Dragonboating

I'm with Katy at her parent's flat in Ma On Shan, we saw Jonathan off to Japan this morning and we went back to the flat to rest since it was a pretty late night last night especially being out the door at 6am to get at taxi.

We made some guacamole from scratch and it was incredible.  I packed my bags for the week and Katy and I rushed out to catch the bus, but we missed it.  We went to plan B and instead of taking a bus into the city we took the MTR.

I bought a new router in Sham Shui Po, it took us a little while to find the exact one that I wanted, but the old adage holds true, "you can find any computer part you'd ever need in Hong Kong you just have to look long enough." Luckily it wasn't that long, maybe 30 minutes of wandering. I had my full Go-Lite bag complete with fiddle, camelbak, and laptop case. Katy helped me carry a lot of the stuff while I dodged and ran around trying to find the piece i needed.

Once I purchase my prize we caught a taxi right up to Ma On Shan and we looked at the summary website for Jonathan's Japan trip, he should finally be arriving to his final destination about now after a full day of traveling.

Tomorrow I head into Sai Kung for the dragonboating experience, it will be interesting to see how it turns out.  It is supposed to be really windy tomorrow, I think we will be protected from the swell, but it doesn't matter because my job is 100% land based anyway.

I should be done at 2pm every day so it will be really nice to have that time off in the afternoon, i brought some curry ingredients up here to Ma On Shan in hopes that a chicken will come in contact with them and then fall into the frying pan.

Quick post

This day turned into a longer day than I was expecting, I also lack the energy to make a great post so here's a list of the day from what I remember.

13,000 bolts of lightning hit Hong Kong last night, it was the craziest lightning storm I've experienced in Hong Kong, probably in the top 5 ever...

One of the bolts knocked out our electricity, I'm so glad I used my intuition and unplugged the TV and the Computer from the wall

However, our DSL modem and router weren't so lucky, I think the surge came in through the phone line and blew the modem and then the router, luckily it was diminished enough after that that the computer was unharmed, at least from what I could tell.

I had to go visit the YWCA to check out the place that i'm going to be coordinating a camp at next Monday and Tuesday.  I also called China Light and Power (CLP) and reported that we were dead in the water.

They ended up stopping by the flat when I was gone, but luckily the lady we have clean our flat once a week was here and let them in and by the time I ran back up the hill they had everything going but the air conditioners.

Long story short everything seems to be fine as far as the breakers go except for the damn, "Ground Leakage Breaker" I wasn't able to be home to let in an electrician the landlord sent over this evening, they never called to let me know until they were here at the doorstep and I was neck deep in camp coordinating down at the beach.

It's been almost 3 hours with no incidents...

Tomorrow is more planning, then Saturday off, then Sunday is half day prep, then Monday and Tuesday is camp time!

I also just confirmed to work with a camp in Sai Kung on the second week of October coaching a dragon boat team....

Crazy Haze Today...

The weather has been hot and clear for quite a while now, which is different than usual.  Well, the clear part at least.  I've been up to quite a few things lately and haven't done much updating, but here's an overview.

Last Friday I went to Macau to activate my dependent visa and to acquire some Portuguese egg tarts (probably the most important part of the trip)

I left Hong Kong around 1:30 I think on the Turbo Jet Ferry and arrived in Macau an hour later, I wandered around following a Lonely Planet guide to try to do a walk they recommended.  I took a bus to try to get to some place on the map, after a while I didn't really know where I was going, which was fine.  Then we turned a corner and I recognized a place that Katy and I had been to last year to activate my visa.  I hopped off the bus and saw the area where we had Lapsap Live In Macau on the one night long ago...
part 2 and part 3

I wandered around this place for a while searching for the place that I bought some amazing egg tarts last time i was there.  I walked and walked and never found the back alley place with the mouth burning tarts, but I did find some alternates that we ok.  I also found a Dairy Queen! In South East Asia! I thought I'd stepped through a portal back to the US for a second.  I bought a large chocolate chocolate chocolate blizzard and they served it upside down to demonstrate how thick it was.  It was so think it took me two hours to eat it in the 90 degree heat.


After DQ i walked more and then caught a massively packed bus back to the pier, it was a busy time so the sailing I wanted was booked and so was the next one after that.  So I looked around and bought a ticket from a different company, one that dropped me off in Kowloon rather than Hong Kong Island.

It was a comfortable ride and there wasn't many people on the boat.  The immigration lines were slow, but they activated my visa.  Actually, I opened up to the page and showed the lady specifically that I had it, she grabbed the passport and scanned it in her machine then asked "Do you want to activate this now??"
Me: "......"
Her: "....."
Me: "No, it's cool, I just spent $50 to go to Macau today so I could extend my tourist visa and work a job tomorrow....no need to use it really, I'll just see you in 90 days for another re-up on thee ol' tourist days stamp....It's not like I just showed it to you when I walked up to the counter and all..."

Actually that was pretty harsh, it was fine except that it was slowness I haven't encountered since being in the U.S.A.

After getting everything taken care of I caught the MTR up to a stop near Katy's parent's house in Ma On Shan and took a death bus...er mini-bus the rest of the way.  Katy, Jonathan, and I stay over Friday night and I caught a bus to Sai Kung Saturday morning with 3 egg tarts in hand.

I met the people I needed to meet on the pier and we headed out on a junk with 60 people looking for a good time kayaking (which I was leading), stand up paddle boarding, and banana boating.

It was a great day for weather and the clients were fine, quite a bit different dealing with adults and having an objective to see the coral.  I got to do some paddle boarding as well.  Overall great day, I hope I can get to do more stuff like this again.

After work I met Katy in Tsim Sha Tsui for our Date Night and we walk for a while :) actually a long while :)
Then had one of the best meals I've ever had here in Hong Kong, an 11 course Indian food "journey of flavor"

Sunday was the usual, except we were in Ma On Shan and didn't have to leave as early to catch the ferry, went to the service and then Simply Life for lunch.  Then came home and I relaxed as Katy and Jonathan went to scope out some additions to Jonathan's room here in Pui O.

Yesterday (Monday), I had a busy day of cooking, Katy and I bought tons of vegetables at the public market last thursday and a bunch of it need to be used up.  So i set off making bread, finished to half opened bags and busting open a third, then while that was rising I started in on some Guacamole, I only had one avocado, but it had enough green mush in it that it was OK.  Then I started baking the bread and got everything else ready in the frypan for when Katy and Jonathan walked in the door with Olive Oil and my latest addition to my curry arsenal  Tumeric.  Then I cooked up some chicken marinated in curry spices, garlic, and lemon juice and we ate until we exploded and our mouths burned off.

**As I was writing this I might have booked three days of work here in Pui O next week** Yay for freelancing!

The countdown begins anew...

5 Days to go until I take that long flight across the globe again.

I'm trying to get things together here again, it's a lot more straight forward this time than the first time I left.  I'm not really in to making a long post right now, I have bread to bake while I still have an oven :) And there is a lot more time to create posts in Hong Kong.  It's amazing how much easier it is to type a post on an iPhone when you don't have to drive a car...

I'm still contemplating how I'm going to get my banjo 8,000 miles intact, but I think I've found a solution.  I have some things to get in Plattsburgh and I'm working out my baggage situation and my computer parts situation, but overall it's nothing compared to last time AND I've already sent 50% of my stuff over with my darling wife, who may or may not have arrived in Hong Kong as of the typing of this; 96 hours after taking off or is it 120 right now? :p

What a crazy awesome three months it's been, I should write a recap post to catch everyone up to speed on my time back now that I've sent out a hundred of my business cards to everyone that came to our reception.

Macau Fever... (Part 2)

Now for the stunning conclusion:

6:51pm: A massive blast is heard and the blur of a vehicle slams to an instant halt in the blink of an eye. Dama throws some money towards the captain and the other three jump out and race to enter the airlock and clear security.  Dama collects his earth-money change and views the countdown board from the distance.  He thinks to himself, "Why is there no time showing?" Has his super sonic journey slowed time? Stopped time? No, that's crazy; it's just that the "Cut-Off" buzzer has already sounded.  This name is derived from what happens if any body parts exist between the outside world and the airlock when time is up.

6:53pm: A large group of Slowpokes were entering the airlock chamber.  Known for their speed and dexterity this tribe of people often travels aboard the fast vessel bound for the urban jungle.  However, the entry guards tend to be very cautious when tendering fare and this can cause vast hold ups.  Luckily for the quartet, they were able to hop on the coat tails of this group, literally, as the Slowpoke tribe is known for their vast coat tails.  Here is a security photo of the quartet entering the airlock:
 
6:54pm: The quartet was safely aboard their vessel and entering hyper sleep.  Just before nodding off Dama spotted his Janbo next to Samje and released a nervous sigh of relief.  He had completely forgotten about it in the chaos when leaving the transport.

7:35pm: The supersonic vessel battles tidal waves and eludes pirate boats as it enters the CCA (Central Containment Area) Dama awakens from his sleep, grabs his janbo, and leaves the terminal.  He emerges from the megalith and enters a busy concrete metropolis.  Nibra takes off on a quest to acquire something to cover his legs, as this is the generally recognized custom of Macau.  Dama, Samje, and Tane head to a special area where Dama's pocket computer can receive specially crafted radio signals.  These radio waves tell Dama the earth-location of their destination in the density of Macau.

8:10pm: The trio acquire their tickets from the Hyperjet Hydro-Plane Ferry ticketing robot, then try to contact Nibra through special radio waves emanating from Dama's pocket computer.  Nibra is outside the compound unsuccessful in his quest to acquire his leg coverings.  He enters the complex, utilizes the motorized stairs, purchases his ticket, and meets with the group.  Samje and Tane finished their ethanol bubble water, which just so happens to have a slightly higher percentage of ethanol than 7-up, and entered security clearance.

--------That's all I've got for today, tune in tomorrow for a conclusion, maybe, it all depends on how this sickness is treating me.......

Macau Fever... (Part 1)

Pretty crazy last few days, I'll try to reconstruct the events that transpired recently (names were changed to protect the innocent) **Some events dramatized**

Monday:

Approx 5pm:  Dama meets up with Tane, Samje, and Nibra to acquire food at a nearby establishment; the name of which comes from the large American bird otherwise known as the Kutrey. Tane proceeds to inquire to Dama about possibly going to the most densely populated country in the world. Of which Dama takes careful consideration over his blended yogurt/mango drink and earth-potato grease sticks.

6:10pm: Dama realizes that it would be fun to go back to Macau, a place he spent either fleeting moments under cover of darkness or later, in a rain soaked fog.  Dama relays his decision to the group and they take into account their time allotment.  Dama knows a fast ferry leaves at 6:50pm and explains that it will produce a more desirable outcome in relation to earth-time if they are present on this vessel when it departs. 

6:20pm: It comes to light that the outcome may be unobtainable due to the great distance between the eager group and their special pieces of paper.  These papers prove that they are who they are and are actually from where they were born.  The feasibility of the 6:50 option heavily depends upon returning to this very location within 30 earth-minutes.  Thus, the group is compelled to hire a nearby small blue carriage, knowing from past experiences that these carriages can sometimes approach the sound barrier, much to the distress of their occupants.

6:30pm: The quartet reach their village and scramble to reach their individual residences and acquire their necessary components for international travel as well as their highly glossed wooden noisemakers.  Their rocket chariot needs 10 minutes to warm up its afterburners before it can return, thus, the group knows it needs to be prepared for reentry by 6:40.  If this occurs,they will be present at the entry gate before the fast boat leaves.  Dama takes off to his flat to grab his identity book.  Nibra runs to the village washer-woman in hopes of donning a clean pair of trousers, rather than is multi-day old board shorts.  Samje and Tane run to acquire their documents and the noisemakers.

6:35pm: Dama sprints to his mansion on the bluff overlooking Pui O, passes three levels of security, and enters his vast abode.  He throws off his crocs, imitation Billabong shorts, and "Urban Man" shirt (Dama likes to dress down on occasion).  He then dresses in a Ralph Lauren polo shirt and D&G Trousers.  Dama still wants to maintain his casual fashion sense, but still give the impression that he's a man of fine taste.

6:38pm: Dama races back to the launchpad, down the hill and across the bridge.  He grabs his Nexus 1 cellphone, newly imported from The Union of 50.  This one is refered to as "Nexus 3" though, he always buys everything in threes; Nexus 1 and 2 remain carefully locked away.  The wonderful device shows a holograph of Samje getting suited up for his supersonic journey back to the place the quartet started their epic journey less than two hours previous...

6:45: Delays with the supersonic fabric coating cause the carriage to depart late and hopes of the four dwindle to nothing as they race "Fi-dee, Fi-dee" towards their destination.


Will the unrelenting quartet arrive at their destination unscathed and on time? Will Dama almost forget his noise making Janbo in the trunk of the supersonic carriage? Does Nibra have pants on?

----These questions answered and more next time in the stunning conclusion of "Macau Fever"----

The New Season

It's been a busy week,
Monday - Canopy set up and make preparations for the camp on Tuesday that I was coordinating
Tuesday - Big Group welcome with 60 3rd graders and lead a group of 20 kids through biking, sand sculpture, and eco-scavenger hunt
Wednesday - Take down canopy, set up gorge and run a training on it, Irvin set up a Tyrolean traverse
Thursday - Woke up late....turned off alarm and went back to sleep...oops, ran in to work and ran a coasteering training, then ran biking in Mui Wo training in the evening
Friday - Camp was rescheduled so we worked on prep for upcoming camps then I ran a Tree I.D. session
Saturday - really lazy day, but worth it, maybe they should be paying me more with the amount of staff training I'm doing, also made pizza, think I'm getting the hang of it, just need a pizza stone for it to really come out good.

I think I'm waiting tables tomorrow, just over 12 months here and I've been able to completely avoid this until now, that's the deal for getting today off, it's a half day so it shouldn't be too bad.

Next week is:
Mon - Rope practice
Tues - Cheung Chau
Wed - Belay at the abseil
Thurs & Fri - ??

The Lapsap Band has been practising every day in preparation of taking their show on the road in random places across Lantau and Hong Kong. I'll have to get some recordings or video up soon

Workin' For The Weekend

I've spent the greater part of the last 2 days organizing, cataloging, and cleaning 26,000 mp3 tracks in iTunes for T.I. It's pretty mind numbing but I do it in small blocks, plus I knew of a lot of utilities to make things easier.

We (James, Meghan, and I) have applied for our Vietnam visas for our trip there on April 30-May 10 we will be flying into Hanoi and then making our way by bus and train through Laos and into Cambodia where we will fly out of Siem Reap. James and I will then go to Cebu in the Philippines to stay with Irvin for a few weeks before coming back to Hong Kong or maybe reuniting the Lapsap Stringband in Malaysia for a week or so before coming back to start surf camp training on June 15. The airfare in Southeast Asia is so inexpensive it's really great.

I'm heading to jam on Hong Kong Island tonight and then heading to Tai Long Won again this weekend. Keep an eye out for the spot tracker and I'll be back Sunday

So it goes...

Today marked the death of the spring season, but in its death begins a new journey. Two and a half months before the start of the Summer season at Treasure Island means the beginning and end of many things.

We said farewell to Irvin and Justin, Kurt will be leaving next week and the rest of us will scatter intermittently only to reunite for the long stretch of summer surf camp into the return of tribal camp in the fall. This is quite the ride so far and it is bound to become quite a bit different as we add more and more staff to the mix.

My short term (within the next week or so) places to visit are:
Macau
Ngong Ping Gondola
Discovery Bay

Long term (before June 15th):
Cebu, Phillipines
Possibly Laos, Cambodia, Thailand with a couple other T.I.ers

I've been thinking a lot about thru-hiking lately, the Long Trail didn't get that entirely out of my system, although I'm not sure anything will... I am one that likes to have a plan far into the future, so as it stands right now post-Treasure Island I would like to get settled back in the US for a while then start the Appalachian Trail.

In other news, the Lopsop Stringband was created today from members formerly know as Lopsop Gwei(los). We are a three piece band, guitar, mandolin, and banjo. We play all types of music, but I'd call it folk-reggae-jamgrass. We just got a gig a week from today at a Turkish restaurant in Mui Wo and we might play at another place in Tung Fuk sometime too. The British ex-pats seem to enjoy our music, so hopefully things will go well and we'll get our second set ready to go soon.

I think I might be equal to the best I've ever been on the banjo right now, I was plateauing and maybe dropping for a while there, but now that I play a lot with the band, challenge myself, and get ample opportunity to solo I feel really good about my playing. Too bad the banjo I play sounds like someone jammed a broomstick into a Clorox bottle and strung it up. As far as solo practice time, I seldom play the banjo, it's mostly the fiddle now; it's so much fun to play.

End of post randomness:

Since I was paid yesterday I'm thinking about breaking down and buying and iPod, I really miss being able to call up any track on my computer in a split second.

I shaved off my beard today

I might be going surfing for the first time tomorrow, if it's not pouring down rain.

One Month and Counting...

I just realized I have been here for over a month now. Time goes by so quickly, especially being busy with work and always having things to do/places to go/explore here.

We have a day camp tomorrow with 4th graders and then a school next week coming for 3 days. After that it is the end of "Spring Season" and a few people are leaving us, hopefully only for the summer, but who knows. We will be off until June 15th or so, I'm actually working an Easter day camp with a few others up until mid-April then that's it.

I have a pretty good idea for somethings that I want to do, ride the gondola at Ngong Ping, hike the 40 miles of the Lantau Trail, experience Discovery Bay and Hong Kong Disneyland, take the ferry to Lamma Island just to see other parts of Hong Kong and go into the New Territories. I also will probably visit Irvin (a coordinator at Treasure Island) in the Philippines for a little bit.

Also if anyone out there that reads this ever wants to take a trip to Hong Kong between now and June 15th you would definitely have a place to stay for as long as you want, just let me know. There will be some empty rooms and we have a futon and if worse comes to worse there is a public campsite 5 minutes away; some expatriates have been living out of tents there for years. All you need is a passport and you know...just a couple grand for plane tickets :( Once you get here it's super cheap to live though.

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Other random happenings on Lantau Island
-You can get a full value meal at McDonalds for less than $4 US, i think whenever they see me walk in the door they automatically start making a sundae, my icecream intake as increased 1500% over the last month.....MMMMM...Melamine...the world's greatest milk thickener and baby poisoner
-I found a decent coffee shop in the city, it's hard to get to and $4 for 16oz but it's the closest thing to 'merican coffee i've found
-I spent $280 HKD (~40US) on food that should last me for weeks now
-Every day I fall more in love with the fiddle I bought, it really sounds good and I'm getting my fiddle touch back
-I'm not sure if i mentioned this already, but last week we had the most ridiculous wind storm I've ever been in, we were stranded at the Ooh La La restaurant while airborne projectiles whizzed around outside.
-I found a stick ample enough to make a bow for my bowdrill set, Hong Kong coal busting is imminent
-They have these $0.50 US juice boxes here in all types of flavors, Guava, the most amazing fruit ever, and Orange/Mango are my favorite, I probably put down a good half dozen of them per day.
-I'm still trying to wrap my head around British English which almost all of the kids know....Now if you will excuse me I need to queue up, grab my torch, and head to the washroom. In addition I need to get ready for the programme and eat some toe-MAH-toes; touch wood will ya?
-I've realized that I need to slow down a little when I talk to the kids, some of them don't have the best english. I also tend to sometimesrunsomewordsinto others and it must be hard for a non-native speaker to understand.
-I have a Cantonese language course on my computer I'm trying to listen to it for a few minutes everyday. Newest addition to the vocabulary (Where is the bathroom?--Hai bean doo wah chi saw?) To which they reply, "Hello sir, take a right down at the end of the hall, you can't miss it" Then I say "Ngoi" (Thank you) and they say "no problem" :)
-I also just bought 6 months of travel insurance and finalized my Hong Kong work visa documents