Happy New Year!

Brrr, back in 17 degrees cold Hong Kong on this last day of 2009. I know that all Europeans will laugh about this, but coming from 31 degrees and high sunshine, it is kind of a chock to find our home in Tai Wan village that cold. Normally we are also kind on the sunny side when it depends of temperatures.
So but now back here I can start to post some pictures from the wonderful kingdom of Cambodia.It wont not be more than this two for now. Both from Phnom Penh; the silver Pagoda in the Royal Palace and a street view from the old french quater in the city.

Au revoir Cambodge!

This is the absolute last post from the kingdom of Cambodia, as we are on the steps to our Hong Kong flight at Phnom Penh international airport. If it wasn't for the worlds probably slowesy internet connection, I might have written a bit more, but after waiting apx. 10 minutes to get this far in the login process, I've given up and just say god bye. Cambodia has been really great and you can get more stories and pictures when back in Hong Kong.
Last thing, if you've ever thought of visiting Cambodia but didn't realize it we can only say; do not wait for much longer. The place is absolutely fazinating and great for travelling.
Boarding, bye.

Siem Reap and the temples.

We've reached the last stage of the Cambodian Christmas tour; the city of Siem Reap and it amazing temples, where the Angkor Wat is just one of the high lights.
Yesterday morning we left the calm spot Kampot in the south, where we've enjoyed the last couple of days. In a taxi we conquered the 150 kilometers of combined dirt road and bumpy bumpy tar road back to Phnom Penh. After this experience I'm quite happy that we chose to fly up to Siem Reap, instead of another 4 to 6 hours of Cambodian style traffic on the roads. The taxi trip was an adventure and to times very stressing as the dust from the dirt road didn't leave much sight ahead for the driver, so sometimes the overtaking of trucks, ox driven wagons and public country style tuk-tuk "buses", made the trip like watching a horror movie, and I've still got the red markes, from where Catriona drilled her nails into my knees every time another huge truck just appeared out of the dust cloud just in front of us. The ride was also some mind blowing experience in the way of what we could witness on the way of the lifestyle of the Cambodian people in the country side. Living along this dirt road, many of the houses and field are just covered under a layer of red dust from the road, so in my imagination I just cannot stop to think about their cows and chickens, or not to mention the vegetables, meat and other goods they were trying to sell from small huts along the road. All just covered ion a red carpet of dust.
Coming to Siem Reap from Kampot, is in some ways like getting back to civilasation, as here it is more developed and most of the houses are well restored and in a good condition. On the other hand is is yet stressing, as this has all to do with tourism and an area of town -called "Down Town"or "Pub Street"- is like a western enclave of fancy pubs and restaurants, where you can dine your small exquisite tapas in your evening rope, paying the 20 dollar bill, and when you leave and walk for 2 minutes you see children and older people sit along the road trying to find some plastic bottles or beer cans from the rubbish bin. For them 20 dollars could mean food for the whole family in one month or more.
So at the first glance; Siem Reap is fancy and developed -for some very few, and I'm not sure that I like it that much!

Calm in Kampot!

Is this holiday pure?
Yes it difinately is! Kampot in the south of Cambodia at the Bay of Thailand and not far from the border of Vietnam is certainly worth a visit if you want to have a calm and very relaxing time with good weather, nice and freindly people and great oppurtunities for trips out in the countryside to visit local villages, caves, pepperplantations and or relax at some fantastic but hardly crowded beaches. Some small islands unfar from the coast can also be reached by local boats an small ferries where you can find yourself laying on a white sandy beach under the coconut palm trees.
Tourism has hit the place, but in a very little scale and what you will find is a good mixture of local life spiced with some considorate western style guesthouses and restaurants. If you want to find out more about this place try to visit this blog; www.kampotsurvivalguide.blogspot.com
We have only one day left here, so now it is out to one of the tour organizers here in town, to orgnize some bikes and then we are heading out to explore a bit more of this calm place. Put on a lot of sun lotioan as the sun just hit with big strenght.
Well, that was all for that dime...

"Out there where the pepper grows!"

If you aren't familiar with the saying: "out there where the pepper grows" I can tell you that this is a Danish saying which means something like; very far out, and that is exately where we are now; both very far out and out there where the pepper grows.
We left Phnom Penh this morning -24th- and drowe with Mr. Ra -a taxi driver- from PP and all the way down the not very good Highway N 3, to the little town of Kampot. This is where they grow the best pepper in Asia -maybe even in the whole world, but I guess other countries would say BUH to me if I released something like that.
Any way the drive was about 3 hours through rual Cambodian landscapes with villages here and there. If somebody have seen Vietman War movies and the landscape there; yes it was like that, but thank god without the exploding napalm bombs behind the Palmtrees and small huts on stilts. Now we just had our Christmas evening dinner at a very cozy and friendly place called; "the rusty keyhole". It is a mixed UK and Cambodian run bar at the riverfront in town.
The day has been extreme hot, and it look to be the same tomorrow, so this is not a white Christmas.
After Phnom Penh, this is like coming to another country, as here is just so quite and slow that one could get out of a moving tuk-tuk, in the thought that is was still parked along the pavement.
Similar to Phnom Penh; the people here are amazingly kind and friendly and not as busy or trying to get us to ride with their tuk-tuk and what else we experienced in the capitol.
More will follow later, now I just want to wish everybody a nice and fantastic Christmas evening and Christmas day.

Cambodia is like a big warm smile.

Cambodia is a very poor country with many obvious problems. It is a both charming and distressing place to be, as the problems and the big differences just is displayed on the streets in front of you, and sometimes you feel like a bastard because you are able to travel somewhere and eat a meal when ever you feel like it,and just around you, people look as they can't afford a bowl, and therefor has to go and beg you for some money.
This can be hard to watch and at the same time to know that the most of the people eating at the many restaurants are mostly westerners either living here or on the way through. Another thought coming up when seeing these circumstances, is the knowledge of how much money being spent in just Denmark or Germany right now for Christmas -eating and all the other stuff-, just to have this in mind meanwhile seeing these nice and kind people struggle and get along with what they've got or can find on the street.
But then again; this cannot ruin my mood, on the contrary, to see the warm smiles on the faces of these people towards everybody, even that life seems so hard yo them, is worth more than what we in Europa have thought -or in fact forgotten- Christmas is about. This is warmth and plain kindness out of the center of their hearts.

Calling from Phnom Penh, Cambodia!

It is about 27 degrees in the shadow, the sky is blue and around us a large number of mopeds, motorbikes and so called tuk-tuk's (mopeds with a kind of a trailer for transporting people), swirls around like honey bees. It is Phnom Penh, the capitol of the Kingdom of Cambodia.
Wearrived here on the 19th at lunch time and has now kind of got use to the new surroundings, so we now are trying to make some plans for the next day's and for where to spend Christmas evening and Christmas day. This might be on an excursion out in to the country side to see a nature reserve and meet some villagers, but lets see what we can arrange, one thing I know is that it is going to be very different fron a traditional european Christmas anyway.
So far Cambodia -Phnom Penh- has been enjoyable with is friendly inhabitants and good food. In many way's it reminds a lot about Hanoi in Vietnam and yet not as it is a lot smaller and not quite as busy and chaotic -it seemes. It can seem very difficult to orientate in this city, as only the major streets or Boulewards has got names, the rest of the minor streets dotted between these major streets only has got numbers, and so you are looking for Street number 282 or number 13, to try to find where something is placed, but as the City is not that big and there is kind of a system with these numbers, you kind of have an idea in which area to look, or you ask a tuk-tuk driver to take you there, as there is no organized public transportation, so either these tuk-tuk's or on the bag of a moped -which is way faster. Unfortunate I'm yet not able to upload some pictures to illustrate, but maybe I can find some internet where it will be possible.

Glædelig Jul to all of you!

This could be the last post before Christmas, so I will wish all of you out there a very "Glædelig Jul". That is the danish way of saying "Merry Christmas" and I always enjoy to hear when non danish speakers try to pronounce this, because it seems to be just impossible.

Mum's Hong Kong Diary #5

Fri 13th Nov
Today we met Catriona and Jørgen after school and will be heading for Macau for the weekend.
So first the bus to Ma on Shan town center. Then a bus to the Ferry Terminal in Central and onto the Turbo jet Ferry to Macau.
After arriving in Macau there was a little time before we had reserved a table at a good Macau- Portuguese restaurant, so we had time to visit the fake "Fisher mans Wharf" at the harbour next to the ferries.
As you walk through the False City every turn that you take makes you think that you are in different countries. It is amazing . After this short visit we entered a Taxi to the Restaurant called "Alorcha". We had some lovely dishes, grilled chicken Portuguese style, starter shrimp pie, beef croquettes, and marinated sliced pigs ears, but nobody liked the pigs ears. The sausage was yummy, followed by sweet milk pudding with crumble biscuit. Then a Taxi to Hotel Pousada Hotel situated in the countryside of Coloane Island overlooking a nice beach.

Saturday 14th.
We made the most of our Jaccuze bath ,. We went for a walk down to the beach, then back to the Hotel to meet Catriona and Jørgen. After a walk and a snack from a beach hut grill as we had to wait because the famous Fernando restaurant we wanted to visit, does not open untill 12 pm. People que up ages before it opens and we joined them and later shared dishes of prawns, sardines, salad, chicken, chips, beer for Jørgen and Ricky and Sangria for Catriona and I. Then a Taxi to the village a bit away from our Posada. We strolled around the pier, had egg tarts from the bakery before going back to the Hotel for a a rest after sharing some pringles and wine. Later we walked back to the Coloane village and the NGA Tim cafe. We had seafood rice, fried noodles, Angola beef steak, a walk back after another egg tart from the Lord Stow Bakery .

Sunday 15th.
We have to check out. We went for breakfast in Taipa village this morning, chicken fillets and rice potatoe soup, coffee, fish and chips and beer -for breakfast? And another egg tart from a bakery, then back to the Ferry Terminal. The water was choppy on the crossing to Hong Kong and not good when you are filling in imigration and health forms.

After leaving the Ferry, we were going to Whanchai, the Folk club is in the Scottish pub called: "the Cannyman", tonight Catriona is singing and playing the Guitar, I really did enjoy sitting with the group, Catriona was good. I dont hear her singing often these days as she is to far away.
The Scottish songs were lovely.






Monday 16th Nov.
Today we travel from Sai Kung to Choi Hung and then the MTR to Kowloon Tong and then again on a train to Hong Hum and the Science- and History Museum.
Both are well worth a visit and are very interesting. After that we raveled all the way back to Sai Kung and had a meal in the Thai Restaurant and after that a drink in the Duke pub. There we were asked to sign a birthday card as a member of staff came in for a surprise. We had free drink an birthday cake .
All that made us late, so we head back to Taiwan village.

Tuesday 17th.
A quiet day as it has turned cold. Shopping in Sai Kung to buy fish and potatoes for dinner. Ricky is cooking tonight, Mince and tatties.

Wednesday 18th.
The temperature has dropped to 12 degrees and we feel cold. The dehumidifier gets moved around in the house and also an electric heater was on in our room.
Tonight we have an invite to dinner at Yvonnes and Bobs house, it is so kind of them so we bought flowers. Catriona and Jørgen brought wine.
Yvonne made Lasagna, carrot cake and also trifle, it was so lovely.
Thank you so much Bob and Yvonne, it was my early Xmas treat.

Thursday the 19th.

Tonight Catriona and Jørgen will meet us for a special meal. We had a drink in our usual pub; "the Duke" where we met after they both came back from work, then headed to Anthony's Catch.
It is our last night in Hong Kong, also the weather has been lovely today with the temperature again a bit up,blue skies and clear views over the harbour i Sai Kung.

Friday the 20th.

The cases are packed and we are ready to travel, a last walk to Sai Kung on another sunny day. A visit to the fish market for prawns and to the Supermarket for some milk.
It is always sad leaving. We said our goodbyes and the Taxi took us to the airport. The high rise buildings, the lights and views that we wont forget and are so spectacular to see on the way to Hong Kong Airport.
Thank you so much for letting us stay, we would never have seen so much of Hong Kong if it wasn't for Catriona and Jørgen .
Scenery from Gulang Yu island outside Xiamen, PR China

What became of the Reindeer's?

When I was a little boy I was always told that Santa had reindeer's to pull his sleigh with the astronomical amount of presents on it. I don't know what they tell the kid's here in Hong Kong, or in fact I thought to know, until I saw this arrangement on a square in Kennedy town on Hong Kong Island!To me these creatures look more like horses, but what do I know about the Chinese Santa? One thing is for sure; Christmas is also celebrated here, but not in that silly and maniac way it has become normal in Europe, where the shops starts to decorate in October, and continue to stress people with Christmas carols and aim them to buy as much as possible all the way up til the 24th.

Mum's Hong Kong Diary # 4.

A quiet day on Monday 9th.

Tuesday the 10th Nov.
We need to pick up our new glasses in Mong kok, that we ordered last Thursday, mine are broken and when we saw the modern styles that twist and bend without breaking we decided to go ahead and buy them. The Market is worth a visit also Ricky purchased some nice Rugby shirts . I then ordered a spare pair of glasses that means another visit so we pick them up later in Mong Kok.

Wednesday 11th.
Today a visit to the Nunnery at Diamond Hill. Bus from Sai Kung to Choi Hung, then the train to Diamond Hill, then we looked for the sign for to the Nunnery. After the visit -that is interesting- we bought a souvenier to take home. We had a coffee and toastie and then walked round the lovely gardens and back to the train and the bus to Sai Kung.Thursday the 12th.
Tonight I am going to the "Sauce" Restaurant in Saikung to meet up with Catriona and Yvonne for the book club. I phoned Yvonne to chum her on the bus as the bus arrived so did Catriona so it worked out well for us. Everyone at the book club were so very nice and friendly,Ricky and Jørgen went for a meal in the Thai Restaurant. It started to rain so a Taxi back to Tai Wan village.

Spanish lesson #1!

Listen to a great song and teach yourself spanish!

Mum's Hong Kong Diary #3.

Fri 6th Nov 09

Today we are going on an adventure toXiamen in China .
Catriona and Jørgen are both meeting us at Ma on Shan town center after work .
Then a bus to the airport on arriving we have several checks to go through ,one being the health check as swine flue is not allowed to travel 'and then find ourselves running as late for our flight on Dragon air .
The flight was very comfortable with plenty of leg room, more forms to fill in for health and entry to mainland China.
A taxi then took us to the beautiful 5star Wyndam hotel with a spectacular view across a harbour to Gulang Yu island.Later we went out to explore the shopping area ,people walking up the middle of the streets ,and traffic that does not stop ,and this is a quieter part of China. The clothing shops are a must we will buy some bargains before we leave.
Hot pot was on tonight's menu [a pot cooking in the middle of the table ] they were not kidding chilly hot, too hot for me, but every one else seems to be used to eating hot food.
Now what direction do we go to get back to the hotel? A group of lads sitting on chairs stood up offering us a seat, asked can we help? One of them drew a map, every one is so helpful and friendly.

Open the gate to the 10th.

A funny kind of start to this winter and Christmas season. In November we suddenly had the coldest weather since weather records started, then one week later it found itself again and became very nice like always in December, then suddenly this week -as the climate summit in Copenhagen began- we've had a couple of rainy days, like in the wet season, and now it is back to normal. These big changes has a an impact on us, as I gut sick last week with tonsillitis and now with me back on track, Catriona went down with a sore throat and has to stay in bed to rest for a couple of days. Why can't we just get sick at the same time?
On the other hand is it good that she get's it now, so she can get well for our Christmas holiday, did I tell already that we are going to spend the Christmas in Cambodia?

Mum's Hong Kong diary #2.

Mon 2nd Nov.
A relaxing day sitting on the roof top looking across the harbour’
We then went to Sai Kung back to our Favorite pub ,and then to Mac Donalds and a taxi home.


Tue 3rd Nov.
Today Ricky and I went to Hang Hau on the bus then the MTR to North point changed again to Central. We explored the views and managed to return to Sai Kung safely.
A drink in the Duke pub before going shopping in the Welcome store, and then a Taxi home.

To be continued...

The Jule-kalender!

It is the first of December 2009 and normally people starts a kind of Christmas calendar to count down to the happy time coming later this month. Back home in Denmark it was also the time where every television channel with respect for them self, launched a 24 episode Christmas series. At the beginning it was mostly for kids, but later they also started one separate one for adults. So in December it was common that you had to follow 3 or more different series counting down to the 24th.
I'll try to do one post a day until I go on Christmas holiday, like a kind of Christmas calendar. This will be nothing special, only what comes into my mind on one specific day, but a part of it will be a Hong Kong Christmas photo of the day, and a part of Mum's Hong Kong Diary, coz as you know Mum and Ricky from Scotland was visiting us in November.
Like I mentioned in the last post, we had some quite cold weather for nearly one week, with the temperature dropping over 10 degrees in a few days. In only a few other days it went back up, so the last week and a half we've been back to amazingly 24 degrees and a gorgeous light. I've been told that this has been the coldest November since the start of weather recordings.
Sorry for you back in Europe and other cold places, but this was too cold and I'm just happy that we again can go outside in t-shirt and shorts to look at all the silly Christmas decor, which the shops put up to get us to believe that Christmas is just around the corner.


Mum's Diary #1.

We arrived at Hong Kong airport on Saturday 31 October. Catriona met us and we travelled to Sai Kung in a taxi. We later had a meal on the sea front, chop sticks are not the easy way for me to eat.
I need to get used them again. They will provide a knife and fork if you ask. The dishes are very healthy sea food. Locals are all very slim here

Sun 1st Nov.09
Jørgen and Catriona took us to us on a trip to an Island We did visit last year but, this time Jørgen and Ricky went for a swim on the beautiful bay with the shark net.
Then we all had a meal in the South African restaurant on the sea front.