There is an extremely sensitive issue, and i am by no means an expert or proclaiming to know all about this issue, so what I am writing are my initial observations and thoughts only, so no offence is intended. No doubt I will learn more about these issues the longer I am here.

It used to be that Hong Kong, much like other large Asian cities was a place you came to to buy cheap copies and fakes of designer goods. Think Louis Vuitton Bags and those cheap Rolex’s that used to roll out of Asia in their thousands. While you can still get copies of many designer brands, by far and away Hong Kong is now a destination for designer goods and their main customers are Chinese mainlanders who come in their millions to Hong Kong to shop. Fifty five million mainland Chinese visited Hong Kong last year, mostly to shop. That’s over a million people a week. A million people in a tiny already crowded part of the world. The new middle class rich of China no longer want copies, they want the real deal and they are prepared to pay, they come to Hong Kong because there are no sales taxes and they have confidence that what they are buying will be genuine.

Near us is, in Tung Chung is a large luxury goods outlet stores, you have all the big names their selling their wares. You name it, Armani, Coach, Burberry, Prada, Calvin Klein and many other luxury European brands i have not heard of. Thing is, even though they are outlet stores they are by my standards incredibly expensive. We were looking at a pair of shoes that were 70% off and still over $NZ600 a pair, good grief who would pay $NZ2000 for a pair of shoes? Apparently many people do. And when they buy, they buy in bulk. You can see mainland tourists with large suitcases that they are filling with goods as they go store to store. I saw one woman buy three $3000 handbags in one purchase. So malls in Hong kong often feel like big airport shopping malls, all big brands and for me, very little personality. It is a bizarre economic outcome.

The local Hong Kong people really resent the presence of the mainland Chinese. They see the mainlanders as uncouth, unsophisticated or rude. There is almost an elitism to the way they talk about mainlanders. A fear that they will “invade”. Disgust at their behaviour, when they spit, or heaven forbid when a mainland tourist got her child to pee in the gutter rather than take them to the toilet. ( It’s not uncommon for Chinese toddlers to not have nappies and to toilet on command).

If the mainland Chinese were not ethnically the same as Hong Kong Chinese you would call their attitude to mainlanders racist. But I suspect that is just a simplification and their is a lot more to this, fear perhaps also being part of the concerns that Hong Kong people harbour?

From time to time things erupt. This happened over the weekend

<http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-31483476?OCID=fbasia&gt;

>Hong Kong Protests<

Clearly tensions are simmering. I think that some of this sentiment has also fuelled the Occupy Central movement, a fear that the Hong Kong way of life. That the systems, processes and freedoms(?) that the British instilled here are under threat.

It’s fascinating and scary at the same time. China is this huge nation with what enormous strength and control and yet Hong Kong is this little island of difference? Where will it all lead?

I will write about the Occupy Movement as well, I have managed to miss most of it and in some ways it is in hiatus, but again a fascinating and interesting element to life in Hong Kong.

So, I’m struggling to adapt to new normal.

I’ve gone from way more than I can possibly do in a day, to more time than I can possibly fill in a day. It’s weird. And it is taking some adjusting.

I had a list of jobs that I intended on doing during this time. You know the story, the things you never have time to do. You know what I am talking about, personal filing, photo albums, getting those herbs in alphabetical order. But the thing is, you know in your heart that you have survived this long without those things being done so is your life going to improve by doing them? I think not. But none the less, I am making progress, ( I was joking about the herbs, anyone who knows me would already know they are alphabetical!)

So my new normal consists of ensuring that certain things are done each day. I go to the gym. I do my brain training exercises ( lumosity.com), watch a ted talk, send my CV to someone or do something towards work. One of the other things I am trying to do is write and once i have written whatever self absorbed crap I have put down, I am actually going to post it….

Another of the jobs I had intended on doing is turning my camino blog into a book, ( for myself only), as part of that I have to turn the text in another format so I spent a few hours cutting and pasting each entry into one document. I was amazed to see that I managed to write over 22,000 words in those 32 days. Twenty two thousand? And this was when I didn’t have time, so I have to conclude that time lack or excess of it is not the issue here is it? I think the other thing that really worked while i was on the Camino, was that I didn’t really think too much about what I wrote. I just wrote. Did not have time to think of the consequences

I suppose what it comes down to is, I am not sure it would even be worthwhile reading? But I should just let others be the judge of that, it’s not like anyone has to read it, right?

So, will this little diddy actually make it out of the draft folders and onto the page?? We shall see.

I spoke to a friend the other day who gave me a good talking to, she told me I was doing too much, that I needed to chill, enjoy this time, take advantage of it as it will be over too soon. I know she is right. I’m just not quite sure how to do it. Talk about first world problems eh?

As I write I am sitting at the Hong Kong apple store. I have never lived in a city with a real apple store before, so I am taking advantage of their free workshops and I am going to try and learn a little more about icloud and other aspects of apple products.

So, this has been a really hard post to write, I am not sure why, getting back on the blog bike, so to speak, perhaps over thinking it? I have been wanting to, meaning to and it has just not quite happened.

That was never a problem on the Camino where i had very little time and could barely think. Now I have more time than I have ever had and I am procrastinating. What’s that about

I think I had also wanted to think a little more about how I write, and what I write, but again I think I was over thinking this. For some odd reason, just opening up and tapping the words out seems to work…so why change that?

It’s time to write…just do it. So, here it goes,

Been in Hong Kong two and a half weeks. It’s been a journey of a year to get this far, it was this time last year that the possibility of the role had come up and David had applied and now here we are..

So, I think the first real Hong Kong based post has to be on how I got to be here..and posts to follow will try and cover life and observations here.

I met David in Hong Kong after Camino, we had 3 weeks here, one week before he started his new role. We looked at least 15 apartments during this time. Talk about reality check, tiny one bedroom apartments for the equivalent of about $NZ1500 a week! Our requirements had been open kitchen ( not that common as kitchens are work space for the “helpers” so are closed off) , a dishwasher, ( again, not needed as the “helpers” will do dishes) as well as an oven ( not that common in Asian kitchens). We had also wanted a space to have a spare room for visitors and if we were lucky some outdoor space.

The first thing to get dumped was the spare room, that was clearly going to be an optional luxury with space being a premium. in some spaces we looked at a “bedroom” was so small that the bed touched 3 of the 4 walls, in fact it was rare to have a bed ( queen only) that you could get into from both sides. Useable outdoor space was also going to be difficult to find. Clearly a big adjustment was going to be needed….

When we had been over in April we had also come over to Discovery Bay as friends had recommended we take a look. It was pleasant, green, very ex part and very family orientated, we formed the view it was a bit too Peyton place. The real estate agent had mentioned as she dropped us off that she didn’t usually show apartments as she was a boat agent. This stuck in my mind and I called her when we were back, probably more out of curiosity than anything else.

When we came over to view the boats, the contrast in what we would be able to get for our money was really obvious. In comparison, the boat is huge. Here was a boat with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, two living areas, and a rooftop deck with deck chairs, table for eight and pretty much an outdoor kitchen.

I remember looking at the place and wondering if it would be in our budget, and when the agent told us and it was within budget, oh, and it comes furnished…it really was a no brainer! While the other half was a little more hesitant than I, understandably, he would have to commute, I knew then it was where i wanted to be in Hong Kong, initially at least..

So that decision made, I headed back to New Zealand to find another contract, and pack, renovate and tidy up our lives, find tenants etc

I can look back now and appreciate that this was a very difficult period, each of these tasks was massive in itself, and I just had to focus on one thing at a time, and break it down. Take it step by step and only focus on what can be done that day. It was difficult doing this alone, and the magnitude of some tasks especially the renovations was daunting and at times overwhelming. In the midst of all this were some very difficult historical personal issues to deal with, things that had resurfaced while on the Camino. Probably the last thing I needed, but you don’t always get to choose when things have to be dealt with.

But you know what, things worked themselves out, and it’s during the tough times that people in your life step up. In my case, there were a number of friends who stepped up, and in fact are still stepping up. Whether it was a dinner, helping to pack, helping to paint or lending an ear to my many complaints and rants. I think this is the thing that I will remember most from this period, the importance and value of good friends. Thanks, you all know who you are.

I was at things right up until the last minute, getting keys cut for the house on the way to the airport. So I did not really allow myself to say goodbye properly or get my head around leaving. In fact a friend had invited me around for an afternoon tea, and when I arrived this huge spread was set out and everyone I knew was there. I had not actually realised this was my farewell until I was at it! I think that gives an idea of where I was at…

So, I fell into the plane, making calls and trying to set things up and really I look back and wonder how much of what I did was really that necessary? Did I create more stress and pressure than I needed to? Perhaps. But I also like to think that I was thinking a few steps ahead and what I did then will now allow me to focus on life here.

And so there we have it, I’m here. I look forward to sharing my observations and experiences here with those who are interested. Thanks for coming along for the ride.

So, a bit about where we live,

Moondance, our boat has been a fantastic find.

By Hong Kong standards, what we live in is huge! Two bedrooms, two bathrooms, two living areas, galley, balcony off the living room and a roof top entertaining area ( with running water and a fridge). By marina standards it is small.

It’s over three levels and the bedrooms are on the bottom. Our bed basically sits on the water level, and has smaller portholes than upstairs. It makes the lower level incredibly quiet and private, and I am hoping in summer, just that bit cooler. I have been having the best sleeps ever.

The V deck, which is sort of a mid level between the upstairs living area and the bedrooms is where a TV room has been set up, again, very private and perfect for two people.

The kitchen is compact, and there is certainly no room for appliances ( which I left in NZ anyway), but it has a half size dishwasher ( which is a major rare plus) a large fridge ( for the wine) an oven ( also something not usually found) and an induction hob.

The living area is large, with a large dining table, couch and coffee table. I am still playing with space, it’s all very workable.

We set out to get something that was comfortable for the both of us as well as allowed us to entertain and accomodate guests comfortably without having to trip up over each other.

The boat is on pier E, which is about a six minute walk from the Marina club itself.

We are connected to water mains and electricity from the pier as well as fibre optic internet, toilet waste goes into tanks which is pumped out every morning.

The exterior of the boat is cleaned once a fortnight by what’s called a “boat boy” ( supplied as part of the tenancy) it takes him about 3 hours to clean the boat which gets dirty very easily with the crap that is in the atmosphere here.

The Marina club has a large swimming pool, a small but fully equipped gym, a reading room, restaurant, bar, two tennis courts and reception. Only club members can come through and all guests must be signed in. It is a very secure operation.

All up there are approximately 250 live aboard vessels in the Marina, making it the largest live aboard Marina in the world.

It’s very international, our neighbours are French, Australian, Kiwi, American, Canadian, as well as English, Irish, Italian amongst others. The proximity to the airport means that we have a lot of pilots living in the Marina, mainly pilots who work for Cathay pacific. (Already three of the neighbours we have met work as pilots for Cathay). I can see why, it’s quiet and secure and close to work!

There are a lot of families in the Marina and so far i am not aware of any other Chinese families living in the Marina. The only Asian faces appear to be the army of helpers, nannies, maintenance people, reception and services staff who make sure things are run smoothly.

So far, things are working out well and I am sure as time goes by and we meet more people we will enjoy it even more.

The downside is that you can quite easily forget that you are living in Hong Kong or even anywhere near China. Both of us are aware of this and are keen to ensure that we don’t forget it..

But for the next year at least, our life will be on a boat called Moondance.

When we first moved into our house in New Zealand we did so as a rental. I saw it for the first time the day that we moved in. It was fully furnished so all we had to bring were our bags. The thing is, when you are renting you look at things differently to when you are buying. You don’t really look closely, you don’t really care about the stains on the carpet, or the crappy paint job. Who care’s your renting right? It’s only temporary. You look at things with different eyes.

I think a similar principal applies when you go on holiday to a new city or country rather than when you arrive somewhere and think, I am going to live here! I have very different eyes for Hong Kong now that I am not a tourist!

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