Hong Kong Diary

I can’t really believe I didn’t mention it before, as it’s not the sort of thing that slips your mind. My wife and I had a baby boy back in July 2006…so I introduce to you Harrison Dawe.

I thought registering a website under his name would be useful for him (anyway, the celebs and their [...]

I shop once in a while, my preference being Wellcome (yeah it’s mis-spelt like that). However when I reach the checkout a sense of dread comes over me. Near the exit door, I always see a few prying eyes watching everything what’s going on and they’re only after one thing – your stamps!
I was going [...]

Back in 2003, on the way to work I saw a poster advertising a new film called, wait for it…Spy Dad!
I guess HK is jumping on the bandwagon of films like Spy Kids or James Bond…but “Spy Dad”, come on they could do better than that couldn’t they? Perhaps “Spy Grandad” will be next.

Back in 2003, it was my first Chinese Halloween (yes, they celebrate this American custom in HK!). I’m wondering if little kids will knock on our apartment door demanding sweets? Do they go from apartment to apartment? How do they get past security?
If they do come, I’ll have to remember what we usually do in [...]

I brought a small Budda over to England for a friend. In HK I didn’t really have any plastic wrap to keep it secure, so I placed in the only soft place I knew – in my bag of underpants. Problem now is after unpacking my bag, I can’t find this damn Budda. Whether he [...]

Well the title basically explains it all. I, like some other Westerner’s are afraid to use the “Squat down and poo in the hole” routine in HK and China – I have my reasons. So, if I find I’m “caught short” whilst on my travels – I pop into the nearest Mc D’s as they [...]

Read an article back in 2003 on the BBC Web site which explains pollution “Ups the risk of SARS”. When is HK going to cut the pollution levels in the city? HK’s not doing itself any favours – taxi’s are cheap, there’s a lack of pedestrian walkways in some places, new buildings are being created…
Maybe [...]

Hong Kong is a pretty safe country from what I see and hear – low crime rates, safe to walk out at night etc., that combined with the assurance that there’s many Police Officer’s around the streets and most ‘Carry a Piece’.
However, what I consider pretty dangerous are the ‘Securicor’ type firms that collect/deliver money [...]

Back in December 2003 it was the season of putting up the Christmas decorations and Hong Kong is no exception!
This will be my first Christmas in Hong Kong and to tell the truth I didn’t think it would be celebrated much since Chinese people have the Chinese New Year tradition. I guess it’s a Western thing [...]

Many people in Hong Kong can afford a maid to help out. However, I came across this site recently http://www.asiaxpat.com.hk/domestichelp/. Strange to see it’s necessary to know what your potential maid looks like and whether she’s married or not?
There are two things I miss about back home – proper potatoes and bread. Of course you [...]