TOURIST TUESDAY: HONG KONG DAY FIVE

By Thursday, day five, we had settled into the groove of being in Hong Kong. 

Yes, we were still super hot and sweaty every moment outside. Yes, Jarvis still got overwhelmed by the crowds and wanted to be carried. But, I noted Jarvis was happier to wander more. Being covered in sweat, and having a heat headache became the norm.. Or maybe it was because I was learning to say no, to doing too much every day.

Eight o'clock in the morning, and look at Jarvis's sweaty head...

Instead of wandering for ages looking for anywhere open for breakfast I suggested Maccas, pancakes and coffee. Yes, the coffee was crap, but lucky for me I don't drink it, so Jarvis and I enjoyed hotcakes and a chocolate frappe. He was thrilled to get a toy.

I suggested the park for the morning as we were meeting Justin's family for lunch, I wanted Jarvis to have the chance to play and be a kid. Which put Jarvis in an even better mood.

A hotel pitstop for another shower, more snacks, and water. And of course more elevator selfies.

Then we headed off to catch the trains to Kowloon to meet Justin's family. 

After filling our bellies with yum cha, we walked a short distance to Yuen Po Street Bird Garden and Flower Market.

The Yuen Po Bird Garden is actually a small lane, the traditional Moon Gate is at the start of this pedestrian alley. The Chinese had traditionally liked to keep birds as pets. When you walk into this small garden you can see one of Hong Kong's nuances of talking birds for a walk. The garden is a place to hang out and chatt and bond of their love of birds.

The market stands are just a small stroll away, it is a small area with only a few shops but what it lacks in size, it more than makes up with the variety of birds, there is everything from delicate canaries to colourful parrots. Plus, the beautiful hand-crafted bamboo cages and all the sorts of funny and peculiar "bird food" like the buckets  full of live crickets which. I really enjoy this kind of tourism which shows an old and enduring part of traditional Chinese lifestyle.

We, then walked past the flower markets to get to the fish markets. Not sure if it was because we were feeling tired, but Jarvis and I were not as impressed with the fish markets. I struggled with seeing the fish trapped in plastic bags, and Jarvis struggled with the smell.

So I decided to go back to the hotel for a short nap before, meeting up with Justin's family again for dinner. 

Which I am glad I did. Dinner with Justin's family was delicious, but very very late for our travelling four year old. We didn't even get on the first train until 10.30. So, Justin and I took turns carrying him the whole way home. Poor thing barely had a shower before falling asleep. Actually, we all had quick showers and all fell asleep exhausted. 

TOURIST TUESDAY: HONG KONG DAY FOUR

What do you do when you are in Hong Kong and it is a really hot and humid day? Go to Ocean Park Hong Kong and spend the day in the sun.

We all came home with headaches and a bit of heat stroke, however, it was a really good day.

Ocean Park Hong Kong, commonly known as Ocean Park, is a marine mammal park, oceanarium, animal theme park and amusement park, situated in Wong Chuk Hang and Nam Long Shan in the Southern District of Hong Kong.

I do not think anyone could 'do' all of Ocean Park in one day, so we just concentrated on the areas we thought Jarvis would enjoy.

The park is separated by a large mountain into two areas, The Summit (Headland) and The Waterfront (Lowland). These areas can be reached by a cable car system, I am such a wuss this was my favourite ride.

But, who knew Jarvis would turn out to enjoy all of the rides even the roller coaster for adults. I could hear his giggles the whole ride.

My tips for the park, you will save money, and avoid the longest lines when entering the park, if you buy your tickets online before going. We hired a stroller for Jarvis. Yes he is a bit big, however it had a sunshade which kept him out of the sun. Plus it was good to carry all our stuff. I actually saw lots of parent hiring wheelchairs for their older children. Last tip, take snacks and water. Lot of water.

We got stuck in a traffic jam on the bus ride home from the park, but it was nice just to sit in the aircon and look out the window.

That night we were still so tired we just wandered up the road from our hotel and ordered (Justin ate) the biggest pizza slices I have ever seen. 

TOURIST TUESDAY: HONG KONG DAY ONE

After our false start on Friday, Sunday morning Tamika picked Jarvis and I up, and drove us to the airport.

I have made the flippant comment "my children are amazing travellers", but it has taken a lot of trial, and error, to figure out what works and what doesn't. But, I can honestly say Jarvis was an incredible travel buddy.

He is responsible for his bag, for what goes in it and what doesn't. For the flight to Hong Kong he packed, two books, one bunny, a few cars, a mobile phone (it is an old phone, that was gifted to Jarvis), his camera, a change of clothes, a jumper, and food. Lots of food. Even though planes serves kids meals, they never come when needed, and are often not familiar. Which is import if trying to settle a toddler/child. I always buy one or two small gifts for him to open on the plane. Great in moments of need. He got a matchbox car, and a book of stickers.

I always give plenty of warning about how there are four really, really boring bits before we get on the plane. 1. the line up at the ticket counter. 2. Going through security and baggage checks. 3. Customs. 4. Waiting and boarding the plane. I find Jarvis is okay with these boring steps as we count them through. If he gets over it, then, yes, I am the Mum who uses the phone. Jarvis has a couple of games downloaded, and I will sit him on top of my carry on bag and wheel him through the steps while he plays.

Interestingly though, travelling alone with Jarvis, I got super speeded through every step. Line up at ticket counter, directed over to first class. Security and Baggage, through a side gate. Waiting and boarding, told to get on first with first class. Umm, okay. That was so easy.

Once on the plane, Jarvis is always fine. Chewy lolly as a treat for take off and landing, which helps pops the ears also helps.

A couple other things I always do are, 1. Ask for the window seat. I feel it give Jarvis and I, our small space that we do not have to share with people if we are in the middle seats. 2. After boarding, change Jarvis and I into super comfy clothes. It gives us more comfort, makes it easy to sleep and saves the 'other' outfit getting dirty, so when you get off the plane you are wearing relatively clean clothes.

So after a very long day on the plane, Jarvis and I landed in Hong Kong and got through customs at super speed. I am not sure who was more excited to see who, but it was a very happy reunion of the three Js at the airport.

Then onto the bus, to travel the hour ride into Hong Kong. Jarvis talked Justin's ear off non-stop the whole time. Dropped the bags off at the hotel and grabbed my firs of many wanton noodles. Then Jarvis and I were asleep before we could even blink. 

TOURIST TUESDAY: HONG KONG...PRE-HONG KONG

Everything was ready, Justin and June flew out on Wednesday. I worked Thursday and then spent Friday running around like crazy, doing those one hundred and one things that you need to do before you travel overseas with a child. I invited Tamika, Guy, Chester and Lola over for dinner so we could eat through what was ever left in the house. What we didn't eat I gave to them. Finished last minute packing and put away all of the washing.

I went to bed thinking this time tomorrow night I get to see Justin....

But noooo!

In the morning, just as we are about to leave for the airport, I get a phone call from Qantas telling me that all flights to Hong Kong were cancelled due to the Typhoon Haima. At first I thought it was a prank call, but jumped online to find out it was real. Even worse the earliest flight they could get us on was on the Sunday at lunch.

Friday and Saturday were spent in limbo, other than feeling lucky I got to hang out with Tamika and the kids for an extra two days, I wandered around not doing much. Bar for wondering what Jarvis and I could eat.

Yes, as the photo shows I REALLY emptied out the fridge, we had water, film

 and one mintie. 

TOURIST TUESDAY: THERESA CREEK DAY FOUR

It has taken me a long time to write this post, because I wanted to leave the last day/last post at Theresa Creek to talk about our hosts Margaret and Laurence. Yet, I find myself at a loss to adequately describe how amazing they are.

On arrival Laurence met us at the gate and Margaret was up at the farm. They showed us around, and taught us the little ins and outs, and generally made us feel extremely welcome. Not only with fresh produce of eggs and pumpkin from their farm, but homebaked lusciousness of fresh bread and a macadamia slice.

They gave us complete privacy, yet we found ourselves drawn to their farm each afternoon after our walks. Where we would stay and chat and Jarvis would play with their dog.

On our last day at the farm, we stopped by to tell them we were leaving and ended up being invited in for morning tea. Wow, Margaret can bake yummy treats!

I, we, cannot recommend this place more highly. It had everything we needed to disconnect and reconnect as a family. This is not a sponsored post in any way. I will include a link to their page, just so you are also tempted. You can find them and their farm here. 

After tearing ourselves away from the farm, we opted to take the slow scenic route home. Stopping to take photos of abandoned houses, meandering around op shops, and stopping where ever the desire took us.

This was the prefect long weekend away.

TOURIST TUESDAY: THERESA CREEK DAY THREE

Jarvis woke, and the first thing he did was run out side and stand next to the field where the horse was kept at night and yelled out "horsey, come here horsey". Funny thing is that bloody horse came running over to him every time he called him. For the fours days we stayed, when ever Jarvis would yell for the horse it would come to him and nuzzle up. Not sure who loved who more.

Jarvis's day was complete when the dog would come over each morning around eight. It is interesting watching him with animals. They just respond to him so well.

After a lazy breakfast, we walked up to the creek. I love how when technologies are taken away, life becomes simplified. Food, cooking, lifestyle. Our days were lazy filled with simple pleasures. For Jarvis on day three it was hours at the creek skimming rocks, and collecting some to keep.

It was a hot walk home, but lucky for Jarvis, he has a Dad willing to carry him for most of the hour walk.

After naps we walked off in the opposite direction towards the owners farm. And then went on another huge walk to collect bush lemons.

There was a lovely simplicity to our day, that relaxed my soul and had me wishing to move to either a farm or an ocean cabin.

TOURIST TUESDAY: THERESA CREEK DAY TWO

We all woke early, combination of the morning sun streaming through the window, and Jarvis's excitement to start the day.

Day Two was Justin's, and my, anniversary. 7th of the 7th. Nine years...wow. That went fast. It only seems like yesterday we had that first date, on a freezing night in July.

After Justin opened his presents we had breakfast on the verandah in the sun. Breakfast, and gift opening, was so exhausting for Justin he had to have a nap...the first of a few.

After slowly getting ready we drove "into town". After stocking up on groceries and had a quick lunch, we were all keen to get back to the slowness of the farm life. The trip into town exhausted all of us, so of course we had to nap some more.

After lunch it was back into our farm clothes and we set off to explore the property. The day before seemed to set the trend for our entire stay. Each afternoon we would set off and explore the land, always ending up at the owners farm for a chat. I will write more about Laurence and Margaret later,  as I am struggling to find the words to describe how amazing they made our stay.