January 3/12 – Amy’s latest line is “WEALTH is measured by the level of emotional FREEDOM one has.”
My experience of Hong Kong this time around is so different from the last 10+ times I was here. I think it is a combination of having my own condo instead of staying in a hotel plus being here for 33 days instead of 2-3 days. Further, this time, I am not in a rushed working mode. Even though this condo is only 480sf gross which means 358sf NET (smaller than my daughter’s bedroom in Canada), I feel very warm and comfy here. Actually I can’t even see myself living in a big house anymore. I am thus so grateful to my sister, Julie, for having invited me to share this condo purchase with her. Also, thanks to her friends, Maggie & Michelle for helping with the major renovation that brings in all the fresh smell. The design is also very easy on the eyes. The location is PERFECT. We are attached to the 4 big malls. The long sea wall (actually river wall) with bicycle trails plus the Library and the Community Center is just across the street. Oh and it only takes a 25 minute train ride to get to China. We are close to everything. I can totally see myself living here for a few months a year…
December was a busy month for me. First we were busy touring the city with cousin Danny since it’s his first time to HK. Then Jody arrived on Dec. 14th then Catherine came on Dec. 23rd. Thanks to them. Because of their visit, De and I ended up going to places that we wouldn’t have gone to if it weren’t for showing them around – places like The Peak, Stanley, LKF, Ocean Park, Ngong Ping 360, Lumma Island, Tsim Sha Tsui and Victoria Harbour. I was amazed at the many beautiful scenes I saw. This is the first time I am able to see HK without any “lens” that was brought about by my experience of HK during my childhood. I think that during the process of writing my mom’s biography, those past hurts got healed, therefore, I am now able to see HK with an open mind, open eyes and open heart. To say I “like” Hong Kong now is an understatement because I LOVE Hong Kong. I am so proud of what the people have done to make HK the way it is today. I am fascinated by so many different things. I now understand why people decide to immigrate back here after they experience life in the west. Even I am tempted to stay here for a few months a year too.
On Christmas day, Jody, Deon and I spent the entire day with Yvonne, a very dear, long-time friend from Vancouver. (Yvonne and I were pregnant at the same time. Her son, Joe is only five months older then Deon.) We went to lunch in Yeun Long and then visited Lychee Valley which is a combination of park and zoo. After the park, we went shopping in downtown Yuen Long, followed by a very good hot-pot dinner. In the evening, we had a two-hour Thai Massage. I really enjoyed spending Christmas with the kids and catching up with Yvonne.
On New Year’s Eve, we were invited to join Yvonne’s family for dinner at the Inter-Continental Hotel. Afterwards, I went with Raphael and his friends to count-down at a restaurant called Tivo in Lan Kwai Fong. I love the energy in the restaurant and enjoyed Raphael’s company and that of his two friends whom I met for the first time that evening. I was especially moved by what Raphael shared with me that night. I feel privileged that he trusted me. The feeling between us was very intimate. I look forward to spending more time with him and his friends in the future.
On the first day of 2012, Wendy, another long-time friend from Vancouver, invited Deon and me to join her on a hiking trip to Tai Mei Tuk (Taipo). It was so nice to connect with nature again. After the hike, we had lunch, followed by an hour of karaoke. Then, Deon and I rented bikes and rode for two hours. We had so much fun! I was happy to start the first day of a new year in this healthy way.
I find it difficult to put into words how awesome this journey has been for me and Deon so far. We bond so well. We learn so much from each other and from the environment we encounter. I would love to do another year of Asia but this world is so big and there are so much more to experience, therefore, I think it’s important that we explore South America in September 2012 before coming back to Asia. We are so NOT HK-out but we are also looking forward to exploring Thailand for 6 weeks starting January 6th where we will join a new volunteer organization called “Travel to Teach” in Chiangmai.
I hope 2012 will be a better year for everyone. More joy. More peace. More love. More financial & emotional FREEDOM…. 🙂
Love & Hugs
Amy
Originally posted on Amy’s travel blog: TravelwithAmy.ca
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