not as busy as Central or Kowloon. Everywhere is easily accessible from here, the MTR and a ferry terminal are within five minutes walking distance. There is also a tram line nearby.
The hotel is split into two towers, East and West. The west tower has the restaurants situated in it, the Cruise Bar on 23rd floor, The Farmhouse cafe on the 2nd floor and a coffee shop. In the east tower there are the rooftop infinity pool and fitness centre. There is an open air area on the 23rd floor for drinks and nibbles with fantastic views of the Hong Kong skyline. I would say this hotel is a good four star hotel, if you consider the Marriot, Grand Hyatt and The Icon are five stars.
The rooms are fairly spacious for Hong Kong hotels and all have floor to ceiling windows with views across the harbour.
The lobby is airy and spacious and checking in and out is a breeze with friendly and helpful staff.
The first three floors are taken up with shops. Designer shoes and jewellery and all the high end cosmetics.
There is a lovely waterfront promenade just outside the hotel where you can see the local people doing their exercises and tai chi.
North Point is the hub for many Chinese and Asian restaurants.
The views from the room across the harbour
The bathroom is on the small side but everything is well appointed and they have thought of everything! Even a great make-up mirror.
The amenities drawer
The lobby and surrounding areas of the hotel
The Farmhouse Cafe
We had a buffet breakfast here every day. There is a fantastic hot food section where eggs are cooked as you like. Also fresh fruit, cereals, all kinds of bread, cold meats and cheeses are served.
Magnificent Ginger Bread House in the Coffee shop
Up on the 23rd floor there is a roof top bar with open seating area, plus Cruise restaurant which has a diverse Asian menu. It’s a great place to start your evening, overlooking the harbour with a cocktail.
Some of the dishes on offer at Cruise Restaurant
Sweet and sour Pork
and
Snapper in Banana Leaves
The rooftop infinity pool
It’s always nice to stay in a hotel with a pool especially in the summer in Hong Kong. There aren’t that many hotels with decent outside pools, so this is a bonus! Well, unless you can afford the high end five star hotels of course.
We will definitely be using this hotel again during our travels to Hong Kong
Despite the current turmoil and upheaval in Hong Kong, we still decided to visit this diverse and wonderful city. Having lived here over ten years ago, this time we had brought along our good friends and neighbours from Perth. We only came across one protest during our stay, although we did see evidence of the destruction that has been caused.
Hong Kong – a city with a population of over 7 million is home to many different nationalities making it a truly international city. Located in Southern China and surrounded by the South China Sea. Most of the population live either on Hong Kong Island or Kowloon, although some live on the outlying islands of Lantau, Cheng Chau and Lamma.
From the airport there are many ways into the city, we took a taxi, but there are airport buses and an express train.
The trees below are all real and also the poinsettias.
There are so many things to do in Hong Kong and we only had a week to do it in!
We stayed at the Hyatt Centric formerly Hotel Vic in North Point (a review of this hotel to come).
Hong Kong in December is a great time to visit. The weather is cooler with no humidity and all the buildings are dressed up to the nines with Christmas lights. Everywhere you look there are Christmas trees and decorations all competing for attention.
One morning we took a ferry just outside the hotel over to Hung Hom, Kowloon and then walked along the new promenade to Tsim Sha Tsui East. It’s a lovely walk and was surprisingly very empty for a Sunday. We realised later this was due to a protest being organised somewhere else in Kowloon. A sunny but hazy day.
The Hung Hom Promenade
We saw many of these small tents along the way and these are what the domestic helpers use on a Sunday to enjoy their day off.
This promenade takes you right along to the Avenue of Stars on Tsim Sha Tsui East waterfront.
Bruce Lee and Anita Mui both famous Hong Kong actors, sadly now passed away
Anthony enjoying a little shopping spree!
Later that evening we took an evening cruise around Hong Kong Harbour on the famous Duk Ling Chinese Junk. Built in Macau around 1955, it has been refurbished many times over the years. It’s a great way to see the harbour and the Hong Kong skyline. Tickets can be bought online or at the harbourside and include a guided tour and free drink.
Below are photos of the former Hong Kong Prison which is now an arts centre. What an interesting place to visit, full of history and quirky shadows videos depicting how the prisoners were treated. Located on Hollywood Road, Central.
Getting around Hong Kong
It’s extremely easy to travel around Hong Kong Island and over to Kowloon. Just get yourself an Octopus card from an MTR station and you’re all set. Public transport is not expensive in Hong Kong. It can be used on the MTR, trams, buses, mini buses and ferries. Top ups can be made at any 7-11 or MTR station. The train goes all the way to the border with Shenzhen. Octopus cards can also be used to buy small purchases in 7-11 and Watsons.
A designer decorated tram!
Oil Street and Electric Street –
Many years ago this building in Oil Street used to be the old oil terminal and is now an Arts Centre. The Government Printing works were also situated here.
The former Marine Police Headquarters, Canton Road
Pottinger Street Market – also know as Stone Slab Street – named after the first Governor of Hong Kong, Henry Pottinger – 1858
**********************************************
We also spent a few days outside of Hong Kong in Lantau, Macau and Sai Kung – posts to follow!
My peaky blinder enjoying a late night cocktail
Until the next post!
