First time

I think I was overly excited so I literally was awake around 5:30 this morning. Checked my email, FB and whatever else, until I decided to work out. Got to the gym downstairs before 6 and outta there before 7.

Thought I'd scribble some notes on the blog before I get going for the day.

Let's see what's in store today:
1) First ride on the Hong Kong MTR
2) First time at SWIFT office
3) First time working in Asia !!!

Lots of firsts...

I'm super optimistic about today...

Day 3

Sights, smell and sounds in HK:

When I first arrived at the airport, I was alarmed by a group of people that sounded like they were having disagreements in public - they were speaking loudly, almost shouting if not. I continued to observe this yesterday as well. I'm wondering if they really are.

Although most people speak English, there is still a lot that don't. I have a bit of a hard time understanding what they are saying even in English. And most speak to me in Chinese, until I shake my head and open my mouth to blurt 'I don't understand'. I felt like a fool for not being able to unsderstand, and all the more it made me stand out; and expats that I've asked for help were left wondering where I came from.

Smell:

Yesterday was hot and humid, and a bit crowded outside, and it smelled bad. There is an odor that was not sitting well in my stomach. I think it's the spice used in the roast pork and duck (lots of them hanging from the window of small restaurants), and the smell of gutter combined. It almost made me hurl. I'm suddenly left wondering what is wrong with me. I used to be more adventurous than this.

Taste:

Well, I will have more to say about this next time, especially after I eat the longans I just bought at the store yesterday. So far I haven't been blown away with the food. Let's see tonight.

Sights: see for yourself.

First morning in HK: Day 2

22 May

Saturday

Good morning Hong Kong. Got up about 6am. Since I could not sleep anyway. Tossed and turned last night, got up several times - must not have been tired.

So what is the order of the day:

1) Get my suitcase emptied. Done. It was pretty quick in fact. I'm starting to be a pro at unpacking.

2) Find breakfast. Done. Ventured out to find a grocery store, well the store called "Welcome" was still closed at 7:30. 7-11 across from it did not really have anything healthy. Amazingly, I found a fruit stand. Cost me about 50 HKD to get a small papaya, 3 mangoes, 5 mangosteen, and a bunch of small bananas. I priced an avocado but that was a bit expensive - 10 HKD for a small avocado which is almost 1.3o USD. A little pricey so I passed it up.

3) Checked out the gym and pool - A bit disappointing but hey at least there is a place for me to workout in the building. Surrounding the pool were buildings that could use some maintenance - not very relaxing to look at. In fact, it is depressing.

4) Fill out paper work for apartment - inventory list, etc.

5) Work for an hour. Log on work computer.

6) Find lunch.

7) Work out.

8) Go across the street to research travel options for the kids.

9) I think that's enough.

I've arrived in Hong Kong

Arrival 21 May at 5:30ish pm HK time. It was a long flight that started at 4:30 am US EST. Yup, very early in the morning. I was picked up by the car service around 4:40. Arrived at the airport around 6, checked-in, got through security at was at the United lounge by 7 for coffee, cereal and yogurt. At 7:45 the plane boarded and at 8:20 head to San Francisco, an hour layover, and boarded my flight to Hong Kong at 12:30 PST.

Hong Kong airport seems to be pretty efficient. Going through immigration did not take very long. Baggage claim took a bit of time waiting for th 2nd luggage. Other than that, off to Airport express MTR, a train that takes you to the city. Then taxi to get to my new apartment: Frasier Suite, 74-80 Johnston Road, Wanchai.

At the MTR, sat next to an Indian gentleman who recently relocated in Dubai from London. He is in the shipping business. He helped me with my luggage and shared a cab. I got invited to dinner and we agreed to meet up at 8:30 which I eventually cancelled preferring to stay in and catch my family online.

After freshening up, I decided to venture out to get some take out. This is around 10pm. The concierge recommended a place next door called Hey-hey. I picked out a pork bbq with rice and soup. When i got back to my apartment, I was hungry but disappointed with the food. When I poured the soup in a bowl, it had some fatty stuff I wasn't quite keen to try. The pork roast was ok considering how hungry I was. Overall score for my first meal in HK: 4 thumbs down.

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