A few more images from Hong Kong ...

We came to learn very quickly how ancient meets modern in China beginning in HK.  I can honestly say I did not recognize 80% of what I saw on the streets but it was still a city as cities go.  Big, fast and exciting!!  Easily manoeuvred by trains, buses, cable cars, ferries we did our best to see the sights in a couple of days not to mention Thanksgiving Peking Duck in Kowloon.  Xi'an and Shanghai to follow!!  

Aberdeen on the south side of Hong Kong Island

Hollywood Road Park 

From the balcony at Pawn in Wan Chai

Wan Chai

Thanksgiving dinner - Peking Duck and Tsingtao 

Butt cut in underground pass

   

bye!

Happy Holidays from Hong Kong!

Hong Kong skyline looking back from Kowloon side

We've returned from China to discover that summer has finally come in Auckland.  Our first day back was a beautiful, breezy 80 degree day.  Unfortunately the jet lag had both of us napping it much away.  Here are a few images from Hong Kong to ring in the season.

As a side note, we couldn't access our blog in People's Republic of China (hence the belated updates).  It looks like the Chinese government has blocked all blogspot.com web addresses- perhaps as part of their ongoing attempts at monitoring/suppressing free speech.

Google's take on the issue of Chinese government actively breaking in to human rights activist's email accounts.

Blue Christmas?

Holiday lights of Hong Kong Island

At The Peak on a foggy but beautiful night

Merry X-mas everyone!

Takin' it down to Chinatown

These items may NOT be transported in to Hong Kong in one's luggage
(live turtles and crocodiles are apparently a no-no)

Lizard skins and mushrooms for sale

Oz

Sunset from our room in Noosa 

Mmmmmm beachy 

Noosa Heads National Park

Noosa main beach

Baby Roo

This looks comfortable right?

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

He's a vegetarian

Koalas really know how to kick it

Australian for field trip

"Across the ditch" in Australia for a few days

Someone is VERY popular with the locals!

Gardening at Night

Hello world!  Paul and I have been hunkering down in Aucks for the past week or so.  Spring has proven to be fairly wet but the days when the weather decides to cooperate make all the past a distant blur!  We will be at 70 degrees today with super blue skies and an invigorating breeze.  Paul has been working hard at the hospital and I've been keeping myself busy too.  Next week we embark on the first of a couple of exciting journeys.  First up is Noosa Heads, Australia for a thyroid conference.  You had me at thyroid!  Noosa Heads is on the east coast of Oz in Queensland - about an hour or so north of Brisbane.  They call it the Sunshine Coast and wow is that music to our ears.  
Second journey will be to China!  We fly to Hong Kong first for a couple of nights then onto Xi'an for doc conference then finally to Shanghai.  The excitement is palpable as you can imagine.  Better get all that unique self expression out now eh?   
So - let the nexus time warp of seasons 2011 continue!  
Perpetual summer really is a brilliant concept  - go SoCal and blue hairs!  (have i lost you yet?!)
In the meantime I thought I'd send you some visuals of the flora in these parts that I've been gathering since our initial descent.  Although there have been beautiful blooms since we arrived, the spring has definitely brought more color and life.  As it should!  Hope these make you smile.  
  
We love and miss all ya'll SO very much!!  Our hearts are with everyone.  

Seen in Devonport - can't find a name - wicked little drooping creamsicle blossoms.

Azahar - blossoms from an orange tree.

Birds of Paradise - found in many parts of the world but always a curious sight!

Perfect bunches of succulents growing wild!

Kaka Beak tree - looking quite forlorn.  

Non native weed!

Remind you of anything?

Weta Cave

We also hit Weta Cave- Peter Jackson's production studio.

Lurtz the lifesize Orc

Wellywood

Paul and I made a quick jaunt down to windy Wellington this weekend.  It is less than an hour's flight from Auckland situated at the southern tip of the north island.    
Our time was spent wandering around (in circles half the time) trying to choose between all the enticing cafes, restaurants and bars.  We visited Te Papa and climbed our way via the Southern Walkway to the top of Mt. Victoria by way of Oriental Parade along the water.  Suffice it to say that Welly is a vibrant and beautiful town tucked into a harbour with amazing views and plenty to do.  Personally, it reminded me of some of the really wonderful things I found to love about San Francisco - on a much smaller scale and seemingly without most of the yuck.  There is a real personality and heartbeat to the city - something I think Auckland tends to lack.  
We are keen to go back!  (watch out here we come BanAnna!)
   

Te Papa - he/she stole my costume!

Lambton Harbour

Mt. Victoria lookout

Oriental Parade

Occupy Wellington

Hello Dan.

Nuff said!

Go the All Blacks!!

Can you tell we're excited??!!! (mostly nervous)  

NZ signature silver fernleaf

Tribute to Mor - signature pose!

Why hello.  My most talented and handsome husband!

Crouch Touch Pause ... ENGAGE!

What a brilliant night here in Auckland as the men in black have defeated the Wallabies in the Rugby World Cup semi-finals!!  Their effort was intense and bloody - I was literally on the edge of my seat loving every second.  
So as fate may have it, New Zealand will play France in the final next Sunday.  Go All Blacks!!!  
Now for an important announcement.  
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheNZFS#p/c/3771CCDEAAAB0AB6/1/ztL1djMhnP4