Birthdays and Bucket Lists

Sometimes the events in our lives completely change our perceptions of what’s important. Suddenly, every birthday really becomes another year to celebrate. Every holiday becomes an opportunity to experience and appreciate another travel destination we’ve always dreamed of visiting.

But where would YOU choose to go if your circumstances encouraged it? Let me know what’s on your own bucket list. Where have you already ticked off? What or where do you still want to go and see? Do you agree with any of my own choices below?

Hong Kong Then and Now – Fifty Years Apart

After 50 years apart, my wife gets to return to her birthplace – Hong Kong. But how much will have changed, and will we be able to find any traces of the past?

So Long, Hong Kong

All holidays come to an end, and today is our last chance to enjoy what must be the most vibrant and exciting place on the planet, Hong Kong. It’s going to feel an odd sort of a day…

The Dragon’s Back

Today was our last full day in Hong Kong, so we decided to explore outside the city. It’s incredible to think that a twenty minute bus ride away from the skyscrapers, you can find lush tropical jungle, rugged mountain peaks, and stunning views of remote, unspoilt coastline.

Back From the Future – Mount Kellett, Hong Kong

Today is the day we return in search of where my wife was born, fifty years ago at the British Military Hospital on Mount Kellett, Hong Kong Island. But what, if anything, will we find there?

Android Apps for Hong Kong Travellers

So many apps to choose from, about Hong Kong! But which of them are any good?

With several months in between booking our trip and travelling, I’ve had the opportunity to download and try a great many of them. What’s listed here is the handful I eventually decided upon taking, along with a verdict on how useful (or not!) they are proving to be while abroad.

“If you’ve never been to the Great Wall…”

It was the great Chinese leader Mao Zedong who famously quoted “If you’ve never been to the Great Wall, you’re not a real man”. I can now understand why, as it was indeed a thrilling experience for my wife and I to finally stand on the Wall today and spend a few hours hiking it.

It’s the Forbidden City – Can we go in?

With most of yesterday taken up by travelling from Hong Kong to Beijing, and settling in to the hotel, we only have two full days to explore the highlights. So today, we’re taking a few stops along the underground to Tiananmen Square to visit the Imperial Palace Museum.

Smartphone culture in Hong Kong

This place is amazing! EVERYONE has got a smartphone! How can I be so sure? – because everyone has their phone in their hand, all the time!

Made in Hong Kong

Day Five. My wife was born in Hong Kong while her parents were out here many years ago attached to the military. Having just celebrated a significant birthday, this trip is a once in a lifetime opportunity for her to return to the place of her birth.

On Top of the World in Hong Kong

Day Four, and we moved from HK Island to Kowloon on the mainland side of the harbour. Partly a convenience so we could visit some locations more easily on the Kowloon side, and partly for a different perspective and views.

Hong Kong – Macau day trip

Day Three, and another day of poor visibility changed our plans somewhat. Instead of our original intention to visit the Peak on Hong Kong Island (which really deserves better visibility), we moved forward our plan for a day trip on the hydrofoil to Macau.