Getting to Know Our New 'Hood

Another fun filled busy weekend.  We got a lot accomplished and got to know our new area a little better.

Friday morning started at the immigration department to collect our HK ID cards - we are now officially residents of Hong Kong, and we have the cards to prove it.   On our way back to work we dropped into the US consulate to have our absentee ballots mailed back to the US.  That was a little more complicated then I expected.  Picture going through a TSA line at the airport, but they collect all electronics from you - phone, camera, i-pad, i-pod, etc and keep them until you leave.  But we voted - see picture below.

After work we ventured to Ikea - to try and avoid the crazy weekend crowds.  And it worked.  We ordered 5 wardrobes (remember, no closets here).  They'll be delivered next Sunday afternoon.  So we know what next Sunday afternoon looks like.

Saturday afternoon we ventured out into our new 'hood after the stereo was delivered - another Patrick toy.  Now if only we can get the cable and internet connected.  I don't know what I would do without the hotspot on my new iPhone - just saying.

We found an interesting restaurant - I say interesting in that most of the menu was Chinese, except what Patrick got.  The menu had english - and that is an important criteria.

So here is the place

Here is Gwen's fish ball and fish cake soup. Texture was interesting but good.

And here is Patrick's French Frankfurter 

The rest of the day was shopping.  Got an iron, ironing board (wish I had packed mine) and vacuum cleaner.  We were able to find some things in our local neighborhood, and we had to trek to a mall for others.  Since we are not close to an MTR (subway) stop we explored the bus routes.   The buses here are pretty darn nice.  In HK the only place for more space is UP. That is also true of the buses.  They are all double-decker.

Sunday lunch / brunch was at a local vietnamese restaurant - no pictures - super small place and I know I would have been laughed at.  Food was good and I am pretty sure we will go back.  Then on the way home I ventured into a LYS (local yarn shop) I spotted getting off the bus.  I am in soooo much trouble now.  The place is great - all types of yarn - a lot of brands I have not seen before.  No one spoke English - but they could tell me how much I owed and say thank you and bye-bye.  I purchased enough for a baby blanket, and I've already started crocheting this afternoon.  I was having crochet withdrawal.

Patrick went to hit some golf balls, and I ventured to a Park 'n Shop Superstore I spotted in the 'hood.  Shops are deceiving from the outside - this place was huge (for HK - nothing like a Super Target) on the inside.  Space was used well, and I found more stuff.  I am posting pictures of some of the interesting things I got for Wendy - she was asking about different flavored noodles and the one below is "mushroom flavored sichuan spicy noodle" and I can't wait to see what the cheese nut crackers taste like. (Sorry can't figure out how to rotate the picture, but I think the effect is there.)

To finish the weekend off I had to share a picture of something I don't think I have seen since before I could legally drink in the US, but I remember them.

Off to make dinner and open that can of beer.