Fidi Mgoy

Otterbox phone case

2011-07-19T13:22:00.002+08:00

In January I purchased an Otterbox case for my phone. I'd heard a few friends rave about how sturdy they are, including one whose case and phone have survived trips to Haiti and other places off the beaten track. They are a bit expensive, but I decided to make the jump given how difficult it is to get insurance for phones in Hong Kong. Prevention is better than cure, right? They are not very common in Hong Kong so I often get asked where I bought it. Expansys was the reseller I went through (www.expansys.com.hk) and they also have online shops in US, UK an Oz. I've had 6 months of problem free use when a few days ago I pulled the phone out of my pocket and noticed a crack on the lower left corner. Now I need to go through the fun of finding out if this is covered by the 1 year warranty (it was for this chap! http://mobileraptor.blogspot.com/2011/07/repairing-cracked-otterbox-case.html?m=1) and whether to go through Expansys or direct to Otterbox.

UPDATE: Otterbox responded to my enquiry on the same day. They have offered to post a replacement device. Very impressed!

GH3 LAUNCHED!

2010-01-27T17:14:00.001+08:00

- Taken at 5:13 PM on January 27, 2010 - uploaded by ShoZu

Hannah's first words

2010-01-27T17:12:00.001+08:00

- Taken at 9:26 AM on January 25, 2010 - uploaded by ShoZu

Paypal donations

2009-10-11T20:31:00.005+08:00

We've finally setup Paypal for receiving donations! This means people who want to support our work financially can give direct to our Paypal account from their Paypal account.

It also means we can receive payments by credit card without the donor having to signup to Paypal at all.

We have both been working as full time volunteers for 8 years, funded entirely by the generous gifts of those who value what we do. If you'd like to hear more about what we do please email us.

Here's the paypal links:

Donate AU$ by Paypal HK$
UK£

So much to see from the bus!

2009-10-11T09:30:00.001+08:00

- Taken at 9:23 AM on October 11, 2009 - uploaded by ShoZu

blue sky!

2009-07-01T10:04:00.001+08:00

HK looks incredible today. Blue sky, fluffy white clouds, sea reflecting the sun. awesome! shame Helen & Hannah aren't here to share it, but they will most likely be having few similar days, but a bit colder, in Sydney. I'm off to take a few more photos!
- Taken at 9:56 AM on July 01, 2009 - uploaded by ShoZu

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2009-06-28T11:05:00.001+08:00

- Taken at 11:03 AM on June 28, 2009 - uploaded by ShoZu

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2009-06-27T09:22:00.001+08:00

- Taken at 8:54 AM on June 27, 2009 - uploaded by ShoZu

dinner time!

2009-06-05T18:52:00.001+08:00

- Taken at 6:51 PM on June 05, 2009 - uploaded by ShoZu

Happy Birthday, Grandma!

2009-06-03T23:27:00.001+08:00

Skype call

2009-06-03T23:21:00.001+08:00

Here's Helen talking to our family on skype. Hannah loves putting anything and everything in her mouth, especially things she is not allowed too. This includes the skype mic which, given the chance, she can easily fit her gums around. And today wew started to see the beginnings of 2 teeth!
- Taken at 6:11 PM on June 03, 2009 - uploaded by ShoZu

Sun Yat Sen

2009-06-03T21:55:00.000+08:00

This chap, one of China's most important historical figures, pops up everywhere. We've seen museums, mausoleums, houses and more in Macau, Nanjing, Guangdong and now here he is in HK, as advertised on the MTR.

Tuen mun

2009-06-03T19:49:00.005+08:00

View from a pagoda on a hillside trail overlooking our nearest town.
- Taken at 6:05 PM on May 26, 2009 - uploaded by ShoZu

Under Hannah's bed

2009-06-03T19:49:00.003+08:00

A common sight under Hannah's bed is the aftermath of her game of throw the dummy/pacifier in the hardest place for mum and dad to reach. She regularly suceeds, throwing it behind her bed so it lands right beside the wall. I think she even tries to hit the last one , like lawn bowls. and all this she does in her sleep!
- Taken at 7:27 PM on May 30, 2009 - uploaded by ShoZu

Hannah has many adoring fans

2009-06-03T19:49:00.001+08:00

- Taken at 9:33 AM on June 03, 2009 - uploaded by ShoZu

oasis of history

2009-05-24T17:18:00.001+08:00

We were given there tissue packets in a restaurant yesterday. there were last seen on a hk airline which has since stopped operating. funny to see this piece of history turning up in Northpoint.
- Taken at 6:39 PM on May 23, 2009 - uploaded by ShoZu

messy pup:)

2009-05-24T17:06:00.001+08:00

hannah loves eating. although it does often involve covering her face & hair too.
- Taken at 2:09 PM on May 24, 2009 - uploaded by ShoZu

lamingtons with a difference

2009-05-24T16:57:00.001+08:00

blackberry and apple favoured lamingtons!! for those non australian's, they are traditionally chocolate. don't worry we weren't tempted to try them. Helen
- Taken at 1:35 PM on May 24, 2009 - uploaded by ShoZu

Hannah making friends

2009-05-17T19:51:00.001+08:00

- Taken at 5:19 PM on May 17, 2009 - uploaded by ShoZu

Gold coast babies

2009-05-17T19:14:00.003+08:00

Hannah loves hanging out in the local café with other babies who live nearby. Here she is with Peter, Finlay and Daisy earlier this week.
- Taken at 12:34 PM on May 15, 2009 - uploaded by ShoZu

Hannah and friends

2009-05-17T19:14:00.001+08:00

Here's Hannah with two friends, Eliott and Elise. They had great fun playing together this afternoon. Eliot is a budding photographer and took a few snaps of Hannah. He has also promised to lend Hannah some of his hair!
- Taken at 4:05 PM on May 17, 2009 - uploaded by ShoZu

Birthday boy

2009-05-06T19:15:00.001+08:00

happy birthday dad!
- Taken at 4:11 PM on May 05, 2009 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Homegrown tomatoes!

2009-04-19T10:10:00.001+08:00

Thanks to our good friends Riba and Pablo, who gave us the pottted seeds, and Helen's green fingers, we now have tomatoes growing on our window sill. I'm looking forward to eating them in a cheese sandwich. yummo!
- Taken at 10:00 AM on April 19, 2009 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

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2009-04-09T19:17:00.001+08:00

- Taken at 7:02 PM on April 09, 2009 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Hannah standing

2009-04-09T18:11:00.001+08:00

Hannah decided she was going to have a go at standing today while leaning on a chair. She's pretty clever. Good job we've already started baby-proofing the house!
- Taken at 6:02 PM on April 09, 2009 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

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2009-04-04T14:15:00.001+08:00

- Taken at 2:13 PM on April 04, 2009 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

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2009-03-29T14:20:00.001+08:00

- Taken at 2:19 PM on March 29, 2009 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Dad getting ready for container loading

2009-03-28T09:34:00.001+08:00

Dad, myself and 6 other guys just spent the first hour of the morning putting up a cover to protect the goods being loaded from the rain. Behind Dad is Pablo in the fork lift raising the centre of the tarpaulin. Job almost done!
- Taken at 9:28 AM on March 28, 2009 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

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2009-03-28T09:22:00.001+08:00

- Taken at 9:21 AM on March 28, 2009 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Musical family

2009-03-23T18:31:00.001+08:00

We decided to teach Hannah young. Here she is helping me adjust my capo.
- Taken at 12:41 PM on March 23, 2009 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Happy Mother's Day

2009-03-22T22:13:00.001+08:00

- Taken at 10:04 PM on March 22, 2009 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Wai Men Yuen Garden

2009-03-22T18:24:00.001+08:00

- Taken at 6:22 PM on March 22, 2009 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

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2009-03-21T13:44:00.002+08:00

- Taken at 1:43 PM on March 21, 2009 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

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2009-03-21T13:44:00.001+08:00

- Taken at 1:43 PM on March 21, 2009 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

05032009

2009-03-21T09:07:00.001+08:00

- Taken at 8:34 AM on March 05, 2009 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Swinging :)

2009-03-21T09:03:00.001+08:00

- Taken at 1:39 PM on March 14, 2009 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

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2009-03-21T09:01:00.001+08:00

- Taken at 12:00 PM on March 16, 2009 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

First Post

2009-03-07T13:58:00.001+08:00

Hello everyone. My name is Hannah. This is my first blog post. My parents seemed to have stopped blogging recently - I don't know what has been keeping them busy! - so I thought I'd step in and fill the void! Here's a picture of me looking pretty cute as usual :) That's enough for now. Watch this space for more updates from me - and from my parents if they can get their act together! Love, Hannah

Typhoon Fengshen

2008-06-25T07:39:00.003+08:00

After passing through the Philippines and tragically capsizing a boat with 800 people on board, Typhoon (now a Severe Tropical Storm) Fengshen has hit HK, making landfall in Eastern Shenzhen. As well as a typhoon warning, a thunderstorm warning and a red rainstorm warning have been issued while we were asleep by the HK observatory. But the most obvious warning for us was the water dripping through our ceiling in our bedroom.

The map shows the typhoon location (purple blob) at 6am this morning.

Taxi Antics

2008-05-20T18:03:00.005+08:00

We had a bit of fun yesterday. We got in a taxi to go to the antenatal clinic, but the driver didn't speak any English. All we had in Chinese on the appointment card was 'antenatal service'. The guy read that, looked at Helen's bump and said 'Tuen Mun Hospital!' several times very excitedly in Chinese. We finally got him to take us to the right clinic but he seemed certain Helen was about to give birth.

He also had an amusing piece of paper tied to the back of the front seat informing us of a rise of price in taxi costs. We've seen this a few times, in taxis that haven't had their meter updated since the city-wide price increase. But it doesn't just say 'please pay $1 extra'; instead it lists out every possible fare, with the corresponding $1 increase price next to it.

It covers a whole two sides of A4. So, in case you hadn't quite got the picture by reading 200 examples of the $1 increase, you can read more on the back.

On the second side the list goes up to $480. I'm not quite sure whether you can make a journey that far in HK, but would those who can afford such a journey really care about paying an extra dollar? Apparently so.

At least no-one can say they haven't been clear.

Orangutans in HK botanical gardens

2008-03-30T17:10:00.001+08:00

- Taken at 4:24 PM on March 30, 2008 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Exciting news...

2008-03-28T18:55:00.004+08:00

In case you haven't heard, we've got some exciting news to share. Our family will soon be getting a little bigger as Helen is now 14 weeks pregnant!! We're pretty excited, as you'd expect!

The latest scans gave Helen's due date as September 22nd. We've just stuck a counter at the top of our blog, so you can join us in counting down to the big day.

Spare us a thought over the coming months as we look forward to this rather significant change in our lives.

All primary schools shut in Hong Kong

2008-03-13T10:15:00.004+08:00

I was quite shocked to read this earlier today...

"All primary schools, special schools, nurseries and kindergartens across the territory will be closed for two weeks from today to control the further spread of influenza.

The closure came after another three-year-old child, who was admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital on Wednesday with flu-like symptoms, was transferred to intensive care.

Yesterday was the fifth anniversary of the World Health Organization alert on SARS.

Microbiology professor Yuen Kwok-yung, will lead a five-strong panel probing the deaths of the three children with flu-like symptoms.

Thursday, March 13, 2008, The Standard
http://www.thestandard.com.hk/....

Beckham.JPG

2008-03-09T16:32:00.001+08:00

- Taken at 7:19 PM on March 09, 2008 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

LA Galaxy in HK.jpg

2008-03-09T15:44:00.001+08:00

- Taken at 3:36 PM on March 09, 2008 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Taking Hong Kong CEO's to the slums - TODAY! Slum Survivor 2008

2008-03-07T13:38:00.004+08:00

Here's some news hot off the press...

Today, over 20 leaders from the Hong Kong community will be coming to Tuen Mun to spend 24 hours building and living in slum houses. This is our annual fund raiser, Slum Survivor, taking place for the third time. Helen is involved in organising the proceedings, while Mike will be part of the acting cast.

Participants will meet simulated gunfire, refugee survival, unfair economic conditions, the dilemma of HIV/AIDS and more.

The first Slum Survivor, held during our 10 year anniversary celebrations, helped start our Life X-perience activities. Since then, over 12,000 participants have taken part in our 'x-periences', as we term them.

So as you tuck yourself into bed tonight, spare a thought not only for our executives sleeping rough, but also for the billion of the world's extreme poor that they are identifying with!

See the all new Crossroads website for more info:
http://www.crossroads.org.hk/...

When Grand Central Stood Still

2008-03-05T23:09:00.001+08:00

After walking through Grand Central station for the first time a few weeks ago, I was intrigued to see this video:

"A strange sight at Grand Central. A couple of hundred people, indistinguishable from the 500,000 commuters who pass through the midtown station each day, suddenly freeze. They were part of an improv group which has put on this public event before, but never in such a theatrical space. "

See: http://gawker.com/5002790/when-grand-central-stood-still for more.

Song audible only to dogs has topped New Zealand charts

2008-02-21T18:45:00.003+08:00

Haven't posted anything on our blog in far too long, so rather than trying to sum up three months in one post, here's a random news article instead.

New Zealand record charts go to the dogs - Yahoo! News: "a song audible only to dogs has topped New Zealand record charts, and is looking to go global.

A Very Silent Night, recorded at a frequency only dogs can hear, was so popular among owners it hit number one at Christmas, but has been receiving mixed responses from listeners.

'The most violent one was a dog that physically attacked the radio when it was played and went quite berserk and totally destroyed it,' said Bob Kerridge, chief executive of animal welfare group, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA)."

Bizarre. Can't wait to hear it or, rather, to see the reaction of the song's intended audience.

Human Statue of Liberty

2007-12-01T19:26:00.000+08:00

I'm sidestepping a final trailwalker post and instead going to point to something my Dad sent me.

It's a photo of 18000 people forming a human statue of liberty! Hard to believe... but it turns out that unlike some things your read online that this one is true. See snopes' page about it: http://www.snopes.com/photos/patriotic/liberty.asp

But what's even more amazing is the lop-sided scale of the shape as it would have seen from directly above.. There were just 2000 men in the body and head, yet there were almost 15,000 men in the torch and the flame. And from the base to the shoulder was about 50m, but the size of the torch was over 330m. They needed to have that sort of proportions to make the picture appear normal from the tower that the photographer was standing on.

Here's some similar photos done by the same guy, including a "human liberty bell', made with over 25,000 soldiers. Turns out that he went round various military camps during the war and took heaps of pictures like these: http://www.riccomaresca.com/artists/slideshows/peoplepictures.htm

These have been around since WW1, so may be old news for you. I'm not sure why I've never come across them before.

I wonder what a modern version would be... Anyone fancy doing a gigantic steven gerrard portrait?! :)

On the catchwater - journeys end.jpg

2007-11-10T17:29:00.001+08:00

- cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Cows.jpg

2007-11-10T12:07:00.001+08:00

- Taken at 7:46 AM on November 10, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Tai mo shan summit.jpg

2007-11-10T12:06:00.001+08:00

- Taken at 10:04 AM on November 10, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Helen and Joe.jpg

2007-11-10T12:05:00.001+08:00

- Taken at 10:08 AM on November 10, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Sun rise from needle hill .jpg

2007-11-10T06:59:00.001+08:00

- Taken at 6:27 AM on November 10, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

4am blog.jpg

2007-11-10T06:43:00.001+08:00

- Taken at 4:19 AM on November 10, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Supporters!.jpg

2007-11-10T00:57:00.001+08:00

- Taken at 12:45 AM on November 10, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Helen and Katrina.jpg

2007-11-10T00:56:00.001+08:00

- Taken at 12:46 AM on November 10, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Thanks everyone for all the encouragement - we are now half way!.jpg

2007-11-10T00:34:00.001+08:00

- Taken at 11:55 PM on November 09, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Night view.jpg

2007-11-10T00:33:00.001+08:00

- Taken at 11:54 PM on November 09, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Daytime of the Night at night.jpg

2007-11-09T20:40:00.001+08:00

- Taken at 8:25 PM on November 09, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Mike and Helen 1 - hills of Saikung 0.jpg

2007-11-09T17:55:00.001+08:00

- Taken at 5:39 PM on November 09, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Sunset.jpg

2007-11-09T17:54:00.001+08:00

- Taken at 5:38 PM on November 09, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Maclehose sign

2007-11-09T17:53:00.001+08:00

Maclehose trail
- Taken at 5:38 PM on November 09, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Climbing Rooster Hill - shaped like a chicken stings like a bee.jpg

2007-11-09T17:45:00.003+08:00

- Taken at 5:22 PM on November 09, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Post 50 - quarter.jpg

2007-11-09T17:45:00.001+08:00

- Taken at 3:24 PM on November 09, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Checkpoint 2 at 3pm.jpg

2007-11-09T17:44:00.001+08:00

- Taken at 3:18 PM on November 09, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Daytime of the night.jpg

2007-11-09T15:01:00.001+08:00

- Taken at 1:13 PM on November 09, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Sharp peak.jpg

2007-11-09T15:00:00.001+08:00

- Taken at 1:27 PM on November 09, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Live from the trail.jpg

2007-11-09T12:12:00.001+08:00

- Taken at 12:06 PM on November 09, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Stunning beach stunning lady!.jpg

2007-11-09T11:35:00.001+08:00

- Taken at 11:25 AM on November 09, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

The sea.jpg

2007-11-09T10:48:00.001+08:00

- Taken at 10:44 AM on November 09, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Helen on high island reservoir dam.jpg

2007-11-09T09:52:00.001+08:00

- Taken at 9:46 AM on November 09, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Team at the start.jpg

2007-11-09T09:50:00.001+08:00

- Taken at 8:55 AM on November 09, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

On our way - Tai Mo Shan from the bus.jpg

2007-11-09T07:10:00.001+08:00

- Taken at 7:02 AM on November 09, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Carb loading pasta

2007-11-08T22:08:00.001+08:00

Our last meal at home before trailwalker, stocking up those carbs.

- Taken at 9:55 PM on November 08, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Some of Our Nice Support crew

2007-11-08T22:03:00.001+08:00

Support teams play a crucial role in getting a team through trailwalker. This is Pablo & Riba, who will be meeting us near checkpoint 4 at midnight on Friday. We also have 2 other friends who will be meeting us at checkpoints 3 and 8. Thanks everyone! We couldn't do this without you!

- Taken at 9:46 PM on November 08, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu

Trailwalker: 100 hours to go

2007-11-05T08:40:00.000+08:00

Here's a picture of our trailwalker team at the finish on 2006's event. Joseph, our team captain assures me there's about 100 hours left to go til we start this year's 100km hike. Helen, who joined us for the last 20km last year, will be on the team this year.

We've done heaps of training, with lots of longer hikes compared to last year, but we've both still a little nervous, wondering whether our knees will cope with 250,000 steps and the equivalent uphill climbing to ascending Everest twice! We're aiming for somewhere around 28 hours this year, and we're starting earlier in the day, which will hopefully mean we'll only walk through one night, rather than two. But things don't always go to plan in such grueling events as this.

So, think of us on Friday and Saturday (and maybe part of Sunday too!). You might even want to consider sponsoring us, to raise money to support Oxfam's poverty relief projects across Asia and Africa. If you pledge an amount per km, that will be an added encouragement for us to keep going!!!

Email us if you'd like to help [mike dot helen at gmail dot com].

Needle Hill

2007-10-18T20:17:00.000+08:00

We haven't written here in ages. Contrary to some suggestions, it's not because of a certain prolific comment-writer, but due to us been rather busy of late. What have we been up to? Outside of our normal busy lives, this picture sums up what has been taking up a lot of our time. Needle hill. We've climbed this crazily steep hill more than a few times in the last few weeks, in training for trailwalker. 3 weeks to go. Enough said. At least for now.

This is NOT a wind up

2007-07-30T13:17:00.000+08:00

Well, actually, this is a wind up - a wind up toothpaste squeezer that Helen gave me a while back. It's a really clever device, but pretty simple and SO useful. You just stick the toothpaste in as it gets near the end of the tube and begin to turn. It squeezes out the whole tube with almost no efforts.

Impressed? You can even buy them online through ebay. Where is the seller based? Hong Kong, of course. (and, no, it's not us!)

Soy Sauce Art Museum

2007-07-29T13:26:00.000+08:00

Just had to share this with the world... A museum of soy sauce art? Artwork painted using soy sauce? Soy sauce paintings in a museum?

What more can I say?!?

Today I have been mostly...

2007-07-23T22:03:00.000+08:00

This Monday, last Monday and for the next 2 weeks, Helen is doing a first aid course with the Red Cross. She's fast becoming an expert in constructing a whole range of bandages, for all sorts of injuries, and tonight has been practicing on Mike. Here he is with a classic head bandage and an elevated arm sling. Although, it looks like he's been run over a bus, no need to worry - he's doing pretty well.

Roboland experiences roboclosure

2007-07-20T19:43:00.000+08:00

We were going to take some friends, Matt & Erika, to the Robot Kitchen yesterday (we blogged about it ages back), for a farewell dinner. But sadly it seems to have shut!

We didn't actually make it to the shopping centre, to see for ourselves. But their website is down, one HK food website says it is closed, and they are no longer listed in directory enquiries. It could be the robots have taken over or they've all left on holiday. But most likely it wasn't quite the money making idea they hoped. If anyone else knows different, do let us know!

Instead, we went to a fine Australian establishment called Ned Kelly's, with rather unusual 'Australian' food. For example, Erika had a Gundagai tuckerbox! Never seen it on offer in Australia, but it sure looked good.

We still had a good time, without the robots. But was a bit sad, saying farewell. Go well, Matt & Erika. It's been fun, but we're gonna miss you guy guys! Look out San Diego!!

p.s. Quick plug: Check out Erika's awesome jewellery (is that spelled write? :) in action!

Ten ways to combat mozzies

2007-07-16T12:42:00.000+08:00

Just came across a useful page for anyone in HK or a similar city where mosquitoes are far too abundant.

Bird baths and lawn mowers aren't really very common in HK, but the principles still apply. The stuff on types of clothing sounds helpful. And cutting down on still water is by far the best tip, as without water they can't breed. I once heard that mozzies only fly about 20m or so from their original watery home, so if you cut out all water within 20m you're mozzie free.

Although my most successful method so far has been to stick with Helen; for some reason mosquitoes seem to think she tastes much better, so will always attack her first!

Anyone get any more tips?

It's been found!

2007-07-15T10:11:00.000+08:00

Thanks everyone, especially Rob. It was under the sofa!

Remotest idea?

2007-07-13T20:16:00.000+08:00

We've lost the remote control for our hi-fi. Of course, it's somewhere in our house as we don't tend to take it out anywhere, but it hasn't been seen for far too many days in any of the usual places. We use it to set the alarm on our hifi, which can't be changed without the handset. So, our alarm is stuck on 7.20am (could certainly have been worse!).

It's easier to find a picture of it on Google images than it is to find it in the house. I wonder when Google will have this one sussed. Till then, if anyone wants to pop over and join the hunt, you know what it looks like.

My dad used to say that it is called a 'remote control' because you usually don't have the remotest idea where it is. Good ol' English humour. Well, we thought it was pretty funny - and, now, strangely apt.

Of course, it will be (a) where we left it and (b) in the last place we look. If only we knew where that place was... any suggestions welcome!

Mike & Helen in Springfield

2007-07-12T20:49:00.000+08:00

We just got back from the gym, which we've recently signed up for (for next to nothing, after a 3 hour briefing in Cantonese! Thats another story) and decided to celebrate by moving to Springfield. Here's the identities that we've both been given, based upon what we used to look like.

Inspiration from Tom and the new Simpsons movie.

The Great Chinese Take-away

2007-07-03T18:22:00.000+08:00

On Sunday we joined some friends to celebrate ten years since Hong Kong moved back to China. Was funny to think that, in a way, we were also celebrating the demise of the British empire.

British people, and English speaking people generally call the event the 'handover', although I have heard that in Chinese the word used is more accurately translated as 'takeover'. I guess it depends on your perspective as to whether you were handing over the territory or taking it back. But the best description I have heard was 'The Great Chinese Take-away'!

There were some pretty cool fireworks, including some mixed with lasers set off from the tops of about 50 of HK's skyscrapers. Must have been a nightmare to coordinate all those to go off at the same time. Two of our friends from Sydney were involved - one guy that works for a fireworks company that supplied and set up the fireworks and another who works for the software company that built the computer system that ran the laser show. They certainly did a pretty good job.

Of course, I couldn't help giving the 'fireworks' setting on our camera a go, as did everyone else. You can see the results in the picture... There was an amazing black cloud left behind after half an hour of fireworks. Not quite as bad as a few years back when there was no wind and you couldn't see any of the fireworks. Anyway, I tried to take a few before and after shots of this cloud, with almost all of HK island hidden from view behind it. But it's strangely hard to take a photo of a big cloud of nothingness. So I won't bother to post them here. Instead, here's another of the fireworks that created the black cloud.

It's amazing want a special event does for inspiration. Even our friend the silent programmer blogged, as did KT. Michelle gave it a mention, and Phil took this video of the fireworks standing next to us.

Another highlight from Sunday was that we got to have lunch at Brantos (aka 'The Chris & Athania restaurant' - See Michelle's blog for the reason behind the name change) for the first time in ages, catching up with good friends Chris and Athania, back from LA for the summer. Thanks, Michelle, for capturing the event so aptly, so we just need to link to you! And thanks, Chris and Athania, for coming to visit. Great to have you guys back!

Experience Life as a 3rd World Famer

2007-06-29T17:59:00.000+08:00

Imagine. You're a farmer who has vital choices to make about the crops you plant each season. You know that the success or failure of the decisions you make will determine whether your family will eat. But each year, the bad harvests, crop-eating insects, sickness and other factors out of your control, push your household further into the downward spiral of poverty.

Yeah, sounds tough. But it's hard to fully understand what that must feel like, and how you would act in such a situation. One of our simulations, Monsoon, that Helen has helped run as part of a poverty course, gives you a glimpse of a farmer's life in rural India. If you are in HK, or you can get 30+ people together, you might like have a go at this game (see Tear Australia)

For those who won't be playing Monsoon in the near future, you might prefer to check out 3rd World Famer, a similar game online that you can play on your own. It's part of a new, growing game genre called serious games, that aim to challenge and educate. Anyone can have a go, and with a spare 15 minutes or so you too can enter in and take a glimpse at how this farmer, and others like him, lives.

I won't give the plot away, but I will say that I shocked myself through some of the decisions I made during the game, when (virtual) desperate poverty threatened to kill my family members!

Give Me Shelter

2007-06-20T21:54:00.000+08:00

A project run by the Global Hand UK office is entering its second year and is already turning heads at this year's summer music festivals. Give Me Shelter is a campaign to encourage festival-goers to donate their tents and other camping items to charities through the Global Hand network. This week they will be receiving collecting goods at the Glastonbury festival, and then many other events throughout the summer.

You can take a look at their myspace page for more info:
http://www.myspace.com/givemesheltercampaign

There's also been heaps of high profile UK news articles this week mentioning Global Hand and Give Me Shelter, including the Times, The Observer and the BBC:

BBC NEWS: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6766245.stm

THE OBSERVER: http://observer.guardian.co.uk/magazine/story/0,,2101252,00.html - Is it green to go to Glastonbury?

ITV: http://www.itv.com/news/entertainment_bda35b729...

THE TIMES
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertai... http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/mu...

THE EVENING STANDARD
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/showbiz/article-23401092...

SKY NEWS | http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30100-13593808,00.html

Cable car incident investigated

2007-06-11T22:38:00.000+08:00

Just read a rather worrying story in tonight's news. We were on this cable car with family twice in the last 5 months. Luckily no one was hurt in this incident.

Cable car incident investigated

Hong Kong's Ngong Ping 360 cable car system has been closed after a gondola fell onto a slope. There were no injuries.

The gondola fell as it neared one of its angle stations near Chek Lap Kok South Road about 8.20pm.

Skyrail-ITM Managing Director Bill Calderwood said there were no people inside the gondola when the accident occurred. "Investigators will look at all possibilities and check all aspects of the system."

Keeping up with the three Jones' in China

2007-05-29T23:11:00.000+08:00

There are currently 3 mem bers of the Jones family visiting China. Sadly, Heather isn't able to come via HK, as it's a fleeting work trip. But we'll wave as she flies past!

Andrew & Bonnie's wedding

2007-05-28T13:32:00.000+08:00

We had a great time celebrating with Andrew & Bonnie yesterday as they tied the knot. It was quite a traditioinal affair, so having only been to 2 other weddings in HK, it was a bit of a learning experience for us. We knew everyone on our table, so we had great fun with them explaining the food and other elements of the celebration to us.

Congratulations Andrew & Bonnie and welcome to being married!

Dickens World theme park

2007-05-26T23:23:00.000+08:00

A Dicken's World theme park is opening this weekend celebrating Charles Dickens and his books. The park will be just down the road from where Mike's parents live. Dickens lived in the Rochester area and set many of his books there.

Interestingly, the local press have been saying people are concerned the rides will make Dickens' stories too fun and may miss the poverty in which his stories were intentionally set (Dickens was a 'vigorous social campaigner', and 'a fierce critic of the poverty.. of Victorian society'). The park website addresses these fears, saying that they aim to help people "gain an understanding of the times and conditions people experienced living in England in the early 19th century." Will be fascinating to see, particular considering the poverty life experience activities that we run.

One small thing that really impressed me: they set up a webcam and have made a time lapse video over the whole construction process. So, in a couple of minutes you can watch the whole park being built!!!!

_______________
On a related note, an amusing Dicken's fact: Apparently, his granddaughter, on a visit to Sydney in 1964 to promote her books was approached by a woman who handed her a copy of one of her books, and said 'Emma Chisit?' and Ms Dickens mistook her query about the cost for an incorrect name!! And so the phenomenon of "Strine" was born. The End.

Trees Brave City Life

2007-05-24T22:59:00.000+08:00

On the bus on the way to Stanley today, we were testing out our cameras, and ended up taking a few pictures of HK trees. The first is a common site in HK these days; a tree preserved in the middle of a construction site. The second, another typical Hong Kong tree, made of metal.

Stanley

2007-05-24T22:56:00.000+08:00

After camera shopping, we headed over to Stanley for the afternoon. Somehow it completely passed us by until we got off the bus that today was dragon boat races. There weren't as many people as there might have been, so it wasn't too crowded. We even got to catch the last race - a first for us.

Before hitting the markets, we stopped off at the King Ludwig's German Restaurant for a delicious buffet meal. We sat out on the balcony as it was such a nice day, but we also noticed the inside of the restaurant, impressively decorated with shields, pictures of german castles and more (see pic below, taken circa 1857).

And check out the great picture we snapped of mum and dad. Ahhhhhhh :)

Out on the town

2007-05-24T21:29:00.000+08:00

After a week with Helen and mum feeling rather under the weather, we finally got to have a bit of fun today. We took advantage of the public holiday to shop for a camera, this time for Helen's Dad. We went along to see Tony, our knowledgeable camera salesman, and Dad picked up a Canon Powershot. Here's the proud new owner in action.

Role reversal

2007-05-22T17:42:00.000+08:00

We had a bit of a role reversal today. Helen has been sick for the pass few days with the flu and some really bad headaches. So, she missed today's paper-bag making simulation game. However, her Dad helped by stepping in and playing the role of a Development Worker, and a few other roles too. Of course, we had to capture photographic evidence!

Refugee Run

2007-05-18T22:01:00.000+08:00

Tonight we were both again involved in one of the life experience events that we've mentioned before, called the Refugee Run. A group of students from an international school came out to our site to experience life as a refugee for 2 hours, forced to leave home, passing through a minefield, crossing a border and battling the odds in a refugee camp. The earlier post linked to a picture of Helen in action so here's a picture of Mike (on the left) with a couple of the other actors. If you're in Hong Kong, drop us an email if you'd like to be a part of the next one. From the feedback we get, it's a really valuable experience, but not for the faint-hearted.

Bring out the colour

2007-05-17T19:03:00.000+08:00

I just discovered a great new feature on our camera that lets you turn a picture black and white but leave one colour as is. This is not the best photo, as my subjects wouldn't stand still (although I should give them credit for co-ordinating their tops just for this photo), but you get the idea.

I've always wanted a camera with removable lenses so I can play with filters and now I can do something very similar with just a pocket-size camera! Watch out for more like this now my creativity has been let lose...

2 travellers from the Middle East

2007-05-16T22:12:00.000+08:00

Helen's parents, Howard and Mary, arrived on Saturday from Dubai for a month stop in Hong Kong. They're staying in the flat above us and will be working with us. We've already had a fun weekend with them, eating dim sum on Sunday and then a big shopping spree after a trip to the chiro on Monday. Not exactly your typical tourist day, but we had fun, buying our first new washing machine, thanks to a kind friend in Australia, and a new camera thanks to our kind insurance company after we lost our old one in England.