Jumbo Floating Restaurant

After a hard morning of listening to a PYP Introduction (nothing I hadn’t heard before but a great refresher), Sam and I set off to look for a quick lunch near to the school.

The only place that was remotely near (and that we could get back in time for me to meet the van drivers who would take my things to my new house) was the famous ‘Jumbo Floating Restaurant’.

Quite excited about being tourist and also because we were STARVING! We jumped on a boat that would transport us to the giant floating restaurant. Note -We are still tourists until we move out of the hotel!

We were ushered up the stairs to a place for non-booked people and were wide eyed at the menu – EXPENSIVE for our broke, broke, just moved here wallets.
'Our transport to the restaurant'

Luckily the Dim Sum saved us and we enjoyed amazingly fresh: seafood and wasabi dumplings, steamed prawn dumplings, soy glazed ribs, pork pies thingy’s and some mango and white sauce (? We had no idea what it was) spring rolls!

Quite an experience and another amazing view!

Ahhhhh, I could very easily get used to this!

Arohanui,
Love Amy

Sorry Grandy!

Dinner at Lan Kwai Fong with Sam, Maya and Darren

While at home, lunching with my Grandy, he made a comment that a lot of my entries were out and about drinking! Sorry Grandy, this will be no different however, I figure I am allowed a free pass as it is of my first official night out in legendary ‘Lan Kwai Fong’ while living here. I am not too sure what excuses I will make for the rest that I am sure while appear here but Grandy, I am sorry, different country, but nothing has changed! Love you!

Cheers - Hotel buddies

After our first day at VSA, the new staff, that have lived here for awhile, suggested that we go in search of ‘ladies night’ (free drinks Wednesdays). So my hotel buddies – Maya, Darren and Samantha – and I went in search of the legendary nightlife and a good feed.

Are we in China?
They couldn't resist - Maya and Darren show off their 'bits'

After getting the Metro to Central (experts – I tell you) we climbed the hills in search of a cold beer on an 80% humidity day. After finding Lan Kwai Fong we were bombarded by menus and settles upon Thai. The cheap beers went down extremely well and then we were off to explore the various bars.

As you can see we did extremely well – although we never found ladies night – and ended up at our hotel bar (I felt so at home – very neon and Chinese).

Margaritas in a champagne glass?

Luckily we escaped getting into too much trouble and had a late start the next day!

Mixing it up behind the bar

CHEERS to surviving our first day at VSA!!

Arohanui,
Love Amy

Speechless.....

A quick shot on the run from the 5th floor Ampitheatre - and it gets better from the classrooms!



and if you know me then you will know that this is definitely NOT a word that you will use to describe me!!!



It was my first visit to my new school today and boy was I blown away! Not just by the professionalism of the management team but the enormous school and the phenomenal resources!!



The school is a private, independent bilingual school, situated on the Aberdeen Harbour, in Aberdeen. It has 10 floors and AMAZING, AMAZING views - they really, really don't want you to leave!



They have a theatre, massive hall, science labs complete with confiscated animals from customs, IT labs and staff, a HUGE, HUGE library and system after system in place!


Just your average wall climb at school!! You should see the indoor swimming pool on the 3rd floor



It will take me awhile to get to grips with where I am supposed to be and at what time! I haven't met my co teachers yet but the new Primary teachers seem lovely and we are all from different walks of life and some have taught in HK before also. It is really interesting talking to everyone about their experiences, although tiring making A LOT of small talk!


The school was paid for by the government so HK could give their parents an alternative education to choose from. We are the only IB World school in HK that has all 3 IB programs authorised!


In total the school cost 340 million, 230 million of which the government paid. We have 151 teaching staff, 180 staff altogether, with over 1400 students! This may give you a better perspective of the school and it's FANTASTIC resources.


BLOWN AWAY!!!!!!

5th floor Ampitheatre over Aberdeen Boat Club

I can't wait to take more photos! I even have a classroom that overlooks the harbour!!!! Bliss - I can just see it now - 'Silent read kids, while I just take in the sun and the views!'

Speaking of that, the weather was sweltering today and duty in the various play areas - 7th floor, 5th floor and 10th floor (all in full view sun) will not be so pleasant for the next month or so!

I even get my own office space and laptop!!!! It has a desk, computer, shelving, cupboard also. It is with all the Primary staff and is unbelievable to have a collaborative workspace like this!

So from a facilities view, everything else aside, any teacher would be in heaven! Also the introduction to the school has been great, very professional and we have been given all of the information about timetabling,scheduling and policies that we need to know. Any question is welcomed and if things continue in this manner, it will be a great start to the year!

PYP training tomorrow in the AM and then the afternoon off, which I will use to get my boxes from the school to my new abode!

Loving HK! (and my new schools facilities!)

Arohanui,

Love Amy xo

Reality bites

Clean, green,easy to get around and a no spitting rule - HEAVEN!

Well, after 6 sleeps in Hong Kong I have to prepare for my first day at work!

The past few days have seen me visiting IKEA, Priceline and various sporting facilities trying to decide what to fill my house with and what bargins we can score by shopping around - sports facilities included.

Just our local stores

Doing this has given me a lot of time to explore my new home and I am now almost an expert at MTR travel on the island and of map negotiation - basically, you chuck the map back in your bag in frustration walk in any old direction and the street that you thought was miles one way turns up right in front of you....I tell you - it's MAGIC!!!

My best moment (of fitting in) was when I was apartment hunting meeting an agent at Sheung Wan on one end of the island at 6.15, viewing an apartment and then fleeing to the MTR to travel to the other end of the island to meet someone else for another apartment at 7! I was very proud when I arrived exactly on time!

Hong Kong's famous pub strip

The 7pm appointment turned out to be my perfect apartment - big (for HK - massive!!!), storage coming out my ears (non existent for HK), mins from the MTR, large kitchen and lounge space and good security! No noise from the bust walking st below! Price is a bit out of my range but they reduces it heavily so I could move in, the only downside being they are on holiday until the 26th! Thank goodness for a free hotel room!!!

Maya, my lovely room mate enjoying a beer on a HOT, SWEATY afternoon!

Venturing out has found me eating many meals alone. I am still in awe that ABSOLUTELY no one, looks at you , remarks and thinks it is weird to be eating by yourself. No matter what kind of restaurant it is. It is amazing! Given that this is the city that works hard, quick lunches and dinners are key with the amazing food coming out at warped speed and still tasting fantastic! I am yet to figure out how they do it!

I have sampled the local food and indulged in some Thai and Indian also! It is so nice to be back in a western world with an Asian twist!!

China WHO?

A group on Uni students (?), we think it was a 'rush' type of thing

Arohanui,

Love Amy xo

Jet lagged and sleep deprived first impressions

I suppose first impressions doesn't really count as I have already holidayed here last year with Mum and Dad.

However, that was after coming out of 1 month in China and living it up with Western treats. It is a bit different now with having to familiarise myself for good and to take everything in with my 'China eyes'!

L'Hotel - my residence for 2 weeks

The smells are amazing - the food looks fantastic and this is only in Causeway Bay. I keep going to speak Mandarin to the shop assistance and then have to stop myself - who knows if they are Cantonese or Mandarin speaking now...what a dilemma! I really have to learn some Cantonese! Oh no!

Interesting concept - one I won't be rushing to try!

I am a bit gutted that I can't use my Mandarin, oh well - at least I am not getting stared at - IT IS SO AMAZING! I was able to get a coffee and sit in busy times Square and watch the world go by and no one cared!

Time Square - hmmmm, made me laugh a beach complete with deck chairs!

Loving it! And now I am off for a swim!

The view looking a lot better this evening!

Arohanui,

Amy xo

Guess who's back....in the Kong!

After a rather abrupt exit form the blogger pages I had a rather frustrating and restless few months break until today where I am into Day 1 of my new adventure -

Amy's Intrepid Jouney - Life in transition from China!

Today I arrived in Hong Kong to start my new adventure - 2 years teaching here.

A not so clear view on the way in for landing

I am sharing a hotel room with a Canadian first year teacher and have already meet to HR lady - Regina - she is lovely and am already looking online at flats to go and look at tomorrow.

View from our hotel room out towards Kowloon

I am rearing to go and want to hit the ground running so I am settled into my new apartment (fingers crossed that I score a fabulous one!) and ready for school - minus the drama!

Although a rainy day the temp is high and the humidity is 95% and after a way nana nap I will have a wee venture out into my new neighbourhood - Causeway Bay. Well it will be my new neighbourhood until I find an apartment.

Hotel living - I wonder how that will pan out.....will keep you posted!

Posing for photos at the airport has become a sisterly tradition!

Arohanui,

Love Amy xo